Author's Notes: I'm sleepy...
That is my excuse for any errors that you may or may not encounter.
Disclaimers: All rights belongs to respective owner and blah blah blah.
Crimson Red and The Ten HiMEs
Chapter 4
Running.
That's all she did.
Running blindly through the forest. Eyes stinging, tears streaming down her face. Part of her was hoping that this was all just a nightmare. That she would soon be waking up in her queen-sized bed with Aoi pulling aside the curtains, spilling golden rays of sunlight into her room. Her father down in the kitchen reading the papers, with a cup of hot tea ready for Shizuru. She would go down and tell of her nightmare to her father. Her father would hold her tightly, overreacting as usual, telling her that something like that would never happen, it was just a dream. They were still living happily in their mansion.
But no. She never woke up. She was still running.
Running towards where? She didn't know. She had no idea where to go. Where would she go now?
For a moment...she wondered would it had been better off if the hunter did killed her...
Her running slowed down. Her breathing coming in quick ragged pace.
Shizuru looked around. What was she suppose to do now? She didn't know what to do. How to survive...was she suppose to just live in the forest for the rest of her days? The idea did not sound all that appealing to her...
A loud grumble shook her from her musing and she looked down at her stomach, her eyebrows narrowing slightly in irritation. When was the last time she have eaten something? With those bandits...which was well over hours ago. Darkness settling in making it hard for her to take note of her surroundings. Letting out a small chuckle she leaned against a tree, sliding down seating herself and hugging her knees close to her chest.
"Perhaps if Hunter-san didn't kill me, the forest will..." She mumbled slightly, caressing a small flower that was blooming next to her.
Although the night was a little chilling, she did not feel cold at all. Perhaps it was the warm clothing that hugged her body like a wool blanket.
The past events causing her to truly realize her predicament, causing her to tremble despite the warmth. Everyone she knew and met. They will think she is dead. She will never even be allowed to see them again.
Her father...her close friend...
Even those bandits...
She closed her eyes, tears sliding down her cheek as she let the drowsiness take her away. Perhaps some higher being of sort would finally take pity on her and end her suffering.
Takeda strode as confidently as he could through the chilling dimmed room hoping that nothing will give away the truth.
He glance around in the room taking note that the man he was to report to was missing. "Where is h-"
"Reito-san have left to tutor the princess." Miyu's robotic voice answered causing Takeda to jump and almost trip over on the floor.
He held his chest, trying to calm his heart. "Y-You scared me! How long have you-"
"The whole time..."
"..."
A few awkward silent minutes passed before Takeda coughed, nervously rubbing the back of his neck, sweat dripping down his forehead as he gulped. "Ahem...w-well...I'm here to report to Reito-san about t-the mission..." Takeda stuttered, mentally cursing himself at the lack of confidence he displayed.
"Yes. I can tell that you have failed and let Fujino Shizuru escaped, but were planning on telling Reito-san that you have completed it nevertheless while giving him a pig's heart in hopes that he would be unable to differentiate it."
Takeda choked, "H-How did you know?!"
"I know many things." She replied coolly.
Panicking with wide eyes, the hunter looked at Miyu pleadingly. "Please! Please keep this a secret! I...I know what Reito-san will do if he finds out!"
"I will not tell him anything."
He let out a shaky breath.
"But if he does ask I will tell him."
Takeda's head snapped up. "W-what?! Are you truly that emotionless?!"
"..."
"..."
The hunter looked away, the silence and emotionless look giving him his answers. "Nevermind..."
"It is my duty...and a curse."
He looked at her with sympathy and nodded with understanding.
"We're all cursed one way or another..."
"Princess. I know you're up there!" The charming deep voice echoed through the courtyard as Reito stood beneath a tree. His head looking up, eyes scanning about the leaves.
A slight rustle and dark blue hair flowed down, Natsuki's head popping out from the leaves. "No princess here. Just a random tree spirit." Reito rolled his eyes and chuckled at the immaturity of the young princess as the blue locks of hair disappeared into the leaves.
"Now now, Princess. It's time for your studies. You don't really want to make it difficult for me now, would you?"
"Oh, I do. I really do." An apple core dropped down and landed near Reito's feet. "I don't even see why I have to go and study all those crap about history and stuff. I already know all about it."
"Yet nothing about etiquette, it seems..." Reito mumbled quietly. He frowned at the reluctant princess while nudging the core with his foot away from him, a slight look of disgust crossing his face. "I have received several complaints about your...absence from the other tutors. They were in great panic when they have thought that they have "lost the princess","
"Sucks for them they didn't even bother looking." A loud audible munch was heard and another apple core fell to the ground.
"Now now...it certainly does "suck for them". But how about making my job a little bit easier and just come study with me?" Reito's eyes twinkled as he brought out his secret weapon. "I shall even let you indulge in those mayonnaise you seem to be so fond about as we go through the history of Fuuka."
The leaves rustle once more as Natsuki's head popped out upside down, leaves and twigs sticking out of her hair that flow down. "You serious?" She asked cautiously, eyeing her tutor.
"Very serious." Reito replied with his usual dazzling charming smile.
Natsuki jumped down from the tree, striding quickly past Reito. "C'mon then, go tell the cook to prepare some sandwiches! I'll be in the study room!"
"Mm, yes yes. Whatever you say, princess." He chuckled, picking out a leaf as Natsuki walked by him. She ignored the princess comment, still striding off with her fast pace.
As soon as she was out of Reito's sight, he brought the leaf close to his lips, letting a cold smirk grace his face. "So very simple..." He whispered, the leaf suddenly turning into ashes in his fingers.
Groooooowwwl...
"Ara..." Shizuru opened her groggy eyes, rubbing them slightly. "It have appeared as though I have fallen asleep." She took a look at her surrounding, seeing nothing but darkness. "And here I was hoping it truly was a nightmare..." Letting out a bitter smile, she stretched her legs out.
Groooooooooooooowwwl...
The sound that has awaken her repeated itself. She looked down at her stomach with a frown. "I'm sorry, tummy. But it seems I will be unable to feed you..." She murmured, rubbing her stomach, hoping that would appease it just a bit.
It only replied with another growl.
She sighed, her arm falling limp to the side. "Ara...perhaps I should find something edible to eat. It shouldn't be so hard...should it?" She mused to herself and stood up.
"Who knows? Perhaps it may even be fun. Like...a camping trip?"
Twenty minutes later:
Shizuru stared at the mushrooms she have collected through the forest. "Ah...I do wonder if they're safe to eat..." She debated whether to give in to her hunger and eat the possibly poisonous mushrooms or just search again for something else. "Ara...and Aoi always brags about how easy it is for her to find delicious mushrooms in the mountains and forests..." She picked up a white colored mushroom with gray spots dotting all over it and brought it close to her face.
Her stomach growled, choosing the decision for her.
"Yes yes, tummy. Calm yourself. I will feed you now then." She said chuckling, closing her eyes. "Thank you for the food." She opened her mouth, preparing to take a bite out of the mushroom.
Grrrroooowwwwwwl.
A louder growl, most definitely not from her stomach caused her to pause. Her eyes scanned around the area, trying to lock in on anything that was moving.
Soon enough a huge dark mass of fur emerged. Growling and barring it's teeth, yellow eyes piercing into crimson eyes.
'A wolf...I am surprise you did not throw a dragon my way or some such, life.'
The wolf stared at Shizuru before throwing it's head up into the sky and letting out an ear-piercing howl. Soon enough, the sound of padding feet followed the howl and four more wolves appeared, all growling and snarling as they stared at their soon-to-be dinner.
'Ara...really, life? I think I would have preferred the dragon then.'
She held out the spotted mushroom towards one of the wolves. "Would Wolf-san rather have a bite of this delicious looking mushroom instead of me?"
The wolf snarled, snapping at her hand which caused Shizuru to jump back. Her back hitting the tree. "I shall take that as a no..."
The wolves began to encircle closer to her, surrounding her, giving Shizuru no chances of escaping.
'It seems as though the forest will kill me...' The chestnut haired girl closed her eyes as she awaited her fate, snapping fangs ripping apart her flesh.
"HALT IN THE NAME OF GAKUTENOU!" A loud yell caused the wolves to pause, looking at the direction where the voice came from.
"Wow...it really did work..." A young woman with long orange hair tied into a messy ponytail stood on a tree branch, her face obviously showing surprise from the reaction she have received from the wolves. She coughed before starting to do a strange pose. "Ahem...I mean...thou who dareth enter my forest and commit thy crimes shall be punished! For I am the HiME of truth and justice! The Pink HiME!"
"Arrooo?" The wolves looked at each other quizzically, absolute confusion shown on their furry faces.
"Ara...do you mean to punish me or the wolves?" Shizuru asked, unsure who the stranger was referring to.
"Fear not, young maiden! For these vile wolves are nothing against thy secret HiMEs' weapons!" She pulled out a thin silver whistle, taking a deep breath and blowing into it.
The wolves paused, before yelping in pain and scrambling off while whimpering.
Shizuru sat there in awe as her savior jumped down from the tree branch, landing on her feet, puffing out her chest with pride. "And the forest was once again saved thanks to HiME Ranger Pink!"
"Ara...HiME?" The ruby-eyed girl blinked as she suddenly realized just who this woman was.
A HiME.
Known far throughout the lands. Famous for their technologies that rival even the most advanced cities and known for variety of skills. Some would even say that a HiME were witches with unknown powers. From what Shizuru has witness, she would probably have to agree.
"So what're you doing out in a forest so late at night. It like..." She glanced at a watch on her wrist. "3 in the morning? Oh jeez...what am I doing out here so late?!"
"Ah...I was..." Her stomach took the cue to remind her of the reason why she was still holding the mushroom.
"...Unless you want to get high before ending up dying while foaming in the mouth, I'd suggest you don't eat that."
Shizuru yelped, dropping the mushroom quickly as if it burned her. "Ookini. You just saved me twice now."
"No sweat. If you're hungry, how about coming with me? My home is close by here so you can get some actual food and maybe some rest." Her savior, no goddess, extended her hand and helped Shizuru up to her feet.
"Ara...Ookini. You're too kind." Perhaps some higher being was finally taking pity on her. "I hope it is not too much trouble."
"Trouble? Pffft. With the people that live with me, you're far from trouble." She turned and strode off, Shizuru following close by.
"Although it's not good to reveal my identity to a civilian...I'll allow you to call me by my true name. Just don't tell anyone else. Don't want them to get jealous." The redhead said with her hand close to her mouth as if telling Shizuru a secret.
This caused the red-eyed girl to giggle.
"I'm Sugiura Midori. A HiME as you can already guess. You are?"
"Fuji-"
"Remember...if someone asks who you are, give them another name. Any name. Just one that isn't yours."
The young hunter's voice echoed in Shizuru's mind, causing her to snap her mouth shut.
Midori looked over her shoulder, staring questioningly at the silent girl.
"What? Is there something in my teeth?"
"Ara...umm..." Shizuru let out a calming smile. "Kannin na. I was just remembering something." It wasn't a lie.
"Eh...alrighty, so name?"
"Um...I...don't have one." Shizuru sighed, being unable to come up with a name at such a short notice.
Midori looked at her sympathetically. Was the young crimson-eyed girl a slave from another land that escaped? If so that would be a little depressing.
Wait...
Crimson.
"If you don't have a name, how about I call you Crimson for now?"
"Ara?" Looking at Midori with a puzzled expression, Shizuru tilted her head.
"Crimson. Your eyes." Midori pointed out. "It's a strange eye color that I never really seen. So that's the first thing I just thought of. Sorry if you don't like it." She scratched the back of her head, laughing awkwardly.
For a moment, Shizuru just stood there looking at Midori as if she grown another head. Then she giggled. "Yes, Crimson. It is a nice name." For some odd reason she felt a light fluttering in her chest. "It is nice to meet you, Midori. I am Crimson." She held out her hand which Midori nodded, taking it within hers and giving it a firm shake.
"Nice to meet you too, Crimson. Hope you enjoy your stay at Hotel HiME." Midori said jokingly, her hand still holding onto Shizuru's as she dragged her to a clearing where a fairly large looking house stood with several flowers planted around it, giving a very nice and homely feel to it.
Shizuru smiled as she took in the sight, her heart filled with warmth.
'Ara, It seems as though things are finally looking up for me.'
Author's Blabbering: Yayyyy! And now enter the HiMEs! Or at least one of them...
Dammit, Midori. Sentai Rangers don't reveal their true identity...
Hurrah. Life finally decided to stop throwing lemons at Shizuru and gave her a cup of tea instead!
I wonder...how would one write Reito as a charming evil villain? I feel like I'm doing my best to do so. But I just can't seem to get it in the way my mind imagined him to be.
Eh. Oh well, I'm sure I'll get there someday.
Also...my Modem decided to come back from the dead.
...Amazing.
RRWhitey signing out!