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 Posted: Sun Dec 02, 2012 3:54 pm
Ochiba complied to Lumine carrying her around like a little kid. "Heroes hm?" the small rabbit commented,"I am sure you where her hero don't worry. I bet she really loved you."
Michiko came to join the two, once more awkwardly coiling her tail around her tail at all the peers and glances they got, but she still listened carefully to Lumine. "Do it right?" the tengu said, still, "The only error in life is not trying at all, Lumine..."
Ochiba gave a small noise as she was set down, blinking up to Lumine... Wait where were her glasses?! Michiko noticed the squint and placed them on Ochiba's face, and the rabbit promptly adjusted them. When the celestial took their hands both of them looked at each other before they moved to hug the celestial, one around the shoulders the other around the stomach due to their heights.
"I thank you too, y'know! " Ochiba said burying her face into Lumine,"You put me in a family, like the one I hadn't had since my Master died all those years ago."
"Ye-eah... Likewise," Michiko said still a bit awkwardly,"You really made me -- no, forced me-- to open up. I mean, I am standing here cold, yet oddly content with this new outfit... I think its because you two chose it for me."
... "We are one weird family." the hermit commented. Ochiba laughed a with a sniff too, hiding in the hug.
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Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 5:47 pm
"Haha, I guess so..." Lumine wiped her eyes on her sleeve, moving her arms to hook around both Ochiba's and Michiko's. "But a weird family is better than none at all!" With a smile, she tugged them both forward, leading them back into the sea of humans that was the crowd of the marketplace. "C'mon, let's go home. We can take the day off there!"
Having successfully completed their simple mission with flying colors, it was time to leave the village and return a certain wolf to her natural environment. Lumine figured she had suffered enough time out of her comfort zone, and maybe being back at her home would help her ease into her new clothes. Returning early would also give the Celestial a chance to wash her clothes finally, and get out of Seijin's armor. As cool as it was to finally wear it, Lumine was already missing her old clothes and the associated comfort they gave.
It was almost evening by the time the trio returned home, and the sun was already beginning its timeless decent beyond the trees. "Hey, you guys go ahead inside... I'll be in after a little while, okay?" Knowing she'd only have a short while to complete her tasks, Lumine decided it would be best for her to wash her things now, before daylight disappeared...
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Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 7:50 pm
"No doubt no doubt!" Ochiba smiled as the three linked their arms and walked off back to the forest Michiko was probably missing desperately begging for. So the three made their way back home, where Michiko's tail finally uncoiled from her waist and hanged low as it usually did in the safety of her home.
When her home came into sight she sighed,"That was way too many people for my taste."
"Five people is way too many by your standards," the small youkai said.
"Yeah, that's why I keep a kid and a four foot rabbit-stool instead."
"Heeeeeeeeeeey."
"I am kidding."
The two turned to face Lumine, and smiled. "Alright Lumine, don't go getting lost now, I will make some lunch for us... or dinner, I don't even know what time it is." Ochiba skipped ahead, heading inside boldly, followed by the taller more calculative tengu.
----Out back, among the forestry though, a figure was sleeping. She had gotten a long lecture in work ethics but that had only made her want to slack off more. So Hanari had left and gone off to find Lumine. The shinigami was sleeping by now though, since all she found was an empty house and no one around.
She saw the clothes and figured they'd be back, but that had been early morning, and so that was her explanation for being asleep with her scythe stabbed into the floor by her. Hanari was fast asleep, and in peaceful sleep at that. She had been in a bad mood, so this was a nice break from reality.
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Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 9:24 am
Lumine waved a short goodbye to Michiko and Ochiba before rounding the former's house, seeking out the bathing stall and the clothes she had left this morning. The sudsy bath water was still there and, save for a few new leaves, was still usable. She picked up her clothes and dunked them in, as was about to begin scrubbing when something shiny caught her eye.
In the distance, next to a tree, there was a white glint off... something. Curious, Lumine left the stall and went to investigate the light. What she found shocked, pleased, and annoyed her: It was Hanari, fast asleep with her scythe beside her. At first, Lumine's heart lept at the sight of her pseudo-beloved, then fell almost as quickly remembering the events of the morning.
"...Grr....stupid, lazy Shinigami...!" Lumine complained to herself in a hushed voice as she closed in on Hanari. "Making me worry about you... all day..." Now standing over her, Lumine crossed her arms tightly. The thought of kicking her leg came to mind, but Lumine thought better. She knelt down beside the Shinigami, still fuming. "...I bet you've been sleeping here all day, huh? You better not be dreaming about me right now...! ...Well..." She leaned onto her hands, edging closer and closer to Hanari. "You better...remember your promise to me... or else I'll never forgive you, okay?"
She looked so... peaceful, so charming... so much like her. Good judgement went out the window. Lumine couldn't stop herself. The Celestial being leaned into the Reaper, and kissed her softly on the lips...
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Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 8:05 pm
The soft kiss brought back the Shinigami away from her dreams and the peaceful mountains and into the Forest Of Magic. She opened her eyes disoriented wondering what the weird feeling was that was waking her up.
Maybe another squirrel had sneaked into her robe-- And she found herself staring up at Lumine with her big reddish-pink eyes still loading what had brought her here. Hanari wasn't sure how long the kiss lasted or why or how or when but the shinigami was frozen looking up at the celestial in confusion the whole time.
She could only blink and stare, until Lumine snapped her out of her daze. Maybe she had picked the wrong place to nap...?
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Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2012 10:32 am
Lumine herself wasn't even sure how long the kiss lasted. All concepts of time had left her, and it wasn't until she felt the Shinigami stir that she was brought back down to earth, her previously shut eyes opening to meet Hanari's. Lumine knew she was already in trouble, and no acceptable excuse came to her mind. Slowly she parted from Hanari's lips, leaning back to sit on her knees once more.
She bowed her head, embarrassed and ashamed of herself, and hiding her eyes behind the brim of her hat. Her cheeks were lit like fire, and she stayed silent for a long moment.
"...Now we're even." The Celestial said finally, twisting uncomfortably where she sat. She then looked up to Hanari with a cheesy smile, "That's for taking a peek at me earlier! So, we're even now, okay?"
Lumine reached up to take her hat, and placed it on her own lap. "Why did you leave, anyway..? I thought you said we could go..." She fiddled with the hat in her hands, the blush on her cheeks disappearing only slightly. "I didn't really care, you know...that you saw me. You didn't have to run or anything, just because... of that..."
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Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2012 6:42 am
Hanari sat up, wondering what had just happened and why. She blinked as Lumine pulled away and started to wring in place so awkwardly. Part of her didn't mind really, but she was still confused as to why now.
"Even? That's a weird equation-- How does this---Y'know what I won't question it," The shinigami said, giving up on finding the sense in all of it. She leaned back onto a tree,'putting a small distance between her and Lumine. "Why did I leave? You yelled at me. You seemed uncomfortable so I ran for it, it was just instinct," Hanari responded plainly, "You said we'd go the mountains and I agreed, it's just that when I appeared by the Sanzu, Akira sama got me and went on a rant about how productivity had lowered or whatever and," Hanari trailed off not wanting to say what the yama had scowlded her for, and instead fitted a,"...and then I had to work..." into her sentence.
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Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2012 11:10 am
"Yelled?" Lumine's smile lessened slightly. "I was just shocked, that's all..! Um... I really missed you today." She replaced her hat on her head and moved over to join Hanari by the tree, leaning against it just as the Shinigami was.
"You got in trouble? But, I thought you said your work was being covered! Wait, if you got in trouble for slacking, then why were you sleeping here??" She pulled her knees up to her chest, making sure the skirt she wore was still tucked neatly. "I'm sorry, Hanari... I didn't mean to get you in trouble. If I had known, I wouldn't have forced you to sleep with me last night... Though, in truth, I was kinda hoping to do it again~"
Ever the energetic one, Lumine lept to her feet and, after taking a moment to readjust herself in Seijin's armor, turned to face Hanari with new resolve. "Well! If we're gonna keep you from getting in any more trouble, then we should go on our adventure as soon as possible! And then--! ...Well, I don't really know what will happen after that..." She scratched the back of her head. "I guess we'll have to find out, huh?"
With a smile, the Celestial held out her hand to Hanari. "So come on, why don't we get going..?"
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Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2012 8:17 pm
"Ah.. thanks..." Hanari smiled a bit,"Oh it was covered, by Noroshi-sama. Hijou-sama does not like the idea of me meeting people and stuff, I got a lecture for it, but you know how the court can be."
The shinigami stretched,"I worked lots earlier, and I needed a break. Don't worry Hijou-sama has tried to-- er, really really tries her best to be encouraging and the like, you know, she is a new Yama and all, and she lack lots of self-steem."
"We will find that out, yes," Hanari took Lumine's hand and stood," We better get going then, I am looking forward to looking at those mountains!"
((Sorry, my brain is fried! @ @'' ))
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Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2012 9:14 am
"Okay! Then let's--Oh, wait! I should say goodbye to Michiko and Ochiba first... If I don't they'll be worried I got lost in the woods! Or, something like that." Lumine let go of Hanari's hand then motioned for the Shinigami to follow; "Come on!"
The Celestial hurried back to the front of Michiko's house, completely forgetting about her chores and clothes. She had also forgotten food was being prepared, but this mission was too important. Lumine knew her friends - no, her family - would understand.
Barging through the front door, Lumine ran into the kitchen, where she was sure the two were occupying. "Ochiii~baaa, Michi~kooo~, I'm skipping out on dinner, okay? Um! ...Um, Hanari came back, and... there's something important I need to show her." Lumine quickly made a round through the kitchen, hugging Ochiba first. "Don't worry about me, okay? I'll be back before you know it!" Parting from Ochiba, she went over to Michiko and hugged her as well. "I'll be careful this time. No more climbing or dangerous stuff - we'll stick to the roads, I promise."
Parting from Michiko (and sneaking a quick touch of her tail~), Lumine then rounded the table and headed towards the door, though not before claiming Maemi's Nodachi from the wall. Looking back to the kitchen, she smiled and waved one last time. "I'll see you guys soon!"
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Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2012 6:53 pm
"Ah okay Lumine...-" Hanari followed after the celestial but She staid at the door, giving her space to tell her friends That she'd Be Back shortly.
Ochiba Was surprised by the sudden hug but after a big blink from behind her slipping glasses she returned the hug with a laugh, "I Told you she would be back. But you be careful now okay? You better not get hurt again."
"Yes i won't be there To help you this time if you are out on your own With that Shinigami," Michiko said, dropping What she was doing and opening her arms to welcome Lumine's hug. Her tail only tweaked as Lumine touched it.
The two youkai waved as Lumine took the nodachi and ran off with the scythe wielding shinigami. Michiko's gaze turned distant. Ochiba looked over to the Tengu. "Is something wrong?"
"I-its nothing..." Michiko turned around,"I just had a bad feeling, a small shiver that is all."
---
Hanari followed Lumine,"So where exactly are we going?"
She had the scythe propped on one of her shoulders. "Either Way i guess i Will follow you. Unless i know the place I Can't move us there. I don't think I Can fly, can you?" Maybe she was just curious and a little less shy now.
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Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2012 7:55 am
Lumine, busy fastening the nodachi to her back, began heading in the direction of Youkai Mountain. The path she knew they'd take would lead them away from the Tengu Village, so there wasn't any fear of getting into trouble. And even if they did, the Academy Seal she once again carried would should allow them safe passage.
"Um, of course I can fly! Everyone can, even childish youkai! I just... don't like to, that's all." A lie, all of it, but Hanari didn't have to know that~ "Anyway, we're going to the top of the mountain. I think I know the place you see in your dreams... so I thought, if I showed it to you, maybe it will... do something. Maybe you'll have different dreams finally."
After walking a short distance, Lumine conceded to her own inner conflict and finally told the truth; "...Actually, I...I can't fly. I never learned how to. Yo-- ...I mean, my friend would take me places. She'd take me where ever I wanted to go, usually because I bugged her until she did... I was...really a pain to her."
It was so strange for Lumine, talking about a person the woman walking beside her used to be... or rather, somehow still is, but laying dormant. Or at least, so the Celestial hoped. As they walked, Lumine's mind was swirling. It was all coming down to this moment. This night. This was all or nothing; whatever's on the table plays.
This had to work. Please, please let this work...
Feeling a rush of energy and emotion, Lumine quickly grasped Hanari's hand and tugged her along, trying to break into a run. "Come on, we should hurry! We're not getting any younger, you know~ The hotsprings are waiting!!"
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Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2012 8:12 pm
"Oh I see. I can't fly either, so I guess the kid youkai have me beat... but I am young. Even if I don't look like it." Hanari muttered to the side as Lumine spoke so sure of herself. It really made her a bit ashamed of herself! Maybe she should learn how to fly or be forever a failure.
"You know the place?" Hanari looked to Lumine with a curious and cautious smile.When the celestial confessed that her friend had flied her around it made her feel somewhat better oddly enough. "I bet she was nice to you anyway. It probably wasn't a problem or a pain. I am sure that when you care for someone, even if it can be a bit... repeating, you grow to love how you can help someone. I know I love being able to help Noroshi-sama! Even when I am usually a bother to her, it is nice to see her content with my work for a change. And same goes for Hijou-sama!"
"Ah-!" the shinigami stumbled as Lumine took her wrist and dragged her along,"Wai-wait! I am going to trip at this rate!.. H-hot sprins?! Where are we going-?!" The tall black haired woman managed to follow and keep up though. She was actually curious, even if she was weary of the day.
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Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2012 11:36 am
"Yes, I know it! At least, I think I do..! It doesn't matter if we can't fly, we'll be there in no time! I could walk there in my sleep!" Lumine continued to pull Hanari along the path, not letting up for a moment. Her own legs were carried with an energy brought on by hope, giving her a speed to rival the Tengu's! "We used to go all the time! It was our special place!" Whoever she was referring to as "we" remained ambiguous.
The night passed quickly, and even without the help of Hanari's ability to manipulate distance, the two were soon approaching the hidden springs. Lumine devoted all her energy to running, and making sure Hanari was still in tow. She wouldn't let anything stop them now, not a guard, not a youkai, nobody. This was their moment, and she wasn't going to waste it.
Finally succumbing to exhaustion, Lumine released her grip on Hanari and fell to her hands and knees, panting. She turned and gave Hanari a weary, yet cheerful look, accompanied by her usual beaming smile.
"Are you ready? We're almost at the hot springs!" She moved to sit on her knees, looking further up the path that lead to their destiny. "... This is your last chance, ya'know? I mean, if you have any regrets, or reservations..." Lumine bowed her head, searching for the right words. They wouldn't come. "...If my plan works, then you won't be the same person ever again. I know it's selfish. Hanari... if you're happy as you are now, then... then I'll just have to settle for that. But... if you're willing, then..." She pressed forward and onto her feet, taking a few steps forward. "Then don't leave my side..!"
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Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2012 9:30 pm
Hanari stopped by Lumine stabbig the scythe into the floor and leaning forward with her hands on her knees, equally breathless. "T-... the *gulp* Hotsprings, uh?" The shinigami took her scyther and leaned it on her shoulder as she glanced at the path Lumine was already thinking about. The new questions frigthened her a bit, made her hesitant. The black haired girl restlessly wringed her scythe's shaft as she thought on it.
"I... am happy like I am... but I am young, a child by youkai standards, and like Noroshi-sama says, happinest comes with time,"The shinigami spoke softly looking at her hands around the wooden handle of the weapon of court,"But Noroshi-sama also says that if we have a heart is so we can follow it, and my heart says that I should go with you. I do want to go with you, Lumine, but I hope you are patient with me and remember I have a responsability to tend to."
It was a woeful coincidence that "responsability." Maemi had had a responsability to her family, and Hanari had hers. It was her reason to creation, and that she knew well. She stopped before continuing,"But I will go with you, I really want to. Lead the way so I can follow."
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