Chapter 15: Scales of the Water Dragon

        The weekend came and went. Monday passed and Tuesday too, and still they hadn't spoken to each other once. Even their professors had noticed it. Mint and Rue, who before were usually inseparable because of their common duties (extracurricular or otherwise), were avoiding each other. Actually, it was just Mint who was avoiding Rue, but Rue, who had tried to make peace twice last Saturday and again on Monday, finally gave up and reciprocated her efforts by staying out of her way.

        It hadn't been an easy task, considering that they were classmates, and that made it even more obvious to everyone. Neil and Annette once ventured to intervene, but to no avail. Mint was as stubborn as ever. She came into the classroom exactly on the bell, she always disappeared to the gymnastics training hall immediately after class (with or without Annette), and she made sure to keep at least one empty seat away from him during chemistry (the only class Mint and Rue ever sat together).

        Whenever anyone would comment on it, Mint would simply shrug. "I've been busy. The Gamul games are coming up."

        "Speaking of the games," Annette was sitting opposite Mint in the cafeteria during Wednesday lunchtime. She grabbed a peanut-butter and jelly sandwich off her tray and started peeling the wrapper. "Tonia and I are still having trouble with your costume. The dress is alright," she added quickly on seeing Mint's expression, "but we can't seem to find the proper accessories."

        "Don't worry about it." Mint bit into her own sandwich, and one eye winked mischievously when she replied. "My dance is sooo good I'd win first even if I came to the games dressed in rags."

        Yeah, right. Annette rolled her eyes. "Here comes Tonia."

        Tonia put her tray down on the table and slid onto the seat beside Annette. Turning towards Mint, she said, "Coach Mira wants to talk to you privately after practice. She asked me to give this to you." She pulled out a note from her blouse pocket and handed it to the red-haired girl.

        Mint read the note silently. "What's it say?" Annette asked.

        "Professor Klaus wants us—Rue and me, that is—to have dinner with them tonight. Something about Elroy again." Her sigh was barely audible. She read the note once more before handing it to Annette. "Could you just give this to Rue for me? I can't go."

        Annette gave her a puzzled look. "Why not?"

        "I need to rest, and I need to practice." Mint smiled wryly at her companions. "I don't really need to, of course—I'm already sure I'm gonna win first place—but there's no point in taking chances."

        Tonia and Annette exchanged glances. Outwardly Mint may still be the brash, over-confident tomboy, but they both knew that she was still shaken over the fated match last week. Her actions towards her inadvertent opponent had been the only indication they needed to be sure of it.

        Dinner at the Klauses consisted of mashed potatoes and roast beef and no pumpkins. Rue arrived a little late, but Prima and Elena didn't mind.

        "Rue, Rue! Look!!" Prima was ecstatic as he showed off a piece of paper to the older boy. "Papa says that this means he's my new papa!"

        "So it's official?" Rue turned towards the professor and his wife. "Prima is one of the Klauses now?"

        "Yup." Elena couldn't stop smiling too. "It's so great! Everything went so smoothly, and I finally have the younger brother I've always wanted…"

        Mira remembered her daughter saying that it was an older sister she wanted (during Mint's erstwhile stay at their home) but didn't bother to correct her. "Alright kids, Papa and Rue have some work to do now. It's beddy-bye time."

        "Bedtime! I've got my own room now, Rue!" Prima beamed at him before Mira shoved him off. "Goodnight!"

        "G'night, Polly!" Elena said as she followed her mom and Prima up the stairs.

        Rue waved goodnight to them. As soon as they disappeared from view, he and Klaus went down to the professor's basement.

        "What news, professor?" Rue asked as Klaus powered up his laptop. "Prima's adoption was settled so quickly. Did the police find out what happened to his real parents?"

        Klaus nodded somberly. "It was a car crash in the city. His dad was an accountant and his mom's a housewife. Aside from his parents, Prima doesn't have any other known relatives."

        "Prima said his parents were murdered."

        "Not according to the police records. Prima wasn't even with them at the time of the accident—he was supposedly at their neighbor's." Klaus clicked a few keys on his computer. "They said that he ran away on the same night."

        "Ran away…?!"

        "That's what the records say." Klaus peered over his glasses at the boy, and there was something in his glance that told Rue he too found it suspicious. "I've discovered something else that you might find interesting." He motioned for Rue to look at his laptop's screen.

        On it was a map of what they knew of the underground tunnels. There were lines that indicated which tunnels were fake, which ones were blocked and which were open—he remembered them from when Klaus first showed him the map several months ago. This time however, there were new lines marked in red that trailed off at the ends of the map. One of them, Rue noticed, led straight to Elroy's library.

        "I took Prima back to the tunnels at Elroy's to test out a theory of mine, and we were able to open some rooms that you couldn't access before (but didn't find anything significant)," Klaus said. "Prima was able to open the rooms simply by moving his hand across a certain part of the door."

        He paused for emphasis, and Rue was deep in thought. "Just like the time that I opened the slab in the lake ruins."

        "Exactly," Klaus said. "They must've installed some kind of sensor in the slabs to detect anyone with the proper …authorization… to access it. Certain parts of the underground passages had been sealed off—I don't know by whom or how long ago—but some of them have been opened again recently. I think that they're using Prima's genetic code as some sort of key to unlock certain passages in the underground labyrinths. The life capsules had been transported to Elroy's library that way."

        Rue frowned at the mention of the life capsules. He never liked them, and the mere thought of one made him uneasy. If they'd ever dare to put Claire inside one of the cursed things… Unconsciously, he clenched and unclenched his fists at his sides.

        "They were all empty, I assure you, and except for Prima's had never been used." Klaus started typing again, and produced on screen an email message dated a couple of days ago. "Another thing, they found a plas-skin mask right outside Elroy's. Unfortunately for us, it's the newer type that leaves no imprints as to who used it. Even the Ephlesia U. forensics lab couldn't find anything. But we do have one lead," Klaus said. "As far as I know, there has been only one laboratory that has managed to manufacture this particular type of plas-skin. The research lab of Cosmos Corporation."

        "So, what's that got to do with Elroy or Prima?"

        "Absolutely nothing. Except that the life capsules had been traced to the Ghost Temple, plus the fact that the amusement park happened to be built completely from electronics manufactured by Cosmos Corp."

        Rue shook his head sadly. "But still no news of Claire." It wasn't a question.

        "No," Klaus had to admit. "But we're getting there. I'm sure of it."

        "You don't think she's in any danger, do you?"

        Klaus hesitated. "No," he said at last, "but I think we should hurry just the same." He turned to look over his glasses at the boy. "Do you think you're up to a quick trip to the Ghost Temple before the Junon tournament?"

        If it'll get us any closer to finding Claire, I am. "When do I leave?"

        "As soon as possible. Tomorrow, if I can convince Mira."

        The next day was Thursday, almost a week since the infamous bout between the gymnastics team captain and the kendo club's finest warrior. Of course, an event as monumental as that was certain to be talked about, but around this time most of the gossip has already died down (much to Mint's comfort). However, there remained the odd group of students who occasionally still talked about it.

        Belle had heard about the match as well. And she found most of the rumors to be highly amusing.

        "…she cheated, I tell you! There was no way someone like her could've beaten Rue Kincaid…"

        "Nah, she couldn't have cheated! The entire kendo club was watching, and it was Neil who tallied the points. I was there too—I saw Captain Davis check the score sheet before they announced the winner."

        "But… it just doesn't seem possible!" one of the girls was obviously a member of Rue's unofficial fan club. "Rue can't lose in a fight to someone who doesn't even fight!"

        "It is too possible. Mint really did hit him more times. Let me tell you though…" the boy looked from side to side before motioning for the rest of the group to come closer. He lowered his voice when he spoke, "I think that if they hadn't used the point system, Rue would have won. When the match ended, he was holding his sword directly over Mint's head—if he hadn't stopped it in time he would probably have knocked her out."

        "There, there—see!" the girl jumped up suddenly, a wide grin on her face. "I always told you that Rue is the better fighter, hah!!"

        Belle had a hard time keeping her laugher in check as she walked past the gabbing group of students and into the faculty room. Knowing how proud Mint was with her own brand of martial arts, the redhead was probably still grinding her teeth over that event.

        She went and sat down inside her cubicle. Mira had talked to her earlier that day, and inside one of her drawers was a pair of gold bracelets that the gymnastics coach had asked her to lend to her student for the Gamul competition.

        Mint had worked hard for their team's spot in the Gamul games, Mira had said. She had bravely endured the ridicule over that infamous match ("Bravely—yeah, right," Belle thought), and would Belle mind helping them? The bracelets would be perfect for Mint's costume, and neither Tonia nor Annette could find any that would go better…

        She dug through her papers for the bracelets and brought them out. They were identical and made of pure metal—they had neither gem nor jewel, only a filigree of vines and small tendrils ending towards a wreath of star jasmines at the wrist. In the light they glinted a pale gold—the years had not caused their particular luster to fade.

        She shook her head reproachfully, remembering who the bracelets once belonged to. No, she wasn't about to simply give these bracelets to just anyone. The redhead has to first prove that she had earned it.

        She pocketed the bracelets and briskly walked out of the faculty room.

        Belle kept her face impassive as she walked towards the gymnasium. It seemed a good time as any to finally confront her younger adversary. And Mira was insistent on the bracelets.

        It was already late after club practices, and Belle could recognize some of her students exit from the gym even as she entered the building. Some of them greeted her with a wave of "Hi, teach!" or with a slight nod (she would acknowledge them back), some of them ignored her, and still the others she didn't know. The second floor was empty, most of the students already gone when she got up the stairs, but she knew that Mint would still be in training.

        She was right. Mint was practicing her sequence for the Gamul games, without the music, and she was alone. Belle paused at the doorway to watch. She frowned. Belle was a martial artist herself, and to her trained eye, there was something wrong with the way Mint moved.

        It's been almost a week—she can't still be despondent over her 'win' against Rue, can she?

        Belle shook her head. If Mint couldn't get over whatever it was that bothered her, then the redhead couldn't become a worthy opponent for anyone. The redhead couldn't be worthy of her sister's bracelets.

        There was one way to find out. Belle smirked. Perhaps it was time for the challenge she had been anticipating since Mint had first called her an old maid in that restaurant three years ago.

        She was about to step into the gymnastics hall when she heard voices. Two people—Rue and Tonia, by the sound of it. Deciding that she wasn't in the mood to make up excuses for a chemistry teacher being in the gym, she hastily left through the side stairway. Her vendetta with young Vanguard could be settled another time.

        But a time not too far off, she promised herself.

        Tonia was dragging Rue by the arm. Rue was protesting vehemently.

        "Mint's still angry with me over that match! It's been almost a week, and even in class she hasn't spoken to me once…!"

        "Exactly. That match has been on her mind ever since, and it's up to you to cheer her up!"

        "But why me?!"

        Tonia sighed. "You're her friend, aren't you?"

        "Well, yeah… but what's that got to do with it?"

        "Just trust me on this one, okay?!" She shoved him towards the door. "Go on!"

        "T-Tonia!"

        "Uh-oh. Sorry, Rue! Urgent call of nature!" Tonia exclaimed suddenly. "Be right back! Make sure you don't leave Mint by herself without waiting for me!" she ran off towards the other end of the corridor.

        Rue swallowed nervously. It was painfully obvious that Mint had been avoiding him since the day of their fateful match, despite his efforts to make peace even though he didn't know what he had done wrong. Whatever the reason, he was certain that Mint was still angry at him, even though Tonia kept assuring that she wasn't.

        How in the world does he keep winding up in these messes? Let's just get this over with.

        Mint was so concentrated in her dance that she didn't notice him when he stepped into the room. Rue cleared his throat. The unexpected sound caused Mint to lose her balance in the middle of a twirl, and she plopped ingloriously onto the floor. "Ow ow ow… [expletive]! Tonia, I told you that—"

        Her eyes widened for a brief second when she saw who had coughed, and just as quickly her eyes narrowed in mock anger. "Rue! How dare you make me lose my balance!!" She stood up and brushed the dust off her sleeves.

        Rue scratched his head absently, aware that the two of them were the only ones in the room. But the fact that Mint had finally spoken to him, albeit in the annoyed manner that she usually reserved for him alone… Maybe Tonia was right. "Uhm… Sorry about that. I just came to wish you good luck on the Gamul games, I guess."

        "Thanks." Mint sniffed. "Not like I need it," she said haughtily. "By the way, have you seen Tonia? She told me she'd be back soon, and no way am I cleaning up the room by myself."

        "She just went to the bathroom. Um…" He paused, hesitant to speak. "She said you might need my help in your dance sequence…?"

        Mint's eyes narrowed at him even more. "Why would Tonia think that I'd need your help?" Rue just shrugged. She rolled her eyes. "Nevermind. Just don't distract me, okay?" She turned her back on him and went on with her practice.

        Rue crossed his arms. He busied himself with studying the floor, and every now and then he would scruff his shoes against the mats self-consciously. The silence felt awkward, but Mint was ignoring him again. Tonia was certainly taking her sweet time in the bathroom.

        "Oh, you idiot." Mint exclaimed, suddenly stomping her foot. "Do you know how annoying that is?!"

        Rue blinked. He wasn't doing anything—he was just standing there waiting for Tonia.

        But Mint was livid at him anyway. "If you've got nothing better to do than just standing there, you might as well do help me with my dance sequence."

        Uh, right. For some reason, there was a lump in his throat that just wouldn't go away. "What do I do?"

        "Stand over there, like that…" Rue stepped into the place she indicated. "Where's your boken? Oh, nevermind." She went to her duffel and got a baton, which Rue caught deftly as she threw it at him.

        She grabbed her rings and stepped to her place opposite him. "The Blue kendo forms, what are they called?"

        Rue couldn't see where she was going with this, but he decided to play along. "The Blue forms are called the Scales… The Scales of the Water Dragon."

        Mint smiled. "Rain."

        She started humming.

                Pagmasdan ang ulan, unti-unting pumapatak
                Sa mga halaman at mga bulaklak

        A sweet melody filled the room as Tonia (who had somehow slipped inside the room unnoticed) turned on the portable radio from the side stands. Mint did the first few moves of her dance sequence, and Rue was reminded of their match last week. Mint grinned suddenly. "Neil helped me. I patterned my dance sequence against the kendo forms. But the song's too short, so the dance is patterned against only the Blue ones."

        "From the start, kids?" Tonia asked.

        Mint nodded. She turned to Rue, "Just do the Blue forms like you would in practice."

        Tonia started the music again. At a signal from Mint, Rue began the kendo sequence. He moved unhurriedly and without force, timing his moves against the song. The music was soft and gentle, and brought to mind the waters of the ocean. For some reason, it seemed fitting that Mint had chosen to pattern her dance against the Blue kendo forms.

        Mint began her own sequence, and she danced. Rue could see that her movements were the same as what she used last week. They were doing the exact same moves, but this time Mint danced.

        It wasn't anything like their match at all. She had patterned her steps against his kendo forms, and this time, instead of aiming to strike, her movements now were graceful, much more fluid, and she moved as if her rings were extensions of her arms. Now more than ever was it evident why Mint was the gymnastics team captain.

                Maari bang minsan pa'y
                Mahagkan ka't maiduyan pa
                Sakbibi ka't
                Ulan lamang ang saksi

        She surrendered into the music. There was nothing in the world but the song, and the melody was everything. Each twirl and turn, tumble and somersault were but part of the eternal dance that was life.

        Rue stopped in the middle of doing the second form. He stepped back and lowered his makeshift sword, mesmerized in simply watching her.

        The music stopped. Mint was kneeling in her final position, her hands palms-down on the floor at her sides, her head bowed meekly. For some reason, in his mind he imagined invisible wings sprouting from her back, draping about her arms to finally end with their tips at the Dual Haloes as she held the golden rings flat against the floor.

        She really does look like an angel.

        From the sides he heard Tonia's clapping. Mint looked up, and she was grinning. "You liked it?"

        Tonia nodded. "Best performance yet. I think you're definitely ready for the Gamul games. Annette kept telling you that you should have asked for Rue's help rather than Neil's."

        "What's that supposed to mean?" Mint abruptly stood, her eyes narrowed. "Rue stopped doing the forms in the middle of the dance! Neil never did that!"

        "That's not the point. You didn't dance like that when you practiced with Neil before." Tonia was having a hard time keeping her mischievous grin hidden.

        Both Rue's and the redhead's faces flushed slightly. "That's because I was still learning the moves then!!" Mint exclaimed.

        Rue cleared his throat. "The music is nice. This is the first time I've heard it, though."

        "It's a love song from an archipelago in the Asia-Pacific," Tonia answered him. "Mint insisted it had to be this song and no other. You won't believe the trouble Annette went through to find it…"

        "Don't remind me—I still owe Annette for that." She sniffed irritably, and then marched off towards the locker room to change.

        "Hey, wait up!" Tonia called. "You still haven't told me about your private meeting with Coach Mira, and there's still the matter of your costume…" she made to follow the girl, turning once to whisper a hurried "thanks!" to Rue. She winked at him before running off after the redhead.

        Rue frowned thoughtfully, even as he watched the twin ponytails disappear from view as Tonia closed the locker room door behind them. He was on his way to the gym to do something before he had bumped into Tonia, but strangely, he couldn't remember what it was now.

        He shrugged. No matter, it probably wasn't that important anyway, and if it was he's sure to remember it in time.

Author's Notes

12 December 2002 Four words: READ AND REVIEW, PLEASE!!

Even one-liners ('I've read your fic and have absolutely nothing to say about it') are appreciated, just to let the starting-to-get-frustrated author know that people still read this hopeless excuse for a fanfic!

Thanks to all the people who reviewed! Mere words cannot express my gratitude but words are all I have right now… sigh.

Q&A Time. These are just clarifications, actually.

To Victoria's Aurora: Mint was NOT using kendo. She learned the kendo moves but she wasn't doing them (she used a pair of batons, remember?). Rather, she patterned her attacks against what she knew Rue's next moves were going to be. About the 'Blue forms' that Mint decided to 'use', I hope it was already made clear in this episode.

To Mana Angel: Mint was crying (she didn't actually cry… sorry for insisting but Mint's tears are a plot device later in the series) because she won against Rue only by points. If it had been a real fight and he had used a real sword, he would have cut her clean in half.

To DiagonAlley: This *is* Rue/Mint. Gee, I thought it was already out several episodes ago, hehe. If you think about it, Rod just got dumped in the last chapter (in a very mild sense…).

Btb, those are lyrics of a real song (it's in my native tongue), composed by one Ryan Cayabyab. The latest remake is sung by Regine Velasquez, and the mp3 can be found in the Files section of the ToF_Carona YahooGroups. Kapag naiintindihan mo 'yung kanta, may isang ibig-sabihin 'yon. Kababayan!! ^_^.

You're all invited to the ToF_Carona YahooGroups!