~ Chapter 17 ~
Tama-neko!
Silence. Comfortable silence, as we walked down and out of the dusty streets of Chôko. Well, at least there was silence for them … but for me … I sighed. Joanna's crying like an idiot … making as much noise as humanly possible. If only THEY could hear it … but no … I won't say anything. But … I do have one question…
"Um … where are we going, anyway?" I knew Chichiri would have the answer to that one, and he turned his head slightly to me.
"We're going to where we first landed when we arrived no da … and you're …" He poked my nose, my head wobbling back and forth a bit as I cocked an eyebrow. "…going to get us back no da!"
"Oh really?"
"Hai no da!" He turned back around to me again. "How else are we gonna get back no da?"
"I understand that … it's just … how's HE going to handle it?" I finished off in a whisper to Chichiri, my mouth forming a straight grim line with a fang poking out at one end.
"He's just gonna have to accept it no da … you gotta do this or we're stuck here no da!"
"Right …" I shoved my hands into my pockets and concentrated on the dirt path.
"Oi! Where yeh goin'?!"
I rolled my eyes. "Uh … THIS WAY MAYBE?! … feh …" I turned around to face this baka … but he was a couple feet back. I blinked. Everyone was, actually. I doubled back and stood behind Chichiri, peeking over his shoulder. He had his kasa in his hands … actually, one hand … his other was inside it.
"I think you remember him … because he sure misses you no da!" Chichiri then pulled out a long forgotten Tama-neko from the depths of his kasa, and placed him on Mitsukake's shoulder. He seemed satisfied enough, as he mewed in reply and situated himself atop his perch.
I smiled. "He's back again…" Chichiri grinned in embarrassment.
"I have to admit that I almost forgot about him in there no da!" He scratched the back of his head. "But that would have been all right anyway, since it's nice enough accommodations for a cat to stay in no da."
Tasuki turned around and started ahead of us. "Let's go already!!"
"All right, all right!" I rolled my eyes, and caught up with him.
~~ Four … long … tedious hours later …
"It's déjà vu all over again!!" I hung my head as my feet dragged and kicked up dirt. Tasuki was in the same position, while Chichiri and Mitsukake looked as if they were good to go for another four more hours.
"Remind me again, Chichiri, why we can't jus' TELEPORT there!!!" Tasuki complained.
Chichiri 'tsk'ed. "Tasuki-san no da! It builds character no da!" He said all-too-cheerfully. "I mean … if Mitsukake and I can do it no da … why can't you na no da?"
He hung his head as well. "'Cause I'm a big baby," He practically whined under his breath.
I smacked him upside the head, sending him crashing into the ground … a little too hard. "Baka!" … maybe WAY too hard … he's not moving.
Mitsukake turned around and eyed Tasuki, dead on the ground, and me, standing next to him, pretending to not know what just happened.
"You know … my powers still haven't awakened yet … so don't hurt him too much until then …" He eyed me nervously and caught up with Chichiri. He just doesn't get that I'm just naturally insane …
"STOP SCARING HIM YOU BAKA!!!"
HOLLLYYYYY crap … she HAS to stop doing that … especially when I've been traveling for way too long. I look down at Tasuki; he's still just lying there.
I shrug. " … I guess I'll have to let some of my powers slip …" I pick him up piggyback style and carry his dead weight slowly behind Chichiri and Mitsukake. Déjà vu all right … only it's the other way around this time.
I sweatdrop as he suddenly snores really loud in my ear, for the 50th time today, scaring the crap out of me. WHEN are we going to get there?! I'm not gonna make it!!