Okie doke, I figured you guys would want the next chapter soon so here it is.
Disclaimer: I do not own CM
Kori woke up the next morning but froze in slight fear when she heard a loud CLANG from downstairs.
"Dammit Akira! Watch where your going!" She could hear Mitsuru shouting downstairs. She sweat dropped then remembered something Mahiru had told her last night.
Flashback….
After Kori had helped carry all of the cookies to the car Mahiru turned to face Kori.
"Well Kori that's about it. But I should probably tell you, I'm not gonna be here tomorrow."
Kori looked at her surprised and cocked her head to the side questionably. Mahiru giggled she's so damn cute. she thought patting Kori on the head.
"I have school tomorrow, but the others will be here, and I'll be back in the afternoon. You'll be okay right?" Mahiru looked worriedly a kori.
Seeing Mahiru worried, well, worried Kori so she nodded to make her feel better. However she really wasn't sure, Mahiru had really been the one she was most comfortable with. Not that she didn't like the others, but Mahiru had been the first one to make her feel at home, and she started thinking of her as a big sister.
End flashback…
So she's gone to school huh? Kori thought in her head as she looked at the clock, it read a few hours past when Mahiru would leave.
Deciding that hiding in her room wouldn't work forever, Kori got dressed in her usual outfit and went downstairs.
As she walked into the bar, The others were there to great her.
"Morning Kori!" Akira shouted and hugged her. Kori sweat dropped but patted him on the back and he let go.
"Sleep well?" Nozomu asked as he walked in from the kitchen, he was carrying a mop and Kori noticed that someone had spilled cereal all over the floor. So that was what that clang was. Mitsuru was sulking in the corner as usual but surprised everyone when he gave kori a neutral look. No scowl, no smile just blank. Apparently he was getting used to having her around.
"The princess has left for school already Kori, she'll be back around 1 or so." Misoka piped up from behind the counter. Big surprise, he was reading the news paper. No doubt looking for news about the teardrop, but as usual not so much as a clue.
After saying good morning and making sure that she ate a healthy breakfast by Akira, Kori found the book that Mahiru had lent her after she had finished The wizard of Oz. It was a remake of it called wicked,(which I do not own!) where the witch of the west and Glinda were friends. It was quite interesting and Kori hardly ever put it down. Settling down in one of the booths by a indo in the back kori let her mind wander. It had been two weeks since she had started staying here, 1 week since blackwall's attack, and 8 years since she stopped talking.
Kori gazed out the window aimlessly. 8 whole years of silence, and here I am trying to talk again. she thought to herself sadly. But can I really do it? Can I find my voice after all this time? My father sure isn't making it easy for me…
Kori grasped the book tightly and hugged it to her chest. I couldn't protect you grandma, I wasn't strong enough to beat my father and I'm still not strong. I've tried to be, it took every ounce of courage I had left to runaway that first time. Come to think of it, that was after you had…
Kori gulped and squeezed her eyes shut at the awful memory. Flashes of seeing her grandmother hooked up to that awful machine. She heard her grandmother scream in pain as the electric currents surged through her body, tears pouring from her eyes and begging someone for help. A young Kori struggled in a guards grip as she was forced to watch her grandmothers demise. She remembered her eyes felt like they were burning with anger, the way people would just collect her grandmothers last tears in bottles, just to sell them off for war!
Kori's eyes snapped open and she was breathing heavily. Thank goodness everyone else was in the front of the store so they couldn't hear her.
She placed a hand where her heart would be as if she was trying to calm it. When she had gotten a grip on herself she continued to think. But grandma, even if I couldn't protect you, even though I'm weak, these people here. They've helped me so much, they're trying their best to help me find my voice again. They've been so kind grandma that it makes me want to get stronger so I can protect them from Blackwall next time. And maybe I could even help find the teardrop of the moon with them. Even if I'm still weak grandma, I need you to be here with me okay? I need your help if I'm gonna do this…
Kori clenched a determined fist and looked up at the sky through the window. I will talk again, I will.
Suddenly Kori felt a spark go through her body. It wasn't painful, it was actually pleasant, like all of the confidence she had just gained flowed through to her hands. She felt something hot in her hand but it wasn't burning her. She gazed down and gasped, she was holding a small ball of fire right in her hand. Now most would be afraid of this but kori only smiled. She had just received one of her first Phoenix powers. (phoenix's are born with the power of healing tears but in my story as they get older they have to build confidence to gain a fire controlling power, just thought I'd clear that up.)
Kori closed her eyes and set her head back exhausted, after all it took a lot of energy to build up that power, as small as it was. With you and the others coaching grandma…I'm sure I will talk again…and I'll make you and the others proud.
Later that day…
Mahiru walked through the door smiling. "I'm home!" she called through the house.
"hi Mahiru!" Akira shouted as he ran up and hugged her. Mitsuru had to drag him off before Mahiru could take a step inside.
Kori was hiding behind the kitchen doorway, working up her courage. Okay kori…you can do this… she gulped I hope.
Everyone was greeting Mahiru and Kori squeezed her eyes shut. C'mon Kori its not that hard...c'mon hurry before you loose your nerve.
No one deserves to hear your pathetic voice even once in a life time! She heard her fathers voice echo through her head.
Kori gasped quietly in fright but clenched a fist. No! I wont give up father! I'm going to prove you wrong! Mahiru, Misoka, Nozomu, Akira, and even Mitsuru. They all want to help me, and I wont let their efforts go to waste.
"W-welcome home, M-Mahiru chan."
Everyone gasped when the heard the unfamiliar voice. It was quiet and a little hoarse but it was loud and clear in their ears.
After 8 long years…Kori had finally spoken.
SURPRISE!!!!!! She talked, she talked, she talked!!! Heheheheheh! Ahem, so anyways I hope you enjoyed the chappie, and to answer a couple of lil1diva's questions.
Where was Mitsuru in the last chapter?: Mitsuru was just sulking in his room because the guys were teasing him. He tends to do that a lot anyways XD
Does Kori heal herself while she's crying in the 6th chapter?: No, A phoenix's tears will not work on themselves unfortunately. (at least in my story.) I will explain it more thoroughly later on in the story.
Anyways, hope you enjoyed the surprise!
Katsura: Please review Kisa's story.