''W-what's going on?'', the first who entered the door shouted. The scene had made the jaw of Jowy drop like a lead weight. "You can't be serious...'' Annallee, who arrived second took it all in like the fall of a hammer. Feeling her stomach turn inside it self, she quickly turned around and bolted down the stairs, never once letting her grip slide off the kimono she had intended to return.
"Riou...Nanami...you didn't!!", shreiked the much shocked and pointing silver haired boy. Of all the people he'd expect to be coulples were Riou and Eilie, and Nanami and...let's not get into that. But no, he was wrong, and the most unlikely of pairings formed, and poor Jowy did not seem to know the feelings floating between the two.
Calm down. Its...its more than you think!
"Jowy...", they both said in unison, after he had broken their timely first kiss. They had felt a tiny bit of injustice, for Jowy, who himself was probably jealous, had not been there all the times where Riou and Nanami had felt rather close during the war.
"I can't believe this! Is this what Master Gankaku taught you?! For Heaven's sake you're RELATED!!", he started to fume.
"Stop that, Jowy! You don't know anything yet...so..just stop...please..", begun the less than chipper Nanami, as her eyes started to tear up. Jowy had never made his dearest friends sob like that before, and had felt quite ashamed of himself. He had backed out of the room and stood in the doorway, still not bearing to look up at them.
She's...crying?
"Y-you're right, I'm very sorry!", were his only words before he had dissappeared down the long flights of stairs.
"Jo..", they had both started, but didn't want to finish. Their friend oddly needed some time to himself, but this was already an odd day.
Nanami had a renewed sense of strength in Riou, as she clung tightly to him as they sat on the chair. She sighed, as her eyes drooped heavy with sleep, for she was still much disposed from the plight of her stomach throes. Riou, with his arms wrapped snugly around his new lover's seemingly frail body, she had already fell asleep from the warmth of his body and security of his strong hold.
He had pushed one of her long, overhanging hair bangs back, and sighed softly, though it wasn't a sad one, "Good night...big s..", he stopped before he finished, and looked once back at her. "Big sister...", he said, as he thought for the last time.
Annallee was nowhere to be found. Nor had Jowy.
Mountain Pass
The lofty mountains that seemed to tuch the heavens themselves in all their sheer size and glory that split the Holy Lands of Harmonia with the rest of the world had stood time for countless years. No one has ever dared scale it completely, and no mines have ever been able to tunnel through it. Indeed, it was a natural barrier of monolithic proportions.
Behind those mountains lies in its grand layout is the Holy Kingdom of Harmonia. Mysterious as it was beautiful, not a soul had ever entered the country save a few special or brave ones. Generally, it was a boisterous land, filled with magic and power. A land of neutrality. No evil dictator. No monarch. A leader who ruled the country with a just hand. But despite all of this, a few detested the idea of keeping the great powers to rot. They thirsted for more, and secretly worked for that goal.
A group that dwindled in shady deals and mafia-like rings underground amongst the cities of the great country moved about in search of something that would put them on top. A group had been sent to the State area, and its castle. The entourage was nothing more tha a party of five, yet they appeared to be nothing more than shadows bounding between each other. Throughout their journey, not rain nor impassable mountain nor steaming swamp dared slow down their ominous progress.
The castle was in sight.
Outside the Library of Fine BooksNearly a month and a half later .
Late at night, rain had started, but stopped. A beautiful and unbroken blanket of fresh cherry blossom leaves covered the ground that mid-April morning. It was still falling in large, bright white and red flakes from the trees that swayed lightly in the wind. He wore a large brown and white knitted silk scarf, colors of the country, made by Mistress Sierra. His usual attire was a little less flamboyant. This boy just happened to be Riou. He decided to move out around routinely, until he found out of Jowy had said anything. It was a long time, and perhaps he was just looking for his old friend again.
Where is the man of the hour now? Hadn't seen him in weeks.
"Whatever happened to McDohl?", monolougely spoke aloud, trying to mentally change the subject. He didn't think anyone was around, though someone was. Someone important. The same ebony haired man, with a usual disturbing smirk on his face.
"He had left, since his report was made..", the person spoke out suddenly, making Riou almost jump from his boots, "And that little fiasco with your sister had driven him off, Lord Riou!"
I know that voice. I thought he would retire by now.
The startled young leader had turned aound, though he knew already who it was. Shu, the stratiegist. In the days of peace, Shu took on a more humble job, to keep everything in line and running smoothly as his hair. Not to mention picking up his trading job and kept the market busier than ever.
"Yeah...she's something. But is there really going to be peace between us and Harmonia? That sounds a little far fetched if you ask me."
Something isn't right about all this. Sounds too good. Just like when he came to tell us.
"It does not seem like it at the moment. How many wars are left to fight...?"
Too many.
The Slums
With the spring arrival, the old slums of the castle town have changed for the better...if in appearance only. Trees started lining the streets, and fresh, cool air circulating through. Even with the ample change in weather, nothing really keeps the drunkards away for long and the warmth only brought them out like wasps. With the sun shining down heavily on the stone walkways, crossed with the shadows of dilapidated buildings and children playing, it was indeed a fair day.
A bright yellow dress with white trim flowed in the wind that very day. A month had passed since that dress was seen by familiar eyes, along with the girl who wore it. She strolled down the streets, under the cover of the building awnings for protection against the blazing heat of the day only to come across another lively place of intrest. Nearly all of her money was gained from attempted singing performances, for that was all she could do. Yet, not all preformances went well with the usual all male audiance. With constant hoots and whistles, and an occational slap on her thighs such a job was shameful as well as embarassing.
But a day had come when this singing grace had disappeared all together from the streets. Her frail body was not seen nor heard by anyone, and with the time that had already passed from those that knew her, hope grew bleak.
The Castle
''Riou!! I'm going out for fish again! Be back soon. And don't touch the rest of the dinner until I get back, ya hear?'' a cheerful, yet stong voice shot back through the large doorway into the uppermost chamber of the castle. Before long footsteps echoed down the stone stairwell until they slowly dissappated.
''I hope she at least hurries this time...'' sighed the young Riou while a loud growl erupted as the sound food cooking eminated from the small kitchen space of the living chamber.
''Ah..sure been a while since I've been here! A little decorating and a few ass kickings..and maybe this could be a nice neighborhood.'' Nanami snickered as she slowly strolled through the small tunnel to the larger section of town. The usually energetic young woman never really had any manners when no one else was around, although she does from time to time try and fit in with the others. Suddenly, as if an ominous mallet struck her, she suddenly remembered of Annallee. ''I really hope she's doing okay...'' Nanami started looking back and forth between shop stalls as they continued to appear in greater number. An undecisive shopper, she sped through nearly every store until spotting a curisoity shop. ''Let's see what's in there!'' she cheered, skipping toward the building while humming.
The shop was musky and the air was heavy. The pelts of strange beasts hung from pegs in the walls, and artifacts from the Sindar were almost everywhere. The young woman took her time as she browsed through the odd inventory, and was soon haunted by a sinister laugh.
''Nyeh nyeh...whatcha be lookin' fer missy? We dun carry no jewlrey or fancy clothes for you rich girls.'', the large man hacked, before spitting in a large container in the corner. Nanami simply ignored the man, and made her way from him to the furthest corner of the long shop. She never saw a more horrific sight in her life.
A body of a person lie on a pile of blankets, unmoving. Almost death-like unmoving. It was a young female who wore a white trimmed yellow dress, and had once sparkling brown hair and the most beautiful voice in the world. Yet...the dress was torn to shreds, the shining hair now matted with blood and the once beautiful voice gone for a loud, struggled breath that rasped every time she drew air.
''Ah...A-a-annallee...? Is that..is that you?'' she stuttered in nervousness, as she gently tapped her shoulder, only to be slightly relieved by the sounds of small groans, signalling life. It would only be a matter of time before reality finally hit the young Nanami.
''Hey! Now if yer intrested in that hussy, we ken make a deal, ya?'' This had sparked the fire that raged in her veins.
''Y-you..bastard..Let her go now!!'' she instantly demanded after standing back on her feet, never daring to look in his eyes else she may take things to a higher court.
''Ye haveta be nuts missy! Unless ye want ta be just like 'er. Neyh nyeh...'' he snorted in a sadistic laugh, determined to make his money in such a manner. ''Rich men'll pay anything for fine morsels like ye two.''
Rich men. Men would actually pay to do something like that! The man had not even been able to draw in another breath before the last thing he remembered for a long while was the taste of blood and the feeling of a tooth slide down his throat. Not hesisating an instant, Nanami pulled her connected fist from the rearranged shop keeper and his deformed face as hit own boddy slipped to the floor, she untied the young Annallee and gently slid her arms around her before carrying the frail, almost lifeless body back to the safety of the castle area.
''How could they...'' deeply sighed Nanami, taking a long glance into the wincing face of the girl she had been carrying. So innocent she was, yet to satisfy their desires, all of them, the drunkards the filth of the town, had taken their toll on the shy, cheerful and modest young lady. After the main doors at the end of Shopping Street was the main entrance stairs which let do the remodeled baths. The large marble fixture set into the ground, and giant oak boards sprouting from the very stone split the areas into two sides.
''TETSU! Get doctor Huan!! Hurry!!'' shouted the running Nanami. Following orders, the bath attendant moved everyone along, including himself out of the area, and ran off in the direction of the barracks. Sorely fatigued from the running, Nanami lost her footing on the smooth surface and took a plunge into the baths. She hit a corner tring to shield the bundle in her arms, and slid down into the water and slowly felt herself start to black out. That is until she felt something touch her. Something wrapped around her abdomen and clung tightly, as if hold for dear life. Still, Nanami was slipping into darkness. She heard a voice, meek, quaint and raspy.
''Na...nami. Don't leave me...'' the once unconscious Annallee forced out of her battered body. This almost caused Nanami to snap awake to the sight of the grime and dried blood held at the surface of the water and barely floatin away by the struggling movements of the other in the water.
''Hmm...? But I'm here to help you...remember?'' she replied with shortened breath. Annallee only clung around her stomach even tighter, drawing her into an embrace with her savior.
''Please...don't ever... leave me again. I..I want to be with you.'' the exhausted singer finally spoke. Then, faintly, almost unaudiable she sung, pouring whatever she had left in her into the song as the two slipped into unconsciousness.
I run in the wind of the desolated plain
And in this moment I feel something
Reaching the horizon that has just appeared
Unclearly at the end of sight
Slowly yearning disappears from my heart
Somewhere there must be someone that is waiting for me
Now I will talk until dawn of my burning dream
That burns with my life
Footsteps echoed through the halls as the doctor and the others filled in the bath house to check on all the commotion. All grew silent as the eyes of many fell upon the bodies of the two enmeshed.
