Twilight Swim~

[Ash_x]

[Run kitty run!!.... sorry, couldn't resist ;D]

[...Rhianna...]

Haku grinned at Mia, watching as she swung her buckskin bag over her thin shoulder and thinking to himself at how cute she looked in his too big coat.

"Come on, this way." He said and led her back through the towering boulder with greenery growing from the cracks.

They walked in silence back through the forest, following a tiny path that was easy for Haku to see because he'd come this way often. The moon was shinning again through the thick canopy, casting haunting shadows on the duo as they walked.

Soon the village appeared before them, and together they stepped onto the cobbled street.

"This is the market, for all your needs and whims." He said, smiling down at Mia. "The food area is in the street next to this one, but you probly already know that."

He turned and led her down the road, the only sound was that of nature and the occasional laughter from a nearby pub.

When they reached the drunk house Haku bent down to Mia to whisper in her ear, "Careful of the pubs, the men in there don't have morals like any desent person. So try to be silent for a moment, because nothing will stop them coming out here for a nice little chat with you."

[Ash_x]

Mia followed her guide through the dense woods, the occasional shriek of a raven causing her senses to heighten and she clung to Haku's arm like a child would a rag-doll.

The girl had ended her Hotaru no jutsu awhile ago, reserving her chakra for future use so she relied only on the moons pathetic attempt at light and Haku's certainty as he wove through the mass of trees.

As he lead her towards one of the many pubs in Konoha she stiffened at the drunken laughter of over-indulging men, their slurred yelling echoing into the blossoming night.

Mia nodded as her companion warned her to keep silent, cuddling tightly into his coat as he left her for the moment.

The girl lent back against the bars brick wall, sweeping a few strands of creamy hair from her eyes before she heard a voice mumble in her direction.

"What's a little thing like you doing out so late hunny?" The man chuckled, his breath sweet with alcohol, making Mia cringe.

"I'm just... waiting for my friend" The girl replied, her expression seemingly set in ice as she turned away from the intoxicated male.

The man stumbled over to her, leaning one arm against the wall with his beared face very close to her frightened one.

"'Aught to be careful round these parts, plenty of drunken bastards just waiting to snatch up such a pretty little water blossom" He slurred, a cold grin on his lips.

Mia felt her breathing quicken, a timid fear circling her innocent eyes. She hoped Haku wouldn't be too long, using another jutsu would drain her already dimming chakra and the use of techniques on non-shinobi was strictly disapproved.

[...Rhianna...]

Haku left Mia on her own for a short while, meaning to be quick because it was unsafe for a girl like her to be alone at night. He walked through the alley at a quick pace, knowing exactly where he was going. He lept through an open window, and grabbed the keys that hung by the door. The watch man was sleeping in his chair, unaware of Haku.

In seconds he was out in the night air again, heading back to Mia.

The boy turned the corner then saw a man leaning over Mia, speaking to her in his slurred voice. A frown passed over Haku's face as he walked towards the two.

"Come one, lets go." He whispered, taking her wrist into his strong, callused hand. He spared only a half glance and smile at the drunk, not wanting to cause too much attention as they walked away.

[Ash_x]

Mia had never been so relieved in her entire life as Haku rounded the corner, her fear melting away as she let him take her wrist and quickly walked away from the drunken pervert. Biting her lip as she heard footsteps behind them, though she dared not turn to glance back. The pacing soon ended, followed by a low grumble as the man seemed to give up on his pursuit and turned back towards the bar.

Mia almost had to run to keep up with Haku, twisting her hand around she grasped his wrist while hers still lay in his palm she gently pulled him to a walk, smiling as he turned to face her.

"Thank you, I don't mean to be so much trouble" She whispered, gripping his wrist softly before letting go.

[...Rhianna...]

"That's okay," Haku said, looking into her saphire eyes. "It's my fault for leaving you there alone. I would hate it if something happened to you because I didn't think."

Ignoring the little bit of caring he had voiced to her Haku moved away from Mia and started walking again, this time slower.

They passed through the village, and this time there was no need for stopping. Haku led Mia to a large iron gate at the bottem of a small hill. At the top of the rise lay several buildings, the biggest of which was the cathedral.

The keys in Haku's hands clinked a bit as he found the right key and let them in, closing the gate gently behind them.

"The gates not closed during the day, but it is at night so I usually have to use these to get in." Haku whispered as they passed through among the buildings.

"That's the boys dorm over there, and the girls on the other side behind the trees. It's partially an orphanadge because they take kids who've lost their families, but also the ones that want to learn the way of the gods."

Haku guided Mia through the side entrance to the cathedral and led her through the eating hall into the church hall. Glass stained windows sat in the dark on the walls, their beauty masked by the night.

"And this," Haku spoke, his quiet and eerie voice echoing slightly in the high ceiling. "Is the cathedral."

Edited September 17, 2007 by ...Rhianna...

[Ash_x]

[until tomorrow then, 'night -^^-]

[Ash_x]

Continue this thread at a later date when the interest strikes again?

[...Rhianna...]

haha, ok then ^^

[Ash_x]

Mia let her crystalline gaze flutter heavenward, a sense of wonder and dazzlement casting twinkles into her forget-me-not optics. "This place.... is so beautiful" The ivory haired girl whispered, entranced by the majestic structure in all it's religious glory. Ancient statues carved from stone stood at attention against the cathedral walls, like lonesome soldiers forever guarding what treasures lay hidden inside the building. Mia slowly walked down the red path of carpet that lay in front of each, admiring the decorations villagers had draped across the statues feet, ranging from burning candles to bread and wine.

She let her sight climb up one of the lifeless humans bodies, resting at their brow and gazing deep into their stony eyes and yet... they seemed to stare back at her, filled with a certain comfort and protection she could not decipher. "Who is this Haku?" Mia asked, admiring the sculptures finely crafted wings that wrapped around it's frame, fragile hands clinging to a scale that was topped with a small hourglass and a rose on either side. The angel's hair was a mess of long ribbons, fluttering behind her as if caught by some distant breeze. "She looks sad..." The girl breathed, more to herself than companion as she lightly touched the smooth rock.

[...Rhianna...]

Haku watched as Mia's twinkling eyes travelled around the cathedral's inner chamber, and smiled to see her so enthralled in the place he was only just starting to call home. He followed her slim figure as she walked towards the statues, a curious look upon his face. He didn't really come here often, he guessed he took it all for granted. But now, seeing Mia's reaction he turned his handsome face in the direction her's was headed and tried to see it all in her perspective. It was, truly magnificent but it didn't intrigue Haku as much as others normally do.

His strong yet sleek figure stood next to Mia's petite and graceful one, and listened to her speak though knew she wasn't really wanting an answer. He glanced down at the angel's bare feet, and saw something he had never noticed. On the platform on which this heavenly woman stood there were tiny pictures engraved in the ancient stone. Bending down for a closer look Haku started to frown. It was almost as if he could understand them, like there were hidden meaning amongst the images and stories that only some can understand.

"She's a... seraphim.." Haku answered to Mia's hanging question, but whispered in his confusion. "She's one of the lost angels.. the outcasts that betrayed the gods and left to become one of the demons. She is the angel of beauty and age..."

Haku stood up, his true feelings once again masked behind his gorgeous green eyes.

[Ash_x]

Mia listened to her companions answer, pressing her fingertips to his shoulder as he crouched to read the hieroglyphics and lent to study them also.

Her dreamy gaze slowly edged from the platform to the angel's feet, noticing she, out of all the other statues, was barren of gifts. The girl's pouty lips quickly melted from their intrigued curve, to one of dismay and sadness. Delicate fingers reached up to pluck the water lily from behind her ear and gracefully set it down upon the seraphims stage. "Thats better" The girl said sweetly, taking Haku's wrist and gently pulling him around the cathedral to pay tribute to the other alluring features this holy facility had to offer. After a dozen minutes or so, and only once her mind had devoured enough beauty and wonder to bewitch her dreams for eternity onwards Mia released her prisoners hand and lent back against the wall, a shy smile glittering on her lips. "How about some light Haku..." She whispered, angelic voice flowing onto the delicate breeze that swept through the cathedral. The girl brought her palms together, an iridescent azure light pulsating between them before she released a thousand spirit fireflies into the blissful night, the amount of chakra required to produce such a number of Hotaru was dear... but the sight now twinkling above... was one she would never forget. The hundreds of dancing lights soared towards the roof of the chapel, curling and intertwining with each other to form constellations resembling that of the stars. Mia let herself slip to the cobbled floor, never letting her eyes stray from her creations nor from the boy who now stood illuminated in front of her.

[...Rhianna...]

Bright emerald eyes watched as Mia let loose her brilliant flow of chakra fireflies into the dark chamber of the cathedral. His attention followed the sparkling little creatures as they rose into the ceiling, their light casting tiny shadows behind the statues, yet in turn not allowing the corners to hide their usual shadows. They transformed the curves of the angels carefully carved wings and trailing cloth into beautiful portraits of another world other than the one in which the lived. Haku watched as the little flying fires danced in the air around them, and saw the pleasure of it all in Mia's feminine gaze.

The dark haired boy lent against the bench in front of his smaller companion, taking in her features from her big, icy blue orbs to her slender yet curvy bodice. She wasn't the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, but she had this air behind her adorableness that told him there was so much more to her.

"So, " Haku smiled his charming half smile. "Wanna see my room?"

He raised his eyebrows twice in a that flirty dodgy way people used.

[Ash_x]

Mia's concentration was broken when Haku spoke, his words echoing softly through out the glowing chamber.

Glancing up at him with alluring forget-me-not eyes the girl stood slowly and returned the playful half smile.

"Sure..." Mia answered, knowing easily that his invite was only out of mischief, though she would like to see where he stayed in this captivating structure. A frail wind swept through the corridor, ruffling her jagged ivory locks. The girl wrapped her arms around herself in a hug, embracing the jacket that was far too big for her petite frame though enjoying the warmth it provided. She must have looked absurd, her fingertips barely reached the cuffs of Haku's garment and the rim came down just above her knee's, equipped with slim legs and a delicately featured face contrasted perfectly with her sweep of silken cream hair.

[...Rhianna...]

Haku raised his dark eyebrows in surprise at Mia's answer but they slowly lowered into his dodgy smile. Standing once more he tugged her arm gently for her to follow, and in turn led the way out of the hall.

Their footsteps echoed softly as they climbed up many stairs, even though they were going quietly. Over many staircases, and through many rooms they ventured, the glory of the building lit by moonlight in some but hidden by darkness in others. There were some rooms needing repairs though, but they didn't enter those for it was dangerous at night if you couldn't see the holes. A couple of times Haku looked back at his small, light haired friend to see how she was coping with the many steps but she seemed fine.

Eventually, after several minutes of heading upwards they got to a dark wooden door on the topmost landing, its lock black with rust. Haku pulled out a key from his pocket; it was just as old as its match. He there was a tiny click in the lock as he turned the small object in the door. He entered, after allowing Mia to go first.

"Welcome," Haku spoke, his voice filling the cold room with his presence. "To my little torture chamber."

He chuckled deeply and creepily, an evil glint in his eye and half smile on his lips as he closed the door loudly. But as he walked around the room to light the candles their glow slowly showed its true content. His double bed lay against the left wall, its thin blankets messy and dangling over the edge. On the side table were many books, most fiction and adventurous others were on the gods and other spiritual related subjects. There was a writing desk, with bits of paper strewn everywhere across the top and a rickety old chair before it with a soft red velvet cushion. As Haku walked past it he stuffed the parchment with writing on it into a draw, and locked it.

In a corner was a small shrine, in the most brightly lit area in the room because of all the candles surrounding it. Amongst it all was a picture of a woman, her beautiful face half in light and half in darkness and in her hands flowed a beautiful cloth covered in many symbols and curls.

Everywhere, once Haku had finished, was covered in the tiny glow of candles; they shone from the floor to the ceiling, some standing on holders, hanging or simply laid out on the floor. They all filled the whole tower room with quivering light. Haku moved over to his bed and sat there, watching Mia's reaction. The room was circler, the top level of the tower. Four windows with stained glass sat facing north, south, east and west. After Haku had filled the room with light he had closed the windows, because the breeze that swept through was bitterly cold.

Edited October 8, 2007 by ...Rhianna...

[Ash_x]

Mia stepped lightly into the poorly lit chamber, her forget-me-not eyes flowing wondrously around the boys room. Her vision soon settled uncomfortably on the shrine off to one side, it's dim glow of amber candles sending shadows cascading behind her. Hiding the tention from her delicate features the girl sat down on the bed and spoke as carefully as possible. "Who is the woman in your picture Haku?" She asked, tucking her hands neatly inside the mans jacket so he would not notice her fingers nervously twitching, tense with the sudden surge of chakra. If Haku turned out to be some demented stalker of the beautiful female... Mia was in the worst place imaginable, his room.

[...Rhianna...]

Haku's gorgeous green eyes followed Mia's when she paused at the shrine. He notised how she tensed, and became alert all of a sudden. A cheeky grin crept over mouth, and he couldn't help but let out a laugh.

"You haven't been told about her?" He asked, his holding a soft and gentle kindness in thier gaze. "She's the goddess of the night, or more commonly known as the goddess of dreams..."

He laughed again, smiling at Mia. "One of the mothers put the shrine there.."