One Last Breath
~By: Lauren~
H E A V E N L Y
W I N D
"We will remember. And we will not forget." A quiet voice whispered ruefully to the wind. "Sorry Meimi...when I told you my story...I left out one big detail...I do understand how you feel...a lot more than you think." Tammy stood up to the morning air, clenching her fists repeatedly. The sun was just breaking across the rim of the junkyard, casting an eerie orange shadow on all the strange angles of glass, windows, metal and more. As weird as it may sound, it was truly a wonderful sight to behold. Thousands of colors springing from one place to the next, never waiting for each other as they ran about the place. In a way Tammy liked to think of it as being a dance, each of them without a partner as they twirled and flirted through the misty morning air. But the brunette couldn't see the beauty in the things around her at that moment for her mind was occupied with other things.
"She's thinking about her again, isn't she?" A meek voice quietly spoke, to far away for Tammy to hear. It was Aaron.
"Yeah, she's thinking about her. First time in a while it seems. In the past two years Meimi has always been here this day, unknowingly comforting her friend. In a way, to Tammy, it was like Meimi filled the in the gap she had lost but right now...Meimi's not here and the gap is opened wide for the cold wind to blow through. And of all days to be gone...on the day it happened. When we found Meimi...Tammy thought it was like a sign. And it seemed like it was a sign, for all of us...to find a girl the same age in need of someone...only three days after her death too. It was another chance for Tammy and she refused to let herself fail again. But now..." Tony replied, his voice raspy from waking up.
"I miss her too." Aaron blushed, staring down at the dirt. It was obvious he had cared deeply for this someone, possibly beyond friendship even for his young age. Tony nodded before he stood up and took quick, light steps until he stood at Tammy's side.
Tammy didn't take her eyes away from the sky. "She's up there Tony. She's up there watching a-and...I want her back...." Tears sprung forth from her eyes as she turned, diving towards Tony until she was latched onto him. Her face found itself buried in his chest, wetting his shirt with little droplets of water. "I-If she was s-still alive...she's be the same age as Meimi..." Her muffled voice said through the folds of clothing. "Where's Meimi? What if she doesn't come with us anymore? I don't want to lose her too. I can't lose her. I can't fail again. I-I c-can't..."
"You won't...you won't....you never failed anyone..." Tony murmured, stroking Tammy's back along with her short hair. His soothing voice whispered into her ears with such care it put her on the verge of tears once again. "She's proud of you Tammy." He whispered in her ear. "We all are."
And her hands only tightened their grip onto Tony's shirt.
~*~
"Where am I...?" Meimi's vision blurred for a moment before growing clear. Something warm was leaning against her. Cherry petals lilted the ground in front of her and immediately memory flooded back to her. She spun to her left to find Asuka Jr. asleep. He was that 'warm thing'. She face blushed a crimson red as she slowly lifted her body away from him, careful not to wake him up. Her mind had thoughts zooming around, thousands being created by the second. "What am I going to do?" That was one of the fleeting thoughts but she quickly pushed it away, not even taking a moment to ponder an answer. She didn't want to think about an answer. It had all happened so quickly with such a rush of emotions and actions she could barely think about it. How had she ended up confessing her love to Asuka Jr.? And since when did she love him? "I suppose this is one of those unexplained things that just happen in your subconscious and you don't realize it until something triggers it. They say there is no such thing as love at first sight and there's no big bang that makes you fall in love. It builds up, all your emotions for that one person and that boom is when you actually realize you love them. And it knocks you flat on your butt. Marie told me something like that once..." Meimi froze. The group. Had they all made it out ok? Were any of them caught? Where they worried about her?
Meimi stopped thinking all at once for it was giving her a headache. She glanced back for she heard a tiny rustling noise.
"I see you're finally up." Asuka Jr. bashfully smirked, hiding a yawn as he stretched.
"Me? You're the one who just woke up." Meimi chuckled, a light crimson blush falling upon her cheeks. Suddenly, she felt two hands on her arms and she was pulled forward gently. A pair of tender and warm lips pressed against hers lightly before the heat disappeared. She felt tingles running all through her spine as she blinked in shock. Meimi was in a complete daze and all thoughts of the group seemed to instantly fade away within her mind.
"I've been saving that for you." Asuka Jr. murmured, hiding his face as he turned his back to her. After a moment, he spun back around. "Want to go get a bite to eat and catch up...?"
The offer sounded wonderful to Meimi. So wonderful she couldn't resist and so she accepted. It was strange for it all seemed so much like a dream. The red head was still waiting to be shaken away to find herself sleeping on an old car seat. She was so afraid that this was just one of her fantasies, or maybe it would turn horrible all of the sudden and Asuka Jr. would attack her, She had been having a lot of those lately. Or maybe it was a taunting dream to show her what she could never have. "Even if this isn't a dream... can Asuka Jr. really be mine? This feels just...too easy. I don't know. I can't believe this is happening. It's what I've hoped for and yet I'm scared. I don't know what'll happen...and they always say good things must come to an end..."
And then a voice seemed to whisper to her. "The only constant thing in life is change."
Meimi glanced around, looking for the source of the voice and yet it seemed so familiar. Almost like that of...her mothers. Shaking off the feeling, Meimi tried to bring herself back to the real world, at least, to what she thought was real.
"Why don't you take those things off?" Asuka Jr. brought Meimi back from her thoughts while he pointed at her sunglasses. He reached forward to grab them. A sharp pain shot through his hand as Meimi slapped it away.
"D-Don't...touch them." Meimi hissed as she began to regret her actions. "I- I'm sorry...it's just..."
Asuka Jr. recoiled like a snake. "I'M s-sorry..." He replied quietly. "I shouldn't have... tried to take them off of you." And with that, the conversation dropped to silence as the pair trudged down the street towards a local cafe. Gently Asuka Jr. reached out, taking Meimi's hand in his. She didn't pull away. She only held onto him tighter, afraid he would disappear just like her parents.
~*~
"You have courage Tammy." Tony smiled down at the girl.
"No I don't Tony. I lost my sister because I was a stupid scared girl. I should have been there for her. I should have pushed her out of the way when that damn gang shot at her but no, instead I only hid until they left. She was the brave one. Celeste was the one who fought, who stood up for us when those bullies threatened us. They tried to blame that shooting and vandalism they did on us along with a number of their stupid crimes and we sat there and took it. You got a criminal record because of them! For something YOU didn't do! And they're still out there somewhere...blaming others most likely and k-killing innocent people. They were going to get us...they were going to make us join them or kill us or make us their stupid minions but she wouldn't let them. What did they call themselves... the Lost Souls? Stupid name for a gang if you ask me but it fits the assholes well!! I miss you Celeste! I should have saved you like a big sister is supposed to do but...in the end...you were the one who did the saving. Just like when dad tried to...kill us...you were the one who begged me to hang on...I took you with me and left thinking I could give you a better life...the kind of life you deserved but... Look at what I brought you to! I brought you to your death. You died saving me. I should have saved you. I SHOULD HAVE! Why did you do that?!" Tammy broke down again, sobbing into Tony's now damp shirt. "She was a hero. She IS a hero. Celeste was strong. And she was so courageous. If she saw one single injustice act she would run to the scene without a second thought only to help. Celeste was a guardian angel. Celeste IS my guardian angel. She was my courage Tony... When I had Meimi by my side on this day...I could get through it. Meimi reminds me of Celeste so much. Yes...they act different many times but deep down...they both have similar hearts. Celeste sent me Meimi to get over my heartache and failure but now...now it's happening all over again. I've lost her too because I failed."
Tony carefully shook Tammy. "Stop saying that! You did not fail Tammy. I'm sure Meimi will be back soon. You have courage inside you...you just don't know it's there until you need to use it." Tony rested his chin on the top of Tammy's head, nuzzling her lightly.
Behind them, hidden in the shadow of an old green rusted car, Marie clenched her fist in anger. "Dammit Meimi! I'm not going to sit and wait around anymore. I'm going to find that red head right now because Tammy needs her. Tammy has always been there for Meimi and when she finally needs her, Meimi is gone." The Italian girl grumbled quietly. She stood up, careful not to be noticed as she proceeded to leave the junkyard.
"Where are you going?" A mass of blonde hair popped up near Marie, causing her to jump back with fright. "Oh, I scared you!!" The younger boy teased.
"No you didn't!!" Marie retorted. "And I'm going to find Meimi."
"What about the police? I'm coming with you too and you're not going to stop me!!" Aaron smirked. "They always say two heads are better than one."
"Yeah...whatever. Just get moving ok?!" Marie rolled her eyes while putting an extra hat down on Aaron's head to cover his face. Within seconds the two were wandering down the streets, careful to stay out of the way of any suspicious figures or police officers.
~*~
"What do you want Meimi? Don't you usually get scrambled eggs, if I remember correctly?" Asuka Jr. smiled down at her. She was sitting in a booth inside the cafe and he was towering above her, waiting for her response.
"I don't eat them scrambled anymore." Meimi shrugged while she hid her surprise that he remembered what she used to like. But that had also changed. "I'll have some pancakes."
He nodded, taking a mental note of it. Something seemed to keep pushing in the back of his mind, something he yearned to ask Meimi so badly but he found himself unable to. All he wanted to do was stomp right up to her and ask... "Why did you run away? Why did you leave your home? Why did you leave me? And everyone else?" Except his legs and mouth refused to cooperate with that action. So instead Asuka Jr. stomped up to the counter to order their meals. An old looking man was talking with the local waitress who appeared to have doused herself in perfume that day. The young boy tried to stop himself from gagging. A few bits of their conversation were caught by his great hearing abilities and it sparked up some interest inside of him.
The old man's rough voice spoke. "Didya hear? Some punk kids robbed the local bank!!! I had my entire life savings in there too. If I got my hands on them...why I'd...!!" The old man made a motion as if he was strangling someone.
"Oh hush Mike and calm down. I'm sure the bank will cover the costs. It really is a shame though, they said the kid was in his teens and had dark hair. And then that church school's dance was attacked by a group of juvenile delinquents. The police think it was the same group of misfits. I'd be glad to lock them up until they learn a lesson." The waitress slammed her pot of coffee onto the counter, causing Asuka Jr. to jump back with a squeak. She finally noticed him then because of the noise he made. "How may I help you?" Her tone suddenly grew kinder.
"I'll just have a plate of pancakes and a plate of eggs with toast." Asuka Jr. meekly replied. His heart was racing. Where Meimi's friends the ones who robbed the bank? Was SHE involved also? Yes, he knew she had changed but...not this much!! "I'm a policeman. I have a job to do. If they're the ones then I have to arrest them no matter what...and I have a feeling their guilty. I can't believe Meimi would hang out with such a horrible group of kids like them!!" He thought to himself while he boiled over with anger. He glanced back towards Meimi to find two kids had appeared by her side.
"Meimi!! Thank God you're ok and that we found you!! We've GOT to get out of here NOW!!" Marie grabbed onto the redhead's wrist, pulling her up out of the seat.
"B-But..." Meimi stuttered. She had no idea what to do. She was being torn in two.
"Come ON!!" Aaron gave Meimi a stern look, causing her to jump out of her seat. She never knew that boy could appear so commanding. Marie pulled Meimi out of the cafe roughly although being careful not to be noticed.
"Meimi...?" Asuka Jr. raised an eyebrow, following behind the three teenagers.
"The police think Tony and us stole from a local bank and they're also after us for the dance. We have to leave SOON. And Tammy really needs to see you... badly...right now..." A look of grief passed through Marie's eyes. Celeste had been close to her also but in a way...with Meimi's arrive the pain had turned into a light ache.
Worry struck Meimi's eyes. She glanced around to find Marie had dragged her into a nearby alley.
"Let go of her!!" Asuka Jr. brutally pulled Marie's hands off of the redhead. "You jerks, leave her alone. Meimi wants to stay here with me and she doesn't want to be part of your stupid violent gang or whatever you are."
"Hey!!" Aaron barked up defensively. "We aren't violent and we aren't a 'gang' ok?! So leave us alone! Meimi has a right to speak for herself!"
Asuka Jr. stepped forward, making sure his height shown to the blonde and the dark haired girl. He remembered a tall, dark haired boy from the dance. The girl looked similar to him. "Someone robbed a bank wearing almost all black and he held a woman hostage with a pocket knife until he got the money. If your friend or friends hand themselves over I can lighten the charge."
"Go eat some donuts you fat cop! Tony didn't steal anything!!!" Marie snarled, staring at him threateningly. She reached forward, grabbing Meimi's arm again.
"But he used a pocket knife...doesn't Tony have one...?" Meimi muttered out loud.
Marie froze. "Are you doubting my brother? Sure, we're not perfect but we wouldn't rob a bank or hold a hostage." The Italian girl tried to hide her new disappointment and sorrow but it showed very clearly in the way her voice trembled as she spoke. "You never rat on your family."
"Wait...Marie...I didn't mean it like that...." Meimi tried to apologize as Aaron pulled her along out of the alley.
"Meimi!!" Asuka Jr. groped for her arm but she was being pulled forward too fast for him to reach her.
Marie turned her back to Asuka Jr. but called to him over her shoulder. "Go away pig boy." They picked up there pace.
"Street rat!!!" Asuka called after them.
"Oh, that REALLY hurt." Marie laughed mockingly. Tears filled Meimi's eyes as she gave Asuka Jr. a last glance.
Asuka Jr. saw a single tear drop out from behind her sunglasses. "No Meimi!! I didn't mean you also!!" Asuka frantically tried to apologize as they rounded a corner.
"But I am one too..." And then the three teenagers were gone.
~*~
I've been stripped of everything
Except some flesh that bleeds
Lauren: By the way, the title of the chapter is Heavenly Wind because the name Celeste means heavenly and her last name, Anila, means wind. So therefore it's heavenly wind. Poor Tammy is like Tammy Wind. Hehe! Wow, I'm so proud of myself! I actually got the time to write during the week! Huzzah! It only took me like three days to write it (which is pretty long for me...V_V;; ) And PLUS, the chapter came out longer than normal because I couldn't find a good stopping place which may or may not be a good thing but I'm guessing a long chapter is a good thing. So what do you think of it so far? Be prepared for many more plot twists ahead. ^_^ And I'm accepting any fanart done by you all, so e-mail me them (see last chapter for my e- mail address). I love you all! Thanks a ton for everything!
Tammy: At least explain to them what's going on incase someone didn't understand!!
Lauren: Okie dokie! So basically Tammy had a younger sister named Celeste. Tammy left home so that her mother's death would not be in vain and also so that her sister could have some kind of brighter future and no more abuse. Her father found them, as it was told in one of the past chapters, blah blah, Tammy is almost killed, mostly because she protected her sister from the blows that were aimed at Celeste. Her father figured they were both as good as dead, for he did injure Celeste a lot also, and he left. But Celeste kept begging Tammy to hold on, for she was hurt a lot worse than Celeste was and finally, the group (Tony and Marie at the time) found the pair. Mostly because Celeste had been screaming and calling for help for hours on end. So fast forward a few years, the group is happy with all the members, including a new member by the name of Aaron, except they later run into a problem. There's a group called the Lost Souls who keep creating chaos and doing crimes then blaming it on Tony. Why? That is something you'll have to keep reading to find out. So any who, basically there was sort of a final show down between the two groups but Celeste wouldn't let them be beaten. Tammy tried to protect Celeste but failed for Celeste ended up saving her older sister's life. She was shot and died instead of Tammy. Tammy was torn apart along with the rest of the group. Three days after the tragic incident the group was driving down a highway when they spotted a mass of red stuff on the side of the road. They stopped. It was Meimi. A young girl in need of a family, same age as Celeste and they had some things strangely in common. Was it just a weird coincidence? Was it a second chance for Tammy? Did Celeste send Meimi to them to fill in the painful hole they now had inside their hearts? Who really knows! So is it pretty clear now? Eh? ^_^ Whew, that took thought.
~By: Lauren~
H E A V E N L Y
W I N D
"We will remember. And we will not forget." A quiet voice whispered ruefully to the wind. "Sorry Meimi...when I told you my story...I left out one big detail...I do understand how you feel...a lot more than you think." Tammy stood up to the morning air, clenching her fists repeatedly. The sun was just breaking across the rim of the junkyard, casting an eerie orange shadow on all the strange angles of glass, windows, metal and more. As weird as it may sound, it was truly a wonderful sight to behold. Thousands of colors springing from one place to the next, never waiting for each other as they ran about the place. In a way Tammy liked to think of it as being a dance, each of them without a partner as they twirled and flirted through the misty morning air. But the brunette couldn't see the beauty in the things around her at that moment for her mind was occupied with other things.
"She's thinking about her again, isn't she?" A meek voice quietly spoke, to far away for Tammy to hear. It was Aaron.
"Yeah, she's thinking about her. First time in a while it seems. In the past two years Meimi has always been here this day, unknowingly comforting her friend. In a way, to Tammy, it was like Meimi filled the in the gap she had lost but right now...Meimi's not here and the gap is opened wide for the cold wind to blow through. And of all days to be gone...on the day it happened. When we found Meimi...Tammy thought it was like a sign. And it seemed like it was a sign, for all of us...to find a girl the same age in need of someone...only three days after her death too. It was another chance for Tammy and she refused to let herself fail again. But now..." Tony replied, his voice raspy from waking up.
"I miss her too." Aaron blushed, staring down at the dirt. It was obvious he had cared deeply for this someone, possibly beyond friendship even for his young age. Tony nodded before he stood up and took quick, light steps until he stood at Tammy's side.
Tammy didn't take her eyes away from the sky. "She's up there Tony. She's up there watching a-and...I want her back...." Tears sprung forth from her eyes as she turned, diving towards Tony until she was latched onto him. Her face found itself buried in his chest, wetting his shirt with little droplets of water. "I-If she was s-still alive...she's be the same age as Meimi..." Her muffled voice said through the folds of clothing. "Where's Meimi? What if she doesn't come with us anymore? I don't want to lose her too. I can't lose her. I can't fail again. I-I c-can't..."
"You won't...you won't....you never failed anyone..." Tony murmured, stroking Tammy's back along with her short hair. His soothing voice whispered into her ears with such care it put her on the verge of tears once again. "She's proud of you Tammy." He whispered in her ear. "We all are."
And her hands only tightened their grip onto Tony's shirt.
~*~
"Where am I...?" Meimi's vision blurred for a moment before growing clear. Something warm was leaning against her. Cherry petals lilted the ground in front of her and immediately memory flooded back to her. She spun to her left to find Asuka Jr. asleep. He was that 'warm thing'. She face blushed a crimson red as she slowly lifted her body away from him, careful not to wake him up. Her mind had thoughts zooming around, thousands being created by the second. "What am I going to do?" That was one of the fleeting thoughts but she quickly pushed it away, not even taking a moment to ponder an answer. She didn't want to think about an answer. It had all happened so quickly with such a rush of emotions and actions she could barely think about it. How had she ended up confessing her love to Asuka Jr.? And since when did she love him? "I suppose this is one of those unexplained things that just happen in your subconscious and you don't realize it until something triggers it. They say there is no such thing as love at first sight and there's no big bang that makes you fall in love. It builds up, all your emotions for that one person and that boom is when you actually realize you love them. And it knocks you flat on your butt. Marie told me something like that once..." Meimi froze. The group. Had they all made it out ok? Were any of them caught? Where they worried about her?
Meimi stopped thinking all at once for it was giving her a headache. She glanced back for she heard a tiny rustling noise.
"I see you're finally up." Asuka Jr. bashfully smirked, hiding a yawn as he stretched.
"Me? You're the one who just woke up." Meimi chuckled, a light crimson blush falling upon her cheeks. Suddenly, she felt two hands on her arms and she was pulled forward gently. A pair of tender and warm lips pressed against hers lightly before the heat disappeared. She felt tingles running all through her spine as she blinked in shock. Meimi was in a complete daze and all thoughts of the group seemed to instantly fade away within her mind.
"I've been saving that for you." Asuka Jr. murmured, hiding his face as he turned his back to her. After a moment, he spun back around. "Want to go get a bite to eat and catch up...?"
The offer sounded wonderful to Meimi. So wonderful she couldn't resist and so she accepted. It was strange for it all seemed so much like a dream. The red head was still waiting to be shaken away to find herself sleeping on an old car seat. She was so afraid that this was just one of her fantasies, or maybe it would turn horrible all of the sudden and Asuka Jr. would attack her, She had been having a lot of those lately. Or maybe it was a taunting dream to show her what she could never have. "Even if this isn't a dream... can Asuka Jr. really be mine? This feels just...too easy. I don't know. I can't believe this is happening. It's what I've hoped for and yet I'm scared. I don't know what'll happen...and they always say good things must come to an end..."
And then a voice seemed to whisper to her. "The only constant thing in life is change."
Meimi glanced around, looking for the source of the voice and yet it seemed so familiar. Almost like that of...her mothers. Shaking off the feeling, Meimi tried to bring herself back to the real world, at least, to what she thought was real.
"Why don't you take those things off?" Asuka Jr. brought Meimi back from her thoughts while he pointed at her sunglasses. He reached forward to grab them. A sharp pain shot through his hand as Meimi slapped it away.
"D-Don't...touch them." Meimi hissed as she began to regret her actions. "I- I'm sorry...it's just..."
Asuka Jr. recoiled like a snake. "I'M s-sorry..." He replied quietly. "I shouldn't have... tried to take them off of you." And with that, the conversation dropped to silence as the pair trudged down the street towards a local cafe. Gently Asuka Jr. reached out, taking Meimi's hand in his. She didn't pull away. She only held onto him tighter, afraid he would disappear just like her parents.
~*~
"You have courage Tammy." Tony smiled down at the girl.
"No I don't Tony. I lost my sister because I was a stupid scared girl. I should have been there for her. I should have pushed her out of the way when that damn gang shot at her but no, instead I only hid until they left. She was the brave one. Celeste was the one who fought, who stood up for us when those bullies threatened us. They tried to blame that shooting and vandalism they did on us along with a number of their stupid crimes and we sat there and took it. You got a criminal record because of them! For something YOU didn't do! And they're still out there somewhere...blaming others most likely and k-killing innocent people. They were going to get us...they were going to make us join them or kill us or make us their stupid minions but she wouldn't let them. What did they call themselves... the Lost Souls? Stupid name for a gang if you ask me but it fits the assholes well!! I miss you Celeste! I should have saved you like a big sister is supposed to do but...in the end...you were the one who did the saving. Just like when dad tried to...kill us...you were the one who begged me to hang on...I took you with me and left thinking I could give you a better life...the kind of life you deserved but... Look at what I brought you to! I brought you to your death. You died saving me. I should have saved you. I SHOULD HAVE! Why did you do that?!" Tammy broke down again, sobbing into Tony's now damp shirt. "She was a hero. She IS a hero. Celeste was strong. And she was so courageous. If she saw one single injustice act she would run to the scene without a second thought only to help. Celeste was a guardian angel. Celeste IS my guardian angel. She was my courage Tony... When I had Meimi by my side on this day...I could get through it. Meimi reminds me of Celeste so much. Yes...they act different many times but deep down...they both have similar hearts. Celeste sent me Meimi to get over my heartache and failure but now...now it's happening all over again. I've lost her too because I failed."
Tony carefully shook Tammy. "Stop saying that! You did not fail Tammy. I'm sure Meimi will be back soon. You have courage inside you...you just don't know it's there until you need to use it." Tony rested his chin on the top of Tammy's head, nuzzling her lightly.
Behind them, hidden in the shadow of an old green rusted car, Marie clenched her fist in anger. "Dammit Meimi! I'm not going to sit and wait around anymore. I'm going to find that red head right now because Tammy needs her. Tammy has always been there for Meimi and when she finally needs her, Meimi is gone." The Italian girl grumbled quietly. She stood up, careful not to be noticed as she proceeded to leave the junkyard.
"Where are you going?" A mass of blonde hair popped up near Marie, causing her to jump back with fright. "Oh, I scared you!!" The younger boy teased.
"No you didn't!!" Marie retorted. "And I'm going to find Meimi."
"What about the police? I'm coming with you too and you're not going to stop me!!" Aaron smirked. "They always say two heads are better than one."
"Yeah...whatever. Just get moving ok?!" Marie rolled her eyes while putting an extra hat down on Aaron's head to cover his face. Within seconds the two were wandering down the streets, careful to stay out of the way of any suspicious figures or police officers.
~*~
"What do you want Meimi? Don't you usually get scrambled eggs, if I remember correctly?" Asuka Jr. smiled down at her. She was sitting in a booth inside the cafe and he was towering above her, waiting for her response.
"I don't eat them scrambled anymore." Meimi shrugged while she hid her surprise that he remembered what she used to like. But that had also changed. "I'll have some pancakes."
He nodded, taking a mental note of it. Something seemed to keep pushing in the back of his mind, something he yearned to ask Meimi so badly but he found himself unable to. All he wanted to do was stomp right up to her and ask... "Why did you run away? Why did you leave your home? Why did you leave me? And everyone else?" Except his legs and mouth refused to cooperate with that action. So instead Asuka Jr. stomped up to the counter to order their meals. An old looking man was talking with the local waitress who appeared to have doused herself in perfume that day. The young boy tried to stop himself from gagging. A few bits of their conversation were caught by his great hearing abilities and it sparked up some interest inside of him.
The old man's rough voice spoke. "Didya hear? Some punk kids robbed the local bank!!! I had my entire life savings in there too. If I got my hands on them...why I'd...!!" The old man made a motion as if he was strangling someone.
"Oh hush Mike and calm down. I'm sure the bank will cover the costs. It really is a shame though, they said the kid was in his teens and had dark hair. And then that church school's dance was attacked by a group of juvenile delinquents. The police think it was the same group of misfits. I'd be glad to lock them up until they learn a lesson." The waitress slammed her pot of coffee onto the counter, causing Asuka Jr. to jump back with a squeak. She finally noticed him then because of the noise he made. "How may I help you?" Her tone suddenly grew kinder.
"I'll just have a plate of pancakes and a plate of eggs with toast." Asuka Jr. meekly replied. His heart was racing. Where Meimi's friends the ones who robbed the bank? Was SHE involved also? Yes, he knew she had changed but...not this much!! "I'm a policeman. I have a job to do. If they're the ones then I have to arrest them no matter what...and I have a feeling their guilty. I can't believe Meimi would hang out with such a horrible group of kids like them!!" He thought to himself while he boiled over with anger. He glanced back towards Meimi to find two kids had appeared by her side.
"Meimi!! Thank God you're ok and that we found you!! We've GOT to get out of here NOW!!" Marie grabbed onto the redhead's wrist, pulling her up out of the seat.
"B-But..." Meimi stuttered. She had no idea what to do. She was being torn in two.
"Come ON!!" Aaron gave Meimi a stern look, causing her to jump out of her seat. She never knew that boy could appear so commanding. Marie pulled Meimi out of the cafe roughly although being careful not to be noticed.
"Meimi...?" Asuka Jr. raised an eyebrow, following behind the three teenagers.
"The police think Tony and us stole from a local bank and they're also after us for the dance. We have to leave SOON. And Tammy really needs to see you... badly...right now..." A look of grief passed through Marie's eyes. Celeste had been close to her also but in a way...with Meimi's arrive the pain had turned into a light ache.
Worry struck Meimi's eyes. She glanced around to find Marie had dragged her into a nearby alley.
"Let go of her!!" Asuka Jr. brutally pulled Marie's hands off of the redhead. "You jerks, leave her alone. Meimi wants to stay here with me and she doesn't want to be part of your stupid violent gang or whatever you are."
"Hey!!" Aaron barked up defensively. "We aren't violent and we aren't a 'gang' ok?! So leave us alone! Meimi has a right to speak for herself!"
Asuka Jr. stepped forward, making sure his height shown to the blonde and the dark haired girl. He remembered a tall, dark haired boy from the dance. The girl looked similar to him. "Someone robbed a bank wearing almost all black and he held a woman hostage with a pocket knife until he got the money. If your friend or friends hand themselves over I can lighten the charge."
"Go eat some donuts you fat cop! Tony didn't steal anything!!!" Marie snarled, staring at him threateningly. She reached forward, grabbing Meimi's arm again.
"But he used a pocket knife...doesn't Tony have one...?" Meimi muttered out loud.
Marie froze. "Are you doubting my brother? Sure, we're not perfect but we wouldn't rob a bank or hold a hostage." The Italian girl tried to hide her new disappointment and sorrow but it showed very clearly in the way her voice trembled as she spoke. "You never rat on your family."
"Wait...Marie...I didn't mean it like that...." Meimi tried to apologize as Aaron pulled her along out of the alley.
"Meimi!!" Asuka Jr. groped for her arm but she was being pulled forward too fast for him to reach her.
Marie turned her back to Asuka Jr. but called to him over her shoulder. "Go away pig boy." They picked up there pace.
"Street rat!!!" Asuka called after them.
"Oh, that REALLY hurt." Marie laughed mockingly. Tears filled Meimi's eyes as she gave Asuka Jr. a last glance.
Asuka Jr. saw a single tear drop out from behind her sunglasses. "No Meimi!! I didn't mean you also!!" Asuka frantically tried to apologize as they rounded a corner.
"But I am one too..." And then the three teenagers were gone.
~*~
I've been stripped of everything
Except some flesh that bleeds
Lauren: By the way, the title of the chapter is Heavenly Wind because the name Celeste means heavenly and her last name, Anila, means wind. So therefore it's heavenly wind. Poor Tammy is like Tammy Wind. Hehe! Wow, I'm so proud of myself! I actually got the time to write during the week! Huzzah! It only took me like three days to write it (which is pretty long for me...V_V;; ) And PLUS, the chapter came out longer than normal because I couldn't find a good stopping place which may or may not be a good thing but I'm guessing a long chapter is a good thing. So what do you think of it so far? Be prepared for many more plot twists ahead. ^_^ And I'm accepting any fanart done by you all, so e-mail me them (see last chapter for my e- mail address). I love you all! Thanks a ton for everything!
Tammy: At least explain to them what's going on incase someone didn't understand!!
Lauren: Okie dokie! So basically Tammy had a younger sister named Celeste. Tammy left home so that her mother's death would not be in vain and also so that her sister could have some kind of brighter future and no more abuse. Her father found them, as it was told in one of the past chapters, blah blah, Tammy is almost killed, mostly because she protected her sister from the blows that were aimed at Celeste. Her father figured they were both as good as dead, for he did injure Celeste a lot also, and he left. But Celeste kept begging Tammy to hold on, for she was hurt a lot worse than Celeste was and finally, the group (Tony and Marie at the time) found the pair. Mostly because Celeste had been screaming and calling for help for hours on end. So fast forward a few years, the group is happy with all the members, including a new member by the name of Aaron, except they later run into a problem. There's a group called the Lost Souls who keep creating chaos and doing crimes then blaming it on Tony. Why? That is something you'll have to keep reading to find out. So any who, basically there was sort of a final show down between the two groups but Celeste wouldn't let them be beaten. Tammy tried to protect Celeste but failed for Celeste ended up saving her older sister's life. She was shot and died instead of Tammy. Tammy was torn apart along with the rest of the group. Three days after the tragic incident the group was driving down a highway when they spotted a mass of red stuff on the side of the road. They stopped. It was Meimi. A young girl in need of a family, same age as Celeste and they had some things strangely in common. Was it just a weird coincidence? Was it a second chance for Tammy? Did Celeste send Meimi to them to fill in the painful hole they now had inside their hearts? Who really knows! So is it pretty clear now? Eh? ^_^ Whew, that took thought.