Hello. I'm really sorry I haven't updated in forever. Please don't be too cross with me. Try and enjoy this chapter and I'll work hard to have the next one up soon. Once again, I apologize for the long wait. Faith apologizes, too!
CHAPTER FOUR:
THE BEAST WITHIN TSUKASA
Boy did Mimiru get in trouble when she got home the next day. She had been grounded for two weeks and she was forbidden to see Tsukasa during that time. And the worse part was that her parents had started fighting. It seemed that everything in Mimiru's life was going wrong.
Mimiru was lying down on her bed, pondering that seemingly magical night. Helba… I wonder what she's doing now… Since Tsukasa isn't grounded… I wonder if he found out anything about that blackout. I'll bet he forgot all about it once Subaru came back yesterday. I hate school…
Mimiru was bored out of her mind. She couldn't go anywhere, see anybody (not that there was anyone to see), or do anything. The only thing she had going for her was school. Pathetic? Very. She rolled over so she was lying on her stomach.
It's a perfectly normal boring Monday afternoon… and I have nothing to do… Mimiru let out a long sigh. Her brother was most likely out playing soccer at a friend's house. I can't believe I actually sat with Tsukasa and Subaru during lunch today… And I can't believe that prudent witch kept her mouth shut. All she would talk about was her Uncle's odd new daughter. Who really cares about some pale little brat anyway? Am I supposed to care or something?
"You should." A voice said from above her. Mimiru froze and jumped off her bed, staring at the ceiling. "I'm glad that I was in your thoughts." White light entered the room and when it cleared… there stood Helba… right on Mimiru's bed! Mimiru ogled Helba in disbelief.
"What are you doing here?" Mimiru hissed, running over to her door and closing it. Can my day get any worse? "And stop reading my mind!"
"Your father is still at work. Your mother is downstairs, putting the groceries away. Your brother is at soccer practice." Helba said simply, sitting down on Mimiru's bed. "I bring you news from Tsukasa."
"Really?" Mimiru couldn't help but be eager. "What did he say?"
"Tsukasa spoke his to guardian. Bear told Tsukasa that right before the blackout, eyewitnesses spotted a short raven-haired teenaged girl carrying an odd giant teddy bear." Helba informed Mimiru seriously.
"What's so odd about a girl carrying a teddy bear?" Mimiru said skeptically, with an eyebrow raised.
"About eight people noticed that the bear's eyes were blood red and three even said they saw the eyes moving." Helba crossed her arms over her chest. "This girl is obviously Her slave."
"ARGH!" Mimiru stood up impatiently. "Well, what am I supposed to do about it? Why are you even telling me? It's your fault I'm in so much trouble…"
"Is it?" Helba asked innocently. "Well, I was going to teleport Tsukasa here. But since you're in such a bad mood, maybe I shouldn't."
"W-wait." Mimiru stuttered before she could stop herself. "Okay, okay. I'll keep my mouth shut."
"Now, now. You only need to show some respect once in a while. No need to shut your mouth." Helba said pleasantly and held her hands out. The same white light appeared and filled the room. With a flash, it was gone and Tsukasa was in its place. He plopped to the floor.
"Huh?" Tsukasa got up. He was holding a phone with a broken cord on it. "Gee, thanks, Helba. You broke the cord on the phone. How am I supposed to explain this to Dad?"
"Uh… Sorry Dad… We lost the other half the cord in teleportation." Mimiru said jokingly and ignored Tsukasa's glare. "Who were you talking to, anyway?"
"Subaru. I hope she won't be mad at me for hanging up on her…" Tsukasa shook his head and sat down on Mimiru's bed. "So… why am I here?"
"Good to know that you missed me." Mimiru spat out bitterly. I guess I don't matter at all… As long as Subaru is there for him…
"Actually, I was talking to her about the blackout." Tsukasa smiled sadly at Mimiru. "And I thought you forgave me." Helba smirked at Mimiru.
"Oh." Mimiru looked away from him, embarrassed. "Sorry."
"Don't apologize." Tsukasa shook his head. "But I am worried about Subaru. Her adopted cousin sure is weird. When I told her what time the blackout started, Subaru told me that her cousin had locked herself in her room five minutes before. That's weird…"
"How old is she?" Helba demanded immediately.
"How was I supposed to get any useful information when you-" Tsukasa broke off, sighing. "I'll ask her tomorrow. In a way, that'll be better. Because Mimiru will probably remember all the questions I'm going to forget overnight."
"What makes you so sure?" Helba frowned.
"Mimiru knows me." Tsukasa shrugged nonchalantly. "Right, Mimi-chan?" He smirked at her. Mimiru glared at Tsukasa playfully. Mimiru yawned loudly and stretched out her arms.
"So…" Mimiru trailed off at the look Tsukasa was giving her. "Why are you looking at me like-" She followed Tsukasa's eyes to her left arm and mentally cursed. Oh well… At least Subaru didn't tell him… Maybe I shouldn't mention that…
"Mimiru… why?" Tsukasa's eyes filled with tears. "Why would you do that to yourself? What would drive you to such insanity? W… no… NO! It was me… wasn't it… I made you like this…"
"Tsukasa, I…" Mimiru's voice grew faint. She didn't know what to say, for once. Helba stood there as if she was a statue. What help she is! She rolled her eyes and turned back to Tsukasa, who was obviously suffering from kind of inner turmoil. His face was paler, if that was even possible… And he didn't try stopping the tears from falling down his face.
"Helba… take me home." Tsukasa turned to the woman helplessly. "I can't take this, I can't. Please…" When Helba didn't answer, he stood up neurotically. "Take me home! Take me back!" He began shrieking and Helba actually jumped from the tone of his voice.
What have I done… Mimiru hung her head in her hands. She didn't even bother looking up once the white light filled the room.
"I hope you realize that your self-punishment has caused his breakdown." Helba let out a long sigh. "This makes him an easy target. Prepare yourself."
"What are you talking about?" Mimiru frowned angrily. "Can you not be cryptic for ONCE?"
"Are you prepared to protect Tsukasa with your life?" Helba rose in the air and vanished. Mimiru punched the air in rage.
I am sick and tired of this woman confusing me! I probably shouldn't talk to Tsukasa for a while. Give him some time to cool off. Mimiru walked over to her closed door and slumped against it. I completely forgot about cutting. I haven't done it in a while. And Subaru didn't even bother to tell him. Probably didn't want any more of his attention going to me. Mimiru didn't even realize that she was nodding off… most likely the biggest mistake she would make in her life…
(Begin Dream)
Mimiru was standing on a stage. The crowd was roaring and cheering for her. They loved her. She began to twirl around and shout with all her might: "This song is for Tsukasa!" She screamed out. She gripped her microphone and started:
"Can you hear the calling of the raving wind and water?
We just keep dreaming of the land 'cross the river
We are always on the way to find the place we belong
Wandering to nowhere, we're paddling
Down the raging sea
Who can cross over such raving wind and water?
On the rolling boat we sit, shivering with coldness
Come by an island, come by a hillock,
It's just another place, we paddle on
Down the raging sea
But in one morning we'll see the sun
Bright shining morning dew singing
They who will search will find the land
of evergreen. Search for the light…
Can you hear the calling of the raving wind and water?
We just keep paddling down the sea, up the river
No destination, but we are together
In the silent sadness we're paddling
We're paddling down… down the raging sea
down to nowhere…"
Mimiru smiled in satisfaction. Faith was among the crowd, jumping up in excitement. BT was standing beside her, a proud grin on her face. Mimiru whirled around. Crim was holding his guitar, standing behind her, to her left. Sora was grinning behind his drums. Balmung was smirking, sitting behind his piano.
"We did it!" Mimiru squealed and ran over to them. "Wasn't that great?"
"Yeah." Balmung stood up. "Too bad Tsukasa wasn't here to see it."
"Huh?" Mimiru cocked her head to one side. "Why wouldn't he be here?"
"Because he's in the hospital, silly!" Mimiru whirled back around, terrified. It was only Faith. But she had the creepiest expression on her face. And her eyes were blood red, almost like a warning signal. "You know… its up to you to restore him. Save him, save him, Mimi-chan! Save him, save him, Mimi-chan! Save him, save him, Mimi-chan! Save him, save him, Mimi-chan! Because if you don't… no one will."
And with that, Faith vanished into thin air, with Mimiru ogling the spot she was once standing in. "It's your fault, but you're strong. You can do it." Crim stared solemnly at Mimiru. He vanished as well, leaving a confused Mimiru behind.
"You have to undo your mistakes, Mimiru." BT disappeared next. Balmung fixed Mimiru with his distant, but significant gaze. He left soon after.
"Good luck, Mimi! We know you can do it!" Sora shouted joyfully, leapt in the air high above his drums and disappeared. Mimiru was alone. The world around her whirled and whirled until she was dizzy. Mimiru closed her eyes…
(End Dream)
"MIMIIRU! OPEN THE DOOR!" Mimiru awoke to the noise of her Mother banging on the door. Groaning, she stood up slowly and opened the door. Her Mom burst in with tears in her eyes. "Oh Mimiru. I'm so sorry." She grabbed Mimiru in a tight hug. "I can't believe this happened… Poor Tsukasa…"
"What?" Mimiru gulped. Oh no… Tsukasa told her about my cutting… Oh well… I can't stay mad at him. I guess I have to… I really did forget about it… "But Mom, I-" She started.
"Bear called from the hospital…" Her Mother let out a sigh, still not releasing her daughter. "Tsukasa swallowed pills. Forty Aleve, fifteen Motrin, and twenty-two Zyrtec. He might not make it…"
Mimiru stood there in shock. "I don't know what compelled him to do such a thing. He seemed to be doing so fine. He has a perfect best friend, a pleasant girlfriend, a wonderful Father… I just don't understand it…" Now, her mother couldn't stop the tears from falling. "He's… oh I can't…"
"N-no…" Mimiru broke away from her mother. I did this… I did this to him… Oh Tsukasa… I love you so much… Please… you can't die. Don't die. I can't lose you now. Not now, when things are finally starting to get better… I wish I never started cutting… I wish I wasn't so stupid…
"Mimiru? Mimiru!" Her mother shook her by the shoulders. "Listen to me, Mimiru. We have to be strong. No matter what happens. I'll drive you to the hospital, but I'm going to take care of Bear. He must be hurting so much right now. You talk to Tsukasa. I don't care if he's in a coma or half-dead or…"
"Alright." Mimiru nodded.
"That's my girl." Her Mom kissed her on the forehead. "I'm going to get the car ready. I'm also going to call your father and tell him to pick Motoki up from soccer practice."
"Forget it. Dad hardly ever leaves work." Mimiru narrowed her eyes angrily. "Ask Miss Robertson to do it."
"That I will. My level-headed one." Mimiru's Mom quickly left the room. Mimiru plopped down onto her bed.
Tsukasa… Mimiru grabbed onto her hair. Why the hell am I so inconsiderate? Tsukasa could die because of me… We don't have enough time. I have to get there-NOW.
"HELBA! HELBA! I know you can hear me!" Mimiru screamed at the top of her lungs. "Get your ass over here now!"
"There is no reason for such profanity." Helba appeared right in front of her, white light and all. She was frowning slightly.
"Let's go." Mimiru clutched Helba's arm. "I'm ready to go save Tsukasa. Whatever it takes."
"Oh really?" Helba smirked bending down so that she was eye-to-eye with Mimiru. "Have you ever killed a monster before, Mimiru?"
"Uh, no." Mimiru shook her head. "But whatever I have to do, I'll do it. Let's focus on the details later."
"Mimiru, you cannot be reckless." Helba seized Mimiru's arm and squeezed it. Hard. "I cannot allow you to die."
"Oh-Kay. What the hell is the big deal?" Mimiru wrenched her arm out of Helba's grasp. "Just take me there! You're wasting time!"
"Black Rose, are you prepared to face the perils ahead?" Helba's tone was gravely ominous. Mimiru had a feeling that something bad was about to happen.
"Anything for Tsukasa." Mimiru clenched her hands into fists. "I'll slay any demon I have to." Even though I have no idea how… Oh well… I guess I'll figure that out later- Mimiru broke off as white light surrounded her and swallowed her up. She had to bite her lip to keep from screaming.
When Mimiru opened her eyes, she was standing in front of a white bed with a huge white light over it. Everything else around her was dark. Helba was nowhere to be seen. Mimiru ran over to the front of the bed. "Tsukasa!" She screamed out. He was lying there, white as paper, his expression just as blank.
"Fuufuufuu. You want your boy back?" An icy voice called out from above Mimiru. She jumped, immediately looking upwards. A huge black bat with white eyes fluttered above her, showing off its menacing fangs. Its sharp silver claws glinted as it flexed them.
"What are you?" Mimiru wrinkled her nose. This creature was ugly. And it reeked of evil. Wait, of evil? Since when do things reek of evil? This is some weird dream I'm having. Or maybe Helba is up to this. Maybe she cast some spell on me. But either way, I have to save Tsukasa! "Never mind; that doesn't matter to me."
"On the contrary, my dear, it does matter to you." The bat flapped its wings twice, sending out black dust onto Tsukasa's unconscious body. As soon as the dust touched Tsukasa, his body shook uncontrollably and red spots began to appear all over his body. His body continued convulsing and he spat up blood.
"What are you doing to him?" Mimiru growled protectively. Her hands became fists. She wanted to kill this monster, which was killing Tsukasa.
"The boy wants to die. I am merely helping him achieve that state." The bat cackled and rose higher in the air. "You cannot stop me. Why did Helba send you here? What good are you?" Tsukasa's body finally became still. He was still alive.
Grrrr…. Mimiru scowled. What can I do? Whatever it takes to take this thing down! She held out her hands and to her amazement, her necklace appeared.
Mimiru held the necklace Tsukasa gave her by the chain and began swinging around her head, unaware of the black energy it was emitting. The bat let out an anxious shriek and flew up into the darkness, away from Tsukasa. Her necklace began to glow red, becoming a laser in the thick darkness.
"You can't hide from me!" Mimiru shouted out, letting go of her necklace and allowing it to fling into the darkness. She heard the final shriek of the bat, the plop of its body on the ground, and its blood spilling. She watched as Tsukasa's body returned to normal. She could even hear him breathing.
Suddenly, there was light everywhere. They were in some weird, empty realm. The vast, infiniteness of the realm astounded Mimiru. It was as if a bed, two people, and a dead bat had suddenly been dropped into space somewhere. There was nothing else around them. Where were they?
Mimiru ran over to the bat's dead body. Its red blood was still flowing out of it. But wait… There was a huge sword implanted in the bat's stomach. Mimiru stared at it in wonder. "Where did you come from?" Mimiru cocked her head to one side. The handle was brown with a turquoise end and the wide blade was silver with brown zigzags extending from the handle to the middle of the blade. It was an impressive sword. But where did it come from?
Mimiru put one hand on the sword and pulled it out easily. The bat's body disintegrated into tiny black particles and vanished. The sword fit in her hands as if it was hers. She slashed it around quickly, testing it. What's going on? I've never used a sword before, have I? What does this mean? And where's my necklace? Mimiru froze and whirled around. Tsukasa had sat up in bed and was watching her.
Mimiru ran over to him. "Mimiru, where are we? What's going on?" Tsukasa sounded scared. Mimiru dropped the sword on the ground and hugged him tightly. "M-Mimiru?"
"You idiot! Why did you do you that? How could you?" Mimiru let go of Tsukasa and slapped him across the face. "Taking all those pills like that! Your stomach is sensitive as it is."
"Mi…" Tsukasa gently held his cheek and held Mimiru's gaze for a long time. "Are we dreaming? This has to be a dream. This can't be the hospital."
"I… I don't know. Helba brought me here. Somehow." Mimiru sat down on Tsukasa's bed, not before picking up the sword. She held it up to the light, admiring it. She slashed the air a couple times, enjoying the feel of the sword. "Tsukasa, do you believe in destiny?"
"What?" Tsukasa sounded confused. "Mimiru, what's going on?"
"I think… I think there's more to the world than malls and school and fairy tales. I think there's a darker, unknown side to the world and we're getting a taste of it right now." Mimiru frowned thoughtfully. "There was a monster here, Tsukasa. A huge bat that was killing you. And I used this sword to kill it. Helba knew about this. She knows that the world isn't all silver and gold. We're being dragged into something, Tsukasa. And we have to be careful."
"A bat? With white eyes?" Tsukasa asked curiously. Mimiru turned to him in shock. "That monster… I used to have nightmares about it when I was younger. One Halloween, my father wouldn't let me Trick-or-Treat outside so I was stuck watching movies instead. I saw that monster in one of the movies and I never forgot about it. It plagued my nightmares… until I met you. The day before I met you was the last time I had a nightmare about it."
"Really?" Mimiru smirked to herself. "So I had to kill it twice to make it stay down. What a sucker!" She swiped her sword for emphasis proudly. Then she remembered how she ended up here in the first place. "Tsukasa, I'm sorry for upsetting you. For cutting myself… you have to believe me, I'm doing better. I really am. As a matter of fact, I forgot about it. I did. I should have waited until the scars healed before I went around flaunting my arms…"
"Mimiru… it's partially my fault, too." Tsukasa's eyes filled with tears. "I've been such a horrible friend and I… Seeing that monster again just brought back so many bad memories… Mimiru, after Helba brought me home, I threw up in the toilet. Then I went to wash my mouth out and I saw it. That bat was leering at me from the mirror. And it wouldn't go away, no matter how many times I screamed at it. Its mouth just kept on getting bigger and bigger until I thought the whole bathroom was going to swallow me whole. I couldn't take it anymore. I just kept throwing the pills down my throat until…" He was openly sobbing now.
"Look, Tsukasa, we've got to stop crying." Mimiru smiled sadly, wiping her own tears away. "Right now, we've got to get back to our world. We can't stay here forever. Tsukasa, we both need help."
"That you do!" A voice called out cheerfully and the teens both jumped. It was Helba. Or at least, her voice. "Allow me to assist you both." The whiteness of the room seemed to intensify after her words. The radiance of the realm began to blind the teens. Mimiru and Tsukasa held onto each other, eyes scrunched shut.
Mimiru felt as if she was flying somewhere, fast. She could no longer feel Tsukasa with her or her sword. As she felt her body slowing down, she heard Helba whisper: "Good job, Black Rose." Then there was nothing but oblivion.
"Mimiru! Mimiru, wake up!" Someone was calling her. Mimiru sat up in amazement. She had been sleeping in her bed? What the heck was going on? Mimiru's mother was standing in her room, screaming joyously at her. Then Mimiru remembered everything that happened in that weird place and her eyes widened. "-and the doctors have no idea how it happened, but he's already made a full recovery! Isn't this wondrous, Mimiru?"
"Wait, Mom, what's going on?" Mimiru's eyes nearly popped out of her head. "How long was I out?"
"What do you mean?" Mimiru's mother gave her an odd look. "I just left the room to call Mrs. Robertson, when Bear called. Tsukasa woke up and he's going to be just fine. All traces of drugs in his body have completely vanished. The hospital is going to have him stay overnight, but he'll be released as soon as the sun rises tomorrow." Mimiru's Mom watched her daughter's joyous reaction.
I did it. I saved Tsukasa! Mimiru grinned to herself. But wow… Tsukasa and I spent so much time in that weird place… which was like no time at all in the real world. I was gone for maybe a couple minutes in real life… How freaky is that?
"Let's go to the hospital!" Mimiru's Mom gestured for her daughter to get up and she did. Mimiru practically bolted down the steps, ready to meet Tsukasa. I saved him, I did it. Tsukasa doesn't need Subaru. He has me. Me. Mimiru smiled to herself as her Mom snatched the car keys off the counter. "I'm ready, Mom."
Woohoo! Another chapter finished! Next up, the weirdness continues. "She" is finally revealed. Why is Helba afraid of Her? Why is She after Tsukasa? And can Mimiru protect him? Or will someone else have to step up to the plate?