http://clampfix.fanworks.net/x-fix/infaith.txt </head><body><pre>Disclaimer: The gods are cruel and therefore Karen does not belong to me. She's the property of the wonderful and talented CLAMP Summary : A brief (very brief) look at Karen in church A million thanks to Shizuka for the beta reading *hugs her* You're the best, Shizuka-saaaaan! For Alison Koh and Sair, because they write so well - - - - - - - - - - In Faith By Lika Really, she doesn't know why she has come back here. The pew is empty except for her single slender form. She prefers it that way. She prefers not to look at anyone, even the Chairperson talking in the pulpit. Her eyes remain fixated on the patterns of scratches on wood in front of her, childish dashes and curves done by the indentations of a pencil. A crude representation of flowers and teddy bears and a mother and daughter walking hand in hand. The serenity of the pictures is a blatant lie. "It's time for the Lord's Prayer-" Around her, people are standing up. She looks bewildered for a moment and hastily copies them. "-which can be found on the front of your bulletin." She looks at the bulletin down in her hand and sees the Lord's Prayer written in kanji and hiragana. Around her, people start the rhythmic chant of the prayer: "Our Father, who art in heaven," She never knew her father. Her mother never talked about the man who seduced her into having the demon child. "hallowed by thy name" But demons are not allowed to praise God. "Thy kingdom come" They cannot play with the rest of the good people either. "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven" Which is a good thing because there are no soaplands in heaven. "Give us this day our daily bread" Bible verses only deepens the emptiness. Hymns are nothing more than notes and staff written with runny pen on old yellowed pages. "And forgive us our trespasses" Yes, forgive the fact that she was born with the ability to create fire. "As we forgive those who transgress against us" The mother who screamed at her and cursed her and beat her. But the screaming was talking and the cursing was recognition and the beating was touching. "And lead us not into temptation" Was it too much to ask for someone to love her? "But deliver us from evil" It was possible for people, but not demons. "For thine in the kingdom" She looks up at the pulpit for the first time since she arrived and sees the Reverend standing beside the Chairperson. "and the power, and the glory" Her eyes widen in disbelief. "forever and forever" She grips the pew in front of her to keep from collapsing. The wood is cool against her flushed palms but she doesn't feel it. "Amen." The Reverend lifts his head and looks around. He sees her. And he recognises her. "Please be seated." She sits down, but not before noting the terrible look of shock and guilt and mortification that crosses the Reverend's face. Suddenly, she wants the service to end immediately. She doesn't care to hear the sermon anymore. She doesn't want to partake in the Holy Communion. She wants nothing to do with anything in this place ever again. She gets up and runs out of the church. She should have known it was impossible for her to find salvation here. - - - - - - - - End of Fic Note: I know there are a few Christian churches in Japan but I seriously think Karen grew up in Europe. However, the ending of this fic wouldn't have worked if I made her go all the way to Europe so it stays in Japan. Sorry about the cliche ending. I've been reading too much Hawthorne and Faulkner lately.</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>