Chapter 5:

"Suguira, if you come near me with that green onion stalk, I will rip your arms off and beat you to death with them," Natsuki growled. She might have been more convincing if she didn't start coughing violently from her bed immediately afterwards.

Midori grinned as she advanced, "Come on, Kuga. It worked last time, and it should work again!"

She was surprised to find Shizuru Fujino stepping into her path, "Suguira-sensei, I must ask that you allow Natsuki to sleep. She very much needs her rest."

"What gives, Fujino?" Midori grumbled, "You were raring to go the last time we did this."

Shizuru sighed, "I was a closeted lesbian who wanted the opportunity to peek at my crush's tush."

"Shizuru!" Natsuki protested.

"However, I am now in an open, committed relationship, and as such, I must side with my dearest Natsuki in this matter. If she believes that this 'treatment' is too embarrassing and uncomfortable, I must insist you desist," Shizuru's eyes narrowed, and her tone became flat, "If you know what is best for you, Suguira-sensei."

"She's using the scary voice, Suguira," Nao called from the front room, "I'd back off if I were you."

"But…if Kuga's not better, we can't continue with our main quest! And I don't have any side quests prepared!"

Shizuru's face brightened considerably, "Ara, is that all? Then allow me to serve in the role of Dungeon Master, tonight. I have a quest that I've been preparing for some time."

Shizuru ushered Midori out of Natsuki's room, then addressed the gathered HiME.

"Since Natsuki is out of commission, and Midori has no side-quests prepared, tonight we're going to try something a little different. I will be serving in the role of Dungeon Master. And, I want each of you to trade roles for tonight. Alyssa, since you are Natsuki's sister, why don't you take her role. Since it was the one used by your mother, I think it a fitting one for you, as well."

"That sounds fun," Alyssa smiled.

"Midori, as I am taking your role as Dungeon Master, why don't you take my role."

"Does that mean Midori and I have to date?" Alyssa smirked.

"You only have to take up Natsuki's stats," Shizuru smiled, "Not her relationships."

Roles were quickly transferred. Alyssa was now the half-elf Ranger. Midori was a cleric. Yukino was now a Paladin, while Haruka had become a Barbarian. Mikoto was a Rogue, Nao a Sorceress, and Mai a Bard.

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"So, that place is the final resting place of the Legendary Miko," Haruka nodded, "Seems like its falling apart."

"The ruins have been uninhabited for near a millennium, now, Haruka," Yukino looked at the ruins in the distance, "And there's a marsh between us and the remains of the temple. There's a road that leads through the marsh, but we must be cautious."

"It seems like a long distance to travel with such a large group," Mai said, "Maybe some of us should wait out here?"

"Is our little bard scared of a bit of smelly marsh land?" Nao smirked.

"We all must go," Yukino said, "This place isn't safe for us to mill around."

"Wait," Alyssa spoke up, raising her hand, "The road ahead is a trap."

"What do you mean?" Nao asked.

"I believe that something is lurking in the muck and mire of the marsh," Alyssa said.

"Nice alliteration," Midori grinned.

"Uh, guys, there's some noises coming from behind us," Mikoto pointed out.

"Revenants," Midori groaned, "And we're surrounded."

"There's over a hundred," Alyssa said, doing a quick count.

"That's a lot," Mikoto said, "They're weak monsters, but that many…"

"We're being left with no choice but to go down the road to the temple," Haruka noted, "Which means there's definitely something nasty waiting for us in the marshes."

"Maybe if we make a mad dash?" Mai suggested.

"Nao, cast a wall of fire behind us. It will keep the Revenants from advancing," Yukino said, "I'll take point. If anything attacks from the front, I'll take the brunt."

"Something is moving out there in the mists of the marsh," Mikoto said, looking around.

They saw great, serpentine forms moving in the stagnant water.

A look of realization dawned on Yukino, "Run. RUN!"

Her warning came too late. Towering, serpentine heads rose out of the marsh, looking down at them, each one about four and a half meters from the ground.

"It's a hydra!" Mai yelped.

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"Fujino!" Haruka growled.

"Are you trying to stir up bad blood?" Nao accused.

"No one objected when Midori allowed Natsuki to adopt a Dire Wolf and name it after her CHILD," Shizuru maintained her serene smile, "Besides, I can promise, if you defeat this creature, there will be a reward for all of you. Besides, hydras are a monster I'm much more familiar with than any of the others as far as how they operate."

"I suppose that makes sense," Haruka groused.

"It is not an attempt to stir up bad memories," Shizuru said, and this time there was a sincerity to her voice. She actually reached out and put a hand on Haruka and Yukino's hands, "I promise."

She then looked at Nao, "Alright, Yuuki-han. It's not an effort to make you uncomfortable. Think of it as a chance to…hmmm…vent."

Nao grinned, "Oh, yeah?"

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"Don't use your axe, Haruka!" Yukino commanded, "If we cut off a hydra's head, it will grow two more."

"Fire. Kill it with fire!" Alyssa said.

The battle was pitched and fierce. Nao was gleefully tossing fireballs at the hydra, while Haruka tried flaming arrows. Yukino was busy shielding the others from the hydra's attacks. She skillfully defended against each head that came her way.

After a protracted fight, the hydra eventually fell. There was a shimmering light, and the ethereal figure of a beautiful woman…

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"Ethereal?" Nao raised an eyebrow.

"A woman is entitled to feel good about herself," Shizuru sniffed.

"Fair enough."

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The ethereal form of a beautiful woman rose from above the corpse of the hydra.

"Peace unto you, valiant heroines," the figure spoke, "You have freed me from my curse. Many years ago, I betrayed those who were close to me, and the gods of this land transformed me into this fell beast that you have now slain. May you all be blessed. The ruins of the temple are now clear, and inside you will find a great treasure, as well as an artifact of great power."

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"Well, that's all good and well," Haruka sat back in her chair, "But we're not playing as ourselves, right now."

"Well," Shizuru smiled, "we can always revisit this set of adventures of ours if Natsuki is out or unavailable. Though, to be honest, I pray that's not a common occurrence. I rather miss playing alongside her."

"Hey," Yukino said, "I heard recently that it was possible to treat a person's illnesses with food."

"I'm sayin'," Midori held up the green onion stalk.

"Suguira-sensei, no one save myself or a licensed medical professional will be looking at Natsuki's bare bottom any time soon."

"Not like that, Suguira-sensei," Yukino shook her head, "They say that for minor illnesses, like Kuga's cold, an adjustment to one's diet can help."

Nao pulled out her smartphone, and did a quick search, "Hmmm. There's a recipe here for chicken broth with garlic and ginger. It's supposed to be good for a sore throat."

"Give me just a moment," Mai rose from her seat, rooting through the cabinets, "Natsuki still doesn't do much in the way of shopping, I see."

"At least she doesn't leave lingerie laying around the place anymore," Mikoto chirped.

"I can hear you all," Natsuki called from the bedroom.

Shizuru actually looked concerned, "Dearest, have we been keeping you awake?"

"I've been reading," Natsuki replied, "You're fine."

"I'm making you a bowl of broth to help you out, Natsuki," Mai called, "And this ought to lift your spirits. Midori's green onion has been diced into fine bits to go into the broth. It no longer poses a threat to you."

"I knew you were my bestie for a reason," Natsuki appeared in the doorframe of her bedroom, draped in a blanket, "whoa, stood up too fast. I'm dizzy."

"Back in bed, Kuga!" Haruka pointed.

"Ara, but should Haruka be sending my girlfriend to bed?" Shizuru quirked an eyebrow.

"Don't be incorrigible," Haruka sighed, "You know what I mean. She's sick. She needs to stay in bed and rest."

"Here, take this with you," Mai handed Natsuki a bowl with steaming broth in it, "And feel better. We have a campaign to finish."

"Wouldn't miss it," Natsuki smiled, "Same time next week."