[ Watashi ]

[ Tomodachi ]

[ Saint Seiya ]

[ Clamp ]

[ Fanfiction ]

I leaned against one of the trees bordering the small park and sighed, discouraged. Sunday was a day off for me, and I had been able to accompany my friends and Kujaku to Tokyo. I closed my eyes and pictured Tokyo Tower in my mind. There hadn't been anything peculiar there. Only lots of people and tourists visiting. No feeling, no Vision... The sight of the tower hadn't triggered anything beyond the image of the Dragons fighting around it. A hand gently rested on my right shoulder and I looked at Ashura. She smiled soflty.

"Don't be so downcast Fiona. I'm sure we'll unravel this riddle, I'm sure it'll turn out all right..."

I shook my head.

"Thank you for saying that, but... You've been coming here almost every day of the week, and we didn't make any progress. We're still completely in the dark..."

She shrugged helplessly.

"Some things take time. Maybe we simply need to be patient..."

Hell. As if one could forget the Vision of Death and calmly wait for a sign... One was not patient. Never had been. I felt so frustrated, I felt stuck, imprisoned, bound by Fate, as if trapped in a spider net. I wanted to understand, I wanted to act. Now. I... Suddenly, I looked at Kujaku and felt a lump in my throat. He was looking at the sky, unmoving. I went to him slowly, and felt fear. Fear for him, fear for Ashura and Yasha, fear of Destiny. Fear that this time we wouldn't stand a chance of cheating Fate. I stopped beside him and looked up at the blue sky, asking :

"What are you thinking ?"

He sighed.

"Nothing. Nothing at all."

I bowed my head.

"Are you angry ?"

He looked at me suddenly, and embraced me soflty, whispering :

"No. No of course not love..."

His lips brushed my hair.

"I'm sorry if I let you think that..."

He smiled gently.

"No, I was worried. Worried about you. I wish I had been with you when you met that veterinarian, I should have been with you..."

I chuckled, relieved.

"Oh, that... Don't worry, it's really not worth it. I'm old enough to defend myself you know..."

I looked carefully at his face and giggled.

"My... You're jealous !"

I kissed him, holding on to him and whispering :

"There's no reason. None..."

"Abunai !"

Alerted by the cry, I looked on the right and saw a soccer ball rushing towards my face. Kujaku pushed me aside, and it hit him directly. He shook his head, apparently dizzy, and I suddenly thought the shock might have been bad. The ball seemed to have been kicked with an incredible strength. I went to him and asked worriedly :

"You okay ?"

He chuckled.

"Sure my lady. I am your White Knight, and I certainly can't be vainquished by a mere soccer ball..."

There was a small bruise on his left cheek. We turned around, hearing someone running towards us.

"Gomen nasai... Daijoubu desu ka ?"

I looked at the young man, angry, but before I could say anything, Kujaku smiled.

"Sure, I'm perfectly okay. You are pretty strong you know..."

I looked at the young man, thinking he was somehow strangely familiar. It was like a feeling of déjà-vu. He was tall, with short black hair and dark eyes. He seemed both gentle and rough, strong but kind... Kujaku bent down to retrieve the ball and held it out to him :

"There you go."

He took it and bowed.

"Thank you."

He was not the talkative kind. Suddenly, a young girl came towards us, asking worriedly :

"Onii-chan ?"

Long, flowing blonde hair, shining with the sun, gentle hazel eyes... An angel... Falling... Falling down... Down... Innocent... Pure... Bleeding... Shattering... An overwhelming feeling of sorrow and despair choked me, and I dimly felt Kujaku supporting me. I whispered :

"Kotori-chan..."

She stopped in front of us and exclaimed :

"Fiona-san and Kujaku-san !..."

She held out a hand towards me, a sudden expression of worry on her face.

"Fiona-san... You... You're crying..."

I shook my head, forcing a smile and wiping my tears. Shit. I couldn't let my feelings show. I couldn't. I had to control myself. Damn it.

"No... No, it's the light of the sun. It's so strong, my eyes don't like it so much. Don't worry..."

She nodded, and I wondered how it was possible to be so trusting and guileless. She giggled.

"I'm so glad to see you again, I thought you had gone back to Europe..."

The young man turned towards her :

"You know those people Kotori ?"

She nodded, smiling happily.

"Yes, I told you about them, they allowed me so stay near the horses during that international showjumping event..."

She turned towards us.

"Fiona-san, Kujaku-san, this is Fuuma-Oniichan..."

Of course. That's why he was so familiar, we had Seen him when Kujaku had played fortune-teller for Kotori.

"Onii-chan this is Fiona-san and Kujaku-san. They're my friends."

He bowed.

"I'm pleased to meet you. Thank you for being kind with my sister..."

Kujaku shrugged, smiling.

"Oh, it's okay you know. She's so cute..."

There was a light of anger in the young man's eyes and Kujaku laughed.

"Hey hey... Just a joke... This lady here would never let me look at anyone else than her..."

He held me close, adding fondly :

"Not that I'd ever want to anyway..."

A hand gently patted my right shoulder, and Ashura smiled.

"Aren't you going to introduce us too Fiona ?"

I blushed.

"Ah... Sure, sorry Ashura. Fuuma-san, Kotori-chan these are my best friends, Ashura and Yasha."

They both bowed, but I noticed tension in Yasha's stance. What could possibly be wrong ? Kujaku smiled.

"Well, now that we're all good friends, what would you say if I invited everyone for a drink ? I find myself feeling like eating pastries and drinking tea at a comfortable terrace..."

Kotori turned to her brother.

"Can we Onii-chan ? Can we please ?"

He smiled gently and nodded.

"Of course Kotori, if it will make you happy. I was just training alone, so I can stop now. I'll go gather my things and I'll join you."

He left for the soccer field and I looked at him.

"So Kotori-chan, do you know a good tea-room in the vicinity ?"

I heard Kujaku only dimly. Fuuma loved his sister. He loved her very much. The light in his eyes... Love and sorrow... So deep...

I sipped at my tea, repressing a sigh at the sight of Kujaku gobbling his fourth pastry. Gods, his appetite was... Ugh... Kotori was giggling, watching him too and I felt ashamed for him. Fuuma asked suddenly :

"So, what are you doing in our country ? We do not often see Europeans staying for more than a few days."

Ashura smiled sweetly.

"We are studying ancient myths and religions, and we are focusing on Eastern mythology right now. We study all the symbols associated with the End of the World."

I choked on my tea, and somehow managed not to spill it. Hell. Was she mad ? Fuuma looked at her steadily.

"This is rather unusual."

She shrugged.

"Maybe, but that's what we get paid for. In fact, we're accompanying Fiona and Kujaku. Fiona is working for a professional rider, and thanks to her we can stay in this country without spending too much money."

Kotori whispered :

"That must be very interesting..."

She turned towards her brother.

"You know Onii-chan, Kujaku-san can see the future, he said I would meet Kamui-chan again, isn't it wonderful ?"

The young man tensed, looking at Kujaku and I felt my fingers squeezing the little tea cup.

"Indeed..."

Damn. The last thing we needed right now was for Kujaku to have to See. I... I didn't want to feel Kotori die again... Kujaku smiled.

"Ah, I'm sorry, but I gave this gift to your sister because she's such a cute girl. I'm afraid I can't do it again. You see, I can only See once for a person... Unless you want to ask me yourself... But it's pretty expensive..."

He laughed brightly, and a shadow of a smile appeared on Fuuma's lips.

"No thank you. I don't need to know what will happen..."

He checked his watch.

"Well, I'm sorry, but we're going to have to leave you. Our father is expecting us at the shrine..."

Kotori raised a hand to her lips.

"Oh my, I had forgotten... Onii-chan, are we late ?"

He smiled fondly.

"No, no don't worry Kotori, it's okay..."

She sighed, relieved, while he was saying :

"Thank you for everything. Maybe you could come visit us at the shrine some day..."

Kotori nodded.

"Oh yes, it would be so nice... And I'd make biscuits for Kujaku-san..."

Said Kujaku chuckled.

"Then, you can be sure I'll be there pretty Kotori-chan !"

Once they had left the tea-room, I turned towards Yasha, asking him :

"What's the matter ?"

He was looking outside.

"There's something wrong about that Fuuma..."

I shook my head.

"How can you say that ? He's strange, quiet but he's nice..."

Yasha sighed.

"I have hunted demons for many years. I recognize danger when I see it."

Before I could protest, Kujaku rested a hand on my shoulder.

"What Yasha says is true. We'll simply be careful..."

I looked at the sun's reflection in the small pound and sighed. We had split up to cover as much ground as possible, hoping to find clues by roaming in the city, but I at least hadn't had any luck. The rendez-vous point was in this park, and the others would be here soon. I shook my head. What Yasha had said about Fuuma worried me. I simply couldn't imagine danger coming from him. Doubting him was like doubting Kotori... And I simply couldn't. Well, we would see, but I hoped with all my heart his intuition was wrong. I ceased fixing the pond's surface and walked away.

I stopped abruptly, annoyed. Shit. I had lost my way. This park was bigger than I had thought. Where was that cursed rendez-vous point ? Hell, I was going to be late. I closed my eyes, trying to focus on a mental map of the park, and suddenly my heart skipped at beat.

Leaves rustling with the wind.

I felt a cold shiver running through me.

Fear. Intoxicating.

Wrongness. All around.

Danger.

I couldn't move. I wanted to run, to run until my heart burst. It was all so peaceful, so beautiful. But... I was feeling so cold... So... What was wrong with me ? I heard light footsteps behind me, and desperately fought the terror paralyzing me. I had to flee. Run. Now. As I was throwing myself forward, powerful arms embraced me, holding me back.

"Don't be afraid..."

There were small lights dancing in front of my eyes, I was feeling so weak. The frantic beatings of my heart were echoing endlessly in my mind.

"Hush..."

I... I couldn't cry... I couldn't... That voice... I... knew it...

"I won't hurt you, my lady..."

I felt tears coming to my eyes. I couldn't think, I couldn't move. I had never felt anything so strong, so horrible. The wind carried a few cherry blossom petals towards me, and I winced instinctively. My agressor whispered softly :

"I will teach you to love the sakura..."

I tensed, seeing in my mind the image of a man in a dark raincoat. I whispered :

"Sakurazuka-san... It's you... Isn't it ?"

He chuckled.

"So perceptive... I am Sakurazukamori, yes."

What... What did that mean ? It was not... I shivered as I felt the light touches of his lips on the sides of my neck and my shoulders. I shook my head.

"Please... Please let me go..."

I trembled, feeling his warm breath on my neck.

"Do you really want me to free you ?"

He gently nibbled at my ear and I tensed, suddenly drowning in an overwhelming feeling of... Pleasure... Desire... He chuckled softly. No... I felt tears running on my cheeks. No... I closed my eyes, as if somehow I could pretend this was only a nightmare. I shivered. This... It didn't come from me. These feelings... They... were not mine... No. I wanted to tell him to stop, I wanted to cry... Suddenly, in my mind I saw Kujaku's purple eyes, I remembered his tender caresses in the night, and I fought to break my agressor's embrace, crying :

"No !"

As I was escaping his hold, hurling myself forward with all the strength I could muster, his hand closed on my left wrist.

Pain.

I fell on my knees, unable to refrain a cry.

Oh gods... Gods... Pain... Burning... I cried again. The jewels... His hand freed my wrist and closed on my arm instead. I shuddered. The jewels. Sweet Goddess... He held me to him, asking :

"What is this ? Who are you ?"

I shook my head. It had felt as if my soul was on fire, as if... What had he done ? Why...?... He tore the sleeve of my shirt.

"Bandages ? You have a wound on your wrist ?"

I used the bandages to hide the jewels. He twisted my arm painfully.

"Answer me my lady, if you don't want me to break that arm."

I bit my lower lip, refusing to cry, and closed my eyes, whispering :

"Kujaku..."

"Fiona !"

I looked up. He swore.

"Damn it !"

Suddenly, I was freed and I turned around.

Cherry blossom petals... Hiding a human shape...

"We shall meet again my lady."

Suddenly, the human shape dissolved in the petals and vanished. I hugged myself and felt violent sobs shaking me.

"Fiona..."

I shook my head desperately, as if that could undo what had just happened.

"Fiona... Love..."

Kujaku's arms hugged me cautiously and I leaned against him.

"You... You came for me..."

He stroked my hair softly.

"Shhh... Of course I came... I would defy the gods themselves for you..."

He gently rocked me, like a child, whispering meaningless words in my ear. I dimly heard Ashura's voice.

"Is... Is she okay ?"

Kujaku nodded.

"Yeah. She will be... Any luck ?"

Yasha sighed.

"No. No trace of him. The evil disappeared as suddenly as it came. I'm sorry."

Kujaku tenderly kissed my brow, drying my tears.

"You're safe Fiona, you're safe now..."

Slowly, I regained control of myself, and looked at Ashura and Yasha. Ashura came to me and hugged me, whispering :

"We'll get that bastard Fiona. I promise you. We'll never let him hurt you again. Never."

Somehow, I managed to smile.

"Thank you..."

I bowed my head.

"It was so awful, I couldn't... I had never felt a fear like that... I had never felt so helpless... I couldn't move... I couldn't run... I couldn't even scream... I..."

Kujaku laid a finger on my lips.

"Hush. It's not your fault. You were trapped into an illusion. A very powerful illusion at that..."

I shook my head.

"There is more. The jewels..."

My right hand closed around my wrist.

"When his hand touched them, I felt... Pain... Terrible..."

Yasha gently hugged Ashura, and Kujaku said in a tight voice :

"Then, there is no doubt possible. You were right Yasha. We do have enemies here. Enemies who could reawaken Chaos..."

I shuddered. How could this be ? Who was he ? Yasha's expression was grim, and Ashura looked frightened all of a sudden. Hell. Why did it have to happen ? Why couldn't there be peace ? I looked at the park, I looked at the last rays of sunlight passing through the canopy of leaves and felt fear gripping my heart. Suddenly, a burning anger took hold of me. Damn. Damn Sakurazukamori, whoever, whatever he was. Because of him this beautiful place would always be soiled with evil in my memories. If indeed we ever met up again, I wouldn't let him have his way that easy. I shook my head, saying :

"Let's get out of this place."

Before I could make a step, a voice rang :

"Hold it right there !"

Kujaku put himself in front of me, facing the voice, and both Yasha and Ashura tensed. Ashura called :

"Who's there ? Show yourself !"

A young man appeared on the other side of the clearing. Short black hair, long raincoat, eyes full of sorrow and hate. At the same time similar and opposite to Sakurazukamori. He held what looked like cards in his right hand. Yasha moved towards him, and he began a soft chant. At once, a flurry of white birds appeared beside him and flew to Yasha, envelopping him. Ashura cried, running towards him :

"Yasha ! Yashaaaa !"

The young man smiled despisingly.

"Do not worry, if he doesn't try to move, he will not be harmed..."

He looked directly at me.

"You. Come here. Now."

Kujaku chuckled.

"Mister, if you think I'll let you touch a single hair on her head, you're sadly mistaken."

I looked at Kujaku's feral smile, and suddenly touched his arm, shaking my head.

"No. Don't do it, don't fight him."

Strangely, I wasn't afraid. I didn't feel threatened. I walked slowly towards him and Ashura cried :

"Don't do this Fiona ! Don't !"

Kujaku asked calmly :

"Fiona, are you certain ?"

I nodded, fixing the young man's deep green eyes.

"Yes, please trust me..."

Kujaku said with a pleasant smile :

"If he dares harm you, I will kill him. Very slowly."

The young man smirked. I stopped in front of him.

"Well, I am where you wanted me. Now free my friend."

He made a small gesture with his right hand, and the flock of birds vanished. Yasha staggered and Ashura hugged him desperately, asking him :

"Are you okay ? Are you hurt ?"

The young man looked at them a long time, then faced me, saying in a voice hollow with hatred :

"Where is he ? Where are you hiding him ?"

I shurgged.

"Who ?"

Fury flashed in his eyes and his hands grabbed my wrists, squeezing.

"Don't play with me. Don't even think of trying to lie to me. I know. I can feel his touch on you. I can even smell his scent on you. Where is he ?"

Hell. He was hurting me. But his hold wasn't the same as Sakurazukamori's. There was no burning pain in my soul. The jewels were at rest. He tightened his hold, and I shut out a moan of pain. Breathing deeply, I told him :

"You're hurting me. You're hurting me as he hurt me. Do you enjoy inflicting pain on others that much ?"

Suddenly, he released me and bowed his head, as if I had slapped him. He whispered :

"No. He... Hurt you...?"

I cautiously massaged my wrists, nodding.

"Well, if 'he' is referring to a man calling himself Sakurazukamori, yes."

He looked up, and reached out to me. His fingers brushed my left temple, and I felt myself drowning in his sad green eyes.

Fear. Terror.

Pleasure. Desire. Overwhelming. Alien. Forced on me.

Helplessness. Despair.

Pain. Terrible pain...

I suddenly realised I was shaking, and that tears were soaking my face. I hugged myself, trying to shut out the memories, to no avail. I whispered :

"Stop that... Stop it please... I... Don't want to... Feel..."

The young man looked behind me and said :

"No... Don't interfere please..."

I heard kujaku's voice beside me.

"Damn you. I will..."

The young man very gently wiped my tears, shaking his head :

"I am sorry. I am really sorry. I thought... You were involved with him... Please forgive me..."

He hugged me cautiously, and suddenly my memories vanished.

Soft white feathers. Gentle. Soothing. Protecting me...

Dragons.

I tensed abruptly.

Dragons fighting around the tower. Dragons bleeding. Dragons dying. Dragons crying...

White feathers. So white... So soft... So pure...

I looked at him, dimly hearing Kujaku's sharp intake of breath. He was bound to have shared the Vision with me. Gods. The young man smiled gently.

"Are you feeling any better ?"

I nodded.

"Yes, I..."

I smiled to him.

"It is gone, I am free... What have you done ?"

His fingers brushed my face softly.

"I am sorry..."

There was a sorrow so deep, so unbearable in his eyes...

"I never thought he would find another person who could..."

He shook his head.

"You bear his mark. I am sorry. I wish there was something I could do... I have hidden it, as was once done for me, but... It cannot last..."

Kujaku hugged me protectively, asking him :

"What do you mean ? Who are you ? Who is he ?"

He sighed.

"I am not your enemy, contrary to what I had first thought... I am Sumeragi Subaru, thirteen Head of the Sumeragi family. He is Sakurazuka Seishirou, he is... Sakurazukamori..."

There was hatred and pain in his voice.

"He is an assassin. He is... a monster. He is evil..."

He looked at me, compassion shining in his eyes.

"I never thought there might be another person with this talent on earth... I never thought he would find another... You... are an empath, you can feel what is around you. You can feel emotions..."

I shook my head.

"No, you're wrong. I have a good intuition, but..."

He smiled sadly.

"You cannot bear the sight of someone in pain, you cannot even bear to see an animal in pain, you hate being in crowds, you shut yourself from the outside world not to feel the pain of others, not to feel the suffering of this world..."

I tensed against Kujaku.

"Yes, but..."

He shrugged helplessly.

"Believe me, trust me. You are gifted with empathy. You do not control it, you are not conscious of it, but you do have it."

He gritted his teeth.

"He feeds on emotions, on pain, on love, on sensibility, on despair, on pain... He..."

He cut himself, unable to go on. There were tears in his eyes.

"Beware of him. What I did will protect you, but only for a time. Go from this place, leave Japan and never come back... Or he will find you."

Kujaku hugged me tight.

"We cannot."

Sumeragi looked at him.

"Then you condamn the person you love."

I felt Kujaku's body trembling.

"No... No. We will defend her. We cannot go. It is impossible."

Sumeragi shrugged.

"You are free to choose your Fate. But I warned you."

He walked away, and I cried :

"Wait ! Wait please !"

Without turning back, he said :

"There is nothing more to say. Go away. I have no time for you. I have a hunt to finish."

He disappeared in the trees. Yasha asked suddenly :

"Should we let him go ?"

Ashura looked in the direction he had taken and shook her head.

"I don't think we could prevent him anyway..."

She asked to no one in particular :

"But what is going on here ? Who are all those people ? I thought there was no more magic on this world..."

Kujaku sighed.

"I don't know. But one thing is sure : this Sumeragi Subaru is connected to the Vision..."

I buried my face in his chest, asking him :

"Why... Why do I feel so lost ?"

He stroked my hair soflty, unable to answer. Ashura shook her head.

"There must be a meaning to all this. It must be possible to understand. It must be. I can't admit we're powerless. Tenkai is gone, we have nowhere else to go but here..."

She smiled gently to me.

"Don't worry Fiona, we'll find a way. I promise you."

Yasha's hands squeezed my shoulders affectionately.

"And I promise you that this Sakurazukamori will never again come near you, I'll cut him into little pieces with Yama-to if he dares show his face."

Somehow, I managed to smile, I managed to forget the feeling of Sakurazukamori's presence, of the touch of his lips. I managed to forget the terrible pain in Subaru Sumeragi's eyes. I nodded.

"Thank you... Thank you for being such wonderful friends..."

I looked at Kujaku.

"We will make the Vision lie. We have no other choice."

He smiled.

"Yes... Come, let's get out of this cursed park... I'm hungry !"

Ashura laughed.

"All right, me too ! I want to eat some Suki-Yaki !"

Kujaku shook his head.

"No, I want Sashimi..."

Yasha sighed, and I chuckled, saying :

"And I want both !"

Kujaku looked at me, horrified.

"If you do that, you'll become fat and ugly."

I shrugged, smiling innocently.

"So what ? You'll love me anyway... Won't you ?"

He cocked his head to the side.

"Well..."

He took me in his arms and kissed me passionately.

"I guess so my lady..."

End of Part 3.

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