｢Chapter 23｣
"Ouhi!" Healer shouted out as she burst into Kakyuu's room. She had just landed off on Kinmoku after a long ride from Earth. They did not take their traditional way of travelling as a shooting star as there were Serenity and 2 princess travelling with them.
"Healer?" Kakyuu looked confusingly at the starlight. "Why-Why are you here? Why are you back?" Kakyuu asked. Kakyuu looked towards Yukini at her desk, who looked away from Kakyuu's glaze. 'She must have told them. But she's doing for the good sake of me and the kingdom. I can't blame her from making the decision.' Kakyuu thought internally, decided that she should just forgive Yukini's rebellion of her original wish.
"Why didn't you tell us of the situation!" Healer demanded, ignoring Kakyuu's question for her.
"It's better for you all to stay in peace than to be back and be involved in this endless war that is starting." Kakyuu replied.
"Ouhi -" Healer started off. "We are always your starlights, no matter where we are." Healer explained. "It's our duty. And even it's no longer our duty to do so, we will still do it. Because you are always our Ouhi, our best friend since young, Ouhi, do you understand?"
"I-understand." Kakyuu remained silent for a moment before asking. "You came back alone?"
"No! I am here as well. This little pig over here decided that she shall not walk and demanded me to carry her in" A third voice travelled into the room. Kakyuu directed her attention to the door and saw Fighter carrying a young raven girl in her arms. Following her behind was Serenity holding a pink-haired in hand."
"Serenity, Fighter!"
"Kakyuu, It's been so long I last saw you." Serenity greeted.
"Same here."
"Mimi, I'm not a pig" The young girl in Fighter's arms pouted.
"Yes you are. Only a pig will want people to carry them because they are lazy." Fighter stuck her tongue at the young girl. "Get down, my hands are getting tired." Fighter told the girl. "You are getting heavy like a pig as well." Fighter continued, earning a dead stare from the little girl.
"Mama, Mimi is bullying me." The little girl went up to Serenity and complained.
"Fighter." Serenity scolded. "Stop making fun of Kouie." Fighter simply shrugged her shoulders, causing Serenity and Kakyuu to burst into a graceful laughter. Only Healer remain unamused at the antics.
"Ouhi." Fighter started out, starting to be serious at the moment. "You should have told us. You made all of us so worried for you." Fighter continued in her leader mood.
"Sorry Fighter. I promise, there will not be a similar incident in the future. I will always inform you starlights about the situation on Kinmoku, don't matter whether is it a good or bad, alright?" Kakyuu apologised, placing her hand on Fighter's shoulder.
"Definitely! You got Healer so worried that she was willing to break a sweat just to get here first." Fighter continued. That earned Fighter's stomach a hard elbowed by Healer. "What! I'm speaking the truth, Elf!"
"Say that again?"
"Elf!"
Healer was really pissed off. She turned to Kakyuu and saw her smiling softly at their actions. Then Healer decided that she should just let it be, since her queen enjoyed that.
'I made the right decision then. Fighter is getting more and more cheerful these days. She getting close to her real self now, When it's time for her to be serious, she would be serious. When it's time for her to loosen up, she will. I'm glad that she's happy and fortunate now.' Kakyuu thought.
"Ouhi, where's Himeko?" Fighter asked. "It's been 7 years ever since I've seen the tough little girl. Is she still as adorable?" Healer nodded her head in agreement.
"She's out in the garden. Come let's go! You will be surprise how fast she grew up." Kakyuu replied excitedly, putting the worry way behind her for the moment. She's really excited and elated right now, with all her three starlights back with her at the moment. "I have a surprise to show you all as well." Kakyuu finished.
Maker brought the little children and Mochi out to the garden, to get some fresh air, and sunshine for the little kids. The hectic situation had caused the princess to be banned from going to outdoor. With the return of Maker and the appointment of the princess 's guards, Juukyu finally got to go outside and catch some fun and sun.
"Himeko! Be careful!" Maker shouted as Juukyu chase after Mochi, with Misa, Riko and Hishi running behind her.
"Hai! Maker-baasan!" Juukyu replied.
"Misa! Take care of Princess." Maker ordered.
"Hai!"
And Maker just stood at one area, watching them at a comfortable distance, ensuring that they are safe. 'It's good to be back. This is where I grow up. This is where I call home.' The next moment when she fix her attention on the kids, she realised that Misa and Mochi is not in the pack. The three of them was sitting down on the grass, chatting a little, and occasionally bickering a little (between Riko and Hishi). That cause Juukyu to break into fits of giggle.
Getting worried about where Misa had went to, Maker walked up to them. "Riko, where's Misa?" Maker asked
"Mochi ran away to that direction, and Misa says she's going to get him back, Tai- No Maker sensei." Riko replied.
Placing her hand on Riko head, Maker assured. "It's alright Riko, you still can call me Taiki-sensei."
Healer walked beside Kakyuu with Fighter and Serenity trailing behind them. Usagi and Kouie was following behind them. Fighter was holding onto Serenity's hand, smiling at her and at the same time, enjoying the familiar surrounding around her.
"Look at that tree?" Fighter told Serenity, pointing at the tree that she always climbed on. "That's my favourite tree. It's my sanctuary. No one else dares to climb it cause it belongs to me."
"Really?" Serenity replied in amazement.
"Yupp."
And at that moment, a ball of fur came running towards her, jumping up into Fighter's arm and start licking her face. 'Mochi?' "Not my face again!" Fighter groaned, as she remembered the days before how she was woke up from sleep in the same way. She tried pulling the excited dog away from her face. 'Why is Mochi here? Could it be?" Fighter turned around and search her surrounding, not finding what she was expecting.
"Fighter? You know that dog?" Serenity asked.
"Eh . . ." Fighter not knowing what to reply just simply shrugged her shoulders.
"Mochi!" A soft young voice came calling out. Fighter lift her head up from her attention from Mochi saw a little girl in violet uniform running towards them.
"Ouhi-sama" The little girl greeted.
"Misa - chan." Kakyuu acknowledged. "Why are you here? Where's Himeko?"
"Mochi ran away. I was chasing after him. Princess is with Riko and Hishi, Ouhi-sama." Misa replied before walking towards Fighter. "Come Mochi, let's go back." She called out sweetly, with a small smile."
But Mochi decided that he's more comfortable in Fighter's arm. "Woof!" was his answer, which meant no. Misa pouted at the answer Mochi gave her.
"No worries little girl, we are going to the same direction. I will carry him back." Fighter assured. 'Maybe she did not brought Mochi away in the first place. Maybe Mochi decided to go for a walk on that morning . . . '
Misa nodded her head and started walking back on her own, ahead of the group of people. Usagi and Kouie started surrounding Fighter while Serenity walked beside Kakyuu.
"Mimi! I want to see doggie!" Little Kouie demanded.
"Yes dar!" Fighter squatted down to be the same level, allowing the young little girls to have their hands entangle in Mochi soft fur. 'Why is Mochi here? Who's that Misa?
"Kakyuu, who's that girl?" Serenity asked curiously.
"Misa? She's one of the Himeko newly selected guard."
"So young? And she's she so small sized." Serenity commented with surprise.
"You will be surprise when you see her strength. She's not as weak as she look like she would be. Just like Fighter when she was young." Kakyuu answered.
Fighter turned her direction to the conversation happening in front of her when she heard her name was mentioned. "What are you all discussing?" Fighter asked.
"Yah!" Healer joined in the conversation. "You can never imagine how small sized Fighter was when she was 8. She's even shorter than me then." Healer continued, totally ignoring Fighter's question. Kakyuu nodded her head, smiling at Healer's statement.
"Hello?" Fighter repeated, standing up on her feet and walked towards the group.
"I think I do have those old photographs when we were young, do you want to see them?" Healer asked Serenity, successfully earning a deadly glare from Fighter.
"I would like to. I can't imagine Fighter being small sized." Serenity giggled.
"You will be surprised!" Healer grinned.
"Stop brainwashing my wife, Elf!" Fighter grunted at Healer, pulling Serenity away from the conversation. "Don't believe them. Let's go!"
"But do you know where are we going? We do not know where's Himeko exact location." Serenity asked
"We do not, but the girl in front do. Follow after her." Fighter replied as she turned around to check the two daughters are following behind them or not.
"Mimi, can you carry me? I don't feel like walking" Kouie whined.
"Yes dar!" Fighter replied as kneeled on the floor. "Sorry Mochi, you have to walk on your own. I promise I will catch up with you. Go, go after her!" Fighter whispered to Mochi, after which she picked Kouie up and threw her shoulder, allowing the little girl to sit at her shoulder. She then held Usagi's hand in her right hand and Serenity's in her left.
"They really looked like one happy family, don't they?' Kakyuu commented. Healer just nod her head in agreement. 'I'm glad I've made the right decision to let her go then.' Kakyuu thought.
Misa was surprised when she saw Mochi ran passed her and towards Maker, jumping on Maker. Mochi was wagging his tail so happily, barking out so loudly. This was the first time she had seen Mochi in such a good mood.
"Yes Mochi?" Maker picked Mochi up. "Are you bullying Misa?" Mochi continue barking. "Why are you so excited?" More barking from Mochi. Maker looked up and saw Misa walking towards them. And further away, she saw someone else. Her heart broke.
'Why is she back as well?'