Two chapters in two days whut. I can't help myself, I've been brimming with ideas. This chapter and the next won't be terribly exciting, as I'm trying to set the story and the world. This is really the first time I've tried creating my own universe - which probably shows, but bear with me. I'm learning as I go. XD;Title: Wonderland's EndChapter: 3/??Fandom: xxxHOLiCPairing: Doumeki Shizuka/Watanuki KimihiroRating: PGSummary: It didn't matter where he was; saving Watanuki was simply what he did. -1- * -2-As always, feedback is loved, and typos and the like are to be willfully ignored. This is a rough draft; it will be edited once it's finished. Also, I just wanted to point out my use of the word "kami" in this fic. While I generally shy away from using Japanese words (with obvious exceptions), I didn't feel that "god" really conveyed the same idea as the Japanese "kami," and decided to stick with that. It's likely I'll be doing that with other of the spirits and creatures in the future as well. (And I'm admittedly having a bit too much fun perusing this website for ideas. I mean, look at some of this stuff. It's brilliant!) *shuts up*- 3 -Hed really done it this time. If only he could remember what it was he actually did that had landed him here.If he hadnt already been told he was in another world, stepping out the door of the shack wouldve made it apparent. The night before, the ground had been steeped in snow, the air cold and windy; now, there wasnt a single lasting sign as to the wintery weather that had swept the land just some hours ago. It was warm, the ground was dry, and the huge, scary-looking trees seemed fairly innocuous now that they had little pink star-shaped flowers blooming at the ends of their branches.Aaah, the Old One sniffed the air with a pleasant face. Love the warm spring. Although warm spring generally means brutal summer.Its spring? he felt stupid as the question left his mouth; the woods around them were radiating with signs of the season. Then what was with the snow last night? Do you get snowstorms like that in the spring? Come to think of it, what season was it when hed left? He couldnt remember for the life of him.Since the Garden lies at the very center of this world, the seasons change from day to day.Watanuki blinked. Huh? Garden Center?The Old One chuckled. He had a warm, raspy laugh that kinda sounded like he was clearing his throat. Watanuki felt strangely comfortable in his presence; he was certainly one of the weirdest looking creatures hed ever seen, with his grayish skin, his webbed feet and clawed fingers, bony arms and legs, and the smallest pair of bat-esque wings on his back. Still, Watanuki didnt sense anything bad from him, and he knew that by helping him out, the creature was doing him a great kindness.This world has four lands, each with their own constant season. To the north is the White lands, the eternal winter. Not much up there, really, as most of its barely livable. To the east, he pointed towards the sun, indicating the direction, is the Green lands, eternal spring. This is the most populated and prosperous of the regions, with great, bustling cities and miles of lush green forests and soil. South are the Lands of Gold, also called the Hotlands. Summer, as you can probably tell. Mostly desert. Do you have deserts where you come from?Sure, Watanuki responded dazedly, trying to take it all in. Not anywhere near where I lived, but in other parts of the world.As long as you know what Im talking about, the Old One walked along happily with Watanuki trailing one step behind to his left. Sfunny, trying to explain to someone whos never seen it what a desert, or even what a mountain is! But anyways. The Hotlands are mostly deserts, although far beneath the sands supposedly lie treasures of old, and the oases are supposed to be nice places, great for healings.Watanuki furrowed his brows. Healings?And last, the Old One stopped abruptly, and Watanuki almost bumped into him as he turned around. He looked warily into the distance theyd been walking away from. The Gray Lands. Eternal Autumn.Watanuki picked up on his anxious composure easily. Is something wrong with the Gray Lands?The Old One narrowed his small, beady eyes at Watanuki. He looked him up and down, as if sizing him up, debating with himself whether to tell him the truth. Watanuki swallowed nervously, a sudden ominousness gripping his stomach. The western lands . . . well, let me tell you a little about myself, Watanuki-kun. They had exchanged names earlier, although apparently the Old One was simply the Old One. An Old Ones duty is to watch the forest where he, or she, lives. One of the most important tasks of this lifelong duty is to see travelers safely through its woods. Ive seen travelers come and go from all the lands, and Ive even had a couple travelers such as yourself, who come from different worlds altogether. Because my wood lies at the center, I usually encounter passengers traveling between north and south, or east and west.He looked into the distance past Watanukis head, distastefully eyeing the western sky. Ive seen northerners tread south and return, and southerners make return trips north. Ive seen westerners travel to the east, and return with wagons full of goods. He looked back at Watanuki, eyes sharp. Ive never seen anyone return from the western lands. Even ones whod promised me wed meet again. No one returns.Watanuki processed this, and shivers ran up his body despite the warm weather. Why?The Old One began walking again, this time turning northeast down a rock-lined path. Its said to be the place where magic was born, far in the depths of its mountains and caves on the edge of the world. Now, Im not saying magic is a bad thing. I can do a bit myself. But the magic of the Gray Lands is said to be great enough to make mountains vanish with a single spell. The power of the Witch, the great sorceress of the world, elevates her to a kamis status in the peoples eyes.Watanuki thought about this, and suspected what the Old One was getting at. Youre saying that power corrupts?The Old One gave him an approving look. Youre a clever one, aint ya?Do you think this witch is . . . evil? Despite all hed seen, Watanuki hated saying the word.Maybe. Maybe not. I knew her when she was young, the Witch. A young woman, about your age, wandering the world to learn new spells and gain knowledge. Ambitious, but genuine, and sincere. I knew what she was the first second I saw her, but I didnt suspect for one moment shed be one to err from her path.Her path? This was starting to go over Watanukis head. As the Witch, the Old One stopped at the edge of field overflowing with hundreds of butterflies of all colors and sizes. He smiled sadly, watching them flutter about, and gave a nostalgic sigh as Watanuki caught up next to him. The Dimension Witch.---Yuuko sat cross-legged on the carpet, puffing lazily on a pipe as she put together a puzzle. She was willfully ignoring the six eyes watching her from the doorway.Yuuko, Mokona was, of course, the first to speak up.What is it, Mokona? Yuuko asked neutrally, connecting a piece to two others, half-forming an artists rendition of the rabbit in the moon. Is Watanuki going to be okay? The concern was evident, and Maru and Moro took that moment to voice their own worry collectively.Will Watanuki-kun be okay?Will Watanuki-kun be okay?Who knows? Yuuko knew perfectly well her neutrality frustrated people in these situations, but also knew from experience that it was best not to show any sympathy. Doumeki-kun is strong and reliable. The only real concern is whether or not Watanuki can protect himself until Doumeki-kun arrives.Why wont you help him, Yuuko? You know the cost-Yuuko held up a hand to stop Mokona from speaking any further. I didnt lie when I said I could not go there. There is a reason I cannot venture into that world.They all knew better than to ask what that was.And its closely connected to the reason Watanuki was taken. And besides, this is Doumekis task.So he was taken! Watanuki was taken away! Watanuki was kidnapped!Yuuko slid the last piece of her puzzle into place with a satisfied smile. Now, whos up for moon-watching with sake? she asked excitedly, but was met with sour faces.Oh, now, dont be like that, she rose to her feet, stretching her arms. Who do you think is more capable of saving Watanuki, me or Doumeki-kun?The three pondered, and Mokona answered after a moment with a cheerful cry. Doumeki-kun, of course!Very good, Mokona! The two shared a high five. And why is that?Because hes strong, and can chase away spirits!And?Mokona bounced, thinking. And theyre connected!Exactly! Another high five. The bond that Watanuki shares with Doumeki-kun is much stronger than mine. Its much stronger than most human bonds, in fact, she said with a knowing smirk.---Doumeki realized a second too late that he was about to become reacquainted with gravity. He fell out of god-knows-where onto the ground. He was, all things considered, lucky in that the fall was short and the ground was made of sand. The latter was also somewhat unfortunate though, as an ill-timed gasp when he landed face first sent a swirl of sand into his mouth and lungs.He raised himself to his knees as he coughed and hacked for a good five minutes, trying to spit as much sand out as he could. It was a minute into his coughing fit that he noticed other people were near, and a minute later that he noticed he was drawing a crowd. Finally catching his breath and wiping his face, he looked around with anxiety masked by an outward calm. Now that he got a good look, the crowd that had gathered to look upon him in curiosity didnt really consist of people.At least, by the whispers that began popping up, he knew the things, which somewhat resembled lizards in a way, spoke his language.Did you see that? Oh my god, its a human! He just came out of nowhere! What was that big hole he came out of? I havent seen a human in forty years! Whats that hes carrying, does he have wings? I thought humans were extinct! Make way! a loud voice boomed from beyond the crowd, and the creatures cleared a path without question. Doumeki stood up, tightening his hand on the bag that held his bow as a small procession came towards him; four of the creatures carried a curtained litter held aloft by two poles of what looked like gold. They set it down some feet in front of Doumeki, and pushed the curtain back. The crowd fell silent as the litters passenger, a small, old-looking lizard-man, got out and stood up. Standing, it was about half the size of Doumeki.Human boy, it walked up to him, but was courteous not to invade his space. From where have you come into our lands?Doumeki cleared his throat, scratchy and sore from the sand. I was sent to this world to find someone.A few scandalous mutters rose from the crowd, but were quickly quieted down. The speaker, who Doumeki suspected was some sort of priest among these people, addressed him further.Only the Dimension Witch could have sent you through the worlds. Was it she who gave you travel?Doumeki narrowed his eyes, wondering if he should answer truthfully. He decided that he would only lie when it was absolutely needed. Yes.More shocked voices, these ones more audible. A friend of the Witch? What is it he wants from us? Keep that wretched woman away from us!Silence! the would-be priest bellowed, and the crowd immediately went quiet. He turned to Doumeki once again. What is it youre looking for, boy?A person. A . . .another human. A boy, my age.The lizard-man pursed his thin, gray lips and squinted at the ground. There are no humans in this world, boy. Theyve been extinct for thirty odd years. The only human youll find is the Witch herself.Doumeki hesitated. Yuuko was here? But she couldnt be. Which meant there was another witch. He was taken here. I dont know how. He was taken from our world, and I need to bring him back.A few gasps rose around him. I see. Indeed, anything that travels must return to its original place. Did the witch send him here as well?No. I . . . we dont know how he got here. Only that hes here, and hes in danger.Oh no! Poor thing! Who would hurt a poor, defenseless human? Only the witch herself would do such a thing, far as I know.Doumeki then took a moment, for the first time, to really take in his surroundings, and connect them to the place he had seen in his vision of Watanuki. A hard, almost-crushing disappointment settled in his stomach; the two places were as alike as night and day.He was someplace cold. It was winter.Then he must be in the White lands. That is the only place where it snows. The would-be priests eyes grew somewhat sad. The White lands are a thousand-some miles away, boy, he said softly.The utter despair must have been evident in his eyes, and the lizard-priest continued gently. There is one other possibility, though. Do you know anything else about where he was taken?Doumekis breathing became heavy. A thousand miles? How could this happen? Watanuki was in danger now. He didnt have time for this! He closed his eyes and swallowed, attempting to calm himself.A forest.A forest? there was a faint glimmer of hope in the lizard-mans voice. There were trees. Big, red, ugly, huge branches.The Garden!What? Doumeki snapped open his eyes, and was startled by the enormous and somewhat-creepy smile on the lizard-mans face.You need not worry. He is in the Garden. He will not come to harm while hes there. The Garden is not as far as the White lands, although it is still a few days journey.But-The Old One will protect him from anything dangerous.Doumeki didnt know who or what an old one was, but he didnt really trust anyone else in any world when it came to Watanuki. Except maybe Yuuko.Although, the lizard-mans face darkened. He cant stay for long. If one remains too long in the Garden, they will never be able to leave, it is said.It was then, after all hed seen and heard in the past ten minutes, that Doumeki truly realized that he was in an entirely different world, with an entirely different set of rules than his own. Things will not always be as they appear, Yuuko had said.The brutal realization, along with the fact that Watanuki was still hundreds of miles away, was confounding enough to knock him off his feet.---to be continued
Post je objavljen 15.10.2009. u 05:15 sati.