A tall shimmering image slipped through the stunning golden light and phased into three. The golden light became much like a typical sunny day. The three slender images stood with backs straight and shoulders back, dressed in the colors of the forests. Their clothing's greens and browns barely visible, as a long dark green robe hung to the floor. But what caught her eyes were the glimmering handles of swords and the long metal lances, slightly taller than them, each one held upright in their right hands. Silver-colored helmets covered much of their narrow feminine faces, dull gray eyes, and long, ashen hair falling behind them.
A floral-filled breeze slipped from the open panel, along with low, excited voices. The fairies from the bush rushed by, maneuvered around the three guards, and disappeared into the light.
Kuroko made a step towards them, hearing familiar, gentle laughter. It was as if someone had tossed a pebble into a stilled pond, and the ripples slowly faded, leaving behind a simple reflection across the surface. A blurred, slender image drifted into the golden light, and after a moment, shimmered into existence.
It was her. And the years had been very good to Uiharu Kazari. she moved like morning fog with her eyes closed and a soft smile. She barely looked as if she had aged at all. But there were noticeable differences. Kuroko watched as Uiharu opened her eyes as if waking from a dream.
She caught her breath, feeling her heartbeat a little faster. She saw but didn't see her. She'd changed over the years. Along with the changes of womanhood, other less familiar changes had taken place.
Thin lines, the colors of vines drawn across her perfect white skin, diamond-shaped, slipped into her hair. Her golden-brown eyes shined like sunlight bouncing off the water. Her smile, just as she remembered, so innocent. Seeing it allowed a few memories to rise to the surface of her mind.
Kuroko covered her mouth, bowed her head to hide from the tears that were welling in her eyes. It had been too long since she had seen Uiharu. The last time she was just a girl of 12, maybe 13, but now she is a young woman in her twenties—so mature and yet… so childish.
The outfit she wore hinted at her interest in the Ojou-sama lifestyle. A simple pale green slender kimono looked to be made of the finest silk clung to her slight frame. But something was off with the outfit. Even Kuroko knew that her hair was expected to be tied into a bun. But Uiharu had half her hair up and the other falling over the left side of her face.
(Something didn't feel right. she could see ins Uiharu's eyes a hint of fear, unsureness.)
The thin lines, the color of vines, appeared along the side of her neck and disappeared underneath the kimono's collar. Coming out of the sleeves on her wrists and each finger. Real, natural green vines slipped around her, along her arms and head. The flowers she'd worn as a youth were gone. And real-live flowers nestled like a floral headband. And of course, she recognized the colored orbs quietly buzzing around her head, even sitting on her shoulders. Softly buzzing like bees around a flower.
Uiharu! Kuroko unexpectedly raised her voice in excitement. she'd forgotten the years. She moved forward. A blink of an eye would have been all it took. But years of training and experienced saved her. She quickly teleported, avoiding the gleam of a large blade and a demonic growl. The large blade fell with a clang. What the….!?
She stared, wide-eyed and adrenaline-pumping. Her heart beating fast, with a quick breath, stared at the spot she'd been standing—someone attacked out of nowhere. but it wasn't her that responded to the attack. it was someone else and she looked quite pleased with herself.
Megumi Watanabe blocked the blow with a short Katana. She parried, spun, and delivered another blow from another sharp blade.
A shimmering of light disrupted like a stone thrown into a still pool. A woman appeared with a malevolent force that filled the room. She'd appeared out of nowhere. Never relinquishing her presence. she was there but not there.
They faced one another. Both with the same expression. Both with the same intensity. Excitement and danger.
What the hell? Kuroko spoke, is going on. I just…
Enough Soifra… a soft voice said.
Kuroko looked around, seeing Uiharu slipping between three more, just like the woman standing firm. The woman held a short dagger in her other hand, one pointed at Megumi, always did like a good fight. Who smirked, eyes wide with excitement. The other at Kuroko.
Where did they come from, and…?
Kuroko swallowed hard, covering her mouth, and tears fell. As Uiharu stepped between the others, her long black hair shifted. And Kuroko caught her breath.
It was hiding beneath her dark hair. She wore it not for style but to hide the hideous scar running down the side of her face. It was an old, discolored, straight-line cut. As if someone had slowly drawn a knife down her face. No hints of hesitation.
She must have fought the urge to move, either out of bravery or fear. Kuroko bit her tongue, trying her best to lie about seeing it. But Uiharu's eyes dimmed as she lowered her head and pushed the hair back in place.
One of the other women gently put her hand underneath Uiharu's chin. Reminding her to keep her head raised. To remind her there is no shame. "Ennas na-baw shame nin hiril" she whispered. There is no shame, my lady.
Back nin hiril, im will take hin dogs! Soifra, with the blades ready, yelled. (Back my lady, I will take these dogs)
If cin iest an dog, im tur-happilui nall-some wolves… Megumi thinned her eyes (if you wish for dogs, I can happily call some wolves.) But erui im'll gar-nin a slice or- edhelen bitches. (but first, I'll have my fun and slice up some elvish bitches.)
REALLY!? Wolves? Uiharu blushed excitedly, breaking through the aggression on display. Maybe some cute little pups. Her eyes shined. Can we… she begged, Kathrein? looking at the woman next to her with pleading eyes. Pleeesseee…. she clutched her hands, pleassssseee….
Kathrein blushed with a soft smile. -o ior min tur-dilthen er (of course we can...little one) gently kissing her cheeks.
Soifra groaned, and the blades slipped away inside her long, glimmering overcoat. She snorted at Megumi, who seemed just as pissed it would end such a violent encounter. Soifra moved around Megumi, stepped close nose to nose, and glared deep into kuroko's eyes.
Never approach when not recognized. Soifra spoke in perfect English. If I had been there, she wouldn't have it… she gritted her jaws.
Same here, kuroko answered. Same here….