Disclaimer: Angelic Layer is owned by the talented women of Clamp!

A/N: And yet another chapter out for those who are still reading this story. Thanks for those who actually ranked. I love you guys!! The chapter might've been slightly altered from the provided preview from last chapter.

Your Face Under the Moonlight

By blue raindrop

Chapter Three- Venomous Remedy

Misaki stepped out of the building with Oujirou. The training had engrossed their consciousness so much that they hadn't realized that the afternoon had ran by them swiftly. They were so occupied that they didn't realize they were the last ones to leave!

Twilight had now enveloped the skies, a brilliant hue of velvet blue clear across the horizon. The bright moon watched from its omniscient position calmly, flooding the earth with its white beams. Oujirou, who was looking away pensively from Misaki, now seemed to have his thoughts organized. He turned his head slightly to tell Misaki something, but he found her looking up at the distant ball of white in utter amusement. Her face was illuminated by the pale beams, and the towering tree nearby sprinkled dark shadows on their figures. Such a lovely face made his heart pound unsteadily, compelling him to a sudden desire to kiss her. But Misaki turned to him before he could make the slightest gesture to do so. "It was a lot of fun training with you again. We haven't done it in awhile. I have to admit that it really relieved me from the stress that's been pulling me down lately." She found him gazing down at her again and Misaki's face reddened.

Oujirou's eyes twinkled as he smiled victoriously, "Good, then I was successful after all. You've been worried so much about Shuuko-san lately and I hoped that something else would occupy your thoughts for awhile. I'm really concerned about Shuuko-san's disease but I'm also really concerned about how its affecting you. So I tried not to bring it up this afternoon. "

Misaki slowly inferred that that 'training' was really aimed to get her head out of the dark clouds. He didn't include that part when she asked him earlier why he wanted to train so much. She realized that that was the reason why desperation for training was so apparent. He wanted her to stop worrying about her mother for just a short moment and appreciate life's joys again. Oujirou's cleverness always surprised her; this approach wasn't anticipated.

How nice of Mihara-san… she thought.

He checked his watch. "It's a school day tomorrow, Suzuhara-chan. We probably should get going. Can we do this again sometime next week?"

"Y-yeah, of course! Anything for Mihara-san!" said Misaki in an instant.

He then spoke to her softly with words barely audible. "I have this feeling that that's going to change soon."

"What's going to change soon?" she asked curiously, utterly clueless about what he was talking about. He shook his head, exchanging his sadness with a facade of happiness. He kindly offered to take her home but she turned it down, knowing he had to take the rather extended train ride home. Thus, they concluded the day with goodbyes. She waved at his disappearing figure and turned to head for her house as well. Glancing down, she realized that she had forgotten to show him the doll she had been making him. It was halfway done, and she had to admit, her fingers did some remarkable work! It was a doll of Wizard. That reminded her, that girl from earlier? Did she also possess a Wizard angelic doll duplicate?

She imagined a whole clutter of girls screaming with Wizard dolls-- battles of Wizard 57 vs. Wizard 91 in the layer field! That would be a bore! How would she distinguish the real one from the others? Was everyone making their dolls like hers, Oujirou's, or Shuuko's? Certainly there were other inspirational deus' players! Such thoughts carried her to a state of delirium, making her walk like a drunk man across an empty street.

"You'd better sober up before crossing the street," said a sharp voice from behind her. It was the voice of that aggravating girl she had encountered earlier.

Misaki was still in a daze. "Let's fight tomorrow. I'm kind of busy trying to go home."

The girl ran up before her and blocked her path, her blonde curls dangling from the rapid transition. "A bit close to Mihara-san, aren't we?" she inquired suspiciously. Upon hearing this, Misaki snapped out of her nightmare only to find herself in another one- but this time it was real.

"Do you have something against me?" asked Misaki defensively. She had done no harm to her yet the girl was clenching her fists with malicious intentions. The girl didn't answer.

"Soon, you'll come begging to me. Then I can manipulate you under my fingers," she cackled evilly. Misaki shuddered from the evil air that blasted through her. She then walked away in such a speed, that it seemed she vanished!

"Now I'm hallucinating?" asked Misaki to herself. She resumed the walk home, feeling more insecure than ever. She held Hikaru closer to her as she walked home alone that night.

Misaki got home a few minutes later, promptly taking off her shoes upon entering. "Okaa-san, I'm home!" Usually Misaki's return home was greeted by a warm 'welcome home' but today was different. This time, as she stepped lightly into her mother's room, she heard no response. Misaki entered her mother's room and found her body sprawled on the floor!

"Okaa-san!" she cried, rushing to her and pressing her fingers through the coldness of her mother's frame. Tears streamed her face, choking for breaths of air as she panicked. Finally finding a pulse, she immediately rushed to the phone for help.

The days following the depressing incident were especially difficult for Misaki, who was profoundly impacted by the collapse of her mother's health. Paranoia seized her and Icchan, and both remained beside her in the hospital. Misaki went to school and ran straight to the hospital. Icchan likewise made similar sacrifices in his job, choosing to be absent if need be. Who was enduring more pain, it was hard to determine. Oujirou also made several sole visits to Shuuko. Sometimes, she would wake, seeing his face buried in his hands.

"I don't suppose that they'll find a cure for me. I'm always so afraid to say that to Icchan-san and Misaki. But knowing you, you're very good at keeping secrets," Shuuko whispered softly. Oujirou didn't know how to respond to such painful statements. He merely looked at her, sadness seeping from his heart. She had never known that she was his first love, but it was unrequited love. Now he had fallen in love with Misaki, finding the same features he had loved from Shuuko in her daughter.

"Don't be afraid to admit things. She needs you at these times," she told him, alluding to his feelings for Misaki. Oujirou felt uncomfortable since they were talking about his love for the daughter of a woman he once loved.

"Hey. I think Icchan-san's favorite show is on!" she said excitedly, flipping the television on to watch the bathing suit competition while Oujirou sweatdrops.

Misaki sat down to hear Icchan's news, depression tugging the sides of her lips downward. Both of them had bags below their dead eyes and their shoulders slumped; both of them felt so weary that they looked like zombies in the room. Icchan stretched his hand forward stiffly, rummaging for something on his desk. "I've found a possible panacea to Shuuko's disease. It's a clandestine company that boasts medication for any type of disease. However, they are tough negotiators, from what I've heard."

"Sounds suspicious. How should we know if this secret company should be trusted?" asked Misaki's monotonous voice.

"They've conducted successful experiments with their medicine. I don't know if that counts," he replied. "Amazingly, the head of the company is… a kid. I heard she's really brilliant though. Her I.Q. surpasses…well, let's just say it's really up there. A young famed scientist," he remarked, grinning.

Misaki squinted her eyes at the picture that he held before her eyes, and widened in shock. She gasped instantly at the person in the picture. "T-tough negotiator indeed…"

It must so painfully slow, huh? But, yeah you can probably guess who's in the picture. Reviews are valued and carefully devoured so please review! I'm working on a fic pairing Hikaru and Wizard, inspired by Kaji Hikage. ^_^ BTW, read his AL fic! It's really really good!!!

Next chapter: What's this? Misaki would do "anything" for the cure? And what's that girl doing with Oujirou?? Hmm…wait a minute! oi! Icchan-- you're a bit too close to Shuuko's face aren't you?