Hinamizawa Hell

"Revealing Demons" Arc: 2

Ch. 10 part 2: Watanagashi

The tireless tasks required of this major festival for the village now dwindled down to only one duty: collect the paperwork from all the vendor booths. These papers included summed profits, costs, expenses, and other articles of importance. All went to the meetinghouse; the duty of Mion and the younger ones to recover. At the end of the night, this one last task was quickly accomplished with the help of Hanyuu, Rika and Satoko. As if it were a game to them, they challenged each other to see who could get their share done first. However, though no reward was given for this small game, their ultimate prize remained at the Sonozaki estate in Mion's possession. Or so they thought…

"Ah, good job everyone! That was pretty quick; I'm surprised you collected them in so short a time!" Spoke Kimiyoshi. He smiled down to the young ones as they stacked the papers into some boxes for later use. Satoko finished first followed up by Rika, Hanyuu and lastly Mion.

"It's no problem. But you guys, if this were a penalty game I'd have won you know!" piped Satoko. She seemed tired and sweaty from how fast she moved from booth to booth.

"Hey, I would have won if that guy didn't bump into me…" Mion stated. She seemed irritated at having to lose to her own game.

*No matter…the next game will be mine entirely…* she thought evilly, thinking of how she'll soon be torturing the young ones.

"Oh, someone bumped into you? Who was it?" asked Rika with interest. Mion looked down to her, feeling a bit shaken from the person she saw. She even scratched her neck a little bit; a display that made Rika realize with terror the obvious red marks along Mion's neck and back of her spine. She didn't show the fear, but just watched silently as Mion slowly scratched more and more at the thought.

"Ah…well, I guess it was my fault. I mean, at first I thought it was Komoto-san, but…well, the person was someone my age. He had different grey eyes and black hair, but it wasn't Komoto-san, ha ha ha…" she joked.

Deep in Mion's mind though, the person she bumped in her haste looked like Komoto entirely. For a moment, she actually thought he escaped from his trap and came back to haunt her. Her mind had to be playing a sick joke on her; the person was obviously her age.

*It was someone else…there's no way he could have gotten out…but the torture device was old, so maybe…*

*No. It's impossible. That was someone else…don't dwell on it…*

*But…those eyes. He acted as if he knew me…and he looked at me with accusation…haaah…it must be a trick on my mind. I'll just get back after dumping these three in the prison and then make sure he's still there…*

"Hey…Mi-chan…hello?" Satoko waved her hand in front of Mion, pulling her out of her daze. Rika watched as Mion apologized, the slip of her kimono showing more red marks in the backside.

At that very moment, Rika feared the worst.

*Hanyuu…do you see that?* Rika mentally communicated to her friend.

*Yes, I do Rika…she has the scratch marks. That means…she's infected….* Hanyuu replied mentally; her eyes focused intently on Mion.

*Then…if she's infected, and if the others are really missing…then…* her eyes went wide with fear, her hopes slowly diminishing for this world. If her friends were gone, then this world failed; her last hope gone for a happy life. However, Hanyuu's next words only halted the turmoil in her mind.

*Rika…if you believe in me, please hear me out. This isn't the end…* Hanyuu, for once, sounded completely serious to Rika, matching even her wisest of tones. Rika looked at Hanyuu, finding the confidence of her statement in her friend's expression.

*Hanyuu…how are you so sure? The others might already be gone, and if they are then…she may have already killed them! I can't live in a world where that happens…*

*Then, you need to have more faith in your fate, Rika. This isn't the dead end of this world. Another time is coming soon…where…we will be tested again. Rika…if you want to save Mion and the others, you need to believe in yourself and let the miracle occur. Don't give up!* Hanyuu now looked closely at Rika, almost scolding her to believe in a miracle. Rika understood this to a point, almost fearing Hanyuu now, and decided to go along. She still had concern on mind though.

*Then…how do I resolve this? How do we save the others and get Mion to Dr. Irie for treatment?*

*Rika…the power is in your hands. Remember…you need to gather all the cards again and play your hand against Fate. Only then will you know how to defeat the evil that exists in Hinamizawa!*

Rika nodded, just as Mion and Satoko headed to the door. If what Hanyuu said was true, and if the possibility of the others being alive was possible, then there was still a chance to win. Rika now thought alone to herself, so as to come up with a plan. If she was going to stop Mion, then she needed to play her cards right starting now.

"Mi…Kimiyoshi-san, have you seen Komoto-senpai, Shi-chan, Satoshi-kun or Rena-chan anywhere? We haven't found them tonight at the festival at all. We're getting worried," spoke Rika, in her cute self. Kimiyoshi just smiled and replied.

"Sorry, but I haven't seen those four anywhere. Mizuho-sensei came around too asking a while ago for Hagara-san, but I couldn't help. Sorry…" Rika now peered over to Mion, watching her friend's eyes going wide. It was all the evidence she needed now to prove that Mion was the culprit. She learned well from her encounters with Shion in the past, and now her senses were paying off.

"Ok, nevermind then. I'm sure they're fine. Let's go Mi-chan. I really would like to see our presents, Nipah!" Her façade prevented any suspicion from Mion; thinking that it was just another nonsense question. Mion smiled back and turned to lead the way back towards her home, the trip not taking too long.

However, two things occurred within moments outside the meetinghouse. The first was Rika-chan passing by a nearby booth, unbeknownst to anyone's sight, and quickly swiped a large knife from a countertop. She concealed it under her robes; making it impossible for anyone to notice.

The second thing was a man walking into the same meetinghouse, a person the same age as Keiichi and Mion. He walked in wearing boots, a pair of white khakis and a black shirt with some kanji on it. The one peculiar thing, other than the fact that this grey eyed, black haired male was the same one who bumped into Mion accidentally, was that he was quite methodical now; as if searching for someone.

"Hey, old man. May I have a word with you?" he asked Kimiyoshi, his eyes narrowing.

"Hmm? Why, young man, I'm not that old, heheheh. What can I do for you? Are you lost on the fairgrounds?" Kimiyoshi eyed him for a bit, actually mistaking him for Keiichi or even Komoto. However, his differences clearly made it apparent that he was neither one. The person suddenly raised a photo to Kimiyoshi; one which held a picture of Rena and him smiling into a camera one sunny day in the city. This man was none other than Ryuu.

"Have you seen this woman anywhere today?" he asked, serious in tone. He sounded somewhat worried too, from what Kimiyoshi could tell.

"Sorry young man, but no. You're the second person to ask me that today. Even Mion-sama and her friends were looking for her before, but they couldn't find her. Sorry."

Ryuu heard that name quite clearly, remembering how Rena was telling him about that person before. It was her best friend, and with little effort he connected the pieces in no time at all. The dreams and Rena's disappearance all now made sense. Now, all he needed to do was confirm it and find Rena…

"Ok guys, just wait here and I'll get your presents. I'm sure you're all anxious by now, but I'll be quick and let you guys be off on your own way. Just hold a sec…"

Mion left the three younger ones in the kitchen of her house. She went down one corridor and into another room, taking some time to find the gifts. Rika was extremely cautious right now, not letting Mion make the first move. She scanned the kitchen, looking for anything she could use to her advantage. However, all she saw were bags set aside near a wall and some other things.

"Hmm…I'm getting kind of hungry. I hope Mion doesn't mind if I grab a quick snack!" Satoko went into the fridge, looking around for some food. Meanwhile, Hanyuu sat in a chair, her alertness just as intense as Rika's.

"Hmm…wow! Check this out Rika-chan! It's an Angel Morte' cake! Hmm? That's weird, the receipt has Nee-Nee's name on it…and it was picked up yesterday…odd…" As Satoko said, the receipt hung from the dessert box with Shion's name.

*Hmm…those might then be Shion and Satoshi's things near the wall. I'd remember Shion's purse from anywhere…they're definitely here somewhere!* Rika thought.

As Satoko closed the fridge door, Mion stood now stood in front of them looking like a banshee. She eyed Satoko after finding the dessert, her eyes making Satoko back away in terror.

"Ah, sorry Mi-chan. I was just hungry and…"

"It's rude to do that you know…Satoko-chan…" Mion's tone of voice was different now, angered even. However, in the next moment she looked over to the others with a smiling face and presented them with their gifts. Hanyuu piped up once she saw the creampuffs.

"Hauu! Those are my favorite! Thank you Mi-chan!" Mion gave her the creampuffs, to which she instantly began scarfing down with pleasure. Rika looked at her with amazement as she ate them.

"And for Rika-chan, I know I shouldn't be doing this but, well, we all know you like wine, so I'm giving you a special bottle from the wine cellar. I think it's a good year too!" She happily handed over the wine to Rika, seeing her eyes go wide with joy. However, Rika just fronted that; her intentions on watching when Mion would try to subdue her. If that happened, the knife would come into play.

"Mi! Thank you so much! I think I'll have some now." Mion nodded, and gave her a glass from a cabinet. Satoko, now, waited anxiously for her gift.

After letting Rika have a quick glass of the wine, she smiled in pleasure; happy to know the wine's year was acceptable in taste. However, she watched as Hanyuu suddenly looked tired with fatigue, probably from working so long today.

"Hauu…I think I'll go to bed early tonight. I don't know why, but I just got suddenly tired all of a sudden," she spoke, her eyes suddenly growing heavy with fatigue. Rika suddenly started to cough a bit, surprised that she herself was beginning to feel tired to. However, feeling her arms suddenly lose strength made her begin to worry.

"Huh…what's going…" she looked at Satoko, who watched as her friends suddenly fell to the floor; the wine glass falling from Rika's hands and shattering on the ground. Satoko instantly became afraid, about to rush over to help her friends. However, the voice behind her, sounding evil with intention, froze her to the spot.

"Time for your present too, Satoko-chaaan…"

She slowly turned around in fear; her eyes fixated on Mion's cold, dull eyes. She couldn't move away; too terrified to see Mion like that. In moments, Mion pulled from her backside Shion's infamous taser; its black and solid design sprouting two prongs with electricity arching between them. Upon realization of this, Satoko then tried to get away in vain as Mion lunged the device at her neck, sending her unconscious to the floor.

"SATOKO!" screamed Rika. She knew she failed in trying to stop Mion; unable to counter such a plan. Her body felt heavy, as did her mind begin to drift off into darkness. She realized at that point, the moment that Hanyuu plopped to the floor over the creampuffs, that their food and drink had been concealing some drug. This drug now caused them to fall asleep without effort.

"Rika, I hope you like your present. It seems Satoko and Hanyuu loved theirs so much they went to heaven, AHAHAHAHA!" Mion moved closer to Rika as her head fell to the floor; her gaze never leaving Mion's view.

"Dam..nit..don't…do…this…Mi-cha…" Rika had no more strength, the drugs and the wine mixing in her body now in an almost pure fashion. It was all too strong for her to take; her mind becoming nothing in mere moments. She gave up; her body giving in to the perfect sleep.

Mion looked at all three of them, laughing at her handiwork. She screamed in the household; knowing full well that no one could stop her now. All that remained was a tortuous night of killing off her once thought friends. Then, and only then, she and Keiichi would be together at last.

"A HA HA HA HAA! I DID IT! I FINALLY DID IT ALL! EVERYONE WILL DIE, JUST LIKE I SAID! A HA HA HA HAH! KEI-KUN, PRAISE ME FOR THIS! I FINALLY DID IT FOR US! AAAAAAAH!" Mion screamed in utter ecstasy from her accomplishment, now aiming to recover their bodies and pile them quickly into the lower dungeons. After that, she just needed to use the last remnants of the chloroform to set her victims into their torture stations, but tonight, though, she would let them relish in their misery and allow herself with Keiichi for one momentous night; a night she would make sure he'd never forget.

"Ugh…did someone catch that license plate?" moaned Komoto. He believed himself to be in a dark, closed room with only a small opening of light coming in. His body felt exhausted; his muscles momentarily twitching in different areas. On top of that, his stomach felt a bit bruised up; almost like being hit with a bat. However, upon more thought he remembered just how he got there.

"Damnit! Mion, are you there? TELL ME!" he screamed. The response, though, was and was not to his liking.

"Komoto-san, is that you?" Yelled what sounded like Satoshi. He began to focus on the sounds now, seeing as his perceptual sight was not much. He calmed down and replied.

"Satoshi-kun? Are you alright? What's going on?" he yelled back, hoping that his friend could hear him. In the prison cell, the others' hopes increased when they heard the sound of Komoto's voice.

"Thank goodness you're alright. We're fine up here, but the others are in danger!" he replied.

"Wait, what do you mean "we're alright"? Who else is here?" he replied. Komoto's mind was in a loop, unsure as to the time of day or even where he was. He tired to roll to the side, but all he felt were the cold, steel walls encasing him. He couldn't even tell if he was standing or lying at that moment.

"Komoto-san, I, Shi-chan and Rena-chan are here. Mi-chan hasn't gotten my sister, Rika-chan, Hanyuu-chan or Kei-chan yet…" he spoke, concern apparent in his voice.

"I don't think we have to worry about Kei-chan. If Mion is doing what I think she is, then she has no intention of hurting him. She wants all of us out of the way…" Rena sat upright, apparent disgust for her friend in her expression. She wasn't happy at all right now; her heart and soul hurt in some damaged way.

"Yeah…she mentioned Keiichi before…I think you're right Rena-chan, she's gone nuts over him…" replied Komoto. He tried to use his past mercenary training, remembering to get as much info as possible. He still, though, couldn't get his bearings.

"Komoto-san, you need to be careful. Don't try to move at all…Sis put you in an Iron Maiden torture device. If you make even the slightest move in front of you, then…the spikes will impale you." Her voice was entirely serious, and upon slowly moving his hand forward did Komoto feel the mentioned spikes. Their sharpness and cold tips rusty from blood. They were extremely close to him but not enough to touch yet. He made note of that and tried to do as told.

"Ok guys, I need you to tell me where we are. What positions you are in and if there is anything we can use to get out of this…" he spoke, taking command. However, the reports were useless.

"We're in my family's underground dungeon. We're all tied with rope in the prison cells, and you're device is chained up and locked. We can't really move either…" Shion felt despair again after recounting their situation to him. He cursed under his breath.

"Damnit! Shit! Mion has my gun, and if anything she can use it on us…listen, are there any sharp rocks around to cut the ropes with?" he asked, hoping for a good answer this time.

"No. Mion cleaned this place out. She was well prepared for this…" Rena's voice responded, very darkly though. The others tried to see her, but she stayed out of sight in her cell; dwelling on how Mion could do any of this. She was hurting; physically and mentally.

"Then, maybe if we…" Komoto stopped, now hearing the doors opening to the dungeon. He heard what appeared to be Mion, grunting as she dragged something or someone down the steps into the area. He then heard Shion and Satoshi scream out to her, now making it apparent that new victims arrived.

"NO! DON'T HURT THEM SIS!" screamed Shion.

"MI-CHAN! LET SATOKO GO! SHE HASN'T DONE ANYTHING!" screamed Satoshi, his body being flung against the barred door of his cell. Mion didn't listen as she began tying their bodies in rope and, next, sending them into a cell as a group, more intent on getting out of there to be with Keiichi.

"So…my best friend returns…" spoke Rena. She sounded so unlike herself that moment, almost stronger even.

Mion stopped after locking the young one's cell door, irked at the fact Rena spoke to her like that. She just smiled and turned, now walking over to face Rena in her cell.

"Oh, the liar finally woke up? I hope you had as much fun as I did before. Too bad, I'm going off to be with Kei-kun for the night! Enjoy your last day down here, because tomorrow my fun REALLY begins! AHAHAHAH!" Mion started to walk off, laughing at how well her plan turned out. However, Rena wouldn't let her get the last laugh at all.

"Mion, Keiichi will find out what happened to us! And when he does, you'll regret it the moment he leaves you…"

As Rena talked back to her, Mion instantly rushed up; crazed with hatred at Rena. Rena was taken back a bit, her eyes wide with fear at how demonic Mion's eyes were. She began hitting the cell door with her fists and knee, screaming at Rena with utmost anguish and intensity.

"SHUT UP YOU LITTLE BITCH!!!! KEI-KUN WILL NEVER LEAVE ME FOR THIS!!! YOU WILL ALL DIE…DIE…DIE…DIE…DIE!!! I WANT YOU ALL TO GO AWAY AND BURN IN HELL FOR WHAT YOU DID TO ME!!! DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE!!!" Her screams were relentless, echoing into all the areas of the prison room. The others cringed in fear witnessing Mion go off the deep end. Their eyes widened with panic watching the whole spectacle before them.

When Mion was finish yelling, her head lowered against the cell gate as she breathed heavily for air. She again looked up, smiling evilly at Rena and the others around.

"You all thought I would sit by while you stole him from me? I wouldn't let that happen in a million years! Kei-kun's mine…his heart is mine…his body is mine…just like my body and heart belong to him…you all won't get away with this! I'm going to make you suffer like I have suffered…" she murmured to them, exhausted from before.

"Sis…we never…meant to do that! We would never take him away from you…you have to believe me!" Shion tried again to get reason into Mion, but it was never heard by her mind. Mion's darker side controlled her now; controlling all malicious actions and thoughts.

"Yes…you did take him away from me…and all the while not once did anyone care how I felt…actually, no…only one person really cared. It was Mizuho-sensei…She actually did try her best to help me…"

Upon hearing these words, Komoto made his presence known. However, this only caused Mion to laugh with what seemed like relief.

"OH! You're still there, good. I thought you had escaped. That boy with the dark hair and grey eyes…I thought he was you for a second. Must have been my imagination, right Komoto?" Mion quickly jumped onto the Iron Maiden, her demonic eyes now peering into the little slot where Komoto could see. For once in his life, he was frightened beyond belief; his heart rate skyrocketing through the roof now. He panted heavily, wishing he didn't see Mion like that. However, he kept his resolve to remain strong.

"Mion…if you let us go I promise I won't be going to Keiichi by the end of today and tell him I had to kill you over something so stupid…" he was angry, that much was certain. He knew his bluff held no truth, but if Mizuho was involved in this there was no telling what his darker side would do to protect her. Thankfully, now it sounded like Mizuho would be safe.

"…you're not in any position to kill me, Komoto. Just look at how easily I got you here! What can you even do? No one's getting out of here alive but me!" She now shut the slot on the Iron Maiden, ceasing any sight from Komoto for now. He screamed uncontrollably, now punching into the device. He forgot, though, that it had spikes…

He screamed in pain, the spike now impaling down between his knuckles into his hand. The pain was agonizing; one of the worst he ever felt in life. He cursed himself for doing that; his anger getting the better of him. As he pulled his hand from the spike, Komoto felt the blood pour from the wood; dripping over his body now. Biting down and sucking it up, he tore a piece off his clothing quickly but carefully, and wrapped whatever he could around the wound. If Mion could see his eyes now, he'd give even her a scare.

Laughing as he heard his cries of pain, Mion looked up and sighed in success. The doors to the Iron Maiden rang from being hit, followed by the screams of pain. She could only guess anger got the better of him, and that his torture was finally starting to work its magic.

"Ahh…seems like its working. Only a matter of time…" her voice was evil and sinister; causing her friends to look at her with wonder. She began walking back towards the door, giving them one last look before finding Keiichi. She grinned at them; her eyes dull and narrowed in their direction.

"Kei-kun and I will be having a nice night together now. Consider this your last day of life…before…I make you suffer tomorrow…"

She scratched again at her neck side, a little blood starting to display on her nails. She rubbed her neck now, wiping away the blood. For now, the itching stopped, but only her back burned with intensity. The last thing Mion did in the dungeon was turn the lights off, again giving the area a serene darkness. She closed the door now, leaving her victims to dwell on that last thought. Next, she made her way back to the house to prepare for her long awaited night with Keiichi.

Once Mion left, the others were in despair over how poor their situation seemed. For now, Satoko, Hanyuu and Rika were out; unable to do anything that moment. However, just as Shion was about to give up, Rena suddenly started laughing; her revels echoing throughout the prison.

"AHAHAHAH! You're done for Mi-chan! You don't even know what you're in for…" she laughed uncontrollably now. The others just looked at her with confusion.

"What? What are you talking about Rena-chan?" asked Shion, some hope starting to return.

"My boyfriend, Ryuu, was looking for me at the Watanagashi Festival today. Her description of him was exact! He must be out there trying to find me now…" she chuckled, some part of Rena's hope returning now.

"But he doesn't know what Mion looks like or if we're even here. How are you so sure Rena-chan?" asked Shion.

"Because…I told him about my nightmares and about what happened. He knows this place and he knows that I was afraid of Mi-chan lately. We were going to spend the weekend together at my house…but…even if that's impossible now he is still wondering where I am. I bet he'll find us in no time, I know it!" she piped up, happy to know Ryuu was out there trying to find her.

"Then there's still a chance!" Satoshi was just as hopeful now, his strength returning to his body.

"And when he does…he'll save us…and then…I'm going to make her regret what she did to me!"

Satoshi and Shion looked at her with disbelief, not once believing that Rena would ever say such a thing. She was serious in her remark; her intent clear to hurt Mion. For this, Rena was scolded for once by the others, making it clear that she was wrong in thinking.

"RENA-CHAN! Stop that right now! I know we're in this situation, but I won't let you hurt my sister!" yelled Shion, a little angry at Rena. She tried to explain herself now, hoping the others would at least hear her out.

"You don't get it Shi-chan! I trusted her so much, and I believed that she was sincere this entire time, but she damn well tased me for 5 minutes! Do you know what that feels like? Being awake and unable to move at all; the pain coursing through your body like that? I couldn't do anything but wait out those antagonizing minutes in my mind. It felt like years before the pain ceased…" Rena began to cry now, realizing how screwed up it all was. She cared for Mion, she would still be her best friend if they got out of this, but she wanted payback like never before for what she did. She didn't even know if she could forgive Mion for it. But the next words from Satoshi would soon change her thinking; allowing Rena to remember her pacified being wholly.

"Rena-chan, I know it must have hurt, but you can't let it devour who you are. Mion's succumbed to the syndrome…you can't blame her for that! I know, deep down, you still think of her as your friend, and the Rena I know would never do such a thing to her friends. Please…don't put yourself to the syndrome's level…just let it go and pray we get out of here to see another day…"

Satoshi was right, with Shion agreeing entirely based on her own past experiences. Rena was speechless, her sense coming back to her. She remained silent for awhile, not speaking at all. In time, though, she broke her silence to atone herself to the others.

"I'm sorry…you're right, I couldn't do that to her. She's…my best friend…" tears streamed down Rena's face now, falling to the floor without care. She laid her head against the cell gate, sad from all that happened and what she almost became. "…and if I get out of this, I will forgive her for what she did…as long as she forgives me for what I apparently did to her. I…wasn't a good enough friend to her…I didn't notice how much it hurt her when all this came on her shoulders…when Kei-chan left with Komoto-san…and when she was left alone with no one to hear her cries…I'm at fault…she's entirely right…I…deserve to be punished…"

Her words were filled with sadness and remorse. Satoshi looked on in awe of such humility, and Shion herself began to cry from such words coming directly from Rena's heart. It was a sad time in the dungeon for them; something they had to accept. Though there was hope in some small way in their heart, it would soon rise to the occasion. Maybe…even create a much needed miracle…

"And with that…I'm perfect! Ahh…Kei-kun and I…can finally be together at last!"

Mion combed her hair in front of the broken mirror; not caring about the shards that were left in the broken furniture. She was beyond reason for her friends at that moment; ready to kill them the following day. With every comb of the long hair, her excitement grew to see Keiichi, as was her inner desire to be with him ever more the wanting. Just thinking about it made her hot with desire, however; her urges wouldn't be satiated until they were together. Putting the comb down now, she looked even more beautiful than before.

*There's no way Kei-kun will resist me now…I'm really going to be naughty for him tonight…and its all thanks to getting rid of the others!* she thought.

*Tonight…just you two will be together, undisturbed…*

She smiled in pleasure, getting up and slowly making her way to the stairs. With intentions of calling Keiichi, she picked up the receiver, but upon hearing the doorbell ring at the main gate did she get annoyed again. Something had yet again came between her and Keiichi, and it made Mion more angered and less pleased.

"NOW WHAT!" she screamed, her eyes looking out to the main gate. She opened the door and rushed quickly outside; murder in her mind to whomever was at the door. However, as she opened the gate she found Keiichi standing there, confused as to why Mion looked so angry. Her face, for a moment, was contorted till she found out it was him there all along. Instantly, she began blushing, confused as to why he was there.

"K…Kei-kun? I thought I told you to go to your house…" she stuttered, worried that his presence was even there. If he found out about the others, then everything till now would be for nothing.

"Well, my parents were home still packing and you were taking so long that I decided to come meet you and walk you back…" he said, smiling. Mion breathed a sigh of relief, glad to know her fears were subsiding.

"Oh, that's it. Well, ok, but you're getting punished for that. What if you never caught me on the path back to your house had I left earlier?" she joked with him. He just looked at her, smiling with his loving eyes. It put her at complete ease.

"By the way Mi-chan, Mizuho-sensei came by my house asking where Komoto was. Apparently, after we parted he had gone home and left his things there, but suddenly went out. She's extremely worried about him, and she's going out around the village to find him. Have you seen him since I left?" he asked with concern. Mion just walked past him, her face dark.

"No…I haven't. I told you that already, now let's get going…" she stated, pulling hard at his arm now. However, he didn't budge a bit.

"Ok, but have you seen Rena-chan or the others? There was this guy asking around too…he's actually my…"

"I SAID I DON'T KNOW DAMNIT! WHY THE HELL DO YOU CARE SO MUCH ABOUT THEM!" Mion yelled at him while not looking in his eyes, her hatred for the others ever more apparent. Keiichi stood back a bit, surprised with how she was acting then and there.

"Hey! I'm just concerned for them ok?! No one's seen any of them today! Don't you think something is odd about that?" He replied sternly at her. Mion shook with anger now, unable to control her inner emotions.

"OH, SO IT'S ALWAYS ABOUT THEM NOW, HUH? YOU COME BACK AFTER TWO WEEKS AWAY FROM ME AND ALL YOU WANT TO DO IS FIND THEM? DON'T YOU EVEN CARE ABOUT ME? AM I THAT UNIMPORTANT TO EVERYONE AROUND HERE?!"

Keiichi tried to calm Mion down, putting a hand on her shoulders. She shook incredibly with hatred; her back even hot to the touch for some odd reason. In moments, she threw herself around and buried her face into his chest, letting out anything she could to get his mind off the others.

"Mi-chan, that's not true. I want to spend time with you, but the others…"

"It's always about them, never about me! Whether I'm gone and you're with Rena treasure hunting, or when I'm free and you're with Komoto…it's never enough…I can't be enough…"

What Mion did next was unthinkable. She pulled the tie from behind her kimono, letting the whole dress slide off her body a little. Before Keiichi, Mion was now undressed, not wearing anything now. With Mion now completely naked, he blushed at her; confusion and desire mixing in ways never known before.

"M…Mi-chan! What are you…"

"Don't you want me? Don't you want to be with me? Just me…only with me…Kei-kun?" Mion's eyes were different at that point; dull and filled with wanting of Keiichi. He couldn't understand her; why she was acting so weird at that point. However, when he saw the marks on her neck and shoulders did he begin to realize something was horribly wrong. Those marks, the same one's as Rena's in a past lifetime, were not a good sign at all.

*She's…sick…how can that be?* Keiichi's worry only grew when he watched Mion's eyes turn somewhat evil; a force possessing her body. She looked at him with wanting; wishing he would just take her on the spot and forget about the others. However, his next words didn't help the matter, but only exacerbate the problem.

"Mi-chan, stop this right now damnit! We're together at last, and I have what I need to keep that now!" Keiichi now grabbed her by the shoulders, startling her a bit from his grip. She suddenly feared him, her love now, as he tried to bring her back to reality."…How can you not care about your friends? Would you just forget them like this all because of me?! You're…crazy! You're not the Mion Sonozaki I fell in love with damnit!"

"K…Kei-kun…wait…I…"

"NO! You're not thinking clearly because you're sick! You're sick with the syndrome! I can tell by the scratch marks all over your neck! And if I'm correct, then you…You had something to do with the others missing! Now tell me where they are before any of this…"

Keiichi's anger was directed entirely at Mion by this point, causing her to look on in terror from his words. His eyes, the same loving eyes that held such warmth and security for her, now scolded her with utter contempt; completely deserting her of any protection. Tears welled up in her dull gaze, unable to understand how Keiichi came to this point. The tables had turned, all against Mion now. Her plan was failing, and her love was ready to leave her to die, she thought.

*No…he wouldn't do this to me! Kei-kun…I did this because I love you…I…I…*

*No…it's not your fault! The others…they made him so concerned for their wellbeing! It's their grasp on his existence that is causing him to care for them so much…they're still taking his attention away from you…they have to die…just DIE!*

She looked at him silently now, sinking her head to the floor. He was breathing heavily from scolding her; wishing she would just tell the truth and put an end to this crazy night. Only then could she get help and preserve their relationship; whatever it may remain then. He tried to console her, but with every passing moment of this nonsense his heart was breaking more and more…

"Fine…I'll tell you where they are…"

She pushed his arms off her, now moving in a zombie like state towards the back property of the estate. Keiichi looked on in wonder, hoping that by some miracle Mion broke through her madness and gave in to him at last. Cautiously following Mion with her arms swinging lifelessly with each step, he slowly made his way across the green lawn past the koi pond. This all seemed somewhat familiar to him.

The area he was guided to was the only plausible solution to his friends' disappearances. The steel doors, the old rusted entranceway to the Sonozaki dungeons, were the doors leading to the prison now holding his friends. Pushing these steel doors open, he followed Mion in, making sure to watch her every move. She shut them now, locking it from the inside to gain some privacy from the outside world. After that, Mion walked down the steps, not saying a word to her love.

"Mi-chan…why did you do all this?" he asked, wanting an answer from her.

"Because…no one understood…how lonely I could be…how stressed I could be…or how much I cared about you…" she replied, sadness apparent in her voice. She still wouldn't look at him, as she marched down the first corridor to the first viewing room; the torture stations all in line for some unknown spectacle. He looked at them with concern, noticing that 7 stations were set up. Their malevolent purposes, however, were yet to be known.

"That's not a good enough excuse. There's something more than that to cause our club leader to betray our friends…" Keiichi scolded Mion again, trying to knock some sense into her so as to find his love once more.

"…they stole you from me…all this time…" Mion stopped in her tracks, her gaze still aimed at the floor.

"What? They wouldn't ever…"

"Then…why did they always take you away on my free days? And why…did it seem like no one even cared about what little time we had together? Everyone wanted us apart…even Rena…you know, she has a crush on you…" Mion's words just confused him even more.

"Rena doesn't think of me in that way. She has a boyfriend. I know, because…"

Mion now turned to Keiichi while still not looking him in the face. He was worried for Mion, pitying her now, for falling so far from grace. It wasn't her fault, but the syndromes, he thought. Every time he scolded her or counteracted her excuses, however, made him feel that much more ashamed of going against his girlfriend, someone he had hoped to be...

"No…that's not true. Rena was stalking us…stalking us on weekends, or taking you away from me when she knew I was busy. She tried to wiggle her way into your heart, but your heart's always been safe with me, isn't that right?" Mion pulled out the locket after tying part of her robe up again, showing him the gold heart on its chain. It glistened in the dim light, her hold gentle and caring as if it were his very heart.

"Yes…I gave you my heart…but Mi-chan…if you've hurt them…then my heart…"

"You're heart is mine to protect. They're a threat to me…that's why…I'm going to kill them all. They're all guilty for doing this to us, Kei-kun, and I'm doing it for us and only us. If I do that, then…" she looked up into his eyes now, her insanity almost at its peak. Her eyes spoke to him, wanting him to just go along with her plan and let them find happiness together in a new life. "…we can truly be together. No one will get between us, and we can finally be rid of them for good! Just help me…PLEASE, JUST HELP ME KILL THEM AND ITS All OVER! I KNOW YOU WOULD NEVER BETRAY ME KEI-KUN, I KNOW THAT…"

*SMACK*

The sound reverberated throughout the room, its echo breaking the silence now. Mion's face was turned away from Keiichi's, as he slapped her cheek loud and hard. Mion's eyes were wide with amazement; never would she believe him to do that to her. Didn't he once promise that he would protect her, would never even hurt her? What was this now, but a broken dream? These questions sped around in her mind, her reality broken now. Keiichi smacking her was unthinkable, impossible. But not now…

"I WOULD NEVER BETRAY MY FRIENDS! BUT IF YOU'RE GOING TO KILL THEM I WILL DAMN WELL MAKE SURE TO PROTECT THEM FROM YOU!" Keiichi's emotion was unrelenting; all pouring out to Mion. A large red mark was on her left cheek, her face still turned away from him. The next moment, though, he never saw coming.

"GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!"

In a flash, Mion slammed her fist into Keiichi's head, causing him to kneel to her feet. The next thing was the feeling of the cold, taser prongs in the side of his neck, arching into his body with tremendous amounts of electricity. He twitched as Mion continued screaming; her heart torn up over all that was about to be certain. His betrayal to her was something she couldn't understand or take, but in time only rationalize to be yet again the faults of her once thought friends. When Keiichi passed out, she began beating her fists against his chest, too angry to take it all in. She screamed till her throat was dry, having done such a thing to him broke her existence in two.

"Kei-kun…I love you…I love you…I love you…" she replied over and over again to his unconscious body.

*This…is for your own good. I'll make you understand, Kei-kun…*

The others heard screaming in the outer room, now realizing that something was transpiring. It sounded like Keiichi talking to Mion at first, and then followed by a near dead silence leading up to the intense screams of Mion. Only then did they hear a body fall to the floor with a thud; her cries of his name lasting for many minutes on end.

Rika awoke during this incident, instantly knowing her surroundings. Trying to move, she found herself in the same position as the others; bound with rope tightly. However, just as Satoko and Hanyuu stirred to wake up, Rika remembered her hidden card; literally up her sleeve.

"Rika-chan, you're awake! Thank God…" yelled Satoshi. He watched her cell and the main entrance, trying his best to manage watching on both situations.

"There's not much time. Satoko-chan! Please, wake up! Satoko…" screamed Rika. Her friend stirred and woke up instantly, her neck sore with pain.

"Gah! Rika-chan, where am I?" she spoke, confused and scared.

"There's no time for that. Now, grab the knife up my sleeve and…"

It was too late. Mion came bursting through the door in a mess; her hair now down and distraught. Her clothes were bunched up, but kept her decency for now. Her eyes, though, were demonic; wide and dull with rage. Her eyes glowed eerily with a green aura; the darkness slowly creeping into her pupils. She looked around at every one of them, crazed with wicked intentions.

"ALL OF YOU…I TAKE IT BACK! TONIGHT…YOU ALL DIE!"

And with that said, she grabbed the nearby bottle of chloroform and began her rampage. Into each cell she went, dousing a rag and smothering it into her victim's faces; causing bruising to some of them in the process. They coughed and tried gasping for air, pleading her to stop, but in vain did they procure the speed of the chemical. With every victim falling, Rika's heart rate slowly moved to the level of heart attack; her fear for once impossible to control. Mion was the judge, jury and executer in this prison, and she wouldn't be merciful one bit.

I learned in the first life that I needed a hundred years of knowledge to understand the mystery.

I learned in the second life that it was a never ending nightmare.

I learned in the third that it was a painful, hopeless journey.

By the seventh, I learned it was all a farce comedy.

But in the last, I learned the truth.

A full hand, not one card missing, was needed to beat Fate's hand.

And I couldn't do that…if all my friends weren't there.

So I held to this and wouldn't give up.

No matter how dark it was now.

And yet, I still wondered…

Where was the light?

Next time, on Hinamizawa Hell, "Revealing Demons" Arc, Ch. 11: Obsession. Can you believe in this?