Welcome to Gaia! ::

LOG TWO

Jin woke up when someone jabbed him hard on the cheek. He opened one bleary yellow eye and surveyed Grisamara.
“Grissy? You still haven’t grown yet? You’re older than me. And I had more stages than you.”
“Yes, thankyou for pointing that out, dumbass,” snapped Grisamara. “I came in here to ask you what the hell you’re doing.”
“What I’m doing?” repeated Jin blankly. “Sleeping.”
Grisamara had a considerably deep frown on her face. “I meant,” she said icily, “what are you doing in this house, in this room? Have you ditched the green machine?”
“If you mean Brittania, then no,” he growled. “I’m here on... on business.”
“What business is that? Checking our pillows for mites?”
“No,” said Jin evasively. “Look, get out of my face.” He sat up, pushing her aside.
“You said no too quickly,” accused Grisamara. “What are you up to?”
“Pretty much what you would be doing if you were my age,” said Jin scathingly. “Now do you know where they put my stuff?”
“When you left, Muse boxed up your crap and gave it to Shenavye, who was still angry at you, so she gave it to Berilio and Mortedom, who played with it until they got to old for it, and then it was put down in the basement.”
“You’re well informed,” said Jin bitterly. “So any idea how I am to get a box of junk out of the basement haunted by a voodoo corpse?”
Grisamara smirked. “Nope.” And flounced away.
Jin groaned and fell back on his pillows, raising a plume of dust which he inhaled and choked on.
“Alright, I’m up.”
He straightened his hair and shook his tail and went down the hall to a room with an emerald doorhandle.
“Mortedom?” he called, opening the door slightly. He sighed with relief at seeing the mummy up and gazing out the window. “Sorry, man, I didn’t think you slept.”
“I don’t,” replied Mortedom. “I just like pretending.”
Jin didn’t quite know what to say to that. “Can I get right down to it? I need to get a box out of the basement. What should I do to avoid being... murdered by the reanimated corpse?”
“You distract him.” Mortedom stood up and lead Jin down the hall. E went into another room without knocking, revealing his brother Berilio sprawled on his bed snoring quietly. “Berry! Berry!” Mortedom shook Berilio’s shoulder.
“Eh?” Berilio mumbled as he awoke. “What’s wrong? Is it a fire? Flood? Mountain collapse?”
“Jin needs you to distract Shayde,” explained Mortedom.
“Can it wait?” groaned Berilio. “I want to sleep.”
Mortedom cackled. “You shouldn’t have gone out caning it last night.”
Berilio scowled, then winced and clutched his head. “Oh, but there was this swinging chick and she kept on... uh...” his eyes roved over his innocent little brother and Jin’s slightly incredulous face. “Nothing. Fine. I’ll do it.” He stood up and held onto the wall for support. “Shut up,” he snapped, staggering to the door.
Jin shrugged at Mortedom and they followed the green unicorn. It was two flights of stairs down to the freezing basement, and it wasn’t just the barren earth that made it so- a cold malice seeped from the deepest room in the mansion, the door to which was black, covered in wax, and always barred and locked.
Berilio hefted the heavy wooden plank away from the door, staggered with it a few steps, and put it down beside the door. “Dom, step back. You don’t go in this room,” cautioned Berilio. “Jin, if you want to survive, keep behind me. So...” he paused. “Wait, what are we doing this for again?”
“I need to get a box of my stuff.”
“It should be on the top of the mound of things on the left- it was about the last thing we put down there.”
Berilio goggled at Jin. “A box of stuff is this important?”
Jin paused. “I suppose it is.”
Berilio rolled his eyes. “I’m doing this for a ‘suppose’?”
“We do appreciate it,” said Mortedom earnestly.
Berilio was about to answer when the door rattled ominously in its jamb. “Ok, now or never.” He lurched forward, took the handle as though it were a bat, turned and pushed. The wood hit rotten flesh with a wet thud and Shayde staggered back, as much from the blow as the unicorn’s presence; Berilio was a guide to the dead, and so attracted and repulsed Shayde, who was a spirit trapped in his body.
Berilio took a step forward and Shayde shuffled back into the rank smelling basement crypt. Jin hovered behind Berilio, waiting for the chance to get his box, all the while thinking ’Why? I mean, it’s just a bunch of... crap. Why bother?’
“Jin, now!” cried Berilio.
Jin dashed around the zombie and started opening boxes. Fifth box down and he found a few of his old drawings inside. He closed it, put it under his arm like a football, and charged out.
“Clear!”
Berilio followed suit, bolting out and slamming the door, drunkenly pushing up the bar as the black wood shuddered as Shayde threw himself against it.
“We’re just antagonising him, being here,” huffed Berilio. “Upstairs!”
The three of them moved to the first floor, where they started. Berilio yawned.
“M’going back to bed. Don’t go fighting anymore zombies.” He clapped his brother on the shoulder heavily and went into his room.
Mortdedom smiled. ‘That was fun,” he said benignly. “So, how come a bunch of kid stuff is so important that you braved the undead for it?”
“I’m looking for my Duel Monsters deck,” explained Jin. “I will actually be able to have a conversation with a woman who doesn’t believe I let her down, and won’t randomly have a hormonal imbalance and tell me to find some dodo eggs for an omelette.”
Mortedom laughed, though he didn’t really understand all that Jin had said. “I remember those cards. Berilio and I couldn’t figure out how to play so we just made up stories with your cards. They’ll be in the coffee tin in there.”
“I hope you washed the tin before you put the cards in,” joked Jin.
There was a pause.
“You did wash the tin?”
“I think so?” said Mortedom uncertainly. “Well, good luck with the female conversation thing...”
Jin sighed knowingly while Mortedom wended off someplace. With any luck, his cards would still be legible.

LOG FOUR

The gears working in their heads were almost audible.
“Ladies’ first,” offered Jin again. And the battle was on.
Jin lost spectacularly the first duel, came very close to beating Shoubu in the second (But then she pwned him with a massive virus), they broke for a snack after that, and then she wailed on Jin twice more.
“Aren’t girls supposed to let guys win?” asked Jin conversationally.
“I’m not that kind of girl,” replied Shoubu, gathering up her deck. She belched lightly. “Excuse me...” she said with a brush creeping to her cheeks.
But Jin wasn’t paying her much attention. He was blinking slowly with a stupid look on his face. “You know, I think Grisamara played a joke on me.”
“Why’s that?” asked Shoubu.
“Because this is wine, not grape juice,” said Jin.
Shoubu’s mouth fell open in shock and she grabbed the bottle. “Oh,” she said faintly. “I didn’t drink that much anyway...” she trailed off. “So I guess, er, you drank most of it.”
“Looks that way,” he said tipsily. “I get a little silly when I’m drunk.”
“Are you drunk?” asked Shoubu cautiously.
“I think so,” said Jin. “Maybe I should go home...” He began to chortle uncontrollably. “FWI. Flying while intixiated.”
“Do you mean ‘intoxicated’?” asked Shoubu.
“That’s the bird.”
“I’ll take you back to the Kaiba Mansion,” said Shoubu, packing the salad and crackers away.
“Bad idea,” said Jin with a brave attempt at gravity. “Freaks live there.”
“And?” She corked the bottle viciously, with the air of someone stabbing a hated enemy.
“Well, there are freaky ponies there and if they see you going in with me they might think things are up.” He stopped and seemed to consider this most seriously.
Shoubu swung the bag across her shoulder and stood up, chivvying Jin out into the cold. “I don’t care, and from here, all your opinions are rejected.” She didn’t mention that perhaps she’d like a bit of rumour- if his... Bianca girl knew he was going out at night to meet single girls, she might chuck him, which would make her quest a lot easier.
Jin was quite easy to manage; having grown up with a lot of big sisters, he knew instinctively that girls knew what was best for him. And yes, it was true that there were a few red-tinged eyes watching her as she helped Jin as he led the way to his bedroom reeling from foot to foot, but Shoubu told herself it was a good thing. She tucked him into his bed like an exhausted toddler with fuzzy vision.
It had occurred to her that the fruit salad might go bad in his room, and looking for a kitchen to keep it chilled in might be dangerous for her health. Shoubu decided to take the fruit salad and crackers home with her- she would finish them at home and return the Tupperware to him. And it would give her an excuse to visit him.
As she walked home, she heard rustling in the branches and grasses as though she were being followed. She put it down to paranoia but sleep came uneasily to her that night.

LOG SIX

Jin thanked Mortedom for his help before he left that evening.
“Did she like it?” asked Mortedom excitedly.
“I think so; she liked it a lot and put t on a shelf.”
“That’s so good! Well good luck with her.”
“What do you mean by that?” asked Jin in surprise.
Mortedom stopped and sputtered. “Uh... well you’re... dating her... aren’t you?”
Jin blinked at him. “No. I’m having a get together with a friend.”
Mortedom pushed his lips together. “You’re getting her gifts, seeing her at night... do you remember how you got home last time?”
“No, I... I don’t.”
“She brought you home. Do you remember what happened?” pressed Mortedom.
Jin shook his head as though to relieve himself of an irksome fly.
“Be careful, Jin,” said Mortedom. “She might think there’s something between you, even if you don’t. And she could have proof.”
Jin was speechless. He turned and left.
Mortedom understood and let him go.
Jin’s thoughts were still boiling when he knocked on Shoubu’s door. He forgot to step back and the door struck his face.
“Owch!”
Shoubu gasped. “Sorry!”
“It’s ok, nothing broken,” joked Jin, holding his stinging nose. “Come to get you,” his reply was thick.
Shoubu closed the door behind her and they both walked to the base of the mountain and then turned to go down to the briny and stony beach. It would slowly shift to sand, but the gravel from the mountain made Jin think of his home.
Shoubu walked in the shore-waves. “This place is so pretty by twilight,” she commented.
“Yes,” said Jin. “It’s always cooler here, in the lee of the mountain.”
“Are you okay?” asked Shoubu. “I didn’t hit you that hard with the door, did I?”
“No, I... I just had someone say something to me today that surprised me.”
“What was that?”
Jin hesitated. But truth may be the best policy. “Someone said... that perhaps I was giving you the wrong impression... about this.”
Shoubu blushed. “I can’t think of what that would mean,” she lied.
Jin laughed. “Yeah, stupid. It’s nothing, don’t worry about it.”
“Yeah,” began Shoubu. “Uhm, want to come in the water with me?”
“No,” said Jin. “Salt water irritates my scales. I like watching you paddle,” he finished reassuringly.
“Why did you decide to come to the ocean if you can’t come in,” snarled Shoubu.
Jin blinked. “Well... because you wanted to come.”
Shoubu turned away so he couldn’t see her happy smile. “That is kind of you.”
“What are friends for?” said Jin with some relief. Her sharp tone worried him. Maybe he was being tactless.
“I don’t know,” admitted Shoubu. “I don’t have many of them.”
Jin cleared his throat nervously. “Me neither.”
Shoubu splashed out of the water and up to him. “Your scales seem to gleam.” She had learned that flattery was a great seducing tool.
Jin smiled. “Thankyou. He noticed that Shoubu’s eyes were gleaming just as brightly as his scales.
“Jin,” she said, and her voice had changed.
He realised that to step back and retreat would hurt her feelings. He would have to hope she wasn’t going to do anything stupid.
Shoubu brought her lips to his and kissed him softly. Jin allowed her a moment then moved her away from him.
“Shoubu, this is not right. Goodnight,” he turned and left, winging skyward.
Shoubu felt numb, and then she felt blush heat her like fire. Rejected... rejected by Jin... she had failed in this game to seduce him. She was still calling it a game? Ugh! How could she live with herself.
Barely able to see, she staggered home, and cried herself to sleep.

LOG EIGHT

He landed quietly in the surrounding forest. It was then that he noticed she was crying. He bit his lip and steeled himself. He had to get her to come home. This was not what he wanted.
He walked out of his hiding place. “Shoubu?” he called quietly.
Shoubu’s head jerked up and she looked at him. “How did- why are you- what, just get away from me, I’m happy here.” She looked much worse close up. Her eyes were red.
“I don’t believe you,” said Jin, still gaining ground on her. This was not the best thing to do. Shoubu’s nostrils flared and she turned and bolted. Jin started and instinctively searched for metal. He found a deep vein of it under the ground and shot it up to the air to fence Shoubu in on three sides- the other side being the river. “I want you to talk to me!” he cried earnestly.
“I don’t want to talk,” moaned Shoubu. “I’m not good enough for you; that’s all.”
“This isn’t about me,” said Jin. “I love someone else. I can’t be with you that way. And if... if you want to, maybe we shouldn’t be friends.”
Shoubu turned to him, desperately. “But... I just... I only wanted someone to talk to. You talk to me without thinking I’m an idiot...”
“I don’t think you’re an idiot.”
“That’s my point!” cried Shoubu dementedly. “You are the only one! Is it wrong for me to want to be closer to you?”
Jin’s mouth quivered. “No,” he said hoarsely. “I like you, but, I can’t...”
“I know,” said Shoubu, quietly. “But I’m not asking you to marry me.”
Jin swallowed noisily. “I... I...”
“If you can’t answer me in a breath then it’s an answer I don’t want to hear,” sobbed Shoubu. “Let me out of here.”
“I can’t,” said Jin. “I can’t let you out, because you’re hurting yourself. Let me get you home and then I’ll leave.”
Shoubu gave a wordless cry of misery. “Do you know what they’ll say about me? I’m better off... here, alone, by the river.”
“By removing yourself from our view you’re facilitating your self-destruction!”
“That’s rich coming from you, who ran away!”
“I didn’t hurt myself!” retorted Jin.
“Fine. I won’t hurt myself- no wait,” she cut across his angry answer, “I promise not to hurt myself, if you stay with me.”
Jin’s jaw dropped. “Bu... I...” he sputtered. “I can’t do that, Shoubu.”
“Can’t or won’t?” she asked quietly.
“It’s too complicated!” snapped Jin.
“No! It’s simple. Either you stay with me, I don’t care where,” she sniffled. “Or...”
“This is blackmail!” hissed Jin.
“It is whatever you want to call it,” said Shoubu. “What is your answer?”
Jin’s mouth flapped like a goldfish. His mind was totally blank.
Shoubu’s mouth worked into a sad smirk. “Ok then.” Before he could react, she threw herself into the rushing stream.
“Shoubu!” screamed Jin. He ran to the water. She broke the surface of the frigid water and plunged under again, either by her design or that of the current, he did not know. He judged the distance between her and the bank and dived.

LOG TEN

Jin stared at the ceiling. Shoubu had all the covers but she kept him warm enough. She occasionally mumbled in her sleep. Once or twice she said his name. Jin liked the feeling of a warm, soft body against his. He leaned down and left a soft kiss on her silken hair.
“Jin?” Shoubu looked up. It was too late for regrets now. He kissed her again, on the lips this time and his claws wound through her hair.
+-+-+
Jin woke up, lying on his face, when he smelt breakfast. “Mmmm,” he said with his eyes glazed. His room was filled with orange light.
Shoubu giggled. “You’re a freak,” she said cheerfully. She put the laden tray on the bedside table and drank from Jin’s orange juice.
Jin rolled over and wondered why he was so happy. Then his brow creased and he remembered. “Oh… uhm-“
Shoubu frowned. “Jin, let’s just leave it alone.” She sat next to him. “It’s nicer this way. Toast?”
“Yeah,” said Jin. He munched away on the toast liberally spread with butter and vegemite thoughtfully.
Shoubu laid her cheek on his scaly shoulder. “Thanks Jin. You’re an awesome friend.”
Jin started choking on his toast. Shoubu patted him on the back roughly. “Yeah, I’m sorry about that,” he gasped.
Shoubu chortled happily. “I didn’t mean that- you’re an idiot.” She hugged him tightly. “And by the way, you were fine.”
Jin sighed desolately. “’Fine’ means ‘bad, but I don’t want to upset you’.”
Shoubu blinked. “Well you weren’t that bad.”
“Really?”
“This is really important to you isn’t it?” she asked with some trepidation.
“I wouldn’t have thought so before,” mused Jin, “but yes, I think it is.” He shrugged. “Must be a guy thing.”
“Yeah, I see that,” said Shoubu.
“...So?”
“So what?”
Jin sighed. “That bad?”
“You... took a few tries but you got it done in the end,” she said, blushing deeply.
“That’s better than I expected...” Jin swallowed deeply and cleared his throat. “Uh... Are... we ok?”
Shoubu ate the rest of his toast before answering. “Yes.”
“Okay, cool,” said Jin, completely relieved. “It’s great to see you happy again.”
Shoubu giggled. “Don’t make me pounce you.”
Jin swallowed noisily.
Shoubu laughed at him. “You’re so funny. Calm down a bit. Or I’ll whip you again at Duel Monsters.”
Jin grinned. “Maybe I’ll beat you this time.”
“I don’t think so,” challenged Shoubu. “I’ll see you in the Duel Box at dusk!”
“Why not high noon?”
“Because it’s already one. You were out cold for ages.”
“You drugged me!” cried Jin dramatically. “Avast!”
“You’re an idiot,” giggled Shoubu. “I’ll see you in the cube!” She strode out.
Jin blinked. “Well... Sure.”

Jin rand his claws through Shoubu's mane. She was leaning against him, drowsing in the warmth of the sun, catering for her large belly. Her eyes were half closed and she sighed occasionally.
"You're spending a lot of time with me," said Shoubu drowsily. "I thought Brittania would want you now."
"My place is with you," he said softly.
"How is she taking that?" asked Shoubu.
"Well," said Jin simply. "It is the way it is done."
"Oh," said Shoubu. Jin had become very pensive of late; his mate giving birth to babies while a mistress was pregnant. He was down to visit her for hours every day. She enjoyed it. He was so caring and thoughtful. What a catch. To slip through my fingers.
"What will we call the babies?" she asked quietly.
"Something Japanese," said Jin. "Lots of ko suffixes for the girls." He kissed the top of her head.
"And boys?"
"A maru suffix."
Shoubu giggled. Then she frowned, shifting uncomfortably. "Ugh, this awful cramp. I've had it for about two hours now, and it won't seem to stop. Not even when I put heat on it."
"Really?" asked Jin with a false cool façade. "Does it hurt much?"
"Only occasionally."
"Hmm. I think we'd better prepare," he said softly.
"Prepare for what?"
"This could be it," he replied, sliding from under her. "I'll be back in a little while. We'll take care of you."
"What? But-wait!" cried Shoubu, but Jin was already leaping into the air.
"Men," she pouted.
----------------------------------------------

Jin touched down in the mouth of the cave. "Bri-whoah!" he cried as a white streak glomped him, screaming "Daaaadeeeeeeeeeeeeee!"
He patted Rage's head reassuringly. "Where's Mumma?"
"I am here," said Brittania shortly. "What?"
"I think it's time," said Jin simply, stepping forward with Rage still attached.
Brittania's face morphed slowly into a smirk. "Good. Make the arrangements with the translator and I shall employ Zanobi and Swift."
"What about the children?" asked Jin.
"Eerinna can watch them. Go on, now."
Jin nodded. It was a case of 'woman knows best' and he knew it. He peeled rage away from him and leapt out into the empty sky.
"Rage," said Brittania.
"Yes, Mum," said Rage, standing at attention.
"You are in charge until Eerinna gets here. If I see a wing outside this cave, you know what will happen."
"Yes Mum. I would never let that happen." As the first born Dragon, Rage knew her job very well. She would not let down her beautiful mother.
Brittania smiled, evoking a grin from her daughter. "We go to victory today." She she kissed rage on the cheek and followed her mate out of the cave.
-------------------

"What is it you need?" asked Verdis Bina of Jin, standing in front of him in a very business-like manner, hefting a small bag of gems that Jin had passed her.
"I need a dark pine wood litter with black curtains and four carry poles on top. Now."
Verdis barely batted an eyelid. A rush job was to be treated like any other- albeit with a much larger paycheck. "How large?"
"Big enough for two to sit comfortably."
Verdis nodded. She didn't need to ask why. "Wait outside."
Jin obligingly trotted away while Verdis sketched out some lines on a parchment. It was a work of art when she finished it- carved beautifully with plush seats and linings. She tapped Jin on the shoulder. "It's done. What's it for, anyway?" she asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.
"We're to be entertaining a visitor up the mountain," said Jin in a soft voice. "It's easier to travel this way. I'll pick it up in a bit." He nodded to her respectfully and took off.
He was quite wrong in the last respect; the litter was actually picked up by Zanobi, Swift and Dies Irae (the last of whom did not carry at it would have thrown the other side off balance) in twenty minutes. They thanked Verdis and left.
Verdis bit her lip and then hurried to find Seto Kaiba.
--------------------------------------

"You're back," said Shoubu happily as Jin glided back into the glade at the back of her place.
"Yes," said Jin. "How are you?"
"Fine."
"I meant how if your stomach?"
Shoubu frowned. "Getting worse. It's starting to really hurt."
Jin patter her shoulder. "I think you're in labour."
"No I'm not," said Shoubu insistently. "They say it really hurts when you're in labour, and this is just like a throb, and besides, I'm barely... three months! Brittania was pregnant a year!"
"Everyone is different," said Jin quietly. "I'm going to take you up the mountain for your safety." He kissed her cheek. "I don't want anything to happen to you because of me."
"What do you mean," gasped Shoubu.
"Sit," said Jin and Shoubu sat. He started pacing in front of her. "Dragons were once a noble race, but now we are so diminished that even the possibility of dragon spawn is enough to tempt thieves."
"Thieves?' breathed Shoubu. "What do you mean?"
"Kidnappers," he replied. "Sometimes they would not wait for a woman to give birth at all."
Shoubu gasped and covered her mouth, wincing as another throb struck. "How terrible... you didn't tell me this before?"
"I didn't want to upset you," admitted Jin. "I was wrong. I'm sorry. I also only found out very recently myself. You see, even when we were more populous, enemy clans would try and take others' children. New blood, and loyal to the leader." He cupped her chin. "This would not have been an issue a year ago. But our numbers are picking up. It is dangerous. Brittania has told me that in the past, mothers were taken into the clan temporarily until the children came, then allowed to leave when there was no risk."
"You want me to stay there until the babies are born?" asked Shoubu. "And leave the babies with you?"
"The dragons, yes, of course," said Jin. "They will live with us. The others must also be taught our ways, being half dragon and carriers of my genes, but you may keep them."
"Jin, you sound so unlike yourself," said Shoubu worriedly.
"I don't like to feel so afraid for you," he explained. "Brittania... she... she barely survived the birth."
"Oh my," gasped Shoubu. "I didn't know."
Jin shook his head. "I know. It's probably scaring you. But I am afraid for you doubly now."
"Oh Jin," said Shoubu sadly. She kissed his cheek.
"Have you decided to come back to us?" asked Seto sardonically, entering the glade from the side, with his daughter and what sounded like a crowd of others.
"No," said Jin, standing to his full height. "I'm just here to take Shoubu for a visit."
"A visit?" asked Kane quietly. "Up to your mountain?"
"Yes."
"Will she come back down at all?" asked Thuraya bitterly.
"Yes," growled Jin.
"Really," said Shoubu. "I'm going visiting, not to prison," she laughed and groaned.
Jin picked her up gently and set her on her feet. "And I fail to see how it's your business, Kaiba."
"It is my job to be well informed," said Seto. "I'm not going to block you from this, but I would prefer if you gave a date for when we can expect Shoubu to return."
"Say, two weeks." Brittania wheeled and landed on the soft grass. She looked around imperiously and grandly tossed her head at some meandering sticky-beaks to get them to move before the litter fell on them.
Swift and Zanobi brought it down to a soft fwump. Dies Irae opened the door for Shoubu.
"Best to go now," whispered Jin. "Before you get worse."
Shoubu nodded and with his help, crossed the glade.
Seto glared at Brittania, his answer to an awkward silence. She looked down her nose at him with a smug half-smile on her glossy face. She had regained her fighter's form, and knew how well she looked. He had let himself go lately. He looked almost frumpy. As far as Kaiba went.
"You're back," he said stiffly.
"Yes. Just borrowing one of your subjects for a while. We shall return her. My word on it."
At that moment, Jin securely closed the door behind Shoubu. "Ready, Brittania."
Brittania's smile broadened. "Adieu." She glanced meaningfully and Jin and he nodded. He launched into the air, prompting his winged helpers to as well, and they each took a handle of the litter. They lifted clumsily, then soared away. Brittania lifted off after them, laughing.