Shaman King Fan Fiction ❯ A Gift of Love ❯ Sour Milk ( Chapter 21 )

Things are going to get weird as Pin-Mei's family starts to get involved. You'll probably scratch your heads and be like “What the ef was that about?”, and I don't blame you. Later, it'll make sense. Trust me on this one.

 

A friend asked me what voice actress I think of when I go over Pin-Mei's dialogue in my head. I joked and said Paku Romi (like her Temari voice), but I seriously think of Yui Makino. She does the voice for Sakura in Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles. It's cute, but not too childish. She really does have a cute voice. Go onto YouTube or something and watch a little bit of the first episode to hear her voice. If you watch about five minutes into the show, you'll even get to hear her say “Niisama”! -squeals-

 

Tip: Pay attention to the promises Ren and Pin-Mei make to each other.

 

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A Gift of Love - Chapter Twenty-One: Sour Milk

 

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

 

“Here.”

 

“What?”

 

“I want you to have this one.”

 

“But I bought them for you.”

 

“Yeah, but I wanted both so I could give one to you.”

 

“Oh.” He looked down at the small porcelain turtledove in her hand, eventually taking it. “Thanks.”

 

She smiled. “You're welcome. This is for until I can buy you a ring. Even then, I want you to have it.”

 

His mouth turned up slightly. “Alright, I promise to take good care of it.”

 

She followed him to his room, where he set the dove on the nightstand. Then they went outside. She sat and watched him with a cooler full of milk bottles beside her.

 

“Why are you developing this technique again?”

 

“What's wrong with just wanting to have something else in your arsenal?”

 

“Nothing I guess…”

 

He turned around to look at her. “Why aren't you practicing your DaDao techniques? You'll never beat me if you just watch me all the time and don't practice.”

 

She frowned. “Because I don't like it.”

 

He stared at her. “You don't like it? So why do you still practice it?”

 

“Suo wanted me to. She wants me to inherit my mother's DaDao that she left behind. She says that she never lost a battle with it, so I have to or I'll be dishonoring my mother's memory.”

 

“So what do you want to learn?”

 

She thought for a moment. “Fans. I like those.” She was silent for a moment. “Hey…”

 

“What?”

 

“Will you show me how to use your Kwan Dao?”

 

He looked at her. “Why?”

 

“Um…what if some bad guy comes and attacks and you're asleep, and your Kwan Dao is the only weapon around? I need to know how to use it in case that happens!”

 

“That's highly doubtful. Besides, we sleep in the same bed, so you'd just have to wake me up, which is an easy and painless thing to do. Unlike you, I don't slap people in my sleep.”

 

She looked at her feet, obviously embarrassed to be put down by logic. “Yeah… you're right.”

 

Ren looked at his weapon. “I guess I'll show you. But only for a few minutes.”

 

Pin-Mei stood up, her face glowing. “Really? Thank you!”

 

He didn't reply. He headed to the armory and got a plastic Kwan Dao and handed it to her.

 

She stared at it blankly. “Why do I get a plastic one?”

 

“Because you're inexperienced, and my other ones would be too heavy for you.”

 

“No they wouldn't!”

 

He held his Kwan Dao over her hand. “Fine, use this one.” He dropped it into her hands.

 

She practically fell to the ground. He chuckled as she struggled to stand, the heavy weapon holding her down. She managed to throw it over her shoulder before promptly falling over. Ren looked down at her dizzy face.

 

“You should listen to me next time.”

 

“Yes sir…” she replied, her eyes spinning.

 

He helped her up and took the Kwan Dao back, throwing it over his shoulder just to show her how easy it was for him to wield. He picked a different one from the rack and turned back to her.

 

“This is the one I used when I was your age. You shouldn't have too much trouble with it.” He dropped it into her hands again.

 

She fell over.

 

He sighed and gave her the plastic one. “You need to work out more. That's pretty pitiful.”

 

She clutched it. “Shut up. It's not my fault.”

 

“It is if you don't even try.”

 

“Not like I can.”

 

“What?”

 

“Never mind.”

 

He narrowed his eyes, then assumed a fighting stance. “Alright, just copy me, okay?”

 

“Okay!”

 

She did, and they went through a couple forms. Things were going well, but Pin-Mei kept dropping her Dao. After the fifth time, Ren stopped and turned to her.

 

“You really ARE clumsy,” he said. She looked ashamed. “Ah well, some things just can't be changed. Just like how some weapons aren't made for you.”

 

She picked the weapon up and got back into her position. “No! I want to do something right for a change. Even if this isn't the weapon for me, I want to be able to use it somewhat.”

 

He studied her, then smiled. “Alright, Dao Dropper, let's continue.”

 

She nodded and they resumed.

 

After an hour, she stopped dropping it.

 

“REN! It's been ten minutes and I haven't dropped it!”

 

He didn't really think this deserved celebration, but her patted her all the same. “Good job.”

 

She hopped excitedly. “I am SO the man! I mean girl…whatever! I just rock!”

 

“You should have chosen this from the start if you like it so much.”

 

She stopped bouncing. “Nah. This is your weapon. If I started learning it now, I'd only be copying you. I'll find my own weapon if I'm ever allowed to stop using the DaDao, even if it ends up being a frozen peach that I chuck at people.” She giggled.

 

“Whatever you say.”

 

She got serious again. “But seriously, thank you. I just like watching you use it. I wanted to see what it was like.” She smiled. “Come on, I brought you some milk.”

 

He grinned. “I know I can always count on you for that.”

 

She blushed and led him over to the porch and handed him a bottle. Then she took one for herself.

 

“Thanks.”

 

“Yup.”

 

As she was about to take a sip, the milk was slapped out of her hand. She watched in horror as it fell and smashed to pieces on the ground, the liquid seeping into the ground.

 

“Lady Pin-Mei! What do you think you're doing?”

 

The couple looked up to see Feng panting as if he had just defeated a horribly strong enemy.

 

“Did you forget or something? You know you can't have milk and things like that!”

 

Ren looked at him curiously. “Why not?”

 

“Lady Pin-Mei is lactose intolerant!”

 

He blinked and looked at her. She had hidden her eyes behind her bangs as she stared at the broken bottle. Feng stood straight and turned to leave.

 

“You'll have to keep an eye on her, Lord Ren. If she dies because of your precious milk, it'll be on your head.” He began walking away. “Honestly, pairing a girl who is lactose intolerant with a boy who drinks milk like water; what on earth was Master Zhang thinking?”

 

Ren watched him until he was no longer visible, then turned his attention to Pin-Mei. His expression was almost angry.

 

“Why didn't you say something? No, why would you even try to drink it if it makes you sick? Did you think I'd be mad or something?”

 

“I'm not lactose intolerant!” she cried clutching the short skirt she was wearing.

 

“What?” He shook his head to clear his mind of her words. “You don't have to lie about it! I don't care if you are, so don't be a fool and kill yourself over it!”

 

“I'm not lactose intolerant!” she yelled again. She picked up her head and stared at him in the eye. “I'll prove it to you.”

 

She strolled over to the cooler to take another bottle and quickly opened it, throwing the cap away angrily.

 

“Hey, wait! Stop it!” he cried and tried to take it from her. She only jerked it away from him, causing some of it to spill. She took a few steps back before chugging it and placing the bottle on the ground. They stood and waited for the milk to take effect.

 

All of a sudden, Pin-Mei's eyes rolled back and she fell forward. He stepped in to catch her.

 

“Pin-Mei you idiot!” he cried.

 

Pin-Mei stood up quickly with a little bounce. “Just kidding.” She winked and stuck out her tongue. He stared at her, dumbfounded.

 

“Are you really okay?”

 

“Of course.”

 

“But then…why would they insist that you're LIT if you aren't?”

 

She sat down, her head resting on her right hand. “Just another think my grandmother wants to control. Just another freedom I don't have.”

 

Ren frowned. “Why does she do things like this?”

 

She pretended to be busy looking at her fingernails. “I don't know. Maybe because she hates me.”

 

“Why would she hate you?”

 

Pin-Mei was silent, then stood to go into the house. She stopped in the doorway, but didn't turn around.

 

“Because I killed her daughter.”