Girl in Gaea: The Untold Story
By Brenli and AmetrineButterfly
Chapter 8"Has anyone seen Okami?" Allen asked as another bloodied corpse was carried into the cargo hold.
"Not since the fight started." Millerna said as she covered the corpse's face with a blanket. "She's not among the corpses. This is the last of them."
"There she is, boss!" Reeden pointed to the door, and Okami walked in.
She was in a complete daze, and Allen rushed up to her. "Okami, you're hurt!" He placed a hand on the wound on her neck, examining the blood that had begun to soak her shirt.
"I'm fine." Okami was too out of it to care that he was touching her.
"Don't be stupid, you're bleeding all over the place."
"It's just a scratch." Okami pushed Allen away and looked over the room. A row of covered dead bodies lay in the middle. "What's the death count?"
Allen sighed. "They hit us pretty hard. They killed seven Abaharaki, we could only get three of them…" He pointed to three bodies covered in the corner.
"What do you do with the bodies?"
"The bodies of our troops go back to their homelands, where they will be buried." Gazing sadly at the white cloth, Allen frowned.
"…And what about them?" Okami pointed at the three lifeless frames of the Cavalry members.
"We burn them as fuel for our boiler."
Okami felt her stomach clench, sickened by the injustice of the cadaver's fate. She made her way over to them, and everyone stared as she pulled back the fabric on one of the dead masses.
The pale, wide-eyed stare of Ryuon met with Okami's, and another wave of sickness hit her. Her face grew as pastel as his.
"Okami? Are you alright?" Allen knelt on the other side of Ryuon, staring with concerned eyes.
"Allen I've… never killed a man before…" Okami said slowly. "Until… today, that is... Look at what I've done." She wiped a stain of blood off the flawless pallor of Ryuon's skin.
The blonde man nodded in his understanding, having been there before. "You had no choice, Okami. He would have killed you first."
"Is that all this world is about?" Okami frowned. "Kill or be killed? How depressing…"
"You'll get used to this life. I promise."
"Allen…" Blinking back her tears, the hazel-eyed woman grimaced. "Please send them home."
"What?" Confused, Allen's eyes bore into Okami's face.
"Let their fate in death be in the hands of those they placed it in life. They were men too. They deserve to go home."
"Okami…"
"It's not their fault their leader is evil. They don't know what they're doing is so wrong. Don't punish their memory by destroying their only physical remnants!" She pleaded, still blinking back the tears.
Allen stared, dumbfounded at the beautiful, distressed woman before him. "Why do you care so much, anyway?"
"Someone once told me… that the line between good and evil is thinner than we all think. How can we consider ourselves the 'good guys' if we have such disrespect?"
Shaking his head, Allen wondered just how this woman had managed to convince him as quickly as she did. "Alright." He said. "We'll have the bodies sent back. Will you feel better?"
Okami nodded, keeping her eyes trained on the still face of Ryuon. "Yes, thank you."
"Reeden!" Allen stood. "Make the arrangements for these men to be taken to the Black Dragon Clan fortress."
"Yes sir!" Reeden left the room in a hurry.
Allen walked away from Okami, and she just kept staring at Ryuon's lifeless face. He had lovely green eyes. "Ryuon…" She whispered. "I'm sorry… the least I can do for you is send you home. Please forgive me." Okami closed his eyes for him, saying goodbye one last time.
X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
"You're lucky." Allen said, wiping the crusted blood away from Okami's wounded neck. "Any deeper and you would have been beyond saving."
"Hmm." Okami gave her absent-minded grunt, staring blankly at nothing.
"Okami? You seem distant. What's wrong?"
The Dark Star opened her mouth, then closed it again, not knowing exactly what to say, or even if she could trust Allen.
It was almost as if Allen could read her mind. "You can trust me, you know? I didn't become leader of the Abaharaki by being a backstabber."
Okami actually smiled, chuckling. "I suppose you're right…" She sucked in a deep breath, and let it spill. "I just… feel awkward is all."
"Awkward? How so?" Allen dabbed alcohol onto Okami's cut, causing her to flinch.
She continued anyway. "I think of the way I am right now. You know, my personality? And then I think of how I am in battle, or when I'm thinking about fighting and killing. It's scary. I'm two different people... The things I do and say in conflict, I come to regret later…" Okami's face morphed into a frown. "I hate it. I wish I could just act, and feel the same way about it for the rest of my life..."
"Don't worry about it for now." Allen said, and he clutched Okami's hands in his. "It's a trial that all warriors have to go through. The adrenaline tells you to act in a certain way, and when it's gone, you're left with the guilt. In time, you will come to know that you fight for the greater good, and you won't feel as blameworthy."
"… I hope you're right…"
"Trust me, I am." Allen stood. "I'll have Kio come up and bandage that for you."
"Don't worry about it. A bandage would be too annoying for me." Okami touched the wound on her neck and flinched again as it stung.
"Alright. But don't touch it, it will get infected."
Nodding, Okami crossed her legs, perching herself on her bed as Allen left.
She wanted to believe what Allen had said, but it was hard when she didn't tell the truth about what was REALLY bothering her. True, she was a different person in battle, but that wasn't everything. When she killed Ryuon, she had enjoyed it. It was an intoxicating, pleasurable aphrodisiac. And now, it scared her the shit out of her. She couldn't understand why it was that she took so much delight in destroying a life.
Irritated with her confusion, the flopped backwards in her bed, settling on her back and gazing at the ceiling. Okami could feel warm blood ooze delicately down her neck. She quickly wiped it off before it seeped into her pillow. Another stab of pain racked her cut, and she cursed Dilandau under her breath.
Dilandau… Okami's people-reading skills were too raw to be able to see through her anger when around him. So she could never tell what he was thinking, what he was feeling. It frustrated her. Why couldn't he just tell her what was going on? It had become obvious that he didn't want her dead. He had the chance, and he let it pass him by. The answer was driving her crazy, because she knew it was obvious, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it. But why did she care so much? He was an enemy now!
'It's because you thought you could love him… forever…'
Shut up! No one asked your opinion! Okami pressed her hands over her ears, trying to block out the voice that was coming from her own mind. That stupid little voice that always attempted to make her live by her heart, her feelings. "Stupid… look at what my feelings got me… nothing but heartbreak, again."
'Don't blame Dilandau for your father's mistakes.'
SHUT UP! Okami's heart was pounding. "You don't know anything!"
Furious, she rolled out of her bed, rushing out of her room to find someone to talk to; the only thing that could get rid of that stupid voice.
X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Dilandau shut and locked his door, barring out anyone who could see him as distressed as he was. "Damn it." He clawed at his hair, pulling off his headband and tossing it and his armor onto the floor. If Folken found out that he hadn't killed the Dark Star when he had the chance, death would be a blessing.
Twice. He had now failed to kill the Dark Star twice. And yet somehow, this didn't surprise him. The cut he left on her neck left a wound on his heart as well. He couldn't understand what was wrong with him. Before Okami came along, he could kill any woman without so much as a second thought. But now, his entire soldier facade was
beginning to crumble. He hated it.
"Dilandau-sama!"
"WHAT!" Dilandau screeched, not happy with the interruption.
Dallet opened the door, bowing deeply in apology. "I'm sorry to bother you, but, Dilandau-sama... the bodies of the men lost in battle yesterday... They're... here!"
Dilandau cocked a brow, annoyed. "What are you talking about?"
"The bodies of our most recently lost... They've been brought back to us...!" Dallet stumbled over his shocked words. "I know... It's... abnormal... But... They're here...!"
Narrowing his eyes, the commander frowned. "Show me." He said simply.
"Yes, sir...!" Dallet proceeded to lead Dilandau out of his room and down the hallway to the fortress square, where three bodies had been placed in a row, covered in sheets. "... Here..." Shakily, Dallet pulled back a white sheet, revealing the pale, disgustingly warped face of Ryuon. "... They're definitely the right ones... They look to have died at the right time..." The smell was horrendous, and Dallet kept his face turned away.
Dilandau, completely passive to the stench, crouched down to examine the body. "What's this?" He pulled out a folded white piece of paper, splattered in the corner with dried blood. Slowly unfolding it, his eyes widened slightly when he scanned over its message.
Grimacing, Dallet recovered Ryuon's distorted face. "What is it, Dilandau-sama?"
"It's a note… from the Dark Star." Scanning the note once more, he read it aloud. "It would only be appropriate to return these. After all, I'm still only human. -The Dark Star"
Shocked, Dallet stared wide-eyed at his commander. "She would have the decency to return them? After all the disrespect she gave us?"
Gritting teeth, Dilandau stuffed the note in his pocket. "It would seem so." Trying so hard to maintain his bad-ass reputation, he smirked, adopting a sarcastic tone. "Apparently she's still human."
Dallet swallowed, gathering all the courage he could. "... With all due respect, sir... You've been... acting unwell, lately..."
The commander stiffened, his tone became dangerous. "Watch it, Dallet."
Regardless of the knowledge that Dilandau could pummel him to within an inch of his life, Dallet pressed on. "Dilandau-sama... This is probably not my place to speak out like this... But you have been out of sorts with yourself since the Spirit Stars came around..."
Frustrated and angry emotions that had been welling up inside of Dilandau burst through as he roughly grabbed Dallet by the front of his armor, pushing him roughly against the wall. "You're right." He hissed, connecting a close-fisted blow to Dallet's cheek. "It isn't your place!"
Dallet stumbled, pressing a hand to his face. Regardless of Dilandau's physical warning, he pressed on. "Dilandau-sama!"
Dilandau paused at the door, trembling in his anger. "…What."
"... It's okay to like her, Dilandau-sama. It's probably the only thing that will save her."
The commander's anger subsided slightly, but he still was trembling with rage. "What does it matter? She's gone now…"
Dallet straightened himself. "No, she's not. She's away from you. But she's not gone. If she was... she wouldn't have brought them back." Pointing at the bodies, he hoped that his words could reach his commandant.
Something deep inside told Dilandau that Dallet was right, but there was no way he would admit it. Trying desperately to retrieve his shattered mask, he spoke. "Funny, Dallet..." He chuckled sardonically. "She didn't bring them back for me. She brought them back to save her own conscious..."
"I only half-believe that."
"In these types of situations... Half is NEVER good enough." Dilandau muttered bitterly, hating how weak and vulnerable he sounded.
"You don't believe there's more to it than saving her conscious?"
Once again, Dilandau found it essential to lie through his teeth. "No."
X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
"See… See, Kitsune, it's empty right now. Everyone is too busy with the bodies that came in to train, today. So we're alone." Dallet said softly as he pulled Kitsune into the training room by her tattooed wrist.
"I know." She replied quietly, looking at her tattoo and biting her lip. She ignored him as he took a sword for himself and then took one for Kitsune. But she could not ignore the fuzzy warmth that radiated from the sword as he lightly, carelessly tapped the sheath on her head.
"Wake up in there. You told me this morning you would take your sword up." He spoke formally, like a teacher, but he maintained a kind face. "… Odd. We've got ourselves some static electricity going on…" He pulled the sheath closer to himself and watched her hair follow it.
Annoyed with the situation, Kitsune waved her arm between the sheath and her hair, bringing her hair back down. "Stop being so lighthearted about it, Dallet! You think I'm not scared?"
"… No. But if I was serious you'd be running away right now." Dallet held out her sword. "Take it. You owe me something if you turn out okay after this is done."
Kitsune stared at the sword in his hand for a long moment, hearing only Dallet's soft breathing above her. She observed the sheath, which was a pale, semi-iridescent white. It reminded her vaguely of pearl. Within that sheath was a blade that had the power to spill blood in the heat of war… but here she was hoping it would return her life to peace.
"… Take your sword, Kitsune." Dallet's voice came through to her.
"Hai." Kitsune replied, but it was more so a confirmation to herself than a response to Dallet. Her hand hovered over the sword, now, and she felt that constant warmth run through her whole arm. She had to curl her fingers and then stretch them out to be rid of the tingling feeling they had. She was distinctly reminded of a time when she was very small… She had been dared to touch an electric fence. She felt the very same way right now.
"Kitsune…"
"Hai!" She quickly took hold of it. It was caught in her grip, warm and tingly throughout her arm, and she hadn't even drawn her sword, yet!
Dallet offered her a warm smile. "… Good. Now come on, tie it to you and get ready to draw."
She obeyed, feeling the tingling echo through her hip, now. The two of them moved to the center of the empty training room, and Dallet drew his sword, getting into the right stance. Kitsune observed him for a moment, watching his solemn soldier's face stare back at her with the calm readiness of a man prepared to die. And to think, he was only training. That soldier's face was slightly broken when a corner of Dallet's mouth lifted in a confident smirk. "… It's your turn." He said softly. "I don't need to tell you a thing. Once it's done, you'll be as ready as I am… Draw."
She wasn't sure if she could ever fully express all the feelings that rushing through her as she unsheathed her sword speedily. She initially felt that high tingling sensation intensify to levels she was sure were unsafe. She felt, literally, electrocuted. The pain and literal shock sent her to her knees and made her cry out, but she refused to let go of her sword. She'd take it all in, she wouldn't wimp out like the coward she'd been for so long. And it turned out that after she had fallen, she didn't need to worry about more pain. She felt things flood through her, memories of cold, harsh war and enough spilt blood to fill all of Gaea to its edges, knowledge of the sword and the power of lightning… no wonder she felt electrocuted. In spite of all this information and morbid imagery that flowed through her, she felt a sense of calm wash over her. Her predecessor had seen more blood than would make Kitsune comfortable as woman of the Mystic Moon, but she was so much more than that, now. Kitsune was a woman of Gaea, and a woman of extreme power. And yet, she was a woman of peace, someone who knew right from wrong. Someone who could make decisions so well she could keep Gaea in a state of peace for as long as she lived. Kitsune the Light Star was no one to fear. She was exactly who Kitsune was born to be.
And it all hit her then, in that short moment after she'd cried out. It all flowed through her until it brought her to her feet, and she saw Dallet had dropped his stance and stepped several paces closer to her, worry etched into his face. Only then did she realize that she had two tears dripping down her face, one from each eye. They were tears of release and comfort, more than anything else.
Dallet was amazed to see that the two tears glowed until Kitsune wiped them away. "Kitsune, are you okay?"
And with that Kitsune held her sword before her, perfectly poised and wearing a confident smirk that rivaled Dallet's. "Hai. Now let's duel."
X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
"So I looked at him straight in the eye, and said 'The God of Ugliness wants his face back!'."
The sound of several notes of uproarious laughter flooded the large room. Members of the Abaharaki swayed along with the caravan, as it would hit several bumps. They were on their way to Torushina.
The laughter died down, and a splitting headache struck the psyche of Okami. "Owie…" She muttered, massaging her temple with gentle fingers.
"You ok?" Allen asked, turning away from their dinner to stare at the woman seated beside him with concerned eyes.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just have a bit of a headache is all. I think I'm just going to turn in early." Okami stood up from the dinner table, accepting several 'good nights' and fond farewells. Smiling she closed the door to the mess hall and collapsed against it, her headache causing crippling pain. She slumped to the floor as visions of the Black Dragon Clan training room obstructed her sight. Kitsune had drawn her sword.
The pain went away, and an evil, sadistic smirk contorted the features of the Dark Star. If she had a mirror, she would have seen the inhuman dark flare in her eyes. "So it begins…"
To be continued…