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Chapter 5: Awakening
She could feel herself drifting into a state of awareness but she still couldn't wake up. The air was warm and scented, of lavender. She decided that she had to be in a bed since she could feel smooth, silky sheets over her and beneath her was soft and feathery. There was a gentle ringing in the air, wind chimes perhaps, and there was the sound of a crowd or market place. She couldn't tell she wasn't close enough to full consciousness to distinguish which. She heard a new noise, footsteps and a door opening and closing, fear grew inside of her. As she was now, there was nothing that she could do if she was attacked. And where were the others? Where was Shadow? Why couldn't she feel his presence? She thought of all of the new friends she had made, of Yoh, Manta, Horohoro, Ryu, Lyserg, Faust, Chocolove, Anna (of some sorts) and Ren. Ren's name stuck out in her mind and she immediately tried to push it back. There was no time to think, she had to wake up, she had to find out where she was.
'So how is she?' Silva asked as he looked down at Krystal lying on the bed. The doctor next to him smiled.
'She's tough. I'll give her that.' She replied. 'It looked like someone has had a crack at healing her themselves and I have to say they've done a pretty good job. All I had to do was treat her external injuries and give her something for the pain.' The doctor picked up a file from beside the bed and flicked through it. 'From the looks of things, she should be waking up soon.' Silva sighed. There was no time for this. Krystal had to be presented to the Shaman Council so that they could decide what was to be done about the tournament. He looked down at her lying there silently. Yoh's message that they were owed would not be forgotten. If Krystal had been killed then who knows what the King of Spirits would have done to them.
'Urgh.' A voice came. Silva took a double take as he looked at Krystal again. She had pulled herself into an upright sitting position and was holding her head in her hands. 'What the…where…how?' The doctor moved Krystal's hands away from her head and shined a light into he eyes. 'Hey!'
'She's fine. I'll do a full check in a minute.' The doctor said as she stood up. 'Now, I think the two of you need to talk.' Krystal's vision took a few moments to return and when in had she looked around the room until she was looking at Silva.
'What…why am I here?' She cried furiously. Silva raised his open palms to her to show her that he meant her no harm. 'How did I get here?'
'Your friends Yoh and Ren carried you here.' Silva started. He didn't notice the slight sign of joy in her eyes when he mentioned Ren's name. 'It seems that you were injured while practising against Manta.' Krystal cracked a smiled.
'I hurt him too didn't i.' She whispered. 'I can't control Shadow…' Silva paused for a moment to listen to her. 'I know that he's no ordinary guardian ghost but I don't think that it's a good idea for him to stay with me. I'll just keep hurting people…' She trailed off into a quiet sob. Silva sat down next to her and offered his arm. Krystal willingly moved to him, she wanted some kind of support.
'Why am I like this?' She asked.
'I do not know.' Silva replied honestly.
'Why am I here?'
'To guide us.'
'How? I'm not even a good shaman.
'We can teach you.'
'But…'
'If you doubt yourself then there is little that can be done. Surely you can focus on something to help you deal with this?' Krystal thought back to before her fight with Manta. Ren hadn't even looked in her direction when he heard that she had never fought any one. She made up her mind quickly.
'There is.' She answered. She would become stronger so than Ren wouldn't just ignore her. If she became strong enough to hold her ground against him, then he would have to acknowledge her.
'Can you walk?' Silva asked. He was concerned for her health as she was still 'recovering'. She nodded and climbed out of bed. She discovered that she was wearing what seemed to be a white silken dress that stopped just above her knees.
'When did…' Krystal beagan.
'The doctor. Your clothes were bloody.'
'Oh.'
'And they have been cleaned.'
'Thanks.'
Silva had taken Krystal to the Council as soon as she had eaten. Hunger would not wait and he had been amazed at just how much she could eat: 4 cheese sandwiches, 3 bowls of leek and onion soup, 3 chocolate fairy cakes and half the fruit bowl as well as 2 jugs of water. Once with the council, Krystal spoke out immediately.
'I do not want to be here.' She said loudly. The room full of council members murmured before Goldva stood up.
'We understand. But right now we, and the rest of the Shaman and Spirit worlds, need you.' Goldva said clearly.
'But why? I am only a child aren't I? What can I do that you can't?' She protested.
'You and your arrival have allowed the institution of new rules.' Silva interrupted.
'Silva.' Goldva warned. 'Never before has the King of Spirits sent anyone or thing to us. These circumstances have never been met before and so, rules can be altered.' Krystal shuffled in her seat. 'But, you play the most important role in all of this since the new rules will mainly be affected by what you say to us now. Please answer our questions truthfully.' Krystal fiddled with the hem of her dress.
'Please Krystal.' Silva pleaded.
'What else do I have to do? Except for answer these questions.' Krystal asked.
'You will have to attend all tournament matches and you will be the new face of the council.' Goldva answered.
'Fun.' Krystal groaned. 'Fine then. I'll answer your questions.'
Ren was stitting alone, and not for the first time. His team mates, Horohoro and Chocolove had gone off to an onsen somewhere and he had chosen not to participate as he just knew that they would end up plaing childish games. Yoh's team, including Anna, Manta and Tamao, had gone to train. It was peaceful in the small café where he sat. Many people had heard that something was happening with the council and training seemed to have resumed for most people. He looked out of the window, bored, onto the street. He heard the door open but ignored it until he heard
'Ren?' He looked over to the door and saw Krystal wearing a loose white cotton shirt with tan trousers. She walked over to his table and stopped before sitting down. 'Can I sit with you?' He nodded half heartedly and returned to staring out the window. 'Why aren't the others with you?'
'Those fools wanted to go and have some 'fun'.' He hissed kindly and Krystal sighed. And for one of the few times, he wondered why. She had been missing for a few days and she was acting like nothing had happened.
'Why is it that everyone is busy all of a sudden?' She asked him. He looked at her confused. Did she not know that there were rumours about the re-starting of the tournament? Just where had she been?
'They've all gone training.' He stated.
'But not you?' She asked quickly as she smiled at him.
'Not me.' He replied. 'I survived Hao's attack before and so there's nothing that can defeat me.'
'Oh really.' She said.
'Yes.'
'Then will you come for a walk with me?' He looked at her stunned. 'I'm bored. And I think that it will be some fun that you could endure.' He was still in shock. 'Please.' She looked upset. 'I've been stuck inside all day and I would really like some company. Please Ren.' For some reason, which he could not understand. Ren decided that if he did not go that he would regret it but if he did go then he would have to endure several snide comments.
'Fine then.' He sighed and she grabbed him playfully by the wrist and led him out of the café. 'Hey wait what…' Then he saw just where they were. They were already back where they had first met, at the fountain in the square.
'Come on come on.' She tugged, pulling his towards some stairs. 'We're not there yet.' He would have followed her even if she didn't have hold of his wrist, but for some reason, he didn't want her to let go. She led him up a forgettable number of flights of stairs before they reached an outcropping roof over the village. He took in a small breath in amazement.
'Well?' She asked. She found herself wanting his answer, but also afraid of it. She relinquished his arm and walked closer to the edge.
'It's amazing.' He muttered as he moved next to her. 'How did you…'
'I found it yesterday.' She answered quickly. 'I was running away from the Council again. Their lessons are so boring.' She stretched out her tense shoulders before sighing.
'Lessons?' He asked. She nodded, giving no explanation. He watched her for a moment as she looked out over the village.
'I can't believe how many shaman there are in the world.' She said calmly. 'There are so many people who need help…' She trailed off into silence before shaking herself. She turned to face him and saw Silva over his shoulder. 'Oh.'
'Hmm?' Ren looked over his shoulder and Silva was standing directly behind him.
'Excuse me.' Silva said coolly. 'Miss Krystal, you are late for your lesson.' Krystal sighed.
'Okay okay.' She said obediently before taking Ren's hand. 'You'll always be my friend right? You won't see me any differently in a few days will you?'
'What do you mean?' He asked.
'There is no time Miss Krystal. We must leave or Goldva will become impatient.' Silva insisted.
'Okay, we're going, we're going.' Krystal said hurriedly. 'Promise me you won't change.' She let go of him and began to walk off with Silva.
'I won't.' He muttered under his breath as she watched him go.
'Silva…' Krystal started.
'Yes?'
'Will I be any different at the end of my lessons?'
'You will be stronger and wiser, but you will be the same person on the inside.'
'Good.'
'He will not change either.' She ignored his last sentence. Even if he had guesses, she wasn't about to admit it to herself. There was a more important thing waiting for her with the Council, and an important role to play in every shaman's life, not just Ren's.
Mweeeee, yet another chappy done.
I must type faster, you deserve more of this. But there are other fun things that I'm being distracted with, like Stargate SG1 DVD's….
Gomen nasai!
