Chapter 2 - The Awakening
Everyone stumbled through the kasa and landed in Kirei's house. "Nice landing you put us in..." Tasuki grumbled as he tried to extract himself from the pile of limbs. Nakago freed himself, still trying to keep a calm and composed and not to mention his dangerous air.
"If you make a mess of my house, I will make sure to have your head!" Kirei yelled.
"Trust me, she will." Hikaru muttered and was given a death glare by Kirei.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Once everyone was settled in the living room, they got down to business. The ever-intelligent Yuri sat with a laptop, while Kirei and Hikaru sat side by side as if they were ready to convict someone, and Yume stood there as if she were a witness. "So anyone want to tell us what's going on and why you're here?" Hikaru started. The guys looked at each other. They had forgotten their purpose while being transported to this world.
Taiitsu-kun sweat dropped from her mirror. You could never find good help these days. It looked like she was going to have to make an appearance.
In the middle of Kirei's living room, a white poof of smoke appeared. Hikaru, Yume, and Yuri quickly turned away in momentary fear. But Kirei stood up to face whatever it was that just made a mess of her living room. When the clouds disappeared~
"AAAAA~~~!!! SUNAKAKE BABA!!!" Kirei yelled. Taitsu-kun glared at her and bonked her on the head with a wooden hammer. "YOW!!"
Hikaru looked at Kirei. "That's why you have to learn to keep your mouth shut," she said. Kirei shot her a dirty look.
Taitsu-kun cleared her throat. "Anyways...I am hear to remind you why you are here."
"I guess she means the guys," Yume whispered in Yuri's ear, who nodded in agreement.
"SILENCE!!" Taiitsu-kun rasped. Everyone immediately zipped up. "As I was saying...you four girls listen closely, too. The ten of you are here to find the four enchantresses, the four shinzahos, and then defeat the evil that lies before you."
"How do we find the four girls though? There are freaking millions of girls in this world!" Tasuki stated. He received a bonk on the head.
"Idiot! That's why I helped you by sending you near the girls!"
"Oh...So these four girls are going to help us find the four enchantresses?" Tamahome said. The other seishi agreed with each other.
"IDIOTS!!!! THEY ARE THE FOUR ENCHANTRESSES!!!!!" Taiitsu-kun yelled while the four friends sweatdropped.
"Them? They are no more than children." Nakago said in disdain. The four girls glared at him.
"These are the four enchantresses. Their names are Hikaru, Kirei, Yuri, and Yume. They will need your aid and protections as each of their powers are gained. None of you have the power to harm them in anyway...by your magic of course. The heart is an entirely different matter..." Taiitsu-kun said sternly.
The four girls glanced at each other. Taitsu-kun was making it sound like they had no choice. "Do you really want to do this you guys?" Kirei asked them.
"I don't mind...After all, I'm definitely enchantress material...Don't you think?" Hikaru boasted, tossing her dark-blue shoulder length hair over one shoulder. Everyone sweat dropped.
"What about you Yume?" Kirei asked, choosing to ignore Hikaru's comment. (She knew Hikaru was bound to say that anyways.)
"Well...I guess...it might be fun." Yume said thoughtfully.
"You, Yuri?"
"If it means being with these guys then of course!" Yuri said. (Another sweatdrop from everyone.) Kirei shrugged.
"I guess I'll join in the fun then," she decided. "After all someone has to look after you guys," she added.
"Oh please Kirei. Leave that to Mini-Mom!" Hikaru said exasperatingly. And everyone cracked up.
"Here before I forget." Taitsu-kun said and a briefcase appeared in her hands. She handed it to the girls. Yuri cautiously opened.
"MONEY!!!~~" All four girls yelled happily.
"Where?" Tamahome sprang up.
"Good luck enchantresses and sichiseishi. The money is to pay for any expenses. Go find the shinzahos and find the hidden power within you." Taitsu-kun said and disappeared.
"First things first..." Hikaru started.
"SHOPPING!!!" all of the girls said together and the seishi even Nakago quivered in fright.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
The seishi and the girls arrived at the Palisades Plaza Mall. After much arguing they had all agreed to take the public bus much to Kirei's distaste. Once they arrived there they agreed that they should split up into groups. Hikaru wanted to take Tasuki and pick out clothes for him but Kirei insisted on doing that because she had a couple of ideas. So it was decided. Kirei would take Amiboshi, Nuriko, and Tasuki. Hikaru would take Hotohori, Chiriko, and Nakago. Yuri would have Tamahome and Chichiri; Yume would have Mitsukake and Suboshi. So with full wallets they separated, agreeing to meet in 5 hours.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Kirei walked through the mall with the three men, ignoring at the staring people. "Why the hell are the people looking at us so weird?" Tasuki grumbled. Kirei rolled her eyes.
"Gee Tasuki, I wonder! Look at your clothes!" she said. He looked down at them and then at the people passing by.
"Oh...I guess our clothes our kind of different." he observed. Kirei simply shook her head and led them into a new hip Korean boutique.
They walked through the racks of clothes. Sometimes Kirei would pick up something and hold it up against one of them. She handed Tasuki some things and told him to try it on. She requested for a worker there to assist him.
"Kirei...If you don't mind me asking, but are you sure you know what you're doing?" Nuriko asked uncertainly.
"Trust me. I'm not going to do anything bad. 'Sides, I'm always open to suggestion." Kirei said cheerfully. Nuriko looked somewhat relieved but Amiboshi looked not very convinced.
"This ain't so bad, Kirei. I think I'll wear this a lot." Tasuki said as he stepped out from the fitting room. Nuriko's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets while Kirei stood there with her mouth hanging open.
"If I were not so in love with Hotohori-sama, My second choice would be you." Nuriko said.
"Damn...I knew I was good but this is beyond good!" Kirei said happily.
Tasuki smirked. He knew he looked good in what Kirei had picked out for him. He was wearing a tight black t-shirt with baggy black slacks. He had black shoes on and black gloves with the fingertips cut off.
"Wait'll Hikaru sees this." Kirei said under her breath. She turned to smile at Nuriko and Amiboshi. " Next?"
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Hikaru shoved herself through the mall holding onto Chiriko but not caring if Nakago or Hotohori couldn't keep up with her. "Hikaru-san?" Chiriko asked innocently in his cute little voice. She glanced at him questioningly. "Shouldn't we wait for Nakago-sama and Hotohori-sama to catch up?"
Hikaru sighed.
"Fine." she said and they sat down on a nearby bench to wait for the other two men. When Nakago and Hotohori finally caught up, they all continued walking together. Nakago looked at her with cold steel blue eyes.
"I am aware that you do not enjoy the company of Hotohori-sama and I but for now it is your responsibility to help us through this world." he said as coldly as he could.
"Whatever.." Hikaru muttered and she dragged them all into a children's outlet.
"Are we here to buy me clothes?" Chiriko asked.
"That's right!" Hikaru said. She looked around and picked off a couple of shirts and pants.
A long while later....
"KAWAII~!!!" Hikaru exclaimed.
Chiriko was so cute. He wore baggy baby blue overalls and a yellow Tommy Hilfiger shirt, sneakers and a baseball hat. He smiled. Even Hotohori and Nakago admitted to themselves that Chiriko looked adorable.
Hikaru turned to face Hotohori and Nakago. Oy...this was going to be hard....
* * * * * * * * * * * *
"Ummm...Tamahome?" Yuri asked hesitantly. He looked up at her. She looked at him worriedly. He had not been acting like his usual self since he had arrived. Was his mind occupied with Miaka? After all they were in love...and he had reincarnated himself into her world just to be with her... She snapped her mind out of it. It hurt a little to just think about it.
"Yes Yuri?" Tamahome asked. She smiled shyly and held out a few clothes to him. She looked down.
"I thought you might want to try these on...I picked them out myself." she said. Tamahome looked at her. For a moment there she reminded him of Yui. "Umm...sure...but where do I change?" he said as he took the clothes from her hands. She giggled slightly and pointed to a sign that said Fitting Room. He blushed at his stupidity and went in. Chichiri then popped up in SD.
"AY!" Yuri jumped, "Chichiri-san! You scared me!"
"Hehe...sorry, no da!" he apologized. Yuri looked over Chichiri. She had already picked clothes for him. It was really hard too, but finally she found him a pair of guy shorts and made a customized white shirt for him that said 'no da' on it.
"Hey..." Tamahome awkwardly stepped out. "Are you sure that I look okay in this?" Chichiri looked impressed and Yuri just stared and turned into a puddle. She sighed. He looked so hot dressed in baggy khakis and a loose dark blue sweater.
Chichiri and Tamahome just stared at Yuri. " . . ."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Yume walked through the mall quietly feeling an uncomfortable walking between Mitsukake and Suboshi. She didn't mind Mitsukake that much but she felt nervous around Suboshi. She had to admit he was pretty good-looking guy but something about his eyes frightened her. 'How did I get stuck with him? He should've gone with his brother...' she thought to herself miserably. Mitsukake placed one gentle hand on Yume's shoulder.
"Are you alright?" he asked in his low voice. She looked up at him.
"Of course, why?" she asked.
"You looked like you were terrified or something." Suboshi said. She looked down at her feet.
"I'm not..." she trailed off.
Suboshi looked at Yume not convinced. He wondered what bothered her, such a cute looking girl, too. Her face before reminded him of Tamahome's youngest sister. Yuiiren the others had called her. He shut his eyes, remembering the sounds of terror he had heard from the family. The guilt within his heart had still not vanished. He was tricked into believing that his Aniki was dead and had had his revenge in rashness. Only to discover later on that Aniki wasn't dead at all. All that revenge had been for nothing. If only he had known sooner then this wouldn't ever have happened.
"Suboshi?" Mitsukake looked at the boy concerned. He looked at the boy with concern as if he knew what Suboshi was thinking about, and he understood.
Yume pointed the Gap. "Well...time to get you guys some normal clothes." she stated. And they headed in.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Five long hours later, the group met in front of the Cheesecake Factory for dinner. Kirei arrived the latest. When Kirei arrived Hikaru confronted her.
"What took you?" she demanded to know.
"It took a while to find Nuriko some clothes..." Kirei answered. She pointed at Nuriko who had TONS of shopping bags, some of them being held by Amiboshi too. Hikaru looked around.
"WHERE'S TASUKI!!!!!!????" she yelled.
"Will you forgive me once you see him?"
"That depends...."
Kirei whistled. "Yo Tasuki! Time to make your entree~!" she called out.
Hikaru stared at the corner, where Tasuki slowly turned in (walking in like Keanu Reeves does in the Matrix). He ran one gloved hand through his flaming hair and smirked. He was also wearing black shades, which he took of slowly. He casually leaned against the wall. Hikaru felt her heart swooning.
"T-Tasuki?" she said barely aware that she was speaking.
Tamahome rolled his eyes. "Always making the entrance," he muttered. Yuri patted Tamahome on the back.
"Don't worry. I think you look really good." Yuri said. Kirei sweatdropped and ushered everyone in.
"This'll take a while..." she said. Everyone went in while Kirei waited by the door and watched Hikaru and Tasuki.
Hikaru ran up to Tasuki. "Wow you look great!" she said and she reached out to give him a hug, like a friend might share with a friend. He allowed her to hug him but didn't put his arms around her. Instead, he gave her sort of an unwilling pat with one hand.
"Geez...fuckin' women..." he muttered loud enough for her to hear. She looked up.
"What?" she asked. But before he could say anything her face clouded and she ran off.
"Hey wait!" he called after but she had already disappeared into the crowd.
"Tasuki!" Kirei said angrily.
"Yea...?" he tried to sound tough but his guilty eyes gave it away.
"That was totally unnecessary!"
"I couldn't help it...I mean...I hate women!"
"That doesn't mean you can't act civilized! Hasn't your thick head figured it out yet!?"
"Figured out what?!"
"That she likes you, asshole!!"
He froze. 'Hikaru...likes me?' He looked at Kirei confused. "How can she like me? We barely know each other!" he protested.
"Ever since she first saw you she liked you! I understand if you do hate women but can't you at least have the decency to be kind to her?!" she said and walked away, having the last word.
He watched Kirei go in the restaurant then looked towards the direction in which Hikaru ran off. He sighed. He hoped apologizing wouldn't make him look like a bigger ass than he already made himself.
Everyone stumbled through the kasa and landed in Kirei's house. "Nice landing you put us in..." Tasuki grumbled as he tried to extract himself from the pile of limbs. Nakago freed himself, still trying to keep a calm and composed and not to mention his dangerous air.
"If you make a mess of my house, I will make sure to have your head!" Kirei yelled.
"Trust me, she will." Hikaru muttered and was given a death glare by Kirei.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Once everyone was settled in the living room, they got down to business. The ever-intelligent Yuri sat with a laptop, while Kirei and Hikaru sat side by side as if they were ready to convict someone, and Yume stood there as if she were a witness. "So anyone want to tell us what's going on and why you're here?" Hikaru started. The guys looked at each other. They had forgotten their purpose while being transported to this world.
Taiitsu-kun sweat dropped from her mirror. You could never find good help these days. It looked like she was going to have to make an appearance.
In the middle of Kirei's living room, a white poof of smoke appeared. Hikaru, Yume, and Yuri quickly turned away in momentary fear. But Kirei stood up to face whatever it was that just made a mess of her living room. When the clouds disappeared~
"AAAAA~~~!!! SUNAKAKE BABA!!!" Kirei yelled. Taitsu-kun glared at her and bonked her on the head with a wooden hammer. "YOW!!"
Hikaru looked at Kirei. "That's why you have to learn to keep your mouth shut," she said. Kirei shot her a dirty look.
Taitsu-kun cleared her throat. "Anyways...I am hear to remind you why you are here."
"I guess she means the guys," Yume whispered in Yuri's ear, who nodded in agreement.
"SILENCE!!" Taiitsu-kun rasped. Everyone immediately zipped up. "As I was saying...you four girls listen closely, too. The ten of you are here to find the four enchantresses, the four shinzahos, and then defeat the evil that lies before you."
"How do we find the four girls though? There are freaking millions of girls in this world!" Tasuki stated. He received a bonk on the head.
"Idiot! That's why I helped you by sending you near the girls!"
"Oh...So these four girls are going to help us find the four enchantresses?" Tamahome said. The other seishi agreed with each other.
"IDIOTS!!!! THEY ARE THE FOUR ENCHANTRESSES!!!!!" Taiitsu-kun yelled while the four friends sweatdropped.
"Them? They are no more than children." Nakago said in disdain. The four girls glared at him.
"These are the four enchantresses. Their names are Hikaru, Kirei, Yuri, and Yume. They will need your aid and protections as each of their powers are gained. None of you have the power to harm them in anyway...by your magic of course. The heart is an entirely different matter..." Taiitsu-kun said sternly.
The four girls glanced at each other. Taitsu-kun was making it sound like they had no choice. "Do you really want to do this you guys?" Kirei asked them.
"I don't mind...After all, I'm definitely enchantress material...Don't you think?" Hikaru boasted, tossing her dark-blue shoulder length hair over one shoulder. Everyone sweat dropped.
"What about you Yume?" Kirei asked, choosing to ignore Hikaru's comment. (She knew Hikaru was bound to say that anyways.)
"Well...I guess...it might be fun." Yume said thoughtfully.
"You, Yuri?"
"If it means being with these guys then of course!" Yuri said. (Another sweatdrop from everyone.) Kirei shrugged.
"I guess I'll join in the fun then," she decided. "After all someone has to look after you guys," she added.
"Oh please Kirei. Leave that to Mini-Mom!" Hikaru said exasperatingly. And everyone cracked up.
"Here before I forget." Taitsu-kun said and a briefcase appeared in her hands. She handed it to the girls. Yuri cautiously opened.
"MONEY!!!~~" All four girls yelled happily.
"Where?" Tamahome sprang up.
"Good luck enchantresses and sichiseishi. The money is to pay for any expenses. Go find the shinzahos and find the hidden power within you." Taitsu-kun said and disappeared.
"First things first..." Hikaru started.
"SHOPPING!!!" all of the girls said together and the seishi even Nakago quivered in fright.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
The seishi and the girls arrived at the Palisades Plaza Mall. After much arguing they had all agreed to take the public bus much to Kirei's distaste. Once they arrived there they agreed that they should split up into groups. Hikaru wanted to take Tasuki and pick out clothes for him but Kirei insisted on doing that because she had a couple of ideas. So it was decided. Kirei would take Amiboshi, Nuriko, and Tasuki. Hikaru would take Hotohori, Chiriko, and Nakago. Yuri would have Tamahome and Chichiri; Yume would have Mitsukake and Suboshi. So with full wallets they separated, agreeing to meet in 5 hours.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Kirei walked through the mall with the three men, ignoring at the staring people. "Why the hell are the people looking at us so weird?" Tasuki grumbled. Kirei rolled her eyes.
"Gee Tasuki, I wonder! Look at your clothes!" she said. He looked down at them and then at the people passing by.
"Oh...I guess our clothes our kind of different." he observed. Kirei simply shook her head and led them into a new hip Korean boutique.
They walked through the racks of clothes. Sometimes Kirei would pick up something and hold it up against one of them. She handed Tasuki some things and told him to try it on. She requested for a worker there to assist him.
"Kirei...If you don't mind me asking, but are you sure you know what you're doing?" Nuriko asked uncertainly.
"Trust me. I'm not going to do anything bad. 'Sides, I'm always open to suggestion." Kirei said cheerfully. Nuriko looked somewhat relieved but Amiboshi looked not very convinced.
"This ain't so bad, Kirei. I think I'll wear this a lot." Tasuki said as he stepped out from the fitting room. Nuriko's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets while Kirei stood there with her mouth hanging open.
"If I were not so in love with Hotohori-sama, My second choice would be you." Nuriko said.
"Damn...I knew I was good but this is beyond good!" Kirei said happily.
Tasuki smirked. He knew he looked good in what Kirei had picked out for him. He was wearing a tight black t-shirt with baggy black slacks. He had black shoes on and black gloves with the fingertips cut off.
"Wait'll Hikaru sees this." Kirei said under her breath. She turned to smile at Nuriko and Amiboshi. " Next?"
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Hikaru shoved herself through the mall holding onto Chiriko but not caring if Nakago or Hotohori couldn't keep up with her. "Hikaru-san?" Chiriko asked innocently in his cute little voice. She glanced at him questioningly. "Shouldn't we wait for Nakago-sama and Hotohori-sama to catch up?"
Hikaru sighed.
"Fine." she said and they sat down on a nearby bench to wait for the other two men. When Nakago and Hotohori finally caught up, they all continued walking together. Nakago looked at her with cold steel blue eyes.
"I am aware that you do not enjoy the company of Hotohori-sama and I but for now it is your responsibility to help us through this world." he said as coldly as he could.
"Whatever.." Hikaru muttered and she dragged them all into a children's outlet.
"Are we here to buy me clothes?" Chiriko asked.
"That's right!" Hikaru said. She looked around and picked off a couple of shirts and pants.
A long while later....
"KAWAII~!!!" Hikaru exclaimed.
Chiriko was so cute. He wore baggy baby blue overalls and a yellow Tommy Hilfiger shirt, sneakers and a baseball hat. He smiled. Even Hotohori and Nakago admitted to themselves that Chiriko looked adorable.
Hikaru turned to face Hotohori and Nakago. Oy...this was going to be hard....
* * * * * * * * * * * *
"Ummm...Tamahome?" Yuri asked hesitantly. He looked up at her. She looked at him worriedly. He had not been acting like his usual self since he had arrived. Was his mind occupied with Miaka? After all they were in love...and he had reincarnated himself into her world just to be with her... She snapped her mind out of it. It hurt a little to just think about it.
"Yes Yuri?" Tamahome asked. She smiled shyly and held out a few clothes to him. She looked down.
"I thought you might want to try these on...I picked them out myself." she said. Tamahome looked at her. For a moment there she reminded him of Yui. "Umm...sure...but where do I change?" he said as he took the clothes from her hands. She giggled slightly and pointed to a sign that said Fitting Room. He blushed at his stupidity and went in. Chichiri then popped up in SD.
"AY!" Yuri jumped, "Chichiri-san! You scared me!"
"Hehe...sorry, no da!" he apologized. Yuri looked over Chichiri. She had already picked clothes for him. It was really hard too, but finally she found him a pair of guy shorts and made a customized white shirt for him that said 'no da' on it.
"Hey..." Tamahome awkwardly stepped out. "Are you sure that I look okay in this?" Chichiri looked impressed and Yuri just stared and turned into a puddle. She sighed. He looked so hot dressed in baggy khakis and a loose dark blue sweater.
Chichiri and Tamahome just stared at Yuri. " . . ."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Yume walked through the mall quietly feeling an uncomfortable walking between Mitsukake and Suboshi. She didn't mind Mitsukake that much but she felt nervous around Suboshi. She had to admit he was pretty good-looking guy but something about his eyes frightened her. 'How did I get stuck with him? He should've gone with his brother...' she thought to herself miserably. Mitsukake placed one gentle hand on Yume's shoulder.
"Are you alright?" he asked in his low voice. She looked up at him.
"Of course, why?" she asked.
"You looked like you were terrified or something." Suboshi said. She looked down at her feet.
"I'm not..." she trailed off.
Suboshi looked at Yume not convinced. He wondered what bothered her, such a cute looking girl, too. Her face before reminded him of Tamahome's youngest sister. Yuiiren the others had called her. He shut his eyes, remembering the sounds of terror he had heard from the family. The guilt within his heart had still not vanished. He was tricked into believing that his Aniki was dead and had had his revenge in rashness. Only to discover later on that Aniki wasn't dead at all. All that revenge had been for nothing. If only he had known sooner then this wouldn't ever have happened.
"Suboshi?" Mitsukake looked at the boy concerned. He looked at the boy with concern as if he knew what Suboshi was thinking about, and he understood.
Yume pointed the Gap. "Well...time to get you guys some normal clothes." she stated. And they headed in.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Five long hours later, the group met in front of the Cheesecake Factory for dinner. Kirei arrived the latest. When Kirei arrived Hikaru confronted her.
"What took you?" she demanded to know.
"It took a while to find Nuriko some clothes..." Kirei answered. She pointed at Nuriko who had TONS of shopping bags, some of them being held by Amiboshi too. Hikaru looked around.
"WHERE'S TASUKI!!!!!!????" she yelled.
"Will you forgive me once you see him?"
"That depends...."
Kirei whistled. "Yo Tasuki! Time to make your entree~!" she called out.
Hikaru stared at the corner, where Tasuki slowly turned in (walking in like Keanu Reeves does in the Matrix). He ran one gloved hand through his flaming hair and smirked. He was also wearing black shades, which he took of slowly. He casually leaned against the wall. Hikaru felt her heart swooning.
"T-Tasuki?" she said barely aware that she was speaking.
Tamahome rolled his eyes. "Always making the entrance," he muttered. Yuri patted Tamahome on the back.
"Don't worry. I think you look really good." Yuri said. Kirei sweatdropped and ushered everyone in.
"This'll take a while..." she said. Everyone went in while Kirei waited by the door and watched Hikaru and Tasuki.
Hikaru ran up to Tasuki. "Wow you look great!" she said and she reached out to give him a hug, like a friend might share with a friend. He allowed her to hug him but didn't put his arms around her. Instead, he gave her sort of an unwilling pat with one hand.
"Geez...fuckin' women..." he muttered loud enough for her to hear. She looked up.
"What?" she asked. But before he could say anything her face clouded and she ran off.
"Hey wait!" he called after but she had already disappeared into the crowd.
"Tasuki!" Kirei said angrily.
"Yea...?" he tried to sound tough but his guilty eyes gave it away.
"That was totally unnecessary!"
"I couldn't help it...I mean...I hate women!"
"That doesn't mean you can't act civilized! Hasn't your thick head figured it out yet!?"
"Figured out what?!"
"That she likes you, asshole!!"
He froze. 'Hikaru...likes me?' He looked at Kirei confused. "How can she like me? We barely know each other!" he protested.
"Ever since she first saw you she liked you! I understand if you do hate women but can't you at least have the decency to be kind to her?!" she said and walked away, having the last word.
He watched Kirei go in the restaurant then looked towards the direction in which Hikaru ran off. He sighed. He hoped apologizing wouldn't make him look like a bigger ass than he already made himself.
