diamrem

note: A revelation. What do I write for?

description: the story was being changed, and through an offer, the poor creature was able to have one more shot at what she'd been longing for. 2786.

"Oh, if only I were fifteen," she would sigh. "I know that I shall love the world above, and the human beings who live up there!" At last she, too, was fifteen!

"Now you are off our hands," said the dowager queen. "Let me dress you, just as I dressed your sisters." She put a wreath of white lilies around her hair; each of the petals of every flower was half a pearl. She let eight oysters clip themselves onto the little mermaid's tail, so that everyone could see she was a princess. "It hurts," said the little mermaid.

"One has to suffer for position," said her old grandmother.

….

The little mermaid swam close to a porthole and the swells lifted her gently so that she could look in through it. The great cabin was filled with gaily dressed people; the handsomest among them was a young prince with large, dark eyes. It grew late, but the little mermaid could not turn her eyes away from the ship and the handsome prince.

The Third Aria

"Haru! Haru where are you? Blasted boxes…"

"Dad?! Dad! Da-Why are you carrying so many boxes?! I told you not to-watch out! How many times have I told you to not show off-Dad, you're walking towards the wall-This way! No, no, Dad, that's the wall! A little…That's right, follow my voice! Nice job, Dad!"

Haru's father laughed as he set the boxes down, stretching his back after he did so. "Thanks, Haru. Haven't I always told you that I have a wonderful sense of-" He dodged a pink sock and shot Haru a credulous stare. "Dad, you could've gotten hurt! Geez, you shouldn't try to show off how strong you are! Look at this! One, two…Six boxes?" Haru glared.

"Well, I couldn't resist! You can't blame an old man for trying to remember his youthful days, can you? Where'd your sock go? Oh, there it is." He stooped down and handed Haru the sock. She took it and placed it back on her foot. "So? What did you need?"

"Ah! That's right, I almost forgot. Haru, do you remember what special day it's going to be in two days?" Haru blinked and tilted her head. "What special day?" She asked. The older Miura's jaw dropped. "Y-You mean…You don't remember?!" Haru shrugged and shook her head. "No, I don't. Why? Am I supposed to? Is it someone's anniversary?"

Haru watched her father's face expression go from astonishment to shock. "Haru! I'm ashamed! It's going to be your birthday in three days! And yet you say…'Is it someone's anniversary? Am I supposed to remember'?"

Haru's jaw dropped and a sound of realization escaped from her mouth. "Oh. So that was all. Dad, could you hand me that box over there?" "Haru!" Haru jumped. "Dad you scared me! Honestly, it's really-" "We're going back to the village tomorrow. I haven't mentioned it all because I thought you would remember your own birthday, but have you forgotten? The village customs? When a young maiden turns fifteen, it's considered one of the most important days of her life! It signifies independence!" Haru dropped her head in apology.

"I'm sorry, Dad. I've just been thinking so much about moving everything around that I haven't really given much thought to my birthday. Would you like me to get ready now?"

The exasperated look disappeared and a tired smile replaced it. "Yes, I would. Go on. Get your things ready." Haru planted an apologetic kiss on her father's cheek before running out the attic and down the stairs to her room.

I really did forget though.

School had become adamant about giving more tests and homework, and everything had been so chaotic for Haru that she hadn't had any time to think about her birthday. Her eyes lit up. She was going to go back to the village! Her hometown! She missed her grandmother, her friends, her sisters; the beautiful view of the ocean…No other ocean could compare to the one near her village. Haru rummaged through her drawer, picking up certain articles of clothing that appealed to her and tossed them onto her bed.

"Haru-Haru! Er…Why are you taking so many clothes with you?"

Haru blinked and then redirected her gaze to the clothes piled on her bed. Ah…She had packed a bit too much. "We're going to the village, not a hotel for a three-week vacation, honey." And with that comment, Haru's father disappeared. Haru sighed. She'd have to put all those clothes back…

What a pain.

"Dad, I'm kind of nervous about going back to the village. With the things that happened last year…I'm not sure how to face them." Haru stared at the fabric of her white dress. She wasn't nervous. She was terrified. She swallowed and looked up at her father's face. "Haru, don't worry about it. They love you. They're your sisters. Besides, nothing's going to go wrong. I'm sure of it."

Haru swallowed and took a deep breath.

"Everyone! Haru…I mean…I'm back!"

Immediately, the tall fence swung open and crowds of people came pouring out. Haru found herself swept in an ocean of friends and neighbors she'd known since childhood. She giggled with the little ones, gave hugs and friendly exchanges with the older ones and bowed respectfully to the elderly. Suddenly, the crowd grew quiet and the people paved a path.

An elderly woman with soft white hair and a proud, straight back approached Haru. The old woman walked with a sort of grace and poise that was usually not found in those as old as she. Haru's head immediately lowered and the crowd also respectfully lowered their heads. "Granddaughter. Look at me." Haru's head tilted upwards and she let out a soft 'Hahi' when her face was suddenly grabbed by the chin.

"You're still the same. You haven't changed since you haven't left the village. I was expecting otherwise. We've missed you very much. Welcome home, Haru." Haru threw herself at her grandmother and hugged the old woman. "I missed you and the village so much, Grandmother. It's only been a year but it feels like it's been much longer." The crowd cheered and shouted their happiness to the blue, blue sky.

"Come with me, Haru."

Haru blinked in surprise at her grandmother's words and immediately obeyed. "Grandmother, aren't you going to greet Father?" Haru's grandmother shook her head as she walked. "I will speak to my son later. He's reacquainting himself with his friends. It would be rude to interrupt. Now come with me, granddaughter." Haru nodded, even though her grandmother wouldn't be able to see the action. A tiny thought wandered in the back of her mind.

Where were her sisters?

Didn't they want to see her?

But after what happened last year? Haru cringed. There was no way. "Grandmother? Where are we going?"

"To the ocean."

"The ocean?!"

"Your sisters are there. They're waiting for you." Haru bit her lip. Part of her was urging her to run away while the other part of her was ordering her to stay and follow. As she struggled with her decision, her grandmother came to a sudden halt. Surprised, Haru blinked. With one smooth motion, the elderly woman gestured to the glimmering green-blue water. Shrieks and laughs reached her ears and Haru went absolutely still. She'd know those laughs anywhere. Her sisters…

There they were.

She could see Utau, the eldest out of all the Miura sisters. Haru could see that her sister still looked like the perfect example of a city girl. Utau's golden hair was flowing against the water and her skin was still just as porcelain perfect as ever. Next to Utau was the second oldest, Hotaru. She was the most artistic out of all the sisters and-Haru blinked. Was that a splatter of paint in Hotaru's hair? There was a wild whoop and a deafening crash as a figure jumped off a rock jutting in the middle of the water. Haru shook her head, a large smile on her face.

That was definitely Kashiya, the third eldest sister out of all the sisters. Kashiya had always been the most daring among them. Haru remembered that Kashiya had spent most of her time in the green hills, listening to the birds singing as she swam in a river not too far off. Haru sighed when she saw the fourth-eldest sister Shizuka who was trembling from the impact. Shizuka had always been the quiet one; a total contrast to Kashiya. But the only time Shizuka really ever seemed calm was when she was around animals; especially animals of the sea. Haru watched as the fifth-oldest sister Yuki turned to Shizuka with a cool look and spoke a few words.

If Yuki were to go to Namimori, she would've immediately been dubbed 'cool.' She was quiet, but not in the timid way Shizuka was. She radiated power and a smile was rare to come by. Haru remembered when a part of the ocean had frozen into tiny icebergs during a terrible thunderstorm. Oh, she could still remember the calm, powerful look her sister had radiated!

And now, she, Miura Haru, was back. And the six sisters were complete once again.

"Come, Haru. No dilly-dallying. Follow me. You've been staring off into space too long." Haru swallowed and followed, wishing she had her favorite book with her. Somehow, she knew that it would've calmed her down.

"Granddaughters! Come out of the water-yes, Kashiya, now. Your sister is here. We must prepare for her ceremony at once-Come."

The five sisters swam back to shore and approached Haru and their Grandmother. Their wet feet left imprints into the sand. Kashiya let out a whoop and enveloped Haru in a hug. "So you're back, Haru? It's good to see you again. No one else is willing to go into the hills with me. You'll come with me, won't you? That's a good girl. I've missed you!" Haru blinked back tears and returned the hug. "I-I've missed you too, Nee-chan."

She felt the pat of Yuki's hand, the quiet whisper escaping from Shizuka, the smell of fresh paint radiating from Hotaru and the melodious ring of Utau's voice. Haru was home. Her sisters didn't have any resentment over the events of last year-at least, they weren't showing it- and it seemed like everything was normal.

Haru gulped. She just had to worry about the ceremony now. She would have to brace herself.

Hours later, Haru's legs were stinging from dancing and the oyster-clamping. The ceremony had gone off without a hitch and without trouble. Her village had a ceremony for the fifteen-year old maidens. The girl would enter the ocean and have a wreath of lilies and red flowers placed onto her head. Sometimes, oysters would clamp onto the maiden's legs; this had happened for Haru and her other five sisters and the occasional girl. Then, she'd head to shore and gather up a ball of wet sand. The maiden would speak a wish into the ball and go to the ocean's shallowest waters where the sea foam met the sand. The ball would collapse back into sand and return to the ocean. It had long been believed that the ocean would take in the wish and grant it.

Once this had been done, the dancing would begin for a long, long time. All the villagers would dance to the music and then a marvelous feast would be brought out. But the maiden was not to partake in any food from the beginning of the ceremony to the end, which would be ten in the evening. The ceremony was a total of five hours. Haru stared at the watch on her sleeping father's wrist. It was now ten minutes after ten. She could eat.

Haru walked outside till she reached the table where the villagers had eaten. She saw the left-over food her sisters had promised to save for her and felt a well of happiness gratitude surge inside her chest. Haru murmured her thanks before eating. Oh, how wonderful it was! The bread melted on her tongue and filled her mouth with a dozen spices. The meat was spicy and yet not so; it was so soft to bite into and so, so rich. She picked up another bread roll and picked up a knife to scrape the butter onto it.

The air felt delightfully cool and the steady crash of the wave were just so nice to listen to as she ate…Had Haru not been so focused on the food she was eating, she would've noticed that the sky was darkening with storm clouds and the waves were crashing with greater force each time they landed on the sand. "Haru."

Haru turned and smiled at the sight of Yuki. "Onee-chan. I was eating-but you can see that." Yuki walked to Haru and placed a bowl full of fruits and a plateful of rolls and butter on the table. Haru's smile widened. "Thank you, Onee-chan! It's so delicious to eat." Yuki nodded and walked away.

"Onee-chan, don't you want any?"

"No."

"Hahi… Okay."

"You still haven't stopped saying that word."

"Ah? Oh-I-I kind of did but now that I've come back…It just seems so natural to say. Why, does it still bother you?"

"…Come inside quick. There's a storm brewing."

"Onee-chan…Thank you."

"… It was nothing."

"No-thank you. For everything."

"Stop thinking about pointless things. It happened and don't worry. Just fatten yourself. That's your main concern now."

Haru giggled. She had missed Yuki. She had missed all of her sisters and her grandmother. She just hadn't realized how much she'd missed her family till she arrived at the village. Suddenly, there was a round of loud, hysterical cackles. The roll slipped from Haru's hand and hit the ground. The knife in Haru's hand shook and her head snapped in the direction of the beach. She ran towards the fence, abandoning the unfinished food that lay on the table.

Peering over it, she could make out the faintest outline of a hunched figure…Haru swore under her breath and glanced back at the homes the villagers resided in. There was not a single window that showed any hint of light. Should she…? Haru shook her head. No. No.

She was going to deal with this on her own. Somehow, the knife was still in her hand. Good. She'd need it. Just in case…

Haru took off with quiet footsteps and focused eyes. Cackles rang in her ears as she tried to make out the figure. She couldn't see very well. She held the knife at ready and willed all senses to help her. Just ten more feet…eight more feet…four more feet…three more feet…two…one…and she was at the beach. The laughing continued, starting far off from the right. She almost yelped in shock when she came crashing down onto the sand. Not too far from her were a cluster of huge rocks she'd climbed as a child. After kicking off her slippers there, (they'd only be a nuisance on the beach,) she took off.

The laughing came to an end and there was no sign of a person anymore. Haru strained her ears for the sound of the mad, broken laughter and focused her eyes on everything. Nothing. Had it been nothing but her imagination? Haru's shoulders refused to relax as her vision moved from the right to the left.

"Help!"

Haru turned to the ocean and ran to it till the water was hitting her ankles. She squinted. There-There was a person in the water! She could see the person flailing around. And far, far away in the deep water, was a tiny speck of light making its way across the water. A ship. That's what the speck was.

The ship didn't matter.

There was a person drowning!

There was the sound of crashing thunder and then in came the pouring rain, drenching Haru and everything around her. Never mind her wet clothes, they weren't important

Haru ran back to shore towards the rocks and reluctantly dropped the knife there. She felt unsafe without it somehow. Then Haru took off towards the water-there was a person drowning darn it! Since she was a child, Haru had always felt safe around the water. At moments where it seemed like she was going to drown, the water had immediately receded. The ocean had always helped her, somehow. She hoped it would help her this time.

The person looked so far away…

As soon as she was three feet into the water, Haru met resistance. The waves wrapped around her as if they were planning to drag her back to shore. She coughed, spluttering incomprehensible words. The taste of sea water filled her mouth and she immediately spit it out. She plowed forward, ignoring the waves that pushed her back. This had never happened to her before!

Suddenly, a huge wave broke out and dragged Haru with it to the waters below. She felt rocks scratching at her and immediately struggled free to the surface. "Why are you being like this?!" She screamed. She knew the ocean wouldn't understand her. She knew the ocean had no feelings. But somehow, it just felt as if the ocean was totally against her at the moment. But she just wanted to vent out her feelings.

The sea foam draped around her shoulders; around her hair and neck. Haru spat out the salty taste that refused to leave her mouth and inhaled the salty air before diving in. She had learned how to open her eyes underwater at the age of seven, an ability that had assisted her most of the time. Her arms pushed through her water as her legs kicked at a fast tempo. One-two, one-two.

She paused in her swimming and poked her head out of the water, only to see towering waves above her head. Haru swallowed and dived into the bottom of the wave, pushing her way through. The next time her head popped up above the water, she spotted the flailing person. The stranger was doing his/her best to keep himself/herself from drowning, but Haru could tell he/she wouldn't be able to last much longer.

With a sense of urgency, Haru's body propelled faster through the water till she was only five feet away from the stranger. She recalled a time when Shizuka had nearly drowned. Haru remembered how she'd grabbed her sister and swam her way till the both of them reached the shore. She could do the same thing. She'd take the person and kick her way to shore.

The waves were chaotic and the sea was turbulent, as if it were angry.

Finally! The stranger released a choked gasp and began to sink through the water. Haru dived in once again and kicked her legs till she had the person in her arms. "Come on," she spluttered as she assisted the stranger. "I'm going to help-pwah! Help you." And help, she did. Haru was sure that the person was male-but that didn't matter!

She secured the person's head into her arms so that his head would be above the water. The water receded a bit, making it easier for Haru to guide herself and the boy to the shore. And then came one wave, then another. Haru fought and pushed and kicked her way through the waves, spitting out water whenever she had a chance.

It seemed like hours had passed until she was finally in shallow water. Then, a wave burst out and crashed over Haru and the male. Haru made sure that she didn't release the male even as they spiraled in chaotic circles. She felt another scratch, but gave it no mind. With all the strength she could muster, she got up and placed the boy's weight on her. A few more steps…and she collapsed. Haru looked behind her and saw a huge, huge wave heading for sure. She could see and smell the sea foam that was ready to delve around her.

That wouldn't happen. Not again.

Haru ran, dragging the male with her until they were finally a good distance away from the water. And then she let go of the boy and fell. She had no strength. Her battle against the water had sucked out all her energy. There was no way she could possibly have any strength to make it to the village…

She was falling to fatigue but she had to be awake…She had to be alert…

Just before she gave in, all she could think of were a jumble of thoughts. She was still alive. And she had saved the stranger. Was he even-Ah, yes. He was alive. She could hear soft breathing coming from the person next to her.

Her hand reached out and landed on soft, soft hair. It felt kind of spiky. Her eyes closed and her mind became blank as it gave into the clutches of sleep.

…A storm was brewing

For a moment it grew so dark that she could see nothing, then a bolt of lightning illuminated the sinking ship. She looked for the young prince among the terrified men on board who were trying to save themselves, but not until that very moment, when the ship finally sank, did she see him. At first, she thought joyfully, "Now he will come down to me!" But then she remembered that man could not live in the sea and the young prince would be dead when he came to her father's castle. "He must not die," she thought, and dived in among the wreckage, forgetting the danger that she herself was in, for any one of the great beams that were floating in the turbulent sea could have crushed her. She found him! He was too tired to swim any father; he had no more strength in his arms and legs to fight the storm-whipped waves. He closed his eyes, waiting for death, and he would have drowned, had the little mermaid not saved him. She held his head above water and let the waves carry them where they would.

"Yuki, where's Haru?"

Yuki shrugged. "I told her to be back soon." Kashiya frowned. "You know that there's a big storm tonight. And with what happened last year…"

"Don't speak about it." Utau ordered, cutting her off. Shizuka bit her lip as she exchanged a look with Hotaru. "We shouldn't talk about it. We all promised each other. And did you see how scared Haru looked when she saw us? That poor child probably thought we resented her…"

"Because that's the way Haru is." Yuki finished.

"Shouldn't we go get her? I mean-it's been ten minutes since you went out, Yuki." Hotaru placed a hand on Utau's shoulder. "She'll be fine! Haru's a big girl. Besides, she's probably taking her time eating."

Kashiya made a sound of disagreement. "Hotaru. We all know this. The village isn't as safe as it used to be. Especially after what's happened…" Yuki pulled on a sweater and got up from her bed. "Are you going to get Haru? I'll come with you."

Kashiya bounded forward and the two sisters left the room. Shizuka's head rested on Utau's lap and the quiet girl closed her eyes. Utau and Hotaru spoke in low voices so they wouldn't wake up their father and grandmother. It hadn't been this stormy in ages. A crack of thunder and then the quiet pitter-patter of rain filled the quiet room.

author's note: Tell me, readers and writers: what do you write for? Do you write for the reviews that give you a sense of accomplishment and warmth? Do you write for yourself when you post up stories on fanfiction? I'd like to share something. When I was younger, eighty-five percent of me cared about the reviews, and the rest cared about the story. But now that I'm older, I think that I've stopped thinking so much about reviews (although I still like them as much as any other person on fanfiction.) I think more about the story. I think I write for you, the readers, and myself, because I love writing with a passion. But first and foremost, I write to spread 2786. What about you? By the way, I had a lot of trouble writing this chapter for some reason…It just seemed so awfully boring. Sorry for the long wait, the internet was down and I had no chance of updating!

Thanks to the awesome reviewers: Sinful. Emerald, iwha, Tharrow,

Also, thank you to the readers who favorited/followed this story: chained2love, Hevimankeli, thegoodfolk, Spirit kagome, FloraFaveXNara-Wire

Next chapter: The Fifth Aria

…For some reason, she felt an urge to hide from the approaching crowd. She didn't know why. She just felt like something was telling her to.