Seal of Life

Chapter 3

Life was good, sure from time to time the reborn modern girl part of me, missed the benefits of technology such as my laptop, but the new world I occupied was one filled with excitement.

There was always something new I could learn, and as always even from the life I led before, I basked in knowledge. It was this thirst to know more that shattered the illusion that I had once called a new world.

"Ah, It's so hot today!" Ayumi flopped down on the floor sweat rolling off her face in droplets.

"Well, it is called the Land of Fire for a reason." Another girl deadpanned eyebrow raised.

"But Sera, it's boiling, only the Land of Wind should be this hot!" I giggled as the older girl rolled dramatically on the floor as Sera rolled her eyes.

Today we were hidden within the confines of the shaded Yukaku as the sun beat down on every being who dared step outside. Currently, I sat back pressed against wonderfully cool wood my book of Fuinjutsu in my hands watching the two older girls interact.

Akihiko and Chihiro had decided to go down to the river today under the watchful eye of Okaa-san. I had just recovered from a high fever and was still a little under the weather unable to join them, so Ayumi and Sera had volunteered to keep me company.

"Ah, Ayumi-neesan why is the Land of Wind hotter than the Land of Fire? That doesn't make much sense." I questioned blinking my eyes blearily, the sickness still had me feeling drowsy, and the heat was doing nothing to combat that.

"It'd because the Land of Wind only has wind," Ayumi answered nodding her head in assuredness.

"Uhh.." I struggled to connect the statement to my question.

"That's not right at all Ayumi-chan!" Sera said alarmed, "Don't confuse Hitomi-chan with your weird thoughts."

"Ehh, but that's what Eiichiro told me!" Ayumi eyes widened in genuine shock as Sera huffed.

"You listen to whatever drivel comes out of that fruit sellers mouth, even when he has no idea."

As Ayumi clamored to defend her longtime crush, I turned my attention to Sera. Unlike Ayumi who was delicate and fair, Sera was elegant with a certain air of superiority around her. She was severe and easily exasperated by what she called "childish antics." Along with Ayumi, she had been a frequent caretaker of mine as a baby, and I held fond memories of both of them.

Ignoring Ayumi with cool grace Sera turned to me, "The reason the land of Wind is hotter than Fire Hitomi-chan is that Wind is incapable of doing anything more than cutting away at life."

"Oh, so there are no trees or life, so it exposes everything to the sun." I nodded in understanding

Sera gave a small smile, "Correct, while the wind is only capable of bringing a brief reprieve to heat, fire provides a long-term solution by creating a life of its own. Fire lets new trees grow by germinating the seeds and provides warmth for animal life."

"Ah Sera to many big words, now who's trying to confuse Hito-hime!" Ayumi accused with a scowl, which looked more like a pout.

"Don't be absurd Ayumi, Hitomi-chan is quite capable of understanding my vocabulary with all the reading she does, Yuki-Obasan says she is almost completely literate now." Sera scoffed at the younger girl.

"Ah, that's not true," I blushed fiddling with the pages of my book, "Yuki-obasan says my kanji needs a little more work."

"Aww, Hito-hime you're so adorable when you're embarrassed!" Ayumi cooed making her way towards me to pinch my cheeks.