Alatáriël:Weeee! Chapter 20! Can you believe it?! I have 215 reviews!
Kate: Nope. I think you imagined the 5.
Alatáriël: looks horrified How could you say that?!
Chichiri: She just did, no da.
Alatáriël:... Who asked you! huffs
Kate: smiles innocently
Alatáriël: glares Get to work you slackers! This story doesn't write itself you know! (Well, in a way it kind of does... but... never-mind) Ps: I don't own anything, but the clothes on my back... and maybe a book or two.... or twenty.
Everyone runs off stage except Alatáriël, who's in the story now! Yay!
Chapter 20: Buy our soundtrack and save the squirrels!
Alatáriël stood in the middle of the forest path looking quite distressed. In front of her was a huge pile of mud. "What happened here?", she asked herself as she placed one hand on her hip and stared at the pile as if to move it with The Force (AN: Don't own it. Wish I had it).
"This is insane... I'm getting to old for this!", Alatáriël complained as she began to climb up the hill. Her statement, as many things she said, really didn't make much since considering she was only 17 and a very avid hiker. The main reason for her discomfort was that the mud was getting into her shoes. Not a very pleasant feeling.
"Suzzie so owes me big for this one", she grumbled as she finally reached the top of the hill only to jump down the other side, almost spraining her ankle in the process. After dusting off her over-sized Rurouni Kenshin t-shirt (AN: I own the t-shirt. Wearing it now, in-fact, but not the show) and her dark green jeans she headed up the path ahead of her.
She had taken this trail before, but with all the slippery mud it seemed like an impossible task now. Now she knew why Suzaku had asked her to do his bidding. 'He could have at least teleported me back but no', she thought spitefully.
Half a mile later and a few near fatal accidents Alatáriël made it to the barn. "I hate you all", she said as she walked into the barn. Suzaku just smiled at her, "How did it go?". Alatáriël was suddenly happy go lucky, "Great! Kate fell for the bait just as you said she would and Chichiri feel for his too... but man... You could have warn me that Kate hadn't washed her hair recently. Gag".
Suzaku smiled, "Hey, there are challenges to be met. You're just lucky you got transformed into Chichiri and not a fish". Alatáriël gasped at that, "Oh my god! I totally forgot!". She quickly unfastened her backpack and pulled out a jar. Inside the jar was a very weird looking fish looking cramped in his watery confines.
Alatáriël quickly undid the top of the jar and spilled it's contents onto land. The fish flopped around for a few seconds before Suzaku mumbled something under his breath and Josh appeared where the fish had been. "I hate you", was all he said before he began ringing out his clothes.
"Now... Tell me all that happened before they get back", Suzaku said, "Every detail is important". And so Josh and Alatáriël shared their story of how they had waited until Chichiri and Kate left before taking a short cut threw the woods to the camp site where Josh headed to the river to wait for Kate and Alatáriël headed off to the snack machines to find Kate attacking the machine. (note: Alatáriël and Josh had been transformed when they got to their destinations by Suzaku's powers )
Soon their tale wove together and the both of them finished as to where they were now. "There is one thing I forgot to ask earlier though... What is Alatáriël doing here at all?", Josh asked. Alatáriël grinned, "I'm just a figment of your imagination!". Suzaku rolled his eyes, "No you're not. You're mental... She happened upon the barn last night when everyone was asleep. It was raining and she had gotten lost. When she found me she knew who I was and I gave her a side job in return for an Ancient Konan cookbook and some rice ball molds.... Plus volume eleven of Fushigi Yuugi if she was successful"
Alatáriël threw a fist in the air in victory, "Boo yeah!". Josh rose an eyebrow, "You really are mental, aren't you?". Alatáriël smiled, "I'm the le--", she was suddenly cut off by footsteps. (AN: Anyone who guesses what she was going to say gets a cookie. heh.) "Hide!", Suzaku hissed in her ear and she quickly ran out of the barn, having had no time to climb into the attic.
Just as she was out of view Chichiri and Kate came into view. Kate hand all her snacks and Chichiri had his three fish. Both looked shy and kept their eyes on the ground. Suzaku grinned, "Great! Food! I'm starving!". Josh nodded in agreement. "Josh... What happened to your clothes?", Kate asked as she handed him his favorite candy bar.
"Uh... I wanted to take a bath...", he said. "With you clothes on?", she questioned. "Yes... well... The water is very cold". Kate rose an eyebrow but didn't question him further. Meanwhile Chichiri began to cook the fish over the fire, smiling to himself as he did so. Outside the barn Alatáriël chewed on a peanut butter granola bar (AN: I LOVE THOSE!) as she stared at the clear sky above and listened to the conversation inside.
It really didn't surprise her in the slightest that Chichiri and Suzaku were here. She had believed in parallel universes ever since she could remember. 'It's all a matter of imagination', she thought and pulled out her notebook. With a small smile she began to write.
Inside the barn the fish was ready and everyone was both excited and nervous of the day to come. "Kate, about what we talked about last night", Suzaku began and looked up at Kate, whom was blushing. "Yes?", she asked. "Have you decided if you want to stay here or return with us to The Universe of The Four Gods?", he asked. Chichiri swallowed hard.
"Indeed, I have... I wish to come back with you all... I mean, where would you be without me? I can't just leave you all now... But...", she said. Chichiri held his breath and Alatáriël wrote vigorously on the other side of the barn walls. "What about Chichiri's horse?... I'm sure it's still in my house", Kate said with a sly grin.
Suzaku and Chichiri exchanged a glance. "I really don't want to see my mom or anything... It would be too painful. I left her a note a few days ago and it would be dangerous to go back", Kate advised.
Suzaku laughed, "As long as the horse doesn't have his DNA checked there'll be no problem". Kate gasped, "You know of DNA?!". Suzaku rolled his eyes, "I know of travel in time, place, and in all types of situations... Do you recall all those fanfics you read? Can you say alternate universe? I think I'd know how to not only understand DNA but transport and do with it as I will... I am a God, after all"
Kate just stared at him, wide eyed. "Oh, come now. It's not very complicated", Suzaku said. It was obvious he was enjoying his godly knowledge. Kate realized he was enjoying her mortal ignorance and huffed, turning her head away stubbornly.
"Big deal", she grumbled under her breath and turned as if to watch Chichiri cook, but just stared at the fire and turned to her own thoughts. Chichiri glanced over to her and back to the fire, his mask hiding all emotion that might have been there.
Suzaku winked in Josh's direction as he took all this in and signaled Josh to go outside to talk to Alatáriël. Josh took the hint and got up saying something about drinking too much water and headed outside where he met up with Alatáriël, who had just broken the lead off her pencil and was cussing to herself.
Suzaku took this "alone time" to watch his guinea pigs. (AN:... Ok... That really didn't sound right... Oh well!) Kate seemed to be in a trance with the fire and her face was unreadable. 'Probably thinking this'll be the last time she'll be in her world...', Suzaku thought with a small amount of pity. Despite their attitudes to each-other Suzaku did hope Kate would be happy in his world. He had, after all, brought her here to get away from the life she so hated and hoped to give her a second chance in his. Not to mention give Chichiri someone to care for... He just hoped he had done the right thing, after all. Gods were only mortal. (AN: ;; Not really, but...)was mildly irritated. Now that they had kissed they should have been all sunshine and flowers... but they looked like a game of spin the bottle gone horribly wrong. He clicked his tongue in annoyance. Kate noticed and looked up at him suddenly like a deer in headlights. Had she forgotten he was there?
"Fish is done, no da!", Chichiri said suddenly. Kate blushed before turning to face him. He smiled politely at her and handed her a fish-ka-bob. Kate smiled and took it, their hands brushing ever so slightly.
Suzaku grinned. 'I'm good', he thought when he saw them both stamper slightly, the fish almost falling out of their hands, and laughing when they caught it. At this Josh walked in and sat down next to Suzaku. The two non-monk males exchanged a glance that spoke volumes to the other. Both grinned and sat down for an interesting breakfast.
After the three fish were distributed (Kate had half a fish. Chichiri had the other half, claiming he wasn't all that hungry. Suzaku and Josh had their own fishes (AN: I HATE that word, fishes. It should be fish plural AND singular. Grr))
Everyone was very grateful at finally being able to eat, but took their time. Josh and Kate both had the same thoughts in mind. This might be the last time they ever see each-other. After they finished eating Josh suggested they head back down the mountain.
Suzaku, Kate, and Chichiri agreed and set about to fix up the barn the way they found it... Well, Kate and Chichiri did, at least. Suzaku stole outside. Meanwhile Josh set to putting out the fire.
Alatáriël greeted Suzaku with a grin as he exited the barn, "So I guess this is good bye then?". Suzaku shook his head, "Not yet. If you would, head down the mountain ahead of us to say good bye to Kate. I'm sure it would mean a lot to her. After all, you did kind of save her life". Alatáriël rolled her eyes, "Fine. Whatever. Just give me my reward first!".
Suzaku glared at her slightly, "Selfish little snot". Alatáriël just rose an eyebrow and extended a hand. "Fine fine", he said and with a little twirl of his hand a pinkish cloud of smoke appeared. Out of the little cloud fell Fushigi Yuugi volume 11, a rice mold, and a cookbook. "Yay!", Alatáriël said happily and put the items in her backpack. The didn't fit very well, however, not that she noticed...
"Now head down the mountain before someone sees you! Go", Suzaku ordered. Alatáriël nodded happily and took off down the mountain humming the James Bond theme song as she went. Suzaku rubbed the bridge of his nose. This was going to be a long day.
Once Suzaku entered the barn he was surprised to see everyone huddled about the ladder, looking up. Kate and Josh stood there in various states of awe. Chichiri had his staff pointed to the trap door. Upon further examinations Suzaku noticed small bits and pieces of a lock floating in the air and coming together like a puzzle. "Is that really necessary?", Suzaku asked.
"We should leave things the way we found them, no da", Chichiri said cheerfully just as the lock came together and clicked. Kate was beaming, "That's so neat!". Josh nodded in agreement. Suzaku grinned, "Simple minds are easily amused". Kate stuck her tongue out and crossed her arms.
On their way down the mountain, for some the second time that day, Josh hooked arms with Kate and began to sing, "Hi ho. Hi ho. It's off to work we go!". Kate just stared at him, trying to not smiled,"I'm not a ho... and the proper song is... Oh! We're off to see the wizard! The wonderful wizard of oz! Because, because, because, because, because, of the wonderful things he does!". At this the two teenagers began skipping down the forest path just ahead of Chichiri and Suzaku, who watched in half amusement and half confusion.
Half way down the mountain Kate and Josh had to stop and catch their breath. Being teenagers in High School meant no exercise and little sun light (AN: Like lab rats!) so the two teens were using muscles they didn't even know they had. Chichiri grinned at them, though you couldn't tell threw his mask, "Tired, no da?". They both nodded, panting heavily and resting their hands on their knees and bent over, but they grinned up at him.
It just so happened they had stopped at the "little" mud slide in the middle of the path that Kate and Chichiri had made earlier that day. Suzaku wrinkled his nose in distaste, "I don't want to climb up that". Kate, who had regained her breath partially, walked over to the side of the trail. "It's either walk over it or jumping a good thirty feet to your death", she said. Suzaku looked at as if to say something in reply, but decided it wasn't worth his breath.
Chichiri smiled at his God. "It's ok, Suzaku-sama!", he said pointing at the indentations his and Kate's feet had made, "The path is all ready set before you, no da!" Suzaku just stared at Chichiri like he was an idiot before suddenly glowing pink (AN: Pink is manly...) and with a bright flash the phoenix floated near them. I say floated because he's a God and therefore gravity doesn't apply to him. He also sparkled like a disco ball on steroids.
Kate covered her eyes slightly, "It burns". Josh just grinned and replied, "Nos camos! Nos camos!". (AN: Heh heh. Inside joke. Nos camos is Spanish for "It burns us" LOTR thing.) Kate laughed and began chanting it along with him, but they could taste bitterness on their words. Sorrow and regret were mixed with these words. The regret and sorrow that they never really took advantage of now much fun these words were, and that... this chance may never come again... and even if it did... So much time had all ready been lost.
Chichiri and Suzaku watched mournfully for a few seconds before Suzaku gracefully flew over the mound and Chichiri followed. When Chichiri got to the top he paused. "Kate-chan, no da", he said softly. "Si?", Kate replied, still in Spanish mode. "These aren't your shoe patterns, no da", Chichiri said.
If anyone had been paying attention they would have noticed Josh and Suzaku stiffened slightly. (AN: If you don't get it... It's ME! LOL... I have weird shoes prints) Kate curiously hurried up the hill and looked at them. "Weird. Do you think someone came up this way after us?", she asked. Chichiri frowned, "After a rain storm, no da?". "A park ranger, perhaps?", Kate asked, "With those kind of shoes?... No".
"It's the ghost of the shoes", Josh said sarcastically, trying to get them to move on, "You two can think of this later when we're off this mountain! I for one want to take a shower sometime today!". Kate just grinned at him before jumping off the mound, Chichiri soon after. "Can we order a pizza when we get home?", Kate asked. Josh groaned, "I'm a college student! Do you think I have money for pizza?". Kate looked truly insulted.
Josh read her like a book. 'How could you say that?... This might be the last time we get to...', he didn't want to finish that thought so he looked away. "Sure. I'm sure I have some money laying around somewhere... Cooking is over-rated anyhow", he added to save his manly pride (AN: coughs Yeah right! Big softy!)
Chichiri grimaced slightly at the tension in the air. It was getting near unbearable. With a small poof of smoke he was suddenly chibi and appeared right above Kate. She barely had enough time to catch him. "Chichiri?", she asked. The chibi just smiled up at her cutely and said, "Da".
Up head Suzaku turned back into his human form and landed back on solid ground. He rolled his eyes when he looked back and saw Chichiri cradled in Kate's arms. 'Free-loader', thought the phoenix bitterly, but a small grin gave away his true feelings and he turned his head away. Josh patted Kate on the shoulder in a comfort sort of way before smiling at her and running up to Suzaku to talk to him about "that bird thing" he could do.
This left Chichiri and Kate in companionable silence for the rest of the trip. Had either one of them listened carefully enough they would have heard Josh hiss, "Darn, Alatáriël! She could have at least covered her trail!". Suzaku made hushing motions with his hands and the god and mortal talked in whispers.
At the bottom of the mountain no cars other than Josh's were in the parking lot. Leaves and tree limbs littered the road from the storm. "Yikes. How did you sleep last night, Josh?", Kate asked. Josh just shrugged. The four companions were about to get into the car when they heard someone approaching. "WAIT!", the voice called and soon Alatáriël popped her head out of the nearby rocks.
"Alatáriël!", Kate gasped, "Where..?". Alatáriël just smiled, "Mom left me here it seems... I got stuck in that horrible storm! Can you believe it? Had to sleep in the bathrooms!". Of course it was all a lie, but Kate and Chichiri didn't know that. Suzaku snorted slightly. "In the bathroom?... Yikes... Do you need a ride home?", Kate asked. Alatáriël looked relived. "Oh, I'd be so grateful!". Kate shook her head, "Consider it my thank you for saving my life... Say... Where did you go, anyhow?"
Alatáriël sighed dramatically. She was getting into this acting thing. "Oh that. You see, I saw a baby squirrel getting attacked mercilessly by a rabid deer...", Alatáriël began, but was cut off my Josh. "EXCUSE ME?! This is my car! This freak show isn't allowed!", Josh ranted. "Rabid deer?", Suzaku asked.
Alatáriël, ignoring Josh, continued, "Yes! It was horrible... guts and fur everywhere!". Kate looked horrified, Chibi Chichiri's eyes were bulging out of his head, "That could have been us, no da!". Josh rolled his eyes and Suzaku smirked slightly.
"Come on, Alatáriël, you can sit with us! Have you eaten lately? Want a candy bar?", Kate asked, fully taken in by Alatáriël's pity story. Alatáriël just shook her head no as they all piled into the Jeep, much to Josh's displeasure, with very muddy shoes and pant legs.
Josh would be busy getting the mud out of the carpet for weeks. It would sink down to the very very very core of the car and refuse to get out, Josh knew, so he wasn't a very happy camper when he found out he'd also have to get in with muddy shoes. It was illegal to drive barefoot in Tennessee after all. (AN: Don't you feel sorry for Frodo?) Of course, I doubt police actually look for shoeless fiends on the lose, but you never know...
Anyhow, as they headed back to Josh's house none of them knew the strange perils that lay ahead... Like that deer that just jumped out of a nearby bush, or the homicidal squirrels chasing it. None of them knew much weirder things were aloft... Well, maybe not weirder, but definitely scarier!
As they entered Cosby they all noticed something odd was going on. Lots of men in orange suits with dogs were walking up and down the street near their road. "What's going on?", Kate asked. Josh frowned, "I think you should lay down, Kate... I have a bad feeling about this..."
Alatáriël: Yes, this is a cliff-hanger! BWA HA HA. Who can these weird people be? What are they doing here? Why I am dumb enough to get in the car with complete strangers?! All these questions and more will be answered in the next exciting chapter of...
Kate: Well, isn't this interesting?
Chichiri:... Right, ok, no da... I really think we should answer reviews before you make you're closing remarks, no da.
Alatáriël: Oh, but this makes it so much more interesting!
Suzaku: It make it more annoying. Make it go away.
Alatáriël: What are YOU doing here?!
Suzaku: I'm answering the reviews of my loving pubic, of course?
All: Groan
Geda: Ah, a faithful reviewer! How nice. Thank you so much for reviewing. It means a lot to me and Alatáriël.
Alatáriël: Yes it does! It's nice to have you back! Nakago the turkey kisser indeed.
DreamFeathers: You really think I'm funny? Shy grin Aw shucks. Sure, my dear! I'd be honored if you used me in your fic!
Alatáriël: Glares at Suzaku I think that's for ME to decide... But yes, you may use my ideas. I'd be very honored. == I can't wait to read it. Tee hee. Ps: Thank you very much for asking me first. That's very considerate of you.
FireStarter911: Yes, I'm great, aren't I?
Alatáriël: Hits Suzaku Stop it! You're going to drive my reviews away!... Ahem.. What he means is thank you, and as for the dialog I'll try to redo some stuff when I can. Hope you liked this chapter.
Queen of the Fairys: Grins Up-dating in process!
Alatáriël: Smiles Thanks Queen. LOL. I'm a little late, but it was really out of my hands.
DemonWolf14: huffs My snoring is like a course of singing angles, I'll have you know! grumbles
Alatáriël: rolls her eyes Get over yourself... and thank you for the compliment, DemonWolf. I love you're name, by the way.
Songwind: stares at Alatáriël for an explanation
Alatáriël: Well, technically he wasn't OOC... I had this idea for a while... I guess it was so obvious to me it WASN'T Chichiri that I didn't think... Sorry about that. ;; I was trying to make it a little interesting other than a boring "Love you" "Love you too!" kiss kiss thing, ya know? And I do use spell check... It just doesn't like me, no da.
chibichibi386: What's your definition of soon? Kate's time or Chichiri's?
Alatáriël: rolls her eyes
Holly: It was a great idea, wasn't it? I bet you didn't guess what the "weird fish" was either, eh?
Alatáriël: rolls her eyes at Suzaku Yeah yeah. You're a genius. Suck it up! Smiles at Holly I'm glad you liked the kiss. I thought it was cute. I hope you like this chapter as well. A lot of thinking went into it.
Jedi of Oro: Alatáriël this...Alatáriël that. Grumbles
Alatáriël: Don't mind him...Yes, Chichiri is very sweet in my fic, but that's how I like him. Tall, blue, and with lots of sugar. Tee hee. Hope you like this chapter too!
Selene Serenity:
Alatáriël: Thank you! LOL. Yes, fluff rules. Makes the world go round. heh.
Chibi Chick: Yeah, they've needed to kiss for a while, eh?
Alatáriël: Glares at Suzaku... AHEM!... Well, Chibi, I also liked that chapter, and I hope you like this one too.
Black Cherrie:Again?... They've kissed before?! WHERE?! WHEN?!? WHY?!
Alatáriël: OO I'm with him!
Preistess Of Shadows: The can/jars are the beans she "borrowed"... and also a jar with Josh the fish in it. heh heh
Alatáriël: "heh heh"? Thanks for the compliment, Preistess. Glad you liked it.
Neko-ane: stares at Alatáriël
Alatáriël: Yes, reviews are a nuisance, but I like to think that if people put enough time to write me I should give enough time to write them back. Plus, I'm bored. LOL. Yes, Suzie is fun to write. He's a sneaky little devil, isn't he? LOL
Suzaku: I'm tired on answering reviews! Let's get on with the story!
Alatáriël: Fine, fine. Oh, by the way, everyone. I have the whole next chapter already planed out... I just wanted a cliffie. LOL.
Reviewers: growl
Alatáriël: Now, Now.. I know I've been show with up-dating, but there isn't much I can do about it! Being a Junior is really hard! Why, with Spanish II, Advanced Biology, English III College Prep, and clubs to go to I rarely have time to even THINK of Chichiri... It's sad really. Sighs... But I will prevail! LOL... Just not very fast... It's hard to believe this little side adventure happened back in MARCH because I was waiting for volume 10 to come out. Oo;; Pretty amazing, ne?
Kate: Whatever, girl. Just write the people their story. I don't care what you're life is like.
Alatáriël: Glares at Kate Un-grateful De-Monker!
Kate: What's THAT supposed to mean?!
Chichiri: Daaa...
Josh:... Everyone shut up! I'm trying to drive!
