12-22-2011, 02:46 AM
(This post was last modified: 02-23-2012, 09:43 PM by Immaterial.)
==
I want to be a Guardian.
A certain lion-girl finally said as she turned to the wolf-girl. Her voice trembling as she did so. She took a deep breath, in an effort to ease her nerves, before continuing
I never was good with housework, nor in any of the arts. I couldn’t channel Reiki even if I tried.
The girl stared down at her hands, avoiding her companion’s gaze. Her azure eyes focusing on the clenching of said hands into fists.
I am good at fighting, nothing else. Otoosama told me I would make an excellent guardian. So…I want to—“
A roar.
Blood.
Kumatora stirred. Her lion ears and tail twitched to and fro as she slowly made to sit up. The back of her hand ran across her eyes as an attempt to rub the weary feeling of sleep, yawning once then twice as she did so. It had been a while since she had been able to sleep as soundly as she just did. Guardian training called for you to be at least be able to be half-asleep and half-awake, earning enough rest for one’s body and still being able to fulfill one’s duty to one’s lieges. After all, threats never sleep, why should you? But all that seemed to take a backseat given that she was cherished with the blessing of being able to sleep beside her best friend, on the pretense said wolf-girl was too tired to notice she had settled herself on the wrong bed.
Though she enjoyed sleep on its own, more than anything else, more so if it was beside a certain wolf-eared girl, the Guardian trainee knew she just had to get up. Reasons being that today was day she had been training for all this time. All that pain and effort preparing and keeping herself intact, culminating to this single day plus the added fact that the candidate she was aiming for to be her liege was missing.
Chikane-chan…
That was the source of her strength to push forward with the Eightfold way, which meant being subjected to the most difficult if not fatal of training imaginable. It not only required a certain level of physical strength but also of one’s own spirit otherwise it would lead to one’s undoing. Kumatora had survived all of that up to now. One last step. Only a bit more. And finally she would be worthy of being a Guardian to protect Chikane and there can be nothing else that would get in her way ever again.
That is, if she will be able to find Chikane first before any of the Elder Guardians realize that the Channeler in training was moving around unguarded. If such was to happen, she knew all her efforts up to now would be wasted and she would never be allowed to choose the wolf-girl to be her liege, much less see said girl again. The Elders would make sure of that.
Sitting up and stretching her limbs, her bedridden blonde hair flailed to and fro as she did so. The lion-girl reached for the length of lace she would keep by her bedside, biting it in her mouth as she began to look for her Guardian garb. Throwing off the white shift she would use as sleepwear, she reached for her navy blue kimono which she modified herself for comfort and mobility’s sake and draped it over her form. One of the kimono top sleeves were cut short and the other kept as is as it provided her a safe place to put a secondary weapon if needed. The lower half of the garb has a long slit on one side which gave her the right amount of mobility. Adornments, gold tribal designs of the Kurori Akaiko that were placed here and there, gave her kimono’s colors a nice contrast. Reaching down for her leather steel toed boots plus her leather arm braces and putting them on, she made her way out of the hut, adjusting and securing her kimono as she did so. But not without doubling back to take her novice guardian katana, right where she left it, and securing the holster belt around her waist.
Oh Da--.
The novice Guardian was just in the process of tying her hair in her usual ponytail, when she bumped into another Guardian, seemingly on patrol. She mumbled an apology as she continued tying her hair.
The Ishikawa offspring looked around outside the hut, gritting her teeth as she wondered where Chikane could have gone. She had heard it from the older more experienced Guardians. How their lieges would try to sneak out and have some fun on their own, seemingly unaware that they were still being followed, kept safe from any threats that may come their way. It was imperative for any Guardian to never lose sight of the liege they have sworn to protect. Every second one’s liege was out of his or her sight was another second that increases the chances of a would-be assassin to take away their liege’s life.
Tempting as it was for her to just let loose and go into a rage, tearing through the village to search for the wolf-girl, Kumatora kept herself in check just as she trained herself to. Causing a commotion and catching attention wasn’t on her priority list. She just had to remember her training. Closing her eyes while clenching and unclenching her hands into fists, the lion-girl breathed through her nose and caught the familiar scent of oranges. She grinned, her trademark fang peeking from the corner her mouth.
She made to run in the direction of the scent, familiar and inviting.
Chikane-chan…
==
"Vegetables~! Get your vegetables here, freshly picked! At friendly prices~"
"Fruits~ Fruits over here! You can never get it more fresh than here~"
The bustling sounds and activity of the Sakura marketplace was something totally unexpected by Chikane even though she had tried to prepare herself for it. Her mentor, Cyrene Saikiri, had told her about the place and how she can find whatever she might need. Best part of it was how the marketplace would be open earlier and later compared to those of other villages. Still, this much energy so early in the day? The silver-haired wolf-girl shivered slightly, feeling herself grasping the security of her cloak. Crowds were never her favorite of places to be but she knew she had to do this. This was her only opportunity after all.
Taking a deep breath, the Yanagi offspring kept walking, stopping to listen whenever a vendor would show their wares but politely refusing any offers. She had no need for them. The wards of the temple made sure all their needs were taken care of; food was no problem. It was the least they could do, as training took up most of the Channeler’s day, leaving no time for such mundane tasks.
Mou…
Chikane shook her head, politely waving her hands in front of her as she took a step back from a fruit vendor who had offered her to buy some of his freshly harvested berries for sale. She could feel her cheeks warm up; the smell of the said fruit reminding her of her best friend. A scent the lion-girl seemed to carry with her. Speaking of Kumatora, she wondered if the lion-girl was awake. If so, it made it more urgent for Chikane to find what she was looking for.
It surprised her really, that Kumatora was almost a fully-fledged guardian (The blonde-lion girl never did like talking about training whenever they were alone, such as it was). She wouldn’t have known if her mentor, Saikiri Cyrene and her guardian, had not mentioned it. But, she was thankfully for the information. Sadly, a bit worried all the while if she would be able to give her best friend a gift, something to at least commemorate the day. She thought of cooking the other girl her favorite but as it was, she would always do that. Whatever she has to give has to be special. Her own channeling training kept her busy; so busy that now was only her chance to get something.
Her crimson eyes blinked once then twice, wolf ears twitching under her hood as a particular stand caught her attention. An elderly lady was behind the counter, peddling her wares of jewelry and accessories. As the wolf-girl approached, the elderly lady smiled, presenting her wares. Chikane gave the wares a once over. Her face bore a serious expression but softened as she found what she knew would be the best gift for the occasion.
A simple black choker.
Adorned by a silver Sakura petal.
With no hesitation at all did she bought the said item, relieved that she was able to do so and more thankful to the elderly lady as she was offered a small pouch to put it on. With a smile, she kept the item inside her robes; her concern now shifting to the food she was to prepare for Kumatora.
Thanking the storekeeper once more, she turned to leave. Her thoughts absorbed in what she needed to do. There wasn’t much time left, but at least, everything was ready back at the hut. All she needed was to—
“I told you before; you can never run away from me.”
Chikane had only taken a few steps from the jewelry stall when she heard those words whispered to her ear, followed by a warm pair of arms wrapping around her form. Her body froze at the contact but relaxed as a familiar scent whiffed through her nose, a tinge of crimson making its way across her cheeks.
“K-Kuma-chan?”
==
I want to be a Guardian.
A certain lion-girl finally said as she turned to the wolf-girl. Her voice trembling as she did so. She took a deep breath, in an effort to ease her nerves, before continuing
I never was good with housework, nor in any of the arts. I couldn’t channel Reiki even if I tried.
The girl stared down at her hands, avoiding her companion’s gaze. Her azure eyes focusing on the clenching of said hands into fists.
I am good at fighting, nothing else. Otoosama told me I would make an excellent guardian. So…I want to—“
A roar.
Blood.
Kumatora stirred. Her lion ears and tail twitched to and fro as she slowly made to sit up. The back of her hand ran across her eyes as an attempt to rub the weary feeling of sleep, yawning once then twice as she did so. It had been a while since she had been able to sleep as soundly as she just did. Guardian training called for you to be at least be able to be half-asleep and half-awake, earning enough rest for one’s body and still being able to fulfill one’s duty to one’s lieges. After all, threats never sleep, why should you? But all that seemed to take a backseat given that she was cherished with the blessing of being able to sleep beside her best friend, on the pretense said wolf-girl was too tired to notice she had settled herself on the wrong bed.
Though she enjoyed sleep on its own, more than anything else, more so if it was beside a certain wolf-eared girl, the Guardian trainee knew she just had to get up. Reasons being that today was day she had been training for all this time. All that pain and effort preparing and keeping herself intact, culminating to this single day plus the added fact that the candidate she was aiming for to be her liege was missing.
Chikane-chan…
That was the source of her strength to push forward with the Eightfold way, which meant being subjected to the most difficult if not fatal of training imaginable. It not only required a certain level of physical strength but also of one’s own spirit otherwise it would lead to one’s undoing. Kumatora had survived all of that up to now. One last step. Only a bit more. And finally she would be worthy of being a Guardian to protect Chikane and there can be nothing else that would get in her way ever again.
That is, if she will be able to find Chikane first before any of the Elder Guardians realize that the Channeler in training was moving around unguarded. If such was to happen, she knew all her efforts up to now would be wasted and she would never be allowed to choose the wolf-girl to be her liege, much less see said girl again. The Elders would make sure of that.
Sitting up and stretching her limbs, her bedridden blonde hair flailed to and fro as she did so. The lion-girl reached for the length of lace she would keep by her bedside, biting it in her mouth as she began to look for her Guardian garb. Throwing off the white shift she would use as sleepwear, she reached for her navy blue kimono which she modified herself for comfort and mobility’s sake and draped it over her form. One of the kimono top sleeves were cut short and the other kept as is as it provided her a safe place to put a secondary weapon if needed. The lower half of the garb has a long slit on one side which gave her the right amount of mobility. Adornments, gold tribal designs of the Kurori Akaiko that were placed here and there, gave her kimono’s colors a nice contrast. Reaching down for her leather steel toed boots plus her leather arm braces and putting them on, she made her way out of the hut, adjusting and securing her kimono as she did so. But not without doubling back to take her novice guardian katana, right where she left it, and securing the holster belt around her waist.
Oh Da--.
The novice Guardian was just in the process of tying her hair in her usual ponytail, when she bumped into another Guardian, seemingly on patrol. She mumbled an apology as she continued tying her hair.
The Ishikawa offspring looked around outside the hut, gritting her teeth as she wondered where Chikane could have gone. She had heard it from the older more experienced Guardians. How their lieges would try to sneak out and have some fun on their own, seemingly unaware that they were still being followed, kept safe from any threats that may come their way. It was imperative for any Guardian to never lose sight of the liege they have sworn to protect. Every second one’s liege was out of his or her sight was another second that increases the chances of a would-be assassin to take away their liege’s life.
Tempting as it was for her to just let loose and go into a rage, tearing through the village to search for the wolf-girl, Kumatora kept herself in check just as she trained herself to. Causing a commotion and catching attention wasn’t on her priority list. She just had to remember her training. Closing her eyes while clenching and unclenching her hands into fists, the lion-girl breathed through her nose and caught the familiar scent of oranges. She grinned, her trademark fang peeking from the corner her mouth.
She made to run in the direction of the scent, familiar and inviting.
Chikane-chan…
==
"Vegetables~! Get your vegetables here, freshly picked! At friendly prices~"
"Fruits~ Fruits over here! You can never get it more fresh than here~"
The bustling sounds and activity of the Sakura marketplace was something totally unexpected by Chikane even though she had tried to prepare herself for it. Her mentor, Cyrene Saikiri, had told her about the place and how she can find whatever she might need. Best part of it was how the marketplace would be open earlier and later compared to those of other villages. Still, this much energy so early in the day? The silver-haired wolf-girl shivered slightly, feeling herself grasping the security of her cloak. Crowds were never her favorite of places to be but she knew she had to do this. This was her only opportunity after all.
Taking a deep breath, the Yanagi offspring kept walking, stopping to listen whenever a vendor would show their wares but politely refusing any offers. She had no need for them. The wards of the temple made sure all their needs were taken care of; food was no problem. It was the least they could do, as training took up most of the Channeler’s day, leaving no time for such mundane tasks.
Mou…
Chikane shook her head, politely waving her hands in front of her as she took a step back from a fruit vendor who had offered her to buy some of his freshly harvested berries for sale. She could feel her cheeks warm up; the smell of the said fruit reminding her of her best friend. A scent the lion-girl seemed to carry with her. Speaking of Kumatora, she wondered if the lion-girl was awake. If so, it made it more urgent for Chikane to find what she was looking for.
It surprised her really, that Kumatora was almost a fully-fledged guardian (The blonde-lion girl never did like talking about training whenever they were alone, such as it was). She wouldn’t have known if her mentor, Saikiri Cyrene and her guardian, had not mentioned it. But, she was thankfully for the information. Sadly, a bit worried all the while if she would be able to give her best friend a gift, something to at least commemorate the day. She thought of cooking the other girl her favorite but as it was, she would always do that. Whatever she has to give has to be special. Her own channeling training kept her busy; so busy that now was only her chance to get something.
Her crimson eyes blinked once then twice, wolf ears twitching under her hood as a particular stand caught her attention. An elderly lady was behind the counter, peddling her wares of jewelry and accessories. As the wolf-girl approached, the elderly lady smiled, presenting her wares. Chikane gave the wares a once over. Her face bore a serious expression but softened as she found what she knew would be the best gift for the occasion.
A simple black choker.
Adorned by a silver Sakura petal.
With no hesitation at all did she bought the said item, relieved that she was able to do so and more thankful to the elderly lady as she was offered a small pouch to put it on. With a smile, she kept the item inside her robes; her concern now shifting to the food she was to prepare for Kumatora.
Thanking the storekeeper once more, she turned to leave. Her thoughts absorbed in what she needed to do. There wasn’t much time left, but at least, everything was ready back at the hut. All she needed was to—
“I told you before; you can never run away from me.”
Chikane had only taken a few steps from the jewelry stall when she heard those words whispered to her ear, followed by a warm pair of arms wrapping around her form. Her body froze at the contact but relaxed as a familiar scent whiffed through her nose, a tinge of crimson making its way across her cheeks.
“K-Kuma-chan?”
==
I can only comfort you through your dreams. When you are wide awake, all I can do is smile and enjoy your presence.
