Chapter 1: Prices
Kaori did not like living in this peculiar shop. She had spent enough time here in her childhood, and, frankly, did not want to be here anymore than necessary. It brought back the memories. Memories she didn't want. Memories she desperately wanted to forget.
But she didn't have any choice in the matter. Everyday, she had to wake up, go to school, do her homework, and eat three meals. She had to pretend as if she was alright.
I am alright, a voice in the back of her head insisted. Kaori tended to believe that voice. It was easier than dealing with the truth.
She was walking home from school, one day. Clouds covered up the sun, and people were walking fast, heads down. They weren't taking time to enjoy the sharp, crisp air of fall. They ignored the brilliance of the many sights and sounds. No, they were too absorbed with their own life to take any notice.
People, Kaori reflected, are rather stupid creatures. They destroy what they are given, and then complain. And they are so afraid of trivial things, like dying. Who cares when you die? It's going to happen to all of us someday.
She fingered the pendant that hung around her neck. It was a purple crescent moon, on a thin, silver chain. It was beautiful, but beauty isn't everything. Kaori loathed that necklace and all that it stood for.
She came to Yuko's shop and was surprised to find a girl banging on the door.
"Yuko-san!!" she called in a sing song voice. "Oh, YUKO-SAAAAANNN!!"
"Jeez, could you be quiet?" Kaori demanded. "What do you need Yuko for?"
The girl turned around. She had the most absurd style Kaori had even seen. Her hair was originally brown (probably) but she had blonde, blue, pink, yellow, and green streaks in it that made it look as if a rainbow had floated down and sat upon her head. Her eyes were gray and seemed to sparkle. She was wearing a hot pink t-shirt with the words "Save the Vampires" on it in black. She was also wearing a black trenchcoat and two different shoes. Her face lit up when she saw Kaori.
"Oh, hello!" she said, cheerfully. "Are you Yuko-san's daughter?"
"Heck, no!" Kaori said, thoroughly offened. "And who are you?!"
"Oh, I'm Harumi," the girl replied, not bothering to give a last name. "What's your na-"
"Her name's Kaori Ichiharra."
The two girls looked to the door, to see Yuko standing there.
"Oh, hello, Yuko-san!" Harumi said, brightly. "I was banging on your door earlier, but you must not have heard me."
Yuko stared at her.
"Oh, trust me. I heard you."
"But then why-"
Harumi was once again interrupted by a flash of light. They all stared at the lawn where yet another girl had appeared. This girl had long gray hair, silver skin, and was covered in blood.
Harumi gasped.
"Who's she?" she asked Yuko.
"She" Yuko replied, "is Aenora. The Princess of another world."
Aenora looked at Yuko.
"You must be the Dimensional Witch," she said, gravely. "I have come here, in need of your services."
"I guessed as much," Yuko replied. "Unfortunately, your wish will be shared with both of these girls."
Aenora frowned.
"What are you saying?"
"I am saying that I am sending all three of you on a journey through the worlds. You will be helping a group of travlers gather the scattered memories of the Princess of Clow," Yuko answered. "However, there is a price."
"Wait a second," Kaori protested. "You're gonna make us pay the price for something that you randomly decided to do?"
Yuko considered this.
"Yup. Pretty much," she said, shrugging.
"Yay!" Harumi cheered.
Kaori muttered something about a bunch of lunatics.
"Princess Aenora," Yuko said, "Your price, is your kingdom. You have to give up your title as princess."
Aenora's silver face went white. She touched the intricately designed crown sitting upon her head. Finally, she took it off and set it at the feet of the Witch. She bowed, and stepped back.
"You, Kaori," Yuko continued, "Must continue to carry the burdens you are plotting to disgard. Such as that pendant, for example."
Kaori fingered the loathsome pendant. She desprately wanted to rip it off of her throat and grind it into dust, under her heel.
"What would happen if I refused to pay the price?" she asked, through clenched teeth.
"Well," Yuko said, "You'd be forced to stay here, where I'd still make you wear the pendant. So, it basically doesn't matter what you pick. However," Yuko looked her straight in the eye. "You could leave this place. I know that's what you really want."
Kaori gulped.
"Fine," she said.
"Um…Yuko-san?" Harumi asked. "What am I paying?"
"Nothing. If you go, I won't have anymore headaches. I find that completely reasonable."
"Oh. Okay."
And the Witch's shop dissapered from their view.