Chapter Ten: Vesper? Sister? WHAT?!

"Why can't we find this place or even a boat?" Dmitrii whines for the first time in a long while.

"The creepy lady said it was hidden, REMEBER?" Velare teased 'Mitrii with contempt in his voice.

"Alright Mister Smarty: WHERE ARE ALL THE BOATS?!"

"In port."

He falls to his knees in the white soft snow, he takes a deep breath and says, "I just remembered something important."

Bii went to sit down by her brother a long with Chuutou, "Oh? What Brother?"

"Well..."

"Come on, you can tell us," Bii smiled encouragingly, while Oomlaut was attacking Sachie for warmth in the background.

"This place. Mother told us never to come to Prae sea because it's...curse."

Everyone stopped what they were doing right there. Oomlaut was the first to speak, "C-c-curse?"

"Yes."

Sunil looks at them all, completely unconcerned, *Fumei, Chuutou, Sachie and I could easily fly over this sea to the other side. It's no big deal, and I think that this curse would make thing a bit interesting. Frankly sitting here like a bump on a log is even boring to someone like me!*

Everyone looks at him with wide eyes and then to Dmitrii: After all it was his gate that was here. He smiles, "Let's do this. I could find this little island with my eyes closed!"

Oomlaut almost tackles Dmitrii (thankfully Sachie holds her back) "That's the spirit of justice! Let's face this together!"

"Riiiight" Chuutou backs up towards 'Mitrii, "I say we just ditch the fox girl and take the rest of the trip by ourselves."

"We can't she has to be part of the group."

"Darn."

"Hey!"

*I'm going...who wants to hitch a ride?*

Oomlaut giggles, "I'll hitch a ride on Sachie-dragon!"

"No, you won't," with that he turns, with Velare on his shoulder, into a dragon and flies off. Chuutou quickly follows suit with Bii on her back, then Fumei goes leaving Sunil, 'Mitrii and Oomlaut standing there.

*Guess you're coming with me, Oomlaut.* Sunil snorts.

Oomlaut pouts as she mounts Sunil and he takes off leaving 'Mitrii standing there.

"I really hope we find this gate," he squeezes the small plushie dragon in his pocket. He goes wide eyed for a moment, "Ew...sis has the Oos in that bag the king gave her...heheheh..." he shook his head and took off slowly. Stupid set of double wings!

The group is sitting in the remains of an old tavern. They've been flying for hours on end and 'Mitrii insists on them continuing. Now they have stopped at this broken down place for a bit of a rest....

'Mitrii had his head in his hands starring at the wall in front of him, "I'm telling you it's here somewhere close."

"You said that like, four hours ago...," Sachie says from his spot on the floor.

Bumblebii snorted as she pulled out the suffocating Oos for the magic bag. "You guys okay?"

Lani sat there for a bit, apparently woozy, "Never but me with those two in a bag again." With that piece over she falls over.

Aenka and Kuroi sit leaning on each other for a few moments and say nothing.

"It has to be here," 'Mitrii rubs his face a few times.

Oomlaut looks over extremely wide eyed, "You okay 'Mitrii? What's with your sudden obsession with the gate?"

"I don't know I just have this feeling like we have to get there soon or else we'll end up dead."

"Oh! Why didn't you say so? Let's get moving!" Oomlaut heads for the door.

"Wait Oomlaut," Fumei moves in front of the door, "We need to rest just a few minutes longer."

"Oh...okay..."

"Good," Fumei lain down in front of the door.

They rested for a few moments before 'Mitrii suddenly yells, "I know where it is!" Everyone looks at him in shocked before he heads for the door. "We have to go NOW!"

"'Mitrii? Are you okay?" Bii gets up and walks to put a hand on her brother’s shoulder.

"I'm fine! We have to get going!"

"You need to have something to eat first. This always happens when you haven't had anything to eat in a while. Now sit down and have a bit!"

"No, I need to leave now if you don't mind. It's kind of important...."

"You need to eat. That's final."

"I through a spread last night. It was late so I couldn't remember some important details this morning. I just remembered something very important just now."

"Oh, and what's that?"

"I must do this alone."

"NO! We're coming with you."

"I let you go alone that night to find your gate. Sachie went off to find his gate. Oomlaut will have to find her gate. I have to go and find mine alone."

"But there was Flute and Sachie had that A-chan guy with him!" Oomlaut says while Sachie nods in the background.

"A-chan made no difference because he has his own gate. Since Flute's parents weren’t the original people who sealed the gates, there for she need our presence." Dmitrii pulls away from his sister.

"How do you know all this?"

"You know I am a white mage."

"But...whoa...wait...."

"Sis, I really have to go, now. I'll see you all in a little while." with a few quick moments he has hopped over Fumei and out the door. In a few more moments he has taken flight and is heading for the hidden island. Where ever it is.

Be fell to her knees in astonishment, "My brother's a senkensha...just like our real father..."

"I can't believe I did this!" 'Mitrii is standing on a beach of some sort, "I hate going off like that and I hate this warmish place! GAH! I can't win!" He sat on the ground with a huff. He slowly took out the Bishen plushie and stared at it for a long while.

Where all the books lying? Where Bishen dragons just another myth? Had all his dreams and hopes been silly?

I don't think so!

In his moment of pity it began to snow. Yes, You read right. On a warm summer beach it began to snow. Why you ask? Because this is the island of Vesper. The home of the deity of Deception and Deceit, in other words the home of 'Mitrii's complete opposite and his gate.

He looks up to the sky watching the snow fall. "This is twisted...."

"Really? I think it's quite nice," a feminine voice says from near by.

"Who said that?" Dmitrii gets up looking shocked and spins around. He sees, of course no one.

"You know what I am stupid."

"What did you call me?"

"I called you stupid, moron."

"No, the gate keepers a complete jerk..." Dmitrii mutters to himself. Gah. Great.

"Jerk? I guess I would be that huh? Listen I can show you the way to the gate and your Bishen egg but first you must prove yourself."

"Wait on second, my sister didn't have to prove herself, nor did Sachie. Why me?"

"You’re special. Now shut up and to what I say."

"Listen. In the name of Justice (or something like that) I demand you tell me the truth!"

"Truth? Hum...okay I'm cursed and I can't touch the Bishen egg until you uncurse me."

"And?"

"You may have to sacrifice something."

"AND?"

"Your father may feel the backlash of your doings."

"Waiiit. My father's still alive?"

"Yes, dipstick."

"Hey, I thought he was dead. Give me a break."

The voice mutters, "Yeah. I'll give you a break."

"At least tell me your name before I get to suffer."

"It's Ryo. You want to see what I look like too before you save my butt?"

"Heh, why not?"

POP!

A woman as tall as him stood in the snow that was now suddenly knee deep, she had long flowing black hair down to the waist. She sports metallic lavender clothing, and huge metallic purple bat wings. In the center of her head is a red jewel exactly like Dmitrii's.

He swallowed hard staring into her dark green eyes that seemed to search into his soul for something.

"So, you’re Dmitrii. Aren't you happy to meet your older sister."

"Sister...." with that last meek word, Dmitrii passed out in the cold snow.

'Mitrii awoke suddenly with a sharp scream. He had had a horrible nightmare about his parents...both biological and adoptive...and Sachie's parents along with Oomlaut’s. Not that he could remember any of it now.

Wiping the sweat of his face he looks around. Apparently he has been taken to a small oak cabin. The walls are decorated with small trinkets, feathers from various birds, and paintings. In the corner sits a desk filled to the brim with pens, quills and the like protruding from the drawers. Papers are scatter on the top along with some books. Looking to the east sits a lonely bookshelf filled beyond capacity with dream catchers hanging from it. Then to the opposite corner he sees a door frame that has a single flower hanging from above it. Whoever lived in the house may have been disorderly but they seemed to have a kind heart.

"So, Little Doorknob is up!"

Then again.

"You screamed quite loud. Are you all right?"

"Um...I just had a nightmare. I'm fine."

"I'm sorry. I provoked that little nightmare. I tend to do that around people...not that I can control that power now."

"C-could you explain a little bit more to me? I mean how can you be my sister or how is....this whole thing?"

"Before I start want some breakfast for you and your stuffed dollie?"

(Note: The narrator doesn't feel like fighting with the present tense so....dahdahdahhda!)

'Mitrii blushed as he looked at his lap to see none other then the little Bishen doll. Hum...if he opened this gate he would get his own Bishen, how wonderful! "Sure I'll take some breakfast."

She smile and began to sing as she walked out of the room,

"There's an angel on the stairs
(as if you'd even care)
When the lights go up,
and the sun has nearly gone down.

Did you see him on the street?
Did you pass him at your feet?
Did you think aloud,"how dare they
even look me in the eye'?

And he loves the girls.
And he loves the boys.
Going to make twenty dollars
before the weekends over.

So set him up,
Let him fall.
Turn him over in your hands.
God save the King of New Orleans...."

"HA! I got you!" 'Mitrii wacked Ryo in the back of the head with a snowball and watches he fall into the snow face first. He smiles as he walks over to help her up. "Okay are you going to tell me the story?"

She refused the help and just rolls over in the snow. "Sit down beside me and I'll explain everything."

He did as he was told. After all she did prove to be telling the truth. At least that's what his spreads told him.

"Our parents are very old, over five hundred years. So are Sachie's and Oomlaut's. You see at one time they where forced to seal the gates and then there children would be forced to reopen them when the time came....but they had to keep one gate open a group of people to escape. When they came back to close it all there efforts failed. Eventually our mother and father choose to have children...that's where I came in. That was about three hundred years ago. You see because they couldn't close the gate I was chosen to close it and keep it close. A curse was place upon my head and my powers were set amuck. I know mom never was the same after that....neither was daddy," She sniffed a bit.

"Okay, how do I break this little curse?"

"I...don't know."

"Please tell me you're kidding."

"No, I wouldn't kid about something important like this."

"Darn." 'Mitrii sat up and brushed all the snow out of his wings. Garh! Stupid things...."Show me where the gate is Ryo. I want to see it for myself."

"Oh, Well...."

"Ryo? What's wrong?" he said absent mindedly.

She began to cry, "We'll all die in the end. We all will..."

He sighed with frustration. Enough was enough. "So me the gate."

"I-I-I...."

"Ryo."

"It's behind the cabin."

"Thank you," Dmitrii nodded and headed to the cabin not to far in the distance. He hopped on to the top of the snow and began to run, despite his weight he was able to do this due to his wings. He used them to "glide" in a way while running....okay so they weren't completely useless.

It didn't take long before he reached the cabin. He came to a skidding halt and fell into a snow drift up to his waist. With a sigh and a few minutes worth of struggle he managed to get out of his little hole and look around.

He saw nothing at all, and only felt a little tingle at the back of his neck. She...lied.

"RYO!" 'Mitrii shouted at the top of his lungs never thinking he would sound like his twin.

"What?" she was standing right beside him.

WHOOSH!

The both fell into snow drift up to there shoulders.

Ryo muttered, "What do you want?"

"You lied to me!" Dmitrii accused as he struggled to get out of the drift.

"It is here!"

"Where? I don't feel it!"

"But it was here...."

"Well gee it couldn't have gotten up and walked away. So what are you suggesting?"

"I don't know it should be here!"

"This...is so...stupid!"

"What am I supposed to do, eh?"

"Help me?"

After calling me a liar? I don't think so."

"Damn."

"So you do curse!"

"Shut up," at that very moment 'Mitrii had freed himself from the snow drift only to find himself being pulled back into the snow, and not by Ryo. "AIEEE! GET OFF!"

"Mehehehe!" a boy's voice laughed.

Ryo's voice sounded...surprised to say the least, "What are you and how did you get here?!"

"Merh! I'm me so there that's all I have to tell you. I just wanted to tell you the gate is very near by!"

'Mitrii stayed stead fast in his place, "Okay..." he wasn't going to turn around anytime soon, "Could you let go of my leg?"

"Merh, fine! I'll have a surprise for you in a few weeks 'Mitrii-san!" with that whoever it was disappeared.

"Why is everyone out to make my life a nightmare and why does a GUY have to hit on me?" he pouted as he sunk into the snow.

"Do yourself a favor and GET MOVING!"

"...I...wonder"

"What now?"

"Ryo, what if the gate isn't what it seems to be. What if this was all a test for you and me?"

"I'm lost..."

"Let's just say it was someone playing head games. The gate's been here all along...we just can't see it right now. I think...it's right here!" He kicked a bit of snow up in the air so it sprinkled in front of him. Lo and Behold the outline of something was seen in the light! (Gee who would have guessed)

Ryo bounced up with all the vigor possible, "Open it!"

"Uhhahahaha...."

"You mean you don't know HOW?!"

"Uh...well....no on told me...or any of us," He sighed as he leaned on the gate.

Ryo just glared and muttered obscenities under her breath. She'd been waiting so long and then he doesn't know how to open the stupid thing! Grr...

Click

"Humm? Did you say something Dmitrii?"

"No...that was your imaginat--" Dmitrii fell backwards a bit but caught himself. Spinning around he say what had make the clicking noise. This gate was much smaller then the rest, and was built like a fence gate, well more like those to a cemetery, but close enough. They where a black iron shaped like vines and roses. It had an eerie air around it...

"You opened it! WHAHOOO! I'M FREE!" Ryo shouted with joy and ran into the cabin. 'Mitrii just sat there, "Okay...."

Soon enough she reappeared with a bundle in her arms. Whatever was in it was well protected, for it had almost six layers of blankets. She stopped in front of the gate and Dmitrii with a huge smile on her face. "This is your Bishen, 'Mitrii."

"I'm sorry what?"

"You herd me, and don't start acting like you had too much egg nog. Hurry take him!" She shoved the bundle in his arms.

He took it and slow opened it up to see what color it was...When he had reached the final layer he almost jumped six feet high.

"WHOOHOO! I've got a Bishen! It's a guy and I can hardly wait until it hatches! Oh happy joy! Oh yay! Mehehehe!"

"Egg nog."

"Sorry, I'll calm down."

"Thank you."

"Anyway I should get going now...you see my friends and twin are kind of looking for me and all."

"Stay a bit longer. I still have to be here for a bit...let's have some tea. Your friends can wait."

"Can I have some egg nog?"

"No, I don't want a repeat of this morning or five seconds ago for that matter."

"You're no fun..."

Dmitrii and Ryo had packed away almost all away except for a few trinkets. They where now sitting at the table drinking tea. Dmitrii broke the silence, "You know I thought Bii and the rest would find me by now. I guess I was wrong...."

"DMITRII!" Bii's voice came from outside.

"I spoke far too soon," he sighed and put his head in his hands while Ryo held back giggles.

She snorted, "Okay you go out there and explain everything to them before she gets really mad."

"Oh...fine..." Dmitrii got up with egg in hands and walked to the front door. Upon opening it he met his irate sister's face. With a squeak he stepped back.

"Do you know how long it took us to find you?" she spoke like a poisonous snake. Oomlaut, Chuutou, the Oos, Velare and Sachie stood in the background minding their own business. Lucky them.

"Um...no." It's best to say no in a fix like this. Somehow no matter what he said he'd end up baked chicken. Hopefully the egg would get burned.

"It took us two days to find you and you're here drinking tea. Did you even find the gate?"

"Yes. What do you think I got the egg in my hands as a parting gift? Bii, is it "that time of the month"?"

"GARH!" she took a swing at him with her sword, but of course he ducked, "You are SUCH a JERK!"

"Hehheh! Got it!"

"It appears our little sister's name fits quite well. She stings just like a Bumblebee," Ryo walked up to them with a grin, "Now, I know someone told you I exist, Bii."

"Your right they did tell me about you. Now what's--"

"Wait! Why did you tell me?!"

They both looked down at 'Mitrii, "You don't have to know everything."

"Thanks a bunch..."

"You're welcome!"

Dmitrii sat there and hugged his egg, "Can we get going? I don't want the Bishen to hatch here."

Bii stuck her tongue out, "Oh fine, but we're going to a tavern and a good one for a rest. You and your eggie can have a love affair there."

"You're sick Bii."

"Thank you. Now, get up," she turned to Ryo, "We'll see you again sometime right?"

"Yep, you can count on it."

"Bye," She returned to her angry state and grabbed her brother's collar, "Let's go."

"I can walk you know."

"Then walk."

Dmitrii struggled out of her grip and jumped to his feet with egg in tow. He flattened his robes and strutted off in front of his sister signaling to the rest it was time to leave.

So there we end this chapter of TORO! I hope you enjoyed this escapade of 'Mitrii!