Chapter Forty-Four

Suzuno woke up, startled by an outside clatter. She held her hand over her chest and took a deep breath to calm down, looking around a little to see what had happened. She knew the noise didn't come from inside the room but all the same, it wasn't ever bad to double-check things.

For her first time staying she had slept in Amefuri's mother's room. She remembered the heightened smell of perfume and how many cluttered bottles there were all over the dressers and floors. But now she was in Amefuri's room; this one was much more plain, clean. In fact, it had nothing but bare walls and a bed. 'Where do his clothes go?'

There was a small rustling in her bed and she turned to see Toroki cuddled up in the covers. He was lying on his side, his face burried in a pillow with one of his small hands cradling his face. She smiled sweetly; she was glad he slept so soundly, especially after that loud noise.

Another crashing sound was heard banging against the outside of the house and she hurriedly got out of bed, hoping to be able to stop whatever the racket was before Toroki was disturbed. She opened the door to Amefuri's bedroom and ran through the small hallway out the entrance, opening that as well.

Suzuno stopped abruptly at the doorway when three grey blurs whizzed by her face, coming so close she could almost imagine them cutting her skin. They dented themselves with a loud thump onto the side of the house and she was grateful they really didn't hit her: knives.

"There they go again . . ."

"That whore's only been back one night and they're already at it!"

Suzuno realized she wasn't the only one who was woken up by the sound. Many villagers of the Capital had crowded around her home, all whispering amongst each other but being sure to keep their eyes on the two subjects. She didn't ntoice where the knives had come from at first, but two bodies distinctively stood out from the crowd the second she checked. 'Amefuri . . . and Jin-Shun!'

Amefuri stood confidently away from the crowd, smirking. He didn't seem the least bit faltered when Jin-Shun hastily pulled out a large sword from its sheath. It was big even for his size, so for the smaller of the two rivals it was unbelievably huge. Suzuno was still a bit shaken from her sudden surprise attack, but at the same time she was compelled to watch. She never had actually seen the both of them fight a real battle before.

"I'm ready!" Amefuri taunted, grinning. "When are you going to fight for real?"

"Are you joking!" Jin-Shun angrily shouted in a loud, boastful voice that echoed. He gripped the sword in one hand tightly, swinging it far behind his head then tossing it towards his enemy in front of him. "I'll show you for real!"

The sword swang round and round hastily like a boomerang, and to dodge it Amefuri jumped high off the ground. Risk-taking spectators crowded along the buildings, letting the giant weapon swing through the street until its point dug into the ground, the handle still shaking.

Amefuri landed with both feet back on the ground, this time sticking out his tongue he was so amused. "Is that the best you can do after me being away for a full month? Come on, if you win I'll never sleep with your sister again. Not even if she pays me!"

Jin-Shun didn't reply but gritted his teeth in anger, looking far more flustered than before. Beads of sweat were dripping on his forehead, even though the buildings and cloth shadows covered up much of the heavy beating sunshine. Amefuri looked completely fine, with the excpetion of some harsh breathing.

He quickly held out his hands, bracing his legs to move in case Jin-Shun were to attack again. However, he only waited long enough so that a palm-full of the peachy acid filled his hand. Before Jin-Shun could retaliate he tossed it towards him, but like Jin-Shun's first attempts he also missed. His enemy didn't have any need to dodge; the liquid flopped in a gel-like ball then melted slowly in the ground several feet before him.

Jin-Shun stared at the sizzling puddle, and moments later he burst into laughter. The people among them followed, and Suzuno felt she was the only one among the crowd who had opted to keep qiuet. True, he was so far off that it was a bit . . . pititful, but Amefuri was her friend.

"And you put me down?" Jin-Shun said with a snort. He pointed down at the bubbling acid among the dirt. "Your aim is worse than mine!"

Suzuno's heart sank as she heard the crowd; she really felt bad for Amefuri, having to subject to something like this because of a mistake. She wondered why no one found it so funny that Jin-Shun missed with his sword, but she also remembered that many people had put the warrior down for being a prostitute. 'Wait . . .'

Amefuri didn't look the least bit upset from being laughed at like she had expected. She knew he was strong-minded, but instead of being faceless or trying to hide his emotions, he was blatantly smiling. She wondered. Did he have anything planned? 'Was that on purpose?'

Jin-Shun finally began to notice Amefuri's expression as well and his own face glared back angrily. The audience around them quieted as well, some whispering inaudibly. "What? What do you have to be so cocky about?"

"That," Amefuri said, pointing upwards but still keeping eye contact with his rival. Jin-Shun followed his finger to look up through the curtains and rags.

The once fine morning that was a clear blue was turning into a thick grey. Clouds swirled and churned, hovering quickly and spinning above the crowd, specifically strongest near where the acid had dropped. Before Jin-Shun even had a moment to comprehend the next attack a thick pouring rain splashed in his face. He felt a tinge on his skin and many of the people in the crowd lifted hoods over their heads or took cover near the buildings. Suzuno stepped in the house but continued to watch.

At first Jin-Shun wasn't sure of what to make of the rain, but quickly in retaliation he reached into a soaked-pocket to pull out another knife. As he lifted it to be thrown he felt a warm liquid dripping over his fingers, and what was originally in his hand had turned into a soft, silvery substance. He reached into more of his pockets, checking all of his weapons in a rushed manner; all of them had turned to slush.

Within moments the rain had cleared and the sky was its brilliant azure again. Suzuno noticed that the spot where the acid had landed was the only part of the land that was crusty and dry among the wet. With that Amefuri laughed even louder than Jin-Shun's before, his voice full of coneited yet charismatic charm. "Without your weapons you're just an idiot."

Suzuno looked between the two, wondering if Amefuri's taunting would earn a retort. She was surprised when Jin-Shun only glowered in reply and turned around, his large hands squeezing into tight fists. She frowned; something about this seemed almost cruel. How often did this happen?

Before walking away, Jin-Shun only turned his head and looked directly at Suzuno, startling her. His expression had turned from one ready of defeat to a soft smile. "It's nice to see you again, Priestess."

"O-Oh," Suzuno stuttered, not exactly sure of what to say. He was an incredibly nice person, to her at least. She didn't want to make Amefuri angry, but at the same time she didn't have any grudge against him. She remembered she had met him when he kidnapped her, though she had long forgiven that. In return she smiled back, nodding a little. "Nice to see you too. I hope we can talk soon."

"Priestess . . .?" Suzuno turned her head in the other direction to see Amefuri staring directly at her, his eyes wide in surprise. By then, the crowd had begun to disperse, many whispers amongst them about the fight. Jin-Shun had walked on. She was almost tempted to giggle when he suddenly turned his face away, his cheeks a burning red. "Suzuno . . . I didn't know you were there."

Suzuno stepped out of the house, deciding that it was safe to be outside. As she walked to the warrior she glanced down at where the three knives had been; trickling along the side of the house was a gray liquid, forming a small pond on the ground. She spoke as she watched it drip into the mini pool. "I've never seen you so boastful or loud before. At least . . . not like that."

"Yeah . . ." Amefuri agreed, his eyes still avoiding hers. He tried his best to look away, his face still flushed with embarrassment. "Only Jin-Shun has that effect on me. I sort of act somewhat . . . obnoxious around him. It's been that way since we were younger."

For that explanation Suzuno frowned visibly, but for some reason at the same time she was rather touched. The two had known each other so long. Both were mature, sweet gentlemen around most people from her expirience, yet just moments ago they were both abhorrent because of each other. It was a strange cat and mouse sort of thing, she guessed. It was almost cute.

But still, she couldn't resist asking a silly question. "Umm . . . You're not really going to do anything with Jin-Shun's sister . . . right?"

Amefuri chuckled in response. "Never. She's nearly twice my age, married with children and all. Besides, she's from his family. Ew." Amefuri turned his body around to the direction of the marketplace, this time looking at her direction while smiling. It seemed he had completely come back to normal. "I'm going to get Subaru and Lanva. Do you want to come?"

"No, sorry. Toroki hasn't woken up yet, and I want to be here when he does. He's so eager to leave her that I'm scared he might go with out us if one of us isn't here to stop him!"

For some reason that was something she found ather funny. She imagined Toroki going off by himself, crawling on the ground and hiding between the buildings like slinking cat. Thinking of his adorable baby face in a sneaky way made her giggle.

Amefuri looked down at Suzuno's smiling face, feeling that strange dizzy spell he once had before take over him. It was so weird, having this, and only around her. Here she was, just laughing a little, and something inside of him just changed. She looked so amazing to him, just . . .

Suzuno was surprised to feel Amefuri's arms pull her into a tight hug, and her giggling ceased as she stifled her breathing. His hands were tightly holding her small body, her cheek pressed against his chest. Now it was her turn to panic as she blushed.'Amefuri. . .'

That moment ended too quickly as he unexpectedly pushed her away. Suzuno looked up at him, seeing something in his eyes she didn't understand in the least. It was another emotion she had never seen in him before, something she wasn't used to. Was it fear? Nervousness? She honestly couldn't tell. Before she could ask about it he muttered a swift goodbye and turned to head toward the market.

Suzuno was bothered, but she willed herself to turn around and walk back in to his house. Like she had said before, she needed to be near when Toroki woke up. Still, something had lingered in her mind. She rememberd the promise the two of them shared like it was yesterday.

"You won't ever have to worry about such a thing from me. I'll always protect you."

That was the day when she had met him again after the Haunted Mountains and after she had met Tatara. Before, she was afraid of him and the fact that he was a prostitute. But now she knew better, that he wasn't just like that. He was much more; he was a person. And while she suddenly remembered that she had forgotten to apologize to him for the mean things she had said, she wasn't nearly as bothered by the fact. She had a feeling that Amefuri knew they were on fine terms.

With that, she smiled to herself as she walked in and closed the door behind her. That thought alone calmed her nerves. 'It's okay; he's my friend now. I don't think he meant anything by it.'

"Who're you lady?"

Suzuno was startled yet amazed to see in the kitchen the most beautiful woman she had ever seen. Chocolate hair fluffed around cheeks and shoulders, and the Priestess met with dark but lively brown eyes. She was an inredibly pretty young looking woman, but at the same time she almost looked a little wobbly. She noticed a drink in her hand.

"Are you . . ." Suzuno started, not sure if she should ask. Maybe it was a stranger, or customer that had let themselves in with out her noticing? For some reason, she doubted that. " . . . Amefuri's mother?"

"Ame-who?" The woman stared at Suzuno lazily, almost as if she were in a fixated trance. They stared, one curious and a bit nervous while the other perfectly still and unreadable. Not saying anything she turned and leaned her head back to take a long drink from her alcohal bottle. When she was done, she grinned. "Oh, Echi! Yup! That's who I am!"

Suzuno sighed of relief; she didn't have to worry about any strangers. 'Although . . . I'm already starting to get the feeling that she's not an average mother.'

"And what 'bout you?" Amefuri's mother asked, turning her body so that her elbow slammed onto the table. Her posture reminded the Priestess of about Lanva always sat at the table wherever they ate; it was very strong, almost manly. "You a customer? Are you looking for Echi? My baby boy is always getting such pretty girls . . . I wish he'd share them with me sometimes, you know what I mean?"

Once again Suzuno was reminded of a man with the way she laughed so loud at her own awkward joke, then she took another drink again. Suzuno averted her eyes, stepping back towards the door again though not exactly meaning to get out. 'She . . . she really is strange!'

"N-No, that's not what I am," Suzuno assured, trying to smile yet for some reason having a hard time. This person was too bizarre for her to act normally around, but she did want to try her best. After all, it was Amefuri's mother. "I'm a friend of Amefuri's . . . Suzuno. Suzuno Oosugi."

"That's right, that's who you are!" The woman said, slamming her drink bottle onto the table and making Suzuno jump. There was another long pause where she didn't move, then she slumped against the table as if she were sleeping on it. With her face pressed against the flat surface, she could barely understand what she was saying. "Yup, that's it . . . Oosugi . . . Suzuno . . ."

Suzuno nodded. "Umm . . . yes."

"Ah, now I remember!" Amefuri's mother stood up, placing her drink on the table and half-stumbling towards the Priestess. Suzuno wasn't exactly sure what to do; should she just stand there, or should she move? She wasn't exactly sure what the older of the two wanted.

But there was no need to worry. The only thing she did was hold out her hand before her, giving a friendly smile. She looked like she had completely gotten over being drunk. "You're the Priestess my baby boy told me about. It's nice to meet you. Call me Higashi."

X x x x x x

Okay . . . so I missed a week altogether! T.T I'm so sorry everyone . . . This is why I'm updating this one before Thursday! I'm home from school now, skipping. XD Wednesday is the last day of school though! Tommorow! –Does the happy dance- I have to go, but It'll be fun. XD

And now we've learned the name of Ame-chan's Mom! Higashi. XD I just sort of made it up on the spot, like most of the other names in this story. I like it though! She's so weird, isn't she:D

And Amefuri x Suzuno moment! His feelings are going to stand out much more as the story goes on from here on out, so watch out! As for Tatara? Well, we'll see with him:D

Kaeru Soyokaze- Ack! XD I never thought of it like that. Chiriko does look 13 though, doesn't he? Noooo . . . he looks like he's 10! –Hugs- I luv Chiriko. He was so cute!

Aiji Akagami- Oh, thank you so much! –hugs- Hahaa, I'm a huge Nakago fan. XD He's so devilish and sexay! I totally agree with you about the sexay evil guys. And yes:D Reikoku is the same guy as I Midoru. It hasn't been directly said yet, but it's not a spoiler either. It will also be said within the next couple chapters or so during a certain encounter. XD

Yes! Sousui won't come for a long, long time, but he is somewhat like Hotohori now that I think about it. He might be a little different, but he's the most mature of all the Royal characters. XD Amai is going to be a fun character when he fully comes into play later- he's not exactly like Lanva, but I can see where'd you get the impression from:D Still, he has a few things that set him and Lanva apart, which will be fun. XD

Another Amefuri fan! –dances- He seems to be everyone's favorite character, so it's sad that he'll lose the first love he's ever had to Tatara. Everyone wants more Tatara x Suzuno fluff! I'm going much Suzuno than Watase Yuu goes. XD I didn't think I could do it, but I am! Yeay!

Hotohori Fan- Hee, I'm glad you like Toroki:D I adore him. XD Oh, Amefuri takes care of his mother very much, so of course he's not gonna just leave her like that. :P Even though they're mother and son they've been in a physical relationship before (Not anymore), but they've never been a couple. They've always seen each other as mother and son, and they're very close:D There's still so much to Amefuri's past that hasn't been told, including a big secret that people have been wondering since the beginning that will be revealed in this arc of the story. XD I'm excited to release it!

Queen of the Paperclips- :D Yes! If you're thinking of whether Ame-chan and his mom been 'intimate' or not, they have, but it was because of a mistake in the past. They're really not like that- they purely see each other as mother and son. They're just very close!

Good gosh, I've got to wonder what Toroki's secret is. Then again, what's the secret to Anime characters and their cuteness/sexayness all together? It's a mystery! XD lol!

Suzuno Oosugi- That's okay! –hugs- Wow, seven or eight? XD I my mind he looks about eight to ten, so it's not that far off! But he is older, and even though he's like a little kid he does have wisdom like an older kid too. :D I want to show more of that in the future especially! But his cuteness is really fun too. XD

Anon- Ack! XD lol! I just turned 16 recently, so he even used to be my age! I'm about Ame-chan's age right now. –Does the Amefuri dance- :D