Kasumi:
I flopped on the couch and clicked the end-button on my phone before tossing it on the coffee table. It smacked the wooden surface with a thunderous clunk and slid a while before colliding with an open book.
"Hey, Tamo!" I called down the hall, "We're going to visit Io tomorrow!"
"What's the occasion?" my friend asked as he walked over, still toweling his hair that was wet from his shower.
He sat on the other end of the couch and I snorted, "It's not unusual for me to visit Io, is it?"
Tamotsu draped the towel around his neck and replied with a smile, "No, but it is quite unusual for you to actually tell me ahead of time that I'm to go along, too. As I recall, you usually just drag me out the door."
I let out a loud laugh and swung my legs around to put them on Tamo's lap. "I just needed to make sure you didn't plan anything for tomorrow morning! Here's the deal: Io asked us to both come over tomorrow. She says it's important."
Ignoring my feet on his lap, Tamotsu leaned forward and snatched up the open book. "Sounds intriguing!"
"I hope it's something exciting," I sighed as I tipped my head back to hang over the arm of the sofa. "This has gotten to be pretty boring lately."
"Still as impatient as always," chuckled Tamo, shooting me a glance.
"Yeah, yeah." It was only partly true, and Tamotsu knew it. Over the years in Harmony, I had grown more patient. My patience level was about the equivalent of a ten-year old's but that was still an improvement in my eyes. I twisted a strand of short hair around my finger. My patience wasn't the only thing that had changed either. I examined my finger, as scarred as ever. But even with change, there were some things that would always remain.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I knocked out a beat on the door until Tamo pulled my fist away.
"Aww! Tamo! I was just having some fun!"
"And what if you woke up Tokine?"
"She's probably up by now!"
He looked ready to retort but then the door opened. Io stood on the other side with a smile on her face. Seemed like the same old Io, but something was different. Her smile wasn't as bright; it was choked by something rather serious.
"Kasumi! Tamotsu!" she greeted us. "Come in!"
"Hello, Io," replied Tamotsu as I ran in to hug my friend.
"Hey!" I grinned. "Where's Toki?"
"At the table, eating," answered Io as she closed the door behind Tamotsu.
I ran into the kitchen and waved at Io's daughter, "Toki!"
The little girl beamed as I moved over to her and ruffled her hair. "What's up, kid?" I asked, grinning.
She smiled more to reveal some goop. I glanced at the table and realized it was some fruit salad thing. I was about to make some comment but then Tamotsu tapped me on the shoulder, "Kas, Io wants to chat in the living room."
"See ya, kid! Eat up, kay?" I ruffled Toki's hair once more before following Tamo to the other room where Io was sitting.
Tamotsu took a chair opposite of the couch Io was already on, but I remained standing, looking at pictures and whatnot around the room.
"What's new, Io?" I asked with a grin.
She gave a small smile back and replied slowly, "I'm leaving."
"What?!"
"Kas, it's just, I ran into Sky yesterday. She's leaving, too."
Ahh, to the human world then. It made sense, I suppose. Halfers in the human world were suffering while we lived out peaceful lives, and Sky and Io were never ones to turn their backs on those in need.
Io continued, "I just wanted to let you know. I can't blame you if you'd want to-"
"I'm going! When do we leave? Tamotsu, you coming, too?" I asked leaning against his chair.
He nodded, "Of course."
"That was fast," laughed Io. She seemed more relaxed now, almost relieved. I smiled. Good ol' Io.
"Well, I was hoping for some excitement!" I exclaimed, "Being an officer is nowhere as exciting as I like. I can't wait to carry my sword around again!"
Tamotsu chuckled and shook his head, but I could tell this was adventurous for him as it was for me.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TADA! hope I didn't butcher your characters too badly, Sarah!
In post:
Io
Toki
Sky (mentioned)
~Gem
