Chapter 11: After
Dios sealed the book as he was asked before returning to the void to rest. Nuriko borrowed a Nyan-nyan and squeezed Jade in a hug. In his arms she wiggled trying to escape. "Was that man Dios?"
"Yes."
"Tell me, is porcelain white skin common in your original world?"
"Not really. Mom had a skin condition since birth that her skin lacked pigment. I have the same defect. Dios is a reflection of me, I think that's why he's pale."
After a few evenings of celebration Jade went home. Juan bandaged up her feet before he gave up his borrowed body. Every few hours Jade checked to see if they were better yet. Tasuki visited her almost a week later. She was putting the finishing touches on the roof as she saw him. "Hey Jade. How have you been doing on your own?"
"I just finished. Looks nice doesn't it?"
"Hard to believe it was so run down. I wanted to ask, if you and Dios aren't together, would you like to spend some time with me?"
"You have no tact. Sure, I'd love to spend time with you."
Jade smiled at Tasuki, the guy who once hated girls. "I'm trying to be nice."
"I know. That's why I said nothing past that you lack tact."
She jumped from the roof. Tasuki ran under her to catch her. "Don't suicide on me now!"
"I wasn't planning on it."
They spent the afternoon together. He brought her home as the sun sat low in the sky. The orange light gave her face a little color. "Jade, how old are you really?"
"Ten or twenty-one. Why?"
"Nothing. I forget that sometimes looking at your innocent face. Good-night."
She was slightly confused by the question and how abrupt he was to call it a night upon hearing an answer. "Night."
She shut the door and walked into the kitchen. The window was open. The breeze hit her face as she looked outside. She turned to sit at the table and jumped. "He's scared of dating a girl so young."
Dios was sitting at the table with hands folded before him. "Don't you knock?"
"You could slip into the void for another five years and come back this night. That age would suit him better."
"Why would I do that?"
"I have an offer. Take it or leave it, I ask for nothing."
He was only hearing what he wanted again tonight. "Fine, what is your offer?"
"Erika's memory and five years to you in five days."
"Why are you offering me Mother's memory?"
"To put it bluntly, I don't like it here. There are too many gods to compete with. I'm hoping you'll like what you see in them and want to return."
"I'll see them but I don't want to keep them with mine."
"I guess I can work with that. Off to the void."
She laid a sand marker and slipped time. Now only the gold thread was here. Dios stood next to her. His violet light was consumed by her emerald light that spread like a beacon through the void. "Why are you so dim?"
"Queen of Light, I embraced the gloom to bring peace."
He held his right hand out palm up. A red sphere appeared. It was about the size of the emerald in the headdress. It floated to her forehead and found a home in the top curve. She closed her eyes and saw Erika's memories. Ai Wings and Mahō, where she met Ian, Jade's birth, and the start of their lives in the book. "Erika might have been the only Class One on record with Mahō but, you Jade, you are so much stronger. I had to bring her out of time but you do it freely. You have her power but have never used it."
"Why would I want to use that power?"
"To have saved your parents."
"Why didn't she? Why did they hide if they had this great power?"
"Compared to Nakago their power was still nothing. You have always been stronger than Nakago."
"If Mahō still existed, what would I be?"
"A new class, probably zero. You could be a god among men if you misused your power. Your power, like Erika guessed, will not work if you use it from an elevated office. You are no greater than what you create or control."
"I know, part of nature not above it."
"She taught you well. Once she was called Rika."
"Science course?"
"In your world that language base isn't known by very many. Here it was not the family joke. That language thrives here still."
"Dios, why?"
She looked distant. "Why? Why the language thrives here?"
"No, why am I alone? Why do I have to be alone again now that my duty is done?"
"It seems to be your bloodline. It never stays near family. What of Tasuki?"
"He sees only my physical age, I can't blame him."
"Remember our deal. You'll be fifteen when you return."
"I still need to put through into going back."
"Only fair, especially if you might want to ask him back with you."
Jade pulled back out of the void. The room seemed bright after the prolonged darkness. Dios didn't follow her. She looked into the mirror he had kept his promise. She remembered the last time she looked like this she was looking for the time she came from and her parents.
Next morning there was a knock on the door. She hurried to the door to find Tasuki. "What does this mean?"
He pointed to the freshly polished kanji of violet (sumire 菫). "Violet."
"I know what word it is but why? I thought your last name was Hope."
"It is. Violets were Mom's favorite flower. The door to my room has wind (kaze 風)."
He finally looked at her instead of the door. "Oh, excuse me. Is Jade around?"
She smiled. "Tasuki it's me."
"How did you get older so fast?"
"I spent time in the void and came back soon after I left."
"How much time did you let pass?"
"Five years."
"Why?"
"Because I like you I guess. I don't want to miss some chance because I looked too young."
"Jade, how long have you felt this way?"
"Even though you were rude I liked you when we met before I started over again."
"I'm sorry. I wanted to ask if you wanted to move out to the mountains away from sad memories. I also have something to deliver. Tamahome gave this to me before you sent him to Miaka."
He put something small and warm in her hand. It was the guardian pin she had given to him. "Tasuki, would you be open to the position?"
"I was thinking you'd give it to that pale guy that comes and goes."
"Dios is a god. He tends to only care for his own desires."
"If Dios doesn't mind then I guess I could watch over you."
"I'll be ready in a few minutes."
She ran inside gathering all of her possessions and Ian's creations. "That was fast. Miaka could only wish to be ready that quickly."
"Miaka had more things. I've never had much."
"I think you'll fit in fine with my friends."
"Just like you?"
"Saying something like that is a bad thing?"
"Not really, just curious. How far out are you?"
"It will be a long walk. Wish I had a horse to carry your pack."
"Don't worry. I'm fine."
"I just have one rule, no going into that trance thing before we get there."
"Deal, but why do you worry?"
"How unreachable you are. It kind of bothers me when you go off someplace I can't find."
"Do you want to see?"
"What's it like there?"
'Very dark, that's the first thing you notice. It is like moving freely underwater with no need for air."
"I'll pass for now. I'm a mountain critter, I don't swim."
"Want to learn?"
"Now?"
"How scared are you of water?"
"Very."
"The water is calm around here. It would be easier to learn."
"Only because I trust you."
Jade walked into the stream that wrapped the garden. The water came halfway to her knees. Tasuki slowly entered the water. "I thought it'd be colder."
"How is it? Feel safe enough to go to deeper waters?"
"Sure."
She walked down the stream as it curved around the back of the house into a pond. Jade walked in up to her chin. The water's surface remained as smooth as glass. Tasuki followed. She now was only a few inches shorter than him now instead of a few feet. "Slowly. Only go as fast as you are comfortable with."
The afternoon was spent by Jade attempting to teach and Tasuki sinking like a rock. She was always next to him pulling his head above water or trying to correct his errors. Even after all that time all she managed was to teach him enough to save himself if he fell into water.
That night was spent at Jade's home. Tasuki slept down the hall in what was once her parent's room. He didn't sleep much that night. The room was too new and strange to him. Nothing was familiar.
Jade knocked on his door early the next morning. After his unsound sleep he wondered it Jade would be happy living in the mountains in an unfamiliar building. "Oi, Tasuki. Your food is getting cold."
He sat up reaffirming his surroundings. "Thanks, I'll be there in a minute."
Remembering Miaka's cooking he wondered if he should be cautious in eating what Jade cooked. He walked out to the table and saw the strangest meal he had ever seen. There was fresh made bread she was toasting but no trace of meat. There were bowls of flower petals of different colors and sizes. She noticed the face he made. "Nani?"
"Nothing, I've just never seen a meal like this."
"Don't worry, nothing toxic. I gathered them all early so they're still sweet."
She sat down across from Tasuki. He watched what she selected and followed that. The first flower she piled onto her plate was light purple. The center dropped into the flower and was edged in white. She pulled the green stem from the bottom and placed the base of the flower in her mouth. She drank the nectar and ate the flower. He removed the stem. "This is very sweet."
"The flower might taste bitter without the nectar so you might want to eat the next one whole."
"I'll try one that way."
He popped the nectarless blossom into his mouth. Almost instantly he made a face. The nectar was very sweet but the flower itself was bitter. "I warned you."
He popped one into his mouth whole. It was bitter at first but the sweet nectar overwhelmed it quickly. "Much better."
Most of the blossoms were sweet and watery. Some of the petals were fleshy or had a faintly familiar taste. "How was it?"
"Good actually, but why no meat?"
"A simple answer would be that I don't have any."
"The real one would be?"
"I've never really liked the taste."
"With how light this meal was I'll be hungry in a few hours."
Jade was clearing the table. "Want o bet on that?"
"How could it? What's really here?"
"Everything you need. Just let it digest."
"Ok. Are you ready to go?"
She placed the last bowl in the pack. "Yes."
Outside she had her horse loaded with packs. "Did you pack enough?"
"Everything mine and my parents."
"Maybe you shouldn't take those."
"There is a use for them."
"Alright, let's go."
They walked all day in silence. She had nothing to say and even found comfort in the quiet. Tasuki was getting nervous in the silence. He didn't know what to say. At ten Jade was cute but at fifteen she would have made Hotohori jealous. Unlike Hotohori she didn't seem to care about how she looked. He'd never seen anyone so lovely that didn't seem to see it in themselves. He opened his mouth to talk but the words failed him. "What's wrong Tasuki?"
He looked ahead. "Do you want to see Chichiri?"
She smiled. "Need you ask?"
Jade knew he dodged her question but she figured Tasuki would tell her if it was important. Chichiri had made himself a small home by a beautiful lake. It had been three months since she had moved back to her old house, three months since she had seen Chichiri. He was fishing off the shore. Jade ran down to him. Tasuki watched her wishing he had such boundless energy. She hugged Chichiri. He dropped his pole on her impact. Lost for a moment on who his attacker was he said his first impression. ''Jade?"
She lifted her face from his side but was still hugging him. She was strangely much older but only Jade could have those eyes. "Did you miss me?"
"Didn't recognize you at first no da. You're older than you should be."
"Oh, Dios gave me half the age difference from how long I remember living and how old I was."
"What did he ask in return?"
"To see memories of my original home and think about going back."
"What was your home like?"
"Much like Miaka's for technology. In my world it is not abnormal to have magic power."
"You'd be normal there?"
"No. They have power most with the gift use illusions. Very few control forces and even more rare is one who can create from nothing. Mom was the only one who could create things but my power is even a step over hers. I also learned something. I read the book in my world but my world is a book in this one. Whoever wrote it wrote in a return path."
"Smart of them, no da. Where's the book back?"
"For now that doesn't matter. Dios can send me back. The only reason it would matter is if someone wanted to follow me."
"Like Tasuki."
She looked up the slope to see him standing at a distance. "Why's he staying back?"
"He doesn't know how to say how he feels to you, so he told me."
Jade closed her eyes and looked into time. Chichiri thought she was looking at her future. She looked to Chichiri's past. "What did you advise him? Follow his heart or to listen to reason?"
"You looked at my past didn't you?"
"The scar, it could be healed. You wear it as a reminder."
"I told him that I would tell you. He has to make the decision past that. It isn't very smart to see someone's past."
"Everyone has a scar or two. It is the cost of living. Dios will scar my left arm before this is done with, something deep, something that could kill me, so much blood. He'll cut deep, through armor like paper."
"Why is he going to fight you?"
"Soon he'll know I won't go back so he'll free himself by killing me."
"Does Tasuki know?"
"I haven't told him. If he helps he'll die, if I tell him he'll try to help me."
"That's Tasuki, no da. Do what you have to just don't break his heart."
"I'd never want to do that. The only way is for me to survive."
Tasuki sat next to Jade. "What are you two talking about?"
"Nothing important, don't worry."
"Are you sure?"
Jade leaned into him and closed her eyes. "Nothing at all."
The sun was warm on her face and the sound of the water calming. "Not that I want you to move, but what's this about?"
She looked up at him with warm yet empty eyes. "I wish I knew the whole path before me."
"I'd settle for seeing what you feel in your eyes."
"I can make them."
"Your illusion is good but it is something you control, not the natural flow. That freak Dios has the same cold stare."
"You fear him?"
"I don't trust him. He wants something."
"Right now he is our best friend with or without a motive."
"She's right, no da. He is a god that has different rules. Get moving, it will be dark soon."
Tasuki nodded to Chichiri as he lifted Jade onto the horse. They traveled for a few more hours before they reached Tasuki's home in the mountains. Jade slid down from the horse and pulled her belongings from it. "We're high."
"Haven't you ever been to this elevation?"
"No. Tasuki?"
"What?"
"Should I worry about the other people here?"
"Not to worry, they'll have to deal with me for even thinking bout harming you."
She smiled and Tasuki made a huge grin back. He took one of her bags and led her to the room. He flung open the doors. "Welcome to your new room."
Jade looked in. "This looks like your room."
"Well, it's that too. Only temporarily, I swear it. There aren't any other rooms open right now."
"I get the bed!"
She ran in and jumped into a huge bed. Tasuki looked down at her from the side of the bed. "Either we share or one of us gets the floor."
"Okay, floor you get."
He flapped his fan playfully. "Who gets the floor?"
She smiled at his threat. "You do."
"Figured that wouldn't work."
"You give up too fast."
He jumped onto the bed next to her. "No, just switching to Plan B. If you want the bed to yourself then you'll have to get me off."
"A challenge!"
Jade pushed hard on Tasuki's side trying to roll him. She failed in her attempt. "My turn!"
Jade was preparing herself for a night on the floor. She waited for him to push her for a few minutes. "Well?"
He grinned like a child that just got away with something. "It would be rude to put my hands on a lady, let alone push her."
"This, you planned."
Tasuki looked into her green eyes. He thought about how cat-like she was. One moment sweet and innocent the next she could be taking blood. She'll want to be close then she'd want to be alone. He realized then that she was showing her feelings through her eyes. It was faint but the emotions were there. "Of course I planned this."
She rolled away from him. "Goodnight Tasuki."
He stared at the dark ceiling a few minutes longer before closing his eyes. He hadn't slept long before he was awakened. Jade had rolled back towards him in her sleep. She looked so content in her sleep. She was a perfectly normal beauty in her sleep as well. Any hint of her strange features was well hidden now. Slowly he leaned in and kissed her nose. She moved a little and Tasuki jumped back. Jade didn't wake from the kiss much to Tasuki's relief. "I shouldn't have done that."
He settled back to his spot. Jade spoke in her sleep, "What's wrong?"
Tasuki looked back thinking he was caught but her eyes were still closed. "I'll tell you later."
She didn't reply again. Tasuki fell into a deep sleep. The weather cooled quickly during the night hours, but his sleep was not disturbed. He woke to find Jade snuggled into him. Her head rested on his arm near his chest, her body against his. He wanted to get away; she would think he tried something. His arm was asleep under her and was pins when he tried to move from under her. She slowly opened her eyes. "Hello?"
"It wasn't me!"
She closed her eyes. "I trust you didn't do anything."
He put his head back on the pillow and his free arm over her holding her back. She was so thin, almost frail. He never would have guessed her so tiny from what she wore. "Tasuki?"
"What?"
"Does it always get this cold?"
He laughed. "Don't worry, you just need some winter clothes."
"Winter?"
"A cold season."
"Ok, no problem then."
She slipped out from Tasuki. He felt the blood rush back into his arm. He was glad for that but realized how cold it was with her absence. "It is cold isn't it?"
She nodded before she turned and ran outside. It had snowed during the night. She sat in the fresh snow. Her eyes closed as she dropped the marker sand as she slipped time. Tasuki ran out following her tracks in the snow to where they stopped. "Jade? Come back!"
Dios sealed the book as he was asked before returning to the void to rest. Nuriko borrowed a Nyan-nyan and squeezed Jade in a hug. In his arms she wiggled trying to escape. "Was that man Dios?"
"Yes."
"Tell me, is porcelain white skin common in your original world?"
"Not really. Mom had a skin condition since birth that her skin lacked pigment. I have the same defect. Dios is a reflection of me, I think that's why he's pale."
After a few evenings of celebration Jade went home. Juan bandaged up her feet before he gave up his borrowed body. Every few hours Jade checked to see if they were better yet. Tasuki visited her almost a week later. She was putting the finishing touches on the roof as she saw him. "Hey Jade. How have you been doing on your own?"
"I just finished. Looks nice doesn't it?"
"Hard to believe it was so run down. I wanted to ask, if you and Dios aren't together, would you like to spend some time with me?"
"You have no tact. Sure, I'd love to spend time with you."
Jade smiled at Tasuki, the guy who once hated girls. "I'm trying to be nice."
"I know. That's why I said nothing past that you lack tact."
She jumped from the roof. Tasuki ran under her to catch her. "Don't suicide on me now!"
"I wasn't planning on it."
They spent the afternoon together. He brought her home as the sun sat low in the sky. The orange light gave her face a little color. "Jade, how old are you really?"
"Ten or twenty-one. Why?"
"Nothing. I forget that sometimes looking at your innocent face. Good-night."
She was slightly confused by the question and how abrupt he was to call it a night upon hearing an answer. "Night."
She shut the door and walked into the kitchen. The window was open. The breeze hit her face as she looked outside. She turned to sit at the table and jumped. "He's scared of dating a girl so young."
Dios was sitting at the table with hands folded before him. "Don't you knock?"
"You could slip into the void for another five years and come back this night. That age would suit him better."
"Why would I do that?"
"I have an offer. Take it or leave it, I ask for nothing."
He was only hearing what he wanted again tonight. "Fine, what is your offer?"
"Erika's memory and five years to you in five days."
"Why are you offering me Mother's memory?"
"To put it bluntly, I don't like it here. There are too many gods to compete with. I'm hoping you'll like what you see in them and want to return."
"I'll see them but I don't want to keep them with mine."
"I guess I can work with that. Off to the void."
She laid a sand marker and slipped time. Now only the gold thread was here. Dios stood next to her. His violet light was consumed by her emerald light that spread like a beacon through the void. "Why are you so dim?"
"Queen of Light, I embraced the gloom to bring peace."
He held his right hand out palm up. A red sphere appeared. It was about the size of the emerald in the headdress. It floated to her forehead and found a home in the top curve. She closed her eyes and saw Erika's memories. Ai Wings and Mahō, where she met Ian, Jade's birth, and the start of their lives in the book. "Erika might have been the only Class One on record with Mahō but, you Jade, you are so much stronger. I had to bring her out of time but you do it freely. You have her power but have never used it."
"Why would I want to use that power?"
"To have saved your parents."
"Why didn't she? Why did they hide if they had this great power?"
"Compared to Nakago their power was still nothing. You have always been stronger than Nakago."
"If Mahō still existed, what would I be?"
"A new class, probably zero. You could be a god among men if you misused your power. Your power, like Erika guessed, will not work if you use it from an elevated office. You are no greater than what you create or control."
"I know, part of nature not above it."
"She taught you well. Once she was called Rika."
"Science course?"
"In your world that language base isn't known by very many. Here it was not the family joke. That language thrives here still."
"Dios, why?"
She looked distant. "Why? Why the language thrives here?"
"No, why am I alone? Why do I have to be alone again now that my duty is done?"
"It seems to be your bloodline. It never stays near family. What of Tasuki?"
"He sees only my physical age, I can't blame him."
"Remember our deal. You'll be fifteen when you return."
"I still need to put through into going back."
"Only fair, especially if you might want to ask him back with you."
Jade pulled back out of the void. The room seemed bright after the prolonged darkness. Dios didn't follow her. She looked into the mirror he had kept his promise. She remembered the last time she looked like this she was looking for the time she came from and her parents.
Next morning there was a knock on the door. She hurried to the door to find Tasuki. "What does this mean?"
He pointed to the freshly polished kanji of violet (sumire 菫). "Violet."
"I know what word it is but why? I thought your last name was Hope."
"It is. Violets were Mom's favorite flower. The door to my room has wind (kaze 風)."
He finally looked at her instead of the door. "Oh, excuse me. Is Jade around?"
She smiled. "Tasuki it's me."
"How did you get older so fast?"
"I spent time in the void and came back soon after I left."
"How much time did you let pass?"
"Five years."
"Why?"
"Because I like you I guess. I don't want to miss some chance because I looked too young."
"Jade, how long have you felt this way?"
"Even though you were rude I liked you when we met before I started over again."
"I'm sorry. I wanted to ask if you wanted to move out to the mountains away from sad memories. I also have something to deliver. Tamahome gave this to me before you sent him to Miaka."
He put something small and warm in her hand. It was the guardian pin she had given to him. "Tasuki, would you be open to the position?"
"I was thinking you'd give it to that pale guy that comes and goes."
"Dios is a god. He tends to only care for his own desires."
"If Dios doesn't mind then I guess I could watch over you."
"I'll be ready in a few minutes."
She ran inside gathering all of her possessions and Ian's creations. "That was fast. Miaka could only wish to be ready that quickly."
"Miaka had more things. I've never had much."
"I think you'll fit in fine with my friends."
"Just like you?"
"Saying something like that is a bad thing?"
"Not really, just curious. How far out are you?"
"It will be a long walk. Wish I had a horse to carry your pack."
"Don't worry. I'm fine."
"I just have one rule, no going into that trance thing before we get there."
"Deal, but why do you worry?"
"How unreachable you are. It kind of bothers me when you go off someplace I can't find."
"Do you want to see?"
"What's it like there?"
'Very dark, that's the first thing you notice. It is like moving freely underwater with no need for air."
"I'll pass for now. I'm a mountain critter, I don't swim."
"Want to learn?"
"Now?"
"How scared are you of water?"
"Very."
"The water is calm around here. It would be easier to learn."
"Only because I trust you."
Jade walked into the stream that wrapped the garden. The water came halfway to her knees. Tasuki slowly entered the water. "I thought it'd be colder."
"How is it? Feel safe enough to go to deeper waters?"
"Sure."
She walked down the stream as it curved around the back of the house into a pond. Jade walked in up to her chin. The water's surface remained as smooth as glass. Tasuki followed. She now was only a few inches shorter than him now instead of a few feet. "Slowly. Only go as fast as you are comfortable with."
The afternoon was spent by Jade attempting to teach and Tasuki sinking like a rock. She was always next to him pulling his head above water or trying to correct his errors. Even after all that time all she managed was to teach him enough to save himself if he fell into water.
That night was spent at Jade's home. Tasuki slept down the hall in what was once her parent's room. He didn't sleep much that night. The room was too new and strange to him. Nothing was familiar.
Jade knocked on his door early the next morning. After his unsound sleep he wondered it Jade would be happy living in the mountains in an unfamiliar building. "Oi, Tasuki. Your food is getting cold."
He sat up reaffirming his surroundings. "Thanks, I'll be there in a minute."
Remembering Miaka's cooking he wondered if he should be cautious in eating what Jade cooked. He walked out to the table and saw the strangest meal he had ever seen. There was fresh made bread she was toasting but no trace of meat. There were bowls of flower petals of different colors and sizes. She noticed the face he made. "Nani?"
"Nothing, I've just never seen a meal like this."
"Don't worry, nothing toxic. I gathered them all early so they're still sweet."
She sat down across from Tasuki. He watched what she selected and followed that. The first flower she piled onto her plate was light purple. The center dropped into the flower and was edged in white. She pulled the green stem from the bottom and placed the base of the flower in her mouth. She drank the nectar and ate the flower. He removed the stem. "This is very sweet."
"The flower might taste bitter without the nectar so you might want to eat the next one whole."
"I'll try one that way."
He popped the nectarless blossom into his mouth. Almost instantly he made a face. The nectar was very sweet but the flower itself was bitter. "I warned you."
He popped one into his mouth whole. It was bitter at first but the sweet nectar overwhelmed it quickly. "Much better."
Most of the blossoms were sweet and watery. Some of the petals were fleshy or had a faintly familiar taste. "How was it?"
"Good actually, but why no meat?"
"A simple answer would be that I don't have any."
"The real one would be?"
"I've never really liked the taste."
"With how light this meal was I'll be hungry in a few hours."
Jade was clearing the table. "Want o bet on that?"
"How could it? What's really here?"
"Everything you need. Just let it digest."
"Ok. Are you ready to go?"
She placed the last bowl in the pack. "Yes."
Outside she had her horse loaded with packs. "Did you pack enough?"
"Everything mine and my parents."
"Maybe you shouldn't take those."
"There is a use for them."
"Alright, let's go."
They walked all day in silence. She had nothing to say and even found comfort in the quiet. Tasuki was getting nervous in the silence. He didn't know what to say. At ten Jade was cute but at fifteen she would have made Hotohori jealous. Unlike Hotohori she didn't seem to care about how she looked. He'd never seen anyone so lovely that didn't seem to see it in themselves. He opened his mouth to talk but the words failed him. "What's wrong Tasuki?"
He looked ahead. "Do you want to see Chichiri?"
She smiled. "Need you ask?"
Jade knew he dodged her question but she figured Tasuki would tell her if it was important. Chichiri had made himself a small home by a beautiful lake. It had been three months since she had moved back to her old house, three months since she had seen Chichiri. He was fishing off the shore. Jade ran down to him. Tasuki watched her wishing he had such boundless energy. She hugged Chichiri. He dropped his pole on her impact. Lost for a moment on who his attacker was he said his first impression. ''Jade?"
She lifted her face from his side but was still hugging him. She was strangely much older but only Jade could have those eyes. "Did you miss me?"
"Didn't recognize you at first no da. You're older than you should be."
"Oh, Dios gave me half the age difference from how long I remember living and how old I was."
"What did he ask in return?"
"To see memories of my original home and think about going back."
"What was your home like?"
"Much like Miaka's for technology. In my world it is not abnormal to have magic power."
"You'd be normal there?"
"No. They have power most with the gift use illusions. Very few control forces and even more rare is one who can create from nothing. Mom was the only one who could create things but my power is even a step over hers. I also learned something. I read the book in my world but my world is a book in this one. Whoever wrote it wrote in a return path."
"Smart of them, no da. Where's the book back?"
"For now that doesn't matter. Dios can send me back. The only reason it would matter is if someone wanted to follow me."
"Like Tasuki."
She looked up the slope to see him standing at a distance. "Why's he staying back?"
"He doesn't know how to say how he feels to you, so he told me."
Jade closed her eyes and looked into time. Chichiri thought she was looking at her future. She looked to Chichiri's past. "What did you advise him? Follow his heart or to listen to reason?"
"You looked at my past didn't you?"
"The scar, it could be healed. You wear it as a reminder."
"I told him that I would tell you. He has to make the decision past that. It isn't very smart to see someone's past."
"Everyone has a scar or two. It is the cost of living. Dios will scar my left arm before this is done with, something deep, something that could kill me, so much blood. He'll cut deep, through armor like paper."
"Why is he going to fight you?"
"Soon he'll know I won't go back so he'll free himself by killing me."
"Does Tasuki know?"
"I haven't told him. If he helps he'll die, if I tell him he'll try to help me."
"That's Tasuki, no da. Do what you have to just don't break his heart."
"I'd never want to do that. The only way is for me to survive."
Tasuki sat next to Jade. "What are you two talking about?"
"Nothing important, don't worry."
"Are you sure?"
Jade leaned into him and closed her eyes. "Nothing at all."
The sun was warm on her face and the sound of the water calming. "Not that I want you to move, but what's this about?"
She looked up at him with warm yet empty eyes. "I wish I knew the whole path before me."
"I'd settle for seeing what you feel in your eyes."
"I can make them."
"Your illusion is good but it is something you control, not the natural flow. That freak Dios has the same cold stare."
"You fear him?"
"I don't trust him. He wants something."
"Right now he is our best friend with or without a motive."
"She's right, no da. He is a god that has different rules. Get moving, it will be dark soon."
Tasuki nodded to Chichiri as he lifted Jade onto the horse. They traveled for a few more hours before they reached Tasuki's home in the mountains. Jade slid down from the horse and pulled her belongings from it. "We're high."
"Haven't you ever been to this elevation?"
"No. Tasuki?"
"What?"
"Should I worry about the other people here?"
"Not to worry, they'll have to deal with me for even thinking bout harming you."
She smiled and Tasuki made a huge grin back. He took one of her bags and led her to the room. He flung open the doors. "Welcome to your new room."
Jade looked in. "This looks like your room."
"Well, it's that too. Only temporarily, I swear it. There aren't any other rooms open right now."
"I get the bed!"
She ran in and jumped into a huge bed. Tasuki looked down at her from the side of the bed. "Either we share or one of us gets the floor."
"Okay, floor you get."
He flapped his fan playfully. "Who gets the floor?"
She smiled at his threat. "You do."
"Figured that wouldn't work."
"You give up too fast."
He jumped onto the bed next to her. "No, just switching to Plan B. If you want the bed to yourself then you'll have to get me off."
"A challenge!"
Jade pushed hard on Tasuki's side trying to roll him. She failed in her attempt. "My turn!"
Jade was preparing herself for a night on the floor. She waited for him to push her for a few minutes. "Well?"
He grinned like a child that just got away with something. "It would be rude to put my hands on a lady, let alone push her."
"This, you planned."
Tasuki looked into her green eyes. He thought about how cat-like she was. One moment sweet and innocent the next she could be taking blood. She'll want to be close then she'd want to be alone. He realized then that she was showing her feelings through her eyes. It was faint but the emotions were there. "Of course I planned this."
She rolled away from him. "Goodnight Tasuki."
He stared at the dark ceiling a few minutes longer before closing his eyes. He hadn't slept long before he was awakened. Jade had rolled back towards him in her sleep. She looked so content in her sleep. She was a perfectly normal beauty in her sleep as well. Any hint of her strange features was well hidden now. Slowly he leaned in and kissed her nose. She moved a little and Tasuki jumped back. Jade didn't wake from the kiss much to Tasuki's relief. "I shouldn't have done that."
He settled back to his spot. Jade spoke in her sleep, "What's wrong?"
Tasuki looked back thinking he was caught but her eyes were still closed. "I'll tell you later."
She didn't reply again. Tasuki fell into a deep sleep. The weather cooled quickly during the night hours, but his sleep was not disturbed. He woke to find Jade snuggled into him. Her head rested on his arm near his chest, her body against his. He wanted to get away; she would think he tried something. His arm was asleep under her and was pins when he tried to move from under her. She slowly opened her eyes. "Hello?"
"It wasn't me!"
She closed her eyes. "I trust you didn't do anything."
He put his head back on the pillow and his free arm over her holding her back. She was so thin, almost frail. He never would have guessed her so tiny from what she wore. "Tasuki?"
"What?"
"Does it always get this cold?"
He laughed. "Don't worry, you just need some winter clothes."
"Winter?"
"A cold season."
"Ok, no problem then."
She slipped out from Tasuki. He felt the blood rush back into his arm. He was glad for that but realized how cold it was with her absence. "It is cold isn't it?"
She nodded before she turned and ran outside. It had snowed during the night. She sat in the fresh snow. Her eyes closed as she dropped the marker sand as she slipped time. Tasuki ran out following her tracks in the snow to where they stopped. "Jade? Come back!"
