Chapter 4
Written by: Siona

Well, the girls are going to be trained after two years of work *and almost a month of typing!* But it seems that sparks are starting between Atarashii and Mimi-chan! But wait! They’re not the only ones bitten by the love bug! Atarashii has a moonlight chat with Minami, Judaiko teases poor Kibito, and Taihen reads LOTR with Kaiobit! I can see the kiddies everywhere now! ^-^ Also, because of confusion with me and the goddess of the west, I am changing my pen name to Siona, my real name. Why? BECAUSE I CAN, THAT’S WHY! WHY ARE YOU STILL READING THIS? GO READ MY FIC!!!!!!!!

Atarashii lay in the silken bed, fatigued, yet full of energy. It was her first night on the holy sphere of Kaioshin-kai. For the first time in almost five years, she wasn’t sleeping in the same bed or even the same room with her friends, Taihen and Judaiko. They were farther down the hall of Nishi Kaioshin’s palace. The goddess had thought it proper that they live in the house of a fellow woman. She tossed and turned, kicked off the covers and pulled them back on, lay on her back and her stomach, fluffed the pillow, then threw it to the hardwood floor. Atarashii groaned and sat up, covered in sweat from the silk nightgown and the heavy blankets. Amazing how much a year of sleeping in cattle cars, gutter, trash bins, and hard wood floors of Soup Kitchens could change you. Looking towards the door, she got up and lit a small candle. Maybe a drink and a sandwich will put me to sleep, the young woman thought to herself. Twisting the doorknob, she stopped and took a good look at it. It wasn’t plastic or even rhinestone. It was diamond. Atarashii pulled back from the door as if it was on fire. After wondering about her reaction, she finally knew the reason why. I don’t deserve to be here. I’ve stolen only the Gods know how many clothes, food, and more over that one year. I’m not special at all… Her stomach grumbled, not caring whether she was important or not, it just wanted food. Atarashii opened the door carefully and walked out into the hall. Even the halls to the guest rooms astounded her. The walls were of solid marble, not a crack to be seen with the bare eye. They were held up by marble pillars of Greek style with gold-painted tops and bottoms. The floor was a hardwood with a brown color so deep it was almost black. If Nishi Kaioshin had it this good, Atarashii could only imagine the grand palace that the Dai Kaioshin called home. Atarashii walked down the hall to the kitchen, holding a map she had done on a napkin when Nishi had shown them around. “Okay, take a left on the West Wing of the South Wing, then you’ll find the kitchen.” she muttered to herself as she tried to figure out the huge labyrinth. Just when her feet began to hurt, she took another left and found herself in the kitchen. Even this small cooking area was glamorous. There were no grease stains, crumbs, or spills like the kitchen as her mother’s had been. Everything sparkled even in the darkness of the night, all was spotless. Atarashii walked over to the stove, looking for a pot to boil water in. Roman noodles were one of her favorite foods, thankfully, because they were about the only thing other than rice and grilled cheeses that she could cook without hurting herself. “What are YOU doing up, Atarashii?” Atarashii turned around in shock, spilling the hot water everywhere. “Oh, no!” She looked up and saw Judaiko and Taihen, sitting at the table eating Roman noodles. “Oh, it’s just you guys. You guys can’t sleep either?” Taihen shook her head. “No, it’s so weird. I feel so uncomfortable here. Like…” “Like I don’t belong.” finished Judaiko. Atarashii nodded mournfully. She sat down at the table, comforted by the presence of her friends. Making a bowl appear, she filled it with the last of the noodles. After an hour of eating in silence, all three put aside their bowls. Judaiko looked down at her watch. Even though she wasn’t on Earth, it was something she liked to look at when she was bored. “It’s 1:45 A.M on Earth.” Atarashii sighed. She had never been much of a night owl. She could not take it anymore. “Hey, girls. Can I tell you something personal?” Judaiko snapped her head back, faking shock. “What? You don’t think we can keep a secret?” She put her hand over her heart. “I’m hurt, Atarashii!” Atarashii smiled. “No, I was just wondering.” Judaiko leaned across the table. “Well, what do you want to say? Feeling guilty about something?” “No, it’s just…when Minami put his hand on my collarbone…I felt something…strange.” Judaiko smiled. “Like a warm fire? Like someone holding you close when you’re upset?” Atarashii looked up. “Yes, yes! That’s exactly what I was thinking! How’d ya know?” Taihen and Judaiko looked at each other and smiled. Taihen said at last, “Atarashii… we think that…” Atarashii almost screamed, “That what?!” Taihen giggled as she bust out, “We think that you have a crush on the God of the South! Hee hee!” Atarashii stood up in shock, knocking over her chair. “I DO NOT HAVE A CRUSH!” The other two shushed her and Atarashii picked up her chair and set it down. After catching her breath, Atarashii repeated more quietly, “I do not have a crush!” Judaiko nodded her head. “Sure you don’t.” She said sarcastically. “You have all the symptoms, girl. You’ve been weirdo since we met him, it’s so obvious!” Just when Atarashii was about to retaliate, Judaiko said quietly, “But you’re not the only one.” Taihen and Atarashii leaned into her face. “Who?” Judaiko’s face flushed. “Um, you won’t tell him?” “No, we’re you’re friends! We won’t tell!” “Well…” The other two leaned closer. “It’s Kibito.” “WHA?!” Atarashii drew back, while Taihen stood, frozen with shock. “Kibito? You’re lying.” Judaiko shook her head. “No, it’s true. The moment I saw him, I fell for him. There’s just something I like about him! He seems so much like a…like a lost puppy.” Atarashii thought of Kibito’s hard face. He sure didn’t look like a lost puppy; more like a mad bull dog. Judaiko turned to Taihen. “Well, what about you? Do you have a crush on someone here?” Taihen went as red as wine. “Oh, yes, she does!” Judaiko giggled. Taihen looked down at her feet and mumbled something. “Whadda say?” Atarashii said, cupping her ear. “I’M IN LOVE WITH KAIOBIT! KAIOBIT! KAIOBIT! KAIO-“ Taihen said no more for Atarashii and Judaiko had jumped up and clamped their hands on her mouth. They slowly let go and Taihen said, “I dunno why, there is something about him. His hair, the way it falls down, his skin, just the right shade of purple, and his ears, I’ve always liked those kinds of ears!” “Wow.” Atarashii murmured. “All of us are in love with a god! Weird!” Taihen yawned, setting off a chain reaction in the trio. Atarashii laughed, then said, “We should probably get back to bed, ya guys.” Judaiko nodded. “Yeah, noodles put me to sleep every time.” The other two walked off sleepily to their rooms, but Atarashii stayed in the room. So many thoughts spoke in her mind, but one was the loudest. Minami…

Judaiko stalked behind the 6-foot man, hiding her ki so he wouldn’t notice her presence. Maybe if I take something from Kibito, he’ll notice me! Judaiko thought quietly to herself. Besides…guys aren’t supposed to be wearing earrings anyhow! Hee hee! Kibito stopped to smell a flower and Judaiko almost ran into him, stopping herself just in time. Well, now or never! Judaiko snuck up behind Kibito and reached for the Potara earrings all the gods wore. Suddenly, a red hand grabbed her, pulled her over Kibito’s shoulder, and set her firmly on the ground. “What are you doing?” Kibito demanded in his gruff voice. For the first time, Judaiko found herself unable to speak. He had caught her! Nobody had ever caught Judaiko! Nobody! “Well?” Kibito repeated. “Um…I just wanted…to check if you were awake!” Kibito frowned even more. “Hmm?” Judaiko smiled the best she could. Man, she was so nervous around him! “Y-yeah! You had all the symptoms of sleepwalking! I just wanted to see if you were or not.” Kibito let go of her and stared down at her, for Judaiko was small at only 5’ 1”. “You’re lying, Judaiko.” Judaiko was startled. “What? What’d you say?” “I said you’re lying. I know you are, and lying will get you nowhere, young mistress.” Kibito said matter-of-factly. Judaiko could only stare. He was good! He had caught her and seen through her lie as if it was made of glass! She was impressed. “You’re right. It’s a bad habit, from being on the streets, ya know? Kinda hard to drop.” Kibito nodded, understanding. “I see, but still, stealing and lying isn’t right, and I think you should drop this habit as soon as possible.” Judaiko nodded and Kibito began to nod off. After watching him walk off, Judaiko ran after him. “Hey, hey, Kibito, wait up!” Kibito stopped and waited as Judaiko ran up to him panting. “I-I was wondering…” Kibito said, “Yes, what?” “Um…I was wondering if I could walk with you for a while? I’ve heard of a beautiful garden ‘round here, perhaps…perhaps you could give me a tour?” Kibito blushed till he was the color of wine, then said less gruff than usual, “W-why yes. I take care of the garden you speak of. I would love to show you around.” Judaiko held out her arm and he took it and the pair walked off arm in arm.

Taihen leaned against a weeping willow, watching a butterfly float over the lake. A fish leaped up and ate the insect in one bite. Taihen sighed. She couldn’t believe how boring this was, and Kita did it every day! A rustling in the bushes was heard nearby, and Taihen looked over to the right. It was Kaiobit! Moreover, he was coming right at her! Blushing madly, Taihen pulled her head back and hoped he wouldn’t notice her. Too late. “Hi, Taihen, how are you?” Kaiobit walked up to her and sat down by her. As hard as her heart was pounding, Taihen was sure Kaiobit could hear it thundering. However, he took a book from his vest and began to read. Come on, Taihen!, a voice in her head ordered. You have to at least talk to him! “Um…what book is that, Kaiobit, sir?” Kaiobit looked at her. “Oh, it’s my favorite one, Lord of the Rings. And please; call me Kaiobit.” “Oh! That’s my favorite book too! I used to read it all the time when I was training with Baba! Which one is it?” Pointing at the book, Kaiobit said, “It’s the Return of the King. I love these kinds of stories.” Taihen leaned towards the god as she said, “So do I! They’re like a gateway to just…” “Just escape the world.” Kaiobit finished. The two looked at each other for a long time, and then Kaiobit set the book in his lap. “Um…do you want to read it with me, Taihen?” Taihen stared for a minute, and then blushed as she said, O-okay. I’d…love to.” The two sat for a long time, reading in silence, not even noticing the sun setting behind them.

Atarashii walked out of the main door to Nishi’s mansion, wearing nothing but her night robe. Again, she had found herself unable to sleep. Minami’s face kept appearing in her mind, keeping her awake. Maybe if I exhaust myself, I’ll go to sleep. For about an hour, she jogged around the exquisite garden just outside the palace. Panting, Atarashii sat down on a bench nearby, totally exhausted. No, she couldn’t go to sleep. Desperate, she reached into the pocket of her robe, she pulled out a bottle of tonic. Not caring how much she was supposed to drink, she poured the tiny measuring cup full to the top, and drank it all. Then she filled it again twice more before feeling content. It was bitter, but maybe it’d get her to sleep. She noticed writing on the back and read it. “Taking this tonic may cause lightheadedness, dizziness, or less sleep…aw!” Stuffing the empty bottle in her pocket, she attempted to get up, but found herself too tired to do so. The medicine must not have kicked in yet. Atarashii sat there for another hour and watched the moons float by. She wished she had Judaiko to tell her the time. Suddenly, a voice sounded through the night. “Atarashii, what are you doing here?” Atarashii jumped, and then looked up. It was Minami. “Um…I couldn’t sleep, so I came out here…to watch the stars…yeah.” Stupid, stupid! Atarashii cursed herself. I cannot believe I just lied to a deity! A god! Minami smiled and said in her mind, You know, you really should practice hiding your mind’s eye. Atarashii stared up in shock, then hung her head. “I’m sorry…I forgot you gods are psychic and all.” Still smiling, Minami sat down and put his arm around Atarashii, gluing her to the spot. “Now, why are you really here, Atarashii?” At first, Atarashii didn’t answer for a few minutes, then said incredibly fast, “Well, I haven’t been able to sleep since…since I met you. I came out here to see if I could tire myself into sleep, but that didn’t work, so I tried some tonic, but it’s the kind that wakes you up and then you came and-“ She stopped there, for Minami had put a finger to her lips. “Whoa, slow down!” Taking his finger away, he said, “Now, what did you say?” Atarashii repeated her reason more slowly for the god, and Minami listened more closely than anyone that had listened to Atarashii talk. Even more then her friends. The two sat in silence for a while, until Minami broke the silence with a chuckling laugh, which grew louder until his voice filled the whole garden. “What, may I ask, is so funny?” Atarashii demanded sternly. She was sure he was laughing at her. Minami did not answer immediately until he could stop laughing. “I didn’t mean to laugh so loud. It’s just that…” Atarashii cocked her head. “It’s just that what?” Minami actually blushed as he said, “That is the exact same reason I am here! Word for word! You have been on my mind since I saw you for the first time. I wasn’t sure if you felt the same way about me either! I was going to ask you, but I was so nervous…” The deity let the sentence hang and it’s meaning sunk into Atarashii as if it was weighted with lead. “R-really, Minami?” Minami looked at her and nodded with an embarrassed grin plastered on his face. Smiling just as big, Atarashii wriggled as close to Minami as she could and looked up. Minami gazed at her, falling in love with everything about her; the sunflower color of her hair, the deep pools within her eyes, the moonlight shining off of her skin. Well…now or never. Minami thought to himself. The tips of their noses began to touch as they pulled their faces closer. The last space between their lips closed and they fell into a deep kiss that seemed to last for eternity. Atarashii was surprised to feel Minami deepen the kiss. Minami was the first to pull away, out of breath. Looking at Atarashii, he said quietly, “That…that was incredible. Unbelievable.” “Yeah…” Atarashii put a hand to her mouth as she yawned. Minami chuckled. “But not as pleasant as sleep for you, I’m guessing.” Atarashii shook her head slowly from side to side. “No, I…yawn…loved it…” The young women fell asleep in her lover’s arms as Minami stroked her hair. Gently picking her up, the god of the south carried her silently into her room, leaving a small blue paper note on her dresser. Pausing in the doorway, he turned to look at Atarashii peacefully resting. “Sweet dreams, my goddess.”

Wowie! A kissee! Now that the women have showed their feelings to their men, let’s see what happens from here, eh? This should get REAL interesting… Go to chap. 5! Now! *cracks whip* ^.^
Go to Chapter 5!