Author's Note: Thank you, LeFox for your support. I thought Chapter 9 was a failure. It was so long, you know. Anyways, enjoy!
Sosei, Reincarnation's Sequel
Chapter 10-What is Normal?
The Invincible
3:57 P.M.
Kuja:
Last nights little accident cost us a home, especially since the nobles refused to let us back into Totetsumonari Kyuuden. This was an ugly loss for me, but fortunately, Kirika didn't have to see it. We were all glad when she stayed asleep during the night. Kajin was a bit fussy because of it, but after a few hours with me, she went to sleep. I had her even now as I piloted the Invincible. Everyone else except for Kirei was deep in sleep, ready for our next task.
"Kuja, I want to talk to you about Kirika."
I turned around and shifted Kajin to my left arm. Kirei smiled softly and started to touch her, but quickly thought the better of it.
"It's about last night isn't it?" I asked.
"It's happening to her, Kuja. The darkness trance."
I've figured that out for myself, Kirei. As much as I hated to admit it, I knew that the same thing that happened to me ten years ago was happening to her. The intense hatred, the pain, and the power. That was in my blood and I knew it was bound to happen to Kirika too. She would have to come to her senses herself, like I did, in order to fight it.
"There is nothing we can do about it but get her to fight it on her own. It's the only way," I muttered.
Kirei sighed.
"That way is dangerous and you know it."
I glared at her and shifted Kajin to my right arm.
"Well, of course it is. Don't you remember what I did ten years ago? It's really not that hard to figure out," I snapped.
That shut her up. I really didn't like talking about my post all that much but sometimes it was required.
Kirika:
My body ached all over, which was still nothing new. The only different was that I didn't have a huge belly and my back didn't hurt so much. Oh, and I was in the Invincible. But how did I get here? Against my will, that's how.
"Good afternoon, Kirika. I trust you slept well?"
I could tell that was Zidane by the way he used sarcasm in his voice. I sat up slowly, trying to get the feeling back into the lower end of my body.
"What happened?" I asked.
Zidane seemed to flinch and then he covered it up with a shrug.
"You passed out outside that's why you don't remember being carried out here."
"I didn't ask to leave Treno, Zidane. Where is Kuja?" I snapped.
"In the cockpit with little Kajin."
We'll see about that. I got up from my bed, ignoring the pain in my legs and walked out of the room. I knew Zidane was cursing up a storm behind me for telling me that I was asleep when I was carried into the Invincible. I reached the front of the Invincible with ease and opened the door cockpit. Kirei and Kuja were both inside, marveling over Kajin. Ah…Kajin…I haven't touched her since she was born.
"You know I hardly approve of this, Kuja," I snapped.
"You haven't been awake long enough to make decision," Kirei pointed out.
"You have no right to talk," I snarled.
Kuja backed off and hugged Kajin close to him.
"Maybe someone should remind you that you're just a child and that you shouldn't be allowed to do anything."
Ooh…nice insult, Kirei.
"You don't know me, Kirei. You'll never know me. So why don't you get your traitorous ass away from us," I snapped.
That hit a nerve. Without warning, Kirei slapped me. At first, I thought about hitting her back, but I thought the better of it. I just shrugged and rubbed my cheek softly.
"Is this what you resort to? Slapping people? If you were going to stop me last night, you would have to do a lot more than slap me."
Kirei looked at me in shock. I would have done that too, but something compelled me to mention last night. When I thought of it, I found I could remember all of what happened last night…the attack on Ryoko, everything. I had to admit I shared equal fear about what happened last night. It felt like I had no control over my body and mind. Frightening.
"Kirika," Kirei breathed as she exited the room.
I watched her go with little or no remorse.
Myou:
The Invincible was built excellently, but the walls were thin, very thin. The worst thing I had to gain from those thin walls was the truth about last night. Kirei wasn't going to stop her like she said she would. That was a lie. I think she couldn't because of the energy surrounding Kirika. But what about Kirika? How did she fell about the entire situation? She probably didn't feel good about it at all. Whenever I heard her speak, I couldn't help but catch the bitterness in her tone.
I think she was scared. I know I as. Kirika still meant the world to me and so did Kajin. I think it would be best that I go see them now. I walked out of my room and went into the cockpit. Kirika was on the opposite side of the room with her arms folded. Kuja was in the center with little Kajin in his arms.
"I suppose I'm interrupting something important," I said out loud.
Kuja jumped, but Kirika sat still and showed no sign of noticing my entrance.
"No, of course not."
I turned and watched Kirika calmly.
"Kirika?"
Her body hunched and her head rolled back. Her expression was lax and glassy and her eyes…were orange.
"Oh, Myou. Did you sleep well or did the horror of Ryoko's injuries haunt you?"
Ryoko…she was lucky to be alive. Kirika's spell had burnt her so horribly that even if they can peel off the dead skin, she'll be ugly and scarred for life. It was a fitting punishment, but a cruel one as well.
"Why did you do that, Kirika?" I asked.
"Jealousy is fodder for the darkness. I just did what it bid me."
"But it's wrong."
Kirika laughed.
"Who controls what is right or wrong? Do you?"
She had me there. I couldn't retaliate against her so I went to Kuja and took Kajin from him.
"I need to speak with you later on," He whispered.
I knew he wanted to speak about Kirika's behavior. Personally, her behavior disturbed me more than it did him.
"Father, if we are to reclaim Alexandria by the end of the day, we must get ready."
I turned to see if that really was Kirika speaking. Sure enough, it was. Was she normal now?
"Kirika, I—"
She cut me off with a look that said 'Talk about this later', and headed for the door.
"Come with me, Myou. And Kuja, open the cargo doors. We unload now."
I followed after her quickly, not wanting to be caught in one of her moods. Kirika went down the steps and into the cargo room. Once there, she slipped a sling on and took Kajin from me.
"She's better off with me, since I'll be in the air above the gasses. You'll be in the gas itself with Kuja. You'd better bone up on magic."
As she spoke, I listened for hints of bitterness and sadness in her voice. There were none. Did that mean she was normal again? Probably not. Kirika sat Kajin in the sling and got onto Silver's back. As if on cue, the cargo doors opened and a gust of wind blew in.
"Kirika, be safe."
"I will. Don't die down there. You're the only one who can save me."
Wait…save you? Before I could say anything to her about it, she and Silver flapped out of the bay. She really was so cryptic sometimes.
Alexandria City
Myou:
The air in Alexandria was filmy, but that was to be expected. The gas that was pumped here was actually clinging to the air by the help of magic. Kirika and Garnet had figured that out weeks ago and had formulated a plan to counter it.
"Myou, you stand right here. This is the first point," Kuja muttered as he adjusted his mask.
I nodded, noting Silver's position in the sky.
"Call her," I whispered, motioning to the walkie-talkie he had in his hand.
Kuja nodded and lifted it to his mouth.
"Kirika, twister."
There was no answer, but I knew she understood. A cry of 'Twister' cut through the still air instantly. Three gusts of wind shot down into the center of the city. Warm air shot past us, whipping at our faces until there was no trace of gas left around.
"Where's Silver?"
I blinked at Kuja and shrugged. All of a sudden, a silver dragon dropped down onto the building violently.
"Silver!" Kuja shouted.
I grabbed his arm before he could run away and turned to the others.
"Can you see Kirika?" I asked.
Zidane nodded grimly.
"She fell along with Silver."
Not good.
Kirika:
I hit the floor of the building violently, trying to keep a firm hold on my child. I couldn't move or breathe no matter how much I tried.
"Silver," I choked out.
There was a weak growl and then a small rumble as she got back to her feet. I weakly loosened the straps for the sling and pulled Kajin away from me gently. Silver nuzzled my face and grabbed the sling. I pulled myself up to my feet, forcing air back into my lungs. I had to get Kajin out of danger. That was my first priority. I hooked the sling across her neck and secured Kajin quickly.
"Jump, Silver. Stay with the others," I shouted.
Silver did as I said and disappeared around the corner. I was left alone with no clue on how we crashed.
"Come on, Kirika. I knew Mikoto said you were weak, but I didn't know it was true."
I turned around and smirked. It seemed like I was in a fighting mood today. Hmm…how grand.