Previously on Doerai: The Face of Betrayal...

Yuki stopped, noticing something in her mailbox. "That's odd... Since when did I get... A letter?"

Perplexed, she held up the letter, squinting to read the dark penmanship in the dark.

"It says it's to me... Maybe... It's from..." Immediately she began to blush and opened the letter. "M-Maybe... It's from Saiki-kun!"

Aha!

She took out the paper, carefully unfolding it as she began skimming through, word by word.

Saiki-kun...

When she got to the end, she stopped, her eyes widening with every word she saw.

Silence. The wind blew with an unnatural force.

The firm grip she had on the letter had loosened, and trembled.

The paper soon sailed to the ground by the black witch's feet as she stood there.

Nothing more could be said.

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(Sometimes, we are faced with the toughest questions we've ever had to ask ourselves.)

S.P.D. Gold Ranger and YukiShinoya444 present:
Doerai: The Face of Betrayal
Story Created: July 29th, 2008
Summary: AU. This is a story of betrayal upon the very foundation of life. Nick and his friends face the questions of a dark curse and an adventure that many could not comprehend in a dark new world...
On Today's Episode: When Nick notices Yuki's constant absences are anything but accidental, he sets out to find the black witch to inquire what is going on with her... Question is, does she even want to be found or much less, open up?
Note From YukiShinoya444: All I got to say is this... I'll do my best!

Disclaimer by Nick: I've said it before and I'll say it again. Neither Yuki-chan nor I own ANYTHING of Ojamajo Doremi, though we really wish we did. The series and all of its affiliations belong to Toei Animation and whoever licenses it for their particular country.

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Phase 7: This Pain I Will Cherish

A few days had passed since the three consecutive murders that had left Nick and the Ojamajos blindsided and scattered.

First, Momoko had been murdered by an unknown assailant who had apparently fallen to an ancient curse.

Then, Hazuki had been slaughtered in her own home by the same force that had killed Momoko.

Finally, Kurumi had gone home responding to a call from her manager, only to be killed with barely even one strike.

No one knew what they were supposed to do. And worse, Nick had a feeling that he knew just what these freaks were doing: they were going after everyone that he ever cared for before they came after him.

This didn't seem right, though: who had enough of a grudge on the Ojamajos to resort to cold-blooded murder?

Well, that was what Nick and the others were intent on discovering.

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For the moment, Nick was staying with Akemi until this whole thing would blow over.

Over the first few days at her house, Nick began to notice quite a difference in Akemi's personality. While she was still as shy as ever, she continued to make efforts to cheer her guest up, and she was always willing to spend time with him whenever he just needed some company.

Is she falling in love with you, Nick? the green witch apprentice asked himself after his fifth day of staying at the Suzuki household. To be frank, I'd always noticed the hints were there. She'd always blush whenever she looked at me, ESPECIALLY during that journey through the Battle Frontier... and she's definitely been there for me ever since Momoko was slaughtered... I wonder... am I falling in love with her, too?

Just then, Akemi walked into the room, carrying a bowl of popcorn. "I figured we could watch a movie together," Akemi stated. "Onii-san always had quite a movie collection."

"I heard he likes a lot of those action flicks that Momoko always loved," Nick stated before suddenly bursting into tears again. "Akemi-chan, I can't take it. It's like every little thing reminds me of her. It's just not fair, Akemi-chan!! IT'S JUST NOT FAIR!!"

Akemi pulled Nick close to her. "It's okay, Nick-kun. We've all promised to stick together through this."

With that, Akemi leaned forward and pecked Nick on the cheek. "I promise you won't ever be alone again. Okay?"

Nick couldn't help but smile. "Thanks, Akemi-chan."

After a bit, Nick and Akemi settled down together and began watching their movie.

About an hour into the movie...

Akemi let out another burst of laughter at the wacky antics of Jim Carrey. It was safe to say that Daisuke Suzuki made a good choice in importing this American laugh-fest.

When she noticed that no similar laugh was coming from Nick (he'd always loved Jim Carrey's movies), she turned towards him, only to see something that made her blush a deep crimson.

Nick was laying with his head on her shoulder, fast asleep.

Deciding not to disturb him any further, Akemi paused the movie and reached for a blanket that she easily draped over Nick's sleeping form.

"Sleep well, Nick-kun," Akemi stated softly, giving Nick a soft kiss on the cheek. "I love you," she added as an afterthought before resting her head on the sofa cushions and falling asleep as well.

A few hours later...

It was early morning now, and Nick and Akemi were still asleep.

This wasn't to last, however, as the sound of Akemi's doorbell jolted the two back to reality.

Rubbing the sleep out of his eyes, Nick was the one to open the door.

"Fami-chan?"

Indeed, Doremi's future granddaughter Fami Harukaze was standing at the door, clutching what appeared to be a letter in her hand.

"Is everything all right, you two?" Fami asked.

"That obvious, Fami-chan?" Nick stated.

"You can drop the calm and collected act, Kellysi-chan," Fami replied. "I know all about it. She was a good girl, Kellysi-chan, but we'll help you get through this. I promise."

Nick had to wipe a few tears from his eyes. "Arigatou, Fami-chan. That really means a lot to me."

"You do look like you're feeling a lot better, Kellysi-chan," Fami noticed.

"Akemi-chan's been so good to me these past few days," Nick replied, holding the crystal witch apprentice close to him. "If it wasn't for her, I'd probably have gone crazy long before now."

"Is Yuki-chan doing okay?" Akemi asked.

"Yeah, she seems fine, but she's been bolting away somewhere a lot these past few days," Fami explained. "Whenever she returns, she always seems shocked for some reason."

"That can't be good," Nick noted. "Wonder what's making her act like that?"

It was then that Akemi noticed the letter Fami was holding. "What's that letter, Fami-chan?"

This simple statement seemed to make Fami a little uneasy. "Um... Moriko-chan gave me this just a day after Kurumi-chan was killed. It's addressed to Yuki-chan."

With that, the futuristic witch apprentice showed the letter to Nick and Akemi. They both gasped in shock upon reading the contents of the letter.

"Nick-kun... what are we going to do?"

"Simple. We've gotta find Yuki-chan."

"What does this mean, Kellysi-chan?" Fami asked, her voice breaking a bit.

"If this letter means what I think it means," Nick stated, "this is only going to get worse."

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Yuki stood on the edge of the mesa, contemplating what that letter had said.

"There's no way..." Yuki stated, tears forming in her eyes.

"YUKI-CHAN!!"

The black witch apprentice didn't move at this sound, nor did she respond to the fact that Nick, Akemi, and Fami had just arrived on the scene.

"Yuki-chan, what's the matter?" Akemi asked.

Still no response. Yuki seemed to be in too much shock.

"Yuki-chan!!" Nick exclaimed. "What does this letter mean?!"

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Next time:

Phase 8: Sayonara at the End of the Dance

When Yuki reveals the truth behind "the letter", Nick realizes that the trouble they've gotten themselves into is only going to get worse...