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Disclaimer: I do not claim nor own anything. All rights are reserved to their respective owners and no copyright infringement intended. This fiction is for pure entertainment only and not for commercial purposes.
After defeating the Beur in the canyon, Nagisa and Honoka rested by the campfire distance away from the corruption. The purifiers and fairies at the canyon were cleaning the remaining remnants of the Beur and glyphs of malice that have not been caught by the blast. It would take about five hours to clean up the canyon, since it was a young Beur and the needles it left behind.
Meanwhile, Nagisa and Honoka were elated of their newfound relationship. They were lovers now; sitting next to each other by the warmth of the campfire, and their hands intertwined as their voices carried through the night. They were waiting and on standby should something arose from the canyon. They did not need to stay when their mentors, Mepple and Mipple, told them to go. The canyon was safe and almost cleaned up.
Also, the Queen and the Empress were at the canyon to investigate something of unfound great concern. The Queen has ordered them to rest and be ready for the Empress. They complied without further argument. Flying up to the sky and going towards Honoka's current hut, which mostly had been an outpost of sorts like Nagisa's hut. The sun should be up anytime soon.
As immortals, day or night had no effect on their body, mind, or spirit. Their sanity however, would be affected had they not been trained to break away from their human nature. Being an immortal and a Pretty Cure required them to undergo intense shifting of their original nature; human. Their humanity must not hinder them, because they would encounter situations that forced them to put aside their origins and bonds.
While they could still hold on to their virtues and principles, they had to be highly aware of the volatile nature as it were being an immortal and the human nature in them. Moreover, it was also the cause of disposition and fear of the Pretty Cures; possessing power and eternal life.
Therefore, in order to maintain a delicate balance of peace and solely focusing on fighting the Beur; the Pretty Cures must severe the connections they once were. It was why Honoka and Nagisa were no longer carrying their family names and avoiding any political or societal activities. They have been bothered and intervened multiple times to revert and null their Pretty Cure powers, because of fearing two woman's loss and descent from humanity. Frankly, that did not make sense to them, as they have willingly devoted themselves to fight Beurs.
At the moment, the two women were flying below the clouds and passing by many lands and seas. They flew higher when they saw a large wall of rocks and spires surrounding the wall reaching above the clouds. Upon rising to a higher altitude, different heights of spires were seen and lush with fruits, vegetation, and herbs. The mountain was much higher that the barks and the roots of the trees were so large and tall protruding out from the spires.
"You've been busy." Nagisa said, looking at the large trees and branches sheltering animals.
Honoka proudly smiled, "I've got all the technology and books to help me. Chuutaro will have an easier time traveling back and forth thanks to them." She suddenly stopped in the midst of her flight, leaving Nagisa ahead to stop and look back at her questionably.
Before a word was out of Nagisa's mouth, the rapid thundering flaps from inside the mountain brought her attention. Just as Nagisa turned to look at the dark cavern in the mountain, a large swarm of birds rushed out and overwhelmed as they pass by her. Honoka amusedly grinned as she held back a laughter; waiting to witness Nagisa in a feathery mess. The large swarm flew by and split apart, heading for the trees amongst the spires, and up or down the clouds.
Soon, the swarm of birds from the mountain was over to reveal a missing Nagisa. Honoka blinked her eyes and looked to the swarms that might have carried Nagisa away. Sure enough, Nagisa was seen clutching the underbelly of giant large bird as it flapped in the air, looking at her irritably. Honoka giggled as the bird flicked Nagisa off its underbelly and returned to the trees. Nagisa yelled as she covered her face and spearing headfirst towards the wall of the mountain.
However, instead of meeting the solid wall, Nagisa heard laughter as a pair of hands suddenly wrapped around her belly. Nagisa pouted and crossed her arms in the embrace as they were spun up into the air when Honoka caught her. Honoka laughed as she looked at Nagisa's messy hair sticking out with some feathers stuck to it and the suit.
"Ahhh! You are so unbelievable." Nagisa whined and blushed, her chin jutting out with her head tilted up.
Honoka's laughter turned into giggles, "Hehehe! I'm sorry, but I got you good." She chastely kissed Nagisa's chin.
Nagisa huffed and glared at Honoka, "You're getting back at me, aren't you?"
Honoka looked away and hummed, "Hmm~… I don't know what you're talking about?"
Nagisa puffed her cheeks and wrapped her arms around Honoka's shoulders, "Hmph. My influence have gotten to you." She said and lopsidedly smiled.
Honoka turned her head and smirked, "It was fun when you did it to me though."
Nagisa hugged Honoka, "Course it is!" She happily said.
Honoka patted Nagisa's back and relished the warm body pressed to hers, one full of affection. Clearly, they have not given each other a frontal hug except for the one brief time. Doing it now felt a lot nicer and complete. Nagisa did not keep the embrace for too long, worried about her lower region ruining the tender moment. Honoka reluctantly released Nagisa without any qualms.
With no desire to tatter or shaken their relationship, Honoka has to remember that Nagisa had a fragile acceptance and comfort about herself. A chaste to Honoka's lips, and she let out a small, adorable yelp that had Nagisa smirking widely.
"My, my." Honoka blushed and placed her hands to her cheeks.
"Heeeh! You're blushing so cutely!" Nagisa laughed, and Honoka pouted.
"Geez, you still know how to tease after I got the better of you." Honoka frowned, crossed her arms, and turned her back to Nagisa.
Nagisa rolled her eyes and leaned to Honoka's side to look at her face, but Honoka kept turning away.
"Ho~no~ka~!" Nagisa sweetly called.
Honoka snickered for a brief moment and continued to turn away. Nagisa grinned and called again in a cracked, high-pitched voice. Honoka laughed as she playfully pushed Nagisa's shoulder.
"You're so mean! I'm going ahead." Honoka lopsided smiled and ascended to the tip of the mountain.
Nagisa giggled and followed after Honoka as she shouted, "I betcha' she has grown-up a lot!"
Honoka rolled her eyes and slowed down for Nagisa to catch up beside her. Nagisa was referring to Honoka's fan and admirer, who was taught by Honoka in science. The little girl was bright and intelligent, but her future was held down to become a wonderful woman to any potential bachelor or bachelorette. Honoka did not want to interfere the rights of the parents for their children, but she felt that it was such a waste for a determined and smart girl to end up in a locked future that bared the girl's decision.
Of course, Nagisa decided to play the devil's advocate with her own curse. Nagisa's curse brought disobedience and rebellion when people listened to her. Using that supposed curse, which Honoka did not believe both in hers and Nagisa, they came up with a scheme to pull interest towards the girl's intellect instead of bridal material. They almost breached their sworn oath, but the girl attained a remarkable privilege to the Alchemy, Enchantment, and Science Academic School.
Thus, the girl was free from being married, and was offered the choice to live her own life – even though her parents pushed her to go to the school without her consent. Honoka's hand reached out for Nagisa, and Nagisa took her hand with a happy smile.
"She must be about over ten-years older now." Honoka said.
Nagisa nodded, "Freckled cheeks, thick eyebrows, and an adorable pair of ears. Man, I bet her hair has grown pretty and tied in braids." She had seen the fan sitting on Honoka's lap with a book read.
Honoka gently squeezed Nagisa's hand, "Out of all the children, I was surprised she came up to us, unafraid." She sighed.
"She's got that brainpower and courage in her. And wherever she is, she will still remember you." Nagisa assured.
Honoka wordlessly squeezed Nagisa's hand and held onto that belief. It would be painful to see people grow while Honoka and Nagisa remained as they were. They did not resent their immortality and they held no grudge to those who had forgotten about them. Fortunately, their mentors' teaching and guidance have helped Honoka and Nagisa to better understand themselves and eternal life. It turned out that being an immortal or a mortal made no difference, except for the span of time revolving around them.
Reaching to the top of the mountain, the two women were greeted by a serene scene of Honoka's current residence. Pure-green grassy fields, vines stretching from the trees to the mountains, animals going to and fro from the rope-bridges to harvest food. The pits that Honoka made around the large pond, which was brought up from the waterworks of tunnels within the mountain, were connected to sustain the fruits and soil. Nagisa had brought the seeds over to the mountain; mostly fruits that were able to grow in windy climates, cold temperatures, and fair soil amongst some rocky grounds.
"Look at them go." Nagisa said with a grin, watching the animals harvest the fruits eagerly and collectively.
"It's all thanks to you." Honoka looked to Nagisa and earned a wink with a thumb-up.
"If you want a different variety, just let me know." Nagisa said.
Honoka curtly bowed and said, "Gladly O' Great Pocket of Seeds." She immediately flew towards her hut with a giggle.
"Hey!" Nagisa exclaimed, catching the eyes of the animals staring at her and embarrassing herself.
Nagisa blushed and cleared her throat as she meekly apologised to the busy animals. Following after Honoka, the two returned to the ground and reverted their transformation. Honoka opened the door to her hut and invited Nagisa in. The two women entered the hut and cleaned their barefoot with a simple casting of magic. Strings of water sprouted out from in between the tiles of the entranceway, and then they wrapped around the two women's feet.
"Oh? You have this too?" Nagisa commented, feeling the cool water soaking her legs and cleaning off some dirt.
"I couldn't turn away such an astonishing work from a student." Honoka proudly answered.
It did not take long for their feet to be washed of dirt and drying up their feet as the water went back underneath the tiles. Continuing on, Nagisa made a turn to the living room, but Honoka grabbed her arm and dragged her to the bedroom.
"I know what you're doing, so do not." Honoka said to a sheepish, lopsided grinning Nagisa.
"I try, milady." Nagisa snickered as Honoka snorted at her reply.
Honoka let it slide knowing this was the usual Nagisa that she usually bantered or got annoyed with, but it made Honoka loosen up on conversations. In a short walk, they reached Honoka's bedroom and went to the vanity.
"Sit here for a moment while I get your present." Honoka gently pushed Nagisa to sit on the chair by the vanity.
Nagisa wordlessly sat down and glanced at the mirror that looked familiar. Honoka smiled and left Nagisa there for a brief moment to get the present in the drawer.
"Y-your vanity is from me… isn't it?" Nagisa asked, a little shy yet happy that Honoka kept the rugged vanity.
The woodwork was uneven, but it had a sturdy support. The lining was overdone as the top of the table was concaved inward. The drawers were spacious, but it rattled when it was pushed in. Finally, the mirror was the only quality that stood out from the rest, framed with a wonderful and unique designs of lanterns and fires.
Honoka smirked and answered, "I love it. Although I don't do make-up, l love to look at the mirror and the frame as I brush my hair. And it's easy to put the big brushes in the drawers. The table has caused me to slip a bit however."
Nagisa flustered and scratched her cheek, "A-aha… I'll get you a better one next time." She bit her lips as she heard the last bit.
Honoka giggled as she shut the drawer with a present in one hand, "I'll hold you to it."
Honoka turned around and saw Nagisa examining the vanity. No doubt Nagisa wanted to make sure she got the measurements and design to memory. Honoka shook her head and went over to the vanity.
"Close your eyes~." Honoka said, hiding the present behind her back just before Nagisa sat upright to see the mirror.
"No peeking~." Honoka quirked a brow as she looked at the mirror of Nagisa's smirk.
Nagisa closed her eyes, and Honoka stood beside Nagisa to put the present on the table. Honoka amusedly grinned as the present slid to the centre because of its inward surface. Nevertheless, Honoka tenderly took Nagisa's hand and brought it to the present.
"Open it and tell me what you think it is." Honoka moved her hand away from Nagisa's hand and watched from the side.
Nagisa moved her other hand to the present and wandered about to feel the object. It felt like a small box, and it was cool to touch. It has a hard-surface and what felt like hinges on its back. There seemed to be a thin gaping line on the top quarter of the box, and something round on the front. Nagisa jolted a little when she touched what felt like a pin on the sides of the round object.
"It's locked right?" Nagisa kept her eyes closed as her hands wandered around the object.
"Yes. It's a puzzle." Honoka answered and smiled.
Nagisa's hand wandered to the front of the round thing, fiddling with the pin and hoping something might happen. The pin rattled, and Nagisa could feel it sliding out. Nagisa pinched for the tip of the pin, only to pinch the edges of the round thing. Nagisa lowly growled as she missed the pin, but she eventually found it and pulled it to the side. Nagisa grinned and opened the box, but it refused to open, causing Nagisa to pout.
"Keep going." Honoka amusedly smiled as she saw Nagisa's nose crinkle.
Nagisa rubbed her teeth along her bottom lip as she searched for anything else that would open the box. Nagisa's thumb came across something that can be pushed aside from under the round object. Nagisa let out a brief triumphant 'Yes!' and eagerly pushed the sliding thing apart. The box clicked and Nagisa squirmed excitedly on her seat.
"Can I open my eyes now?" Nagisa asked with her lips pursed in excitement.
Honoka giggled, "No. You need to tell me what it is in the box." She replied and ceased the urge to hug Nagisa.
Nagisa throatily groaned and wandered her hands into the box carefully. Around the inside of the edges felt like a pillow, and there seemed to be something resting on it. Nagisa came across a thin thread and followed its path to feel it strung together onto something. Nagisa smiled as she traced the pattern of the object the thread was tied to.
"It's a necklace, and there's… something like…" Nagisa's brows furrowed as her fingers came across some kind of lid, "Wait. A locket?"
Honoka put the locket over to Nagisa's palms and opened the lid, "You got it right. Now, open your eyes."
Nagisa opened her eyes and looked to her open. Nagisa gasped upon seeing the picture in the locket. Honoka leaned upright and placed her hands on Nagisa's shoulder, still and shocked. The locket had a picture of Nagisa's family: her mom, dad, and little brother. All of Nagisa's family were smiling and posing around the wood-crafted mascot character she made. On the insides of the lid was a simple writing from Nagisa's dad, 'We love you.'
"My mom and dad came across your family from across the world to see them. They wanted a locket gifted to you and thought that I could pass it to you. Chutaro delivered the locket to me after their picture was taken. Do you like it?" Honoka softly smiled and bent her knees to look at Nagisa on eye-level.
Nagisa sniffed as she turned to Honoka with a big smile and teary-eyes. Nagisa lunged forward and tightly embraced Honoka. The two women fell on the floor with Honoka letting out a stifled, pained grunt. Nagisa's crackly chuckled and tightened her embrace as she apologised and thanked Honoka.
"I lo- *hic* -ve it! …Sorry! …Th- *hic* -thank you! …Thank you!" Nagisa hiccupped as she cried, holding firmly to the special locket and girlfriend.
Honoka tenderly hummed and patted Nagisa's back, gladly accepting the tight hug that could have suffocated her yet not. Honoka had the fortune to remain connected with her friends and family through letters, but Nagisa did not. Because, the High Councils from Nagisa's birthplace exiled and restricted her of any means to communicate with her friends and family when she became a Pretty Cure.
That was the life of a Pretty Cure; a life facing an eternal battle of their eternal enemy, and desolation from their origins and people around them.