Chapter 18: Darkness
Hime sat down in a chair and started to play with Chero’s hair.
“Oh…By the way, where did Tsukino and Leon go?” Hime asked, “I have not seen them around.”
“Since we got our weapons fixed Leon and Tsukino went to the past to test them out on the monsters. If they get caught, they can lie!” Danni explained.
“I see. I hope they come back safe and sound…” Hime said, “Oh, Kiki…Shouldn’t you be with Jenny?”
Kiki looked up from her pocket watch and puffed her cheeks out, “Ever since she woke up the only people she will talk to right now are Francis, Mocha and Chero.
She hides her head under her pillow each time I come over there. What is she so
mad about anyways?”
Chero pursed her lips together and looked at Kiki, “Did you know…that Jenny had a spell on her? I guess it’s not really a spell…but I don’t know how else to
classify it…”
“I did wonder why you had traces of my watch’s power on you. But I realized my past self, did it as some sort of protection. So I decided to leave it be…”
“So…Dino and I have one too?” Chero asked.
“Yes, if you are ever in danger it will keep you safe. Time itself will be protecting you,” Kiki explained.
Chero frowned and looked at her hand and then back at Kiki.
“That’s reassuring…” Dino sighed in relief.
“So…in other words…your powers are protecting us and you can’t take that away
from us?” Chero questioned.
“What are you talking about?” Dino asked.
“Yeah, Chero, if it’s protecting you…Why would you want it taken away?” Danni asked.
“Well…I think Kiki’s power is really amazing. It also takes a lot out of her…”
Chero started and looked at Kiki, “You used a lot recently. That is why you should be saving it. It is also why I was wondering if I could give it back to
you…”
“But the enemy will go after you first!” Dino exclaimed, “Wouldn’t it be better for you to have some sort of protection?!”
“Heh, I’m as long as I’m with you, amore! I’ll be safe as long as I’m behind you, right, Dino?” Chero smiled.
“…That piece of time is also helping you heal fast…But…if you want me to take it back…I will…” Kiki sighed, “If that is alright with you, Dino.”
“Well…I will protect her either way…” Dino said looking at Kiki, he then turned
to Chero, “Just don’t go wandering around dangerous areas alright?”
Chero grinned, “I’ll do my best! And of course Hime will be there for me too!”
Danni pouted, “What about me, Chero?!”
Dante chuckled, “Your little mafia family gets along quite well. I am a little jealous.”
“Eh? Family? What family?” Chero questioned.
Hime dropped Chero’s hair from her hands and looked at Chero concerned.
“…? I mean the only family I have is Tsukino!” Chero looked around at her friends confused.
Danni looked like she was about to say something. Dante gave her a look and shook his head, “No…never mind.”
Dino looked at Hime concerned. Hime shook her head, “Chero…your bracelet has come undone.”
“Eh? Oh! Thank you,” Chero said, picking up the silver chain link bracelet with a small heart charm dangling from it that Dino had given to her.
“Again? Hold out your wrist, amore. I’ll get it for you,” Dino said, remembering
Chero always struggling to put the bracelet on by herself. He often had to help her put it back on. He would never forget how she chased the other end of the bracelet with the clasp the first time she tried to put it on. He had laughed at her and helped her put it on.
“Do you know what bracelets represent?” he asked taking her hand and fastening it around her wrist.
Chero shook her head.
"Why don’t you tell me?"
She looked at it on her wrist and smiled.
Dino laughed. "Handcuffs. By giving this to you, I'm handcuffing you to me, and
claiming you as mine."
Chero smiled and shook her head, “It’s ok! I can do it myself!”
“You…”
Chero connected the ends of the bracelet back together around her wrist, “There was no one to do it for me most of the time, so I had to learn. Look Dino! I did it without any help from you!”
Hime looked at Dino with concern. He seemed to be lost in a memory.
“What? Oh…right…” he said.
“Yeah! Now even when you’re not around, I can do it myself,” Chero said, proud of her accomplishment.
“By the way, that bracelet is very pretty!” Kiki said, “Where did you get it?”
Chero blinked and furrowed her eyebrows as if she was trying to grasp onto a memory.
“Um…” Chero chewed her lip, “I…I don’t remember…I can’t remember not wearing it…”
Dino winced and Hime touched his shoulder.
“Oh…” Kiki said, feeling awkward so she changed the topic, “By the way…Can…I have my time back?”
“Yeah! Go ahead~ That will put Jenny’s mind at ease,” Chero replied.
“Alright…Thank you.” Kiki said closing her eyes. Chero felt a slight tickle,
“There. I got it back. Thank you…”
“Don’t even think about that!” Jenny cried from the bed area.
“Uh-oh…This isn’t good…”Chero sighed.
Everyone looked at each other before Chero stood up and hurried over to Jenny.
“Jenny! Wait! Calm down!” Chero called.
Dino sighed.
“Is everything alright, Dino?” Hime asked.
“Hm? Oh yeah. I’m just a little…shaken…” he replied.
“I had forgotten that Chero has so many memories from here that she has been losing her past memories…” Hime sighed.
“I wonder what memories she has left…”Dante mused, “Dino… Are you sure you are ok?”
Dino looked very pale and was clenching his fist hard.
“Those memories will probably still be gone…even after we leave…” Danni said,
“Papa…don’t be like that. We will just have to help her remember!”
“Right…”
“I’m going to check on Jenny and the other…” Hime said, standing up and wandering
over.
