Title: Unbreakable Strength
Chapter 55: Silver Horses
Authors Note: I hope everyone has been having a nice summer – I know I have, even if I am crazy busy. I'm not quite sure what I'll do with my free time now that I won't be writing! I suppose planning some new story to begin weaving. Anyways, pay special attention to the quote – it's from a very special Author who's always having trouble having her voice heard. Enjoy chapter 55, I believe it's the last 'only Liv' chapter that you'll have. This is also another chapter that sort of wrote itself, especially towards the end. Most of the story I plan ahead, but every now and again the characters shake their head and have to firmly tell me what 'really' happened, and I must convey what they tell me. So, enjoy the chapter.
Disclaimer: I do not own Fruits Basket or any of the characters. However, my dear little Mira Liore Nolan is mine and mine alone along with the lovely Liv Cyrene Nolan.
Dangerous to Know by Hilary Duff & When I look to the Sky by Train
We carry each other's cross. ~ Liv Sohma, Ch. 6
She knew that he would come, and still Liv prayed that he'd forget. When Mana did visit, Gallius calmed the storm by telling Liv exactly what to say. When Mana wasn't present, He usually stayed silent, respecting her privacy and doing his best to not exist – which was impossible.
The time had come to accept Gallius was more than a shadow of a flickering spirit in the corners of her mind. He was a fully fledged entity with a conscious, rational mind and raging emotions.
Mana came today, as Liv knew he would and still desperately hoped that he wouldn't. As always, he barged into the room, never knocked, and made sure his presence was known. It sent a shiver down her spine whenever she saw him masquerading around in Akito's skin. Did she even know the real Akito? Every now and then, when Liv looked at the right moment and the sun hit Akito's eyes, she saw a tortured imprisoned soul fighting to escape.
The God waited impatiently, to be acknowledged.
"Yes," and at this next part, she slightly regurgitated in her mouth, "milord?"
Physically, Akito's eyes passed over her, but Liv knew there was a much darker and powerful source behind the mask. Hope was still alive though, after all, her mother had kept them hidden for many years.
That little mystery still kept Liv tossing and turning at night. Mana had shed enough light to feed her curiosity, and withheld just enough to drive her insane.
"You'll be interested to know that we've located dear Yuki, and your sister will be on her way soon – I'm sure," his lips curved into a menacing grin, one that belonged on the unfriendly teeth of a prized fighting pit bull.
Liv's heart sunk, so it was to all be over. Mana had won. He'd breed them like common cattle, and produce fine heir's for the curse to feed off of.
Why is he so confident to find your sister when there is an untraceable gift blessing your blood? He shouldn't be able to find her provided that your sister does not draw attention to herself.
The Rooster had a point, and had Liv's spirits slowly on the rise, "But…the blessing, of our Mother. You can't find her…" she sounded a little too happy.
Mana laughed dryly at her false hopes, "Even God's have uses in modern day technology my dear human girl."
That damned silver necklace. Liv didn't habitually wear anything two days twice in a row, but without fail there was that silver running horse that graced Mira's neck.
"It's how you've always found her then, you had it bugged at the hospital…" so many months ago. He had been plotting away for a very long time.
"You catch on quickly," at least Gallius hadn't picked a human without a brain – and her's was worth treasuring.
"What a compliment, because it was such a hard concept to put together," Liv replied with a snort, forgetting her place. Mana was quick to remind her to watch her insolence as she felt the hard blow to her left cheek. It caused her head to spin around and for the room to grow dark as her eye sight failed her from the impact.
The light always returned though, and as she staggered and found her balance, the sight of the little grey room returned to her.
You pick now, of all times, to use sarcasm?
Gallius was impatient with her, but Liv didn't take offense. She knew the guilt that he carried for every blow to her body and tear that ran down her cheek was because of him. He had chosen her body to control; he had sealed her fate and taken away her Hatori.
"She's one zodiac, does it really matter?" please…just let her go. Please.
Mana cocked one eye brow at the desperation in her voice, "now, now," he chided lightly. "I hate beggars. Of course I need her, you two are of noble Sohma blood." That should have been obvious.
"No…" Liv attempted a failed half smile as she argued as politely as possible with him, "Our father was American, we're only half Sohma."
"Is that what they told you?" Mana smirked.
"It's the truth," Liv shot back angrily.
Must you yell at him? Do you enjoy pain child?
She was not a child. Liv sulked for a moment and watched Mana control the rush of anger in his face. He hated when she acted out, showed a bit of spine and personality. Gallius was right though, she ought to watch her mouth.
"You can trust me on this, or I would not mate with a…" and at this his nose wrinkled, "dirty blooded human." For a moment, Mana passed around the room, with a sly little look in his eyes.
"Most of my zodiacs have chosen humans of noble Sohma blood. In fact, only the Dragon, the Rabbit, the Cow and the Cat used human beings with mixed blood. Naturally they will not be allowed to breed" he informed her.
And that was why she wasn't allowed to be with Hatori. It also meant that the child in her womb would have less of a chance being cursed if Mana wanted pure blood. There were many questions that popped into her head; most of them surrounded her mother and father. If what Mana had said was true, and she had little doubt, than Aaron Nolan had not been Aaron Nolan. Who had raised her? Did Aaron even have two brothers in America? Mana hadn't been able to find them, not until she had arrived to the Sohma's on their front step a year and a half ago. She hadn't lived with the Sohma's much longer than Mira had.
Don't ask him anything. Just remain silent.
Gallius pleaded with her.
Liv was far from vexing the God, though. She had begun to see what buttons she could push and how far she could go until a punishment was ordered.
Don't…
"And an offering, a sacrifice of blood. Blood has to bind the spirits to the body, correct?"
"You've been paying attention," Mana approved, he hated human ignorance. At least this one tried to be knowledgeable.
"Then who was the sacrifice this year?" Liv asked impatiently.
"Ah…what was that name…" he pondered, longer than what Liv thought was necessary.
A man ought to know what blood he had spilled. He shouldn't have forgotten her name, or her face.
"Hane…her name was Hane, a beautiful flower," he smiled when he remembered her lovely innocence and youth. She was so very special, enough to bind the zodiac to their bodies. It was only shortly after her blood spilled that they realized her family line was muddled.
He was a monster; there was no doubt in Liv's mind. She clutched her fists tightly to her side; her face grew hot and red.
Stop, please…just stop.
Gallius softly subdued the outrage that threatened to burst through her carefully concealed mask.
"How old?" she asked bitterly.
"Fifteen, her older sister was eighteen, and shed light shortly after her death that Hana and her were half sisters. As I recall, she spit the knowledge in my face."
"Your soul is twisted and dark, Tetsu. How could you, HOW COULD YOU? She was a little girl…just a little girl. Our sister, and you lured her to that damned temple!"
Tetsu's face remained a blank canvas, void of all emotion as an inner battle played out between the human and the God.
Mana won.
"She was needed in a higher calling, Mara. Your unseemly behavior has irritated me, go," he flicked her off like an irritating fly.
"Kanji and I won't allow you to get away with this! TETSU…COME BACK. Remember Hana! Remember how she was a beautiful dancer and enjoyed butterflies, especially the blue and yellow ones. Don't let him win…don't – ah," she felt sharp pain as his hand shot out and sent her body spiraling.
"You don't know what you speak of, Mara. Leave your sister Tetsu, to me. As for Kanji….well, a simple servant boy is hardly a threat to me, I may have to dispose of him" if she wasn't so annoying, Mana might have been amused.
"Don't you dare touch him. Your ignorance will be your downfall, mark my words. Someday, goodness and light will triumph and you'll be all alone, forever in the dark," Mara sneered and pranced away before he threw her in that terrible dark room he kept.
"I saw that…" Liv felt her body tremble, and finally she collapsed to the ground, "But that's your memory…why did it play out in my head?"
And why the hell did she see it from Mana's point of view? She felt his entire ugliness crawl through her veins.
Because like it or not, Mana and I are connected in blood. His memories are my memories and I wished to share them with you. Now you know, the sacrifice was your aunt, Tetsu's half sister and Mara still lives, waiting for her revenge.
A chill raced up Liv's spine as she began to digest all of the new information.
"I'm not strong enough for this," she confessed silently, her body trembled. Nobody was strong enough to survive this life.
You are, you have to be.
No. No. No.
She wanted to run, fast and far away. But…running was Mira's thing, just as she'd run now and the little silver horse would betray her. Liv always stood and fought…but who could fight this? Who dared to stand up to the circumstance and the future she was glimpsing. There was evil that shared a bed with her some nights, evil that came and ripped her open and took her as his own.
For once, Liv didn't want to be strong. She wanted to be…a child, with a mother to run into her arms and have all of her fears kissed away.
I'm sorry Liv, truly.
"There isn't a deed or apology created that can make up for all of the suffering you have put my family and I through," Liv snarled through gritted teeth as she barely managed to hold herself together.
Still, it is my duty to try.
Liv wanted to tell the rooster to stuff it, but instead she allowed the stress to build up. Finally, there was a loud poof, and a proud and noble looking Rooster clucked around the circle of human clothes.
Mana looked on amused at her, and then whisked out the door. A smile spread across his handsome lips, his power was growing.
