Phew~! Now I am very drained and will not be able to write for days.
I'm tired, and I'm sorry if this chapter is stupid and ugly. I hope the length makes up for it – I tried to make it longer.
And I'm sssssoooooorrrrrrryyyyyyyyy for not coming up with one sooner, I'm tired and kind of busy, and working on three pieces at once – the other two I'm not even going to post, so I wonder why I even bother. Bleh.
Kirei is Kasumi, Yui and Miaka's friend. She's the one narrating Chapter 6 (Or was it 9? Oh well. She narrated one of the Chapters.) She's a model and a pretty good student, and can play the violin (Kasumi can play the guitar).
Yes, your notes cheer me up immensely. And I'm so glad you like my descriptions, I thought I was kind of weak in that aspect.
I'll try to work faster next time, but I need your encouragement more than ever!
Jaa~
Chapter 14. Although my Life is Over... (Kasumi)**(Nuriko)
"This is just crazy..." I groaned. "Whose idea was it to open this book, anyway?"
Yui was blinking and blinking, as though she were trying to make the image in front of us disappear. Huh. As if that would help. Miaka kept saying, "I don't believe it!" And I was fighting the strong urge to reply, "Well, you'd better, 'cuz it's true!" A few misty wisps of white swirled about us, Yui, Miaka and I and our *other selves*. Our replicas. I know, I know. It seems like I'm talking nonsense. But it's true, there they were - another me, another Miaka, and another sarcastic Yui who kept grinning like a snake.
"So, girlies. How do you like it so far, here, in this mirror? You know, the food is getting cold." The 'evil' Miaka said. I saw the 'real' Miaka wince and move a little closer to the table. Yui shot her a glance, daring her to go any further. I screamed with rage, "GIRLIE? Oh JEEZ, Miaka! Your twin is driving me NUTS!" "Nuts? Mmm, I like nuts!" Miaka said, like the stupid idiot that she was. "Oh, for Pete's sake. Let's bust our way out of here." Turning and staring at the mirror, I reeled back and threw my fist forward with as much strength as I could (I was still feeling weak). Smack! It collided with the mirror with a terrific sound, and one of my knuckles went 'crack 'and bled.
"Kasumi!" Yui dashed towards me. "Don't try anything reckless like that!"
Her fussing was interrupted by a snicker from the 'evil' Yui. "I'm sorry to disappoint you two, but hitting the mirror won't work. Don't try to force it to give way - it'll just backfire, and this time I bet all your knuckles will burst." I turned to her, and with a voice of equal calm and a tinge bit more of icy coldness, spat out:
"Then what will? What will work?"
***
(Nuriko Surprise Mini-Chapter)
"Oh, Nuriko. I thought you'd be more careful! Now look. We've lost Kasumi!" Lord Hotohori was making me feel like horse-droppings. I was ready to cry. "I-I'm sorry, my Lord, I was sure nothing would happen this time. B-but, when the little storm arose, I couldn't keep my eye on her anymore..." Why, oh why, did Kasumi always give me trouble? Whether she was asleep or awake, I was always in trouble when I was with her. That girl! She must be a demon from hell, I decided. Yes, that's it. She's come here to ruin my life and break all the chances of me with Hotohori. It isn't fair! It isn't fair! "We'll have to begin search. Next time, Nuriko, please be more careful. Okay?" I nodded my head bashfully, mentally smacking myself over and over.
You stupid seishi! What good are you, if you can't even keep watch on the Miko's friend? What use are you? I taunted myself. "Let's hope Tamahome was more careful than we were." Hoto glared at me. I tried not to whimper. "Well then, let's get -" He suddenly paused in mid-sentence. I stared at him. "What is it, my Lord? Is something the matter?" I questioned him as innocently as I could. "Shhhh! I hear something! Over there - in the bushes!" Shutting up and perking up my ear like a dog, I listened. Rustle, rustle...yes, something was there! I panicked.
Hotohori looked firm and grave as he clutched the handle of his sword.
If this was another Seiryuu Star Warrior, I'd go berserk.
Something stepped out of the bushes, and I clutched my cheeks and opened my mouth in a silent scream. Hotohori dashed forward and slashed at whatever came out. I gasped, and stared, waiting for the blood to splash. The person was still in the shadows. Then came a stunned, "Whoa!" Tamahome stepped out of the bushes, holding his hands up and looking shocked. There was a big rip on his shirt where Hotohori had slashed, but thankfully he wasn't hit (was he?). "Tama -" I started. " - home?" Hotohori finished. We both flapped our mouths open like fishes. Then finally Hotohori said, "Thank goodness I didn't hurt you! Are you all right? Where are the girls?"
At that, Tamahome cast his eyes downward.
"We got into a little argument, and, well, they ran away, and now...they're missing." He muttered fearfully. Hotohori's face was murder. At that moment, he wasn't looking very pretty. "WHAT?!?!" He yelled incredulously. Tama hung his head like a little puppy dog. "You - you - ugh..." Hotohori was at a loss for words. Finally he got his voice back and barked, ever so sternly - "Let's start searching right away! Right now! Get moving!" As we rummaged through trees and shrubs and other icky forest stuff, I silently thanked Tamahome.
Yes, thanked. Why?
Because he had lost someone too. Two of them, in fact. And one was the Miko.
Goody.
***
"Oh, I'm not saying." The Yui replied. The Miaka and me giggled. (This is getting MIGHTY confusing.)
"Well, you can't keep us here forever," Yui shrieked, a little softly. "Our friends will find us and - and - and find a way to get us out of here!" She certainly didn't sound like she meant it. "Friends, huh?" The other me snorted. Then snapping her fingers, she directed us: "Why don't you go look at the mirror? Do you think they'll be able to find you?" All three heads turned and stared.
There was Hotohori, Nuriko and Tama. Searching for us. Yelling our names.
"Oy, you BAKAS!! We're over here!" I screamed, waving my hands and trying to do S.O.S. signs. "Gosh, are you foolish. Like I told you, calling to them won't work." God, I wanted to punch that Yui. Punch all her stomach guts out of her, in fact. "You know, little ladies, it's getting quite boring here chatting with you." Grinning at her evil friends, the evil Yui said, "Let's get going." Turning to leave, they were stopped by Miaka.
"Wait!" She cried, looking fierce. Wow. I didn't know she had it in her.
"Where are you going? Tell me!" She demanded. "Out. To impersonate you guys." The 'other' Miaka snickered. Miaka (the good one) didn't really get it, and I guess it showed, because the other Miaka said, ever so haughtily..."What I mean is, I like Hotohori better than Tamahome, and I think he ought to know it. Oh, and you know, none of us really intend on returning to this mirror." "Eh?" Miaka replied, but the three had already gone off, giggling in their extremely annoying way.
They were suddenly out of the mirror. We were trapped. Alone. I stared at the shimmering glass mirror, and smacked my fist against it once more, though a little dully this time. Nothing happened. Outside the mirror, I could see the three of us (bad), chatting and smiling. "Since you guys have been so good, we planned a little surprise for you. We're going to give you front seats to the show!" Miaka (bad) called into the mirror. She handed the frickin' thing to the evil me, who slung it over her shoulder and grinned. "Time to find them," she announced.
I slumped against Yui, who did the same.
"What now?" I asked. I don't think I expected anybody to answer.
Nobody did, anyway.
***
(Nuriko Surprise Mini-Chapter)
Rummage, rummage, rummage. Didn't those girls do anything but cause trouble?
It was stupid, really. How could you expect to find a girl hiding in the bushes? Still, I didn't complain as I bent over and pushed aside a couple of weeds. My back ached, and I paused to wipe the sweat off my brow. As I raised my hand to flick off the sweat beads, I thought I heard Miaka's voice. "Nuri~ko!" She yelled, in her stupid genki way. I must be imagining things..."Nuriko! Can't you hear me?" It really does sound like her...."Nuriko! It's me, Miaka!!" It couldn't be...Miaka? Suddenly a hand clamped on my shoulder.
I turned and was face-to-face with...
MIAKA!!
A mixture of relief, anger and annoyance filled me. "You!" Was all I could utter. I was about to grab her and squish her intestines out when she rushed past me - running to - Hotohori! Surprise gripped me. I had expected her to run for Tamahome first. "Oh darling, I'm so sorry to worry you! That silly girl Yui ran away, so I tried to stop her. But at least we're back now...I can't stand to be away from you, even if it's just a few minutes." Wait! What was that idiot saying? And where were Kasumi and Yui? I sensed something suspicious going on.
"Miaka!" Hotohori exclaimed. His voice was filled with surprise. His face was full of it too. "Are you alright? Did something harm you? Where are the others? Have you seen Kasumi?" The words dashed out of his mouth hurriedly. "Nope. I'm fine. The girls should be getting here soon. What about you, my love? Did anything bother you in my absence? I should really hate for you to get hurt, you know." Tamahome stared at this all in shock. I stared at this all in shock and disgust. Miaka's voice was waaay to drippy, and her smile had a sinister gleam. "Oy!" Kasumi and Yui came running up behind me. I turned, angrily.
"What is going on? Why is Miaka acting like such a baka?" I demanded, as though they would know. "I don't see why you should be so angry, Nuriko. Miaka always had feelings for Hotohori, such as I do with Tamahome." Yui stalked towards the dazed Tama, and, very openly, planted a kiss on his gawking mouth. He recoiled. I don't really know how to describe it, but he jerked back, pushed Yui away and stared in a frightening way at her. Then his eyes narrowed. His eyebrows were arched. "Heika - something - something's not right!!"
I personally thought Tamahome was just jealous, even if something didn't quite fit in. And Miaka was practically slobbering all over Hotohori, who could hardly believe his luck. That's why I don't think Hotohori heard him. Miaka leaned over, and whispered into his ear (if you could call it a whisper - all of us heard it.) "May I have a word with you, Hotohori? In private?" "Um." Hotohori looked stunned. "Sure." They moved away. I gaped after them. This was insane!! This was horrific!!
A few trees away they went. I was going to inch closer, but Kasumi blocked me. "Hello, my dear friend Nuriko. I suggest you don't butt in on them, they're having a private moment. May I interest you with an arm wrestling match?" Arm wrestling? Piffle! Kasumi knew how much stronger I was then her! Still, I agreed. "Fine." I could break her arm and then dash after my love, no harm done. Rolling up my sleeve, I gripped her hand tightly. She grinned. "Ready - set - go!" This would be over in a matter of seconds..."Agh!" I cried, surprised at her strength. Our hands were frozen in place, but shaking. I stared at her. Since when did she become a champion wrestler?
Something was DEFINATELY not right.
And I was going to find out what it was.
***
This was a movie. And a terrible, R-rated one at that. But I was enjoying what my other self was doing. At least I was wrestling Nuriko, and winning at that. But the other Yui! She was a total flirt! And the other Miaka! Dripping with fakery. They'd find out in a minute. We were all staring at the mirror in stunned silence. "What are we going to do?" Yui sighed and buried her face in her hands. "Go get her!!" I hissed softly to the other Kasumi. "That's it! Shake it to the right!! Yeah! Alright!" I could see Miaka itching to eat the food, but not daring.
Silence again. I was starting to feel uneasy. "Are we just going to keep sitting here like idiots? I'm getting really bored." Stretching, I yawned. "Kasumi! Don't you care what happens to Tamahome and Hotohori? If what I believe is right, they're going to get hurt! And you don't seem to care at all!!" Yui was furious. She liked Tamahome that much? I glanced at her. "Hm? Them? Naaah, I don't care. I just wanna get out of here." True enough. "Will somebody please tell me HOW TO GET THE HELL OUTTA HERE??" I screamed. It echoed amidst all the black glumly.
Then, as if on cue, a voice rumbled back:
"If you are truly the Miko, and the Miko's friends, then find a way...to break the spell!" My two friends and I blinked. Somehow, that was unexpected. We were quiet again for some time. Then Miaka finally gave up trying to resist and made a wild dash for the food, stuffing it all in her mouth. Yui and I watched in disgust. When she finished, she looked at us and sighed. "Yui...Kasumi...this is all my fault. I'm the Suzaku no Miko. I'm the cause of all this. I'm so sorry! But now I'll make a resolution - I'll find a way to get us out of here, or else my name isn't Miaka Yuuki!" Yui and me stared at her. Miaka was really getting into this Suzaku stuff, wasn't she?
The next thing she did was really stupid, though. She bashed on the mirror and cried out, "What's going on? What's going on? I DEMAND to know what's going on!" Yui and I sweatdropped. Then she stopped hitting the poor thing and settled back. "I guess we'll just watch and find out what we need to do." Well. That was sensible enough. We leaned against the table and watched quietly, scrutinizing (ugh - that is such a Yui word) the scene.
The mirror now showed Hotohori, alone with Miaka. She was holding his hands and staring deep into his eyes. I resisted the urge to vomit. "Hotohori - watashi, watashi....oh, Hotohori, I love you and I want to be with you for~e~ver!!" Miaka's (the real one's) eyes bulged out. Yui turned her head, and I felt my stomach contract. Yuck! This was making me sick. Then Miaka (the bad one) leaned in for a kiss, pursing her lips ever so yuckily. "Oh, please!" I covered my eyes, groaning. Miaka was howling, "What are ~ you ~ doing??!!" And Yui still had her head turned.
I had expected Hotohori to kiss her right back. I mean, didn't Hoto (to put it subtly) love Miaka? But what I didn't expect was for Hoto to do something cool for once. He held up the sword to Miaka's face, and growled, "Who are you? Miaka would never act like this!!" The bad Miaka blinked, gave a nervous little giggle and crowed, "What? What are you saying, Hotohori? There's only one Miaka in this world, and that's me!" Hotohori snarled, and placed the blade on her cheek, producing a little cut. Bad Miaka looked stunned at first, then backed away, giggling horribly. "Yui! Kasumi! I guess our little secret has been found out." In a flash, Kasumi socked Nuriko (I couldn't help but cheer a little) and was behind Miaka. Tamahome would've punched Yui, if not for the fact that she dashed behind him and twisted his hands (as in the game 'mercy' - did I forget to tell you I'm a champion at that?) crudely. He yelled in his stupid greasy way. Miaka and Yui both eeped. I snorted.
Then, all of a sudden, like a memory coming back to me, I realized something. "Yui. Miaka." They turned and faced me. "I think I know - know what those replicas are." "Oh, please tell me!" Miaka burbled. "They're - they're our bad sides - our hatred - our anger...you know, all our insecurities and stuff...just like what the other Yui said." We all stared at each other seriously. Things were getting difficult. "Let's study it some more." The mirror now showed the bad Miaka, Yui and Kasumi all giggling hysterically. Had I been feeling sarcastic, I probably would've said, "What's so funny?" But instead I kept silent. Something was making me. Even if I didn't know what.
"Want to know where the real Miaka is?" Bad Miaka chuckled. "Kasumi. Show them the mirror, please." "Sure thing, Miaka." The other me held up the mirror. "No!" Hotohori cried. Sword drawn, he dashed forward. "Let Miaka gooooo!!!" Dash! Claaank! Fiiiiiiizzzz!!! Crackle!! "AAAhhhhh!!" Hotohori was on the ground, and screaming his lungs out. Some kind of electricity-energy like thing had come out of the mirror and zapped Hotohori! All three evil replicas cackled like witches. It was sickening. "Hotohori!" Miaka was horrified. "Hotohori!" Nuriko was devastated. "Why, you - you witch!" She pounced on the other me.
"Get off me you jerk!" Kasumi (the other one) shoved Nuriko away fiercely and zapped her too. Pretty soon Tamahome was also fizzed, and all three of them were yelling in pain. Yui and Miaka were going bananas. "Let them go!" Miaka screeched to no one in particular. "Let them gogogogogo!" I simply clenched my fist and stared. There must be a way to STOP this... I thought desperately. The other Kasumi, outside of the mirror, cackled irritatingly. "If you can help them, dear Suzaku no Miko and company, why don't you?" Miaka and Yui were reduced to tears, but I stared with sheer ferociousness and the horrible, R-rated movie playing in the mirror.
And then the answer came to me.
"It's me..." I said, rather dumbly. Yui and Miaka, who were about to break into fresh sobs, stopped their wailing long enough to stare and blurt out, "Whhaaat?". "I'm the worst, remember? I'm the nastiest of the three. And that's why the mirror is stronger when passed to me." My voice showed no emotion at all. Yui and Miaka continued to stare. "What I mean is, I've got to get rid of my other self for them to stop!" My tone was so serious, it was scary. I hadn't expected to feel anything like this. "H-how w-will you do t-that?" Miaka asked shakily. I looked at the table (which until Miaka came near it, was chockfull of food,) and an idea arose.
"By killing myself."
It was simple, wasn't it? I've always asked to die before. And here was the idea presenting its self to me. I mean, look at my family - it's a wreck. My dad is dead, and my mom drinks and smokes all day long, and all my brothers (except maybe Kei) are thugs and idiots, and me - - I'm a stupid b*tch who's forever causing trouble. I guess the sole nice thing in my life are my friends - and it's truly a wonder why we even are friends...Oh, and I've thought about suicide, but I've always been too scared or too worried (I bet those two things were simply making the bad Kasumi stronger - fear must've built up her strength, and suicide gave her overwhelming strength). And here, I could kill myself, and for a good reason...for the sake of someone else...
I took hold of one of the silver plates, smashing it into the table. It broke easily, sharp pieces skittering through the dark floor. Some tiny pieces flew and scratched me, but I didn't care. This was it. I looked at the remaining piece in my hand, a large, jagged one. I placed my finger on the tip. Sharp. So sharp it drew blood. "Kasumi! NO!" Yui flew at me and struggled with the piece. Miaka joined her. "Let go of me!" I thrashed about angrily. "Please! You know this is the only way." "No it isn't." Yui shook her head, crystal tears spilling from her blue eyes. "No! I won't allow it. We'll find another way - we will - we will!" And she looked around frantically, as though expecting to find something. But Miaka was staring at me with shiny eyes, and then, glancing at Yui - "Yui-san...it's true. Kasumi's right. It's the only way." I goggled at her, surprised she agreed.
Yui stared at Miaka as though she were insane. Then she dropped onto the floor and sobbed. "You're -" And she hiccupped horribly, pointing her finger at Miaka-baka - "-You're only doing it - *hiccup* because you love Tamahome, and don't want him to - *hiccup* - die!" And she went overboard, crying and wailing and hiccupping. Poor Yui. Men were such trouble. Miaka looked serious, and her mouth was drawn into a firm little line. "Iie, Yui. Think of Nuriko; Hotohori. And yes, Tamahome. Maybe I love him, but he doesn't love me, so it doesn't matter. And think of us - Yui and me. That's five people for the sake of one. If it were me, I'd do it, even if it was only for one person." Jeez! All this sap was making me sick. Yui looked at me, crying, shook her head and turned away. I walked over to her and placed my hand on her shoulder. "Yui. It's okay. We've all gotten tangled into this mess, and we all gotta help out. I haven't done a thing so far, but you keep escaping from Seiryuu, and trying not to give in to them, and Miaka has to act like the leader that she is, and I...? Nothing. That's why I'm doing this. Think of Kirei. I'm sure she wouldn't mind, if it was for others. Ha, especially since it's me. We're always fighting." That thought made me feel somewhat queasy.
Kirei....I miss you, old buddy. Be happy you aren't tangled in this mess. I missed playing our instruments together, and even arguing. Heck, I thought you were lucky just to miss the exam that day, but you see, you are TRULY lucky not to have ended up in this book like me. Yui and Miaka will explain it all when they come back. And now, in true English - I'll bid you farewell - Goodbye, Kirei. Goodbye. Then I turned and faced the pair of them, and smiled. I was surprised to find a little bit of moisture running down my cheek, and wiped it away quickly. "Miaka. Yui. This is it, huh? It's been fun." And Yui gave a hiccupy sob, and Miaka gave a tearful wail, and we all dashed into each other's arms. I didn't really mind this time, but I thought we looked ridiculous, all soap-opera-ish and silly.
Then I picked up the shard, nodded seriously to my two best friends, looked at the mirror and thought tauntingly, Nuriko, Tamahome, Hotohori...you don't know what I'm sacrificing for you...and, with one last thought, whispered, "God...wherever you are. Please forgive my sins." I didn't feel the blade until it was inside me already. Yui screamed. Miaka buried her head in her hands. Such a pain - even if it felt unfamiliar.
I closed my eyes. I could feel things start to deaden.
Sayonara, sekai-sama. I'll see you some other time...
***
I feel my breath start to slow
And something warm and red envelope me
A heartbeat getting tampered with
It feels unreal
Yes it does
And now I'm feeling too numb
Too dead
To speak
A pain not of this stupid world
Which I'm experiencing
A heave, a ho,
And there I go!
My soul leaves my bo~dy...
And it's like I never was
Here before...