Aviantei

By: Aviantei

Part Thirteen: Partnership

The fact that Ivy had been ignoring him for almost a week certainly wasn't lost on Hao, and at this point, he didn't blame her either. Her mind—normally focused, normally organized—had scattered from the moment their lips had touched together, and stayed that way. Now, with the return of Issebella and the prospect of preparing a team, some of those aspects had returned, but not in their entirety.

"Her stubbornness certainly isn't helping matters," Hao murmured to himself before letting out a sigh. It wasn't completely listless, but it wasn't happy either. But for now, anything I personally try won't be of much assistance either. It wasn't often problems arose like this, and a frown crossed the boy's face. It only lasted for a moment before his lips returned to their usual content smile.

It would simply have to serve as a challenge.

"Yeah, that Principessa sure is a handful," Issebella commented, even if she was clueless when it came to the situation. The Italian was sitting on a somewhat flat piece of rubble on the side of the room Hao had chosen. It wasn't as well maintained as the rooms near the center of the village, but such things weren't much of a bother. He had gotten used to sleeping under an open sky by now, and the missing section of the ceiling let that be possible, though the view was still mostly rocks. The Great Spirit more than made up for it. "But putting her aside, that's not why you called me here, Dio."

Hao allowed himself to chuckle. Issebella had been gone for some time, so it had been a while since he had heard that title. Once she had learned of the Shaman Fight and Hao's goals, the then young Italian refused to refer to him in any way other than her native tongue for 'God.' It wasn't that much of an issue, so he had allowed it, and the referral had persisted to Issebella's near adulthood.

"That's true," Hao said, speaking clearly this time. He focused his power onto Issebella, taking it away from the minds of the rest of his followers, even though the occasional thought still slipped through now and then. "It seems that you were successful in what I sent you to accomplish. Good job, Issebella."

The Italian beamed, not even questioning his knowledge. "That's Dio for you, always knowing everything ahead of time," she boasted, even though it wasn't her accomplishment to brag about. She genuinely took pride in the fact that she was able to serve him. "I'm sure glad I made the right move getting Kaede into the Shaman Fight, though. She may be small, but she sure packs a wallop if you get her going!" Issebella laughed, and a fleeting memory of her being on the receiving end of the Japanese girl's assault more than once came through.

Hao took a moment to consider the Kiha girl. In all the commotion, he hadn't had as much time to look into Kaede as he would have liked. He had gleaned her basic combat abilities and history, but her mind was one of the quietest he had ever heard, almost like she wasn't completely thinking.

"I'm sure that Kaede's skills will be more than sufficient," Hao agreed. A wave of happiness went through Issebella's mind—she was glad he trusted her judgment, even if that wasn't entirely accurate. "And if they aren't, Aviantei will surely take care of that problem." Now that was probably for the best. If Ivy had something else to concentrate on, she would probably resume her normal train of thought in no time.

"Sounds like fun! I could definitely use some training, too," Issebella admitted. She put a hand on her shoulder, rolling the joint in a short stretch. "I mean, teaching Kaede was fun and all, but there wasn't anyone fun to train against. Really, my preliminary matches were completely boring…"

"And I'm sure Aviantei will be willing to help with that as well, if you ask her." Hao repressed a chuckle. It was just as likely that girl in question would get frustrated and start a fight all on her own. It had been some time since the two girls had been within vicinity of each other, and Ivy was sure to be out of practice.

Issebella yawned. "Well, there will be plenty of time for that tomorrow," she said, standing up and fully stretching. Then she laughed. "Man, it's been so long since I've gotten to camp out with everyone. It'll be Kaede's first time, too. This will be super exciting! Good night, Dio."

Hao didn't respond. Issebella didn't take offense, wandering off in search of the newest member. The onmyoji considered checking in on Ivy—then abandoned the idea in pursuit of watching the light of the Great Spirit through his ceiling.

Ivy didn't need to be told that it was her duty to assess Issebella and Kaede's abilities; she knew it already. However, she still felt ashamed. The entire time she had been avoiding Hao and his followers, she had completely neglected her training. Hao would have said it wasn't a big deal with her mana level, but that wasn't much of an encouragement.

He had always said that, anyways.

Ivy knew the reason why she had come this far. She didn't feel it though. It felt like a fact, something to be memorized and regurgitated. She felt pathetic as she lied down in bed, burying her face into the pillow. The resolve that had followed her for almost ten years had somehow vanished into a haze.

"Dammit."

"Ivy-dono," Mya said. Her voice was filled with concern, the ghost hovering at her master's bedside. Ivy didn't look up, feeling Mya's presence more than seeing her.

"What is it, Mya?"

"Do you wish to talk about what's troubling you?"

Ivy frowned, but not out of anger, rolling over to her side. Mya didn't press the issue further, just waited. Being here was enough to make Ivy think about it, even if the vividness of the memory had faded. The room didn't even smell like him anymore.

In embarrassment, Ivy realized that she was trying to catch a trace of it.

She sat up, almost punching the mattress when she put her hands down, fingers curling into the sheets afterwards. She hated this. Mya still waited, floating up a bit so she was at eye level with her master in spirit ball mode. Her eyes and hair eyes had switched to green, her earlier short integration with the leaves finally changing after almost a week of being red.

"I don't want to worry about this," Ivy said. "I don't want think about Hao-dono and his feelings, his intentions, any of it." She spit the words out on accident, but Mya didn't flinch. Regardless, Ivy softened her voice. "It's not what matters. It's not what matters at all. And yet…!" She let the sentence cut off, gritting her teeth together.

"I need you to help me, Mya," she continued, her voice coming out rushed. She hadn't asked for help that wasn't a lesson since Hao had found her. It stung, more than his eyes, more than his contentedness. "I need you to tell me how to forget, how to focus. Anything. You've existed so much longer than I have, surely you know…"

Hao had lived longer than both of them, and was just as worthy to ask for advice. Ivy banished the thought. Not now. Even if the others can't see, not now.

Mya's hand touched Ivy's cheek, having changed back to her more corporal form. Ivy had forgotten what it was like to touch a ghost—just as solid as any other person, just colder, but with a touch of warmth. "Ivy-dono," Mya said, her voice soothing but still firm, "I recommend using the leaves to sleep tonight. If you do it right, you won't dream. I can help."

It was tempting. It was necessary. It wasn't even a question. Ivy nodded, forming her Over Soul. She then focused on maintaining her mana, letting Mya do the rest, letting Mya settle into the leaves, letting Mya put her to sleep, almost like a mother…

It was a good thing she couldn't dream, and Hao had nothing to do with it.

"Come on, Principessa, it's time to get up!" Issebella called, her voice grating into Ivy's skull. She barely remembered falling asleep, and not having any dreams had it hard to believe that she had slept at all. But there was sunlight coming in from the windows, and her head wasn't as cluttered, and Issebella was sitting on her bedside, skirt riding up, almost showing off her underwear with no shame. "Come on, we're a team, so we should eat together, right? We should look out for each other, too, and I'm starving, so wake up!"

Ivy turned her gaze to Issebella's face, which was almost brighter than the sun outside. Behind her was Kaede, looking as disinterested as ever, standing by the doorway. Even in the building that Ivy had chosen, slightly offset from those the rest of Hao's followers were using, the smell of food still reached her.

"You already ate," Kaede commented, her soft voice carrying across the room. "How can you possibly be hungry anymore?"

"Haven't you learned?" Ivy asked, sitting up and pushing her bangs out of her face. "She eats like her stomach doesn't have a bottom."

Kaede's lips parted slightly—the most emotion she had ever shown in the short day Ivy had known her—turning her gaze up to the ceiling. Issebella only laughed a little, sounding almost embarrassed. "Aw, thank you, Principessa."

"That wasn't a compliment," Ivy retorted. Issebella only laughed again, this time louder. Ivy normally wouldn't have let herself get so worked up, but now it seemed refreshing. As damaging to her pride as losing her cool around Issebella could be, it was still better than what she had been feeling lately.

What she had been feeling…?

That wasn't right. That wasn't right at all. Ivy frowned a little, trying to remember. She had left for almost a week after running into Issebella, but why? Something was missing, and she didn't like it.

"If you frown too much, you'll get wrinkles," Issebella said, poking at Ivy's forehead. The latter smacked the former's hand away, but still relaxed her muscles. She wondered if Mya knew a leaves combination for alleviating skin stress. "Oh, I know what'll make you smile! Let's go eat!"

Mya.

"You two go ahead," Ivy said. Issebella pouted, and even Kaede tilted her head in confusion. Ivy let herself be annoyed. "I need to get ready and I don't need you two hanging around while I do it."

That seemed to be enough for Issebella, the corners of her mouth twisting up. "Alright, then, let's go Kaede!" The Italian hopped off the bed, quickly capturing Kaede's arm before turning back to Ivy. "You better not just go back to bed, Principessa. If you don't show up in thirty minutes, I'm gonna send a prince to wake you up with a kiss!"

"I'm not a child!" Ivy tossed her pillow towards the duo. Issebella got Kaede out of the way before dodging herself, laughing all the way. "And good luck finding a prince in a place like this!"

For some reason, the image of Hao—close, very close—flashed across her mind, and Ivy felt her cheeks heat up. She shook her head, hair just long enough to fly everywhere in the process. No, that wouldn't work. She would die if that happened. It would just be counter-productive.

And even if she wanted to, Issebella always caused too much of a racket to go back to sleep anyway.

Besides, Hao-dono is a king.

"Mya," Ivy said once she had finished collecting herself. This wasn't the time to be flustered over a passing comment, not when something was wrong. Not when something was missing.

Ivy waited, growing more impatient by the second. She usually didn't mind when Mya went off on her own—Mya was her partner, not just a tool, and as long as she was there when she was needed, Ivy left the ghost to her own devices. It wasn't the first time that Mya had wandered off over the years, and it wasn't going to be the last.

But Ivy needed her now.

"Mya," Ivy repeated, sinking her voice into the elements. There still wasn't a response. She scowled. "Tiartha!"

The shout echoed in the room, and then Mya was pulled into existence, looking a bit dazed. The call of her elemental name had summoned her, albeit a bit forcefully. It wasn't a technique that worked on humans, but Ivy had only intended to use it if they were separated in battle or some other emergency. Using it now when she could have just as easily gone to look for her—

But this is an emergency, Ivy reasoned, feeling a bit panicked. Waiting for Mya to recover, the shaman took a deep breath. Mya was guidance. Mya would help. All she needed to do was stay calm.

"I'm terribly sorry, My Lady," she apologized, dropping her head down. "I didn't think that you would wake up so early. I had intended to be by your side when you did, but…"

"That doesn't matter," Ivy said. She managed not to snap out the words. That was good. She put a hand to her forehead and closed her eyes. It did matter, just not enough. "What happened? What did you do when you put me to sleep?" That was the only conclusion that made sense. The memory was fuzzy, but Ivy was certain…

"I did not mean to overstep my boundaries." Ivy didn't mean to glare, but she must have. Mya's eyes flickered away for a second before she passed by the apologies. "You asked for my assistance. It sounded like you wanted to forget. I used a technique that can block out a memory or a thought and its effect on the brain." The ghost frowned. "You must have been more troubled than I thought since you noticed the change. That isn't supposed to happen."

"I see…" Ivy considered the information. Even after all these years, Mya still had inherited techniques that Ivy had never come across. An ability to effect memories... She wondered if Hao knew it.

Mya pulled a hand up to her chest, starting to drop out of her formal stance. "I can reverse the effects if you wish," she proposed.

Ivy shook her head. "No, don't bother," she said. If it had been that bad—bad enough to even escape a spell like that—she couldn't deal with it now. There were too many things to do. "I can deal with this situation. It would be a waste of your effort to help me." Mya tried to hide it, but she looked pleased. "How long does it last?"

"The level of intensity I used on you should last for about a week," the ghost reported. "However, since it didn't have its full effect, I am uncertain on the duration now. However, the effects can be prolonged by recasting the technique."

"And the side effects?"

"There are very few, as long as the proficiency of the caster is significant." Ivy nodded. She didn't need to be reassured about Mya's skills; the girl knew them just as well as her own. "However, extended use without giving the memories time to recover can result in delays of recovery, or even permanent loss. Not even my abilities can prevent such a thing if My Lady stays under the technique for too long." Mya's head hung down a bit, her eyes not meeting Ivy's or the floor.

Ivy smiled a little, hoping it looked reassuring. She reached out a hand to touch Mya's shoulder, the difference in their body temperatures not enough for the Chinese girl to pull away. "No, that will be enough. I'll leave it to you to stop using it if the time comes."

Mya looked up, almost shocked. Ivy didn't blame her. When was the last time they had talked like partners, had made physical contact? Mya hadn't been much more than an extra presence, even if Ivy liked to think that she was better than people who used ghosts as tools. It wasn't much of a difference, anyway.

The ghost's face broke out into a smile. She really was beautiful and young, her knowledge coming from a life after death and not before. It was a tragic sort of thing, having a spirit ally. Those who stayed behind on earth were usually couldn't accept that they were dead, and they were young. Other than watching over others, the only thing left to do was become a shaman's spirit ally.

"Of course, Ivy-dono!" Mya said. "I'll always take care of you, so you can rely on me!"

Ivy closed her eyes, and hoped that if she ever died and couldn't be resurrected, Hao would feed her to the Spirit of Fire.

"Alright then," the girl said. "I'm sure that Issebella's going to burst in here any minute if we keep this up. Even if she said thirty minutes, I'm not convinced that she's going to hold true to that." Combing her hair out with her fingers, Ivy relaxed into a smile.

"The next priority is to prepare for the Shaman Fight tournament in two months," she declared. It was meant to be more for herself, but Mya listened, rapt at attention. "I've been slacking lately, so we'll be resuming training today. Issebella and Kaede need to be brought back to speed." Ivy softened her voice, just a little. "I'll be relying on you to keep me on track, alright, Mya?"

"Yes, My Lady!" Mya responded. She tucked her hands into her sleeves, holding them in front of her chest. The suddenness of the motion made her wooden medallions rattle.

Ivy walked out of the room, leaving the faint scent of smoke trailing in from the window in her wake.

Yay, what's this? Plot movement? Character development? I think so!

Thanks to Shadow Seraphin, Hurricane wolf, Iilmeika, Marina124, and GrimmyGrimm666 for your respective favorites and follows. Glad to see that this story is still generating interest. I'd love to hear your thoughts some time. :)

But putting things together, this is an element that wouldn't have come up without my long hiatus from this story, so I'm glad to have it. It adds a lot more depth and intrigue I think, and Ivy's character is going to have some big developments thanks to this.

I've been mostly busy with school lately, plus I've been trying to be better about updating my various social media accounts... But I'm also writing, too. Still, if you're interested in connecting with me, all my social media links are on my profile. :)

According to my schedule, the next update will probably be in September. Please look forward to it!

Next Part: Evaluation

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