Chapter 10
One of Us
Arriving at Hitomi's bedroom they saw a medic waiting as well as the squire that had been sent. The squire was dismissed and Hitomi was laid on her bed. The medic quickly examined her then set to work with the supplies that were on hand. She reported to them that Kotori had passed out only about ten minutes before and lay in the room next door. They both seemed to be suffering from the same illness the medics had worked out, but they didn't know what it was. Everything that usually would cure something that the girls had didn't work which left them rather perplexed. One of the older medics had thought sometime later to check for magic induced sickness and when tested the girls came up slightly positive which confused them. The councillors eventually came down and repeated the test but with a much stronger spell. They said that the spell had detected magic induced sickness but not intentional. Meaning the girls had somehow been exposed to either spell magic or potion magic and had made them ill, but they too could not say what the illness was or what its effects would be. Night slowly descended for everyone and the girls remained unconscious. The knights had been ordered to leave the tower on the grounds that if anything happened to Hitomi or Kotori they would know about it. Over night one medic looked after the two girls, which were now placed in the same room. The medic stayed watch over them all night and as dawn came so did the knights. They were sent away again shortly after with the news that the girls were now just sleeping but that their condition otherwise was the same as before. The nights left to go and fulfill their duties worried for Hitomi and Kotori hoping they recovered soon, they'd gotten rather used to having them around after all this time.
Breakfast arrived and the medics were soon to change over so someone else could watch over Hitomi and Kotori. Upon arrival yesterday one of the first things noticed about the girls was the hair that had grown on their arms but nothing was said, as they didn't really think it had anything to do with the illness. The gong sounded and the medic left, it would be about a minute maybe less before another one replaced the other
During this time both girls seemingly at the same time rolled over until their faces fell into the pillow. Usually this act would of suffocated them had it not been for the final stages of their transformation taking place. The medic entered and seeing the position of the two girls ran other to help them. She went to Kotori first noticing that she seemed if it were possible slightly smaller. Rolling her over she gasped when she saw Kotori's face, instead of then tan skin Kotori had always had there was now silky brown fur and her face had changed shape so instead of the normal human nose and mouth she now had a muzzle. Stepping back slightly she went to Hitomi and rolled her other discovering the same except that her fur was white. The medic could hardly fathom it, Hitomi and Kotori had become gummi bears. Eyes wide with surprise she fled the room in search of the knights and councillors. It seemed that as soon as she left Hitomi and Kotori decided to wake.
Each sat up groggily wiping the sleep from their eyes then turned to face one another. Hitomi's eyes widened and a small noise involuntarily squeaked out of her mouth while Kotori's mouth hit the floor and her eyes grew as large as dinner plates.
"Are we...gummibears?" asked Kotori.
"Well it looks like it" replied Hitomi rubbing her furry hand over her muzzle.
She did this a couple of times before she noticed Kotori practically in her face she asked, "What?!"
"Hmm" was all Kotori said before grabbing Hitomi's muzzle.
"Ooowww!" responded Hitomi.
Kotori grinned then innocently said, "Just checking"
"Uh, huh?!" said Hitomi leaning forward and grabbing Kotori's ear.
"Ouch!" yelped Kotori.
"JUST CHECKING!" said Hitomi in a slightly irritated voice.
Kotori rubbed her now sore ear then stared up at Hitomi grinning.
"What?" Hitomi asked.
"Can you believe it? I mean we're gummibears" replied Kotori jumping to her feet excitedly.
"I can see that Kotori. The question though is how we became them?"
"Are who cares?" she replied jumping round the room like a little kid.
"Well, we for one would like to know" came a familiar voice from the door.
Hitomi's head snapped to the doorway and Kotori stopped mid jump landing in a pile on the floor. There stood in the doorway were their three friends who looked rather surprised at them although they were trying there best to hide it, as well as the entire council and a couple of medics.
"He…hi" came the stupid reply from Kotori's small frame on the floor.
She instantly regretted saying anything as everybody turned to look at her. She shrunk back into the pile of bed clothes she'd fallen into wishing people would look away she was actually saved by none other than Hitomi who usually reveled in the feeling of watching her squirm she was now saving her butt.
"Kotori, do you notice anything else apart from the obvious?"
"Huh?!......No!" came Kotori's dense reply.
Hitomi couldn't resist the urge and smacked her head in frustration and groaned. Looking again at Kotori she saw the dense and confused look.
"Okay simpleton take a look at yourself and then at me"
Kotori did so then just shrugged her shoulders.
Sighing Hitomi began, "I look younger than I'm supposed to I only look about 18. You on the other hand do actually look 21."
"Oooohhhh"
"Yes, oooohhhh" Hitomi echoed Kotori's stupid response.
Silence fell for a moment in which Hitomi snuck a glance at one in particular knight. Outwardly he looked a little confused at the situation and obviously concerned, but she could tell shining in the depths of his onyx eyes he was happy. Knowing he was happy in turn made her feel the same and she felt the slightest tug of a smile. He looked right at her then and openly smiled giving her comfort and support then…
"Hey, no fair"
"Wha…what's not fair?" asked Hitomi a little annoyed the silence had been broken so soon.
"Why do I have to look so much older?"
"Well, bright spark it's because you are older than me," answered Hitomi matter of factly.
"Yeah, but not much" Kotori grumbled.
Hitomi just shook her head and saw the knights talk to the councillors then start to leave. She looked a little disappointed hoping they would have stayed longer. Three of the councillors also left she noticed as well one of the medics she realised when the door closed and her and Kotori were left alone with councilor's Berrybaum and Wooddale, the other medic stood outside the door. Looking at Kotori and her looking at Hitomi they slowly looked to the councillors knowing they had to explain everything!
Sir Plucki and his friends left the Hitomi and Kotori's room and returned to their duties. He walked alone now heading to the other side of the castle needing to talk to one of the knights that was on patrol there. Walking a bit slower than normal he thought back to the two girls. It was obvious to anyone that whatever had happened to Hitomi and Kotori was unplanned and certainly was not the result of the girls clowning considering how surprised they were at their transformation. He smiled slightly when he thought how Hitomi had recognized the sudden difference it appearance to their age. It was true she did look like an eighteen-year-old gummi but everyone knew her true age, although that didn't mean he hadn't been held breathless at her beauty. Looking up he saw he was nearly at his destination so putting the distraction of Hitomi out of mind he walked on to fulfill his duty.
Back at the tower Hitomi and Kotori gave their account of everything that had happened and the councillors had left soon after leaving the girls alone but with instructions to stay in bed for the rest of the day. Kotori had complained bitterly but had complied in the end while the councillors promised to research on what had happened to the girls hopefully to find an explanation for their change and a way to change them back.
Kotori collapsed on the bed waiting for the day of boredom to begin and in fact all the time until the found a cure because she knew the knights would be constantly round and end any pranks she had in mind to lighten things up.
Two weeks passed and as Kotori had predicted they'd hardly been out of the knight's sight and the councillors were no closer to finding anything out. The knights seemed different round her and Hitomi now a little distant well, except Sir Plucki but he was only really close to Hitomi, he always had been. She found it unnerving also and rather irritating that now most male bears turned their heads to look at her when she walked past. She had admit after a long argument with Hitomi that she was quite a looker in her new form, but it didn't make her feel any better.
Hitomi had left a while ago with Sir Plucki to go to the Councillors Tower saying she thought she remembered something leaving her all on her own under the supervision of Blastus and Gumlittle. She smiled wickedly she didn't have a prank in mind but there was no reason to stay round here and be bored. So with that in mind once the opportunity arose she'd slipped away hopefully unnoticed for a while but knowing her luck they'd know soon enough.
Hitomi entered the tower and was granted an audience immediately with councillors Berrybaum and Wooddale and there began to tell them of what she thought she had seen.
"When we got out I noticed the water had changed colour, it had many colours like that of a rainbow. The colours made when oil and water mix and light shines on it; that colour. Then round the edges there was foam, well I think it might have been but at the time I mistook it for frog spawn or something like that" Hitomi explained.
The councillors all the way through had remained silent listening to Hitomi's new account of the event and by the end look pale and maybe a little scared Hitomi thought. After this she'd been quickly dismissed and they said they now thought they knew what had happened to her and Kotori but couldn't be certain and would have to check.
Kotori now sat sulking, she'd managed to give the knights the slip but minutes later they noticed she'd gone and somebody somewhere had snitched on her because they found her almost straight away and now they were watching her constantly and didn't look too pleased. She sighed to herself feeling like she did so many years ago when she first arrived and she wasn't trusted and was always in Hitomi's or one of the knight's supervision. Sloughed against the wall letting her feelings outwardly show for her face was screwed up and she was tapping the floor with her foot she finally saw Hitomi and Sir Plucki return. Jumping up she darted towards her friends the two knight's close behind her until they saw where she was going. She stopped in front of Hitomi grinning like an idiot until she saw Hitomi's face.
"Geez, what's your problem you look like someone just died" Kotori said.
Hitomi looked at her shrugged then went back to her thoughts.
"Ah man, you're boring" said Kotori rather loudly to try and get Hitomi's attention.
It worked Hitomi seemed to take the hint that Kotori was looking for a little fun and mischief. Grinning she looked Kotori right in the eye who seconds later had a maniacal grin on her face and without words they understood each other. Hitomi moved first jumping up onto one of the smaller buildings behind Kotori and taking off while Kotori did the same in the other direction. The knights who hadn't seen the two girls staring at one another leapt to their feet in chase of the girls. Fortunately, for them since the change both girls seemed slower and weaker so they soon caught them up, but that didn't stop them from staying just out of reach by pulling a stunt every now and then. At the other side of the castle the girls met Kotori being pursued by Sir Gumlittle and Sir Blastus while Hitomi was being pursued by Sir Plucki. Kotori beamed then decided to make things a little more interesting and tossed Hitomi a couple of bottles of gummiberry juice she sneaked from the kitchen in the short time she'd escaped before. Hitomi caught the small glass bottles and downed the content of one and instantly felt the effects. She grinned when she saw the knight's have to use theirs to be able to keep up with them now. They took off again and met up a few times each time laughing at not getting caught. The juice they found lasted a little longer than what they were expecting and Kotori was a little surprised it worked at all, but then they were gummibears now. It gave them back they're former speed so they were able to stay out of reach from the knights who also surprisingly seemed to be enjoying Hitomi and Kotori's new game. After about ten minutes the juice began to wear off gradually, Kotori was caught first cornered by the two knights while Hitomi was caught in mid air and brought to the ground in one of the castle gardens. It was a small place tendered to by a small number of gummi but presently it was empty. The two hit a soft tuft of grass then rolled all the while Hitomi's laughter filling the air. When they stopped she laid on her back giggling slightly while Sir Plucki lay next to her on his side one arm wrapped round her waist. Her laughter calmed, but a smile remained plastered on her face as she snuggled up to him and rested her head against his shoulder. She wrapped her arms around him and felt his chin rest atop her head and smiled. They lay there in the secluded little garden completely alone reveling in the few moments they were spending alone together. Thinking back Hitomi realized she and most likely Kotori although not like she'd care had not known about this garden, so how much of the castle was still undiscovered? Putting it out of mind for the moment she decided to take full advantage of the moment they were stealing together. She sighed a little and for about ten glorious minutes they lay there, that is until the patter of footsteps alerted them of someone drawing near. Getting up quickly Hitomi brushed a chaste kiss over his lips then disappeared leaving him alone just as one of the gummi residents came into view. Sir Plucki smiled from where he stood Hitomi could vanish without a trace when she wanted too. He knew he needn't go searching for her as she'd come and find him once he left the garden; she'd only disappeared so as not to arouse too much suspicion. Bidding good day he left the gardens and as he'd predicted was greeted by Hitomi a moment later. She smiled at him the fell into step beside him as they walked to the training grounds where they guessed Kotori would go. Entering a few minutes later they were greeted with not quite the scene they'd expected. Looking at the dial Hitomi realised it must have been about two hours since her meeting with councilors had finished, but none the less was surprised to see them so soon. Approaching them she figured they must have been waiting because all stood together looking out for them. Finally part of the group Hitomi looked at each face in turn; the councilors she decided looked a little worried while everyone else present seemed to have no idea as to what was going on.
"Hitomi, we know why you were transformed" said Councillor Wooddale.
"Oh, great. So now you know how to change us back" Hitomi tried her best to sound happy, but couldn't help feel a little disappointed.
"Actually, no" said Councillor Berrybaum.
"No, why?" Hitomi asked somewhat cheerfully but intrigued.
"Well, no you were transformed by a potion, not magic as such" said Councillor Tosslewind.
"And that potion happened unfortunately to be 'Tyenum Likeum', which transforms a being into whatever they have been around, or associated with the most in a period of time before exposure" said Councillor Spinwillow.
"This change is irreversible and permanent" finished Councillor Flurryfeather.
"Hold it. So you're saying that me and Hitomi gotta to stay like this?" asked Kotori.
"I'm afraid so" said Councillor Berrybaum.
"Yippey!!!" shouted Kotori at the top of her lungs.
"Your not…upset?" asked Councillor Wooddale.
"Wha..Oh, no. Ya see it's like this, me and Hitomi stood out a mile in our human forms and now we blend in" explained a beaming Kotori.
"This is great" said Hitomi.
"Well, for once in its history it would appear the potion has had a good outcome" stated Councillor Spinwillow.
"Where GUMMIBEARS!" cheered Kotori jumping up in the air.
"Kotori, you're making a fool of yourself" stated Hitomi.
"Ah, lighten up Hitomi. I mean ya can't deny ya not lov'in this too" said Kotori.
"I'm a gummibear, I'm a gummibear" Kotori started dancing round the group.
"Well, I guess that intro song applies even more now. Huh, Kotori?!"
"Intro song?" asked the knights and Councillors.
"Huh? Yeah!" said Kotori stopping and beaming at Hitomi.
"And 1 and 2 and 3 hit it" said Hitomi.
Kotori: "Dashing and daring
Courageous and caring
Faithful and friendly
With stories to share
All through the forest they sing out in chorus
Marching along as they're song fills the air."
Both drink their juice: "Gummibears bouncing here and there and everywhere
High adventure that's beyond compare
They are the gummibears"
Hitomi: "Magic and mystery are part of their history
Along with the secret of gummiberry juice
They're legend is growing, they take pride in knowing
They fight for what's right in whatever they do"
Both: "Gummibears bouncing here and there and everywhere
High adventure that's beyond compare
They are the gummibears
They are the gummibears!"
"Very accurate" said Tosslewind.
"Complimentary" said Flurryfeather
"Very true" said Spinwillow
"When did you come up with that?" asked Sir Gumlittle.
"Erm.."started Kotori.
"We came up with that from our first time here with you guys" said Hitomi
"Well, don't forget that also applies to you too now" said Sir Plucki.
"Yeah, we know" said Hitomi smiling.
"Ah, don't worry I'll see what I can do about your adventure department" said Kotori grinning.
The End
Look out for the Sequel to this coming soon – 'I love that thing you do'
Which has plenty of the unexpected, but then what Hitomi and Kotori fic doesn't?
Please R&R!