~ Chapter 29 ~

Heir of Suzaku

(one week later)

            I rolled over lazily as the sun peeked through my window. I didn't want to wake up just yet, I had very few days where I could sleep in instead of waking up early and going to work, and today was one of those days. But of course, the sun had to be early today.

            "Sakura."

            I jumped from my bed in one fluent motion, swiveling around in a tight circle. What … where did that come from? I whipped my head around as I heard my name being called for the second time. This person was calling my old, forgotten name … who could … who could know my name … way out here? Unless …

            "Suzaku?" My breath caught in my throat as my wings suddenly decided to sprout from my back, leaving two large rips in the back of my shirt. Crimson light surrounded me right afterwards.

            The image of the Pheonix beast god materialized in front of me slowly, focusing.

            "What do you require?"

            His voice sounded very godlike, but solemn and firm. "Sakura … my reign is about to end."

            I gasped. "What the hell are you talking about?!"

            "I need you to take my place," His eyes bored into mine. "I need the heir of Suzaku, she is the only worthy candidate."

            "M-me?" I looked at him skeptically. "But … when? How??"

            "I will give you ample time to formerly say goodbye to your loved ones, then you shall depart to the Heavens and become a Goddess."

            "T-this is crazy … you expect me to leave effortlessly," I gave him a firm look, my fangs bared. "It's not that easy!"

            He bowed his head slightly. "You will have a half and hour only. I'm sorry, Sakura."

            I turned away from him and crossed my arms. I squeezed my eyes shut and spat.

            "By the way: the name's Chiri." I flapped my wings and escaped the portal Suzaku created, coming back to reality; into my room again. Gravity kicked in again as my wings drooped a little.

            No use hiding them for today. No use for anything else today.

            And I walked out of my room, not bothering to shut the door behind me.

I made my way to the kitchen, where I heard the voices of the others chatting, unheeded to what was coming their way. All was innocent; just let them have their norm for now, because it won't last. It won't last …

I stood at the foot of the steps. I couldn't just say goodbye … I couldn't just leave. But I had no other choice. I would have to approach them, tell them quick, and get it over with. I wouldn't be able to drag this out for very long. I wouldn't be able to handle it.

I ascended the flight easily, with my wings I simply floated down. This surprised everybody.

Tasuki grinned good-naturedly. "Ne, Chiri, what's with the sudden enthusiasm with the wings?"

"Yeah … we haven't seen those in a long time." Mits looked up from what she was eating.

Mitsukake stared at them. "I still can't get used to this …"

Chichiri stayed silent. He was very perceptive on things, being a wizard and all. Sometimes that ability to sense things like that made me nervous.

"I thought I sensed something strange up there no da …" He turned around. He didn't have his mask on. "What's happening no da?"

I sighed inwardly. I could tell he had some sort of idea, but still unclear. Everyone else had confused expressions, their gaze switching from Chichiri to me. I didn't blame them, they were only human.

Only human …

"I … I've been called by Suzaku …" I began slowly, shakily, while taking some more steps into the kitchen. "His reign is ending … he needs the heir of Suzaku now …" I sadly pointed to my wings behind me. "You can probably guess who that is, huh?"

It was way too quiet and still for my comfort. I took a few steps backwards until I was out of the kitchen. I must have looked so miserable then.

"I won't be totally gone, you know … I can watch over mortals," I put on a fake smile. "But the problem is that they can't see me …" I wasn't fooling anyone. Tasuki started laughing low, a hollow, meaningless laugh out of irony.

"You've got to be kidding us."

Mits chuckled, a worried look on her face. "Yeah … come on, it's not funny this time…" She turned to Mitsukake, almost desperately. "Right, Mitsukake … isn't that right?"

He didn't respond.

"I'm not kidding around … this is for real." I turned around, unable to look at them. "I'd better just go now … this is really hard …" I turned my head sideways and waved a little. "Goodbye …" I just started with a spell to open the portal, when I felt someone stop me by whipping me around roughly.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?!" It was Chichiri. Boy, he didn't look happy with this. Even his 'no da's' were forgotten. "You think it's okay to just leave us like this??" He kept his hand on my shoulder and showed me everyone else.

It was so depressing, to see my friends in tears. I never wanted to make another cry because of me … I wasn't worth crying over. There was no need. I loved to see people happy and laughing, that's why I hardly ever cried. So I could make people happy. As such, this was not the case now.

To see my friends crying over me, I hated it. I felt so selfish. At this point, it was hard enough for me not to do the same.

"Just let me get out of here," I pulled away quickly, not wanting to look at the others' faces. "I can't stay any longer…"

Watching out for my wings, Chichiri pulled me into a huge bear hug.

"Demo … you'll come back and visit, won't you no da?" He was crying …

I flinched as I saw his tears fall out of the corner of my eye. I couldn't take this.

"Sure I will … what makes you think I wouldn't?" I patted his back and pulled back, looking at everybody grimly. "I'm sorry everybody …" I shut my eyes quickly. "It's not like I wanted to do this …"

Like an oncoming train, I was attacked and almost crushed inside a group hug by Mits, Tasuki, and Mitsukake. Didn't they understand that how they dragged this out … that I was hurting me?

But nothing was said. By them, or by me.

My body started glowing crimson, and the three backed up a little. I looked around once more at them. Mitsukake tried his best at comforting a hysterical Mits, whereas Tasuki sat on the ground as his legs wouldn't support him anymore, and Chichiri just stood there, his one good eye crying.

They were all crying.

I tried my hardest for one last smile, and waved.

"Gomen ne, minna …" A lone tear escaped my barrier. "Don't hate me for this." And I disappeared to Heaven.

It was all happening so fast.

And yet … with my powers and abilities … I couldn't stop it.

            But I couldn't leave them; not when we had just succeeded in so many things. Was being the heir of Suzaku really worth this?

            I buried my face in my hands. Becoming a Goddess was wonderful, but to have no friends … that was something that I would never adjust to.

            I couldn't believe I had to do this … to give up everything to be a Goddess in a world of fiction.

            To give up my friends, and my life as a human being.

Sure, I was immortal now, with unending limit of power. But was it worth giving it all up?

            I sat up, straightening my back, and a determined look crossing my features.

            No.

            Never.