Pointless Report:
Gyahahaha~! Hi~! So I'm sorry for the late update, I've had finals all week and I haven't had much time to work on the chapter. So I made it longer!
Mariko: Don't lie. You were just on a roll and you didn't want to stop.
MP: Shh~! They didn't need to know that!
M: *rolls eyes*
MP: *glares*
Let's get on with the chapter!
Mariko stared out the window in a daze. Why had she acted so cold? She breathed in the brisk night air. She recalled how she'd felt a twist of anger when her mother had spoken with such arrogance towards the witches. The witches…had Yukio's training really changed her opinion about them? She slammed her fists against the wall. What was happening to her?
-This is a time/scene skip…this is the only way Fanfiction'll let me divide things…Ignore this-
Mariko took a bite of the food Yukio had brought for their lunch. Mariko chewed her food glancing every now and then at Yukio. Her curiosity was gnawing at her. 'Just ask, if she doesn't answer then leave it.' She thought. She cleared her throat nervously. 'Yukio?'
'What is it brat?'
'…Why were you banished?'
Yukio looked up at her suspiciously. 'Why would you want to know that…?'
Mariko chewed her lip. 'Well, you're teaching me and I just thought that…'
Yukio glared as Mariko sunk back submissively. 'You just thought you had the right to know?' Mariko nodded weakly.
Suddenly Yukio burst out laughing. 'It's about time! I was starting to think you were a spineless coward!' Mariko blinked in obvious confusion. 'Huh?' Yukio chuckled. 'I just thought it was funny that after all this time it's the first time you've asked me anything.'
'But I questioned you about the training.'
'That's different.'
'How?'
'Because I say it is.'
Mariko glared at Yukio's logic, but didn't say anything. Yukio smirked, amused at how pissed off the girl looked.
'Kay so, without going into detail, once upon a time I was out exploring and wandered into the Unknown. I met a bunch of the witches living there –they almost killed me for trespassing- and after a few months of going there they trusted me enough to teach me their techniques. Of course when Takeshi found out he was furious. So instead of having me executed he banished me.'
Mariko frowned. 'That's it?'
'What's the matter? Are you disappointed?'
'…I just thought it'd be more than that… So what've you been teaching me? Priestess magic or witch magic?'
'Actually it's a mixture of both. It's far more efficient.'
'So why were you only banished and not executed?'
Yukio smiled darkly. 'Do you know when I was banished?'
'6 years ago, but why would that matter…' Mariko paled. Yukio's smiled widened. 'That's right, he was originally going to execute me, but I told him that if he even tried. I'd paint the ground red with his newborn daughter's blood.'
A deafening silence filled the woods.
'But don't worry about that, I ain't gonna kill you. You're alright brat, I like you.' Yukio said cheerfully.
Mariko couldn't decide if she should feel scared that Yukio had threatened to kill her as a baby or pissed off at Yukio for almost giving her a heart attack, so she reacted in a mixture of both.
'Hey brat, you're going to break that tree if you don't stop slamming your head against it.'
-This is a time/scene skip…this is the only way Fanfiction'll let me divide things…Ignore this-
Mariko looked out at the vast ocean she rubbed her sore forehead. 'Next time I should just scream into a pillow.' She muttered. 'Hi~ Nightingale!' A voice chirped. She turned her head to see Keiko racing along the roof towards her. 'Keiko! You shouldn't run! You'll fall!' Mariko screamed at her. Keiko stuck her tongue out. Mariko glared. 'What I can't worry about you?' she snapped. Keiko gave her a puzzled expression. 'Mother's right, she has changed…' She thought. The old Mariko would've laughed it off, when had she gotten so serious?
'How's your training with Yukio been? Have you learned anything cool about her?' Keiko asked sitting down next to her. Mariko hesitated. 'W-Well she's uhh…well…' Keiko smiled encouragingly. 'Come on, we're sisters. You can tell me anything.'
Mariko chewed her lip, but gave in. After all, Keiko was her sister. What could happen?
-This is a time/scene skip…this is the only way Fanfiction'll let me divide things…Ignore this-
Mariko walked down the halls. Training had ended sooner than usual and she couldn't think of what to do with her free time. 'Keiko's off playing with her friends, Mother's in her room and Father's in a meeting. What to do?' She asked herself. Lost in her thoughts, she turned the corner…colliding right into someone who had been racing down the halls a moment ago.
'Ouch! What was…?' She looked over at the boy lying right in front of her. Still confused she reached over and poked him. The boy bolted up and glared daggers into her. Mariko sank back. Before she could say anything, he stood up a stormed away without a word. 'Hey wait!' She called chasing after him. The boy didn't even flinch. 'Hey I'm really sorry for running into you.' She said. She had to jog to keep up with him. Still, he didn't even respond, ignoring her completely.
Mariko was starting to get a little pissed off. 'Hey I'm talking to you!' The boy was acting as if she wasn't even there. She grabbed his arm and yanked him towards her. 'What's your problem?' She demanded. The boy regarded her coldly with his stone grey eyes. 'Don't touch me.' He said icily. She glared. 'Then answer me when I talk to you baka!' She snapped.
'I don't have time to deal with a servant girl. I have to get back to my father.'
Mariko blinked in confusion then realized she hadn't changed out of her dirty training clothes.
'Do you know who I am?'
'So what if I don't? Should I?' She sneered. What was with this guy? She looked him over. Short plain brown hair, stone grey hair, slightly tanned skin…he was probably only a few years older than her. She couldn't help but feel that she knew him somehow, but she was too irritated to remember.
A flicker of surprise flashed in his eyes. 'I'm…Ikkitousen Bishamon…' He said slowly. She could tell by the way he'd said it that he'd never been asked that particular question. She tilted her head puzzled. She'd definitely heard that name before…Oh well. It was her first training free she'd had for almost a week now and she had better things to do then think about names.
'Well it's been nice meeting you, see you.' She said turning to leave. Bishamon watched her in surprise. 'She really doesn't know…' He thought. 'Oi kid! Where're you going?' He called. She turned and smirked. 'Wherever the Hell I damn feel like!' She bolted down the hall replaying his shocked expression in her head. 'Priceless!' She said laughing to herself.
Bishamon watched the girl race down the hall. Half of him felt like running after her but he was still in shock. He'd ask his father about her. As leader of the Ishi-kanshisha, Hōseki's enforcers of the law, his father should know all the servant girls in the Daiyomondo household.
-This is a time/scene skip…this is the only way Fanfiction'll let me divide things…Ignore this-
Keiko shuffled her feet as she waited for her father to say something. 'So that's what Yukio's been teaching her…Thank you Keiko for your honestly.' Takeshi said finally. Keiko glanced up from her feet. 'Mariko won't be hurt right?' 'You did the right thing telling me, you may go.' He said softly.
Takeshi sighed and waited until she'd left the room before turning to his old friend. 'Well Ebisu, what would you suggest?' His friend sighed deeply. 'Well there isn't much I can say, if Mariko is turning into a witch then we might be too late to prevent it.' Takeshi paced pondering what he should do. 'It is essential that no one else knows of this. It could cause the citizens to panic and rebel.'
'It won't be easy, no one really thought about Yukio's banishment because she never interacted with them, but people know and have grown fond of Mariko. We need a plan that won't cause anyone to be suspicious.' Ebisu advised. Takeshi sighed deeply.
'I know this is hard for you as a parent, don't forget I have a son of my own, but you need to do what is best for the kingdom.'
'I know that, I'll think of something. By the way, how is Bishamon?'
'He's fine. I've been training him to take my place as the leader of the Ishi-kanshisha when he gets older.'
'I'm sure he'd be honored.'
'He's the spitting image of me, I have high expectations. Besides, who knows? Maybe Mariko hasn't been taught anything dangerous yet, then maybe we can still save her.'
Takeshi nodded, he could only hope.
-This is a time/scene skip…this is the only way Fanfiction'll let me divide things…Ignore this-
Mariko looked out at the sunset. Other then pissing off Bishamon –she smirked as she remembered the look on his face- the rest of the day had been pretty boring. It suddenly occurred to her she hadn't seen her family all day.
It was normal for her to not see her father or mother and Yukio was probably off somewhere by herself but Keiko…Normally she'd run into her at least once a day. 'That's weird. I wonder where she is…? I hope she hasn't done anything she'll regret…' She muttered to herself. She shook herself. Keiko was right. If she didn't stop talking to herself then she would go crazy. 'Still,' she thought grimly, 'if anyone finds out what I can do then it wouldn't matter whether I talk to myself or not.'
-This is a time/scene skip…this is the only way Fanfiction'll let me divide things…Ignore this-
Unfortunately at about the same time Mariko was saying this, Keiko was telling her friend Mareo everything. After all he was her best friend, and besides, Keiko had never really been good at keeping secrets…
-This is a time/scene skip…this is the only way Fanfiction'll let me divide things…Ignore this-
The sound of shouts and screams woke Mariko. The room glowed with Hellish flames emitting from the torches outside. Mariko crept up to her window and peaked out. A mass of people surrounded her home each with a blood-thirsty glare. They carried guns and torches. Mariko paled as she realized what was happening. 'A witch hunt…' She whispered.
The door to her room slammed open as Yukio marched into the room. 'Here!' She growled throwing a backpack at her. 'Fill it with whatever you want. There's a good chance we're never coming back here.' Mariko scrambled to fill it with some of her things. 'Hurry up! I need to get you to your sister.' Yukio barked. Mariko shoved in the final items, "The Nightingale" and a picture of Keiko and herself at a festival.
'I'm done!'
Yukio grabbed her arm and practically dragged her out of the room. 'Where's Keiko?' Mariko asked. Yukio didn't respond.
'Where is she!'
'Shut up! I told you we're going there! Now if you don't want to die you better shut the Hell up!'
Mariko was stunned into silence. She stared blankly as they passed through the chaos of the house. 'Yukio?'
'I thought I told you to shut up.'
'I'm scared.'
'…We're almost there.'
-This is a time/scene skip…this is the only way Fanfiction'll let me divide things…Ignore this-
Yukio opened the hidden trapdoor in the cellar. 'Get in. You'll be safe down there.' Mariko looked fearfully into the darkness. Yukio nudged her gently. 'Remember your training. Keiko should already be down there.' Mariko trembled but began to descend down the iron ladder.
'I'll come back for you and your sister. I promise!' She heard Yukio call.
Darkness engulfed her and seemed to swallow her whole as Yukio closed the door above her. After letting out an ear piercing scream, Mariko calmed down and nervously cleared her throat. 'Ai Tojon!' The sphere of light flickered to life in the palm of her hand. Now that she could see she descended slowly using one hand for support and one hand to contain the spell.
The stone tunnel she was going down reminded her vaguely of a chimney. It seemed like hours before she reached the bottom. She walked down the cold tunnel. Part of her wanted to scream, hoping to attract someone, but her head was too jangled to think. How had they known? How did they know about her and Yukio?
She couldn't take it anymore. 'KEIKO~!'
'Mariko? Mariko!'
'I'm coming!'
She broke into a dash. 'Keiko, please be alright.' She thought to herself.
-This is a time/scene skip…this is the only way Fanfiction'll let me divide things…Ignore this-
'Mariko?'
'Yeah?'
'…What going to happen to us…?'
Mariko held her sister closer to her. Mariko watched the light from Keiko's lamp flicker. 'At least they remembered to give her some light.' She thought. She could feel her sister tremble slightly. She didn't need to look at her to know there were tears streaming down her cheeks.
They were huddled in a small furnished room, obviously a refuge in case of emergencies. There was food, water and anything else you'd need. But Mariko thought of the room as something else. 'This place is a prison. We can't leave if we want to live.' She mused darkly. She watched Keiko sob. 'I have to be strong. I can't let her worry about me.' She thought.
'Hey Keiko, how about I read you a story?'
'…Please.'
Mariko smiled warmly and opened "The Nightingale".
'Once in a kingdom far on the sea there lived a rich king;
Among his many treasures he possessed a small nightingale;
The nightingale had a voice that moved the king to tears that he vowed to never part with it;
So the nightingale never left its cage;
To the nightingale there was no world outside the cage and the room it was in;
As the years went by it lived happily never realizing there was life outside its home;
Until one day a stranger came into the room and saw it;
"Why are you in there? Why don't you leave?" he asked;
The stranger told the little bird of the wonders of the world;
Excited, the nightingale begged the stranger to release it;
The stranger obliged and opened the cage;
The nightingale flew out the window into the sky for the first time in its life;
When the King learned of the nightingale's escape he was furious;
He sent his men to find and recapture the bird;
When the men finally captured the bird this is what it cried:
"Never again will I be satisfied with that life in the cage!"
And so it died.'
'Isn't that a beautiful story Keiko?' Mariko asked closing the book.
Keiko looked at her sister mortified. 'That's terrible! Why did it die? It could have lived if it just went back to the king!'
Mariko sighed. 'Don't you get it? It died free!'
Keiko made a face. 'I don't get it.' Mariko sighed. 'Maybe someday you will.'
'At least she's calmed down a bit, that's something.' Mariko thought to herself.
A silence stretched out.
'Hey Mariko?'
'What is it now?'
'How long are we going to stay down here?'
Mariko hesitated. 'Not long, they'll come for us soon.' She said trying to sound convincing. Keiko nodded and soon fell asleep.
'And if they don't, Yukio will. She promised.' Mariko muttered to herself. 'She promised.'
-This is a time/scene skip…this is the only way Fanfiction'll let me divide things…Ignore this-
Yukio looked out onto the battlefield. How had they found out? Had someone seen them? Had Mariko told anyone? Yukio hoped not. She could practically feel everyone's hate and sorrow. She gritted her teeth, she was far from beat. She needed it to be safe enough for Mariko and her sister. She cursed. Those girls must've been underground for hours now or for however long this damn battle had raged on for.
'I can't die, I made a promise.' She thought as she reentered the bloodshed.
-This is a time/scene skip…this is the only way Fanfiction'll let me divide things…Ignore this-
Law watched silently as Mariko breathed in, then out. 'It's as if she's just asleep.' He commented.
'She's been like that for almost a week now. What should we do captain?' Bepo asked gloomily.
'We'll keep waiting, it's not like she's causing any trouble.'
Bepo observed his captain silently. The shadows under Law's eyes seemed darker and his eyes were empty.
Law brushed his hand over her cheeks. He was starting to see her bones. If she didn't wake up and eat something soon then she'd die in her "sleep".
'Captain, I care about her too, but are you sure it's safe having her with us?' Jean Bart asked.
'Hmm…? Why wouldn't she be safe?' Law asked absentmindedly.
Jean Bart scowled. 'She shot fire out of her hands.'
'And I can cut up people and rearrange their limbs, what's your point?'
'There's something wrong with her, captain. You can't deny it.'
Law sighed turning back to watch Mariko. 'Come on Mariko. Wake up.'
-This is a time/scene skip…this is the only way Fanfiction'll let me divide things…Ignore this-
Mariko could feel herself nodding off but refused to give in. If someone can down here, she had to be awake to protect Keiko. How long had they been down there for? She was starting to feel lightheaded. The walls seemed to blur together as her eyes began to lose focus. How nice it would be to close her eyes, if only for a moment. She could feel her eyelids droop. She was fighting a losing battle and she wouldn't be able to last much longer.
'Mariko~!'
'Great now I'm hearing voices in my head.' She growled.
'You dumbass! I ain't one of your idiot delusions!'
Mariko blinked slightly. That sounded a lot like Yukio… She looked up and tried to focus. There was something looming over her. Before her hazy brain could process this she was acutely aware something or someone was shaking her violently.
'Wake up damn it! We've got to go!'
Mariko blinked slightly focusing on the figure in front of her. 'Oh…Hey Yukio…' she mumbled. Yukio threw her hands up in annoyance. 'Now you're finally coming to. Get up we need to go!' She growled. Mariko nodded sleepily. She felt weak like all her strength had been sucked out of her. She stumbled as she felt Yukio pull her up. 'Drink this!' Yukio urged shoving a bottle of something in her hands.
Mariko took a gulp, nearly spitting it all back out. It was bitter and burned her mouth slightly. 'What is this?!' Yukio nodded obviously satisfied. 'Good, you're awake.'
'Awake?! What's going on?'
'There's a tunnel connected to this room, it should lead us up to a cave in the forest.'
'Yukio what's going on?'
'We need to leave this island.'
Mariko's eyes widened. Leaving the island?! Mariko felt this nagging feeling in the corner of her mind. Wait… Mariko paled as she looked around. 'Where is she?!' she shrieked.
'Who?'
'Where is she?! Where's Keiko?!' Mariko began to panic. She could have sworn Keiko had been right next to her a moment ago. 'Your sister's was taken to your parents a while ago while you were asleep. I told them that I'd take you after you woke up.' Yukio told her. Mariko tried to calm down but she felt herself hyperventilating. Why wouldn't Yukio look at her?
Yukio grabbed her arm and the backpack and started to drag her towards one of the walls. She reached into her pocket and took out a small pink crystal. The crystal sparked to life and glowed brightly as the wall began to tremble. The wall faded revealing a gaping tunnel. 'It's magic, I stored a spell in these special crystals I found during my stay with the witches.' Yukio explained to the unspoken question.
Mariko only nodded feeling shaken. As they began to jogging through the tunnel Mariko made a silent promise to herself. 'I swear, if I can avoid it. I'll never go underground again.'
-This is a time/scene skip…this is the only way Fanfiction'll let me divide things…Ignore this-
Mariko shielded her eyes as they came aboveground. 'Quickly! Not a word from here on out, we can't have anyone seeing us!' Yukio hissed. Mariko followed after her obediently.
Nothing in the world could have prepared her for what she was about to see.
Mariko stopped and looked in horror at what used to be her home. The entire forest was burnt and torn. Bodies littered the ground and blood spilled out on the ground. Flames eagerly licked the plants as its smoked swirled into the sky, darkening it. Mariko felt a chill run down her spine.
Yukio grabbed hold of Mariko's arm and almost carried her to where the boat was. It was nothing fancy, but it would get them to the next island. Yukio dropped Mariko and the backpack down on the deck as she started to set sail. Only when they were quite a distance away from the chaotic island did Yukio relax.
It was then she noticed Mariko hadn't moved from where she'd been dropped. 'Oh shit! I hope I didn't kill her.' Yukio thought. She moved closer to the small girl. Mariko's eyes were large and wild. Tears rushed down her cheeks. She was muttering something under her breath that Yukio couldn't make out. She moved closer.
'It's my fault.' Mariko kept repeating that same sentence over and over. 'It's my fault.'
She had no way of knowing that that memory would be burned into her mind. Years afterwards she would have nightmares about it and would wake up shaking, drenched in sweat.
Yukio reached down and slapped Mariko. The little girl stumbled slightly trembling. 'Stop that! I never want to see you wallow in self pity again do you hear me?' Yukio growled. Mariko looked up at her with fearful eyes. 'We're on our own now. If you show any signs of weakness, you'll die.' Yukio said gravely.
'I thought we were going to Father and Mother…'
Yukio scowled. 'Trust me you don't want to go to them you're a witch now. They won't want you around. If you go back you'll most likely be confided in some room where no one will ever see you.'
Mariko could feel fresh tears form but quickly brushed them away.
Daylight broke as the sun shined on the burning island, signally a new day and a new beginning as a single ship sailed away.
