Althe rubbing her head miserably: ...
Ami: Remember me? I'm that idiot's sister *starts pointing at Althe*
Althe rubbing her head miserably: ...
Modern-Eponine: Remember me? I'm Althe's unfailing half sister!
Althe rubbing her head miserably: ...
Ami: Whew. I thought she'd never stop banging her head
ME: Same. It's like, what? The third week?
Ami: Yep. But she only stopped to finish this chapter
ME: Aki? (Althe's nickname)
Althe rubbing her head miserably: ...what?
ME: Omg! She actually answered me!
Althe rubbing her head miserably: ...so?
Ami: Doesn't matter. Anyways...still hung up on Nuriko?
Tears starts forming around Althe's eyes.
Althe sniffing: Please...Don't remind me
ME: Geez. I thought you liked Eiri Yuki the gay man and all those other creeps you truly desire
Althe sniffing: Yeah, I like them. And Yuki is NOT gay. But...*starts sobbing*
Ami sighing: What now?
Althe: Nuriko...
Ami: Nuriko?
Althe: Nu-Nuriko...dies! *fits of tears start streaming down her cheek*
ME: WHAT?!
Ami dully: Eh? Why?
Althe: Because...because...
11. Enemy Base
:::Cross Hearts::: =Did ya notice? I changed the title of the fic!
*****
Nuriko rubbed his shoulders wearily.
The group had spent three days and three nights searching for Aya. They had no luck with her.
To make matters worse, they were going off course on their main goal. To summon Suzaku.
Nuriko brushed his damp bangs away from his eyes.
Tamahome and the others were sitting near the campfire, thin wool blankets wrapped around their tired and cold bodies. No one talked. They all just looked into the crackling fire, lost in their train of thought.
Nuriko shook he head, as if trying to keep himself awake.
Even under the circumstance that they were all in, he felt bored. He needed to do something to get his mind off the matter, but what?
The purple-haired boy absentmindedly stood up from his spot under the oak tree. He looked around his surroundings without much interest. They were in the middle of a thick forest.
Nuriko knew the group had no direction in these foreign lands. In other words, they were lost. Again.
"I'm going to collect more firewood," he said softly as if to not disturb the dark eerie night.
No one answered him. All that came out of their mouths were a 'Hm.'
Nuriko took that as a sign and headed off to whichever direction he did not know.
Twigs and dried leaves snapped under his feet as he fast walked down the narrow dirt path. Thorns from bushes and sharp branches scratched at his boots and arms, but he didn't care. There were more important things at hand.
The path ended to a clearing. The clouds had moved to reveal the beautiful moon, allowing Nuriko to see his mysterious surroundings.
At the centre of the clearing was a small hot spring surrounded by tall grasses. The grass was dewy and lush from the morning's pouring rain.
The scenery was beautiful.
Nuriko walked towards the spring and sat himself in front of it. He kicked his shoes of and rolled up his pants knee high.
He dipped his feet slowly in the hot water. Nuriko sighed happily as his aching feet seemed to relax in the refreshing water.
The day's walking had tired him some bit, especially since they mostly just walked around in circles.
A soft mist of steam floated around the area. It made the scenery more calm and enjoyable.
Nuriko looked up at the bright moon sadly. He had let Chien take Aya. It may have sounded stupid, but he felt morally wrong. She had been angry with him. It made him feel terrible. Knowing that someone hated you...yet....you couldn't make up with them because you knew you'd never see the person again.
He never knew that feeling before. Until now.
The feeling that you have as if there's a gap in your heart.
Nuriko shook his head furiously. He was thinking too much like a girl.
Heh. And to think he was doing drag just a few months ago.
He kicked and splashed at the water, breaking the cool silence around him.
The clouds shifted and the moon was once again covered. Darkness filled the area.
Nuriko blinked.
He had to head back.
He reluctantly took his feet out of the water and slid them on the grass fruitlessly trying to dry them.
He unrolled his pants and got up, taking his shoes in his right hand and walking bare foot back to the barely visible path.
A noise from behind him caught his attention. It was the rustle of leaves. He turned just in time to see a figure jump up into a tall oak tree.
Nuriko dropped his shoes and his hands formed fists, preparing for an attack of any kind.
"Show yourself!" Nuriko said loudly, looking in all directions.
No reply came but the hiss of the wind.
His hair blew softly, but Nuriko didn't dare brush his bangs away from his eyes. It was a pointless move to make because he couldn't see in the first place.
After a few more minutes of standing, Nuriko lowered his fists ever so slightly.
The chi he had felt earlier was gone.
Nuriko bent down to retrieve his now grass stained shoes. He let out a weary sigh. He was never going to get the stains off.
And with one last look around him, Nuriko walked away.
::::::::::::::::::::::::
Chiriko opened his eyes slowly.
The sun beamed high up in the sky, washing his face with light.
He rubbed his eyes sleepily, looking around at the others who were getting up slowly as well.
Tasuki yawned loudly, not bothering to cover his mouth.
"I think I slept on my arm," he mumbled, rubbing his left arm as if trying to revive it.
"Now wasn't that stupid?" Tamahome said in his usual tone of annoyance.
"Hey, at least I didn't have to wake up with a two ton elephant beside me," Tasuki shot back, emphasising the words, 'two ton elephant'.
Miaka narrowed her eyes at Tasuki. Her look was deadpan.
"Who is this two ton elephant, Tasuki?" she asked in an icy tone.
"Beats me, but I'm starved. What's there to eat Chiriko?"
Chiriko got up and grabbed Mitsukake's pack. He began shuffling through the contents, coming out with nothing.
"I can't seem to find anything in here. It's as if the food was eaten last night."
Everyone's head distinctively turned towards Miaka's burning face, their eyebrows raised in question.
"What are you looking at?!" Miaka shouted with embarrassment.
"Well...Miaka-sama...you do tend to eat a lot no da," Chichiri said nervously, scratching his chin ever so slightly.
Miaka's head turned furiously at Chichiri and everyone sat up straighter, fearing the worst from their angered miko.
"I dare you to repeat yourself Chichiri!" Miaka shouted her red face turning scarlet in her fury and embarrassment.
Tamahome laughed nervously, but stopped when he got a violent look from Miaka.
"Hey. At least you're burning off the fat by walking," Tasuki said, trying his best to conjure up an innocent grin.
"SHUT UP!!! I DID NOT EAT THE FOOD!!!"
"Where did Nuriko go?" Mitsukake said quickly, trying his best to chance the subject.
Miaka seemed to have cooled down as she looked around their campsite.
Everyone sighed with relief, giving Mitsukake the, 'I owe you big time pal' look.
"You're right Mitsukake!" Miaka cried, looking around worried. "Where's Nuriko?"
Everyone's head looked around.
Nuriko wasn't with them.
Chiriko's eyes caught a glimpse of a piece of rumpled paper firmly stamped onto a tree with a pin.
"Look! There's a note!" He said, getting up and walking towards it.
Everyone followed him eagerly, watching as he ripped the paper from its spot on the tree. Chiriko studied the paper before reading it to the others:
Don't follow me.
-Nuriko
Chiriko quirked up an eyebrow as Chichiri took the note from his hands.
"Why would Nuriko write such a thing?" he asked, looking around at the others as if they had the answer.
"Maybe he found something," Tasuki suggested, shrugging.
"No. Nuriko would tell us first hand," Tamahome said, eyeing the note at the corner of his eye. "He wouldn't give us some crappy note like this."
"Was he...in a hurry?" Mitsukake wondered out loud, looking up at the sky absentmindedly.
The others looked up too, but no answer could form from the cloudless day.
Tasuki grabbed his pack wearily and hitched up on their last remaining horse. The other two had ran in fright when Tasuki had used his fan on a raging ox.
"Come on, Nuriko knows what he's doing. He'll catch up to us," Tasuki said, motioning Miaka to hop on.
Miaka hesitated before climbing on with Tasuki.
The others reluctantly grabbed their packs and headed off to a wider path Nuriko had gone to.
::::::::::::::::::::::::
Yui looked at her hot tea with no interest.
She crossed her arms and legs and shifted in her seat.
"Nakago," she called, sounding quite pissed.
Nakago entered her room and kneeled before his miko, bowing his head in respect.
"Yes my lady?" he asked, in his usual coaxing voice.
"How's the girl?" Yui asked, looking down at him, her look still menacing.
"Fine. Fortunately, from what Chien tells us, she is not a miko."
Yui raised her eyebrows in question.
"I've been meaning to ask you something."
"Nani?"
"About the girl...was it really necessary to kidnap her?"
"Yes my lady. She could have been a potential miko."
"But she's not. Why are we still keeping her?"
"Even if she is not a miko, we can not take the chance. The Suzaku warriors seem very fond of her."
"And?"
"...We need to eliminate all their advantages."
"Advantages?"
"We need to eliminate all those who get in our way for our goal."
"Goal eh...?'
Nakago raised his head to look face to face with his miko.
"You seem angered my lady. Is there something troubling you?" he asked calmly.
Yui narrowed her eyes at him again.
"Of course! Some idiot got the wrong guy!"
Nakago couldn't help but smile.
"That idiot would be Suboshi. Did you not want that boy?"
"Of course not! I don't even know him!" Yui shouted, standing up from her seat. "I wanted Tamahome!"
::::::::::::::::::::::::
Aya opened her eyes half way.
She didn't feel sore, but her body felt very heavy.
Dark velvet curtains covered her bed, but it was transparent enough to see the silhouette of objects.
Aya shifted into a sitting position, rubbing her eyes tiredly.
'Where am I?' she thought to herself.
She looked down at her bed. She had a rectangular shaped pillow, which was somewhat hard. There was embroidery nicely made on the silky front layer. Her blanket's top half felt silky while the bottom part was cotton and quite warm. It was the colour of light turquoise. Her mattress had a feel of silk. It wasn't soft, but it wasn't hard either.
There was a wall to her left, front, and back. All coated with thick layers of paint and decorated with golden dragons and other sorts.
Aya blinked.
She felt like she was in a huge castle. Everything she saw looked expensive.
If it weren't for her common sense, she would have thought she was in an Ancient Chinese palace.
:::Aya:::
'Yeah?'
:::Someone's coming:::
But before Aya could reply to Ceres, she heard footsteps coming towards her. Aya stared at her curtain, fearing the worst when a shadow of a body appeared from a door. The person stood still for a few seconds before heading towards her bed.
Aya stood dead still, eyes wide with fright.
The person stood in front of her bed, looking as if they were staring down at her before reaching to move the curtain.
Aya closed her eyes tightly as the curtain was removed.
She opened her mouth to let out a scream, but a hand covered it.
Aya fruitlessly struggled to get away from the person. The person released their hand from her mouth and wrapped their arms around her.
Aya opened her eyes, lips parted slightly in shock.
She didn't scream.
The boy felt warm as he hugged her. It made her feel safe.
Tears rolled down her cheeks. She began sobbing as she hugged him back tightly.
He was finally here. He was going to protect her.
They stayed like that for what seemed like hours.
Finally, when Aya wasn't crying, the boy spoke.
"Gomen," he said in a gentle and coaxing voice.
"Hm? Gomen? What are you talking about?" she said quietly, trying to smile.
"You were mad at me."
"Hm? Since when was I...?"
The boy released her.
Aya's eyes once again widened as she looked at him, lips parted. She was speechless. Her face fell slightly in disappointment once she collected herself.
The boy was not Tamahome.
Aya frowned at Nuriko.
"Nani?" Nuriko said, raising his eyebrows at her in question. "You seem disappointed."
"Of course!" Aya hissed, turning to face the wall and not at him. She crisscrossed her legs and crossed her arms sternly. "You're not Tamahome!"
Nuriko felt stunned at her answer, but let out a quiet laugh.
"Sorry to rain on your parade."
"Hmph."
He let out a huge sigh and dug his fingers into his thick purple hair.
"Nani? I already said I'm sorry! What more can I say?" he asked, looking at her desperately.
Aya felt stubborn and rebellious at the moment.
"Many things Nuriko. Many things."
Nuriko didn't answer her, which made Aya feel triumphing.
Two arms wrapped around her once again. Nuriko rested his chin on her shoulder, which made Aya blush furiously.
"You know...Tamahome's already got himself a girl," Nuriko said quietly, looking at Aya from the corner of his eyes.
Aya looked away from Nuriko.
"Y-you mean t-that girl? Miaka?" she stammered, trying her best to stay calm.
No guy had ever hugged her like this before. It felt weird, but made her feel special all the same.
"Yeah..."
"N-Nuriko? Na-nani? What are y-you doing?" she said, trying to break free from his grasp.
Nuriko had a firm hold on her.
He closed his eyes and smiled the kind of smile a girl would faint to see.
Aya's cheeks flamed at this point. Aki would kill her if she ever told him about this.
After a few minutes of wiggling around, Aya finally gave up the thought of breaking free and rested her head on his.
She relaxed a little, but before she could drift off to sleep, Nuriko spoke softly in her ear. His warm breath made Aya prickle all over.
"You remind me Kourin..."
Aya looked at him curiously.
"Who's Kourin? Your girlfriend?"
"My younger sister..."
"Oh."
"We looked exactly alike. People thought we were twins."
"Really? I have a twin brother!"
"Oh?"
"His name is Aki. "
"That's nice..."
"Ah...where's your sister? I don't think I've seen her yet."
"Kourin died...from a wild horse accident."
Aya fell silent. Nuriko's voice sounded quite depressed on those last few words.
"I-I'm sorry..."
Nuriko tried to smile at Aya.
"It's okay. You didn't know."
Aya would have never guessed Nuriko had a sister. More or less know that they looked alike. That was probably why he looked so much like a girl or from what she heard from Miaka, use to dress up like one.
Nuriko leaned to his left and the two both fell onto the bed.
Aya looked panicky at Nuriko.
"Nur-Nuriko! Wh-What are you doing?" she asked.
But Nuriko was already fast asleep, his arms still tightly hugging Aya.
Aya didn't bother struggling to break free from his grasp. She just nestled her head against his chest.
Falling asleep into someone's arms...she had never had that feeling before. And after having a taste of it, she liked it.
*****
Althe is right now sitting on a lawn chair, trying to get a suntan in the middle of winter.
Althe: La la la...
Ami: What in god's name are you doing?
ME: Aki, it's the middle of winter.
Althe: La la la...
Ami clasps her hands onto her ears: Eh! What are you singing?!
Althe: La la la...
ME: ...I don't think she can hear you Ami
Althe: Of course I can!
ME: Then why aren't you speaking to us?!
Althe: Because I'm singing!
Ami: Singing what?! And I thought you were depressed!
Althe: Meh. I'm a moody person
Ami: ...
ME: So you're feeling better?
Althe: Sure!
ME: But you just lost Nuriko to Aya
Althe: Nah! I'll kill her in the end
ME with a sweat drop: And why were you crying about Nuriko dying?
Althe dully: Oh that. I was just thinking about epi 34 when Nuriko dies
ME: ..
Althe: Hey. I'm a healthy girl
Ami: Right. Well, don't forget to REVIEW my idiotic sister
Althe: Yep!
ME: Ja ne!
REVEW!!! SEE THAT BUTTON? IT'S MEANT FOR SOMETHING!!! REVIEWING!!!
Ami: Remember me? I'm that idiot's sister *starts pointing at Althe*
Althe rubbing her head miserably: ...
Modern-Eponine: Remember me? I'm Althe's unfailing half sister!
Althe rubbing her head miserably: ...
Ami: Whew. I thought she'd never stop banging her head
ME: Same. It's like, what? The third week?
Ami: Yep. But she only stopped to finish this chapter
ME: Aki? (Althe's nickname)
Althe rubbing her head miserably: ...what?
ME: Omg! She actually answered me!
Althe rubbing her head miserably: ...so?
Ami: Doesn't matter. Anyways...still hung up on Nuriko?
Tears starts forming around Althe's eyes.
Althe sniffing: Please...Don't remind me
ME: Geez. I thought you liked Eiri Yuki the gay man and all those other creeps you truly desire
Althe sniffing: Yeah, I like them. And Yuki is NOT gay. But...*starts sobbing*
Ami sighing: What now?
Althe: Nuriko...
Ami: Nuriko?
Althe: Nu-Nuriko...dies! *fits of tears start streaming down her cheek*
ME: WHAT?!
Ami dully: Eh? Why?
Althe: Because...because...
11. Enemy Base
:::Cross Hearts::: =Did ya notice? I changed the title of the fic!
*****
Nuriko rubbed his shoulders wearily.
The group had spent three days and three nights searching for Aya. They had no luck with her.
To make matters worse, they were going off course on their main goal. To summon Suzaku.
Nuriko brushed his damp bangs away from his eyes.
Tamahome and the others were sitting near the campfire, thin wool blankets wrapped around their tired and cold bodies. No one talked. They all just looked into the crackling fire, lost in their train of thought.
Nuriko shook he head, as if trying to keep himself awake.
Even under the circumstance that they were all in, he felt bored. He needed to do something to get his mind off the matter, but what?
The purple-haired boy absentmindedly stood up from his spot under the oak tree. He looked around his surroundings without much interest. They were in the middle of a thick forest.
Nuriko knew the group had no direction in these foreign lands. In other words, they were lost. Again.
"I'm going to collect more firewood," he said softly as if to not disturb the dark eerie night.
No one answered him. All that came out of their mouths were a 'Hm.'
Nuriko took that as a sign and headed off to whichever direction he did not know.
Twigs and dried leaves snapped under his feet as he fast walked down the narrow dirt path. Thorns from bushes and sharp branches scratched at his boots and arms, but he didn't care. There were more important things at hand.
The path ended to a clearing. The clouds had moved to reveal the beautiful moon, allowing Nuriko to see his mysterious surroundings.
At the centre of the clearing was a small hot spring surrounded by tall grasses. The grass was dewy and lush from the morning's pouring rain.
The scenery was beautiful.
Nuriko walked towards the spring and sat himself in front of it. He kicked his shoes of and rolled up his pants knee high.
He dipped his feet slowly in the hot water. Nuriko sighed happily as his aching feet seemed to relax in the refreshing water.
The day's walking had tired him some bit, especially since they mostly just walked around in circles.
A soft mist of steam floated around the area. It made the scenery more calm and enjoyable.
Nuriko looked up at the bright moon sadly. He had let Chien take Aya. It may have sounded stupid, but he felt morally wrong. She had been angry with him. It made him feel terrible. Knowing that someone hated you...yet....you couldn't make up with them because you knew you'd never see the person again.
He never knew that feeling before. Until now.
The feeling that you have as if there's a gap in your heart.
Nuriko shook his head furiously. He was thinking too much like a girl.
Heh. And to think he was doing drag just a few months ago.
He kicked and splashed at the water, breaking the cool silence around him.
The clouds shifted and the moon was once again covered. Darkness filled the area.
Nuriko blinked.
He had to head back.
He reluctantly took his feet out of the water and slid them on the grass fruitlessly trying to dry them.
He unrolled his pants and got up, taking his shoes in his right hand and walking bare foot back to the barely visible path.
A noise from behind him caught his attention. It was the rustle of leaves. He turned just in time to see a figure jump up into a tall oak tree.
Nuriko dropped his shoes and his hands formed fists, preparing for an attack of any kind.
"Show yourself!" Nuriko said loudly, looking in all directions.
No reply came but the hiss of the wind.
His hair blew softly, but Nuriko didn't dare brush his bangs away from his eyes. It was a pointless move to make because he couldn't see in the first place.
After a few more minutes of standing, Nuriko lowered his fists ever so slightly.
The chi he had felt earlier was gone.
Nuriko bent down to retrieve his now grass stained shoes. He let out a weary sigh. He was never going to get the stains off.
And with one last look around him, Nuriko walked away.
::::::::::::::::::::::::
Chiriko opened his eyes slowly.
The sun beamed high up in the sky, washing his face with light.
He rubbed his eyes sleepily, looking around at the others who were getting up slowly as well.
Tasuki yawned loudly, not bothering to cover his mouth.
"I think I slept on my arm," he mumbled, rubbing his left arm as if trying to revive it.
"Now wasn't that stupid?" Tamahome said in his usual tone of annoyance.
"Hey, at least I didn't have to wake up with a two ton elephant beside me," Tasuki shot back, emphasising the words, 'two ton elephant'.
Miaka narrowed her eyes at Tasuki. Her look was deadpan.
"Who is this two ton elephant, Tasuki?" she asked in an icy tone.
"Beats me, but I'm starved. What's there to eat Chiriko?"
Chiriko got up and grabbed Mitsukake's pack. He began shuffling through the contents, coming out with nothing.
"I can't seem to find anything in here. It's as if the food was eaten last night."
Everyone's head distinctively turned towards Miaka's burning face, their eyebrows raised in question.
"What are you looking at?!" Miaka shouted with embarrassment.
"Well...Miaka-sama...you do tend to eat a lot no da," Chichiri said nervously, scratching his chin ever so slightly.
Miaka's head turned furiously at Chichiri and everyone sat up straighter, fearing the worst from their angered miko.
"I dare you to repeat yourself Chichiri!" Miaka shouted her red face turning scarlet in her fury and embarrassment.
Tamahome laughed nervously, but stopped when he got a violent look from Miaka.
"Hey. At least you're burning off the fat by walking," Tasuki said, trying his best to conjure up an innocent grin.
"SHUT UP!!! I DID NOT EAT THE FOOD!!!"
"Where did Nuriko go?" Mitsukake said quickly, trying his best to chance the subject.
Miaka seemed to have cooled down as she looked around their campsite.
Everyone sighed with relief, giving Mitsukake the, 'I owe you big time pal' look.
"You're right Mitsukake!" Miaka cried, looking around worried. "Where's Nuriko?"
Everyone's head looked around.
Nuriko wasn't with them.
Chiriko's eyes caught a glimpse of a piece of rumpled paper firmly stamped onto a tree with a pin.
"Look! There's a note!" He said, getting up and walking towards it.
Everyone followed him eagerly, watching as he ripped the paper from its spot on the tree. Chiriko studied the paper before reading it to the others:
Don't follow me.
-Nuriko
Chiriko quirked up an eyebrow as Chichiri took the note from his hands.
"Why would Nuriko write such a thing?" he asked, looking around at the others as if they had the answer.
"Maybe he found something," Tasuki suggested, shrugging.
"No. Nuriko would tell us first hand," Tamahome said, eyeing the note at the corner of his eye. "He wouldn't give us some crappy note like this."
"Was he...in a hurry?" Mitsukake wondered out loud, looking up at the sky absentmindedly.
The others looked up too, but no answer could form from the cloudless day.
Tasuki grabbed his pack wearily and hitched up on their last remaining horse. The other two had ran in fright when Tasuki had used his fan on a raging ox.
"Come on, Nuriko knows what he's doing. He'll catch up to us," Tasuki said, motioning Miaka to hop on.
Miaka hesitated before climbing on with Tasuki.
The others reluctantly grabbed their packs and headed off to a wider path Nuriko had gone to.
::::::::::::::::::::::::
Yui looked at her hot tea with no interest.
She crossed her arms and legs and shifted in her seat.
"Nakago," she called, sounding quite pissed.
Nakago entered her room and kneeled before his miko, bowing his head in respect.
"Yes my lady?" he asked, in his usual coaxing voice.
"How's the girl?" Yui asked, looking down at him, her look still menacing.
"Fine. Fortunately, from what Chien tells us, she is not a miko."
Yui raised her eyebrows in question.
"I've been meaning to ask you something."
"Nani?"
"About the girl...was it really necessary to kidnap her?"
"Yes my lady. She could have been a potential miko."
"But she's not. Why are we still keeping her?"
"Even if she is not a miko, we can not take the chance. The Suzaku warriors seem very fond of her."
"And?"
"...We need to eliminate all their advantages."
"Advantages?"
"We need to eliminate all those who get in our way for our goal."
"Goal eh...?'
Nakago raised his head to look face to face with his miko.
"You seem angered my lady. Is there something troubling you?" he asked calmly.
Yui narrowed her eyes at him again.
"Of course! Some idiot got the wrong guy!"
Nakago couldn't help but smile.
"That idiot would be Suboshi. Did you not want that boy?"
"Of course not! I don't even know him!" Yui shouted, standing up from her seat. "I wanted Tamahome!"
::::::::::::::::::::::::
Aya opened her eyes half way.
She didn't feel sore, but her body felt very heavy.
Dark velvet curtains covered her bed, but it was transparent enough to see the silhouette of objects.
Aya shifted into a sitting position, rubbing her eyes tiredly.
'Where am I?' she thought to herself.
She looked down at her bed. She had a rectangular shaped pillow, which was somewhat hard. There was embroidery nicely made on the silky front layer. Her blanket's top half felt silky while the bottom part was cotton and quite warm. It was the colour of light turquoise. Her mattress had a feel of silk. It wasn't soft, but it wasn't hard either.
There was a wall to her left, front, and back. All coated with thick layers of paint and decorated with golden dragons and other sorts.
Aya blinked.
She felt like she was in a huge castle. Everything she saw looked expensive.
If it weren't for her common sense, she would have thought she was in an Ancient Chinese palace.
:::Aya:::
'Yeah?'
:::Someone's coming:::
But before Aya could reply to Ceres, she heard footsteps coming towards her. Aya stared at her curtain, fearing the worst when a shadow of a body appeared from a door. The person stood still for a few seconds before heading towards her bed.
Aya stood dead still, eyes wide with fright.
The person stood in front of her bed, looking as if they were staring down at her before reaching to move the curtain.
Aya closed her eyes tightly as the curtain was removed.
She opened her mouth to let out a scream, but a hand covered it.
Aya fruitlessly struggled to get away from the person. The person released their hand from her mouth and wrapped their arms around her.
Aya opened her eyes, lips parted slightly in shock.
She didn't scream.
The boy felt warm as he hugged her. It made her feel safe.
Tears rolled down her cheeks. She began sobbing as she hugged him back tightly.
He was finally here. He was going to protect her.
They stayed like that for what seemed like hours.
Finally, when Aya wasn't crying, the boy spoke.
"Gomen," he said in a gentle and coaxing voice.
"Hm? Gomen? What are you talking about?" she said quietly, trying to smile.
"You were mad at me."
"Hm? Since when was I...?"
The boy released her.
Aya's eyes once again widened as she looked at him, lips parted. She was speechless. Her face fell slightly in disappointment once she collected herself.
The boy was not Tamahome.
Aya frowned at Nuriko.
"Nani?" Nuriko said, raising his eyebrows at her in question. "You seem disappointed."
"Of course!" Aya hissed, turning to face the wall and not at him. She crisscrossed her legs and crossed her arms sternly. "You're not Tamahome!"
Nuriko felt stunned at her answer, but let out a quiet laugh.
"Sorry to rain on your parade."
"Hmph."
He let out a huge sigh and dug his fingers into his thick purple hair.
"Nani? I already said I'm sorry! What more can I say?" he asked, looking at her desperately.
Aya felt stubborn and rebellious at the moment.
"Many things Nuriko. Many things."
Nuriko didn't answer her, which made Aya feel triumphing.
Two arms wrapped around her once again. Nuriko rested his chin on her shoulder, which made Aya blush furiously.
"You know...Tamahome's already got himself a girl," Nuriko said quietly, looking at Aya from the corner of his eyes.
Aya looked away from Nuriko.
"Y-you mean t-that girl? Miaka?" she stammered, trying her best to stay calm.
No guy had ever hugged her like this before. It felt weird, but made her feel special all the same.
"Yeah..."
"N-Nuriko? Na-nani? What are y-you doing?" she said, trying to break free from his grasp.
Nuriko had a firm hold on her.
He closed his eyes and smiled the kind of smile a girl would faint to see.
Aya's cheeks flamed at this point. Aki would kill her if she ever told him about this.
After a few minutes of wiggling around, Aya finally gave up the thought of breaking free and rested her head on his.
She relaxed a little, but before she could drift off to sleep, Nuriko spoke softly in her ear. His warm breath made Aya prickle all over.
"You remind me Kourin..."
Aya looked at him curiously.
"Who's Kourin? Your girlfriend?"
"My younger sister..."
"Oh."
"We looked exactly alike. People thought we were twins."
"Really? I have a twin brother!"
"Oh?"
"His name is Aki. "
"That's nice..."
"Ah...where's your sister? I don't think I've seen her yet."
"Kourin died...from a wild horse accident."
Aya fell silent. Nuriko's voice sounded quite depressed on those last few words.
"I-I'm sorry..."
Nuriko tried to smile at Aya.
"It's okay. You didn't know."
Aya would have never guessed Nuriko had a sister. More or less know that they looked alike. That was probably why he looked so much like a girl or from what she heard from Miaka, use to dress up like one.
Nuriko leaned to his left and the two both fell onto the bed.
Aya looked panicky at Nuriko.
"Nur-Nuriko! Wh-What are you doing?" she asked.
But Nuriko was already fast asleep, his arms still tightly hugging Aya.
Aya didn't bother struggling to break free from his grasp. She just nestled her head against his chest.
Falling asleep into someone's arms...she had never had that feeling before. And after having a taste of it, she liked it.
*****
Althe is right now sitting on a lawn chair, trying to get a suntan in the middle of winter.
Althe: La la la...
Ami: What in god's name are you doing?
ME: Aki, it's the middle of winter.
Althe: La la la...
Ami clasps her hands onto her ears: Eh! What are you singing?!
Althe: La la la...
ME: ...I don't think she can hear you Ami
Althe: Of course I can!
ME: Then why aren't you speaking to us?!
Althe: Because I'm singing!
Ami: Singing what?! And I thought you were depressed!
Althe: Meh. I'm a moody person
Ami: ...
ME: So you're feeling better?
Althe: Sure!
ME: But you just lost Nuriko to Aya
Althe: Nah! I'll kill her in the end
ME with a sweat drop: And why were you crying about Nuriko dying?
Althe dully: Oh that. I was just thinking about epi 34 when Nuriko dies
ME: ..
Althe: Hey. I'm a healthy girl
Ami: Right. Well, don't forget to REVIEW my idiotic sister
Althe: Yep!
ME: Ja ne!
REVEW!!! SEE THAT BUTTON? IT'S MEANT FOR SOMETHING!!! REVIEWING!!!