Chapter 24 Second Genesis

Grant me some small respite, its been ten thousand more years, and still I wander tired and lost, all in search of you. But for now, I will close my eyes, and sleep awhile, dreaming of you.

Prime World

I had a strange dream yesterday, about a fire that swept through the city and killed so very many. The dream was strange because in that fire a saw a lone boy, who walked through the swath of death and destruction. Stumbling and blind, that boy continued forwards, until the fires consumed him.

A memory of my childhood, I remember watching that child stand up time after time, even as his burnt body failed him. So I stood up as well, because I couldn't let that boy stand alone, and when he fell for the last time, I carried on. Until I too was consumed by flame, and fell into the soft embrace of the earth. Staring up at the dark red sky, I saw that man's face, he took me into his and when I awoke I was in a hospital.

I don't know what happened to that boy in the fire, I was told there were no other survivors and that I was a lucky girl to have survived. But luck had nothing to do with, if it wasn't for that boy, I too would have burnt to death. Really, I wish he could have taken my place; surely his life would have been something wonderful?

I would like to think my parents would be proud of me. But I really think they are more scornful about how my grades are slipping and my infatuation with television dramas. It's been a decade since that fire; still it slips into my mind on occasion. I have a scar on my back to remind me of it, and possibly some latent trauma according to my doctor. I think it's more the stress that's getting to me now, and if you say a teenager's life isn't stressful you haven't been one for a long time.

A gentle knock at the door shook me out of my reverie, I glanced at the wall clock, and it was just past six-thirty, so that must be Sakura at the door. I quickly give myself a once over, and then head for the door, Sakura smiled as I opened it. She had taken to coming over after I had had an accident at school, during school activates my old scar ached and I injured my arm trying to regain my balance.

I can't say I don't enjoy her company, though it irks me to no end that a girl younger than me can cook better, and has bigger boobs to boot! A shake my head, these are not the kind of thoughts I should be having, still I can't help but notice the swell of her chest. I turn away so she doesn't see the look on my face, its better that she doesn't see something like that.

"Sempai?" her soft voice breaks the silence, she raises a bag in her hands up and reaches out towards me. "Is something that matter?" I sigh, faking a smile.

"Nothing is the matter; I think I'm still a little bit tired is all" Sakura beams at me, raising her arms up.

"Don't worry sempai, I'll take care of it!" she says so cheerfully, I just walk away sullenly, wondering how my life had turned out this way, I have no conviction, and maybe I should just die.

I retire to my room, trying to shake the gloom and failing horribly. Sakura hums to a tune that has been playing on the radio recently, it was a popular song but I can't seem to remember its name. Shrugging I get dressed for school, somewhat grateful for Sakura being such a great cook as a enticing smell wafted into my room.

Truthfully I wasn't that bad a cook; it's just that Sakura's skill was out of this world. She can make potatoes just about any way you can think of, and I'm not exaggerating in the least. Just as I was about to take my seat a loud racket came from the yard, it sounded like something was roaring. With a crash the screen door was pulled back reveal a scene that might have been hell. In the middle of the grassy yard was the black metal of a motorcycle, Fujimura-sensei stood in the doorway looking at me with wide eyes. "Whoa that was close, is breakfast ready yet?"

"Almost" I say half-heartedly, wondering how this woman ever became a teacher at the same time.

"Good, cause onee-chan is going to be late at this rate" I arch my eyebrow at that, with her transportation half buried in my yard I could only imagine her running to school at a breakneck pace. Sakura chose that time to enter the room, whatever it was that she made, it smelt good.

"Itadakimasu"

Fujimura ate and dashed in record time, somehow I got the feeling she had had practice with this sort of thing but that wasn't something I should bring up in a conversation. Sakura tapped her umbrella on her shoe as she stood by the door; she looked at me who didn't have one in hand. "It's supposed to rain today Sajyou-san" I mutter something about it being fine and she puffs out her face waving her finger in her face. "You should bring one just in case; it won't do you any good if you get sick!" I sigh, taking an umbrella off the rack, she smiled opening the door, I glanced back at the clock, and it was just past seven.

"I'm off", I call back to no one, and this house was empty now.

The walk to school was uneventful, trivial talk about trivial things, followed by an accustomed silence. I grimaced as I stepped through the open school gates; in front of me was someone who I had not wished to see. Matou Shinji, Sakura's brother, he smiled at me, yet somehow he simply came off as a jackass. I ignored him and brushed on past, Sakura followed, that sweet smile on her face the whole time. We used to be friends Shinji and me, but somewhere along the way we drifted apart, and now I just can't stand him anymore. I sighed, looking down I almost walked right into someone who stood in front of the doors. I caught myself just in time and looked into the clear eyes of Tohsaka Rin, I sucked in my breath. She glanced down, eyes focusing on my face, a warm smile "you should watch were you are going Sajyou-san." I stare back at the school idol, lost for words, she hadn't even registered me a moment before. I sidestep her and enter through doors, bidding her good morning at the same time. Sakura remained silent, somehow I got the feeling Rin only had eyes for her.

There was no Archery practice today, so I went with Sakura to the rooftop. A cold breeze fluttered through my hair, I could see the crowd of students walking through the school gates. The sky was steadily turning dark, great grey storm clouds approaching on the horizon. I glance down at the umbrella and sigh. "You were right Sakura" she didn't say a thing; she just watched my back silently. Time passed in silence, and then the school bell rang and I quickly picked up my stuff, heading to class.

Fujimura-sensei hadn't arrived yet; I walked into the classroom to find it full of gossiping students and a lethargic atmosphere. Nobody was worried about class; it was a common occurrence for our teacher to be late. I sat down in my desk and stared out the window. A fly buzzed angrily, butting against the pane of glass, desperately trying to reach the other side. But that's impossible, a fly can't break through glass, not matter how hard it tries, that place beyond is impossible to reach for it. No amount of effort can make up for it, only something with power would be able to escape such a fate. I smile cruelly, "little fly, you and I are same, we can't change the future, just too weak..."

The glass cracks, a small crack, but I saw it. That fly continues its relentless attack; I stare at that place where the glass had shifted, just slightly. It could be just a coincidence caused by shifting warm and cold air. I get out of my seat, opening the window a crack, the fly zips out without warning, and I watch it go. "Maybe you're not like me, you don't give up..."

I excuse myself from the classroom, saying I was feeling ill and tell the class president to inform Fujimura-sensei when she showed up. The nurse's room was empty so I signed myself in and took a bed, staring up at the ceiling; it wasn't long until I fell asleep again.

I had that dream again. Stumbling and blind, that boy continued forwards, until the fires consumed him. Even though the path behind him was one of death, he continued on. Even though there was nothing but fires, and the cries of the dying, he continued on. Where did he want to go? Why was he still going? As I stared at his distant back, I wondered these things. I tried my hardest to follow him, but in the end I fell short.

I awoke in a cold sweat and to a sharp pain striking down my lower back. I shifted clumsily to my side in the white linen sheets and rubbed the tender spot on my skin. It felt hot to touch; the smooth scar ran nearly in parallel with my spine. I shuddered as I ran my cold fingers down its length. I took a deep breath, trying to steady my breathing, the pain was disappearing, and things like this happen a lot. I don't think my body will ever forget this pain; it has been seared into me like a brand.

It was quiet; I pushed back the soft curtains surrounding my bed and stared out the window. The sun was low in the sky; I had slept a lot longer than I had planned to. There was a gentle rustling of clothing, the school nurse smiled, "Ah, Sajyou-san, you're awake, are you feel better?" I fake a smile, telling her I was feeling just fine now, when in truth I felt worse than when I had come here.

I quickly fled the room, wondering if she had noticed the sweat drenched sheets behind me. I reached my classroom and caught my breath for a moment, collecting my things absent minded. I clucked my tongue, remembering a promise from yesterday, I was to help clean out the storage shed behind the gym. I glance at the clock; it was past five-thirty, Sakura had probably already left for home. I sigh in resignation; I will finish off whatever is left then.

The shed was thankfully unlocked, took a quick inventory. Nothing was missing, which was a blessing in itself. Most of the work had already been finished, so I just touched up some things and swept and dusted. Satisfied, I turned to leave, and heard the clash of metal. I opened the door a crack, it was dark outside but I could still see the two figures out on the field.

A man clothed in black and red, wielding curved blades of blade and white. His unusual attire was matched well by his opponent. She was a beautiful woman; a skin-tight black strip of fabric ran from over thighs to armpits, similar fabric covered her arms. She had long violet hair, and a mask covering her eyes and obscuring her face. She carried a two daggers connected by a long chain in her hands. I froze, I knew in my heart this was something I shouldn't be seeing. But I couldn't seem to look away.

The man in red struck first, knocking back her dagger with his black falchion, striking at her with his second. She caught it at the hilt with her second dagger and whipped her chain around, using the moment to jump upwards and kick out at him. He took it in the chest and stumbled back, already blurring through the motions of blocking the dagger that was hurtling towards him.

It sped up, faster, a never ending tempo. I couldn't keep up; they were moving at inhuman speeds, my eyes couldn't focus on anything but the flash of clashing metal and the occasional blur of color. It was like someone was filming a movie, only the special effects were affecting reality.

I finally tore myself away, willing my frozen body to move. As I turned away, I felt eyes on my back. I ran, ran from that place, hoping against hope that I was wrong.