It was safe to say that Tamao kept a closer eye on Nagisa after that. During school hours and down in the Warren, Nagisa felt eyes watching everything she did. It was creepy and nerve raking. The good points were the extra time she spent with Shizuma in the greenhouse and the occasional meals together. Rumors were spreading, as they always do, that they were dating. Nagisa denied it yet couldn't help wonder about it all. Why does Shizuma put up with me?
It was early Saturday morning when there was urgent knocking on the door. Not waiting for a response, Miyuki barged right in. Sitting up in shock and half asleep, Nagisa in a tousled state groggily eyed the President.
"Sorry Nagisa-chan, but you both have to get up. We're all wanted in the Head Sisters office."
Nagisa got up, or rather down, as she got her feet twisted in the sheets. Tamao and Nagisa got dressed as quickly as possible, Miyuki giving them privacy had stepped out earlier. The three went down stairs and joined up with the others, Yaya looking rather ruffled and grumpy. Another anti-morning person to be cautious around.
Once again they were seated in the office. Kagome still quiet had grown quite attached to Nagisa, and set herself down next to her. The Head Sister looked serious and worn down as she herself got comfortable with a cup of tea.
"I'm sorry for the early morning girls, especially with you keeping late nights." The sister apologized "You've been doing a good job of keeping the wraith at bay."
"There's a but coming" murmured Yaya behind her tea.
"However the Council is becoming concerned, that the wraith are not moving on. They have been here longer than any of the previous."
"You think they found what they're looking for?" Nagisa asked
"All they've done is attacked us. Certainly no time to go off snooping" Yaya remarked
"That's her point Yaya-chan. It's not a thing it's searching for, it's someone." Tamao quickly put together.
"Of course" whispered Shion "I'm guessing at each place they went to, the Few have attacked the wraith, am I right Sister?"
"Yes indeed Tomori-san. You are quite right. One of you is what they seek, though as for whom and what, I'm looking into it. As for the students let the teachers handle them. I am sorry about this girls."
"What's so important about just one of us?" the young wolf asked in disbelief.
In a discreet fashion Tamao looked over at Nagisa, seeing conflicting emotions strewn across her face. Whatever the reasons she looked distraught and lost.
Breaking off from the rest Nagisa wondered about, lost in her thoughts of how to handle the situation now. 'I wish I could call upon someone to help out. But after what happened before no-one wants to talk. I'm scared. I don't know what they would say. I can't just go and say "Hi I'm a phoenix they might be after me" sounds stupid even to me. Not after what happened the last time, where everything just got worse when I did. I guess that's the reason behind everything I do.'
Nagisa had found herself by the lake. It was silent here. She felt like expressing herself in one way or the other. So she started to sing, pouring all her grief, anger, fears and loss into her song. Her strong voice carried the song well; no words were needed as all her emotions were embedded in the song. Everything Nagisa sang touched the soul. Tears were cascading down her face, making it hard for her to see, and with her song harder for her to hear. A woman approached and just watched and listened. She too was crying at the sad soulful song of the younger girl. Crying too hard to sing, Nagisa stopped and cried harder dropping to knees in sorrow.
Arms wrapped around her, one around the waist and one around the shoulders, drawing Nagisa in a tight embrace. Fighting a little to escape until a warm familiar voice whispered in her ears. "It's ok. I'm here." Shizuma comforted her. Nagisa wrapped her own arms tight about her. Letting her tears and cries loose. With soft murmurs of comfort and gentle rocks soothing Nagisa as she wept.
It took Nagisa a while to stop crying and calm down, never letting go of Shizuma in the process. Shizuma gently tilted Nagisa's face so she could wipe away the tears, and cradled her flushed face looking directly into her eyes. Both of them were lost, for both found peace in that instance, a sense of belonging and completion.
"You sing beautifully Nagisa; I didn't know that about you. You seem to project feelings through it too. I hope I can hear you sing again." Still cradling her face, smiling softly.
"It's one of my gifts Shizuma-sama" leaning into the touch
"Why were you crying?" Shizuma cautiously asked not wanting to pry, yet desperately wanting to know. The young girl had become quite special to her, through the moments they had together. 'Nagisa what has made you so sad? It hurts me to see you like this. I always want to see that bright smile of yours on your face. Laughing at jokes and having fun. I'm falling in love' Shizuma thought all the while hugging her close. Nagisa was debating on what to say, she never really lied to her friends, just evaded the truth. 'I can't tell you I'm a Mythical or any of the rest. I don't want to lie. What can I say?' Nagisa debated with herself.
"I'm afraid" Nagisa softly spoke, so quiet that Shizuma nearly missed it.
"What are you so afraid of?"
"Being in the darkness, afraid of losing everyone I care about. Most of all being alone, I've been that way for so long, that I forgot what it was like before I came here, now I never want to let go." Hanging her head down Nagisa willing away fresh tears.
"Nagisa look at me." Waiting for her to look at her "You can tell me everything and anything when you're good and ready. But know this I will never leave you, you're too precious to me now." drawing closer to the young phoenix and planting a kiss, on her reddening cheek. Both smiled in response, Nagisa feeling loved once more snuggled in deeper into the arms of her blossoming love.
Deep in the Warren two blunettes were making their way out, after a quick study session of looking into anything related to wraith. Hand in hand they made their way out.
"Tamao is everything all right? Your miles away and I'm guessing you haven't heard a word I've said."
"I'm sorry Miyuki-chan. I guess with all that's been going on these past few weeks or so, it's kind of hard to sort things out." Tamao squeezed Miyuki's hand in comfort
"It has been busy I guess." One look on her love's face knew there was something else on her mind. "Spill it Tamao. What's really going on in there?"
Tamao smiled a little, nothing got past her girlfriend easily. A quick nod of her head, she put her thoughts together, wondering if she truly was overthinking it, knowing whatever it was the person next to her wouldn't judge, though probably tease is the best word.
"It's Nagisa-chan." A quick look to Miyuki's worried face she continued "Don't get me wrong Miyuki; she is my best friend, no matter what. However everything really started when she first came here, the wraiths mainly. Then it's her whole aura. It screams power, much more than an elemental should. Her abilities aren't even related, haven't you noticed? She has so much power and knowledge."
"What are you saying Tamao?" halting them in one of the many tunnels.
"I don't know love. But she just doesn't add up."