(('Allo again!!! This is the second chapter, and I'm still going strong! Find and idea and run with it, ne? Especially since this seems like the first fanfic I may actually finish…
Disclaimer: I do not own Fushigi Yuugi, fortunately. If I did the characters would've been… different. Yeah, that's the way to put it. Not psychotic at all… ^._.^ ))
Chapter Two: The Honorable Sheriff of Nottingham
"Wait a second! Do you even know where you're going no da?"
Rei paused. He had a point. "Erm… How about I travel with you for awhile?"
Chichiri rolled his eye beneath the enchanted mask exasperatedly. Maybe he should just leave her to fend for herself, but… Godsdamnit, it was against his nature to allow her to wander around in these bandit-infested woods. They would leave him alone simply because monks never carried any money, but she was fair game as far as they were concerned. Not that the bandits of Mt. Reikaku (who dominated the area) were in the slave trade, but even in Tasuki's gang there were a few bad eggs.
"…All right. I was on my way to visit a friend no da. You can come with me and we'll see what we can do about why you're here."
'I hadn't thought about that…' she thought, realizing for the first time that the problem of getting home hadn't even crossed her mind. "Arigato. Shall we?" she asked, motioning that the monk take the lead. After her first startled impression of him she had taken a second look. She wasn't really interested, but being a woman she couldn't help but notice that he was actually kind of cute. Possibly more than 'kind of', a voice had commented in the back of her mind. Rei had quickly stomped on that thought. She was independent, and didn't need some man trying to control her. Even letting him lead her through the forest grated against her sensibilities.
"So… What does your friend do for a living?" she asked, attempting to make some small talk.
The monk paused, looking back at his companion. "He's a bandit no da." Was the simply reply.
'Why am I getting a Final Fantasy vibe from this?' she mused. Then again… in Final Fantasy the heroine always falls in love, and she knew that would never happen. Rei gave her head a little shake, pulling herself out of her thoughts. "I've never met a bandit before." She smiled wryly. "We don't have any where I come from. Well… Except in books. But, I'm betting your friend is no Robin Hood."
Chichiri looked perplexed. " 'Robin Hood' no da?"
"He's a legendary bandit at home. He only stole from the rich to feed the poor people of a village called Nottingham. He ended up rallying an army of peasants to kick a false king from the throne," she explained. Robin Hood had been her favorite book when she was a child, and as she spoke of him her eyes seemed to glow with an inner fire.
He appeared to think about this for a moment before shrugging one shoulder. "Tasuki's a bit like that. Actually – !" he cut himself off. "Get down!" Chichiri hissed, pulling Rei down beside him.
"Wha –" she started, but he clamped a hand over her mouth.
"Shh!"
Two minutes later a group of wildly shouting men ran past, followed after by an unappealing mass of scar tissue and fat that barely proclaimed the shape of a man. In one huge fist he held an iron fan, in the other he was dragging an unconscious man by the scruff of the neck. The most distinctive features of the unconscious one were brilliant flame-red hair and a long blue coat that trailed through the leaf-mould on the forest floor.
After they had passed out of earshot Chichiri let Rei go. He stood slowly, willing his seething anger under control. "Eiken."
Rei looked surprised. "You're telling me that thing has a name?" she asked disbelievingly. "I thought he was a shaved bear or something…"
"…Rei, I have to ask you for a huge favor no da." he said.
She arched an eyebrow. A favor? The last time a guy had asked her for a favor he had meant… 'Oh, for crying out loud, get a grip! He just met me!' she reprimanded herself. Besides, the soft-spoken man didn't seem to be that type. She shrugged. What the heck, what harm could a favor do?
"What is it?"
"You saw the unconscious man?" She nodded, and he continued. "That was Tasuki. Eiken has been trying to take control of the bandits for years, and it looks like he finally succeeded no da."
"So Robin Hood needs rescuing, eh? What does this have to do with me?"
"I need you to distract Eiken." He smiled apologetically. He wouldn't have asked, but there really wasn't any other way to rescue Tasuki. "I know it's a lot to ask, but…" he paused, brushing his bangs out of his face irritably. He sighed in resignation as they fell neatly back into place.
Rei found herself chuckling. She couldn't help herself. "You could cut them, you know…" She composed herself, looking serious. "Well, what're we waiting for? Let's go rescue Robin Hood from the clutches of the 'honorable' sheriff of Nottingham!"
~*0*~
" 'Ey boss! Guess wha' we found!"
Eiken's pig-like eyes flicked over the captive woman's form. He grinned slowly, baring yellowed and rotting teeth.
Rei glared defiantly back at the lustfully grinning bandit. She would have made some kind of biting remark, but talking around cloth is almost impossible, as she had found while trying to cuss at her captors. Instead she had settled for struggling wildly and landing more than a few good kicks.
"Leave 'er t'me."
The bandit let Rei's shoulders go, bowing stiffly before limping out of the room. Eiken watched as he left, waiting until he was gone before turning back to grin at Rei again.
"Ya did tha' t'him, didn' ya?"
No-one knows why men say or do the stupid things they do. Why when a woman says 'no' they think she's saying 'take me I'm yours', or why they say things like 'I like a woman with spirit.' For some reason, they just do.
"I like a woman wi' spirit…" he growled. Incorrectly, as it would turn out.
~*0*~
Chichiri watched silently as Rei was dragged up to the bandits' fortress. He winced as she kicked one of the bandits viciously. There was no doubt about it, she could take care of herself. It was finding Tasuki that would be the problem.
'Knowing Eiken, he'll be in the room with the most guards…' He watched the last of the men disappear into the mountain fortress. He waited for a moment. 'Which means Tasuki will be relatively unguarded.'
There was a soft inrushing of displaced air and the forest was once again empty of all human life.
~*0*~
Rei breathed a sigh of relief as the gag was removed from her dry mouth. She swallowed, attempting to summon enough moisture to speak. "…So you like a girl with spirit, eh, Bushelbritches?" she rasped.
Eiken chuckled stupidly. "Yeah."
She grinned. "Be careful what you wish for." she purred as her elbow connected with his rather expansive gut. Blowing a kiss to the doubled-over behemoth, she disappeared out the door, grin becoming impish as she went. She felt that she had distracted him long enough.
What she didn't expect was to step into the middle of a ring of swords.
"Ummm… Oops?" Rei volunteered.
~*0*~
Footsteps echoed down the empty corridor. There was a soft thump as a door closed, and the sound of a key turning in its lock.
Koji sighed inwardly, slipping the key back into his pocket. He hated doing this to Genrou, but if he didn't…
If he didn't he'd be short one best friend. Eiken was deadly serious this time. So he'd had no choice. Either lock Genrou up or suffer the consequences. Even if it drove him nearly insane to see the former bandit leader in chains.
He was so preoccupied with his musings that his normally sharp ears didn't register footsteps, in almost perfect sync with his own, until it was too late. Slender, long-fingered hands clamped down over Koji's mouth, cutting off a startled curse mid-syllable. He twisted free, turning in the same movement to glare at his attacker.
The corridor was empty.
"Hakka jigoku shinen!!! Show yerself, would ya?!" he growled lowly. Whoever had crept up on him would have hell to pay. This was NOT a good day to be playing games with him.
A tap on the shoulder made the bandit jump a foot in the air, turning mid-jump to face whatever evil spirit was tormenting him.
Koji never expected to come face-to-mask with a friend.
"Gah! Ch-Chichiri?!"
"Keep it down no da!" the monk hissed. After dodging corrupt bandits for the last five minutes the normally calm, soft-spoken man's nerves were wound up as tight as a spring. "Where's Tasuki?"
"I figgered that was what ya was here fer. He's in that room." he said, pointing over his shoulder at a heavy oak door. The nonchalant gesture belied the relief flooding through him. If anyone could beat Eiken, Chichiri was the one to do it. He knew full well tha the slender monk's unassuming countenance and cheerful disposition was a façade that concealed an incredible power.
Chichiri frowned slightly. He was fairly certain Rei could handle herself, but… "I have a friend helping me. She's distracting Eiken, but could you try to find her no da?"
"Sure thing." Koji turned to leave, then turned back, digging in one of his pockets. "You'll need this." He tossed a glittering object to the monk, who plucked it deftly from the air.
Chichiri turned to the door, inserting the key into the lock, turning it. There was a soft click and the door swung open. Dim light filtered through high windows, dust specks sparkling like stars as they twirled in an endless dance in and out of the light, driven by a non-existent zephyr. A chained figure crouched in the center of the luminous square. It looked up as the door opened, golden eyes widening in surprise as it stood, chains creating a cacophony of clanks.
"Chichiri?"
He nodded in reply, chanting a sutra of unbinding. The chains fell away, releasing their captive.
Tasuki grinned, walking over to his older friend, rubbing his wrists back to life. "Good t'see ya." He glanced around the cell, upper lip curving disdainfully. "Good t'see anyone fer that matter." he amended.
"We have to get Eiken out of power." Chichiri's voice held a note of finality. "If he's allowed to remain at large he'll start killing again."
"Yeah. An' that'll ruin the Mt. Reikaku reputation." Tasuki grimaced. He and the former boss had worked hard to create a good reputation for the group. One killing because of Eiken could shatter the already fragile ideals forever. "But, what're we gonna do about it?"
"We're getting the tessen back."
~*0*~
"Knock, knock. Who's there? Koji. Koji who? Koji has a message fer Eiken that'll make him very happy! Well, then, come on in! Don't mind if I do!"
Rei raised an eyebrow as the door opened, revealing the man who called himself "Koji". She had already knocked Eiken out with a well-aimed vase not too long ago. Just in case this man intended to harm her, she groped on the table behind her for a weapon. Her fingers touched cool metal and wrapped around the object instinctively.
"Looks like he sent the right woman to distract Eiken…" Koji muttered, examining the purple and yellow lump rising on the back of the fat man's bald head. He stood from his crouching position and slowly approached the raven-haired woman.
She brought her hand around protectively, revealing the spoon she had picked up. "I have…" she paused, glancing at the spoon, a look of consternation briefly crossing her features. "I have an eating utensil and I'm not afraid to use it!" she cried, rallying magnificently.
"Watcha gonna do, luv? Cut my heart out?" he asked, arching an interested eyebrow. "Besides, I wasn' sent t'harm ya. Chichiri sent me t'see if ya needed any help."
Rei felt an odd mix of emotions well up inside her at the bandit's words. She was touched that an acquaintance of one day cared enough to check up on her, but she was also highly annoyed that he felt she might need help. Why did she care whether he cared about her welfare or not, anyway? "That was nice of him. Did he find his friend?" she said emotionlessly.
"…Why don't ya ask him yerself?" Koji commented, eyes focused on a point somewhere over her shoulder.
She turned, following the man's gaze. Chichiri and Tasuki were standing silently behind her, the monk's gaze fastened on the unconscious Eiken while the younger man unabashedly examined her form. She flushed hotly, outraged at being treated like an object, especially by a teenager. Gritting her teeth, she clenched her fists, willing herself to calm down. This was as far as she knew ancient China, after all. These people probably hadn't even heard of women's rights. Not that men from her reality were much better…
Tasuki winced as he caught her dagger filled glare, averting his eyes quickly. Turning to the monk, he asked, "So who's this woman?"
"This woman can speak for herself, thankyouverymuch!" Rei snapped, her tolerance spent.
"So what's yer name then?"
"Kishi Rei." she said in clipped tones. She did not like this fanged, flame-headed, teenager's way of addressing her. Or the way that his gaze kept shifting decidedly downwards from her face. She crossed her arms over her chest in annoyance. "Okay, kid. First off, I am not, I repeat NOT an object. I'd appreciate it if you'd stop treating me as one. And, damn it, if you don't I'll drop kick you into next month, you get me?"
The bandit averted his gaze to her face again. "An' tha's s'posed t'scare me?"
Chichiri glanced up from the unconscious bandit, catching the furious expression on Rei's face. "Tasuki, leave her alone." he warned.
"Feh." He rolled golden eyes heavenward, turning to Koji with a muttered curse.
The monk brushed his bangs aside with an apologetic smile. "Sorry about Tasuki no da. He's –"
She held up a hand, cutting him off. "Don't apologize for him."
"Demo –"
"I said don't. I'm used to it, believe me." She smiled wryly. "Where I come from there's no such thing as a gentleman anymore. The all act like him." said Rei with a sigh.
It was true. She used to get stares wherever she went. The worst thing was when a business man would offer her cash for her 'services', thinking that he could bribe her. She had asked one of her friends why this happened so often. It was because of her eyes. Blue eyes on a Japanese woman were almost unheard of, and she had acquired them, along with her figure, from her American mother.
"—an I'd recommend lockin' Eiken up fer awhile. Y'think ya can handle him?" Tasuki was saying to Koji as he rummaged around for his harisen. He found it in an alcove, hidden by a disintegrating tapestry on the wall. He ran his hand along it lovingly before slipping it into the harness on his back.
The elder bandit nodded. "Sure thing, Genrou." A glance out the window told him what he already knew to be true. The sun had set long ago, the stars shining brightly in the velvet firmament. "Mebbe you should stay here fer th'night."
"That's a good idea no da." said Chichiri.
Rei simply yawned, covering it with the back of her hand. She suddenly realized she was tired. Dead tired. If she could have, she would have curled up on the floor right there, but for some reason sensed that wouldn't be allowed.
~*0*~
Rei examined the room she had been given. It was sparse, containing nothing but a bed and an empty dresser. The bandits had provided her with a nightgown and change of clothing. Why they had women's clothing in their stores was beyond her.
She peeled out of her grungy outerwear, pulling the nightgown on over her head. Slipping into the bed, she yawned again. Tomorrow they would find a way to send her home. Tomorrow…
((And that's it for chapter two! Rather long, ne? I couldn't help it! There was just so much I wanted to say. As a warning for the future, my chapters range in my notebook from one to ten pages so far… Which means there will be no consistency whatsoever in how long my chapters are. Sorry about that! Time to answer reviews!
Otaku-no-Miko: Thanks for reviewing, Kristen-sama!! I know what you mean, but my pc is so fool-proof it won't let me do that… So I just have to experiment with different file types until I find one that works… So annoying -_-;;
Okieday, folks! Another chapter will be posted within a week, and please review!!! Pwease?))
Disclaimer: I do not own Fushigi Yuugi, fortunately. If I did the characters would've been… different. Yeah, that's the way to put it. Not psychotic at all… ^._.^ ))
Chapter Two: The Honorable Sheriff of Nottingham
"Wait a second! Do you even know where you're going no da?"
Rei paused. He had a point. "Erm… How about I travel with you for awhile?"
Chichiri rolled his eye beneath the enchanted mask exasperatedly. Maybe he should just leave her to fend for herself, but… Godsdamnit, it was against his nature to allow her to wander around in these bandit-infested woods. They would leave him alone simply because monks never carried any money, but she was fair game as far as they were concerned. Not that the bandits of Mt. Reikaku (who dominated the area) were in the slave trade, but even in Tasuki's gang there were a few bad eggs.
"…All right. I was on my way to visit a friend no da. You can come with me and we'll see what we can do about why you're here."
'I hadn't thought about that…' she thought, realizing for the first time that the problem of getting home hadn't even crossed her mind. "Arigato. Shall we?" she asked, motioning that the monk take the lead. After her first startled impression of him she had taken a second look. She wasn't really interested, but being a woman she couldn't help but notice that he was actually kind of cute. Possibly more than 'kind of', a voice had commented in the back of her mind. Rei had quickly stomped on that thought. She was independent, and didn't need some man trying to control her. Even letting him lead her through the forest grated against her sensibilities.
"So… What does your friend do for a living?" she asked, attempting to make some small talk.
The monk paused, looking back at his companion. "He's a bandit no da." Was the simply reply.
'Why am I getting a Final Fantasy vibe from this?' she mused. Then again… in Final Fantasy the heroine always falls in love, and she knew that would never happen. Rei gave her head a little shake, pulling herself out of her thoughts. "I've never met a bandit before." She smiled wryly. "We don't have any where I come from. Well… Except in books. But, I'm betting your friend is no Robin Hood."
Chichiri looked perplexed. " 'Robin Hood' no da?"
"He's a legendary bandit at home. He only stole from the rich to feed the poor people of a village called Nottingham. He ended up rallying an army of peasants to kick a false king from the throne," she explained. Robin Hood had been her favorite book when she was a child, and as she spoke of him her eyes seemed to glow with an inner fire.
He appeared to think about this for a moment before shrugging one shoulder. "Tasuki's a bit like that. Actually – !" he cut himself off. "Get down!" Chichiri hissed, pulling Rei down beside him.
"Wha –" she started, but he clamped a hand over her mouth.
"Shh!"
Two minutes later a group of wildly shouting men ran past, followed after by an unappealing mass of scar tissue and fat that barely proclaimed the shape of a man. In one huge fist he held an iron fan, in the other he was dragging an unconscious man by the scruff of the neck. The most distinctive features of the unconscious one were brilliant flame-red hair and a long blue coat that trailed through the leaf-mould on the forest floor.
After they had passed out of earshot Chichiri let Rei go. He stood slowly, willing his seething anger under control. "Eiken."
Rei looked surprised. "You're telling me that thing has a name?" she asked disbelievingly. "I thought he was a shaved bear or something…"
"…Rei, I have to ask you for a huge favor no da." he said.
She arched an eyebrow. A favor? The last time a guy had asked her for a favor he had meant… 'Oh, for crying out loud, get a grip! He just met me!' she reprimanded herself. Besides, the soft-spoken man didn't seem to be that type. She shrugged. What the heck, what harm could a favor do?
"What is it?"
"You saw the unconscious man?" She nodded, and he continued. "That was Tasuki. Eiken has been trying to take control of the bandits for years, and it looks like he finally succeeded no da."
"So Robin Hood needs rescuing, eh? What does this have to do with me?"
"I need you to distract Eiken." He smiled apologetically. He wouldn't have asked, but there really wasn't any other way to rescue Tasuki. "I know it's a lot to ask, but…" he paused, brushing his bangs out of his face irritably. He sighed in resignation as they fell neatly back into place.
Rei found herself chuckling. She couldn't help herself. "You could cut them, you know…" She composed herself, looking serious. "Well, what're we waiting for? Let's go rescue Robin Hood from the clutches of the 'honorable' sheriff of Nottingham!"
~*0*~
" 'Ey boss! Guess wha' we found!"
Eiken's pig-like eyes flicked over the captive woman's form. He grinned slowly, baring yellowed and rotting teeth.
Rei glared defiantly back at the lustfully grinning bandit. She would have made some kind of biting remark, but talking around cloth is almost impossible, as she had found while trying to cuss at her captors. Instead she had settled for struggling wildly and landing more than a few good kicks.
"Leave 'er t'me."
The bandit let Rei's shoulders go, bowing stiffly before limping out of the room. Eiken watched as he left, waiting until he was gone before turning back to grin at Rei again.
"Ya did tha' t'him, didn' ya?"
No-one knows why men say or do the stupid things they do. Why when a woman says 'no' they think she's saying 'take me I'm yours', or why they say things like 'I like a woman with spirit.' For some reason, they just do.
"I like a woman wi' spirit…" he growled. Incorrectly, as it would turn out.
~*0*~
Chichiri watched silently as Rei was dragged up to the bandits' fortress. He winced as she kicked one of the bandits viciously. There was no doubt about it, she could take care of herself. It was finding Tasuki that would be the problem.
'Knowing Eiken, he'll be in the room with the most guards…' He watched the last of the men disappear into the mountain fortress. He waited for a moment. 'Which means Tasuki will be relatively unguarded.'
There was a soft inrushing of displaced air and the forest was once again empty of all human life.
~*0*~
Rei breathed a sigh of relief as the gag was removed from her dry mouth. She swallowed, attempting to summon enough moisture to speak. "…So you like a girl with spirit, eh, Bushelbritches?" she rasped.
Eiken chuckled stupidly. "Yeah."
She grinned. "Be careful what you wish for." she purred as her elbow connected with his rather expansive gut. Blowing a kiss to the doubled-over behemoth, she disappeared out the door, grin becoming impish as she went. She felt that she had distracted him long enough.
What she didn't expect was to step into the middle of a ring of swords.
"Ummm… Oops?" Rei volunteered.
~*0*~
Footsteps echoed down the empty corridor. There was a soft thump as a door closed, and the sound of a key turning in its lock.
Koji sighed inwardly, slipping the key back into his pocket. He hated doing this to Genrou, but if he didn't…
If he didn't he'd be short one best friend. Eiken was deadly serious this time. So he'd had no choice. Either lock Genrou up or suffer the consequences. Even if it drove him nearly insane to see the former bandit leader in chains.
He was so preoccupied with his musings that his normally sharp ears didn't register footsteps, in almost perfect sync with his own, until it was too late. Slender, long-fingered hands clamped down over Koji's mouth, cutting off a startled curse mid-syllable. He twisted free, turning in the same movement to glare at his attacker.
The corridor was empty.
"Hakka jigoku shinen!!! Show yerself, would ya?!" he growled lowly. Whoever had crept up on him would have hell to pay. This was NOT a good day to be playing games with him.
A tap on the shoulder made the bandit jump a foot in the air, turning mid-jump to face whatever evil spirit was tormenting him.
Koji never expected to come face-to-mask with a friend.
"Gah! Ch-Chichiri?!"
"Keep it down no da!" the monk hissed. After dodging corrupt bandits for the last five minutes the normally calm, soft-spoken man's nerves were wound up as tight as a spring. "Where's Tasuki?"
"I figgered that was what ya was here fer. He's in that room." he said, pointing over his shoulder at a heavy oak door. The nonchalant gesture belied the relief flooding through him. If anyone could beat Eiken, Chichiri was the one to do it. He knew full well tha the slender monk's unassuming countenance and cheerful disposition was a façade that concealed an incredible power.
Chichiri frowned slightly. He was fairly certain Rei could handle herself, but… "I have a friend helping me. She's distracting Eiken, but could you try to find her no da?"
"Sure thing." Koji turned to leave, then turned back, digging in one of his pockets. "You'll need this." He tossed a glittering object to the monk, who plucked it deftly from the air.
Chichiri turned to the door, inserting the key into the lock, turning it. There was a soft click and the door swung open. Dim light filtered through high windows, dust specks sparkling like stars as they twirled in an endless dance in and out of the light, driven by a non-existent zephyr. A chained figure crouched in the center of the luminous square. It looked up as the door opened, golden eyes widening in surprise as it stood, chains creating a cacophony of clanks.
"Chichiri?"
He nodded in reply, chanting a sutra of unbinding. The chains fell away, releasing their captive.
Tasuki grinned, walking over to his older friend, rubbing his wrists back to life. "Good t'see ya." He glanced around the cell, upper lip curving disdainfully. "Good t'see anyone fer that matter." he amended.
"We have to get Eiken out of power." Chichiri's voice held a note of finality. "If he's allowed to remain at large he'll start killing again."
"Yeah. An' that'll ruin the Mt. Reikaku reputation." Tasuki grimaced. He and the former boss had worked hard to create a good reputation for the group. One killing because of Eiken could shatter the already fragile ideals forever. "But, what're we gonna do about it?"
"We're getting the tessen back."
~*0*~
"Knock, knock. Who's there? Koji. Koji who? Koji has a message fer Eiken that'll make him very happy! Well, then, come on in! Don't mind if I do!"
Rei raised an eyebrow as the door opened, revealing the man who called himself "Koji". She had already knocked Eiken out with a well-aimed vase not too long ago. Just in case this man intended to harm her, she groped on the table behind her for a weapon. Her fingers touched cool metal and wrapped around the object instinctively.
"Looks like he sent the right woman to distract Eiken…" Koji muttered, examining the purple and yellow lump rising on the back of the fat man's bald head. He stood from his crouching position and slowly approached the raven-haired woman.
She brought her hand around protectively, revealing the spoon she had picked up. "I have…" she paused, glancing at the spoon, a look of consternation briefly crossing her features. "I have an eating utensil and I'm not afraid to use it!" she cried, rallying magnificently.
"Watcha gonna do, luv? Cut my heart out?" he asked, arching an interested eyebrow. "Besides, I wasn' sent t'harm ya. Chichiri sent me t'see if ya needed any help."
Rei felt an odd mix of emotions well up inside her at the bandit's words. She was touched that an acquaintance of one day cared enough to check up on her, but she was also highly annoyed that he felt she might need help. Why did she care whether he cared about her welfare or not, anyway? "That was nice of him. Did he find his friend?" she said emotionlessly.
"…Why don't ya ask him yerself?" Koji commented, eyes focused on a point somewhere over her shoulder.
She turned, following the man's gaze. Chichiri and Tasuki were standing silently behind her, the monk's gaze fastened on the unconscious Eiken while the younger man unabashedly examined her form. She flushed hotly, outraged at being treated like an object, especially by a teenager. Gritting her teeth, she clenched her fists, willing herself to calm down. This was as far as she knew ancient China, after all. These people probably hadn't even heard of women's rights. Not that men from her reality were much better…
Tasuki winced as he caught her dagger filled glare, averting his eyes quickly. Turning to the monk, he asked, "So who's this woman?"
"This woman can speak for herself, thankyouverymuch!" Rei snapped, her tolerance spent.
"So what's yer name then?"
"Kishi Rei." she said in clipped tones. She did not like this fanged, flame-headed, teenager's way of addressing her. Or the way that his gaze kept shifting decidedly downwards from her face. She crossed her arms over her chest in annoyance. "Okay, kid. First off, I am not, I repeat NOT an object. I'd appreciate it if you'd stop treating me as one. And, damn it, if you don't I'll drop kick you into next month, you get me?"
The bandit averted his gaze to her face again. "An' tha's s'posed t'scare me?"
Chichiri glanced up from the unconscious bandit, catching the furious expression on Rei's face. "Tasuki, leave her alone." he warned.
"Feh." He rolled golden eyes heavenward, turning to Koji with a muttered curse.
The monk brushed his bangs aside with an apologetic smile. "Sorry about Tasuki no da. He's –"
She held up a hand, cutting him off. "Don't apologize for him."
"Demo –"
"I said don't. I'm used to it, believe me." She smiled wryly. "Where I come from there's no such thing as a gentleman anymore. The all act like him." said Rei with a sigh.
It was true. She used to get stares wherever she went. The worst thing was when a business man would offer her cash for her 'services', thinking that he could bribe her. She had asked one of her friends why this happened so often. It was because of her eyes. Blue eyes on a Japanese woman were almost unheard of, and she had acquired them, along with her figure, from her American mother.
"—an I'd recommend lockin' Eiken up fer awhile. Y'think ya can handle him?" Tasuki was saying to Koji as he rummaged around for his harisen. He found it in an alcove, hidden by a disintegrating tapestry on the wall. He ran his hand along it lovingly before slipping it into the harness on his back.
The elder bandit nodded. "Sure thing, Genrou." A glance out the window told him what he already knew to be true. The sun had set long ago, the stars shining brightly in the velvet firmament. "Mebbe you should stay here fer th'night."
"That's a good idea no da." said Chichiri.
Rei simply yawned, covering it with the back of her hand. She suddenly realized she was tired. Dead tired. If she could have, she would have curled up on the floor right there, but for some reason sensed that wouldn't be allowed.
~*0*~
Rei examined the room she had been given. It was sparse, containing nothing but a bed and an empty dresser. The bandits had provided her with a nightgown and change of clothing. Why they had women's clothing in their stores was beyond her.
She peeled out of her grungy outerwear, pulling the nightgown on over her head. Slipping into the bed, she yawned again. Tomorrow they would find a way to send her home. Tomorrow…
((And that's it for chapter two! Rather long, ne? I couldn't help it! There was just so much I wanted to say. As a warning for the future, my chapters range in my notebook from one to ten pages so far… Which means there will be no consistency whatsoever in how long my chapters are. Sorry about that! Time to answer reviews!
Otaku-no-Miko: Thanks for reviewing, Kristen-sama!! I know what you mean, but my pc is so fool-proof it won't let me do that… So I just have to experiment with different file types until I find one that works… So annoying -_-;;
Okieday, folks! Another chapter will be posted within a week, and please review!!! Pwease?))