Kaiiki sat in her room with her eyes closed. So much had happened to her in the last 2 weeks and she couldn’t exactly stand it anymore. She sighed and rubbed her forehead before exhaling the air she had stored up from the past 20 seconds, slowly and steadily out. “The time when I need a giant teddy bear… and there are none…” she thought and sighed.
She heard giggling outside her door and the familiar voice of Juusanso and Josh echoed in her room. She sighed once more and sat up walking toward the door, “Aren’t you two supposed to be getting ready for the ceremony?” She asked with an annoyed look on her face.
“Y-Yes ma’am…” Juusanso stuttered grabbing Josh’s hand and dragging him off. Kaiiki sighed and went to close her door before a strong hand pushed it open.
“Hey…” Makkura said calmly. Kaiiki smiled and pulled him inside before closing the door. Makkura followed her slowly to her bed and sat on the edge while Kaiiki scooted over under her covers looking at him, “You alright?”
“Yeah… Of course I am…” She sighed some and looked at him.
“Well… I wanted to check up on you since you seem a little down in the dumps…” Makkura said softly lying by her. Kaiiki sighed silently and looked at him.
“Well… considering that my ex-fiancée was shipped off… my great grandfather just died, I’ve become Head Leader, we are engaged, and I’m going on having two ceremonies for the replacements of people I loved… yeah… I might be down in the dumps…” She said annoyed. Everyone was always checking to see if she was okay… Why would she be?
“Kaiiki… everyone is worried about you because we care…”
“Yeah whatever… I feel like a 14 year old child…” She muttered under her breath.
“You don’t have the greatest past also Kaiiki…”
“So I attempted suicide once!! You can’t blame me! I lost my father!” She said loudly. She grumbled under her breath and turned on her other side away from him, “I don’t want to talk about this anymore Makkura…”
Makkura sighed and snuggled up closer to his future wife and lightly kissed the back of her neck. She sighed some and Makkura sat up, “Well… if things don’t get better… I’ll take some of the load or Tsuta will since she is second in command…”
“Alright…” She sighed some and looked at the wall quietly, “Makkura…” She said in a soft whisper.
“Yes Kaiiki?” He looked at quietly waiting for her to speak, “What is it?”
“I’m sorry I worry you…” She said sadly, “I’m sorry I’m such a burden on everyone… I’m sorry I’m so weak… and can’t handle situations like Tsuta or Kashoku can…”
“Kaiiki… You aren’t any of that… you may handle the situations differently… but you aren’t weak or a burden…” He lightly stroked her blue hair, “I love you Kaiiki… and everyone cares about you…”
“I love you too Makkura…” Kaiiki said softly and rolled on her back looking at him. Makkura smiled and pushes the bangs out of her eyes before kissing her gently.
“I know you do Kaiiki…” He replied after pulling back from her. Kaiiki smiled and snuggled under the soft white blanket on her bed closing her eyes, “Rest up then Kaiiki… the ceremony will take a lot from you…”
Kaiiki nodded and let out a tired yawn snuggling into her pillow also. Makkura smiled and stood up quietly leaving the room for Kaiiki to sleep. “Please Kaiiki… don’t blame your self anymore… please… don’t put your self down any longer…” He thought sighing leaning on her door.
Makkura walked off toward the main entrance hall and stood outside the door. He sighed and opened the door slowly to see some of the Head Quarter maids were cleaning while the cooks and caterers from the over lands were setting up. Makkura walked through the room slowly making sure everything was in order before sighing. He rubbed her forehead softly pulling a seat from a near by table out and sitting in it.
“Can we help you some way sir?” A maid asked standing in front of him. Makkura smiled lightly and shook his head.
“No Thanks… I’m fine…” he said softly. The maid curtsied and walks off quickly as one of the cooks dropped a plate of red Jell-O on the floor. Makkura looked around slowly taking in the scene.
“Another ceremony already…”
Makkura looked behind him to see Tsuta sitting on the table top. Makkura smiled, “Hey Tsuta…”
“Hey Makkura… what’s up with you?” She asked seeing the sad look on Makkura’s face, “Is it Kaiiki again?”
“Yeah… I don’t think she’s handling these events well… She just wants to sleep all day and night and wants to always be alone… it’s like PMS, but all the time!”
Tsuta let out a soft laugh and shook her head, “Makkura…”
“I know… she’s lost a lot in the past 2 weeks and she’s using all of her powers on the ceremonies but… I hate seeing her like this… I just want to tell her to stop moping and that I’m here for her but, I know she can’t!” Makkura said looking down. Tsuta smiled softly and messed up Makkura’s hair.
“Makkura, you are a good person…” She said softly. Makkura looked at her and smiled some, “And if you weren’t engaged to Kaiiki… I’d totally dig you…”
“Ew, you’re like my mom!” Makkura teased. Tsuta’s eyes fired up and Makkura let out a nervous laugh.
“Makkura…” She warned.
“I was just joking Tsuta! Don’t hurt me!!” He cried and stood up running away from Tsuta and she ran after him quickly.
Josh sighed, laying on his bed shirtless thinking. “I wonder… what it’ll be like not to remember who my parents are…” he thought. He heard a light knock on the door and sat up.
“Josh!” Juusanso called from outside the door. Josh quickly stood up and grabbed his black tank top pulling it on.
He opened the door, “What is it Juusanso?” He was answered when Juusanso jumped on him forcing a kiss on his lips. His eyes widened and he stumbled back, his arms automatically around Juusanso. The door closed behind them and Juusanso pulled back leaving a shocked Josh, blushing brightly looking at her, “Err… Hello to you too Juu…”
Juusanso blushed and smiled, “Sorry… but what you said before got to me…”
Josh quickly snapped out of his trace and frowned, “I thought we were going to forget about that Juu…”
Juusanso frowned some, “Are you saying… you didn’t mean any of that?”
“No! I meant it… but you just kind of ran away… then when I caught up to you, you told me there could never be anything there…”
Juusanso sighed, “I didn’t mean what I said there Josh… I mean… I do like you!”
Josh blinked and the scene of what had happened before played in his head.
Josh looked down at Juusanso quietly, “Juu… did you hear me?” he asked quietly.
Juusanso blinked at him and she frowned, “C-Can you repeat that?” she asked in a soft whisper.
“Juu… I said that you are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen… and that if there is such a thing as love at first site… then I must have gotten it when I saw you…” He smiled lightly at her.
Juusanso frowned slightly looking away from him. The smile on Josh’s lips faded seeing her reaction. Before he could say anything more, Juusanso had run off down the narrow hallway. Josh’s first reaction was to chase her down. He ran quickly after her and saw her outside her door hesitating to open it.
“Wait! Juu, don’t enter your room yet!” Josh cried.
“Look Josh!” Juusanso started before Josh could say anything. Josh stopped a few feet away from her frowning sadly, “I-I know you think you love me… but I’m afraid that there can never be anything between us… we don’t have the same connection as Kaiiki and Makkura… or even Kaiiki and William! Without that connection… there is nothing… Gods are not supposed to marry Goddess… but the Demons from the town of Keihatsu… Niji and Jishin were exceptions and so were Kaiiki and William and now Kaiiki and Makkura…”
“Juu…we can be exceptions too… please… give me a chance!” Josh begged.
“I’m sorry Josh… but we can’t…” Juusanso whispered opening her door, walking in to leave a heartbroken Josh outside.
“Juu…” Josh said frowning, “You left me heartbroken outside of your room…”
“And I’m sorry about that Josh!”
“I-I can’t date you… because like you said… we aren’t exceptions…”
“Josh…”
“Please Juu… understand me... I didn't understand you earlier… We are supposed to marry… the Demons from the town of Keihatsu… and that’s the way it’ll be for us…” Juusanso frowned and Josh opened the door quietly and slowly, “Can you please leave so I can get ready for the ceremony?”
Juusanso frowned and walked out of the door wiping her eyes. She walked slowly away and Josh closed the door sighing. “She didn’t want me then… so I don’t want her now…” He thought walking back to his bed lying down.
“Will all gods please report to the main entrance hall leading to the ball room of the head quarters immediately. The Ceremony of Fire will be beginning soon.” Tsuta’s voice rang over the intercom, “Thank you!” She added before shutting it off and quickly leaving the room. She nearly tripped over her long green dress and she fixed the bottom on her dress reading, “Second in Command”.
She met up with Makkura at the entrance as he wore the button, “Next in Line”. Tsuta unclipped her button and Makkura looked at her confused, “Trade me buttons Makkura.”
“Why? You are Second in Command…”
“Once you and Kaiiki are married, you will second in Command. You being engaged to her right now also make you Second in Command… so switch me…”
“Alright…” Makkura hesitated and he removed his button switching it with Tsuta’s as she smiled at him. He smiled faintly back and pinned it back on him. As soon as he did, Josh walked over slowly followed by Kashoku, “Where is Juusanso?” Makkura asked confused.
“She said she’d be here as soon as she was done brushing her hair…” Kashoku said to her twin brother. Makkura smiled some and shook his head.
“Girls…” He muttered and received a death glare from Kashoku and a smack on the back of the head from Tsuta. He winced and glared at Tsuta. Josh laughed at Makkura and received a smack upside the head as well from Kashoku.
“HEY!” Josh protested. He grumbled and Kashoku shook her head.
“Stupid guys…” Tsuta and Kashoku grumbled.
“What about guys?” Juusanso asked walking up to them. Tsuta and Kashoku smiled at her and Josh looked away toward the door. Juusanso at first ignored his reaction before frowning once the two girls looked away. Makkura looked towards the door and pulled out a walking talkie.
“Everyone’s here… start when you wish… “He spoke into it.
“Alright” Came Kaiiki’s voice, “Wait for the trumpets.”
“We got it!” Makkura said again placing the walkie talkie in one of his pockets.
The trumpets soon sounded and the doors opened slowly. Makkura walked in first followed by Josh as Tsuta stepped back. Makkura looked up at Kaiiki who smiled softly at him. She was in her light blue shimmering gown with her diamond and sapphire headband on, the middle sapphire gently touching her forehead. Her blacks were shimmering with nervousness and she stood next to table that held the prayer circle which currently had fire sputtering out of it making a jet the ceiling.
Makkura looked back to see the order of the people behind him. It was him, Josh, Kashoku, and Juusanso, followed by Tsuta. He looked back forward and walked up the continuing steps up toward the table. In the back, Tsuta turned left at the first row, Juusanso turned right on the second row, Kashoku turned left on the third row and Josh continued walking up with Makkura. Makkura stopped at the last row, kneeling to Kaiiki before standing up and turning right on the fourth row. Josh followed suit except he walked up the steps more standing in front of the prayer circle and table.
“Joshua… from Montgomery, Alabama, you have been chosen to receive the powers of the god Ho-Masubi, the god of Fire,” Kaiiki recited, “You have been chosen from the entire Earthen World because you hold the needed requirements of being a god. Do you wish to accept these powers?”
“Yes… I wish to accept these powers, Lady Kaiiki…” Josh said confidently.
“Do you promise your life to protect your fellow gods or goddesses no matter if your life is in danger?”
“I do promise this Lady Kaiiki…”
“Do you promise your life to protect the head quarters and befriend the other gods and goddesses?”
“I do promise this Lady Kaiiki…”
“Then step up here on this last step and kneel before this table…” Kaiiki directed with her hand. Josh did as told and kneeled before the table bowing his head to it. Kaiiki took a cup from the table and tipped it into the fire filling it with the glowing red flames. She pulled the cup out of the flames, which soon faded and handed the cup to Josh, “Drink ‘til there is no more. Not a drop of this flame. The old gods will choose your given name…”
Josh took the cup drinking the hot flames which oddly, did not burn him. Once the last drop of the flame was gone, a soft wind blew through the room. Josh looked around nervously to see the door tightly shut and no windows where in this room. He was confused on how such a wind could come until in front of him, the flames shot back up.
Kaiiki kneeled to the flames as the figure of the Ho-Masubi appeared in the flames, “Kaiiki, please do not bow to a dead god as me…” Ho-Masubi muttered weakly. Kaiiki raised her head and stood looking at the figure. He smiled and looked to Kyuuzou, “Rise young man…” the voice echoed through the room. Josh stood and he looked at Ho-Masubi.
The figure looked him over before giving a cute laugh, “Kyuuzou… Explosion… I have looked deep in your soul and you are hot-tempered…” Kyuuzou mentally glared at the figure. The figure laughed again as if reading his mind and he slowly faded away as the fire disappeared, the name, “Kyuuzou” echoing through the quiet air. There was a loud explosion of applause and Kyuuzou turned around to see the room filled with friendly looking demons. They looked almost harmless until they turned their heads to talk to the person next to them and their long fangs were revealed.
“The demons just appear from nowhere when they wish at parties…” Kaiiki said behind him. Kyuuzou quickly looked back at her and smiled.
“Oh… Do I have my powers now?” Kaiiki nodded smiling; “What about my memories?” he asked worried. Kaiiki placed a finger to his lips to quiet him and places her other hand on his forehead closing her eyes. Josh closed his eyes also. Kaiiki winced as she relived the memories and took them from Kyuuzou. She quickly pulled back and her eyes shot open.
Kyuuzou looked at her in alarm but just received the friendly calm smile of Kaiiki, “Your memories are gone…” She said quietly. Kyuuzou nodded and watched her walk down the long staircase meeting Makkura down there.
“Nice job…” Juusanso said behind him. Kyuuzou looked at her and frowned.
“Thanks…” He said some before looking at the demons that were standing in line for some food.
“You see the demon in the dark green?” Juusanso said quietly looking down also.
“Yes I do. What about him?” Kyuuzou asked quietly.
“Well, when he appeared, he kept staring at me… once the ceremony ended, he was right next to me and said that he was destined to marry me…” Juusanso said softly. The demon looked up at them and smiled waving.
Juusanso smiled and waved back, “I told him that when I turn 18 I would…” Kyuuzou looked over at her. She had a light smile on her face and she looked at him, “I don’t love him… but I have to marry him…”
Kyuuzou frowned at her and she smiled at him, “Don’t worry Kyuu…” She kissed his cheek lightly, “I still do… love you…” His eyes widened as Juusanso walked down the stairs.
“Love triangle… or just one sided love?” Tsuta asked walking over to Kyuuzou. Kyuuzou smiled at her.
“It’s two sided… but she’s engaged to the demon in green…” He replied.
“Oh… why aren’t you two together?” Tsuta asked.
“We can’t… I’m a god… she’s a goddess…”
“So what are Kaiiki and Makkura?”
“Exceptions…” Tsuta nodded some and sighed.
“I suppose you are right Kyuuzou…”
“I wish I wasn’t…”
Tsuta laughed and messed up Josh’s spiky hair. She walked with him down the steps and they sat down at the table with the other gods.
“Kaiiki!” Makkura called. Kaiiki groaned and sat up in her bed.
“What happened?” She thought. She heard someone moving around in her bathroom and she blinked confused.
“Kaiiki, you awake now?” Makkura’s voice called from the bathroom.
“Yeah… What happened?” She asked rubbing her forehead. She looked to see that her blue gown and headband was tossed on the floor and she looked under the covers to see her in her pajamas, “How am I wearing these? I don’t remember changing…”
“You passed out after the ceremony… I had to undress you and put you in your pajamas…” Makkura said leaning out to look at her from the door way.
“Oh…”
“You used a lot of your energy on the ceremony… and you were very restless last night… so I stayed with you…” Kaiiki smiled some as Makkura ducked away behind the bathroom wall.
“Thanks…”
“What were you dreaming about?” Makkura asked. Kaiiki stared at the door way.
“I don’t remember…”
“You kept telling someone by the name of Erik to go away… and that you weren’t going to kill anyone else…” Makkura said. Kaiiki’s eyes widened, “What did you mean by that?”
“I-It’s from Kyuuzou’s memories…” She stuttered quietly. Makkura leaned back with shaving cream on his chin and he tilted his head.
“What?”
“Kyuuzou… had some creepy memories… I-I think he… was a murderer… or assassin on Earth…”
“Then why was he picked?”
“He’s a good person… he was forced to join them… I don’t know why… but he was pressured into it…”
“I’ll talk to him later about it…”
“Please don’t be mean to him though Makkura…” Makkura smiled.
“You know me too well Kaiiki…” Kaiiki laughed and she then laid back in her bed closing her eyes.
“I know… and that’s how I know you truly love me…” Makkura looked at her and smiled more before going back to shaving and Kaiiki fell back asleep.
