Pointless Report:
Gyahahaha~ Hi~! *waves*
I forgot to mention last chapter that all of Mariko's attacks are named after gods/goddesses/devils/demons because…well you'll just have to read on to find out now won't you?
LET THE CHAPTER BEGIN!!!
Takeshi paced anxiously. He was under a lot of stress and he couldn't afford to be waiting for the servant girl to bring his daughters. He ran his fingers through his short black hair. Small knuckles rapped the door. 'Enter,' He said in his deep voice.
Yoko and the two sisters silently entered. He regarded Yoko with his piercing golden eyes. 'You may go.' He ordered. She bowed deeply before leaving. The sisters were alone with their Father.
He sighed deeply. 'She's very nice Father.' Mariko said quickly, sensing her father's intentions. 'Yes, and it was our fault we were late coming.' Keiko added. Takeshi smiled gently. 'If only all my problems could be dealt with as easily as this one.
'What's wrong Father?'
'Do you know of my sister, your aunt, Yukio?' He asked wearily. Both girls hesitated before nodding. 'I've invited her here.' 'Why Father?' The sisters asked. Takeshi placed his hands on both girls' shoulders. He looked deep into their eyes. 'Mariko, what'll happen to you when you get older?'
Mariko blinked in surprise. 'I-I will become the Night Priestess.' She answered uncertainly. 'Yes,' He said standing up. He walked to the stain glass window behind his throne. 'As tradition, the oldest daughter of each ruling family becomes the city's priestess. She will pray to the gods for protection over her city. It has been that way for years.' He said gazing out the window.
'I already know that Father, but what does that have to do with…Yukio coming?' Mariko inquired. The king turned to look at his daughter. 'You are aware that we are the only family that doesn't have a priestess?' 'Yes Father.' 'Mariko, the time has come for you to be trained for your role as the Night Priestess, one of the most important positions on the island.'
Mariko stared at him in shock. 'You mean…SHE'S going to teach me?' She demanded in disbelief. 'Yukio is the only one qualified to teach you. She possesses the knowledge you need. The Night Priestess can only be taught by the former. No other mentor knows what she does.' He told her sternly.
'You two are dismissed.' He commanded taking a seat in his throne. As the sisters turned to leave, Keiko turned to face her father. 'If you were only going to talk to Mariko, why'd I have to come?' She asked boldly, ignoring her sister's shocked face.
The king smiled. 'Because you would have found out somehow so I might as well have told you.' He said laughing. Keiko grinned.
-This is a time/scene skip…this is the only way Fanfiction'll let me divide things…Ignore this-
The room went eerily quiet as Yukio stepped into the room. Tension filled the room as everyone gawked nervously at her. She had her head held high. 'I have just as much right to be here as you do.' Her gaze seemed to say.
Takeshi rose from his seat. 'Sister,' he said calmly. 'Welcome.' His voice sounded welcoming but his eyes were cold and distant. Yukio nodded in acknowledgement. 'Brother,' she said levelly. 'I'm afraid that the journey has left me feeling a bit exhausted. If you don't mind, I'll be retiring for the night.'
'Very well, should you need anything, ask any of the servants.' He said politely.
Only when she had left and everyone was sure Yukio was out of earshot, did everyone start gossiping. Mariko and Keiko gave their father a pleading gaze. He sighed before nodding, signaling their dismissal.
The sisters dashed out of the room without a second glance. 'Usual spot?' Mariko asked as they raced down the corridors. Keiko nodded vigorously.
-This is a time/scene skip…this is the only way Fanfiction'll let me divide things…Ignore this-
The twinkling stars stretched as far as the eye could see. The "usual spot" was on the roof overlooking the sea, where the lights of the island wouldn't interfere with the natural light show that danced above them.
'What do you think of her?' Mariko asked never looking away from the sky. Keiko paused, considering the question. 'I think she's great.' She said with certainty. 'She was able to silence the whole room without even saying anything! She doesn't seem like the kind of woman who lets herself be pushed around, I like that.' She explained when she'd seen her sister's puzzled expression.
Mariko chewed her lip. Keiko shot her an irritated look. 'There's no reason for you to be nervous. It's not like she's going to eat you or anything.' She snapped. Mariko glared.
'I'm not nervous!'
'Yes you are, you always chew your lip when you're either nervous or you're thinking about something.'
'I do not!'
Keiko laughed. Mariko's glare intensified, which would have had more impact if she wasn't blushing deeper and deeper by the minute. Keiko calmed down and pointed to the sky. 'Look, you see those stars?' 'Yeah? What about them?' 'People all over the world can see them. Even in the daytime they're still up there, we just can't see them.'
'So what's your point?'
Keiko grinned. 'My point is that when you're training with Yukio, just look up at the sky and I'll be looking at them too.'
Mariko looked away from her sister. Keiko grabbed her sister's hand. 'You don't have to be alone. I'll be right here.' She said calmly. Mariko laughed. 'Sometimes I wonder if you should've been the older sister and I should've been the younger one!' She said. Keiko laughed with her into the peaceful night.
-This is a time/scene skip…this is the only way Fanfiction'll let me divide things…Ignore this-
Yukio chuckled silently to herself. She could hear the girls talking, how could she not? They were practically sitting above her window. 'Laugh now while you can little one. Let's see how happy you are after your training.
-This is a time/scene skip…this is the only way Fanfiction'll let me divide things…Ignore this-
'The things I am about to tell you have been passed down for generations.' Yukio said as she led them through the forest. She stopped suddenly, causing Mariko to collide into her leg. 'So don't screw up.' She said glaring. Mariko trembled nervously as she rubbed her nose. Yukio smirked obviously amused. 'Hurry up, I don't want me to waste more time then I need to on some snot-nosed brat.' She snapped. Mariko stumbled to keep up with Yukio's pace.
'Where're we going Auntie?' Mariko asked. Yukio whipped her head around. 'I. Am. Not. "Auntie".' She growled. Mariko backed away slightly. 'T-Then what do I call you?' She asked nervously. Yukio scowled. 'You call me by my goddamn name!' She hissed. Mariko blushed nervously. 'We're going to the deepest part of the forest, that way we won't be gawked at by bastards.' Yukio grumbled. Mariko sank back. This was going to be a long day.
-This is a time/scene skip…this is the only way Fanfiction'll let me divide things…Ignore this-
Mariko collapsed onto her bed. Yukio's "training", was working on stamina and speed, "to get her off her goddamn spoiled ass!" Mariko winced as she examined her new found cuts and bruises. She didn't even want to know how Yukio had managed to turn a rolled up leaf into a whip. She pulled off her ripped muddy tunic. 'If Yukio's training doesn't kill me Mother will when she sees this.' She muttered to herself. 'If you talk to yourself, people are gonna start thinking you're crazy.'
Mariko whipped her head around to see Keiko standing in the doorway. 'How was training?' She piped skipping in the room. Mariko's legs ached just watching her bounce around. She considered her words carefully. 'It's not at all what I expected.'
'Well at least you're doing something. It's boring around here.'
'Being bored won't kill you.'
Keiko scowled at her sister's callousness. 'That's easy for you to say, you're already boring.' She skipped to the side, dodging the pillow thrown at her. She smirked arrogantly and stuck her tongue out. Mariko growled from her bed, if she had feeling in her legs she would have charged at her sister. Keiko giggled. 'Temper, temper~!' She sang.
'If you're only here to mock me get out!' Mariko screamed. She could feel her blood boiling as it clawed its way through her skin. She'd always been hotheaded. Keiko flashed a cocky grin before skipping out of the room laughing. Mariko screamed into her bed.
-This is a time/scene skip…this is the only way Fanfiction'll let me divide things…Ignore this-
'You're not trying!' Yukio yelled. Mariko held back a retort. She had been working on balancing exercises for over an hour. 'What does this have to do with training to be a priestess?!' She countered. Yukio glared intensively. Mariko held her ground. She wanted answers. 'You think that being a priestess is just sitting in a temple muttering prayers all day?' Yukio hissed. 'It's more than that!' 'How's it "more"?! For the past two days you've told me nothing! I can endure all the verbal abuse you throw at me, but I need to know why.' Mariko argued.
Yukio looked at her, bewildered. A slow smirk spread across her face. 'Alright, you want to know why?' She asked calmly. Mariko hesitated slightly before nodding. 'The reason is simple. A strong spirit can't be summoned by the weak.' Yukio explained. 'Your body must be strong and your mind sharp. The Night Priestess is the only true priestess. She can summon the gods and wield their power, but understand this, if you can't control it or if your body can't take it. You will die.'
Mariko blinked trying to understand the concept Yukio had told her.
'That's impossible.' She breathed.
'Ignorant brat, we're on the Grand Line! Anything is possible!'
'…'
'There's no time for idle chitchat. We have things to do, and since you're so eager to move on. We'll start on the mind.'
Yukio looked deep into the girl's eyes. 'What we're about to do is highly dangerous. You are to follow my instructions exactly or you will die.' Mariko cringed. Was Yukio for real?
-This is a time/scene skip…this is the only way Fanfiction'll let me divide things…Ignore this-
'Before we start, I think I should warn you. What you're about to do is completely unnatural. It'll put a strain on your mind and body.' Yukio whispered. 'I bet you wish we'd spent more time working on your body huh?' Mariko chewed her lip as she gazed uncertainly at the sleeping bear almost directly in front of them. Whatever Yukio was planning, it couldn't be good.
'Now all you need to do is focus on the bear and say "Buddha".' Yukio ordered quietly. Mariko gulped, something inside her was screaming at her to run as fast as she could as far away from the bear as she could, but after glancing up at Yukio, she knew she didn't have a choice.
'Just to be sure you don't screw this up. Also, I don't want you whispering it.' Yukio added. Mariko paled. 'That's it. she's trying to kill me. She knows that if I disobey her she'll tell Father.' She thought. What was worse? Waking up a bear and potentially being mauled? Or having to face Father? She swallowed nervously. She was going with the bear.
Mariko swallowed and took a deep breath. 'Buddha.'
The bear's eyes snapped open. It slowly turned its gaze at the two humans standing not 5 feet way from it.
'Well time to go.' Yukio said suddenly before bolting away.
'Wait?! What?! Hey! Where're you going?!'
'No way in Hell am I sticking around~! Good luck though!'
Mariko took one look at the bear before she tore out of the cave like a bat out of Hell.
-This is a time/scene skip…this is the only way Fanfiction'll let me divide things…Ignore this-
'You left me alone!' Mariko panted. Yukio smirked arrogantly. 'I'm surprised you came out alive, I was sure it would've eaten you.' Mariko glared. 'At least we got one thing out of this experience.' Yukio commented smugly. 'And what would that be? That if I ever need to run away from a bear all I need to do is run as fast as I can for half an hour?' Mariko panted. Yukio laughed. 'No, but that was hilarious!'
'What we learned or rather what you learned. Was a new power,' Yukio said. 'And what would that be, the power to wake people up?' Mariko asked sarcastically. 'Actually yes, I think that's exactly it.' Yukio piped. Mariko twitched. 'Why would I need to know that if I could just yell into their ear?!'
Yukio shrugged. 'Who knows? Maybe there're some people who're really hard to wake up.'
'What kind of idiot wouldn't wake up if someone screamed into his ear?!' Mariko yelled.
Somewhere on the East Blue, a young green haired boy sneezed.
'Whatever, the point is, I now know you have a little bit of power in you.' Yukio observed. Mariko tilted her head in obvious confusion. 'Haven't you noticed how you're still out of breath?' Yukio asked casually.
'Gee~, kind of, yeah, that's what happens when you're running. You get tired.'
'Don't be sarcastic, besides haven't you noticed that I'm not at all tired?'
'That's because you're in better shape than I am.'
'No~, it's because when you did a spell, you used some of your energy. Every time you use a spell, you use up your energy. The stronger the spell is, or the more you use, the more tired you get.' Yukio explained sounding mildly irritated.
'What happens if I use a really big spell? Or use too many?' Mariko asked hesitantly. Yukio regarded her gravely.
'You fall asleep…And you never wake up.'
Mariko swallowed. 'You mean I die?'
'No, your body lives on. But you're trapped in your own mind. You could say it's a fate worse than death.'
'Is there any way you can wake up?'
Yukio sighed before nodding. 'If someone else gives you their energy, then there's a chance. But if the spell was too great, then they'll suffer the same fate. It's highly dangerous and should only be used in extreme emergencies.'
'…So how long will it be until I get my energy back?'
Yukio smirked. 'After using a weak spell like that? Take a five minute nap and you'll be fine.' 'Is that why you'd teach me such a useless spell?' Mariko asked taking a few deep breaths. Yukio's smirk widened. 'Actually, I didn't know what was going to happen. The gods assign unique spells to each people. Three different witches could say the same god's name, but the results would be completely different.' 'I thought I was training to be a priestess…How do witches fit into it?' Mariko asked skeptically. Yukio gave her a, you-completely-missed-the-whole-point look. 'Do you really think we're really all that different?'
Mariko blinked a few times, digesting what she'd just been told. 'If that's so, then why did I get "assigned" such a weak spell?' Yukio grinned. 'Obviously, they think you're a weak little brat who can't handle much.'
Mariko scowled.
-This is a time/scene skip…this is the only way Fanfiction'll let me divide things…Ignore this-
Mariko rubbed some cream on her new found wounds. She winced at the stinging sensation. Yukio had given it to her on their way back. The cream was sea foam green and had a slightly salty smell to it. 'She probably did use salt.' She grumbled. 'I know you're there Keiko!' She heard a mad giggle. 'Mariko~!' Keiko squealed as she jumped on her sister's back.
Mariko's eye twitched. 'You're home! Now we can play!' Keiko piped. Mariko slammed her face into the pillow. 'Come on~ you haven't played with me ever since Yukio came.' Keiko whined. Mariko chewed her lip. She had missed her sister's company.
'Come on Nightingale~, please~?' Keiko prompted.
'Why am I a Nightingale?'
'Well, it's your favorite book right? Besides, you're always more awake at night!'
'Well if I'm the Nightingale, then what are you?'
Keiko paused to contemplate. 'I'd be the Lark, because we're kind of opposite to each other, you know?'
Mariko smiled at the truth behind her sister's reasoning. 'Alright Lark, are we playing inside or outside?'
Keiko grinned. 'We're going outside of course!' She squealed enthusiastically.
Mariko chuckled softly. Her sister always found a way to make her feel better.
-This is a time/scene skip…this is the only way Fanfiction'll let me divide things…Ignore this-
'So what'll I be learning today?' Mariko asked faithfully following Yukio. They'd been training together now for 4 days and had developed a bond - meaning that Yukio now only referred to her as "brat" – and Mariko felt like she could trust the sullen silver eyed woman. 'We're going to be working on your physical strength today but first I want you to show me what you learned yesterday.'
Mariko nodded focusing on the palm of her hand. 'Ai Tojon!' A sphere of light floated softly in her hand. Yukio nodded in approval. 'If the gods keep assigning you these worthless powers, you mustn't have a very good future ahead of you.' She sighed. 'I like this one. It feels there's a little heartbeat in my hands.' Mariko protested defensively. She couldn't help but feel proud of what she'd accomplished.
Yukio scowled. 'Well the only "heartbeat" I wanna hear about is the one ringing in your ears!' She snapped. Mariko sighed as she reluctantly ended the spell. She felt a slight wave of drowsiness wash over her but quickly shook it off. She'd need as much energy as she could if she was going to survive Yukio's training from Hell.
-This is a time/scene skip…this is the only way Fanfiction'll let me divide things…Ignore this-
'Nightingale~!' Mariko jumped back as she was nearly run over by Keiko. 'Father needs us to come! Mother's home!' Keiko shrieked. Mariko bowed quickly to Yukio before taking off after her sister.
Yukio gritted her teeth. 'So~, Rin's back huh?' She muttered disdainfully. 'Looks like I'll be sneaking inside, what a pain in the ass…'
-This is a time/scene skip…this is the only way Fanfiction'll let me divide things…Ignore this-
Rin waited patiently for her daughters to arrive. It'd been almost a month since she'd been gone to visit her brother in the north and wanted news of Mariko's training. She narrowed her bright green eyes in anger as she thought of Yukio. 'Pestilent woman!' She thought bitterly. She brushed her fine sun-kissed blond hair from her face.
'Mother?' A small voice called. 'Are you in here?'
Rin smiled faintly as the sisters walked silently into the room. 'You look very pretty today Mother.' Keiko commented shyly. 'How is everyone in the north?' Mariko asked calmly. Rin blinked in surprise at the mildly cold tone of her eldest's voice. 'Minoru, Amaya and the twins are fine if that's what you mean.' She said referring to her brother's family.
'How are the twins Mother? They're a year old now aren't they?' Keiko piped. Rin smiled down at her receiving a grin in response. 'Why yes they are, they might come to visit if things go well.'
'You mean if they can brave the Unknown and get past the witches right?' Mariko put in dryly. Rin regarded her with an odd expression. 'It's true that the mountains divide us from them and is the quickest way to get here, but the witches wouldn't dare attack the leader of the Safaia's family.'
Mariko gazed at her Mother plaintively. 'Yukio…What have you done to her?' Rin thought. 'Mariko, how has your training with your aunt been?' 'It's been fine, Yukio has been teaching me every day.' Mariko answered calmly. Rin flinched at the name. 'That's…good…I suppose you've just come back from your training?'
'Yes, I'm a bit tired. May I go?'
Rin nodded stiffly.
'Thank you.' Mariko said softly as she left the room silently.
'Keiko?' Rin asked staring at the door. 'I want you to find out what's wrong with Mariko alright?' Keiko tilted her head in slight confusion.
'Alright Mother.'
Rin gritted her teeth as she watched Keiko leave the room. 'I swear Yukio, if you're turning Mariko into one of them I'll be sure you're punished, severely.'