Summary; Warning; Disclaimer: See First Chapter.
Here's the next one for you guys! I decided not to wait too long and drive you guys nuts. Oh, and for later on,Kae is actually Japanese for blessing - it's funny, because I didn't look up her name until this chapter! Anyway, continue on...
Please review if you read. Comments, ideas, suggestions, and helpful criticism welcome.
"Where's Tasuki?" Chichiri asked during breakfast, looking around at the table.
"He hasn't come out of his room all morning," Ai-Tong told them calmly, taking another bite of the rice. "What an idiot – he's probably still sleeping."
Chichiri didn't say anything, being able to sense Tasuki's chi and knowing he was having a crisis of his own.
"It's really coming down," Kae noticed, glancing out the window. The others followed her gaze, and Tasuki's mother nodded in agreement.
"Yeah – it doesn't usually come down like this, so heavy and all," she told them cheerfully. "But we've had 'em – they're not that unusual."
"Ya can go out and walk around, if ya like," Ai-Tong told her. "Ya don't have ta work around the house – yer a guest, after all. And there's not much ta be done."
"Well…" Kae hesitated, not wanting to take advantage of their hospitality, but to her surprise Chichiri decided the matter for her.
"I think that's a good idea," he agreed cheerfully. "I'll go with her, if that's all right, no da."
"Of course!" Tasuki's mother replied with a smile. "Ai-Tong is right – between us, we can get everythin' done in no time at all! Go out and explore the farm in snow," she urged, beginning to clear off the table. Kae made a surprised noise in her throat when Chichiri pulled her to her feet, and barely gave her a chance to grab a coat before dragging her out the door.
"Jest like a buncha kids," Ai-Tong shook her head in amusement, and her mother only laughed.
"What was that about?" Kae panted, as Chichiri slowed down only when they were once more out of sight of the house. "You're a crazy monk," he informed him, but he only grinned at her.
"Well, you said you never got to play in the snow, no da," he reminded her, and she blinked in surprise.
"Huh?"
"You might as well now, no da," he said, looking pleased with himself. "There's so much of it, no da."
"You…Chichiri," she shook her head tolerantly, and suddenly bent over to inspect the snow. Chichiri watched her curiously, not sure what she was doing, and jumped in shock when a snowball was plastered against his face.
"Daa!" he cried, jumping back and looking at her in surprise. "Kae!"
"What?" she asked innocently, another snowball already in her hand. "Can't fight against a girl?"
"No," he replied, and instantly disappeared.
"Hey! No fair!" she cried, trying to find the monk and yelped in surprise when a snowball went down her back. "Ack! Chichiri! Unfair!" she laughed, as he reappeared in the branches above her, grinning widely.
"Daa?" he cocked his head as if confused, and fell over backward when she smacked him straight in the chest.
"That'll teach you," she said in satisfaction, making a show of brushing her hands off and calmly ducked when another snowball flew at her. "Nice tr-omph!" she mumbled, receiving another in the mouth.
"Are you okay?" he asked in concern, as she sat down abruptly, wiping the snow from her mouth. Leaning over her, he looked at her. "Kae? Waugh!" he cried, as she pulled him facedown in the snow beside her, laughing hysterically at his expression.
"Yer all crazy," Tasuki remarked a while later, finding the two laying in the snow, having exhausted themselves trying to kill each other with snow.
"Daa," Chichiri agreed, and sat up as Tasuki plopped down next to them. "Did you come to join us?" he asked, but the Warrior snorted.
"Not likely. I came ta get ya fer dinner," he informed them, and Kae sighed as Chichiri pulled her to her feet. Tasuki stalked in front of the pair with his arms crossed stubbornly, refusing to turn to look at them.
"That was fun," she commented, her cheeks healthily flushed from the excitement.
"I'm forgiven?" Chichiri asked teasingly, and she smacked him on the arm.
"Duh."
"What have you been doing all day, Tasuki?" the monk asked, knowing full well the bandit had been in his room.
"Nothin'," he grunted. Before the monk could press further and cause him more embarrassment, Tasuki quickened his pace and raced off, leaving the two of them to walk the distance back alone.
"Chichiri?"
"Yeah?" Chichiri asked, turning to look at Kae curiously when she hesitated. "What's up, no da?"
"I was just wondering – what's your real name?" she blurted out, and then stared at the ground. "It's okay if you don't want to tell me – I was just wondering, since I know Tasuki's, that's all…I understand if you don't want to tell me."
"No, it's fine," he replied cheerfully, knowing she didn't know about his past but not minding telling her his given name. "It's Fang-Zhun. That's my name."
"Fang-Zhun," she repeated slowly, and then glanced at him. "What's it mean?"
"Fragrant accordance," he told her, now confused. "Why?"
"What's Tasuki's name mean?"
"Uh…handsome home, no da," Chichiri said, pausing a minute to gather his thoughts back from the abrupt questions. "And Ai-Tong means 'love eyes', before you ask. How come, no da?"
"Ke-Keung Xi-Wang called me 'Yong Tien-Mei', but Suzaku called me 'Wei Shen-Jun'," she told him, unsure why she was suddenly nervous about discussing the names. "Why did they call me two different things? I know meanings are greatly considered when naming someone here, so I thought it might be significant."
"Well…'Yong Tein-Mei' means 'evil celestial beauty'," Chichiri told her reluctantly. "But Suzaku called you 'valuable spiritual truth', no da. The two names signify what you mean to each party, I guess. Don't worry about it, though. To me, you're just Kae, and that's all. What's it mean anyway, no da?"
"Huh?" Kae blinked, surprised by the monk's question, and looked blankly at him.
"Hey, it's only fair," he informed her with a grin. "I told you my name, right? So, what's Kae mean in your world?"
"Oh. Uh…I think it means 'blessing'," she said, having to think a moment.
"That's nice, no da," he nodded, and she shrugged as they reached the house, where Ai-Tong was waiting for them impatiently.
"It's a nice night out, no da," Chichiri commented after dinner, as he sat on the small porch with Kae, who nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, it is. Nice and clear," she agreed, and gazed up at the sky. "Look at the moon – it's so big and bright, it almost feels like I could touch it. I'd like that…to be able to fly into the sky, I mean," she added hastily, a bit embarrassed. "It's a kid's dream, but I always wanted the power to fly. I guess falling into Houki's roof doesn't count," she laughed weakly, with a wince at the memory.
"I don't think so," he nodded, and rested his hands on his knees. "And Tasuki went out to check the area, before you ask."
"How'd you…?" she began, before she could stop herself.
"It was obvious," he shrugged, having removed his mask since Tasuki's parents and sister were already asleep. "You kept looking around, no da."
"I'm that pathetic?" she sighed, looking downcast at the thought.
"Love isn't pathetic," he objected, and her head shot up in shock.
"I'm not – he's – I don't love him!" she burst out angrily, getting to her feet in a rush. "He only loves his stupid fighting and drinking, from what I can tell! It wouldn't matter to him if I was dead or not!"
"Kae–"
"And it probably wouldn't matter much to you, either!" she yelled, and clapped her hands over her mouth immediately after. "Oh, Chichiri…I'm so sorry…I didn't…"
"I know," he nodded, feeling hurt by her words but realizing they were said in anger, not rationally. "Quite a temper, no da."
"I'm sorry," she whispered, sitting back down next to him and staring at the snow in front of her. "I didn't mean it."
"It's all rig–" he began, but froze when she grabbed his arm and hugged it to her, hiding her face in his sleeve.
"It's not all right," she shook her head, and he felt his sleeve begin to grow wet. "I shouldn't have said such a thing to you, after how you've treated me. Please forgive me."
"I do," he said soothingly, reaching over to stroke her head reassuringly. "Honest, no da. So stop crying. I thought I had gotten all that out of your system."
"I guess I'm just an emotional girl," she agreed with a forced laugh, reluctantly letting go of his arm and resuming her previous position. "I can't help it lately."
"Just don't let them control your actions, Kae," Chichiri warned her. "That can be a dangerous thing. It's wise to remember that, no da."
"I'll try," she said quietly, nodding to herself. Chichiri smiled, and got to his feet.
"You should go to bed now, no da. It's getting late," he told her. "I'll go see what Tasuki's up to – I'll only be gone a second, so don't worry. I can set up a ward in your mind to guard your dreams, if you want."
"No, thanks," she shook her head to his surprise, and also rose to her feet. "I need to learn to accept this thing, and I think the only way I'll ever grow up is to face it head-on. But if I wake up, I'm going to go get you and wake you up too," she added with a grin, and he beamed back at her.
"Daa! It's a deal," he agreed, and waited as she entered the house and closed the door behind her before using his magic to teleport to Tasuki.
"Anything?"
"No," Tasuki shook his head, having prepared himself mentally for the monk's sneak attack and only getting a little scared. "Except yerself, of course."
"No da," Chichiri nodded, and looked around for himself. "Yeah, doesn't seem like anything's wrong," he agreed, and frowned. "That's what worries me."
"What's that mean?"
"Keung Xi-Wang went to such great lengths to become free, and to kill both us and Kae," the monk told him thoughtfully. "It seems odd he would stop his plan now, especially since we're able to interfere with his plan to destroy the land while we're still alive. And even though my barriers are strong, there's no way he can't sense us right now."
"So…what're ya sayin'?" Tasuki asked suspiciously, and Chichiri eyed him for a minute.
"To be on your guard, no da," he warned, before turning around. "I have to go back to guard Kae and your family – I suggest you come back too, no da."
"What's with the cryptic warnings?" the bandit demanded to thin air, the monk having disappeared right after he finished speaking. "It's gettin' real old," he grumbled, beginning to trudge back across the field to his home.
"I don't want to stay here much longer," Kae told Chichiri the next morning, as she following him as he inspected his wards.
"Huh?"
"I don't want to put Tasuki's family in any more danger," she told him. "I know Keung Xi-Wang can sense us, and I know he'll attack sooner or later. I don't want them to get hurt just because we brought them into this."
"I see, no da," he nodded thoughtfully, and eyed her. "Where do you suggest we should go, then?"
"Uh…"
"I didn't think so," he grinned teasingly at her. "We're fine for now, no da. Don't worry about it."
"But…"
"How's this? I promise that if I think Tasuki's family will be in mortal danger, I'll take us out of here immediately, no da," Chichiri promised, holding his hand up as if taking an oath. Kae giggled a little at his solemnity, but nodded in agreement.
"Deal."
"Good," Chichiri grinned, and patted her shoulder comfortingly. "Just relax while you can, and let Tasuki and I worry about him for now. You have to keep your strength up, no da."
"I know," she nodded with a small sigh, and looked around the snowy grounds. "But I like it here."
"Daa," he agreed, his mind wandering as he concentrated on the barrier before him. Kae fell silent as he resumed his work, and Chichiri got the distinct feeling he was like a mother hen with a chick following for security – something that almost made him laugh.
"They seem to be secure in their present situation," the spirit thought to himself, reclining on the throne he had created for himself out of the darkness that now enveloped Ligé-San Mountain. "Perhaps the time to strike is nearer than I thought it was…"
Smiling to himself, Keung Xi-Wang began to formulate a plan to permanently break his stubborn priestess' spirit, and dispose of the interfering Suzaku Warriors as well.
"How're ya doin'?" Tasuki asked roughly, scaring Kae and causing her to jump up from the spot she had been sitting in near the frozen spring.
"Uh…fine," she replied, turning away from him and resuming her seat.
"Ai-Tong was wondering where ya were," he offered, but she didn't say anything in reply. "Damn girl…and damn monk!" he thought viciously, and heaved a sigh as he flopped down beside her. "I'm…sorry fer hurtin' yer feelings," he mumbled, and she looked at him in shock. "What?"
"Nothing," Kae shrugged, quickly averting her gaze so he wouldn't see her expression. "Th-thank you, Tasuki. It means a lot…but I know you didn't do it on purpose. You're just an inconsiderate idiot."
"Yeah," he agreed calmly, and then blinked. "Hey! I resent that!"
"I think you mean you resemble that," she corrected just as coolly, getting to her feet. "I guess I should see what Ai-Tong needs, if she's looking for me. Tell Chichiri where I went if he comes by, all right?"
The bandit was left gaping after her in shock as she strode away, unable to comprehend what had just happened to him.
"I apologized!" he yelled, cornering Chichiri that night. "And all she did was insult me!"
"You didn't really think it was going to be that easy, did you?" Chichiri asked in disbelief. "You hurt her very badly, no da – you can't just say 'sorry' and expect her to forgive you that easily."
"Women are too damn vindictive," Tasuki grumbled, crossing his arms in protest. The monk only shrugged, before sitting down and gazing at his friend.
"Well, at least you finally apologized," he sighed in relief. "That's a start, no da. Don't worry – she just needs some time. We all do, no da. It hasn't been the easiest time for any of us, after all. Don't push too hard and she'll forgive you soon enough – I think."
"Ya think? Tasuki repeated, narrowing his eyes a bit, and Chichiri laughed nervously.
"Well, I'm not her, no da," he offered. "I can't read minds!"
"Whatever," the bandit muttered, preparing to go to bed. "I'm goin' ta sleep – finally. And see when I take yer advice again, ya damn monk," he added, rolling over so his back was facing Chichiri and promptly beginning to snore.
"Daa," Chichiri agreed unnecessarily, stretching and deciding to try to get some sleep himself during the peaceful night.
"I can't believe he apologized," Kae thought, wide awake several hours later. Ai-Tong slept quietly across the room and Tama was curled up beside her, but the young woman herself was unable to find a way to go to sleep. "I wonder if Chichiri made him?" she wondered, silently sitting up on the futon. Making sure Ai-Tong was sound asleep, Kae slid her feet into her shoes and grabbed a cloak, deciding to go for some cool air to relax her body.
Sneaking out of the house without making any loud noise, she closed the door behind her in relief and took a deep breath of the frosty air, watching the cloud from her mouth with interest. Looking around at the silent landscape, she began to walk forward a little bit, wanting to stretch her legs. Several moments later, however, her gaze snapped to a spot near the bare trees when she saw steam emitting from a patch of shrubs, and narrowed her eyes.
"Something's there," she thought, and didn't even realize her kanji beginning to glow again. Focusing on the possible danger, she unconsciously began to manipulate the mist created by her own breathing and formed a small shield in front of her to guard against any attacks. Suddenly, the steam disappeared, and something shot toward her faster than she thought possible.
"Damn!" Chichiri swore, shooting awake. "Tasuki, wake up!" he yelled, grabbing his staff. The bandit mumbled something but obediently managed to get out of the bed, while the monk was already out the door. "Kae!" he yelled, but found himself frozen in place by a ward.
"What the hell?" Tasuki demanded, also having been incapacitated.
"Leave her…to me…" the creature hissed, appearing to be a more powerful type of kobold. Kae was completely still, facing the thing and appearing unaware of the Warriors behind her, while the creature slowly moved toward her.
"Snap out of it, damn it!" the bandit shouted, but Chichiri shook his head.
"She's not in a daze," he corrected quietly, and Tasuki fell silent at his friend's glance. Kae's kanji was glowing brightly, and the mist around her appeared to be becoming more solid with each second that passed.
"You must come…with me, priestess…" the thing ordered, now only a few feet from her. "The master…requires your presence…"
"Leave! Now!" she ordered, her voice surprisingly clear and firm. The creature hesitated for a moment, but reached a limb out to her, as if to grab her. As soon as it appeared to come in contact with her arm, it was blow away by an invisible barrier. It's unearthly scream filled the Warriors' ears, but Kae didn't seem to notice it.
"My master is…in need…of you…" the thing continued, recovering from the loss of it's limb.
"I have no need of him! Go away!" Kae repeated, narrowing her eyes at the thing. "Or I'll destroy you!"
"She's not actin' like herself," Tasuki noticed, and Chichiri nodded.
"I think her power is taking over," he thought, but continued to watch her closely. Kae seemed to be perfectly calm and collected – and unaware of the numerous kobolds surrounding the defenseless Warriors behind her.
"That was your last warning," she said quietly, and closed her eyes in concentration. Tasuki and Chichiri were forced to close their own eyes as the light from the kanji seemed to expand from her body and envelop the kobolds in it. The creatures' screams seemed to echo in the night as the light disintegrated them, freeing the Warriors from the spell that had frozen them.
"Holy…" Tasuki found himself at a loss for words, as both the light and mist dissipated into the air.
"Impressive," Chichiri commented, taking a moment to pull himself together.
"Kae!" Tasuki realized, and rushed over to the fallen young woman, who lay unconscious in the snow. "Hey, wake up!" he urged, lifting her up in his arms and gazing at her in concern. "Kae! C'mon!"
"Tasuki…I wasn't going…to let…them…hurt you or…Chichiri…" she whispered, smiling a little before slipping back into unconsciousness.
"Kae!"
"She's only sleeping, no da," Chichiri sighed quietly, calming his friend's panic. "Let's get her into the house – she doesn't seem to be injured, but she probably used up a lot of power, no da. Just like the times before – she only seems to grow in power when she's protecting someone other than herself."
"Ya mean, saving us," Tasuki supplied, picking her up gently and trying not to appear as worried as he actually was. "C'mon, let's get back there before we get any colder."
Hmm...maybe a little too dramatic? But I think it was about time something happened to them, ya know? Anyway, let me know what you think! Please review.