I'm back after serious writers block on my other stories; during of which, I gained this idea. Other stories WILL be continued but I need a little bit more time, so here is the result of my writers block :)
Chapter one
Autumn mist of an early crisp morning, hovered over a still meadow; the mist only brave enough to venture so far into the awakening forest that bordered the meadow. Although, the forest was starting to show that it was not just a dark wall of sleeping timber, the sun had only just started to climb. It's rays breaking the darkness that clung in between the waking trees. Song birds calmly sang their songs, helping the forest to awake. Those songs were all that were heard, along with the wind that gently rustled the leave; that called the forest floor home. Nature was happy, peaceful…
Nature was not happy; songs were cut short, even the wind appeared to hold its breath. Shouting, yelling, cursing; a fight was all that was heard. Booming sounds and animal fleeing from their homes, nature was not at all happy.
"If you lot are so worried about the planet; then why do you choose to chase us here? To a forest…"Demanded an annoyed cat girl, she and two other were all that was left of the group of five girls that protected Earth. The other two; had merely drifted from the group, as if they had grown bored of the burden that laid heavily on their shoulders. She got no reply, as all she got was an angry growl which was followed by quick lightening strike. It missed but struck a tree down. The cat girl watched as the tree fell with a pained creaky cry as it hit the ground with an echoic thud. The cat girl turned her glare to the tree's murderer. "See what I mean? You don't care, do you?"
"Silence, what gives you the rights to say that I do not care; whereas, it is you who do not care" Pai had had enough of the sound of the cat girl's mouth. But her saying he did not care about his formal home, had only aided his anger.
"But, Pai-san; we do care…" Lettuce's timid voice filled Pai's keen hearing, she stood with her hands folded together and held up against her chest; as if silently begging him to understand her, only her… This sight soften his face for a brief moment before he quickly fixed back into his cold, hard emotionless state. Although, his voice towards her was not as harsh as it had been toward her fellow mew.
"You may care, Lettuce. But many of your kind wouldn't hesitate at burning this forest down" The tone with his voice, made his two companions turn their heads in his direction. Kisshu with a small sly smile, and Taruto having his eye brows raised. By this point, they were in the still meadow; surrounded by the crisp morning air and early autumn mist. Only a light breeze blew, hesitant; waiting for there to be peaceful again within the forest as so it can wake in peace.
"That may be true, Pai-san; but there are also many out there that would deny what you think of us" Lettuce spoke again; whilst helping Ichigo to her feet.
"Lettuce-chan is right, na no da. Ichigo-chan, Lettuce-chan and Pudding care, na no da" Pudding's youthful voice suddenly blew into everyone's ears as she took her place to the left of Lettuce's side. Beaming brightly towards the aliens. Taruto snorted at her remark, whilst rolling his eyes.
"Is that true, Kitty cat? Do you really care about this forest?" Kisshu had let his curiosity get the better of him, smiling mockingly towards Ichigo; waiting for his answer. At first, Ichigo allowed her eyes to become slits because growling an answer to the perverted alien that stood no more that two feet from her.
"Yes, I do care; but would it bother you if I did, huh?" She didn't need an answer, she didn't want an answer. This cause Kisshu to chuckle lightly; he was silence by a glare from Pai, that was cast from over his brood shoulders. The wind blew hesitantly again, testing. Pai deciding that they had all had enough rest; was the first to strike again but the mews were too fast; it missed but burnt all the grass where it hit the ground.
"Pai-san please, stop fighting" Lettuce begged whilst dodging another attack that he had sent in her direction, he was grateful for her weak eye-sight; when she begged at him like that, his heart would tear apart, but only a fraction of the maddening pain would show briefly on his pale stone etched face.
The fight had lasted long than most fights had; the forest was still standing, grieving over the lost of a few of its trees, but both the mews and aliens had used up all their energy and effort, to only wind up laying exhausted on the scorched grass under the early afternoon sun. However; there was a problem. They were all lost. The fight had ended not so long ago; a heavy silence hung over the two separate groups as they silently decide on what to do.
"I guess, we are going have to work together now; aren't we?" Taruto asked whilst he laid on his stomach with his eyes closed; enjoying the warmth of the weakening sun. Pai huffed as he nodded from his propped up position against a grieving tree.
"It appears so" Pai's voice drifting at the end as he too, closed his eyes. He had never felt this tired. As he closed his eyes; he could pick up the sound of light snoring. Cracking open an eye; Kisshu had completely wiped himself out, once they had stopped he was the of the three aliens to sink to the ground, Pai himself, not long after him. Kisshu lay with his back to the saddened forest, curled on his side; using his right arm as a pillow. Casting a glance with both his eyes open; he looked to see what state the mews were in. He did not care, he was just curious.
Pudding laid just like Kisshu; asleep but using her left arm as a pillow. She laid not too far from where Taruto had placed himself. Ichigo was merely laying on her back and gazing up at the sky, taking steady breaths. Surprisingly, she had laid herself not far from where Kisshu had sunk to the ground; Pai rolled his eyes at that. Then his gaze fell on the sleeping Lettuce that her head resting a small moss covered rock; Pai weakly smiled at this before he let his eyes shut and his went limp and waited for sleep to come. Sighing deeply, the world surrounding them began to relax along with the groups.
Time seem to pass slowly, but soon the sky began to turn a dark indigo colour; they had stayed where they were for the rest of the day. Only briefly getting up to stretch their stiff limbs. The dark forest sat silently, watching the group with keen eyes. The wind had taken on a deathly chill, giving the mews; who were to tired to shift back into their normal forms. Their outfits did not help them keep warm.
"Ichigo could help me make a fire?" Lettuce asked as she shivered due another blast of cold autumn air. Ichigo groaned as she lifted her off of the dampening ground. Ichigo merely nodded as both of them wondered into the watching forest in search for fallen branches. Pudding moaned as she tried to go back to sleep; after she and Taruto had starting talking a few moments ago.
"Hey Pai, any idea as to how we are going to get back? It will take us a good couple days before we get our energy back to teleport back; let alone fly" Kisshu had been awake for a few hours, just lying still curled on his side watching the mews sleep and move around. His answer was a sleep driven groan from his companion; this made Kisshu's gaze to wonder up to look at his friends face. Pai looked so drained. "Pai…"
"I-I don't know, Kisshu; sorry. I can't think straight; I'm too tired" Pai didn't bother opening his eyes to look at his now worried friend; the slur in his voice gave it away how tired he really was. The meadow fell silent for a few minutes before Lettuce and Ichigo came back; both with an armful of fallen, broken branches. Ichigo huffed as she emptied her load onto the ground. Kisshu smiled at that.
"Need a hand at starting the fire, girls?" Kisshu asked as he stretched out of his curled position on the dampening ground. He didn't realise how stiff he had became.
"Sure, make yourself useful" Ichigo groaned out as she brushed off the dirt off her arms; she spoke over her shoulder. "It was about time you decide to get up" Kisshu chuckled at that remark, he could hear the small smile in her voice. Cracking his back as he stood up before joining Ichigo side as she started to prepare the fire. Within a few minutes, the three of them had a fire burning brightly; warming the bite that the autumn night air had brought with it. Silence fell upon the group again.
"How long we be stuck in this forest?" Ichigo asked, warming her hands.
"Well, we will be able to teleport you lot back in a few days, so really… just a few days really" Kisshu stated as he stretched out as he laid down beside Ichigo; casting her an innocent smile, Ichigo allowed her eyes to become slits before gazing back into the blazing fire.
"So you are going to help us?" Lettuce asked as she glanced over to the heavily sleeping Pai.
"Well, I am; and maybe Tart but I will help you" Ichigo snorted at that.
"Why? What do you want from helping us?"
"Nothing, really" Ichigo rolled her eyes at his reply. Kisshu always wanted something; he wouldn't do something for nothing. She that much about him.
"Why are you quick to judge me, Ichigo?" Kisshu got stares from both Lettuce and Ichigo. He had never called her by her real name; Ichigo stared at him with wide eyes, using her real name and saying in an annoyed tone had got her attention. Then she tried to explain; but she found she couldn't. She had no answer, she didn't know why she was quick to judge him. Kisshu huffed as he shock his as he took on a half smile.
"See, you don't know why" Ichigo blinked before glaring deep back into the fire with a sudden warmth in her cheeks; it was not due to the warmth from the fire. That was last conversation for the next hour before the quietness was ended.
"Pudding is hungry, Taru-Taru, na no da" Pudding whined as she rolled onto her back, facing the sky. Taruto jumped at the sound that had entered his ears; he had been on the brink of sleep.
"Don't called me that" He half growled, half groan at the monkey mew that laid beside him.
"But I'm hungry, Taru-Taru!" Pudding whined a little louder, Pai groaned as he shifted a little in his propped position against a tree, not far from the warmth of the fire.
"Will you keep it down; it will be your funeral if you wake Pai up" Taruto hissed under his breath. Pudding dramatically placed a hand over her mouth. Taruto only rolled his eyes at this. Mumbling 'idiot' under his breath, Pudding giggled at that. Little did both of them realise was that, their conversation was all that was heard within their 'camp'. Kisshu was biting his bottom lip in order to hold back his laughs, he didn't want to face a sleep deprived Pai. He knew fully well what he was like without a good amount of sleep in him. He was not alone at holding back the laugher; Ichigo was having trouble breathing due to holding back her laugh. Lettuce was close to sleep but she only smiled weakly at the youngest of the group, her eyes growing heavy.
"Kids" Kisshu and Ichigo both whispered softly, casting a quick glance towards the youngest of the group. Soon; Kisshu and Ichigo were the only ones who were fully wake. At first, they both stayed near the fire; watching it died and shrink in warmth. Ichigo sighed deeply, catching Kisshu's attention.
"You know, if you want to sleep; you can. I won't do anything. Promise" Kisshu offered, Ichigo smiled, small but she smiled at his calm tone and offer. Shifting as so she was semi-facing him; but half of her was still facing the dying flames.
"Thanks but I'm not tired, just bored; that's all" Kisshu smiled back at her smile filled tone.
"Well… do you want to talk? ya know, to pass time"
"Sure, there are some things I need to my head round about you and your kind, if that's alright if I ask" Ichigo asked softly, as so not to wake anyone; mostly Pai.
"Okay… Yeah; ask away" Kisshu beamed up at Ichigo from where he lay with his arms crossed behind his head.
"If your sure; What was it like; you know, Earth. What was it like when you aliens lived here?" That question caught Kisshu off guard. He raised an eye brow at her question but answered it never the least.
"Hmm, it was mostly covered in forests; much like this one…" That caught the forest's attention, the wind blew as if trying to get him tell more.
"Really; then where did you live?" Ichigo had an eager tone to her voice but she really was interested. Kisshu chuckled at her question.
"We lived within the trees; one with nature you could call it. But this all that I was told by my and other elders" Kisshu stated honestly, with a smile on his dimly face lit by the last few burning flames of the dying fire.
"Wow, that sounds amazing; but what did you eat, if you were one with nature-that sounds silly doesn't it?" Ichigo silently laughed at how stupid she sounded. Kisshu joined her silent laugher.
"Well, it dose sounds silly; but I never really asked what they ate or did they tell me; it's as to anyone's guest as to what they ate" Kisshu laughed a little louder, watching Ichigo hide her face in her hands. "Was that all you wanted to ask me?"
"No, that just came out" The blush on Ichigo's face got Kisshu's attention straight away as she turned her face to look at him; with a smile on her red face. This only made Kisshu to laugh harder; both hadn't noticed that Pai was watching them with a disgusted expression on his face. It was when he cleared his throat; they became aware of their audience. He had to hold back the smile that would of appeared when; both their heads snapped in his direction with wide eye fear.
"Sorry, did we wake you?" Ichigo asked nervously, taking on a weak smile. Pai stiffly shock his head before clearing his throat one more time before he answered.
"No I have been awake for a few minutes; listening to you two chatting your life away" Pai snarled out the last part, making Ichigo cringe; but Kisshu merely rolled his eyes.
"Good to see that you have had enough sleep; can you think any clearer, Pai?" Kisshu asked casually, Pai's eyes turned into slits before he snapped back a reply.
"Yes, Kisshu; I'm touched by your concern" Ichigo couldn't help but let out a strained laugh at how the aliens acted around each other. Kisshu was quick to catch on the mocking tone behind Pai's words.
"Geezes, Pai. Next time, I'll call you a doctor…" Kisshu snickered, Pai rolled his eyes at the remark. Ichigo's laugher became a little louder; gaining her a glare from Pai but a smirk from Kisshu. Ichigo's laugher had managed to wake the rest of who that was asleep.
"Why are you laughing Ichigo-chan?" Lettuce asked as she stretch before rubbing her eyes.
"Yes, why are you laughing?" Snapped an increasingly annoyed Pai, His harsh tone made Lettuce jump; with there not being any light, due to it being a cloudy night. It was nothing but darkness to her; voices in the dark of night.
"I never consider how you; aliens react to each other, that's all. There is really no need to get so angry" Kisshu was now the one laughing, joined shortly by Taruto then Pudding; and finally Ichigo. Pai merely growled as the dark forest was filled with the sound of full-hearted laugher. Lettuce was not laughing, she was listening to Pai's growl drop into shaky whimper; as if he was close to tears. The laughing continued.
"Guys enough! You lot are so childish" Lettuce shakily barked at the loud annoyance within her darken world. That said annoyance only quieten the slightest but it continued.
"Drop it, Lettuce!" Was all Ichigo managed to choke out; Pai couldn't hold back the deadly growl that erupted from his throat. The air became silent and still. Silent. No one noticed the tears that were threatening to spill from Pai's pained eyes, but Lettuce could; she could feel them.
"Have you now a idea of how we react to each other, mew!" Pai spat as he stood abruptly; stiff but he held his ground firmly. Ichigo gulped before answering.
"I'm really am sorry, Pai. I didn't mean for it to anger you; I'm so sorry" Ichigo plead, holding head and avoiding eye contact with the outrage alien, standing no more that three feet from her; he could easily cover that distance with just three big strides. She knew that much, to fear him.
"So you should be; you are all morons" Pai snarled as he turned and started walking towards the darkness of the forest..
"Hey Pai! Here you going?" Taruto shouted from where he laid on the ground; holding his sides. He had never laughed so hard. Although he got no reply, it was Kisshu that gave him an answer.
"Don't worry Tart, he is only going for walk to calm himself down; he'll be back in a few hours"
"Hours!" The whole group spoke at once, Kisshu rolled his eyes before making a remark. But as he opened his mouth to speak; he caught sight of the look on Lettuce's face. She looked miserable.
"Hey Lettuce; what wrong? I said he'll be back, so why the long face?" Kisshu asked in real concern, he had grown to like Lettuce but only like; his heart was still set on Ichigo.
"You guys shouldn't of done that; didn't you see? He was close to crying" She got a gasp from all of them, So they hadn't seen; she knew they wouldn't. With that she stood up.
"Lettuce-chan what are you doing? You'll get more lost out there" Ichigo called out as she watched Lettuce walk slowly into the darkness. "Lettuce!"
Time had passed; Lettuce had manage to trip herself up on a tree root. Luckily Pai was not far from her, though he never got to catch her in time. But now walked in silence with Lettuce allowed to wrap her hand around one of Pai's arms to help guide her around in the darkness.
"Lettuce, why did you decide to follow me? When you know you can't see" Pai asked as he helped Lettuce over another tree root.
"I was worried… about… you" Lettuce's face had taken on a blush, as she hadn't noticed that her grip on Pai's arm had tightened. Pai said nothing but he just gritted his teeth.
"That won't be necessary, Lettuce" Pai calmly stated as he glanced down at her; sparing a glance at her gripping hands on his left arm. Luckily; Lettuce hadn't noticed, for she had her face down and was looking at the forest surrounding them; as they headed back to the 'camp'.
The sky was beginning to take on a lighter shade of the indigo colour it had held all night all; morning was on its way. The forest surrounding them was beginning to stir. The wind had began to blow gently; whispering a soft awakening call to the trees, although; the song birds were not ready to sing the forest's morning song. However; the on coming morning air, carried with it a freshness. Rain was on its way.
"Smells like rain's coming, Pai-san"
"You can smell it too?" Pai asked with a rare small smile; glancing back down at Lettuce, who held her face up at the sky; watching the dark indigo sky night become brighter but that brighter colour held dark grey patches, rains clouds were being carried within the brightening morning sky. "Lettuce…"
"Hmm, yes; I can smell the rain. I like the rain; the air always cleaner after the rainfall" Lettuce laughed out. Pai smiled again, it made him happy to have her with him. But Pai would never tell her that; not yet, at least. Sighing deeply, Pai stopped to look up at the sky as well, before glancing around into the dimly lit forest. That's when something caught his eye.
"Lettuce look; can you see it? What is it?" Lettuce strained her eyes but she managed to see what had caught Pai's attention; it was a well, a square wooden well. They both decided to take a closer look. Once they were close enough to look into the well; they noticed that it was dry.
"I wonder how old this well is?" Lettuce thought out loud, whilst Pai leaned over to try and look at the bottom of the well.
"I don't get it; how can a well dry up?" Pai asked as his gaze was fixed at the bottom of the old well. He merely shrugged as he placed a hand firmly but lightly on top of the hand that was wrapped around his arm. "We best start back headin to camp" Lettuce laughed at Pai's tone as he spoke the last word. They both turned a started to walk the direction that they had taken to reach the old well. There came a flash of blue light that came from the well, Pai and Lettuce stared at each other before facing the well.
Lettuce nearly screamed when a figure jumped out from the well; Pai placed her behind him, protecting her. His gaze locked on the figure that had appeared from the dry well. The figure was a young boy, he looked no younger than sixteen. He held silver, gold eyes and white dog ears that were pricked forward on top of his head. His black eye brows were raised. He clothes were red, they old traditional japnesse clothes; but he held a sword on his hip, within its casing. Pai was the first to speak in a rather calm tone.
"Who are you? And what are you?" The last question gained him a half smile from the silver haired boy.
"What am I. . . ?What are you?"
"Answer my questions, then I may consider to answer yours" Pai snarled back at the silver haired boy, whilst giving Lettuce a reassuring squeeze with the arm that was blocking her from the strangers view. Pai got a glare but he answered in a harsh tone.
"My name is Inuyasha, and I am know as what people call a half demon. Now, what are you? And why are you trying to hide her" Inuyasha asked as he slightly pointed in Lettuce's position behind Pai. Pai snarled at Inuyasha, angry because he could tell that Lettuce was behind him; she had not said a word, nor moved an inch.
"I am not telling you what I am, as for why I am hiding Lettuce; She can hardly see, so I am acting as her eyes until the sun is up" Lettuce stared up at the back of Pai's head, he does care. . .
"Hey, I was only curious. No need to bite my head off!" Inuyasha snapped as he held up his hands, showing that he meant no harm. But he also wore a mocking smile, Pai huffed at that. Turning his back to Inuyasha; Pai spun Lettuce round and start to push her back in the direction to the camp. They did know that they had a silent follower.
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