Divine Worlds

By: S.R. Shinohara

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Chapter III

Never Travel with a Snoring God

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Her brain must be failing her. It had to be since there was no way she could’ve forgotten such an important detail. An important ANNOYING detail that was threatening to make her commit a crime punishable by exile to Phylos, without powers, by Joutei himself – the ultimate punishment a deity could ever receive. Saori contemplated ignoring it but it was just too impossible given the situation.

Tetsuo even looked pressed on patience for once, long nailed fingers shoved into his ears. Kayoko seemed to be blessed with the ability to sleep through an earthquake despite her advanced hearing and he cursed her, not for the first time either, about it viciously in his mind. “Lord Hiiro…”

He was merely answered by a ground quaking snore.

“It’s wrong to murder a god, one of your kin,” Saori chanted over and over, valiantly trying to keep her temper in check. It would’ve worked after maybe an hour, Tetsuo mused, if the snoring god hadn’t snored loudly again and caused more veins to break out on her body in aggravation. Mentally, he noted to tell his master Saori was best not kept from her needed rest if he wished to remain on her good side.

That is, if she had one.

Another loud snore, outrageously long to boot, made him sweat-drop as her already short fused patience snapped.

“HIIRO!”

With a startled yell at the voice which boomed him awake from his pleasant fantasy, Hiiro covered his ears and blinked tiredly at Saori who he was barely managing to hold back from beating him with a large stone she’d ripped from the forest floor in her aggravation. “What are you doing? What did I do?”

“Stop SNORING!” she fumed with a frustrated yell that echoed through the night cloaked forest and shook birds from the trees, “Gods above, you snore as loud as most of the damn Giants which roam the mountainous section of Kakure! I can’t sleep a wink you jerk!”

“It’s not my fault,” he yawned, propping himself up. What did she expect? He always snored if he wasn’t sleeping beside someone. It was actually another reason he’d started sleeping with women in the first place; his father got pissed at him otherwise because his snoring apparently kept him up as it did Saori. And his father’s temper was much more horrifying then hers. “I always snore if I’m not sleeping next to a warm body.”

More veins throbbed and Tetsuo almost gave into temptation and slapped his forehead. Hiiro really didn’t know discretion either.

Predictably, Saori was even more irritated by that piece of knowledge. “So go sleep by Tetsuo!” She wasn’t about to hand Kayoko over to him and the fiery Elf kingdom of Inferno would sooner freeze over before she went anywhere near him at night. It put her too close into his range then she wanted to be.

Tetsuo looked suitably disturbed by the suggestion. She just might’ve worried if he didn’t, but then, she really didn’t care given the options at this point. And one of them was NOT letting him go back to sleep without some sort of body by him so he’d stop snoring and let her get some damn REST.

Hiiro watched her face, drawn up tightly in an aggravated rage, with a wistful smile. He’d seen that look so many times in his dreams. How would it really look, flushed in pleasure? Would it look like it did in his fantasies and dreams? “Could you sleep by me?” When she looked ready to bash him with the rock again, he clarified somewhat hastily with a nervous smile, “Just close enough so I may hold your hand…no closer if you don’t wish it.”

Saori was doubtful of his intentions and with good reason, but fatigue was catching up with her and her need for sleep outweighed her suspicions. If she thought it through, Hiiro was many things, but he wasn’t THAT perverted to do something like ravish her in her sleep. Feel her up, maybe, but never anything so disrespectful and contemptible. His pride would override his need for physical satisfaction always. “Fine.” With a grunt, she moved her blanket by him, her pillow leaning against a dead log as she slept on her side and held her left hand out to him tensely.

Hiiro took it with a soft smile that failed to show the disappointment and sadness which tugged at him. Did she think so poorly of him that she couldn’t even let him hold her hand in safety? When had she become so weary of him? Perhaps Tetsuo was right; he hadn’t been seeing her clearly. If he had, he certainly would’ve noticed it and acted accordingly to cease such a reaction at once. “You’re weary of what I’ll do?”

“Yes.” She never did bother hiding things if she could help it but it still stung like a knife into his chest. “I can never tell with you whether it’s safe or not.”

Safe…she didn’t think she was safe with him? Not even with Kayoko and Tetsuo by them? That hurt more then her admitting she was weary of him. It made him a little angry as well, his hard tone showing it as he said, “I don’t do things like that, Saori. I may enjoy the companionship of a female more then most but I don’t do things like ravish them unknowingly. Feel them up? Maybe, but never ravish them.”

Saori looked at his fingers which began stroking her hand lightly, soothingly as if to say she needn’t fear him. It did comfort her mind, but a small part of her brain reminded her of the night at the fountain and kept the seed of doubt planted firmly inside her brain. “I know…but the night at the fountain…” She beat down the embarrassment which threatened to crawl to her face with a mace, light blue eyes hardening. “You didn’t stop when I told you to. If Kayoko hadn’t arrived, what would you have done?”

“Nothing,” he grinned sadly; he hadn’t thought it would startle her this badly. “I’d seen how pained that bodice made you and decided to free you of it.”

Her face really did heat up this time, blinking in surprise. “How did you…?”

“I’ve known you long enough to see the signs of discomfort clearly, however well you hide them,” he smirked proudly, “And I wanted to have fun doing it so…” Hiiro laughed nervously with a sweat-drop as she reached for the rock again, his hand holding her back tightly while her eyes burned in indignation. She really couldn’t take a joke when she was tired, could she? “I couldn’t help myself~! You just looked so beautiful. You entered the hall and took my breath away…it was an instinctive reaction.”

With a grunt and a thoroughly embarrassed blush, she turned her head away with a scowl. Hiiro really needed to learn some self restraint, or change his perverse sense of humor and fun. The latter was impossible though so it only left the former. “Jerk…”

“Lady Saori, Lord Hiiro,” Tetsuo finally muttered, his patience all but gone as he sat up again, “With all do respect, can you SHUT UP? Now you’re keeping ME awake with your chatting.”

Hiiro tossed a twig at his head with an annoyed tick on his forehead, an attack which Tetsuo easily diverted with a swat of his hand at the launched projectile which went flying harmlessly the other way into a pile of leaves.

The hideously loud snoring of his master never stirred Kayoko once but the faint sound of the leaves rustling did. Tetsuo nearly feel over with a twitch of disbelief while she rubbed her eyes and immediately noted the silently scowling goddess’s absence beside her. As her head turned toward where she was now, she glanced at her mistress’s clasped hand with the god of fire curiously almost immediately. “Did I sleep through something…?”

All 3 of them fell over twitching and the blooms of a headache opened wide in their heads. They really needed sleep.

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A frown painted Joutei’s features as he watched his favored son, his snores quieted by the presence of the assistant goddess by him. That was good; those damned snores had actually reached Tengoku and were the reason he was up now, checking on some of his divine children to pass the time. Maybe he could FINALLY get some sleep like that strange little group was now.

But that little tingling sense was bugging him as he gazed at their entwined hands. He’d never gotten the ill sense of foreboding since he’d been introduced to the child after her paternity had been proven. That same, odd feeling which he’d felt then had grown stronger in the passing years and he didn’t know why it was there but it made him uneasy. Now, watching her hold his son’s hand lightly so they could all sleep in peace, it brought that strong sense back like a tsunami to the face. Little one, what is it about you that makes every bone in my body uneasy? You are not one of the strongest and never use the power I’m sure you DO have, so you pose no threat. You are annoying when you become bored, to be sure, but it isn’t something I should concern myself about, yet my mind refuses to let go of this foreboding feeling.

“You seem troubled, Milord…” Voice soft and mildly concerned, the woman who spoke to him came to a stop from the door behind him at his side. “What ails your mind?”

His lip twitched. “I wasn’t aware you cared anymore.”

It was her turn for her lip to twitch. “I don’t, but I’m mildly curious as to what has shaken you so badly. Would you indulge me, Milord?”

Eyes hardening slightly, he brushed it off with a snort of irritation. He hadn’t expected much else from his wife, so why be hurt by the answer? Though their relationship was anything but happy, she was more then capable of ruling as Queen of the Deities unlike any of the others. It was the only reason they remained tied by the very laws they’d both created, though ironically miserable because of them. “That child…” He let her view the image of Saori in the viewing pool before him, her own eyes staring gently at her. He’d forgotten that the two seemed to have a good rapport. “I feel a sense of uneasiness again, just as I had when she was first introduced to me.”

“Perhaps her unknown mother’s blood makes you weary,” she said sagely, “It is dangerous not knowing what blood flows through ones veins. Why not consult Lady Fuyuko?”

Joutei bit back his shudder. Honestly, he didn’t like the Necromancers, let alone their leader, Fuyuko. But they protected the entrance to Tengoku better then anyone, so he merely avoided them at all costs and ties were kept peaceful. A freaky bunch, skilled in the magic arts and other spiritual crafts beyond compare, but powerful. If anyone would know that goddess’s maternity, however, the head necromancer would. “It seems I shall soon be going on a trip then, Sakori…”

With a brief nod she bowed, walking out of the room as silently as she’d come. His eyes narrowed slightly as he watched her back but shook his head, standing up and moving to go prepare for his trip to Kuroshima, the island of the necromancers which lay right below Celestia. Perhaps he’d ask one of his sons to accompany him, or maybe the warrior god who often assisted Hiiro…what was his name? He could never remember. And perhaps he could learn more about the Forest God’s daughter from him as well since she was often at Hiiro’s side during wars on Phylos. He’d seen her take down some of his own sons in practices she attended like a second thought so she was quite formidable in mortal combat – undoubtedly invaluable to Hiiro during a war, though he had to wonder if that mouth of hers ever gave him trouble. He wouldn’t be surprised if it did.

Such a troublemaker, he groaned to himself, and she doesn’t even have to be around to cause me grief. Mattaku…and now I have to go see that necromancer Fuyuko to figure out why she gives me such an uneasy feeling.

Joutei shuddered at the mere thought. No way in hell was he going alone.

“Hakai!”

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Yawning, Kayoko sat up with a stretch, smiling as the soothing sounds of nature echoed in her ears. The wonderful smell of fish being cooked wafted into her nose and, opening her eyes, she blinked when she couldn’t find her mistress anywhere in sight. “Where’s Lady Saori?”

“Catching more fish,” Hiiro said lightly, his hands alight in a warm glow that was slowly cooking the fish as Saori had instructed. Being the god of fire had many, many uses.

“I thought she was beating up the trees,” Tetsuo noted, ignoring Kayoko’s glare and giving Hiiro a look which he chuckled nervously in response to.

Kayoko caught the look with a frown. “What did you do to her now?”

“Nothing!”

“She’ll tell you differently,” Tetsuo drawled, already bored as he cleaned his claws.

Kayoko scowled in his direction, “If you touched her, Lord Hiiro, I swear by Illusian I’ll-”

“KYAH! HANASHITE!”

All three of them were running in the blink of an eye, Kayoko leading the pack as Saori’s screaming became louder. “Lady Saori! Lady Saori, answer me!”

“LET GO OF ME YOU SON OF A~!”

Kayoko reeled back with a yell as the power which erupted knocked the wind from her lungs. Even Hiiro felt the effects of the magic she’d just released, probably in desperation. Not much could stun the war god to make him stop so it only increased her worry for her mistress more.

Hiiro wasn’t looking very happy either. Tetsuo was pretty sure he was going to blow his top, his possessiveness rearing its head notably. Whether the angry red face or the convulsive twitching gave it away, he wasn’t sure. He’d been around him so long he no longer really knew what gave his possessiveness of things away anymore. “Lowly mortals are touching her when she doesn’t wish to be touched…?”

Even Tetsuo, normally unfazed by all which surrounds him daily, shuddered as red hot flames burned around Hiiro in silent, seething rage, the forest trees lighting up like candles as the god of fire’s flames surged forward towards where he could feel the goddess was.

What he hadn’t expected, nor did he for that matter, were the flames being bounced off by a barrier, rushing back towards them faster then any of them could move…

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Frowning into the air, forlorn amethyst eyes stared into the sky towards where Celestia would be, the Queen of Faerie’s sighing in deep exasperation. She wanted to go home. Celestia was dying, she knew it – its atmosphere was directly linked to her heart and emotions, and she was in despair.

But she’d promised the king she’d stay; he was a kind boy, a child, and she’d grown fond of his smile which he rarely showed, though she also longed for her home and her more then a little neurotic second who was probably wailing his eyes out. Kohaku is such a crybaby, ne…? And I never did get back to eat his delicious dinner…

“Ruko-san?” Speaking of the king, the young boy came into what she’d been calling her room with a concerned frown. “I was told you’ve been upset…what’s wrong?”

“I long for my home, Ichiro-kun,” she told him plainly, eyes downcast, “I fear my kingdom is crumbling…”

“Why?”

“Because my heart aches…when its Queen aches, so does Celestia…”

Ichiro lowered his sand colored eyes in regret. “You can leave then if you want…”

“But you would be lonely, would you not?”

He remained silent, frowning at the floor.

“Besides, it was your wish that I stay with you, and because I am entitled to grant you one wish, it must be done.”

“I’m sorry…”

Ruko gave him a comforting smile. “You didn’t know, so it’s alright. If only…”

“LET ME THE HELL GO YOU SON OF A~!” The boom of a voice shook the palace to its core and they both fell over sweat-dropping. “GET OFF ME!”

Ruko’s senses perked as a powerful wave washed over the area, knocking Ichiro into her from the force. If she weren’t leaning against the wall, it would’ve sent her sailing too. “Divine power…” Shuffling to her feet, she tugged Ichiro along with her, rushing out the door and grunting as another wave of power slammed through the area, much more powerful then before. It was definitely the divine power of a scouting goddess. Or were they called assistant goddesses now? She hadn’t really kept up with things like that. “Let her go!”

The guards who had been trying to drag Saori, resisting the whole way, to the dungeons stopped at Ruko’s orders. Looking up, Saori looked like she was a mix of relieved and surprised. “RUKO! WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN!?”

Ruko grimaced, her long black hair blowing behind her from the force of her bellow. “What are you doing here, Lady Saori?”

Once the guards let her go, she unceremoniously knocked them out with her fist which abruptly lashed out behind her with a swift movement. Huffing indignantly, she said, “I’m the newest assistant goddess and am following up on the problem Kohaku, temporary ruler of Celestia, has issued to me.” Coughing, she looked to the small boy no older looking then 8 who was holding Ruko’s hand tightly, as if he were afraid. “Who are you, young one?” Her tone was mild, hoping she didn’t scare him off.

“King of Kizu and all of Phylos, Takagi Ichiro,” he said, his presence that of a king. He was stately, even if he was so young, and his presence inspired respect from his followers no doubt. “You are an honored goddess?”

“Daughter of Kosuke, God of the Forests,” she nodded, “May I request you go release my companions? It’s best to do so before Hiiro wakes up or he may burn this place down in aggravation since the guards were less then kind to us.”

“As long as you will answer a question of mine once I do so,” he said calmly.

Saori felt her lip twitch up despite herself. “Sure; please make sure my companions are treated well though; they all don’t have the best of tempers. Compared to them, I’M the least violent.”

Ichiro was slightly pale as he quickly left, though she noticed his reluctance to let go of Ruko’s hand. Eyebrow finally arching, Saori stared at the Faerie Queen’s head as she led her inside her room that Ichiro had graciously supplied her with. “So do I need to ask?”

“I have no choice,” she sighed, “I was caught by a mortal and by Faerie law I must grant him 3 wishes. I have already granted them, but Ichiro-kun’s was for me to stay here with him.”

The clang of her jaw was expected; she hadn’t thought Saori of all people would understand, but at least her reaction was better then the others who would’ve likely killed Ichiro if he didn’t free her of her responsibility that minute.

“The child doesn’t have any other wish…?”

Ruko shook her head sadly. “He is lonely…his only wish in the deepest part of his heart is for someone to stay with him always. If I were to grant him a wish and leave, he could never visit Celestia for it is against the divine laws for a mortal of no influence to step foot on the grounds of a divine kingdom.”

THIS was why she hated Joutei’s laws. Somehow, they always made things harder then they should be, Saori frowning so deeply Ruko thought her lips might fall down to the ground. But she wasn’t an annoyance to the gods for nothing; her very existence when Tengoku became too boring was finding ways around those rules and this one had various options. “Does he have any family? If they were to aid one of the gods or something then he would gain the divine right to visit Celestia through them since it seems he’s quite taken with the Queen of Faeries, as are many.”

Ruko ignored the tease with a slight cough, motioning for the goddess to follow as she walked out into the hall. “He has one relative…but…serving the gods may be the last thing he’ll consider. You can try talking him into it though. Perhaps he’ll listen to you.”

Was it just her or did she detect annoyance in Ruko’s voice? That wasn’t good. NO ONE annoyed Ruko – not even her whiny half brother who served as her right hand man. “Alright, then who is he?”

“His father…”

The tone of her voice made Saori more weary then before.

Ruko must’ve picked up on her silent inquiry. “Their relationship isn’t one of the best.” They stopped in front of a long, sparsely lighted corridor and Saori resisted the urge to twitch in nervousness. It looked like her uncle’s palace but infinitely creepier if that were even possible.

“He’s down there…?”

Ruko nodded mutely. “4^th door to your right…Good luck, ne?”

With a deep sigh, Saori strode down the darkened hall of the palace purposefully, her footsteps the only noise around her as she twitched at the darkness which crawled around her even though it was light outside. She’d been to Kakure, one of the darkest kingdoms in every sense of the word, but this was just…cold. Colder then any realm in Kakure she knew of and filled with more loneliness then the underworld.

This wasn’t very promising.

The atmosphere of this entire hall has been warped by a heart filled with such negative feelings it gives ME the cold creeps. Stopping in front of the door, she raised her hand to knock, listening for any sound of life behind it. No wonder all the other rooms seem vacant. Even the most twisted of the Nayami wouldn’t live here. Cautiously, she slid open the door, peaking inside with a barely noticeable gulp.

Even her scream which left her throat a second later seemed to be drowned out by the darkness around her.

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