Disclaim: Refer to chapter 1.
Cognitive Process
Chapter 3: Suspicion and the Eternal Walk
*Motoko POV*
"ROCK SPLITTING SWORD!" I attack as I dodge Oneesama's previous Thunderblade attack. I think that someday soon I may be able to defeat her and prove myself worthy.
My attack is dodged, and my sister comes at me to cross blades. We trade blows back and forth until, eventually, I am knocked from my feet.
She beams down at me as she holds out her hand, "Come, Imouto- chan, we shall rest now." I grab her hand and she pulls me up.
The last few days have been great. Oneesama has been sparring with me, and I think my skills have greatly improved. Yes, they definitely have improved considering how the first match left me on my backside in only moments.
"Motoko-han, if you continue on like this you may defeat me, but enough talk of the sword art. Come with me."
I follow my elder sister blindly. It's been great having her here. Except for the first morning when she saw me comforting Kaolla and became enraged, she has been awesome, I haven't been punished once, and I hope she stays longer.
Tsuruko stopped at the bathroom before the entrance to the Hot Springs. She put the sign up, not like that would stop Keitaro, and slid the door shut behind us once we had entered.
I felt a blush crawl up my cheeks as I watch my elder sister disrobe from the corner of my eye. 'She's so beautiful, one day I will be worthy. Hopefully very soon, especially before Oneesan decides to go home.'
(3rd POV)
Motoko turned back to undressing herself, trying to ignore her sister's presence for the time being. That didn't mean Tsuruko didn't mind watching Motoko. She had caught the look and had also noticed the blush on Motoko's face.
Tsuruko washed herself, and was done before Motoko finished undressing. Motoko looked up from washing herself to watch her sister leave, and found that her blush returned.
Tsuruko sat down in the Hot Springs facing the entrance so she could see when Motoko entered. Easing herself into the steaming water, Tsuruko sighed. "Ahhh, this is nice," Tsuruko purred out as her eyes slipped half closed.
Motoko entered a few minutes later, and was a little surprised to see her sister so relaxed. Her eyes were veiled behind their lids, and there was a small smile gracing her lips. Motoko blushed anew when she realized that while her sister's eyes were hooded, they weren't closed, which meant she was looking directly at her. Motoko moved to sit near Tsuruko, then sunk into the water as well.
They both sat in silence, Tsuruko completely at peace and Motoko wondering whether or not she should start up conversation. Eventually, Motoko just accepted the silence, and was at peace as well, her expression similar to Tsuruko's.
The two women sat that way, each lost in her own world, until the sky darkened unto night, and lights began to flicker on. They both rose, simultaneously, and headed towards to door.
As Motoko slid the door open, a sleeping Mitsune fell onto the ground, which consequentially awoke her. "Kitsune, what are you doing?"
Mitsune was still slightly dazed from being awoken, in one of Kaolla's stealth suits, so abruptly. "Uhh, eh heh. I don't remember?" Mitsune just smiled, hoping it looked drunk enough for her answer to pass.
Motoko didn't really care why Mitsune was there, just how she could have fallen asleep like that, and why she was wearing that suit with it turned off. "If you say so Kitsune."
'Phew, it worked! I'm so relieved that I didn't have to think up something else. It's not like I could tell them I was spying. Gawd! I never expected them to just sit in silence for the entire time.' Mitsune's look of relief slowly faded as she realized Tsuruko was still there, and the demon-glint, which was never seen used on anyone other then Motoko, was fixed upon her.
"You're up to something, aren't you, Kitsune-mesu? While my younger sister may not care what you are up to, I will not have you disrupting my Imouto-chan or me. The consequences of which, I do not think you would survive." Tsuruko's face reverted to its normal pleasant smile, "Have a good day!" She said as she walked into the changing room.
Mitsune let out a puff of air, 'Whew! That was freaky! No wonder Motoko is so freaked when her sister suddenly shows up.' Mitsune checked to make sure the sisters were gone, and once sure, she decided she could indulge herself in a short evil chuckle. When she had finished, she cracked open one eye and smirked. "Don't worry Tsuruko, I won't disturb Motoko or you, not now that I found what I was looking for."
Mitsune smirked her kitsune smile, stopped to pick up a shining object, and then she started on her way back to her room where she planned to finally get royally smashed.
Before she could even take three steps out of the bathhouse, Shinobu stopped her. "Kistune-san it's supper time. Have you seen Tsuruko or Motoko?"
"Oh, they've just finished bathing and have probably gone back to Motoko's room," Mitsune started to head for the dining room. Over her shoulder she said, "Good luck," and then she scurried off.
Shinobu watched Mitsune leave, then turned towards Motoko's room with a sigh. "I wonder how long Tsuruko is going to be staying. I just hope that she doesn't do something to hurt Motoko-san."
Once she reached the door, Shinobu gently knocked. After a few seconds Kaolla's head popped out. Shinobu blinked, "Su, why are you here?"
Kaolla grinned crazily, "Hello, Shinomu. I'm setting a trap for Motoko, I'll catch her soon, I tells ya!" Kaolla's head disappeared back into the room for a moment, before it reappeared. This time she emerged from the room completely. "Why are you here?"
Shinobu looked confused as she watched Kaolla tinker with some sort of device, but then remembered why she had come. "It's supper time! I came to tell Tsuruko and Motoko, do you know where they are?"
Kaolla had looked up excitedly at the mention of food. "Is it turtle soup? Are you finally serving Tama?" Kaolla began to drool as she thought of eating Tamago, her greatest rival.
"Su! I'd never cook Tama-chan!" Kaolla started to take off towards the dining room. "Wait! Do you know where the two sisters are? Su!"
Skipping down the hallway, Kaolla turned around. "I think they are on the roof!" she sing-songed as she turned back to her task.
. . . . .
End Chapter 3
In case anyone cares, I used 'mesu' at the end of Kitsune's name once because (one of) its meaning(s) is female animal, and I wanted it to show that Tsuruko was saying the name as it's real meaning, fox, instead of just using it as her name. I wanted this because foxes are cunning little critters, and that's what I wanted conveyed, and while a reader could easily tell the difference between Kitsune and kitsune, someone listening wouldn't be able too.
I had Kaolla call Shinobu 'Shinomu' on purpose (it's not a typo), because for some reason after they meet Nyamo Kaolla always calls her that. (No, I don't know why, and I don't know why Nyamo calls her that either... something to do with accent I think.)
Poor Shinobu, will her voyage to find the yummy sisters ever end? And what was that shining object that Kitsune picked up? Just what /is/ Kaolla plotting? What was the device in her hands? Will she ever get to eat Tamago? *sighs* Alas, not even I know the answers to these questions.
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