Phantasy Star Portable – Kotone
Chapter 16
Lumia woke to the sounds of quiet murmuring.
". . . Mr. Hyuga," Kotone's voice registered dimly. "No, it was a bit different, but okay. What? Oh, no, Lumia's sleeping," Here she felt a hand run through her hair. "No, we spent the night on the couch. When she wakes up, do I have to leave for another mission or can it wait?" A pause and Lumia could hear the sounds of Hyuga talking over the phone. "Alright then. I'll see you at five tonight for class." Lumia remembered that Ethan told her that Hyuga had a student. Was Kotone his student? "Alright. Mm-hmm. I'll do that. See you later. Bye." A light click and she felt her pillow shift slightly. The hand resumed stroking her hair, brushing some strands out of the way. Heavy, familiar footsteps grew louder, before stopping nearby.
"How's she doing?" Ethan asked quietly, trying not to be too loud. A rustle of fabric preceded the touch of a slightly callused, warm hand much larger than the one in her hair pressing against her cheek briefly.
"She's been quiet for the last hour." Kotone answered just as softly back. "Should I wake her, or is she a late sleeper?" The sound of a hand on fabric made her think of Ethan pushing back his sleeve to look at his watch.
"She's got school in three hours," Ethan answered. "Should we have her go?" Lumia wanted to nod, but didn't. School would give her a distraction and let her sort herself out.
"I think so. Lumia might want the space to calm down. I think I might have done something wrong." Kotone sounded worried. Lumia almost shook her head. Kotone hadn't done anything wrong. If anything, she had done everything right. The sound of a gentle shake made her internally smile. Ethan would make sure that she knew she hadn't done anything wrong.
"Alright. I'm going to get breakfast," Ethan told her. "Oatmeal sound good? Lumia loves it in winter." She felt Kotone shift.
"Oatmeal is great," Kotone answered, her hand stopping its gentle trailing through her hair. "Hurry?" Kotone asked.
"Of course. I can't leave my girls hungry," Ethan chuckled softly, pressing a kiss to Lumia's temple. "See you soon honey." The footsteps began to recede, and the sound of the door opening and closing made her internally panic, before her mind snapped to the possessive word he had used. His girls?
"Lumia sweetie?" Kotone asked softly, stroking her hair. "Honey, wake up." Lumia drowsily opened her eyes, spotting a purple curtain of hair being brushed back by a soft hand. "Hey, sweetheart," Kotone murmured gently, helping the sleepy preteen up. "How are you?" Lumia had a vague recollection of her aunt saying something like that. It was one of those soothing sort of things her busy relatives never really had time for.
"Tired," She told the concerned woman. Kotone smiled sheepishly at her.
"Well, I'm glad that's all." Kotone said, pulling Lumia into her lap. "Do you want to go to school?" At Lumia's worried look, Kotone added, "I'll be here when you come back." Lumia nodded at that, snuggling into her new favorite person, yawning tiredly. The sound of a door made them both look up and they watched Ethan come in holding three large bowls of oatmeal. Yum.
Lumia discovered something new about Kotone: Kotone could really, really eat. Lumia didn't mention it though, intent on the last bits of oatmeal in her bowl. Wasted food was a sin in the Waber family, especially since auntie and uncle weren't really rich. Kotone hummed to herself happily, successfully filching away some of Ethan's food to Lumia's amusement, as she was doing the same thing. Ethan sighed, and split what he had left between the two of them.
Kotone walked to the train with the young woman, taking her hand as the crowds grew, the kids jostling them. Kotone helped her up to the train and hugged her goodbye.
"I'll be here when you get off the train." Kotone promised, hugging her once more. "We'll have a girl's day out once you got back, okay?" Lumia nodded and boarded the train, watching her new friend disappear as the train pulled away, the pretty Newman waving until it was out of sight.
As soon as Kotone was out of sight, the kids who were watching curiously swarmed her, asking endless questions about who she was and what she was doing. Lumia wasn't really all that popular compared to Ethan, and intensely disliked because they assumed she was stuck-up. So a flash of pride streaked through Lumia as she answered.
"She's my brother's girlfriend," She said proudly, before squirming to her compartment. Lumia hadn't made it two feet before she heard the screech of wheels and flung herself to the ground as the world distorted and glass shattered.
Kotone saw Ethan as he ran towards her, looking very alarmed. "Kotone!" Ethan paused for breath. "Lumia's train was hijacked!" Kotone felt the world tilt, and a surge of worry flashed in her eyes.
Kotone caught sight of Hyuga running, and then jumping onto the roof of the train. Kotone whistled loudly, grabbing her teacher's attention. Hyuga bent down, offering a hand to the young teen. Kotone took it gratefully, seeing Ethan already opening the roofs' emergency exit, his action being copied by every other AMF and GUARDIAN in visible sight. Kotone dropped into the dimly lit compartment, taking the blood on the walls with a touch of worry. The two checked the rooms quickly, running through them with a tense silence. Empty. Empty, empty, blood-covered, empty, empty. . .
Lumia watched her classmates as they huddled in fright, cowering away from the Beasts guarding the door and windows. Lumia watched the windows mildly, trying to portray confidence. By the disturbed look on the Beasts, and the reassurance on her classmates, it was working. She projected her voice above the whimpering students.
"My brother will get you." A simple statement. The Beasts snorted.
"And what's he, a rag-tag little boy?" One Beast sneered. Lumia projected her best arrogant tone.
"No. Ethan Waber." Lumia kept her disdainful look even as the rouge's face dropped twelve shades. "And even if he doesn't, the AMF will." She added, watching him pale some more. "Is your pride worth your life?" Lumia asked, smiling haughtily at him. The Beast couldn't even squeak.
"I don't think so." Kotone's voice sounded as she knocked the rouge out. The other one crumpled to the ground, courtesy of Ethan. Ethan was watching his sister with an impressed look.
"Not bad for an intimidation tactic," Ethan complimented his sister while Kotone went around checking the various injuries sustained by the group. Lumia smiled shyly up at him, before turning to Kotone, who gave her a grin and thumbs up, before returning to the child in front of her. "Hyuga?"
"Uh-uh. Cop shows." Lumia said, utterly deadpan. Kotone bit her lip, trying not to laugh. "Oh, does this mean we're late to class?" Lumia asked her brother sadly. She'd been aiming for perfect attendance. Ethan gave a small smile.
"Classes are canceled." He told her, swinging the girl up to his hip. "Now, once we get out of here, I believe that Kotone said you two would have a girl's day out?" Lumia perked up, and looked at Kotone hopefully. Kotone laughed.
"I guess a bit of shopping is in order!"
Lumia looked around the mission counter eagerly, watching as Kotone received her pay with a smile. Hyuga was leaning on the counter, dryly amused.
"I see that you used a longsword today." Hyuga drawled, lips twitching up into a smile. "Is that habit or necessity?" Kotone smiled and blushed scarlet. The CAST running the counter handed Kotone an extra envelope with a smile. "That is your class bonus." Hyuga told his student brightly. "You accompanied me on a mission outside of your current rank and so you get a good bonus. Unlike regular student apprentice's pay, this has no deductions." He shooed her over to Lumia, who he hugged tightly. "Look at you!" Hyuga exclaimed, watching her blush brightly. "Last time I saw you, didn't you have shorter hair?" He asked her, smiling warmly. Lumia nodded, shyly playing with the end of her dress, cheeks bright red. Hyuga had turned from well, Hyuga, into something hot. He fluffed her hair up, and turned to Kotone. "From now on, classes will be done during missions so you can get used to actually fighting with your forms and maneuvers." He kissed her forehead. "Good job munchkin!" And before she could slug him in the arm, he ran off, heading out into the streets. Kotone settled for grumbling instead, taking Lumia's hand in hers.
"Ooh, when I get my hands on him . . ." Kotone groused. Lumia giggled hysterically.
Kotone led Lumia into the large shopping division gently, hands grasping the smaller girl's own. Lumia followed wide-eyed, sticking close to the beautiful woman. They stopped at the clothing stores, spending enough to make Ethan wince.