By reading this, you are promising to not get pissed off at the next statement.
I'm not going to be able to get any writing done for a few days because of a big group video-making project. So, instead of making you all wait for another week or so for an update, I'm just going to give you a very short chapter. Originally, this was planned to be only part of the big Nyuu-Kouta reunion chapter, but now it is probably just the shortest chapter I'm ever going to have. And there is no Kouta or Nyuu to be seen. Please don't hurt me.
Wanna hear a secret? Come here; lean in to your screen so I can whisper it to you. Come on, I can't let just anybody hear this, this is an important secret that only my readers can know… I said, lean in closer! Come just a little bit closer. Alright, that's good………………..I DON'T OWN ELFEN LIED!
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Nana felt her.
She felt the sharp stab in her head that always came at first. She felt the tingling that was always left afterwards; the buzzing, stinging bees that warned her of another diclonius. The air seemed heavier; it weighed down on Nana's shoulders and began to strain her back. Beads of sweat began to form on her forehead as a dull throbbing began to pulse in Nana's chest, like a second heart.
That only happened when she was close Nana wondered why she hadn't felt her sooner; normally the signs would start at a much further distance, but the second heartbeat never began until she was within earshot, at least. Then again, the second heartbeat was usually stronger and faster; the pulse that could be felt now was much slower and fainter. It was weak and feeble, couldn't even be heard. When Nana had first felt the pulse, it had filled her ears with an overpowering thump, thump…thump, thump… like a gigantic drum being beaten. Now, it was silent, but it was still there, and Nana could still feel it. She could still feel the anger and sadness that flowed through her veins, now that the second heart was providing the blood.
It made her cold, and the girl wrapped her arms around herself. But they were even colder; merely tools – fine for grabbing and picking things up, but no substitute when solace and warmth were needed. And the prosthetics were also reminders of what this woman had done to her…
"Nana…are you all right?" Mayu was very alarmed; her friend was turning deathly pale and hugging herself, two things that just weren't normal on a sweltering hot day like this.
"Are you feeling sick?" Yuka didn't think it was likely, but Nana was such a thin, undernourished girl, (obviously hadn't gotten nearly enough to eat in her childhood) maybe she had suddenly come down with something. Her body couldn't be in very good shape to combat sickness; Yuka was almost sure that the girl was underweight. "Do you need anything?"
"No…" Nana wished that her Papa was here to help her with this, to give these arms and legs warmth. The second heart was pumping all kinds of horrible things through her, things that scared her and gave her insight into disturbing trains of thought. Suicidal depression, nauseating disdain, cold, murderous rage; all of these things ran through her body and Nana spiraled through mood swing after mood swing. Normally, Nana would have gone through these feelings so quickly that she wouldn't have even been able to single them out; the second heart would shoot them out a such a fast rate, she wouldn't have been effected by the emotions at all. But the pulse in her chest was pushing them out feebly now and they took their sweet time running through Nana's subconscious.
"Are you sure?" Yuka had concern written all over her face: Nana's eyes were closed tightly now, and she was trembling slightly, as if she was in pain. Maybe she has a fever…Yuka reached over the table to feel Nana's forehead, but her hand was slapped away, and it hit the corner of the table hard, sending a tingling wave of pain up into her arm.
"Yes, I'm sure!" Nana snapped, shocking both Mayu and Yuka with her harsh tone. Nana felt the raw surge of anger pass, and she immediately regretted what she had said and done. For a moment she had felt nothing but disgust and paranoia towards her guardian, towards the human who saw her as a freak and a thing without worth…Why did you make me do that? Nana questioned the second pulse, who remained silent. Look at what I have done…Nana felt horrible when she looked at the faces; the eyes were wide and full of a surprised sadness. They were only worrying about me, and I've hurt them!
"I'm sorry!" Nana cried, "I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" Her words were tinged with desperation. "It wasn't me! Please, it wasn't me!" Nana was scared that Mayu and Yuka would begin to cry, begin to call her a horrible person, tell her to leave and never come back, and the second heart was only fueling her sense of fear. "Nana is a good girl, Nana would never do something like that!"
Mayu was horribly confused, she wished she could help her friend, give Nana something to help with…with whatever was happening to her. The horned girl sounded frightened of something, but Mayu didn't understand it at all. So, in an attempt to console her, Mayu reached a hand to Nana's shoulder. When it made contact with the cold, pale skin, however, Nana drew away quickly with a tiny whimper.
She's going to hurt me…Nana thought. She's going to hurt me, she's going to steal something from me, she's going to take something I need away. Images of children smashing a small dog's face in, the blood pooling around the table, the cruel laughter and little smiles. Memories that didn't belong to Nana swam through her head and gave birth to feelings that didn't belong to Nana. For a horrible moment, the pink haired girl contemplated killing Mayu so she wouldn't have the chance to hurt her. The second heartbeat pumped it all through her; gave her a horrible understanding of the person who had stolen away her arms and legs.
Mayu didn't like what was going on. Nana was seemingly afraid of being touched, something that she had never exhibited before. The girl's wine-colored eyes were darting around and she was now backed up against the wall, she was like a frightened animal who had been forced into a corner; one that might attack in a desperate frenzy. Nana just wasn't herself, but Mayu got up and walked towards her anyway; she had to at least try to calm Nana down.
It's coming to hurt me… it wasn't Mayu anymore; it was a drooling monster who wanted nothing more than to rip her apart. It wanted to lie to her, to lure her in with false promises of friendship, and then rip out her heart for the world to see. It wanted to see her miserable, because it was miserable. And when you're miserable…you need someone…even more miserable than yourself. The thought was not Nana's; it spoke in a much more cynical, bitter tone inside her head.
The body listens to what the mind says, whether the voice is its own or not. Invisible snakes slithered out from Nana, their fingers clenching and unclenching in anxiety. Nana inwardly screamed in protest, but the body listened to the louder voice – the one that was telling it to prepare for a splatter.
Mayu didn't know why she felt a sudden chill or why Nana's eyes seemed to hold so much conflict, but she kept walking towards her; she had to help somehow. Mayu never knew how close she had brushed with death that day; the arms were already rocketing toward her, ready to rip her asunder and paint the walls with her blood.
The arms stopped inches away from Mayu's neck. She was hugging her, the young, pure, compassionate girl was hugging Nana, comforting her in the only way she could think of. The transparent snakes slid back into their holes without making a sound. The cynical voice disappeared, but the second heart didn't stop pulsing, quite the contrary. It grew a bit faster, and different thoughts and foreign memories invaded. Memories of a little black-haired boy with a wooden box and a not-so-little black-haired man…
At that moment, Mayu was Nana's Papa, giving her warmth, security, and, most of all, the simple knowledge that she cared.
The second heartbeat seemed to have been prompted by the embrace – one last image was pushed through: a very fuzzy and vague one. Nana couldn't tell what was going on with her mind's eye but she could feel tremendous happiness overflow from it. Everything was so blurred, even the words were merely gibberish, couldn't be understood. Nana could feel the warmth though; it was even stronger than the warmth that Mayu was giving her now.
Apparently satisfied with the trouble it had caused, the second heartbeat withdrew from Nana's chest and retreated to the back of her mind. Nana would be able to check on it any time she wanted, but she could also easily ignore it, now that the bond between the two horned girls was established. It really shouldn't have been that hard to go through, the bond shouldn't have taken that long, but for some reason the heartbeat had done everything so slowly…
"It wasn't me…" I came so close to killing…Nana was crying into Mayu's shoulder now, it had all been too much. "I'm a good girl…I wouldn't ever hurt Mayu… It was her…her…"
"Who, Nana?" asked Mayu. She still didn't understand what was going on, but at least Nana seemed to be herself again.
"Lucy…" Nana said, finally mustering the resolve to break away from Mayu. "She's here…"
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All right! That's it! No more putting it off! Next chapter they WILL meet! I swear! I should have that out pretty soon, provided I get some reviews, as always. Come on; cough those comments up!
To all of ya'll who reviewed me, once again, you have my everlasting devotion. Plus, you get a shout-out!
Warui-Usagi: Dang, you reviewed fast; that's what I like to see! I've noticed something about your reviews: they have been getting a little longer with each chapter. First review was a sentence, second review was two, third review was four. You have a pattern of doubles set up! Anyway, I HAVE to thank you for all the LOVE you are sending my way.
Zion Cross: You are awesome, man. You keep giving me such great feedback! I totally agree with you on the subject of Nana and I'm going to continue delving into her; she isn't going to disappear now that Lucy/Nyuu is here. Of course, my main focus will be with the dehorned diclonius and Kouta, but Nana is going to have a few issues living with the one who sliced her up like a piece of meat. And did I really help you gain respect for Wanta? You aren't pulling my chain? Now that's cool.
Taki: Thanks! And if you're reading this, it means that you have continued my little fic, so thanks again!
Chnmmer: He, he, he… Sorry to have kept you waiting! You can stop twitching now.
A Still Dedicated Reviewer: Wow, that was a unique compliment. I found it surprisingly flattering. Way too much information though.
FirstXeNOCIDE: Thanks for giving me all the army info. I'm afraid that you totally sold some of my buds on the idea of enlisting, though. When they heard that you had a ps2 out there…And as for your "twisted" story: just remember that "twisted" is merely another word for "original". I've got an open mind. Don't hold out on me here!
Niara01: Glad I could help.
DSJF-X18: Yes, I have put this reunion off for a while, haven't I? And I don't blame you for thinking about starting in the same spot…it's really the best place to begin any after-the-show-is-over Elfen Lied fic.
Inuhanyou: All right, you're starting to make me blush. I don't know if mine is the best…but I will agree with you on the fact that my perspective-jumping is pure genius. :)