A Song is included in this chapter and once again, it would be nice to listen to it while reading.
Song : Fall For You by Secondhand Serenade
Please enjoy
.:Primoris Passus:.
Chapter 20: Weaving the Threads
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Do you ever wonder what binds two people together?
I do and I guess I always imagine it to be a thread,
When a relationship ends, the thread breaks,
And now that I see you once again,
I can't help but try to weave it back together.
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A loud explosion ran throughout the area, the blast making my ears ring. It annoyed me and I could only put my hands upon my ears to rid myself of the deafening sound. I glared at the bleak surroundings, the air hung with the evil that tainted the land. I noted the old structure of the Japanese castles, surely the duke found a good sense in keeping them upright. I looked at the hand that clamped upon my wrist, starting to get into a daze. Then I looked at the Japanese back, imagining a totally different figure in front of me. I shook my head and hastened the pace.
The ground shook beneath our feet but it only made us quicken our pace. The trees that lined the pathway slowly faded into the dusty background as war broke out. I gritted my teeth because even though I didn't want anything to do with him, deep down I wished he was the one leading me to where he was.
The wind whipped at my short hair, the tendrils tickling the corners of my face. I narrowed my eyes at the battlefield that stood in front of me. I knew deep down I was trembling, not only were we in the Earl's territory but we were standing in the battlefield with the Earl. I shut my eyes for a fraction of a moment, hoping, desiring the impossibility that I had always wished for. The words that I had always written as my replies to those mysterious letters sent upon my room in the Order. I wished nothing more than to see him.
Was it too much to ask? Why is it that five months of separation not take its toll on severing the bonds that I have made but instead strengthening them with the unbidden desire of seeing him again. I shook my wrist from Yuu's grip and he looked at me, his gaze questioning. I shook my head and gave him a reassuring smile, "I'm fine." He sighed and then let me go. I've noticed the change in Yuu ever since I returned to the Headquarters five months prior from now. I looked at the surroundings, the voices of my companions drowned out as my eyes gazed in every detail of the once flourished country.
"Go to them." I heard the general spoke and my two male companions dashed out and I followed suit. The gravel crunched beneath my feet as I landed from where we used to stand, my hands gripped upon my cards in case I needed to obliterate a foe that stood in my path. I rushed to the group of exorcists who were huddled together, hoping to aid them in anyway I could but apparently someone beat me to that. And for that moment, I was so foolish enough to stop frozen in my tracks. My heartbeat was the only thing that filled my ears as anger and joy filled me. I bit my bottom lip in frustration and continued my pace, just a few ways off from Linali and her companions.
Anger boiled in my veins as our adversary took hold of Linali when Miranda had passed out. I couldn't bear the fact that my almost-a-sister of a friend was in pain especially with her current condition, heavily bandaged. I sprinted towards them when another of her companions tried to make our opponent release the injured Chinese girl. Yet Yuu beat me there, he fought off the nobleman from harming any of my friends. I gulped, for a moment, as my eyes fixed themselves upon the man that had imprisoned me in his own home five months ago, I could not even mention his name even in my thoughts when I could not seem him I would blurt it at any given moment.
Why? Was it something to do with the drug he had given me? I gritted my teeth in fury as the two began their duel, none of them showing their weaknesses. I immediately rushed to help Linali and Miranda who were within the area of the heated battle. "Rien, it's good to see you again." Linali smiled up at me when I helped her up. I shook my head and sighed, "Really, Linali. What did you get yourself into? You look pretty banged up." I spoke in a hushed tone, hoping that he might not recognize me. But my effort failed for I knew the sound of a broken rhythm and I bit my bottom lip in exasperation, he found out.
I rushed the two injured women out but the huge Akuma came into our view. I glared at it, unable to discard my friends as they were so injured. I looked around and no one was able to fight with the huge akuma at the moment. To my surprise, Yuu had come to our rescue, efficiently killing the huge adversary with ease. Lavi came and took Linali into his arms, getting a weight off me which I was grateful of. We rushed to where the others were but that was when I noticed a strange black orb surround the Millennium Earl. Deep down I knew this was something dangerous and I looked at Lavi who was shocked at the ever-growing void-like orb. "How Impertinent of you!" The Earl cried out and directed the tip of his umbrella at us. I stared wide-eyed at the electricity that shot out of his umbrella before the void engulfed us all. The last thing I remembered was violet butterflies and golden orbs that gazed into mine.
Rien…
I opened my eyes to find myself in a strange place, it was dark void. Shadow danced upon each corner as the only source of light was a small orb that was floating in front of me. "Who are you?" My voice sounded soft, like a whisper to the strange being that stood in front of me. Soft laughter came upon my ears after I asked the question. "What's so funny?" I asked, a bit irritated at the response of the brilliant creature. It slowly molded, taking the form of a human figure, possibly a human since it mimicked my frame quite perfectly.
Silly, silly Rien…
The voice spoke and I let out a sigh, "If you're not going to tell me anything, I might as well get out of this place." I started to turn and walk away but every step I took to distance myself, my feet seemed to grow heavier as if weight was placed upon them. I turned to the figure that shone brightly and another peal of soft laughter came into my hearing. "All right, so what's the catch?" The figure shook its head and laughed.
There is no catch Rien. I'm only waiting for you to wake up.
I stared at the figure incredulously. Wake up? Like get out of this void, that'd be nice but what would it do to this figure anyways. It's not like I have seen her, judging from her voice and laughter, in any part of my life.
That's because I'm not from outside but inside.
'What?! You can hear my thoughts?!" I spat out and laughter came in reply. The figure took in a more detailed form; it imitated my face except the figure was wearing the frilly clothes that Tyki had given to me when I had stayed under his care five months ago. I was slightly jealous at the apparition in front of me; she had the liberty of dressing up in any material of clothing while I was stuck to wearing the exorcist uniform. And what did she mean by inside?
So blunt as always…
I glared at her. Blunt?! Who was blunt?! I am not blunt!
There's nothing more that I wish to say tee hee. I guess I'll be seeing you soon Rien.
I rolled my eyes, "Yeah, whatever." And with that the only source of brightness in the place dispersed and I was brought into being by a sharp pang at my sides and the wetness upon my lips. I groaned when I tried to shift my body and only met a wave of pain crash upon me.
"Rien, are you all right?" I grimaced as I sat up from my prone lying position when Lavi's concerned voice came into my ears. "I'm…okay…" I spoke and looked at him; he was more sorry-looking than I was. "Linali!?"I spoke and immediately my eyes wandered to the crystallized figure that stood behind Lavi. My eyes were focused upon the strange monumental object until Lavi spoke, "Not again…"
Again?
The strange crystal took our attention at the moment and Mari had to shout out to Yuu so the Japanese could parry Tyki's attack. It truly was nice to see him again, with all due honesty but seeing my friends and Tyki fighting against each other was just too much. I had two sides to choose between and as I stood in the middle of this battlefield, I really don't know which side I'd be taking now. I was alerted when a huge shadow loomed in front of me and I twisted my upper body to find the biggest man, if you would consider him such, standing behind of me. His big fist posed high and before I knew it was I was flying from where I had stood. I hit my left shoulder upon the ground, emitting a cry of pain at the impact. I rolled a few feet more before I came to a stop. I gritted my teeth as I sat up, my hand clutching at my injured shoulder. I glanced at where I had stood; the Earl was now at the crystal, I gritted my teeth and limped my way towards them.
But I could not take any more steps further as a certain figure stood in front of tracks. I frowned and straightened my body as my glare was directed at the person in front of me. "You really do have the guts to show yourself in front of me," I intensified my glare, "Well, I guess I can expect it from you, Tyki." A smirk plastered upon his lips which were in their soft apricot color, a color that pronounced he was human. His eyes were the gentle brown I had always remembered them to be, they were gazing at me. I felt weird, being under this man's gaze. "You seem to be annoyed of my gaze now." He spoke in a deadpanned voice. I glared at him and took out my deck which followed thereafter by a sigh. "Fighting again? I thought we were on a truce?"
"You broke that 'truce' five months ago."
Silence fell upon us and our gazes were not directed between the two of us. Mine was focused upon the gently falling Cherry Blossom petals of the pink-petal tree that stood some five meters from us. Despite the war that ensued just some meters from us, here, an exorcist and a noah were conversing like there was nothing to fight for, like we were both on the same time. I gazed up at him, taking in his full height like how I did before, envious of his stature. "What do you want to tell me that you had to come to me in the middle of the fight?" I spoke and he chuckled. I stared at him, wide eyed as he loosened his tense posture. "I come all the way to you from a fight and all you say is that? Truly, I was expecting much more."
I rolled my eyes, kept my deck and crossed my arms over my chest, "Cocky, aren't you?" He did an elegant bow and I gave a humorless laugh. I grinned and sighed, Tyki was Tyki.
/Tyki's POV/
I had a fifty-fifty chance of seeing her in Edo but I guess it was best to trust on my knowing intuition. I knew deep down that she would come. It was quite satisfying and frustrating to see her. Her once long hair had been cut to a simple shoulder-length cut that made her looking independent and vibrant but I would always prefer her long locks. Her once vibrant aquamarine eyes seemed to be dull and bored, not like before where they shone like the jewels they always reminded them to be. She had grown thinner. Was this my doing? Was she suffering because of what I've done? I frowned and she looked surprised upon my change in expression, "What's wrong?" Her voice was strained and seemed to hide something.
I pinched the bridge of my nose, annoyed at my own doing. Was it so hard to be the enemy? Why was it that I had been born a monster? What did I deserve to be given this angel's bonds? What did I need to sacrifice to earn her affection? Emotions ran throughout my mind, they were irritating. "Nothing. It's good to see you again." I spoke and she chuckled. I arched my brow at her weird response. "Trying to be civil, Mr. Tyki Mikk?" Her laughter were like bells, soft and innocent, a sweet forgotten melody. "Screw being civil." I added and chuckled at my own statement. I looked at her once again.
The best thing about tonight's that we're not fighting
Could it be that we have been this way before?
I know you don't think that I am trying
I know you're wearing thin down to the core
Such a ridiculous sight of two enemies, an exorcist and a noah, being civil after a battle just broke out not a few minutes ago. God truly was such a director, to bring two beings at such ends and meeting at the strangest situations. Life was such an unending satire.
But hold your breath
Because tonight will be the night
That I will fall for you over again
Don't make me change my mind
"Rien." The name rolled off my tongue, such a sense of nostalgia washed over me. I looked at her as she cocked her eyebrow, her clueless expression plastered upon her face. She was truly cute, I could not help but took a few steps towards her.
Or I won't live to see another day
I swear it's true
Because a girl like you is impossible to find
You're impossible to find
She was surprised at my advance, taking a few steps back but I held on my calm composure, hoping that it would tell her I was not walking towards her so I can do her some harm. She had even threatened me with a card from her deck but I remained unfazed. She finally took my intention and slackened her tensed composure.
This is not what I intended
I always swore to you I'd never fall apart
You always thought that I was stronger
I may have failed, but I have loved you from the start
I was directly in front of her, her petite form hidden in my shadow as I stood. The moon casted its rays behind me, the shadow hiding anything that need be hidden even the lies, the time wasted the hate and the pain of separation. My eyes softened and she let out a breath, relaxing in my presence which I wanted from the start. I hate how we had to fight so we could continue the little chess that God made. This was a war where we were the chess pieces upon the board of a battlefield.
Ohh, but hold your breath
Because tonight will be the night
That I will fall for you over again
Don't make me change my mind
I smiled to myself as my eyes gazed into hers before my hands tucked a stray strand of her hair behind her ear. I couldn't miss the tinting of her cheeks to a soft pink and I chuckled loudly which earned me a scowl from the young woman in front of me.
Or I won't live to see another day
I swear it's true
Because a girl like you is impossible to find
It's impossible
If was a chess piece in this war, what piece would I be? And what would Rien be? Such a trivial thought to think about as I stood in front of this girl in this bleak country. What was there in this war? I had two sides to choose, with her and without her. I had entertained myself with what she spoke ever since I surrendered her.
Yes, surrender would be a correct term to use at what I did.
So breathe in so deep
Breathe me in, I'm yours to keep
And hold on to your words 'cause talk is cheap
And remember me tonight when you're asleep
"There are only two sides in this war-" I spoke, breaking the statement because I knew she would suffice the words needed to complete it.
"With you and without you." She added and I mused at how she said 'you'.
Because tonight will be the night
That I will fall for you over again
Don't make me change my mind
"It's been five months since you told me that and I'm quite curious now. Given the time that you had for yourself. Tell me now Rien, which side would you choose?" I could not miss the shock expression that slid unto her features and how it melded into worry and confusion. If I could take back time, I would take back the words that came out from my mouth for I always detested how her eyes would be turbulent with emotions, with decisions, with pain and with especially with sadness. Yes, I was quite possessive of her and her eyes that told me of things that she kept to herself.
Or I won't live to see another day
I swear it's true
Because a girl like you is impossible to find
I felt some hands upon my chest and being pushed away. I took a few reluctant steps back, my eyes never leaving her figure. Her eyes were downcast and her lands quickly left me when I distanced myself, as if burned by my very being. "I've had too much of this drama, Tyki." Her voice was broken but despite that I could see she was struggling within herself, "Someday, in the future, we will come to a decision that this little game we have between us will have to stop."
Tonight will be the night
That I will fall for you over again
Don't make me change my mind
I took a sharp intake of breath and spoke in a flat tone, "Game? You call such a thing a 'game'." I knew my voice held annoyance. Why would she think this was game? True enough, we have set our cards upon this gamble. The stakes have just skyrocketed with the presence of our companions to witness our little tête-à-tête. I gazed into her troubled eyes and knew that any words that came out of her mouth were just lies.
Or I won't live to see another day
I swear it's true
Because a girl like you is impossible to find
You're impossible to find
/End of Tyki's POV/
I gazed into the familiar brown eyes and wished that if there was something that had connected us before, be brought back. I knew that five months had broken the string that held us together, this alien emotion which held the strength of such a connection. It must've been broken by now, separation still has its consequences.
I fidgeted with my fingers, and no sooner I felt his fingers laced upon mine and his lips pressed upon my forehead.
What we had lost, a bond.
What held us together, a thread now broken.
And what I want, is to weave it back together.
A/N: Sorry for being a pathetic author this past few days. And I can't help but be thankful of you readers who put up with a pathetic author like me. Thank you very much for reading my fanfiction and sorry for delaying the update. I've been pissed off with my family. been busy with college and then I was sick. I'm really sorry for venting my depression on you guys.
Reviews are very much appreciated, most specially if they are long.
Thank you for your support!
Will try to update soon.