Idea of this chapter was inspired by Tenchi Muyo movie 2 and Oscar Wilde’s Picture of Dorian Gray. To weaver who patiently went through my works, thank you very much. I’ve researched on gems and here are the links to each, you’ll know why I put these gems here. Amber; Amethyst; Azurite; Beryl; Cameo; Chrysoberyl; Corundum; Diamond; Emerald; Feldspar; Garnet; Intaglio (gemology); Jade; Jet (gemology); Labradorite; Lazurite; Malachite; Olivine; Onyx; Opal; Orthoclase; Pearl; Quartz; Ruby; Sapphire; Spinel; Spodumene; Topaz; Tourmaline; Turquoise; Zircon (information doesn’t have astrological meaning)
Chapter 6: Natsuki vs. Kiyohime
“Kami-sama!” Mai squealed when she focused her eyes on the picture of Anchin, “The old man! Natsuki…” she turned her head to look at the now crying girl, “Natsuki…” her squeal digressed into something meek when she saw her friend’s pained expression
“What is happening to my Shizuru? What is happening?!” Natsuki screamed, her eyes wasn’t paying attention to Anchin’s picture, her eyes were at the lone picture of Shizuru
Silence
“I don’t want to think of it this way, but there’s nothing I can think of.” Alyssa said while looking at the pained Natsuki. There was silence as the others waited for her explanation, “I think Shizuru is being held by Kiyohime, and if we cannot take her back, it is probable that Kiyohime will take over her and they will be one.” Alyssa explained
Everyone frowned except Miyu, “What the hell are you saying?” Nao asked frowning
“Have you seen Kiyohime’s picture from other books?” The others shook their heads ‘no’, “I did, and from all the illustrations I saw and read, Kiyohime always has an onyx colored eyes.”
“Onyx?” Mai asked which earned a nod from the little girl
“So what does that information have to do with Shizuru?” Natsuki asked after wiping her tears away
“Can you see the color of the eyes the girl we encountered and these illustrations of Kiyohime?” Alyssa asked, her index finger pointing on the open book
Mai flipped back the pages and inspected the eyes of Kiyohime in the illustrations, “Kami…every illustration has crimson orbs!” Mai exclaimed
At this exclamation, Mikoto, Nao and Natsuki stepped closer and looked closely, “Those were Shizuru’s eyes.” Natsuki whispered loud enough to be heard, her voice laced with pain. She then looked at the others, “I…I can’t let Kiyohime take Shizuru away from me forever, I am not going to allow it!” she said with a determined eyes
“The question is, until when…” Miyu said flatly
“I think we need to move fast, if Miroku’s relentless surging in my body is an indication of Kiyohime’s power being near, then we must act at once.” Mikoto said seriously
“But how can we overcome Kiyohime’s power?” Nao asked, “If we could only summon our own power, then maybe we have a better chance of finding and saving that Fujino girl!” she added
“Then how are we going to know that we are out of time?” Mai asked curiously
Alyssa frowned, “My guess is if all that pictures turns into Shizuru’s face like that,” she said now pointing at the sole picture
“We really need to hurry then!” Natsuki said and turning around to walk out of the room
“Kuga-san!” Miyu called out which caused Natsuki to stopped midway from walking out if the room, "I believe we need a definite plan; we can’t just go to a war without weapons. We will just die in that battle.” She said meaningfully
Natsuki turned around, “Then what can we do? Tell me!” she screamed
Before Miyu could say something to Natsuki, Natsuki’s mobile phone rang. The blue haired girl looked at her companions as if silently asking them if she should pick up. The other heads nodded except for Miyu who just looked at the rattled girl. Natsuki flipped her phone open and read the id of the caller, “Himeno-san?” she greeted with apprehension
“Kuga-san?” the mild voice of Fumi replied from the other end
“Hai…”
“You’ll never guess what happened this morning, I received a letter from the shinso, Kazahana Mashiro and along with her letter were gem stones. From her letter she just said that the gem stones were her gift to us and instructed me to use it well.” The older woman said over the phone
“Yes and what does that gem stone got to do with you calling me Himeno-san?” Natsuki asked with a frown. The others that were occupying the room looked bewildered from hearing the side of Natsuki’s conversation
“I brought the gems to have it appraised, and it wasn’t worth a thing, not even the diamond and ruby that were included in the batch, but when I asked Yohko to help me analyze it, the result was overwhelming.” The woman said
“Please go on Himeno-san,” Natsuki said, her curiosity peaked
“It seems that the gems have inherent powers that are consistent with our HiME powers.” The woman explained
Natsuki’s eyes widened
“I’ve received your report about what happened this morning, and it seemed that what you need right now are more powerful sources that can override Kiyohime’s power, right?”
Natsuki nodded her head as if she could be seen by the woman on the other end, “Ha…hai!”
“Okay, I called Yamada-san and he was on his way there to investigate so I asked if he could deliver you the gems, please inform the others about this, you need to choose a gem that could react with your powers, remember that all our powers were inherent within us.” Himeno said before she said her good bye to Natsuki and ended her call
“Good news…we got something we can use to fight…” Natsuki said while looking at the bewildered faces of the other occupants
XXX
Yamada arrived with a short, quite cheerful girl and when she was called a girl by Nao, the short woman growled. She has a pink hair that was made in a spiked appearance, much spiked than that of Mikoto, she has a light emerald, cat like eyes and she has an irritating nasal voice. She didn’t introduce herself but she just said that the girls should call her the “Evil Genius” and told the lot that she was there because she found this situation intriguing, and something that her genius mind will not turn down.
Yamada got a very icy glare from Natsuki as the blue haired girl thought that the “Evil Genius” was nothing but a quacked, delusional woman, but Yamada just shrugged his shoulders
Everyone’s eyes widened when out of nowhere, the “Evil Genius” materialized a floating mattress, and the short woman sat on it, then she opened a small box and they got the surprise of their life when a holographic computer appeared before their eyes. The “Evil Genius” started typing in a speed not normal for a human
Natsuki frowned and stepped closer at Yamada who was intently watching the woman do her magic and leaned sideward to whisper, “Where the hell did you get this lunatic?” Natsuki asked
“I told you, one of my informants told me about a genius somewhere here, I believe she was living with that Shinto of a Shrine somewhere.” He said
Natsuki frowned, “What? She’s the Shinto’s wife?” Natsuki asked again
“Apparently not, from my investigation, she was with five other women in that shrine…”
Natsuki’s eyes widened, “What, the Shinto has built his own harem?”
Yamada shook his head and smiled, “I think you really need to get Fujino-san back as soon as possible Kuga-san, you’re brain’s turning into an old, pile of perverted thoughts.”
Natsuki growled at this, “I’m not!” she screamed which caused the others to look their way, Natsuki blushed and bowed her head, “Gomen!”
“Ahem…” the “Evil Genius” made a sound, “I think I know how you could get that woman back.” She said and then she smiled
“How?” Everyone asked except Yamada
“This book is not just a book.” She said then placing the book on top of the holographic key board; a light shone from it and passed through the book, “From my analysis, this book contains an amazing amount of power, although there was insufficient data that could point to us exactly the kind of power being used, but…” The woman pushed a button and showed the book in a three dimensional image, “This book looks like a gateway to me, the power it gives off was a bit similar to the inter-dimensional portal I’ve invented about two years ago.”
“You mean this is a gateway?” Miyu stated
The short woman pushed her small glasses close to her eyes as she turned back to look at Miyu, “You are correct.”
“Then we can use that to get through to Shizuru-san?” Mai asked
“Don’t be in a hurry girl,” The woman said, “This is the gate, but you need to find the right place to open the gate where the other end will open to where that girl is; open it in another place then you’ll end up going in a different dimension, time and place.” She explained
“So how?” Natsuki asked irritated
“And also, you need a very powerful source to open this gate.” The “Evil Genius” added
“I still have lots of power reserved once ojou-sama activates my full Yggdrasil unit.” Miyu said
“Where can we open this book?” Natsuki voiced out her thoughts, she wasn’t paying attention to the others' concern. The blue haired girl then started pacing. No other sound was heard except for Natsuki’s feet on the floor, and suddenly she stopped, “Mai! The bookstore! We got that book from the bookstore right?”
Mai’s eyes widened, “You might have a point Natsuki, and remember that bookstore owner? He was the one on the book’s last page illustration!” Mai agreed
“Good, that means we have a lead. I should check that bookstore to see if I could get some energy pattern that will jive with my findings tonight.” The short woman said
Heads nodded
“And about the power, I was with Mr. Yamada when he went to that beautiful woman on that Fuuka district…”
“Himeno Fumi…” Miyu said
“That, Fumi-chan and showed me those gems she was able to analyze to have some semblance of your powers?” Natsuki was the one who answered with a nod, “So I analyzed it and true enough, those gems carries unimaginable power, but it seemed those powers needed to bond with the carrier to activate it.”
Natsuki looked at Yamada, “Where are the gems?” she asked. Yamada did not reply instead he looked at the short woman
The woman smiled and took a small pouch at her pocket, “The power it emits is quite dangerous, so we need to keep it somewhere where no one could sense its presence.” She said then opening the pouch, “My dimensional pouch. The end of this pouch is directly linked to Fumi-chan’s lead box, the one that kept the gems, so please start picking gems and see if it will react to you.” She said smiling
“How the hell will we know if these gems react to us?” Nao asked irritated at the short woman’s nasal voice
The short woman frowned, “Maybe sometimes you should use your head rather than your mouth. The gems will sparkle once the right owner gets a hold of it.” She said
So one by one they took a gem from the pouch and see if it glows, Alyssa was the first one to get a glowing gem, a blue gem, “I see you little one got the sapphire.” The “Evil Genius” said.
The next one to get a glowing gem was Nao, “Oh, spinel…splendid gem.”
Then Mai got another red gem, “Ruby, brilliant and humbling.”
Mikoto was next and got a black glowing stone, “An onyx…” The short woman looked at Mikoto, “Must be hiding something dark and powerful.” She said grinning and with a knowing look in her green cat eyes, “Your amber eyes are just like that of my daughter you know.” She said pertaining to Mikoto
“Miroku is acting weird, I feel weird.” Mikoto said as she looked at the black stone that glowed brilliantly compared to the others
“Don’t be lost in that stone young one.” The genius warned and Mikoto nodded her head in understanding
Natsuki was the last one to get a stone, “Lazurite, lapis lazuli…very cold, beautiful but cold.” She said smiling at the blue haired girl
“Wow…” Yamada was speechless after seeing the stone in its original state turned to a brightly lit ones, “I can’t believe that these power gems really exist
“They don’t normally, but it seemed that all of these came from the crystal that surrounds the shinso, the shinso being a powerful entity itself could be the only one to wield such powerful gems.” The short woman explained then she reaches inside the pocket and pulled a purple colored stone and handed it to Natsuki, “You might need this when you get inside.”
“What is this?” Natsuki asked as she eyed the beautiful purple stone
“An amethyst, it’s also called the love gem. One emotion that can conquer all.” The genius explained. “I think it’s enough for now; you, you and you will come with me tomorrow to inspect the bookstore.” The genius said after pointing at Miyu, Mikoto and Mai, “The rest, you should think of something for you to get your loved one back. Learn from this book, put yourself at the antagonist’s shoes and plan an appropriate action.” She said before she jumped off the floating mattress, walked through the door to the stock room of the suit and vanished
Mikoto scrunched her forehead, raised an arm and scratched her head, “Did she just walk through a wall?”
Every head except Mikoto’s nodded
XXX
Early morning finds Mai, Mikoto and Miyu on their feet walking along the still sleeping city; with them is the short woman. The group was heading to the bookstore where Natsuki, Mai and Mikoto got the mysterious book. They stopped once they’ve reached the door of the dilapidated building.
“Can you feel something Miyu?” Mikoto asked as she suddenly felt Miroku acting up, opening her palm where she was holding the onyx gem, she could see it brightly sparkling, “The gem stone is acting up too.”
Miyu was silent for a moment, analyzing the bookstore, “I could feel a dark presence inside. Something like the one we encountered yesterday at the school.” She said
“And I can feel Kagutsuchi too.” Mai added
“If all of you could feel a certain energy, then I think we just come to the right place. Can anyone unlock this door?” the short woman asked
Mikoto frowned, “I saw you walking through a wall, why can’t you just do it again?” she asked innocently
The short woman that was a little shorter than Mikoto looked at the young HiME with a grin, “I wouldn’t want others to see me phased through, it won’t be good on my reputation, is it not?”
Mikoto’s eyes widened and she nodded her head in understanding, “You’re really a genius!” she exclaimed after
“I can open it from here.” Miyu offered and stepped closer to the door, transformed her arm into a key and opened the locked door.
“Useful…you would be a worthy opponent for my daughter.” She said grinning
Miyu just looked at the small woman flatly. The four women went inside the bookstore, the “Evil Genius” once again did her trick just like last night and started analyzing the whole building with her holographic computer
“This is the center of the power, this bookstore…” the short woman said, her eyes not leaving the holographic screen, “Can anyone of you walk around this place?”
It was Mikoto who volunteered
“Can you feel a sudden change in the intensity of your power?” the genius asked and Mikoto nodded her head, “Then stand to where the power is the highest.” She commanded
Mikoto slowly traveled back and forth, and then she made her way to the table that was behind the counter, just in front of the first shelf of books. She removed the table and stood straight at that area, “Here, this is where I feel Miroku’s power the greatest.”
The short woman grinned, “Bingo!” she exclaimed, “That is just the center of the power, there are 6 focal points and we need a strong power source at each point and infuse power to override that of Kiyohime.”
“Will that be enough?” Mai asked?”
“It would, the question is how long can you last? If any one of the energy sources falters, the energy we will be creating will stop and it will trap anyone inside that gate without a chance of getting out.” The genius explained
“But…”
“There’s no but. This gate is only good for a one ticket ride, back and forth. Disrupt it, get the girl, leave before anyone falters. That’s the mission.” She explained once again
Silence
“Then how are we going to do this?” Miyu asked
“You will occupy the center of the power surge," she said to Mikoto, "it seemed your power is the one that reacts more and we need five more volunteers for the six areas of urgency.” The genius replied
That is all they needed, they now have a plan, they have the power source…but how are they going to use that power source?
XXX
Golden earrings were thrown to the occupants of the room, Natsuki, Alyssa, Mikoto, Mai, Nao, Fumi, Miyu, and the most unlikely person who could react well with a gem, Haruka.
Mr. and Mrs. Fujino was also inside the room, the well mannered mother of Shizuru was serving the girls and the genius, along with Yamada tea for refreshment
“I really can’t think of a reason why Haruka would be able to activate a gem, she’s not a HiME, and what are these earrings for?” Nao said
“The gem.” The genius said, “Those earrings are linked to my computer, you are suppose to put the gems on the space on that earrings, then my computer will be the one to activate the power so that you could transform it into a useful energy.” She explained, “As for Miss Sizushiro’s sudden ability, I believe there were more than 12 gems that were given to Fumi-chan. It is probable that the gem also bonds with a person’s aura or personality.” She said
“Then why Topaz?” Haruka asked frowning from Nao’s seemingly unacceptable way of asking
“I have no idea, but just remember that’s its one of the most resilient stone.” The genius said, “So if there’s nothing else, we should begin our operation,” she said then making her hologram bigger for the other to see, “This is the bookstore, the center of our operation,” she said pointing at a red dot in the hologram, “The white dots are the six strategically placed areas where I’ve analyzed an abnormal energy flow that jives with the energy inside the bookstore.” She said pointing at each of the points that created two triangles that made up a star, “Now memorize the address and the six of you will go there and stand to where the powers inside you reacts the greatest.” She said which earned a nod from the six involved people, “I added a micro-mic on those earrings, so once you’re settled give me a buzz so I can activate it and you can use your power.” It was received with a nod once again. " Only one from Mikoto and Natsuki will get inside the gate, the other one has to guard it.”
Natsuki and Mikoto looked at each other
“Don’t forget to put that earring with the amethyst gem on Shizuru.” She warned the blue haired and Natsuki nodded in understanding
“Now give me just an hour to set up my computer, synchronize your watches and collect your nerves. Remember, if anyone falters, then whoever among these two that enters the gate will be trap for eternity.”
Everyone nodded their heads in understanding
XXX
(One hour later)
“Kuga-san...” Mr. Fujino called out Natsuki. Natsuki was wearing a white cloth that resembles that of a monk, she also has a cap on her head that was supported by an elastic string tied under her chin. Her feet was covered by a yellowish boots that can be seen used by monks in the olden times
“Fujino-sama,”
“Please, just call me Noe Kuga-san; it is not right for you to be formal with me when you’ll be the one saving my darling Shizuru.” The older man said then he placed his hand on Natsuki’s shoulder, “You know that this is dangerous and…”
“I am not going to just give up on Shizuru sir, if I be trapped in there then I will be happy to be trap there with Shizuru. I am not letting her go.” Natsuki said with her full determination
“Arigato Kuga-san, my Shizuru surely has found the best person for her.” He said sincerely, his eyes was smiling, “Come back to us Kuga-san with my daughter.” He said and then he leaned forward and embraced the blue haired girl
“Yes sir!” Natsuki said smiling at the older man, “This is my fight with Kiyohime, and I’m not going to lose to her.” She added
“Natsuki! Let’s go!” Mikoto called out
XXX
Mai went to the school ground and stood on the place where Kagutsuchi’s power was the greatest. She tapped the earrings and whispered, “I am settled, permission to use the gem.”
“Permission granted, please state code to activate.” The computer on the genius side replied
Mai frowned, “I don’t know the code!” she said irritated
“Gomen,” the genius said grinning, “Just say materialize, that’s the code I used.” She instructed
“Oh…” Mai smiled, “Materialize.” She said and then she was suddenly engulfed by a bright red light
Miyu entered the shopping mall as instructed and find where the greatest energy is located, stood there and activated her power
Alyssa was assigned to go to the art museum where Mai saw Kiyo and Shizuru for the third time, and as she heard the genius' instruction, she located the place and whispered the code, “Materialize.” And then she was engulfed in a blue light
Haruka’s place was on the alley where Shizuru and Kiyo suddenly disappeared; she too located the area and said the password
Fumi ended in an antique store
And Nao ended up in one of the shrine, she stood at the place where Julia’s power was the greatest and frowned when she found a bell above her when she looked up and screamed materialize
“Everyone’s ready. Natsuki, Mikoto, the ball is now in your hands.” The genius said thru the earrings
Natsuki placed the book on the spot where Mikoto felt her power the most and then the two activated their powers. As soon as their power activated, the book was engulfed by a bright light and opened by itself
“Natsuki…you need to go now and hurry.” Mikoto said, wind blowing her spiked hair, “I shall guard the book!”
Natsuki nodded her head, took a deep breath and stepped into the light…
XXX
It was cold. My eyes were open and yet all I see is darkness. Is this hell? I got this idea that hell is a very hot place, so hot that it will burn your soul crisp…and yet you never die. A lifetime of burning sensation, just the right punishment for someone like me, but if hell has fire? Then where am I? Purgatory? Is there such a place as purgatory? If I am there, then it means I still have a chance of salvation. But will someone pray to salvage my soul?
What was the last thing that happened before I found myself in this desolated place? Ah, yes, My Natsuki enveloping me in an embrace, her lips touched mine and her soft voice that whispered forgiveness in my ear. Forgiveness? After all the vile things I’ve done, my Natsuki has forgiven me? Do I merit forgiveness? My Natsuki is really a very kind person, despite the fact that her hate for me made her child as monstrous as mine, she was still able to forgive my sins. But I am not Natsuki, and though she gives me that important thing, I cannot forgive myself. There’s nothing more evil than me taking advantage of her kindness…of her weakness.
The first time I shed tears in front of my Natsuki and I have to kill her too. Why does she have to be my most important person? If we have not met, if I have not known her then maybe all these things will not happen. My Natsuki will be free…free from someone like me.
I am tired, my heart is tired, my soul is sick and like a cancer my sickness is incurable. The touch of her lips on mine will be my last memory of my Natsuki. No, I wouldn’t hope for us to meet again in another life as my sins against her would never be washed no matter how many life times ahead of us. Let this be the last my Natsuki…let this be my last good bye.
“Natsuki…” the chest nut haired girl whispered before she opened her eyes to the kiss of the sunlight
The wind blew passed the opened window causing the woman to shiver despite a thick blanket covering her slim body. Her eyes began to move once the sunlight hit her face. She heard a beautiful voice singing, but she can’t seem to recall whose voice was it
“Onee-sama!” the voice stopped singing and without looking at the woman on the futon started speaking, “I have prepared your tea just as you like it, and I made a special vegetable salad for your breakfast. Can you get up now and prepare yourself? You don’t want to be late for school right?” The soft voice ended her tirade causing the older woman to laugh.
But I don’t want to go to school, I want to stay here, I feel depress, sad, lonely…but why?
Kiyo stopped whatever it is she’s doing when she didn’t hear her Onee-sama moved, “Onee-chan?!” she happily called out and walked in the room to see the older girl still lying on her futon, and instead of waking up, the chest nut haired girl pulled the blanket to cover her whole body including her face. Kiyo shook her head and smiled before kneeling beside the older one and shaking her shoulder, “Come on Onee-chan, you’ll be late for school!” she said cheerily but insistently
Silence
“Onee-chan…”
“I am not going to school! I don’t go to school anymore!” the older girl said a bit loudly for Kiyo’s ears
“Of course not, you’re still in school!” Kiyo screamed, “You’re still a student and you’re my Onee-chan!”
The chest nut haired girl removed the blanket and suddenly faced the glaring child, “Okay! I will go but you have to answer me one thing!” the older girl said, her crimson orbs narrowed
“What…question?” Kiyo’s tone of voice suddenly faltered, as if the child was scared of whatever the older girl is to ask
“Who is Natsuki? I can’t get that name out my head! And her eyes! Her emerald and expressive eyes! I can’t get them off my head! So answer me!”
Kiyo frowned and her face darkened, “She’s just a dream, nothing else…” Kiyo replied before she slowly stood and was about to walked out of the room…
A sudden earthquake hit them
“Onee-chan!” Kiyo screamed as she hurriedly run back to the older girl and jumped in the older girl’s embrace this power…it's stronger...there were many of them…leave us alone… Kiyo thought as tears began to flow from her eyes, “Onee-chan…please don’t leave me…”
The older girl looked at the younger one and embraced her tightly, but she didn’t answer
A blinding light suddenly appeared before them and a person in white that to Kiyo looked like a monk came in, “Anchin……” Kiyo whispered
But her hope was suddenly washed away when it wasn’t a monk, but the blue haired girl they saw before in a monk's clothes. She was smiling when she eyed the older girl, “Shizuru…”
The chest nut haired girl looked up to see the girl in her dreams face to face
“You…Natsuki…” the chest nut haired girl said
“Yes…” Natsuki replied and she extends her hand to Shizuru, “You need to come back with me, this is not your world.” She said smiling
“You…you’re not a dream?” she asked
“I am not, but this world is.” Natsuki replied
Shizuru was about to reach out when the little girl suddenly appeared before the two, “You are not going to take away my Onee-chan from me!” she said before she transformed into a monstrous snake with 6 heads, “I will kill you!” she said and lunged at Natsuki
“Then I will die trying! I am not giving Shizuru to you!” she said, ducking Kiyohime’s attack and then she removed her cap and concentrated, “Duran, materialize!” she screamed and the gem in her ear changed engulfing her once again in a blue light, and once the blue light died down, Natsuki’s pistols were in her hands…
TBC
A/N: So next chapter is the epilogue, the final battle and what happened after. See you all next chapter
