Little Fairy
On the small island of Satellite the kind owner of an orphanage has fallen onto hard times. To ensure that their funds wouldn't run dry she was forced to open her doors to the public by turning it into a small inn. The young orphans, bright and cheerful, have always been oblivious to their financial situation, which is what she wants even though it means they are of no assistance. Instead, she has the help of her godson who also is an orphan. His name is Yūsei and he is a kind-hearted young man who cares for her dearly.
仙女
The bright sunlight bursts through the open windows of Martha's inn. The kitchen is empty but plates are stacked up to the bottom of the cupboards waiting to be washed. The sound of unclosed doors creaking fills the tired old building. The inn has been abandoned in the warmth of the day. Yūsei had been given the task of protecting it for the others' return. He does his task to the best of ability though he remains in a neglected garage, tinkering with vehicles that he's tried to make from scratch.
At this time, across the unruly grass of the garden booms harsh footfalls. "Yūsei, what did you tell me?"
He glances up briefly. "Taiga, what are you doing here? If you're looking for Takuya he's in the market. I think they all are,"
Taiga stomps his foot, folding his arms firmly. "No! That's not why! Oh, don't tell me you've forgotten!"
Yūsei steps back from a rusty engine. "I don't know what you're talking about,"
The boy plops down on the grass indignantly. "You owe me, like that ladle lady, for when we took care of this place!"
He frowns. "You tore it apart, Taiga. I'm surprised that there's anything still intact,"
The boy shook his head. "Don't play dumb with me! A lot of adults have tried. I've out-smarted them all. So, listen, I took care of the kids when you went running off to that island. I should get something for that,"
Yūsei laughs. "You're not going on about that as well, are you? Taiga, I don't know what game you're playing. I didn't go anywhere,"
Taiga bangs his fists on the grass. "That's not fair! You're meant to be fair! You're meant to be a good grown up!"
He leaps to his feet. His dark violet eyes shine with fat, angry tears. For a moment he stammers, mouth wide open. Then he decides not to speak and races away, bumping into Martha. He disappears from sight without offering an apology.
Martha frowns. "Did you say something to him?"
He shakes his head. "No. Not really. I just told him that I didn't leave Satellite to go to an island,"
She sighs. "I know you're modest. I've been quiet because of that, but I'm not going to let you make little boys cry because you don't want to be seen as a hero. You did go. Half of this city went out looking for you when you didn't come back. You took Taiga's father's boat and rowed out to island. When you came back you sent Taiga off to get the doctor and here I am, better,"
He pauses. "I didn't go anywhere, Martha,"
The rivers gurgle and cackle over dark stones and fallen branches. The men in black continue to press forward. Their boots are almost soundless as they glide over the forest floor. They each hold a steel blade without a hilt.
"Dú Huā*!"
A rainfall of illusionary daggers descends upon them. Each reacts at once, throwing up their blades and retreating. A soft murmur of grasses moving stirs. From her place amongst the treetops Carly looks down. She knows which tree each one is hiding behind.
Her hands come together. "Hēi Jiǎchóng*,"
The spell binds one. He stiffens at once and his eyes become dull. His shoulders rock forward as he slumps back against the tree. His grip on the blade loosens and it cuts his palm. It falls into a small crevice and stands almost upright. His arms go limp and he sways dangerously close to its sharp edge.
Two lithe hands catch him. He moans pitifully. Pain constricts in his chest. He forces his head up and glimpses dark robes. He jerks violently. Beautiful, glowing dark eyes turn to him. A long, slender finger is placed against lips. He, in his state of fading consciousness, nods as best as he can. One hand glides around his face and over his eyes. He falls utterly limp.
The other two men press further against the trees. Their hearts begin to hammer against their chests. The third spell winds around them. They pay it no heed. Instead their eyes dart back and forth, right and left, up and down. The woman in the dark robes evades their prying gazes expertly as she weaves in and out of their midst.
"Hēi liánhuā*!"
Carly's palm smacks against one of the men's arms. He lurches forward, jolted suddenly back to reality. A strained gasp falters over his parched lips. His eyes grow wide with wonder but he collapses before the question registers in his mind as wanting to be asked.
Carly's hand shoots out under him. She grasps the blade expertly and draws it to her side all before he crashes to the ground. She watches him, dissatisfied. A deep frown has carved itself across her face. Her jaw is tightly clenched.
"Here," she drops the weapon unhappily. "You may regain your possession. I have no need for something so cumbersome."
She pivots with a twirl of her skirt and flutter of her hair. Her feet glide along the earth silently. She draws a dagger from its sheath on the right side of the interior of her cloak. It remains untouched by the brightening light.
The third man in black stands with his back to a tree. He too leans away from its protective bark and camouflaging leaves. One of his hands trembles as if he longs to reach out for something. There isn't even the slightest expression of alertness on his whitening face.
Carly growls to herself. "What use are these men of Rex's?"
She vanishes into the foliage. The dagger turns temptingly in her hand. The man still doesn't react to her presence. She races up a tree into its high branches where the abundance of leaves cloaks her completely. She frowns at him. His eyes are completely out of focus and his mouth hangs agape.
"Hēi liánhuā,"
Her palm smacks against the arm of a stranger. The jet of his sword hilt shimmers under streaks of sunlight. A long red tassel flutters from its end. A rope as thin as thread is wound around the handle. His right hand shoots out for her left arm. She twirls around, pushing out her hands violently. He drops out of sight and down to the ground with his porcelain white mask appearing almost mocking.
She sucks in a deep breath. "Mask… Sword… Wrist band… Belt…"
Her eyes close for a moment's concentrated thought. The images of the men flash into her head and she drops to the earth as well. The masked stranger is nowhere to be seen. Carly rises from a crouch. The man who had held such a distant gaze is slumped against the very tree that he had once hoped to use as concealment. A fierce coldness spreads through her veins and, though she knows better, she doesn't move.
Her body tries to rebel. Her limbs ache with the force of the will to move. Her instincts scream at her to flee or fight or heal. She does nothing.
A branch crunches underfoot.
"Mikage!" Carly calls. "Mikage! Shīfu!"
It takes only a few minutes for Mikage to arrive. To Carly it feels as though entire lifetimes have passed her by. A prompt, sharp smack to the arm signals her arrival.
"Carly," Mikage scolds, walking boldly towards the unconscious man. "What have I told you? How many times have I told you?"
She wraps her arms about herself. "I know. You have instructed me many times throughout my life, shīfu,"
Mikage looks up from the man's wrist as she tries to assess his wounds. "Why had I done that?"
Carly responds quietly. "I pleaded with you to abandon the lessons I was meant to follow so that I would not lose another…"
Mikage frowns at the man. "You're lucky. He's alive. The others are too. You're fortunate that the second is alive and well, Carly. I taught you to heal others. This is your training. You were meant to care for them,"
She doesn't respond.
"Carly?"
Mikage rushes over. She nudges Carly's shoulder but her eyes remain closed.
"Carly..." she pauses, noting how Carly cradles the hand that her connection threads have been bound to.
The floor creaks pitifully.
"What are you doing, Takuya?" Yūsei frowns.
The boy freezes with his shoulders tensed guiltily. His hands are clenched. There is a small, rectangular object in one. He glances over his shoulder nervously. His brows are furrowed with intense anger.
"It's nothing," he mutters.
His hands are promptly shoved into his pockets. His frown deepens.
Yūsei approaches slowly. "I know that you have something. What is it?"
"Che, you think you can go bossing me about just 'cause you're better an' bigger," he scoffs, but opens his hand. "It's laxatives."
He pauses. "Why do you have those?"
Takuya eyes light. "Why? Those stupid guests took the whole upstairs! They've banned us from going up there! It's our house! We go where we want!"
He shakes his head. "This is an inn, Takuya. We need them. What are they going to say to other people? If you go to that inn they'll give you laxatives. That's not going to help things. We need as much money as we can get,"
The boy stomped his foot. "They took Ginga toy away because it landed on the stairs. When he went to go get it they slapped him! They slapped him, Yūsei! How can I not do anything? Someone has to teach them a lesson,"
"Yes," he reasons. "but that person won't be you. Go to bed, it's late. I'll go and get Ginga's toy, and don't let anyone see those laxatives."
He retreated, stomping. His hands were shoved deeper into his pockets. The fabric groaned a bit in protest. Yūsei said nothing. It would only serve to infuriate him further. He might break his trousers if he does.
The stairs creak noisily as he ascends. It sends a wary shiver down his spine. Takuya would only risk going up if they were away. He doubts that the guests would leave the toilet facilities soon, but his instincts still warn him to be wary. He turns to his right. The third door is slightly ajar. He approaches carefully. He didn't see the guests go to their room. The girl with the ladle that Taiga had been ranting about had booked them in.
He nudges the door open and steps in. It's empty. Ginga's toy lies on a far table. He gets it quickly. However, just as he's about to leave his foot nudges a bag over. Old, rusted keys fall out by the dozen. He looks up. No one is approaching. One by one he gathers them back up. They barely manage to fit in it.
"Mm…"
He pauses.
"Mm…"
Directly in front of him is a large sack. He reaches out nervously to the top. It twists and creases. He tugs on the string and it falls away to reveal an extremely pale girl. She shies away from the light of the room. He jolts back in surprise. She opens her dark eyes fretfully.
"Ah!" she cries. "Gēge!"
He tries to retreat further when she grasps his sleeves.
He stammers. "You…"
She almost smiles. "Shì, Yūsei gēge,"
Author's Note: Darn! The deadline! I'm almost out of time! I had to make her strong. They made her so weak in the television series! The attacks I had to make up! The names are as follows;
Poison Flower
Black Beetle
Black Lotus