~ Disclaimer ~ I don't own Zelda or any of those characters made up by the
reviewers. But I do own Kohachan since Shekro is out of the picture.
Kohachan: Does this mean I get to take Link's place in the openings? Chains and all?
Of course not! ^_^ So long as you decide to behave.
Kohachan: I put my faith in you, Shadow Girl. By the way, Shadow Knight, that fox does not belong to me but yes she is a reviewer made character. I suppose there is no point in keeping whom a secret so she is CrysSton16's character.
Well said, Kohachan. Anyway, there ya have it. Most all-new (good) guys will be "home made" by people. Is anyone mad cause they didn't get in? Sorry but if you really do want to have your own character playing a part, that is altogether possible. I will explain how after the chapter, you know, in the closing. Anyway, there are dedications now (Woo-Hoo) and they go out to: Shadow Knight, Angle1, CrysSton16, GSfreak, and the person I know even if he won't tell me his name. He knows who he is.
~~~~~~~
~ Trinity Ties Revealed ~
The instructions were clear. Find Toloran. How they would find him, Link didn't have any idea, though. The best thing they could do was to ask residents of the area. Crystal decided to stay with Kohachan. She knew plenty as of what to do and not to do to help him. What she did not know was if the island plants held healing properties in them. She didn't want to risk an infection, after all.
They had placed him into one of the available rooms of the tavern overlooking the sea. The storm continued getting rougher as sailors and their captain rushed about trying to hold the vessel together. Crystal looked out the shutters once more before closing them. The small fox sat above the headboard of the bed, over-looking Kohachan as he slept in peace, his wounds dressed. A knock sounded at the door to which Crystal started before answering it.
It was Matt with Cait ever present beside him. He asked to speak with her and they both left, leaving Kohachan to rest and the fox to watch over him, locking the door just in case. The fox watched them warily until the door was closed and the voices slowly faded as they walked away. She leaped from the perch and went to the door, jumping up, she gave the knob a few testing twists, making sure it was well and locked, then turned to look up at the bed once again. She sighed and closed her eyes, thinking of her true form as a Kitsune.
Energy surrounded her as she grew from the floor, clothes covered her, all purple with a silken texture before solidifying to more of a cotton but stronger. Her mane grew into a long length of red hair falling behind her head to the base of her back. But her ears stayed. They too were red with a tuft of fur poking up from either tip. Oddly enough, her outfit was almost completely similar to the Gerudo with the exception that the cloth managed to touch in the back. Instead of wearing full shoes, she wore white socks, silent as a shadow, they also allowed her movement on any terrain one would come across on the island, the trees in particular.
Her green eyes were grayed in sorrow with seeing Kohachan as he was, blood was beginning to seep through the bandages already. She smothered her pity for him, realizing exactly who it was who was injured. And only flesh wounds at that!
Riling herself up, she walked boldly to his bed, eyes snapping with fury as she leered over him. She raised a fist high over her head, ready to knock some sense back into him when his eyes twitched, his face contorted as though in pain and he gripped the cloth at his chest with his hands.
He was having a nightmare? She sat at the foot of the bed, curious as could be as his hands clenched and relaxed spasmodically, small murmurs escaping his throat until he finally said in a strained voice, "Tara-Tara- wen. W-wait . . . please . . ." He relaxed only slightly before crying out as though something had frightened him badly as he escaped the nightmare.
He sat up wit a jolt, despite the fire of pain inside his chest and shoulder. He stared with unseeing eyes at her and finally tried to speak again. It came out as a choking cough and refused to leave him. He gasped for breath and spat out, "Darn it!" before the coughing disabled him once again. She drew closer to him, not liking how close she had to get to his face . . . his eyes. But, resolutely, she set his own grasping hand away from his throat and set her own cool, strong hand against the skin of his throat. The coughing eased slowly then so did his labored breathing.
He set his hand against her even as tears of pain had sprung to his eyes. He looked at her, locking gazes, finally recognizing her. He smiled slightly and said as he fell down into the bed, "Tarawen." She nodded, slightly smiling before catching herself once again. Darn him and his beautiful eyes! Someone would have heard his coughing and struggle but Tarawen stayed with him as his grip on her hand eased and he fell into peaceful sleep once again.
Steps were heard outside and she changed back into her tiny fox form. And jumped up to the bed once again. Kohachan's hand gripped bare covers where her hand was. Tarawen pushed herself into his hand where, upon touching her smooth fur, he relaxed again and the door clicked slightly as the key was turning to be unlocked and the door opened to admit Crystal once again.
Crystal sighed as she saw the two. He had his hand gently on the fox as she cuddled, a ball of red fur, on his chest. Had she been on his forehead, she would have been camouflaged, her fur was so red. She looked out at the storm through the slits in the shutters before taking her place beside the injured Kohachan once again, making sure he didn't grow feverish. She hoped Matt would hurry with his plan.
~~~~~
Matt ran as fast as his boots would take him in the storm. Lightning struck one of the island trees, the lightning itself felt as though it crackled in his spine but the boom shook through his chest, bearing him to the ground. He growled at his loss of control and began running once again inland of the island.
Finally the building, a simple dome adobe, appeared in the dark storm. He licked rainwater from his lip and ran toward and into the front door of it, praying that Link had enough sense to stop searching in the storm. Upon reaching the door and casting aside the already flapping woven mat of a door, he found only the keeper inside, asleep on the desk despite the storm raging around.
Matt sighed, this was going to be a long day. Suddenly, a shadow shifted, or so it seemed. Matt stopped in the doorway as the shadows moved as though to prove another person existed within them. Matt warily made his way back in, drawn to the phenomenon like a moth to a flame, or a mouse to a box trap. He knew it was dangerous but was unable to make himself stop. Just when fear took a firm grip on his heart, a tall figure stood from the shadows, a glint of metal flashed as lightning lit up the sky once again.
The figure was shrouded in a black cloth that rippled in waves of brown and tan away from his hand as he pulled it away from his face as well. Matt expected it would be a monster, a person with an eagle's head or with fangs poking dangerously from a person's lips, wanting to suck him dry of blood. He expected everything but what he saw.
A lock of golden blonde hair was the first noticing detail, then the smooth, tan skin, showing the man had been outside in the sun often enough. His brown/green eyes drilled holes into Matt but at the same time, they soothed the fear from him. Despite that the same eyes tilted upward at the corners like a demon's. But also like Kohachan's eyes. Their depths spoke of kindness even as they held his, asking for the truth for the following question.
He shivered for the sudden retreat of the sense of danger as the man said, "You are worried for a friend, am I wrong?" His voice was deep but not formidable. Matt slowly gained his old confidence back and answered rather smugly, "Yeah. That's right. Have you seen a boy about my height come through here? I need to find him." The man shook his head, his eyes losing contact only for a moment before seizing him both gently but forcefully once more. He said in a quieter voice as his green/brown eyes searched, "You are worried for someone as we speak. A person who may be dying now. You are looking for someone the person asked for."
Matt frowned, now this character was playing with him, he knew he was the one who was sought. Matt took a chance and said sharply, "You know very well Kohachan is injured and asked for you so stop playing games!" Toloran laughed pleasantly and said, "Don't worry about it, kid. Kohan will be fine. He's too stubborn to die, after all. Heh, he's probably sleeping and just using his injuries as an excuse to be lazy." Matt couldn't help but stare. Was this guy for real?
Suddenly, all merriment was gone from Toloran's features and he started toward the door. Matt took the opportunity to see the long blade better. It was sheathed in polished black leather sheath but while the "T" shaped hilt did have a black hand grip, the rest was silver with runes running along the flared sides of the hilt. He wanted to read them closer but decided against taking privilege. He started after him but Toloran said over his shoulder, "Leave Kohan to me. I'll take care of the dolt. You find Link. He's off in that direction." Toloran pointed idly past the adobe and further inland. Matt once again stared even as Toloran disappeared into the rains, heading into the direction of the tavern. Shaking himself out of it, Matt sped in the other direction to find Link, hopefully. But how the heck did this guy know Link? The puzzle tormented Matt, who didn't like to leave a mystery unsolved, as he continued his search toward the cove just on the other side of the dock.
~~~~~
Toloran sighed lightly. The boy's fears were all too easy to read when stirred. He wondered what disaster had befallen his friend this time? With no further question, he decided playing it cool was too slow. He began to run, dashing into the rain toward the building, his cloak flared around him, allowing his once perfectly clean and dry outfit to get wet. But even then, Kohachan's well being was his main concern. They were friends after all. And friendship between Sheikah was a powerful thing.
The tavern came into sight but no lights shone on the inside. It was always the same in a storm despite all the buildings were built specifically to resist the tropical storms that always blew around at that time of year. He stopped his run and walked calmly to the door and pushed his way in. He didn't think anyone would stop him anyway. Unfortunately, for once, he was wrong. A slightly shorter swordsman stepped in front of him, arms crossed over his chest.
Toloran blinked with surprise of the guard and then darkened his eyes, showing he was serious once again. He said softly but in a voice audible through the storm, "Allow me passage, knight. I bear no ill will to any inside. I only come to see an old friend of mine."
Andrake stood his ground, not believing the cloaked figure for a moment. Toloran sighed again. He hated delays. Reaching into a pocket, he drew forth a familiar vial. Andrake eyed it with interest, the swirling red contents all too familiar despite that that version held inside a purplish tint to replace the creamy red. Andrake looked from the vial to the hazel eyes once again before easily stepping aside.
Toloran smiled slightly, "I take it you are familiar with a potent potion?" Andrake grinned and tapped his side, "Personally." Toloran laughed lightly as he made his way to the room indicated by Andrake. Unfortunately, there was one more guard to get past. Crystal drew both her twin daggers and stood by the door as a knock sounded. She slowly opened it to find herself staring at a throat. She looked up to see his eyes and slightly stepped back.
Toloran sighed almost in defeat, he never did like going trough any security, so used was he to getting around or forcing his way through. He saw past her Kohachan laying in bed with a Kitsune in fox form curled on his chest. He smiled at the sight of his old friend but faced the girl once again.
"May I be permitted entrance?" The question was simple enough but Crystal regarded him untrustingly. He waited patiently, reading her eyes as best he could. He was shocked at what he found in hers. She read him back but with much more depth. Just as he felt he would drown in her gaze, she broke the contact and bowed formally, letting him in. He went in a daze, the girl could read eyes at least ten times better than he could. She could read emotion as well as conscious thought with that ability!
He shook his head as she remained formal and set a hand under her chin, raising her gaze and said, "There is no need for formalities between us." She nodded but remained meek. He shrugged half-heartedly and went to the bedside. Toloran grinned widely down at the sleeping figure, he placed a hand on Kohachan's shoulder and shook it. Tarawen woke easily and hissed at the intruder before seeing whom it was. She glared at him nonetheless as he continued to shake him. Finally she could take no more of his handling and lunged at the hand, sinking small, sharp teeth into flesh and bone.
He pulled his hand up in shock, the small fox going up with it. He swallowed the pain and set his hand level at eye level. Tarawen hung there, holding his hand in her jaws and said to him alone {Let him rest! He fought well and hard!}
Toloran set her down as she released his hand. Quickly, before she could protest, he pulled his friend to a sitting position and held still as Tarawen attacked his head, biting onto his arm fiercely and clawing as best she could. He stared at the small Kitsune. Was it possible she had forgotten his clothing protected him from tooth and claw? Ignoring her efforts, he took a small bottle of smelling salts from the pouch next to the potions and set it under Kohachan's nose. Kohachan woke with a start, snorting from the salts and shaking his head from the nightmares haunting his sleep.
He opened his eyes almost as though that effort hurt but he looked up at the one bracing him. Toloran smiled warmly as Kohachan groaned aloud. And tried to fall back, "Just let me die already. I don't need to face you too now do I?" Toloran pulled the top of the potion off and the fragrance of fruits filled the room. Crystal looked over, wondering what could have brought the scent.
Kohachan widened his eyes, knowing that scent and what potency it held. He tried to block the potion from him but Toloran forced the issue. He placed the bottle to Kohachan'' lips, drained the contents, then forced his head back to swallow. Tarawen redoubled her efforts to thwart Toloran's abusive handling when Kohachan went into a fit of coughing from swallowing wrong.
Toloran laughed and scolded Kohachan tightly for resisting anyway as the healing effect went into play, healing all Kohachan's wounds as well as his fatigue. He glared sharply at his old friend and Tarawen found herself unable to look away from his eyes. Toloran was still chuckling as Kohachan pushed the covers aside, at least he was still dressed in his old clothes from the waist down.
He snorted but then the other effect of that particular concoction went into effect. "Hic . . ." Kohachan paused as his throat tried to in-cave with a sudden breath that was a hiccup. It starts . . .
He was struck with hiccups, exactly what he had struggled to avoid. Toloran kept his grin up as he leaned against the wall beside Tarawen who perched on the headboard once again. Kohachan was about to make an acid remark when a hiccup cut him off. His face began to turn red from humiliation. Toloran started chuckling but said to Crystal, "You may want to leave. If this boy gets upset, well, his language may be able to stain your innocent mind. I wouldn't wasn't to subject you to that."
Crystal lingered for a moment but as Kohachan's face was nearly as red as his hair from rage, she quickly slipped out the door just in time. The door seemed to vibrate as a thunderous shouting sounded, only paused by the hiccups before continuing with even more fury and volume than before.
Then another voice joined. Toloran's deeper voice managed to outweigh Kohachan but also drowned out the storm at least in the room. Tarawen screamed in pain as the voices and words agonized her. The two were throwing every elegant swear they knew at each other until both were rendered as breathless as though they'd been fighting. Kohachan drew a deep breath and leaned against his knees, "So, how-hic . . . goes the troupe? I know you and what's his name are still-hic . . . working together." Toloran drew his own second wind and turned back to Kohachan, "Well, we aren't working as well together. Five years ago we were an invincible team, remember? Not only could NO ONE beat us, no one could ever break us up either."
"It'll be six years now. It would seem the Goddess of Time proved you wrong with that statement. Through one messenger-hic . . . she both shattered our trinity and has apparently beaten down our spirit. If only enough to risk the tribe once again." Kohachan finished with a sigh that came from the bottom of his feet as well as a small hiccup. Toloran had had enough of than joke. He went to the door and said over his shoulder, "I'll be right back." Before disappearing around the corner.
Tarawen leaped from the headboard to his shoulder as shadows of despair darkened Kohachan's eyes as he hiccuped once again. He nuzzled his cheek, trying to comfort him and said to him by thought {Please don't worry, Kohachan. You know, you managed to capture one of them. If you and your companions can get information out of him, we could regain the ground we lost!}
She thought the last part with extra force but Kohachan lightly scoffed, "It's not ground we're trying to regain. It's power and you know that. You also know, Tara, what will happen if we fail." She let herself up from his cheek and gave him a punishing whip of her tail. {I won't let you think about that now. Your teammates are here and together, you are an unstoppable force, you know that! All you need to do is be able to create the genius plans of attack you used to do.}
Toloran reappeared quietly to find Tarawen on Kohachan's shoulder, a look of anger across her furred features. He gave Kohachan the drink he had brought back. Kohachan took it, recognized the contents once again, and quickly drank it down, never pausing even for breath. He gave a gasp at the end as the hiccups were drowned away.
He looked up at Toloran and said, "So, we're taking on the entire army this time around? Sounds fun. So, back o the tribe, we have the best guide for it." Kohachan looked fondly at Tarawen despite her earlier punishing lashings to which she seemed to blush if foxes were able. He then stood, holding out one hand. Toloran's hazel eyes lit up with recognition and delight. He grasped the offered hand and gripped it tight. The missing member was back! "By the way," Toloran said as he remembered, "that what's his name is Zolaris."
"I know, just giving him a hard time."
"Even when he isn't here?"
"Warming up."
"Ah, I see. Well, shall we go?" Toloran indicated the door. Kohachan nodded but looked down at himself again, "Might I first get dressed?"
~~~~~~~
Okay, that chapter kind of stayed in one place, didn't it? Well, the next is going to travel around a nice lot so this is a balancing chapter of sorts.
Now we know about the trinity of Sheikah! One for me, one for Primagen, and one for Angle1. ^_^
Kohachan: What, are we paychecks?
-_-; Very funny.
Till next time!
Kohachan: Does this mean I get to take Link's place in the openings? Chains and all?
Of course not! ^_^ So long as you decide to behave.
Kohachan: I put my faith in you, Shadow Girl. By the way, Shadow Knight, that fox does not belong to me but yes she is a reviewer made character. I suppose there is no point in keeping whom a secret so she is CrysSton16's character.
Well said, Kohachan. Anyway, there ya have it. Most all-new (good) guys will be "home made" by people. Is anyone mad cause they didn't get in? Sorry but if you really do want to have your own character playing a part, that is altogether possible. I will explain how after the chapter, you know, in the closing. Anyway, there are dedications now (Woo-Hoo) and they go out to: Shadow Knight, Angle1, CrysSton16, GSfreak, and the person I know even if he won't tell me his name. He knows who he is.
~~~~~~~
~ Trinity Ties Revealed ~
The instructions were clear. Find Toloran. How they would find him, Link didn't have any idea, though. The best thing they could do was to ask residents of the area. Crystal decided to stay with Kohachan. She knew plenty as of what to do and not to do to help him. What she did not know was if the island plants held healing properties in them. She didn't want to risk an infection, after all.
They had placed him into one of the available rooms of the tavern overlooking the sea. The storm continued getting rougher as sailors and their captain rushed about trying to hold the vessel together. Crystal looked out the shutters once more before closing them. The small fox sat above the headboard of the bed, over-looking Kohachan as he slept in peace, his wounds dressed. A knock sounded at the door to which Crystal started before answering it.
It was Matt with Cait ever present beside him. He asked to speak with her and they both left, leaving Kohachan to rest and the fox to watch over him, locking the door just in case. The fox watched them warily until the door was closed and the voices slowly faded as they walked away. She leaped from the perch and went to the door, jumping up, she gave the knob a few testing twists, making sure it was well and locked, then turned to look up at the bed once again. She sighed and closed her eyes, thinking of her true form as a Kitsune.
Energy surrounded her as she grew from the floor, clothes covered her, all purple with a silken texture before solidifying to more of a cotton but stronger. Her mane grew into a long length of red hair falling behind her head to the base of her back. But her ears stayed. They too were red with a tuft of fur poking up from either tip. Oddly enough, her outfit was almost completely similar to the Gerudo with the exception that the cloth managed to touch in the back. Instead of wearing full shoes, she wore white socks, silent as a shadow, they also allowed her movement on any terrain one would come across on the island, the trees in particular.
Her green eyes were grayed in sorrow with seeing Kohachan as he was, blood was beginning to seep through the bandages already. She smothered her pity for him, realizing exactly who it was who was injured. And only flesh wounds at that!
Riling herself up, she walked boldly to his bed, eyes snapping with fury as she leered over him. She raised a fist high over her head, ready to knock some sense back into him when his eyes twitched, his face contorted as though in pain and he gripped the cloth at his chest with his hands.
He was having a nightmare? She sat at the foot of the bed, curious as could be as his hands clenched and relaxed spasmodically, small murmurs escaping his throat until he finally said in a strained voice, "Tara-Tara- wen. W-wait . . . please . . ." He relaxed only slightly before crying out as though something had frightened him badly as he escaped the nightmare.
He sat up wit a jolt, despite the fire of pain inside his chest and shoulder. He stared with unseeing eyes at her and finally tried to speak again. It came out as a choking cough and refused to leave him. He gasped for breath and spat out, "Darn it!" before the coughing disabled him once again. She drew closer to him, not liking how close she had to get to his face . . . his eyes. But, resolutely, she set his own grasping hand away from his throat and set her own cool, strong hand against the skin of his throat. The coughing eased slowly then so did his labored breathing.
He set his hand against her even as tears of pain had sprung to his eyes. He looked at her, locking gazes, finally recognizing her. He smiled slightly and said as he fell down into the bed, "Tarawen." She nodded, slightly smiling before catching herself once again. Darn him and his beautiful eyes! Someone would have heard his coughing and struggle but Tarawen stayed with him as his grip on her hand eased and he fell into peaceful sleep once again.
Steps were heard outside and she changed back into her tiny fox form. And jumped up to the bed once again. Kohachan's hand gripped bare covers where her hand was. Tarawen pushed herself into his hand where, upon touching her smooth fur, he relaxed again and the door clicked slightly as the key was turning to be unlocked and the door opened to admit Crystal once again.
Crystal sighed as she saw the two. He had his hand gently on the fox as she cuddled, a ball of red fur, on his chest. Had she been on his forehead, she would have been camouflaged, her fur was so red. She looked out at the storm through the slits in the shutters before taking her place beside the injured Kohachan once again, making sure he didn't grow feverish. She hoped Matt would hurry with his plan.
~~~~~
Matt ran as fast as his boots would take him in the storm. Lightning struck one of the island trees, the lightning itself felt as though it crackled in his spine but the boom shook through his chest, bearing him to the ground. He growled at his loss of control and began running once again inland of the island.
Finally the building, a simple dome adobe, appeared in the dark storm. He licked rainwater from his lip and ran toward and into the front door of it, praying that Link had enough sense to stop searching in the storm. Upon reaching the door and casting aside the already flapping woven mat of a door, he found only the keeper inside, asleep on the desk despite the storm raging around.
Matt sighed, this was going to be a long day. Suddenly, a shadow shifted, or so it seemed. Matt stopped in the doorway as the shadows moved as though to prove another person existed within them. Matt warily made his way back in, drawn to the phenomenon like a moth to a flame, or a mouse to a box trap. He knew it was dangerous but was unable to make himself stop. Just when fear took a firm grip on his heart, a tall figure stood from the shadows, a glint of metal flashed as lightning lit up the sky once again.
The figure was shrouded in a black cloth that rippled in waves of brown and tan away from his hand as he pulled it away from his face as well. Matt expected it would be a monster, a person with an eagle's head or with fangs poking dangerously from a person's lips, wanting to suck him dry of blood. He expected everything but what he saw.
A lock of golden blonde hair was the first noticing detail, then the smooth, tan skin, showing the man had been outside in the sun often enough. His brown/green eyes drilled holes into Matt but at the same time, they soothed the fear from him. Despite that the same eyes tilted upward at the corners like a demon's. But also like Kohachan's eyes. Their depths spoke of kindness even as they held his, asking for the truth for the following question.
He shivered for the sudden retreat of the sense of danger as the man said, "You are worried for a friend, am I wrong?" His voice was deep but not formidable. Matt slowly gained his old confidence back and answered rather smugly, "Yeah. That's right. Have you seen a boy about my height come through here? I need to find him." The man shook his head, his eyes losing contact only for a moment before seizing him both gently but forcefully once more. He said in a quieter voice as his green/brown eyes searched, "You are worried for someone as we speak. A person who may be dying now. You are looking for someone the person asked for."
Matt frowned, now this character was playing with him, he knew he was the one who was sought. Matt took a chance and said sharply, "You know very well Kohachan is injured and asked for you so stop playing games!" Toloran laughed pleasantly and said, "Don't worry about it, kid. Kohan will be fine. He's too stubborn to die, after all. Heh, he's probably sleeping and just using his injuries as an excuse to be lazy." Matt couldn't help but stare. Was this guy for real?
Suddenly, all merriment was gone from Toloran's features and he started toward the door. Matt took the opportunity to see the long blade better. It was sheathed in polished black leather sheath but while the "T" shaped hilt did have a black hand grip, the rest was silver with runes running along the flared sides of the hilt. He wanted to read them closer but decided against taking privilege. He started after him but Toloran said over his shoulder, "Leave Kohan to me. I'll take care of the dolt. You find Link. He's off in that direction." Toloran pointed idly past the adobe and further inland. Matt once again stared even as Toloran disappeared into the rains, heading into the direction of the tavern. Shaking himself out of it, Matt sped in the other direction to find Link, hopefully. But how the heck did this guy know Link? The puzzle tormented Matt, who didn't like to leave a mystery unsolved, as he continued his search toward the cove just on the other side of the dock.
~~~~~
Toloran sighed lightly. The boy's fears were all too easy to read when stirred. He wondered what disaster had befallen his friend this time? With no further question, he decided playing it cool was too slow. He began to run, dashing into the rain toward the building, his cloak flared around him, allowing his once perfectly clean and dry outfit to get wet. But even then, Kohachan's well being was his main concern. They were friends after all. And friendship between Sheikah was a powerful thing.
The tavern came into sight but no lights shone on the inside. It was always the same in a storm despite all the buildings were built specifically to resist the tropical storms that always blew around at that time of year. He stopped his run and walked calmly to the door and pushed his way in. He didn't think anyone would stop him anyway. Unfortunately, for once, he was wrong. A slightly shorter swordsman stepped in front of him, arms crossed over his chest.
Toloran blinked with surprise of the guard and then darkened his eyes, showing he was serious once again. He said softly but in a voice audible through the storm, "Allow me passage, knight. I bear no ill will to any inside. I only come to see an old friend of mine."
Andrake stood his ground, not believing the cloaked figure for a moment. Toloran sighed again. He hated delays. Reaching into a pocket, he drew forth a familiar vial. Andrake eyed it with interest, the swirling red contents all too familiar despite that that version held inside a purplish tint to replace the creamy red. Andrake looked from the vial to the hazel eyes once again before easily stepping aside.
Toloran smiled slightly, "I take it you are familiar with a potent potion?" Andrake grinned and tapped his side, "Personally." Toloran laughed lightly as he made his way to the room indicated by Andrake. Unfortunately, there was one more guard to get past. Crystal drew both her twin daggers and stood by the door as a knock sounded. She slowly opened it to find herself staring at a throat. She looked up to see his eyes and slightly stepped back.
Toloran sighed almost in defeat, he never did like going trough any security, so used was he to getting around or forcing his way through. He saw past her Kohachan laying in bed with a Kitsune in fox form curled on his chest. He smiled at the sight of his old friend but faced the girl once again.
"May I be permitted entrance?" The question was simple enough but Crystal regarded him untrustingly. He waited patiently, reading her eyes as best he could. He was shocked at what he found in hers. She read him back but with much more depth. Just as he felt he would drown in her gaze, she broke the contact and bowed formally, letting him in. He went in a daze, the girl could read eyes at least ten times better than he could. She could read emotion as well as conscious thought with that ability!
He shook his head as she remained formal and set a hand under her chin, raising her gaze and said, "There is no need for formalities between us." She nodded but remained meek. He shrugged half-heartedly and went to the bedside. Toloran grinned widely down at the sleeping figure, he placed a hand on Kohachan's shoulder and shook it. Tarawen woke easily and hissed at the intruder before seeing whom it was. She glared at him nonetheless as he continued to shake him. Finally she could take no more of his handling and lunged at the hand, sinking small, sharp teeth into flesh and bone.
He pulled his hand up in shock, the small fox going up with it. He swallowed the pain and set his hand level at eye level. Tarawen hung there, holding his hand in her jaws and said to him alone {Let him rest! He fought well and hard!}
Toloran set her down as she released his hand. Quickly, before she could protest, he pulled his friend to a sitting position and held still as Tarawen attacked his head, biting onto his arm fiercely and clawing as best she could. He stared at the small Kitsune. Was it possible she had forgotten his clothing protected him from tooth and claw? Ignoring her efforts, he took a small bottle of smelling salts from the pouch next to the potions and set it under Kohachan's nose. Kohachan woke with a start, snorting from the salts and shaking his head from the nightmares haunting his sleep.
He opened his eyes almost as though that effort hurt but he looked up at the one bracing him. Toloran smiled warmly as Kohachan groaned aloud. And tried to fall back, "Just let me die already. I don't need to face you too now do I?" Toloran pulled the top of the potion off and the fragrance of fruits filled the room. Crystal looked over, wondering what could have brought the scent.
Kohachan widened his eyes, knowing that scent and what potency it held. He tried to block the potion from him but Toloran forced the issue. He placed the bottle to Kohachan'' lips, drained the contents, then forced his head back to swallow. Tarawen redoubled her efforts to thwart Toloran's abusive handling when Kohachan went into a fit of coughing from swallowing wrong.
Toloran laughed and scolded Kohachan tightly for resisting anyway as the healing effect went into play, healing all Kohachan's wounds as well as his fatigue. He glared sharply at his old friend and Tarawen found herself unable to look away from his eyes. Toloran was still chuckling as Kohachan pushed the covers aside, at least he was still dressed in his old clothes from the waist down.
He snorted but then the other effect of that particular concoction went into effect. "Hic . . ." Kohachan paused as his throat tried to in-cave with a sudden breath that was a hiccup. It starts . . .
He was struck with hiccups, exactly what he had struggled to avoid. Toloran kept his grin up as he leaned against the wall beside Tarawen who perched on the headboard once again. Kohachan was about to make an acid remark when a hiccup cut him off. His face began to turn red from humiliation. Toloran started chuckling but said to Crystal, "You may want to leave. If this boy gets upset, well, his language may be able to stain your innocent mind. I wouldn't wasn't to subject you to that."
Crystal lingered for a moment but as Kohachan's face was nearly as red as his hair from rage, she quickly slipped out the door just in time. The door seemed to vibrate as a thunderous shouting sounded, only paused by the hiccups before continuing with even more fury and volume than before.
Then another voice joined. Toloran's deeper voice managed to outweigh Kohachan but also drowned out the storm at least in the room. Tarawen screamed in pain as the voices and words agonized her. The two were throwing every elegant swear they knew at each other until both were rendered as breathless as though they'd been fighting. Kohachan drew a deep breath and leaned against his knees, "So, how-hic . . . goes the troupe? I know you and what's his name are still-hic . . . working together." Toloran drew his own second wind and turned back to Kohachan, "Well, we aren't working as well together. Five years ago we were an invincible team, remember? Not only could NO ONE beat us, no one could ever break us up either."
"It'll be six years now. It would seem the Goddess of Time proved you wrong with that statement. Through one messenger-hic . . . she both shattered our trinity and has apparently beaten down our spirit. If only enough to risk the tribe once again." Kohachan finished with a sigh that came from the bottom of his feet as well as a small hiccup. Toloran had had enough of than joke. He went to the door and said over his shoulder, "I'll be right back." Before disappearing around the corner.
Tarawen leaped from the headboard to his shoulder as shadows of despair darkened Kohachan's eyes as he hiccuped once again. He nuzzled his cheek, trying to comfort him and said to him by thought {Please don't worry, Kohachan. You know, you managed to capture one of them. If you and your companions can get information out of him, we could regain the ground we lost!}
She thought the last part with extra force but Kohachan lightly scoffed, "It's not ground we're trying to regain. It's power and you know that. You also know, Tara, what will happen if we fail." She let herself up from his cheek and gave him a punishing whip of her tail. {I won't let you think about that now. Your teammates are here and together, you are an unstoppable force, you know that! All you need to do is be able to create the genius plans of attack you used to do.}
Toloran reappeared quietly to find Tarawen on Kohachan's shoulder, a look of anger across her furred features. He gave Kohachan the drink he had brought back. Kohachan took it, recognized the contents once again, and quickly drank it down, never pausing even for breath. He gave a gasp at the end as the hiccups were drowned away.
He looked up at Toloran and said, "So, we're taking on the entire army this time around? Sounds fun. So, back o the tribe, we have the best guide for it." Kohachan looked fondly at Tarawen despite her earlier punishing lashings to which she seemed to blush if foxes were able. He then stood, holding out one hand. Toloran's hazel eyes lit up with recognition and delight. He grasped the offered hand and gripped it tight. The missing member was back! "By the way," Toloran said as he remembered, "that what's his name is Zolaris."
"I know, just giving him a hard time."
"Even when he isn't here?"
"Warming up."
"Ah, I see. Well, shall we go?" Toloran indicated the door. Kohachan nodded but looked down at himself again, "Might I first get dressed?"
~~~~~~~
Okay, that chapter kind of stayed in one place, didn't it? Well, the next is going to travel around a nice lot so this is a balancing chapter of sorts.
Now we know about the trinity of Sheikah! One for me, one for Primagen, and one for Angle1. ^_^
Kohachan: What, are we paychecks?
-_-; Very funny.
Till next time!