CHAPTER X

"Nya!" Inochi cried. "It' so hot in here!"

"Geez," I snapped at her. "It's typical. This town is what you call Summer Town, isn't it?"

"Nyee," she pouted. "Meanie."

Who wouldn't be? I am now again being carried against my own will. But then, the pain, it seems it has already intensified as the days go by. Every time I take a few walk, pain shot up on my whole body. Geez! I really hate it! I hate to be useless!

"Well," Shi eyed me carefully and noted my foul mood. "We'll have to find a place to spend the night and replenish our supplies."

"But…" I hate to depend on someone. Especially on cats. Geez! But then… I still can't do anything without them, especially Youhi.

"Don't worry!" Inochi smiled at me. "We'll pay everything."

Geez! That's not what I mean! And, what's with them, really? This thought has been bugging me for a while now. Why are these two travelling with us to the queen? Does it mean… they also have something to wish for? They haven't told us their reasons yet. But then… if that really is the case, why are they doing all the extremes for us? Paying for the inn, buying our supplies. I need to know their reasons. Really, really need to.

I at last mustered the courage to ask them later that night. They got us two rooms in an inn, the two of them are going to share a room together and…

"Geez!" I cried. "Why do I need to share a room with Youhi?!"

"Well, whenever you need something, he'll be there to give it to you," Inochi giggled. "Like when you're thirsty or---"

"Alright, alright," I sighed as I tried to sit on the bed. Ouch. Geez. I really hate this pain.

"Here, let me help," Youhi said as he propped up some pillows behind me. "There, there." He smiled as he sat at the edge of the bed and lifted a strand of my hair.

"Geez! I am not an invalid person, okay! I can still move by myself!"

"With pain shooting through your whole body," Youhi ignored my hand and continued on playing with my hair. "I won't allow it."

"You are so, overprotective of me!" I'm getting tired of this usual argument with him. I hate it, I hate it, I hate this kind of situation! I continued on glaring at him when I heard the two laughing. Oh! Right! I almost forgot!

"Can I ask something to the two of you?" Geez. I guess I better ignore him now and then. My blood's always rising with him.

I noticed the two exchange looks with each other before answering.

"Yes," Shi replied.

"Is there something that you also need to ask with the queen? That's why you're traveling together with us?"

"Yes, of course," Shi smiled.

"Wow," Youhi suddenly said. "The two of you really have a guarded expression and a much guarded answer. It seems like you're hiding something."

"Yes, we do," Shi turned her smile at him.

Geez! What's with her answer? And why is Shi the only one answering? I looked at Inochi but she didn't look back at me. What's with them?

"We still do have the right to know at least a little, don't you think?" Youhi seriously asked them. Wow. What's with him, too?

"Okay," Shi sighed. "We'll tell you."