By RequiemofDementia
Chapter One: Long Overdue Return
Present day.
The four figures slowly walked along the dirt road, two of them chuckling softly. The young girl who had made the joke was smiling softly, and her feminine looking companion shyly chuckled along with her. There were few things to stand out about the group, they dressed casually, two male and two female. Two married couples? Or so it would appear at first glance.
One was indeed female, but her companion was far from it. He had such fine, delicate skin, and very feminine features, with a feminine personality to match as well. The rosy blush in his cheeks even now only added to the illusion that he had been born with. "You are so funny, Airen-chan," he said softly, a small smile on his lips. Even his voice was soft and delicate.
Airen had liked Sen Chie since they had met. Chie was young. Very young, actually, but that had never been a hindrance. Their friendship had been strong throughout the years they had known each other, and when Airen's trip had come up, Chie had been the first to agree to come along.
The large man ahead of them, however, had taken a bit more convincing. Natsume Riki was a very large man, towering above both of the feminine companions. Powerful muscle rippled under his clothing as he slowly walked along. Chie and Riki could not have been more different. Chie, so small and delicate, juxtaposed against the towering Riki, a wall of pure muscle over six feet tall. Chie's pale complexion was accompanied by spiky silver hair and grey-blue eyes, while the dark black hair atop Riki's head was not long enough to hide his brown eyes from sight. While Chie was nice, if shy, Riki was anti-social almost to the extreme.
It had actually been Airen's final companion that had persuaded Riki to come. Riki may not have had any friends, but he respected Shinzui. Most people that met Shinzui respected him, for his calm politeness if nothing else. His slow, relaxed pace meant that he was always lagging behind in the group, but there was a cunning purpose to this. He actually walked slowly on purpose. It kept all the others in front of him, where he could keep his eyes on them. Shinzui was not as large as Riki, nor was he as small as Chie. He was somewhere in the comfortable medium, slightly under six feet tall. His frame, however, was on the slender side. His long black hair hung down, only the breeze blowing it back kept it from obscuring not only his eyes, but all of his face. Instead, it trailed behind him like a mane.
His eyes were riveted on Airen. The young girl had come a long way, in these last few years. She had blossomed from a shy little girl into a friendly young woman. She was more outgoing now, willing to take the risk of making a joke. Riki might have found her company a little more annoying than others, but Chie loved to listen along with Airen. All three of them may have had their differences, but when it came down to it, they were inseparable. Riki might find the others annoying, but he would defend them to his last if it was required. And that was why Shinzui had chosen him. Shinzui knew that if something happened to him, he could count on Riki to defend the group, and for Chie to keep them from doing anything too stupid.
Or, that was the plan, at least. Sometimes, plans did not go well.
The sun was beating down on them, almost like a bright red fist trying to smash them into dehydration. Shinzui had been prepared for this, and made sure that everyone had lots of water, but that did not mean that they were happy about it. Shy Chie looked like he was going to melt, and Airen had complained several times. Even the normally silent Riki had spoken for a moment, to declare that the sun was his mortal enemy. Chie had looked unsure if he was supposed to laugh at that, and a small giggle had been all that had escaped his lips. And that giggle sent Airen into fits of laughter.
"Did I do something wrong?" Chie asked, faint voice so timid.
"No, no," Airen said quickly, calming from her laughing spree. "Quite the contrary, I found it to cute." The blush that began to bloom on Chie's cheeks only egged Airen on. "Do it again. Giggle for me."
The two laughed softly at that. The strange look that Riki gave them only added to the laughter. Shinzui began to think he should have done this a long time ago. Clearly, those two were enjoying themselves, and Riki had not shown any of his usual signs of displeasure. He had made that sun remark, yes, but there had been none of his trademark sighs or glares.
"Are we almost there, Shinzui-sensei?" Chie asked faintly, his cute voice breaking Shenzui's train of thought.
"A little ways more," he replied softly. "A day and a half, I would say." Chie sighed softly at that, clearly not liking the idea of wandering for a whole extra day in this heat, while Riki's board shoulders slowly rose and fell. For some reason, that Shinzui had never really been able to comprehend, Riki seemed to enjoy hiking, especially in difficult conditions, and carrying more then his share of the gear. Shinzui was certain that it had nothing to do with any form of kindness, because he had seen Riki gladly march with the other two until they collapsed, but possibly out of some drive to test his own strength.
"He'd make a good pack animal," he muttered to himself. "Like an ox." This earned another giggle from Chie.
Riki looked back slowly, and a faint sigh escaped his lips. This was going to be a long day and a half.
Shinzui had not slept again, Airen could tell. She had been supposed to take second watch while they camped, but he had not woken her. Even though there were times when he would not sleep for a week at a time, it still worried her. She made sure she walked close to him, but he showed no signs of fatigue. Then again, she had never seen him show signs of fatigue. She knew a lot of it would be manly bravado, a brother looking strong for his little sister, but she was still impressed.
Riki continued to trudge ahead of him. His shadow was cast long in the morning light, extended even further by the small, feminine form that sat upon his backpack. It was an interesting game, to Chie at least. To see if Riki would carry him all the way to their destination, just because he was too stubborn to ask Chie to get off.
"Are you alright," Airen whispered softly to Shinzui, as they continued to walk.
His only reply was a nod, at first. However, after a few steps, his head turned towards her. "I had a lot to think about, and you guys have been walking a lot lately. I thought I'd let you rest."
Airen punched his shoulder playfully, a grin crossing her lips. "In case you forgot, you have been walking right along with us."
"Ah yes, but slowly." Shinzui gave her one of his trade mark grins, and she knew that she would get nothing more from him. She looked towards the two ahead of them again, laughing as Riki began to take large, staggering steps, Chie wobbling precariously upon his backpack. And watching Chie sway was when she saw it, a village in the distance.
"Is that…?"
"Yes, Airen. Konoha village. Home."
Author's notes.
Well well, chapter one, and all is well. I know, kinda lacking on the action. Wait 'til later chapters. I've been told my shinobi fight scenes are good. :D