The Will of Fire

29...The Villages Hidden in the Sky

Jared, Tristin, Luisa, Hanzo, Natsu and Mai ascended into the air. They floated on boards of rock created by Natsu. They went up through many clouds, getting higher and higher from the ground.
"It would help if you all didn't look down." Hanzo laughed.
Jared, Tristin and Luisa were worried sick.
"I hate heights. Oh my goodness!" Luisa said squeezing her eyes closed tight after looking down.
"You sure these are stable?" Jared asked.
"As long as you don't move your feet. I'm controlling these with my power energy, remember that. If you try and steer these on your own, you'll fall off. You all aren't expert boarders like me, Hanzo and Mai. They can control theirs. Even Hana." Natsu explained.
Hana barked in agreement, while doing spin tricks on her board. Maxi quickly got the hang of it as well and followed Hana.
Mai floated closer to Hanzo.
"So. Just not talking to me now?" Mai asked.
"I don't know what you're talking about, Mai. Me and you are fine." Hanzo responded.
"Doesn't feel like it" Mai replied. "You know, I'm glad you're happy. I'm glad you have a kid now and engaged to Kikyo. But what does that mean for us? We're teammates. We have to talk to eachother and be around eachother. Kikyo can't stop that."
"You're right. That's why we're on this mission together. Talking and around eachother." Hanzo said sarcastically.
"You act like Kikyo didn't say what she said about me. You didn't even defend me. I'm not just some cheap whore, we dated, Hanzo. Suddenly she comes around again and you push me to the side. I thought we were at least friends. You've never treated me like this until Kikyo came back around..." Mai said.
Hanzo sighed heavily.
"We're teammates, Mai. The past is the past. The present is what we live in." He said, floating away from Mai.
"Why is it so cold!?" Tristin shouted, holding his arms.
"You'll get used to it, unlike Hanzo, Luisa and Jared. Their inner fire is keeping them warm I'm sure." Natsu said.
"The higher you are in the air, the colder the temperature. Didn't you learn that in school, dork?" Luisa said.
"Very funny, Luisa. I should've known. I am the only one who graduated highschool. You two are dropouts now." Tristin laughed.
Jared said nothing, and his face was stone.
"Natsu Sensei, think you can hover us over to Jared?" Tristin asked.
Tristin and Luisa were carried over to each side of Jared.
"You're thinking about her, aren't you?" Tristin asked.
Jared gave no response.
"I can't believe she did you like that. I'll kick her ass when I see her again, okay?" Luisa said.
Jared still gave no response.
Ten more minutes had passed and the gang finally arrived, floating through thick fluffy clouds.
"Sora Village is right there in front of us guys! Prepare for landing!" Natsu shouted.
"Woah, look at the size!" Luisa said.
"I can't believe it's actually just floating. So cool!" Tristin said.
The gang reached their mark and landed their boards.
"Look at this place. It's beautiful." Tristin said.
"It's definitely more up to date than Japan." Luisa said.
"Here are some things you need to know about Sora and Kumo" Hanzo said. "Sora is where the Tengoku Palace is stationed. Lord Shouken resides there with his wife, Lady Shinta. They also have a son, Prince Sesshomaru."
"Prince Sesshomaru has to at least be eighteen by now." Mai said.
"Kumo is full of Cloud Runners belonging to the Wind Types" Natsu said. "Cloud Runners originated in Japan, but slowly made their way to Sora. They branched off and created their own village under Lord Shouken's rule known as Kumo. They serve as protectors of the Kami-Omo race. Cloud Runners are marked with the sign known as the Kumo no shinboru, which means Cloud Symbol. Cloud Runners can not fly, but can propel high into the sky by releasing wind under their feet and running on top of the clouds to stay afloat. Cloud Runners are noted to be the fastest of the runners, being able to run at 20,000mph while in the air. They can call clouds forth, literally pulling them from the sky by using the technique "Kumo no inori" which means Cloud Prayer."
"They can also create their own clouds by creating fluffy winds mixed with the moisture in the air" Hanzo said. "Clouds are treated as solids to Cloud Runners, being the only beings able to touch and grab them. Some can even ride one like a board."
"They sound so cool." Luisa said.
"They're very loyal to the Kami-Omo. Especially Lord Shouken. We have to approach him correctly. Not even I want to go toe to toe with any Cloud Runner or Kami-Omo." Hanzo said.
The gang walked through Sora Village. All of the village people wore similar colored clothes. White, black, red and gray. They all had very diverse skin tones as well, something different from the paler residents of Japan. Some darker toned, some a caramel complexion, and some even a perfect tan. Some of them walked around, but most flew around. Even kids flew.
"They can all fly?" Jared asked.
"All Kami-Omo's can fly from birth." Said Mai.
"Tengoku Palace isn't that far from here" said Hanzo. "Let's not make too much ruckus. The people of Sora and Kumo are nice but will definitely be able to tell we're outsiders."
The gang walked by a series of people who all slightly side eyed them. After about seven minutes, the gang reached Tengoku Palace. It definitely was hard to miss. It's beauty captivated everyone.
"Well, here we are. Tengoku palace." Hanzo said.
They all walked up the white stone steps in the beautiful green grass. They arrived at the main door of the palace when they were quickly approached by a man and a woman.
"Who are you all?" Asked the woman.
"Why are you near the palace like that? Get lost." followed the man.
The man had brown toned skin and woman was slightly tan. Both had white-blonde hair, but the woman's hair hung straight and long to her waist.
"We mean no harm. We are from Hakuchō Village in Japan, sent by Queen Teikuya herself. We are here to speak with Lord Shouken." Hanzo said.
"Queen Teikuya? Teikuya is not a queen. King Tskune is head of Japan." said the man.
"King Tskune...he has died in battle" Hanzo said. "Please, allow us to speak with Lord Shouken. It is ordered by our Queen."
"King Tskune is dead?...my condolences. Yes, follow us please." said the woman.
Those two. They're Cloud Runners. Their foreheads are marked with sign of a cloud like I learned about.
Everyone followed the man and woman into the palace where they were greeted by a woman who sat on a throne.
"Lady Shinta, we have visitors from Hakuchō Village in Japan who wish to speak with Lord Shouken at once." said both of them at once.
"Thank you, Santo. Itsumi." said Shinta.