| Chapter 3: The Quest Senken looked over the four assembled before her. She took an especially long look at the blue-haired boy. His motive was not as clear as Mi-chan's and Tenshi's were. "This is the fourth person you choose for the trip?" she asked Tenshi. She challenged Jasper, "Tell me, boy, why are you here?" "I am here because Neko-sama entrusted me with her life." "You don't just want to die on this mission to join your girlfriend?" Jasper kept his bold gaze on her. "I went down that path before. I'm not here for that today. I just want to help my princess." "Ah, then you are a soldier, here to fight to the death for the honor of your ruler." "No," Jasper said firmly. "I'm here to help Neko-sama get back her memories. To pay back some of the debt I owe her. To respect the trust in me she has given unconditionally." "Hmm." She examined Mi-chan. "Can you keep from killing him on this mission?" Mi-chan glared at her. "I will do anything for Neko-chan. I wouldn't risk her safety on a vendetta." "Be careful, child. You have been known to do just that. I ask again. Are you going to recognize him as a companion on this mission?" Mi-chan glanced at Neko. "I will, as long as he stays true to his promise to help her." "That is acceptable. There's no doubt how much you'd be willing to give up for her." She stopped at Neko. "You trust these three, even though you've known them for less than a day?" Neko nodded vehemently. It was natural; she had no real reason to doubt them. But Senken still wasn't sure she was ready for the task ahead. She studied her closely. Neko grabbed Mi-chan's hand nervously. "Tell me, Junnashojo , are you sure you wouldn't rather remain blissfully unaware of what has happened before in your life? The past isn't always pleasant." "If it means forgetting my family and friends, I don't want that," Neko said softly. She awaited further questions, but Senken moved on to Tenshi. "Fine lot you've assembled Tenoh-san. I think you might have a chance� as long as none of you waver or give into any temptations," though she directed the statement towards Mi-chan and Jasper, she hoped Tenshi picked up on it too. It was difficult to determine which member of the team was more risky. Even Neko could keep herself from reaching her goal. "I don't think you are prepared for how difficult this may be. If you come across bandits or monsters, you will have to fight, most likely without your junnashojo's aid. Am I correct in assuming you know nothing of your powers or abilities?" Neko nodded, feeling very useless indeed. "Young man, I expect you to stand guard over your princess if any fights break out," Senken directed Jasper. Mi-chan started to object, but Senken charged her with, "As the best fighter in the group, I expect you to actually be in any battles that may occur. Are you really planning to watch over your sister while fighting?" That quieted Mi-chan down. Senken folded her hands and concentrated. "Now what I expect you to do is to go up the path through those mountains over there," she pointed to the back of the temple, where indeed there were some mountains. "There are four stones you need to collect. One is white, one red, one blue, and one yellow. Collect them and bring them to the reflecting pool that lies on a clearing on that mountain." She stopped. "Then what?" Mi-chan asked impatiently. "Place the stones at the four compass points. I can't see beyond that. You're lucky I got that much." The trio's pure wish to help Neko was obviously strong and was assisting her vision's strength, but at the same time the passions they felt towards her and each other were obscuring some of it. "The rest will be up to you, especially Junnashojo. Good luck." ~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Senken grabbed Tenshi before she walked out of the temple with the others. "Tenoh-san. Don't confuse her. This mission depends on her trust in all of you. If she loses herself in the mountains, you might lose her altogether. So keep a firm grip on your feelings, okay?" Tenshi understood. Basically, she meant not to act on her feelings. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Mi-chan had taken the lead, naturally keeping Neko with her at the beginning of the trek. But over time, the party had spread out a bit, and Mi-chan was apparently getting tired of answering her sister's relentless questions. "What do I like to do?" "Who's Jian-kun?" "What was it like on Mercury?" "Tell me about our siblings," and so on. Eventually, Mi-chan had allowed Neko to hang back from her a bit. Jasper caught up to Neko, overjoyed to get a chance to talk to her without her guardian standing over them. "So you really don't remember me?" "No," she said sadly. "I'm sorry." "Maybe, it's better that way anyway," he contemplated. "I wasn't exactly the nicest person to you." "Don't say that! It can't be better this way. Tenshi-kun says I trust you, and even Mi-chan agreed. They wouldn't trust me to just anyone! You seem nice, I'm sure I'd remember you favorably!" she said earnestly. "Besides, I feel so helpless here not knowing anything. Tenshi-kun and Mi-chan have to tell me everything. So please, Jasper-san, don't say that it's better that I can't remember you." Jasper didn't know if she really would agree if she actually had those memories back. He thought about his last battle with Neko. "For me there are lots of things worth forgetting. I know it's unwise to think so, but sometimes I wish I could forget everything that happened before I went to Eryx. To know that I was willing to hurt my princess hurts me so much. And maybe I could be happier with my current life if I could forget that and my happiness with Amethyst. I loved her so much!" And yet he still couldn't hold it against Neko for killing her. |
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