Remember the Golden Rule
By: Misty-Chan
Ch. 5
Sweat froze to their skin and icy winds tested their balance, but still they trained, as they must, to try to prepare themselves. Supper did come that day, and misty felt ready to propose her idea. It was late, about an hour past high-moon, and their eyes were heavy with a much-needed sleep, but she had to.
She put down her fork and looked up. Touma mimicked this gesture from across the table seeing as she seemed to have something on her mind. Soon the others too looked up. "Guys, would you let me fight beside you tomorrow?" Her eyes pleaded to each of them and they each shyed from her gaze.
"Misty, are you sure you want to take that chance?" Ryo asked still searching for the right words.
"Yes, Ryo." She answered bluntly.
"I don't think… we don't want to see you hurt, Misty. That's very common on the battlefield.." He tried to discourage her.
"Then what was the point?! Ryo, this is why I asked your help, to get this chance!.." Misty's gaze was stern and her face was hard; she would fight by their side or fight alone, there was no other choice to her.
Shin's gaze fell onto the table; he knew what she was thinking. "But there is still a lot you don't understand, they are way more powerful than we think. You don't stand a chance without armor.." If at first you don't succeed, make sure your opponent isn't more stubborn than you!
"You've taught me to win without it, and if I run from this, I might-as-well, have died before.." She paused and locked onto Seiji's lavender eyes though she still spoke to Ryo. "I'd rather die by some form of honor." Seiji's eyes widened at this, she'd never spoken of honor before.. though he'd mentioned it to her.
They were wide-awake now, even Nasti peeked in. "We hadn't thought you'd really want to risk so much.." Touma muttered.
"I've known the risk, and am willing to take it." She sighed.
"Then we can't deny you your right to protect what you wish, and to do what you see fit.." Touma was more confident now.
"Touma, we can't let her just jump out there!" Ryo's fear settled his anger some. She now understood what Jun had said about the guys awhile back; they'll treat anyone as a child.
"Then why did we train her to fight?" Shin interrupted. No one could answer, and no one did, for a while.
"For when the time came.. but she's not ready yet!!" Ryo tried yet again
"The time has come, and she's as ready as we can make her." Seiji noticed Ryo's platform slipping and knew she just might get her wish. Shu had frozen when she first spoke and still sat, with half-chewed food in his mouth, following the conversation like a tennis match.
"Please, just this fight, if I'm not ready, I'll know the way home. If I am, I might be a great asset to you.." Misty said rejoining her own conversation.
"Sounds good to me.." Shin hoped he wasn't alone on this.
"Alright, but none of this stubbornness.." Ryo compromised. Misty nodded seriously and they returned to eating quietly.
—Later that night, lights out—
"Misty, may I come in?" She recognized Ryo's voice and quickly hid her journal.
"Sure," He eased the door open and closed it softly, knowing the others were dead asleep..
"You're sure you really want to fight?" He seemed a lot more concerned than he had been before.
"Yes, I'm sure."
"You know those clouds, the people leaving, it's all from their power?"
"Yes, Ryo."
"And you'll leave at the first sign that you could be hurt?"
"If the wound would draw blood, you have my word."
"Is your word strong enough?"
"As strong as is ever possible."
"Alright then, tomorrow, up at 8 right?" He reminded her.
"Yes, dressed and waiting with the others." She agreed.
"See you then, sleep well."
She nodded and told him the same, and he left, as she crept into dream-land.