Chapter 7: Hanashimoto - The Origins of the Story (Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle and Code Geass)

It has been mentioned several times that my memories are shielded and incapable of being tampered, altered or forgotten except by time. Before the story goes any further, I should probably explain how it is that my mind is shielded. It happened back when I was 16. I was younger, reckless, less afraid of death but also less acquainted with it. As I have come to know Death in various threats, I have developed a healthy fear of it but also greater courage to stand before it face-to-face.

It was during the first attack of Zero against Prince Clovis when I had a true taste of death. Though to explain why I was in that place, back up a few days.

I was walking home from my old high school when space-time bent right in front of me. Immediately, I dropped my bag and readied myself for a fight (I read too much manga to be disturbed by the obvious violation of physics). When the bend restored itself, four people stood before me as well as a strange looking rabbit. The tall one, dressed in Feudal era armor, looked around and said, "Well, this isn't Japan." I turned pale in shock, since what he said was taboo under the Britannian government. "This isn't Clow World either," the young man of the group said. He wore a black shirt and a long green cloak. "Not my world either," said the blonde man who was wearing a fur coat fit for the arctic. The last was a girl dressed in almost Arabic fashion, colored pink and white. Then the strange looking rabbit spoke, "Mokona doesn't recognize this place either."

Now I knew I had to act otherwise the Britannian military would be all over this. I raced toward the group, huddled in conference. Grabbing the girl's hand, I shouted, "Quick! Follow me!" The girl let out a cry but did not resist my pulling. "Sakura-hime!" the young man shouted, giving pursuit. The other two turned and followed, carrying the strange rabbit with them. They were faster than I, but knowing the way and the shortcuts gave me the advantage for speed. And it is a good thing I did stay ahead for the samurai had drawn an incredible tachi and seemed eager to use it on me. Thankfully the girl did not struggle so I was able to lead them to an abandoned warehouse I had discovered a few years back after the area was rebuilt. Once inside I stopped and released the girl. Catching my breath, I remembered what the young man had said. 'Hime? You are a, a… princess?" "That's right, now give her back!" The young man had caught up and now he had a sword drawn, a curve blade with a fiery hilt. "Syaoran-kun," Sakura placed herself before me, "I do not think this man intends us any harm." He lowered his sword and the strange looking rabbit ran up to her, "Are you alright, Sakrua?" She smiled, "I'm fine, Mokona. Sorry for making you worry." "Well now," the blonde man turned in my direction, "What kind of place are we in? And also what is your name?" He asked about the place first? I thought exasperated, but I cleared my throat and began my explanation.

"My name is Hanashimoto Shishiseeishin." They all gave me the look: the look that says…. LONG NAME. I turned away awkwardly, "Just call me Sei, ok?" "Oh," they said in unison. "What are your names?" I asked politely, "I know Sakura and apparently the young man is Syaoran. I assume you are from the same world, since he is so protective of you." They both blushed, apparently abashed at the love-love comment. "And the talking rabbit…" "Mokona is Mokona. That's all!" Mokona called out as it leapt out of Sakura's arms and walked over to me, "Nice to meet you." I smiled and shook its paw, "Nice to meet you too, Mokona." The blond man also smiled and showed his startling blue eyes, "I am Fai D. Flowrite and this one," he said grabbing the feudal warrior around the neck, "is Kuro-pon." "I'll cut you," the samurai said, taking a swing at Fai, "Oh, scary," Fai joked, deftly dodging the blade. Growling, he sheathed his sword, "I am Kurogane." Black steel, I thought. "And so? What is this place?" asked Syaoran. "Have you seen a special feather anywhere?" "A feather?" I asked, my senses alerted. "Strange thing to look for." "Yes, but it is precious and we need it back, please," Syaoran implored.

I looked Syaoran in the eye. His intensity frightened me a little, for here was a truly courageous soul that would go to the end of the earth for his quest. I broke away from his gaze and then began, "This is Area 11 of the Britannian Empire, though seven years ago, it was the state of Japan." Kurogane's eyes widened but he kept his peace. "By law, we, the indigenous people, are referred to as elevens and any mention of Japan is a punishable offense. I know you are all brave hearts and would want to right the injustice. I see it in your eyes. Do not worry about us. We will continue to survive and reclaim our pride again." Their heroic indignation faded to an awkward uneasiness of wanting to help but being told not to.

I smiled wryly, "What? Sometimes common people need to be their own heroes. But as for the feather, I know where it is. It will require a day to get there. It's late and it would not be wise to try moving by night. I'll skip school tomorrow and we can go for it. It shouldn't be disturbed from its resting place, for I hid it well. I must leave and go home otherwise my parents will begin to worry. I have some food hidden in the locker over there." I pointed to a dusty metal box in the corner. "It's emergency rations. They won't taste good but it's enough to get by. There are also a few mats in there as well as flashlights." I got up and walked through them. They watched me worriedly. Before I left them, I added. "If anyone finds you, do what you have to do." Sakura clasped her hands and closed her eyes at the harsh word. The three men hardened their expressions and nodded. Then I left them in the warehouse as the darkness began to gather.

I woke the next morning, ran through the morning routine with my parents, then left ot go to school. But as soon as I was out of sight of the house (we were fortunate to still have a housein the middle of the Shoujuken Ghetto) I cut back and met the four at the warehouse. "I am sorry I do not have better things to disguise you as you walk through the Ghetto but this is the best I can do," I said, opening my duffel bag. "Kurogane-san, your cloak will be fine as long as you remove the head piece. It would be bad if they took you for cosplay. Syaoran-san, your cloak should also pass for relatively normal. Sakura-hime, I am most worried about you. Take these." I handed her a black, hooded sweater and a pair of my sister's sweatpants. "You won't stand out with these on. As for you, Fai-san, since you are about my height, I brought a spare outfit," and handed him another hooded sweater and a pair of my sweatpants. "Mokona, you will have to hide, though if you stay in Sakura's hood and try not to talk too much, you could be mistaken for a doll." "A doll? Gotcha!" Mokona said with gusto. All of them were smiling about the prospect of retrieving the feather and of disguising themselves, however, they did not know what they were going to be walking through.

We changed and began our trek through the ghetto. I explained as we walked the history of the last years: "Britannia rebuilt Tokyo as a Brittanian settlement but forced all of the Elevens, except honorary Britannians, out of the city proper. Those living in the area outside were not affected greatly, like my family, but many elevens were sent off to here. As you can see, it has become a place of vice and danger. Look there." I pointed to a group of people moaning and wandering around in hallucinations. I picked up a discarded injector. "Refrain," I said grimly, "A drug which allows you to experience the pleasant memories of years gone: and easy sell for gangsters and other low-lifes to prey on a broken and depressed people." I could feel their anger at the terrible injustice and also their great frustration. "How horrible," Syaoran said.

We traveled on. It was around eleven-thirty and about a mile away from our destination when our group was approached by a lone man. Scum. Obviously he wanted to make a play for Sakura and probably had a gun. He did not look sober. He approached us with a leer on his face and flashed his gun, "You know what this is, don'tcha? Now hand over the girl." Syaoran put a hand to his sword but then I stopped him and stepped out. I gave him the stare: the cocky grin and fearless eyes honed to a point that I mimic to this day. Whenever I street-fight, I wear this expression as a testament to the one who taught me, even though I was only six: Yusuke Urameshi. "You gotta look 'em down, like you know they know you can kick their ass. Then they'll start having second thoughts. but once they make the first move, lay into 'em and don't let up 'till you're finished with 'em."

This guy made the first move, "You cocky bas-" is as far as he got. He went for the straight right. Fine. I dodged to the left, pinned his left arm behind his back, head locked him and kicked his knee out. He nearly went down but still tried going for his gun. To silence him, I gave him the Urameshi special: a straight head-butt. Works every time. Dusting myself off, I waved to them, "Come on. We're ok for now but we are going to have to make a detour to make sure we are not followed by a gang. Sorry for the inconvenience." They all shook their heads and said, "No, if you think it is necessary, please lead the way." We met with no further incidents though we arrived at our destination about an hour later than I intended. I had lead them to another hiding place, an abandoned, broken sky scraper. "Mekkyo!" Mokona's eyes opened wide. "The feather is near!" "Ah, what a broken-up building," Fai said, whimsically. "Is this where it is?" Kurogane asked. "Come with me," I said, "We'll be there shor-"

"BANG!" An explosion in a nearby building caught us off guard. Shards of concrete and glass rained from the sky. Sakura let out a cry and everyone covered their faces. My mind raced frantically, for this only meant a Britannian attack on rebels. "Change in plans. Inside now!" W all rushed inside, as more explosions rang out over the ghetto. "Stay here and take cover! I'll get the feather! If someone comes for you in a Knightmare, the giant robot machine, run! You can find me and the feather later with Mokona!" I took off up the stairs as they ducked under cover. I climbed to the fourth flour and found the empty flower pot that glowed with pink light. Securing my quarry, I flew to the stairs and found the opening from the railing looking down to the lobby on the first floor. "I've got the feather!" I shouted down to them. "Take it and get out-" another bomb came down, this time on the building. It blew a large chunk of the wall into me and knocked me off the stairs. I braced myself as best I could but two seconds isn't a lot of time.

When I came to, I saw a pink glow over my head and heard a gentle song that somehow overcame the violent shooting and explosions outside. Sakura was singing and I felt a lightness in the back of my head. I knew I had lost a great deal of blood but when I looked down at my body and the ground, I knew I should have been dead. I was brought back by the power of the feather. After I sat up, the feather floated up to her chest and with a strange hum disappeared into her body. She fainted and Syaoran caught her, smiling at the return of the feather. I looked past them and saw another Knightmare coming to examine the ruins of the building. "Go!" I managed to gasp. "There's no time! Leave me!" "But-" "If you stay, you will only be more casualties! Go!" Mokona sucked them through the dimension and I laid like one dead in my own blood. The Knightmare looked at my 'corpse' and moved on.

When the noise ceased, I got up and started walking home. Lightheaded, dehydrated and still wounded, I made it a few miles back toward my home before I collapsed and fell into darkness. Consciousness went in and out. I only had the vague impression that someone dragged me over the broken pavement, out of danger. All I had was the impression of a girl. A girl with green hair and an ageless face.

I woke again at the gate to my home. I looked over the fence. The bodies of my mother and father, dead, riddled with bullet wounds lay in the front yard. This isn't a nightmare. It's reality. "Onii-chan? What happened, Onii-chan! It's a lie, right? A bad dream." I turned to see the pain I could not bear: my sister, Saya, standing there, trembling in the sunset, an image of broken innocence. All I could do was shield her crying eyes from the horror of reality. We were orphans of murdered parents in a cruel world that did not care whether we lived or died.