Even Though It's Painful… Always.
By Nokurai To-orima
Disclaimer: I never did own FY. If I ever owned it, it will be more perverse!!! ^^;;; And the main character wouldn't be Miaka Yuuki. I only own the characters, Nokurai Toorima, Taimatsu Heren, Junsui Keito, and Fujimiya Michiru.
Author's Note: GOMEN NASAI!!! I'm really sorry about the delay!!! Gaaakk!! Talk about hectic schedule, I'm having three mock exams at the same time!!! *sigh*… I don't wanna talk about it. But anyway, I'm really, REALLY sorry! I hope I didn't ummm… neglected those who kept reviewing me. I hope you'll forgive me.
Clinching the darkness…
Seeking for an exit…
It will be over…
Finally…
A light shimmered somewhere in front me, indicating that the travel is coming to an end.
At last…
With that, I was blinded by the comforting light and felt a floating feeling before my awareness left me.
* * * * *
I opened my eyes little by little. It took me a while to realize that I was lying at the ground covered with snow. Unable to recall how I'd gotten here, I slowly sat up and rest my back on the damp tree trunk behind me, as more flakes seem to found their way on my hair and shoulders. Looks like I'm not dressed in this occasion… I mumbled when my eyes became more focused, looking at my t-shirt and khaki pants and no shoes. When my trembling hands roamed around the snow, I felt a familiar gadget. My Diskman… how'd it got here? Suddenly, I remembered everything:
I was reading the words written under the dragon image and when suddenly I disappeared
in bands of blue light and traveled in space through a pleasantly hot swirl of the same aura.
Hearing jingling sounds, I stood up, placing my Diskman in my side pocket and looked at the direction where the clatters were coming from.
"Oi, what's this? A woman alone in the middle of the night? We're in luck, boys."
It was difficult to see in the dusk, but I saw well enough to identify men in an unfamiliar type of armor as about a dozen horsemen dismounts to encircle me. This can't be good. I'm not completely recovered from my unexpected travel. Is this how they greet a visitor other places? Or from other world?
"…"
"Wow, she's giving us the silent treatment!" grinned the apparent leader, "A shy type, I couldn't play with that kind!"
"I got no problems about that! Let's take her back with us, I don't want to expose myself to the weather," offered one soldier, and was answered with dark laughter from the others.
I watched them silently, taking in every provoking words and hilarity they make, until I felt a sudden battle aura blaze up inside of me. "Mocking will bring the Reaper out of me…"
Another laughter arose. "Oh please! Don't kill me!" Another soldier teased, trying to imitate a girl's voice. "I promise not to—"
Before he could finish his pathetic dialogues, I punched him on the abdomen, gave an uppercut right under the chin and a quick kick on his right cheek, making him fly towards the tree I was leaning against earlier. I brought out the sword from the beaten guard. I scowled at the men with the famous devilish smile. "Don't tell me I didn't warn you…"
The men suddenly held their spears, "You'll pay for that!" The captain shouted fiercely a war cry as they attacked.
"Come and get me."
Slashing them severely, I swiftly moved in between them. After a few cuts and lacerations, I stood there before the lying and kneeling men, who were obviously in pain.
"Underestimating an Akuma isn't going to help you." I glared at them, eyes showing no emotions at all. I kneeled behind a man and pointed the cutting edge towards his neck, "Now... shall I kill you and bring your eternal slumber?" I continued, with a wicked smile engraved on my delicate face.
Before I could make the blood drip, someone hit me with wood on the head, causing me to fall unconscious unto the snow. Coldness pierced through my flesh after a few minutes as I heard them laugh for the last time before my vision was turned black.
Chapter 3: Unmei no Ruuto (Route of Destiny)
For how many times, I stepped on the familiar space of darkness.
I shivered, thinking that I'm still alone.
And it's true.
"So, we meet again…
Nokurai Toorima."
I spotted a vague figure standing a few distance away from me, seemingly strolling towards me. I became agape once I distinguished the pink-haired woman looking at me with excited green eyes.
I was wrong.
I wasn't alone. She's here with me. I flashed her a relieved smile as I quickly ran towards her and gave a hug. "Oh Michiru! Yokatta! I thought I'm going to be on my own again in this nightmare!" I look at her face, seeing what would her reaction be about being in this world and all.
She smiled, but it was different. Different from what she usually gave me whenever we were together at school. And it wasn't just the smile; it was everything about her. Sensing something unusual, I pulled away from her like I don't know her. Her smile widens, "You sensed it, didn't you?"
I took a step back, "Who are you?!"
"What would you do if someone you know happens to be not the real person?"
"Someone who's responsible for something you feared?"
"Someone who manipulated your dreams and turned them into nightmares?"
"Someone who is guilty about the things happening to you?"
"Someone who is no other…
Than your bestfriend."
"You're lying…" Crimson eyes widen in disbelief. "Michiru wouldn't do something like that!"
She laughed in a horrible manner. "You wouldn't believe me? Why Rima-chan, whatever happened to your so-called 'Akuma' attitude? Devils aren't supposed to be scared out of their wits!"
Rima-chan?!
I flicked a finger, pointing at her, red pools becoming bloodier than before. "No one has the right to call me by my nickname except for my best friend!"
Her laughter also became more darker and horrible, "Why, my dear Akuma, do you deny the fact that the one who you're calling Michiru is I?!"
"The truth…
Is always painful…"
My feet were frozen right into darkness' floor as she took steps towards me, emerald eyes searching the depths of the pools of blood. "Why don't you return to the real world and face what fate has prepared for you?"
My Fate?
In this world?
She leaned closer and whispered, "And in every darkness, there's bound to be a light…"
With that, I disappeared, feathers taking my place.
* * * * *
*Sigh…*
The young woman, also known as Fujimiya Michiru, opened her stressed green eyes as her hands shuffled through the cards. She sighed once more before the glow of her body disappeared. She stood up, looking around the apartment space where To-orima was supposed to be in it. Both of them usually hang out in here, watching TV, sketching, you name it. But now, the joyful atmosphere deserted it, leaving the opposite feeling: Sadness. And she felt it. She walked towards the mirror, looking at her reflection.
Am I really the Michiru that To-orima knows? Her hand touched the silver piece. I was certainly different from her dream.
She held out the 'message card' she used in predicting To-orima.
And I lied…
To my own best friend…
I lied about not knowing about the meaning of her dream.
Even though I knew about it…
…
I was scared about letting her know.
Letting her know that she was meant to be on a journey in search…
Of her true identity…
But…
But…
Being alone and rejected was always been her weakness. Making up the devilish attitude of hers was just a mask to cover up the frailty of her spirit. Just like what happened a few years back…
---Flashback---
"Rima-chan!"
No answer.
"Rima-chan?"
A soft murmur.
"Michiru?"
When I saw her curled up in a corner of her room, I kneeled beside her. "Daijobou?" Concern and questions flooded my veins as my trembling hands met her shoulders.
Blood.
Thin crimson ribbons trickled down her pastel arch of her right wrist, staining the water a pink tone in a porcelain basin, like the clouds before the sunset.
Green eyes stared in horror, as her left hand held the silvery blade that was responsible for the incision, then a curve was visible on her lips. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"
Her eyes watched with delight as blood dripped, flowed over her arm. "Hollow."
"What…"
"Emptiness. Worthless. Cold emotions begin to eat my soul away." She murmured, emotionless.
"Toorima, what happened to you? Why are you acting this way?!" Trepidation and fury were raw and real in my voice.
I could see tears beginning to form in her eyes as she closed them, wanting to see nothing. Not wanting to feel anything. "He left me, Michiru. He didn't…lo… " She broke down, never finishing her sentence. But I understand her. With comforting words and a protective embrace, I let her express through her tears the meaninglessness and pain she had felt.
---End of Flashback---
Since then…
She became cold.
She cursed men.
She cursed love.
She cursed the world.
She cursed her Life.
And she completely changed.
Tears suddenly flowed beyond control.
Like her…
I've changed.
I'm not the Michiru she used to know…
Silently.
Sincerely.
She asked for forgiveness to the best friend she entrapped in the other world and prayed for her safety.
"Kami-sama, let Rima-chan struggle through the hardships she have to confront…"
Tears continued to trickle on her cheeks as Heaven's own icy tears fell down from the velvet blanket of the night.
* * * * *
Clomp. Clomp. Clomp. Clomp.
Birds chirping for the last time of the day
Small animals going back to their homes
The faint glimmers in the dark skies begin to look like diamonds
…
Observing nature's white season is not something a typical hostage would do. But with my hands tied tightly and a dozen of soldiers guarding my every move, this is the best thing to do to pass time. I stared out the window, lost in thought. The carriage is way too slow for me. Too slow that it made me think about the dream.
Naze?
Michiru…
Do you think I deserve such Fate?
The fate that you manipulated?
For what?
To punish me for being an 'Akuma'?
I don't get it.
Simply because…
Flakes began to shower once more, falling like feathers of an angel, getting me out of my ruminations. Winter.
Coldness.
Yes, I feel it.
It's not the weather though.
It was something inside.
Something that I have felt for so long…
"We're here!" a man shouted.
Finally, we've arrived at the outskirts of a city that seems to be in an ancient time. Just like in the history book I've read months ago, I thought, people in the street makes faces of fury and fear as they let the carriage pass. This was the largest population I'd ever seen in one place, even though it was winter, they were still outside. The streets and building fronts were decorated with streamers.
An occasion, maybe. I smelled the fragrances of food and flowers drifted across the busy streets as they rode toward the palace.
Several serious-faced men, who vigorously swing open the wooden door of the coach, met us just inside the palace gates. Exiting, four soldiers escorted me to the palace, as the others seemed to know what they're doing. As they ushered me across a small courtyard and long hallways dimly lighted by lamps, men on post gave me a suspicious looks. Well, what do you expect? I'm like an alien here. After a while, we reached a huge rose-hued curtain. When pulled back, it revealed a spacious room that seemed to be the throne room. Arranged at the convoluted carved wooden table beautiful bud vases and urns filled with rare oils and exquisite scents of rose and lilacs. Lighted oil lamps were set at each end of the room, giving off a stimulating atmosphere. Palace guards stand side by side at the aisle that leads into the Emperor's seat.
Nice…
A sudden push from my escorts reminded me to move, not to stare like an idiot. Walking on the carpeted floor, I was directed to the Emperor.
"Your Highness," The soldier beside me started, "this is the girl that appears to be a spy from Konan."
Konan?
"Hey, wait a minute! I don't know what the hell you're talking about! I just know that I can't go back to my own world and—"
Oh no, they probably think I'm crazy or…
…
Who cares?!
The Emperor stood up from his seat. He walked towards me, noting my unworldly appearance and all. A hand held up my chin as auburns met rubies. "You say you came from the other world, my lady?"
"So what?"
He laughed, "Amusing, aren't you? After the former Emperor was executed, there was a girl from another world, like you, who became the Seiryuu no Miko. Are you the next priestess of Seiryuu?"
"Seiryuu…?"
Continued…
* * * * *
Yahoo!!!
I've finally put in the FY settings in chapter 3! *Celebrates* Hehehe. Anyway, I'm feeling much better now, although I've got too many work load from my summer review classes for college. You know, for college entrance exams ^.^. I'm going to aim for the best schools!!! *Dreamy look*
Someone already guessed the FY character going to be appearing!
You might be wondering how Michiru is connected to the Universe of the Four Gods. Well, the answer will surface at the next chapter so don't worry!
And why in KUTUO? All will be answered on the next chapter! .
And as usual, I'm going to leave messages to my reviewers:
To Sakurabaka Sagara: Once again, I wanted to thank you for editing and reviewing this chapter. I'm sorry about the hassle but my brain is dying this month due to the workload I'm having classes… *sigh* Just wish me good luck during mock exams!!! Anyway, I'll be sending the fourth chapter as soon as I finish it. ^.^ Speaking about fanfics, I really like what you've sent me! =_=
To Kirsche: C'mon! Tell me the title of your fanfic!!!! I want to read it!!!! Onegai, onegai, onegai!!! Maybe its just about you and Heero that's why you don't want to tell me! *smile* Did you do something VERY naughty in that story of yours? Hehehehe… Oh yeah, I wanted to thank you for supporting me in my college exams. I'm forever in your debt… well, not forever. Thanks a bunch and please post on the BBS when the bishounen section of your site will be putted up. Expect me to e checking it! Thanks a lot!!! ^.~
To Otaku Pitcher: Wow, that's one long review you gave me! Thanks anyway! Naturally, I appreciate how you review my work. Anyway, I'm sorry about your net being down for three days… if you ask me, I wouldn't survive!!! (I mean it!) At least, you've gotten through it. Chichiri and Kouji are going to be in the story, but they aren't the real major players in this fanfic (Well, they're have a quite major role). Care to try again? If you read my summary and some reviews, you'll able to get that "mysterious" person ^.^, Which reminds me, you were saying about a fanfic you're working on? Of course I would like to read it! You don't have to be embarrassed about it. My e-mail is indicated somewhere so I'll be waiting for it, okay? Why don't you post it up so I would be also reviewing you (You know the saying: If you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours? It sort of goes like that). And mind you, I'm not a yaoi fanatic so I don't read anything involves that romantic pairings! Well, I've read one, it was nice but I'm not a yaoi fan. *yuck* By the way, who are SIs or Mary Sues? I'm afraid I'm not familiar with them… care to share? =^^=.
To Kittychan: Hello there! Thank you for reviewing my work again and I'll be reading yours soon! I'm really sorry if I couldn't read your story earlier because as you can see, I've got summer classes going on for college entrance examinations and this fanfic of mine. But I promise that I'll review it chapter by chapter (The many the reviews, the better! I'll add 16 reviews or more in your story! .). And thanks for being a true fan. And I'll be notifying you as soon as the next chapter is up! I already invited my friends in reading your fic, I hope they get the chance to review it just as I would ^.^. And please inform me as well when you're putting up the new chapter of your story, okay? Thanks a bunch!!! =^.^=
To Michiru: At last! You've already reviewed my work! I thought you wouldn't say anything. Anyway, I hope to get more reviews from you! Thanks for the compliments, I really appreciate it. And I'm sorry if I'll update it after a while, my schedule is getting loading every minute. Hope to get a reply from you soon! And I'm proud that you're in the fic because you're my BACF!!! .
And that's it!
If you have any suggestions, comments, any ideas for the next chapters, or simply want to talk or pester me (or maybe not…), please e-mail me at furyoushoujo@hotmail.com and I'll be replying to you very soon!
And those who wanted to be updated, please leave your e-mail address whenever you review my work or plainly e-mail me again at furyoushoujo@hotmail.com and I'll be sending you an e-mail for notification, okay? Just reply to notify me if you ever received it.
Okay, that's all! Until then, Ja ne! *waves goodbye.*