A/n: This chapter would have been posted sooner if Bakaru did not hog the
computer. Also bare with the beginning, I was having a little problem with
writer's block. It does get better.
~*~
Chapter 3: The Chase
Where are we? Miaka wondered. She and Tamahome had been wandering for what felt like ages. They had started out from the palace on foot but fortunately found a horse not too far into their journey. The horse was now spent from the hard ride up Mt. Leikaku, so Miaka and Tamahome were back on their feet.
Miaka looked around. In the starlight, nothing looked familiar. Just where was the Enchanted Forest? Nuriko hadn't said.
Tamahome was doing some exploring of his own. He was looking forward to getting some rest. And Miaka would need a place to prepare food. He knew how cranky she could get without a hot meal.
"Tsk, tsk," a dismembered voice whispered. These two could be so clueless, thought Chichiri. The enchanted forest was staring them in the face. "They need some help, no da," he told the horse as he gave the animal a hard whack on the behind.
The terrified horse took off into the trees.
"Come back, you dumb animal!" shouted Miaka when she saw what was happening. She and Tamahome continued to call out the command as they chased their transportation into the woods. Little did they realize that the dumb animal had just transported them into the Enchanted Forest.
~*~
Not too far away, nearing the base of the mountain was Hotohori. With him were six of the best Royal Palace Guards. It had not taken them long to find Miaka and Tamahome's tracks. The trail had led them through the Konan country side, across vast plains, and to the foot of Mt. Leikaku.
Judging by the tracks left, Miaka and Tamahome had been in a hurry. Now, however, the tracks reflected a slower pace indicating a desire to stop. Hotohori was certain that they were camped somewhere on this side of Mt. Leikaku.
"Wait here. I must talk to them alone."
The captain looked concern. "Sir, we are sworn to protect you. What if they inadvertently lead you into a trap?"
"Do not worry, Captain Shang. If I do not return by dawn you may come after me. Until then you are under strict orders to remain here."
From beneath the folds of his jacket Hotohori retrieved two black vials. Mitsukake had handed them to him just as he was about to leave the palace. "You may need this," the healer had said. When Hotohori had tried to find out more, all the man would say was, "it's an antidote. Two drops should be enough to revive, if the need arises." Hotohori hadn't had time to press for more information.
Now he did the same. He passed one bottle to Captain Shang and repeated the instruction. Returning the other vial to his jacket, Hotohori rode off into the mountain night.
~*~
Meanwhile somewhere in between the Konan countryside and the vast plains a lone figure on horseback trotted through the same starlit night.
"Just my luck," Nuriko complained to the sky. "Out of all the fine horseflesh in the Royal Stables, I had to pick Jack the Stubborn Ass." As if he comprehended the insult, Nuriko's mount stalled for the hundredth time.
It was a battle of wills. Man against animal. Or in this case, woman against donkey. Through the course of the evening, she and Jack had engaged in staring contests, name calling, and mud slinging. Now it was time to get serious. Nuriko gritted her teeth and rolled up her sleeves. Adopting a very unladylike stance she bent and picked up her opponent. "I am getting to Hotohori even if I have to carry the blasted beast all the way there," she informed her burden as much as herself.
So engaged in her endeavor and sweet thoughts of Emperor Enchanting was Nuriko that she didn't notice the extra shadow following her. Neither did she notice the printed cape that swept around her in the dark. Nope, the ground looked the same and Jack weighed as much as he always did. How was she to know magic forces were at work?
Though the ground may have seemed the same, the scenery around her had changed. The horizon was no longer a clean line between earth and sky. The line was now broken my growing mounds and the jagged peaks of the foothills of Mt Leikaku. Chichiri's magic had teleported her pass the Royal guards, and minutes away from the Emperor.
~*~
About the same time, Miaka and Tamahome were nearing the heart of the Enchanted Forest. They had given up trying to find their horse.
"Whose bright idea was it to leave the food on the horse," Miaka complained. She sent a scathing look towards Tamahome.
"Don't look at me. How was I supposed to know that the thing would take off like that?"
Miaka wasn't satisfied with the explanation, so she hit him anyway, before she stormed off.
"I just knew it. I just knew she would get cranky," Tamahome thought to himself. His hand went to the private stash of candy bars he kept in his jacket. He had saved them from his trip to Miaka's world.
"I should just leave her to sulk by herself. It was her idea to come here." Tamahome glanced at his brooding girlfriend's back. "But she looks so pitiful," his resolve was softening. Miaka chose that moment to let out loud sniff. With that Tamahome's internal debate was over. He walked to her and tangled a bar in front of her.
Miaka had been prepared to ignore him, but when she saw the treasured treat her mood instantly changed. She grabbed it out of his hand ripped the wrapper off like someone on the brink of starvation. She took a huge bite of slightly warm and silky chocolate accompanied by a sigh. With her mouth still full, she planted sloppy brown kisses all over Tamahome's face. "Miaka, eat or kiss, but not both at the same time."
Miaka quickly devoured the entire bar.
"Is that your priority?"
Tamahome turned to examine Miaka's progress. She was licking her lips and making sure she got every last bit of chocolate on her fingers.
"You missed some." Tamahome pointed to the chocolate kiss on the side of his cheek. Miaka got the hint and leaned in to remove the mark. She placed a hand on his chest and another on his belt to brace herself. It was the biggest mistake Tamahome could have made. Miaka's hand had landed directly on the rest of the stash; her other loosen the cloth belt causing the chocolate bars to fall out.
"Hey, you've been holding out on me." Miaka's face was beginning to steam.
Tamahome knew the signs. "See ya," he said as he started running. Miaka gave chase. She launched herself into a flying tackle. The attack hit Tamahome squarely on the back, sending them both crashing down into a bed of leaves. A mist of magic spores creaked a cloud around the pair. Miaka changed tactics. She employed Killer Lips Hidden Mitsurugi Style.
("This is going better than I planned, no da.")
Wild kisses turned into lazy touches as the psychedelic mushrooms did their work. Soon all movement ceased, save the gentle rise and fall of slumber's breath.
Chichiri left them as they were - Miaka's head pillowed on Tamahome's chest, his arms draped around her like a strong blanket.
~*~
Hotohori had steadily followed the tracks Miaka and Tamahome's horse had left until they abruptly stopped when he heard a familiar voice.
"Emperor Hotohori, I'm so glad I found you." (Jack was still riding piggy- back.)
"Oh no, not Princess Kourin. Doesn't she ever give up?" In a panic, he took to woods ahead of him.
"Hotohori, wait up. Don't leave me here alone." Nuriko ditched Jack to chase her beloved Emperor.
Once Nuriko disappeared among the trees, a faint red light descended, cutting the Enchanted Forest off from the rest of the world.
"Let the fun begin," announced Chichiri.
Taiitsu-kun: And so ends the third act in this Ridiculous Play
A/n: Special thanks to all the reviewers. Keep those comments coming.
Chapter 3: The Chase
Where are we? Miaka wondered. She and Tamahome had been wandering for what felt like ages. They had started out from the palace on foot but fortunately found a horse not too far into their journey. The horse was now spent from the hard ride up Mt. Leikaku, so Miaka and Tamahome were back on their feet.
Miaka looked around. In the starlight, nothing looked familiar. Just where was the Enchanted Forest? Nuriko hadn't said.
Tamahome was doing some exploring of his own. He was looking forward to getting some rest. And Miaka would need a place to prepare food. He knew how cranky she could get without a hot meal.
"Tsk, tsk," a dismembered voice whispered. These two could be so clueless, thought Chichiri. The enchanted forest was staring them in the face. "They need some help, no da," he told the horse as he gave the animal a hard whack on the behind.
The terrified horse took off into the trees.
"Come back, you dumb animal!" shouted Miaka when she saw what was happening. She and Tamahome continued to call out the command as they chased their transportation into the woods. Little did they realize that the dumb animal had just transported them into the Enchanted Forest.
~*~
Not too far away, nearing the base of the mountain was Hotohori. With him were six of the best Royal Palace Guards. It had not taken them long to find Miaka and Tamahome's tracks. The trail had led them through the Konan country side, across vast plains, and to the foot of Mt. Leikaku.
Judging by the tracks left, Miaka and Tamahome had been in a hurry. Now, however, the tracks reflected a slower pace indicating a desire to stop. Hotohori was certain that they were camped somewhere on this side of Mt. Leikaku.
"Wait here. I must talk to them alone."
The captain looked concern. "Sir, we are sworn to protect you. What if they inadvertently lead you into a trap?"
"Do not worry, Captain Shang. If I do not return by dawn you may come after me. Until then you are under strict orders to remain here."
From beneath the folds of his jacket Hotohori retrieved two black vials. Mitsukake had handed them to him just as he was about to leave the palace. "You may need this," the healer had said. When Hotohori had tried to find out more, all the man would say was, "it's an antidote. Two drops should be enough to revive, if the need arises." Hotohori hadn't had time to press for more information.
Now he did the same. He passed one bottle to Captain Shang and repeated the instruction. Returning the other vial to his jacket, Hotohori rode off into the mountain night.
~*~
Meanwhile somewhere in between the Konan countryside and the vast plains a lone figure on horseback trotted through the same starlit night.
"Just my luck," Nuriko complained to the sky. "Out of all the fine horseflesh in the Royal Stables, I had to pick Jack the Stubborn Ass." As if he comprehended the insult, Nuriko's mount stalled for the hundredth time.
It was a battle of wills. Man against animal. Or in this case, woman against donkey. Through the course of the evening, she and Jack had engaged in staring contests, name calling, and mud slinging. Now it was time to get serious. Nuriko gritted her teeth and rolled up her sleeves. Adopting a very unladylike stance she bent and picked up her opponent. "I am getting to Hotohori even if I have to carry the blasted beast all the way there," she informed her burden as much as herself.
So engaged in her endeavor and sweet thoughts of Emperor Enchanting was Nuriko that she didn't notice the extra shadow following her. Neither did she notice the printed cape that swept around her in the dark. Nope, the ground looked the same and Jack weighed as much as he always did. How was she to know magic forces were at work?
Though the ground may have seemed the same, the scenery around her had changed. The horizon was no longer a clean line between earth and sky. The line was now broken my growing mounds and the jagged peaks of the foothills of Mt Leikaku. Chichiri's magic had teleported her pass the Royal guards, and minutes away from the Emperor.
~*~
About the same time, Miaka and Tamahome were nearing the heart of the Enchanted Forest. They had given up trying to find their horse.
"Whose bright idea was it to leave the food on the horse," Miaka complained. She sent a scathing look towards Tamahome.
"Don't look at me. How was I supposed to know that the thing would take off like that?"
Miaka wasn't satisfied with the explanation, so she hit him anyway, before she stormed off.
"I just knew it. I just knew she would get cranky," Tamahome thought to himself. His hand went to the private stash of candy bars he kept in his jacket. He had saved them from his trip to Miaka's world.
"I should just leave her to sulk by herself. It was her idea to come here." Tamahome glanced at his brooding girlfriend's back. "But she looks so pitiful," his resolve was softening. Miaka chose that moment to let out loud sniff. With that Tamahome's internal debate was over. He walked to her and tangled a bar in front of her.
Miaka had been prepared to ignore him, but when she saw the treasured treat her mood instantly changed. She grabbed it out of his hand ripped the wrapper off like someone on the brink of starvation. She took a huge bite of slightly warm and silky chocolate accompanied by a sigh. With her mouth still full, she planted sloppy brown kisses all over Tamahome's face. "Miaka, eat or kiss, but not both at the same time."
Miaka quickly devoured the entire bar.
"Is that your priority?"
Tamahome turned to examine Miaka's progress. She was licking her lips and making sure she got every last bit of chocolate on her fingers.
"You missed some." Tamahome pointed to the chocolate kiss on the side of his cheek. Miaka got the hint and leaned in to remove the mark. She placed a hand on his chest and another on his belt to brace herself. It was the biggest mistake Tamahome could have made. Miaka's hand had landed directly on the rest of the stash; her other loosen the cloth belt causing the chocolate bars to fall out.
"Hey, you've been holding out on me." Miaka's face was beginning to steam.
Tamahome knew the signs. "See ya," he said as he started running. Miaka gave chase. She launched herself into a flying tackle. The attack hit Tamahome squarely on the back, sending them both crashing down into a bed of leaves. A mist of magic spores creaked a cloud around the pair. Miaka changed tactics. She employed Killer Lips Hidden Mitsurugi Style.
("This is going better than I planned, no da.")
Wild kisses turned into lazy touches as the psychedelic mushrooms did their work. Soon all movement ceased, save the gentle rise and fall of slumber's breath.
Chichiri left them as they were - Miaka's head pillowed on Tamahome's chest, his arms draped around her like a strong blanket.
~*~
Hotohori had steadily followed the tracks Miaka and Tamahome's horse had left until they abruptly stopped when he heard a familiar voice.
"Emperor Hotohori, I'm so glad I found you." (Jack was still riding piggy- back.)
"Oh no, not Princess Kourin. Doesn't she ever give up?" In a panic, he took to woods ahead of him.
"Hotohori, wait up. Don't leave me here alone." Nuriko ditched Jack to chase her beloved Emperor.
Once Nuriko disappeared among the trees, a faint red light descended, cutting the Enchanted Forest off from the rest of the world.
"Let the fun begin," announced Chichiri.
Taiitsu-kun: And so ends the third act in this Ridiculous Play
A/n: Special thanks to all the reviewers. Keep those comments coming.