DISCLAIMER: I do not own Elfen Lied.
OOOOKAAAAYYYY. Wow its been awhile huh:D So sorry it didn't come sooner. As you could have probably guessed by reading my profile, I've been busy. Since the time of my last story update, I've witnessed the birth of several good stories, and the end of a couple of good ones. You guy's are doing an excellent job! BUT KEEP IT UP! ALSO, be proud!
For those of you who haven't read WUVF in a while, here's a quick summery:
Kouta still mourns the loss of Nyuu. His heart continues to shed tears for the one he loved. Loss is something humans have to deal with in this cruel world. As more and more of our loved ones and friends are taken from us by the Grim. His depression attracts the curiosity of Nana, who also has sleepless nights thinking about Kurama. Her parent. Her Papa.
Through pain and suffering we realize our strength. And that strength is to form bonds with those close to us. Through understanding, Nana and Kouta grow closer. As Nana experiences her first day of school, she also learns things might be more difficult then she originally thought. Kouta and Yuka return to the University, to discover their old Professor Kakuzuya was finally replaced with a new permanent instructor: Kakuzuya's old assistant, Arakawa. She prods him for the possible location of Lucy. Kouta naturally doesn't know, but Arakawa's intentions come to light as she politely offers Kouta a job as her assistant. He accepts.
Things heat up on their way home as Kouta is attacked by Bandoh in a desperate attack to find out the whereabouts of Lucy.
But something mysterious happens.
Bandoh's Desert Eagle explodes in his hand, giving Kouta time to escape his grasp. Bandoh is quickly arrested by the proper authorities. Kouta doesn't yield, and is brought dangerously close to his death, but through quick thinking he was able to survive another near-death experience. The police could only conjecture that Bandoh's accident was due to negligence, and his gun was a timebomb waiting to happen. Kouta has his doubts. Arakawa watches it all from her safe haven inside the convenience store, afraid to move. In her confusion, she notices a woman with red hair, but her mind is consumed with other thoughts that she quickly forgets what exactly she saw. Sustaining no injuries, Kouta continues home. (Running into Nana and Mayu on the way) Nana's unfair punishment is brought up, and she expects an upset Kouta as a result. But instead, he shows his sympathy to the young diclonius. In doing so, he unknowingly causes Nana's crush to grow. Kouta decides to celebrate his new position with a night of karaoke, which is where we find them now.
Chapter 4: Aschegrenze
Rain. What a way to enjoy the day off.
Yuka hated all things wet (Especially rainy days). The rain is seen as a cleansing torrent that washes away all of the world's problems with every drop. Yuka however, saw it as a unnecasary agent that revealed the bitter truth underneath the sugarcoat and the lies.
"AHH. How come it has to rain today?" Kouta said defending himself from the relentless attack from Maple Inn's residents.
"If you had actually paid attention to the forecast we could have did this on another day!" Said Yuka, struggling to keep herself dry from heaven's tears.
Walking closely behind Yuka and Kouta were two young girls(Nana and Mayu) giggling at their display. Also sharing an umbrella, they too were trying desperately (and failing mind you) to keep dry.
The rainy weather was not predicted but expected. Living near the coast had its share of ups and downs in the weather category. Almost all of the summer was spent with its share of sunny and rainy days. As they were walking, Yuka slipped on a puddle, (and when someone slips, they unconsciously brace themselves with their arms, or grab a hold of someone or something nearby for support) and two teens came tumbling to the ground.
"Yuka! Be more careful next time!" Kouta said with a trace of annoyance in his voice.
"Sorry I-" She begun the mechanical apology when she noticed Kouta snickering. "What's so funny?"
His answer was full laughter. "Nothing its just that we're all wet, after we worked so hard to stay dry. When you grabbed me I didn't stand a chance!" The laughter was definitely contagious, because soon Nana and Mayu joined in, followed closely by Yuka herself. Is this happiness? I wish I could spend every night with Kouta like this...Just to see him laughing and smiling like that. Yuka let her thoughts wander as she took Kouta's warm hand.
I bet from a distance we look like a real family Mayu mused to herself. To the few other people who actually saw them, that's exactly what it looked like. They acted too close to be just friends. A picturesque couple and the two younger sisters (or daughters); laughing their troubles away in the rain. Laughing at everything, and at the same time nothing. The bystanders would not be troubled by the demons that plagued all the residents of Maple Inn.
They turned a corner. "We're almost there everyone." Kouta said. He sneezed, and was promptly blessed by the whole party. "Thank you" he said turning around and smiling, but as he did he caught sight of a short mane of vibrant hair, red in color. Kouta's blood ran cold at the sight of it, but when he blinked, it vanished. His mind rationalized it as a hallucination and he resumed their trek to the local karaoke bar.
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The Rawk Fist was experiencing a slight surge in visitors today. "A lot of people are coming despite how much its raining today." Yuusuke said to his cousin (and manager) Yukito. "Yep, we could probably re coup our losses from last week if it continues like this." His kansai ban accent was clearly defined over the muffled lyrics and tone-deaf occupants. "Of course that means we gotta keep drawing in customers!" He ended his statement with a smile, which somehow gave rise to a crash outside. It didn't take long to know that it was just a crack of thunder.
"That also means this rainstorm's gotta clear up."
Rainy weather keeps people down. It is a well maintained idea that people succumb to colds more quickly when they are soaking wet, but that didn't stop Arakawa and her best friend Hachimitsu Sara from celebrating their single life. The owners shaped up immediately upon their loud entrance.
"Ir rashai!" The owners yelled in unison as the slightly tipsy (to the untrained eye) pair entered. "What'll it be ladies?"
"We'll take only the best!" Sara exclaimed exposing her slightly drunk mood.
"Sara chan! I can't afford that!" Arakawa snapped back.
"It'll be alright! Besides you just got turned down!"
"Not so loud! I don't want everyone to know my personal life!"
"Oh lighten up," She reassured her friend and collegue " you put your heat on your sleeve by discreetly inviting Proffessor Ikari to get a couple of drinks after work-"
"Shut it!"
"-Only to find that he's seeing someone! Honestly Arie-chan you have no luck with men! You know its bad when you have to practically beg a guy to go out with you."
"I didn't beg him!"
"You should have. Some men find that sex-"
"Sara!"
"Oh sorry. You know what? Maybe its that deodorant you wear."
Her answer was a hard frown. One that was becoming increasingly more frequent in the last few days.
"Okay fine, I'll stop teasing you."
"Uhhh ladies?" The Rawk Fist's owner asked.
"OH MY GAWD! I totally forgot! I'm sorry!"
He just laughed.
Embarresment was one of the things Sara shrugged off frequently. To Arakawa, she seemed to always have things easier. Whether getting jobs, or getting money or men, she always seemed to be on the brighter side of things. She was an incredibly fun person to have around though, her mind consumed only with recreation in all of its basic forms (Booze, videogames, and sex). Her tomboyish lifestyle and above average figure proved almost irresistible to most guys. She was also gifted with expert knowledge on flirting and persuasion. Arakawa knew her personally and always was frustrated with her. Not because she thought she had it easy, but because her work always seemed to be finished before hers, and no matter how bad her day was, or how hard of a night she had, she always managed to look amazing. Perfect was the word she often used to describe her coworker. Envy was what she often felt toward her. But friend was exactly what she was whenever Arakawa was going through some tough times, and that always worked quickly to dissolve any ill feelings she had toward Sara.
The door to the Rawk Fist swung open again. This time giving way to a group of teenagers looking to have a good time, each soaking wet and laughing they're troubles away. Arakawa turned around to see who the new customers were, only to be pleasantly surprised: there ringing out their clothes in a haphazard fashion was Satoshi Kouta, his cousin Yuka, and two girls that she hadn't seen before.
"Kouta-kun? It looks like you had the same idea we did!" She said smiling.
"Ah?" He answered with a puzzled look. Just like before, his mind connected the dots at a crawl. "KONBONWA ARAKAWA-SENSEI!" Kouta said complimenting his embarrassed greeting with a bow.
"Eh! ARAKAWA-SENSEI?" Yuka yelled. She frantically tried to fix her hair in her embarrassment.
The response both Arakawa and Sara gave to their group was nothing short of expected. Sara laughed very hard at both of them. "Your students strike me as the overly self conscious Arie-chan." Which left Nana bewildered. "Ummm" She began "Kouta? Who..."
"Eh? Sorry Nana I forgot." He answered. "Arakawa-Sensei? This is my other cousin Nana, and this is Mayu." They both bowed and said their 'nice to meet you's. "We were gonna celebrate my new job with some karaoke. Neither Nana or Mayu have ever done it before."
He continued, "This is my boss, and chemistry professor, Ms. Arakawa."
"Ms.? That makes me feel old Kouta!" She said sarcastically.
"Ha ha Gomen"
"Hello Mayu-chan, Nana-chan. It's a pleasure to meet you both."
"Ara, it seems the cute students have some cute little sisters as well." Sara said.
"Sara!"
Sara laughed.
"I'm sorry, this is Hachimitsu Sara, she's an administrator for the University."
The residents of Maple Inn all greeted her.
Yukito watched the display with slight annoyance. When are they gonna want their rooms? He watched as they exchanged a few jokes and school stories. His anger quickly subsided though. Ahh, now I remember why I opened this place. He thought as he watched them laugh and carry on. There was already enough people in to turn out a profit for the day, waiting a little bit for some customers wouldn't hurt. Besides, listening to them talk and laugh reminded him of his wife and kids back waiting for him back at his small house. The way the teens behaved reminded him of his family, and so a small small crept across his face. His smile caught the attention of the lone male of the group.
"OH, ladies, we must have been so rude."
"Hey your right Kouta!" Arakawa finally acknowledged. "We'd like a-"
"Room for 6!" Sara exclaimed.
"SARA! We shouldn't-" Arakawa quickly silenced herself. Once Sara sets her mind on something, its hard to change her mind.
"I have a great idea! Why don't we all share one?" She asked.
Kouta half-expected Yuka to flat out refuse. Apparently the summers with her had not enlightened him about her full personality and likes.
"I agree! That sounds like a great idea!" She said in an unexpectedly cheery voice.
"Yuka? Are you sure?" He asked.
"Yes. It's funner with more people."
Kouta gave in. Looks like there's no helping it. Oh well. He thought to himself. Arakawa offered to pay for everyone (almost like she was defeated), but Kouta would have none of it. He insisted that they at least split the bill. The manager guided them to a single room and told them the basic rules and to enjoy themselves. "Since you guy's are the youngest, why don't you slip in first?" Sara said to Nana and Mayu.
But as Arakawa watched the pair venture inside and take their seats, she spied a curious look at the girl with pink hair and bows on her head. That girl looks kind of familiar. She thought.
"Sensei? Is anything wrong?" Kouta asked.
"Hmm? Oh." She was knocked out of her trance. "No nothing's wrong Kouta."
She dismissed it as just De-Ja-Vu and followed them inside.
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Outside the Rawk Fist wondering around in the rain, is a woman with red hair with a tattered umbrella. She followes the directions on a wet piece of paper searching for something important. "I was sure it was this way." She says to herself as she turns a corner. I used the last of my money for that cab ride outside the city...If I'd have known it would be this hard, I would have packed more food..." She mused. "Maybe the gods are trying paying me back for all the bad I've done..."
A sudden gust of wind blew her umbrella away from her hands. The salty rain poured into her mouth and nose as she tried in vain to get it back. But it was gone. Carried away by the wind gods.
The wind and rain laughed as at her as she came to realize she was all alone, and that her search was potentially hopeless. She had exhausted all of her money and strength reserves searching for empty lead after empty lead.
Hopelessness, dispair, and physical exhaustion set in as she looked up towards the sky. Her tears mixed with the rain.
The woman with red hair let out a long wounded cry as she allowed the darkness to take her.
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Tonight, was a very special night. Fun came to the residents of Maple Inn for the first time in weeks. For Nana, everything was fun. They were a little embarrassed at first, but after a few songs everyone wanted to get in a little singing. Kouta and Yuka sang a duet to a modified version of 'Sorosoro Ikanakucha' by Suga Shikao. Nana was mystified by there performance. Of course not willing to be outdone (given her slight competitive nature) Nana performed Cheiko Kawabe's hit single 'Be your Girl' with the highest of confidence.
This evoked many laughs and applause from everyone (Especially Sara).
"That was great Nana, it almost sounds like you practiced it!" Kouta said laughing.
"I did not!" Nana yelled back at him. "Stop being mean!"
"Aw he was just joking Nana! It was cute thats all." Mayu said to her pink haired friend. "But you were right Kouta-san! Nana practiced ever since you said you were taking all of us out for karaoke."
"Mayu!"
"Ha ha, sorry Nana."
"It was cute Nana-chan. No need to get embarrassed." Said Yuka.
Nana received compliments from everyone very rarely, so she was raking it in and appreciating the spotlight.
"Haha, you think so? Nana was worried it wouldn't sound right, after all she learned it all for Kouta and-" She stopped herself right there. Her reasoning, her hidden objective had been discovered. She turned towards the other occupants in the room. Her worst fears were realized, each of their faces wore expressions of shock. Her face turned beet red.
"I'M SORRY! I HAVE TO GO TO THE-" she looked around frantically, and grabbed Mayu's hand. "-T-TO THE BATHROOM WITH MAYU-CHAN!"
All eyes were on the both of them as they hurriedly exited their room and retreated to the female facilities. "Kouta."
"Y-Yes Yuka?"
"What exactly is going on?" Yuka asked with honey and venom dripping from her voice.
"I don't-"
"Its nothing serious Yuka-chan, Nana just has a little crush on Kouta-san that's all." Arakawa spoke up, revealing her knowledge and insight.
"I see...once you put it so plainly it doesn't sound so bad."
"A crush?" Kouta's denseness still amazes it seems.
"Yep, and I don't know if you noticed hot-shot, but Nana's been staring at you this entire time." Sara revealed.
"What am I supposed to do then? I've never dealt with something like this before." He said after letting out a sigh.
"Eh?" Arakawa said adopting a playful tone. "Young men shouldn't act like its troublesome whenever a girl has a crush on them. Crushes are one of the sincerest forms of flattery."
"Sensei!"
"Aw its no big deal Satoshi-san! She's just a little girl, I can hardly blame her. I'm liable to take you myself if your other half here doesn't start putting on some more moves."
Yuka immediately responded to Arakawa's laid back companion. "P-PUTTING ON SOME MORE MOVES?" Apparently, Yuka is still young herself.
"Sara!" Arakawa snapped at her friend. "I don't need to remind you of the proper conduct between faculty and students."
Sara just laughed.
Now it was Yuka's turn to be embarrassed.
"It's nothing too serious Kouta-" Arakawa began. "-but a young girl's feelings are kind of delicate. She's young so she'll either get over it or confess to you."
"The former sounds easy, but what do I do if she confesses to me?"
"Weren't you listening? Arie just told you a girls feelings are delicate! When she confesses, let her down
easy."
"Sara makes it sound easy, but that's basically what you have to do."
Here I thought it was something serious. Yuka thought. Still Kouta and Nana had been growing closer over the last few weeks, it was wrong to think that Nana still wouldn't be getting along after all that's happened. Even though she told him not to bring in any strange girls, it was Mayu who she couldn't say 'no' to. Both girls seemed to be incredibly unfortunate.
I suppose I shouldn't be so hard on him, everyone in the Inn is a misfit.
Misfits who came together to share pain and happiness.
Everyone but her.
All of her other feelings turned to sadness and pity when she came to that conclusion.
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It was late when they all decided to go home, fortunately the rain had subsided to a dull drizzle. Tension actually was higher though. Nana, after being terribly embarrassed back at the Rawk Fist, tried her best to avoid Kouta (which proved far more difficult then it seems). She always kept at least 2 bodies between her and the young man.
"Well that was fun." Mayu said to break the tension. "Everyone has such good singing voices. I'm more then a little jealous." She said to noone in particular. Mayu's song was 'Waltz', a popular song by Suneohair. It sounded kind of plain to her, but she loved the lyrics. She found herself humming the song at times whenever she felt a little depressed, and it seemed to uplift her spirits everytime.
"I like that song too Mayu." Said Yuka after joining in her humming. "Someday, we'll all have to go on a ferris wheel."
Mayu didn't understand Yuka in the slightest, but the idea of a ferris wheel sounded really good.
"Mayu? What's a ferris wheel?" Nana asked, after succumbing to the urge to say something after so long.
"A ferris wheel is a very big wheel, that has little compartments all over it."
Kouta through up his arms, emphesizing its size."It's reeaaaally big." He put his arms back down. "But something like that is better suited for the spring. I kinda stretched things a bit tonight." Kouta let out a nervous chuckle.
"Its also a chance for lovers to spend time with each other..." Mayu whispered in Nana's ear.
Nana's mind couldn't comprehend the idea of 'lovers'. But whatever chance she got to spend more time with all of them, she would take it.
The night was surprisingly cool and damp. Streetlamps lit the way in the dark as four made their way home.
Home.
When did I start calling Maple Inn home? It seems like I've been there forever...
When did things begin to be like this for Nana? All her life, she was in that cold cell, chained to a wall. She was experimented on day after day, they told her to do things, to listen. Every day was made into a hell. She made up her mind that she would forget everything.
Everything, except Papa...
Going back, she never really knew him. He never revealed much of anything about himself, and he always wore his glasses to hide his eyes. Out of all the days she spent there, she never wondered why any of what she was going through was happening to her. As long as she was good, and did what she was told, things were fine. Because Kurama, her Papa, would smile for her. None of this, she thought actually existed. There was just the island, Kurama, and her.
Not like now. Now everyone is open about everything. She learned more about Kouta and Mayu in 2 weeks then she ever knew about Kurama. His death came at a time when she finally learned something about him. He had a daughter. A real daughter, who was a monster who killed. In the end he chose her. He exploaded with her in a cloud of Ash and Fire.
Things are different now for Nana...
Now I have more people that I care about...
And that care about me...
Her thoughts were about to be interrupted. Less then a few feet from where they were walking, in the shade of a tree by the rode was a woman. A woman that sent the familiar alarm off in her body. The natural warning that let her know when others of her kind were nearby. She suddenly felt very cold.
The presence was not familiar. It belonged to someone new, someone who hadn't set foot inside Yuigahaba Harbor. Her immediate change in demeanor was recognized by Mayu promptly. She knew exactly what was going on.
"Is it Lucy-san?" She asked whispering in her ear.
"No, its...someone I've never felt before..."
Nana continued walking to somehow avoid whatever awaited in the shadows...
But Kouta noticed what was going on. He had heard the exchange between Nana and Mayu very clearly, despite both of their efforts to keep their conversation secret. He stopped and looked around.
"Something wrong Kouta?" Yuka asked when he stopped.
"Nothing...Its just that...I thought I..."
He looked in the direction of the shady tree and spotted a familiar outline. It looked like a person, but he couldn't be sure unless he moved closer. His suspicions were correct when his vision adjusted.
"Hello?" He called towards the individual, " its kind of chilly and damp out right now. Don't you think its about time you turned in?" Kouta asked approaching the non-moving individual.
"Uh...Hello?" He said getting closer. All eyes were on him as he approached the person. "I said hell-"
He dropped his umbrella. A million possibilities and questions raced through his mind.
Then nothing but action.
"Yuka give me a hand here!" He yelled so suddenly it startled them. "This woman is unconcious, and it looks like she's in bad shape!"
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Someone is shaking me...
I can feel it...
At least I'm alive...
But what good will that do me?
I still haven't found what I'm looking for...
It's probably a punk who wants to have his way with me.
Whatever. I don't care. Just let me live long enough to find her.
Chapter 4: End
So sorry it took so long to update. I'd like to give Zion major props for being one of the first to finish an epic Elfen Lied fic. For those of you still writing: you guy's rock. We've reached the end of the first year in existance of course. Not exactly a FULL year though. (That comes in April when the Elfen Lied section was born. )
Preview time!
The woman with red hair falls in Kouta's hands. Who exactly is this woman? Who exactly is she looking for? But something happens that will change everything in Yuigahaba Harbor. For better or for the worse.
Next chapter in Werden Und Verlust Fertig:
Chapter 5: Tanz der Elfe