Taichi clapped a hand on Yasushi's shoulder, his earlier irritation replaced by barely contained excitement. "Come on, you know you love us."
"Yeah, yeah," Yasushi grumbled, but there was no real heat in his words. He took a deep breath, squaring his shoulders as if preparing for battle. "Alright, let's do this. But remember, we're just looking. No interaction, no drawing attention to ourselves. Got it?"
The others nodded solemnly, though the gleam in their eyes suggested they were more thrilled than chastened by Yasushi's warning.
"Lead the way, oh fearless leader," Koba said, gesturing grandly toward the direction of the lagoon.
Yasushi began his sprint towards the lagoon, the group fell into formation behind him. The air buzzed with anticipation, the sounds of the forest gradually returning around them. They moved with exaggerated care, each step measured and quiet, like children playing at being spies.
With the stealth and agility of seasoned forest dwellers, the children sprinted towards the lagoon. They leaped from branch to branch, their movements fluid and nearly silent, expertly avoiding detection. The pre-dawn air was cool against their skin as they moved swiftly through the canopy.
The lagoon was close now, its presence felt more than seen through the thinning trees.
As they approached the clearing of the forest, the trees gave way to an open area around the lagoon. Upon reaching its edge, they instinctively sought cover, melting into the shadows of trees and dense bushes. Their eyes, wide with anticipation, scanned the area, searching for any sign of movement.
"Look, over there to the left," Yasushi whispered, pointing, his finger trembling slightly with nervous excitement.
As one, Sachiko, Taichi, Megumi, and Koba turned their heads in the direction Yasushi indicated. The darkness that greeted them was initially impenetrable, the fading stars providing only the barest hint of illumination as dawn approached.
For a moment, they saw nothing but shadows and the vague outlines of vegetation. Then, as their eyes adjusted to the low light, three figures gradually took shape in the gloom.
The first to become clear was a young adult female. Her short brown hair framed a face dominated by striking violet eyes that seemed to catch what little light there was. Next to her stood an elderly woman, her small, hunched frame speaking of years of wisdom and hardship. Her hair and eyes were a dull brown, lacking the vibrancy of her younger companion.
Both women wore black robes, their surfaces adorned with intricate embroidery that the children recognized as the symbol of the Chika clan. The robes seemed to absorb what little light there was, making the wearers blend seamlessly into the pre-dawn shadows.
But it was the third figure that truly captured the children's attention. Kneeling before the elder, bent over a plot of flowers, was a young child. Like the others, this figure wore a black robe embroidered with the Chika clan symbol. But unlike them, the child's head was covered by a hood, and a mask obscured her features, lending an air of mystery and intrigue to the scene.
Everyone held their breath, their eyes locked on this enigmatic trio. As they watched, frozen in place by a combination of caution and fascination, the scene before them began to take on an almost dreamlike quality. The soft lapping of the lagoon's waters, the gentle rustling of leaves in the early morning breeze, and the hushed voices of the trio by the flowers all blended into a surreal tableau.
The silence among the hidden group was broken by Taichi's hushed whisper. "Is that her?" he asked, his eyes fixed on the masked figure.
"Yeah, that's her" Yasushi confirmed nodding, a hint of pride coloring his voice coupled with a slight blush creeping across his cheeks.
Sachiko shifted slightly, leaves rustling beneath him as he tried to get a better view. "Why is she covered up like that?" he inquired, curiosity present in his whispered tone.
Arrogantly, Koba interjected, pushing Sachiko's face aside to peer more closely at the scene. "Stupid, that's a dumb question" he teased smirkingly. "Isn't it obvious? She must be ugly."
Yasushi felt his heart pounding in his chest, a mixture of emotions bubbling within him. His reaction to Koba, though immediate and fierce, was still constrained to a harsh whisper, irritation clear in his tone. "No! You idiot, that's not the reason at all!"
Sensing the rising tension, Taichi intervened with a suggestion. "Let's get closer and get a better look," motioning for everyone to continue forward.
The group separated, each child choosing their own path through the underbrush. They moved with the instinctive stealth of young predators, staying low to the ground and using every shadow and bush for cover. Their progress was slow but steady, each step carefully placed to avoid snapping twigs or rustling leaves.
As they drew nearer to the trio by the lagoon, the pre-dawn air carried snippets of conversation to their eager ears. The voices grew clearer with each cautious advance, adding a new layer of intrigue to the scene unfolding before them.
The young woman's voice was the first they could distinguish clearly, her tone respectful but tinged with concern. "Elder, do you think it's wise to be out here so early? The dew hasn't even settled yet."
The elder's response came in a raspy whisper, filled with the wisdom of years. "The early hours are when the flowers speak most clearly, my dear. And our little one here needs to learn their language."
The masked child remained silent, seemingly absorbed in the task of examining the flowers before them. Her small hands moved with surprising gentleness over the delicate petals.
From the children's new vantage points, the hidden observers could see more details. The embroidery on the robes glinted faintly in the growing light, intricate patterns that spoke of status and tradition. The elder's hands, when they gestured, were gnarled like old tree roots but moved with surprising graceful strength.
As they watched and listened, the sky continued to lighten, the stars fading as the first hints of sunrise painted the horizon. The lagoon's surface began to shimmer with reflected light, casting an ethereal glow over the scene.
The Elder's voice carried clearly in the still morning air, her tone patient and instructive. "You see, Kaname," carefully pointing to a flower in her hands. "This flower right here is called a georia. It only blossoms around this time of morning and is used to treat burns. Be careful while plucking it. Its thorns are very sharp."
Etsuyo's mutterings disrupted the serene atmosphere, her frustration seeping out with every passing second. "Geez!... Where is the Captain? He's late! I bet that fucker is still sleeping." Allowing her emotions to get the best of her, she picked up a boulder, throwing it violently into the lagoon. "AHHHH! THAT DRUNK, STUCK UP BASTARD!" She then held her fist in the air, solidifying her resolve "Just wait until I get back…"
Isolated from the commotion, a soft cry of pain came from Kaname. "Tsk... Ow."
The Elder's voice took on a note of concern, ignoring Etsuyo's disruptive behavior. "Kaname, I told you to be careful. Ugh... Let me see."
"I'm sowwy," Kaname responded, her childish voice filled with regret.
The hidden observers watched intently as the Elder moved towards Kaname, bending down to examine the child's hand. In a moment that seemed to stretch into eternity, the Elder gently pulled the hood from Kaname's head, revealing braided, greyish-white hair that shimmered like the surface of the lagoon. Then, with equal care, she removed the mask.
From their vantage point, only Koba, Taichi, and Yasushi were able to see Kaname's face. The sight left them awestruck, a collective blush spreading across their cheeks in admiration of her celestial beauty.
Taichi, recovering first, couldn't resist teasing his friend. "So, that's your wife, hmm..." he whispered with a grin.
Filled with unmistakable pride, Yasushi responded. "Yup, that's my Kaname." His eyes never leaving her, "That's my girl…"
Koba opened his mouth, ready to share his thoughts on Kaname's appearance, when suddenly his body tensed. A chill ran down his spine as he sensed a malevolent presence approaching. Without hesitation, he rushed towards Megumi and Sachiko, signaling urgently to Taichi, who had also become aware of the incoming danger.
The evil aura exuded a malicious energy that seemed to poison the very air around them. Realizing it was too late to retreat unseen, the children instinctively pressed themselves closer to the ground, desperately trying to further conceal themselves.
Yasushi's heart pounded in his chest, fear for Kaname's safety mingling with concern for his friends. He shot a questioning look at Koba and Taichi, silently asking if they recognized the approaching threat. Their grim expressions offered no comfort.
The peaceful scene by the lagoon shattered as Etsuyo, her instincts honed by years of training, swiftly moved into an attack stance. She positioned herself protectively beside the Elder, ensuring Kaname was hidden safely behind them. The air hissed with agitation as two men emerged from the shadows, their approach unnervingly calm despite the bloody yukatas they wore.
As the intruders drew near, their cold eyes locked onto the women, malice radiating from their very presence. The first to speak wore a sinister smile, his short, spiky hair framing a face marred by a name carved into his forehead: Z E I.
"Well, well, well, look who we found," Zei chuckled, his voice dripping with dark amusement.
The Elder, her face calm with determination, reached back without looking, signaling Kaname to replace her hood and mask. The child complied silently, understanding the gravity of the situation.
Drawing herself up to her full height, diminutive as it was, the Elder's voice rang out with unexpected strength. "This is Chika territory! Leave at once!"
The second intruder's face contorted with rage at the Elder's defiance. "Oh... that's no way to greet a guest," he snarled, drawing his sword with a metallic screech. The air around him began to shimmer as he increased his energy levels. "Shall I teach you some manners, you despicable hag?"
Etsuyo's mind frantically pondered as she assessed their dire situation. WHERE THE HELL ARE THE GUARDS!!?
Acutely aware of the vast difference in strength between herself and the intruders, her eyes darted between the two men, searching for any weakness she could exploit.
Hidden in the underbrush, the children watched the scene unfold with growing horror. Yasushi's hands clenched into fists, his entire body trembling with the need to rush to Kaname's aid. Taichi placed a restraining hand on his friend's shoulder, his face pale with fear.
Koba, Megumi, and Sachiko exchanged panicked glances, torn between the instinct to flee and the desire to help. The malevolent aura emanating from the intruders was overwhelming, unlike anything they had ever encountered.
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