Summery; Warning; Disclaimer: See First Chapter.
I'm so glad this story seems to be so well-liked! As a reward for patiently waiting all the reviews, you guys get two chapters today! I hope you enjoy them. Tomoyo- a different one - makes an appearnece, so how will this affect Kurogane and Aea's budding romance? Just read!
Please review if you read. Comments, ideas, suggestions, and helpful criticism welcome.
"Aren't you hungry?"
"No," Aea snapped, then sighed guiltily. "Sorry, Fai."
"That's all right," he shrugged. "I haven't seen Kuro-pipi since you tossed him out of the bathroom this morning. I hope he isn't getting into any trouble…"
"What's this?" Aea wondered, picking up a pamphlet. Turning to the store owner, who was sweeping outside his shop, she held it up for visual aid. "What's this about?"
"That? Oh, it's nothing," he stammered, before going back inside his shop.
"What is it?" Fai asked curiously, peering over her shoulder at the paper. "Hmm…bounties are offered for any government officials that are sent to capture this group of bandits. It sounds like this gang terrorizes the town, if this pamphlet is any clue."
"Yeah," she agreed, tossing it aside. "Oh well. Mokona, when we can leave?"
"Mokona doesn't know," it supplied, resting on Aea's shoulder quietly.
"You're awfully quiet," Fai noticed, "Is something the matter?"
"Mokona doesn't want to attract too much attention," it whispered, his mouth not even moving.
"Why not?" Aea asked, "No one seemed to notice bef–" Cutting off herself, her eyes narrowed and she grimaced. "We're being followed."
"I thought so," Fai nodded with an easy grin. "How many do you sense?"
"About five, but I wouldn't be surprised if there were more around," she murmured, as they continued to stride through town. "I suggest we find somewhere to lose them."
"It appears we're not going to get the chance," Fai pointed out, gesturing ahead of them. The street corner was blocked off, and a man with a gun stood in front of them, his aura one of self-importance.
"Is that thing the Mokona?" he demanded, pointing to Mokona, whose ears quivered but the rest remained still. Aea took him off her shoulder and cradled him protectively, both suspiciously eyeing the now-obvious men.
"Why?"
"We've been told that you're here to disrupt the balance of power in our town, and that thing gives you your powers," the man informed them, glaring at them. "We're in charge of this town, and no strangers are going to interfere."
"So, you're the gang leader?" Fai realized with a raised eyebrow. "Not surprising. Who told you about Mokona?"
"That's not important," he retorted, and held out his hand. "Give that thing over to us, and we'll let you go."
"Not a chance," Aea shook her head, holding Mokona tighter. "You'll have to come and take him, I suppose."
"Looks like it," the man grinned, and snapped his fingers. Five or six bandits jumped the two humans, who instantly reacted. Fai, using several darts he had kept from Oto, forced them back away from him, while Aea leapt backwards to avoid their punches. Mokona scrambled inside her shirt to make it easier for her to move, but she found herself falling as her foot caught in a dip in the road, twisting her foot.
"Aea!" Fai called, moving forward. He was blocked by several men, which he quickly made his way past. He saw a group of bandits surrounding where she had fallen, and was prepared to dive in before the men were suddenly thrown backwards. "Kuro-poo!" he cried happily, earning a glare from the concentrating ninja. He stood over the fallen Aea, sword drawn, looking more than a little pissed off.
"I told you I wasn't going to keep rescuing you," he grumbled, as she made her way up.
"Then why'd you save me?" she hissed, following his lead as he cut his way through the men – keeping himself from killing any of them, she noticed.
"That damn pork-bun is there, isn't he," Kurogane pointed out. "He's the only way I'll be able to get home."
"You idiot," she grumbled, and quickly dodged an attack with a kick of her leg. Fai, seeing that they were managing, resumed his own fighting. In a few moments, the three experienced fighters had defeated the inept gang, leaving only the leader standing alone. "So, who told you about us?" she asked sweetly, pinning him to the ground with her knee a moment later.
"A…a man who traveled too!" he spluttered, keeping an eye on a glaring Kurogane, who definitely appeared scarier than the smiling Fai and Mokona. "He told us you would be coming – and to capture the white thing! That's all, I swear! He didn't tell us his name!"
"So…it must have been Zervian," Fai said thoughtfully, as Aea knocked the bandit out.
"That man is able to use a power to change the dimensions Mokona travels," Mokona told them, earning a sharp glance from Aea.
"Do you mean he can direct where we're going to go next?" she asked, an odd tone in her voice.
"Yes," Mokona nodded, and she looked solemn. In the next moment, however, Mokona jumped to Kurogane's shoulder and glomped him again, eliciting a yell from the ninja.
"Hey!"
"Kurogane saved Mokona's life!" he said happily. "Kurogane loves Mokona!"
"I hate you!" he yelled, throwing the white creature off him. Mokona moved to Aea's head and looked smug at annoying Kurogane, which was probably one of his super-special-secret techniques.
"Then you saved Aea!" Mokona cheered. "And that means you love her instead!"
"You're all insane!" Kurogane shouted, whirling around as his cheeks went a bright red. Aea sighed in toleration, and Fai glanced around.
"We better get moving before they all wake up," he pointed out calmly, and Aea nodded in agreement.
"So, we learned that Zervian can control where he travels, and where Mokona travels," Fai said thoughtfully, as they rested in the area where they had first arrived in the world. "How can he do that, if Yuko made the Mokonas?"
"Mokona doesn't know," Mokona said sadly, and Aea patted him on the head.
"I bet that witch wouldn't tell us," Kurogane grumbled, and Mokona grinned up at him.
"Yep!"
"See?"
"So, what are our options?" Fai wondered out loud. "If Zervian controls where we go, then any world we go to next will be a trap. And it's too dangerous to stay in this world, either. That doesn't leave many choices. Mokona, in that forest-world with the man who escaped, is Zervian definitely the man with the power you sensed?"
"He was the one controlling that kudan," Mokona nodded. "Mokona is sure that the man who we saw is the one with the power. But Mokona can't be sure if it is a feather or not."
"That's okay," Aea shrugged, hugging him suddenly. "But I think our best idea is to get out of this world. Now that we know he's laying traps for us, we can keep our guard up this time."
"Right," Fai nodded, and glanced at Kurogane, who looked sullen once more. "What does Kuro-tan think?"
"I don't give a damn," he grunted. "All I want to do is go home, after all. I'm not in this for anyone but me."
"Boy, you're Mr. Sunshine," Aea grumbled. "You'd think after a good fight you'd be happy – or at least not sulking."
"I'm not sulking!"
"Yeah – now you're yelling," she pointed out, and Mokona jumped to Fai's lap as they began to argue.
"There they go again," Fai said, shaking his head with a grin.
"Mokona thinks they like it," Mokona added, and Fai nodded in agreement.
"Syaoran?" Sakura asked hesitantly, as he sat down heavily.
"There's no getting out of this place," he grunted, having just tried to break their prison for the countless time. "I hope Mokona brings Fai and Kurogane here soon."
"So do I," Zervian laughed, coming into the room. Glancing upward he saw Syaoran panting and shook his head in mock amusement. "Didn't I tell you to stop trying to break that? It's magically sealed – and made out of the hardest material on this world. But don't worry – your friends will be in a short while. I've made sure of that, as well as preparations for their arrival."
"What do you want from them?" Syaoran demanded, and Zervian grinned at him.
"I already told you that I want Mokona," he explained. "Other than that, I'm afraid you're not in the position to demand answers, little boy. Just sit back and relax. I bet this is the longest time you've ever had to rest, correct? I suggest you take this opportunity."
"How come?" Syaoran asked suspiciously.
"You really are a child if you expect me to answer you," Zervian shook his head again, preparing to leave the room. "Just take my advice, children."
"Apparently, magic doesn't exist in this world at all – except for maybe stories," Fai added, meeting the other two at the street corner. The world Mokona – or rather, Zervian – had brought them to was a city similar in appearance to what Yuko's world had seemed to them, if a little smaller.
"Yeah, same here," Kurogane muttered, looking disgruntled. "And our clothes are something people called 'cozpla' or something like that."
"What's that?" Aea asked curiously, and he shrugged impatiently.
"So, I guess the first order of business is to get some clothes!" Fai said cheerfully, grinning at them. "After that, we'll have to earn some money."
"And by 'earn,' you mean gamble it back," Kurogane guessed, and Fai nodded.
"Of course!"
"Can either of you read the language?" Aea asked suddenly as they began to walk. The two men froze in their tracks and she sighed loudly. "Let me guess…"
"Mokona can!" it revealed, surprising them. "It's like in Yuko's world, a little!"
"But I could read there," Kurogane objected, and Fai shrugged.
"Oh well. At least one of us can read it – translate for us when we manage to find a clothing store, all right, Mokona?"
"Sure thing!" he agreed, and put on a stern face. "Mokona will keep a close eye out!"
"What are these things called again?" Aea asked, looking down at her outfit.
"I don't remember," Fai scratched his head before shrugging absently.
"A kimono," Kurogane grunted, in black pants and a white shirt that resembled his traditional Japanese robes. "Or something like it, I guess. It's not exactly the same…"
"Whatever it is, you look good in it, Aea-chan," Fai shrugged, in white pants and a pale-blue shirt that looked like Kurogane's.
"Chan?" she repeated, and Kurogane's glare at Fai went unnoticed by her. Aea was wearing a dark purple dress that wrapped around underneath her arm, and was held with a bright red ribbon down the side. Another ribbon around her hips accentuated her waist, and her hair had been pulled up in a twist. Sandals were on her feet, as they were on Fai and Kurogane. "I just hope I don't end up having to fight," she grumbled. "I can barely walk in this!"
"Here," Kurogane rolled his eyes and suddenly knelt next to her. She yelped when his hand suddenly slipped up her robe, and Fai's eyes widened as Mokona cheered Kurogane on, wearing a little red robe as well. "There, is that better?" he asked, secretly glad she had kept still and not kicked him in the face, not knowing she had actually been too shocked to do anything but sputter as his hand had moved around her robe.
"Ye-yeah…" she managed, and took a step. "What did you do?"
"Loosened the bottom, of course," he said matter-of-factly. "I thought there was a way to do it, just like in my Japan. By the way, which world are we in?"
"Mokona hasn't seen any signs," Mokona reported, resting on Fai's head. "But Mokona has been looking!"
"All right. Now what?" Aea asked, deciding to leave the exploring up to the two guys with her. "Oh, right – Fai mentioned something about gambling?"
"That was Kuro-san who mentioned gambling, actually," Fai pointed out, and she waved her hand.
"Whatever."
"Let's look around and see what we find," Kurogane suggested, much to their surprise. He abruptly took Aea's arm and strode by her side, leaving Fai and Mokona very confused – and Aea, for that matter. "Unless you want someone to think you're a single woman, you'll act like you're with us for once," he informed her under his breath as they walked. "I noticed that an unmarried woman your age seems to attract a lot of attention around here, and that's the last thing we need."
"All right," she agreed reluctantly. Fai exchanged a grin with Mokona, trailing behind the 'happy couple'.
"Are you looking for anything in particular?" a young woman asked them, as they wandered around the street aimlessly, still looking for somewhere to earn money. They glanced at her, and Aea jumped as Kurogane's grip tightened painfully on her arm, and his eyes widened as his face turned pale.
"T-Tomoyo?" he stammered, and Fai looked slightly surprised as well.
"Yes, that's my name. How did you know?" the raven-haired woman asked pleasantly, a small smile on her face. "What are your names?"
"My name is Fai, and these are Kurogane and Aea," the magician stepped in, since Kurogane was apparently too shocked to say anything and Aea was completely confused. "And this here is Mokona," he added as an afterthought. She bowed slightly to them, and they quickly copied her gesture.
"I'm very pleased to meet all of you. Are you strangers to this country?" Tomoyo asked, and Fai nodded.
"Yes. What is it called, please?"
"This is the country of Noina," she told them, looking a bit surprised. "Were you looking for somewhere to eat? It is almost dinnertime, after all. I can show you a café nearby, if that's all right."
"That would be great," Fai grinned, and she smiled back easily.
"All right then. Please, follow me."
"Are you all right, Kurogane?" Aea murmured, as they followed the shorter woman down the sidewalk. The ninja ignored her, his grip now completely loosened from her arm, staring at the woman in front of them. To her surprise – and annoyance – Aea discovered that she missed his touch on her arm. "Whatever, then," she grumbled, having the distinct feeling she wasn't going to like this country of Noina.
"Do you own this café?" Fai asked curiously, looking around the small store. "I have the feeling you had another reason for asking us here."
"Yes, actually, I did," Tomoyo nodded, looking a bit embarrassed. "To be honest, I've been looking for some people to work at my café. I just recently opened, and being an unmarried woman, I haven't been able to find much support. You three looked like you were looking for something, and I was hoping it was a job."
"Yes, it was," Aea said, a bit stiffly. Mokona was now doing his stuffed-animal act on her lap, squinting his eyes shut. "But we were going to find something else."
"Hey, wait a moment," Fai protested. "I think that is a very generous offer, Tomoyo-sama. We would be honored to take a moment to accept it, if you don't mind."
"Thank you very much," Tomoyo immediately stood up and left the three on their own. Aea looked a bit put out, and Kurogane still appeared stunned.
"What are you trying to pull?" Aea demanded, glaring at Fai. "We're not trying to settle in here, for goodness sake!"
"Tomoyo was apparently the princess that sent Kurogane from his world to Yuko, and placed the curse on him," Fai whispered to her. "I think perhaps Kurogane loved her a little, judging from his reaction. It wouldn't do any harm to become accustomed to this world's mannerisms – and we need a job, after all."
"We may as well," Kurogane suddenly put in, making them jump.
"Fine, then," Aea folded her arms underneath her breasts stubbornly as Tomoyo came over when Fai waved at her.
"We've decided to accept your kind offer, Tomoyo-sama," Fai said with a calm smile. "Would you also be able to board us somewhere, if it's not too much trouble?"
"Oh, no, I have some rooms over the café," Tomoyo said, her face lighting up with a smile. "And please call me Tomoyo. Thank you very much!" Aea sniffed, having the feeling that she could have liked the soft-spoken woman had they met in another time, under different circumstances.
"Why the face, Aea?" Fai asked teasingly that night, as they prepared for bed. "You don't have to share a room with Kuro-tan and I, at least!"
"Mokona is sleeping with Aea!" Mokona supplied, sitting on her pillow.
"It's nothing," she shrugged, wearing a white robe and looking around Fai as if expecting to see someone. "Where's Kurogane?"
"He's down with Tomoyo, I think," Fai told her. "She may be different from his Tomoyo, but it probably makes him feel homesick." He watched with interest as she twitched at the phrase 'his Tomoyo' and grinned as she whirled around and slammed her door shut, leaving him standing alone in the hallway. "I think I hit a nerve," he announced to himself, before heading back to his own bed.
"It's been three days already," Aea muttered, wearing the white-and-lavender kimono which was apparently the uniform for Tomoyo's café. "When are we going, Mokona?"
"Mokona doesn't know."
"I should've guessed," she sighed, washing the dishes half-heartedly. "I don't know why I'm so aggravated at her, Mokona. She's very nice, and has been nothing but kind to all of us since she found us. But…I don't know, maybe I'm being silly, but I could almost think I'm jealous."
"Of Kurogane and Tomoyo?" Mokona guessed, and she twitched. "Mokona noticed that Kurogane spends a lot of time with Tomoyo, and hardly talks to Aea anymore. Does that make Aea sad?"
"I…don't know," she admitted, drying her hands on a towel. "I wish I knew why, though. I'm becoming distracted – and I can hardly afford distractions this late in the game, after all."
"Right," Mokona agreed, jumping into her pocket as Tomoyo appeared in the kitchen.
"Oh, are the dishes done already, Aea?" she asked in surprise. "That was very fast – I'm impressed."
"Is there something you needed?" Aea asked patiently.
"I already asked Fai, but I wanted to make sure you wouldn't mind looking after the café when Kurogane and I go out this afternoon," Tomoyo checked. "I'm taking him to see some more of the city. You're welcome to come, if you like…"
"No, I'd rather stay here," Aea managed, clenching her apron. "Have fun."
"Thank you!" Tomoyo laughed as she left, and Aea let out a deep sigh.
"I wish someone would attack, because I would love to kill something right now," she muttered, turning back to her work. "I want to go away from this place…I keep getting the feeling something is going to happen…oh!" She whirled around as a crash sounded from the main room, and rushed in to see what had happened. To her shock, Zervian was hovering in the air above them, and part of the shop had been destroyed. Tomoyo was hiding behind Kurogane, and Fai was off to the side.
"Ah, I see that you're both together," Zervian commented, noticing Mokona in her pocket. "So nice to see you again, Aea."
"Wish I could say the same," she spat out, glaring at him. "I figured you'd show up soon, bastard."
"That's not any way to treat me, is it?" he chided her mockingly, and she ground her teeth in frustration. Without her full magic abilities at her disposal, she knew she would be unable to beat her former comrade. Suddenly, a white light shot from his hands toward her, and she barely managed to dodge it.
"That was the power of one of Sakura's feathers!" Mokona told her urgently. "Mokona is certain!"
"Finally!" she huffed, tugging the apron off. "Want us? Come and take us."
"Gladly," he chuckled, but flew out the window.
"What was…that?" Tomoyo asked hesitantly.
"I want you to get out of here – it's dangerous," Kurogane told her, taking her by the shoulders. Before anyone had time to reply, another explosion knocked them off their feet, blowing them apart. When the dust settled enough for them to make one another out, Tomoyo was trapped underneath rubble that threatened to collapse at any moment, while Aea found herself in Zervian's grasp.
"Bastard!" she swore, trying to kick him. He merely held her further away from him, calmly regarding her.
"My, my, just as feisty as ever," he noticed, and glanced at the two young men. "You appear to have a dilemma. It will take two to save either woman, but you only have enough time for one. Which will it be – Kurogane the ninja? Your princess, or this woman?"
Fai cast a concerned glance at Kurogane, but was quick to react in the next instant. The rubble over Tomoyo began to crumble as Zervian began to envelop Aea in a shield of black at the same moment – and Kurogane instantly leapt to Tomoyo, completely disregarding Aea's sudden cry of pain. Fai rushed over to Zervian and knocked him off-balance using surprise as an advantage, and caught Aea as they collapsed in a heap on the floor.
"Are you all right?" he asked sharply, looking down at her. She nodded weakly, the shield having absorbed much of her strength. He noticed a stream of blood down her face, and several other bloodstains slowly spreading out on other areas of her body.
"Damn," Zervian said absently, casting a glance toward Kurogane, who had managed to pull Tomoyo out from underneath the rubble and was holding her in his arms protectively. "I didn't expect that, I have to admit. Aea, Mokona – until we meet next time, I'm afraid." With a slight bow and a swirl of light, the attacker disappeared, leaving Tomoyo stunned, Kurogane's face set grimly, and a sad-looking Fai holding the unconscious Aea.
What did you guys think? I'm not very good at writing fight scenes, sadly.Please review!