"No, more like this"
"That's what I'm doing!"
"Look, are you going to do this right or not at all?"
"Fine"
"Good, now reposition you're hands and get a better grip. I want some effort put into it this time"
"Hai sensei"
Motoko stepped back from Koichi, placing her hands on her hips in unconscious irritation, "Do you want me to teach you or not?".
Koichi sighed and readjusted his hands on the Bokken as she had directed, trying not to look upset with how off balance the weapon suddenly felt.
"Better", Motoko said with a satisfied smile, walking around him to inspect his stance. Legs set just at the right width apart, right leg forward, left back and his leading shoulder tucked in, the wooden blade held securely by the pommel at his left hip extending up and away from it at forty-five degrees.
His form is impressive, she said, completing her circuit and folding her hands thoughtfully. She had only been teaching him for three days, but it was clear that he had received at least so rudimentary training if not the more advanced skills she was considering teaching him.
There was after all no formal rule that forbid her teaching a student now that she had been granted the title Blademaster, it was just that those who achieved that level were usually recalled to the family grounds were there were plenty of young trainees eager to be instructed.
Privately, Motoko was much happier with this arrangement.
He was wearing the baggy white Gi he had purchased the previous day, the one he had ripped the sleeves off because, and to quote him "It looks cooler". A rather frivolous reason, but it did give him greater manoeuvrability, something that was helpful when one was only learning.
His face was set and serious, but when he noticed Motoko looking him over he winked cordially.
The raven haired girl smiled at his impish behaviour, but that didn't stop her reprimanding him but giving his shins a sharp thwack with her own practice sword.
"Spoilsport", he muttered, affecting a look of faux hurt.
"This is serious business Koichi", she said, softening her tones so as not to sound too stern, "These practices form the very core of the Aoyama family. As such they deserve our respect and attention".
"Yeah, I know", he said, keeping his eyes facing forward, "But what's the point in learning something if you can't have fun doing it… You can't put your heart into something you hate Motoko-chan".
She felt her cheeks colour at the use of the affectionate term. He only ever used it when they were alone, probably out of consideration for Kitsune, the other contender for his heart. Motoko wondered jealously if he referred to her like that when they were alone…
Shaking unwelcome thoughts of her rival seducing Koichi from her mind, Motoko focused on his words. It was true that you couldn't achieve your full potential without your heart clear and commited. Her last battle with Keitaro and her sister had proven that. However fun was not really a consideration for her during training, and she couldn't see how it would help her, or anyone else improve.
"That's true, but too much fun will only damage your progress Koi-kun".
Koichi seemed to stumble in place for a second before recovering, "Wha-what did you just call me Motoko?".
Motoko frowned, had she over stepped the line again? She was still afraid that kissing Koichi in the corridor that day might have intimidated him. He had yet to kiss her again since. Maybe using such an affectionate term wasn't appropriate just yet.
"I'm sorry, Su uses that name all the time, so I thought you wouldn't mind… I apologise Koichi, it was presumptuous of me".
Koichi had turned away from her to hide his look of anguish. Was this how it was to be? Coming so close to the girl he remembered, teasing him with glimmers of memory?
"Koichi?"
"It's ok Motoko", he said, smiling at her while he screamed inside, "You just caught me off guard… I think I'm done for today… I'm going to go take a bath…later".
Motoko watched, torn, as he scooped up his weapon from where he had dropped it and shuffled slowly down the steps of the laundry annex.
It had felt so natural to call him that, so why had he responded with such sadness? In her mind she saw a flash of a young boy with happy sea grey eyes…the same boy from her dream.
What was she trying to remember?
Koi-kun…Koichi shrugged off the last of his clothes, depositing them in the hamper left there for dirty laundry.
He slumped against the wall after tying on a towel, staring vacantly out at nothing. His sea grey eyes were flat and lifeless, barely reflecting what they saw.
Motoko…Shrugging off his darkening mood, Koichi walked out into the open air Hot Spring that had made the Hinata Sou famous in its days as an inn.
In his current state, he was halfway into the water before he realise that he wasn't alone. Kitsune blinked up at him from were she sat, relaxing comfortably in the warm water.
"Oops", he said, turning around so that he wasn't looking at her semi-naked body, "Didn't know anyone else was in here, I'll come back later".
He had one foot on the edge of the pool when she called out to him, "Hold on there, you might as well join me, I'm almost done anyway".
"Seriously?", he asked, glancing over his shoulder and raising an eyebrow.
"Course I am, now sit down already".
Koichi wadded back in and took up a seat a respectful distance way, propping himself up against a handy rock.
"You can come a little closer than that sugar", the older woman laughed, "It's not like I'm gonna bite you or anything…well, not unless you're into that sort of thing anyway".
With his head leant back, and his face pointing toward the sky, Kitsune couldn't see his return smile, but it was there. Trust Kitsune to pull him out of a bad funk with some casual flirtation.
Responding to her offer, he scooted over until they were sitting only a few feet apart, once more reclining his head and fighting the impulse to try and peer down Kitsune's rather inadequate towel.
Koichi felt rather peaceful, just lying there, not a care in the world. No family to worry about, no Motoko, and for a split second, even that promise faded into the ether.
"So", Kitsune said, breaking his peace, "What brings you down here so early in the day?"
"It's after 5pm Kitsune", he said, as always amazed by the fox girl's version of time management.
"Yeah, but I only got up a few hours ago, so that makes it technically morning".
Koichi couldn't help but chuckle. That sure sounded like Kitsune's casual slant on life.
"Point taken. To answer your question I was training with Motoko this afternoon".
"Oh", Kitsune said, her look souring.
"Don't worry, we only trained", he said with a gentle smile, understanding the fox girls concerns.
"Promise"
"On my honour", he said with a face so serious it was ludicrous, and made the older woman laugh just like he had hoped it would.
"Hey, you want me to scrub your back?", she asked, holding up a sponge.
Koichi looked at it dubiously, he felt a little guilty for been suspicious of her motives, but after their date…
"Now, now, put those dirty ideas out of your head, you're getting almost as bad as Keitaro".
Koichi pulled a face at her at the idea of being compared to the scatterbrained manager. He was a nice enough guy and all, but for a Tokyo U student he sure was dense at times.
He shrugged and turned around, allowing Kitsune to guide him back until she could reach properly.
"Hehehe", she giggled as she began sponging his back, "Looks like you get that sponge bath after all hey stud".
Koichi reddened a little at her choice of words, but managed to laugh back.
As she carefully wiped away all the sweat and dirt, mindful to avoid the cuts that were still healing from when Motoko had made a roof ornament out of him, Koichi let his mind wonder again. Things could be like this everyday he mused. Just him and a beautiful older girlfriend…and a promise left broken.
That brought him out of his daydream, his brow wrinkling in a frown.
He felt soft, female hands grasping his shoulders and pulling him backward.
"Hey! Wha-"
Kitsune placed a shushing finger over his lips as she lay him back, pillowing his head on her chest and draping her arms around him gently.
"Tell me what's bothering you Koi-kun", she said at a near whisper, her face close enough that he could actually she the eyes that always seemed closed. They were an enchanting shade of burgundy, an off red the same colour as fine red wine. It was the perfect shade for Kitsune, and not just because of her love of all things alcoholic, but because when seen, they changed her face from a beautiful one, to a mesmerising one. I wonder how many people have seen those eyes?, he wondered, Maybe this is why she always keeps them closed…
"What if…", he began, unsure how much to tell, or even where to start. Kitsune smiled at him encouragingly, waiting patiently for him to carry on.
"…What if you made a promise to someone a long time ago…"
"I think I'm familiar with this story", she said with a sardonic grin. When she didn't elaborate he continued.
"What if you made a promise… something deep, something that had burned in the back of your mind ever since you were a child…what if you finally thought you could make it come true, but the person you made your promise to didn't even remember your face?".
"Motoko…", Kitsune guessed, the sadness in Koichi's eyes the only confirmation she required.
She sat there, unable to think of what to say, unconsciously brushing the steam slicked bangs of his hair away from his face.
"What will you do now?", the fox girl asked quietly.
Koichi looked up at her and sighed, "…I don't know…".
They were both silent again.
Reluctantly, Koichi sat up, pulling away from Kitsune and standing, "I guess I should be going…I promised Shinobu I'd help her with diner tonight…I'll see you there?".
Kitsune shook her head briefly, "No, I have to help Mutsumi at the tea house tonight…you can drop by if you want, first drink is on the house".
"I'll do that", he promised, "And Kitsune".
He walked over and cupped her face, planting a gentle kiss on her forehead, "Thanks…you know, for listening".
"Anytime", she responded, waving as he ducked into the changing area.
Oh boy, she thought, This isn't good for me.
When she finished her bath, Kitsune changed into her work clothes, a purple top and beige shorts, with a black apron proclaiming her a staff member of the Hinata Teahouse emblazoned across it in white.
She ran an eye over herself in her rooms small mirror.
My hairs growing out again, she noticed, Maybe I'll just leave it like that this time.
Pinning her name badge in place, the fox girl made her way over to the small store she ran with her assistant and co-owner, Mutsumi Otohime.
Originally Haruka had planned to leave the teahouse to Mutsumi exclusively, seeing as she was an old friend of both Keitaro and Naru, and the daughter of one of the Hinata Sou's most frequent guests when the place had been open to visitors.
Unfortunately, Mutsumi's anaemia and fainting spells, not to mention her near fatal bad luck when anywhere in the proximity of Keitaro, meant that giving her sole ownership was likely to result in her passing out and accidentally setting the building alight in some way.
With Naru already busy with her teaching job and co-managing the Hinata Sou, and the other girls all too young to own property. She had reluctantly, and in Kitsune's opinion, rather insultingly, turned to the fox girl for assistance.
Kitsune was actually rather good with money when it was purely her own and not flim-flamed from someone else, and so the teahouse had, if not exactly boomed, kept from going bankrupt under her watchful eye.
When she arrived, Kitsune found the place quiet and locked up tight.
She sighted and rubbed her temple with her free hand while she fished around in the apron's pocket for her key and opened the door. Mutsumi was late again.
Kitsune flicked on the lights and as there were few windows in this old structure, and unlocked the door to the kitchen, mechanically going about setting up the cookers and other modern appliances.
Her mind free to wonder, she was drawn back to what Koichi had told her in the bath. He had made a promise to Motoko as a child, a promise she didn't remember. The questions was, what should she do with this information. Should she attempt an all out assault while Motoko was still in the dark and Koichi's heart was undecided? Or would it be better to tell Motoko and fight for him on even ground?
The power of a promise, everyone at the Hinata Sou knew from experience just how strong that power was, could she, Kitsune stand against it?
"Ara!", she heard a startled exclamation followed by a loud thump, returning to the serving area of the teahouse in time stop the runaway watermelon making a break for it under the counter.
"So you finally got here Mutsumi", Kitsune noted, sweat-dropping as she watched the older woman pick herself up and dust herself off with practiced ease.
"Excuse me? Oh, yes, I'm here now, my classes ran over a little", she said, scratching the back of her head in a manner eerily similar to Keitaro, "erm…have you seen my watermelon?".
Kitsune scooped up the wayward fruit and presented it to the other girl, who took it happily, looking for a spilt second as if she might actually scold it for running away like a naughty child.
The sandy haired girl looked on in wonder, how did this seemingly air headed woman get such high scores so consistently? Kitsune had asked once and Mutsumi had made fun of her by showing her a pencil with numbers written on the faces…or at least Kitsune thought she had been making fun of her. Motoko had once said the Okinawan girl had the luck of a goddess on her side.
Motoko.
That name brought Kitsune full circle back to her original problem.
"Are you ok Kitsune-san?", the older woman questioned, looking at her friend curiously.
Kitsune smiled weakly. That was Mutsumi for you, she might seem like she didn't have a thought in her head at times, but she was intimately tuned to the emotions of those around her, and had the world's sweetest disposition to boot.
…And still she had given up her own happiness so that Keitaro could fulfil his childhood promise to Naru. Was Kitsune doomed to follow in her friend's footsteps?
"Kitsune?", Mutsumi repeated, looking worried.
"I'm fine Mutsumi", she reassured the other woman, "Just have a lot on my mind right now…"
"Fu-fu, a boy perhaps?", Mutsumi said, smiling knowingly.
Kitsune gapped at her for a full half a second before shaking her head, "One of these days, you're going to have to tell me how you do that".
"I knew it", the brown haired girl said, clasping her hands together excitedly, "Ara, young love".
"Young love?", Kitsune questioned, chuckling slightly, "Mutsumi, you're only a few years older than me".
"I am?"
"Yes", Kitsune said patiently, waiting for the older girl to sort this out in her head.
"Yes, yes that's right, so who is the lucky man? Is it Kei-kun?"
Kitsune actually laughed out loud at this, causing her friend to screw up her face. Kitsune apologised when she was able, she knew how much the older girl still liked Keitaro even if she couldn't show it as much as she'd like to anymore.
The fox girl related the story of Koichi's arrival at the dorm, his letter from Granny Hina and everything that had happened since, including the rivalry between her and Motoko and his revelation of his childhood promise to her in the Hot Springs.
Mutsumi absorbed all of this silently, he face understanding and non-judgemental.
When Kitsune finished her story she felt drained, and a little depressed.
The other woman was quiet for a minute before responding.
"So what do you intend to do?"
"What can I do…how did you do it Mutsumi, how did you let Keitaro go?".
"Because I knew Kei-kun and Na-chan were meant to be together, and not just because of their promise. I could see it in his eyes", Mutsumi said, her eyes assuming a far away look, "When he looked at me I didn't see what was there when he looked at her… I knew Kei-kun was attracted to me, but lust isn't love, no matter how much we might want it to be…".
Kitsune absorbed all of this in silence.
The look in his eyes, her most recent memory of Koichi flashed into her head, him looking up at her with big sad eyes…while talking about Motoko.
The look in his eyes…The following day, Koichi sat in his room. Starring at the bokken propped against the wall over from him
He had been putting this off for too long, there was no telling how bad the damage would be if he kept delaying. Motoko was at Tokyo U, so he should be able to do this in privacy.
Standing, he made his way over to the wooden sword, his hand grasping the polished handle roughly, as if wrestling with a dangerous serpent.
Hefting it, Koichi rested it over one shoulder and made his way over to the window, placing one foot on the ledge.
It's been to long, far to longWith that thought he leapt…
Motoko sat alone on the train back to Hinata.
To anyone who looked, it was clear that something pained her, some turmoil going on beneath the surface. With unspoken consent, the other passengers gave her a wide birth, letting her deal with her misery in peace.
The raven-haired girl was thinking about Koichi. She mentally replayed the events of the previous day, trying to find a reason why he would be so upset by such casual words.
Was it the affection that upset him? That she had been the one to use it?… Or was it something else?
Once again, images came unbidden from some hidden recess of her mind. Images of a little boy with sea grey eyes.
"Koi-kun", she murmured, her voice barely a whisper, "Who are you?".
She felt her eyes water and her shoulders hunch, "Please, tell me who you are".
One moment she was spiralling deeper and deeper into confusion. The next it was as if a switch had been turned on in her brain and her second sense flared to life. Somewhere nearby, someone was radiating spiritual energy like a beacon.
Motoko jerked her head around rapidly, startling several passengers, her eyes locking in of the light in the distance only she could see.
It was coming from the Hinata house.
As soon as the doors opened, Motoko flew from them, leaping clear over those waiting to board, ignoring their startled cries and angry shouts. She had felt this energy several times before in the past few weeks, and she was determined that this time it would not elude her.
There were several heavily wooded areas near the Hinata Sou, and Motoko recognised the one she was heading toward as one of her former favourite training spots.
She had to congratulate whoever this person was, they certainly knew a lot about Ki, using a place that still held the residue of her own expended power to shield themselves from notice.
Obvious however, no one had ever told this person that such tricks only worked if you kept your own Ki tightly controlled, as any novice of the Gods Cry School would know.
Motoko slowed as she felt herself drawing near, pulling in her own spiritual energy tightly to mask her presence and stealing through the underbrush like a wraith, flitting from shadow to shadow.
She located the sounds of battle and inched closer, pinpointing the clearing they originated from.
Pressing her back to a tree, Motoko peered around its bulk cautiously…and froze.
Koichi stood at the centre of the clearing. A clearing she could see now was not natural, but seemed to have been made somehow, and recently.
He was holding the bokken she had given him calmly at one side, his eyes closed as if meditating.
What is he doing here?, Motoko thought, her eyes still alert for signs of whoever was putting out this new Ki, was he here to try and face the owner of such spiritual power? That was madness, he'd be slain without effort.
Slowly his eyes opened and he focused on a tree stump a few meters away.
"Oni's Bane School, Secret Technique", he intoned, his voice sounding deeper somehow, and seeming to reverberate around the clearing, "Serpent's Strike!".
The bokken lashed out and Motoko felt another surge of Ki as a coiled mist of energy shot forth from his blade, the tip of it opening like the maw of some terrible snake as it cleared the gap in seconds, tearing into the wood and raining splinters in all directions.
Koichi continued to admire his handiwork for a second before returning the bokken to his side as if sheaving a true blade and walking away.
Motoko felt herself slide weakly to the ground, the forest suddenly deafeningly quiet.
Koichi was the source of that power, she had just witnessed it with her own eyes. That meant…what? That he was a member of one of the rival schools? An assassin perhaps, from a jealous clan come to kill her in a moment of weakness?
Motoko felt betrayed, he had lied when she had asked him if he had any previous training, who knew what else he was lying about.
Motoko did the only thing she could think of, she curled into a ball and wept.
The next day, Koichi knew something had gone terribly wrong.
He saw no sign of either Motoko or Kitsune, and could find neither of them in their rooms.
He feared that he had waited to long to decide between them, and now he had lost them both.
Sitting alone in his room, the Sword of Two Souls, across his lap, Koichi wrestled with the idea that he may have lost them both. Wild, sexy Kitsune, and beautiful, strong Motoko. It was unthinkable. He couldn't bare it…He wouldn't bare it!
I'm going to tell her, he thought, gripping the Sword of Two Souls so hard it hurt. He had to tell her, he wouldn't allow things to fall apart without an explanation, he owed her that much, consequences be damned.
So this is what they mean by 'absence makes the heart grow fonder', he thought ironically.
He stood, determination coursing in his veins.
The door to his room slide aside and Kitsune stepped in closing the door again without a word and clutching her one arm with the other, looking lost and unsure.
"Kitsune?", he said, concern denting his resolve, "What's wrong?".
"We need to talk sugar", she said, not looking him in the eye, " Can we sit down?".
"I like you", she said without preamble as soon as they were seated, shocking him with the frankness of her admission, "…I…like you a lot…it's been a long time since I liked any guy this much. That's for a good reason, I've been hurt in the past trying to hold onto feelings that were doomed from the start…".
"That's why I need to know", she said, looking at him for the first time, her eyes moist with tears, "How you feel about me?".
Koichi was silent for a long time, and Kitsune felt the shameful tears she had cried earlier threatening to return.
"Kitsune…"
"Kiss me", she whispered, causing his head to snap up in her direction.
"What?"
"Kiss me", she repeated, swallowing her courage, "If you don't want to say it then kiss me…I'll know after that".
Koichi starred into her eyes, trying to judge whether she was serious. There was no sign of humour anywhere on her face.
Nodding, Koichi moved closer, gentle clasping her shoulders as she closed her eyes, leaning in and brushing her lips with his.
This kiss was feather light but packed the kick of 240Volts, as Kitsune threw all of her years of experience into the moment, trying to make it perfect in her memory, so that if nothing else, she would still have this.
She gently pulled away, scared but hopeful of what she might see in his eyes.
They were such a wonderful sea grey she thought, and in them she saw reflected…Motoko.
Kitsune blinked, Mutsumi had said that his eyes would tell her how he felt, but this seemed ludicrous.
"Koi….Koichi", a fragile voice uttered from behind her, and Kitsune turned around to see Motoko standing in the doorway, tears in her eyes and betrayal written across he face.
Motoko bolted, leaving them sitting there in shock. Kitsune brought her attention reluctantly back to the young man she had fallen in love with.
Mutsumi was right, she thought sadly.
"Koichi", she said gently, stroking his face to get his attention.
"Ki-Kitsune…I-"
She placed a finger on his lips to silence him, feeling sad to realise that this might be the last time she could do anything this intimate.
"Go after her"
"What? I don't understand…"
"Yes you do, now go already".
Koichi gave her a look of heart shattering gratitude, kissing her briefly on the cheek before taking off in the same direction as Motoko, sword in hand.
Kitsune sat there for a long time after he left.
I've done it again, sacrificed my own happiness for that of my friend………They better at least remember to invite me to the wedding, she thought, a bittersweet tear tracing a lonely path down her cheek…
Koichi eventually caught up with Motoko at the laundry annex. She was sitting on the roof under the moonlight, her knees tucked into her chin and her arms wrapped around them.
"…Hi", he said eventually, "Mind if I come up?"
"Go away", she said, "Leave me alone, you already have her".
Koichi winced at the hurt in her voice as he climbed up next to her.
"Motoko…"
"Why are you still here, you made your choice", she said, the last few words sounding like she'd had to force them out.
Koichi looked away, and down at the sword he had carried up with him, a small smile making its way onto his face as he realised just how right she was. And just how wrong.
"You're right Motoko", he said lying back on the roof and looking up at the stars, "I did make my choice tonight".
"Then what are you waiting for", she said, her shoulders rocking with silent sobs, "Go be with her"
"…I am", he said, watching as she looked over her shoulder at him incredulously.
"But, I saw-"
"It didn't mean anything…Kitsune wanted to see if we would ever be more than friends. By her own admission we're not…"
Koichi took a deep breath, wondering if he should tell her the rest… Yes, it was time.
"I've been in love with you since I was a child Motoko", he breathed.
"Don't say something so stupid", she said turning away to hide her blush.
"It's true…do you remember when you were a young girl, about five, maybe six?"
"Yes"
"Do you remember about that time, the big controversy caused when your sister announced her marriage?"
"I do", Motoko muttered, wondering how he could know of such things.
"Around that time, the heads of all the Schools gathered at the Aoyama Temple, to discuss the implications of succession with Tsuroko being wed soon…amongst them was a man…my father, he brought with him his infant daughter and only son…me".
Motoko had a flash of a young boy with sea grey eyes, wondering around the Temple she had called her home for most of her life, lost and afraid.
"You were so scared…I felt sorry for you", she said in wonder as the memories continued to unfold.
"That's right, you were my only friend during that time, even if you did spend most of it clinging to your sister as often as you could…that's probably why you don't remember me. When she left you felt betrayed, and sealed away all of your unhappy memories of that time.".
Motoko's eyes widened as the images continued to some, faster and faster, until…
"We…we made a promise", she said.
"Yes", he said, his face lighting up in a glorious smile, "What did we promise Motoko-chan, try to remember".
"We…", more images, random words that made no sense, "we…".
Suddenly something clicked inside her brain and she remembered.
"We promised to always be together…", she said hardly believing what she said.
"Together always", he said, reciting the words as they played in her mind, "Man and wife".
Motoko's throat felt dry, she didn't know what to say. How had she forgotten such a promise, and how could she have made it in the first place?
Koichi, mindful of her dazed state gently led her off the roof, kneeling before her once they were on even ground.
"Aishete, Motoko-chan", he said, raising the Sword of Two Souls above his bowed head, "It would honour me greatly, if you would consent to be my wife".
Motoko knelt down in front of him, gently lowering his hands until the sword rested in his lap.
She made sure to look him in the eye, "I'm sorry Koichi, but I cannot except"
His face was stricken. Slowly a smile appeared.
"I understand", he said with fake cheer, "It was a stupid thing to do right, I mean it was just two kids, no big deal".
"No Koichi", she said, taking his head delicately in her hands, "What I mean is I'm not ready for something like that just yet…but one day, I would like to keep our promise".
"Do you really mean that?"
By way of answering, Motoko captured hid lips in a passionate kiss.
"…I'll take that as a yes", he said when he could breath again.
Motoko smiled and leaned against his chest.
"Aishete, Koi-kun"
Koichi smiled as he stroked her long black hair.
"Koi-kun?"
"Yes?"
"Could you stay with me tonight?"
"Motoko!"
"Hentai", she said, punching his ribs playfully, "You know I don't mean that. There's a lot going through my mind right now, so I want to be with someone I feel safe with".
"Of course Motoko, whatever you need", he said smiling softly down at her, "Whatever you need I'll be here for you…"
As a new day dawns, and a new wind sweeps the concrete valleys of Hinata, a beautiful woman with long raven hair stands at the foot of the stairs that lead to the place of legend, known as the Hinata Sou.
With her grace and flowing ebony hair she would catch the eye of any man, but it is the form hugging Miko's robes that make her standout the most, that an the wide brimmed hat that covers all but the lower portion of her face.
So why do no men approach this vision you ask? Well that might have something to do with the confident way she carries the Katana at her waist, warning even the ignorant that this is not a woman to be trifled with.
Several pedestrians who have gathered the urge to step closer to the mystery woman, flee as a bird of mythical proportions, with golden feathers and a crown of small, ruby ones flutters down, perching neatly on her outstretched arm.
"It has been a long time old friend", she says, stroking the bird's neck fondly as it coos with pleasure.
The mystery woman tills her head up to gaze up the stairs of the Hinata Sou.
"I hope you are ready for me little sister,", she says, her mouth curling into an amused smile, "you too…Koi-kun".
---Author Notes---
I'm splitting this in two again, another chapter that seems to have taken on a life of its own, the second half will be posted when I'm done with it, gomen for any inconvenience
On the plus side, hooray for plot development lol…. Think things will go easy now that out new couple are together again at last? I wouldn't bet on it hehehehe
Till next time, Betweenheavenandhell