Disclaimer: I don't own this, blah blah blah… Thanks to the poor prop
fellow who arch-welded Chi-chan's staff back together for this chapter!
(Not that he really exists…but if you want to think he does…Yare Yare!)
"Kik-kik-kik," Yuki flicked the reigns, and urged the camel she was on to turn to the right. "Why did you bring that horse along?"
"Because it followed us," Kira stroked the white horse's nose and smiled. "I think we should give it a name…any ideas?"
"Perhaps, Kyuumu," Kagasuki suggested as he mounted his camel.
"Kyuu, Kyuu!" Tatara laughed, and the horse snorted.
"Kyuu it is…" Kira smiled, and lifted Tatara up, setting him gently atop the white steed. "Then, I suppose we should continue on." Kira mounted the horse, shifting so that Tatara was sitting in her lap rather than hanging onto her from behind.
"Just where might we be going, anyways?" Yuki blinked at Kira and sighed.
"Kagasuki, if you please," Kira leaded back and turned her head towards Kagasuki.
"Ah yes, I have discovered, through much searching, that there is a village just south of here being attacked by some sort of monster," Kagasuki answered, matter-of-fact-ly as he clicked the reigns of his camel and it trotted forward to meet Kyuu, and Yuki's camel.
"Lets head out then," Kira flicked the reigns of the steed and it trotted forward and down the road. Both Kagasuki and Yuki followed close behind on camel. They traveled over desert for quite some time until they came to a large ridge that dropped down into, what seemed to be, a lush forest.
"Is this a mirage?" Yuki stared down at the lush wood and blinked her eyes.
"I don't think so… Mirage tend to be even with the horizon, for the most part," Kagasuki looked out at the unfamiliar wood.
"Can we go there, it looks shady," Tatara tugged on Kira's sleeve and stared up at her with his big brown eyes.
"Very well," Kira was instantly melted by those pitiful looking eyes, and peered over the edge of the ridge. There was a small dirt path that doubled back several times but eventually made it to the bottom. "This way," Kira laughed as she spoke and pulled the reigns to lead the horse to the path.
The other two fell in line behind Kira, Yuki second, with Kagasuki taking the rear. Though it took nearly three hours of slow descent to reach the bottom of the ridge, it was worth the cool breeze that greeted them. The forest was filled with tall smooth trees, and lined with huge stalks of bamboo that almost formed a barrier.
"Not a mirage after all…" Yuki took a deep breath of the cool sweet smelling air, and dismounted her camel.
"Quite lovely," Kagasuki leapt off his camel, and looked around at the surrounding area.
"Yay!" Tatara exclaimed, and began to squirm. Kira gave up on trying to calm the child, and dismounted. She quickly reached up and took him off the horse as soon as she could, setting him down on the soft green grass.
"Looks to me like we'll have to walk Kyuu and the Camels through…" Kira inspected the thick forest, and sighed. "How much farther is it to the town?"
"A days walk, or perhaps two," Kagasuki looked up and thought for a moment.
"Well, lets get going!" Yuki threw her arms up and yawned.
"Lets! Lets!" Tatara cheered, and mimicked Yuki.
The four set out into the forest, and tried to make a straight line south, as best they could. They made their way slowly, and came across a spring just as night fell. They came to a halt as they reached the water's edge. The spring, for the most part, was shaded from the moon and sun's light by a roof of bamboo that curved high above it. In the center of the spring the water was deep blue and the surface reflected the crescent moon.
"This seems a nice enough place to camp the night," Kagasuki said as he took the reins from the camels and allowed them to drink from one of the pools of cold water that surrounded the spring.
"Wow…" Yuki was at a loss for words, she walked up to the edge of the water and laughed as she touched the top. "This looks like a set from one of my plays- Hey! This water is warm," Yuki reached down into the water only to discover that it got hotter as it got deeper.
"A hot spring, but why is there no steam?" Kira looked at the waters, and true enough there was little if no steam coming off parts of the water. Tatara of course mocked every motion of Kira's and bent down to inspect the water as well.
"Perhaps it is because of the cold water that covers the top of the spring," Kagasuki smiled, and motioned to the cold pools that surrounded the majestic spring.
"Well, that would explain it," Kira stood up, and stretched her arms out. Yuki stood and began to walk off. "Where are you going?" Kira blinked, and Yuki laughed back over her shoulder.
"Well, I'm off to take a bath, of course!" Yuki turned around and waved her arm, motioning for Kira to come along.
"Wait up! I'll go with you," Kira jogged after, and Tatara followed close behind them both. Kagasuki watched them all turn a bend, and laughed once to himself.
After much arguing between Kira and Yuki over whether Tatara should be allowed to bathe with them, Yuki finally gave when the fact that Tatara couldn't swim was brought up. Luckily, though, Jaki had packed a pair of bathing suits (including one for him…) and a couple towels in the bag so everything was perfectly fine.
"This is sooo nice…" Yuki eased down into the water until it reached her collarbone.
"Mmmmhmmm" Kira agreed as she adjusted the right strap on her bathing suit. Both Kira and Yuki figured that if Jaki had packed the bathing suits, then they would most likely be rather skimpy, for his enjoyment, so they weren't too surprised when they found the two sets of bikinis. While Kira and Yuki soaked Tatara practiced kicking his feet in an attempt to swim, it was rather futile considering that he was wearing a bathing suit far to big for him and it had to be tied on with a small length of rope.
All was quiet and serene as the three sat there, unaware of the rather ominous looking shadow behind them. The shadow was perched on a rock between two large clusters of bamboo, it stood and there was a quiet swishing noise. Kira turned around only a moment before the shadow flung a huge net over all three of them. All three of them let out a collective yell as the man pulling the net hoisted them out of the water.
"Well, what have I caught in my net today?" A smug looking man stepped out of the bamboo and raised an eyebrow at them. He couldn't have been more than nineteen years of age, his hair was dark brown, much like Yuki's, he was lean and of medium build. He was dressed rather like a sailor, a peculiar thing considering they were in the middle of the desert.
"Oh drat, just some kids," He sighed and put a hand to his forehead. "Some very peculiarly dressed kids…" He stared at Kira and Yuki for a moment and smiled.
"What exactly are YOU smiling at!?" Yuki shot him a look she often gave Jaki.
"I demand you let us out of here now!" Kira pulled at the net and growled.
"I'll let you out…Just as soon as I make sure I've put enough distance between us," The man smiled, and looked around for a moment. "Ah hah!" He exclaimed and walked towards their clothes "Lets see… Anything of any value here-" He shuffled through their costumes and sighed. "Not much… Just some stupid sword and…Hey!" He smiled as he pulled out Kira's choker and the black katana that went along with the Mihori costume.
"My sword!" Yuki yelled and struggled in the net.
"My choker!" Kira kicked and glared. The man only smiled, and stood back up.
"Well, thank you ladies, your contribution to my cause is much appreciated," he bowed and ran off into the woods. He was gone for no more than five minutes when the net holding Kira, Yuki, and Tatara literally fell apart. Kira and Yuki spared no time in getting dressed, and rushing back to camp.
"We have to catch that scoundrel," Yuki growled as they walked back to the camp.
"We'll set out tonight," Kira nodded, and went to check on the camels and Kyuu.
"Wait a moment, it will be dark soon. Surely you don't think you can navigate in the dark," Kagasuki was sitting with his back against a tree, reading a book.
"We'll be fine," Kira sighed, and checked the saddle on Kyuu.
"I do not believe that all of us could travel together in the deep of night, and what of Tatara?" Kagasuki closed his book and looked up at them.
"He can stay with you, we'll meet you in the village in two days," Yuki lifted the bag Jaki had given them, with much effort, and steadied it on the camel. Tatara looked up at Yuki, and his eyes widened. He turned and pulled on Kira's cape, looking rather pitiful.
"Oh…" Kira turned and knelt down next to Tatara. "I'm sorry, but it would be safer here with Kagasuki… We'll only be gone for two days, be brave." Kira lifted his chin and he smiled. With that said Kira stood and mounted Kyuu, and then the two were off.
They moved slowly through the wood, turning and weaving but always following the tracks left by the thief they sought. It was almost midnight when they reached the edge of a rowed field. The moon waxed high in the sky, and the grain shuffled, and swayed in the cool night breeze. The path was bathed in the full moon's light, and dimmed slightly whenever a cloud would drift past in the sky.
They halted here, and tried to look for any signs of the village that was supposedly down the very road on which they stood. But even in the silver moonlight, the night was still far too dark to see beyond the farm's field. Kira and Yuki rode out of the brush and onto the road, under the light Kyuumu seemed to glow a brilliant white, as did Kira making her look even more the part of Kurare. Yuki's outfit blended with the night making her even more ominous and giving her a more overpowering presence than before.
The moon moved across the sky as they rode toward the village, it was near three hours before sunrise when they heard the clip-clip-clip of light footed horses, and the squeaking of carriage wheels. Kira and Yuki pulled to the side of the road and slowed as they quickly made their way out of sight behind the brush on the sides of the main path.
Kira leaned forward to the point where she was almost laying on Kyuu, Yuki ducked down, and both locked their eyes on the road. The night fell dead silent as they halted in the brush, and the sounds of horses and carriage wheels grew closer by the moment. The sounds were in no way rushed, and the creators seemed in no rush.
Form out of the cold darkness of the night immerged a pair of dark horses, clad in red and gold fabrics and harness. Behind them was drawn a white carriage adorned with wispy lengths of fabric and thin hanging chains of gold. It pulled along the road and trailing it were two riders on white horses, much similar to Kyuumu, but smaller and adorned in the same red and gold.
"I could really use a good sleep after this," The rider to the far left side of the road yawned, exposing a single fang, and grumbled incoherently. He was a rather scruffy looking man that resembled a bandit in every sense of the word.
"You don't sleep enough already, Tasuki?" The second rider laughed, he was the monk that Kira had seen several times in the past. His cloak was hung about him in a way that nearly masked his ringed staff from Kira's sight. Kira leaned forward on Kyuu, and despite his training Kyuu shuffled and broke a twig.
"What was that," Tasuki stopped his horse and looked over at the brush where Kira and Yuki were residing, some luck was with them though for the brush obscured them from Tasuki's vision. Kira cursed under her breath, and kept completely still, as did Yuki.
"It sounded like a horse, no da…" The monk dismounted his horse, and stepped towards the brush. Kira took in a sharp breath, and held it. Chichiri, of course, heard and stepped towards the side of the road with a clearer idea of their location.
"What is it," Tasuki asked, and ahead the carriage came to a slow halt.
"I don't know, no da…" Chichiri squinted, and peered into the bush. He froze to the spot as he locked eyes with Kira. He could only see her eyes through the dense brush, and her vision was set on him like that of a crouching tiger. "The eyes-" Chichiri gasped, and drew his staff.
Author's Notes: And there, the first part of the adventures to become the Son of Destiny! Poor Tatara got left back with Kagasuki on this one… well he'll be back in the next chapter! And perhaps more of the Suzaku no Seishiku~ *writes faster…but would write more if she were given proper incentive…(HINT HINT!)* REVIEW!!!
^^ R&R… I don't bite promise! Constructive criticisms welcome, errors pointed out appreciated, flames will be laughed at mercilessly before being given to Suzaku.
"Kik-kik-kik," Yuki flicked the reigns, and urged the camel she was on to turn to the right. "Why did you bring that horse along?"
"Because it followed us," Kira stroked the white horse's nose and smiled. "I think we should give it a name…any ideas?"
"Perhaps, Kyuumu," Kagasuki suggested as he mounted his camel.
"Kyuu, Kyuu!" Tatara laughed, and the horse snorted.
"Kyuu it is…" Kira smiled, and lifted Tatara up, setting him gently atop the white steed. "Then, I suppose we should continue on." Kira mounted the horse, shifting so that Tatara was sitting in her lap rather than hanging onto her from behind.
"Just where might we be going, anyways?" Yuki blinked at Kira and sighed.
"Kagasuki, if you please," Kira leaded back and turned her head towards Kagasuki.
"Ah yes, I have discovered, through much searching, that there is a village just south of here being attacked by some sort of monster," Kagasuki answered, matter-of-fact-ly as he clicked the reigns of his camel and it trotted forward to meet Kyuu, and Yuki's camel.
"Lets head out then," Kira flicked the reigns of the steed and it trotted forward and down the road. Both Kagasuki and Yuki followed close behind on camel. They traveled over desert for quite some time until they came to a large ridge that dropped down into, what seemed to be, a lush forest.
"Is this a mirage?" Yuki stared down at the lush wood and blinked her eyes.
"I don't think so… Mirage tend to be even with the horizon, for the most part," Kagasuki looked out at the unfamiliar wood.
"Can we go there, it looks shady," Tatara tugged on Kira's sleeve and stared up at her with his big brown eyes.
"Very well," Kira was instantly melted by those pitiful looking eyes, and peered over the edge of the ridge. There was a small dirt path that doubled back several times but eventually made it to the bottom. "This way," Kira laughed as she spoke and pulled the reigns to lead the horse to the path.
The other two fell in line behind Kira, Yuki second, with Kagasuki taking the rear. Though it took nearly three hours of slow descent to reach the bottom of the ridge, it was worth the cool breeze that greeted them. The forest was filled with tall smooth trees, and lined with huge stalks of bamboo that almost formed a barrier.
"Not a mirage after all…" Yuki took a deep breath of the cool sweet smelling air, and dismounted her camel.
"Quite lovely," Kagasuki leapt off his camel, and looked around at the surrounding area.
"Yay!" Tatara exclaimed, and began to squirm. Kira gave up on trying to calm the child, and dismounted. She quickly reached up and took him off the horse as soon as she could, setting him down on the soft green grass.
"Looks to me like we'll have to walk Kyuu and the Camels through…" Kira inspected the thick forest, and sighed. "How much farther is it to the town?"
"A days walk, or perhaps two," Kagasuki looked up and thought for a moment.
"Well, lets get going!" Yuki threw her arms up and yawned.
"Lets! Lets!" Tatara cheered, and mimicked Yuki.
The four set out into the forest, and tried to make a straight line south, as best they could. They made their way slowly, and came across a spring just as night fell. They came to a halt as they reached the water's edge. The spring, for the most part, was shaded from the moon and sun's light by a roof of bamboo that curved high above it. In the center of the spring the water was deep blue and the surface reflected the crescent moon.
"This seems a nice enough place to camp the night," Kagasuki said as he took the reins from the camels and allowed them to drink from one of the pools of cold water that surrounded the spring.
"Wow…" Yuki was at a loss for words, she walked up to the edge of the water and laughed as she touched the top. "This looks like a set from one of my plays- Hey! This water is warm," Yuki reached down into the water only to discover that it got hotter as it got deeper.
"A hot spring, but why is there no steam?" Kira looked at the waters, and true enough there was little if no steam coming off parts of the water. Tatara of course mocked every motion of Kira's and bent down to inspect the water as well.
"Perhaps it is because of the cold water that covers the top of the spring," Kagasuki smiled, and motioned to the cold pools that surrounded the majestic spring.
"Well, that would explain it," Kira stood up, and stretched her arms out. Yuki stood and began to walk off. "Where are you going?" Kira blinked, and Yuki laughed back over her shoulder.
"Well, I'm off to take a bath, of course!" Yuki turned around and waved her arm, motioning for Kira to come along.
"Wait up! I'll go with you," Kira jogged after, and Tatara followed close behind them both. Kagasuki watched them all turn a bend, and laughed once to himself.
After much arguing between Kira and Yuki over whether Tatara should be allowed to bathe with them, Yuki finally gave when the fact that Tatara couldn't swim was brought up. Luckily, though, Jaki had packed a pair of bathing suits (including one for him…) and a couple towels in the bag so everything was perfectly fine.
"This is sooo nice…" Yuki eased down into the water until it reached her collarbone.
"Mmmmhmmm" Kira agreed as she adjusted the right strap on her bathing suit. Both Kira and Yuki figured that if Jaki had packed the bathing suits, then they would most likely be rather skimpy, for his enjoyment, so they weren't too surprised when they found the two sets of bikinis. While Kira and Yuki soaked Tatara practiced kicking his feet in an attempt to swim, it was rather futile considering that he was wearing a bathing suit far to big for him and it had to be tied on with a small length of rope.
All was quiet and serene as the three sat there, unaware of the rather ominous looking shadow behind them. The shadow was perched on a rock between two large clusters of bamboo, it stood and there was a quiet swishing noise. Kira turned around only a moment before the shadow flung a huge net over all three of them. All three of them let out a collective yell as the man pulling the net hoisted them out of the water.
"Well, what have I caught in my net today?" A smug looking man stepped out of the bamboo and raised an eyebrow at them. He couldn't have been more than nineteen years of age, his hair was dark brown, much like Yuki's, he was lean and of medium build. He was dressed rather like a sailor, a peculiar thing considering they were in the middle of the desert.
"Oh drat, just some kids," He sighed and put a hand to his forehead. "Some very peculiarly dressed kids…" He stared at Kira and Yuki for a moment and smiled.
"What exactly are YOU smiling at!?" Yuki shot him a look she often gave Jaki.
"I demand you let us out of here now!" Kira pulled at the net and growled.
"I'll let you out…Just as soon as I make sure I've put enough distance between us," The man smiled, and looked around for a moment. "Ah hah!" He exclaimed and walked towards their clothes "Lets see… Anything of any value here-" He shuffled through their costumes and sighed. "Not much… Just some stupid sword and…Hey!" He smiled as he pulled out Kira's choker and the black katana that went along with the Mihori costume.
"My sword!" Yuki yelled and struggled in the net.
"My choker!" Kira kicked and glared. The man only smiled, and stood back up.
"Well, thank you ladies, your contribution to my cause is much appreciated," he bowed and ran off into the woods. He was gone for no more than five minutes when the net holding Kira, Yuki, and Tatara literally fell apart. Kira and Yuki spared no time in getting dressed, and rushing back to camp.
"We have to catch that scoundrel," Yuki growled as they walked back to the camp.
"We'll set out tonight," Kira nodded, and went to check on the camels and Kyuu.
"Wait a moment, it will be dark soon. Surely you don't think you can navigate in the dark," Kagasuki was sitting with his back against a tree, reading a book.
"We'll be fine," Kira sighed, and checked the saddle on Kyuu.
"I do not believe that all of us could travel together in the deep of night, and what of Tatara?" Kagasuki closed his book and looked up at them.
"He can stay with you, we'll meet you in the village in two days," Yuki lifted the bag Jaki had given them, with much effort, and steadied it on the camel. Tatara looked up at Yuki, and his eyes widened. He turned and pulled on Kira's cape, looking rather pitiful.
"Oh…" Kira turned and knelt down next to Tatara. "I'm sorry, but it would be safer here with Kagasuki… We'll only be gone for two days, be brave." Kira lifted his chin and he smiled. With that said Kira stood and mounted Kyuu, and then the two were off.
They moved slowly through the wood, turning and weaving but always following the tracks left by the thief they sought. It was almost midnight when they reached the edge of a rowed field. The moon waxed high in the sky, and the grain shuffled, and swayed in the cool night breeze. The path was bathed in the full moon's light, and dimmed slightly whenever a cloud would drift past in the sky.
They halted here, and tried to look for any signs of the village that was supposedly down the very road on which they stood. But even in the silver moonlight, the night was still far too dark to see beyond the farm's field. Kira and Yuki rode out of the brush and onto the road, under the light Kyuumu seemed to glow a brilliant white, as did Kira making her look even more the part of Kurare. Yuki's outfit blended with the night making her even more ominous and giving her a more overpowering presence than before.
The moon moved across the sky as they rode toward the village, it was near three hours before sunrise when they heard the clip-clip-clip of light footed horses, and the squeaking of carriage wheels. Kira and Yuki pulled to the side of the road and slowed as they quickly made their way out of sight behind the brush on the sides of the main path.
Kira leaned forward to the point where she was almost laying on Kyuu, Yuki ducked down, and both locked their eyes on the road. The night fell dead silent as they halted in the brush, and the sounds of horses and carriage wheels grew closer by the moment. The sounds were in no way rushed, and the creators seemed in no rush.
Form out of the cold darkness of the night immerged a pair of dark horses, clad in red and gold fabrics and harness. Behind them was drawn a white carriage adorned with wispy lengths of fabric and thin hanging chains of gold. It pulled along the road and trailing it were two riders on white horses, much similar to Kyuumu, but smaller and adorned in the same red and gold.
"I could really use a good sleep after this," The rider to the far left side of the road yawned, exposing a single fang, and grumbled incoherently. He was a rather scruffy looking man that resembled a bandit in every sense of the word.
"You don't sleep enough already, Tasuki?" The second rider laughed, he was the monk that Kira had seen several times in the past. His cloak was hung about him in a way that nearly masked his ringed staff from Kira's sight. Kira leaned forward on Kyuu, and despite his training Kyuu shuffled and broke a twig.
"What was that," Tasuki stopped his horse and looked over at the brush where Kira and Yuki were residing, some luck was with them though for the brush obscured them from Tasuki's vision. Kira cursed under her breath, and kept completely still, as did Yuki.
"It sounded like a horse, no da…" The monk dismounted his horse, and stepped towards the brush. Kira took in a sharp breath, and held it. Chichiri, of course, heard and stepped towards the side of the road with a clearer idea of their location.
"What is it," Tasuki asked, and ahead the carriage came to a slow halt.
"I don't know, no da…" Chichiri squinted, and peered into the bush. He froze to the spot as he locked eyes with Kira. He could only see her eyes through the dense brush, and her vision was set on him like that of a crouching tiger. "The eyes-" Chichiri gasped, and drew his staff.
Author's Notes: And there, the first part of the adventures to become the Son of Destiny! Poor Tatara got left back with Kagasuki on this one… well he'll be back in the next chapter! And perhaps more of the Suzaku no Seishiku~ *writes faster…but would write more if she were given proper incentive…(HINT HINT!)* REVIEW!!!
^^ R&R… I don't bite promise! Constructive criticisms welcome, errors pointed out appreciated, flames will be laughed at mercilessly before being given to Suzaku.