Continuing the magic of the Genie's thread! This Chapter written by Aikori_Ichijouji, with love 3
Ren tore the paper around the edge of the map, handing the scraps off to Kijima as he went along. "Take those and burn them along with the blank pages," he directed.
"We're not going after Hikaru?" Kijima asked, dismayed.
"We are," Ren assured him. "But it's getting colder out there and we've only a single cloak between us. Let's get as warm as we can before setting out and hope the residual heat keeps us going for a while."
Kijima's lips rounded into a silent 'oh' and he nodded in understanding. Thus, the pair shifted about their small shelter, gathering what few branches they could find near the opening and adding them to the wads of paper that had sparked to life with bright flames. The resulting fire was enough for both of them to sufficiently warm themselves nearly to the point of perspiration.
They set off into the forest once again, passing the cloak back and forth between them so they could wear it in turns. It worked well enough, as the wind had died down some, though the chill definitely started to set in once they were three-quarters of the way through their trek. The fact that they stayed constantly in motion was exceedingly helpful. As the self-appointed navigator, Kijima took the lead and walked ahead of Ren, stopping only to recall whether they were to turn left or right at the giant, gnarled oak tree.
Excited shouts and laughter drew them towards a clearing up ahead of them. Ren slowed down and drew his sword as they approached. He motioned for Kijima to do the same. Neither were prepared for what they found upon reaching the clearing.
Two taller figures danced wildly and without rhythm around a substantial fire, letting out the occasional whoop as they did so. And seated on a log, completely unbound and holding a dark green bottle, was Hikaru.
"What the fu-" Kijima began right when the revellers noticed their presence.
"Hey, it's about time you got here," Hikaru called out. "Come sit near the fire and warm up!"
"Care to explain what's going on?" Ren asked, taking a seat on the log next to Hikaru.
"Ren, Kijima." Hikaru gestured to each person as he spoke. "Meet my brothers, Shinichi and Yuusei."
Ren took a long look at the two newcomers, marking the features in their faces that didn't jive with those of their supposed kin. "Brothers?"
"By association, not by birth," Yuusei clarified. "We wanted to give our dear Hikaru one last prose-worthy adventure before the big day."
"And to make sure he didn't perish in a snowdrift somewhere," Shinichi added.
Kijima scoffed. "I thought that was our job."
Yuusei and Shiniji just shrugged. "We also came bearing a message," Yuusei added. "From Lady Kyoko."
"She sent a small party to meet us in the next town and escort me the rest of the way now that the weather has turned for the worse," Hikaru explained. "These two were part of that group."
"We've tents and bedrolls set up already," Shinichi pointed behind Hikaru at the two low tents protruding from the snow. "Yuusei even went back to free your cloak from that tree."
"Well, far be it from me to look a gift bottle in the mouth," Kijima said, pulling the drink from Hikaru's hand and taking a whiff. "Or maybe I should. This smells like Tsukigomori liquor!"
Yuusei grinned. "That's because it is."
"Bottoms up, my new friends." Kijima nodded approvingly.
Ren resolutely avoided the alcohol for the remainder of their time awake. A great majority of it, the others spent singing the loudest, dirtiest tunes they knew until both the alcohol and the hour brought them to heel. Hikaru's brothers mandated that he would be staying in their tent, which left Ren and Kijima to, once again, share a small space in the hopes of keeping warm.
Morning came with a fresh blanket of snow on everything, rendering their campsite as naught but a cluster of white lumps of varying sizes. However, the clouds were replaced by bright sun to light their path onwards. Supplies were packed up and distributed as evenly as possible to share the burden and they made their way towards the nearby town. Ren was unsure how he would weather a seven hour hike with four individuals who've an incessant need to natter.
Thankfully the hours passed quickly enough. Ren wisely decided to hang back behind the group in the event of a surprise attack. It served also to remove him physically from any unwanted conversation. He had enough to think about with his journey coming to an early end.
They met with the other members of Kyoko's delegation at a tavern on the edge of town, two young women by the names of Kanae and Chiori. Introductions were made and he only had to stop Kijima from making lewd remarks a total of three times; a record, as far as he knew. Still, Ren couldn't help but recall the verse they'd found in Hikaru's lute case the night before. Particularly when he watched Hikaru, his brothers, and the ladies talking between themselves with hushed tones and furrowed brows while stealing glances at him from time to time.
When he motioned to Kijima for them to take their leave and bid them all good luck, the ladies gave him a strange, hurt look. "You're not attending the ceremony?" Chiori asked.
Reader, we are at a crossroads. If you would like to attend the wedding, proceed to Chapter 31. If you will abstain and stay behind, proceed to chapter 32.