Timeless Love

Okay, my feelings are a little hurt. I posted almost a week and a half ago and only got one review. I don't know if no one likes my story or if it's that no one wanted to take out the time and leave a review. I hope that it's the second of the two. But if you just don't like it let me know how I can improve my writing. This is my first story!

Any way, I'm reposting this chapter in hopes that I will get some reveiws. Let me know what you think!!!
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Chapter Nine: Hide and Seek


The next morning as Chiyoko walked to school she noticed Shippo was no where to be seen. The closer she got to the school the more upset she became. ‘Where is he? He always walks to and from school with me. Why doesn’t he want to see me? Why hasn’t he ever bothered to come and talk to me all these years? I thought he was supposed to be my best friend.’

Reaching the school building Chiyoko looked around one last time for Shippo. When she didn’t see him she entered the building. All the students were still in the cafeteria eating breakfast. Chiyoko had a lost of appetite and went up to her homeroom class instead. Peering through the window on the door she saw her teacher writing on the board. Slowly she turned the door knob, opened the door and walked into the classroom.

“How is Haruki?” Chiyoko asked with coldness in her voice. She felt betrayed, lied to. These were supposed to be her friends and yet they just watched from a far and never said anything to her about who they really were.

Rei froze for a moment unsure what to say. Putting down her chalk she turned to face Chiyoko. “He’s fine. If I’m not mistaking he followed you to school today.”

Chiyoko was shocked; even Haruki was playing this ridiculous game. “Why?”

“Shippo asked him too.”

This was all just getting weirder and weirder by the second. “What’s going on? Why were all of you hiding from me? And why am I being followed to and from school?”

“You remember the story I told you about that guy and my best friend? Well…”

“You mean I’m… and Shippo’s…”

“Yeah. I’m sorry you had to find out this way. I swear we were going to tell you. We just had to wait for the right time. If we told you too soon it could have affected the past and we couldn’t have that.”

“And what about now, are things going to change because I found out?”

“To be honest, I don’t know. You never told any of us in the past that you seen us in your time. Then again you lied to Shippo back then about what happened yesterday. So I really don’t know. But if you ask me, I think your playing the same game we are.”

“And what game would that be Rei?”

“Our all time favorite game. Hide and seek. Don’t tell me you forget already. You started off the game yesterday or should I say five years ago. Either way, you hid the fact that Shippo was really your mystery man after you found out. You also hid the fact that you kissed him. And some how I have the feeling that you’re going to hide this whole conversation we’re having right now. Face it you started this game. Our only choice was to play along.”

“This is so stupid. You guys didn’t tell me who you were because I didn’t tell you I found out Shippo was really my mystery man. You all are around what, six hundred, and you still want to play baby games. Grow up!”

A small laugh left Rei’s lips. “This isn’t just about Shippo really being your mystery man. We all just found that out yesterday. But had we known that earlier… things might have turned out differently. Besides, we never once transformed so that you wouldn’t recognize us. Except Shippo whenever he watched to make sure you got to and from the well all right. Other then that it was you who choose not to recognize us.”

“You all look different. In the past you and Haruki look fourteen here you look twenty seven. Shippo looks fifteen back then and twenty three here. Not only did your age change but so did your looks and style. And as for Shippo, him wearing that baseball cap with his short hair and dark sun glasses was unfair. Yesterday was the first time he had his glasses off and when I looked in his eyes I knew without a doubt who he was. Which reminds me, why is he following me?”

“For your protection. I thought that would be obvious to you being that it was something he did back then too.”

“Then why did he have Haruki follow me to school today?”

“Because he can’t risk changing the past. Something real big is going to happen soon and your heart has to be in the right place for it to happen. If you start to have any kind of feelings for the Shippo in this time…everything the way we know it could change.”

“Rei, no matter what time Shippo’s in… I will always love him.”

“I know, but you can’t have both.”

“What about my friendship with you and Haruki? Do I still have to act like you’re only my teacher and that he doesn’t excise in this time? Because I can’t do that. I refuse to. Its bad enough Shippo won’t have anything to do with me. I can’t lose all of you.”

“You won’t.”

Just then the bell rang. Chiyoko sat down at her desk and Rei finished writing the assignment on the board. Rei smiled at Chiyoko and said one last thing before the other students started to enter the classroom. “We all missed having you around. And I’m real happy to have my best friend back.”
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After a long day at school it was finally time to go. Walking by Rei’s classroom she waved goodbye. When she got out of the building Chiyoko looked around for Haruki. At first she thought maybe he didn’t show up, but when she looked across the street she saw a man with light red hair up to his shoulders in a pony tail. She started walking and noticed he was going in the same direction. ‘It has to be him.’ Chiyoko crossed the street and ran over to him. Stepping right in front of him she came to a complete stop.

Turning around she was now face to face with the guy she thought was Haruki. “I know it’s you Haruki so stop acting like you don’t know me!”

“Hey lady, I have no idea who you are but I do know you’re in my way. So moved it!” The red haired man replied.

“Please, stop acting five! I already know what’s going on. Shippo sent you to follow me.”

“I have no idea who or what you’re talking about. Now if you don’t move out of my way I’m going to be late for work.”

A hand touched her shoulder from behind. “I’m sorry sir. It seems she has mistaken you for me. Chiyoko lets move to the side and let this man pass.”

The man angrily passed the two and cursed all the way down the street about him now being late for work.

Chiyoko looked at the grown man who was Haruki. Looking his face over she knew it was him but he looked different. His hair was cut short and it was died light brown with blond tips. Obviously just like Shippo and Rei he had a full human body too. When he smiled at her she saw his fangs.

“HARUKI!” she yelled excitedly and jumped into his arms to hug him. “You look great. Wow, it’s going to take me some time to get used to you all in… legs.”

“We’ve always had legs Chiyoko.” He teased her.

“You know what I mean. Human legs.” The two of them started walking again. “Where’s Shippo?”

“He’s off training. It was really hard for him not to walk you home. Training hard was the only thing he could do so that he didn’t go crazy wondering if you got home alright.”

“I must have really scared him yesterday.”

“Well, to be honest he’s always worried about your safety. I think if anything yesterday was more of a shock to him.”

“Oh, I guess that means you know about the kiss too.”

“Yeah. If you don’t mind me asking, why didn’t you tell Shippo the truth about what happened instead of lying and hiding the fact that you just had had your first kiss?”

“I know it’s going to sound stupid but I didn’t want to hurt Shippo’s feelings. In a way, I kind of felt like I had cheated on him. I was happy my first kiss was with Shippo but at the same time I felt I had taken something away that rightfully belonged to him.”

“That doesn’t sound stupid at all. Well, here’s the well. I guess I’ll go home now.”

“Will I see you tomorrow?”

“If Shippo doesn’t kill me for blowing my cover. I had orders to keep hidden and you my dear friend made me break them.”

“Well tell him I said if he can’t walk with me then I request your company.”

Chiyoko turned to enter the well when she heard Haruki call out to her. “Chiyoko; one last thing, don’t tell anyone not even your parents that we’re here in this time.”

“Okay” Was her reply and then jumped in.
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When she climbed out of the well she was surprised to see Shippo sitting down smelling on some honeysuckle that was growing near by. It wasn’t that he was just smelling them but he seemed to be in another world. He was so far gone he didn’t even hear her climbing out. “Earth to Shippo.”

Shippo quickly snapped out of his trans. “Oh, hey I didn’t hear you climb out of the well.”

“That’s because you were in lala land with your flowers.”

“How did things go with your mystery man today? Did you get to tell him whatever it was you had waited to tell him yesterday before he ran off?” As much as Shippo didn’t want to hear about it he had to know.

“No, actually I didn’t see him at all today. Come on; let’s go do my homework and then we can go hang out.”

Once her homework was done they headed out to the lake. Rei, Yin and Haruki were already there waiting on them. After they greeted Chiyoko they all decided to play a game. As always the game they choose was hide and seek. For a group of youkai’s this game was the most fun. Not only did they get to use their ability to track someone down but they also got to find ways to shield themselves from predators.

“I got an idea” voiced Chiyoko “let’s put a twist on the game. Each of us is on our own. Not only do we have to catch our pray we also have to avoid being caught. The person who says ‘gottcha’ first wins the chance to ask one question to their prisoner. The prisoner must answer the question truthfully and then head back to the lake. In the end only one of us will be named the best hunter.”

Yin clapped her hands in excitement. “I know I’m going to lose but it sounds really fun. I’m in!” Everyone in the group agreed. They had five minutes to get into hunting position.

This version of the game was a lot harder than normal hide and go seek. Shippo was first to find his prisoner. He quietly sat on a tree limb waiting as the scent drew closer. Taking in the sweet aroma he knew Chiyoko was near by. He watched her as she studied her surroundings. She could tell someone was in the area but wasn’t sure who or were they were.

Without a sound Shippo jumped from the tree and landed behind Chiyoko. Grabbing her by the waist he whispered “Gattcha” into her ear.

Chiyoko gave a small smile as she turned her head to look him in the eye. “I guess that means I’m you prisoner.”

Another voice interrupted. “Gottcha both.” Shippo didn’t understand how he didn’t notice Rei coming up to them. He looked at her standing a few feet away from them. Were their smells that much alike that he didn't notice Rei was closing in on them?

Rei smiled “I guess this means I’m asking the questions now that the two of you are my prisoners.” She sniffed the air making sure one else was around. “Shippo. You’re first. If all your friends died and you were given the choice to have just one of them brought back to life, who would you choose? Oh and by the way that includes your parents.”

Shippo gave her an evil look as he answered the question without even a pause. “I would choose my best friend, Chiyoko.”

Chiyokos' heart began to beat faster at hearing his answer. There was no hesitation in his voice not even the slightest doubt. He choose her over his parents. Suddenly she noticed he was still holding her and started to blush.

Rei looked at Chiyoko as she now spoke. “Isn’t that sweet. Now let’s see, what should I ask you? Oh I know. Do you believe now?”

“Yes. Rei I believe you.” Chiyoko didn’t believe Rei just asked her that in front of Shippo. Surly he was going to want to know what they were talking about.

“Well, good. I guess I’ll be leaving now. I want to be named best hunter and I can’t do that standing here chatting with you two.” With that said she took her leave.

“Believe her about what?” Shippo asked nervously.

“Nothing, it was girl talk. Besides I gave a youkai's oath that I wouldn’t say anything.”

Shippo let go of Chiyoko and the two of them walked back to the lake. The whole walk back they were quite. Sitting down face to face Chiyoko decided to ask the question that had now been haunting her “Shippo why would you pick me over your parents?”

Lowering his head he answered her. “I miss my parents a lot and not a day goes by that I don’t think of them, but I’m use to them being gone. The idea of you being gone from my life well… I don’t think I could take that. You’re the only one that makes me feel complete. Without you Chiyoko part of me would be gone. You’re my best friend; you’re the only choice I would ever make.”

Leaning back and looking up at the sky Chiyoko saw the darkness starting to settle in. A few stars were now present. “It is a beautiful night don’t you think?”

Shippo looked up and agreed. Just a few minutes later Rei joined them at the prisoner’s lake. “Stupid Yin caught me, of all people. This is so unfair. And you wouldn’t believe what she asked me.”

“What?” Shippo and Chiyoko asked simultaneously.

“She asked if I really thought I was going to win the game.”

Laughter broke out from the two people she had caught. Sitting down Rei began to laugh too. “I wonder who’s going to win now.”

Yin was happy sending Rei back to the lake. There was only one person she wanted to ask a question to. Not knowing who was still in the game Yin was very careful. Sensing someone near by Yin took cover behind some strong smelling leaves. Up in the trees is where the person was. She didn’t know if it was Shippo or Haruki but ether way she had to make sure she stood in the game. Looking right above her head she saw the figure and called “Gattcha”.

To her surprise Haruki called it out at the same exact moment. “So who gets who?” She said as he jumped down from the tree.

“I have an idea. Being that we’re the last two in the game. We can both ask each other a question. Who’s ever question is better wins.”

“Okay that sounds fair.”

“Ladies first.”

“We’ve being dating for six months now, and yet you’ve never kissed me, I want to know why?”

“I respect you. I don’t want you to feel like I’m pushing you to do anything you wouldn’t want to. I love you so much Yin. That’s why my question to you is that when the time is right can I ask you parents for your hand in marriage? I know it’s not the youkai’s way but for you…”

“YES, a thousand times yes.”

Leaping into Haruki’s arms she smiled saying “You win!” and then kissed him for the first time.
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Thank you ldymoonluvsinuyasha, XxSangoxX, who_do_you_do, and baybeegurl for ALWAYS reviewing. It makes me so happy to read your reviews! I hope more will follow your lead ;)