Disclaimer
I, Shirogami, would like to state here, that I don't own any character of Mai-HiME Animation I used in this latest fan-fiction of mine. However, I do own this storyline and some original characters.
Please enjoy this story and R&R. NO FLAME IS WELCOMED HERE. In the mean time, I am not a good English writer, so please be tolerate if there are (?) many grammar mistakes. Thank you very much.
P.R.I.N.C.E
By Shirogami
If time never dies, I will protect you with the rest of mine.
Thusday
Far inside the depths of the forest a bear-like creature is resting by the tree. With the claw of sharp nails, it had cut down the trees around like vegetables; And with its strength, it can crush the rocks into ashes.
It is an ORPHAN! And it is a strong one indeed.
But, this creature just can't stop shivering at all. Its sight never leaves the forest; its iris keeps spinning around to keep itself cautious, its pant never stops, so as the bleeding around its body, all of them were shot injuries.
Shot injuries?
Yes, it's shot, with a weapon it never meets before. Unlike the pistol that police wields, or the rifle soldier fires, the wounds are terribly huge and hard to be healed within hours. It was shot by some sort of energy blast, a kind of attack that is not supposed to be seen in this era and place!
Unless… the HiME…
Precisely, unless it had been fighting with HiME, or else it won't be hurt such terribly. Not for an ORPHAN that a normal human fear to face with.
Unfortunately, it was its mistake at the first place for choosing to fight with… her.
"What is it? You're already over?" A sound just rings the ORPHAN back to senses. Its fang bites hardly, as it is staring at the speaker.
"Well, seems like you're not…" The pressure is getting harder. The piercing wind flows towards the ORPHAN and causing it to strengthen its every muscle. It can feel it, that the death is approaching.
The speaker finally comes to its sight. She is a woman that Keiji fought last night, a woman who wants to change the HiMEs' fate. The woman Keiji called Kurohime.
"WHO ARE YOU? YOU ARE TOO STRONG FOR A MERE HUMAN! AN ORPHAN TOO?" Like an animal, the ORPHAN talks by breathing and roaring, which human does not understand.
"An ORPHAN? Don't compare me with those ugly and weak creatures like you!" Kurohime is angered and looks at the ORPHAN fiercely.
"YOU UNDERSTAND MY WORDS?" the ORPHAN becomes frightened when Kurohime able to answer it.
"Why can't I? Some of your comrades had been in here." Kurohime taps her abdomen with both of her hands gently, with her tongue licking her lips and continues with her chilling laugh, "To be frank, they are strong indeed, and 'strong' is the best ingredient for a meal, hahaha…"
"YOU… YOU MONSTER! I'M GONNA KILL YOU!" the ORPHAN charges at Kurohime without fear with its remaining strength and speed, its claw even cuts the trees around.
"Hmm… so you are not bad at all, may be I should absorb you as well." Kurohime suddenly blinks to avoid the claw attack, and reappears again in front of it. But the OPRHAN continues by opening its mouth to bite her neck.
Unfortunately, its bite attack is stopped by a barrier that is stronger its strength. "Looks like you are not willing to live longer, oh well, you choose it." Kurohime grins and starts morphing her magnum out by generating dark aura around her right hand.
The ORPHAN changes its mind quickly to escape. Its instinct is telling it that she is going to kill it any moment. When it tries to stay back, it finds out that it cannot move every inch of its muscle, it feels like being bound by something, something called 'fear'.
"Be honored, that you are able to die under a CHILD's attack." Kurohime aims her gun barrel at its sweating head gladly, then starts twirling wind into it to form a force that even tears the ORPHAN's skin.
"NO! PLEASE! SHOW MER…" the ORPHAN begs but it is too late as Kurohime blows off its head with a tornado shot and its body starts turning into dust.
Kurohime looks at her gun and whispers, "Good, I finally able to control 'it'. But I want more, who might be the next?" Kurohime considers her choices, then smirks and disappears slowly.
"That power, and that feeling, no doubt about it! It's a CHILD within her!" Nagi observes everything from above the hill, his tightened eyebrows show his worries and there is only a thing able to trouble him.
Everything linked to HiME.
"This is bad, if she continues her way, then my plan will be ruined. I need to do something about this." Nagi turns around and walks away.
"I see, so what you're afraid of all this time finally became true, huh? Man, things are just getting tougher." Right around the front gate for the Fuuka Academy, Natsuki is talking with Keiji, who just told her about Akane's case that caused the improvement of Kurohime's power, but he doesn't reveal Akane's name by explaining that it is her concern now.
"Kurohime really wants me to die. After all, I know her too well and also the one who able to stop her." Keiji holds his chin and continues, "Now what concerns me is who will she get the CHILD from before Mai. The more CHILD she gain, the more powerful she will become."
"Then, why don't you go and search the other HiME? Then we can secure them and…" Natsuki suggests but Keiji just swings his head and says, "Natsuki, what makes you think that they will simply trust me like you do. I can't just simply reveal my power and tells them about everything. Besides, I had told you before, right? I'd been ordered for not revealing any of the HiME's identity to each other."
"Then you are just sitting here and doing nothing?" Natsuki finally getting mad and scolds.
"You're wrong, Natsuki. I know exactly what she wants, and I also know when. I just need to wait and…" Keiji takes out his armor device and says, "Getting this thing recharged in full power. This is needed to fight against her."
Natsuki reminds the words from their conversation earlier, "Mai?"
"Yes, of all the HiME, Mai's condition fulfills Kurohime's plan of getting the CHILD easily and faster too. Mai's CHILD is also another key to ensure her victory upon me." Keiji's word surprises Natsuki, as far as she knows, nobody ever sees Mai's CHILD, not even the bearer herself. That's why she wonders how can Keiji know so much about it, especially his expression becomes serious when he talks about it.
"Keiji, just how can you be so sure about when Mai will get her CHILD? And of all of the HiME around, why do you so concern about her?" Natsuki finally asks the question that troubles her all this time.
"Natsuki, were you just saying that I care too much for Mai?" Keiji looks at her and Natsuki can sense anger within his eyes. "Then answer me, Natsuki. Why are you still bearing your HiME ability? I can just set you up to lure Kurohime out and kill her, without concerning your safety and your CHILD at all." Keiji's serious voice even makes his statement sounds scary.
He got the point. Natsuki reconsiders his words and no doubt about that Keiji can choose to let Natsuki fight Kurohime on her own back at the restaurant case, while he can gain time to escort Mai away.
"I… I am sorry, Keiji." Natsuki apologizes to Keiji.
Keiji lays his hand on her shoulder, taps it lightly and says, "Never mind, you do nothing wrong at all. I should be thank you for helping me when I asked…" Suddenly, the bell rings and both of them finally realize that they are still on the way to their studies. "We'll talk later."
After some classes, the recess time finally comes and most of the students just rush to the canteen for their lunch, while Keiji is having the sandwich he made at his seat.
"Keiji, do you have time?" Mai comes to him and asks along with her lunch box.
"Sure I am, Mai. Please." Keiji puts his lunch box away and leaves some space for Mai's.
"Keiji, Natsuki said to me that it was your idea of getting me away from my working place yesterday, while I was still working, right?" After Keiji munched some sandwich, Mai asks, without enjoying her lunch at all.
Keiji gets himself chocked when he knew Natsuki tells Mai the fact. He immediately has some water to smooth his throat. But Mai just keeps asking, "Please Keiji, why did you do that?"
"Mai, what I did is for your safety. I can't tell you the exact reason now but you get to believe me." Keiji looks at Mai and answers.
"Just how can I believe you when you don't explain anything at all!" Mai is getting frustrated and her voice is getting louder. Some of the students, who are having their lunch in the class as well, look at them and wonder what is actually happening.
All of the sudden, Keiji looks at Mai tenderly and yet, Mai can sense sorrow within him, Keiji's sight never leaves her, he is suffered for not able to tell Mai anything about him, that he is here to help her, protect her, and keep her away from Kurohime or more. All he can do now is watching at Mai's angry eyes that lost faith in him. Keiji cannot stand the stress anymore. He ignores Mai's eyes, boxes up his lunch box and leaves the class.
When Mai watches he leaves, she just cannot figure out why Keiji looks familiar with someone she knew, someone she feels like stranger and yet friendly when they argued each other.
Someone she has not met for so long - Tate Yuichi.
"Damn, I really need some rest." Keiji rests under a huge tree near the school garden, but he is still feeling sad for Mai's misunderstanding upon him.
"And a lot of rest indeed, Keiji-kun." Someone talks above him all of the sudden.
"Who's there?" Keiji stands up, leaps away from the tree and looks above. He finds a boy around Mashiro Kazahana's age is resting on the branch and looking back at him. He leaps down to the ground, closes his book entitled The Evening with Akira Ishida.
"Please to meet you, I am Nagi Homura. You can just call me Nagi." His red pupils and white hair makes Keiji remembers his appearance clear enough.
"Nagi, why shall I find no surprise?"
"Huh? Did we meet before?" Nagi looks at Keiji in surprise.
"I heard a lot about you. You are the one links all the HiME together." Slowly, Keiji holds his knuckles and crunches them. "And a dangerous one indeed."
"Just a minute, Keiji-kun. I am not here for a fight, in fact, I am not a fighter, just an observer." Nagi swings his hand to disagree with Keiji's thought.
"Observer? Just what do you really observe? The HiME's changing time?" Keiji crosses his arms.
"More than that, Keiji-kun: their dates, battle, and their CHILD, opps!" Nagi chuckles when he is explaining, then he covers his mouth suddenly. He looks at Keiji wickedly and continues, "and also your little fight with that girl."
Keiji notices his changes and keeps on the conversation. "And what you gonna do now? Kill me for interrupting your little game?"
"No, no, no, as I said before, I am not here to fight." Nagi turns back to his naive look and explains, "In fact, your little appearance just made everything more interesting, and I really enjoy it so far."
"Then what are you doing here with me? You won't just appear yourself and chat with me?"
"You sure know me well, Keiji-kun. I did have a purpose to see you, and it will fulfill what both of our desire." Nagi smirks and continues. "You see, that girl, Kurohime, I presumed, is breaking the rules. And I need someone to set things right."
Keiji smiles and replies, "Do you mean I am the one? Sorry, Nagi. I lost to her, remember?"
"So you're just gonna stay quiet and let her do what she wants? You are not that kind of cool-blooded guy, aren't you, Keiji-kun?" Nagi's words just hit the bulls-eye of Keiji's mind.
Keiji is speechless and angry when Nagi knows his thinking.
"I will stop Kurohime at any cost." Keiji prepares to leave as he heard the bell rings. He back faced Nagi and continues, even though Nagi already disappeared, "But that is not for your sake, Nagi."
After the last class ends, Keiji goes to the student's council office to inform Shizuru and Reito about his absence.
"Ara, Keiji-kun, I heard that you took medical leave yesterday. What happened?" Shizuru concerns.
"Thanks for your concern, Shizuru-san. It was just a normal headache but I am fine now." Keiji thanks.
"Glad to hear that, it hurts me to see anyone of you not feeling well." After Shizuru puts down her cup of tea, she writes down the details on her report.
"By the way, I hope my absence didn't cost any trouble to you both yesterday." Keiji observes Shizuru carefully.
"It can't be helped if you were sick, Keiji-kun. We can't just force someone to come to school with a weak body." Reito explains. "Keiji-kun, you got something to tell Shizuru?" He asks when he looks at the concentrating Keiji.
"Huh? Nothing, nothing at all, hahaha…" Keiji holds his back brain and smiles.
"Really? Then everything is fine then." Reito keeps up his things and prepare to leave soon. "This shall be enough for today. You may go now, Keiji-kun."
"Then I shall leave now, there is something I need to catch with. Have a nice day. By the way, Shizuru-san, I heard that there are some stalkers lurking around the area. Therefore I hope you can go home as soon as possible, for your own safety."
"Thanks for your concern, Keiji-kun. I will keep that in mind." Shizuru replies happily.
After Keiji closes the door and walks along the doorway, he finally relieved a sigh.
"Good, she is safe. Now, who shall I refer next?"
Night is approaching and Keiji is standing right in front of a giant rock located within the forest. After he ensured some HiME's safety by looking for them around the school, his worries become less, as most of the HiME still bears their ability. He gazes upon the smooth surface of the rock for a long time, until he does not notice Natsuki's arrival.
"Why are you calling me to this place? I thought you want me to keep an eye on Mai." Before Natsuki continues, she finally observes the drawing on the wall Keiji is watching. It is a drawing of a dragon soars in the sky and attacks group of monsters by fire. The picture may look fuzzy, but Natsuki can see its appearance easily, the dragon has wings, three pairs of green glowing eyes, and a sword is stabbed through its beak-like mouth.
"What is this?" She asks curiously.
"A key." Keiji explains steadily.
"A key?"
"Yes, a key." Keiji finally looks at Natsuki and continues, "A key that will affects everything that happened tonight; a key ensures HiME's fate; and also a key for me to win against Kurohime." Keiji touches the wall, his expression is so tender, like his is being blessed for able to see this.
"Keiji?" Natsuki whispers when she notices Keiji's expression.
"Natsuki, I wanted you to come here is nothing more than about Kurohime. I just checked up with most of the HiME and every one of them is safe right now. But there are still some HiME I failed to meet, I just hope if they are okay."
"But don't you worry that Kurohime will get their power right after you met them, just like what you told me last time." Natsuki's warning seems possible, she does not know that HiME's real identity yet, but she concern that Keiji will make the same mistake like the last time.
"You got the point, Natsuki. But what makes a HiME able to fight an ORPHAN? Their abilities aren't just simply given for decoration, like yours, they are weapons too. Unless if she can make it here on time, or else she won't waste another minute for fighting with other HiME." Keiji speaks. "But still, I cannot deny that Kurohime may gain another CHILD now, that's why I had gone to warn the other HIME by giving rumors about criminals and stalkers, hoping they will be more careful about their surrounding."
"Keiji, I think I get a better idea, why don't you just stop Mai from obtaining her CHILD? In that case, Mai will be safer right? I bet Kurohime won't fight a HiME which doesn't bear a CHILD." Natsuki gets another idea. In fact, it is the thing she wishes most, which all the HiME will not assemble together.
"No, Mai is going to get her CHILD! As long as she is chosen to be a HiME, it is her destiny to have a CHILD! And fight with it!" Keiji suddenly shouts at Natsuki and his behavior almost scares Natsuki, he is too serious about Mai just like she thought.
"Then I will stop her."
"And how many times can you do that? She may not do it today, but she will do it soon, it is just the matter of time, Natsuki!" Keiji demands, "And it is not something you can stop easily, Natsuki. And let me tell you something you shall not know, Mai is going to obtain her CHILD on her own will, no matter you like it or not."
"I am gonna try either!" Natsuki puts on her helmet and guns her bike out from the forest and look for Mai.
"Wait!" Keiji is trying to stop her, but another thing just catch his attention. "Kurohime!" Keiji, along with his armor device and his katana, rushes into the forest and track down the presence he is aware of.
"Mai, I just hope you can get 'it' soon enough. I think I might not hold her too long."
It is late in the night. A girl is running like hell with a boy by her side. His heart disease causes him keeps panting hardly and holding his chest, while the girl keeps encouraging him to go further.
"But sis… I cannot… run… any… more… just go… without… me." The boy does not want his sister to be in danger because of him. With his suffering that increases his difficulty in breathing, he wants her to go.
"What are you talking about, Takumi? You are my only brother and I am not going to leave you here. NOT A CHANCE!" Mai neglects his words and puts his arm over her shoulder. "And I'm not gonna let that monster eats you like it wants, NEVER!" then they starts running again.
Actually, an ORPHAN attacked both Tokiha Mai and Tokiha Takumi while they were taking a walk in a forest. They kept running until they reached the giant rock, and Takumi finally cannot make it further anymore, Mai puts him by somewhere in the bush and warns him not to make a voice, while she is thinking of some way to lure the ORPHAN to catch her only.
Meanwhile, there is also another encounter not far from Mai's place and one of them is losing.
After he repelled another bullet, Keiji rushes again to get closer to Kurohime. When he slashes, Kurohime slips it like flowing stream and takes aim at Keiji's right shoulder. Keiji reacts immediately as he noticed it, by bending down to avoid the shot and sweeps her feet. Kurohime smirks, even though she is hit, and she simply cartwheeling by supporting herself with one arm and gets herself back in balance. Keiji, along with his sweeping kick, performs another slash upon Kurohime's supporting arm but he misses it again.
Kurohime leaps away to stay away from Keiji, following with a few shot towards Keiji. He tries his best to repel and dodge after he gets himself ready, but two shots hits his armor on his shoulder and chest and cracks them.
Keiji looks at the flaws and starts worrying. He is sure that his enemy had already able to control Akane's CHILD now, and it is a bad news to him because he is going to fight against the power that overwhelms him. He really need some aid, the help from the HiME. But, if they are getting careless, then Kurohime will absorb that CHILD too. Unless, he able to use their power like Kurohime does.
"This is bad, now she even can control HARRY's ability, I cannot stand against her for long at this rate." Keiji thinks when he is avoiding another shot. Even the shot just passed by him, Keiji can feel the pressure from the speed it created. He wields his katana hard with one hand, while his other hand balancing himself when he bends down to avoid another shot. His waving ponytail follows his every movement like a flowing river, as he keeps striding and leaping to avoid Kurohime's attack. "Hurry up, Mai! Please get it quickly, there is no time left."
"Hurry up, Mai. If you don't obtain it, then all of you will die." In same time, Nagi, who showed up on top of the wallstone, persuades Mai to get her CHILD.
"No, Mai. Don't be fooled by Nagi." Natsuki is standing against the ORPHAN now. She tries to kill the ORPHAN before Mai receives her CHILD. She keeps shooting at it, along with DURAN's launcher support.
"Mai, don't you want to protect your brother? The one you treasure most? Then go and get it." Nagi grins as Mai is walking closer to the rock. It is the rock with the dragon's drawing Keiji saw not long ago.
"DURAN! Load chrome cartridge!" Natsuki cannot postpone the battle anymore, she has to settle this at once. The silver wolf of hers loads the ammo into the launcher on its shoulder and waits for her command. "FIRE!" And DURAN shoots out the explosive blast and pierces the Orphan into half, both the upper and lower parts of the ORPHAN fall on the ground. Natsuki, without checking its death, runs to Mai quickly. "Mai, listen here. If you don't want to get yourself in danger, you better stay away from all this HiME business, don't ever listen to that bastard!" Natsuki aims to Nagi and shouts, "Nagi, just how many people you want to endanger until you are satisfied?"
"Come on, Natsuki, don't be mad." Nagi acts innocent, but he still smiles wickedly. "Although I want Mai to get her CHILD, it is still her decision. I never force a HiME, I am always a gentleman, am I?"
"Shut up!" Natsuki fires at Nagi for his ridiculous talk.
"Whow! That was close." Nagi slips aside and avoids the bullet. "Natsuki, I will not take that shot if I were you. I'll better save it up for…" Nagi points at the fallen ORPHAN and continues, "them."
"Them?" just when Natsuki and Mai are confused, both parts of the ORPHAN that should have died move again. Their ruined parts are regenerated back in normal, what differs them is the upper part now have wings like bee and a long sharp tail, and the lower part gains its own head and a pair of scythe arm.
"Is this your another trick, Nagi?" Natsuki reloads her gun and scolds at Nagi. But he rather enjoys the show than answers to Natsuki anymore.
"Now, who will win this round?" Nagi leans by the wallstone and wonders the result.
Another round of battle between the HiME and the Child restarts, but this time Natsuki is going to face two ORPHAN if Mai still refuses to fight. Since the two ORPHAN are reborn from one, their attacks are synchronized and organized well. Both Natsuki and DURAN are starting to lose as Natsuki is being aimed as their main target.
"Natsuki!" Mai shouts as the flying ORPHAN hits Natsuki's back and send her far from Mai. Natsuki, on the other hand, trying so hard to stand up and keeps fighting. Just when DURAN is fighting with the scythe ORPHAN, the flying ORPHAN now takes its chance by attacking Mai, who is near to it. The flying ORPHAN stares at its prey and maintain its position, while Mai's body is shivering due to her fear on the monster before her. The ORPHAN's sight never leaves hers, its lips keeps dripping its saliva that even melts the ground below it, Mai cannot imagine what will happen when it catches her. Mai slowly steps backward towards the wallstone behind her.
"Mai! Run away! Run away now!" Just when Natsuki is shouting, the flying ORPHAN immediately take charge by collide toward Mai. Mai is too scary to move, and her step finally reaches the wall, on impulse, Mai raises both her arm on impulse to block her from the ORPHAN's attack and screams. Her scream may be not loud, but someone who is able to hear it from far.
"Mai!" Back to Keiji, he can hear it loud and clear because of the antenna on his helmet, so as Kurohime.
"Well, looks like your dear HiME just need some help, huh? But too bad, you can't, Keiji." Kurohime speaks and fires again at Keiji who is hiding behind a tree.
But, instead of feeling nervous, Keiji is becoming calm; he is smiling instead of getting worry. "Is that so?" He looks at the explosion not far and he is certain about Mai's safety.
"What the…" Natsuki is speechless, not because of she able to dodge the scythed ORPHAN's deadly attack, but the barrier that protects Mai from the flying ORPHAN, flames are surrounding Mai's wrists and legs, then morphs out two pairs of bracelets. Just when Mai comes back to her senses, she is surprised that she is wearing something weird and wondering what it is.
"Good, Mai. Looks like you finally decided to be a HiME after all." Nagi is feeling happy when Mai finally able to use her ELEMENT.
"What is this? Is this your doing?" Mai points the arm bracelets towards Nagi and asks.
"What are you talking about? They are yours right from the start. It is your choice for using or not using it." Nagi explains. "Now, Mai. Are you ready to obtain 'it'?" Nagi points the drawing on the wallstone ad continues, "Are you ready to get… your CHILD?" Just when Nagi continues his persuasion, Natsuki tries to get near but the annoying ORPHAN disturbs her again.
Mai does not listen to both Nagi's and Natsuki's word now. She is watching at the eyes of the drawn dragon. "It is you right?" Mai whispers. "It is you who saved me from the cruise incident, right?" Suddenly, just within a blink of eye, Mai can see the dragon's eye flashes once.
"Mai, if you really want to protect the one you care and prevent those monster from killing your treasure one, just pull the dagger on the dragon's mouth, then it will be yours to command." Nagi questions Mai's desire to protect her most precious. "This is the last chance, Mai. Or you rather let the monster kills everyone here?"
Just when Nagi mentions the most important word, Mai looks at the bush where she hided her brother. Unfortunately, the flying ORPHAN, which just being blown away by her barrier, notices him when its flippering wings blew away the bush. Takumi, however, is unable to move because of his heart disease.
"Takumi!" Mai looks at the ORPHAN and back to the wallstone, she finally decides, "Is it gonna listen to me if I release it?" Nagi crosses his arms and answers, "It's your CHILD, if you can't make it, who else?" Without thinking anymore, Mai flies up to the top of the rock. And with her certain will, she grab the dagger Nagi mentioned and pulls it.
At the same, a lightning flashes through Keiji's mind when he misses a slash at Kurohime. He dodges her counter shots and hides behind another tree, he looks at the light where Mai is and smiles.
"Thank you, Mai…"
End of Thursday
Author's word:
Hello, everyone, especially the fans of Mai-HiME, I hope you all enjoy the Anime like I did.
This chapter was written by taking the animation as main route, and made some changes to fit in this fiction, but the description for rock is originally from My-HiME PS2 game – The tree of destiny.
Although Kurohime's power is strengthened, but Keiji seems to have a way to stop her. What will it be? Why does he want Mai to get her CHILD so eagerly? Just stay tuned and don't forget to R&R, Thank you.
See you tomorrow.