Author's Note: Sorry for the delay on the last chapter! Vacations don't take themselves ya know. But it was really annoying when I had to leave, a paragraph away from being finished...sigh. By the way (I really should have mentioned this before...) this story will not mention most of the events that take place after episode 29 of Dokkan (the episode where Hana gets lost at the festival). So I will use some of the events, just not all. Waaaaahhhh!! And I just realized that Momoko and Doremi are in a different class in Dokkan! Oh well...
To the reviewers:
FElady: cackles along with her Yeeesss, the ending of sixth chapter veerrryy good...
Hazuki-Masaru: Good observation, I'm glad you pointed that out. Your right, normally Hazuki would have acted very rationally in her situation. But due to the eerie similarities between her dream and being trapped in the corn maze, she subconsciously realized this, and lost her emotional control. This idea that no matter how emotionally strong you are, there will always be a time when you lose control, will be a ongoing theme in the story. Also, she won't be the only one to break down and become helpless . Your welcome, and update your story soon as well.
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A bare plain swept over from the end of the fields. Engulfed in darkness, shades of gray filled in the scenery. Gloomy, swaying trees and grass would have reduced its appeal, if it weren't for the gentle light of the moon and stars.
At first glance, a place like this would seem like it portrayed a natural silence. However, on this particular night, that notion was sadly disrupted.
"Yosh! Okay guys, lets split up! We need to cover as much ground as possible. For the sake of Hazuki-chan!" Aiko pumped her fist into the air, shortly copied by the sixth grade.
"Yeah!" The students were grouped in a large meeting circle, almost as if they were discussing a football strategy. For the past few minutes, they had banded together to help search for their classmates. Positioned at the front was a worried and enthusiastic Aiko and a concerned yet calm Onpu.
Feeling a little skeptical, Onpu pulled down Aiko's arm. "Aiko-chan I really don't think this is necessary. Hasebe-kun said Yada-kun would bring Hazuki-chan back safely."
"But Onpu-chan it's been two hours already! Doncha think they would have made it out by now?" She put her hands on her hips. "And also, Doremi-chan, Kotake-kun, and Kimura-kun haven't shown up either." The witch narrowed her eyes. "They could have been kidnapped for all we know."
"I highly doubt thats what happened. Doremi-chan probably figured out she had lost Hazuki-chan and went back looking for her. The maze is quite large. It took Momoko-chan and I quite a while to find the exit," she pointed out.
"But what if Hazuki-chan's injured worse then we think? We can't just sit here!" They argued back and forth. Confused and energetic classmates mulled around, only adding to the chaotic situation.
Meanwhile, several yards away was a very bored and exhausted Hasebe. Arms folded behind his head, he yawned, watching the chaos unfold before him.
With a devilish expression, Momoko extended her foot and sneakily slid over to his side. He blinked, pretending to not notice.
The spunky girl lifted a hand to the corner of her mouth. "Pssstt... Hasebe-kun." He scratched his nose. "Hasebe-kun," she whispered a little louder. He looked at her without turning his head.
Momoko innocently clasped her hands behind her back. "I was just wondering... what did Yada-kun do when you guys found Hazuki-chan?"
Hasebe lifted an eyebrow, thinking the answer was obvious. "Huh?"
"You know... what did he act like?" The witch pressed further. She gestured with her hands, trying to make him see what she meant.
Thinking that this girl was a bit on the cuckoo side, Takeshi regarded her strangely. "I really don't know what your talking about."
Feeling a bit frustrated at his naive attitude, Momoko slapped her forehead. "How did he react to her condition? Like... did he get emotional at all", the blond spoke in a slightly ticked-off tone.
Finally understanding, Hasebe looked up, recalling the event. "I guess he kinda got more worried then usual. He freaked out and left me in the dust when we saw her crying on the ground. But why do you care?" The tall boy looked her way, only to find Momoko with her back turned, quietly cackling to herself.
He raised another eyebrow and decided to leave the crazy girl in her own insane little world. Hands in his pockets, Hasebe walked over to the tornado of jumbled students, next to a frantic Nishizawa-sensei.
"Oh dear, oh dear, what do we do!?" The childish woman fretted, contrary to Seki-sensei's worried but self-controlled disposition.
The stern teacher gathered a huge amount of air. "EVERYONE SETTLE DOWN!!" She yelled at the top of her lungs, causing the torrent of sixth graders to stop abruptly. They all looked in her direction, frozen like statues.
"I know that your all eager to find your missing classmates and return home, but we're not going anywhere until you calm yourselves. I'm concerned as well for Fujiwara-san and the others..." Deeply upset that something like this had happened, she lectured the class, half blowing off her own steam.
Feeling he didn't need to listen to such drabble, Hasebe lazily checked the exit to the corn maze. He scanned the dark trail for about a minute and was about to turn around, before he saw a flash of gray. "Eh?" The clandestine boy squinted at the shape, which was coming closer, taking the forms of several people.
His eyes widened. "There!" He pointed towards them with a lanky arm, interrupting his teacher's educational rant. Everyone seemed to turn their heads in unison, following Hasebe's long arm to the fields.
Every person in the lonely plain shared a broad, too-happy-for-words smile. Windswept and about to collapse were the three shapes of Doremi, Kotake, and Kimura. They jogged down the end of the path as if they had found the stairs to a heaven on earth.
Stampeding like a herd of bulls, the students rushed over to meet their missing classmates, crowding in a semicircle of welcoming cheers.
Before Doremi could go any further, she was smothered by the relieved arms of her friends. Aiko and Momoko practically squeezed the life out of her, while Onpu wrapped her in more physically forgiving embrace. "Doremi-chan!" All her friends cried in relief.
Most of the soccer team patted Kotake and Kimura on the back with an addition of several boyish cheers. Someone pushed through the crowd of boys, muttering a polite string of apologies.
"Kimura-kun, I was so worried!" The petite figure of Marina shyly walked up to him, deeply upset. "I... I was so afraid..." She looked him straight in the eye, unmoving for a moment. Then to his surprise, Marina leaped into his chest, arms held wide open. Eyes full of joyous tears, she buried her head into his shoulder. "Thank goodness..."
Stunned, Takao stared at the top of her shiny blue hair, briefly taken aback. "Koizumi..." He smiled and placed his own arms around her, rubbing her back comfortingly.
Kotake smirked evilly, striking a lovey-dovey pose. Kimura being rather royally pissed off at his friend's mocking behavior, proceeded to stick out his tongue in response. Unable to get a satisfactory reaction out of the brunette, Kotake crossed his arms and turned away, disgusted with the romantic scene.
Sure, he was happy that they had been reunited, but Kotake couldn't help but feel jealous at their sweet relationship. He wanted someone special to protect and care about... and hug... The soccer player snuck a quick glance at Doremi, who was getting the air squeezed out of her by Aiko. He grumbled to himself, feeling a bit depressed.
Onpu placed her hands on Doremi's shoulders."But where are Hazuki-chan and Yada-kun?" At the mention of those two names, the pink-haired witch gazed downward in guilty punishment once more. "Huh? What's wrong?" Before Doremi could reply, Onpu's first question was answered.
Appearing at last was the sluggish shadow of Masaru, carrying a resting Hazuki on his back. Many students looked up and were about to rush over to greet them, before they had to step aside for the adults.
In the lead was the doctor they had called, followed by Kagawa and the teachers. Masaru came to a stop a foot away from the doctor, eyeing him a bit warily. It felt like every living thing in the clearing was watching the trumpeter and medic stare each other down.
He stepped up to the younger boy, completely understanding his silent and defensive attitude. "Where is the young lady's injury?" The professional tried to make his voice as friendly and polite as possible. It was obvious from first glance that this boy did not trust easily.
"Her right ankle," Yada said dully.
The doctor bent over slightly. "May I evaluate it? You will have to wake her up for a moment. I'll carry her to the bus, you must be exhausted."
Masaru stared at the white coat for a strained moment, before adjusting Hazuki's legs around his waist. He nudged her limp arm with his shoulder. "Fujiwara." She moved her head, breathing evenly. "Fujiwara wake up," He spoke into her ear. She mumbled something incoherent. Groggily she opened her eyes, almost unwilling to wake up from her peaceful sleep. The witch rubbed her eyes with one hand, glasses tipping forward. "What is it Masaru-Kun?"
"We're here. The doctor has to carry you to the bus."
Hazuki looked at the doctor and bowed her head in gratitude. "Thank you very much sensei."
The man smiled. "What a polite young lady." He positioned himself at Masaru's left side. "I'll lift her off your back. Is this alright?" Hazuki shook her head yes immediately, but it took Masaru a few seconds of thought before nodding as well. Carefully, the doctor lifted her off from under her shoulders, swinging her legs up. Calm and collected, Hazuki stayed still as the doctor began to carry her to the bus, which was stationed on the road near the field exit.
Taking this as a sign for them load the bus, tired and hungry students filed down the plain in a large mass. Bothered by confusing feelings, Yada walked with them, rubbing his suddenly very chilly arms.
Hasebe slid through the crowd until he was next to his best friend. "I'm glad you guys got out safely." The tall boy casually slung an arm around Masaru's neck. "You don't know how chaotic it was around here when everyone found out people were missing." He retracted his arm back, shoving it back into his pocket. Masaru remained adamant, focus firmly fixed ahead. "You all right", he questioned.
"Fine." The trumpeter shivered and rubbed his arms harder. A pinch of pain lingered in his forehead. Someone brushed his hand and he twitched, getting increasingly uncomfortable.
The resident peacemaker Masaharu tentatively paced beside the fidgety boy. "It's a great thing that your back. I'm sure our class would be incomplete and disappointed without you. We were all very worried." The class president smiled genuinely and touched Yada's shoulder.
Masaru tried smile back but instead made a scrunched up face. "Ah.. ah... achoo!" His head jerked forward and he sniffled, eyes closing into annoyed slits.
Hasebe observed him up and down. "Oh yeah, looks like you don't have a jacket..."
Masaharu tried to make Yada feel better. "Don't worry, the bus is heated. You'll be okay."
Sagawa tapped the president on the shoulder and whispered something in his ear. "I know," he answered back. He gave one last smile at Masaru before going off with the SOS member.
Attempting to ignore his piercing headache, Masaru studied Hazuki's expression over his classmates heads. She was laughing a something Senoo said. He didn't know why, but she seemed different then earlier, more bright and self-controlled like she usually was. Now that he thought about it, Fujiwara did react rather out-of-character to her situation. He wondered what had brought on the sudden change.
Encircling the doctor and Hazuki was most of the sixth grade, chiming with cheerful comments of relief. The other four witches were bunched in the center of the pack.
"Thank god your safe Hazuki-chan! We were all a disastrous mess without you." Momoko wished she could give her friend a hug right now.
"You should be thanking Masaru-kun. He brought me all the way here." Momoko in an abrupt change of mood, hunched over and chuckled maniacally. Hazuki and the other witches watched her, bewildered.
Aiko grinned broadly. "I was about to send out a search party to find you guys!"
"Which was rather unnecessary, since everyone showed up a moment later," Onpu contradicted. The tomboy blew out her checks in a puffer-fish-like fashion, defeated.
Doremi was silent amidst all the chatter, head hanging in a melancholy manner. "Doremi-chan, what is the matter?" Hazuki was confused. Shouldn't Doremi be happy that she and everyone else had made it out safely?
Afraid that she was making Hazuki worry even more, Doremi stretched her cheeks into a fake smile. "Sorry, I'm feeling a little sleepy." She sheepishly scratched the back of her head.
"You could take a nap on the bus. Are you sure your not upset about something?" Hazuki's instincts gave her the feeling that something wasn't right.
"I'm fine, don't worry about me!" She waved her hands. "Haha.. ha..." Doubting that she was very convincing, the pink ojamajo shoved in line, hiding between Sachiko and Naomi.
Hazuki wasn't swayed. I'll have to talk to her. They were at the steps, next to get on. The class made way for the doctor, who stopped about halfway down the aisle at Momoko's seat.
"I'll set you down here, alright?"
"Okay."
Momoko scooted off her seat and thumbed to the one behind it. "I'll sit behind you."
The doctor carefully lowered her down to the seat, so that her back rested against the window. He knelt down, and pressed his finger to certain points on her ankle, asking if it hurt or not. Patiently Hazuki endured it, shaking her head accordingly.
Pausing for a moment, the medic stood up. "I'm almost positive that a ligament in your ankle has been torn or partially torn. It would be best if your parents could get you a cast as soon as possible, but for the ride home, keep it elevated and hold this ice pack on it to reduce the swelling." Rummaging in his bag, he pulled out a gel pack and handed it to her.
The witch gratefully took it. "Thank you very much!" She bent her torso into a bow.
"Your very welcome." He checked his watch. "I've got to go, my shift at the hospital is next..." With the twirl of his white coat, he exited the bus, ready to continue with his own broken schedule.
Masaru stepped out of the way as the doctor passed by, right into a hovering shadow. He followed a pair of dirt overalls all the way up to find Kagawa staring at him as if she were intrigued by something.
She playfully mussed his hair, causing the quiet boy to make face of dislike. "Your quite the hero, carrying the little missy all that way." His expression of disgust turned to one of shock.
He ducked his head down till his eyes were blacked out. "Not really..." Unable to keep his nose and cheeks from turning red, he hastened onto the bus out of sight.
The corners of her mouth coiled upward. "That one ain't much of a talker..." Saluting the students and teachers, they shouted their thank you's as she disappeared into the fields of her own pride and joy.
Yada watched her leave out the front seat window, chills zipping up his spine. The heat blowing out the air vents didn't do him any justice and he hugged his arms to his body.
Random yells and giggles traveled down the aisle, past a sleeping Hasebe to his personal space. Masaru could distinguish Fujiwara's soft, high-pitched voice mingling with the other classmates.
A strange feeling of disappointment washed over him. He wanted to talk with her. The deep conversation they had shared back in the fields, Masaru had enjoyed it... a lot...
I'm isolated apart...