BROKEN WINGS-A NEGIMA/LOVE HINA CROSSOVER
The characters in this story are not related to me but to their respective creators.
Act 8-Inner Demons
"I am back here again." Setsuna looked around her. The big field, the blue sky, which are all too familiar to her. For several months, the dream remained dormant then she will dream about this place again. It's always the same. A female voice is singing and when Setsuna approached the lady, she will wake up from it or the dream will turn into a nightmare.
Now, she is back in this dream again. She walked towards the female voice and saw the lady again. This time, Setsuna is determined to know who she is. She remembers the image of the same lady when she wants to give the final blow to her father.
The same person that told her not to kill her father.
She waited for the lady to finish singing and she finally did. Setsuna look up at the lady and asked her "My name is Setsuna. Who are you? Why did you always appear in my dreams?"
The lady spoke "Setsuna, you must save your father. He is confused, only you can save him.
"How? Why me? He killed Shoko San and now wanted to kill me! I really don't know what to do. I can't kill my own father." Setsuna explain her dilemma to her.
The lady replied. "Setsuna, only your love can bring him back to the light. You will know when the time comes."
"Why are you telling me all these? Who are you?" She questioned back.
"You'll know in times to come. Take care of yourself, my child."
The skies suddenly turn white and the glaring of the white light blinded Setsuna.
The next moment, Setsuna opened her eyes and found herself in her own bedroom. She looked at the clock next to her bed.
4.30 A.M. She now remember what's going on. A week has passed since Shoko's death. Her funeral was small and quiet with only Setsuna and a few others attended it. Her altar was then placed next to her mother's.
Hino Yukari escaped again during the last encounter with Motoko. However, Eishun had already send scouts to seek out their new hideout.
Setsuna felt responsible for her death and what her father, Karas or Sora (or whatever his name was), told her that she will bring death and misfortune wherever she goes. Ever through, Tsuruko and the others didn't blame her for what happened, she could still see Shoko's death replay over and over again.
Her right feather wing is covered in bandages and she can't shrink it back into her body because of it. Her pupils in both eyes have turned yellow for no reason.
Eishun suggested that because of the broken seals, her true form is starting to appear. Motoko say that her eyes looked similar to a crow.
"A crow." Setsuna said it to herself. Her father's words keep repeating in her head. A curse, he said. Her father told her that he will kill her if they ever meet again. Those words sent a chill into her spine.
She lay down on the bed and goes back to sleep again.
The following morning, Setsuna woke up and saw Motoko practicing her kendo in the dojo. She watched quietly as Motoko perform in grace. Setsuna wished she could be strong as her. More stronger than her, Tsuruko or her own father. Maybe then Shoko might still be alive.
Motoko finished her last move and took a breather. She saw Setsuna near the door and greeted "Setsuna, morning."
"Morning, Motoko Nee chan." Setsuna greeted back. She entered the dojo and Motoko approached her.
"How are you feeling today?" She asked Setsuna.
Setsuna give a soft reply "I'm much better now. I want to recover soon so I can resume my training."
"You don't have to hurry. Let your wounds heal by itself." Motoko answered.
"But if I start training again, I will get stronger and will be able to protect you and Tsuruko Nee chan." Setsuna anxiously told her.
"Don't worry about us. We can take of ourselves." Motoko tries to calm Setsuna down.
"You don't understand! I can't let another person get hurt because of me! Shoko San died because of me! Okaa San died because of me too! If anything happened to you or Tsuruko Nee chan, I will..."
Motoko immediately placed her index finger on Setsuna's lips and shook her head.
"Look, Setsuna. What happened to your Okaa San is an accident and Shoko San did it because she love you. You can't blame yourself on some ancient superstitious that you will bring bad luck to everyone!"
"I ask you, how long has it been since you have been with us?" Motoko asked her.
"All my life." Setsuna replied.
"Did anything really bad happen to me or Tsuruko Nee chan?" Motoko asked.
"No." Setsuna give a soft reply.
"See? There's nothing to get worry about." Motoko told her with confidence.
"But what about Otou San? He say that he will kill me the next time we meet. I am really scared, Motoko Nee chan." Setsuna spoke with much fear in her.
"Don't worry! Tsuruko Nee chan and I will deal with him the next time he tries again! You won't get a scratch!" Motoko conform the scared twelve-year-old girl.
Setsuna immediately hugged Motoko. Little did both of them know, Tsuruko was standing behind the door entrance, listening to their conversation. She smiled to herself and returned back to the main hall.
Another week has passed. Setsuna removed the bandages off her wings. Her injuries have recovered and she can shrunk it back into her body by will. She took her sword, Homura and entered the dojo.
She begins with some simple moves and by the end of the first hour, she has finished all the basic and immediate skills of Shin Mei Ryu. She took a deep breath and looked outside the dojo. The chirping of sparrows relaxed her mind.
Tsuruko and Kenji have left to Eishun's residence while Motoko is relaxing in her room.
Setsuna thought to herself. If she want to get stronger, she must learn how to use her demon bloodline. All these years, Setsuna have been trying to suppress the demon within her.
But yet, there is always a deep, dark part of her waiting to use these powers to become stronger. Each time, she use a little portion of it, she wanted more! She could do anything with these powers! But another voice within told her it is dangerous and she will become a monster.
Setsuna turned pale and remember how her own father murdered those villagers and Shoko. If she really use these powers, she will truly become a monster like her father.
"Isn't there a way to control these powers?" She asked herself.
She walked to a corner of the dojo and sat on her knees. She placed her sword on the floor beside her and started to mediate.
Setsuna never really like mediation but Tsuruko explain to her that it's a way of finding one's self and sometimes, finding the answer she is looking for.
She closed her eyes and breath deeply. Setsuna clear her thoughts and focus on where can she seek her answers.
The surrounding air felt cold and the crickets stop chirping. She could felt a presence in front of her. It was looking at her. Taunting her.
A scent of uneasiness interrupted her mediation and she opened her eyes.
The dojo was gone and she is levitating on air. She could see clouds below her feets and her wings had appeared without her knowledge. She flew forward to see what is in front of her.
As she flew, she could feel someone or something is watching her. She cling her sword tightly on her right hand.
Suddenly, a black figure appeared infront of her at high speed! The figure was holding a stick like object and is about strike at Setsuna!
Setsuna could barely block the oncoming attack! Her attacker turned around for another pass!
"Who are you?" Setsuna shouted at the figure!
But the figure did not responded and charged at Setsuna again! Setsuna immediately evade by going into a lower altitude thus, avoiding the attack.
She gives chase to the figure and it turned around. Setsuna raised her sword, ready to strike but the figure blocks it and two pair of eyes looked at each other for the first time!
Setsuna couldn't believe whom she was fighting with! That familiar hairstyle, the small body shape and those distinctive yellow pupil eyes!
"Oh my god...you're me!" Setsuna say to her attacker.
The figure let out an evil smile and spoke "Yes. I am you!"
Setsuna moved back with her sword still pointing at her evil self.
A doppelganger! Setsuna know whom she is fighting with! But how could this be?
"Who are you? Where do you come from?" She questioned the doppelganger.
"Why, I am your inner self, your shadow. Your dark side, everything you hate and everything you desire to be!" The doppelganger laughed at her but Setsuna tried to remain calm.
"Could this be my inner demon?" Setsuna wondered.
"I know who you are, Setsuna. I know all your little secrets. I know you hate Otou San! He killed Shoko and you can't wait to kill him with your bare hands. You are also jealous of Tsuruko and Motoko. They are stronger and more beautiful than you. You hate them and wanted to kill them too!" The doppelganger taunted Setsuna, trying to break her spirit.
"That's not true! I love Tsuruko and Motoko Nee Chan! They're the only family I have!" Setsuna argue back at the doppelganger.
"But you wanted to be stronger than them so you can kill Otou San! Isn't that what you want?" The doppelganger told her straight in the face!
"No! No! No! I won't sacrifice my family to kill Otou San! I will save him! Ever if I have give up my life for him!" Setsuna shouted back.
"If you embrace me, you will have powers far more than you can ever imagine. You will be stronger than anyone in the world!"
The doppelganger dance around Setsuna while tempting her. Setsuna's will power tried to fight the temptation and not succumbing to it.
She closed her eyes and recalled her younger days where her life is still innocent.
The love given by Tsuruko and Motoko. The training she endures. The times with Konoka. The good and bad times she had at Eishun's mansion.
Then an image appeared.
The same woman in her dream. She was not alone. Shoko was with her.
"Setsuna, believe in your faith." The woman told her.
"Setsuna, we'll always be here for you." Shoko spoke.
Setsuna finally know whom to believe! She opened her eyes and pointed her sword at the doppelganger.
"Wait! You're me! You can't kill me!" The doppelganger panics as Setsuna have drove the temptation off her!
Setsuna spin her entire body at an incredible speed and shouted "Shin Mei Ryu Ougi! Mi Ken! HYAKURETSU OUKAN ZEN!" Her blade slices the doppelganger at amazing speed!
Within a second, Setsuna was facing face front behind her. The doppelganger let off a terrible scream and her body was burning in purple flames.
The entire surroundings started to shake in pieces! Setsuna looked up and saw a small ray of light in the dark clouds and immediately flew towards it.
The moment she reached the light, her world turned white and the glaring rays blinded her.
She opened her eyes and found herself back at the dojo. Setsuna realized that the mediation did pay off and she is now able to overcome her doubts and fears.
She looked outside and the sky was still blue as ever.
Motoko entered the dojo and asked "What are you looking at, Setsuna?"
She replied "Motoko Nee chan. I was just admiring how the sky was."
"Really? It does look kind of blue through." Motoko too looked up the sky.
Setsuna smiled at Motoko and then looked at the palm of her right hand. The dream she had was too real but now, she is not confused anymore.
"I have cleared my doubts, Motoko Nee chan. I will save my Otou San. I will bring him back to the light." Setsuna spoke with determination at Motoko.
Motoko could feel the determination by Setsuna and knew in her heart that Setsuna will not be a burden anymore.
"I see you found the answers you were looking for." Motoko smiled back at her.
"Yes." Setsuna answered back.
Motoko pat Setsuna's head and smiled "When that time come, Tsuruko Nee chan and I will support you all the way."
"Thank you, Motoko Nee chan." Setsuna smiled and give Motoko a hug around her.
"Come on, let's take a bath together. It's been a long time since we had one. " Motoko suggested.
"Hai, Motoko Nee Chan." She smiled back and the two girls entered the main house...
Tsuruko and Kenji looked at Eishun with a serious look. Eishun had explained to them that Setsuna's sudden changes and the fact that Karas is her father had already caused a stir in the Kansai Magic Community. Although Eishun had tried to do damage control but the point is Shin Mei Ryu will be affected because of Setsuna.
"Konoe Sama, Setsuna is only a child! Her father left her when she was only a baby. She will have no idea that her father will become the enemy. How can the Kansai Magic Community judge that Setsuna is a traitor!" Tsuruko argued back at Eishun.
"I understand your feeling, Tsuruko San. But the fact is Karas is working for Amakusa. If we don't stop him soon, the entire Kansai Magic Community will be in chaos." Eishun spoke calmly to her.
Kenji then asked "Konoe Sama, what about the Shin Mei Ryu clan? What are the chances for Setsuna?"
"I wouldn't know. But there are already rumors going around saying the Aoyama family is raising a demon. Can you imagine the chaos if they ever found out Setsuna is a demon?" Eishun answered.
"I know what is going to happen but Setsuna is only twelve! She just found out who really she was! I can't bear to tell her the news that she must leave Shin Mei Ryu because of who she is!" Tsuruko explained.
Eishun stood up and look outside the Sakura trees. His heart told him as a friend, he cared a lot for Setsuna like a second daughter. As the head of Kansai Magic Association, it is his duty to answer Kyoto's magic community and not to let his personal feelings get in the way. He let go a sign and answer the couple.
" I will try to help Setsuna as much as I can. The rest is up to you, Tsuruko San."
"Thank you, Konoe Sama." The couple thank their master and was about to leave when all of sudden…
An explosion rocked the entire hall!
"What the?" Eishun wondered!
Two more explosions ignited the mansion! Tsuruko and Kenji held their swords and went nearer to Eishun.
"Stay with us, Konoe Sama!" Kenji ordered his master as they searched the room for anything unusual.
Himiko rushed into the hall with half a breath to spare! Her face seemed anxious!
"What happened, Himiko San?" Eishun asked.
"It's Amakusa! He brought his men and caught us off guard!" Himiko told her Master.
"He must be crazy for a full frontal assault at the Mansion!" Tsuruko was shocked by the enemy's actions.
"Fujimaru and the others are trying to hold them off but there is a sword man who is incredibly strong!" Himiko told Tsuruko.
"Karas!" Kenji answered his name.
"It must be him!" Eishun agreed.
"What do we do, Konoe Sama?" Tsuruko asked.
"Get all the men to prepare arms! We will face Amakusa!" Eishun ordered his men.
Tsuruko was shocked by his orders and protested "Konoe Sama! It's too dangerous! Who know what Amakusa want?"
"I will have to face him sooner or later." Eishun spoke in a calm voice.
"Then we face together!" Tsuruko held her sword tighter.
Suddenly the main door was broken into two! Tsuruko, Kenji and Himiko went in front of Eishun and saw two figures approaching them. Tsuruko recognized one of them.
"KARAS!" Tsuruko shouted at them.
Karas walk steadily with his sword in one hand. His face showed no emotions but he looked at Tsuruko and spoke "We meet again, Shin Mei Ryu."
"It's been a while, Eishun." Another figure behind Karas spoke. An elderly looking man wearing black priest clothing. His eye is filled with hate as he looked at Eishun.
"Amakusa Tenmuji!" Eishun say his name.
"You know that I hate to make a mess if you would have given up your position as head of Kansai Magic Association. But you have to team up with those western mages and the Kantou Magic Association! Saying that it was good for our community! Our magic does not need outsiders to get involved!" Tenmuji blaming at Eishun.
"But I doing everything for our community! We need to accept changes and to strengthen ties with other magic associations!" Eishun tries to explain to an angry Tenmuji.
"Silence! Your dead wife is a white mage and her father is part of the western magic community! You bring outsiders into our world! You are a traitor!" Tenmuji argued back!
"Don't you dare bring my family into this!" Eishun was furious by Tenmuji's remarks!
"Very well…Karas, I want Eishun alive!" Tenmuji ordered Karas.
"Hai, Amakusa Sama!" Karas immediately dashed towards the group!
Tsuruko and Kenji held their swords and blocked Karas's path! Karas's strength is pushing both of them steadily down! Himiko pushed Eishun to the back of the hall hoping it will buy some time! Suddenly Karas kicked Tsuruko in the stomach and flung Kenji to the right!
Kenji crashed to the wall and broke his left arm! Tsuruko try to bear the pain by Karas, looking at her wounded husband.
"Kenji!" She shouted.
"I am okay! I still can fight!" Kenji held his sword on his right arm.
Karas looked at the couple trying their best to defend and spoke "Out of my way or you will suffer."
"I won't! Setsuna want you back as her father and I am bringing you to see her!" Tsuruko told Karas.
"All right." Karas replied. He closed his eyes and in a flash, a pair of black wings appeared behind his back!
Tsuruko and Kenji know in their hearts that they are in for the fight of their lives!
Three hours passed. Motoko and Setsuna were wondering what is taking Tsuruko and Kenji so long.
"She's late." Motoko took a sip of her tea and looked outside the quiet evening. Setsuna entered the living room, wondering the same thing too.
"Tsuruko Nee chan and Kenji San should be home hours ago. I hope nothing bad happened to them." Setsuna was worried for them.
Then a knock came from the main gate. The knocking was continuous and seems very urgent. The two girls rushed to the gate and opened it. The moment they opened the gate, they found a familiar white priestess figure lying in blood.
"Himiko San!" Setsuna recognized the familiar priestess and rushed to her aid! Himiko slowly opened her eyes and was excited by Setsuna's appearance!
"Setsuna San! Amakusa attacks Konoe Mansion! Konoe Sama is being held hostage!" Himiko quickly told them!
"Konoe Sama? What about Tsuruko Nee Chan and Kenji San?" Motoko asked anxiously!
"They were fighting with Karas and Konoe Sama stay behind. He ordered me to get help from outside! I barely made it here." Himiko was injured and exhausted. She could barely open her eyes and then she collapsed.
"Himiko San!" Setsuna couldn't believe that her father is going to kill her friends! She looked at Motoko, hoping for an answer!
"What should we do, Motoko Nee Chan?" She asked.
"We are going to the Mansion and we are going to need help! Big help!" Motoko prayed in her heart that her sister will be all right.
TO BE CONTINUED…
Author's notes: This is a short chapter on Setsuna on finding the truth she is looking for. The next chapter will be the final showdown between father and daughter! Will Setsuna be able to save her father? Find out in the next chapter! (Coming Soon, I hope.)