Disclaimer: I OWN NOTHING. KANNAZUKI NO MIKO IS NOT MINE. I'm merely borrowing the characters and fulfilling my desire to see the story continued.
Author's Note: This picks up at the end of the anime, a little before Himeko sees the beautiful "stranger" on the street. I've always wondered what happened after that, so here's my version of it. I love feedback, whether positive criticism or praise, so let me know what you all think. :)
Chapter 1
Kurusagawa Himeko had felt empty inside for almost five years now, ever since her last two years of high school. She was now twenty-one years old and had gotten a full-ride scholarship into a well-known and very reputable university for her academic achievements as well as her photography. She kept the pictures she had found that fateful day, the ones of just herself that made her feel so sad and nostalgic, to remind her that for some reason, she was waiting for someone…the one that made her whole.
But until then, Himeko had submerged herself in her schoolwork, and occasionally Saotome Makoto, her long-time best friend who had chosen the same college and even the same dorm room out of old habit, would convince her to go out to a nightclub and force her to be more outgoing. Himeko was getting better, her voice still high and clear but not so shy and innocent, and sometimes she would allow herself to drink and let herself go.
Today was one of those days, and Himeko and Makoto had been out shopping for new club clothes for hours already. Himeko was having trouble finding a new outfit, and everything Makoto was picking out seemed to be the wrong color or unfitting or too revealing…so finally Himeko excused herself from her friend.
"Mako-chan, I'm due for a haircut again, there's a salon right over there. Keep shopping for yourself, I'll call you when I'm finished."
Makoto just smiled and said, "I can tell when you're sick of me and my shopping trips. It's all good, I'll see you in a bit. Don't let a nice handsome guy scoop you up while I'm not there to fight him off, okay?"
Himeko just blushed, because something about that sentence didn't fit well with her, but she shrugged it off and said, "Wouldn't dream of it. Later, Mako-chan." With that, Himeko made her way over to the salon. She still wore her hair long, but for some reason it didn't feel right anymore. "I'd like a few inches taken off, please," she told the stylist. She almost cried as she saw the locks fall to the ground, images of her past flashing through her mind, and when the stylist was finished, her hair was just below her shoulders. It was different, but for some reason she liked it.
Satisfied, she paid the stylist and left, pulling out her phone and calling Makoto and informing her that she was finished, then asking where her friend was. Makoto simply told her she was finishing up her purchases, and told her to check out a few stores on her own before they met. As she was coming up to a crosswalk and began to cross the street, she saw a glimpse of raven hair and blue eyes. Glancing toward the owner of those two things, her eyes widened as they fell on a pink seashell that hung on a delicate chain around the dark-haired girl's slender neck. It was identical to the one that she wore around her own.
She stood there, shocked still, as the beautiful girl continued to walk her way, head down in a shy yet graceful manner. She wore a plain white sundress that fluttered around her slender form. She looked up right as she was about to pass Himeko and her perfect eyes widened in surprise.
The next thing Himeko knew, she was filled with so much joy and relief, and she flung herself into the girl without thinking. Her arms enveloped her waist and she buried her face in the taller girl's chest. "It's you," she said softly, "it's you…you're just as I remember…" She heard the girl gasp and then sob, and reality hit. She didn't know this girl, and she didn't know why she made a fool of herself in front of a perfect stranger. Her face suddenly on fire, she moved to pull away. Quicker than light, however, the black-haired girl pulled her into a tighter embrace and buried her own face in Himeko's golden tresses. "Oh, god," she heard her whisper as their bodies became flush against each other. "God, this can't be real. You feel so good, so right…oh my god…" Then her hands traveled over Himeko's back and through her hair and she sobbed, "You cut it. It was longer than this, but still bright as the sun…" Himeko's entire body was filled with a strange warmth then, and it seemed to be concentrating in her lower belly…
Himeko then realized that they were still standing in the street. She pointed that out to the stranger, and quickly they made their way to the sidewalk. Once there, Himeko directed the girl to a bench and they sat in an awkward silence until Himeko spoke up: "Do I…know you?" she asked timidly. The girl wiped her misty eyes and shook her head. "I don't remember meeting you. I'm Chikane. Himemiya Chikane." Himeko inclined her head and introduced herself, then said, "We said things back there…how do you know I used to wear my hair long?" Chikane shook her head. "I don't-I don't know. You said you remembered me."
"I do…I feel like I know you from somewhere, but it's not clicking."
Chikane and Himeko just stared then, blue eyes meeting amethyst, and Himeko finally said, "Well, my friend and I are shopping today, I told her I would meet her…" Chikane quickly arose and bowed. "Yes, of course, I'm shopping as well, I'm sorry to have kept you. It was lovely meeting you." She bowed again and turned to leave, but Himeko quickly said, "Well, if you're shopping too, we might as well shop together. Everything my friend is picking out for me just isn't right. Maybe you can help me. If you don't object, that is. I'm probably a nuisance and a lot of people get sick of me when I start to ramble…" she trailed off when Chikane's laughter reached her ears. "You don't annoy me, Himeko. I would love to help you shop. If I do say so myself, I find I have a rather keen sense for finding the perfect fit," Chikane bragged teasingly. Himeko smiled softly and replied, "Okay, thanks. Where would you like to shop?"
Chikane looked around and shrugged. "Honestly," she said, "I am a transfer student at the college here. I just arrived yesterday, and I thought I would see the town today and tomorrow before I start classes on Monday." Himeko's eyes widened. "I'm a student here too! Are you staying in a dorm?" Chikane shrugged daintily and answered, "I thought I would look around, find a decent dorm…I'll admit I'm used to rather fine tastes…my family didn't want me to mingle with, well, people of a lower class than they are…and they offered to buy me a house out here, but I want the whole college experience." She smiled sheepishly and said, "I don't mean to offend."
Himeko, having come from a somewhat poor background, suddenly felt small in the presence of this glorious upper-class woman. She just shook her head and said, "Let's start with this store over here. I'm afraid I don't have much money, so I shop cheap." She held her head high and began to walk, her pride a little bruised. Chikane hurried after her and grabbed her hand. "Himeko!" she exclaimed, stopping her in her tracks and turning her to where they were face-to-face. "Listen, I'm nothing like my parents. I have money, but I'm no better than the beggars on the street. Trust me." She looked at little crestfallen, almost like she held a dark burden…Himeko shuddered, but tried to shrug it off. "It's okay," she said softly, wanting nothing more than to see Chikane smile again, "let's start here, all right? I don't want to keep Mako-chan waiting." She reluctantly pulled her hand out of Chikane's warm grasp and led her into a department store.
In less than a half an hour, she had an entire outfit picked out, and she had to admit she looked very good in the clothes. It wasn't something she'd normally wear, but it was sexy and different: a purple halter top and a black and purple skirt that matched stylish black heels. Chikane smiled as they left the store, carrying her own new outfit in her hands. She had bought her outfit while Himeko had been in the dressing room, so Himeko hadn't seen it, but she had a feeling it was beautiful. "Why are you smiling?" Himeko asked quietly as they made their way to meet Mako, whom Himeko had called and arranged a meeting place. Chikane answered, "I told you I was good!" Himeko laughed and Chikane froze. Himeko quickly stopped laughing and asked, "Did I do something wrong?"
Chikane just shook her head, her eyes going opaque. "I just…I hadn't heard you laugh yet. It's beautiful." Then she shook herself and said, "Now I just feel silly. Who compliments someone on their laugh?" Then she herself laughed and continued to walk. Himeko found that she enjoyed Chikane's laugh. It was pure and melodic. She fell into step beside her new friend and said, "Your laugh is beautiful, too." Chikane glanced over and smiled shyly. "Thanks."
"WHOA!"
Both girls started as Makoto's voice pierced their ears. Makoto ran to Himeko and gaped as she pointed at her hair. "It's gone. You must've taken off like, seven inches! It's so weird!" She reached out to touch it, but Himeko drew back instinctively. She trusted her hair stylist, because she had explained the time her father had tugged and cut violently at her hair, but she wasn't comfortable with anyone else touching it. Earlier, Chikane ran her hand through your hair, a little voice nagged at her. Himeko shook the little voice away and frowned at Makoto. "You don't like it?" she questioned. Makoto laughed and said, "I didn't say that. Wipe that frown off your face, you'll get lines." Suddenly she stopped and seemed to see Chikane for the first time. "Hello?" she questioned. Chikane held out her hand and introduced herself. "I'm Himemiya Chikane." Mako shook her proffered hand and said "Saotome Makoto…Himeko's roommate and best friend. How do you know Himeko?" Chikane smiled and said, "Actually, I'm a transfer student. We met while shopping. She's a very delightful girl."
She glanced over at Himeko, who blushed at the compliment, and giggled. "Well, I suppose I'll continue on my way. I wouldn't want to interfere with the rest of your day." She began to walk away, and Makoto grabbed Himeko's arm and tried to pull her along the opposite way. Himeko started to walk, but the further away she got from Chikane, the emptier she felt. Finally the pull to be near Chikane was so strong she pulled herself from Makoto's grasp and ran towards her new friend. "Chikane!" she called when she got close enough for the latter to hear. Chikane turned and her eyes widened in surprise. Himeko stopped in front of her, and, gasping for air, said, "Meet us…at the club tonight. If…you want, that…is." Chikane smiled brightly and answered, "I would love to. Which club?" She pulled a pen and paper out of her purse while Himeko gave her the name and location of the club. She then stopped and looked at Himeko gently. "It really is lovely to meet you," she said softly. Himeko felt a weird urge to throw herself into Chikane's arms, but fought it back and bowed slightly. "I will see you later, okay?" Chikane bowed in return and the girls parted in their separate ways.
Chikane returned to her hotel room and instantly dropped her bags and fell gracefully onto the bed. Staring up at the ceiling, she finally allowed herself to breathe for the first time since she had met Himeko.
The second her eyes had met Himeko's, something had coursed through her body so suddenly and so hard she had been completely overwhelmed with it. Then when she felt the smaller woman in her arms the feeling doubled…tripled…until she had been sobbing and overcome with strange memories that didn't feel like her own. She only knew that holding the girl had felt so right, so perfect, that in that one moment she felt so complete that she never wanted to let go. Himeko was everything that Chikane wasn't: fair, energized, shy, innocent, and full of light. They were complete opposites. But…didn't opposites attract? There was definitely attraction mixed in with all the feelings that had bombarded Chikane on the street. Attraction, nostalgia, fear, regret, endearment, earth-shattering and mind-altering lust…and another emotion that had weighted on her heart so heavily she could barely breathe. She didn't understand any of it and it confused her. Tears came to her eyes and she began to sob into her hands. Never in her life had she felt any of these things, especially not all at once, and definitely not for someone she had just met.
Finally, devoid of all tears, she sat up and wiped her eyes. It was time to stop crying and get ready for the club. She still didn't understand why she felt so attracted to Himeko. All she knew was that she would win her over. Himemiya Chikane was never one to lose something she had a passion for. Ever.
(End of Chapter 1. If you like, I'll continue. :D)