The screen slid closed behind the group of travelers as they approached the tea table. Syaoran looked back at the door, brow creased with confusion.
"Kurogane, did you feel –" Kurogane placed a hand on his shoulder, signaling him to keep quiet.
A small, square ornate table sat in the middle of the room, with a young girl sitting at the head of the table, with a tea set in front of her. The rest of the room was a deep chestnut color with a splash of green bamboo in the corners and white paneled paper doors that were slid open to reveal a breath taking view of the royal gardens, over the castle walls and into the city and the mountains. The servant tilted her head to the side and smiled.
"Take your time if you wish, but feel free to sit down. I understand that this place must be new to you travellers. The master has a unique taste."
Syaoran sat down across from her and asked, "do you mean that you've seen people from different worlds arrive here?"
"A rare few," the girl answered, "but usually they are on an important quest and do not wish to stay long. They try to take our treasure and leave, but our master never gives in."
"What treasure were they looking for?" Syaoran inqured.
"They looked for many different things, but they always leave dissatisfied."
Fai and Kurogane sat down as Syaoran sighed. The girl made and poured them tea in silence, and the light green liquid gave off a calming scent. Once every cup was full, the girl neatly packed the tea set together, leaving the teapot in the middle of the table, and left the room. The tension dissipated as the girl slid the door behind her.
"None of this makes sense," Kurogane muttered, "First the guard's presence disappears after he closes the door, and then those answers the wench gave aren't even logical."
"If they are looking for different things, how could they all be after the same treasure?" Syaoran mused, "Perhaps the treasure isn't an object, but knowledge? The knowledge that Princess Jiang thought would be useful to us?"
"I think we should be wary of the princess," Fai said. Mokona looked at Fai for a moment, and then uncharacteristically sighed. Syaoran stared at the creature, obviously worried.
"Mokona are you okay?" Syaoran asked. Mokona shook his head. "Fai is feeling so sad that Mokona's energy is gone. Mokona is very tired."
"Oh Mokona, you're always so concerned about other's feelings," Fai smiled, waving the topic of his emotions away, "Why don't you take a break? It must be hard trying to read emotions of seemingly non-existent people."
"Yes, just rest Mokona," Syaoran encouraged. Mokona brightened up, and bounced over to Kurogane while holding out his arms. Kurogane stared at the creature.
"What?"
"Mokona wants to sleep with Kuro-daddy." Mokona whined.
Fai laughed, "Why don't you let him? You are caring father, aren't you, Kuro-rin?"
"Shut up."
A second later, Mokona found himself inside their traveling bag.
"Hey! No fair! Why is Mokona trapped in here?"
"Just sleep already. Why are you always so noisy?"
Gently, Syaoran took Mokona and a jacket from inside the pack and helped Mokona snuggle into it. Once Mokona was sound asleep, Kurogane turned toward Fai.
"Explain."
"What?" Fai tilted his head to the side, feigning ignorance.
"The puffball said you were depressed. Explain."
"Aw, now you care about my feelings, do you, Kuro-wan? How touching."
"Shut up and answer me."
"I can't Kurogane. Not until I find what I need to find here."
Kurogane and Syaoran stared at Fai. Confusion.
"I wasn't aware we were on another quest," Kurogane stated, "Is it really so important?"
The door slammed open. The Princess Jiang walked in with her dress completely soaked.
"Excuse my appearance, but I just wanted to make sure you were still here. I will return shortly. Sorry for the wait, I will call for more refreshments to be served."
Syaoran was about to say that it wasn't necessary when Kurogane stopped him. A look of realisation passed over Syaoran's face. Perhaps they could help distinguish what kind of world this is if they taste the food.
The princess left the room, puddles trailing her steps, leaving the travellers wondering where the maids were. After all, they saw countless on their way up to this room. A few minutes passed and the Princess Jiang returned in a simpler, light green robe and armed with a green towel.
"I assume your favourite colour is green?" Fai asked pleasantly as he extended his hand towards the towel. The princess smiled and nodded sheepishly, but withdrew the towel from him.
"Thank you, but I think I can wipe the floor clean myself"
"What happened the maid we saw earlier?" Syaoran asked nonchalantly.
"Oh, I think she is taking care of other things"
"Think?" Syraoran asked again.
"Yes, I am not sure where she is, to be honest. I usually see her when I arrive back at the castle. I should ask her what the matter is once I see her," the princess explained casually, wiping the wet floor.
Syaoran nodded slowly, and then poured tea into the fourth cup.
The princess folded the wet cloth and set it down by the door. Sitting down at the empty seat at the table, she smiled and nodded at Syaoran, thanking him for the tea.
Oh goodness, this took so long to put up, and It's so short too! I have an excuse… if school counts as an excuse. And writing in third person is not as easy as it sounds, especially if the third person is not omniscient. I have decided to write from certain point of view now… this is just way too hard T_T;
BTW I need names for Chinese girls for a later part in the story, any suggestions?
Please Rate and Review! It would be lovely!
Geellaa-Green: Thanks so much! I love Fai too! He's such the romantic hero, but with a bright, happy side! -fangirling-