AN- Another update! Hope you all like it...I don't really have much else to say..
Disclaimer: I don't think I need to say this again. (Whispers- I own nothing)
Love through Time chapter 2 - The Legend
"So um, Ayame?" Botan asked out of the blue. They were very close to Ayame's village border. The trees seemed to have moved closer to the center of the forest path. Ayame turned her head towards her.
"Yes?"
"How much farther is it? My legs are hurting." Ayame smiled at her and put a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"It's okay Botan. We're just about there." She pointed to the trees above her. "You see these trees?" At Botan's nod she continued on. "Well the closer they get the closer we are to my village. It keeps thieves out at least."
"Wow, how did you get them to do that?"
"Well we have someone that creates weapons and other unique items to help our village prosper. But if you ask me his talents are wasted here." Botan looked at her confused.
"What do you mean by that? How is it a waste." Ayame frowned.
"Well no one knows about our village and so no one goes out of their way to come here. Why stay here when you could go to the Capital?"
"I see, but I don't think it's a waste. If he chooses to stay then it's his decision." Ayame nodded and smiled at the blunette.
"Yes, I believe you're right. Oh and would you look at that, we're here." Botan looked ahead of them and there it was. As Ayame had said it was an extremely small village, not one to attract much attention that's for sure. The people seemed friendly enough though as a few kids were here and there. A few kids stopped upon seeing Ayame and her guest.
"Ayame!" Cried a small girl with red hair. She ran up to her and hugged her tightly. "Papa's been calling for a short while now. Just how far out did you go anyhow?"
"Yes I know he's been calling, and I just went out to get a few berries for supper tonight." The young girl bobbed her head up and down.
"I see, and who is she?" She pointed her question towards Botan.
"Oh, me? I'm Botan. A pleasure I'm sure."
"We bumped into each other while i was picking berries."
"I see." The girl smiled up at her. "If my big sister trusts you then so will I. My name is Hinageshi, some people call me Hina."
"Okay, Hina?" Hinageshi nodded her head in acknowledgement.
"I'll go get father, I'm sure he'd be interested to meet our guest." Hinageshi nodded and pulled Botan towards her little friends.
"Hey hey, let's play hide n seek!" Botan sweat dropped at the smaller girl but agreed to her request anyway. "Okay, so you seek first!" All of her little friends grinned and giggled. Botan sweat dropped. Out of all the things she should be doing she's playing hide and seek? "Okay Botan, you can start counting now!"
The blunette sighed but started to count anyway. "1, 2, 3, 4, 5..." She went all the way to fifty then started to look for the small kids. She heard giggling to her right and tiptoed to a medium sized barrel. She found a small girl and squealed upon seeing her.
"Aw, you found me first!" Botan smiled and continued her hunt.
xXx
Youko almost fell out of the tree he was sitting on when the girl started to play a game with those so-called annoying brats. He's pratically wasting his time here when he could be back with his men and could be stealing things, but something was strange about this human girl. She seemed so innocent and nice compared to what he's seen here in Makai. It was refreshing, to say the least.
He yawned and sat back more comfortably onto his tree. He had a feeling he would be here for a while. He sprung up when he heard a rustling below him. It was that ginger haired girl. 'What did she call herself? Himageshi?, Higurashi? No it was Hinageshi! That's it!' Boy, was he getting old if he couldn't remember a name that he heard just 5 minutes ago.'
Hinageshi looked up and found the Kitsune staring down at her. Before she could scream however, Youko had clasped a clawed hand around the poor girl's mouth, ceasing anymore noise she would make. He glared at the small girl. "Speak and I break your neck." Hinageshi nodded her head furiously without making sound. Youko smirked. "Good girl."
"Hinageshi?! Where are you?" Botan called. One of the other kids pointed to the bushes they were currently in.
'Crap.' Thought Youko. Botan walked cautiously over and was now within five feet of Youko. She stood stock still upon seeing something move. It was Youko's tail. 'Hn, she will see me anyway so there is no use of hiding.'
She looked up and jumped back slightly upon seeing the silver Kitsune once again. "U-um, hello again..." Youko narrowed his eyes and released Hinageshi. The girl ran to Botan, shaking like crazy.
"I was so scared!" Botan patted the young girl on the head.
"Shh, it's okay. Go to Ayame. I'll be fine." Hinageshi nodded and quickly ran back to the village. Botan turned her eyes to the Kitsune once again. She smiled at the fox. "Thank you for letting her go." She bowed her head down. Youko sweat dropped.
'That is not what I expected, at all.' He shrugged his shoulders. Botan looked back up again.
"Um, what are you doing here anyway? I thought you went somewhere else?" Botan asked confused. Youko didn't blame her for being confused, he's confused himself.
"Hn, I don't really know why I'm here to be honest." It was the truth, he himself is not one to lie. He may be a thief but he is certainly no lier.
"Oh I see." The two of them were silent. She then cleared her throat to gain his attention. "You saved me back there didn't you?" Youko gave her a surprised look. "I admit, I was afraid at first, hence why I ran away, and who wouldn't run away in that situation?"
"Tch, only cowards run away." Botan growled.
"I'm no coward. I was just some ordinary school girl until I came here. Trust me! You'd act the same if you were me!" Youko tried hard to not laugh at her reactions, but it would be out of character for him, and so he managed to keep it down. "Anyway, I knew it was you who saved me back there and I thank you."
"Tch, whatever."
"Botan! Are you okay?" Ayame called from just outside the bushes. Botan looked up.
"Yes, I'm okay." She shouted as she ran to her friend. Youko breathed a sigh and stepped out also. Ayame looked at Youko and held in a scream.
"B-Botan don't you realise who he is?" She whispered. Botan blinked.
"Ah, Youko? He's the one who saved me from those bandits."
"He's also an infamous thief. Actually he's the greatest thief Makai has ever seen. You shouldn't trust him."
"No Ayame. He'd be fine." Said a deep voice from behind them. They turned around and found that it was Ayame and Hinageshi's father.
"Father?"
"Ho ho ho, it's me, your dear old father. And as I said, he be fine. And you...!" He pointed his hand dramatically at Botan. "...and you!" He pointed at Youko. "Shall come with me." He turned around and started walking to his house. Ayame sweat dropped and followed after.
"I guess we should go, huh?" Youko ignored her remark and started walking. Botan puffed out her cheeks but followed suit. They had all gotten to the older man's home and were sitting in a circle as such. Except Youko who sat to the side.
"Now, I have some things I need to discuss with all of you." Ayame's father stated.
"Um, like what sir?" Botan asked uneasily. It was quiet in the room and the old man coughed to get all of their attention.
"Yes well, it deeply concerns you miss."
"Me?" The man nodded his head and crossed his arms across his chest. Ayame sweatdropped at her father's stern movements.
"Father, just tell her already." She sighed. "There is no need to hold it off."
"Yes well, there is a legend that states a young girl from another world would come and bring peace and harmony to Makai. That legend was 300 years ago. They called her the Priestess of darkness. That is you." He said while pointing to the blunette. Botan and Youko went wide-eyed.
"Her?!"
"Me?!" They said at the same time. Ayame nodded at the both of them.
"Yes, but in order for you to fulfil that prophecy you need to gather the 8 Guardians of Darkness. I know it must sound strange but it is the truth." Botan regained herself and sat up straight.
"But why me? I'm just your normal schoolgirl, I-I'm no Legend. That's right, you have the wrong girl. I can't be the only girl from another world. There's just no way!"
"Please Botan. At least think about it. And father," Ayame asked. "There is proof on her body that she is the one from the prophecy, isn't there?" The man noodded.
"Yes there is. Botan, do you have a strange birthmark that looks like a star?" Botan thought about it.
"Now that you mention it, yeah I do. It's on my right elbow." She said as she showed the man. He looked at it for a while, asking her to move her elbow for a better view.
"Yes, that's all the proof that I need. You are indeed the Priestess." Botan shook her head, still not believing it. "Well I guess that there is no rush. Stay here and think it over. Oh, and my name is Oreon." She nodded and slowly walked out of the room. When she was out Oreon put all of his attention towards the still Kitsune.. "Well, what are you going to do?"
"Why am I here?" Youko asked instead. "Was there any merit in telling me this tale that I have already heard of god knows how many times?"
"Well Youko. We have reason to believe that you could be one of the guardians." Ayame answered. Youko stood up suddenly.
"No freaking way! I am not somebody's servant!" He yelled then stormed away.
"I knew he would react like that." Ayame sighed. She stood up and walked over to their small kitchen. "Father, was it wise to tell them like that? You know it was risky." Oreon gave out a huge hearty laugh.
"Ho ho! Off course it was okay! What other way was there to tell them anyway?" He stopped laughing and put on a serious tone. "We need the Preistess and her guardians now. We have no time to waste." Ayame frowned but nodded.
"The Crow will rise again, they say." She got out a pan and started throwing different ingredients in. Oreon turned his eyes towards her.
"Yes...The Crow of Light. That sadistic man is definitetly behind all of this."
xXx
"No no no no! I refuse to believe this! I just want to go home!" Botan shouted out to the distance. It had gotten a bit darker since she arrived at the village. She was by a cliff and vented all of her anger into the air. A few children were nearby, staring wide-eyed at the blunette.
"Has she gone crazy, Hinageshi?" A small boy asked. The small girl just shook her head.
"Nah, I think she's just aggravated. Right Miss Botan?" The blunette sweatdropped, embarassed to be caught in such a state.
"Uh yeah, that's totally it! Just thinking out loud! Like, really loud! No worries here!" The other children hummed in response.
"If ya say so, it's still kind of wierd though." The boy then had an idea. "Hey, weird Priestess girl!"
"What did you call me?!" The boy shrunk back a little but took out a white ball.
"I-I was thinking that we could play ball, and I called you that because you're a weirdo!" He pointed to her rudely, holding an obnoxious smirk. The girl gritted her teeth.
"Why you ignorant lil'..." She took a deep sigh. 'He's only a kid, he doesn't know any better, right?' With that thought in mind she slowly walked over to the kid and took the ball from his grasp. "So, any game in mind? I warn you, I'm a pretty good netball player, so I-"
"What's netball?" Another girl asked.
"Um, well, netball is when..." She was not good at explaining things. She looked around the small village in hopes of finding anything that could help her out. Her eyes brightened when she saw white chalk not too far away.
xXx
Karasu and Yukina continued to travel down a dirt path, Keiko still unconsious on Karasu's shoulder. "Oh my, my brother is going to be so mad at me..." Yukina sighed as she began to trail behind her companion a little.
"Well, when is that little runt not mad? Tch, he pisses me off way too much with that temper of his." Yukina frowned in response.
"You're one to talk, you're most likely just as short tempered as he is..." Karasu was about to respond when he saw a dark shadow at the corner of his eye. The crow-like man stopped in his tracks, peering above him at a tree branch.
"Speak of the devil, you always did have impeccable timing." The spiky haired boy ignored Karasu's remark.
"Hn, I didn't come here to make small talk. You're late." Hiei then jumped down onto the forest floor.
"Yes, well, even if I did, I doubt you'd oblige."
"Tch, you know me well then." He turned his back on them but not before he gave a small (and I mean small) smile to his younger sister who caught it and gave a small smile of her own. The leaves started to rustle in front of Hiei's small form and a mirror-like portal opened up in front of him. "I think it's about time we had left, don't you think?"
xXx
Ayame walked out of her house, hoping to find their new guest. She smiled as a few forest animals came up to her feet. She bent down and gave a rabbit a pat on the head. "Hello there, old friend, I haven't seen you in a while." She was about to give it another pat when the creature's head sprung up in fright. She took that as an indication that danger was lurking nearby. "Oh no, Botan!"
She began to run deeper into the village and heard shouts and yells when she got close enough. "I've got to hurry-" She stopped her words as a flash of silver had quickly bypassed her. A rose petal had fallen near her. "Youko...?" She was a little surprised at the thought of the obnoxious kitsune caring about the girl enough, but relieved non the less. 'I need to help protect her too!' A bright light appeared out of nowhere and went towatds her cheek. When the light vanished she touched her cheek and felt a small smooth surface. Her eyes widened in realization. "I'm, also a guardian...?"
xXx
"Oh no, Hina!" Botan yelled as an ugly demon grabbed hold of the young orange-haired girl.
"Miss Botan! Help me!" She cried as the demon's grip tightened around her. "Help! It's getting hard to breathe!"
"Don't worry, I'll get you down from there!" She shouted back. 'But how?' She saw an iron pole nearby and quickly grabbed it.
"Ha ha ha, and how do you propose you'll do that?! You're powerless!" He swung his arm out at her, sending her backwards into a wall. She grunted in pain as she slid downwards.
'He's right, I am powerless.' Her head turned to the side. She saw the demon eye the other children and start to go after them. 'No!' She wanted to help but couldn't find the energy to move. 'Why am I even here? Why am I the priestess?' She thought back to what happened 5 minutes prior. She had drawn on the ground and explained how to play netball and other various sports. She remembered the smiling faces of the children who enjoyed her teachings and were very excited to play them. Then the demon showed up and ruined everything. 'They were so excited to play the games I showed them...'
"Botan! Help us!" A small girl cried.
"Yeah, aren't you supposed to be the Priestess?! Help us!" The boy from before shouted.
"What? She's the Priestess?!" The demon said, surprised. He turned his head towards her. "Ah, so I finally found her!"
"She's supposed to save this world! If you kill her you'd destroy everyone!" Hinageshi shouted as her small fists hit his own. The demon's eyes turned towards her.
"That's the whole point, brat! I was sent by King Yama from Reikai to dispose of her! And to think she's the girl to save this world? Don't make me laugh!" He stomped his way towards her. Botan had regained little energy.
'Why am I so weak?! If I am the priestess shouldn't I have my own powers?!' The demon was looming over her now, smirking. His unoccupied fist rose up above his head. 'I'm done, already?' His fist started to swing down on her. She closed her eyes. 'It can't end this way!' When nothing happened she slowly opened one eye. They both shot open when red flower petals started fluttering around her. 'What?' The demon let out a wail as his arm spewed blood.
"AArghh! My arm! My arm!" He let go of Hinageshi and she was about to tumble onto the ground. She was luckily caught before she did.
"Ahh, Big Sister!" Ayame smiled down at the young girl.
"Hina, I'm so glad you're safe. Now go hide somewhere safe..." Hinageshi nodded as she did just that. Ayame stood up, glaring daggers at the demon. Botan was still surprised that she didn't notice someone begin to carry her.
"Oi, snap out of it!" Botan blinked as she was eye to eye with Youko.
"Y-youko?" He rolled his eyes. He was now standing to the side, the demon still shrieking with agony.
"The one and only, now just stay here like a good little girl." He gently sat her down nearby a tree. She watched as he and Ayame went back to finish off the demon. She began to blush as she just registered what had happened.
'He carried me, didn't he? Oh, I hope I wasn't heavy, how embarrassing...'
xXx
Youko took out a rose from behind his hair. "Rose whip!" The demon abruptly turned as he sensed danger. Not only did he have Youko to deal with, but Ayame as well who took out a couple of knives from her sleeve.
"Hey now, let's talk this over! I-I didn't mean to attack your friend here, off course I didn't! I was just hungry and-" He was caught off as a knife had lodged itself into his leg, "Yahh! I said I was sorry, I'm sorry!" He cried as he tried to hop away. Ayame sweatdropped.
"Okay...should I...?"
"I'll do it." Youko said as he jumped into the air. The demon looked back when he felt someone behind him. He was about to scream when Youko's whip came down upon him. He was dead. Youko got back onto the ground, shaking his whip of the blood that stuck to it. "Hn, that was a waste of time."
"Botan, are you alright?" Ayame asked as she helped the blue haired girl from the ground.
"Yes, I'll be alright, thank you, Ayame." The taller girl nodded. Hinageshi went to Botan's other side and helped her to their house. "Thank you, Hina." Hinageshi grinned up at her.
"That's my line." Youko watched the trio go further into the village.
'It seems I really am a guardian...' He held his right hand up. His ears twitched in slight irritation. What lay on his hand was a small silver jewel. He let out a growl. 'I'm the greatest thief in all of Makai, I do not have time for this crap! There are countless jewels and treasures just begging me to find them!'
"Hey, are you coming or not?!" Botan shouted from the distance. He sent her a glare but she was too far away to see it.
"Don't tell me what to do, woman!" She seemed to hear him as she, Ayame and Hinageshi continued onward. He tightened his fist. "Tch, I'll tag along, for now."
Tbc
Review corner
Botan- It's that time once again folks.
Youko- Yay... I say sarcastically.
Botan- (pouts) If you hate being here so much, then why bother showing up?
Youko- Trust me! I wish I didn't have to...
Ayame- Anyway, we should start, don't you think?
Youko- Whatever, there's only one to get through anyway, it shouldn't take long.
Botan- That's not the kind of attitude we want. Now our first reviewer is...!?
Ayame- CrimsonMaidenXXX!
Botan- Wait? Keiko's here?!
Youko- Duh.
Botan- Anyway, I don't know who this Karasu fellow is, he sounds super sketchy. And we know who two of the celestrial Guardians are. Just six more to go!
Ayame- Please continue to review, it really helps.