Chapter 3- Late for Lunch
"What festival?" Terra asked.
"I remember now! See, the last king, Zatch Bell, he was really happy when he won the battle for Mamodo King. That's what my mommy told me. But he got lonely after a while; me hissed his book owner, Kiyo… Kiyo… Kiyo Takamine." Aura explained.
"That can't be the same guy who wrote the article!" Terra exclaimed.
"Nope, has to be his son. He said that in the article too." I said.
Aura nodded. "So, Zatch finally couldn't take it any longer. So he decided, that every five years, all the Mamodo children, and all the Mamodo who've been to Earth before for the Battle for King, or the festival already, would return to Earth for a festival. The one's who've already been to Earth would reunite with their book owners. The new Mamodo get a book owner. They all meet in a spot already in place by the king. The festival is another battle, and whoever wins gets to stay with their human partners!"
"That's so cool! I wonder if I can get a Mamodo…" Terra exclaimed.
I sighed. "The Mamodo would probably track you down if you didn't attend. So, where is this festival?"
Aura thought for a moment. "I think it's in Japan. Zatch said that because that was where he won his last battle."
"Smart thinking." I said, "More money down the drain. Of course, anywhere's better than here…"
"Oh my gosh!" Terra said.
"What? You're not going to say 'Oh my…'" I started.
"NO!" She cut in, "We have to be home by noon for lunch! If we aren't, my parents will kill! I'll get grounded and you'll have no chance of going to Japan! We have to leave, now!"
"No problem. Except… YOU LED US INTO A FOREST THAT'S THICKER THAN PEA SOUP!" I yelled, "Mmm… soup."
"What about that wave thing Aura can do? That messed up spell that nearly got us killed." Terra said.
I looked back at the log that I hid behind. The marks on it made me think of how dangerous it was when I used the spell. My mind said no, my body said no, but my stomach said what came out of my mouth. "Let's give it a try."
I looked at Aura, who immediately locked eyes and nodded. She turned towards the big pile of brush towards the way I came in. I could still see the cushion of the grass where I fell, the human shape still marked in the grass. I opened the strange book to the red markings. The marks seemed to change into the English translation in my own head. I took in a deep breath and let it out. Out of the corner of my eye, I watched Aura raise her hands, palms facing away from her body. My mind seemed to stall as I said "ARAS".
Almost on cue, the bolts shot out from Aura's hand, except this time, they seemed under control. They brush seemed to explode at the shots of air coming from her hands. Terra ducked slightly, hands on head, as the branches and vines flew all over the place. I closed the book when the path seemed clearer. When the book shut, the waves of air didn't stop at once, instead seemed to slow to a stop. I nodded, pleased with Aura's work. I walked over to her, picking her up and putting her on my shoulders.
"Thanks." I said, "Now you better duck, just in case!"
We started to run through the forest, Aura clinging to my hair with one hand and her other around my forehead. I thought that my hair would fall out, Aura flung from my shoulders as a result. Neither happened, but the pain was excruciating.
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When we finally reached the house, Marie, my aunt, waited for us at the back door. She didn't seem pleased with our lateness. "So nice of you to join us." Addressing Terra, her daughter, "I was hoping you'd get here before you're dinner got cold. Also nice of you to drag in another rat!" I really hate when she calls lunch 'Dinner'. Old folk, go figure. She turned to me, "Well you better get in before yours gets any colder. I hate to admit that you'll have to split your dinner with this… this… orphan. As for you," She said, turning back to her daughter, "I'm going to have a good word with you before you can eat anything."
She turned back to me, "You can microwave your dinner again, but make sure Terra doesn't. She can have her dinner cold."
I sighed, hating to see Aunt Marie be like this to Terra, and walked past her. I knew Terra was in for it this time. I had learned that whenever either Terra or myself got in trouble, Terra always needed to be "Talked to". This usually involved her getting a serious yelling-at, and that was at the least. Most offences, however, involved getting an old-fashioned beating. Terra would return, after the pain that occurred outside, rubbing the seat of her pants, which I remember, a few years back, after me accidentally spilling grape juice on the rug, Terra returning with the back of her skirt in shreds. That probably didn't hurt as bad, seeing how there was so much material in the way.
Two minutes later, and a second, secret helping of Pasta for me later, Terra and Aunt Marie returned, Terra rubbing, guess where, the seat of her pants. "I hope this teaches you to respect your mother's wishes and come to dinner on time next time." Aunt Marie said, taking a seat on the other side of the table from me. Terra sat down, bolting up the second she made contact. "Ouch!" she yelled.
"It also teaches you not to sit down after getting yourself whipped." I said, shoving another spoonful of spaghetti in my mouth. "Of course, I learned something today so far!"
"You have!" Aunt Marie said. She sounded so excited when she said it.
"Yup. 'Whenever warming your plate, and instructed not to warm your cousin's, always remember to add on an extra minute when adding your cousin's plate. This prevents lukewarm pasta.'" I stated.
Aunt Marie looked stunned. Terra laughed quietly through her mouthful of spaghetti.
Well, you have to admit, I did have a habit of breaking a rule now and again.