Even Though It's Painful… Always
By Nokurai To-orima
Disclaimer: The usual blah, yakitty-yak… you get the point. I don't own FY. If I own it, I wouldn't be making this…
Darkness…
The only thing that obscured my vision
As I tried to speak with an invincible voice somewhere in this world
"Who's… there?" I repeated the question, trying not to shiver.
Tranquility…
"Why are you cryin'?" A male voice asked.
"W-what?! I mean…" Wait a minute, how can he see that I'm crying? But I can't worry about that now. I racked my brain for an explanation. "I-I just got something in my eye… T-that's all…"
"Liar." His words made my blood pressure go up.
"It's okay to weak sometimes…" He continued, "It's not like you're strong forever."
"What are you…" I didn't finish my sentence, seemingly confused.
"You don't have to hide it. I know how it feels to be… " It paused. I heard him breath in, as if he was trying to get a hold of himself.
"How it feels to be alone…"
Chapter 5: Yasashisa Koe de (With His Gentle Voice)
Alone…
"It's okay to cry, as long as you feel better…"
As long as you feel better…
It's the only reason why tears stain my cheek.
And it was because of HIM.
The one who shattered my fragile heart…
The one who disintegrated my sanity…
The one who I loathed so much…
So much that I love him…
No.
I shall not be deceived anymore!
Even my best friend hates me!
Hate…
"Nobody hates you…" He suddenly said, seemingly contradicting my thoughts.
"No… you're wrong… I've gone through a lot of things lately, and I just realized… how life can be so unfair… how one can suffer again and again by its consequences…" My voice began to crack up. I forced my mind not to playback those dreadful reminiscences, they're not worth to be looked at once more.
I'd have enough…
I just couldn't… take it anymore…
"Don't give up!"
"WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT ME?!"
"What do you know about me?" He returned the question. Not in a mocking way, but somehow, it's like he understands me. Like he watched me and knew everything about me. Do we have the same tragedy?
Just like…
The song…
"Setsunakutemo… zutto…" My thoughts influenced my voice. I quickly covered my mouth before I could say anything more.
"Yes… and it still does." His voice began to low down.
Until now…
It's still painful…
* * * * *
Visions covered with blurry swirls of red and oranges.
Ears were welcomed by cries filled with anger.
I shot open my eyes when I heard a shout of agony. Red orbs shrink in size as I found myself lying on the snow-covered land, watching men in armor fighting with spears and swords.
For the first time in my life, I never wished to behold such sight.
The sight of blood wasted, dripping out someone's life drop by drop.
The sight of weapons ripping flesh
The sight of lifeless bodies falling down
What's happening?
Someone held my arm. "Ikemasu." He said.
He was the one who 'kidnapped' me…
"What's happening? What's going on?" Questions took over my confused my mind, seeking for answers from the person beside me. Even though he was my enemy, I need to know where I am. I need to know my situation. I need to erase the guilt from my mind.
I just need to know!
He pulled me up and we started to run, run away from the fierce battle. "My name is Yuuhi Akira. I won't let them have you."
"Nani?"
We ran through the dark forest. The trees on the side of the path had become denser, their forms barely visible. It felt as though they were opening up to make way for us, and then closing as soon as we had passed. Several footsteps followed us from behind.
"Kutuo will use you as a source of strength to their army." He informed me, "Letting the soldiers think that their god, with your help, is just beside them, they'll be able to gain enough power to overrun Konan." He explained.
"Why are you telling me this?" I asked, besides of the confusion going at the back my mind. There are two countries. Kutuo and Konan. Both need military power to overrun the other country. Both would have their ideal world but I don't know who's the protagonist or the antagonist in this setting. Konan or Kutuo?
A pause.
"Please trust me."
Trust? I've lost so many of that…
"…"
"There they are!" Someone shouted before they sprang out from the thick shadows of the woods. It was difficult to see but I'm pretty sure that they're going to ambush us. I look at my companion. He's cursing them under his breath. His grip on his weapon shows that he couldn't take them all down. The odds are against him…
I don't know who's right or wrong…
I'll trust my instincts.
I grabbed his right hand, and putting the blade near my neck. "Tell them not to get near or you'll kill me." I informed him. His look was questioning me, but got the idea after. He locked my left arm with his to look that I'll struggle away.
"Don't come any closer or she'll get it!" He warned.
I'm not good with acting, but what the heck. "Please! I don't want to die yet!" I faked a plea.
The Kutuo soldiers stopped, but then forward again, but much more slowly and careful.
"Oh shit! It didn't work…"
"I'm serious!" He warned before the edge of the blade was touching my flesh.
Fortunately, they believed our act and listened to his warnings. I whispered him to moved slowly away from this 'bad guys', and then we were running full speed ahead. The pain and cold began to seep through my veins but I ignored the protests of my legs. Instead, I focused on the route. The sound of footsteps appeared again.
We should be safe with this distance… somehow. I thought with a piece of relief in my mind, but a shimmer in the air drew my eyes up onto a branch that hung over the trail. Figures appeared, silently and carefully drawing back their elbow. Archers! I shot a look to my comrade. Judging by his expression, he noticed them also.
Without warning, it rained silver missiles. The silver missiles cut and scratch my skin, my body throbs with pain all over. I turned my head at my suppose-to-be kidnapper. Blood seem to drip in every part of his body, yet he kept dodging and running as if he wasn't in that condition. He took a glance, and smiled before focusing back at the arrows attacking him.
Before I knew it, an arrow sped up to me.
Blood and sweat mingled together as it slide on the contours of my face
Heartbeats seemed to stop their usual rhythm
The darkness of the night was bright
The sharp metal of the arrow was distinguished from the silvery lights in the sky.
Am I going to die…?
Finally, rest in piece…?
I shut my eyes close
And waited for the answer in the shadows.
Continued…
* * * * *
GOMEN NASAI!!!
I'm really, REALLY sorry about the delay (This line is especially to Midnight Kitty). Due to serious case of writer's block and tons of school requirements this time, I'm having a hard time in catching up with my fic. Would you believe that I wasn't able to fiddle through my computer for 2 weeks! That's how life is unfair to a nearly brain-dead author. I'm really sorry about it and please don't give up on me! .
We have a C.L. requirement that we need to work in a community service for 3 hours this quarter. It will be short but the outputs of this project are really heavy. I'll try my best to update this next time… with the Goddess of luck beside me… *sigh*
And I'm sorry if this turned out a short one because I was planning of shortening the following chapter for more immediate post up. If you don't like the idea, please tell me so if I can, I'll try to lengthen it a bit ^.~
As usual, I'll leave a note for my reviewers:
To Sakurabaka Sagara: Ei, I got the complete series of Fruit Basket!!! Waaahhh!!! The last 2 episodes was such a forlorn one!!!! It's about Kyo-kun's past and it was so sad! Tissue Alert!!! Thanks for the editing (again) and for reviewing (again) and stating your favorite line (again!). I owe you again, and again, and again… And I'm not Shin's 'reincarnation' and stuff! I'm simply a follower okay? Do I make myself clear?
To Otaku Pitcher: WOW!!! Sugoi!!! Chapter 2 was even better than the first! It was soooo good! I send it to a friend and she told me that it was really cool! Now I felt really bad for not posting up chapters in a short period of time. *sob sob* Anyway, thanks for sending me your chapter two. Domo arigatou! It was such a cliffhanger type of chapter that I couldn't wait for the third chappie! Please send it to me as soon as you finish it, okay? Thank you again!
To Midnight Kitty: New name, huh? Well, it's sounds cooler than your previous pen name. Anyway, I'm really sorry again for delaying chapter 5. Although I did my best to meet up with your… demands, I wasn't capable enough to do so. I'm REALLY, REALLY SORRY!!!!! T.T And I was too busy to review your work. Even though exams are finished, schoolwork that followed was a total HELL. I'm also busy with sketching (Being in an Art club is also a burden) and meeting the demands of my classmates (You know, they kept pestering me to draw them). Life is soooo unfair! Please understand… so I tried shortening this chappie for more frequent(?) post up. What do you think?
To Pebbles: I'll do that if only I have the time! Sigh… Thanks for reviewing me!
To Kiaria: WOW! A new reader! Thanks for time in reading my work and reviewing it! I appreciate it! ^.^ Anyway, I do tend to add mystery twist in my plot because without conflict, the plot would be bland. Hehehe… Thanks again!
And that's the end of it
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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.
Thanks again and see you next chapter (hopefully)! And don't forget to review, okay? Ja ne! .