Me: Hi! Here's chapter 14~ Enjoy~
Edited - 5/12/2024
Beta'd by IHaveNoIdea8
….
Shion's POV
Asch was all healed up, thanks to my specially made herb ointment, but now he wanted to go to some Mushroom Road. To get some item for someone. I didn't ask, I just went along with him to make sure my herb ointment was working...I wasn't worried about him nope...nuh-uh...okay maybe I'm a whole lot worried about Asch.
When Asch stopped in front of the entrance to Mushroom Road he began to look around. He stopped when he spotted the guy from Keterburg that could be his twin. He looked surprised to see Asch, but it was who was with his group that made me freak out. So I ran and hid behind a weird-looking, gigantic mushroom and listened to them.
"...Asch?" I heard a lady cry. I peeked around the mushroom to see it was an extremely attractive blonde woman who looked like she could be royalty.
I narrowed my eyes at her, a strange feeling bubbling up inside of me. Could it be jealousy? Why would I be jealous? I didn't like Asch that way!... Okay, so maybe I did. I felt my face begin to heat up and began to mentally scold myself as I kept listening to them, still peeking my head out a little to see.
"Wh-what are you doing here?" Asch asked, uncharacteristically shocked.
Asch's twin started explaining first, "We went to Baticul to pick up Natalia, and..."
"We've come to harvest the Rugnican death caps used to make medicine for Aunt Susanne. Ramdas told us they were out of them." Natalia, the pretty woman concluded. Since her name was Natalia, I instantly figured out she was the princess.
'So that's why Asch wanted to come here... Is he doing it for that princess? Well, that's a stab through the heart... Or maybe he knows this Susanne well? Yes, that must be it!' I snapped out of it when I heard Asch call out my name. I mentally cursed him. Why did he have to say my name in front of my brother?
I heard his sarcastic voice, "My, my, Asch. Did you just say Shion?" I saw him push his glasses up his nose.
"Yeah, what of it...?" Asch replied in a rude voice.
"I see," Jade replied, "Excuse me for a moment, everyone." I stopped watching and desperately tried to hide myself from him, but in a matter of seconds I felt a hand grab my elbow tightly, and he began to drag me out to let everyone see me.
"Let me go!" I yelled, struggling against his grip, "You stupid, jerkity jerk jerk! This is not how you are supposed to handle a lady!"
"Hey!" I stopped struggling to look at Asch, who was glaring at Jade, "Let her go." Was he defending me?
"Asch... It's okay, I kinda knew I was going to get caught sooner or later." Asch gave me a confused look when Jade let go of my arm and put his hand back into his uniform pocket.
"You're a naughty girl, Shion."
"Oh shut it! I only came here to help out Asch! You're not the boss of me!"
"I believe I have every right to drag you back home, Shion."
"Grrr! Stupid Jade! I can't believe you! You may be my big brother but that doesn't make you the boss of me!" I gasped and covered my mouth, realizing what I just said. Everyone was silent until the twin Asch walked over to Jade, confusion and shock written on his face.
"Jade, this girl...is your sister? But isn't Nephry your only sister?"
"Hah! Jade didn't tell you about me? I'm Shion Curtiss - Jade's 'other' sister...sadly." I added the last word under my breath, but I knew Jade still heard me.
"I'm hurt Shion, my old heart can't handle your rude words." He used his old fake sigh I knew only too well.
"Jade... You're such a jerk!" I said, I desperately wanted to change the subject, "Shouldn't you be looking for something?"
"Yeah! Asch you go with the others, I'll stay here." The twin Asch said.
"And you, Shion, stay with Luke," Jade said.
I stomped my feet in response, "No! I will not listen to you! Anyways, Asch is my boss, NOT you!"
"Shion, stay." Asch said bluntly.
….
I was standing beside Luke with my arms crossed against my chest, glaring ahead of me, and tapping my feet in annoyance. I wished they would hurry it up!
"Um... It's Shion. Right?"
I looked at Luke with a smile on my face, I didn't want to be mad at him since he didn't do anything.
"Yes, Luke?"
"Um... Do you know Selena The Siren by any chance?"
I blinked, he's asking me about her? "Yes, you could say I know her... Why do you ask, Luke?"
"Well... A friend of ours is Selena The Siren, and I was wondering if you met her before since you've been helping Asch..." What...?
"That can't be... Luke, are you sure Selena has been traveling with you?" I frowned, worried about what I might hear from him.
"Yeah, long blue hair that stops in the middle of her back, light blue eyes, God-General clothing?"
"Oh no... Luke your friend is Selena, but not actually her. Does your friend go by any other name?"
He frowned with worry in his eyes, "She goes by Kairi."
I sighed, not knowing how to tell him this, "Luke... Kairi is Selena's Replica."
"W-what? Kairi can't be a replica! She would have told us! Maybe she didn't know..."
"Sorry, Luke. Maybe the next time you see Kairi, you should ask her yourself."
After a long wait, everyone came back. I quickly left with Asch before Jade tried to drag me back home.
I was looking out of the window of the Albiore III when I heard Asch call my name. I turned around, tilting my head sideways curiously.
"Yes, Asch?"
"Is it true you're Jade Curtiss's sister?"
"...Yeah, I'm afraid so... Sorry I didn't tell you, Asch, I didn't want to tell you when you were so into trying to stop Van and other stuff."
He sighed and closed his eyes. I was about to say something but he walked over to me. Before I knew it, he was way too close for comfort. I instantly felt my cheeks heat up. And to make things worse, he just hugged me! I was blushing bright red.
"A-Asch? Why are you hugging me? I thought you hated hugs."
"Yeah, yeah, just shut up! I won't be doing this all the time." he stopped hugging me and I began to pout.
"You're such a sour puss, you know that, Asch?"
I was going to say something else to him, but he interrupted me by saying we had to go to Baticul. After that, he began cursing under his breath.
So we went to Baticul, and thank Yulia Jade wasn't with them. He was giving me that look, so I turned away from him and crossed my arms against my chest, annoyed with him.
"I never thought I'd see you back here..." The blonde man told Asch
"I never thought I'd return," Asch replied, annoyed that Luke made him come here.
"Asch, how is Lorelei?" Luke asked.
"I couldn't make contact. It must be trapped inside Van, unable to communicate."
"So your search for the Jewel of Lorelei is..."
I stood beside Asch's side listening to Luke, his friends and Asch talk about the Jewel of Lorelei. I blocked them out and kept thinking of when Asch was hugging me. I sighed dreamily in my head but snapped out of it to see everyone looking at me, I blushed deep red when Anise spoke.
"Jeez, Shion, you're blushing so red it! Are you thinking of someone?" she giggled.
"Sh-shut up! I was not thinking of anyone!"
"It seems I'll have to warn Colonel, he has to keep a guy from making moves on Shion now!"
"A-Anise! I don't need my brother's help keeping guys away from me... Anyways the guy I'm thinking of is way better of a man than anyone I've seen." I said proudly but realized I just admitted I was thinking of someone.
"Aww, Shion is in love! Will you tell us who it is? I want to know who won your heart!"
"N-No I won't!"
"...Shion," Asch spoke with a stern tone, but did I hear a hint of jealousy?
"S-sorry Asch, I'll shut up now..." I coughed, trying to stop blushing.
After that Luke made Asch and me join him for a while. When Luke took everyone to a room, I was shocked to hear Luke say Asch was the real Luke. How had I not known this before? Why didn't he ever tell me?... So this Susanne person he wanted to get the Rugnican death caps for was his mother. And the Duke was his father! Luke dragged me with the others following after us, leaving Asch alone with his parents.
"Stop dragging me, Luke! I can walk you know..." I pouted, we were standing in the Courtyard at this point.
Luke announced that he was going kill himself to get rid of the miasma, so I slapped the back of his head for saying such a thing.
"You stupid idiot! You shouldn't say things like that! Every living being deserves to live! Even replicas have every right to live..."
"I agree with Shion, and I've heard enough!" Guy stepped in, he wasn't happy I'm not either...
"So have I." We all turned to see Asch walking over as he kept talking. "I'm not Luke anymore. I'm never coming back here."
He stops near Luke, and he looks annoyed.
"Get over that inferiority complex before you go proposing anything stupid. You're infuriating!" Yep, he's irritated.
He continued walking leaving the Manor, I followed but stopped halfway turning around and waving to the others.
"Bye, guys! Tell my jerk of a brother, to stop acting like such an old man~." I chirped, turned back around, and caught up with Asch and we went back to the Albiore III.
He explained that we were going to the Tower of Rem. So I waited quietly as Ginji flew us there. When we arrived we took the elevator to the top. I knew what Asch was planning and I didn't want him to die. But I knew he was stubborn and he wasn't going to let me stop him. I still intended to smack him senseless if he tried to do it, though.
When we got to the top I saw Luke and the others talking with the replicas.
"...But, some people have died because the replicas were born. People aren't so simple that they can accept anything and everything..." Guy was saying.
"Exactly. That's why I asked you to make a deal." Asch walked forward so the others knew he was there. I was standing behind him with a worried look on my face, "So what's it going to be? You have nowhere else to go."
The replica lady with short blonde hair responded.
"I want to speak with the self-aware replicas to reach a decision."
I was close to tears, but I didn't want to show it. I began biting my lip, not knowing Jade noticed me doing it. It was how he always knew I was nervous, or I was going to do something reckless.
"Asch! This is insane! You were the one who said you didn't want to die!" I agreed with Luke this time.
"Then how the hell do you propose we stop the miasma?" My eyes widened in surprise, I'd never seen him this angry. "Are you saying you'll die in my place?"
"Asch, there's gotta be something else to stop the miasma!" I said, "You don't have to get yourself killed!"
"Stay out of this, Shion!"
I flinched and looked down.
"I...well..."
"I have somewhere I need to go. Have your people's decision ready by the time I return." Asch turned around so I turned around as well until Natalia stopped us.
"Please, wait! Where are you going?" she pleaded.
I looked at Asch and the elevator took us to the bottom.
When we went back to the Albiore, I didn't speak. I just watched the scenery while Ginji flew the Albiore to our next destination.
Kairi's POV
Peony had to go to Daath for what was going on, with Mohs's voice throughout the whole world. I wanted to join him so I put on my God-General's outfit and rushed through the palace and found Peony walking towards the front door with his escorts.
"Brother!" He stops along with his escorts, he looks surprised.
"Selena...?"
"Please...let me join you! I want to help, especially if my friends are doing this as well." I begged him.
He sighs, walks over to me places his hand on my shoulder.
"I know you are worried about your friends, but I feel more at ease if you stay here where it's safe... Please, sister I want Frings at your side at all times."
"..." I huff, feeling dejected by this, and I know I can't argue with him about this. "Fine...but let them know I want to see them soon, if not I'll drag them all back here."
He chuckles "I will, no worries." He turns his head to the side of me, smiling. "Ah, there you are Fringes. I trust you with my sister's safety."
I turn to see Frings walking over to my left side, bowing to Peony "No worries Your Majesty, I'll keep the Princess safe while you are away."
He smiled "Good, but if something happens send me a message ASAP. Stay out of trouble, sister." he gave me a pointed look at the end, and then he and his escorts left.
Sighing I turn to face Frings "Do you want to join me in walking around the stands? I wish to see if I can buy some things."
"Sure. I would be honored to walk with you, Lady Kairi."
I huffed as we left too walking through the place to where the stands were.
"Frings, seriously just call me Kairi...I don't want you or anyone to treat me any differently. I want us to be friends...and I'm curious about something."
He chuckles softly, staring forward but keeping sharp eyes all around us "Please forgive me, Lady Kairi. It shows great respect after what you did for me, you saved me even full well it'll cause you weakness for three days."
I turn my head away from him seeing love birds by the railing cuddling, making me jealous wishing it was Sync and I in their place.
"It was no trouble...I just...I couldn't bear to see anyone else die in front of me, it just brings sadness."
"I see... Anyway, what is it you were curious about?"
"That day you thought you were going to die, you mentioned a 'her'. Is it okay if I know this 'her'? Is she someone special to you?"
I look from the corner of my eye seeing his cheeks turning red, rubbing behind his neck.
"Yeah...I proposed to her, sadly she rejected me but I gave her the ring promising her I would wait an eternity for her."
"Aww~ That's so romantic!" I placed my hand on his shoulder, getting his attention while I smiled at him. "Don't give up, Frings. Whoever this lady is, she's one lucky woman. Just promise me when you and your lovely lady do get married...invite me."
He laughs softly "Sure thing, Lady Kairi."
We talk some more, and even tells me how he met Jozette Cecille, who is a high-ranking member of the Kimlascan military. I enjoy good romance stories, especially real ones. I found that same stand where I found that green cheagle, but sadly it was not there I sighed sadly. I was about to walk to the next stand when the person behind the table stopped me.
"Excuse me miss!" I blink stop turn around to see the merchant waving me back over, and I walk back with Frings at my side.
"Yes, ma'am?"
"I remember you...you were with that young man with green hair and wearing that odd mask."
A stab of pain was begging me to run and find him, to know if what I heard was true. I swallowed thickly nodding.
"Ah, I'm glad. That young man threatened me a bit if I didn't keep this with me, and to hand it to you the next time I see you."
I furrow my brows as she held out a bag with stuff covering what was inside, I took it wondering what Sync got me, and why he had to threaten this poor woman. I huff, smiling apologetically.
"Sorry that he threatened you, ma'am."
She laughs and waves her hand dismissing my apology "No need my dear. He was quite persistent of me to give that gift to you. He did pay for it, so no worries."
I thank her with a smile, and after more looking Frings and I walk back to the Palace to Selena's room, with Frings telling me he's outside the room if I need him for anything. I closed the door, walked to the bed sat down, and dug through the bag but right when my hand grabbed the item I froze, and my eyes got misty-eyed. I pulled said item out and almost teared up seeing the green grumpy-looking cheagle. I dropped the bag and hugged the cheagle close to my chest, I fell backward onto the bed closing my eyes and remembering that day before accidently falling asleep...