Hakurei Honor Ch.12
Author's Note: Here's another chapter from me. And if you read the last chapter, then you'll probably have an idea on what's going to happen.
Chapter 12: The Nightmare Begins: Before Fate's Intervention
The Hakurei Shrine is not a big shrine, nor was it small. It was spacy enough for its purposes but still particularly mundane (unlesa you go in the residence). It should be expected actually, afterall it's very special and too much attention is not wanted. Also, the shrine is not far from city proper and more importantly Mitakahara Middle School. With that said, it's no surprise that Reimu takes her time in the mornings. She wakes up early to do shrine work afterall. Not to mention, no matter how groggy she wakes, she wakes very early. And such, there she was sweeping the shrine grounds whistl she waits for the first rays of the sun. She has been at it for while. Heck was antsy this day. For it was the day, the day where in the time traveller said that things would go straight into hell. She shook her head as a sound of sliding shoji doors moved from the residence behind her. Noticing that the girl did not yet emerge, she thought about how nonchalant the girl was. She was too focused on what's to come ro realise that the days she was waiting for have only arrive. Her single mindedness was unnerving. Then again thanks to how similar to what she experienced the last days were, it should be expected. The similarities were so great that if she and her friensds/associatea were lesser minded they would not catch the discrepancy themselves. And thanks to them, she had convinced the girl to bunk with her, just to see if she would realize it herself. Unfortunately, she did not. Reimu could only sigh at that. Finally hearing the girl emerge she turned to face her guest. The girl as always looked stoicly bored. Regarding her host for a moment she finally greeted her.
"Good Morning Reimu-san." she said in her usual monotone. Reimu cringed at this no matter how much time she spent with the girl she could not get used to how robotic Homura is. The worst part of it was the fact that her maids Ryuuto and VIVIT were more human than her! And they were actuall androids! Shaking this line of though she decided to just roll with it as always and regarded her guest.
"Good Morning Homura." she said casually. "Breakfast is mostly done by now, so go ahead without me." The girl stared at her for a few moments before nodding and going her way. She watched the girl leave a moment before shaking her head. The day is only starting and she's already fidgety. Before she could stiffle the coming sigh a harsh beep beat her to it. It was her cellphone's message tone. Fishing the object out of her hakama pant's pocket, her eyebrows rosw when she saw from who the message originated from. When she had first heard of it she was not surprised to find that Yukari had a cellphone, knew how to use said device and finally knew what her number was. Why should she be surprised? The woman was the youkai of 'boundaries' after all. It was the same reason that she didn't even raise a brow on how it got sent from Gensokyo as well. The kappa was always busy and even before Sanae came they already had a hidden celltower built by then (not that Sanae knew of it, the poor girl)... and if memory serves her well, they built a satellite too (and it the best reason why Kaguya had a working connection to the internet). Shelving the stray thoughts away she went ahead and read the message.
"Today is the forewarned day. Whatever may happens, keep the realm you defend informed. And most importantly, keep your health. For you will be a great loss."
That was it; this was the straw that broke the camel's back. Yukari was nutty, carefree and eccentric individual that has a penchant to troll people or do stuff just for shit and giggles. In a crisis however, she is great ally. A guarantee of a very assured victory. But a serious Yukari was something else. If her message was any indication then... it truly showed how bad the situation is. Looking up the sky, she gave a silent prayer... For they would need all the help they can get.
#0#
Mirai silently strode out the train as it made it stop at her destination. But for all that happened the last few days there was no guarantee of anything concrete. Unfortunately thanka to a certain time traveller that thought quickly went down the drain as a sickening pit of distress settled down her stomach. And it was much worse than that. For a very special life close to her own was on the line. And failure might mean that life would be snuffed out. And that made her skin crawl as that thought made her remember something her father told her on how the world works. The thought of an overpowered counter guardian swooping in and decimating Mitakahara and killing all the witches, incubators and puella for that treath they possesa is not a pleasant. She pretty much wished that she did not pay attention to her father's lessons, but... She could not. She was involved, she was stuck with it since the day a demon attacked her school, she recieved her gun and entered Makai. It was fate honestly but even if she said no she was already connected, it involved her father after all. She shook her head. No use getting riled up early in the morning. Oh well. Since she had that much time, the red head agreed to herself to get cake.
#0#
Mami could not get the foreboding feeling out of her gut. It was worrying. Bad enough that she woke up from a nightmare that she did not have since elementary. She could only shiver as she slowly made out of her apartment despite that dark nagging feeling. She didn't like it... The last time she felt like this was...
Was that a limo?
#0#
She sat quitely as they rode comfortably in silence. She was not surprised that her new classmate (not for Reimu it seems) Nogizaka, Haruka rode in a limo, rode with her faithful maid Hazuki and sat demurely and quitely as she did. She was similar before she met Reimu and Mirai so she's not surprised by that too. Though, normally she would make conversation to make the quite girl comfortable like Reimu did for her, she could not. She was busy with the deep dark feeling that nagged her even now.
"Is something wrong Tomoe-kun?" Hazuki asked her. The faithful maid of the Nogizaka family easily seeing how uncharacteristically silent the Tomoe girl is. Despite having little exposure to girl, she knew that the other blonde ws not this quite. She was after all a friens to Hakurei child like her young mistress is. In fact the only reason her young mistress was like that is because of what happened to her former school. It's clear that she was still distressed about it and after short exposure to the Tomoe girl; her young ward had brightened even a little bit. But now, it seemed that the girl herself seened troubled. In fact...
"Tomoe-san?" she didn't even noticed her young mistress, who's becoming worried why her new friend was so distressed. Mami for her part did not notice the other occupants of the limo till the maid put a hand on her shoulder.
"Oh?" the blonde exclaimed before looking around and blushing. The girl finally remembering that she was not alone in this vehicle and they just offered her a ride. "I'm sorry. There's just something bothering me this morning. But don't worry it's nothing to worry about." she assured them, or at least she tried. Judging from their still worried faces, they did not buy it.
"Tomoe-kun... If you cannot convince yourself, then how can you convince others?" the maid asked her with her young mistress nodding in agreement. The girl still looked reluctant and kept angling her so no one can see her eyes. She wanted to tell them, if not all at least something... but... but...
"NO! YOU'RE LYING! YOU'RE LYING!"
The voice of her puella kohai echoed in her head. That was a dark day... And because of that, they parted ways. And it all started with this feeling, this same foreboading feeling... Though circumstances differ, she felt that if she said anything, she might lose something once more, something important... a bond, like that time... That time when... that time when...
"MAMI!" Haruka shouted, shocking the other two other occupants in the limo. "Don't shoulder everything yourself! Lelouch-sensei said that even one's problem is one's own, that does not mean that one can shoulder it alone. That's why... we have friends!" she continued as she slammed both hands onto the other girl's shoulders. Mami could only look at the other girl indiscrutibly, before giggling then giving off her warmest smile.
"You are truly a 'Geass Child'. Reimu says and does the same thing." Mami told Haruka who became embarassed and withdrew from her and blushed. The maid could only giggle at the sight and her master could only pout. Mami once more was reminded on how lucky she is. Ever since meeting Reimu and Mirai she had been blessed as she continue to encounter people that meant right. That really cared about her, her wellbeing, her happiness. Not like back then when she encountered nothing but fakes and jackals. To the point that she could never say thank you enough. Taking a deep breath she addresses her companions.
"Thank you for worrying. I feel better." the other two smiled and nodded, glad that she was out of her funk. "Though I admit that I still feel hesitation on saying why I felt like that..."
"Why?"
"Because the last time I had this feeling..." Both master and maid then paled.
#0#
Homura could not help but feel anxiety as she walked the treeline path to her school. She felt like this even though Madoka was in the same vicinity as her, as they walked with Sayaka and Hitomi. It was all because her sempais could not help but feel the same thing. Reimu, Mirai and Mami all felt the same thing, and that did not give her confidence for this day. It did not help that this day was the attack on the hospital. The one that would cause the blonde puella's possible demise...
'But she's so strong. Would she really fall?'
Yes... That was the question. Would she fall? Unlike the other timelines, this Mami is not lonely, not naive and does not trust Kyubey one bit. She was also stronger, no... she was beyond stronger. She could do things that the other Tomoe, Mami of the different timelines could not. She could use her ribbons as blades, use different kinds of guns and could efficiently fight in melee battles and not lose. She even had a melee finishing move that incoporated enough dakka to the point that she thought she was the one doing it. Of the five puella she was the one, despite Mami's affinity with muskets, to use enough bullets to make it rain, and that was because of the firepower she stored in her shield.
'She really is something.'
Yes she was. And for the second time in her life she felt awe at the elder puella, like she did the first time they met and subquently taught her (in her frst loop that is). So it was no wonder that she was a school idol. It was no wonder she was someone other students (mostly girls) look up to.
"So Homura-chan who are you thinking of?"
"Mami-sempai." All three other girls stoped in their tracks and stared at her stupefied.
"What's wrong?"
"Uhhh... Homura, we're you following the conversation? We're you serious?" Sayaka asked. Homura blushed, finally taking to account that yes, she was not alone, and ettiquette states that she socialize with her peers.
"S-S-So-Sorry..." she stuttered, blushing while looking away. She wondered how anti-social she by now. Back then she was too mousy and fragile, completely unable to socialize even a little bit.
'Uhh... It's hard. I feel like I don't belong every time I try.'
That's right. Back then she felt detached to everyone. She was in a hospital bed for long that she did not know how to fit in with people. Not only that, thanks to her frail physique she was never out of the hospital or long that anyone she knew or starts to know seemed different, thus preventing her from even acknowledging them. But now... now, she does not have that excuse. Now she was the one who actively pushed people away. Threw people away...
'Reimu was angry about that.'
And that she was...
"""Homura?"""
"Eeep!" well that shocked her. "Ahhh... sorry, what were we talking about again?"
"*sigh* Pay attention trasfer student. We we're talking about crushers and love letters." Sayaka told her.
"Oh don't be so hard with her." Hitomi said while gesturing to her friend. "She's been hanging out with Reimu-senpai. She's still probably overwhelmed that she hangs with the most popular girls of the school." Sayaka despite her reservations, agreed. Madoka as well, which is no surprise. "Not to mention Homura can be so cool and moe at the same time. If she didn't break her contacts, she would be beating guys away with a stick." again the two other girls agreed while Homura could only blush and look away. The other three girls could only giggle while Homura pouted...
Pouting? When did I pout?
'Ehhh? Isn't it a natural response?'
That's r-... wait... What was she thinking?!
"See? The evidence herself shows it!" Hitomi proudly exclaimed. Homura sighed and palmed her face in embarassment. She seemed to trip into these situations lately.
"Now that our tall, dark and bishoujo transfer student is throughly embarassed while we continue?"
"What do you mean Sayaka?"
"I dunno... Embarassing her further?"
"And how can you do that to me? I don't think you could anymore."
"Oh! Oh! How about, have you kissed someone?!"
"Wow Hitomi how could you ask that? I mean three of us don't even have given or recieve love letters nor have guys interested in us... Right Homura?"
"I-I-I..."
"Eh? Homura-chan?"
"No way!" "Seriously! But I was joking!"
"I'M GOING AHEAD!"
"W-wait Homura-chan!"
"Quick after her!"
#0#
Homura could not tell what to feel about what happened this morning. It was annoying to hide but it's better than answering unwanted questions. She could only blame herself for that. And despite escaping that morning, Sayaka and Hitomi's wide toothy grins told her otherwise. Sighing she ignored them and continued listening to the day's lesson. It was familiar... eeiriely so. Then the formula came up, the one she knew all too well. Why were they using this again? Didn't they go through this already? Ah it didn't matter.
#0#
After the first half of the day, Homura was feeling quesy. The whole class was eeirie familiar, yet Homura could not discern why. Was this coincidence, or was it what Reimu and Mirai told her about, the butterfly effect. She shook her head. It did not matter, what happens later on does.
"Yo transfer student." And there goes her peace and quite. True it was her fault, but still...
"What now?" she asked in an aggrevated tone. The blue haired girl and her green friend just giggled.
"Aaahhh... Don't worry Homura-chan! We just wanted to ask something about Reimu-sempai." Madoka assured something that got her attention.
"About what?"
"Do you know about the new transfer student in their class?" Homura shook her head in a negative while at the sme time, the words 'new transfer student' echoed in her head.
"Ah... you don't know?" Sayaka sounded disappointed. Whoever the transfer student was, her relationship with the miko must be big. "Anyways, the girl's name is Lamperouge, Vita; she has medium height, red haired, wears round glasses and has a body the gives Mami-san a run for her money and... nevermind. In any case rumor has it the she 'fought' with Reimu-sempai before and there were something else..."
"I believe the words shaking in fear were used. Ever since the conversation that revealed that info, everyone wanted to know. But Reimu-sempai is not budging and Vita-san..." Both Hitomi and Sayaka cringed, remebering the red head's frightening smile. Realising what they wanted Homura shook her head.
"Sorry. Despite my time with Reimu-sempai I do not know much about her. But she does share stories sometimes."
"Stories?" the gossips eyes lit up.
"Nothing much. Mostly it's about het life and work as a miko."
"""Really!""" the three of them answered, yes eveb Madoka. It seems the miko did not publitise her miko duties, even the mundane ones. It pretty told her that she was digging herself deeper. It was time for a hasty escape. Feigning to look at the time, the puella looked at three and apologized.
"Ah! Sorry. It's time for my visit to the infirmary." she told them. It was a valid excuse, despite getting better, Eirin advised her to check her health per day and have it recorded as proceedure to see if she got treated right. Thanks to that she visited the school infirmary daily and the actual Hagokoro Clinic at Sunday (something she did not like). The three blinked then looked at the time. This was the time she bolted, but before she could di so...
"Oh! I'm sorry Homura-chan! I did not notice!" Madoka apologized to her, meaning that it really was time. Homura could only blink to this, before shaking her head.
"Ah! Let's just go." The dark haired girl then thanked kami for giving her a break.
#0#
As they walked the glass corridors, Homura noted that Madoka looked fidgety. The girl keeps looking at her before muttering under her breath. She looked like she was gathering her courage for something...
'Ah! She's gonna confess her love to-'
Tha- nononononono... What in hell was she thinking! This was the second time.
"Ne... Homura-chan..."
"Yes."
"Have we... have we... met before?" Homura immediately froze. "I... had been thinking this ever since I saw you Homura-chan... I don't know why, but I feel like I met you before." Honestly, it was an innocent question. And honestly she asked this before...
'No. No she didn't. This is the first time she asked.'
This revelation stunned Homura. She fimally knew why Reimu was anxious, why Mirai was anxious... It was only today... It was actually today. It was why the words 'new transfer student' echoed upon her head. It was only today that she was supposed to come in. Only today was she supposed to meet...
Hey sempai was right. She was not aware enough, too focused. And she knew... she knew that it would cost her.
"No... You must... have imagined it."
#0#
As the day moved on, Homura's nerves got shot more. It was no wonder that she felt heavy feelings of deja vu. Why everything seemed so... familiar. But she couldn't do anything about it now. The only thing she could do is to move forward. But... she could only wonder what would happen now. She had already chased Kyubey from the rooftops to the mall, and the truth was she did not need to anymore. She had seen evidence of the local protectors bringing down Kyubey (she even saw him binded down by Mami's ribbons once), so that was no promblem. Same was with the witches that she or Mami could not reach. And thanks to that, she no idea what could happen. Even better...
"Well here we are!" She was with Sayaka and Madoka now. Not only that, Reimu, Mami, Mirai, Haruka and Vita trailed behind. For them, she and Madoka accompanied Sayaka to the record store. For their seniors, they were going to their beloved cake shop (at least for Mami and Mirai, Reimu as well, despite her insistance that she did not) to bond and for the two 'Geass Children' and one actual child of the 'Millenium Warlock' to catch up.
"This is where we split up. See you later Homura, Sayaka, Madoka."
"See you later." "Bye." "Uhn." "Ja ne!" The underclassmen watched their seniors for a while, laughing happily and poking each other as they left them.
"It's nice to have friends like that, isn't it?" Sayaka asked and was answered by a synchronous nod by the other girls. And with that, they went off; with Homura briefly wondering what would happen next. For she found that everything was not as it seemed.
#0#
Kai: Finally a very lengthy chapter!
Mami: If only if it wasn't the calm before the storm.
Reimu: The time is near!
Mirai: So get to it!
Kai: Yeah, yeah… at any rate see you at the next chapter!