For the Humanity Within
Disclaimer: Megaman is owned by Capcom but the names used here are meant for fictional purposes. If real names appear here, this is out of coincidence.
The song Tsuki no Uta is sung by Gackt and was used in the anime Texhnolyze. Simply put, it belongs to him. It was only used here because it's fitting for such. In case you don't know the song, you can search this on YouTube and watch the video. You can enjoy the song there.
Note: Hope you enjoyed the previous chapter. Here's chapter 13
XIII. Last Leaf, First Snowflake (The First Phase)
The evening brought its shivering grasp. Criel snickered at the thought of walking through the cold streets, watching everyone pass by towards their destinations. He winced as she watched a couple passing by the sidewalk, crossing his path. With his hands within the pocket of his long black coat, he walked on as he was heading for the bar nearby.
"I guess, it'd be worthwhile to visit someone." He whispered to himself as he opened the door of the shop, the sign reading 'Aegean Spot'.
Entering the shop gave its greeting of lights and music. Its comforting ambiance thanks to its dim lights and drifting sounds gave a soothing effect to him. Criel felt the nostalgia clasp his form as he takes his favorite spot, a seat on the bar.
"Of all things, why am I here instead of home?" Criel snickered as he remembered to call someone on his phone.
Dialing a series of numbers on the mobile phone on his hand, pressing the call button soon after, he placed the handset upon his ear as he heard the ringing sound of the other line. Patient as he is, he waited.
Ciel was seated on the side of the window, gazing at the view outside. She laid her back upon the side as she listened to the wind blowing its gentle breeze. Her body shielded from the cold with her sweater and jeans, her mind did nothing but wander as she remembered a familiar face running in her mind.
"I hope you're doing fine, Kojiro." She whispered. A soulful reverie caused her eyes to feel the star's light upon the sky.
The silence was broken when the phone with its ringing echoed within the room. Pulling back from the daydream, she hopped from the window and reached for the phone that lay lazily on her bed. Grasping the mobile, she answered.
"Hello?"
"Ciel, it's me." A male voice answered.
"What is it…Dad?"
Criel smiled as he heard the answer, his eyes laid upon the wine glass filled with its crimson content. He shifted his sight upon the view outside, glittering with the lights of the city.
"Well, my dear. I'll be late in coming home. Are you doing well there?"
"Don't worry about me Dad. I cooked some dinner. Oh, Kojiro and the others came by to visit. So I have to cook for them."
"Well, that's nice." Criel smiled. "You don't have to worry about that. I just escorted some others to their houses. Just don't forget to lock the door. I have my key with me. Ok, sweetie?"
"Sure Dad, take care." Ciel replied as she ended the conversation. Ending the call with a press of a button, she sighed as she looked at the sky once more. Smiling at the thought of her father, she sat upon the side of the bed and looked at the sky once more.
Her thoughts wandered lazily, remembering the time that she had with Kojiro the first time she went to his house. The time when she was cuddled within his arms as she was comforted of her grief, the time when she smiled with him during the day, and the time that he held her hand as he drifted in his sleep as he said something that may have hinted what his emotions to her were.
She threw herself to her bed, her body bouncing upon impact on the soft surface. Slowly, she drifted as she looked forward for what comes tomorrow.
Criel tilted the glass as he circled the red wine within it. Gazing at the people in their seats and the band playing soft music in front, he smiled as he listened while trying to recognize the people playing. Reminded of the event that took place earlier on when Kamui carried an unconscious girl upon his arms as he went to the shed, he smirked as he sipped from the glass.
This will complicate things. Though it will be hard to keep on thinking about these every time, I should lighten up a bit. He thought to himself as the song ended. They need a break at least.
The singer noticed Criel seated on the bar, smiling upon seeing him. Without any hesitation, he spoke to the applauding audience after his previous song.
"For the next song, I may like to request Criel to come here in front." The singer said.
Criel snickered as he noticed the voice that made its marking. He knew and was reminded of that special person that was. Without any hesitation, he walked towards the stage and took a seat beside the female singer. She handed her guitar to him and smiled, leaning towards his ear and whispered.
"Play that song again. The one that you love to play." She said to him.
"Alright, if that's what you want." Criel sighed as he placed the microphone in front of him. Facing the crowd with the guitar in front of him, he smiled as he spoke. "This song that I'll be playing to you is a special song. It meant memorable moments of me that I remember playing this under the moonlight in front of that person that I loved. This is for her."
He played, his fingers pressing the strings as his other hand plucked each of them with a melodic interval. And in his mind was the image of Beatrice, her smiling face and her unforgettable beauty. Along with it came the face of her daughter, Ciel.
(Note: From this point, the song that shall be seen here will include his thoughts while this song plays)
(Song: Tsuki no Uta by Gackt, from the anime Texhnolyze)
kagayaita masshiro na T SHATSU
mizushibuki ni ukabu niji
bonyari to mitsumeteru sora o
ikutsu mono kaze ga asobu
Shining pure white t-shirt
A rainbow surfacing in the spray
Absentmindedly I gaze upon
The sky where many winds play
Criel remembered the memory of the time that he stood beside this special woman. Dressed in a white blouse, a black skirt and on top was a white fur coat, she clung upon his arm as they walked under the winter night. Criel was taking her to the park where he usually stayed. She smiled at him warmly as she watched the snowflakes fall upon her hand.
nani mo nai koto ga futari dake no shiawase datta
Nothingness was happiness for us alone.
His thoughts dwelled on the moments when she embraced him during the autumn afternoon. She cried in his arms as she was afraid to leave him behind. She could only think of staying with him more than being torn apart by going to her own home.
dare yori mo fukaku kokoro made oborete
ima mo kono basho de kimi dake o mitsumete
nido to modoranai yume naraba kowashite
wasurerarenakute mou ichido aitai
Sinking more deeply than anyone else
Even my heart drowned
And now in this place I gaze only at you;
If it is a dream that will never return, then I will break it
Unable to forget, I want to meet you one more time.
He closed his eyes as he gazed at the sky. He felt overwhelmed during that morn of spring when the cherry blossoms danced with the wind. He remembered the time he spoke the words to her, the only phrase that explained his feelings to her. And on that vivid memory, he remembered her smile at him.
shinkirou o kasanete
kimi no kage, hiroiatsume
Laying mirages side by side
Gathering your shadows,
During the summer night, he clasped the gift that she gave through the letter. His thoughts drifted filled with her image. Wishing that the memories were immortal as she was supposed to be, he gazed at the night sky where the full moon glared at him with its serene light. He seemingly uttered the next phrase of a song that he remembered
tokei no hari o tometa mama de machitsuzukeru
I continue to wait while the hands of time remain frozen 2
Glancing at the ring that rested upon his finger, he gazed at her eyes of sapphire as she smiled at him during the quiet night of summer. This time, a surprise waited for him.
nemurenai yoru mo tameiki no asa mo
kimi no daisuki na tsuki no uta o
Sleepless nights and mornings of sighs…
Your favorite ballad of the moon…
He smiled at her as he watched her hold a child cradled in her hands. At that moment, his happiness drifted. The thought dissolved as he remembered the image of the child that grew, resembling the mother who he loved most. Time progressed as if the tape played in a quick motion forward, dragging him into the present where she has grown to who she is now.
itsu kara ka tooku karada made hanarete
ima wa kono basho ni boku dake o nokoshite
zutto kawaranai futari da to shinjita
ano koro no you ni mou ichido, aishita...
Without notice even your body left me far behind
And now only I am left in this place
I believed we would remain together unchanging
Like that time, once again, I loved…
Playing the last strings with its ending notes, he could only make an image of her with her back turned at him. She turned to face him while the final note draws near. And with the smile playing its immortal image, he strummed the strings ending the song once and for all. He closed his eyes, hiding the tears that are about to fall.
The crowd applauded, feeling the enchanting song and its awe moved them at the most. The bartender smiled as he remembered the same voice that sang from the previous years. Criel smiled as he turned to the female singer and returned the guitar to her.
"Thanks, Millia." Criel said with gratitude.
"No worries. That's what friends are for, Criel." Millia answered as she reached for the guitar. "Besides, we miss your voice for the past eight years."
He chuckled as he rose from the stool and returned to the bartender's place. Criel was still impressed in his mind that she was still around; his wife was still around here.
The morning came to rise. The air grew much colder as the sky seemed too clear. Sauntering through the woods from the cottage of his late father, Kojiro went on his way to the open ground near a river. Dressed in a black long-sleeved shirt topped with a thin vest of dark crimson and a pair of dark shaded jeans, he carried along with him a small knapsack. Reaching a stump upon the riverbank, he laid the bag upon its surface and waited.
He closed his eyes as he stood still, feeling the wind and the surroundings. Light amassed upon his palm, forming the handle of the saber. Feeling its presence, he clasped the weapon in its dormant form. In synch with his will, he opened his eyes and with it revealed the blade of light in its verdant glow.
"Let's begin, brother." Kojiro smirked as he spoke, sensing a presence without looking.
"So you know I'm here." Klaha's voice echoed. "Let's see how you'll go today."
From above, a row of icicles descended with increasing velocity. Kojiro lunged forth and rolled away, avoiding the crashing frost stalactites. He quickly gazed up, discerning where his brother is as he searched briskly with his eyes whilst feeling his presence. From behind came Klaha descending upon him with his blade. The frost spike that was his blade thrust its way, yet missing the agile Kojiro with its blow, colliding with the ground and shattering by impact. With a foot on the ground, Kojiro pivoted and charged forth, his blade glowing with intensity as a vacuum gathered upon his form and his weapon. The swift strike took Klaha by surprise, the blade grazed the side of his clothes and the wind grazed it much further.
Klaha was able to avoid the blow. He blocked and deflected its path as he sent his saber to a swift swing rising from the ground. Kojiro knew this attack would not fare him well, thus he lunged and poised to tackle. He stopped halfway as he quickly tilted his saber and changed his angle. He propelled himself airborne, countering with an ascending slash as his blade ignited at his ascent. Klaha jumped back as he noticed this attack, his blade in front of him as he blocked the flaming edge. Gaining distance, he turned the blade upright and noticed the flaw. He dashed forth, charging his blade with energy as it sparked. Feeling the momentum, he jumped and twirled his body. To this effect, an electrifying whirlwind rose from the ground of the attack.
Kojiro had no choice to escape. Focusing his energy upon his legs, he pushed himself out of harm and used the air as a platform. Upon doing so, he whirled and swung his blade as he spiraled. Kojiro smirked as he noticed the electric induced whirlwind vanished. The blade released two crescent waves of energy that rushed upon Klaha. Realizing his loophole, Klaha swung his blade in the same manner and released two crescent shots. The projectile energies collided and flashed upon impact, both men landed to the ground as it happened.
Heaving to take a breath after an exchange of blows, Kojiro held his weapon firmly as he raised it in level of his head while the blade pointed forward. Klaha adjusted his stance as he placed his saber on a low angle, the blade facing the ground. The wind brought its breeze as everything fell quiet. Their breathing came to a calm halt as these brothers knew that there will be no end to the struggle. Until—
"An early morning workout? More like a duel to me." A female voice echoed, breaking the silence.
The brothers turned and saw Mana, dressed in her favored black Lolita apparel. Klaha snickered as he lowered his saber and dispersed its blade. Kojiro did the same, dispersing the blade and the whole of the saber. Mana walked through the trail and came closer to the two brothers. She shook her head, her hair of blue and red highlights tied in locks followed her motion.
"You have to be kidding me if you call this a workout. The truth is you both have appointments and you sweat it out here? You're really brothers. Don't you know you have an important occasion coming on?" Mana lashed out at them. She sighed as she walked towards Klaha.
"Uh, when did you get here?" Klaha asked sheepishly, wondering about how to explain the bout.
Mana noticed the gashes on Klaha's shirt. She clenched her fist and gave him a blow on the head. "You explain me this. Why ruin this shirt that I bought for you? And you're not even thoughtful of the day today. No wonder I was right in coming here and picking you up."
Kojiro felt there was only one impression of this. "No wonder I survived without one at the moment. If I would have a girlfriend like this, I might die easily. It's worse than any of those Illuminati freaks." he mused to himself.
"And Kojiro, you don't have to sweat this thing out like that." Mana added. "Come on, let's go inside and get a change of clothes. You have to be good looking after all."
"Ok, but I'm wondering what's with that look anyway?" Kojiro asked as he noticed the black skirt and the black and white blouse that resembled the guitarist of Malice Mizer...with a more feminine touch.
"What's wrong with that?" Mana glared at him fiercely. "Besides, we're going to have a party today."
Kojiro shook his head. "Well, I'll just look for the same round of clothes and I'm done."
Ciel stared at the sky as she leaned her body upon the edge of the veranda. Dressed in a pink sweater, a fitted pair of denim pants and a beret on her head, she waited as she watched the clear sky. Alia stood beside her, leaning on a marble post as she watched the door. Dressed in a white blouse, a brown fur coat and a pair of black slacks, she waited with her hands laid within the coat pockets. A sigh left her lips as she quietly closed her eyes and her mind seemed to drift. Feeling a faint presence magnifying in its approach, she focused and gained an image in her head. Seeing Kojiro and Klaha in the car along with Mana on their way, she opened her eyes and smiled.
"Well, that mean's they'll be here." Alia snickered as she gazed at Ciel. "Ciel, I never knew you'd take that sexy look with that outfit. Did you really did that on purpose"
Ciel smiled. "And I never thought you'd look more grown up with that."
"I just like it." Alia replied as she pushed her form away from the pillar. She turned her head and gazed at the sight inside of the hall. Akira in his dark shaded outfit of a sweatshirt and jeans was playing poker with Kaze, dressed in a shirt and slacks of gray topped with a coat of black and his head still had the usual black hat. Mayu watched and listened to Pai singing along some songs, wearing a fashionable outfit. Criel sat with a friend drinking coffee. His brunette hair groomed in a neat fashion with a slick outfit of black was almost fitting for a small class party. As the other students and teachers have their own ways of taking their time. At that time, a thought crossed her mind.
"Ciel, can I ask you a question?" Alia raised inquiry.
"What is it?" Ciel gazed back at her, wondering what's troubling her.
Alia gave consideration of thoughts during that moment. She remembered Kamui and the events that dated yesterday's affair. She remembered the image during that day when he and Kasumi conversed, noticing the smile on his face. Strangely, she felt troubled, as if being pierced with agony and ignited with anger at both instances. It was confusing her.
"Ciel, how do you know you love someone?" Alia suddenly asked.
Ciel paused for a bit, finding words to answer with it. But at the process, she blushed as she remembered Kojiro. "I'm not sure about that. Usually it's something that makes you go better and makes you smile. It's what makes you feel better about life. Why'd you ask?"
"It's nothing, just a thought." Alia shook the thought away, ignoring the pain inside her as she cloaked it behind her.
The fluttering scarf under the clear sky reflected the crimson cloak under the sky that begins to stir into a cold descent. Gazing at the ground below through his dark shaded sunglasses, Takenori clasped the photograph upon his hand. It was a photo of a family. Three children sat down upon the ground with their parents behind them. Noticeably, the young versions of Takenori, Mana and Kamui are found in this photograph. The woman that stood behind them smiling serenely as she held Kamui's shoulders displayed a gentle beauty with her long black hair and gentle hazel eyes. The man beside her, ruffling Takenori's head with his hand and laying the other hand on Mana's side, wore a scarf around his neck and bore a strange case of youth. It seemed that he didn't change, looking more of a man in his teens. Takenori stood beguiled at the photograph, a number of thoughts filling his mind.
Father, do we still count as human? Takenori contemplated with this question. He clenched his fist and felt the circling array upon his arm, with it was a faint glow of the array's characters and lines upon his hand. Where are you? Mother is gone as well. Now that I have to search for you at every corner to know my own answers, Kamui and Mana have their own agendas.
With a step of his foot forward, he was about to run but he stood still. He had one qualm.
"Where should I start?" he whispered. With a smile on his head, he took no second guess about the first place to start. "I guess I have to go to Grandfather then."
He took another step forward. This time, his form definitely vanished in the air in a flash-step.
The last leaf fell on the ground as the car arrived at the venue. Opening the doors of the vehicle, the three came out and entered the hall. Klaha and Mana went ahead inside, leaving Kojiro behind. As he was about to go somewhere, he was taken by surprise as two girls welcomed him. One of them had short chestnut brown hair with crimson highlights, dressed casually with a shirt and a skirt topped with a jacket. The other had short blond hair with white highlights, dressed in a similar manner. Wondering what they're doing, Kojiro was left quiet.
"You're Kojiro Mikami right?" the brunette asked.
Kojiro only nodded in response. "Is there something wrong ladies?"
The brunette faced her blond companion. "Jaune, go to her quickly. I'll take him there."
"Sure, Rouge." Jaune replied as she ran off,
"Ok, what's this about?" Kojiro asked them.
"You'll see. Just follow me." Rouge answered as she tugged his hand and dragged him away.
"Hey! What is this!? Where are you taking me!? WAIT!!"
Unfortunately, Kojiro found himself ignored as he was dragged along to a garden by a strange young lady. Reaching the bench, they stopped. Rouge turned to Kojiro and smiled at him.
"Just wait here ok?" she said to him. Soon after, she turned around and left.
"Hey, wait—"
Kojiro was about to ask but found this as a failure. He sighed as he calmed himself down. Taking a seat on the bench, he watched the sky that was about to fill up with its white veils. Wondering what is about to take place, he smirked at the idea of knowing what answer would come. Feeling the cold air around him, he knew that this would be the day that winter would begin. But he doubted if that would even take place.
"Well, to think that it took us a few hours to get here. I guess it may be worth the while." Kojiro sighed to himself as he watched the sun lean upon the side once more. "Not to mention the date that Klaha and Mana had as well, I guess that's just one of the things I have to live with."
He placed his hands upon the edge of the bench's backrest. Raising his leg and leaning it on the other as it crossed, he gazed at the garden and waited.
"Ciel, you have to come with me." Jaune said to her with a plea.
"Where are we going? Don't tell me this is one of your crazy stunts again." Ciel sighed at the thought of what they're imparting.
"Please…" Jaune implored with matching puppy eyes.
Ciel turned to Alia, wondering what to do. Alia just gave a shrug and gazed back at the crowd inside.
"Oh, alright then," Ciel gave in.
What came next was the same thing as to what happened to Kojiro. She was dragged along in the same manner. Ciel had no chance to even catch a breath for the sudden pull. What came as a flurry of dashing through the stairs and the marble path was to end up in a garden. Ciel began to doubt.
"Go ahead; just walk to the center of the garden." Jaune said to her.
"Are you sure of this?" Ciel asked.
"Just go on."
Ciel made no qualm as she walked towards the center of the garden. Walking through the corridor of plants and passing by a wall of bushes on both sides, she came to an arch where the center is. She went through the inviting gateway and found a surprising sight. She never expected that this would take place, finding both in one area that neither had an idea this was plotted to them.
"Ciel…" Kojiro whispered as he saw her standing before him. He rose from her seat as he laid eyes on him.
"…Kojiro." Ciel gasped as she saw him. Their eyes met on that moment, facing the uncalled event of rendezvous.
Feeling the surging of the startled being, mingled with the increasing pulse and the beating heart filled with emotions. This was just the beginning.
(End of Chapter 13)
Author's tête-à-tête
Here is the moment where emotions coincide. Will their hearts favor or will they falter? This is the beginning of the winter and soon comes the spring dance.
Well, did I surprise you all with this? I don't know with you but I just got carried away there, again. What do you think will happen to these two people?
Please review. Tell me your suggestions, reactions, comments, and all that stuff. Flame me? Go ahead. I'll appreciate any of those.
Sydney Grise
Quote of the Quarter: To a heart that draws its paths to design, a puzzle shall solve its definition in life.