Disclaimer: We, Twin Girls do NOT own Fushigi Yuugi or its storyline, it is created byYuu Watase and other large corporations in which we have no part of. We only own Kayla.
Gemini: (walks out of the emergency room from the hospital) Stupid Cancer has to stick an infected needle in my #$ arm. When I get my hands on her.... (Starts to take out a book entitled "1001 Ways To Torture An Enemy") hmmm.... Interesting.... ooohhhh.... that looks good BWHAHAHA!!!
(Change in scene)
Cancer: (Found meditating in the television room surrounded by chanting music and burning incense like a homemade personal shrine) the holy peace of TV time can give one peace of the mind and serenity to ones trouble thought.... (Pauses and frown when she feels disturbance in the air) hmmm.... I feel a foreboding presence.
Gemini: HIIIIYAAAA!!!!! (Jumps out of nowhere and throws a sack over Cancer's head, tying the opening and trapping her inside) BWHAHAHAH!!!!! I got you now for my sweet revenge!!! Now let's see.... (Takes out her torture book and reads)
Step 2: Bring your prey to Taiitsukun....
Step 3: Asks Taiitsukun to turn your prey into a nyan-nyan therefore becoming her slave for the rest of her life
Hmmm..... Sounds good to me (place a stamp on the sack containing the struggling Cancer and wrote an address to Mount Taikyoku and stuffed Cancer into the mailbox) Byebye Cancer!! Nice knowing you, have a nice life with Taiitsukun. BWHAHAHA!!!!
(Scene fades away slowly)
Cancer: (Tap Gemini on the shoulder) Wake up Gemini. It's noontime now, so get your lazy ass off the bed man!!! HELLO!!!
Gemini: BWHAHAHA!!! BYEBYE CANCER!!! DON'T MISS ME TOO MUCH BABY!!! HAHAHAHA!!!!
Cancer: (Sweatdrops) O.... K.... I guess she's dreaming about me again huh, man, she should stop doing that! I mean what would the readers and the public think when they find out about this!!! (Sighs and leaves the room)
Gemini: BWHAHAHA!!! SEE YA IN THE NEXT LIFETIME CANCER!!! BWHAHAHAHA!!!!
Chapter 9: It's All In The Matter Of Trust
Morning came not long after, but Kayla had not slept at all after last night's incident with Genrou. She had managed to drag him back to his room and put him in his bed where he laid there unconscious. She had spend the rest of the night too worried about him waking up and remembering what had happened last night and thus figuring out her little secret. What would happen if he found out that she was really.... well.... a 'she'?. Given the knowledge that he hated girls, he would probably be furious and drive her away or maybe even worse! She shuddered.
That's it!! I can't take this anymore! I have to go check on him. I have to go see for myself if he knows anything! She nodded as she made up her mind, and she bolted out of bed and got dressed. If he doesn't remember anything then that would be just perfect, but if he does..... well.... at least I would know. The suspense of not knowing is driving me insane! She thought as she finished and practically ran out of her room heading towards Genrou's room, silently praying.
Genrou woke up with the sun glaring upon his face and instantly sat up. Bad idea.
"Owwww..... KUSO! What the....." he mumbled as he immediately laid back down. His head was hurting like hell due to a serious hangover. For some reason, the back of his head was throbbing, almost like there is a bruise or something. He couldn't figure what could have caused it. His mind was in an utter turmoil and he had no freakin' idea as to what the hell had happened last night. All that he remembered was drinking too much out of sheer boredom and had taken a walk for some fresh air, what had happened afterward had been a big blur. All that he recalled was the distant sound of water and for some reason; he remembered a voice that sounded very much like Kayla's. Then he figured he must have blacked out since there was nothing else he had remembered.
Strange indeed. And definitely very annoying.
When his vision began to clear, he looked around and was surprised to find himself back in his own room. How the hell did I get here? I don't remember coming back to my room he wondered. Then he heard a knock on his door. "Go away Kouji, I'm in a fcking bad mood!" he yelled thinking that it was most likely his best friend coming in to give him a wake up call. I swear that guy's like a freakin' rooster or something. However his door opened to reveal a certain braided boy instead.
"Hey it's me... ummm... can I come in?"
"Kayla?" Genrou was surprised to see Kayla walked in and closed the door behind him. "What do ya want?"
"Umm... nothing....I....umm.... just want to see how you're doing," Kayla stammered as he appeared to be looking at everything in his room except him.
Why does he look so damn nervous? Genrou wondered before his headache grew worst. He groaned. "I having a $$ hangover, what do you think?"
"Oh...really? Oh I'm glad you weren't seriously hurt...."
"You are?" Genrou couldn't help but to be a little startled by Kayla's sudden passive behaviour. Why is he so nice to me all of a sudden? Something must be wrong. "Wait a minute, how did you know I'm not feeling well this morning. You don't happen to know anything about the bruise behind my head do you?" He asked suspiciously.
His question seemed to have triggered a response, because all colour had drained from the boy's face. He went hysterical, speaking non-stop completely in nonsense. "I didn't mean for it to happen! It just did! Please don't be mad, I didn't have a choice, it wasn't my fault that you happen to be there all drunk and couldn't even walk in a straight line, don't be angry please, I have no where else to go, I....." Kayla went on and on and Genrou couldn't make any damn sense out of it. He was speaking too fast and it only made his headache even worst. His annoyance grew and like other many cases in the past, he lost his temper.
"KUSO! KAYLA SHUT UP! What the hell are you talking about?!"
Kayla immediately stopped and looked up at Genrou wonderingly. He looked obviously pissed off and yet in pain at the same time. Then realization kicked in. Maybe... maybe he really didn't remember what had happened last night she thought as she felt a slight surge of hope. "Sorry...umm.... you don't remember what happened last night do you?" she asked quietly while avoiding Genrou's gaze, all the while praying that he did not hear the nervousness in her voice.
Genrou just groaned again and mumbled a few incoherent words (most likely some more curses). He put a hand on his head and fell back down on his bed. "Damn! I don't know.... my mind's a total blank, all I remembered is drinking a little too much sake and taking a stroll... after that is one fcking messy blur." He moaned unaware of Kayla's relieved expression.
Thank the Gods! He doesn't remember anything. Maybe that blow in the head I gave him had helped more than I expected Kayla thought secretly smiling a little.
"However...." Genrou started again.
Kayla's smile vanished and froze "H...however?"
"However, I think I remembered hearing your voice before I blacked out, care to explain to me why?" He asked suspiciously, his eyes fixed at her conscientiously despite his headache.
Kayla flinched unnoticeably under his intense stare knowing that he was not going to back down until she gave him an answer. Uh oh...better think fast Kayla, say something, say ANYTHING before he gets too suspicious She thought frantically. She spoke the first explanation that came to her mind. "Well... you see, you were drunk... really drunk... and you were walking in the forest. You tripped and hit your head against a rock or something and blacked out. I found you and brought you back here."
"And just what were you doing out so late at night?"
"I.... I was outside stargazing, it was a beautiful night you know," Kayla spoke quickly. She couldn't very well tell him that she was bathing. It was just too embarrassing and could erratically trigger a memory or something if she told him the truth. "Of course you were probably too drunk to notice anything," she added, slowly allowing herself to relax a little since she knew now that he didn't remember anything important.
"Che...don't remind me, damn this annoying headache!" Genrou swore again.
"Maybe that will teach you to give up drinking so much," Kayla smirked a little as she watched Genrou.
"Yeah right, I'm not going give up sake just because I'm having a fcking hangover."
"Men..." Kayla grumbled without thinking, shaking her head.
Unfortunately Genrou heard her comment and gave her an odd expression. "What is that suppose to mean? You're a guy too you know," he pointed out a little puzzled.
Oops. "Hehe of course I am!!" She said a little too loudly "I meant that I just don't understand men like you," she mended quickly.
"And you probably never will," finished Genrou, apparently letting her slip-up slide.
They became silent for a while. Kayla was just about to decide that she should leave when Genrou spoke up again. "There's one more thing I want to know."
"What's with all the questions all of a sudden?" Kayla demanded. It was beginning to annoy her that Genrou was constantly questioning her as if she couldn't be trusted.... like a criminal. That was a little ironic considering that he's the bandit, not her.
Genrou just ignored her question and continued. "Just what was all that about?"
"What was what about?" She asked irritated, wanting to get the questions over with.
"All the things you had said before; about how you said that it wasn't your fault, that you had no choice and you had no where else to go. What the hell was all that about?"
Kayla hesitated, she couldn't tell him the truth. "It's nothing, I was just rambling nonsense..."
However, before she could finish though, Genrou was suddenly out of his bed and was standing before her, once again giving her a fixated glare. The look that suggested that he knew she was hiding something. It was surprising of how he didn't seem to be suffering from a hangover anymore. "I don't believe you, just what are you hiding Kayla?"
"I... I don't know what you're talking about," Kayla lied, refusing to meet his eyes.
"Ever since you stayed here, we don't know who you are, your past, where you came from, we don't know anything except your name," Genrou stated, determined to get some answers out of the boy. He didn't know why he was so anxious to know, but it really disturbed him when he didn't know much about Kayla. He may be loud-mouthed and obnoxious at times but that didn't mean he was stupid or clueless about everything. He knew Kayla was keeping secrets. It was pretty obvious especially from what the boy said earlier when he was all damn hysterical and panicking.
The question would be what the boy was panicking about?
"I don't know why you're so interested in my background all of a sudden. You never cared before, so why now?" Kayla stubbornly countered.
Without warning, Genrou grabbed her by her shoulders. His grip wasn't hard enough to hurt her but firm enough to indicate that he was dead serious. His sudden contact had startled Kayla, forcing her to look up and their eyes locked together. Amber clashing with amber.
"As the leader of the Leikaku bandits, its my duty to know everything that goes on around here and be on the lookout for potential threats," he explained.
Kayla's eyes narrowed and broke free from Genrou's grip on her shoulders. Of all the criticism and harsh things he had said to her in the past, they were nothing compared to what he had just said. What was worst was that she was actually hurt by his accusation and she mentally kicked herself for letting this arrogant baka get to her this way. "So now you're accusing me?! After all this time, you're admitting that you had never once trusted me?!" She demanded trying to contain her fury, but failing.
"Kuso! Kayla I never meant...."
"Cut the crap Genrou, that is exactly what you meant or else you wouldn't be so intended in knowing about my background. Kouji doesn't know and he trusts me. But you...." Kayla threw her hands up in frustration and anger. "Why am I saying all this?! I don't have to explain anything to you! I have my own rights for privacy and you have no right to push me! You're nothing but an egotistic, obnoxious, lowly bandit!!"
Genrou eyes flashed dangerously in her belittling comment of his identity. He glared into her startled eyes (even more intimidating since he was taller than her). "So I'm a lowly bandit. What are you then boy? A runt without an identity? An unspoken past because he's too ashamed of admitting maybe? For all I know, you're probably a boy nobody wants, not even your own parents. They probably abandoned you all alone in the streets because they found just how spoiled and damn annoying you are"
'SLAP!!'
The sound of flesh connecting flesh echoed in the room. Genrou head was turned to the side with a red mark stinging on the left side of his face. However Genrou couldn't feel the sting, he was too shocked as he turned back to Kayla. He could see the boy practically trembling with rage as his fists clenched tightly and his head facing down. "I..." Genrou was - for once in his life - speechless.
"Don't...." Kayla hissed as her voice filled with venom and bitterness. "Don't you ever speak about my parents that way… How dare you say those things about them?! You have no right!" She raised her head to face Genrou and realized that she was crying as she felt her the tears slide down her face. She forcefully brushed them aside with the back of her hand refusing to let him see any more of her tears. "You don't even know me," she whispered before turning around and stormed out of his room leaving the stunned Genrou rooted to the ground.
Genrou placed a hand on his now bruising cheek where Kayla had slapped him. Realization hit him like a punch in the gut as his mind became haunted with Kayla's hurt expression seconds before he had left him. His tears.... he thought guiltily.
Kayla rushed out of Genrou's room wanting to get as far away from him as possible. The tears were running down her face as she ran blindly back towards her room. Stupid, stupid, STUPID... she scolded herself for being weak and crying in front of Genrou. No doubt he's laughing at me right now she thought bitterly.
She couldn't see where she was going, nor did she care. She was caught surprised when she slammed right into Kouji and fell back on the ground from the impact. Okay this is getting too repetitive she thought as she quickly tried to wipe the tears from her face, but Kouji already saw them.
"Kayla? What happened to you?!?!" He asked alarmingly as he helped Kayla back to her feet.
Kayla looked down at the floor refusing to face Kouji. "I don't want to talk about it," she replied trying to get her emotions under control.
"Kayla, just tell me what's going on, are you crying?!"
"Will you just leave me alone?!" Kayla snapped angrily. She winced and instantly felt guilty when she saw the hurt expression on Kouji's face. "I... I'm sorry Kouji, I didn't mean to snap at you. You've been so nice to me ever since I had stayed here. In fact, everyone had been so nice to me that I'm very grateful for everything... I.... I just had a bad morning that's all," she said giving a weak smile.
Kouji nodded, even though he was not at all convinced. "You know we're all here for you if you need it. Everyone practically treats you as if you're part of this big family you know."
All except Genrou she added bitterly, but kept her thoughts to herself. "I'm fine Kouji, thanks for looking out for me all this time. If you don't mind I want to get back to my room now."
Kouji hesitated, but nodded. Grateful for her release, Kayla rushed off without looking back.
Kouji watched Kayla disappeared from the hallway. He knew Kayla was not 'fine' despite what he said. Never had he seen the tough boy cried or ever looked so depressed. Something must be drastically wrong to set him off like that. He didn't want to pry for fear of pushing Kayla too far. However he had a high suspicion as to who may have caused Kayla's tears and he was determined to get the answers from him. With his mind set, he stormed towards Genrou's room. Practically the whole hallway could hear his determined footsteps.
Genrou's head hurt and not just because of the hangover, but mostly because of the turmoil of raging emotions within him all thanks to his guilty conscience. Ever since Kayla had left his room, his mind wouldn't let go of the image of Kayla's tearful expression and his eyes filled with wounded pain. Normally, Genrou would criticize any man who cried because it was just not 'manly'. However when he saw Kayla cried, he felt something very much like a remorseful and throbbing twist within his heart. He was mad at Kayla for causing this unfamiliar feeling in him, but he was angrier with himself for hurting Kayla in the first place.
His frustration grew with every second as he paced around his room trying to decide what to do. He supposed he could just leave things to cool down for a while, but he would still have to apologize.
Then Genrou paused at the last thought Me? Apologize?! That's a first. It was true though. Never in his life had he apologize verbally for anything, not even to his best friend, Kouji. It just wasn't his character to do so. It was not like he refused to admit he was wrong or anything. It was just that to say: "I'm sorry" out loud verbally to anyone was just too plain awkward. Whenever he needed to 'apologize' to Kouji or some other men, all he had to do was offer them some sake and they would drink until they had forgotten what it was he was suppose to apologize about in the first place. However, he doubted the same tactic would work for Kayla. For one thing, Kayla does not drink sake (he found that out when Kayla flat-out refused to drink any when he offered him some sake a while ago). As he kept pacing, he found himself having a private argument with his own self.
So what are you going to do Genrou? You can't leave things just like that he found his heart saying.
So what? He's just some damn annoying boy his mind countered
You hurt him Genrou, even 'you' know that
It was his fault. He's the one with the secrets
So what? It's obvious he didn't want to share. And it's none of your damn business
How am I suppose to fcking know I could trust him if he keeps all his secrets to himself
You know in your heart you can trust him, he even risked his damn life to save your ass with the Eiken incident remember?
It's going to be fcking hard to apologize to him
Kuso! I know that! I am 'you' too you know
"Aahhh!.... I can't take this anymore!" he cried out in frustration and kicked the table but succeeded only in hurting his foot. He swore loudly. Stupid boy with his stupid pitiful tears! Stupid, fcking table!!
Then his door slammed open loudly and Kouji stormed in without bothering with his daily routine knocking ritual. Genrou was about to yell at him for charging in here unexpectedly when Kouji spoke first. "Alright Genrou, spill it! What did you do to Kayla?" his usual nonchalant voice was replaced by a more firmed and deadly serious tone.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Genrou denied and turned away from his friend, not wanting to face him.
Kouji glared at his friend. He had expected the stubborn man to be like this, but he could be just as determined to get his answers from him. "Stop lying Genrou, I've seen Kayla and he's an emotional wreak right now. There's only one person I could think of who could have caused this much pain on him and that's you. So stop lying and tell me what you did to him. It must have been seriously bad considering I have never seen Kayla like this."
"Kuso! Alright, Fine!!" Genrou shouted in exasperation knowing Kouji was not going to back down until he told him what he wanted to hear. "It started this morning when......"
For the next few minutes, Genrou told Kouji the whole story in what happened that morning when Kayla visited him. When he was done, Kouji was furious to say the least.
"Are you a baka or something?! How could you say that to Kayla?!"
"It wasn't my fault. He's the one who started with the fcking name calling first, I got angry and it just slipped out." Genrou defended weakly.
"After you practically told him that you don't trust him." Kouji accused.
"So what do you want me to fcking do? What's done is done, I can't take back what I'd said." Genrou yelled in frustration. However he already knew the answer to his question, he just didn't want to admit it.
"What do you mean what you're going to do? You should go apologize you baka! It's your fault that he's upset," answered Kouji shaking his head.
"A-po-lo-gize....?" Genrou repeated the word as if was in some foreign language.
Kouji sighed in exasperation "You're impossible Genrou. Look, I'm going to check on Kayla and bring him back here and you are going to say sorry."
"What?! So soon?!" exclaimed Genrou taken by surprised. He wasn't sure he wanted to face Kayla so soon right now.
Kouji smirked at his reaction "Hell yes, you are going to apologize to Kayla now whether you like it or not. What are you waiting for? The next century?" After saying that, Kouji left the room to get Kayla.
Genrou just stood there unable to comprehend how things could be moving so fast all of a sudden. He snapped out his stupor and began to pace again. Kuso! How the hell am I going to do this?! He tried to rehearse different ways he could think of to apologize (which wasn't many) and not surprisingly, he was failing. He was just clueless as to what to do in this kind of situation.
Even though he was genuinely feeling some guilt in how he had treated Kayla, he couldn't help at the moment; the growing annoyance he was developing for his best friend. Kouji should give him some time to practice or at least give him some guidelines as to what to say since he sounded like some infuriating expert. Stupid Kouji, giving me a lecture on what or what not to do, I should just take his words and just shove it up his a
His door opened again interrupting his thoughts and Genrou looked up expectedly. However, instead of Kayla, he saw a grim-looking Kouji. "He's gone. He only left a note," he replied sadly as he held out a piece of paper. Genrou quickly grabbed the paper and read the neatly written note.
Dear Kouji and all of my friends,
I found that my presence is no longer welcome here, so I decided that it is best for me to leave. Please don't be worry, I will be fine on my own. Maybe I'll come visit someday.
Goodbye,
Kayla
The note was short and very straightforward, but it was enough to send Genrou to the edge.
"Kuso! !# !#$!!! What does he think he's doing?!" Genrou cried furiously crumbling the note in his hand.
"Running away from you obviously. Did it ever occur to you that Kayla's keeping secrets to protect himself? That maybe he was running away from something or someone and only wanted a place to hide?" Kouji grimly speculated.
Genrou paused, he actually never thought of that possibility. "Damn," he whispered, and immediately grabbed his Tessan and charged out the door.
Kouji shook his head when his best friend charged out the door, no doubt to go after Kayla. So much for having a peaceful morning he thought wryly. He then left too to start a search party for Kayla hoping the boy hadn't gone too far.
Genrou stalked out of his room ignoring the odd looks he was receiving from the other bandits he passed by. All the while he was cursing. Cursing at the dark-haired boy and cursing at himself. He was furious with Kayla for being so reckless. There were many hidden traps surrounding the area of the stronghold; all built to protect their territory. It was extremely dangerous to walk out there unaware of their existence. Of all the stupid things Kayla could have done, he just had to literally go walking into a death trap!
He was also cursing at himself for being too hard on Kayla. He shouldn't have said those things to the boy. It was obvious that Kayla trusted them, why couldn't he, himself do the same? Just because Kayla was keeping a few secrets didn't mean he couldn't be trusted. Everyone including himself held secrets. Could it be true about what Kouji said? Is Kayla running and hiding from something? If that's true, where the hell is he planning to go? He already proclaimed before that he had nowhere else to go… and I drove him away. Genrou thought guiltily. He shook his head. No use in worrying about whose damn fault it was now. What was important now was to find Kayla before he gets hurt or something. Apologies could come later. Now he just wanted to bring Kayla back home.
Kayla sighed for what must have been umpteenth time already even though it was only around noon. She had been walking through the dense forest for about an hour and all she could see were trees, trees and more trees (with a few bushes here and there). Her only hope was that she would find some village or some civilization soon by the end of the day or else she might have to sleep in the forest tonight. She wasn't sure she liked the thought. She wasn't stupid, she knew there could be all kinds of wild beasts in the forest, (wolves being the worst) and she would most likely encounter some if she weren't careful. The thought of once again sleeping outdoors alone in the cold night didn't seem very appealing indeed.
It would be nice to have my warm bed right..... she immediately stopped her train of thought from going any further. To think of her bed would be to think back to the Leikaku stronghold, which would eventually lead her to think about Kouji, Genrou and the rest of the guys. She did not want to think about it. She left the place and that was final.
So why am I thinking about them now? Why do I have the sudden urge to just drop everything and just go back? She asked herself. Because if I don't go back, I'll be leaving the one place that was close enough to be a home since the past five years in my life she answered regrettably to her own question.
The Gods must be playing one cosmic joke on her for letting her find a place she could possibly call home, but then only found that she had to leave now. She sighed again. She supposed she couldn't blame anyone. Not even Genrou, although he was the main reason she left in the first place. Deep down, she knew it would only be a temporary home and that things were too good to be true. Eventually, she would have to leave whether by force or by choice. It was just that she hadn't expected that she would have to leave so soon.
She shook her head, no use in regretting now. What's done was done. She made up her mind and that was to leave and not to turn back. She didn't want to go back to a place where she can't be trusted. Why not leave so that everyone could be happy?
She stopped when she came upon a path that leaded to two other paths. She couldn't decide which one to take. Both looked about the same. She was only hoping that she could get to Konan city; her original destination before she had met Genrou. However, she realized that she really didn't know how to get there. All she knew was that Mount Leikaku was close to the large city and that she should head south in order to get there. Should have brought a map she thought tiredly as she looked from one path to the other indecisively.
After debating with herself for a few minutes, she decided to take the route towards her right hoping that it would lead her closer to Konan. After awhile, she noticed her chosen route was becoming more and more narrow as she went along. The trees seemed to close off her path ahead of her until eventually her path became closed off in a dead end. Of all the damn luck! I have to choose a dead end! She thought frustratingly feeling somewhat discouraged. I should have chosen the other path. Now I have to walk back and take the other route instead. I really should have brought a map. She sighed tiredly as she turned around deciding she might as well head back the direction she came from.
"Aahhhhh!!!!!..." A high-pitched scream erupted the peaceful silence, startling Kayla.
"What the?" she exclaimed as she searched around for the source of the scream. She realized that it came from beyond the dead end down her chosen route, beyond the trees that blocked her way. She cautiously made her way around the trees and bushes that were blocking her way and kept her senses alert for anymore sound.
"Onegai someone help me!!!" the same voice cried again. This time it sounded closer clearly indicating that the cry had came from a girl.
"Shut up! You're going to die now!" another voice threatened, this time a man. Then a loud 'Slap' was heard.
Certain that someone was in danger, Kayla quickly broke into a sprint and ran towards the general direction of the sound.
When she reached a clearing, she hid behind a tree and peeked out. In the clearing, she saw a man dressed entirely in black, with a malicious smile on his face, holding a sword threatening over a girl. The girl was lying on the ground with a look of pure fear etched across her face. Both were oblivious to her presence behind the tree.
To Kayla's horror, the man was about to plunge the sword into the girl's stomach. Quickly reacting, Kayla reached for the nearest object- which happened to be a small rock- and hurled it with all her might towards the man, hoping her aim wouldn't be too off. Luckily it struck its target. The man howled in pain as he clutched the side of his head where the rock had hit him and stumbled away from the girl. "Who threw that?! Show yourself!" the man roared furiously.
Kayla came out of her hiding place and quickly stood defensively in front of the girl and glared at the man. The man looked at her with a bloodthirsty rage. "Who are you boy?! Are you one of those pesky Suzaku Seishi here to protect their pathetic little Miko?" he demanded as he looked from Kayla to the girl behind her and then back again.
Kayla blinked Suzaku what?...Miko? He must be referring to the girl being a miko. But what's a Suzaku Seishi? Does he think I'm one? She thought as she studied the man in front of her. He seemed a little nervous about the possibility of her being a Seishi for some reason. Maybe I should play along, he might get scared and go away she decided as she spoke in the most confident voice she could mustered. "That's correct I'm a Suzaku Seishi, so you better run back to where you crawled out from if you know what's good for you. I'm not going to let you hurt this girl."
The girl behind Kayla gasped loudly when she heard what the boy said. He's a Suzaku Seishi! she thought in wonderment. Her green eyes widen in amazement.
The man paled slightly at Kayla's word before fury settled in once again. "Well then in that case I'll have to kill you and then get rid of your Miko after," he smirked evilly as he hold up his sword.
Uh oh, maybe that wasn't such a good idea after all Kayla decided as she looked at the man's sword nervously. She didn't have anything to defend herself with and the girl behind her didn't seem like she would be able to help her either. Without warning, the man charged at Kayla ready to plunge the sword into her. Kayla avoided the deadly weapon. She had no choice but to dodge each of the man's blows as she unconsciously stepped back while the man kept coming forward swinging his sword madly.
Kayla soon found herself backed against a tree and trapped with nowhere else to go. The man grinned triumphantly and swung his sword that would surely behead her. She ducked at the last second and the sword got caught in the tree's bark behind her instead. The man swore and struggled to get his sword free. Seeing an opportunity, Kayla immediately punched the man in the gut, causing him to groan in pain. With a high kick, she kicked the man in the head knocking him to the ground unconscious.
Kayla sighed with relief, then looked back at the girl and went over to check on her. The girl looked back at her with awe and disbelief. With the threat gone, Kayla finally had a good look at the strange girl's appearance. The girl had long reddish-brown hair tied in two buns on top of her head with some ribbons. She had large, innocent green eyes, which at the moment was on the verge of crying. Her features gave her a child-like appearance although she couldn't be anymore than a year younger than herself. She was wearing the oddest outfit Kayla had ever seen. It consisted of a brown uniform with a white shirt underneath completed a bluish-green bow on her neck. She was also wearing the shortest skirt Kayla had ever seen that it seemed somewhat indecent compared to what females would normally wear. However then again, she, herself was a girl and she was not wearing 'normal female clothing' either.
"Are you alright?" Kayla asked worriedly when she saw the girl's tears. The girl nodded her head and smiled, wiping away her tears. "I'm fine, thank you for saving me from that guy," She replied cheerfully, her eyes shining with hope as she looked at Kayla.
Why is she looking at me like that? She looks like she just made a miraculous discovery or something Kayla thought uncomfortably. "What's your name?" She asked the girl hoping to stop her from staring at her.
To her surprised, the girl quickly took one of her hands; her expression shining with utter joy and excitement. "I'm Miaka, the Suzako no Miko, I'm so glad I finally found you, or more like you found me. Are you really one of my Suzaku Seishi?! Silly me, of course you are, you said so yourself. Wait till I tell the others, Hotohori, Nuriko and Chichiri, they're really nice and they will be happy to meet you. Tamahome's going to be so glad too, he's trapped in Seiryuu right now, but now that we found you, we only have two more Seishi to find and we can go rescue Tamahome!" She paused when she saw Kayla's dumbfound expression. "Oh sorry, I tend to babble a lot when I get excited. I said all those things and I still don't know you're name," she apologized, blushing a little.
"It's.... alright" Kayla said slowly recovering from her bewilderment. She was surprised that the girl could say so much when all she asked for was for her name. She was talking so fast, that Kayla only processed a partial amount of what she said. So Miaka's her name and she's a what? Suzaku no Miko? What's that? It does sound somewhat familiar though. What else? Hoto... something, Nuriko and some other names I didn't quite catch. She said that they're all Suzaku Seishi. Why would she think that I'm a Suzaku Seishi as well? I'm just a girl. I don't even know what a Seishi is.... She was temporarily confused when realization hit her. Oh right.... I lied to that man before saying that I am one. Miaka must have thought that I was telling the truth. I better straighten things out before there's any more confusion. Kayla snapped out of her thoughts when she saw the girl named Miaka, was still standing there waiting for her to give her the name.
Kayla smiled. "It's....Kayla" she answered, finding no need to hide her real name from Miaka. The girl didn't seem like that she would mind the oddity of her supposedly 'boyish' name.
Miaka's smile grew wider. "I'm so glad to meet you Kayla, so is you're real Seishi name Tasuki, Mitsukake or is it Chiriko? It's Tasuki isn't it?" she asked earnestly.
"Well... you see...." Kayla started nervously "I'm not really..... " yet before she could finish, Miaka's eyes grew wide with horror and pointed behind Kayla. "Kayla! Look out!" Kayla turned to see the man from before still awake and now charging at her with pure rage. She caught a glint in his hand and realized that he was holding a sharp dagger!
Everything happened so fast as Kayla pushed Miaka out of the way and felt a searing pain on her arm when she used it to block the blow from the dagger. She was knocked to the ground with the man on top of her as she heard Miaka screamed. The man gave her a bloodthirsty smile that sent chills down her spine as he pinned Kayla to the ground. "Goodbye Suzaku Seishi," he whispered evilly as he brought the dagger up ready to plunge it into Kayla's heart. Kayla shut her eyes tightly and waited for the pain to come. It never came.
Abruptly, she felt the weight of the man off her. Kayla opened her eyes and saw the angry man threw Miaka towards a tree where she gave a small cry in pain. She realized instantly that it was Miaka who saved her by knocking the man off with her full weight. Seeing the man distracted, Kayla quickly jumped to her feet and knocked the dagger out of his hand. With her good arm, she elbowed the man in the face no doubt knocking out a few of his teeth. The man cursed as he saw that he was in a no-win situation and quickly made his escape like a coward.
Kayla was about to go after him when she remembered Miaka and tiredly stumbled to where the girl lay. She found Miaka was knocked unconscious when she was thrown against the tree. A trickle of blood can be seen trailing down her face from her forehead. The pain on her own arm grew and she looked at her left arm and found it bleeding profusely soaking her sleeve at an alarming rate. It wasn't a fatal wound but it was still a deep cut. Kayla cursed softly. What was she going to do? She was a long way from any other people to find help and she had no medical supplies with her.
She reached down and shook Miaka on the shoulders. "Miaka, Miaka? Are you alright? Com'on get up." She said trying to wake her up. The girl didn't wake. Now what?!
"Get away from Miaka!!" a voice that belonged to another man yelled furiously. The next thing Kayla knew, she was pushed aside and a sword held dangerously close against her throat.
Author's Notes:
Gemini: This is great! I finally finished this chapter!!! It took me awhile really, but I think it turned out pretty well and Miaka makes an appearance. Yeah!
Cancer: (Hits Gemini on the back of the head) I can't believe you left a cliff-hanger!! I want to know what happen!! How can you do this to me and all of our faithful readers out there!!!!
Gemini: (Glared at Cancer) I found it to be an appropriate place to stop here, it creates good suspense so...(hits Cancer back with a mallet) STOP HITTING ME!! (Cancer falls to the floor unconscious) Anyway..... can all you readers guess who is holding the sword against Kayla in the end? Com'on, I know you all know the answer so send in your answers in a review!!! .
Cancer: (Gets back up without a scratch and scaring Gemini to death) Plus, if you get the answer correctly, I can persuade Gemini to post the next chapter sooner so you'll get to see what happen next more quickly!!! (gives a peace sign) So hurry and send in your review!!!
Gemini: #$& CANCER!!!! How in the world are you okay after I hit you with a mallet?!?!
Cancer: (shrugs) I've got high endurance for this kind of unusual punishment. You'll have to try harder if you want to hurt me. BWHAHAHAHA!!!!
Gemini: (sweatdrops) Damn!
Cancer: (Glares at Gemini) Would you STOP imitating my IDOL here GEMINI!!!!
Gemini: Che, what are you gonna do about it Cancer, I love to imitate him and what can you do you #$##&$###&$!$#$#&##&$#!!!!
Cancer: GRRRR!!! THAT'S IT GEMINI!!! YOU ASKED FOR IT!!! (pulls out a gun machine and points at Gemini) GRRR!!!
Gemini: (Sweating heavily and swallows hard) Hehe, Cancer, I was just joking with ya, com'on man, don't be so serious, we're buddies remember?!?! If you kill me, who's gonna continue with the story?!?!
Cancer: (Think for a moment)... ... ... ... Oh don't worry Gemini, I can take over the story myself, KAKAKAKAKA!!! PREPARE TO DIE GEMINI!!! (Shoots Gemini with her gun machine repeatedly)
Gemini: ARRGGH!!! Y.... YOU TRAITOR!!! (Drops dead on the floor)
Cancer: HAHAHAHAHA!!! I'm taking over the world.... I mean I'm taking over the story, BWAHAHAHA!!!!
Gemini: (Stands up and freaks Cancer out) IN YOUR DREAM CANCER!!!
Cancer: (Swallows hard) YOU... YOU.... HOW COME..... WHY?!?!?!
Gemini: KEKE, because I have THIS on, you BAKA (pulls open her shirt to reveal her bullet vest)
Cancer: YOU ACTUALLY HAVE A BULLET VEST ON!?!? THAT'S ABNORMAL!!! (Sweatdrops and fainted)
Gemini: Well, I do need some sort of protection from your violence my good chum, hehe (tap Cancer on the head condescendingly)
You heard what the authors said, hurry up and send in your answer to authors' question in the review. If your answer is correct, they promise that they'll post up the next chapter (or maybe even next few chapters) quickly. So Good Luck!!! .