DISCLAIMER: I do not own MKR or any of its characters. CLAMP does. This plot is a product of my imagination. Any similarities to other fan fictions are unintentional.
HIKARU'S STORY
By bishounen lovah
Chapter 5
"Hikaru-neechan, we're here"
"Hm?" The redhead snapped out of her reverie and noticed that they were standing in front of the orphanage gates. How they got there she had no idea for her mind was certainly crowded enough to not notice what had happened ever since they left the hospital.
"Daijoubu, 'neechan? You look sick."
Hikaru smiled at the girl and crouched down to her level. "I'm fine, Mira-chan. I'm just thinking about something."
"Is it about that bad man in Tooya-niichan's room?"
"Mira! Don't say such things. You just met the man. Besides, he's Tooya-san's brother so he can't be a bad man."
"I'm sorry, 'neechan. I just don't like him. He gives me the creeps." And as if to prove her point, Mira clutched her arms and shivered.
You and me both, Mira-chan. You and me both, Hikaru silently acknowledged the girl's words. Her mind is in a total state of confusion. She needed to sort out her thoughts...needed to make some sense of what had been happening for the past week.
"Go on inside now, chibi-chan. It will soon be dinnertime. Just think about Tooya-san and you'll forget about Saito-san."
"Are you going to pick me up tomorrow to see Tooya-san again?"
Not yet! I can't see him...them just yet. "I'm sorry, Mira-chan. I have things to do tomorrow. Besides, you should spend some more time with your friends here. Don't you miss playing with them?"
"I guess so. The next day then?"
"We'll see, chibi-chan. We'll see."
Thankfully, a bunch of kids had seen them and were calling out to Mira to join them. Having quickly forgotten their conversation, the girl gave Hikaru a quick hug before rushing to join her friends. Hikaru waved to her until the group of kids disappeared in the building. Her smile was promptly wiped off and was replaced by a frown.
She made her way through the streets, vaguely aware of the people bumping into her. Her actions and the directions she was taking were instinctive. Again, her mind was too preoccupied to notice other things. Soon she was on a train that would take her to her part of the city. She tiredly sat down and let her thoughts take reign of her mind.
What the heck is happening?
Perhaps it was best to start from the beginning. So she met Tooya—someone who was the exact duplicate of Lantis except for the lack of memory. She had harbored the hope that both are the same but slowly that shine of hope became duller and duller. And just when she had finally convinced herself that Tooya is not Lantis, Fate decided to throw in another complication.
Make that three complications, she thought wryly. Zagato, Emeraude and Ferio. No. Saito, Esmeralda and...Ferio. It's just a coincidence. It has to be. But then how come they're all together? And how come that Ferio look-alike is also called Ferio? It's too much of a coincidence. There's no such thing as too much coincidences.
Another thing that confused her was Saito's manner towards her. His frowns and accusing glares had dug up deeply buried guilt. Guilt that plagued her for a long time due to Emeraude's death. She had already paid for that guilt. Why should she feel it again?
If Saito-san is really Saito-san and not his Cephiran counterpart then there's no reason to feel guilty. And there's no reason for him to be mad at me. I did nothing to him to earn such looks of animosity.
Then why did he look at me like that?
"Earth to Hikaru...earth to Hikaru...Oi! Snap out of it!"
"Eh?" Hikaru was jerked out of her reverie and looked to her right where the ringing in her ear was insistent. "Umi. What's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong with me. You're the one who's been standing in front of our door for at least three minutes. You forgot your keys again, didn't you?" Umi rolled her eyes heavenward before producing her own key.
"Hm? Oh yeah...key." Hikaru absentmindedly took her key from her tote bag and slipped it in through the already unlocked doorknob and pushed the already open door. Umi could just stare at her actions with a sweatdrop and a frown.
The blue-haired woman followed her friend in and watched her preoccupied actions. Something was definitely wrong and she couldn't stand being quiet anymore. "Hikaru, is something the matter?"
"Nothing. What makes you say that?"
"Because you just washed your hands with cooking oil instead of liquid soap and you're using my shirt to dry off."
"Oh my...! I am so sorry, Umi. Here, let me fix it." Hikaru grabbed a grubby potholder, wetted it and tried to wipe the oil off to no avail. In fact, she only made it worse because Umi's shirt now also has some grime.
"Never mind, Hikaru! It's just an old shirt." She grabbed the redhead's hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze before going to her room to change. When she came back to the kitchen, Hikaru was back to her sullen self. Umi let out a mushroom bubble sigh before proceeding to take the knife from her friend's hand.
"You shouldn't chop vegetables when your mind is not up to it. You'll ruin that lovely manicure I gave you last night, not to mention chop your entire hand off."
"Eh?" She just blinked at her three times.
"Come on, let's talk." Umi dragged a semi-reluctant redhead to the living room and pulled her beside her on the couch. "What's wrong, Hikaru? You've been quite distracted lately..."
"Nothi—"
"...And don't tell me it's nothing. Something's definitely up and Fuu and I are worried."
Should I tell her? Would she believe me? Am I going crazy?
"I..." Hikaru was interrupted again this time by the melodious chime of the doorbell. Umi got up, grumbling about bad timing then ordered Hikaru to stay put. She watched Umi open the door then saw her eyes grow wide, her face whiten and her jaw drop to her chest.
"Anou...I'm looking for Shidou Hikaru."
That voice! She thought before jumping up to the door. "Esmeralda-san."
"Konbanwa. I'm sorry to drop in unannounced but there are some important things I need to discuss with you."
By this time Umi had already got her composure back but was looking back and forth from Hikaru to the Emeraude look-alike in disbelief and confusion. Hikaru invited Esmeralda in then introduced Umi.
"I know," came the blonde's response. This only confused the two more but said nothing. They led her to the living room and invited her to sit down. Hikaru went to the kitchen to get some refreshments with Umi following close behind.
"Okay, give! Who is she and why does she look like you-know-who? Where and when did you meet her?"
"It's a long story. I'll tell you later. We shouldn't keep her waiting." Hikaru went back to the other room with a fuming Umi still behind her.
"Thank you, Hikaru-san. I'm really sorry to inconvenience you and your friend."
"It's not an inconvenience. But tell me, how did you know where I live and are you, uh, alone?"
"You don't have to worry. I left Saito at the hospital. My brother went with me but I told him to wait in the car. He can't hear what I have to say to you."
Her last words intrigued Hikaru so much that she had forgotten about her other questions. "What do you mean, Esmeralda-san?"
Esmeralda gave both of them a worried look. Umi made a move to leave. "Perhaps I should go fix dinner."
"No. What I have to say should be heard by you too, Umi-san."
The two waited anxiously as Esmeralda tried to organize her thoughts. After several long minutes she spoke up again. "I guess there's no way else to say this...Hikaru-san, Umi-san...I am who you think I am."
Hikaru and Umi looked at each other before saying dubiously in unison, "Emeraude-hime?"
"Hai."
There was a stunned silence. But having suspected, hoped that this would happen, Hikaru managed to react first. "Then Saito and Ferio..."
"Are the same Zagato and Ferio whom you've known in Cephiro. Or at least it holds true to their souls. Like me, they have been reincarnated in this world as a second chance."
"Tooya-san..."
"Yes, Hikaru-san, Tooya has Lantis' soul."
Crimson eyes were filled with a flood of tears. Tears of joy...tears that she made no effort to hold back. "Lantis."
Umi had finally gotten over her second shock for the night
and returned to her frank self. "Let me
get this straight. You're Emeraude. And there are guys out there who are Zagato,
Lantis and Ferio?"
Esmeralda could only nod while patting Hikaru's back.
"SUGOI! Wait till Fuu hears about this."
"You can't tell her."
"Eh? Why not? She's been pining for Ferio since...forever!"
"There's something else you must know," Esmeralda sighed. "The circumstances of how we were reincarnated are not the same. With Zagato and me it was simple since we both died in Cephiro. With Lantis and Ferio there's a contract since they died far from you.
"Contract? Like selling one's soul to the devil to get one wish?"
"Something like that, Umi-san, although on more compassionate ground. I am not familiar of the ritual itself. All I know is that their memories of their past selves are locked away only to be released once destiny brings them with their loved ones together."
"But Lantis—Tooya doesn't remember me," Hikaru sobbed.
"It's not that easy. It might take some time. You just have to be patient, Hikaru-san."
"You're right," she replied, wiping her tears away. "At least now I know that Tooya is really Lantis."
"Going back to Fuu. What would happen if she'll know about Ferio before they meet each other?" Umi asked again.
"Then the contract would be broken and their souls may not bind. So please be careful not to say anything. Their happiness is at stake." Esmeralda stood to leave, her mission accomplished.
"Matte, Emeraude-hime," Umi hesitated. "Do you know...if there's anybody else reincarnated?"
"I'm sorry but I haven't met anyone else," she smiled sadly before hugging the blue-haired girl. "But don't worry. I'm sure he's out there somewhere. Even I did not know about my past self and Saito's existence until I met him. Your soul mate will find you. It's just a matter of time."
"But now that I know that he might have been reincarnated wouldn't it pose a problem. You just told me that Fuu and Ferio couldn't get together if she finds out. Why should my case be any different?"
"I'm sorry. I can't say anything to a certainty. I would have spared you the truth but it would be quite impossible for Hikaru-san to explain since you already saw me."
"Whatever. I shouldn't get upset. After all I don't even know if he loves me enough to do that contract thingy."
"Don't say that, Umi," Hikaru consoled, her happiness dampened by her friend's obvious sorrow.
"May I ask, Umi-san, who he is?"
"It doesn't matter," she just shrugged then retreated back to the kitchen. "You'd better go, Emeraude-hime. Fuu will be home soon."
"Umi-san..."
"She's right. You'd better go. I'll take care of Umi, you don't have to worry." Hikaru escorted Esmeralda to the door.
"Oh dear. I think I made a mess of things."
"No you didn't. You were just acting out of the goodness of your heart. Esme—Emeraude-hime, are you happy now?"
"Very much so. I have to thank you three for that. You gave me a chance to be with Zagato."
"I always wanted to say how sorry I am for..."
"Stop it, Hikaru-san. It was never your fault—not then, not now."
"Thank you," Hikaru gave in to the urge and hugged the other woman. "For that and for telling me about Lantis."
"You deserve happiness much more than I do. Just don't give up on Tooya-kun. He'll remember, you'll see."
With those words she was gone. Hikaru stared outside for a few minutes before going to the kitchen where Umi was furiously chopping the vegetables. "You shouldn't chop vegetables when you're angry too, you know."
"I'm not angry. Just frustrated." Umi gave the shredded lettuce one last whack. She gave out a sigh before facing Hikaru. "I really shouldn't be upset. Emeraude, er, Esmeralda-san is right. He's out there. He'll find me."
"That's the spirit. I know now for a fact that Fate can't be that cruel. He'll find you."
"Yeah," Umi gave a bright smile. "So I take it the reason why you'd been acting weird was because you met this Tooya."
"Yeah." This time it was a dreamy sigh coming from Hikaru.
"Mou! Spill out the details, Hikaru!"
"Well..."
"Tadaima!"
It was Fuu. She was home meaning the details would have to wait. Umi sighed another mushroom bubble then went to greet their friend. Hikaru stayed behind and continued preparing dinner, all the while thinking about that special someone.
Lantis, I'll wait for you, my love.
TBC...
BISHLOV: Two more chapters to go, minna-san!