Chapter 1: Christmas Eve
"Tomorrow, December the 24th at precisely 1900 hours, come to the Illumination Festa being held at the clock tower." Shana repeated the words of her letter countless times in her head. She glanced at her watch.
"6:57. Three minutes to go."
"I am not convinced that this is a good idea, given the battle we just fought." The voice emanated quietly from the pendant around Shana's neck.
Letting out a sigh, Shana leaned against a slacked chain barricade that enclosed a shimmering Christmas tree outside Misaki station. Snow had been falling for several hours now and a thin coat covered the pavement. The Flame of the Heavens did have a point. It was not even an hour since she and Yuji thwarted Bal Masqué's latest plot to birth a crimson denizen in the human world. Less than an hour since Yuji reacquired his Reiji Maigo treasure, thus preserving his flow of existence. However; both she and Kazumi Yoshida needed this matter settled now.
"Your concerns are noted, Alistor. However, all parties were in agreement that we follow through with the plan." She began swinging on the chain. She was surprised that it could hold her weight. "I don't think my heart could handle any more delay anyway."
Pedestrians bustled all around her. Here and there, Shana could not help but notice the number of pairs among them. A pinch of jealousy welled up inside her. All her training at the Palace of Heaven's Road could never have prepared her for the toils of the heart. Stabbing a crimson lord in the heart during a hurricane would be an easier endeavor. This moment was months of anger, tears, and joy in the making. A nonviolent war between two young women with the same goal.
"I will win Yuji Sakai's heart."
Yoshida was a valiant opponent. Thrust into the world of Flame Hazes and Crimson Denizens; Kazumi was never one to flee from danger. She might have no unrestricted skills of her own, but she always found some way to support the group. They had their problems at first; but, over time Shana grew fond of her rival. I hope she takes this okay. Shana was not keen on loosing a good friend over this. She hoped Kazumi; currently standing on the north side of town, felt the same way.
Shana slid off the chain and back onto her feet. It was time. What side was he going to come from? A glance to her right found only unknown citizens. She turned to her left and scanned the sidewalk across the street. Her first pass caught sight of nothing; but a second pass made her heart start jumping out of her chest.
"Yuji!"
The young man smiled at the sound of her voice. They have known each other since early spring, but Yuji was still a conundrum to Shana. They met by chance one afternoon in downtown Misaki when a Renne attacked the city. Shana had cast a seal around the area to protected the citizens; however, Yuji remained awake during the encounter. It was soon discovered that he was mystes, a being that holds a treasure inside after having their power of existence consumed and turned into a torch. When someone usually finds out they are in fact now 'dead,' they fall into depression or even kill themselves. Not Yuji. From the moment he was told of his fate, he tried everything he could to ensure that he would always be remembered, even if it was only through passive means such as using his power of existence to save his classmates. It was that decision that caused Yuji to name her Shana. From that day she would have an identity other than being simply known as the Flame Haze of the Niotono no Shana. A fragment of Yuji Sakai preserved in her memory.
Yuji crossed the and stopped a few feet short of Shana. "Sorry if I'm a little late. My father gave me quite the lecture before coming here."
Shana shook her head. "You're right on time." Suddenly she noticed his eyes bobbing around and no longer focused on hers. "What are your staring at?"
Yuji's face turned crimson red. "Sorry. I just couldn't help noticing how cute you look tonight. That is a nice look on you, Shana."
Shana could not help but be taken aback by the bluntness of Yuji's compliment. She wore a pink felt overcoat adorned with red ribbons over the buttons and a larger red sash across the waist which belled out around her knees. The trim was a white fluff around the hands and bottom of coat. A white scarf topped off the outfit. She did not wear any gloves despite the below freezing temperatures. Under her coat was a whitish pink blouse that frilled at the wrists and neck. A thin red bow was tied around the collar and a larger bow adorned the bottom left side of her hip above a navy skirt cut an inch or two above her knees. Red knee socks with a pair of white stripes and upper shin length boots finished the entire outfit. Shana decided not to do anything special with her hair. There was as little too much of it to style in a short time anyway. She had asked Wilhelmina for something pink and was thankful she did not go overboard with it.
It has not been until recently that Shana began to care much about her appearance. On her initial travels as a flame haze she settled for a simple black shirt, black slacks, and either black boots or sneakers; only changing when she needed to assimilate herself into the life of a former torch to track down a denizen. Recently she's taken a liking to trying on new outfits whenever she was not wearing her school uniform.
The well of emotion rose to flood stage and tears started trickling down Shana's cheeks. She rushed over to Yuki in two strides nearly impossible for someone of her stature and slammed herself into his chest. Her hands reached up and pulled Yuji down closer to her height and rested her head in the nook of his neck. "Damn it, Yuji. Why did you wait so long." She felt him wrap his arms around her. They had embraced a few times before but this felt different to her. "You don't know how it hurt with you stringing me along."
"I'm sorry, Shana. I just didn't know how you exactly felt. Or even if a flame haze could really feel anything for a torch."
Shana could feel her blood pressure begin to rise. "Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!" she nearly screamed into Yuji's chest. "Are you too dense to take believe in your own words!"
She summoned a small amount of power of existence, removed her hands from Yuji's coat and poked him hard in the chest. Embers fluttered from her monetarily flaming hair. She held the power just long enough to get the full effect of her poke, complete with small flame, but not long enough for her flaming hair to attract attention from any bystanders. She stood still, arm and index finger still extended, while Yuji stumbled backwards. He feverishly patted his chest to smother any possible fire.
"What the hell was that for?" He winced. "That actually hurt."
"Shut up, shut up, shut up." Shana folded her arms and turned away from Yuji.
Why couldn't he understand he was no longer a just a torch to her. Hasn't her past actions done anything? Did she need to have Wilhelmina impale her while protecting him again? Or how about charging headlong into The Palace of the Stars to save him from the Supreme Throne? Idiot.
She took a deep breath, opened her eyes again and stared at the beautifully illuminated tree she was standing by. The slowly pulsing rainbow of colors had a soothing effect on Shana. She stood in silence for several seconds, Yuji's voice pleading for her to answer tuned out. An idea entered her mind that might get through to Yuji. She reached behind her neck and unhooked her pendant. "Can I ask you a favor, Alistor?"
"What would that be?"
"I would like to put you away for a little bit. I promise to bring you back out if any danger arises."
"I trust your judgment, Shana. Do what you need to."
Shana held the pendant up to her face and gave it a quick kiss. "Thank you, Alistor." She rolled the chain around it and placed the pendant in her coat pocket; patting it one last time before turning to face Yuji who was still bumbling some apologies to the girl.
"Who am I, Yuji Sakai?"
Yuji looked as though he brain had completely shut off. "Umm... what do you mean?"
Shana narrowed her eyes and and furrowed her eyebrows. "When you look at me, who do you see? Is is the Flaming Hair, Burning Eye Hunter or Shana?"
"What are you talking about? They are both the same person."
Shana rested the urge to clobber him. "Apparently not to you." She walked back to the spot she had been waiting at. Her boot-prints were starting to fill with fresh snow. "Do you remember what you told me back when Yukari Hirai faded from existence?"
Yuji nodded. "Of course I do. It was when I gave you the name Shana."
"So you have forgotten. You told me to stop calling myself just a flame haze and for me to stop calling you just a torch. That you were Yuji Sakai." She folded her hands behind her back and stared up to the sky. "It took some time but those words eventually hit home. But you always seem to forget it. If I was to walk up to you right now and introduce myself as Shana, what would you think?"
"I would think you looked like a very cute girl and wonder why you even took the time of day to talk to someone like me."
"Just a cute girl, and not a flame haze. See how easy it is?" She look sidelong at Yuji. "But once you know of my status of a flame haze, that opinion changes. All your previous conceptions of me now revolve around that fact. Why? Why does it matter when you KNOW I see you as Yuji Sakai; just like you asked of me." She turned and motioned to draw Yuji's attention to the missing article of jewelry. "Is it knowing I have the Flame of Heaven around my neck? Tell me, Yuji." She was almost pleading. "I am me. I'm not either the Flaming Hair, Blazing Eye hunter or the girl named Shana. I am an existence known by the name Shana just as you are an existence named Yuji." She paused to regain her composure. What a night this is turning out to be. But if I'm going to love Yuji, he has to love me the same way.
Yuji's face showed deep contemplation. Shana hated it had to come to this, but this was one of the final walls between them she needed to break. Him simply picking her location this night proved he wanted to be with her. But if he was not being truthful with why he was, she would rather he gone with Kazumi. The festive music contrasted the raw emotion being poured out between the young loves. Joy and hope ringing from the speakers around the square cut through the deep contemplation like a sword. But Shana waited. It was all in Yuji's hands now.
"I guess I am an idiot." His eyes softened a little, showing he was coming to terms with something. "With all that has happened these past few months, it's gotten hard to keep reality straight. It's like a see-saw in my brain. Some days it seems the effects of the crimson world are my reality and other times it's the real world."
"There is only one world, Yuji." Shana walked up to him slowly. Delicacy was never her strong and their future relationship hung by a thread. As gently as she could, Shana took hold of Yuji's hands and cupped them in hers. "And that is this one. Why else have we fought so hard to protect it?" She knew it was crumbling. "I have always existed in this world. Just as you have. There are no barriers between us. No arbitrary line that a human, a flame haze, or a torch cannot cross." She began to recall one of the last lessons she learned before setting out as a flame haze. "Love is the most powerful unrestricted method in the world. One that can bring even the mightiest crimson lord to their knees. It holds no boundaries." Thank you Shiro.
For the first time since this whole mess began, Yuji smiled. "It seems you are right, Shana." He pulled her close. "And I mean, Shana. All I want to do is protect you along with all of our friends in Misaki City."
About damn time. She could feel a slight warmth emanating from her coat pocket and she smiled. I'm glad you approve, Alistor.
Breaking the hug, Shana stepped back a few steps, trying to put her most attractive smile on her face. "So... now that we put all this flame haze nonsense aside for now, how about you show me around this festa." She turned on her heels and began merging with the crowd. She was more than ready for at least a little fun. And hopefully something sweet for her troubles.
(A/N:)
My first time writing anything in over 10 years and I hope anyone who reads this enjoys. Unlike my old Evangelion fic, I have watched the entire anime series and the ovas multiple times and planned out most of the story ahead of time. This should alleviate any mistakes on lore and keep the story focused which "Rage and Compassion" lacked. The story is rated M for events to come in later chapters. I also hope to release a new chapter every 2 weeks. Of course this depends on my busy 70 hour work weeks but I think it is a reachable goal. I will not be writing notes on any other chapters unless it is necessary.
I hope you enjoy "Ignis Fatuus."