Hi, guys. Still - ow - feeling a little sick, but think I'm through the worst of it. I should be up and running at full energy soon. ;) Anyway, here's - ow - chapter twelve. Another one that's a little short... but I like it, I'm not going to worry about it. I'm happy to say that I think no one's ooc this time, though you should let me know if you think so. Anyway, we'll get to the review replies.
pepperdadog: Got it. No worries, leave it to me; I wanted to do them anyway, so we'll go with that pairing. There were actually a lot of Jiro x Kluke scenes that weren't included during the time skip after the explosion, which is another reason Shu is so angry for anyone wondering. I narrowed it down because I didn't want the story to drag out too long. Plus, sometimes it's a little bit more fun if you pretend. :) No kissing, though; they haven't done that. Yet. ;) However, I would love some suggestions for Jiro x Kluke scenes. The story's drawing towards the end, and I have a very Jiro x Kluke scene planned in one of the final chapters; I had already planned to do that anyway, even if everyone wanted Kluke x Shu or Kluke x Marumaro. ;) Here's chapter 12.
WindGoddess Rune: Copy that. ;) Oh, I know - I was so sad after I watched it. I still am. :( I'm still trying to figure out a way for them to have made it - I think I can say that without giving away anything, because who made what? - even though it probably looks like they couldn't have; I guess I'm just a hopeless optimist. :) Hm... favorite Superior Life Form (sorry, that's what I call them because that's how I translated it)? I guess... Maybe Rottares; I'd like to see more of the developing friendship between her and Bouquet. Michael's pretty cool, too. But I really like my version of Hildegard; I haven't gotten that story up yet, so you probably have no idea what I'm talking about. It'll probably be a while, since I have several stories I want to get up - just talking about Blue Dragon and not getting into other series - but I won't give away the surprise. I think you'll like it. ;) Hottest? 8O *shocked* No comment. ;) Darn it. I wish you'd told me that sooner; I already decided what the gift is going to be. I think you'll like it though, and you've given me a very good idea for a Kluke x Jiro scene later on - thanks. :)
Prince of Tennis' Shaman: Thanks. :) Oh, I know you wouldn't; I was just teasing you. ;) *sigh* That's the only thing I hate about writing to people - you can never convey things that your voice would normally, so you always have to be careful how you say things. Don't worry; unless something critical happens (I get deathly sick, one of my family gets deathly sick, there's a natural disaster, etc.) I'm no where near done with this. ;) And I will never abandon a story; if I can't get any inspiration, I may not update for like a year, but I'll never say it's complete until it's done. I know; that scene in the game is probably my favorite, probably followed by most of the scenes in Devour Village. I think you'll like the gift once you find out what it is. ;) I'll give you a hint - it has something to do with Tenkai. Hope you like this chapter. :)
Okay, there's been two votes for Kluke x Jiro and two votes for Bouquet x Shu - three for both if I include my own votes - so those will be the pairings unless enough people say otherwise. Also, still - ow - curious if anyone wants me to write the Rogi x Delphinium omake at the end. I'm not a terribly - ow - big fan of the pairing, but I like it enough to write about it, so let me know if I should. Anyway, after the disclaimer, we'll get on with the story.
Disclaimer: I don't own Blue Dragon. You wouldn't come after an - ow - sick person, would you? Especially not one who doesn't claim to own it...
Zola looked around the room, then sighed dejectedly. "Why is it that everyone's gone by the time I wake up?"
"For several reasons," Jiro was still reading his book. "For some reason, you've been getting up late, probably because you stay up late trying to make sure everyone's okay. You never see Kluke because she usually goes to work early, or at least as early as possible. You never see Shu, Marumaro or Bouquet because they're usually off on some hare-brained adventure. If you don't see me, it's usually because I've unfortunately been dragged into one of those said adventures. That answer your question?"
"More or less."
He turned the page. "If you're trying to find something to do, maybe you could check with the weather experts and see if they've determined anything yet."
"That's a good idea. I think I will do that. Thank you, Jiro."
Jiro was focused on his book, so he was caught off guard when Zola ruffled his hair. It didn't stop him from crying out in objection, though.
Shu sighed after the broth had gone down his throat; Marumaro was crazy, but sometimes he had good ideas.
"See, what did I tell you, maro? You just needed something to eat, maro," he lowered his voice. "Besides, girls that like ramen are usually cute, maro."
Shu snorted; some things never changed. "I knew there was some ulterior motive behind this."
Marumaro placed hand over his chest, putting on an innocent look. "Ulterior motive, maro? I have no idea what you're talking about, maro."
"I thought we came out here to get a gift." he massaged his head. Eating had stopped him from being dizzy, but the headache was still relentless.
"I thought you didn't want to get a gift, maro." Marumaro countered back.
Shu blushed. "Well, I've been considering it... and I'm starting to think maybe it isn't such a bad idea."
Marumaro snickered. "You do like her, maro."
"Shut up!"
Kluke stumbled with the strings of her apron. She'd gotten a little queasy from the cold walk to the store, and it was making her a little disoriented.
"What's up, Kluke?" Helen had just come into the room. "You don't look so good."
"Ah, I'm just a little under the weather today," Kluke smiled, finishing with the ties. "I'll be fine."
"Well..." her eyes flicked to Kluke, then around the store. "How about we do something a little different today?"
"Like what?"
Helen grinned. "You're going to mind the shop."
"I don't know about you, but I feel completely energized after that meal, maro!" Marumaro pumped the air with his fist.
Shu looked at him with lidded eyes. "You sure that isn't because you started sweet talking the waitress?"
"Maybe that too, maro." Marumaro folded his arms behind his head, smirking.
Shu rolled his eyes. He was going to have to find something good, because what he was going through wasn't nearly worth some cheap little trinket.
"Hey, Shu, let's try in here, maro." Marumaro stopped in front of the storefront.
Shu looked up, then slapped his hand against his face. "Not another jewelry shop..."
"Look, I've already told you that I was sorry! It was an accident!" Bouquet would've backed away, but she was a little surrounded. She'd thought about turning invisible, but had decided that there wasn't enough room. Especially if she wanted to do it cute.
"You're not going anywhere until you pay for this!" The stall owner, a roundish woman, pointed at her disfigured fruit.
Bouquet had been trying to find the store she was looking for, but hadn't even gotten close. It didn't help that she couldn't remember what it was called. In a fit of rage, she'd kicked a stone, indirectly causing it to go straight through a melon.
"You're acting like I did it on purpose. I'd never do anything like that!" At least, not without a reason, she added in her mind.
"I don't care what you would do! I want compensation!"
Bouquet sighed, reaching into her pouch. Zola would not be happy about this at all. "Here." Her outstretched hand held several coins in it.
The woman took them a little roughly. "Thank you," she said bitingly. "Now, get away from my store!"
Bouquet didn't really know what happened next, but she presumed later that she'd been kicked. She did know that she fell on her bottom. On the snow. She screeched when the cold went up her skirt. She pushed herself forward, on hands on knees, except one hand was being used to brush off the snow. "When I get my hands on that big, hulking..." she froze once she looked in front of her. Those displays... "... genius!" She'd landed right in front of the store she was looking for.
Kluke was in a very good mood. In the back of her mind, she knew that things hadn't ended so well when she was feeling like this, but it wasn't dampening her spirits in the least.
She'd successfully served several customers by now, enough to lose count.
Helen had said that her personality was so good that she fit this position perfectly; they'd decided to switch the cooking instruction to break time and just try harder to learn then.
If she was doing this well... After their journey was over, Kluke was considering opening up a store of some kind, maybe with Shu. Or even Jiro; she blushed at that thought. But it wasn't such a bad idea. He'd been through so much, it wouldn't be a bad way for him to settle down... not with her, of course! She blushed harder.
But back on the subject of serving the customers, she was getting so used to it that she could almost keep a closed-eyed smile going through the whole thing. Though she'd only done it all the way through once.
She heard the familiar jingle of the bell above the door. Another customer. Time for the smile.
Kluke swept her right hand in a gesture, leaning a little to that side. "Welcome to Sweet Delights! How may I help you?"
When the customer didn't answer, Kluke opened her eyes, looking right into Bouquet's stunned face.
Chapter 12 done! Ow. Anybody figure out that was the store Bouquet was looking for? ;) Well, next chapter will deal with the interaction between Bouquet and Kluke, and we'll see if Marumaro got himself and Shu thrown out of the store yet. ;) I also think I'll add a little something about how Zola and Jiro are doing; I might not do the Zola part, since I think it will have a better effect if I hold off, but after thinking about it I will do the part with Jiro. Anyway, review if you get the chance, and I'll try to get the next chapter up after 10 hits. Ciao! :D