FOR ALL THOSE THAT READ THE PREVIOUS EDITION OF CHAPTER TEN ---- IGNORE THAT NASTINESS PLEASE. Thanks. I'm really sorry. I posted it up only to barf when I read it again. Mikagami did seem way off my carefully planed 'slow thaw' and the whole genki ending got to me. PLEASE IGNORE PREVIOUS CHAPTER!!!!!! PLEASE. Oh yeah, if anyway would like to um, review my chapter before I post it up, please send me an e-mail! jenny124@yahoo.com (not a female, using stupid sister's e-mail address) I am NOT gay. Just THANKS FOR READING and sticking with me so far! I hope you will like this chapter
Individual Responses (for Chap 9):
Ranka: Ha ha. . . I'm glad you think that I've language has improved a lot (hurrah to higher eduation!!) My teachers would, ahem, be proud to know that . . .I think this chapter may (or may not) satisfy your hunger for 'interesting' items. Seriously though, I hope it won't turn out to be some gaudy monstrosity of a cliché and OOC fic. THANKS for readin'
Dark Phoenix: Hey! I'm glad you were able to put up with the numerous 'baka monkeys' (I didn't like it much myself but I thought it would be able to illustrate a point about Mikagami). Erg. I also make him do something unexpected in this chapter. Probably will seem too out of the blue and ignored. . . ahh!! I need help. My writing has digressed! I've tried to add a bit of humor in a supposedly serious chapter. Well, please tell me what you think.^_~ Your opinion is highly valued!
Xabie: Yay! You've been waiting for this! Here's more! (laughs) Maybe, through the unskillfully crafted (obvious) clues that I throw in your face this chapter, you will be able to figure out what happened to our dear Fuuko! Thanks for readin~
Reponses for Previous Edition of Ch 10
Kaze Yurei: Ahh! Don't beat me, I promise I'll finish this monster fic. I just don't know when because the plot keeps on changing and evolving in my end *sigh* One of the wonders of writing – you never know what the hell is going on. THANKS for reading!
Dark Phoenix: Couldn't agree with you more, hence, the re-write. Get rid of Mi-chan laughing! Good lord. I read it yester-evening and was disgusted .I'm glad you liked the "gay" joke (everyone seems to think Mikagami is gay so. . . ha!) Hopefully this "edition" (as I like to put it) will turn out more satisfactory than the last.
Officious sounding voice announces that "All standard disclaimers apply"
Chapter 10: Secrets Unearthed *take 2*
"Recca-kun" Yanagi held her ninja-chan closely "Mikagami sempai called"
"If he is trying to get a date with you then my answer is no" Yanagi giggled as Recca drew her in tighter.
"No. He said that it was urgent we meet up tonight" Recca stared at her in disbelief.
"Is Mikagami, mister too good for the rest of us, trying to plan a get together?"
"Judging by the sound of his voice, I don't think a get-together was what he had in mind. . ." Yanagi sighed "He sounded extremely agitated"
"When is that idiot ever not agitated?" Recca retorted sarcastically only to receive a not-so-light blow to the head.
"Now is not the time to be insensitive!" Yanagi half-heartedly reprimanded him as he sighed and looked up at her.
"I'm sorry I never pass up the opportunity to berate that guy. Did he say anything else?"
"He said to meet at his apartment in an hour. He said he'll call Domon and he asked for your mother to join us as well. . ."
"This sounds serious. . .oh yeah, what about Fuuko?"
"I'm sure he already contacted her." Yanagi used this opportunity to swoop down and place a chaste kiss on Recca's lips. He smiled and returned the kiss while draping his fingers through her hair.
"I love you Yanagi. . ." Recca's eyes shone a rare mature gleam "I love you so much it hurts"
"You have no idea Recca. . ." Yanagi smiled as she savored this tender moment, only to be interrupted by a panicked ringing of the telephone.
"Moshi moshi" Domon's gruff voice sounded like sand paper compared to Yanagi.
"Gorilla?" Mikagami flinched as his customary nickname for Domon flew out of his mouth before he even thought about it consciously
"Fridge boy!" Domon's eyes widened in surprise as he recognized the owner of the surprisingly not-so-cold voice. "What in the name of God do you want? Oh yeah, and, how the hell did you get my cell phone number?" Mikagami snorted.
"For your information, I am not so stupid as to not know how to find your number. A, your shop, Ishijima no hana, is listed in the phone directory. B, I could have called either Yanagai-san or sea monkey Hanabishi and asked for your phone number. C, did you ever entertain the thought that you might have given me your phone number one day because you were late and changed it in order to escape Fuuko's wrath?" Mikagami's voice, although dripping with sarcasm, had a warm jesting quality to it that made Domon ignore the condescending comments he made. Domon laughed.
"Can't beat you there. I was just surprised that you actually called me. What do you want?"
"Are you free in about an hour?" The sound of Domon's jaw hitting the ground reached Mikagami's ears and he rolled his eyes. "Look, I'm not inviting you guys over for a get-together, so don't get all happy on me. Its serious. I have urgent news to share. . . "
"Are you coming out?" Ishijima's serious question caused Mikagami to fall over in surprise.
"I am NOT gay thank you very much" Mikagami huffed in anger "just get your ass over here in an hour. . .don't be a stupid gorilla and forget about the time"
"hai hai. . .ja!" Domon hung up the phone and stared at his monitor in contemplation. Never before did Mikagami call him and never before did he expect conversation to flow and not be severely strained. Something was definitely amiss because Mikagami's voice slightly lacked his usual controlled calmness.
Mikagami laid back on his bed and wondered if inviting the monkey horde to his apartment was a sound decision. He had to tell him somehow and, perhaps this was the best way. He sighed. Indeed, he has changed.
An hour later, an awkward atmosphere surrounded Domon, Recca, Yanagi, Ganko and Kageoru as they gathered around Mikagami's quaint living room.
"Its really quite a nice place you've got here" remarked Recca as he eyed his surroundings, trying to break the silence.
"I'm glad you have decent taste in aesthetics sea monkey" Mikagami noted the worried expression in Kageoru's eyes as he knew she observed his actions much closer than the rest of the troupe.
"I'm not that bad. . . didn't exactly fail visual arts. . ." Recca retorted half-jokingly. His tone changed when he spotted the gashes on Mikagami's hands. "How did a skilled fighter who uses a sword, like you, get those nasty bruises on your knuckles? Do we have a new threat? Is that why we are here?" Mikagami glanced at his hands and sighed. Better to tell them now and get over with it. His thoughts were interrupted by Domon as he stared at his cell phone in despair and suddenly turned all teary eyed.
"Fuuko-sama is not picking up her phone. Did you guys call her? You know she would never miss a chance to explore the interior of the resident ice man's house" Mikagami shifted uncomfortably at Domon's remark. How will he begin telling them about this mess?
"Ano. . ." Mikagami stared down at his bruises as he heard the unvoiced thoughts and concerns of his teammates. "I wish to ask that you hold all your questions and not interrupt me because I find it hard enough to discus matters as it is. . .:" He breathed in deeply as he watched Recca toss him a quizzical look.
"As you know Fuuko's been acting quite strangely. . ."
"Is she pregnant?" Domon interjected, eyes wide "If she is, I mean, damn. . ." Recca smacked Domon in the back of his head as Yanagi groaned and Mikagami sighed.
"No, she isn't pregnant. She is. . . " Mikagami paused for contemplation, he really was at a loss for words "I don't know if she's dead or not all I know is that she disappeared into thin air right before my eyes last night" Disbelief graced the eyes of the Hokage as they stared at Mikagami in shock.
"Disappear?" asked Recca incredulously "She just vanished?"
"Like a bad science fiction movie, yes. She's gone" Mikagami replied half-sarcastically. He really couldn't speak eloquently today, well, nor could he think. Everything was so confusing and jumbled; he didn't know where to begin.
"Sempai, I don't understand" Yanagi's concern brought Mikagami a fresh new dread. Right now they reacted in shock, a moment later they will be like him, angry. He'll probably be the one to take the full brunt of their fury. That thought did not pass his mind well.
"I guess I will start from the beginning with all I know. I will only ask one more time, please be silent until I finish. . . please" The strain of composure in Mikagami's voice reached the rest of the Hokage as they silently complied with his request.
"Mikagami-san" Kageoru's voice wavered slightly "Did. . .it happen?" Mikagami furrowed his brow in confusion, was she hiding something?.
"Yesterday during school she had another fit, I think she insulted the teacher for reprimanding and reminding her of her inner conflicts. She retreated to the rooftop. Coincidentally, I was there, escaping my dull classroom, and she sort of told me what was happening to her recently and then fell asleep, only to wake up an hour later and disappear in front of my eyes" Recca's ears twitched in confusion as Domon continued to stare at his cell phone in silence.
"She did tell me a couple of things here and there, maybe I can help you piece the entire picture together" Kageoru's voice gave Mikagami some strength as he relayed the entire story to their ears. He found that it was easier to talk once he has started and fewer things were constraining him as the events seem to flow out of him, wanting to be heard. He told them about their accidental lunch break together. He described that evening when he witnessed her sob in the midst of a storm, wanting to comfort her only to watch her leave in Seth's embrace. He also told them of their chance morning encounter resulting in a mutual understanding (obviously, he severely downplayed the emotional bits of it) and, finally, that one afternoon on the rooftop where he convinced her to divulge her secrets and watched her disappear into the dusk.
"She also told me to thank you guys. She told me to tell you that she was grateful to say 'thanks for everything'" Mikagami swallowed a huge breathe of air and waited. The heavy silence in the room was deafening. Even one as composed as him could not stand the weight of the atmosphere.
How was one to answer this? No one knew. Yanagi trembled slightly and pressed her face into Recca's sleeve. Her dominant emotion was one of sadness, coupled by confusion. Fuuko was the only true female friend she had. Even though they've had their trite arguments, they've shared so much behind their male companion's backs, she could not imagine life without her female confidant. Domon sighed. He was mad at Mikagami. Mad at him for being the one beside Fuuko and mad at him because he was powerless against what they were about to face. He was just mad because he knew Fuuko would never be his. Never would have been in the first place and because of present situations, she probably will never be. He sighed and buried his face into his large palms.
Recca was the most confused of them all. His best friend from childhood, someone who has helped him shape his life was gone. Unable to distinguish that flicker of optimism, he knew that if they all teamed up together, they would be able to get Fuuko back. Even so, he couldn't help but feel drained, drained and incomplete with his friend. She was essential to his livelihood as much as hime was. Why didn't any of them notice her recent strange behavior? Have they all really begun to take her cheeriness for granted? Did they, like Mikagami implied, only see the masked side of her? Were they really that shallow? He wasn't simple minded but he did not enjoy confusing complex emotions. He liked knowing what to and then just doing it. Simple. Easy. This wasn't one of those cases, however. He sighed. Of course he was angry. Of course he was sad. But, judging by the looks on everyone's faces, it seems as if the refrigerator took the worst blow of it. He never exhibited this much emotion for anyone, not even his beloved Yanagi. Most of all he was just shocked because Fuuko never let anyone of them know. He did realize that she acted weird but he sincerely believed it to be just a 'girl thing'. Why is it that she shared her secrets only with Mikagami? Recca sighed and knelt in front of Mikagami.
"I. . . I'm. . .sorry I could not do anything." Mikagami uttered under his breath.
"Its not your fault, you know?" Recca's sturdy and assuring voice brought Mikagam's eyes to shift his gaze into his face. Recca grinned slightly and put both his hands on the ice man's shoulders. "I don't know what is going to happen, but at least, we'll be here for each other. . . and perhaps, figure everything out, eventually."
The tacit agreement around the silent coffee comforted everyone. If, in the worst case scenario, they lost their dear team mate, they had each other. It was another moment of mutual understanding that was never to be forgotten.
Recca's maturity and perception of others surprised Mikagami. He always thought less of him than he deserved (but he wasn't about to admit this aloud). For once, he was grateful for Recca's attempt to comfort him.
"If only. . ." Kageoru's soft pronouncement drew everyone's attention towards her. "If only I. . .I should have known."
"Mother, what are you talking about?" Kageoru cringed when she heard her son's question. She silently contemplated, better out now than never.
"My madogu's element was the shadow and, as a result, I was always linked to realm of nothingness, the dominion of shadows. Recca, when you first met me in the warehouse and watched me disappear, I didn't vanish into nothingness. I was only transported into that realm of darkness. But, I was not the only one linked to the realm. Most of the others there are harmless, patrolling the shadows for self discovery and sometimes for satisfaction or just plain retreat from the real world."
"One needed immense power in order to survive in that realm. My madogu sustained my sanity and guided me through the fields of darkness. If you were accidentally transported to that realm, having no support or directing force, you would slowly die because the shadows would drain you of your life force. These shadows survived off of the life of the living. Being immersed in darkness, having no tangible method of escape, many just give up and loose all will of living. I knew this and tried to help as many of those 'lost souls'. Others, however, had other plans."
"When I entered the realm, I met this man. He had no name and referred to himself as 'nothingness'. No one knew what his intensions were. He was extremely secretive and kept to himself a lot. He sustained himself with the lives of young men and women he'd lure into this realm. Somehow, he made a deal with some family. . .I'm not sure. The last I heard he sealed a curse on this family and sustains himself off their women. Maybe Fuuko's disappearance is connected with him. I am not sure. . . It may seem painfully obvious but. . .I don't know. I should have stopped him when I could. I never knew he could. . . I. . ." She glanced down at her gold bangles and stared at her stretched reflection.
"Fuuko-san's disappearance is linked to this man?" Yanagi softly questioned.
"I don't know. It probably is, but, at any rate, if I could get back into the realm of shadows I would be able to find out. . ."
"If she had a curse, wouldn't one of our madogus notice it? Her element must have sensed something. . ." Mikagami paused silently.
"But our weapons are all destroyed, what can we do?" Domon fingered his nose ring, the former place of his power element.
"There is only one person we could talk to who would have some idea. . ." Mikagami glanced up from his contemplations "There is only one person who has had contacted and spent time enough with Fuuko in combat in order to read her element. . ."
"Raiha. . ." Recca eyes widened when he made the connection. "But how are we going to contact him? Uruha is destroyed. Hokage has vanished in history."
"Maybe. . ." Kageoru's voice shifted everyone's attention to her "There is a lost section of Hokage's history. . . it was considered to be a myth. . ."
"Mother. . ." Recca rubbed his temples "Please tell us. . ." Kageoru inhaled a huge breath.
"How do you think the Hokage ninjas got the power to make their madogus?"
AN: Merciless cliffhanger!! Actually I could have written more, its just that I wanted to get rid of the nasty chapter 10 that was posted before. . .ewww. . .SORRY TO ALL THOSE WHO HAD TO READ THAT MONSTROCITY. Next up: Hokage's lost history. Heh heh heh . . . this fic is degrading into the realm of cliché-hood. Eeps. THANKS FOR READING! Review please! So that I don't feel all this time I've spent in front of the blue screen has been for naught! Don't get me wrong, I enjoy writing. . . I just like knowing that other people read this. I welcome any kind of review! Flame me if you so desire! Again, if any of you wish to review my chapters before I post them up, send me an e-mail! Jenny124@yahoo.com ha ha my sister's account. . .
