Disclaimer: The only disclaimer you'll see in this entire fic. The basic, I don't own any of the characters except for the originals such as Celia.
Author's Note: People kept saying I should do a sequel, so here we go. I was a bit skeptical in doing one so soon since I actually started "Differences" about…eh…2 weeks ago maybe. Perhaps less and finished a good 30 chapters of it within a short time period. But my love of writing and wanting to please my readers has bested me.
I suggest you all read "Differences" if you haven't already and for good measure the prequels.
"Torn Petals" The back history on Celia
"Silver Clouds" The back history on Jericho
"Distinctions Of A God" The back history on Torino
Other than that, comment, review and enjoy.
---
---
Ch 1: Together
On the ground they walked, blood had been shed. In the air they breathed, death had rotted away. All of this was gone and something was added. It was something that had been lost or rather forgotten and who the things it took for all of them to realize it. It was so horrible that it was actually pretty funny, and thank God they managed to realize it before they really screwed each other up. They would have gone so far to end each other…but now. Well the massive arched tomb that held everyone's names on it was just the reminder of how close they had become. Sure there would be problems, some major and some minor. What mattered the most is that they had made up their differences.
It was a brisk summer day on the beach, the afternoon sun baking those who were too foolish to wear sunscreen. People frolicked in the ocean, little children played with each other. It looked like a normal day at the beach. To someone who never knew the horrors that had once plagued the world. It might have looked like people were enjoying the day. That was only half of it.
They were all enjoying the day. All
A small boy found himself playfully splashed in the face by a young girl, her pink hair vivid as was her horns. She was laughing as was the boy, they seem to be enjoying themselves. A few of the older ones, humans and Diclonius were currently in a game of volleyball up the court. Some ate ice cream, laying on the beach and some even held hands together. It was a peace that went beyond the actual word. Two years ago, they would have been killing each other. It would not have been a beach 2 years ago. It would have been a war zone. Bodies would have ripped apart, heads exploded, bullets flying everywhere. It was a scene that one 19 year old girl found to be amazing. She had pink hair that fell passed her shoulder, her bangs cut short except for two strands which hung down her face. A single horn protruded form the right side of her head, a round bump with scratch marks on it. The other one had been destroyed, and she had great respect for the one who did it also.
She didn't wear a bathing suit, not that she wouldn't have looked good in one anyways, but a thin red dress with a blue outlining. She was relaxing on a blanket, her head propped up against a pillow and a small umbrella blocking the shade from the sun. She was young, pretty, a bit voracious at points and in cases could have a bit of an attitude. But she was kind, generous and pure. She looked up into the sky, the white clouds passing overhead like the boast that now passed over the horizon in the ocean.
A small girl came up to her, happily and started talking to her. She responded, the conversation leading to something about oceans and birds and other rather unimportant stuff. But she had no qualm in speaking to her. In fact she enjoyed the company. The child left with her parents who waved to her.
She closed her eyes, breathing in the salty air. "How are you doing my Queen."
She blushed. "You don't have to call me that." She said, embarrassed as the male Siplitet shook his head kindly. "You know I can't do that, it wouldn't be royal like." She shook her head in embarrassment. "Oh come on…" she said lightly. "Please you have don't have to call me Queen, or anything like that."
"And what if I don't feel like it…my Queen." He said, a little smile playing on his face. "Fine…fine." She said, knowing she was going to lose this type of battle. "To answer your question I'm feeling pretty wonderful. I was just watching the sea, and feeling the salty air against my face."
"It is nice isn't it my queen?" Another voice, she sighed and turned and found that it wasn't another Diclonius. It was a human, a male who seemed to be the epitome of a beach boy buff. Others were surrounding her and she could help but laugh. "Oh please don't you start either, he might be an exception but I won't starting let you all call me 'Queen.' Please just call me by my real name.
They bowed their heads in mock forgiveness.
"Please forgive our rudeness oh Royal Queen." The boy said, actually giving a bow. It was too much for her as she merely covered her face with her hand. "Now you're just being jerks. Please…just…don't do that. It's too embarrassing, for both of us."
They laughed and left.
The male Siplitet remained starring out at the ocean in front of him. His face had gone serene, and passive. "I would never have thought that one day I could see eye to eye with them. I could never have thought that one day, I would actually be glad to see them. We really have changed haven't we?"
"Yes." She answered, smiling. She could agree on this, considering two years ago she had thought the same thing. Two years ago and longer she would have thought the life she now lived was impossible. She was incredibly glad she had been wrong because she felt more alive now than she ever could have been before. It felt good to walk outside and be complimented. It felt good to be liked by her friends and family. It felt wonderful that she could walk out on the streets and while there was always that one who gave her a somber look, all the rest seemed to almost envy her in joy.
After a few more hours, most of which she had fallen asleep in, she got up, put the umbrella away and walked away. She walked through the city, saying hello to those who greeted her and literally putting her head down whenever someone addressed her as "The Queen." In actuality she had no qualm in people calling her "The Queen." it just felt so unneeded. But ignoring some of the more embarrassing moments there was no doubt.
Chiba Celia happiness was like a blissful reminder that despite all the hell she had gone through, the world was not against her anymore.
---
---
She stopped as she heard screaming in the distance. Her heart increased in as she began to fear the worst. Times had changed. They were more accepting of each other…but there were some who weren't. There were some, who listened to The Voice. She rushed in, hoping that nobody had been hurt yet. A man ran to her looking relieved. "Thank God you're here. Please, that building over there, its caught on fire! There are people in there!"
She looked passed him, and noticed the thin smoke coming over the roofs of the other building. She nodded once. "Stand back, make sure nobody else comes there unless they have authority." She said seriously. She ran, feeling the air pressing into her face. Concentrating, she let her mind focus and felt a feeling as if something was sliding out of her back. Her vectors pressed against the ground and with a might push she flew into the air and rushed onwards.
The building was more of a problem then she could have imagined. It was entirely in flames except for a few windows. The firefighters were too busy and there was no way they could save it. She looked around found a window that seemed to be safe and rushed inside. The heat exploded against her face as she bent down. She wasn't an expert firefighter but she knew the basics. That meaning she knew that it wasn't wise to stand up in just whiff in the smoke.
"Hello! Anybody there!" Celia cried out, listening. She could hear crying. She rushed through the room, and into the next. She could feel the fires burning against her face. She sent her vectors out to move the debris out of the way, still calling. She found them, two small children, a boy and girl, no older than 4 looking petrified.
"Don't worry, I'm here to help you." She said as soothing as possible, which was a bit hard since the smoke was really getting into her lungs now. "Trust me ok?" She said kindly, holding out a hand. They weren't sure…it was reasonable. They were too young and this was rather frightening predicament. "Please, it's ok, I won't hurt you. Trust me." After a moment, they grabbed onto her arms and she flew backwards. It was hard to tell if their simultaneous "whoa!" was of fear or amazement. She had more pressing matters though, that being to keep them safe. She felt the ground crumbling beneath her and cursed inside of her head. The place was collapsing.
She flew out the window as the people screamed below. The entire complex had vanished in a heap of dust and flames. She landed lithely on her feet, dropping the two children who ran to their mother. She received many thanks of appreciation trying to collect her breath. Celia had to admit, it was quite a way to end the day.
---
---
She arrived home in Maple Inn, soot covered, burn marks across her face and arms and facing a rather sour looking man of about 25 years old. He was shaking his head disappointedly, although it didn't hide the sneaky smile that was crossing his lips. Celia raised her hand in defeat. He turned to the T.V. that could be seen through the window. The news was one and the text in the bottom of the screen read: "Young Diclonius Saves Children From Burning Building."
"You're late for dinner Celia." Kouta said in mock anger.
Everyone was seated around at the table, none of their food touched. "Y-you didn't actually wait for me and not eat did you?" She asked the two, taking her seat as Kouta also sat back down. "We're a family Celia!" Nana said happily. "Besides, we all watched the news, we're so happy for you."
"A bit reckless perhaps, but good nonetheless." Lucy said coolly. The food looked wonderful and tasted even better. As Lucy and Kouta talked to each other, Celia spoke with Nana. "You're a really good person Celia. I don't think I could have gone and done all that."
"Please Nana…you'd have done it and done an even better job at that too." She said, once again embarrassed. They were making it her out better than she looked but…were they. She had dived into a massive burning building and saved two small children. Perhaps she just thought she didn't deserve this praise. But she smiled and laughed and nodded her head. "Listen Celia." She popped her head up as Kouta spoke to her.
"We thought about heading to the Japanese National Museum tomorrow. Would you like to come?"
"I would! That would be wonderful thank you Kouta-san!" Celia beamed. She placed some rolled sushi in her mouth and finally after watching "The Grudge" went to sleep. Or rather she tried too. She was not beyond fearing mere films and it took a while to note that the low moaning was from Nana and not some dead person ready to kill her at any cost. At 19 years old it might have been weird to see her holding a stuffed animal to her breasts. A small white stuffed rabbit, given to her by a small girl two years ago. It was that small little human girl who had changed her world forever. This little rabbit was a token to that day. A day she would never forget.
After an hour, now fearing the small "Grudge Boy" was about to pop up at her. It would be a while before she saw another horror movie. She finally fell asleep.