Another Chapter redone by Kitty- Chan, thanks!

Black Magic, White Starlight

Chapter 4: Reactions and Relationships

After the bustle and worry of the afternoon, we found a nice clearing on the outskirts of town to stay. In the dense forestry, no one would disturb us. This way, I could practise my technique in peace without having the local people see me and go off screaming 'Witch!' at the top of their lungs. The last time that happened, it didn't end well at all. Thankfully, we wiped their memories clean before leaving, no suspicion, thank God!

Still, at least things should be easy now. We set up camp close by to the huge waterfall flowing into the creek, as well some stepping stones near by, that could help in my training. Shaded areas but with some brightness at the end of the day, all worthwhile to be here. Still I can't shake the feeling that something's on my mind. It's eating away at me intensely, a pair of gold eyes boring into the depths of my soul...

"Kora!"

Ouch, now I stumbled and fell, my butt is going to be so sore in the morning! Damn it, has that cat ever heard of silence is golden? He should, he's been around close to the beginning of time after all!

"Coming" I chorused. Shoot, and to think I could away in fantasies at the moment if now for my guardian. Oh well, duty calls I suppose, it can't be helped, I must do my fair share too despite the fact there are other things on my mind.

"Child, would you kindly pull up a meal for us?" Twista asked. "We're sorting the fire and provisions...besides, I doubt Sabre-kon would be nice enough to lend his tail again," she giggled, as did I on seeing his expression. He was acting huffy over it, yet still held onto his extra limb with his paw for dear life.

Shaking my head, I walked up to the edge of the stream, drawing out my whip. I called on Sing to be kind enough to do her part. Gladly, she drifted over the water, suddenly giving off spiritual energy fiercely. This really scared the fish, drawing them closer to me. With a swift slash, I lunged the weapon into the water until I felt a tug. Yanking as hard as I could, I pulled up a nice huge salmon, though I thought it looked more like Moby Dick. At least there was plenty to go around tonight.

The evening ended quite peacefully. We were all pretty tired, so it was agreed on an early night and to start the hunt tomorrow. The fire burned on, as we all settled down for the night. Sabre curled up on the woodland end of the blazing campfire, having learned his lesson about sleeping near the stream. Twista did the same, using her bushy tails to keep her warm. When she slept it was the only time I ever saw her look like an animal, as she did everything else in a more human fashion. They were both comforting to me though, for I remember at the start of my journeys with them I used to cuddle up next to them when I had nightmares and I felt safe when I did.

Sing-chi was content in her crystal monument, while I climbed up a fore-branch of a tree.

Leaning back against the body with my hands behind my head, I could see the whole world from this viewpoint. The tiny yellow lights of the city shone out in the midnight sky, glistening beautifully. I couldn't help but wonder what it was like. All those people had solid homes and loved ones around them. People they could be...intimate with.

I never had that, and doubt I'll experience it. I move around too much to ever get attached to others, a lot less painful for me that way. Still, I couldn't help but feel slightly empty inside. Maybe it would be nice to have someone around with me.

Truthfully, I had always slept under the night sky, in all my moving. I had never fallen asleep under a solid roof. Quite frankly, I didn't want to either. The sky and heavens above were a comfort to me. Some believe that one day I would be able to have a real life. Stupid, I know, but it was simply how I felt. It would be nice to have someone really close...Okay I had my guardians and Sing, but it wasn't the same. Someone really close, a soul mate someone I could talk to. Yeah, like there would be anyone in a city that liked looking at the moon and stars like I do!

As I drifted to sleep, the final thought crossed my mind, one I never considered...one of wondering. Did the shaman by chance watch the sky at night?

---

Similar thoughts seemed to daunt in and out my head for the next few days. I couldn't help it; my mind would get going, constantly in a daydreaming state. I never felt like this before, especially over people I barely know. My head is aching! Why me; what did I do to deserve any of this?

Still, things were pretty slow in the way of hunts. No big evil demons had appeared. I guess after taking off the centaurs, some of them were trying to avoid being caught. However, it wouldn't be long before one came our way. I knew this out of experience; once they got hint I was around, they would instantly spring.

They saw me as a good target, since bringing my bloody carcass to 'his lordship' would mean a good bonus in feeding. Of course, there would a bigger reward if I were brought to him alive, so he could deal with me himself.

Everything seemed tranquil; as the four of us scoured a small suburb area with old fashioned houses lining the streets. Cautiously moving around, it seemed like this patrol was another washout, nothing here! The others could tell too, Sabre was yawning, Twista playing around with one of her many tails and Sing whisked around the quiet area in hope of running into some action. I was just ready to call it quits, ready to go back to camp and do some training...

SMACK!

Sounded like someone had just been given a swift slap on the face! So much of the peaceful idea of this setting that had just been washed away as shouting was echoing from one of the large houses down near the end of the street. I didn't sense anything, so it wasn't a disturbance of the cosmos, which I had to deal with. From what I could hear, someone was getting was sounded like a very painful lecture over one thing or another. Since it was a slow day, my curiosity took over and I ran along the high walls to reach the house, my friends following behind me.

I didn't need to attract any attention, so got Sing to hide up a tree with me. Also, I nodded to the huge cat and wolf to morph. In a burning aura of light, both of them bean shrinking, their features becoming more confined and neat. Once the light had dimmed, I saw the hop onto the wall where they could look too, now in camouflage. Sabre was now a tiny black kitten; still tinted white over his chest muzzle and tip of his tail. His fangs were small sticking out of his mouth, claws so cute. Twista had blended in as a puppy sparking old black marks over chest, ears, and nose. All her tails had folded into one, now very brushed out and fluffy, teeth like little daggers, black nose cold and wet like all dogs.

Settling, I stared down in the open yard and back porch of the house, which looked to be some sort of training area. It was then I caught a glimpse of some people spread out over the whole area, doing various things, but now distracted by the main theme of yelling out by the back steps. There was a boy around my age sitting there, shoulder-length brown hair and eyes with orange earphones around his head. He was giving a lopsided grin, though heavy weights were strapped on his arms and legs, trying obviously to act calm while being bellowed at, rubbing the handprint on his face. The one shouting (and slapping) was a girl with blonde hair and dark eyes with an icy glare, a red scarf around her head, black dress and blue beads. She seemed irritated that the boy wasn't 'training hard enough' so to speak. He just took the entire racket, trying to calm her down, while the others watched on quietly.

There were another four of them hanging around all together. A timid pink-haired girl with rosy eyes trembled considerably, obviously not liking what was happening, but too afraid to stop it. She stood in the doorway to the house, dishcloth in her hands, apparently having just finished cleaning and cooking.

Near the steps was a tiny boy with messy blonde-brown hair and wide eyes. He seemed very fearful of what was going on and tried to hide himself behind a huge book he was carrying. He must have been the same age as the rest, but I couldn't tell due to his height.

Nearby the fence another two looked on, my guess was a brother and sister, since it couldn't be a coincidence they both had blue hair and eyes. The boy had his spiked up with a bandanna round his head and heavy winter clothes on while holding a snowboard. They must have been from further north, as the girl also had heavy pink jacket and boots on. They both just tried to get along with things, not wishing to get involved in the argument. I listened in as it flooded out.

"I won't take this laziness! You only ran ten miles this morning and I specifically wanted you to do fifty! This is unacceptable!" the blonde yelled, nearly breaking everyone's eardrums. The boy still seemed calm trying to reassure her.

"Take it easy, Anna, I said I would run the rest before lunch didn't I? And I will, I just needed a little break..."

"How about I make sure you get breaks...in you legs, your arms and your neck! Yoh Asakura, you run those laps this instant or you'll have another fifty to do afterwards!" the girl called Anna screamed, making everyone else cringe. I've fought demons that were less nasty that that! Still, the snowboarder began whining, saying she was too harsh. I didn't know if he was extremely brave or extremely stupid.

"Relax, Anna, he'll do it, but he'll collapse from exhaustion at this rate. Why don't you let him rest up first...?" he asked before his sister jumped up on him.

"You mind your own affairs Horohoro, you still owe me some push-ups for today!"

"Pirika! But I..."Horo stammered before being pulled over by the ear to a shaded spot, where he squatted down and began working out under his siblings gaze. I wasn't sure who was worse at the moment. The remaining two just tried to act like they weren't involved.

"I'm going to fix up lunch," the pink-haired girl stammered as she went back into the kitchen, though I could see her in the open window, where Anna called to her.

"Don't make Yoh anything until he's done with his workout, Tamao; no food 'til he's done with laps," she commanded, to which Tamao only nodded shyly and set off to work on the food, though Yoh complained openly over it. The blonde boy tried to sneak off, but was caught under Anna's glance.

"Hold it, mizu-manjuu, you aren't going anywhere until you help your friend here, then you can go scrub the floors," Anna barked.

"My name is Manta already! And I'd love to, Anna, but I have to go home for my own lunch..."

"I'll give you a knuckle sandwich if you think of going through that gate! Now hop to it half-pint," she snarled, grabbing the small boy by the head and tossed him towards Yoh. They collided hard, sending both of them backwards onto the ground.

It's official to me now; these people are weird. I was about to turn away and head back home with the others, when something else caught my attention. Stalking up the pathway was...Ren!