The Crying Planet
A Blood+ Sequel
By Michiyo Ichimaru
A/N: I don't own Blood+. Blood+ belongs to various people including, but not limited to Aniplex, since I really don't know who all owns it. I am not making money of any sort, because it's really just about fun, and of course, to show what I think. So, I hope you enjoy it and will take the time to leave a review for me! hint, hint Thanks for the ones that I've already gotten! Keep leaving them! Love, all.
Chapter Eleven: Helplessness, Hopelessness
Riku stared at the two girls contently sitting in his arms. They were lively girls, and kept talking and asking questions. If the situation had been different… he would have loved to be able to hold them and talk about the past and tell them stories and pointless facts just for fun. But the circumstances were quite different and the world he was living in and the rope he was walking on was quite fragile. For him, the only thing he could do was assure them that at least, the one fact he told them when he came for them was true.
He could tell them no more…
In the distance, a song began. Ayame's eyes widened and her grin increased two-fold. "That's mommy! I know it!" Without warning, she struggled free from Riku and ran ahead into the darkness where Riku saw her disappear. Celis became panicked, and Riku took off after Ayame. But she was already safe, found by her mother, Diva, and currently cradled in her arms as Diva whispered words of love through a beautiful opera aria that sang of hope and unrequited, unconditional love.
Although he was unsure of her motives or if she was genuine at all, he put it behind him, knowing that his case was hopeless. As long as she held the leash, he was chained to her forever, to do all she asked.
"My sweet children welcome home. How I have missed seeing your smiling faces!" Diva smiled beautifully, hugging Ayame tighter and reaching out gently for Celis, motioning for her to join them on her small throne: a table in the midst of a messy laboratory. Riku wished he could tell them not to do it, but she was watching him so intensely, beckoning to him in the same way she called to the kids. "Come here, Riku. You have done a wonderful job. Our work is soon done and then we can rest and we won't have to fight anymore."
"You seem so certain. What makes you think everything will work to your advantage, anyway? It's likely that something will go wrong if all of them fight back against you. No one's luck is so perfect." He said, sitting on the floor close enough to make her happy, but distant enough that he didn't feel as uncomfortable. She seemed to notice, but didn't say anything and laughed simply.
"Because it will. I have complete faith in my good luck. Fate is on my side, if you can't tell. Otherwise I wouldn't be so lucky to have you and my sweet children beside me now…" she said, looking down lovingly at the two children. Celis was nervously squirming, but Ayame was quickly enraptured by her mother's beautiful face and the voice that sounded like the most beautiful of all the angels'.
Riku sighed in defeat, looking away, unable to deal with the fact of his betrayal. More than anything, he wanted to fight Diva. But this was something he was incapable of doing. It was her who brought him back with her across the river of death, and he was bound to her, by the strength she used to resurrect his living breath and undead soul. Now both were at her command until someone forced them apart. So he prayed for Saya to come and overpower the demon who ensnared his help.
Reaching up, Ayame brushed her mother's soft hair. "Auntie always told us that you were beautiful. I knew that I just had to meet you one day!" she said excitedly. "Kai said that I had your voice…" she smiled proudly, like there was nothing better in the whole wide world. This made Diva reflect the same pride as she grinned happily.
"Is that so? I'm so happy that I was able to bring about such beautiful bright lives, full of talent and hope." She said, hugging them both. A loud crash in the distance made Celis jump and run from Diva's arms towards Riku. Diva looked about in a calm manner and giggled airily. "They're here already. Not bad for such a rag-tag team of misfits." She said, putting down Ayame and spreading her arms and dancing about childishly. "Let's fight, Riku! Fight for me, beside me, always!"
If Riku hadn't known better, he would have guessed that there was a sign of true sweetness in her words. But knowing Diva, it only made him worry more. When she started acting, the world became her stage and anything was possible for her. Without limits, she would fight and kill and claim until she was satisfied for a time. Diva would never be fully satisfied… desires inside her were too strong, and she wanted the world, like a child wants a toy. She would do anything to get it…
Outside, Haji and Saya landed, with Lulu a few seconds later a few feet back. "Be careful, okay?" she asked nervously, fidgeting and pressing her pointer fingers together anxiously. Saya looked back and smiled, nodding.
"We will bring Riku back… Celis and Ayame too! Don't worry…" she said, turning to Haji and motioning for him to follow her. But upon facing the laboratory, the three of them realized that they weren't alone anymore. Diva was standing in front, with Riku next to her. Ayame was holding the edge of Diva's dress and leaning forward excitedly. Celis held on to Riku's pants, hiding behind his legs and only poking her face out enough to use her eyes to see the situation unfolding.
"Welcome." Diva said in a bright voice, bowing generously with a smile on her face. Riku looked frozen in a horrified state of distress, as he looked into Saya's face and realized that they were on opposite sides and there was nothing that he could do about it. Finding the will to move, he looked at the ground, ashamed of himself and unable to meet his friends' eyes. Diva's eyes narrowed and she lifted his chin swiftly but gently. "Do not. Be strong right now, if only because I say so. Our happiness depends on it!"
He hated it, but in a sense… she was right. His existence right now was due to her strength. Without her, he'd probably be unable to stay. Against his wishes, he kept his head held high, but refused to look at Saya, who looked sad, but it was more than he hoped for. She pitied him. Somehow, she knew of his dilemma, and looked on him with pity rather than disgust at his betrayal. Normally one doesn't enjoy being pitied, but Riku found it to be a great relief in this situation. It gave him a sense of hope.
Saya took her sword from Haji and frowned at Diva. "I don't know how you can be so calm, but… I won't let you get away with this! I'm going to free Riku and the twins from whatever evil you have plotted to use them for. At first… when you died… I felt sorry for you. But using people this way… I can NEVER forgive you for hurting the people I love!"
Diva grinned. "This is going to be one exciting confrontation!"
Sorry it took so long! I got so into reading Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicles, that I haven't had as much time for writing as I would have liked. Anyway, please review. I hope you liked it. Now that I've finished reading the 166 chapters of Tsubasa that are out, I shouldn't be falling behind for a while now… Hopefully there will be another chapter soon! Until then…
Michiyo Ichimaru
