A/N: I am so bad, starting a new multi-chapter fanfic when I still have another to write and tons of other crap to finish for university. Lol. But because I love you guys, I really wanted to write another Toji No Miko fanfic, particularly one that's based in the actual universe rather than an alternate one like "Bloody Crown".
This fanfic focuses on every single one of our favourite pairings: Kanami X Hiyori, Mai X Sayaka, and Ellen X Kaoru. I wanted to write more about the other four Tojis since most of my fanfics focus on just Kanami and Hiyori. Oh, and by the way, this takes place two years after the last episode of Toji No Miko.
Anyway, I hope you really enjoy this fanfic as much as I enjoyed planning it out!
Chapter 1: A Disrupted Day
Cherry blossoms blooming in mid-March were considered a rather early, but not unwelcome, source of pleasure for the city of Kamakura. Feeling the familiar swell of warmth from the spring sun rush over her, Kanami lay down more comfortably on the picnic blanket and reached for another of Mai's cookies. It was only ten o'clock in the morning and already the park was full of people. Most had their phones or digital cameras out, taking photos and uttering words of exclamation at such beauty. Others, who had the same idea as Kanami and her five friends, were settled under those picture-perfect trees and enjoying bento boxes with sake. At one side of the park, two street musicians were playing a few jazz tunes, almost drowned by the hum of chatter.
A walrus-like sound that was supposed to be a sigh of annoyance came from Kaoru, who rolled over onto her belly. "Really, we should've gone to a park less busy and obvious."
A murmur of agreement rose up among the six girls, along with a tired "Ne..." from Kaoru's aradama pet. When they had first discovered the park, it had been a small, quiet, and almost secretive place to hang out. They had stumbled upon it almost by chance, desperate for a secluded area close by to relax after a particularly tiring mission. But every spring, the park was a different place with people from even Tokyo taking the train down, all wanting to marvel at the cherry blossoms.
Despite agreeing with Kaoru, at the same time, the group all knew that they never would have scoured for another picnic place. They had been coming here too long; had shared too many secrets over Mai's cookies and Hiyori's beef stews with rice, all carefully packed for their hangouts. Crowded though the park was, anywhere else would have felt wrong.
"So, have you both decided on what you'll be doing after you graduate?" Mai asked, glancing at Ellen and Kaoru.
"I've already got accepted to the National Guard University," Ellen said. "I still plan to keep being a Toji and study towards working for the Special Sword Administration Bureau, like Chie."
Still flopped on her belly, Kaoru groaned, "I don't even want to think about all that stuff. Not when I'm constantly being slaved around by that old director."
"You'll soon regret it once you find yourself a NEET," Hiyori said, sipping tea from her thermos. "The fact that you even got the grades to graduate is amazing." Her remark launched a new wave of bickering between her and the pink-haired loli, a sight all too familiar for the other four girls.
Letting out a giggle, Kanami's mouth lifted into a smile of contentment as she lay on her back, staring up at the blue sky and fluffy clouds. With the cherry blossom trees above her, she was reminded of that fateful day two years ago when she and Hiyori returned from the netherworld. She remembered the joy they shared reuniting with their tearful friends, arms wrapped around each other in a group hug. Silently in her mind, Kanami prayed that even after Ellen and Kaoru graduated, all six of them could stay together forever. Naïve and childish though her wish seemed, on a perfect day like this, she somehow felt that it could come true. Being together with the five girls she cared for the most, nothing could possibly go wrong...right?
"My point is," Kaoru said, still arguing with Hiyori, "that sometimes, life is more than just work. You have to appreciate the little things in the present, you know? We only get so many of them. Just...be in the moment and most importantly, relax."
When she received five silent stares, she demanded, "What?"
"That was surprisingly...insightful for you of all people to say, Kaoru," Sayaka said, in her normal blank manner.
"What do you mean of all people?!" said Kaoru. Grabbing some extra small blankets that Ellen had brought, she flung them over her entire body as though they'd block everything around her. "Tch. Enough of this. I'm losing precious nap time." Nene curled up on top of his mistress with a tranquil "Ne..." and closed his eyes.
They barely got to feel comfortable before all six of the Tojis' Spectrum Finders began blaring loudly. Her eyebrows furrowing into a scowl, Kaoru thought, 'I spoke too soon.'
"We have to clear the area," Mai said. "Sayaka-chan, you and I will help guide these citizens to a safety point. You four, go suppress the aradama."
"Roger!" Ellen responded with her chipper grin.
Looking at her Spectrum Finder, Hiyori said, "It's in the woods over there," before speeding off, the other three close behind her.
Breathing heavily, the four Tojis sped through the dense thicket until they reached a clearing, okatanas raised. However, the sight they were met with was one that none of them expected. Already, a Renpu Toji was engaged in combat with the towering spider-shaped aradama. The fearsome ten-foot monster tried snapping at its opponent, who was so fast that her speed almost rivalled Hiyori's. Before even ten seconds passed, the spider aradama lost more than half of its eight legs. Losing balance, the creature barely knew what hit it before the Toji's okatana raked across its cranium, ending the short fight.
Wiping what little sweat there was on her forehead, the Renpu Toji laughed, "Who would have thought my arachnophobia makes me scared of little tiny spiders, but not big huge aradama ones?"
Still stupefied in awe, Kanami did a double take, squinting her eyes to be sure. She'd know that blue ponytail and those greenish-grey eyes anywhere.
"Ricchan?!"
"Eh? Kanami?!"
Faces lit up like the sun, the two ran over to each other and embraced, letting out a series of delighted squeals. Pulling away first, the mysterious Toji replied, "Kanami, it has been forever! I'm so happy to see you again."
"Me too," Kanami said. It wasn't until she heard running feet and Mai's shouts of concern that she remembered her other friends.
"Is everyone alright? Did you defeat it?" Mai panted, hurrying up with Sayaka hot on her tail.
"Well, not us exactly..." Kaoru said. "Not that I'm complaining about the conservation of my energy."
With a bright smile, Kanami introduced, "Everyone, this is Ricchan, my old childhood friend."
"Fujita Ritsuko. Pleased to meet you," Ritsuko said with a polite bow and a smile before something small and orange came shooting towards her. "Eh—?!"
"Oi. Stop that," Kaoru reprimanded Nene, holding his tail to keep him from Ritsuko's chest.
Everyone was quick to start making acquaintances with the girl, save for Sayaka who already attended the same school as her. Only Hiyori remained silent. Fujita Ritsuko had a strong face, not plain nor fair exactly, but something of both, with even features and laugh lines around her mouth and very dark eyelashes. Her disposition was friendly and her charm was one that easily drew everyone in. There was an air about her of barely repressed mirth as if she knew some happy and hilarious secret that she was determined to keep to herself.
And she was...for the first time...a friend of Kanami whom Hiyori never knew about.
Failing to repress an amazed gasp, Ritsuko finally took note of the raven-haired beauty. "No way! And you must be Juujou-senpai, right?"
"Eh? Um, yeah..."
In contrast to nearly every other Toji who Hiyori met, instead of looking nervously from the side at her, or icily straight through her, Ritsuko's eyes bored into her own burgundy ones, as if directly assessing her. There was a hidden sparkle to them which Hiyori found...odd.
"You're far more beautiful than everyone gives you credit for," said Ritsuko in a pleasant tone; her handshake was forceful and brief. "But then I rarely give common gossip much credit to begin with."
"So, how did you and Kanami-chan become friends, Ritsuko-chan?" Mai asked.
Scratching the back of her neck in embarrassment, Ritsuko replied, "We met in kindergarten when we were both five after Kanami saved me from a couple of bullies in our grade."
"Oh? So, like a knight-in-shining-armour?" Ellen asked with a teasing look.
"E-Ellen-chan!" Kanami said, her cheeks burning bright red.
Continuing with a laugh, Ritsuko said, "We went to the same elementary school as well and probably would have gone to Minoseki Academy together too. But I had to move to Kamakura with my parents, due to my dad's job with the Origami Family."
"Wait—your dad wouldn't happen to be Fujita Akifumi, perhaps?" Kaoru asked. "Secretary to Yukari-sama and Akane-sama?"
"Yep, that's my old pop," Ritsuko chuckled. "Funny guy, isn't he?"
'Not really...' thought Kaoru who, as one of the Origami Family's Elite Guards, knew Akifumi to be a no-nonsense type of man. But perhaps he was different at home than at work.
"It must have been difficult at first moving to a different city," said Ellen, who was used to going back and forth between the United States and Japan.
"Eh, not really. I actually found it quite thrilling. New place, new friends, new school. Who doesn't like a change?" Ritsuko laughed, before hugging Kanami. "But of course, I was sad to leave you behind, Kanami. You're still my best friend!"
Those two words...best friend...gave Hiyori a weird feeling, though she couldn't determine what it was. Somehow, hearing Ritsuko call Kanami that didn't sit well with the Heijou Toji. Why was she feeling so disturbed? There wasn't anything unusual about it. With a personality as light-hearted as Kanami's, anyone would want to be best friends with her. But seeing how clingy Ritsuko was with the girl she considered her own best friend made Hiyori numb inside.
"How about once the Special Ritual Riot Squad arrive to collect the noro, we all go back to our picnic to talk more comfortably?" Ellen suggested. "Ritchii, you are welcome to join."
"Please, Ricchan! Do come with us!" Kanami said, clasping both of her childhood friend's hands and jumping up and down.
"Sounds game to me," Ritsuko said.
"Yay!" Kanami cried, squeezing the air out of the ponytailed girl.
From the corner of her eye, Kaoru glanced at Hiyori, the only one of them noticeably not thrilled at the idea. Initially, the pink-haired loli joked in her mind that Hiyori probably was a little irritated at how eager Nene was to smother himself between Ritsuko's breasts. However, Kaoru could now see that what was in Hiyori's expression was not annoyance but something more...sad and insecure.
"However, I didn't realize that it wasn't a microwave. So, I was impatiently waiting three minutes for my bento to heat up in a safe!"
Bursts of laughter and giggles rose up among the Tojis at Ritsuko's tale. Holding her stomach, Kanami said, "Ricchan, you haven't changed at all. You're still as funny as ever."
"Well, you haven't changed either, Kanami," Ritsuko replied. "I'm glad of it."
"How on earth could you not tell it was a safe in the first place?" came Hiyori's unamused voice.
Not at all bothered by the Heijou Toji's tone, Ritsuko laughed, "Well, that's just who I am... Rather silly, aren't I?"
"But that's what makes you special, Ricchan!" Kanami said. "Oh, and also your sword-fighting style earlier!"
"Here we go again..." grumbled Kaoru, rolling her eyes.
"I'm so happy I got to see you in combat for the first time. Like that upper-hand swing you did when you twisted yourself mid-air! Oh, and the way you also did that flawless side slash with your blade. What is your okatana's name anyway?"
"Mikazuki."
"So cool! Named after the crescent moon, right? Oh, that reminds me, Ricchan, we should have a spar sometime!"
Knowing that Kanami would keep blabbing on for a long time, the other girls focused on their food, save for Kaoru who wanted to continue with her nap. Eating mechanically, not realizing her stew had gone cold, Hiyori stared off into nothing. Her feelings were all messed up and she couldn't figure out why, though she was aware Ritsuko and Kanami had to do with it. Although she knew Kanami had nothing against her, nor said anything out of ill will, her words somehow pricked Hiyori's heart with a thousand needles.
"Everyone, this is Ricchan, my old childhood friend."
"Please, Ricchan! Do come with us!"
"Ricchan, you haven't changed at all. You're still as funny as ever."
"But that's what makes you special, Ricchan!"
"Oh, that reminds me, Ricchan, we should have a spar sometime!"
'Was this how Mai felt when Kanami started spending more time with me?' Hiyori thought. 'They both considered themselves best friends before me and Kanami went on the run. Did Mai have these feelings too?'
It was Ritsuko who pulled her out of her thoughts. "Juujou-senpai, you were the one who made this beef stew? It's so delicious."
"Huh? O-Oh, thanks," Hiyori mumbled.
"How did you learn to cook?" Ritsuko politely inquired.
"My mother taught me." It was hard to not distinguish the sad tone in Hiyori's voice.
"Your mom, huh? She was Hiiragi Kagari, right? The famous Toji who tried to seal Tagitsuhime? Yukari-sama's former right-hand woman?"
"Yeah..."
"Incredible. You and your family sound so cool."
Another stab to the heart. Hiyori felt her clench on her spoon tighten.
"I guess since you're a Hiiragi yourself, you also personally serve Yukari-sama?" Ritsuko asked. "Dad said that every Hiiragi in history has stood at the Origami Family's side as the Chief Executive of Defence."
"No, not me," Hiyori flatly answered. "Not after...you know what? Forget it." Her friends cringed in remembrance of that certain day Hiyori tried to assassinate the older woman.
As if realizing her error, Ritsuko covered her mouth with her hands. "O-Oh, of course. I sincerely apologize, Juujou-senpai. I was insensitive."
Getting no response, she added, "But I still think it's admirable how you fight for justice with Kanami. Even now, people won't stop talking about how you both vanquished the great aradama. Yukari-sama surely must at least have given you credit for that."
"She has," Hiyori curtly said, adding in her mind, 'and it was completely unnecessary and unwanted.'
She could feel her blood boil at all these reminders of her past that Ritsuko kept bringing up. How could a day that started off pleasant and peaceful be disturbed so easily? Could things get any worse?
"Perhaps now that you're older she'll have something in mind for you."
Just after Ritsuko said this, the girls and everyone else in the park noticed a grand limousine rolling up to the curb nearby, its horn waking up an angry Kaoru. Out stepped Maki and Suzuka, the latter who waved at the Tojis while the other just determinedly strode up.
"Juujou, you'll have to come with us. Yukari-sama wants to speak with you in her office," Maki said.
Meeting the Elite Guard's serious face with a scowl, Hiyori let out an irritated sigh before following her towards the vehicle. It seemed things could indeed get worse than they already were...
Ten minutes later, Hiyori found herself at the Special Sword Administration Bureau, seated on one of the purple sofas in Yukari's office. Right beside her was Iroha, who for some unexplained reason, made the journey all the way from the Heijou Institute to be here. Sitting across from them on the other sofa were Yukari and Akane, neither of their faces betraying any emotion. Even though it was barely noon, Yukari had the curtains closed, making the office more disquieting than it already was. Normally, there were two common reasons why you'd be in the Head of the Origami Family's office. One: a crucial report had to be given, or two: you were in deep trouble. And with the way things were looking now with Maki and Suzuka guarding the doors, refusing to make eye contact with her, Hiyori wasn't sure which of the two she was here for.
"We thank you for coming here on such short notice, Hiyori-san," Akane began. "You might be wondering why we have requested your presence."
Her elder sister, on the other hand, was not in the mood of being delicate and was set on getting straight down to business. "You're sixteen now, Juujou, and need to start thinking about your future."
"I already have," was Hiyori's reply with a rather sour edge to it.
"Oh?"
"Yes, I plan to go to a vocational school after I graduate, return to my house in Nara, and work on the farm as my mother did after she retired," Hiyori said. "A simple and quiet life is what I want."
"Well, I apologize, Juujou, but you won't be getting one," Yukari bluntly said. She hadn't meant to sound cruel, but with her usual serious voice, she didn't sound sorry at all to Hiyori.
"What?" Hiyori growled.
"We all have our places in the world, Juujou, and soon it will be time for you to take yours, just as your Hiiragi ancestors did. You may not agree with me right now, but I shall make sure you do eventually as it is for the best. Your mother entrusted you into my care and it's my responsibility to ensure—"
Seeing red, Hiyori literally sprang up from her seat, making Maki and Suzuka dash forward lest she try to fling herself at Yukari. But even in her rage, Hiyori had enough sense to not actually attack the older woman, her only abuse being verbal.
"You lie! President Gojou was who Mother requested to be my legal guardian. It was she who took care of me these past three years after Mother died. She gave me a home, an education, security, and emotional support—while you just sat your ass in that chair!" she yelled, pointing an accusing finger at Yukari's desk. "What did you ever give me in consideration for my well-being? Nothing!"
The silence that followed was painfully long, though it lasted only a few seconds. Feeling everyone's shocked gazes on her, Hiyori uncomfortably tried to not break her eyes from Yukari's chilly gaze.
"I paid the rent and maintenance bills of your ancestral home," Yukari said slowly, as though trying not to lose her temper, "despite the fact that you don't even occupy it. And I still continue to do so, since I know it holds much importance to you."
At that, Hiyori had to drop her eyes.
"Juujou!" Maki rebuked. "Apologize to Yukari-sama."
When Hiyori only clenched her fists harder, Iroha took one of them into her palms and attempted to break the girl's shell through gentleness rather than forceful authority. "Yukari-sama only wants what's best for you, Hiyori-chan. How about you at least sit down and finish hearing what she has to say? Please?"
Defeated, Hiyori took her seat again. Her heart had already been bleeding before, but just being reminded by Yukari of her mother had made hurt turn into anger. Although Hiyori did live with Iroha and her husband, it could not change the fact in her mind that she was still basically an orphan. Yes, the Gojous may have cared for her, but even so, Hiyori never truly felt like a part of their family. Particularly due to their own daughter, whom they doted on and who absolutely disliked Hiyori moving in with them. Needless to say, Hiyori didn't feel liberal in being friendly either toward who she viewed as a spoiled brat.
But she owed her life to Iroha and could never be angry with her, even now. After all, though she couldn't fill the hole left in Hiyori's heart after Kagari died, Iroha had been like a second mother to the Heijou Toji. More so than the stern woman sitting in front of her.
"Your anger is understandable, Juujou, but unfortunately, this isn't about personal feelings; this is about doing one's duty. When we were your age, Kagari and I always did ours, no matter the cost...as will you."
"What do you mean?" Hiyori demanded.
"We are all well aware of how you are the last Hiiragi Toji of your bloodline, the only one that possesses the special Fifth Layer Jin'i. Your family jin'i can never be allowed to die out."
It was all beginning to set in. If Hiyori hadn't been sitting down, she would have stepped back in horror. "W-Wait...you can't mean..."
"I do mean it," Yukari said.
Wanting to alleviate some of Hiyori's shock, Akane soothed, "Don't worry, Hiyori-san. You are still very young and won't be forced to marry just yet."
"This is just something we wanted you to be aware of," Yukari said.
Through gritted teeth, Hiyori asked, "Is that all you wanted to say?"
"Not yet," Yukari said. "It's a fault of mine that, as I was possessed by Tagitsuhime at the time, I didn't give your mother the rightful honour and prestige she was due after she retired, like the rest of your ancestors. Though it does not make up for my sins in any way, I intend to bestow upon you the high position every Hiiragi Toji was given as Chief Executive of Defence. You are a strong individual with a keen sense of justice. You have earned it. Be proud, Juujou."
Proud? Proud?! How could she possibly be when her entire life was being manipulated for her as though she were a puppet on strings, forced to act some show?
Seeing the conflict on Hiyori's face, Yukari frankly remarked, "You are not happy."
"I can't do any of this. I won't!" the Heijou Toji protested. "You can't make me."
"You're right, we can't. But the law can. This is not up for debate, Juujou. Unless you would rather have another Great Disaster of Sagami Bay occurring—one which no Toji nor ji'in can stop."
Her chest heaving, Hiyori looked in desperation at the others from Akane to the Elite Guards to Iroha. None of them came to her rescue. If only Kanami and her friends were here! They would have immediately jumped to her defence. But now, as the sole surviving Hiiragi left, she had to shoulder yet another heavy burden. And Hiyori knew this wasn't one that Kanami could share half of, as the Minoseki Toji would always promise.
This was a duty she had to fulfill all alone.
Looking down at the floor, Hiyori swallowed the lump in her throat. "Will I at least be allowed to choose my future husband?"
The Origami sisters looked at each other briefly as though they were telepathically discussing how to best respond. After about five seconds, Akane said, "You don't have to worry about that for the time being, Hiyori-san. What we've discussed with you is still far into the future. For now, just enjoy the days of your youth and spend time with your friends."
Though the words were meant to comfort her, Hiyori only felt worse. Akane made it seem as though she'd never see her friends again nor have any freedom, once she was married and working as chief executive. And she hadn't said either yes or no to the question which turned the tightening in Hiyori's stomach from sore to throbbing.
"Moving on, there is something else which we wanted to discuss with you, Juujou. Tomorrow evening, Akane and I will be having dinner with the rest of the Origami Family at five o'clock," Yukari informed. "Our entire household being together is a rarity since most of our relatives work abroad in the United Kingdom and the United States. Owing to the fact the Hiiragi Family always participated as well in important gatherings such as this, you are required to attend."
Another obligation she had to reluctantly carry out. And one most unfortunate when it came to timing because that was when she planned to have a spar with Kanami. It seemed that all the bad things that could possibly take place were all occurring in one single day. Every atom in Hiyori was screaming for her to protest and make excuses, but all she could do was quietly give a nod of her head. Yukari seemed slightly relieved that there was at least one thing Hiyori put no objection to.
When Maki and Suzuka finally escorted her out, Hiyori felt as though she was leaving part of herself behind in that office. The Hiyori who believed she could follow her dreams. The Hiyori who believed she could stay with her friends forever. The Hiyori who believed duty was an honourable thing to fight for.
That Hiyori was dead...gone forever.
A/N: Hope you all enjoyed the first chapter! It was fun writing it (and much easier than writing a chapter of "Bloody Crown" lol). In case you are wondering, in Japan, graduation takes place around mid/late-March, hence why Ellen and Kaoru were discussing about their graduation plans with their friends.
As always, feel free to tell me what you all think in the reviews or private message me!
