Surgimorphs

Chapter Six: The Emerging Flower

(Sukura)

I was on the roof of the apartment building and I had brought the sword with me. It was currently early morning and the sun had barley managed to peak over the clouds. The day was gray and a promise of rain was in the air.

Using the sword I carefully nicked the palm of my hand and watched the blood flow from the cut. Within its depths cherry blossoms stirred. I willed them to form a circle around me and the flow of blood breifly increased as a ring of red breifly surrounded me before it solidified into cherry blossoms and the cut on my hand knitted itself shut.

The cherry blossoms sent questing tendrils of vines that wrapped around my outstretched paws and the mental link formed. Seems I need to actually touch them in order to talk to them. I thought to myself before their mental presence filled my mind.

You called? They asked their mental tone dry. I couldn't help but giggle a little. Yes I did. I wish to learn how to defend myself using you.

They seemed to chew that over and while I waited for their answer I failed to notice the calm measured footsteps behind me. When I felt a paw on my shoulder I rolled forward and came back up facing them with the sword at the ready. The ring of cherry blossoms raised up like a coiling snake before I recognized Luxray behind me. I sighed and eased my stance. 

He looked at me with a raised eyebrow and said " Not quick on the uptake are you?" "Its not nice to sneak up on people Luxray. Your lucky I waited to see who you were." I fumed silently.

He held up his paws peacfully "I'm sorry" I sighed and shook my head to clear it. "Its ok man no harm done." For the next few mins I focused on calming my rapdily beating heart and once I succeeded I smiled at Luxray.

"Sorry for snapping at you." I said watching the concrete. "I just noticed you heading up to the roof and so I got worried so thats why I followed you. Whats the story behind the sword?"

I smiled softly. "I'll tell you over a cup of green tea." Luxray smiled and nodded leading the way inside.

 When we got to the kitchen he got the water ready and dropped in some tea bags. When it finished brewing he brought me my steaming mug and I took a carefull sip.

"Tastes like peaches" I said and he nodded. "Yep its one of my favorites." I took a few moments to enjoy the tea and then said "The reason behind the sword is that last time we used the hub we got transported to the headquaters of the Movement."

Here Luxray gasped and then shook his head as if to clear it. I continued "We were disoriented and so I activated my power. Within seconds we were shot at and then I let the flowers unleash hell.My stomach was turning somersalts at this point and I hastily put down the tea and took a few deep breaths.

"What do you mean unleash hell?" He asked cuatiously. I looked him straight in the eyes. I'm pretty sure you know what I mean. But thats not all. Some dude attempted to mind control me. I don't know how it works and I really don't care. It didn't work as it seems I can use the flowers as a mental defense as well. Anyway I beheaded him and then we managed to escape."

I finished my story and waited several minuets in silence waiting for my stomach to settle and forcibly trying to remain calm. I felt arms grab me from behind and then I smelled Pengu and relaxed into them. "It will be ok Sukura. Just let it go." I smiled softly and looking up I saw Luxray's eyes dancing as he watched us.

He put a finger to his lips and winked at us before walking away. I turned in the arms that held me using my tails to put the sword against the bar. "So where were you earlier this morning? I looked for you when I got up but couldn't find you." I leaned back against the bar but the audible sounds of my tails wagging and hitting the wood behind betrayed my happiness.

"I was up on the roof talking to my flowers. Seems they are alive enough to think and act for themsevles. I was going to train with them but then Luxray showed up. I guess you were listening to our little conversation a few minuets ago."

The black wolf nodded then seemed to realize that he was still holding me. He jumped back and blushed feircly. "I-I'm sorry"  "Its fine Pengu, I rather enjoyed it." He blushed an even brighter red before asking. "What do you feel like doing today?"

I shrugged and said "I don't know. I really don't have any other plans." He nodded and said "Want to head out to the park and maybe catch a movie?" he asked so quietly I almost didn't hear him.

"Sounds like fun Pengu. Let me grab a few things from my room and then lets head out. Would you like to have lunch while we are out?" I asked making my way to my room to hunt down my wallet and cell phone. "Sounds good to me." he said.

I joined him on the steps and we jogged around the block to the park. During the jog I took the time to observe my companion. The way he moved as he jogged had entranced me and I found myself unable to look away.

I heard footsteps on the path behind us and I glanced back. It was a human in regular jogging clothes. Something seemed to be off though and i couldn't put my finger on it. I frowned slightly and moved to Pengu's side.

As I did so movement at the edge of my vision make me turn my head to notice another jogger. Again something seemed to be off about them. I spoke so softly that only Pengu should have been able to hear me.

"Pengu I think we are being followed. Just act normal and keep jogging. At the next corner we will increase our speed."

Pengu twitched his ear and when the corner came up we both took off in a burst of speed. The pace was punishing for both of us but we kept it up as we rounded the next two corners in record time. We puased for a break and I scanned the area behind us.

The two joggers from before seemed to have been left behind. I didn't buy it thought. It was to easy to escape. I did a quick glance all around us looking to see if there was a waiting car or something that stuck out.

Nothing did and I turned to my fellow furry. "I'm sorry to interuppt our day but I think we should get out of hear. Something doesn't feel right here."

Pengu was catching his breathe and as he straightened up he said " Ok but you owe me a movie night then."

I grinned and nodded "It would be my pleasure." I reached for his paw and held it as we walked to the main street and headed back to the house.

(Lucious)

"The fox is observant I'll give him that." I said aloud as I lowered the binoculars from my face. My second in command glanced at me. "I say we should try to force them into a confrontation. I want to know how well they can fight."

I nodded and stroked my chin as I thought about it.

A/N: Seems Sukura and Pengu are under going the Evaluation of Lucious the leader of The Protectorate. What Situation will he devise in order to test the fox and the wolf? Turn to the next chapter to find out.