Disclaimer: I don't own FY or any of its characters.
Chapter 4
HENTAI!!
"Chichiri. I really appreciate you saving me from a death by Yui's hands, but...you're kinda crushing me!" Miaka gasped from underneath the monk.
"Gomen nasai, noda!!" Chichiri apologized, attempting to untangle himself from his kesa. Damn thing had wound its way around his legs, tripping him up. "Damn it!" The mage muttered to himself.
"Oh my god! Chichiri! Did I just hear you SWEAR!?" Miaka giggled, still gasping for breath.
"Hai...noda." Chichiri said glumly, finally kicking free of his kesa and rolling off his miko.
He looked around, wondering if he had brought them to the right place. They appeared to be in a tiny room. Light edged the outline of a doorway in front of him. Quickly looping the kesa around himself again, the monk reached down to help his miko to her feet. He caught her as she stumbled a little, crashing softly into him. "Arigatou, Chiri." Miaka murmured, regaining her feet.
"No problem, noda." Chichiri said, his mask smiling indifferently as it always did, but behind it was a true smile. As well as a blush.
"Looks like we're in a closet of some sort. Where exactly did you bring us?" Miaka asked curiously, shifting restlessly.
"I think I brought us to a bar me and Tasuki were planning to check out, noda." Chichiri said, rubbing the back of his head. "But, I don't know this world very well and we could very well be anywhere, noda. Only one way to find out, noda!" Running his hand over the door, the mage located the handle and threw open the door. Only to slam it shut again, backing away from the door as if it were cursed.
"What is it Chiri?" Miaka asked.
"Th-there was a woman....noda!!" Chichiri stammered, pointing at the door. Two pink patches appeared on the mask.
"Yeah. So? Lemme see where we are." Miaka said, regarding the monk strangely. What was so scary about a woman?
Shrugging to herself, the miko moved around the monk and opened the door of the closet. She stared in horror as she saw several topless woman skating around what looked to be a bar indeed, trays balanced in their hands as they rushed by to serve customers. They were in a coat closet she noted absently, her attention momentarily drawn to the right, where loud cheering was heard. A large stage was set in the back of the bar. Three poles were situated at the end of three short walkways leading from the main stage area. And there, on the center pole...Miaka gasped and smacked a hand over her mouth, eyes going as large as saucers. A lady was pole-dancing and stripping!!
Mimicking Chichiri's earlier movements, the priestess backed away and shut the door. Whirling around she confronted her seishi. "Chichiri!! YOU HENTAI!!"
"Nani!?" The bewildered monk demanded. He was definately NOT a pervert!
"Why in Suzaku's name did you bring us to a strip club?!"
"Tasuki told me it was a bar, noda!"
"Did you think to inquire as to what KIND of bar!?"
"Uh...iie...noda."
"I thought you were a monk too! When did you turn into such a hentai?!" Miaka shrieked, still unable to believe Chichiri, of all people, had brought them to a place like this.
"I'm not a hentai, noda!!"
"So. These are the kind of women you like then, huh?"
"NANI!? I-I took a vow of chastity!" Chichiri protested.
"Suuuuuuure you did!"
"I did!! Well...maybe not a formal one...or even an informal one...noda."
Miaka gasped. "So you are a hentai then!"
"NO!! I'm not, noda!"
"Whatever. What you do in your spare time is your own business. Can you just teleport us back?" Miaka asked.
The monk gulped, looking down. "I...uhh...kinda used most of my power in helping Taiist-kun get us here, noda. I'm afraid I don't have enough power left at the moment to teleport us again, noda. Guess we'll just have to walk back, noda."
"This is soooo embarrasing. I'm never gonna live this down if someone I know sees me." Miaka moaned, pressing one palm to her forehead.
"Um...Miaka?"
"Hai?"
"I'm really not a hentai, noda. I honestly didn't know what this place was, noda." Chichiri tried to explain plaintively.
Biting the tip of one nail for a moment, Miaka stalked up to the monk, who drew back in alarm. Reaching up, she slowly peeled the mask off his face and looked him right in the eye. Only from Miaka would the monk ever allow anyone take off his mask. A few seconds later, she nodded and handed the paper mask back to him. "Alright, Chiri. I believe you. Well, guess we can't stay here forever!"
Though I'd like to. The monk thought to himself gloomily. He wasn't looking forward to walking back out there. And he was enjoying being here with his miko, even if she had called him a hentai. "Hai, noda."
"Come on. Let's just pray no one sees us." Miaka said, pushing open the door and striding out, Chichiri close behind her.
The got maybe within twenty feet of the door before one of the waitresses spotted them. "Hello there sir! My name is Momo. I'll be your server tonight, unless of course you'd rather have one of the other waitresses wait on you." The strawberry-haired waitress said cheerfully, latching onto the monk's arm and hugging it to her chest, offering him a flirtatious wink.
"Daaaa!? No...that's okay...daaa...I was just..." The monk stammered, unable to think straight at the moment. He instantly turned desperate and pleading eyes to his miko for help, but yelped when he saw she was being shoved towards the stage by another waitress. "Miaka!"
"Miaka? Hmmm, she must be new here. I don't remember any of the girls named that. But I'll find her for you. For now, let me get you seated and I'll take your order." Momo said, still smiling cheerfully. Abandoning his arm in favor of latching herself firmly around his waist, she started leading the stammering monk to any empty table.
"Oooo! You got a real looker there Momo. How do you get all the luck? Perhaps he'd like two waitresses instead of one." A black-haired girl said seductively, skating up behind the monk and draping her arms over his shoulders to toy with the buttons on his shirt. "My name is Kisa."
"Nope! This one's mine Kisa. Besides, I think that cute guy at table three is motioning for you." Momo pointed to the table while Chichiri stared at the table he had been led to, blushing a vibrant shade of red and decidedly ignoring just what was pressed against his back at the moment.
"Oh fine. Hope to see you around more often sexy. I'll be looking for you." Kisa smiled, slowly removing herself from the monk.
"Now then, tell me what I can get ya." Momo said, never losing her cheerfulness.
"Iie! Please, miss...I'm a monk, noda!" He said desperately.
"Oh really? What would a monk be doing here?"
"Uh...daaaa."
"Thought so. You can't fool me with the 'I'm a monk' routine. Now sit!" Momo said, pushing Chichiri into a seat. "Now what would you like to drink?" She asked, pulling a pen and notepad out of her short pockets and bending over him, giving the monk an eyeful.
"Nothing! I must go, noda." Chichiri said frantically, looking away quickly and scanning the crowd near the stage.
"What's your hurry cutie?" Momo asked, pouting.
The monk denigned to answer her, instead walking away from her and into a more crowded area. A flash of auburn hair caught the corner of his eye and had him dashing over that way. Only to find another topless waitress with the exact same color hair as Miaka. Burning a bright red under his mask, the monk pointedly looked at the ceiling and tried to concentrate on locating Miaka's ki. But was interrupted when a group of men next to him started whistling and catcalling. Unable to help himself, Chichiri glanced at their object of attention, then did a double-take. His mouth dropped open in awe.
Miaka stood on the stage, blushing a bright blood-red. She had been placed in a black, leather mini-skirt that barely even reached past her hips and sparkled with rhinestones. She wore a black tube-top that concealed next-to- nothing, and black, 7-inch heels. Fishnets trailed up to her mid-thigh. Eyeliner and mascara accentuated the vibrant emerald color of her eyes and red lipstick brought her lips out in sharp detail. Silver eyeshadow glimmered whenever she blinked. She let out a sharp yelp as one of the guys surrounding the walkway shoved several coins into one of the pockets of her skirt, while another tossed a couple down her shirt. Backing away, she stumbled over her heels slightly, forcing herself to throw herself forward to regain her balance. This, however, gave everyone watching a clear view of her cleavage. Several lewd comments were tossed her way. A fierce, possesive growl rumbled from Chichiri's throat and his vision tinted crimson. He had lifted one hand in front of him and begun chanting, when Miaka's enchanting green eyes found and locked onto his, stilling him in a moment.
"Chichiri!!" She threw herself at the monk, somehow leaping off the stage in her heels and falling into the monk's waiting arms. "Get me out of here! Those horrid women thought I worked here and wouldn't listen to me when I told them I didn't!" She sniffled, absolutely embarrased and mortified. "I just want to go home! Oh no! My clothes! I can't go outside in this!" The miko stared miserably down at her attire.
Taking off his kesa, Chichiri wrapped it around his miko protectively, then started to chant softly. The people next to them were pushed back roughly as a glowing red sphere encased the two. Calmly striding forward, the mage led his miko through the people with one arm around her, the sphere clearing a path for them. Soon enough, people were leaping away from the two, some staring in amazement, others in fear. The seishi took it all in stride and led Miaka outside, pulling her into a darkish alley next to the strip club. Releasing the spell, the monk stepped back from his priestess.
"Gomen Miaka. Please forgive me, noda." Chichiri asked miserably. "I shouldn't have let you get into that kind of situation."
"Why are you apologizing? It wasn't your fault. Thank you for saving me Chiri!" Miaka said gratefully, grabbing the monk into a fierce hug and kissing him on the cheek. "I don't wanna know what might have happened to me if you hadn't gotten me out of there. So don't you apologize for anything. Understand?"
"Hai, Miaka." Chichiri said, smiling at her. One hand left her waist and raised to touch his cheek, remembering the sensation of her lips on his skin. "We should get back before the other two begin to worry about us, noda."
"Aa. But...um Chiri?"
"Yes?"
"Do I...Do I look like a whore like this?" She asked, opening the kesa.
The monk's eyes went wide as saucers and he abruptly got a bloody nose. Thank Suzaku for my mask! The mage thought to himself as he quickly averted his eyes, turning around. "Miaka. I think you better pull your shirt up, noda." He said, resisting the urge to glance at Miaka. I am not some uncontrolled, hormone-driven teenager! I am NOT a hentai! However, an image of Miaka popped into his mind, almost causing him to groan in frustration as a wave of desire turned his blood to fire.
"Hentai." Miaka muttered.
"DA!? I didn't look!"
"Then how could you have known for me to pull my shirt up!?"
"Alright, maybe for a second. But you told me to, noda!"
Miaka glared and grumbled to herself. "You can look now."
Cautiously, the monk turned around, relieved to see Miaka wrapping his kesa around herself. He frowned slightly, realizing what his miko had meant. She had barely any clothes at the moment, and while the kesa helped, it still didn't cover her decently enough. "I think I can retreive your clothes, noda. I might have just enough power left to summon them here, noda." Chichiri mused, tapping a forefinger to his lips thoughtfully.
"Oh, no. You don't have to do that! We're only a couple blocks from where I live. I don't mind walking there in...this!" She spat in disgust at the slutty outfit. "Just so long as we keep to the back alleys that is. I'd really rather not be seen in this."
"Hai, noda. Lead the way Priestess, noda." Chichiri said, motioning for her to do just that.
The miko glanced down the alley, grinning in relief when she recongized it. She knew how to take a back way to her apartment from here that would keep her off the main streets and busy areas that surrounded her complex. Pulling the kesa tighter around herself, for warmth and to cover herself with, she walked down the alley to where it connected with one of the many, little-used, back roads in this area of Tokyo. Miaka shivered unconciously, remembering too that these roads were where many crimes happened. Almost daily there would be a story in the news bout another murder, rape, or theft reported in this area.
She shoved the thought of criminals from her mind when she felt Chichiri's presence behind her. She smiled, knowing the monk would never let anyone or anything hurt her. But still, the thought of a serial rapist that might be hiding out here caused her to shudder in disgust and a little fear. A warm hand on her shoulder caused her to glance back and up into Chichiri's worried face. She smiled to reassure him and gripped his hand in her own, pulling him along.
"Hmmm. I think we need to take a right here. Or is it the next one down?" Miaka mused aloud to herself. "How many turns have we taken so far, Chiri? I lost track." She grinned sheepishly.
"I think we've taken two lefts and one right, noda."
"Oh good! Then we're here. Now let's hope the spare key I hid out here is still where it should be. Otherwise we're gonna be locked outside. My key is in my purse, which is in my bedroom." Miaka said, more to herself than to her blue-haired companion.
"Well lookie what we got here. A prostitute and her customer." Came a smooth-as-silk voice from another alley behind them.
Shoving Miaka behind him, Chichiri whirled around, staff appearing in hand. One hand looped under his prayer beads, holding them out before him as his other hand held his staff at the ready. His symbol flared to life, Suzaku's power flooding him and giving him the strength he'd need to cast several spells. The monk, preferring not to fight, slowly stepped back, listening as Miaka kept pace with him. Several figures emerged from the shadows of the alley, all carried some form of weapong on them. Three held swords, another tossed a throwing dagger into the air repeatedly and catching it. A woman stood with a chakra held in each fist. A black-haired man who looked to be the leader, carried a katana and a gun. In the shadows, the monk sensed the ki of at least four more.
"Well well. He has a stick. Hand over all your money and the woman and we just might let you go free." The black-haired man said, his eyes scanning over Miaka. Several of the gang leader's men were also checking her out.
A stiffled shriek from Miaka caused the monk to glance back. Three of the hidden gangsters had circled behind them, effectively surrounding the two. Pulling Miaka with him, the monk backed towards one of the brick buildings. Now they couldn't circle behind him, but it also dramatically cut their chances of making a break for it. So be it. He would teach these idiots what his 'stick' could do. Stepping forward a ways to be sure he didn't accidently hit his miko, the monk started rotating his staff around his body in a figure-eight pattern, chanting.
"What the fuck! What the hell is he doing?" One of the gangsters asked.
"I don't know, but it seems he is refusing to do what we tell him. Guess we'll just have to do this the hard way then, huh boys?" The leader said smugly, pulling out sword and signalling to his men.
"Once again, he forgets the woman." The chakra lady said to another woman who had joined her. This one held a pair of nunchuks.
"What did you expect?"
"Hai. Let's go have some fun!" The chakra lady said, as her and her friend joined the ranks of those closing in one the monk.
Snapping his eye open, the monk finished his spell, spitting out the last words. Whipping the staff around and down, the monk focused it on the largest group of gangsters. Streams of red light pierced several of those who intended them harm, sending them flying back to crash against the opposite wall of the alley. Two cracked their heads on the walls, knocked- out instantly. Another felt something snap, heard it actually, then felt another two snaps follow it.. He tried to breathe, only to find it caused immense pain. Three ribs had been broken.
"Holy shit! What the hell was that!?" One of the punks asked.
"I don't know! Jump him before he can do it again!" The leader shouted.
Unable to get another spell off, the monk began this rotations around his body again, this time in a defensive manner. He waited for the first to attack, spinning around and ducking low under the sword slashing horizontally at his throat. Falling to one knee, the monk focused his ki and lashed out with the shakujo, catching the man in his stomach. Rising swiftly, he brought the staff upwards sharply, catching the man under the chin and laying him out. A red glow encompassed the monk as he twirled and spun around his opponents, knocking them out with an efficiency that would have left even Tamahome speachless. The glow slowly died down till it only emanated from his staff, leaving only a residual glow on his body.
Flipping over one charging man, Chichiri struck out with his foot, striking him soundly at the base of his neck, hitting the pressure point found there. Never slowing, the mage dropped to a crouch, using his momentum to spin himself around in a full circle. A chakra passed over him harmlessly. Springing back up, the monk grapped either end of his shakujo and slammed it into the surprised woman's throat. A gurgling cry sounded from her as she dropped her weapons and backed up, one hand clutching at her throat as she fought for breath.
Summoning hidden reserves of energy, crimson lightning forked out of the staff again, cutting a jagged path from the mage to several opponents. A dagger flew in, clipping the monk on the shoulder, tearing a bright line across it. Chichiri hissed in surprised pain. Without thinking, he swung to face the dagger-throwing gang member and threw out his hand. A blast of ki sprang forth, hitting squarely into the stunned man's chest, sending him flying back as well. Straightening slowly, the monk wearily faced his last remaining opponent, dropping into a defensive posture. The leader of the gang glanced around and smiled. Bowing in defeat, he gracefully turned on one heel and strode away. He knew when he had been beaten.
Blinking, the monk watched him go, then collapsed to his knees, shakujo clattering to the earth from numb fingers. Fatigue washed over him and he trembled with cold. This is what I get for stepping over my limits I suppose. But it was worth it. His eyes opened tiredly as he was pulled into a gentle, yet strong hug. From a distance he could hear his miko's voice. He concentrated, trying to fight down his fatigue and hear.
"Chichiri! What's wrong? Oh gods! You're bleeding! And cold as ice!"
She's worried about me. The monk thought to himself. "I'll be fine, noda. Just...tired." He spoke slowly, those two short sentences taking a toll on his energy. "Need to rest..." His eyes drifted shut again. He grimaced at the thought of standing up. We're still not safe though. And I must protect Miaka.
Miaka draped the kesa over the shivering seishi. She pulled one of his arms over her shoulders and wrapped an arm around his waist, gently pulling him to his feet. "I promise, you can sleep for a month just as soon as we get inside." The priestess said, casting a frightened look at one of the gangster who had begun to regain consciousness. Who knew what they would do to them if they recovered now? She grabbed the fallen staff and started walking towards her complex.
The monk leaned heavily on her, barely staying coherent. His focus slid in and out hazardously. He blinked slowly, opening his eyes to find they were inside the building. When did that happen? He asked himself amused. He fought the urge to giggle hysterically with fatigue, insteading attempting to get a clear picture of their surroundings. He groaned softly when he saw the stairs. Why stairs? Why must there be stairs? To his surprise, Miaka slowly lowered him to the ground against the wall.
"I'll be right back, okay Chiri? I'm gonna go get Tasuki!" She waited till she saw him nod slightly, then raced up the stairs, taking them two and three at a time. Who gave a damn if it wasn't lady-like. She sure as hell didn't.
Yanking her house key from her pocket, where she always put it every morning, she ran to her door, jamming the key roughly into the key hole and unlocking the door. Throwing open the door, she began calling for Yui and Tasuki, finding the two in the livingroom. They looked at her in shock and interest as they took in her atire, Tasuki getting a bloody nose due to the fact that Miaka's shirt had slipped down once again.
"Miaka!? Why in Seirryu's name are you dress like THAT!? And where's Chichiri?" Yui asked, glancing at Tasuki and instantly whacking him on the side of the head with a pillow. "You hentai!"
"Tasuki! You gotta help me get Chichiri up here! I can't drag him all the way up here by myself!"
Tasuki leaped to his feet instantly at the mention of his friend's name. "Where?" He asked simply, already moving towards the door.
"At the bottom of the stairs." Miaka said, following the bandit.
Yui, lost in all this, rose and jogged after them, not wanting to be left behind. The trio sprinted down the stairs as quickly as they could, Tasuki using his Suzaku-granted powers to pratically fly down them. They found the monk exactly where Miaka had left him. The cerulean-haired seishi opened his eyes lazily at their approach, offering a small smile before his eyes closed once more.
"Oi! 'Chiri!? Wha' happened t'ya!?" The bandit demanded, roughly shaking the monk by his shoulders.
Chichiri winced as a sharp pain lanced through one of his shoulders. "Stop...Tasuki-kun. Hurts." He mumbled.
The bandit pulled back from the monk, staring in mute shock at the blood that was smeared over one hand. "Dammit, 'Chiri! What th' hell happened t'ya?"
"Went past...my limits." Chichiri said, his words slurring together.
Tasuki cursed to himself. Dammit! He knows better'n t'do that! Kuso! I gotta git 'im t'Miaka's apartment. Yui and Miaka finally caught up to him and he bit his lip with one fang. "Hey, Mi-chan. Git on one side of him."
Nodding, the miko slung the monk's arm over her should again and wrapped her arm around his waist while Tasuki mimicked her on his other side. "Yui, can you go ahead of us and open the door. And take his staff too please." Miaka said, motioning with her free hand to the shakujo.
Yui nodded, quickly following Miaka's orders as the miko and the fiery bandit helped the well seishi up the stairs. "Dammit 'Chiri! Ya had t'git hit in th' shoulder, didn' ya? I could've jus' carried ya if ya hadn'." Tasuki grumbled.
"Oh lay off him Tasuki! It wasn't his fault!" Miaka growled, chastising her fifth seishi.
"Ch'! Wimmen!" Tasuki muttered. Next to him, Chichiri grinned as his miko scolded the bandit for complaining about him.
Miaka glared at him silently the rest of the walk up the stairs, unnerving the bandit leader slightly. Not that he'd ever admit it though. Yui was waiting for them at the doorway, holding the door open for the three and softly closing it behind them. "Let's put him in my room." Miaka said. She guided Chichiri and Tasuki to her room, where the bandit and her layed the by-then-unconscious monk on her bed.
"What kinda bed is this?" Tasuki asked, staring at the plush, queen-sized bed.
"Hmm? OH, that's right! You only have futons in your world. This is a...hmmm...I guess it would be called a western-style bed. Its really comfortable." Miaka said, pulling the blankets over the well seishi. She cast one last worried look at him before moving to leave.
"Has this ever happened before?" Miaka asked softly, turning out the lights and shutting the door behind her and Tasuki as they left the room.
"Yeah, once b'fore. Not as bad as this though. Me an' him got waylaid one night when we we're travelin' aroun'. Couple dozen of 'em jumped me n'Chiri. Damn monk used all his power an' ki knockin' 'em out. I didn' even git one hit in b'fore it was o'er. He collapsed an' said he needed t'rest. But it wasn' nearly as bad as he is now. He'll probably be like that till mornin'. Don' worry though, he'll be fine." Tasuki said, watching Miaka glance anxiously back at the door to her room.
"Thank Suzaku. He had me worried." She breathed, smiling in relief.
"Uh, Mi-chan?"
"Yeah?"
"I think y'should go git changed. Or at least pull up that thin' aroun' yer chest." Tasuki commented, tugging lightly on the tube top.
Blushing in embarrasment, she whirled on her seishi, slapping him. "YOU HENTAI!!"
"WHA' TH' HELL WAS THAT FOR!?" Tasuki demanded, rubbing the bright red spot on his face.
"You're a pervert and you were staring at me!! That's reason enough to slap you!" Miaka shot right back. "I swear, you and Chichiri both have become such hentais since I last saw you two." She muttered under her breath.
"Oh yeah! He took you to a...a...Strip club, didn't he!?" Tasuki teased gleefully.
Burning a bright red, she opened her mouth to answer. Thoughts of being on the stage though refused any words to come out. Clearing her throat, she turned a 180 and started walking back to her room. "I need to get some clothes." She said as a way of explaining.
Baffled, Tasuki stood silently still, then smirked. "A miko an' a monk. Who would've thought."
"Wow. You're not as dense as you appear." Yui commented behind him.
"Wahhh! Don' sneak up on a guy like that!" Tasuki yelled. "An' what'ya mean by that."
"The fact that you noticed what I noticed the second I saw you, Chichiri, and Miaka together." The former miko stated.
"An' what's that?"
"I retract my earlier statement. You are dense."
"Jus' tell me dammit!"
"The fact that Chichiri is in love with Miaka. And I think Miaka just may like him." Yui said in an off-hand kind of way.
"Nani!? Ya mean, 'Chiri might have a chance with her?" Tasuki asked incredulously. He had noticed Chichiri's feelings sure, but he hadn't noticed anything about Miaka that hinted she might like the monk.
"Mm-hmm. I'm Miaka's best friend and I know how to read her like a book. And I'm happy for her too. I haven't seen her this happy since...since Taka died." Yui said, sorrow edging her words.
"Poor, Mi-chan. They both fought so hard t'stay t'gether, an' then t'be riped apart like that."
"Yes, it was hard on her. That's why I'm glad you two have come. Already, in the few hours you two have been here, she's shown more life than ever before. I believe seeing you two again was the perfect thing. Anyway, enough of this gloomy stuff. I still have to show you how to play Russian Rummy Roulette. Come on. I wanna see if you're as fast at playing this game as you are at running." Yui said, hooking a finger through one of the bandit's necklaces and leading him to the livingroom.
"Dammit woman! I kin walk on m'own y'know!" Tasuki growled, casting a final glance down the hallway before letting himself be led back to the livingroom. Who would've thought he and an enemy priestess could get along so well?
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AN: I finally finished this chapter. Took me awhile too! But I really like it and I hope y'all do to. Anywho, I'd like to thank everyone who has reviewed. Also, if any of y'all have requests for a fanfic you want written, just ask me and I'll write it. I've been going through this uber writing phase and I'm working on a couple other different fanfics. I should have some posted here on fanfiction.net pretty soon. I hope y'all will read them and review them to. Anywho, I dunno if I asked this already, but what's everyone's opinion on chichiri/miaka fanfics? And how am I doing on keeping all the characters in character? I'm really trying to keep them in character with a minimum amount of OOC, but some will happen. I guess I'll shut up now and get writing on chapter 5. I'm hoping, but not promising, to make the next chapter a lime. But don't hold me to it! Anywho, I'm gonna go now and start writing chapter 5. Ciao! Luv you bunches! ~L.G. Lena
Chapter 4
HENTAI!!
"Chichiri. I really appreciate you saving me from a death by Yui's hands, but...you're kinda crushing me!" Miaka gasped from underneath the monk.
"Gomen nasai, noda!!" Chichiri apologized, attempting to untangle himself from his kesa. Damn thing had wound its way around his legs, tripping him up. "Damn it!" The mage muttered to himself.
"Oh my god! Chichiri! Did I just hear you SWEAR!?" Miaka giggled, still gasping for breath.
"Hai...noda." Chichiri said glumly, finally kicking free of his kesa and rolling off his miko.
He looked around, wondering if he had brought them to the right place. They appeared to be in a tiny room. Light edged the outline of a doorway in front of him. Quickly looping the kesa around himself again, the monk reached down to help his miko to her feet. He caught her as she stumbled a little, crashing softly into him. "Arigatou, Chiri." Miaka murmured, regaining her feet.
"No problem, noda." Chichiri said, his mask smiling indifferently as it always did, but behind it was a true smile. As well as a blush.
"Looks like we're in a closet of some sort. Where exactly did you bring us?" Miaka asked curiously, shifting restlessly.
"I think I brought us to a bar me and Tasuki were planning to check out, noda." Chichiri said, rubbing the back of his head. "But, I don't know this world very well and we could very well be anywhere, noda. Only one way to find out, noda!" Running his hand over the door, the mage located the handle and threw open the door. Only to slam it shut again, backing away from the door as if it were cursed.
"What is it Chiri?" Miaka asked.
"Th-there was a woman....noda!!" Chichiri stammered, pointing at the door. Two pink patches appeared on the mask.
"Yeah. So? Lemme see where we are." Miaka said, regarding the monk strangely. What was so scary about a woman?
Shrugging to herself, the miko moved around the monk and opened the door of the closet. She stared in horror as she saw several topless woman skating around what looked to be a bar indeed, trays balanced in their hands as they rushed by to serve customers. They were in a coat closet she noted absently, her attention momentarily drawn to the right, where loud cheering was heard. A large stage was set in the back of the bar. Three poles were situated at the end of three short walkways leading from the main stage area. And there, on the center pole...Miaka gasped and smacked a hand over her mouth, eyes going as large as saucers. A lady was pole-dancing and stripping!!
Mimicking Chichiri's earlier movements, the priestess backed away and shut the door. Whirling around she confronted her seishi. "Chichiri!! YOU HENTAI!!"
"Nani!?" The bewildered monk demanded. He was definately NOT a pervert!
"Why in Suzaku's name did you bring us to a strip club?!"
"Tasuki told me it was a bar, noda!"
"Did you think to inquire as to what KIND of bar!?"
"Uh...iie...noda."
"I thought you were a monk too! When did you turn into such a hentai?!" Miaka shrieked, still unable to believe Chichiri, of all people, had brought them to a place like this.
"I'm not a hentai, noda!!"
"So. These are the kind of women you like then, huh?"
"NANI!? I-I took a vow of chastity!" Chichiri protested.
"Suuuuuuure you did!"
"I did!! Well...maybe not a formal one...or even an informal one...noda."
Miaka gasped. "So you are a hentai then!"
"NO!! I'm not, noda!"
"Whatever. What you do in your spare time is your own business. Can you just teleport us back?" Miaka asked.
The monk gulped, looking down. "I...uhh...kinda used most of my power in helping Taiist-kun get us here, noda. I'm afraid I don't have enough power left at the moment to teleport us again, noda. Guess we'll just have to walk back, noda."
"This is soooo embarrasing. I'm never gonna live this down if someone I know sees me." Miaka moaned, pressing one palm to her forehead.
"Um...Miaka?"
"Hai?"
"I'm really not a hentai, noda. I honestly didn't know what this place was, noda." Chichiri tried to explain plaintively.
Biting the tip of one nail for a moment, Miaka stalked up to the monk, who drew back in alarm. Reaching up, she slowly peeled the mask off his face and looked him right in the eye. Only from Miaka would the monk ever allow anyone take off his mask. A few seconds later, she nodded and handed the paper mask back to him. "Alright, Chiri. I believe you. Well, guess we can't stay here forever!"
Though I'd like to. The monk thought to himself gloomily. He wasn't looking forward to walking back out there. And he was enjoying being here with his miko, even if she had called him a hentai. "Hai, noda."
"Come on. Let's just pray no one sees us." Miaka said, pushing open the door and striding out, Chichiri close behind her.
The got maybe within twenty feet of the door before one of the waitresses spotted them. "Hello there sir! My name is Momo. I'll be your server tonight, unless of course you'd rather have one of the other waitresses wait on you." The strawberry-haired waitress said cheerfully, latching onto the monk's arm and hugging it to her chest, offering him a flirtatious wink.
"Daaaa!? No...that's okay...daaa...I was just..." The monk stammered, unable to think straight at the moment. He instantly turned desperate and pleading eyes to his miko for help, but yelped when he saw she was being shoved towards the stage by another waitress. "Miaka!"
"Miaka? Hmmm, she must be new here. I don't remember any of the girls named that. But I'll find her for you. For now, let me get you seated and I'll take your order." Momo said, still smiling cheerfully. Abandoning his arm in favor of latching herself firmly around his waist, she started leading the stammering monk to any empty table.
"Oooo! You got a real looker there Momo. How do you get all the luck? Perhaps he'd like two waitresses instead of one." A black-haired girl said seductively, skating up behind the monk and draping her arms over his shoulders to toy with the buttons on his shirt. "My name is Kisa."
"Nope! This one's mine Kisa. Besides, I think that cute guy at table three is motioning for you." Momo pointed to the table while Chichiri stared at the table he had been led to, blushing a vibrant shade of red and decidedly ignoring just what was pressed against his back at the moment.
"Oh fine. Hope to see you around more often sexy. I'll be looking for you." Kisa smiled, slowly removing herself from the monk.
"Now then, tell me what I can get ya." Momo said, never losing her cheerfulness.
"Iie! Please, miss...I'm a monk, noda!" He said desperately.
"Oh really? What would a monk be doing here?"
"Uh...daaaa."
"Thought so. You can't fool me with the 'I'm a monk' routine. Now sit!" Momo said, pushing Chichiri into a seat. "Now what would you like to drink?" She asked, pulling a pen and notepad out of her short pockets and bending over him, giving the monk an eyeful.
"Nothing! I must go, noda." Chichiri said frantically, looking away quickly and scanning the crowd near the stage.
"What's your hurry cutie?" Momo asked, pouting.
The monk denigned to answer her, instead walking away from her and into a more crowded area. A flash of auburn hair caught the corner of his eye and had him dashing over that way. Only to find another topless waitress with the exact same color hair as Miaka. Burning a bright red under his mask, the monk pointedly looked at the ceiling and tried to concentrate on locating Miaka's ki. But was interrupted when a group of men next to him started whistling and catcalling. Unable to help himself, Chichiri glanced at their object of attention, then did a double-take. His mouth dropped open in awe.
Miaka stood on the stage, blushing a bright blood-red. She had been placed in a black, leather mini-skirt that barely even reached past her hips and sparkled with rhinestones. She wore a black tube-top that concealed next-to- nothing, and black, 7-inch heels. Fishnets trailed up to her mid-thigh. Eyeliner and mascara accentuated the vibrant emerald color of her eyes and red lipstick brought her lips out in sharp detail. Silver eyeshadow glimmered whenever she blinked. She let out a sharp yelp as one of the guys surrounding the walkway shoved several coins into one of the pockets of her skirt, while another tossed a couple down her shirt. Backing away, she stumbled over her heels slightly, forcing herself to throw herself forward to regain her balance. This, however, gave everyone watching a clear view of her cleavage. Several lewd comments were tossed her way. A fierce, possesive growl rumbled from Chichiri's throat and his vision tinted crimson. He had lifted one hand in front of him and begun chanting, when Miaka's enchanting green eyes found and locked onto his, stilling him in a moment.
"Chichiri!!" She threw herself at the monk, somehow leaping off the stage in her heels and falling into the monk's waiting arms. "Get me out of here! Those horrid women thought I worked here and wouldn't listen to me when I told them I didn't!" She sniffled, absolutely embarrased and mortified. "I just want to go home! Oh no! My clothes! I can't go outside in this!" The miko stared miserably down at her attire.
Taking off his kesa, Chichiri wrapped it around his miko protectively, then started to chant softly. The people next to them were pushed back roughly as a glowing red sphere encased the two. Calmly striding forward, the mage led his miko through the people with one arm around her, the sphere clearing a path for them. Soon enough, people were leaping away from the two, some staring in amazement, others in fear. The seishi took it all in stride and led Miaka outside, pulling her into a darkish alley next to the strip club. Releasing the spell, the monk stepped back from his priestess.
"Gomen Miaka. Please forgive me, noda." Chichiri asked miserably. "I shouldn't have let you get into that kind of situation."
"Why are you apologizing? It wasn't your fault. Thank you for saving me Chiri!" Miaka said gratefully, grabbing the monk into a fierce hug and kissing him on the cheek. "I don't wanna know what might have happened to me if you hadn't gotten me out of there. So don't you apologize for anything. Understand?"
"Hai, Miaka." Chichiri said, smiling at her. One hand left her waist and raised to touch his cheek, remembering the sensation of her lips on his skin. "We should get back before the other two begin to worry about us, noda."
"Aa. But...um Chiri?"
"Yes?"
"Do I...Do I look like a whore like this?" She asked, opening the kesa.
The monk's eyes went wide as saucers and he abruptly got a bloody nose. Thank Suzaku for my mask! The mage thought to himself as he quickly averted his eyes, turning around. "Miaka. I think you better pull your shirt up, noda." He said, resisting the urge to glance at Miaka. I am not some uncontrolled, hormone-driven teenager! I am NOT a hentai! However, an image of Miaka popped into his mind, almost causing him to groan in frustration as a wave of desire turned his blood to fire.
"Hentai." Miaka muttered.
"DA!? I didn't look!"
"Then how could you have known for me to pull my shirt up!?"
"Alright, maybe for a second. But you told me to, noda!"
Miaka glared and grumbled to herself. "You can look now."
Cautiously, the monk turned around, relieved to see Miaka wrapping his kesa around herself. He frowned slightly, realizing what his miko had meant. She had barely any clothes at the moment, and while the kesa helped, it still didn't cover her decently enough. "I think I can retreive your clothes, noda. I might have just enough power left to summon them here, noda." Chichiri mused, tapping a forefinger to his lips thoughtfully.
"Oh, no. You don't have to do that! We're only a couple blocks from where I live. I don't mind walking there in...this!" She spat in disgust at the slutty outfit. "Just so long as we keep to the back alleys that is. I'd really rather not be seen in this."
"Hai, noda. Lead the way Priestess, noda." Chichiri said, motioning for her to do just that.
The miko glanced down the alley, grinning in relief when she recongized it. She knew how to take a back way to her apartment from here that would keep her off the main streets and busy areas that surrounded her complex. Pulling the kesa tighter around herself, for warmth and to cover herself with, she walked down the alley to where it connected with one of the many, little-used, back roads in this area of Tokyo. Miaka shivered unconciously, remembering too that these roads were where many crimes happened. Almost daily there would be a story in the news bout another murder, rape, or theft reported in this area.
She shoved the thought of criminals from her mind when she felt Chichiri's presence behind her. She smiled, knowing the monk would never let anyone or anything hurt her. But still, the thought of a serial rapist that might be hiding out here caused her to shudder in disgust and a little fear. A warm hand on her shoulder caused her to glance back and up into Chichiri's worried face. She smiled to reassure him and gripped his hand in her own, pulling him along.
"Hmmm. I think we need to take a right here. Or is it the next one down?" Miaka mused aloud to herself. "How many turns have we taken so far, Chiri? I lost track." She grinned sheepishly.
"I think we've taken two lefts and one right, noda."
"Oh good! Then we're here. Now let's hope the spare key I hid out here is still where it should be. Otherwise we're gonna be locked outside. My key is in my purse, which is in my bedroom." Miaka said, more to herself than to her blue-haired companion.
"Well lookie what we got here. A prostitute and her customer." Came a smooth-as-silk voice from another alley behind them.
Shoving Miaka behind him, Chichiri whirled around, staff appearing in hand. One hand looped under his prayer beads, holding them out before him as his other hand held his staff at the ready. His symbol flared to life, Suzaku's power flooding him and giving him the strength he'd need to cast several spells. The monk, preferring not to fight, slowly stepped back, listening as Miaka kept pace with him. Several figures emerged from the shadows of the alley, all carried some form of weapong on them. Three held swords, another tossed a throwing dagger into the air repeatedly and catching it. A woman stood with a chakra held in each fist. A black-haired man who looked to be the leader, carried a katana and a gun. In the shadows, the monk sensed the ki of at least four more.
"Well well. He has a stick. Hand over all your money and the woman and we just might let you go free." The black-haired man said, his eyes scanning over Miaka. Several of the gang leader's men were also checking her out.
A stiffled shriek from Miaka caused the monk to glance back. Three of the hidden gangsters had circled behind them, effectively surrounding the two. Pulling Miaka with him, the monk backed towards one of the brick buildings. Now they couldn't circle behind him, but it also dramatically cut their chances of making a break for it. So be it. He would teach these idiots what his 'stick' could do. Stepping forward a ways to be sure he didn't accidently hit his miko, the monk started rotating his staff around his body in a figure-eight pattern, chanting.
"What the fuck! What the hell is he doing?" One of the gangsters asked.
"I don't know, but it seems he is refusing to do what we tell him. Guess we'll just have to do this the hard way then, huh boys?" The leader said smugly, pulling out sword and signalling to his men.
"Once again, he forgets the woman." The chakra lady said to another woman who had joined her. This one held a pair of nunchuks.
"What did you expect?"
"Hai. Let's go have some fun!" The chakra lady said, as her and her friend joined the ranks of those closing in one the monk.
Snapping his eye open, the monk finished his spell, spitting out the last words. Whipping the staff around and down, the monk focused it on the largest group of gangsters. Streams of red light pierced several of those who intended them harm, sending them flying back to crash against the opposite wall of the alley. Two cracked their heads on the walls, knocked- out instantly. Another felt something snap, heard it actually, then felt another two snaps follow it.. He tried to breathe, only to find it caused immense pain. Three ribs had been broken.
"Holy shit! What the hell was that!?" One of the punks asked.
"I don't know! Jump him before he can do it again!" The leader shouted.
Unable to get another spell off, the monk began this rotations around his body again, this time in a defensive manner. He waited for the first to attack, spinning around and ducking low under the sword slashing horizontally at his throat. Falling to one knee, the monk focused his ki and lashed out with the shakujo, catching the man in his stomach. Rising swiftly, he brought the staff upwards sharply, catching the man under the chin and laying him out. A red glow encompassed the monk as he twirled and spun around his opponents, knocking them out with an efficiency that would have left even Tamahome speachless. The glow slowly died down till it only emanated from his staff, leaving only a residual glow on his body.
Flipping over one charging man, Chichiri struck out with his foot, striking him soundly at the base of his neck, hitting the pressure point found there. Never slowing, the mage dropped to a crouch, using his momentum to spin himself around in a full circle. A chakra passed over him harmlessly. Springing back up, the monk grapped either end of his shakujo and slammed it into the surprised woman's throat. A gurgling cry sounded from her as she dropped her weapons and backed up, one hand clutching at her throat as she fought for breath.
Summoning hidden reserves of energy, crimson lightning forked out of the staff again, cutting a jagged path from the mage to several opponents. A dagger flew in, clipping the monk on the shoulder, tearing a bright line across it. Chichiri hissed in surprised pain. Without thinking, he swung to face the dagger-throwing gang member and threw out his hand. A blast of ki sprang forth, hitting squarely into the stunned man's chest, sending him flying back as well. Straightening slowly, the monk wearily faced his last remaining opponent, dropping into a defensive posture. The leader of the gang glanced around and smiled. Bowing in defeat, he gracefully turned on one heel and strode away. He knew when he had been beaten.
Blinking, the monk watched him go, then collapsed to his knees, shakujo clattering to the earth from numb fingers. Fatigue washed over him and he trembled with cold. This is what I get for stepping over my limits I suppose. But it was worth it. His eyes opened tiredly as he was pulled into a gentle, yet strong hug. From a distance he could hear his miko's voice. He concentrated, trying to fight down his fatigue and hear.
"Chichiri! What's wrong? Oh gods! You're bleeding! And cold as ice!"
She's worried about me. The monk thought to himself. "I'll be fine, noda. Just...tired." He spoke slowly, those two short sentences taking a toll on his energy. "Need to rest..." His eyes drifted shut again. He grimaced at the thought of standing up. We're still not safe though. And I must protect Miaka.
Miaka draped the kesa over the shivering seishi. She pulled one of his arms over her shoulders and wrapped an arm around his waist, gently pulling him to his feet. "I promise, you can sleep for a month just as soon as we get inside." The priestess said, casting a frightened look at one of the gangster who had begun to regain consciousness. Who knew what they would do to them if they recovered now? She grabbed the fallen staff and started walking towards her complex.
The monk leaned heavily on her, barely staying coherent. His focus slid in and out hazardously. He blinked slowly, opening his eyes to find they were inside the building. When did that happen? He asked himself amused. He fought the urge to giggle hysterically with fatigue, insteading attempting to get a clear picture of their surroundings. He groaned softly when he saw the stairs. Why stairs? Why must there be stairs? To his surprise, Miaka slowly lowered him to the ground against the wall.
"I'll be right back, okay Chiri? I'm gonna go get Tasuki!" She waited till she saw him nod slightly, then raced up the stairs, taking them two and three at a time. Who gave a damn if it wasn't lady-like. She sure as hell didn't.
Yanking her house key from her pocket, where she always put it every morning, she ran to her door, jamming the key roughly into the key hole and unlocking the door. Throwing open the door, she began calling for Yui and Tasuki, finding the two in the livingroom. They looked at her in shock and interest as they took in her atire, Tasuki getting a bloody nose due to the fact that Miaka's shirt had slipped down once again.
"Miaka!? Why in Seirryu's name are you dress like THAT!? And where's Chichiri?" Yui asked, glancing at Tasuki and instantly whacking him on the side of the head with a pillow. "You hentai!"
"Tasuki! You gotta help me get Chichiri up here! I can't drag him all the way up here by myself!"
Tasuki leaped to his feet instantly at the mention of his friend's name. "Where?" He asked simply, already moving towards the door.
"At the bottom of the stairs." Miaka said, following the bandit.
Yui, lost in all this, rose and jogged after them, not wanting to be left behind. The trio sprinted down the stairs as quickly as they could, Tasuki using his Suzaku-granted powers to pratically fly down them. They found the monk exactly where Miaka had left him. The cerulean-haired seishi opened his eyes lazily at their approach, offering a small smile before his eyes closed once more.
"Oi! 'Chiri!? Wha' happened t'ya!?" The bandit demanded, roughly shaking the monk by his shoulders.
Chichiri winced as a sharp pain lanced through one of his shoulders. "Stop...Tasuki-kun. Hurts." He mumbled.
The bandit pulled back from the monk, staring in mute shock at the blood that was smeared over one hand. "Dammit, 'Chiri! What th' hell happened t'ya?"
"Went past...my limits." Chichiri said, his words slurring together.
Tasuki cursed to himself. Dammit! He knows better'n t'do that! Kuso! I gotta git 'im t'Miaka's apartment. Yui and Miaka finally caught up to him and he bit his lip with one fang. "Hey, Mi-chan. Git on one side of him."
Nodding, the miko slung the monk's arm over her should again and wrapped her arm around his waist while Tasuki mimicked her on his other side. "Yui, can you go ahead of us and open the door. And take his staff too please." Miaka said, motioning with her free hand to the shakujo.
Yui nodded, quickly following Miaka's orders as the miko and the fiery bandit helped the well seishi up the stairs. "Dammit 'Chiri! Ya had t'git hit in th' shoulder, didn' ya? I could've jus' carried ya if ya hadn'." Tasuki grumbled.
"Oh lay off him Tasuki! It wasn't his fault!" Miaka growled, chastising her fifth seishi.
"Ch'! Wimmen!" Tasuki muttered. Next to him, Chichiri grinned as his miko scolded the bandit for complaining about him.
Miaka glared at him silently the rest of the walk up the stairs, unnerving the bandit leader slightly. Not that he'd ever admit it though. Yui was waiting for them at the doorway, holding the door open for the three and softly closing it behind them. "Let's put him in my room." Miaka said. She guided Chichiri and Tasuki to her room, where the bandit and her layed the by-then-unconscious monk on her bed.
"What kinda bed is this?" Tasuki asked, staring at the plush, queen-sized bed.
"Hmm? OH, that's right! You only have futons in your world. This is a...hmmm...I guess it would be called a western-style bed. Its really comfortable." Miaka said, pulling the blankets over the well seishi. She cast one last worried look at him before moving to leave.
"Has this ever happened before?" Miaka asked softly, turning out the lights and shutting the door behind her and Tasuki as they left the room.
"Yeah, once b'fore. Not as bad as this though. Me an' him got waylaid one night when we we're travelin' aroun'. Couple dozen of 'em jumped me n'Chiri. Damn monk used all his power an' ki knockin' 'em out. I didn' even git one hit in b'fore it was o'er. He collapsed an' said he needed t'rest. But it wasn' nearly as bad as he is now. He'll probably be like that till mornin'. Don' worry though, he'll be fine." Tasuki said, watching Miaka glance anxiously back at the door to her room.
"Thank Suzaku. He had me worried." She breathed, smiling in relief.
"Uh, Mi-chan?"
"Yeah?"
"I think y'should go git changed. Or at least pull up that thin' aroun' yer chest." Tasuki commented, tugging lightly on the tube top.
Blushing in embarrasment, she whirled on her seishi, slapping him. "YOU HENTAI!!"
"WHA' TH' HELL WAS THAT FOR!?" Tasuki demanded, rubbing the bright red spot on his face.
"You're a pervert and you were staring at me!! That's reason enough to slap you!" Miaka shot right back. "I swear, you and Chichiri both have become such hentais since I last saw you two." She muttered under her breath.
"Oh yeah! He took you to a...a...Strip club, didn't he!?" Tasuki teased gleefully.
Burning a bright red, she opened her mouth to answer. Thoughts of being on the stage though refused any words to come out. Clearing her throat, she turned a 180 and started walking back to her room. "I need to get some clothes." She said as a way of explaining.
Baffled, Tasuki stood silently still, then smirked. "A miko an' a monk. Who would've thought."
"Wow. You're not as dense as you appear." Yui commented behind him.
"Wahhh! Don' sneak up on a guy like that!" Tasuki yelled. "An' what'ya mean by that."
"The fact that you noticed what I noticed the second I saw you, Chichiri, and Miaka together." The former miko stated.
"An' what's that?"
"I retract my earlier statement. You are dense."
"Jus' tell me dammit!"
"The fact that Chichiri is in love with Miaka. And I think Miaka just may like him." Yui said in an off-hand kind of way.
"Nani!? Ya mean, 'Chiri might have a chance with her?" Tasuki asked incredulously. He had noticed Chichiri's feelings sure, but he hadn't noticed anything about Miaka that hinted she might like the monk.
"Mm-hmm. I'm Miaka's best friend and I know how to read her like a book. And I'm happy for her too. I haven't seen her this happy since...since Taka died." Yui said, sorrow edging her words.
"Poor, Mi-chan. They both fought so hard t'stay t'gether, an' then t'be riped apart like that."
"Yes, it was hard on her. That's why I'm glad you two have come. Already, in the few hours you two have been here, she's shown more life than ever before. I believe seeing you two again was the perfect thing. Anyway, enough of this gloomy stuff. I still have to show you how to play Russian Rummy Roulette. Come on. I wanna see if you're as fast at playing this game as you are at running." Yui said, hooking a finger through one of the bandit's necklaces and leading him to the livingroom.
"Dammit woman! I kin walk on m'own y'know!" Tasuki growled, casting a final glance down the hallway before letting himself be led back to the livingroom. Who would've thought he and an enemy priestess could get along so well?
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AN: I finally finished this chapter. Took me awhile too! But I really like it and I hope y'all do to. Anywho, I'd like to thank everyone who has reviewed. Also, if any of y'all have requests for a fanfic you want written, just ask me and I'll write it. I've been going through this uber writing phase and I'm working on a couple other different fanfics. I should have some posted here on fanfiction.net pretty soon. I hope y'all will read them and review them to. Anywho, I dunno if I asked this already, but what's everyone's opinion on chichiri/miaka fanfics? And how am I doing on keeping all the characters in character? I'm really trying to keep them in character with a minimum amount of OOC, but some will happen. I guess I'll shut up now and get writing on chapter 5. I'm hoping, but not promising, to make the next chapter a lime. But don't hold me to it! Anywho, I'm gonna go now and start writing chapter 5. Ciao! Luv you bunches! ~L.G. Lena