Chapter 11

The rays of sunlight fell across my face, stinging my eyes. I turned to my side and hugged myself a little tighter, not wanting to wake up and break the spell of peace just yet.

Aiko. Traveling. Danger.

I jumped from my bed, gasping and punching at the air before falling to the floor with a loud thud. Ow. I lay, sprawled, on the floor, taking deep breathes. Tears came into my eyes as I rubbed my back. It is not fun to fall out of bed. When had I become so jumpy that a few thoughts in my head is enough to make me fall? I sighed as I pulled myself up, cringing as the excruciating pain shot up my spine. Oh well. No time to ponder at such things. I secured my kimono with a sash and pulled on a pair of trousers, scanning the room for my pack.

It sat on the chair at the vanity table. I hooked my arm through its handle before opening the door, racing down the stairs.

“’Morning,” Chrysanthemum hummed as she pranced around the kitchen, “I’ve made breakfast. Would you like some biscuits with your porridge?” I nodded my thanks. She seemed in unbelievable good spirits as she set a bowl before me. I pulled a chair over and sat down. The house was silent, the lights dim. I guessed that it was only the break of dawn, if not earlier, and Chrysanthemum and I, by some miracle, were the only ones up.

Chrysanthemum dumped porridge into my bowl and gave me a biscuit before turning back to the stove. “I’m boiling more porridge,” she explained, “The others aren’t up yet,” she grimaced, “I don’t think we should linger here, but Wen-Ling and Aiko both seem to think that we needed our rest, so I don’t think there’s any need or use to complain,” she shrugged, “I couldn’t help it. I woke up early.”

“So did I,” I replied, swallowing a spoonful of porridge. For a moment, neither of us said anything. I pondered our mission as I ate in silence. What had happened, what would happen. What if we succeed in warning “the Gray Lady”? What then? Would anyone come to our aid? Would we be able to stop Papa’s army? Or was “The Gray Lady” alone? How would we be able to stop Papa, a power-hungry, ambitious man who would do anything to get what he wanted?

And what then? What would happen if the pearls were finally safe? I couldn’t possibly go back to my old life now. Not after this…not after what I’ve learned about the world, what I’ve been through. Half a month ago, I was an ignorant young girl of fifteen years old, desperate to avoid a tedious life and an arranged marriage, wanting to see the world myself. Now…well…I don’t even know who I am, or, at least, who I’m supposed to be anymore. I’ve changed too much. Having really seen the world…well…I don’t think I’ll ever be able to go back to what it was, before I learned that my father was a murderer.

Chrysanthemum had turned back to her cooking as I mused and she was now washing a few bowls. I put mine into the sink and picked up a little piece of cloth. It looked clean enough.

“You wash,” I told her, “I’ll dry.” Okay, I didn’t know what I was doing, since I grew up with servants in the house, which is kind of why I volunteered to dry instead of wash. I figured drying would be easy enough, since it didn’t look all that hard. I need to do something to get my mind off what would happen next. We worked in silence, Chrysanthemum washing the dishes and passing them to me while I dried them with the rag cloth.

“Hiya!” Suddenly, a voice sounded in my ear. I gasped and jumped back, groping for a weapon. A spoon fell from Chrysanthemum’s hand, clattering to the ground and she reached for a fork. Her cheeks were red as she turned, her fists clenched so tightly blood drained out of her knuckles and they turned into a color as white as snow.

I turned slowly, cautious and found myself face to face with…Kyo.

“GAH!” I yelped, leaping back yet again, pressing my back against the counter by the sink, “Kyo! By the gods, you scared the wits out of me!”

“At your service,” Kyo grinned, doing a little theatrical bow.

I glared at him. How could he sneak up on us like that? Doesn’t he know what it feels like to be on constant guard, knowing if you aren’t cautious you’ll be captured and likely killed? No. Of course he doesn’t. Ugh.

Chrysanthemum dried her hands on her apron and came to stand beside us. She smoothed a lock of her fine, silky hair back with her slender fingers, watching me carefully.

“Um…” She murmured, “W-would you like some breakfast?” she asked, breaking the silence between us. Kyo turned on her. “Yes, please.”

I picked up my rag and continued with the dishes while Chrysanthemum gave Kyo a bowl of porridge and a few biscuits. After she picked up the spoon she dropped, we returned to our somewhat companionable silence. That is, until Wen-Ling and Aiko arrived.

“Hello, girls,” they called as they stepped into the room, packs slung across their shoulders, looking as refreshed as they could possibly be. Wen-Ling’s slick black hair was tied back in a single sleek braid. She was wearing a new kimono made of ocean blue silk, looking very, very pretty, not to say very, very cleaned up.

“We will be going now,” Aiko announced. She, the complete opposite of Wen-Ling, was clad in red. “And,” she added, “Thank you, Chrysanthemum and Mayflower, for making breakfast and washing the dishes.” She threw a smile our way.

Hurriedly, I set the plate down and dried my hands, untying the apron, walking to stand besides Wen-Ling. Chrysanthemum set the last of the bowls aside and followed me. Kyo stood up and walked over.

“Well, if we have everyone,” Wen-Ling murmured.

She opened the door.

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Beads of sweat ran down my forehead as I climbed.

“How far?” Chrysanthemum shouted.

“Only a little bit more!” Aiko’s voice came back, barely louder the rustling of the waterfall.

Wen-Ling was right. We needed our strength. Apparently, Aiko’s brother lived in the mountains. We’d been hiking since noon. It was a steep hill, with a waterfall right beside the trail. I shrugged when Chrysanthemum turned back, a question in her eyes. “He’s down there,” I pointed. Kyo was still near the foot of the waterfall, throwing his hands up, exasperated. Chrysanthemum stifled a giggle and turned around again to start climbing.

I followed after her, careful not to place my hand under where she might step if she lost her balance. I was grateful, for what little rest I had been able to gain this morning, since it was very, very, very draining to be climbing a mountain all day. I glanced back at Kyo.

“Keep up!” Aiko shouted.

I doubted Kyo could hear.

“Do you think,” Chrysanthemum muttered as she continued to climb, “That the Guardians would be able to stop your father? I mean, he raised an army! With a general and all that!”

“That's exactly what I'm afraid of,” I told her through clenched teeth as I pulled myself up, “Papa won't be stopped. I know him and I know he'd never stop until he has what he wants.”

“Only a little bit more!” Aiko shouted back at us.

I glanced upward. There, on the edge of the cliff, right by the waterfall, stood a grand house. I raised an eyebrow. Really? Wow. A lovely, elegant house in the mountains, right by a waterfall, on top of a cliff. I must say, this brother of Aiko's has to be very rich. The house builders don't really build in the mountains unless they receive a very good pay. I reached over to grab the edge of the cliff.

“Here,” Chrysanthemum, already up there , offered me her hand. I took it and pulled myself up.

“Whew,” I muttered, “That was one long climb.”

Aiko groaned as she looked over the edge. “Hurry up!” She shouted back to Kyo.

Chrysanthemum giggled.

Kyo's fingers appeared at the edge of the cliff and he was gasping and wheezing like he'd just ran a thousand miles. I don't blame him. I myself was panting so hard, my sides were hurting. I have no experience with mountain-climbing at all.

He pulled himself up.

“Whew,” he gasped, doubling over, clutching his sides, “That...was...one...hard...climb...” He straightened and dusted himself up. “I'm so exhausted I can drop,” he declared, cheerful but a little out of breath.

Aiko rolled her eyes. “Oh, please.”

“Now,” she said, all seriousness in her voice, “I have to warn you. My brother is a little strange.

I gulped, glancing towards the little cottage. I've had too much “a little strange” lately.

Author's Note

Does anyone else think that this is THE WORST cliffhanger I have ever written?? Grrrrrr. Don't worry, soon, we'll have plenty of evil cliffhangers. I tell you, CLIFFIES ARE EVIL!!!!!

Reviews

[Professor Xeronian]

That was literally a hang near by a cliff... lol.

[Rose of Gondor]

OH my god. You have a knack for digging up the OLDEST of my stuff. Apologies if it's horrible (actually, who am I kidding, it IS. Lousy plot, lousy resolution) But still. :D Thanks for the review.

[Rose of Gondor]

To rachi52 and Crystal Marie Rome----Thank you! Those reviews just made my day. :)

[Crystal Marie Rome]

Hehehehehehehe! I love Kyo!!! Characters just make me laugh and you did so well with him! I squealed when I saw that you had put this chapter up and it has not disappointed! I really can't wait for more so keep writing!!!
Do your best! =))))

[rae52]

i love it i can't wait for more