Fushigi Yuugi:
Life As It Is
"…How…do you know my name?" questioned the fire woman. Tasuki took her shock as a chance of opportunity and pushed her off him. He sat up, putting support in the heels of his hands and stared at the girl.
Now that he had a chance, he got a good look at her. She had red hair, a mix with gold, long with a spiked bottom. Her eyes were a shiny amber shade that held many emotions. She wore a kimono like battle suit that exposed more cleavage then any of the other girls. It was pure (blood) red with a pinkish colored wrap. And her tattoo was just like the others; her symbol was a flame.
"Koa told me." He answered with a small growl. Enzeru, as she had been revealed to be known as, allowed her eyes to grow visibly wide and let a small gasp go.
"K-Koa? My Koa?" she placed a hand over her heart. Tasuki's jaw dropped.
"Y-yours?" he wondered aloud. Before she could answer, he felt a gust of wind b low by, knowing Koa had arrived on the scene. She stood in front of Tasuki, as if protecting him, and stared hard at the missing elemental.
"Hello Enzeru." She said in a tone that could not be placed in a category. Enzeru's eyes flashed too quickly with an emotion, then she jumped up and glomped the earth girl.
"Koa! This boy's so mean to me! He told me you let him into the village and—"
"—I did." She answered, sounding as if that was no problem at all. Enzeru just whined more.
"But...but why? I know that means you preformed the ritual with him! Does that mean he's more important to you then us? Then ME? Just because he's an outsider!"
Tasuki was even more lost when Koa wrapped her arms around the sad one's shoulders and gave her a caring hug.
"No, " she answered softly, "he doesn't mean more to me then you. Now come on silly, let's head home, okay? You know we've all missed you, right?"
"Yeah…I missed you guys too." Enzeru answered truthfully, though it sounded forced.
"Come on you two, let's head back." Koa instructed while turning to face the village.
"Right." Tasuki agreed with a nod as he followed her stare. He gazed at the sun before returning his eyes to her, only to find the two girls holding hands, side by side, beginning their walk back. Tasuki just felt his eyes grow small and his hand twitch as he followed somewhat behind.
"ENZERU!" the remaining three shouted at the sight of their comrade. The said girl smiled happily at her friends and let go of Koa to run and respond to their open arms. Tasuki hear Koa sigh and only growled to himself. 'I'm beginning to wonder if there's more going on in this village…'
After ten minutes of hugging, Tasuki tapped the leaf-tattoo bearer on the shoulder. She snapped out of her gaze to look at him, "Yes?"
"Can we…head over to your hut? To talk?" he said in a deep voice. Koa, though uneasy, nodded in agreement. She notified her friends of her plans, which made them moan in protest. But she just waved them off and walked along side the flame-fan boy. On the way, she could've sworn she heard,
"Wonder why she won't hold my hand…"
Upon arrival, Koa opened the door for them both for entrance. He went in first without any recognition of her action and took a seat as what he would now call 'his chair'. She followed his actions into the room. But once she saw his anger, she finished playing copy cat and sat in his chair too. On his lap. He was startled out of his seriousness by her action and looked up at her with a face to prove it.
"What's on your mind? I know something's bothering you." She pointed to his forehead and her own as a sort of hint.
He instantly regained his composure and returned her curiosity with his wonder.
"Are you and her going together?If that was an anime scene, they would've turned into chibi with a sort of line-eyed sweat-drop expression.
"…Why on Earth would you think such a thing?" she asked him in anger, putting her hands carefully around his neck. He took that as a sign to choose his words.
"Well, you held her hand and you hugged her and—"
"---Enzeru is my mother!" she shouted. Tasuki was shocked by her words. She jumped off his lap and added to her explanation, "You wouldn't understand. Enzeru and Jem raised Arashi and I. But I always admired Enzeru for her strength and personality. I looked up to her and she was always there for me. The problem with her is…"
Tasuki saw the girl clench her fist and saw this was becoming a sore topic for her. He stood up and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. Instantly, she wiped around and looked him in the eyes, "The problem with her is that 'life's too short'! She runs around from place to place, looking for freedom. She doesn't realize if she does, all our work over these last ten years would be in vein! Once I discovered her reasoning behind leaving, I felt I had to take over. If she wasn't here, I wanted to be.
"With her, things go by in life too quickly to truly enjoy it. Like right now. Ever since she arrived things have been speeding up. This is the most calm my heart has been since I sensed her presence. Get used to it, because that's how life is with her around. She needs something to always keep her occupied and interested or she leaves in search of more. That's why I get so mad at her and hate her when she's gone. But I'm overjoyed when she comes home. She knows I idolize her, so she uses it to her advantage and says things like, 'even more reason for you to be head girl around here!'. But…I don't want to be all the time. I hate being the leader because it means she's…not here.
"That's why I didn't want to talk to you about her. She gets such a reaction from me, sometimes; I want to pound her face in! But I care about her and the others too much to do that. So I just sit back and—"
"—let them use you?" Tasuki added his own ending to that sentence.
"What?" Koa spat.
"If that's how you feel, let them know. Let Enzeru know how you really feel. Otherwise, you'll burn yourself out." Those last few words came out of him through a clenched jaw. That's when Koa remembered.
"Tasuki, you mentioned something before about me burning. Is that what you were referring to?"
"I don't know. But if it is," he grabbed her shoulders and looked his right in the eyes with such a look of fear and anger, "You better knock it off right now, ya hear?"
Koa figured it out. That dream he had that he mentioned really spooked him. He was worried about her now. Meaning he cared about her. When he saw her devotion to Enzeru and her ignorance of him, he got jealous and thought she didn't feel as strongly as he did. So, he had become interested in the village enough to become fond of its meaning and people. Enough to become jealous over a girl-girl friendship. The Earth elemental smiled wholeheartedly and leaned into Tasuki.
"Tasuki, I—"
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! KO-A!" the two heard Arashi scream. Realizing their awkward position fast, the two jumped apart and ran out the door. Figuring everyone was in Enzeru's hut, they headed in that direction.
Only to be met by the sight of the girls standing behind the house screaming at the sight of a blue haired man.
"…Chi…chiri?"
"You're acquainted with this man?"
"N-I mean, I…"
"Who is he?"
"What does he want?"
"Why is he here?"
"No matter what, he knows our secret!"
"What'll we do?"
"Uh…hi, y'know!"
"AHH! It spoke!" the elementals all jumped behind Tasuki. The two guys sweat-dropped.
"Hey, I'm not an 'it', "I'm a 'he', y'know! I'm Chichiri of the Suzaku, y'know? I was just worried about Tasuki's weirder behavior and decided to see what was going on, y'know?"
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN 'WEIRDER'? YOU'RE THE ONE WHO WEARS A MASK THAT HAS NO EYES!"
"So he is your ally?" Koa was unreadable as she came out of hiding.
"…Y…yeah…" Tasuki cautiously replied.
"So…is he trustworthy?"
"Depends on what mood he's in."
"That's not good enough. GET HIM!"
"YEAH!" the girls cheered with Koa.
"TASUKI, HELP y'know!"
"WAIT! I WAS KIDDING!"
!oo! After a small fight scene and a serious conversation … !oo!
"Hmm…I guess we can trust him," Enzeru sighed as she shrugged, "I mean, he doesn't appear very threatening at all,"
"Hey, I find that offensive, y'know!"
"And since Koa had enough guts to trust this tan-man, I guess he can't be all that bad."
"…Tasuki, why do you come here?" Chichiri wondered.
"Heh heh…they really have their good points about them."
"Which he will never know!" Koa screamed.
"Koa…calm down. He's okay, really." Tasuki tried to reassure the woman who had leapt up off the ground in anger, obviously directed toward his best friend. He had noticed she was tense the moment he made his joke about Chichiri's moods. Now, she had a hunter's gleam in her eye and would surely take a year minimum to trust him. The whole discussion, as it took place on Enzeru's hut's floor, was visibly not sitting well with her. She had her hand resting on her pocket gear the whole time. The flame-wielding man sat beside his male friend, fearing for his life, while the 'court session' took place.
"Enzeru-sama," Koa turned to the said girl, "I don't think it would be wise to-"
"But Koa, you let him in," Enzeru said with disgust, giving Koa a plotting evil stare. Tasuki knew this was going to do something to Koa's control and decided to watch her carefully for the time being,
"I don't think it would be very fair if I allowed you to keep your pet within our village's limits and not let the others and I enjoy company too. Is it not you who is always begging me to stay? Well, maybe if we had more guests I would."
"Are you telling me you need other people here, other than us, to make you stay? What is this 'I' you speak of? To me, Enzeru, whenever you leave, you throw away your identity and membership to our clan. You can't even be called human because of what you are, so why try-"
"SHUT UP!" Enzeru bellowed, "Don't give me any lip! Chichiri can stay and be apart of our village as much as he wants to be, as much as Tasuki!"
Suddenly, Koa chuckled. Once, twice, then gave Enzeru the same look as she had given her.
"But Enzeru-sama," her tongue could drip visibly with venom, "how can you say 'our' village when you don't even dwell within its walls? You seem to misinterpret. Once you left me the position, it's mine now. You may come and go as you please, but I'll always be here picking up your sla—"
! SLAP !
Koa was almost tossed across the room with the impact of the blow. She stumbled backwards and ended up on the ground. It took her a few moments, and everyone else in the room, to snap out of shock and bring her hand up to her face to feel the wound. It was stinging, but was nothing compared to the stab in her heart.
"E-Enzeru! How could you?" Mikomi rushed to her 'sister's' side and held her close, "She does all she can to try and help you! She willingly accepted your position so you could be free! How could you just-"
"No, Mikomi." Koa whispered for only the young girl to hear.
"B-but onne-chan…" Mikomi mumbled, a few tears springing into her eyes.
"What am I always telling you? Try to live…a clan life. But shall you stray, except your punishment's blow. I disregarded many things in my outburst and took it out on poor Enzeru-sama. I apologize. Now if you'll excuse me," she grunted as she stood up, "I'd like to take my leave before I make an even bigger fool of myself. Good evening everyone."
The Earth elemental bowed, making sure when she returned to her up-right position that her hair was blocking her eyes, and somewhat jogged out the door. All were left mystified before Tasuki turned to his friend and sent him a signal. In less than two seconds, Chichiri was up and following Tasuki out the door.
The remaining elementals looked at each other, excluding Enzeru.
"Koa…" Arashi whispered under her breath. Mikomi walked over to her and the wind mistress openly gave her a hug.
"Enzeru…you okay?" Jem asked, looking up at the girl in question. She couldn't see the girls eyes under her rough bangs, but once Jem had called to her, Enzeru turned away to look out the only window in the structure.
"Why wouldn't I be? I'm not the one that got struck." Jem noticed her cheeks rise slightly, as if she was smiling…
"Enzeru, I know you don't-"
"Oh man…"
"Huh?" Jem questioned, barely sure if she caught the fire girl saying anything.
The water elemental watched as the girl in front of her brought her hand to her face, trying to block out the sound her words would make. Though her attempts were in vein and what was wanted to go unnoticed was heard by the curious girl:
"She won't get over that for a long, long time."
!oo! With Koa… !oo!
She sat with her back against the door, trying to block out anyone who wanted to get in. She sat, in a daze, not even noticing the tears going down her face. She was so locked up in her mind; she couldn't even register what was in sight. A random sniffle of small cough could be heard, but no one was around to notice.
'I'm sorry…' she thought to herself, 'I'm so wound up right now, I didn't understand. I was so confused. With Enzeru's return, only a day after my acceptance of a stranger into the village, and then for another one to show up out of thin air! It was too much for me to handle! I was worried that with another one in the village, our group would become accustomed to letting others in. That isn't possible! I've worked too hard to keep everyone safe; I'm even working the forest creatures over. I feel awful…
'And now Enzeru…oh, she must hate me. For me to disgrace her in front of not only our family, but two new friends! No matter what, she is apart of this family, even if at times I'm not strong enough to accept that. Even if she's never here to prove she enjoys being apart of our lives. I just wish…she'd stay…at least so we can make sure her acceptance ceremony goes smoothly. I wouldn't want her to leave and never know if her element was too-'
"HEY! KOA!" Tasuki shouted from outside her door. She snapped out of her daze at the sound of his voice. She lifted her back off the door and turned her upper body to face the direction his voice came from, in hopes he was there to comfor—uh-hem, talk with her.
"Yea-"
! BAM !
"…OW!" Koa screamed from her spot across the room, rubbing her sore bottom.
"Huh? What are ya doin' all the way over there?" Tasuki questioned from his position in her doorway.
"Grr, you should know! You flung the door open and knocked me all the way over here! Ever heard of knocking!" she howled in frustration at the inconsiderate man.
"Oh! S-sorry. I didn't mean to…"
"And here I thought you were growing up, y'know?"
Koa froze. Out from behind Tasuki appeared the mysterious blue-haired monk. He locked eyes (through his mask) with the girl on the floor and remained calm. Honestly, he had no idea what was going on was kind of scared of these people now, but decided he would give them a chance for Tasuki's sake. After looking into her confused hazel orbs for a few moments and no action, the fourth Suzaku Seven warrior walked over to the girl and offered her his helping hand. She was surprised at first and remained still to examine his gesture, as is she was some tiger cub. Tasuki kind found that cu—uh-hem, uh…nice?
After what felt like hours, Koa shakily took his offer and he helped her up with a smile.
"There ya go, good as new, y'know." Chichiri chirped with a smile. Koa felt her cheeks grow hot at the sight. She turned away instantly and held her hand out toward her table.
"…P-please, have a seat." She offered, trying to appear calm.
Both men in the hut nodded and did as they were instructed. Tasuki sat in what he had instinctively labeled as his seat and Chichiri to his right. Koa sat in the seat she had the first time he entered her home, in the farthest seat from Chichiri.
"So, why are you two here?" Koa inquired.
"Well, we came to see how you were doing. We wanted to make sure you…weren't bruised or anything." Tasuki replied, lowering his perkiness so he could appear caring to the girl, showing he wasn't joking around for once.
"I probably won't be from Enzeru, but from being knocked across my hut, most likely!" she sent him a glare.
Chichiri laughed behind his hand.
Koa looked at him a studied him. She looked uneasy at his mask, as if he was hiding himself from her. She didn't sit easy with that. Tasuki noticed she was staring at his best friend and was curious immediately as to why.
"Um, excuse me, sir-"
"Call me Chichiri, y'know." He sounded cheerful enough, so she let her muscles loosen in the slightest.
"Chichiri-kun, I don't mean to pry, but…um, why…"
"Do I wear this mask?"
"Yes, that was my question. But if you'd prefer not to tell me, I understand. There are some things one prefers not to openly discuss, I included."
"No, it's okay, y'know. Friends share, right?"
"…Y-yeah…"
"Would you prefer it if I took it off?" his tone changed; from bubbly to deep.
"If you wouldn't mind." She said casually while crossing one leg over the other and resting her chin in one of her palms, waiting anxiously to see the secretive face.
"No problem, y'know." He replied calmly and did as she wished. The red-head of the three was slightly shocked to see how open he was with these people, since he knew they scared the hell out of him. He wasn't sure, but he also thought he saw Koa blush earlier at Chichiri's smile. He decided to blow it off, thinking he was getting paranoid over nothing.
Then he thought, why the hell would he care?
Koa's gasp brought Tasuki back. He looked at the girl and could see she was blown away by the sight of Chichiri's true facial features. "Oh my…" she whispered out, causing an angry anime sign pulse on Tasuki's temple. 'He's notthat good looking.' He scoffed while turning his head, crossing his arms over his chest in disapproval.
"You can probably guess by now why I wear this mask, huh?"
"Oh, yes, I see. However…I think the mask is adorable and all, but perhaps you would have a girlfriend by now if you were to throw it away." Koa offered helpful advice. Chichiri scratched the back of his head and smiled.
"Now now, Miss Koa. I'm not looking for a girl right now, y'know. A girl's actually the reason," –he dropped his hand and stare- "behind my scared face."
"Oh my…Chichiri, I'm truly sorry. I was unaware."
"It's okay, y'know. I hadn't told you yet so there was no way you could've, y'know? But it was nice of you to say that about me, so thanks." He smiled again.
"Okay…" she didn't sound satisfied with that answer.
"Now, moving on Miss Koa, there are some things I'd like to discuss with you." He placed his mask on the table and clasped his hands together, looking her in the eyes.
"As I have previously told your friend-"
"Hell-O! I'm sitting right here! And I have a name!" Tasuki growled in anger.
"Oh, yes you are."
"Why, you little…"
"As I've previously told Tasuki, the whelp," –both those in conversation laughed, Tasuki just scowled and glared- "I am only at liberty to explain so much to you. It's the rules I've set for us, to keep us safe."
"Of course, y'know. I'll accept that." Chichiri nodded.
"Heh, well, then this should be easier then the first time I tried."
"Does anyone even care that I'm here?" Tasuki whined.
"Yes yes, that's nice. Now then, each of the girls here…"
!oo! Later, after a long talk… !oo!
"Wow, this village is fascinating, y'know!" Chichiri was truly in awe. He had always been able to sense others presences, but never once noticed this village before. He assumed it was because each one of them honed an element, so their energy just molded with which ever they were connected with, making their aura unnoticeable.
"Thank you. I shall take that as a compliment." Koa bowed slightly in appreciation.
"You should. If I could, I'd trade my celestial blood with one of you any day!"
"Funny you should say that…" Tasuki decided then to join in the conversation, standing up from his seat and looking rather cocky, as if this was his area of expertise.
"Oh?" Chichiri asked, sounding intrigued.
"Tasuki!" Koa warned.
"No Koa, he needs to know. It's only fair. I mean, you preformed it with me."
"But I can't force one of the others to do that!"
"Then you do it with him!" Tasuki shouted in her face.
"I can't!"
"WHY NOT?"
"Did you notice when you went home, you were more exhausted then normal? It takes a lot of energy, even for me, to keep up with the strength of…that. It's basically suicide to perform two in two days, even more so with you two since your blood is different and stronger then normal people."
"So what do we do then? Just let him leave and never come back after all you've told him? That isn't right!"
"I know, but…"
"Uh, can I have any say in this?" Chichiri piped up after a while.
"Yes, Chichiri-kun?" Koa completely returned her attention to the man.
"What is it you guys are walking about?" he tilted his head in a chibi-like fashion in curiosity, making him look like a little child. Koa was taken aback, and soon sighed in defeat.
"Oh dear…" was all she mumbled before grabbing Chichiri by the hand, shocking Tasuki out of his mind, and pulling him outside. Tasuki followed in…wonder. Definitely not jealous. Upon arrival at her destination, the middle of the five huts, she placed her thumb and index fingers at the corners of her mouth and made a high-pitch sound. In mere moments, the other three permanent residents exited there homes.
"What is it, onne-chan?" Mikomi asked as she rubbed her eyes, standing beside Arashi.
"Yeah, what the hell? Shouldn't you be sleeping?...And shouldn't they be gone!" Arashi raised her voice at the sight of the two men with her friend, pushing a half-conscious Jemu off her shoulder.
Koa ignored her friends and turned to Chichiri.
"Chichiri-kun," –her three friends gasped and were brought to complete consciousness after hearing that- "in order for me to accept you into this village ever again and to let you go with your head attached to your shoulders, you need to perform a blood oath."
"…A…what?" he asked, quite shaken after what Koa had said.
"Tasuki, show him your wrist please."
"Why should I?" he asked with his hands behind his head.
DEATH GLARE!
He faltered for a moment, then sighed and did as he was told. He slipped his sleeve and showed Chichiri his cut. Chichiri gasped at the sight. Then stiffly and shakily turned back to the girls and Koa. "…A-and?"
"You get to choose which girl you wish to perform the blood oath with." Koa informed.
"What exactly to I halfta do?" he was on the verge of tears; tears of fear!
"You slit your wrist,"
"WHAT?" he whined and lost the ability to hold back his tears.
"And seal your blood with one of the girls, sealing your alliance with us. Only then can we trust you. You like your head, don't you?"
"I LOVE IT!" he squirmed, holding onto his cheeks.
"Good. Now choose."
"I don't remember agreeing to this." Arashi huffed.
"I don't remember asking you, so we're even. It's Enzeru's decision to let him stay, so we have no choice." Koa informed her friends. They were surprised by her sudden change of mind, so decided to go along with it.
"All right, Chichiri!" Tasuki cheered, "You get your pick of bachelorette one, two, three! Nice!"
"Is there a problem with me? You don't approve?" Koa got a deathly look in her eyes.
"…Maybe…"
! KAPOW !
"…I pick…her!" Chichiri pointed to the water elemental, completely ignoring the fact his best friend just got slugged and sent flying into the forest.
"May I inquire as to why?" Koa questioned.
"Well, Miss Mikomi here is just a child and Miss Arashi doesn't really seem to approve of the whole idea. I hope you don't mine, Miss Jem."
"P-please, just 'Jem' is fine. That's my nickname." Jem smiled slightly.
"Okay then, y'know," Chichiri agreed, "Plus, we both have blue hair."
"YEAH! POWER TO THE BLU-IES!" Jem cheered suddenly.
Everyone sweat-dropped.
"…Ehe heh…yeah!..." Jem silently shrunk down a bit.
"Well, randomness is fun, y'know." Chichiri said positively as he scratched the side of his head.
"Yes, and Jem is full of it." Arashi murmured, still holding onto her annoyed expression.
"Uh-hem, not then, "Koa tried to regain the previous mood, "since that's settled, Chichiri-kun, why don't you and Tasuki stay the night? The sun has already set, there is no need to start a journey now."
"Sounds goo-"
"OH, NO!" Tasuki shouted, sounding like a drunk, as he emerged from the trees in between Arashi and Jem's huts, "I ain't staying over night with her! Chichiri let's g-"
"Where will I be sleeping?" Chichiri questioned the girls.
Tasuki fell over anime style, face first in the dirt, "I give up. I just give up."
"I don't even know what you were trying to do in the first place." He heard a voice say over his head. He looked up to see 'Mother Nature' looking down at him emotionlessly.
"Not you again," he groaned with a sigh, "haven't you tortured me enough for one day?"
"How could I be torturing you when all I've done is discussing matters about your friend?"
"And punch me!" he fought back. She poked him in the nose.
"That you deserved."
"Hmph." He turned his head away selfishly like a child.
She smiled down at him and giggled.
"What's so funny?" he asked, annoyed.
"Come on now," she offered him her hand, "We need to set you up for the night now or we won't get any sleep." He was shocked by her sudden offer, but looked up at her with a look of both wonder and 'toughness'.
"Where's Chichiri staying?"
"He will be with Jem tonight, since he might wipe out after the blood oath. They will perform it in her hut after she cleans up a bit. She's incredibly messy."
"…And me?" the 'toughness' was gone.
"You'll be staying with me of course." She made it sound as it was truly so obvious.
"Wha-?"
"Come now," she edged her hand forward slightly, "let's head in."
"…Sure." He said softly. Taking her hand, he thought he saw sparkles appear around them. She helped him up with her strong grip and dusted off his hair for him. After he felt his pants were free of dirt, he looked at her and noticed they hadn't let each other's hand go yet. They stared at each other for a moment, Tasuki unnoticeably squeezing a bit tighter, until…
"HEY, LOVERS! GET TO SLEEP!" Arashi shouted roughly before sprinting off to her hut.
Koa twitched and her aura darkened. Tasuki could tell she was getting angry, so regrettably he let go of her hand. "K…Koa?"
"I…detest…that…word!" she mumbled out. Tasuki chuckled lightly.
"Right…well then, uh, d-don't you think we should check on Chichiri? Y'know, to see how he's doing?"
"No need to worry. If it goes successfully, they'll both probably just wipe out. And if he dies, Jem will come running out to tell us." Koa informed.
"Yeah…that's good…" Tasuki was shaking slightly.
"Okay, so let's head in." Koa hesitated before grabbing his hand again and leading him inside her house.
Once inside, Tasuki closed the door behind them and took a seat by the window while Koa cleaned up a bit (she offered and refused help). He looked out at Jem's hut and was very worried about Chichiri. He knew he'd be fine, really he did, but all of Koa's talk about his head being cut off and him dieing wasn't sitting well with him.
'What has Chichiri got himself into this time?' he thought to himself.
"Nothing too strenuous on his life," Koa answered, causing the man in the hut to whip around to face her, "if his blood can par."
"Uh…oh, yeah. I forgot about the benefits of this blood oath thingy. But hey, if you can hear me, how come I can't hear your thoughts?"
"Because," she began her answer as she tossed up the blanket for his bed one more time, "I've been using blood oaths for years with my sisters. I've learned how to block my thoughts from entering your head."
"WHAT? HEY! HEY! HEY! THAT'S NOT FAIR!" he screamed with a whine, shaking his fist in chibi form. She giggled a bit.
"Go to sleep, Tas-bi," she teased him with the nickname she had made on the spot, pointing to the bed she had made for him, which was a two step walk away from hers, "You need rest so you can head back safely tomorrow."
"Hmph." He replied stubbornly, but did as she instructed. She leapt over his hand-made futon and landed gracefully on her mattress, which was about two feet off the ground. After settling in his bed for the night, Tasuki looked up at Koa, watching her as she made herself comfy, he noticed in a very similar manor to his own.
"Hey, Koa?" he called to her after a few moments of silence.
"Hmm?" she answered him with a sigh.
"How come you won't let me hear what you're thinking?"
She paused before responding.
"…I feel that…you shouldn't be burdened with my over-sentimental worries."
"What worries are you talking about?"
"Nothing, I always work myself up over nothing and get everyone else worried. I'm not sure, but I think I'm the only one to learn this tactic so I can keep to myself."
"Don't you trust your friends?" he asked in a soft voice.
"Of course, like sisters." She replied truthfully.
"Don't you trust me?" his tone softened even more so.
Once again, she paused before answering.
"Definitely not at first," she responded truthfully, so he didn't get too worked up, "but now, after getting to know Chichiri and you even more, seeing what kinds of family you have, I can safely say I am beginning to."
"Family? No, he's just my friend. And what do you mean beginning to?"
She laughed in a sleepy voice, "You worry over nothing. You should be happy that you have friends who can be called family to you. And you don't need to trouble yourself over what I just said. It's another small trifle for me."
"Fine." He mumbled sleepily himself before rolling onto his side to face away from her.
He heard her sigh.
'But I'm glad I have someone like Tas-bi to worry about me. It makes me so glad I met him.'
He silently gasped, then relaxed moments later.
'I wonder I was supposed to hear that…' he let that hang.
He was so tired by then, he didn't notice the small smile on his face. Neither did she.
!oo! In Jem's hut… !oo!
"There! You…did it." Jem congratulated, gaining her air back slightly. It had been awhile since she had preformed a blood oath and it's not that she forgot how, it's just she was nervous around a man she barely could says he knew and lost a little more blood then she was suppose to. She became frantic and ran around for cloth, when Chichiri ripped the corner of his tunic and wrapped around his wrist for her. They rested for a tiny bit of time before continuing their lives.
"Yeah, and it wasn't as bad as I thought, y'know?"
"Hey, how come you always say 'y'know'?"
"I don't know, y'know? It's just something I started saying and never was able to stop, y'know."
"Well, I think it's cool!" she said truthfully with a bubbly smile only a water elemental could give.
"Thanks!" he enjoyed her compliment.
"Sure, it may get annoying from time to time,"
"…Oh…" he sweat-dropped, now kind of nervous again.
"But I like it! It's like a trademark thing for you! Wish I had something like that."
"But you do: you have randomness!"
"YEAH!" they laughed together.
"Well, I have to say, I like your laugh Miss Jem," he complimented, matching her kind comment. She looked startled and, though would deny it, blushed slightly, "It's so bubbly, so carefree. Like you, like water itself."
"…Th-thank you." She was amazed by his words. No one, not even one of her sisters, had ever commented on her like that. Maybe because they always found her crazy energetic and silly personality troublesome on its own.
"(yawn) Well, I think I'm gonna hit the hay now, y'know?"
"Oh, right. Well, good night Chichiri. I'll see you tomorrow morning, okay?"
"Just one last question: how old are you?" he wondered.
"I'm seventeen." She answered, though curious as to why he would ask.
"Hmm…ten years younger than me, y'know."
"Oh, wow. That's cool." She acted mystified by the news, but more shocked to find out this hip youngster was almost in his thirties!
"That means that when I was already a decade old and starting my magic training, you were just being born."
"Oh…yeah, that sounds kind of weird doesn't it? But isn't even weirder that two people born that long apart would somehow one day meet and perform such a sacred ritual as a blood oath?"
"Uh…yeah…" he answered more calmly.
"Oh, sorry, you probably want to sleep, don't you? Well then, good night."
"Sleep tight." He added.
"Make sure Koa's bed-bugs don't get you tonight."
"WHAT?" he jumped up, searching his 'bed'.
"I'm kidding! I'm kidding! It's a little thing we made up as our good night blessing."
"Oh…it's more like a curse to me, y'know! That almost gave me a heart attack, y'know."
She giggled, "Sorry."
"Phew, as long as that won't happen, I'm fine, y'know."
"Good. Now can we finally get some rest?"
"Good idea!"
And in mere milliseconds, they were both out like lights.
!oo! The next morning… !oo!
Arashi rested on the roof of her hut as she watched the sun rise. She awoke early like that every morning, as if restless, never needing sleep. Her element really suited her, as everyone said: she was always alive and ready for fun, though she appeared rough. She was, as they had nicknamed her, 'The Gently Twister'. She may come off as rude and mean, but she only did so for Koa and her family.
Even though she was older then the Earth elemental, she respected her opinion and listened to her when she gave instructions or life lessons to help Mikomi grow up properly. She always found it amazing how a girl who had gone through more than all the others combined could be so gentle toward her friends. She knew that Koa relied on them very much and Arashi relied on her just the same.
Without them, Arashi would be lost. Just as the wind, she had no real direction. She was free-flowing and pathless as her gifted element. She never thought of needing a 'guiding way' in life, she went, did and said what she felt in her heart was right. But without this village to ground her, she knew she would end up like Enzeru, and breaking Koa's heart.
She thought of the green battle suit-wearing girl as she felt a sudden breeze wash over her peachy skin. Everything right now was focusing around her a silently putting pressure on her. Arashi found this as unfair, and felt guilty, since she never would've brought 'Tasuki', she thought with annoyance, here if not for her and Jem's clumsy screw-up. Hey, those two were klutz; they admitted it time and time again. But it wasn't so funny when Koa resorted to a sacred tradition and, if in the original clan, would be beaten and abandoned for committing such a sin.
The blonde sighed and ran a hand through her hair, then jerked in the direction she heard footsteps, only to find the Fire elemental yawning and stretching her arms over her head.
"G'morning." Enzeru mumbled in a froggy voice. Arashi sighed and replied, remembering she was the only morning person in the village.
"You still got that habit of yours?" Enzeru questioned, meaning the 'morning watch' she always did.
"Yeah, something I can't shake." She answered truthfully and returned her gaze to the golden orb rising in the beautifully lit morning dome.
"Heh, I can relate," that statement caused Arashi to divert her attention again, "Mind if I join ya?"
"Be my guest." Arashi offered, but made no effort to move. Enzeru just jumped up and sat on her other side, which did have such a great view of the sun as her friend's position. She sighed again.
"You seem to be doing that a lot lately," Arashi said emotionlessly, not turning her gaze from her reason of being up that morning, "Something troubling you?"
"Well, what do you know about those two?" the fire girl asked as she used her slender fingers to place some messy locks behind her ears.
"Not much," she replied with a small elegant shrug, "just that I don't like them."
"Oh?" she seemed to find this amusing, "Why not?"
"For the same reasons as you," now her attention returned to her friend, brown clashing with amber, "Because I don't know them. So I don't trust them"
"Yeah, I agree. But, honestly, is that a reason to just hate them? I mean, Koa seems to-"
"Can you not talk about her right now?" Arashi looked both saddened and angry. Enzeru understood.
"I'm just saying she was able to accept these two so easily, yet she was the one always on guard; always protecting us. She even got Tsume' (A/N: Tsumeato, the bear in the first chapter who swatted at Tasuki's nicely shaped ass ;D That is what Enzeru calls him, since she doesn't approve of his help.) in on helping our little cause here. Was that really necessary?"
"If even with his help, we acquired two new friends, then I'd say so, and more." Arashi pointed out.
"Touché," she sighed again, "So, what can you tell me?"
"Well," she began while a calming morning breeze swirled in their hair, "I know they are of the Suzaku."
"Suzaku?...Hmm…uh, why does that sound familiar?" she lost her seriousness as she scratched the back of her head.
Arashi sweat-dropped, visibly annoyed by her lack of remembrance of one of their enemies most powerful weapons. "Konan's celestial guardian and warriors hold that title."
"Oh, right! Now I remember. Hmm…this is something to consider…"
"What are you scheming now, Enzeru-chan?" Arashi knew something was wrong with the look on her face.
"I'm just thinking-"
"This definitely a turning point."
"Aw, shut it. I'm just saying, we've got two out of the remaining six on our side right?"
"Yeah…" she answered slowly.
"Well, isn't the emperor one of the warriors?"
Arashi's eyes went wide. "Enzeru," the suffix was lost again, "no…"
"Well, it was nice chatting with ya, Arashi." She leapt off the hut roof.
"Enzeru!" she growled dangerously.
"I'm just gonna go for a stroll. Bye!" and in seconds she was gone.
Arashi gasped, took a few moments to calm down, ran into the middle of the circle and yelled.
"EVERYONE! ENZERU'S HEADING OFF TO KONAN TO SEDUCE THE EMPEROR!"
Immediately, everyone was outside.
"WHAT?"
"You heard me."
"WHY DIDN'T YOU GO AFTER HER?" Jem shouted.
"Because she wouldn't listen to me when I told her not to, so I need reinforcements." She answered.
"LET'S GO!" Koa shouted and all the elementals were off.
Tasuki and Chichiri were left in the dust.
"…Hey, WAIT FOR US!"
!oo! Konan Palace… !oo!
"This is truly bothersome. I wonder where Tasuki and Chichiri went. I haven't sent them well for two days. They've been so mysterious." The Emperor of Konan, Hotohori, wondered aloud to her Imperial Envoy.
"Do not worry yourself majesty," his faithful Envoy replied, "I'm sure they're fine. Maybe they went to Mt. Reikaku to visit Master Tasuki's old friends."
"Hmm…that seems logical. But I know Tasuki, and he definitely is not."
"Heh, you could say that again." The two heard a third voice join in their conversation. They turned to face the door to see the morning light outlining a female figure in the palace's doorway.
"Wh-who are you?"
!oo! Close to Konan… !oo!
"Arashi! Can't you just blow us there or something?" Mikomi asked, getting tired of leaping tree to tree, since that wasn't her specialty.
"If I did, I would blow down innocent people and their work stands." She informed the youngest.
"Oh man…" she whined, hating the feeling of her sore feet.
"Less talking, more running!" Jem and Koa said together and sped up.
The other two sighed and did their best to keep up.
!oo! Konan Palace… !oo!
"Oh, no one that special." Enzeru said in a seductress' voice as she walked down the aisle of the palace hall.
"What is it you are doing here? I don't recall having met you before." Hotohori stated his state of recollection, but had a feeling inside that she definitely was not a stranger.
"I'm someone new and someone old." She held her tone as the shadowing around her disappeared and revealed her full figure to him.
!oo! Outside the Konan Palace… !oo!
"Hey, you! Stop right-ACK!" the general could no longer continue his sentence as Arashi stepped on his face.
"Like I need any lip from you." She grumbled and used his face as a push-off to continue her way inside.
The rest of the army just stared at the pitiful sight of their general and decided to leave the four ladies alone, letting them make their way up the stairs.
!oo! Inside the Konan Palace… !oo!
"What do you mean?" Hotohori questioned, now thoroughly confused.
"You want to know? Real bad?" she teased.
"I-I'd like to understand, yes." He answered, very shaken by her appearance.
She smiled and suddenly held a strange glint in her eyes, "Okay." She said restlessly and charged!
!oo! At the doors of the Konan Palace… !oo!
"Hey, Enzeru!" Jem called out to her friend. With no response, they burst into the hall, knowing she's most likely be in there.
But what they found froze them to the spot, losing all mental function.
"Oh, hey guys!" Enzeru cheered from her happy place.
No one else dared to move until Tasuki and Chichiri arrived almost five minutes later.
"Finally! We're her-er-e-EY! What's she doing to the Emperor?" Tasuki shouted in shock at the sight the freaky fire elemental latched onto their Emperor, her arms around his waist and head on his chest.