Breath of Fire II, Katt, Bow, Rand, Sten, Ryu Nina, Deis, Spar, and other characters as well as the Breath of Fire name are copyrights of Capcom. I do not own any of the characters from those games. Any similarities between my own Characters, and new BoF characters is purely coincidental
e-mail at kkisblpeen@aol.com
http://kirkis-elf.com/
Days Ahead (Breath of Fire 2.5)
By Kirkis
Chapter two - Searching for old friends
"This place is something else, eh buddy?" Bow said turning and giving a glance back at his companion. Ryu was more preoccupied with finding Katt than checking out the sights. "Lots of good looking babes here too!" He added. It was true, most of the girls walking around were good looking.
"This must be a free trade town, but how did we miss it? It couldn't have sprung up in just a year." Ryu said, still scanning for Katt.
"We definitely need to check out the inns here, and see about some of these girls," Bow said, his eyes fixed on the young human girl with the low cut dress who was walking by.
"Well, at any rate, we should ask around at the bars to see if Katt came through here," Ryu said.
"Well that could be tough buddy, there are quite a few bars here. And most of the people in this town look like the type who hang out in bars. It's gonna take us a long time to talk to them all," Bow said, leaning against a lamppost.
"Maybe we should split up, you check out the bars on this side of the street, and I'll check the other side," Ryu finished. Bow grinned, showing his bottom canines like he always did.
"Alright buddy, see you later," He said turning and stepping away.
"Bow!" Ryu snapped; Bow turned back around. "Keep your mind on finding Katt, and off of the girls," He said, pointing at the poster beside the bar across the street.
LOVELY GALS DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY Bow sighed. "Don't you dragon clan believe in love at first sight?"
"Yeah, but with only one girl, Not the whole town. Just try to keep your mind on finding Katt," He finished.
"Yes sir!" Bow snapped, again grinning wide, showing his bottom teeth. He turned and trotted across the street. Ryu looked down the street at the five bars and one inn he had to check.
"How do I get myself into these messes?" He thought to himself as he started down the busy street.
Katt laid awake in the floor by the window, She'd always preferred sleeping outdoors more than inside. But she didn't want to be rude, so she picked a place by the window. "Blacksmiths sure know how to eat. It actually tasted decent, for vegetables," She thought, sighing. "The stars are bright tonight, I wonder if Mamma is looking down on me?" She thought. A smile found its way to her face. She closed her eyes and made a silent prayer to the Woren goddess of night.
She didn't pray often. She never felt like she could do it well, Her mother had taught her about most of the Woren Gods and Goddesses. M'yet, the goddess of Night, Arah, the god of day, Mik'tou the god of the hunt, K'zou, the God of Mind, Sophan, the Goddess of beauty, and seduction, Feirah and Liurah, the God and Goddess of fertility and patience. Katt never spoke to them. Sah Rei, the ambiguous God/Goddess of love, and Rinpu, the Goddess of good fortune. Rinpu was Katt's Woren name, she'd been named after the Goddess, Rinpu, but she seldom used her Woren name, people seemed to remember Katt better. She often prayed to Rinpu, it was easier for her. But tonight's prayers were for M'yet, of the night to hear.
"O' Goddess M'yet of night, bringer of the darkness, and friend of Arah and Mik'tou," This is where she usually stalled. "I wonder, how my mother is… her star is shining bright. Is she happy? Is she sad? I wish I could know. I miss my mother," She said aloud, softly. "Please tell her I love her, and that I'm doing my best. With your strength, as with the strength of your allies, I go," She finished opening her eyes. She stared out the window for another few minutes before finally dozing off.
Baan watched her from across the room as she curled up into a ball in the middle of the blankets on the floor. "Such a vivacious girl. I wonder if all Woren are like her?" He thought, watching her small muscular body swell and fall with each breath.
It was already midnight, and bow had been drinking for the better part of the night and he was well smashed. He'd had found out the best way to find info was talking to waitresses. This was untrue but being drunk, he didn't care, they had interesting things to talk about, even if they weren't Katt. One girl had been trying to become a dancer, but they wouldn't give her a chance. He watched her dance, she couldn't stay in time with the music. Another girl couldn't pay for her meal and had to wait tables, she was three weeks from paying for her meal. Another girl could tie a cherry stem with her tongue. Bow was in heaven, or at least close enough to it for him.
Ryu, who always kept his mind on the task at hand, hadn't found out much. He'd overheard a few sailors talking about the current pirate problem around the area, and that cargo, passenger and fishing boats were being highjacked and all valuables on board being taken. He'd also heard from the innkeeper at the ocean Crest Hotel, that the boss of the pirates has a fancy for gambling, and comes into town every weekend. If Ryu couldn't find Katt, he'd have to get transport to Wyndia.
"If Katt's alright, she should be looking for us. She'll have to go back to Wyndia. That's where we all agreed to meet if we got split up," Ryu thought walking back up the street toward the middle of town. He heard a familiar song, coming from a nearby tavern. "Bow…" He sighed as he stepped toward the pub. He scanned the bar as he entered searching for either of his two companions. He found one, sitting by the bar. Everyone at the bar was singing the same song. Ryu knew it too, but it wasn't a popular or well-known song. It was an older song that Bow used to sing when they were younger. Ryu slowly walked to the bar.
"And now's the time, the time is now,"
"To sing my song."
"Bow…"
"I'm goin' 'round the world, I got to find my girl,"
"On my way."
"Bow!"
"I've been this way ten years to the day,"
"Ramble On,"
"Bow!!"
"Gotta find the queen of all my dreams."
"Hey, I'm talking to you Bow!" Ryu said pulling the drunken Grass-runner out of his seat.
"Hey buddy, join in. I ain't tellin' no lie-"
"We're supposed to be looking for Katt, not singing old songs!" Ryu said annoyed at his inebriated friend.
"Hey baby, who's you're tough lookin' friend?" A waitress asked, clinging to Bow's arm. She had golden brown hair and deep violet eyes. Her face was covered with white make-up, and dark violet eye shadow that matched her eyes. She was wearing a small pale pink bikini suit. A lacy see through mini skirt, like a tutu, was attached to the bikini, and the top was barely big enough to cover her breasts. Her hair was long, it hung down to her waistline. She wore small slipper like shoes that looked like they were made mostly of cloth.
"That's my buddy, Ryu. He's looking for his sister," Bow answered.
"His sister is a Woren?" She asked.
"Huh, oh no, He was looking for his sister but then we got separated from the Woren girl," Bow said, smiling. He turned back to Ryu. "Hey buddy, this girl here knows where Katt is."
"You do? Where is she, is she alright?" Ryu asked.
"Ohh, don't worry, about that right now, It's best to have fun at Yallis after dark," She said smiling.
"We don't have time to eat, drink and be merry, Katt I want to make sure Katt's ok," Ryu answered. The girl sat back down on her barstool and sipped a glass of ale. Bow had long since sunk back down to his seat. "If you know something about Katt please tell me," Ryu asked, leaning on the bar.
"You really should try to live a little, I'll bet Katt is having a blast where she is now. You really think your friends are as diligent as you are? Judging from Bow here, I'd say they know how to have a good time," She said, sliding closer to him. Ryu blushed slightly.
"aheh, but Katt is very single minded, She'll probably go straight for Wyndia if she's not here," He answered, She drew closer to him. He stiffened his body, and swallowed.
"Then you don't have anything to worry about if you know where she'll go," She said, smiling at him. Her lips were almost touching his.
"I… (gulp) really just want to find my friend," He said, trying his best to back away from her. She sighed and slid away from him, taking another drink of her ale.
"Fine I'll tell you but I have to go to the restroom first," She said, standing up. She walked down a hall that went toward the back of the pub.
"Heh, I think she likes you buddy," Bow said, grinning stupidly.
"Would you cut it out," Ryu said, embarrassed by the girl's advances.
"She was practically unbuttoning your pants. Ha, ha, ha!!" Bow laughed. Ryu just blushed and looked toward the back. "And to think buddy, the bartender said she was a thief, and that she'd just get me drunk and steal my money. Ha, ha, ha!!" Bow laughed, as Ryu's eyes opened wide. He checked his pocket, sure enough, his money pouch had been lifted.
"Bow you idiot!!" He said getting up and running back down the hall. There were no bathrooms down there, just a back door. "It's been at least three minutes, she looked pretty healthy, she could probably run pretty fast too. Dammit, If Bow hadn't gotten drunk he could find her. Hmm…" Ryu thought as he looked down the alley. He walked back into the pub, and rejoined bow at the bar.
"That girl ran out on us," He said.
"She had to go to the bathroom, she'll be back," Bow replied.
"I think she got lost," Ryu answered. "She was wearing an incredible perfume, wasn't she," He added.
"One in a million," Bow replied. He gulped his ale.
"Bow, I think she liked you, she just didn't know how to tell you," Ryu said, glancing at his friend. Bow's ears twitched at the sound of Ryu's last statement. "She's so shy, She ran off, But you can track that perfume right?" Ryu said, grinning at him. Even drunk, Bow could still smell good enough to track her. Bow stood up without a word and started to sniff.
"This way," He said.
Nina had fallen asleep leaning on her table after her father collapsed. It was late, the sun had gone down, and the sounds of a spring night filled the air. Nina stood up and moved to the window. The large crowd that had gathered outside the castle was gone. Nina stood by the window, trying desperately not to cry. She wanted to run away, she could feel the mistrust of the crowd at the Falchon sword ceremony. A small tear trickled down her cheek.
"Nina," Her mother's voice called out from behind her. She quickly wiped away the tear, and turned to greet her mother. "you're awake now."
"I didn't hear you," She said, softly. "How is father doing?" She asked.
"Better, he's still resting though" Her mother answered.
"Mother, I think it may be best if I leave," Nina said, turning away from her mother and looking back out the window.
"Why do you think that?" Hina asked, taking a step toward her.
"Because, people fear me, they fear the curse of the Black wings," She answered. Hina's hand rested on Nina's shoulder.
"Do you believe in the curse?" Hina asked.
"What difference does that make, what I believe has nothing to do with it, the people believe in it," She answered.
"The people believe because the curse has been around for longer than you. If you believe in the curse then you should go. But your father never believed in it. I did, but I wonder if it's true. After all, You helped to save the world," Hina said, smiling at her daughter. "You've behaved as a true princess of Wyndia would, selflessly considering the needs of the world, and of Wyndia, and you did this with all your heart. Is that part of the curse?"
"But mother I…" Nina started.
"Your father was ailing for some time before you came back. He felt such guilt for not being there for you. And after Mina gave her life to become the great bird, he felt it even worse. After you came back, his whole personality changed. He would've died if you hadn't come back, Nina," Hina said, cupping her hand under Nina's chin. "Whatever you do, is up to you, I will support your decision," She added.
"Mother, I'm still an outsider, but even more so now than before. The kingdom is alienated by my presence in the castle," Nina said.
"As time passes, people's opinions will change, you'll see. Now you should get something to eat," Hina said. Nina nodded, and smiled half-heartedly.
The moon was high in the sky as Ryu and Bow ran through the near-dark town. Bow's nose led them down the street, then through an alley, and right, down another street. Then down another alley to a large warehouse building.
"Hey buddy, this is where she is" Bow said loudly.
"SHH," Ryu responded quickly. "She'll hear you," He stepped up to the door with Bow close behind. Ryu turned to his friend, pointing over Bow's shoulder. "You stay here," He said.
"Aw c'mon bud-"
"SHHH!! Don't be so loud, that's why you have to stay out here," Ryu said turning and sliding the warehouse door open. Bow childishly walked over and sat down on a broken barrel. Ryu stepped into the open door, sliding it closed behind him. The warehouse wasn't lit, but it was quiet enough to hear if anyone moved. Ryu crept slowly through the darkened warehouse, his eyes slowly adjusting to the low light. Dragons had very good vision, even in the dark, but in human form, their eyes took time to adjust to changes in light. Ryu looked about, as objects started becoming visible.
"It looks like a storage warehouse. Flame-powder?! Is this cargo from Guntz?" He thought sniffing at one of the crates. Eichichi had showed them flame-powder. A substance that was very flammable, and in high concentrations, explosive. She'd used some to clear away some boulders in township. "Why is this warehouse full of flame-powder?" He thought, continuing through the warehouse. "There's light coming from beneath that door," He thought, quietly stepping up to the door. He pressed his ear against the door, listening for any sign of activity. "She might not be here… Bow could be totally off," He thought as he listened.
"Only one hundred and twelve Wyndian zenny!" and forty-two Highfort gels!! Geez, these guys were broke," Ryu heard a female voice call from behind the door. "And what's with this weird thing," She said. "A dragon pendant with a crystal gem, It looks unreal. What kind of gem is this?" She said.
"It's called the Dragon Tear," Ryu said, pushing the door open. "It's not ment to be used by people like you," Ruki stood up and balled up her fists.
"You followed me! How dare you do something so despicable!" Ryu sweatdropped.
"It wasn't any worse that theft," He said, pointing at her.
"What are you talking about?" She said, noticing the dragon tear in her hand. She whipped her hands behind her back. "I'm no thief, I'm a dancer!" She said innocently. Fed up with the chase, Ryu approached her.
"I've had enough running around, just give me back the Dragon Tear and I'll call it even," He said, holding his hand out.
"Oh, So it does have some value," She answered, clenching her fist around the tear.
"Give it to me and you can keep the money," He said.
"Maybe I'd rather have this Dragon Tear," She said, standing up.
"It's of no use to you. I'm the only one who can use it," Ryu said, losing patience.
"Oh, so what does it do?" She asked, turning her back to him. "Are you for real, You'd pay at least two hundred, fifty-nine zenny for this thing, and you want me to just give it to you? I don't think so you yokel," She thought as she pulled out a small poison vile with two needles at the end. She concealed it in her palm, and turned back to face him.
"Look, I'm not going to ask again. Please give it back or I'll take it," He said. She paused for a moment before answering.
"Alright," She said. "on one condition," She said extending the Dragon tear to him.
"What's the condition?" He asked as he reached out to take it.
"When the poison kills you, I can take it back," She said sticking the vile into the top of his hand. They both jumped back.
"Dammit…"Ryu said, clutching his hand.
"Of course if you don't want to die, I've got the antidote right here," She said, dangling a pouch in front of her. "It's real cheap, the cost is one Dragon Tear."
"Figures, what a little crook," He muttered under his breath.
"C'mon, do you wanna die, or not?" She said, almost laughing.
"All right…" He said, his vision blurring.
"Good, put it on the floor, and slide it to me. I'll do the same with the antidote," He knelt down and put the Dragon Tear on the floor.
"Hey buddy, what's takin', Oh there she is!" Bow said, strolling calmly into the room. He walked across the room toward her.
"It's that drunken grass-runner, damn I'm outta dano weed." She said, stepping back.
"Bow, get the antidote from her," Ryu said.
"Huh? What antidote?" He replied.
"The pouch, in her hand," Ryu said.
"Oh, what's in the Pouch."
"Rrr, Why do all the drunks fall for me?" She said. "I'm tired of foolin' around. I want that Dragon Tear!" She said, pulling two knives from the bow on her back.
"Hey buddy I don't think she wants to give it to us," He said, looking back at Ryu.
"Look out, man!!" Ryu said. Bow turned around and just barely missed being cut.
"I'll kill you both to get it!" She said. Ryu forced himself to his feet, and drew his sword. "How… How can you stand?" She said, staring in astonishment.
"Hey would someone like to tell me what's going on?" Bow said.
"No time to explain, she wants to fight," Ryu said, staring straight into her eyes. "We have to fight."
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