Okay first half of episode four is up with some much needed changes… This is by far the longest chapter to date (reaching over 6,000 words)
I'm posting earlier than planned because I've got a question for you guys. Since it looks like everyone in episode 7 is basicly gaining back there memories, should I continue to write each episode with my usual revisions? Or deter off and go my own way like I originally planned? The episode revisions have been working in my favor up to this point...
Disclaimer – I don't own Black Rock Shooter. She is the property of Huke, and Studio Ordet. And if I have to say that one more time, I'm gonna lose it…
Black Rock Shooter could make such a mess.
STRength had enough mind to knock her somewhere. But no, that would require too much work. Work she didn't feel like taking on. She already had a job to do.
It was such a tedious job, really. None the less, it was one that had to be completed. She liked things tidy… at least as tidy as was possible in this decrepit world. Her decrepit world…
STRength drudged along, at her usual slow pace across the other world's barren landscape, the remains of Chariot's head and body dragging along behind her. She spoke not a word as she did the deed of clean up.
She was the "Undertaker"… in a manner of speaking.
It was such a long trek to the chasm, where she buried the bodies of fallen warriors. She could move a little faster, but she had no desire too. What for? She had all the time in the world. At least for now…
Looking back at the corpse she dragged, STRength couldn't help but wonder if she would be forever left to haul away the dead of this world. Or, would she ever end up this way? Just dead, and forgotten? Who would be willing to drag away her corpse when she was destroyed? What would happen to her other self if she were to die?
Was the other her happy? Was she living in peace? Did she make friends? Or was she silently suffering alone, just like before? Just like STRength was now…
STRength's Ogre Arms left a trail in the jagged, gray landscape as she neared the "Abyss of the Fallen". Just above her she sensed the presence of another. She stopped and looked up for a moment, only to keep walking when she realized who it was.
("She's here again? Can't leave well enough alone, can she?") STRength thought as Black Gold Saw's red eyes peered at her from the darkness.
At last STRength reach the edge. She gave a ("heave-ho"), and tossed Chariot's remains over the precipice, never to be seen again. She wagged her black-boned tail, happy to be finished. At least with this one…
("Well, that's it for that one…") STRength turned around and continued on her way. Now she had to clean up those decimated, hooded seedlings.
By the Gods! Black Rock Shooter could make such a mess…
Mato had been fairly upset that morning when Yomi told her to go on to school without her. It was always such a lonely walk without Yomi to keep her company. It didn't help that it was raining today either.
'Man… how boring.' Mato thought leaning her head in her hands, a glazed look in her eyes.
When the door to her class room opened, Mato was expecting it to be teacher. What she saw, was her teacher and… Yomi? What was she doing in Mato's class?
The teacher walked to her desk and spoke. "Everyone I'd like to introduce and new student who will be joining us for the rest of this term."
Yomi yanked on the arm of another girl who was hiding in the door frame. "Just come on, It's not so bad!" She whispered. Yomi gave one last good tug and dragged in a girl with a long, blonde side pony-tail.
Mato's eyes widened when she realized who it was. 'CRAP!'
The girl went hiding behind Yomi, refusing to show her face. The teacher ushered her to introduce herself. The girl gave Mato's class a glare before saying her name. "Izuriha, Kagari!"
And she'd said in the most contemptible way too…
Mato lifted her head and her jaw hit the desk. 'YOU GOTTA BE KIDDING!' She thought, suddenly became anxious. Yomi noticed the look Mato was giving her and shrugged helplessly.
Mato's teacher attempted to steer Kagari out of her shell. "Uh Kagari? Could you give us a little more than your name?"
Kagari just looked at the teacher and gave her an "hmmp!" before turning away. Yomi could only put a hand to her face, in an attempt to hide herself.
"So cool!" Some of the students complemented. "Look at that hair! She must be a foreigner!" "So pretty!" "Doesn't she look just like Sasaki Nozomi?" The class was abuzz with gossip and chatter.
Kagari smiled and as politely as possible told the class, "Shuddup."
Silence…
Some of the boys in class began to cheer, "She's pretty and foul mouthed!" "She's so cool!" "I wish my girlfriend was that pretty!"
Mato stared forward in shock. Yomi opted to stare at the ceiling, hoping no one would notice her shame.
Kagari just continued to smile.
…
When Kagari was assigned a seat and Yomi had gone off to her own class, Kagari was swarmed with questions from the other girls.
"Kagari you're so pretty."
"I love your hair! Is it dyed?"
"Shut your mouth, you smurf!" Kagari answered with a smile.
Her insults only made the girls cheer more. "Hahah, she called me a smurf!"
Mato watched on, with mixed feelings.
…
First period break…
"Well, heck if that wasn't a surprise! Why didn't you tell me?" Mato stood on the tips of her toes as she scolded Yomi. Yomi leaned against a window in the hall, with a nervous smile as she tried to explain.
"Well, I was surprised too. Kagari asked my father to make the arrangements a little after she came home from the hospital. The whole family was surprised. Kagari's parents say they're really happy she's finally getting on with her life."
"Ah, well that's great and all… But, it's still one hell of a sudden change." Mato said with some skepticism.
"Tell me about it!" Yomi said with a chuckle. "All I know is, I don't have to wait on her hand and foot any longer, and my dad is happy he doesn't need to pay for her medical care anymore. In fact, He's so happy he wants to take the whole family to the Amusement Park for a family outing. Once he finds some free time in his schedule of course…"
"Ohh, can I come too?" Mato asked all too happily.
"Sure! It wouldn't be any fun without you there. I'll ask him." Yomi said with a smile.
"Good! Is he paying?"
"You betcha!"
Mato made a fist and punched it into the air. "Then I'll be sure to stuff my face when we get there!"
Both girls broke out into laughter.
Mato stopped, when she saw the look of panic on Yuu's face as she ran toward them. "Yuu, what's wrong?"
Yuu slowed her pace and came to a stop in front of Mato "It's -huff- Kohata-senpai, -huff- she came to school today!"
"What? You mean she's alright?" Mato turned to Yomi, "Ah, I'm sorry Yomi! We can talk later!" and rushed off down the hall with Yuu.
Yomi watched them go and felt forlornness in her heart. 'Why does it always feel like I'm watching the back of their heads?'
("Well, who would want to be around a monster?")
("Especially one as dangerous as you…")
Yomi's face went stiff as she (as always) ignored the voice in her head.
Arata held up her bandaged ankle to a crowd of well-wishers. "I just sprained it a little." She said with a chuckle.
"We were all scared when we heard you passed out!" one of the girls in the crowed commented.
Arata put her hand behind her head nervously. "I was surprised too! People don't just pass out from minor sprains. Heheh!"
The girl who had tripped Arata not so long ago, cried in happiness. "I'm so glad! I'm so glad you're okay coach!"
"Well, I probably won't be able to play the preliminaries. So…" Arata grabbed Mato and put her in a choke hold. "This girly here will have to push the team through for me!"
Mato cringed as Arata's arm squeezed the air out of her. "Hohohoh! And, to make sure we're all ready, practice during lunch!" She announced.
There was an up-roar of rejections to the idea from the other girls. Arata ignored them. The school bell rung and the girls headed off to their next classes.
Yuu tried to approach Arata. "Ne, Kohata-"
"-Damn, my ankle does still hurt after all." Arata passed Yuu by without even a second glance.
Yuu looked down and smiled, albeit sadly…
Yomi looked to Kagari in surprise. "Eh? The Cooking club?"
Kagari nodded. "Yeah, we make sweets."
Yomi thought for a moment, and then shrugged. "Hmm, well I suppose you're free to do as you like. Are you sure you can manage it alone?"
"She won't be alone! Right, Kagari?" Immediately three girls flanked to Kagari's side and put their arms around her. "Let's go! The seniors want to have a word with you."
Yomi stood in confusion as she watched them walk off. 'What… just happened?'
("You were left behind again… That's what.")
…
"Uh, how should I put it?" Yomi said nervously, grasping at one of her curls. Saya opened her cabinet to grab two coffee mugs.
"I'm feeling a little out of control with my emotions lately. I keep going from one feeling to another and I can't seem to keep a leash on my jealousy."
Saya put the mug on the coffee maker and brewed a cup.
"I realized that the people I care for are going to have people they care for too. And I know I shouldn't act so selfishly, but… I've never had anyone I could truly call my own. And to see the person I love, go off with someone else… It just makes me.." Yomi sighed.
"I see.. so it's jealousy, huh?" Saya handed Yomi a cup of coffee. "You've grown into quite the little.. green eyed monster, haven't you?"
Yomi put her mug down and her eyes went wide at Saya's comment. "W-what?"
Saya smiled jokingly. "Oh, don't take it so personally! Most girls your age are possessive of the things they love. I'll bet even that Kuroi girl you gush about has her moments of jealousy too." She said taking a sip of her coffee.
Yomi shook her head in disagreement. "That's not possible. Mato and I are exact opposites. She's.. kind and sweet, outgoing, and is never willing to watch someone suffer, if she can help it. She's the most… the most perfect person in the world, and.. and I'm…" Yomi's eye's watered and her hands began to shake.
"…Anything but?" Saya supplied for her. "A monster in other words?" She whispered taking another sip of her coffee.
Yomi swallowed the lump in her throat and tried to calm her nerves. Coming here had most definitely been a bad idea.
The door to Saya's office opened and Yuu walked in. "Saya-sensei? Oh, Yomi. You came here too?" She asked noticing Yomi on the couch.
"I'll be leaving." Yomi said simply. She stood up and walked out the room, not bothering to give Yuu a second glance. Yuu looked down again sadly for the second time that day.
Saya smirked from behind her coffee mug. "So… that's how it is, huh?"
Mato and Yomi sat at their meeting bench out in the court yard for lunch. Yomi looked over to Mato and noted her tired body language, and giggled. Mato had laid her head back over the bench and a trail of drool was making its way down her cheek. Her legs and arms twitched every few seconds in pain. Poor Mato looked deflated.
"Maybe you should take it easy for a while Mato. You're gonna burn out if you keep up like this." Yomi suggested taking a bite from her bento. Mato had yet to even open her lunch.
"Ughh… I can't. Since Kohata-senpai is injured, she wants me to push the team through to the semi-finals."
"So the whole team's depending on you, huh?" Yomi said taking another bit of her lunch.
"Yeah, more or less.. Oh, I'm sorry Yomi. We won't be able to walk home together for a while. Coach is making everyone stay after school for extra practice." Mato informed Yomi, sitting up straight and wiping away her drool.
"So… I guess Yuu is going to be staying after too?" Yomi felt like slapping herself. Why did she always do this? Why did she always torture herself with those questions?
"Yep, we're gonna need "super manager" to tape us together. Once coach Kohata… tears us to pieces." Mato said with a shudder.
Yomi managed to give Mato a sympathetic. "Well, I'll be routing for you!"
"Hmmm! I'll do my best." Mato looked toward Yomi and noticed the apathetic look on her face. "Ne, Yomi? Are you upset?"
Yomi shrugged. "Maybe… Just a little."
Mato began to panic. "Eh? If it upsets you that much, I can walk you home! Really-"
"-It's not you Mato. It's me…"
"…Seriously? I'm getting the "it's not you, it's me" speech?" Mato asked tilting her head.
Yomi chuckled slightly. "Don't you know? Sometimes… monsters are just never happy with anything." She said barely above a whisper.
"What? Who called you that? TELL ME YOMI! Anybody who insults my girlfriend is getting their lights knocked out!" Mato exclaimed grasping Yomi by the shoulders.
Yomi smiled and planted a soft kiss on Mato's lips, effectively calming her.
Mato sat surprised for a moment. "…Don't think you're gonna change my mind with just that!"
Well, the kiss almost calmed her.
"Heheheh, don't worry about it anymore!" Yomi said with a laugh.
"But Yomi-"
"-Here, take my lunch! You need the nutrients and I'm suddenly not hungry." She handed Mato her bento.
Mato looked down at Yomi's half eaten lunch and then back at Yomi.
It was all too easy to tell, the smile Yomi was wearing…
…was faked.
Enough was enough… She had decided. She was tired of being tossed about like someone's throw thing. Not so long ago, she had once been a Queen of this dark realm. Now she was left to be used like some rag doll, and depending on others like Black Rock Shooter to rescue her. It was positively disgraceful…
NO MORE!
Dead Master gathered the spirits within the old moldy grave yard she'd been tossed, and took them unto herself.
('Power… I still need more power!')
She wrapped herself inside her chains, creating a cocoon of sorts. A nest where she could take back all the evil the darkness had to offer. Once she had that, all that was left was…
("Yoooomi…") She crooned quietly. ("Yomi… You can't continue to ignore me forever.")
The cocoon in which she floated began to multiply in size.
("Come… come to me. Give me… your darkness again. Let me be whole once more.")
Far off into the distance, Black Gold Saw watched with amusement as Dead Master desperately attempted to take back what had been stolen from her not so long ago. It was quite humorous, really. When would she learn? There was but one queen that reigned in this reality.
And Black Gold Saw was determined to protect that Queen no matter what.
("Go ahead. Gather your power; take all the darkness unto yourself if you must. It'll be all the more entertaining when you lose… again.") Black Gold Saw murmured as she walked off into the darkness and out of sight.
Yomi sat with Kagari playing a board game. At the very least, Kagari was playing. Yomi had other things on her mind.
"Ah! You have Baltic Avenue. Sell it to me?" Kagari urged holding up play money from the game.
"Huh? No I need it." She said not really concentrating on the game.
"Oh come on! Sell it! Sell it! Sell it-"
"-Oh for heaven's sake, just take it!" Yomi exclaimed, angrily thrusting the card toward Kagari.
"Damn it all… I didn't want this!"
"Ehh?" Kagari asked, confused.
"I didn't want to feel this again, didn't want to have this hate in my heart again. This horrible ugliness within me. I feel… I feel like I could... just die." Yomi whispered as tears formed in her eyes.
"Y-Yomi…" Kagari muttered nervously.
Yomi wiped her stray tears, and curled herself into a ball, wrapping her arms around her legs. "I really am… a monster. Aren't I? Just what exactly... does Mato see in me?" She asked as more tears began to fall.
Kagari looked down at the Baltic Avenue card in her hand, unsure of what to do or say next.
"Why didn't you do your homework yesterday?" Ms. Kuroi scolded as Mato ran to the breakfast table.
"Because, I was dog tired!" Mato complained as she scarfed down her milk. "No time to sit and eat. Gotta run!" She put her buttered toast in her mouth and ran to the door.
"Mato get back here! It's bad manners to do that!"
Hiro picked up his toast copied Mato. "I wanna do it too!" He said happily, as he ran off to gather his school things.
Ms. Kuroi sighed in defeat. She just couldn't keep up with her wild kids any more…
Mato ran the distance to her usual spot to wait for Yomi but stopped midway when Kagari walked up the block. "Ah! Kagari!" Mato called out.
"Good morning… Ah, where's Yomi? Isn't she with you?"
Kagari smirked and took Mato by the arm. "Heh, you will take me to school." She ordered not giving Mato a choice. She began to tug Mato along, despite her protests.
"Wha? Wait a minute! Wh-what about Yoomiiiiii?"
Just above their heads, storm clouds began to gather.
…
Mato looked back at Kagari as she sat at her desk quiet and contemplative. It was odd; Kagari was always so "up in your face." It wasn't like her to be so… silent.
Yomi slammed open the door to Mato's class room, a stern look on her face. Mato instantly tried to hide herself behind her text book. Yomi snatched it away.
"Ehehe, g-good morni-"
"What happened? -huff- Why did you leave without me this morning? -huff-" Yomi said glaring at Mato.
Mato noticeably began to sweat bullets where she sat. Her girlfriend was mad at her and she had no idea what to do. How did guys normally handle this sort of situation with girls? "Uhh.. I'm sorry Yom-"
"-I waited for you for over half an hour. You could've at least sent me a text if you were just going take off without me!"
Mato held up her hands, still sweating. "I'm sorry! It's just that Kagari asked me to take her, and dragged me to the train. So…"
"Kagari?" Yomi's eyes widened in surprise and then immediately turned her glare to Kagari. Kagari sank into her seat unsure of what to say. "…Well Kagari? What's your excuse?" Yomi ask narrowing her eyes.
"I'm sorry." Was all Kagari could muster.
"I'm sorry? That's all either of you has to say?" Yomi asked, looking back and forth between Kagari and Mato.
"What are you so upset for?" One of Kagari's friends commented. "Are you their keeper or something?"
Yomi just narrowed her eyes and marched out of the class room, making sure to slam the door behind herself.
Mato winced as it went BAM! And Yomi's heavy footsteps stomped off.
'Shit! Now I've done it!' Mato thought, cowering. Yomi wouldn't break up with her over this, would she? Damn she needed a solution and fast! Where was a flower shop when she needed one?
"Geeze, what's Takanashi's problem? Don't worry about her Kagari. You too Kuroi-kun! She doesn't own you two!" Another one of Kagari's friends commented.
Mato just sighed and laid her head down on her desk. Having an angry girlfriend was no fun…
Mato cooled herself off at water fountain after gym class, contemplating on how she would make up today's disgrace to Yomi. Surely there was some way to make her anger go away?
Off to the side someone handed her a towel. She accepted gratefully. "Ah thanks-"
She was surprised to see that it was Kagari and not Yuu who had handed it to her. "-Kagari?"
"What should I give her?"
"Huh? Give who?" Mato asked wiping her face.
"Should I sell her Pennsylvania Avenue? Should I make her tea the way she always did for me? Should I… give her all my pretty colored macaroons, and eat the dirty ones myself?"
That last one sent a shiver up Mato's spine. "You mean… Yomi right?"
"Hmm. I just…" Kagari said placing her hand on one of the faucets attached to the water fountain.
"I used to believe, that if I wasn't coddled then I could never get what I wanted. I was… scared to do things myself. So, I bullied everyone into doing things for me, especially Yomi. I thought it was the only way I could be happy… But, things are different now."
Kagari turned to Mato and gave her a smile. "I threw out my wheelchair, I'm doing well in my studies, and I've even become popular! I never dreamed I could be this happy!"
Mato could only give her a nervous smile.
"But what do I do about Yomi? I realized, when you told me off, that I was depending on everyone else to take care of me. And poor Yomi, I worked her to the bone. So, I wanna do something for her too. Just something to.. maybe say… I'm sorry? But, I don't know how to do things for other people."
"Kagari…"
"How… How can I do something for Yomi?"
Mato gave Kagari a sympathetic smile and walked to her.
…
Yomi looked out into the gymnasium with mixed feelings. Should she play Volleyball today? It might help her workout her frustration. On the other hand, she just didn't have the energy right now.
'I'm just a jealous, green eyed monster.'
Yomi hadn't had the energy to do much of anything lately…
'A green eyed monster, that can't even see past her own jealousy...'
Yomi walked away from the gym without going in, lost deep in her thoughts.
'And even though I don't deserve it, I still want…'
She roamed the halls, not really caring about her next destination.
'I still… want your love…'
'Mato.'
The nest grew larger by the moment, spreading outward. It pulsed with a green light. Even though they were not as one, Dead Master fed off of Yomi's emotions.
Her hatred and anger for herself flowed into Dead Master's very core, and empowered her beyond measure. But it was still not as good as having Yomi actually there.
Dead Master continued to float silently as she listened in on Yomi's thoughts.
'I'm a green eyed monster, that can't see past her jealousy... Even with the most loving person in the world, by her side…'
At last, Yomi's resolve was breaking. Full power would be hers again! Dead Master was certain. Yomi would come of her own free will, soon enough.
She just had to wait…
Mato walked with Kagari to the gym.
"So, you joined the cooking club, huh? Did you bake her something then?" Mato asked as the smell of sweets began to waft from the yellow bag Kagari held.
"Yep, I made her some Madeleines."
"Ah! That might just work. Uh… But what do I give her? She was mostly mad at me this morning." Mato asked getting nervous as they neared Yomi's Volleyball club.
"Yomi's in love." Kagari said happily. "I can tell, because she cries a lot when she thinks about you."
Mato immediately stopped walking when she'd heard that.
"I'm sure if you just apologize she'll forgi- Huh? What's wrong?" Kagari asked, noticing Mato was no longer walking with her.
"Yomi.. cries about me?" Mato asked her eyes going wide, suddenly filled with worry.
"Uh huh, she's got it real bad for you. So don't worry. I'll bet, one apology is all it takes and Yomi will be all over you!" Kagari answered with glee.
"But… why would she cry over me? Did I do something wrong?" Mato asked looking at her feet.
"Don't you know anything about romance?" Kagari answered in a scolding tone of voice. "It's perfectly normal for a woman to cry about the one she loves!" She said, suddenly getting in Mato's face.
"N-normal? Really?" Mato asked trying to back away.
"Oh come on! Haven't you ever cried over Yomi? Even once?"
Mato thought for a moment. "I have, but only when we were fighting. I always figured being in love should be something that makes a person happy… People still cry even when they're happily in love?"
Something about that logic didn't click in Mato's mind.
"Well I cried for Yomi a few times in the past. Or… at least I think I did.. I can't.. quite remember it too well." Kagari said scratching her cheek.
"Look, just take my word for it. Yomi's not nearly as upset as you think. Trust me; she wants you just as badly as you want her." Kagari claimed as she continued into the gym.
Mato could only follow behind after her.
…
"Ehh? Yomi's not here?" Mato asked the Volleyball club captain, visibly upset.
"Nope, Takanashi-san didn't show up to day. It's a real pain the way she keeps skipping out on practice. We have a tournament coming up, and we need her to play!" She complained.
Mato and Kagari could only look at each other with forlorn faces.
…
Mato sat on the bench in the school's court yard nearly on the verge of tears. Kagari stood not too far from her.
"This is revenge for this morning."
"Eh? What makes you say that?" Kagari asked.
"It must be. We took off without saying anything, now she's taken off without telling us. She's definitely mad…" Mato murmured, clutching her cellphone.
"That's stupid. Yomi doesn't have a single vengeful bone in her body!" Kagari claimed stroking her ponytail.
"You'd be surprised of what Yomi's capable of." Mato said quirking an eyebrow. 'Besides, you've never met Dead Master.' She thought silently, rubbing the back of her neck.
"Well, I'll go home and check on her. You coming'?" Kagari asked.
"No, I can't. My basketball coach will chew me out if I miss practice. I'll call her later."
Kagari shrugged and walked off, Mato sighed as she left. Of all the thoughts she could've had on her mind right now, there was but one…
'Why is love so freakin' stressful?'
Yomi lay faced down on her bed, buried under her comforter. Her blue school uniform had been stripped off and lay, scattered about on the floor of her room.
There was a knock at her door.
"Yomi? Yomi, its Kagari. Open up."
"Go away." Was Yomi's response.
"Yomi…" Kagari thought for a moment before pulling a bobby pin out of her. She bent down and silently picked the lock on Yomi's door.
When at last she heard a click, the door unlocked and she opened it. Kagari was surprised to see all of Yomi's things tossed about the floor, Yomi was always such a tidy person.
She approached cautiously, unsure of how Yomi would react to her presence. Silently and calm as possible, she sat down on the bed next to her. Yomi didn't say a word.
"Yomi… Yomi are you suffering right now?" Kagari asked rubbing Yomi's back gently.
"…Why? Are you gonna stick me with more needles if I say yes?" Yomi asked contemptibly, not lifting her head from her pillow.
"Huh? Needles?" Kagari asked not quite understanding. She clutched her yellow bag close. "I baked you some Madeleines, as my way of saying thanks for all you did for me… and I'm sorry."
"For what?" Yomi asked suddenly lifting her head. Kagari shivered, the look in Yomi's eyes was so cold. "What are you sorry for Kagari?" Yomi asked once more.
Kagari looked down, unable to face the persecution in Yomi's gaze. In truth? Kagari was not even sure…
Why was she sorry?
"Right…" Yomi muttered slamming her head back down on her pillow. "Just put them on my dresser. I'll eat them later… Thank you."
Kagari stood up and did as she was told. Her hand lingered on the bag for a moment before turning her gaze back to Yomi. "Ne, Yomi…? I think. I might go back to my parents soon. They did say they were going to rent a place out here, so I might go. I don't wanna go back to Germany. Is.. Is it okay if I stay in this town?"
"Why are you asking my permission? …just do as you please." Yomi stated simply.
Kagari smiled. "Oh good, because I really like my new school and this town too."
Yomi was silent again. Kagari walked back over to her bed. "Yomi, you know if she's making you this miserable… Wouldn't it be better for you to forget Kuroi-kun?"
Yomi's eye widened, unable to believe what she'd just heard.
"I mean.. it's not as if there aren't other people out there who can love you better than her. People much nicer, much classier than Kuroi-kun. Why not dump her and get someone else?" Kagari asked stroking her ponytail.
Yomi reached out and backhanded Kagari across the face.
"Don't you dare talk about Mato as if you suddenly know her." Yomi exclaimed lowly as tears formed in her eyes. "I love Mato! More than anything…"
"If you love her so much then why are you mad at her?" Kagari asked not bothering to regard the red that was forming on her right cheek.
"Whoever once told I was mad at Mato? I'm not mad at her at all! I have no reason to be… I'm mad at myself." Yomi said, sitting up and curling into the fetal position. "I'm mad… because she's so wonderful. And I'm the worst!" Yomi said in between sobs.
"It not her fault at all, it never is… I wanted to be like that. To be like her… who's so open and honest with her feelings. When I came back, I wanted to change. I wanted to be someone she could depend on. The way she's always been for me."
"Huh? Come back from where?" Kagari asked once again not understanding.
"But it's no good. I can't… My darkness will never let me go. And maybe it's better.. If I gave in to it."
Yomi stood up, clad in nothing but her panties and bra. She brushed past Kagari and out the door, not caring if anyone saw her, and walked into the bathroom down the hall. Kagari followed behind a little while after, and pressed her ear to the door. The shower was running.
Kagari sighed and walked back to her room, no longer wishing to deal with Yomi's troubles.
Yomi sat in the tub, once more curled in the fetal position. The water was freezing as it cascaded down her body in waves. She ignored it.
("Cold is perfect for your empty heart isn't it… Yomi?")
("You can't be happy over there. You never have been and you never will be.")
("Eventually you won't have a choice. You will come to me.. and I promise, never again will you feel pain…")
Yomi had but one thought as she let her tears mix with the cold water.
'Why was this life so suffering?'
A/N - Ah, young grasshoppers, you still have much to learn about the facts of life and love. And I guarantee you Yomi; your suffering has only just begun!
But don't worry, I'm sure you and Mato can "wing" your way through it before the end of the next chapter. You're gonna have to. After the next chapter… shit hits the fan!
Will post the rest of episode four later. For now, go review. They keep me company late at night.
