Disclaimer: I do not own Klonoa, but Kuroi or Ame and OCs are mine. You can't steal them unless you ask. X3
Chapter 18: Anna, birth...day?
For some reason... life is better for me now. After I had fallen back to sleep in Maria's arms after that ordeal, I woke up in the pilgrim quarters in the Moa Temple. I was a bit surprised to see that Rozen, Maria, and Maryann had stayed with me the whole few days I had spent resting. I heard that Guntz and the others would visit a few days after I would be able to walk again since I was forcibly confined to bed by Maria who didn't want me to take chances.
Nowadays I waste my time sleeping... a lot, after that battle I felt too weak and it was hard trying to get out of bed enough. Although sleeping was bliss and I liked it better than anything, no more dreams either. Recovering was a bit boring though, I had nothing much to do aside from eating, resting, and the attempts of trying to get out bed was all I thought.
I was thinking of trying to find Enju and Kira Suishou if I had the opportunity to get out of bed and try and sneak to the mirror in the forest, but I felt guilty about it just like I had for the past four years. I already made Maria, Lion, Lolo, and Seed cry, but I wanted to do something. Ever since I first woke up here, when I saw my family they were all asleep I haven't actually spoke or seen anyone. The reasons I know I would see the others again and I was confined to bed was because I heard one of the priestesses who were caring for me tell my parents that while half-conscious.
So I was actually in my own world listening to other people around my limp body. I felt lonely and declared that I should just visit my cabin to see if I could get my stuff before the priestesses came back to leave me food. By noon on the end of the week I had awoken, I tried to get out of bed. It was hard since I felt a little stiff here and there making it difficult, but I did get out. I walked over to the new pair of clothes laid out for me since I was only wearing a big white shirt that was long enough to go down to my knees.
I took timid steps to the chair near the door, my clothes were there. But they weren't the clothes I wore when I fell asleep. They seemed newly bought and were exceptionally clean. I picked up the long sleeved shirt to see that it was a little big for me but it would have to do.
I pulled off the shirt only to gasp in shock, my bandages, my scars, my bruises, they were all gone! All I saw was the stupid long wavelength infrared underwear someone must have changed me into while I was sleeping, what sucked was that it was pink with stupid flowers on it. I mentally noted to myself I would kick Rozen's ass for buying me such useless clothing. I sighed annoyingly as I pulled the shirt over my head and popped my head out of the hole. I knew it, it was too big and the sleeves were a bit too long too. I tried to suppress a growl as I put on the tan shorts that actually fit. Finally calming down I pulled on the black boots near the chair and tried my best to walk quickly out of the room.
The moment I stepped out of the room, I saw Guchuko walking around the corner of the end of the hall. Why was she here? I thought cocking my head to the side. I quickly followed after her to see around the corner that she was going into an open room. I cocked my head as I quickly walked after her finally getting used to walking again. When I appeared at the door it was completely dark making me uneasy as I walked in, the lights suddenly turned on and everyone in the room yelled 'Surprise!' I jumped back in shock to see all of my friends and family in the decorated room. They threw a party for me...
"Anna," Maria smiled at me as she walked up to me grasping my hands "Happy 13th Birthday."
I raised an eyebrow at her before looking behind her to see my parents, siblings, Guntz, Klonoa, Lolo, Leorina, Chiffon, Jakunen, Kitsune, Koneko, Mr. and Mrs. Seion, and Lion. I looked back at Maria's smiling face before looking down to our hands sadly.
"You know... Maria... I never liked this day..." I frowned at her making her frown.
"Huh, why...?" She asked looking at me worried.
"Because, this was the day I lost you... and the day I became a full bounty hunter..." I frowned not looking at her.
"B-but, today was the day we met again when you were five and the day we won the war." Maria smiled softly down to me.
I looked up to her guiltily before smile sadly.
"Come on, Anna, I want to tell you a lot, we all missed you for the past week and we want to say thank you for everything you did for us." She smiled brightly at me. I looked at her uneasily, I don't know why, but I felt like I didn't belong. I suddenly blushed when I felt our mother embrace me from behind.
"Let's have fun, Anna. Mama wants to tell you a lot too." Blushing madly I nodded timidly and everyone cheered as the party began.
The party went fine with us just eating and listening to my older siblings play music with some instruments they found. I was told that Enju, Kira Suishou, and Suitou disappeared after I was revived. I was also told that they saw everything I did during the World War and the war in Tsubasa. I was told every detail of what really happened and the big fight Rozen had with Enju. Suisouseki and Kanahina were telling me how sorry they were about all the bad things they did to me, heck they were crying. Speaking of Rozen...
"Hey, old man," I said turning to Rozen.
"Yes," he smirked brightly at me. With a good thrust, I punched him on the cheek hard enough to make him crash on the floor. He quickly got up rubbing his burning cheek.
"What was that for?" He asked quickly.
"That was for all the junk you made me go through and what that stupid butler of yours made me go through." I shot a glare at him "Plus the blood loss,"
"Blood loss," Leorina and Lion echoed.
"Yeah, while I was recovering from the war this idiot would hug so hard while I slept I'd cough up blood. The doctors were always yelling at him while I was trying to go back to sleep all the time." I glared at Rozen who flinched.
"Oh, but that's all in the past, Anna. Hey do you and Maria want to feel your little sisters?" Maryann asked putting a hand to her large stomach. I flinched in shock as Maria nodded smiling brightly. I've never even touched a baby in my life not even if it was still in its mother's womb, but these were my siblings. No, I mustn't fall into the temptation of family love! Before I knew it Maria had put my hand on our mother's stomach, I stiffened as Maria giggled as she felt around. I could hear Guntz whispering to Klonoa I was being such a wimp now. I shot a glare at him, but flinched when I felt something. I looked up to Maryann who nodded smiling brightly to me.
"Did you feel them kick?" She asked.
"Yeah, when will they be born?" I asked looking up to her.
"Mmm, maybe next month." She smiled.
I blushed before taking my hand off her stomach and looking to the side uneasily. Maria and Maryann seemed to notice since I heard them giggling at my attitude.
"What's wrong, Anna?" Maryann asked.
"Nothing," I pouted only to growl as Guntz patted on the top of my head a little too roughly.
"She's not used to this type of thing, right, Ame?" He grinned toothily wrapping an arm around me.
"Oh shut it, and it's Anna, servant." I grinned back making him frown. We both glared at one another emotionlessly and in a flash we both were holding off each others fists.
"Hmph, still strong even after a whole week of resting," He smirked challengingly.
"Oh no, I'm really rusty this is only half of half of my power." I grinned toothily.
"A-Anna-san," I turned to Lion, who was blushing as she held out a box wrapped in blue paper. I looked down to it then back at Lion before smiling at her softly taking the box. I thanked her and opened it to frown in surprise. I looked at Lion who was smiling sheepishly at me scratching the back of her ear. I lifted the small locket that Suitou had destroyed and opened it solemnly as the lullaby began to play again and I saw the pictures that I saw earlier. I sighed as I felt sadness overflow me and I shut it tight.
"Y-you don't like it?" Lion asked sadly. I shot my head uo shaking my head while smiling at her.
"N-no, just brings back certain memories is all. But thanks, I like it." I smiled at her as I put it back in the box.
"Oh yeah, I forgot." Guntz spoke behind me as he strapped something around my head and it snapped painfully on. I raised a brow as I reached up and felt it, they felt like... goggles. I took them off to see that they were red with blue tinted lenses. I looked at in awe until I saw my reflection in the lenses. Something was different about me I narrowed my eyes as I put a hand to the side of my head to feel nothing. I dropped my mouth then looked down to my wrists to see that the marks were completely gone.
"W-what?" I stammered only to receive a giggle from Suisouseki.
"I healed you, desu," she grinned at me. I sighed in relief and smiled at her as well.
"I seem to be getting a lot of surprises today." I said before turning back to Guntz "Where did you get this type of goggles these cost half a fortune?"
"John ordered them while you were resting and I went through the trouble of getting it for you from Volk." He replied simply. I raised a brow before letting out an exhausted yawn. Crud, I'm starting to get tired again. I then felt fatigue take over me making me frown wider.
"Crud," I cursed as I stood up from my seat stretching my arms upward "I can't stay awake anymore, I'm going to bed."
"You sure you don't want to stay?" Maria asked worriedly.
"Nah, I don't want to past out in the middle of the party." I yawned as I began to make my way towards the door. I stopped when I felt something grabbed my legs and I looked down to see Guchuko and Suppi pouting as they held on tight to them.
"What?"
"Meanie," Suppi frowned.
"For what?" I asked annoyed.
"We threw you a party and now you're going just to sleep through it." She pouted. I was about to answer before I felt a large wave of exhaustion and fatigue and fell forward. I grunted as met the floor and I heard everyone yell for me.
"See, Suppi," I growled as I tried to lift up my upper body, but I felt too weak to even move one bit.
"Shippuu, are you okay, desu?" Suisouseki asked helping me up.
"Yeah, just exhausted," I replied in a tired but reassuring voice.
"I knew something like this would happen." Rozen sighed as Guntz walked up to me and pulled me onto his back.
"Why the hell are you so light?" he grunted as he shifted me.
"How the hell should I know?" I shot back.
"Shut up and sleep, we'll take you to bed." He growled as he began to carry me back to my room. I didn't need to be told twice as I had already fallen asleep.
---
"It's amazing that you actually returned here after all these years, Shippuu." A doll with long, golden hair that was tied up in pigtails and blue eyes smiled at me before sipping from the yellow tea cup she was holding. She was wearing a red dress with a velvet poncho, a matching bonnet with a green ribbon holding it with a small, pink rose in the middle and black shoes with a single pink rose on top of each. I grinned back as I set my cup down on my lap. I was sitting on a chair a few meters across from the doll and her sister who was sitting right next to her.
"I guess I was forced to come back here for a certain reason from you, right, Shinku?" I asked inquiringly cocking my head. The doll smiled softly as she set her cup down on the small platter she was holding.
"Well, we both would like to tell you something Laplace couldn't, right, Souseiseki?" Shinku asked turning to the other doll that was sitting next to her. Her clothes were similar to my maiden clothes the only difference was that it was all dark royal blue and a black bow on the chest where my rose would have been. She looked just like me, but the only difference was that she had dark brown hair and green and red eyes. The doll nodded before setting her cup down.
"Remember the Kishin you killed after the war?" Souseiseki asked looking at me. I nodded slowly.
"Well, there is going to be a strong one that'll be destroying earth first. We were thinking you would be a good candidate for that spot. It's the strongest and oldest of them all." Souseiseki frowned.
I began to chuckle darkly before taking another sip of tea.
"I see, although I might need to stay undercover, maybe participate in the Meister and weapons program at Shibusen to keep a low profile. Although I know it's impossible to awaken a long dead Kishin unless, of course, the seven deadly sins revive." I grinned darkly.
"Yes, and now that the Alice game is on the block I believe you take this advantage and go there. If the Kishin gets loose and more Kishin awaken the results will be catastrophic, not to mention that it will hit this place and your home as well." Shinku frowned.
"I see," I nodded looking down to my cup. I looked down to my reflection in the liquid before sighing.
"When do you wish for me to go?" I asked looking up to them.
"We believe you have to make a decision first, you have two days to think it up or do you need more time?" Souseiseki asked cocking her head.
"Uh no, that's enough time, I think I should leave before Mother gives birth to the twins." I frowned looking down to my tea thoughtfully.
"But what about Father? Knowing him he has been very overprotective of us nowadays." Shinku suggested looking at me softly.
"Don't worry. I'll sneak out tomorrow night. That should keep me in shadow while I go to the portal in the forest. It's a long path, but I'll try and manage." I replied sternly.
"You seem really whole hog on this, are you sure you want to do this?" Souseiseki asked with a smile.
"You said so yourself that the Kishin may multiply if that one awakens, it's best if we prevent that as much as we could. With a good estimate, that is well within a month. I should be done by the end of the month and return within good time to explain to them." I replied serious.
"Okay, Kurayami-sama has already endowed you with Momo and Touki. When you find the third soul you are missing, things will change for the worst, sad to say." Shinku frowned at me.
"What do you mean, Shinku?" I asked inquiringly.
"There is a high possibility that you might not make it if you fail your mission." She frowned at me.
"I know," I nodded "but I'm doing this for my little sisters, I don't want to lose any of them. I am willing to give up something that is mine, weren't you like that, Shinku? You know, with doll master Jun?" I turned to her who nodded. Suddenly, I heard two dark chuckles behind me making me turned to see Suitou with Suigintou, a doll-girl with deathly, pale skin with a pair of black wings sprouting from her back, snow, white hair and red eyes. This doll wore a dress marked of darkness with a reverse cross, a black bonnet with a single pink rose on top, a black choker with a ribbon, and black high heeled boots with a single rose on each. Next to them were Kira Suishou with Bara Suishou and Kira Kishou. The two were twins like me and Suisouseki and Souseiseki and Suiseiseki. They both wore clothes that combined to Kira Suishou's clothes. And in front of them was Enju smirking darkly at me. Shinku, Souseiseki, and I gasped as I got up from my seat dropping my cup in turned making the tea spill on the carpet I was standing on.
"It's nice to see you again, girls." Enju smirked as he walked towards the large window on the side of the room we were in. I glared at him as he slowly strode to the window.
"Why are you here, Old man?" I asked menacingly.
"What's the matter, still angry about our little fight at the ball?" he asked tauntingly.
"Maybe," I shot back accusingly.
"Well don't fret, child, I'm only here to tell you that you will never survive this. That's all I want to say, and also the Alice Game will continue once you return so you better not die on this." He frowned as he turned to me with a stern frown.
"You're not of higher rank than me, bastard. And I know, but I will take my chances, I am determined to do this for the people. After all I am of and against the people." I smirked.
"Suigintou, why are you teaming up with this man who tricked us?" Shinku asked the pale girl. The girl looked at her menacingly, but didn't speak as Suitou patted a hand to her head.
"She has nothing to say to you, you piece of junk." Suitou frowned at her.
"Hmph, and after all I did for you, you still intend to go against me." I grinned with a chuckle.
"You may have protected me in the war, but becoming Alice is my number one objective." She spoke to me.
"Fine, I will take my fate, but if I survive then you call off the Alice game and let the sisters of the game live, deal? I believe that becoming Alice has a different way, like father said." I asked glaring at him. He looked at me blankly before smirking and nodding towards me.
"But we never made this promise here if you catch my drift?" He cocked his head.
"Although you do know I do not intend to plunder my sisters' souls in battle, this was just a mere test for us." I grinned toothily.
"True, what happens when the true, true Alice awakens? Who will die first?" Enju asked darkly. I looked at him blankly before looking down chuckling maliciously.
"I'll be sure the true Alice is the one who truly deserves this." I replied back.
"Good answer," Enju smiled lifting up his palm. I narrowed my eyes as a flash of flame appeared before me. Then I began to hear yells from all of my sisters the most painful thing I hated to hear. I fell to my knees shutting my eyes as I covered my ears trying to block out everything. Then all went black.
It's almost the end! X3 Stay tuned, maybe tomorrow... If you go to my side I will give you chocolate chip cookies! X2