http://clampfix.fanworks.net/x-fix/ayashi1-3.txt </head><body><pre>Ayashi no Yuugi By Ayanosuke Day 1: Resonance Part 3 The Seals had already arrived at the Hishizaki Mansion as the driver parked the limo in front of the large estate. Once the gang came out of the limo, Ayane led them in. Kamui and his friends entered the mansion and were dazzled by the decorations. Even the young Seal himself couldn't believe his eyes when he saw the entrance of this place. He was going to enjoy it here very much. /Face it, Kamui. In seven days, the Promised Day is coming so you might as well enjoy while you still can. You never know when you might live or die..../ With a long sigh, he went first before anybody else could notice he was gone. Kamui took off his coat, placing it on a nearby rack, and stepped straight into the ballroom. He was even more fascinated after noticing the beautiful decorations of silver and gold. This was definitely going to be a wonderful Christmas. Stepping further into the room, Kamui watched as many people were talking to each while others danced on the ballroom floor. Suddenly, his eyes stopped to a certain person in dark clad and dark shades. /Seishirou Sakurazuka?!/ Kamui was shocked to see the Sakurazukamori here among normal beings. He wondered if he was here for Subaru. If he was then, Kamui would protect his dear friend. The only thing was...he couldn't attack with alot of bystanders around, so he left it alone for awhile. He walked around more and found himself over at the punch bowl on the table. Taking a cup, Kamui took a sip and began to turn until something caught his eye. He saw someone outside in the courtyard standing besides a fountain looking up at the sky while it was snowing. It was a woman with dark colored hair wearing a gold sleeveless dress. She was looking up at the sky as snowflakes were falling on her. Quite odd for a person like her to be out in the cold. The Seal could feel a sudden flutter in his stomach. He didn't know why but it almost like...like she seemed familiar to him. With a long sigh, he went over to the glass door and slightly opened it. Kamui could already feel the cold breeze coming over part of his hand. Twisting the knob, the door swayed open and he stepped out into the courtyard. Snowflakes began to fall on on the softness of his hair and clothes. But it didn't matter. Kamui slowly walking over to the woman, feeling nervous as usual. "Um, hello?" Takara noticed someone was speaking to her from behind. Her head turned around, with her eyes staring at a young man with short black hair, a red sweater with a panda on the left side of his shoulder, black pants, and leather shoes. This guy looked a bit out of place to be dressed like that. But how could blame him? He was younger than her. "Hi. Is something wrong?" "Wrong? Oh, nothing. I just thought I'd come and...and...." "Talk to me?" "Hai....." Kamui was getting nervous as ever. He didn't think he would act like this in front of an older woman. Especially if Subaru was involved. "My name is Shirou Kamui." "Inoue Takara." Takara bowed before him and smiled slightly. "Did you come to the mansion by yourself?" Kamui shook his head. "Actually, I came here with a couple of friends." "That's good." "Did you?" "Hai. That's only because I drove here." "I see." While both were having a conversation, Takara felt a slight chill and held herself. It was getting real cold now. "Don't you think you should go back inside? It's really cold out here." "I know.... I just needed some fresh air." "Oh. Want to come back in with me?" Takara wasn't so sure, but he seemed very familiar. It wasn't just his face but his name too. "Sure." As she took a few steps forward, Takara heard classical music begin to play again. Basically around ten minutes, the show would start. "Shall we?" She offered an arm for Kamui to take. He hesitated at first, but then he wrapped his arm around hers and they both went back inside. There was something about her that seemed very familiar, which already drew him to be friends with her. ------------------------------------------ Kakyou was once again in another dreamscape. There was fire in the background. Purely white dancing throughout the entire scene. The dreamgazer didn'tunderstand this part at all. What did this mean? "What kind of dream is this now?" The fire kept dancing until it turned blue. Out of nowhere, a red dragon appeared in the air. Its head breathing fire out of its mouth. Kakyou's frown appear, knowing the resemblance. "Chi no Ryu...." It's been awhile since he knew about the Dragons of Earth, even if he was one of them. So why was he being shown this now? The dragon still floated around until it let out a sudden roar. A roar unlike any other. A roar...of pain. "Must be wanting to destroy the Earth because of mankind...." After it was done, the dragon suddenly bursted into a pile of stars. Kakyou found this odd. In most of this dreams, he had never seen anything like this before. Yet, it seemed so real.... "What dream is this?" Kakyou had knew the true ending of the Final Battle between the two Kamuis. He knew what the world would end like. So why was he being shown this? "It could only mean one thing...." The dreamgazer lowered his head and almost felt a grim smile appear on his very face. "The future has been put in reversed...." --------------------------------------------- It was already 30 minutes passed and everyone went into the auditorium to see the concert. The orchestra was already playing music before it could start. Kamui walked away from Takara, telling her that he needed to go and sit with his friends. He regretted not asking her to come with him, but he was sure they'd meet again after the concert was over. Once he found the other Seals, along with Seiichirou who was sitting with his family besies Ayane and Karen, Kamui gladly sat by Subaru, who was looking a bit distubred since he came here. "Something wrong, Subaru?" The omnyouji didn't look at him; he just stared at the red curtain, anxiously waiting for the concert to start. "Seishirou-san....." Kamui frowned slightly, now knowing what he was about to say next. "He's here, isn't he?" "In this auditorium. He's sitting somewhere in the audience." "Can he see us?" Looking over people's head, Kamui couldn't tell which was which unless they had different colored hair. "I can't see him." "Neither can I." "So what do we do?" "We wait." Kamui sighed. He knew Seishirou was in the mansion, so why didn't he just tell him the truth? Soon the lights died down as the curtain lifted up and music began to play. On stage, a light hit Naomi Khan who was wearing a green embroidered dress going down to her feet and high-heeled shoes. She took a deep bow before she began her introduction. "Ladies and gentlemen, before we being the concert.... I would like everyone one to know what I appreciate you all coming here to listen to me sing. Ever since the lost of my mother, Lum Khan, a former opera singer, I wanted to become like her. Now that I have fulfilled my dream, I want to dedicate this concert in honor of her name." Most of audience murmured during the speech. Subaru could tell that what they were saying weren't exactly pleasant. Still, Naomi continued. "Anyway, I must thank Kaneda Hishizaki for letting me hold this concert before I went back to America. Thank you all and enjoy the show." After that, there was an applause as Naomi bowed once more and took a deep breath as the orchestra began playing music once more. Naomi began singing as her voice filled the entire room. It was one of the most exciting moments for her, since this would probably be her last concert for the year. ---------------------------------------- 3 1/2 hours passed since then. Takara was watching the concert while sitting besides Kaneda and Seishirou. It was already past 10:30 p.m. Just how did they have before it ended? Celebrating christmas with her mother's relatives instead of staying home in Manhattan, New York. Was it worth it? She hardly knew these people at all. Except Kaneda. Before living in another country, Takara's grandmother had died. Her mother was forced to resign from a company because she felt Tokyo held too much grief. When they left Japan, Takara's parents were having usual fights about living in New York. It was mainly about the facts of living in a city filled with violence. Takara's mother felt that Japan held a responsibilty which will decide the world's fate. What she didn't understand was how it would be decided. Her father thought this was all nonsense and left his wife and daughter to hang in misery. This was after their divorce. Living a difficult childhood, Takara was upset about the entire thing. But when another man came along and remarried her mother. She didn't accept him, at first, but learned to like him. Takara accepted him as her stepfather. Suddenly, her thoughts were interuppted by sounds of applause. It looked like the concert had already ended. The curtains were down and everyone soon got up from their seats to leave. Takara looked at her watch and noticed that she had to return to her hotel so she could getsome rest. She had an important event to go to tomorrow at the museum. After a few minutes, all of the guests had already left the mansion. Except for Kamui and his friends. They were still waiting for Ayane to finish up her talk with Kaneda. The Seals were in the living room waiting for their friend. "Just how long will it take for those guys to finish up?" Sorata yawned. He was getting tired now. "Be patient, Sorata." Arashi sighed, lingering around the strands of her hair that dangled in curls. She had let Karen do her hair just for once since it was the holidays. She even let her pick out one of the dresses for her. /And what was the main reason for this again? You finally admitted that you really like Sorata, but you haven't even been able to realize that you love him. So why did you decide to act nice to him on this occassion?/ Arashi sighed. "I know that, Nee-chan!" Sorata yawned while he stretched himself. "It's just that what could be taking that actress so long?" "It takes time. Don't worry about it." Karen was tapping her nails on the table while staring out of the door. She was also wondering what conversation was going on inside that room Ayane had went into. All she could do what just wait. ------------------------ "You're kidding me! You can't be serious with all the work you've done being a singer and pianist. Why quit now?" Ayane was looking shocked after hearing Naomi announce that she would quit her career. "I know what you're saying, Ayane-san. But I can't continue living like this in misery. This wasn't what I wanted in the first place." "But didn't you just say that you were doing this last concert for your mother?" "I said that only because I was forced to!" Naomi shouted from the top of her lungs. Tears almost began to stream down her face. "Calm down, Naomi-san. You shouldn't raise your voice like that." "I know.... It's just that ever since my mother's death, Father pushed me into becoming a pianist. He restricted me from anything else." "In other words....." Ayane's voice was low and filled with understanding only she could understand. "...took away your childhood and made it a living hell?" "Hai....." Naomi almost felt like crying, but her body could support the grief she was going through. "It's like he wants me to die of overwork like my mother did." "Naomi...." The actress placed a hand on her shoulder. "You mustn't hurt yourself like this. You did fulfill your childhood dream, right?" "Yeah." "Then you should be happy. It doesn't matter what your father thinks or do. You just keeping doing what you do to keep your mother happy." These words made Naomi feel better. She wiped some of her tears away and smiled. "Thanks, Ayane-san. I'll remember those words...." "I better go now. Will I see you tomorrow?" "Sure." Taking a step back, Ayane bowed her head slightly and turned to the door she came in. She opened it and stepped out of the room, facing the others who waited almost impatiently for her. "Gomen. I shouldn't of took so long." "Quite alright. We're used to this sometimes." Subaru spoke from a corner he was standing at while smoking a cigarette. He knew it was bad to smoke inside the mansion but he needed one badly. "Shall we go?" "Hai." Ayane began walking towards the door with everyone else following her. Kamui followed behind Subaru and noticed Takara appeared with Seishirou besides her. His eyes almost widen at this but he didn't speak unless needed to. "Hey Kamui!" Takara had already noticed her new friend and ran over to him. The assassin just stood there and smiled. When the young Seal saw her approach him, he could only smile. "Hey Takara-san. Did you enjoy the concert?" "Hai! It was wonderful. What about you?" "It was....alright." Kamui spoke in a tired voice. He was not used to going to concernts, especially during the holidays. But at least he enjoyed himself. "Forgive me if I seem out of place...." "Oh, it's okay. Just thought I'd ask." There was a slight yawn coming out of her mouth. "I better get some sleep. Hope I see you again, Kamui...." "Me too." Kamui couldn't help but smile at her. "Good night." "Good night to you too." With another slight yawn, Takara turned and walked up the large stairway. Sighing, Kamui turned back to the door and noticed the others had already made their way out of the door, but Subaru was still there waiting for him. He went over to him without looking at the Sakurazukamori. He didn't know why he was actually here, but it was quite surprising that the Dragon of Earth didn't do anything rash while inside the mansion. They both left the place and quickly caught with their comrades at the limo. Seiichirou had already left with his wife and daughter after saying their goodbyes for tonight. They all got inside, along with Ayane who gladly sat besides the door. She turned to her driver and spoke. "Take us back to the Innoyama Mansion." The driver nodded and gladly droved everyone back home. ------------------------------ A few minutes had passed since the concert was done and everyone had left. Seishirou Sakurazuka regretted not having to meet with his Subaru-kun, but someting told him he shouldn't do anything rash. Especially if it involved an /old friend/ like Kaneda. He sighed, finding himself deeply disappointed with the results of not causing any casualties. But then again, there was always tomorrow. He wondered about his fellow comrades. Fuuma was somewhere in the city probably either destroying a kekkai or just doing something else for fun. Yuuto had annouced that he was spending the holidays with his younger sister Tomoe. Satsuki stayed with Beast underground. Kanoe was probably doing something besides seducing men at the Government Building. He had no idea what the others were doing. though he knew Kakyouwas still in his dream world. "Seishirou?" Kaneda was calling for him as he approached the older man. "So you're still here." "Hai. But I must leave soon so I can get my rest." While speaking, Seishirou reached into his coat pocket and brought out a small pack of cigarettes. "I suppose you're gonna smoke now?" Kaneda arched an eyebrow of interest. He had known the veternarian for his smoking habits. It was amazing that he didn't catch any disease caused by it. The assassin smirked as he took of his shades and placed them in his pocket. Then he looked back at his friend with one honey-gold eye and one white silver eye. "I would but your father would throw a fit if I was to do it." Kaneda couldn't help but chuckle. "Don't worry. He's already left the city for a couple of days so he left me the mansion to do whatever I wanted." "As long as you didn't wreck the place?" "Something like that." "I see. Then I guess you don't mind, at all." Seishirou had already reached for lighter as he placed a cigarette in his mouth. He lit it and began smoking. Kaneda sighed and examined the entire living room before he could face his friend again. Well, I better get some sleep. I promised Takara I would take her to the museum in the morning." "Important research?" "Hai." "I understand. I'll see you tomorrow then." Seishirou turned, facing the door, just as he took one more smoke and began walking towards it. Kaneda only stood and watched him leave. "Good night, Seishirou. And Merry Christmas." "Same to you, Seishirou." Once he left, Kaneda went over to the door and locked it. Then he made his way upstairs so he could get some sleep. Tomorrow was gonna be a good day. End of Part 3 and Day 1: Resonance *sighs* I finally finished the last part of Day 1. I will start on Day 2 soon. I just need a title for it. Let me know of any comments.</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>