Chapter 10
Koyuki lay in her sleeping bag, thinking. He brought back the past… what I had vowed not to think about again… but… I guess death is a natural thing then… right?
She could sense the Vaporeon next to her wasn't fully asleep either. But he certainly didn't feel like starting a conversation, and neither did she. She had decided to try fit in like everybody else once she stopped, and then found Ryujin, her former counterpart. She had admired his skill in sword and his skill in being normal. He was a pretty good-looking Vaporeon as well. Naturally, she needed to find somebody to go all moony over like most girls, and he was an obvious candidate until she realized that she actually had started to develop a crush on him.
She had never intended to go along with the Vaporeon; she still didn't know why she did. But she was grateful; she knew a lot of things that others didn't, and he trusted her enough.
It was true she had never spoken to him before school. They both knew about each other, and that was good enough.
For awhile, she thought she had managed to trick him; in fact, she thought she had tricked him up until this day. But he clearly saw through it.
"Koyuki…" he began. "Remember last year? When you were first introduced to me?" He rolled over to face her.
"Yes. Rin said I should meet the other eons."
"Mm. Yes. I remember meeting Rin. She's quite a flirt."
"Oh, definitely. I… I hope I didn't come across as that…"
"No. You came across as cute, honestly. I wouldn't think that a former champion could act like that."
She blushed inwardly. "R-really?" She looked away a little.
The Vaporeon was silent for a few minutes, and when she listened to him again, his soft, steady breathing indicated he was asleep.
She gave into sleep herself soon after.
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The next morning, Koyuki was awoken by a hand gently shaking her shoulder.
"Time to wake up," said Ryujin.
"Nghh…" She rubbed her eyes and yawned. "Wha… oh, Ryujin…" She jumped awake. "Uh, right…"
"We're going to head to your parents' house, right?"
"Yeah. But it will take awhile… maybe another day if we're quick."
The Vaporeon sighed, his breath visible. "Vaporeons aren't designed for this kind of weather."
"Well, it's not that cold…"
The Vaporeon gave her a slight frown. "Glaceons…"
"Oops, sorry!"
He started rolling up the sleeping bags and put it in the sack Naruchi had given him. He was already boiling some vegetables in a pot. The sun hadn't risen yet, but Koyuki's earlier years of ringing the temple bells had helped her become used to waking up early. He handed her a cup. "It's tea," he said before taking a sip from his own cup.
She drank some of the warm drink, which tasted surprisingly good for a heated drink, then huffed. "It's good."
"I used some leaves from a bush I found earlier. I mashed a few berries in as well."
"Yeah… I can taste it real well. It has a nice tartness. I didn't know you could make tea…"
"My mother would always make special teas. I was always fascinated by them. So simple, but so vivid."
"I agree… tea is very interesting."
They drank in silence. Koyuki savored the connection they shared in that brief period of time. He exhaled after a few minutes. "Well, let's start heading up to your parents' house. It's getting rather cold, and I don't want to stay out in this cold."
"Y-yeah. Let's start going again. If you're cold… we could wrap our arms around each other. I mean, I'm warm blooded!" she added after he looked at her funny.
"I'm fine," he said with a little sniffle, which suggested otherwise.
"It's so dark though. We can barely see…"
"We should start moving. It'll help me warm up." He trudged on through the icy wilderness.
She huffed. "No need to try impress anyone…"
"We should try find the main road. Then if we're lucky, we might be able to catch a ride."
"Oh. That's a good idea. I mean, the police won't follow us into the mountains, right?"
The Vaporeon turned towards her. "Probably not. I mean, this weather isn't fun, you know. But then again… here." He tossed her one of his wooden swords. "You should be capable of delivering a heavy whack with this. Plus you're in your element."
"We'll attack the police?! Umm… Ryujin… that's insane!"
"I'm talking about the cloaked figure. He might come after us…"
"The killer?!"
"I don't think he's the killer. I think that the two events are unrelated. I mean… why kidnap this time?"
"True… do you know who it might be?"
"I don't know if you're familiar with the champion in the age group above me."
"Shikuro… right? I once saw him in a match… he was all geared up though. Do you know his species?"
"Yeah. He…" The Vaporeon paused. "Hang on… I think I hear… a car…" He started running, and Koyuki followed alongside him. "Oh! So we maybe
we'll be able to catch a ride up to my parents' place!"
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April 3rd, 2011
I can't hit her… she's very quick. Koyuki jumped back, careful not to step out of the ring. When she turned around, her opponent was already rushing at her. She yelped as the wood sword hit her on the helmet. It protected her, but it still hurt a little.
"Point red!" said the three refs simultaneously, raising their red flags.
"Urf… that means we're all tied now…" mumbled Koyuki, adjusting her helmet. She got set again for the final point of the final set.
"Ready! Begin!"
Koyuki decided to go on the offensive. She spun around her sword with precision that would make a Gallade impressed, blocking and landing hits. Finally, she saw an opening. Here we go! Head!
Then, with a satisfying smack, she landed a hit on her opponent's head. Her foe's eyes were big before she collapsed.
"Point white!"
Koyuki smiled and took off her helmet. "Yes! I finally… wait, are you okay?" Her opponent didn't move. "Help! I think she's out!" Oh god… what have I done?
And then she saw a Vaporeon and an Absol standing just outside the ring. She locked eyes with both of them. The Vaporeon looked horrified, while the Absol crossed his arms. The two older champions… what do they want? The Vaporeon whom she believed to be Ryujin walked away quickly before giving Koyuki a final glance. And the Absol… Shikuro was it? He looked at her, eyes emotionless.
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"Koyuki… Koyuki. We're here."
She opened her eyes. The Vaporeon… yes. He had seen her do it. He was horrified of her. But at the same time… Shikuro was an Absol. And from what she remembered, Ryujin's friend. "Ryujin… Shikuro… was an Absol wasn't he?"
The Vaporeon opened the doo before handing the driver some yen. The driver was long gone before he responded. "Yes. How did you remember?"
"I… well… I remembered my final match…"
"We… we saw what happened. It wasn't your fault, Koyuki."
"I don't care about that. I don't want to do Kendo anymore in case I hurt someone again. But… what are you keeping secret from me?"
"Koyuki… some things should not be said. Some stones better left unturned."
"I-" She wanted to argue, but then she saw the large temple she had seen so many times before. "Mom… dad…" She slowly walked to the gate of the massive temple her mother had inherited.
"So this is your… house? It's impressive…"
"Well, it is a temple so…"
"Yeah, I know that. It's just… so large."
They pushed the creaky bronze gate open. "Well… let's meet my parents."
A snowy courtyard stood between the main door and the gate. "Koyuki…" The Vaporeon walked slowly through the courtyard. Snow crunched beneath their shoes. "Koyuki… why did you come with me?"
Snow continued to fall around them. "Why? I… I don't even know. I knew that we should help each other."
He continued to walk on. "I feel like I owe you an explanation for exactly what happened between Shikuro and myself. I will tell you tonight, promise."
She looked down, unsure of how to respond.
"Koyuki… you and I… we have a lot more in common than we realize. You left your parents for a reason… and I lost mine. And here we are…"
"Oh look! We're here!" she said, thankful they had reached the main door. She knocked on it.
The Vaporeon crossed his arms. "How are your parents?"
"Th-they're…"
The door opened to reveal a beautiful Glaceon. She wore a traditional white kimono. Koyuki liked to imagine that she looked similar to her mother. Her mother smiled. "Koyuki dear! What are you doing here?"
"We came to visit!" She bowed slightly. Next to her, the Vaporeon stood, arms crossed.
"Eh?! Who's this Vaporeon?!" She looked back and forth between them. "Gah! Are you Koyuki's boyfriend?!"
"Mom! It's not like that!" Her face must have been so red.
Ryujin slowly adjusted his glasses. "We are looking for a place to stay. Would it be okay if we-"
"Of course! I mean, we can't leave you two out in the cold."
"Thank you." He bowed slightly, then added, "My name is Ryujin."
"Ryujin? Oh my, aren't you that kendo boy?"
"Yes. That's me."
Koyuki's mother smiled. "Well come inside. Your dad is in town, shopping."
"Yeah. About that…" Koyuki sighed. "Both my parents are Glaceons. That's what they evolved into to take care of the temple. So naturally, I became one as well. My dad was also my kendo instructor. I imagine he'd like to challenge you. Just a heads up."
"I see. Well then…"
"Er… my dad doesn't take kindly to boys. Like, if he finds out we spent a night out together… he'll probably kill you."
The Vaporeon didn't seem too worried. "I'm sure I can convince him I'm harmless to your virginity."
"What kind of comment was that?" mused Koyuki's mother.
"I'm sorry, miss…" Ryujin seemed embarrassed. "That was awfully inappropriate."
"Oh, no worries." The older Glaceon smiled. "I'm happy that you've taken a liking to Koyuki. Her dad may not be as aggressive once he learns that you're a former champion."
"He's not my boyfriend!" squeaked Koyuki. "Mom! You're not helping…"
"Well, I heard you spent last night in the snow. This handsome Vaporeon couldn't stay warm, so you probably had to warm him! In the best way possible!"
"Mom! What the fu-"
Ryujin shot Koyuki a glance. "Uh, your mother is… interesting…"
"She's sort of always like this. It doesn't bother me. But… it's my dad you have to look out for… that's part of the reason I wanted to dorm away… they were, well, are so weird! Gah!"
Koyuki was crushed by a hug from her mother. "Oh you! Wanting to leave us so you could get together with some hot Vaporeon! So bad!"
The Vaporeon stared at them awkwardly. He rubbed the back of his neck. "At least she cares for you…"
Next time, we meet Koyuki's mysterious father… Please read and review!
PM me any questions you have so far! NEasty