*Yes, I know I had said I would work on the fanfiction during Christmas vacation. Well, I ended up spending all of that time working on my History project, and exams have dominated the rest of my time! Well, now that I'm finally through, it's time to continue this story, a month and two days later. Anyway, thanks to StrawberriSkies, mesa luv stu, and Demon with a Braid for the additional reviews. They are MUCH appreciated!*
Chapter 7- The Dangers of Garden Whispers
Two days and thirteen books later, Kaonashi was relieved to find Sunday upon him, as were the rest of the spirits around him. For you see, Kaonashi refused to enjoy the books he had to read, and his pride marred the excellence of the volumes he was "forced" into. Thus, he had been complaining for two days straight, and the spirits around him were then made to endure it. So, when Glass Empress Senko entered the library with the announcement that the Earthen clocks had struck twelve and the Sunday celebrations were about to begin, every spirit in that room were immensely grateful.
The streets were alive with that sensual music that had lured Kaonashi in at the first. Many colored lights surrounded the city, and the heavenly scent of baking bread, sumptuous sweets, and exotic perfumes filled the air. Not only that, but Kaonashi was surprised and delighted to find that he was in his own body again!
"Ah, yes, I forgot! They let you have your body back on celebrations, too, like the Sunday you were… erm… 'initiated,'" Atsuji explained to him as they exited the library. Kaonashi was too awe-stricken to respond. Everything looked like such fun! Such pleasure! He took a piece of the fresh bread that had just been baked from the oven. It was slathered with just enough melted butter to make it look delightful. It was then that Kaonashi reminded himself that he had not eaten in days, and the bread looked even more succulent to his famished eyes. So, he opened his mouth wide, and sunk his teeth into the bread… but the bread wouldn't yield to his teeth!
"AH! This bread is much too firm! I cannot eat it!"
"Of course you can't eat it," said the baker, who was baking a fresh loaf. "You're not pure enough! Besides, spirits only eat for pleasure."
"Well, then why am I so hungry?"
"That's greed, my friend. Your greed is making you hunger for the finer things in life."
"But I am so… hungry…." Kaonashi could feel his mouth watering. He stared at the fresh bread, and immediately fresh pangs of hunger ensued.
"Well, fine. If you're really THAT hungry, then have this." The baker handed Kaonashi an unnamable substance that was dark purple and had the consistency of a slug. The mere appearance of this unappetizing item made Kaonashi's hunger vanish. "Thanks anyway," he said, and trudged away.
An hour later, Kaonashi found that the celebration was a bit dull. After all, he wasn't able to eat or drink, as he had soon found out from making an attempt at drinking wine and coming face to face with a liquid form of the abomination that he was forced to eat earlier. To top it off, he still deemed himself superior to the spirits, and therefore refused to be part of any conversation. So, he decided to wander the streets of Nagen, to see what sights he could. However, his sightseeing was interrupted by the shouts of the spirits as they cried to one another,
"Master Kohaku is coming! Master Kohaku is coming! Let us go greet him at the door!"
Kaonashi then noticed that everyone was running towards him. Confused, he turned around… and he noticed a gigantic door embossed in gold, silver, and glass behind him. It was intricately designed, an architectural marvel. It was also the reason he was about to turn into a spirit pancake if he didn't move out of the way in a matter of seconds. Thus, he quickly sprinted to the side of the door, only to find that the door was opening, and was threatening to flatten him! Cursing his rotten luck, he had to make a swift maneuver which landed him between the door and the giant procession. A young man that looked to be in his early twenties was at the head of the pack. His hair was the color of spring violets and his eyes were as calm and vastly mysterious as the sea itself, even matching the sea's color. The spirits around him cheered when they caught sight of him, praising his name, which Kaonashi assumed to be Master Kohaku River. Walking beside Master Kohaku was none other than Empress Senko, and behind them was Empress Karochi and a taller girl that Kaonashi recognized from the first time he ever came to the accursed city of Nagen. The girl beside Karochi was elaborately decorated with Diamonds and robes of the highest finery that could be seen for miles. This, Kaonashi reasoned, must be Diamond Empress Miyae.
The cheering was deafening as it continued, and Kaonashi didn't appreciate it much. As a matter of fact, it was his anger that was dictating his emotions at the moment. He muttered angrily to himself, "These fools are greeted with a royal welcome, while I get nothing! This is not the way it should be at all! It should be ME walking through that gate, it should be ME being exhalted for my riches, it should be ME..." However, his internal ranting was cut short by something he was able to hear as Empress Senko and Master Kohaku walked by...
"Meet me at the garden an hour before the strike of twelve tonight," Senko whispered, "Nobody will be there. We will discuss the matter then."
"Are you sure it is safe?" Master Kohaku whispered back.
"As sure as I am Empress!" Senko exclaimed softly, and that was all that Kaonashi was able to hear. But it was enough. Kaonashi had formulated a plot within his head... if he heard anything important, he could have the advantage! Those two would be putty in his hands if his blabbing meant something terrible! The best part was that there was no fear of his dying. He was already dead! Chuckling to himself, Kaonashi realized that the loud cheering wasn't so horrible after all. At least it would keep his secret to himself.
After a long speech from Master Kohaku about the affairs of the Spirit World and his continuous support for Nagen, the three Empresses gave a speech about their pride and hopes for Nagen, and then the festivities truly begun. The music seemed to become even more delightful, there was singing and dancing, and all sorts of other amusements that kept the city simply alive with festivity. Kaonashi, on the other hand, could not be bothered with such frivolities. He had more pressing business to attend to.
Kaonashi located Atsuji near the library, conversing with a group of men. He politely tapped his shoulder, and Atsuji turned to face him.
"What is the problem?" Atsuji inquired.
"Where is the garden, and what time is it?"
"The garden is behind the library, and I have no idea why you would want to go there. It's rather dark, and there are no festivities being held there. As for the time, my friend it is eight in the morning."
"There is a clock in the library, is there not?"
"Yes, there is..."
"...And a window that looks into the garden?"
"Yes... but why?"
"Good. I think I shall catch up on my reading..." Kaonashi smirked, and headed towards the library, although he wouldn't just be catching up on his reading. Oh well, he thought, the festivities were much too declasse for my liking, anyway.
Six books and almost fifteen hours later, Kaonashi was staring intensely out the window, awaiting Empress Senko and Master Kohaku's arrivals. Finally, at twelve minutes two eleven, Master Kohaku appeared at the scene. It was at this moment that Kaonashi fled down the stairs, and slinked into the darkest corner of the garden like the weasel he was about to prove himself to be. After another minute of waiting, Empress Senko strolled in with a dignified air. However, she smiled rather sheepishly when she caught sight of Master Kohaku, and her stately grace was turned to girlish clumsiness when she gently placed her hand in his, and they started to take a leisurely walk around the garden. "This doesn't look like an important meeting to me," muttered Kaonashi with bitter disappointed, but he decided to keep watching anyway. It was a while before either of them spoke, but finally, Master Kohaku made the first move.
"We tell Empress Karochi tonight," he stated.
"No! We mustn't, Kohaku! She will prevent us from ever seeing each other again! No, my method is the best way. The potion is almost ready, except for one ingredient. Once I obtain it, I will be free..."
"...But we will have to wait maybe a hundred years or more!" Replied Master Kohaku.
"You know the rules, Kohaku! Oh, if Empress Miyae and Empress Karochi ever HEARD me speak of running away, they would lock me in a cage for certain! Plus, is it really that long to wait?" Now this was getting good, Kaonashi thought. Empress Senko was planning on fleeing the Kingdom, and Master Kohaku was in on it! This was perfect blackmail. He was all ears now, not letting a single word slip through his greedy fingers.
"Our love will last forever, my Empress... promise me this, and only then will I let you go through with it." Kaonashi could feel a smirk start a gradual spread across his features. So, it was all in the name of love, eh? Well, love was very overrated. They would find that out soon enough, but not until he heard more of this mysterious plan! However, when contemplating this, he made the fatal mistake of issuing a burst of nefarious laughter. By instinct, he immediately clasped his hand over the mouth that had once held a smirk on its lips. He was a moment too late. Both Master and Empress abruptly shot around, and started running with fear and malice both etched on their faces towards the area where Kaonashi was standing!
*More cliffhangers for y'all! Oh, well. Once again, sorry for the wait. I hope you enjoyed this Chapter, and Chapter 8 will be coming soon! I promise! Until then, buena suerte (good luck)!*
Chapter 7- The Dangers of Garden Whispers
Two days and thirteen books later, Kaonashi was relieved to find Sunday upon him, as were the rest of the spirits around him. For you see, Kaonashi refused to enjoy the books he had to read, and his pride marred the excellence of the volumes he was "forced" into. Thus, he had been complaining for two days straight, and the spirits around him were then made to endure it. So, when Glass Empress Senko entered the library with the announcement that the Earthen clocks had struck twelve and the Sunday celebrations were about to begin, every spirit in that room were immensely grateful.
The streets were alive with that sensual music that had lured Kaonashi in at the first. Many colored lights surrounded the city, and the heavenly scent of baking bread, sumptuous sweets, and exotic perfumes filled the air. Not only that, but Kaonashi was surprised and delighted to find that he was in his own body again!
"Ah, yes, I forgot! They let you have your body back on celebrations, too, like the Sunday you were… erm… 'initiated,'" Atsuji explained to him as they exited the library. Kaonashi was too awe-stricken to respond. Everything looked like such fun! Such pleasure! He took a piece of the fresh bread that had just been baked from the oven. It was slathered with just enough melted butter to make it look delightful. It was then that Kaonashi reminded himself that he had not eaten in days, and the bread looked even more succulent to his famished eyes. So, he opened his mouth wide, and sunk his teeth into the bread… but the bread wouldn't yield to his teeth!
"AH! This bread is much too firm! I cannot eat it!"
"Of course you can't eat it," said the baker, who was baking a fresh loaf. "You're not pure enough! Besides, spirits only eat for pleasure."
"Well, then why am I so hungry?"
"That's greed, my friend. Your greed is making you hunger for the finer things in life."
"But I am so… hungry…." Kaonashi could feel his mouth watering. He stared at the fresh bread, and immediately fresh pangs of hunger ensued.
"Well, fine. If you're really THAT hungry, then have this." The baker handed Kaonashi an unnamable substance that was dark purple and had the consistency of a slug. The mere appearance of this unappetizing item made Kaonashi's hunger vanish. "Thanks anyway," he said, and trudged away.
An hour later, Kaonashi found that the celebration was a bit dull. After all, he wasn't able to eat or drink, as he had soon found out from making an attempt at drinking wine and coming face to face with a liquid form of the abomination that he was forced to eat earlier. To top it off, he still deemed himself superior to the spirits, and therefore refused to be part of any conversation. So, he decided to wander the streets of Nagen, to see what sights he could. However, his sightseeing was interrupted by the shouts of the spirits as they cried to one another,
"Master Kohaku is coming! Master Kohaku is coming! Let us go greet him at the door!"
Kaonashi then noticed that everyone was running towards him. Confused, he turned around… and he noticed a gigantic door embossed in gold, silver, and glass behind him. It was intricately designed, an architectural marvel. It was also the reason he was about to turn into a spirit pancake if he didn't move out of the way in a matter of seconds. Thus, he quickly sprinted to the side of the door, only to find that the door was opening, and was threatening to flatten him! Cursing his rotten luck, he had to make a swift maneuver which landed him between the door and the giant procession. A young man that looked to be in his early twenties was at the head of the pack. His hair was the color of spring violets and his eyes were as calm and vastly mysterious as the sea itself, even matching the sea's color. The spirits around him cheered when they caught sight of him, praising his name, which Kaonashi assumed to be Master Kohaku River. Walking beside Master Kohaku was none other than Empress Senko, and behind them was Empress Karochi and a taller girl that Kaonashi recognized from the first time he ever came to the accursed city of Nagen. The girl beside Karochi was elaborately decorated with Diamonds and robes of the highest finery that could be seen for miles. This, Kaonashi reasoned, must be Diamond Empress Miyae.
The cheering was deafening as it continued, and Kaonashi didn't appreciate it much. As a matter of fact, it was his anger that was dictating his emotions at the moment. He muttered angrily to himself, "These fools are greeted with a royal welcome, while I get nothing! This is not the way it should be at all! It should be ME walking through that gate, it should be ME being exhalted for my riches, it should be ME..." However, his internal ranting was cut short by something he was able to hear as Empress Senko and Master Kohaku walked by...
"Meet me at the garden an hour before the strike of twelve tonight," Senko whispered, "Nobody will be there. We will discuss the matter then."
"Are you sure it is safe?" Master Kohaku whispered back.
"As sure as I am Empress!" Senko exclaimed softly, and that was all that Kaonashi was able to hear. But it was enough. Kaonashi had formulated a plot within his head... if he heard anything important, he could have the advantage! Those two would be putty in his hands if his blabbing meant something terrible! The best part was that there was no fear of his dying. He was already dead! Chuckling to himself, Kaonashi realized that the loud cheering wasn't so horrible after all. At least it would keep his secret to himself.
After a long speech from Master Kohaku about the affairs of the Spirit World and his continuous support for Nagen, the three Empresses gave a speech about their pride and hopes for Nagen, and then the festivities truly begun. The music seemed to become even more delightful, there was singing and dancing, and all sorts of other amusements that kept the city simply alive with festivity. Kaonashi, on the other hand, could not be bothered with such frivolities. He had more pressing business to attend to.
Kaonashi located Atsuji near the library, conversing with a group of men. He politely tapped his shoulder, and Atsuji turned to face him.
"What is the problem?" Atsuji inquired.
"Where is the garden, and what time is it?"
"The garden is behind the library, and I have no idea why you would want to go there. It's rather dark, and there are no festivities being held there. As for the time, my friend it is eight in the morning."
"There is a clock in the library, is there not?"
"Yes, there is..."
"...And a window that looks into the garden?"
"Yes... but why?"
"Good. I think I shall catch up on my reading..." Kaonashi smirked, and headed towards the library, although he wouldn't just be catching up on his reading. Oh well, he thought, the festivities were much too declasse for my liking, anyway.
Six books and almost fifteen hours later, Kaonashi was staring intensely out the window, awaiting Empress Senko and Master Kohaku's arrivals. Finally, at twelve minutes two eleven, Master Kohaku appeared at the scene. It was at this moment that Kaonashi fled down the stairs, and slinked into the darkest corner of the garden like the weasel he was about to prove himself to be. After another minute of waiting, Empress Senko strolled in with a dignified air. However, she smiled rather sheepishly when she caught sight of Master Kohaku, and her stately grace was turned to girlish clumsiness when she gently placed her hand in his, and they started to take a leisurely walk around the garden. "This doesn't look like an important meeting to me," muttered Kaonashi with bitter disappointed, but he decided to keep watching anyway. It was a while before either of them spoke, but finally, Master Kohaku made the first move.
"We tell Empress Karochi tonight," he stated.
"No! We mustn't, Kohaku! She will prevent us from ever seeing each other again! No, my method is the best way. The potion is almost ready, except for one ingredient. Once I obtain it, I will be free..."
"...But we will have to wait maybe a hundred years or more!" Replied Master Kohaku.
"You know the rules, Kohaku! Oh, if Empress Miyae and Empress Karochi ever HEARD me speak of running away, they would lock me in a cage for certain! Plus, is it really that long to wait?" Now this was getting good, Kaonashi thought. Empress Senko was planning on fleeing the Kingdom, and Master Kohaku was in on it! This was perfect blackmail. He was all ears now, not letting a single word slip through his greedy fingers.
"Our love will last forever, my Empress... promise me this, and only then will I let you go through with it." Kaonashi could feel a smirk start a gradual spread across his features. So, it was all in the name of love, eh? Well, love was very overrated. They would find that out soon enough, but not until he heard more of this mysterious plan! However, when contemplating this, he made the fatal mistake of issuing a burst of nefarious laughter. By instinct, he immediately clasped his hand over the mouth that had once held a smirk on its lips. He was a moment too late. Both Master and Empress abruptly shot around, and started running with fear and malice both etched on their faces towards the area where Kaonashi was standing!
*More cliffhangers for y'all! Oh, well. Once again, sorry for the wait. I hope you enjoyed this Chapter, and Chapter 8 will be coming soon! I promise! Until then, buena suerte (good luck)!*