6H: Rod G-you are the most awsome person! You review for every chapter, and you seem really interested in my fic. Your reviews really mean alot to me. Thank you so much...
Anaretsu:So, are you gonna start the fic, or am I going to have to write it?
6H: WHAT? YOU CAN'T WRITE IT!!!!! Here's the story!
The student council gathered in their usual postions. Aya, the president, and hiyoma were playing card games of some sort. Their current topic-Shojiki Tenjou.
"What do you suppose we do?" asked Aya.
"Hiyoma and Ryoki have both lost to him. Hiyoma-twice." The president said. He eyes never once glanced at Ryhashi. But in his mind, he knew perfectly well what she meant. That when he dueled Shojiki Tenjou, it was not him, but his sister who dueled. This made him a little upset, but he said nothing.
"What do you suggest we do?" asked Ryoki. Purple eyes glared at the red head.
"You, Ryoki, shouldn't even be speaking. you loss was due to your distraction in that boy."Ryoki turned away.
"Who was he, anyway?" asked Aya.
"No one. Don't concern yourself with it." was the relpy.
"Enough. Aya, you may challenge Shojiki to a duel." Ryhashi stepped forward.
"Excuse me, Miss President. I was wondering...if I could challenge the engaged." They all went silent. Aya practically dropped her hand of cards on the floor. Hiyoma was wearing an apalled look. Their leader watched him with caution.
"Ryhashi...I will consider it. Now, if you and your sister could step out for a moment. I have to discuss something with the others."
"But-"
"Hiyoma." the defeated vice president debated whether to say more, but she couldn't find the words. Instead, she nodded her head, and walked toward the elevator with Ryhashi. The remaining three members watched them, although Aya and Ryoki with more confusion than the president.
"Miss president, did you mean what you said? Ryhashi will duel-with his own rose?" Aya asked. She sighed and walked out onto the balcony that overlooked the school.
"Hiyoma has to learn somthing. That Ryhashi is not just a clone of her she can send to duel when she is unable to. Two weeks ago wasn't the first time Ryhashi dueled as his sister. She's sent him twice before. For some reason, she can't accept that he's not a child anymore. But, they have had a hard life..."
"What about my challenge?"
"Aya, go ahead and challenge Shojiki..."
Chapter 4-Always in Her Shadow
Hiyoma looked through her orange bangs at Ryhashi.
"Why did you do that?" she asked. No anwser was received. "Ryhashi....you are nothing but a child...you cannot hold your own in a duel..." Her blond brother turned on her.
"I have won two of the duels you sent me to fight! I am not just a child. I can battle Shojiki Tenjou, and I will! He promised me! We both promised..." He turned away.
"I won't let you duel with your rose. You will only duel for me." The elevator stopped on the ground floor.
"I will only duel for myself..." and Ryhashi ran off down the road.Hiyoma shook her head, and walked off to the greenhouse.
Shojiki sat on the lawns of the school. Anna-Lee read a book, and both enjoyed the afternoon. Seemed someone blew up the science lab AGAIN, so all afternoon classes were canceled. Falling back on the green grass, he watched the clouds pass overhead. Bringing his hands above his face, he turned his gaze to his rose crest ring.
"Mr. Shojiki, is something wrong?" He turned to look at her.
"I'm fine. Just thinking about the past two weeks. I've fought in three duels. In each one, I've gotton seriously hurt. Hiyoma put a huge slash across my back. Ryhashi shoved his balde through my arm. Ryoki threw me all around the arena, burning my skin. Just when I think it's useless, I feel a familar presence with me."
"A presence?"
"Yeah. And then, I feel like all the anger I've ever had in my life comes rushing forth. Then, I suddenly win, and pass out. I wake up at home-and it all seems like it was a dream." He shifted himself, so he could look up at the school. "It's weird..." Anna-Lee smiled, as though she knew somthing, but said nothing.
"SHOJIKI!!!!" Taiyakashi came bounding out of the school and jumped into the air, landing right next to Shojiki. "So, this is were you've been hiding?"
"God, can you yell any louder? What're you doing, alerting the army that you're coming?" His childhood friend tilted her head.
"What? Anyway, word has it that Ryhashi Yogoshi has been looking for you. And he doesn't look to happy."
"Really?" Shojiki faintly remebered his last duel with Ryhashi. He had been fighting as his sister- but he was more enjoyable to duel with. Maybe because they were both guys or somthing. But Ryhashi never pulled anything underhanded. Well, stabbing someone through the arm wasn't exactly honorable- but none of the student council was anyway. 'That's right. We promised to duel again. And when we did, Ryhashi would duel as himself.'
~Flashback~
"No...I have yet to battle you. Your sister has lost again." The two shook hands.
"I shall duel you somday. As myself, and no one else."
"I look forward to it, Ryhashi."
~End Flashback~
'And I do look forward to it. Ryhashi has alot of potential. He could really be something.' The pink haired boy stood up, brushed off his clothes, and walked down the hill.
"Wait, Mr. Shojiki!" Anna-Lee gathered her things and followed after him. Taiyakashi shook her head.
"I wonder what's gotton into him lately."
Aya stood behind a colum, waiting for Tenjou to come with the Rose Bride. When she saw them heading for the greenhouse, she went to step forward, but an arm grabbed her.
"What the-?" A hand was placed over her mouth. The mysterious person dragged her into the shadows.
Shojiki walked by himself towards his home. Anna-Lee said she had to get something at the library, and that she would meet him later. He sighed as he walked down the hill. It was weird- about these duels. And who was this 'Dia' person that everyone talked about. Didn't Anna-Lee say 'power of Dia that rests within my soul?' He didn't get it really. But whatever. The student council could have their little rituals, and he would just sit back and try to follow along. He watched as a flock of doves flew over head. Suddenly, from behind him, a rock shot up into the sky, and struck one of the gentle creature down to it's death. Shojiki turned around to see the younger of the Yogoshis-Ryhashi- standing with another stone in his hand, ready to take down another dove. His blonde bangs covered his eyes, but he was grinning.
"Ryhashi?"
"Shojiki Tenjou. How long has it been? You didn't forget your promise? That we would duel again someday. And now that day has come."
"Of course I didn't forget." Another rock was shot at the birds. And another one fell to the ground, dead.
"Lier." Another one, dead. "Now, I'm taking control of things. I have come to realize that all I am is my sister's shadow. But now, I will break free. I will win this duel- and then I will kill my sister."
"What?! Kill Hiyoma? Ryhashi, what is wrong with you? I won't duel you like this!" He grinned, and another dove fell dead.
"I knew you would say that. So that's why I have also kiddnapped the Ros Bride, who seems so prescious to you."
'Anna-Lee...' "F-fine...I duel..." Ryhashi walked away, leaving Shojiki with the four dead birds. When Shojiki got back his nerve, he ran to the arena. He had to save Anna-Lee. In the tree behind him, a dark figure stood, watching. And they were very pleased.
"Have you Heard the news?"
"A prince made a promise with another prince that once again they would meet." said A.
"And when they did, the two of them would hunt out a great treasure together, which the two would share!" said B.
"But!"
"But?"
"But-! The one prince went to find the treasure for himself. The otehr prince became bitter and swore revenge."
"How awful!"
"How very awful indeed!" the both said. They disapeared, and C and D came on, pretending to duel.
"There is someone behind this. That boy wouldn't act that way." said C.
"I agree. It's so terrible! Yet, he accepts. Would you have?"
"I'm not sure."
"I think you would've, just to save her."
"As you say."
"Break the world's shell, for the revolution of the world!" They finished.
Shojiki ran up the stairs of the arena. Making to the top, he found Ryhashi with a sword. Behind him, was Anna-Lee. She was trapped in what looked like a floating coffin. (AN: Think-Utena manga volume 4 and the coffin Anthy was in.)
"Anna-Lee!" Ryhashi turned. His eyes didn't look like his own- and his voice didn't sound normal either.
"Are you ready?" Shojiki glared at him.
"I knew you were with the Student Council, but I didn't expect you to do somthing this low." He began to walk towards the coffin, but Ryhashi stopped him with his sword.
"Stop right there." He pulled out a pink rose and the sword of Dia. He then threw them at Shojiki. "Take these."
"How did you-?"
"Enough stalling." And he charged right at him. Shojiki stuffed his rose in his pocket and rolled out of the way. Ryhashi came at him again.
Ryoki and Hiyoma ran up the stairs to the observer's platform. Hiyoma grabbed onto the wall and yelled out to her brother.
"Ryhashi! Stop this now!"
"Forget it, Hiyoma. He seems very determined. Let's just hope this gets over and done with before the prseident gets here." Ryoki leaned back and watched the duel. It was intense. The two duelists went at it back and forth. Neither had the upper hand- both were equal. And this made Ryhashi frustrated. Shojiki wondered what had caused the sudden change in the boy. He was never like this. This wasn't even his fighting style!
"Why?! Why don't you accpet defeat already?!" Ryhashi yelled. Shojiki just did a spin kick into his shoulder and Ryhashi flew. The anger seemed to rise. But Shojiki didn't escape unharmed- he earned a gash in his side.
"Hey, Ryhashi! What's up with you?" Ryhashi stood up. It was then Shojiki noticed that his rose was yellow- not his sister's ornage. 'He's dueling as himself. But still, something doesn't seem right with all this."
"Enough!Shojiki Tenjou! Die!!!" Ryhashi charged up at him, and he suddenly found himself being thrown against Anna-Lee's prison. He stood, slumped against it, unable to move- as though a spell had been placed on him. He raised his face to look at Ryhashi. "Now, I shall finish you off." Shojiki realised what he was going to do. He was going to charge right at him-to slice of his rose. But he was going to kill him as well. Not only him, but if he missed, even by a little, he would kill Anna-Lee. It was from too far a distance. He would miss. Shojiki would make it- but Anna-Lee would be sacrifised. Ryhashi was coming at him.
"No! Ryhashi stop! You'll miss! you'll kill Anna-Lee! Please! Don't do it! Don't..." He began to lose strength and blood poured from his wound- staining the frontside of the coffin. His head fell, and he squeezed his eyes shut. 'Anna-Lee...I'm sorry...I couldn't save you...' He held his breath.
"RYHASHI!" Hiyoma screemed with all her strength- hanging over the edge of the wall. "WAKE UP! DON'T DO IT!!!!" Ryhashi gasped and stopped in his tracks. He fell to his knees on the ground. Shojiki peer up at him. He was shaking. His sword lay on the ground, abandoned.
"What am I..." He said, in his normal voice, but then the demonic side came back. "No! I must kill him!" Shojiki tried to peice together what was going on.
"Ryhashi?"
"I'm...dueling? With my own rose?" his normal side spoke again. Maybe this was the key.
"Yes, Ryhashi..." The young boy looked up.
"Shojiki Tenjou?"
"Ryhashi, you challenged me to a duel. You dueled on your own. You broke out of your sister's shadow..."
"I have? I...don't remember..."
'He doesn't remeber?' "Yes, Ryhashi, that's right! But you're confused."
"I feel that way...Oh no... Did I do....that?" He said, pointing at the coffin and the blood. "Oh god..."
"Ryhashi! Listen to me. I don't know much about this dueling crud, but I know one thing- that you are one of the most honrable people I've faced so far. You're different from the rest of them- the rest of the council. I like my battles agianst you best."
"Really?" Shojiki could tell that Ryhashi was snapping back to reality. Well, as real as things could be when the one helping you was pinned against a coffin that was floating in the air, and had blood coming out of his side. Shojiki nodded. "I just wanted to get out of my sister's shadow. I've always been pushed around by the council. No one took me seriously. And...I was always behind her...Hiyoma. There were times when I felt like nothing more than a stand in- someone who Hiyoma could use to take her place if she was unable or didn't want to do something." Shojiki slid off the coffin, which also disapear. Anna-Lee floated down to the ground, and Shojiki caught her.Her eyes gently came open.
"Shojiki?"
"Are you alright?"
"Yes. You saved me!" She wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him joyfully.
"Anna-Lee!" he exclaimed- for in her joyfulliness she had crshed one of her knees against his injured side. Ryhashi stood up, the sword by his side disapearing as he did so. Shojiki turned to look at him. "I forgot. The duel isn't over."
"Yes it is." Ryhashi took out his rose and stomped on it- crushed yellow petals blowing in the wind. "I give up this battle." He turned to walk down the stairs. "I'm sorry, Shojiki. I truly am..." and he ran down the stairs.
"I know, Ryhashi..."
Ryhashi ran out of the arena. What had he done? First he's walking by the greenhouse, and the next he's in the dueling arena. And he had told his secret, about his feelings towards his sister's treatment. Tears streaming down his face, he haded for the exit. It was night now, and stars dotted the sky. He was going to walk out, but Hiyoma came form around the corner, her long braid flowing in the wind.
"Hiyoma..."
"I'm sorry, Ryhashi. I didn't mean to make you feel that way. I was just, you know, looking out for you. I didn't want you to end up like me..." The two siblings stood their in silence. Ryhashi trembled.
"Sis!" He ran to her, and cried on her shoulder. She embraced him like a sister would to her little brother.
Aya banged on the closet door she was locked behind. "HEY! LET ME OUT!!!!"
-To be continued...----
(preview)
Shojiki: There's another member of the student council. Her name is Aya Macaticha. Supposivly, she is the master of speed and stealth.
Anna-Lee: She holds the school's running record. And when she duels, it's like she disapears!
Shojiki: Great. It's the disapearing duelist. Next Time: A Duel Where the Eyes Don't Help.
Anna-Lee: Stop the revolution of the world!
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6H: Yay! That was such a good chapter. I bruised my hand going up the stairs at school, and now it hurts when I type.
Anaretsu: Poor dear.
6H: Yeah. Anyway, I wanted to talk about the significance of doves in this story. They are kind of like a symbol of Shojiki. So when Ryhashi was killing them off, he was expressing his anger towards Shojiki- he wasn't just having fun killing birds.^_^
Anaretsu: What about the 'dark figure'?
6H: Oh yes. He will be coming back a lot later in the series. Just keep him in mind.
Anaretsu: So it's a guy!
6H: And it's not the guy Heiro from the last chapter either! He plays a different role. So anyway, please review! See you in the next chapter.
