So it's finally chapter 6. That took a long time, but don't blame me; I had this all written and everything, but seeing as Shizuka, being the editor, had a few computer problems, she didn't finish editing it until this week and stuff… and oh yes, not reader's response this time 'cause I have to hurry this up. So…yeah; read, enjoy and review.
"So…" Ryou said awkwardly. It was nighttime and he couldn't sleep so he had decided to join Kyri in keeping watch. Eyeing the silent beauty — a definite contrast to Shiriko's own unique version of hyperactive beauty — Ryou now wondered if that was such a good idea. She was definitely more difficult to approach than her friend.
"Yeah?" Kyri asked offhandedly, sounding as if she'd rather be alone. Well…she probably would.
"Does she do that often?" he asked, pointing at the sight of Shiriko sleeping on the ground with a wolf curled up next to her. If he wasn't mistaken, it was the same wolf that had been there after the two men had attacked.
"Yeah," Kyri answered. "Don't worry; they're perfectly harmless…if they like you," she added with a grin.
"Oh; then I'm guessing that they really like her?" Ryou asked.
"What gave it away?" Kyri asked shooting him a halfhearted glare.
Ryou rolled his eyes, "So why exactly do they like her so much?"
"Don't ask me. Wolves just have a tendency to gather around 'Riko. I guess you can say they kinda see eye to eye."
"How so?"
"You didn't see her when we fought that guy, did you?"
"No…what? What happened?" Ryou leaned forward.
"Oh; I'll let you find out yourself. Just make sure you aren't on the receiving end."
"And what about you?" he snapped, making it sound like an insult. "Those foxes follow you around, too."
Kyri shrugged, "Meh…you'd have to know my character more. Though I thought my part in the little punishment for your attackers would have clued you in."
"Oh yeah…foxes are mischievous…and sly!" Ryou said, slapping his forehead in realization. That would fit Kyri perfectly! Damn bitch was sneakier than an assassin…
Kyri grinned as if reading his mind, "Yep. And damn proud of it!"
"Anyways; where are we heading tomorrow?" Ryou asked, trying not to roll his eyes yet again. It seemed to be a habit everyone picked up when talking with the ditzy girl.
"Well…you said that if you were reborn, all the other seishi would be too, right? Well…I was thinking we head to the palace. Maybe the emperor knows something."
"Yeah…Sounds like a good plan to me," Ryou yawned, "Well, I'm pretty beat. G'night."
"Sleep tight. Don't let the bed bugs bite."
"What the hell are you talking about?" Ryou asked.
"Bed bugs? Never heard of them?" Kyri asked. She glanced around to make sure no one could overhear them. Her manner suggested that this was secret and possibly dangerous information.
"What the hell are they?"
"They come when you're asleep…and they bite you…no one knows what happens after that…they take the victims away pretty fast…but there have been rumors…" Kyri shuddered.
"Rumors?" Ryou raised an eyebrow.
Kyri shook her head, "People don't know exactly. All they know is that you hear a strange and horrifying sound like a hum, almost, and then you get bitten!...and what happens after that…no one's survived to tell."
Ryou shuddered himself and went back by the fire where a bundle of blankets lay tangled on the ground – his makeshift bed. He glanced at Koukaku briefly. As usual, his peaceful friend was dead to the world, sleeping like he was in his own bed at home instead of on a hard forest ground with animals surrounding them…and bed bugs.
Lying down, Ryou yawned once more. He rolled over and fell asleep…
"'Riko…wake up" Kyri shook her friend awake as quietly as possible. However, just in case, she pointed her finger at Shiriko's mouth. After a moment, Shiriko's throat glowed softly even in the moonlight. Anyone else might have panicked. Anyone else might have screamed. But then anyone else would probably not be a witch with the power that Kyri possessed. The glow condensed into a tiny ball and floated gently down onto a silver bracelet on Kyri's wrist. Once there, it formed a tiny jewel.
Then, smiling mischievously, Kyri pointed again at Shiriko, muttering a few words under her breath. In the sky directly above the sleeping girl a small, dark cloud appeared. With a gentle pulse, rain straight down onto Shiriko's head.
Shiriko shot up, mouth wide open. From the way it was working she would have been shouting bloody murder….if she'd still had a voice to shout with. Knowing right away who the violator was, she glared at Kyri and mouthed a few carefully selected words.
"What? Can't hear you," Kyri whispered mockingly. "Speak louder."
Shiriko glared threateningly, gesturing in a very vivid manner. One gesture used over and over involved a finger pointed at Kyri's own throat. From the look in Shiriko's eyes, the dark haired girl wasn't above using the same spell to get back at her.
Kyri sighed dramatically and shrugged. "You ruin all my fun," she muttered while making a tiny flick with her fingers. Instantly, the tiny jewel of light on her silver bracelet floated back into Shiriko's throat.
"That's better!" Shiriko gasped, "I swear; if you try that again –" she shook her wet hair out and combed her fingers through them.
"I just needed you to wake up quietly!" Kyri said defensively, "Anyways; want to have some fun?" she asked, her eyes twinkling.
"What did you do?" Shiriko asked suspiciously, "And without me to plan it with you, too; shame on you!" she laughed. Kyri grinned, "Remember that story that we used to tell the other children in the village just to scare them?"
"Yeah…" Shiriko followed Kyri's gaze to where Ryou was sleeping, "You mean –"
"Oh, yeah!" Kyri said almost too loudly. She glanced around, with a hand over her mouth. Thankfully, both boys were still sleeping peacefully. They had had a rough day. "Now, if you'll do that special…trick…of yours" Kyri said, "I'll work my own magic."
Shiriko grinned, and brandished her finger around, "Well…" she said, taking out a tiny object, which was revealed to be a toy shaped like a bug. She pointed at it. A tiny spark flew from the tip of her finger into her bug, and it began wriggling in her hand. Shiriko crept quietly over to Ryou and mouthed, "Ready when you are."
Kyri nodded and pointed at her mouth. A weird tickling sensation flooded her entire body, ending on her tongue. The spell she'd just placed would allow her to make a pretty specific humming sound…
Shiriko put the bug on Ryou's neck and it crawled up and on his face. Ryou stirred then went totally stiff. His eyes cracked open to stare at the tiny shadow moving up his head. But when it sunk its toy teeth into his skin on his cheek, Ryou jumped up with a horrified shout, "AHHHH! GET IT OFF! AHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
That woke Koukaku up. He blinked and stared at his screaming best friend, "What the hell are you doing?"
"THERE'S A BED BUG ON MY FACE! IT'S GONNA DO…SOMETHING!" he leaped from the blankets and began stomping on them like a maniac.
Koukaku laughed, "Bed bug? Are you sure you're feeling alright?"
"THERE IS!" Ryou insisted. He was distracted, however, when the girls couldn't hold it in anymore and let out hysterical peals of laughter.
"You…" he glared. "Fuck…you tricked me!"
Shiriko was doubling over from laughing, "Sorry…couldn't…resist!" she said, giggling into her hand. Kyri was actually rolling on the grass, trying to control her laugher, but failing.
"Ahhh…" Koukaku said in understanding, "Of course…"
Ryou glared at the two once more, "I will never understand you two," he stated.
"We didn't ask you to," Kyri said seriously. However, she was interrupted when Shiriko gave a laugh after gasping out, "Bed bugs!"
Both girls and Koukaku began to laugh, much at the expense of Ryou.
Several days of traveling finally brought the four to the capital of Konan, Eiyou. "Hm…so; this is the capital" Ryou said, "Must say; it's really impressive"
"No kidding. I wonder why?" Kyri asked sarcastically. "'Riko; get back here!" she said to Shiriko who was running straight for a nearby weapons shop. Shiriko walked back slowly, a pouting look on her face, "Aww…no fair…"
"You know you're not supposed to go without me! I wanna look at the weapons too!" Kyri said. Shiriko grinned. Ryou and Koukaku rolled their eyes at the same time, "You two are impossible!" they said together.
"We know!" the girls chanted back.
"Just like you," Ryou and Koukaku said to each other. Then, there was a unison protest of, "Hey!"
"Now, now, boys; don't fight. We have to get to the palace…um…any idea how to get in?" Shiriko scratched her head in thought.
"I can only think of one…" Kyri said. She waved her fingers a bit. Shiriko got the gist and did the same…
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