The Secrets that Last
Chapter 18
-Hey people! Gomen nasai for the long long long long long delay in updating. Hope you enjoy this chapter and remember to review!!! Love to all!
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!" Nuriko was rolling on the ground. Miaka's blue-tinted face glowered at him. "Stop it Nuriko-kun!!!" Miaka wheezed. Usagi looked at her speculatively. "Well I suppose we'll have to extend the waste a bit." she raised a brow, studying Miaka in her dress. "And perhaps take in the bust line as well.to suit you best." She added the last part quickly. Miaka wore one of Usagi's pale blue gowns. A simple thing, though elegant none the less. The waste was far too tight and the bust line was rather loose where it should have fit her snuggly. The dress was too long for her and she looked rather childish standing before the men. Miaka was a combination of blue and red.blushing and out of breath from the tight waste line. "Errr.Usa-chan this sucks!!" Miaka wailed. Tomahome and Hotohori suppressed their laughter, eyes sparkling animatedly.
Usagi shrugged slightly. "I suppose we should fix it then.Come now Miaka- chan." She led her away to the tent they had occupied for the past half hour searching for a proper garment to suit the priestess. As soon as they'd disappeared the entire Suzako clan broke into riotous laughter, with the exception of Chichiri. Mitsukake chuckled softly, stroking his kitten affectionately. Half an hour later Miaka reappeared with the dress altered. Usagi stood proudly beside her wearing a forest green gown. The dresses were the same, tied up in the back with a modest bust line and small, loose sleeves. Usagi's was slightly different though as it had a matching green choker and wrist bands. "So what do you think boys? Doesn't our lady miko look simply splendid in my dress?" Usagi beamed. Miaka grinned. "Hai boys," She drawled the term pointedly for Nuriko's sake. "Don't I look ravishing?" Tamahome closed his eyes, one eyebrow raised and gestured toward her widely. "Do you even know what ravishing means?" he asked dubiously. Miaka snorted, ignoring him. Hotohori smiled, "I think you look lovely Miaka-chan, you did well to choose this particular dress Usa-chan." He smiled warmly, though more toward Usagi than Miaka. Miaka didn't seem to notice, giggling and smacking Nuriko on the back. "HA!" Nuriko rubbed his face. "Bah." Usagi watched amusedly before looking at the eight as a whole. "Minna- chan," she began, getting all of their attention. "We should probably get some rest before dawn arrives and we travel to Shiko. It's only a small ways to the town so we should take advantage of this hour." She smiled pleasantly. The seishi and their priestess nodded and said their goodnights, all going to their designated tents. The tents were as follows: Miaka and Usagi, Mitsukake and Chiriko, Tasuki and Touji, Hotohori and Tamahome, and Chichiri on his own. The sounds of sleep soon followed their dispersion. Usagi laid awake, staring at the ceiling of her tent, thinking. "Cye-chan," she whispered softly. The bird glanced at her from his perch just beyond the tent entrance. "Hai, Usa-chan." "Do you think we shall succeed?" The great falcon gazed at her through cold black eyes. "I suppose we shall." He finally replied. "I am not disturbed as of late.I believe that victory shall be eventually within our grasp." Usagi nodded. "I see." Cye ruffled his feathers. "Do no fret Lady Usa.your husbands will not allow such devastation to overtake their dimension even if these men are of no assistance. It is not hopeless." Usagi glanced at Miaka. "Very well. Arigotou Cye-chan." "Goodnight Usa-chan."
*********Next Morning
Ren watched as Miaka ran about the seishi as they packed for their short trip to Shiko. The town was apparently closer than they had assumed so none of them gave any particular effort to a speedy pack up. No one questioned Usagi's reversion to Ren. Miaka frolicked about in her new dress, asking if anyone needed assistance. No one accepted her offer though and she was left breathless, sitting beside Ren on an oversized rock. Starlight stood patiently by their sides along with Miaka's horse. The great stallion watched the seishi quietly, studying them. Every now and then his eyes would wander to his master and he'd nibble gently on Ren's shoulder or hair. "Ren-chan, why are we going to Shiko any way? What is there for us?" Miaka asked after a moment of catching her breath. Ren glanced at her, shrugging carelessly. "There is a man there by the name of Yusuke Goku and I intend to ask his assistance in attaining a chemical which may destroy the infection of Chaos within human souls. Once we have the chemical we can amplify it through magic and decontaminate all of Kutou." "Would such a chemical really exist?" Miaka pondered aloud. "Hai of course. There is always a means of neutralizing any infection. Whether it be of the body, the mind, or the spirit. Goku-san is an old friend whom the god's gave the great burden of harnessing this chemical and keeping it safe until the day arose when its use became a necessity." Ren's deep, masculine voice was a startling change from Usagi's delicate feminine one. Miaka noted the difference without much regard. Moments later the group set off again, traveling for less than an hour before they came upon the town. Shiko stood as a quiet little town.perhaps more accurately described as a village. The seishi went unnoticed as they passed by small shops and homes. Everything seemed to have a homely seem to it. Ren gestured toward an inn a small ways from where they were. "Minna-chan, go there and leave our horses and belongings there. You may all enjoy this time we have here until I return." "Where are you going?" Chichiri inquired. "I'm going to find my friend. When I return we shall discuss what shall commence upon our next encounter with Chaos, understood?" "Hai!" the chorus from seishi and priestess responded. Ren disappeared. The seishi glanced around. "Well.I suppose we shall do as Ren-san suggested." Hotohori glanced toward the others. "Hai, let's go." Chiriko smiled as they headed toward the inn.
********Elsewhere
Ren dismounted and patted Starlight's nose. "Hey Starlight how are you?" he cooed. Starlight snorted, bobbing his large head. "Well we're here." Ren said tiredly, leading Starlight toward the small cottage. The cottage was a fair distance from the main town, occupying a comfortable hill to the east. He tapped lightly on the door. "Goku-san, are you there?" he called in a strong voice. A shuffling was heard from within the home and the door was unlatched and swung open. A pair of large silver-green eyes and a mane of silver hair greeted Ren's pleasant smile. "Ren-sama!!!" The man burst. He grabbed Ren's hand, tears filling his eyes.
"Has the time come?" he whispered hoarsely. Ren nodded, smiling softly at the man. He was in his early twenties, ears pierced, a handsome young man with sharp features and bright eyes. He was the master martial artist in these parts, though few knew of his battle history. His figure was tall and lean, athletic and muscular. Miaka would have had a cow. Ren smiled. "May I come in?" Yusuke Goku stepped aside to welcome his guest. To him, this was a man he had fought with in wars for gods. In astonishing battles of power vs. iron will. Physical and mental strength and powers clashing between the greatest warriors of this dimension had hardened his spirit and this was the man he had fought beside, proudly bearing the mark of his gods. This was the man he respected far more than any other could possibly dare to fathom. He closed the door. Ren sat across from him at a simple wooden table. The two men stared at each other for a moment, studying each other, noting the changes over the years. There were few. "I see that you've acquired a tattoo since we last met." Ren observed, gazing at Goku's arm. A phoenix was portrayed there with a twisting dragon wrapped around its body. A white tiger arced above this image and a tortoise fit snugly between the dragon and phoenix's bodies. It was a great work of art. "Hai. After our last battle together I decided to have it in memory of what we stood for." Goku said softly, his voice warm and friendly, affectionate to his long-ago companion. "I suppose this isn't simply a luxury visit." It was a statement, not a question. Ren smiled kindly. "I hate to let you down.you are correct. Do you have the chemical?" Goku stood from the table nodding. "Of course, Ren-sama, it's been waiting for you to receive it since the god's placed it in my protection." Ren smiled at the man before him. Memories of laughter and battle wounds and sour bickering over the last dumpling or the best bed clouded his eyes. This man had been a most superb warrior with the god's protection. He far surpassed mere mortals in his expertise and Ren had always been so very fond of him during his first year as a warrior. After their final battle together the god's had been so impressed with his work that they gave him the honor of keeping the chemical he had come for now. The god's were especially fond of him for his loyalty and devotion. Goku returned shortly with a long box in his arms. He smiled, setting the thing on the table. Ren watched him blow the years from the lid. The two men lifted the lid carefully, revealing a much smaller vial of glowing blue-green liquid. The power emitted from the small glass container made the men gasp. "I see that you have done well in protecting it over these past few years." Ren observed softly, affectionately. Goku smiled. "Hasn't been opened since I first received it.till this very moment. And that's the truth." "Goku-san arigotou for your devotion. You are one of the best men I've had the honor of knowing. I will take my leave with this now. Perhaps we shall spar again some time when circumstances are not as extreme as now." Ren spoke with deep respect and sincerity. Goku nodded, scratching the back of his head boyishly. "Would you like some help getting back to wherever it is you're staying here? I could assist you in transporting the thing." Ren looked thoughtful, imagining the introductions that would require once they arrived at the inn. He shrugged. "Do assist me. Perhaps we can have dinner together and catch up on old times my friend. Would that be to your liking?" Goku smiled broadly, closing the box. "Absolutely." And so the old friends mounted their steeds and set off toward the inn. "So what company are you in now my friend?" Goku began. Ren smiled wryly, opening his mouth to begin telling Goku of all that had happened in the past few months. The tale would keep them occupied till the inn was but a step away.
***********In the God's dimension
"Do you think our dear Usagi-chan shall need our assistance in the battle?"
"Iie. She is strong. We have trained her well." "Do you hold no reservations?" "None that apply to her. She shall succeed whether we help her or not." "Then she will return to our arms once more?" "But of course."
To be continued.
-Hey people! Gomen nasai for the long long long long long delay in updating. Hope you enjoy this chapter and remember to review!!! Love to all!
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!" Nuriko was rolling on the ground. Miaka's blue-tinted face glowered at him. "Stop it Nuriko-kun!!!" Miaka wheezed. Usagi looked at her speculatively. "Well I suppose we'll have to extend the waste a bit." she raised a brow, studying Miaka in her dress. "And perhaps take in the bust line as well.to suit you best." She added the last part quickly. Miaka wore one of Usagi's pale blue gowns. A simple thing, though elegant none the less. The waste was far too tight and the bust line was rather loose where it should have fit her snuggly. The dress was too long for her and she looked rather childish standing before the men. Miaka was a combination of blue and red.blushing and out of breath from the tight waste line. "Errr.Usa-chan this sucks!!" Miaka wailed. Tomahome and Hotohori suppressed their laughter, eyes sparkling animatedly.
Usagi shrugged slightly. "I suppose we should fix it then.Come now Miaka- chan." She led her away to the tent they had occupied for the past half hour searching for a proper garment to suit the priestess. As soon as they'd disappeared the entire Suzako clan broke into riotous laughter, with the exception of Chichiri. Mitsukake chuckled softly, stroking his kitten affectionately. Half an hour later Miaka reappeared with the dress altered. Usagi stood proudly beside her wearing a forest green gown. The dresses were the same, tied up in the back with a modest bust line and small, loose sleeves. Usagi's was slightly different though as it had a matching green choker and wrist bands. "So what do you think boys? Doesn't our lady miko look simply splendid in my dress?" Usagi beamed. Miaka grinned. "Hai boys," She drawled the term pointedly for Nuriko's sake. "Don't I look ravishing?" Tamahome closed his eyes, one eyebrow raised and gestured toward her widely. "Do you even know what ravishing means?" he asked dubiously. Miaka snorted, ignoring him. Hotohori smiled, "I think you look lovely Miaka-chan, you did well to choose this particular dress Usa-chan." He smiled warmly, though more toward Usagi than Miaka. Miaka didn't seem to notice, giggling and smacking Nuriko on the back. "HA!" Nuriko rubbed his face. "Bah." Usagi watched amusedly before looking at the eight as a whole. "Minna- chan," she began, getting all of their attention. "We should probably get some rest before dawn arrives and we travel to Shiko. It's only a small ways to the town so we should take advantage of this hour." She smiled pleasantly. The seishi and their priestess nodded and said their goodnights, all going to their designated tents. The tents were as follows: Miaka and Usagi, Mitsukake and Chiriko, Tasuki and Touji, Hotohori and Tamahome, and Chichiri on his own. The sounds of sleep soon followed their dispersion. Usagi laid awake, staring at the ceiling of her tent, thinking. "Cye-chan," she whispered softly. The bird glanced at her from his perch just beyond the tent entrance. "Hai, Usa-chan." "Do you think we shall succeed?" The great falcon gazed at her through cold black eyes. "I suppose we shall." He finally replied. "I am not disturbed as of late.I believe that victory shall be eventually within our grasp." Usagi nodded. "I see." Cye ruffled his feathers. "Do no fret Lady Usa.your husbands will not allow such devastation to overtake their dimension even if these men are of no assistance. It is not hopeless." Usagi glanced at Miaka. "Very well. Arigotou Cye-chan." "Goodnight Usa-chan."
*********Next Morning
Ren watched as Miaka ran about the seishi as they packed for their short trip to Shiko. The town was apparently closer than they had assumed so none of them gave any particular effort to a speedy pack up. No one questioned Usagi's reversion to Ren. Miaka frolicked about in her new dress, asking if anyone needed assistance. No one accepted her offer though and she was left breathless, sitting beside Ren on an oversized rock. Starlight stood patiently by their sides along with Miaka's horse. The great stallion watched the seishi quietly, studying them. Every now and then his eyes would wander to his master and he'd nibble gently on Ren's shoulder or hair. "Ren-chan, why are we going to Shiko any way? What is there for us?" Miaka asked after a moment of catching her breath. Ren glanced at her, shrugging carelessly. "There is a man there by the name of Yusuke Goku and I intend to ask his assistance in attaining a chemical which may destroy the infection of Chaos within human souls. Once we have the chemical we can amplify it through magic and decontaminate all of Kutou." "Would such a chemical really exist?" Miaka pondered aloud. "Hai of course. There is always a means of neutralizing any infection. Whether it be of the body, the mind, or the spirit. Goku-san is an old friend whom the god's gave the great burden of harnessing this chemical and keeping it safe until the day arose when its use became a necessity." Ren's deep, masculine voice was a startling change from Usagi's delicate feminine one. Miaka noted the difference without much regard. Moments later the group set off again, traveling for less than an hour before they came upon the town. Shiko stood as a quiet little town.perhaps more accurately described as a village. The seishi went unnoticed as they passed by small shops and homes. Everything seemed to have a homely seem to it. Ren gestured toward an inn a small ways from where they were. "Minna-chan, go there and leave our horses and belongings there. You may all enjoy this time we have here until I return." "Where are you going?" Chichiri inquired. "I'm going to find my friend. When I return we shall discuss what shall commence upon our next encounter with Chaos, understood?" "Hai!" the chorus from seishi and priestess responded. Ren disappeared. The seishi glanced around. "Well.I suppose we shall do as Ren-san suggested." Hotohori glanced toward the others. "Hai, let's go." Chiriko smiled as they headed toward the inn.
********Elsewhere
Ren dismounted and patted Starlight's nose. "Hey Starlight how are you?" he cooed. Starlight snorted, bobbing his large head. "Well we're here." Ren said tiredly, leading Starlight toward the small cottage. The cottage was a fair distance from the main town, occupying a comfortable hill to the east. He tapped lightly on the door. "Goku-san, are you there?" he called in a strong voice. A shuffling was heard from within the home and the door was unlatched and swung open. A pair of large silver-green eyes and a mane of silver hair greeted Ren's pleasant smile. "Ren-sama!!!" The man burst. He grabbed Ren's hand, tears filling his eyes.
"Has the time come?" he whispered hoarsely. Ren nodded, smiling softly at the man. He was in his early twenties, ears pierced, a handsome young man with sharp features and bright eyes. He was the master martial artist in these parts, though few knew of his battle history. His figure was tall and lean, athletic and muscular. Miaka would have had a cow. Ren smiled. "May I come in?" Yusuke Goku stepped aside to welcome his guest. To him, this was a man he had fought with in wars for gods. In astonishing battles of power vs. iron will. Physical and mental strength and powers clashing between the greatest warriors of this dimension had hardened his spirit and this was the man he had fought beside, proudly bearing the mark of his gods. This was the man he respected far more than any other could possibly dare to fathom. He closed the door. Ren sat across from him at a simple wooden table. The two men stared at each other for a moment, studying each other, noting the changes over the years. There were few. "I see that you've acquired a tattoo since we last met." Ren observed, gazing at Goku's arm. A phoenix was portrayed there with a twisting dragon wrapped around its body. A white tiger arced above this image and a tortoise fit snugly between the dragon and phoenix's bodies. It was a great work of art. "Hai. After our last battle together I decided to have it in memory of what we stood for." Goku said softly, his voice warm and friendly, affectionate to his long-ago companion. "I suppose this isn't simply a luxury visit." It was a statement, not a question. Ren smiled kindly. "I hate to let you down.you are correct. Do you have the chemical?" Goku stood from the table nodding. "Of course, Ren-sama, it's been waiting for you to receive it since the god's placed it in my protection." Ren smiled at the man before him. Memories of laughter and battle wounds and sour bickering over the last dumpling or the best bed clouded his eyes. This man had been a most superb warrior with the god's protection. He far surpassed mere mortals in his expertise and Ren had always been so very fond of him during his first year as a warrior. After their final battle together the god's had been so impressed with his work that they gave him the honor of keeping the chemical he had come for now. The god's were especially fond of him for his loyalty and devotion. Goku returned shortly with a long box in his arms. He smiled, setting the thing on the table. Ren watched him blow the years from the lid. The two men lifted the lid carefully, revealing a much smaller vial of glowing blue-green liquid. The power emitted from the small glass container made the men gasp. "I see that you have done well in protecting it over these past few years." Ren observed softly, affectionately. Goku smiled. "Hasn't been opened since I first received it.till this very moment. And that's the truth." "Goku-san arigotou for your devotion. You are one of the best men I've had the honor of knowing. I will take my leave with this now. Perhaps we shall spar again some time when circumstances are not as extreme as now." Ren spoke with deep respect and sincerity. Goku nodded, scratching the back of his head boyishly. "Would you like some help getting back to wherever it is you're staying here? I could assist you in transporting the thing." Ren looked thoughtful, imagining the introductions that would require once they arrived at the inn. He shrugged. "Do assist me. Perhaps we can have dinner together and catch up on old times my friend. Would that be to your liking?" Goku smiled broadly, closing the box. "Absolutely." And so the old friends mounted their steeds and set off toward the inn. "So what company are you in now my friend?" Goku began. Ren smiled wryly, opening his mouth to begin telling Goku of all that had happened in the past few months. The tale would keep them occupied till the inn was but a step away.
***********In the God's dimension
"Do you think our dear Usagi-chan shall need our assistance in the battle?"
"Iie. She is strong. We have trained her well." "Do you hold no reservations?" "None that apply to her. She shall succeed whether we help her or not." "Then she will return to our arms once more?" "But of course."
To be continued.