Hello! Response to reviews first of all!
Mews Skittle and Ramen- I know she was in another series, but I'm using her for this story'n'all (though I myself haven't read the story). Arigatou for reviewing!
Nyaa Neko- I know they aren't Japanese names, but I was just randomly making them up. As for paragraphing, I may go over and change that, but it's not a horribly important asset. Same as above! Arigatou!
Yay! I'm on chapter 6! WOW! I feel so… so… accomplished. Okay, let's begin!
Disclaimer: I do not own Kayami, Haru, Berii, or Berii's battle outfit, but I own everything else. Except Kayami's poem thing. That belongs to my friend Urufu.
Chapter 6- The Courage
Kayami slowly pushed open the door to the school. After the giant frog incident, she had moved to a new school, called Edogawa (Conan! Bua ha ha!) High. As she walked through the hallway, she noticed quite a few people staring at her, whispering and glancing back to see if she heard them.
Berii's locker was right next to Haru's, and Kayami's locker was a few down from the two. Berii looked at Kayami and Haru and began to speak.
"Why do you think everyone's staring at us? It's not like we're from another planet," she muttered. Kayami looked around and saw a boy with long, black hair (Keiichiro's hairstyle, but black). He had narrow gray eyes and was wearing a black coat with a grey shirt, along with black pants.
"Berii," Kayami murmured, "do you know who he is?" She pointed at the boy, who was now getting a few textbooks out of his locker.
"Oh, him? I picked up some info about just about everyone in the school. So that's… oh! That's Kageri Zappaku. He's kinda like you, Kayami. He's more of a loner but he's really smart and all. He's got a few friends but they're nothing like him," Berii stated. With another glance at Kageri, Kayami started walking to her first class.
Kageri sighed. Life was just too cruel. He had seen a long girl with golden hair talking to a green haired mousy girl, both of them looking at him. Gossiping, probably. He turned around, and saw a girl with short black hair.
Although he had never seen her before, he sensed an air of mystery around her, and as he looked into her eyes he saw a depth of intelligence unlike any he had ever seen. It had to be a transfer student, probably from that school that had collapsed. A friend named Hashi walked by, and Kageri caught his attention.
"That girl," he said, indicating Kayami. "Who is she?"
"Oh, that girl? Well… I think I heard the girls gossiping about her, typical of them. I think her name is Kayami, and she's an A+ student. Rumor has it that she was offered the opportunity to skip 4 years of school! I can't believe she declined it," he muttered.
"Kayami…" Kageri whispered. She was definitely different. Definitely, Kageri thought. No doubt. There's just something about her…
At the end of the day, the teacher passed around a sheet that said the Tachigara Dance Academy was putting on a performance. Tachigara… Kayami thought. I've heard that before… Then it hit her. It was the dance academy Mizu went to. Just in case… Kayami thought.
Later
Berii walked up to Kayami's door, panting from the long walk. Why'd I have to come over, anyway?
Flashback
Berii was in the kitchen, making a sandwich. She gave a sigh. It was quiet. Too quiet. Her mother was out as a part time nurse. Her two brothers had a basketball game, which her father was attending. So she was alone. She hated being alone. She finished putting together her sandwich and began watching TV. Then the phone started ringing.
Berii picked up the phone and said, "Hello. Niiro residence." She hated saying that because it sounded so… formal or something, but if the phone call wasn't for her it would sound impolite or something.
"Berii," Kayami murmured on the other end, "I need you to come to my house in an hour."
"W-Why?" Berii questioned, surprised. Kayami never called anyone.
"Just be there." Click.
The nerve of her! Telling me to come over then hanging up! I will come over to give her a piece of my mind!
End Flashback
She rang the doorbell, still panting. Because no one was home, she had to walk all the way there. Mrs. Kuroi answered the door, and through the doorway Berii could see Haru.
"Hi Berii! I was just about to ask where Kayami was. Not... in the library, right?" she asked nervously. Mrs. Kuroi laughed.
"I forgot, you've been in the library before! Kayami said to wait in her room and that she'd be a minute." She directed them to Kayami's room and walked elsewhere in the huge house.
They opened the door to Kayami's room and looked around in wonder. The room itself was basically all black. There was a dark gray dresser, with a tall mirror bordered with black, carvings etched into the wood. On the dresser was lots of paper, things scribbled on each and every one. There was also a folder on the dresser, stuffed to the max with even more paper. Also on the dresser were a light, a CD player, and a CD case. There was a small desk with a laptop on it, Berii noting it was a brand new one. There was a bookcase full of books with books on top of it. Books were also on the floor. Right next to the bookcase was a circular black chair. Kayami's bed was concealed by a circular canopy curtain (try saying that five times fast!). As the two girls looked closer, they noticed the walls had designs, marks that meant nothing at all.
Kayami stepped into the room and closed the door. She was clutching something red and white in her hand.
"Hi. You're probably wondering why I told you to come here," she said quietly. "The reason is this." She showed them what she was holding. They were three tickets to that show Mizu was performing at.
"Wait. Why are we going to it?" Berii inquired confusingly.
"Mizu was in the haunted house too. If they find out about her they may attack so she doesn't have to chance to become like us. And if she doesn't have a strong enough will, or she doesn't transform in time, we need to be there to destroy the Umea Laman," she announced, using the correct word for the monsters. She handed them each a ticket.
"Anyway, that's basically it. You can stay for a little if you want, but there's really nothing to see." With that, Kayami walked out of the room. Haru looked around. She ended up sitting in the chair, picking up one of the books and started to read it. A minute later she got out a dictionary.
Berii looked around Kayami's dresser. Opening one of the drawers, she saw Kayami's school pictures since kindergarten. She looked at the picture from 6th grade (they're in 7th grade now) and stared at it. Most of all, she stared at Kayami's eyes. Endless voids of darkness… too deep to go into, too black to see… she shook her head. She felt scared. She quickly closed the drawer and opened the folder. She pulled out a paper and read it.
I cry tears of blood
And celebrate the darkness of it all
I drink up the torment
And spit out pain
I cry deeply with my sorrows
The heartache never ceasing
This seething, cultured unrest
Binds me to all that I am
I am an unholy child
A demon amongst 'angels'
No hatred flows from me
Only sorrow and a crimson plight
Make hallow my emotions
As I rise before thee
Dine on my self-deceiving
Quench your thirst with my message
Not even the gates of hell would open for me
I am vile in my nature
A hapless, dark wanderer of narrow streets
I shall never find peace
Death shall never calm my soul
I will forever wander on
Borne from the shadows which are my home
I wander on through time
Seeking no one, finding nothing
This is what I'm fated to be
A heartless creature bound to darkness
My pain is real
Can you not see it in everything I am?
Berii's eyes were filled with fear. She didn't bother securing the paper in the folder, slamming it shut. She ran out the door, leaving Haru very confused. Berii quickly ran out of the house and back home. Kayami's eyes. Kayami's "poem." She was scared of both. What… what exactly is Kayami? she wondered.
The Day of the Dancing Show
Berii entered the building, clutching the ticket firmly. Ever since they had gone into Kayami's room, she had been wary around Kayami. Haru had been confused, and Kayami just silent.
Little did she know that Kayami knew Berii had read that poem. That night, she had gone in her room and opened the folder. She saw that the paper wasn't put into the flaps, and knew that one of them had read it. When Berii started being nervous around Kayami, the black haired girl knew Berii was the one who had read it.
In any case, Berii went to where the ticket listed. Seat 5F. It was one of the best seats in the entire building. She saw Haru and Kayami sitting there, waiting for her. She sighed in relief as she realized she wasn't sitting next to Kayami. She took her place and soon the recital began.
The dancers looked beautiful, but in comparison to Mizu, they were nothing. Her lithe body moved across the stage, gracefully twirling. However, she stopped when there was a loud CRASH as part of the stage collapsed, nearly crushing the blue haired dancer.
The culprit was a giant octopus, its huge red tentacles ready to strike.
"Guys…" Kayami murmured, and the three shouted the words to transform. White Rabbit, Green Mouse, and Black Cat were soon facing the giant sea creature, the audience evacuating and screaming. They were about to attack when they heard a shriek.
The octopus held Mizu in one of its tentacles. She was flailing about, trying to get free when the monster moved. It went to a lake, which made sense-octopi were sea creatures.
Out of nowhere, Tenrai appeared, floating over the creature.
"Yo," he greeted casually. He floated down to Mizu. "Wow, you're pretty cute." He held her by the chin as her eyes were wide with fear. His face was close to hers, and then he gave her a light kiss. Mizu's eyes widened even more in surprise, as did Berii's and Haru's. Kayami had the same emotionless expression.
"Who knows? Maybe they'll let me take you back and I'll make you my bride," (he's just so like Kish) Tenrai said. Out of nowhere, another figure appeared.
It was a female, with short gray hair and sapphire blue eyes. She had a cross between wings and hands, and she had talons instead of feet.
"A harpy… or… she's fused with a bird? Like us?" Kayami murmured. The harpy, or whatever she was, spoke in a low voice.
"Tenrai, what are you doing, fooling around with humans? We have a mission, you know," she scolded. "But allow me to introduce myself. I am Katsu. I am like you, for I am fused with a 'bald eagle.' I'm not sure why they call it this, but I don't care. I've been sent here to rip you apart."
"Don't get this one, though," Tenrai said playfully, indicating Mizu. "I want to bring her back with us."
Katsu gave an exasperated sigh and eyed her targets.
"Which one should I get first?" she asked herself. Kayami was silent for a moment, then whispered to the other two.
"Haru, help Mizu get free. Berii, I trust you to fight Tenrai. I myself will defeat Katsu," Kayami instructed. Both of them gave a nod, making sure they were ready.
"Let's go!" Kayami shouted, and with that, they summoned their weapons.
"Black Cat Blade!"
"Green Mouse Daggers!"
"White Rabbit Wand!"
The three jumped and headed for their targets. Berii held up her wand, the gem in it glowing.
"Bright Rabbit Flash!" she shouted, and a beam of light was emitted from her wand. Tenrai quickly dodged it and reappeared behind her, knocking her down onto a sidewalk.
"Spring Mouse Cross-Slash!" Haru cut off one of the monsters tentacles, but it regrew.
"Wh-What? Oh no!" Haru cried. Why did they ALWAYS have to be so hard to defeat? She tried attacking the tentacle that was wrapped around Mizu, but her attack was always blocked by one of the other tentacles.
Kayami jumped up and started to attack when in an instant Katsu had nun-chucks in her hand.
"If both your item and mine touch, the explosion will kill us both!" the evil harpy cackled. Kayami changed the direction of the blade and attacked at the ground. The force made her fly up in the air, and she grabbed the harpy's wing, pulling her down to the ground. Both of them quickly recovered and Katsu went airborne again.
"You're pretty good… no wonder you were the one to defeat Takai…" she snickered. "But I'm much stronger than him!" She lunged for Kayami, who easily dodged.
"Now… Death Eagle Shot!" Katsu shouted, and she twirled around the nun-chucks, which produced a ball of energy that was soon shot at Kayami. Kayami dodged, but saw that the beam had produced quite a large crater. She had to think fast, otherwise she would die. She thought for a moment…
It's risky, but it's the only way, she thought. Jumping, she charged up her blade.
"You wouldn't dare!" Katsu cried. "I already said, it would kill both of us!" Haru, Tenrai, and Berii had stopped to watch the battle. Even the octopus seemed to be paying attention.
"Demon…" Kayami started. She wouldn't… she wouldn't do that, would she? Katsu thought, and for the first time she was frightened.
"Cat…" N-No! She wouldn't! I… I won't die! She wouldn't! Even though she thought that, she didn't believe it.
"Blade!" The glowing sword made impact with the nun-chucks, and there was an explosion with a flash of light.
"Kayami!" Haru screeched. The light faded, and on the ground was Katsu, dying.
"She must be dead as well…" she croaked. Then the sound of footsteps was heard, and out of the darkness came Kayami, wounded but not ripped apart like Katsu.
"You… but… how?" Katsu questioned in astonishment.
"If you know where the opponent is you can dodge them. My opponent this time was the explosion," Kayami murmured. She blinked, and her eyes were pink.
"Y…You…" Katsu fell silent, and the body disappeared, only a red stone being left. The red stone crumbled, and soon all that was left of Katsu was dust. Kayami stepped forward.
"Berii," she murmured, "let's hurry up and defeat him." Then Berii noticed. Kayami was more hurt than she acted. She was bleeding all over, with bruises on her as well. She had an ugly wound on her stomach, where the dress had ripped.
"Kayami…" Berii murmured.
"Demon Cat Strike!" Kayami shouted, and she lunged at Tenrai. He summoned a weapon- a red rod that was glowing a blood red. Just the impact of the weapons made blood fly from Kayami's wounds. She was flung back into the ground.
"Kayami!" Berii yelled. Kayami staggered, but got back up. Berii's eyes were filled with fear. Kayami's so brave, she thought. She's still standing up, even when she's wounded and hurt! But… why?
Then it hit her. Kayami… don't tell me… you're doing it to protect me? She had not been able to defeat Tenrai on her own. Tenrai would've destroyed her, but Kayami would not back down. Even though I'm afraid of her and dislike her a little… she's still protecting me?
Then a fire grew up inside Berii. I can't let her do this! She wants to protect me, now it's my turn! Berii held up her staff.
"Kayami," she ordered sharply, "don't move. I'm going to defeat him." Kayami, for once, showed emotion, as a shocked expression ran across her face. As Kayami looked in Berii's eyes, she saw determination and courage building up. So she stayed still.
Time to use your head, Berii, she told herself. She jumped up, staff in hand. She looked at the way he was positioned carefully. He's going to dodge... to… the right! Just as she was about to hit him, both of them moved in the same direction, and she hit him dead on with her Bright Rabbit Flash.
Tenrai dropped into the water, then scurried back out.
"Why, you-!" He was interrupted by a flash, coming from Mizu's ankle. It's activating, Kayami realized. The mark.
In an instant, Mizu had grown a dolphin's tail and a fin was coming out of her back. Her outfit was a light blue swimsuit, becoming a darker blue skirt that was longer in the back than in the front. Her shoes were small and soft, like ballet shoes, and were midnight blue, like her eyes. From a little below her wrists to a little below her shoulders was a see through arm cover (I dunno how to describe it). She looked shocked at her new clothing but words came to her mouth.
"Blue Dolphin Tambourines!" she called, and in her hands she held decorated tambourines with blue gems and many other things. More words came to her.
"Deepsea Dolphin Wave!" A rush of water was shot from the tambourines and cut through the tentacle, allowing Mizu to escape. The tentacle quickly grew back, however, and Mizu wondered…
"Deepsea Dolphin Wave!" she shouted. The tentacle was cut off again, and as it started regrowing, she attacked it again. This time, the tentacle did not regrow.
When this was done to 4 of the tentacles, the octopus tottered dangerously. Before they could do anything, the octopus was falling- right toward Kayami.
Haru, without thinking, jumped in front of Kayami, when words came to her.
"Mouse's Might!" she yelled, and when the octopus hit her hands, she found herself lifting it up. She pushed it back into the water, then realized what she had just done.
"Oh. My. Gosh." She whispered, staring at her own hands as though they were aliens.
Meanwhile, the battle between Tenrai and Berii continued. Their weapons crossed, and they were both moving as fast as they could. Then Berii managed to get in two consecutive shots. Tenrai again plunged into the water, and Mizu and Haru defeated the octopus.
"I'll see you later, girls," Tenrai said charmingly. He teleported right next to Mizu and gave her a peck on the cheek, whispering "Bye, cutie", then disappeared.
Kayami, with Berii's help, got up to greet Mizu. Mizu was silent.
"Hey, Mizu, gr-" Haru started, but Mizu turned to her with tears in her eyes, diving into the lake. She hadn't gone deep enough that you couldn't see her, but she wasn't going to come out anytime soon.
"She'll drown!" Haru said alertly, looking at the water. She had never been a good swimmer.
"No," Kayami murmured. "I think because she's merged with a sea creature, she can breathe. But she's freaked out. She'll never want to come out of there, because she's scared of what she is."
Haru looked with concern at Mizu. She couldn't let Mizu stay in there. Mizu was one of them. She had to help, somehow…
She held a hand to her heart and looked down into the water. Then, before anyone could say anything, she dove in.
"Haru!" Berii shrieked, and she made to go in after her. She was held back by Kayami grabbing her shirt.
"What are you doing? Haru can't swim! I have to help her!" Kayami shook her head, and stared intently at the water.
Haru managed her way down to Mizu, and somehow, without words, they spoke to each other.
Mizu, it's alright. The rest of us are like you. It's okay!
No… it's not… I… I'm a freak! Dancing is my life, Haru… If people found out…
It doesn't matter. They won't find out. It's okay, Mizu. You can be with us and help us destroy these monsters. That way, no one will get hurt!
But…
No buts, Mizu. You'll be okay with us. You can trust us.
Then Haru ran out of air. She covered her mouth and flailed helplessly, trying desperately to swim up, but failing.
"Haru!" Mizu shouted, and for the first time she realized she could talk underwater. She hurriedly swam to Haru, but she knew she couldn't swim up fast enough. Then the familiar feeling, when words were coming into her head…
"Dolphin Bubble!" she yelled, and surrounding the two was a bubble, filled with oxygen. It was moving to the surface of the water.
"Kayami, look!" Berii exclaimed, staring in wonder as something rose from the water. It was a giant bubble, and inside it were Mizu and a very weak Haru.
"They're okay!" Berii said in relief. Kayami managed to stand up on her own and walked to the edge of the lake. The bubble came right next to Kayami and Berii, and then broke, allowing Mizu and Haru to rest on land again.
"Why didn't you just destroy them?" a cold voice asked.
"What do you think I'm trying to do? It's not my fault they're strong… and Dolphin-Girl is cute, too…" Tenrai replied, obviously in a bad mood.
"It seems I'll have to employ another to assist you… Sasuga!"
At this name, Tenrai clenched his fists. Why did it have to be him, of all people? This was the worst thing that could have happened.
A figure appeared, quiet as a mouse. The voice gave both of them instructions, and they headed off.
Tenrai was even more upset. This is going to mean more trouble for us and them…
End of Chapter 6
Finally done! Geez. Anyway, sorry it took so long. I've been slacking. Hope you like my story. And, I know, it wasn't really a good chapter ending but… whatever. Sorry I couldn't update for a few days, here are my reasons. 1. I've been slacking. 2. This chapter, at least to me, is long. 3. I couldn't sign in to for whatever reason.
Sakura: Please review. For the sake of humanity, review. Otherwise she'll probably stalk you down and kill you…
:insane laughter: See ya next chapter!
Starfire and Sakura, logging out
