The Past
By Evs
Tsukasa lied on his back, he knew what time it was. He looked at his clock, then at his watch to confirm it. Yes it was midnight, and no ghost. Tsukasa smiled, for now this proved that Harold was nothing more then his imagination. He began to chuckle to himself when he heard her.
"Hello Tsukasa," said the Ghost of Christmas Past.
Tsukasa sat up immediately, dear god it was no illusion. The Ghost of Christmas Past stood before, and once more it was in the form of someone he knew.
"Subaru?" asked Tsukasa.
"I am the Ghost of Christmas Past, not this Subaru you speak of," replied the spirit.
"But how can this be," asked Tsukasa. "You look just like her character." It was true, from the mark on her forehead all the way to her wings, she was every inch the Subaru.
"I've merely chosen this form, from your past, that is all," said the spirit. "Now take my hand, we have much to see."
Still sitting in bed, Tsukasa reluctantly reached his hand out for the spirit. Upon their bounding the two floated through the window and into the abyss. Tsukasa had his eyes closed for what seemed like an eternity, finally closing them when he felt the ground beneath his feet.
He began to look around and realized where he was.
"No, it can't be," said Tsukasa looking at the building. The building was three stories high and rather long. It was covered in dirty windows and the paint was chipping off the walls. "My old school," said Tsukasa, "but how, they tore it down years ago?"
"These are just echoes of the past," said the spirit. "The people here can neither hear, see nor sense us." The spirit extended her hand to Tsukasa's, "Come, we must see your old self."
"My old self, but," Tsukasa was cut off before he could finish. He ascended the building hand in hand with the spirit, stopping at the third story. In the room, dozens of students danced and paraded around, and bursting with joy for the holiday season.
"Do you recognize this?" asked the spirit.
"Yes," answered Tsukasa, "this was my old ninth grade class, but I don't see myself."
"This way then," said the spirit as she guided Tsukasa through the wall and into the neighboring classroom. There, in the center of the opaque class sat a solitary figure. His books out and his pen racing, the boy sat with his head down. As his white hair fell before his eyes, he automatically brushed it back. Tsukasa approached the figure; it was himself of course.
"My God it's me," said Tsukasa, "but what am I, I mean he, doing here."
"What you don't remember?" asked the spirit.
"No, everything's blurry just before the accident.." he realized when he was. "Good God, this is the day!"
"Yes, the day the World consumed you," replied the spirit.
"But, why is he here, away from the others?" questioned Tsukasa.
"Don't you remember," said the spirit. "You were always alone, even before the World."
"What?" said Tsukasa looking back at his former self who was packing his book bag by now. The boy walked past them and into the hall, not even glancing at the party as he exited.
"Yes," said the spirit to Tsukasa as they followed his old self through the cold streets. The day was gray, mere moments from a snowstorm. "You neither had friends nor enemies, neither the predator nor the prey. You were just the lonely rock, cold and unmoving."
The old self was in his uniform, which buttoned all the way up cause of the cold. He had his hands in his pockets and his eyes on the ground. The spirit and Tsukasa followed him for several more blocks when the neighborhood began to change. Gone where the friendly looking buildings and shops, and came the high rises and slums.
"Such a miserable place," remarked the spirit.
"Yes," added Tsukasa softly, his eyes now softened on his old self, "yes it was."
The old self went straight to the most imposing and loathsome building and went strait up the stares. The building had few windows, and those few were either barred or broken. Graffiti covered the walls, and parts of the wall were crumbling.
The spirit and Tsukasa floated to the top of the building and entered through a wall into a rather plain room. It was nothing more than a bed, closet, and desk with a computer. The old self entered and went immediately went for the desk. He quickly turned the machine on, and opened a drawer inside the desk.
"Now, who lived with you," asked the spirit as Tsukasa eyed the photograph that his old self held.
"Just me and my father unfortunately," said Tsukasa now standing right beside himself. He continued to look at the picture, he hadn't seen it since that day in fact. It was of a woman; her hair was ebony and down to her shoulder. Her skin was as white as snow, and her lips, which had delicate smile, were as red as blood. But it was her eyes that made her beautiful. They were large and full of life, and they were of an usual blue, that appeared to be almost violet.
"Who is she?" asked the spirit.
"She was my mother," added Tsukasa, with pain in his voice.
"Was?" she questioned.
"She died giving birth to me," he said. "My father never forgave me for it."
"Such a painful life it must have been," consoled the spirit. "To be hated from birth, only because you lived instead of died."
The old self placed the picture back and turned to the computer. There was a visor and two gloves which he put on.
"No," cried Tsukasa, "don't do it."
"He is nothing more than a shadow of what once was," said the spirit. "He is blind and deaf to you."
"But he can't," said Tsukasa who was cut off by the scream that escaped his old self. The computer was down and the boy lied paralyzed on the floor.
"Do you know what happened next," asked the spirit.
Tsukasa sat next to his old self, he stared off in the distance for a moment. "I wake up six moths later and my dad's in jail for trying to pull the plug on me," said Tsukasa flatly.
"No, no," said the spirit, "you couldn't be further from the truth."
"What are you talking about?" asked Tsukasa.
"Why, do you forget the World?" questioned the spirit.
"The World?" asked Tsukasa, he has widened as he locked eyes with the spirit's. "No, any where but there! Please no!"
"Oh but we must," said the spirit gently as she reached for him. Upon her touch, Tsukasa was again transported to a dark and barren cave. Tsukasa looked around and heard a sniffle. He turned to his backside and there he was, his old character curled up in a corner. Fireflies danced in front of the old Tsukasa, still curled up and holding back tears.
Tsukasa tried to place his hand and console his old self, but it merely went straight through him.
"What's wrong," asked the spirit, "I thought this is what you wanted. To be alone was it not?"
"Not like this," said Tsukasa. "Not deserted in this hole, with every thing taken away from me."
"Deserted," said the spirit. "But what of her," she said pointing to figure emerging from the darkness.
The figure was short and petite. Her blue hair fell before her face, and her wings flapped as she approached the huddled Tsukasa.
The huddled Tsukasa and Subaru quickly began talking. Tsukasa watched his old self as he began to be calmed by Subaru.
"You remembered this fondly?" asked the spirit.
"Yes," answered Tsukasa, "quite fondly."
"But why," asked the spirit, "she imprisoned you?"
"I don't think she wanted it to happen like this," said Tsukasa. "I think she just.." he trailed off for a moment, realizing what he was going to say next. ".. wanted to help me."
"Help you?" said the spirit.
"Yes," said Tsukasa. "She wanted to help me, and she did. She stayed with me till I felled asleep, and made sure no harm befell upon me." He paused, "She was there when no one else was."
"Not everyone," replied the spirit.
"What are you going show me this time?" asked Tsukasa.
"Only what must be seen," answered the spirit.
In an instant gigantic mushrooms surrounded Tsukasa, and to his right he could hear voices. Rather familiar ones, which he followed, finally seeing Sora and Mimiru talking.
"Now that's an odd sight," remarked Tsukasa.
"Come on Sora," said Mimiru, "it's your fault they got him."
"It may be my fault," sneered Sora, "but it ain't my problem."
"God damn it Sora!" cried Mimiru as she swung her blade sideways at him. Sora easily blocked it and chuckled.
"Tell you what," added Sora cheekily as he held the blade, "I like you, you've got spunk. So I'll help your precious little Tsukasa out, but you owe me big time."
"Fine," said Mimiru, pulling her blade away. "Just bring him back in once piece."
"Bye bye," said Sora as he jumped from mushroom to mushroom.
"God," said Mimiru to herself, "the things I do for that guy. Oh well, it is Tsukasa." Remarked Mimiru with a smirk, as she began to walk off.
Tsukasa was stunned, so much so he couldn't move. "I can't believe it," he said to himself.
"And why not," said the spirit appearing next to him.
"Cause, if you knew Mimiru, you'd know being in Sora debt is last thing she'd ever wanted," said Tsukasa.
"Really," said the spirit, "I would think seeing you locked up and miserable would be higher up on that list than owing Sora."
"Well," said Tsukasa, "after seeing this, I'd have to agree with you."
"Yes," said spirit, "quite a friend you've got there, quite a love she has."
"Well.." Said Tsukasa trailing off.
"Well what?" asked the spirit.
"Nothing," said Tsukasa, "it's just I like to have a word with her when I get back is all. But it's still strange, Sora helping her out like that. I thought he did it just to be a dick to the Knights."
"What," said the spirit. "You think Sora's action were no less compassionate and caring than Mimiru's? When Sora freed you, the Knights made him a wanted player and persecuted him. He became an outcast, and for what? Because of friendship and compassion he did this, all so that Mimiru could be happy and you free."
"I never thought of it that way," said Tsukasa. Tsukasa watched Mimiru as she disappeared in the distance, as if being swallowed by the setting sun in the horizon. In an instant the setting sun changed from one eclipsed by mushrooms, by one high above in the mountains. Before him, sat Mimiru on a platform, staring at the setting sun as it gave birth to night.
"And this is what you did with your freedom," said the spirit. "You locked yourself away with Aura, and once more you shackled Mimiru to this prison of wait and longing."
"Hey I never asked her for this," said Tsukasa. "Now, it's true I did make her wait, but I came in the end."
"After three days," replied the spirit, "and only when Morgana ordered you to go to her."
"What do you expect from me," said Tsukasa. "I couldn't bear this World, Christ I couldn't even stand myself."
"But yet she did," said the spirit. As she did Mimiru stood up and turned to be greeted by the old Tsukasa.
"Tsukasa," cried Mimiru, "you came."
"I can't believe you waited," said Tsukasa, "but why?"
"Cause I wanted to see you and tell you that, no matter what, I'll always protect you," said Mimiru bashfully.
"God," said Tsukasa, "your so stupid sometimes."
The two stood there together, until Tsukasa added, "Well, if you're gonna start protecting me, you may as well start now."
Tsukasa began to walk off, "Well," he said.
"Oh sorry," said Mimiru realizing what he meant. She quickly caught up to him and walked beside him up the road.
"She protected you from the World when everyone else wanted you gone. She waited for you when everyone rejoiced in your exile. Once more, she had patience even when you pushed her away." The spirit took Tsukasa once again by the hand.
They stopped at a sight, which Tsukasa could never forget. There, at the edge of a cliff, sat Mimiru and himself. Both were silent, but enjoying each other's company all the same. The two sat and watched the sun set, as it turned from yellow to crimson, and on occasion they stole glances at one another.
"Hey Mimiru," said the old Tsukasa.
"Yeah," said Mimiru.
"Do you think we'll still be friends when I get out of here?" asked Tsukasa.
"Of course we will," said Mimiru. After a few minutes of silence, Mimiru added, "Hey do you remember what you promised me?"
"What promise?" asked the confused Tsukasa.
"You know," said Mimiru, "that when you got out of here that you and I would go to Shimakita together."
"Oh," said Tsukasa, with a little grin, "I almost forgot."
"Well, you better remember," said Mimiru playfully, "cause I'm getting sick of waiting."
Tsukasa started to giggle.
"What's so funny?" asked Mimiru.
"Nothing," said Tsukasa. "Nothing at all."
They sat together for a long time, and continued to sit even as the shadow of Tsukasa looked upon them. A storm of emotions began to brew inside him until he could contain it no more. The tears ran freely down his face, and he hid his eyes within his hands.
"Why?!" he cried out. "Why did you bring me here?!"
"To show you that there are better things than being alone," answered the spirit.
"Oh spirit," cried Tsuaksa. "Why, do you torment me so, making me revisit this hell."
"Why do I torment you?" asked the spirit. "Why do you torment yourself? Tell me, did you ever keep your promise to her in all those years?"
"No," answered Tsukasa. "No, I could never bring myself face her."
"To think," said the spirit. "All those trials and hardships, just so you and her could be together in the real world. And yet, you don't have the decency to thank her personally."
"Quiet!" yelled Tsukasa. "You don't know any thing about me. You don't know how much I've suffered."
"Oh, but I do," said the spirit. "Once more I know the pain you've spread, unintentionally and intentionally."
"Take me home," pleaded Tsukasa. "Please, take me home."
"Oh, I shall," said the spirit soothingly. "But we must see one more memory."
So the two left Tsukasa and Mimiru, who were too content to stay on the cliff, ignorant to the future awaiting them. A future of hardship and indifference, where the two would be unable to recognize each other.
Tsukasa was now in a dinner in the real world. Sitting at the counter was a big man, well over six-foot, drinking a coffee between his bearded lips. The dinner was empty, save for the man and the Christmas lights that darted the room. The door opened and the bells chimed, and a snow covered boy entered. The white figure sat next to the man.
"Hey Tsukasa," said the man.
"Hey Bear," said Tsukasa, brushing the snow off himself.
"So," started Bear, "have you given any thought on my offer?"
"That's actually why I wanted to meet with you," Tsukasa looked around the dinner, insurring no one would see or hear them. He reached into his jacket and brought forth a thick and plain envelope. He set it down in front of Bear. "I got that in my mail."
"What is it?" asked Bear who merely stared at the envelope.
"Take a look for yourself," said Tsukasa.
Bear took it in his hands and peered inside. "My God," he said as began to count the bills still in the envelope. "There's got to be at least.."
"Ten thousand dollars," added Tsukasa.
"Where did you get this?" asked Bear, placing the envelope down.
"It's from CC Corporation," said Tsukasa.
"Those bastards," said Bear, "what the hell do they want?"
"Well," said Tsukasa, "a note came with the cash. They said they were very sorry about what happened. Said they'd greatly appreciate it if I kept what happened quite. And pretty much said they'd do anything to keep it that way."
"A bribe," said Bear in disbelief, "they're trying to bribe you."
"Well it appears that way," said Tsukasa. "What do you think I should do."
Bear took a breath and thought for a moment. "Well," he began, "if I was you, I'd give it back and go public with what they did to me, but that's just me." He paused again, "And of course you're not me, and I can't tell you what do. It's your decision, and whatever do with this money I won't argue with."
"Bear," said Tsukasa, "do you know what I want more than any thing else in life?"
"No," said Bear looking at his young friend.
"I want," began Tsukasa, "to put what happened in the World behind me. I don't want fame or power or any of that, I just want to live a quiet life, without what happened chasing me for the rest of my days." He paused looking at his friend, at those old brown eyes, "And this money can give me that new life, that freedom, that peace."
"Well then," added Bear warmly, "take the money, maybe you can do something good with it."
"Yeah," said Tsukasa as he stood and pocketed the envelope, "maybe."
He began to walk out when Bear called to him. "Hey, what about my offer," said Bear, "you never said if want me to be your guardian or not."
"Bear, nothing in the world would make me happier than for you to be my father." Tsukasa added, "But, I need to put the World behind me, and I can only do that on my own."
"Oh," said Bear, "I understand." Tsukasa pushed opened the door when Bear called to him once more. "Hey Tsukasa," he called.
"Yeah," said Tsukasa holding the door as wind and snow flew in.
"How's Mimiru doing?" he asked. "You two go to the same school now, right?"
"Yeah," Tsukasa said, "yeah we do."
"Well, how is she," asked Bear again.
"I don't know, I haven't seen her lately," he said turning away from Bear glance.
"Well, if you see her tell her hi for me," said Bear.
"Ok," said Tsukasa as he left the dinner, leaving Bear alone.
"And you did put the World behind you didn't you?" said the spirit next to Tsukasa.
"Yeah, yeah I did," said Tsukasa solemnly.
"Only by shutting yourself away with your studies, and poisoning yourself with that money of course," said the spirit.
"Shut up," yelled Tsukasa. "I had to, it was the only way."
"You pushed everyone who ever cared for away," said the spirit. "Including Bear and Mimiru, all so you could find peace and happiness on your own."
Tsukasa began to put his head down as the tears came again.
"Tell me," said the spirit. "Did you ever find that peace, that new life you so longed for?"
"No," said Tsuakas, his words muffled by his hands. "No I didn't."
"Yes," said the spirit. "You moved into that apartment a few days later and severed all ties from everyone in the World. You buried yourself in your studies and your money. Not even Mimiru could reach you."
"No, no!" Tsukasa cried and cried over and over. Yet when he pulled his hands from his eyes look at the spirit, he was greeted to his room instead. He began to settle down and looked around, everything was as it should. His piles of books scattered across the floor, desk covered in papers and notes. He reached under his bed and felt the box, good still there. He turned to the clock, which read one A. M. As he decided over the clock, he heard an odd noise coming from his kitchen. He slowly made his way down the hall, yes, it defiantly was the sound of a rather deep voiced man. As Tsukasa entered, a rather large and blue covered man was pouring over the stove, all the while singing.
Tsukasa lied on his back, he knew what time it was. He looked at his clock, then at his watch to confirm it. Yes it was midnight, and no ghost. Tsukasa smiled, for now this proved that Harold was nothing more then his imagination. He began to chuckle to himself when he heard her.
"Hello Tsukasa," said the Ghost of Christmas Past.
Tsukasa sat up immediately, dear god it was no illusion. The Ghost of Christmas Past stood before, and once more it was in the form of someone he knew.
"Subaru?" asked Tsukasa.
"I am the Ghost of Christmas Past, not this Subaru you speak of," replied the spirit.
"But how can this be," asked Tsukasa. "You look just like her character." It was true, from the mark on her forehead all the way to her wings, she was every inch the Subaru.
"I've merely chosen this form, from your past, that is all," said the spirit. "Now take my hand, we have much to see."
Still sitting in bed, Tsukasa reluctantly reached his hand out for the spirit. Upon their bounding the two floated through the window and into the abyss. Tsukasa had his eyes closed for what seemed like an eternity, finally closing them when he felt the ground beneath his feet.
He began to look around and realized where he was.
"No, it can't be," said Tsukasa looking at the building. The building was three stories high and rather long. It was covered in dirty windows and the paint was chipping off the walls. "My old school," said Tsukasa, "but how, they tore it down years ago?"
"These are just echoes of the past," said the spirit. "The people here can neither hear, see nor sense us." The spirit extended her hand to Tsukasa's, "Come, we must see your old self."
"My old self, but," Tsukasa was cut off before he could finish. He ascended the building hand in hand with the spirit, stopping at the third story. In the room, dozens of students danced and paraded around, and bursting with joy for the holiday season.
"Do you recognize this?" asked the spirit.
"Yes," answered Tsukasa, "this was my old ninth grade class, but I don't see myself."
"This way then," said the spirit as she guided Tsukasa through the wall and into the neighboring classroom. There, in the center of the opaque class sat a solitary figure. His books out and his pen racing, the boy sat with his head down. As his white hair fell before his eyes, he automatically brushed it back. Tsukasa approached the figure; it was himself of course.
"My God it's me," said Tsukasa, "but what am I, I mean he, doing here."
"What you don't remember?" asked the spirit.
"No, everything's blurry just before the accident.." he realized when he was. "Good God, this is the day!"
"Yes, the day the World consumed you," replied the spirit.
"But, why is he here, away from the others?" questioned Tsukasa.
"Don't you remember," said the spirit. "You were always alone, even before the World."
"What?" said Tsukasa looking back at his former self who was packing his book bag by now. The boy walked past them and into the hall, not even glancing at the party as he exited.
"Yes," said the spirit to Tsukasa as they followed his old self through the cold streets. The day was gray, mere moments from a snowstorm. "You neither had friends nor enemies, neither the predator nor the prey. You were just the lonely rock, cold and unmoving."
The old self was in his uniform, which buttoned all the way up cause of the cold. He had his hands in his pockets and his eyes on the ground. The spirit and Tsukasa followed him for several more blocks when the neighborhood began to change. Gone where the friendly looking buildings and shops, and came the high rises and slums.
"Such a miserable place," remarked the spirit.
"Yes," added Tsukasa softly, his eyes now softened on his old self, "yes it was."
The old self went straight to the most imposing and loathsome building and went strait up the stares. The building had few windows, and those few were either barred or broken. Graffiti covered the walls, and parts of the wall were crumbling.
The spirit and Tsukasa floated to the top of the building and entered through a wall into a rather plain room. It was nothing more than a bed, closet, and desk with a computer. The old self entered and went immediately went for the desk. He quickly turned the machine on, and opened a drawer inside the desk.
"Now, who lived with you," asked the spirit as Tsukasa eyed the photograph that his old self held.
"Just me and my father unfortunately," said Tsukasa now standing right beside himself. He continued to look at the picture, he hadn't seen it since that day in fact. It was of a woman; her hair was ebony and down to her shoulder. Her skin was as white as snow, and her lips, which had delicate smile, were as red as blood. But it was her eyes that made her beautiful. They were large and full of life, and they were of an usual blue, that appeared to be almost violet.
"Who is she?" asked the spirit.
"She was my mother," added Tsukasa, with pain in his voice.
"Was?" she questioned.
"She died giving birth to me," he said. "My father never forgave me for it."
"Such a painful life it must have been," consoled the spirit. "To be hated from birth, only because you lived instead of died."
The old self placed the picture back and turned to the computer. There was a visor and two gloves which he put on.
"No," cried Tsukasa, "don't do it."
"He is nothing more than a shadow of what once was," said the spirit. "He is blind and deaf to you."
"But he can't," said Tsukasa who was cut off by the scream that escaped his old self. The computer was down and the boy lied paralyzed on the floor.
"Do you know what happened next," asked the spirit.
Tsukasa sat next to his old self, he stared off in the distance for a moment. "I wake up six moths later and my dad's in jail for trying to pull the plug on me," said Tsukasa flatly.
"No, no," said the spirit, "you couldn't be further from the truth."
"What are you talking about?" asked Tsukasa.
"Why, do you forget the World?" questioned the spirit.
"The World?" asked Tsukasa, he has widened as he locked eyes with the spirit's. "No, any where but there! Please no!"
"Oh but we must," said the spirit gently as she reached for him. Upon her touch, Tsukasa was again transported to a dark and barren cave. Tsukasa looked around and heard a sniffle. He turned to his backside and there he was, his old character curled up in a corner. Fireflies danced in front of the old Tsukasa, still curled up and holding back tears.
Tsukasa tried to place his hand and console his old self, but it merely went straight through him.
"What's wrong," asked the spirit, "I thought this is what you wanted. To be alone was it not?"
"Not like this," said Tsukasa. "Not deserted in this hole, with every thing taken away from me."
"Deserted," said the spirit. "But what of her," she said pointing to figure emerging from the darkness.
The figure was short and petite. Her blue hair fell before her face, and her wings flapped as she approached the huddled Tsukasa.
The huddled Tsukasa and Subaru quickly began talking. Tsukasa watched his old self as he began to be calmed by Subaru.
"You remembered this fondly?" asked the spirit.
"Yes," answered Tsukasa, "quite fondly."
"But why," asked the spirit, "she imprisoned you?"
"I don't think she wanted it to happen like this," said Tsukasa. "I think she just.." he trailed off for a moment, realizing what he was going to say next. ".. wanted to help me."
"Help you?" said the spirit.
"Yes," said Tsukasa. "She wanted to help me, and she did. She stayed with me till I felled asleep, and made sure no harm befell upon me." He paused, "She was there when no one else was."
"Not everyone," replied the spirit.
"What are you going show me this time?" asked Tsukasa.
"Only what must be seen," answered the spirit.
In an instant gigantic mushrooms surrounded Tsukasa, and to his right he could hear voices. Rather familiar ones, which he followed, finally seeing Sora and Mimiru talking.
"Now that's an odd sight," remarked Tsukasa.
"Come on Sora," said Mimiru, "it's your fault they got him."
"It may be my fault," sneered Sora, "but it ain't my problem."
"God damn it Sora!" cried Mimiru as she swung her blade sideways at him. Sora easily blocked it and chuckled.
"Tell you what," added Sora cheekily as he held the blade, "I like you, you've got spunk. So I'll help your precious little Tsukasa out, but you owe me big time."
"Fine," said Mimiru, pulling her blade away. "Just bring him back in once piece."
"Bye bye," said Sora as he jumped from mushroom to mushroom.
"God," said Mimiru to herself, "the things I do for that guy. Oh well, it is Tsukasa." Remarked Mimiru with a smirk, as she began to walk off.
Tsukasa was stunned, so much so he couldn't move. "I can't believe it," he said to himself.
"And why not," said the spirit appearing next to him.
"Cause, if you knew Mimiru, you'd know being in Sora debt is last thing she'd ever wanted," said Tsukasa.
"Really," said the spirit, "I would think seeing you locked up and miserable would be higher up on that list than owing Sora."
"Well," said Tsukasa, "after seeing this, I'd have to agree with you."
"Yes," said spirit, "quite a friend you've got there, quite a love she has."
"Well.." Said Tsukasa trailing off.
"Well what?" asked the spirit.
"Nothing," said Tsukasa, "it's just I like to have a word with her when I get back is all. But it's still strange, Sora helping her out like that. I thought he did it just to be a dick to the Knights."
"What," said the spirit. "You think Sora's action were no less compassionate and caring than Mimiru's? When Sora freed you, the Knights made him a wanted player and persecuted him. He became an outcast, and for what? Because of friendship and compassion he did this, all so that Mimiru could be happy and you free."
"I never thought of it that way," said Tsukasa. Tsukasa watched Mimiru as she disappeared in the distance, as if being swallowed by the setting sun in the horizon. In an instant the setting sun changed from one eclipsed by mushrooms, by one high above in the mountains. Before him, sat Mimiru on a platform, staring at the setting sun as it gave birth to night.
"And this is what you did with your freedom," said the spirit. "You locked yourself away with Aura, and once more you shackled Mimiru to this prison of wait and longing."
"Hey I never asked her for this," said Tsukasa. "Now, it's true I did make her wait, but I came in the end."
"After three days," replied the spirit, "and only when Morgana ordered you to go to her."
"What do you expect from me," said Tsukasa. "I couldn't bear this World, Christ I couldn't even stand myself."
"But yet she did," said the spirit. As she did Mimiru stood up and turned to be greeted by the old Tsukasa.
"Tsukasa," cried Mimiru, "you came."
"I can't believe you waited," said Tsukasa, "but why?"
"Cause I wanted to see you and tell you that, no matter what, I'll always protect you," said Mimiru bashfully.
"God," said Tsukasa, "your so stupid sometimes."
The two stood there together, until Tsukasa added, "Well, if you're gonna start protecting me, you may as well start now."
Tsukasa began to walk off, "Well," he said.
"Oh sorry," said Mimiru realizing what he meant. She quickly caught up to him and walked beside him up the road.
"She protected you from the World when everyone else wanted you gone. She waited for you when everyone rejoiced in your exile. Once more, she had patience even when you pushed her away." The spirit took Tsukasa once again by the hand.
They stopped at a sight, which Tsukasa could never forget. There, at the edge of a cliff, sat Mimiru and himself. Both were silent, but enjoying each other's company all the same. The two sat and watched the sun set, as it turned from yellow to crimson, and on occasion they stole glances at one another.
"Hey Mimiru," said the old Tsukasa.
"Yeah," said Mimiru.
"Do you think we'll still be friends when I get out of here?" asked Tsukasa.
"Of course we will," said Mimiru. After a few minutes of silence, Mimiru added, "Hey do you remember what you promised me?"
"What promise?" asked the confused Tsukasa.
"You know," said Mimiru, "that when you got out of here that you and I would go to Shimakita together."
"Oh," said Tsukasa, with a little grin, "I almost forgot."
"Well, you better remember," said Mimiru playfully, "cause I'm getting sick of waiting."
Tsukasa started to giggle.
"What's so funny?" asked Mimiru.
"Nothing," said Tsukasa. "Nothing at all."
They sat together for a long time, and continued to sit even as the shadow of Tsukasa looked upon them. A storm of emotions began to brew inside him until he could contain it no more. The tears ran freely down his face, and he hid his eyes within his hands.
"Why?!" he cried out. "Why did you bring me here?!"
"To show you that there are better things than being alone," answered the spirit.
"Oh spirit," cried Tsuaksa. "Why, do you torment me so, making me revisit this hell."
"Why do I torment you?" asked the spirit. "Why do you torment yourself? Tell me, did you ever keep your promise to her in all those years?"
"No," answered Tsukasa. "No, I could never bring myself face her."
"To think," said the spirit. "All those trials and hardships, just so you and her could be together in the real world. And yet, you don't have the decency to thank her personally."
"Quiet!" yelled Tsukasa. "You don't know any thing about me. You don't know how much I've suffered."
"Oh, but I do," said the spirit. "Once more I know the pain you've spread, unintentionally and intentionally."
"Take me home," pleaded Tsukasa. "Please, take me home."
"Oh, I shall," said the spirit soothingly. "But we must see one more memory."
So the two left Tsukasa and Mimiru, who were too content to stay on the cliff, ignorant to the future awaiting them. A future of hardship and indifference, where the two would be unable to recognize each other.
Tsukasa was now in a dinner in the real world. Sitting at the counter was a big man, well over six-foot, drinking a coffee between his bearded lips. The dinner was empty, save for the man and the Christmas lights that darted the room. The door opened and the bells chimed, and a snow covered boy entered. The white figure sat next to the man.
"Hey Tsukasa," said the man.
"Hey Bear," said Tsukasa, brushing the snow off himself.
"So," started Bear, "have you given any thought on my offer?"
"That's actually why I wanted to meet with you," Tsukasa looked around the dinner, insurring no one would see or hear them. He reached into his jacket and brought forth a thick and plain envelope. He set it down in front of Bear. "I got that in my mail."
"What is it?" asked Bear who merely stared at the envelope.
"Take a look for yourself," said Tsukasa.
Bear took it in his hands and peered inside. "My God," he said as began to count the bills still in the envelope. "There's got to be at least.."
"Ten thousand dollars," added Tsukasa.
"Where did you get this?" asked Bear, placing the envelope down.
"It's from CC Corporation," said Tsukasa.
"Those bastards," said Bear, "what the hell do they want?"
"Well," said Tsukasa, "a note came with the cash. They said they were very sorry about what happened. Said they'd greatly appreciate it if I kept what happened quite. And pretty much said they'd do anything to keep it that way."
"A bribe," said Bear in disbelief, "they're trying to bribe you."
"Well it appears that way," said Tsukasa. "What do you think I should do."
Bear took a breath and thought for a moment. "Well," he began, "if I was you, I'd give it back and go public with what they did to me, but that's just me." He paused again, "And of course you're not me, and I can't tell you what do. It's your decision, and whatever do with this money I won't argue with."
"Bear," said Tsukasa, "do you know what I want more than any thing else in life?"
"No," said Bear looking at his young friend.
"I want," began Tsukasa, "to put what happened in the World behind me. I don't want fame or power or any of that, I just want to live a quiet life, without what happened chasing me for the rest of my days." He paused looking at his friend, at those old brown eyes, "And this money can give me that new life, that freedom, that peace."
"Well then," added Bear warmly, "take the money, maybe you can do something good with it."
"Yeah," said Tsukasa as he stood and pocketed the envelope, "maybe."
He began to walk out when Bear called to him. "Hey, what about my offer," said Bear, "you never said if want me to be your guardian or not."
"Bear, nothing in the world would make me happier than for you to be my father." Tsukasa added, "But, I need to put the World behind me, and I can only do that on my own."
"Oh," said Bear, "I understand." Tsukasa pushed opened the door when Bear called to him once more. "Hey Tsukasa," he called.
"Yeah," said Tsukasa holding the door as wind and snow flew in.
"How's Mimiru doing?" he asked. "You two go to the same school now, right?"
"Yeah," Tsukasa said, "yeah we do."
"Well, how is she," asked Bear again.
"I don't know, I haven't seen her lately," he said turning away from Bear glance.
"Well, if you see her tell her hi for me," said Bear.
"Ok," said Tsukasa as he left the dinner, leaving Bear alone.
"And you did put the World behind you didn't you?" said the spirit next to Tsukasa.
"Yeah, yeah I did," said Tsukasa solemnly.
"Only by shutting yourself away with your studies, and poisoning yourself with that money of course," said the spirit.
"Shut up," yelled Tsukasa. "I had to, it was the only way."
"You pushed everyone who ever cared for away," said the spirit. "Including Bear and Mimiru, all so you could find peace and happiness on your own."
Tsukasa began to put his head down as the tears came again.
"Tell me," said the spirit. "Did you ever find that peace, that new life you so longed for?"
"No," said Tsuakas, his words muffled by his hands. "No I didn't."
"Yes," said the spirit. "You moved into that apartment a few days later and severed all ties from everyone in the World. You buried yourself in your studies and your money. Not even Mimiru could reach you."
"No, no!" Tsukasa cried and cried over and over. Yet when he pulled his hands from his eyes look at the spirit, he was greeted to his room instead. He began to settle down and looked around, everything was as it should. His piles of books scattered across the floor, desk covered in papers and notes. He reached under his bed and felt the box, good still there. He turned to the clock, which read one A. M. As he decided over the clock, he heard an odd noise coming from his kitchen. He slowly made his way down the hall, yes, it defiantly was the sound of a rather deep voiced man. As Tsukasa entered, a rather large and blue covered man was pouring over the stove, all the while singing.