Phantasy Star Portable – Kotone
I was not too satisfied with this one. But in the end, this was the best I could make.
Chapter 11
Maya eyed the tiny Newman who was snoozing against the exercise mats tiredly, watching Hyuga grin at her slightly, and set up the table with some good country Neudaiz cooking.
"I thought that you couldn't cook Neudaiz food." Her quiet statement did little to affect the sleeping Newman in the corner. A hand on her hip made him smile.
"I didn't." He jabbed a thumb in the Newman's direction. "She did." Newman mumbled slightly, and Hyuga turned to smile affectionately at her. "Spent all night making you this meal." Maya raised an eyebrow. That was kinda sweet. Hyuga walked over to her, scooping the tiny thing into his arms. He sat her into a seat and shook her shoulder, gently. "Kotone, honey, wake up." Hyuga whispered, affectionately brushing her hair back. Maya watched the young teacher wake his student up with a soft smile. Hyuga was never so closely affectionate to people, especially when he'd barely met them. She really was good for him. Soft lavender eyes slid open and she gasped.
"I didn't oversleep did I!? Oh no, Miss Shidow isn't angry with me is she?" Kotone panicked slightly, until her teacher's husky laugh shut her up. Maya smiled at her over his shoulder.
"I'm not angry at you," Maya chided casually. "Well, unless you keep calling me Miss Shidow. Just Miss Maya is fine." Kotone nodded hastily, finishing the setup of the table. "And this looks wonderful, Miss Kotone!" The girl blushingly beamed at her temporary teacher. "Let's eat!"
Maya finished her plate, completely full, and watched tiny little Kotone eat enough for an army. The diminutive little Newman was currently stealing some of the stuffed crab of Hyuga's plate. When Hyuga caught her at it, he cheerfully traded the crab for some shrimp and dumped some more food on her plate. The small girl ate away, finishing off the plate. Hyuga gave into her puppy eyes and fed her some more off his plate. Kotone giggled and took it gratefully. The meal was complete, and Maya smiled at her puppy-like charge.
"Now, I'm Maya Shidow, and I'm more suited to Wands, Rods, and Handguns. I don't have the mental discipline yet to cast without a channel or a TECH-MAG." Kotone didn't flinch at the subtle comment, but Hyuga gave her a silent stare, clearly displeased. "Now, I learned that you can't channel through anything but a TECH-MAG, so all I'll teach you is Handguns." Maya handed her a Bimtore. "See that target? Ten shots." Kotone obeyed, firing ten perfect rounds into the center rings, and one hit the bull's-eye. Maya whistled lowly. That was damn good. She knew quite a few people who would say that it was disgraceful for a Newman to have such low skill when they should be better, but Maya had her thoughts of the girl being a country Newman, so it was very high for her suspicions. They worked on position and aim for a while, and Maya called a halt. She would probably die for this, but hey, curiosity killed the cat.
"I know Hyuga said you couldn't channel through Wands and Rods," She started, ignoring Hyuga's expression, "But I think I might have an idea as to why. Are you a Country Newman?" Kotone looked startled, but nodded. "I guessed as much. Where are you from?" Kotone looked a bit nervous. "Don't worry; I won't need this for anything other than to ID your problem." Kotone blinked.
"I come from the Yokubō marsh." Maya whistled. Yokubō marsh? Sweet Holy Light, no wonder she didn't want to tell. Those people did not like deserters any more than Karen liked the former Light Master.
"I won't tell a soul," She promised solemnly. Kotone relaxed slightly. "Now, do you have more than four TECHNICS?" Kotone nodded. "That's why then. Yokubō TECHNIC users have a lot of problems with Rods and Wands purely because those need mental contact, not physical. Physical conditioning should fix that." Kotone nodded, brightening. "I have the opposing problem. I was born on Yuki-Onna, the City of Ice, so I need the physical contact." She took in Hyuga's angry expression, concealed in mild concern, and winced. He was going to flay her. And as promised, Hyuga escorted his student out and turned to face her, his light blue eyes shimmering with anger.
"Let's take a walk," Hyuga offered politely, his voice falsely saccharine. Maya briefly considered running away. But Hyuga would find her – he always did in the end – and all her running would only prolong the anger sure to come. Maya swallowed nervously. She nodded, seeing the cold glint of anger in his eyes. Talking wouldn't save her in this case. They walked out of the training room, heading towards the temporarily-abandoned research district. After several minutes, Maya began to wonder if he was going to murder her, where nobody could hear her screams when his voice jolted her back to her senses.
"What on earth inspired you to even think of that topic?" Hyuga asked, sounding tiredly exhausted. Maya blinked. "I appreciate the attempt to help, but I tried everything I could think of Maya." Maya winced, realizing how that must have sounded to the young teacher. He was probably angry at himself for not thinking of that.
"Yes, but when you called, I was in Yokubō marsh," She managed to start, warily. "I spent most of the winter trying to help people who had the same problem. I didn't mean to imply that Hyuga!" A soft sigh left Hyuga's lips, and he rubbed his forehead. He knew Maya was trying to help, and he just wished that he could do all that. "Hyuga," Maya started again, guessing his thoughts accurately. "You called me over to help. That means you know you need someone to lean on." Maya touched his shoulder. "Please, let me support you with this." Hyuga groaned quietly.
"I know Maya, it's –" Hyuga flailed about, trying to articulate his feelings. "I just wish that I could do everything for her." Maya slid down and sat next to the young teacher.
"You're off to a good start," She assured him. "My teacher was never this thorough with his instruction. Trust me; you're on the right track." Hyuga smiled, and Maya grinned back.
"Thanks." He helped her up, and smiled shyly at her. "How about I buy you lunch as a thank you, if Kotone hasn't already cooked one for us?"
"Sounds good," Maya agreed, walking with the teen to the training room. Halfway there, she paused. Did he just invite me to a date? "You asked me out!" Maya sputtered.
Hyuga's laughter could be heard throughout the building.
The return of the Flirty Hyuga!
But seriously, this chapter is a pain. I've also set up a story that should be seen up here.