AN: Arigatou Terri for being my 30th reviewer and for the idea! ^-~ And I would also like to thank Kitty Lynne for her support ^-^ I don't think I could kill Hitoshi off even if I wanted to ^-^ I've grown too attached ::huggles Hitoshi and Squall plushie:: But even I don't know what's gonna happen yet ^-^;;
~*^-^*~
She was falling. Darkness surrounded her from every angle, heedless of her cries of despair. She looked around frantically for an escape. There were none. Letting out a small whimper, she started to run. She didn't know where to. There really wasn't anywhere to go. Just forward, deeper into the darkness.
"Tasuki….Minna….I'm scared."
Miaka shuddered and wrapped her arms around her torso. She sunk to her knees and looked around, her eyes wide with fear.
"Are you frightened, Suzaku no Miko?"
"W-who's there!?"
She shrunk away from the voice, which seemed to come from all around her. She just wanted to go back. Back where? She couldn't remember. Her thoughts were jumbled and fuzzy. Like they were disappearing all together. Where was she? Who was she? Her cries and shudders subsided and she stared blankly ahead of her.
"Yes, that's it. Forget everything you were. Everything you are."
"Forget…..everything?"
A ghostly figure stepped out of the shadows. The heels of boots clacked heavily on nothingness. Miaka looked up, unfazed.
"I can make you better. Come with me. I will save you."
Hitoshi cooed. Miaka felt strangely drawn to this man. She pushed herself up, slowly. Once on her feet, she swayed. She took a step, then another, until she was standing less than a foot away from Hitoshi. He wasn't solid, she noticed. His subconscious.
"Don't you want to feel whole again?"
"…Hai…"
She did. She did want to feel whole again. Her memories were completely gone now, not even a flicker of who she was and what her purpose had been. The emptiness inside her compelled her to nod. A smile replaced Hitoshi's normal scowl.
"Come to me. Together, we are invincible."
"Hai."
She walked the last few steps forward and stepped through him. She threw her head back and closed her eyes. Nothing happened. Then, all at once, she felt it. Enormous amounts of power surged through her. She screamed. It stopped; as suddenly as it came.
"How do you feel?"
The ice sent shivers down her spine. She opened her eyes slowly and blinked. A grin slowly spread across her face. She felt confidant. No longer the hollowness inside of her. It was completely swallowed by a feeling of complete power.
"I feel….power….and…."
"And?"
"I feel you. It's your power, isn't it?"
"…You catch on quick. I've given you part of my life force. It will get rid of the hallow feelings in exchange for your service."
"Hai."
"Let's go."
Miaka merely nodded and took Hitoshi's hand. She closed her eyes and let the warmth of the light wash over her.
~*^-^*~
"Miaka! Wake up!"
Tasuki shook the girls' shoulders. Her body moved, but not on its' own. All the seishi and Tama had crowded around their miko. She had passed out suddenly, and Hitoshi had vanished. And everyone had the same familiar feeling of dread that he was responsible.
"Meow!"
Tama rubbed up against Miaka's prone form. As if on cue, her fingers twitched. Tama mewed happily and rubbed up against her cheek.
"She's moving!"
Chiriko pointed to her hand and all the seishi leaned over in anticipation. A small grunt slipped past her slightly parted lips. Tasuki held his breath as her eyes fluttered open. The group gasped. Her eyes were black.
(AN: I was going to be mean and leave it off here….but…..I'm nice ^-^)
"Mi-Miaka?"
Nuriko hesitantly asked, seeing as no one else was going to speak. The girl in question turned to face the seishi. Nuriko shuddered. Miaka said nothing and stood, brushing away the worried hands.
"Mi-chan?"
She walked silently around the group and halted with her back to the seishi. She stood, waiting.
"Miaka-chan?"
She didn't answer. A small flicker caught Mitsukake's attention and he pointed to it.
"What's that?"
A blinding flash lit the area. Everyone shielded their eyes with their arms. When it died down, Tasuki was the first to look up.
"Hitoshi! Ya' bastard! What did ya' do ta Miaka!?"
"What did I do? Nothing. She just…doesn't remember you anymore."
"Nani!?"
"I've erased her memories. Made her part of me."
"You did what!?"
The seishi looked at their miko in shock. She had turned around and was staring at them blankly.
"Miaka! Wake up!"
Tasuki begged. She either ignored him or couldn't hear. Hitoshi smirked and wrapped an arm around Miaka's shoulders. She didn't flinch. Tasuki angrily balled his hands into fists.
"Miaka, is it true you would do anything for your master?"
"Hai."
"Well then, I have a favor to ask. Destroy them."
He pointed to the group of seishi huddled in the back. Miaka glanced over her shoulder, then looked back to Hitoshi.
"Hai."
"Miaka!! Snap out of it!"
Hotohori begged. She paid no heed to him and grabbed a sword from Hitoshi. Smiling, he stepped back to watch the events. Miaka staggered forward under the weight of the heavy weapon in her hands.
"Miaka-chan! Stop no da!!"
She took one step, then another, until she was running at them. She singled out Tasuki and raised her sword over her head. She swung.
~*^-^*~
AN: Waii waii! Cliffhanger! Again! ^-^;; I may be able to extend this story a couple more chapters. And maybe a sequel coming soon.
~Neoshipper~