Chapter 14:
Men with guns pointed their weapons towards them, scaring the horses to the point of almost making the group fall back. Kurogane and Fai quickly stood in front of the children with their horses, trying to protect them from whatever harm they might find. Mirihanna grabbed Fai's arms for balance and once he realized this, he grabbed her waist, preventing her from falling into the ground.
"Who are you!?" A man shouted in a tone of threat. Syaoran was the first to speak with a peaceful expression.
"We are travelling across country investigating architecture and old legends."
"Why are you investigating those for?!" The man was clearly not satisfied, pointing his gun at them once more.
"We want to write a book." Syaoran calmly said making his friends all turn their attention on him. The men got even more suspicious.
"A kid like you? Writing a book?!" Syaoran pointed at Fai.
"Not me, this guy." Mirihanna's eyes widened at the lies being said. Fai quickly put on the disguise and made a charming big grin.
"That's all true!" He said pointing at himself.
"May I introduce you to my sister…" He pointed to Sakura who had a chibby expression.
"…My good assistant…" He gestured to Syaoran.
"…This one here in our Bodyguard…" He pointed at the ninja who was about to scream at him before Mokona head-butted him.
"And…" He started looking at Mirihanna. He though for a second of what to say. He wanted to say something but was afraid to fool his own feelings. She looked back at him, curious of what he might say. But once resting his eyes on her, he got carried away with his emotion, and for once, ignored his mind.
"And this is my lovely fiancée!" He finally said hugging her into a gentle embrace. Mirihanna's eyebrow rose, not understanding the situation.
"…Fiancée…?" She said almost to herself. She didn't know the meaning of that word, but she could imagine what it was by the way Fai was holding her. She glanced at the men and gave a small smile, not really knowing what to do.
"Stop!" They heard from another man. She used this opportunity to turn around and whisper to mage.
"What does Fiancée means?" She asked him with curiosity.
"Just play along, Mia-Chan." He said smiling. The new man approached them and quickly started arguing with the men.
"How dare you point your riffles at travelers?" The man ran in front of them and calmed down the group of angry men and after a brief discussion; he welcomed them into the town of spirit and offered them shelter.
The man's house was apparently an old Inn, and once upon reaching his house, the man introduced himself. Mirihanna carefully looked around to discover a very rustic home with a fireplace nearby.
"My name is Kyle Rondart. I am the doctor of this town." He said, offering some tea. She sat next to Sakura on a couch with Fai right beside her, still playing the husband to be act.
"Thank you for offering us your house." Said Syaoran.
"It was the least I could do after what happened…" He sadly said, finally delivering another cup of tea to Syaoran.
"I hope the men didn't scare the young miss and lady." The doctor said smiling kindly at her but the girl didn't take the bait. Her instincts were telling her that he was being…too kind. She took a sip of her fresh black tea and looked at him casually.
Suddenly, there was a huge knock on the door and it busted open, slightly making Sakura jump.
"What is the meaning of this, doctor? Bringing strangers inside our town in a time like this!" Two men entered the house.
"Please Mr. Glosam, calm down!" Said the elderly one.
"How can I be calm in this situation, Mr. Mayor? We still haven't found the missing children!" A younger man said, walking forwards on his walking stick. He looked at them for a moment, memorizing their faces with fire in his eyes.
"Please calm down!" Rushed the doctor with his hand up in defense. "I've invited them for that reason precisely! These people are investigating about old legends… they might be able to help!" The doctor quickly tried to calm down the man called Mr. Glosam.
"These vagabonds?" Glosam asked particularly to no one, pointing fiercefully his walking stick at the group. "That came out of nowhere? Do you expect me to believe in such nonsense." Doctor Kyle frowned and tried to confront Mr. Glosam once more.
"They know things that are unknown to the people living here." He only received a deadly glare.
"If anything happens again," – the man started – "it will be to late by then. Ask these people to leave in the morning!" He said and quickly stormed off, shutting firmly the door. Mirihanna felt a little insulted by those accusations but quickly ignored by looked down. Truly this was not the best of times to be in this small village. After this small intrusion, she continued to hear the doctor explaining the mysterious disappearing of the children. She looked carefully at him. His concern seemed genuine but she sensed that something was off. Doctor Kyle offered them hospitality and begged them to help them in any way possible, but she could not help but fell that there was something else.
After a while, the doctor left, leaving the travelers relaxing by themselves, and the companies of her allies made her forget her instincts. They were all a bit quiet due to the situation.
"I guess we came in a bad time…" Said Fai looking outside the window. "Things are getting pretty serious down there." She stood up to look down as well and frowned at the sight of the villagers desperately searching for their children.
"So the legend becomes reality…" She murmured. "It's quite the tragedy… innocent children just disappearing out of thin air…"She finally stated crossing her arms in concern. Sakura slowly stood next to Mirihanna glancing at the mothers in the street.
"It must be horrible for those mothers…" She softly said. The white haired girl's eyes softened. In her mind, she could still hear them. All the mothers, wives and sisters screaming and mourning for their dead. And not only in the main attack, but also on the roads. To many times she stumbled upon entire families ( or at least what was left of them ) fleeing from the war. To many times she saw them perish. She let a shiver down her spine with the thought, but she quickly tossed it away, locking it up somewhere deep in her mind. She wanted deeply to forget all her memories. It would be easier not to fell all the pain from the past. But she new, better than anyone that she would have to carry her baggage until she could find a solution for her people.
"It's getting pretty late. We should all take some rest." Fai picket up a small lamp given by Doctor Kyle then he glanced at her.
"Shall we go, Mia-Chan?" She looked at the blonde and remembered that they would be sharing a room. After all, to the villagers, they were a couple. She released a small yawn in boredom and nodded. She didn't care for such appearances. In her mind, it was simply sharing a room. After all, there were to many years sleeping on the ground in the rain and cold. A comfy bed was now more than welcome in any circumstances.
They both entered their room. Mirihanna sat on the soft bed and took off her small delicate boots while Fai closed the door. He took his jacket off and placed on a couch near the bed.
"Mia-Chan you really surprise me sometimes!" She looked at him in confusion.
"You are very unpredictable…I thought that your would deny sleeping in the same room as me." He said with a small smile.
"Should I?" She teased and he gave a small laugh. She started untying her big long hair and let it lay loose on her back.
"It has been a long time since I slept on a actual bed." She said mostly to herself. "So tonight will be a pleasant one." She sighted and silence took over. The soft moonlight was gently illuminating the whole room decorated with old vintage furniture. Fai sat clumsily on the big lounge couch with his arms resting on the back of it.
"So…" She slowly started breaking the silence " now you are my intended." She said crossing her legs on the bed.
"Or at least I think that is what Fiancée means." She rested her chin on her knees and looked at her tired little feet that were twisting her toes in amusement. Fai gave a weak smile at her.
"Have you ever been engaged before?" She softly nodded and Fai released a surprised 'oh' and looked down.
"My father wanted me to marry someone once… he was a man of tradition." She said trying to hide her sadness from the thoughts of her dear father. Fai's eyes slightly widened to the realization of her arranged engagement and secretly smiled on the inside. He leaned at her with curiosity.
"And you said no?" She looked back at him and gave a weak smile.
"Actually… it was not necessary." Silence took over the room once again, while the mage closely looked at the girl's blacked expression. He could tell that her eyes were time travelling to the past. She soon stretchered her legs on the bed.
"Soon after the arrangement, the war started…" She made a pause and looked at him " Much was lost after."
Fai looked deeply into the ground and carefully placed his words wisely.
"So that is your wish..." She looked at him with a hint of suffering and confusion in her eyes. " You want to stop the war to save your people… Am I correct?" He asked crossing his legs. She took a moment to look into his beautiful blue eyes that matched his perfect pale skin a blonde hair. Only with the moonlight's touch she noticed their shimmering color. Finally she nodded and looked down thinking about the ones she left behind. She could feel the heat starting to fill her cheeks and her eyes watering but she did not give in. She knew she was stronger than this. She knew that she couldn't be a little helpless girl anymore. Fai seemed to notice her fighting against her own emotions but he stayed quiet, observing her with care.
"If only it was easier…" She said in a softly whisper, for moments she froze in a day dreaming state, looking blankly at the floor. Fai's eye browns flinched at her words. He was surprised at first but his feelings were quickly replaced by worry. After a few seconds she looked at him noticing his preoccupied stare. She could feel that he was unsure if he should comfort her or just ignore. And in that moment she gained back her posture. The usual peaceful and graceful one she always learned with her tutors. She now sat straight, with a regretful look. Fai continued looking intensively at her and as soon as he was about to speak, she took initiative.
"I apologize. I-I should not have spoken." She said, her voice crackling. Fai closed his eyes and gave a small smile to the girl, making a small pause before speaking.
"You don't have to apologize…and you don't have to be so formal." She was facing down, trying not to show the shame she had at her behavior. She did not like to show weakness, especially to men.
"It is the way I speak…" He smiled sweetly at her and she avoided her gaze in annoyance. He thought her manners and accent were cute in a way.
"I'm sure that in a way or another…all our wishes will come true." Fai said looking at her.
"So…" He started "Try to be happy." He gave a bright smile at her. Mirihanna rested her eyes on him with her head low. She did not know what to say in that situation. But somehow, she felt calm.
"I guess… it's time for us to rest." The mage finally spoke. She watched him getting comfortable on the couch.
"Indeed…" She softly agreed. She happily snuggled into her warm bed resting her head on the soft feathery pillow. She curved like a ball until her knees were on her chest only to realize seconds later that she was the only comfortable one. She snapped her eyes open and slowly sat on the bed filled with warm blankets.
Fai had his eyes close and his back against the girl's bed. He could hear the girl twisting a swirling happily in the bed. But this distraction didn't stop him from thinking about her. In fact it only intensified the will.
'Mia-Chan…what happened to you...' he mumbled to himself in his mind. He thought that he and she were completely opposites. The way she fought, the way she had lived, even her serenity hinted that she was a completely different person from him. But now he saw the truth. She also hid herself in a beautiful mask. Just like him.
Suddenly he felt a soft weigh all over his slim body. He quickly glanced to see a thick cotton blanket over him. He glanced up to see Mirihanna walking back at the bed.
"Thank you, Mia-chan." He said with a kind smile.
She slowly buried herself inside the bed once more.
"No. I thank you." Fai sat a little in surprise but soon after he gave her a warm smile. And even though she did not see it, inside she felt better than ever. Having someone to talk to really help her.
The next day a screaming mother outside the house surprised them, making all of them run outside to see the matter. The poor woman was screaming and shouting about her missing child. The ground was all covered with piles of snow that day and it was cooler than before. Mirihanna crossed firmly her arms around her to warm herself. She never felt this cold in her life. She stood there, in the middle of the square like a stick in the mud, unable to make rapid moves.
"My child is gone!" The woman cried in the arms of the same man that pointed the gun at them yesterday.
"I locked the door! But it was opened from the inside! I told her not to open the door!" People were starting gathering around, scared and full of emotion. She released a short breath and observed now with annoyance the small cloud that formed from her mouth.
"It must be the gold-haired princess!" Sakura placed her hands on her mouth, gasping at the statement.
"So it wasn't a dream…" The man heard this and stomped with anger to Sakura. Mirihanna, who was behind her, tried hard to quickly cross her arm with hers and glared at the man that walked furiously at them.
"What's that?!" Syaoran defensively stood in front of them, preventing any harm, but Sakura's mind was someplace else. She was shocked and deep in though with herself.
"W-what is it, child?" Mirihanna asked Sakura, her voice crackling from the cold. She looked at the white haired girl and tried to relive her memories.
"Last night, I saw a woman with golden hair and white dress… she had black birds flying around her…"
"It's a curse!" Someone screamed Mirihanna glanced back. "The princess's curse!" She glanced the other way to another person. The people were getting out of control. Tensions were rising once more, and Mirihanna felt the need to hold Sakura closer. The men were running once more with their riffled in the air, the women were frenetic, mourning for their missing children, a gust of cold wind danced in the air. Mirihanna shivered and shrugged her shoulder at the commotion. She almost felt intimidated by the crowd of people surrounding them like a tornado. She didn't even noticed arriving at the central square with a severe expression.
"That's enough!" He screamed at the crowd. Slowly the people silenced and stopped at their tracks, giving their full attention at the man. Mirihanna released the tensing shrug and looked at her surrounding. She could see the doctor quickly running at their direction.
"Is there…a child…missing again?!" He asked between his breaths.
"Why are these people still here, doctor?" He asked in a tone of authority, glaring at the doctor.
"I told you before. They are here to help!" He said with open arms.
"If this is about our guest, please let me tell you this. These people did not leave the house! For the convenience of emergency patients, my room is situated beside the entrance. I would know if anyone goes out at night!" He defended them bravely. The group watched quietly the two men glaring at each other but eventually, everyone started walking away to search for the missing children. And even so, the gang could not help but feel that they were considered prime suspects. It was till very early in the town of Spirit. But due to the last happening, the town was as lively as a Sunday evening. Doctor Kyle deeply apologized for the townsmen action once more with a sad face. He simply could not believe the violent behavior towards them and it saddened him. Back at their temporary home, they all sat with the doctor with breakfast, quietly disgusting more about these mysterious kidnappings. Sakura explained to them that she saw in the night someone she believed that was the princess, and doctor Kyle seemed surprised and without words.
"In the legend, no child was ever found or returned home…" said the doctor to his guests. Mirihanna looked at him, trying to decipher the meaning of those words.
"Which means…" Kurogane sat beside her, wiggling one fork in his mouth casually. "It can be interpreted as no one came back alive." She frowned. The doctor heavily let out a deep breath.
"The castle of the legend, were the princess lived, is now in ruins. But what has happened now is too similar to what the History Book said… it's no surprise that the villagers believe the legend has relived itself again…"
No one saw the princess…Sakura was the only witness to see her and actually see her in action. But was she really alive? Mirihanna wondered if she was actually some kind of spirit or presence. In her world it was common to happen these kind of supernatural situations, it would be no surprise if there were more worlds like these.
The group spent all day wandering around town, searching for clues of the missing children. After all, if they find the children, most likely they'll find Sakura's feather with them. Syaoran had his nose stuck in books he borrowed from the mayor and was reading them intensively. They when to the castle in ruins but reached a dead end. The castle was separated by a strong river current which made them question if someone was actually capable to transport small children there. Mirihanna observed the tall majestic castle under her white cape with admiration. Although it didn't reminded her of her own world, it made her think back when she lived also in the sturdy underground city. After a full day running after what seemed to be ghosts the group returned to doctor Kyle's house in hopes to have a clear rested mind. Restless from their quest, the men were still trying to resolve the mysteries behind the books of Spirit while Mirihanna sat next to Sakura in the tall window, admiring the snow and grateful for the warm fireplace nearby. Sakura looked back at them and frowned.
"I wish I could help them out…" She softly said to her. Mirihanna patted her head and smiled.
"It is no use to have five pair of eyes in one book, little one…" Sakura smiled back and slowly nodded. Mirihanna crossed her arms with her in a reassuring way and squeezed her slightly, saying 'Do not worry'. The girl gave her a kind smile and thanked her.
The snow was softly falling outside the window at the two girls had their eyes fixated in it.
"It must have been quite…peculiar… to see the princess." She said, wondering mostly to herself.
"Heh…I was very surprised…I still am…Maybe I was just dreaming…" Sakura wondered while Mirihanna pouted her cherry lips.
"…Maybe…maybe not…" She wondered too. She took a liking to the young girl; she enjoyed her presence and spirit, and she could tell that she was a really good young lady.
"Wouldn't it be interesting to find out..." She mumbled to the air. The young girl looked timidly at her.
"Mia-San…" Mirihanna looked at her with her green eyes.
"Would you mind if…" She stooped in the middle of her tracks. Mirihanna raised her eyebrow at her.
"What is on you mind?" She insisted.
"I mean…could you share a room with me tonight?" Mirihanna tilted her head in confusion.
"Are you scared, little one?" She asked with a small smile and Sakura cheeks flushed a bright red color.
"A little bit…." Mirihanna released a giggle, gaining the attention of the men in the room.
"Well I guess it is alright." She finally said and Sakura gave her a bright smile.
Little did she know what the night was planning on them.
That night was quiet and the snow wouldn't stop falling, it had been hours since they retreated to Sakura's room and Mirihanna was starting to feel sleepy. Sakura wrapped herself in a cocoon of blanked and opened the window, making Mirihanna immediately wake up and shiver. She wrapped herself in blankets as well and frowned.
"What are you doing, youngling?" She asked her with her soft sleepy voice.
"There might be a change to see the Princess again. I don't want to miss her, Mia-San. The snow is too thick to see clearly."
"I was under the impression that you were scared about this…" She mumbled and Sakura made a small laughter.
"I was more afraid of being alone…" She sweat dropped at the white haired girl. Mirihanna sighed and secretly regretted her decision. Sakura reached her hand outside the window and caught a small snowflake. Mirihanna kneeled down next to her and they both watched as it slowly melted in the girl's hand.
"Maybe those missing children are suffering from the cold…" Sakura wondered, looking outside the window. Mirihanna rested her head on the wall and looked outside.
"The only one who saw the Princess is me…" The young girl started, gaining Mirihanna's attention.
"Maybe…just maybe, something else will happen tonight." She said with a worried face. "I must try to stay awake…" Mirihanna looked at her and released a small shiver from the cold. She wanted deeply to be buried under the bed and heat in her dreams for as long as she was allowed. But the look on Sakura's face made her change her mind quickly. She took a deep breath and snuggled next to her.
"Then I will stay awake with you." Sakura mimicked her and hug her, sharing the body heat.
They stayed like that for a couple of more hours in silence. Eventually, Mirihanna had to clean the drop of cold in her nose. She truly wasn't prepared for this weather. They were both like frozen figures, looking at a big white buried in snow town. But she endured all the annoyance. She wanted to help the girl.
Soon enough, the girl flinched, making her snap out of her snoozing state. Sakura gasped and leaned closer to the window.
"I-it's the Princess…the golden-hair Princess!" She said out loud and Mirihanna quickly looked at the same direction but saw…nothing.
"W-what?" She asked in confusion. "Were is she?"
"Over there! Between those trees! Look at the crows around her!" Mirihanna looked once more but saw absolutely nothing, only snow.
"Sakura…there's nothing there, child…" Suddenly a couple of children started leaving their houses with an empty expression. Mirihanna gasped in surprise.
"The children are being taken away!" The girl said desperated. Mirihanna stood up and looked once more.
"You are seeing something that I cannot see…" She said in amazement. "...incredible..."
"Mia-Chan we have to follow them! They are disappearing!" Sakura said climbing out of the room.
"S-sakura, no!" But it was too late; the girl was halfway down the naked tree next to their window. She mentally slapped herself and jumped outside as well, shivering in cold without her blanked.
"This is certainty not wise…" She mumbled and followed the girl in the dead of night.
Hello everyone! Soo... it seems that there was a huge time gap between our last chapter and this one. Sorry! I've been moving out and been struggling with my job! Even so, I haven't give up on you guys, neither this story! By the way, the sequel of Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles as released their first chapters! How cool is that?! Looking forward to read more about this new Manga! Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter.
Have a good day!