14/02 - This is one of the few chapters I was pretty satisfied with, so very little changes were made.
Warning: Deathfic? Maybe? You'll see ;)
Happy Valentine's Day ha haha hahaha
Shhhh.
Be still. Be quiet, and listen closely to your surroundings. What do you hear?
Do you hear the birds chirping outside, symbolising movement? Do you hear the chirps of a chick, the whines of a puppy, the cries of a baby; signs of new life? Or maybe you hear the leaves rustling in the wind, brushing against each other, showing sensitivity?
Do you hear the children laughing, playing; the future of our world growing? Do you hear even the slightest intake of breath, or the smallest of sighs? What about the crunch of brown autumn leaves on the cold hard concrete being trampled on? Do you hear animals consuming their prey, chomping away?
No.
All around you, there is silence. Everyone is still; too shocked to move a muscle. They hold their breaths, waiting for a moment to let it go along with their worries. If the enemies were to attack, no one would retaliate; but even the enemies remain statues.
Her scars and burns seem to take over her whole body, growing slowly but surely. They could easily be compared to cancer cells: cells which divide and reproduce so quickly no one can keep up. Everyone is soaked in their own sweat, praying with all their might for her to be safe. Even the smallest gulp can be heard in the overwhelming silence.
All around you are the seven signs of living. Movement. Reproduction. Sensitivity. Growth. Respiration. Excretion. Nutrition. Seven, yet she performed none. Sure, her wounds show growth and reproduction, but that isn't her doing. She isn't bringing her self to her death on her own free will.
She is no longer living.
Then, as if on cue, everyone recovers from their trance. The brunette girl with pigtails cries until her tears run dry. Her friends hesitate to comfort her, all except the girl with ebony hair. Her face is not so much in agony, but it is definitely sadder than her usual stoic face.
You glance at the lady directly in front of you. She is significantly shorter than you, shorter than when you last saw her, albeit the approximate 5-inch heels she wears. She holds a hand over her mouth while the other tries to support and keep together her trembling body. She is worried, and you know that much. Although she is the enemy, she was that woman's best friend.
Yet, she couldn't do anything. She couldn't prevent her ally from causing a death. Not even the Fuukitai she released from her control can revive the dead.
Your eyes slowly travel to the young man, who handed the key to that woman's death. He has a small evil smile plastered on his face; a smile you want to slap away so badly. He appeared to be one of the brunette's friends, but clearly isn't. His appearance caused that woman to trust him, leading to her death.
What happened to 'looks can deceive', Yuka?
You hear footsteps behind you and, when you turn around, you see a young child. Although you've never seen him before, you recognize his face. You would recognize that face anywhere. He was the cause of all war, the casualties, the problems. He is the root of all evil.
He is the Elementary School Principal.
He commands the young man to take the brunette hostage, and he does. She looks up in shock, and realizes the man is not who she thought he was. The mere act of grabbing the brunette's arm causes her friends to shout her name in worry. The raven-haired boy swiftly brings fire around the man. Unfortunately, it is deflected by the principal's barrier. He brags of it, and you are sick of it. His pride must be taken down, and that's what you do.
With your own barrier Alice, you ruin his.
He looks for the source of the attack and notices you; showing a face contorted by fear, shock and anger.
He asks for Yuka's body which is in your arms, and you would've laughed if your partner hadn't just died. What would you do with a dead body? a part of your head asks.
Oh, he could do heaps, another part answers. It just so happens that all those things are evil.
You firmly refuse, and he asks again; but you will not back down. If you back down, all of your hardwork and efforts would have been futile. All of Yuka's hardwork and efforts would have been futile. You know it would be the least you and Yuka from above would want. If the Elementary School Principal gets hold of Yuka's body, the academy will be ruined, and all the risks to protect the academy and continue Sensei's will would have been pointless. Without a doubt, it was just a matter of not letting the Elementary School Principal get his way.
So you make a deal with him, a deal that he cannot refuse. A deal that has four conditions that could change everyone's lives for the better. A deal to thank Yuka for her hardwork, her perseverance, and her mere agreement to letting you work with her. It was a deal to say 'thank you'; to say 'I will continue from here'. A deal to protect Yuka from here onwards.
Because you can never bring yourself to say goodbye.