Yousei no Kuni

by Yuuki-hiro

Ten

Lessons about ourselves, house cleaning, and don't laugh unless you have a thick enough skull.

Die said his goodbyes and went off while Toshiya, Aiji and Kaoru hopped onto the carriage, Toshiya acted as tour guide as they made their way to the berry bushes.

"Like I said before, due to RunRun Mori's ideal geological location, she's never in danger of attacks from evil forces."

"If that's the case, then why hasn't RunRun Mori developed into a city or something? I would think that a lot of fairies would want to live in a protected area." Aiji asked.

"True, that's how RunRun Machi developed. The town's just a quarter day's journey towards the east. RunRun Mori is on sacred grounds, so only fairies whose ancestors had lived in the forest since ancient times can live here now."

"Mmmh." Aiji and Kaoru nodded their head in understanding. They also found out more about the three main clans that first founded RunRun Mori.

"My ancestors were scholars and studied the land, the stars, as well as the art of sorcery." Toshiya beamed with pride as he provided that bit of information.

"Mmmh." Nod nod.

"Then there's Die's ancestors. They were students of magic as well, belonging to a clan that made magic tools. They were also masters at building little secret sacred temples at strategic sites to increase the natural aura of the land."

"Mmmh." Nod nod.

"And lastly, Akira's ancestors were magic learners who were also the caretakers of the land's flora and fauna. In return, they get food and other of nature's rewards like honey, wheat…. Oh! And this fox carriage we're riding now!" Toshiya smiled.

"Mmmh." Nod nod.

"Ee- Kaoru, if you're living here, doesn't that mean your ancestors were from here long ago?" Toshiya suddenly asked.

"Mh, I guess so… I'm not that sure. I mean, my mum die-idn't tell me much…." Kaoru's voice cracked slightly.

"No worries. I'll bring you to the school library and we can look up your family tree there." Toshiya happily chatted on with Aiji, missing the flash of sadness across Kaoru's face.

-----

"Come on Kyo~ I called you c-u-t-e when you were a ladybug, which honestly, you were. But that don't mean that you're c-u-t-e too as an elf. In fact, you're scary as hell. I'd never use c-u-t-e to describe you, no never. So don't you think it's unfair to.. No… No! Ryu-chan hel-!??"

Ryutari shrieked in terror as Kyo zapped Akira with a blinding light…..

-----

When the trio reached their destination, they found a small group of welcoming committee waiting for them. There were Levin, Hyde, Yukkie and the Ta-da-ka-shi brothers. With the usual formalities exchanged, the small group went on to unload the luggage.

"How did your friends get here before us?" Kaoru had asked as he passed a box to Toshiya.

"Oh, they flew here, I suppose." Toshiya answered.

"Flew!? You mean everyone here can fly?" Aiji's eyes were wide.

"Yeah… Doesn't everyone in the city fly too?" Levin asked.

"Um, no. Not everyone has wings in the city." Kaoru answered.

"No wings!!?" Levin, Hyde, Yukkie and Toshiya were shocked.

That led to a short lesson in fairy history conducted by Tadashi and Takashi.

All fairies, be them Light or Dark, have wings. It's just that elves and brownies are more 'earthy' compared to fairies and pixies, so they tend to like to walk than fly.

Sprites and sylphs don't have wings, nor any form for that matter, but they float in the air, moving along and riding on the breeze. They are classified as fairies of "Air".

"Water" fairies, nymphs and nixes, don't have wings since they spend most of their time in the water. But those that do dwell on land will grow wings, thou it tires them easily to fly.

Trolls, goblins, gnomes and dwarfs don't have wings.

Gnomes are kind and very hardworking but tend to keep to their own and avoid other fairies.

Dwarfs are stingy little people. They trust no one, not even their own. But will band together with Dark fairies to fight against the trolls and goblins if they find that their treasure's in danger of getting stolen.

Dark fairies like to fight and cause trouble. Most Dark fairies do not have the power of magic so they make up for it by being sly and cunning.

Trolls and goblins are slow-witted creatures. But they are just pure evil. They destroy natural landscape. Disturb the peace. Steal. Fight. Kill animals and fairies when they catch any.

"Thou I do know of a clan of peaceful, nature-loving trolls called MoomintrollsŪ. They live in Finland." Takashi added that extra piece of info at the end.

"Mmmh, but that still don't explain why some fairies in the city are wingless." Kaoru questioned.

"Easy. The wings simply drop off because they were never used. Some fairies may still have wings but don't fly because they simply forgotten how to." Tadashi answered.

"How can one forget how to fly?" Yukkie wondered out loud.

"I suppose the reason can be the same as why city fairies don't know magic. Their lifestyle in the city simply has no use for old ways." Takashi reasoned.

With that out of the way, the tiny band of fairylings finished with the unloading and said goodbye to the fox and its driver. It was then that Kirito and Kohta arrived along with Tetsu.

After another round of formalities, the expanded group went on to tackle the tree house.

Die was right when he said Berry Bush Home needed cleaning up. Dust was everywhere, on the floor, furniture, and windows. Roots were overgrowing into the living room and bedrooms. An area of the underground burrows had caved in…. The fairylings have a lot of work ahead of them.

Tadashi sort of took charge of the whole cleaning operation, assisting tasks to each fairyling. He sent Takashi, Levin and Hyde to get water from the pond. Had Yukkie, Tetsu, Kirito and Kohta fix the rooty situation while he and Toshiya dusted and swept the dust off every item in the house along with Aiji and Kaoru.

"Hey, where IS Die anyway?" Toshiya asked as he dusted the shelf.

"Not sure, he said something about saving Akira's behind and asking his mother something. He did say that he'll be here as soon as he can." Kohta sneezed as dust Kaoru had dusted flutter over and tickled his elf nose.

"Sorr-"

"We're back!" Levin screamed, sticking his head in from one opened window that was just beside Toshiya, earning a yelp from the frightened fairy, causing him to lose the dahlia-seed duster, sending it flying across the room…. And landing on Kirito's head.

Kohta regretted laughing.

 to be continued~