The Secrets that Last
Chapter 8
Ren sighed tiredly as the group came to a halt at the foot of Mt. Reikaku. He glanced at his companions.
"Never would I have believed that I could tire of one's company within such a short period of time." He thought dully. So far he had been forced to play mediator between Miaka and Nuriko, negotiator between Touji and Tasuki, and still managed to remain reasonably sane while listening to the incessant bickering over whom should be trained first. For once, he was actually feeling slightly agitated. An unbelievably rare occurrence.
"Alright minna-chan. Let's set up camp. I'll give you all an hour before I take the first trainee into the Zone." Ren stated. He shook his head at their lazy efforts to reply.
Everyone grumbled agitatedly as they dismounted and began the process of regaining feeling in their limbs.
Miaka made a face.
"My butt's numb." She stated plainly.
Tasuki rolled his eyes. "Yeah, well my head is numb from your complaining!"
Touji and Nuriko laughed at this. Ren rolled his eyes.
"Such childish habits must be broken during training. I think Miaka will go first." Ren said calmly, brushing himself off.
Hotohori and Tamahome immediately jumped up.
Miaka grinned.
"Hai Ren-sensei! I'll do whatever you tell me!" She gushed, latching onto his arm.
Ren sweat-dropped as Tamahome began to steam.
"Ren! Start running, now." Tamahome growled lowly.
Hotohori put a restraining arm on his shoulder, sighing.
"Tamahome, try to remain calm. Part of your training will be to remove any excess aggression and weaknesses. Isn't that right Ren?"
The blonde nodded, smiling as Miaka fell down and blinked.
"That's right Hotohori. I would like to take Miaka into the Zone first because I think she may need a tad more practice than the others. Would that be alright?"
"Exactly." Miaka nodded. "I need more practice. Let me go first." She grinned.
Hotohori was about to reply when Tamahome burst in.
"Iie! As Miaka's guardian I cannot allow her to be first! What if you're trying to lead her into a trap? Huh? Huh? What if she can't take it? What then? I demand that I go before her!"
Ren stared at him stoically, a small smile on his lips. "So you would wish to ensure that the training is safe for her?"
Tamahome stared at him. "Uh.yeah. That's it." he managed slowly, suspicion shadowing his features.
"I see. And so you would wish to go first in her place? Is that your desire?" The smile was now a full blown smirk.
Tamahome sweat-dropped. "Well, uh.not real-"
"Ren-san, I would like to go first. Miaka needs Tamahome to protect her here. In his place I will stand as her protector when he himself is trained. But then I would like to go before Tamahome; as I would be better suited to protect her after my training." Hotohori stated.
Ren nodded slowly. "Very we-"
"Ren-CHAAAAN!!! I wanna go first though!" Nuriko wailed.
"I still think I should go first." Mitsukake added. "It would be more beneficial to the group."
Chiriko blushed. "Actually, I would like to go first as well."
And so the argument began once more. Ren and Tasuki sweat-dropped. Touji looked at them like they were all insane.
"Weirdoes." He commented. "Training is hard and while you're in The Zone time slows down so you loose track of the days and hours. Nights are short and days are long. There's scarce food and water and you are exposed to severe physical and mental abuse, depending on your abilities. Any sane man would never dream of wanting to go in there."
Ren shrugged. "The training varies with each man or woman. Each person has a different specialty. They could be physically strong, have magical powers, whatever. The training for each would differ despite any similarities that may appear to make them equal."
Tasuki nodded. "Like mine." He smiled slightly.
Ren glanced at him. "Hai. Your training focused mainly on your physical strengths, demo, you also have the fire emblem. You can focus your life force through your stone and create fire. That's your element."
"Uh huh."
Ren sighed as everyone continued to bicker.
"Please be silent minna-chan." He closed his eyes.
Everyone turned to him suddenly.
"Ren-chan! Tell them that I'm going first!" Nuriko wailed.
"Iie! Me!"
"Ren-san I am the obvious choice."
"Ren onegai! I should go first!"
"Ren-"
"Silence!"
Everyone fell silent. Ren shook his head.
"It matters not who is subjected to the training first. The training is different for each of you. You each have different focuses and therefore your training is unlike the others'. There. Now, I will take either Hotohori or Chichiri first. Who shall it be?"
Chichiri stepped forward. "Ren-san, I would like to go first, no da. Hotohori-san should stay to protect Miaka with Tamahome. I would rather I go through training before him anyway. He is the emperor."
Hotohori swallowed his response as he realized that Chichiri was correct. What if something happened so early after their departure? And further more, what if this whole thing was just a trap? If he was killed or injured, what would happen to his kingdom?
Ren nodded. "Very well. The decision has been made. In three days time we shall return from the Zone and I shall take the next trainee. Meanwhile, I would suggest you each practice your own training here. It may reflect on your performance within the Zone. Chichiri, come."
Chichiri nodded and stepped forward.
Ren walked several steps before raising his hand to the forest wall. He closed his eyes, hand raised.
"Powers of ancient gods and prophets. Hear my prayer and open the door to this world's sub-dimension." Black and silver began to swirl together before Ren's extended hand in a huge mass of energy and power. Everyone stared in awe as the portal began to widen into a doorway.
"Worlds colliding on this mortal plane, I call upon you that you may meet with my shield and open the door to your realm. Holy lords of all that lives, allow me to pass through your gates once more and enter the training realm where men are made warriors true."
The portal looked like a black hole with silver lightening crackling dangerously within it.
Chichiri swallowed.
"The power is so immense, no da." He whispered.
Hotohori backed away from it slightly as Ren stepped toward the portal.
"Alright. It's open. Starlight?"
With an obedient neigh the stallion made a running jump into the pool of black, completely disappearing into the abyss.
Ren beckoned to Chichiri.
"Come on!" he shouted over the swirling darkness.
Chichiri nodded, walking with him to the portal.
"Let's go, no da!" he answered over the wind.
Ren nodded.
"On the count of three!"
"Hai!"
"One!"
"Take care of Miaka-chan, no da!" Chichiri shouted. Everyone nodded numbly, still recovering from the shock of energy.
"Two!"
"Bye Ren-chan! I'll see you in three days!" Miaka and Nuriko chorused brightly, waving cutely.
"Three!"
The two men jumped into the portal, disappearing into the ebony darkness. The portal immediately snapped out of existence, seeming to implode on itself.
Everyone stared as the wind died down and silence surrounded them. Not even a bird chirped.
"Ne, I supposed we should follow Ren's orders. We should all work on our most superb abilities. Miaka, perhaps you should attempt to discover yours." Hotohori said after a moment, his voice slightly shaky.
Miaka blew up like a puffer fish.
Nuriko laughed outright at this while Tasuki began making a fire.
He glanced around. Touji came up beside him.
"Genro, we should practice tonight."
"Cove?"
"Hai. As soon as the others are asleep."
"Hai. When night grants us the shield of its shadow."
The two men exchanged a look.
*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*In the Zone
Pain.
Stinging pain.
In his arm.
What was that sensation?
Chichiri felt something soft against his lips. Warmth flowed into his being.
He felt heavy.there was something on his arm.hurting him.stinging him like a burning needle.what was that softness on his lips?
"Mmm." he moaned against the softness. He strained to open his eyes.
A blurred image of gold and pale skin reached him. He tried to concentrate on what he assumed was the blur's face.
"Ren?" he whispered hoarsely. "Did we make it, no da? What happened, no da?"
The blur seemed to shake its head. Was that disbelief or simple misunderstanding?
"Chichiri-san, it's me." The voice was soft and gentle, a silvery tune.
Chichiri's eyes widened hugely as he recognized the voice. He sat up quickly.
"Usagi-chan?! What are you doing here? Where's Ren?" He gasped as his vision cleared. He was laying on what appeared to be nothing. All around him was black. Nothing but darkness in every direction. The nothingness was consuming. He looked at Usagi.
Her body was surrounded by a faint silver aura and her eyes glowed softly in the darkness. A deep royal blue that sparkled with silver stars.
He stared in shock.
Usagi sighed, running a hand through her bangs.
"Chichiri-san, I'm afraid that my magic is more powerful than my alternate self's. I am to be your trainer in this circumstance."
Chichiri blinked. "I don't understand, no da. What are you talking about?"
"Chichiri-san, you had to find out eventually who I really was. I am the same person that you know as Ren. He is my cursed form. A figment of imagination from a little boy's dream. An imaginary childhood playmate made into a reality. I am Ren."
Chichiri stared at her, not believing.
"Usagi-chan, are you mad, no da? What insanity do you speak of?"
Usagi shook her head sadly. "I speak nothing but words of honesty my friend. Ren is a fictional character that Tasuki-chan created when he was very young. The image was once described to me and I was cursed to take on that body during the hours of day. My curse is to take on the form of a man within the sun's hours and to return to my true self beneath the moon's rays. I am the one you know as Ren. He is me. Do you understand?"
Chichiri nodded slowly, frowning. "So you're saying that you were cursed, no da? You turn into Ren during the day and Usagi at night? Why such a curse, no da?"
Usagi shrugged. "Ren and Starlight are better suited to serve the Suzako seishi, Usagi and Cye are better suited to the Seiryuu seishi. Also, I am in this form the most powerful being in this universe. My enemies, feeling that they may lose to me, sent a spell youma to me and it cast this damned spell upon me."
Chichiri stared at her for a moment, still recovering from the shock.
"So you're going to train me? When do we start?" He managed after a moment.
Usagi smiled brightly.
"Right now!" She flicked her wrist. Immediately, crimson vines lashed out of nowhere, latching on to Chichiri and binding him tightly.
"Nani?! What's going on?!" Chichiri gasped as the thorny limbs dug into his body.
Usagi floated before him, smiling carelessly.
"The first task. You are to escape these bindings. Once you have gotten yourself out of this web I will begin to really train you. But I warn you now, once you've begun, the training will be as real as war. I will have no mercy on you. Do not mistakenly assume that my being female will have any affect on how I treat you either. Women can be just as harsh and cruel as men, if not more so. Ja ne for now."
She waved, disappearing with a sweet smile.
Chichiri glared at where she had been.
"Usagi-chan! Where are you going?! How am I supposed to get out of here!? What am I supposed to do?" he took a deep breath. "USAGI-CHAN!!!"
The vines tightened around him. He gasped, blood splattering before him only to be absorbed by the darkness.
"Oh yes," Usagi's voice echoed back to him. "I forgot one thing. These vines are cursed as well. If you want to survive their hold, I would suggest not squirming too much. They will tighten more with each violent movement you make. Best of luck to you!"
"Thanks a lot, no da." Chichiri wheezed. He closed his eyes. His mask had disappeared with his entrance into this realm and he glanced around coldly. His crimson eye surveyed the darkness and he felt a sudden chill.
"I have to get out of these vines. If this is a test then it must mean that I am meant to remove their curse and then I'll be set free. Demo, what can I do while my hands are bound?" he growled.
"Use your mind." Usagi's voice whispered in his head.
Chichiri glanced around, searching for the voice's source. He frowned, giving up the physical struggle.
"My mind." He thought, concentrating on the vines. They began to shake slightly.
Several hours later Chichiri, sweaty and glowing a shade of violent indigo, closed his eyes in defeat. As he instinctively lifted his hand to wipe his brow he was shocked to discover that the vines had broken to allow him to move. He looked shocked. "How did I.?" he managed to break the remaining vines and found himself once more standing in the darkness.
"I broke the spell!" he called into the darkness. "Usagi-chan?" He moved his sore body, turning around to search for her. Nothing.
"Usagi-chan!" he called again, louder this time. "Where are you?! I broke the spell! Isn't that what you wanted?"
A soft giggling filled the darkness. "Chichiri-chan, congratulations. You've completed the first task. Now, mind telling me how?"
Usagi appeared before him, arms crossed daintily over her chest. She wore a pair of black fighter's pants and silver calf boots. Her top was a long- sleeved silver midriff with flowing sleeves. She grinned.
"Because that was very impressive. And now it's time for the second task. Get ready Chichiri-chan, this will be your hardest fight yet!" She dropped into a fighting position.
"Give me all you got!"
Chichiri's eyes went wide.
"NANI?!?!?!?"
Chapter 8
Ren sighed tiredly as the group came to a halt at the foot of Mt. Reikaku. He glanced at his companions.
"Never would I have believed that I could tire of one's company within such a short period of time." He thought dully. So far he had been forced to play mediator between Miaka and Nuriko, negotiator between Touji and Tasuki, and still managed to remain reasonably sane while listening to the incessant bickering over whom should be trained first. For once, he was actually feeling slightly agitated. An unbelievably rare occurrence.
"Alright minna-chan. Let's set up camp. I'll give you all an hour before I take the first trainee into the Zone." Ren stated. He shook his head at their lazy efforts to reply.
Everyone grumbled agitatedly as they dismounted and began the process of regaining feeling in their limbs.
Miaka made a face.
"My butt's numb." She stated plainly.
Tasuki rolled his eyes. "Yeah, well my head is numb from your complaining!"
Touji and Nuriko laughed at this. Ren rolled his eyes.
"Such childish habits must be broken during training. I think Miaka will go first." Ren said calmly, brushing himself off.
Hotohori and Tamahome immediately jumped up.
Miaka grinned.
"Hai Ren-sensei! I'll do whatever you tell me!" She gushed, latching onto his arm.
Ren sweat-dropped as Tamahome began to steam.
"Ren! Start running, now." Tamahome growled lowly.
Hotohori put a restraining arm on his shoulder, sighing.
"Tamahome, try to remain calm. Part of your training will be to remove any excess aggression and weaknesses. Isn't that right Ren?"
The blonde nodded, smiling as Miaka fell down and blinked.
"That's right Hotohori. I would like to take Miaka into the Zone first because I think she may need a tad more practice than the others. Would that be alright?"
"Exactly." Miaka nodded. "I need more practice. Let me go first." She grinned.
Hotohori was about to reply when Tamahome burst in.
"Iie! As Miaka's guardian I cannot allow her to be first! What if you're trying to lead her into a trap? Huh? Huh? What if she can't take it? What then? I demand that I go before her!"
Ren stared at him stoically, a small smile on his lips. "So you would wish to ensure that the training is safe for her?"
Tamahome stared at him. "Uh.yeah. That's it." he managed slowly, suspicion shadowing his features.
"I see. And so you would wish to go first in her place? Is that your desire?" The smile was now a full blown smirk.
Tamahome sweat-dropped. "Well, uh.not real-"
"Ren-san, I would like to go first. Miaka needs Tamahome to protect her here. In his place I will stand as her protector when he himself is trained. But then I would like to go before Tamahome; as I would be better suited to protect her after my training." Hotohori stated.
Ren nodded slowly. "Very we-"
"Ren-CHAAAAN!!! I wanna go first though!" Nuriko wailed.
"I still think I should go first." Mitsukake added. "It would be more beneficial to the group."
Chiriko blushed. "Actually, I would like to go first as well."
And so the argument began once more. Ren and Tasuki sweat-dropped. Touji looked at them like they were all insane.
"Weirdoes." He commented. "Training is hard and while you're in The Zone time slows down so you loose track of the days and hours. Nights are short and days are long. There's scarce food and water and you are exposed to severe physical and mental abuse, depending on your abilities. Any sane man would never dream of wanting to go in there."
Ren shrugged. "The training varies with each man or woman. Each person has a different specialty. They could be physically strong, have magical powers, whatever. The training for each would differ despite any similarities that may appear to make them equal."
Tasuki nodded. "Like mine." He smiled slightly.
Ren glanced at him. "Hai. Your training focused mainly on your physical strengths, demo, you also have the fire emblem. You can focus your life force through your stone and create fire. That's your element."
"Uh huh."
Ren sighed as everyone continued to bicker.
"Please be silent minna-chan." He closed his eyes.
Everyone turned to him suddenly.
"Ren-chan! Tell them that I'm going first!" Nuriko wailed.
"Iie! Me!"
"Ren-san I am the obvious choice."
"Ren onegai! I should go first!"
"Ren-"
"Silence!"
Everyone fell silent. Ren shook his head.
"It matters not who is subjected to the training first. The training is different for each of you. You each have different focuses and therefore your training is unlike the others'. There. Now, I will take either Hotohori or Chichiri first. Who shall it be?"
Chichiri stepped forward. "Ren-san, I would like to go first, no da. Hotohori-san should stay to protect Miaka with Tamahome. I would rather I go through training before him anyway. He is the emperor."
Hotohori swallowed his response as he realized that Chichiri was correct. What if something happened so early after their departure? And further more, what if this whole thing was just a trap? If he was killed or injured, what would happen to his kingdom?
Ren nodded. "Very well. The decision has been made. In three days time we shall return from the Zone and I shall take the next trainee. Meanwhile, I would suggest you each practice your own training here. It may reflect on your performance within the Zone. Chichiri, come."
Chichiri nodded and stepped forward.
Ren walked several steps before raising his hand to the forest wall. He closed his eyes, hand raised.
"Powers of ancient gods and prophets. Hear my prayer and open the door to this world's sub-dimension." Black and silver began to swirl together before Ren's extended hand in a huge mass of energy and power. Everyone stared in awe as the portal began to widen into a doorway.
"Worlds colliding on this mortal plane, I call upon you that you may meet with my shield and open the door to your realm. Holy lords of all that lives, allow me to pass through your gates once more and enter the training realm where men are made warriors true."
The portal looked like a black hole with silver lightening crackling dangerously within it.
Chichiri swallowed.
"The power is so immense, no da." He whispered.
Hotohori backed away from it slightly as Ren stepped toward the portal.
"Alright. It's open. Starlight?"
With an obedient neigh the stallion made a running jump into the pool of black, completely disappearing into the abyss.
Ren beckoned to Chichiri.
"Come on!" he shouted over the swirling darkness.
Chichiri nodded, walking with him to the portal.
"Let's go, no da!" he answered over the wind.
Ren nodded.
"On the count of three!"
"Hai!"
"One!"
"Take care of Miaka-chan, no da!" Chichiri shouted. Everyone nodded numbly, still recovering from the shock of energy.
"Two!"
"Bye Ren-chan! I'll see you in three days!" Miaka and Nuriko chorused brightly, waving cutely.
"Three!"
The two men jumped into the portal, disappearing into the ebony darkness. The portal immediately snapped out of existence, seeming to implode on itself.
Everyone stared as the wind died down and silence surrounded them. Not even a bird chirped.
"Ne, I supposed we should follow Ren's orders. We should all work on our most superb abilities. Miaka, perhaps you should attempt to discover yours." Hotohori said after a moment, his voice slightly shaky.
Miaka blew up like a puffer fish.
Nuriko laughed outright at this while Tasuki began making a fire.
He glanced around. Touji came up beside him.
"Genro, we should practice tonight."
"Cove?"
"Hai. As soon as the others are asleep."
"Hai. When night grants us the shield of its shadow."
The two men exchanged a look.
*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*In the Zone
Pain.
Stinging pain.
In his arm.
What was that sensation?
Chichiri felt something soft against his lips. Warmth flowed into his being.
He felt heavy.there was something on his arm.hurting him.stinging him like a burning needle.what was that softness on his lips?
"Mmm." he moaned against the softness. He strained to open his eyes.
A blurred image of gold and pale skin reached him. He tried to concentrate on what he assumed was the blur's face.
"Ren?" he whispered hoarsely. "Did we make it, no da? What happened, no da?"
The blur seemed to shake its head. Was that disbelief or simple misunderstanding?
"Chichiri-san, it's me." The voice was soft and gentle, a silvery tune.
Chichiri's eyes widened hugely as he recognized the voice. He sat up quickly.
"Usagi-chan?! What are you doing here? Where's Ren?" He gasped as his vision cleared. He was laying on what appeared to be nothing. All around him was black. Nothing but darkness in every direction. The nothingness was consuming. He looked at Usagi.
Her body was surrounded by a faint silver aura and her eyes glowed softly in the darkness. A deep royal blue that sparkled with silver stars.
He stared in shock.
Usagi sighed, running a hand through her bangs.
"Chichiri-san, I'm afraid that my magic is more powerful than my alternate self's. I am to be your trainer in this circumstance."
Chichiri blinked. "I don't understand, no da. What are you talking about?"
"Chichiri-san, you had to find out eventually who I really was. I am the same person that you know as Ren. He is my cursed form. A figment of imagination from a little boy's dream. An imaginary childhood playmate made into a reality. I am Ren."
Chichiri stared at her, not believing.
"Usagi-chan, are you mad, no da? What insanity do you speak of?"
Usagi shook her head sadly. "I speak nothing but words of honesty my friend. Ren is a fictional character that Tasuki-chan created when he was very young. The image was once described to me and I was cursed to take on that body during the hours of day. My curse is to take on the form of a man within the sun's hours and to return to my true self beneath the moon's rays. I am the one you know as Ren. He is me. Do you understand?"
Chichiri nodded slowly, frowning. "So you're saying that you were cursed, no da? You turn into Ren during the day and Usagi at night? Why such a curse, no da?"
Usagi shrugged. "Ren and Starlight are better suited to serve the Suzako seishi, Usagi and Cye are better suited to the Seiryuu seishi. Also, I am in this form the most powerful being in this universe. My enemies, feeling that they may lose to me, sent a spell youma to me and it cast this damned spell upon me."
Chichiri stared at her for a moment, still recovering from the shock.
"So you're going to train me? When do we start?" He managed after a moment.
Usagi smiled brightly.
"Right now!" She flicked her wrist. Immediately, crimson vines lashed out of nowhere, latching on to Chichiri and binding him tightly.
"Nani?! What's going on?!" Chichiri gasped as the thorny limbs dug into his body.
Usagi floated before him, smiling carelessly.
"The first task. You are to escape these bindings. Once you have gotten yourself out of this web I will begin to really train you. But I warn you now, once you've begun, the training will be as real as war. I will have no mercy on you. Do not mistakenly assume that my being female will have any affect on how I treat you either. Women can be just as harsh and cruel as men, if not more so. Ja ne for now."
She waved, disappearing with a sweet smile.
Chichiri glared at where she had been.
"Usagi-chan! Where are you going?! How am I supposed to get out of here!? What am I supposed to do?" he took a deep breath. "USAGI-CHAN!!!"
The vines tightened around him. He gasped, blood splattering before him only to be absorbed by the darkness.
"Oh yes," Usagi's voice echoed back to him. "I forgot one thing. These vines are cursed as well. If you want to survive their hold, I would suggest not squirming too much. They will tighten more with each violent movement you make. Best of luck to you!"
"Thanks a lot, no da." Chichiri wheezed. He closed his eyes. His mask had disappeared with his entrance into this realm and he glanced around coldly. His crimson eye surveyed the darkness and he felt a sudden chill.
"I have to get out of these vines. If this is a test then it must mean that I am meant to remove their curse and then I'll be set free. Demo, what can I do while my hands are bound?" he growled.
"Use your mind." Usagi's voice whispered in his head.
Chichiri glanced around, searching for the voice's source. He frowned, giving up the physical struggle.
"My mind." He thought, concentrating on the vines. They began to shake slightly.
Several hours later Chichiri, sweaty and glowing a shade of violent indigo, closed his eyes in defeat. As he instinctively lifted his hand to wipe his brow he was shocked to discover that the vines had broken to allow him to move. He looked shocked. "How did I.?" he managed to break the remaining vines and found himself once more standing in the darkness.
"I broke the spell!" he called into the darkness. "Usagi-chan?" He moved his sore body, turning around to search for her. Nothing.
"Usagi-chan!" he called again, louder this time. "Where are you?! I broke the spell! Isn't that what you wanted?"
A soft giggling filled the darkness. "Chichiri-chan, congratulations. You've completed the first task. Now, mind telling me how?"
Usagi appeared before him, arms crossed daintily over her chest. She wore a pair of black fighter's pants and silver calf boots. Her top was a long- sleeved silver midriff with flowing sleeves. She grinned.
"Because that was very impressive. And now it's time for the second task. Get ready Chichiri-chan, this will be your hardest fight yet!" She dropped into a fighting position.
"Give me all you got!"
Chichiri's eyes went wide.
"NANI?!?!?!?"