1Author’s Note: My first chapter to my webnovel. If you want to find out more about the characters, Amula, or the races, email me and I will send you the link to the website I have this story posted at.

Chapter 1: Finding of the Heir

“Long time ago on the planet of Amula, trolls and ogres ran wild. A powerful youkai named Tojusan Tojukupo fought them back and was named king. His family continued till this day, but sadly King Tojinliku was murdered by his younger son, Tujokupi, and his elder son, Tojageue, had been missing for years. So four men who were each affected greatly by this set off on four separate journeys to right this wrong. Later they meet up and joined and became known world wide as the Travelers, for how long they tracked to accomplish their one goal. Some say they were driven together by an unknown force called the Oracle, and that she plans to guide them to their rightful ruler....”

“Dumb ass, we already know the fucking story by heart.” said an irritated blonde from the back seat. He wore his long blonde hair in a high fashionable pony tail and had dyed the tips a deep orange to match his piercing eyes. He had his arms crossed over a black turtle neck and orange flame vest. His pants and dress like boots matched the vest, making him very hard to not stare at. He currently wore a very pissed off expression accented by his pointed ears twitching in annoyance. He had a death glare and tone of voice that would have killed just about anyone. But the man he had yelled at was not just anyone.

“Listen, you don’t let me have me play the radio in my own damn car! You can not deny me talking. And I wasn’t even speaking to you, so go back into bastard land and leave me the hell alone!” yelled back the brunette driver. He was opposite of the blonde. He had brown hair that he wore in a short low pony tail and long bangs. He also had pointed ears that were high on alertness. He had a pair of light purple eyes with specks of black in them and wore an outfit that many women would kill to see on all of his companions : black leather vest with matching pants. He carried the air of God’s gift to women about him, and even while yelling had a cocky grin on his face.

“Hai-Bow you fucktard, your voice is more grating then any singer I have ever heard. I prefer the radio to your voice,” said the blonde.

“Well sorry Lord Touya, but not all of us can have your nancy boy intellectual mumbo jumbo voice,” said the driver, Hai-Bow, to the blonde, Touya.

“I think Cochin would make for a better conversation then you,” said Touya, sounding bored. A little bundle of brown and gray fur about a foot high started to jabber at this. He had large ears and inky black eyes. He was currently standing up and jumping at his master calling him. “Cochin,” Touya said with a visible blood vein on his head, “SIT DOWN!” and with that hit the poor creature on the head.

“Well he ain’t going to be too smart if you keep hitting him,” laughed Hai-Bow.

“Will you two please be quiet,” said a new voice. He was a red head sitting next to Touya and Cochin. He had his long hair in a braid and was wearing a dark green vest over a sea foam long sleeve shirt and slightly poofy pants of the martial arts variety. His deep green eyes were currently closed in meditation and looked like he was on the verge of a head ache dealing with the two. He was massaging his pointed ears in an effort to keep himself calm.

“Shuichi is right,” said the final man in the passenger seat. At first glance it was hard to tell if he was a boy or girl. But upon hearing his musical voice, you could tell it was a male. He wore his long white hair loose and down to mid back. He was dressed in a sleeveless long tunic and dress pants both dark blue. Around his waist he wore a white silk belt. His golden eyes were currently pleading with Touya and Hai-Bow and giving Shuichi sympatric looks. If he had been a dog, his pointed ears would have been drooping in sadness.

“Well Li, if this moron would just keep his mouth shut, it would be a favor to me, let alone the world,” said Touya looking out the window. Their was nothing much to see. They were currently in a small town that didn’t even have paved streets. And it was raining. Normally Touya did not mine the rain. Even though he was a user of fire, he like the cooling rejuvenating feeling of rain on his face. But right now he was stuck in the car with the most annoying creature on the planet, a gremlin, and two half elves. He really wanted his personal space, but the rain was causing a slow down since the streets were now so muddy they were nearly impassable.

“Why don’t you do us all a favor and get that stick out of you ass!”said Hai-Bow. He turned around to glare at Touya. Just then something dashed out from the alley-way, right in front of the car and froze when it saw the car approaching too fast for it to move.

“HAI-BOW LOOK OUT!” yelled Li.

“JACKASS, YOUR ABOUT TO HIT SOMETHING!” yelled Touya at the same time.

“HAI-BOW STOP!” also yelled Shuichi along with the others.

“CUU!” screeched Cochin.

But it was too late. Hai-Bow had already hit the object in front of his car. But he didn’t have enough time to think as two small objects started hitting the car.

“What the fuck?!” said Hai-Bow as the crashes kept up. The others look just as clueless as he was. Li unbuckled and got out of the car. He ran to the front and gasped. Shuichi, Touya, and Hai-Bow ran out to see if Li was already. When the approached him they saw he was all right, but was crouching near the body of what Hai-Bow had hit. A young girl. She was soaked from head to toe. She had a long mane of curly black hair down to her knees. She was wearing a torn lavender dress with long poofy sleeves, a square neck, and pleaded skirt bottom that stopped at mid thigh. She was wearing soiled lavender ballet slippers, looking have if she had run a long way on them. If it had been brighter out, they may have noticed a long thin chain of gold and silver around her neck that trailed into her dress. Li had been checking her body for injuries. She seemed to be fine. He moved up to her head to check if she had hit it in the fall. He looked into her face. She had pointed ears like they did, but a strange birthmark. On her forehead was a large gold star surrounded by smaller silver ones. One of the marks of a sorcerer. Hai-Bow was now crouching beside Li. He was cursing at himself for not watching the rode. The girl looked alive, but had her eyes close.

“She has no injuries from what I can tell,” said Li only loud enough for Hai-Bow to hear. “Just fainted from the shock, poor dear.” Li was now cradling the girl and humming to her. Hai-Bow couldn’t move. The girl was so young and innocent, like his sisters had been. How could he have been stupid enough to hit her?!

Touya and Shuichi seemed more interested in what was attacking the car. Touya grabbed a small silver dragon as Shuichi grabbed a small blonde nine tailed fox.

“Hey Hai-Bow, looks like the attack of the chibis on your car,” said Touya sarcastically.

“Like I fucking care right now,” said Hai-Bow. If Touya was a lesser man he would have looked shocked by this statement. Since he had known Hai-Bow, Hai-Bow’s main love had been his car. Then again, Hai-Bow also deeply loved his mother and sisters and that was why he was with them. “We just nearly killed a girl.”

“You mean you nearly killed her dumb ass. Watch where you are going next time,” said Touya. Hai-Bow for once didn’t yell back. He knew Touya was right. Maybe he was what Touya said, a dumb ass.

“There is a children’s center just a few buildings up,” said Shuichi. “We can leave her there.”

“Along with her pets,” said Touya holding up the struggling dragon while Shuichi still held onto the fox. “Think if I tell them Cochin was with her they would take him?” At this a loud cuu could be heard from inside the car.

“It looked like she was running from something,” said Li softly, gently stroking her hair. Hai-Bow was just watching Li and the girl. He couldn’t just give over what was his fault to someone else, even a place to help children like her.

“Whatever it was, it probably gave up after she was hit,” said Touya.

“I think we should take her with us,” said Li.

“No!” yelled Shuichi, losing a bit of his temper. “We don’t know who this girl is, for all we know she could be a Knight for Tujo!”

“She probably is,” said Touya. “Just look at her. Most half sorcerers don’t have the astrological birthmark.”

“How can you tell she is half?” asked Hai-Bow in a monotone voice.

“Simple,” said Touya, “She has pointed ears, which sorcerers do not have and they are the only race to have such strange birthmarks on their foreheads. Although I never saw a half breed with the mark.” Touya then looked at Shuichi and Hai-Bow to show his point. Both of their fathers had been sorcerers, but they did not have the birthmark.

“We can’t just leave her at that place,” said Li, cuddling her to his chest.

“Maybe we should kill her to be on the safe side,” said Shuichi.

“NO!” screamed Hai-Bow and Li together. The animals at this point renewed their struggle with new vigor thinking they could save their mistress.

“Well if she is dangerous we can’t take her with us or leave her at a center,” said Shuichi.

“But we can take her with us,” said Li. “If she is dangerous we can kill her. If she is not, which she most likely is, we can take her with us.

“We aren’t baby sitters for twerps that can’t remember to look before they cross the street,” said Touya.

“We have to take her,” said Hai-Bow rising from the ground.

“And why is that?” asked Touya highly annoyed.

“Because I can see my sisters in her and I know you can see yours also Touya. Wouldn’t you have wanted Keiko or Kimmiko to have been saved if they could have been,” said Hai-Bow now assisting Li and the girl up. Touya was struck dumb. Shuichi was about to argue more when Touya spoke.

“Dammit, just get in the car,” said Touya. “But I am driving, we don’t need an entire car full of bums.” With that he got behind the wheel. Li, the girl, and Hai-Bow got in the back. Shuichi took the passenger side and he and Touya threw the animals into the back also.

“Listen,” said Shuichi. “Until we know more about her, we tell her nothing about us.”

“I agree,” said Touya. “I think she still might be a spy, and you two good doers have done enough deeds for the day.”

“Fine, fine,” said Hai-Bow. Li just held the girl tighter and said nothing.

“Li?” asked Shuichi.

“If you deem it best,” said Li softly, but loud enough for the rest to hear him. The dragon and fox were currently curled around their mistress as Cochin examined the girl who had taken his usual spot in the car. He decided that she was a good person like Li. He also cuddled up to her.

“Looks like Cochin likes her,” said Hai-Bow smiling.

“Cochin is a dumb animal that likes anything that will most likely feed him,” said Touya, concentrating hard on driving.

“Yeah, we know how good his taste is, he choose you as a master,” joked Hai-Bow.

“Hai-Bow, please don’t start this again, unless you want another accident,” said Shuichi. Though normally patient, he was extremely annoyed with the happenings of tonight.

“I believe there is a nice Inn up the road a bit,” said Li. He was smoothing the girl’s hair and whispering chants for quick recovery. “It also has a clothing store nearby. We need to buy her a new dress and shoes.”

“Why? I have seen lords with dirtier clothes then her, she can do without.” said Touya.

“Well since we DID hit her and most likely ruined her dress, we SHOULD replace it,” said Hai-Bow trying to remain calm. Dealing with Touya was a tedious and tender task, especially when he was in one of his moods. Though he hate to admit it, when it came to fighting, Touya was damn good at it. Maybe even better then him, but that still didn’t make him any less of a jerk.

“There is that ‘we’ thing again,” muttered Touya. Hai-Bow was about to make a come-back, until he saw the look in Shuichi’s eyes. Fighting with Touya was one thing, but no man willingly ever picked a fight with Shuichi for good reason.

“Since we are taking her in, we might as well clothe her,” said Hai-Bow, trying to sound reasonable.

“Fine, but you two are paying her way,” said Touya.

“Deal,” answered Hai-Bow.

“You people are enough to drive a man to drink,” muttered Shuichi. He would have received the normal comments from the peanut gallery if they hadn’t arrived at the Inn. Touya looked for the only parking space they had and parked the car perfectly. Touya then gave the inn a look over.

“Li, you are way too optimistic,” he said plainly. The inn was nothing more then a large square wooden building with a few windows dotting the place. Also the lights in the windows were of candles or oil lamps. He then noticed the sign. ‘Old Town Inn’. “If I wasn’t in a car, I would believe that this was the past.”

“It is the only Inn in town,” said Li. “And you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. It seems very homey to me.”

“This from a man who grew up in a forest,” muttered Touya. If Li was not such a good dignified person, he would have death glared Touya.

“It is either there or the car Touya,” said Shuichi.

“Fine, I take the place were there might be a bed,” muttered Touya, unhappy with either choice. They left and locked the car. Li had given the girl to the stronger Hai-Bow to carry. The animals followed at Hai-Bow’s heels, with Touya leading the way. They went through the wooden doors. Even though it was a short walk from the car to the Inn, all were soaked by the time they entered. At the front desk was a young smiling woman. She had long honey blonde hair worn in twin braids and a pink dress with a white apron. She had a blue crescent moon on her forehead, so they all knew she was a sorceress.

“Welcome to Old Town Inn, how can I be of service?” she asked, her smile never fading an inch.

“Old Town is right,” said Touya. “Haven’t you guys ever heard of paved streets and the miracle of electricity?” he asked, leaning toward the girl.

“Well this town has a reason for being like this,” she said, smiling more at that thought.

“And what is that?” asked Touya. The others were getting bored. Shuichi wanted to just go and meditate in a room. Li was wanting to find the girl some clothes before the shop closed. And Hai-Bow just wanted to get the girl into a safe place and sleep away the night. When they had gotten out of the car, he finally noticed the dents the dragon and fox had made in it. He knew right now he could care less, but come the girl being fine, he was going to freak out.

“Well, while King Tojukupo was on his way to his coronation, he stopped at this town for a week and claimed it the best and most homey place he had ever been. So since then the town has remained the same to remember the title the King gave us,” she said proudly. It seem the whole town was proud of that honor.

“There is that word homey again,” said Touya. “Just give us four rooms.” He said, reaching in his wallet for some cash.

“I am sorry sir, but all we have is our Royal Suite left,” she said. Touya gave her a glare, which cause her smile to waver. “But it has five bed chambers connected to a parlor with a fire place and was the room King Tojukupo slept in!”

“Listen, I could care less where Tojukupo slept, ate, and shitted. Just give us the damn room,” said Touya. The girl seemed shocked to hear someone not care about Tojukupo, but knew this out of towner did not share her peoples fine history and therefor must be jealous of it. Her smile came back a hundred fold at the pride of her people.

“Of course sir,” she said taking the cash he held out. “How long do you plan on staying?”

“Hopefully just tonight, I don’t think I could stand this place for much longer,” answered Touya. The girl said nothing as she handed him five sets of keys.

“Have a nice night,” she smiled and winked at them as they left to find the suite. Li and Hai-Bow took their keys.

“Listen Touya, can you watch her while we go find her some clothes?” asked Hai-Bow.

“I thought I made it clear she was YOUR responsibility, not mine,” said Touya.

“Please Touya,” said Li. “I know that Shuichi needs some rest since he has had a head-ache for awhile and I could use someone who knows girls to help me pick out some clothes, unless you would like too?”

“I rather watch the brat than shop for her,” muttered Touya as he took the girl from Hai-Bow’s arms.

“Thank-you so much,” smiled Li as he and Hai-Bow went back to the entrance. Touya shifted the girl in his arms. He looked at the ground to see the three animals looking at him.

“Great a brat and a bunch of animals, why do I have to be so lucky,” he said. Shuichi took one of the keys and open the door. He then went to one of the bedrooms and closed the door, faster then you could blink. “And then there was two.” He placed the girl on a chair near the fireplace with already a fire going. Normally during this time a year a fire would be too hot, but with the strangely rainy weather it felt very nice. He still saw the girl was shivering and went to a linen closet nearby and got out an extra thick blanket and threw it on her. Cochin and the other animals had curled up on the rug at the chairs feet. The girl took the blanket and cuddled into the heat which caused an unnatural smile to grace Touya’s face.

“You look just like they did after that snow storm,” he said as he sat in the chair opposite the girl’s. Finally the events of the day caught up with his body and he fell asleep. He open his eyes again to see he was in his old home. He looked outside and saw it was snowing. He was in his family sitting room, right in front of his mother’s antique looking glass that had been in her family for generations. He saw he was in his fourteen year old body. He turned around to see a man that looked like an older him with shorter hair minus the dye throw a fire ball into the grate. Father.

“Going to be a cold one tonight boy,” he laughed. “See you’re a sensible fire youkai, unlike the women in this house. Outside playing in the snow. Even your mother. Sometimes I wonder why I married her.”

“Because you know you love me,” said a black haired women with red eyes, as she entered. She was covered in furs from head to toe that now had a layer of snow on them. She joyfully went up to his father and gave him a kiss on the check. “Really Yue, I am more curious as to why I married you!” she laughed. No matter how long it had been since he had heard it, Touya would always remember his mother’s laugh. Like the sound of crystal bells.

“Mommy, Daddy, you are so funny! Aren’t they niichan?” asked a little girl with black hair and red eyes with an clone next to her. Not a clone, a twin. They were dressed similarly to his mother, but with more snow covering them, especially the back. He knew they had been making snow angels.

“Hilarious,” he stated as he gathered the girls into a hug. He loved his home. So much joy and laughter. The others would have never believed this was him if they ever saw it. He was a joyful person before Tujo came into power. Before the death of his family.

“Great our own children think we are nut cases,” laughed Megumi.

“But that is what keeps us young,” smiled Yue kissing Megumi on the nose. Keiko and Kimmiko had a giggle fit at this, that was broken by yawns.

“Looks like you two could use a nap,” said Touya as he picked them up and put them in a chair. He then put a blanket over them as his parents left to give the girls some quiet.

“Only if you stay with us,” said Keiko as Kimmiko had already fallen asleep. She fell asleep soon after that.

“Always,” answered Touya. With that he awoke back in the Inn room and noticed that Li and Hai-Bow had returned. The girl was still sound asleep.

“Seems Sleeping Beauty has awaken,” joked Hai-Bow.

“You were smiling,” stated Li. “Good dream?”

“Good memory,” answered Touya. “So few of them are good, it is nice to have one.” Shuichi entered the room looking more refreshed then he had.

“So did you find our mystery girl some clothes?” he asked noticing the bag.

“Actually we were able to find her exact dress and shoes,” said Li fishing them out of the package. “Even though this is an old fashion town, they stock new clothes.”

“We almost didn’t make it back here,” laughed Hai-Bow. “Seems that girl at the counter prefers elves to youkai. She kept asking Li to stay with her for awhile.” Hai-Bow laughed at this as Touya gave out a rare chuckle. Li blushed and Shuichi grinded his teeth in anger. He hated when people flirted with Li. Li had known him the longest and was his best friend. He hated people who seemed to think all he was, was a pretty face.

“Should we dress her?” asked Shuichi.

“No,” said Li. “We better let her dress herself. We wouldn’t want her to wake up to four men undressing her, now would we?” He chuckled at that. Although the only woman he had known was his mother, he still thought young girls did not like others seeing them in the nude.

“Guess we wait for her to awaken,” said Shuichi. “And find out more about her. So we know to either kill her or give her to social services.”

“If we must give her away,” said Li, “lets at least wait until the next town or so. I don’t think they would do much for her here, except give her to a farmer in need of extra help around the house.”

“True,” said Shuichi. “But a farmer is better then a murderer. The next few towns over are known for high death rates.”

“Guess the great Tojukupo told those towns they were the most trigger happy place he has ever been and they wish to honor that name,” joked Touya. “I can’t believe these people. Even the palace has electricity.”

“Some people go all out to remain as historical as possible,” said Shuichi. “This isn’t the first I have seen. One place didn’t even have individual houses, but a communal house like they did long before Tojukupo. Said they did since the town had never had an ogre attack or a troll. Seemed to bring them luck.”

“Probably didn’t have any pretty people,” said Hai-Bow. “That is where the ogres and trolls usually attack.”

“Mmmm,” said a strange new voice. The girl in the chair seem to be on the verge of awakening.

“Remember no telling who we are!” whispered Touya and Shuichi together. Just then a pair of innocent sky blue eyes blinked open and looked confused at the Travelers.

“How did I get here?” she asked in a sweet voice.

“We accidently hit you and brought you with us to the local Inn,” said Li gently.

“Oh, so that was what I saw,” she said. “ I am Jodea, who are you?” She innocently looked at Li. Shuichi and Touya glared at him. But Li knew those eyes could belong to no one working for Tujo.

“I am Hikari Li. The blonde is Suin Touya. The red head is Akira Shuichi and the brunette is Shang Hai-Bow,” said Li as Touya and Shuichi smacked their hands to their heads. Trust Li to forget a promise to a pair of innocent eyes.

“Nice going,” said Touya. Shuichi was too upset to talk. He had no tolerance for people who did not keep promises, and never thought Li to be one of them.

“You’re the Travelers?” asked the girl standing up quickly, barely missing the animals. “You’re THE Travelers?!”

“Yes dear,” said Li. “How do you know of that name?”

“You’re the ones I have been looking for, for seven years!” she said very happily. “Hear that Sky and Dawn! We found them!” With that she picked up the dragon and fox and spun around I pure joy.

“Who are you really,” said Shuichi as he drew one of his stars and Touya drew one of his daggers in preparations to fight.

“Oh sorry,” she said brightening her smile. “I guess just my first name isn’t much of an introduction.” With that she drew out the pendent hidden under her dress. In the fire light it glowed brightly. A Silver Phoenix and a Golden Dragon with interlocking tails. The Phoenix had a sapphire for an eye and the Dragon a ruby. But anyone born of high society knew that pendent. Shuichi and Touya instantly dropped their weapons and fell to a kneeling position at her feet. Li and Hai-Bow were shocked. They had never known the others to bow to anyone.

“Who are you child?” asked Li, not looking at her but his friends.

“I am Tojusan Jodea,” she said, “Daughter of Crown Prince Tojageue of Amula and rightful heir to the throne as the Amulet of the Tojusans indicates.” She attempted to puff up her chest, but failed to look regal. “This is Sky, my pet dragon, and Dawn, my pet ancient kitsune,” she said pointing at each in turn. Shuichi and Touya finally rouse.

“My lady,”said Shuichi, taking her hand gently. “Where is your father?”

“I am sorry,” her smile and eyes faded. “He was killed by Tujo seven years ago. The Oracle told me in a dream to find those still loyal to him and according to stories you are the most loyal around. Please help me right the wrongs my uncle has created.” She then got to her knees and released Shuichi’s hand. He backed up to the others to give her some room. “I beg you, please help me.” The all reached for her, but strangely enough Touya got to her first.

“You are going to be Queen,” said Touya. “You are now and have always been a Tojusan. You bow to no one.”

“Does that mean you will help me?” she asked.

“Damn straight!” answered Hai-Bow.

“Of course your majesty,” answered Li.

“It is my duty,” said Shuichi.

“This journey would make little sense if we didn’t help the one we were suppose to,” answered Touya.

“Yay,” she said hugging each of them. “ Finally I have found friends.”

Unknown to the Travelers and Jodea, two people were watching them. One outside their window, plotting on how to kill them and take the Amulet. The other many miles away, looking into a crystal pool, smiling as all of them had finally found each other. Both knowing danger lied ahead for them, but one thinking they would fall and the other knowing they would succeed.