Original story by Niceguy
(This is a prequel to Aces and Eights.)
In a smokey bar, two friends debated politics over the sound of pool balls being racked up and broken.
“And you wanna end up paying more in taxes?” Bill yelled before taking another sip of his scotch.
“I fail to see how the two are related. I just don’t think we’re going to get what we need with McCain…” Jake tried to reason.
“OK, first, you known I’m no McCain booster… But the Democrats WILL raise taxes – you KNOW this! And I don’t know why you even care about Global Warming or Gay Marriage… You’re NOT even gay, and your great grandchildren will be DEAD before there’s any real climate change, even assuming that Al Gore’s little minions aren’t completely full of hooey!”
“Now hang on a second! First of all…” But Jake trailed off, his eye catching something (someone, actually) on the other side of the bar, playing pool. “Hang… on… a….second…”
“Yeah, you just said that… huh?” Bill followed Jake’s glance. “Forget it my friend. She’s way out of your league. So why don’t you move over and let the big boy here give it a try.” He patted Jake’s chest as he got up an made his way over the pool table.
Jake was barely of aware of what had just happened, but Bill was now clearly in front of him in line. He watched as his friend went over to the tall redhead who was racking up another game at the pool table after (apparently) hustling the last guy there. From Jake’s vantage point at the bar, it seemed Bill was going to play a few rounds with her. Now he was laughing as she held up some money. Was he going to make a bet? “Be careful Bill,” Jake thought, “Your old fashioned, manly-man attitude is going to get you into trouble one of these days.”
After losing the first round, it looked like he said something that got the breezy pool-girl upset. Jake never did hear what it was, but for the next two games, all pretenses were gone. The red-head absolutely mopped the floor with him. He paid up and came back to the bar.
“She's all yours buddy… But she’ll eat you alive.” He tossed his last 10-spot to Jake and left. It wasn’t enough by half to cover his part of the tab, but Jake just shrugged and paid up. They were celebrating his getting a new job anyway. Before heading home, he figured he’d take a good crack at the auburn tomboy that had so captivated him.
“Sorry about my friend. He’s a little bit…”
“Of a sexist pig?” She answered sharply. “Well, at least he paid up.”
“Well, sort of…” Jake laughed. “You cleaned him out and he stiffed me on the tab.”
“And you want some money back?” She answered, with a frightening gleam in her eye as she started to rack up again.
“Oh no…” Jake took a step back waving his hands, knowing a poisonous trap when he saw one. “I’m not much of a pool player. I just wanted to come meet the woman who finally put him in his place. Bill’s a pretty good player, so… you must be pretty good then.”
“He’s alright. Above average but nothing special though. My name’s Brigid by the way.”
“Then I guess he plays pool about as well as he debates politics!” Jake laughed. “Mine’s Jake.”
“Well it’s nice to meet you.”
“Would you… uh… like me to walk you home?”
She was an inch away for declaring that she hardly needed an escort, but then realized that this guy was not the chauvinistic blowhard she just hustled out of a C-Bill. So she decided she could use the company after all. “Sure.”
As they walked home, Jake was surprised how well they’d hit it off. Jake always had an affinity for strong, independent women and Brigid liked the fact that he appreciated that aspect of her. It was far more common for men to flee from her in terror. (Of course, most of the men she talked to she ended up conning into a high-stakes pool game, which might explain a lot of it.) But she got a strong sense that this little man with the quiet demeanor and fairly unremarkable appearance had a very strong character. He seemed… solid somehow, like the kind of guy you could really depend on. In her experience this was a fairly uncommon trait in men.
When they reached her apartment building, Jake, feeling as though they were hitting it off pretty well, thought he’d press his luck just a bit further. “I… uh… don’t suppose you like to have dinner with me? Tomorrow night maybe?” Whoops. He hadn’t meant to make it so soon. Did he sound desperate?
She looked at him (more like through him, actually) with piercing green eyes for a few moments before saying. “Sure. Tomorrow would be fine. 8:00 then?”
“Eight… yeah … I’ll see you then!”
“I look forward to it.” And, almost to her surprise, she found that she really did.
__________________________________________________
The following evening she found herself standing outside of Jake’s apartment, reading a note that was taped to the door. “If he even thinks of standing me up…” She thought, feeling both angry and disappointed. She unfolded the note and read it.
“Brigid,
I’m SO SORRY, but I’m going to be late. I’m taking Bill to the hospital (his appendix.) Mrs. Lacey in 205 has a key and will let you in. Make yourself at home and I’ll be back ASAP.
SORRY!
Jake”
Although she felt a bit awkward and even considered just calling it off and going home, she knocked on the door to 205 and got Jake’s key from a kind old lady who commented on “what a pretty friend Jacob had” and went to “make herself at home” in Jake’s apartment.
________________________________________________
She had to admit he had a pretty nice place. After looking around a bit, not enough to be nosey, but just to figure out where things were, she made herself a drink and started to look though the DVD’s on the shelf, trying to find something to pass the time while she waited. As she did this, she started to notice her nose growing really itchy and starting to run a little. She sniffed strongly and turned to go look for a tissue or grab some toilet paper when she almost tripped over something. Looking down she saw that a cat had crept up behind her and started rubbing its head against her leg just as she stepped away from the shelf.
“*sniff* Well hello there! *sniff*” she said, looking at the cat through eyes that were already starting to fill with tears. “So he has a cat, huh? Well, I guess this little fling’s not gonna last long. *sniff*.” She laughed to herself as she went to look for some tissues, hoping that her date was not going to keep her waiting for long.
“hah… haaaAAAAAHHHSOOO! *sniff* Oh my god… Need tissues…” She went from room to room and even checked the closets but to no avail. The cat seemed intent to follow here everywhere which, if it were happening to anyone else, she would have found a bit amusing. Her nose was getting very runny now, and judging from her vision, now obscured by her watery eyes, she was pretty sure her makeup looked frightful at this point.
“haaaAAAAHHHTCHOO-oo! Oh… *sniff*… Ok… *sniff* toilet paper then. And YOU stay out!” she said to the cat, keeping it at bay with her foot as she closed the bathroom door.
Sitting on the toilet seat, she blew her nose, which brought on several more sneezes. Blowing her nose again, she wondered if it would be worth waiting for him after all. She was very allergic to cats, and medicine rarely helped. She contemplated a future of chronic sneezing, a constantly runny nose and itchy eyes, and just when she decided that she’d better quit before the prospect seemed liked a reasonable trade off, she heard a knock at the door.
She left the bathroom and started down the hall. She tried to yell out “Hang on, I’m coming,” but the cat, and its dander, had other ideas.
“Ha-hang… on…. I… Ha… haaaAAASSSHOOO! *sniff* huh… I’m coming!”
She sneezed again in the crook of her elbow as she opened the door. It was Jake.
“Hi. I’m sorry to make you wait like this.”
“It’s… OK… hah… aaaAAATCHH-hoo.”
“Bless you.”
“Thanks. Say, why exactly did you need… hold on, gotta sneeze… haaaah… haaaAAASSSHOOO! Sorry. Why did you need to knock on your own apartment door?”
“Bless you again! Well, I uh, kinda left you my only key.”
She laughed. “Well, it's a good thing I waited. If I’d left you’d have been locked out. Hah… Haaah… haaaAAAAHHHTCHOO-oo! Oh… *sniff*”
“Wow, bless you again. Are you, uh, feeling OK.”
“Well, *sniff* now that you mentioned no, not really. You see I’m very al… aahhh…. aaaAAATCHHOOO! VERY, allergic to cats. So, uh if you don’t mind, maybe we could get going then?”
“Uh, yeah, sure let’s go. Sorry to, uh, put you through that.”
“It’s OK, let’s just go. Oh but could you do me one favor and grab me some tissues?” She asked, rubbing her nose with her index finger.
“Sure.” Jake said with a smile, going back in to get some while she waited in the hall.
_______________________________________
She enjoyed herself at dinner, and was happy to learn that cat was not, in fact, Jake’s but that he was minding it for a friend while his apartment had some remodeling done in it. She was relieved to hear this since she was having a good time and had already decided that they would be seeing each other again. All the same, her nose was still a little runny even by the end of the meal, and she had just about depleted her supply of tissues.
After dinner, they took a walk around the downtown area for a while, stopping to get some ice cream for dessert, window shopping and just getting to know one another. After walking for an hour that seemed a lot shorter, they ran into a couple a friends of Jake’s.
“Hey guys! Brigid, these guys are a couple of friends of mine and Bill’s. This is Logan and James. Guys this is my date, Brigid”
“Well it’s a pleasure to meet you, darling!” James said excitedly, in an effete drawl which immediately piqued Brigid’s curiosity as to his sexual orientation.
“It’s nice to meet you.” Logan said, a sly, lopsided grin creeping across his face as he gazed at her with his deep brown eyes. If Brigid had not been thinking about Jake or Jake was more in tune to these kinds of things, it would have seemed apparent to either that Logan had become rather infatuated with the lithe redhead. As much as he was struck by how beautiful that she was his attention was drawn to some rather specific details that he almost never failed notice. He could see the tinges of redness around her nose and eyes. He could here that here voice was a little stuffy, and from her breathing that she had a runny nose. He would bet that she had allergies of some kind, and he would bet that they had been bothering her recently. He always noticed these kinds of things, because women’s sneezing was a HUGE turn on for him. ‘Lucky bastard’ he thought about Jake, not unkindly, smiling on the inside at the good fortune he knew his friend would never appreciate. After a short but polite chat, Jake and Brigid continued on there way, as James and Logan continued in the opposite direction, the way they had been headed.
“They seem nice.” Brigid offered.
“Yeah, not a bad bunch of guys. Logan’s a much better pool played than Bill, by the way.”
“Yeah, and uh… James. Is he…?”
“Nah, he doesn’t really play pool much. About as much a player as I am.”
If she’d been drinking a drink, she would have choked on it. She wasn’t sure what made her laugh more, the fact that he totally missed the point, or his answer, which was unintentionally hilarious in the context of her actual question.
“What’s so funny?”
“Nothing. Never mind.” She laughed.
“He’s a pretty good poker player too. Logan, that is. Well, Bill too.”
“You don’t say?”
“Yeah, we had a regular game set up. Well, we still do in fact, except that our fifth player dropped out. Hey… I don’t suppose, I mean I’d hafta ask the guys but… you don’t happen to play poker do you?”
“I’ve played a little.” She answered coyly as they strolled back to his apartment. She looked forward to beating that chauvinistic blowhard Bill at something else he fancied himself an expert at, once he was out of the hospital anyway. They continued the rest of the way back to Jake’s apartment in silence. She decided not to go up with him, as much because of the cat as the fact that she planned on seeing him again.
Showing posts with label choo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label choo. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Monday, March 12, 2012
Aces and Eights
Original story by Niceguy
“Ehh… hah… HeeeehhhhTHCHOO!” Brigid sneezed for what seemed like the hundredth time that night.
“Bless you, darlin’.” James said, offering her another tissue. His voice had the slightest hint of femininity to it. Brigid had no idea why he insisted on handing her the tissues, but she didn’t mind the attention,
“*sniff* Thanks.” She said, before deciding to match the bet. “*sniff* Call.”
“The cat’s really bothering you, huh sweetie?” Jake was concerned about his girlfriend, but he knew the feisty red-head well enough not to push the issue too much.
“*sniff* I’m f-fine. Now call.” She answered impatiently.
“Two pair.” Jake threw in. She looked at Bill.
Bill took another pull on his cigar and exhaled. “Well your allergies don’t seem to be affecting your game much. Two pair, Ace-high.” Bill had never been supportive of the idea of letting a woman join their poker group, and after she cleaned them out each of the last two games, he was even less crazy about the idea now. He was one of the better players in the group, but she clearly outclassed him.
James had already folded, so that left Logan, the only player in the group Brigid had a hard time figuring out. Bill talked too much, James was a completely non-aggressive player and her boyfriend, Jake, bless his heart, just had no clue. But Logan played everything close. She got the feeling that he was the ringer of the group, before she came along anyway.
“Nothing. Congrat’s, you caught me bluffing. Though I have no ides what these two were figuring.”
“I though you both were.” Bill said, looking at Jake.
“Two pair wouldn’t do it, huh?” Jake asked, realizing he was probably over-extended.
“You put twenty down on two pair?” Bill was stunned. “My god man, at least say you thought they were bluffing if you go that far out!”
“Well…” Jake started before Brigid brought the hand to a close.
“You were $20 out on two-pair all the same, Bill. Flush. *sniff* oh man, heh… hah... heeeATCH-oo!” James blessed her and handed her another tissue. She blew her nose and collected her chips. “Logan’s deal.”
“I’m sorry, darlin’. Maybe we should take my place out of the rotation if the cat bothers you that much.”
“*sniff* Really, I’m fine. *sniff* Logan’s deal.”
“No, way. If she can’t cope with it, she can sit out those nights!” Bill retorted.
“Wow, *sniff* you seem extra sensitive tonight, Bill. *sniff* Is it just playing with a woman, or being beaten so badly by one that bothers you so much?”
“Humph” Bill grunted before finishing his last sip of Scotch and going back to his cigar.
“Well, before Logan deals, anyone for one last round before we start the final hand?” James said as he got up and poured himself the last of the Merlot.
“Why not. One more beer, please.” Jake answered. He figured if he was losing money anyway he might as well get some free beer out of it.
“Yeah, *sniff* I’ll have one more.” Brigid was cleaning up again tonight, despite the distraction of a runny nose and having to sneeze every few moments because of James’ cat.
“I’m good.” Logan said, shooting down the last of his beer.
After everyone else had their drink refilled, Logan picked up the deck. The first thing he did was to pull out the two Jokers. Knowing that Logan had an affinity for wild cards, this surprised Brigid. She wondered what he was up to.
“OK,” Logan started coolly, “It’ll just be a simple 5-card draw, but with one twist…” He looked around; making eye contact with each player to make sure they were paying attention. They all seemed like they were on the edge of their seats. Logan always managed to come up with at least one really cool new variation each game, but so far he had been going with the old standards. “The Wild Card will start out at twos and go up by one every time Brigid sneezes.”
The reaction for the group was loud and chaotic. Bill almost choked on his Scotch.
“Interesting.” James replied
“No way! You’re giving the best player at the table control over the wild card?!” Bill roared.
“I wouldn’t say she’d have control over it. If she could suddenly stop, don’t you think she’d done so by now?” Logan asked, with a slightly amused look on his face.
“But, *sniff* w-wait, I-I… heh… heeeAHTCHOO! *sniff*.”
“Here you go darlin’.” James handed her another tissue. “Well, let’s vote, shall we? I’m fine with it.”
“As am I.” Logan followed, to no one’s surprised.
“I don’t know…” Jake started, feeling that his girlfriend’s suffering was somehow being exploited, but Brigid interrupted.
“*sniff* Fine. I’m fine with it, so it’s settled.”
“I’m out.” Bill said gruffly.
“You know the rules,” Logan reprimanded, “No one’s out until they ante up.”
Bill threw in his chip and reluctantly accepted his hand.
Logan dealt and the players picked up their cards.
Bill, sitting next to Logan, was the first to pick up: The Two and Five of Diamonds, the Six of Spades and the King and Queen of Clubs. “Shit. Three.” He threw in his cards, keeping the King and Queen.
Jake was next. He had a pair of Fours (clubs and spades), the Three of Hearts, the Jack of Clubs and the Ace of Diamonds. “Three.” He said, hoping to build on the pair.
James sighed. The Two of Spades, Four of Clubs, Six of Hearts, Seven of Diamonds and the Nine of clubs. Disgusted with his prospects he kept only his high card. “Four.”
Like Jake, Logan was also looking at a pair - of threes, Clubs and Diamonds. He took the Eight of Spades, and the Ten and Queen of Diamonds, and threw them in. “And I’ll take three.”
Before anyone had the chance to pick up, Brigid sneezed again. As James handed her another tissue, Logan made a referee’s call. “That doesn’t count. The wild card is still twos until everyone picks up. So pick ‘em up and the next one’s for real.”
Bill grumbled, still not crazy about Logan’s idea for the hand. He looked at his new hand and weighed the possibilities: His pair of twos was now joined by the Five, Queen and King of Clubs. He saw a couple potential three-of-a-kinds and, as it stood now, he had a flush. He liked that well enough, but didn’t like the pair of twos he’d constantly be just one sneeze away from. “One dollar.”
“That’s it, huh?” Jake asked, smiling as looked at his had.
“Haaah… TCHOO!” Brigid sneezed.
“Now you know why! AND THAT WAS FAKE!”
“*sniff* It was not!” Brigid answered incredulously; shocked that even Bill would make such a bold accusation.
“Now Bill, you can’t just…” James started as he handed her another tissue
“Like hell! This is what I was talking about! She…”
“Tell you what, Bill, *sniff* how about next I hit you with the spray, so you can vouch for their authenticity.”
Looking around the table and seeing that the rest of the players were against him, he backed down. “That’s all right. I’ll be good.”
"OK then…” Jake figured it would be wise to get the game going again. As bad a player as he was, he figured that Bill had just lost a decent hand. He looked at his own: His pair of fours was joined by a pair of sixes, Diamonds and clubs, and the Queen of Spades. He didn’t have a wild card yet, but seeing as he was a sneeze away from four of a kind, he saw the bet. “I’ll see your buck…”
“Hahhh… HAAATCH-ooo! *sniff*” James handed her a tissue as Jake continued his bet, now holding four of a kind.
“And raise you three.” He smiled. But he was soon regretting his bet as another sneeze knocked him back down to two pairs – the same hand he’d just lost $20 on.
“HeeeAAAHHHH-tchoo! *sniff* What are we up to Logan?”
“Fives.” Logan smiled, despite the fact that his growing erection that was making him slightly uncomfortable. He’d always been rather jealous of Jake. He’d had the worst crush on Brigid ever since they first met. It grew when he learned what a strong, outspoken woman she was and more so when he learned that she played poker, and well. He didn’t know she was allergic to cats, and no one else knew of his fetish, but he was really enjoying this hand and planned to raise, every chance he got, regardless of what he had.
Brigid looked down. Fives being wild gave her a strait. There was also a possible flush, but otherwise she had the occasional pair and a whole lot of nothing. But thinking that Bill would enjoy it way too much if she dropped out early, she stayed in. “I’ll see the three and raise wah.. one… HAAAHtchoo! Hah… HATCHOO! Damn!”
“Seven’s hmm?” James verified, looking at his hand: He’d gotten another Nine, of Hearts, and the Seven of Clubs, Ten of Hearts and King of Diamonds. He noticed Jake perk up after the first sneezed, and saw him deflate just as much after the second. He was looking a three of kind now, and while he wasn’t crazy about the hand overall, seeing only a few potential three-of-a-kinds and otherwise just a pair of nines, he thought he might get lucky, seeing as how everyone else was also capable of coming up with a bum hand. “I’ll see your four, darlin’.”
Logan did get another three (Spades) along with the Eight and Ace of Hearts. Overall he felt pretty good about things. He threw in his four, and held another four in his hand over the pot as he looked over at Brigid. He thought he saw her eyes narrow slightly.
“Wha… Wh-What is it?”
“Cat sure sheds a lot, huh?”
“*sniff* Just bet, Logan.”
“You OK?”
“*sniff* J-Just… b-bet… heh... *sniff* hah… HEEATCH-hoo!”
“Raise four!” He smiled, now sitting on four of a kind, with eights wild. “The bet’s eight Bill. You in?”
Brigid sneezed twice more as Bill mulled things over. Tens being wild left him with just a pair, but he was five sneezes away from a flush, and he figured there was still some time. Throwing caution the wind he put in. “Seven meets, raise one. Jake?”
Jake still had his two pair, but looked over at Brigid.
“*sniff* oh God… *sniff* I swear it’s getting worse… hah… haaaAAATCH-hoo! *sniff* man!”
Jacks wild didn’t help, but he’d have a Full House if she sneezed again. “Five meets, raise two. The bet’s eleven. You in sweetie?”
Brigid now had her flush, but she felt another sneeze coming. ‘Damn my nose and damn that cat!’ she thought. She put in her seven to meet and was about to raise four, but hesitated as she wondered how long she could hold this one in.
“You OK there?” Bill leaned forward, blowing his cigar smoke at her.
“Oh puh-lease, Bill! You think I could spend so much of my y-youth in a pool halls if I was bothered by a little s-smoke?”
“So what’s it going to be? Call or raise?”
“Rai.. Rai… Raise… hah… HAAAHTCHOO! DAMN!” She sneezed just as she dropped her four, raising the bet to fifteen, and turning her flush into Jack-high. Jake seemed pleased with himself now that, with Queens wild, he was sitting on a full house.
James met and raised one, hoping for another sneeze to turn his pair into three of a kind. Bigid’s nose soon obliged and he handed her another tissue. “King’s now. And the bet stands at fifteen. Logan?”
Logan looked down. One sneeze or three would give him four of a kind, with Aces or Threes wild. Mentally he crossed his fingered, threw in his eight to meet, and looked at Bill.
“I still say this is bullshit.”
“HAAAATCH-hoo!”
“Oh! Wait! Meet!” Bill said, sounding happy. Twos wild gave him back his Flush.
“Haah… haaaathc-HOO!”
“DAMN!” Bill roared, now looking at pair of two’s.
Jake wasn’t too happy with his two pairs, but he hoped for one more sneeze to give him four of a kind with fours wild. With only Brigid left to bet he’d figured he could time it right if he ended it quickly. He met the bet and looked at Brigid.
“Haah… Hutch-HOOO! Oh boy. *sniff* let’s see…” with fours wild, she had nothing. Her nose still itched, but she had to buy some time if she was going to sneeze again and make the Flush. “I don’t know…”
“Come on! This is what I was talking about!” Bill roared. She loved that this was burning him up so much
“Just take your time.” Logan said calmly. He was staring at her intently, grateful that studying someone’s face so closely was perfectly acceptable behavior in poker. He could see her nostrils twitch and her eyelids flutter. He hung on every hitched breath. He knew what she was doing but he didn’t care. The show was well worth the money.
“I th-think… I’ll… hah… “
“Give me a break.” Bill snorted under his breath.
“HAAAT-CHOO! CALL!” She yelled, slamming down her dollar to meet and as soon as Logan said, “Show em,” her allergies finally overtook her.
“Hatch-hoo! HEEATCH-hooh! Ha… HaAAHH-tchoo! *sniff* Oh man!” She sneezed several more times as James handed her tissues.
“The wild card ended up on five.” Logan called. “Show your cards gentlemen!” He looked over at James, who had just handed Brigid the last of the tissues.
“Pair of nines, I’m afraid.” He said, knowing that wouldn’t beat what ever Brigid had.
“Well, I’ve gotcha Jimmy.” Logan stated. “Three threes.”
“GODDAMNIT!” Bill yelled, slamming down the three twos he had with fives being wild.
“Two-pair,” Jake shrugged, smiling. “My lucky hand all night, I guess.”
“*sniff* Read em and weep, boys! *sniff* Strait, to the Jack.
As she reeled in her bounty, she looked up at James. “Hon, I hope you don’t mind if I don’t stay to help you clean up but, *sniff* that being the last hand and all, and *sniff* seeing as you’re out of tissues, I’m really ready to be heading home now.”
“No problem darling’. You drive safe now, Jake, ya hear?”
“Thanks, I will.”
Bill grumbled ‘G-Bye’ and Logan walked them to the door. In his mind, he was trying to figure out he could make James’ place come up more often in their little group’s rotation.
“Ehh… hah… HeeeehhhhTHCHOO!” Brigid sneezed for what seemed like the hundredth time that night.
“Bless you, darlin’.” James said, offering her another tissue. His voice had the slightest hint of femininity to it. Brigid had no idea why he insisted on handing her the tissues, but she didn’t mind the attention,
“*sniff* Thanks.” She said, before deciding to match the bet. “*sniff* Call.”
“The cat’s really bothering you, huh sweetie?” Jake was concerned about his girlfriend, but he knew the feisty red-head well enough not to push the issue too much.
“*sniff* I’m f-fine. Now call.” She answered impatiently.
“Two pair.” Jake threw in. She looked at Bill.
Bill took another pull on his cigar and exhaled. “Well your allergies don’t seem to be affecting your game much. Two pair, Ace-high.” Bill had never been supportive of the idea of letting a woman join their poker group, and after she cleaned them out each of the last two games, he was even less crazy about the idea now. He was one of the better players in the group, but she clearly outclassed him.
James had already folded, so that left Logan, the only player in the group Brigid had a hard time figuring out. Bill talked too much, James was a completely non-aggressive player and her boyfriend, Jake, bless his heart, just had no clue. But Logan played everything close. She got the feeling that he was the ringer of the group, before she came along anyway.
“Nothing. Congrat’s, you caught me bluffing. Though I have no ides what these two were figuring.”
“I though you both were.” Bill said, looking at Jake.
“Two pair wouldn’t do it, huh?” Jake asked, realizing he was probably over-extended.
“You put twenty down on two pair?” Bill was stunned. “My god man, at least say you thought they were bluffing if you go that far out!”
“Well…” Jake started before Brigid brought the hand to a close.
“You were $20 out on two-pair all the same, Bill. Flush. *sniff* oh man, heh… hah... heeeATCH-oo!” James blessed her and handed her another tissue. She blew her nose and collected her chips. “Logan’s deal.”
“I’m sorry, darlin’. Maybe we should take my place out of the rotation if the cat bothers you that much.”
“*sniff* Really, I’m fine. *sniff* Logan’s deal.”
“No, way. If she can’t cope with it, she can sit out those nights!” Bill retorted.
“Wow, *sniff* you seem extra sensitive tonight, Bill. *sniff* Is it just playing with a woman, or being beaten so badly by one that bothers you so much?”
“Humph” Bill grunted before finishing his last sip of Scotch and going back to his cigar.
“Well, before Logan deals, anyone for one last round before we start the final hand?” James said as he got up and poured himself the last of the Merlot.
“Why not. One more beer, please.” Jake answered. He figured if he was losing money anyway he might as well get some free beer out of it.
“Yeah, *sniff* I’ll have one more.” Brigid was cleaning up again tonight, despite the distraction of a runny nose and having to sneeze every few moments because of James’ cat.
“I’m good.” Logan said, shooting down the last of his beer.
After everyone else had their drink refilled, Logan picked up the deck. The first thing he did was to pull out the two Jokers. Knowing that Logan had an affinity for wild cards, this surprised Brigid. She wondered what he was up to.
“OK,” Logan started coolly, “It’ll just be a simple 5-card draw, but with one twist…” He looked around; making eye contact with each player to make sure they were paying attention. They all seemed like they were on the edge of their seats. Logan always managed to come up with at least one really cool new variation each game, but so far he had been going with the old standards. “The Wild Card will start out at twos and go up by one every time Brigid sneezes.”
The reaction for the group was loud and chaotic. Bill almost choked on his Scotch.
“Interesting.” James replied
“No way! You’re giving the best player at the table control over the wild card?!” Bill roared.
“I wouldn’t say she’d have control over it. If she could suddenly stop, don’t you think she’d done so by now?” Logan asked, with a slightly amused look on his face.
“But, *sniff* w-wait, I-I… heh… heeeAHTCHOO! *sniff*.”
“Here you go darlin’.” James handed her another tissue. “Well, let’s vote, shall we? I’m fine with it.”
“As am I.” Logan followed, to no one’s surprised.
“I don’t know…” Jake started, feeling that his girlfriend’s suffering was somehow being exploited, but Brigid interrupted.
“*sniff* Fine. I’m fine with it, so it’s settled.”
“I’m out.” Bill said gruffly.
“You know the rules,” Logan reprimanded, “No one’s out until they ante up.”
Bill threw in his chip and reluctantly accepted his hand.
Logan dealt and the players picked up their cards.
Bill, sitting next to Logan, was the first to pick up: The Two and Five of Diamonds, the Six of Spades and the King and Queen of Clubs. “Shit. Three.” He threw in his cards, keeping the King and Queen.
Jake was next. He had a pair of Fours (clubs and spades), the Three of Hearts, the Jack of Clubs and the Ace of Diamonds. “Three.” He said, hoping to build on the pair.
James sighed. The Two of Spades, Four of Clubs, Six of Hearts, Seven of Diamonds and the Nine of clubs. Disgusted with his prospects he kept only his high card. “Four.”
Like Jake, Logan was also looking at a pair - of threes, Clubs and Diamonds. He took the Eight of Spades, and the Ten and Queen of Diamonds, and threw them in. “And I’ll take three.”
Before anyone had the chance to pick up, Brigid sneezed again. As James handed her another tissue, Logan made a referee’s call. “That doesn’t count. The wild card is still twos until everyone picks up. So pick ‘em up and the next one’s for real.”
Bill grumbled, still not crazy about Logan’s idea for the hand. He looked at his new hand and weighed the possibilities: His pair of twos was now joined by the Five, Queen and King of Clubs. He saw a couple potential three-of-a-kinds and, as it stood now, he had a flush. He liked that well enough, but didn’t like the pair of twos he’d constantly be just one sneeze away from. “One dollar.”
“That’s it, huh?” Jake asked, smiling as looked at his had.
“Haaah… TCHOO!” Brigid sneezed.
“Now you know why! AND THAT WAS FAKE!”
“*sniff* It was not!” Brigid answered incredulously; shocked that even Bill would make such a bold accusation.
“Now Bill, you can’t just…” James started as he handed her another tissue
“Like hell! This is what I was talking about! She…”
“Tell you what, Bill, *sniff* how about next I hit you with the spray, so you can vouch for their authenticity.”
Looking around the table and seeing that the rest of the players were against him, he backed down. “That’s all right. I’ll be good.”
"OK then…” Jake figured it would be wise to get the game going again. As bad a player as he was, he figured that Bill had just lost a decent hand. He looked at his own: His pair of fours was joined by a pair of sixes, Diamonds and clubs, and the Queen of Spades. He didn’t have a wild card yet, but seeing as he was a sneeze away from four of a kind, he saw the bet. “I’ll see your buck…”
“Hahhh… HAAATCH-ooo! *sniff*” James handed her a tissue as Jake continued his bet, now holding four of a kind.
“And raise you three.” He smiled. But he was soon regretting his bet as another sneeze knocked him back down to two pairs – the same hand he’d just lost $20 on.
“HeeeAAAHHHH-tchoo! *sniff* What are we up to Logan?”
“Fives.” Logan smiled, despite the fact that his growing erection that was making him slightly uncomfortable. He’d always been rather jealous of Jake. He’d had the worst crush on Brigid ever since they first met. It grew when he learned what a strong, outspoken woman she was and more so when he learned that she played poker, and well. He didn’t know she was allergic to cats, and no one else knew of his fetish, but he was really enjoying this hand and planned to raise, every chance he got, regardless of what he had.
Brigid looked down. Fives being wild gave her a strait. There was also a possible flush, but otherwise she had the occasional pair and a whole lot of nothing. But thinking that Bill would enjoy it way too much if she dropped out early, she stayed in. “I’ll see the three and raise wah.. one… HAAAHtchoo! Hah… HATCHOO! Damn!”
“Seven’s hmm?” James verified, looking at his hand: He’d gotten another Nine, of Hearts, and the Seven of Clubs, Ten of Hearts and King of Diamonds. He noticed Jake perk up after the first sneezed, and saw him deflate just as much after the second. He was looking a three of kind now, and while he wasn’t crazy about the hand overall, seeing only a few potential three-of-a-kinds and otherwise just a pair of nines, he thought he might get lucky, seeing as how everyone else was also capable of coming up with a bum hand. “I’ll see your four, darlin’.”
Logan did get another three (Spades) along with the Eight and Ace of Hearts. Overall he felt pretty good about things. He threw in his four, and held another four in his hand over the pot as he looked over at Brigid. He thought he saw her eyes narrow slightly.
“Wha… Wh-What is it?”
“Cat sure sheds a lot, huh?”
“*sniff* Just bet, Logan.”
“You OK?”
“*sniff* J-Just… b-bet… heh... *sniff* hah… HEEATCH-hoo!”
“Raise four!” He smiled, now sitting on four of a kind, with eights wild. “The bet’s eight Bill. You in?”
Brigid sneezed twice more as Bill mulled things over. Tens being wild left him with just a pair, but he was five sneezes away from a flush, and he figured there was still some time. Throwing caution the wind he put in. “Seven meets, raise one. Jake?”
Jake still had his two pair, but looked over at Brigid.
“*sniff* oh God… *sniff* I swear it’s getting worse… hah… haaaAAATCH-hoo! *sniff* man!”
Jacks wild didn’t help, but he’d have a Full House if she sneezed again. “Five meets, raise two. The bet’s eleven. You in sweetie?”
Brigid now had her flush, but she felt another sneeze coming. ‘Damn my nose and damn that cat!’ she thought. She put in her seven to meet and was about to raise four, but hesitated as she wondered how long she could hold this one in.
“You OK there?” Bill leaned forward, blowing his cigar smoke at her.
“Oh puh-lease, Bill! You think I could spend so much of my y-youth in a pool halls if I was bothered by a little s-smoke?”
“So what’s it going to be? Call or raise?”
“Rai.. Rai… Raise… hah… HAAAHTCHOO! DAMN!” She sneezed just as she dropped her four, raising the bet to fifteen, and turning her flush into Jack-high. Jake seemed pleased with himself now that, with Queens wild, he was sitting on a full house.
James met and raised one, hoping for another sneeze to turn his pair into three of a kind. Bigid’s nose soon obliged and he handed her another tissue. “King’s now. And the bet stands at fifteen. Logan?”
Logan looked down. One sneeze or three would give him four of a kind, with Aces or Threes wild. Mentally he crossed his fingered, threw in his eight to meet, and looked at Bill.
“I still say this is bullshit.”
“HAAAATCH-hoo!”
“Oh! Wait! Meet!” Bill said, sounding happy. Twos wild gave him back his Flush.
“Haah… haaaathc-HOO!”
“DAMN!” Bill roared, now looking at pair of two’s.
Jake wasn’t too happy with his two pairs, but he hoped for one more sneeze to give him four of a kind with fours wild. With only Brigid left to bet he’d figured he could time it right if he ended it quickly. He met the bet and looked at Brigid.
“Haah… Hutch-HOOO! Oh boy. *sniff* let’s see…” with fours wild, she had nothing. Her nose still itched, but she had to buy some time if she was going to sneeze again and make the Flush. “I don’t know…”
“Come on! This is what I was talking about!” Bill roared. She loved that this was burning him up so much
“Just take your time.” Logan said calmly. He was staring at her intently, grateful that studying someone’s face so closely was perfectly acceptable behavior in poker. He could see her nostrils twitch and her eyelids flutter. He hung on every hitched breath. He knew what she was doing but he didn’t care. The show was well worth the money.
“I th-think… I’ll… hah… “
“Give me a break.” Bill snorted under his breath.
“HAAAT-CHOO! CALL!” She yelled, slamming down her dollar to meet and as soon as Logan said, “Show em,” her allergies finally overtook her.
“Hatch-hoo! HEEATCH-hooh! Ha… HaAAHH-tchoo! *sniff* Oh man!” She sneezed several more times as James handed her tissues.
“The wild card ended up on five.” Logan called. “Show your cards gentlemen!” He looked over at James, who had just handed Brigid the last of the tissues.
“Pair of nines, I’m afraid.” He said, knowing that wouldn’t beat what ever Brigid had.
“Well, I’ve gotcha Jimmy.” Logan stated. “Three threes.”
“GODDAMNIT!” Bill yelled, slamming down the three twos he had with fives being wild.
“Two-pair,” Jake shrugged, smiling. “My lucky hand all night, I guess.”
“*sniff* Read em and weep, boys! *sniff* Strait, to the Jack.
As she reeled in her bounty, she looked up at James. “Hon, I hope you don’t mind if I don’t stay to help you clean up but, *sniff* that being the last hand and all, and *sniff* seeing as you’re out of tissues, I’m really ready to be heading home now.”
“No problem darling’. You drive safe now, Jake, ya hear?”
“Thanks, I will.”
Bill grumbled ‘G-Bye’ and Logan walked them to the door. In his mind, he was trying to figure out he could make James’ place come up more often in their little group’s rotation.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
The Angry Spirits of the Forest - Part 10 (InuYasha)
PART TEN - An InuYasha fan-fiction. Setting and all non-original characters are property of Rumiko Takahashi.
Illustrations by (Kawaii) Kitty Kuchiki (ne Nakamura)
‘A few handkerchiefs’ ended up being several scraps of cloth discarded by the village seamstresses; but Kagome was grateful to be able to wipe her nose with something other than her shirt, and blow it more discreetly that by putting a finger on one nostril and exhaling hard out of the other. While InuYasha and Shippo insisted the handkerchiefs weren’t necessary, once they tried them, they had to admit they helped. Most of the trip was otherwise uneventful. The old man told them stories of his adventures as a young monk by firelight, saving the more lecherous episodes for Miroku, after the others had fallen asleep.
After a three day hike, the party stood atop a tree lined precipice overlooking a low clearing. Tree spirits circled the clearing and stood almost still – looking like tall trees blowing in the wind. In the center was what looked like an ancient Banyan tree. If the other tree-sprits resembled giant people, the one in the center resembled a humongous spider or octopus – his many limbs and sprawling trunks took root in dozens of places around the clearing.
“That’s the ancient one!” The Elder whispered in Kagome’s ear, but as she looked at the sprawling banyan, she didn’t need to be told. She could sense the sacred jewel, even at her current distance. She was also confident she could make the shot from here.
She drew an arrow and blew her nose one last time, just to be safe. Notching the arrow she slowly stood up. She was no longer camouflaged by the wood, but none of the tree-sprits seemed to notice. Her nose still itched, but a quick sniff was enough to ward off any sneezes for a few more seconds. She drew her bow and took aim.
“hah…”
“Shippo! Shh!” Miroku cautioned.
“HAAAH….” Shippo’s eyes narrowed as he brought a finger under his nose.
“Shippo! No!” Sango whispered.
“HAAAH-AAAAAHTCHOOOO! *sniff* Sorry!” The little fox demon rubbed his nose with his finger as he apologized.
Shippo’s sneeze drew the attention of the sprits, but Kagome was ready and loosed her arrow just as they turned around. Halfway to the target it erupted in purple light. The arrow plunged into the tangle of limbs that made up the ancient tree and found its mark deep with the writhing mass. With a flash of light, the Jewel Shard was ejected. The change in the Ancient one was immediate. What once roiled with anger now stood calmly, looking like it was at peace. They scampered down the embankment to retrieve the Jewel Shard. The trees surrounding the clearing merely looked on.
Kagome picked up the shard, but noticed something was different. She could detect no trace of the anger that had tainted the shard. It felt purified, as if it had been cleansed in a way that she thought only herself or Kikiyo could have done. She felt a rush of sadness as she realized that it was the life force of the Ancient One that had purified the Shard. As she held this piece of life force in her hands, she felt an immediate connection and a thorough understanding of the immense love and wisdom possessed by the ancient spirit. But when she turned to face him, her fears were realized - the Ancient One was dying.
“No! *sniff* No! No! No!” She ran into a jumble of limbs and branches that seemed to embrace her as she lost herself in them.
She heard a voice that was almost as quiet as the wind. “thhhaaaank yoooouuuu chiiiiild…”
Tears started to fall from her eyes “I’m so sorry! Please… *sniff* don’t die.” To her hands it felt as if the tree was actually growing cold.”
She felt something like a hand on her shoulder. She looked back, and up, and saw the tree-spirit that had helped them before. He seemed to smile at her. His voice was still deep and rumbling, but gentle now and lower in volume out of respect for the Ancient One. “This… was the only way… Do not weep child… You have done… a great thing today.”
Again the voice like the wind spoke. "shhhwshshhhhesssshhh," they assumed that was the name of the sprit who'd helped them, "yooooouuuuu… kneeeew… yooooouuuu alooooone saaawww the eeeevil in the traveler clooooaaaked in whiiiiite… yooouuuu aaare wiiiiiise… guiiiide myyyy childrennnn and… accept the stewardship of the sssssacred foressssst... that I passsss tooooo…. yoooouuuu…"
With that final decree the last bit of life left the ancient tree. Kagome broke down, sobbing openly as she felt the limbs grow stiff and brittle around her. She felt a breeze in her hair as the last bit of life escaped. While just a moment ago she felt surrounded by love and warmth, now, sitting within the dead tree, she had never felt so profoundly alone and empty. The other tree spirits bowed in final respect and began to withdraw into the forest.
InuYasha, unfamiliar with the ways of the sprits, perceived their actions as callous. “*sniff* Aren’t you even going to bury him… or something?”
The sprit that had carried Kagome turned to him to explain. “No… He must remain here…”
“*sniff* So you’re just going to let him rot?”
“Yes.” InuYasha was surprised that it was Kagome who answered. “He will go into the ground here… and… another scared tree will grow in this spot… won’t it?” She looked up at the tree-spirit.
“Yes child… Every sacred tree marks a place where an ancient spirit passed on... A tree will grow here that will house the Kodama… And they in turn will bring more life to the trees in the forest…. We will… shepherd that life until the trees’ voices grow quiet… or our own do... We must leave this place… It is sacred now… you should not return here…”
Kagome shed a final tear for the fallen spirit, but as she joined the Shard to the others she carried she felt comforted knowing that a small part of that spirit would always be with her. The journey back to the village was made faster by the tree-spirit’s offer to transport them. While this shortened a three day journey to only one, for InuYasha, Kagome and Shippo, who could not stop sneezing for even a few minutes, it may as well have been a year. By the time they were back the village elder had re-affirmed both of their commitments to the former treaty, and the spirit even forgave the village of their obligation to plant 100 saplings in payment for felling a sacred tree. (Though the Elder still planned to do that anyway.) At the outskirts of the village, the travelers said their good-byes to tree spirit and waved as it went back into the forest.
[EPILOGUE]
After getting a full night’s rest for the first time in days, the six travelers departed the next morning, fully stocked for the journey ahead. Without another jewel shard to follow northward, they trekked back the way they came. This came as a relief to InuYasha, Shippo and even Kirara, who probably could not have endured an extended trip through the forest. And while Kagome was sad that she would probably never see the tree-spirit again she had to admit, with a chuckle as she wiped here nose with a long since saturated scrap of cloth, that there was at least one part of her that couldn’t get away fast enough.
Illustrations by (Kawaii) Kitty Kuchiki (ne Nakamura)
Shippo… No!
‘A few handkerchiefs’ ended up being several scraps of cloth discarded by the village seamstresses; but Kagome was grateful to be able to wipe her nose with something other than her shirt, and blow it more discreetly that by putting a finger on one nostril and exhaling hard out of the other. While InuYasha and Shippo insisted the handkerchiefs weren’t necessary, once they tried them, they had to admit they helped. Most of the trip was otherwise uneventful. The old man told them stories of his adventures as a young monk by firelight, saving the more lecherous episodes for Miroku, after the others had fallen asleep.
After a three day hike, the party stood atop a tree lined precipice overlooking a low clearing. Tree spirits circled the clearing and stood almost still – looking like tall trees blowing in the wind. In the center was what looked like an ancient Banyan tree. If the other tree-sprits resembled giant people, the one in the center resembled a humongous spider or octopus – his many limbs and sprawling trunks took root in dozens of places around the clearing.
“That’s the ancient one!” The Elder whispered in Kagome’s ear, but as she looked at the sprawling banyan, she didn’t need to be told. She could sense the sacred jewel, even at her current distance. She was also confident she could make the shot from here.
She drew an arrow and blew her nose one last time, just to be safe. Notching the arrow she slowly stood up. She was no longer camouflaged by the wood, but none of the tree-sprits seemed to notice. Her nose still itched, but a quick sniff was enough to ward off any sneezes for a few more seconds. She drew her bow and took aim.
“hah…”
“Shippo! Shh!” Miroku cautioned.
“HAAAH….” Shippo’s eyes narrowed as he brought a finger under his nose.
“Shippo! No!” Sango whispered.
“HAAAH-AAAAAHTCHOOOO! *sniff* Sorry!” The little fox demon rubbed his nose with his finger as he apologized.
Shippo’s sneeze drew the attention of the sprits, but Kagome was ready and loosed her arrow just as they turned around. Halfway to the target it erupted in purple light. The arrow plunged into the tangle of limbs that made up the ancient tree and found its mark deep with the writhing mass. With a flash of light, the Jewel Shard was ejected. The change in the Ancient one was immediate. What once roiled with anger now stood calmly, looking like it was at peace. They scampered down the embankment to retrieve the Jewel Shard. The trees surrounding the clearing merely looked on.
Kagome picked up the shard, but noticed something was different. She could detect no trace of the anger that had tainted the shard. It felt purified, as if it had been cleansed in a way that she thought only herself or Kikiyo could have done. She felt a rush of sadness as she realized that it was the life force of the Ancient One that had purified the Shard. As she held this piece of life force in her hands, she felt an immediate connection and a thorough understanding of the immense love and wisdom possessed by the ancient spirit. But when she turned to face him, her fears were realized - the Ancient One was dying.
“No! *sniff* No! No! No!” She ran into a jumble of limbs and branches that seemed to embrace her as she lost herself in them.
She heard a voice that was almost as quiet as the wind. “thhhaaaank yoooouuuu chiiiiild…”
Tears started to fall from her eyes “I’m so sorry! Please… *sniff* don’t die.” To her hands it felt as if the tree was actually growing cold.”
She felt something like a hand on her shoulder. She looked back, and up, and saw the tree-spirit that had helped them before. He seemed to smile at her. His voice was still deep and rumbling, but gentle now and lower in volume out of respect for the Ancient One. “This… was the only way… Do not weep child… You have done… a great thing today.”
Again the voice like the wind spoke. "shhhwshshhhhesssshhh," they assumed that was the name of the sprit who'd helped them, "yooooouuuuu… kneeeew… yooooouuuu alooooone saaawww the eeeevil in the traveler clooooaaaked in whiiiiite… yooouuuu aaare wiiiiiise… guiiiide myyyy childrennnn and… accept the stewardship of the sssssacred foressssst... that I passsss tooooo…. yoooouuuu…"
With that final decree the last bit of life left the ancient tree. Kagome broke down, sobbing openly as she felt the limbs grow stiff and brittle around her. She felt a breeze in her hair as the last bit of life escaped. While just a moment ago she felt surrounded by love and warmth, now, sitting within the dead tree, she had never felt so profoundly alone and empty. The other tree spirits bowed in final respect and began to withdraw into the forest.
InuYasha, unfamiliar with the ways of the sprits, perceived their actions as callous. “*sniff* Aren’t you even going to bury him… or something?”
The sprit that had carried Kagome turned to him to explain. “No… He must remain here…”
“*sniff* So you’re just going to let him rot?”
“Yes.” InuYasha was surprised that it was Kagome who answered. “He will go into the ground here… and… another scared tree will grow in this spot… won’t it?” She looked up at the tree-spirit.
“Yes child… Every sacred tree marks a place where an ancient spirit passed on... A tree will grow here that will house the Kodama… And they in turn will bring more life to the trees in the forest…. We will… shepherd that life until the trees’ voices grow quiet… or our own do... We must leave this place… It is sacred now… you should not return here…”
Kagome shed a final tear for the fallen spirit, but as she joined the Shard to the others she carried she felt comforted knowing that a small part of that spirit would always be with her. The journey back to the village was made faster by the tree-spirit’s offer to transport them. While this shortened a three day journey to only one, for InuYasha, Kagome and Shippo, who could not stop sneezing for even a few minutes, it may as well have been a year. By the time they were back the village elder had re-affirmed both of their commitments to the former treaty, and the spirit even forgave the village of their obligation to plant 100 saplings in payment for felling a sacred tree. (Though the Elder still planned to do that anyway.) At the outskirts of the village, the travelers said their good-byes to tree spirit and waved as it went back into the forest.
[EPILOGUE]
After getting a full night’s rest for the first time in days, the six travelers departed the next morning, fully stocked for the journey ahead. Without another jewel shard to follow northward, they trekked back the way they came. This came as a relief to InuYasha, Shippo and even Kirara, who probably could not have endured an extended trip through the forest. And while Kagome was sad that she would probably never see the tree-spirit again she had to admit, with a chuckle as she wiped here nose with a long since saturated scrap of cloth, that there was at least one part of her that couldn’t get away fast enough.
The Angry Spirits of the Forest - Part 9 (InuYasha)
PART NINE - An InuYasha fan-fiction. Setting and all non-original characters are property of Rumiko Takahashi.
Illustrations by (Kawaii) Kitty Kuchiki (ne Nakamura)
Like what happened to you when I got captured in the first place?
Following the battle that almost was, InuYasha and Kagome argued for some time. It took a great effort to convince InuYasha that the tree-sprits were peaceful by nature, and while he never fully ceded the point, he was intrigued when Kagome mentioned the Sacred Jewel shard. The five travelers met with the Captain and the Elder back at the temple to discuss their next move.
“*sniff* We need to get close enough to the spirit known as the Ancient One. Then I… can… gotta sneeze… ha… HAAATCHoo! *sniff* Then I can use my sacred arrow to remove the shard. *sniff* after that, he should return to normal!”
“*sniff* Assuming you don’t sneeze and miss the mark.” InuYasha teased under his breath.
“Like what happened to you when I got captured in the first place?” Kagome said, feigning sweetness in her tone.
“Yeah… well…” InuYasha took the hint and went back to sheepishly studying some spot on the floor.
At this point Miroku had a question for the Elder. “Do you have anyone who can lead us into their territory? How will we find them?” The look on the Captain's face said that he didn’t know the way, and wouldn’t go within ten miles of the place if he did, having seen how many there actually were.
“Hmmmm… I’ll take you,” the Elder sighed. “I went there quite frequently in my youth. I was there with my Grandfather when he made the Treaty of the Trees with the Ancient One. It has been many years, but I know the paths well. It will be about three days march. Captain?” The Captain snapped to attention. “You’ll need to make preparations for more attacks. Keep trying to drive them back with the fire, and don’t harm any that you don’t absolutely have to. I’m leaving you in charge here.”
“Elder….?” The Captain was both moved by the trust being placed in him, and concerned for the old man’s safety. But he regained his composure and stood at attention once again. “Yes, sir!”
“You there…” The Elder signaled to one of the guards. “Prepare rations and equipment for six people on a six-day march. And get this lot anything else they require.” Although he had been little more than a spiritual counselor for many years, the old man was clearly excited about the prospect of leading a quest.
Miroku, Sango, Shippo and InuYasha all indicated that they didn’t need anything special, beyond a replenishment of food and water. They were used to traveling long distances on foot, and came into the village fairly well equipped. Only Kagome had any requests.
“I’ll need a bow and… some arrows… and… hah… AHH… HATCHoo! Man! *sniiiiiiffffff* …and a hanky or two!” She punctuated her request by wiping her nose on her sleeve for what seemed like the hundredth time.
TO BE CONTINUED
Illustrations by (Kawaii) Kitty Kuchiki (ne Nakamura)
Like what happened to you when I got captured in the first place?
Following the battle that almost was, InuYasha and Kagome argued for some time. It took a great effort to convince InuYasha that the tree-sprits were peaceful by nature, and while he never fully ceded the point, he was intrigued when Kagome mentioned the Sacred Jewel shard. The five travelers met with the Captain and the Elder back at the temple to discuss their next move.
“*sniff* We need to get close enough to the spirit known as the Ancient One. Then I… can… gotta sneeze… ha… HAAATCHoo! *sniff* Then I can use my sacred arrow to remove the shard. *sniff* after that, he should return to normal!”
“*sniff* Assuming you don’t sneeze and miss the mark.” InuYasha teased under his breath.
“Like what happened to you when I got captured in the first place?” Kagome said, feigning sweetness in her tone.
“Yeah… well…” InuYasha took the hint and went back to sheepishly studying some spot on the floor.
At this point Miroku had a question for the Elder. “Do you have anyone who can lead us into their territory? How will we find them?” The look on the Captain's face said that he didn’t know the way, and wouldn’t go within ten miles of the place if he did, having seen how many there actually were.
“Hmmmm… I’ll take you,” the Elder sighed. “I went there quite frequently in my youth. I was there with my Grandfather when he made the Treaty of the Trees with the Ancient One. It has been many years, but I know the paths well. It will be about three days march. Captain?” The Captain snapped to attention. “You’ll need to make preparations for more attacks. Keep trying to drive them back with the fire, and don’t harm any that you don’t absolutely have to. I’m leaving you in charge here.”
“Elder….?” The Captain was both moved by the trust being placed in him, and concerned for the old man’s safety. But he regained his composure and stood at attention once again. “Yes, sir!”
“You there…” The Elder signaled to one of the guards. “Prepare rations and equipment for six people on a six-day march. And get this lot anything else they require.” Although he had been little more than a spiritual counselor for many years, the old man was clearly excited about the prospect of leading a quest.
Miroku, Sango, Shippo and InuYasha all indicated that they didn’t need anything special, beyond a replenishment of food and water. They were used to traveling long distances on foot, and came into the village fairly well equipped. Only Kagome had any requests.
“I’ll need a bow and… some arrows… and… hah… AHH… HATCHoo! Man! *sniiiiiiffffff* …and a hanky or two!” She punctuated her request by wiping her nose on her sleeve for what seemed like the hundredth time.
TO BE CONTINUED
The Angry Spirits of the Forest - Part 8 (InuYasha)
PART EIGHT - An InuYasha fan-fiction. Setting and all non-original characters are property of Rumiko Takahashi.
Illustrations by (Kawaii) Kitty Kuchiki (ne Nakamura)
SIT, BOY!
Kagome and Shippo awoke just as they cleared the edge of the forest. They were a few hundred meters from where the attackers emerged and as Shippo wiped the sleep from his eyes, Kagome sized up the situation. She could see the archers on the walls, and could smell the tar in the field. No big mystery as to what was being planned there. Seeing Miroku on the corner guard tower and InuYasha starting to charge the field, she figured out what they had in mind and knew they had no time lose.
“Quickly… get me to that guard tower!”
The lone tree sprit moved much faster than the attackers, who now numbered almost a hundred and advanced at a much slower more deliberate pace. When they were within shouting distance of the tower, she called out for Miroku.
“MIROKU! STAND DOWN! DON’T USE YOUR WIND TUNNEL! STAND DOWN!”
“Kagome?” Miroku was confused to see her and Shippo, especially as they were being carried by one of the beings they were about to attack, but he signaled his compliance. He hoped she knew what she was doing.
“ARCHERS! FIRE NOW! BEFORE THEY REACH THE TAR! QUICKLY! FIRE! FIRE!”
Seeing Miroku’s compliance with the girl that was shouting to them, the Captain conceded as well and gave the order to fire.
‘What are those idiots doing?!’ InuYasha thought to himself, not aware of what was happening back at the village. A wall of flame now stood between him and his enemy, cutting him off as the trees began to retreat into the wood.
“Oh no you don’t! TESSAIGA!” But just as InuYasha raised the sword that could kill a hundred demons in a single stroke, Kagome came into range behind him.
“SIT BOY!” And with that command, Kaede’s necklace came to life and brought InuYasha down face-first into the ground. He was now helpless to do anything but watch the tree-sprits flee into the safety of the wood.
TO BE CONTINUED
Illustrations by (Kawaii) Kitty Kuchiki (ne Nakamura)
SIT, BOY!
Kagome and Shippo awoke just as they cleared the edge of the forest. They were a few hundred meters from where the attackers emerged and as Shippo wiped the sleep from his eyes, Kagome sized up the situation. She could see the archers on the walls, and could smell the tar in the field. No big mystery as to what was being planned there. Seeing Miroku on the corner guard tower and InuYasha starting to charge the field, she figured out what they had in mind and knew they had no time lose.
“Quickly… get me to that guard tower!”
The lone tree sprit moved much faster than the attackers, who now numbered almost a hundred and advanced at a much slower more deliberate pace. When they were within shouting distance of the tower, she called out for Miroku.
“MIROKU! STAND DOWN! DON’T USE YOUR WIND TUNNEL! STAND DOWN!”
“Kagome?” Miroku was confused to see her and Shippo, especially as they were being carried by one of the beings they were about to attack, but he signaled his compliance. He hoped she knew what she was doing.
“ARCHERS! FIRE NOW! BEFORE THEY REACH THE TAR! QUICKLY! FIRE! FIRE!”
Seeing Miroku’s compliance with the girl that was shouting to them, the Captain conceded as well and gave the order to fire.
‘What are those idiots doing?!’ InuYasha thought to himself, not aware of what was happening back at the village. A wall of flame now stood between him and his enemy, cutting him off as the trees began to retreat into the wood.
“Oh no you don’t! TESSAIGA!” But just as InuYasha raised the sword that could kill a hundred demons in a single stroke, Kagome came into range behind him.
“SIT BOY!” And with that command, Kaede’s necklace came to life and brought InuYasha down face-first into the ground. He was now helpless to do anything but watch the tree-sprits flee into the safety of the wood.
TO BE CONTINUED
The Angry Spirits of the Forest - Part 7 (InuYasha)
PART SEVEN - An InuYasha fan-fiction. Setting and all non-original characters are property of Rumiko Takahashi.
Illustrations by (Kawaii) Kitty Kuchiki (ne Nakamura)
“And that’s the one flaw in these preparations,” Miroku observed, “Given the change they will flee before the fire does any damage. But we noticed something before - when I activated my Wind Tunnel: they took root and remained in place. If we waited until they were in the middle of the field to light the fires, I could activate the Wind Tunnel. They would either take root and be consumed in the flame, or try to flee and be sucked in.”
“I saw you on the field before,” started the Guard Captain. “Won’t that send flaming tar hurtling towards the village?”
“If I’m up on rampart, the tar on the ground shouldn’t be affected. And even if it is, whatever doesn’t end up getting stuck to the trees will get sucked into the void as well. I wouldn’t advocate any plan that would risk harming the village.”
“Yeah *sniff* and then I can jump in with Tessaiga and finish them off! I had them shaking in fear last time…”
But InuYasha was interrupted by the elder’s laughter. “Heh-heh… you thought they were shaking in fear? Foolish boy.” InuYasha bristled at that remark. “They weren’t raising their hands in surrender…heh-heh… they were attacking!”
“*sniff* Wha...? How…?”
“What happened when you tried to activate your demonic powers?” The Elder asked, seemingly amused.
InuYasha couldn’t even look the old man in the eye as he muttered his response. “I sneezed and the attack got all fouled up.”
“And do you think that happened by coincidence? By raising their limbs, they caught the wind in their leaves. This increased the amount of pollen released in the area, and that was what disabled your attack. You’ll need to take that into account if you plan to attack them again. *sigh* I just don’t know… I’m concerned that it has come to this… What will happen I wonder…?”
“Elder!” The Captain snapped. “We are prepared this time! With this trap and our new found allies we are sure to be victorious!” It was clear from their posture that InuYasha and Miroku concurred.
“*sniff* And then you gotta help us rescue Kagome!” InuYasha looked at the Captain, who nodded in reply.
“Hmmmm… The impetuousness of youth. I am sure that we can win the battle. It is not even impossible that we could destroy every tree spirit in the forest! But what would that accomplish?”
Illustrations by (Kawaii) Kitty Kuchiki (ne Nakamura)
I had them shaking in fear last time…
It took several hours for InuYasha, Miroku, Sango and Kirara to recover from the earlier battle but, after their respite, they joined the village guard in making preparations for the next attack. The field over which the two previous attacks had taken place was now lined with tar. Archers with flaming arrows were positioned along the northern wall. If the tree spirits tried to cross the field, they would be surrounded by the one thing they were weak against: fire.
While Sango and Kirara scouted the perimeter of the wood, InuYasha and Miroku met with the Guard Captain and the Village Elder with a strategy that would make the defensive plan even deadlier.
“Each attack was merely a hit-and-run. But the second wave was much larger than the first. I think they fled because they didn’t expect to encounter all of you,” the Village Elder counseled the warriors.
While Sango and Kirara scouted the perimeter of the wood, InuYasha and Miroku met with the Guard Captain and the Village Elder with a strategy that would make the defensive plan even deadlier.
“Each attack was merely a hit-and-run. But the second wave was much larger than the first. I think they fled because they didn’t expect to encounter all of you,” the Village Elder counseled the warriors.
“And that’s the one flaw in these preparations,” Miroku observed, “Given the change they will flee before the fire does any damage. But we noticed something before - when I activated my Wind Tunnel: they took root and remained in place. If we waited until they were in the middle of the field to light the fires, I could activate the Wind Tunnel. They would either take root and be consumed in the flame, or try to flee and be sucked in.”
“I saw you on the field before,” started the Guard Captain. “Won’t that send flaming tar hurtling towards the village?”
“If I’m up on rampart, the tar on the ground shouldn’t be affected. And even if it is, whatever doesn’t end up getting stuck to the trees will get sucked into the void as well. I wouldn’t advocate any plan that would risk harming the village.”
“Yeah *sniff* and then I can jump in with Tessaiga and finish them off! I had them shaking in fear last time…”
But InuYasha was interrupted by the elder’s laughter. “Heh-heh… you thought they were shaking in fear? Foolish boy.” InuYasha bristled at that remark. “They weren’t raising their hands in surrender…heh-heh… they were attacking!”
“*sniff* Wha...? How…?”
“What happened when you tried to activate your demonic powers?” The Elder asked, seemingly amused.
InuYasha couldn’t even look the old man in the eye as he muttered his response. “I sneezed and the attack got all fouled up.”
“And do you think that happened by coincidence? By raising their limbs, they caught the wind in their leaves. This increased the amount of pollen released in the area, and that was what disabled your attack. You’ll need to take that into account if you plan to attack them again. *sigh* I just don’t know… I’m concerned that it has come to this… What will happen I wonder…?”
“Elder!” The Captain snapped. “We are prepared this time! With this trap and our new found allies we are sure to be victorious!” It was clear from their posture that InuYasha and Miroku concurred.
“*sniff* And then you gotta help us rescue Kagome!” InuYasha looked at the Captain, who nodded in reply.
“Hmmmm… The impetuousness of youth. I am sure that we can win the battle. It is not even impossible that we could destroy every tree spirit in the forest! But what would that accomplish?”
“We would be safe!” The Captain declared.
“Would we? And who would defend us against the demons from over the mountains without the sacred wood acting as a buffer zone? The Shinrinyahsa have been our shield against them for generations. Before the Treaty of the Trees we fought with the demons constantly. Plus… they manage and keep healthy the very timber that we make our living off of. They even maintain the river to prevent it from flooding. You take for granted all they have done for us… and are ignorant of how tenuous our livelihood will be without them. Victory on the field may be irrelevant in the long run.”
Miroku considered this in silence, but he saw no better options. InuYasha and the Captain were unmoved however and were about to launch a counter-argument when Sango burst in.
“Would we? And who would defend us against the demons from over the mountains without the sacred wood acting as a buffer zone? The Shinrinyahsa have been our shield against them for generations. Before the Treaty of the Trees we fought with the demons constantly. Plus… they manage and keep healthy the very timber that we make our living off of. They even maintain the river to prevent it from flooding. You take for granted all they have done for us… and are ignorant of how tenuous our livelihood will be without them. Victory on the field may be irrelevant in the long run.”
Miroku considered this in silence, but he saw no better options. InuYasha and the Captain were unmoved however and were about to launch a counter-argument when Sango burst in.
“They’re here! Ready the militia!”
TO BE CONTINUED
TO BE CONTINUED
Thursday, December 22, 2011
The Angry Spirits of the Forest - Part 6 (InuYasha)
PART SIX - An InuYasha fan-fiction. Setting and all non-original characters are property of Rumiko Takahashi.
Illustrations by (Kawaii) Kitty Kuchiki (ne Nakamura)
As the sun set, Kagome and Shippo were being taken towards the base of the mountain, held firmly but gently by a new captor. As he was only a single tree-spirit, the pollen was not as thick as it had been in the large group, but each ground-shaking stride shook more loose from the enormous tree. For several minutes, all that could be heard were the giant’s thunderous footsteps, followed by Kagome’s high-pitched sneezes.
*BOOM*
“Hashoo!”
*BOOM*
“Hahyaht… shoo!"
*BOOM*
“HAAAAshoo-oo!”
A soon as they were sure they’d have no hope of finding their way back, the behemoth stopped. He raised his quarry to eye level to examine them. He seemed larger than the others, and Kagome and Shippo were now uncomfortably high off the ground. Although his nose itched like mad, Shippo was too scared to sneeze. Kagome, on the other hand, was too busy sneezing to be scared.
Shippo finally broke the uncomfortable silence. “Um… m-mister shinrinyahsa? Uh… what do plan to do with us?”
“DOOOO? HMMMM…” It spoke slowly, with a gravelly voice deeper than any human’s, and more booming than any demon’s. “WELLLL…. NOTHING… IF WHAT YOU MEAN IS... WHAT DO I PLAN TO DO… TO YOU…”
“Phew. *sniff* So… your not on their side then?”
“HMMMMM… I’M NOT SURE WHOSE SIDE I AM ON… BECAUSE… I AM NOT SURE… WHO IS ON MY SIDE. BUT WE ARE PLEDGED TO KEEP THE HUMANS SAFE… SO SAFE IS WHERE I SHALL KEEP YOU.”
“Great! In that case… I… haah… HAAAAH… HAHHTCHOOO!”
With the sneeze, Shippo found himself quickly drawn close to the tree-spirit's suspicious eyes. “THAT SOUND YOU MAKE! ARE… YOU… A… DEMON?!” It eyes almost seemed to catch fire when he spoke that word.
“Please! *sniff* I am a demon but *sniff* I’m a friend of the forest! *sniff* And the humans! I used to live in a wood like this one! *sniff* and my friend here is human! Please don’t hurt me! *sniff* I just want to help!” The tiny Shippo was rightly terrified of the giant tree, holding him with an iron grip and a fiery gaze.
“HMMMMM… HA… HAAAH… HAAAAAHHHHHH!” The tree now seemed to smile a little. “YOU… ARE… A… FOX DEMON… NO? I ALWAYS LIKED FOX DEMONS… WHAT… WONDERFUL MISCHIEF THEY WOULD MAKE… I HAVEN’T SEEN A FOX DEMON IN SO LONG… I’D FORGOTTEN WHAT THEY LOOKED LIKE!”
“Oh thank you! I was so frightened! But you really seem very nice!” Shippo was still held fast, but he was so high up that he was grateful for the strong support.
“BUT… WHAT OF YOU FRIEND? SHE’S… NOT LIKE ANY DEMON I’VE EVER SEEN…”
“She’s not! *sniff* She a human!” Shippo managed to free an arm, and wipes his nose on his sleeve.
“BUT… SHE MAKES THE SAME SOUND AS YOU…” He now drew Kagome closer, to examine her. Moving deeper into the leaves did not help her condition any. “ARE YOU ILL… LITTLE HUMAN?”
“No… Hah… HAAAHShoo! I’m *sniff* aller… aller… AAAH-shoo! Allergic… to… you! HAAAT-shoo!” But she got the feeling that the tree-spirit did not understand. “I’m *sniff* human but *sniff* I’m seem to be affected the same… as… the… deeAAHSHoo! demons. *sniff* Worse actually.” She rolled her eyes as she said that. “Hey… *sniff* if you guys are pledged to protect the humans, *sniff* then why’d you… ah… AAAHTChooo! …attack the village?”
“BOOO-RA-RUUUM! I HAD NO PART OF THAT! WE ARE A… PEACEFUL RACE! BUT… THAT… DEMON… CAME. WITH THAT… JEWEL!”
“*sniff* Did he…hah… hatSHOO! Did he were a cloak, *sniff* with a baboon’s head?”
The sprit’s eyes opened wide upon hearing this, and his already uncomfortably tight grip grew tighter still. “YESSS! YESSS! DO YOU… KNOW… THIS… DEMON?”
“Yes. And now I know we’re on the same side too! *sniff* We’re fighting that same demon! His name… is… NarAAACHOOO!”
“NARA-CHOO YOU SAY?”
Shippo couldn’t help but laugh. “No silly! She sneezed again! His name is NARAKU!”
The tree-spirit's eyes narrow in anger as he repeated the name. “NA… RA… KU!”
Kagome still had some questions. “But *sniff* even with the jewel… hang on… hah… HAAAHHTChoo! *sniff* why did the spirits attack? Was it over the sacred tree that was cut down?” As soon as she said it, she’d hoped that he actually knew about it! She couldn’t imagine how angry he’d be if that was enough to justify the attack. Fortunately he reacted as if he not only knew, but was ashamed at how the sprits reacted. His “trunk” almost seemed to slump (or wilt.)
“HOOOOOMMMM… YES… IT WAS A SHAME… BUT... LOSING ONE LIFE… DOES NOT MEAN… YOU TAKE ANOTHER! THE HUMAN’S SHOULD HAVE PLANTED… 100 NEW SAPLINGS TO ATONE… BUT… THEY WERE NEVER GIVEN… THE CHANCE!”
“*sniff* What happened?” Shippo looked as if he was a child hearing a bedtime story.
“THE… JEWEL… IT MADE THE ANCIENT ONE… ANGRY… IT FILLED HIM WITH… RAGE. HIS POLLEN SPREAD… AND MADE THE OTHERS… CONFUSED… AND SOON… THEY FELT AS ANGRY… AND VENGEFUL… AS THE ANCIENT ONE… BUT… THIS IS NOT OUR WAY…” The tree’s voice started to sound sad.
“But how did… oh man… hang on… hah… HAAAHTCHOO!” Kagome rubbed her nose vigorously with her index finger in an attempt to stave off more sneezing. “How did Naraku get so far into the forest? *sniff* Didn’t your pollen bother him too?”
“IF IT DID… I DO NOT KNOW… HE DIDN’T SHOW ANY SIGNS… OF DISTRESS. THAT’S WHY THE ANCIENT ONE… AGREED TO MEET WITH HIM.”
“So… *sniff* he was tricked?”
“YES… HE IS NO LONGER HIMSELF. HE NEVER WOULD HAVE APPROVED… OF ATTACKING… THE VILLAGE.” Although still more booming than any human or demon they’d come across, the tree-spirit’s voice began to grow quieter. His sadness now seemed mingled with shame. A drop of sap below one eye had the look of a tear. Shippo bent and hugged the limb that held him.
“It’s OK. You, me and Kagome will find a way to fix this.”
“Wait… *sniff* Will… *sniff* Will the other’s attack again?”
The sprint seemed to grow taller as it stood up strait once again. Its eyes took on a distant look. “THEY ARE… ALREADY ON THE MOVE…”
“*sniff* Then we… hah… HAT-choo! We must go… hah… b-back! Hat-SHOO!”
“WHY…? WE CANNOT STOP THEM… THE VILLAGERS… MUST WEATHER THIS ATTACK… AT LEAST UNTIL… WE CAN GET MORE… HELP…”
“No! *sniff* You don’t… *sniff* oh man!... ah-AH-tchoo! Understand! HATCHOO! InuYasha and the others will be ready for them this time! *sniff* InuYasha’s really strong and… HAHT-choo! His sword could destroy everyone in one strike if… he… gets… thechanceAAH-CHOO! Quickly! We’ve got to head them off at… the… vil-lage.. HAAAHtchoo! Hurry! Please!”
Although he did not fully understand, the spirit started moving quickly back toward the village. He cradled Kagome and Shippo and advised them to rest while they could as it would be about a hour’s march. Although she still sneezed with nearly every bounding step, Kagome did manage to get a little rest as they made their way back to the village.
Illustrations by (Kawaii) Kitty Kuchiki (ne Nakamura)
That sound you make! Are you a DEMON?!
As the sun set, Kagome and Shippo were being taken towards the base of the mountain, held firmly but gently by a new captor. As he was only a single tree-spirit, the pollen was not as thick as it had been in the large group, but each ground-shaking stride shook more loose from the enormous tree. For several minutes, all that could be heard were the giant’s thunderous footsteps, followed by Kagome’s high-pitched sneezes.
*BOOM*
“Hashoo!”
*BOOM*
“Hahyaht… shoo!"
*BOOM*
“HAAAAshoo-oo!”
A soon as they were sure they’d have no hope of finding their way back, the behemoth stopped. He raised his quarry to eye level to examine them. He seemed larger than the others, and Kagome and Shippo were now uncomfortably high off the ground. Although his nose itched like mad, Shippo was too scared to sneeze. Kagome, on the other hand, was too busy sneezing to be scared.
Shippo finally broke the uncomfortable silence. “Um… m-mister shinrinyahsa? Uh… what do plan to do with us?”
“DOOOO? HMMMM…” It spoke slowly, with a gravelly voice deeper than any human’s, and more booming than any demon’s. “WELLLL…. NOTHING… IF WHAT YOU MEAN IS... WHAT DO I PLAN TO DO… TO YOU…”
“Phew. *sniff* So… your not on their side then?”
“HMMMMM… I’M NOT SURE WHOSE SIDE I AM ON… BECAUSE… I AM NOT SURE… WHO IS ON MY SIDE. BUT WE ARE PLEDGED TO KEEP THE HUMANS SAFE… SO SAFE IS WHERE I SHALL KEEP YOU.”
“Great! In that case… I… haah… HAAAAH… HAHHTCHOOO!”
With the sneeze, Shippo found himself quickly drawn close to the tree-spirit's suspicious eyes. “THAT SOUND YOU MAKE! ARE… YOU… A… DEMON?!” It eyes almost seemed to catch fire when he spoke that word.
“Please! *sniff* I am a demon but *sniff* I’m a friend of the forest! *sniff* And the humans! I used to live in a wood like this one! *sniff* and my friend here is human! Please don’t hurt me! *sniff* I just want to help!” The tiny Shippo was rightly terrified of the giant tree, holding him with an iron grip and a fiery gaze.
“HMMMMM… HA… HAAAH… HAAAAAHHHHHH!” The tree now seemed to smile a little. “YOU… ARE… A… FOX DEMON… NO? I ALWAYS LIKED FOX DEMONS… WHAT… WONDERFUL MISCHIEF THEY WOULD MAKE… I HAVEN’T SEEN A FOX DEMON IN SO LONG… I’D FORGOTTEN WHAT THEY LOOKED LIKE!”
“Oh thank you! I was so frightened! But you really seem very nice!” Shippo was still held fast, but he was so high up that he was grateful for the strong support.
“BUT… WHAT OF YOU FRIEND? SHE’S… NOT LIKE ANY DEMON I’VE EVER SEEN…”
“She’s not! *sniff* She a human!” Shippo managed to free an arm, and wipes his nose on his sleeve.
“BUT… SHE MAKES THE SAME SOUND AS YOU…” He now drew Kagome closer, to examine her. Moving deeper into the leaves did not help her condition any. “ARE YOU ILL… LITTLE HUMAN?”
“No… Hah… HAAAHShoo! I’m *sniff* aller… aller… AAAH-shoo! Allergic… to… you! HAAAT-shoo!” But she got the feeling that the tree-spirit did not understand. “I’m *sniff* human but *sniff* I’m seem to be affected the same… as… the… deeAAHSHoo! demons. *sniff* Worse actually.” She rolled her eyes as she said that. “Hey… *sniff* if you guys are pledged to protect the humans, *sniff* then why’d you… ah… AAAHTChooo! …attack the village?”
“BOOO-RA-RUUUM! I HAD NO PART OF THAT! WE ARE A… PEACEFUL RACE! BUT… THAT… DEMON… CAME. WITH THAT… JEWEL!”
“*sniff* Did he…hah… hatSHOO! Did he were a cloak, *sniff* with a baboon’s head?”
The sprit’s eyes opened wide upon hearing this, and his already uncomfortably tight grip grew tighter still. “YESSS! YESSS! DO YOU… KNOW… THIS… DEMON?”
“Yes. And now I know we’re on the same side too! *sniff* We’re fighting that same demon! His name… is… NarAAACHOOO!”
“NARA-CHOO YOU SAY?”
Shippo couldn’t help but laugh. “No silly! She sneezed again! His name is NARAKU!”
The tree-spirit's eyes narrow in anger as he repeated the name. “NA… RA… KU!”
Kagome still had some questions. “But *sniff* even with the jewel… hang on… hah… HAAAHHTChoo! *sniff* why did the spirits attack? Was it over the sacred tree that was cut down?” As soon as she said it, she’d hoped that he actually knew about it! She couldn’t imagine how angry he’d be if that was enough to justify the attack. Fortunately he reacted as if he not only knew, but was ashamed at how the sprits reacted. His “trunk” almost seemed to slump (or wilt.)
“HOOOOOMMMM… YES… IT WAS A SHAME… BUT... LOSING ONE LIFE… DOES NOT MEAN… YOU TAKE ANOTHER! THE HUMAN’S SHOULD HAVE PLANTED… 100 NEW SAPLINGS TO ATONE… BUT… THEY WERE NEVER GIVEN… THE CHANCE!”
“*sniff* What happened?” Shippo looked as if he was a child hearing a bedtime story.
“THE… JEWEL… IT MADE THE ANCIENT ONE… ANGRY… IT FILLED HIM WITH… RAGE. HIS POLLEN SPREAD… AND MADE THE OTHERS… CONFUSED… AND SOON… THEY FELT AS ANGRY… AND VENGEFUL… AS THE ANCIENT ONE… BUT… THIS IS NOT OUR WAY…” The tree’s voice started to sound sad.
“But how did… oh man… hang on… hah… HAAAHTCHOO!” Kagome rubbed her nose vigorously with her index finger in an attempt to stave off more sneezing. “How did Naraku get so far into the forest? *sniff* Didn’t your pollen bother him too?”
“IF IT DID… I DO NOT KNOW… HE DIDN’T SHOW ANY SIGNS… OF DISTRESS. THAT’S WHY THE ANCIENT ONE… AGREED TO MEET WITH HIM.”
“So… *sniff* he was tricked?”
“YES… HE IS NO LONGER HIMSELF. HE NEVER WOULD HAVE APPROVED… OF ATTACKING… THE VILLAGE.” Although still more booming than any human or demon they’d come across, the tree-spirit’s voice began to grow quieter. His sadness now seemed mingled with shame. A drop of sap below one eye had the look of a tear. Shippo bent and hugged the limb that held him.
“It’s OK. You, me and Kagome will find a way to fix this.”
“Wait… *sniff* Will… *sniff* Will the other’s attack again?”
The sprint seemed to grow taller as it stood up strait once again. Its eyes took on a distant look. “THEY ARE… ALREADY ON THE MOVE…”
“*sniff* Then we… hah… HAT-choo! We must go… hah… b-back! Hat-SHOO!”
“WHY…? WE CANNOT STOP THEM… THE VILLAGERS… MUST WEATHER THIS ATTACK… AT LEAST UNTIL… WE CAN GET MORE… HELP…”
“No! *sniff* You don’t… *sniff* oh man!... ah-AH-tchoo! Understand! HATCHOO! InuYasha and the others will be ready for them this time! *sniff* InuYasha’s really strong and… HAHT-choo! His sword could destroy everyone in one strike if… he… gets… thechanceAAH-CHOO! Quickly! We’ve got to head them off at… the… vil-lage.. HAAAHtchoo! Hurry! Please!”
Although he did not fully understand, the spirit started moving quickly back toward the village. He cradled Kagome and Shippo and advised them to rest while they could as it would be about a hour’s march. Although she still sneezed with nearly every bounding step, Kagome did manage to get a little rest as they made their way back to the village.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
The Angry Spirits of the Forest - Part 5 (InuYasha)
PART FIVE- An InuYasha fan-fiction. Setting and all non-original characters are property of Rumiko Takahashi.
Illustrations by (Kawaii) Kitty Kuchiki (ne Nakamura)
Kagome would have been amazed how fast the tree-sprits moved through the forest. Despite their huge size and ponderous wooden bodies, they moved with impressive speed and grace without disturbing or damaging any of the surrounding flora. All of this, however, was lost on Kagome as she could barely open her eyes, or even breathe for all the sneezing. She was in the middle of a tramp of walking trees and the clouds of pollen that shook loose with every thunderous step filled her every breath. It bothered Shippo as well, but he was now so stuffed up that he’d stopped sneezing. He was getting very concerned about Kagome.
“*sniff* Kagome?”
“Haht-shoo!”
“*sniff* You OK?”
“HAAASH-shooo!”
“What’re *sniff* What’re we gonna do?”
“Haaah-SHOO! Ohhhhh!”
Shippo just patted her on the shoulders and tried to comfort her as best he was able. Since Kagome was out of commission, the clever little fox demon looked around and tried to formulate a plan. They were sitting in the high braches of one of the tree-spirits. Not much held them in place, but it would be a rather nasty fall. He figured they couldn’t climb down without being noticed, but if he could inflate his body just enough to slow their fall they might have a few seconds before they were noticed if they jumped. Once he sensed a break in Kagome’s sneezing he told her the plan.
“*sniff* What?!”
“We gotta jump Kagome! I’ll float us down!”
“*sniff* No way Shippo! *sniff* We’ll never make it!” The tree-spirits seemed oblivious to their conversation.
“It’s our only chance! *sniff* Come on!” Shippo grabbed both of Kagome’s hand and tried to jump down, but she resisted and they ended up balanced precariously on their high bough.
Come on Kagome! *sniff* Trust me!”
“No! *sniff* It’s too high!”
But as Shippo hung from Kagome’s hands he knew there was no other way, and he didn’t want to be taken all the way back to their lair. “I’m really sorry about this, Kagome.” Hanging upside down, he hooked his legs over her outstretched arms and wiggled his fluffy tail in front of her nose, shaking loose the pollen that had collected on it.
“N-no… Ship… Shippo… Nah… Nah… NaaAAAH-SHOO!” She lost her balance with the sneeze and they fell towards the ground. Half way down, Shippo finally managed the shape-change, inflating himself and slowing their fall just enough to avoid injury despite still having hard landing.
At first they assumed they’d have to run for it, but the tree-sprits seemed unaware of the fact that they were free. The troop continued to move in the same direction without so much as a pause. Judging from their momentum, the strongest castle walls couldn’t have slowed their pace. All the two fugitives really had to do was get out of the way and avoid being trampled. They quickly scampered to the side of the path, and hid under a giant tree root. The sprits seemed to avoid trodding on such things. Unfortunately, at the ground level, the pollen cloud was at its thickest. It stung their eyes and set them sneezing almost continuously until the thunderous march finally passed. It took several more minutes before either of their noses calmed down, and when they finally emerged from their hiding place all was quiet and the air had cleared considerably.
“*sniff* Where are we Kagome?”
“I don’t know Shippo. *sniff* I can see the mountain through the trees over there, but we were moving so fast… *sniff* I’m not sure how far we are from the village.” After taking a few minutes to blow their noses and get their bearings, they started back up the wide path they had being taken down. At some point, they thought, it had to lead back to the village.
After walking for over an hour, it still looked like they were in the same place, relative to the mountain. Only the sun had moved, and it now hung very low in the sky. They didn’t like the idea of spending the night in this dense, living wood. They sat and took a break. At first both were too tired to speak, but Shippo was the first to notice the now familiar tickle creeping back into his nose.
“Ka…Kagome? I… hah… HAAAAH… HAAHTCHOOO!”
Before her own breath hitched Kagome leapt to her feet and instinctively reached for an arrow, but the quiver was empty; her arrows a casualty of the rough ride and the sneezing which doubled her over even while hanging from the high branches. They heard something that sound like wood being twisted before they were swept up effortlessly, and carried off of the path, deeper into the forest.
TO BE CONTINUED
Illustrations by (Kawaii) Kitty Kuchiki (ne Nakamura)
I’m really sorry about this, Kagome.
Kagome would have been amazed how fast the tree-sprits moved through the forest. Despite their huge size and ponderous wooden bodies, they moved with impressive speed and grace without disturbing or damaging any of the surrounding flora. All of this, however, was lost on Kagome as she could barely open her eyes, or even breathe for all the sneezing. She was in the middle of a tramp of walking trees and the clouds of pollen that shook loose with every thunderous step filled her every breath. It bothered Shippo as well, but he was now so stuffed up that he’d stopped sneezing. He was getting very concerned about Kagome.
“*sniff* Kagome?”
“Haht-shoo!”
“*sniff* You OK?”
“HAAASH-shooo!”
“What’re *sniff* What’re we gonna do?”
“Haaah-SHOO! Ohhhhh!”
Shippo just patted her on the shoulders and tried to comfort her as best he was able. Since Kagome was out of commission, the clever little fox demon looked around and tried to formulate a plan. They were sitting in the high braches of one of the tree-spirits. Not much held them in place, but it would be a rather nasty fall. He figured they couldn’t climb down without being noticed, but if he could inflate his body just enough to slow their fall they might have a few seconds before they were noticed if they jumped. Once he sensed a break in Kagome’s sneezing he told her the plan.
“*sniff* What?!”
“We gotta jump Kagome! I’ll float us down!”
“*sniff* No way Shippo! *sniff* We’ll never make it!” The tree-spirits seemed oblivious to their conversation.
“It’s our only chance! *sniff* Come on!” Shippo grabbed both of Kagome’s hand and tried to jump down, but she resisted and they ended up balanced precariously on their high bough.
Come on Kagome! *sniff* Trust me!”
“No! *sniff* It’s too high!”
But as Shippo hung from Kagome’s hands he knew there was no other way, and he didn’t want to be taken all the way back to their lair. “I’m really sorry about this, Kagome.” Hanging upside down, he hooked his legs over her outstretched arms and wiggled his fluffy tail in front of her nose, shaking loose the pollen that had collected on it.
“N-no… Ship… Shippo… Nah… Nah… NaaAAAH-SHOO!” She lost her balance with the sneeze and they fell towards the ground. Half way down, Shippo finally managed the shape-change, inflating himself and slowing their fall just enough to avoid injury despite still having hard landing.
At first they assumed they’d have to run for it, but the tree-sprits seemed unaware of the fact that they were free. The troop continued to move in the same direction without so much as a pause. Judging from their momentum, the strongest castle walls couldn’t have slowed their pace. All the two fugitives really had to do was get out of the way and avoid being trampled. They quickly scampered to the side of the path, and hid under a giant tree root. The sprits seemed to avoid trodding on such things. Unfortunately, at the ground level, the pollen cloud was at its thickest. It stung their eyes and set them sneezing almost continuously until the thunderous march finally passed. It took several more minutes before either of their noses calmed down, and when they finally emerged from their hiding place all was quiet and the air had cleared considerably.
“*sniff* Where are we Kagome?”
“I don’t know Shippo. *sniff* I can see the mountain through the trees over there, but we were moving so fast… *sniff* I’m not sure how far we are from the village.” After taking a few minutes to blow their noses and get their bearings, they started back up the wide path they had being taken down. At some point, they thought, it had to lead back to the village.
After walking for over an hour, it still looked like they were in the same place, relative to the mountain. Only the sun had moved, and it now hung very low in the sky. They didn’t like the idea of spending the night in this dense, living wood. They sat and took a break. At first both were too tired to speak, but Shippo was the first to notice the now familiar tickle creeping back into his nose.
“Ka…Kagome? I… hah… HAAAAH… HAAHTCHOOO!”
Before her own breath hitched Kagome leapt to her feet and instinctively reached for an arrow, but the quiver was empty; her arrows a casualty of the rough ride and the sneezing which doubled her over even while hanging from the high branches. They heard something that sound like wood being twisted before they were swept up effortlessly, and carried off of the path, deeper into the forest.
TO BE CONTINUED
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
The Angry Spirits of the Forest - Part 4 (InuYasha)
PART FOUR - An InuYasha fan-fiction
Setting and all non-original characters are property of Rumiko Takahashi.
Illustrations by (Kawaii) Kitty Kuchiki (ne Nakamura)
IRON REAVER S-SOUL S-T-STEAAACHOOOO!
While Sango and Kirara went on patrol, InuYasha and Miroku helped the villagers bury what remained of their dead. There were almost three dozen loggers killed the day before, and they got a sense of not only what the village had lost but of what they might be up against themselves. Once they finished, Miroku had blessed the gravesites and the two of them went to join Sango on guard duty.
“Sango, have you heard anything?” Miroku asked.
“I’m not sure. There seems to be a lot of movement from within the forest, but every time I get close enough for a look it stops. Do you sense anything?”
“No. But the tree sprits are not really demons, so I wouldn’t be able to. If they were corrupted by the sacred jewel, Kagome should be able to sense it, but she’s still meeting with the village elder. InuYasha, can you smell anything?”
“HaraAAHTCHOO! *sniff* No. *sniff* I’m completely blocked up. I can’t even smell you.”
Miroku started to chuckle at InuYasha’s remark when all three of them were startled by what looked like several giant, anthropomorphic trees crashing through the perimeter of the wood. Each stood over twenty feet tall, and while they caused no damage to the tree line, their footsteps shook the ground and sounded as if the entire forest was being brought down on top of them. As the first wave began their charge, another dozen emerged behind them.
Sango was the first to act. “KIRARA!” she yelled and the nekomata moved to attack the lead tree-spirit. Sango threw her weapon, Hiraikotsu, just as Kirara was thrown off by her target. The giant boomerang severed two of the trees-sprit’s limbs before returning, but the tree spirit had several remaining and was not slowed. As she waited for the weapon to return to her, Sango was struck from behind by what felt like a giant club and fell unconscious. The Hiraikotsu sailed over her body and landed in the woods.
“SANGO!” Miroku yelled in horror as he loosened the binding on his right hand. “WIND TUNNEL!”
As the monk activated the black hole he carried as his curse, what looked like tons of debris flew towards him from the forest only to be swallowed up by the void. He was surprised however that only a single tree-spirit was sucked in. The rest stood perfectly still, appearing to resist its pull by taking root. Miroku cut off the power just as InuYasha jumped in its path to prevent Sango from being sucked in.
“Would you knock that off?! There’s only one way to handle these guys… TESSAIGA!” But as InuYasha drew his sword, he was stunned to see that blade did not transform, instead retaining the dull, rusty appearance it had when inert.
Three of the spirits now focused their attacks on InuYahsa. Rather than lung forward however, the seemed reach toward the sky and quiver. Taking this for vulnerability, InuYasha attempted another attack. He almost failed to notice the nearly maddening burn that flared up in his eyes and nose.
“IRON REAVER S-SOUL S-T-STEAAACHOOOO!” Rather than leaping forward and swiping with his claws, InuYasha stood doubled over by the force of the sneeze. Seeing that he was prone, one of the tree-sprits struck him with a stout limb. InuYasha flew through the air in a wide arc and landed at the foot of another spirit on the other side of the field. Before he could move, InuYasha was crushed under the sprit’s foot. Although not physically harmed, he was pinned as the behemoth took root in the ground, its tendrils tangling themselves around his limbs before tunneling deep into the earth.
Miroku raised his staff in defense. He looked around. Sango and InuYasha were down and Kirara was no longer in sight. He could not outrun the giants and his wind-tunnel proved ineffective. As the spirits closed in on him, he braced for the worst, knowing he was out of options. As he waited for what he assumed would be the final blow, he could hear Kagome and Shippo yelling to him. He looked over his shoulder to see the two changing towards the melee on the back of Kirara.
“NO! KAGOME! GO BACK!” *whack* Miroku was taken out with a single sweep of the tree-sprit’s limb. His unconscious body landed several meters from where he was struck. Two more moved quickly to attack the village’s remaining defenders. In a deftly coordinated move, one snatched Kagome, and Shippo (who was clinging to her shoulders), off of Kirara’s back while another swept its limbs across Kirara’s path, sending the giant demon-cat tumbling through the air, finally hitting the ground, unconscious.
“KAGOME! KAGOME! NO! LET GO OF ME! KAGOME!” InuYasha screamed as he struggled against his captor. As the three-sprits retreated into the woods, the one holding InuYasha began to tighten its grip, cutting off its prisoner’s breath. Once InuYasha fell still, it released him and followed its brethren into the dense forest.
TO BE CONTINUED
Setting and all non-original characters are property of Rumiko Takahashi.
Illustrations by (Kawaii) Kitty Kuchiki (ne Nakamura)
IRON REAVER S-SOUL S-T-STEAAACHOOOO!
While Sango and Kirara went on patrol, InuYasha and Miroku helped the villagers bury what remained of their dead. There were almost three dozen loggers killed the day before, and they got a sense of not only what the village had lost but of what they might be up against themselves. Once they finished, Miroku had blessed the gravesites and the two of them went to join Sango on guard duty.
“Sango, have you heard anything?” Miroku asked.
“I’m not sure. There seems to be a lot of movement from within the forest, but every time I get close enough for a look it stops. Do you sense anything?”
“No. But the tree sprits are not really demons, so I wouldn’t be able to. If they were corrupted by the sacred jewel, Kagome should be able to sense it, but she’s still meeting with the village elder. InuYasha, can you smell anything?”
“HaraAAHTCHOO! *sniff* No. *sniff* I’m completely blocked up. I can’t even smell you.”
Miroku started to chuckle at InuYasha’s remark when all three of them were startled by what looked like several giant, anthropomorphic trees crashing through the perimeter of the wood. Each stood over twenty feet tall, and while they caused no damage to the tree line, their footsteps shook the ground and sounded as if the entire forest was being brought down on top of them. As the first wave began their charge, another dozen emerged behind them.
Sango was the first to act. “KIRARA!” she yelled and the nekomata moved to attack the lead tree-spirit. Sango threw her weapon, Hiraikotsu, just as Kirara was thrown off by her target. The giant boomerang severed two of the trees-sprit’s limbs before returning, but the tree spirit had several remaining and was not slowed. As she waited for the weapon to return to her, Sango was struck from behind by what felt like a giant club and fell unconscious. The Hiraikotsu sailed over her body and landed in the woods.
“SANGO!” Miroku yelled in horror as he loosened the binding on his right hand. “WIND TUNNEL!”
As the monk activated the black hole he carried as his curse, what looked like tons of debris flew towards him from the forest only to be swallowed up by the void. He was surprised however that only a single tree-spirit was sucked in. The rest stood perfectly still, appearing to resist its pull by taking root. Miroku cut off the power just as InuYasha jumped in its path to prevent Sango from being sucked in.
“Would you knock that off?! There’s only one way to handle these guys… TESSAIGA!” But as InuYasha drew his sword, he was stunned to see that blade did not transform, instead retaining the dull, rusty appearance it had when inert.
Three of the spirits now focused their attacks on InuYahsa. Rather than lung forward however, the seemed reach toward the sky and quiver. Taking this for vulnerability, InuYasha attempted another attack. He almost failed to notice the nearly maddening burn that flared up in his eyes and nose.
“IRON REAVER S-SOUL S-T-STEAAACHOOOO!” Rather than leaping forward and swiping with his claws, InuYasha stood doubled over by the force of the sneeze. Seeing that he was prone, one of the tree-sprits struck him with a stout limb. InuYasha flew through the air in a wide arc and landed at the foot of another spirit on the other side of the field. Before he could move, InuYasha was crushed under the sprit’s foot. Although not physically harmed, he was pinned as the behemoth took root in the ground, its tendrils tangling themselves around his limbs before tunneling deep into the earth.
Miroku raised his staff in defense. He looked around. Sango and InuYasha were down and Kirara was no longer in sight. He could not outrun the giants and his wind-tunnel proved ineffective. As the spirits closed in on him, he braced for the worst, knowing he was out of options. As he waited for what he assumed would be the final blow, he could hear Kagome and Shippo yelling to him. He looked over his shoulder to see the two changing towards the melee on the back of Kirara.
“NO! KAGOME! GO BACK!” *whack* Miroku was taken out with a single sweep of the tree-sprit’s limb. His unconscious body landed several meters from where he was struck. Two more moved quickly to attack the village’s remaining defenders. In a deftly coordinated move, one snatched Kagome, and Shippo (who was clinging to her shoulders), off of Kirara’s back while another swept its limbs across Kirara’s path, sending the giant demon-cat tumbling through the air, finally hitting the ground, unconscious.
“KAGOME! KAGOME! NO! LET GO OF ME! KAGOME!” InuYasha screamed as he struggled against his captor. As the three-sprits retreated into the woods, the one holding InuYasha began to tighten its grip, cutting off its prisoner’s breath. Once InuYasha fell still, it released him and followed its brethren into the dense forest.
TO BE CONTINUED
Monday, November 14, 2011
The Angry Spirits of the Forest - Part 3 (InuYasha)
PART THREE - An InuYasha fan-fiction
Setting and all non-original characters are property of Rumiko Takahashi.
Illustrations by (Kawaii) Kitty Kuchiki (ne Nakamura)
After a satisfying meal, Miroku, Sango and InuYasha helped the villagers bury their dead, before going on guard duty with Kirara. While they strengthened diplomatic ties in the village, Shippo and Kagome were left to converse with the village elder.
“*sniff* So… you were attacked by tree-demons?” Kagome started.
“Heh-heh… Not demons my dear: Spirits. Guardian spirits of the forest. We have lived alongside the Shinrinyahsa for generations. They protect us from the demon tribes to the north by using their pollen to make the woods almost unbearable for them… and if any demon does make it too far into the woods, the tree-spirits are ferocious fighters. In return, we only log the portions of the forest that they deem are ready for harvest. We leave any areas and trees alone that they want preserved.”
“But … hah … HAT-shoo! Excuse me… But why did they attack you?”
“We still don’t know for sure. We have a treaty with them, spelling out our agreement that they will protect us in exchange for us respecting their boundaries. But there was a sacred tree that was accidentally felled recently. Some of the men misread the tree’s marking and thought it was designated for timber.”
Shippo was very interested in the story and jumped into the conversation. “*sniff* Oh boy! No wonder they were angry! Those sacred trees are the homes of other spirits, aren’t they?”
“Oh yes. There live the kodama - spirits who spread health and green growth throughout the forest. The Shinrinyasha rely on them to support their own efforts. When a sacred tree is destroyed, those spirits living within it are lost as well. Their loss saddens the greater spirits, and also has a diminishing effect on the surrounding woods.”
“Wow *sniff* its no wonder they attacked you!”
“But that’s just it, little fox-demon! Our treaty acknowledges that mistakes will be made. The penalty for destroying a sacred tree is to raise one hundred new saplings to maturity. There is no provision for them to attack us.”
“Then why… oh god… HAH-shoo! Excuse me… *sniff* Why do you think they attacked? What made them change?”
“The spirits have been restless for several days now. Ever since that traveler came through. He’s the reason the other villagers were so suspicious of you.”
“Traveler? *sniff* What d-did... hat-SHOO! Excuse me. *sniff* What did he look like?”
“I never really saw him, young lady. He wore a great white cloak. Its cowl was fashioned from a baboon’s head and obscured most of his face.”
Kagome and Shippo looked at each other in shock. “NARAKU!”
TO BE CONTINUED
Setting and all non-original characters are property of Rumiko Takahashi.
Illustrations by (Kawaii) Kitty Kuchiki (ne Nakamura)
Traveler? *sniff* What d-did... hat-SHOO! Excuse me. *sniff* What did he look like?
After a satisfying meal, Miroku, Sango and InuYasha helped the villagers bury their dead, before going on guard duty with Kirara. While they strengthened diplomatic ties in the village, Shippo and Kagome were left to converse with the village elder.
“*sniff* So… you were attacked by tree-demons?” Kagome started.
“Heh-heh… Not demons my dear: Spirits. Guardian spirits of the forest. We have lived alongside the Shinrinyahsa for generations. They protect us from the demon tribes to the north by using their pollen to make the woods almost unbearable for them… and if any demon does make it too far into the woods, the tree-spirits are ferocious fighters. In return, we only log the portions of the forest that they deem are ready for harvest. We leave any areas and trees alone that they want preserved.”
“But … hah … HAT-shoo! Excuse me… But why did they attack you?”
“We still don’t know for sure. We have a treaty with them, spelling out our agreement that they will protect us in exchange for us respecting their boundaries. But there was a sacred tree that was accidentally felled recently. Some of the men misread the tree’s marking and thought it was designated for timber.”
Shippo was very interested in the story and jumped into the conversation. “*sniff* Oh boy! No wonder they were angry! Those sacred trees are the homes of other spirits, aren’t they?”
“Oh yes. There live the kodama - spirits who spread health and green growth throughout the forest. The Shinrinyasha rely on them to support their own efforts. When a sacred tree is destroyed, those spirits living within it are lost as well. Their loss saddens the greater spirits, and also has a diminishing effect on the surrounding woods.”
“Wow *sniff* its no wonder they attacked you!”
“But that’s just it, little fox-demon! Our treaty acknowledges that mistakes will be made. The penalty for destroying a sacred tree is to raise one hundred new saplings to maturity. There is no provision for them to attack us.”
“Then why… oh god… HAH-shoo! Excuse me… *sniff* Why do you think they attacked? What made them change?”
“The spirits have been restless for several days now. Ever since that traveler came through. He’s the reason the other villagers were so suspicious of you.”
“Traveler? *sniff* What d-did... hat-SHOO! Excuse me. *sniff* What did he look like?”
“I never really saw him, young lady. He wore a great white cloak. Its cowl was fashioned from a baboon’s head and obscured most of his face.”
Kagome and Shippo looked at each other in shock. “NARAKU!”
TO BE CONTINUED
Sunday, November 13, 2011
The Angry Spirits of the Forest - Part 2 (InuYasha)
PART TWO - An InuYasha fan-fiction
Setting and all non-original characters are property of Rumiko Takahashi.
Illustrations by (Kawaii) Kitty Kuchiki (ne Nakamura)
“YOU SHALL NOT PASS!”
“What?”
“YOU SHALL NOT PASS!”
The friends were met at the gate of the village by a contingent of guardsman brandishing spears. None of them actually wanted to fight the villagers, but after so much walking, and so much listening to Kagome sneezing every few seconds, InuYasha was short on patience.
“Whadaya mean?! We’ve been walking for days! Why… I… oughta… haaahAAAHTCHOO!” His hand had been moving closer to Tessaiga’s hilt, but the sneeze pulled it away while he covered up. Kagome stepped forward, put a hand on InuYahsa’s shoulder to calm him and tried to allay the villager’s fears.
“We don’t want to fight. *sniff* We’re just looking for a place to *sniff* sleep and to replenish our supplies in… the… m-morn… ing… HASHOO! HASHOO! haAHTSHoo! Oh man!”
“SHE’S A DEMON TOO! NONE SHALL PASS!”
“I’m not a… a… aAHTChoo! Demon! Do I *sniff* look like a… de… mon… HAT-shoo!” She had been resisting the urge to rub her nose, but was now overcome.
The one appearing to be the captain of this rag-tag troop stepped forward. The others fell silent as he spoke. “You smell that fragrant dust in the air? The tree-spirits release that to keep the demons out of the sacred wood. It drives them crazy! Just like your friends there! It don’t bother humans. So what’s your story?”
“I don’t… Ha-ha…AAAAshoo! know… AHTCH-oo! I… ah… I… ah-hah-*long inhale*-HATCHOO!”
The guards all started yelling again. “SICKNESS! ILLNESS! THE PLAGUE! UNCLEAN! UNCLEAN! NONE SHALL PASS!” Now convinced Kagome was bearing some dreaded illness, even the Captain could not restore order to his men. They were starting to thrust their spears more aggressively.
“*sniff* Got any other bright ideas, Kagome?” Inuyasha muttered derisively, wiping his nose with his sleeve.
Miroku stepped forward, trying to ply his trade in exchange for entry to the village. “I sense a dark presence surrounding this place!” he began boldly. “If you let…”
But he was cut of by the cackle of hysterical laughter coming from behind the guards. “HahahahHAAAAH! Oh sonny! Hahaha! Don’t even try that one here! I used to run that scam all the time when I was a young traveling monk! AAAHhahahaHAAA!” An ancient looking man, scarcely four feet tall made his way through the guards, who made way for him deferentially.
“Village elder?” Several of the guards gasped. “But… But they’re demons! And she has the plague!”
“Out of my way, you superstitious fools! We’ve just lost one battle, you shouldn’t be so eager to start another!” The feisty old man scolded. He gave each of the travelers an appraising look. “Hmmmm… three demons traveling with a priestess, and monk and demon slayer? I don’t think we’ll have to worry about them. Come in friends. You may stay at the temple. You’ll have to work a bit, but you’ll find plenty of food and rest as well.”
TO BE CONTINUED
Setting and all non-original characters are property of Rumiko Takahashi.
Illustrations by (Kawaii) Kitty Kuchiki (ne Nakamura)
Got any other bright ideas?
“YOU SHALL NOT PASS!”
“What?”
“YOU SHALL NOT PASS!”
The friends were met at the gate of the village by a contingent of guardsman brandishing spears. None of them actually wanted to fight the villagers, but after so much walking, and so much listening to Kagome sneezing every few seconds, InuYasha was short on patience.
“Whadaya mean?! We’ve been walking for days! Why… I… oughta… haaahAAAHTCHOO!” His hand had been moving closer to Tessaiga’s hilt, but the sneeze pulled it away while he covered up. Kagome stepped forward, put a hand on InuYahsa’s shoulder to calm him and tried to allay the villager’s fears.
“We don’t want to fight. *sniff* We’re just looking for a place to *sniff* sleep and to replenish our supplies in… the… m-morn… ing… HASHOO! HASHOO! haAHTSHoo! Oh man!”
“SHE’S A DEMON TOO! NONE SHALL PASS!”
“I’m not a… a… aAHTChoo! Demon! Do I *sniff* look like a… de… mon… HAT-shoo!” She had been resisting the urge to rub her nose, but was now overcome.
The one appearing to be the captain of this rag-tag troop stepped forward. The others fell silent as he spoke. “You smell that fragrant dust in the air? The tree-spirits release that to keep the demons out of the sacred wood. It drives them crazy! Just like your friends there! It don’t bother humans. So what’s your story?”
“I don’t… Ha-ha…AAAAshoo! know… AHTCH-oo! I… ah… I… ah-hah-*long inhale*-HATCHOO!”
The guards all started yelling again. “SICKNESS! ILLNESS! THE PLAGUE! UNCLEAN! UNCLEAN! NONE SHALL PASS!” Now convinced Kagome was bearing some dreaded illness, even the Captain could not restore order to his men. They were starting to thrust their spears more aggressively.
“*sniff* Got any other bright ideas, Kagome?” Inuyasha muttered derisively, wiping his nose with his sleeve.
Miroku stepped forward, trying to ply his trade in exchange for entry to the village. “I sense a dark presence surrounding this place!” he began boldly. “If you let…”
But he was cut of by the cackle of hysterical laughter coming from behind the guards. “HahahahHAAAAH! Oh sonny! Hahaha! Don’t even try that one here! I used to run that scam all the time when I was a young traveling monk! AAAHhahahaHAAA!” An ancient looking man, scarcely four feet tall made his way through the guards, who made way for him deferentially.
“Village elder?” Several of the guards gasped. “But… But they’re demons! And she has the plague!”
“Out of my way, you superstitious fools! We’ve just lost one battle, you shouldn’t be so eager to start another!” The feisty old man scolded. He gave each of the travelers an appraising look. “Hmmmm… three demons traveling with a priestess, and monk and demon slayer? I don’t think we’ll have to worry about them. Come in friends. You may stay at the temple. You’ll have to work a bit, but you’ll find plenty of food and rest as well.”
TO BE CONTINUED
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
The Angry Spirits of the Forest - Part 1 (InuYasha)
PART ONE
An InuYasha fan-fiction
Setting and all non-original characters are property of Rumiko Takahashi.
Illustrations by (Kawaii) Kitty Kuchiki (ne Nakamura)
The six weary travelers had been tracking the Sacred Jewel Shard for days. Kagome, the young girl with the ability to detect the Sacred Shards, had only the faintest impression of where it was. She could detect its general direction, but despite three days of pursuit her sense of the shard’s precise location grew no stronger. The shard was still on the move.
Luckily, InuYasha was able to supplement Kagome sixth sense for the jewel with his own demonically enhanced sense of smell. He could track their quarry, but its smell was either unfamiliar to him, or had been magically altered in an attempt to throw them off. Between the two of them, however, they would not lose the trail.
Finally, after so many days pursuit, the signal Kagome was picking up started to grow in strength. It was still a few days march away – but it was no longer on the move and they were gaining on it. The six weary travelers tried to pick up their pace, but the wind was against them.
As the reached the top of the grassy hill they spied a village is the distance, beyond which lay an immense forest at the foot of a great chain of mountains. Ironically, as Kagome’s ability to sense jewel increased, it seemed InuYasha’s ability to pick up their quarry’s scent was weakening. The young monk, Miroku, was the first to notice this.
“InuYasha, what’s wrong? Has the trail gone cold?”
“Nah. It’s this damn wind! It’s blowing something down from the mountains that bugging… my… n-n-nose… HAAATCHOO! *sniff* Ugh… I’m also picking up the scent of human blood. *sniff* I think that village was attacked recently. *sniff*”
As the two men leading the party conversed, the demon hunter, Sango, noticed that Kagome seemed bothered by something as well. Without wanting to attract attention, she quietly approached her friend. “Kagome? Are you ok?”
Kagome was rubbing her nose with her index finger. “Yeah,” she whispered, “but *sniff* whatever that wind is blowing, it’s *sniff* bothering my… nose… t-too… hat-SHOO! Hah… HaAAHSHOO! HATChoo *sniff* Ohhhh…”
Although their voices were low, Kagome’s sneezes attracted InuYasha’s attention. “Don’t tell me you’re getting sick now!” He yelled at her.
“I’m not s-sick, I… HAT-SHOO! *sniff* something’s j-just m-making me snee… ah… sneeze! aaaAAHHTCHOO! Besides, *sniff* you sound as bad as I do!”
“That’s 'cause I have a heightened sense of smell!” InuYasha reacted defensively, rubbing his nose, as if warding off another sneeze himself.
Miroku put his hand to his chin, pensively. “I wonder… Shippo, how are you feeling?”
The diminutive fox-demon was riding on the back of Kirara. “Well… *sniff* now that you mention it… *sniff*… my nose is all itchy too! Aaah… HAAAAH… HAHHTCHOOO!” The force of the little demon’s sneeze sent him somersaulting backwards, off of Kirara.
“What about you Kirara?”
While Kirara couldn’t talk, she made several pawing gestures which indicated that her nose was bothered as well. She made a sound like a sneeze, but Miroku couldn’t tell if it was that, of if she was just trying to clear her nose.
“What are you thinking?” Sango asked him.
“I’m wondering if that forest up ahead is inhabited by the Shinrinyasha.”
“*sniff* Shin… rin… wha?” Kagome asked in a stuffy sounding voice.
“The Shinrinyahsa are forest spirits. They take the form of giant moving trees. They look almost like a giant person that was carved from a tree, or turned into one - braches and all. I’ve never seen one, but the legends say that their pollen is a natural irritant to demons and anything… unnatural. It could explain why InuYasha, Shippo and Kirara seemed bother by the wind blowing form that direction.”
“*sniff* Then why… hang on… hat-SHOO! *sniff* Why am I sneezing then?” In the back of her mind, Kagome thought she might be allergic to something. Although she never got allergies at home, she had some friends that did. Was this what they felt like? She now felt horrible about every time she ever told one of them that “all they needed was a little fresh air.” ‘This was awful!’ she thought. ‘A week of this would drive me crazy!’ She almost hoped that she was just getting a little sick, not being sure what she could do about allergies back in this time period.
“I don’t know,” Miroku answered. “I’ve never heard of a human being affected.”
The group trekked on. The three demons were only sniffling, but Kagome seemed to sneeze every few seconds. Not patient by nature and already irritated by his own condition, InuYasha’s temper eventually got the better of him.
“Ashoo! … Hahshoo! … HAT-shoo! … HAAAHshoo!”
“ARE YOU GOING TO KEEP DOING THAT?!” InuYasha bellowed at Kagome.
“Thanks for the sympathy you big… jah…jah… JASHOO! JERK! *sniff* I can’t help it! *sniff*… hat-SHOO! *sniff* I wish I could!”
“Yeah, InuYasha! Stop being so me… aaahh… me… AAAAHHH… meAAHHHTCHOO!... mean.” Shippo finished his statement from the ground, his sneeze having knocked him off of Kirara again.
“Besides *sniff*,” Kagome continued her verbal counterattack, “It’s not like *sniff* you’re doing… much… bet… ter… AAAHHshoo!”
“I’m doing just fine.” InuYasha boasted. Kagome eyed him suspiciously. “Yeah. N-no p-problems here… ah…. *sniff*.” Kagome narrowed her eyes, not believing a word of it. “Y-you w-won’t hear… me… snee… ah… snee… AAAAHHHTCHOO!”
“HAH!” Kagome yelled, pointing at him, before she was racked by another sneeze of her own.
Miroku and Sango just shook there heads as Kagome and InuYahsa went on like this almost the entire way to the village while Shippo and Kirara suffered in relative silence.
TO BE CONTINUED
An InuYasha fan-fiction
Setting and all non-original characters are property of Rumiko Takahashi.
Illustrations by (Kawaii) Kitty Kuchiki (ne Nakamura)
Whatever that wind is blowing, it’s bothering my… nose… t-too… hat-SHOO!
The six weary travelers had been tracking the Sacred Jewel Shard for days. Kagome, the young girl with the ability to detect the Sacred Shards, had only the faintest impression of where it was. She could detect its general direction, but despite three days of pursuit her sense of the shard’s precise location grew no stronger. The shard was still on the move.
Luckily, InuYasha was able to supplement Kagome sixth sense for the jewel with his own demonically enhanced sense of smell. He could track their quarry, but its smell was either unfamiliar to him, or had been magically altered in an attempt to throw them off. Between the two of them, however, they would not lose the trail.
Finally, after so many days pursuit, the signal Kagome was picking up started to grow in strength. It was still a few days march away – but it was no longer on the move and they were gaining on it. The six weary travelers tried to pick up their pace, but the wind was against them.
As the reached the top of the grassy hill they spied a village is the distance, beyond which lay an immense forest at the foot of a great chain of mountains. Ironically, as Kagome’s ability to sense jewel increased, it seemed InuYasha’s ability to pick up their quarry’s scent was weakening. The young monk, Miroku, was the first to notice this.
“InuYasha, what’s wrong? Has the trail gone cold?”
“Nah. It’s this damn wind! It’s blowing something down from the mountains that bugging… my… n-n-nose… HAAATCHOO! *sniff* Ugh… I’m also picking up the scent of human blood. *sniff* I think that village was attacked recently. *sniff*”
As the two men leading the party conversed, the demon hunter, Sango, noticed that Kagome seemed bothered by something as well. Without wanting to attract attention, she quietly approached her friend. “Kagome? Are you ok?”
Kagome was rubbing her nose with her index finger. “Yeah,” she whispered, “but *sniff* whatever that wind is blowing, it’s *sniff* bothering my… nose… t-too… hat-SHOO! Hah… HaAAHSHOO! HATChoo *sniff* Ohhhh…”
Although their voices were low, Kagome’s sneezes attracted InuYasha’s attention. “Don’t tell me you’re getting sick now!” He yelled at her.
“I’m not s-sick, I… HAT-SHOO! *sniff* something’s j-just m-making me snee… ah… sneeze! aaaAAHHTCHOO! Besides, *sniff* you sound as bad as I do!”
“That’s 'cause I have a heightened sense of smell!” InuYasha reacted defensively, rubbing his nose, as if warding off another sneeze himself.
Miroku put his hand to his chin, pensively. “I wonder… Shippo, how are you feeling?”
The diminutive fox-demon was riding on the back of Kirara. “Well… *sniff* now that you mention it… *sniff*… my nose is all itchy too! Aaah… HAAAAH… HAHHTCHOOO!” The force of the little demon’s sneeze sent him somersaulting backwards, off of Kirara.
“What about you Kirara?”
While Kirara couldn’t talk, she made several pawing gestures which indicated that her nose was bothered as well. She made a sound like a sneeze, but Miroku couldn’t tell if it was that, of if she was just trying to clear her nose.
“What are you thinking?” Sango asked him.
“I’m wondering if that forest up ahead is inhabited by the Shinrinyasha.”
“*sniff* Shin… rin… wha?” Kagome asked in a stuffy sounding voice.
“The Shinrinyahsa are forest spirits. They take the form of giant moving trees. They look almost like a giant person that was carved from a tree, or turned into one - braches and all. I’ve never seen one, but the legends say that their pollen is a natural irritant to demons and anything… unnatural. It could explain why InuYasha, Shippo and Kirara seemed bother by the wind blowing form that direction.”
“*sniff* Then why… hang on… hat-SHOO! *sniff* Why am I sneezing then?” In the back of her mind, Kagome thought she might be allergic to something. Although she never got allergies at home, she had some friends that did. Was this what they felt like? She now felt horrible about every time she ever told one of them that “all they needed was a little fresh air.” ‘This was awful!’ she thought. ‘A week of this would drive me crazy!’ She almost hoped that she was just getting a little sick, not being sure what she could do about allergies back in this time period.
“I don’t know,” Miroku answered. “I’ve never heard of a human being affected.”
The group trekked on. The three demons were only sniffling, but Kagome seemed to sneeze every few seconds. Not patient by nature and already irritated by his own condition, InuYasha’s temper eventually got the better of him.
“Ashoo! … Hahshoo! … HAT-shoo! … HAAAHshoo!”
“ARE YOU GOING TO KEEP DOING THAT?!” InuYasha bellowed at Kagome.
“Thanks for the sympathy you big… jah…jah… JASHOO! JERK! *sniff* I can’t help it! *sniff*… hat-SHOO! *sniff* I wish I could!”
“Yeah, InuYasha! Stop being so me… aaahh… me… AAAAHHH… meAAHHHTCHOO!... mean.” Shippo finished his statement from the ground, his sneeze having knocked him off of Kirara again.
“Besides *sniff*,” Kagome continued her verbal counterattack, “It’s not like *sniff* you’re doing… much… bet… ter… AAAHHshoo!”
“I’m doing just fine.” InuYasha boasted. Kagome eyed him suspiciously. “Yeah. N-no p-problems here… ah…. *sniff*.” Kagome narrowed her eyes, not believing a word of it. “Y-you w-won’t hear… me… snee… ah… snee… AAAAHHHTCHOO!”
“HAH!” Kagome yelled, pointing at him, before she was racked by another sneeze of her own.
Miroku and Sango just shook there heads as Kagome and InuYahsa went on like this almost the entire way to the village while Shippo and Kirara suffered in relative silence.
TO BE CONTINUED
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Hellsing Drabble
Hellsing Drabble
Setting and all non-original characters are property Kouta Hirano
"Sir Integra? It's time to wake up." Shortly after the mellow voice of her butler, Walter, floated into her consciousness, Sir Integra Wingates Hellsing was thrust into a state of full wakefulness as the curtains were drawn and intense sunlight flooded into her room. She raised her hand to shield her eyes from the sudden, blinding light.
"Walter, what time is it?" she asked in a weary tone.
"7:00 Ma'am. Later than usual, so I took the liberty of poking my head in the door. I hope you don't mind."
"No. Thank you. I would have overslept." She sat of the edge of the bed with a look that, from Walter's point of view, suggested she was concentrating on some tiny spot on the floor.
"I laid out your suit in the dressing room, so if you don't need anything else, I'll…"
"HAAAHHHShoo-oo!" Integra bent over, almost parallel the floor. Her golden white hair was thrown over her head and now hung in hear face. Both hands were pressed firmly against her nose. She remained in that position for a moment, reminiscent of someone who might be trying to staunch a wound. "Ooooh! *sniff*."
"Bless you, ma'am. Are you…"
"I'm fine, Walter. Give me a few minutes, I'll join you presently."
She felt a little better after a quick shower and, once prepared for the day ahead, nothing about her immaculate appearance betrayed the symptoms she was feeling aside from the slightest tinge of pink around the edges of her nose.
"Can't be helped." She sighed, putting on a pair of white gloves. Finally she put on her glasses. The pads applied pressure to her irritated nose in the worst possible place, and she had no time to remove them before another harsh sneeze overtook her.
"HAAAAAHHHTCH! *sniff* Ohhhhh…" She hated this. Her sneeze had a sound of near desperation, in complete contrast with her normally unflappable demeanor. It bothered her to no end that while she had the will to keep a 300 year old vampire and one of the most powerful beings on earth in check, there were times when she could not control her own respiration. 'Maybe the gloves are a bad idea today,' she thought, leaving them behind opting for the handkerchief instead.
She met Walter in the hallway and he briefed her on the day's agenda as they made their way to her office. Thankfully the schedule was light, and she would be able to address the backlog of paperwork that accumulated after their last case. As they descended the spiral staircase down to the administration level, she stopped him, putting a hand on his chest and turn slightly away. Even so, Walter could see the look of intense concentration as her eyes narrowed. He could see her nostrils flare as she took a long, sharp breath.
"HAAAHYEEEESHHoo!" Again she bent over, holding her thumb firmly against her nose, is if to prevent another from coming. Her hair which had been perfect to a strand again hung haphazardly over her face. After half a minute in that position, she rose and gently pushed her fair locks back behind her shoulder.
"If you're not feeling well today ma'am, perhaps you should…"
"Walter, we go through this every year." Integra interrupted him in a frustrated tone. "*sniff* You know perfectly well there's not a bloody thing wrong with me aside… from…" the last word raised a level in pitch as she tried to keep from taking that sharp inhale, but there was no preventing it. "HAAAAAAHYEEEEEShoo!" The wet, desperate sound echoed through the corridor. She was breathing from her mouth in slow, heavy breaths, her nose pressed in the crook of her hand between her thumb and forefinger. She remained bent over a moment longer, eyes closed, trying to will away any future occurrences. "…aside from all the pollen from that blasted weed." She finished, picking up where she'd left off. "In a week or so this will pass, as it always does, and no amount of rest will hasten that!"
"Still, I could make a trip to the phar…"
"Forget it, Walter. *sniff* You know the only thing that helps would put me out for the day and I have far too much work to do. The only effect of anything else would be to dull my wits down to the level of all the men I'm surrounded by." Walter did not take her barb personally - he knew full well that she had nothing but respect for all members of the Hellsing organization – but he did take the hint that she was in no mood to discuss it further. He went on with the briefing until they reached the door to her office. With her hand on the door knob she began to ask him a final question, but her voice was ovewhelmed by her hitching breath.
"Haaaah… HAAAYEEETshoo! Damn!" She swore under her breath, still bent over, one hand remaining on the door knob, while the other pinched her irritated nose. She had hoped to have taken her leave of Walter before using the handkerchief, but it couldn't be put off any longer. "Excuse me, Walter." She turned and blew, making as little noise as her wet, runny nose would allow.
"Sir Integra, really, if you do not feel…"
"WALTER! IF YOU SAY ONE MORE WORD ON THE MATTER I'M GOING TO CUT YOUR HEAD OFF, SCOOP OUT THE INSIDES AND SEND IT TO YOUR MOTHER AS A VASE! *sniff*." Her icy expression communicated utter finality.
"Of course ma'am."
She opened the door, but froze in the doorway as she turned. In the middle of her desk was a stout crystal vase filled with a bouquet of small purple blooms. He eyes started to tear up just looking at it. "What the hell are those?" she asked in a clearly annoyed tone.
"Well… Ah… I believe that they are…"
"*sniff* I know what they bloody well are! *sniff* What the devil are they doing on my desk?!"
"Ah… let's see…" The butler pushed past her and examined the offending package. "There's a note... apparently they're from Alucard… 'Hope you're feeling bet…'"
"Remove them immediately." She interrupted him firmly. She held her breath for a moment as Walter brought them through the doorway. As she sat down she swore she could still detect the slightest hint of their scent, lingering. She blew her nose again, the handkerchief now soaked through. "Damn." She swore again, quietly.
"*sniff* That wasn't very bloody funny you know!" She said aloud, certain she was not talking to herself.
"I thought women enjoyed getting flow…"
She turned to cut him off, but was cut off herself by a sharp intake of breath "HEEEEYAAAAATchoo!" Every muscle in her body felt fatigued as they tensed, bending her over. Her breathing got noticeably heavier and, breathing through her mouth, she sounded winded. Her clear blue eyes, now red with irritation, each shed a single tear. She rubbed her itchy nose vigorously with her finger before sitting up again.
Alucard emerged from the shadows and stood staring at his human master. As far as he knew, this woman sitting before him may as well have been made of iron. Her will was at least as strong as his, and she ruled both him and the Hellsing organization with discipline and unwavering control. He had more respect for her than he thought he could possess for any human, and yet some small, petty part of him still harbored the slightest bitterness at his position. Some small part of him was subtly amused by seeing this otherwise indomitable woman grapple with something so maddeningly just beyond her control.
"I'll never figure out why you put up with it."
Choosing not to stand on protocol on Alucard's behalf, she blew her nose again into the small, already saturated handkerchief. She looked up, through stray strands of misplaced hair, with piercing blue eyes now rimmed with redness. "*sniff* Why are you here?"
He just and continued to stare. The smallest grin graced his countenance.
"*sniff* Isn't there a werewolf somewhere that needs kill.. ing…?" She had not been able to finish before her voice lost its authority. Her breath hitched again, and she inhaled sharply. "HAAAHYEEETchoo." Her hair obscured her face again. Her nose had grown quite red, and her eyes almost hurt to open. As annoying as her condition was, she was infinitely more annoyed by Alucard's smug, satisfied grin.
"Can't afford to show any weakness, can you?" He taunted, as if reading her mind.
"If you're enjoying this so much, why not just drink some of my blood. Maybe then you'll have the same reaction. *sniff*"
"The offer is always open for you to drink some of mine. Then you would never feel like this again."
The gaze she fixed on him made him feel exposed, as if she were shining a light into the very depths of his dark soul. She was the only human who could do that. He had known thousands of them over hundreds of years of un-life and, for all his experiences, he could still not read that expression. He still could not read what she was thinking; what her eyes were telling him. Then he saw those same steely blue eyes start to slowly narrow. He knew what this look meant. He waited, grinning, for her to succumb to the incontrollable intake of breath.
"HEEEEYAAAATCHshoo."
"Bless you." He said smiling, as he sunk back into the shadows from whence he came.
"*sniff* Ugh. This is going to be a long week." Integra said to herself, still bent over and holding her nose firmly against the back of her hand.
Setting and all non-original characters are property Kouta Hirano
"Sir Integra? It's time to wake up." Shortly after the mellow voice of her butler, Walter, floated into her consciousness, Sir Integra Wingates Hellsing was thrust into a state of full wakefulness as the curtains were drawn and intense sunlight flooded into her room. She raised her hand to shield her eyes from the sudden, blinding light.
"Walter, what time is it?" she asked in a weary tone.
"7:00 Ma'am. Later than usual, so I took the liberty of poking my head in the door. I hope you don't mind."
"No. Thank you. I would have overslept." She sat of the edge of the bed with a look that, from Walter's point of view, suggested she was concentrating on some tiny spot on the floor.
"I laid out your suit in the dressing room, so if you don't need anything else, I'll…"
"HAAAHHHShoo-oo!" Integra bent over, almost parallel the floor. Her golden white hair was thrown over her head and now hung in hear face. Both hands were pressed firmly against her nose. She remained in that position for a moment, reminiscent of someone who might be trying to staunch a wound. "Ooooh! *sniff*."
"Bless you, ma'am. Are you…"
"I'm fine, Walter. Give me a few minutes, I'll join you presently."
She felt a little better after a quick shower and, once prepared for the day ahead, nothing about her immaculate appearance betrayed the symptoms she was feeling aside from the slightest tinge of pink around the edges of her nose.
"Can't be helped." She sighed, putting on a pair of white gloves. Finally she put on her glasses. The pads applied pressure to her irritated nose in the worst possible place, and she had no time to remove them before another harsh sneeze overtook her.
"HAAAAAHHHTCH! *sniff* Ohhhhh…" She hated this. Her sneeze had a sound of near desperation, in complete contrast with her normally unflappable demeanor. It bothered her to no end that while she had the will to keep a 300 year old vampire and one of the most powerful beings on earth in check, there were times when she could not control her own respiration. 'Maybe the gloves are a bad idea today,' she thought, leaving them behind opting for the handkerchief instead.
She met Walter in the hallway and he briefed her on the day's agenda as they made their way to her office. Thankfully the schedule was light, and she would be able to address the backlog of paperwork that accumulated after their last case. As they descended the spiral staircase down to the administration level, she stopped him, putting a hand on his chest and turn slightly away. Even so, Walter could see the look of intense concentration as her eyes narrowed. He could see her nostrils flare as she took a long, sharp breath.
"HAAAHYEEEESHHoo!" Again she bent over, holding her thumb firmly against her nose, is if to prevent another from coming. Her hair which had been perfect to a strand again hung haphazardly over her face. After half a minute in that position, she rose and gently pushed her fair locks back behind her shoulder.
"If you're not feeling well today ma'am, perhaps you should…"
"Walter, we go through this every year." Integra interrupted him in a frustrated tone. "*sniff* You know perfectly well there's not a bloody thing wrong with me aside… from…" the last word raised a level in pitch as she tried to keep from taking that sharp inhale, but there was no preventing it. "HAAAAAAHYEEEEEShoo!" The wet, desperate sound echoed through the corridor. She was breathing from her mouth in slow, heavy breaths, her nose pressed in the crook of her hand between her thumb and forefinger. She remained bent over a moment longer, eyes closed, trying to will away any future occurrences. "…aside from all the pollen from that blasted weed." She finished, picking up where she'd left off. "In a week or so this will pass, as it always does, and no amount of rest will hasten that!"
"Still, I could make a trip to the phar…"
"Forget it, Walter. *sniff* You know the only thing that helps would put me out for the day and I have far too much work to do. The only effect of anything else would be to dull my wits down to the level of all the men I'm surrounded by." Walter did not take her barb personally - he knew full well that she had nothing but respect for all members of the Hellsing organization – but he did take the hint that she was in no mood to discuss it further. He went on with the briefing until they reached the door to her office. With her hand on the door knob she began to ask him a final question, but her voice was ovewhelmed by her hitching breath.
"Haaaah… HAAAYEEETshoo! Damn!" She swore under her breath, still bent over, one hand remaining on the door knob, while the other pinched her irritated nose. She had hoped to have taken her leave of Walter before using the handkerchief, but it couldn't be put off any longer. "Excuse me, Walter." She turned and blew, making as little noise as her wet, runny nose would allow.
"Sir Integra, really, if you do not feel…"
"WALTER! IF YOU SAY ONE MORE WORD ON THE MATTER I'M GOING TO CUT YOUR HEAD OFF, SCOOP OUT THE INSIDES AND SEND IT TO YOUR MOTHER AS A VASE! *sniff*." Her icy expression communicated utter finality.
"Of course ma'am."
She opened the door, but froze in the doorway as she turned. In the middle of her desk was a stout crystal vase filled with a bouquet of small purple blooms. He eyes started to tear up just looking at it. "What the hell are those?" she asked in a clearly annoyed tone.
"Well… Ah… I believe that they are…"
"*sniff* I know what they bloody well are! *sniff* What the devil are they doing on my desk?!"
"Ah… let's see…" The butler pushed past her and examined the offending package. "There's a note... apparently they're from Alucard… 'Hope you're feeling bet…'"
"Remove them immediately." She interrupted him firmly. She held her breath for a moment as Walter brought them through the doorway. As she sat down she swore she could still detect the slightest hint of their scent, lingering. She blew her nose again, the handkerchief now soaked through. "Damn." She swore again, quietly.
"*sniff* That wasn't very bloody funny you know!" She said aloud, certain she was not talking to herself.
"I thought women enjoyed getting flow…"
She turned to cut him off, but was cut off herself by a sharp intake of breath "HEEEEYAAAAATchoo!" Every muscle in her body felt fatigued as they tensed, bending her over. Her breathing got noticeably heavier and, breathing through her mouth, she sounded winded. Her clear blue eyes, now red with irritation, each shed a single tear. She rubbed her itchy nose vigorously with her finger before sitting up again.
Alucard emerged from the shadows and stood staring at his human master. As far as he knew, this woman sitting before him may as well have been made of iron. Her will was at least as strong as his, and she ruled both him and the Hellsing organization with discipline and unwavering control. He had more respect for her than he thought he could possess for any human, and yet some small, petty part of him still harbored the slightest bitterness at his position. Some small part of him was subtly amused by seeing this otherwise indomitable woman grapple with something so maddeningly just beyond her control.
"I'll never figure out why you put up with it."
Choosing not to stand on protocol on Alucard's behalf, she blew her nose again into the small, already saturated handkerchief. She looked up, through stray strands of misplaced hair, with piercing blue eyes now rimmed with redness. "*sniff* Why are you here?"
He just and continued to stare. The smallest grin graced his countenance.
"*sniff* Isn't there a werewolf somewhere that needs kill.. ing…?" She had not been able to finish before her voice lost its authority. Her breath hitched again, and she inhaled sharply. "HAAAHYEEETchoo." Her hair obscured her face again. Her nose had grown quite red, and her eyes almost hurt to open. As annoying as her condition was, she was infinitely more annoyed by Alucard's smug, satisfied grin.
"Can't afford to show any weakness, can you?" He taunted, as if reading her mind.
"If you're enjoying this so much, why not just drink some of my blood. Maybe then you'll have the same reaction. *sniff*"
"The offer is always open for you to drink some of mine. Then you would never feel like this again."
The gaze she fixed on him made him feel exposed, as if she were shining a light into the very depths of his dark soul. She was the only human who could do that. He had known thousands of them over hundreds of years of un-life and, for all his experiences, he could still not read that expression. He still could not read what she was thinking; what her eyes were telling him. Then he saw those same steely blue eyes start to slowly narrow. He knew what this look meant. He waited, grinning, for her to succumb to the incontrollable intake of breath.
"HEEEEYAAAATCHshoo."
"Bless you." He said smiling, as he sunk back into the shadows from whence he came.
"*sniff* Ugh. This is going to be a long week." Integra said to herself, still bent over and holding her nose firmly against the back of her hand.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Mad Scientist and Crazy Pet: A Cold (Love Hina)
A Love Hina Fanfic
Setting and all non-original characters are property of Ken Akamatsu
The sun was about to rise on the Hinata apartments when Kaolla Su finally collapsed from exhaustion. She had been modifying one her inventions all night and finally fell asleep right on top of the pile of unfinished metal parts. The pieces suggested a giant, mechanized turtle in a state of near complete disassembly. Although most of her devices were far too dangerous for any reasonable civilian use, Su loved them all, even when they nearly destroyed her home or threatened her life. One of them was at the moment looking at the slumped over, snoring school-girl from the inside of a nearby test tube. He had been created ages ago by Su, but for too long had been relegated to the back of a shelf in the closet, forgotten; a victim of Su’s catastrophically short attention span. On this evening however he found himself back in the light. Su had needed a tool from the back of the closet, and had to remove a lot of older items. She planned to put everything back when she was done but sleep now got the better of her and the organism that Su had long ago christened “Hango” looked out with a single thought on what passed for its mind:
MUST GET OUT MUST GET OUT MUST GET OUT MUST GET OUT …
The sun rose, but Kaolla remained in a slumber. The door cracked open and the young Shinobu Maehara poked her head in.
“Kaolla ? Ka-ooooo-llaaaa?” Shinobu called, in her sweet, shy little voice, “You’d better wake up soon or we’re going to be late for school! Oh Kaolla ! You really ought to put your things away!” As Shinobu entered Kaolla's room her elbow bumped into a rack of test tubes, knocking them to the floor, and shattering them.
“Oh no!” She cried. “Kaolla , I’ll clean this up! But you’ve got to get going.”
“Hmmmhrrmmhmmm…” was Su’s only reply. Shinobu swept up as much of the glass as she could.
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Nearly weightless, it drifted upward toward the unsuspecting Shinobu. She inhaled just as she finished sweeping up and, for Hango, everything suddenly became nice and dark and moist.
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It was Shinobu’s job to cook breakfast for everyone. In exchange for cooking meals, she was allowed to stay at Hinata rent free. While she felt 100% when she woke up, by the time she got to the kitchen she was sure she would not be going to school today. Her energy was gone, she was getting chills, and her nose had gotten all stuffed up.
“Shinobu-chan? Are you OK?” It was their apartment manager, Keitaro Urashima. He was a third year ronin, having failed his college entrance exams three times now. Although he was not so good at school, he had a really good heart and Shinobu was quite smitten with him, although she did realize that his heart was already promised to another.
“Senpai?” Shinobu whispered, almost half asleep.
“Um… It’s OK Shinobu-chan… but… you’re ah… burning the fish…”
“Oh my!” Shinobu snapped awake. “I’m so sorry! I’ll make some more!”
“Really, it’s OK Shinobu-chan! We can survive having to cook our own breakfast for one day! You really don’t sound too good... you should get some rest.”
Keitaro’s words were very comforting to her and she was very tired. She agreed to let Keitaro handle the cooking this morning and really thought she’d better stay home from school as well.
“Thank you, Senpai.” Shinobu felt a tickle in her tiny nose. “I think I will. I think I’ll stay… ho-home… from… sch… school… as… we… we… we…” Her breath hitched as her eyes narrowed and her nose and cheeks scrunched up… “hetchoo!” Her sneeze was high pitched and rather cute sounding. She turned, to avoid sneezing into the food and instead found herself bending over into Keitaro, who had been standing right behind her, coming over to offer a hand.
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“Oh! I’m so sorry Senpai!” In her embarrassment she did not even realize that’s Keitaro’s outstretched hands were now placed directly on her small breasts.
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As embarrassed as she was, it was nothing compared to what the much older Keitaro was now feeling. He could hardly keep from shouting. “IT’S OK SHINOBU-CHAN! Go ahead and rest. I’ll get breakfast finished.” Shinobu hadn’t noticed, and as thankful as Keitaro was for that, he was ten times as grateful that Naru wasn’t around to see it. She always seemed to misunderstand, and he always ended up getting clobbered.
Shinobu made her way back to bed but by the time she reached her room she felt 100% again. She decided to go school after all. Since she was now running late, she decided to skip breakfast and head right out. She still hadn’t seen Kaolla but hoped that she would still be able make it to school on time.
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Keitaro cooked up breakfast as best as he could. He set the table for everyone else, but suddenly didn’t feel so good himself.
“Brrrrrrr… So… cold…” He was now shivering, just as Shinobu had been. He left, muttering a ‘good morning’ to Naru and her best friend Kitsune as they came in for breakfast. As he drug his feet down the hall, they called out to him saying that Motoko was up on the roof and to let her know that breakfast was ready.
“Ugh…” He did not feel like going all the way up to the roof right now. He had gone from chills to a fever, and wanted nothing more than to go back to bed. He grumbled to himself about how the girls always pushed him around and stopped at the bottom of the stairs that led up to the roof. He closed his eyes for a few seconds as he felt a sneeze coming on.
“Uh… Aaaaaah – TXCHOOO!” He bent over, sneezing loudly and wetly.
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At that moment, for Keitaro everything was dark… “Huh? What happened?”
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Standing in front of Keitaro was Motoko Aoyama, a high school kendo champion and secret sword master. She was dressed in her training Gi and had been up since before dawn practicing and refining her technique. He did not see her come down the stairs because his eyes were closed, and he could not see her now because his face was firmly planted between her breasts, having been doubled over by the powerful sneeze. He slowly stood back up, and gazed eye to eye with what he thought had to be raw fury, incarnate…
“AHH! MOTOKO! I…” Keitaro turned white with fear.
“URASHIMA!!!” Motoko’s sword was out in a flash. Suddenly feeling a lot better, Keitaro fled as quickly as he could, screaming his apology as he ran for his life. There was however only one way that Motoko would feel any better…
“SECRET TECHNIQUE AIR-SPLITTING SWORD!” She harnessed her chi and sent waves of energy through her blade and down the hallway, striking Keitaro as he ran. The unfortunate lad somersaulted three times in the air and landed at the opposite end of the hallway, in an unconscious heap.
Honor having been satisfied, Motoko started down stairs. No doubt the pervert was coming to tell her breakfast was ready, she thought to herself.
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By the time she got downstairs, she felt drained. She didn’t think her workout that morning had been any harder than usual, so she had no idea why she felt so wiped out. Also, the morning air was quite warm so she couldn’t explain the sudden chill she was feeling either.
“You don’t look so good, honey!” It was Kitsune, who sounded concerned, in her Kansai [southern] accent.
“I’ll be fine.” Motoko answered curtly, though her voice sounded stuffy.
“You work so hard every morning, it’s no wonder you caught a cold!” Kitsune was starting to get on her nerves. Considering the fact that she was drinking Sake with breakfast, Motoko, who worked out for an hour every morning, was not about to take any health advice from the party-girl, Kitsune.
“I said I’m fine. *sniff*” Motoko’s voice now sounded as stuffy as it did annoyed.
“What was that?” Kitsune asked, in that same bubbly Kansai [southern] drawl.
“*sniiiiiiffff* I said… I’m… f…f…f…” It was taking all of Motoko nearly inhuman discipline to hold back the sneeze. Her eyes were nearly closed, and her breath came in short, sharp inhales. She really didn’t want to hear it from Kitsune right now.
“Huh? Didn’t quite catch that?” Kitsune was moving closer to Motoko…
“Fi… f… uh… I… s-said… I’m… f..f...f..” Her nose itched like mad, but she swore she wouldn’t give in.
“Whaaat?” Kitsune asked, a little too sweetly. Her face was now only inches from Motoko’s. A sly smile spread across her face.
Motoko firmly closed her eyes, and focused all her energy on stifling the sneeze.
“Hmm-ptcht! I SAID I’M FINE!” Motoko scarfed her fish in one bite and ran out of the kitchen, not wanting to take any grief from Kitsune. She was right however: Motoko felt terrible. Her chill was now morphing into a fever. She was about to open the front of her Gi a little to cool off when she stopped and noticed Keitaro coming from the other end of the hall.
“URASHIMA!” She screamed in manner which terrified Keitaro, momentarily freezing him in place. She had him lifted up and pinned to the wall in under a second. “Were you sick this morning?!”
“Huh? … Uh… well… Uh… you see… Ha-ha…Ummm…” She knew she’d overdone it. Keitaro was now so frightened he had no idea what to say. She shook him a little and asked him again.
“SICK! Were you sick this morn… aah… *sniff* MORNING!” Her eyes looked like they could turn Keitaro to stone right on the spot.
“Well… I did feel a little under the weather this morning but…” Her grip tightened and she raised him a few inches higher. He shut his eyes, fearing the worst, and screamed desperately, “I FEEL FINE NOW SO I DON’T THINK IT WAS ANYTHING SERIOUS! I PROMISE!” When he opened his eyes and looked down, besides being able to see right down the front of her Gi, he noticed she wasn’t even paying attention to him anymore. Her eyes were closed, her mouth was open, her nose seemed to be twitching, and her breath was coming is slow, sharp hitches.
“Mo…”
“Aaaah…”
“…to…”
“AAAAAH…”
“…ko?”
“HAAAAAH-TCHOOO!”
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The force of her sneeze knocked the sliding door she was holding Keitaro against right off its track. Keitaro lay sprawled out on the ground. His face was covered with something… sticky.
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“Oh! Urashima! I’m so sorry! I…” Keitaro couldn’t decide if she sounded apologetic, embarrassed, or both.
“don’t worry about it…” Keitaro managed meekly from his pile of rubble on the floor.
Motoko, suddenly feeling fine again, left quickly to change and get to school. She refused to let Keitaro see her blush, and she was incredibly embarrassed about what had just happened, even if she had thought he’d given her his cold.
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Although a thrashing from Motoko was enough to put even veteran samurai out of commission, Keitaro was almost getting used to this kind of treatment. All the same, he felt simply awful again. “Maybe I am getting sick.” He thought to himself. He went to get some tea from the kitchen, and then planned on getting some rest.
Keitaro dragged his feet down the hall, slumped over a feverish feeling. “Uh… Aaaaaah – TXCHOOO! Ugh…” Another wet sneeze shook him, just as he passed Naru’s room.
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“Bless you!” It was Naru, calling from inside her room. Thanks to his encounter with Motoko earlier, Keitaro missed her at breakfast. Come to think of it… he hadn’t even eaten breakfast himself yet. He went back downstairs, thinking a bite might him feel a little better.
Just outside of the kitchen he bumped into his older cousin, “Auntie” Haruka.
“Morning Auntie…” Haruka stepped on his foot, while pinning his arm behind his back. “MORNING HARUKA!”
“Good morning. Keitaro.” She said politely, releasing him. “You sound terrible.”
“Yeah… Someone gave me… their… co… co… Ha-AAAHH…”
*@$* - BONG - *%&* ! (...choo)
Keitaro’s face slammed right into the Iron Skillet Haruka held up in her defense.
“Don’t get me sick.” She said nonchalantly, and walked away. Keitaro crawled the rest of the way into the kitchen.
“sure… no… problem… *ow*…”
After getting some tea, Keitaro limped back upstairs to get some rest, again pausing in front of Naru’s room as his breath hitched.
“Hah… heh… aahh… Aaaaaah – TXCHOOO! Ugh…”
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“Bless you again!” Naru calle dform inside her room. “Hey listen, you’d better get some rest. I don’t think I can study with today.” She started to open the door. “We’ve got the big practice test tomorrow, so I can’t afford to get…”
“Aaaaaah – TXCHOOO!” Another sneeze shook Keitaro, just as Naru leaned out of the door.
“…sick.”
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Her faced was drenched by the spray. Keitaro could hear what he thought was the sound of a tea kettle boiling over and looked up just in time to see Naru’s fist growing large enough to fill his entire field of vision. Her aim was true, even though her glasses were obscured by think, runny fluid. The force of the blow sent Keitaro down the hall, through the 2nd floor window, down the stairs on the front hill, across the bridge leading to the town, and several blocks into the market district. Despite that show of superhuman strength, a chill hit her almost immediately. She knew she was going to get sick. “Stupid Keitaro!” She thought to herself disgustedly.
About two miles away, Keitaro decided to rest in the dumpster he’d landed in for a little while before heading back to Hinata Apartments. Although, aside from the rough landing, he felt like new again, he reeeeaaaalllly didn’t want to face Naru again anytime soon.
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With no energy left to study with, Naru grabbed a box of tissues, a cup of tea and her thick comforter as she curled up in bed, snuggling against her Lido-Kun doll. She put her hand to her forehead, and was so warm that she didn’t even bother with the thermometer.
“Heh-shoo!” She sneezed, not for the first time.
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“Stupid Keitaro!” She thought, also not for the first time.
She couldn’t remember the last time she felt this miserable. Although the test loomed, she couldn’t drag herself out of bed even to study and, after going through a quarter box of tissues, settled down and slept for several hours.
Meanwhile Kitsune was scrounging around in the pantry for something to snack on. She certainly didn’t plan on cooking anything, and was disappointed to find that all of her junk food and most of her Sake was gone. “Aw shoot! Where is everybody? I’m starving!”
She knew that Shinobu and Motoko had gone to school, and assumed Su did as well. But she’d seen neither hide nor hair of either Keitaro or Naru for hours, and it had been too long to assume they’ve been studying this whole time. She made her way upstairs.
“Keitaaaarooo? Naaaa-ruuuu?” She called out, but got no answer. She knocked on Naru’s door and, being her best friend, thought it would be OK to open it a crack just to check, even though there was no answer.
“Naru?” She asked quietly, before poking her head in.
Naru was asleep in her bed, cuddled against her Lido-kun with the comforter gathered up around her. Although she looked adorable, from the wads of tissues lying around the floor, Kitsune could tell that Naru was very sick. “Aww, you poor thing!” She knelt by the futon, gently put Naru’s head on her lap and lightly stroked her friend’s long hair.
“hhhmmmmm…” Naru moaned. “stupid… keitaro…” she muttered, still half-asleep. “Kit… Kitsune?” She asked weakly.
“Aww… You poor thing! You look simply awful!”
“I feel terrible.” She answered, adding “stupid keitaro” under her breath.
“So you we’re dreaming about Keitaro then! I thought so…”
“Come on Kitsune *cough, cough*, I’m not in the mood.”
“Well I can see that sweetie! Now you just lay your head here and let your dear friend comfort you…”
“Wait… *sniff* have to… sn-snee... eeze…”
“Oh you just cover up. I’m not too worried. As much as I drink I don’t think any little bug can survive in my blood!”
“Heh-shoo!”
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“Thanks Kitsune. I feel better already.”
“Oh man… Now I’m not feeling too good!” Continuing the role reversal and acting more like Kitsune typically does, Naru immediately jumped up and pushed her friend out of her room.
“Sorry, Kitsune! Can’t afford to get sick! Test tomorrow! Go get some rest!” Naru called from behind the door.
“Well I nev… nev… EeeehYA-Tchooo! NEVER!” Kitsune said to herself as she sulked away.
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As this was Friday, Kitsune had no plans on getting any rest. Not when there was drinking and partying to be done. As she slumped down on the couch however, almost completely out of breath, and feeling like Keitaro probably does shortly after walking in on Naru in her underpants, she decided that scaling back her Friday night activities might be in order.
“Oh poo! And I’ve been looking forward to this since yesterday!” Truth be told, Friday night was really no different from any other night for the boisterous party girl, but she still felt cheated. “That Naru! That Keitaro! When I see them again I’m going to give them a piece… of… my… m-m-m… EeeehYA-Tchooo! MIND!”
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Kitsune dozed off, but came to just as Keitaro, Shinobu and Motoko made their way through the front door, accompanied by Naru and Keitaro’s eccentric friend from cram school, Mutsumi Otohime. About this time Naru was also making her way downstairs. She still didn’t want to risk catching anything, but she felt awful about how she’d treated Kitsune, especially after her friend had comforted her.
“I’m sorry Kitsune I was…”
“Yes you were! I can’t be… lieve… EeeehYA-Tchooo! Oh… Sorry bout that Naru!”
“Kitsune! I didn’t want to get… s-sick… a…gain…Heh-shoo!”
Across the room, Keitaro felt a familiar chill, just as he was saying, “I’m sorry Narusegawa! I didn’t m-mean t-to… give… you… my… Aaaaaah – TXCHOOO!” He turned to his right, forgetting that Mutsumi was there…
“Oh my!” Mutsumi said innocently. “Have you been doing this all day then? OK! I’ll join in… Ha-CHOO!”
And so it went, each member of the group getting sick and then feeling better right after a hearty sneeze. By the third time around they weren’t even bothering to cover up anymore. Haruka watched, from a safe distance, just shaking her head. After a several more rounds of “pass the sneeze” a sleepy looking Kaolla Su finally made her was down the main staircase. Upon seeing the action she immediately perked up.
“Hello everyone!” Su called out, in her pseudo-Indian accent. “Have seen my Hango? He seems to have escaped!” She sounded as upbeat as always, although this did little to comfort the residents.
“Han… go…? Etchoo!” Shinobu sneezed, sending “Hango” in Motoko’s direction.
“He is a pet virus that I invented a long time ago! He can’t reproduce, but he can go from person to person though the air! If no one is around he will always go back to the previous host! Isn’t that amazing?!”
*SNIIIIIFFFF* Motoko wiped her nose on her sleeve and slowly approached Su, looking furious. She expected to have to chase her and had almost no energy at the moment. To her surprise, Su just stood there smiling.
“Can I have him back now?!” Su asked, seeming enthusiastic.
Motoko was stunned for a moment, and then obliged. “HAAAAAH-TCHOOO!”
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Although they were exhausted, each having been sick several times that day, the residents of Hinata Apartments found no sleep that night, as the sound of Su’s snoring echoed through the halls.
Su, on the other hand, slept quite soundly, snoring loudly with her nose thoroughly plugged up.
“han… go…” She mumbled quietly in her sleep. “bad… boy… missed… you…” She slept with a contented smile on her face, as fluid ran freely over her upper lip.
(cue happy-ending music)
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TO BE CONTINUED: Part Two - Misery and Company: School, Train, Dojo
Setting and all non-original characters are property of Ken Akamatsu
The sun was about to rise on the Hinata apartments when Kaolla Su finally collapsed from exhaustion. She had been modifying one her inventions all night and finally fell asleep right on top of the pile of unfinished metal parts. The pieces suggested a giant, mechanized turtle in a state of near complete disassembly. Although most of her devices were far too dangerous for any reasonable civilian use, Su loved them all, even when they nearly destroyed her home or threatened her life. One of them was at the moment looking at the slumped over, snoring school-girl from the inside of a nearby test tube. He had been created ages ago by Su, but for too long had been relegated to the back of a shelf in the closet, forgotten; a victim of Su’s catastrophically short attention span. On this evening however he found himself back in the light. Su had needed a tool from the back of the closet, and had to remove a lot of older items. She planned to put everything back when she was done but sleep now got the better of her and the organism that Su had long ago christened “Hango” looked out with a single thought on what passed for its mind:
MUST GET OUT MUST GET OUT MUST GET OUT MUST GET OUT …
The sun rose, but Kaolla remained in a slumber. The door cracked open and the young Shinobu Maehara poked her head in.
“Kaolla ? Ka-ooooo-llaaaa?” Shinobu called, in her sweet, shy little voice, “You’d better wake up soon or we’re going to be late for school! Oh Kaolla ! You really ought to put your things away!” As Shinobu entered Kaolla's room her elbow bumped into a rack of test tubes, knocking them to the floor, and shattering them.
“Oh no!” She cried. “Kaolla , I’ll clean this up! But you’ve got to get going.”
“Hmmmhrrmmhmmm…” was Su’s only reply. Shinobu swept up as much of the glass as she could.
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Nearly weightless, it drifted upward toward the unsuspecting Shinobu. She inhaled just as she finished sweeping up and, for Hango, everything suddenly became nice and dark and moist.
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It was Shinobu’s job to cook breakfast for everyone. In exchange for cooking meals, she was allowed to stay at Hinata rent free. While she felt 100% when she woke up, by the time she got to the kitchen she was sure she would not be going to school today. Her energy was gone, she was getting chills, and her nose had gotten all stuffed up.
“Shinobu-chan? Are you OK?” It was their apartment manager, Keitaro Urashima. He was a third year ronin, having failed his college entrance exams three times now. Although he was not so good at school, he had a really good heart and Shinobu was quite smitten with him, although she did realize that his heart was already promised to another.
“Senpai?” Shinobu whispered, almost half asleep.
“Um… It’s OK Shinobu-chan… but… you’re ah… burning the fish…”
“Oh my!” Shinobu snapped awake. “I’m so sorry! I’ll make some more!”
“Really, it’s OK Shinobu-chan! We can survive having to cook our own breakfast for one day! You really don’t sound too good... you should get some rest.”
Keitaro’s words were very comforting to her and she was very tired. She agreed to let Keitaro handle the cooking this morning and really thought she’d better stay home from school as well.
“Thank you, Senpai.” Shinobu felt a tickle in her tiny nose. “I think I will. I think I’ll stay… ho-home… from… sch… school… as… we… we… we…” Her breath hitched as her eyes narrowed and her nose and cheeks scrunched up… “hetchoo!” Her sneeze was high pitched and rather cute sounding. She turned, to avoid sneezing into the food and instead found herself bending over into Keitaro, who had been standing right behind her, coming over to offer a hand.
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“Oh! I’m so sorry Senpai!” In her embarrassment she did not even realize that’s Keitaro’s outstretched hands were now placed directly on her small breasts.
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As embarrassed as she was, it was nothing compared to what the much older Keitaro was now feeling. He could hardly keep from shouting. “IT’S OK SHINOBU-CHAN! Go ahead and rest. I’ll get breakfast finished.” Shinobu hadn’t noticed, and as thankful as Keitaro was for that, he was ten times as grateful that Naru wasn’t around to see it. She always seemed to misunderstand, and he always ended up getting clobbered.
Shinobu made her way back to bed but by the time she reached her room she felt 100% again. She decided to go school after all. Since she was now running late, she decided to skip breakfast and head right out. She still hadn’t seen Kaolla but hoped that she would still be able make it to school on time.
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Keitaro cooked up breakfast as best as he could. He set the table for everyone else, but suddenly didn’t feel so good himself.
“Brrrrrrr… So… cold…” He was now shivering, just as Shinobu had been. He left, muttering a ‘good morning’ to Naru and her best friend Kitsune as they came in for breakfast. As he drug his feet down the hall, they called out to him saying that Motoko was up on the roof and to let her know that breakfast was ready.
“Ugh…” He did not feel like going all the way up to the roof right now. He had gone from chills to a fever, and wanted nothing more than to go back to bed. He grumbled to himself about how the girls always pushed him around and stopped at the bottom of the stairs that led up to the roof. He closed his eyes for a few seconds as he felt a sneeze coming on.
“Uh… Aaaaaah – TXCHOOO!” He bent over, sneezing loudly and wetly.
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At that moment, for Keitaro everything was dark… “Huh? What happened?”
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Standing in front of Keitaro was Motoko Aoyama, a high school kendo champion and secret sword master. She was dressed in her training Gi and had been up since before dawn practicing and refining her technique. He did not see her come down the stairs because his eyes were closed, and he could not see her now because his face was firmly planted between her breasts, having been doubled over by the powerful sneeze. He slowly stood back up, and gazed eye to eye with what he thought had to be raw fury, incarnate…
“AHH! MOTOKO! I…” Keitaro turned white with fear.
“URASHIMA!!!” Motoko’s sword was out in a flash. Suddenly feeling a lot better, Keitaro fled as quickly as he could, screaming his apology as he ran for his life. There was however only one way that Motoko would feel any better…
“SECRET TECHNIQUE AIR-SPLITTING SWORD!” She harnessed her chi and sent waves of energy through her blade and down the hallway, striking Keitaro as he ran. The unfortunate lad somersaulted three times in the air and landed at the opposite end of the hallway, in an unconscious heap.
Honor having been satisfied, Motoko started down stairs. No doubt the pervert was coming to tell her breakfast was ready, she thought to herself.
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By the time she got downstairs, she felt drained. She didn’t think her workout that morning had been any harder than usual, so she had no idea why she felt so wiped out. Also, the morning air was quite warm so she couldn’t explain the sudden chill she was feeling either.
“You don’t look so good, honey!” It was Kitsune, who sounded concerned, in her Kansai [southern] accent.
“I’ll be fine.” Motoko answered curtly, though her voice sounded stuffy.
“You work so hard every morning, it’s no wonder you caught a cold!” Kitsune was starting to get on her nerves. Considering the fact that she was drinking Sake with breakfast, Motoko, who worked out for an hour every morning, was not about to take any health advice from the party-girl, Kitsune.
“I said I’m fine. *sniff*” Motoko’s voice now sounded as stuffy as it did annoyed.
“What was that?” Kitsune asked, in that same bubbly Kansai [southern] drawl.
“*sniiiiiiffff* I said… I’m… f…f…f…” It was taking all of Motoko nearly inhuman discipline to hold back the sneeze. Her eyes were nearly closed, and her breath came in short, sharp inhales. She really didn’t want to hear it from Kitsune right now.
“Huh? Didn’t quite catch that?” Kitsune was moving closer to Motoko…
“Fi… f… uh… I… s-said… I’m… f..f...f..” Her nose itched like mad, but she swore she wouldn’t give in.
“Whaaat?” Kitsune asked, a little too sweetly. Her face was now only inches from Motoko’s. A sly smile spread across her face.
Motoko firmly closed her eyes, and focused all her energy on stifling the sneeze.
“Hmm-ptcht! I SAID I’M FINE!” Motoko scarfed her fish in one bite and ran out of the kitchen, not wanting to take any grief from Kitsune. She was right however: Motoko felt terrible. Her chill was now morphing into a fever. She was about to open the front of her Gi a little to cool off when she stopped and noticed Keitaro coming from the other end of the hall.
“URASHIMA!” She screamed in manner which terrified Keitaro, momentarily freezing him in place. She had him lifted up and pinned to the wall in under a second. “Were you sick this morning?!”
“Huh? … Uh… well… Uh… you see… Ha-ha…Ummm…” She knew she’d overdone it. Keitaro was now so frightened he had no idea what to say. She shook him a little and asked him again.
“SICK! Were you sick this morn… aah… *sniff* MORNING!” Her eyes looked like they could turn Keitaro to stone right on the spot.
“Well… I did feel a little under the weather this morning but…” Her grip tightened and she raised him a few inches higher. He shut his eyes, fearing the worst, and screamed desperately, “I FEEL FINE NOW SO I DON’T THINK IT WAS ANYTHING SERIOUS! I PROMISE!” When he opened his eyes and looked down, besides being able to see right down the front of her Gi, he noticed she wasn’t even paying attention to him anymore. Her eyes were closed, her mouth was open, her nose seemed to be twitching, and her breath was coming is slow, sharp hitches.
“Mo…”
“Aaaah…”
“…to…”
“AAAAAH…”
“…ko?”
“HAAAAAH-TCHOOO!”
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The force of her sneeze knocked the sliding door she was holding Keitaro against right off its track. Keitaro lay sprawled out on the ground. His face was covered with something… sticky.
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“Oh! Urashima! I’m so sorry! I…” Keitaro couldn’t decide if she sounded apologetic, embarrassed, or both.
“don’t worry about it…” Keitaro managed meekly from his pile of rubble on the floor.
Motoko, suddenly feeling fine again, left quickly to change and get to school. She refused to let Keitaro see her blush, and she was incredibly embarrassed about what had just happened, even if she had thought he’d given her his cold.
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Although a thrashing from Motoko was enough to put even veteran samurai out of commission, Keitaro was almost getting used to this kind of treatment. All the same, he felt simply awful again. “Maybe I am getting sick.” He thought to himself. He went to get some tea from the kitchen, and then planned on getting some rest.
Keitaro dragged his feet down the hall, slumped over a feverish feeling. “Uh… Aaaaaah – TXCHOOO! Ugh…” Another wet sneeze shook him, just as he passed Naru’s room.
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“Bless you!” It was Naru, calling from inside her room. Thanks to his encounter with Motoko earlier, Keitaro missed her at breakfast. Come to think of it… he hadn’t even eaten breakfast himself yet. He went back downstairs, thinking a bite might him feel a little better.
Just outside of the kitchen he bumped into his older cousin, “Auntie” Haruka.
“Morning Auntie…” Haruka stepped on his foot, while pinning his arm behind his back. “MORNING HARUKA!”
“Good morning. Keitaro.” She said politely, releasing him. “You sound terrible.”
“Yeah… Someone gave me… their… co… co… Ha-AAAHH…”
*@$* - BONG - *%&* ! (...choo)
Keitaro’s face slammed right into the Iron Skillet Haruka held up in her defense.
“Don’t get me sick.” She said nonchalantly, and walked away. Keitaro crawled the rest of the way into the kitchen.
“sure… no… problem… *ow*…”
After getting some tea, Keitaro limped back upstairs to get some rest, again pausing in front of Naru’s room as his breath hitched.
“Hah… heh… aahh… Aaaaaah – TXCHOOO! Ugh…”
FREE FREE FREE…
GET BACK IN GET BACK IN…
“Bless you again!” Naru calle dform inside her room. “Hey listen, you’d better get some rest. I don’t think I can study with today.” She started to open the door. “We’ve got the big practice test tomorrow, so I can’t afford to get…”
“Aaaaaah – TXCHOOO!” Another sneeze shook Keitaro, just as Naru leaned out of the door.
“…sick.”
FREE FREE FREE… NEW HOST NEW HOST…
Her faced was drenched by the spray. Keitaro could hear what he thought was the sound of a tea kettle boiling over and looked up just in time to see Naru’s fist growing large enough to fill his entire field of vision. Her aim was true, even though her glasses were obscured by think, runny fluid. The force of the blow sent Keitaro down the hall, through the 2nd floor window, down the stairs on the front hill, across the bridge leading to the town, and several blocks into the market district. Despite that show of superhuman strength, a chill hit her almost immediately. She knew she was going to get sick. “Stupid Keitaro!” She thought to herself disgustedly.
About two miles away, Keitaro decided to rest in the dumpster he’d landed in for a little while before heading back to Hinata Apartments. Although, aside from the rough landing, he felt like new again, he reeeeaaaalllly didn’t want to face Naru again anytime soon.
---------------------
With no energy left to study with, Naru grabbed a box of tissues, a cup of tea and her thick comforter as she curled up in bed, snuggling against her Lido-Kun doll. She put her hand to her forehead, and was so warm that she didn’t even bother with the thermometer.
“Heh-shoo!” She sneezed, not for the first time.
FREE FREE FREE… GET BACK IN GET BACK IN…
“Stupid Keitaro!” She thought, also not for the first time.
She couldn’t remember the last time she felt this miserable. Although the test loomed, she couldn’t drag herself out of bed even to study and, after going through a quarter box of tissues, settled down and slept for several hours.
Meanwhile Kitsune was scrounging around in the pantry for something to snack on. She certainly didn’t plan on cooking anything, and was disappointed to find that all of her junk food and most of her Sake was gone. “Aw shoot! Where is everybody? I’m starving!”
She knew that Shinobu and Motoko had gone to school, and assumed Su did as well. But she’d seen neither hide nor hair of either Keitaro or Naru for hours, and it had been too long to assume they’ve been studying this whole time. She made her way upstairs.
“Keitaaaarooo? Naaaa-ruuuu?” She called out, but got no answer. She knocked on Naru’s door and, being her best friend, thought it would be OK to open it a crack just to check, even though there was no answer.
“Naru?” She asked quietly, before poking her head in.
Naru was asleep in her bed, cuddled against her Lido-kun with the comforter gathered up around her. Although she looked adorable, from the wads of tissues lying around the floor, Kitsune could tell that Naru was very sick. “Aww, you poor thing!” She knelt by the futon, gently put Naru’s head on her lap and lightly stroked her friend’s long hair.
“hhhmmmmm…” Naru moaned. “stupid… keitaro…” she muttered, still half-asleep. “Kit… Kitsune?” She asked weakly.
“Aww… You poor thing! You look simply awful!”
“I feel terrible.” She answered, adding “stupid keitaro” under her breath.
“So you we’re dreaming about Keitaro then! I thought so…”
“Come on Kitsune *cough, cough*, I’m not in the mood.”
“Well I can see that sweetie! Now you just lay your head here and let your dear friend comfort you…”
“Wait… *sniff* have to… sn-snee... eeze…”
“Oh you just cover up. I’m not too worried. As much as I drink I don’t think any little bug can survive in my blood!”
“Heh-shoo!”
NEW HOST NEW HOST NEW HOST…
“Thanks Kitsune. I feel better already.”
“Oh man… Now I’m not feeling too good!” Continuing the role reversal and acting more like Kitsune typically does, Naru immediately jumped up and pushed her friend out of her room.
“Sorry, Kitsune! Can’t afford to get sick! Test tomorrow! Go get some rest!” Naru called from behind the door.
“Well I nev… nev… EeeehYA-Tchooo! NEVER!” Kitsune said to herself as she sulked away.
GET BACK IN GET BACK IN…
As this was Friday, Kitsune had no plans on getting any rest. Not when there was drinking and partying to be done. As she slumped down on the couch however, almost completely out of breath, and feeling like Keitaro probably does shortly after walking in on Naru in her underpants, she decided that scaling back her Friday night activities might be in order.
“Oh poo! And I’ve been looking forward to this since yesterday!” Truth be told, Friday night was really no different from any other night for the boisterous party girl, but she still felt cheated. “That Naru! That Keitaro! When I see them again I’m going to give them a piece… of… my… m-m-m… EeeehYA-Tchooo! MIND!”
---------------------
Kitsune dozed off, but came to just as Keitaro, Shinobu and Motoko made their way through the front door, accompanied by Naru and Keitaro’s eccentric friend from cram school, Mutsumi Otohime. About this time Naru was also making her way downstairs. She still didn’t want to risk catching anything, but she felt awful about how she’d treated Kitsune, especially after her friend had comforted her.
“I’m sorry Kitsune I was…”
“Yes you were! I can’t be… lieve… EeeehYA-Tchooo! Oh… Sorry bout that Naru!”
“Kitsune! I didn’t want to get… s-sick… a…gain…Heh-shoo!”
Across the room, Keitaro felt a familiar chill, just as he was saying, “I’m sorry Narusegawa! I didn’t m-mean t-to… give… you… my… Aaaaaah – TXCHOOO!” He turned to his right, forgetting that Mutsumi was there…
“Oh my!” Mutsumi said innocently. “Have you been doing this all day then? OK! I’ll join in… Ha-CHOO!”
And so it went, each member of the group getting sick and then feeling better right after a hearty sneeze. By the third time around they weren’t even bothering to cover up anymore. Haruka watched, from a safe distance, just shaking her head. After a several more rounds of “pass the sneeze” a sleepy looking Kaolla Su finally made her was down the main staircase. Upon seeing the action she immediately perked up.
“Hello everyone!” Su called out, in her pseudo-Indian accent. “Have seen my Hango? He seems to have escaped!” She sounded as upbeat as always, although this did little to comfort the residents.
“Han… go…? Etchoo!” Shinobu sneezed, sending “Hango” in Motoko’s direction.
“He is a pet virus that I invented a long time ago! He can’t reproduce, but he can go from person to person though the air! If no one is around he will always go back to the previous host! Isn’t that amazing?!”
*SNIIIIIFFFF* Motoko wiped her nose on her sleeve and slowly approached Su, looking furious. She expected to have to chase her and had almost no energy at the moment. To her surprise, Su just stood there smiling.
“Can I have him back now?!” Su asked, seeming enthusiastic.
Motoko was stunned for a moment, and then obliged. “HAAAAAH-TCHOOO!”
---------------------
Although they were exhausted, each having been sick several times that day, the residents of Hinata Apartments found no sleep that night, as the sound of Su’s snoring echoed through the halls.
Su, on the other hand, slept quite soundly, snoring loudly with her nose thoroughly plugged up.
“han… go…” She mumbled quietly in her sleep. “bad… boy… missed… you…” She slept with a contented smile on her face, as fluid ran freely over her upper lip.
(cue happy-ending music)
________________________________________________________________________________
TO BE CONTINUED: Part Two - Misery and Company: School, Train, Dojo
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