A/N: So, now we have Hiyori, who from emotional instability, has consequently chosen total isolation from everyone by running away into exile. Will she have confidence and liberate her powers by letting go of her insecurities, or will she forever live a life of fear and restraint? And what about the Origami sisters? Why have they suddenly disappeared?
Chapter 8:
Kanami sat by the window seat, watching the heavy rain beat against the glass. Outside, the relentless storm showed no signs of receding. In fact, ever since Hiyori ran away, it seemed as though it was getting stronger. A lightning bolt hit a tree that was close by, causing it to collapse, before a loud clap of thunder followed. A sigh left Kanami's lips as she removed herself from her seat, making her way to Mai's hospital bed.
"It's quite bad out there, huh?" Mai said.
"Yeah," Kanami murmured, looking back outside. She felt as gloomy as the weather.
Kanami just couldn't stop replaying the terrible memory in her mind of Hiyori running away. The images of her friend, with tears streaming down her pale face, made Kanami swallow hard. Hiyori rarely cried in front of others and Kanami couldn't help feeling ashamed, knowing that she was one of the main causes of Hiyori's tears.
Hiyori...the girl, who Kanami was always captivated by ever since they had first met. Not just because of her proficiency with an okatana, but also for her beauty, determination, and mysterious allure. Even though she was not sure Hiyori had the same feelings for her, Kanami was fine with just remaining by her side. She cared for Hiyori, and Hiyori cared for her. Things weren't supposed to end up like this.
"Kanamin, do you want some sweets?" Ellen asked.
Kanami's eyes fell on the brightly-colored candies inside the pretty boxes. They were supposed to be get-well gifts for Mai, but she kindly shared with the rest of her friends, particularly when she saw Kaoru eyeing them hungrily. The brown-haired Toji looked at the box of mint-chocolates in particular, before a sickening feeling filled her stomach.
"No thank you," she refused politely. Sadness clouded their features, as Mai, Ellen, Sayaka, and Kaoru looked at their friend, knowing how upset she was.
Kanami's eyes glistened, as her attention was drawn to the television in the room. Her friends followed her gaze, frowning at what they saw. Hiiragi Konoka was being interviewed on live television. There was no compassion whatsoever in her gaze now, only arrogance.
"Hiiragi-san, could you please tell us what happened to the Origami sisters?" a reporter asked. "Where have they gone?"
Konoka closed her eyes reflectively, as she replied, "I am answering honestly when I say this. The Origami sisters have unfortunately been kidnapped."
Exclamations arose from the crowd of reporters, as they hung onto her every word with unease, their writing instruments and cameras poised.
"Can you please explain more as to how this might connect to the destruction of the Military of Defense Headquarters?" another reporter asked.
"Due to Origami Yukari's previous orders just last month, the Special Sword Administration Bureau has had to keep certain things undercover. However, due to this state of emergency, I will explain briefly," Konoka said. "For several weeks, an aradama Toji named Juujou Hiyori has been kept hidden in Takirihime's former containment chamber. However, just last night, Juujou has gone on a rampage and escaped."
"You don't mean Juujou Hiyori as in the sixth heroine?"
"I am afraid so. I am sure you are all familiar of Origami Yukari formally being controlled by the great aradama, Tagitsuhime. However, it is with a heavy heart that I must inform you that this is not the case in this situation," Konoka continued. "Juujou has seen her new abilities as a means to finish what Tagitsuhime couldn't and curse this world to destruction. And her first step to accomplishing that was by kidnapping the Origami sisters."
She paused letting her words take effect before yelling, "Juujou Hiyori is guilty of treason!"
Kaoru clenched her fists when she heard those words. So, Maki was right all along about this damn woman. The two-faced bitch had just been spewing a bunch of lies from the start.
The panic ensuing among the reporters grew as they continued asking questions. Kanami couldn't believe that they were actually convinced about this. They didn't know Hiyori! Hiyori wouldn't do anything like that! Kanami wished she could yell that to the television screen and that it would reach them, but she could only hopelessly listen to Konoka's next words.
"As the Origami family ambassador, it is my duty to take charge in their absence, until we can find and rescue them. Orders have already been given to the Special Ritual Riot Squad," Konoka informed. "Juujou Hiyori is a dangerous threat to all of mankind. The only way for us to prevent another tragedy like the Great Disaster of Sagami Bay is for us to arrest her at once."
Then, with an almost cruel smile, she added, "I can assure you that once we do, Juujou Hiyori will be given the proper punishment of a traitor."
Ellen immediately switched off the television. For a few seconds, all five of them just stared at the black screen.
"They're going to kill her," Kanami hyperventilated. "They're going to kill Hiyori-chan!"
Her imaginative mind vividly conjured images of Hiyori bound in shackles, kneeling in the courtyard of the Origami family mansion. A black-cloaked executioner stood behind her, grasping Kogarasumaru in both hands. Kanami's mind saw the headsman raise the deadly blade, as crowds cried for the blood of her friend. And then, the gleam of sunlight on Kogarasumaru as it was brought down in one clean sweep...
"We have to save Hiyori-chan!" Kanami cried, grabbing Chidori. However, the arms of Sayaka and Kaoru held her back.
"Let go of me!" Kanami shouted.
"Kanami, you must calm down," Sayaka insisted. "Being impulsive and careless won't solve anything."
"I don't care," Kanami shot back. "We can't let them kill Hiyori-chan."
"Kanami, this isn't some anime where action solves everything," Kaoru countered. "You'll never find her by just searching aimlessly."
"She's right, Kanamin. We don't even know where Hiyoyon is," Ellen said, putting a hand on Kanami's shoulder. "We will save Hiyoyon, but we first need to come up with a plan."
"Why?"
Maki and Suzuka stepped into Mai's hospital room, just as Kanami asked this. Their faces were closed off, but just by looking at their eyes, Kanami could tell that they just heard the news.
"Because Hiiragi Konoka has most likely already told a pack of ridiculous fibs to not just get the public on her side, but to also make the Special Ritual Riot Squad prevent us from finding Juujou," Maki said, in response.
Kanami's heart felt heavy. Was the whole world really against Hiyori?
"But what about Hiyori-chan?" she demanded with a desperate look.
"That's another reason why we came here. Director Maniwa and the rest of the Special Sword Administration Bureau received reports of Juujou retreating to the isolated area of the mountains close to Yamanashi," Suzuka said. "That's where the eye of the storm is."
"Has that Konoka woman been told as well?" Kaoru frowned.
"Thankfully, no," Suzuka answered. "Director Maniwa has bound those witnesses to secrecy."
In her mind, Kaoru translated the word "bound" to "threatened". This was probably the only time she actually appreciated the director.
Kanami's heart skipped a beat. Hiyori was out there somewhere right now, probably suffering alone. However, now Kanami had a lead, and maybe with the help of their Spectrum Finders and Nene's aradama detection ability, they could find Hiyori—and once again they could be by each other's side. Konoka would pose as a problem, but Kanami could worry about her later. All she cared about was finding her friend. She wouldn't let anyone or some violent storm stop her!
"Then, let's go right now," she said.
"Kanami," Mai called, beckoning her best friend over.
The purple-haired Toji hesitated before saying, "When you find Hiyori-chan, tell her that I'm sorry."
Kanami went to Mai's bedside and clasped her hands. A look of determination was in her eyes.
"Don't worry, Mai-chan! I'll find Hiyori-chan and bring her back," Kanami promised.
"Kanami, let's go," Kaoru called. She, Ellen, and Sayaka were waiting by the door, okatanas ready in hand.
Kanami said one last goodbye to her friend, before turning to the Elite Guards.
"Konohana-san, are you and Shidou-san not coming with us?" she asked.
"Director Maniwa ordered Maki-san and I to stay here to deal with the aradama," Suzuka replied.
"Ever since Juujou 'cursed' this region, there's also been an increase of aradama going berserk," Maki frowned.
Kanami nodded her head, understandingly, before running after her friends. She couldn't help a smile from crossing her face. She didn't care how difficult it would be, as long as they'd save Hiyori. And once they did, Kanami was determined to make things right again.
'Don't worry, Hiyori-chan. I'm coming!' she thought.
The abandoned shrine in the mountains always had rumors hanging over it. A mysterious killing here, the sighting of a ghost there, and many others. It was definitely no place for a person to take residence.
The structural state of the shrine wasn't any better. One could tell that it used to be a magnificent place for worship, but neglect and time had stripped it of its beauty. The torii's signature red color had mostly faded, the temizuya was bone dry, and the steps to the haiden were cracked and crumbling. Everything was covered with dust and broken pieces of wood were strewn everywhere. Of course, this was only a small fraction of the deteriorated shrine's grounds.
However, Hiyori couldn't care any less about the grim atmosphere around it. Just a few hours after she came across Tagitsuhime, Hiyori claimed the shrine as her own, determined that from now on, she would never live among humanity again. She had used her powers to clean up the place a little and add her own personal touches. Even though visitors were the last thing she wanted, Hiyori didn't want to live in a hovel for the rest of her life.
She sat beside the cracked mirror inside the shrine honden, enclosed by a bamboo screen. Kagari refused to stop crying, scared by the ferocity of the howling winds outside and the bolts of lightning that shook the whole shrine. Hiyori adjusted the small blanket wrapped around her daughter with a melancholy smile.
"Aw, I know the storm frightens you but it's protecting us," Hiyori tried to soothe her.
Suddenly, the bamboo screen lifted up and Tagitsuhime stepped in. She looked around the room and pursed her lips in a dissatisfied fashion.
"Ugh, so much green in this room," Tagitsuhime whined. "Yes, I know you're green with envy cause of little miss what's-her-face for stealing your lovebird, but still. You can use your powers for more than just simple renovations, you know."
Hiyori's eyes narrowed at the aradama princess.
"Have you ever thought of going for a nice orange?" Tagitsuhime suggested, admiring her fingernails. "It can be quite calming."
Hiyori flashed her a bitter smile and said, "The only thing that will ever calm me is your head on a pike."
"I don't understand. I thought we had finally reached a truce," Tagitsuhime said.
Hiyori snorted, "Well, sorry to burst your bubble, but you and I will never be friends."
Tagitsuhime smiled with distaste and shook her head. To some extent, she knew that it would be tough to wrap Hiyori around her finger. Hiyori was opinionated and hardheaded.
"You don't understand, do you? You will never find love," Tagitsuhime said. "For one simple reason: you don't know how."
Hiyori bit her lip so hard that the copper-like taste of her blood filled her mouth. Her face turned red with rage, not just because of the way Tagitsuhime was insulting her, but because she knew there was a ring of truth around her taunts. Despite the time she and Kanami nearly kissed, along with those fluttering moments spent together, Hiyori knew that it couldn't change anything. Kanami was a Toji of justice, who defeated aradama monsters. Monsters like her.
Tagitsuhime smirked, "Don't give me that look. You are now a powerful young woman. You can have everything you can possibly imagine, if you play your cards right."
She strode up to Hiyori and pulled her chin closer.
"However," she added, darkly, "you'll lose your power if you continue having a self-pitying attitude like this. Hiding only because you wish to protect these worthless creatures. And unless you become a full aradama, they'll destroy you."
"And when I succumb to the darkness inside of me...you're the one who can mysteriously control me, right?" Hiyori smiled, cruelly. "Including Kagari, I assume?"
Tagitsuhime rolled her eyes. This girl was smarter than she thought. Seeing the deceit on Tagitsuhime's face, Hiyori let out a hysterical laugh that almost sounded like a cackle.
"I won't be a puppet for you, Tagitsuhime," she snarled, with a sinister grin. "And I especially won't let you ruin my friends' lives like how you ruined my family's for generations. Mark my words...I'll become more powerful than you if I need to."
Hiyori put a finger to her chin and pretended to be in deep thought, as she added, "And who'll be the puppet master then?"
"You realize by doing that you'll be the villain," the aradama princess frowned. "You're willing to suffer just to satisfy your thirst for revenge?"
Hiyori shrugged. "I will, since I intend to make you suffer more."
Tagitsuhime stepped back a little with a hurt look on her face. It wasn't fair. Why couldn't this stupid girl realize what was best for her?
"My sweet little crow...I really am trying to help you," Tagitsuhime sighed. "We both understand what it is to be lonely, and I want you to be a full aradama for your own sake."
She put on a soft expression, before saying, "Because...I want us to be family."
Hiyori's head quickly turned towards Tagitsuhime. A bewildered look was on her face. Was she hearing things properly? As if that could ever happen and that she'd want it to! Tagitsuhime practically destroyed her whole family! And now she wanted to be all lovey-dovey?
Flashes of lightning lit up the darkened shrine, as Hiyori yelled, "Just go back to the netherworld, Tagitsuhime! Get the fuck out of my life!"
A/N: Another chapter done! I'm glad I was able to finish this before the weekend. Hope you all enjoyed it. Were any of you expecting Tagitsuhime's true motive? Let me know what you think!