Ch. 4

Revealed

As Takara ran home all she could think about was that legend she was reading. She always had her doubts that nothing magical could happen since science is what created the world not some magician. Now, she's thinking that maybe there is magic in this world. The book opened by itself that was magic right there, but the wind was the one who really opened it. Everything seems so confusing to her. Is there magic or was it just a figment of a person's imagination? The whole situation seems uncanny, but that could probably happen to anybody. Plus a lot of people have necklaces that's shaped like that symbol she saw. It's not like she was anything magical. After all, there is nothing special about her. All she can do is write songs and sing, but other people do that already and some are even younger than her. She can't do anything else.

Then when she arrived home, the rain started fall. As one drop cascaded down her face she thought she saw something at the end of the sidewalk. It was probably Naroki again until that person disappeared. Once that thing disappeared she opened the wet metal gate. Takara got inside the house with her hair soaking wet.

"Takara, it's really late," Aya, stated.

"I know, I'm sorry if I worried you," Takara said.

"Get washed up. Dinner is almost ready."

Takara asked, "I'm kind of tired is it OK if I just hit the hay?"

"Come on, Takara. You skipped dinner last night," she continued, "At least let me bring you something to your room."

"That's OK with me. I'm going upstairs now," Takara cited.

She scurried up the stairs. And once she closed the bathroom door a apprehensive face appeared on Aya's face. All the time she kept wondering about what's been happening to her. Sometimes Takara feels nervous the next she's elated and smiling, and there is something that's going on with her. Aya just can't put her finger on it.

"What's gotten into her lately?" she asked herself.

"What's gotten into whom?"

"Oh, hi Toya. I'm talking about Takara. Haven't you noticed she's been a little off lately," she began, "I mean, look she hasn't been eating anything at all. She's been really quiet and I know she's not going through any phases since we've talked about that before. And she's starting to worry me."

"Maybe you should go and talk to her. That's the only way you can know what's going on," he suggested.

She replied, "Yeah, I guess you're right."

"Guess?"

"OK, you are right," Aya laughed.

She step a bit closer and gave him a quick kiss while he held her waist. Then Aya buried her face into his shoulders and smiled.

"Thank you," she whispered.

"You're very welcome," he answered back.

Then Toya grabbed her face with both of his hands, and then he pressed his lips against hers. They stayed in that embrace for a while until Aya saw this fog behind Toya. But then after a moment it disappeared in a hot second, and she gasped in astonishment.

"Is there something wrong? Aya?" he asked.

She answered, "It's nothing. I thought I just saw ghost or I don't know what it was." "Well, I have to bring Takara her dinner."

"Gee, I hope it's not burnt," he teased.

"Ha, ha very funny," she laughed sarcastically.

Toya stated, "Just talk to her and please don't encourage her to date yet."

"Trust me I won't."

So Aya went into the kitchen, but then she saw that ghost fog again. Then she walked closer to see what it really was up close. But as she stepped closer the fog began to fade, so she quickened her pace until it went away again. All that was left was some dust on the floor. She bent down and touched the soft dust and traced it.

"What was that?" Aya asked.

As Takara was taking a shower she still thought of that story, and how it might relate to her. Maybe that's why she's been so unfortunate and insecure. Then she thought of what her dad said, 'Maybe your life is kind of like the celestial maiden's.' So she thought about it, but that was a different story about love and obsession. This one is about guardians and betrayal. She let out a huge sigh and turned off the steaming, hot water, and then she dried herself. After that she threw on her pajamas that looked like a dress. Once she got out Aya was already heading down to her room with a plateful of vegetables.

"Done already?" she asked.

"Yep, done relaxing in that nice warm water," Takara gestured.

Aya answered, "Speaking of which please don't take more than ten minutes in the shower."

"Sorry mom, its just part of my relaxation routine. I get into the shower turn on the water to cold then to hot. Then I get into my relaxing mode," she explained.

"Well, relax in a short amount of time."

Takara laughed and rolled her eyes as if she was listening. Sometimes she doesn't really listen that well to her parents, but at some points she does depending on the topic. They both arrived in Takara's room and Aya plopped the plate Takara's lap, so she speared one of the veggies and popped it in her mouth.

"Is anything bothering you lately?" Aya asked.

"No, why do you ask?"

"It's just that you seemed really worried about something. I just want to help you through whatever you're going through."

Takara implied, "Mom, I swear there's nothing wrong I'm just going through what teenagers usually go through. Like I don't know dating and maybe there has been some stress because of homework and stuff."

"Hey, listen you can tell me anything that's bothering you. I understand what you're going through. I've been through these types of things when I was your age," she answered.

Takara shrugged and sighed and she wishes she could tell her mom about what's been happening to her. But her mother never went through the same things she's going through. At least that's what she thought.

"Well, I'm just wondering have you ever felt like there's this sensation inside you and that something is striving to come out," she continued, "Sometimes I just have this feeling like there's another side of me that wants to come out."

"Maybe you're still going through some phases in your life. I mean it's your last year in this school and you've been there ever since you were in kindergarten, so it's probably because you're just a little anxious for high school. I know I was when I reached 8th grade, but I was also a little bit excited because there were a lot of new people to meet," she stated.

Takara smiled and said, "Well, I think you're right. But still it's complicated."

"Hey, don't worry and tomorrow is your big day. You're turning fourteen so get some sleep. OK?"

"OK, but I might come home late because of something. And well, you remember that guy I walked home with right?" she asked.

Aya answered, "Yes, of course."

"He kind of asked me on a date for tomorrow. I'll be at the café the whole time then he'll walk me home," she explained.

"Well, you have my approval. Just don't tell your father about this," Aya grinned.

"Thanks, mom."

"You're welcome sweetheart."

Then Aya kissed Takara on the forehead and once she left she tried to finish her food, but she just didn't feel like eating at all. So she put the plate of food down on her nightstand, but there were only a few pieces of food left anyway. She then lied down on the bed and pulled the covers over her legs, and she still thought of that book. That was never going to leave her mind, so she tried to think about something else like how tomorrow might be. But then Naroki came into her mind and she started to smile. Then she started to slowly doze off. When she closed her eyes she saw darkness until there was this blinking light that appeared. Soon that blinking light expanded and Takara felt like she was being pulled down into this pit. All she can see now is visions of the past and of that guardian she read about. Finally, she landed somewhere. That place was under a tree under that tree there was a girl, and she was holding something. So Takara stepped a bit closer to that girl's face.

"Hey, what's wrong?" she asked.

The girl didn't turn to her, so Takara stepped even closer. But it's like the girl didn't even know she was there until she actually did turn. What Takara saw was a beautiful, young, innocent face that almost looked like her. Then something happened; an object that she was holding disappeared. The beautiful face became petrifying to look at, and then Takara screamed in her dreams and out loud. Fortunately, her parents didn't hear so she got out bed and went to bathroom. Once she turned on the light she saw herself sweating, so she turned on the sink and splashed her face with water and grabbed the towel on the rack. When she lifted her face off that drenched towel she saw a man standing behind her and she jumped and screamed. That was when she started to splash her face with more water, and when she looked behind her no one was there. After she finished wiping her face she turned off the light and went back to bed. She immediately pulled the covers over her face and then she started to close her eyes. At least she was too tired to dream that way she won't have to wake up again.

The next day arrived and when the sun shined through the window she quickly woke up. Once she got out of bed her mom walked through the door with a small blue box.

"Happy Birthday, Takara."

"Thanks mom. What's in there?" she asked.

"Open it and you'll see," Aya said.

She placed it on Takara's lap and so she untied the blue ribbon and unwrapped the wrapping paper. Once she took the top off the box she saw a blue beaded bracelet.

"Thank you, mom. Could you help me put it on?"

"Sure."

So she took the bracelet and wrapped it around her wrist. After she clipped it together Takara moved it around.

"What are you going to do after school?" she asked.

Takara answered, "Well, I'm going with the guy to the café and you know that already. Then I'm going to Shinri's because he something to give me."

Aya looked to see if Toya was anywhere near and she told her, "By the way, make sure your father doesn't hear about him and don't worry I'll just tell your dad you're out with Keiko."

"Thanks. Well, I don't want to be late, so I'm off."

So she went into the bathroom the wash her face and all that stuff. Then once she was done she put on her uniform and straightened her hair. She got her stuff and headed out the door, and when she was walking to the gate Keiko popped up and started to sing happy birthday.

"Whoa, Keiko you scared me!"

"Sorry, but happy birthday!"

"Thanks, and I'm guessing you're still not going to tell me what Shinri is going to give me," she assumed.

"You have to wait until tonight."

So they just walked to school and talked about what they'll probably do today, but she keeps thinking about how that date will go with Naroki. Then she started to drown out everything that she heard and went into her own little world. Then she thought she saw something in the bushes, but it was probably only her imagination. She started to look behind her, but no one was there. Then she looked back again and while she was doing that she hit a branch and fell down to the ground.

"OK, ow!" she yelled.

"Are you OK?"

"Don't worry I'm fine. My butt broke the fall," she said as she got up. "No one saw that besides you all right?"

"Of course not. There was no one around," she answered.

"Is there something wrong? Cause you look like you're day dreaming about something," she wondered. "Does have to deal with what's going on today with you and Shinri?"

She replied, "No, it actually has to do with something I'm doing with someone else, and I already know who you're thinking about."

"I'm sure it'll be fine. Besides Naroki is a nice guy, and when did he ask you anyway?"

"He asked me when he was walking me home after school yesterday and I guess it's a date or something like that."

Takara started to blush and her skin warming up, but she smiled and she was happy that Naroki had asked her. Although, she was a bit nervous she was glad that she did say yes to him. She can't wait to see what he has in store for her. As Takara was daydreaming about her kind of date Keiko was trying to get her out of that mode so she can ask her something. Keiko kept waving her hands up and down until Takara finally zoned back.

"Wake-up little miss daydream, but I have to ask you what about Shinri? I mean you promised him that you'll be going to his house," she reminded.

"I'll be there in time," Takara continued, "Don't worry about that. I'll just tell Naroki that the date needs to be over before seven."

"Wait, don't tell him that otherwise he'll think you won't be having a good time or he might think that you're not that interested in him. Let me just tell Shinri that you're going to be a little bit late," Keiko implied.

"That'll be great. Thanks Keiko."

"No problem, I just want to make sure that your date goes smoothly."

Takara rolled her eyes and smiled at Keiko, so they walked down to school and managed to get there on time. While in class, Takara felt like something was about to change in her life and she didn't know if it was good or if it was bad. It could've been both but all she knows is that nothing can spoil her day today, and it was mainly because of her date with Naroki. She's never been on a real date before and she doesn't know much of dating etiquette. Although, she has seen many romance movies before so that should help her a little bit. But she knows that she can probably get better advice from Keiko, so she plans to ask her during lunch. Then the teacher, Mr. Inaro, went up to her desk and sneered at her.

" Takara, did you do the assignment last night or did you just slack off?"

"Don't worry, I have right here," she continued as she pulled the thick ten page paper out of her book bag, "Oh, and I promise you I'll never do what I did before ever again."

"Good, now class let's turn to chapter twelve."

Mr. Inaro went on blabbing and lecturing about the process of having a child. But Takara just went back to her own fantasy and kept thinking about later today. It wasn't long till the bell rang and once all of her morning classes passed she was trying to find Keiko at the cafeteria. Instead, she saw Shinri sitting at a table and waving at her. She sat right next to him and again started looking for Keiko, but since Shinri was next to her she just started to talk to him.

"Happy Birthday, Takara!" he said.

"Thank you very much. So have you seen Keiko around at all?" Takara asked.

He answered, "No, sorry but I don't really want to talk about my cousin right now."

"Why? Did she do something to you again?"

"No, but she's here," he began, "And I thought you were going out for lunch."

"Nice save, but I heard you talking about me," Keiko implied.

Takara stated, "I was looking for you. Look, I really need to talk to you about…"

"Shinri, here's some money go get me a juice," she interrupted.

"But you already have one," he pointed out as he took the money.

"Go, man!" she yelled.

When he wouldn't budge she pulled out her body spray and prepared to squirt him with it. That is until he ran to the cafeteria line, and Takara laughed while Shinri was sneering at Keiko. When Takara saw his sneer she nodded her head and rolled her eyes. Shinri laughed and smiled at her once more.

"Anyway, Shinri's outta here and you needed to tell me something about Naroki I'm guessing."

"Yep, and I just noticed that I've never been on a date and this is my very first date. I don't what to do to make sure I don't mess this up," she stressed.

"Don't worry, I'm sure it's his first date too and he's nervous as well. After all, he's going out with an amazing girl so just calm down," she complimented.

"Thanks Keiko, you're the best."

"Anytime, for my best friend."

They hugged and when Shinri arrived he slammed the juice right on the table in front of Keiko. He asked for a thank you from her but Keiko just ran away with both of her juices in hand. Shinri chased her while Takara laughed while that was happening. Takara put her hand against her cheek and kept thinking about her day so far. No fainting, no sudden things happening to her, and she thought maybe it was because it's her birthday. Now, she's thinking nothing can go wrong. The bell rang and she got through all of her classes, and she knew that once that last bell rings it would be time. She rushed outside and there he was, Naroki was standing right there in front of the school gate. Takara smiled and walked up to him.

"Hey, stranger how was your day today?" she asked.

"It was fine. What about yours? I bet you couldn't wait for our little something," he implied.

"I couldn't wait but I had to, so are we going now or are we just going to talk right now?"

"Well, we can talk while we walk to the café," he suggested.

She smiled at him and they began walking. It was quiet at first considering she was nervous and didn't know what to say, but he began to talk to her and whenever he'd look at her she'd either smile or laugh. Once they arrived they listened to the poetry and music while they drank their cups of coffee. Takara was deep in thought, but she knew that she couldn't daydream on her first date, so she started talking to Naroki.

"So, did you like that last song they were playing?" Takara asked.

"It was OK, I'm more into upbeat pop than mellow pop," he answered.

"I'm into both," she continued, "For me if it's pop then I'll listen to it and give it try."

"Just wondering have you always wanted to perform here?"

Takara replied, "Me? Kind of but I'm not that good of a singer. I just sing for fun and that's it, but I also write songs."

"I'd love to read one of them. What do you write about?"

"I write about my experience and my feelings. Sometimes when I have a tantrum or something then I write down how I feel and put it into song. Also, when words get into my head I have to write them down and somehow it puts itself into song," she explained.

He said, "Wow, well that's really interesting and I kind of like that. I don't really know a lot of girls who can write songs. I guess it's a gift you have. You should be blessed."

"I wouldn't call it a gift. I mean a lot of artists write their own songs nowadays, but enough about me. What about you? What are your hobbies?"

"Right now, I'm just helping my friend with this project he's working on and I'm just still trying to look for my parents. It's really hard and I'm just trying to see if they'll just come to me, but I don't think that's happening."

"You know, if you wait they'll come to you. And patience is the key if you want to find something or someone," she exclaimed.

"I'm trying to be patient but it's driving me nuts at the fact that I haven't had any luck at finding them. It's OK though at least I found something much better."

Takara smiled, "Oh, wait they're playing my favorite song."

Takara blushed a little bit and once the song played Naroki looked at her. He saw her face light up in that dimmed room, and before he knew it she was smiling like never before. This was the first time Takara felt really happy and felt special. When the song was over she looked over at Naroki and she saw him staring at her, which made her blush even more. Naroki snapped out of it and decided to take Takara home.

"So do you know why that's my favorite song?" she asked.

"No, why? Is it because of the mellow beat?"

She answered, "No, it's because that was the song I wrote and I gave that song to them for someone to sing it. Finally, I got to hear it tonight."

"It's a beautiful song."

"Thank you."

They both laughed and everything was going smoothly until one of the NB guy's leader, Kito, walked in front of them. They both turned around, but the rest of the guys were blocking their way. Now, they were trapped in that small area with nowhere to run. Takara knew this was too good to be true. Although, she figures that if she just gives them some money then they'll just leave them alone. She felt scared even though she didn't show it, but if she kept her straight face on then nothing bad won't happen to her.

"Kito, what do you want? My money again?" she mocked.

"Please, I have all the money in the world now," he responded.

She scoffed, "Yeah right, I saw you mug another student the other day just to get their money. If you do want money then just ask and pay the person back."

"I don't want your damn money. I just need you to be a good little girl and come with me," he said.

"Why and where will you take me? Down the alley?"

"Please, I don't want to get intimate with you unless I have to. Just come with me or else you'll be sorry."

"I'll be sorry if come with you. And if you try to get frisky with me," she continued as she back punched one of the guys sneaking behind her, "Then looks like I'm going to have to play hard ball."

"Also, who do you people even work for? The Pervs Corporation?" Naroki teased.

"No, and if you want to be part of this too then you need to step off and let the girl go Romeo."

"No way, I would never let her get in the hands of you guys."

"If that's how you want it then boys take them down," he commanded.

The guys behind them went for them, but Takara was fast enough to punch them in the face and kick them in the stomach. She tried to remember everything Yuhi taught her, but she froze in place, and when one of the guys tried to punch her Naroki blocked him with his hands and threw him like a shot put. Someone grabbed Takara and she struggled to get out of their grasp, but it was too strong. Naroki threw a rock at the person and she was able get free. But part of her sleeve ripped and she fell to the concrete, which made her dirty. When the guy in the black ski mask tried to grab her again it was Naroki to the rescue. He told Takara to just run home and when she got up she ran as fast as she could. She slowed down once they were out of sight, and it began to rain. As she walked home she started to sob a bit and she didn't know what to do now. Her friend probably got kidnapped by now and she faced the most traumatic thing in her life. From then on she felt like nothing could get worse. She felt like that there was no hope for her, and she needs to make sure her mom doesn't see her like this. That was all she was concerned about, and when she got home she opened the door slowly so her mom won't hear a sound.

"Takara, are you home?"

"Yeah, I'm going up stairs now," she yelled.

When Aya stepped into the doorway and saw that Takara was dirty and soaking wet from the rain with part of her sleeve ripped, so she asked, "Takara, what happened to you?"

She excused, "Well, when I was on my way home I fell on accident and then my shirt got caught on a fence and ripped it a little bit. Then it started to rain, and that's why I like this."

"Well, get out of those wet clothes before you catch a cold and also make sure you take a short warm shower," Aya told her.

Takara nodded and went straight to the shower. She kept contemplating on what had happened today, and she couldn't get those boys out of her head. Once she was done showering she went to her room to change. Then she looked out the window and started sobbing again with warm tears running down her cheek. She kept thinking about what happened to Naroki, and she knew that she shouldn't have run but it was because she was scared. Her heart sank as she kept thinking about him. Takara fell to her knees and prayed to make sure that he's all right. Then Toya knocked on her door.

"Takara, are you still changing?" he asked.

"Yeah, I am. Why?"

"Once you're done changing I need you to meet me outside and make sure your mother doesn't see you," he cited.

"OK," she yelled.

This really made Takara wonder if he was going to try to do something to make her happy, but she knew that nothing could make her day better. She had a feeling that this might be something worse. Takara was done changing, so she snuck outside like her father told her to and closed the door silently behind her. She saw her dad by the gate and ran up to him.

"So dad, where are we going?"

"You'll see, just follow me and if someone is following us just don't look back," he instructed.

They began walking with Takara not knowing what's coming up she started to wonder about where they're going. She just hopes that this won't lead her to any other gang who wants to kidnap her. Then again it's her dad he wouldn't do anything to hurt his own daughter. As they walked Takara heard the waves, so she knew that they were going somewhere around the beach. Once they arrived Toya led her to the shrine and then all of a sudden someone appeared right in front of her very eyes.

"Takara, I'd like you to meet Ceres," he introduced.

She looked at her and said, "Wait, you're the person who gave me these dreams I think."

"Yes, you're correct. Now, I'm here to tell you who you really are. You're a celestial maiden who protecting a lost treasure," Ceres then Takara froze and realized that all the ominous stuff happened to her only because of that fact. Her face was in disbelief she couldn't be celestial maiden, and she couldn't believe that she was on all this time. A lot of her unanswered questions will be answered now.