by Hickory Mack
“You look better this morning,” Yuuki said. “The shadows are less noticeable, you must have slept well for once?”
“Yes. The best sleep I’ve had for a while,” she said and both girls looked visibly relieved, making Chiori feel guilty for worrying them. “I’m sorry for running late.”
“It’s Winry you’ll have to appease, not us,” Nakia said, handing Chiori a pair of shorts and a t-shirt. “Mai says it’s going to be hot today, so a dip in the creek might be nice between classes.”
“That sounds great!” Chiori said, changing quickly.
She swallowed breakfast down as fast as she could, barely registering what she was eating. When Nakia announced she was tagging along for class, Chiori paused, looking directly at Hina.
“You come, too,” she said, giving the girl a second chance to prove herself. The dog demon turned deep red, bowed and scampered after them, her plate half uneaten.
Class with Winry was almost identical to the first time around. A slightly different series of yoga moves, these more catered to pushing boundaries based off what Winry had learned the last time and Chiori found herself tiring more quickly. When it was time for their walk she was ready. She’d had the girls find bamboo bottles to fill with cold water and lemon to keep her going on the uphill climb. She was still a panting, sweating mess at the end, but she felt stronger, able to continue if asked to.
Yuuki met them at the top with swimsuits and everyone went to the stream where she’d found Lord Makkai when she’d first arrived. Winry joined them and they splashed around and enjoyed themselves, Chiori sticking to the shallows, stubbornly refusing offers to teach her how to swim. She wanted to save that lesson for her time with Lord Makkai.
They stayed until Chiori was shivering with cold half an hour later. Once she was changed Yuuki took her arm and they went to Ichio’s class together. Chiori apologized for only reading two entries, explaining that the first one was emotionally disturbing. He gave her some leniency but instructed her to try harder. His lesson was on witch hierarchy and how the differing families were ranked based not on power levels, but on ancestry.
Lunch was cold sandwiches, fruit salad and lemonade again, everyone was sweating and using fans. Mai muttered mutinously about calling in a cold front, but a single look from Nakia quelled such talk.
When she went to Kai’s class with both Saya and Yuuki he brought them back to the stream so they could sit under a pair of trees and put their feet in the water while they worked.
It was a difficult lesson. He wanted her to do the power exchange he’d described with the Earth, taking in a small amount, and giving slightly more back, to help cycle some of her power through. She was only able to do it successfully once, several attempts had blasted small holes in the ground where her hands rested, startling the girls. Kai just grinned, spoke some encouraging words and fixed it, every time.
Chiori was relieved things weren’t awkward between them. She kept sneaking glances at him, but he acted completely normal, like nothing had happened at all. But where her under-eye circles had been diminished, his were worse. They were brown again, all of the brilliant green making them hazel the night before was gone. He looked tired, though he didn’t speak of it and his encouragement came with his usual easy energy. Chiori wanted to ask him about it but kept herself to task.
Her single success had made the grass in that spot spontaneously grow six inches taller, and she’d squealed in excitement. After a while her inability to repeat it frustrated her so much Kai called an end to exchange practice.
“Continuing at this point will not do you any good. I won’t push you today, especially in this heat. Time to change gears and work on mental blocks, keeping your thoughts to yourself instead of projecting them at people. This isn’t so much about magic as it’s about self-discipline,” Kai taught her some techniques to work on, pleased when she showed improvement. He turned it into a game, pulling out a set of cards. Chiori had to hold one and think about it without letting him know what it was. Yuuki joined in, amused for a while, but she went back to reading. After about an hour Kai proclaimed she was on the right track and gave her the cards.
“Your first magic homework, practice with your girls. I’ll be researching again tonight, trying to figure out which family is yours. I’ve sent a letter to a friend in my coven that may be able to help. So far I know which ones they aren’t.” She knew he was telling her he’d be available if she wanted his help again. While she was grateful, she wasn’t sure she did.
“Thank you for looking into it for me,” Chiori said. He walked them back to the house, chatting amicably along the way. When they parted ways Chiori watched him leave, worried for her teacher.
The girls took her early day as an opportunity to play. They went back to the stream for more time to cool off, bringing a big beach ball with them to play around. Nakia changed into her snake form, pure white and intimidatingly enormous she lay out in the Sun, enjoying the heat. When she got too hot she slithered into the stream, her head poking above the water.
Hina changed into her dog form and was bounding around in the water, she looked like a husky, but Mai quietly told Chiori that she was a Shikoku Inu. A Japanese hunting dog. Hina bowed down in front of Saya, wiggling her tail and hips in playful invitation. Saya grinned and transformed, towering over the dog. Chiori laughed, watching them play wrestle and run amok in the shallows, secretly wishing she had a tennis ball to throw.
Yuuki came and rubbed lotion all over Chiori for the third time, refusing to let her burn. While she helped with word memorization Winry joined the fun in her otter form. The dog and wolf barked excitedly as the otter twirled and nipped and showed its teeth. Saya picked Winry up and tossed her playfully into deeper waters. They played until dusk, then everyone went in and showered. Milly treated them with cold fruit smoothies and grilled kabobs with pineapple and onions and meaty mushrooms slathered in garlicky butter.
When night came and Chiori dreamed of guns at her temple and the original vampire killing Lord Makkai she stayed in her futon, her silk blanket kicked to the bottom. She tossed and turned, but stubbornly stayed put, knowing that if she went into the gardens and saw the light, she’d be tempted. And she didn’t want to admit to herself that she wanted his help. She felt immensely guilty for the first time as it was.
Chiori warred with herself for hours, sweating into her blankets, sleeping and waking in fits of nightmares, she kept waking Mai, who would mutter soft, soothing words. She couldn’t take it anymore. Chiori shuffled to the bathroom and took another cold shower, hesitating in her hallway. She zombie walked to the intersection of halls, his light was on, but it was blue. Chiori looked back toward her room and stepped through the barrier.
She tapped on his door and walked in, losing her breath. It was twenty degrees cooler in his classroom than in the hallway.
“What? How?” she stammered. Kai looked up from his reading and gave an amused smile.
“I wasn’t sure you would come,” he said.
“I wasn’t sure I wanted to, but I’m glad I did. How is it so cool in here?” she asked. Kai went to the doorway and touched the air right next to her so she could see the blue ripples of his barrier.
“Your girls must really love you if they haven’t suggested this. They must think you’re afraid of them, since one caused you to blow up the house,” he said.
“Only barriers that keep me in, it’s closed places I can’t handle,” she put her hand through the barrier, feeling the heat in the hallway and frowned, thinking of Mai sweating and alone. “I’ll be right back,” Chiori said, whirling around and going straight back to her room. She shook Mai awake and told her what she’d discovered while wandering the hallways.
“Thank the goddess,” Mai murmured, raising her hand sleepily and muttering a few words. The barrier was up and the room dropped several degrees. Chiori tested it, her hand going through easily. “Go to sleep Lady Chiori,” Mai mumbled, rolling over and snuggling into her pillow.
“I will,” Chiori promised, running through the hall to Kai’s classroom. Once again he offered her tea, which she declined, and asked her to make herself comfortable.
“I’m hoping your return means you don’t hate me for what happened last night,” Kai said good naturedly.
“No, I don’t hate you, but I feel like I’ve given Lord Makkai a reason to hate me,” Chiori said, hands in her lap, looking at the ceiling.
“No chance of that happening. You’re safe, if he’s angry he’ll blame me, as he should,” Kai said, sitting next to her on the sofa.
“Are you okay?” Chiori blurted out.
“What do you mean?”
“I’m sorry if that was rude. You just seemed worn out today,” she said.
“Yes, that’s true. Worn out is a good way to put it,” Kai agreed.
“Is it a lot of work to be my instructor every day? The other teachers don’t have to do it so often, it isn’t as much hardship on them,” she said and Kai chuckled.
“It isn’t a hardship, it’s a privilege. To be honest I enjoy our time together, it’s always fun to watch a student grow and discover,” he said. “Trust me, it has nothing to do with teaching.”
“Can I help? Is it, is it your bond? Does it still bother you very much? Maybe you should take some time off and go to her, work things out,” Chiori said and Gideon shook his head.
“You innocent little thing. It’s bewildering,” he half grinned.
“Don’t tease me,” Chiori said.
“I won’t. Do you want help with sleeping again tonight?” he asked and Chiori nodded.
“Only if it isn’t part of what’s making you so tired,” she said. Kai moved to sit next to her. He formed the magic, remembering the details of what she needed to forget. Leaning in he kissed her, burning the memories out, chasing them down and replacing them with his magic.
“Sweet girl,” he said, “it has everything to do with why I’m so tired.”
“How?” she asked, her words already heavy with sleep.
“It isn’t your problem to solve just yet. Have a good rest. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
The next morning she went back to her bedroom, her hair a complete mess as she’d slept on it wet after her shower. Her energy and spirits were high, but the hallways were already stifling. Yuuki was there, waiting, and the room was nice and cool. Yuuki turned her eyes on her in that peculiar way and Chiori knew she was looking at her relationship bonds. She sighed and moved to open the wardrobe.
“Is something wrong?” Chiori asked, it wasn’t the first time Yuuki had had the same reaction over the past few days. Yuuki paused and looked back, opening her mouth as though she wanted to say something, but she shook her head instead.
“There’s something I don’t understand, but nothing is wrong, Lady Chiori,” Yuuki lied.
“What is it?” Chiori asked, joining Yuuki to poke through the wardrobe. She picked a pink tank top and jean shorts.
“Sometimes the things I see are not my story to tell, I’m sorry. I hope he tells you soon, but I can’t, it isn’t my place,” Yuuki said, confusing Chiori even more.
“Something Lord Makkai needs to tell me?” Chiori asked and Yuuki shook her head.
“I can’t say anything other than to assure you it isn’t anything wrong with Lord Makkai, but, if you pay close attention to your feelings, you may be able to figure it out on your own,” was all she’d say. Chiori blinked in confusion, then remembered a thought she’d had the day before.
“Yuuki, I realized I don’t have a way to keep track of time here. I’d really appreciate a Calendar, if it’s possible?” Chiori said, wincing slightly.
“That’s the first time you’ve asked for any physical item, and it’s so basic. A Calendar? My Lady, if you want a Calendar we will have a dozen brought by for you to choose which you like best,” Yuuki said.
“Thank you,” Chiori said.
The day went torturously slow. Classes with Sen and Moscow went well, both instructors were pleased with the effort she’d put in. Sen praised her pronunciation, and they moved on to the words for who, what, when, where and how. Moscow taught her the basics of demons from the weasel family, including a short inclusion of Winry’s presence to supplement what she learned. When he looked at her drawing practice, his disapproval wasn’t as cutting as it had been the last time.
Kai was as friendly and open as always. They practiced power exchange again, this time in the gardens. Kai had bet she’d be a little more restrained among Lord Makkai’s favorite plants, and he’d won. Chiori sweat with the effort, but she hadn’t blown anything up, and she’d successfully made the exchange with the Earth half a dozen times.
By the end of their session Chiori was excited, but she’d caught her magic teacher rubbing his temple with a pained expression when he thought she wasn’t looking, more than once. He looked even more tired than the day before, but he still managed to cheer her on enthusiastically. When they paused for a tea break she pressed for an explanation. Kai told her he had a headache, and she didn’t feel comfortable pushing any further.
When class ended, Chiori lingered, asking if she could bring him anything to make him more comfortable. Kai had smiled, ruffled her hair and declined the offer, wishing her a good evening.
After dinner Chiori sent Hina for Asuka and asked her to look in on her teacher. Asuka reluctantly agreed, but politely declined when Chiori asked her to visit for a while. She tried not to be bummed out that the only people hanging out with her were doing it because they had to. She tried really hard not to care. And failed.
Before bedtime Yuuki brought the calendars. Chiori picked a hand painted bamboo one that rolled up, scroll like when not in use. Yuuki showed her how to adjust it so when she opened it, the month she was looking for would be displayed. The Sprite moved it to display June, the scenery depicted was a beautiful garden in some far-away place.
“What day is it?” Chiori asked.
“It’s Saturday, June 19th,” Yuuki replied. Chiori was quiet a moment, and then she laughed. Yuuki’s amused confusion fueled the laughter into hiccupping giggles that took the girl a minute to control. It wasn’t important that she hadn’t had the chance to celebrate her birthday, as far as she could remember, she’d never had a party, or any special fuss made over it. Not so much as a cupcake. However, this was the first time she’d ever finished the day without even knowing it had arrived.
“I’m sorry, Yuuki, it’s nothing,” she said. “I think I'd like to start writing a journal.”
Chiori didn’t even try to sleep that night. She set herself up with tea and a snack of roasted chickpeas and books, including the journal, in the sitting room. Tomorrow was her second free day. Lord Makkai would be there in the morning.
Chapter 32
Chiori was with the alicanto when Sunrise came. She waited until it was up properly, watching the colors ripple across the sky. Then she carefully set the chicks in their coop and ran into the house. Nakia was in her sitting rooms, tidying up the books she’d been reading. She’d gotten a fair way into the anatomy book and read several more entries of the journal.
“Is he here?!” Chiori asked, her excited nerves taking any tiredness away. Nakia nodded, her face troubled.
“He’s with Fen, and Haruka,” Nakia said.
“What’s wrong?” Chiori asked.
“I don’t know, but they all looked so serious. Hopefully it’s nothing. But, maybe… Haruka was tattling on you and Mai,” Nakia grinned.
“Hmph,” Chiori replied, and Nakia laughed. Chiori showered and Nakia helped her pick out a summer dress, a light, shimmery blue with a white ribbon around the middle, tied in the back, and a wide brimmed hat to go along with it.
“It brings out your eyes. Let’s go have some breakfast,” Nakia suggested, pulling Chiori along with her. She sat at the table obediently, her five girls around her. Breakfast was light, a sweet sticky rice with cinnamon and almond milk, toast and some fruits. It was delici
ous, but Chiori could only eat a few bites, her nervousness killing her appetite.
When they were leaving Airi approached them, she’d been waiting quietly in the hall. She bowed to Chiori, a few strands of her long blonde hair spilling over her shoulder. Chiori smiled at the familiar face.
“Welcome, Lady Airi,” Nakia spoke.
“Good morning, Airi,” Chiori added.
“Good morning, Lady Chiori. Lord Makkai requests your presence, please allow me to take you to him,” Airi said.
“Nakia, Yuuki,” Chiori said, selecting who would be with her without an instant’s hesitation, and followed the woman, the girls following two steps behind. She took them through the most direct route to the front hall. Haruka stood outside his office, his arms crossed in front of him. He nodded once in Chiori’s direction. A handful of people stood around, talking idly, and there, beyond the doorway was Lord Makkai. He was listening intently to whatever it was Fen was saying. His tails were up, he was tense.
It was a cruelty. Chiori wanted to run to him, she wanted to cry with joy, she wanted to jump and shout and let the excitement spill out of her with abandon. Curious eyes were everywhere. Watching. Judging. Measuring her every move. The ache in her chest grew with every step and as they approached one of his black ears swiveled back, catching the sound of her heartbeat. He turned, the irritated frown he so often wore lifted a little, the lines on his forehead smoothing.
Chiori stopped a few paces away and bowed as Nakia had shown her, her hands clasped in front of her. Talk among those watching had ceased. Lord Makkai bowed back. For an awkward moment he stared at her, then cocked his head curiously, raising an eyebrow in question. Chiori was at a loss for words, she just wanted to stare back for a while, take him in. He was here, just a few steps away, and he was even more beautiful than she remembered. She took an involuntary step forward and stopped. Lord Makkai looked puzzled, then he glanced at all the people in the hall in understanding.
