Gaea's Locket Ch. 13

“Hey... when did you get your 'gifts' again?” Chiharu questioned as Yuto helped fix her uncooperative computer in her office. He answered, “A little more than two weeks ago. Why do you ask?” She then thought, “So, how did you know... about it?”

“Remember that power surge that one day a couple weeks ago? I caused that. And I rebooted everything back. I guess you can say that's when my 'magic touch' began with technology.” he explained. “There. That should do it.”

“Thanks.” she smiled as she turned it on. It was now working perfectly fine. “So do you like train your powers or something? Is that how you improve it?”

“Well I don't train... but I do practice my powers. I do use them on a daily basis.” he smiled. “I often use them at work, just to see my limits and the how much power I can handle.” She gave a questioning look, “How much you can handle?” He explained, “Electricity isn't an easy things to handle. You have to have a good control over it... sometimes it hurts to use it, because it overpowering me...”

“Hey, don't strain yourself. It's good to know your limits, but I'm sure no one wants you getting injured.” she told him. He nodded, “I know. I'm not trying to do it on purpose. I'm just trying to learn to control it better.” She then asked, “So do you know about the other powers yet?”

“Not really... we met, but we aren't that well acquainted yet.” he stated. “But I'm sure I'll get to know them soon.” He then sighed, “Well, I'm gonna go on a lunch break. I'll see you later.”

“Alright. Have a good break.” she smiled, waving him off.

“I'll try.” he smiled back.

~

“So... you just make plants grow??” Mai questioned as she hung out in Satomi's office with Kota, Satomi, and Ryutaro. Kota nodded, “That's all I've tried... what else do you think I can do?” She shrugged, “I dunno maybe since you can control the growth, you can also control the plants themselves?”

“That sounds logical... in a way.” Ryutaro smiled. “Try it out, Kota.”

“Alright...” he said standing up and focusing on the rose on Satomi's desk. It slowly began to flinch as it then began to move with the motion of Kota's hands. He lit up, “Awesome! I can control plants too!”

“That's so cool!” Satomi smiled. “And you're handling your powers really well...” He nodded, “Yea, its not that hard... once you get used to it...”

“So you don't feel it when you use it?” Mai wondered as he thought, “Well not really... I sometimes get this sensational feeling within me... if feels almost enlightening...it gives me this warm feeling inside... like--”

“Eating a lot of delicious food?” Satomi sighed thinking as her stomach growled. Mai laughed, “haha then you must have that feeling all the time!”

“So what if I do? I can't help it if I'm hungry...” she pouted as Ryutaro then smiled, “Well, I'm pretty hungry too. Shall we go get some lunch?” Satomi excitedly smiled, “I'm in!” Kota nodded, “Same, here!”

“Alright.” Mai smiled as they took off.

~

“So what do you think about all this... weird power stuff going on?” Yuya asked Hikaru as they organized CD's at work. He shrugged, “I dunno... it's a little hard to believe, but after that crazy party, I guess it's the only explanation... I think this could actually be fun.”

“Fun?” he wondered. Hikaru nodded, “Yea... wouldn't it be exciting to have powers?”

“I guess... but don't you think it would also be troublesome... like Kaori. When she sneezes she changes. They all have limitations and different problems with their powers.” Yuya stated. Hikaru nodded, “True. But if they didn't... don't you think that would be more scary. They'd be unstoppable.”

“Good point-” he stopped as he saw a familiar looking girl walk in. Hikaru smiled, “Nice timing. I can finish your last ten minutes. Get over there!” Yuya smiled and headed over to Hakufu.

“Hey... long time no see.” he smiled. She sighed, “Well, if it isn't you again? What do I owe this pleasure?”

“Nothing... just thought I'd come over and say hi.”

“hi.” she stated as she continued browsing through the music.

“So, what are you looking for?”

“Nothing specific. Just looking around.” she stated. “I have a day off today and I decided go window shopping. Thought maybe some music would be fun...”

“Hey so... whens the next meeting about, you know...” he wondered as she frowned, “I dunno. I didn't get any message...”

“Just curious, does it... like hurt when you use it... the fire power?” he wondered as she groaned, “Look, can we change the subject?”

“Oh... sorry....”

“Whatever... it's not the best thing to ever happen to me so I really don't want to talk about it.” she told him. He nodded, “I get it... it's fine. How about I help you out with these CD's?” She nodded as he helped her look up some awesome CD's.

~

“Urgh... i'm so tired of their nagging...” Kaori groaned as she grabbed some of her sketches from her office. Shirika smiled, “Well what did you expect... you've been gone for a while so the sketches are behind...”

“yea, but they didn't need to yell at me for two hours... I could've been using that time to finish!” she groaned. “And now I gotta be at the animal shelter!” Shirika sighed, “So... how will you be able to get the sketches in by tomorrow?”

“Easy. I'll just have to do them at the shelter... We've been having slow days anyways.” she stated. “I'm sure if I manage the counter I'll have plenty of time to finish.” Shirika smiled, “Well, as long as you're able to do both jobs... if you need any help...”

“It's fine. Don't worry about it.” she smiled as she put everything in her bag. They began heading out of the studios as she continued, “It's nothing I can't handle... anyways. Lunch tomorrow at my office? We can go over your character poses.”

“Alright.” she smiled as she headed to her car. “Good luck with your sketches... do you need a ride? Or is Kei coming to pick you up?”

“You know the usual.” Kaori smiled as Kei soon pulled up. He smiled, “ready?” She nodded and got in the car, “See you tomorrow Shirika.”

“See ya, Kaori.” she waved off.

“So... a lot to catch up on huh?”Kei asked as they soon arrived at the animal shelter. She nodded, “Yup. I'm taking over the counter alright? So I can get this done.”

“You should take the day off then. Rini, Hakufu and I can take care of the animals.” he told her.

“It's fine. I can manage.” she stated as she took out her work and set them on the counter. “I'll handle the customers... since we don't have much it won't be too much work for me to do.”

“Alright... if you need me to take over..”

“I can handle it.” she answered as she took a seat at the front desk. He headed to the back and helped Rini with cleaning and feeding the animals. Kaori quietly worked on her sketches, all her focus on making it as perfect as possible. She sighed when she heard the front door open. Without looking up from her sketch she said, “Good afternoon. How can we be of service for you today?” The sound of their footsteps ceased as they stood right in front of her, “Wow.... nice drawings. What's it for?”

“Work...” she answered. “Did you need something? Maybe adopting an animal?”

“Not quite.” he replied. “You know... it's kinda rude that you aren't looking at me when I talk to you...” Then she realized his voice sounded familiar. She looked up and smiled, “Well... if it isn't boyfriend number 1. What do you want?”

“Well someone still owes me lunch.” Yuto pointed out. She shrugged, “Now who would that be?”

“The cute girl in front of me.” he stated as rolled her eyes, “Well, if you were a gentlemen, you would be paying for the lunch.” He thought, “Well, if she agrees to go with me, then maybe I will pay for it.” She laughed, “Then was there really a point for you coming here to get me to treat you to lunch?”

“Yea, so are we getting lunch together or not?” he asked.

“Not. If you hadn't noticed, I'm trying to handle two jobs right now.” she told him going back to her sketch. “I have a lot to catch up on.” He answered, “Come on. Take a break... it is past lunch time.”

“No, I barely started. Maybe in an hour.”

“I can wait.”

“Sorry to burst your bubble, but I'll be grabbing lunch with Kei and Rini.” she answered as he sighed, “I'll join you guys.”

“It's kind of our thing only. My best friend and my sister and me only.” she replied as he thought, “Then dinner? That's even better for me.” She groaned, “Ok look. If I agree to go out with you, will you leave me to finish my work?”

“Sure.” he smiled as she then sighed, “Okay. We can go out, but I'm gonna need to get a rain check for tonight. We'll reschedule for some other time ok?” He nodded, “I'm fine with that. As long as its soon.”

“We'll see. Now can I please get back work?” she said darkening the sketches.
“You kind of are already.”

“Well without the distraction...”

“Am I that distracting to you?” he smiled as she rolled her eyes again, “Seriously? Don't you have work to do?”

“Nope. Remember I'm the head of my department? As long as I finish what I need to, I can do whatever I want.” he smiled. “You don't mind if I stick around and watch you draw do you?”

“Do what you want... just don't get in the way of my work...” she told him as she heard, “Kaori, what does the customer...” Kei came out from the back as he saw Yuto, “Oh, hey.”

“Hey....” he answered as Kei smiled, “So what brings you here?”

“He just came to bug me... don't mind him.” she answered as Yuto pouted, “You just enjoy being mean to me don't you?”

“Haha, its almost as fun as teasing Yuki. Of course she has more entertaining reactions.” she giggled. She sighed, “And there you go distracting me again...”

“Sorry... didn't mean to.” he smiled. “I'll stop talking now.”

“Hmm, well you two seem to be getting along just fine.” Kei smiled. “I'll let you two be.” He went to back to the back as Yuto continued to watch Kaori work.

~

“So what do you think about all this? You seemed so... upset about all that happened the other night.” Yui asked as she cleaned up the kitchen. Yuri nodded, “This is all just too crazy. Not only did they ruin the party, but the restaurant was wrecked.”

“Well they did stay to help clean up.” she pointed out.

“That's besides the point. Do you really think that the God's powers are... well real?”

“I think its probably the only explanation as of now.” she replied. “Look, we both saw it. Their powers in action it was pretty amazing. Unbelievable but still amazing.”

“I guess... but still. There has to be some kind of logical explanation for this...” he groaned.

“... And you're still helping out?” she wondered.

“Of course... Shirika has powers too. I'll help for her sake.” he stated.

“Awww...” Yui smiled. “You really like her don't you?”

“Yea... ever since I can remember...” he smiled. “Well... anyways. If she wants to help find out about these powers, I'll help out in anyway I can. Including the use of the restaurant...”

“Speaking of which, do we know when the next meeting is?” she wondered.

“I haven't gotten a call yet so I dunno... Guess we'll find out.” he stated.

~

“Ugh.... can we get on with this...” Rena groaned as she and Ryosuke hung out at Keito's place. Yuki set out drinks for them as Daiki then asked, “So still nothing?”

“No alright? We don't know anything else...” Ryosuke sighed. “Can we go now? I feel like I haven't flirted with a girl all day long...” Rena whacked his head as she answered, “You want to find out too right? So stop whining...”

“Right now, you two are the closest powers. Siblings... which is surprising especially with your god powers. Poseidon and Aphrodite aren't siblings... so why is it that they have chosen a sibling host to hold their power?” Keito stated.

“Why are you asking us?” Rena sighed. “Like we would know?”

“I'm just thinking out loud...” he stated. “But if you happen to think of any reason... then please do share.”

“Look, we're just as confused as you are, ok?” Ryosuke told him.

“That's why I'm trying to get to the bottom of this. I need to know every single detail of your powers.” he stated.

“And we've told you everything we know.” Rena stated. Keito groaned as Daiki told him, “When you first realized your powers, what your powers are, and what your powers do... that's all we got.”

“That's all we know.” Ryosuke stated.

“...Maybe we should take a break for a while... we aren't getting anywhere.” Yuki stated getting up.

“No matter how many breaks we take, its not gonna get us any closer.” Keito stated as Daiki and Yuki sighed. She then said, “I meant, a break from this entire search. Let's take like a week off and just have some fun!”

“Yes! We're in!” Ryosuke, Rena, and Daiki smiled. Keito thought, “I dunno Yuki. We're getting so close. We're one god away from uniting all the Gods.”

“Which means its a good time for a small vacation.” she smiled. “Seriously when was the last time you had a vacation from work...”

“Never.” Daiki sighed. “Once he finishes an cases, he goes straight into another one.”

“Okay, you are definitely taking one week off!” Yuki stated. “I'll let the others know to have some fun and just get to know each other more. I'm sure a little bonding time between us all will help out.”

“But-”

“No buts Keito! Now put the locket and the textbook down and let's go out for some fun!” she smiled, taking the locket. She put it back in the stone box and put it away in their safe. Keito sighed as Yuki then pulled him out following the others.