The Changelings
By Sianna and Sailean
Prologue: The Past
In the past, there were only two known Realms. The Mortal Realm, where you, I, and everyone else exist, and the Nether Realm, the home of the evil Dynasty, once ruled by Talpa. Five years ago, he was defeated by five teens in mystical armor, the Ronin Warriors, and his own Warlords. The Nether Realm was transformed from a dark and gloomy nightmare into a place where the world's inhabitants could live peacefully. Unknown to everyone else, the shift in power opened the third realm, a realm of Myths and Fantasy. A creature of immense power escaped and, upon entering the Mortal Realm, transformed the Earth, as we knew it. All the monsters of our deepest fears and all the mystical beings of our wildest dreams began appearing and humans thought the original creature was a thing of Royalty. It wasn't until later, after we named him our leader, that we realized that those fantastic living myths were, in reality, humans changed by the ruler, who we now know to be a demon of the most evil threads of the universe. Mischief, the demon that holds our realm captive, is from the Gateway Realm. That Realm is the Gate between the Mortal and Nether Realms, and was only entered for the briefest amount of time when crossing from one to the other without the travelers even knowing. It is not known whether or not Mischief is male or female, or what he looks like, but it is known that if nothing is done, and done soon, no humans will be left on this earth. Groups of humans are becoming harder and harder to find. This is the story of the two girls that, with the help of the Ronin Warriors and company, saved this world.
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Chapter One: The Present
The day was quiet as a gentle breeze stirred the red, orange, and yellow leaves both on the trees and on the ground where they had fallen. The silence was soon broken as the crashes of battle were clearly heard. Two girls fought back to back. The shorter of the two wielded a spear with great skill, easily knocking one of the smaller demons away from her. Her mid-thigh length cream-colored hair shifted with her movements as she tried to defend herself. Her caramel brown eyes were worried as she also tried to keep an eye on her taller companion. The second girl had dark green, silver-tinted hair that was almost as long as the shorter girl's and silver eyes with a dark green star burst. She held two rapiers and cut down any demons that came too close. The shorter one smiled as she decided to toss a few comments over her shoulder.
"You think we can expect help any time soon?"
"Around here? Are you kidding?"
Just then, five boys came rushing out from behind the trees. It didn't take long for them to finish off the last of the attacking demons, then turn to the two girls. One of the boys walked over to them, two katanas still held in his hands.
"Thanks." The cream haired girl studied the black haired boy approaching her.
"Why did you thank him, Shane? We could have handled it!" The green haired girl placed her hands on her hips. She tucked her hair behind one large and pointed ear.
"I know that, Nashi, but they did help us." Shane patted the taller girl on her cheek before turning back to all of the boys, who were by now surrounding them. "Gentlemen, please, if you would be so kind as to get out of our way we have things to do and people to see." She tried to push past a boy with blonde hair, but he resolutely held his stance, looking toward the dark haired boy.
"Ryo?" he asked.
The boy called Ryo tried to approach Shane, but Nashi stepped into his path recognizing his authority. She met his tiger blue eyes for a moment before turning from him. She mumbled something under her breath that sounded something like 'insufferable male' before grabbing Shane's arm. "We will be leaving now," she said to the whole assembly.
Before she could go more that two steps, a large ash blue haired giant stepped in her way.
Shane looked up and up to meet his gaze. "Well.... Nashi? What do we do now?"
"Give me a minute, I'm thinking." She studied all the boys from below her lashes. When I say, make a dash for it! Shane heard her voice in her head. She nodded in a slight movement for affirmative, but before they could take the move Ryo grabbed Shane's other arm.
Nashi looked at his hand for a second before releasing Shane's other arm. Before anyone could blink, Ryo was on his back having received a quick jab in the nose from Shane. The other boys started laughing and making jibes at Ryo and Nashi used that time to grab Shane's arm and started running.
The auburn haired boy was the first to give chase with the others close behind. The girls kept ahead of them easily, not even breaking out in a sweat, but Shane looked at Nashi, a hidden question in her eye. Nashi slowed down, as did Shane and they let the boys catch up with them. Shane faced them as they approached. "Why are you following us?" she asked conversationally.
Ryo came puffing up, holding his nose to stop the bleeding. "Because we don't know who you are," he said nasally.
"Oh, and do you know every one?" Nashi asked sarcastically, placing her hand on her hip.
"No of course not, but your not like any one else, Nashi. Just look at your ears. You're not even human are you?" This was asked by the blue haired boy, his blue eyes serious.
Nashi stiffened. Leveling her star burst eyes on him she said, "Only my closest friends call me Nashi, you may call me Limnashi. And as to my ears, they are none of your concern. If I wanted the opinion of some smurf, and a male to boot, I would have asked you." She narrowed her eyes further at him. "Furthermore-"
"You've said enough, Nashi." Shane put her hand on her shoulder. Nashi backed a little but didn't stop glaring.
"Rowen, I think you'd better back off too." The auburn haired boy stated calmly.
Shane looked at him. "What's your name?" she asked curiously. She looked at the other boys as well. "What are all of your names?"
Ryo stepped forward. "Our names are not important-"
"Well that's not fair is it Ryan?" Shane stepped forward, almost as if flirting, but there was a feral glint in her eye.
Ryo stepped back, not liking that look at all. "The names Ryo, He's Rowen," pointing at the blue haired boy, "that's Cye," pointing at the auburn haired boy, "that's Kento," the ash haired, "and that's Sage." The last was the blonde who had first blocked her path.
Shane looked almost disappointed for a split second before turning to Nashi. Should we trust them? she thought, knowing Nashi would read her mind.
Nashi considered the question carefully, studying the five boys. I think we can, but only so much. came the answer.
Shane turned back to the boys, And walked up to Ryo. "What do you want to do with us." She playfully looked up at him from under her lashes. She watched, fascinated, as a slow flush crept up his jaw.
Before Ryo could answer, Sage came up and whispered something in her ear. "That's interesting. I'll have to get back to you on that." She tried to hide her grin as she made yet another blush. He hadn't expected her to take him seriously. Before Shane could reassure him, Nashi stepped forward.
"If you're done?" she asked Shane. Shane contemplated for a minute before nodding, now unable to hide the huge grin on her face. "You make me sick," Nashi said in disgust before turning to Ryo. "All flirting aside, Ryo, what do you want with us?" She glared at Sage as he looked like he was about to make a comment. "Don't even think it." She said dangerously. Sage backed up, holding his hands in front of him. Nashi crossed her arms in satisfaction and turned back to Ryo. "Well?" she asked impatiently, wanting to be on her way.
"Come with us." Ryo said, and before they could answer, he turned and started walking. Nashi was going to say something, but Shane jumped up and clapped her hand over her mouth, silencing her and smiling at Cye, who was smiling at them in apology.
"He does that a lot," he said conspiratorially.
Ryo looked over his shoulder. "Well?" he asked in the same voice Nashi had used and Shane was glad she still had her hand over Nashi's mouth.
Shane dragged an unwilling Nashi behind her as they followed the five boys.
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"What did you say to Shane?" Sage glanced at Kento, who was walking beside him. Sage blushed and ducked his head.
"You don't need to hear that," he said. Unnoticed by both boys, the object of their conversation had gotten into step right behind them.
"Nothin' much, Kento. It was just an offer that I might have to take him up on later." Both boys jumped and Sage blushed yet again.
"Shane, not right now!" Nashi pulled Shane to the back of the line with her.
"Aww, come on Nashi!" Nashi's only answer was a look. Shane stood there mutinously, and Nashi walked up and tried to grab her arm. Before she could, Shane grabbed both Sage and Kento's arm one on each side of her. She looked over her shoulder and stuck her tongue out at Nashi.
Nashi was about to reach up and grab her anyway, but a hand on her arm stopped her. Nashi met Rowen's blue eyes with a silvery glare. "You're touching me. Why?"
Rowen almost grinned, but wisely held it in. "I think Shane is happy where she is." They both turned their gaze to the diminutive girl flirting shamelessly with both boys, trying to make them blush. She was definitely succeeding, because both boys were a constant beet red.
Nashi crossed her arms with a humph. She looked over to Rowen, unwillingly admiring his eyes. "Can I help you with anything else?" she said archly.
Rowen seemed to consider it for a moment before replying. "No, I think we're through."
"Then why are you still here?" She hadn't realized it, but a sly smile crept up her face. Shane looked over her shoulder at just the right time to catch it.
"Nashi! You're flirting!!!" Shane squealed.
Nashi glared, and moved away from Rowen. "Am not." she said sullenly. Shane just laughed and went back to her blushing pursuit, by now she had Cye there with her too, and he was blushing even harder than the other two. Ryo was still in the front, playing the silent leader.
"Its not that bad you know." Nashi turned to Rowen in askance. "Flirting I mean." He sidestepped a little, seeing the glare in her eye. "Don't bite my head off, Limnashi." He put a little stress on her name.
Nashi blushed slightly, glad that Shane did not see that, "You can call me Nashi, Rowen. That was just my bad attitude talking earlier." She met his gaze fiercely. "I'm not apologizing, you deserved it," she broke off, glad Shane was still busy with her game.
Rowen grinned, assuming that it was an apology, no matter what she said. He was thinking that when he felt a sharp slap to his head.
"I said it wasn't!" Nashi hissed at him.
"What are you talking about?" he asked, certain that she hadn't read his thoughts.
"I just know that you thought it was an apology, but it wasn't" Nashi turned her head nervous that he might guess.
"And what makes you say that?"
Nashi saw her exit. "Because you're a man, and all men twist words till they are what they want to hear." Shane had herd this last sentence and knew how long Nashi could go on with her man bashing so she stepped in and shooed Rowen up to the front with his other friends.
Kento, Sage, and Cye all breathed a sigh of relief at her exit, but they all saw the promise in her eye. Before any one could say anymore, Ryo stopped and turned to face them. "We're here." he said and opened the gate.
As the group filed through the gate, a young woman smiled at them from the front door. Her brown hair was pulled back from her face in a headband. Her blue eyes scanned the boys and their two new companions. Shane and Nashi examined their surroundings carefully.
"Hey, Mia," Cye called as they approached the brunette. She grinned and waved to them.
"Hi, guys. The others are inside. Who are your friends?"
"Mia, this is Shane and Nashi. Girls, this is Mia, a good friend of ours," Sage said, introducing the three. The women nodded to each other as they filed inside. The eight people moved to the living room. Almost immediately, the sound of a rising argument reached their ears.
"It's my turn, Sekhmet!!"
"Is not! It's still my turn! I haven't died yet!!"
"Not yet, anyway." Shane was just close enough to Mia that she heard the things she was muttering, none of them complimentary.
"Both of you stop arguing or I will take you outside for MY type of training!" The girls heard a strange woman's voice say. The silence was immediate and complete. Shane was impressed.
"I wonder if she can teach me how to do that?" she asked herself. Nashi shook her head.
"No, you have to be born with that."
"And you were, weren't you?" Shane asked her friend.
"Of course," Nashi said in total confidence. "And I will prove it to you later." The boys around them laughed as they all entered the room. The only other woman in the room that they hadn't met was sitting in one of the chairs. Her midnight blue hair was in a high ponytail and she smiled in a friendly manner as they moved to sit anywhere there was a free space. Two men sat in front of the TV, obviously the two that had been fighting. One had dark blue hair while the other had green hair. The last new person in the room was leaning against the wall, his white hair shining faintly in the light. After a moment of silence, Ryo was the first to talk.
"Guys, this is Nashi and Shane. Shane, Nashi, this is Kayura," the girl nodded in their direction," that is Kale," the blue-haired man grinned at the two pretty girls before turning back to the game, " that's Sekhmet," the green-haired boy was the next to nod a greeting in their general direction, not taking his eyes off the game for a second, " and that's Dais." Dais looked up and met Shane's eyes, a grin curving his lips.
"Shane, don't even think-" She was too late, Shane was already making her way toward Dais. Nashi sighed and hung her head. "Keep an eye on her, please, she may get out of hand." The men looked confused, but Mia and Kayura laughed. Sage, Kento, and Cye's eyes cleared in sudden realization, sending sympathetic looks in Dais's direction.
"Dais can hold his own, I think." Rowen nodded in their direction and Nashi saw a faint blush working its way up Shane's throat.
"Oh my God! He actually made her blush!" Nashi grinned in sudden evil. "Shane! your blushing!!!" Shane looked at Nashi, murder in her eyes, but Nashi just shrugged. You did it first. Shane heard Nashi think to her. Shane almost blushed at that but kept it valiantly at bay.
"Does she do that often?" Shane's attention was taken from Nashi at Dais's question.
"I can't say that she does." She looked thoughtfully back at Dais. "She doesn't because she knows the kind of retaliation that I take," she grinned evilly in anticipation. This was a long running battle between Shane and Nashi, they don't remember who started it, but each was determined to finish it.
Dais grinned, hoping that they would stay long enough for him to see what the little sprite would do. Dais went to say something to Shane but was interrupted by Ryo calling Shane over.
He was seated with Nashi on the chaise, Rowen was seated in the chair next to her with Cye, Sage and Mia on the couch. Kayura was occupying the other chair, and Kale and Sekhmet were still on the floor in front of the TV Sekhmet had taken advantage of Kales distraction and was quietly playing where he had left off. Kento was sitting on the floor with Kale and Sekhmet, hoping that Sekhmet would forget about the game so he could play.
Shane, followed by Dais, went and sat on the floor by Nashi's feet, and Dais sat as near her as he could get. Shane noticed this with contentment, and schooched over a little closer to him. Nashi sensed her movements and sent her a sharp look. Stay on your guard, Shane. Yeah he's cute, but you don't know him.
Shane pulled a face at her and thought, I don't see you keeping away from Rowen. Nashi frowned, knowing she could say no more or risk detection.
Ryo cleared his throat and Nashi noticed that every one was staring at her and Shane. She sat up and met Ryo's gaze. "Why did you ask us here, Ryo" She put the question out bluntly and every one looked to him for the answer.
"Who are you?" he cut Nashi off before she could speak. "I know your names, but that doesn't tell me who you are."
They watched as Shane and Nashi shared a look, not knowing that they were communicating.
Nashi, what should we tell them?
How about the truth?
THE TRUTH?!? ALL of it?
No, only what we think they should know. Don't worry, I'll take care of it.
Nashi turned back and looked at each of the people in the eye in turn till she had their full attention, even Sekhmet and Kento." You've heard of the Ronin Warriors, right?" The whole room seemed to start a little at that but they kept quiet, letting her continue. 'Well, Shane and I are on a mission. We have to find the Ronins because we know they are the only ones who can stop this evil. We have been searching for months now but to no avail, they seemed to have disappeared."
"What evil?" This was asked by Rowen. "We don't know what the evil is so how can we fight it?"
Nashi studied him for a moment. Narrowing her eyes she contemplated his statement. Her eyes widened and she looked down at Shane. "No." Shane whispered. "Are they...?" Nashi looked around the room a sinking suspicion in her gut.
"Yes, Ladies, you've found us, now go away." Ryo stood up, about to show them to the door.
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Authors note - Sailean: OK disclaimer time! We would like to say.... Sianna, tell them what we would like to say....Sia? SIA?!?
Sianna: Okay, okay! Sheesh! We wish we owned the Ronins and all the others, but we only own Shane and Nashi.
Sailean: Is that it? I know which Ronin I'd own!! OHHHH BABBY!!!!!
Sianna: Sailean, stop drooling, will ya?
Sailean: Yes, your oldestness! BUT it IS hard not to over such a fine specimen!
Sianna -_-;; Yeah, whatever... Anyway, we should probably get going. Ja ne, minna!
Sailean: Ja ne and all that ya'll!!