Chapter 28
All were ready to set sail. The morning sun had come up and hit Kristin brightly in the face, as she awoke in the Emperor's arms, sleeping by his side in his royal bed. She had fallen asleep while they had been out on the balcony, so she presumed that Hotohori had felt the need to tuck her into his own bed along side him. It was going to be awhile until she saw him again.
Kristin was the last to board the ship, her goodbyes to Hotohori long and painful.
"Don't worry," Hotohori said, "I'll be waiting for you. Don't get your self into too much trouble, Kristin-sama."
"I won't," Kristin sniffled. He pulled her close for a last embrace, while the gang of seishi watched from above.
"Aww."
Then, Hotohori pulled Kristin in for a goodbye kiss, and there was a hoot from the ship.
"Tasuki!" BAMM!!
Fighting back tears, Kristin left the embrace of the Emperor and went aboard, where Mitsukake and Chichiri were giving her saddened faces. "Perhaps it won't take as long as you think," Mitsukake suggested, trying to brighten Kristin's mood.
Chichiri nodded his head. "If we don't get off-course and aren't bombarded by the Lone Wolf Warrior or any of his sidekicks, we'll be saving much time, no da!"
Kristin nodded her head slowly, when Tasuki and Caitlin made an odd noise together.
"What was that?" Chichiri asked, as Kristin and Mitsukake turned in his direction, facing the bandit and his girl. The two pointed shaking fingers down towards the land, and Kristin turned to look. What she saw made a smile crawl over her face.
Tamahome was coming back from his journey to his home, and Nuriko walked besides him. They were both in happy moods, relieving Kristin to know that nobody had been killed -- or were they just covering up? But then, she saw what had made Tasuki and Caitlin want to burst into fits of laughter.
Tamahome was still in his outfit, of course, and he wasn't merely walking besides Nuriko -- they were holding hands. Kristin's whole body was shaking with laughter as the two made their way up to the ship. Everyone was red in the face, yearning to scream out, TamaHOMO!
The two walked up the ramp, Nuriko skipping in joy. Kristin watched Nuriko's happy red face, and noticed that Tamahome was quite red, as well. But it wasn't joy. It was embarrassement.
They reached the deck where everyone was trying to hold their smiles, watching the two intently, but the moment was ruined when Tamahome jerked his hand out of Nuriko's and exclaimed loudly, gruffly, "There! I walked you up here, is that fine enough!?"
Tasuki and Caitlin let out a groan. They were hoping for some homo affection between the two. Chichiri and Mitsukake simply walked away, suddenly minding their own business. Chiriko was somewhere inside, when the boat began to move.
"So long!" the Officials called from the land. Kristin and her warriors plus consort all waved goodbye to the Emperor and his Officials, and as she did, Kristin prayed in her heart that Martha wasn't going to let Nakago do anything too to drive them off course. The longer she was away from Hotohori, the more troublesome it was going to be for her heart.
Back in Kutou, Martha was settled into a horse-drawn carriage, and she and Nakago were transported to the north land, with the other Seishi in a carriage behind them. Soilders brought up the rear, carrying the goods and the camp. All was ready to begin. The Tubas of Phil had retreated when the cheez its had come back in. Apparently, he found that with everyone sufficently full of cheez its, they could manage to bombard his Tuba players with a tune picked on a guitar, causing his ears to burst, and he ran from the city, the Tubas streaming after him. All was good to go.
Martha leaned herself into Nakago, enjoying the change of scenery outside her window. In the carriage behind them were the twins and Makiko with a newly transformed Miboshi. Everyone had expected Miboshi to be a handsome, well done man with jewels abound and a sweet voice. but Naiidoska messed up in his spells, and after turning him into a cheez it, transformed him into... a flea. A bouncing, little flea that now sat on Makiko's shoulder. She had thrown a fit of rage at Naiidoska, pleading that he find the right spell to change Miboshi back to his normal self. Naiidoska promised he would work on it, and had left her in tears, trying to stroke the angered flea without squishing him.
"Poor Mi-bibi!" she had wailed. "The worst always happens to him!"
Upon Katie's switch to the * bad * side, Uni had been taken back to her own world, proven to be useless. Because Kristin was the Priestess of Suzaku, Martha was the Priestess of Seiryu, and all was happy.
Yeah.
But Martha was not happy when Nakago introduced her to Soi.
"I have a plan to divert the Suzaku seishi," Nakago told Martha, his voice vibrating in the empty room, "Soi Sauce here has the power of lightening. She can cause storms at her will. A storm upon the sea that the Priestess of Suzaku is traveling will surly take them off-course."
"Don't kill anyone!" Martha squeaked. Soi gave a solid "Hmph!"
Martha narrowed her eyes on Soi. "What was that all about?"
"The Priestess of Seiryu doesn't want to kill the Priestess of Suzaku? But she's your enemy!"
"She's my friend!" Martha cried. "Besides, Nakago promised me. and he's met her, too!"
Soi lifted an eyebrow at Nakago. Nakago simply stared her down, his face rigid and serious. He could get away with this promise. He always got his way. No body dared to mess with Nakago, if they knew what was good for them.
Nakago gave Martha a nod, then left the two women alone to get to know each other. Soi rounded down on the little figure of Martha, staring down at her with evil eyes.
"I know what you're after," Soi sneered. "You're in love with MY Nakago, and want to * soften * him up because you're some sort of sweet, good little girl that everyone likes, aren't I right?"
"Right you are!" Martha squeaked happily.
Soi stared at her in disbelief. "How on earth do you expect to get Nakago when you're some goody-two-shoes and he's the most powerful and dangerous Seishi this world has ever had?"
Martha smiled. "Love!"
Soi gave Martha a confused look. "Love?"
"Love!" Martha squeaked happily. "Nakago is very misunderstood, my baby is. All he needs is the right love, and he'll be mine, all MINE!"
Soi's face turned red. Martha uttered under her breath, "uh-oh."
Soon, the two were engaged in a cat fight, hissing a clawing at each other like mad, tearing out hair and biting each other. Nakago had only been out in the hall, talking to one of the Boboshi's about the plans getting ready for their journey up north, and he managed to hear the whole argument. His face was rather red, and he couldn't help but watch the two girls fight it out in front of him. The Boboshi next to him chuckled, and said, "HA! Now you've got girls fighting over you! Who would've thought a mullet and a claw were that sexy?"
The Boboshi was blasted by ki from Nakago, and the blast made the girls stop. They were both red in the face looking at Nakago's red face...of anger.
Martha wanted to explain that this was not the way she was -- truly, it wasn't. She was merely fighting in self defense. Soi was much bigger and scarier then herself, and Martha could easily be squashed if she didn't defend herself. She was going to say so, but conviently, Makiko burst into the room with sobs, holding out the flea that was Miboshi, and Nakago turned out of the room, trying not to laugh at poor Miboshi's fate.
"It's not funny!" Makiko cried, which just made Nakao laugh harder. Martha felt her heart flutter. His laugh was so adorable! She loved to see him in good spirits. He went down the hall with Makiko streaming after him, furious, leaving Martha with Soi again. Martha wanted desperately to go after Nakago, but Soi held her back, and whispered harshly in her ear, "Don't you DARE come between my Nakago and me, Priestess of Seiryu!"
Soi began to stalk out of the room, and Martha mustered all her courage to finally shout back at her, "It's not up to you to decide!"
Soi slowly turned around. "What did you just say?"
"I said, it's not up for you to decide," Martha repeated. "How about we stop this silly fight. You're suppose to be protecting me. I'm your Priestess. Listen, it's quite clear we BOTH love Nakago. but we can't force his feelings, right? Why don't we let HIM decide between the two of us?"
Soi gave a sly smile. "Alright, I agree." She walked up to Martha and shook her hand. "I'm sorry I attacked you, Martha-sama. Pleas forgive me."
"I forgive you," Martha said, happily. Soi just gave her wicked smile and walked out of the room. Martha gave out a troubled sigh. Soi seemed so confident that Nakago would choose her. And she was supposed to be protecting Martha, not fighting her over the general! Martha sank to her knees, sadness flooding over her senses. Was he going to pick her? Soi was absolutely right in saying that the two of them were very different.
Martha drew her knees up to her chin and began to cry. This wasn't fair! She wanted her Nakago so badly. at first she thought it had merely been a crush, but now she was madly and deeply in love with him, after spending the last month and half with him. She loved his pretty blue eyes and pale blonde hair. She loved his deep, sexy voice that tickled her ears. She loved the fact that his favorite color was blue -- just like hers! She had taken care of him for so long during these past few weeks, and now Soi had come to ruin it all. Martha cried, feeling very alone and sad.
Sure, Kristin must have felt this when Katie or Nuriko was in the way, Martha thought, but Katie and Nuriko were NOT like Soi -- Soi was an evil little bitch who was going to ruin Martha's love life.
Martha cried in her lonesome, and didn't even bother to look up when she heard the door to the room open. She supposed it was a Boboshi doing his business, and then she heard that sweet, low voice.
"Martha-sama," Came the concerned sounding voice of Nakago. He knet down besides her and took her shoulder. "What's wrong? Are you hurt? I'm sorry about Soi... I can tell her to stop, you know."
Martha stopped. She didn't want to look up, afraid of what Nakago would think of her ugly, tear-soaked face. But, he put his finger under her chin and raised her head up, looking quite seriously at her. "Don't cry, Priestess. You know I'll do anything to protect you, and if you need me to scold Soi, I will. I didn't think she'd behave this way. She's a bit. . . odd."
Martha whimpered. He does care about me! she thought.
"I didn't think you cared," she muttered, and Nakago put on a soft face, and put his arms around her.
"Of course I care," he said, "You're the Priestess, I was born to protect you. I'm doing this all for you. Please, don't get discouraged. Tell me what you want, and I'll give it to you."
Martha sniffed, and finally said, "Don't scold Soi. It'll only make things worse. She - she loves you very much." Martha hated to say it, but she couldn't just lie about Soi. She had to leave the facts up to Nakago to choose, and she prayed that she would be able to put genuine love to use with him, not lies and back-stabbing of Soi.
"I'm surprised you're telling me this," Nakago said, holding her tight. "I heard what you were guys were saying -- and how you began to fight. You shouldn't fight Soi. She's far stronger than you, and you could've died from her power."
"I know," Martha sniffed. "I was defending myself, that's all." She pushed her face into Nakago's cloak and allowed him to hug her, rubbing her on the back, reassuring her that every things okay.
"I would gladly choose the Priestess over Soi," Nakago finally said, his voice a bit hesitating.
"You would?" Martha said, her voice muffled from his cloak. "But . . . don't you have any feelings for Soi?"
"She sleeps with many men," Nakago said, his voice growling now. "All the Boboshi's. guys from the street. even the Emperor."
"I'm sorry," Martha said, though she couldn't help smiling. She held on to her Nakago, and stayed there until he forced her to get up and get ready for the Journey his face straight. But, Martha couldn't help but notice that he was slightly blushing as he left the room with her.
All were ready to set sail. The morning sun had come up and hit Kristin brightly in the face, as she awoke in the Emperor's arms, sleeping by his side in his royal bed. She had fallen asleep while they had been out on the balcony, so she presumed that Hotohori had felt the need to tuck her into his own bed along side him. It was going to be awhile until she saw him again.
Kristin was the last to board the ship, her goodbyes to Hotohori long and painful.
"Don't worry," Hotohori said, "I'll be waiting for you. Don't get your self into too much trouble, Kristin-sama."
"I won't," Kristin sniffled. He pulled her close for a last embrace, while the gang of seishi watched from above.
"Aww."
Then, Hotohori pulled Kristin in for a goodbye kiss, and there was a hoot from the ship.
"Tasuki!" BAMM!!
Fighting back tears, Kristin left the embrace of the Emperor and went aboard, where Mitsukake and Chichiri were giving her saddened faces. "Perhaps it won't take as long as you think," Mitsukake suggested, trying to brighten Kristin's mood.
Chichiri nodded his head. "If we don't get off-course and aren't bombarded by the Lone Wolf Warrior or any of his sidekicks, we'll be saving much time, no da!"
Kristin nodded her head slowly, when Tasuki and Caitlin made an odd noise together.
"What was that?" Chichiri asked, as Kristin and Mitsukake turned in his direction, facing the bandit and his girl. The two pointed shaking fingers down towards the land, and Kristin turned to look. What she saw made a smile crawl over her face.
Tamahome was coming back from his journey to his home, and Nuriko walked besides him. They were both in happy moods, relieving Kristin to know that nobody had been killed -- or were they just covering up? But then, she saw what had made Tasuki and Caitlin want to burst into fits of laughter.
Tamahome was still in his outfit, of course, and he wasn't merely walking besides Nuriko -- they were holding hands. Kristin's whole body was shaking with laughter as the two made their way up to the ship. Everyone was red in the face, yearning to scream out, TamaHOMO!
The two walked up the ramp, Nuriko skipping in joy. Kristin watched Nuriko's happy red face, and noticed that Tamahome was quite red, as well. But it wasn't joy. It was embarrassement.
They reached the deck where everyone was trying to hold their smiles, watching the two intently, but the moment was ruined when Tamahome jerked his hand out of Nuriko's and exclaimed loudly, gruffly, "There! I walked you up here, is that fine enough!?"
Tasuki and Caitlin let out a groan. They were hoping for some homo affection between the two. Chichiri and Mitsukake simply walked away, suddenly minding their own business. Chiriko was somewhere inside, when the boat began to move.
"So long!" the Officials called from the land. Kristin and her warriors plus consort all waved goodbye to the Emperor and his Officials, and as she did, Kristin prayed in her heart that Martha wasn't going to let Nakago do anything too to drive them off course. The longer she was away from Hotohori, the more troublesome it was going to be for her heart.
Back in Kutou, Martha was settled into a horse-drawn carriage, and she and Nakago were transported to the north land, with the other Seishi in a carriage behind them. Soilders brought up the rear, carrying the goods and the camp. All was ready to begin. The Tubas of Phil had retreated when the cheez its had come back in. Apparently, he found that with everyone sufficently full of cheez its, they could manage to bombard his Tuba players with a tune picked on a guitar, causing his ears to burst, and he ran from the city, the Tubas streaming after him. All was good to go.
Martha leaned herself into Nakago, enjoying the change of scenery outside her window. In the carriage behind them were the twins and Makiko with a newly transformed Miboshi. Everyone had expected Miboshi to be a handsome, well done man with jewels abound and a sweet voice. but Naiidoska messed up in his spells, and after turning him into a cheez it, transformed him into... a flea. A bouncing, little flea that now sat on Makiko's shoulder. She had thrown a fit of rage at Naiidoska, pleading that he find the right spell to change Miboshi back to his normal self. Naiidoska promised he would work on it, and had left her in tears, trying to stroke the angered flea without squishing him.
"Poor Mi-bibi!" she had wailed. "The worst always happens to him!"
Upon Katie's switch to the * bad * side, Uni had been taken back to her own world, proven to be useless. Because Kristin was the Priestess of Suzaku, Martha was the Priestess of Seiryu, and all was happy.
Yeah.
But Martha was not happy when Nakago introduced her to Soi.
"I have a plan to divert the Suzaku seishi," Nakago told Martha, his voice vibrating in the empty room, "Soi Sauce here has the power of lightening. She can cause storms at her will. A storm upon the sea that the Priestess of Suzaku is traveling will surly take them off-course."
"Don't kill anyone!" Martha squeaked. Soi gave a solid "Hmph!"
Martha narrowed her eyes on Soi. "What was that all about?"
"The Priestess of Seiryu doesn't want to kill the Priestess of Suzaku? But she's your enemy!"
"She's my friend!" Martha cried. "Besides, Nakago promised me. and he's met her, too!"
Soi lifted an eyebrow at Nakago. Nakago simply stared her down, his face rigid and serious. He could get away with this promise. He always got his way. No body dared to mess with Nakago, if they knew what was good for them.
Nakago gave Martha a nod, then left the two women alone to get to know each other. Soi rounded down on the little figure of Martha, staring down at her with evil eyes.
"I know what you're after," Soi sneered. "You're in love with MY Nakago, and want to * soften * him up because you're some sort of sweet, good little girl that everyone likes, aren't I right?"
"Right you are!" Martha squeaked happily.
Soi stared at her in disbelief. "How on earth do you expect to get Nakago when you're some goody-two-shoes and he's the most powerful and dangerous Seishi this world has ever had?"
Martha smiled. "Love!"
Soi gave Martha a confused look. "Love?"
"Love!" Martha squeaked happily. "Nakago is very misunderstood, my baby is. All he needs is the right love, and he'll be mine, all MINE!"
Soi's face turned red. Martha uttered under her breath, "uh-oh."
Soon, the two were engaged in a cat fight, hissing a clawing at each other like mad, tearing out hair and biting each other. Nakago had only been out in the hall, talking to one of the Boboshi's about the plans getting ready for their journey up north, and he managed to hear the whole argument. His face was rather red, and he couldn't help but watch the two girls fight it out in front of him. The Boboshi next to him chuckled, and said, "HA! Now you've got girls fighting over you! Who would've thought a mullet and a claw were that sexy?"
The Boboshi was blasted by ki from Nakago, and the blast made the girls stop. They were both red in the face looking at Nakago's red face...of anger.
Martha wanted to explain that this was not the way she was -- truly, it wasn't. She was merely fighting in self defense. Soi was much bigger and scarier then herself, and Martha could easily be squashed if she didn't defend herself. She was going to say so, but conviently, Makiko burst into the room with sobs, holding out the flea that was Miboshi, and Nakago turned out of the room, trying not to laugh at poor Miboshi's fate.
"It's not funny!" Makiko cried, which just made Nakao laugh harder. Martha felt her heart flutter. His laugh was so adorable! She loved to see him in good spirits. He went down the hall with Makiko streaming after him, furious, leaving Martha with Soi again. Martha wanted desperately to go after Nakago, but Soi held her back, and whispered harshly in her ear, "Don't you DARE come between my Nakago and me, Priestess of Seiryu!"
Soi began to stalk out of the room, and Martha mustered all her courage to finally shout back at her, "It's not up to you to decide!"
Soi slowly turned around. "What did you just say?"
"I said, it's not up for you to decide," Martha repeated. "How about we stop this silly fight. You're suppose to be protecting me. I'm your Priestess. Listen, it's quite clear we BOTH love Nakago. but we can't force his feelings, right? Why don't we let HIM decide between the two of us?"
Soi gave a sly smile. "Alright, I agree." She walked up to Martha and shook her hand. "I'm sorry I attacked you, Martha-sama. Pleas forgive me."
"I forgive you," Martha said, happily. Soi just gave her wicked smile and walked out of the room. Martha gave out a troubled sigh. Soi seemed so confident that Nakago would choose her. And she was supposed to be protecting Martha, not fighting her over the general! Martha sank to her knees, sadness flooding over her senses. Was he going to pick her? Soi was absolutely right in saying that the two of them were very different.
Martha drew her knees up to her chin and began to cry. This wasn't fair! She wanted her Nakago so badly. at first she thought it had merely been a crush, but now she was madly and deeply in love with him, after spending the last month and half with him. She loved his pretty blue eyes and pale blonde hair. She loved his deep, sexy voice that tickled her ears. She loved the fact that his favorite color was blue -- just like hers! She had taken care of him for so long during these past few weeks, and now Soi had come to ruin it all. Martha cried, feeling very alone and sad.
Sure, Kristin must have felt this when Katie or Nuriko was in the way, Martha thought, but Katie and Nuriko were NOT like Soi -- Soi was an evil little bitch who was going to ruin Martha's love life.
Martha cried in her lonesome, and didn't even bother to look up when she heard the door to the room open. She supposed it was a Boboshi doing his business, and then she heard that sweet, low voice.
"Martha-sama," Came the concerned sounding voice of Nakago. He knet down besides her and took her shoulder. "What's wrong? Are you hurt? I'm sorry about Soi... I can tell her to stop, you know."
Martha stopped. She didn't want to look up, afraid of what Nakago would think of her ugly, tear-soaked face. But, he put his finger under her chin and raised her head up, looking quite seriously at her. "Don't cry, Priestess. You know I'll do anything to protect you, and if you need me to scold Soi, I will. I didn't think she'd behave this way. She's a bit. . . odd."
Martha whimpered. He does care about me! she thought.
"I didn't think you cared," she muttered, and Nakago put on a soft face, and put his arms around her.
"Of course I care," he said, "You're the Priestess, I was born to protect you. I'm doing this all for you. Please, don't get discouraged. Tell me what you want, and I'll give it to you."
Martha sniffed, and finally said, "Don't scold Soi. It'll only make things worse. She - she loves you very much." Martha hated to say it, but she couldn't just lie about Soi. She had to leave the facts up to Nakago to choose, and she prayed that she would be able to put genuine love to use with him, not lies and back-stabbing of Soi.
"I'm surprised you're telling me this," Nakago said, holding her tight. "I heard what you were guys were saying -- and how you began to fight. You shouldn't fight Soi. She's far stronger than you, and you could've died from her power."
"I know," Martha sniffed. "I was defending myself, that's all." She pushed her face into Nakago's cloak and allowed him to hug her, rubbing her on the back, reassuring her that every things okay.
"I would gladly choose the Priestess over Soi," Nakago finally said, his voice a bit hesitating.
"You would?" Martha said, her voice muffled from his cloak. "But . . . don't you have any feelings for Soi?"
"She sleeps with many men," Nakago said, his voice growling now. "All the Boboshi's. guys from the street. even the Emperor."
"I'm sorry," Martha said, though she couldn't help smiling. She held on to her Nakago, and stayed there until he forced her to get up and get ready for the Journey his face straight. But, Martha couldn't help but notice that he was slightly blushing as he left the room with her.