Okay... here's chapter three. Yes, Helba is weird. But I always did like her. And she's going to play a big part in this fic... which is starting to turn into a... oh, I'll let the readers decide...
To shadow dweller- Glad that you love my fic and I love Evanescence, too.
To Lady-Azura- Ok, so it isn't exactly soon... but gimme a break. I'm not allowed online lol. I snuck on with my sneaky sneakiness.
To link223- Lol, I love my fic, too. And I'm definitely writinng more, as you can see.
To TheWall267 & kaitou angel- If Ed from Cowboy Bebop and Me were to fuse... you'd get Faith. So you see... she's half mine and half not. lol
To Doom Huntress- Yes, let us all bow down to Balmung's hotness! Ok, ok... getting too excited... As for Subaru... she's bearable... I suppose... maybe...
To Gildholen Eledolin- Wow you gave me three whole reviews lol. I love Lord of the Rings, too. Legolas is just as hot as Balmung... I have a poster of that sexy elf on my wall. Oh and I'm very glad that you like my fic.
CHAPTER THREE:
HELBA, THE HALCYON
Faith was walking in between Mimiru and Tsukasa because both of them were worried about her safety. Faith seemed to get weird looks form everyone, no matter where they went. They finally reached the dark warehouse and the black SUV, which was not too far away from it.
Faith pulled out a key and opened the door. A green head popped out and stared at the three of them. "Hi-hi, Big Brother Sora!" Faith pulled Sora out of the SUV and he blinked, confused. "Tsukasa-person needs to borrow your cell phone!"
Everyone could only stare in shock as Sora hugged Faith tightly. "Big Brother! What are you doing?" Faith tried to pull away, but Sora wouldn't let go.
"Mimiru… thank you so much for watching her." Sora's dark eyes actually looked serious. "You too… uh… Tsukasa. Faith means a lot to Crim and I. I hate to say it, but I've gotten attached to her. Balmung was supposed to watch her for the night, but he came up to Crim and I were looking for her."
"How mad is Big Sister BT?" Faith giggled, turning to Mimiru. "I'm only blood-related to Crim. But Sora and BT are a part of my spiritual family. I love them very, very much! And as you can see, Sora loves me, too!"
"Don't get too carried away!" Sora snapped, hitting Faith in the head. Faith began wailing loudly and that caused three people to dash out of the warehouse. Balmung, BT, and Crim.
"Faith!" Crim grabbed Faith in a tight hug. BT grasped her at the same time. Balmung just stood there and stared intently at Tsukasa and Mimiru. "I was so worried! Are you okay?"
"I'm fine! Tsukasa-person and Mimi-person watched me!" Faith chirped.
"Mimi?" Mimiru grit her teeth in anger. "Of all nicknames… MIMI?" Everyone unconsciously backed away from her. Then she sighed and hung her head. "But since you bought us all those clothes… I suppose it's alright…"
"You… you watched her?" Crim turned to Mimiru. "Thank you so much! You have no idea how happy I am!"
"My two model students." BT said smugly, smirking at Balmung. "They have more sense that you, obviously. If you lose her again-"
"I didn't lose her." Balmung snapped irately. "The brat left on her own."
"That's why I left him! Because he's too mean!" Faith whined and clung to Mimiru. "Mimi-person is much nicer! I want her and Tsukasa-kun to watch me all the time!" Crim and Sora shared a knowing look. BT just glared at Balmung.
"Uh… can I borrow someone's cell phone?" Tsukasa was becoming uncomfortable. "Mimiru… are these really the musicians for the band that you auditioned for… They seem more like a dysfunctional family than a band."
"Excuse me?" Balmung turned his gaze on Tsukasa. "Don't speak, you ignorant little boy." Mimiru glowered at Balmung. How dare he say that to Tsukasa? He's not ignorant in the least! If anything… Tsukasa understands Faith more than he does! Balmung rolled his eyes in response to Mimiru's glare.
"That ignorant little boy watched my Faith, something you couldn't even do." Crim narrowed his eyes at Balmung. "Faith, go get my cell phone." Faith happily complied, climbing in the SUV and returning a few moments later with a small blue phone. She tossed it to Tsukasa, who rapidly dialed a number.
"Umm… hello? Dad?" Tsukasa spoke up a few seconds later. "I'm… still with Mimiru. We accidentally missed our bus stop. Oh… no… Don't worry. Miss BT-one of our teachers-is going to…" He broke off; Bear must've interrupted him. "I… umm… I was talking intently with Mimiru and I didn't notice that we weren't anywhere near our homes…"
Faith giggled loudly at this and began making kissing noises. Tsukasa turned slightly red and Mimiru hit Faith on the head. "Shut it, you annoying little twit!" Mimiru snarled, ignoring BT's curious gaze.
"Stop being mean!" Faith whined and snatched Tsukasa's cell phone away. "Hi, Tsukasa's Daddy! Tsukasa fibbed! They were kissing intently; that's why they didn't notice that the bus passed their stop!" Mimiru could only stare in horror and Tsukasa almost fainted right then and there. "Really? Wow, I had no idea!"
What the heck is Bear saying to Faith? Mimiru was panicking mentally. He can't possibly know that I love Tsukasa, right? Oh no, oh no, oh no…
"My name is Faith! What's yours?" Faith chatted happily. Mimiru finally lost it and smacked Faith in the head again. "MOOEEEEEEEEE! Mimi-person, stop being so MEEEEEEEEAN!" She sat down and began wailing noisily.
"Alright, Bear! We'll be home in a little while, ok?" Mimiru shouted into the phone. She was fuming mad. How dare Faith be so rude? She had no right to do that! The nerve, the audacity, the gall!
"Sure, Mimiru. Be careful." Mimiru could almost see Bear smiling calmly. He hung up the phone and Mimiru gave the cell phone back to Crim.
"Listen up, you!" Mimiru shouted at Faith. "Don't you ever do that again, understood? What were you thinking? You're not five years old!" Faith continued bawling and BT frowned at Mimiru.
Tsukasa knelt down next to Faith. "I'm sorry Mimiru is so angry, but what you said offended her. That's just her way of saying it. Please stop crying." Tsukasa put a hand on Faith's back and she looked up, tears still falling from her eyes.
"B-but… Mimiru hates me!" Faith sniffed miserably.
"I don't hate you!" Mimiru stomped over and crossed her arms over her chest in an annoyed fashion. "I shout at everyone. And I get irked easily. And you happen to irk me very easily."
"Yippee!" Faith squealed and jumped up on Mimiru. Mimiru effortlessly held the smaller teenager and patted her black hair. "Mimi-person! Mimi-chan! I want to meet Mr. Bear! And I want more ice cream! And I want you to watch me forever and ever and ever and ever and ever-"
A loud ringing sound was heard and Faith broke off. Crim pushed a button on his cell phone and began speaking into it. "Yeah? Where are you? What happened? WHAT? Are you serious? Well… thanks a lot. Now we have to cancel…" Crim hung up his phone furiously.
"What's wrong?" Sora asked, actually sounding concerned.
"Our… erm singer is out partying. Again. I'm surprised she actually called this time." Crim shook his head angrily. "This is the third time!"
"Mimi-person will sing!" Faith jumped off Mimiru and began dancing around. "And I will put on Mimi-person's makeup and pick her outfit! And after our gig, BT will drive Mimi-chan and Tsukasa-person home!"
"Wait a minute!" Mimiru protested, holding her hands up.
"You're already in the top five." Faith winked conspiratorially.
"Umm… okay." Mimiru looked at Tsukasa and shrugged. Tsukasa smiled back at her. I can't believe it! Top five! Top five! Okay, okay… I have to turn off the happy. "So… what now?"
"Makeup! Makeup!" Faith grinned evilly. "You see… I'm the fashion specialist in the band. I did Big Brother Sora's hair, Big Cousin Crim's hair… Big Sister BT's clothing and makeup… and Bad Balmung's clothes. But… Mimi-person's outfit is perfect! All she needs is makeup!"
"I don't like makeup, Faith." Mimiru said dryly. Faith pouted and tears filled her eyes. ARRRRRRRRRRGH… "FINE! You can do my makeup…"
"YAY!" Faith grabbed onto Mimiru's hand. "Tsukasa-kun! You stay and bond with the men! BT! Come with me!"
"Faith. I don't ever recall authorizing this." BT glared at Faith. "You can't just recruit a band member because you feel like it."
"But who else are we going to get on such short notice?" Crim sighed and scratched his hair. "I agree with Faith. And it's not like Mimiru can't sing. It'll be just for tonight."
"And I suppose we'll allow all the other contestants to perform with us, too?" Balmung narrowed his eyes at Crim.
"Balmung wa baka!" Faith sang at the top of her lungs. "Just the top five get to sing, silly goose!" Balmung looked like he wanted to strangle her.
"Ah! The girl has a point." Sora nodded, smirking at Balmung. "You are stupid." Mimiru, Faith, and Crim burst out laughing. "I haven't had a good laugh in a while… I say we listen to her."
"Ugh… fine…" BT felt her forehead, as if she was sick. "If anything goes wrong… I'm going to kill you Faith." This is insane! Two of my students are in the outskirts and I have to be responsible for them… Bear… DIE! I have a migraine…
"Kimochi warui!" Faith responded cheerfully. "I mustn't runaway, I mustn't runaway, I mustn't runaway, I mustn't runaway, I mustn't runaway…" Crim seemed to have gotten the act and shook his head.
"She had ice cream, didn't she? When she's really hyper she starts quoting random anime…" Crim sighed. "Mimiru, we'll be starting soon. Since you don't want any makeup or anything…" Why did I ever let her watch Evangelion? That was much to graphic for her anyway...
"Tsukasa." BT grabbed the silver-haired boy by the arm. "Come with me."
"Uh… bye Mimiru!" Tsukasa called out helplessly as BT dragged him away.
"So… are we performing in that building?" Mimiru pointed to the building where she had auditioned. Balmung nodded grimly. "Wait a minute… how am I supposed to sing a song I don't even know? Where the heck is that singer?"
"Oops… I forgot about that part…" Faith put her finger on her chin. "I guess you'll just have to hum the whole song." ((A/N I got that from Gravitation. Shuichi kicks azz!))
"FAI-TH!" Crim turned to his cousin in blind fury. "CURSE THAT HELBA!" He began chasing Faith around in circles.
"Helba? Who's she?" Mimiru cocked her head to one side.
"Our soon-to-be retired singer." Sora let out a long sigh. "It's a long story, really. But I'll tell you. You see… Balmung and Helba used to be an item. But… they basically had nothing in common, so it didn't last long. Besides… no man or woman in his/her right mind would stay in a relationship with him.
"He's arrogant, heartless, sarcastic, cynical, and defensive to the point of no return. But poor Helba… she was blinded and missed all of Balmung's demonic qualities! Oh… how the mighty have fallen…" Sora sighed wistfully as if he was swooning. Crim almost fell over in disbelief.
"The point is… once Balmung broke up with Helba, she stopped caring about our band. She stopped showing up for practice, purposely missed meetings, went out 'partying' when we were supposed to perform…" Crim smiled dourly, looking at Mimiru. "It's gotten ugly. So that's why we need a new singer."
"You see… if Balmung was ugly, no one would care about him." Sora floated over to Balmung, who was ignoring all of this. "But just look at him. His lovely silver locks, his cold neon green eyes… and he has abs to die for…"
"Uh…" Mimiru blinked in shock. "Sora… are you?"
"I'm hairy... and I'm a fairy." Sora batted his eyelashes flirtatiously. Mimiru rolled her eyes and turned away from this particular sight. "Oh… We should all watch Gravitation again. How I love it so!"
"I LOVE Gravitation!" Faith cheered and danced around Sora. "Faith loves Gravitation, na no da!" Faith grabbed onto Sora's hands and swung them.
"Why does that not surprise me…" Mimiru let out another sigh. Sora is just plain weird. But he has a point… Balmung is hot. So maybe Sora's not so psycho after all. He has good taste, at least…
"And my loving boyfriend…" Sora latched onto Crim's arm and tried to plant a kiss on his cheek. He was rewarded with a punch to the head. "Ow! What was that for?"
"Don't touch me." Crim glared at Sora. "I saw you fawning over Balmung. Again!" Why do I even put up with him…
"Oh my darling Crim…" Sora whimpered pitifully.
"Enough. We have a gig, remember?" Balmung glared at Sora. "What are we going to do about Helba?"
"Maybe if you apologize to Helba… she'll perform tonight." Mimiru suggested hopefully. Balmung turned his death glare on her. "HEY! There's no reason to get mad at me because of your mistakes! It was only a suggestion, you jerk!" Oooh… I don't care how hot he is. I've never taken crap from anyone before and I'm not going to start now!
"Excuse me?" Balmung narrowed his eyes menacingly at Mimiru.
"You heard me!" Mimiru glared right back at Balmung.
"Our time is running out." Crim cut in, stepping in between Mimiru and Balmung. Faith and Sora were dancing together again. "Mimiru has a point. Sora, you, Balmung, and Mimiru head to 'Chaos Gate'. That's the name of the club where Helba is. The rest of us will set up for the gig."
"Crim." Balmung looked at him. "I'm not going."
"Yes you are. You got us into this mess." Crim glowered down at Balmung. "You figure out a way to get her back here. One last time."
"I'm ready." Mimiru shrugged, looking over at Sora.
"Ooh! I'll bet there'll be a whole bunch of hot guys there…" Sora began to salivate. Mimiru punched him in the back of the head. "What was that for?"
"I'll keep an eye on him, Crim." Mimiru grabbed Sora by the arm. "Take care! So, Balmung. Where's this club?" And with that, the trio left on their journey to find "Chaos Gate".
And… twenty minutes later they still hadn't found it. Mimiru had gotten tired of Sora's incessant babbling. I never knew gay guys were SO annoying. And this one over here… Mimiru stole a quick look at Balmung. Has he taken a vow of silence or something? Argh!
The trio had searched almost every iota of the outskirts. Every creep in the book seemed to be here tonight. Most of these people gave Mimiru the willies. "We are never going to find Helba!" Mimiru stomped on the ground. Half the creeps on the block turned towards her.
"Who said my name?" A demanding voice boomed out. Mimiru froze and turned around. She was facing a tall blonde wearing the weirdest outfit she had ever seen in her life. This is Helba? Why does everyone dress like its Halloween?
((A/N: Just in case you want to see what she looks like, there's a link at the end of this chapter))
"Idid?" Mimiru smiled nervously. Helba peered down to look at her.
"And just who are you?" Helba looked behind Mimiru and saw Balmung and Sora. "What nice friends you have."
Mimiru gulped. Looks like I'm on my own… She glanced at Sora, who was cowering behind Balmung, who was looking just as nonchalant as ever. "Ok, ok. This was all my idea… which is why I'm the only one talking right now… I need you to sing tonight. I know you probably don't want to and I can see why…" She glared at the two useless males behind her.
"They aren't exactly band material. One needs to have a Coke and a smile and the other one needs a strong sedative. But it wasn't very gracious of you to back out at the last moment. And give us some name to a club that doesn't even exist! I wasted my precious looking everywhere for you and-" Mimiru broke off.
"I'll do it." Helba smirked down at Mimiru, halting her tirade.
"You will?" Sora and Mimiru exclaimed. Even Balmung looked mildly surprised.
"I believe so." Helba looked up at the cold night sky. "You're going to get sick out here, young one. I'm sure your Mother is worried about you."
"Oh-Kay…" Mimiru grabbed Sora by the arm. "Is she always this bizarre?" She whispered in his ear. And why the heck wouldn't my Father be worried about me? I wonder what color her eyes are… Helba is so… mysterious…
"Bizarre?" Helba turned to Mimiru. "What is normal, Black Rose?"
"Giving me a new name sure as hell isn't normal!" Mimiru backed away from Helba. "What are you?" Black Rose? Then again… that name is kinda cool. I wonder what name she'd give Tsukasa…
"Who am I? I am… nowhere and everywhere." Helba smiled secretively. Mimiru felt a chill go down her spine. "Kite. Kite is his name."
"Let's go." Balmung spoke up. "Stop your antics. You're scaring her." And with that, he whirled around and began walking. Sora quickly followed after him. Mimiru stared up in wonder at Helba.
"You read my mind." Mimiru said matter-of-factly.
"Did I? Or were your thoughts loud enough for me to hear?" Helba started walking after Balmung and Sora. What is with her? She's so… so… Mimiru sighed and followed the woman.
"Esoteric? Enigmatic? Unfathomable? Arcane?" Helba finished for her. Sora turned around and looked at the two of them. Then he shook his head and turned back around, walking closer to Balmung. "Beware, Black Rose. Things are never as they appear. Do not accept the change."
"What change? What are you talking about?" Mimiru asked crossly. "And why do you keep calling me that? That's not my name! If you really were psychic, you'd know it."
"Black Rose is your name." Helba said simply. "It is the name she gave you."
"She? Who?" Mimiru let out a groan. "You're way too confusing."
"You will meet her soon." Helba smiled down at Mimiru. "Be brave."
And Helba said nothing more until the group reached the warehouse. As soon as they reached BT's SUV, Crim came running out of the warehouse. "What took you so-" Crim's eyes widened in shock. "Helba? You're… here?"
"Yes. One last time." Helba said straightforwardly. "I believe those were your words." Mimiru stood there, looking quite uncomfortable.
"Yeah, yeah." Crim rolled his eyes. "You're just as cocky as Balmung, constantly flaunting your powers. Give us normal people a break." Crim began walking towards the warehouse.
"Shall we enter?" Helba gestured towards the warehouse. "The back door, I'm guessing. Come, Mimiru."
Mimiru's eyes almost popped out of their sockets, but she obeyed, trailing after the peculiar blonde, shivering. Balmung and Sora followed them. They went around the right side of the warehouse until they found a hidden door. Balmung opened it and they entered.
The first thing Mimiru noticed was the crowd. Sure, she was in the back of the warehouse. But the noise was deafening. Mimiru noticed that all the chairs that had been there for her audition were gone. The warehouse seemed to be a lot bigger now that it was filled with people. The trio was in a hallway behind the stage.
"BT and Tsukasa are one of those rooms." Helba pointed to a point further down the hallway. "Sora. Crim and Faith need help setting up the equipment." Sora nodded and ran off, most likely happy to leave Helba.
"I'll help them." Balmung said simply and walked off in Sora's direction. Mimiru was now alone with Helba.
"Don't you need to… prepare for your song or something?" Mimiru smiled anxiously. I can't believe Balmung left me alone with her! What a jerk!
"I would like to meet this Tsukasa before she does." Helba began walking down the hallway and Mimiru had no choice but to follow. They passed three rooms and then Helba stopped at the four and opened it without knocking.
The room was fairly small and only contained a tatty couch, a huge cracked window and a medium-sized television in front of the couch. BT and Tsukasa were watching the TV when Helba and Mimiru entered.
"Hey Mimiru!" Tsukasa stood up and ran over to Mimiru. "Is this Helba?" BT rose up and stalked out of the room without a word. "What's wrong with her?"
"She can't stand me." Helba said simply. "It is very nice to finally meet you, Kite." Yes… he is the one. He is the Chosen. Black Rose… you must protect him.
"Kite? That's not my name. My name is-" Tsukasa started, looking slightly confused. There's something familiar about her… But what is it…
"Tsukasa." Helba smiled mysteriously. "Let us sit down." Mimiru shook her head and dragged Tsukasa back over to the couch. She would make sure that she sat in between Helba and Tsukasa. She didn't trust Helba, not one bit.
"Mimiru… who is she?" Tsukasa shivered in uneasiness.
"I am merely a messenger." Helba sat down next to Mimiru. "Happy?" She looked at Mimiru, smirking slightly. "You might have forgotten your past lives, but I have not. Neither has she."
"She, she, she! That's all I ever hear about! Who is she?" Mimiru threw her hands in the air in frustration. "God, you're pissing me off!"
"Who could Helba be talking about?" Tsukasa frowned pensively. "Could this person have anything to do with the mysterious blackout earlier today?"
"You mean the one Bear was investigating?" Mimiru looked over at him. "I guess we'll just have to ask him."
"And as for you two… danger is on its way." Helba stood up suddenly. "Look into this blackout. Kite. Black Rose. You are no longer secure here. I shall send you back to the sanctuary of your homes."
"Wait, wait! Send us both to his house!" Mimiru had no idea when she got used to Helba's eccentricity, but home was the last place she wanted to be.
"As you wish." Helba held her hands out in front of her. White light emitted from her fingertips and surrounded Mimiru and Tsukasa. They could feel the energy swirling around them. Then everything went black.
"Ow…" Mimiru opened her eyes, sitting up. She was Tsukasa's bed, in his room? "She did it…" Tsukasa was sleeping softly beside her. Mimiru was so tired, she collapsed back down on the bed, failing to hear the quiet laughter coming from above her…
Hoped you liked it. FINITO! And if that link above didn't work, here it is again. http/ www. icecavern. net/qirien /anime /dot-hack /infection-art /helba. jpg Lol, I just put a whole bunch of spaces in between the link. I dunno if that will help, I know that another author did that once. Please Review!