Lookie, lookie, I posted!!!!!!!!!! I do hope that everyone is enjoying the story, so far. I had received an e-mail recently saying that my story was one of the two longest on the net with Chiriko as the main character! Kudos to me! Still, I'm also happy to see how many reviews I've received. Pretty soon, as long as I don't count my own posts, I will have over 100 reviews. I think that I should do something special for the next chapter after I receive 100. I was thinking maybe a question asking/answering deal. If they are to a real person, then I would send the question along to them. Any other ideas?

Disclaimer: I don't own Fushigi Yuugi, or Chiriko or any of the added characters. So girls, please, STOP CAMPING OUTSIDE MY WINDOW! THE "I WANT TASUKI AND CHICHIRI" CHANTS ARE GETTING ANNOYING!!!!! Ahem…sorry…

Through Rain or Snow, part 2

We pressed on until nightfall. The trip would have had the pleasant sounds of bird and other small woodland creatures, if not for the sounds of Miaka-san's stomach. When we stopped, Miaka-san yet again sigh at the small portion, but I'm glad that she didn't complain or ask for more. She seems to understand the situation that we are in.

We reached our destined road with little problem. Opii was right in saying that the government has not cared for this road in a while. Most government roads have gravel on them to keep them sturdy in the cases of rain, or in Hokkan-koku, melted snow. This road did not. Worrying about snow storms, I walk around our camp's perimeter and get a feel for the surrounding area. Animals are active in this area, so that means that no one has surrounds us. Even though insects will resume normal activities after a body has been present for a while, most animal still tend to shy away from a human's sent. This means, that we have to be careful about the predators. I sniff around and happily find no scents belonging to tigers. I do, however, smell the scent of a weasel. We will have to put our supplies up before we go to sleep tonight.

Next, I check the weather. My recent sniff has not given me any indication of snow. Nor, is their any frost upon open ground. This bodes well. I travel a bit farther and find a puddle, with no ice in it. Still, I dip my hand in and find it to be a bone chilling experience. I nod, satisfied that it would not snow tonight, but I also understand that I must be careful. The weather could…it could…

"A~CHOO!"

…sniff…

"Chiriko? Daijoubu? (Are you okay?)

"Yes…sniff…I just got lost in my thoughts. I didn't notice that I sat down among some enokidake spores (it's a type of mushroom), which I happen to be allergic to."

"Oh, well I came to tell you that Kouran and I are going to sleep. Are you coming too, or do you have anything else planned?"

"Opii knows me well. I plan to take watch for part of the night and then probably wake her up when I'm tired. I don't like the idea of no one guarding us when we're out in the open like this."

"Okay, just remember, that you can ask me to take watch, as well. I'm used to staying up late when cramming for a test."

"Souka? Yoshi. (Is that so? Good.) I'll keep that in mind. Also, may I take a look at your text books? You mentioned your math class earlier and I must confess that I am very interested in what you may be learning that we, in this world, don't know."

"That's fine, as long as you tell me something."

"Hai?"

"Those enokidake, are they edible?"

"Yes…and I hear that they are quite good, if you boil them first. I wouldn't know. The doctors are afraid that if I ever eat one, my throat will close up. Why?"

"Well, I just wanted to know what we can eat, in case our food supply runs out. Or, if I want more food."

"I'll keep my eyes open."

"Thank you, and good night!'

I watch her walk back to the fire and pull out her books, before crawling under her blanket. Sitting up from the spores, I walk to the edge of the clearing and gather more wood. I eventually gather as much as I can hold and bring it back to camp. The girls are asleep, the pre-mentioned weasel isn't. It is busy trying to quietly dig it's way into our food bag. I take out a thin, leather strap and a stone. I quickly let the stone fly and in knocks the weasel out, cold. Throughout this, the girls still sleep. Sighing and trying to keep myself sane throughout the silence of the area, I sit down start and pick up the weasel. On close inspection, I see that it is an ermine. The animal's beautiful fur glistens from the fire light reflecting off of the translucent strands silver, with a black tipped tail to complete the look. I didn't kill it…sniff…her, but she would need a bit of medical care. On closer inspection, I notice that she is not quite full grown, her mother must have chased her away from the nest early, or else she would have known better than to try and raid a human's camp. Thinking inward, I remember that my Onii once told me that weasel fur is good to use, when you are in the north, because it will keep you warm and won't frost over. With that, I decide that Miaka-san might like a pair of gloves to keep…her…

I can't do it. I can't kill her! Especially now that she is awake, looking up at me with those sad, black eyes. Sighing, I admit defeat. While holding her in my lap, I open the food pack and take out a bit of the jerked meat. She eats the meat ravenously and it is then, that I realize, that I can feel her poor, little ribs. After a bit more meat, he seems content and calm. I stroke her fur and she seems happy to stay in my lap. I believe that she understands that I will probably take care of her. It may be one more mouth to feed, I ponder while I open Miaka-san's book on Japanese Grammar, but I don't think the girls will mind.

She's snuggling. Why do I seem to find myself surrounded by women. Good thing Tokaki-san isn't here.

Hmm…she'll need a name.

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There we go! I don't know what made me think of the ermine (It like a slightly larger breed of ferret) but I just kept thinking about how little I've included Tama-neko and the thought of a pet for Chiriko appeared. Now, her comes the hard part for all of you readers. I've given you the description of the ermine, and she needs a name. I am open to suggestions, even if it is your own name! This ermine, I decided, will come in handy, later!