Yes, as promised, another chapter. The same disclaimers apply . . . with the following amendment, which I forgot last time (like an idiot): while I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh or any of it's characters, I DO own Kanshisha. She's my creation, as is the whole Summoner mythology, which is the basis for another big story currently in the works, Angels Would Fall. After several convos with Yue-chan, my muse suddenly pitched me this completely RANDOM idea . . and like a complete moron, I submitted to writing. I have no spine and WAY too much time on my hands. Also, seeing as I don't know much about the actually YGO storyline or the other charas, I've placed this story in "convoverse," which is to say, in the realm of the ongoing RPG between myself and Yue-chan (Digikitty). The convoverse involves the following ppl:
Yugi and Yami - Do I REALLY need to tell you about them? Well, there is one difference: Yugi's older now, 18 or 19ish.
Mik-chan - The slightly more amiable version of Nizuno Mikomi . . and less prone to violence. Turns into NM when angered or threatened.
Nizuno Mikomi - Mik-chan's dark side; an ex-assassin from Meiji Era Japan. Check out my profile to read her story.
Yue - Um . . I dunno. . . human girl with wings and a tendency to be possessed by demons; married to Miroku; mother of three (Jr, Shin'yuu, Kansei).
Miroku - The lech monk from Inuyasha. Nuff said.
Aoi Tsukai - Former bounty hunter and the Summoner of Light for the current generation. (See 'Angels Would Fall' ficlet for more on that.) Engaged/attached to Yugi; mother of twins, Amai and Yuuga. Very protective of her family and her loved ones. Has a somewhat violet temper (seeing as she's NM's descendant) and will pick a fight just to have something to do.
That about does it, except for one more thing: in the convoverse, Yugi and Yami still share a body, but for the purposes of this fic, they will be separate.
Before diving headfirst into this newest installment, I'd like to take a brief moment to thank my reviewers, whose feedback means SO much to me.
Yue-chan (Digikitty): As I said before, "-.- Damn you for knowing me so well." And I would've told you, if I hadn't come up with the idea at about . . oh, the crack of five in the morning when I couldn't sleep! And then you weren't on, so . . . :P nyeh, you know it exists now! ^.^
demongoddess: *raises an eyebrow* The same thing? Do tell . . . interesting. I'll have to find time to read this ficcie of yours, then. Here's the update you asked for so very nicely. ^.^ Who exactly did you want it to be, by the way? Thus far, only Yue and I know . . plus maybe a few more people who have read this but HAVEN'T REVIEWED! (*glare* EEEEEEVIL) *blushes* Gee, thanks . . . I'm honored that you think I'm so talented. ^.^
Sweet Sorceress: Thank you muchly . . . this fic is shaping up to be semi-long and fairly straightforward. The only things that might be confusing are Kanshisha's language (she talks like a dictionary) and the mythology. Any questions may be addressed to me in a review or by email.
Well, that about does it for the reviews. Not that I don't appreciate the three people that bothered to review me, but I REALLY hope I'll get more reviews for this chappie. Reviews make me HAPPY . . and they quell my violent/destructive tendencies. . . . . on to the ficcie.
"..." - speaking out loud
/.../ - Yugi's thought-speak
//...// - Yami's thought-speak
*...* sound effects
===== - scene change
Sanctuary
By: Nizuno Mikomi
Chapter One: Tweak
"Checkmate."
"MAN! You beat me again!" Mik-chan griped, staring at the chess board. "That's three times in a row!" Across from her, Yami grinned smugly.
"Four, actually," he returned, smoothly. "Which means you now owe me exactly . . . ."
"Three hundred seventy-one dollars and eleven cents," Yue broke in, shoving her calculator back into her pocket. Mik-chan glared at her winged friend.
"Thank you," she growled. Yue smiled serenely.
"Yea, verily," Aoi put in, cracking a smile. "You'd think after losing the first two so spectacularly, she might learn, but noooo . . . ." Mik-chan turned her infamous Glare O' Death on the blue-haired bounty hunter.
"And you'd also think that after the last seventeen times I chased your ass with a rolled up newspaper for insulting me, YOU might learn . . . but apparently that's not the case."
More grins from Aoi. "Nope."
Aoi's grins, being highly contagious, spread to the rest of the group as the girl took a seat at the table. Yami turned his crimson eyes to her. "You want to challenge me?"
"You bet your ass," Aoi replied, leaning an elbow on the table. "And I'll win, too."
A raised eyebrow from Yami. "Do tell."
"Yep. Chess never was Mik-chan's strong suit . . . but it's my favorite game." Aoi rolled up her long sleeves in an elaborate "I won't be cheating" gesture and began to rearrange her pieces. Yami reached for his pawns and hesitated with the strangest expression. His eye twitched once, then he shook his head and picked up the pieces.
"Something the matter, Needle Noggin?" Aoi smirked. "The pawns aren't poisonous, I promise." Yami studied the board silently.
Yugi nudged him with an elbow. /Ne, Yami, what is it?/ Yami shrugged elaborately.
//Nothing, aibou . . . I thought I heard someone calling me, that's all.// Yugi regarded him skeptically, then turned his attention back to the game.
"Let's duel, Tsukai," Yami intoned dramatically. Aoi moved her first pawn and smiled across the table at the Game Master.
"Your move."
=====
Kanshisha's eyes flew open and she breathed deeply. The call had gone out. Now all she had to do was wait and see who answered.
Easing herself to her feet, the bronze-skinned Archangel stretched her arms high over her head and smoothed out her snow white clothing. Not for the first time, she regarded her apparel and wondered if human fashion would still accept her wardrobe: a long flowing gown slit all the way up to her waist in four places, leaving long trains hanging down, through which her toned legs showed whenever she moved. The bodice was cut away on the sides and low at the neckline, showing off her slim torso and well-formed bust. Loose bell sleeves hung down over her hands, the nails of which were painted a glittering silver. Black leather boots encased her legs up to the knee and added two inches to her height.
Given the eternal ambient light given off by the walls of her room, Kanshisha could see perfectly into every single corner. Nevertheless, she pointed a fingertip at several votive candles grouped together in a bracket on one wall. The candles spontaneously burst into flame, creating a soft, golden glow. The Guardian smiled slightly, enjoying the small change, and proceeded to ready herself for a much-needed rest. Off came the white ceremonial garment and the leather boots, then whatever clothing was left. Never having had nosy neighbors or any other reason to wear pajamas, Kanshisha saw absolutely no problem with sleeping in the nude.
As she climbed into her bed and settled beneath the cool black sheets, she adjusted the protective Wards surrounding her Soul Room to admit the owner of the light she had finally made contact with somewhere out in the abyss of the subconscious, should he or she decide to drop by while she slept. These small alterations made, she turned onto her side, folded the sheets down to her waist, laid her shining silver head on the pillow, and promptly fell asleep.
Well, there's your update, folks.
In case you haven't guessed, and for those of you that have, yes, Yami IS the "light" Kanshisha made contact with during her meditations. I told you it was a paradox. And once again, damn you, Yue, for knowing me so well. ^.^ (The little wench guessed who it was right away. Gosh, was it THAT obvious?)
The next chapter will feature these two meeting for the first time, I promise. When it will be up, I can't say for certain. Next week looks promising.
Anyway, if you've read this far, you'd better review or swarms of small rabid rodents shall invade you home and set up housekeeping in your underwear drawer. *evil grin*