Disclaimer: I own nothing!
Alright here is chapter four! Sorry I was hoping to have it up the first week of this month, but after the month long writing contest my muse went into a coma. Anyway I hope you enjoy!
,
,
,
Mizuki's sapphire eyes narrowed at the fidgety man before her. He's been hiding things from you whispered a voice from the dark depths of her mind as she watched
him squirm. He's a liar, like all the other men. You were a fool to think otherwise. Mizuki quickly shut out the voice. Yes, he has not been honest but he is nothing like
the others. She took a step forward intending to get to the bottom of this mystery as Quasimodo took a step back. What's he so afraid of? She wondered as he
retreated backwards once again paying no attention to Ayame, who was behind him wagging her tail with her tongue rolling out in a doggy grin. His large foot stepped
on her paw and she let out a tremendous yelp that was intensified by the quietness of the library. He jumped at the unexpected loud noise and tried to scramble away
but Mizuki could see the edge of his large cloak being twisted around his ankles. She moved forward to try and help him but seeing her advance only caused him to
struggle more in turn sealing his fate. All she could do was watched as Quasimodo stumbled and quickly crash to the hard floor. He sprawled out on the ground and let
out a grunt of pain as his elbow cracked loudly on the tile. The hood slipped off his head revealing a mess of red hair that fell in his eyes concealing his face.
Concerned that had he hurt himself Mizuki walked over to him while commenting "I'm afraid gravity is not your ally today my friend," She bent over ignoring the popping
in her back and stretched out her hand. Quasimodo looked up at her and the hair parted revealing his face to her for the first time. Shock ebbed through her mind
making her heart beat faster and her eyes widen as she took in his features. His face was horribly disfigured. One of his green eyes had a growth above it giving it a
swollen appearance. His nose was large and flat looking more like it belonged to an animal rather than a man. Her eyes traveled to his back with a sudden jolt of
understanding. He wasn't crouching over because of age, but rather because of his mangled spine. Quasimodo gasped and her heart launched as she snapped her eyes
back to his face ashamed to be caught staring. He must have just realized the hood was no longer covering him for he was desperately groping for it. Mizuki looked into
his eyes and saw the pure fear and panic within them. Shame quickly cased away all other emotions. What are you thinking? He is still the same kind man who you
spent the afternoon with. Coming to her senses she caught the hand that was trying to grab for the fabric in midair. Quasimodo froze and turned his head to stare at
her mistrust clouding his face mixed with fear. Slowly she tugged on his hand and tried to pull him on his feet. But he was far too heavy for her. Understanding what she
was trying to do Quasimodo scrambled onto his feet.
"Are you alright," she asked letting his fingers slip through hers like sand allowing his hand to be returned to his side.
Quasimodo nodded mutely and finally managed to pull his hood over his head hiding himself in its dept. "I'm sorry you had to see that," Quasimodo mumbled his voice
dripping with such sadness that it made Mizuki deeply embarrassed and ashamed of her reaction "I'll leave now,"
He backed away from her slowly not looking her in the eye as if he expected her to lash out. How many people have hurt him because of his appearance? "What do
you mean you're sorry?" Mizuki called out to him. Quasimodo stopped. He was a good five paces from the door and it was plain to see that escape was on his mind.
But he resisted and faced her looking straight into her eyes.
"A-about the way I l-look. I didn't m-mean for you to see that." he dropped his eyes unable to met her strong gaze "I'm sorry," he whimpered out in a desperate plea
for her to understand. Fury for those who had caused him this pain erupted in her like a sudden storm on a summer night consuming her in rage.
"Don't you ever apologize for the way you look," she said careful to keep the fury out of her voice "It's not your fault so you have nothing to be sorry for." Her eyes
darkened. "If anyone should be apologizing it's those people out there." Mizuki pointed a threatening finger to the window. "The ones that are so blind with vanity that
they couldn't see real beauty if it painted itself gold and threw apples at them." Mizuki took a deep breath and slowly let it out allowing her anger to float away.
Quasimodo stared at her with wide eyes in what appeared to be either surprise or disbelief. "I'm sorry," Mizuki said trying to keep her voice steady. "But you should
never let people make you feel unworthy of human compassion because of things beyond your control. People like that aren't worth the air they breathe."
Quasimodo nodded without fully realizing he was doing so, his mind was shocked with disbelief. A few minutes ago he was certain he had lost what little friendship he
had earned in the hours of her company. But now it seemed as if that was not the case. His eyes darted up stealing a quick glance. Her face was set in determination
and her eyes alight with an unknown flame. The passion in her voice told him that she wasn't jesting and the pain that slipped through the creaks of her speech informed
him that she spoke from experience. Finding his voice at last he harshly muttered out a thanks. The transformation on Mizuki's face was incredible. Like hard clay being
moisten, the harsh lines in her face were washed away making her expression smooth and soft.
"If you wish you can go home. I do not want you to feel as if you need to stay for my sake," She said softly lowering her eyes "Although if you wouldn't mind I would
like to see you again."
The last part was uttered in such a quiet whisper that Quasimodo almost suspected that he imagined it. His heart which had been pounding rather painful since his fall
sped up a notch although not out of fear but rather because of the joy that slowly spread through him. Such a rare emotion that he nearly had forgotten how to
recognize it. Clearing his throat he gathered what was left of his shattered nerves and said " I wouldn't mind," His eyes drifted up and met hers. A small smile broke
across her face "So," he returned her smile happily "What room is next on the tour?"
Mizuki chuckled and rubbed the back of her neck while looking around the library. "This was the last room," she gestured with a sweep of her arm. "I've showed you the
whole lower level of the cathedral." Quasimodo couldn't help but to feel disappointment. He was hopping he could spend more time in Mizuki's presents. Going back up
to an empty bell tower after meeting her would be near to unbearable. The bell tower. An idea dawned upon him and he was quickly filled with excitement.
"Would you like to see my home?" Quasimodo said in a rush. Mizuki glanced at the window a look of dread in her eyes.
"Where do you live?" she asked carefully while stroking Ayame's head.
"The bell tower,"
Mizuki looked at him quickly with surprise. "The bell tower?" She let out a laugh while shaking her head "Figures,"
Quasimodo looked at her unable to decide on whether she was laughing out of amusement or was mocking him. "What do you mean?" he asked slowly.
"I haven't made a friend since I've moved here. And when I find one I discover he has been living above me the whole time," She grinned mischievously. "Fate certainly
is ironic." Quasimodo let out a chuckle of his own.
Mizuki followed Quasimodo's cloaked shape up the stairs. The only sound was the dull thud of his uneven footsteps echoing off the stone walls. The passageway to the
bell-fay was as dark as midnight on a cloudy evening. She could just barely see Quasimodo who was less than an arm's length away. To insure that she didn't lose her
way in the darkness Mizuki kept a hand on the wall and let her slender fingers drag against the rough stones. She could feel Ayame's hot breath coming in heavy pants
on the back of her free hand as they continued to make their way upwards. Occasionally they would pass a lit torch that would flicker softly causing the shadows to
dance away on the walls. When they finally reached the top Mizuki's legs where shaking as she stumbled into the light, panting. On the way up she had tried counting
the steps but soon gave up when she realized that she had counted to one hundred three or four different times.
"How on earth do you mange to climb all those stairs constantly?" She gasped between breaths as she wiped the sweat from her chuckled sadly. "Today was the first
day I left the bell-fay."
Mizuki stared at him with wide eyes. "Truly?"
He nodded confirming the truth. Mizuki's heart swelled up with sympathy. True her life hasn't been easy, but to be confided in the same place for your whole life never
to see the world that laid just outside your front door? It would be unbearable.
"Well, I'm very glad you left," she said smiling softly at him. His face turned as red as his hair and he stared at the floor boards as if they where the most interesting
things in the world while a happy smile played across his lips.
"So am I,"
There was a sudden lightness in Mizuki's chest. Like her insides had been replaced by air and sunlight. For the first time in such a very long time she felt truly happy
rather than just mere contentment. When was the last time someone other than Brother Robert look at her without seeing her Japanese heritage and judging her upon
it? The only time she could think of would be when she was working for the Thomson's in England.
"What is this?" Mizuki pointed to a small wooden model resting on a table.
"Here I'll show you,"
She followed him to the object and her mouth opened in surprise, for sitting before her was an exact wooden replica of Paris. The detail was exquisite. Every little line
carved into it was done with such skill and deception that it left no room for error.
"This is incredible!" Mizuki said in amazement as she admired a small figure of a girl doll.
"Thank you," Quasimodo said modestly "but they aren't entirely done yet."
Mizuki looked at him in surprise. "They seem to be near perfect to me,"
He smiled at her. "There are still a few details I would like to add"
Mizuki chuckled "Artists are always the worst critics' when it comes to their own work,"
"I am not an artist by any means," Quasimodo said quickly, surprised by the claim.
Mizuki shook her head causing a strand of Emory hair to escape her braid and fall into her eyes. She held out her hand displaying the wooden figure that she had been
previously examining. "You are able to take a plain useless piece of wood and turn it into something beautiful." She said placing the toy in his large callused hand. "To be
able to create like that makes you an artist,"
Quasimodo's hand slowly closed around the toy completely swallowing it from sight. "Thank you,"
Ayame who was watching the exchange with interest trotted up to Quasimodo and sniffed the enclosed toy eagerly as if thinking it was a treat. Quasimodo just
chuckled and placed the figure back in its rightful place
"So," Mizuki gestured her hands around the room. "Would you show me around?" she suggested.
"Oh," his eyes widened and a large smile broke across his face "Of course!"
Quasimodo led her away from the little Paris and deeper into the room. Suddenly he stopped and looked up at the rafters. Curious Mizuki followed his gaze. At first all
she saw was a glitter of gold in the darkness. Then the sun burnt through the clouds that were hiding it and a sudden blaze of light cut through the room destroying the
shadows in its path. Mizuki gasped as the sunlight bounced off the copper objects inflaming them grandly.
"Goodness," Mizuki said staring wide eyed as she set sights on the glowing bells for the first time. "They're giants!"
Quasimodo laughed out right at her amazement. "That one is Jacqueline" He said pointing to the one directly above their heads. " And those ones" he informed her
pointing to the other bells hanging beside her. "Are Gabrielle and Guillaume,"
"Do they all have names?" She wondered aloud.
"Yes they do," he stated proudly "I've named them all myself,"
"There are so many,"
He just gazed up at them with pride shining plainly on his face. The bright bells began to make her eyes water and Mizuki was forced to look away from their brilliancy.
Across the room stood a lonely ladder stretching up beyond the rafters.
"Does that go to the roof?" she asked curiously.
He nodded tearing his eyes way from the bells. "Would you like to go up?"
"That would be lovely" Mizuki smiled as excitement began to build in the pit of her stomach. Ever since she had gotten her first look at Notre Dame she had, had the
desire to go to the highest tower and see all of Paris. When she was younger she would be climbing buildings or trees whenever she could find the opportunity. The
higher she was the safer she felt. It was as if no harm could ever reach her above the clouds.
Quasimodo quietly led the way to the abnormally tall ladder and gestured upwards with his hand "Ladies first,"
Mizuki could not keep the amused smile from appearing on her lips. This certainly was the first time someone called her a lady. She gripped the harsh wooden steps and
began to climb. On her journey upwards she saw many platforms that allowed one to walk right up to some of the bells. Perhaps on the way down she would be able
to explore the paths in the rafters and officially met the bells. Her chance for exploring came quicker then she expected when the ladder came to an abrupt end to one
of these paths. Mizuki quickly scrambled onto the platform trying to keep Quasimodo waiting below her. He climbed onto the wooden floor with grace that could only be
earned by the experience gained from spending most of his time above the ground. He led her to a set of stone stairs that obviously led to the roof.
"If there were stairs up to the roof why did we take the ladder?" Mizuki chuckled.
"You seemed so excited about climbing the ladder I didn't want to disappoint you," Quasimodo replied grinning at her. Mizuki return his grin with one of her own.
"Race you up the stairs!" she cried while making a mad dash for the stone steps.
Quasimodo won. Somehow despite Mizuki's head start he managed to pass her and make it outside with Mizuki being only half a footstep behind. The moment they
burst into the warm sunlight Mizuki broke into a breathless laughter as a cool refreshing breeze blew by ruffling her loose hair. Quasimodo looked back grinning broadly
at her.
"I do believe that this is the most fun I've had in years," She informed him happily. Quasimodo blushed a brilliant shade of red. Mizuki eagerly walked over to the edge of
the roof and looked down at the busy streets below her. Her stomach lurched when she saw how horribly high they were.
"It must be amazing to see this every day," she whispered to Quasimodo who was now standing beside her.
He didn't reply. Mizuki looked at him and instantly knew something was wrong. Quasimodo's gaze was fixed on something below as fear began to show in his eyes. His
face went as pale as flour and his breathing became labored as if he just ran a great distance.
"Quasimodo?" she questioned "Are you alright?"
"Frollo's coming," he whispered