Chapter 3: Play?

A week went by with little event; Hitomi had returned to training and seemed to be all right to most unless they caught her alone only then would anyone know how Hitomi really was, sad and lonely. Morning had dawned and Hitomi stood on her balcony watching the sunrise. She was thinking about Kotori, she had snuck out of her room late at night beginning the week unknown to anyone and heard a conversation between a group of medics and learned Kotori had entered the fourth and final stage of the illness and that they feared Kotori would not make it. Since then she had acted like she knew nothing but instead she was hurting, she didn't think life would be fun or worth living if Kotori died. Looking down at the training grounds with hurt filled eyes she glanced upon the training knights.

To her knowledge Kotori was still alive; she had to see her no matter what. Looking down at the grounds again she saw Bessi entering the grounds and hid behind the wall next to the balcony. Pressing her ear against the all to listen in she held still one good thing about being in this form was her sharpened hearing. For minutes she heard nothing but faint mumbling and could hardly hear what they were saying, but the last bit she heard loud and clear in her mind, Kotori was dead. She had held on a moment after that and had found out that Kotori had stopped breathing a few moments ago.

Sliding down the wall until she lay in a heap on the floor Hitomi cried. Kotori was gone, dead she would never see her again, this couldn't be. Standing up quickly she headed to the balcony and looked at the tower where Kotori's lifeless body lay. She would go and see Kotori now and pay her respects to her friend no matter what and there was nothing anybody could do about it, she would see her. Looking at Kotori's window she knew that would be the only way she could get in, she'd already tried sneaking in the other way and that had failed so the window was the only way she could get in. If only she had some rope then she would be able to create a lasso and throw it over the spire then swing into Kotori's room. Thinking of ways to get into Kotori's room she leaned against the drapes and fiddled with the tie back, there must be a way. Running her fingers along the tie back she suddenly noticed it had ridges in it and looked down then looked confused before smiling; now this she could use. The tie backs for her drapes were rope painted gold just used for decoration but they would be good enough for what she wanted. Taking them off she tied them together, good thing they were long tie backs.

Now with her lasso ready she swung it over her head with a look of pure concentration and determination on her face. Swinging it once more she released and saw it fly near the spire but it missed. Gathering up quickly she tried again and swung this time it went over the spire. Pulling on it to tighten it she looked at Kotori's window and just as she was about to jump she heard someone scream then her name being called. Ignoring it she jumped off, the wind blew in her face sweeping back her hair, it was cold but it felt good. Drawing near the window she counted to three slowly before releasing, she was now falling through the air and she heard many screams down below. Reaching out frantically her left hand grabbed the edge of Kotori's window, looking down she saw a large group of residents gathered watching all now seemingly holding their breathe and the knights preparing to catch her if she fell. Feeling very nervous and incredibly stupid her cheeks burned red as she swung herself round and caught the edge with her other hand. Breathing hard at the strain she started to pull herself up onto the edge, was she really that heavy?

Slowly and gradually she heaved herself onto the edge while the residents breathed a sigh of relief and the knights rushed into the tower to get Hitomi.

Hitomi sat on the edge of the window then fell backwards into the room sprawled out on the floor. Jumping up she stood some distance from the bed and just looked. Kotori laid out full length on the bed her complexion pale her eyes closed her body still, she looked like she was sleeping but Hitomi knew better. Walking over she noticed the room was hot, very hot but when she touched Kotori's hand it was like ice. Kneeling beside her she placed her head down on the bed and wept. No it couldn't be true but it was Kotori lay before her now still and cold, no she was only sleeping she had to be.

"Come on Kotori wake up" said Hitomi pounding her clenched fist on Kotori's chest.

"Wake up, you're not dead," she said pounding Kotori's chest again.

"Don't leave me, Kotori. LIVE" she shouted pounding her fist hard on Kotori's chest.

Kotori's body shook and her eyes snapped open as she breathed deeply just as the door flew open revealing a flustered medic and the three knights.

"KOTORI!" shrieked Hitomi hugging her best friend.

She stayed like that for a minute while the knights and medic recovered over the fact that Kotori laid before them alive. However, as soon as they did recover Hitomi was pulled away from Kotori instantly and taken from the room while the medics tended to Kotori. Hitomi was literally dragged down the hall to a spare room and for once did not protest, as she knew right now they were very angry with her. Finding a spare room the four entered and Hitomi was told to sit down on a chair that stood in the corner of the room. Walking over quickly not wanting to anger them further and to get this over quickly she took a seat. She looked at each one of them in turn and none of them looked happy so bowing her head in shame she waited for the questioning/lecture to begin.

"Hitomi" began Sir Plucki. "Why did you go to Kotori when I specifically took you away from her?"

"Bessi said she was dead," Hitomi answered looking up at him.

"How did you know I was only told myself a few minutes ago?" he said.

"I heard her say it to you" said Hitomi.

Sir Plucki sighed how had Hitomi heard that could she listen and hear what gummi's said through walls.

"So you decided to enter her room through the window scaring us and half the citizens of Gummadoon," he said.

"Well, you wouldn't have let me just walk in and see her" she retorted.

"Hitomi do realize what could have happened?" said Sir Plucki

"Supposing you had fallen," said Sir Blastus.

"Then I'd be in a lot of pain" said Hitomi looking boredly out of the window.

This got Sir Plucki angry, Hitomi had scared a lot of gummi's and put her own life at risk and she was treating it like it was nothing.

"Hitomi" he said.

"Yes" she said looking at him.

She was expecting the lecture to start but instead was devastated when he said, "For the next week you will not leave Gummadoon and you will be watched at all times"

"WHAT?" She shouted furiously. "WHY?"

"You have demonstrated actions I would expect off a cub and I don't now whether you would try another stunt like that"

"Is that what I am to you, a CUB?!" she shouted.

"Well, you're acting like one" he said.

Her face contorted with rage she stood up and exited the room slamming the door behind her before they had a chance to say anything else.

"A cub, they treat me like a cub, well maybe I'll just have to act like a cub then" Hitomi angrily clenching her fists and walking to her room.

Hitomi reached her room and upon entering began pounding the wall with her fists, she did this for about half an hour until she went to hit the wall again but instead of hitting it, it was caught by someone's hand. Looking up she saw the last person she wanted to see right now holding her fist. Yanking her fist out of his hand she crossed arms over chest then glared at him as he asked, "What are you doing?"

She didn't answer his question and instead asked, "You come to cub sit me?"

"Hitomi, you know why I'm doing this" he said.

"Yeah, yeah" she answered walking over to her wardrobe, time to put a little of that cub stuff into action.

Digging through she finally retrieved a large ball that she threw at Sir Plucki. He caught it then looked at Hitomi unsure what she was up to when he saw her smirk. He tossed it back to her and she caught it then threw it at him again.

"Hitomi, what are you doing?"

"You mean what are we doing," she said catching the ball and throwing at him again.

"Yes" he answered a moment later and threw the ball.

"We are playing ball," she said throwing it at him again.

"Hitomi…" he started.

"Ah, ah, ah, no Hitomi's, buts, it's, if's or and's" she said waving a finger at him.

He went to speak again but Hitomi threw the ball at his chest just as he was about to then ran out the door.

"Hitomi, get back here" he shouted

"Gotta catch me first" she said mischievously then jumped off the banister.

Sighing he knew it was going to be a long week if Hitomi kept this up then ran after her. She led him nearly all over Gummadoon first the kitchen which they ran round, then the library, the courtyard, the market, the hall, the training grounds which left many confused knights seeing their captain chasing Hitomi and finally into a tower which was rarely ever used and was a great place to get lost in, but it was not to be. Running in she looked behind and turning back round she screamed as she ran straight into his arms. He was smiling at her attempts to try and act like a cub and saw she found it amusing too. She breathed deeply to regain her breath then looked up at him and smiled it was fun doing that maybe in the next week she could get him to play a few other games. Hitomi stood in his embrace with her head on his shoulder they were alone here and away from everyone else. Her arms went around his shoulders as she hugged him and felt him kiss her hair. She looked up and smiled at him as he leant down and kissed her lips. Their kiss was slow and sweet to start off with, but gradually it began to build up. His tongue darted out and licked her lips pleading for entrance. Opening up she allowed his invasion as he devoured her mouth tasting her. Cradling her face in his hand he placed the other on her lower back and pulled her to him. His hand slowly made its way up her back making her shiver, higher it got until it reached her hair where it wrapped wrapping round her long golden curls. Her own hands made their way from his shoulders until they were draped around his neck until they to reached his hair. They came up for air but before the moment ended Hitomi pulled him back down for another long, slow but definitely loving kiss trying desperately to stop a steadily growing nervous feeling in the pit of her of stomach, which strangely was starting to make her feel giddy. Ending the kiss they separated and stared at one another surprised at their reactions to one another and their feelings. Reluctantly letting go of one another they separated Sir Plucki going back to his duty and to send another knight to watch on Hitomi.

Hitomi meanwhile stood confused she knew she had to wait for another knight to accompany her wherever she went but still as she reflected on the kiss she blushed, she couldn't recall ever reacting like that. Hitomi stood alone in the growing darkness of the tower; what had brought that on, she knew they had been getting closer in the last month or two but to react like that. The sound of feet on the stone floor and the coughing of someone as they entered the dust filled tower made her come back to reality. Looking round she knew this tower was old but was unsure why it was unused thinking it not important right now she headed out of the tower the guard barely able to keep up with her. She dashed around Gummadoon for the next three hours as fast as she could with no real intention on doing anything, just to annoy and ware out the guard. Turning round she saw the sun had risen high in the sky and the knight leaning on his staff looking relieved Hitomi had stopped for a moment. Smiling she knew it would be lunch soon which meant she would see him again. Taking off again the knight sighed heavily before taking after her, he was looking forward to lunch it meant someone else would take his place.

Hitomi felt like being cruel so she dashed inside the nearest tower and started running round the corridors the knight trying to keep up but failing. The gong sounded a moment later signaling it was lunchtime, Hitomi smirked then started running back towards the knight who was panicking after he'd lost her. Sighing in relief the two made their way quickly to the tower but the knight wasn't moving fast enough for Hitomi and she'd get into trouble if she arrived without him. Grabbing his arm she led them down many streets and shortcuts so that they arrived at the hall in no time. By the doors Hitomi turned to the knight who looked hot and very out of breath. Hitomi just smiled before grabbing his arm and pulling him into the hall in search of his captain.

Sir Plucki and his friends stood at the other end of the hall and saw Hitomi enter dragging the knight in behind. Sir Gumlittle and Sir Blastus seemed to think Hitomi's actions funny, however Sir Plucki didn't he couldn't explain why usually he would of found that funny, but seeing Hitomi enter the hall with another gummi even if she was just messing around made him some reason feel annoyed, was he jealous? No, he couldn't be what was wrong with him Hitomi was a friend and one he cared very much for not his mate he had no right or reason to feel jealous.

Hitomi spotted them then dragging the knight behind her she stood before her friends smiling seeing that they obviously found the situation funny. She turned from Sir Gumlittle and Sir Blastus to see Sir Plucki for a moment she thought he looked angry, but it was gone so quick she wasn't sure whether she'd seen it or not. He immediately relieved the young knight of Hitomi and said he would watch her for the remainder of the day.

The young knight nodded and went away to some friends as Hitomi beamed great she had to spend the day with them. The food appeared and everyone sat down, everyone began to talk and laugh, but Hitomi sat thinking. Sir Plucki had seemed angry when she walked in with that young knight and it made her think, was he jealous? Maybe he was and even if he wasn't she could certainly have some fun. Finishing up her meal she tried to leave straight away but as soon as she reached the doors she found the three knights waiting for her, nuts. Smiling mischievously she walked down the hall towards the training grounds the three knights following. Upon reaching it she sat down on one of the benches and said she didn't want to train just yet, but just sit and watch.

This got them suspicious since when did Hitomi just want to sit and watch usually she was straight in and you couldn't keep her away from the place and now she wanted to just sit and watch. Deciding they couldn't do anything about it just wait until Hitomi would show them what she was up to they went off to train. A few minutes later two knights walked in both about Hitomi's age maybe a year or two older. They were brothers one a couple of years older than the other the older being Sir Timmi and the younger Sir Ginni. Smiling Hitomi knew just what to do, these two she didn't know as well as the others but she knew them pretty well and she was sure they'd help her with what she had planned as they'd secretly helped Kotori countless times. Calling them over they sat beside her and instantly she leant forward and whispered something in their ears.

They nodded quickly then dashed off quickly to the weapons rack to get their staffs then called Hitomi over. She nodded then retrieved her staff and climbed on the beam with the two knights. Desperately trying to keep her face straight she inwardly laughing she took her stance and began to train and knew she already had the attention of the one she wanted. Dodging a few blows and delivering a few she set her plan in motion. Sir Timmi grabbed her staff then yanked it out of her hands; she smirked at him then moved toward him. She was stood right in front of him, he'd moved her staff into the other hand so his own and her's were held with one hand leaving the other free. Hitomi reached forward and took his hand then leaned up towards his ear and started whispering what he had to do. Sir Timmi stood still letting Hitomi work her plan he didn't know what she was up to but he didn't care it was fun. She told him to pull her closer so unlacing their fingers he brought his arm round her back almost in a hug and pulled her closer as she wrapped her arms around his waist in a hug. She let a quiet giggle escape unable to contain her mirth and he smiled enjoying what was happening. They didn't know each other that well but when they did get together it was usually to help Hitomi and Kotori create havoc although they had never been caught mixed up in it, yet. He was stunned by her next request but tried to follow it through and hoped his little brother had good timing. He leant forward to kiss Hitomi as she to lifted her head to receive the kiss when Sir Ginni turned round right on time and shouted over to the two.

"Hey, you two stop making out were supposed to be training"

"In a minute" shouted Sir Timmi.

This surprised Hitomi this wasn't supposed to happen, what was he up to.

He leaned forward again but instead of kissing Hitomi on the mouth he kissed her on the cheek and she blushed. Sir Ginni shook his head trust Timmi, "Come on, we got to get back to training"

"K" shouted Hitomi grabbing her staff out of Sir Timmi's hand.

She quickly kissed his cheek in return thinking it would only add to the effect she wanted and turned round and attacked Sir Ginni.

Sir Plucki stood watching the scene unravel with Hitomi and Sir Timmi., was she in love with him or Sir Timmi he wondered as he saw her kiss his cheek. He didn't know why but his grip tightened on his staff as he watched the two. Trying not to let his true feelings be known since he was in front of his friends who didn't know and looked on the sight of Hitomi and Sir Timmi being a little romantic and thought she definitely had eyes for him. They watched the two shamelessly flirt with each other as Sir Plucki stood observing them. Perhaps this was Hitomi's way of saying she didn't love him, but if that was the case then why had she reacted so strongly to him in the tower only a few hours ago. Confused but mostly angry at Sir Timmi he headed out of the training grounds unknown to him that Hitomi watched him go.

She felt a little guilty doing that as it seemed he had taken it the wrong way but it let her know what she wanted to know, he was jealous so it meant he felt more than he was letting on for him to be acting like that for while everybody's attention had been on her out of the corner of her eye she hadn't missed his confused look or the way he gripped his staff. Ending practice quickly she thanked Sir Timmi and Sir Ginni before running out of the training grounds. It was late afternoon and she decided she would go to her room when she remembered she was supposed to be watched she turned round to see if anyone was there but found no one, odd she thought but carried on her way. With a skip in her step and a smile on her face she began to hum a song unknown to her that someone not to far away saw, heard and followed her. Gracefully making her way through the crowd of gummi's in the courtyard she made her way to the knight's tower. She began to run until she reached another courtyard near the tower here was where her and Sir Plucki had kissed at Christmas.

Now there was no snow on the ground in its stead shone the radiant rays of warm and bright sunshine. Laughing she danced round the fountain in a world of her own, she felt suddenly so happy, energetic and excited. Twirling round she suddenly felt like she was being watched but shrugging her shoulders she carried on her dance, while above not to far from her stood Sir Plucki looking down on her, she seemed so happy and she was dancing but there was no music rather odd for Hitomi to dance with no music and in the open where anyone could see her. She continued to dance as he stood watching her every move she was so beautiful.

The wind blew and played with Hitomi's long golden hair, but she stopped dancing and sniffed the air then smiled and looked in his direction, but he was gone. She stared at where he had been only moments before her eyes sad, why had he left? Turning round she opened the door to the tower then slipped inside and headed for her room after the incident with Kotori, the games and just generally annoying everyone had made her very tired so entering her room she flopped down on the bed and sunk into a well earned rest.

Sir Plucki was angry it was now the evening meal and both of his friends reported that they hadn't seen Hitomi and thought she was with him; he knew where she was and knew she wasn't causing any trouble but she was skipping another meal. He headed towards the hall doors to get her but someone blocked his path, Sir Ginni.

"Excuse me, please," he said trying to get past him.

"Pardon me, sir," he said.

"Yes" he answered.

"Are you in search of Lady Hitomi?" he asked.

"Yes, I am" Sir Plucki replied.

"My brother has just gone to check on her," Sir Ginni said.

"Oh, really" said Sir Plucki heading out of the door.

Sir Ginni watched him go and smirked. Oh, yes his captain was very much in love with Hitomi, she had been right in thinking he was jealous for although she hadn't said anything when she asked them to help her out in the training grounds he had wondered why she had asked his brother to do something like that and although he knew she thought no one had seen, he had seen her looking at his captain and how his captain had tightened his grip on his staff. To most gummi's it wasn't noticeable how the two really felt about each other, but if one studied the two it was rather amusing how obvious it was. They would make great mates no doubt about that Sir Plucki being a captain and Hitomi being a warrior and there would be no problem about him being on duty all the time because she usually did it with him. Yes, they would be perfect the only thing that may complicate things is the council after all Hitomi had once been human although she was gummi now and there was no way to change her back. Thinking these things he took his place at the table and began to eat wishing his brother mercy and Sir Plucki speed.

Sir Plucki entered the knight's tower and heard Sir Timmi banging on Hitomi's door, he really didn't have a clue if Hitomi wasn't answering the door it meant she was angry and didn't want to talk or she was asleep. Heading up the stairs he soon reached the third level and turned into the corridor where he saw Sir Timmi banging on the door.

"Sir Timmi" he said making his presence known.

"Captain" he said jumping back from the door.

"What are you doing lad?" he asked although he already knew

"Err..Sir, Lady Hitomi was not at dinner so I came to get her" he explained.

"I see" he said. "Well, go down to dinner lad and I'll get Lady Hitomi" said Sir Plucki.

Sir Timmi looked like he wanted to argue but a look from his captain made him change his mind as he started down the corridor and to the hall.

Knocking on the door Sir Plucki waited for a moment to see whether Hitomi would respond. She did surprisingly and emerged from the room in a long royal blue dress, with a low neckline, which was lined with silver. Her feet were bare and she wore a simple silver pendant round her neck and had her hair up and somehow had managed to get silver streaks running through it, she looked stunning. Smiling at his surprised reaction she walked up to him and shut his mouth that seemed to have hit the floor.

"Do you mind explaining how I suddenly became Lady Hitomi"

"Why does it bother you?"

"Yeah, I'm not a Lady"

He just chuckled at her to which Hitomi smirked. Things turned quiet and left the two uncomfortable Hitomi still felt guilty about playing that stunt on him earlier while he felt like she was already being pursued by someone.

"Hitomi" he enquired after a while.

"Yes" she said looking up to meet his gaze.

"Why didn't you open the door to Sir Timmi?"

"He's not as much fun as you are, besides he has no right invading my chambers he's a friend only and that's how it will remain between us" she said.

"But, I thought…." He started before Hitomi pressed her finger to his lips.

"Jealousy does not suit you well" she said smiling at him.

He smiled back at her feeling better things had been put right between them. Offering her his arm the two left the tower and spent an enjoyable evening together.

TBC…

Plz, tell me what you think?

Note to readers: I'm going away shortly on holiday for a week, so they'll be no updates till I get back.