The Truth of Swords and Masks ch4

The Shrine

'The day, honestly, hadn't started out this complex', Ro had thought to himself as he hung upside down in a tree. Of course he should have known better. The past few days had been very calm and he hadn't even tripped or walked into something for a whole week! He should have known something big was building up. Therefore he wasn't surprised at all when he tripped over some bowls of paint only to go rolling into a nearby bush, to which he crashed into a sleeping Pikachu who woke up and jolted him with a blast that sent him flying across the Shrine ground and where found himself in the largest tree ever. He knew this day would come. "I would like the village to make a memorial of me when the tree monster eats me…." Ro said as he looked at the ground above him…or below him, he was never quite sure how it worked like this.

And so after many hours of trying to get out of the tree, Ro thought he would be spending the night in it. How lucky, and happy he was to hear a familiar voice call out to him. His fellow pink friend Kouki looked up at him. He crossed his arms as he raised a brow. "I'm not even going to ask how you got stuck in there." "There was paint and a Pikachu and the tree monster was going to eat me and…" "Like I said...I'm not going to ask…" Kouki however reached up and took hold of Ro's hands and began to pull. "AAAHH!!" Ro cried out. Kouki stopped at once. "Wh-What's wrong?! You okay?" "Er Uh yes…just reaaally stuck…." And he was stuck but he had cried out because a large branch was scrapping against his leg. Kouki frown but Ro laughed. "I'm fine! Really! Just...uh…give me a second…" Ro twisted about, but he only seemed to get the branch tighter against his leg. "Guh!"
"Ro-kun really, just let me help you out. I'll cut you out if I have to." Kouki said, going for his sword. "NO!" Ro cried out. Kouki jumped back, clearly looking surprise at the little stuck pink person. Ro blushed under his mask. "I'm fine…just… don't hurt the tree…" Kouki eyes widened and then he sighed. "Really Ro-kun…" Ro suddenly felt ashamed. Kouki was so strong and here Ro was stuck in a tree. Strong people didn't get stuck in a tree…no they were brave like Kouki, who was not stuck in any trees. Kouki was always helping people, like he was now. And what did Ro do? He did…nothing…

Kouki sighed. "Well if you won't let me cut you out…hmm…maybe we can shake you out?" "Shake?" "Hmm." Kouki studied the tree for a moment, placing a hand here and there on its trunk. Then he eyed Ro as if trying to discover something new about him. Ro looked about nervously. It wasn't that he didn't like people looking at him for long amounts of time. It was just, well, it always seemed that when they were looking, they were trying to uncover him. Discover things he was trying so hard to keep a secret. He knew Kouki wasn't like that, but still. Staring always made him a bit on edge. After a moment, Kouki, seemed to think of something and gave a nod. He then hit as hard as he could and punched the tree. Ro flinched, but nothing happened. At first anyway. Slowly a quiver ran up the tree's trunk causing it to shake more and more until Ro felt it in his bones. "WAAAAAAH!" Ro fell out of the tree like a ripe fruit and landed hard on his head.

Kouki jumped. "RO-KUN!" He rushed over to him and placed Ro right side up. "Sorry, I didn't think you'd fall that fast…" Ro was seeing stars for a moment but gave a soft laugh. "Oh, I'm fine Koukou…look…the stars are out early tonight! How lovely…" And then he fell back down. He heard Kouki curse and felt a hand be placed under his head a quick moment later. "Ro-kun…?" Kouki asked softly, ready to prepare a Soft-Boiled move with his other hand. "What?" Ro sat up quickly, looking at Kouki.
Kouki blinked in surprise, then sighed but the glow in his eyes showed that he seemed amused. "I take it you're fine." Ro giggled. "Why wouldn't I be?" "Well...you DID land on your head." "Yes but I am use to it." Kouki gave a soft sigh, but despite his stern expression he still looked amused. "This is true." Ro rubbed the sore spot on his head and turned to look at his friend. "What are you doing out here by the way, Koukou? Come to pray at the Shrine?" Kouki frown at this but stood, lifting Ro with him. Kouki was so much stronger than Ro. He had always wondered just HOW strong Kouki was. "No, I don't think I'll be praying, EVER, at that Shrine."

Ro blinked at Kouki and frowned slightly, even though he knew the emotion would go unseen by his friend. It was not that he said he would not pray at the Shrine that had bothered Ro, but how he had said it. With a great distrust and bitterness in him. With a cold and harsh tone. He sounded like the way many others did about the Shrine. That it was something to be hated of. This made Ro very sad. There were many who did come and pray, but there were just as many who did not. Mostly because they hated the Kami Trio gods. And Kouki too, it seemed, hated them as well.

"Oh well, Koukou! If it's not for praying why are you coming to the Shrine?" Ro changed his voice to sound more cheerful, but he still felt sad. He gave a soft forced gasp. "Oh! Have you come to visit me then?" Kouki shook his head. "I'm afraid not Ro-kun. It was by chance I met you here… What ARE you doing out here?" Kouki raised a brow and crossed his arms over his chest. 'Oh…so…he did not know I was staying here…' Ro looked about and did a cheerful pose. "Oh! Just checking on things! I like to visit the Shrine a lot!" He giggled, only slightly forced and skipped around Kouki towards the Shrine. "Would you like to see the hard work of the villagers?" Ro pointed to a path he now knew by heart. Kouki watched him, only pausing long enough to look towards another direction. Ro watched the urgency in his eyes. 'He needs to go somewhere…I shouldn't have asked…' "…Only if you've got something to eat." Ro was surprised to hear this, and stilled as Kouki began to follow him. His heart fluttered with joy. "Oh! OH KOUKOU!! You'll love the Shrine!!" And with that Ro grabbed hold of Kouki's arm and dragged a surprised-looking samurai to the Shrine.

******
"And this is where most people like to pray! But you can pray inside as well, but it doesn't have the big bell inside, but there are little ones, they're very nice but are kind of quiet but still nice. The big bell is very loud so you know when someone has prayed, it's nice because it lets everyone, even the gods know that people are praying to them all the time! And that bench was carved out of a rock! A ROCK! But it's so nice and comfy and look at the detail they put into it! I really like the little flowers and seashells. Oh and over there is a really pretty painting someone did of the Goddess Arc…Koukou?" Ro stopped talking and looked about. Kouki wasn't beside him anymore.

'Where did he go?' Ro thought to himself and turned around to notice Kouki was looking at the large bell. His bell. He couldn't help but smile. He would most likely never be able to make anything like it again but he was fine with that. The way people smiled when they rung his bell was soothing and he could not explain the joy and peace he felt when it rang. Ro was taken back slightly when he watched Kouki reach out and touch the bell. Even more so when he leaned in and looked more closely at it. "Uh…It's pretty, isn't it Koukou? The bell was made to bring peace to the land! And it has such a pretty sound. I like to think that for everyone who hears, even the gods, find joy in it!"
Kouki was still looking at the bell. "You uh…seem very interested in that bell, Koukou…do you think it's pretty too?" Kouki flicked the metal and his eyes seemed a little lost in the sound it produced. He hummed his agreement. Ro was happy. Kouki thought his bell was pretty! "If you think that's pretty Koukou! You should come see this pai…" "You made this bell didn't you Ro-kun?" Kouki turned to look at him. "DUAH?" Ro jumped slightly.

"I..uh…wha? Uh what makes you think I could do…" Kouki spoke over him as he rubbed his chin in thought. "You can deny it if you want to Ro-kun, but I can tell your work from others pretty well." "You…you can?!" Ro covered his mask's mouth realizing he just gave himself away. "You're very talented and…" Kouki pointed to the Moon Stone on the bell. "I think this was yours. Am I right?" Ro looked at his feet suddenly feeling awkward. "…yes…"
Kouki turned to look at Ro. "That must have been quite a sacrifice for you." Ro only gave a shy nod. "Why are you so shy about it? You should be proud of your work. Your bell is beautiful." Kouki turned to look again at the bell. It wasn't a word he usually said, but in regards to sounds—they were the exception. Ro blushed a deep red and for once was grateful for his mask. "Uh…well…hee hee…Thank you Kouki." Ro let his fingers play against each other, not quite sure what to say. No one had actually ever thanked him about the bell. Nor was he fishing for complements. But still, it was very nice to hear it. "Um, you said you were gonna show me something?" Kouki gave him a questioning look. "AH! Yes! Let me show you!!" Ro called out as he skipped towards Kouki. "It's very pretty!!"

******
"It's going to be a full moon tonight." Kouki mumbled, and then turned to look at Ro. Night had just fallen and the stars and moon danced a crossed the night sky. Ro loved nights like this and now that the weather was getting warmer, he could stay outside more to look at it. "It should be bright enough to see your way home. I would go with you, but as I explained. I've been sent on a mission." Ro giggled. He could tell that Kouki was very pleased about this job. He could understand that, it was nice to be wanted. "Where are you going by the way, Koukou? You didn't tell me!"

Before and after Ro had given Kouki the tour of the Shrine, he began to question the samurai more about why he had come. Kouki didn't seem to want to share anything with him at first. But Ro was good with people who didn't want to talk. He had found that if you wait long enough, they soon tell you what you want to know anyway. So instead of asking about his mission, Ro instead asked Kouki how many pokemon he saw as he walked to the Shrine. To which Ro began to juggle random things from his sleeves and then later on offered Kouki a charm to protect him against Toe Jam fairies. "There a lot more dangerous that you think they are!" Ro had stated. Kouki, quite frankly refused the charm, but Ro already knew he wasn't going to take it. Ro couldn't help but smile at how serious Kouki could be at times. But then, all samurai like him were.

It didn't take long after that for Kouki to tell Ro about his mission. The Lady Noria seemed very nice, Ro thought. And she has good judgment. Picking Kouki to go on a mission like this was wise. Kouki, though he didn't know it about himself, thought with his heart. He wanted to do what was right and follow all the rules, and yet he always made sure he did what was right for the people around him. It was something Ro found wonderful about the young samurai. "There are some small villages not far from here. About another day's travel. Which is why I need to leave soon. I'll travel by light of the moon and sleep when the day is at its hottest tomorrow." Kouki answered Ro's question, bringing the little pink person back to the present. Ro nodded at the pink young man. "Are you sure you won't stay to have more to eat?" Ro asked, but he had a feeling he knew Kouki would chose his mission over his stomach any time. "Tempting, but no time. Plus, I don't wanna eat you out of house and home." "Oh sure sure!" Ro waved, only feeling slightly sad. "I hope you travel safely!" "Thanks, and too you as well."

Kouki bowed his head, but Ro decided to hug him. He knew Kouki didn't like hugs, most of Ro's friends didn't actually like it when he hugged them, but…well…you never know when you'll see a friend again. He tried to make these moments last. He felt Kouki tense under his hug, and for once, Ro decided to make this hug quick. "Well, good night Koukou! Until we meet again!! Don't be a stranger! And eat all of your greens so you can be the strongest ever!" Kouki gave his shoulder a small pat but gave him a nod. "Thank you. Until next time, Ro-kun." He gave another bow of his head, seemingly also wary of another hug, and with that he turned and began to walk away.

Ro watched him go, waving all the while. When he knew Kouki wasn't near anymore, he would head back to the Shrine. After a few moments, Kouki disappeared into the night. At this, Ro sighed for he was now alone. However as if to prove his thoughts wrong, a bright ball of light popped out of his hair and turned from white to pink. "Oh! There you are Whisp! I was wondering where you had gone for most of the day…sleeping in my hair again?" He raised his hand as the little will o' wisp floated to it and landed softly on his fingertips. Whisp had no body mass and so it was like touching a cloud, or maybe what a cloud would feel like if Ro knew what one felt like. But Whisp was both warm and cool to the touch, which reminded him of something he knew, but what…he could never seem to remember. "Alright now…time to head home." Ro gave it a smile and looked once more back towards the path Kouki had taken. He hoped Kouki would not travel all night and find time to rest soon, despite what Kouki had planned. Kouki was grumpy enough as it is and that was with sleep. Ro couldn't help but giggle at that. With a turn he walked back to the Shrine. However had Ro been more aware of his surroundings, he would have noticed a figure hiding in the shadows, watching him.

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"There…that should be it for tonight." Ro smiled as he lit the last lantern. There were a few things he did every night at the Shrine. He polished all the bells. Swept the walk way for those who would walk on it the next day, and then he would light lanterns so those who did travel at night could always find their way to the Shrine, and even to help spirits who still wandered to find rest. It gave him an odd peace he didn't know he was missing. Looking up at the night sky, he listened to the night pokemon call out to their mates and make other night cries. He closed his eyes and felt the soft spring breeze against him. It would be a calm night. Kouki would be traveling in safe weather.

Ro was pleased. He opened his eyes and turn to look at his bell. Walking slowly up to it, he blew out the match and then closed his eyes once more as he prayed in front of his bell. 'Let Kouki do his mission with success! Oh and please, let him get a good night's rest. I know he tries so hard to impress others but he can tire himself if he doesn't sleep well. And well…I guess that's all. Thank you for listening to me.' Ro opened his eyes and let his hand touch his bell. He smiled at it and then walked towards the Shrine.
Walking in, he walked up to a small stone figure and touched its hand and gave it a small bow. "Good night, my Lady." With that he walked passed it and opened a small door behind the row of small praying bells. Ducking his head he looked around the dark room. At this Whisp popped out of his hair, and lit the room up. "Thank you Whisp." Lighting the nearest candle Ro scanned the room he was, for now, calling home. He wasn't sure what this room would have been used for, but when he found it nothing was in it but dust. With quick work he cleaned it and placed a few things in it, hoping very much no one would mind. No one seemed to so far…or even notice.He sighed at that. However it wasn't that big of a deal to him. Not many seemed to notice Ro sometimes. Maybe it was a good thing. Being the certain of attention could be more hurtful than good, Ro thought. And he certainly was tired of being hurt. Though that seemed to happen no matter what he did.

"Well…enough of that, time for bed!" He cheered softly, trying to get his mind off of past events and began to unroll the small bed mat he had found. It smelled a little when he first found it, but it was still very soft. Crawling on to it, he pulled his shoes off and placed them beside the mat. He was just about to take his mask off when he suddenly heard something. 'Was that….a footstep?' Had someone come to pray? At night? Listening closely, he heard nothing else. '…That was odd…' Ro shook his head and began to pull his mask off again when suddenly the door to his small room flew open. Ro sat up with alarm and fright! His heart, in his throat, raced a mile a second as he stared up at the face of the intruder. "….…Koukou…done with your mission already?"