A/N: Hey readers! Got back to writing sooner than I expected. College has been pretty chill so far besides mid-terms.
Also, my little cousin made me watch "Frozen: The Broadway Musical" with her. I honestly thought I would hate it, but to my surprise, it was better than I thought it would be. And now I can't stop comparing the slight similarities between Elsa and Anna to Hiyori and Kanami. Lol. In addition to that, lately I've been imagining Hiyori singing that wicked awesome "Monster" song in my head. Honestly, like the minor keys in that song are so chilling! Okay, I'll stop (lol, as you can tell, I'm a music nerd).
Chapter 16:
Tagitsuhime continued to stare in awe at the sight before her. She had gotten many reactions out of Hiyori before-begging, screaming, flying into rages-but never before had Tagitsuhime witnessed something like this. Out of all the things she believed Hiyori would do, the thought of the Heijou Toji fusing two powerful okatanas together was not one of them.
Emotions flew through Tagitsuhime as Hiyori turned towards her with a smile. It was a cruel smile, not like the sarcastic ones Hiyori threw at her before. No, this one was full of nothing but maliciousness. Tagitsuhime took a step back. Although she was initially thrilled about Hiyori finally becoming the monster she always wanted, the sight of Shitsuren in Hiyori's right hand made her quiver.
"W-What have you done?!" Tagitsuhime shrieked, her face full of horror. "The fusing of two okatanas is mortally dangerous beyond words. Not even utsushi is effective against it."
Hiyori gently stroked Shitsuren with an intense gaze, as she mused out loud, "Kanami's okatana and mine have been connected ever since our mothers sacrificed themselves. Therefore, it would only make sense for Chidori and Kogarasumaru to be two halves of one."
"Hiyori darling, you must not let the unholy power of this weapon continue to exist. Please break it back into two at once," Tagitsuhime insisted. "There are lines even we shouldn't cross!"
Her gaze fell on Kagari, who was still crying on Hiyori's futon. Tagitsuhime narrowed her eyes when she turned back to Hiyori. The Heijou Toji now had one of Shitsuren's blades pointed at Tagitsuhime's neck.
"I'd be careful if I were you, darling," Tagitsuhime warned, with a dangerous expression. "Especially considering how our little hatchling is only a few feet away."
Hiyori's blue hair flickered in the moonlight, as her two eyes glowed with radiance. Her blood boiled as she took a step closer to Tagitsuhime.
"I thought this is what you wanted. Me becoming an aradama princess," Hiyori taunted.
Tagitsuhime remained silent with a glare on her face. Despite having an annoyed expression, deep inside her Tagitsuhime was trying to keep her fear from showing. If Hiyori abused Shitsuren's power, there would be no doubt that she would make even Tagitsuhime look moral. Things weren't supposed to happen like this and if she couldn't somehow calm Hiyori down... The orange-eyed aradama took a deep breath and put on what she hoped was her most sympathetic expression.
"I truly desired to be a family. Making you steal noro and kill people, along with...doing those things to you...I just wanted us to be happy. I'm very sorry," Tagitsuhime apologized, with great difficulty. "So, please...put your weapon down and we can fix this."
Hiyori's shoulders sagged slightly, but she didn't loosen her hold on Shitsuren. In her eyes, Tagitsuhime was just sugarcoating her words. She wasn't truly sorry.
"Never," Hiyori snarled.
The exasperated look on Tagitsuhime's face was worth it. Hiyori's smile curved upwards, allowing the moonlight to glint off her two fangs. However, there was another emotion Hiyori could register but not quite understand in Tagitsuhime's orange eyes...hurt?
"Every time you'd steal noro or weren't looking, I had every opportunity to snatch our hatchling and leave!" Tagitsuhime cried. "I could've destroyed the world without you! Don't you see that I really want to be family?! I stayed for you!"
Before Hiyori could blink, Tagitsuhime swept Kagari into her arms. The hurt look on her face was more apparent.
"And right now, you're being a dangerous threat to my little chick. So, you give me no choice!" Tagitsuhime said.
"No!" Hiyori shrieked, diving towards her.
But it was too late. Tagitsuhime had already disappeared with Kagari. Hiyori could feel her power surging as lightning streaked across the sky.
An explosion of blue light burst from Shitsuren, as Hiyori screamed, "Tagitsuhime!"
It was silent and still at the Kamakura harbor. Nothing could be heard expect for the gentle waves lapping up against the docks. In the stillness of it all, five figures could be seen huddled together beside Richard Friedman's great submarine moored at the edge of the harbor.
"Here, Kanami-chan," Mai said, pressing a bag of cookies into her friend's hands.
"Thank you, Mai-chan," Kanami replied.
A heavy pain tugged at her chest as her friends gave her one last hug. Kanami wished with all her heart that she could remain with them and that they could save Hiyori. But she knew they were right. Hiyori would want her safe. Kanami just couldn't believe that she was leaving the girl she loved behind.
The tears that Kanami refused to show earlier were starting to fall to the ground. It would be okay. She'd come back someday. And then she'd save Hiyori...right?
"Good luck, Kanamin," Ellen sniffed.
"Whatever you do," Kaoru said, "do not try to come back until we give word that it's safe to return. Konoka most likely already knows you've escaped and will be searching for you."
"Etou-san," a big voice boomed.
Kanami turned to see Friedman standing at the top of the submarine. A kind smile was on his face.
"It's time," he said.
Mai watched sadly as her best friend got inside the submarine, before it slowly disappeared beneath the waves. While Mai was relieved that Kanami was safe, sadness and guilt refused to stop tormenting her.
'I'm sorry. We lied, Kanami-chan,' Mai apologized in her mind.
Kaoru whipped out her phone once it started ringing. She gave her friends a curt nod, before answering it.
Director Maniwa's voice came from the other end, asking, "Kaoru, has Etou Kanami left with Friedman already?"
"Yeah, yeah," Kaoru replied, with a bored expression. "What's the plan now?"
"Meet us at the Special Sword Administration Bureau. Rui-san will guide you to where we're waiting," Director Maniwa replied. "Be cautious. Hiiragi Konoka most likely will have security everywhere around the area."
"Anything else we should know?" Kaoru asked.
"Shidou-san and Konohana-san have been released from the hospital and will be with us shortly. Minoseki and Osafune Academies are already here and I've also recruited the Akabane Sword Team as well," Director Maniwa said, before falling silent and adding, "We'll need all the help we can get."
"We'll be there soon, old lady," Kaoru said, hanging up before Director Maniwa could respond angrily.
"What do we do, Kaoru?" Sayaka asked.
"This way. To the bureau!" Kaoru replied, running hastily with the other three close behind her.
Mokusa was reborn.
Akane cupped her hands together and breathed into them, as she shivered. The nights were starting to get colder with each passing day. Her older sister, on the other hand, was in deep meditation, sitting cross-legged with her eyes closed. However, Yukari's eyes opened once the cell doors burst apart with a bang. A frown crossed her face once she saw the figure before them. Hiyori's white dress seemed to float across the floor as she stepped inside.
"I see you're dressed for matrimony," Yukari commented.
"Save the jokes," Hiyori spat.
Yukari's eyes held no sort of emotion, but they widened when they fell on the double-bladed okatana in Hiyori's hand.
'Shitsuren,' she thought.
Akane was unaware of her sister's fear, but also couldn't help shivering at the sight of Hiyori. There was nothing but contempt in those glowing blue eyes. Wordlessly, with one single swipe of her weapon, Hiyori broke the chains securing the two Origami sisters.
"My dragon is waiting outside for you. You'll be safe from Tagitsuhime," Hiyori explained. "Now, leave."
Akane put a hand on Hiyori's shoulder. The aradama Toji flinched from the contact.
"What about you, Hiyori-san?" Akane asked, worriedly.
"That's none of your concern," Hiyori replied, brushing the younger Origami sister's hand off.
Yukari stared at Hiyori with a certain look, before saying, "You are intent on revenge again, aren't you?"
Hiyori growled, "Tagitsuhime will pay for everything. Including Konoka."
"Oh, come on," Yukari sighed. "We both know that in your condition, with your new strength and power, you won't destroy just them. You'll destroy everything. Despite what you believe, Juujou, aradama and humans must co-exist together. Still haven't learned your lesson, have you?"
Hiyori gripped Shitsuren tighter at Yukari's words. Who was she to tell her what to do?
"You're not my mother!" Hiyori screamed, her voice cracking.
She turned away, trying to hide the emotions that were showing on her face. While a part of Hiyori couldn't believe that she was acting like a selfish child, the other part refused to stop brewing with hate against Tagitsuhime, along with Konoka.
Trying a softer approach, Akane said, tentatively, "Hiyori-san, please think about this. Would Kanami-san want to see you like this?"
"Kanami is dead!" Hiyori yelled, as bolts of lightning shot from her heart. "Kanami...is dead..."
"H-How?" Akane gasped.
"Konoka executed her," Hiyori choked, her eyes narrowing with hatred.
Hiyori felt what was left of her heart shatter into more pieces, as her mind was tormented with images of Kanami...the sweet girl who would constantly ask to spar with her...dead and buried. Hiyori wondered if Konoka even allowed for Kanami to have a proper burial. Collapsing onto the ground, Hiyori willingly let the ragged sobs she was keeping in her throat come out all at once. She didn't turn around to see Yukari's vacant expression or Akane raising a hand to her mouth in shock. All Hiyori wanted in that moment was to grieve alone.
'I see. So Juujou's grief is what created Shitsuren,' Yukari thought.
"Hiyori-san, please, there's still hope. You don't have to go down this path of darkness. Please come with us," Akane pleaded.
"Leave!" Hiyori roared. "Before I change my mind about letting you go! And don't even think about sending a rescue team to find me!"
She turned away again, and whispered, "I'm beyond saving. I died with Kanami."
With a hopeless look on her face, Akane slowly left the cell with Yukari behind her. However, Yukari turned back with a stern expression.
"Take a piece of well-meant advice," Yukari said. "The only one preventing you from being happy is yourself."
Hiyori's hair flickered violently, as she turned to glare at the Origami sister.
Before she left, Yukari added, "Trust me when I say this, Juujou. Use your power with cold blood and your own blade shall pierce your heart."
A/N: Another chapter surprisingly done. So, now Tagitsuhime disappeared with Kagari, Kanami has left Kamakura, and Mokusa has been revived. It also seems that Yukari gave Hiyori a warning and piece of advice using an interesting selection of words. Hmm...perhaps Yukari knows more than we think! That may be key to something in the future.
So happy to be able to write for you guys again and excited to hear what you all think! Love you all so much! Peace!