Swee Orphanage
"So where are we going now?" asked Sonny.
"Lord Oromashi's palace. The sooner we take down that dragon, the better," replied Odin.
"But we're so close to the water territory. Can't we go visit Toshio?" asked Aki.
"Aki, we don't have time for that," said Sonny.
"I don't care. Toshio said we are always welcome, and I want to see him," replied Aki. She found a rock, sat down, crossed her arms, and looked away from her sisters.
"Aki, stop being so stubborn. We have to fulfill our promise to Master," said Sonny.
"No," said Aki.
Sonny walked over to Aki. She put her arms around the Water Warrior and lifted her up over Sonny's left shoulder. Aki started beating Sonny's back that wasn't covered by her sheath. When that proved pointless, Aki formed water around her fists and proceeded to pound on the Fire Warrior's back. Sonny gave in and knelt down. Aki escaped her sister and ran back to the rock to sit down in her stubborn pose.
"Aki, that was completely unnecessary," yelled Sonny.
Aki yelled back, "So was picking me up without my consent."
Sonny got mad and got to her feet. Before she could charge at her sister, Odin said, "Now hold on. There's no need to fight over this."
"What do you suggest?" asked Sonny. She was massaging her back where Aki had hit her.
"How about a vote?" replied Odin.
Aki looked over and jumped up. "Yay, we're being democratic about things." She joined the huddle, and Odin looked at her sisters. "Okay, since there're four of us, and I'm sort of the group's leader, my vote doesn't count." The others nodded and Odin continued on. "Alright, all those in favor of going to the lord's palace, raise your hand."
"Oh, wow. You're being so formal," said Aki. She laughed, and Rose smiled.
Sonny raised her hand, and Odin said, "Okay, all those in favor of seeing Toshio, raise your hand." Aki raised her hand proudly. After a moment, Rose shyly raised her hand.
"It's decided then. We're going to visit Toshio," said Odin.
"Yay," said Aki. She started dancing around, singing, "We're going to see Toshio."
When they reached the bridge, it was being guarded by a fire and earth soldier.
"Do we have to fight them?" asked Rose.
"Aw, come on, Rose. Fighting is fun," replied Aki.
Odin gave her water sister a look and said, "The bridge is the only way across. We really don't have a choice."
"Well, what about floating across the water," asked Rose.
Odin thought about it and said," That's actually not a bad idea. Aki can make a piece of ice large enough for us to fit on. By influencing the water, she can guide us right to the water territory."
The girls looked at Aki, and the Water Warrior said, "Fine, but just this one time."
It was an hour before dusk when they reached the other territory. The Element Warriors looked around and saw a familiar city.
"Oita," said Aki.
"Want to check it out this time, Odin?" asked Sonny.
"Sure. We might be able to get some supplies tomorrow," said Odin.
By the time the girls reached the city, it was dark and all the lights in the houses were out.
"Let's find an alley we can rest in," said Odin. They looked around as they continued walking. As the girls past a closed shop, Odin heard a noise come from inside. She stopped, so did the others.
"Odin, what's wrong?" asked Rose.
"I heard a noise inside that shop," answered Odin.
"I'm sure it's just somebody that can't get to sleep," said Sonny. Odin looked at Sonny and said," I guess you're right."
They turned but before they started walking away, they heard a crash behind them. They looked and saw a man getting up from the ground just outside the shop. Someone inside lit a lantern, and the man got up and ran away.
"Hey," yelled Sonny. She ran after him and the other warriors followed her lead.
"Yep, he's definitely a person that couldn't sleep, Sonny," said Aki.
Odin increased her speed and tackled the fleeing person. When she turned him over, Odin realized he was only around fourteen or fifteen. "What? You're only a kid," said Sonny when she caught up to them.
"Hah, what's happening to our youth today?" said Aki with a smile.
"Let me go," yelled the boy.
"Now hold on," said Odin, struggling with the boy. "Who are you, and why were you stealing?"
"Mind your own business, lady," snapped the boy.
"Could one of you give me a hand?" asked Odin.
"I will," said Aki. She stepped forward, held the boy's head in her hands, and gave him a long smooch. After a moment, he stopped struggling with Odin. When Aki ended the kiss, Odin said, "Now answer me."
"Alright, my name is Daru. I was taking food to feed the hungry orphans at the Swee Orphanage," said Daru.
Odin thought it over and said, "Fine, we'll make a deal with you. You give us a place to sleep for the night, and we'll see what we can do for the orphans. It's either that or we'll take you back to face the consequences."
"Deal," said Daru. Odin left him up, and he said, "Follow me."
As they did, Sonny said, "Aki, leave it up to you to kiss a total stranger."
"I didn't hear any complaints from him," replied Aki with a smile.
Daru lead them straight to the Swee Orphanage. He said, "Try and stay quiet. I'm pretty sure Retasu put the children to bed already."
Daru walked over and opened the door. He welcomed them in and led them to the area the children slept. Opening the closet, Daru pulled out four futons. The girls got into them while Daru left to store the food he stole. He returned and slipped into his own futon. Before going to sleep, Rose looked at all the children. She thought they looked so adorable sleeping peacefully. It was terrible to know that they were starving.
When Rose woke up the next morning, the orphans were staring at her and the rest. She nudged her sisters awake, and they were surprised to see seven children surrounding them.
"Hi," said Aki.
A young boy stepped forward from the little circle. "Are you really the Element Warriors?"
"Yes we are," said Aki excitedly. "What are your names?"
"I'm Chaz," answered the boy that asked the question. "I'm Daru's favorite."
"Yeah. You get into just as much trouble as he does," said another boy.
"Do not," yelled Chaz. Everyone except Chaz laughed.
The boy that made the statement to Chaz said," Anyway, my name is Gohan." He put his arm around the smaller boy standing next to him. "This is my little brother, Moki."
"I'm Kai," said another boy. He looked at the girl standing next to him. She was about ten years old. "This is Raye."
"My name is Miyabi," said a little girl.
The Element Warriors turned their attention to the last girl. She blushed and said, "M-My na-me is Yu-kin-a."
"Yukina, that's a beautiful name," replied Rose.
"Are you shy?" asked Aki. Yukina nodded, and Aki said, "Aw, don't worry about that. Rose is shy sometimes too."
Yukina smiled and blushed even more. Chaz started jumping up and down. "Oh, oh. You have to meet Retasu."
The girls got out of the futons and followed the children to the dining room. They saw a woman preparing rice, and the Element Warriors assumed she was Retasu. She had long hair and seemed very nice.
"You're the extra guests Daru told me about. Please, sit down and eat with us," said Retasu.
The girls and the children sat down and accepted the rice bowls from Retasu. Rose looked around and said, "Where's Daru?"
"He went outside. He usually does around this time in the morning," replied Retasu. The Element Warriors just looked at each other. Retasu obviously didn't know about Daru's mischievous activities.
"Miss Retasu, how do you get the food for the children? Do you receive money from the people?" asked Sonny.
"No," replied Retasu. She sighed before continuing on. "Daru is working for the money. I don't necessarily approve of it, but we are forced to do such things to get by."
"Well, why don't the people help?" asked Rose, worried.
Retasu closed her eyes before saying, "Lord Oromashi forbids it. He looks down upon orphans, seeing them as children with no purpose or future. An Achilles heel in the prospering plans he has for Japan."
Rose remained silent as she observed the children. The conversation brought a frown to their sweet innocent faces, it nearly broke the Earth Warrior's heart.
"I have an idea. If you don't mind Retasu, my sisters and I will get to work on it after breakfast," said Odin before eating a mouthful of rice.
"But it's forbidden. The lord will have you taken away and executed," exclaimed Kai. He looked at the warriors with pleading eyes.
"Don't worry, Kai. We'll be just fine. Helping you and your friends is important," said Rose. She looked at him with reassurance in her expression.
After breakfast, the children played in the yard while the Element Warriors went to work. Odin and Sonny set up a fence, while Rose and Aki formed their small rice field. It was around afternoon when Daru arrived with a package in his hands. Odin saw him and left Sonny to complete the finishing touches with the fence.
"I assume that's evidence of another one of your crimes," said Odin, looking at the package.
Daru didn't answer; he just observed the new landscaping in front of the orphanage. "What is that?"
"That's our solution," answered Odin.
Rose and Aki finished their end of the work and walked over to Daru. "If you don't like it, tough. We've been working on it all morning," said Aki.
As Sonny was finishing, Odin explained to Daru how to keep after the rice field.
When the Element Warriors went to leave, the children gathered around them.
"Don't forget us," said Kai.
"Of course we won't forget you. Now come on, give us a hug," said Aki.
The four girls knelt down and hugged the orphans. As they walked away, the Element Warriors waved good-bye.
When they were out of sight, Aki said, "Hey, Odin. How comes we knew how to form and take care of that rice field?"
"My best guess is that we inherited some of Master's knowledge. She did grow up in a rice field with her parents before living with Toshio," said Odin.
"Well, it's a good thing because we helped those adorable kids," replied Aki with a smile. Her sisters shared her smile and happiness as they continued on their journey.