A/N: おーげんきですa281;I know that I don't have any good reason to give for this very late update. I can't believe that my last update for this story was 2009? Now is 2011? An almost two year absence in this story, will you look at that? Anyways, I re-read the last chapter and decided to end the drought tonight.
ありがとう ございます !
WOLF DEVIL WOMAN
Chapter 14
Morning at HiME Tribe ran as usual, even before the Sun-King rose up to the heavens, the sound of women pounding palays (1) to be used as rice later, and the sound of the windows being opened from within each kubo (2) can be heard. Only the sound of children's laughter could be missed as it was too early in the morning for them.
The Kruger household was not that different, though Viola wasn't pounding palays, the older crimson eyed woman was already busy in the kitchen preparing breakfast for her family and their guests. Beside her was her daughter Shizuru, the two women were moving as if the younger woman has not left their village for months. The lack of words between the two was filled by the sounds of pot of water being put to boil and the sound of knife hitting wood as part of the preparation.
"I don't want Natsuki to fight anyone." Shizuru broke the early morning silence.
Viola just looked at her daughter and smiled, "Then you know what she has to do. Your Nay is not making it difficult for anyone, but you and she agreed on something and she wanted to honor that."
"It is unfair for my Natsuki," Shizuru sighed after breathing out the phrase
Viola nodded her head, "Don't you think your Natsuki is being unfair to you too? You love her, we all know about that now and we can see it, but does she?"
Shizuru looked at her mother, "I can't ask her to love me mother, I can't. I'll ask Nay to just drop the announcement and we all could just go on with that competition in two months."
The older crimson-eyed woman stopped her chopping and stepped closer to her daughter, she put an arm on Shizuru's shoulder, pulled the younger woman to her and kissed Shizuru's forehead that was openly presented to her, "Your Nay will be so proud to hear you say that, giving up on something you desire the most for the safety of someone else is a sure indication of maturity Shizuru, and though we would be happy to do just that and spare the village some kind of problem, do you think your Natsuki will just give up?"
Shizuru pulled away a little and looked her mother in the eye, crimson met crimson, "What do you mean? Natsuki might not be in love with me so she… you mean…mother?"
"Remember Shizuru, the operative word here is 'might', we all have no idea what she really feels for you, but just from looking at her, I could see more of your Nay in her and I'm not just talking about their similarity in physical attributes."
The mother and daughter discussion was cut short by the 'person-of-topic', Natsuki entered the small kitchen stretching her body and yawning which was halted at the middle by the presence of the two chest nut-haired women.
"Good morning…err…" Natsuki blushed deep red as she found two sets of crimson orbs focused on her and both women were grinning while watching her, "So…rry…"
"Oh Natsuki, don't be we are just preparing breakfast!" Viola said after releasing her daughter from her hug, "Good morning to you too,"
"Good morning Natsuki!" Shizuru happily greeted the blue-haired woman, "How sleep? Sleep good?"
Natsuki smiled, "Your sister Arika pointed out to me your bed and I slept there…so yes I had a very good sleep." Natsuki's admission puts a red tint on Shizuru's face which amazed the taller woman's mother.
And how many HiME were able to do that to my Shizuru? Ara…think about it, none of the HiME here had made my Shizuru blush yet! Oh…this is rich! "Did Shizuru and I wake you up from your slumber Natsuki?" Viola smiled which in turn widens Natsuki's eyes as the younger Kruger version saw the similarity in the two women, "Forgive me Natsuki, but we here in HiME do not use honorifics so I hope it's alright for me to just call you by your name,"
Natsuki suddenly bowed, "Of course Viola-san!"
"And in turn Natsuki, you can drop the honorific and just call me Viola…"
"But…err…you are Shizuru's mother and…"
"Then just call me mother if you like," this caused Natsuki to blush deep, much deeper than the earlier tint and brought mother and daughter to laugh
"Is Natsuki hungry?" Shizuru asked concerned
"Ah no! Actually I'm used to getting up early," Natsuki said hurriedly
"Oh…how come back in big house, Natsuki sleep to sun up?" Shizuru asked sporting an innocent look
Viola smiled knowing that her daughter was just baiting the smaller woman, "Why don't you show Natsuki around Shizuru, I can do the breakfast by myself." She offered,
"But mo…"
"Err…It's alright I can go out and look around by myself!" Natsuki interrupted Shizuru, trying not to show her disappointment.
"Oh come on, I am not that old to need help in preparing a simple breakfast. You two could go and leave me be, and I won't accept no for an answer." The older woman said making a shooing motion with her hands, signaling the two younger women to go on.
"Ah…thank you," Natsuki said bowing before Viola and Shizuru kissed her mother's cheek, went to their clay-made sink, washed her hands, dried hands on the hanging cloth via the bamboo rack before stepping close to Natsuki.
"Thank you mother, I'm afraid though that Nay will be looking for me and me being with my Natsuki might be a prob…"
"I'll take care of it Shizuru. So go on you two, make sure you show Natsuki around."
The two young women bowed one last time before exiting the kitchen. Going out from the Living room, Shizuru and Natsuki bumped into Kruger who was just coming in from an early inspection outside.
"Hoy Shizuru, where do you think you and this little me going?" The older cobalt-haired woman asked with one brow raised.
"Nay!" Shizuru gasped and then pulled Natsuki to her in a protective stance,
"Hoy, don't act as if I'm going to hurt little me here, I'm just asking." Kruger said with a stoic expression but the older woman was grinning from inside.
"Nay…" Shizuru stammered
"Ano…we are just…" Natsuki tried to reply for the two of them after swallowing pooled saliva, her heart rate beating faster than usual
"Kruger honey, don't threaten the kids, I ask Zuru to tour Natsuki around, so just let them be!" Viola said out loud from the kitchen causing Kruger to look that way and for Shizuru to hurriedly go out of the house, dragging with her a stunned Natsuki.
"Hoy!" Kruger called out after the retreating women. When the coast was clear, she grinned openly before turning and heading towards the kitchen, "You and your scheming, and for your information, those two aren't kids anymore, they are already "ready" to make kids of their own!" she said smiling to her wife who was smiling back at her.
"While here, you better stop making Natsuki nervous. You know, she might be your future daughter-in-law!" Viola said without stopping what she was doing.
"I wonder if Tomoe will concede,"
"I guess you know the answer to that,"
"And I guess you know that if Tomoe makes a challenge and if that little me is as you say as stubborn as me and accepts, Little me will be defeated."
"Well…a lot could happen in two months."
"Viola, why do I have a feeling that you already have your bet on Little me?"
Viola looked at her wife and grin, "First off, stop calling Natsuki little me, in a year or two she'll be taller than you. Second, it would hurt me to see someone looking like you be hurt in the competition and thirdly, Natsuki is the one that makes Zuru happy." Viola reasoned.
Kruger grinned more, "For your first Viola my love, I am calling Natsuki little me because that will be easier for Han-san, she at least won't have to transfer from bold to regular fonts all the time…"
"Ara…who is Han-san?"
"And besides, if little me is really like me, then there's no way she'll be taller than I am! And for the rest of your point, I agree but where's the fun in that?"
"What do you mean?"
"Want to bet?"
Viola's one eyebrow rose, "Bet?"
Kruger stepped closer to her wife, "I'll root for Tomoe and you can root for little me, the one who lose will carry the next baby of the Kruger household!"
"Baby?"
"Yes, Baby…Arika and Nina are already grown up, I miss having a child here, plus Zuru is going to be mated in the very near future so…"
Viola smiled, "Baby huh? Okay, prepare to carry our newest addition in the family then!"
"Hah! There's no way Tomoe can lose this competition!"
Silence
"Kruger honey, we may have this bet but remember, you are not to interfere in the competition!"
Kruger made a swearing gesture, "No intervention, I won't even breath a word about this to anyone,"
Viola leaned towards Kruger and kissed the cobalt-haired woman's cheek, "One of the things I love about you is you being fair!"
"You think we can start making baby Kruger now?" The smaller woman whispered
"Breakfast…and there are guests love,"
Kruger sighed and stole a peeled apple on the dish being prepared by Viola, "I better hurry the team in building that guest kubo," she said winking at Viola then turned around to head to their room, "I'll head to our room and change!"
-hime-hime-hime-
Shizuru and Natsuki were walking around the village; Shizuru was busy pointing out important spots, like that wide open space they were walking at the moment. Shizuru explained that the place was her and Mikoto's favorite place to play and have fun, and sometimes Arika and Nina would join them. Upon seeing the sad expression on the younger woman, Shizuru moved closer to Natsuki and elbowed the smaller one on her side which caused Natsuki to smile and pull Shizuru to her.
"I'm announcing my intention later to the rest Shizuru." Natsuki whispered to Shizuru's ears before she leaned more and kissed the taller woman's cheek.
"Natsuki…"
"I already made up my mind,"
"You can't!" Shizuru said pulling away from Natsuki, "Shizuru don't want Natsuki fight!"
"But Shizuru…"
"I kill anyone hurt my Natsuki!" she added with matching frown on her face
"Oi Shizuru, you're scaring me,"
"But Natsuki pretty and it hurt here if my Natsuki hurt!" Shizuru said placing a closed hand on her chest above her where her heart lies.
The smaller woman sighed, "I came here to ask for your hand in marriage, and Shizuru, if there's anyone who wants to stop me from marrying you here; then I have to do what I got to do."
Shizuru shook her head, "I don't understand,"
Natsuki held Shizuru's hand in hers and then she knelt before Shizuru, "Shizuru, will you marry me?"
"You…Natsuki wants to mate with me?" Shizuru smiled when Natsuki nodded her head, "I…"
"STOP!" Shizuru and Natsuki looked to where the voice came from, and from behind a large tree near where they stood out came Tomoe. "Good Morning Shizuru," she greeted and then she gave Natsuki a death glare which was answered by Natsuki's own version of death glare. For a long time nothing were said between the three while Tomoe and Natsuki kept on their silent battle.
"Why are you here Tomoe? Are you spying on me?" Shizuru asked angrily,
Tomoe dropped her glare and then looked at Shizuru, "I don't know what she is saying Shizuru, but her action told me that she is asking you to be her mate inappropriately, so you are not allowed to answer her."
"You cannot dictate me what to do Tomoe, you're not my parents and more so, you are not my fiancé." Shizuru replied simply and stood near Natsuki who was looking at them trying to decipher what they were talking about.
"If she wants you she has to enter the competition." Tomoe said turning her back on the two
"You will not hurt Natsuki or help me God, I myself will hurt you that you'll be begging me to end your life,"
Tomoe looked back at Shizuru, "It doesn't matter, there's only one way for her to get you and that is if she defeats me. Good morning again," And with that, Tomoe left without giving them another look.
"You two talking about me?" Natsuki asked with one brow rising,
The taller woman smiled, "Ehhh…yes, we go Natsuki?"
The smaller woman nodded and then she pulled Shizuru's hand with hers and they moved on, "So just from feeling the atmosphere, Tomoe doesn't like me asking your hand in marriage huh?"
"She wants fight Natsuki," Shizuru said bowing her head, her face shadowed then she look up to see Natsuki's smiling face, "Why Natsuki smile?"
"You look cute when you try to scare people in my behalf," Natsuki said before pressing Shizuru's hand tighter,
Shizuru stopped walking causing Natsuki to halt as well, "Natsuki really going to fight Tomoe?"
The cobalt haired woman nodded, "If she's the only obstacle in getting you to marry me, then yes, I will fight her."
"Shizuru cannot stop Natsuki?" She watched Natsuki shook her head, "Then Shizuru show Natsuki way of HiME!"
The smaller woman smiled, "So Shizuru will be Natsuki's sensei?"
"Sensei?"
"Teacher?" Natsuki laughed when Shizuru shook her head, "Oh I'll ask Mikoto to translate that later…sensei!"
"Is sensei delicious?" Shizuru asked which caused Natsuki to blush, "Natsuki your face red again!"
"Ehehehe…yeah sensei is delicious for sure…" Natsuki whispered as they continued on their walk.
-hime-hime-hime-
"Look at this," The older woman of the four said as she carefully lay an old book on top of a table.
"Miss Maria, I believe we have unraveled a holy secret." The red headed priestess of HiME, Midori said looking at the worn-out book and then at the serious face of the old woman in front of her. "I should have not allowed you to dig the old man's grave just to get this. It was his dying wish that this be buried with him."
The dark haired woman beside the priestess huffed and shook her head, "Midori, I don't think you'll ever say no to a bottle of the finest wine in HiME." Youko, Midori's wife and co-priestess said smirking
Midori looked at her partner and frowned, "Don't you pretend you didn't enjoy the wine Youko dear, you probably had amnesia right now, but you drunk twice as I did!"
Miss Maria and Yukariko who was the one who made the special bottle of wine looked at each other and then tried hard not to laugh at the antics of their high priestesses. "Can we go back to business now?"
"Aherm!" Midori tried to wave her partner's scolding and resumed her dignified posture, "Anyway, The old man's contribution to HiME isn't that secret Miss Maria, so why the sudden interest in this old, forgotten and buried book?"
Yukariko and Miss Maria looked at each other, "I don't believe that this book has anything to do with the old man's contribution to HiME high priestess Midori," Miss Maria looked at the book intently, "I may not read the words written in this, and we all know that it was only Old woman Rena who passed away before the old man who interpreted the secret to POWER that we were able to used the old man's manuscript."
"And that manuscript that was written in our tongue is on our care Miss Maria, so answer Midori and tell us your sudden interest in this?" It was Youko's turn to question the older woman.
The white haired woman turned around, her back facing the table that has the old book, "I remembered just recently, after seeing that look alike of Kruger a time in my youth. I remember I was playing hide and seek with my friends when I ended up hiding in a bush where old man Rad and old woman Rena were talking secretly,"
Midori, Youko and Yukariko looked at Miss Maria surprised, "Old man Rad and Old woman Rena having an affair?" Yukariko blurted out with eyes as big as saucers
"That's sacrilege!" Midori said in disgust
Miss Maria frowned and turned to look at the three, "You dimwits! Did I say that?"
"But you said…" Yukariko answered back but was cut short,
"I said I heard them talk in secret! You all have dirty minds!"
"Then stop dilly dallying and get on with it! You are giving us cliff hangers!" Midori said frowning at the older woman
"If you three will just zip your mouths shut then I could have continued you know?" Miss Maira said shaking her head, "So I knew what they were talking about was a secret, but despite the old man talking weird in HiME language, I could understand a lot of it and I got so intrigued I stayed to eavesdrop."
"So what was it all about?"
"Kruger," Miss Maria said, "All I know is that it has something to do with the great white wolf's origin, and the last I heard was that he wanted this book be buried with him."
Silence
"Then we need someone to translate this again, and it's too bad we don't have old woman Rena with us anymore." Youko said focusing her eyes on the book.
"And I also recently learned that Viola is the only one here in HiME who could actually help us…if we disregard Mikoto's meager knowledge." Miss Maria said
"I am not betting on Mikoto to translate for us," Yukariko said smiling, "Not that I undermine her knowledge…"
"Her mindset is too young to understand, and she is an impatient one."
"So do we all agree we need Viola for this?" Midori asked,
Four sets of eyes met and four heads nodded in agreement. Then three of the four sets of eyes turned to the oldest of them, "What?" Miss Maria asked
"Well this was your idea so go ahead and explain this to Viola,"
"And make sure to keep it a secret from Kruger," Youko added.
"Won't that be hard? We both know those two never keeps secret from each other." Yukariko asked worriedly,
"Then this will be a challenge," Miss Maria said smirking then looked at high priestess Midori, "Look after the book high priestess, I'll see what I can do." She said before she turned and walked out of the small nipa hut used for worship in HiME.
"That's my woman!" Yukariko cheered out of the blue and then sheepishly looked at the two high priestesses, "Err that's supposed to be a secret…"
Midori and Youko grinned, "No secret escapes our holy ears!" both women said before turning their backs at Yukariko and went out of the nipa hut, but not after they took the old book with them.
Yukariko's shoulder slumped, "Me and my big mouth," she said before leaving the sacred place.
hime-hime-hime
I t was 3 in the afternoon when Kruger decided that it was time. She talked with Viola and her daughters and explained the situation regarding Natsuki's intention to mate with Shizuru, and that because Shizur herself was not sure of Natsuki's real feelings for her, the non-HiME declaration might be met with challenges. Kruger was happy that her daughter Shizuru did not object because as far as her and Viola's conversation, the young chestnut haired woman was adamant that "her" Natsuki should not fight.
Right after talking to her family, Kruger decided to look for her guests along with Mikoto to translate; she found Natsuki and talked to her and her friends who decided to stay by Natsuki's side which earned respect from the tribe's leader. It is hard to find friends, but it's rare to find a lot of them and then have them stand by you through thick and thin.
"It is now time little me," Kruger said patting Natsuki's back then looked at Mikoto to tell Natsuki what to do.
"Natsuki up that flatform after Kruger speak. Kruger will call HiME first because it is right everyone know chief daughter want marry," Natsuki, Mai, Nao and Chie who has the smiling Aoi hooked to her arm looked each other asking silently what the heck Mikoto was talking about. Mikoto noticed this and frowned, "JUST GO FLATFORM WHEN KRUGER CALL!"
"OHHHHH!" The four friends said in unison.
So it was time…The flat-form that was made from bamboo was large and sturdy and could accommodate a lot of people. There were two tall chairs at the back of the flat-form and three small chairs beside each. At both sides were three small chairs again and a medium sized podium at the right side-front area where Midori, the chief high priestess was now standing.
Looking down from the podium were 2 rows of very long bamboo-made chairs without backrest and HiMEs were sitting on it facing the raised flat-form. At the front of the long stools were 4 bamboo chairs on each side where the HiME guests were sitting.
The "gong" sounded and from the right side came out in order: Arika, Nina, Shizuru, Viola and Kruger. Arika and Nina took the small chairs on the left. Viola sat at the left high chair followed by Kruger who sat at the high chair beside Viola and Shizuru was the last to sit. She sat at the right small chair beside Kruger. At the sides, the six chairs were occupied by: (on the right side) First seat: unoccupied, second seat: occupied by Yuoko and third seat: occupied by Irina, lesser priestess. (on the left) First Seat: Miss Maria (head HiME Advisor), second seat: Haruka Armitage (Leader of Warrior Group, second advisor to great white wolf) and third seat: Yukariko (Leader of Worker Group, second advisor to great white wolf).
"Arika and Nina were the first to come out because they young, they sit left because they still under great white wolf care," Mikoto said to Natsuki who was sitting on the right small front chair along the isle area. Mikoto was at her back leaning. Natsuki nodded despite her not knowing why Mikoto was explaining it. "Viola sat first because in HiME, the warriors protect their wife and puts them higher than them," Mikoto explained again and Natsuki nodded, "Shizuru take right cause today she is old enough to be her own and she sat last cause it means, Shizuru free for the taking!"
"What?"
"Shizuru free to mate," Mikoto whispered, "that sign that great white wolf open door for suitors, Natsuki nodded in understanding without looking back at Mikoto; then her green eyes met that of Shizuru's crimson orbs. "The one on the right side are priestess, you need their blessing to compete, the one on the left sides are the advisor; they will be the one to make the game." Mikoto said once again.
"Why are you explaining these to me?"
"Shizuru tell me to,"
Then it sunk in, Shizuru can't tell her the politics of HiME because she is the great white wolf's daughter and she is the current issue, and Shizuru promised to teach her the way of the HiME, and what better way to discretely do it? Have Mikoto do this for her. Natsuki's smile grew wide, her confidence soar high, "Mikoto,"
"Yes?"
"Thank you." Natsuki said
"You can say Salamat, the priestess will like it if not HiME people try to say our language."
Natsuki looked at Mikoto in understanding, "Teach me then," Natsuki frowned when Mikoto shook her head, "Why?"
"Shizuru teach Natsuki, not Mikoto. She request!"
Natsuki's frown vanished and was replaced by a smile, "I understand…th…salamat."
"Walang anuman! (3)"
-At the flatform, while Midori was saying her prayers for the blessing of Shizuru-
Kruger leaned towards Viola to whisper, "What could Mikoto and little mebe talking about?"
"Does it matter dear?"
"I was just curious…I know Mikoto roots for little me,"
Viola looked at her wife, "Are you nervous that your little me could get some training from Mikoto who you know is the only one to beat Tomoe anytime?"
Kruger smiled, "Should I be nervous? It's not as if I'm the one to do the battle."
"True but if you lose; then you'll be carrying the future kruger addition remember?"
Kruger returned to her proper posture and mumbles, "Tomoe won't lose,"
Viola just smiled and looked at Natsuki who was lovingly looking at Shizuru. You just don't know it Natsuki but from what I can see from here, you do love my Shizuru.
"The blessing had been said, the god of HiME had blessed this day and the day forward, will your intentions be announced?" Midori said lastly and silence engulfed the whole place.
"You stand Natsuki and tell everyone you want mate with Shizuru now!" Mikoto said pushing Natsuki off her chair.
Natsuki stood up and nervously yelled, "I AM HERE TO ASK SHIZURU'S HAND IN MARRIAGE!"
None from the HiMEs spoke, "I think someone needs to translate that for us who don't speak your tongue," Midori said frowning at Natsuki.
"Say I want to ask her hand in marriage,"
"Ano…gusto ko hingi kamay Shizuru…" Natsuki said in broken HiME tongue which caused the Krugers and the priestesses to smile
"If anyone disapproves of this, state your intention now or forever hold your tongue!" Priestess Midori announced and not 5 seconds later…
"I am asking for Shizuru's hand in marriage! And I challenge this impostor to a match!" Everyone looked back to see Tomoe wearing her standard HiME warrior uniform, ready to battle.
"I am asking for Shizuru's hand in marriage!" and then all eyes were on one of the rows of benches where Ain was now standing, also wearing her standard HiME uniform.
Chie and Mai's eyebrows raised and they both looked at Nao, "Is she asking Shizuru's hand in marriage too?" Chie asked
"I thought she was gunning after you?" Mai asked Nao
Nao looked at Mai and Chie, "Don't ask me, I'm taken!"
"Ohhh she finally confessed!" Aoi said giggling
At the stage, Shizuru's eyes were wide, "Ain…"
-End chapter 14-
Next: Will the challenge starts now?
1 unhusked rice
2 nipa hut
3 direct translation: No Problem, used as : You're welcome