Love is a poet, love sings the
songs.
Pointing his finger, you follow along.
For Eternity...Days and Days
Part 2
12/23/96
by: Jennifer L. Mondazzi
Arashi moved fast...as fast as she could on an injured ankle. Karen's
annoying voice followed her in her mind, all the way to the back
gardens, where she had gone to escape the tormenting thoughts invading
her.
A long time ago, before she had known about the prophecy alluding to
the End of the World, she believed that she could marry and find love.
Then when everything had been explained to her, she knew that her dream
was all a lie. Her life was forfeit, if necessary, to the "cause."
Yes, it was best to just let her childhood dream go.
She had spent most of her entire life concentrating on her task ahead,
learning and understanding the power behind the Shrine of Ise. She
concentrated on perfecting her martial arts forms and bringing peace to
her mind.
Lately, however, she concentrated mostly on not noticing the seemingly
ever-present Sorata.
That first day, when he had introduced himself to her (in that typical
lively, Kansai manner), she had felt an instant attraction between
them. Every day after that, he had seemed to hover by her side in a,
Arashi felt, slightly-annoying, protective manner. Every morning he
had greeted her formally, respectfully, with great care and
consideration. Whenever she spoke, she would find that he focused on
her words. Won those rare occassions when they were alone, he would
talk playfully, with a definitive flirtation in his words and actions.
He was both stubborn and possessive, and yet gentle and caring.
The absolute worst thing about the whole situation, she thought, was
that she increasing found his behavior both very charming and entirely
too beguiling.
Arashi gritted her teeth, steeling her thoughts. She was supposed to
hate the young priest's teasing, impish tone. After all, he had seemed
much too friendly, much too intimate, and she was supposed to keep that
gap of professionalism between them always. That is what she had been
taught, and that is what she should do.
A deep sigh welled up within her, and her resolve slipped. It was so
very difficult to remain angry with Sorata-san, no matter how much she
tried -- and she tried very hard. Oh, there were reasons for her
anger, she convinced herself -- justifiable reasons.
She was angry that the obstinate man kept referring to her as his
"love", when the fact was that they were not yet lovers. She was angry
that he was never serious, and that he seemed irresponsible in his
power. She was angry that he tended to run head-on into a fight
without knowing his limitations.
Mostly, she was angry that he didn't just leave, so he could avoid his
destiny.
Arashi sighed, inhaling the scent of the cherry blossoms around her,
feeling the chill night air brush against her cheek. There was no
avoiding destiny, at least not for them.
A thought came unbidden into her mind: Sorata *was* destined to die.
His grandfather, the famous "Stargazer of Kouya" had predicted this.
<Would you care if he did?>
The voice she had known for most of her life was not unexpected in her
mind. She mentally nudged it, as if in warning. It didn't heed her,
however, as it kept prodding her subconscious, dancing around inside,
flitting from thought to thought, holding onto the one it wanted to
examine further.
<Do you finally admit to caring for him then?>
Arashi unconsciously itched at her left palm, as if trying to will her
"guest" into silence. "XI" would have none of it, though.
<You dream doesn't have to die yet, omoto-chan. Just let down these
annoying barriers you've put in place up here. It would be a debt
you'd love to pay -- I can guarantee it.>
Arashi sighed again, the frustration mounting once more. Frustration
was quickly replaced by anger, her automatic defense mechanism. She
wanted to owe no one a debt -- especially no man! She had done quite
well for a long time without one in her life. She didn't need the
dream anymore. She needed no such distractions like love. She had a
fate to meet, and caring for someone would only complicate matters
worse!
She approached one of the mansion's stone lantern guardians, and
leaned her forehead against it. The marble was cold, but it didn't
help to cool down her anger.
<Damn you, Sora-chan -- now you've got me lying!>
Closing her eyes, she thought back on their short time together.
The more the memories came, the more her guilt grew. Her voice had
always been so rough, so unnecessarily cruel, yet everyday, Sorata
would be back, taking more verbal punches. It became almost a game,
except that Arashi didn't want to play it anymore. He didn't give up
though.
<Persistence isn't such a bad thing.>
Arashi suddenly became aware of her surroundings, stopped her actions,
quieted her thoughts and focused, responding to her "partner."
<Easy for you to say. You're as persistent as they get.>
"XI" was gone, however, flittering around again, listening, but
unreachable. Arashi's deep, aggrivated sigh was loud in the hushed
quiet of the garden.
"Kishuu-san, are you alright?"
Sorata's presence surprised her, yet she didn't turn to face him. She
hadn't heard him approach, and scolded herself mentally for her lapse
of concentration and preparedness.
"Do you like sneaking up on people and scaring them?" Her tone was
harsher than she had meant it to be, but she was angry at him for her
own short-comings, at his presumptiousness and determination, and the
riotous feelings that his presence was creating inside of her.
Is his attention so unwanted then? again "XI" appeared suddenly, and
disappeared just as quickly. That, too, irked Arashi and made her mood
sour. The Bonded One never wanted to answer her questions, but was
constantly willing to interject annoying advise or insights, regardless
of whether they were requested or not.
"It's awfully cold out here. You can wear my jacket if you want to
stay for a while."
Arashi felt her face flush for a moment, but her mind was registering
a new emotion -- uneasiness. "I don't need your concern, thank you
very much. I can take care of myself." She began to lose confidence
the more she spoke, until at last, her words came out as almost a
whisper.
She felt the night's cold seeping into her, and unconsciously, her
body shook. A cool breeze blew her skirt around her, causing it to
cling tightly to her thighs. She stretched her thoughts out into the
night, seeking the others in the house. Were they asleep yet?
So much was her concentration averted, that Sorata was able to creep
upon Arashi, until he could almost touch her. His warm breath across
the back of her neck made her senses focus back into the present, and
her mind register how close he was to her. She felt her body move
unconsciously.
Taking a step forward, Arashi attempted to put some distance between
them, but Sorata's hand on her shoulder stopped her.
TO BE CONTINUED....
AUTHOR's NOTES:
---------------
"Omoto-chan" means "little sister", but in this case, it's an
affectionate term for one who's younger and female.
"XI" (said "ZAI"), in case you haven't guessed it yet, is the name of
Arashi's sword - the one that comes out of her hand. I gave it a
consciousness. I remember reading that Arashi was supposed to use the
power of the Shrine of Ise in her battle, and so I decided that the
sword was the power of the Shrine, and that it's been around for a VERY
long time, passing from Shrine Maiden to Shrine Maiden, until at last,
it was given to the fated Dragon of Heaven who would use it in the
final battle - Arashi.
Notice that Arashi's sword's name is not "X". In another fanfic I have
planned, "X" is the name of Kamui's sword, and it too, will have a
consciousness (and be "related" somehow to XI and Fuuma's sword...which
I have YET to name). I figured I'd say that all the famous swords in
Asian history were all created at the same time by the same
person/people, and that is why they know each other and have "chosen"
which sides to fight on. They're going to be as big a player as the
actual characters are -- at least in my fanfic. :)
Sorata Arisugawa, Arashi Kiishu, Karen Kasumi, Kamui Shirou and Fuuma
Monou are all characters created for "X" by CLAMP, copyright 1993-1996.