A/N: OMG! I didn't expect so many reads for my first two "Toji No Miko" fanfics. Big thank you to those of you who have read them. Here I am proud to present to you a new "Toji No Miko" fanfic: "Sparked". This is a sequel/continuation of "An Aradama's Revenge", but you don't have to read the first story to understand this one. Again, I own nothing but this AU.
Chapter 1:
In the early hours of the morning, most of the residents of Kamakura City were still asleep in their beds. Kaoru very much wished she was in the same situation. She let out a loud yawn, not even attempting to conceal it in any way, before making her way towards the entrance of the Kamakura hospital. Her trusty and loyal companion, Nene, was curled up fast asleep on the top of her head, not the least disturbed by the noise she emitted.
'When I return, I'm demanding an extra week of vacation time from that damn director!' Kaoru thought.
When she reached the outside of the hospital entrance, she was greeted by Ellen, Mai, and Sayaka. They too had bags under their eyes, but were more alert than the pink-haired loli.
"Any sign of Tagitsuhime?" Mai asked.
"Nope," Kaoru grumbled, before leaning against the wall, closing her eyes. "Goodnight."
The wailing cries of a baby coming from one of the open hospital windows interrupted her state of peace quickly. A vein popped on Kaoru's forehead as she opened her bloodshot eyes.
"As if hearing Hiyoyon's hormonal blubbering for nine months wasn't bad enough," she said.
"I hope Hiyori is okay," Sayaka said.
"I'm sure she's fine, Saaya!" Ellen chirped. "Hiyoyon is a strong girl."
"She ate four tubs of mint-chocolate ice cream during one of her mood swings," Sayaka said, with a blank expression. There was no mockery or judgement in her voice—just a perfectly honest remark.
Mai remained silent, thinking over the events of the past nine months. She could vividly remember the day Hiyori told them about her pregnancy. Of course, Mai and the rest of their friends were horrified and shocked to say the least, but their emotions soon turned to anger once they learned the truth of who was behind it all. However, they were in for another surprise when Hiyori told them she wanted to keep the child.
"If I don't, then..." Hiyori never finished her sentence, but Mai could vaguely remember Hiyori's glance shifting towards Kanami.
Not long afterwards, President Gojou was alerted of her student's situation and made sure that Hiyori got the support she needed. Despite knowing the huge chance of being ridiculed in public, Hiyori was still determined to continue her education.
Her friends also did whatever they could to help. Anyone who dared to shoot judgmental glances or spiteful words Hiyori's way would soon back away from the piercing glares of her friends.
As Hiyori's belly became more noticeable, Kanami and Ellen soon discovered a fascination with putting their heads to it to feel the kicks. Mai and Kaoru were normally the ones who'd have to remind them that they couldn't remain in that position forever.
Obviously, there were difficult moments too. One of the main problems was the fact that Hiyori had once again merged with Ichikishimahime. That in itself was a complication as Hiyori's physical appearance was now noticeably different. Flowing hair and a glowing eye of energy-not exactly easy to hide. It was Ellen's quick thinking and the help of a wig, along with a colored contact lens, that solved the problem.
The other dilemma was of course, Tagitsuhime. Director Maniwa, along with the Special Sword Administration Bureau, were on high alert, keeping a sharp lookout for any unusual sightings or disturbances. Surprisingly, Tagitsuhime kept a low profile, but that did nothing to settle their minds. Which led to Mai, Sayaka, Ellen, and Kaoru, along with a bunch of other Tojis, having to keep guard over the Kamakura hospital that night.
It was Kanami's voice that pulled Mai out of the memories in her mind. Mai looked up towards the open hospital window to see her best friend's head poking out of it.
"Everyone! It's a girl!" Kanami exclaimed.
"Is it now?" a voice said, in the darkness.
Kanami's eyes widened and she immediately retreated back into the hospital, locking the window shut behind her. The four Tojis outside swiftly put their hands on their okatanas, glaring at the figure approaching them. Taunting orange eyes could be seen through the shadows, before their owner stepped into the light that was coming from the streetlamps.
"Tagitsuhime," Mai said.
"Goodness. What a happy little gathering we have here," the aradama princess chortled, before drawing her own two okatanas. "I wasn't exactly thankful about you all sending Yukari and those two Elite Guard brats to delay me."
"Girls, get ready!" Ellen said.
"Hmph. Fools," Tagitsuhime said, sprinting towards them.
She was blocked off, however, by Nene, who had reverted back to his original aradama form. Despite his threatening size and roars, Tagitsuhime merely smirked before slicing him down. It was that quick—the defeat of the Mashiko family guardian beast.
"Nene!" Kaoru cried.
The girls didn't need any more initiative to take any action. They immediately pointed their okatanas towards the aradama princess and attacked simultaneously. The dark, silent night was soon pierced by the flashes from the Tojis' utsushi and the clanging sounds of metal against metal. The four girls worked in unison, but even their abilities combined were no match for the speed and strength of Tagitsuhime. In just a short amount of time, Tagitsuhime stood over the four unconscious bodies of the Toji girls.
"Like I said: just a bunch of fools," she said, with a mixture of satisfaction and cruelty in her voice.
It was just as easy for her to get past the rest of the Tojis inside the building. Tagitsuhime moved towards the maternity ward with purpose. No traces of hesitation or fear were in her hard steps. On the outside, Tagitsuhime was determined with a sinister smile on her face. However, it took her every ounce of her composure to not reveal the feelings of anticipation and excitement inside her.
With a smack of her hand, Tagitsuhime slammed open the doors that separated her from the child, whose birth she ardently waited for. To only be greeted by a certain raven-haired Toji, clad in a hospital gown.
"Hiyori darling, so glad to see you!" Tagitsuhime said. "Hope my little bundle of joy wasn't too hard on you."
Hiyori clenched her fists so hard that her nails dug into her skin, drawing blood. It took her all her willpower to not let the aradama inside her go berserk and blow the roof sky-high with her powers.
"Isn't it ironic that my little hatchling was born on the same day as your mother's death?" Tagitsuhime continued.
"If you've come to rub salt on the wounds, my okatana's new sheath will be your head," Hiyori spat.
"No actually. I've come to take my little hatchling now," Tagitsuhime said, moving towards the crib beside Hiyori's bed.
She recoiled back once she was greeted with an empty crib, no baby in sight. She swiftly turned towards Hiyori, rage on her face.
"Where is my daughter?!" Tagitsuhime shouted.
Hiyori, with a bitter smile on her face, said, "Did you really think my friends and I wouldn't come up with a back-up plan?"
Then, with a scornful scowl, she added, "And also, she's my daughter too. And the only reason why she was even born was because you violated me in the most disgusting way."
Tagitsuhime's jaw clenched as her eyes glowed dangerously. Emotions boiled inside as she stared at the Toji before her.
"Our child deserves the love of a true parent—and that's not with you," Hiyori said.
Tagitsuhime let out a sound that sounded something in between a snort and a chuckle. She stepped closer so that their faces were just inches apart.
"You really think you're any different from me? Hate to break it to you, darling, but you're just like me, no matter how much you try to deny it," Tagitsuhime growled. "You can't hide my hatchling forever. I will get her back!"
With a sinister look of her own, Hiyori said, "Not today, bitch."