Chapter LXXXIX: Goin' onto the Groovin Empire Part III

Sitting alone on the sandy slightly pebbled yellow ground was a young dark skinned boy who played with a stick as he drew circular shapes in the earth. An expression of utter boredom was upon his face as he continued to draw on the mundane shapes, looking beyond them for a moment he looked at the huge perfect magic circle he had done more than half an hour minutes ago.

The circle was enshrined with the many magic symbols and shapes he'd learned from his mothers books and they had proved a great defence against Reno and his mob as he remembered clearly as he shouted out to them with his stick, "you come near me in this circle and I'll fry you!"

This in turn only made them laugh as then Reno had tried to approach him with Elena telling him not to. However not listening Reno stepped onto the circle, this in turn made it flare angrily red in colour scaring him making him jump back off in moments.
Silencing everyone they all stared at him with widened shocked eyes, but then backing away slightly slowly Reno then started to quickly run away followed by the others as he jeered at the boy as they vanished beyond the bushes.

Alone now he had nothing left to do, but then it was better than being bullied at least… but-

"Hey!"

He jumped as he turned around spooked out of his thoughts as he saw a young girl with black short hair and lilac eyes in a pink dress and orange cardigan as she looked as though she'd been rustling in the bushes as a few leaves fell out here and there.

Looking at her weirdly dumbfounded all he could do was stare at her his mouth open slightly as he wondered what she was doing here.

The girl not noticing the odd look on the boy's face spoke again, "you! You're called Wairu aren't you?"

Blinking at this he was immediately on guard as he asked her agitated, "what if I am?"

Not getting it the girl spoke on, "well… um, I've been looking for you."

At this Wairu didn't quite understand, this girl had been looking for him? But then he immediately assumed as he spoke on further annoyed, "oh so you've come to pick on me too have you!"

Hearing this the girl was surprised as she blinked and asked curiously, "Pick on you?"

However not hearing the inquisitive tone that was in her voice Wairu stood up as he pointed at her with his stick, "well you won't be able to! I'm in my magic circle and anyone who tries to get near me is fried to a crisp!"

Listening to this info the girl was quiet as she heard this but then at the mention of a magic circle it was then she looked down and noticed the richly decorated thing that surrounded Wairu, looking back up from the spectacle she then looked back up as she looked amazed and cried, "wow! This is really a magic circle?"

Surprised by this reaction Wairu at first said nothing but then quickly reclaiming his composure he replied straight back, "yeah! That's right it is! So don't come near here!"

The girl hearing this instead of looking scared or sceptical like all the others did only titled her head slightly to the side in puzzlement, then quietly she walked closer to the circle. At once as she stepped one foot on the lines it reacted in moments flaring up with red light. Startled she quickly stepped away as she then watched as it dimmed down again quietly.

Wairu watched as she looked at the circle quietly as she then raised her head as she looked at him with an expression that he couldn't read entirely, and then quietly she turned and began to walk away.

Seeing her making her exit Wairu then knew it, she was exactly the same as Reno and the rest, even if she was a little weirder. He then started to turn around again to draw his meaningless circles but then suddenly he heard something, turning back around he saw the girl as she was digging her feet into the sandy ground like a chicken.

Looking at her oddly again he then spoke out, "what're you doing?"

The girl looking up smiled as she said, "I'm gonna beat that magic circle and meet you inside it!"

At this Wairu looked at her with absolutely dumbfounded eyes as he then said, "Are you stupid! You can't do that! No-one can-"

But the girl had now started running at full speed towards him and his circle, as Wairu saw her coming closer and closer fast he then began to panic as he shouted out, "no you idiot! Don't come here! You don't know what'll happen if you-"

However it was too late as the girl stepped on the lines and the glowing red came in a full burst as it shone blindly bright as the girl closed her eyes tightly and jumped.

The light continued to burn brightly as then the girl emerged from its blinding depths as she landed in the middle of the circle next to Wairu who looked at her shocked.

Her eyes still shut the girl felt the light ebb away quickly and as it did she opened one eye cautiously as she then looked at herself to see that she was entirely unharmed. Seeing this she became delighted as she cried out, "wow! I made it! I beat the magic! I-"

But then she was interrupted as Wairu spoke, "you idiot!"

The girl hearing him looked down at him as his voice had quivered and now she saw him down on the ground as he had now sunk onto his knees depressed with sadness aching out of him as she saw that tears were beginning to come to his eyes.

Seeing this she looked at him concerned as she spoke reaching her hand forwards, "hey, what's wrong are you-"

Then he smacked her hand away as he spoke harshly, "don't touch me!"

The girl looked down at him with widened eyes as she listened on quietly as Wairu spoke on, "this is all your fault! Now I've got nothing to protect myself!"

At this she repeated puzzled, "protect yourself?"

Wairu then nodded at these words as he shivered looking down miserably at the ground as he continued, "I can never make any magic that can attack, all I can do are protecting spells and aiding ones, that one was supposed to ward off and warn me of danger…"

The girl was quiet as she looked down at Wairu with concerned and saddened eyes as she then listened to him finish, "but now it's useless… they'll discover now because of you and the bullying will start all over again."

Hearing about the bullying the girl looked on with a mixed expression as she then asked, "will it?"

Wairu was quiet, he had no interest in replying back to her as he huddled himself holding onto his knees as tears were still threatening to emerge. But then suddenly he heard the girl speak again, "well then, we'll have to do something about it won't we?"

Then suddenly he heard more scratching and scraping in the ground, he looked up and saw that the girl had now started to make a hole in the magic circle. It glowed with it's red magic brightly again, but then it started to become less and less as the hole was made bigger and bigger until finally the girl had made a large enough gap to be walked through.

Finishing her work she brushed the dirt off her dress as she spoke, "great! Well that's big enough." Wairu was confused by her once more, what was she doing?

The girl then turned around and then kneeled on the ground as she reached her right hand out to him as she asked, "I'm Nozomi, do you want to be my friend?"

At this Wairu blinked shocked and dumbfounded as he then asked slowly, "what?"

Nozomi smiled as she said, "that's why I came here to see you today, cause you see well… Elena's been too busy now with Reno and the others to play with me anymore, and I've been really lonely." She then paused and looked saddened herself slightly as she then carried on to say, "then I saw that now and again you were alone too, and you seem really interesting to me and I thought we might be able to get along so… do you want to?"

Wairu was quiet still, he couldn't believe it! This is why she wanted to meet and speak with him? Nozomi then lifted herself up as she then spoke on confidently, "and don't you worry! As your friend if anyone picks on you or makes you cry then I'll always be there to protect you! I promise to-"

But then she was interrupted, as Wairu spoke again, "no way." As he then bent his head down again.

Seeing him do this Nozomi was immediately on the ground again as she asked worried, "you mean you don't want to-"

But then she was interrupted again as she heard Wairu crying not wanting his face to be seen as he then spoke again, "why is it an idiot of all people like you would!" Wairu then continued to cry away at his disbelief as Nozomi simply smiled and sat near him waiting patiently and quietly until he finally took her hand in his in agreement.

Moaning with weary drowsiness Nozomi stirred from her unconsciousness, as her eyes were barely able to open and were still fatigued as the darkness of the shadows was all around her.

Even with her senses dulled she felt a warm familiar hand on her forehead as then a voice spoke whom she hadn't heard in so long as it spoke in an amused tone, "even now you still dream of the past."

Hearing him Nozomi asked breathless, "Wairu…?"

However hearing her he removed his hand as he then began to move away from her, but Nozomi despite her weakened state reached her left hand up as she grabbed him by his trouser leg stopping him in moments, he looked down at her as she spoke again, "don't go! Please I've only just-"

However she was interrupted as Wairu quickly kneeled down before her as he then picked up her left hand and held it with his own right as he spoke to her in a gentle voice, "I'm afraid I've got to, I'm still not strong enough to be beside you yet, you'll just have to wait for me a little longer."

He paused as Nozomi looked at him still with drowsy drained eyes as she asked, "Wairu what're you talking about?" As it seemed she hadn't completely registered what he was saying.

Smiling though at this he put her hand to his lips as she stared up at him, with that he then leaned forwards towards her as he spoke again, "but when I am, I promise I'll never leave you alone again…" with that he bowed down as he then pressed his lips to her forehead as Nozomi felt warm energy spreading throughout her whole being. Feeling it she spoke again as darkness over took her once more as she was dragged back down into the realms of unconsciousness.

"Wairu! Wairu! Don't go! Please don't go, Wairu!" Then suddenly she woke up fully conscious as she looked around for her long lost friend, as she turned left and right however he had vanished into thin air.

Baffled she was quiet for a moment as she spoke again, "what was?" It was then she felt her forehead with her left hand as she asked again still feeling the warmth of Wairu's touch, "That wasn't a dream was it? It was-"

But then at once she finally noticed her dampened state as she saw she was dripping wet covered from head to foot in water droplets as she then finally felt the chilliness in the air as she then crossed her arms and started to rub herself trying to get some warmth back inside herself.

"Oh whoa! What the heck happened, how did I get out of the water and where's-" but then looking to her right hand side she saw something lying on the ground. It was Kuzco in his llama form, as he lay still and lifeless.

Looking at him Nozomi immediately reacted as she ran to his side as she spoke up, "Kuzco! Kuzco! Are you all right? Kuzco!"

However he didn't stir nor react, as he lay still and motionless, looking at him Nozomi saw that he too was dripping wet and cold like she was, she then spoke again worried, "hey can you hear me! Kuzco!"

Once more though there was no reaction as Nozomi stared at him, quickly she moved as she pressed her head to his long neck to feel anything, her anxiety racing she tried to calm herself as best she could as she listened quietly, listening she could definitely hear a heartbeat which was a huge relief.

But unfortunately there was one thing that was definitely a worry, his lungs weren't moving, she spoke terrified," he's not breathing!" Noticing this with horrifying realisation she looked at him with terrified eyes as she spoke again as she shook him, "Kuzco! Come on breath!"

However there was no reaction once more, turning tactics she then started to smack his face to try and get some physical reaction from him, however there was still none as he remained inanimate, she then spoke again, "come on breathe you dumb animal!"

She then let go of his head as it flopped down onto the floor, seeing this Nozomi was in dread and panic! What was she supposed to now! How could she help him to breathe! What could she-

The idea came, but unfortunately it was not one that she really liked, dreading as she pursed her lips, "oh no! Why this!"

Looking at him she then hesitatingly and tentatively turned his face up into the air, then cautiously she moved her hands forwards as she then opened his mouth and at once as his teeth were moved back a tongue sprouted up almost like a jack in a box. She was repelled back as she cried, "ewww yuck! Gross!"

Then looking at this hideous face that was revealed she had to purse herself to carry out the heroic act as she spoke, "oh boy!...Okay here I go…" with that she moved forwards to press her lips to Kuzco's.

But then suddenly at once as she came within an inch of his lips Kuzco's eyes opened up as he looked up to see Nozomi's eyes and kissing face as her hair surrounded her like a mess of tangling snakes in the shadows as they continued to drip onto him.

At once Nozomi felt something as she opened her own eyes and saw Kuzco's eyes looking at her alarmed. Then at once Cait sith and Pacha arrived from around the corner as they saw Nozomi and Kuzco in an odd position but before the image could be fully registered in their minds both of them pulled apart in seconds as they both then cried out loudly,

"YYYYAAAAAGGGHHHH!"

"EEEEEWWWWWW!"

Both of them then began to spit and rub their lips, Cait sith and Pacha staring at this odd spectacle then were quiet until finally Cait sith spoke up, "what the heck are ya two doin?"

At once Pacha spoke too, "yeah what happened?"

Nozomi rubbing her mouth then looked at the two of them with an annoyed disgusted look as she said, "something which gratefully I'm glad didn't happen!"

By the lake Kuzco was busy gargling getting rid of the germs that he thought he supposedly had got from Nozomi's 'kiss' however annoyed as she stared at him doing this she told him for the umpteenth time, "for the last time I have told you nothing happened! And it was not a kiss! It was resuscitation!" Cait sith on her shoulder as he stared at the llama emperor was just as annoyed.

Next to her was Pacha as he looked between the two of them, as he was busy trying to make a campfire to warm themselves from the cold jungle air, he then decided to try and justify Nozomi's actions as he said, "yeah you should be grateful Kuzco, she was trying to save you there."

But then walking over still disgusted as ever, Pacha at that moment had succeeded in lighting the fire but then Kuzco spoke, "well whatever happened there!" He then spat much like a llama does and then put out Pacha's hard worked fire in seconds, seeing this he Nozomi and Cait sith were appalled as Cait sith called out, "Oi!"

Kuzco then finished, "it was disgusting!"

Annoyed and then sad for Pacha Nozomi spoke to him, "don't worry Mr Pacha, I'll fix it."

With that she then called and then aimed her keyblade at the log as she then uttered a small fire spell as it lit in moments, seeing it Pacha was delighted in seconds, "wow thank you Nozomi."

She smiled, as she replied, "no prob."

But then Kuzco annoyed that the attention was being diverted from him, he then spoke again, "and you know Pacha if you'd taken me back in the first place I'd been spared that little act of resuscitation."

Hearing this Nozomi asked, "taken back?"

Then suddenly at once Kuzco in reply shook his woolly coat as then the water spread everywhere and Nozomi's fire was put out which made her cry out annoyed, "hey!"

But then Kuzco simply walked away in a huff making Nozomi look at him entirely irritated as Cait sith was on her shoulder. However quietly trying to keep it together Pacha again was trying to relight the fire.

Kuzco though carried on as he spoke, "but despite all that you guys will take me back to the palace where Yzma will change me back and I'll begin construction on Kuzcotopia!" With that he then created a small little pile of pebbles as a house of some kind as he then ended it with a twig and a leaf making a makeshift flag as he finished with a smile, "oh yeah!"

At this Nozomi didn't get it as she turned and asked Pacha, "What's he talking about? Kuzcotopia and taking him back to the palace, Mr Pacha?"

Hearing this question Pacha looked saddened as he continued to make the fire, he was quiet for a moment before he answered, "it's… I took Kuzco from the palace unknowing after he declared that my village was going to be destroyed to make his holiday getaway on the hill where we all live."

At this information Nozomi and Cait Sith were dumbfounded as they were silent as Pacha finally finished making the fire as it was lit, as it was he turned back to them both, Nozomi then finally spoke up, "what! How could that happen! And why are-"

But then Cait sith finished it for her, "why are ya helping that ungrateful yak! Ya should have just left him ta-"

But then Pacha interrupted him as he told them both with solemn seriousness, "because I had to, it's the right thing to do, to save someone regardless of selfishness."

As these words were said Nozomi and Cait sith were in awe at his good nature, they were both quiet as in the distance Kuzco had paid no heed to Pacha's words as he started to dry himself using Pacha's green overshaul as a towel to dry himself with.

Seeing him do this Pacha decided to speak to him again adding calmness to his voice, "now Kuzco look, I think we all here have got off on the wrong foot."

Listening though not looking Kuzco continued to dry himself as he then replied with a simple utter, "mmhmm."

Pacha then tried again to speak to him as he said, "I just think that if you really thought about it, you'd decide to build your home on another hill top."

However Kuzco still high in his clouds of vanity replied not looking as he threw Pacha's overshaul behind him, "and why would I do that?"

At once the small fire was again put out making Pacha, Cait sith and Nozomi irritated beyond belief, Nozomi gritted her hands angrily as she whispered, "if he does anything more… I swear I am going to shave him!"

However at that moment Pacha managed to hold onto his patience despite the repeated incident as he clapped his hands together as he spoke again, "because… deep down I think you realise that you're forcing an entire village out of their homes, just for you."

He finished smiling as he had picked up his shawl and folded it neatly over a tree branch, seeing his calm demeanour Nozomi and Cait sith were still in awe as they then watched as he walked over to Kuzco.

At once the emperor llama turned as he asked, "and that's… bad?" As though this was unbelievable.

Hearing this Nozomi decided to voice herself finally as she responded, "well of course it is! I mean you wouldn't want to be forced out of your home would you?" Annoyed she folded her arms.

Pacha though sensing the tone in her voice though tried to quickly recover a more positive presence as he responded, "Exactly I mean nobodies that heartless."

After hearing them both Kuzco nodded as though he was considering but ultimately came his reply, "now take me back," as he turned away from them both.

Everyone was completely irritated once more as then Cait sith decided to protest, "lad how can ya reply like that! Don't cha care about no one else at all!"

At this Kuzco smiled as he turned and replied as he approached them all in a smug manner, "yah doi me! Everyone else in the kingdom gets it, though you guys don't seem to be with the program? Huh?"

Hearing his voice everyone couldn't believe how much of a jerk he was, Nozomi rolled her eyes as she sighed looking annoyed, Cait sith just sat on her head his arms folded as his tail flicked to and throw showing his irritation while Pacha put a hand to his forehead as he shook his head.

Then he spoke as he looked at Kuzco with serious disappointment in his eyes, "you know what someday you'll wind up all alone."

Nozomi then chipped in herself as she added, "yeah exactly and then they'll be no one to pick up the broken pieces when you realise it's you who's to blame."

Hearing these pathetic future predictions Kuzco rolled his own eyes as he replied, "gee thanks I'll log all that away, now for the final time I order you all to take me back to the palace." As he pointed a commanding hoof at them all.

However then acting with the same cool uncaring attitude he'd given them Pacha was the first react as he then spoke, "I'm afraid it looks like you're stuck out here, cause unless you change your mind, we're not taking you back." As he then brushed his hand in the air indicating that it was the end of the conversation.

Nozomi then replied just as in the same frame of mind, "yeah exactly, besides I'm not risking my neck for an ungrateful sheep-camel like you, forget it!"

Then Cait sith on her head turned around as he called back as she and Pacha sat down around the log, "yeah lad ya clean up yer act!" As they tried once more to re-light the fire.

Seeing that he was being ignored and turned down this way didn't please the young llama emperor as he then uttered in a weenie-annoyed voice, "change yer act, cause unless you change your mind we're not taking you back." As he then finished with a few odd mewing sounds.

However Pacha, Nozomi and Cait sith continued to ignore him as they were all around the log, Nozomi then asked, "do you think you can re-light the fire Mr Pacha?"

Nodding at her question he replied, "yeah sure, if I can just-"

But then suddenly Pacha was hit in the back of the head by a small stone as he gasped slightly, "ow!"

Seeing this shocked Nozomi cried, "Mr Pacha!"

Then at once she, him and Cait Sith turned to look at Kuzco hatefully as Nozomi spoke harshly, "You!"

Kuzco though reacting quickly to this hostility that was impending on him, quickly he feigned innocence, as he then looked around bewildered and surprised himself as he said, "huh what?" He then looked around himself, as he spoke again, "I didn't do anything, Somebody's throwin stuff, Are you guys gonna build a fire or what…" his voice then quieted down as he walked away from them all.
Looking after him still hatefully Nozomi then turned back again as she spoke irritated, "honestly if he annoys me anymore I really am going to shave him!"

However Pacha just looked depressed as he put a hand to his forehead and spoke depressed, "he's never going to change his mind."

These few words made Nozomi and Cait sith both depressed themselves as they helped Pacha to get the fire started as the melancholy hung in the air. Kuzco in the meantime in his own little corner then spoke aloud himself laying on the ground a hoof under his chin, "how am I ever going to get out of here?"

It was later now in the night and at last the fire had been set as Nozomi, Cait Sith and Pacha sat around it warming themselves up. However annoyance was still in the air as a chitter chatter of teeth clicked as well as odd breathing. Everyone turned back to see Kuzco was suffering from the cold as he blew in and out as he burred from the cold as he slept.

Annoyed as she and the others wanted to sleep themselves, they all sighed as Nozomi then spoke up, "man even when he's asleep he's annoying!"

Cait Sith then spoke up himself, "yeah yer right there lass."

Pacha shook his head as then the lot of them got up, arriving in front of the annoying one Pacha took off his overshaul as he then placed it on Kuzco's body as a makeshift blanket while Nozomi herself took off her pink waistcoat and placed it under his head making a pillow of sorts.

Then she spoke annoyed again, "there that should keep you quiet you dumb animal." With that she, Cait Sith and Pacha walked back to the fire to keep themselves warm.

Kuzco woke up startled as he saw what the two of them had done for him, he watched as Nozomi lay on the ground as Pacha sat next to the fire, he then lay his own head back down as his face look saddened as he thought deeply in his solitude.

Nozomi in the meantime crossed her arms together as she lay keeping herself as warm as she could without her waistcoat, she spoke then as she shivered slightly herself, "I hope we all sleep myself…it's such a pain."

Pacha smiled as he spoke himself, "yeah it is… definitely, and well I hope you sleep well Nozomi, and thanks for your help."

Nozomi shook her head as she smiled slightly and said, "it's okay, I'm just glad I could help."

Cait Sith next to the fire as he saw Nozomi in the state she was in decided then, "well I'll give ya a little help there meself lass."

Nozomi puzzled started to ask, "What?" But then Cait Sith walked on over as he then lay down and curled into a ball as he lay against her stomach making himself into a living hot water bottle.

Seeing him do this Nozomi was surprised, as she was silent as Cait sith said; "Now ya won't have trouble sleepin will ya?"

At this Nozomi was blank for a moment before she smiled, "no I won't, thanks Cait sith." With that she put hand on his warm black fur as she put her other arm under her head snuggling into sleep.

But before it's dark depths took her she thought to herself a little sadly, 'Mickey… Riku, I hope you're both safe…"