A/N: Hey guys! Here's the first chapter of the sequel/continuation of "Sparked" that you've all been waiting for! Thanks for all of your kind reviews, suggestions, critiques, etc...
College also started for me again. RIP. Also got my wisdom teeth taken out, so RIP again. I'll try to update every week on Sundays, unless otherwise. But, hope you'll enjoy this first chapter!
Disclaimer: I do not own Toji No Miko, expect for this AU. Any resemblance in this fanfic to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is completely coincidental.
Chapter 1:
The netherworld was a lonely and miserable realm. A bleak and vast expanse of nothing but infinite darkness, like a night with neither moon nor stars. Replete silence shrouded the empty world—dead, cold silence. All one could really do was wander alone endlessly—forever and ever without any knowledge of the passing of time.
The one dull grey eye Hiiragi Konoka had that was not permanently blinded, swept over the unending acres of the netherworld, surveying the lifelessness of it all. A disgruntled scowl crossed her face, as she turned to the individual walking beside her; a girl not any older than sixteen. However, the fierce pride flashing in the girl's eyes, along with the fan-shaped headpiece crowned on her head, could make one see that she was a great and powerful deity.
"While I have agreed to serve you, Hime-sama, I still don't understand why your personal army has to remain in the real world while we're taking a stroll through Hell," Konoka grumbled. "Why couldn't we just go down to Kamakura and end everything?"
Hiyorihime's lips curved into a slow cruel smile, as she replied, "Patience. You'll see."
She hugged the small baby in her grasp closer to her chest, before adding, "We will not remain here forever. We need only stay here for a certain amount of time."
"And just exactly how long is 'a certain amount of time'?" Konoka asked.
"Fourteen years."
"Fourteen years?!" Konoka half-shrieked, half-whined.
A cold edge was in Hiyorihime's voice, as she answered, "Don't be an idiot, Hiiragi Konoka. We are in a layer of the netherworld that moves at a faster pace. You don't have to worry about your youth—I already have a solution to that."
Muttering something unintelligible underneath her breath, Konoka followed the aradama princess deeper into the endless void, slightly struggling to keep up with her. They continued on like this for several more minutes—but to Konoka, they felt like hours—and as they did so, more distinct shadows started to appear. And after going a little further, the Hiiragi woman could see that they were the tall, dark form of trees and just a few feet after that, what appeared to be a tall pagoda. And then, at last, the darkened mist cleared away revealing what she recognized as an exact copy of the Onryō Shrine.
Konoka said, "This is...?"
Hiyorihime turned around, showing her fangs, as she said, "Home."
She marched quickly into the haiden without another word. Konoka trailed after her and once stepping in, was surprised to see that the interior looked completely brand-new, nothing like the dilapidated ruins she remembered. There was no doubt that Hiyorihime had used her powers to transform it somehow.
The black lacquer walls were hung with beautiful scroll paintings, many of them being pictures of crows and other winged monsters. Several decorative paper lanterns hung from the ceiling although they were not lit. And across from the entrance doors, at the very back of the hall, was a tall, ornate throne made of onyx. Despite the regal magnificence of the place, it still had the same dull dreariness as its counterpart.
Hiyorihime immediately sat on her throne, clearly showing to Konoka who out of the two of them, was in power. Seated with perfect posture with Shitsuren in her right hand, and baby Kagari curled in her left arm, Hiyorihime projected the aura of a poised, regal ruler. It was only fair to say that Konoka didn't see anything exceptionally magnificent or impressive about her.
"Just what exactly will I get out of helping you?" Konoka asked.
Hiyorihime stroked a blue fingernail along the armrest of her throne, as she said, "Don't tell me that you do not have the same hatred I bear towards Hiyori. I know the thoughts, feelings, and memories of all the three aradama princesses, including the many Tojis they have merged with in the past. And just through that, I know that revenge is not enough for you."
Konoka raised an eyebrow, asking, "What would you know about that?"
Her skin was bloodless and her fists were clenched together. Ever since Hiyorihime summoned her from her death-like state, she knew that the aradama princess had a power that was not only different from hers but also stronger. And there was nothing Konoka hated more than feeling inferior to someone else.
"You and I both want the same thing. We want our mothers back."
"Why, you little—"
The terrible expression that formed on Hiyorihime's face made Konoka bite back the words that were on her tongue. The Hiiragi woman was smart enough to know that picking a fight with the aradama princess was not an option, and she most certainly did not want to risk one what with the loss of her dragon's eye and future sight.
"You, my daughter, and I all have aradama blood. You know what we are capable of together. Help me and I'll bring back Tsukuyomihime," Hiyorihime said.
The idea of being with her mother again was too tempting for Konoka. Having wept hopeless tears for years over her mother's death, it was almost too much for the Hiiragi woman to finally have the knowledge that there was a possible way of reviving her beloved relative. Without another sign of objection, Konoka bowed slightly showing acceptance and submission.
Raising her chin with pride, Hiyorihime snarled, "When the time comes, I'll make Hiyori pay for not accepting me as herself. With the powers of the three of us, I shall have my revenge. And then Kanami will be all mine!"
At the Kamakura hospital, five girls waited anxiously outside one of the hospital rooms. Behind the closed door, they could hear the sounds of beeps coming from a set of machines and some shuffling, as the hospital staff inside worked with scrutiny. Kanami never liked hospitals, ever since her mother got sick and eventually died in one. Just being inside one made her skin crawl. A building full of pain, misery, and death.
The Minoseki Toji felt a warm palm on her shoulder, as Mai's voice said, "Hiyori-chan will be fine, Kanami-chan. The doctors just need to finish some blood tests on her."
Kanami gave a weak smile in return, hoping that her friend's reassuring words were true. Several times she had come close to losing Hiyori, and Kanami couldn't bear the thought of losing her again.
The wait for word on Hiyori's condition felt like an eternity to the five Tojis. However, it was abruptly halted once screams started coming from the end of the hallway, followed by powerful blasts that shook the building.
"What's going on?" Ellen exclaimed, standing up from her chair.
Her answer was given, once a beautiful figure came into view, walking with long, swift strides. Her presence filled the five Tojis with shock and then anger, as they drew their okatanas. Nene, who was perched on Kaoru's head, let out a hostile "Ne..." at the individual, who was approaching them.
"You!" Kaoru growled.
"Show some respect. It's 'Hime-sama'," Hiyorihime snapped.
The crow that was perched on her shoulder cawed in agreement. However, the five Tojis didn't care a smidge about Hiyorihime's title or status. If anything, they just pointed their okatanas at the aradama princess more closely, her hollow empty voice making them cautious and wary. Hiyorihime frowned at their defiance before her shining blue eyes settled on Kanami. Almost all at once, the heartlessness in her expression faded away, replaced by a look that was almost compassionate and loving.
"You're really willing to hurt me, Kanami? The girl you dramatically confessed your love to?" Hiyorihime asked, putting on a hurt expression.
Kanami shook her head and said, "You're not Hiyori-chan."
Although she was glaring at Hiyorihime, there was a slight quiver to her voice. For it was not easy to deny that the bewitching deity before her looked almost exactly like the Heijou Toji she loved.
"But I am. And I'd put those okatanas down if I were you. You wouldn't want to kill me in Hiyori's physical condition."
"Why not?" Kaoru asked, suspiciously.
It was at that moment that Hiyori stepped out of the closed room, her sickened face white as salt. Her exhausted eyes showed anguish and horror, but then anger once she saw the aradama monster.
"What are you doing here?" the Heijou Toji snarled. "Where's Kagari?"
Then in a dark tone, she growled, "Did you do something to her?"
Ever since Hiyori made an appearance, the mocking expression on Hiyorihime's face didn't fade away. In fact, it spread itself into a wider smile at the Heijou Toji's apparent fury and suffering.
Hiyorihime scoffed, with a chuckle, "Oh relax, darling. If there's one thing I'll never do, it's hurt my daughter."
"She's my daughter!" Hiyori yelled.
Now was the chance that Hiyorihime had been waiting for. She crooned, "And what about that other one brewing inside, hm? Shall I tell them, Hiyori?"
Kanami stammered, "Tell us what?"
The anger of the six Tojis became worry, as they waited for the answer. Hiyori's expression of shame and terror did nothing to ease their confusion and nervousness.
Putting a hand gently on her abdomen, Hiyori responded, "I'm pregnant."
A/N: Hope you all found the first chapter interesting. Feel free to send me your thoughts, reviews, etc...