A/N: Hey readers! I'm so glad that you all enjoyed my last chapter. Hope you'll feel the same for this one. Enjoy!
Chapter 17:
"You incompetent pea-brain! You let her escape?!"
Konoka's voice thundered so loudly that it could be heard through all the hallways of the Kamakura prison. A few of the prisoners raised their heads and peered through the bars of their cells, curious to see the spectacle. The sound of a smack was heard a few seconds later.
Bowing his head low to the ground and trying to keep from wincing, the private guard apologized, "Forgive me, Hiiragi-san." The cheek that Konoka just slapped was starting to swell and turn red.
"You had one job," Konoka continued. "There was a girl, and may I remind you, that she was chained to the ground inside a barred cell. So please explain to me...how the hell could you lose her?!"
The power and fury in her voice made the guard quiver on the ground like a leaf. Konoka let out another frustrated exclamation escape her mouth, as she paced back and forth. The Minoseki girl probably already had a good head start, and most likely fled out of the city by now. Despite her indignation at this new drawback, Konoka didn't let it make her lose her head. She always had back-up plans. Not paying any heed to the guard kneeling at her feet, the green-haired woman flipped open her phone.
"Etou Kanami has escaped. I want every police officer in this country to find the fugitive," Konoka commanded. "Arrest anyone with any sort of connection to her, whether they are family or friend. You know what to do if they resist."
She snapped her phone closed, not even waiting for an answer. Her facial features twisted as she strode out, her skin turning several shades paler.
Through gritted teeth, Konoka growled, "I should've just killed the brat when I had the chance!"
While Konoka was busy chewing out the prison guard, all of Mokusa had gathered in a tiny concealed room underneath the Special Sword Administration Bureau. After Rui came in with Mai, Sayaka, Ellen and Kaoru, the door was immediately locked and bolted. Kaoru noted with annoyance at how cramped the room was, due to the large amount of people inside. The lack of windows contributed to this.
Ellen breathed, "This place is...?"
"An old-hiding place Origami Yukari showed me in case of bad times," Director Maniwa explained. "Now, we must act quickly."
Mai silently studied the faces of everyone who was in the room. She recognized several of her other friends from school, including Asakura Mihono. The four Elite Guards, the Akabane Sword Team... It seemed that they had a fair number on their side, but not enough in comparison to Konoka's guards and security. Everyone appeared to have the same thought as Mai, judging by the glum looks on their faces.
"It's apparent that Hiiragi Konoka is not the visionary official that all of Japan believes her to be," Director Maniwa began. "However, with most of the country on her side, it will not be easy to overthrow her."
Kitora Mirja adjusted her glasses, before adding, "Hiiragi Konoka has also most likely already labelled us as threats, due to our connections with Etou Kanami and Juujou Hiyori. Any chance of us being seen in plain view will in all likelihood end us up in custody."
Musumi Kiyoka's fingers worked spasmodically at Mirja's words. She was starting to have second thoughts about all this.
"Tagitsuhime poses as a threat as well," Setouchi Chie added.
Shichinosato Kofuki raised an eyebrow at Chie and said, "I thought you were the one who said if I agreed to this, I could handle the aradama, Chichie."
Director Maniwa coughed, "If we're done talking, may I please continue?"
When everyone turned her way, she added, "That's why I have recruited a useful ally. She has agreed to be one of Mokusa's sympathizers, as she wished to atone for her past...misdoings."
When Director Maniwa observed the uneasiness around the room, she reassured, "She has the vast knowledge of Tagitsuhime that we may need, due to her past association with her."
"I think I know where this is going," Maki grumbled under her breath.
"And I ask that you all be patient with her," Director Maniwa finished, before turning to a door on the other side of the room, and calling, "You may come in now."
Everyone's eyes were on the door as it slowly opened. Not long afterwards, the sound of hard heels clicked into the room as President Takatsu entered. A vacant expression was on her face, once she saw the dark stares sent her way.
"What's she doing here?" Kaoru demanded.
Kofuki said, "Who cares why she's here? What matters is that we can kick some aradama butt! I love you, aradama-chan!"
"Really now, Kofuki-chan..." Chie sighed.
"Yukina, the floor's all yours," Director Maniwa smiled.
Once President Takatsu strode to the front of the room, she remained silent for a few seconds. She couldn't help but notice that Sayaka was staring at her with a very hard expression, which was very surprising considering how the white-haired girl rarely showed emotion.
Clearing her throat and trying to ignore the cold atmosphere, President Takatsu explained, "Director Maniwa and I agreed that we cannot afford to try to depose of Hiiragi Konoka if Tagitsuhime chanced to attack. The fact that Tagitsuhime has Juujou Hiyori in her clutches poses as a bigger problem."
"How so?" Mihono asked.
President Takatsu's eyes narrowed at her, as she said, "Just think about it. Two aradama princesses together."
"But, Hiyori-chan is not an aradama princess," Mai protested.
President Takatsu sighed, "As much as you may want to deny it, Tagitsuhime has envisioned a future like this. She's admitted it to me before."
"Admitted what?" Maki asked, starting to get impatient.
"Before deciding on trying to open a portal to the netherworld, Tagitsuhime wanted to replace humanity with a new aradama civilization. In a way, her previous goal was somewhat similar to Ichikishimahime's," President Takatsu said. "Therefore, what with making Juujou Hiyori bear her child, I have reason to believe that she's trying to achieve that."
"Yukina and I have decided that half of Mokusa should deal with Hiiragi Konoka, while the other half deals with Tagitsuhime," Director Maniwa explained.
Kofuki immediately raised her hand, exclaiming, "I vote on being part of the team that deals with Tagitsuhime!"
Kaoru, who was busy looking at her phone, said, "Might not be necessary," once she saw what popped on her screen.
"What?! Why?" Kofuki demanded.
Kaoru jerked her chin towards the television that was in the room. "Turn on the news and you'll see."
Once Director Maniwa did so, what they were greeted with on the screen was nothing of what they were expecting. Flying above the Kamakura skies before slowly descending was a blue aradama dragon. But what caused everyone's eyes to pop out their heads were the two figures riding the winged beast...the Origami sisters.
An hour later, President Takatsu slipped away quietly from the room. She wanted to get away from people and visit the familiar gravesite she had been going to ever since ten years ago. Whenever the Renpu Girls' School president found a moment to spare during her busy hours, she mostly went to the Kamakura cemetery. This was her sacred quiet time.
As a woman, who kept dark thoughts in her head since her husband's death, she had refused obstinately to show any form of weakness. But here at the cemetery, President Takatsu would allow her mind and body to grow quiet. Here was the only place where she was safe from prying eyes.
The Kamakura cemetery was dotted with stone monuments, many of them dedicated to Tojis who perished in the Great Disaster of Sagami Bay. Covering almost every acre of the cemetery were beautiful flowers. Despite the gloom surrounding the area, the colors of the flowers made the cemetery one of the prettiest places in Kamakura.
President Takatsu crossed through the cemetery with a fresh bouquet of chrysanthemums. However, she stopped abruptly once she saw the single white rose that was placed at the family grave bearing the name, Takatsu. The president felt her shoulders stiffening, as she slowly turned around.
"Hiiragi Konoka."
A smile creeped up the ambassador's face as she approached, saying, "No longer addressing me as 'Noka-chan' anymore, huh, Yuki-chan?"
"You dared to show up now of all days," President Takatsu seethed. "On the anniversary of Yomi's death?!"
Konoka said, simply, "I came to pay my respects to your husband and your niece. From what I've heard, Satsuki Yomi was one of the best Elite guards who served the Origami family."
"What do you want?" President Takatsu asked. "If you've come for another favor, I have no interest in helping you."
"Oh, come on, Yuki-chan. You were my best friend in school. Won't you help your kind, loyal Noka-chan?" Konoka crooned.
She stepped closer to the purple-haired woman and whispered, "Of course, if you don't, there are other ways of persuading you. Your adopted daughter, Itomi Sayaka, for example."
President Takatsu's eyes widened with fear, but she immediately put on her usual glare. She refused to give into this bitch.
"If you dare lay a finger on my daughter, I will-"
"I know you still have the S-Equipment that Tagitsuhime's personal guard used," Konoka interrupted. "I'll need to borrow that if you don't mind, along with maybe a select few of your best Tojis at Renpu."
President Takatsu snorted, "Never."
Konoka smiled, "Are you sure about that, Yuki-chan? I have everyone under my control. I can very well order the Special Ritual Riot Squad to execute Itomi Sayaka, right at this moment if I wanted to. I have many valid reasons."
President Takatsu clenched her fists, once she realized the dilemma she was in. Sayaka was all the family she had left now. The small girl, who President Takatsu only wanted the best for. The girl who she made work harder than others, in order to become the greatest Toji.
"So, what shall it be, Yuki-chan?" Konoka asked. "The recruitment of your students as my new personal guard or the death of Itomi Sayaka?"
Kanami sighed as she laid her head on the table before her. In the submarine, she could do nothing but think. Imagining her home, along with her friends, made her sick with loneliness. Was it really only last year that she and Hiyori returned safe and sound from the netherworld? Maybe everything was just a bad dream and she would wake up back in her own bed.
Kanami's eyes just closed before Friedman entered the room, carrying two cups of hot cocoa. He set one down in front of Kanami, before sitting on the opposite side of the table.
"Hey, Friedman-san?" Kanami murmured. "It's strange. Hiyori-chan doesn't want to be saved and has accepted Tagitsuhime. That means...Hiyori-chan likes Tagitsuhime, right?"
Friedman didn't quite know what to say at her words and an uncomfortable expression crossed his face. Kanami didn't raise her head from the table, not even when she felt a tear escape her eye.
"So, why did I see love in Hiyori-chan's eyes that day when she told me to leave her?"
A soft smile formed on Friedman's face, as he said, "You really care for that girl, don't you?"
Kanami's head jolted up as she gasped, "Of course I do! Hiyori-chan is my best friend."
"Is that really all she is to you?" Friedman asked.
When Kanami didn't respond, Friedman smiled, saying, "My daughter had the same look as you, when she fell in love with Ellen's father."
Kanami swung her feet, as she stared at the floor. Were her feelings for Hiyori really that noticeable?
The Minoseki Toji took a deep breath before saying, "I've loved Hiyori-chan since we first met. Maybe it wasn't as strong at first, but..."
Her voice trailed off, as she tried searching for the right words. Just how could other people talk about love so easily? However, Ellen's grandfather seemed to understand.
"Someday we'll be able to return, I promise you," he said. "Don't worry. You'll see each other again."
"But, how can I be sure?" Kanami asked.
Her question was answered once the television in the room crackled to life. A mandatory broadcast was being aired and instantaneously, a news reporter appeared on the screen.
"One hour and thirty minutes ago, Origami Yukari and Akane were discovered landing in Kamakura on the huge aradama dragon. Rescue operators immediately took them to the hospital, where they are now being treated for injuries. Hospital staff are refusing to let the Origami sisters answer any questions from the media, until they are confirmed to be in stable condition."
Kanami jumped from her chair, exclaiming, "Yukari-sama and Akane-sama have been saved. If we get their help, they can convince everyone that Hiiragi Konoka has been lying. And Hiyori-chan can be saved!"
Friedman protested, "Etou-san, it will not be easy. Hiiragi-san has most likely-"
But Kanami wouldn't listen. She ran to the door, saying, "I'm sorry, Friedman-san, but I can't let anything stop me from saving Hiyori-chan!"
"Etou-san!" Friedman tried to stop her, but Kanami had already left the room, locking it behind her.
Dashing through the darkness of the submarine, Kanami made her way to where she knew the S-Equipment aircraft to be. A new sensation of hope began to grow in her body.
"I'm coming, Hiyori-chan!" Kanami exclaimed.
A/N: This chapter was fun to write. I knew that I wanted to come up with a reason as to why Yukina was such a straight-up bitch in the anime. And after doing some research on the Toji No Miko Wiki, I found out that her maiden name is actually Sagami. So, I thought, "Hey. What if perhaps Yukina became the way she is because of her husband's death?" I mean, he's never mentioned in the game or anime, so I went with that. I always like coming up with "What ifs?" for my writing.
Also, as promised, I have included the game characters. I will probably also include them in later chapters as well. Hope you liked my latest chapter! See ya!