http://clampfix.fanworks.net/kenichi/hearts2-.txt </head><body><pre> Well, I wrote about Shiroi Ogami, but not yet about Mirei Miyazaki until now. I'm not sure if I portrayed her well enough; this is the first time Iv'e tried to portray a female main character... |P As usual, I hope this is enjoyed... I think there are still three parts to add to this... something I work on while I'm trying to get ideas on how to continue "Essence of Madness"... Hearts: Queen of Hearts "A Purple Heart just proves that: you were smart enough to think of a plan, stupid enough to try it, and lucky enough to survive." -Taken from the ROUGH rules of RPG gaming Lying... Sunlight prying open my lazy eyes. Lying... The morning sun felt cold and warm at the same time. Lying alone. I stirred from a night's sleep. The bed felt cold without him. Yet I knew... He would not be far from me. I felt my lips for the kiss he gave me the night before. About how he was able to 'protect' me once again. Though I was not one who enjoyed a politician's company, the way that Shiroi crept around had me worried. Worried that he might not come back. Rising. My feet had a mind all their own, carrying me out of my soft slumber and into the pained wakefulness of another day. I led my way into the toilet to brush my teeth. Held my bathrobe around myself tightly. Inside. Warm and damp. I giggled at the His and Hers towel racks Shiroi had bought. Almost as if we were already married. My laughter vanished as I realized that marriage, an official one at least, would be impossible. I chided myself for thinking such foolish romanticism. I picked up my toothbrush and began to scrub my incisors with a true vengeance. Of course we can't be married, Romantic as the idea was. You cannot have an Assassin marry a highschool girl. I spat. Highschool girl. That's all anyone sees of me. A quick bath,and I was ready. The dark uniforms I slid on felt comforting. Like the caress of a lover. Shiroi... I felt odd about the way Shiroi treats me. Though I was his superior in the arts of Onmyoudo, He had always and ever insisted that I be protected. Almost to the point that I felt like a porcelain doll. It was a nice, an honest and caring thought, but... I wondered again about the dark man whom I came to love. His love is great. But I am no china doll, easily broken. I look to the mirror. My own hands caressed a soft cheek that was mine and mine alone. Soft... An illusion of innocence... Sometimes it's a curse, being born pretty. People like you, but none will take you seriously. Even the haunted, strange man whom I love above else. Shiroi, I understand you wish to protect me. But I wish to protect you, as well. CLAMP Campus. Quite interesting a school. I had been enrolled in it for months now. Shiroi had agreed that the best way for me to be safe was to take on the semblance of a normal life. But normal was not the best of terms to call CLAMP Campus. I felt the difference the first day I stepped into the area. A force. One I could not recognize. Later I would find out that this school held the form of a five-pointed star... a Pentagram. Ironic that Schools in Japan, specially this one, would claim to be non-sectarian... And yet have an Occult background all the same... The day seemed cheery as I walked the road to school alone. Or apparently alone. I knew that Shiroi was always there, watching over me. But I also let him know that I would like to solve problems my way. It just wouldn't do to have classmates having their heads cut off due to a minor altercation. Concerned as Shiroi may be, he had to keep things in check. I didn't want him hurt. I didn't want us to be seperated. I looked ahead to see a friend. Monou Kotori and her Elder brother Fuuma. Smiles as we passed each other. Kotori... My heart ached as I knew of her condition. A soft heart, gentle as the wind. Like her namesake, the tiny birds that chatted as they sat happily in the trees. Soft and gentle. Had she been in my shoes those many years ago, she would have died. Years when I thought the Occult as a game to be toyed with. When I... I shook my head violently, to clear my mind. Memories were a thing I had bitter of. The present was more my concern. "Hey, cutie... Want me to walk you to school?" My eyes wandered to see a trio. Their hair was badly tousled, almost intentionally. The leers they gave were more than enough to give their intent. As I said, it's sometimes a curse to be pretty. I regretted not walking faster, as I saw Kotori and Fuuma were out of earshot. It would not have helped, anyway. "I'm sorry... I'm late for school." The three kept with my pace and I already felt them undressing me with their eyes. It was a horrible feeling, being looked at in such a way. I shut out their comments, but that helped little. My nerves tensed as one of them brushed a hand on my shoulder. A voice. No, My voice. It cut the air like a knife. "I'm sorry. If I wanted a boyfriend, I'd pick someone more decent." Cackles. I tried to walk faster, but they kept up. The very thought of them made me want to retch. Japanese men. These young, lustful hotbloods. So archetypical of them to think they could get a woman's attention by pure bravado. I let out a gasp as I felt a hand touch my hips. No, not a touch... A caress. A feeling like that of a man appraising meat. I was sickened. Whatever doubts there were as to their intent was gone. Run. They followed. Run faster. Their legs carried them into a sprint. I wanted to call for help. Faster still. Still they kept up. "OOOOO... Playing hard to get, honey?" I felt a presence touch my mind as I ran. Shiroi... Tempting to ask his aid. My knight, my lover, my savior. No. I can handle this. I am no coward. Shiroi, I don't want you to get into trouble. Let me handle this. I felt his presence reluctantly agree. "Hey, missy!!! Wer'e talking to you...!!!" A harsh grip clamped onto my arm. My feet dragged to a halt, as I regretted that I may be late for school for today. It appears I have no choice, then. Mutterings... "Whazzat you say, Missy?" Arcane Mutterings... Fools. Idiots. A smile twisted my lips into a sneer. A sneer the three men found unsettling. I felt the cool ice in my voice as I spoke. {Fools. You have no idea what you deal with...} A scream. Kaguya. My Shiki. Cat's claws and fury. One man went down as Kaguya tore at his face. The one whose hand released it's grip on my arm. The blood and skin showered upon the Shiki's claws as she hissed. I could not but let the smile come to my face fully. Turning... See the horror. See the fear in his friend's eyes... Ahhh... I see his friends have noticed as well. Good. {Do you two dare wish to have me? You are most welcome to try.} Stares of fear. I fed on the fear like a vampire on blood. Fed ravenously on the horror they exuded as they stood. Frozen by the sight of their unfortunate ally. I called upon my abilities. Spirits they were not, but affected they still will be. I held up my hand to the pair. Almost in a perverse form of gentility. Symbolism. The fools did not understand. They stared at me uncomprehending as I fixed my eyes on them. A glow emanated from their feet as I began my chant. It was perversely satisfying to see the lust on their faces turn into absolute horror as the saw their friend's face being torn to shreds. My hand slowly curled as I concentrated. I see the two men gasping hopelessly for breath. Crush their souls as well as their will. Screaming out mercy. Crushing... Screaming for pity. I felt the knuckles in my fist crack as I squeezed harder. Like an Anaconda suffocating it's prey. They were like the mice mesmerized by the proverbial snake. Gasps as they shuddered, held aloft by an invisible hand. I gripped them tightly once more... And then let go. The backlash... Mustn't forget. A situation like this, I cannot afford a mistake. It would come soon. {Kaguya...} The Cat-Shiki leaped gracefully away from her victim. Flipping backward, she shook the flesh and blood from her claws. She landed silently on my shoulder. Most artful. I smiled to myself as I saw the two on the floor. A most cruel, cold smile... {Kawaii ne...} Shield. Now. A flash, and I blinked. I opened my eyes to see the three. Writhing in pain. {You seek pleasure and I give you pain. Isn't it fitting...?} The three seemed withered as they twisted in delightful spasms of agony on the sidewalk floor. I let the dark feelings leave me as I artfully stepped over the still cringing bodies. I hope the trio would have far more wisdom than to attempt that again on a young girl. After that, what sane man would...? I crossed tha gates of the campus just in time. Thankfully. I sighed relief that no one witnessed what happened. Looking back, I felt remorse. Maybe I shouldn't have been so cruel. "It was indeed surprising..." Shiroi...? I turned to see Shiroi. CLAMP Campus uniform and all. A faint smile parted my lips. There was nothing he wouldn't do to ensure my safety. My happiness. I was in a sudden teasing mood. "...And here I thought you never had a formal education..." The locks of his hair flew with the wind as he approached me. "I was worried..." His face reflected his statement. I felt it odd that the normally icy look of his mien was replaced by a pure and honest concern. "Worry not. I said I'd handle them, didn't I?" I stuck my tongue out playfully. "And I did..." A smile rose from within his heart onto his lips. "It was surprising, nonetheless." His hand brushed my hair as he spoke. "A cruelty like that dosen't become your innocent looks..." I stood slightly on my toes as I gave him a small peck on his cheek. Then... Whispers. Much like any ordinary girl or boy would engage in. Whispering in his ear. "Being an assassin dosen't suit your innocent looks, either..." He smiled. It was a sweet smile, ulike that which I had earlier. I couldn't help but smile with him. A hand... His hand caressed my face as he spoke. "I'll walk you home tonight. No excuses." I nodded as I stepped back. "Hai... I'll be waiting for you..." I watched as he silently ran and vaulted over the tall walls. I mouthed the words as he left. "Ai Shiteru Yo..." "Miyazaki-San... Who were you talking to...?" I turned to face Monou Kotori. Smile. Innocent and gentle. "I was only talking to the flowers, Monou-San..." The golden tresses shook as she giggled. "You sounded almost as if you were talking to a boyfriend!" I nodded. "Well, it's better that we hurry... We can't be late for our Math class, now can we...?" Kotori nodded. "Hai..." We both found ourselves giggling as we walked to class. Although Kotori I found to be slightly odd, we were friends nonetheless... Besides, who am I to speak of odd...? Her smile toned down as we walked together. There was a certain serious ness in her voice this day. "...I had a dream last night..." "Hmmm...?" I looked at her face with interest as she continued. A look. I knew that look. It was the same look I had years ago... When I faced the man who would have killed me. The man who instead fell in love with me. And I with him. Everything changed because of that... Whoever Kotori dreamt of must be that strange and special to her... It was with good cheer that I asked her. "...And I wonder who or what it is you dreamed about...?" I listened intently to her words. "I dreamt of my childhood friend Kamui..." </pre><p><a href="./">Back</a></p><p><a href=http://www.dreamhost.com/donate.cgi?id=216><img border=0 alt="Donate towards our web hosting bill!" src=https://secure.newdream.net/donate1.gif></a></p></body></html>