Ahhhhhhh!!!! Writer's Block!? I can't have writer's block, I've finished the whole story in my head! How can I not write it down?!
Very easily it seems.
Really, though. I spent almost four hours trying to figure how to begin the chapter, and from where. I walked to the mall and back…Twice. I cleaned my room…and the hallway…and the kitchen…and the basement…until I thought I was going to scream. Finally, I just sat down and re-read my last chapter, listening to the Yami no Matsuei soundtrack. (Love Yami? Love Anime? Love the gorgeous music Yohko Kanno did for Escaflowne? You'll love the Yami soundtracks. {There are two})
But I digress. It's taken three days, and an untold amount of Coke, but I can finally write again!
YAY!!!!! *Starts conga line with Duo, Sam, Joe and Yukito. They all dance around until They see Yue standing three feet away with his arms crossed. All look from Yukito in conga line to Yue and sputter*
"B-but I thought—"
"Yue? And Yukito?"
"What the hell?"
*Yukito looks plaintively at group.* "What? I wanted to dance and Yue-San didn't want to."
*General shrugs throughout the group*
O.k. Yep that was weird. Oh well. The story continues…
Note to Ankle: You've got the basic idea, but as always, there is more to this than there seems……*manic laughter from the back room* Muwa-hah-hah-hah-hah-hah!!!!!!
Please R&R!
Peace, Love and Anarchy!
~The Elemental.
Walk Through the Fire
Chapter Ten:
Song.
Invitation
If you are a dreamer, come in,
If you are a dreamer, a wisher, a liar,
A hope-er, a pray-er, a magic bean buyer . . .
If you're a pretender, come sit by my fire
For we have some flax-golden tales to spin.
Come in!
By Shel Silverstein
From Where the Sidewalk Ends
"……Then the skid broke and I thought we were stuck, but Hotaru helped me back to camp, and you know the rest." Various centaurs nodded, smiling. Shanra had spent the past hour telling of her capture, escape and rescue by Hotaru and Duo to a captive audience of centaurs gathered around a table, feasting. The village (Duo couldn't call it a camp, it was too permanent) had declared a celebration for Shanra's safe return. Food was piled on a table all the centaurs gathered around, and two chairs had been brought for Hotaru and Duo, both of whom were glad to sit.
Man, when they say 'party' they mean Party! I haven't seen so much food since last Christmas at that party Relina held. I wonder where the chairs came from, they certainly don't need them…Around the pair stood centaurs, eating and joking and generally enjoying themselves standing at the table. Duo's train of thought ended when a plate was passed under his nose.
"You should try this. It's very good." Slipping a piece of well-cooked meat from a plate, Duo smiled to Dyan and turned to Hotaru, who had been quiet since she had accepted Dyan's invitation. Remembering something he had wanted to ask her, he placed a hand on her shoulder.
"How are you holding up?"
"Huh? Oh, what?" Startled, Hotaru looked up.
"Your memories. They've been bugging you since we got here…You've been suppressing them, but now they're coming back. Do you know why?"
He IS smart. I must be careful… Her blocks up, Hotaru could not hear Saturn's reply.
"I'm fine, it's just going to take some getting used to, all these memories…" She lied.
"I won't pry, but I hope you can tell me what happened to you one day. To deal with memories like that…" Duo shook his head.
Hotaru had an answer ready. "I'll tell you that when you tell me about your past, and why your aura's so black." She'd guessed right. He flinched, then sighed.
"I guess we all have our secrets." His voice switched from a defeated tone to one of interest. "You can see my aura?"
Any further discussion was cut off by the booming voice of an elder centaur. He wore a light blue wrap around his torso and a silver medallion hung from his neck.
"Friends. Today we celebrate!" He motioned to Hotaru and Duo, then to Dyan and Shanra. "We celebrate the return of our child to us! We celebrate wisdom in all it's forms! We celebrate unexpected friendships from unexpected sources! But most of all, today we celebrate LIFE!" A thunderous cheer tore through the group, and everyone turned to their neighbor to clasp their wrists. Both Duo and Hotaru were caught up in the moment, finding a dozen hands in theirs, all gripping their wrists for a moment, before another took it's place. Looking over, Hotaru noticed that the centaur Saturn had mentioned, along with several others were not participating in the festivities. Shrugging it off as sour grapes, Hotaru turned to find Dyan's hand in hers.
"You looked a little overwhelmed, Lady."
"I'm not a lady, please. Just call me Hotaru."
"Very well, Hotaru. Let's get you both out of here, shell we?" Moving slowly but surely, Dyan managed to pull Hotaru and Duo away from the table before their hands were shaken off. "They'll be at this for a while. It's tradition to shake everyone's hand at least once." Both Duo and Hotaru shook their heads and watched in silence as the centaurs continued. Whatever they had expected from this proud race, it had not been this.
When everyone appeared to be finished, another centaur rose to speak, this one clothed in red. Raising his hands towards the group, he intoned:
"The fire is waiting, let us end this day." The centaurs raised one arm and replied as a group:
"So mote it be." They began to leave the table in groups, heading towards a large bonfire outside the building, set in the back of the village. Finding Dyan gone, Hotaru and Duo were at a loss until Shanra walked towards them.
"It's the time of fire." Seeing the blank looks on both faces, she hurried to explain. "Sorry, I forgot. It's a tradition of all centaur groups. We gather around the fire at the end of the day to share tales and knowledge, and to sing and play instruments. All who join the circle must add something to it, be it a legend or a tale, or a piece of music, or a song. This way, we all learn something to end the day with."
"Will we need to do anything?" Duo looked pale, but Hotaru thought it might have been the low light. "You know, sing or play…?" Shanra simply smiled.
"If you are called upon, you must add something to the circle. It's tradition."
"We're called upon?" Duo was twisting his braid between his hands. He's nervous! I never thought he'd be nervous about something like this. Hotaru shook her head and waited for Shanra's answer.
"Our circle is large today. One will start. He will call upon another, who will add, then call upon another, and so on. You may be called on, you may not."
"Oh goody…." Duo groaned. Hotaru fought a giggle.
"Don't worry Duo, you'll do fine."
"Thanks, but I don't think that's going to help."
Smiling, Shanra lead the two to the fire. They settled down on a log and looked at the rest of the centaurs, who had formed a half-circle of sorts around the fire. Almost all had knelt down, including Shanra, who knelt beside Duo.
Not long after, when everyone seemed to be settled, the village elder clothed in red stood in the opening of the circle, facing everyone.
"As we always have, we share the truth and beauty of this day with all. Shanra." The girl's head snapped up. "This celebration was held in your honor. Let you be the first; please, share with the group, or choose one to begin."
Shanra stood and bowed slightly. "I would be honored to begin. Shall I sing?"
The elder nodded, then resumed his place in the circle. Shanra walked around the fire to where he had stood, and motioned to several centaurs holding musical instruments. They began to play a soft, lilting tune that soon had everyone smiling. Shanra sang beautifully, her words blending with the music.
|
When I open the gate there is eternity Whose voice calls me from far away? Who is the person that strokes my hair?
|
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My flute tells of the land of my wish It also tells of my passed time and memory I do not want any friends (It is a lie) I do not want myself (It is the truth)
|
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Footprints of sand are crumbling |
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The mysterious night conceals truth and shows gloom; the moon invites The darkness spreads.... |
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Tears fall from purple night sky. The sky cries on my behalf…… |
|
Hotaru couldn't believe how such a haunting song could sound so cheerful, but it was beautiful, nonetheless. From the corner of her eye she could see Duo smiling, along with many of the centaurs. Shanra's voice was magnificent. |
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The doll of sand is crumbling |
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The mysterious night conceals truth And shows gloom; the moon invites to The spreading darkness.... |
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The star falls from the night sky. The moon sings on my behalf |
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Tear falls from purple night sky. The sky cries on my behalf |
Everyone applauded quietly as Shanra bowed. She turned to the end of the half-circle. "Eda, please share with the group." The named centaur stood and bowed.
"Shall I tell of past?" Shanra nodded and stepped back, sitting once again beside Duo as Eda took her place. Addressing the group, she began.
"Once, upon the days of old, when my mother's grandmother was but a child, there was a desert in the midst of a forest where nothing would grow…"
****************
The last of the lyre's notes died into the air and there was a brief moment of silence, broken only by the occasional sniffing. Suddenly everyone began to clap warmly, and Yancin bowed deeply, emotion high on his face. Duo was amazed at the music, which had been so mournful and poignant that a few listeners had been moved to tears. Straightening, Yancin called out "Rothar, please share with the group." Rothar stood. Bowing slightly he turned towards Yancin.
"Shall I play?" Nodding, Yancin returned to his post with the other musician accompanists for the singers as Rothar took his position in front of the group. Picking up a small instrument that reminded both Hotaru and Duo of a violin, he began to play a harsh tune, caustic but beautiful nonetheless. It forced Duo to wonder exactly how this centaur ended up with so much hate inside of him, to be able to play something like this.
(A/N: If you want to imagine the music, think of or download The Devil's Trill. (I use the Yami no Matsuei version.) It's one of the most beautiful violin pieces of all time, but also one of the hardest to play, and one of the most despondent in parts. It fits this scene quite well.)
When he finished, Rothar bowed then straightened. His eyes glinting, he turned towards Duo and Hotaru. "Humans, please share with the group." A hushed whisper swept through the circle, and the elder in red stood.
"Why do you call upon two? Rothar, your heart is clouded. Your fire is out of control. Call upon one. To call upon both is rude; you know they would be unprepared."
Rothar shrugged. "It is my right to call upon who I choose. I call upon them to share, unless they wish to refuse? They will find a way to share; I care not how. Let us see what these humans are worth, they who seek our trust and friendship! Have you forgotten the truths of their kind? Has one lie covered all of your eyes?"
Hotaru could see they were in trouble. Just as Saturn had said, many of the other centaurs were muttering amongst themselves, finding reason behind Rothar's words. If something wasn't done soon….She didn't want to finish that thought.
Standing, she smiled the unsettling yet charming smile she had seen Minako use often, and bowed slightly, happy to see Duo beside her, following her lead. He whispered to her in a rush:
"What are we going to do? I doubt we even know the same fairy tales! We're from different worlds, remember? What can we do?"
Grabbing his hand as she straightened, she replied:
"We'll fake it. Come on." Louder, for all to hear, she addressed Rothar. "Shall we sing?"
Shocked into silence, the centaurs gaped openly as Duo and Hotaru stepped up beside Rothar. Grimacing, he sat down, then smirked.
He doesn't think we can do it. He thinks we'll do something wrong and he'll be able to turn that around to his advantage and get us kicked out. Unfortunately for Rothar, he didn't realize quite who he was up against.
"Do you know Just Communication?" Duo whispered barely above hearing level. Hotaru replied just as quietly;
"No. Do you know Sunshine Moonlight?"
"No. What are we going to do?"
"Give me a second." From what they had seen, the person 'sharing' had a few minutes to gather themselves and prepare. Staring into the fire, Hotaru tried to think of a song they would both know that didn't rely heavily on music, and wouldn't seem stupid of offensive to the centaurs. Watching the flames, Hotaru didn't even realize she had begun until she heard someone sing…then realized with a start that it was herself.
I touch the fire and it freezes me
I look into it and it's black
Duo stared in shock. Hotaru was looking into the fire as though she could see something in its flames. But even stranger was the fact that she was singing. And he knew that song…Didn't he?
Why can't I feel?
My skin should crack and peel
I want the fire back
Now, through the smoke she calls to me
To make my way across the flame
To save the day or maybe melt away
I guess it's all the same
She was definitely singing that song. Coming up to stand next to her, Duo followed her gaze into the fire….What was that? Who?… Heero?… Fighting?… In the Wing Zero?… How…?
Unknowingly, he joined Hotaru. Both completely forgetting their surroundings, so enraptured with the images shown to them in the flames.
Hotaru/Duo:
So, I will walk through the fire
'Cause where else can I turn?
I will walk through the fire
And let it-
Duo:
The torch I bear is scorching me
And Wufei's laughing I've no doubt
I hope she fried
They'll be fine if that bitch died!
I had to help them out...
Hotaru:
'Cause he is drawn to the fire
|
Duo: Some people never learn |
Hotaru: He will never learn |
Hotaru:
And he will walk through the fire
And let it-
Duo:
Will this do a thing to change him?
Hotaru:
Have I left my friends in danger?
Duo:
Or is Heero too far gone to care?
Hotaru:
What if Usagi can't defeat it?
What if Saturn's to be needed?
Duo:
What's he going to do with me not there?
Hotaru/Duo:
They'll see it through
It's what they always do
So, we will walk through the fire...
|
Hotaru: So one by one, they turn from me I guess my friends can't face the cold But why I froze, not one among them knows And never can be told |
Duo: What can't we face If we're together? |
Hotaru:
I came from the grave much graver
Duo:
I hope no one tried to save her
Hotaru:
Everything is turning out so dark
Duo:
Is she's alive Heero'll kill her
Hotaru:
Why must it all come to fear?
Duo:
What's it going to take to strike a spark?
|
Duo: Going through the motions Walking through the part These endless days have finally Ended in a blaze |
Hotaru: So one by one they came to me The distant redness as their guide But what they'd find Ain't what they had in mind It's what they had inside |
Duo/Hotaru:
And we are caught in the fire
At the point of no return
So we will walk through the fire
And let it
Burn
Let it burn
Let it burn
Let it burn!
******************************************************************
Well……….What do you think? I really changed the lyrics in some parts, but I had to for the song to make sense in this context. I had debated if and when the full song would show up, but here it is…(after mush head-bashing and screaming) I'm done….Don't worry, the next chapter is already written, I just thought the chapter ended better here, so I split it, and made the other half the eleventh chapter.
This was hard. Very hard. The worst chapter I've had to write, and Cost of Life was twelve pages long, this one is only eight and it was impossible to sit down and do……
Oh well. It's done now, so celebration can commence!
Please R&R! Tell me what you think!
(Shameless self-plugs are busy at the moment. Please hang up and read my other stories. This is a recording.)
I am the Breeze of Wisdom, I am the Wind of Insanity
~The Elemental