Shizuma, escape artist extraordinaire, was once again absent from the student council meeting. She felt it best to distance herself from prying eyes, in truth; it's more like hiding so she doesn't get a scold off Miyuki. She is one scary lady once she gets going. Quiet, secluded, peaceful and far enough away, Shizuma headed towards the lake.
It was early afternoon yet the paths were un-usually quiet. Not that Shizuma minded she preferred it that way. She didn't get very far along when something bowled her over. Literally. Lying sprawled on the floor looking to the sky, shock and confusion kicked in, although when a familiar face framed with red hair appeared, she couldn't help but smile.
"You sure know how to knock a girl off her feet!"
"Shizuma-sama! Are you all right?" Nagisa asked. Then looked at their positions and blushed. Hiding her face she jumped up, careful to avoid another blunder, and held out her hand. Shizuma was sporting a smirk as she accepted the hand up. 'Her blush is too cute. I can't help but tease her.'
"I'm fine just a little surprised. Usually girls are bowled over by me not the other way around" Shizuma teased, enjoying the reddening blush. She happened to notice her eyes seemed to get pinker too. "Why were you in such a rush?"
"Ah . . . well . . . Tamao-chan mentioned something about having a cake order coming in, then I forgot my bag, so I had to run and get it, got told off by a sister . . " Nagisa mumbled, unable to continue, since her face was now fully red, not to mention the fact that Shizuma was trying so hard not to laugh. Finally she gave in and let loose.
Putting her arm around the blushing girl she led her back to the dorms. Not wanting her to have any more run-ins with bad luck. Shizuma calmed down after a bit, still holding onto Nagisa.
"You truly are trouble Nagisa-chan." Noticing the flinch that crossed her face, decided to let it pass, wondering what it could be. "Nagisa is there anything you want to talk to me about?"
"Hmm. . . Sorry seems my heads in the clouds today, cant to seem to shake it off." Nagisa replied softly
"Nothing bad with your family I hope or with anything in school." A little worried that her fan girls might be involved; for Nagisa not the girls.
"Apart from the glares and whispers, nothing on the scale when you walk on by Shizuma-sama" with a small smile "As for family I don't have one."
'No wonder she has fears on being alone, she always has been. Well she's got me now, not to mention her friends too.' Squeezing her shoulder a little and smiling her warm smile they both continued on.
A chilly breeze made the girls shudder and stop. Shizuma thought it strange, since it was coming into summer. The air got cooler fast, becoming so cold you could see your own breath. Birds were no longer singing. Silence reigned. The sun seemed to dim for a second. Like a signal warning them.
Shizuma was about to take off, looked over to Nagisa and froze herself. The girl had changed somehow, she looked more menacing. Her eyes now a deep red and she seemed to burn with intensity. 'Is that my Nagisa? She seems so different and more dangerous.' Touching her slightly on her arm, Nagisa turned her head. Where a scary look once was, now formed into a worried one. But before anyone could move or talk, a fierce roar chilled the air. Heads turned as one, to witness a wraith emerging from the trees. You smelt it before you saw it. It was built like a bear, yet moved with feline grace. Its appearance was hideous. Black leathery skin stretched across its body. Its face with eyes of insanity, razor canine teeth, that outgrew its natural shape with slobbering gums. Long limbs showed claws of steel, clicking with each step, forming ice around its body like a shield.
Nagisa's POV
Nagisa quickly sized it up, wondering what a wraith was doing out in the middle of the day. They hated sunlight. 'Well ice is its forte, so it could probably shield itself better from the sun. Lucky me. Somehow I've got to get Shizuma-sama away'. Luck wasn't on her side. Putting herself in front of Shizuma, she faced it head on. With a roar the creature charged, closing the distance rapidly. Nagisa brought fire to hand and created a barrier surrounding them both, intricate designs flashed and glowed brightly when the wraith impacted. It was thrown well clear. Barrier dropped, Nagisa formed fire arrows and shot them, and with precision they all hit the mark, yet slowed him down was all it did. Quickly she shaped a jet stream of fire at the wraith. A wild roar froze it and with cracks, the shards turned and shot back at Nagisa.
"NAGISA!" screamed Shizuma
Dodging and rolling the shards grazed her lightly, though still drawing blood. Nagisa was getting angry and bothered; the uniform wasn't made to battle wraiths in. Wraith thinking to overpower her by brute force once more charged and pounced. The fire wielder waited till the last possible moment for her chance. She dropped to the ground and rolled underneath, with fire curving around her as she did, the wraith got burned. Coming into a defensive crouch, Nagisa formed a blade of white fire, watching as the creature slowly got back up. Head flicking slightly, it looked around. A white owl landed on a branch, with an ugly growl, was sent back on its way. Help would quickly be on its way. Not soon enough for Nagisa as feral eyes landed on Shizuma. Nagisa knew what was coming and started forward, as soon as the beast charged full on. Shizuma in total shock and fear was rooted to the spot. Wraith and Mythical was toe to toe, strength powered its pounce, claws full out ready to dig in deep, collided heavily into warm flesh.
"NOOOO!"
Surrounded in a barrier of flames, Shizuma looked on in fear, tears of anguish marking her face. Up tight against the barrier, Nagisa was in the grips of the wraith. The claws in her shoulders were holding her tight, with small hands grasping the wrists to hold them in place. Claws tensed, Nagisa screamed in agony, she would have collapsed if not for the barrier and the wraith holding her up. Finally having its prey, it ripped his claws free tossing the girl to the floor. Groaning at the pain Nagisa tried to summon fire, yet all she could do was a small flame. Pain was making it hard to concentrate. She daren't try anything else since the barrier needed to be working. The beast loomed over her, globs of drool dripped onto her face and clothes, rancid breath making her want to heave. Looking instead to Shizuma, whose tear filled eyes were glued onto her. 'At least she's safe, help is coming soon. I'm glad Chikaru-sama kept her familiar around. I just have to deal with this ugly brute.' Smiling a small smile she looked back up.
A shot of white light threw the wraith off her and a familiar growl was heard. Then a black wolf was seen crashing into the weakened wraith and began tearing it apart. All the while shots of different spells were cast to help. Struggling to her feet, Nagisa slowly and surely went over to Shizuma; all the while her body was slowly regenerating itself. Resting her hand on the barrier, ignoring the battle around her, the flames glowed a deep red streaming back into her, giving her much needed energy. Before she could blink, strong arms wrapped around her and pulled her close. Leaning into the warmth Nagisa tenderly hugged her back, closing her eyes and letting the peace wash over her.
"Nagisa-chan. Shizuma-sama. Are you both ok?" a soft voice asked them. Nagisa let go of the etoile, and made to turn around. Yet a strong arm remained a firm grip on her shoulder, still hugging her close.
"We're fine Chikaru-sama. Shizuma-sama is shook up but I think that's understandable. As for me I'm doing ok now."
"What do you mean ok? That thing clawed you and tossed you around like a rag doll, see look!" As she pointed to one of the claw marks, all she saw was freshly tender skin, a good few weeks of healing in a matter of minutes. The only indication of former wounds were the tears and blood covering her. Shizuma turned paler and looked at the three students.
"Shizuma! Nagisa-chan! Are you both all right?" Miyuki's voice hollered. Tamao and Shion were with her as they descended on them.
Tamao ran straight to Nagisa and gave her a once over, with a quick hug, smiling a little that her friend wasn't hurt too badly. Yaya, looking slightly ruffled joined them and together watched as Shizuma was brewing up a storm.
"What the hell is going on? What are those things that attacked us? And what are all of you?" Shizuma shouted anger won over shock, determined now to find out the truth. When no-one was forthcoming she turned to her little red haired devil.
Nagisa froze as those eyes bore into her. Weariness settled in and quickly scanned the faces of the others. 'This is great. Leave it to me. Shizuma has seen us using our gifts, the wraith and now wants me to explain? What do I say?' All eyes looked away; this was all up to her. Truth seemed the best option, since she couldn't really lie at the best of times. However before she could explain anything, Kagome came running, straight to Chikaru. Clutching tightly to her bear she looked around at the scene.
"Chikaru-oneesama the Head Sister wants everyone to come to her office at once, including Etoile-sama."
"That witch sure knows what goes on in this school" Yaya looked on in surprise at the summons.
"Well we'd better go. Come on Shizuma. Nagisa-chan why don't you go and get cleaned up and rest, you've done enough today." With a quick hug from Tamao and a shoulder squeeze from Yaya they all set off to the Head sisters' office. She watched them walk away and just before she started off herself, she noticed Shizuma turn round and gave a small smile and wave before continuing on. 'Wow! Did that just happen? I'm glad she isn't hurt, better yet fainted. Most humans do. The talk will do her good, especially since she suspected something anyway. Well better get cleaned up, the blood feels horrible. Ewww wraith drool!'
It was late afternoon, with a fresh uniform on and a quick nap Nagisa felt refreshed. Since her friends weren't back she decided to go someplace quiet and think, leaving a quick note for Tamao just in case. So here she was. Nagisa sat by the lakes edge, admiring how the sun glistened on the water, making it sparkle like crystals. Stretching out her legs with her arms bracing her, she quietly watched the serenity around her. Wishing she could bottle it and use it on herself the way she was now. 'What am I going to do? Shizuma-sama knows! It's all so confusing' Shaking her head in dismissal she tried to calm down, it only seemed to make it worse. Nagisa got up and started to pace along the lakes edge, arms tightly crossed and head down. 'I should have been more careful of my surroundings. I didn't expect a wraith in the middle of the day. But when it went after us, I just reacted. It all happened so fast. Why are human emotions so puzzling? I'm such an idiot! I never learn!'
Trying to physically let off steam, she first checked her surroundings making sure no human was in site. Check! She then started to lob fire balls at the water, putting more of her frustrations and energy into each one. Nagisa did this for the next ten minutes, making the lake edge into a sauna. Steam was definitely getting loose. 'I'll just have to wait for Tamao to tell me what went on. I can't very well do much else.' So with a long sigh and deep thoughts she headed off back to her room.
A/N: Well i hope you guys like reading this, tell me what you think good or bad. Helps me out. Thanks to you, whoever you are ;) whos been following since the beginning.