A/N: I do not own these characters or the story's world. This fanfiction is based on the original work of the series creatorMeibii. This fiction is based on the events of the manga.
The midsummer winds seep into the newly built walls of the Seikyou Academy. Their fingers glide across the numerous classroom doors and windows that lie several yards apart from one another. Along their hurried journey, the light scent of death and decay outside the classroom designated as 1-C. At the end of the corridor, a faint light flickers from under the door. Behind the door, within the shadows of the school's storeroom, inconspicuous men stand huddled. Blood streaks across the floor, towards two open doors leading into the dank basement. At it's threshhold a person, short in stature, wearing white ceremonial garments and gaze down the staircase staring daggers into the body lying on the dank basement floor.
Finally, we will all be free of the mountain god's plague. So many people have lost their lives and for what? They died because our family neglected their duties and angered the god that we were supposed to worship. She places her hand over her chest and feels the rapid beat of her heart. I won't let anymore needless deaths happen because of us. Not mother, not father, and definitely not dear sister Yuuko. The mere thought of her sister's name sends a rush a warmth spreading through her body. Yuuko, You always put so much faith in to do the right thing, and pushed me to show confidence. If it wasn't for you I don't think that I would have had the resolve to do this.
"Yu...ka...riko!" A girl's broken and quivering voices rises from the depths below.
The girl's messy, black locks hide her face as she crawls across the floor, dragging her broken leg behind her. After arriving at the foot of the steps, her nails dig down into the boards, and tries to hoist herself up, but to no avail.
You're only making your injury worse,Yukariko thinks, shaking her head in disapproval.
"Why...why...do this?"
"You know why I'm doing this. You and I have both heard the story from Father. Only the strongest and most pure person in the village will please the mountain god's wrath, and you're the only person worthy enough of this honor."
"We have airplanes, cars, and America even has bombs that can destroy entire cities. We live in an age of science, not religious superstition anymore Yukariko! Open your eyes!"
Yukariko huffs in defiance of her sister's words.
"This is the only way. Father is smart, and he's been unable to stop this plague. He had his chance, and failed. Now it's my turn."
"You'd...become a murderer to feed your own ego?"
"Murderer? You're not going to die. The mountain god will spirit you away."
"There..is no...mountain god! Do you think those snakes behind you care anything about you or me?"
Behind her, amongst the shuffling of feet and ecstatic whispers, the five elders conversation suddenly creeps into her Yukariko's ears.
"...we can finally put this behind us."
"What do you think Kanoe...?"
"...his fault anyway."
"...his daughter has enough fortitude to do what he wouldn't."
"We've known... years ago."
Yukariko closes her ears to the rambling of the older men, and soon a new younger male, younger, appears beside her. In his arms a collection of boards, nails, and a hammer juggles around in his possession.
"Are you sure your sister will be a sufficient sacrifice, my lady?"
"Who else in this village is braver and purer than her? Who do you know that wouldn't back down from anyone, be it an elder or my father? Even in these desperate times, which one of the adults has been going door to door, trying to keep up morale, even knowing that person could catch this disease next?"
"No one I can think of," he answers sheepishly.
"As I said. She is the only one that will make the mountain god happy."
"I'm sorry for questioning you, my lady," he says with a bow. "Should I seal it now?"
"Go ahead."
"Yes ma'am," he replies taking his place at the side of the opening before placing his materials on the ground.
Just bear with it, Yuuko. Soon the mountain god will take you away, and you'll not have to worry about that pain anymore. You'll be remembered as the person who saved us all. A title that suits you better than anyone else in this village.
With a deep sigh, Yukariko steps away from the open doorway and signals for the man to perform his duty. Without hesitation, the basement doors slam shut.
"Yukariko...let me out! I'll do...whatever...you want!"
Yuuko's shouts merge with the powerful bangs of the hammer, but the wall around her sister's heart remains impenetrable.
Please be strong sister.
Within minutes, Yuuko's shouts die down and the final nail plunges itself into the last plank. Immediately, the smallest of the eldest men slithers next to her with his Cheshire-cat smile, respectfully lowering his head.
"The deed is done, mistress. I think we should take our leave."
"Mother! Father! Anyone!"
Yukariko removes her headpiece, freeing her long, curly, black hair. In the center of the room, the men huddle around and smile foolishly while ignoring their howling victim. With her garments gone, Yukariko feels vulnerable. There is too much here. The shadows within the dimly lit room, Yuuko's yelling, a faint, smell of iron that bombards her senses and leaves her paralyzed.
"Are you okay madam?"
"Yes," she says, gripping the veil in her hand. "Where should I leave this?"
"You can place it on the floor. We'll come back and clean up the mess."
The men nod their heads in agreement before turning their backs and moving towards the exit. Yukariko neatly folds the clothing and places it on the floor, next to the trail of blood staining the floor. A sledgehammer rests against the wall with the blood freshly dripping along its head. Her stomach churns violently before she hops up and heads to the door as the events from earlier seep their way into her mind.
Yukariko stares her sister down while the men stand along the walls of the room, slowly inching closer to their victim.
"What are you doing here Yukariko!" Yuuko's worrisome expression bleeds out to her as she breathes heavily, clutching her chest. "Did you really plan to come here and sacrifice yourself? How many times do I have to tell you that's not going to solve anything?"
The men leap from the shadows quickly, grabbing Yuuko and slamming her face first to the floor. The combination of surprise and pain forces her to screech as she flails around to get free.
"Let me go!"
The girl's shouts muffles as the men place a knee on neck, and hand goes over her mouth, however; her struggling intensifies. In the corner of the room, another assailant drags a sledgehammer across the floor.
"Yuuko Kanoe you have been chosen to be the sacrifice to the mountain god in order to save our home."
"No!" her muffled screams rage before noticing the man holding the sledgehammer appear beside her.
"Break her leg."
"Yes ma'am," the man replies taking aim with the tool.
As the sledgehammer rises in the air, their fiendish grins appear for all to see. The hammer crashes onto Yuuko's leg, sending a sickening crack throughout the room. Her pale form squirms violently as bone touches the floor and her blood trickles from her ruptured flesh staining the floor. Within moments, Yukariko's assistants take hold of whatever parts of Yuuko they could grab and toss her down the stairs.
Just as she makes it to the door, she pauses for a moment after hearing her sister's voice clawing through the door.
"Please don't leave me! I promise...I'll do whatever...you want...no matter what."
"Yuuko", she whispers before stepping through the exit and placing her back against the door. "I've made up my mind sister, and I won't be turning back."
With a sigh she makes her way down the hall, until she reaches her accomplices. As she approaches hearing range she quietly walks behind them as they have their conversation shifts from burning bodies, disposing of possessions, and their future plans. Before long, she finds herself at the entrance the classroom of 1-C. She peers her head inside the classroom, which was once reserved for her class, and glosses over the rows of dark limbs protruding from under the sheets.
One, two, three, four...ten, eleven, fifteen. How much longer before they have room in the crematorium? She bites down on her lip. Tears well up in her eyes, but she quickly wipes them away. All of these people died...because of you father.
The thoughts on her father's failure occupies her mind as the group make their way out of the school building. The darkening sky with a mixture of red and orange plagues the air. The school yard lays empty as the everyone passes across its lifeless grounds, and pass through the gate onto the roadway. Within minutes, the sight of her once bustling village appears before her. The streets lay practically empty, besides the occasional person burning belongings, toys litter the ground, and doors to once occupied houses remain wide open. As they arrive at the center of the town, the men end their chatter and turn towards Yukariko.
"Thank you for everything madam," the oldest of the men says.
"Yes. Thank you," the other say in unison.
"I was only doing what needed to be done."
"We will pray that the mountain god will forgive us for our transgressions."
"I'm sure he will."
"Let's all look forward to the bright future we have ahead of ourselves."
Everyone nods in agreement before bidding farewell to one another and departing on their way home.
I did a good job today.