Disclaimer and recommendations: Oh, I haven't done this in a while! Throughout this chapter I suggest listening to the song "Michiyuki" from the ending theme of Loveless. Further more, I do not own the song "Kioku" by Yuki Kajiura. (It's the TV version from .hack/LIMINALITY. Yes, the upbeat one!)

WARNING: Strong rating for this chapter! Proceed at your own discretion!

Chapter Seventeen: Enigma of Calamity

Phoebe opened her eyes to find herself lying on the floor of the dreaming world. She lightly traced the pattern of intertwining vines underneath her. Mindlessly, her fingers glided up one of the creepers that lead away from her.

"Midori," she softly mumbled its color of green. A drop fell on her hand, catching her off guard. She stared at its dark crimson hue. Beyond the sleeping spell Phoebe's closed eyes tightened to a flinch.

Her eyes followed up the vines of the creepers. Its stalk was tightly woven and thick in bulk with long thorns sticking out as a threat. She flinched again. As she slowly continued the journey up she saw more red stained vines wrapped around the arms, legs, chest, and face of the its prisoner.

The prisoner had his head down. His body had shown signs of struggle while the thorns dug deep into his skin. With the prisoner's body limp in a forward state, he appeared to be lifeless.

Phoebe reached out to touch his face. The black and auburn hair concealed the owner's identity. She brushed the stray locks away. Her mouth then fell open, flabbergasted and about to scream.

Quickly opening her eyes with a shorten gasp, Phoebe awaked wit a jump. She looked up to see the light of the sun passing through the leaves of the grand oak tree. Everything was calm on Cemetery Hill with the softly cheerful chips of the small birds. Phoebe buried her face in her hands and began to weep in this cruelty.

---

Meanwhile Haruka awoke underneath the sweet scented cherry blossoms. She glanced to her side to see the picnic basket and Yuuki still under his nap. Haruka smiled to herself and crept over to where he was lying. She rested her chin on his forehead while cradling his face in her hands.

"Ten more minutes," he moaned sleepily.

"Okay," Haruka yawned. She flopped down beside Yuuki. Closing her eyes she tried to go back to sleep.

Yuuki was unable to return his prior dream, soquietly propped himself up on his elbows. There she was sound asleep; just like the time he carried her to her room after he found her sleepwalking in their childhood meeting ground. He looked down at her sleeping form. Her breathing had slowed down to a resting state with her lips slightly parted. A gently breeze swept by bringing a shower of sakura petals to rain down on them. Softly descending Yuuki placed a sweet kiss upon Haruka's lips. Slowly, her eyes fluttered open as he pulled away.

"This kiss, it really was you that morning?" Haruka questioned, ignoring his silent apology.

"Yes, it was me."

"Welcome home, Yuuki," Haruka whispered into his ear.

"I'm home," he said back, returning her embrace.

The sun disappeared behind the clouds. Another wind blew, scattering the seeds of the dandelion. Yet something ominous lingered about.

"Let's go home, Haruka."

"Yes, it's getting cold."

---

"Come on, just let it go!" Ricko whined to his sister.

"But we're always late. Mom and Dad are probably ready to go home by the time we get there!"

The subway came to a halt, pulling the passengers forward. Since Misa was caught up in her frustration she was taken aback by the sudden stop that she nearly fell forward. But luckily her brother was in front of her for him to catch her. Ricko chuckled while Misa gave him a playful frown while stepping back. Upon the doors sliding open, the two set foot on the platform that was subjected to the elements.

"Looks like it hailed," Ricko started.

Misa eyebrows knitted together. She looked up and around. Clouds were in the sky but they held no threat of rain or hail or anything of the sort. A mere shadowed thought entered her mind for a second but she excused it immediately. She gave a little snort at what kind of trick her brother was pulling this time.

"What are you talking about?" Misa questioned, bemused and annoyed at the same time.

"Look at the ground. Don't they look like crystals, Misa?"

Misa stopped dead in her tracks. Her face went pale as if she had seen a Haunter. Looking down at the ground she saw nothing, absolutely nothing but the sun dried pavement. The once mere shadowed thought mutated into something she had hoped wasn't true.

"Ricko, I don't see anything."

"What do you mean you can't see it? It's as clear as day!" He quickly spurred around, perplex by her answer.

His fear was reflected back in Misa's eyes. A chill as cold as the crypt ran up his spine. He looked down ashamed that he had mostly likely confirmed her subtle suspicion.

"Stop it, Ricko! Just stop it! There's nothing there!" Misa screamed as she brought her hands to cover her ears.

She shook her head vigorously from side to side, desperate to deny such means of death. Misa staggered back away from Ricko. Her strength was falling into despair.

Ricko moved forward, mirroring his sister's steps. He stretched out his arms to comfort her with his compassion. This controversy had gone on long enough for he wanted to take back Misa's hurt. The hurt he now wished he had kept to himself.

He tightly gripped onto her arms as she started to lose her balance in distress. Ricko failed to keep Misa up on her feet. He failed to catch her in her fall. Misa clutched onto fists full of his shirt. She buried her face into his chest. It wasn't long for Misa's tears.

"Just stop it," she sobbed, "just stop it, Ricko. Please don't leave. You can't protect everyone. You can't save everyone. But please don't leave. So just stop."

Ricko craned his neck over her small trembling body. He nestled his lips in Misa's hair, trying to think of a way to calm her down. As much as he wanted to, he knew he couldn't promise Misa anything.

"Ok," he whispered, "ok."

His sister still clinged onto him, almost afraid he would disappear and slip through her fingers. She could feel his fear but also a sense of a promise he could not keep. How she would cope if her brother left them, she did not know.

"You know, Mom and Dad are probably heading back by now because of you," Ricko teased that was followed by Misa's expected wail.

---

A couple stood before the upright tombstone. The woman bent down to change the water in the cylinder and put in some fresh flowers. Once her duty was done, she and her husband recited a small prayer for their dearly beloved. A peaceful silence followed.

"Thank you, Ikiru," Mrs. Hajima whispered.

"Hopefully next year we'll all be present together," Mr. Hajima added.

"I just hope they'll be alright."

"We should have waited for them. Maybe then-"

"But you know we can't always interfere. We have to let them grow even if it'll hurt them."

"It just feels so wrong to be standing here like this."

"I know but you know we can't. Otherwise this whole ordeal will never end. There would never be any closure to those who are lost. It's just something we have to let happen," Mrs. Hajima said in the manor of convincing herself rather then her husband. Mr. Hajima slung his arm around his wife's waist.

"Then I guess it's time we go," Mr. Hajima said gently. She nodded her head in agreement.

As Mr. and Mrs. Hajima descended down the steps of Mt. Pyre, the sound of footsteps were escalating towards them. Mrs. Hajima cast her gaze to the upcoming company. The steps came to a stop before Mrs. Hajima.

"Mrs. Hajima?"

"Glad to see you here, Bluenda," Mrs. Hajima smiled. She then turned her attention to the girl dressed in a mournful long black dress. Although the girl's face was partially hidden beneath the veil, Mrs. Hajima could still recognize who she was. Then there was the familiar bubbly blue creature beside her.

"And I'm sure Ikiru would have been glad to see you, Naoko," she said warmly.

However, Naoko could not find the words to say. They simply wouldn't form from her voice. Finding the only way to respond, Naoko simply bowed her thanks. Luckily, Mr. and Mrs. Hajima understood her response and waved their goodbyes as they parted ways.

Bluenda gently motioned Naoko to follow. She nodded her head and proceeded up the steps behind Bluenda. Jumpluff solemnly took after them.

Once the grave was spotted, Naoko came to a halt. Her whole body began to feel numb. She tightened her hold on the wrapped flowers. Too many years she had shut away this feeling, bottling it all up.

"Blue?" was all Naoko could voice.

"Of course," Bluenda replied kindly, "I'll be in the chapel if you need to find me."

Naoko quickly nodded. She was thankful for Bluenda's understanding. There was no need to speak since their movement was as readable as a book. Bluenda gave her a comforting embrace before heading towards the chapel.

All alone, Naoko stood before his grave. Her lips began to quiver. That troubling feeling coursed through her. Before she knew it, her body began to tremble.

"Nearly eight years has passed and not once was I able to see you again. If only Sapporo wasn't hunting me down I would have come sooner. I always hoped that we'd meet again, but like this?" Naoko threw herself to the cold ground, full of tears. Her bouquet of flowers lay stranded behind her. She cried the grief that had finally surfaced. The truth of his death hit her at a critical blow.

"This is my entire fault! You shouldn't have protected me! You shouldn't have sacrificed your life for me! You deserve so much more then this! Why? Why? WHY?" Naoko screamed at the top of her lungs. With her head pressed against the freezing stone, she hugged herself tightly.

"Ikiru, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry," she sobbed. But Naoko knew her words would never be enough to bring him back. Raining down her droplets of sorrow, Naoko wept bitterly at how much he had lost for her and how much it hurt to remember.

Although Bluenda was inside the chapel, she could hear Naoko's distant cries. Yet this was something only Naoko could face alone. She would not keep her friend from her grief any longer. Perhaps this way there will be a final rest not only for both Ikiru and Naoko but also for herself.

Within the walled sanctuary Bluenda felt somewhat at peace. The polished marble reflected her own image. Cold drafts willowed through the hollow room, flickering all the candle lights and disturbing the still dangling iron light fixtures. Rows of empty pews confirmed she was mostly alone.

Bluenda focused her eyes to the far end of the marbled aisle. There, with a silhouette against the colored light of the stain glass was the next victim in this whole tragedy. If it wasn't for her sniffles, Bluenda would have mistaken Phoebe for one of the decorated statues among the chapel.

Phoebe closed her eyes in the moments reprieve before the prewar of chaos. She could hear Bluenda's soles stepping on the floor. Approaching closer was the dawning reality. When she felt her presence at her side, Phoebe opened her eyes, awakening from her own world of illusions.

"You ready for this?" Bluenda asked.

"I want to say no but there's really no point," Phoebe replied.

"And who decided that?"

Phoebe fell silent at the question, unable to answer.

"Sorry," Bluenda apologized, not realizing the extent her words could do.

The two girls looked ahead of them towards the heavenly light. With folded hands they offered up a prayer. If only they weren't limited to time.

---

Mitsuru continued to stare at the Pokegear in his hand. Unsure what kind of trouble lies ahead, he gave in to the cough at the unsettling tension. His chest heaved in convulsions. Once the fit had surpassed, he looked up to his bearings.

It was twilight in the City Square. The place was deserted as far as Mitsuru could see. He could hear the water features behind him deactivate while the jet streams in the center of the park activated in the rotation. The wind wavered the natural falling of the aqueous beads. The sprinkle of moisture on the long slab of concrete above the four pillars slowly dried down but the mist before the works hovered over the earth. A ghastly feeling sent his hair to stand on ends.

"Mitsuru! Mitsuru!"

He turned to the source of the worried cries that was heading towards him with hurried strides.

"Mitsuru, what are you doing out here at this hour? Aren't you cold from the sudden change of weather?"

He wished it was another fit of coughs that was hurting his chest. Her voice was full of love and concern that pained him; not because he caused her to worry but because he was reminded of the truth that she would never love him the way she loved another. His love for her would never be returned that it hurt to be near. Mitsuru glanced over to the boy who had his jacket draped over her shoulders. No matter how much they unintentionally hurt him, he would never let them know. Instead he showed them a warm smile, despite his heartache.

"Misa and Ricko are one their way to Mt. Pyre. It's the anniversary of the death of their friend in Johto. I thought I'd follow to give them my moral support," Mitsuru explained after he took notice of the device in his hand.

"Ah, now I remember. Misa was telling me the other day that they'd be busy visiting someone named Ikiru," Haruka commented.

A memory flashed before Yuuki to his childhood days in Johto. He remembered himself crouching in the green grass of the garden with his head down over his knees. Behind him were the vast white sheets of laundry hanging on the clothes line. A light shadow of a man was projected onto the screen of white sheets.

"Little boy, why are you crying?"

The youngster sniffled and wiped his tears and runny nose with the back of his hand.

"I miss her so much! After moving here, I don't know if I'll ever see her again. I'm afraid she'll forget me and my promise to her. But now I'm afraid that I'll forget her because I can't even remember her voice!" the small child burst into another interval of tears.

As the wind blew the sheets to the side while grounded by the clothes pins, the young man emerged from his hiding place. His face softened even more at the sound of the child's cry. He then walked under the clothes line that divided their side of the own yard. He then sat down beside the boy to be at eye level with him.

"Voices are the hardest to hold onto, but do you remember spending time with her?"

The little boy immediately stopped crying.

"Of course I do! We played with each other every day! We even have special place with a message carved on a tree by the water. How could I forget all the times we shared! … oh."

The young man smiled at the boy's realization.

"If someone or something is really important to you then your heart will never forget them. Be strong and courageous for her, just like your name."

The boy wiped the last of his silly tears.

"Thank you, Ikiru san."

"Yuuki?" Haruka's voice called him back to the present.

"I'm going too," Yuuki said. If it wasn't for Ikiru's words back then, he would have lost all hope and give up on his promise to Haruka. She looked up at him a little bewildered at his response.

The mist disappeared as the waterworks went through another rotation. Pressure building up in the pipes, the water eventually seeped over the long concrete slab on top of the four pillars. Magnificently the water cascaded down in a sparkling waterfall. The three of them turned and watched in aw at the sight.

Haruka followed the aqua pattern subside to the earth, but then something caught her eye. She squinted to see past the veil of water. There, standing behind the middle pillar was her attacker from that night. Immediately, flashbacks of how rough he was with her filled her mind. Haruka quickly covered her mouth to suffocate her gasp. Tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.

"Haruka, what's wrong?" Mitsuru beckoned to her.

"You!" Yuuki growled, recognizing the man in an instant.

"My, glad to see I haven't been forgotten," the man slyly replied as he step through the waterfall.

"Unfortunately," Yuuki grumbled.

"Who is this guy?" Mitsuru questioned while tending to Haruka.

"Where are my manners? I am none other then Sapporo," the man introduced with a fancy bow.

"Mitsuru, this is the sleaze bag that assaulted Haruka that night."

"Haruka?" Mitsuru whispered as he turned to the fragile girl. She only nodded to him that it was true for she couldn't voice it.

Mitsuru reverted his attention back to Sapporo, glaring at him. Mitsuru then walked over to stand beside Yuuki. Both of them had one thought on their mind for Haruka's sake. Synchronized they pulled out a pokeball and enlarged it, ready for battle.

"Are you sure you want to stand up against me boy?" Sapporo mocked his attention directly on Mitsuru. He looked down at the emerald eyed boy that glared at him disdainfully.

"You really don't look so well with that sort of paleness and perspire. What more if I cast this poisonous curse on you?" Sapporo snickered as he waved his hand.

Mitsuru's eyes widen as he clutched his chest. He fell into another coughing fit but this one was worse then the others he had ever experienced. Pain seeped into his every vein. He felt as if his head was going to explode.

"Mitsuru!" Yuuki and Haruka screamed as they helplessly watched their friend collapse to the ground unconscious. Haruka rushed to his side gently trying to nudge him awake.

"You'll pay for what you have done!" Yuuki threatened but Sapporo merely snorted as his remark.

"I despise such foolish courage. Just like that simpleton back in Johto who took the one person I ever loved away from me. But that doesn't matter now," Sapporo paused as he retrieved his pokeball.

"Either way, after I redeem myself in this rematch," he narrowed his eyes dangerously at Yuuki, "I'll dispose you the same way I got rid of that wretched Ikiru!"

Haruka could only look on aghast. The criminal who had attacked her, poison Mitsuru, and slain Ikiru was right before them. At this point, Mitsuru won't be the only one recuperating in the hospital.

"Not if I can help it!" Yuuki sneered. He vigorously threw his pokeball, releasing his loyal Pokemon in a blinding flash. Yuuki glanced back at Haruka, an invitation.

She looked up uncertain at first. But after a blink of thought she got up beside Yuuki. With a determined look on her face another confidence burned within her. She pulled out the gleaming red pokeball and released the blazing shine of a fire Pokemon. There she stood by Yuuki's side, ready to face Sapporo no matter what the outcome may be. The stakes were high but like the promise on the tree this willnot be the end of them.

Surely in the end…

…we will return to this place.

The memory of how you and I watched…

…the beginning of the world…

…together.

From the corner of her eye, Misa observed her brother's behavior. She couldn't help but feel his hope. Her strength was slowly returning as they climbed up the steps on Cemetery Hill. Through his eyes she should see that his mind was back to the day when Phoebe first arrived at their school.

Memory gradually pours…

…into my empty body.

Building me ever so slowly…

…and filling my being.

"I will protect you," Ricko smiled.

That is how a man…

…takes the shape of a man…

…as emotions he doesn't want to forget…

…rest in his heart.

Naoko mumbled a few words in an incantation, lighting the incense before the grave. The smell began to mix in with the flowers. She then arranged the floral to the way she knew Ikiru had always like them to be. Still a little bit teary she placed a hand on the polished stone with engravings. She sighed as she sat back and watch the light smoke ascend to the heavens.

No matter how far away you go…

…I am here inside you.

Like the stars that guides you…

…I will be here forever.

Bluenda and Phoebe slowly walked up the aisle. They stopped before the tall wooden doors of the chapel, procrastinating to the very last second. Bluenda grasped the cold iron handle but turned to Phoebe, silently begging the question.

Even when I am drifting from you…

I will probably be able to go…

…to the place burned into my memory.

Phoebe took a deep breath and exhaled. She nodded her head and with that final answer, Bluenda felt the weight of the wooden doors oppose her as she pulled them open. Side by side, the girls stood before the open doors to their fate.

So I will go, without turning back.

End of Chapter Seventeen

Just a couple of notes:
Yuuki's name means courage.
Just as the discription of the subway station in chapter one if modeled after one in Japan, the water fountains in this chapter are like the ones in the serene park in Tokyo.

So how was that? This story is almost finished! Can you believe it?

"Yes."

Of course you would know, Eefi! You can see into the future!

"There are about three more chapters."

All a tad more emotional then this one.