The Path of No Return: The Last Battle
By: Seravy
Summary: (Post Series) The festival is over with the destruction of the HiME star but the final and hardest battle has yet to be fought
A/N: A big thank you to Kieli as usual. She was nice enough to read this horrifyingly long, choppy and ridden with grammar and spelling mistake outline email on top of her beta-duty with lots of great advise and suggestions.
NOTES:
5 000 000 ¥ 43 131.33 USD
tonkatsu sauce – a type of Japanese sauce eaten with okonomiyaki, pork cutlet and various other foods.
okonomiyaki – pizza-like pancake fried with various toppings
kairashii – Kyoto-ben for cute (kawaii)
Pirotto-chan - Gokujo Seitokai. Kinjo Nanaho's favoured stuffed animal
Shishou – master/teacher, a lot of times used for martial arts instructors
The HiME festival was a ritual; Twelve maidens chosen to fight for what they believed to be the most precious part of their hearts. However, by doing so, they were unknowingly being sucked into a spiral of violence and hatred, scripted by the mastermind himself. Each of them were cast into sculpted scenes that opened their vulnerability and exposed it to the star's corrupting poison of madness. However, like all fairytale classics, the sacred bond between two people prevailed, proving once again that love, hope and friendship, were indeed the key to saving the world. The disappearance of their HiME marks that had given them the ability to hurt each other was solid proof. Putting the future and the unsalvageable past behind them, they would live happily ever after. All abnormities would be dismissed, destroyed and decimated through repetition until it became routine and normal.
"My, that's so cute!" smiled Shizuru with delight. Bending over for a closer look through the window, she appraised a mug molded in the shape of a white bunny dressed in a little pink apron.
Her reluctant shopping companion thought otherwise. In no way was the 'cute' mug practical or useful with its small volume content and tall protruding ears off one end. Hell, the poor thing would be lucky if it survived a day without its ears snapping off from her manhandling but as Shizuru had reminded her time and time again, practicality should never be a shopping concern, especially in the matters of window shopping. Such was the first of many life philosophies that Natsuki was taught by her friend from Kyoto.
"Its cheeks look just like yours when you blush," remarked Shizuru, offhandedly. Her eyes were already slanting expectantly at the girl beside her.
"What!" reacted Natsuki, "I never look like THAT!"
Those bunny rosy cheeks were pink to the max. She'd hate to think that her face was capable of such colouration.
"Well, you've obviously never seen yourself in a mirror when you do blush," replied Shizuru.
"I do not look like that," gritted the offended girl which was entirely ignored by soft peals of laughter. Mild indignation turned into a glare and miraculously, it worked as Shizuru decided to end her assault early. After all, it wasn't often that Natsuki took the initiative to spend time with her.
"Let's go in and have a look," suggested Shizuru, eyes gazing expectantly at her shopping partner.
"I thought you needed to go to the supermarket."
"That can wait."
After the verdict was announced, Shizuru tugged her friend's arm with total disregard to the latter's dragging, reluctant steps towards the entrance.
The chime that was hung just above the door rang as they stepped in. Shizuru immediately turned her attention to the mug that she had spotted earlier as Natsuki stood with her arms crossed and her back rigid with impatience. The black waist length jacket that she wore over her pale blue hoodie added to her detached air. She was making damn sure that everybody in this store knew that she was here under duress and would be darting right out once her friend was finished. In order to facilitate this hasty exit, she stayed far away from the merchandise, only moving for the convenience of others.
Natsuki was perfectly content to hide in the handy corner until a certain something caught her eye. An unnerving itch immediately fiddled in her fingers accompanied by that familiar rise in her chest. There it was, just two meters away, the wonder that had just been released a week ago. She had searched in vain through all the corners of the internet. Alas, fate had not forsaken her as it was now right before her eyes, so close yet so far. She simply couldn't let this chance slide her by.
Natsuki took her first steps into the aisle beside her goal, casually browsing with indifference and picking up random items as she worked her way down and up into the next aisle. She always felt guilty for doing this but the urge was simply unbearable. Discretely ensuring that she was free of surveillance, Natsuki continued her journey. Her heart rate picked up as she got closer, passing a few clocks and examining a few teapots until finally, she was here. Her dream's innocent black button eyes stared back at her and she fought the need to smile. Reaching out, she touched a little piece of heaven, closing in on the newest edition of the Pirotto-chan doll. Her head swooned with a haze of relief and happiness. Its coat of fluffy black with a tuff of pure white on its stomach was soft to her touch. She could confidently say that it was the most adorable penguin that she had ever seen in all of its cuddly and waddley glory. She didn't hold onto it long of course as that would raise suspicion from nearby shoppers and employees, sprouting their respective sales pitches. God knows that whenever she went out, especially with Shizuru, people stared.
Out of the corner of her eye, Shizuru caught every moment with a graceful ignorant smile of her own. Despite the lack of enthusiasm, the council president knew of Natsuki's fetish for cute things and the younger girl's shyness to enter shops she deemed too 'girly'. Gliding beside Natsuki, Shizuru picked up the stuffed animal that her friend had 'casually' admired not long ago and leaned in.
"I'll just add this to the purchase," she whispered to her before taking the pair of bunny mugs and Pirotto-chan to the cash register.
Yet another hostage to Shizuru's ever-growing 'torture chamber'. Natsuki sighed and shook her head.
Now that she stayed with Mai and Mikoto, all of her 'highly-classified-and-confidential' possessions were forced to remain in Shizuru's room. She got visiting privileges but it wasn't until recently that she discovered the impact of her decision … or rather, the error of taking Shizuru's advice.
Just last week, the council president held her pure white snowy owl Monpuchi-chan hostage at gunpoint of coffee, spaghetti sauce and red wine until a frustrated and helpless Natsuki refrained from adding mayonnaise into their oden hot pot. Three days later, she received a morning call and a threat of twenty lashes of black PERMANENT-marker on Monpuchi-chan's twin sister, Minipuchi, should she choose to not attend class… and it wasn't just any class.
MONDAY… FIRST period… 8:00 AM … Japanese LITERATURE. It had been years since she had been to one of those and luckily (albeit sadly), Natsuki stayed wide awake throughout the entire hour. It wasn't hard considering the condition of the ransom which consisted of lunch and a set of her freshly hand-writtenMonday, first period, 8:00 am, Classical literature NOTES which were to be placed on the student council president's desk for inspection. Yet another thing she hadn't done in a long time.
Hot fury immediately bubbled in her veins. Taking notes in a Monday class was the last straw. She wasn't about to just sit quietly and allow herself to be blackmailed at the whim and pleasure of some tea-sipping granny. Who knows what she'll do next! Friday classes? Horror was the only word that could remotely describe the possibility.
Natsuki had always considered herself a strong independent adult and most definitely no push-over and it was time to fight back and free those poor innocents. Right then and there was the birth of the Kuga Revolution, codename "Operations Get-Even". It was her hour of glory. Literally.
Threatening to sabotage Shizuru's favourite tea set and ruin her new luxurious 5 000 000¥ kimono with markers (washable) that she had purchased just for this occasion, Natsuki retaliated. Unfortunately, she suffered a second defeat due to hostage No. 003 and No.004: Kangaroo-pajama-Pirotto-chan-and-baby-Pirotti in its hand-sewn pouch. Limited Edition. The Fujino-army had only need to raise their flags and bellow their war cries to subdue the rebellion.
For her efforts of resistance, the tyrannical Imperial Queen of the Fujino Dynasty dictated the following punishment to the captured rebel leader: a 24-hour mayonnaise-abstinence-warrant, back-rub service and, for the first time since she entered high school, the completion of her math homework. Sentence was supervised by the queen herself, prisoner shackled to a frilly white apron and bunny ears for the duration of the torture. Photographic evidence was of course taken for future references in the 'Kairashii' Book of Natsuki… better known as, the Kuga Book of Shame, home to her 'HiGimme-a-ride-pose'. (It was a welcome-to-the-HiME-sentai-gift to Shizuru courtesy to the one and only Midori-sensei. As for the Kuga Book of Shame: After years of searching, Natsuki had yet to locate the incriminating evidence and destroy it.)
Natsuki was a smart girl, otherwise, she'd still be in her third year of middle school. During these events, she learned yet another valuable lesson in life, one that Suzushiro Haruka would never comprehend: Futile attempts at Fujino-resistance are not only suicidal, they are stupid.
As she shook her head and sighed, Natsuki couldn't help but feel the weight of defeat.
After Pirotto-chan and the mugs were wrapped and tucked away into an equally cute bag, Shizuru led the way to the cinema. She herself had picked the movie, ensuring Natsuki that it was entertaining and safe to be seen walking out of. And she was right. It was a touching tale about a father fish and his forgetful friend on a hilarious journey to find his son, Nemo. The movie also gave Natsuki a chance to improve her aural English with the help of subtitles.
'Finding Nemo' was followed by dinner at Ucchan's, one of their favourite okonomiyaki restaurants. There, Natsuki took much satisfaction in watching Shizuru blanch as she generously applied mayonnaise and house special tonkatsu sauce to her meal. Her friend couldn't even bring herself to touch her plate of food although Natsuki was assured that it was because she had too much during lunch.
Like other teenagers out on a Sunday night, the meal was accompanied by the simple chattering of school life boringness which Natsuki had much to say ever since she started to attend classes more often. However, she made sure to ask how Shizuru was holding up with the school's reconstruction and the pressures of her own entrance exams. Her friend did look worn out and seemed to have lost some weight. Shizuru was actually quite pleased to hear her concern as it was proving the success of her diet plan. However, it wasn't the answer that the younger girl wanted. Not anymore.
"That's not relevant," frowned Natsuki.
"You were supposed to say 'You're not fat at all'," sighed Shizuru, feigning exasperation, "We really need to work on your social tact."
Natsuki merely fell silent at her humour, her emerald eyes clouded over with something that resembled building anger. Right after the festival, she had made Shizuru promise absolute honesty about her feelings. Despite the impossibility, the council president had assured her that she would.
"I'm not digressing. I'm simply stating an important fact before discussing the issue at hand," added Shizuru before Natsuki could form her next words, "Now, back on topic."
Taking a casual sip from the cold cheap tea that the restaurant provided, the council president delivered her performance.
"Honestly, it only seems a lot. Suzushiro-san shouldered all of the reconstruction while I left Reito-san to deal with the worst of student and parent complaints. My only responsibilities are student recalls and organizing the council. And if you're worried about Suzushiro-san, she has Kikukawa-san and the entire Suzushiro Construction supporting her. As for my schooling…"
Shizuru paused to take another sip of that awful tea. Its flavour was weak and it reeked of poor handling during the drying process.
"It's never been a challenge. A few teachers are still absent so my workload there has actually decreased. There were a few late nights and several long meetings but it's within expectation and everything is moving along quite smoothly. If I were truly overwhelmed, I wouldn't be here, enjoying a casual meal."
"You make it sound so easy."
"It's not. But one should never underestimate the endurance of a woman of Kyoto. We are a stubborn resilient breed."
Natsuki managed a smile. Her friend's capabilities were indisputable, recognized as Fuuka Academy's strongest council president so far and yet, she wondered how much of it was true.
"You don't believe me?" interjected Shizuru, as if reading her mind.
"No! That's not what I meant!" snapped Natsuki immediately before finishing her sentence quietly, "I trust you."
"Then don't frown anymore," replied Shizuru with a slight bounce in her tone, "You'll have wrinkles before you're twenty."
Unfortunately, that observation only deepened the crease between those dark brows. The satisfied look on Shizuru's face further added to the building indignity within Natsuki's chest, expressed through the violent munching of her plate of okonomiyaki.
By the time they finished dinner (it was Natsuki's turn to pay the bill), it was already dark. Winter was indeed approaching as the chill air blew without the gentleness of autumn. People huddled in their jackets as the days grew shorter. For couples though, it was a chance to sneak their hands into each other's pockets, linking their arms with the excuse of sharing warmth on a Sunday date.
Shizuru watched a pair of teenagers walk by, smiles and embarrassed blushes on their faces. She stole a glance at the girl walking beside her who immediately noticed her gaze. Natsuki and Shizuru smiled at each other as they made their way back to the younger girl's motorcycle.
In so many ways, this was the perfect date. Shopping. A movie. Dinner. Light, almost flirtatious conversation. She could almost pretend that it was real.
After storing their purchases in the compartment underneath the seat, Shizuru took her place on the back of the motorcycle. Her friend barked her usual order to hold on tight and they began their journey back to the dormitories. Things almost seemed normal; the way they used to be.
With Natsuki's skills, the trip was short and they walked in a companionable silence from the forest back to the girls' dormitories. It would had been nice to have been able to park somewhere closer now that she lived here but the executive board director simply refused to tolerate such lewd and foolish means of 'teenage rebellious expression'.
Like all of their recent outings, Natsuki invited Shizuru up to her room which she shared with Mai and Mikoto. Contrary to her concerns, living with other people proved to be a tolerable experience. First, there were the perks of living with a household master. Breakfast, lunch and dinner were provided and deliciously so. (Natsuki had felt bad about letting Mai do the majority of the chores and had offered to do dishes but after a few accidents, Natsuki was prohibited from setting a single foot into the kitchen and was limited to low-risk tasks. i.e. Wiping windows, scrubbing the toilet and vacuuming.) Classes were now only a short walk away were yet another convenience.
Of course, those were only the list of the pros. Among the many conflicts that arose during the first two weeks, Mai was not shy about commenting on her poor habits which included littering, piling laundry and questionable diet. The single bathroom situation in the morning was also not pretty. Noise level had certainly been kicked up a notch, especially when introducing Mikoto to other necessities of civilization. Skipping classes in the morning also proved difficult as Mai was the epitome of motherhood, not to mention her strict protocols of cleanliness.
Suddenly, life was busy and very loud.
The moment Natsuki opened the door, they were immediately greeted by Mikoto. In a rush of speed, the girl's small and agile form scampered over on all four before stopping a meter away, her posture perfect with soldier pride.
"Shishou," bowed Mikoto with solemn respect.
Shizuru smilingly owned up to the formal address as she did with her other titles and gently patted the unruly head of jet black hair.
"Hello, Mikoto-chan. How are you doing?"
Mikoto grunted a strong noise of approval as she nodded her head, seriousness in her eyes.
"I've completed my tasks for the day as Shishou has instructed."
"Well done," praised Shizuru. Reaching into one of the bags that dangled from her arm, the council president took out a rectangular package, wrapped in black paper and presented it before her disciple.
Mikoto's nose immediately wrinkled with recognition. The formality within those eyes immediately gave way to a lively twinkle, shimmering like bright stars in the sky.
"L'ESPOIR!" exclaimed Mikoto, unable to contain her excitement. Ever since the council president had introduced her to this thin butter waffle, it became her new favorite snack to have with warm milk. "Arigatou! Shishou!"
Mikoto grabbed her reward and hugged it to her chest before rushing to the kitchen to get consent. A flustered Mai, who was in the middle of doing the dishes, was quite overwhelmed by a clinging Mikoto, begging for permission. (House Rule no.23: No snacks before dinner or after 8:00 pm)
The sat together by the table in the middle of the room after Mai had made tea (and a glass of warm milk for Mikoto) for all of them. Mai also took out her homework. After all, it wasn't everyday one would receive free proficient tutoring, especially with her tight budget. Under some subtle pressures, Natsuki was also forced to the tedious task as Mikoto received her weekly lessons from the council president.
Studious silence with the exception of Shizuru's instructing voice and the occasional questions from her students filled the room as they went about their weekend study session.
This ritual all started two weeks ago. Mikoto simply refused to do her homework and was consistently skipping class in favour of naps and random mischief. Except for food and Mai's chest, nothing seemed capable of holding Mikoto's attention span for more than five minutes. The small girl had also been coming home late which concerned her caretaker deeply but when asked, Mikoto remined silent. The situation had worsened with the possibility of repeating third year middle school. To rectify the situation, Mikoto's teacher brought her concerns before the girl's brother and legal guardian, Minagi/Kanzaki Reito. He was very cooperative and pleasant throughout the entire meeting. That same charm was brought into his little chat with Tokiha Mai as he relayed Sakamoto-sensei's message to the girl's pseudo but true caretaker. In hindsight, Mai couldn't explain what exactly happened in those ten minutes except that she found herself saddled with the responsibility of improving Mikoto's grades. Damn those good-looking metrosexual guys and their slick charm.
Mai didn't really know what to do as she had never experienced this problem with her younger brother Takumi. In fact, he had excelled at academics.
However, since Mikoto's brother had wormed his way out of what she considered to be HIS responsibility, Mai could only roll up her sleeve and step up to the plate. First, she tried the lure of ramen but that did little except to produce golden eyes brimming with tears as Mikoto watched helplessly and yearningly for that big bowl of ramen that was cooling with every second that she failed to complete a question on common factors.
Mai then tried consulting her next reliable source: the school's queen of gossip, Harada Chie and her partner in crime, Senou Aoi. The pair tried various methods of flashcards and memory work but all were in vain as Mikoto would simply stare back at them blankly with her stomach growling.
It wasn't that Mikoto didn't try. In fact, the small girl with her insatiable appetite was quite eager to please. She simply failed to comprehend modern knowledge and its applications as she had never touched a textbook in her life aside from basic reading and writing.
As a last resort, Mai brought in the big guns aka lingerie fetish girl who failed miserably as soon as her patience wore thin. Three strikes. You're out. The game was rounding into the final inning and things were looking bleak for the home team…that was until the news somehow reached the one and only Fuuka Academy Student Council President. Faced with the serious consequence of repeating a grade, Fujino Shizuru offered her services with some under-the-table negotiations. The price was steep, taking a good chip at Natsuki's eroding dignity, but the wonder of Kyoto was hired for the season.
The next day, Mikoto was sent up to the exclusive room of the council president and there, a miracle happened. Three hours later, the small (flat) girl returned a genius... (well, not exactly a genius but in a 'before' and 'after' comparison, the results were astounding). Crisis averted; Mikoto proudly and loudly named Shizuru her shishou, in absolute awe of the council president and of the delicious snacks she rewarded her for a job well done.
To be on the safe side though, Shizuru tutored Mikoto two to three times a week which resulted in this little gathering of four.
After two hours of intensive studying and another snack break for Mikoto to replenish overworked brain cells, the girls finally ended it with some pleasant conversation and a cup of hot tea. Shizuru bid them all goodnight as Natsuki walked her to the elevator. It wasn't necessary but the younger girl insisted. Shizuru simply smiled and accepted the kind gesture.
Natsuki jabbed the 'UP' button and the light within glowed a dull yellow colour as they waited for the lift. Neither of them said a word; they simply waited in silence until the elevator doors chimed and slid open. Shizuru stepped in and waved goodbye to her friend but just as the doors were about to close, Natsuki impulsively stuck her foot in to hold them open. She strode in and took a surprised Shizuru into an embrace. Oh right, remembered Shizuru, she hadn't done that during the last few times they saw each other. That was what she usually did. How could she have forgotten.
When they finally parted this time, Natsuki gave her a warm smile. It reeked of understanding. Shizuru returned it with a small smile of her own before interrupting with a comment about the smell of mayo and tonkatsu sauce. A hot blush immediately kicked in, sending Natsuki into a fit of curses and practically running out the lift.
The door slid closed and continued its mechanical hum towards the 7th floor. Shizuru leaned against the cold metal of the lift, closing her eyes to calm the pounding within her head if only for a second.
Everything went according to plan.
Each expression, touch, every word casually yet cautiously chosen, constructed to retain every last bit of the past while meticulously removing any trace that dared to test the solid definition of what was now between them.
She'll meet her gaze but be the first to look away with fabricated distraction. She still touched her but with simple pats on the shoulder or a tug on the arm. Neither of them had brought up the atrocities that she had committed and Shizuru knew that if she had to face the facts of the festival once again, the last bit of her shamelessness to stay by Natsuki's side shall go with it.
'The way it used to be…'
She could almost hear herself laughing. The way it used to be was nothing but fragile illusions, built upon layers of deceit. There was a time when she even had herself fooled. She told herself that she simply wanted to be by Natsuki's side as a good friend and capable sempai. That was enough…. more than she deserved. Of course, like all human beings, no one does anything without something to gain and she hated how her every touch hid that motive. Her heart immediately stabbed at her, a pain that made her want to rip the damn organ out.
How long would this last? Shizuru immediately stopped. She wouldn't let history repeat itself. She would never hurt Natsuki again, no matter what. The strings around her heart wounded tightened, the twisted beast wrestled into submission.
The lift doors chimed once more as the doors slid open. Shizuru quickened her pace towards the last room on the left wing.
Reaching into her pocket for the cardkey, she could already feel her smile sliding off her face. Her only solace was her singular presence within the halls, craving and dreading the solitude that was awaiting her behind the door. How many times had she imagined turning the handle to see a familiar face with a simple 'okaeri'? Like always though, it was darkness and a whisper within her head that made this home.
Putting down her purchases by the bed, Shizuru took out Pirotto-chan out of its wrappings and placed her with the rest of her siblings, which Natsuki spitefully called the 'torture chamber'. Her heart lightened and her lips pulled up in a smile despite the heaviness that dragged at the corners. By now, there were twelve of them, occupying the left side of her bed. It used to be Natsuki's side whenever she slept over.
Shizuru took a glance at the alarm clock on the nightstand. 11:30. Another six and a half hours to go. Some productive work had been on her list of priorities but after such a wonderful date, she didn't want to ruin its memory just yet. Reaching out, Shizuru pet the most recent addition to Natsuki's stuffed animal collection. Its silky fur was comforting as she vividly recalled how the younger girl had held it with much repressed fondness.
Her mind immediately sobered as she recalled the dinner. Even Natsuki was beginning to notice the weight that she had lost. Unlike her body, she couldn't layer white cotton shirts underneath to hide the changes. Her headache worsened as with the burning in her stomach. She knew she should make another attempt tonight. However, the moment she stood up, the room spun before her eyes. The bed caught her weight and she was thankful that her body always held out in public.
When the dizziness finally subsided, Shizuru went to the suite kitchen and fixed herself a quick salad. She took her time with the preparation, washing the light green lettuce leaves, cucumbers and cherry tomatoes. As she dried and sliced them, she took extra care to make them as even and thin as possible. To top off the neatly arranged salad, Shizuru used a light Japanese radish vinaigrette, one that the lunch lady had kindly made extra for her. It used to be one of her favourites.
Taking a fork, the crunchiness of the vegetables snapped as the prongs punctured its flesh. Shizuru waved it gently to remove excess vinaigrette and brought it to her lips. The tangy spike of the vinegar smelled so pleasant, especially when compared to the hot heavy steams of a plate of okonomiyaki.
Opening her mouth, the small dainty bite went in. She could hear herself chew as her teeth ground the lettuce like the sharp snapping of bones. The vegetables stayed in her mouth for a while as she wondered about when to swallow. The food felt chewed enough and the vinaigrette had long lost its taste. Deciding that it was about time, Shizuru breathed in then swallowed. She waited a few moments in tense silence, hoping.
Logically, it took a few seconds to reach the stomach. Shizuru lingered for around ten breaths then picked up the fork again. The sharp end made its way into a cherry tomato, marring its perfect skin with three holes. She brought it into her mouth and chewed.
The gooey juice flowed out with the first impact of her molars, flooding her mouth with liquid ease. She tried not to notice but it tasted a little like sour blood.
As she attempted to swallow, a heat rose up from the bottom of her stomach. Shizuru immediately held a hand over her mouth as she hurried to the bathroom. Bile shot its way up her throat, burning for a way to escape. Shizuru made it just in time to hang her head over the toilet bowl as her stomach emptied itself. Sometimes, she wondered what exactly she threw up. It seemed so much more than what she ate. Perhaps parts of her organs?
Shizuru simply closed her eyes and waited for the lurching in her stomach to subside. Her head hung heavily as a second wave rebelled its way out of her body.
It all started a week after the festival. Promptly at twelve, she was having a lunch picnic with students that have chosen to return to school on such short notice. Quite a few of them had made her lunch and were eager for her to try out their new recipes. As usual, Shizuru obliged but after a few bites of the spaghetti and red meat sauce, she publicly humiliated herself on the dry blades of dying grass. Perhaps it was the sauce's resemblance to seared human flesh.
Shizuru had assured them that it was simply something she had last night to sooth the worried and hurt looks on those innocent girls' faces. Once again though, the rate at which rumours moved was astounding. From having food poisoning, it progressed to her being pregnant with Kanzaki Reito's baby. These people's imagination just never failed to amuse, especially when Natsuki took to them literally with her own innocence.
After that incident, Shizuru was careful to avoid red meats and especially red sauces. The accident's memory subsided within the school's population after a while. However, a few days later, her aversion to red meats progressed to meats in general. She took it casually as simply being unable to have anything butchered. However, her diet then rejected dairy products and before she knew it, her stomach refused any sustenance that passed her lips. It was as if her own body was seeking retribution. She couldn't quite remember what it felt like to have something other than tea and water down her throat, much less the fulfillment of a full stomach.
Finally rising from the indignity of having to hang her head off the edge of a toilet bowl, Shizuru stood up. Her feet felt unsteady as she moved herself to the sink. The tap turned on with a swish as cold water rushed out. Taking out the cotton pads and eye make-up remover from behind the mirror, Shizuru squirted the liquid onto the pads and moved it methodically under her eyes. She didn't dare look herself in the mirror. She already had to do it every morning when applying her make-up. Taking a piece of tissue, she licked her dry lips and took off the pink lipstick as well. She hated the artificial chemicals on her face but was too tired to remove the blush. That she could do later during her morning shower.
Rinsing out her mouth and finishing with a cold splash of water, Shizuru wiped her face dry with the towel that hung by the side of the door then proceeded back to the bed. She would have preferred forgoing eating entirely as hunger and thirst were no longer apart of her instincts but Reito's smiling and observant eyes made her realize the necessity of doing so. It wouldn't be long before others noticed and she knew she had to do something. From the nightstand, she reached down and opened the drawer to remove a clear bag, holding its weight in her palms.
Inside the plastic, clear transparent liquid moved silently like the waves of the sea. It felt cool, its texture engorged with life. Lines of small blue print traversed the pliable surface. Shizuru paid little attention to the meaning of those words. She held the bag up by its white plastic hook and hung it onto the nail that she had recently installed just half a meter above her side of the bed. The other end was connected to a small glass cylinder the size of a finger, leading up to a long clear tube with a catheter attached at the end.
Returning back into the drawer, she took out a bottle of alcohol and cotton balls. Shizuru rolled up her right sleeve then wetted the soft cotton with the cool liquid. A small purple bruise immediately told her the exact location, allowing the alcohol to clean both the catheter and the junction where her upper and forearm met. She knew she should hide these items more discretely and added this chore to her growing list of priorities.
With practice ease, Shizuru slipped the end into her vein. Her head tilted back as her eyelids fell heavily closed into the pleasure of darkness, a bliss which she had been denied upon endless nights for it was not oblivion that turned hours into seconds that awaited her in sleep. Drop by drop, her body absorbed the foreign nourishment.
She hated this invention of modern science. It allowed the sickly and those acquainted with death to live despite the rules of nature.
A love that was already tainted red with blood was now pitch black.
Staring out the window, Shizuru waited for the sun to rise. It was what those condemned search for. Light, if only to just ash and disappear under its brilliance.
The Path of No Return: The Last Battle I End
