Vocalising Desires: AMPLIFIED
Author: Welcome back. I am rethinking a lot of my other stories at the moment, but not this one.
Singing Swords will diverge into two separate paths. One which continues with the fourth arc and another which continues with an alternative fourth arc. So I'll just wait and see what to do.
Plus Odds & Ends will be up soon and ready for you guys to read.
Help! I need people to favourite, follow and review. If you read this and do like it, please click those buttons and I will place more effort into what I do. It is a morale booster for me.
I have researched a LOT about this one festival so please don't hate me if I get details wrong or something, I do a lot of research, translating (Google), thinking and editing. So please don't hate me if I get a few things missing here and there.
Also WTF is a period? I have already said this, I did standard English, iloveyugiohGX93, please elaborate! Because if you do, I will imply it!
Feb 9 – 11, no updates (possibly)
Feb 15th : Updates will happen possibly on weekends. Or on days that I am free.
Singing Swords: Clean up
Odds & Ends: Still starting…
The Singers & The Samurai: Possible drop
Tones of Serenading Blades: Coming soon after Arc Three of Singing Swords is complete3
DISCLAIMER: DON'T OWN SHIT EXCEPT PLOT. I OWN NO SONGS. ALL LYRICS AND SONGS GO TO THE ORIGINAL CREATORS, SO PLEASE GO ONTO YOUTUBE OR WHATNOT AND HELP SUPPORT THEM AND THEIR WORK AS YOU (POSSIBLY) SUPPORT MINE!
WARNING: LANGUAGE AND VIOLENCE!
Chapter 8: Brutal Love (Part 1: Old Toys, This Plastic Heart, Loner and Fools)
(A/N: This is in July, so in the previous 7 chapters about 4 months had passed, from chapter 7 to this one. About a week)
-Miku's POV-
Argh! All these idiots don't get it yet do they? I groan as I decline yet another hopeful partner who wanted to go to the Gion Matsuri, the July festival heard in the Gion district of Kyoto. I sigh as I walk to my classroom. Lunchtime had been a lonely and annoying one. Boys with hopeful faces asking me to go to the festival and Len was at home, sick. I sighed, the split single (my first) was out in stores and were selling quite well actually. Online and in stores. Ryo decided to organise that one, a final action of his before going off on his next project. Len and I had a private meal with him two nights ago and that would possibly explain Len's illness.
Anyways, the boys. All I can do is say, 'no' before they ask who 'the lucky guy' was. Hmph, bastards. Why? So they could beat whoever is going with me up? Dickheads.
The Gion Matsuri is a month long festival and I wanted to go the 15th and go around the nightly attractions, I had heard whispers of there being fireworks this year! Maybe on the 16th but maybe over it was a tri-nightly thing over the 14th, 15th and 16th. I don't know but I am excited for Len to see me in my yukata (summer kimono). I can already see the scene. Him there in his yukata or whatever he'll wear, he'll still be cute! And me walking up to him with my wooden geta clunking on the pavement, the nightly sky sparkling with stars as I greet him and embrace him. We'll go see the attractions, eat food, drink and maybe, kiss!
Wahhh! It's like any romantic manga!
"Hey Miku-chan, you have anyone to go with to the Gion Matsuri?" a familiar voice asked from beside me and now I feel depressed, no matter what who I want talking to me, it isn't. I turn to see Akaito with his blood red eyes and hair with his arms in casts signed by many people by many colours.
"Yeah" I reply sighing, being straight with this guy might make this day quicker. I see him frown.
"I didn't hear 'bout this, who is the boy you are going with?" Akaito asked curiously and I see the burning envy in his eyes.
"Just…someone I know" I reply and Akaito nodded once and grunted before walking away. Rin sure had done a number on him with his plastered arms and all that. Maybe if she had snapped his neck…
-Len's POV-
Two days later…
I sigh as Rin fusses about like a dog with fleas. She had put on her pale yellow yukata on and her geta and I was tying a creamy white obi around her waist. On the table I see her black foldable fan.
Well, actually my description is pretty lazily done but I am just excited to go with Miku to the…wait a second, why am I excited? Geez , I need to see a psychologist. Well in reality, Rin's yukata was pale yellow but was decorated with gentle yet bold floral patterns, beautifully designed and matched her personality. Bold on the outside yet she hid that gentle warm flame that could slowly boil water.
"Let's go Len!" Rin whinged and I sighed.
"I have to get dressed too!" I replied slightly pissed. Rin pouted but I grunted and walked up to my room and sighed. I had my clothing laid out on my bed. I put on my yukata which was a deep blue with thin white strips that crossed horizontally. I place on my kasa, which was made of straw and a ring that made an umbrella like shape. I didn't want people to recognise me with Miku and this was only temporary, until I find something more…disguise-like. I walk down again and see Rin tapping her foot. I put on my geta and tie around a thinner obi and grab my fasa and shot out of the door, remembering that I had money in my wallet as well. I hear Rin gently shut the door and I sighed in relief. Time to meet Miku.
It was already pretty busy in the late afternoon of the summer Japanese July. The 15th (A/N: guess why the 15th is so (un)important to me). My fasa hid half my face and kept the sun out of my eyes and now had a lower chance of sun cancer.
Bitches! Safety first!
"Hey, Len" Rin whispered to me.
"Yeah Rin" I reply letting her know that, she could continue and that I heard.
"Did you make a rendezvous spot with Miku?" Rin asked a little worried and I understood why, whilst Miku was an intelligent and talent girl…she was a bit of a klutz. For me though, it was that I just forget such details, but not this time.
"Yeah, near the park" I answered firmly and I folded my arms in front of me in a superior way, which annoyed Rin. It was not very often that I could be more superior than her.
"Well, I have to go meet my date" Rin said smiling slyly and I recoiled physically and mentally. Wait, how?
"How?" I exclaim pointing at her.
"I have my ways" Rin said winking and I hoped to all the ancient gods that she didn't mean using body as a means of being even with me. But before I could tell her that, she had already bolted off, somewhere.
-Miku's POV-
I stood waiting under the tree in the park where Len and I agreed to meet up. I was happy and excited to spend the night with him. Just us two, alone within the bustling crowds who don't care who we are! I was almost squealing in delight. I was brushing myself down, wearing my cerulean blue yukata which had a sakura pattern on it, my geta of course and a teal coloured obi and my fan. I had styled my hair to be flowing and not tied up. I was doing this for Len!
"So, who is the "lucky" guy?" Akaito's voice said beside me, he had Rei and a silver head boy called Piko next to him, either side. Menacing and mean looking.
"Why should I tell you?" I reply coolly. "Why don't you leave me and him alone and you three can enjoy the festival, it only comes around once a year"
"What if I told you, that who you are going with, will get 'it' when we are back at school again" Akaito whispered, I stiffened. They wouldn't.
"And what if that guy was the blonde haired little shit of a brother who put Akaito into those casts?" Rei added and now I was panicking. Len would be bullied constantly! I let my brain slow down and think for a moment.
"Hey Miku!" a familiar voice greets waving happily over to me. I see the three boys walk up to Len slowly, all ready to attack him at any time but I rush forward and grab his arm. I glance under the shadows of his fasa and smile and peck his cheek. I had to bend over slightly.
"Let's go darling" I said faking a laugh and watched as the three bullies gritted their teeth as they missed their opportunity, as if they'd get one.
"Darling?" Len said smiling cheekily. His smile was light hearted and had no menacing undertones in it.
"Shut up and walk" I mockingly reply in a grumpily tone before both of us laughed and we walked into the festival to see the attractions.
-Third Person POV-
Miku and Len walked through the crowds, arm-in-arm as they passed several drinkers, foreign sightseers and just happy folk who were enjoying the festival and what these three nights offered to them, a night of fun and, quite possibly romance.
But Miku had the recurring threat that Akaito promised her. She was scared for the boy she loved. However before it could fully consume her rational thinking. Len pulled her over to the side to show her some of the festival activities.
First off was goldfish scooping, which sounds easy to us Westerners but what it entailed was to capture a goldfish inside a bubble. Len handed over the right amount of money for the two of them to try out, three goes each and if they catch a goldfish, they would win a prize!
"I suck at this" Miku grumbled as her third try wasn't even close to the mark. Len laughed as he took off his fasa and had his three goes and Miku watched in interest as he was close the first time. "Ohh!"
"Heh, I'm pretty bad at this too" Len said smiling as he took his second attempt, Miku held her breathe as the goldfish was in the confides of the hoop and…Len caught it!
"Wow! Who'd you do that?" Miku exclaimed clapping her hands excitedly.
"Hand-eye co-ordination and I guess…luck more than anything" Len said honestly. He didn't want to sound cocky and he only told her the truth over his success.
"What do you want young man as your prize?" the man who owned the stall asked and Len took a glance at the plushies and multiple small objects and toys. He was so tempted to get the banana keychain then he smiled warmly.
"Can I have that one there?" Len asked pointing to a leek keychain.
"Sorry you have to have to catch another goldfish" the man said apologetic and Len shrugged and knelt down for his last attempt. People had now gathered and everyone heard their breathe as Len carefully placed the hoop into the water, had a goldfish within his sights and…POP! The bubble popped and the goldfish escaped. Now people were paying to have a go to test their luck. Len shrugged.
"Damn it, I was so close" he muttered frustrated with himself as he glanced at the keychain and then to Miku who looked a little disappointed.
"Hey, you know what. I saw how close you were and I will give you one more try on the house" the stall owner said and Len's face brightened at the prospect of making Miku happy. "I know you want to make her happy, so I'll be fair on both of us, okay?"
"Thank you very much" Len replied bowing as he dipped the hoop into the water and tried something new instead of being slow and careful he dipped the hoop in quickly and found the goldfish he wanted and scooped it up with a little more speed and…he succeed! The stall owner smiled with delight as he gave Len the keychain and thanked him for his time. Len and Miku walked off and Len handed her the keychain as he placed the fasa on his head again.
"Thanks" Miku said softly feeling happy that for once there was a boy who wanted to make her happy instead of making her a 'plaything'. Which she appropriately assumed…because it was true. They walked along for a while until Miku grabbed Len and rushed him over to a stall selling masks.
"Hey, I'm Tsuki-san and welcome to Moonlit Masks!" the man said cheerfully. He was young with a black warhawk hairstyle, thundercloud eyes, slightly tanned olive skin and he had a white wolf laying next to the stall of masks.
"Yeah, we would like to purchase two masks please Tsuki-san!" Miku said politely with an excited and joyful voice. The man studied the two with interest and nodded once.
"Okay then, I think the young blonde haired, blue eyed lad should have this one 'ere" Tsuki said pulling out a white mask with a black and blue swirl design it was like a Naruto Anbu Balck Ops mask except it was more colourful and it had…somewhat softer features. The white was not prefect or clinical but rather imperfect and natural.
"Thank you" Len said bowing.
"And for you I think this one suits you most" Tsuki said taking out another mask. It was a comedic mask used in drama, in a section called Commedia, in fact it was the mask of Arlecchino, the fool or the underdog of Commedia. (Look in Wikipedia or other drama sites for more info). Miku looked angrily at Tsuki while Len held back laughter.
"You. Fucking. Kidding. Me?" Miku asked slowly, a cold aura emitting from her.
"Yeah, I am. Here" Tsuki said handing her a cute version of the traditional Kitsune mask that was used in festival parades like the ones that are in the Gion Matsuri. Like Len's it was white but a slightly darker white with pink paint decorating the mask and the face of a fox like human was also part of the design.
"Wow this is so beautiful" Miku said breathlessly. Tsuki smiled.
"How much?" Len asked. He was worried it would cost a fortune for their small budget they brought along with them.
"Nothing, I don't need money to make people happy, as long as you two are happy with what you have, so am I" Tsuki said smiling. The two teens thanked him and ran off to see more of the festival's attractions.
Tsuki meanwhile stood there watching the figures disappear.
"Another vision of your life?" the wolf seemed to ask the man with his eyes.
"Yeah, just can't keep being here, my life is somewhere else but seeing those two…brings me a sense of hope and happiness that not all worlds are as fucked up as I know they are" Tsuki replied to himself. Strangely though, not many people were coming to his stall, for all they knew, it was just a vacant spot under a street light. Another nightly illusion of superstition. If only they knew of the 'other worlds' the man speaks of…
Miku and Len soon went to other stalls. Eating chicken skewers, drinking sodas for vending machines, having sweet things from other places. By 9:50pm. Miku had a good time with Len, he had pretty much paid for most of the food, drink and activities they participated in. He had given himself nothing but had given Miku all of his winnings, if he won. So they were away from the crowds, alone walking alongside the river that separated part of the city. They held hands, Miku had her mask on the back of her head as the night air was too fresh to give up for a shadow of a mask. Len had his fasa hanging behind him on a string that was around his neck and his mask half off as he two took in the refreshing air and nightly glamour.
"I enjoyed tonight" Miku said softly as they stopped and sat on the grass looking towards the festival's main bustle. Len nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, I did too" he said agreeing with her.
"Len, I like you" Miku said softly turning to face him completely. Len now thought back, thinking about his encounters with the teal haired girl. He realised that she had changed him and that…he might…no, could….no will return such feelings.
"You know, when I first met you, I thought you were some kind of nuisance but I guess, ever since we sung Sekiranun Graffiti together by accident on the rooftop four months ago…I think my feelings changed as well as my state of mind" Len sighed explaining Miku's influence over him. He still wasn't fully back to his original self, but he sure as hell closer than before.
"So, what are you saying?" Miku asked their faces closing the gap between them.
"I…like you too" Len replied softly, he took off his mask now and placed it beside him and both felt their arms and the hands attached move instinctively. Len placed his left hand on her far shoulder and the other on the back of her head, his fingers feeling the silky softness of her hair, captivated by her teal eyes that gleamed in the moonlight. Miku placed her right hand on Len's far shoulder clutching his shoulder softly but firmly as if not to let go of him. Her left hand placed on his cheek as they closed the gap.
'The Sky of Beginning is the night sky' the both thought as the fireworks fired off into the night sky, illuminating the sky with flashy and bright colours. Their breathe collided and both felt each other's warmth and love as they softly allowed their lips to finally close that final gap. There embraced each other with loving and gentle caresses. Nothing lustful or suggestive, just…caring. They were conveying their feelings and emotions to one another.
The moment was a perfect one, one that was picturesque. When Miku's eyes widened and she pushed Len away to much to his surprise.
"I'm sorry Len, but I can't…fall in love with you" Miku said quickly. Len was shocked and felt something yank him back forcefully, choking him as Akaito, Rei and Piko stood above him.
"You…lured me in and tricked me" Len said slowly with disbelief. Before Miku could respond Akaito got a nasty idea in that dick(ed)head of his.
"Thank Miku-chan, we'll take it from here" Akaito said smirking nastily as Miku stepped back and fled as Len felt the first fist slam into his cheek. Miku ran and ran. Tears streaming down her face as she felt guilt weigh her down heavier than a truck on her back, she felt like the Greek titan, Atlas. Holding the entire sky on his back.
'Sky…of Beginning' Miku thought sadly as she ignored the comforting hand of her brother who was with Rin and they bolted in the opposite direction to her, worried that Len may have made a 'move' on her.
That night, all Miku could remember was the sound of fists slamming into flesh and Len's screams of pain, rage and mercy.
Rin and Mikuo suddenly saw blood on the path and saw dragging marks. They were worried that they might find only traces of Len but they saw something else.
Len was curling up in a ball, hugging himself, his yukata torn and dirtied, his geta were gone, his fasa cord was wrapped around his neck and bore marks of him being suffocated. His body was bloodied, beaten and bruised.
"Jesus fucking Christ" Mikuo cursed as he ran over to Len who obviously wasn't an attacker, rather a victim. Rin saw more kick marks than fist marks which wasn't surprising, when people are lying on the floor a foot would cause more pain. Then Rin recoiled.
"What is it?" Mikuo asked and Rin just sobbed and Mikuo then glanced at his face and saw his eyes.
They were full of fear. Crazed and manic.
But residing inside them: resentment.
-Len's POV-
I was a fool. I let my guard down for a girl I grown to like and now I feel these fists smash these old toys, my gifts laying on the ground abandoned. Voices rip out my plastic heart, as my mask just desotryed. Loners and fools.
That's what I am a loner.
That's what I was; a fool.
Author: Well, fuck Akaito.
Enough said.
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Four4Two: Where my stories are unfortunately…doom and gloom…mainly.