The Truth of Swords and Masks ch 5

The Soft Confession
Half an hour and ten minutes earlier, Kouki had been walking away from the Shrine and from Ro. His visit at the Shrine was, well honestly, nice. The Shrine was much prettier than he thought it would be, and instead of feeling dread or hate, he felt an odd…peace. He wondered if that had been the Shrine or if it was the fact that Ro was with him. Ro, though he sometimes did nit like to admit it, calmed him. Not always. Sometimes the little ditto stressed him out beyond words, like earlier that day. When he had hit that tree to knock Ro down, he had not expected Ro to fall that fast. His plan was to hit the tree, move to catch Ro when he fell and place the little person on the ground. However, as it always seemed to go with Ro, that was not what happened. He was not sure which stressed him out more. The fact that he did not catch Ro in time, or the fact that Ro hit the ground, HARD. Ro only laughed it off, like he seemed to do with everything but when he had fallen back down, Kouki could not help but curse himself. Ro should not have been hurt, but he was, and it was his fault.

Ready to heal him with a Softboiled move, he was, once more, surprised to see Ro sit up as if nothing was wrong. Ro's comments amused him and he was secretly pleased to see that Ro did indeed, seem to be all right. When Ro had invited him back to the Shrine, he honestly was just going to refuse him, but something in his little friend's voice seemed so eager that he found he could not deny the little ditto. He agreed, only adding if food was going to be involved. The joy in Ro's body and voice told Kouki that he had done the right thing. He was ahead of schedule for his mission anyway so he could spare an hour. Just an hour.

Of course that was not what happened; it was much longer than one hour, but somehow it did not irritate Kouki all that much. Ro had fed him, and fed him well he did. He could always exert more energy to travel faster on his trek to make up for the lost time.

Upon arrival at the Shrine, Ro pulled out a large blanket from one of his sleeves and made Kouki sit down on it. With that, Ro began to pull odd assortments from his sleeves and placed them around Kouki. "How do you DO that??" he asked in amazement to Ro.

"Do what?" Ro asked in a simple tone as he set down a hot bowl of rice. Kouki blinked, then glared at Ro and then signed. Somehow he had a feeling Ro would never explain. Still, he could not complain, he guessed. Ro seemed to always have what was handy on him and as Kouki eyed the food, a nice mix of good things to eat, he suddenly realized he did not really care how he did it. Late lunch/early dinner with Ro was actually very entertaining. He had forgotten how funny Ro could be at times and the stories he was able to tell, true or not, always interested Kouki.

Of course he did not say much even though Ro did seem to ask about his mission. He felt he needed to keep it a secret. After all he wasn't even sure what he needed to be looking out for yet. No need to bring panic to his easily frighten friend. He was surprise to find Ro asking instead about pokemon he had seen so far. Wait, how many DID he see? Why had he not kept track? Wait a second, why was he even bothering to think about it? He was going to tell Ro that in fact, but he was distracted by Ro juggling as they cleaned up after their meal and therefore he completely forgot the question altogether. After they had finished, Ro began the tour of the Shrine.

The Shrine was much bigger than he expected but much smaller than he thought it would be when he first saw it from the walking path. And Ro was right, it was very beautiful. He could see that people wanted to make the Shrine, could tell that the work put into it was done from the heart, not just because it needed to be done. The inside was not very big, but large enough to hold a few if they needed to party or visit. Ro had pointed out a small statue of the Goddess Arceus and Kouki could not help but notice how quiet Ro was around it. He said nothing though but he paid closer attention to Ro's actions. He was not sure why, maybe it was because Ro seemed to know a bit too much detail about the Shrine, maybe it was the fact that Ro seemed to move in the building as if he had done this a million times. Maybe it was because for once, Ro was acting more calm and serious than he was used to seeing. Either way, he began to hang on to every word Ro was saying. As they walked by a row of very small hanging bells, Kouki noticed an odd crack in the wall behind them, but Ro moved on to the outside of the Shrine and so Kouki followed forgetting about what he saw.

Ro pointed out this and that, talked about one thing or another with the Shrine; however when Kouki pointed out the many lanterns he had begun to notice around the Shrine, Ro made quick mention that they looked pretty at night but moved on before Kouki could really ask anything else about them. That caused him to pause. Ro was hiding something…but what? As Ro babbled on about where everyone could pray, Kouki was thinking about how he could get Ro to explain to him what was wrong, and that was when he noticed it. It was a rather large bell. Not the largest he had ever seen but something about it made it stand out from everything in the Shrine.

Ro moved by it quickly but Kouki couldn't seem to take his eyes off it. Something about it seemed awfully familiar. It had interesting designs on it and very pretty bright stones where placed here and there, but it was the Moon Stone that took his notice. His eyes narrowed as he focused on it. Where had he seen that before? Reaching out he touched the stone in thought. 'Wasn't that..isn't that Ro-kun's?' Kouki moved closer to look. He could hear Ro talking about something in the background. Something about a painting, he was not sure, but he did notice his tone sounded a bit more nervous. Why would he be nervous about this bell…oh. Kouki blinked as an idea came to him. He was not certain, but he had a feeling why this bell was so familiar to him now. However there was a sure fire way to prove if his thought was true or not. Slowly he reached out and with just barely a force, he flicked it. The sound the bell made was a very quiet soft hum, but it flowed and vibrated through him so loudly, touching a part of his soul that only one other bell had ever done. He focused his eyes as only one thought came to him. 'This bell was defiantly made by Ro.'

Ro in fact admitted it, though by mistake as Kouki had questioned him about it. It surprised Kouki that Ro would be so quiet and shy about this. It seemed Ro was truly talented at bell making but he never heard the little person speak about it. Ro was modest, but maybe a bit too modest at times. He decided he would tell Ro how he felt about the bell. He did not normally speak about things like that, but what else could he say about Ro's bell? The sound was indeed beautiful. And even though he could not see Ro's face, something told Kouki that the little ditto was beaming. Kouki suddenly felt awkward and quickly changed the subject about the painting he had heard Ro speak about.

At some point in the tour, Ro had offered him a, well, downright ugly-looking charm that would protect him from Toe Jam fairies. He was not sure if Ro was making fun of him or not. But knowing Ro, he most likely wasn't. He of course refused it. What he would need that thing for?! Ro did not seem to mind, however Kouki suddenly felt bad for refusing a gift from Ro. It was not as if Ro was forcing him to buy it or even take it but still. Ro was always giving gifts to his friends and asking nothing in return. So Kouki decided to tell Ro about his mission, to make up for not taking his gift. By the time all was said and done the two were about to part ways. Ro hugged him goodbye, which was always so odd for Kouki, and soon Kouki was on his way back to his mission. But the farther he walked from the Shrine, the more he began to notice, Ro had not moved. 'Any second now, he'll move away and head back to one of the villages.' Kouki slowed down, just a little. 'Any second now…'

He could hear Ro. Even though he was now farther away, Kouki's hearing was incredibly good and so he could still hear the rustling fabric of Ro's clothing, which was NOT moving in the way he wanted to hear it. Kouki frowned. Why was Ro still just… standing there? Kouki had a feeling Ro could not even see him any more…Looking over his should he could not even the Shrine anymore let alone Ro. Kouki stopped walking altogether and listened more. Ro was talking…to…someone. But still, he was not moving. 'Ro what are you doing?' Kouki suddenly had a thought. 'What if that psycho had come back and at this very moment was confronting Ro…DAMN!!' Kouki found himself turning around and returning to the Shrine as quick as he could, but the closer he got, the more he could hear Ro talking calmly to…'Oh." Kouki stopped moving. 'He said the name Whisp, didn't he? Wasn't that the little weird ball of light that seemed to follow Ro everywhere?'

Hiding in the shadows, Kouki moved closer to where he left Ro and sure enough, there he was, talking to the little floating light. He did not know why this worried him so much, Ro still being here, but something just…nagged at him. Kouki watched him then turn around. 'Good, NOW he's going to return to the vi….he's going to the Shrine…' Kouki was suddenly very confused and found himself following Ro as he moved about the Shrine doing odd jobs. The longer Kouki watched the more confused and frustrated he was at Ro. Why was Ro still here at the Shrine? What was he doing here? He was sweeping now. 'Hmmm….he's taking care of the Shrine…but….why?' Kouki calmed down, just a little as he watched Ro begin to light each lantern around the Shrine. And once more, Ro was right; they did look very lovely at night. Kouki realized that with each step Ro took, he was following a pattern. 'Ro….do you do this every night?'

Ro stopped at his bell and prayed. Kouki raised a brow as he watched. 'Wonder what he's praying for…more dangos? Less falling down? Fewer trees to be stuck in?' With Ro, who knew? 'He must be done, surely he'll go back to the village now and…why is he walking INTO the Shrine?' Kouki quickly followed but he did not go in, instead he listen very closely. 'He's walking….he's speaking to someone? What was that? A door opening? Was there another room in the Shrine? I don't remember Ro pointing any out… He's talking to Whisp again….he's walking about….he closed a door…." And then it was quiet. Kouki listen but for strange reasons he could no long hear anything from Ro. His voice, the sound of this clothing, nothing. That set Kouki on edge.

Quickly he moved into the Shrine. There was no sign of Ro. He bared his teeth. Where was he? Looking about in the darkness, he could not see any trace of where Ro might have gone. No light, no sounds, it was as if Ro disappeared! Movement caused him to look towards the small hanging bells. Why was one of them mov…the crack….Kouki's eyes widen as he pieced together the information. Moving quickly, he felt a small notch in the wall. A DOOR!? And just as quick, he opened it! Blinded temporary by the light of a small room, he heard Ro's soft voice call out to him.
Ten minutes ago…

Two very surprised pink people stared at each other in the candle light of a small hidden room in the back of a shrine sometime in the middle of the night. The only thing making the two very different from each other was the simple fact that one of the surprise faces was covered by an odd and silly-looking mask. Ro stared up at Kouki. Kouki stared down at Ro. Both blinking and awestruck of what they were seeing, even though they both seemed to have a hard time wrapping their brain around what was happening.
Kouki's mouth opened as if he was going to ask something, but he quickly snapped it shut. Ro raised a hand as if to wave but quickly tightening it into a fist and placed it back on the bed mat. Neither seemed to know what to do, what to say, or how to act. Ro, eventually, was the first to actually do something. "Could you...uh…could you shut the door please, Kouki…?" Kouki stared dumbfound at the little ditto, his mouth hanging open but with a quick snap of his mouth it shut and so did the door.

"What are you doing here?" the two spoke at the same time.

"What am I doing? I asked you first!" they spoke again. Kouki glared, Ro couldn't help but giggle.

"You go first. No you!" They spoke together again only this time Kouki sounded angrier than Ro, who did not find it so funny anymore.

Kouki looked about the small room and then back as Ro spoke. "Well…can't you tell Kouki?" He spoke so softly that Kouki almost had to move closer to hear him. Kouki scowled down at the ditto, but he never moved from his spot. Looking about the room again, he began to notice the small odds and ends in it. There was a little chair in one corner, a table over there, and a traveling bag against one wall. Hanging from a hook near the ceiling was a paper lantern where Whisp was resting inside it now like a little house. Trinkets, bowls, half-made dolls and puppets rested throughout the small room, cluttering it up.
Ro watched as Kouki's eyes looked from one thing to another until a spark appeared in them as the answer came to him. Kouki was always a quick learner. Kouki jerked his head back at Ro, who was now looking down at his hands in front of him on the bed mat. "I think you know the answer then Kouki…" Ro spoke softly again.

"I think I like to hear the answer from YOU Ro-kun…" Kouki narrowed his eyes as he tried to read Ro's body language. The little ditto's head was lowered as if he could not look Kouki in the face. He was ashamed. Ro did not have to see that Kouki was annoyed and slightly angry at him. The pink clefable's voice was good reason enough to know what he was feeling. "Well?" Kouki asked more harshly than he meant, but damn it, Ro hadn't answered him yet.

"Well…you see, there was this large tree monster that was…"

"RO-KUN!" Ro flinched and looked up at Kouki but stopped speaking at once. Kouki's face was angry. VERY angry.

Ro looked back down, trying so hard not to start shaking in front of his strong friend. He mumbled so very softly, "….I live here…"

"What?" Kouki had heard him just fine, but he wanted Ro to speak up.

"…I…I live here…" Ro never looked at him.

Kouki's face turned slightly red. "LOOK AT ME RO-KUN," he commanded.

Ro jumped and jerked his head up to look at his friend. He had never heard Kouki speak that way to him before. The two could only watch the other until after a few moments pasted, though they felt so much longer, Kouki slowly slid down the wall and sat. Ro pulled his knees tight against his chest, resting his head against them, he heard Kouki give a deep sigh and he could not help but give one himself. The two said nothing to each other after that.

********

In the here and now, the two friends, one mad, one ashamed, had let a whole five minutes pass before either said anything. It was Kouki, this time, who reacted first. "Were you EVER going to tell me you were homeless?"

Ro jerked his head up to look at Kouki, who still wasn't looking at him, but at the ground. The large scowl on his face told Ro he was still very unhappy with him, his voice was low but calm. 'Well…he's speaking to me. That must mean something…right?' Ro thought. The longer the silent filled the room, the more Ro's heart felt heavy. Once more he had bothered his friend. It was the reason why he had not ever told Kouki about his troubles. He just did not want to trouble his friend. He knew Kouki would worry the most and he did not want Kouki to worry at all. Not about him.

"….I…did not want to burden you…"

"Burden ME?" Kouki glared at Ro who flinched slightly. "Ro-kun…How…I…you…GUUH!" Kouki pulled on his hair slightly in anger.

Ro rubbed the fabric of one of his sleeves. "I didn't want to place any of my troubles on others so I just kept them to myself…" Kouki stiffed slightly as if in shock, but Ro found he just could not look at him.

"Do you not trust me Ro-kun?" Kouki asked quietly.

It caused Ro to gasp and move forward, letting his weight rest on his hands as he looked at Kouki. "Oh no of course I do Kouki!" Hot tears began to form at the corner of Ro's eyes. "I trust you so very much Kouki. I trust you more than anyone I have ever known. I trust you Kouki I..I…I trust…I…" At this Ro began to cry. Turning away quickly to hide his tears from his friend, he kept on speaking. "I have been alone for a very long time Kouki…I…I'm so used to being on my own. My problems are my…my..my own…" He took a breath to try and calm himself, but he couldn't seem stop that odd shake in his voice. "…And most people don't really care what happens to me so I don't want to bother them with...with MY troubles. I don't want to make people worry. I…I...I don't want to add to their troubles as well. There are so many with far larger problems than my own. And I..I..IYYYEE!" Ro jumped as he felt a large warm hand on his shoulder. He turned slightly to see Kouki looking at him with a very serious face, but there was also a great concern in his eyes.

"Ro-kun…I…" But he stopped when Ro lowered his head and bowed to Kouki.

"I'm sorry Kouki….I didn't think…" He took another calming breath but felt Kouki gently pull him up.
His voice was soft and gentle as he spoke. "Ro-kun…I…I'm sorry that I lost my temper with you…it's just…I wish you would have come to me. I could have helped you…" Kouki looked about the room. The soft dim light coming from Whisp in its lantern was not able to light up the whole room, but it got the job done. He could see enough in the room. The candle had been blown out at some point, but neither had noticed when. Ro sniffled a bit. Kouki sat back and sighed. "I know it's hard to ask for help sometimes. But next time, Ro-kun. Ask me. You don't have to worry about bothering me. I'm always glad to help you."

Ro sniffled more but looked up at Kouki. "Re…Really?"
Kouki nodded and his expression softened. "Yes, really. I want you to come right away to me if you have an proaaah!!" At that moment Ro jumped at Kouki and hugged him tight.

"You are the most wonderful friend I've ever had Koukou!"

"Er, yeah ok, thank you Ro-kun….ok..yes…" Kouki instinctively wanted to push him away, but given how Ro was crying just moments before, he decided to let this one slide. Feeling like he had to do something to move the hug along, he awkwardly and stiffly patted Ro's back. After some time passed he began to scowled slightly, his patience quickly draining. "And we're still hugging…"

Ro giggled and finally pulled back after a minute. He wiped a tear away from under his mask. "Thank you Kouki…you've been a very good friend to me." Ro looked up at the pink fairy and then about. It must have been very late now. Looking about the room he had an idea. "Koukou, you should stay here for the night." Kouki frowned in thought. Ro bit his lip in thought. 'Oh, I shouldn't have asked. I know he wants to get on with his mission…but…still...I can't send him out so late now.' "You can get up bright and early! And you know, you can sleep safe for tonight anyway! I may not know what your plans are but uh…well um…it's...uh…warm here?"

Ro tried not to sound so lame with his reasons but he knew Kouki would not really care about any of those things. Why would he need to stay? He was trained to fight, so he could protect himself if need be and if he kept walking the rest of the night, he would not need to worry at all about the chill. Ro sighed. Why had he said anything? He could see Kouki was debating himself. Most likely trying to be polite about how to refuse him. Ro gave a soft laugh. "Forget I said anything ok? I should let you get going Kouki. You have quite a bit of traveling ahead of…"

"I suppose I should just stay here for the rest of the night." Kouki said thoughtfully. Ro blinked and looked at the samurai in surprise. "If I sleep now, and travel the rest of the day, maybe take a short break in the evening, I think I can make it to the villages by early morning the next day….."He nodded at his logic. Looking back at the little Ditto, he gave him a slight nod. "Very well, I will take you up on your offer Ro-kun." And then as if on a second thought he scowled. "But I am not sleeping on that smelly thing with you." Ro could only plop back on his bed mat trying very hard not to giggle from the grim look on Kouki's face. "Well it IS smelly…"