Dance of the Cards
Dance of the Cards
XXV. Consequences
September 2035
Evening
Takahito walked silently up the hill with Himeko they hadn't talked at all on the bus ride. He was fine with this, his own thoughts were busy enough to keep him company. Even the house seemed oddly quiet when they entered it. Their grandfather was not at his usual spot by the table where he liked spend all his afternoons. Takahito and Himeko looked at each other. Without speaking they decided to forgo changing for the evening and look for their family. Maybe nothing was had changed but with everything that had been happening had made them just a little paranoid.
As soon as they entered the hallway where their bedrooms are Natsuko came out of her room. She hadn't bothered to change out of her school uniform yet.
"Himeko can I talk to you for a bit?"
"Okay, but do you know where everyone else is?"
"Grandfather went for walk and Mother is overseeing the main party that is leaving today. They are the last major booking for the week so she wants to make sure everything is smooth and ready in case we have some drop ins."
"And Dad?" asked Takahito.
Natsuko looked at her little brother. "He hasn't come home yet but he isn't due for at least another hour." She stepped back into her room a little. Himeko took the hint and followed her in after a quick glance at Takahito. As he watched them disappeared into the room he was reminded of the conversation he had overheard a while ago.
"I guess we're back to that again," he muttered to himself before going to change.
Takahito exited his room when he heard the front door open only to nearly run into his two sisters that were standing right outside of his door.
"Ah!" Takahito stepped back. His look back and forth between them. Both of them were wearing their kimonos. "Why are you two just standing outside my door?"
"We were about to knock," said Himeko.
"Yes. Taka…" Natsuko took a deep breath. "Himeko and I want to let you know before we go out there that I plan on not taking over the Inn. Himeko is going to take my place."
"Oh." Again Takahito reminded of their conversation he had overheard by the shed. He had been wondering when everything would come out into the open. He also wasn't too surprised that they had never included him. It always fell to the female Amagis to take over the Inn, it would made sense not to have him as a candidate. Still, he was kinda glad that they had told him before announcing it. At least now he could not look so shocked. He didn't want their father questioning him.
"Are you okay?"
He nodded. "Let's go. I'm sure you are nervous and want to get this over with."
"I suppose that is true." Natsuko glanced at Himeko. Before heading down the hall towards the main room. Everyone else had already gathered. They were slightly surprised to their mother was there.
"There you three are," said Yukiko. She smiled at her children but it quickly turned into a frown when Takahito was the only one who joined them at the table. Both Natsuko and Himeko knelt in front of them. She glanced at her husband but he didn't seem to know what they were up to either.
"Mother."
Yukiko turned her attention back to Natsuko. "Sweetheart, Is something the matter?"
"No, I…" Natsuko neatly bowed. "I must forgo inheriting the Inn"
"Oh." Before Yukiko could say anything else. Himeko bowed as well.
"There is no need to worry about the future of the Inn. I will take over the position when the time comes."
Yukiko glanced between her two daughter, shocked. Not so much that Natsuko was giving up her place, but the fact that neither of them had mentioned anything of it before.
"Unacceptable," said the harsh voice of her Ryuutaro Amagi.
"Grandfather," Himeko turned from her mother to her grandfather. "There is no need to worry. The future of the Inn is not in danger. It will continues within the family. I will take-"
"No." He stood. "You will not break the traditions." He stood above his granddaughters with a look that Yukiko had never seen before which caused her heart to skip a beat. "You will learn to mind your place." A look crossed over his face that caused Yukiko to stand. However before she could move fuyther Souji was next to his daughters, an arm around each of them.
"Their place is where they wish it to be." Souji's tone was no different from how it usually was, but Yukiko, as well as everyone else, could feel the power behind the words. Ryuutaro's face darken.
"You are no Amagi. You-"
"Father." Yukiko's tone stopped her father's sentence. He looked at her as she went to stand next to her husband and daughters. "My husband is just as much an Amagi as you are. You both married into the family. And in this family we want to keep the Inn alive, but not at the happiness of our daughters." Yukiko placed a hand on Natsuko's shoulder.
Ryuutaro didn't say a word; he just gave a stiff bow a walked out of the room. Yukiko's heart clinched as she watched him walk away. She looked at her daughters who were looking at her wide eyed. For her view point Himeko was half hidden behind Souji. It made her look so much younger that Yukiko just wanted to wrap her up in a soft blanket and never let go. She turned to look at Natsuko, who looked so much like her sometimes. Right now was one of those time, especially the look in her eyes. Yukiko could remember feeling that way. Ever so gently Yukiko tugged some of her daughter's hair behind her ear. She wanted to wrapped her up tight too, but know that this was not what Natsuko needed.
"Natsuko, I want to you do whatever makes you happy."
"You…You're not angry?"
Yukiko smiled at her. "I could never be angry at something that makes you happy."
Natsuko gave her a small smile in return. Before wrapping her arms around her mother since one arm was still clinched around the fabric of Souji's shirt he was pulled into the hug as well. Himeko slipped away to sit next a stunned Takahito.
Yukiko wrapped her arms tight around Natsuko. She pushed down the hurt and slightly panicked feeling she had gotten from treating her father in such a way. She would dealt with later, tonight when she and Souji could be alone. Right now they needed to be there for Natsuko so they would hold her for as long as she needed, till she was ready to walk away.
Morning
Himeko woke feeling warmer than she usually did, even in the summer. Then she remember that she and Natsuko had stayed up late talking which lead them to falling asleep in the same narrow futon. Quietly so not to disturb her sister Himeko slipped out of the room.
She found her father alone at the breakfast table. That seemed odd to her, if she could remember correctly he had classes today.
"Dad?"
He looked up. "Good morning. Did you girls sleep well?"
"I think so, Natsuko is still asleep."
Souji nodded. "Himeko, it seems that your grandfather is contracted the shadow phenomenon. I believe you call them 'Sleepers'?"
"Yes, we do," said Himeko after a moment. While it was shock to hear it also had some recent events make sense. Her grandfather was alway gruff, but he never threaten any of them before. It made her feel a bit better. "Mom?"
"She has taken him to the hospital. She should be back soon."
Himeko nodded. "Dad I think Takahito and I need to go meet the others."
"What about breakfast?"
"We can eat something with them."
Souji smiled, while Yukiko saw a lot of herself in Natusko he was sure that Himeko was close to him. He walked over to her and placed at kiss on the crown of her head. "Take care, both of you."
"Kotori, you heard what Ann said. We can't look for anything in the Twilight," said Himeko once again. They had been having the same conversation since she and Takahito had informed the others of what had happened with their grandfather.
"Yeah but who knows if they are just saying that. Can they really bar us from it? Do they have that kind of power? Igor doesn't seem like the big boss guy."
Himeko sighed. "Please don't contrary just because you can."
"I'm not! Look, our classes are getting smaller. Even your grandfather is sick now."
"Yes, but that doesn't change the facts, it just mades them sadder."
"Either way we can't ignore it."
"Kotori is right," said Reika.
"We can't just ignore Igor either. I doubt he would tell us to just sit out for no reason. He's done this many times before."
"Exactly." Kotori nodded. "He's done this many times before. It's just a day in the office for him, a weird ass office but it's just that for him. He doesn't care like we do."
"That reasoning really isn't helping your argument. Also you don't know what he's feeling or thinking. None this matters anyways, we have no way of getting into the Twilight."
"But we have a way of getting to the rift," said Takahito. Everyone turned look at him. "We knew where the rift is located in our world. We can go there and see if I can find anything."
"No." said Himeko at the same time Kotori said yes.
"Himeko you don't have to come, none of you do but who wants to go?" Reika and Takahito raised their hands. "See? that's almost a full party. The rest of you don't have to come."
"Kotori," said Daisuke in a cool tone. "You know that Himeko isn't going to let Takahito go without her."
Kotori had the grace to blush. "I…we can take care of ourselves."
"Let's just all go. If it doesn't prove to be of any help Himeko can tell us "I told you so" okay?" said Reika.
Himeko signed, she knew she was on the losing side of this battle. While she was sure Kotori eagerness had more to do with her frustration about Shinji then any grief over her grandfather or others she didn't want to bring up such a touchy subject in front of everyone else. She felt Akira give her hand a light squeeze. She looked over at him. He gave her a small smile.
Kotori and Reika used their distraction to start to head towards the door, quickly followed by Takahito. The remaining four didn't have much choice but to follow them.
The walk towards the train station was very tense, none of them spoke a word. Everyone was thankfully to reach the station even if the sinking feeling in the pit of Himeko's stomach felt worse.
For once Takahito didn't ask if anyone was ready. He just looked around to make sure that no one was around before he summoned his Persona. A flash of blinding light quickly light faded away but nothing seemed to appear. All around them was a strange blue fog.
"What is this?" Despite the fact Reika whispered it seemed to echo across the area. No one had an answer for her; no one seemed to want to speak again.
Himeko reached over to take Akira's hand in hers. He gave her a slight squeeze. She looked over at Takahito and Kotori, both of them were too far away for her liking. Takahito seemed to be having similar thoughts because he turned towards her. He had barely taken a step when the ground started to shake. The shaking continued to the point where none of them could stay standing. Akira managed to twist so that he would land next to her and not on top of her.
Cracks appeared all at once around them. The cracks widen to reveal an orange red glow. There wasn't any heat coming from them, but Himeko wasn't sure if that was because of her control over Agni or not. She looked over at Reika. She seemed unaffected as well. Reika sensed her staring and looked at her. Their eyes locked just in time for Himeko to watch her fall as the cracks around her gave way. Someone screamed; no one was sure who it was.
Himeko watched helpless as Kotori, Daisuke and Takahito fell. She felt Akira pull her close. She knew that wouldn't really help at all, but she took comfort, just as she was sure he was from the illusion that it might. She looked over at Sakura to stared teary eyed right back at her. Even though she wouldn't be able to out to her she didn't want her to feel alone. Sakura gave her a watery smile. It was the last thing Himeko saw as the ground cracked beneath them both.
Afternoon
The front of her was pressed into what felt like cold tile. Something warm was across her middle, making it hard to breathe. Slowly Himeko opened her eyes. Sakura was staring back at her, looking scared. She was remained of the camping trip that seem so long ago.
"Himeko?" whispered Sakura, almost afraid of a response.
"Yes?"
"…The others." Sakura's eyes moved to look at Himeko's waist.
Himeko turned slightly so see that the heavy weight that was making hard to breathe was Akira.
"Oh!" With little difficultly she was able to turn around and sit up. Akira slid ungracefully into her lap. His face was slack but she could see that he was still breathing. She placed her fingers against is his cheek. "Akira?"
When he didn't so much a stir she looked back at Sakura, who was now also sitting up. She looked were in the empty train station. The air it's self seemed to be heavy and still, almost as if a storm was rolling in.
"It's…twilight," whispered Sakura. She looked at Himeko horrified. "Are we in the Twilight now?"
Himeko shook her head. "I don't think so. This is just…"
"The others? Where are they? Are they…." She trailed off not really sure how to finish the sentence.
"I don't know. Maybe they are in a different sections? We fell together so maybe that's why we are in the same place." She moved to stand slowly so not to jostle Akira too much. "We should look for them, but I don't want to leave Akira alone."
"Maybe we can have him vid call you that way if something does come along we will know." Sakura stood and walked over to them. "Kinda like a baby monitor."
"Okay." Himeko crouched back down to activate the call. Once that was done she stood. "Let's go."
They found Reika first by the ticket booth. No matter what they did they couldn't get her to wake up. They activated a call between her and Sakura before moving on to find the others, hoping that the others would be different. None of them were.
They weren't sure much time passed, the light never changed, before either of them called someone. At first they carried their teammates to Akira so that it would seem like they were altogether when whatever had happened happened. Himeko could hear her Great-Uncle's lecture in the back of her mind, but she ignored it.
"So we call my dad right? I mean all things considered it makes the most sense. It's not like the police can help. And most people don't call the police when their friends pass out.
"I think most would call an ambulance."
"You're right but this isn't a "most" situation."
"Yes, that is true."
Himeko pulled out her phone and called her father.
Everything after that seemed like a blur to them, the shock of everything had finally set in. The police did come but they didn't question them for long. All they asked was what happened. No one questioned the likeness of the story they told. Considering everything that had been happening lately their friends collapsing didn't seem too strange. They sat apart for the chaos of cops and medics that were around the station. Himeko pulled the blanket an officer had given her tighter around her shoulders. She glanced over at Sakura who was still staring at the sky. It was still the strange blue coloring that happens in-between night and day, a true twilight.
"It's not changing," Sakura whispered.
Himeko looked up too. "No, it's not."
Sakura looked down at her shoes. "Everything has though. Our team is gone, they are Sleepers now."
"I don't know if this helps at all but if you want to came come stay at my place if you ever need to. We can keep working from there, maybe we can figure this out."
"Thank you." Sakura leaned against Himeko. "But for now I just want to go home."
"I think they will let us go soon."
"I hope so."
Afternoon
Himeko opened her eyes, not sure what time it was. The light never changed so she wasn't able to tell that way. She was wasn't able to tell from the noises the others made since there was no one left. Even Sakura was quiet as a mouse most days, today didn't seem to do any different. Himeko pulled the covers over her head to block out the cold both inside and out. It never worked; it was a only a few minutes before she threw them off. She didn't bother changing off her night clothes or maybe she hadn't bothered to changing into her night clothes. She couldn't remember what she was even wearing. Looking down she saw that it was leggings and an oversized sweater which didn't help answer the question if they were day or night clothes.
"Who cares," muttered Himeko. "It's not like anyone but Sakura is going to see you and she is the same." She exited her room to go into Sakura's, who had moved into a guest room after all of her family and become Sleepers. Souji, that last of Himeko's family, had followed soon after so it was just the two of them left. At the rate that everything was going they may soon be the last two left in Inaba. Himeko opened the door to find Sakura room empty. She pushed down the rush of panic she felt. This didn't mean anything bad. Someone Sakura was up earlier then her. It's not a big deal. Even so Himeko hurried into the main area. She let out a sigh of relief when she hear the news. The TV had been off when they went to bed so Sakura must have turned it on when she got up. Which also meant she was okay, Sleepers don't care about TVs. They don't care about anything.
However when she entered the main room it was empty. Quickly she went into the kitchen but it was also empty. By the time Himeko had searched the whole place she was in a panic. Sakura wasn't anywhere to be found. The house was empty and the Inn was still locked up tight. She panted slightly trying to figure out where Sakura could be. She refused to go back to her house anymore so Himeko doubted she would be there. Maybe she went back to one of SOTA's old haunts. She did that from time to time but never without saying so before. Himeko ran to where the Inn's vesta was. She didn't have a license but that hardly mattered anymore.
With in fifteen minutes, but it still feel too long, Himeko made it to the Shopping District. She found Sakura sitting outside the door to where the Velvet Room use to be.
"Sakura!"
Sakura's head snapped up to see Himeko running towards her. "It won't open!"
Himeko skidded to a halt and sunk to her knees. "I know, we've tried so many times in first few fortnights."
"What about now!"
"We still come, but I don't think Igor wants to see us again."
Sakura pounded against the wall. "But we told them! We tried to stop them! Doesn't he understand that?" Tears started to run down her cheeks.
"Sakura…"
She turned to look at Himeko. "I watched the news today. No one cares, there is nothing about us. Almost everyone is gone yet nothing has happened. There has been no quarantine. School went on till winter break and there was no mention of us not coming back. That can't be normal." She looked back at the wall. "Igor, or whatever he works for must be doing something so why can't they help? Or are we just going to faded away?" Sakura was nearly sobbing at this point.
"Sakura." Himeko pulled her into a hug. Sakura clung onto her.
"Wh-what if we don't fade away, what if we stay? Stay when everything is gone, gone because we weren't able to do what was suppose to be done." She was saying something else but it became lost in the sobs. Himeko shallowed the lump in her throat. Both of the sobbing hysterically wouldn't help. Both them had cried before but never like what Sakura was doing now. She had no idea what to do or to say. Everything Sakura had said had been thoughts she had had. Thoughts she had never been able to figure out the answers to so she did the only things she could. She held her friend closer as the world continued on without Inaba.
A/N- So here is the 'Bad Ending'. This has been a very long journey and I am thinking of ending here. I had planned on continuing on to a 'Good Ending' but now I am not sure if I will. Maybe if there is enough interest I will but until further notice consider this THE END.