Hello and welcome in my newest chapter. I hope you didn't fall in depression because of the previous chapter. If yes, then… ehmm, Sorry?
Anyway, I won't spoiler anything, so enjoy this chapter :D
PS: Sorry for such delay but Beta Reader got his ass kick by Life.
Stage 11
Things Close to Heart
『Things close to the heart are precious.
Loosing them may lead to despair and emptiness』
Naru's House, Konoha, next day
Naru was sleeping in the futon in her room. She didn't want to eat, talk, or do anything. Yukari tried to talk to her but Naru just told her to leave her alone. After Naru had calmed down, she told Yukari to leave her alone. Yukari tried to argue, but when she had seen Naru's eyes she just bit her lips and with a bowed head, left Naru alone.
Right now Yukari was sitting in the kitchen with a cup of tea in front of her. The tea was cold. Yukari was just starring at it with a blank expression. She didn't move, not even flinch. She was just sitting there, looking at her reflection in the cold tea.
Outside she looked like a marble figure but inside she was thinking. She was thinking about what to do.
"Sakuya is for sure in SDM, but Kurama is somewhere in the Element Nation. She's decided to hide somewhere. I don't know where, I can't sense her. Did she seal the room where she was to hiding herself, or has someone sealed her already? No, that would be too soon. Kurama, maybe is in human form, but like this she is still really powerful, for the standards of this world. Where are you, Kurama?" Yukari was thinking.
The first thing would be to go for Sakuya, but to also search for Kurama in the meantime. Should she send Zenki to search for her? That could be a good idea. The people here didn't know what a Shikigami was, or only a few people would know, believing it's something unnatural or too hard to perform, especially when people here didn't believe in such things as youkais or other fantasy being.
She looked at her hand and clenched it. She needed to take action. With every passing seconds, Naru was weaker. She didn't want to eat. And it was already time for her special meal. If this continued, it could be lethal for her. She wouldn't lose her daughter, not a chance.
With new determination, she opened a gap from which flock of crows emerged and started flying around her. They were flying as though they were trying to protect Yukari from invisible danger. Yukari stood from her chair and spoke to the crows.
"I want you to find a kyuubi named Kurama. She is somewhere here in this world. Find her and then bring me her location. The one who finds her will get a big reward, got it?" Yukari looked at every crow. None of the crows didn't responded but Yukari knew they understood. She used her power to give an image and other information that would help them search for Kurama. After a second every crow gave loud "kraa" and flew from the house. Yukari kept looking at the flying crows for a second before she looked back at tea. She grabbed it and smiled sadly. She drank everything in one go.
"This tea is cold, like Naru. I need to warm up her heart," she said to herself and she left via a gap.
Meanwhile, somewhere in the Land of Fire
The trees were calm and no sound could be heard, except wildlife all around. No human interaction could break this beautiful state. The forest was colorful because of the cloudless sky and sun above it.
But someone was walking through this forest, making the wildlife stop in it's track and turn it's gaze to the source of the noises. There it was. A woman with long orange hair in a slightly scratched kimono of red. Her tails were swinging with each move of her leg while running. Her breathing was rapid, like she had been running for a long time. And tears were floating down her cheeks.
Kurama was biting her lip. A bit of blood was coming from the wound which had been caused by her sharp teeth. But Kurama didn't care. She just ran forward, without looking back. She jumped onto a rock and from it to a tree branch and stopped. She stood tall but her head was inclined.
She soon sat down on the branch and started sobbing quietly to herself. She tried to stop crying, to stop these tears from coming from her eyes, but the more she resisted, the more tears were flowing. She tried to rest and sleep. It came with mixed results. She did fall asleep but she had a nightmare about leaving Naru who kept saying how she had betray her. This wasn't a pleasant sleep for Kurama.
Gensokyo, Scarlet Devil Mansion, next day
Remilia was sitting on the balcony drinking tea made by Sakuya. But the tea was off. Not that it was bad, but the taste was filled with something Remilia couldn't explain, but it made the tea taste… sad.
Like someone had added an elixir to make someone sad or even despaired. But Remilia could tell it wasn't the work of Patchouli or Marisa. It was work of Sakuya but it wasn't intentional from her side. It was like Sakuya's emotions from the events in Konoha were overflowing from her and were added to everything she did.
Remilia could tell. Sakuya's presence turned into places of sadness and despair. But Remilia couldn't tell why Sakuya was feeling that way. When Remilia asked about it, Sakuya turned away her gaze and become quiet. But one thing Remilia was sure, it has something to do with Naru. And she was going to find the answer. With force if she had to.
Remilia sighed and looked at her tea.
"This tea tastes of sadness..." she mumbled. She then heard a clap of thunder. She looked up and saw storm clouds covering the whole Gensokyo.
"Does even Gensokyo cry for Sakuya?" she said to herself. She looked through the window of her room to where Sakuya was standing. She was waiting patiently but Remilia could tell even without much thinking that Sakuya was crying inside. But why.
"Why won't you tell me that, Sakuya?" Remilai muttered to herself and took a final sip of tea. She stood up.
"Sakuya," she called. Sakuya walked to Remilia and bowed.
"Hai, Ojou-sama?"
"Clean here and then you're free. I will take a nap. Wake me up when its evening," Remilia said and passed by Sakuya. She didn't responded but nodded. Remilia was going to leave but she stopped.
"Don't force yourself. If there is something you want to talk about, I'm here for you," she said without turning. And Remilia left. Sakuya stood there for a few second before she muttered to herself.
"I'm sorry Ojou-sama but there is nothing you can help me with. I must bear this guilt by my own record." She looked at clouds.
"Even Gensokyo is crying for Naru sake," she said. She smiled sadly and stood for few second before she grabbed the tea cup and entered the mansion before rain fell all over Gensokyo.
Yakumo mansion, Gensokyo, next day
Yukari was sitting in the living room with tea on the table. Naru was sleeping in her old room. She was tired and hungry but she didn't want to eat, saying she was fine. But she wasn't; she was weaker with each passing day, her skin pale, her hair frailer. Her muscles were becoming weaker and weaker. She didn't even look her age. She looked like a 50-year old human woman.
Yukari was thinking how to convenince Naru to eat something. But she couldn't think of any way, without shouting or bringing up Sakuya or Kurama's names. Hearing their names only made Naru cry.
The doors opened, revealing Ran with a worried expression on her face. She walked to the table and sat down on the opposite side, in front of Yukari.
"Any news from the crows in Element Nations?" Yukari asked. Ran shook her head.
"Unfortunately, no news from them, they are probably still searching. It will probably be another week before they find any clue about Kurama. We must take it in to consideration that she knows the land far better that we," Ran said. Yukari didn't reply but nodded.
"I know, I just… want to find her… and see Naru smile again..." Yukari said with a shaking voice. Ran didn't reply. She knew how Yukari was feeling, after all she was feeling the same. Chen was also sad.
Chen lost all her energy and became gloomy. She didn't go to Mayohiga to play with her cats, running around after butterflies or gathering flowers. She was just… without energy, like everyone else. Seeing Naru in that state made the atmosphere gloomier. Even Gensokyo was starting to become a darker place.
Yukari looked at her hands. And she clenched them. If the crows didn't have any idea about Kurama's whereabouts by the day after tomorrow, they would start with Sakuya. Yukari was guessing that Remilia wouldn't be happy about Naru visiting them, but she didn't care. She was going to bring a smile on her daughter face. She stood up.
"Ran if in two days the crows don't find anything about Kurama we're going to SDM. I can't just sit here and watch Naru in that state," she told Ran and she left. Ran only nodded firmly.
Next Day
As Yukari thought, the crows still hadn't found anything. Although some had sensed some familiar magic, it was almost undetectable, because of the amount of time that had passed. It had almost vanished completely. It gave some leads to where Kurama could be, but Kurama was still too far from their grasps. Yukari then decided that they would go to SDM.
Yukari opened the doors to Naru's room. It was dark and the air was heavy because of sadness. The windows where closed and covered with black curtains. Naru herself was sitting in the farthest corner of her room with a blanket on her, covering her whole body except her face.
Yukari looked at her with compassion but at the same time, a little regret. It was her action which had lead Naru to this state and she would be the one to repair it.
She walked to Naru slowly and when she reached her, she knelt in front of her and gently touched her shoulder.
"Naru-chan, come on. We're going to get Sakuya." Naru only raised head. Yukari's eyes visibly widened. Naru's face was pale and her eyes were puffed and red from crying. She was weak. She hadn't eaten for a long time. One more week and Naru would probably fall into coma. This would be really bad.
"Naru, come on. Stand up and come with me. We're going to get Sakuya. Everything will be fine," Yukari said softly, but Naru didn't reply. She only kept staring at Yukari. Yukari moved closer to Naru.
"Come on, Naru. Let's go. Let's bring Sakuya and Kurama home. To your home, where the three of you will be happy. Like nothing had ever happened." Yukari smiled sadly, trying to comfort Naru, but Naru didn't give any sign of life. Yukari touched Naru's forehead with her own.
"Don't do this to me, Naru-chan. Don't leave me. You're my precious daughter. Don't do it to your mother, don't leave me," she said with closed eyes. Yukari held tears but her voice was shaking. Naru only looked at Yukari but didn't say anything.
"Come on Naru, let's go for Sakuya, let's… do it how it should be," Yukari said with tears running down her face. She had said to herself that she would be strong when she tried to make Naru go outside, but seeing Naru in the state she was, it easily broke Yukari's confidence and strength.
Yukari looked again at Naru and she saw how Naru's lips were moving, slowly and almost unnoticeable, but Yukari managed to see the movement. It was a soundless whisper but Yukari manage to read it from the movement.
"Don't worry about that, I'm sure Sakuya will gladly come back. Come on Naru, let's go," Yukari said with a smile again, trying to sound cheerful and increase Naru's confidence.
Naru slowly raised her head but then quickly dropped it again and hid it in her knees. Yukari kneeled next to her and tried again.
"Come Naru. Let's go. What will Sakuya and Kurama say if they saw you like that?" Yukari said but quickly regretted that. Naru felt even more depressed.
"Come Naru, show them that you care for them. Show them that you're strong and you care for them," Yukari said.
"But… because I... cared... for them...they left...me..." Naru then said with a whisper. Yukari eyes widened.
"I'm sure they will forgive you. Like you forget them, they will forget you. Let's go, Naru-chan. Let's go," Yukari said and tried to lift Naru gently. Naru didn't resisted, she didn't have the strength. Yukari grabbed Naru by her arm. From the side it looked like Yukari was helping some old woman.
When Yukari and Naru where in the corridor, in the light, Yukari was scared at how terrible Naru looked. Her skin was visibly white, almost like snow. Her hair had lost its color and was gray now. It had lost its softness and could easily be broken. Naru's nails were yellow and damaged. Naru had lost weight. A lot of her muscle was lost and what remained was only skin and bones.
Yukari could easily see ribs. Naru's face was sunken and the eye sockets where visible. Naru lips were dry and cracked. Her hands were just bones. Naru was only wearing some white old rag. Yukari was terrified. Naru was a walking skeleton, walking dead man. It only made Yukari feel terrible for what she had done. She wasn't a good mother after all, but she would do anything to save Naru, even if that meant beating everyone in Gensokyo.
Yukari walked to the saloon where Ran was. Chen was playing around Gensokyo with the others from Team Baka, as people call them. Ran looked in the direction of Yukari and paled when she saw Naru. Ran couldn't say anything. She even dropped the plates she was carrying to hide them. Before she could say anything Yukari opened her mouth.
"Prepare yourself Ran, we're going to SDM," she said. Yukari voice was devoid of emotions. The gaze of Yukari's eyes were piercing Ran's very existence. Ran could tell, Yukari was very serious, even more than she had been in the past. Ran felt cold sweat on her back and chills running down her spine.
"Y-Yes, Yukari-sama..." Ran said nervously. Yukari opened a gap and both of them walked through it.
Gate of SDM
Meiling was watching the area for anyone trying to bypass her to get into mansion. People said she was lazy, but the truth was, she was just bored. The fairies had stopped trying to get into mansion and the only one who could get passed her was Marisa. And she always manage to do it without her noticing.
And now Sakuya had returned. This was strange at least, if not more than just strange. She remembered the smiling Sakuya when she left with Naru, but when she returned she had been crying, looking depressed. Normally Sakuya wouldn't react in such a melodramatic manner, so something serious must have happened. But Meiling couldn't place her finger on it.
Then there was the Mistress' order: not allowing anyone under any circumstances to enter Koumakan. Meiling remembered the angry face of her Mistress. She felt the massive killing intent from her. She had had problems breathing back there. When Remilia looked at her, she had thought she would die because of the gaze she felt.
Meiling sighed and scratched her head. She looked at the mansion with worry.
"I wonder what happened there, Sakuya-san." She turned back and saw a gap open a few meters away from her. Surprised she moved her feet back. Normally it wouldn't be the case, but this time it was different.
Meiling could feel great killing intent and blood lust from the gap. It made her sweat like back when her Mistress was angry. But this was much a stronger feeling. Meiling watched Yukari emerge from gap, a shadow covering her face and only one visible eyes shining with deadly light.
In her right hand, Yukari was holding a long katana. Meiling also saw Ran holding Naru but she couldn't see her clearly, because Yukari was covering half of them with her body. Also her hair was moving on the wind like it was possessed. The air was thick from tension.
Meiling gulped.
"No one can enter Koumakan. Order from the Mistress herself. Please turn back," she said. She tried to sound as calm as she could, but nervous could be heard in her voice. She knew she wouldn't be able to stop them. Yukari was hardly ever is so serious.
Yukari give a glance at Meliling who flinched.
"I see. So Remilia thinks that my dear Naru is responsible for the whole mess. Sakuya probably didn't tell anything. How naive. I will remove that mistake by my own hands," Yukari said coldly. Meiling took another step back. Yukari started slowly moving forward. Meiling shook her head, trying to calm down and get into a stance. She clenched her fist.
"I know I won't be able to stop you, but orders are orders," Meiling said with all the seriousness she could gather and charged at Yukari with a fist ready to strike.
Yukari looked at Meiling without moving an inch, ready for her. She was running fast with gritted teeth. Yukari was just looking at Meiling. With a shout Meiling threw a punch at Yukari's face but it never reached it's target. Yukari knelt and swung the sword at Meiling's exposed stomach. Meiling's eyes widened and she saw the cold stare from Yukari.
Spitting saliva, Meiling flew straight at the gate with loud crash, destroying gate in process. Yukari looked at the open gate and started moving again with the nervous Ran behind her.
Meiling gasped for air and tried to stand, but her muscles felt really tired. It was just one blow, but it was enough to make Meiling lose all her strength. Her arms were shaking, and her lower torso felt like it had been cut in half. Meiling looked down but she didn't notice any blood. She then felt Yukari above her. An ominous feeling fell on Meiling. Her pupils shrank, looking at Yukari's figure.
Meiling tried to stand up again but quickly got a strike from the hilt of Yukari's sword which made her fall unconscious. Yukari gave Meiling a final glance before she headed to the main entrance. Ran looked at Yukari with a scared face. But she was also relieved that she had used the dull side of the blade.
Ran looked at Naru in her arms. She looked like she would die any second now. She needed to eat but she refused, saying she was fine, no matter how strongly someone pleaded with her. Yukari had come to the conclusion that until Sakuya or Kurama came back, Naru would refuse to eat. And Yukari didn't have time to think of a plan. She had decided to use force.
It was desperate move but Ran could understand Yukari. It was about Naru's life and Yukari wouldn't take any chances. Ran looked again at the unconscious form of Meiling.
"I'm sorry for that Meiling-san, but it's necessary," she said and she quickly ran after Yukari who had opened the main door.
Yukari entered the mansion with a cold stare and a passive face. She looked around, looking for someone, before she turned to the right and looked at the first level where a figure was standing. Yukari immediately recognized Remilia. Both of them stared at each other with anger and hate. Butfor different reasons; Remilia because she didn't want to see Yukari right now, and Yukari because Remilia was standing between her and Sakuya.
Remilia had her hands crossed and on her face was a displeasured grin.
"I see you came, Yakumo. You've got guts showing yourself right now, you know that?" Remilia said with venom in her voice. Yukari's passive expression didn't change. Her cold glare was still locked on Remilia's standing form.
"You know why I came here. I will tell you only once. Bring Sakuya here." Yukari's voice clearly stated she wouldn't take "No" for an answer.
"Why should I? To make her cry again?! I. Don't. Think. So." Remilia stated the last sentence with hate. Yukari just tightened her grip on the hilt of her sword.
"Very well. Then my plan hasn't changed at all. I will use my power to make Sakuya reveal herself." When Yukari stated that, the reality around her started breaking around her like fragile glass. And in place of the broken reality, were eyes from her gaps looking directly at Remilia.
At the same time Ran entered the mansion and gasped when she felt killing intent and blood lust from her Mistress. She fell on her knees hard and almost made Naru hit the ground as well. But she manage to hold her still in her arms. She hugged Naru so she wouldn't feel such ominous aura. Ran started shaking visibly but for Naru's safety, she tried to suppress her fear.
"Ran," Yukari said. Ran's head bolted up to look at Yukari. Her pupils shrank fearful. Her hair was swinging in the air like it was possessed, the color was darker and Yukari's voice was like ice slicing her very soul.
"Protect Naru, even with your life. This battle will be dangerous for her. Put some barriers around you and her. Don't let Naru to get hurt, Am I clear." Yukari turned to Ran at the last of sentence. Ran felt her heart miss a beat when she saw Yukari's eyes. Ran felt like dust compared to Yukari right now.
"Y...Y-Yes… M-My.. Lady..." Ran said with a shaking voice and stood up. She ran somewhere relatively safe but where she would still get a good view of the fight. Yukari kept looking at Ran for a few seconds before she turned back to Remilia.
Remilia's expression didn't change but in her right hand, she started gathering magic. Soon, a small orb was formed before it changed into red spear. Remilia's personal weapon, Gungnir. The spear which according to legends, never missed it's target.
Yukari frowned slightly but hadn't expected her to do anything else. She knew what Remilia could do. But Remilia also knew what she could do. Both of them knew each other quite well. But not everything was revealed between them. There were always secrets, always. Nobody could uncover all of their secrets.
"First you and then that child of you. I will remove the obstacles which make Sakuya cry," Remilia said with a scowl.
"I will bring back a smile to both of their faces. But first I need to deal with a certain child who thinks they are almighty," Yukari said with a frown. Remillia gritted her teeth and her wings shot from her back and she charged at Yukari with a low humming sound coming from the place where she stood. The place where she had charged from crumbled and fell onto the ground in pieces.
Yukari didn't flinch, didn't even blink. She saw Remilia clearly, even if she broke the sound barrier with her charge. From her point of view, Remilia was moving at a fast but not blinding speed. She readied her sword to block the incoming attack.
The two weapons collided with a metallic clash. The wave on force and energy spread from their position, destroying area around them and breaking all windows in hall.
Yukari and Remilia were looking at each other, trying to force the other to surrender. Yukari stepped aside, making Remilia's Gungnir slide from Yukari katana. Remilia moved forward. Yukari didn't hesitate and quickly raised her sword above her head and slash it down, only for Remilia to block it with her hand.
But the force behind Yukari's strike was enough to send Remilia at the wall. But she manage to land on the ground without much injuries. She looked at the arm where Yukari slashed her. And she smiled. She saw a small cut, which was already healing.
"If this is all Yakumo then I'm disappointed. I will kill you for sure," Remilia taunted, but Yukari ignored it. Both of them looked at each other before charging again, each collision ending with a clash and a wave of energy.
Ran was watching this was shock and nervous eyes. Each blow was powerful and even the barrier she had placed around her was shaking violently. Ran wondered if the barrier would manage to hold against such force for long. Ran also felt how the whole area was shaking. She looked at Naru who had closed eyes. She was weak, very weak and the feeling wasn't helping.
"Hold on Naru. Everything will be fine, I'm sure of that…" Ran whispered. But looking at the fight in front of her, she didn't believe her words. But she was sure of one thing. Yukari needed to win for Naru's sake.
Ok, here is another chapter. Hope you liked it. I know this arc is a little dark but bear with it.
Anyway I hope you will wait for another chapter which will appear… I don't know when. Probably when it's ready. Until then, see you.
NerDeath Out.