It had been two weeks now since they'd taken her, and Gen was using almost all of his free time either training or meditating. Admittedly, it had been more of the latter than the former. It was getting more and more difficult to just tell himself that everything would be fined, and that she would come back unscathed. Sometimes, it crept into his mind that, for one reason or another, she might not come back at all.
The now almost constant presence of the other Night Troops wasn't a big help to his focus, or overall mindset for that matter. Everyone seemed to have their own theories as to what was happening to their estranged teammate, from her being a hostage they would send negotiators to exchange eventually, to the whole thing having been staged in an act of betrayal on Lissette's part. All of them made Gen's blood boil to varying degrees. The others seemed to sense this and had been smart enough to keep from telling them to him directly, but out of his earshot was another story.
Gen sighed, deciding that he'd attempted to meditate enough for one day and laid back, wondering if he'd have better luck with a nap before nightfall. A knock at the door quickly shattered that idea, as well as the scent on the other side of it.
"Hey Gen! You home?" Came Yoshimori's voice "I need to talk to you!"
'This couldn't wait a couple of more hours?' Gen thought bitterly as he stood from his spot on the floor.
"I'm coming" He assured, as the other boy pounded on the door again.
"No newspaper subscription game this time?" Yoshimori asked him when he opened it.
"Would it make you go home?"
"No:
"Then there's no point. Come inside before Atora gets back from shopping."
He allowed the Kekkaishi to step inside, closing the door behind him.
"So, how is it having the other Night Troops around all the time?" Yoshimori asked, seating himself at Gen's small table.
"They're living in your house. You tell me." Gen shot back, sitting on the other side.
"Fair enough. It's crowded and noisy, in case you were curious."
"I guessed as much. You look exhausted." He commented, having taken note of the dark circles forming under the Kekkaishi's eyes, plus the fact that he'd been a much harder sleeper during their rooftop naps lately.
"Yeah? Well in case you haven't noticed, you don't look much better."
He had noticed. As hard as he'd tried, sleep kept escaping him, leaving him to stare at the ceiling and try not to think about her. It felt like she'd just gotten back, just weaseled her way back into his thoughts and his life. Now she was gone again, and it felt wrong. Not just due to the circumstances either, but that part he'd managed to shove that part down for the time being. One crisis at a time.
"I still believe she's alright you know." Yoshimori stated, pulling him from his thoughts "We'll get her back."
Gen examined him for a moment. As tired as he looked, the Kekkaishi had that all-to-familiar look of determination on his face. He really didn't understand the guy sometimes.
Lissette and Yoshimori had disliked each other from the start. Hell, she'd nearly broken his nose not too long ago. Yet, they had trained together, and he didn't seem to have an overall issue with her insertion into their team. Now, here he was, almost as worried as Gen was, and trying to reassure him.
"So, how are we going to get her out?"
'There it is.' Gen thought. He was planning something again. Well, it seemed that if they didn't figure something out at this point, no one would.
"What exactly did you have in mind?"
XXXXXXXXXX
"Azza, you have no idea how tempted I am to just leave you here." Lissette threatened, glaring daggers at her twin as Miss Aihi tugged a comb through her now mostly dry hair.
"Oh come on Lissette, that was the first bath you've had in two weeks! you were getting kind of ripe, we couldn't just walk you in there as you were!" Azza retorted.
"You know damn well the bath is not the problem here. What the hell is with this get up?"
"Young lady, I suggest you hold still if you don't want me to just chop off all of this hair."
Azza held back a snicker as her sister folded her arms and obeyed, looking very put out.
"Your clothes were smelly too. This was what we had that would fit you in the meantime. Plus, she is technically nobility, so this is more appropriate anyways." Azza eyed her sister, looking for any ill-fitting areas in the deep purple kimono. The pale pink peonies and golden butterflies that patterned it stood out beautifully against the fabric, and paired well with the black and gold obi around her waist.
"It looks gorgeous on you, if that helps any."
"It really doesn't."
Azza shrugged, turning her attention to Miss Aihi, who was not platting her twins' hair into a simple braid down her back.
"She should be presentable now. It would be best if we didn't keep the Princess waiting any longer than neccessary." She stated, motioning for Lissette to stand.
Lissette did so, her angered expression fading to a tense resignation.
"You have your sketchbook and stuff, right sis?"
Lissette pulled her small, hardcover sketchbook from out of her kimono, apparently done talking to her twin at the moment. Azza decided to ignore that for the moment.
"Alright then, let's get a move on."
XXXXXXXXXX
Lissette glared at the white-haired ayakashi that guarded the entrance to the Princess' chambers.
"Long time, no see bug boy." She greeted, earning a sharp elbow to the ribs from her sister, as well as a pointed look.
"I expect she knows to be on her best behavior in the presence of the Princess?" Byaku asked Azza, completely ignoring her.
"Yes Byaku," Azza assured him "I've made it very clear to her that she needs to be respectful during their visit."
On that note, he opened the door, allowing them entry into the large, too dark room.
All was quiet for a moment after the door shut behind them, giving Lissette a few seconds to adjust. It seemed mostly empty, save for the canopied round bed surrounded by what seemed to be medical equipment. There were dark lights lightly scattered throughout the space giving everything a somewhat sinister light.
'No wonder she's bored,' Lissette thought 'There's nothing here.'
"So this is the younger twin you've mentioned in your stories so much." Came a feminine voice from the bed "I must say, there is indeed quite the family resemblance. Have you enjoyed your reunion thus far Azza?"
Yes we have, very much so Princess." Azza answered, still looking slightly nervous.
"And what about you, little sister? Have you enjoyed your time with your sibling?"
'As much as I can being trapped in this world and locked in a cell.' Lissette thought, feeling herself tense as she bit back the remark.
"Yes, Princess." She managed, silently praying she'd succeeded in keeping the bitterness out of her voice.
"Such a pretty voice for such a pretty face. Come, sit with me so I can get a better look at you." A pale hand beckoned her forth. She glanced over at her twin. Azza gave her reassuring smile and nodded.
Lissette took a deep breath and moved forwards, relief spilling over her at the sound of Azza's footsteps behind her. At least she wouldn't be facing this thing alone.
She silently sat on the edge of the dark bedding, the white curtain brushing her hand that lay next to her side. Azza sat a few inches away from her, her presence keeping her calm as the thing behind them moved forwards.
"I can't very well see your face with your back to me, silly thing. Turn around for me."
Lissette slowly turned her head, prepared for the worst. It was all she could do to keep her jaw from dropping at the sight of the gorgeous woman behind her. Given her eyes and the nine tails made for a dead giveaway that she was anything but human, she appeared every bit her namesake.
"My my, you're every bit as pretty as your big sister. If she wasn't quite so [ale, I almost couldn't tell you apart from looks alone." The Princess commented, lifting Lissette's chin with a clawed finger, causing the teenage girls' brain to short circuit momentarily.
'Get it together damn it! Remember why we're here!' She reminded herself, though she didn't move away.
"Lissette, didn't you bring something to show the Princess?" Azza asked, cementing her snap back to reality.
"Oh? Did you bring some of your drawings to show me?" The Princess asked excitedly, withdrawing her hand "I've been led to believe that this is quite and honor."
"I mean, I don't tend to show them off, but I wouldn't go that far." Lissette replied, pulling the small sketchbook out of her kimono "Azza mentioned that you've really wanted to see them though, so I suppose I can make an exception."
"Well, do get on with it dear. I've waited quite a while as is."
Lissette opened the tiny leather book, showing off the plant and general nature sketches she tended towards when she was on the move. She found herself grateful that at the very least, the sketches she had on her were mostly pretty impersonal.
Regardless, both the Princess and her sister seemed to be fairly impressed. Maybe, just maybe, she could make the best of this insane situation.