Lunamugetsu: I do not own Toriko
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Previously:
"Uh yeah, what is this dude's name again?" Toriko asked
"I think it was Bongo-san?" Kimiko said
"Anyway, we'll have him lead us to the exit" Teppei said, "Because if we don't leave now, we're going to have to get into a pretty tough fight
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"Check it out! It's a hidden cave, so there!" Zonge said as he pointed to a tunnel that he and his group had come from.
"I feel air flowing through it, it's gotta be leading outside" Match said
"That's what I said!" the hairy man yelled
"Isn't this a wonderful discovery, Match-san" Kimiko said ignoring the monkey in the room
"This must have been a route for transporting ingredients, it's amazing that it's still here," Teppei muttered
"Amazing, right. I don't mind if you all feel the need to praise me. All you have to do to repay me, is that you all have to be my servants!" the hairy monkey laughed
"Um, Zonge-sama" the bald man pointed at the group who was already walking down the tunnel
"Aren't we lucky" Toriko laughed
"It's such a relief that we're all going back to safety" Kimiko said with the baby wall penguin at her side
"Hey! Every single one of you should be praising my achievement!" the man yelled before running after the group
"What am I doing with my life" Tina sighed before following them
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"Yun!Yun!Yun!" the penguin chirped
"Huh, is something the matter" Kimiko asked and then looked ahead to see a light at the end of the tunnel
"It's a light!" Tina exclaimed
"I can smell the ocean! That must be the exit!" Toriko said
"Of course! For this is the cave that I discovered!" Zonge said only to realize that the group was already running towards the exit, "HEY! Wait for me!"
Kimiko panted as she ran towards the light, a smile spread across her face as she saw that the group was at the end of the tunnel.
"We're out. We made it out!" Kimiko exclaimed as everyone shouted in joy
"See, I told you it connected outside" Zonge boasted
"But the ship's gone" Match said
"What!" Toriko exclaimed and then he and Match turned to look at the hairy man
"Hey! Why are you looking at me?!"' Zonge exclaimed
"Oh yeah, they don't know" Kimiko muttered and then looked back at Teppei
"Um, well. E-Everyone you see" Teppei stuttered and then started to explain, "Back then, I let it slip that there was no soup. I bet the Colonel listened in on us"
"So he left!" Toriko exclaimed
"Most likely," Teppei sighed
"That old bastard," Toriko grumbled
"So we're stranded here?" Kimiko asked
"Well the only way back it to swim" Teppei stated, "Let's do the butterfly stroke."
"That's impossible" Tina exclaimed
"Yeah, we'd freeze to death if we did that" Kimiko sighed, "What should we do?"
CAW!
That sound, Kimiko looked up to see a large black bird descending towards them. Her eyes widened as she saw the familiar figure on the bird's back.
"Everyone, sorry to keep you waiting!" the figure said
"Coco-san!" Kimiko exclaimed as she saw the Bishokuya
"Coco!" Toriko yelled
"Toriko" Coco said as he looked at the missing arm. "It really was a difficult battle, wasn't it"
"Another one of the Heavenly Kings" Match said and then saw that there was something behind him.
"Huh, what's that?" Tina asked as the group saw a large floating pink jellyfish heading towards them.
"Is that a Limousine Jellyfish." Teppei said
"Hey! I came to pick you guys up!" an elderly voice shouted
"Granny Setsu!" Toriko exclaimed
"You mean the Gourmet Living National Treasure!" Tina exclaimed
"Yup, it's Setsuno-san" Kimiko said as the jellyfish floated closer to them and then stretched out one of its tentacles for them to walk on.
"You sure came out to a strange place. If it weren't for Coco's fortune telling, I wouldn't have been able to find you. Now hurry up on in. I've got a delicious feast waiting for you!"
"Food!" Toriko exclaimed before running into the limousine jellyfish.
"Wait, Toriko-san!" Kimiko yelled as she followed him along with Tina
"This is the first time, I've ever seen such a bigwig of proper society" Match said as he followed the rest of the group
"Man," Teppei sighed and then looked at Zombe who was yelling, "We're going to leave you behind."
"Hey wait for me!" the hairy man yelled and then ran after them.
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Boing boing
Kimiko eyes widened as she kept poking the wall of the Limousine Jellyfish.
"Amazing" Kimiko said as she poked the wall only for it to spring back, "Is this thing alive?"
"Don't know, I've never seen anything like this before" Toriko said as he walked past her.
"It's a Limousine Jellyfish, don't worry, it's definitely alive." Setsuno said from the second level, "It's warm inside so come on in and rest up"
"Isn't this great Takimaru, we'll get to eat" Toriko said as he went to the second level
"Toriko-san, you're drooling" Takimaru said as he saw the drool dribbling down Toriko's chin like a waterfall.
"FOOD!" Toriko exclaimed as he headed towards the smell of food.
"Wow," Kimiko said as everyone gathered around the table filled with food.
"Go ahead," Setsuno said, "Eat up"
"Idtadakimasu" everyone said as they clapped their hands together
"Delicious!" Toriko exclaimed as he bit into a slab of meat.
Kimiko smiled and then proceeded to grab an onigiri from the plate, she then looked over to the baby wall penguin who was chirping happily. Kimiko giggled and then handed the onigiri to the penguin who took it and started to nibble on the morsel.
"Is it good?" she asked, the penguin nodded and then chirped. After giving the penguin a small smile, Kimiko took an onigiri for herself and took a bite.
"Delicious!" Kimiko exclaimed as she continued to eat her onigiri. She looked over to see that Match wasn't eating, but instead looking at his subordinates.
"You're going to kick the bucket before you get the chance to get your buddies back if you don't eat anything!" Toriko said and then handed him a plate of kebabs, "Eat and get better"
"Thank you" Match said as he took one of the kebabs and started to eat along with the rest of the group. Kimiko smiled as she saw that Match was eating and then looked over to her left to see that Tina was videotaping everyone.
"Um, Tina-san, why aren't you eating? Shouldn't the video of the Century Soup be enough for you?" Kimiko asked
"I didn't get any video at all" Tina cried, "I was so mystified by the soup that I completely forgot to film any of it."
"That does happen to you a lot, doesn't it," Kimiko sighed, "Now that I think about it, like that time with the Puffer Whale and the Jewel Meat."
"Kimiko-san" Coco said making Kimiko stop and look at how distraught Tina was
"I'm sorry!" Kimiko exclaimed
"Don't worry," Coco said, "Failure is the mother of success, with your rare shamelessness and your head-turning audacity, I am sure you'll get the results you want, one day."
I don't think that cheered anyone up. But the poetic way of talking is definitely Coco-san, Kimiko thought
"She looks utterly defeated," Toriko muttered as they saw Tina's distraught face
"Oh, are you not interested in my cooking?" Setsuno asked
"Of course I am, all of these dishes look delicious. I'm going to make sure that I'll record everything!" Tina exclaimed as she took out her video camera to record.
Well she went back to normal real quick, Kimiko thought and then looked over to Takimaru to see that he was eating some soup. She observed his shaking hands as he grimaced raising his arm to bring the spoon of soup to his mouth.
"Takimaru-san, would you like some help" Kimiko asked making the Gourmet Knight look at her.
"Um, I'd hate to trouble you," Takimaru said
"It's no trouble at all," Kimiko said as she took the bowl of soup and sat down beside him. Kimiko took a spoonful of soup and blew on it to cool it down and then proceeded to feed the Gourmet Knight.
"After all this is the least I could do, with all the fighting you guys went through," Kimiko said as she proceeded to get another spoonful of soup.
"You really are kind, Kimiko-san" Takimaru said as he was fed another spoonful of soup. It was at that moment when he felt a shiver go up his spine, the Gourmet Knight then looked around and saw Toriko stuffing his face. That would be a normal picture if it weren't for the fact that Toriko was currently glaring at Takimaru while chowing down on a piece of meat.
Although he may be stuffing his face, his eyes are saying that he wants to kill me, Takimaru thought as he watched Toriko eat the dishes while casting his glance towards the Gourmet Knight.
"Are you okay Takimaru-san?" Kimiko asked
"Don't worry, I'm fine," Takimaru said while trying to ignore Toriko's death stare. That was when he felt another chill up his spine.
What the, Takimaru looked over to his left and saw Coco eating in a calm fashion, except for the fact he was also emitting another sinister aura similar Toriko.
Wait, him too! Takimaru thought
"So that's what it is," Match muttered to himself and then had a devilish thought
"So you guys like the little chef" Match whispered to Toriko and Coco causing the Bishokuyas to choke on their food.
"Toriko-san, Coco-san, are you okay?" Kimiko asked
"Don't worry!" Toriko replied before chugging down some water, "The food just went down the wrong pipe, no need to worry over it."
"I'm fine, Kimiko-chan, I was just caught off-guard" Coco reassured her
"If you say so. If you do need anything, don't hesitate to ask me" Kimiko said while giving them a little smile causing them to blush
They definitely like her, Match and Takimaru thought
Kimiko then noticed that Setsuno was stoking the fire, "Um, Setsuno-san, thank you very much for helping us."
"It was none other than I who suggested you capture the Century Soup, but when I got word that the crucial Gourmet Show Window wasn't in such great shape. I went and requested an investigation to help you, but when I heard that the extra help hadn't left yet, I came here to Ice Hell myself with Coco and what do I find." she turned to glare at Teppei, "Teppei, why are you, the disciple, here?"
"..."
"Not answering, are you?" Setsuno yelled
"Well, my master has his hands full," Teppei explained, "he's reviving a really important ingredient right now. So he sent me instead."
"Important ingredient? And what ingredient is so important as to send his student on an investigation I requested?"
"Um, well you see." Teppei tried to explain before he took a deep breath and took on a serious tone, "It's an ingredient related to the Gourmet God Acacia, that's all I know."
"That eccentric fool." Setsuno sighed, "And? What of the Gourmet Show WIndow?"
"Well, it was beyond help. Just as my master predicted. However, we managed to squeeze out the final drop" Teppei explained
"It must have been quite a battle" Setsuno said
"Not at all!" Toriko exclaimed, "Now that I've eaten your food, I feel like I'm back to full strength!"
"You know, you might be able to heal that arm of yours." Setsuno said
"Seriously!" Toriko exclaimed
"If you head to the country of Life, there is a small chance," Setsuno answered
Life, isn't that the place Takimaru wanted to buy medicine from? Kimiko thought as she looked at the Gourmet Knight.
"We have some heavily injured people, it would be best to head there immediately." Takimaru said
"Don't forget, there is a talented Saiseiya there as well." Setsuno said making Teppei laugh and blush with happiness, "I'm talking about the master of the laughing fool here" Kimiko giggled as she saw that Teppei was sporting a cloud of depression.
"Plus there are people who don't need to go, so while people are healing in Life, Kimiko will make the soup! Isn't that right" Setsuno asked
"Yes! I will make it! I'll make the real Century Soup!" Kimiko stated with confidence
"Well then, it's decided. I'll take you there in this Limousine Jellyfish. The first stop, the healing country, Life!" Setsuno said causing everyone to yell out in glee.
Thank you...and bye-bye, Ice Hell
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"Now that we got all of the planning settled, time for you guys to rest" Setsuno said alerting the group
"What?" Kimiko said confused
"You all have had such a tiring day, it's best if you guys just lie down, don't worry I'll call you when we reach Life. There are bedrooms on the next level," Setsuno said as she pointed towards the ladder.
"But I'm totally fine" Toriko said
"Are you questioning my judgement," Setsuno said daring him to answer.
"N-No, not at all. The beds are on the next level right!" Toriko said as he quickly climbed the ladder onto the next floor.
"I can't wait another gram! I'm going to bed, I deserve it after all I've been through" Tina said as she went up the next floor being followed by Kruppoh.
"Match-san, Takimaru-san, are you going to?" Kimiko asked
"No thankyou, I think it's best I stay here." Takimaru said
"I'm not leaving my men alone, you go on up by yourself" Match answered
"Ok" Kimiko said as she went to the next floor with the baby wall penguin following after her. Kimiko surveyed the floor to see a hallway with doors separating the bedrooms.
"Is that you Kimi?" a door opened and Toriko's head popped into the hallway, "Come on in!"
"Why don't you go pick out a room for us, I'll see you later, okay?" Kimiko asked receiving a happy penguin dancing before walking down the hall.
He sure is carefree, Kimiko thought as she went into Toriko's room
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"It sure feels good to rest after all of that fighting," Toriko said as he sat on the large king sized bed that sat in the middle of the spacious room. Kimiko looked around to see that there was a desk with a chair and a nightstand by the bed. She looked out the window seeing the landscape that they were passing by.
"Toriko-san, have you ever been to Life?" Kimiko asked getting the Bishokuya's attention.
"Nope, this is a new experience for me," Toriko said while patting the shoulder that was currently missing an arm, "then again I've never lost my arm before."
"Does it hurt?" Kimiko asked
"Huh?"
"Your arm. I guess, I should say your shoulder now" Kimiko said as she turned to look at the bandaged appendage.
"Don't worry, it doesn't bother me. Besides Granny Setsu said I could get it healed at Life," Toriko said as he patted her head.
"I" Kimiko started to look at her clasped hands, "I wish I could have done more."
"Kimiko," Toriko lifted her chin to look at him, "We all knew the dangers of going and we still went. Don't blame yourself. Besides the past is the past, we can't change anything, so we work hard now, so that the future is would become what we want it to be. So you better work hard on making the Century Soup."
"Yeah!" Kimiko said while smiling.
"I'm counting on you, Kimi" Kimiko's eyes widened as she felt Toriko's lips against her forehead.
"Toriko" Kimiko looked at Toriko's smiling face
"HEY! WE'RE HERE!" Setsuno's voice echoed (I was tempted to leave it here, but then I was like nah, you guys waited long enough)
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"You can see it from the window" Setsuno said as Kimiko and Toriko joined them.
"So this is the country of healing, Life" Match said while looking out the window. Kimiko peered out to see a gigantic tree, looking closer she could see that there houses built right under it and a bunch of other buildings going down the piece of land that the large tree was raised on with a large stretch of buildings on the bottom. As the Limousine Jellyfish touched the ground a swarm of red and blue butterflies approached them.
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Butterfly Therapy (Insect Beast) Capture Level 1
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Kimiko gazed in wonder as the butterflies flew through the window and into the room.
"Butterfly Therapy" Teppei said, "Butterflies that have a habit of landing on places of weakness or injury on people and animals."
"There are blue and red ones" Takimaru observed.
"The blue ones stop on light wounds, and the red on serious injuries. Both land on critically injured people." The Saiseiya explained
"None of them are landing on Zonge-sama"
"That's cause I'm always fit as a fiddle!" the hairy man said
No, it's because you didn't fight and if weren't for you knowing an escape route, you'd be completely useless, Kimiko thought
"Huh that Zombo dude is still here" Toriko said as a bunch of red butterflies landed on his left shoulder.
"Just red," Match smiled as he saw the only red butterflies were surrounding his subordinates.
"Setsuno-san," Kimiko said getting the woman's attention, "I would really like to go back to the hotel and start making that soup. I want to try and recreate that flavor as soon as possible."
"Oh, don't you want to rest at all here in Life?" Setsuno asked and then noticed that Kimiko's face was slightly flushed
"Um, well you see," Kimiko tried to explain as the memory of Toriko kissing her forehead came to her mind.
I don't think I could look at Toriko-san in the eye, right now, Kimiko thought
"Yun! Yun! Yun!" the baby penguin said as he waddled towards them.
"Oh you came down," Kimiko said as the penguin waddled up to her, "In the confusion, you tagged along with me."
"I understand. Then, I will take you to the hotel, Kimiko" Setsuno said
"Thank you very much" Kimiko bowed
"I'll go report back to the IGO" Coco informed Toriko
"I see." Toriko said
"By the way Toriko," Coco said getting his attention, "Ever since Kimiko came down here, her aura has been in a bit of disarray." Coco then glared at Toriko, "What did you do?"
"Hm, I wonder what I did." Toriko said while smiling, "What's wrong Coco? Jealous?"
"I have no reason to be jealous of such a brutish man," Coco smiled back
"Teppei, you're guiding Toriko and the others." Setsuno said, "I have to go to your master, as I intend to give him a good thrashing."
"Understood" Teppei said
"Hm, I wonder who will finish first." Setsuno mused, "Toriko's arm healing, or Kimiko-chan completing the soup?"
"Kimi" Toriko patted her head making her look at him on reflex, "I'm counting on you."
"Yeah!" Kimiko exclaimed while sporting a light blush. The injured passengers then got off the Limousine Jellyfish with Teppei as their guide. As the jellyfish got ready to leave Kimiko looked back at them.
"Everyone, please wait for me!" Kimiko exclaimed, "I'll definitely make the Century Soup!"
"Good luck" Takimaru said
"Show us your skills" Match said as they all watched the Limousine Jellyfish disappear in the distance.
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lunamugetsu: Yahoo! First chapter of the new year! Just so you know I'm going to be busy with classes, so it's probably going to be a good couple months before you get another chapter, plus I got other stories to update too. Anyway what did you guys think of this chapter? PLEASE
REVIEW!