Title: Broken Wings (3/?)
Author: Kerianne (seiichirou@datenshi.nu)
Warnings: Shounen-ai, angst
Pairings (eventual): Seishirou/Subaru (well, sort of ^^;;;), Sorata/Arashi, Seiichirou/Karen, anything else I decide to stick in
Spoilers: Up to and including the January Asuka installment
Author's notes: Uh... does anyone remember this fic? ^^;;; I know the last time it was updated was in January, and I've been terribly lazy, but I finally found my fic notes which have been lost for several months and hopefully I'll be working on it quite a bit in the days to come. This chapter is a bit slow, but I'm just trying to get all my subplots set up... expect more action and interesting stuff in later chapters ^_~ Please leave reviews!

Chapter Three:


Sighing softly, Kasumi Karen stared into the mirror and applied another stroke of mascara to her eyelashes. Her next customer would be arriving in fifteen minutes, and her makeup and hair were still messed up from the last one. It had been even harder than usual to concentrate on her work that day; in fact, she'd been preoccupied for two weeks straight.

Not for the first time, she found herself wondering how Seiichirou and his daughter had spent the weeks following Shimako's death. She couldn't stand the thought that he might be passing the days alone, sinking deeper and deeper into misery, with only his work and his bewildered daughter to comfort him.

But then, she knew Seiichirou better than that. He wasn't the type to dwell on suffering and pain. He was so much stronger than anyone else gave him credit for. She remembered his eyes when he had spoken of his nephew's death; she had seen sorrow there, and regret, but also a determination to keep his promise to Daisuke. A determination not to cry. It had been that that had touched her more than anything.

He hadn't cried after losing Shimako, either, but she had never seen him look quite so tired and despairing as he had that night. She had tried to stay awake until he returned from his rest, but the exhaustion of the nights' battle had finally caught up with her. She had awakened to find herself on the couch of the mansion's living room, with a message from Yuzuriha that he and Yuka had left while she had been asleep. He had told the girl to tell Karen not to worry about him.

She knew she should be honoring that wish, but as time passed it became harder and harder not to think of him. Two weeks had passed without a phone call, an invitation for tea, a chance meeting on the street. A few times she had considered calling him herself, or stopping by his apartment, but she always managed to find an excuse not to. The truth was, deep inside, she was afraid he might not welcome her presence in his life anymore, not after all the trouble she had caused him.

I promised to help, she murmured to herself, closing her eyes briefly. But perhaps the only way she could help him would be to stay away from him...

Abruptly the mirror flashed, causing her eyes to fly open. There, replacing the image of a pale and tired face framed by flaming red curls, was an intricate purple mark inscribed in light. Before the mark had faded completely, she had gotten to her feet and was halfway out the door.

Hurrying past her astounded boss, who yelled something she didn't quite catch out the door just before it slammed shut behind her, she stepped out into the cold night air. Her heart had begun to pound faster, keeping rhythm with her steps as she hurried down the sidewalk. She should have been expecting this-- it had been too quiet for the past few weeks, and Hinoto had not yet commented on the events at Ginza or Subaru's betrayal. She supposed that was what this meeting would be about.

The guard at the Diet Building recognized her and let her in immediately (although, from the way he was looking at the way her work outfit clung to her figure, she imagined he probably would have let her in without much fuss even if he'd never seen her before in his life). Karen hurried down the steps to Hinoto's basement, feeling a slight gnawing uneasiness in the pit of her stomach. She didn't like the way the air felt here; it was charged, as if something were just biding its time and waiting to strike. Shivering, she opened the door and stepped into the dimly lit room.

::Karen-dono. I am glad you were able to make it.:: The telepath lifted her head, blind eyes seeming to stare at the soapland mistress in the doorway. Karen barely noticed Hinoto, instead glancing at the figures surrounding the princess's prone form. It didn't take her long to realize that Seiichirou was there. Somehow she hadn't expected that he would be. He began to turn toward her, and she quickly averted her eyes to the ground and took her place as far from him as possible.

::I understand that Sorata-dono cannot be here because he is still recovering from his injuries. I assume that one of you will inform him of what is said tonight. Now that everyone else is here...:: The thought-speech took on a sedate and saddened tone. ::I thought we should meet, especially after the events surrounding the kekkai at Ginza. As you all may or may not know, I sent Karen-dono and Aoki-dono to protect that kekkai. And while it did not fall...:: Her head drooped, bowing toward the ground. ::I see that you all know what came to pass instead.::

Three pairs of sympathetic eyes turned upon Seiichirou's silent form; Karen continued to gaze at the ground, shame and guilt making her face burn and her stomach twist. It was her fault, and all of them knew it; she could practically feel their eyes shifting to her, the blame and disgust she knew they had to feel toward her.

::Karen-dono.:: The voice was directed only to her this time, and it made her flinch. ::Do not blame yourself. There is only one to blame for this tragedy.::

Before Karen had a chance to respond, the princess continued speaking to all of them. ::There are things you do not know about what happened at Ginza, however. I will be honest-- perhaps you would be happier not knowing. But in the interest of our battle, you must be informed.:: Her head bowed again. ::I am sorry to be the one to deliver this painful news to you.::

What is it? Kamui burst out in a tense, snappish tone. For the first time, Karen realized how much the boy must have been tormenting himself since her cryptic comment about Subaru.

::Aoki-dono's wife was murdered by a Dragon of Earth.:: Across the room, the windmaster flinched. ::A Dragon of Earth, and a traitor.::

Kamui took a sharp breath, his eyes narrowing.

::I am afraid that one of our own has joined the ranks of the enemy..::

Kamui uttered the name softly, a hollow and lost tone in his voice. Yuzuriha gasped.

::I am sorry, Kamui-dono.::

The boy closed his eyes, his thin frame shuddering under the weight of the unwelcome news. Yuzuriha, who was standing closest to him, laid a gentle comforting hand on his shoulder, but he shrugged it off.

Finally his eyes flew open, blazing with anger. Did you know about this? he demanded. You must have! You must have known about it just like you knew about Kotori and Fuuma!

::Kamui... I could not...::

I'm tired of this, Kamui interrupted. I don't know why I'm never allowed to know what's going to happen in my own life! If I had known... if I had known Subaru-san was going to... then I wouldn't have... His head bowed slightly, shoulders shaking. I don't understand...

::Fate, Kamui-dono--::

Kamui turned away. I don't want to hear another word about fate, he murmured in a flat voice, and started for the door.

Yuzuriha cried out, and began to go after him.

::Let him go.::

Behind them, a door slammed shut, and then silence reigned.

::He is suffering. He will need you in the days to come, will need you to help him regain the will to fight... but for now he must be left alone.:: Hinoto gave a soft mental sigh. ::You may leave as well. I will contact you if I recieve any more news of the Angels' activities.::

The group slowly dissipated, until only Arashi lingered behind. Frowning slightly, the priestess looked down at Hinoto, at the helpless form with the long white hair swirled around it. Why didn't you? she asked softly.

::What do you mean, Arashi-dono?::

Tell him. It wasn't like last time... there was no decision to be made. You could have told him, and saved him all of this misery.

::Could I?:: The princess raised her head, and smiled. ::You know nothing of the future, Arashi-dono. You could not even begin to understand. Do not judge me-- it will all become clear in time.::

Arashi paused, a bit taken aback. Hinoto had never spoken to her like that before. Bowing respectfully, she hurried from the room.

Something was bothering her, but she couldn't quite figure out what it was.

* * * * *

Staring out the window from her small booth in the cafe, Karen slowly sipped her tea. It was the same place they always met, even the same booth, and she had made sure he noticed where she was going after Hinoto ended the meeting. She had decided that she would wait here for twenty minutes; if he did not follow, she would give up.

It had been fifteen minutes, and there was no sign of him yet.

Another minute passed, and another. Sadly she turned her eyes from the window. It had been wrong to get her hopes up; it was obvious that he no longer wanted to have any further contact with her than their working relationship. Maybe it truly was better this way.

She flinched at the familiar voice, and slowly lifted her head. He was standing beside the booth with a nervous, almost shy expression on his face. Do you-- do you mind if I sit down? I just thought... He trailed off.

Despite herself, her face broke into a bright smile. Of course it's all right, Aoki-san.

The first few minutes were spent in uncomfortable silence, as she continued to sip her tea and he absently toyed with his napkin.

I... I'm sorry I haven't been around, he said finally, tugging nervously at his tie. I just needed some time. To think.

I understand. She smiled hesitantly at him. How are you doing?

I'm... surviving. He gave a small, wry smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. His gaze had lost the empty, hopeless expression that had scared her so much, but it had also lost the sparkle and warmth she remembered from before. As well as can be expected.

She didn't know what to say to that, so she changed the subject. How is Yuka-chan?

She's... been taking it pretty hard, honestly. It's not easy for children, losing a parent... Seiichirou swallowed hard, and continued. I.. well... that's one of the reasons I wanted to talk to you, actually.

I don't understand... Karen looked at him in confusion.

Yuka's been very lonely lately. And I'm afraid I haven't been much help. I still have a very busy work schedule, and it seems as if I'm always dropping her off at day-care or at a neighbor's. And even when I am around, I'm not in any state to be comforting her or cheering her up. The man sighed, twisting the napkin between his fingers nervously.

Aoki-san... I'm sorry, Karen said softly.

No, I'm not telling you this so you'll pity me. He looked up at her imploringly. I wanted to ask for your help.

She stared at him, and smiled slowly. Of course. Anything I can do.

It isn't for me...

Her heart sank a little.

... but for Yuka-chan. I know you are busy as well, but I'm asking you if you could... visit every once in a while. Just to give Yuka a female influence in her life, and another adult she can trust. She recognizes you. You... you saved her life. I know she'll like you.

Of course, it's no problem. I'm not that busy. But... Aoki-san, I could never be a replacement for Shimako-san, she finished softly, regret coloring her voice.

He looked up in surprise. Of course not, and I don't want you to try to be one. I know Yuka will never forget her mother... I just want to make sure she'll be all right. And I think if she has a... a friend, an adult friend who she can trust... it might make things easier for her.

Karen paused, examining his expression carefully. Perhaps it was only wishful thinking, but she thought that maybe, beyond his concern for his daughter, there was some part of himself that would benefit from having her around. Then and there, she decided that as long as she was a part of his life, she would do everything she could to help him move on. To bring back the happiness in his eyes.

Smiling, she clasped his hand across the table, stopping his nervous movements. I will, Aoki-san. I'll do whatever it takes.

* * * * *

Sumeragi-san, a traitor.

Arashi felt guilty, and she wasn't quite sure why.

She wondered what it was like on the other side. How could they kill so blindly? Didn't they have anything to live for? Didn't Sumeragi-san have anything to live for? She knew that the death of the man who had been both his enemy and his obsession for so many years had hit him hard, but she had never imagined that he was ready to throw his life away...

Her thoughts strayed to Sorata, and the sadness and strength in his eyes when he spoke of his destiny. She inhaled sharply, a shocking thought invading her mind.

Perhaps, the more you wished to live for something, the more meaningful it became to die for it...

Arashi-san! Kamui-chan won't come out of his room... He won't even answer me! Yuzuriha said worriedly, coming into the Imonoyama mansion's living room and startling Arashi out of her troubling thoughts. The younger girl's eyes were wide with distress, and at her side, her spirit dog companion looked equally unsettled.

Hinoto-hime said he needed to be left alone, Arashi replied, a little sharply. A restlessness was rising within her, a strange compelling urge that, though she did not know what it meant, refused to be ignored.

I know, but... Yuzuriha's brown eyes gazed at the floor sadly. I wanted to help him... I feel so bad thinking about him holed up in his room like that, all alone and sad...

Kamui will be all right, Arashi said distractedly, though she was not convinced. Would he? Would any of them be all right?

Arashi-san, what's wrong? You look sad too... Everyone's so unhappy. I hate this. Yuzuriha's voice rose in frustration. Why did Subaru-san have to go and--

I'm fine. It's nothing. The priestess twisted her hands nervously in her lap, looking down at them as she did. Small, white, helpless hands. Hands that could not save the man she loved from the death that would be for her sake, the death that would be on her conscience forever.

She looked up into the inugami mistress's sad and confused gaze. I'm going to see Sorata, she said.

Yuzuriha said, brightening up a bit. Tell him I said hi!

Arashi nodded shortly and got up, leaving the relative brightness of the living room to wander down the dark hallways towards Sorata's converted hospital room. Her heart was pounding, and she found herself hesitating as she reached the door behind which Sorata was probably asleep.

She closed her eyes, trying to calm her spinning thoughts. Sumeragi-san a traitor... Aoki-san's wife dead... her own powers gone... Nothing made sense anymore. And the one thing that should have been a comforting constant in this maelstrom, her love for Sorata and his love for her, was only making her heart ache more.

I won't let you die, she whispered. I won't.

And without really knowing where she was going, she turned around, walked away from the closed door of Sorata's hospital room, slipped out a back exit and stepped out into the cool Tokyo night.

~end chapter 3~