Chapter Six

Impossible

"Tadaimas," Aya called into the predominantly silent home, a mansion by most standards. He took off his shoes respectfully at the doorstep as he continued down the hall towards the kitchen where he could already hear his mother and father speaking softly to one another, the gentle clang of metals and sizzles of oils apparent in the air also.

It was a welcome sight to see his father at the table seated genially with a cup of green tea as he continued speaking to his mother, and his mother turning slightly to regard his father's statement on his current case at court. They both turned graciously to receive him back.

"Oh, Aya, I was starting to worry about you," his mother began, her long sheet of glossy ebony hair sweeping her back side, and cerulean gaze piercing him. "Normally you tell me ahead of time when you're going to be late," she chastised lightly. A soft flush came to his face nonetheless.

"Goemen, Okaa-san," Aya pardoned. "I didn't realize the time. I was with Miyu." A short chuckle erupted from his father.

"Ah, the mysterious, Miyu," he sighed longingly as he retuned his amber gaze, his strong jaw jutting in the same stubborn manner as his son. "We hear so much about this marvelous specimen of the female human, yet I have still to set eyes upon this bishojou. So when are you going to bring her home someday? I'd like to meet my future daughter-in-law before the wedding........." He finished jokingly as Aya flushed fiery scarlet to his neck.

"Otoo-san.........." Aya vainly attempted to retaliate pitifully. Both of his parents marveled at their son.

"She must be something extraordinary if you're getting all of your feathers ruffled up about it.........." His mother teased again.

"Well, as the saying goes, Ayame," Aya's father continued as he glanced back towards his wife, "feed a dog for three days..........."

"And he'll remember for three years!" she exclaimed back unabashed.

"Which leads me to wonder how much you've done with this Miyu..........." Aya's father pronounced slyly.

"Otoo-san!"

They all erupted into raucous peals of laughter. But suddenly a clang and smoke brought them to an abrupt halt.

"Oh no! Dinner!" Ayame cried. The skillet of fried fish was already adorning the floor and it was now an obvious loss. She turned shamefacedly to the congregation as she unsheathed the phone from the wall.

"Sushi, anyone?"

-

"Okaa-san, Otoo-san, daijon ka? Are you okay?"

Aya was completely caught off guard by his parents' sudden silence. One second they were comparing the nutritional value of salmon and snapper and the next they seemed in a daze. He sat up and went to his mother.

"Okaa-san, what's wrong?" he asked feverishly as he grabbed her by the shoulders. A vice-like grip took him from the back as it slammed him to his seat. He hissed at the pain now searing across his spine.

"Sit down, Aya," a steely voice that could only be his father spoke.

"Aya, sit correctly," his mother commanded authoritively. He meekly complied.

"What's going on?" Aya asked dazedly. His mother's sharp, icy gaze answered him.

"Aya, my son, it is time you realized your destiny............"

-

Larva slumped pathetically to the glossy, green grass beneath him. This could not be. This was impossible. He could not...........

But Larva steeled himself with icy composure. There was only one thing left to do: he had to inform Miyu. Let the scorn shower him, but he would not let Miyu face this alone.

He sensed for the fiery beacon within his soul and the surrounding night for the flame that was Miyu until at last he felt her at in the recluse sanctity of the misty cemetery of the city. He faded to his mistress.

There she stood, impressive and indomitable at the heart of the cemetery directly before the white chrysanthemum grave of her once-friend of Chisato. She was beautiful, Oh so beautiful. Why did his heart have to leap at the sight of her? Why did his arms ache to encircle her within their expanse? Why could he not keep this loathsome desire in check?

Love is a terrible thing.

He glided towards her form and enveloped her in his dark, cloaked being from behind, and could not hide his elation at feeling her acceptance. She had not stiffened or shied away from his touch. Could she possibly............? No, he shook away the thought. This was no time for his heart to over-rule his purpose. He lowered his lips to her ear.

"Miyu, we must flee," he began in a vehement whisper. "You're in danger. I've discovered what it is that still binds you here. You were right. There still is a shinma left, the most powerful of all, and more dangerous than anything Chisato could have posed." He paused as he felt for her reaction. No shudder of distaste. No scoff of disagreement.

Then let it end now.

"Miyu, the last shinma, is Aya."

And now she turned to face him. An emotionless mask of ivory faced him and he could not believe his eyes.

"Yes, Larva, I, too, have discovered what has kept me here. But it differs greatly from your theory." A scarlet flame ignited in her pale palm, and Larva looked away sadly. "Yes, what keeps me here is a shinma, the last shinma, the one that has been beside me and neglected for what he was all along. Larva, it is not Aya that needs to be returned to the Darkness........... But you............"

Larva's gaze returned sorrowfully to the being he so loved and still could not believe it. How could this be?

"Return to the Darkness, Shinma!"

And in that final moment, Larva looked into the pale face of Death, and it was beautiful.

-

AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Did I not promise escalation? Though I doubt you were expecting this............ Gah! Be kind in your flames.........

Also, in case you noticed, I'm fully aware I went all Japanese/English in this chapter, which is why I'm going to clarify my word usage.

Tadaimas: I'm home!

Okaa-san/ Otoo-san: mother/ father

Goemen: sorry

Bishojou: beautiful girl

"Feed a dog for three days.......three years............": part of an old Japanese saying, "Feed a dog for three days and it will remember for three years. Feed a cat for three years and it will forget in three days." In this case Aya is considered the dog that's been fed and therefore become besotted to his feeder. This alludes to his father's remark on "How far he's gone with Miyu".

Daijon ka: Are you okay?

So yeah............ I hope that clarified a few things.

-

Review Responses

BlueDragonGirls: :: shifts eyes warily around dark empty room:: Yeah....... Err.......... You really don't like Aya, do you? Well, uh, I don't think you ever will...........

Hikari-Shidou-Asakura: Hey, it's great to see you like the sequel. I'm honored. As for your hatred of Aya......... Well......... Join the club Aya Haters Unite Inc.. There's already a following.........

Tankbbg: First of all, before I even begin to answer your review, let me correct you. Wrath is not spelled "rath". It is spelled "wrath", emphasis on the "w" even though it's silent. Now that that's settled, you think you can sick Rei Omurda on me? That's an insult. Master Kai Ren Shizendo has way more sway than little Rei, I know. He is after all her father-in-law. She only became CEO and CO-owner of Bishie Control because she married Shirou. Don't forget, you have connections, I have more......... MWUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!.......... I'm better now.........

Jen-Chan: I'm sorry, and happy early birthday!