Because D-chan and Aeanagwen wanted it done, and because you've just got to wonder what happens when two antisocial women meet up with each other.
The skies were clouded and gray. Everything seemed to remain still for the whole of the morning. It was one of those days when nothing happened, and the pressing threat of the imminent future seemed to weigh heavier on these days than on others.
Of course, it hadn't rained yet. It never rained. That slight little release that just made everything seem a little bit better never came. Not that it would. It never did.
There were days like these when nothing and no person on earth could change the way that she felt. And this was one of those days. So, needless to say, Arashi had decided to spend her time away from the other Dragons of Heaven. She needed the peace, the solitude, and most of all the contemplation.
It seemed that everything was just spiraling eternally towards the same tragic future. Every day Sorata tried to charm her, and every day she felt her own resolve, hardened over the years of her life, slipping through her fingers as if it were nothing but sand. She both hated and loved the way he somehow managed to mold her like that.
But this was one of the days that thoughts like that were the least on her mind. Walking silently down the paths of a random park in Tokyo she tired to clear herself, and let the thoughts slip away. It would be best to think of nothing, not of the foretold death of the one she was finding herself falling in love, not of the death and destruction that was likely to ensue before the nearing final day. Absolutely nothing.
Closing her eyes she sighed heavily. The air was moist, it seemed like a storm was brewing, but it wouldn't come until the night. She knew that.
Suddenly, abruptly, there was something. Snapping her eyes open she swiftly turned her head, letting her ebony hair fall about her and glared in the direction of the disruption.
Chi no Ryuu…an angel.
By simply gazing at her you wouldn't be able to tell that. The girl was dressed simply, black clothes with a loose fitting yellow jacket. Glasses, ebony hair, with a streak of blonde running through her bangs. But there was something, and it set Arashi off.
Glancing about her she tired to assess whether or not it was best to raise her kekkai, the enemy had yet to recognize her, so if she brought it up now there would be no damage done to the surrounding area. But there weren't any major kekkai within the vicinity. So why…?
When she looked back at the girl she had spotted, the two were staring at each other. Each one's face was an emotionless mask, one that constantly held the same appearance of slightly irritated disinterest. Without thinking anything of it the Dragon of Earth shrugged her shoulders slightly and made her way towards Arashi, walking her bike along with her.
The Ise Shrine Maiden's shoulders tensed. Was this a sign of attack? Subtly she held her left palm away from her body and spread her fingers wide. If a fight were to occur, she would be ready.
When the two were only a mere three feet apart from each other the Dragon of Earth stopped, silently contemplating the girl who stood before her. Both of them stared at each other for a long moment. It was as it would be in the wild, the first to look away would defer to the other. The challenge was one of dominance. Unfortunately, neither one was willing to give up very easily.
"You are…Ten no Ryuu." Her voice was flat, calm, and in every way controlled.
Arashi merely nodded, not taking her eyes off the other girl. "Chi no Ryuu." She spat in response.
With a short 'tsk' sound the girl shook her head. "Yatohji Satsuki," she said with a smirk on her face.
Dark muted blue eyes narrowed. "Kishuu Arashi."
"Ise Shrine Maiden."
Her eyes only widened slightly at the mention of this. It would make logical sense that the Dragons of Earth would be well informed about their enemies. That was the strategic thing to do.
Moments of silence stretched to minutes and longer. Still the two only stood, staring blankly at the other. The tension still did not fade from Arashi's posture. She was waiting for the attack, assuming that there would be one. However, Satsuki seemed to be thinking, but of what her face did not betray. The only way Arashi knew she was in thought was that her eyebrows furrowed ever so slightly.
"Tell me," she said at length, "What happens when someone dies?"
Taken by surprise at this sudden question Arashi clenched her hand slightly. "What do you mean?"
"Do they just disappear, decompose, and never exist? Are people sad? What will happen when you die?"
Arashi's lips pressed together in a thin line. She succeeded in hiding the emotions inside her, but it was clear that she was upset by Satsuki's question, and that was a loss. But she wouldn't let it end at that. Tilting her head up slightly she looked down at the other girl.
"Why do you want to know?"
"Everyone says different things. Some claim that they will be revered, others think they'll just fade away, while some people believe tears will be shed. What do you think? Will anyone cry when you die?"
"Neither of us can predict the future, so how am I to know?"
"Don't you have some idea? Do you know people who would cry at your death, some who would rejoice and others who would just go on living their lives?"
"Everyone knows people like those."
"But how many do you know?"
The silence descended once again. Neither of them looked away, they simply glared at the other. There would be no answers to the questions today. The battle ended in a stalemate.
"Well," Satsuki started with a smirk, getting back onto her bike, "I'll be going now." And with that she sped away.
Slowly Arashi turned and stared after the vanishing visage of the Dragon of Earth. She frowned slightly. It looked as if she had not been able to achieve her ideal of a day without thoughts. But as she felt a slight dampness against her cheek she knew for sure that it wouldn't be a day without rain.
Turning her head upwards she watched the neutral gray sky for a few moments before she set off, slowly making her way back to the mansion. Having thought that the day would remain dry she hadn't brought an umbrella with her, but she didn't care. All the rain meant was that her steps would need to be a bit quicker than usual.
The rain fell upon her, soaking her, but she didn't care. As a drop streaked down her cheek, she softly asked herself whether or not there would be someone who would cry at her death, or if that someone would have already passed away years before.
~*~
Tuesday
~*~
so there you are. Feel free to tell me if you think any of the characterization is off, because these aren't exactly two of the characters taht I know best. In my personal opinion, I'm not entirely sure if I portrayed Arashi correctly, and this is still subject to revisions. Toodles