Level 4: The Beginning of Hikaru's Noble Quest
Note: I'm SO sorry for not updating in so long! I've been so incredibly busy lately that I've only been able to work on the story a few days a week, and when I did get to work on it, it wasn't for very long. I've actually cut this chapter a little short because I thought it was getting long enough. So, enjoy!
Umi was dragged into the dungeon area, the air chilling the farther they went. Nakago's cold expression just added to the chill. She finally had given up the struggling, and allowed him to take her away; it's not like she would have been able to escape anyhow. Along the way, she'd seen so many guards, all just as cold as Nakago, although he somehow was able to turn the warmest places to ice with his presence alone.
They'd arrived at a small cell, a guard opening the large wooden door, it creaking as it went. Nakago shoved Umi in roughly, and she fell against the cold, damp stone of the floor. Umi felt sick, the room smelt of such decay it was horrendous. Nakago left without a word, giving one glance to her through the barred window before disappearing. Umi wanted to snap at him, but he left in too much of a hurry for her to do so. She brought her legs to her chest, wrapping her arms around them tightly. Shivering, she stared at different markings all over the walls; must have belonged to previous prisoners. What interested her the most were the different couples scribbled all over. This person loves that person, this person and that person together forever. It was so sad to see, actually.
Umi sighed, remembering her dilemma: Clef and Ascot. She knew Ascot was in love with her. . .he made sure he was obvious of that fact. That day he'd told her, she knew. . .though she pretended to be naïve by telling him she loved him just like she loved all of the others. It pained her when she saw his face fall that moment. She just couldn't tell him she wasn't sure she felt the same way he did. . .not in front of everyone like that. Of course, it was probably just as embarrassing telling him she loved him like the rest, too. The truth was she thought she could love him more. . .if it weren't for a certain short mage entering her torn heart. She couldn't ignore her feelings for either one, she couldn't say she loved one more than the other. She just couldn't decide.
"I wish I knew. . ." she breathed, turning to look out the tiny barred window that looked out into the night skies. How does someone make a decision like this? Do they flip a coin? Rock, paper, scissors maybe? No, there is no easy way to do this. . . "I need to do what my heart tells me to," she concluded. Nodding her head, she realized that her muscles were really sore. "I guess I should get some sleep. . ." she mumbled, lying down on the cold stone. She shivered, curling up into a ball to warm herself up. "Oh Hikaru. . .where are you?"
~*~*~*~
"It's too hot out here," Nuriko whined, wiping her forehead with the sleeve of her robes. Hotohori sighed, a little irritated. Nuriko had been complaining for almost an hour now.
"Well Nuriko, why don't you just take off some of your layers there?" Hikaru suggested, pointing to Nuriko's many folds of robes. Nuriko scowled and crossed her arms.
"That would be so indecent! Especially in front of his Highness!" Nuriko bellowed, glancing innocently at Hotohori. He just arched a brow, then turned back to Hikaru, who suddenly seemed distant. She was staring off into space, totally lost in a world of her own. He laid his hand gently on her shoulder, bringing her out of her trance. She turned to face him, giving a questioning glance.
"Is something wrong, Hikaru? You seemed to be drifting again. . ." he said softly, looking concerned. Hikaru smiled, shaking her head.
"No, I'm perfectly fine, Hotohori," she insisted. He stared at her a moment, then sighed.
"Hikaru, I know that's not true, but if you claim nothing's wrong, I'll let it be. . .I just wish you'd tell me," he said, sounding disappointed. Hikaru felt terrible, especially since it seemed that he knew something was wrong.
"You're right, there is something wrong. But, I'd rather not talk about it now. Maybe later, okay?" she asked, looking at him hopefully. He smiled; thrilled she would tell him at least.
"Of course." They changed subjects, back to a lighthearted talk. Nuriko watched them, completely envious.
'What's so good about her?" Nuriko asked herself, "I'm so much prettier than her!" She decided she needed to get Hotohori's attention somehow. While keeping her eye on them, Nuriko pondered on how to grab his Highness' attention. Finally, a thought struck her. She rubbed her chin, a mischievous grin crossing her lips. Currently, they'd passed a small pond near a clearing of trees. 'Perfect!' Nuriko thought, and put her plan into action. Abruptly, Nuriko launched herself off of her horse, feigning fright.
"Oh dear! Please, someone HELP me!" she cried just as she splashed into the pond, which was only about a foot or so deep. She thrashed around in the water, pretending to have 'fallen and can't get up'. Hotohori pulled the reigns of his horse until they came to a complete stop, and turned to Nuriko. Hikaru gasped, and hopped off the horse to help Nuriko. As Hikaru reached to grab Nuriko's hand, Nuriko promptly lashed her foot out to kick her away. "Oh, help me!" Hotohori growled softly, shaking his head.
"Nuriko." Nuriko immediately stopped splashing around, and looked up at Hotohori. "Get up." She complied immediately, standing straight up in the water. "Enough fooling around, we have a lot of ground to cover. Get back on the horse, and let's go." He turned to Hikaru, gesturing for her to get back on the horse. She walked over by him, and he helped lift her back on. Nuriko trudged over to her horse, dripping wet, and grumbling.
"Damn, I failed. . .and I'm wet," she whined, large tears sloshing on the ground and she mounted her horse again, the horse not too fond of the extra weight from her soaked clothes, so it snorted. Nuriko glared down at the horse. "Oh get over it." She gently kicked the horse's side with her heel, and caught up to Hikaru and Hotohori.
They lightened up the conversation, and decided to include Nuriko; at least it would get her to stop complaining about being all wet. Soon Hikaru slipped out of the chat, to Nuriko's delight, and went back to her own thoughts. Before getting too lost, Hikaru noticed something ahead of them. She gasped when she realized it looked like a body. Before the other two could ask, Hikaru leapt off of the still moving horse, and raced ahead to the fallen body. A startled Nuriko and Hotohori galloped quickly to where Hikaru had gone, dismounting their horses and running up behind her. She turned around, frantic.
"This man is badly hurt! Look!" she cried, pointing to the man on the ground. He was completely battered and bloody, his clothing torn in several places. His hair was tousled terribly; dried blood clumped up bunches of strands so badly it was hard to tell his real hair color. Every visible patch of skin was covered in scratches and bruises, and even a few open wounds. Hikaru removed the red ribbon of her uniform, and tied it around the man's wound on his arm. "I need more to bandage his other wounds before he bleeds to death!" Hotohori ran back to Nightwind to retrieve bandages, and in the meantime Nuriko tore a bit of her robes, tying it around another open wound.
"Is this enough?" Hotohori asked as he came back, tossing a roll of bandage to Hikaru. She nodded, and completed the bandaging of the man's wounds.
"We need to get him a doctor quickly," Hikaru said, finishing tying the last bandage, "is there a town nearby at all?"
"There should be one once we exit the woods," Hotohori told her, looking off to his side. "It shouldn't be too much farther from here." Hikaru nodded, and looked from Hotohori to Nuriko, and back and forth again. Finally, she settled her gaze on Nuriko, who arched a brow inquisitively.
"Um, Nuriko. . .think you could pick him up and carry him on your horse? Please?" Hikaru pleaded, blinking several times with a big smile on her face. Nuriko's eyes widened, then she sighed.
"Fine, fine." She walked over to the man, picking him up with ease, and carried him over to her horse and laid him down gently. She plopped down behind the man, putting her hand on his back to keep him steady. Hikaru and Hotohori both got back onto their horse, and they all immediately set off to the edge of the wood, hoping to come to a village.
As luck would have it, they reached the outskirts of the forest, and were relieved to find a village only a little ways down the dirt road they'd been following thus far. Hikaru smiled as they entered the town, being greeted by the townspeople with warm smiles and friendly waves. Surely someone here could help them.
"Hotohori, I want to get off now, I need to ask these people if there's someone who can help that man," she said, hopping off the horse without waiting for a reply from the emperor. The villagers around her finally caught a glimpse of her outfit, and suddenly became uneasy. Most backed away, staring at her as they did so. Hikaru looked at herself, then back at the people, understanding what they were thinking. But she didn't have the time to explain.
"Please! I need to find a doctor!" she cried, advancing toward the group of people, "I know I look strange, but I really don't have time to explain now, me and my friends here found a man along the forest road beaten nearly to death! We are in desperate need of a doctor!" Most still backed away, seeing Hikaru only as an outcast. She became angry, an emotion she didn't usually show openly. "A man is dying! I know I look strange, but put that aside and tell me if someone here can help us!" Most of them looked at the ground, ashamed. Only an elderly woman, walking with the support of a wooden cane, walked up to Hikaru. She observed Hikaru, and then turned to the village people.
"I believe, judging by this young lady's foreign clothing, that she is the rumored Priestess of Suzaku." The people gasped, turning to Hikaru. Now it was her turn to feel uneasy. "It is true, is it not?" the elderly lady turned to Hikaru, directing the question to her. Hikaru nodded slowly, gulping. The old woman bowed her head respectfully. "Dear Lady, there is a man that lives at the other end of this village. He is called Miao Nioh-An, and he is the healer of this town. Seek him if you want to save your friend." Hikaru smiled graciously and gently hugged the woman.
"Thank you so, so much!" She quickly let her go, and started racing toward the other end of town, calling back to Hotohori and Nuriko, "Catch up to me, I'm going to go find his house!" She continued running throughout the town, until she finally reached the last two houses, which stood facing each other. "Which one. . .?" After looking back and forth between the two, she chose the one on her left side, racing to the door, knocking continuously.
"Okay! Okay! Just a minute! Sheesh. . ." a voice called from behind the door. A few seconds later, an old man hobbled to the door, opening it slowly. "Yes, what can I do for ya?"
"Um, excuse me sir, but are you Miao. . .Mi. . .the doctor of this village?" Hikaru stuttered, feeling bad she couldn't remember the name. The man tilted his head inquisitively to the side.
"Eh? The sausage of this village? I ain't no scrap o' meat! Listen young missy, it ain't very polite to go 'round askin' people if they is a sausage!" the man scolded, waving a finger at her. A sweatdrop formed in Hikaru's head.
"No, not sausage, the DOCTOR of this village! D-O-C-T-O-R!" Hikaru shouted for him to better hear her.
"Doctor? I ain't no doctor neither! First ya call me a sausage, now you is assumin' I'm a doctor! I think you needs those eyes o' yours checked, young missy!" Hikaru was growing incredibly frustrated because of this man; she was almost tempted to just walk away. Although doing so she would probably be scolded some more not just by him, but also by others in the village. So, politely she bowed her head.
"Um, thank you sir, I must have the wrong house!" she bellowed, making sure he heard her right. The man rubbed on of his ears.
"Gosh darnit, ya don't need ta shout! I gots ears, ya know!" he snapped, pointing to both of his ears. Hikaru sighed and turned away, and was face to face with the old woman from earlier. She squeaked in surprise.
"Young Lady, Miao Nioh-An lives over there," she said, pointing to the house on the other side of the road. Hikaru narrowed her eyes.
"I figured that, ma'am, after my conversation with this gentleman here," she responded, stepping past the old lady and heading towards the house. However, the woman grabbed Hikaru's shoulder as a signal to stop.
"It will do you no good to go there, my dear." Hikaru turned around.
"Why?"
"Miao Nioh-An isn't home right now. He left to a neighboring village to the west to visit a few sick families." Hikaru fell over, twitching as a sweatdrop formed on her head.
"Why didn't you tell me this earlier?!" she demanded, standing up.
"You didn't ask," the woman replied simply. Hikaru sighed, giving up on the subject completely.
"Then, where can I find him? Where is this village he is in?" she asked. The old woman turned toward the street leading to the outskirts of town, pointing her cane down the road.
"All you have to do is follow this road, and it will lead you to the next town, that is where Miao Nioh-An should be," she explained. Hikaru looked off down the road, and it passed through another forest. She figured the town must be just beyond that.
"Okay," she said to herself, "that's what I'm going to do." She turned to thank the elderly lady, and quickly dashed down the street to where Hotohori and Nuriko were still waiting. Before speaking of her plan, Hikaru noticed some unwelcoming glances from most of the villagers. She decided it was best to just leave and settle in the woods that night. After buying some food to prepare a decent meal, the trio left the village the way they came, setting up camp just inside the forest. They set up a bed as comfortable as they could make for the man, and laid him down gently. Once they'd done that, the three sat facing each other, and Hikaru began to explain.
"I'm going to the next village, and I'm leaving tonight-" she started, when Hotohori stood abruptly.
"I will accompany you," he said firmly. Hikaru shook her head.
"No, Hotohori, you and Nuriko should stay here and protect this man. Who knows who could come by here, and leaving Nuriko alone would be just terrible."
"I cannot let you go alone!" he cried, his voice incredibly forceful. Hikaru even felt herself wince a little. She stood, walking up to him. She looked up into his eyes solemnly.
"Please, Hotohori. . .I know I seem small, but I can take care of myself. I'm grateful you're worried about my well being, but I can do this. If I get in any danger I'll come back to you guys as soon as possible, I promise!" she took his hand, and wrapped her pinky finger around his. He looked down at her inquiringly, looking at their intertwined pinky fingers. Hikaru noticed his confused expression, and smiled up at him. "Where I come from, this is a symbol of a promise. I do this because I'm telling you I won't break my promise. Do you believe me, Hotohori?" He looked down at their hands again, then up to her face.
"Of course, Hikaru. . .but you must at least take this with you," he said as he removed his sheathed sword from his side. He placed his sword in her hand, placing his other hand beneath Hikaru's so that his hands sandwiched hers. "This is my holy sword, I place all of my strength in it. Use it if you are in any danger. . .that is, if you cannot escape from the danger. Use it only if you can't escape. I couldn't bear the thought of something happening to you. . ." Nuriko glared angrily at them, and jumped up between the two.
"Well as you can see your Highness, Hikaru is perfectly fine! She's a big girl who can handle herself! Where as I, a helpless damsel, need the protection of your Grace," she said, linking her arm to his. Hikaru and Hotohori both sweatdropped as Nuriko nuzzled against him affectionately. Slowly, and politely as possible, Hotohori pulled his arm away from Nuriko, looking back at Hikaru.
"I suppose Nuriko has a point. . .about you being able to protect yourself, that is," he said, coughing once in reference to Nuriko's second comment, "so, I'll trust you'll be okay. . ." Hikaru smiled gratefully at him.
"Thanks, Hotohori. . .I promise to come back as quick as possible, and in perfect condition!" she turned to run off to the town, but Hotohori called after her. She turned to look at him.
"It would be easier, and faster, if you took one of the horses," he told her. She scratched the back of her head, her cheeks turning red as she chuckled a bit.
"Right. . ." she muttered as she walked back over to Hikari, mounting him and taking off down the road. Hotohori watched worriedly as she took off.
"I hope she'll be alright. . ." he mumbled, not tearing his eyes off of her until she was out of sight. Nuriko fumed.
"When I say she'll be fine, I MEAN she'll be fine! Quite worrying so much about her!"
"I cannot do that! She's very important, and I can't stand the thought of her being hurt!" he hollered back at her. Nuriko sighed, putting a hand on his shoulder.
"I understand you're worried because she's the Priestess of Suzaku and. . ." she trailed off as she saw Hotohori look down at the ground, seemingly ashamed.
"No, Nuriko. . .it's more than that. I'm worried about her. . .Hikaru, not the Priestess of Suzaku." Nuriko looked as if she was slapped in the face. Slowly she removed her hand, and nodded her head, turning back to sit next to the severely injured man. Hotohori turned to look at her, even though her back was to him, and his face expressed even more shame. "I'm sorry, Nuriko. . ." he breathed so softly, Nuriko couldn't hear.
~*~*~*~
Hikaru, not wanting to startle or even ram into the villagers, went at a trot through the town. Impatient as she felt, she never urged her horse to go faster. She got the stares she was already used to by those who stayed out during nightfall, and sighed in relief as she reached the end of the village. Glancing around and finding no one about the streets, she smiled and gave a firm kick to the horse's flank, sending it galloping the rest of the way, out of the town. Within a minute she was racing into the forest, which was incredibly difficult because the trees blocked out any source of light there was, and she rode in total darkness. Squinting, she tried to focus her vision in the darkness, but it wasn't working yet.
"I sure hope you can see where we're going, Hikari," she said to the horse, which in turn snorted in response. She shrugged, and pulled on the reins firmly to slow Hikari to a trot. Just in case so they wouldn't run into something. As they advanced, Hikaru started to feel frightened. It was lonely without Umi and Fuu to keep her company. . .or Nuriko and Hotohori. She regretted going by herself, but she also didn't want anything to happen to that poor man while she went to get help.
It wasn't very long until she could see the lights coming from a town in the distance. She was almost there!
"We're almost out, Hikari!" she exclaimed gleefully. "And a good thing, too. The bugs here are really starting to get to me." Along the way, her legs had been getting bitten periodically. They were really starting to itch. She wasn't the only one getting bit, however, because Hikari occasionally swished his tail against his backside. Hikaru jerked her head up suddenly, yanking on the reigns to bring Hikari to a halt. A rustling sound had caught her attention, it was incredibly close, and loud. She looked around, but found no movement in the trees or underbrush, yet the rustling was growing louder. She gasped as she realized it wasn't rustling.
"That's a buzzing sound. . ." she whispered to herself, searching for the source. Hikari suddenly reared back, and Hikaru held onto the reigns for dear life. A swarm of insects whizzed past them, and the horse was panicking. Hikaru tried to soothe him, but the horse was frantic. It neighed and snorted, rearing back trying to swat the insects as they came. The insects started to land on Hikari, and he started bucking and kicking, trying to get them off. His movements were so wild that Hikaru fell off onto her side, and she looked to see the swarm had them surrounded. There was a ring of bugs around them, some leaving the ring to go after Hikari. Hikaru jumped up, trying to knock them off of her horse. But no matter what either of them did, the insects just kept coming.
'If only I had my fire. . .!' Hikaru thought, still frantically swatting. It was then she noticed a high-pitched sound, and she snapped her head to face the way she thought she heard it coming from. The silhouette of a figure was off in the distance, and that was where the sound was emitting. It moved closer, the shrill sound growing louder as it neared. Hikaru winced, covering her ears. The sound was entirely too much. She noticed, however, that the insects started to clear away, heading toward the person making the sound. She uncovered her ears when the sound stopped, looking toward the stranger.
"Who are you?" Hikaru demanded, glaring at the person. The figure cackled lightly, it's cloaked body taking another step toward her.
"My name is not of importance, oh girl from another world," the raspy, male voice replied. Hikaru felt that familiar sense of being in Cephiro, the place where she was known by everyone as 'the girl from another world'. "I will only be known as your executioner." Hikaru gasped, and quickly shifted to a fighting position.
"Why are you doing this? What do you have against me?" she asked, her arms in front of her in a defensive stance. The man laughed again.
"It's nothing personal, really. Just following orders. I am to. . .get rid of the Priestess of Suzaku!" he cried, and waved his arm. Hikaru gasped and prepared to defend herself, but soon found that the swarm wasn't coming for her. She turned quickly to see them attacking her horse.
"Hikari!" she shouted, racing to protect her horse. The frantic stallion bucked and kicked, trying again to rid itself of the terrifying horde. Hikaru repeated the same tactic of swatting them off, trying desperately to help her animal friend. The man watched, then a rather large insect came to rest on his shoulder. He glanced at it, then to his other side, where a small group of bugs waited.
"Go." They buzzed off, and landed on the horse's rear, and began to bite him mercilessly. Hikari reared back, neighing fearfully, it was almost a cry for help. Hikaru hurriedly ran behind Hikari, swatting the bugs off as quick as she could. Then, without warning, Hikari kicked his rear hooves back, one right into Hikaru's side. Hikaru yelped in pain, and immediately Hikari kicked again, slamming right into Hikaru's face. Hikaru cried out again, falling onto her back. The man called off his swarm, and the horse galloped off, hoping to escape any more torture. Hikaru whimpered in agony, holding her side. The man chuckled, slowly approaching her injured form. Hikaru gathered all of her strength and attempted to get up, but to no avail. Her wound was too unbearable that it was all she could focus on. But, she knew she had to do something quick. Suddenly she remembered. . .Hotohori's sword! She released her hand from her wound, and unsheathed the holy weapon; it's elegant, yet fearsome beauty almost made it glow. She rose it above her, and shoved the blade into the earth, using it as a crutch to stand.
"I. . .I won't. . .give in to the likes of you. . ." Hikaru started, wiping the blood from her mouth and raising the sword, "you will not. . .stop me from saving. . .that man. . .or. . .from saving this WORLD!" with a forceful battle cry, Hikaru charged at the man, aiming her sword to his chest. Her assassin quickly ducked out of the way, and the large insect on his shoulder rose into the air. Hikaru skidded to the stop, and turned to look at him.
"Quickly, go NOW!" he commanded, and the bug flew straight for Hikaru. Hikaru cried out again, and raced towards him again. It was then she saw the insect, it's stinger aimed right for her. But before she could react, the stinger impaled her shoulder. . .
. . . And Hikaru came to a dead stop.
~*~*~*~
Note: I'm SO sorry for not updating in so long! I've been so incredibly busy lately that I've only been able to work on the story a few days a week, and when I did get to work on it, it wasn't for very long. I've actually cut this chapter a little short because I thought it was getting long enough. So, enjoy!
Umi was dragged into the dungeon area, the air chilling the farther they went. Nakago's cold expression just added to the chill. She finally had given up the struggling, and allowed him to take her away; it's not like she would have been able to escape anyhow. Along the way, she'd seen so many guards, all just as cold as Nakago, although he somehow was able to turn the warmest places to ice with his presence alone.
They'd arrived at a small cell, a guard opening the large wooden door, it creaking as it went. Nakago shoved Umi in roughly, and she fell against the cold, damp stone of the floor. Umi felt sick, the room smelt of such decay it was horrendous. Nakago left without a word, giving one glance to her through the barred window before disappearing. Umi wanted to snap at him, but he left in too much of a hurry for her to do so. She brought her legs to her chest, wrapping her arms around them tightly. Shivering, she stared at different markings all over the walls; must have belonged to previous prisoners. What interested her the most were the different couples scribbled all over. This person loves that person, this person and that person together forever. It was so sad to see, actually.
Umi sighed, remembering her dilemma: Clef and Ascot. She knew Ascot was in love with her. . .he made sure he was obvious of that fact. That day he'd told her, she knew. . .though she pretended to be naïve by telling him she loved him just like she loved all of the others. It pained her when she saw his face fall that moment. She just couldn't tell him she wasn't sure she felt the same way he did. . .not in front of everyone like that. Of course, it was probably just as embarrassing telling him she loved him like the rest, too. The truth was she thought she could love him more. . .if it weren't for a certain short mage entering her torn heart. She couldn't ignore her feelings for either one, she couldn't say she loved one more than the other. She just couldn't decide.
"I wish I knew. . ." she breathed, turning to look out the tiny barred window that looked out into the night skies. How does someone make a decision like this? Do they flip a coin? Rock, paper, scissors maybe? No, there is no easy way to do this. . . "I need to do what my heart tells me to," she concluded. Nodding her head, she realized that her muscles were really sore. "I guess I should get some sleep. . ." she mumbled, lying down on the cold stone. She shivered, curling up into a ball to warm herself up. "Oh Hikaru. . .where are you?"
~*~*~*~
"It's too hot out here," Nuriko whined, wiping her forehead with the sleeve of her robes. Hotohori sighed, a little irritated. Nuriko had been complaining for almost an hour now.
"Well Nuriko, why don't you just take off some of your layers there?" Hikaru suggested, pointing to Nuriko's many folds of robes. Nuriko scowled and crossed her arms.
"That would be so indecent! Especially in front of his Highness!" Nuriko bellowed, glancing innocently at Hotohori. He just arched a brow, then turned back to Hikaru, who suddenly seemed distant. She was staring off into space, totally lost in a world of her own. He laid his hand gently on her shoulder, bringing her out of her trance. She turned to face him, giving a questioning glance.
"Is something wrong, Hikaru? You seemed to be drifting again. . ." he said softly, looking concerned. Hikaru smiled, shaking her head.
"No, I'm perfectly fine, Hotohori," she insisted. He stared at her a moment, then sighed.
"Hikaru, I know that's not true, but if you claim nothing's wrong, I'll let it be. . .I just wish you'd tell me," he said, sounding disappointed. Hikaru felt terrible, especially since it seemed that he knew something was wrong.
"You're right, there is something wrong. But, I'd rather not talk about it now. Maybe later, okay?" she asked, looking at him hopefully. He smiled; thrilled she would tell him at least.
"Of course." They changed subjects, back to a lighthearted talk. Nuriko watched them, completely envious.
'What's so good about her?" Nuriko asked herself, "I'm so much prettier than her!" She decided she needed to get Hotohori's attention somehow. While keeping her eye on them, Nuriko pondered on how to grab his Highness' attention. Finally, a thought struck her. She rubbed her chin, a mischievous grin crossing her lips. Currently, they'd passed a small pond near a clearing of trees. 'Perfect!' Nuriko thought, and put her plan into action. Abruptly, Nuriko launched herself off of her horse, feigning fright.
"Oh dear! Please, someone HELP me!" she cried just as she splashed into the pond, which was only about a foot or so deep. She thrashed around in the water, pretending to have 'fallen and can't get up'. Hotohori pulled the reigns of his horse until they came to a complete stop, and turned to Nuriko. Hikaru gasped, and hopped off the horse to help Nuriko. As Hikaru reached to grab Nuriko's hand, Nuriko promptly lashed her foot out to kick her away. "Oh, help me!" Hotohori growled softly, shaking his head.
"Nuriko." Nuriko immediately stopped splashing around, and looked up at Hotohori. "Get up." She complied immediately, standing straight up in the water. "Enough fooling around, we have a lot of ground to cover. Get back on the horse, and let's go." He turned to Hikaru, gesturing for her to get back on the horse. She walked over by him, and he helped lift her back on. Nuriko trudged over to her horse, dripping wet, and grumbling.
"Damn, I failed. . .and I'm wet," she whined, large tears sloshing on the ground and she mounted her horse again, the horse not too fond of the extra weight from her soaked clothes, so it snorted. Nuriko glared down at the horse. "Oh get over it." She gently kicked the horse's side with her heel, and caught up to Hikaru and Hotohori.
They lightened up the conversation, and decided to include Nuriko; at least it would get her to stop complaining about being all wet. Soon Hikaru slipped out of the chat, to Nuriko's delight, and went back to her own thoughts. Before getting too lost, Hikaru noticed something ahead of them. She gasped when she realized it looked like a body. Before the other two could ask, Hikaru leapt off of the still moving horse, and raced ahead to the fallen body. A startled Nuriko and Hotohori galloped quickly to where Hikaru had gone, dismounting their horses and running up behind her. She turned around, frantic.
"This man is badly hurt! Look!" she cried, pointing to the man on the ground. He was completely battered and bloody, his clothing torn in several places. His hair was tousled terribly; dried blood clumped up bunches of strands so badly it was hard to tell his real hair color. Every visible patch of skin was covered in scratches and bruises, and even a few open wounds. Hikaru removed the red ribbon of her uniform, and tied it around the man's wound on his arm. "I need more to bandage his other wounds before he bleeds to death!" Hotohori ran back to Nightwind to retrieve bandages, and in the meantime Nuriko tore a bit of her robes, tying it around another open wound.
"Is this enough?" Hotohori asked as he came back, tossing a roll of bandage to Hikaru. She nodded, and completed the bandaging of the man's wounds.
"We need to get him a doctor quickly," Hikaru said, finishing tying the last bandage, "is there a town nearby at all?"
"There should be one once we exit the woods," Hotohori told her, looking off to his side. "It shouldn't be too much farther from here." Hikaru nodded, and looked from Hotohori to Nuriko, and back and forth again. Finally, she settled her gaze on Nuriko, who arched a brow inquisitively.
"Um, Nuriko. . .think you could pick him up and carry him on your horse? Please?" Hikaru pleaded, blinking several times with a big smile on her face. Nuriko's eyes widened, then she sighed.
"Fine, fine." She walked over to the man, picking him up with ease, and carried him over to her horse and laid him down gently. She plopped down behind the man, putting her hand on his back to keep him steady. Hikaru and Hotohori both got back onto their horse, and they all immediately set off to the edge of the wood, hoping to come to a village.
As luck would have it, they reached the outskirts of the forest, and were relieved to find a village only a little ways down the dirt road they'd been following thus far. Hikaru smiled as they entered the town, being greeted by the townspeople with warm smiles and friendly waves. Surely someone here could help them.
"Hotohori, I want to get off now, I need to ask these people if there's someone who can help that man," she said, hopping off the horse without waiting for a reply from the emperor. The villagers around her finally caught a glimpse of her outfit, and suddenly became uneasy. Most backed away, staring at her as they did so. Hikaru looked at herself, then back at the people, understanding what they were thinking. But she didn't have the time to explain.
"Please! I need to find a doctor!" she cried, advancing toward the group of people, "I know I look strange, but I really don't have time to explain now, me and my friends here found a man along the forest road beaten nearly to death! We are in desperate need of a doctor!" Most still backed away, seeing Hikaru only as an outcast. She became angry, an emotion she didn't usually show openly. "A man is dying! I know I look strange, but put that aside and tell me if someone here can help us!" Most of them looked at the ground, ashamed. Only an elderly woman, walking with the support of a wooden cane, walked up to Hikaru. She observed Hikaru, and then turned to the village people.
"I believe, judging by this young lady's foreign clothing, that she is the rumored Priestess of Suzaku." The people gasped, turning to Hikaru. Now it was her turn to feel uneasy. "It is true, is it not?" the elderly lady turned to Hikaru, directing the question to her. Hikaru nodded slowly, gulping. The old woman bowed her head respectfully. "Dear Lady, there is a man that lives at the other end of this village. He is called Miao Nioh-An, and he is the healer of this town. Seek him if you want to save your friend." Hikaru smiled graciously and gently hugged the woman.
"Thank you so, so much!" She quickly let her go, and started racing toward the other end of town, calling back to Hotohori and Nuriko, "Catch up to me, I'm going to go find his house!" She continued running throughout the town, until she finally reached the last two houses, which stood facing each other. "Which one. . .?" After looking back and forth between the two, she chose the one on her left side, racing to the door, knocking continuously.
"Okay! Okay! Just a minute! Sheesh. . ." a voice called from behind the door. A few seconds later, an old man hobbled to the door, opening it slowly. "Yes, what can I do for ya?"
"Um, excuse me sir, but are you Miao. . .Mi. . .the doctor of this village?" Hikaru stuttered, feeling bad she couldn't remember the name. The man tilted his head inquisitively to the side.
"Eh? The sausage of this village? I ain't no scrap o' meat! Listen young missy, it ain't very polite to go 'round askin' people if they is a sausage!" the man scolded, waving a finger at her. A sweatdrop formed in Hikaru's head.
"No, not sausage, the DOCTOR of this village! D-O-C-T-O-R!" Hikaru shouted for him to better hear her.
"Doctor? I ain't no doctor neither! First ya call me a sausage, now you is assumin' I'm a doctor! I think you needs those eyes o' yours checked, young missy!" Hikaru was growing incredibly frustrated because of this man; she was almost tempted to just walk away. Although doing so she would probably be scolded some more not just by him, but also by others in the village. So, politely she bowed her head.
"Um, thank you sir, I must have the wrong house!" she bellowed, making sure he heard her right. The man rubbed on of his ears.
"Gosh darnit, ya don't need ta shout! I gots ears, ya know!" he snapped, pointing to both of his ears. Hikaru sighed and turned away, and was face to face with the old woman from earlier. She squeaked in surprise.
"Young Lady, Miao Nioh-An lives over there," she said, pointing to the house on the other side of the road. Hikaru narrowed her eyes.
"I figured that, ma'am, after my conversation with this gentleman here," she responded, stepping past the old lady and heading towards the house. However, the woman grabbed Hikaru's shoulder as a signal to stop.
"It will do you no good to go there, my dear." Hikaru turned around.
"Why?"
"Miao Nioh-An isn't home right now. He left to a neighboring village to the west to visit a few sick families." Hikaru fell over, twitching as a sweatdrop formed on her head.
"Why didn't you tell me this earlier?!" she demanded, standing up.
"You didn't ask," the woman replied simply. Hikaru sighed, giving up on the subject completely.
"Then, where can I find him? Where is this village he is in?" she asked. The old woman turned toward the street leading to the outskirts of town, pointing her cane down the road.
"All you have to do is follow this road, and it will lead you to the next town, that is where Miao Nioh-An should be," she explained. Hikaru looked off down the road, and it passed through another forest. She figured the town must be just beyond that.
"Okay," she said to herself, "that's what I'm going to do." She turned to thank the elderly lady, and quickly dashed down the street to where Hotohori and Nuriko were still waiting. Before speaking of her plan, Hikaru noticed some unwelcoming glances from most of the villagers. She decided it was best to just leave and settle in the woods that night. After buying some food to prepare a decent meal, the trio left the village the way they came, setting up camp just inside the forest. They set up a bed as comfortable as they could make for the man, and laid him down gently. Once they'd done that, the three sat facing each other, and Hikaru began to explain.
"I'm going to the next village, and I'm leaving tonight-" she started, when Hotohori stood abruptly.
"I will accompany you," he said firmly. Hikaru shook her head.
"No, Hotohori, you and Nuriko should stay here and protect this man. Who knows who could come by here, and leaving Nuriko alone would be just terrible."
"I cannot let you go alone!" he cried, his voice incredibly forceful. Hikaru even felt herself wince a little. She stood, walking up to him. She looked up into his eyes solemnly.
"Please, Hotohori. . .I know I seem small, but I can take care of myself. I'm grateful you're worried about my well being, but I can do this. If I get in any danger I'll come back to you guys as soon as possible, I promise!" she took his hand, and wrapped her pinky finger around his. He looked down at her inquiringly, looking at their intertwined pinky fingers. Hikaru noticed his confused expression, and smiled up at him. "Where I come from, this is a symbol of a promise. I do this because I'm telling you I won't break my promise. Do you believe me, Hotohori?" He looked down at their hands again, then up to her face.
"Of course, Hikaru. . .but you must at least take this with you," he said as he removed his sheathed sword from his side. He placed his sword in her hand, placing his other hand beneath Hikaru's so that his hands sandwiched hers. "This is my holy sword, I place all of my strength in it. Use it if you are in any danger. . .that is, if you cannot escape from the danger. Use it only if you can't escape. I couldn't bear the thought of something happening to you. . ." Nuriko glared angrily at them, and jumped up between the two.
"Well as you can see your Highness, Hikaru is perfectly fine! She's a big girl who can handle herself! Where as I, a helpless damsel, need the protection of your Grace," she said, linking her arm to his. Hikaru and Hotohori both sweatdropped as Nuriko nuzzled against him affectionately. Slowly, and politely as possible, Hotohori pulled his arm away from Nuriko, looking back at Hikaru.
"I suppose Nuriko has a point. . .about you being able to protect yourself, that is," he said, coughing once in reference to Nuriko's second comment, "so, I'll trust you'll be okay. . ." Hikaru smiled gratefully at him.
"Thanks, Hotohori. . .I promise to come back as quick as possible, and in perfect condition!" she turned to run off to the town, but Hotohori called after her. She turned to look at him.
"It would be easier, and faster, if you took one of the horses," he told her. She scratched the back of her head, her cheeks turning red as she chuckled a bit.
"Right. . ." she muttered as she walked back over to Hikari, mounting him and taking off down the road. Hotohori watched worriedly as she took off.
"I hope she'll be alright. . ." he mumbled, not tearing his eyes off of her until she was out of sight. Nuriko fumed.
"When I say she'll be fine, I MEAN she'll be fine! Quite worrying so much about her!"
"I cannot do that! She's very important, and I can't stand the thought of her being hurt!" he hollered back at her. Nuriko sighed, putting a hand on his shoulder.
"I understand you're worried because she's the Priestess of Suzaku and. . ." she trailed off as she saw Hotohori look down at the ground, seemingly ashamed.
"No, Nuriko. . .it's more than that. I'm worried about her. . .Hikaru, not the Priestess of Suzaku." Nuriko looked as if she was slapped in the face. Slowly she removed her hand, and nodded her head, turning back to sit next to the severely injured man. Hotohori turned to look at her, even though her back was to him, and his face expressed even more shame. "I'm sorry, Nuriko. . ." he breathed so softly, Nuriko couldn't hear.
~*~*~*~
Hikaru, not wanting to startle or even ram into the villagers, went at a trot through the town. Impatient as she felt, she never urged her horse to go faster. She got the stares she was already used to by those who stayed out during nightfall, and sighed in relief as she reached the end of the village. Glancing around and finding no one about the streets, she smiled and gave a firm kick to the horse's flank, sending it galloping the rest of the way, out of the town. Within a minute she was racing into the forest, which was incredibly difficult because the trees blocked out any source of light there was, and she rode in total darkness. Squinting, she tried to focus her vision in the darkness, but it wasn't working yet.
"I sure hope you can see where we're going, Hikari," she said to the horse, which in turn snorted in response. She shrugged, and pulled on the reins firmly to slow Hikari to a trot. Just in case so they wouldn't run into something. As they advanced, Hikaru started to feel frightened. It was lonely without Umi and Fuu to keep her company. . .or Nuriko and Hotohori. She regretted going by herself, but she also didn't want anything to happen to that poor man while she went to get help.
It wasn't very long until she could see the lights coming from a town in the distance. She was almost there!
"We're almost out, Hikari!" she exclaimed gleefully. "And a good thing, too. The bugs here are really starting to get to me." Along the way, her legs had been getting bitten periodically. They were really starting to itch. She wasn't the only one getting bit, however, because Hikari occasionally swished his tail against his backside. Hikaru jerked her head up suddenly, yanking on the reigns to bring Hikari to a halt. A rustling sound had caught her attention, it was incredibly close, and loud. She looked around, but found no movement in the trees or underbrush, yet the rustling was growing louder. She gasped as she realized it wasn't rustling.
"That's a buzzing sound. . ." she whispered to herself, searching for the source. Hikari suddenly reared back, and Hikaru held onto the reigns for dear life. A swarm of insects whizzed past them, and the horse was panicking. Hikaru tried to soothe him, but the horse was frantic. It neighed and snorted, rearing back trying to swat the insects as they came. The insects started to land on Hikari, and he started bucking and kicking, trying to get them off. His movements were so wild that Hikaru fell off onto her side, and she looked to see the swarm had them surrounded. There was a ring of bugs around them, some leaving the ring to go after Hikari. Hikaru jumped up, trying to knock them off of her horse. But no matter what either of them did, the insects just kept coming.
'If only I had my fire. . .!' Hikaru thought, still frantically swatting. It was then she noticed a high-pitched sound, and she snapped her head to face the way she thought she heard it coming from. The silhouette of a figure was off in the distance, and that was where the sound was emitting. It moved closer, the shrill sound growing louder as it neared. Hikaru winced, covering her ears. The sound was entirely too much. She noticed, however, that the insects started to clear away, heading toward the person making the sound. She uncovered her ears when the sound stopped, looking toward the stranger.
"Who are you?" Hikaru demanded, glaring at the person. The figure cackled lightly, it's cloaked body taking another step toward her.
"My name is not of importance, oh girl from another world," the raspy, male voice replied. Hikaru felt that familiar sense of being in Cephiro, the place where she was known by everyone as 'the girl from another world'. "I will only be known as your executioner." Hikaru gasped, and quickly shifted to a fighting position.
"Why are you doing this? What do you have against me?" she asked, her arms in front of her in a defensive stance. The man laughed again.
"It's nothing personal, really. Just following orders. I am to. . .get rid of the Priestess of Suzaku!" he cried, and waved his arm. Hikaru gasped and prepared to defend herself, but soon found that the swarm wasn't coming for her. She turned quickly to see them attacking her horse.
"Hikari!" she shouted, racing to protect her horse. The frantic stallion bucked and kicked, trying again to rid itself of the terrifying horde. Hikaru repeated the same tactic of swatting them off, trying desperately to help her animal friend. The man watched, then a rather large insect came to rest on his shoulder. He glanced at it, then to his other side, where a small group of bugs waited.
"Go." They buzzed off, and landed on the horse's rear, and began to bite him mercilessly. Hikari reared back, neighing fearfully, it was almost a cry for help. Hikaru hurriedly ran behind Hikari, swatting the bugs off as quick as she could. Then, without warning, Hikari kicked his rear hooves back, one right into Hikaru's side. Hikaru yelped in pain, and immediately Hikari kicked again, slamming right into Hikaru's face. Hikaru cried out again, falling onto her back. The man called off his swarm, and the horse galloped off, hoping to escape any more torture. Hikaru whimpered in agony, holding her side. The man chuckled, slowly approaching her injured form. Hikaru gathered all of her strength and attempted to get up, but to no avail. Her wound was too unbearable that it was all she could focus on. But, she knew she had to do something quick. Suddenly she remembered. . .Hotohori's sword! She released her hand from her wound, and unsheathed the holy weapon; it's elegant, yet fearsome beauty almost made it glow. She rose it above her, and shoved the blade into the earth, using it as a crutch to stand.
"I. . .I won't. . .give in to the likes of you. . ." Hikaru started, wiping the blood from her mouth and raising the sword, "you will not. . .stop me from saving. . .that man. . .or. . .from saving this WORLD!" with a forceful battle cry, Hikaru charged at the man, aiming her sword to his chest. Her assassin quickly ducked out of the way, and the large insect on his shoulder rose into the air. Hikaru skidded to the stop, and turned to look at him.
"Quickly, go NOW!" he commanded, and the bug flew straight for Hikaru. Hikaru cried out again, and raced towards him again. It was then she saw the insect, it's stinger aimed right for her. But before she could react, the stinger impaled her shoulder. . .
. . . And Hikaru came to a dead stop.
~*~*~*~