Tadaima, soshite gomen! I hadn't planed on not being able to write due to reports when I got back from vacation. Darn those summer jobs…still, my brain told me that I needed to write and get my next chapter out or it wasn't going to work on anymore papers. ^-^
I want to thank everyone, once again, for the wonderful reviews. I glad to know that people like my story, so far. So without further ado…
I own nothing, not even my car v_v. I especially don't own Chiriko, so please, don't hurt me!
Chapter 6 Hajimemashite
The next morning, everyone was ready to board the ship. Everyone, that is, with the exception of Hotohori-san and Tasuki-san. I'm not surprised. Unfortunately, Hotohori-san must guard the country and make sure that Kutou-koku doesn't destroy our government before we return. As for Tasuki-san, I remember seeing the vision of a five-year-old Kou Shun'u (last name (Kou) means season first name (Shun'u) means to surpass heaven. In Chinese, it would be pronounced Hou Tsun-Yu. Just FYI) being tortured by his older sisters. He was just learning how to swim, when his sisters ganged upon him and proceeded to hold him under the water until he almost drowned. He was saved by his father and gained his fear of large bodies of water. I knew that this would be a hard part of the journey for him, however, time is now against us and we must move.
As I walk up to the dock with my family, I notice that everyone is there ahead of us, so naturally, chaos is the ruling faction. Tasuki-san's parents did come down to at least say good-bye to him; however, his sisters are fighting over the other seishi. This is one of the only times I thank Tai'itsu-kun for making sure I don't look thirteen. The look of innocence, with the right effort, is rather disarming. And so, if it means keeping Tasuki-san's sisters off me, all the better. Meanwhile, Nuriko-san's family is there, giving him clothing for all of us for the terrain that we have ahead of us. I, personally, have never seen snow in person and even the sound of its name makes me shiver. I like heat, I like fire. Intense cold sounds more like a punishment. I will feel better when we arrive at Sairou-koku. Throughout the chaos of good-byes, I find Sou Gyokuran standing by her brother, Tamahome-san. I look around and notice that my mother has gone to talk to Hotohori-san and my Onii-san and Gishi are talking to Chichiri-san. No doubt that they are asking him to look over me as well as Miaka-san. Thus being the situation, I make my way over to the Sou family and greet both Miaka-san and Tamahome-san. They ignore me in favor of trying to pry one of Tasuki-san's various sisters off Tamahome-san. So, I make my true intentions known and in taking Mitsukake-san's advice I proceed to do something that I have never tried to do before. Hold a simple conversation with a girl that I emotionally like.
"Um, hello, Gyokuran-san."
"Hello."
Great start there, Doukun. Wow her with your excellent wit. Oh, you dolt.
We cautiously look at each other for the next few moments and I decided to give another try at talking to her.
"So, um, I don't know how long we are going to be gone, but we are going to be keeping in touch so if anything bad does actually happen, you'll hear about it from Heika-sama."
"I see."
Yes, idiot, open up her fears.
"But, I don't think we are going to have to much trouble."
"Oh, good."
"Um, well, do…do you want me to get you anything from the other countries?"
"You'd get me something? But, you don't really know me!"
"Well, I'd like to! Well, that is to say…I think you're nice and…well if you don't object to the idea…I'd like to-"
"Get to know me?"
"Yes, maybe even-"
"Be friends?"
"If it isn't impossible. Maybe later we could-"
"Get together. Just do something together. That is, when you get home, of course."
"Of course."
"I'd love to."
After another long and lengthy pause, I decided to ask again:
"So, what would you like me to get for you?"
"Anything that reminds you of the actual country. This is the first time I've ever even been out of my village."
"Then consider it done!"
"Thank you."
When she thinks that no one else is looking, she kisses me on my cheek. I don't have a mirror, but I'm sure that my face is as red as Suzakusei-kun's wings. I look at her and her face looks just as red as I believe mine to be. Unfortunately, to add to the embarrassment, I hear a clicking noise and look to see that the Sou family and Miaka-san is watching us with a mix reaction. Miaka-san has this goofy grin on her face, as does Gyokuran's father. Chuei-san just looks surprised and the two younger siblings look disgusted that there sister kissed a member of the opposite sex, even if it was on the cheek. Tamahome-san, however…
"Chiriko, later, on board, we're going to have a talk."
Still nervous, I decided to change the subject.
"Miaka-san, what is that you have in you hands?"
"Oh, just my camera."
"Ka-me-ra?"
"Yep! It takes pictures! See?"
We all look at this 'picture' and even I am shocked! It's just like a painting! Only, more life like! And it is of Gyokuran kissing me while I look at her and blush!
"Here, Chiriko, why don't you keep this? It will remind you of this moment while we are on the trip."
"Doumo, Miaka-san, demo Gyokuran-san-"
"Take it. That way you will remember that you have to come back to Konan-koku."
I feel that I should redouble my efforts for her to take the picture, but Miaka-san is now ushering us to stand close together as a sailor takes nine group pictures. Before we are rushed aboard the ship, I give Gyokuran my copy.
This first night on the boat was one to remember. As soon as he could get me alone, Tamahome-san wanted to know just what my intentions were towards his little sister. It takes me awhile to insure him that I'm not going to steal her and marry her and whatever other fears he has. I don't even want to know. No doubt they steam from him losing his mother right after the birth of Yuiren-san.
The other part about the boat, was the betting going on between Nuriko-san and Tamahome-san on how many time poor Tasuki-san would have to run to he rail due to seasickness. I really do feel sorry for my fellow seishi and when we go to bed that night, I suggest that he sleep in a hammock in order to reduce the effect of the waves hitting the ship on his equilibrium. Mitsukake-san just walked into his room, handed him a glass of tea, told him to drink it all, no matter how bitter and left. Tasuki-san does so, and is asleep before I could count to ten. Unfortunately, he doesn't fall asleep in his hammock. Thus, I was left to the task of getting him on to his bed, which took longer than it should thanks to him mumbling and holding on to me. He's reminding me of the time my Onii-san came home drunk. As I sniff the air, I can detect the scent of alcohol laced with chrysanthemum. When I left, I went to the room that I was sharing with Chichiri-san and Mitsukake-san.
"Mitsukake-san, what all did you give Tasuki-san? He fell asleep before he got into his bed and I had to help him. I smelled the cup and could smell alcohol…"
I gave too much away! Mitsukake-san is looking at me surprised. With a fully human nose, I shouldn't have been able to smell the alcohol over the chrysanthemum! He now looks at me with narrow eyes.
"It was a sleeping potion that was passed down through the family for many generations. Now I want you to answer a question of mine. How did you smell the alcohol that I used in making the potion?"
"I didn't smell very much of the alcohol, I could just barely detect it!"
Fast thinking, Doukun! However, did Mitsukake-san buy it?
"Hm."
Okay…I still don't know. His 'hm' is a multi-purpose response. I need to get out of here."
"I'll be right back. I want to see if I can get a drink of water from the cook before he goes to bed."
Whether Mitsukake-san believes me or not, I don't know. I think Chichiri-san does, however Chichiri-san knows more than he lets on, so I wouldn't be surprised if he was curious. Luckily, I still feel that I can place one hundred percent trust in him and his belief on friends.
I stand on the deck, letting the feel of the wind whip through my hair. The feeling makes me so homesick. It also serves to make my cloak feel constraining. With everyone in their rooms and sailors busily setting up the night shift down below the deck, I decided to take it off, just for a little bit and stretch. It has been too long since I have stretched like this and my muscles are letting me know it. Still, I better put my cloak back on and go back to the room. I said that I was going out for a glass of water, not the night watch.
Two of the three weeks pass without many hassles. Mitsukake-san decided to drop his suspicions and engages me daily to games of gou and chess. At night, I would slip away to take my cloak off and feel fully like myself for fleeting minutes, till one night…
I had just replaced my cloak when I noticed the storm clouds on the horizon. I know that they couldn't be naturally formed and I turn around to tell Chichiri-san when another vision hits me. I see a wave, darkness, cold, surrounded by water. I can't breathe! Then nothing. Just when I think that the vision is over, I see a fire, but can hardly feel it's warmth, I'm so cold. There are voices, they sound so familiar, however my mind feels too fogged over to be able to not only isolate the words being said, but to place them with their owners. Waking up from the vision almost knocks me over the rail. It is then that I notice Chichiri-san standing in front of me, using a warding spell while Tasuki-san is holding on to me.
"You okay, kid? What the f--- was wrong with ya? I've never seen nobody stiffen up like that!"
"A vision. Minna-san, we have to get the ship away from inland! There is an unnatural storm coming and it will toss the ship against the rocks!"
"Everyone, brace yourself no da! I can stop the lightening from hitting us, but I can't do anything about the waves na no da!"
Waves!?
"Minna-san, get below deck! Now! I we don-"
My warning came too late. I feel the force of Tasuki-san and I being dragged over the rail by the wave tremendous power. The minute we hit the water, I kick towards the surface and help Tasuki-san keep afloat. Miaka-san jumps into the water to save us, only to realize that she can't swim well with the strong current. Tamahome-san jumps in after her and helps her get close back to the ship as Nuriko-san throws a rope over the side and jumps over the rail himself. He swims to me and help Tasuki-san grab a hold of the rope. I glad of this, for in the coldness of the water, I can feel my muscles getting weaker. Still, I yell at Miaka-san that she's next as I see Tamahome-san getting tired as well. She grabs a hold of the rope just as my senses tell me that there is danger. Before any warning could be issued, another big wave crashes into us. Tamahome-san, still holding on to Miaka-san a forced one way, while Nuriko-san is forced into a different direction. As for myself, I can feel the wave sending me towards the ship, but can do nothing but desperately grab for the rope.
I miss.
I hear a sharp cracking noise and feel pain lace through my skull. My vision is blurry. I need to concentrate! I can't be knocked out now! By the time that I have gained more use of my eyes, I notice that I'm far away from the ship and I can catch glimpses of purple on the waves.
"Chiriko, where are you? Answer me!"
"Nu…Nuriko-san! Over here!"
"Keep calling out, I'll follow the sound of your voice."
As I continue to do so, I begin to realize that neither my arms nor my legs feel like they have the power to move anymore. I also realize that I'm being carried over tot he undertow.
"Nuriko-san, hurry!"
"I'm almost there, just keep talking!"
I can see his head! Thank Suzakusei-kun!
"Nuriko!"
"Try to stay right there!"
"I will Nur-"
I feel myself being dragged down by the undertow. Fear laces throughout my body as I desperately try to swim for the surface. But it is too dark in the water and thanks to being dragged, I have no idea which way it is to the surface! I can feel the cold sapping what is left of my energy. I also notice that I didn't take a breath of air before being dragged. I need air desperately! I struggle to find the surface for what feels like an eternity.
I don't make it.
All I see is darkness as I run out of what oxygen I have. All I can feel is something grabbing a hold of me and that something starting to pull. Then nothing.
Well, that's it for that chapter! I have to say that I'm terrible with teasers. However, in the next chapter, Chiriko's secret is revealed! So please don't that chapter or else you read to this far for nothing!
Tanoshimi ni!
Tsukiyo Uchibayashi