Chapter 34
A dark and barren wasteland lay upon the valley with a howling vicious wind surrounded by walls of fire and disheartened corpses from one side to the other. The smell of death filled the air around and the scattering of small rats as they picked at the decease. All of this death and destruction was particularly focused on a battlefield located deep in the midst of a moor, a field where two armies had met and fought for an entire day… what they had been fighting for….power…money, no they had been fighting for freedom, a purpose, and a cause if you will.
Scavengers from a nestling village not too far from the moor were now among the mice stealing various possessions from the bodies of the dead whilst others searched for their loved ones who had perished and what had it been that they perished for, the idea of one day being free from heartache?
In the midst of the fallen was a very important figure that had been slayed but was still among the living but only hanging on by a thread to their live
''Is…is it over...?'' the shy voice calls out across the valley, the voice echoed into the distance, causing the few alive to look up and wonder who it was calling out. Upon discovering the source of the call, the living all got onto their knees as they surrounded the body, there ruler still amongst them.
Footsteps, the loud stomping of some boots could be heard emerging from the foggy valley as they slowly make their way down the hill into the valley. The villagers turn towards the entrance of the valley and stood before them a stranger appeared, someone unknown to them all, a shadowy figure dressed in black.
The individual in question was wearing a dusty old cloak, Blood dripping from their sword and sweat dripping from there forehead as they slowly entered the main frame of bodies, and you feel the need to find a particular body…not quite dead as of yet, it still hangs on to life for now.
You notice the people stare into your eyes, deep down into your very soul. You sense confusion, anger and hatred as you slowly step forward, looking around and feeling the anguish as small children cuddle the dead bodies of fathers and mothers, crying for them to open their eyes, friends and grandparents alongside there loved ones…all slain for the sake of their queen, the woman responsible for this slaughter of her subjects, the one led in the centre of it all.
You walk up to her body and look down upon her, the look of defeat in her eyes but you feel somewhat unsatisfied and haven't got your revenge upon the one who has done this to you.
''Yes…you now lay defeated my majesty…you had a chance to end it all but you missed it, giving us the chance to take you down once and for all''
The hooded individual stood over and stared down at you; you appear faint, hurt and shocked and you can't move your body whatsoever, it been too far damaged from the battle.
''Are…are you going to kill me?'' she asks.
''Yes…don't worry foul temptress, it will soon be over for you…your pain will no longer disturb you and you will be at peace if that's possible for someone as evil as yourself'' you answer.
''Evil you say…how…is love evil?'' she asks weakly before coughing up some of her blood, it dribbles across the dirt and splits into two little tinkles.
''YOUR SO CALLED FEELINGS FOR MY QUEEN CAUSED THIS WAR!'' you yell at her.
''Why…why were my true feelings for your queen so wrong? I never meant for any to be killed and I only wanted to tell her…that I loved her…that's all''
''You loved two women at one point and you couldn't choose between them, what you did was wrong''
''Are you saying that because…you love the queen?'' she asks you ''But could never confess to her out of fear of rejection?''
You remain silent, feeling anger fill your heart and guts as you feel she's taunting you.
''Don't be jealous that she wanted me''
''That's what you say to me but why the sudden urge of anger that attacked my land, my home destroyed by your so called love! my queens respect on this day was lost and she is heartbroken as your hatred and jealously rampaged over the land she holds dear, you are nothing more but scum to my queen and all of her loyal subjects!'' you shout.
''Anger…jealously, is that what you call it?''
You feel angry; she is dodging your questions and refuses to explain herself. Why put so many innocent lives on the line to not confess your feelings and instead feel anger…anger of being overlooked and treat like a child, she felt jealous of everyone around her and wanted them all to know that she can bite and she can bite with a vengeance.
You grab her by her coat and violently pull her up so she is now sat up.
''What say you monster, you have no defences left…your innocent men defeated and your castles burnt to the ground, innocent men and women sent to their graves and children left without their parents, all because of your lack to tell the truth to your heart, to confess to the one you love and to say sorry to your friend, your hatred and anger destroyed homes and lives, that is why we came here…why we have come here to remove the fowl organ that fouls this land before you destroy this world and all the hatred you hold for it, WHAT SAY YOU NOW!''
She looks into your eyes rather innocently and you can't stand it. Why…how dare she look like that after all of this…so many people had spent months trying to find her after she fled throughout the land, always hiding and seeking others to help her but whenever someone came close, she would sneak out of their grasp until finally one fateful day, she made a slip up and captured but as everyone thought it was over…she once again escaped and raised an army by force and hatred.
''I have nothing to say to you…I can't take back what I have done to you and your people'' she groans.
''Even in your last moments your stubborn and proud'' you spit ''You really don't care about others at all…not even your first lover who loved you with all of her heart but you threw it back in her face!''
She slowly opens her mouth to speak.
''…Please…keep Kagami safe… let her know…that…I'm sorry'' she whispers weakly to you as she awkwardly reaches up towards you, but you slap her hand away and scowl, feeling no remorse as you lower the knife.
''I…is it too late to apologize for what I have done?''
You feel somewhat surprised by her response and the offer of an apology. You feel unsure as what to say at first but quickly remember that it would be the right thing to ask for before you finish off her life.
''…It's never too late'' you respond slowly.
''I'm so sorry for everything that I have put you through…please forgive me''
The final blow was then struck and as the knife slit through the chest and the heart burst open, the stinging sensation took over her small body as blood poured from her chest like a leaking fountain, her eyes slowly closed as she has one last glance upwards at you
''Kagami…''
Her body crumbles to the ground, eyes finally closed…she is at peace in front of your feet, you have one last look at her, wondering how things would have been if she had only confessed and stood up for herself sooner…perhaps not as many if any lives would have been lost on that day. You turn and slowly walk away…not looking back…ever, only at your own reflection…what had you become, this figure of hate and sorrow, you're a monster now…always running and keeping the ones you love at bay.
''Whoa!''
Suddenly the small purple haired girl shot up in her seat, sweat dripping down her face and realising just where she was currently but not where she was going. She took some deep breathes before feeling her chest, relieved that it hadn't been ripped open by a knife or anything for that matter.
'I always have nightmares when I sleep on trains' she thought panicky.
The train car was not very busy and only a few other passengers were on board, sat on the opposite end to her. They all slightly jumped when they heard Tsukasa yelp as she sat up but apart from that one moment, it was as if she hadn't existed to any of them.
''I wonder where I'm going…maybe I made a mistake and I hope Daniel's alright'' Tsukasa said to herself as she gazed out of the window, seeing nothing but hillsides and as she looked down felt very scared as the train was going across a long viaduct that curved halfway round and had a massive drop down to the bottom, it was a true sight to behold and despite being scared, Tsukasa couldn't help but admire the scenery and hoped she would hold it with her throughout her life.
As she gazed and felt afraid, she was unaware that the carriage she was riding in was about have an inspection take place, the opening of the door was unheard by Tsukasa as the other passengers knew what it meant and began rummaging through coat pockets and bags.
''All tickets and rail cards out for inspection please!'' He called out as he slided the train door behind him.
She realised that it was his loud booming voice that had awoken her from her gaze as well as the remainder of her dream but since it was a nightmare, she couldn't complain even if she wanted to due to the language barrier, she let it go and tried to forget about it.
''Can I see your ticket Miss?'' The train conductor asked as he held out his hand in front of her
Tsukasa looked terrified, not from the train crossing a towering viaduct and from not being able to fully understand the English language and all but rather from the man's intimidating presence; she began to wish that she had not fallen asleep during all those English speaking classes at school though as she doubted he spoke any Japanese.
''….Your train ticket…please'' the conductor asked sort of awkwardly as he looked at Tsukasa's puzzled face. She didn't understand what he was asking with words but more with actions considering she was on a train she put two and two together.
''I…I don't have a ticket'' Tsukasa replied in some English that she did know although she messed up the word ticket and instead said trumpet like a scared puppy whimpering
''You will have to purchase a ticket from me then'' the conductor kindly responded after he guessed what she really meant and laughed gently.
'I have no money on me…what do I do now…maybe running away wasn't the smartest thing I could have done'
''You're not from around here are you?'' he asked her.
Tsukasa shook her head and was afraid that her lack of the English language was not going to get her far at all in her goal to run, run and not look back or at least keep going until she came to her senses which she knew she would do at some point.
''Can…you…understand me?'' he asked her slowly.
Tsukasa once again shook her head and began to feel afraid of what might happen to her if she didn't have a ticket, what if she is thrown in jail?
''its ok miss, I'll help you purchase a ticket when we arrive at your destination'' he smiled.
''…'' Tsukasa just nodded her head and smiled.
''Do you have any friends or family that can help you?'' he asked her as he felt it to be a little weird for a girl to be on a train all alone when she struggled with her English unless she was with someone.
''…No'' Tsukasa quickly replied nervously as her face turned pink.
''So you can understand me?'' he asked her.
Again, she slowly nodded and looked away, feeling afraid of being in trouble despite him being kind towards her.
''Do you know what station you want to get off at?'' he asked cautiously.
Tsukasa said nothing, her face red as a tomato as she sweated over the pressure of the ticket man's questions to her.
''Well perhaps you should hang tight and wait until we reach our final destination…I think the authorities would be very interested in you…they'll be able to help you find your way''
Tsukasa felt confused with the word 'authorities' she had no idea what it meant but the thought of how they'd be able to help her find her way made her somewhat happy then she had been in a while.
''…Thank you'' she replied carefully.
The train rolled onwards along the tracks and descended into the darkness of a long tunnel as it clattered along the old line. All Tsukasa could hope is that no one knew where she was going or that Daniel wouldn't let her friends find her….she couldn't bear seeing Konata right now, she just couldn't.
'I don't know where I'm going but I really hope I'll be safe there and I really hope Daniel finds me and we can run away together' Tsukasa hoped.
''Next station is Dent!'' the ticket man called out as the train emerged from the tunnel back into the wilderness of the English countryside.
'I've really gone too far this time…Kagami is really pissed off with me and I don't think I can repair the relationship anymore. She can't bear to be around me or even look at me anymore…does she hate me that much that she would see me go off on my own in a far off land?
''Guess I should…find my way back to London then'' Konata sighed ''I've lost it all…it's clear that I'm not wanted here anymore''.
Walking away from the station, she slowly made her way down the hill towards the countryside town, not quite sure how to make it back all by herself…bus…should she wait until Kagami was gone before getting a train, hell even walking there was an option for her right now at least it was free.
''Konata…wait up!'' Konata heard suddenly from behind her, she turned around and was very surprised to see none other than Daniel, the boy she didn't like walking up to her.
''…Daniel?'' Konata whispered silently.
''Thanks' for waiting brat'' said Daniel ''I imagined you would have just walked on and ignored me or something''.
''What do you want with me? Haven't you made it clear that you can't stand me for some obscene reason?'' asked Konata in an irritated tone.
''Calm your passion, I come in peace, I swear'' Daniel responded, much to Konata's surprise.
''Peace, where is it that we can possibly have peace between us?'' Konata asked ''you don't like me and I certainly don't like you''
''And you wonder why your girlfriend isn't speaking to you'' Daniel sighed ''you're so much fun to talk to and all but shut your mouth for a second please and listen''
''Shut up!'' Konata muttered before yelling it.
Konata felt slightly taken back but resisted the temptation to strike Daniel, hit him hard and reluctantly agreed to listen.
''Thank you very much, now we need to head somewhere where we won't be disturbed…we don't have a lot of time before the train comes so we have to be quick'' Daniel explained.
The two of them wandered off into the town centre and found a small roadside café where they sat and just after ordering some teas, stared into the other ones eyes like they were studying the other, one set full of determination whilst the other was full of remorse and no longer any passion or belief.
''Konata…I don't like you but I don't hate you either, since the moment we met I have despised you somewhat'' Daniel admitted ''However, I do believe that you really want to make things up with Tsukasa…so for her sake and only her sake…I will help you find her'' said Daniel.
''You…help me? Don't mess with me man, I still struggle to believe a word you say after it all, I still think you had deep intentions for Tsukasa…even if everyone else thinks your nice'' huffed Konata as she folded her arms and closed her eyes.
''Wow you're annoying kid'' Daniel sighed. ''What do I have to do to convince you…''
''Nothing…what makes you think that I would just suddenly like you and accept your help at all?'' Konata asked.
''Because like it or not…I'm your last hope to fix all of your problems or I'm the only one willing to do anything''
''Why don't you like me then?'' Konata asked him.
''I could ask you the same thing'' Daniel huffed.
''Your pushy and your ignorant'' said Konata
''And your rude and a shrimp!'' Daniel said back ''And you seem to think that your now ex will quickly forgive you for abandoning her in London, acting like a bitch the whole trip…and not to mention sleeping with Miyuki''.
''Ok so I'm not perfect'' Konata sighed ''don't tell me you don't have demons in your closet!''
''Don't we all?''
Konata felt irritated by some new guy appearing out of nowhere and seemingly offering solutions to fix all of her issues just like that…it seemed too good to be true to her.
''I see through you, I don't care if Tsukasa thinks your nice and that you won over Kagami…you seem too good to be genuine'' Konata said. ''You came out aggressive with me and now you suddenly want to help and be nice, what's up with that?''
''You're the one who became cold around me first, remember?'' Daniel pointed out ''You're a rude, pushy and you make the people who do like you want you to just go away in the end but I also sense something….it's like you haven't been yourself or something, I have no idea but if that is the case then why…why are you acting differently around everyone?''
''You…you wouldn't understand'' Konata said quietly ''you couldn't if you tried to understand what I've been through''.
''Look do you want my help or am I just wasting my time here kid?'' Daniel snapped.
''Leave me alone'' Konata snapped before standing up and prepared to walk away.
''Sit down! Don't be a martyr Konata, you have no options but to skulk off by yourself feeling sorry…why not go back to Malham and kill yourself?'' Daniel suggested.
''….you'd like that wouldn't you!'' Konata replied.
''OF COURSE I WOULDN'T I WAS BEING FUCKING SARCASTIC YOU MORON!'' Daniel yelled in her face.
''Stop messing with me already, I thought you were trying to help!'' Konata yelled.
''You're an idiot, you know that''
''And I'm going!'' replied Konata ''Goodbye'' she waved.
''Come back!'' Daniel called out.
Konata ignored Daniel and continued to walk away, eventually turning down a small alley way but Daniel was right on her tail, following her every step.
''Stop following me already'' Konata called out as she started to run.
''Come back and stop being a coward!''
Konata slowed down on the word coward and came to a halt at the end of the alleyway, her eyes wide open, and she couldn't take another step forward.
''What makes you think you could possibly understand me Daniel?'' Konata said darkly.
''…Just try me'' smiled Daniel ''who knows, I might even grow some respect for you''.
''Ha! As if, you'd be wasting your time trying to do that'' Konata huffed.
''I can't believe that a girl like Kagami would fall for someone as horrible as you'' Daniel admitted ''you just push everyone away!
''I thought you were trying to kidnap Tsukasa'' Konata said in her defence.
''And I thought you wanted to make everything up to her but I guess you were only trying to do it because you thought it would get Kagami back into bloody bed with you!''
''OK SO I GOT SCARED!'' Konata yelled ''I WANTED HER BACK BUT I ALSO WANT MY FRIEND TSUKASA BACK''.
''What happened to you Konata, I keep hearing that you haven't always been this way…you were once different…an Otaku I believe they call it.
''Do…you really want to know the whole story Daniel?'' asked Konata ''I'll only say something if I'm sure that you really want to help me otherwise I'll walk away and not come back, I don't need someone messing around with me, I've done that enough with my friends and I now believe that my fate has been decided by god that I'll be punished accordingly someday for what I've done'' Konata explained.
''…What are you babbling on about?'' Daniel said confused.
''Fine, I'll tell you everything'' Konata sighed.
''Go ahead then'' Daniel told her.
''I…well when I got together with Kagami…I'll admit that I considered changing my ways…for her'' she admitted ''On the plane ride over here I had a good long think about what Kagami would want from me…would she stay with me if I was my goofy Otaku self? Or would she want someone who would care for her and act her age?''
''From the way things have turned out, I can guess that she doesn't like the…grown up Konata then?'' Daniel teased.
''I…I just got paranoid about It all and made some big mistakes, I felt like she was always watching my every move and judging me…I tried to engage some culture like she was but I couldn't do it so I complained and whined and Kagami lost her love for me…especially after the Tsukasa incident.
''Just be yourself around her and you'll win her back…she wants the Konata that she fell in love with not this mopey girl that I see before me….so your father cheated on your mother…at least they stayed together and you've met your father, my so called father flirted with my mother and I was conceived from there night of passion and he left us for his family in Japan…he promised my mother all sorts of things and he broke her heart!'' Daniel admitted.
''…Really? That's awful…'' Konata said shocked.
''Then after years of low paying jobs and missing school mostly, a purpled haired girl just turned up out of nowhere, the poor thing looked like she'd been sleeping on the streets so I took pity on her and gave her a roof to sleep under and nursed her back to health.
''You…you did?''
''She was very grateful, a bit afraid at first but she took a liking to me…I could talk to her about anything and she'd sit there and smile… and yes she told me things as well like her love for Miyuki and how she was missing her family…and friends'' Daniel explained.
''…What about me?''
''To be honest at first she was so mad with you…she felt like you never took her seriously and made fun of her whenever you could…she wondered why you were ever friends with her but she eventually calmed down and admitted that she missed you but as you saw earlier…she still holds some anger towards you, it is only you that can convince her to come back with you'' said Daniel.
''And you told us that she wants you to return with us?'' asked Konata.
''That's right''
''See that's my problem, why bring back a complete stranger to a completely different country to this one?'' Konata replied.
''You…you wouldn't understand'' Daniel admitted ''considering you hate me and all''
''…No…I don't hate you…I…I guess I'm jealous of you'' Konata reluctantly admitted.
''Jealous, how is that so?''
''Everyone seems to like you…while everyone seems to hate me'' Konata sighed.
''They like you…you just made some bad decisions the past couple of weeks is all, you can still fix it'' Daniel smiled.
''Well If I have to be honest then I'll admit that I never really thought you were trying to kidnap Tsukasa, I made that up...to be honest I had spotted the two of you in the woods a minute or so prior to Tsukasa running off…she looked happy and comfortable around you…unlike me'' Konata confessed.
''You need to stop lying Konata and being so paranoid all the time'' Daniel told her ''I don't want to watch you throw your life away like this all because of a little argument…is it because you're afraid you couldn't handle a relationship the way you were before you came here or something?''
''Excuse me, why do you even care about any of this…you hate me remember!'' snapped Konata
''I don't! I just think you're a little rude…and annoying….and you have blue hair!'' Daniel pointed out.
''How do I know your telling me the truth?'' Konata asked sharply and suspiciously.
''Calm down, I'm only trying to be nice to you…but if you'd rather wander off back to London all alone and not make things right with Kagami then go…don't let me try and help you…let's see how far you get before you regret that decision''
''Even before we came here I tried to act less of an Otaku and more of the person Kagami wanted me to be but I felt…unsure by it all and uncomfortable…It made me feel sick inside''
''I don't hate you! Well…if you knew then perhaps you'd understand what I'm trying to say!''
''You know what? what is it that your hiding….it's doing my head in as well as everything else…life seemed so much more simpler when I just kicked back and had my Manga and Anime to keep me happy, I never had all of this pressure to please everyone, act all mature and sensible…I could enjoy life without a care in the world''
''I don't know if I should say…but Konata I do know that if you want Kagami back then you have to be yourself, Manga, Anime or whatever you call it…all of what you used to do because that's what she fell in love with…not a stroppy little girl who moans and scares her sister away for pure fun''
''What you're saying makes sense'' Konata admitted.
''Of course it makes sense stupid, isn't it bloody obvious that you've changed…of course I wouldn't know, I'm just going off what I've heard'' Daniel admitted.
''WHY AM I YOU TELLING YOU ALL OF THIS!'' Konata yelled as she held her head in her hands ''I don't even know you at all!''
''Calm down'' he asked her over and over.
'I hope you know what you're doing Tsukasa…I didn't want to do this but damn it kid…you were the first person in a long time who was kind to me…saw me as a friend, you wanted me to make things right with Konata and get to know her so for you…I'll try…I promise I'll give it my best shot…for you my friend' Daniel thought.
''ANSWER ME!'' Konata yelled.
''Look does that really matter right now?'' Daniel asked her. ''Accept my help and find Tsukasa, I'll do my best with Kagami and Miyuki but you have to find her first''
''But I-
''No buts! You have a scared friend who needs you to just treat her like a friend and not like a joke! I better find you and her in Carlisle together Konata!'' Daniel warned her.
''I don't know if I can'' Konata replied.
''Not you…but the real Konata is the one that needs to do this, get sarcastic and be the Otaku that you can be!'' Daniel said trying to motivate her.
''I can't promise you anything man but I'll try, Tsukasa's a friend and I do need to treat her more like one'' sighed Konata.
Daniel smiled and felt relieved that he had convinced her finally.
''Here, I want to give you this ticket'' said Daniel after rummaging in his coat pocket to finally pull out an orange train ticket
''You…you're giving me your train ticket?'' Konata asked in disbelief.
''Heavens no girl! the train Kagami is going to get on, do you seriously expect her to let you even get on that train…no this is a train pass that I have for another line''
''I don't understand, you gave me a pass even though you say Kagami won't let me come along?'' said Konata slowly.
''This town…has another train station that goes where this line does'' Daniel explained as he pointed westwards. ''If you follow this road and cross the main road at the end of it, you'll find a smaller train station and a train is going to be heading to where you need to go in about an hour so I would get going…if you miss it then you'll have to wait until tomorrow to get there''
''Where is this place that Tsukasa is heading to?'' Konata asked out of curiosity.
''It's called Carlisle, it's a border town between England and another country called Scotland...'' Daniel answered.
''That doesn't sound so bad'' said Konata ''what's the fuss about?''
''You don't get it…if Tsukasa gets into Scotland then it will be a lot harder to find her'' said Daniel.
''How so, what's Scotland like?''
''No idea, I've never been…that's why it'll be harder to a hope of finding her'' Daniel explained.
''And Konata…'' Daniel called out.
''Next time I see you, I want to see this…other side of you…the Otaku side or so Kagami calls it'' he smiled.
''You…you do?'' Konata says astonished.
''Yeah, I feel like I'd like that side of you more'' Daniel smiled.
''I'll do my best then I guess'' Konata waved back with a small side.
''Why do I have that feeling that he's more important than he's letting on? Hmmm I think I'm looking too deeply into it right now, I have a friend to find…but still''
'Good luck Konata…I hope you make it and do what you need to do…please forgive me Tsukasa…it was the right thing to do after all…the right thing'. thought Daniel before he turned back to the train station to deal with keeping Kagami and Miyuki occupied to give Konata the time she needs but will it be enough time for her to find Tsukasa?
End of Chapter 34