~An American Miko~
Old Friends, Clothes, & Big Cars
Chapter Thirty-Eight
After following Myst to the house, they stepped up onto the back porch, which was huge and made of smooth stone and concrete. Stepping up to one of the sliding glass doors she keyed in a code on a pad by the door and pulled it open, stepping inside, the whole group behind her, leaving the dogs outside. She stepped back passed them and keyed in the code again to lock and activate the alarm on the door.
Suddenly she heard a tell-tale click from the other side of the room, and a deep cultured voice say, "I suggest, if you don't want to be shot, that you freaks tell me what you're doing in this house right now and how you knew the code."
Myst's face lit up and she whirled, Boushin still in her arms and pushed back to the front of the crowd, much to the seishi's, who were all in defensive/attack mode, dismay. "Mathiss! You're still here you old fart?!"
The tall ginger-haired man, who looked about mid forties and in incredible, toned shape looked at her passively, his expression not changing, and then his hard military-trained face seemed to melt. His cornflower-blue softened and widened almost unbelieving and he lowered the gun he had trained on the group. "M... Myst? Myst?! Is it really you? Is it really my baby girl?!"
Myst grinned and stepped forward. "Only if you're still my big kitten!"
Mathiss Howser's eyes lit up and he hugged her fiercely. "My god girl! Where have you been for a year and a half? And what are you dressed in?"
Myst smiled and pulled back. "It is a very long story Mathiss my friend. A very long story."
Mathiss nodded. "I had to tell the board you were away on an important trip in order to keep them from moving into your foundations and seat."
Myst nodded in turn. "My thanks. I don't know what I'd do without you here to help me Mathiss."
Mathiss seemed to notice what was in her arms for the first time. "Oh my, and who is this little one? Whom does this angel belong to?"
Myst smiled brightly and hefted Boushin up, beaming proudly. "This is Seishuku Boushin, sir name first. He is my son."
Mathiss' eyes went wide again and he put a big, gentle hand to Boushin's soft head. "Your son?"
Myst nodded and Hotohori stepped up beside Myst, putting an arm around her slim waist. Myst smiled up at him and pulled the pin on his hair box, taking it off and letting his long brown hair fall. "Yes, and this beautiful, brilliant, sexy man is his father. Mathiss Howser, meet Seishuku Saihitei, Emperor of the Konan Empire, my husband, also known as Hotohori, a warrior of the Suzaku Seishi. He found me right after I disappeared. He took me into his hoe and nursed me back to health personally since I was injured, and completed my life. We fell in love and married. On our wedding day, I met this beautiful man, Chou Ryuen, also known as Nuriko, another warrior of the Suzaku Seishi." She went on to introduce the rest, and then they sat down around the room since they were in one of the plush sitting rooms.
Mathiss brought out tea since his main jobs were, butler, bodyguard, and advisor for Myst, plus many more things. Once he took his seat across from them, Myst, Hotohori and Chichiri, who was far better with explaining things than most of them, explained what had been happening and where Myst had been for almost the past two years. After the story ended, Mathiss nodded and stood up.
Some of the seishi stood up as well. Myst stayed seated with Boushin on her lap, Hotohori to her right, and Chiriko to her left. Everyone else went to stand behind and beside the couch, even Rouko and Kouji, in a clearly protective gesture. They still weren't quite sure about this man who obviously looked like a warrior.
Mathiss knew tons about customs like theirs since he had been in the military and traveled. He stood before them then sank to his knees and touched his forehead to the floor briefly. "You all have my eternal thanks and gratitude. Myst now has the things she wanted most in life. You've protected her with your very lives. You've granted her friendship and a true family, a loving husband and a beautiful child to call her own. If you ever have need of me for anything, ask, and it shall be.
The group smiled and Hotohori spoke. "You needn't bow before us. I have heard much about you Howser, Mathiss. Myst has said many times that the only two things that truly sadden her about being in Konan, was leaving you and her only other true friend, her dojo master's daughter. You have been as much her family as we ourselves have." The young emperor stood and held his arm out to clasp forearms with the man. "I welcome you to my heart as friend and family."
Hakurou spoke up. "We all do."
Mathiss looked up and saw everyone nodding. He nodded back and saluted. "Thank you all, and thank you Your Majesty."
Hotohori nodded and smiled again. Myst's world so far, needless to say, was rather interesting.
*****
It turned out that the house and all things in it had remained virtually unchanged. In this case, Myst had happily showed everyone around and to rooms on the third floor they could use. The house was huge! A, some odd, million-dollar mansion with everything one could ever want in it, and even though just she and Howser had lived there for years, it felt like a home, and still somewhat like a museum, though now, it would have to be "baby proofed."
Myst had Howser bring up her old crib and had it set up at the foot of her huge four-poster mahogany and canopy bed. One thing she had missed was the blackout curtains surrounding it.
Myst brought everyone into her bedroom then after they had had a chance to see their rooms, and said, "Okay, the first thing we need to do is get you all some clothes from this world that will fit. We're going to the mall."
They all already knew what the mall was from her stories. She warned them of safety policies, protocol, and laws. "I'm also going to get you all cell phones so we can keep in touch. I'll show you what those are later. For now, we need to find you all some halfway suitable clothes to wear until we get you some new ones. I think if we squeeze, we can all fit in the limo. Oh yeah... all weapons stay here, or at least the obvious ones." Myst held her hand up at the protests. "It's the law here. They won't care that you're seishi and I'm a miko. They wouldn't believe it. Here, we're all just normal people. Mathiss is the only one authorized to carry any sort of weapon.
"Shunkaku, you can carry your ryuuseisui since you wear it as a belt and no one would guess it's a weapon. Kotoku of course can keep his flute, but the rest of us are out of luck, and that includes you Tasuki." She said, giving him the eye as he made as if to protest. "I'm even leaving my weapons."
There was some grumbling, especially from certain redheaded bandits, but the pile of sharp, pointed, pokey things on the bed grew to completion, and then were put safely away.
The next hour and a half was spent searching up suitable clothes not even worth mentioning. Nuriko got away with wearing Myst's clothing, as did Chiriko. The rest had odds and ends from Howser and Myst's later father. Boushin got away with one of Myst's tiny t-shirts and a cloth diaper.
Myst pulled her hair back into a French twist and pulled on a pair of tight dark blue jeans with tan, leather cowgirl boots, and a white button-up blouse with an open red flannel shirt over it.
Hotohori came out of the bathroom and stopped dead, his jaw dropping a little as he looked at his wife.
Myst saw him in the dresser mirror and turned with a smile. "What do you think?"
Hotohori's mouth worked like a fish's for a second, then he stuttered out, "But those other clothes you brought with you..."
Myst laughed and stepped up to him, her arms wrapping around his neck and staring into gorgeous gold. "Those are my workout clothes love. By the way, out robes and ornaments are safely in the trunk in the closet. You my love, look wonderful, or rather, would if the clothes fit you right. You're a much different build than my father was." She straitened the t-shirt he was wearing and tucked it into the jeans for him, belting them up so they stayed on his hips. "There. Much better. I think there are some hiking boots in the closet that will fit you. Those ducky shoes, as cute as they are, just won't cut it here."
Hotohori smiled as she opened the door to the walk-in closet and started digging. He glanced over to the bed, where Boushin was playing in the middle; pillows piled up on all sides so he wouldn't fall off, and sat on the edge of the bed to watch him.
Myst came out after a triumphant, "Aha!" She let him try the tan boots on, then laced and tied them for him.
Hotohori pulled Boushin onto his lap, letting him play with Myst's key ring still, while Myst disappeared into the bathroom and came back out with a brush and elastic hair ties. She took great pleasure in brushing out Hotohori's silken strands, then pulled most of it back into a semi tight ponytail and the nape of his neck, letting some of his bangs fall across his forehead and around his face.
Myst leaned forward and kissed the back of his jaw just under his right ear. "Are we ready to go beloved?"
Hotohori turned his head and kissed her soft lips and she raised her fingertips to his smooth cheek. They broke the kiss and Hotohori nodded, standing and even bouncing a little, smiling at the feeling of the cushioned shoes, Boushin laughing at the movement.
They headed down the hall, looking over the railing to the right, to the ground floor where everyone else was waiting in the entryway at the base of the stairs. They turned to the left and headed down one of the sets of stairs, then made a sharp right, appearing at the tops of the grand marble staircase.
Once downstairs, Myst could help but smile at how tacky and clashing some of their outfits were.
Howser had already looked them over and made sure that they were at least presentable. He nodded his head respectfully to Myst. "The baby seat has already been installed into the limo per your request ma'am."
Myst nodded. "Thank you Mathiss."
"You're welcome ma'am."
Myst smiled at her friends. "Okay everyone, lets get this show on the road. It's going to be interesting to see how many we can fit in the seats." Then she had an idea. "Mathiss, would it be too much trouble to put the baby seat in the back of my car? I'll drive some of us in that and the rest can go with you in the limo."
Howser smiled. "It'll take all of two minuets ma'am. Do you remember how to drive?"
"Have the laws changed any?" Howser shook his head and she nodded. "Then yes. Thank you Mathiss. Please instruct everyone on the use of seatbelts." Then most of them walked out the elegant front doors and down the steps to the circular driveway.
Myst, Hotohori carrying Boushin, Chichiri, and Hakurou walked out a side door leading to the garage after setting the alarm and locking the door.
The rest stood beside the black limo, while Mathiss disappeared into the garage with the baby seat. He returned a moment later and opened the back door for them. They all looked at it with uncertainty until the garage opened and a sleek black Lexus with slightly tinted windows rolled out and pulled up next to them.
The passenger side window rolled down to show Hotohori buckled in, and Myst strapped in behind the wheel leaning over Hotohori a little to look out at them. "Well, what are you waiting for? An invitation from Suzaku? Get in. Mathiss is an excellent driver. We'll meet you at the mall. Oh, and Tasuki... stay away from the bar. Nuri-chan, you have my permission to hit him if he takes so much as a sip, as long as you don't damage the car."
They all laughed and Tasuki blushed and grumbled a little under his breath.
Myst turned back to the long driveway and pulled away, leaving the window down and rolling hers down as well, leaving the back ones up so they wouldn't bother Boushin. She glanced at Hotohori. "Sai-love, get into the glove box, that's the compartment in front of you, and pulled out the red and black case that's in there."
Hotohori did as she asked and she slowed a little to show him how to open it. "Okay, now flip through the pages of disks." He did so and she kept glancing over as she pulled onto the freeway. Finally she pointed at one. "That one. Pull that out for me would you?" As he did, she pointed to a slot in the dash. "Push it in there with the color side up."
Hotohori once again did as he was asked and asked, "What are these?"
"They're CDs. Compact disks. It's a device that records sound and let you play it back exactly whenever you want. This is one of my favorite artists." She turned a dial and pressed a few buttons, driving with one hand and not really taking her eyes from the road, and the speakers started playing, Enya, A Day Without Rain. She started singing with one of the songs as she signaled, checked her blind spot, and switched lanes. "Who can say where the road goes, where the day flows? Only time. And who can say if your love grows, as your heart chose? Only time."
The others in the car were either watching her, or looking out the window, but all were listening. Hakurou, who sat behind Hotohori and to the right of Boushin said, "This is a beautiful song. It compliments your voice well."
Myst smiled and glanced at him in the rearview mirror. "Thank you Hakurou. It is a beautiful song. Enya is a talented artist."
Chichiri, who was without his mask at Myst's insistence, was peering out the window. "This is amazing Myst no da. You control this na no da?"
Myst nodded. "Yep. There are pedals at my feet to control my speed and the wheel is of course how I steer. It's a lot more complicated than a horse. If we're here long enough I can show you how to drive sometime."
Chichiri met her glances in the rearview mirror. "I would like that, but I think Chiriko would like it more no da."
Myst's eyes smiled at him. "I would love to show him... except you have to be sixteen to legally drive here. It's just the law. They don't take fourteen year old geniuses into account here unfortunately."
Hotohori chuckled. "That is unfortunate indeed. The one who would appreciate it the most and he is too years too young."
Myst sighed. "Yeah, I would have loved to teach him." She pulled off of the freeway and down another street, then into the parking lot of the mall. She smiled at their halfway awed looks. Finding a fairly good spot, she parked and rolled up the windows, showing them how to unbuckle the seatbelts and open the doors. She climbed into the back once they were out and unbuckled Boushin, lifting him onto her hip and walking with her companions to the front of the mall.
They all had to wait only a minuet for the limo to pull up, letting the rest of their group out. Howser got out only to pull a stroller from the trunk. "I thought you might find this useful ma'am. I also packed the little one some soft cheese sticks to snack on in case he got hungry."
Myst smiled. "Thank you Mathiss, and bless you for your thoughtfulness."
Mathiss just smiled after unfolding the stroller and got back in the car to park, knowing from their stories that the others were well capable of being her bodyguards. Not to mention her own merits on self defense. He would be able to find them later.
Myst strapped her son into the stroller and handed him one of the cheese sticks to keep him occupied. Then she spoke to the near huge group she had around her. "Okay people, I don't have to tell you to stick close. No wandering off."
Then the whole group, getting many stares, mostly from near drooling girls, entered the mall and headed toward one of the big department stores, Myst in the lead, heading strait for the men's section.
**********
AN: OMG!!! Has it really been near EIGHT months!?!?!? Geeze!!! It's a wonder that you guys haven't hunted me down and strapped me to the chair to write!! But, I DID promise that there would be more of the story, so at long last... here's the next chapter. Sorry it's so short minna. But after watching half the series again, I was struck by the FY bug. I don't know how long it will last. The thing is, is that I have ideas... I just don't know how to bridge the ideas together. There will be more angst btw... but don't worry, it won't be too bad. I'm just trying to decide who to do it to. I really want to do it to Hotohori... but the guy has been through so much already... *shrugs * eh... we'll see. ^^ Well, must go try and work on the next chapter now. Ja Minna! BTW, Missy!!!! Thank you so much for kicking me so much. You're the one who made me get off my ass and get back to work on this. Thanks much and keep it up babe!!! BTW... If anyone has any ideas, feel free to mail me and spout them. I'll be sure to give you credit for them. ^^ Much luvs!!!
~Celesta Hellewise Harman
After following Myst to the house, they stepped up onto the back porch, which was huge and made of smooth stone and concrete. Stepping up to one of the sliding glass doors she keyed in a code on a pad by the door and pulled it open, stepping inside, the whole group behind her, leaving the dogs outside. She stepped back passed them and keyed in the code again to lock and activate the alarm on the door.
Suddenly she heard a tell-tale click from the other side of the room, and a deep cultured voice say, "I suggest, if you don't want to be shot, that you freaks tell me what you're doing in this house right now and how you knew the code."
Myst's face lit up and she whirled, Boushin still in her arms and pushed back to the front of the crowd, much to the seishi's, who were all in defensive/attack mode, dismay. "Mathiss! You're still here you old fart?!"
The tall ginger-haired man, who looked about mid forties and in incredible, toned shape looked at her passively, his expression not changing, and then his hard military-trained face seemed to melt. His cornflower-blue softened and widened almost unbelieving and he lowered the gun he had trained on the group. "M... Myst? Myst?! Is it really you? Is it really my baby girl?!"
Myst grinned and stepped forward. "Only if you're still my big kitten!"
Mathiss Howser's eyes lit up and he hugged her fiercely. "My god girl! Where have you been for a year and a half? And what are you dressed in?"
Myst smiled and pulled back. "It is a very long story Mathiss my friend. A very long story."
Mathiss nodded. "I had to tell the board you were away on an important trip in order to keep them from moving into your foundations and seat."
Myst nodded in turn. "My thanks. I don't know what I'd do without you here to help me Mathiss."
Mathiss seemed to notice what was in her arms for the first time. "Oh my, and who is this little one? Whom does this angel belong to?"
Myst smiled brightly and hefted Boushin up, beaming proudly. "This is Seishuku Boushin, sir name first. He is my son."
Mathiss' eyes went wide again and he put a big, gentle hand to Boushin's soft head. "Your son?"
Myst nodded and Hotohori stepped up beside Myst, putting an arm around her slim waist. Myst smiled up at him and pulled the pin on his hair box, taking it off and letting his long brown hair fall. "Yes, and this beautiful, brilliant, sexy man is his father. Mathiss Howser, meet Seishuku Saihitei, Emperor of the Konan Empire, my husband, also known as Hotohori, a warrior of the Suzaku Seishi. He found me right after I disappeared. He took me into his hoe and nursed me back to health personally since I was injured, and completed my life. We fell in love and married. On our wedding day, I met this beautiful man, Chou Ryuen, also known as Nuriko, another warrior of the Suzaku Seishi." She went on to introduce the rest, and then they sat down around the room since they were in one of the plush sitting rooms.
Mathiss brought out tea since his main jobs were, butler, bodyguard, and advisor for Myst, plus many more things. Once he took his seat across from them, Myst, Hotohori and Chichiri, who was far better with explaining things than most of them, explained what had been happening and where Myst had been for almost the past two years. After the story ended, Mathiss nodded and stood up.
Some of the seishi stood up as well. Myst stayed seated with Boushin on her lap, Hotohori to her right, and Chiriko to her left. Everyone else went to stand behind and beside the couch, even Rouko and Kouji, in a clearly protective gesture. They still weren't quite sure about this man who obviously looked like a warrior.
Mathiss knew tons about customs like theirs since he had been in the military and traveled. He stood before them then sank to his knees and touched his forehead to the floor briefly. "You all have my eternal thanks and gratitude. Myst now has the things she wanted most in life. You've protected her with your very lives. You've granted her friendship and a true family, a loving husband and a beautiful child to call her own. If you ever have need of me for anything, ask, and it shall be.
The group smiled and Hotohori spoke. "You needn't bow before us. I have heard much about you Howser, Mathiss. Myst has said many times that the only two things that truly sadden her about being in Konan, was leaving you and her only other true friend, her dojo master's daughter. You have been as much her family as we ourselves have." The young emperor stood and held his arm out to clasp forearms with the man. "I welcome you to my heart as friend and family."
Hakurou spoke up. "We all do."
Mathiss looked up and saw everyone nodding. He nodded back and saluted. "Thank you all, and thank you Your Majesty."
Hotohori nodded and smiled again. Myst's world so far, needless to say, was rather interesting.
*****
It turned out that the house and all things in it had remained virtually unchanged. In this case, Myst had happily showed everyone around and to rooms on the third floor they could use. The house was huge! A, some odd, million-dollar mansion with everything one could ever want in it, and even though just she and Howser had lived there for years, it felt like a home, and still somewhat like a museum, though now, it would have to be "baby proofed."
Myst had Howser bring up her old crib and had it set up at the foot of her huge four-poster mahogany and canopy bed. One thing she had missed was the blackout curtains surrounding it.
Myst brought everyone into her bedroom then after they had had a chance to see their rooms, and said, "Okay, the first thing we need to do is get you all some clothes from this world that will fit. We're going to the mall."
They all already knew what the mall was from her stories. She warned them of safety policies, protocol, and laws. "I'm also going to get you all cell phones so we can keep in touch. I'll show you what those are later. For now, we need to find you all some halfway suitable clothes to wear until we get you some new ones. I think if we squeeze, we can all fit in the limo. Oh yeah... all weapons stay here, or at least the obvious ones." Myst held her hand up at the protests. "It's the law here. They won't care that you're seishi and I'm a miko. They wouldn't believe it. Here, we're all just normal people. Mathiss is the only one authorized to carry any sort of weapon.
"Shunkaku, you can carry your ryuuseisui since you wear it as a belt and no one would guess it's a weapon. Kotoku of course can keep his flute, but the rest of us are out of luck, and that includes you Tasuki." She said, giving him the eye as he made as if to protest. "I'm even leaving my weapons."
There was some grumbling, especially from certain redheaded bandits, but the pile of sharp, pointed, pokey things on the bed grew to completion, and then were put safely away.
The next hour and a half was spent searching up suitable clothes not even worth mentioning. Nuriko got away with wearing Myst's clothing, as did Chiriko. The rest had odds and ends from Howser and Myst's later father. Boushin got away with one of Myst's tiny t-shirts and a cloth diaper.
Myst pulled her hair back into a French twist and pulled on a pair of tight dark blue jeans with tan, leather cowgirl boots, and a white button-up blouse with an open red flannel shirt over it.
Hotohori came out of the bathroom and stopped dead, his jaw dropping a little as he looked at his wife.
Myst saw him in the dresser mirror and turned with a smile. "What do you think?"
Hotohori's mouth worked like a fish's for a second, then he stuttered out, "But those other clothes you brought with you..."
Myst laughed and stepped up to him, her arms wrapping around his neck and staring into gorgeous gold. "Those are my workout clothes love. By the way, out robes and ornaments are safely in the trunk in the closet. You my love, look wonderful, or rather, would if the clothes fit you right. You're a much different build than my father was." She straitened the t-shirt he was wearing and tucked it into the jeans for him, belting them up so they stayed on his hips. "There. Much better. I think there are some hiking boots in the closet that will fit you. Those ducky shoes, as cute as they are, just won't cut it here."
Hotohori smiled as she opened the door to the walk-in closet and started digging. He glanced over to the bed, where Boushin was playing in the middle; pillows piled up on all sides so he wouldn't fall off, and sat on the edge of the bed to watch him.
Myst came out after a triumphant, "Aha!" She let him try the tan boots on, then laced and tied them for him.
Hotohori pulled Boushin onto his lap, letting him play with Myst's key ring still, while Myst disappeared into the bathroom and came back out with a brush and elastic hair ties. She took great pleasure in brushing out Hotohori's silken strands, then pulled most of it back into a semi tight ponytail and the nape of his neck, letting some of his bangs fall across his forehead and around his face.
Myst leaned forward and kissed the back of his jaw just under his right ear. "Are we ready to go beloved?"
Hotohori turned his head and kissed her soft lips and she raised her fingertips to his smooth cheek. They broke the kiss and Hotohori nodded, standing and even bouncing a little, smiling at the feeling of the cushioned shoes, Boushin laughing at the movement.
They headed down the hall, looking over the railing to the right, to the ground floor where everyone else was waiting in the entryway at the base of the stairs. They turned to the left and headed down one of the sets of stairs, then made a sharp right, appearing at the tops of the grand marble staircase.
Once downstairs, Myst could help but smile at how tacky and clashing some of their outfits were.
Howser had already looked them over and made sure that they were at least presentable. He nodded his head respectfully to Myst. "The baby seat has already been installed into the limo per your request ma'am."
Myst nodded. "Thank you Mathiss."
"You're welcome ma'am."
Myst smiled at her friends. "Okay everyone, lets get this show on the road. It's going to be interesting to see how many we can fit in the seats." Then she had an idea. "Mathiss, would it be too much trouble to put the baby seat in the back of my car? I'll drive some of us in that and the rest can go with you in the limo."
Howser smiled. "It'll take all of two minuets ma'am. Do you remember how to drive?"
"Have the laws changed any?" Howser shook his head and she nodded. "Then yes. Thank you Mathiss. Please instruct everyone on the use of seatbelts." Then most of them walked out the elegant front doors and down the steps to the circular driveway.
Myst, Hotohori carrying Boushin, Chichiri, and Hakurou walked out a side door leading to the garage after setting the alarm and locking the door.
The rest stood beside the black limo, while Mathiss disappeared into the garage with the baby seat. He returned a moment later and opened the back door for them. They all looked at it with uncertainty until the garage opened and a sleek black Lexus with slightly tinted windows rolled out and pulled up next to them.
The passenger side window rolled down to show Hotohori buckled in, and Myst strapped in behind the wheel leaning over Hotohori a little to look out at them. "Well, what are you waiting for? An invitation from Suzaku? Get in. Mathiss is an excellent driver. We'll meet you at the mall. Oh, and Tasuki... stay away from the bar. Nuri-chan, you have my permission to hit him if he takes so much as a sip, as long as you don't damage the car."
They all laughed and Tasuki blushed and grumbled a little under his breath.
Myst turned back to the long driveway and pulled away, leaving the window down and rolling hers down as well, leaving the back ones up so they wouldn't bother Boushin. She glanced at Hotohori. "Sai-love, get into the glove box, that's the compartment in front of you, and pulled out the red and black case that's in there."
Hotohori did as she asked and she slowed a little to show him how to open it. "Okay, now flip through the pages of disks." He did so and she kept glancing over as she pulled onto the freeway. Finally she pointed at one. "That one. Pull that out for me would you?" As he did, she pointed to a slot in the dash. "Push it in there with the color side up."
Hotohori once again did as he was asked and asked, "What are these?"
"They're CDs. Compact disks. It's a device that records sound and let you play it back exactly whenever you want. This is one of my favorite artists." She turned a dial and pressed a few buttons, driving with one hand and not really taking her eyes from the road, and the speakers started playing, Enya, A Day Without Rain. She started singing with one of the songs as she signaled, checked her blind spot, and switched lanes. "Who can say where the road goes, where the day flows? Only time. And who can say if your love grows, as your heart chose? Only time."
The others in the car were either watching her, or looking out the window, but all were listening. Hakurou, who sat behind Hotohori and to the right of Boushin said, "This is a beautiful song. It compliments your voice well."
Myst smiled and glanced at him in the rearview mirror. "Thank you Hakurou. It is a beautiful song. Enya is a talented artist."
Chichiri, who was without his mask at Myst's insistence, was peering out the window. "This is amazing Myst no da. You control this na no da?"
Myst nodded. "Yep. There are pedals at my feet to control my speed and the wheel is of course how I steer. It's a lot more complicated than a horse. If we're here long enough I can show you how to drive sometime."
Chichiri met her glances in the rearview mirror. "I would like that, but I think Chiriko would like it more no da."
Myst's eyes smiled at him. "I would love to show him... except you have to be sixteen to legally drive here. It's just the law. They don't take fourteen year old geniuses into account here unfortunately."
Hotohori chuckled. "That is unfortunate indeed. The one who would appreciate it the most and he is too years too young."
Myst sighed. "Yeah, I would have loved to teach him." She pulled off of the freeway and down another street, then into the parking lot of the mall. She smiled at their halfway awed looks. Finding a fairly good spot, she parked and rolled up the windows, showing them how to unbuckle the seatbelts and open the doors. She climbed into the back once they were out and unbuckled Boushin, lifting him onto her hip and walking with her companions to the front of the mall.
They all had to wait only a minuet for the limo to pull up, letting the rest of their group out. Howser got out only to pull a stroller from the trunk. "I thought you might find this useful ma'am. I also packed the little one some soft cheese sticks to snack on in case he got hungry."
Myst smiled. "Thank you Mathiss, and bless you for your thoughtfulness."
Mathiss just smiled after unfolding the stroller and got back in the car to park, knowing from their stories that the others were well capable of being her bodyguards. Not to mention her own merits on self defense. He would be able to find them later.
Myst strapped her son into the stroller and handed him one of the cheese sticks to keep him occupied. Then she spoke to the near huge group she had around her. "Okay people, I don't have to tell you to stick close. No wandering off."
Then the whole group, getting many stares, mostly from near drooling girls, entered the mall and headed toward one of the big department stores, Myst in the lead, heading strait for the men's section.
**********
AN: OMG!!! Has it really been near EIGHT months!?!?!? Geeze!!! It's a wonder that you guys haven't hunted me down and strapped me to the chair to write!! But, I DID promise that there would be more of the story, so at long last... here's the next chapter. Sorry it's so short minna. But after watching half the series again, I was struck by the FY bug. I don't know how long it will last. The thing is, is that I have ideas... I just don't know how to bridge the ideas together. There will be more angst btw... but don't worry, it won't be too bad. I'm just trying to decide who to do it to. I really want to do it to Hotohori... but the guy has been through so much already... *shrugs * eh... we'll see. ^^ Well, must go try and work on the next chapter now. Ja Minna! BTW, Missy!!!! Thank you so much for kicking me so much. You're the one who made me get off my ass and get back to work on this. Thanks much and keep it up babe!!! BTW... If anyone has any ideas, feel free to mail me and spout them. I'll be sure to give you credit for them. ^^ Much luvs!!!
~Celesta Hellewise Harman