4 Months
Summer was settling nicely in Lacroa and its people were in full swing to enjoy it while it lasted. The forests were bright green and the sun shrouded itself in the cumulus clouds. Rains would arrive every now and then to wet the land and show off its frightening skills. Children played on the stone roads tossing marbles and chalk hopscotch. The adults did chores cleaning the home, growing crops, cooking meals, and caring for the family. Markets were selling fresh produce and fish caught in the rivers. The town was abuzz with chatter and horse drawn carriages in the streets.
In the castle the floors were much quieter the princess and prince had gone for a picnic. All the windows had been opened so the usual breezes could pass through. Birds sang in the high branches of the pine trees and ants run up and down the trunk. A voice in the second floor sitting room was reading aloud. Two figures sat on a couch one held an old book and other listened. The figures in question were gundams one red with brown eyes and the other blue. The blue one had a bulging abdomen and wore an azure dress.
"The girl ran and ran as her father told her and even as her legs became weary she ran on. She remembered her father's words; courage is not the strength to go on but rather to go on when you have no strength. She ran faster as she heard her father's voice. Her legs carried far beyond her house, into the forest, and finally collapsed from exhaustion in a field of grain." Bakunetsumaru said as his hand was placed on Zero's pregnant belly.
"That was a beautiful story Baku thank you for bringing it." Zero said propping her head on her hand. "In Ark they say the child can hear you even within the confines of the womb. I had read this story when I was young so I wanted to pass it on to ours." The samurai smiled. "I too read fairytales to the child when it becomes restless at night." Zero replied. "A great lifetime of change awaits us." Bakunetsumaru kissed the knight's forehead. "A change I truly believe we can uphold together. Baku I can't wait to meet our child, maybe it shall have your eyes?" Zero inquired playfully. "Perhaps… And the child could have your humorous personality?" He said. Zero glared at him, "What does that mean by a humorous personality?" Bakunetsumaru had to explain before Zero took the comment as an insult. "No…No What I meant was laughed like you and find things funny like you do!" Zero was content with the answer and nodded.
"Well just hope our child isn't as blindsided as you are Bakunetsumaru." Zero teased. "I am not blindsided! I am merely… Blunt on occasion…" He retorted confidently. "If that is the case then instead our child will have you great passion for justice as you do." Zero corrected. He became overjoyed, "Yes one to share my love of honor and justice for all." He cried proudly. "Of course thought we can only guess at this point. All that we know will be different how we talk, how we think, and how we act." Zero glanced at her midsection and folded her hands over it. Baku knelt down put his hands over Zero's and kissed her rounded abdomen. "We will love this child and nurture it that's what matters most." The noble Musha gundam cooed to his lover. Zero leaned forward to hug Baku's head, "I know my love and in the time that has passed I know I am ready." Bakunetsumaru sat back on the couch, "Which brings me to my next question. Have you thought about any names yet?" He asked. "Yes I've picked several, Colton, Asher, or Wyatt if it's a boy. And if a girl Beverly, Fay, Hazel, or Rosalie." Zero said. Baku smile and took her hands and smiled, "Rosalie I adore that name and Asher too they're perfect!"
As the two gundams continued to discuss one of the castle maid can to inform Zero. "Please pardon my intrusion dear knight, but your bath is ready." The brunette woman bowed. This concept confused Bakunetsumaru. "A bath?" Zero removed herself from the couch. "Yes, it's important to say clean and healthy when carrying a child. I've been bathing every few days since the castle midwife last checked me." The knight offered her hand to the samurai, "Care to accompany me?" They walked to the lavatory it had a large open vanity room, cotton towels, and a marble claw foot tub. The water steamed and sparkled with mineral soap beads. Baku helped Zero take off the dress and armor and into the bath tub. Zero laid back at the larger end of the bath and submerged the rest of her body. "It must feel good it get off your feet." Bakunetsumaru sat on stool beside the tub. He dangled his fingers in the water, "It is soothing to feel all the days burdens disappear." Zero pointed to a sponge on the vanity counter. Baku quickly grabbed and handed it to her. She soaked it in water and rubbed with soap, she lathered it over her arms and face.
"Here let me help…" Bakunetsumaru wet a rag and ran it down Zero's back. Eventually Zero stopped and just laid in the tub and her Ark samurai wiped her body. He cleaned each extremity on her body with care, every curve, every edge. Zero was greatly shocked the focus Bakunetsumaru had in this moment she had only witnessed when he was in the midst of battle. She closed her eyes; He certainly is a gentleman agile and a gentle caress. Soon the warm moist rag came to a cheek and rotated between her face and neck. The knight remained silent as the Musha gundam indulged her in the modest pleasure. When he finished Zero waved her index finger to draw him near. Abruptly she smacked the water and made Baku almost fall over backwards. "Oh! Hey! Zero stop it!" He yelled while being bombarded. The knight just laughed and persisted to splash the Ark gundam. But Baku wasn't about to lose he seized a pail of cold water and flung it in Zero's direction.
Water flew everywhere hitting the mirrors, walls, floor, and even the hallway. However it was also a hazard Bakunetsumaru could easily slip and hurt himself on hard marble surroundings. Zero soon enough called a truce and got out to dry herself and the rest of the room. She draped her body in a silk robe but she froze, Bakunetsumaru quickly saw this. "Zero what's wrong?" She turned to him smiling, "The baby kicked." As Baku reached out she guided his hand to her spot where the child kicked. Beneath the layer of her metal skin Baku could feel the unborn child move within. "That is… I almost can't believe but it's happening." The samurai stammered.
Zero gazed up at him and placed her hands on his face, "Yet here we are…" She whispered. Then Bakunetsumaru got an excited expression, "Oh that reminds me wait here!" He sprinted off somewhere. Zero went after him a ways, "Baku where are you going?" However he was out of sight before the question was heard.
◊~{~ ~}~◊
Eventually when Bakunetsumaru did return he was nearly jumping off the floor and tripping himself. Zero obviously demanded an explanation for his prior running away. His only answer to her was to follow him up to the third floor. After some convincing and eye rolling Zero finally agreed and they headed onward. When on the third floor the Ark samurai took his lover's hand and told her to shut her eyes. "What are you planning Bakunetsumaru?" Zero grumbled. "Well you should know it wasn't just my planning that occurred." He said. Seconds later Baku had Zero stop and told her to open her eyes. And when she saw what was before her, she was speechless.
In front of her was a stunning nursery and the young knights to be waiting to greet her. "You all… You four did all this?" Zero coughed practically crying. "Yes and Tallgeese but he didn't want to be a part of the big surprise." Ethel said cheerily. "Please knight Zero, do not shred tears on such a day of joy." Chanse said offering her a handkerchief. "Thank you…" She took it and wiped her tears. Guile stepped to his teacher, "Ready to look around?" He asked. Zero nodded humbly and paced through the quaint room. The crib was crafted from white birch trees and tiny vines twisted on the pillar legs. The head board was craved with Lacroain symbols and a soft cushion was sewn on. The pillows and blankets were embroidered with images of nature and the castle. Atop the crib was mobile as Zero touched it the four arms on a ring began to spin. The very creatures on the mobile's arms were the great spirits of Lacroa. The griffin, phoenix, jörmungandr, and unicorn. What Zero didn't notice immediately was the spirit hanging in the center, the Great Feather Dragon. Fenn. This truly was heartfelt to the knight, knowing that Fenn was the key the saving the kingdom long ago. This was a special place to put him.
On the left side of the room was a changing table it had six drawers. They held bottles, diapers, formula, tissues, and pacifiers. On a wall it had a shelf with many books of stories and fairytales. Also it had plush animal toys and fluffy pillows. On the right side of the room was an ivy rocking chair. The windows were decorated with satin curtains and royal violet rose patterns. "Its beautiful thank you all so much." Zero smiled to the apprentices. "We traveled the village town to found to things for the nursery. I went to a wood crafter to pick a rocking chair that would match the room." Ethel stated.
"I looked at the market venders and came across the toys there." Guile said. Chanse stood beside Guile and pulled up his hood. "Tallgeese and I departed to a blacksmith to construct the mobile and the spirits charms. Everything was handled by Bakunetsumaru; it was his idea in the first place." Chanse said. Zero turned to the Musha gundam, "This was your idea?" She asked. "Well partly… The kids helped push the idea along." Baku blushed. However one thing still stumped Zero, why didn't Tallgeese come to the surprise?
"Where is Tallgeese?" Zero inquired staring at the Ethel and Chanse. The twins glanced at each other and then back at Zero. "He's at the cathedral, in a secret chamber." Ethel said first. "A room behind all the mosaics and stain glass on the upper levels." Chanse ended. She hurried out of the room. There was no reason for Bakunetsumaru to follow he knew what she was doing.
As Zero left the castle the day had already become afternoon the sun had its gold tone and the sky was starting to fade. Thankfully the cathedral wasn't too far just a few minutes' walk to reach it. The hidden chamber the twins spoke of was no real secret in fact it was public knowledge. When the stain glass needed to be cleaned or replaced workers came to these rooms and removed them. Zero walked the dusty and spider web ridden old stairs that led to the said rooms. Inside the color lit kaleidoscope Zero saw the once tempest knight standing the ray of light and reflection of the stain glass. It was apparent he was here for a purpose that Zero had yet to solve. "Tallgeese…"
The white knight lifted his head but did not face her, "Hello Zero… So the children told where I was? Too easy to guess honestly…" He fumbled in his speech. "Why weren't you at the revealing of the nursery? The children said you helped them in setting it and some of the ideas." Zero stepped forward near Tallgeese and waited anxiously for him to answer. "It wasn't my place to be." He finally turned to face her. "Your child is true knight gundam, while I'm nothing but a monster who attempted to be one through brute force and evil power." Tallgeese said disgraced. "That may be true but that is the past now Tallgeese." Zero argued. "You were a puppet for darkness and fell to temptation. Nevertheless in the end you knew what it meant to be a knight. That is why the princess and I gave you this second chance."
"Still the same cannot be said the great spirits the others may have forgiven my actions, but I know the griffin could never forgive me for the suffering I forced upon it." Tallgeese reminisced. Zero put a hand on his left shoulder, "That is past Tallgeese the future is what is important now." Zero pleaded. "Ethel and Chanse are not just your students and you're not just their teacher. You're an inspiration to them, you're the one they look to when have problems or questions." Zero even dared to take it a step further.
"You're almost like a father to them Tallgeese." This stopped him entirely. "You're the only one they have ever known and the first." He faced the winged knight. "I know." He replied. "I must ask Zero did you come all this way to berate me." Tallgeese said finally. "No I came here for something more important to ask you… I want you to the godfather to my child." She said firmly. This shocked Tallgeese the breath was taken out of him. "The…G-Godfather." He stammered. "Have you and Bakunetsumaru talked about this?" Zero nodded, "Yes and we decided that you are the best choice for it."
"But Zero why not someone else?" Tallgeese protested. "There is no one else Tallgeese aside from me you're the only one who knows the old ways and I trust you." Zero concluded. Then the white knight knelt and lowered his head. Zero placed her hand over his head and he spoke. "I swear on my life a knight gundam, I shall watch over and protect the child." He proclaimed. Although it was not official it was good enough for Zero to hear the words for herself. "Thank you Tallgeese." The white knight rose and headed toward the stairs Zero close behind. "Where are you going now?" She asked. "Back to the castle, your little surprise isn't done yet. The students have one more left to show you." Tallgeese smirked.
◊~{~ ~}~◊
The students were grateful that their teacher had returned. Ethel even went as far as to jump into Tallgeese's arms for a hug. He didn't mind the girl's enthusiasm it was normal behavior for her. Once everyone was in the room Guile and Chanse stood in front of the room and called for attention. "If you're all ready we can begin the second part of the surprise." Guile smiled at Chanse. The cloaked gundam held several books in his grasp, books of heritage and magic powers. "I thought it would be fun we could try to guess the type of magic your baby will after it's born." Chanse said opening a book on the center table in Zero's quarters. "From what we already know Bakunetsumaru has the power of fire and Zero has the magical abilities of any knight of Lacroa." Guile explained.
"And also an individual's own powers are determined by the magical legacy of one's family." Chanse added sharply. "So we can guess by charting your powers and seeing what kind of powers your child might have." Ethel squealed. Tallgeese took a seat next to Chanse and they scrolled the pages of the ancient texts. "One way to look at this is because Mana dwells in all living things, we can say Zero has the power of nature. Summoning great forces and making roses appear out of nowhere." Tallgeese said. "Combine that with the fire skills of the Ark samurai… we can find two possibilities." Chanse began. "One the nature fragment could feed the fire and the child would be born with incredible fire abilities. While the second the nature fragment would be destroyed by the fire leaving the child with the power over earth." Chanse finished.
Both theories were interesting, Baku would clearly be thrilled to teach his child the ways of an Ark gundam and of flames. Whilst the earth would be new for all of them to learn, as Zero put it the child could be "stubborn" to teach. However there was more guessing to come as the students read on. Soon Ethel came about an idea of her own, "What if Zero's powers are merely neutral?" In logic she did have a point. "If Mana dwells in all things wouldn't that be more than just plants or nature itself? I think that and please take no offense my knight, but I don't think Zero's power matter." Ethel remarked. "I can understand what she's getting at." Chanse said. "She just can't find the right words." Ethel nodded thanking her brother.
Guile took one of the other books and searched through it himself. "I think Ethel might be onto something else…" The green gundam said suddenly. "What do you mean Guile?" She asked rushing to his side. "Well what you said about Zero's powers being neutral that was part of it. And from what I'm reading in this manuscript but it also mentions that the neutral abilities act as an 'opposite reflection' philosophy." He read. Ethel stared cluelessly at him not understanding what he said. "The philosophy states that there is an opposite to everything in the kingdom."
"So that would mean it shows the outcomes to the power of the parent with a certain element." Chanse said. "This applies in all things in Lacroa. Such as wind blowing but there will be something going against. No matter how hard it goes you continue to persist." Guile was onto something for sure, there were just a few more things he had to see if his suspicions were correct. "Knight Zero isn't it true that when you sleep or just during the day, you always seem cold. At night you put all the blankets on yourself in efforts to stay warm?" Guile queried. Zero answered, "Yes, since we learned of the child my body has become very cold even though it is summer."
Guile pondered a moment more his fingers tapping his chin as thought. "Zero's power is neutral, Bakunetsumaru is fire. And if Zero is having sensations of cold throughout the day…" Guile took in a deep breath and released it. "Ice… The child will have the power of ice." He answered at last.
Zero and Bakunetsumaru gawked at one another in sear shock. "Ice are you absolutely positive?! Baku shouted somewhat refusing to believe it. "He is and so am I, everything fits exactly as he said it." Tallgeese entered the conversation. "Looks like someone could be better than you hmm…" Ethel teased her brother. "Whatever, it's not a competition sister." Chanse spat in a silly manner.
Zero looked to the Musha gundam who was stuck in a state of seemed to be befuddlement. "Bakunetsumaru…?" She asked him softly. He didn't response he merely turned and tread away.
Zero went after him in a flash Tallgeese trailing behind her, but when they came to a corner Baku was nowhere in sight. "What's gotten into him?" The white knight asked aloud. "I haven't the slightest. One minute he's fine and the next he's horrified." Zero replied frantic. They chose to split up and search the castle. As they searched Tallgeese eventually ran passed Princess Rele and Prince Percy. "Tallgeese what's the problem why are you running?" Percy asked. "Excuse me your highness, we are looking for Bakunetsumaru he's gone and we're unable to find him." The knight retorted gasping.
As soon as Percy heard this he wanted to help and Rele joined of course. "Do you have any idea why he would just leave like that?" Rele said to him. "No that's what we're trying to find out." While the others where inside the castle, Zero was outside going in all directions. "Baku! Bakunetsumaru where are you?! Bakunetsumaru please come back!" She called blindly. Baku don't do this please you're scaring me… Minutes, hours passed and still Zero had no trace of him to go after. Zero thought she had explored all of Lacroa but apparently not. Her tired feet lead her to Fountains of Life and she fell to the water's edge. She laid her back to the walls of a fountain and her feet suspend over the shallow water.
Bakunetsumaru you moron where are you, riding off with no rhyme or reason. Zero was trying to understand what had made him do this. Everything was so exciting when they saw the nursery and even better when Tallgeese agreed to be the godfather. So what in the world drove him to left the castle like a lunatic? Then Zero slowly realized as she examined the details of what was happening. That morning they were discussing their child and how it would be. But when the possibility of the child not having the same power as Bakunetsumaru, it must have broken his heart.
Zero gasped at the sudden comprehension, "You were so ecstatic about our baby being like me or you…" Zero inhaled and stood and glanced at her own image in the water. "But Baku you said yourself what matter most is that we love this child, not anything else." She sighed.
"I know…" A voice shot out from nowhere scaring Zero stiff. Looking at water's surface another's face appeared. "I should've acted like parent instead I overreacted like a child." He apologized. Zero took one squint at him and then slapped him on the face in utter anger. "Don't you ever do that again! You scared half to death you imbecile!" Zero cried.
"I know and I'm so sorry my love…" Bakunetsumaru said heavily. Zero gazed at him then kissed on his bruised cheek. "I can't stay mad at you forever, but please don't do that again…" She begged. Baku intertwined his hand to Zero's, "I'll use my words next time." He processed to push his lips to hers. "Good I don't want to have to take care of two children." She laughed slyly. "I am not a child! He objected.
◊~{~ ~}~◊
Everyone could now rest easy knowing that Bakunetsumaru had been found and held no grief toward the students. Later that same afternoon Zero showed the nursery to the princess and prince. Rele and Percy simply adored the room and thought it was just what the baby should have. However Zero didn't say anything about Tallgeese being the baby's godfather until it was born. After dinner Zero and Baku returned to the nursery, the atmosphere of the small room felt so calming. In the quiet darkness Zero was wrapped in the samurai's warm arms. He kissed her neck and whispered haikus of tender passion.
"Dreamy stars at night…cuddling up to me real tight, magic lullabies…"
"Your Cascading skin, aromatic and sensual… On tip of my tongue…"
"Spooning is our talk, bodies curled apostrophes…with no words between."
"My love is like the paint brush, painting all of my longing… Into being."
As he ended his least haiku, Zero revolved her head and nuzzled her face to his. Then she countered with her own words of affection.
"Your breath in my ear, fingertips tracing dragons. A beautiful dream." She serenaded. The Musha gundam's eyes softened and his hands reached around the knight's abdomen. Feeling the little motions of the sleeping child inside. The knight lifted her hands to the samurai's face and kissed him slowly and sincerely. Their gun souls were in sync, their breaths matching, and their love for each other was a raging fire. But it was clear that their child was aware of what its parents were doing. There was sudden kick and it broke the moment between the two. "I think someone wants our attention." Zero said. Baku snickered, "I know how to fix it…" He rested his head on her shoulder and let his voice play another melody.
"Petal soft kisses, we open up like flowers…For love's touch blooming."
The night soon caught up to them and they headed to Zero's quarters for a tranquil slumber. Under the blankets Baku and Zero snuggled close together in the bed. "Goodnight Zero…" Bakunetsumaru murmured. "Goodnight my child…"
Laughter could be heard from the lower floors of Tenchijo, a mixture of voices young and old. Being nearly evening it was clear why everyone was getting together. Especially in Ark, family was among one of the highest values in the kingdom along with honor and integrity. Almost every day things revolved around family and each member had their part to play. However it was going to be very different for two ex-soldiers of the Dark Axis. Hardly able to stand in the same room for too long without trying to kill each other. Thankfully the wall of grudges was beginning to fall apart just a few months ago. A maroon bot was heading in the direction of the light cheery voices. "Heh he ha I can the heart beat inside." A little Musha gundam squeaked. "And believe it or not my dear, the baby can hear you as well." A much older voice said.
"Many ancient scholars and healers have said no matter how deep in the sea they go a whale's song is always heard. So they can know where the others in their pods are." The older voice finished. That's when the maroon bot entered the room, "Hey everyone." Zapper greeted the filled room. "Zapper san!" Alekimaru yelled jubilant to see him. She jumped up and ran right into his arms. Despite Zapper's past and hatred for gundams the little Musha girl had grown on him. The same could be said for Grappler but he already like Aleki for her attitude, sweet most of the time. But very bitter if you got her angry or just upset in general, oh boy would you get an ear full.
"Hey Aleki, how you doing?" He asked patting her on the head. "Oh just fine and I'm so happy you're back!" She said as her pale face turned red. Although she wasn't the last gundam to greet him so warmly when he arrived. "Welcome home Zapper Zaku I'm glad you came back safely." Ivyomaru folded her arms and bowed deeply to him. "Please join us at the zataku for dinner." She offered. "Wait Aunty can I give him his present first?" Alekimaru requested. "No darling it can wait until after." The zataku was the low sitting table that everyone would eat on. As he approached it his eye met Grappler's, he was seated beside the table in the Persian shark kimono. Still it was strange for Zapper to him specifically now that Grappler's mid-section had gotten much bigger.
Zapper shrugged it off and sat down at the smoothly carved black wood table. "Hey Gouf how you been?" He asked the cobalt bot. "Alright, it's just gotten a bit harder to do stuff around here. And since the kid has been moving I've got a lot of back pain and indigestion." Grappler groaned. "So what's this gift Aleki mentioned?" Zapper snickered. "Nice try zipper, but not happening that's for you to see." Grappler retorted drinking a cup of tea.
Ivyomaru brought the last dish to the zataku, a large platter of egg rolls and rice balls. "Here we are everyone dinner is ready." Then a knock came to the door, she quickly went and answered it. "Good evening healer sama." Cobramaru bowed his head. "Hi Ivyomaru!" Genkimaru said. "Good evening to you both I'm glad you could make it." She said opening the door. "Hi Genki when are you going to tell the zakos about well you know…" Alekimaru said to the small gundam. "Well not yet I was thinking you could do the honors." He winked. "Certainly I can't wait to see their faces!"
"Not now sweet heart, your mischief can wait until after dinner." Ivyomaru said sternly to her niece. "Yes Aunty…" The Ark gundam girl moaned. "Good dig in everyone." The healer pronounced to the guests. The meal consisted of many different foods Ivyomaru had made earlier in the day. There was rice, lemon chicken, roasted pork, udon noodles, fried mackerel, and much more. Bowls and plates were passed around to distribute the food; soon everyone was eating and enjoying the mood.
Zapper had to admit the Ark cuisine was delicious, strange but overall delicious and satisfying. The flavors of the meats were warm and mild and the egg rolls were moist and crispy. Before Zapper would've hated anything organic but later learned that even metals were derived from the earth. The one thing he couldn't figure out was how to use the chopsticks. Zapper improvised by japing his chopstick into the food. A few eyes gave him a funny look. "You're doing it wrong…" Alekimaru piped up.
"Before you make a mess…Let me show you." Grappler took the bamboo sticks from his partner. Zapper started by handling one then gradually holding two. With some fast learning and shouting he got it down. They say the sign of a good meal is no talking, so the meal must have been very good.
When dinner was finished Alekimaru and Ivyomaru picked up and cleaned the dishes. The rest that wasn't eaten would be saved for tomorrow or be burned for offerings. Genkimaru told the older Musha that he had an idea for dessert. He knew it would take a while, but he still wanted to do it. "Alekimaru the zakos are doing that show now." Cobramaru said at the door. "Really where?" She gasped excitedly. "The rear of the castle, in the garden." He replied. Aleki completely dropped everything and hurried to the door. Zapper and Grappler were trailing behind her, they too were eager to see the faces of their flabbergasted troops. The three hid themselves by the enormous rocks and Aleki waited for the right moment to jump the stage. A crowd of zako soldiers stood in front of a tall dressing shade and three voices pronounced. "Zako. Zako… Zako! Zako hour! Ladies and gentlebots welcome to the zako zako hour." Red said. "Today's meeting is all about all together now-!" And the trio yelled in unison. "What happened to Lord Grappler Gouf?"
"It really is quite odd zako, we haven't seen Lord Gouf in months." Red said. "True zako last we saw him he went to visit the Musha Healer." Blue added. "Oh! Oooh! I know something about the Musha Healer zako!" Yellow flailed crazily. "Really?" Red and Blue glanced at him. "I do zako, during the civil war Buritennmaru brought Ivyomaru the great healer to help his soldiers. And in return give her the freedom to roam Ark as she wished." Yellow explained. "But but but wait a second zako!" Blue cried. "Isn't her nephew Bakuhamaru the leader of the Kibao Horde that served kibaomaru?" He bellowed leaping around the stage. "Yes that is true zako, but that part of a plan Ivyomaru had so her family could remain safe through the war." Yellow replied.
"Wait a minute everyone we're getting off topic!" Red panicked. "Right!" The other two snapped out of it. "We still don't know what happened to Lord Gouf." Red repeated. Zapper and Grappler skimmed at Alekimaru, "That's my cue." She dashed to the crowd, did a front flip, and landed onto the stage. "I can answer that for you." The zakos were awe by the Musha gundam's appearance. "Who are you zako?" Red shouted. "She's the niece of Ivyomaru!" Blue said. "Correct I am Alekimaru and I can tell you where Grappler has been if you're wondering…" She said. "Please oh please zako tell us please we must know!" They began to implore her. Zapper and Grappler were at the point of laughing their heads off as they watched.
"Very well then, Grappler is pregnant and has been staying with us." Although the reaction was far from what she expected because they just starred at her blankly. They obviously didn't know what it meant.
"You know with child, makes three, bun in the oven… Grrr you don't get it?!" Aleki screamed in boiling frustration. "Fine… HE'S HAVING A BABY! And Zapper's is the father, there clear enough for you?" Then she vanished off the stage leaving the poor zakos in pure disbelief. "A baby zako is that possible?" Red screeched. "How does that work zako?!" Blue cried. "That's so cool zako! I'm so happy for Lord Zapper and Grappler Gouf. I wonder what their baby will look like!" Yellow said happily.
-□[-/\-]■-
The night was full of laughter as the Aleki, Grappler, and Zapper walked up the steps to Ivyomaru's room. "Guess the cat's out of the bag as we say." She leaped gleefully on the stairs. "About time somebody told them." Grappler said. Zapper turned his face toward the little gundam, "Aleki you said you had a present for me when do I get it?" He sneered wickedly. "As soon as we get back to Aunty's room." She smiled.
The aroma in the healer's quarters had become fairly sweet as they arrived. It most of been the treat Genkimaru wanted to make. Alekimaru stated to Zapper that's he'd find his present in the broom closet in a wooden crate. What he found the gift he shuffled to the private area of the room. Aleki waited in the center of the room anxiously and after several minutes Zapper exited the confined section. He came out wearing Musha Ark armor and a peridot jewel on the chest. "Hphm… Not a bad fit kid." Zapper said looking over himself. "Do you like it?" was the question written on little gundam's face. "And… It's okay by my standards…"
She immediately seized him at his waist, "I'm so happy you like it!" Zapper frowned attempting to pry her away. "Yeah kid it's real special and uh what does this is symbol say." The maroon bot point the shinnying chest piece. "Oh that says protector or defender I don't remember they're almost the same." Aleki blushed shyly. "Well I say you did an excellent job." Grappler said. "Hello you gave standards that Zapper didn't even knew he had." The cobalt bot mocked. Aleki giggled again and hugged Grappler's abdomen. "You should see your daddy now, he could trick someone to think he really is a Musha gundam of Ark." Zapper gazed at her with a type of innocent ignorance. "Cute Aleki but I don't think the baby can hear you." Zapper said strongly. "No it can hear me Zapper and I can hear the baby inside." Alekimaru argued the older mech.
Zapper's brow twitched in hesitation, "You sure?" He insisted. She nodded, "Course and I can also feel the baby when it kicks." That made Zapper's eye bug out of his skull. "Apparently he didn't get the memo." Cobramaru's raspy voice crawled into the conversation. "And speaking of jobs, superb job on breaking the news to these toads the reaction was priceless." Aleki bowed in a playful manner, "Thank you if I'm not making you feel better I'm making someone else feel better."
"Yep, that's Alekimaru for you sugar and spice never both only one or the other." Genkimaru popped in. Aleki glared at the shorter and more annoying Musha. "Says the runt that calls him samurai number one, a little self-absorbed wouldn't you say." She barked. "Calm down children no need to bicker at this time of night." Ivyomaru arbitrated. "Dessert is ready when everyone is ready to have it. It was Genkimaru's idea for me to bake manju." Manju was a common confection in Ark, a sweet bun filled with either a bean paste or fruit jelly.
Ivyomaru served it alongside a pot of hazelnut tea. It would help settle everyone in for the night. Nonetheless Genkimaru found a way to stir up the easy going mood through the unpretentious of means. Asking Ivyomaru a few questions about her Musha children and it led to the whole room laughing. The old healer was rambling on a time when her father got drunk at a celebratory dinner. "He falls out the window of the daimyo's home and lands in the coy pond. Then he stands soaking wet with the sake bottle in his hand and says, "Chef a round of dumplings on me huh?"
The entire group was on the floor in tears with laughter. "Did he really do that Aunty?" Alekimaru tittered. "Yes my dear but only when he went to big parties and even then he didn't drink that much." Ivyomaru said softly. "I just wish you could have met him." She smiled and kissed her niece's head jewel. "I agree my devoted Aunt…" At the room door was Bakuhamaru. "Come along sister time to rest." He said. "Okay brother good night Aunty." Alekimaru got up and said good night to everyone then headed to bed with Bakuhamaru.
Soon Cobramaru noticed that Genkimaru had fallen asleep and bid farewell to the healer and her patients. Grappler dragged himself to the closet futon and clunked out from the exhaustion. As Ivyomaru went to depart she detected that Zapper was just as tired. "Zapper I could make a set out a futon quickly if you like." She offered him. And first he rejected the suggestion but she insisted anyhow.
She lit candles on the counter and gave the room a fond and dim glow. She bowed and silently left the room. Zapper squirmed underneath the blankets trying to be relaxed as he fidgeted his eye passed the window. The night was completely black and no moon to speak of or stars for that matter. Eventually he dozed off he yawned and slumped his head on the pillow. However he wouldn't be sleeping for very long.
-□[-/\-]■-
"Ughh… Zapper. Zapper wake up you led head…" Grappler moaned in the darkness. "Zapper wake up you twit!" He hissed lowly. Knowing there wasn't a chance of him waking by mere noise. Grappler was going to have to get creative on methods. The candles had smelted themselves to the bottom and there was no more visible light. Scoping his luminescent red optic he discovered a small book on the counter behind him. He tossed it a good distance and smacked a wall. He tried a second time and threw a hefty pillow, it barely touched his head. He needed an object to snap Zapper awake without breaking anything.
Then near the sink he managed to see the outline of a bowl, he couldn't stood on the futon. So he riskily discharged his claw hand to snatch it. Before throwing the bowl he aimed for the dull framework of Zapper's head. The bowl made a high pitched FA-TING as it hit Zapper's head. "Uhh… What the?! Grappler you lugnut I was sleeping!" The maroon bot snarled. "Same here you idiot why you think I woke you up?" Grappler retorted. "How's that my problem?!" Zapper said almost shouting. "I… Just get your rusted hindquarters over here!" Grappler jeered. Zapper shook his head violently and drearily walked to his partner. "What is it?" He asked rubbing his single optic. "The kid's been kicking for an hour and I can't sleep. I thought you could help by talking to it…" Grappler said in a hush tone. Zapper goggled at him as if he had gone insane. "What? Why?" He baffled. "You got a better idea?" Grappler glared at him. Zapper stomped around for a moment then knelt to Grappler's level. This is so weird… Grappler directed Zapper's hands to his corpulent mid-section. When the child suddenly kicked made Zapper go flying backwards. "Will you stop freaking out?" Grappler whispered. Zapper composed himself and placed his hands on Grappler's abdomen. As he felt the baby kick Zapper grow more curious and less fearful.
"Okay… Now talk to it." Grappler informed him. "What?! Uh… What do I say?" Zapper fumbled stupidly. "I don't know…Just talk like Aleki would…You know nicely." Grappler said just as clueless. Zapper took in a breath and looked for his words. "Um… Hi baby it's me daddy. You probably haven't heard me as much and that's because daddy's busy protecting…Uh protecting where we live in this place called Ark. It's were we all live so daddy needs to keep it safe for everyone, especially you. Alekimaru is a good friend she's another voice you've probably heard. She's a gundam but that's all different now and… And she's really excited to meet you and I well…" As Zapper was going to say more Grappler's hand came to his. "You're good zipper the kid calm down."
With that out of the way Zapper scratched his head and went back to his futon. However before he could lie down he heard Grappler snore. "Yeah good night Gouf sweet dreams…" Zapper mumbled.
Unfortunately the only dreams Grappler or anyone in Tenchijo would be having would be unholy nightmares.
Muffled vocals went to blood curdling screams as Zapper became conscious again. His heart lurched from his chest as Grappler emitted a dreadful shriek. Disregarding the pitch black room Zapper rushed to Grappler. "No! NO! GO AWAY! Don't… DON'T! YOU CAN'T TAKE IT!" He demanded to the nothingness. "Grappler stop, stop wake up! It's a dream a stupid dream wake up!" Zapper shouted shaking the cobalt bot. But as Grappler came to Zapper saw that he had been sobbing profusely. His optic was running like a river. Zapper lifted Grappler's head, "What happened?" He enquired calmly. Grappler collapsed into Zapper's arms and wept choking when trying to speak. "W-wanted t-t-to ta-ke our baby…" He coughed. "Who?" Zapper comforted him. "The General…" Grappler whimpered.
While Grappler wailed in his partner's arms Ivyomaru crashed into the room holding a lantern. She was silent yet her face suggested something else. "So you too were affected? You're not the only one follow me hurry." She said to the pair. Zapper had no idea what she was referring to, but obeyed and left the room. "In case you're wondering this isn't a coincidence. It was all pre planned by a dark entity." Ivyomaru informed them. "Dark entity?" Zapper glanced at Grappler. "That's doesn't sound good…" Grappler said to himself.
Ivyomaru took them to a smaller room where they found their friends from just a few hours ago. Alekimaru sat in her brother's lap quietly crying. "Aleki!" The two yelled. Grappler ignoring his own sordid dreams went to the young girl's side. "Sweet heart what happened to you?" He put a hand to her face. "She watched our parents die in front of her. That didn't happen of course we were long gone we our parents passed." Bakuhamaru responded for his sister.
On the other side of the room Cobramaru held Genkimaru in his arms, "Don't bother asking." He told them.
After the kids had ceased their sobbing and got composed, Ivyomaru explained the direness of the situation. "An evil spirit has managed to sneak into Tenchijo castle. His name is Yoru u~ōkā or 'Night Walker.' He preys on the minds of mortals and creates nightmare from either the horrible memories or distorting the most wonderful. Then he devours them in turn devouring the will of the dreamer."
"I remember him…" Cobramaru spoke. "When I was training in the Cobra village with my comrades our leader warned of the consequences if we fell asleep during our deprivation exercises. He said Yoru u~ōkā would destroy our ambitions to be Musha gundams and witness our families being slaughtered." Zapper eerily turned to the snake gundam. "And?" He trembled in his mouth. "Let's just say none us slept right for a solid week." Cobramaru replied in a raspy tone. "So Ivyomaru how do we stop him?" Genkimaru asked quivering.
"We must exorcise the spirit from Tenchijo or else he will linger and continue to consume the wills of the others here." She picked up a bundle of leafs and lit the end with a match. "We'll use sage to cleanse and drive him out wherever he is hiding. Sage is a pure herb and makes it so only positive energy can exist."
Ivyomaru handed a bundle of burning sage to Zapper and Bakuhamaru while Cobramaru carried a candle to light the way. They would have to cleanse every room in the castle and restrict to one area and finally exorcise him. Ivyomaru chanted as they walked through and waved the purging smoke. "No evil may dwell in household only positive and good thoughts shall thrive." The group stayed closely woven together in the darkness. In each room they cleansed the air grow colder and ominous. The group stayed firmly woven together, hands gripped tighter, hearts raced faster, and spines got chills.
"Uh…Ivyomaru what exactly does Yoru-a thing look like?" Zapper dared to know. "Believe me you don't want to know." Cobramaru shushed narrowing his eyes. "No Cobramaru if he wants to know we shall tell him." The healer interjected. The former assassin hissed and resumed clasping Genkimaru to his chest. "In the realms of the mind he can fashion himself anything. However in the physical world there are accounts of his appearances." Grappler scowled at the older mech, "You had to ask…" He jeered. "They say he has the parts of different animals of which he stole from. He's has the head of a white tiger, the talons of a vulture, the hid of an ox, and the tusks of an elephant. The most notable aspect of Yoru u~ōkā is that his eyes are blood diamonds." Grappler elbowed Zapper in the stomach. "Thanks for asking you moron." The young bot spat.
The last room they had restricted the spirit to was the basement underneath the kitchen. They entered via a creaky staircase, there only thing they saw were old support pillars. Soon the temperature dropped rapidly and the group could see their breath freezing in front of them. Suddenly Cobramaru's candle went out and no one could even see a few inches from their faces. "He's here…" Genkimaru murmured. "Hold your ground; we are not afraid come out! Face us!" Ivyomaru ordered.
Growling and snarling ensued emanating at random areas in the room. The sounds of cracking stone and shifting ruble reverberated leaving them unsure of where Yoru u~ōkā concealed himself.
"Gouf I know you're scared but can you get off my foot please." Zapper grimaced. Grappler's grasp on the maroon bot's arm got tauter. "Um… Zapper I'm standing behind you. I'm not stepping on you…" Grappler replied hollowed in his voice. Silence came upon the group their eyes searched the blackness. Shouldn't be that hard to find… Zapper thought. Blood diamonds for eyes how can you miss that? What he didn't know about this creature, it hunted with impulses not eyes.
That's when Zapper was pulled to the dusky floor and hauled to heaven knows where. "ZAPPER!" Grappler shouted attempting to locate him. But the beast would show itself by clear means. In a far corner of the basement Ivyomaru heard struggling and saw two bright red jewels amongst the dark. "There! Just forward of us!" She proclaimed. The spirit had Zapper pinned and its tiger fangs inches from his head. Zapper on the other hand had a hold on its tusks keeping it at bay. Its talons dug into his new Musha armor shredding to scrap and injury if they got passed.
Then Zapper felt the weight of the demonic beast fly off him. "Get off him!" A voice hollered. Grappler had heaved the entity into the nearby wall, Zapper was shock. "You're welcome." Grappler inhaled raggedly. "Are you nuts Gouf?!" Zapper snapped. "Pardon me but this is not the time for an argument!" Alekimaru interrupted.
Alekimaru was correct Yoru u~ōkā now had the chance to hide himself again. "I must agree with Zapper that extremely precarious, especially the condition you're in." Ivyomaru scolded. "Well sorry, I didn't want to watch him get his face ripped off!" Grappler replied angrily. Before anyone could speak another scream rang out, "Ahhhhhh Cobramaru help!" Genkimaru was being attacked. Yoru u~ōkā's eyes pierced through the darkness and in his mouth was the young Musha. But Cobramaru was nowhere in sight or maybe that was a good thing. Suddenly Genkimaru plummeted to the ground and glistening fluid sprayed from one the beast's red eyes.
The sneaky Musha gundam sank his wrist dagger into the eye socket. "Now even for a spirit that must hurt!" Cobramaru taunted. "Now Bakuhamaru!" He jumped. Then the goliath gundam swung his massive hammer and knocked the beast to the floor. "In the name of Amaterasu spirit of light I cast you out!" Ivyomaru declared. She was not alone the others joined her in the powerful chant. "We cast you out!" They repeated over and over.
The smoke of the burning sage boomed into an engulfing cloud and consumed the nightmare spirit. "WE CAST YOU OUT!" The room ignited in a great resplendent light. The spirit screeched and writhed as the blazing glare extinguished it from their vision. In a flash the entity was gone and the warmth had returned. They headed back to the upper levels of Tenchijo to tell the inhabitants the exorcism was successful. Though to be cautious Ivyomaru had those who accompanied her to sleep in the same room for the night.
Extra futons were brought in and spread around the room. Alekimaru beside her brother, Genkimaru next to Cobramaru, and Zapper pulled his futon by Grappler. Even if Grappler threatened to punch him in the throat. Despite the scare everyone fell asleep relatively quickly, probably due the exhaustion. Grappler however was still awake; the images of the General severing his child from the womb gave him goose bumps. He wrapped his arms over his swollen abdomen Get a grip Grappler. He told himself in his mind. No one's stupid enough to try and stole a baby from you. And beside the General is gonezo you finished him off yourself. Yet it didn't help ease his emotions in the least.
He felt his optic swing as the tears began to trickle down his face. Grappler's heart near came out of his chest when he sensed faint breaths on his head. He turned to his left and saw Zapper staring in his direction. "The dream really got you, didn't it?" He whispered. Grappler simply nodded not wanting to speak. Zapper just smirked a bit and wiped his partner's tears. "Remember Gouf…" He motioned to the symbol on his new armor. "Protector…" Grappler managed a tiny laugh. "S-s-o b-bette-er y-you than me?" He coughed.
He breathed in and replied. "Oh and Zapper remember this…" Grappler said. A sharp throbbing struck the maroon bot's gullet. "Too close for comfort." Grappler scoffed grinning.
Author's note: I suck at haikus so I looked them up at healinglovenotes .com they matched perfectly. Enjoy please review! :D –PaintedLady