FUN AND GAMES

(Ao の Exorcist)


BONxOC. After her mom collapses, Nagahara Chie comes across a ryokan. After an attempt to steal firewood, she finds herself asking for shelter for at least her mom. Permission is granted after a certain person sets an argument. Six years later, certain events cause Chie to leave; saying goodbye to the people who took care of her, Chie heads for True Cross Academy- where her father works. Now, things heat up when people reunite and new events and plans unfold. To make it more complicated, Chie is in love with a childhood friend from the ryokan! Does he love her back? But, even if he does- can they survive whatever fate has in store for them?!

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN Ao の Exorcist! (THOUGH I SERIOUSLY WISH I DID!)


SITUATIONAL HYPOCRISY


Ready |-^Ȱ-Ȱ^-| Start

The air was cold; mama's breath was becoming shallow and labored. I gritted my teeth; she needed a warmer place to sleep. The cave that we were sheltered in for the night was only slightly warmer than the outside. The camp fire was slowly going out but I didn't want to leave her to go collect more wood. If she started a coughing fit, she'd drown in her own blood.

I grabbed hold of mama's hand and squeezed. "What the hell am I going to do…?" I sighed to myself. Mama shifted and groaned, her eyes fluttered and she looked at me.

"Chie, mama'll be fine. Go get some wood for the fire. I'll be fine until you get back." She smiled weakly. I sat in thought but I eventually –reluctantly- nodded and stood. I knew better than to argue. I sat her up and propped her up against the wall. It wasn't the best thing I could do for her, but it gave a better chance of her being safe than if she just laid flat. She smiled at me and waved her hand, shooing me.

I worked my way south, closer to the city, where it was more likely to find dry wood in the snow. I was careful to avoid main roads; I didn't want to run into people unless it was necessary. They would just butt into our lives, and that might make mama's condition worse. She doesn't need the stress. Mama honestly didn't like people much. Mainly because she was too proud. People would ask too many questions. What did she have? How did she get it? Is it contagious? All of those are natural to ask, but to be completely honest- the answers aren't as simple as one may wish. So, if all possible, care for her alone.

My nose filled with a warm, meaty smell and I turned my head towards it. My legs moved by themselves; pulling towards the smell of grilling meat. Soon enough, I reached what looked like a ryokan. My eyes narrowed -people. I ducked behind a tree. My eyes canning the area, and spotted a woodpile about ten meters away. I contemplated going for it. It was a risk, but I should be able to make out with at least some wood. Possibly enough for a bigger fire that lasts all night.

Licking my lips I made my move towards the woodpile. The smell of meat grew stronger as I picked at the wood, finding usable pieces. My stomach growled deep in my belly. I grimaced. The smell of the meat was making my mouth water. It hasn't been a good week for hunting. I could barely find even a snow hare, and when I did find food, I gave most of it to mama; saying that I had already eaten while I was out. My unwillingness to go far from the cave didn't help my hunts either. This has been the farthest I've gone since mama collapsed the week before.

"….!...?...Re-…ly!?…..No wa-...!...Hah-..!..."

The sound of conversation filled my ears and I froze. I slowed my breathing; the puffs of air were barely visible. I listened to the frequency of the voices. It wouldn't be much longer before they arrived. My eyes darted from object to object, trying to find a hiding place.

The voices grew closer. I wouldn't be able to hide in time. Mere seconds later, the people came into view.

"Hey! What're you doin' over there!?" One of them called he noticed me. I panicked.

My hands laced behind my waist length, unkempt hair; grabbing the ribbon that wrapped around my hair line and untied it.

I pulled it out and twirled the ends around my pointer fingers, pulling it tight between them.

"空気の神、水の神;私に答えるください!『please answer me; God of air, God of Water』" I shouted, pleading with the elements. The snow that coated the ground rose with grace and speed.

Some form of mantra rose from one of my discoverers, and fire shot at my snow.

"火炎の神、 消滅させる!『God of Fire, extinguish!』" I commanded; shoving my palm out, soothing the fire, resulting in it dissipating. I waved my hands, maneuvering my ribbon in intricate dances. The snow flurried around, packing together into a wall.

'I need out!' I yelled in my head.

"土の神、 摂取!送る!『God of Earth, intake! Send!』" I commanded; shoving my right middle and pointer fingers up in the air. The earth under the wood stack grumbled and creaked, rising around the target.

Suddenly, pain waved through my body. My concentration faltered and the snow fell back to the ground and the earth crumbed. My vision blurred and I struggled to stay on my feet. I failed and collided with one of my discoverers who had come to my aid.

I weakly tried to pry myself from him but he held me still.

"Mama..." I choked out, trying to motivate myself before my world became black.


I groaned as my eyes fluttered open. I was so warm. I felt safe. My eyes flung open as memories of mama filled my head. I shot up, griping the covers that we're on top of me.

"Whoa there, kiddo. You shouldn't move." A serious voice called to me. My head whipped around to see who it was that spoke. A man with half his face covered in a tattoo sat criss-cross with his arms folded over his chest.

"You are..?" I growled, scooting slightly away for safe measure.

"The names' Shima Yaozō. And you?" He said, his voice was firm but his eyes showed kindness.

"Nagahara Chie." I mumbled, remembering my manners, I couldn't afford to piss him off. I needed outta here.

"Okay, Nagahara-kun, could you explain why you were trying to steal our firewood?" His expression became a bit more serious, but his eyes still shone with kindness.

I glared at him, sneaking a glance at the door.

"My mother needs a fire. The wood around our... Home is soaked by the snow." I paused, "may I ask how long I have been out?"

"Hmm? About an hour." He replied.

I gritted my teeth and clinched my fists.

"If you're worrying about your mother, she's in the other room." Yaozō said, hoisting himself up. I looked back at him, my face must have looked as shocked as I felt because he half-smiled and added "You said 'mama' before you passed out."

"Then you already knew why I was after your wood." I muttered to myself, looking at the floor.

Several moments of silence went by before he spoke again. "I have an idea, I can't decide by myself; but if you wish, I can ask the owner here if you and your mother may stay."

I glanced up at him. I swallowed my pride and gave an almost inaudible "Anything to keep mama safe." I knew that I would catch hell from mama about this later, but right now I figured that taking advantage of the situation would be best.


Okay~ That concludes the first chapter: "Situational Hypocrisy"! Whadd'ya'll think? If ya'll lik'd it, tell me so~ R&R! Don't be afraid to~ I don't bite! (Maybe) :3

As you most likely noticed, I used Kana for Chie's attacks (and the translation in brackets next to it). I did this for two reasons; one is simply because I wanted to, while the other (in my opinion) gives it a more powerful feel. Just like in many anime/manga, translators only translate attacks to Romanji. This (again, in my opinion) makes it sound powerful and authentic. I plan on keeping this aspect the same throughout my story. Also, if you see something wrong with my translation, please do not hesitate to tell me so. I am currently trying to learn Japanese and any mistakes I make would be gladly appreciated. (I learn best with trial and error.)

Anyway, thank you once again for reading this.

NEXT TIME:

Chapter two: "Deals and Goodbyes"'ll be out soon!

Will Chie be able to stay? If so, how will her mom take it? What exactly is wrong with her mom?

「"Wont that be lonely?"」