Otoha hastily opened the front door, walked out, closed the door behind her and leaned against the wall beside it. She breathed heavily, trying to catch her breath. "What happened?" she wondered. "What could have caused me to have such an intense reaction?" After she had recovered from her attack of coughing, the maid looked out upon the land in front of the house. The full moon shone overhead, illuminating the area, allowing Otoha to see all of its features. The road that led up to the front entrance, the circular court just outside the door, the fountain in the center of the court. However, the object of Otoha's attention was the giant stone golem kneeling in front of the fountain. "What is that thing?" she wondered. "Where does it come from? What is its connection to Miss Murakumo?" As she looked upon the creature, Otoha saw behind it the large tree that had been in front of the estate when she first arrived there 11 years before. They were just about the same height, the golem and the tree. The maid walked to the tree and looked up into the branches. "This tree," she said to herself. "It seems so empty. It hasn't lost any leaves in the ten years since I came here. Why does it suddenly seem to be missing something?" She looked back at the stone creature. Although motionless, it still seemed alive, intent. It seemed as if it was looking toward the house. Otoha looked in the direction of the statue's gaze and saw a window with a light on inside. It was the guest bedroom, the room where Chikane and Himeko were staying in. "Chikane Murakumo..." said the young maid. "Who are you? Tell me who you are. Tell me what these feelings inside me are." ---------- Inside the guest bedroom, Chikane and Himeko were getting ready to go to bed. Chikane was wearing a purple nightgown that used to belong to Rika when she was Chikane's age. The funny thing was that Rika had given that nightgown to Chikane in the other reality as well. Himeko also had to borrow pajamas from Rika. Rika had worn ordinary, yellow pajamas before she had married into the Himemiya family and they fit Himeko surprisingly well. "How are you feeling, Himeko?" Chikane asked, as Himeko slipped under the pink comforter. "I'm okay," answered Himeko. "I'm just a little tired." "I would expect so," said the taller girl. "After all that happened today, I would expect anyone to be tired." Chikane went to the light switch beside the door and turned off the light in the room. Chikane proceeded to get into bed beside Himeko. She closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around the shorter girl. "I'm tired as well. I just want to lie here forever with you in my arms." "Chikane..." was all Himeko could say as she let her body sink into Chikane's arms. "Himeko," said Chikane before the blonde could fall asleep. Himeko looked at Chikane, wondering what was on the dark-haired girl's mind. "Ever since we parted last year, I've thought about nothing but you. Every minute of every day, my thoughts were always filled with you." "My thoughts were with you as well, Chikane," said Himeko. "Even though I didn't remember anything that happened, any of the time we spent together, I still knew that someone was out there, waiting for me. And then, today, when I saw you in the street, and I saw that seashell on your neck, all of my memories returned to me and I knew that you were the one I had been waiting for, the one that I had fallen in love with before. I love you, Chikane." "I love you, Himeko." The two girls embraced each other tightly and kissed each other. The love that they felt for each other brought tears to their eyes. They were so happy to be together again and to be together under the same roof. As they kissed, Himeko felt Chikane's hands start to move. They were caressing Himeko's back. Himeko sighed as she felt Chikane's hands move about her body. Her hands started moving as well, caressing Chikane just as Chikane was caressing her. Chikane's hands moved to Himeko's front, feeling Himeko's stomach and waist. As Chikane moved her hands to Himeko's breasts, Himeko's eyes shot open and she grabbed Chikane's hands, stopping their movement. Chikane opened her eyes and looked at Himeko. "Himeko?" she asked, surprised by the expression in Himeko's face. It was a look of fear and helplessness, as if Himeko was being trapped by something. Himeko let go of Chikane's hands and sank deeper under the comforter. "I'm sorry, Chikane," she said, "but my mind suddenly filled with memories of that night. I felt so weak and helpless. I felt violated and there was nothing I could do to stop it." "Oh, Himeko..." Chikane said. She remembered what she had done, and she could not believe that she had done something so vile to the one that she loved. The guilt that Chikane felt brought tears to her eyes. "I'm sorry, Chikane," Himeko said. "Don't," said Chikane, holding Himeko in her arms. "You have no right to say that you're sorry. It was all my fault. I allowed Orochi's will to consume me and I was the one that hurt you. You showed me nothing but kindness and compassion, and I can't forgive myself for doing something so detestable to you. I'm sorry, Himeko. I'm so sorry!" "It's okay," Himeko said. "I know that everything you did was for my sake. You needed to be hated by me because you killed me in our past lives." "What I should have realized was that it isn't possible for you to hate me. Nothing I or anyone can do will make you hate anyone. You aren't capable of such horrible feelings. You are the sun that smiles upon everyone and everything. And I should have realized that trying to make you hate me was futile. I should have let the past be the past and embrace the love that you had for me." "You have my love, Chikane. You've always had my love. I love you with all my heart, Chikane. But, I'm just...not ready to let myself be touched yet." "I understand." "Just hold me and let me sleep in your arms." "Of course." Chikane did as Himeko wanted and held her beloved Himeko in her arms. Himeko curled up and rubbed her head against Chikane's bosom. Chikane's body felt so warm and Himeko felt so relaxed in her girlfriend's embrace. Even with the memory of how Chikane had attacked her, she still felt safe when she was with Chikane. And in Chikane's arms, Himeko easily drifted off to sleep. ---------- Himeko awoke to find bright sunlight shining on her face. It was a welcome change to be able to wake up on her own without the aid of a roommate or an alarm clock. As the haze of sleep lifted from her eyes, Himeko found that the sunlight was shining into the room through a window. She also found that someone had her arms around her. Himeko looked beside her to see a pair of deep, blue eyes watching her, filled with undying love for the person they were looking at. "Good morning, Himeko," said Chikane, her voice holding just as much love as here eyes did. Himeko smiled and said, "Good morning, Chikane." She stretched her arms out and yawned before lying back down and putting her arms around the taller girl. "I'm so happy that I can wake up next to you." "Me too." The two girls kissed briefly before getting out of bed, changing, and heading off to breakfast. "Good morning," said Takeshi as Chikane and Himeko sat down. The Himemiyas had just arrived at the table as well. Himeko was thankful that the breakfast that morning was not the Japanese-style breakfast that she had had one the first day she stayed with Chikane in the other reality, the one with shiitake mushrooms. This morning, the breakfast was a western-style dish with ham, poached eggs, and hollandaise sauce. ---------- Kazuki Ogami paced anxiously about the shrine. "Sensei," Yukihito said, watching his mentor pacing, "why are you so uneasy?" "Those girls should have been here by now," Kazuki answered. "You have to give them some time," responded the college student. "You know how young people are, they like to sleep in on Sundays and have leisurely breakfasts. They both have a big day ahead of them and they need to be in top condition to perform the revival ritual properly." "They will have plenty of time to sleep in and have leisurely breakfasts once the evil god Orochi is defeated and the world is safe." "We can't let that happen," said an ominous voice from the entrance to the shrine. Kazuki and Yukihito looked to see that a tall man with long, teal hair had just entered. "Tsubasa," Kazuki breathed at seeing the man enter. "Sensei, do you know this man?" asked Yukihito. "Yes," replied Tsubasa. "I am Souma's real brother." Yukihito gasped. "Our father was abusive. He would beat Souma for no reason whatsoever. I worried constantly that one day, he would beat Souma to death." Then, a very somber look appeared on Tsubasa's face. "And so, I was forced to take my own father's life." Again, Yukihito gasped. "Your own father?" "The last thing Souma needed was a brother who was a murderer. And so, I left Souma in the care of Keiji Ogami." "Kazuki's father?" Yukihito said. "But you disappeared and weren't heard from since," Kazuki said to Tsubasa. "Why have you come back?" "I have come to warn you," the tall man said to his step-brother, "that the Orochi will come to attack this shrine. Both you and your assistant must leave if you are to survive." "You've come to warn us?" asked Yukihito with a confused look. "Why would you want to warn us of such a thing?" asked Kazuki. "That would put you at a disadvantage if we knew what was coming." "Souma wanted you to live. His loyalty to his family is admirable, whether that family is related to him by blood or not. Souma has grown to accept both of you as part of his family, and he refused to let you be killed by the Orochi's attack. But regardless of whether you are here or not, the attack is still coming. If you value your lives, will must evacuate while you still can." "We can't let you destroy the Ogami Shrine," Kazuki said sternly. "Then you leave me no choice. Good bye, Kazuki." With a bow, Tsubasa exited the shrine. "Tsubasa, wait." Kazuki ran after Tsubasa. "Sensei," called Yukihito, running after his mentor. However, when the two shrine keepers exited the shrine, instead of finding Tsubasa, they found three giant mechs standing in front of the shrine, one black mech with retractable swords on its arms, one purple mech with a halo on its back, and one orange-colored mech in the shape of a wheel. ---------- Chikane and Himeko had finished breakfast and were leaving the Himemiya residence to go perform the revival ritual of Ame no Murakumo. "Good bye, Mister and Missus Himemiya," said Chikane as she an Himeko prepared to leave. "Be sure to send our regards to the god," Rika said. As Chikane and Himeko exited the front door, Chikane caught a glimpse of the large tree in front of the house. "I never told you about this tree, did I?" she said. "No," replied the shorter girl. "I used to climb this tree all the time when I was little. I always enjoyed looking upon the world from the treetop. Even when I was told not to, I would climb up there anyway. It was just about the only place where I could enjoy some peace and quiet without my peers pressuring me to be the good daughter of Himemiya-sama." She said, "Himemiya-sama," in a mocking tone. "It's certainly very secluded. It must have been the perfect getaway." "Almost. One day, Otoha tried to climb up to me. But, she got stuck halfway up and it caused quite a commotion. From that day forward, I never climbed this tree again." Chikane reached out and touched the tree. "How I long for those days when I could just escape into the heavens." "There's nothing stopping you," Himeko said with a smile. "You think so?" Chikane asked. "You think it would be a good idea for me to climb this tree again?" "Mm," Himeko nodded. "You wanted to rebuild your life after being locked away in the Lunar Shrine. You can recapture part of your childhood by climbing this tree." Chikane smiled and said, "You're right, Himeko. I'm sure Mister Ogami can wait for a few more minutes." At that, Chikane started climbing the tree. Chikane was surprised by how easy it was for her to remember where all of the handholds were. Within 60 seconds, she was at the highest point that was humanly possible. The dark-haired girl looked out upon the village from the treetop and smiled. A cool breeze blew through the branches and Chikane felt so relaxed as she relived happy memories of her childhood. Seeing Chikane enjoying that moment warmed Himeko's heart and she started climbing as well. "Himeko?" Chikane said, surprised to see Himeko climbing up toward her. "Don't worry, Chikane," said Himeko. "If I fall, Tsukuyomi no Mikoto will catch me, right?" "Right," Chikane said. Himeko smiled and continued climbing. At that moment, Otoha rushed out of the house, hoping to say good bye to Chikane before she left. However, as she exited the house, she saw that Chikane had actually not left yet. She was sitting up on the highest branch of the tree outside the house. 'Miss Chikane climbed that tree?' she thought to herself. 'Why does this seem so familiar?' Otoha looked again and saw that Himeko was trying to climb up to where Chikane was. 'Miss Kurusugawa?' Himeko was about halfway up the tree when she had a bit of trouble finding a good handhold to proceed. 'Wait...' thought Otoha, a sense of nostalgia entering her mind. Otoha saw Himeko reach for a handhold. Himeko struggled to stretch her arm so that she could reach it. Himeko managed to grab the handhold, but she lost her footing and started falling. Himeko screamed as she nearly plummeted toward the ground. She managed to grab hold of a branch, but the only thing separating her from the ground was 5 meters of air. "She'll never make it," Otoha said to herself casually. "Himeko, are you all right?" asked Chikane. "I'm stuck," said a frightened Himeko. "You can do it, Himeko," Chikane said. "I believe in you." Chikane's words of encouragement allowed Himeko to find the courage to try to continue climbing. Himeko tried to wrap her legs around the branch that she was holding on to. Himeko attempted and failed several times. 'I tried the same thing,' Otoha thought to herself. 'I managed to wrap my legs around that branch, but I still couldn't get to the top.' Then, a confused expression came across Otoha's face. 'But how could I have done that? I never climbed that tree.' Eventually, Himeko managed to wrap her legs around the branch. She was now holding on to that branch with both her arms and legs. Still, the branch was above her. She had to find some way around the branch without falling. "There's no way you can do it," said Otoha smugly. Then, Himeko did something that Otoha had not anticipated. She let go of the branch with her left arm, continuing to hold on with her legs and right arm. Himeko then grabbed on to the branch with her left hand again, but on the same side of the branch as her right arm. Still firmly gripping the branch with her legs and right arm, Himeko used her left hand to push against the top of the branch, pushing herself up. "Is she...?" Otoha said. "Come on, Himeko," Chikane said. "You can do it!" Himeko used all the strength she could muster to push herself up with only her left hand. The shorter girl inched closer and closer to the top of the branch. Then, Himeko's strength ran out. She could not push with her left arm any more, or hold on with her legs and right arm. Gravity took over and Himeko fell...onto the branch. "NO WAY!" Otoha cried. Himeko panted heavily after using up all of her strength. "Great job, Himeko!" Chikane beamed. "I knew you could do it." 'I don't believe it,' Otoha puzzled. 'She managed to get up onto the branch from below it!' Having passed that difficult halfway point, Himeko only had a few more branches to climb before she got to Chikane, which she did easy after recovering for a few moments. Otoha looked up in awe of the two girls sitting on that high branch. Just then, the maid remembered something that had happened many years before. She had looked up at that tree from where she was standing and saw a 6-year-old girl sitting on that branch that Chikane and Himeko were sitting on. The 6-year-old girl had bluish-black hair and deep, blue eyes, much like Chikane. Otoha then realized that the 6-year-old WAS Chikane! Otoha remembered coming to work for the Himemiya family 11 years before. She had looked up at that tree and saw 6-year-old Chikane sitting up in that tree, reading a book. Several days later, Otoha had tried climbing that tree to where Chikane was, but she had gotten stuck in the exact same place that Himeko had. However, she was unable to climb up on top of the branch. Ever since that day, Otoha had done all she could to care for Chikane, but what she really wanted was to care for her not as a servant, but as an equal. She worked for Chikane for 10 years, but could never do anything but look up to her. Otoha remembered it all so clearly. The strange feelings that she had been having since Chikane and Himeko had moved in made sense. She had no idea how or why, but even though she had met Chikane only the day before, she had known Chikane ever since she started working at the Himemiya residence. She admired Chikane every minute of every day of every year since she first set eyes on her. And as she and Chikane grew up, Otoha realized that her feelings were more than just admiration. She was in love with Chikane! However, she could never declare her love because she was Chikane's servant. And then, there she was, looking up at Chikane yet again. However, this time, there was someone sitting up in that tree with Chikane. A person that was able to overcome the obstacle that Otoha could not. It had taken 11 years and a passage into a new reality, but Otoha finally realized that becoming Chikane's lover was a lost cause. The only time that Chikane was truly happy was when she was with Himeko. And it was only when Chikane was happy that Otoha felt that she had done something helpful. Even though she could never be Chikane's lover, she still felt a sense of satisfaction that she had done something to make Chikane happy or avoid doing something that would keep Chikane from being happy. Now that Otoha finally understood the strange feelings that she had been having since Chikane and Himeko moved in, she turned around and headed back into the house. And although she knew that she could not be with Chikane the way that she wanted, she still smiled at the fact that the person she loved could be happy. "I made it, Chikane," Himeko breathed. "I actually made it up to you." "You're strong, Himeko," cooed Chikane. "You're much stronger than you look." "I'm not strong," Himeko said. Resting her head on Chikane's shoulder, she finished, "But our love is." Himeko then took her shell pendant in her hand and Chikane's shell pendant in the other. "We're two halves of the same bivalve," she said. "The bond that we have is stronger than anything else. The strength of our love gave me the strength to climb up to you. It gave you the strength to find your way back to me." "Himeko..." Chikane leaned toward Himeko and they kissed again. At that moment, everything seemed perfect. The cool breeze in the air, the warm sun shining down on them. It was only Himeko, Chikane, and the heavens. Suddenly, the perfect moment came crashing down as a booming voice echoed throughout the valley, "Megaton Knuckle!" "That voice..." Chikane said. A giant, brown, mechanical arm came flying toward the estate from across the valley. As the arm came in front of the tree, it opened up and a gold-colored mech came out of it. "Hi no Ashinazuchi!" cried Chikane, recognizing Orochi's third body. The branch that Himeko and Chikane were sitting on was at eye-level with the monstrous god and its devilish, red eyes stared right at Himeko. From Hi no Ashinazuchi came a gruff voice, "I found you, Hime!" ---------- OMAKE: Otoha saw Himeko reach for a handhold. Himeko struggled to stretch her arm so that she could reach it. Himeko managed to grab the handhold, but she lost her footing and started falling. Himeko screamed as she nearly plummeted toward the ground. She managed to grab hold of a branch, but the only thing separating her from the ground was 5 meters of air. "She'll never make it," Otoha said to herself casually. Himeko tried to wrap her legs around the branch that she was holding on to. She tried several times, but failed. Then, her hands slipped and Himeko started falling. Meanwhile, Mako was recovering form her injuries at Kamiyatate University Medical Center. As she lay in bed, a dreadful feelings came over the brown-haired girl. She said to herself, "It's as if Himeko cried out in terror but then suddenly silenced." She looked out the window and said, "You fell down again, didn't you, Himeko?"
Back to Spiral of Destiny Index - Back to Kannazuki no Miko Shoujo-Ai Fanfiction