The Journal of A Fox

Yoru and Kaede (my ryooshin)

2006-07-25T11:09:00.000-07:00

Currently Playing: "Movie" by The Birthday Massacre

Alright, so it looks like it's time for another subsection post. This one, though, causes my heart to ache, because it shows two people who were very important in my life, but were never able to really share in it with me. Aa, in this post the pictures that I put up are those of my okaasan and otousan. My mother was the light angel who fell from Joukai in order to live the life she wished with my father. Who was a kitsune from the Makai realm.

My okaasan possessed the ability to manipulate light. In other words she controlled the element of Light. And my otousan was able to control the element of Earth, he was clever and wise, and extrememly smart. Yet, he, like my mother gave up his life in Makai to descend to Ningenkai to live his chosen life with her. They were deeply in love, and would do anything for each other, as well as for their child..-Weak smile.- I do not know much about my ryooshin, though, I possess memories of them, vague, and simple, but I know to treasure them.

I would..give anything to see them again..At least one last time..-Wipes a tear from eyes.-

Signing out. Ja matte ne..

Malevolent Structures 003: A Dark Descent

2006-07-24T03:45:00.000-07:00

Currently Playing: Nightmare - Jashin To Bara

"I hear the clock of Destiny ticking time away. With secrets revealed we begin our dark descent."

Ne, so things have gotten a little bit hectic now. Now Kira knows about the secret that even I did not know until nearly the very last moment. And we both new secrets about Max and Jake, more-so Jake then Max, since nothing the spybot had to say about her was new. We knew all of that, or at least as much as he revealed we already knew. So this is where things begin to heat up, and I think we're reaching something close to the final confrontation with this whole thing, or maybe..maybe this is all but just the beginning.

I find it hard to believe that a bunch of loopy scientists, and researchers would pose as our main opponents in this bizarre war that just so happened to fall into our laps; or that was rather bestoed into our hands. All I know is that things are going to be tense for a while, and it is going to take a while before we can even begin to hope for things to get back to the normal peace we all once knew, and had. Although, it really wasn't normal to begin with..-Sweatdrops.- Anyways, okay so now I'm rambling, and that's not something any of you want to hear..So let's continue were we last left off..

Kira delivered her challenge in her last words to our oppressor. Kerana, managed then to take control from Youka, and her expression was one of shock, and surprise. Her pale gold eyes were wide, and clear; emotion capable of being plainly seen on her face. Though, the doctor didn't seem too surprised, or shocked at Kira's words, and rather actually appeared quite bemused, shall we say? He just looked at the ravenhaired girl with lecherous eyes, and Kerana absentmindedly reached out to grasp her own wrist. Keeping her gaze adverted in shame. Kira, however, glanced back at her.

"You know, I would never had expected a hikari to feel guilt-ridden," said my friend kindly, a small smile on her lips. "I mean, I guess I would expect them to feel ashamed for some things, since from my understanding a yami doesn't give a damn, but still.."

"Still what?" asked Kerana.

"I guess that it would make sense, after all."

"Because the only emotions that a yami feels are negative. More-so anger, and destructive emotions? Loathing?"

Kira shrugged. "Yeah, something like that."

My hikari didn't say much to that, and just nodded meekly. Before drawing her attention back towards our captor, who still seemed to remain as calm as ever. "So, what will you do now?" asked the scientist with a level tone of voice.

"Where are Jake and Max being held?" asked Kerana cautiously. She was choosing her words carefully, and implementing a tone unto her voice that hid her truest intentions. The hikari was making the scientist believe that he still pocessed the upper hand, and that there was nothing that they could do, even if he had decided to tell them the whereabouts of our friends. Though, that wasn't the case at all, in all actuality, the pale pink-haired girl had already planted a seed somewhere near the spybot. There, it waited until further direction, waiting to bloom, and to subvert our foe.

But was our foe oblivious to her contrivance? That was hard to tell, for he remained quite unresponsive to her question. Kira glanced at Kerana, and met her gaze before nodding, and then slipping to sit on the ground. She brought her knees to her chest and leisurely threw her arms atop them. "Well, it's not like we're going to be able to get out of here. So what harm could be done in disclosing their holding area(s)?" She was purposely playing dumb, to throw the machine off of any suspicions he may have had on the hikari.

The robot glanced between the two girls, and Kira was worried that maybe he might have caught onto something. Though, when he turned away from them, and the mechanical spider turned his back to his prisoners both girls gave soundless sighs of relief. The scientist was stroking his chin again in contemplation. "Aa, I suppose that it wouldn't hurt. Since, it is quite impossible that you could escape this holding cell. However.." there was a bitter pause, and Kira's heart raced again. "You did managed to overcome Yami's dark dome, now didn't you? And he was an original maker of these handy little--beneficiaries.."

"Youe know his name?!" said Kira surprised, and Kerana shot her a warning glance from across the way. "Oops.." My hikari slapped herself in the forehead, and just as the robot turned around to face the dark-haired girl, she waved her hand, and the seed erupted into a viney conception of plants. Which wrapped around the spybot, scrambling any distress signals, and silencing the doctor's speaker. With a triumphant look in her eyes, the ravenhaird girl leapt to her feet, and sauntered over to the once captor, as around her the dark dome began to ebb away. Placing her hand on her lips she leaned down leering at the robot.

"Now who holds the upper hand?" She smirked, and then transfigured a fireball in her hand. "How about this, you tell us their whereabouts anyways, and I might consider leaving this scrap heap of metal to your further studies? Since, well in all honesty, once we blow this popsicle stand, you're going to need at least something to work on, ne?" The hologram said nothing, and just looked at Kira with an expression akin to anger, surprise, and fear. "No? Well..all right then.." She prepared to attack, and the scientist held up his hands in surrender. Then the hologram changed revealing a map, and twin red Xs that must have been Jake and Max's holding cells. They weren't being kept together, but rather in separate holding cells, in nearly complete opposite ends of the facility.

Kira grinned maliciously at the robot, before saying to Kerana. "Did you convert that to memory, foxy?"

All my hikari did was nod softly, and then Kira's eyes flashed dangerously as she brought the orb of fire down. The attack collided head-on with the machine, and there was a minor explosion as the thing sporadically combusted. Sparks shooting into the air from a completely totaled automaton. Pulling her hand free of the melted alloy, she stepped back looking at Kerana. "Let's go."

As with a speed that only we could muster, we made our way through the research facility. From the upper floors into the lower, around corners, down hallways. Battling the badguys as we went, until we at long last came to the holding chamber that Kerana had converted to memory. As also, at this moment in time my main personality seemed to have reobtained control, and as I followed my friend through the floors to our other friend. I had to grimace every now and then at the percision of her strikes, and ever in they were right on the mark, and she missed, she would at least manage to injure the enemy at least in a minor sense. Though, it was the much more percise attacks that made my stomach queasy, and as such I tended to just dodge the guards as best as I could. And if I had to attack, my blows were simply, and not life threatening.

When we at long last reached the holding place, Kira took out the four watchmen guarding the area. And then hurried over to the cell, were her crimson eyes befell an exhausted Max. Her body again was marred with cuts, bruises, and what I presumed were injection sights. Albeit, when she saw us her emotionless eyes lit up, and she even managed a small smile as she leaned heavily against the wall of her cell. Kira was eyeing the cell, and trying to figure out the simplest, and quietest way to free her, but in the end settled on simple lockpicking. Once Max was freed, Himitsu rushed in to catch her as she nearly collapsed against the ground. I, on the other hand was looking at the computers, and converting their research to my photographic memory; or at least what remained of it now..

"Hey, Fox, mind if you give me a hand?" asked Kira breaking through my tranze of thought, and memorization. "Max won't be able to escape from here in this condition. Time to work your magick, fox-girl." Shaking my head, I turned around, and walked into the cell wrapping Max's other arm around my shoulders, and helping Himitsu help her onto one of the nearby chairs. An while I focused on healing her, Kira kept a watchful eye on the camera screens, and the door. At long last, though, Max was pretty much fully healed, and we prepared to make our exit. Well aware of the obstacle course that awaited us in our leave. Max, had picked up her twin daggers from one of the research tables, and twirled them in her hands, sheathing them.

Kira then looked up at one the surveilliance cameras, and saw all the watchmen. We all waited for a moment longer until they began to pile into the room, and then Himitsu glanced at each of us with a cool grin on her face. Her bloodred eyes sparkling in the irridesent light of the holding chamber. What happened next was kind of a blur, all I really remember was Max, and Kira leaping forwards at about the same time Max unseathing her blades, and then Kira, grinned mischieviously, and thrust her hands forewards creating a complete katana from shadow, but they had solidified enough that it looked like an actual blade, just--darker. I heard moans, and gasps of the guards as my two friends took them down, and then the three of us rushed through the door, continuing on our way threw the facility in search of Jake.

Though, when we came close enemies came at us from most every which-way. Max, and Kira attacked as best as they could, but they just kept coming. Until finally Max called out for us to retreat, Kira argued yelling "what about Jake?!"

"We'll have to come back! There's too many of them!" cried Max disdainfully. She didn't want to do this, but the scientists, and guards were beginning to leave us with no other alternative.

"Are you sure about this?!" called Kira.

"No, but I also know that we have no choice!" replied my other friend, and I felt my heart tighten. Which was probably me channeling her emotions. "Fox!!" yelled Max over the assault of gunfire, moans, groans, and the collision of bodies in hand-to-hand combat. "Do you think you can clear a way out for us?!"

I had no choice but to nod, although silently. As with what strength I could gain I shifted my foot back, and slowly turned on my heel, hand outstretched. The watchmen, and scientists behind me lunged, and tried to restrain me, but in doing so I had manage to shoot a streamer of green at them. The plant cut through my attackers, shoving them aside, and leaving them to nursing their wounds. "This way!" I called. "Hurry!!" My two friends turned on their heels, and sprinted after me as we made haste. Running, and running. Running and attacking, and then running some more, until we at long last broke through the last barrier of people, and burst out into the open courtyard of them facility.

We stopped momentarily to catch our breath, and then Kira asked. "Which way now?"

Max pointed to the southeast. "That way."

Behind us, we could hear shouts, and more gunfire. Which was more than enough of an incentive to get us running again, and we kept running until we were far, far away from that awful place. We kept running until we came to the cemetary where we all collapsed. Max bowed her head placing her hands on her knees, and Kira's chest was rising and falling rapidly. Every one of us were covered in sweat, and in Max, and Kira's case minor cases of blood and splattered sedation fluid. After we took a few moments to rest up, we finally were able to sit down and talk. Kira approached Max on the issues concerning Jake, and his--strange heritage, and then my run-in with Markus got brought up, which shocked Max, but at the time of it's revelation, Kerana had taken control to verify an questions that Max, or Kira might have had.

Max, didn't know much about Jake's heritage, but she did admit that she knew that he was a genticially enhanced human-being, similar, but yet not the same as her. So the two talked about that for a while, while I just kind of sat off to the side of the shrine. We had decided to take our conversation inside the edifice, just in case someone was passing by, and overheard. Every now, and then though, Kira would bring up my assailant Markus, and then she'd break out into some outburst of another on how she was going to kill the bastard. Kerana just listened quietly, not saying much.

Finally it got late enough, and all of especially Kira's unspent energy was spent; we laid down, and went to sleep. My dreams that night, though, were those of dark sentiment that warped easily into nightmares so I wasn't able to keep control. And again Kerana took care of the matter, helping to ease my body into sleep, and burying anything that I might have learned about the rape, or the fact that this was MPD. She didn't care so much for the medical part of things; meaning with her and Youka, I was allowed to keep my memories of them, but of anything else that I may, or may not have known/learned Kerana sealed away. Her, and Youka got into it that night, an argument taking place somewhere inside my weary subconsciousment. But I was so lost to sleep, and sheer exhaustion that I wasn't even aware of their--disagreement..

Welcome to my life. A place, where darkness dances with the light..

Malevolent Structures 002: Tipping the Scales

2006-07-23T23:50:00.000-07:00

Currently Playing: Gackt - RETURNER

Okay, so I know it's kind of pointless to put in an introductory part, and many of you are probably just wanting me to continue on with my life story. Albeit, I can't just leap into the next part, as much as I would like to, and as much as you'd all like me to as well. It just doesn't fit, or seem right, because then it sounds like a story, instead of--well, okay, so this is 'technically' a story. My life's story, but hopefully at least some of you get what I mean. vn.nv;; Anyhow, so what's going on now is that we broke into the research facility. I began to have problems with my alters, and ended up surrendering control first to Kerana, and then Youka decided to but it..She tends to do that a lot.

-Light sigh.- Anyhow, so alright. In this part of my recollection, Kira meets and speaks with Kerana. The secret that she had kept hidden so long from me, is revealed courtesy of the asshole who's apart of the robot, and also we learn a few rather interesting things about Max's boyfriend, Jake. Gomen, I know now it sounds like I'm doing a playwright or something, but honestly I'm not. vn.nv; This just needed some form of an introduction, and this was the best I could come up with. Maybe it'll be better in the next..Gomen..

Kira looked to the spybot one more time. "You have got to be kidding me."

Kerana snapped control from Youka in that moment. "I'm afraid not.."

Himitsu seemed to note the change in my voice from Youka's harsh high-and-mighty one, to a much more calmer, and gentler one. She glanced at Kerana. "Who the hell are you, now?"

Kerana sighed softly, almost meekly. "I am Kerana Sakamoto. Sakuuya's other self, I suppose you could say. Youka is her darkness, and I am her light, so to speak."

"Yeah," said Kira raising her eyebrows. "I got that much. I'm just glad you aren't a royal bitch, or pain-in-the-ass like she was. I think that I can actually have a civil conversation with you. Provided we had the time."

The hikari nodded. "Aa, but unfortunately now we have much more pressing issues at hand.." She cast a wary glance upon the spybot, and the monogram he was giving off. Almost as if she were sizing them up, or observing them in a tactical manner; she tilted her head a bit watching the mechanical spider closely, and very carefully.

"Okay, so what's your brilliant plan on how to handle this guy?" asked Kira breaking the momentary silence.

"Does she even have one?" interjected the spybot.

"Alright, I've had enough of the head games already," cried Kira in near-outrage. "Just shut the hell up! Damn you!" She glared at the robot with livid red eyes. Kerana, however, remained unwavering as she watched her potential foe with a cautious gaze. A straight forwards expression, until the spybot got bored, and began to talk about further experimentation, and sexual affairs. While he spoke on them, Kerana's gaze tended to flicker, and yet she refused to give into his mockery. Kira, on the other hand, didn't seem very capable of holding her own. Something that my hikari had to shake her head at, and at the same time wondering what I honestly saw in her as a friend.

But then she remembered earlier occurences in which Kira put her own self on the line, in a means to protect me. And so her wanderings ceased there, as she returned to watching the spybot circle the room.

"So what are you going to do?" sniped Kira to their oppressor. "Are you going to make this any bit more entertaining, or are we going to have to endure your consistent, and yet rather irritating droll?" Which became apparent that she was beginning to loose whatever bit of reserve she had ever held.

"Oh, there are a number of things of interest to you that I could go on about," answered the mechanial spyder. "Who would you like me to start with? How about your sweet friend there?" The robot swiveled around so that it faced my hikari, and the color drained from her face. Her own composure faultering just slightly. Kira glanced at the machine with a look akin to disgust.
"I don't think that I even want to know. Especially from scum like you," shot Kira angrily.

"Oh? But aren't you the least bit interested in why she's the way that she is?" asked the robot levelly. "Don't you want to know why she has a two alter egos? One, who is the purest of the pure, and the other the darkest of the dark?" The hologram's eyes glinted eerily.

Kerana overcame her sudden freeze, and took step towards the spybot. Though, she stopped holding a balled hand to her chest, pale eyes reflecting some form of deep emotion. Himitsu spun on her heel to glance at the hikari. "Kerana, what's he talking about?" asked my friend quietly.
"You are aware of the fact that she has MPD, ne?" asked the scientist coldly, causing Kerana to flinch.

Kira rounded on the machine. "Ya know, it wouldn't kill you to shut your goddamn mouth for five minutes." Her eyes were livid, though when she looked back at Kerana her expression was softer. My hikari sighed softly, glancing aside.

"And let's not forget that in order for the disease to take place, some form of extreme trauma must take place," said the hologram a smirk forming on his transparent lips.

Again Kira turned to face him with a glare. "I know that much, you idiot."

"Ah, but do you know that most cases are caused from severe sexual abuse at a young age?" asked the machine. Kira's eyes blazed with a brilliant crimson anger.

"I thought I told you to shut the hell up."

"You did," said our captor. "But you'll find that I don't listen very well, unless it benefits me in--some way."

"You're sick," said Kira.

"He's a doctor, what the hell did you expect?" I said bitterly, my own identity shining through. Kira did a double-take, though, when she looked back it wasn't my face she saw, but Kerana's once more.

"Did you just shift on me?" asked Kira blinking in surprise.

"Maybe?"

Kira glanced at her, looking her up and down. "Right, anyways.."

"So, did you want to know the rest of the story, my dear?" asked the spybot.

"Not exactly, but do I honestly have a fucking choice?" snapped Kira irritably.

The scientist glaned idly at the sky, moving his hand just slightly as if to grasp a fleeting thought. "Iie, I suppose that you don't."

Kerana looked to our captor with frightened eyes. "I..I can't handle this.." As in the next moment Youka had sanpped control back with a smirk.

"Lookie who's back. Miss me, love?"

"Fuck you," said Kira acrimoniously.

Youka just chuckled coldly from where she stood across the way. She leaned back against the wall, and just observing the surroundings. "So," said the yami. "When do the painful injections, and seering shocks begin?"

"Will you shut up," sniped Kira eyes reflecting sheer ire.

"Nande? Don't you want to hear about little Sakuuya's past?" Youka smirked again. "I'm sure you're dying to know what it is that she's hidden from you, and pretty much the world all these years, ne? But then again..she doesn't really remember it, now does she?" A cruel smile curled itself around her lips.

"Repressed memories?" asked Kira slightly intrigued.

"Good guess," said Youka viciously. "You catch on quick."

Kira narrowed her eyes into a harsh glare.

"Girls, have you forgotten about me?" asked the robot with satirically.

"Oh no, of course we haven't," said Youka mockingly. "I just find myself much more capable of telling her. Nothing against you, of course." There was a dark glint in her eyes.

"I see.." said the hologram. "Then by all means do. I can observe both your reactions then. To think that I was given the change to work on such--unique specimen."

Kira turned her rage onto the robot, a fireball appearing in her hands. She prepared to throw the attack at our oppressor, but then stopped.

"What's the matter, firefly? Finally realize what I have?" mocked the yami. Though, Kira said nothing, and her gaze remained on the spybot.

"What do we have to do, to get out of here?"

"Wrong question, dear," said Youka.

Kira, however, kept her eyes on the hologram. "What do you mean by 'unique specimens'?"
The scientist placed a hand to his chin, stroking it as if lost in thought. "Alright, if you insist. I'll tell you," a cold smile flickered on his lips. "For one, I know exactly what each of you are, and just how much of complete opposites you, and your friend are. I know that you, Kira, are a half fallen angel/half fire demon, and I know that the original Sakuuya is a half light angel/half fox demon. You, Kira, control fire and darkness. The original Sakuuya controls earth and light."

Kira's eyes narrowed. "Point being just what, exactly?"

"Exactly that. How different the two of you are, and yet--you are the best of friends. As for your other two friends, they aren't nearly as interesting as the two of you. I've been dealing with their sort of years, it's nice to have a change of pace like this." The ravenhaired girl crossed her arms across her chest.

"Well, someone's certainly done their homework. What else do you know?"

Our captor's gaze then lingered onto Youka. "I know that the original Sakuuya suffers from a case of Dissociave Idenity Disorder due to the rape she endured at the hands of a one Markus Fujiwara. The one alter, Kerana, is her protector. So when the event happened, I would assume that she took control immediately, in order to seal the pain of the memory away. As for the second alter, Youka, she may or may not care for Sakuuya. She hates her for being weak, and allowing the body to be taken advantage of in such a way. So she exists solely to create a hell-on-earth for the original.

As for you, my young friend," his gaze lingered onto kira. "I know that your mother was an angel who fell from Heaven simply for falling in-love with your father, who was a fire demon. Most of her abilities were taken from her, and her powers were virtually cut-in-half. And your father, is presently in the military. You're mother died when you were young, as far as you know, from an unknown cause. Are these facts not correct?" Our captor wore an evil smile upon his face. Again the darkhaired girl's face flushed with the anger she tried to hide, but was failing in. Neither she, nor Youka said anything.

"I'll take your silences as a yes," said the hologram triumphantly. His cold smile turning into a vicious grin. "Now, as to your other two friends. Max and Jake. They too were interesting, at least in the beginning, but I have dealt, as said with their kind for too many years. Long enough, that they cease to interest, or amuse me in any way. Your friend, Max, was from one of our earlier programs, one of the five known survivors of the activies. Not to mention she somehow managed to escape, and it was Hell trying to find her again. But..in the end we did, so her tests can continue. And Jake..Oh yes, Jake..his newest history is fascinating. I will at least give him that."

"What are you saying?" asked Kira levelly.

The scientist turned to face her, smiling evilly. "Jake is of a most rare descent. He is probably one of the last know survivors of a ancient civilization of gentically enhanced personelle. He hails from an ancient Atlantic descent, that was said to live in the lost city of--surprise, surprise--Atlantis. They were known as Elders, and their powers, and knowledge was unparallel. Most of our previous studies are based off of the knowledge of the Elders. They are truly a remarkable race, borne to such a level of intelligence, speed, and strength that no human can muster. Scholars, trying to pass on their history, and their timeless knowledge, so that it--unlike the lost city--would not fade away beneath the waves, shall we say?"

Kira appeared stunned. "You have got to be kidding me. So Jake's like Max then?"

"Well, yes and no. Technically, he is actually from an entirely different study, actually race. Though, because he does not remember much of his ancestors, I am afraid that he isn't at the full capacity of expectation that we would expect of someone like him. So Max, or rather CC-332-0596 may in-fact be more powerful then him. But only until we can unlock his dorment memories, then we will have a quantity of power and knowledge such as the likes never known on this planet."

"Great," said Kira annoyed. "So it's another world domineering plan. Jesus. Seriously, you badguys need a new hobby, or scheme. Because this--this kind of thing gets real old, real fast."
"But aren't you even the tedious bit angry at the fact that all of this has been kept hidden from you? Sakuuya's rape, Jake's legendary past?" asked the villian.

"Well, yes and no," said Kira with a smirk mocking his previous answer. "I may not like the fact that these things were unknown to me, but really..the people who hid them didn't really even know they existed. So what's to be mad at? They have their reasons, still do, and yeah, I'm a little pissed, but not so much at my friends. Right now, I just really want to kick your fucking face in." Her crimson eyes sparkled maliciously in the dimlight of the dome. "So what do you think of that, Mr. Fuckyouscientist?"

For once, it was our potential opponent's turn to be harrassed, and his face turned a small shade of red in his minor outrage. Though, it was something that Kira was taking 'great' pride in. "So what are you going to do now? Now that..unbeknownst to you, we are--in fact--actually one step ahead of you?"

"Are you now? And in what way would you possibly be possessing the upper hand? I have locked you here, in this black dome. The only escape you have is--" but Kira interjected.

"Either you set us the fuck free, or we kick your sorry ass to Kingdom Come." Again her eyes flashed. "It's your call, spyderman."

Time to start from scratch again. The scales are tipped to favor our hand..

Malevolent Structures 001: Breaking Point

2006-07-22T18:42:00.000-07:00

Currently Playing: Mami Kawada - Joint

Alright so it looks like we decided to take a trip down memory lane. All I hope is that this time, Kira would be smart enough to know that reusing the way we had infiltrated the structure the last time, probably wouldn't work this time. Ano..oh, gomen ne. I suppose that I first should recollect all that's been happening. Well, Max got captured again, only this time the thieves also took Jake hostage for reasons that I'm pretty sure we would eventually figure out. Also, Kira managed to figure out where the crooks had taken Max, and as it turned out it was to the same place they had taken her before. Reginald's Facility of Science and Research. Sou, even just typing that all out sent shivers up, and down my spine.

Sou ka, so that was where we were at present. Kira, and I standing outside the edifice with Kira trying to scope out a way in, and me regretting ever having went with her. Even though, I knew that we were doing this not just for shits and giggles, but to help a possible friend in need. Okay, so scratch that we knew that Max was in a helluva lot of trouble, and we would be too if anyone ever caught wind that we were here. Though, if the pilfers were any bit smart, I'm sure that they'd be keeping a look-out for us. Now knowing who we were, and what we looked like. I mean, they did managed to come in and swipe Max up like a newborn baby, so it wouldn't surprise me if they had us on file as well. Again, the very thought gave me the creeps.

Anyhow, so that's were we are at present. Standing outside Reginald's and trying to find the easiest, and saftest way of getting in without being found out. From where we stood, just on the edges of the structure, I turned to Kira. "Have anymore brilliant ideas?"

"You mean like how the hell we're suppose to get in?" asked Kira.

"Well, what else?"

"Uhm--I have an idea, but I don't think you'll like it very much," my friend sweatdropped.

I sighed, and then cast a glance about the expansion. Sou, they were expecting us there were soldiers; probably the same as Max, surrounding the entire area. "Well, it can't be worse then what I'm expecting you to say."

"Which is?" said Kira.

"There are guards surrounding every inch of this place. The only way in, is through them," I said observing our surroundings once more.

"Good idea," said Kira with a smirk. I cast her a bitter glance.

"It's not my idea," I said holding my hands up in defense. "That's just how you work."

"Why thank you very much," said Kira sarcastically. "So, on my whistle?"

"Excuse me?" I said doing a doubletake, and looking at her with wide eyes.

"3..."

"Kira!"

"..2..."

"Don't you dare say that last number," I warned my friend with a cock of my head.

"1!" just as it slipped from her lips, Himitsu whistled loudly, and then disappeared in a blur of shadow.

I tilted my head at her, or rather the area that she had been in once last time. Before I leapt from the tree, and began to race towards the front of the building. Kira appeared at my side, and grinned, before leaping up onto the next story's ledge, and I heard the sound of necks snapping as she threw a body off the ledge. I gimaced, but my personality had suddenly shifted at the sight of the dead guard at my feet. The moon flashed in my eyes, as I followed Kira up onto the ledge. She continured to race down it, breaking necks, and throwing unsuspecting guards to their near deaths.

Soon, the watchmen caught on, and the sound of fire arms erupted into the night air. By that time, though, I had jumped down, and raced along on the ground beneath Kira, casting a glance up at her every now and then, as she continued her onslaught. Finally fed up, I leapt up after her once more, but instead of following, I jumped up onto the next story, throwing my body into the air. I quickly snapped my wrist, a whip with thorns quite similar to a rose's shot from my hand. Another flick of the extension, and I heard the weapon collide with an unsuspecting watchman a nasty gash forming across his chest, oozing blood. He looked up at me with terror reflected in his eyes, but I continued to move without so much as a regret to what I had done.

Our attack continued on for the following ten minutes, until we finally found an opening into the facility. Himitsu, and I met at that one point, and then she looked over my shoulder at the damage that I had done. She seemed slightly surprised, but then she just smiled at me, with a congradulating slap on the shoulders. The hit was enough to pull me to from my daze, and I glanced in shock around me. Gasping when I saw the men, and women that had been slaughtered at my own hands. I continued to stare in horror, until my gaze befell an almost miraged outline of a young woman with bloodred hair, and flickering gold eyes. She smirked at me, and then held up her hand. In it was the weapon who had led my assailants to their deaths. Youka smiled coldly at me, and then idly dropped the whip. As once it hit the ground, the ground almost seemed to swallow it up. Almost like a viral plant imbedding itself into the warm, wet ground.

I felt slightly nauseated, and felt myself sway just slightly as Youka's silhouette vanished from my sights. My vision swam momentarily, until I was finally able to pull myself back to reality. Kira, at the time was talking to me, but I didn't hear what she was saying. When I managed to come to from the tranze, she looked at with curiosity.

"You alright there, Fox?"

I nodded weakly to her. "H..hai."

"Well, alright then," said Kira, hesitantly looking away from me. "We can enter through here." She pointed to the opened window, and I just nodded. Kira ducked through it, and I shakily followed. Once inside I slipped and felt my knee hit the windowsill, as I toppled to the ground. Gingerly I lifted myself up with my hands, my body was still shaking in an almost uncontrollable way. I really was beginning to not like this whole infiltration idea, though, I also knew that we had to save Max from--whatever the villians were doing to her here. Kira appeared in my line of vision, and held out a hand to me.

"Are you sure that you're all right, Sakuuya? You look pekid."

I smirked begrudgently at her. "I've just seen a ghost is all.."

"That isn't funny, Fox," said Kira. "Quit playing games." She grabbed a hold of my hand, and helped me up. Once on my own two feet, I shook my head trying to clear my mind of the sudden angry, and dangerous feelings. I felt like I wanted to hurt someone, like I wanted to see another person writhering in pain and suffering. I wanted to see them bleed. I wanted their blood on my hands, but the only face that swam into my line of vision was Youka's. She smiled darkly at me, and then shifted my thoughts to sightings of my own form in pain, and suffering, bleeding. Gasping I shook my head more vigorously, thankful that Kira had seemed to have given up on making sure that I was all right, and instead began to walk down the white corridor.

Just as a sudden cold wave washed over me. I gasped as the sudden temperature drop, and then numbly walked over towards Kira. Who was looking around the hallway, her eyes suddenly narrowing as they befell something on the wall. What it was I couldn't make out, or even see. Which meant that whatever it were was meant for Kira's eyes alone, or was something that only she could see.

"You have got to be fucking kidding me," said my friend in both irritation, and surprise. Just as the area surrounding us grew bitter, and dark. The walls shifting to that of a purpleish black substance that reminded one of a black fog. Only this was reeming with spiritual power, familiar, and yet not so much so. A sharp breeze besieged the area, rushing up from the very ground we stood on to greet us. As for a moment both of our visions swam in darkness, and when they were able to focus again, we found ourselves in a black dome. "Jesus Christ," said Kira, "don't tell me that that asshole had something to do with this.."

"Who? Yami?" I asked quizzically.

"Who the fuck else?" said Kira angrily.

I choose to steer clear of the potential hazzard waiting if I replied to her answer. And instead I cast a wary glance about the chamber, there was no telling where we were. We could be anywhere in the facility, or on any floor, and I suddenly grew uneased. Though, another part of me wildly searched for Max, albeit, nothing showed. Not even the slightest hint that she was anywhere near here. Kira on the other hand, was walking up to one of the dome's walls. She held out a hand to it, and the collection seemed to reach out for her, though, once it hit her hand she let out a startled cry and withdrew that hand quickly. "Dammit, that hurt," she cursed, but again I choose not to say anything. Kira glared at the wall, and I began to feel my own control withering away.

"Then don't touch it," I said. "How hard is that?"

Kira looked at me, and raised an eyebrow. She glanced deep into my eyes, and her expression changed to a curious, and yet suspicious one. "Do I even dare ask?"

Kerana shrugged. "That's up to you."

"Exactly," said Youka cutting in. "Unless you want to delve deep into little Sakuuya-chan's past, and stir up that ever so forbidden dust."

"Great," said Kira irritated. "So who the hell are you, exactly? And what is this? Like MPD, or what?"

"Good guess," sneered Youka. "I guess you're not as dumb as I thought, after all."

"Excuse me?" said Kira, placing a hand on her hip. But all Youka did was glance over her shoulder at her, and smirk.

"Maybe not," said the darkness just trying to get a rile out of my friend. She looked back towards the dome. "Oh me, oh my, isn't this clever. Set up to make you think that that young man had something to do with your little friend's abduction."

"If you know something then why don't you share it with the rest of us, hm?" snapped Kira beginning to loose her cool.

"My, my so tempermental. Better becareful, you wouldn't want to end up hurting Sakuuya-chan, or yourself, now would you?" the yami continued with her taunts.

"Fuck that," snapped Himitsu. "You're beginning to piss me off."

"Really now?" said Youka. "And just exactly what are you going to do about it?" She turned to meet my friend squarely in the eye, smiling cruelly. Her gold eyes flashing. Kira growled, and raised a hand, a small flame beginning to form there, and yet all my yami did was smirk at her. "Smile for the camera, won't you?"

Kira immediately dropped her guard, the fire ball deflating in her hand. "What?"

"Oh, didn't you know?" said Youka. "We're under surveillance."

"Surveillance, by who?"

"By the good doctor, of course," said Youka with a malicious grin.

"You mean the one who took Max?"

Youka shrugged idly, apparently bored that she had given up so easily. "I wouldn't know. Why don't you ask the doctor?"

Kira glanced around her, as if looking to find a person, or camera. Yet she found none, and turned back to Youka. "What kind of head games are you playing, Fox?"

"Actually," said the yami. "My name's Ishida. Youka Ishida, and trust me, I am nothing like your pathetic friend."

Kira's eyes went cold. "Watch what you say."

"Or what? You'll set me ablaze, little firefly?" Youka laughed. "Don't make me laugh, love. I've been faced with worse then you, and even they couldn't damaged me all that much. Well, at least not before my seeds ate through their still beating hearts."

Kira almost grimaced at her blunt description of death. "You're seriously fucked up, you know that?"

"Oh yes, I've heard that one before, love," said Youka. "Though, it never seems to grow old, now does it? That accusation? When really, wouldn't it be Sakuuya-chan who's, how did you phrase it, oh yes; 'fucked up'?"

"You bitch!" snapped Kira, lunging at her. Youka simply sidestepped, and Kira fell face-first onto the ground.

"You'll have to move faster than that, love," said the yami. "I'm not an easy one to catch."

Kira looked up, and over her shoulders glaring harshly at the darkness. "When I get my hands on you--"

Youka's own eyes blazed as she raised a hand. The ground beneath Himitsu began to rumble, as small sprouts of greenish blue began to form underneath her. Kira gave a disgusted sound, and rolled to the left, but Youka was one step ahead. The once blueish-green patches turning to almost a poisonous emerald green shoot.

"What the hell is this?" cried Kira.

"A simple earth-element spell," mocked Youka nonchalantly.

"Earth huh? Well how about we heat things up a bit, see how well you're stupid plants work then?" Kira's eyes were a livid bloodred in anger as she spoke.

"Oh, please do," said Youka. "Let's see how high your own petiful attacks rate on the richter scale."

Himitsu began to glow with a faint embery glow, as in her hand appeared two fireballs. She leapt into the air with an angry cry, and with great force threw both of the spheres at my yami. Unfortunately, just as she did so another collection of plants surfaced, and formed a barriered wall that must have been as hard as cast-iron. For Kira's fire attacks went out in a puff of smoke just before colliding with it. Kira landed, and glared harshly at the redhead.

"I told you to give it you're best shot," said the yami. "If that's all then you aren't even worth my time."

"How dare you--" but before she could get another word out, Kira was cut off. Just as from one of the domed walls appeared a mid-sized silvery round object on four legs. In truth, it looked like a mechanical spider, as from it's single eye there appeared a hologram of a middle-aged man. It was hard to figure out any characteristics because his face was blacked out, but he stood before Kira, and Youka, his hands folded behind his back.

"Now, now, girl's let's play nice, shall we?" said the spybot. "After all the experiments have only but just begun." A smirk formed on the strange man's lips.

"What the fuck?" said Kira surprised. Every bit of her was in a shocked, and confused state, and yet it couldn't hide her still vivacious anger that lingered about her form like a dying ember. Across the way, Youka just folded her arms, and smirked at the robot leaning against the wall.
"Now the fun can really begin.." said the strange man.

Altering lives, or changing the course of Destiny. Right now, it's hard knowing what we're doing.. But one thing's for-sure, we're at the point of no return, and beginning the breaking point..

Kerana and Youka (First Twilight)

2006-07-22T15:33:00.000-07:00

Currently Playing: Gackt - Mind Forest

Alright, so this is another one of my simpler posts. You know the ones that you can read without falling asleep halfway in, or for some who don't even last 'that' long. As many of you may, or may not know, during this last section of posts two new people made their appearences. Who they are, what they are..That's hard to say, though, if you paid attention you might have already guessed.

A lot of things have gotten pretty messed up for me right now. And are receeding into a much more complicated measure. Albeit, I'm just going to stop there before I turn this post into one of my usual ones. -Sweatdrops.- Gomen ne. The people who's pictures I post here are Kerana, and Youka. My--mind friends from the previous section. Some may call them alters, or idenities, I later will give them--along with their companions--the title of being "My 10th Twilight."

Kerana, and Youka came on the first wind when I found out the truth about what had happened to me that night. After..after it happened, Kerana had immediately came into existence, and took control thus sealing the memory away. Later what secret she has hidden will become revealed..but until then..this is all that can be said.. K'yotseke, minna..

Whispers 003

2006-07-21T19:37:00.000-07:00

Currently Playing: High and Mighty Color - Seek

That night I didn't sleep as well as I might have liked, though, I was grateful for any sleep that I was given. And if you were to ask me why my sleep wasn't all that great, I guess that even I didn't really know. I didn't have any more of those dreams about my past life, nor really any other pressing matters. I just had a really bad feeling that something was about to happen, and that Max being captured that night had been all but the first steps in this new 'grand design' that Fate had laid out for us. -Shakes head.- Iie, I don't know what my problem was, I just remembered waking up numerous times, a couple of which I had accidently woke Rae up.

Though, when he asked what was wrong I just told him that it wasn't anything, and to just go back to sleep. Well, he bought into that about the first three times, and then he finally sat up with me during one of the my waking phases, and talked to me. I told him about the bad feeling that I was getting, and he did his best to try, and ease my worries, and fears. He'd brush back my bangs, and kiss me on the forehead, holding me close in his arms. Someplace, among few where I actually felt safe, and warm. Only then did I realize, though, how bad I was falling for him. Something that I knew most people probably would scorn, but I really didn't care, I loved him. He was, after all, my childhood friend first, and then my foster brother, so really was it such a crime to love him as I did? -Sighs softly.- I really don't know.

I'm so insecure on so many things right now. Whereas before I had been so confident in myself, now I seemed to be lacking in that sureness. I'd space out so much more, and it was hard to keep track of everything that had gone on during school. By the end of the week I was just thankful that it was Friday, which meant that I could have the weekend to rest up, and hopefully get myself back on track. Though, that eventually proved more easily said then done. Max had been kept home for the past couple of days because of her injuries, so a lot of our time after school was spent with us all going over to her place, and seeing how she was doing. Each day, though, she looked a little bit better, for which myself, and many of the others too were thankful for.

Of course, though, that didn't help me to sleep at night. Nor did it help to ebb away that strange feeling of disater that was plaguing me. I started relying on Rae's little comforts at night, and just knowing that he was there when I went to sleep at night. I know that he was worried about me, but he still kept up a pretty brave, and strong face. We also began to walk to school alone together more than before. No one else seemed to mind so much, though. Since Jake would then just usually walk to school with Ace, Kira, and Logan, be it that Rae was with me. And that was provided Jake did go to school, since I know that a lot of his own freetime, and even his schooling was taken up by caring for Max. Checking in on her to make sure that she was safe, and the likes. Those two, I swear, were the perfect couple, and it always warmed my heart to hear of the things that Jake would sacrifice in order to care for Max. He was truly a great guy, which..I am sure all of our friends were. I know they are, but it was just sweet to see a boyfriend so apt to take care of his girlfriend.

"Sakuuya?" asked Rae at my side as we walked home from school.

"Hm?" I asked looking at him, but I then looked away. "I was spacing again, wasn't I?"

Rae nodded. "Yeah, sorry.."

I shook my head. "Iie, it's all right. I know that it's unhealthy."

"Well, no, not exactly," said Rae. "Not if used in moderation." He smiled faintly at me, and I smiled softly back before throwing my arms around him, and hugging him close. We had stopped just beneath one of the sakura trees we often passed on our way to and from school. And when we parted his gaze met mine, and I smiled shyly at him, casting my glance aside. Though, when I looked back, his expression had not changed, and a soft breeze danced around us, filling the air with the fragrance of the sakura. Meeting his gaze one last time, I let my eyes flutter shut, and pulled myself closer to him, in the next instance he had closed the gap, and we had kissed. His lips felt so warm, and his hold around my waist was reassuring, and kind. I wrapped my arms tighter about him, pulling him closer. The wind, and cherry blossoms dancing around our forms.

When we at last pulled away, both of us blushed diverting our gazes, and muttering immediate apologies. But we stopped, and then glanced at one another, and I finally just smiled softly back at him. Which seemed to reassure him. "Anou..we best be getting home.." said Rae quietly, and I nodded.

"Hai." And not another word was said, as we made our way back to our home just on the outskirts of town, on one of the last streets before hitting country road. When we arrived home we found that all the lights were shut off in the house, and the doors were all locked. Tell-tale signs that Ritsuo and Ayana had gone out for the night, which was nice. They deserved to go out have a bit of fun every now, and then. I mean, even great parents/guardians like them deserve a break. -Smiles kindly.- So actually the sight was quite pleasant to Rae and I. (Oh, and don't you hentais get any ideas, or so help me you will be in 'trouble.' v-.-v).

Anyways, so once we arrived, and unlocked the door, the two of us walked into the small, yet quaint home slipping our shoes off at the door. I was just kicking off my second shoe, and took a step forwards losing my balance. Rae immediately was there, and he caught my arm steadying me. Opening my eyes I looked up at him, and smiled sheepishly, but all he did was smile politely back. "Be careful, Sakuuya."

I swallowed nodding. "Hai."

Setting the shoes off to the side I then made my way past Rae, and into the kitchen. I began to look around for some possibility for dinner. Rae had followed wearing a soft smile on his face, which turned much more brighter, and almost playful as he leaned against the side of the doorway looking at me. A few strands of his brunette hair with a hint of red fell into his eyes, and he shook his head brushing them aside, and revealing his kind eyes. I felt his eyes upon me, and lifted my head up, closing the refrigerator door. "What should we make for dinner tonight?" I asked politely.

Rae just looked at me with a quizzical expression on his face. "Are you honestly hungry, Sakuuya?"

"Hm? Well iie, I suppose not," I answered truthfully, "but we still should at least make something in case one of us does get hungry, later on.."

Rae chuckled softly. "Fair enough. Well in that case, how about sukiyaki?"

"Sukiyaki? Really?" I asked tilting my head at him, my red hair catching a ray of the evening sunlight.

"Why not, it's easy enough, ne?"

I chuckled softly nodding. "Alright," I said, and then began to rummage through the cupboards until I found two pans. I filled one with water, and set the other on the back burner of the stove. The next step was finding the makings for the dish, as once that I was done all I had to do was wait for the water to boil. Rae had by this time wandered into the opposite room, and taken a seat at the living room's computer. I began to hear his quiet keystrokes, as I continued making supper.

About a half hour passed, and I had finished the dish. I called to Rae who just looked over his shoulder from the computer desk at me, and smiled. He let me know that he had heard, and that he was just finishing up the last page of his History paper. To which I had to chuckle remembering how many times Kira got into a fiasco with that teacher. Though, I knew that Rae would do just fine, he had always been good at the sort of thing, and it seemed to be a favorite past-time of his to study. He was quite knowledgeable on the subject as well.

So while he finished up, I decided to put supper into bowls, grabbing two pairs of chopsticks. I took a couple glasses out of the cupboards and filled them with water, and then carried Rae's into the living room, setting it beside him at the computer desk. He glanced up from the screen at me, and smiled thanking me.

"Dou-itashimasta," I said with a soft smile. And then I went back into the kitchen to grab my own serving, and water glass. I walked back into the living room, sitting down on the sofa, and folding my legs. "I hope that it's all right."

Rae finished his paper, and then looked at me. "I'm sure it's fine. You're a great cook."

I just smiled meekly at him, sifting the chicken in my sukiyaki to the side. "I wonder how Max is doing?"

"Hm?" asked Rae as he came over to sit down. "Oh, well she has been showing signs of recooperation hasn't she?"

"Sou.." I said softly sifting a bit more of my food to the side.

"So I'm sure that there is nothing to worry about, Sakuuya," said Rae kindly, and I looked up at him. I then withdrew my gaze, as just as I did my cell phone began to ring. I numbly picked it up, looking at the caller ID and realizing that it was Kira. I glanced at Rae, and he looked at me, but then shrugged, and I clicked recieve.

"Moshi moshi?"

"Fox?" came Kira's response on the other end.

"Hai."

"Oh, thank goodness I finally got through to you," said Kira.

I seemed a bit taken aback. "Nani?"

"It's Max.." said Kira. "She's missing again."

My eyes went wide. "She's missing?"

"Yeah," came Himitsu's almost strained reply.

I sat up on the couch. "When did this happen? How long has she been missing?"

"I don't know, one, maybe two hours or so," answered Himitsu. "And get this, Jake's gone as well."

"Jake's gone too?!"

"Yeah, I went over to her house, and there was no hide nor hair of either of them," said Kira.

"Nothing?"

"Not a trace."

"Well," I said in almost near-desperation. "We got to think of someway to pick up some sort of trace of them. We've got to find them!"

There were a few momements of silence before Kira said, "Hey, can I come over? I think I might have an idea."

"What's that suppose to mean?"

"Forget it, now can I, or can't I?"

"Sou, sure," I replied. "I'll leave the door unlocked."

"Great thanks," said Himitsu by far too enthusiastic for her own good. "See you in just a bit." And then there was a click, and our conversation ended. Sighing softly, I closed my cell phone, and glanced at Rae.

"I swear, we never get a break," I said.

Rae looked at me questionably. Though, I choose not to further the conversation, and shook my head, and then glanced towards the window watching the setting sun on the horizon. A pure golden glow from the sun being cast upon my form.

"Uh..Sakuuya?" said Rae, voice a mere whisper. I turned lithely to face him, and saw his face flush.

"Hai?"

"Anou..nevermind," was his reply as he glanced aside. But I cast him a confused, and worried look.

"Are you all right, Rae?" I asked my foster brother kindly.

"Uh..sou," was all he said, and then glanced aside. Almost as if he were ashamed of something, I went to lean forwards reaching a hand out to him, when the doorbell rang. I withdrew my hand, and glanced quickly towards the front door.

"Come in! It's open!" I called just as Kira peeked her head in and around the door. She saw us, and grinned playfully.

"I hope that I'm not interrupting anything."

I threw a pillow at her from the couch. "Baka."

She ducked obviously, and so I missed. Kira then burst into a small fit of laughter as she stepped into the house taking her shoes off. She glanced into the kitchen. "Were you cooking?"

"Hai," I answered. "Sukiyaki, there's extra if you want some."

Kira wandered into the kitchen to get herself a serving, and then sauntered back in. She glanced at the two of us. Though, before she could say anything, I suddenly asked, "did you have any luck finding anything that might lead us to Max?"

"Does it look like I found something, hun?" asked Kira opening her arms. She walked over to the living room chair, and plopped down, taking a bite of her sukiyaki she said, "I thought that we might scry for her."

"Scry?" I repeated. "As in wiccan search? That scry?"

"Well, yeah, duh. What else would it be?"

"But I don't have anything of her's that we could use."

"Nope, but I do," said my friend triumphantly.

I folded my arms across my chest. "Really? And what of her's did you manage to confiscate?"

Kira smiled coyly at me. "Don't worry it's nothing that anyone would realize is missing."

"A diary?" I asked.

"Nope."

"Then what?"

Kira set her bowl of sukiyaki down, along with her chopsticks, and then reached into one of the pockets of her black jeans pulling out what looked like a small ring.

"What on earth is that?"

My friend just giggled. "It's the promise ring that Jake gave her."

"When was this?" I wanted to know.

"Nevermind that," said Kira shaking her head. "What matters is that we have something to scry for her with. She never takes this thing off, which means that she really has been abducted."

"Soshite?" I said.

"And," said Kira, "I think that it might just have been by the same people who had done it before."

"And how did you manage to come to that conclusion? Unless there is something that you haven't told us," I said levelly.

Kira just waved me off. "Now, now, no need to get suspicious. I just thought that it would make sense, since--who else in their right state of mind would catnap a genetically enhanced human being?"

I rolled my eyes at her kitty joke. "Obviously somehow who doesn't know who, or what she was. That proves nothing, Himitsu."

"Well, maybe not," said Kira indignantly. "But it was a thought."

"You were jumping to conclusions," I reasoned.

"So?" said Kira. "Anyways, I also brought my mother's scrying map, and crystal." As she said it, she pulled each thing out of her backpack. Then she got onto the flow, and laid out the map, reaching up to nimbly grabbed her bowl of dinner, and pulled it down beside her. Kira then began to tie the ring in against the crystal, she muttered a small spell, and the crystal began to circle around the map, as my friend held it suspended by a string. With a soft sigh, I slipped down to the floor, beside her watching the crystal.

After a few minutes it stopped spinning, and landed sharply on a rather family area. I looked up at Kira who was similing quite lively. I then glanced back at the map. The crystal had landed on Reginald's science and research facility.

"That can't be right," I said. "No one in their right minds would use the same place twice."

"Why not?" said Kira with an airy shrug. "Yami did it."

"Aa," I said slightly irritated, "but Yami isn't..wasn't your typical, average person now was he? Nor did he ever seem in his right state of mind, to begin with." I added the last part with a small tinge of acid, and Kira glanced at me quirking an eyebrow. "This just doesn't make sense. Things don't add up."

Kira sighed, folding up the map. "Why do you always have to analyze every little detail, Fox? Max could be..is in big trouble. We don't have time to tread cautiously here."

"There's always time," corrected Rae softly.

"It's better to be safe, then sorry," I added.

"Yeah, well the longer we sit here trying to figure things out the closer we get to be both safe and sorry," said Kira slightly angered.

Now it was my turn to sigh. "Fine, " I said, "but if we get into any sort of trouble that could have been avoided, so help me--"

"I got it," said Kira cutting me off. "Come on, let's go." She then looked at Rae. "Are you coming too?"

My foster brother shook his head. "Iie, I think that I'll go and let the others know what has happened."

"And maybe get us a little bit of back-up, in case this plan of Kira's goes--and pardon the pun--" I said to Kira. "Up in flames?" Kira looked at me with a smug expression on her face, and reached out cuffing me lightly upside the head.

"You're horrible, you know that?" said Kira, but she was smiling.

I glanced at her with just my eyes alone. "Not at bad as you."

"Oh, ha ha," said Kira with a roll of her eyes. "C'mon." She stood up, pulling me up with her, and walking towards the door. I looked over my shoulder at Rae.

"Will you be all right?"

Rae nodded gently. "Aa, I'll be fine. Just--be careful, okay?"

I smiled at him, also nodding. "I will. K'yotseke."

He just smiled at me, as I slipped my shoes on, and then followed Kira out the door an into the evening twilight. I looked up into the sky, and sighed.

"Wonderful," I said unenthusiastically, and Kira glanced at me.

"What? Is is going to rain, or something?"

"Iie, it's twilight," and Kira burst out laughing. Since we had all remembered what had happened in our previous lives, the idea of 'Twilight' had sort of became an inside joke between Kira, Max, and I.

Kira then reached out to grab my arm. "Don't worry, I'm not going to turn all bad-ass on you. I'd be more worried about Max doing that at present..or worse.."

I just nodded, my gaze shifting from the sky back to the area in-front of me. "Come on, let's go," I said softly. As with that with set off once more in the direction of Reginald's Reasearch Facility.

Time's running out, and we're coming close. I can sense it. I can feel in, deep inside of me. Something's going to happen that will forever realter all of our lives..

Whispers 002

2006-07-19T06:03:00.000-07:00

Currently Playing: Nightwish - The Wayfarer

So I have a question for you all. Am I the only one who seems to think that breaking into a reserach facility around three o' clock in the morning was a bad idea? Because, I'm kind of feeling like I'm the only one who eventually thought that this was a really bad idea. Though Kira seemed to be having the time of her life, while I dwelled on the fact that I remember having said once that I got use to breaking rules because of my friends. But this..this was a completely different story. Whenever the rules got broke before we couldn't get into too much trouble, especially not with the law, or even the governement. But here, here we were breaking into a laboratory that had been shut down for years, because of it's dealings in animal-human genetics.

I had heard that they had taken children, mostly those off the streets, or from other institutionalized homes, and had messed with their biological make-up. The rumors told of how the laboratory had been crossing human DNA with that of animals, and how some of the children used had even been given up while still in the womb for this dastardly endeavor. And I was having a little trouble coming to grips with the idea, or even possible fact that Max had been one such child, taken from her family to be experimented on, or maybe she was one of those other children. The one's given up at birth, or even conception, or the one's living in the streets, or in other institutions. I mean..what could honestly have compelled such a twist in the human mind to enact on such a devious endeavor? I was starting to get sick to my stomach, as well as overwhelmed.

We were walking one of the multiple long hallways that seemed to decorate this place, and I lost my balance in having become so lost in my own thoughts. I stumbled against one of the white walls, and braced myself. Kira was at my side almost immediately.

"Are you all right, Fox?" she asked kneeling beside me. I just nodded to her, and then use the wall to support myself as I got to my feet. Kira watched apprehensively. "Did you sense something, or were you just dizzy?"

I glanced at her, curiosly. "Sense something? Like what?"

"Well, I don't know," Kira shrugged. "Maybe you picked up on Max's residue or something."

"What kind of residue?" I asked now skeptic, and Kira just sighed.

"Nevermind," she said, "forget that I said anything."

"You know something," I said looking at her. "Something that you aren't telling me."

"Fox," whined Kira. "Can't this wait, please?"

I sighed. "Fine, let's just find Max," I shook my head, and continued to walk. Albeit, just as I did such, I suddenly tensed up, and then glanced frantically down the hall. There came the sound of thunderous footsteps. "Someone's coming."

"Yeah," said Kira incrediously, "it's sounds like a whole goddamn army."

I didn't say anything to her, and just began to look wildly around our surroundings. Eventually my gaze found a supply closet, and I grabbed Kira's arm. "In there," I said, and pulled her over to it.

"Fox," said Kira. "It might be locked."

"Iie," I said. "It isn't." I reached out to turn the handle, and then pulled her inside after me, closing it slowly, but without hesitation. The both of us then backed up against the wall ducking down listening for the footsteps. And they came loud, and without pause. Kira had been right, it did almost sound like an army marching off into battle. Albeit, despite my earlier attempts at telling her to keep her head low, she suddenly poked it up, scanning the area with a level gaze, though her eyes suddenly widened.

"Max!" she cried, and then to turn the handle. I went to stop her, but everything happened faster than I had anticipated. As the next thing I knew Kira had reached out, and pulled someone inside as Max fell face down at my feet, and Kira quickly shut the door.

"Kira," I cried voice still a mere whisper. "What were you thinking? You could have been caught."

"Ease up," said Kira eyes glittering in the vague light of the hallway. "I know what I'm doing."

"Well," I said looking down at Max, and swallowing hard. "I certainly hope that you do."

As just as soon as I finished my sentence, Max began to wake up and my whole body went tense. She moaned a little, and then slowly opened her violet eyes. Though, the expression she wore was one that I was afraid of. She looked blankly at me, and then glanced at Kira.

"W--what happened? And w--who are you?" She looked over Kira, and I. "Trespassers!"

"No, no," cried Kira kneeling down beside Max, and covering her mouth. Kira looked at me, and I lowered my gaze at her with an expression that read 'toldcha so.' She just sneered at me, and then shook her head. "Max, we aren't tresspassers, we're your friends, and we came here to help you."

"To help me?" repeated Max sitting up. "Why would you want to do that?"

Kira looked between Max, and I. "Memory loss, " I said simply.

"I got that much," said Kira irritatedly. "Thanks for that, Sherlock."

"Why are you calling me Max?" asked our friend, and then she stood up brushing herself off. "My name's CC-332-0596."

Kira giggled. "Would CC be for Carbon Copy, or Copy Cat?"

"Kira," I said, "I highly doubt that this is the time for jokes." Though I did wonder why she had called her copy cat, though, I choose not to persue the issue. Kira just rolled her eyes at me, and whispered "spoiler," before addressing Max again.

"Max," said Kira, "You do realize that this is a place for scientific research, right?"

"Does that really matter?" asked Max."This is my home, and you two are tresspassing." Her eyes grew suddenly violent.

"Ut-oh," said Kira backing up, and I hastily reached out, and shoved open the door, just as Max lunged at Kira, and the two were suddenly in the throw of hand-to-hand combat. Something that I couldn't help but stare at. The two seemed very good at keeping their own against their opponent, or so I thought. But suddenly Max had the upper hand, and Kira was slammed against the wall.

"This could get ugly," said a voice in the backs of my mind, and I blinked glancing around. Kira managed to shove Max to the side, and got out of her strangle-hold, but I was preoccupied all of a sudden. I looked around the area, and then felt what reminded me of an aura wash over me, and I was suddenly thrust into a mist-filled corridor. And before me there stood a young woman with pale pinkish-red hair, and gold eyes. She was dressed in either a maroon, or some purpleish-pink and white uniform. Well, actually the entire uniform was white except for the maroon colored peticoat that was worn over your typical Japanese schoolgirl uniform. A pale pink bow was tied at the very front up by her neck, and around one wrist she had a stringed bow tied there.

"W-who are you?" I asked backing up into what I had hoped would have been a wall, but there was nothing. But all the mysterious girl did was smile at me.

"Sakuuya, you don't know who I am, and yet you called to me?"

"H--how do you know my name?"

"Lucky guess," said another voice in my head as a second young girl appeared. Only unlike the first who looked no older than maybe fifteen or sixteen, this girl looked to be more-so around the age of eighteen. And she had long, straight, silky looking blood-red hair, and gold eyes. This one was dressed in a rusty pink and white school uniform. She walked into the area, her arms folded across her chest, and a cold smirk on her face. "Well what have we here? A little lost fox come to seek refuge in her weary mind. How quaint." Something about her tone of voice already threw me off, and I knew she was not someone to be trusted.

"I--I don't know what's going on here," I said backing off a bit more. "Was I hit with something? Did some of the scientists come around the corner without our knowing? Oh God, is Kira alright?"

The first girl held out her hands to me in calming gesture. Almost like she was telling me to keep my voice low, while the other just smirked watching the whole scene. "Sakuuya, listen to me, calm down. Nothing has happened, Kira, and Max are still fighting."

"How do you know their names?" I asked a little freaked out now.

"How does she know your's," added the second young woman with a cold smile.

The first shot her a sharp glance, but the other didn't seem to take note of it. I just looked between the two, shaking my head. "This is..too weird. What's going on?" The first girl looked like she wanted to say something but didn't, and so the second took the initiative before the first could stop her.

"Ever heard of Multiple Personality Disorder?" said the second girl coldly. I just nodded to her not saying anything. "Well, guess what--" but the first girl cut her off.

"Youka, stop it."

"Why should I, Kerana? Because 'it's not her time to know yet'?" sniped the second girl. "You honestly think that I am going to buy into that shit of your's? You should know by now that you can't tell me what to do. Oh, you can try, but you honestly have no power over me."

The first, Kerana, almost seemed to glare at the second, Youka.

"You've held me off long enough, but now she's called to you, and you can no longer stop me," shot Youka. "Face it, this little kitt is going to get a taste of her own medicine."

Okay, so I got that much now. Apparently Youka hated me for something that I did or another, but that still didn't tell me what the hell was going on. I looked to Kerana for support, but she just sighed and shook her head. Youka just smiled darkly at the two of us.

"You're sick, Sakuuya," she said. "Why don't you ask that beloved foster brother of your's what's going on? He, and Kerana got along pretty well the first time around."

"What?" I asked voice a mere whisper as I looked at her, and then at Kerana. Who again just sighed, but said nothing, and instead just looked at the ground. Youka just grinned broadly at us, eyes cold in the darklight of the chamber.

"Just a little bit of head's up in your direction, darling," said Youka cruelly, as then they both began to fade away as if to only be ghosts, or mirages even.

"H--hey, wait a minute!" I cried. "What's going on? Who are you?!"

Though, there came no reply, as I was jerked harshly to only to find myself laying on the cold stone floor of Reginald's Research Facility. Kira was screaming my name, as she, and Max continued to have it out, until finally a small collection of flame appeared in Kira's hand. She threw the ball of fire at Max, and it hit her knocking her unconscious; she slumped to the floor, and Kira let out a sigh of relief. I was took shaken, and taken aback from what had previously happened between Kerana, and Youka, and now my best friend was throwing fire balls at another of my good friends. Kami-sama, my life really was getting screwed up, and here I thought things couldn't get any worse than they already were. Heaving a heavy sigh, I got to my feet looking between Himitsu, and Max.

"Great," Kerana said. "Now that's she unconscious what's you're brilliant plan?"

"To get the hell out of here," said Kira, reaching down to pick up Max. She looked up at me. "Well, are you going to help or not?" I snapped to, and glanced at her. "Welcome back to earth, space cadet," she teased.

"Hm?" I asked voice still a bit distant. Kira eyed be suspiciously.

"Did you like fall and hit your head once too hard, or what?"

I shook my head at her. "I--I don't know. Let's just get out of here."

"Sure thing, though, first," Kira looked at me, and hoisted Max up, "care to give me a hand?"
Nodding to her, I walked over, and helped pick Max up off the ground. We carried her to the exit of the facility, and then at the back entrance we ran into Jake, and Rae. Both looked genuinely concerned.

"Jake, Rae," said Kira surprised. "What are you guys doing here?"

"Ask questions later, here, give her to me," said Jake, and Kira, and I relinquished Max to Jake who took her in both his arms bridle style. "Come on, it won't be long before they realize that she's missing. Kira, do you think we might be able to take her to your place?"

"My place? Why my place?" asked Kira.

"Because all of us have are parents home at this hour," said Rae quietly as he glanced frantically towards the research building. His gaze locked suddenly on the glass roof.

"Rae?" I asked. "What is it?" I followed his gaze, and could vaguely make out a shadowed form atop the buidling. The glass roof didn't reflect enough light for us to grasp a full look at his face, but I didn't need to see his face before I knew who he was. Stephen.

"What's he doing here?" I asked, and Kira suddenly looked over the roof, and spotted Stephen as well.

"To Hell if I know," said Kira. "Let's just get out of here."

"Was he following us?" I asked.

"Sakuuya, I don't know, but we got to go, now," said Kira anxiously. I then looked towards the doors, and saw the research team's police, and a few scientists filing out.

"Chikushou," I cursed.

"Hey," cried Kira. "That's suppose to be my line."

"Girls!" yelled Jake. "Let's go, now!"

The four of us then sprinted off down the ways, turning corners, and running alleyways to try and shake the guards. When it seemed as if we finally did, we all stopped for a moment to catch our breath.

"Well, I think that that went over quite well," said Kira, and everyone glared at her. "What?"

"Well, now we can't go to either of our homes," said Jake. "I don't think they spotted any of us, but if they knew where Max lived, then they probably know other things as well."

"Like who her friends are," I finished his thought quietly.

"Yeah, so now what?" said Jake.

"I--I think that I might know one place to take her," I said. "The cemetary."

"Fox, she's just lost her memories. She's not dead," said Kira.

"How cute," Youka spat, and Kira withdrew slightly.

"What the fuck--" but she was at a loss for words, and just shook her head. In the next instance I was back in control, looking towards the cemetary.

"We'll have to hurry, though," I said. "She's bound to wake up from that blow to the head shortly."

"Uhm--yeah," said Kira quickly. "Let's go."

As with that we made a break for the West Woods Cemetary, and once we were in the safety of the place I had them bring Max up to one of the shrines. She was beginning to toss, and turn in Jake's arms as it were, and while she did she was muttering something incomprehensible. No one could make out what she was talking about. Eventually I just told Jake to lay her on the ground of the shrine, and then told him, and Rae to keep an eye out, just in case someone might have picked up on our trail. Both boys agreed to it, and then Kira, and I made attempts at waking Max up. And we succeeded much to most of our dismay, though, she wasn't able to recall anything.

Not to mention the first thing she asked was where she was, and when I told her, she asked if something had happened to one of the other troops. Which, by 'troops' I guess she meant experiments. Though, when we tried to explain things to her, nothing seemed to click, and we went around, and around with her until I heard Jake suddenly exclaim that someone was coming. Though, when Kira asked who it were, he said that he didn't know, but as the person got closer his eyes widened, and Rae gasped. Kira ran out to see what was going on, and the next thing you know, I see her ducking from someone aiming to knock her upside the head. I looked at Max momentarily before I also ran out to see what was going on, and nearly lost my balance as my foot caught in one of the stone steps. Albeit, I managed to retain most of my balance, and then looked out across the way at Kira's newest oppressor, and my breath caught in my throat. The person that Himitsu was fighting looked like another Max, and I had to glance back inside the shrine to see Max still sitting there in order to take in what was going on.

Though, it became apparent what had happened. During the time that she had been missing, and the time it took for Himitsu, and I to save her, Max had apparently been cloned. And now I had to wonder if the Max we had was the right now, though, that became clear when the first Max appeared on the steps, and looked down at the other. "CC-343-0698," said the first Max, and the second Max, and Kira's battle halted almost immediately. As the second one looked up, and smirked. Sou, that was an apparent sign that the second Max wasn't our Max. As our Max looked back defiantly, she then walked down past me, and to her clone. A few words were exchanged, and there was a little bit of groping going as the cloned Max gribbed our Max. Not to mention that now that our Max was talking with her clone, her clone began to pay more attention to Kira, and was flirting, and touching her. I felt sick to my stomach, and had to look away. Albeit, when I turned back, Max's clone was suddenly right in front of me, and I gasped stepping back, and again nearly losing my balance.

Max's clone reached out to catch me, her hand coming to wind about my waist. "Ah, and who might this pretty little vixen be?" Cloned Max's eyes flickered dangerously as she gripped my chin. I reached out, and tried to shove at her chest.

"Let go of me," I said struggling.

"Let her go!" yelled Kira.

Cloned Max smirked. "No, I don't think so. Since, I think I know the way to get to both of you."

"Don't do it, CC-343-0698," said Max in a warning. Though, Kira was already ahead of her, as another fire ball was hurled from my friend's hand, and it hit cloned Max directly in the back. There was enough force from the blow that Max's clone threw me down, and my head hit the stone steps breaking the skin as I was knocked unconscious. Max's clone, though, was now going directly for Kira, as they broke out into another spar until CC-343-0698 managed to gain the upper hand, and shoved Kira aside, who hit her back squarely on one of the tombstones. As in that moment a strange glint of familiarity flickered in Max's eyes, and then in the next instance the two were in the throw of battle. A battle that last about a half hour or so, until finally Max managed to deliver the killing blow, and her clone collapsed. Albeit, it was a short lived victory, for in the next moment, Max had collapsed to the ground eyes hazing over. Kira muttered something and then the whole area crossed over into the ghost realm. Jake, and Rae, though, remained in Ningenkai.

I came to in a familiar, and yet unfamiliar world that was painted over with a ghastly green mist coloration. Everything was bleak, and dreary, and spectors wandered about the expansion. Managing to get to my feet, I stood up, and looked around. For a while I didn't see anyone, until I suddenly heard someone cursing in the distance, and I scanned the area. I found Kira stumbling to her feet, there were a few bruises and cuts on her body, but she seemed overall okay. Though when she saw me she pointed at her head, and I reached up to touch the spot that my head had hit on the stone steps of the shrine. I winced as I touched the tender spot, and then pulled my hand away seeing a fine coating of blood now on my fingers.

Kira had now joined me on the steps of the astral form of the aforementioned shrine. "I think you'll live, it's just a scratch."

"Where's Max?" I asked. Right now, I couldn't bring myself to worry about anyone else but my friend. Kira seemed to understand, and began to look around.

"Well, she collapsed over there somewhere," she pointed across the way. "So she should be around there."

"Provided she didn't wake up before us, and wander off," I said with a soft sigh, as we made our ways across the way. Though, as it appeared, Max was still there, curled up in a makeshift ball. There were numerous cuts and bruises all over her body.

"Max!" Kira, and I cried at the same time rushing over to her. I fell to my knees, and reached out to smooth back her bangs from her eyes.

"What do you think compelled her to fight back against that clone?" asked Kira.

"I don't know," I said with a shake of my head. "Do we really have to talk about that now? Max is hurt, she's in need of immediate attention. Come on, help me." I reached out to pick her up, but Kira stopped me.

"Sakuuya, there aren't any hospitals around here. And no healing magick is going to work. This is the ghost world."

"We're dead?" I said more bluntly then intended. I was taken by shock, and surprise.

"Well, uhm..not necessarily," said Kira.

"Then why are we here?"

"Well, I..thought that bringing Max here might help her remember something."

"Like what? Her death from a previous life?" I said bitterly.

"Well, no," said Kira, "but..hey, wait. How did you know that?"

"Know what?"

"That she was a reincarnate?"

"Himitsu, we all are, the dreams, remember?" I said, looking anxiously over Max's body. "We've got to bandage these up."

"But I thought you didn't believe that that was what was happening here?" said Kira either skeptic, or surprised, it was hard to tell by her tone of voice, and I wasn't about to look at her to clearify.

"Ne," I said. "Just like I can't believe the fact that you're a half fallen angel, half fire demon. Or that Max is one of those poor genetically enhanced children. Or the fact that at one point in time you, and I helped in ending the world."

"Sakuuya, how--how do you know these things?" asked Kira voice softening.

"And you expect me to believe that you don't know what I am? Or what Max was? Come on, Kira, you can do better than that," I said at long last looking over my shoulder at her, but Kira stepped back.

"Fox, there is something seriously wrong with you. Did that bump on the head cause you to remember this?"

"Will you just stop? Please? Max needs immediate medical attention," I said. "Just help me to get her inside the shrine."

"O--okay," said Kira with a shake of her head, as she helped me get Max inside. Where I began to bandage her as best as I could until she fnally began to come around. When she woke up, she just blinked looking at us, but she still didn't seem to recall anything. I sighed, and Kira just rolled her eyes, as we went through another round of trying to explain things to Max, until something clicked, and that she remembered us. Though, we had little to no success, if any before we finally just all curled up, and feel asleep inside the astral shrine.

When I awoke the next morning, Max was already awake. She had actually managed to get to her own feet, and was standing just outside the temple, as if to be watching the dawn rise. Kira was still sound asleep, so I also stood up, and walked over to her, standing beside her. I glanced out across the way at what I presumed must have been the horizon in this world.

"There isn't any sunrises in this place," I said quietly.

"I know," said Max, gaze still unwavering from the horizon. I just glanced downwards.

"How are you feeling? How are those wounds?"

"I think I'll live," said Max, and I sighed. "Sakuuya?"

I glanced at her surprised, it was the first time she had spoken any of our names since the night previous to her having been captured.

"Hai?" I asked my heart racing.

"What do you think is the grand design this time around?" asked my friend softly.

"Grand design?" I repeated.

"Yeah," said Max. "Like before, it was the Armageddon, so what do you think it is this time?"

"Matte..you remember?" I asked trying not to be too hopeful. Max finally turned away from the horizon, and looked at me.

"We all are, you, and Kira first," said Max, "and now me."

"But wait, you know who we are? You remember what happened?"

Max chuckled. "Which time? The Armageddon, or when I majorly kicked that would be me's ass?"

"So you remember everything?" I said anxiously, emotion being purely reflected in my dark blue eyes. "You remember me, and Kira. You remember Jake? And Ace? And Rae? And--and everyone?"

"Everyone, and everything," said Max kindly. I looked at her nervously.

"But how?"

"When I was asleep, Mallos came to me," explained Max gaze turning back to skyline. "He helped me to remember everything. And this place..this is the ghost world, or spirit realm." She then looked back at me. "Why are we here?"

"Because I sent us here," came Kira's voice suddenly from behind us. "I thought that it'd help you remember."

"Well," said Max opening her arms. "I'm all cured."

"How can we be for sure?" said Kira eyes skeptic.

"Kira, please," I said, but she had already begun to quiz Max on a whole bunch of things. Both from our previous lives, and the ones we--somewhat possessed at present. vn.nv;; And Max passed with flying colors, so at long last Kira reversed her spell, and we were thrust back into Ningenkai. Though, the way we arrived had been similar to that which we had in the spirit world. Only, Max knew everything, and so too did Kira, and I. But I meant we all still had our injuries. Jake, having seem Max come to had rushed over to her, to check, and see if she were okay. Max told him that she was fine, and that what she had was nothing that a little rest couldn't cure, then she reached up, and wrapped her arms around his neck kissing him softly, and whispered an apologize. To which, Jake said she needn't have to apologize, and then just held her close and protectively in his embrace.

"Come on," said Jake addressing everyone. "Let's get you all home."

"But what about those scientists, and the police?" asked Kira. Jake just shook his head.

"Don't worry about them right now, " he said. "We'll worry about them later, and I don't know about you, but Max needs rest. And I really doubt that cut down the middle of your back is going to heal in thirty seconds worth." He smiled playfully at her, before scooping Max up into his arms once again. Kira just flashed him some sort of look, and then picked herself up, wincing a little from the pain the wound on her back inflicted.

"Fine, you're right," she looked across the way at me. Where Rae was helping me to my feet, I leaned heavily into him, still a bit woozy from the blow to the side of the head, and the return from the spirit world. "You alright, Fox?" asked Kira, and I just nodded to her.

"Let's all just get home, and get some rest," I said softly.

Kira nodded. "Yeah, alright. Jake, are you gonna take Max home then?"

"Yeah," replied the brunette. Kira then looked at Rae, but didn't say anything, and just shook her arms at him. She knew he would get me home safe, and sound. As on our way home, Kira seemed to have forgotten my strangeness in the spirit world, and I seemed to have forgotten what Youka had told me to ask Rae about. All I know, is that when I got home, I went into the bathroom, and cleaned up the cut. Then walked back upstairs, put on my pajamas, and then crawled into Rae's bed where we feel asleep once more.

Secrets once hidden return to the dark, as vaccant memories consume. All around us things and people are changing, something's happening..I can't deny it any more..how about you?

Whispers 001

2006-07-18T02:35:00.000-07:00

Currently Playing: L'Arc en ciel - Lost Heaven

Okay, so it's Tuesday which means that classes are back in session. Though, not much ever happens excitement-wise in school, and is that just me or do you all see it too? I mean the only excitement that happened, I guess was the fact that one of my aquaintances in student council finally got together with the guy she had been crushing on for the past two years. For which I am very happy for her, but talking about that will turn this journal into your typical teenage journal, and trust me, I am not your typical average teen. And if you haven't figured that out yet, then wow--you must be taking forever to read the previous posts, either that, or well--heh, you're life is ever more bizarre than mine!

I mean, come on. I'm a half angel, half fox demon. I might look normal enough, except for the fact that I was born and raised in Nihon. Though, instead of the usual black hair, and brown or black eyes, I have reddish-brown hair, and navy blue eyes. Does that seem normal to you? Albeit..if you're life is even crazier than mine, I suppose you'd be the only exception. Though, seriously? Not trying to give into my occasion superiority complex, but honestly, I think that I am as non-average a teenager as they come by. -Sweatdrops.- Albeit, right now all I'm doing is rambling. Gomen ne. vn.nv;; Moving on!

Ne, so alright, our venture to the Origak Tournament finals wasn't the greatest time any one of us had ever had. Kira, and Logan still were bickering even on our way home later that evening. Max thought we could cool them off by going out for ice cream, though, we found that at least for Kira that was a very. bad . idea. vn.nv;; I can't fully put my finger on it, but I guess that cold things don't sit too well with Himitsu. After we finished eating our ice cream, she kind of took on the personage of a drunk. That was really weird, I have never known anyone to get drunk off of ice cream. I mean, when I was little, I remembered my otousan talking about fire youkais, and the effects that cold things had on them. But then..did that mean that Kira was a fire demon, or at least 'part' one? That was weird. I decided then that I'd ask her about it later on, when and if there was time.

Though, I guess something that I should be thankful for, was that we didn't run into Yami, Mallos, or Markus again that day. Nor did I even catch a fleeting glimpse of Stephen. So once we left Origak's arena everything kind of seemed to go back to plain old, boring usual. vn.nv;; Well, at least as normal as life can get with someone like me. I'm just thankful that Rae, his parents, and my friends don't know what kind of secrets that I harbor within. Since, I'm sure that if they did, not only would I have a lot of explaining to do, but they might see me as a freak, or worse..Though, I really don't want to think about that. So anyhow..

There really wasn't too much that went on today, pretty much same old same old. I went to school with Rae, and everyone else. Did my homework, and the likes, and then went to the park for a little bit with Kira, and the others. Most of which was spent on us trying to stop Logan, and Kira from arguing, or from them creating WWIII in our neighborhood park. I swear the way those two argue, it would be hard for even a deaf guy to not know that they like each other! Well, okay, so maybe deaf is going a little bit overboard, though..Maybe not. vn.nv;; The deaf can see, after all, and the blind can hear. So I think that Himitsu and Logan are pretty much screwed on them trying to hide the fact that they don't like each other. Especially after that display at the Fall Festival. -Laughs lightly.- I can't believe they even try to deny it after such a scene played out.

Of course, though, if I brought that up with Kira, she'd freak out on me. That, or she'd give me a hard time about Rae, and I. So it wasn't very well advised for me to tease her about such means, unless I was willing to put up with her retailiation. vn.nv;; Anyways..so like I said, there really isn't a whole lot to talk about in relation to the day. Things really didn't get--well, messed up until much later. Like, when Kira let herself into Rae's ryooshin's home in the dead of night, while everyone was sleeping. I was just lucky that I wasn't having another one of my episodes in which I couldn't sleep, and as such Rae would come into my room, and go to sleep with me. I mean, we were technically just brother, and sister, not even that, more like friends living together. Though, I wouldn't have put it past Kira to take that out of context, and run with it. So thankfully, Rae wasn't in my room when she came in later that night.

I was sound asleep when she woke me, and it took all her might, and my own to stop myself from screaming. I mean, seriously, waking up and seeing nothing but a pair of bright crimson eyes, and black flowing hair, I think would be enough to freak most anyone out. If not give them a heart attack first; and she definitely jump-started my heart with her late-night entry. She crept into my room, in the dead of night, and I awoke with a fright. When I at long last got myself under control I shot her a warning glance.

"Himitsu, what are you doing here?" I asked in a forceful whisper, my breathing still quick
.
"Well that's a fine how-do-you-do," muttered Kira irritably, but she quickly shook it off. "Fox, it's Max."

"What about her?"

"Something's happened."

"What do you mean 'something's happened'?" I asked both irritated, and suddenly frightful.

"Well, you see, I was out for my usual late night walk," began Kira, "and I happened to stumble upon Max's house. And I saw five people there, four men, and a women; they were dressed in black, and it was apparent that they had broken in."

"Well then shouldn't the police have been alarmed?" I asked skeptically.

"They were taking Max out of her house on a stretcher, into an ambulance."

"An ambulance? What do you mean by that?"

"Exactly as I said," said Kira hurriedly. "Those strange people where taking her away in a ambulance."

"Kira, she probably had a seizure attack, or something," I explained. "Have you tried talking to her parents?"

"They weren't home," answered Himitsu.

"What?" I asked baffled. "Then who called the ambulance?"

"I don't know. That's just it," said Kira. "I don't think they were actual doctors and nurses. And I don't think that that was any ordinary ambulance."

"What are you saying?" I asked. "That Max was abducted from her own home, in the dead of night?"

"Yes," said Himitsu desperately. She reached out and grabbed my hand. "That's exactly it."

"Are you sure that you aren't speculating?" I asked my eyes level.

"You think that I'm making this up?!" cried Himitsu louder than we both expected. Hastily I reached out to cover her mouth, and then quickly glanced into the hallway through my partially cracked door. Not seeing anyone, I let out a sigh of relief, and then leapt up from my bed, rushing over to close the door. I leaned heavily against it.

"I didn't say that I thought you were making this up," I said voice low.

Himitsu folded her arms across her chest. "Certainly sounded like it."

I sighed. "Himitsu, listen. If you know for a fact that she was abducted, then you should tell her parents."

"Why bother? They'll find out in the morning," said Kira arrogantly.

"Kira!" My whisper grew harsher.

"Fox," said Kira looking me in the eye. "Why can't we go look for ourselves?"

I leaned back against my bed. "So you don't know if what you saw was true or not?"

"I can't be for a certain what my eyes saw, but I know what I felt," snapped Kira. "And I know those people were up to no good."

"And you want us to tromp after them, at a quarter to two in the morning?" I asked.

Kira shrugged. "I have a pretty good idea where they were headed."

"Sou," I said, "a hospital."

"Fox, please," said Kira. "Can't you trust me just this once? Something's up, and it involves Max!"

Another sigh slipped past my lips as I placed a hand against my forehead. "What direction where they heading?"

"Is that a yes? That you'll come with?"

"I never agreed to any of that," I said. "I just want to know in what direction they were heading."

Kira slumped back against end of my bed, and blew a piece of hair out of her eyes. "They were heading northwest."

I did a doubletake. "There aren't any hospitals in that area."

"But there's an science institution," Kira's eyes sparkled in the moonlight.

"What does that institution have to do with Max?" I asked.

"Boy, you are really off, Fox," said Kira.

"Excuse me?" I asked, and Kira chuckled.

"I thought that you would have been the first to figure it all out. But I guess that I beat you."

"Nani?"

Another chuckle. "Fox, did it ever cross your mind that Max wasn't just any normal human being? She has no memories past the age of six."

"Point being what?" I asked indignantly as I folded my own arms across my chest. "You didn't appear to be just your typical average teenager, either. So what?" I asked.

"Right, suspect me first," grumbled Kira, but she smiled regardless. I just shrugged.

"What do you think it is, then? That place hasn't been in business for years."

"Yeah, once the government found out what was going on there. They closed it, right?"

"They were experimenting with human and animal DNA," I said with another shrug. "Everyone knows that."

"Which was a mega no-no with the gov, right?"

"Excuse me?" I said, but Kira just shook her head.

"That doesn't matter, anyways. The point is the experiments were found out, and they canned the suckers."

"Hypothetically speaking, yes," I answered nodding. Kira looked at me like she was expecting something more. "Nani?"

Kira groaned. "Argh, c'mon, Fox. Use that big brain of your's. This is elementary compared to some of the stuff you know, and study."

I suddenly looked at her with a startled, but suddenly cooling gaze. "And how would you have managed to gain information on that? What have you been up to, Kira?"

"What? The fact that I know that you're a genius? Hello, you're scores are off the charts."

I shook my head. "Iie, not that. About Max."

Kira's eyes lit up. "Ah, so you got it!"

"I'm not saying that I have anything, it's just an hunch," I said.

Kira grinned. "Well, we'll know more when we get there, won't we?" She then grabbed my arms, and pulled me out of bed. I was surprised at her strength, but then again, I'm not much of a fighter myself. People always said that my fights looked like dances, and that it was hard to tell when I was debating whether to do the waltz, or actually want to send someone off into never-never land. -Sweatdrops.- I'm not a violent person, Rae just took me to his kendo classes a few times, and then Ono-sensei would tease me until I faught at least one of his students. He'd tell Rae, that if he's going to be bringing someone there that they may as well fight. I'll tell you one thing, the first time that I happened I was so scared, I totally thought that the other students were going to crush me. But once I got onto the floor, with the kendo-stick in hand, things almost came second nature to me. Which, was probably another one of those lovely little surprises that my father left for me. vx.xv But anyhow, so now on a couple of weekends per month I go to class with Rae, and pratice. Everyone's always so happy to see me. -Laughs lightly.- Though, I have to wonder why.

Anyhow, that was getting off topic. Gomen ne. vn.nv; Back to what was going on before that little detour..-Chuckles softly.- Now completely dragged out of my bed, I glanced at Kira with faint annoyance. "Someone's rather anxious."

"Well, aren't you? I mean we get to learn more about Max, and find out what kind of secrets she's harboring." Kira giggled.

"Ne," I said, "because you and I don't have enough as it is."

"That was sacrasm, right?" asked Kira hesitantly, and I shrugged throwing off my pajama top and reaching into my closet to withdraw a green t-shirt, and a pair of brown pants. "Well," I said with a playful smile on my lips. "I guess we'll find out, eventually." I quickly changed out of my clothes framing Kira's expression plainly in my mind. She looked somewhere between surprise and expectation, but wasn't exactly sure what to make of situation. I just raised my eyes at her, before reaching over and grabbing a brush on my dresser, and brushing out my hair, before pulling it back into my usual low-ponytail. Kira just crossed her arms across her chest again.
"Are you done yet?" she asked though she was teasing me about how long it was taking me to get changed.

"Well, that's certainly a whole helluva lot coming from the girl who woke me up in the dead of night, to go and snoop around some facility for science that's been closed for years," I said in return to her outburst. And Kira looked taken aback, but she just smiled secretly, and shook her head at me. I tightened my belt and buckled it, and then smacked my hands against my thighs. "There, all done."

Kira chuckled as she shook her head again. "You're a handful alright."

"So are you," I said looking over my shoulder at her from where I stood by the door picking up my shoes. I then walked over to my window, and unlocked it. Throwing it open and letting in the chilly night air. "Let's just go already."

"Now who's the curious one, Fox?" she smirked triumphantly. I just kicked one of my pillows at her, before clammering up onto the sill, and slipping on my shoes. Kira dodged the pillow laughing lightly. "Alright, alright already." She then followed me out my window. I held out my hand to help her down, but she just smiled at me, and leapt down. Shaking my head I crawled back up to reach over and close the window, and then hopped back down, landing beside Himitsu.

"I can't belive I let you talk me into this," I said with a heavy sigh glancing towards Reginald's Research Facility.

Kira looked at me, and huffed. "And you mean to tell me that you aren't one bit curious, foxy?" She raised an eyebrow at me. I looked back at her.

"I just hope we don't get caught," I said.

"C'mon. What's the worst that could happen?" asked Kira shrugging.

"I don't know, we could get caught by the police or worse," I said. "We could--"

"Alright, alright I get it," said Kira in a whisper. "You're a worry-wart."

"Nani?" I said. "I am not!"

Kira laughed. "That look tells me otherwise."

"Damare," I said. "Let's just get this over with."

"Aw, don't be so melodramatic, Fox!" said Kira happily. "Just think of it as--an adventure, or an observational study." I looked at her on the verge or rolling my eyes.

"You purposely added that last part."

"How-so?"

"We're going to a research facility," I said placing my hands on my hips.

"Yeah, and so?" said Kira smiling. I just shook my head at her, but it was hard not to smile. She looked back at me, and saw the expression before then reaching out, and grabbing my arm. "Let's go." She laughed and then half-tugged me to the facility, eventually she let go, though, for which I was thankful.

As we came upon Reginald's, we stopped just outside the gates, and Kira looked up. There was light in one of the research windows, which she pointed out me with a triumphant grin. She then tugged on my sleeve, and we hurried around back, where she picklocked one of the back gates, and we slipped inside.

"This is crazy," I said softly.

"Yeah, but it's a great adrenaline rush," said Kira eyes sparkling once more in the moonlight.

"You're nuts," I shook my head at her.

"I know, but you followed me," she looked over her shoulder and grinned at me. I just looked away, and towards the edifice. The place was huge, and well-built. There were grey walls on the outside, surrounding the place, and at the very top there was a glass roof. I drew in a couple of heavy breaths as I observed our surroudings, and took into account the grandeur of the research facility. What were we thinking? This was madness to try and break into a place like this, even if it had been deserted for years. A bright flash of light brought my gaze back to the building, and then to Kira's hand signal, I quickly followed after her. At the entrance she pick-locked that opening, and then slowly eased it open. She looked at me, and smiled in the moonlight, and then signaled for me to go through first.

"Oh hell no," I said. "You go first, this was your brilliant idea."

Kira shrugged. "Have it your way then," and she stepped through, and into the building.

I paused, and looked back up towards the top of the building, then tore my gaze away shaking my head. As with a quiet sigh I voice, "Kami-sama, what was I thinking?" and then followed Kira through the door, and inside the building.

And I think that I am going to call it quits for the night. I know, I know, a cliffhanger. Bad kitsune, bad. -Laughs lightly.- Gomen ne, but I told you that I want to try and keep you interested. I promise to get the next part up as soon as I have the time. Till then. K'yotseke, minna. Oyasuminasai.

So tell me what do do now, now that the secrets are being brought to life from the shadows.. Things are changing, something's happening..What it is, I don't know..I have my guesses. So..how about you?

Markus and Stephen

2006-07-17T21:50:00.002-07:00

Currently Playing: Lacuna Coil - Closer

Alright, so I'm going to take a break from my excessively 'long' posts to type up this relatively 'short' one. vn.nv;; Which I am sure some of you are thankful for, and others of you aren't, and would rather I just continue with the story. Well, my life's story, anyways. -Sweatdrops.- Okay, so in this subsection I have pictures of Markus, and Stephen. Again, these two are not a couple, but they just happened to show up around the same time. Hence, the reason I post their pictures together.

Anyhow, not much is known about either of them just yet. Well, a part from what you may already have learned from my previous posts have had to say. Though, I know that if Kira has her way she'll figure out what sort of secrets these two harbor. As for me? I'd rather just leave well enough alone. vn.nv;; So that's it, not much, I know, but I figured it was at least 'something.' vn.nv;

Sou ka, not much left to say save, k'yotseke soshite oyasuminasai.

Cruel Intentions 003

2006-07-16T21:46:00.000-07:00

Currently Playing: Nightwish - Amaranth

I didn't sleep so well last night, my earlier dreams had returned to plague me. So I was tossing, and turning a lot both in sleep, and waking. I tried to put on some classical music to soothe my mind, and when that didn't work, I finally sat up in bed, and turned the bedside night lamp on, and read for a while. Rae, apparently had been on his way from the rest room, or something, because he bypassed my room, and then stopped peeking in. He gently pushed the door opened, and glanced at me.

"Sakuuya?" he asked.

"Mm?" I said.

"Why are you up at this time of night? Do you know what time it is?" asked my foster sibling. "It's nearly four in the morning."

I closed my book with a soft sigh, and leaned my head back against my pillows. "Gomen ne, Rae, I'm just having a little bit of trouble sleeping right now."

"Too much energy left to be spent?" teased the brunette softly.

I shook my head, my eyes soft. "I wish."

"Is it the dreams?"

I just nodded, and then Rae pushed the door opened a bit further. "Well, if you like you can come into my room and sleep," he smiled softly at me. "We use to do it all the time when we were little."

"Hai," I said quietly, glancing across my room. "I remember."

"Would you like me to spend the night in here, instead?"

My gaze was then directed back towards the young boy, and I finally nodded. "Aa, I would like that.."

Rae just smiled at me, before closing the door, and then he walked over. I shifted closer to my window to give him some room, and he slipped into my bed beside me. He laid his head down; he looked so tired but that was probably due to the fact that he was only half awake right now. vn.nv;; Anyhow, so I nestled in against him, and Rae then wrapped an arm protectively, and lovingly around me, holding me close as I was finally eased back into slumber at just the sight of his beautiful face. I nuzzled him ever so slightly before softly whispering, "I love you."

Rae, though, just smiled softly at me again. Hugging me reassuringly. "I love you too, Sakuuya."

As with that we both then fell into a deep slumber.

Rae awoke earlier than I did the following morning, and actually had been asked by his mother to go and wake me up. Once I had fallen asleep last night, I hadn't woken since then. So Rae nodded to his mother, and then ran up the steps to the second floor where the bedrooms all were. He knocked softly on my door, and when there came no reply, he slowly and very gently pushed open the door. I was still sound asleep in my bed. Chuckling softly my foster brother made his way across the room, and then sat down on the bed beside me, gently shaking me awake.

I opened my eyes slowly glancing about. I blinked a couple of times, and then Rae's face swam into view. "Oh, ohayo gozaimasu," I said sleepily. Rae chuckled again.

"Ohayo. Mother and father asked me to come and wake you up."

I nodded, and then looked at my bedside clock, it was already after eleven. The latest that I had ever slept in at least since I had been small. "Oh, wow.." I said, "it's that late already?"

"Mhm, mother made some strawberry pancakes for breakfast, and we saved you some," said Rae with a kind smile. Again, I nodded before sitting up, and rubbing my eyes sunlight being splayed across my form. My satin pajamas also caught a ray of the light, and shimmered, though, it was enough to cause Rae to blush. Then when he realized he was staring he shook his head, and looked quickly away. I stretched a bit more, and then swung my feet out of bed.

"Gomen nasai for having slept in so late," I apologize, but Rae shook his head.

"There's no need to apologize," he smiled. "Did you have a good night sleep?"

I nodded. "Mhm."

I then made my way across the room, to my closet rummaging through it for a shirt. I settled on a black spagehitti tank-top, a pair of navy blue capris, and peach colored no-sleeved vest. I went down to the bathroom to shower, and then changed out of my pajamas. I let my hair air-dry, but ran a brush through it briefly, before tucking in back behind my shoulders. I grabbed one of the hair lockies out of the brush door, and pulled my hair back into my usual low ponytail.

I was walking out of the bathroom, when I ran into Ritsuo, Rae's father. He looked at me, and chuckled reaching out to steady me. "Good morning, sleepy-head," he teased. I glanced up at him, and smiled shyly.

"Gomen ne," I automatically apologized.

Another chuckled met my ears. "It's fine, Sakuuya. Rae said you had a pretty rough night last night. Not to mention all the partying." He then looked at me playfully skeptic. "I hope you behaved yourself, no sake, right?"

I lightly hit him in the chest. "Of course I didn't. I'd be more worried about Ace drinking, then me."

Ritsuo chuckled again. "Alright, alright." His dark brown eyes sparkled in the now noonlight, and his brunette hair blew faintly in the breeze that swept in from the opened window. "Ayana's got strawberry pancakes waiting for you downstairs. Oh, and your friend Kira called, wanted to know if you were going to the Origak Tourney openings."

"Kira called?" I asked a bit surprised, but then I remembered what she had said the previous night, and smiled. "Oh, right," I said laughing softly. "Sure, if it's okay?"

Ritsuo nodded. "It's fine with me, if Ayana agrees."

I smiled brightly at him, and then threw my arms around his neck kissing him on the cheek ever so gently. "Arigatou gozaimasu."

My foster father just smiled, wrapping his arms around me and hugging back. "And I suppose that you are going to ask if Rae can go with you, right?"

I looked up into his brown eyes. "Well..anou..if it's okay, I'd like it if he could come."

"Are all seven of you getting together again?" Ritsuo chuckled.

"Mhm, we got an invite from the track team captain," I answered.

"An invitation from the team captin himself? Well that's quite a stunning feat."

I laughed lightly at his comment. "Mm, I suppose that it is."

"Well then, I suppose that I best not be keeping you then," said Ritsuo smiling softly. "And yes, if it's alright with Ayana, Rae can go too." I beamed at him again, hugging him tightly.

"Arigatou," I said before pulling away, and then picking up my things rushing back to my room. Where Rae was waiting, sitting on my bed, and looking out my window. I walked in, and put away my things, before walking up to him, I sat down beside him, and placed a hand on his.

"Rae?" I asked. "Are you okay?"

The brunette boy looked away from the window then, and towards me. He smiled softly. "Yeah, everything's just fine, I was just waiting for you."

I smiled at him, leaning forewards to kiss him on the cheek. "Arigatou, Rae. For today, and for what you did last night." Rae blushed, but still managed to find his voice.

"Mhm, not a problem," he said with another smile. He then leapt up off the bed, and took my hand in his. "Come on, mother's pancakes are waiting for you downstairs. That and we wouldn't want to keep Kira waiting, now would we?"

"How did you know?" I asked.

"I was the one who answered the phone, silly."

"O--oh right, I knew that," I said blushing faintly.

"Sure you did," said Rae, and then he tugged lightly on my hand. "Come on then."

"Okay, okay," I said laughing, as I also got up off my bed, and the two of us headed downstairs. And sure enough, there was Ayana in the kitchen just finishing up putting the pancakes on a couple of plates. I looked at Rae. "Didn't you eat, earlier?"

Ayana chuckled softly. "No dear, he wouldn't eat until you got up."

"Oh," I said looking at Rae, who's face turned another faint tint of red. Though I just smiled at him, and then sat down in my usual dining spot, Rae also did. Ayana walked over and handed each of us a plate. Her blue-green eyes sparkled in the sunlight, and brown hair with a faint tint of red to it, was pulled back as it usual were with it's two yellow ribbons. "Arigatou," I said, and Rae's mother just smiled before walking back over to the kitchen sink, and continuing to wash the dishes humming a little tune softly to herself.

"I wouldn't dilly-dally, if I were you," said Ayana with a soft laugh. "You're friend called again, Sakuuya, and I told her that you were finally up. She seems like such a charming girl."

Rae coughed slightly, and muttered something as he was taking a sip of his milk, but his mother didn't seem to have taken notice. I just looked at him, silently chuckling, and then thanked Ayana for the message before going back to eating. When we at long last finished, I put my dished and Rae's in the sink, and said that I would take care of them, but Ayana just told me that that was nonsense, and that I shouldn't keep Kira waiting. I only agreed to let her do them, if she promised to let me wash supper's dishes. Which she relunctantly agreed to, because she knew I wouldn't have left until she said that I could.

I smiled, and then leaned up to kiss her on the cheek. "Arigatou, Ayana-san."

"Yes, yes, now hurry up. You haven't got much time, the opening games start in less then an hour."

Rae and I both smiled at her, and he kissed her before we left. Slipping on our shoes we ran out into the warm autumn afternoon. As we slowed down to a walk, I reached into my bag to pull out my cell-phone, and quickly dialed Kira's number. Her father answered, and when I explained the situation to him, he told me that Kira had already gone off to the park to meet us. I thanked him, and then hung-up, Rae looked at me expectantly.

"They're already at the park," I said answering his silent questioning.

"Already?" repeated Rae.

"Well sou, that's what her otousan said anyways. Himitsu probably left because she didn't want to have to deal with arguing with him this morning." To that Rae nodded in understanding, as we turned and made our way to the park. Once we arrived, Kira, and everyone else were there to great us, and Himitsu wore a fake irritated expression on her face.

"Good afternoon, sleepy-head," said Kira a smile coming to her lips.

"Konnichiwa," I replied. "Sorry that we're late."

Across the way, Ace yawned. "Ah, no hard feelings, Sakuuya. I would have been sleeping still too if it hadn't been for little miss sunshine over there," he was talking about Kira who just stuck her tongue out at him. "She's hellbent on finding out who the mysterious tree-boy was last night." Ace yawned, and Logan looked at him with an annoyed expression.

"Ah," said Rae with a sheepish smile. "You think that he's going to be at the opening games?"

Kira shrugged. "I don't know, but I know that those other two shady fellows are going to be there," her crimson eyes grew hot.

"You seriously don't want to go to the games just for the fun of things do you?" I asked laughing lightly.

"Of course not! I am a girl on a mission. And I plan on unmasking those two creeps, as well as our festive tree-boy." I laughed again.

"An something tells me that attempting to talk you out of it, isn't going to happen."

"You better believe it," said Kira. "So, shall we then?"

She started towards Origak High.

"Why do I have a feeling that this is going to be 'long' day?" muttered Ace as the rest of us followed after Kira.

"Because we're doing what Kira wants," said Logan irritably.

"Come on," said Max. "We all know that you'd do anything for her."

"Will you shut the hell up?!" cried Logan. "I don't like her like that."

"Ooh, and what way do you like her?" teased Max violet eyes twinkling mischievously.

"Max, that's enough," said Jake with a faint smile. "I don't very well like the idea of you, and Logan getting into a fight." Max looked at him, but huffed a faint, 'oh alright,' and we didn't here another word from her, and Logan's previous fight.

As we came upon Origak High, everyone stopped, and Kira looked up at the tall buildings of the high school, her eyes wide. "Wow," she said in awe. "This place if fucking huge," she then looked down at the invitation.

"Yeah," said Logan with a smirk. "So where do we start, Kira?"

Himitsu hit him in the chest none too lightly, and glared, but her gaze momentarily returned to Origak. The campus was far larger than our school's, and much more lavished. The main part of the school was at least several stories in height, with huge, wide windows that glittered in the sun's light. Before us there was a huge iron gate that stated the name of high school,and just beyond that we could see a ton of students walking around. Talking, laughing, some were chasing after others there we even couples holding hands and whispering sweet nothings in their lover's ears.

"Maybe I should rephrase my earlier question," said Logan. "How the hell do we get in, first off?"

"I hope that you have your invitation," replied a cooling voice from behind us, and several of us jumped turning around and facing who had spoken. The voice had belonged to a tall boy probably in his senior year with midback length silvery white hair, and brown eyes. He was dressed in the traditional black and red Origak uniform, only he had a small gold badge pinned on his chest opposite to the Origak crest which was stitched onto the right side of the uniform shirt.

"Who the hell are you?" asked Kira refusing to be intimidated.

"Kazuya Narita, I'm the RN here at Origak High," answered the silverhaired senior. Max reached out to grab Himitsu before she said something, and then handed the invitation to Narita-san, smiling as pleasantly as she could muster at him. When the RN's gaze seemed preoccupied with the invitation, Max mouthed to Kira, 'put a lid on it,' and our friend folded her arms across her chest with a smug expression on her face. Just then, though, Narita-san handed the invitation back to us, and then ordered us to follow him which we all did in silence.

He walked up to the gates, and then held up his badge, as momentarily there came a rumbling sound, and then the iron gate squeeked opened. Narita-san walked through, and signalled for us to the do the same. He then led us over, down and around to the back of campus, where our gaze befell as huge outside arena chalk full of people, all wearing different uniforms, and some just casually dressed.

"Oh. My. God," breathed Kira. "You have got to be kidding me? This place is ginormous!"

Narita-san chuckled. "Yes, the Origak Tournament draws tens of thousands of people each year, all coming to watch the finest athletes perform."

"No need to gloat," muttered Logan, and Max hit him in the ribs with her elbow.

"Shut up," she sniped back in a low, warning whisper.

"I believe that you're seats are over this way," said Narita-san beginning to walk again. He led us to a collection of our fellow students, and staff, as well as the parents of the competing athletes. "Enjoy," came Narita-san's voice now seeming quite a ways away. I turned sharply on the my heel to face him, and nearly lost my balance. I slipped up, and stumbled, but a pair of strong arms caught me.

"Easy," said a mildly gentle voice from behind me. I turned my head to find myself face to face with one of the twins we had met before. The quieter, and gentler one, mind you. Mallos, I think his name was.

"Uh..thank you," I said slightly embarrassed. Albeit Kira suddenly rounded on the guy.

"Okay buster, so where's your hot-shot of a brother, hm? And get your hands off her," she knocked Mallos away. He released me, and stumbled backwards, Rae caught me, and Mallos seemed able to steady himself. He turned his blind eyes upon Kira.

"He's probably getting ready for the openings," replied Mallos still in his same gentle tone of voice.

"What? He too kingly to come and greet us, himself?" Kira's eyes were malicious, but Mallos didn't seem moved by her anger in the least, and just continue to stare calmly at her.

"If you like, I can take you to him.." he replied.

"Like hell!" snapped Logan. "We aren't going anywhere."

"Then," said Mallos voice softening in an almost cool manner. "I suggest you stop making such a scene."

Logan just glared at him. "What the fuck ever, I don't have to deal with any of this shit, it's beginning to piss me off." As just like that he suddenly stormed off, Kira sprinting after him after of course, she glared in Mallos' general direction. Max, and I sighed.

"Jake, stay here with Ace, and Rae, alright?" said Max. "Fox, and I will go and bring them back."

"Uhm..alright, if you're sure you don't want us to come with?" said Jake.

"No, it's fine, besides," she paused to smile at him,"someone has to save our seats. We'll only be gone for a short while." Then she leaned towards him, kissing Jake lightly on the lips. "I love you," and then she and I ran off after Kira, and Logan.

"Do you have any idea where they might have went?" Max asked me after we had been searching for a while.

"Iie, I don't," I answered as we rounded a corner. Albeit, as we did I suddenly felt my body smack into someone else, and I gasped closing my eyes as I fell back. I shook my head, and then looked up at who I had ran into mumbling a faint "shirimasen." Max had rushed to my side.

"O--oh, Fox, are you all right?" asked my friend with a concerned expression on her face.

"H--hai," I answered. "Gomen nasai..I wasn't paying attention to where I was going..I--" but I broke off as I looked up into a face that I had sworn that I had seen before, but couldn't remember. He had brown hair, and brown eyes rimmed with glasses, and was dressed in a blue and white windsuit. Though, the minute that I saw his face I felt my body go rigid, and felt fear, and panic rising up within me.

"No, it's quite all right," said the strange man. "I was lost in thought. Here, let me help you up," he held out his hand to me, and I slapped it away. My expression contorting into a mask of anger, and bitterness.

"You," muttered Kerana in a cold tone of voice, her eyes narrowed. And the young man backed slightly away, and then he glanced at my face, and hair, and my alter-ego saw shock and fear on his face. Max had suddenly stepped up between us, and she held out her hand, which Kerana accepted as my friend pulled her back onto her feet. Though, my violet-eyed friend seemed faintly taken aback.

"I--I'm terribly sorry about that," said Max. "She's doesn't trust strangers."

The young man, though, returned to his full six foot frame, and just shook his head. "No, it's quite all right, I understand. My name's Fujiwara, by the way. Fujiwara, Markus." He smiled kindly at the two of us. "So there, now we're not strangers anymore. I'm here judging athletes for one of the scholarships that my college and athletic progam grants to the student with the most potential in his/her sport."

"Ah," said Max. "Well, it was very nice to meet you, Fujiwara-san, but if you'd kindly excuse us? We're looking for a couple friends."

"Oh, you mean the two red-eyed youths?" said Markus.

"Yeah," said Max. "How'd you know?"

"They're just outside the arena, in the forest." Markus pointed towards the southern part of the area.

"Really?" said Max. "Thank you very much."

"Not a problem," said Markus. "Take care," and then he made his way back towards the arena disppearing into its' depths. Max then turned back to me.

"Are you all right?"

"Hai," said Kerana, following after Markus with a narrowed gaze. "Let's just go and find Logan, and Kira."

"Well okay, if you're sure."

Kerana nodded. "I am."

As with that, the two made their way into the forest. Searching, and at long last finding Kira, and Logan. The two were standing in a grove, and arguing, but there was also someone else standing there with them. There was another boy, about our age who stood opposite to Logan, and Kira was standing kiddy-corner to the two. I couldn't make out what there were carrying on about, I just caught a few of the minor details, but not much that could tell me what all the ruckus was about. An apparently, neither could Max, though, when there was a moment of silence between the now tree quarrellers she stepped up with a loud, "what the hell is going on here?"

And all three stopped their arguing and turned to face us, as Max, and I walked into the grove. I glanced about the expansion, and my eyes befell the strange newcomer. He had dark brown, almost black colored hair, and amber eyes, and he was dressed in an some strange uniform that I couldn't ever recall having seen. The outfit looked similar to the Origak one, only his was black with blue trimmings. I looked over his form analytically, and then I realized that he was a student from Lazarus University. Which means that he was either a child genius, or else--something completely different. I did sense that there was something strange about him, but I didn't acknowledge it. I figured that there was a time, and place, and it wasn't here, or now.

"Who're you?" asked Max also noting the strangeness about the young man.

Kira shoved Logan aside. "His name's Masaomi. Stephen Masaomi."

"Our night time tree-boy?" said Max pulling one out of her hat (figuratively speaking. vn.nv;;).

"Yep," said Himitsu.

"So what's he doing here? Not spying again, I hope?" said Max.

"Well, we hoped that wasn't it, and he says he's here for the games," answered Kira, "but I highly doubt that." Stephen however just smirked and held up an invitation.

"Care to try that one again, Kira?"

Himitsu snatched up the paper, and then threw it back at him. "So what? That doesn't prove you actually came here for the games."

"Oh," said Stephen. "You mean like how you didn't come for them either? What was it? Oh yes, you were looking to unmasking the twins, and I, weren't you?"

Logan stormed over, but Kira held him back.

"Alright, can everyone just chill for a minute?!" cried Max, she looked between Kira and Logan, and then at Stephen. "And try to 'civilly' explain things to me? You found your tree-boy, Kira. What else could you honestly want, or need?"

"Like, how about he explains to me why he's been spying on us?" said Kira indignantly.

"Is it my fault for finding you extremely attractive?" said Stephen idly.

"What the fuck? Oh hell no, not this shit again," growled Logan.

"Again?" Max, and I repeated at the same time.

"Ever since Kira found out about him, he's been flirting with her," said Logan, and Max giggled.

"And it pisses you off, hm?"

"I don't trust him!" cried Logan vehemontly.

"I don't blame you," said Stephen. "I wouldn't trust me either."

"Shut the fuck up!" yelled Logan.

"What? I was simply agreeing with you," replied Stephen simply.

"Like hell!" said Logan bitterly, crimson eyes flashing.

"Okay, okay, will you both just calm down already?" said Max, "You're giving me a headache."

"And me," agreed Kira quietly.

"So let me get this straight," said Max. "You're name is Stephen, and you've been only watching us because you find Kira attractive? And you managed to piss Logan off because you admitted to it?"

Stephen shrugged. "Pretty much so."

Max then looked at Kira, and Logan. "And what were the two of you bickering about?"

"The usual," answered Kira also with a shrug.

"Okay, well that's nothing out of the ordinary.." said Max sweatdropping. "So then why does this argument have to keep on? Because, right now I think would be a good time for all of us to just sit down, and watch a bunch of people tripping over themselves." She was of course, talking about the althetes, and the opening games which were probably now going on. Mostly track, from what I could make out at the distance which we were.

"Yeah, I guess that you're right," said Kira quietly. She knew she had been beat by Max's reasoning anyways.

"Fine," said Logan. "Just as long at he gets out of the picture." He glared at Stephen, how mock bowed.

"Just say the word, and I'm gone," the emphasis that he placed on 'gone' sent shivers down my spine. Because though I knew he was going to leave, I really didn't trust it to be for good. I just hand this inkling in the back of my mind that it wouldn't be the last we saw of him, and that soon, if not already he was going to play a very big part in Fate's Grand Design, or rather the one she had laid out for us, anyways. When I went to look back at Stephen, though, he just smirked, and then turned and left without another word.

"Thank god," said Logan.

"That was very rude of you, you know?" chided Kira.

"It was--what?!" said Logan irritably. "He wasn't much of a gentlemen himself."

"No," said Kira, "but he had better manners than you."

"Like what?!"

"Guys!" yelled Max. "Knock if off!"

"What?" cried Kira. "He started it!"

At the same instant Logan exclaimed, "She started it!"

Max just sighed, and shook her head. I simply said nothing just looking between the two.

"Come on," said Max. "Let's just get back to the arena."

"Alright, alright," said Kira. "Sheesh."

As with that the four of us made our way back to the arena, and took our spots watching the games.

And I think that that is where I am going to end it for the night. Gomen ne, but it's already too long for most as it were. -Sweatdrops.- But don't worry, I'll get the next part up, ASAP.

Signing out. K'yotseke, minna.

So tell me now, now that you know, and now that the secrets are coming to light. Things are changing, something's happening. I'm beginning to see it..can you?

Cruel Intentions 002

2006-07-15T00:15:00.000-07:00

Currently Playing: Nana Kitade - Utareru Ame

Ne, so it looks like I've gone a few more days without an update. vn.nv;; Gomen ne, but things have gotten pretty busy around here, especially with the Fall Festival just around the corner. We were already late as it were in the preparations, so this past week everyone was kind of skurring around trying to get everything done, and ready. I was also a member of the studen council, so I had my own fair share of last minute preparations. So it was a miracle how we ever managed to get everything done for the festival, though, whatever happened, I was thankful for it. Because for having started the preparations later than the previous years, we still managed to get everything set up accordinly, and properly for the festival.

Though, because of all the last minute modifications and whatnots, I was a little bit late in getting to Max's for our own make overs, and dress preparations. The celebration was a very old, and ancient tradition so it was required to wear appropriate attire, which meant yukatas for the men, and kimonos for the women. And anyone who has ever had to deal with a kimono, can understand why we needed several hours to get ready. vn.nv;; Albeit, we all had a pretty good time, and it was fun to get all dressed up. Actually, I couldn't honestly remember the last time, a part from previous festivals that I had ever gotten so lavishly dressed up before. I'm sure, though, that there were some other times a part from the fetes.

Once everyone was finished I asked if we could all get together for a photo. Which they were all okay with, well, most of them anyways. We had a little bit of trouble getting a couple of the guys (Ace, and Logan) to come out into the open. I guess they thought that they looked funny in their yukatas, though, once they stepped out of the dressing room, and into the hallway Kira made mock catcalls at them. To which Ace threw his shirt at her, and she reached out catching it and laughing. As for Logan, his face was such a shade of red that I had ever seen before, and I laughed into my hand. Never had I seen him so embarrassed before. He didn't even look half bad in his yukata, and actually I found it looked rather attractive on him. Though, when I commented on it, his eyes turned cold, but his face remained that brilliant shade of red, so I didn't even take his threatening glare to heart.

He then glared at Himitsu. "You are so going to pay for this.."

I looked between the two, and smiled. "Ah, so it was Himitsu that got you to do this after all."

"Shut up, Sakuuya," said Logan, and I chuckled softly.

"Gomen ne," I apologized, and then snapped a picture of him. Logan snapped his gaze to face me, and Rae sweatdropped reaching out and pushing the camera down.

"Easy does it, tiger," Ace said to Logan who threw whatever he had at hand at Ace which happened to be some hardcovered book or another. Luckily, Ace managed to dodge it, but he failed to dodge the stuffed cat that Logan threw at him the second time.

"Hey, hey!" cried Max. "Don't be tearing up the house!"

She ran into the room, and reached out taking another object from Logan, and hit him upside the head. "Knock if off," she chided.

"Then tell him to stop making fun of me!" cried Logan outraged, and Kira giggled.

"It could be worse, Logan," said the ravenhaired girl. "It could be me teasing you." Her eyes twinkled playfully in the light of the hallway. Logan's face flushed with both embarrassment and anger, though, before he could say anything Jake interrupted.

"Okie dokie," said Jake breaking in. "It's getting a little too crowded in here. Let's move into the living room, shall we?" He wore a meek smile on his face, as he signalled for us all to go into the other room.

"Good idea," I agreed, and started for the next room which happened to be the aforementioned living room. Once I was inside, everyone else soon followed.

"Now," said Jake, "is everyone ready?"

"Ready?" snapped Logan. "Ready for what?"

"Sakuuya wants to take a picture of us for the year book," answered the brunette.

"She what?! Nobody told me that this was going to be going into the year book!"

"Well," said Kira idly. "Now you do."

"Shut the hell up," growled Logan.

"Okay, you two, simmer down," said Max stepping between the two. She then looked at me. "Yes, I think that we're all ready. However, why don't we go outside into the yard? There's even more space out there, beacuse despite the first appearence of this living room, it is actually in-fact pretty small." She smiled plausibly at that.

"True, true," said Ace nodding. Though, I think he was thinking that the more space there was the easier it would be for him to dodge things, and to get away if he got himself into hot water like he had attendancy to do. vn.nv;; Anyhow, so we settled on outside, and as we made our way out, Max's foster parents were coming back from this first party of the evening. When they saw us, her foster mother smiled and awwed at us.

"Don't you all just look simply adorable," said Max's foster mom.

"I wouldn't necessarily say that, Maisy," replied her foster father. "They look so grown up to me. Just like the princes, and princesses that the fall festival, back in the good old days, would bring together." He smiled softly at all of us. For as long as I could remember, Max's foster parents had always been so very nice. Maisy, was the very epitome of a mother, and Daniel was also soft spoken, and just such a sweet guy. I smiled at his comment, and his brown eyes sparkled. He chuckled at us all then. "Well now, I suppose that we best not be keeping you, your majesties," Daniel teased, and Max looked at him as if to scold him, but instead just smiled, and then ran to him throwing her arms around him, and hugging him.

"You're too sweet, Daniel," said Max teasingly, she then kissed him on he cheek, and did the same to Maisy. "We'll be leaving shortly, have fun at your parties."

Maisy smiled. "We will, have fun tonight, dear." She kissed Max lightly on the cheek, and then the two walked passed the rest of us, and into the house. Albeit, just before entering, Daniel stopped at looked at me, he winked.

"Keep an eye on her, won't you? And keep her out of as much trouble as you can, alright?" he asked playfully, and I smiled at him nodded.

"Hai," I said. "I will."

"Good, have a good night," he then disappeared into the house. As he left I then turned back to my six friends, and held up my camera.

"Alright," I said, "who's ready?"

Everyone just either smiled at me, or shook their heads, but they gathered together regardless, and I snapped a couple of pictures of our little group. Once I finished, I let the camera fall against my chest. "Okay then, all done."

"Who's ready for some partying?" said Himitsu with a goofy grin on her face. Though everyone threw up their hands and cried they were. I chuckled at the sight, and Rae looked over at me, and blushed. Though, I just shook my head and continued to smile. As then the seven of us began to make our way towards the Rock Gardens.

The sight tonight, though, was quite different indeed. Everywhere their were bright and colorful decorations, and little shops and caravans set up all around the gardens. Not to mention that it was plump full of people. Everyone laughing, and smiling, just happy in general. There were families, and friends, lovers, people of each and every sort of status quo, and they were all dressed in kimonos or yukatas. This was one such festival, and one such time that so many people would all gather in one place, and it was an amazing sight.

Streamers were hung in the trees and around the gazebo, each which had a multitude of Japanese laterns hanging on them, whose candlelight flickered in the soft, cool autumn breeze. As for a while, my friends and I just walked up and down the lavished streets, stopping to play a few of the games in which one game in particular Himitsu one three goldfish, one of each that she gave to Max, and I, and the third she kept for herself. After walking for a couple of hours, and playing a few games, not to mention running into aquaintances from school and chatting with them, we finally all decided that it was about time to get something to eat. Though, that proved to be a challenge in itself, since there was so much traditional food to pick from, and we each had our favorites. Eventually, though, we managed to all settle on something, and sat down on one of the benches to eat.

However, after we sat down, and began to eat, and the usual gossip broke out. I was looking about the area when I suddenly spotted a young man probably in his college years, and at his side there was a pretty girl maybe a year or two younger with dark, flowing hair, and soft brown eyes. The two seemed enthraled in converastion, however, when my gaze befell the young man, I dropped my chopsticks and the food that I was eating fell to the ground. Inside of me, my heart began to race, and my stomach churned sickly. I felt my mind slipping into a relapse of that one night..The one night that led me to having more nightmares than I needed, and a major reason why I had medication for my headaches. Even though, I couldn't remember what had happened that night, because I had blacked out, and then reawoke to find myself safe, and warm in my bed at home when I swore that I had gone out that night.

Though, when I asked about it, everyone had told me that I had been home all night. None of them could remember either, and thought for awhile that I might have been a bit dillusional. And then I started having terrible headaches, and was beginning to loose hours of my days. I would get to the point where I couldn't remember what I did in school, or what assignments and papers were due the following day or week. There soon became huge parts of my days that I couldn't recall. So that was when Rae's parents took me to the hospital, and I got perscribed my medication. Since, I had also noted that around the time that I would loose I would usually obtain some serious headache. The doctor said that it might have just been post-traumatic stress, and that it might have had something to do with the loss of my ryooshin. So he perscribed me medication for my headaches and anxiety attacks, a part from that though, there wasn't much more that could be done until he was able to understand just exactly what it was that was obscuring my mind.

As now, looking at that young man with toustled brunette hair, brown eyes, and glasses, I felt suddenly and utterly terrified. My body began to tremble and shake, and my mind began to swim between consciousness, and unconsciousment. At my side, Rae asked if I were all right, and then also looked across the way, but the young man and his girlfriend had since disappeared. So when Rae turned back to me, he noticed that I suddenly seemed perfectly fine, and was eating again, acting as if nothing had happened. My composure, though, seemed much more steady, and confident, and he did a doubletake.

"Rae," I said in a calm, and gentle tone of voice, "you might want to eat your food before it gets cold."

"But..wait a minute, you were just--" words failed him.

I smiled at him as if he were being silly. "Everything's fine, just eat. Domburi doesn't taste very good once it's cold, trust me. It gets all pasty, and gross."

"B--but.." Rae protested, and then my eyes flickered. I lowered my voice, and looked about us, making sure that no one else was listening.

"We need to talk, when there is time," I whispered, "just the two of us, alone. It's time you know what's really going on with Sakuuya.."

"With--who? What?" asked Rae baffled.

"Shush, I don't want you to draw the others' attention," I said. "Later on tonight, we'll talk, and then everything will be made clear." I then went back to eating, and my foster sibling glanced at me, but just shook his head with a sigh, and then also began to eat.

As everyone was finishing up, fireworks suddenly burst into light against the twilight sky. Kira's eyes sparkled. "Oh, wow!"

Max chuckled. "Yeah, it's the start of the festival parade," she explained. "Come on, eat up, or we'll miss it."

"A parade? Really? That's just too cool!"

Max laughed again. "Yes, it is, now hurry up."

Kira woofed down the rest of her food, and then once everyone was finished we all stood up, and threw our plates, and any leftovers away, and then hurried to the center of the gardens. We found a really good spot, and sat down, just the seven of us, and watched. Fireworks illuminated the sky, casting colorful shadows against are forms, and the surrounding areas.

"This is amazing!" cried Kira happily as she watched the festivities with wide, and bright eyes. "It's almost like the Fourth of July!"

Max chuckled. "Well, not exactly, but it's kind of similar to that." She smiled, and then snuggled in against Jake watching the parade. Kira leaned into Logan, who was startled at first, but then gingerly wrapped his arms around her, also watching. And I fell back against Rae, who took me in his arms, and lifted me up onto his lap. I reasted my head against his chest, smiling.

"Sakuuya?" asked Rae, and I blinked looking up at him, and then nodded nuzzling him.

"Well yeah, who else would I be?" I teased, closing my eyes softly and gripping his shirt. Rae then blinked at me, but nodded regardless, and just held me close. He rested his head against mine, reaching a hand up to stroke my hair, and continued to watch the parade. Albeit, just before the end of it, and as the fireworks grand finale was going off overhead, Max leaned up and kissed Jake, Kira leaned up to kiss Logan on the cheek, and Rae leaned down to kiss me. Though, just as he did, I lifted my head up to see what he was moving for, and instead of a peck on the cheek it turned into a small kiss on the lips. I blushed and so did Rae, it had happened by complete accident. And all of our friends saw it, Kira giggled.

"What did I tell you?"

My face flushed a brilliant shade of red.

"Yeah," said Max, "albeit they weren't the only couple showing affection tonight either," her eyes twinkled in the last of the fireworks.

"What's that suppose to mean?" asked Kira indignantly.

"I caught that little kiss on the cheek you gave to Logan," teased Max obviously bemused. At her side Jake was chuckling softly.

"So?" said Kira.

"So," said Max, "it looks like we got ourselves two new couples tonight."

"Yeah right," said Kira, but she was suddenly faintly pink in the cheeks herself.

"Nani?!" I exclaimed taken by surprise. But Max just burst into a fit of laughter, and so did Ace.

"Aren't you all so cute," said the blond smiling.

"Shut up!" cried Logan, Kira, Rae, and I at the same time. As several of the stuffed animals people won at games were suddenly through at him. Each one hit, but all he did was laugh. Albeit, Kira was suddenly looking up into a tree, her crimson eyes curious and skeptic. Since, just after everyone through their stuff prizes at Ace, she had looked up into a nearby tree, and see a young form there. Though, it was hard for her to make out much of his composure, but she later told us that he had been wearing a navy blue yukata, and had dark brunette hair, and amber colored eyes. Himitsu told us that he had been watching out group earnestly, and then she recalled having seen him several other times throughout our time at the gardens. Though, she had no idea who he was, and when she asked Max, and I, neither one of us knew either.

"Does it really matter now, anyways?" said Max looking into the tree. "He's long gone, by now."

"Maybe.." said Kira skeptically, "but that was just too weird."

Max shrugged. "Yeah, I've noticed that a lot of weird things happen when the seven of us get together. But oh well, it's probably just coincidence."

"I don't believe in coincidences," said Kira eyes sharp.

"This is getting really out of hand," I said softly to Rae who wrapped his arms about me affectionately. He then glanced at everyone else, before then looking up into the sky. The fireworks had since gone out, and around us people were getting up, and leaving.

"We should probably all think of getting home soon too," said Rae politely, and Max nodded.

"Yeah, it's got to be close to midnight by now," said our friend, and Rae nodded. Kira blinked, and then looked at her watch.

"It's actually only eleven fifteen," said the black-haired girl.

"Close enough," said Max.

"Yeah, yeah," said Kira as she got up out of Logan's lap. She held out her hand to him, which he looked at at first, but then accepted, and she helped him get to his feet. Ace too was getting up, and so were Max and Jake. Rae and I followed their leads. Kira then stretched looking into the night sky.

"So, you guys got any plans for tomorrow?" she asked.

"Sleep," said Ace, and several of us just shook our heads at him. I was leaning down to pick up a couple of the stuff animals, and also my goldfish.

"Rae and I don't have anything planned, unless Ayana and Ritsuo have something planned," I said talking about Rae's mother and father. "Which they might. They sometimes do that after festivals." I smiled meekly at my friends.

"Well, just let me know," said Kira. "I'd like us all to get together tomorrow if it's at all possible."

"Why?" said Logan. "Are you planning on looking for that stranger you were talking about earlier?"

"Maybe, but also aren't the openings for that stupid tourney going on?" said Kira.

"What tourney?" asked Logan.

"That one that dipshit one and two invited us to," said Kira a bit bitterly.

"Oh, that," said Logan not moved in the least. "Yeah, something like that. Why, you want to go or something?"

Kira's eyes glittered. "Why not? It could be fun."

"Nuh-uh," I said, "I know where this is going. You're planning on stirring up some trouble, aren't you?"

"You know me too well," said Himitsu flashing a smile my way. I just rolled my eyes at her, and then sighed.

"Honestly," I said, "you're hopeless."

"Hey," said the black-haired girl with a cheeky grin, "aren't we all?"

Max chuckled to that. "Hm, I suppose that we are. Especially in relations to romance."

"That's right and--hey! Wait a minute!" said Kira realizing what Max had said. "I am not a hopeless romantic. You, and Fox might be, but I'm nothing of the sort. I'm a fighter, not a lover."

Max laughed, and then looked at Logan. "Unless it concerns a certain orangeish-red haired boy."

"Excuse me?!" cried Kira, and several others started laughing. Logan's face flushed, and he rounded on Max, and soon they were going at in an argument. I just politely excused myself from it, and started walking towards at much more quieter part of the gardens. Rae glanced after me, and then back at our friends, before following after me.

I stopped just before the falls, and then sat down, folding my legs up to my chest and wrapping my arms about them. I then just stared out across the waters, until I heard Rae's footsteps behind me.

"Sakuuya?" he asked.

"No, not exactly," I answered in that earlier unnatural tone. My foster brother looked at me curiosly, but sat down at my side regardless.

"Oh, it's you again," said Rae softly. "So are you going to tell me what the heck is going on, and why Sakuuya freaked out like that earlier?"

"Ah," I said, "you catch on quick."

Rae shrugged. "Ever since you came home from that night, I've noticed--things."

"Like how at times Sakuuya doesn't act normally? How she spaces out, and then snaps back to reality?"

"I guess, though, she's always done that ever since she was little. It's just gotten--worse in the past couple of years."

"Ever since she turned fourteen, you mean?"

"Well, no, not exactly," said Rae. "Just like I said, ever since she came home that night."

"So then you grasp somewhat of an understanding on what is going on, ne?"

"Well, yeah, I guess so.." said Rae voice trailing off.

"The doctor mentioned something like this to you, didn't he? But he told you, and your mother and father it after he locked Sakuuya in the hospital room.."

Rae simply nodded, not saying anything.

"Then I guess I really don't need to explain myself to you, now do I?"

"So then..that was what happened..she really was--" but the other me cut him off.

"Yes, and that is all I am going to say. That man that she saw, the college student with his pretty girlfriend, that's her assailant."

Rae's eyes widened, and he looked almost hurt all of a sudden.

"There are only two of us, though, so you need not worry too much," said the other me. "I am Kerana..Sakuuya's protector, and the other--well, she's much more darker than me, her name's Youka, and she'll do anything she can to try and get Sakuuya to remember. She revels in pain, and suffering, not so much of others, but rather just Sakuuya's."

"MPD, " said Rae.

"DID," corrected Kerana kindly. "This is Dissociative Idenity, which is the proper term for it. Multiple Personality is just the more simpler naming."

"Got it," said Rae with a soft sigh. He looked out across the waters. "So she really has no memory of it? And she doesn't even know you guys exist?"

"No, not exactly," said Kerana. "Though, her time loss is of our doing. Usually I am the one who takes control of the body, and only usually when Sakuuya feels the threat of either the memory, or something that attempts to trigger the recollection. I don't want her to know just yet, for I'm afraid that if she does then she is going to sink further into this illness, and I don't want that."

"But she deserves to know," said Rae in protest.

"When she is ready," said Kerana with faint bitterness in her tone of voice. Her eyes turned a bit sharp, but then everything softened once again. "I just felt that you of all people should know..You mean a great deal to her, and I know also that I can trust you above all others. I'm sure, though, that by now the doctor has clearified the diagnoses, though, I would advise you not to mention or speak to them about this."

"Because you're afraid that they might approach Sakuuya on the matter.." said Rae softly, and Kerana nodded.

"They already know what happened that night, but they do well to keep her in the dark on matters. For which, I am thankful," Kerana sighed lightly, hands now just resting on her knees as she looked out at the falls. Rae just nodded feeling that neither he, nor her wanted to continue this conversation any further. As just then, Ace's voice rang out across the expansion.

"Hey, you two love birds! I hope that you're staying out of mischief!"

Rae just sighed lightly, and shook his head, but a smile had returned to his lips. He stood, and then held his hand out to Kerana, which she accepted.

"Ace!" yelled Rae. "Do you mind?!"

"Nope, not in the least," said our friend with a chuckle as he approached the two. Kerana's own eyes softend, and she shook her head chuckling, before in the next instant I was back, and blushing. Though, I looked between the two obviously confused.

"Anou..what exactly is going on?" I asked, and Ace raised an eyebrow, but then suddenly grinned.

"I just came to make sure that you two were behavin yourselves." My blush brightened, as I tightened my hold on Rae hand, shaking my head and looking away clearly embarrassed.

"You hentai," I said, but the blond just laughed.

"Well, you guys are holdin hands," said Ace.

"We're--what?" I then looked down, blushing harder, and then letting go of Rae's hand. Ace just laughed shaking his head at us.

"Anyhow, everyone's gettin ready to head out. Just thought I'd come and let ya know."

"Thanks.." said Rae. "I think.."

Another small chuckle. "Yep, no problem," and then Ace wandered back over to the others. Rae just shook his head.

"Come on, we better get going before he tells everyone that we were caught in a make out session." I blushed, but nodded.

"Uh-huh." And then we both ran over to join the others, all of which were smiling and laughing. The others teased us for a bit, before we all then made our ways home. As the lights surrounding the gardens went out, and the autumn breeze blew.

An oops..I think that this was another of my really long posts. Gomen ne! I just didn't know where to stop. I hope you all haven't fallen asleep yet. vn.nv;; But anyhow, I'm all done now, sou ka, you can all go to bed now. -Laughs lightly.- K'yotseke, oyasuminasai, minna!

So tell me now, now that you know, and now that the secrets are coming to light. Things are changing, something's happening, but I don't know what it is..Do you..?

Cruel Intentions 001

2006-07-10T19:36:00.000-07:00

Currently Playing: Do As Infinity - Tooku Made

Okay, so I fail in keeping things current with this journal, or well, I do a pretty good job of keeping up to date. But fail in posting things as they happen instead of a day or two afterwards. vn.nv; Gomen ne. Though, I guess that it'll now depend on you all if you still want to keep reading this, or if you'd rather stop. I honestly have no power over what you do, and what you don't. So in the end you can all call the shots, keep reading if you like, or don't, whatever floats your boat.

Anyways, so yesterday with the whole movie, and popcorn event at Himitsu's home it went over pretty well. There was a lot of teasing, and playful notions, though, we somehow managed to make it through at least three movies, and a big bowl, and a half of popcorn. Kira even had some ice cream that we broke into, and even teased about getting into her dad's sake stash, which thankfully she didn't. vn.nv; I'm not an alcoholic type of person, nor do I really approve of bending the rules, demo, unfortunately the group of people that I chose to hang out with tend to have a certain disregard for the rules. So I guess, because of that I've mellowed down a bit, and am okay with a little bit of rule breaking, but never anything scholastic based. No, no, no. If they wanted me to break some school rule, I would definitely decline, and actually try and persuade my friends away from that kind of rule breaking.

Though, that I'm afraid to say is easier said then done. Since for some of my friends..not mentioning any names, rule breaking seems all they have ever known. For others, it was just a kick. For me, I just really didn't like it. vn.nv; And can you honestly blame me? Out of my entire group of friends, a part from Rae, I was the good kid. Did my homework, wore my uniform, and lectured to my other friends to do the same. I may have been a natural/regular know-it-all, but at least I had enough decency to admit to it. -Laughs lightly.- Iie, all of my friends are good people, they just have a different view on some things more than I do.

But anyhow, so yesterday went over considerably well. As for today, well, today's Monday so most people aren't in very high spirits. Though, they've been better with all the gossip about the Fall Festival which was taking place this weekend. A lot of the students were talking about who they'd be going with, and what they'd be wearing. I swear, you couldn't pass a single hallway that didn't have that husstle-and-bustle going on. And each time that I did pass by one of the gossiping groups, I had to laugh inspite of myself. Otherwise, it was too hard to keep a non-happy face, or air during this week. Most complaints only arose when teachers would schedule tests on Friday, or else people would be whining about why the festival couldn't be celebrated sooner. Everyone, well, most everyone anyways, was looking forward to it.

Ace, on the other hand was a bit leery about the whole thing, and I noticed too that he was staying his distance from Himitsu. I actually ran into him on the way the cafeteria for lunch, and was looking around me expectingly, and I had to laugh. "Ace," I said kindly, "she isn't with me. You're safe."

My friend met my gaze, and pretended like I hadn't noticed he was looking for Kira. "Who?"

I just smiled at him, shaking my head. "No one," I said. "Did you just get done with lunch?"

"Yeah, I'm on my way to my Economics class," said the blond with a roll of his sky-blue eyes.

"Ah," I chuckled, "your least favorite class."

"Mhm." In the distance I heard a bell ring, and then looked back at Ace. "Well, gotta go, see you later, Sakuuya." He waved after me, and then sprinted off down the hallway, and towards his class. I shook my head at his actions, chuckling to myself, and then continued making my way towards the cafeteria. Albeit, just before the girls' restroom, I sudddenly felt a sharp ache in my forehead, and nearly doubled over. One of the other girls in my class stopped, and kneeled down beside me asking if I were all right, just as Rae appeared in the corridor. He saw me, and rushed forward.

"Sakuuya!"

I barely heard him, the pain was so intense that it almost seemed to silence everything around me, and my vision was going faintly blurry. When Rae appeared at my side I reached up, and grasped his uniform collar, my heads were clammy with sweat. Next to us, the other student stepped aside.

"I..I'll go and get the nurse," she said, and then skurried down the hall to the office.

Rae reached out to take hold of my hand. "Did you take your medicine last night?"

I nodded. "I had it in my pocket."

Rae looked anxiously at me, and then down the hall for the nurse. Who was now running towards us, the female student at her heel. Once close enough to us, the nurse bent down, and handed me a half of a pill, and a glass of water.

"Here, your foster mother said that your doctor had said that it was all right to take a half a pill more, if the regular doseage didn't seem to be helping," said the nurse. I took the pill half, and the water, and downed the medicine handing the glass back to her. Rae was at my other side looking at me worriedly. "She should be fine in just a couple of minutes," reassured the nurse. "Ms. Iwamoto, when was the last time you recall having a headache like this?"

"I don't know," I said.

"It was maybe about a week or two ago, when my parents returned from their trip," answered Rae.

The nurse nodded, and then stood up. "We should probably call your foster parents then, to let them know." I barely was taking in what she was saying, and just leaned against the wall closing my eyes against a faint head rush. My entire line of sight went white for a minute or so, and then everything was brought back into focus. The medicine was already going to work, and I could feel the pressure on my head subsiding.

"I..I'm all right now," I said. "Arigatou gozaimasu, Nakamura-sensei. Arigatou gozaimasu, Midori-chan." I thanked the nurse, and the girl who had went to get her.

"Dou itashi mashite, Sakuuya-chan," said the girl politely, and the nurse nodded.

"Now, I'm going to go and phone your guardians, and you should all be getting back to class," the nurse glanced at me. "Will you be all right, Ms. Iwamoto?"

I nodded gently. "Aa, sensei, I'll be fine. I've just got lunch this hour anyways."

She nodded, and then stood up, heading back towards the office. Midori glanced at me, and also nodded before turning to leave. "Take care, Sakuuya-chan," she waved and then departed. I sighed heavily leaning against the wall.

"Well that was certainly enough excitement for one day," I said. Rae nodded, and then held out his hand to help me up. I gratefully accepted it, and then got to my feet brushing myself.

"Arigatou, Rae."

My foster brother nodded softly, his blue-green eyes bright in the light of the hallway. After that whole ordeal, he and I then made our way towards the cafeteria where we ran into Max, Kira, and the others. The six of us always sat together during lunch, and so as soon as Rae, and I had ordered, we went outside to sit with them at our usual picnic table. As we joined them, though, Kira looked at me curiosly, apparently I was looking a little peakid.

"Hey, are you all right, Fox?" she asked concerned.

"Hm? Oh aa, I'm fine, just feeling a little under the weather is all," I answered as truthfully as possible. I took a seat next to Max, and then Rae sat down on the opposite side. Kira looked at me from where she sat across the way her red eyes were bright.

"You aren't running a fever or something, are you?" she asked.

I chuckled softly. "I told you that I'm all right, Kira. I'll be fine, and I am fine. Please don't worry yourself over me."

"Mm.." said Kira hesitantly, but she approached the matter no futher, and instead returned to her seat, and began eating. Eventually the usual conversations were brought up, and so everyone talked and ate their lunch, and afterwards when we had a little extra time some of our group joined a rag-tag group of seniors in playing some form of team sport, that involved makeshift goals, and a small orange ball. That carried on for about ten minutes or so, and then the lunch bell rang, and everyone returned to their classes.

On my way towards my fifth hour class, Rae walked at my side glancing at me in earnest. He was apparently still quite a bit worried about me. Finally, I stopped just outside the classroom, and smiled at him. "Rae, it's all right. I'll be fine now that I have some more medication in me. So please don't worry so much."

"I..I know, but still--"

I sighed softly, before smiling again shaking my head. "Arigatou, Rae, that's really sweet of you, but I promise that I'll be okay."

"Okay, but I am still going to keep an eye on you," said Rae, and I chuckled lightly.

"Alright, alright, if you insist," another smile, and then we both walked in our Language Arts class.

The last few hours of the school day passed by pretty smoothly. There was a little bit of trouble with Himitsu who was riling up a teacher on purpose during seventh hour about some paper or another, but apart from that nothing too exciting. As I was putting my things away in my locker, and then packing my homework, the rest of our merry little band joined us, and we left the school campus together. However, it was just before we managed to leave the school grounds when Max suddenly stopped, and so did Kira.

The rest of us only did because they had. "What is? What's wrong?" asked Ace curiosly.

"There's someone coming this way," said Max.

"Yeah, and so?" said Ace. I then saw Kira grip her school bag in a tighter hold, and then followed her's, and Max's gaze. There was indeed someone coming our way, two people to be exact, though, it was hard to make out too many of their features except for the fact that they both had dark hair. As they drew neared I saw that they were both dressed in crimson and black uniform blend. Which mean they were probably either transfer students from another school, or were still students there just coming over to check out the competition.

"Who are they?" asked Rae softly, voice low.

"I don't know," said Max, "I think their from one of the other schools."

"Judging my those uniforms," I said, "they're from Origak High."

"Wait, haven't they been our schools rivals for years?" asked Rae, and I nodded.

"Our school, and Origak were both built around the same time. But students from Origak usually come from much classier home lives."

"So they're snobs then," said Logan irritabily. "Big deal, let's just get out of here then."

"What's the matter, Logan? Afraid to stir up a bit of trouble with the upper class?" said Himitsu.

"What? Of course not, I just don't want to have to deal with their shit, is all," said Logan. "I hate people like that. People with a superiority complex. They piss me off."

Himitsu giggled. "Then why not mess them up a bit?"

"Because for once, I don't want to get expelled," answered Logan hotly. His own red-brown eyes flashed in warning.

"It doesn't look like we're going to have much of a choice," said Max. "They're almost here."

"Great," said Logan with a roll of his eyes. Himitsu just shrugged.

"Bring 'em on," said the ravenhaired girl.

"You obviously have no morals," said Logan annoyed.

"Hey, if it gives me something exciting to do, then I'm all over it," replied Himitsu simply as she cracked her knuckles looking at the two newcomers. "Besides, who gave them any right to strut their stuff on our school grounds?"

"Their upper classmen, they don't give a rat's ass who's turf they stamp on," said Logan in his usual irritated tone of voice.

"Then we best show them who they're messing with," said Kira.

I sighed. "This ought to be interesting.." I muttered just as the two newcomers approached us. And I could now make out more of their personal appearence, they looked almost identicle, except for one minor thing. One of them had black eyes that seemed to reflect no emotion, and no light, and the other's black eyes were dark and tempting. He looked at us as if he were staring into the very recesses of our souls. Both had black hair, and those same charcoal colored eyes, the only difference was one gave off an air of danger and superiority, and the other a much more hidden and mysterious one. Not to mention the second one was blind.

"Can we help you?" said Himitsu jumping the gun rearing for a fight.

The first male, the one who could see looked at her, and smirked. "Maybe, it depends on what you got to offer."

I already didn't like this new guy, he was hitting on Kira, and it got my blood to boil ever so slightly. "Back off," I snapped which caused all of my friends to look at me. Of all the people in our little group, I don't think that any of them had expected me to speak out so forcefully. However, the newcomer just looked at me, and smiled coolly, his eyes flickering dangerously.

"So it would seem that you aren't the only one with a little bit of flare," said the other male eyes looking over me, and towards Kira, and then back at me. He grinned maliciously, and Kira nearly lost her cool, she stepped up before me.

"If you know what's good for you, you'll stay away from her," snapped Kira, but the young man only found this all the more amusing.

"How noble of you," he smirked. "Friend protecting friend, not even knowing that the two of you are each other's worst enemy." His eyes flashed darkly in the sunlight. They were such a shade of charcoal that not even the smallest glint of sunlight could seem to penetrate them. Albeit, it was his twin that spoke up next, and his tone of voice was much more calming and gentle.

"Yami, enough," said the other male.

"Yami?!" said Kira eyes narrowing. "Darkness?"

"That would be what it means, yes," said the first newcomer now seen as being this Yami personage.

Max then stepped up, and approached the two newcomers. "And your name would be?"

"Mallos," replied the second young man.

"Well that's not very Japanesey sounding at all," said Kira. "And just what are you two? Twins?"

"Maternal twins, yes," answered Mallos softly.

"And yet you have names nearly on the complete opposite ends of the spectrum," said Kira.

"Yes, well, our mother and father couldn't settle decently on similar names," said Mallos. "So our mother named me, and our father named my brother."

"And what was your dad's name, Lucifer?" Kira rolled her eyes.

"Close," said Yami with a smirk, and Mallos flinched upon hearing his brother's words.

Before this conversation could go any further, I abruptly stepped in. "What do you want here? You're from Origak, right? So what would two upper classmen possibly have to do with middle class students such as us?" My sapphire blue eyes reflected skepticism. Yami looked like he was about to shoot some witty comeback at me, but Mallos interrupted.

"My brother's the track captain, and we came here with an invite for your own team. There's a tournament next week, and because your school ranked in the top ten at their last major tournament, Origak decided to invite them. So if you'd be so kind as you pass the message on? Oh, and here," he stepped forwards and handed Max a piece of paper. "That's the invitation, be sure to send it back within the next fourty-eight hours, if you will?"

"For a blind guy, he sees pretty well," whispered Kira, and Max hit her in the ribs.

"Can it."

"What?" exclaimed Kira. "I was just commenting.."

"There is a time and place for your 'comments' and it's not here," shot Max, looking down at the invitation that Mallos had handed her. She then looked back at the two young men. "So why send you? Why not a council member?"

"You-who, captain," said Yami with another cool smile. Max shot him a warning glance to which he just mock-pretended to be afraid trembling fakely, and smiling at her.

"Whatever," I said. "You delievered your message, now leave."

Mallos actually winced at the coldness in my tone of voice, and it was enough to almost make me regret saying anything, but then I looked at his twin, and my frosty-air returned. Sapphire blue eyes narrowing. Yami just chuckled at my command, and then mock bowed.

"As you wish," there was a strange gleam in his eyes that I didn't trust. But I met his gaze regardless, level and cold. He smirked at me, and then returned to his full height; both then turned and left with Yami casting over his shoulder with a dissmissive wave, "Be seeing you." He laughed and then they walked off.

Once they were well out of our sights, I dropped my demeanor. Which took most if not all of my strength to keep myself from doubling over. Rae reached out, and I leaned into him. "Sakuuya?" he asked. "Are you all right?"

"Sou," I said, "I'm just really tired."

Kira looked at me curiosly. "Are you sure you're going to be all right, Fox?"

I nodded. "I'll be fine, just standing up to those two took a lot more out of me than I think my body was willing to give," I chuckled softly.

"Yeah," said Kira, "I never thought that I'd see the day when you got that pissed off. You really are pretty strong when it comes to your friends, aren't you?"

"Sou," I answered, "they mean everything to me."

"Goolly.." said Kira softly, she shook her head. "I must say that I'm impressed, Fox. You really showed them who's boss."

"Not really," I said, "I just didn't want to see any bloodshed."

"In other words, you didn't want to see me beat their faces in," said Himitsu giggling.

"I guess not," I said feeding into her ego a bit. "I just didn't want to see anyone get hurt. Not to mention that picking a fight with Origak students you may as well be picking a fight with the town Mayor, or Represenative."

"Yeah, yeah, right," said Kira, "If you got money, you got power. I got it."

"A word to the wise," I said levelly.

"Yeah, yeah," said Kira again, but she was smiling this time. She then folded her arms behind her head, and looked towards the sky. "Whelp, it getting pretty late, we should probably all think of getting home..Plus, if I don't get that paper done for Mr..whats-his-face, my grades are going to suck." Though, she really didn't look too concerned. "Not that I care, but--" she shrugged. "Oh well, it gives me something to do."

"Don't forget that we're going to be getting ready at my house this weekend for the festival," said Max. "You could always think of ideas for that."

"Schoolwork, first," I interrupted, and everyone started laughing.

"Now there's the good 'ol Fox we all know, and love," said Kira brightly.

"Guys," I said, "knock it off."

They just kept laughing, each and everyone of them, and regardless of the fact it was at me, and my overachieving capablities, I had to smile beside myself. Though, it quickly died away as I glanced into the distant horizon, still unable to shake the image of the twins from my mind. Again, it was almost as if I somehow knew them, albeit, I honestly couldn't say how..Unless this really was the whole reincarnation thing that Himitsu had mentioned. Because, right now, with all that was going on, it was pretty hard not to believe it..

And I think that I best end in there. -Laughs lightly.- I think the post got a bit longer than I had anticipated, but I hope that it kept you interested anyways. -Smiles.- Take care, everyone. Oyasuminasai. ^n.n^

So here we are again. Not alone, but together as it should be..Alone together, and still waiting outside Destiny's door..

Ace, Ritsuo and Ayana

2006-07-09T14:35:00.000-07:00

Currently Playing: Nightwish - Long Lost Love

Okay, so right, it looks like I am going to put another of these subsections up today. A little bit diferent, though, because this post has three people instead of just two. Demo, Ace isn't dating anyone, and there are only seven of us all together. vn.nv;; So I didn't have really anyone else to put up with him. -Meek chuckle.- Gomen ne, Ace! So anyways, I just decided to put up a picture of another two people who mean a great deal to me. My foster parents (Ritsuo and Ayana Kazumi). Sou, Rae's parents. Ace's pic is at the very top, and then Ayana and Ritsuo are in the second pic together. I hope that this is okay...

K'yotseke, minna.

Return To Twilight 003

2006-07-08T19:16:00.000-07:00

Currently Playing: Garnet Crow - Mysterious Eyes

-Stretches yawning.- Wow, I'm so glad that today is a weekend, because I am so wiped out right now. This week it seems just be one test after another, after another. Not to mention that since I didn't get hardly any sleep the previous two nights, it's a miracle how I was ever able to get through my exams this week. -Laughs lightly.- Well, I suppose that it wouldn't be that hard for me, if there is one thing that I'd have to thank my otousan for, it was for my smarts. Just kidding, actually, I'm sure that if I were asked to talk about one thing that my father ever did for, or gave to me, it would take me longer than that to come up with something. And it would probably be poetic and flowery, and all that good stuff. vn.nv;

Anyhow so today is a Saturday, which means a break for me. I've just been so bogged down as of late, I really think that it's just these silly sleep disorders getting to me. I suppose, though, that in truth they seem to have ceased considerably since my meeting with Himitsu. I don't know what they were all about, but it's possible, I suppose that she had been right about the whole reincarnation thing. -Yawns again.- Though, don't quote me on that, I still am not one hundred percent convinced, though it is possible. Maybe..

Anyways, so yesterday went over pretty well. I was able to introduce Kira to Max, Jake, Ace, and Rae yesterday in school. However, it was a bit of a challenge since we all only had a select few classes together. Thank Inari for Study Hall! ^n.n^; Because of that I was able to introduce the newcomer to my little group of friends. Max, is a girl about my age, maybe a few months older who has shoulder-length black hair that is layered to her chin, and violet eyes. Her boyfriend Jake, has short semi-messy brunette hair with brown eyes. Sou, I think that those two have been together since Max started school here, which was some years ago now that I think of it.

Then there is Ace, who's a year older and a bit of troublemaker, and let's not forget pervert. v-.-v Him, and Kira started at it when they first met, because he was flirting with her, and teasing me, and she finally said enough and socked him one. -Sweatdrops.- That girl certainly has a temper..As for Logan, not much is known about him, he had actually been skipping classes lately, but just so happened to be tending his afternoon classes that day, and so was able to meet Kira. Logan has short orangeish-red hair, and red eyes. Kind of a cool, and distant personality, which I think probably stems from maybe some trauma, or abandoment issues he had as a kid. Albeit, I honestly don't know. vn.nv;;

And then Rae, well you all know who he is. He's a boy of my age with toustled brown hair, that has a faint tint of red to it, and blue-green eyes. He can be a bit naieve at times, but he's a real sweet guy. Honestly. And iie, that is not be swooning over him..v-.-v We've been best friends since childhood, and when my parents passed away his family took me in. But this..has already all be recollected in my first post. -Laughs lightly.- So no need for repeats. As to those of you who don't recall..v-.-v Read the first post, you slackers. vn.nv;; Just kidding.

Ahem..anyhow. Sou ka, yesterday went over pretty well if you uninclude the exams in my History, and Sociology classes. -Sweatdrops.- I can sometimes get a bit tedious when it comes around times for tests, usually because I'm a really good student, and I hate to fail. I really don't mean to be a bitch then, but it just tends to sometimes happen. And I am really sorry about it! Honestly.

Though, a part from that, everything went over really well, and I was glad. For once in my life I finally felt complete, more than I ever had before. I can't really say what was the cause, but I think that it might have had something to do with how all my friends got together which was something we hadn't done in a while. Well, I mean, Jake and Max, Rae, Logan, Ace, and I have all gotten together usually on weekends and went to the park, or to some typical teenage hang-out. But now that Kira had joined that picture, everyting just felt--right. Again, I don't know how to describe it.

But anyways, so that was a definite change of pace for many of us, and actually once I introduced Kira to everyone, Max suggested that today we should all go to Rock Gardens. That was one of the usual areas that you'd find teenagers around, if not there then the park, or some of the minor clubs that were around. Albeit, today was such a beautiful day that I honestly couldn't see how anyone would want to be inside. So I was all up for our trip the gardens, and not just me, but a lot of our other friends too. So that was where we were at today.

There was a gentle breeze blowing, and the sun was shining. This was perhaps one of our much more warmer days. The previous ones had been a bit less likeable so to speak. vn.nv; But anyhow..While we were at the gardens everyone got to know one another better. And we sat on benches eating picnic lunches, lemonade, and soda. I brought some cookies for dessert which were probably gone faster than anything else. -Laughs lightly.- But that was fine by me, I really didn't mind, it was just nice to have everyone together as it were.

Albeit, just as we finished up our picnic lunch, Max suddenly brought up the Fall Festival. Which was going to be held next weekend here at the gardens, and she asked if everyone was going to go to. Which, we all were, even Kira who really hadn't had much experience with such festivities said she'd give a try. Max clapped her hands together then saying that we should all go over to her foster parents' home, and get ready there. Kira cast a shifty glance at her.

"Someone's anxious," muttered Logan. Max just told him to hush up, to which he looked like he was going to say something to, but thought better of it. "Hn," he said, and then looked back out across the way at the waterfall. I looked between the two, and then saw that Himitsu was looking at him expectingly her crimson eyes sparkling in the sunlight. And I had to chuckle beside myself, it was apparent that she was starting to like him. I just glanced at them smiling softly.

"So," said Max breaking the momentary silence. "What do you think? Preparations at my place?" Her own violet eyes twinkled michievously in the light.

I just shrugged. "That's fine with me."

"Doesn't matter to me," said Kira grinning. "Could be fun. As long as I get to put the make-up on the guys!"

"What?!" asked Ace surprised by her sudden resolve. "Oh hell no, you are not putting that crap on my face."

Kira's eyes flashed playfully in the light. "Aww, why not? Make-up might do you some good."

"What's that suppose ta mean?" asked Ace.

Himitsu giggled. "You definitely aren't any Venus to Milo."

"Are you sayin that I'm not attractive?"

"Mm..well, that could work to," said the ravenhaired girl giggling.

"Excuse me?!"

To that everyone just burst into a fit of laughter. Ace looked so frazzled, and Himitsu was reveling in every ounce of his fustration. The blond glanced at each of us in-turn.

"And none of you are going to help." He was being serious, and yet at the same time there was a strange bemusement in his tone of voice. Ace stared especially at the other four guys. "And you expect me to believe you'll let her doll us up?"

"Ace," said Jake. "She's playing with you, I really don't think she means it.." He looked at Kira who shrugged, which only caused Max to laugh all the much harder.

"I think she means it, Jake," said Max laughing.

"Really?" asked the brunette glancing once more in the direction of Kira.

"Well,"said the girl in sing-song tone of voice. "You aren't too bad looking, but Ace..he could use some work." She laughed lightly.

"You have got to be kidding me," said Ace.

Logan looked at him from across the way. "Kira, no amount of make-up is going to fix up that mug." He was looking Ace's face up and down.

"Isn't anyone goin to side with me?" asked the blond.

"I take it that's a no," said Kira laughing. "So what do you say Max? I'll come if I can play dress-up with Ace."

"Then I'm not goin!" cried Ace indignantly.

"Party-pooper," said Kira with a mischievous gleam in her eyes.

"I am not going to let you dress me up like some--fairy tale prince," said the blond.

Kira held a finger to her lips. "Well, I was thinking more princess, but a prince might work.."

"Kira!!" cried Ace, and the raven-haired girl burst out laughing.

"Wow, Ace, did I realy rile you up that bad?" she smiled at him. "Oh, okay then. You've suffered enough, I was just kidding anyways.."

Ace looked at her, his light-blue eyes violent. "You were--what?!"

"Teasing," said Kira nonchalantly.

"How can I trust you after a display like that?"

She shrugged.

"You can't," she said laughing lightly.

Ace slapped himself in the forehead. "Ye gods!"

The group burst out laughing once again.

"So then I guess that this means, that you're just going to have to come next weekend, and find out, " said Himitsu, a playful twinkle in her crimson eyes. Ace was silent as he looked at her. Rae laughed even harder.

"Don't worry, Ace, I'll protect you," said my foster brother in a soft, but teasing tone of voice.

"You'll be doin what?" asked the blond as he put Rae in a head-lock, but he just laughed.

"Hey, c'mon, let me out," said Rae trying to find a level tone of voice, but having difficulties because he was still laughing.

"Oh yeah, sure. I'll do that," said Ace. "Now, who'll be protecting who?"

Rae continued laughing. "Okay, okay, I get it. You don't need anyone to protect you."

Even I was finding it hard to keep my voice low with my own soft laughter as I just watched the event. However, I managed to get myself under control long enough to snap a picture of the two. Next to writing, photography was one of my favoite hobbies, and it was hard to pass up such a funny sight. After I finished up with a couple more pictures of everyone, I let the camera fall back against my chest. I tended to wear it on a black strape wound about my neck, and so the object hung to just before my mid-chest.

"Sakuuya!" cried Rae after hearing the last click. "Put that thing away!"

I just chuckled. "I did, Rae, it's all gone."

"Thank Kami," said my foster sibling with an airy sigh of relief. However, he looked up at Ace, who still held him in a head-lock. "So..are you going to let me go, or not?"

Ace looked down at the smaller boy, acting as if he had almost forgotten that he was there. "Oh yeah, sure." He then relinquished the other, and Rae returned to his full height.

"Thanks," said Rae.

I took another picture, and he spun to face me, but I just smiled at him. Holding out my hands, and giving him an expression of 'what? It wasn't me.' And he raised an eyebrow at me, and then I couldn't control myself anymore, and I burst out laughing.

"Gomen ne, Rae." Though I suddenly let out a startled gasp, as I felt someone scoop me up off my feet. Surprised I threw my arms around him. "Ace!" I cried. "Put me down!" But my friend just chuckled.

"No, let's play keep away."

"Nani?!" I asked. He just grinned at me, and then looked at Rae.

"Come on prince charming, save your beloved princess," said Ace, and Rae's face flushed.

"Ace," said Rae, his face a bright pink color.

"I have a better idea," said Kira suddenly piquing up. "Dog pile!" And she threw herself forwards, wrapping her arms around Ace from behind dragging him to the ground. I closed my eyes and braced myself for the fall. Ace was suddenly on the ground with Kira pinning him, and I was sitting in his lap.

"You're both so immature," said Logan quietly.

"Oh, don't be such a sour-puss," said Kira, as she leapt up, and then pounced Logan, and both fell onto the ground, with Kira atop Logan, and she was looking down at him, smiling. Her long black hair, fell around her form, a few strands splaying themselves across Logan, brushing his face. He just looked back with a cold gaze.

"Aww..come on, it's not that bad is it?" said Kira softly as she was looking down at him, she leaned closer to the boy, close enough that I thought she might just kiss him. Logan, I think thought the same thing and blushed. Sou, Logan blushed. Of all the people I knew, he was the last I expected to do something so emotional, and I had to laugh a little. However, Kira just teased him enough, got him to blush, and instead of kissing him she just patted him on the cheek.

"Better luck, next time, lover boy," said Kira playfully, as she leapt up. She winked, and blew him a playful kiss. As beneath me I felt Ace get into a sitting position, and he wrapped his arms around my waist. I blushed, and then shoved him away.

"You hentai," I said, standing, but Ace just started laughing.

"Well, I got the reaction I was hoping for anyways," he said.

"And what reaction would that be?" I asked just as Rae stepped up beside me asking if I were okay. He was still a little pink in the face, but I didn't take much note of it.

"That," grinned Ace pointing at the two of us.

I glanced between Ace, and Rae a bit perplexed, but then I just shook my head, and threw one of the pinic baskets agains his chest. He gave a startled 'oof' and then continue chuckling.
Max and Jake were just watching all of us, enjoying themselves, but yet not completely understanding what was going on. Jake went to ask something, but was stopped by Max who said he could talk about that later, and then leaned into him, until they also fell onto the ground caught in a faint make-out session. I took my camera out again, ignoring Ace, and took a couple of quick pictures before then looking towards the horizon. So much time had already passed, and the sun was now slowly begining its descent into the horizon. I then looked at my watch, it was around four thirty-five o' clock.

"Wow," I said, "it's gotten late."

Kira also looked towards the setting sun. "Oh yeah, wow. What's the time?"

Max pulled herself away from Jake long enough to say, "Around five." She then sat up, and Jake pulled away from her completely. "We should probably think of picking up."

"Nah," said Kira. "Give it a couple more hours."

Max shrugged. "Okay then," and then she smiled coyly at Jake pulling him into another kiss.

"I can't believe you guys do that sort of thing in public," said Logan more so irritated then anything else.

"Aw, is someone jealous?" asked Kira giggling again.

"No," said Logan simply. "I just don't like being seen with kissing couples."

Himitsu laughed. "I think that their doing a bit more than kissing."

"Shut up," said Logan, and Kira just chuckled. But then her eyes brightened again.

"Oh!" she snapped her fingers. "I have an idea, lets go back to my place. We can watch some movies, and have popcorn."

"Just so long as it's not a sleep-over," said Logan, and Kira stuck out her tongue at him. "That was childish.."

"Shut up," said Kira.

I chuckled softly, looking over from where I stood just a bit away from the group now. "Sure, sounds like fun to me. Oh, but what about your otousan?"

"Oh him?" said Kira dismissing the comment. "Pish, he's probably out with one of the girls from the bar knowing him."

"He a soldier?" asked Ace now walking back over to rejoin our little group.

"Uh--yeah, I told you guys that yesterday remember?" she laughed. "Someone wasn't listening."

"I was too," said Ace defensively. "I just didn't remember that part."

"Yeah, well you would have heard that if you had been listening now wouldn't you?" said Kira smiling plausibly at him. Ace just glanced to the side.

"You really should learn how to pick your fights," said Jake. Max and him had now finished their make-out session, and he stood up walking over to Ace.

"Well yeah, but she doesn't play fair, either," complained the blond, and Jake laughed.

"That classifies as picking your fights, Ace."

"Well, excuse moi."

Jake just laughed again as Max walked up, and he wraped his arms around her waist, nuzzling the side of her neck a bit. She looked over at him with a sparkle in her eyes, and then held a finger to his lips.

"Hey, hey, you two, behave yourselves," said Ace.

"Do we ever?" asked Max eyes sparkling in the setting sun's light.

"No.." pause Ace. "But it's never too late to start!"

I chuckled softly into my hand. "Ace, give it a rest, will you? You aren't going to win that argument either." My friend then looked at me, and his eyes twinkled. I looked back at him. "Hm? Matte..I know where this is going.." I went to take a step back, but he had already managed to catch me, and he scooped me up in his arms again, swinging me around.

"But I can win this one," teased Ace.

I hit him lightly in the face. "Baka.."

Ace then set me back on the ground, and I brushed myself off.

"So it's settled then, movie and popcorn at my place!" said Kira triumphantly as she went around and picked up our picnic baskets and leftovers, and whatever else there was. She handed one to me, and the other to Rae, grinning. "Let's get going then."

"H--hey, wait a minute," said Rae a bit taken aback. "When did we all agree to this?"

"Just now," said Kira looking over her shoulder, she winked, and I heard Max and Jake both chuckle behind us.

"I guess that means that we don't have a choice," said Max. "This'll be interesting."

"Yeah, you got that right," muttered Logan darkly at her side. He looked after Kira as if he were brooding, and then stuffed his hands into his pockets. Max just chuckled, leaning into Jake.

"Someone's got a crush," she teased.

"Pfft, yeah right. Me liking her? Not happening," said Logan.

Max laughed. "Your defense proves it."

"My--what?"

But Max didn't say anyting, and instead bound off after Kira, holding Jake's hand as the two followed after her.

"Max!" yelled Logan.

I just smiled walking up to him. "Kira really isn't all that bad, a bit childish at times. But she's really a lot of fun, as was plainly seen earlier," I said kindly.

"She's irritating!" shot Logan, and I just smiled.

"Maybe that's what draws you to her."

Logan looked like he was going to protest, but instead just tapped me upside my head, and then followed after Ace and the others. Rae walked over to me.

"Are you all right?"

"Sou," I said, "things are just going to be pretty interesting from here on out."

I followed after the other with an analyical gaze. While Rae just stood at my side, and cocked his head.

"Hm, well all right then. If you say so," said the boy shifting the basket in his arms.

"Mhm, I do," I said turning and smiling at him. "Come on, let's go," I tipped my head in the general direction of the others, as a few minutes later all seven of us were disbursting from the gardens heading north towards Himitsu's house.

As with that I think that I am going to call it quits for the night. Oyasuminasai, minna. K'yotseke.

So here we are again, not alone, but together..Together and waiting outside Destiny's door.

Return To Twilight 002

2006-07-04T11:13:00.000-07:00

Currently Playing: Asian Kung-Fu Generation - Gekkou

Hey, it's me again, I just thought I'd work my tail off trying to get another post up here before my classes start. ^n.n^ Since the previous one sort of ended with a cliffhanger, for which, I really am sorry for, but I just didn't want to bore you all to no end. I still want you to read this, well--if you're interested anyways. I know, I know not many people like to hear about Armageddon, and all that high-class religious stuff, but really it plays an important role in any and everyone's life. I'm sure that you all can understand what I am talking about, ne?

I'm sure that all of you have come face to face at some point in your life with religion, or am I wrong? vn.nv; Somehow I find it hard to believe any of you who might say you haven't. -Laughs lightly.- Because just look around you, talk to someone, and you'll see it pops up even in every day conversation. And sometimes I'm sure that if it weren't for religion there might be a few people who wouldn't have anything to say. vn.nv; Not to mention preach about..but anyhow that's getting off topic. Gomen ne for the cliffhanger beforehand, and I'm sorry I'm kind of just rambling right now. So anyhow..onto the next chapter/subsection in my life. vn.nv;

So where did I leave off..oh, aa, in the church when I first met--her.. That was certainly an interesting end, or start to the day..-Sweatdrops.- Anyways, what was it about those two swords that was so alluring? I honestly couldn't say, all I know is that one minute I was looking at the shards of a sphere, and the second minute there are two swords, and a complete orb in place of it. That's not strange in the least..vx.xv

"Weird isn't the half of it," said Kira suddenly, and I looked at her. "Well you see, this sword.." She reached out to touch the darker of the two blades, the one with twin demon wings molded into the hilt.

"H-hey, be careful with that!" I exclaimed taking a step towards her.

"I've seen it before.." said Kira in a distant tone of voice, her bloodred eyes studied the weapon.

"You've what?" I asked taken aback, but then I glanced at the two swords, and felt a rush in my chest. I had also seen the twin blades before in those damnable dreams that had put me borderline to insomnia. Stepping towards the baptismal bowl, I looked closely at the two weapons; they were definitely the same two that I had often times seen in my dreams. My sapphire-blue eyes sparkled, before I quietly and partially shocked asked Kira, "where have you seen these swords before?" I was almost terrified of hearing what her response would be, and I could feel my heart beating frantically inside my chest.

Kira withdrew her hand sharply, and her eyes snapped back into focus. "I--I saw them in..in a dream."

That was what I was afraid of.

"In a dream?" I repeated, and Kira nodded. I pressed on towards another issue. "Did you see anything else in your dream?"

The ravenhaired girl gingerly fingered the aforementioned dark blade. "I've seen a number of things.."

"Like?" I asked far more anxious than was intended.

"Like angels and demons.."

"Angels and demons?"

"What do I stutter?" asked Kira a bit irritated. "Yes, angels and demons."

"Anything else?" I asked, and to that the other girl turned to face me, crimson eyes glittering.

"Why so curious, foxy?"

"No reason.." I lied, and Kira looked away obviously not convinced.

"Sure."

I sighed softly, closing my eyes just slightly and then reopened them. "I'm curious, beacuse I've also seen these swords in a reoccuring dream."

That apparently wasn't what Kira was expecting as she stopped idly running her finger up and down the sword to turn, and look at me. There was sheer shock reflected on her face, and in her devious eyes. Albeit when it became apparent that I had taken note of it, she looked away, reaching down to the hilt of the blade she had been fondling, and gripped it.

"That's very interesting.."

I tensed up momentarily at the potential threat in her words. Though, it didn't seem that she was intending on threatening me, but her actions, and cold words seemed to fit the bill to a T.

"This sword is well built.." said the girl now in a much more nonchalant tone of voice. "The weapon is of decent weight, not too heavy but weighted enough..But this other one.." she stretched out a hand to touch the other sword, and recoiled the moment her fingertips brushed it. The blade had suddenly glinted with an almost malicious aura the minute the crimson-eyed girl reached out for it. "Hm.." Kira tucked that hand back in against herself.

By now I had made my way back over to altar, and looked down at the two weapons. "What's wrong?" I asked reaching down, and picking up the sword that Kira seemed unable to. "Is it too heavy for you?" I smiled mischievously at her.

"No," said Kira indignantly. "Here, you try and pick up 'this' one." She handed me the second blade which she was at present holding.

"Ano..okay." Albeit, when I reached out to take the sword from her I recoiled with a soft gasp, and my eyes reflecting momentary pain. "Ouch..it's scaulding hot."

Kira turned, and glanced at the blade one side to the other. "No it's not, what are you talking about?"

"It burns," I answered, but she just looked at me like I was kure-ji. Then looked back at the blade before putting it back inside the baptismal bowl. I did the same with the other.

"Now isn't that strange," said Kira. "That I can only pick up one blade, and only you the other."

I didn't say anything just nodded.

"Come on," said Kira. "I think that you can call it quits for the night, this place looks spick-and-span to me."

I glanced about the expansion nodding softly. "Aa, I suppose that it is clean enough for the night.."

"Great," said the other girl rather optimistically. "So what's next? Do you live far?"

"Excuse me?" I asked curiosly.

"Do you live far from the church?"

"Iie, but why are you asking?"

"Because I wondered if you wanted to hang-out," said Kira smiling.

"We just met," I tried to reason.

"Exactly, which means we should get to know one another better." Another smile as she began to walk down from the chapel, and into the entrance hall of the chuch. "Are you coming?" she called after me.

I just blinked staring after her as she exited. What on earth? I asked myself, but I followed after her regardless.

In the entrance hall I met up with Kira, and then we left together from the church heading towards the nearby park. I was surprised that she seemed to know her way around town pretty well, which led me to wonder how long this strange new girl had been living in my hometown without my knowing. But then I recalled the rumors back at the church about a devil's child falling asleep beneath our infamous nonblooming sakura tree. Though, Kira couldn't honestly be the same girl, could she? She didn't seem at all like what the rumors had suggested that she would be like. Although, I should have been smarter and known that usually those kind of things are false, and tend to give people bad reputations, and status quos.

To keep a conversation going I decided to initiate my earlier thought about the dreams. "So how long have you been having these dreams then?"

Kira just kept walking without so much as glancing at me; she shrugged. "Oh I dunno, ever since I was a child. I use to wake up in the middle of the night, and go into my parents room because I'd keep having these reoccuring dreams, that were more like nightmares."

"Like nightmares? How so?" I asked.

"I don't really know, I just would feel things in them that I knew weren't right. And there was always blood in them, so being the child that I was they scared me," explained Kira. "My mother was always understanding about such matters, but my father was always stuck on the idea that it was just a childhood phase, and that I would grow out of it. Ha, yeah right."

I simply nodded, keeping a steady watch on her. "So where are you initially from?"

"The United States, my dad moved here because of work," answered the other girl.

"Military?" I asked, and for once she looked at me.

"Yeah, how'd you know?"

"Most people who move here from America are usually here on militia duty, or something of the likes. Granted," I chuckled a little bit. "There have been a fair few who moved here just to get away from their melodramatic lives."

Kira laughed lightly at that. "What about you? Have you lived here all your life?"

"Mhm," I said.

"What do your parents do for a living?" she asked, and I stopped dead in my tracks. Kira looked at me taken aback. "Oh, I'm sorry, did I say something wrong?"

I shook my head. "Iie..demo..my ryooshin..they're dead. They passed away in a car crash."

"Oh.." said Kira suddenly solemn. "I'm so sorry," she looked away, and towards the ground ashamed.

"It's fine," I said. "They've been gone for ten years now..it shouldn't bother me so much anymore."

"My mother's dead too.." said Kira softly. I looked at her. "She was killed in action."

"So your mother was a soldier too?" I asked trying to keep an even conversation going.

"Kind of," said Kira, but then she shook her head. "Anyways..so tell me a bit more of these dreams that you've had? You said you've had them too, right?"

"Sou," I said thankful for the change of subject. "Ever since I was small too, only I never had nightmares the likes of your's. All I can remember is white, and black feathers, those two swords, and some epic battle."

"Like Armageddon?"

I laughed at that. "Sou, I guess that you could say that it was kind of like that. Demo, I really don't know. I just dream, but lately it's gotten pretty bad. I usually end up wandering to St. Ellen's church, and if I don't do that then I'll wake up, and be unable to get back to sleep."

"Hm.." pondered Kira.

"Nani?" I asked.

Kira looked up into the night sky, which was now actually slipping into dawn.

"Tell me something, Fox, do you believe in reincarnation?" asked the ravenhaired girl, and I did a double take.

"Nani?!"

"You heard me, reincarnation. Do you believe in it?"

"You think that that is what this is?" I asked.

"I don't know, but I've read about it in my mother's wiccan books. And sometimes when a person is reincarnated they'd have flashbacks of their past life/lives."

"And you think that it's what the dreams are? Flashbacks of an old life?"

Kira shrugged. "Maybe.." but then she laughed. "You catch on quick, foxy."

We then at long last reached the park, and took seats on the swing set. Kira was swaying back and forth on her's, and I just kept staring up into the sky, seeing the dawning colors beginning to brighten there. And then a thought struck me, and I beamed at her.

"Hey, I got some people that I want you to meet. How about I introduce you tomorrow at school?"

Kira laughed again, and looked at the sky. "Wouldn't that be today, Fox?"

I chuckled softly. "Aa, I suppose that it would."

I started to swing.

"Hey, I got another question for you," said Kira.

"Hm?"

"Did you ever do anything online, like art, or poetry?"

"Why would you be asking that?" I asked looking at her curiosly.

"Just because I remember reading some poetry written by a young girl around my age on one of the All-Poetry sites."

I kicked up a little bit of sand. "Aa, that would be me. angel--fox, ne?"

"Yep, that was her sn," said Kira.

I laughed again. "What about you? Did you ever do anything besides chat online?"

"Sure I did, I drew," answered Kira.

"Deviant Art?"

"Mhm."

"What screen name?"

"BlackAngel," said Kira.

"Oh, sou, I think that I saw some of your work. You're very talented," I said with a polite smile.

"Thanks, and I really liked your poetry too," Kira also smiled, and then we both burst out laughing for no known reason. We carried on talking some more about the dreams, and my poetry, and Kira's art for at least another couple of hours before I glanced at my watch and realized that it was nearly six thirty that morning.

"Oh my gosh!" I exclaimed leaping to my feet. "I have to get home, my foster parents will be worried about me..oh, and I have to wake up my brother," I said laughing sheepishly. Kira just cocked her head at me.

"You have a brother?" she asked.

"Well, iie, not really. He's a foster brother," I explained. "And actually we were childhood friends."

Kira giggled. "Lovers by any chance?"

"What? No!" But I could do little to hide the faint shade of pink that was beginning to form in my cheeks.

Kira just laughed again. "Alright, whatever you say, foxy. But something tells me, that if you hadn't been then you most certainly want to be now!"

"Damare!" I shouted at her, blushing brighter, and she just laughed. Shaking my head I turned away. "I gotta go, ja matte ne," I waved after her.

Kira at first was a bit surprised, but then a warm smile came to her lips and she waved back. "Ja ne!"

An I think that I'll end this post here. -Meek smile.- It isn't that bad of a cliffhanger, so don't razzle me too much, okay? I promise I'll get another post up soon, alright? -Smiles.- Till then, though.

Ja ne! ^n.n^

So here we are again, together. Still waiting just outside Destiny's door.

Return To Twilight 001

2006-07-03T22:46:00.000-07:00

Currently Playing: Hikaru Utada - Can You Keep A Secret?

I'm sure that there are many things to life. Some, which you can understand with the greatest of ease, and others that--no matter how hard you try, and despite your every attempt--you just can't explain in any way at all. Sou, I've been around the block with that before. I mean, I've read about it, and I've heard people..strangers talk about it, but I never really gave it much thought, or thought that something like that could ever happened to me. When the reality of the matter proved that it can happen to anyone, and everyone.

My life lately has gotten pretty weird. I wake up in the middle of the night either screaming, or else Rae walks in, and hears me talking in my sleep. He usually will shake me awake, and then ask if I were all right. I'd just look at him, and nod, asking why I wouldn't be? And then he'd explain that he had heard me talking in my sleep. At first he'd just tease me about it, and I'd just tell him to go back to sleep smiling, but at present these night-talks have been getting out of hand, and not only am I worrying Rae, but I'm starting to also question my own sanity.

I don't usually remember too much from my dreams anymore either. All I know is that I've been having a lot of really bizarre dreams. Dreams in which I am dressed as a battle priestress, and fighting against some demonic enchantress, or I'd see the faces of people that I thought I should know, but when I try to think of their names, I just can't. Things have gotten to out of hand with my sleeping problems, that sometimes at night I'll walk downtown to St. Ellen's church, where I'll usually curl up underneath a pillar, and just go to sleep there. Albeit, even if it were a temporary release from my dream problem, I tend to worry Rae, and his parents when they wake up in the morning, and I'm not in my room.

Rae finally managed to put two-and-two together, though, and now knows to look for me at the church. He said though, that he had been really worried about me. He always has been like that, ever since we were really young, and I had to move into his house with his parents, because mine had perished in a car-wreck up in the mountains. My ryooshin had been going to visit relatives, and I, being a stubborn child didn't want to go, so they left me in the care of two of their dearest, and most trusted friends Mina and Jou. A young couple, who at the time had been married but only a couple of months at the time.

My okaasan knew Mina from her work, and Jou had graduated with my mother. The two had also been very close friends with Rae's parents. But when my own died in the crash, even though Mina and Jou had as much a right to adopt me as Rae's ryooshin, they knew I'd do better growing up in the same home as my childhood best friend. Who, now is my foster brother, and someone that I have sensed and felt an uneasy attraction towards. vn.nv;; In other words, I was in love with him. Not just as a sister, but as someone just as close. -Laughs lightly.- Albeit, I still have to tell him that I've been in-love with him--well, since I was old enough to know what love, and a boyfriend was. -Chuckles nervously.- Though, I don't think that I'll ever have the strength or courage to fess up, and tell him..

Anyhow, back to what I was saying before I got sidetracked. About my sleeping problem. Back when I started going off to St. Ellen's Rae had gone a few nights without sleep as well since he'd go and search for me. Eventually, though, someone would find him and tell him to go back home, which he did. But the following night when I'd disappear again, he'd be out searching for me. And this went on for a couple of nights before he finally realized that ever since I was little I have had a tight connection with my religion. He had often times heard me praying before I'd go to sleep, and even during the day; it seemed like I prayed a lot to him. And he was finally able to put it all together to search for me one night at the church, where he found me, gently woke me up, and I explained to him what I was doing at St. Ellen's.

There were a number of reason, though, that when I told him, I don't think even he could completely understand. I remember telling him about how I had seen this church countless times in my waking dreams, and had always felt a strange connection to it. I also said I came here because I felt closer to Inari-sama, and being someplace like that also helped me to sleep. That was probably the only one, though, that Rae could understand. vn.nv;;

Also, I have been working a couple of summers at the church, and have recently heard gossip about a young girl who was constantly being found laying beneath the sakura tree in the courtyard. Which was a tree that never, ever bloomed. They'd say that this girl had hair the color of a raven's wing, and eyes the delicate, yet deadly color of blood. Some rumors even said that she was the child of a devil. Though, in all my time working, and sleeping at the church I have never seen any such girl.

Well, that was until one fateful night, after I finally got fed up with the fact that my nightmares, and dreams had become so vivid that even going to the church could do little to ease my plagued mind. And that's when it happened..I remember asking Father Tanaka if it would be all right for me to stay later, and clean up the church with the night priests. Which he was plenty happy enough with letting me, and that was when I met--her, and a whole knew chapter was added to my already strange life.

I was working really late, and cleaning up the church proper, and must have at some point fallen asleep, because the next thing I know, I'm waking up to find myself leaning against one of the center pillars. I can't even remember what it was that woke me, just that I remember jolting awake, and looking frantically about the room. My sapphire-blue eyes were wide with some potential fear that I was unable to place, and my breathing was short. A few strands of my rosewood colored hair fell into my eyes, and I brushed them anxiously aside. I pushed myself into a standing position, and cast one last look about the area before beginning my previous task again.

I was just lining up one of the candle holders with the rest, when I heard the doors slowly creaking open. I immediately stopped what I was doing, and spun around quickly to face who had entered. And my heart skipped a beat, for before me, and across the way there stood a young girl of about my age with dark-black hair, and vivacious crimson eyes. I was rooted to the spot by something--not really fear, but something unexplained. I felt a strange, and incomprehendable tug towards the other young girl. However, she looked just about as lost as any of the late night entrees that I sometimes found myself dealing with, and yet at the same instant she also looked almost as if she had just woken up.

Bringing myself to, and back down to earth. I blinked looking at the other young girl before voicing kindly, "Can I help you?"

But she just looked back at me with a blank expression before shaking her head. She then glanced around the cathedral. I followed her gaze.

"This is St. Ellen's church, I'm one of part-time workers here," I explained.

"You mean your a priest?" asked the young girl.

"Ano..not exactly, I just come to clean up, and sometimes help with the sermons," I answered truthfully.

"Oh, I see," said the girl. "I'm sorry, but I think that I may have fallen asleep beneath your cherry tree.."

I glanced at her, curiosly.

"The cherry tree?" I repeated.

The other girl nodded. "Yeah, but I think it's only the first time that I can ever recall ever having done such a thing," she said, pausing for a moment to gaze at one of the stained glass window. "I probably got into another fight with my dad, or something.."

"Your dad?" I asked.

"Yeah, we just moved here, and I really didn't want to leave our home town. All my friends where there, and the life that I had always known had been there as well. I wasn't at all happy to just up, and leave it. And so we tend to fight, a lot, always over that stupid move."

"Oh, I see," I said sympathetically. "But this town really isn't all that bad of a place to live. We have lower crime rates then most areas, if that accounts for anything."

"No, not really," answered the girl nonchalantly.

I just sighed at that before saying, "I'm Sakuuya, by the way. Iwamoto, Sakuuya."

"Kira," said the other girl, "or well, all my friends call me Himitsu."

"Oh," I said smiling a little, "my friends all call me Fox."

To that Kira cast a skeptic glance in my direction. "Now why on earth would they call you that for?"

I shrugged. "Well I--uh--don't really know..Probably because I'm smart, and crafty, and have too many boys wanting to date me than is good for either me, or them," I said chuckling softly.

"Crafty, huh?" said Kira raising an eye-brow. But her suspicion dropped as she just shrugged, before leaning down and picking up a small red shard of glass. She analyzed it, turning it in her hand, and then held it up to the full moon's light, and her crimson eyes narrowed curiosly. Turning away from her discovery, she held the shard out to me. "What the hell is this a part of? Did one of your stained class windows break, or something?"

I glanced at her. "No, I don't think so.." I stepped down from the altar, and walked over to her. "Let me see." I took the tiny piece of glass from her, and looked at it with my own eyes. "I really don't know," I said handing it back to her. "Father Tanaka never said that there had be a break in, or at least an attempted one. Hm, maybe it was some item that the priests use in one of their ceremonies of worship." I just shrugged, and began to walk back towards the altar, but just as I did something caught my eye, and I reached down to pick it up.

In my own hand I now held a small crystal-blue shard of the same making, and as I continued to walk towards the podium I began to collect more pieces of the same. Across from me Kira had also bent down, and was walking up the opposite way that I was, and she too had stopped several times to pick up more the shards. Now standing just before the altar we just looked at each other, and then Kira held up her handful of glass.

"Not a broken window, huh?" she said.

"No," I said, "it isn't. The glass is too fine to be one of our windows. Not to mention, that even though the glass is almost see-through, I can't break it with just my hands alone. These shards must have come from something under a great deal of pressure," I explained.

Kira just looked at me, before I was a faint glint in her eyes, and she said, "hey, what's that?" And walked up to almost just behind the podium, and I followed her from the opposite side. An there, just barely behind the artifact where two halves on some spherical shaped object.

"What do you think it is?" asked Kira prodding at a large oval shaped half which was blood-red in coloration.

"I think," I said, "that this is what these shards are from." I looked at the other half of the sphere, and noticed that it was the same pale shade of blue as the fragments that I held in my hands.

"Kami," said Kira, "you certainly got some funny priests that you're working with." As with that she reached down to pick up the red half, and as she did I just sighed and without even thinking instinctively reached down to pick up the opposite hemisphere.

"Here," I said disregarding her earlier comment, "we can put them in here." I pointed towards one of the bowls used for baptism. Albeit, just as we did, and as the two parts touched one another, they refused back into one whole. The shards in our hands sailed up and into the air reconnect with the main frame. I was stunned momentarily, and Kira backed off just slightly.

"Okay, that was just fucking weird," said the other girl, her bloodred eyes wide.

All I did was not in agreement, before managing to shake the shock off, and gather my bearings. I then walked back across the way to grab a broom, when Kira suddenly said, "Uh..Sakuuya, you might want to take a look at this.."

"What is it now?" I dared ask, though their was faint annoyance in my voice. An emotion that I did not mean to show.

"Come here," said the raven-haired girl. I sighed again, but walked over to humor her. Although, once I rejoined her I froze in my footsteps once more. There before us, there now laid two swords before the orb we had earlier gathered the pieces of.

"What the hell?" I asked.

"That's why I said you should take a look," said Kira, and then she eyed me questionably. "Just what kind of worship ceremonies do these priests of your's partake in?"

I just shook my head. "I..I really don't know. But this..this is really weird..."

And I think that I am going to leave it there, gomen for the cliffhanger, demo, I just don't want my posts to get so long (a bad habit of mine vn.nv; ) that you don't even want to read them anymore. vn.nv;; So I guess then that this just keeps you guessing..All the way up to the end. -Eyes sparkle mysteriously, foxears twitching. Smiles.-

Signing out. K'yotseke, minna. Ja ne.

So here we are again. Not alone, but together. Waiting outside Destiny's door...

Forgotten Memoirs: Spirit World 001

2005-07-02T00:00:00.000-07:00

Currently Playing: Delain - Sleepwalkers Dream

I came to to find myself laying face down on a greyish-green landscape. All around me there was a ghastly mist hiding so many things, and for some indescribable reason I couldn't manage to put together any explanation on where I was, or even why I was here in this dismal, empty place. My mind was a complete blank, drained of all thought or memory. And yet, within me I could feel this gnawing, some pain or unknown sorrow like I had just lost something very dear to me. Though what, again I couldn't say, I didn't know.

Lifting my upper body up off the ground I scanned the surrounding area. But found no signs of life or really anything apart from that ghostly mist, and that sullen green ground. Pushing down with my hands, I heaved myself to my feet, as standing I brushed myself off, and cast one more look about the expansion. This place seemed fitting for something from the artic, and yet I found that I could not feel the cold. I could not feel anything. Not only was I dead physically, but also in many other ways with only that persistant sorrow eating away at me from the inside out.

I tore my mind from its aimless wanderings, and happened to glance across the way where a swing set appeared. Something that had not been there a moment ago, and now I also realized too that there were other people appearing. People that I felt I should have known, but wasn't able to. There were four young boys, and two young girls. One girl had short hair layered to just below her ears, and the other had long straight hair. Because everything was a vague colorlessness I couldn't tell the shades of their hairs, or even their eyes, nor the tincture of their clothes.

I stopped for a moment taken aback by the sudden appearences of these--spectors. But then after looking at each in earnest, I turned and began to make my way through the desolate terrain. As all around me the world was changing, showing me places, things, and people that I honestly couldn't recall. A school, a home, those ghost people I had seen earlier. At one vision I paused, and just gawked at it. The illusion showed me with a couple of the others standing in a park. We were all smiling, and happy. How odd that I knew what those emotions were, but could do little to feel either of them. Whilst I watched, I found myself drawn and attracted towards it. I even reached out my hand as if in a means to grasp onto the distortion.

Though, as I did so I found that I could neither feel, nor take hold of that forbidden relic. Turning away, I glanced around myself once more. I didn't honestly know how to explain it, but at least to me it felt like this place was trying to reinstill some sort of feeling to my hollowed out soul. Trying to bring back the lost memories, but something, perhaps me myself prevented it, deflecting those futile attempts and continuing on my way through this home for ghosts.

I at long last made my way through an astral forest, and into a clearing which beheld at its's heart a clear pool of water. At the entrance to the grove, I paused, bracing my hand on one of the trees as in that moment I felt some sharp emotion hit me. I withdrew my hand in time to see the outline of where there must have been either a burn or a cut, but because of the lack of color this place possessed I could not see the crimson coloring of the blood. Not to mention that since everyone else here was a spirit, or spector of some sort, I too was probably the same. An did ghosts bleed? Not to my knowledge..

Anyhow, alone in the thicket I let my eyes befall the pool once more. And just as I looked at it, a ripple cascaded across its glassy surface. As if drawn in by the water I stepped closer, and closer to the edge of the resevoir. I peeked over its edges and into the clear waters, as more ripples shuttered overtop its surface as again the world was casting its spell over me, drawing me to the pool. I looked deeply into it, and saw what I presumed was an outplaying of my life. Visions swam in its crystal clear waters, and a pale light was erupting from somewhere deep within it.

As I watched I again reached out my hand to touch those showings unaware of the fact that I was coming close to falling into the waters. Suddenly though, a strange calming wind besieged the area, and I was able to feel an unfamiliar presence, and yet it also felt like a presence I had known my entire life. Pulling away from the resevoir I leaned back, and scanned the expansion for the source of what I was feeling. And I found it, in the pale outlining of a beautiful young woman. Albeit, the spiritual plain had sucked all color from her brilliant form, and yet she still glittered and glowed. She smiled softly at me, and then appeared surprised as she looked over my shoulder at something, or someone apparently coming up behind me.

I followed her gaze, and my sights befell a strong, and lean looking young man. Who also had long flowing hair, darker in color, though than the young woman's. Not to mention that unlike her, he had a fox tail and ears pertruding from his head and tailbone. And yet something similar between the two, was when I looked at the young man, and saw him smile politely back at me. As for a moment I just stared at him, sensing another familiar and yet unfamiliar presence about him.

"You," I said aloud my voice echoing all around me. I looked to the kitsune male. "I should know you.."

The kitsune nodded, and then looked over my shoulder to the young woman, and I followed his analyical gaze. Pivoting on my heel, I turned to reface the young woman, and then held out my hand to her. "And you..you too..But..who are you..?" I asked her, and her smiled turned to a frown as she shared another silent glance with the young man. Before then pointing in the direction that I had come, I looked back at her, and she held her hand to her heart, opening her lips and saying something, but I couldn't hear it. She was muffled by the astral realm.

When it became clear that I could not hear her, she let her hand fall to her side eyes downcast. I took a step towards her, but was stopped as the young kitsune male reached out in an attempt to stop me. Though, his hand feel straight through me. Something that again didn't make sense to me, weren't we both spirits, so then why did his hand fall through? I just glanced at him quizzically, and his own gaze fell dejected. Albeit, just then from somewhere in the distance a soft bell rang as if signalling the end of something. I again looked between the two; the young woman, and the young man, both looked back with sad eyes, and yet smiled softly at me as their forms began to fade away becoming a part of the mist. The young man walked up to stand beside the woman, whom he took affectionately in his arms and I could see the pale tears trickling down her face.

In the instant, I suddenly ran towards the two, my eyes clearing for once in the entire time I had been in this spiritual realm. "Okaasan, Otousan!!" I cried running towards the two young people whom I had now percieved as being my parents. I sprinted towards the two of them, but they began to fade all the more quicker. I tried to pick up my pace, but no matter how hard I tried I just couldn't reach them as soon they had completely vanished.

And just then there was another brilliant display of light, and my entire vision went white with the glare. A warm reassuring breeze suddenly surrounded me, and I felt back at ease, even if now all around me there were pure white clouds. Voices sang in the distance, a soft, soothing melody. The lullaby that my mother had once so very long ago sang to me, and hearing it now brought tears to my eyes. Emotion returned, and I recalled everything that had happened. I remembered. Kira. Armageddon.

"You have done well, Hikari no Otome," said a kind voice from somewhere beyond the clouds. I looked up. "But your task is not yet done..There is still so very much for you to do."

"What's left?" I asked. "The Earth has been completely wiped out. What honestly is there left for me to do? There is no life there, just the spirits of the once great lifestyle. Spirits who don't remember, who don't feel anything," I explained reaching up to suddenly grip a stitch in my chest. My eyes were filled with sorrow, pain, and loss. My heart ached with such emotions to the point where it felt like I was dying all over again.

"Yes, the Great Cleansing has now come and gone, which means that as soon as the spirits depart from the Spirit Realm the Earth shall be ready to be reborn. And with it you, and all your loved ones," answered the surreal voice. I just stared up into the heavens above me, however, just as my gaze befell those glorious skies I felt a darkness at the backs of my mind, and I began to slip into an unconscious dreaming state. I fell from the heavens, my body cloaked in a white cocoon of light, as just like that and with another brilliant flash of white light I seemed to have disappeared.

Remember this well: for every ending there is a beginning, and for every beginning there is an ending..

Mallos and Yami

2005-07-01T22:13:00.000-07:00

Currently Playing: Ayumi Hamasaki - Memories of Darkness

Alright, so this is another one of those subseries posts where I'm going to introduce you to a couple of the minor characters in my life. Well, one I would have liked more than anything to be a much larger part of my life, but his life was taken by far too soon before the likes could ever happen. -Soft sigh.- An iie, before any of you hentais get the idea, these two are not a couple. They're actually twin brothers, one which was the aforementioned bastard in "Shadows of the Heart," and the other was the love of my life (if but only for a short while). They're names are Mallos, and Yami. Names that I am sure you can recall from my earlier postings.

Mallos was the kind, and polite one, and Yami was the jerk who wanted nothing more then sex, and destruction. Sou ka. They're brothers, but complete opposites. Anyhow, so here are their pictures..Behave..v-.-v

K'yotseke, minna. Ja ne.

Armageddon: Phase Three: Final Confrontation

2005-06-30T23:11:00.000-07:00

Currently Playing: Skillet - Will You Be There?

"When the sky turns a hideous black color, Hell will rise up, and Heaven will fall...In a final clash between darkness and light, this world will end. Phase three, begin..."

"Come, come and find me, Sakuuya-chan. Come and find me, in the place where the Saviour lyes," Kira's words continued to echo in the very deepest recesses of my mind as I continued to gaze out the window. There was something, almost like a warning tugging at the backs of my consciousness, but every attempt I made at trying to grasp it, or make sense of it, and it would vanish like a dandelion tuff on the wind. Ace was gone, Logan was gone, Max was gone, Rae was gone, everyone was gone. Either killed or having died. The bloodred moon glowing maliciously in the night sky, who's way was an inky almost oily black. My room was silent, nothing heard but the wind outside, and the uneven beat of my saddened heart.

I bowed my head for a moment, whispering a silent prayer to the night air. An wishing Rae's and everyone else's spirit well, praying for them to rest in peace before then bringing my head up, gazing harshly into the distant horizon. As in one lithe movement I had returned to my feet, still keeping my gaze unwavering on the horizon.

"You know what you must do, you know the answer to this yourself. Now hurry, Sakuuya, hurry," urged a soft female voice in the backs of my mind.

Closing my eyes I folded my arms across my chest, an orb of light beginning to form there, as with a quick snap of both my arms, the sphere of light soared into the dark sky splitting into several smaller collections. Which then flashed out like a candle in the wind. I reopened my eyes and glanced back into the night atmosphere, eyes returning to a more sullen rather than angry expression. A soft sigh escaped from my lips. "I understand.."

There was no more denying it, I knew what I had to do, and what my destiny was. There was no chance in running away from it now, not to mention that now there was so much more worth fighting for. Right, because fighting to save the whole world just wasn't enough already. -Sighs.- Iie, I understood what I had to do, and while a part of me was completely against it, there was another part, more stronger than the rest that was tugging and pratically screaming at me that it was time to correct the wrongs that had been done. The hardest part, that I was still fighting against coming to my senses with was the idea that Kira was the one who had done the wrongs, and who stood on the side of the Father of Lies. Something that I don't think that I ever could get over.

But then again, who honestly wants to believe that their best friend was in fact a mass murderer, not to mention had pretty much bound their soul to the Son of Darkness? No one wants to believe that, and I wasn't about to. I just hoped that when we met for our final time that I could somehow bring her to her senses, and at least make the attempt of at least trying to save her soul. After all, she wasn't always this way. So much was already pitched against her, not to mention she was left without her parents, and so naturally someone left like that would cling onto whatever they could find. Some form of comfort, though, in Kira's case she clung onto the wrong sort of comfort, and was therefor thrown head first into this mess between light and darkness. We all were a part of it, that much I could comprehend, but it was all against our own better judgments.

For so long, the only thing that I had ever wanted to do was keep everyone safe, all my friends and loved ones. The people that I loved, and who loved me back, and the people that I cared for. An I had tried, Inari knows that I did, but I guess you just can't be expected to save them all, and now with Armageddon a beat away, there didn't seem anyone that I could save. At least if I acted as I knew that I should, the least that could be done is that I could spare their souls, and maybe give them another chance at life. Humanity is kind. Humanity is cruel, I have seen both sides of the debate. I have stood on one side and watched cruelty corrupt, and I have stood in the shadows and watched the light of life as it began to trickle so idly away, like the grains of sands into an hourglass. But none of that seemed capable to change or stop any of this. Things just kept right on unraveling, and if I tried to reach out and grasp ahold of one strand, another would break free, and then I was right back where I had started. It was a neverending and vicious circle, so much like life; like the threads of life.

An the worst part was that as much as I would have liked to say that things did not match up; the frightening thing was that they actually did. An I wasn't liking it one bit, and I was certain that I wasn't the only one. After everything that we had all been through together, what were we suppose to do? Just chuck it away as caution to the wind, or what? My friends, and loved ones were all gone, either murdered, died, or else refused to have anything to do with me anymore. And as everything added up now, reaching the climax I was again being plagued by the thoughts of my ryooshin, and Rae's as well, not to mention Kira's. Fate's humor was cold and cruel, but even she, I thought, possessed a kind and caring side, was I wrong? It seemed a whole hell of a lot like that was the case. -Sighs.- Iie, if anything was correct, it was what Mallos had said about the end of the world soon to be approaching us. When friend is turned on friend, or brother against brother, that was a for sure sign that everything would then soon begin to plummet in a horrific downward spiral. As it were doing now, and the only way to stop it was if I assisted my once former best friend in ending it altogether.

Flexing my newfound wings just slightly the complete space of the room, I felt the familiar tug of them against my shoulders. Catching the bloodred moonlight, and reflecting the irridiation, mirroring it as if imitating a dancing flame. Whilst the words of, "this is your destiny, Sakuuya, embrace it," resounded in my weary subconsciousment. I seemed to have to be being constantly reminded of that, or else was having to keep being told it over and over again..-Sighs.- Oh well, I suppose that that was just the price that one has to pay for something like this; one of the more lesser prices in this whole ordeal. Not to mention that I was still at war with my heart and my mind, deciding between what I knew I had to do, and what I needed to do. Albeit, by this time I think that there was no room for exceptions, everything was just straight forward from here, much to my dislike.

Folding my wings in against my back, I slowly let my eyes flutter shut as I listened to the evening. The wind in the trees sang a haunting melody, but apart from everything else there was little to no sound anymore. An it seemed almost as if even now, still the world continued to fade away about me, and there was nothing that I could do against it. Again, all of that seemed to have been a part of a floor map, and something that I had no choice but to abide by. As much as I would like to have fought against it, done something about it, I knew that there was little that I could do. There was little that could be done. Everything was laid out as it should be, leaving not even a scrap of wiggle room for anyone to intercept, or foil the divine order.

Standing before my window, I reached over to hug my shoulders, and continued to gaze into the distance. Feeling the dead air finally pick up, as a cool breeze swept the expansion of my room, causing my loose strands of hair to sway to and fro in said breeze. So this was it, hm? This was the beginning of the end, or if you had a optimistic view on things, it was the end of the beginning, and a start into a new day-in-age. Either way was a for-sure sign that things were changing, and that something..was ending. Though I suppose that there were few who could look out their window and exclaim to their parents that "oh, look mommy and daddy the Armageddon is at hand." I doubted that any child would even be able to understand let alone speak the word. They possessed too much innocence and faith to look at something and state that the world was ending, even if that were the case.

However it was the select few who could tell what was at hand, that worried me. Those people, priests and priestresses, anyone with any connection to Inari-sama, and the Holy Book. They were the kind of people who could look out a window, and see what was at hand. Those who would know what was going on, and who could explain this phenomenal, yet paranormal, yet extremely religious occurence. They frightened me, not so much because they would be able to tell that the end was near, but because they would see, and know what was going on, but would choose to do nothing about it. Nothing to prevent it, and would simply accept this--punishment, so to speak. Feeling the need that humanity deserved it, and that very thought was what worried, what frightened me the most.

Albeit, perhaps the reason for these feelings of dread was simply connected to the fact that I was the angel in this war, and that Kira was the devil. I may have been so terrified of people seeing but not doing anything agains the Armageddon, simply because as it were, time was running out, and it seemed to be laddled onto me that I was the one who was suppose to save everyone. To protect humanity from the end. I treasured, and valued every life equally. Back in the day, long before any of this I had simply lived each day as it came. I felt hurt when others were in pain, and suffering, but I lived each day, and probably did take for granted what was all soon to be lost. An yet, here I stood, still capable of saying that now, now that the end was drawing ever-so nearer, I felt only all the more closer to people, and I seemed to finally have learned the true and complete value of living each day as if it were my last. I had always been close to people, I knew that, being what I was--what a part of me was, I was naturally born with a tight closeness with humanity. But even so, back then I had been nothing more-or-less than your typical teenager. Sou, sure I had special talents, and couldn't bring myself to deny someone in need, help, or aid, but I still took for granted everything that I had come to know.

And now, here I was again, finally seeing in a new light the importance of it all. I felt so much closer to humanity, to the earth, close enough to the heavens above, that there was even a part of me that resented Kira, and that hated her. A part of me that wanted to fight her, to right her wrongs, and so on and so forth. All the goody-two-shoe stuff that you read about, or consider related to angels, to heroes and heroines. But even with all of that, there was an even stronger, greated, and deeper part of me that was finding it within myself to forgive Kira for her misdeeds. That part of me, that kept seeing her as the friend she had once use to be, and it was a part of me that was unwilling to give up and in to my angelic half. I hate to say it, but it was almost like being caught between a rock and a hard place. Being caught between doing what you knew was right, and doing what you thought was right. Fate took great pride in making people suffer, her humor as cold, and cruel as any I had ever known.

Though, who was honestly to blame here? Was it Fate, Destiny as she is sometimes called, or was it humanity? Was it God, and Lucifer, or was it someone as common as the merchant peddling in town? Who was to blame? Everyone seemed to possess an equal chance to be judged, and yet no one would even or dare judge the higher powers. Which led to me possessing a third party in-mind in relation to this war, that seemed nothing more-or-less than a political feud. My thoughts, I know are not in the right place, but I honestly don't know what to believe anymore. My best friend turned into my worst enemy, and all my other good friends were gone. Lost to me at my best friend's hand. I didn't understand why this was happening, why were we chosen to carry out the Armageddon? Did it seem fair to anyone in the least that we were nothing more than teenagers caught up in this, and were being forced to be the ones to make the final decision in something so permanent?

My heart ached, and my body felt weak with its sorrow. The tears in my eyes fell for a while longer, before finally coming to a halt, frozen then deep inside me. Within my soul, shards of razor blue, permanently etched into my heart. Now there would be scars remaining from this deep enough to last a lifetime, and beyond. I sighed heavily, letting my gaze linger back onto the horizon, and lost for a moment to soft sentiment, which was then replaced by a bitterness burning from my angelic half. My hands clentched into fists without so much as a thought, and by the time I realized it, there were already faint cresent moon shaped scratches in the palms of my hand from my fingernails biting into the warm flesh. Which was a deeper pain, and which was the profound sorrow? Facing my friend, and risking her life, and my own, or letting it all go, and just watching the world become engulfed in flames and darkness? I didn't want to have to choose one over the other, but I knew by now that everyone, and everything were too deeply involved to believe in the chance that anything would survive at the end of all this.

"What are you waiting for, little angel of mine? There is no alternative route, no way to escape this. There is only one path, and one path only. You've no other choice but to take it, and to embrace that which is inevitable destruction." A voice, probably Yami's mocked me from the shadows. An as much as I would have liked to disagree with him, deep down I knew that he was right. The only way to stop this madness, to stop the pain was to end it, everything, altogether as one. "Will you go out in a blaze of glory, or in a blast of defeat?" The voice continued to mock from the darkness.

My alternative route was to ignore him, and so I smiled into the dense blackness of the room, moonlight suddenly illuminating my form. "This battle is not yet won, and the war has not yet even begun. So don't go getting yourself too excited, shade," I finally answered to the mockery. "I'd hate to see your momentary pleasure crushed, and for that gleeful smirk on your face to be turned upside down." As I finished I snapped my gaze into one of the corners of Rae's room, my ethereal gaze then befalling the villian's form.

"I see you, but do you see me?" I suddenly asked before disappearing in a bright flash of white light, and angel feathers. Taking brief pride in the idea, and the sight that caught my eye; that of the dark lord covering his eyes as my aura pierced their soulless black pools. He was temporarily blinded by the outburst of light, and energy. Bitter energy that I knew had it not been for the shadows the surrounded and protected him, would have besieged him, and torn him to shreds. I hadn't intended on my own magick to be so powerful, angry, or bitter, but it just happened. My angelic half releasing, or rather lashing out with its own power, and its own hatred which was directed uncoincidently towards Yami.

However, that temporary blindness was all I needed, and all it took. For in the moment, there came a rush of wind, which mourned and howled, as a much larger form leapt into it. Pure, snow-white angel feathers fell onto the ground, my windowsill, and my room. The wind blew stirring them up and into the vaccancy of the black night. As within that, I was airborn my wings beating heavily against the current.

I felt the wind press in and around me, and I responded by pushing my wings down and against it, rising up into the air. I was now hovering maybe fifteen feet above the ground. Looking down I saw my house, and the surrounding homes. My wings making soft swooping sounds. Turning myself around I pivoted to face the direction of the full crimson moon. And as I did I felt my heart tighten, as with nothing more or less than my own self-will I managed to stifle that pain, that ache within me. I faced the moon, my sapphire-blue eyes reflecting an unknown emotion. As holding out my hand I happened to catch one of the fluttering sakura petals. Snatching it up, I closed a carefully fisted hand around it, and then reopened that hand, the petal sailing away into the night.

With a couple more beats of my wings, I soared higher up into the sky. Now rising well over the town, I glanced down, my eyes scanning that place one last time. I let myself go for a moment, but then regrasped control, snapping my gaze in the direction of St. Ellen's church knowing well enough what awaited me there. The bloodred moon lingered overtop the edifice, casting its foreboding shadow over it, and I fought down the urge of how I really didn't want to go there. For one, that redlight was creepy, and for two--and for a much more serious means--I didn't really think that I was ready. Ready to face Kira. Ready for the world to end. Albeit, I also knew that it was by far too late now, and there was no positive means in lingering or procrastinating. As, glancing about the area below me, I could feel the cold wind, and saw the ground losing its once vivacious coloring. Everything was dying. So why on earth would I want to prolong that suffering?

Taking a deep breath, I folded my wings in against my body, and allowed myself to begin plumetting towards the very tained ground I had just been observing. I closed my eyes, and the pain, the hurt, the suffering seemed to ebb away. Snapping my gaze open, and unfolding my wings in the same away I caught a current, and it pulled me back, and away from the ground. Pushing my wings down hard, I zipped off towards the church, staying high enough, though, so that no mere mortal could see me. Even though with everything going on now, I really don't think that if anyone had seen me they would have thought much. Probably would have thought that they were losing there mind, or--if they were excessively religious--would have simply acknowledge the scene as a definite sign of the aforementioned Armageddon. Either of which, I suppose that there really was no means to remain hidden, and yet a part of me felt that staying out of sight was a little bit more of a deserving decency that I could give.

My whole trudge towards the church lasted about five minutes if even. I had gained so much speed from my earlier harsh actions against the levanter that I had virtually cut the time it would have taken to get there by foot, or any other means in half. At long last reaching the entrance to the church, I stood on those stone steps, my wings folding once more in against my back, and my eyes gazing upwards, red moonlight ricochetting off my form. I closed my eyes momentarily, and withdrew my wings, and when they opened there was a strange sorrow and yet kindness about them that was hard to describe.

Turning towards the door, I drew in a deep breath, and then reached out with one shaking hand. Gripping the handle, turned, and pushed the great doors open. Feeling my heart make another protest against what I was about to do. Again I quelled that pain, and that warning taking one step forwards and then passing through, and into the synagogue. Inside, it was dark, and dimly lit by candles. My footsteps echoed around me as I made my way to the center of the chapel. There was another set of doors that I had to pass through, and then I would be in the very heart of the church.

Gathering what strength I could muster, I pushed the energy through my body, trying to get myself under control. Albeit, such an action I didn't need to take, for the minute I made the attempt, my angel-half decided to step in and take over. Any fear, or worry, any regret, or pain that I may have felt melted away, and when I entered the chapel I was completely confident, and ready. Ready to meet with my fate, my destiny. I stepped through the last barrier, and entered the chamber, behind me the doors slammed shut, and candles whose lights had been barely able to keep burning, suddenly burst into a bright collaboration of effulgence.

Although, instead of becoming shocked, or taken aback, I remained level-headed and calm. Not a muscle flinched in my body at the sinister display, and actually I was fighting against my kitsune-half to keep it from commenting. "A brilliant display of power, Kira, but how about you just show yourself, and make it all easier on the both of us?" I couldn't believe the words that were coming out of my mouth, never had I ever expected myself to seem so bitter towards Kira, but as I recalled everything that she had done from killing Mallos up until now, it was hard to forgive her now.

All around me the candles exploded with their flames, and then died down. However, that wasn't the end of her show in the least, for once the candlelight ceased, a chilled wind besieged me, and the shadows were rustled. They conjoined into large globs, and collections before they too eased up. I just continued to walk further and further into the center of the room with each exhibition until I finally stood directly before the priest's stand. As for a moment I let my gaze befall the altar, only coming to or showing any sort of feeling on my face when a high-pitched chortle echoed throughout the cathedral hall.

Only then did I turn sharply on my heel to face the owner of that cold, cruel laughter. An there she stood, across the way, acting as if she had just entered the room. She mock-applauded me smiling darkly, her crimson eyes glinting in the candlelight. She continued to make her way towards me, hands slipping to rest easily against her sides. Kira was dressed differently from when I had last seen her. This time she had disgarded her black tank-top, and pants for a form-fitting black sleeveless dress, which was cut all the way up to her mid-thighs, and worn over top a pair of tight black leather pants. And knee high black boots completed her attire, oh, and aa, I couldn't forget the silver cross that she wore around her neck on a long silver chain. That too glittered in the cierge light, and as it did so I caught a glimpse of some sort of taint, or stain on the charm that--no surprise there--looked suspiciously like blood.

Now standing only about two feet from me, she stopped popping one hip out, and resting her hand on the other. "Well, well, well look what the night dragged in. A pitiless child seeking sanctuary," mocked Kira, eyes flickering evilly as a cruel smirk curled its way up and around her lips.

"Kira," I said probably sounding more relieved than I had meant to.

"So, you finally decided to show, hm, Sakuuya?" said Kira in the cold tone of voice that seemed to have become her's since the start of all of this.

My eyes narrowed against my better judgment. "I guess that I just couldn't stand the suffering anymore."

"You guess?" repeated Kira, raising an eyebrow suspiciously. Albeit, I simply shrugged.

"What were you expecting me to say, ami? That I just couldn't stand to see the darkness winning anymore?" My tone of voice called for challenge, and Kira's eyes flashed in acceptance.

"Of course not, Sakuuya. I've known you long enough to know that you would never admit to such a feat."

"Aa, I suppose that you would counter with something like that."

Kira just looked at me, and I couldn't help but smirk at that.

"What's the matter, little devil, were you knocked speechless, or has the darkness consumed enough of you that it's allowing you to retain at least that small smidge of humanity?" I asked, my own eyes reflecting the candlelight with a forbidden danger all their own.

To that, though, my corrupt friend simply smirked. "Well, I guess that I should be lucky that you haven't carried on, or started lecturing me about how 'the darkness can never win, because the light shall always overcome it.'"

"You're right, I haven't. But also, you've known me long enough to understand that as much of my angelic-side as you are seeing right now; that isn't the whole of me. So you should comprehend that I wouldn't lecture you about such ancient means, besides--" I paused for effect. "Why bother to tell you something that you already know."

At that Kira's eyes suddenly blazed, but I simply just looked at her with a calm expression.

"I honestly can't believe that you gave up the life you had, or could have had for this," I said, "and really, Kira, what has this gotten you? A little bit of blood on your knives, and clothes; it granted you the ability and power to dominant, but now..now you're faced with an opponent who won't back down, or submit to you. And for all of what you have done, what truly have you gained? You know that meeting me here is going to result in the end of you..of me..of good and evil..and of the world. So really, truly, honestly..what has the darkness given to you? Has it given you anything worthwhile? Anything that will last, and that won't be destroyed in the end, when the end arrives?"

For a moment, it seemed as it I had stumped her, but it was only a fleeting instant, and then her blood-red gaze had snapped back towards me. She looked like she was about to say something, and yet didn't.

"What's the matter, Kira? Things aren't so easy, aren't so fun once you know the truth. Once you obseved and taken into account the gains and losses, now is it? You brought me here for some means that I don't think even you understand. And if you somehow had managed to grasp the means, I really don't think you would have done this, but now it's too late, and neither one of us can go back now." I met her gaze squarely. "I take pity on you and your soul for having being dragged into this. But being what you are, Kira, I would have thought you would have known. The darkness holds nothing for you, it only takes, and it never gives anything back."

Kira's hands had clentched into fists by this point. She had dug her nails into her skin enough to drawn blood, and at present the crimson fluid was flowing out of her veins, and onto the ground. A fine, but profound trickle.

"You poor child," I said sympathetically.

However, what happened next did happen to take me by surprise. For as soon as I delivered my last line, Kira had suddenly burst out laughing. Quiet at first, but then it erupted into a mass hysteria. She threw her head back and laughed loudly, before snapping her gaze back towards me.

"You really think that I was in this for my own means?" Another cold chuckle. "As it would seem, neither one of seems to have known the other quite as well as we may have once thought we did. How sad." But there was no emotion in her voice at all, apart from bitterness.

I just shook my head at her. "So then it would seem that we both are at fault."

"True," agreed Kira as she held up a somewhat closed hand, almost as if she were clasping something round and spherical showing it to me. However, as the hand rose up, once she could see me between her finger, she suddenly unfolded her fingers as if to be reaching out to me, and then pulling me towards her. Her hand closed into a fist. "It's Final Judgement, Sakuuya. Come, come with me now and help me to cleanse this world of all who are unworthy, or all who have sinned. Together, we can make this world our own."

Again, a shake of my head. "No, Kira..Us being here, means that this world is dyring. It means that this world will be destroyed. Whatever sins this earth had ever committed have finally decided to catch up with them. There will be a cleansing, Kira, of fire and darkness, of life and light..This. Is. The. End." I heavily emphasized on the last.

Kira glared at me, and then pulled her hand in against herself. As an anger as pure, and as consuming as I have ever seen blazed alive in her crimson eyes. I heard her growl, and then she yelled, "Fine then. You've made your choice."

The darkness surrounding me grew darker, and was assimulated by Kira, and the candlelight flared to life again. She was taking all fire and darkness around her into herself preparing for an all out assault. With an angry flash in her eyes, she leapt back, her wings appearing in a burst of black coruscation. And by now I could see her power reflected in her eyes. They had changed to solid pools of blazing blood. She leapt at me, and I barely had enough time to dodge, summoning to my own hand a sword identicle to the one that Kira beheld in her hands. Only mine was silver and gold with angel wings forming at the hilt, and her's was a much darker metal, with the residue of what I presumed was the blood of her victims, and at the hilt of her's was formed twin black demon wings.

When she realized what I had done, she lunged again, as again I dodged. There were a few more futile attempts on her end, and we both landed. My own wings now jutting from my shoulders. We stood facing each other as suddenly both of us began to glow with the light of our more prominent elements (light, and darkness). Both of our attires changed, mine to that of a battle priest's, and her's to that of a demonic enchantress or seductress. She looked at me, and her eyes flashed with her dark power.

"I can't believe that it has come down to this, Kira.." I said, a strange tone stealing away my voice. "I know there was no other way, but I just can't believe that it's happening in this way..I don't want to hurt anyone..But, I know that this has got to be done. I just wish that there had been some other way.." I said mournfully as with that I leapt at her, and as she saw me coming towards her she countered, we collided and parted, collided and parted, and this went on for about fifteen minutes. We both suffered cuts and bruises from the other, and as we stood once more opposite to one another, and yet face to face Kira delievered her final line, and lunged, I responded, and both swords pierced the other.

We remained suspended in the air for a split second, and just as I tore my gaze away from Kira to hide the tears that I had been sheading, I happened to look down below us and saw a strange old woman dressed in a grungy grey robe. She bumbled into the room, and placed some round spherical object at the center of the room, as in the next moment the orb had combusted, shattering the sphere divided into two, one part a pale crystal blue, and the other half a pure, deep red. An when the item broke there was a huge eruption of light that parted Kira, and I throwing us into complete opposite ends of the chamber. Shards the the first half were sprinkled across my body, and parts of the second half littered Kira.

I made an attempt to sit up and gasped as the pain inflicted from Kira's blade shot all throughout my body. I doubled over for a moment, before lifting my face up from the ground to look at my fallen friend. She was leaning against the contrary part of the chapel. My eyes were rimmed with tears and a few fell from my eyes. I reached out with a trembling hand towards Kira who just looked at it, and then turned her gaze away, and I fell back to the ground my eyes closing as pain and darkness consumed me; I drew my last breath feeling at the same instant, Himitsu doing the same..

"Sa..sayonara..." I cooed to the darkness, and then was lost.

A brilliant bright luminescence erupted from the church, the light piercing through the top part of the cathedral, and impelling itself into the bloodred moon. As soon, everything everywhere was dyring, and fading away. All colors faded away, and into a dismal grey. Plants, and animals alike drew their final breathes along with their human counterparts as the world befell to its inevitable destruction and death. All was silent, all was still. The light passed through the ozone layer, and into space, completely consuming the earth. But after that once it died away, space reflected on a ghostly grayish-green earth, consumed by the Spiritual plain, or--ghost world. Everything and everyone was dead..And the earth fell strangely silent.

No more words need be said, for I seem unable to even grasp enough strength to speak them. Now do you see the high cost of your lifestyle? With a final clash between light and darkness this world ends...

~Phase Three Completed-

Armageddon: Phase Two: Trial and Error

2005-06-29T00:18:00.000-07:00

Currently Playing: Xandria - Winterhearted

"This is where so many things must be decided. It's time we make our final choices, what is good and what is bad? Phase two, begin..."

At long last I finally brought myself to look away from the window and towards Ace once more. Feeling my angelic powers flaring against my own better judgment and will. Inari-sama's powers flowing through my veins and growing within my heart. My sapphire gaze met Ace's pale blue one. "I know what I have to do. I've got to stop her before she destroys all that we have faught for so long to perserviere."

"We?" repeated Ace slightly confused.

"Our memories of the times that we have spent together. When you think about it, we really were our own guardians, we kept each other safe. We were guarding our own innocence, even when we got mixed up with everything that went on, we always faught to protect one another. An we never gave up once on each other, or on the memories we all shared in. But now, now look at how far we have come, and where we all stand now," I shook my head somberly. "An yet, someone has to right the wrongs, we are torn apart, standing on opposite sides even, but I'm not about to give up on the hope that we can still pull through this. And if we don't succeed in this life, then there is always--another."

Ace glanced at me as if I were crazy. "Sakuuya, you can't change what's happened to Kira, nor can you undo what she has already done. Look at the moon, it's almost full, and she's gone on a killing rampage. She's not the same girl we all knew, the same girl that you once knew. She's changed, Sakuuya, and I don't think there's a chance that she'll want to come back to our side. She's holding a blade in her hand, turn your back and it'll find a new home."

"Ace!" I chided sharply turning to face him with cool blue eyes. "Maybe there isn't any hope for Kira, but I've got to at least try. I'm going to have to stand opposed to her, or she'll continue in this reign, and before you know it then she'll be lost completely to the darkness."

"Sakuuya, she's killed people, and she's going to keep on killing. She isn't the same. You're acting peculiar," said Ace raising a brow.

I just shook my head, and then braced on my windowsill, throwing open said windows. "This is all of our fight, Ace, but I still have to do things my own way."

Turning away, I braced one hand on the side of the window, and drew in a deep breath of the night air. The moon sparkling in the dark sky, and a cool breeze sweeping in through my now opened window, combing through my reddish-brown locks pushing them back away from my own pale face. With another intake of breath, I closed my eyes whispering, "just, trust me," and then I disappeared in a flash of white light and feathers. I reappeared in a room that I had only been in maybe twice, though when I opened my eyes to glance around I noted the exeptionally high level of darkness in the room. I gazed into one of the room's dark corners and saw a flash of silver and crimson as a young girl with flowing black locks and crimson red eyes stepped into my line of vision. The dark aura that she was emitting was enough to make me withdraw slightly.

The young woman smirked at me. "I thought that I'd run into you here, Sakuuya."

"Kira.." I said softly gazing at my corrupt friend.

"Though, I am afraid that you're a little bit late," she wiped her hands and blade off on her black pants. I shifted my eyes to another side of the room, seeing in the moonlight, Logan's shadowy form laying still in his bed. Crimson staining the matress and blankets, his orange hair glistening with blood in the night light, and I stepped back before turning back to Kira.

"Kira, look at what you have done. You loved him, he was your boyfriend, closer than anyone to your heart. He did nothing but love you, and you turn around and stab him in the back? He never did anything to you to deserve this. None of our friends did, why are you doing this, Kira? This isn't you, and you and I both know that.You're letting the darkness control you."

"Control me?" the ravenhaired girl laughed. "I embraced my destiny, something that you seem still yet to achieve."

"Kira! Whoever said we had to do this? Whoever said we had to do anything that pertained to the Armageddon? We are opposites you and I, we are light and darkness, but why does it mean that we have to stand here like this? Instead of fighting against one another, we should be working together, like we had for those few years that we had been friends. We proved then that light and darkness, that fire and earth could get along. Why is this any different?"

Kira's eyes flashed in the moonlight as she quickly sheathed her weapon glancing at me, and smirking. "I suggest you get a move on, little angel. You wouldn't want to lose anyone close to you, now would you? I have one more order of business to attend to. So what do you say, Sakuuya? Up for a little race? Let's see who gets there first," she smirked and then was gone in a blast of dark energy.

I took a quick step forwards, but she had disappeared long before I could get too close to her. "KIRA!!"

But I was left alone standing before one of Logan's blank walls, my eyes fell downcast as I glanced back over at where Logan laid still as stone. My heart tightened and I tore my gaze away, and looked towards the ceiling pondering what Kira had just said. But in doing so my heart gave a nauseated churn. "Rae!" I gasped quietly into the room. I cast one last look in Logan's direction before shifting out once more in a flash of white light and angel feathers, and then reappearing in Rae's room.

The brunette boy turned in his slumber, and then ended up turning and facing me. Lifting an arm up over his comforter, he glanced at me sleepily. "Sakuuya? W-what are you doing?"
I glanced frantically about the room breathing in a relieved sigh that Kira was nowhere to be seen. "Rae?" I asked in my usual soft tone of voice, and the boy sat up glancing at me with his soft blueish-green eyes.

"What's wrong, Sakuuya?"

"Rae, listen to me, we have to get out of here. Ace, Jake, and Logan are dead, and you're next. I have to get you out of here before she gets here."

"Before who gets here?" asked Rae.

However before I could answer a sultry voice said from the doorway, "Me," and Rae spun around to face Kira.

"Oh Kira, w-what are you doing here?" Though before Kira could give him an answer I reached out and grabbed the boy's arm, pulling him behind me, and then meeting my friend's cold gaze with my own warming one.

"Kira, you have to stop this. What are you hoping to accomplish by all of this? These are our friends, they're your friends. Why are you doing this to them?"

The dark haired girl just met my gaze with an unwavering glance, as from her boot she withdrew a blade tossing it back and forth between her hands. A taunt. "Why am I doing this? Why, is that all you can say, is that all you want to know?" her eyes flashed coldy. "You know why, Sakuuya. For them it's time to pay the pied piper. Judgment day has come, and they've sinned, it's time they were punished."

I shook my head. "Dammit, Kira! This is not you! The darkness is messing with your mind, it's corrupted your soul and trapped your logical mind somewhere inside of you. It's frozen your heart, and turned you against those you once swore to protect."

Kira just grinnned maliciously at me. "That being the case, sweet Sakuuya, then perhaps I ought to remind you that your little friends have sinned, and that death is their punishment."

"Who says you have any right to condemn them? Who are you to judge? Just take a look around, and try to remember, look and see what you have done, Kira. Is this honestly what you want? Is this what your heart desires, more than anything?"

My friend's eyes flashed. "What ever happened to me not possessing a heart, Sakuuya? Hm? Someone having second thoughts? So then, which is it, Sakuuya? Do I, or do I not posses a heart?"

"Kira, that is beside the point. Of course, you posses a heart, but right now it's tainted by the darkness, and by the urge to destroy. It's changed you, but it still hasn't taken away your humanity. Whatever happened to the girl that I met over the Internet? The one who I use to stay up late and talk to, till the dawn broke on the horizon? That girl, smiling in that photograph with her friends. Don't you remember any of it, any of them? Any of us?"

Again the other girl's eyes flickered bitterly. "Time's up, Sakuuya, ready to say your goodbyes?"

"Kira, stop this. This is madness, are you even remotely conscious of what you are doing?"

"Does that look as if it matters, or as if I fucking care?"

I winced, holding my tongue, and glancing aside as quickly as if I had been struck. My eyes turning soft and downcast. "I can't believe this.."

"Then don't. Go back to living in your world of make-believe, Sakuuya. Retreat back into the recesses of your mind's memories, and lock yourself there. Don't face this, run away, like the coward that you are," said Kira coldly, crimson eyes flashing in the moonlight. The amount of anger and negativity that she was emitting was powerful enough to make me wince, as I turned back to face my former friend. My own twilit blue eyes narrowing coldly.

"No, Kira, I'm not going to run away. Not this time," I said levelly meeting her gaze, and keeping it unwavering.

Another bitter flash zipped through the dark haired girl's eyes. They narrowed ever so slightly, and the blade glittered. "Then face your destiny, Sakuuya. An always remember," she disappeared in a blur of shadow, her voice dangerously close behind me. "Never turn your back," there suddenly came the sickening sound of flesh being torn, and the splattering of blood. Turning swiftly on my heel, I spun to face my reflection, finding her to be holding Rae in her arms. The blade having been imbedded into his chest; she grinned evilly at me, and then let the boy go, with me catching him as he fell.

"Welcome to Hell, Sakuuya," said Kira in a mocking tone of voice reappearing infront of me, and grinning. She placed the blade to her lips and licked the life fluid dripping there. "You've a good taste in men, Sakuuya, a very good 'taste.'" Just the way that she said the final comment was enough to send tremors of shivers down my spine, but I was cast too deeply into disbelief to say much, just holding Rae as tightly and as close to myself as was humanely possible. The tears rimming the bridges of my eyes, as I snapped a bitter look at ravenhaired girl, and my tears turned from sorrow to anger. But all she did was smile, wave, and then disappear in a flash of black light and feathers, her mock laughter echoing in my ears at her departure.

"Come and find me, Sakuuya. Come and find me, at the place where the Saviour lyes."

"Where the Saviour lyes?" I said softly, shaking my head. That was exactly what Yami had said when I last spoke with him. Shaking my head, I turned to glance at Rae's dying form. His eyes losing their usual luster, and being replaced with a deadness. His body turning cold in my arms, and my powers completely useless to stop the cold from taking him. "Oh Rae," I said softly, nuzzling at the boy's hair. "I'm so sorry, I never wanted or asked for this for you..I'm so, so sorry."

He just looked up at me and smiled weakly, raising a hand to the side of my face. "It's all right, Sakuuya, because now you have found the courage and strength to face whatever has been laid out for you. It's up to you, and besides, it's not like you're alone in this fight." His hand caressed my face lightly, fingertips turning ice cold. He gasped painfully, and then that hand fell limp, and my tears came in a torrent, as I buried my face in his hair. My own back at the time beginning to pulsate with a hot pain, I winced gasping before there was a brilliant flash of white light, and instead of two wings appearing on my back, four did. I had ascended to the second level of angels, from guardian to archangel. Rae's form finally fell completely cold in my arms, and I watched as his soul departed from the body, appearing in the room. The spirit turned to face me, smiled softly, before turning back to the window and disappering as if to be nothing more that a silver silhouette against the night.

"You must hurry, Sakuuya. Time is running out," a gentle voice whispered causing a ripple of some emotion to flicker throughout my wings. Bringing my gaze up to face the window, I gazed into the night sky, Rae's body still being held in my arms. This was all the final straw, there was no more running away or trying to find alternative routes to solve the problem at hand. This was how far we had come, and this now was where we were at. An as I gazed out the window, a shooting star zipped across the sky before finally going out in a single ember. Though, as I gazed out that opening, my heart had never felt so heavy in my entire life. Nor do I ever remember ever feeling so utterly alone.

"You are not alone. Remember that, Sakuuya. You are never alone," Rae's voice whispered lovingly in my ear. His voice seeming so far away, yet at the same time he still felt so unbelievable close. Of everything that we had all ever been through, nothing was as double-edged as this; whereas in Kira's acts I was actually brought closer to my friends, she was infact pushed so very far away. The double-edge? In order for this to have been reached, Kira needed to breakway, and in order for me to get closer the break had to happen, and this was my final push. Rae's death was it. My body felt cold, and I trembled, yet I glared as I turned to face the now almost full, and completely bloodred moon. Kira's shadow gazed back at me from within the crimson and black, her cruel eyes reflecting sadistic amusement at the game she had just set up for me to play. For a moment, I just kept staring, Rae's body disappearing in a collection of silver sparkles, and white feathers. My hands outstretched and now rested on either side of my split knees; my eyes reflecting determination cloaked with sorrow and anger. As the area surrounding me turned much more darker, my form illuminated in the moon's grisly light.

Again, I repeat that I don't fully understand all of this. Choices need to be made,and when they are is only when we continue pressing onwards. Onwards, towards the inevitable end.

~Phase Two Completed-

Armageddon: Phase One: The First Fall

2005-06-28T23:42:00.000-07:00

Currently Playing: HIM - Killing Loneliness

"So here we are, and this is where we stand. Opposites, you and I. It's time, we end this. Phase one, begin..."

I looked then up from where my head was bowed and towards the red horizon, and I knew, I could sense that Kira was also doing the same. Wherever she was. I sensed here near, though, as one might a dangerous threat and almost every part of me was tense. Tearing my gaze, though, from the horizon I glanced back at Max's body, she looked so peaceful, and for a moment I gave to the reverie that maybe she was better off like this. Yes, I thought, that is right. It is better that she be dead now, then to have her fade away when the world ends. And right now that seems to be the inevitability. I sighed, my eyes closing in my thoughts and then opening as I exhaled heavily. Bringing my gaze back up, my sapphire blue eyes looked to the sakura tree, who's blossoms had yet to bloom. Yet, I knew what sort of tree it were. A cherry blossom tree, a sakura tree, why had Max chosen to lye here and no where else?

My heart clentched tightly as I remembered my parents and the accident. The cliff they had went over with their car, at the bottom of it's rocky edges there lyed a single sakura tree, which now when in blossom, the blooms were a horrid bloodred color. And unfortunately, unlike most other trees of it's family and nature, it was in bloom all the time. All around me it seemed that I was the centerfold of a dance of death, with those blossoms parading about my fragile, pale form. I couldn't escape them no matter how much I may have tried or had wanted to, I was boxed in. As taking on last look at Max's solitary silhouette, I stood and turned to face the horizon my hands resting at my sides clentched into fists. All this time I remember that I had promised to Kira that I would protect her regardless of what came about, but now here we were being forced to face one another. She was my twin star, my dark reflection, and the light's archnemesis. Was Inari-sama testing us, testing me to see what I would do when faced with such adversity? I knew what I had to do, but I was hestitant with my decision for if I followed through on it than that would make Yami correct.

What sort of humor did fate have to set us against one another like this? And Inari-sama and the Devil, what were they hoping for? The end of the world, aa, I knew that but I wanted no part of it. I never asked to be Kira's reflection, her twin star, the light in the darkness, and I was sure that she did not want any of this for herself either. Though, who was I to judge? I was only half angel after all, the second part of me bore the cunningness of a kitsune, and something that Inari-sama scorned. Yet she was willing to let me face this battle on her behalf. I had done no favors to deserve this, but perhaps it was sin that led to this series of misfortune. I couldn't say, nor could I come to the conclusion on my own and it was times like this when I wished that I had someone that I could talk to. Who could help me make sense and find some understanding in this insanity. However now as I gazed into the horizon, I could see an almost full moon rising, in three night's time it would be full, and that was when Final Judgment would be passed. Humanity had lived enough, they have done enough and damaged this world enough. Inari-sama would judge as Kira and I met for a final time, on a battlefield. Not as friends but as rising stars, and as archenemies.

A few more moments passed before I finally could look away from the distant skyline, and turned back to Max. I buried her and said a prayer for her departing soul, as once I finished I finally found the courage to walk away, and leave my friend to her rest. An left Yami's prison with a heavy heart, appearing in my bedroom laying atop my bed. The house was still completely empty, not even Rae could be found, but I figured that he was just out with Ace again in my absence. So being left alone as I were, and still feeling the exhaustion of what had just recently played out, I curled up on my bed watching the sun set and the moon rising much the same as it had done in Yami's domain. Turning on my side, I shifted so that my back faced the rising moon as wave of nausea swept over me. An I felt my heart quaking once more, closing my eyes I tried to block out the rotation of the room, and with a little luck stop my insides from turning to ice and churning sickly.

"Let go, let go of this world that hold's you. Let go, let go of this world that you hold ties to. Release your soul, and let it soar. It is time, there is no denying it this time, Sakuuya. Hikari no otome, Daughter of the Light."

Again I twisted and turned this time trying to drown out that voice whispering caressingly in the backs of my world-rid mind. I tried pleading with that voice saying that I was not ready, but they would counter saying that I had been ready long before now. An then images would swim into my mind of a bloodred moon in a pitch black sky. A cold wind blowing, and yanking at the trees casting shadowy figures upon the land. There were screams of pain and sorrow, of the dead dying and of the living being murdered, somewhere people where dying and it was not in small quantities, it was a mass massacre. The world too was dying little by little. I saw trees lose their leaves, and watering holes drying up, lakes, river, streams, oceans too, and the deserts grew weatherborne throwing up great clouds of dust and covering the few plants that made their homes in such a dry climate. An through all of this in the backs of my mind's eye I felt like I was being watched as two bright crimson eyes gazed at me from the darkness of my own mind and of these grotesque images. Continuing to toss and turn, I braced my hands at the sides of my head feeling the urge as if I were going insane. I could feel the pain and the hurt, the sorrow and despair deep within my own form and with the bitter strength of a torrent.

More images and a voice still whispering to me. I saw Max appear before me as well as several other spirits; those of Ace, Rae, Jake, and Logan. All of them looked onto to me. As the voice quietly asked in a ventriloquay as silent as a just breaking wave. "What will you do now, Sakuuya?"

My eyes snapped open and I bolted upright staring into a corner of my room. Wrapping my arms about my knees I brought them to my chest holding them tightly. "What will I do? I don't know what it is that I am suppose to say. I never asked for any of this, but I knew deep down that this is something that I must do. But I don't know, what do you all want of me? What do you want me to do, to say? Somebody, anybody, please help me..." With downcast eyes I buried my face in my arms, sinking into a faint depressive lapse. Max was dead, and Kira was as good as such. She was evil and I was going to have to fight her, and probably end up spilling her blood with my own. I didn't want violence, I never asked for death, but just like those horrid sakura trees they seemed to follow me no matter what I did or where I went.

"You know what you must do, Sakuuya. What is expected, there is still time, but there will never be enough to undo what has already been done or acted upon. You can't change destiny, but you can help make the new world a better place, one worth living. Do not let this end with the beginning being nothing but a historical repeat," again the voice came to me and I looked up with tearstained eyes. "You must be strong, Sakuuya, and you must have faith and believe in yourself, your powers and friends. You must believe in me and in the goodness that this world still does possess within its lowly core. The time is come there is no more left for denial, now awaken, otome, and rise to face your challenger. For she is no longer your friend, her memories of you she may still possess, but her soul and heart are tained by Yami's dark powers, and by Akuma. So it is time to wash away this world and to rebuild it on a newer ground. Look outside and listen, review what I have shown to you, Sakuuya. Too much blood has been spilt and it is time to cleanse this world of evil and the darkness."

I shook my head still not ready to accept. "I can't do this on my own. I can't do this permanently. Fight against Kira, against my best friend for all these years? We've been too close for too long, I could never fight her, let alone kill her which is what you are asking. Which is what Yami was asking. You tell me that you want me to cleanse this world, well I can't cleanse it when my best friend is at the root of all this misfortune. I'm only half angel, and I cannot do this, not on my own, not at all. Now leave me alone!"

"Sakuuya," said a familiar voice. As turning to see who had spoken I felt my heart seem to skip a beat, my blood running cold. There in my room, about three feet from me stood the silhouette of an blond haired, blue eyed boy dressed in his usual attire.

"Ace?" I asked in an awed tone of voice gazing at the other boy with surprised eyes. His form was trasparent and I could see right through him and at the anime poster that hung on the wall behind him. Rotating on my bed, I turned and slipped my feet to the floor, before standing and walking over to him, standing about two feet away. I glanced at him. "W-what's happened to you? You're not really--are you?" I couldn't bring myself to say the words, nor was I so certain I could brace myself against his answer. However the other male did not reply and instead just nodded as if that were answer enough. My eyes widened as I again scanned over his transparent form. "W-what happened? Who killed you?" Dear Inari, I thought, please don't tell me it was Kira.

Ace, though just glanced at me with an almost ironic tone on his face. As if he were silently saying, silently asking, 'are you serious?' And I simply turned away, and he could tell that regardless of the fact if I knew it or not, I wasn't handling all of this too well. Though, he could tell I was making the attempt; bringing my navy blue gaze up to meet his own soft blue one I spoke very quietly, "Just answer me this, was it Kira?" An the boy's ghost glanced aside, but nodded nonetheless. "And just how many of our friends has she killed?" I asked still keeping the same quiet, leveled tone. My friend just glanced at me with a solemn expression.

"I'm not so sure how many of us are left, nor do I know how many of them are still alive."

"Wonderful," I said sarcastically, but then I once again diverted my gaze and glanced towards the forbidden skyline. Watching the moon continuing to rise there, and knowing it would grow with each passing evening till it was full and a brilliant bloodred. "So this is where it all ends, and this is the start of a new beginning, all in one night. So this is where we are and where we stand." Sighing my eyes changed from irritation to sorrow, and I glanced back at Ace my sapphire blue eyes catching a ray of the now fully risen moon and sparkling. Glancing between the boy's spirit and a picture of the seven of us all together at this year's Otoku festival, all of us smiling, Kira hanging on Logan, Max and Jake caught in the middle of a playful kiss, me standing beside Rae hands folded in front of me, and smiling meekly at the camera, and Ace behind Rae grinning. I'd give anything for things to go back to how they once had been, to go back to the good days. Where we didn't have to worry about Armageddon and could act like usual teenagers, harboring our own secrets. What ever happened to those days of innocence? In simple terms, they were gone and this was where we stood. I had two options give up or stand my ground. I looked back towards the moon.

Whispering quietly to the night air. "Inari, help me..."

So now tell me where to begin, because I now know that we can never go back. From here we can only move onwards, the past is now forever behind us.

~Phase One Completed-

Jake and Max

2005-06-28T07:48:00.000-07:00

Currently Playing: Now & Forever - Xandria

-Soft smile.- So alright, this is the third post in this subseries that I've seemed to have created for the likes of my friends, and loved ones..and well..those who were just there. -Laughs lightly.- Anyhow, I don't think that I really need to introduce the two people in this post, but I'll do it anyhow. vn.nv;; Jake and Max, and unlike most of the other couples that I posted they were the first to have gotten together out of the entire Twilight group. -Chuckles gently.- Well, actually they had been together even before Himistu moved to Kagawa, so I suppose they are also the couple that's been together the longest. Oh..-Sweatdrops.- And let's not forget the most shameless. Sou, sou, remember that little incident between the two of them where they'd make out in plain sight of the other students during our--Study Hall class, I think it where? -Laughs again.- Sou.

Anyhow, so here's their pictures, and well a little bit of a re-intro on their relationship. ^n.n^

Concept of Twilight: Light and Darkness 003: Sorrow

2005-06-27T18:36:00.000-07:00

Currently Playing: Lacuna Coil - Self Deception

"There is so much more to this life than you are seeing. Through the shades of your own vision I see a glimmering light..but around us the world is now ending, we can never go back..Not now..Not ever..It's over..I'm sorry..."

I don't know what over came me in the instant, but I had suddenly and completely befell to an apathic notion. I lost all of what I had been feeling, even my eyes reflected inner betrayal. Their lively sapphire color reflected a clouding feeling. Their livliness had been quelled. I looked to Himitsu and she just looked back, a strange look cast unto her own face. I could not tell if that expression, though, were of sadisitic happiness or a deep unseen self-destruction. I couldn't be for a certain what she was feeling. But her eyes were vivid a crimson color as I had ever seen before. Their color darkening and brightening into pools of what reminded me of blood. Her long black hair blew in the now chilled autumn breeze. She just looked so much more forboading in the shadows now. They almost gave her a powerful look. And I, lost in my own mind and thoughts. Still trapped within the shock and surprise of her betrayal, seemed so small. One hand rested in my lap, my legs folded at the side, and my second hand just braced on the floor of the gazebo.

I trembled slightly. It wasn't possible. It couldn't be. All this time I had a least thought that Himitsu could fight the darkness that threatened to take her over, to fully control her. But now I had seen just how wrong I was. A little voice in the back of my mind chuckled, whispering, "A fool of an angel." I had not seen just how strong that darkness within her had been growing. I was so blind. I should have seen. I should have known. I had sensed a change in her since our last meeting with Yami, everything had begun to spiral downwards then. Himitsu had become so much colder towards, and barely spoke much to me. She just preferred to ignore me, and now it seemed as in her avoidance of speaking to me, she had already marked me as her enemy. But was it truly Himitsu, or was it simply the darkness within her that precieved me as such? I didn't know..and now there was no chance of understanding. Mallos was dead. I no longer had his soft words of comfort to help me clear things up and to understand easier. I didn't have his comforting knowledge, nor his soft voice to offer comfort. In this time of need, there seemed no one any longer left for me to turn to.

I was completely alone.

I gazed into the direction where his body had just recently laid before disappearing, and my heart sank that much deeper. The sorrow reflected in my eyes seemed to be pooling from the deepest recesses of my soul. That was how deep this wound had cut. A few strands of my rosewood locks fell over my shoulder and obscured my face just slightly with shadow. But my eyes seemed blank, only breeched by the reflection of deepening despair and loss, a deeper sorrow that just kept burying inself further and further within me.

I looked at Himitsu and saw her wiping the blood off onto her black tee. The light from the gazebo lamps reflecting off her deep black hair, creating slight crimson highlights. But when she turned her head to gaze back at me they disappeared. My sapphire-blue eyes met her crimson ones and for a split second held, and then I looked away with a soft sigh. Closing my eyes into the motion, my pale hands clentched into fists, though not of anger but still further self-desolation.

"What have you done?" I said, voice a mere whisper. Again I was shaking with my sadness and rage.

"Anger is a sin, Sakuuya, angels aren't suppose to know such." Her crimson eyes flickered in the dim light of the gazebo.

I glanced up at her, my vision reflecting my inner sorrow. She met my gaze and then resheathed her blade into a side-pocket on her black cargo pants.

"We were suppose to be friends, don't you remember?" I asked somberly. "How could you..How could you let the darkness inside of you win and take control. Kira, please. Why cannot you not see the error in your ways..."

"Because emotions are a tool for the weak, that's why. And you above all should have known that this time would come. I am darkness and you are light. How long did you honestly think that our friendship could have lasted? For all you know, I could have simply just been using you. You who's guided by soft, petty emotion. It makes you weak."

"Kira.." I whispered turning away from her, hiding the tears that were still rimming the edges of my eyes. I trembled slightly, though I said no more and once again gazed into my empty lap. Thinking of Mallos. Which caused my heart to tighten painful. What in Inari's name had come over Himitsu that caused her to commence such an act? The darkness, that was it. It was becoming overwhelming, and slowly I thought back to my conversation with Mallos and Yami. About Armageddon. The battle that Mallos had instilled within my mind. The battle between the equal forces of light and darkness. Between Himitsu's and my equal balances. Light and Darkness. Earth and Fire. We were complete opposites, and it was a fool's mistake for me to ever believe that our two rivaling existences could ever coexist in peace. Yet, we had done so well. Until Yami and Mallos stepped into the picture, and things around us began to spin out of control.

I could not simply blame this ill-fate on Mallos and Yami, because long before they even came into the picture. It had already been foreordained that the world was going to end. At some time. One day. It just hurt so much to think that Kira and I were to be the ones who were to end it. With Kira fighting for destruction, chaos and upheavel. And me, fighting for peace, virtue and the right. Her for death. Me for life.

I then thought back to what Max had told us only but earlier today..About how she was going to die soon. And suddenly I felt a sharp jolt. "Max.." I whispered gazing up into the top part of the gazebo. Eyes soft, but seeming blank to most if not all emotion. Yet they were searching, trying to conceal the sadness that glimmered there.

But suddenly Kira began speaking again. "You mean Yami's little kitten? Oh yes, she's just fine. Would you like to see her? Even if you don't, you've no choice. We've got something especially planned for you, little tenshi."

I just glanced aside, not really seeming to have heard what she had said. But I suddenly felt a chilled breeze rising up behind me, and then someone wrapping their arms strongly about me. Forcing me into a standing position. Though, I did struggle. It wasn't much. Though, now back on my feet I found myself face to face with Kira. Who gazed back at me with sharp, piercing crimson eyes. Sorrow masked my face, and I looked away. There was a sudden flash of crimson light and a spur of dark energy as the gazebo and park melted away before us. Something happened along the lines of the transfer. For the next moment, I had suddenly befell to a sharp darkness. My mind lost within strange revelations and recollections. Memories that I really had no recollection of ever having.

I saw two people fighting. And then their images were trapped in a glass sphere which mirrored a globe shape. It was a imitation of the world. And as the two fought, slowly the edges began to crack and break away. The pieces falling away at the edges in the form of ashes, or dust. It was some form of hallucination. It had to have been, but it felt so real. There was a blond fighting against a black-haired opponent. The blond possessed the white-feathered wings of an angel. And the other the tattered-black wings of a fallen. I heard the sound of their blades clashing, as the sphere continued to break away, falling away like grains of sand into an hourglass. And then the image melted away. Like candle wax. Everything suddenly grew obscured. Though, I heard, distantly the soft voice of a young man whispering, "Sakuuya..Sakuuya.."

When I came to, I was laying on a cold-stone floor. It was completely dark, and very chilly. Waking up, I gingerly lifted up my head and gazed before me. There was no one else, or anything else in the room with me. The chamber was empty except for my frail form. Which the shadows seemed to eagerly be surrounding. Waiting, like predators to strike. I shivered slightly, though felt considerably weak. My head was throbbing, and I was not for a certain where I was. I remembered Kira at the gazebo. She said that she was taking me to see Max, and that she, or they, whoever they were, had something special planned for me.

I slowly got to my hands and knees, pulling myself up, I shifted my legs to folding at my side, while one of my pale hands braced against the stone ground. The second hand, was clentched in a fist held against my chest. I felt the shadows growing around me, yet they did not come too close. As my angelic-half seemed to drive them back. But they were slowly growing more and more bolder. I drew my body closer together, gazing absently into the andumbration.

I slowly began to recall all that happened so far. The gazebo, Kira's sudden shift into the dark magicks of the world. She had changed so much, and the change meant so much more than she realized. And none of it was good. Though, I knew that she was too far dug-in, that attempting to talk to her about it would only push her further away, and drive her that much deeper into the darkness, into anger and rage. I shivered again, though not because of the airiness of the room, but rather as I thought back to what had become of my once most dearest friend. I tried to think of happy thoughts, but right now, my mind was more drawn onto trying to figure this all out. Why Kira had decided to join Yami's darkness, why she had killed Mallos, everything. Why I was here in this cold chamber, alone. Where Max was. What that strange dream-vision had meant.

Closing my eyes I listened closely to the sounds of the room. While my mind wandered between thoughts and worries, and then shifted to trying to find some clever way to escape. Basically, my two halfs were in a duel against each other. I needed to find Max. To know if she were safe and all right. But to do that, I needed to try and find some way out of here. So in the end, my first step was to try and find some way out. I glanced about the room, searching for anything that I might have been able to use in a means to help in my escape plan. But there wasn't anything. The entire area was empty except for me. The door was obviously locked. I could tell that from even where I sat in the middle of the chamber. And I wasn't good at picklocking as Kira and Max. But, I was good at wicca. Yet finding a spell that did not require any other physical articles was a completely different story. Just as I thought of a release spell, though, the door suddenly swung open and two men walked in. Each wore a strange mask of deception and an almost blank, mindless look. As if they were wind-up toys that only had a certain amount of time before they stopped.

"Milord and lady, wish to speak with you," said one of the men.

"The games start in about ten minutes. And milady wished you to be present at the time," replied the second one.

"Games?" I repeated quite skeptically.

"Yes, the games. A battlefront that is to take place to exploit the strongest units to be added to our army."

"Units?" I said voice soft, curious, but also slightly bitter. My eyes narrowed skeptically.

"We don't need to explain ourselves to you," said the first of the men. As he and his companion suddenly advanced and reached out to grab my arm. I tensed and prepared to attack, but suddenly their images blurred, and each suddenly reappeared latching themselves onto me. Their grips tight and very strong. I winced. They were far too young to be possessing such strength. Unless they were like Max, gentically enhanced individuals. Then I suppose it would make sense, in at least one way or another. But otherwise, there was no logical meaning to such.

I was suddenly and roughly tugged out of the room. Down several halls, and then out into a very noisy part of--wherever it was that I was. It looked to be some sort of castle from the view that I now precieved. We were in something much like a coliseum. There were people aligning it on all sides. Shouting and talking loudly. Acting as if it were their prime goal was to talk over the next person. I glanced to the side and down towards the battle area. There were further shoutings, and screams. Angry, happy, sadistic. I looked harshly away.

We kept on walking until I came to a the large key box. Were all the important people supposidly sat. Like back in Casear's times. This was the place were he and the commision would sit. Though, the only person who was sitting anywhere near the area was none other than Kira. She sat cross-legged on her chair, watching the batttles intently, as if observing each and every individual. Her pale fingers were laced within each other, and her crimson nails catching a glint of the dying sunlight, flickered viciously. Her long raven-black hair was occasionally blown about due to a breeze that from time and time hit the box. As we arrived, she tossed her head and brushed a few strands out of her blood-colored eyes. Her lips curled into a smirk, and suddenly she turned and looked at me. Our gazes met, but I suddenly looked away. Smiling coolly, Kira stood up, brushing her hands along her thighs and walked over to me.

"You don't seem to be enjoying yourself, Sakuuya.." said Kira in a strange, almost seductive voice.

I said nothing and continued to avoid looking at her. Obviously not impressed with even a little part of this whole set-up.

Kira smirked and then flicked her wrist, dimissing the two men who still held onto me tightly as if afraid to let me anywhere near her.

"You may go, I'll take care of things from here," said Kira in an idle voice. The two men bowed and backed away. Dimissing themselves from the box. However, though, just as the first two men left. Two others appeared from the shadows, grabbed my arms and then shoving me across the way, where I hit my back against a post. Gasping softly and collapsing. They then forced me back into standing position, binding me with rope and chain. Binding my arms to my sides. They stepped aside; Kira stepped up. And still I kept looking away.

"You did want to see your friend did you not?" asked Kira coolly. Her voice nothing like her own.

Again I said nothing, still avoiding to look at her.

Kira sighed. "Are you still upset because of what I had Kira do to Mallos?"

My eyes widened suddenly and I looked up, meeting Kira's crimson gaze. But in her eyes I did not see her, but rather I was Yami's playfulness flickering there. "Did you honestly think that I could only possess the bodies of captives that I held within my dome?"

"You can only possess her, because she has submitted to the darkness," I said softly, though levelly.

"She's become the first half of the Armageddon, Sakuuya," replied Yami coolly.

"Aa, and I still have yet to become the second," I answered quietly. I had again turned my gaze from him, pretending to be either lost in thought or watching the games going on below us.

Yami watched me closely.

"People are dying, Sakuuya," he explained arrogantly. "Slowly the darkness is rising up. The Four Horsemen have already entered this world, and already brother has been turned unto brother. Rivaling blood being spilt, and where is your precious Inari in all this? Has she abandoned her place already?"

I turned apathic on him.

But suddenly Yami approached me and grabbed my face in his cold hands. Though I looked only into Kira's crimson eyes. Eyes that searched my face for emotion, for meaning. Though there was none. He backed away once more and then followed my gaze onto the coliseum.

"Should I reveal Max to you now, my dear?" He asked casually. Though there was an evil glint in his eye. "I turned Kira onto Mallos, because I knew that next to Rae he was the closest thing to your heart. One of your last barriers. In order for the world to end, I needed to revive the ancient magick within you. The magick that is that which belongs to an angel. In order for the world to end, I needed to bring about that power. Though, it seems that my attempts were slightly--misguided. For though your heart is weakened, twice over, you still refuse to releash that power. I need that power, Sakuuya. Show it to me."

"You can just keep wishing," I shot. "Because I'll be damned if I were to ever help you."

"But Sakuuya..people are dying. This world is an evil place. People are killing people. People are dying. Can you not hear them. Their screams as they realize that the ones they thought they could trust were simply wolves in sheep's clothing. Do you not wish to help them? Are you going to betray your position just like your beloved Inari?"

"She has betrayed no one. It is only you who've done any betraying.."

"Ah, me and Kira, remember..She killed Mallos."

"Only because you made her do it. You were too coward yourself, so you had someone else do you dirty work. That's pretty low, if you ask me."

"I'm known to do low.." said Yami with a sadistic smile. "Like I could do right now," he stepped nearer to me. "But you're hope-barrier protects me from getting too close. But that doesn't mean that I cannot attack from afar. How many times, Sakuuya must you be betrayed..how many times must your heart break before you will just give in? Give in to the inevitable?"

"Millenias, if need be," I said levelly. Though it was obvious that my levelness was directed outwards as sarcasm.

"You won't live long enough," said Yami.

"Then I guess, you'll just not win this battle, hm?"

Although suddenly I saw a familiar form appear on the battlefield. Her chin-lengthed layered black hair and violet eyes sparkled in the fading sunlight.

"Max!" I gasped. The dark-haired demon smiled coldly at my sudden surprised and shocked revelation. He idly shifted his hands about as if rolling something about in them. But I was still too shocked to be focused on anything save Max. She seemed almost as apathic as I had been just recently, yet she moved with a purpose and with her unnatural speed and cunning. My eyes went wide as I observed her battling. Yami turned his cold eyes back onto me, and I could sense a sinister desire rising up within him, which caused a shiver to run down my spine. Though I did not express that shake outwardly. It was kept, locked within.

"Ah, but that's not all.." said Yami coldly, as I quickly turned my head to face him. Sapphire eyes cold and bitter. And yet, all he simply did was raise his hand and I saw that in it he held Max's seizure pills. Again my eyes flickered in shocked surprise, narrowing dangerously.

"You bastard," I snapped coldly.

Yami just shrugged. "What can I say? It's in my blood. The blood of a cold-blooded killer. The same blood, and the same killer who's entity runs through your own friend's veins." He turned to gaze to the battlefield. "The world is going to end Sakuuya, whether or not you give consent. There is nothing that you can do. Humanity's at the end of its last rope length."

I lowered my head obviously a sign of slight submittance. A few strands of my hair fell over my shoulder, slowly obscuring my unnaturally bright sapphire-blue eyes. Yami turned back to me, no doubt curious at my sudden quietness. He saw my head lowered, my gaze focused on the ground, and smirked.

"You see? It isn't going to take you too long now to break. Words are powerful, at times even more than physical attempts. A few words spoken, and you lose your nerve. Well then, it looks like I am going to win after all."

I snapped my gaze back up, a strange gleam reflected in my eyes, one that made Yami recoil slightly. "Neither light nor darkness will win this battle, Yami. For you know as well as I, as well as Mallos did that together the two will destroy one another. Along with them the world. The world is nothing more simply than a ball of color balanced delicately on an axel that is made up of good and evil. Like the saying goes, remove one and earth will collapse, remove them both. And nothing shall ever last. That's all life is, that's all the earth ever will be. Nothing but a scale, which holds in its claws an orb of light and it's couterpart, an orb of darkness. A balance, a scale, that only exists so long as an equal balance exists between said two elements. Between said good and said evil."

"Mm, how awe-inspiring. Little Sakuuya is speaking in riddles," said Yami with another of his cool smirks. "But either of which, none of that matters now. For we already have our component, our champion. So then, where is the light's? The one who will rise to challenge her?"

"We are not dolls and tools for you to use, Yami. We are human beings. We have a life, and it's one that we ourselves direct. Not some ancient prophecy. Some legendary battle. We control our own lives. While you simply manipulate and use others'. Everyone has their own path to travel their own destiny to chose." My eyes once more flickered with that strange gleam. To which Yami just smiled harshly against.

"You won't win this, Sakuuya, you can already feel Inari's powers coursing through your body. You can already sense the lightness inside of you growing. Your angelic-self surfacing, you can't deny what is meant to be, Sakuuya. For it will always come to pass. Just like right now, just like what will happen in less then three days time. We await for you, and when the time comes you will find us, and you will seek Kira out. Such is your destiny. Such is inevitable. When the time is right, come, come and find us, where the Savior lyes." He then turned and walked away. Leaving me alone to simply wall in my thoughts. In my own self-deception.

A while passed as I simply remained bound to that post, with only the fights to occupy myself with. Albeit, my thoughts were anywhere but cast onto said fights. I thought back to what Yami had been saying earlier, about me becoming the challenger for the light. Their own champion, as he made reference to Kira as. I thought about Max and what would happen now that she did not have her pills. She went missing a while back, but I did not think that Yami would have captured her for this reason. I then shifted my thoughts back to Kira and the sudden cloak of darkness that had cast its unholy grasp onto her. And how if things happened as Mallos had predicted they would, then Kira and I would meet in battle, a battle to end all things. To end all battles, and with it take the entire world down with us.

I glanced up towards the sky trying to think of anything but the whole Armageddon ordeal. I tried to think of Rae and the other guys, and a faint and hurtful ache struck my heart. The guys..they were still untouched much by this evil deed at hand. But still, they were as close to us as anyone or anything else. Atop that, the world around me seemed to be ending as the day befell to a sudden quick night. I glanced back down at the battlefield. Max was still there, still fighting. However, into the third round, I suddenly saw her stumble. She defeated her opponent, but soon after she nearly collapse. Their was a fearful expression cast onto her face. An expression that seemed to read 'dear god, not now.' She turned and ran from the scene. Quickly exiting the coliseum.

"Max," I breathed softly. Where was she going? She couldn't go too far with all the guards and people around the area. And with Yami wandering about..I would have thought that she would know to tread more cautiously. I followed her for as long as my gaze would allow, until she had vanished from my sights. I struggled at my bindings, but they were nowhere near coming undone. My arms fell still in the ropes as I glanced towards the twilight sky with a sullen expression. What was I going to do? How could I help Max from here when I was bound as I were by these chains and ropes. A shift in my position and I heard the metal ching of the chains, but my heart was already sinking.

A sudden loss in the weight drew my attention back towards the bindings. The rope and chains at my sides suddenly fell loose. Surprised, I turned my head quickly to my side, though I did not see anyone. As my sapphire gaze searched the the area, I kept finding that the scan was coming up empty handed. So then--who or what had realeased me? I shook my head, never mind that didn't matter right now. My goal now was to find Max and pray that I would not arrive too late. Another brief scan of the area and then I looked down at my feet and found the vile that Kira had held in her hand, Max's pill phial. With a quick swipe of my hand, I picked the bottle up and then glanced into the distance horizon, seeing the sun still sinking beneath a black horizon, casting a sickly red glow across the horizon. Time as running out. Quickly I rushed from the box and into the direction that I had seen Max vanish through, a voice in the backs of my mind chuckling and mocking me saying "hurry, Sakuuya. Hurry, hurry, hurry angel.." And I ran, to where I did not know, all I did was follow on instinct and my heart. Praying still that neither would be misleading.

I kept running for some time, at least ten to fifteen minutes. Rushing from the colliseum and through the outskirts of the area till I can to an open field, in which a single sakura tree blossomed. A wave of uneasment and unpleasantness swarm through me, and I felt my heart's pace quicken. Dear Inari, I thought, please tell me that I am not too late..I glanced at the sakura tree to find a form huddled beneath it. She was curled up in the fetal position, her hands wrapped about her shoulders and she was shaking. A seizure. "Max!" I cried and rushed through the field till I was at the side of my friend. She kept shaking and without hesitation I reached into the pocket of my bleached jeans to pull out her pill vial. I popped the cap and tipped two pills into my hand. "Here," I said, reaching out and taking her hand in mine, I went to drop the pills into it, but Max suddenly shook her head. She was still trembling, but was in control somewhat of the seizure. She opened her eyes and looked at me, placing a shaky hand atop my own.

"No, Sakuuya.." said Max voice softened. "It's too late for that, this is what Mallos has shown me..My time..has come. But please, you must promise me, promise me that you will save Kira. That you will stop her from what she is about to do..and if not, then I hope that you will pray for her soul's salvation. Be strong, and--godspeed to you.." That hand then went limp and Max stopped trembling, her eyes slipped shut as she drew her final breath. When her hand fell from mine, my hand fell pathetically to my side, the pills dropping onto the ground beside me, and the pill vial also slipped to the ground spilling forth its contents. As for a moment I was cast into utter disbelief, but fought down the urge to try and shake her with the hopes that she were simply asleep. Which I knew she were, Max was indeed sleeping, but it were an eternal sleep. The truth revealed that my friend was dead, and my heart ached. I may not have known her for too long, or even known her long enough to know what she was all about. But we had been through so much already, and in such a short time, but in all that I had felt so close to her. Like I had known her all my life, so then why? Why now did this have to happen? She did not deserve to die. No one really ever did, except for those of the darkness. Albeit, even so, if they were to die then the world would not have survived and existed for as long as it had. There had to always be that balance or else the world was to end for a certain. Fate was cruel like that.

Turning my gaze away from Max's body, I cast my sapphired gaze into the distance. There was a great deal of sorrow masking my face, and pain as well. Tears fell silently from my evening gaze, as I slowly closed my eyes feeling a gentle breeze sweeping the area. No words were uttered save an extremely soft "goodbye," and the wind played through my rosewood locks as if to be a foolish attempt to ease my sorrow. Opening my eyes, they caught a glimpse of the fallen sun and sparkled as I sensed in the distance a dark presence only all too familar. It was Kira, and she too had watched as Max left this world, a single tear of blood slipped from her eyes as she looked on from the distance. Where she stood somberly, her hands at her sides, with me opposite to her on my knees before Max's body, my hands folded in my lap and my head bowed, my eyes closed as if I were praying with my eyes still letting tears fall down my cheeks. A blast of wind past between out two forms, light and darkness reflecting themselves and then everything after that just seemed to go so silent and still. A sorrow shared between the two. I came too from my bowed position, lifting my gaze and then looked into the distance, as Kira and I both gazed into the horizon, our spirits meeting one another's gaze, and still the wind swirled around our forms once more to fall still.

Life, it is a vicious circle. You are born, you live, and then everything must eventually die.