Before you begin, this is where things get rough. If you enjoyed the cutesy everything-will-turn-out-okay story, well, it ended about seven days ago hahaha. Sorry, I'm sick and twisted, college will do this to you. Anyhow, I've also decide to go back and rewrite the beginning part of this story (Little Angel) so that any plot holes are cleared up, grammar and spelling issues are resolved, etc. Now that I'm older and revisiting this wonderful story, I want to give it my all and make it something truly memorable. I hope you guys have been able to figure out where all these chapter titles are coming from! ;D
ONE HUNDRED SLEEPLESS NIGHTS.
Hikari watched as Tsubomi flipped through dozen of channels on her ridiculously large television, snippets of sounds blasting through the living room off of even more obnoxiously giant speakers. Yaya was busy grabbing the pizza from the front door, and ignoring his plea for a tip.
"It took almost an hour to get here!" She argued. "I'm starving!"
Hikari sighed, and scooted over on the couch to make room. Once Tsubomi's parents left though, she'd probably move to another couch altogether- they were the only thing keeping the couple from cuddling and goodness knows what else.
The day was finally here that Amane would take on the Americans in their race, or rather, the night. It was already incredibly late in Japan, but it was only early morning in Texas.
Tsubomi grumbled, frustrated.
"I know it's got to be here somewhere, there's a million channels on this damn thing!"
Yaya scarfed down most of her slice, and grabbed the controller from her. She pressed a few buttons, and pulled up a search menu, and had it in seconds- still chewing the other half of her pizza. Smug, she gave her bubblegum-hair girlfriend the remote back, and quickly gave her a messy peck on the cheek.
"Ew! Yaya, you got sauce on my face!" She punched her shoulder, whispering, "And what if they saw?!"
To which Yaya, in her normal Yaya demeanor with food still in her mouth, replied, "An' wha'f 'ey 'id? 'T wa' jus' a peck babe."
Tsubomi rolled her eyes and sat silently, arms crossed over her chest.
They were watching the pre-race interviews and kiss-assing of the jockeys and the judges. Hikari was quickly losing interest until a certain bluenette's name popped up from the lips of the translator-
"... Amane Ootori, you know, is probably the most interesting rider we have out there. Coming all the way from Japan, she's self supported and rides for her own horse! Star Bright and Amane have been inseparable since the thing was a fowl.
"And there's more, there's a rumor that there's a special someone out there back home probably rooting for our 'underdog'."
"Hmm, we can only wonder. Apparently not many can get into the personal life of Ootori, except ANOTHER rider we had here, Miyo..."
Hikari's heart pounded through her chest, the color slipping from her face- did someone know? Well, someone who wasn't supposed to know? Yaya quickly took notice of the panic, but fumbled with her words. "Hikari... look... I think they're just fishing around. Um..."
Oh shit, was the collective thought.
But soon enough, the commentators had moved on to some other poor soul from Germany, apparently having some tie to an old royal family or some such. The trio let out a synchronized sigh, and color returned to Hikari's cheeks. She made a note to herself to let Amane know about it. As she thought about it, the screen hadn't flashed to her handsome face as it had the others when being mentioned. Everyone else seemed to be on the track already, socializing before the event. So... where was she?
Amane fumbled around her room desperately looking for the rest of her gear. It couldn't have gone missing, it was impossible! It couldn't just grow legs and walk out of her suitcase! One more sweep of the room and her heart sunk. What in the hell?!
Briiiinnng!
Briiiinnng!
Who could possibly be calling right now? I'm not even supposed to be here right now!
Briiiinnng!
Briiiinnng!
But it was persistent. The task of finding her missing articles looking dim, she resigned and picked up the line. She snapped into the receiver, "Hello?"
"Looking for something, 'Prince Ootori'?"
The scrambled, digitized voice mocked her. Amane's eyes widened. Her heart sped up. Her palms began to sweat. This was no good. This was horrible. This was horrifying.
"Whose this? Who in hell is this?"
"Like you'd be able to guess."
Amane swore with a nasty bite in her voice. First a visit from a Hanazono, then her gear was missing, now this?
"Where is my gear?"
"Come to the room directly beneath yours. Don't worry, I wouldn't dare interrupt such an important event Ms. Ootori."
"You're dead if I find you."
A sick chuckle was the reply, distorted by some unknown mechanics. "I know for a fact you can't."
"Excuse y-"
"Hikari."
The line dropped. Amane backed away from the phone like it was a viper poising to strike. That last, sickly smooth reply sunk down to her bones, and sat, and festered, and finally exploded in her blood. She flew out the door and down the stairs, frantically searching for that room. Finding the only one with the door slightly ajar, she bolted inside, only to fumble around again in the darkness. She heard the door slam behind her as she whirled around to find the light switch. Flicking it on, a ghastly smell had finally hit her. She slowly turned on her heel, not sure what to expect.
Two birds lay in a mangled mess on the disarrayed bed. They'd been dead much longer than they'd been in this room. Amane gagged, not daring to come further until she'd seen her gear lying just past them. As she shifted across the room, she saw something far worse lying beneath them. Carefully moving the carcasses, she lifted a manila folder from underneath, and flipped it open, a terrible, strangled gasp leaving her lips.
Inside her pictures of Hikari- all of them Hikari. Some of her at the stables, a few from her walks from school. There was a photo of her with Yaya at some cafe, Tsubomi leaving the table for the restroom. Yet another was one of the blonde sitting bored and sunk down in a classroom, zoomed out from behind a window. The next was one of her walking up the stairs with Amane to the apartment, and after that was photos of their everyday lives, and finally their intimacy in the living room and bedroom.
The t.v. then flared behind her, startling her to a near heart attack. She watched closely, the quality poor, but gaining picture. It was clear soon enough though what it was: Her and Hikari's last date to the park in her truck. It was everything- from the time they parked to the star gazing, the simple and sweet kissing to... oh lord...
The camera had moved closer at this point, and it was inferred that the owner had either stood up or found higher ground to catch this specific part. Amane knew why. It wasn't some sick fetish or just to get a quick hard on, it was the big message. Not any part of their lives were safe, it had never been, and they had not even the slightest clue.
It fast forwarded to the end, and as the pair began talking, the camera shifted down to a white board, saying cryptically:
"Think before you speak. Not all offers are truly yours."
It cut to static. The door creaked open once more. Amane stumbled back, in shock and hyperventilating. Oh no... oh no oh no oh Jesus Fucking Christ no... Hi... Hikari... oh god... oh no...
There was still no sign of Amane half an hour later into the pre-show. Hikari was getting antsy, as was Yaya getting pissed.
"What the fuck? She makes a big deal about leaving for a week then gets cold feet?"
Tsubomi narrowed her eyes and spoke sharply. "No baka. There's definitely something wrong here. Amane has never missed a single race in her career, even back from her school years." Yaya looked at her, dumbfounded. "Hikari, when did you last speak to her?"
But Hikari was getting to worked up to answer. She pulled out her phone and quickly dialed her Rider's number. It rang a few times before going to voicemail. Now in a panic, she dialed her room number. It didn't even ring, or go to voicemail. It rang like it was busy, which was... odd. Who would Amane be talking to, and why was she still at the hotel when the race would be starting in just under an hour?
"Amane-sempai..."
The Rider staggered out of the room, horror completely encompassing her. There was no way to make Hikari safe, there never was. What had gone wrong? How did she slip up? What was going on right now?!
She paced unevenly out of the hotel, the urgency in her to leave not yet outweighing the terrible things she'd just witnessed. This person knew every detail of their lives. They were sick and perverted, and had no boundaries as to life. She knew now that by protecting Hikari, she had never been in more danger.
Amane finally broke down in the taxi. She wept in fear, cried in agony, and muttered unintelligibly because of the utter impossibility of it all, and the hopelessness she now faced. Thankfully her cabby believed it just to be some stereotype about Japanese honor shredding her nerves up, and didn't ask any intruding questions. When they finally stopped, she gave just about the rest of what she had on her to the man, who gave her a surprised look, wished her the best of luck, and sped off. Amane had only just begun putting herself back together when she saw Shizuma walk in her sultry glide over her way.
"Sh-Shizuma I-I"
"Now now Amane, I told you I'm not here to hurt you."
"Yes, but..."
"So, will you take the offer?"
There was that word again. That creep had to have known about this too, but how?! Her phone vibrated loudly in her pocket- she shook in surprise, and unthinking, whipped it out. There was a missed call from Hikari, but it wasn't her calling now. Fearing the worst, she looked again to Shizuma, who nodded, mouthing for her to take it.
Answering it, the distorted voice came again.
"Do nothing, say nothing. Don't even look around. You're in the heart of my trap, 'Prince'."
Amane froze in place, too scared to speak anyway. Meekly, she began to uncharacteristically whimper something, but was quickly stopped.
"You must know that no option you take from this point on will end well for you. So I'm going to offer you the lesser of two evils. You will take Hanazono's offer, and you will report to a specific location at a latter date. This "gift" was never yours to keep. And neither was Hikari. It would be best if you won today- she could use a bit of hope right now."
"Now wait just a minute!-"
The line clicked again, and Amane felt something new surge through her- anger. No, this was rage. A rage unseen in her or anyone else before. She'd been pushed over the edge with her frightened and scared emotions, now she was ready to kill. But she knew, for Hikari's sake, to keep a poker face for the time being.
"So, might I ask who that was interrupting our precious time together?"
Thinking fast on her feet, she replied, "Miyo, she chewed me out for being so late. I um... I... I've decided... it would be best to take your offer, Hanazono-sama."
"Good, very good. Thank you for understanding, Ootori. Now tell me, who was really on the phone?"
Not that she could've truthfully answered anyway, she muttered some excuse about needing to leave right away to get Star Bright, and took off in a bolt, leaving the she-wolf to her bewilderment, never having been blown to the side before. Something is definitely very wrong with my dear Ootori...
Just a mere ten minutes before starting time, Amane appeared in the list of competitors through a scrolling list, and her face flashed briefly across the screen. Tsubomi and Hikari both screamed in pure excitement and joy, but Yaya held reserved- she saw something deadly wrong in her face- an underlying terror, and a horrible rage to match. Hikari looked to her friend, then the screen, and only just caught what she'd seen before it switched over. Her giddiness now dissipated, her anxiety set back in.
"Guys... what? What's wrong, she's there, isn't she?" Tsubomi asked, her voice a little shaky.
It was Yaya who spoke first, "Babe, something's wrong with Amane-sama. It looks like... it looks she's got a war going on in her head."
Hikari spoke meekly. "Maybe she's nervous. She said she didn't feel comfortable in America after all..."
"I dunno hun... it feels like she's got a whole lot more wrong than people problems."
They sat in silence watching nervously as the race edged closer to it's starting time. The racers disappeared off the track and began their corral. Hikari wished she knew what was going on with her poor love...
Amane-sama, promise me you're okay?
Amane rode Star Bright uncomfortably for the first time in her life. She struggled to get her head back into the oncoming race.
"Star... she's in trouble... I failed her, and I can't do anything..."
Star Bright whinnied and lowered his head. He knew his rider was talking about Hikari, and he too was troubled by his rider's grief. He bucked his head back up, his ears reaching Amane's torso, as if to reassure her.
She could use a bit of hope right now.
As much as she hated to admit it, the voice of terror was what now kicked her head back into place- Hikari needed to know she was fine and focused. No doubt she would be watching with her friends right now. Her soft, blonde hair, her vivid ocean eyes, and her sweeter-than-honey smile wafted through her mind. The terrible images of her in danger had momentarily passed- it was her laughter that sung in the Rider's ears, her gentle touch she felt flit across her skin.
Focus...
Focus.
Star Bright. Moving in the heat. Watch the track. Hikari...
Focus.
Miyo would take lead from the inner left. Cut her off before then. Hikari... Hikari always kisses a little to the left...
Focus.
These riders were new, unpredictable- wait, Blue Shirt was here last year, hard turns, slow down let him crash. Green stripes- fast start, no endurance, not a threat, don't let him intimidate. Red and purple is reckless, but he looks grown. Confid- nope, leans in too much. Aim him at Blue Shirt. Leave finale for Miyo. Go head on at last turn, take the left even if she's ahead. She'll aim and slow... down...
Focused.
She was again focused. Her thoughts were no longer words, they were quick, ever changing moves and snippets like an action movie. She was focused, and unstoppable. She was lined up at the start.
Push Red, find Blue. Let Miyo catch up. Ignore Green.
The countdown began.
Push Red. Stay close to left.
The flagman raised his gun to the air.
Block Blue. Let Green hit.
BANG
Amane was a bullet- her planning was split-second, precision in all of Star Bright's strides. Just as planned, she veered left, but not too far as to give it away. Green stripes bolted like last year, barely missed an English man, and right on cue as they rounded the first turn, Amane decided to spur up ahead, Blue shirt turned too hard, and collided with Green. The tumble began, but she couldn't look back to see who survived- she knew there'd only be one to make it through that without a hitch.
"Go Amane go!"
Parents long gone, the girls were jumping off the couch, screaming and squealing and praying that Amane would keep her vast lead.
"Whoa! Look at that! The impact took out almo- wait a minute! Miyo CLEARED it! Jumped right over the whole mess! Holy cow, what was that? Two back to back jumps?"
"Did that horse even touch the ground?"
"That Ootori kid was clever, but she's got a real match coming up here."
Surely, a few other moved slowly around the carnage, but in no way would ever catch up to the two Japanese women now towing head to head. The man in Blue looked like he broke his leg, but the focus of the camera was on the leaders. They'd snap back to him afterwards, but right now there was a battle going on.
Sure to her habits, Miyo headed straight for the left, and if she made it, she would barely clip the fence. Amane beat her there by the skin of her teeth.
One hundred meters.
Miyo was pressuring her now, coming in close. She knew Star Bright was uncomfortable on the left, despite his intense training.
Fifty meters.
"Don't give boy, don't give!"
Miyo inched forward.
Twenty meters.
She spurred into Star Bright rougher than before, begging him to stay focused.
"C'mon-"
Ten meters.
"-Hikari!"
"Oh..."
"My..."
"God..."
The girls jaws dropped.
Star Bright... jumped...
Caught the ribbon... in his...
"Talk about eating victory! Ootori wins! With quite a flare!"
Amane jolted forward on his landing. She looked down at him in disbelief.
"Why... why did you jump?!"
He flared his head up, the ribbon now his medal. Amane grumbled, but a small chuckle escaped from her. "You little show off."
Miyo was beaming at her young companion. She came over to shake hands, but the officials swarmed around the new, young champion. Amane blushed with the attention, never quite getting used to it. She was turned every which direction before being given her trophy, followed by a medal.
Traditionally, it was to be worn by the winning Rider, but Amane knew the real champion was her ever-valiant steed.
She bowed to the judges, and respectfully walked to Star Bright. Miyo was now at his side with her own beautiful horse standing just as proud beside her.
No one noticed anything but the proud group.
"What? It seems Ootori is giving all the credit here to Star Bright!l
"Well, he is absolutely one incredible-"
Click.
The screen whited out and cut to a commercial. The last split second Hikari saw on the screen was Star Bright bucking and about to go into his berserk mode. Tsubomi couldn't speak, and Yaya's mouth was agape. They'd all been cheering a moment before- and now silence hung in the air.
What happened?