Trial Part 2

The sun has yet to begin its morning ascent as a loud thud knocks against the gates of the Abe estate. The two gate guards are roused from a quiet game of dominoes and look at one another hesitantly. A second knock resounds, but before they can get up, the gates are suddenly thrust open by a dark snout. Barking a command, the guards rush out to meet the invader as numerous lights flicker to life across the estate. The elder guard focuses a lantern and demands the intruder halt, her voice shaking as it rears up to its full height, scales glinting nefariously in the light. With a quiet paddering, more guards run up with weapons at the ready. The invader bellows a steely roar and takes a defensive posture. One of the guards notices a small figure on the beast's back as it moves and calls out to the rest, who all lower their weapons.

*****

Noriko wakes up to see the relieved face of her younger cousin, Kiyoshi. His clothes are covered in blood. With a grin and a sigh, he flicks her nose. "Cut it a little close this time, Onee-chan!" She yelps and tries to retaliate, only to wince and grunt as Kiyoshi gives her a concerned look. "Careful, careful! Take it easy or you'll reopen your wounds! Doctor's orders!" Noriko huffs at him. "You're not a doctor yet." "Well, I gotta practice saying it now for when I am, yeah?" The two share a quiet chuckle before being interrupted by the muffled sounds of a heated debate in the next room. She manages to make out the sound of her own name a few times as well as various synonyms and idioms pertaining to recklessness. Kiyoshi fails to hide his worry.

"Sounds like you really hit the hornet's nest this time. Some dockworkers have been spreading word about the 'brutality' of the Abe family, conveniently leaving out the bits about the Ninkyo." "It's not like they can prove I did it anyways." "Well, maybe not, but the rather striking reptilian footprints leading from the docks all the way back here have not exactly endeared us to the populace's fears of vigilantism." Noriko's mouth opens to protest, but she knows she had behaved rashly. "You were already on thin ice to begin with, but...I don't think they're going to give you anymore chances." "Yeah..." The two contemplate one another with dour expressions for a moment. Eventually, Kiyoshi breaks the silence with a wry smirk. "...where the hell did you find a dragon anyways, and could you by chance get me one?" "You wouldn't even know what to do with one!" "Aw come on, just one little dragon! Where'd it come from?" "I... pulled forth some kind of shade from a fossilized dinosaur that took corporeal form." "Fine, don't tell me!" Noriko huffs in irritation before pulling her cousin into an embrace, sniffling quietly. "No slacking off just because I won't be around to kick your ass!" He grins as he returns the hug, wiping a few tears from his face. "Well it will be hard without you getting your own ass kicked for me to practice stitching you up, but I'll do my best!" The two laugh and think back on fond memories while awaiting word of Noriko's fate.

*****

Noriko watches the sparkling horizon as her ship comes into view. It would be some time before it actually reaches the dock. An arm pulls her into an embrace and she looks up at her oldest sister. "Are you sure you want to do this, Kyou? You still have a place here." The older sister nods. "Nori, you know as well as I that it's only a matter of time before my identity proves...inconvenient for the family and they kick me out anyways. Might as well leave now while it's still my choice. And at least this way we can keep each other company for a while." Noriko nods, and her sister continues. "And so I can protect you." Noriko shakes her head. "I'm stronger than you. I'm the protector." "But I'm the older one! It's my dut-" "I'm stronger AND I have a special power." "Aren't you way too old now to still be saying that?" Noriko half-suppresses a whine. "It's true now! I raised a bunch of bones into a living, breathing dragon!" "Oh not this again. I'm sure you did, dear!" Kyou pats her seething sister's head with mock-condescension. The two watch as the boat draws close to the pier.

Noriko gets a poke in the rib. "Nori, what's your plan anyways?" "I am going to join up with the EGGs. See the world. Find weird stuff. Get stronger. Discover what I want." "That group, huh? Yeah, you'd probably fit in with a group of weirdos like that!" "What did you say?!" "Owowow, cut it out, I give up, you're stronger!" "Well...what about you, Onee-chan? What are you going to do?" Kyou puts a finger to her cheek in contemplation. "Hmmm...well, I suppose I might fit in well with a group of weirdos too. I might not be a fighter, but I bet they need all kinds of people. And then I can look out for you!" "I can take care of myself." "Oh, did you finally learn to cook?" "..." "Wash your clothes properly?" "...fine. Just don't embarrass me." "Nori, you do a fine enough job of that on your own!" The sisters ready their things as the gangplank touches down, and they step forward together.