Disclaimer: same thing, i don't own anything it all belongs to respective creators. enjoy!
Chapter Thirteen: New Decisions, Same Solution
Sakura woke up in limbo again, but this time Lance and Mizuki were visibly more relaxed than they had been the last time.
"Hey guys, what's up?" Sakura asked, sitting up as Lance and Mizuki walked over to her.
"Not much actually," Lance said, sitting down beside Sakura. "Well, aside from your most recent attack, nice job on rescuing the girl by the way."
"Thank you," Sakura replied, and turned her head to Mizuki. "Have you come up with any other solutions other than the first one?"
"Unfortunately, no," Mizuki sighed, sitting down on Sakura's other side. "Have you made a decision yet?"
"Actually, I have," Sakura said, surprising both Mizuki and Lance as Sakura never took such a short time to make a huge decision like this before. "Would you like to know what it is?"
"Of course," Lance said, looking at Sakura like she had two heads.
"So, what is it?" Mizuki asked, curious despite herself.
"I think that I'm going to go with Lance's solution," Sakura stated. "I didn't really think much about what would happen if I was attacked in broad daylight close to the school until that incident today with Kagome-chan. When I think about what might have happened to her..." Sakura trailed off, shaking her head. "Anyway, if there is a chance that I would be able to keep something like that from happening again by going to where these monsters are coming from and get rid of them from the source, then I will do it."
"You do realize how incredibly dangerous this decision is?" Mizuki asked, wanting to make sure Sakura knew exactly what she was getting herself into. "If you go, you may not come back alive."
"I know that," Sakura said, "but it is my duty isn't it? I mean, that is what I, as a Draconian was created to do right? To kill these monsters and keep the world safe for as long as I could possibly live?"
"I take it that means you found the book then?" Lance asked, referring to the book Sakura found in the library that day.
"Actually, it found me," Sakura said, unconsciously rubbing the spot where the book had landed on her head. "I was just at the part where the book explained about the human girls with special powers that would take the place of the Draconians should they die out before all the Orphans were eradicated from the world. That's when the monster attacked."
"I see," Lance said, nodding his head in thought. "I would suggest holding off on reading more until you get to where you need to go."
"Where exactly is it that I need to go to?" Sakura asked, remembering a very crucial detail. "It's not some desert country is it? Or mountain? Or Alaska?"
"No, none of those," Mizuki said, laughing despite the seriousness of the situation. "You won't even be leaving Japan."
"Really?" Sakura asked, surprise and confusion written all over her face. "Where am I going then?"
"It's a boarding school on Fuuka Island," Lance answered. "The school is Fuuka Academy and it is co-ed, just so you know."
"Co-ed? You're kidding right?" Sakura asked, paling only slightly.
"I know that, because of your past, you're not too fond of men," Mizuki said, "but it's the place you need to go to."
"Fine, I suppose I can deal with it for a few semesters," Sakura said, throwing her hands in the air in mock defeat. "However, Sachiko is not going to like this one bit."
"Who said you had to tell her you were transferring to a co-ed school?" Lance asked.
"You know what, I'm just going to pretend I didn't hear that, but it is a good idea," Sakura said, shaking her head at the mischievous glint in Lance's eye. "I better get going, see you later." She waved as Lance and Mizuki were enveloped in mists once again.
Sakura woke up in her dorm room and glanced at the clock, she had only been unconscious for five minutes this time. Sitting up, Sakura sneezed and began shivering, realizing that she was still soaking wet and frozen to the bone. Sneezing again, and mentally berating herself for letting this happen, Sakura got off her now-soaked bed, grabbed a change of clothes and proceeded to have a long, hot shower.
Coming out of the bathroom fifteen minutes later, Sakura started up the laptop that her friends had given her before they left after the Theatre Festival as a means to keep in touch better with them. Sakura hadn't really used it much, but she figured it would be useful in searching the school she was supposed to go to. Logging onto the internet, Sakura used her default search engine to find the school's website. Once on it, Sakura immediately went to the page marked "Transfer Applications" and found out that Fuuka Academy accepted second-year students' transfers all year round. *Interesting,* Sakura thought, opening the application document, which she immediately filled out with her information and a fake reason for wishing to attend the school as she couldn't very well put "to fulfil my destiny to destroy the monsters that have been attacking me and endangering people I care about." *Yea, that would go over real well,* Sakura thought, rolling her eyes at herself.
Once finished, Sakura promptly emailed the document to the Director, Mashiro something or other, and patiently waited for a reply that she didn't think would come until the morning. She was then consequently surprised when she received an answer not even five minutes later, which read:
"Miss Kusumoto,
First off, I would like to welcome you to the transfer student program here at Fuuka Academy. As you are aware, we at Fuuka offer our students the option of transferring all year round. Since you will be transferring in the middle of term, you will have to play 'catch-up' in some of your classes. You have been set up in a dorm with one of our first-year students, and don't worry none of the dorms are co-ed.
Secondly, I would like you to know the reason you got accepted so quickly. While your academic and co-curricular activities are all excellent, you have not been accepted because of that, however we will use that as our excuse. The real reason you have been accepted is because I know who and what you are. Before you freak out about this, let me explain that this information is strictly between the two of us. I had previously been informed of your decision to transfer here and the reason for that decision. For that, I would like to thank you as you could do much good over here.
That is all I am going to say for now until we can talk properly face to face. I expect to see you at school no later than three weeks from now, however, if you are able to come beforehand, that would be wonderful. You will find a list of needed school supplies on the website as well as a form to fill out so your uniform fits properly when you arrive and pick it up. Again, welcome to Fuuka Academy.
Sincerely,
Mashiro Kazahana"
"What is that?"
Sakura nearly had a heart attack at the smooth voice whispering right in her ear. Slamming the laptop closed, she spun around to find Shizuma smiling innocently at her.
"Geez Shizuma, don't scare me like that," Sakura said, putting a hand on her chest for emphasis. "You almost gave me a heart attack."
"Sorry," Shizuma said, not sounding sorry at all. "Chikaru said that you found Kagome-chan out in the rain and brought her back about an hour ago but she hasn't seen you since. Sachiko also wanted me to tell you that she would be staying at the library quite late because she wanted to do some things there. I saw you sitting here staring at your screen intently and just couldn't help myself, I had to tease you like that." Shizuma explained, grinning impishly at the last bit of her explanation.
"I see," Sakura said, nodding her head and accepting Shizuma's explanation before re-opening her laptop and scrolling to the uniform fitting form where she proceeded to fill out the needed information.
"So, now that I have your attention," Shizuma said, grabbing the chair from Sachiko's desk and sitting beside Sakura so she could look over the other girl's shoulder. "What are you up to?"
"Filling out a uniform form," Sakura responded, continuing to fill out the form.
"For what?" Shizuma asked, instantly curious.
"For the Fuuka Academy uniform," Sakura said, not taking her eyes off the screen.
"Fuuka Academy?" Shizuma asked, not bothering to mask her surprise. "Why?"
"Because I'm transferring there, I have to be there in three weeks," Sakura said, finishing filling out the form and emailing it to Mashiro immediately after.
"Why?" Shizuma asked, now very confused, she had only just gotten back together with her friend, why would Sakura want to leave? She seemed quite happy at Miator.
"Because," Sakura sighed, turning to face her friend so that Shizuma could see the pain, regret, defeat and fear swirling in her eyes. "By being here, I am putting everyone in danger; you, Nagisa, Sachiko, Chikaru, Amane, everyone. I already lost one of my best friends that way and almost lost many others too. If I hadn't moved as quickly as I did, Chikaru and the others would have lost Kagome-chan today. I can't afford to make mistakes like that again. I can't put everyone in danger again, so I won't. I'm going to Fuuka so I can get rid of the danger once and for all, maybe then everyone will be safe. Then again, maybe they won't, maybe I'll fail and die, maybe..."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Shizuma said, cutting Sakura off. "Rewind, what the heck are you talking about?"
Seeing the look of utter confusion on Shizuma's face, Sakura smiled sadly. "Sorry, I guess I forgot that nobody here, aside from Sachiko, knows about me, but it's better that way. Don't worry about it okay? When I leave, I'll get Sachiko to tell you, and Nagisa, everything. The both of you at least deserve that, especially after what I'm going to be putting everyone here through."
"What do you mean?" Shizuma asked, realizing that Sakura must be being vague on purpose, to protect her or something because that is what Sakura would do. "What are you putting us through?"
"Well, I'm transferring without telling anyone, which reminds me, please keep this conversation a secret okay?" At Shizuma's nod, Sakura continued. "I've also been keeping a lot of things from everyone, including Sachiko, and I really hate doing that, but it's something I have to do." Sakura sighed again. "Anyway, everyone deserves an explanation, but if they want one from me, then they're going to have to wait until I come back from Fuuka."
"So you are coming back?" Shizuma asked, hope filling her voice.
"I'm planning on it, yes," Sakura said, deciding not to freak Shizuma out any more than she already had.
"Well then, that makes things easier," Shizuma said, relaxing visibly before her eyes lit up in sudden confusion and realization. "Wait! You said the school you were transferring to was Fuuka Academy?"
"Yea," Sakura said, confused now. "Why do you know it?"
"I think so," Shizuma said, placing her hand on her chin in thought. "Or at least, I've heard it mentioned quite a lot...hold on, I'll be right back." Shizuma whipped out the door, leaving a confused Sakura behind, before reappearing seconds later with two pictures in hand. "Show me the Fuuka uniform?" Shizuma asked, sitting back down beside Sakura.
Frowning at her friend in confusion, Sakura opened the uniform page again and showed Shizuma a picture of the uniform. "That's what the uniform I will be wearing looks like," Sakura said, pointing to one picture of the many on the single web page.
"Huh, well I'll be," Shizuma said, leaning back in her chair.
"What?" Sakura asked, curious now.
"I thought I heard the name 'Fuuka' somewhere before, now I know why," Shizuma said, seeming to be in thought.
"Why?" Sakura asked, beginning to get annoyed with Shizuma and her half-answers.
"My cousin," Shizuma said, showing the pictures she had brought to Sakura. "That's the school she's at."
Not paying attention to Shizuma anymore, Sakura stared at the photo in her hands dumbfounded. "WHAT THE HECK IS THIS?" Sakura exclaimed, face red.
"What the heck is what?" Shizuma asked, outwardly feigning ignorance but inwardly smirking as she knew exactly what had Sakura so embarrassed. *That was a better reaction than I'd hoped for,* Shizuma thought to herself, inwardly smirking.
"This!" Sakura said, pointing to the photos in her hands, both photos were at least ten or eleven years old. One picture was of a six-year-old Sakura, with a very red face, staring incredulously at a laughing brunette standing a few feet away from her while Sachiko glared at the brunette and Shizuma was rolling on the ground laughing in the background with a blonde girl and a black-haired boy who wore matching expressions mixed of shock and amusement. The second picture was what must have sparked the reactions of the first picture as it was of a wide-eyed six-year-old Sakura being kissed, on the lips, by the laughing brunette from the first picture.
"Oh that," Shizuma said, restraining the urge to laugh at the present day Sakura's horrified face. "I'm surprised you don't remember that, it was quite the memorable experience."
"What is it?" Sakura said, valiantly fighting the blush on her face.
"It was at one of my family's 'get-togethers'," Shizuma said, putting air-quotes around the phrase. "My cousin and I were each allowed to invite two friends so that we had someone to play with while the adults did their thing. My cousin brought two friends from school, the blonde and the boy whose names I can't remember, and I brought you and Sachiko. My cousin was quite taken with you and she and I had a great time teasing you, she liked it because she made you blush, I liked it because it got a rile out of Sachiko." Shizuma smirked at the still-blushing Sakura. "Anyway, when it was time for you to go home, my cousin insisted on saying good-bye to you her way, which pretty much meant kissing the daylights out of you." Shizuma smirked again before continuing. "My parents, knowing exactly what she was up to, thought it was cute and took a picture at just the right moment. They then proceeded to take a picture of the reactions of all us kids. You can guess why Sachiko was glaring and why the blonde and the boy were shocked. My cousin and I, and I assume the blonde and the boy as well, just thought the expression on your face was priceless."
"I should have known," Sakura said, rolling her eyes. "It's too bad I don't remember this though, it would have been nice. I look so..."
"Embarrassed?" Shizuma offered, smirking again.
"Not what I was going to say," Sakura said, looking at the photos again. "But I guess that's accurate enough. What I meant was that I look so happy and carefree, sort of. I haven't felt the way I look in that picture in a very long time." Sakura stated, handing the pictures back to Shizuma, who shook her head.
"Keep them, those are copies for you anyway," Shizuma said, handing the photos back to Sakura. "I never got the chance to give them to you as you were disowned shortly after and I didn't see you again until this year."
"Thanks, Shizuma," Sakura said, taking the photos back and smiling at the other girl as she closed her laptop. "Would you mind leaving now? I have to pack and finish up some things before I tell Nagisa and Sachiko what I'm doing."
"Of course," Shizuma said, standing up with Sakura as the pair of them walked to the door. "It's almost dinner time anyway. Oh, and Sakura?" Shizuma asked, turning to the other girl before she left.
"Yes?" Sakura asked, before getting enveloped in a hug by Shizuma.
"Stay safe, and come back to us okay?" Shizuma asked, letting of Sakura, who nodded her head.
"I will," Sakura said, Shizuma nodded and smiled at her before leaving the room.
Closing the door behind Shizuma, Sakura grabbed her previously packed backpack and suitcase from under her bed and dragged them over to the desk. After replacing Sachiko's chair, Sakura sat down at her desk, pulled some paper and envelopes from out of one of the drawers and proceeded to write three letters. Once she finished her task, Sakura put her laptop in her suitcase and put the two pictures Shizuma had just given her into the photo album in her backpack along with the book she borrowed from the library that very day. Finished with that, Sakura slipped quietly out her door and down to Nagisa's room where she left the first of her three letters after making sure no one had seen her. The halls were unusually quiet; everyone was probably down at dinner. Slipping back into her room, Sakura left the last two letters on Sachiko's side of the room, one on the desk and one on the bed.
Quickly changing into jeans and a sweatshirt, Sakura left her uniform hanging neatly in her closet, along with the other items she did not need to pack. Sweeping the room with her eyes and finding herself satisfied with everything that she saw, Sakura put her backpack on, picked up her suitcase and opened the window from which she climbed out and up onto the roof of the strawberry dorms. Walking to the edge of the roof, the corner that joined the Miator hall with the Lulim hall, Sakura looked up at the cloudless, darkening sky. A few stars were just barely visible and the moon was slowly appearing, a red star that Sakura could always see, but never paid much mind to, hovering just at the edge of the moon. Taking a deep breath, Sakura let her wings appear, her backpack nestled comfortably between them. Sighing, Sakura took one last, sad look behind her. *I love you, everyone, I'm sorry.* Sakura thought, before turning around and taking off into the night without a second glance back.
A/N: So there you have it people! The end! Kidding, kidding. don't kill me. before i continue i want to say something that i was in too much of a rush in to put in the notes from the last chapter, but somebody asked me why i called Kagome's bear 'Percival'. let me clear this up, i did it because there are discrepencies between how to pronounce and spell the name, sometimes its Oshibaru and other times its Pashibaru. I use Percival because that is the name used in the English Dub and that way i won't have to worry about catching myself switching back and forth between Oshibaru and Pashibaru. it just makes my life simpler. on that note, i would like to thank all of you who have given me your support with NEM OLF and MOP POP. I promise you this isn't the end, its just the beginning...okay that was way to cliche. anyway, what i mean is that NEM OLF is now complete, but for those of you dying to know what happens next, the sequel (and possibly the final installment in this series (excluding any prequel or epilogue or lost chapters or whatever)) will be coming out soon, which reminds me: go answer my poll on what you think the sequel should be titled! Thanks again for all your support! R+R for me please! (or i'll take longer to post the sequel) ^_^
PS: extra points to anyone who can guess which anime the sequel is set in :)