A/N:I promised you that the next chapter would be out really soon, didn't I? So here it is: chapter two. Now then, all the people that answered 'Escaflowne' guessed correctly. It really inspired me to create this fic; so if you have not seen this awesome series, then you've missed a great title. I highly recommend it. And don't worry if you haven't watched it; you don't need to in order to understand the plot of this story, okay?
Hope you like this chapter and don't forget to review or the authors will feel sad.
Now on to the story ENJOY!
Disclaimer: Everything is property of their respective authors.
Into the another World – Chapter 2
She was there again, with that girl. She couldn't see her features clearly yet, but at least she could see what grew up from the back of the girl when she turned to face her; were wings; as white as the snow and beautifully shaped as the ones of an angel. Then, all of a sudden, she was falling backwards; she was afraid. In that moment the girl with angel wings began to ran, jumping in her direction, reaching her hand out to catch her; when their hands were about to touch a voice called her.
- "Hey sleepy head! Wake up, we have to get moving" – said the voice near her shaking her by the shoulder.
Still feeling sleepy she opened her eyes lazily, trying to focus and look at the one who interrupted her dream. It was Natsuki, who was kneeling by her side, trying to wake her up. Finally, Shizuru sat straight and handed Natsuki her trench coat thanking her while standing up; at what Natsuki only replied with what sounded like a small growl.
Once they were ready, Natsuki began to lead the way.
- "Stay close to me. This woods are tricky" – said Natsuki.
- "Perhaps you should carry me in your back so I won't get lost?" – teased Shizuru.
- "Idiot! I won't do that! Just keep walking!" – replied Natsuki with a tomato face and frowning.
- "May I ask where we are going?"
- "To the capital, we need food and a vehicle…unless you want to walk all the way."
- "Ehm…Natsuki?"
- "Yeah?"
- "Don't you think that my clothes will draw a lot of attention from the citizens?"
Natsuki stared at Shizuru from head to toe and sighing she took off her trench coat and handed it to Shizuru again.
- "Use it until I get you some clothes" – she was about to start walking again, when she got near Shizuru and took her school bag. – "And I'll carry this. It'll be easier for you to keep the pace."
Shizuru noticed a small blush on Natsuki's cheeks and not wasting an opportunity to tease the other girl she said.
- "Ara, Natsuki is very gentle. Ookini." – Shizuru put herself the trench coat, and then she said – "By the way Natsuki."
- "Yeah?"
- "It seems that your trench coat is torn on the back."
- "Uh?"
-"Yes, two big tears in the middle, do you want me to sew them up later?"
- "Oh no no…it's fine."
- "Why not?"
- "It's…easier to move around that way…now come on, we need to go."
Shizuru decided not to ask or say anything more about it; so with that the two began to walk again in the direction of the city.
After leaving the woods without much trouble, the path to the city was easy to cross, so, a couple of hours after midday they finally reached the capital. Shizuru was amazed by the sight after crossing the main gate. It looked like an European medieval town; the merchants selling their items, blacksmiths working in their workshops, the children playing and running on the streets; but what impressed her the most where the flying carriages. They were pulled by horses but the carriage didn't have wheels, it was floating. Really it was an unusual sight for her, it seemed so magical. Also she understood why in Earl they didn't have firearms; the atmosphere was more medieval than futuristic, the opposite of what she had thought.
- "Oi Shizuru!" – Natsuki called her, standing some steps away waiting for her.
Shizuru walked with fast steps reaching Natsuki.
- "Sorry, I got distracted…"
- "By the carriage?"
- "Yes."
- "So you don't have them in your planet."
- "We do, but they don't float."
- "Well, I guess the sight of seeing them for the first time must be quite impressive then."
- "How can you do that? Is it some technology or magic?" – asked Shizuru.
- "Neither."
- "Neither!" – asked Shizuru in disbelief – "Then…how?"
- "It's thanks to nature."
- "To nature?"
- "Yeah, here in Earl, we have some special stones that have the property to float or levitate." – began to explain Natsuki – "It's thanks to that stones that the carriage can fly because they are attached to the bottom of it. We also use those stones for vessels and other stuff."
- "I never imagined something like this." – said Shizuru amazed.
- "Come on. We have to hurry." – said Natsuki beginning to walk again.
- "Hurry? We've just arrived and it's just past midday."
- "I know, but I want to be sure that we'll still find him here."
- "Him?"
- "You'll see."
Shizuru walked by Natsuki's side. It was good that she was wearing Natsuki's trench coat or just as she had thought, she'd be drawing a lot of attention. Even by wearing it she drew some surprised glances from some people; Natsuki also received some. After a couple of minutes walking on the streets and crossing small alleys they made it to what looked like a pub. Natsuki entered and Shizuru followed close behind. The pub would have been empty if it weren't for the owner and another man that was sitting in a table at the corner of the place. Natsuki recognized the man and smiling began to walk towards him. Shizuru was standing by the door, not sure of what to do when Natsuki called her with a movement of her hand pointing a seat next to hers. Shizuru got close and took the seat aside Natsuki. Once Shizuru took her place the raven haired girl began to talk.
- "Oi Yamada, it's been a while uh?"
The man raised his sight and looked at Natsuki with a confident smile on his face.
- "It sure has Kuga-ojou-san." – replied the man.
Shizuru noticed how Natsuki flinched a bit at how the man called her.
- "To what do I owe this pleasure?" – said the man.
- "Stop fooling around Yamada. I need a favor."
- "Hoo…always straight to the point aren't you?" – the man adjusted his glasses – "So, how can I help you this time?"
- "I need a good and fast vehicle or beast for two."
- "I can get it quite easily but…" – he paused a moment – "…I know you came here for more than that."
- "Perceptive as ever…" – grinned Natsuki. – "I need information…"
- "About what?"
- "The ancient ruins in the Forest of Silence; those that used to be the base of Searrs Army."
- "Well, you know almost all the info that exists about it." – replied the man.
- "Yes that's true, but maybe I'm missing something."
- "All I know is that there were making the new equipment for their 'ultimate combat soldiers' better known as 'Valkyries', of course everything with the help of the Artai Empire. Also they were testing some new machines and armors for what would have been the new 'Orphans', their code name 'Slaves'. But thanks to the alliance made by all the nations, their plans were stopped before they could produce them in mass."
- "Do you know if in there or any other base they were experimenting with something related to 'The guiding star'?"
The man took his chin with his hand, thinking for a minute before responding.
- "No, I don't think so. All the information regarding to the guiding star was considered by them just a myth; and they weren't interested in what they called 'Fairy tales'. They only cared about science and how they could use it to control Earl. Why are you asking this? You too never cared much about what was said of the guiding star."
- "Maybe I have changed my mind" – answered Natsuki giving a quick glance to Shizuru.
Yamada noticed it, and thought if it was possible that this other girl could be…
- "And, how do you plan to pay for this information and the favor, Kuga-ojou-san?"
- "Ehm…well…I thought I could pay you in a couple of moons…" – babbled Natsuki.
- "Sorry but if you want good stuff; you'll have to pay now. I can always accept your gunblade as a payment."
- "What! I won't give you Duran."
- "Too bad." – the man began to stand up – "Then good luck in getting what you need."
Before the man left, Shizuru; who had been silent during the entire conversation, spoke.
- "Wait a minute" – the man looked at her – "Maybe I have something that might interest you."
- "Really?" – said Yamada with interest.
- "Shizuru! What are you doing?" – said Natsuki in a low yet shocked and angry tone.
- "Getting us a good transportation…I hope."
- "But…"
- "Trust me Natsuki."
Yamada took his seat again and looking at Shizuru he asked.
- "So young lady, what can you have that may interest me, or that is good enough to pay for your request?"
- "Natsuki, my bag please".
Natsuki handed Shizuru her school bag. The ruby eyed girl opened it and took out all its contents, placing them on the table. Natsuki and Yamada were surprised with the items they were seeing, they've never seen something like those things before. Shizuru was smiling; it was a funny thing to see people totally amazed by what she considered were common things on her planet.
- "Is there anything you are interested in?" –asked Shizuru.
- "You bet young lady."
- "Then chose what you want."
- "Really? No matter what it is?" – asked the man.
- "Yes."
The man analyzed all the items that were over the table. Finally, he decided on one; taking it he said.
- "I'll take this one. I think I can sell this in a good price, so you can have your transport."
- "Natsuki, don't you think we'll need more money for the rest of the trip?" – asked Shizuru looking at the girl.
- "Yeah, we will but…"
- "That's what I thought. Yamada-san, isn't it?" – said Shizuru getting the attention of the man.
- "Yes young lady?"
- "Could you sell another two items and give us the money you receive for them?" – asked Shizuru politely.
- "Or course, but there'll be a commission for it".
- "Yamada! Always trying to make business, you…" – said Natsuki raising her voice.
- "Its okay Natsuki." – said Shizuru calming the raven haired girl. Looking back at Yamada she continued – "Of course Yamada-san. How does 'sixty-forty' sound to you?"
- "Young lady, that's quite a sum. I just hope you don't take back your word."
- "Of course not. Are you fine with it?"
- "Young lady, we have a deal now. I'll have everything ready in no time; I'll see you in the back door of the pub."
- "Thanks for your services Yamada-san."
- "My pleasure."
After placing the items in a small sack, the man stood up and left the pub. Natsuki stared at Shizuru, a frown clearly shown in her face.
- "Shizuru, what was that! It was dangerous!"
- "Why Natsuki?"
- "What if other people had seen these things? They'd have known that you…"
- "We were alone."
- "You didn't need to do that. I had everything under control."
- "You had?"
Natsuki made a growl like sound and crossed her arms over her chest, annoyed by Shizuru's actions. Shizuru didn't understand the girl's behavior; it was as if she had done something wrong; and the last thing she wanted to do was made Natsuki angry.
- "Why is Natsuki so angry? I only wanted to help."
- "I'm not angry"
- "Really? Then if Natsuki is not angry, why is she frowning like that? She'll get wrinkles if she continues doing it" – teased the older girl.
- "You really didn't have to do this…"
- "Do what?"
- "Sell your belongings…"
Shizuru blinked at the answer. A small smile appeared on her lips.
- "Is this the reason why Natsuki is angry?"
She received a nod as a reply.
- "It is okay Natsuki. These things are not important to me, and if they can help us, then I don't mind selling them." – said Shizuru with a reassuring smile. – "If they were important, then I wouldn't sell them; just like you did with Duran."
- "Yeah…I think you're right. Then…I…." – mumbled Natsuki.
- "What is it Natsuki?"
- "Can I have one of these things too?" – said Natsuki feeling a bit embarrassed at asking such request.
Shizuru let out a small giggle that made the raven haired girl blush.
- "Of course Natsuki."
- "I want that one." – said Natsuki pointing at a small object over the table.
Shizuru looked at the object Natsuki was pointing at. She could only smile at what the tough and rude girl had chosen. It was a keychain that had a small plastic wolfy attached at the end of the chain. Shizuru took the small object and taking one of Natsuki's hands she placed the item on the girl's palm. The contact sent shivers all along Natsuki's spine.
- "Then this will be a present for Natsuki."
- "A present?"
- "Yes; for rescuing me yesterday and for taking care of me last night."
A deep shade of red soon covered Natsuki's face; the girl took the item and mumbled a low 'Thank you' to Shizuru to then turn her head to the side, evading the laughing face of the older girl. Shizuru began to put her belongings back in her bag, when Natsuki suddenly asked her.
- "And what was that stuff that Yamada picked?"
- "The round shaped shiny thing was a CD; something to keep data stored. The black thick object was a chronometer, is something to measure time. And the other object was a fountain pen; an object you can write with."
- "I don't really understand but, the last one, that 'pen' was that large colorful object right?"
- "Yes. Why do you ask?"
- "Well, it might be a foreign object to me but I can tell that it is very valuable." – said Natsuki –"Are you sure it was fine to hand it over?"
- "I told Natsuki not to worry, didn't I? Yes, that pen has a high value in money, but to me it didn't mean anything. And I'm pretty sure it will help us."
- "What do you mean?"
- "I bet Yamada-san took those objects because nothing like that, be it by shape, material, or whatever exists here in Earl; making them one of a kind. Thus, the sum for them will be high. But to tell you the truth, the only one that actually would be useful is the pen." – said Shizuru with a light chuckle.
- "I see. Good that Yamada doesn't know that."
Both girls started to laugh at the comment. Natsuki then asked the owner of the pub for something to drink for her and Shizuru, to pass time and regain her energy while waiting for Yamada to show up. They drank their beverages and Natsuki paid for them, maybe she didn't have money to buy a vehicle, but she still had some to pay for a couple of drinks. Standing up, Natsuki adjusted Duran and thanked the owner. Shizuru also stood up thanking the owner and followed Natsuki to the back of the pub.
What both girls didn't notice was the person that entered the pub in that moment, staring at them with hatred, especially the raven haired girl; with an evil smile forming in her lips; she said to herself.
- "Finally I found you, Kuga Natsuki."
Natsuki was leaning on a wall next to the back door of the pub while Shizuru was standing by her side humming a song.
- "Are you sure he won't take all the money for him Natsuki?"
- "He wouldn't do that, especially now that he has found his favorite client." – said Natsuki looking at the brunette.
In that moment Yamada arrived.
- "Wow, that was fast." – said Natsuki.
- "I always do a first quality service with first class clients" – replied Yamada.
The man approached to Shizuru and taking a small pack from his pocket he gave it to the girl.
- "This is what I received for the items you gave me to sell. I took the liberty to take my part of the deal. And this…" – he said taking a piece of paper handing it to Natsuki – "Is where you can find your transportation. It would have been troublesome if I had brought it here; also I assumed you'd like to buy some supplies before you leave the city."
- "Thanks for your services Yamada-san." – said Shizuru.
- "Anything for our special guest."
Shizuru opened her eyes slightly. Natsuki understood what Yamada meant by that and said in a warning tone while grabbing the handle of her gunblade.
- "Yamada, you better not spread out this kind of information."
- "Of course not Natsuki-ojou-san. I might work for money but I'd never betray the trust of my two most important clients." – said Yamada adjusting his glasses. Then making a small bow he finished – "Now, if you don't need anything else, I have to be going."
- "Thanks Yamada." – said Natsuki more relaxed.
- "It was my pleasure to do business with you two. Have a nice trip."
The man bid them farewell and began to walk away disappearing from the sight of both girls. When they were alone, Natsuki spoke.
- "Well, we better go too and get you some clothes."
- "Ara, but I feel very comfortable wearing Natsuki's trench coat. I don't think I need anything else."
- "Just come."
The two left the small alley and walked to the main market street.
- "If you see a store with clothes you might like, tell me, okay?" – said Natsuki.
- "Ara, this is like going shopping on a date with Natsuki."
- "Da…date? Idiot! Don't say that kind of things!" – replied Natsuki with her face completely red walking ahead Shizuru.
- "Fufufu…she gets flustered very easy. Teasing her is so much fun…" – thought Shizuru.
They walked some meters, when Shizuru stopped in front of a store.
- "Natsuki, I found something."
- "Let's enter then."
They entered and after some minutes that consisted on Shizuru trying different outfits, they finally left the store; Natsuki carrying a small package and Shizuru clad in a new set of clothes. It consisted in a two piece Kimono-like ensemble. The upper part, which resembled a robe, was white with lavender sakura flowers on the sleeves. The lower part which resembled a 'hakama' was purple, and the 'obi' was lilac with a small aquamarine stiff sash tied around it.
- "I never thought that you would like Zipang's style of clothes." – said Natsuki looking at Shizuru.
- "Zipang?"
- "Is a country on the east; very famous for various things. Mai is from there."
- "Mai?"
- "A friend of mine; she left before you woke up the other day."
- "I think I vaguely remember hearing her name before completely passing out."
- "By the way, why did you pick up these clothes?" – asked Natsuki with curiosity.
- "Because they resemble some clothes of my country; but these ones are more comfortable and easier to move around with."
- "Is that so?...well, they do look good on you." – said Natsuki out of the blue, without realizing what she had just said she continued – "Well, now we need some food and we are ready to leave."
She then began to walk away in the direction of the groceries tents. Shizuru was dumbfounded and with a small blush in her cheeks. Did Natsuki just compliment her? She was beginning to feel a warm feeling fill up her heart when suddenly she remembered the girl in her dreams. Not wanting to think about her feelings right now, she began to walk with fast steps behind Natsuki.
After they bought some groceries and first aid items for the rest of the trip they went to the place where Yamada had told them they'd find their transportation. They entered what looked like an abandoned warehouse; what they found inside left them speechless.
- "Wow…Yamada sure overdid it this time." – said Natsuki getting closer to the machine standing there in the middle of the warehouse.
Shizuru got closer too, staring at this artifact that was incredibly built and that somehow looked like a fusion of a motorcycle and a stallion. Natsuki inspected the vehicle, smiling widely she said, turning to look at Shizuru.
- "With this baby the travel will be faster. That Yamada, I bet he got quite a sum for your items to get this."
- "Is this vehicle really fast?" – asked Shizuru.
- "Well, yeah, sort of. It is said that Garderobe's knowledge in science was used to create this vehicle called: 'CHILD' Yafusa Type."
- "Garderobe?"
- "It was an ancient country that had many advances in technology, science, medicine…but it disappeared many centuries ago, not leaving much traces of their wisdom or existence behind. That country was supposed to be crossing the seas, but no evidence of it has been found; which I'm glad about." – explained Natsuki.
- "And why is that?"
- "I'll explain later, I promise, so let's get going."
- "Natsuki wants to get back home fast, doesn't she?"
- "Well, yeah…I really need to…" – replied Natsuki.
Shizuru saw how those emerald eyes had a sad look behind them, also a small glimpse of helplessness, worry and anger. Natsuki placed all their stuff in the back part of the vehicle, then she turned it on using a small stone that looked like a gem; the machine started to roar and some steam was expulsed from the back of it. Shizuru saw how Natsuki got on the vehicle; it was ridden like a motorcycle, just like she had thought.
- "So that means that…" – thought Shizuru seeing Natsuki get close to her riding the 'child'.
- "Come on get up!" – said Natsuki tapping the back seat.
Shizuru got on the 'child' and clung on to Natsuki's waist.
- "Hold on to me firmly, alright? I don't want you to fall."
Before Shizuru could make a teasing comment, Natsuki started the machine again, this time showing more of its power; the front part began to levitate a little, and the back part which had a wheel began to move forward with incredible speed. The chestnut haired girl could only suppress a yelp by holding tighter the other girl, who seemed to be enjoying the ride more than she; riding that powerful machine, they left the warehouse and the city behind in no time.
TBC………….
I hope you liked it. Don't forget to write a review and tell us what you think about it so far, okay?
The ones that watched Escaflowne sure will be able to tell all the references I used here and the ones I'll use in the next chapter. If you'd like to comment about it, please send me a P.M, so we won't spoil the series. That would be all for now.
See you around!
Shezaei neko