the hasty priestess
The Path of the Priestess
Aya reached up desperately toward Naoko. Naoko dropped to her knees and pulled her cousin onto her lap, "Oh,what happened?" Naoko sobbed as she embraced her cousin more tightly.

Aya yanked the pendant from her neck and placed it in Naoko's hand, "Go...before you get killed too..." she said weakly.

"Get killed?" Naoko gulped. "By who?"

"By..." Aya stopped talking and stopped breathing before she finished her sentence. Naoko's eyes welled up with tears as she stared down at her dead priestess, her older cousin. She was covered in blood all around her kimono's obi and on her hands.

"Milady..." Tsuki breathed as he ran into the summoning chamber. "You're alive..." he huffed.

"What happened, Tsuki?" Naoko whimpered.

Tsuki stared down at Naoko for a moment before replying, "I don't know, but let's get out of here before we're next."

"Oh, Tsuki..." she cried as she embraced him.

"Where's the pendant?" Tsuki realized.

"Aya gave it..." Naoko started.

"Shh..." Tsuki whispered as he pulled her closer to him. "Come on, let's get out of here and get to safety."

---

Naoko sat in silence beneath the shade of a tree in the pale moonlight. She was hugging her knees, still gripping the pendant tightly. Tsuki gingerly patted her back in silence. "Aren't you going to say something to comfort me?"

Tsuki shrugged, "Milady, as much as I would love to, I don't think there is anybody in the world who could tell you everything is fine and not feel bad."

"Why would you feel bad?" Naoko asked in a shaky tone.

Tsuki blushed, "Because I can't promise that, even to you."

Naoko nodded once and held up the pendant, stretching out her legs. "Why did Aya give it to me? I'm not a High Priestess..."

"As much as I hate to tell you this," Tsuki swallowed, "You and I are the only two left."

Naoko turned to him and stared into his eyes, "We are?"

"Naoko, somebody eradicated all of our families and friends..." Tsuki whimpered, "And they're coming for us."

"You're a priest and I'm a priestess..." Naoko muttered as she closed her eyes, "And none of us know how to use this thing..." she said as she dangled the pendant between the two of them.

Tsuki took the pendant and fastened it around Naoko's neck, "Regardless, we still have to protect it," he whispered.

"And who is going to save me from a fight?" Naoko sighed as she began tracing the shape of the pendant with her fingers.

"I'm always protecting you," Tsuki said quietly.

Naoko blushed as she glanced up at him, "Tsuki..." Tsuki's eyes darted behind Naoko and he lept to his feet. "What's wrong?"

Tsuki waved his scepter once and smiled proudly as a storm of ice shards pelted their hidden enemy. "How dare you..." Tsuki started to speak as he started after the one that he had hit.

Naoko instinctively followed closely behind Tsuki, hoping to catch up with the jumping figure that was dressed in a black robe. "What is that?" she huffed.

Tsuki stopped, doubling over to catch his breath, "I don't know...I don't even think I fazed it..."

Naoko's deep green eyes darted about the darkness, "What do you say we get out of here...?"

Tsuki glanced up at her and nodded, "Yes, Milady..."

---

"So what, do you think we have to repopulate the fox?" Naoko asked playfully as she gazed into Tsuki's eyes.

Tsuki blushed, "Uh...excuse me?"

Naoko smiled as she began twining her fingers in her long fiery hair, "Well, you're a man and I'm a woman, that much should be obvious..."

Tsuki didn't say anything as he glanced away from her, "Milady..." He didn't want to upset her further, especially since he knew that joking was her way of dealing with bad things, "I suppose..."

"Great, let's get started," Naoko said enthusiastically.

"Come again?" Tsuki asked as he again met her intense, direct gaze.

"I love that," Naoko said as she ruffled Tsuki's short silver hair. She kissed his cheek and continued her lighthearted smile and staring at Tsuki.

"Love what?" Tsuki asked mindlessly as he continued staring at the ground.

"When you're self-conscious," Naoko said happily. "You really show an adorable, chivalrous side to you."

"You've known me for years," Tsuki said quietly.

"Yes, and I know everything there is to know about you. We've been over this before," Naoko sighed.

"Do you want to get going?" Tsuki asked as he glanced around at the company in the inn.

"Why do you ask?" Naoko wondered.

Tsuki cleared his throat, "We're dressed like clerics."

"We are clerics," Naoko said quietly. "That only makes sense."

"Not when we should be living in the temple, and not when somebody is still probably looking for us," he said quickly. "We should at least find commoner clothing."

"If you're that hung up on it," Naoko rolled her eyes.

"I am," he assured her as he pulled her to her feet.

"Look at that necklace," a man said flatly as he reached for Naoko's pendant.

Tsuki smacked the stranger's hand away, "She is a lady, and you will treat her as such," he growled as he glared at the burly man.

"And who are you?" the burly man asked.

"That's frankly none of your business," Naoko said as she pushed past the man, taking Tsuki with her.

"Don't you even think about it," a woman said as she stepped in front of the burly man.

"And what are you gonna do?" the man asked.

"I'll kill you, you drunk," the woman said coldly as she held up her loaded bow, pointing the arrow at the man's forehead.

"Don't kill him," Naoko objected.

"Huh?" the woman asked as she glanced at Naoko.

"Just let him go," Naoko suggested.

"What are you doing? We could be fleeing right now..." Tsuki said in singsong.

"Fine," the woman lowered her bow and started walking backward toward Naoko and Tsuki, "But go, now..." she urged.

"Great idea," Tsuki said enthusiastically as he dragged Naoko out of the bar.

The hooded woman dropped her hood and stared between the fox pair, "Why are you two dressed like that? You're asking to get killed with no guards around..."

"Why did you help us?" Tsuki demanded.

"Because I know who you two are," she said quietly. "And shaking the pendant around doesn't help matters any."

"Why did he take an interest in an ordinary necklace?" Naoko asked.

"Because it draws enemies to you," she said as she ushered them to continue moving.

"Where are you taking us?" Tsuki demanded.

"To get a change of clothes. My name is Sky, by the way," she said as she led them past the city limits.

"Tsuki, and I'm Naoko," Naoko grinned happily.

---

"Just put on the dress," Tsuki pleaded.

"No..." Naoko objected. "I can't fight in this..."

"Hopefully that won't be an issue," Tsuki said quickly.

"But Tsuki..." Naoko met his gaze.

Tsuki blushed and Sky smiled, "Tsuki, can I talk to you?"

"Sure?" he asked as he walked away from Naoko.

"Do you care about her?"

Tsuki blushed, "I see you lay everything out on the table."

"Well?" Sky asked.

"She's been my friend since we were kids," Tsuki explained.

"I mean romantically, that's why you give in to her with a single gaze into her eyes, right?" Sky asked firmly.

Tsuki sighed, "Don't tell her."

"You'd make adorable children," Sky grinned.

Tsuki started back toward the stubborn Naoko who was standing in the dress, slipping her hooded cloak over her shoulders. "I see you're customizing your new outfit."

"No, I'm making it livable for our new journey that I've just thought up," Naoko replied in a sigh.

"Wait, what?" Tsuki asked.

“I’m going to find somebody who knows how this necklace works,” Naoko declared proudly. “And you as my priest protector are coming with me.”

“I’ll come too, Milady,” Sky said as she swept a low bow.

“Good, the more the merrier,” Naoko smiled.

---

“So who exactly are you?” Naoko asked lightheartedly.

“My name is Sky Darkfeather,” Sky replied, “And I was exiled from my family’s temple,” she frowned, “For something I didn’t do, but an exile is an exile.”

“What were you accused of?” Naoko asked.

Sky smiled and patted Naoko’s hand, “That’s not important. What is important is that we get as far away from here as possible.”

“Did Tsuki tell you what happened?” Naoko questioned.

“No, but I can tell that you two want to distance yourself from this place. I’m a bit empathetic,” Sky said quickly.

“Where are we headed to, milady?” Tsuki questioned as he rejoined the girls, dressed in normal traveler clothing.

“We’re going to head east,” Naoko said quietly.

“Alright, whenever you’re ready,” Tsuki smiled as he helped Naoko to her feet.


Naoko, Tsuki and Sky continued on their way for a short while, hightailing it away from the town where Naoko had inadvertently angered a civilian.

“Well, I’m tired of walking,” Naoko flopped down on the ground where she was standing.

“Okay we can rest,” Tsuki said quickly.

Sky rolled her eyes and settled anyhow. “Alright, after we catch our breaths, we can either make camp for the night or we can start again.”

“Camp,” Naoko voted.

“Alright,” Sky agreed, knowing an argument was futile. “I’ll get us something to eat,” she volunteered.

“Firewood?” Tsuki volunteered.

“I’ll get some water,” Naoko whispered as she picked up the large pitcher Sky had pulled from her pack.

“Is it really safe for you to go alone?” Tsuki asked.

“I’ll be fine,” Naoko assured him as she started off toward the woods.

Naoko hummed lightheartedly as she stepped into the shallow water. She squeaked and recoiled a little from the icy chill of the stream. A man came splashing through the water toward Naoko, “Miss, are you okay?” he asked.

“Just a little startled from the low temperature,” Naoko admitted.

The man stared at Naoko, “You shouldn’t be here alone.”

“I’m not,” Naoko assured him as she stooped down to the water and filled the pitcher, “I’m just getting the water for cooking.”

He blushed as he stared into her eyes, “Do you eat fish?” he managed.

Naoko nodded, “I love fish,” she assured him as she carefully pulled the filled pitcher from the water, trying to not spill its contents.

“Here…” he said quietly as he removed the spear from his back. He slammed the long weapon into the water and pulled out four skewered fish, offering them to her, “Eat well…”

“Th-thank you,” Naoko smiled, although she didn’t understand the motivations the man had for offering that to her.

“Y-you’re welcome,” he returned, bowing shallowly.

“What’s your name?” Naoko asked. “I’m Naoko,” she whispered.

“Nagi,” he muttered. He pulled a cloth from around his waist and wrapped the fish in the cloth, “Here,” he set them between her arm and her torso.

“Milady…” Tsuki called.

“Tsuki needs to stop worrying about me,” Naoko commented as she turned around. She glanced back toward Nagi who was gone as quickly as he had appeared, “Nagi?” she asked quietly as she scanned the area.

“Naoko,” he sighed in relief. “How did you get those?”

“Nagi gave them to me,” Naoko said happily.

“Nagi?”

“He was just here a minute ago,” Naoko said with a sigh.

---

“So, what makes people riled up?” Naoko asked as she began mindlessly playing with the necklace.

“I don’t know, but whatever it is, we’re immune to it,” Tsuki noted.

“It pulls out the bad in people, then,” Naoko said with finality.

“If you say so,” Tsuki sighed as he closed his eyes.

“What, you don’t think so?” Naoko asked as she turned over to face him.

“I’m just saying that I’m not the sweet boy you make me out to be,” Tsuki said flatly.

“Sure you are,” Naoko said adoringly. “Because nobody else would…”

Tsuki opened his eyes and immediately sat up. He crawled toward her and draped an arm over her shoulder, pulling her into a half-hug. “It’s okay to cry about it,” he assured her.

“That’s the thing,” Naoko started, “I’ve tried, but I can’t cry,” she said weakly. She rested her head on Tsuki’s shoulder, “I keep thinking about what happened to us and I just…” she started sniffling.

“It’s okay,” he assured her as he pulled her into an embrace. Tsuki felt torn as he drew in a deep breath. He, too had been unable to even think about what had happened to their family and friends, let alone cry about it, and yet he was happy to have Naoko safe and close to him. He finally let a tear fall and he cried with Naoko until she fell asleep in his lap.

“If you didn’t already think I was asleep, I would have given you both a little privacy,” Sky muttered as she turned over.

Tsuki continued leaning against the tree, running his fingers across Naoko’s bare flesh. “It doesn’t matter, you would have found out eventually.”

“You love her,” Sky accused.

Tsuki didn’t look at Sky, “That isn’t important.” His cheeks flushed red, “and we’re the only ones left of our species.”

“Then repopulate,” Sky said as she rolled onto her back.

Tsuki glared at her, “Why do my feelings matter to you?”

“Well, I hope we’ll stay friends,” Sky shrugged, “And friends do care about one another.”

Tsuki’s eyes darted over toward a nearby tree. Sky’s eyes followed Tsuki’s eyes to the tree. Sky silently lifted her bow from beside her pillow and managed to hold onto an arrow. Sky quickly lined up the arrow with the branch where a leaf fell from the tree above Tsuki and Naoko. “Well, only time will tell,” Tsuki said quietly.

Sky loosed the arrow and gasped as the shadowy figure leapt from the branch and into the air “What was that?” she gasped as she grabbed her quiver, sliding it onto her shoulder.

“I don’t know…” Tsuki said quietly. Tsuki slipped Naoko onto the ground and grabbed his staff.

“What the hell was that for?” the man snapped as he floated down from the sky with his broad bat wings.

“You were looming over us,” Sky said coldly.

“I’m a bat, I sleep in trees,” he said flatly, pointing to the tree.

Naoko stirred and slowly eased her eyes open. She sat up and rubbed her eyes letting out a yawn. “Nagi!” she said as she scrambled to her feet. “Why did you run off so quickly earlier?”

Nagi blushed as he stared into Naoko’s eyes again. He blinked a few times, “I’m…not a people person…” Nagi explained. He took a ginger step toward Naoko and flinched when Tsuki positioned his hands differently.

“Why are you being so protective?” Naoko asked as she stepped past Tsuki.

“Because he was above us nearly undetected,” Tsuki said quietly.

“Relax,” Naoko said quietly to Tsuki.

“What makes you so…” Nagi paused, “You’re different…”

“A lot of things make everybody different,” Naoko replied. She turned to sky, “He’s the one who caught the fish for us.”

Sky lowered her bow and slipped the arrow back in her quiver. “You trust him…” Sky realized. She cast the priestess a questioning glance, “Why?”

“Because he’s good,” Naoko said as she caressed Nagi’s cheek. Nagi blushed even more intensely as Naoko’s eyes met his, “Why were you sleeping here?”

Nagi gasped and closed his eyes, “I feel safe sleeping in trees. I fell asleep while watching you.”

Tsuki took a warning step forward, clenching his fists tightly at his side, “Why were you watching Naoko?”

“Because she is pretty,” Nagi said simply.

Tsuki growled and glared daggers at the bat anthro, “And?”

“That’s all,” Nagi said quietly as he opened his eyes.

Sky shook her head, “Well, damn. Make yourself known next time. I almost shot you.”

“As I said, I’m not a people person,” Nagi replied.

“Come settle down, if you don’t mind relaxing on the ground,” Naoko offered as she brought him closer to camp.

“I…I don’t mind…” Nagi whispered.

“Now you’ve got some competition,” Sky said with a grin.

“There was never a chance anyway,” Tsuki said as he settled back into a sleeping position. Tsuki let out a deep breath, “Nice guys finish last. Now I know.”

Sky shook her head, “You shouldn’t just roll over like that.”

“It doesn’t matter,” Tsuki grumbled. “She’s pretty. That attracts all men.”

“Most,” Sky corrected him with a grin, “I’ve met several men who wouldn’t give a woman one look,” she said dryly.

Tsuki gave her a glance of uncertainty, “Come again?”

“Nothing,” Sky laughed.

Tsuki glared over at the nearly silent Nagi who was watching Naoko. “Trusting strangers who are stalking us isn’t exactly safe, but I guess that doesn’t matter when they’re not coy and good-looking.”

“Sourpuss, if you keep this up, I’m just going to tell her that you love her and get it over with,” Sky teased.

“I’m going to sleep,” Tsuki said as he shut his eyes again.

“I wonder what they’ve been talking about,” Naoko said thoughtfully.

“You,” Nagi said confidently as he opened his eyes.

“You’re pretty sure of that,” Naoko said quickly as she hugged her knees.

“You’re the only thing they can talk about since they know nothing about me,” Nagi offered.

Naoko shook her head, “Tsuki isn’t open with strangers.”

“He isn’t open at all,” Nagi nodded toward Tsuki, “He’s shy and quiet.”

“Yup, except with me,” Naoko added thoughtfully. “He and I have always been close.”

“It shows in his eyes,” Nagi remarked.

“You’re really good at reading people then?” Naoko guessed.

“I’m a watcher, not a doer,” he explained.

Naoko smiled, tilting her head as she watched Nagi, “Am I keeping you awake?”

“Yes, but it’s not unliked,” Nagi smiled. “The company of a pretty girl is something I can get used to.”

“Are you just picking up rogue people?” Sky cut into the conversation.

Naoko nodded eagerly, “I’m making a big group of friends!”

“You’re too cute,” Sky shook her head with amusement.

Naoko blushed and snuggled closer to the fire. “Thanks.” She glanced over at Tsuki, “It will probably get cold tonight.”

“It will be very chilly,” Sky agreed with a nod. She unfolded her wings and wrapped them partly around her.

Nagi smiled and followed the example, “Yes, we flyers have an advantage, if you’d need some warmth.”

“I’ve got it,” Naoko said as she slowly stood up. She walked to the other side of the fire and laid close beside Tsuki, “Tsuki…?”

“Hmm?” Tsuki asked as he opened one of his eyes.

“It’s a little cold,” she shivered a little.

“Come here,” Tsuki offered. Windfire nestled beside Tsuki, letting him wrap his arms around her.

“She is very hard to read,” Nagi blushed.

“Wishing that was you?” Sky grinned.

“Oh, please,” Nagi glanced away from Sky, “I hardly know her.”

“Which makes your infatuation with her all the more difficult to understand,” Sky said as she stroked her chin.

---

After several weeks of traveling to the east, the dragon’s city comes into view.

---

THP Dragon Kingdom