The Sequel of “If Life Followed To Death”

Jani_chan · Joined: 23 Aug 2006 Posts: 2685 Location: Enma's bed

Suzaku lifted a hand in the air, Byakko leading Michiru to Tsuzuki and Hisoka's side. The chatter slowly died. "Tsuzuki's new partner is a very important guest," she said, "so... LET'S PARTY!!!" From somewhere, some cried for sake and Tsuzuki and Byakko cheered. Hisoka just looked more annoyed. Michiru didn't care what happened as long as that blue haired man stayed away from her. She wandered off to the side, staying within yelling range, but out of the way. They were more interested in Hisoka since the empath was Tsuzuki's partner. She didn't mind a lack of attention. She just wanted to sit. For some reason she felt drained. She was silent as the party went on, until a flash of blue hair walking up to her caught her attention. He turned quickly, eyes wide with fear. The form stopped, lifting his hands in a silent motion of 'I mean no harm'. "I'm sorry," he said, "I didn't mean to startle you." This wasn't the one they called Soryuu, though he did have the man's appearance. Could he be his son perhaps? She relaxed slightly and he moved forward again. "It's Michiru, right?" he asked. She nodded. He offered a hand, remembering Tsuzuki doing this as a sign of friendship. "I am Kijin, the son of Soryuu." She took his hand gingerly. He certainly acted different from his father. The shiki sat down next to her on the rock bench. He watched the goings on for a short time before speaking again. "You don't have to be afraid of my father, you know," he said, "he looks scary, but he won't hurt you." She shook her head and put her chin into her palm. He had no idea... Kijin was silenced again for a time.

"Is that scar why you can't talk?" he asked. She looked at him out of the corner of her eye. Nobody else seemed to notice, and the scar had lightened to near nothing. "So... if it disappears fully, will you be able to again?" She simply stared at first. She didn't think she'd ever speak again. Not that she wanted to. I was her voice that had gotten her killed in the first place. She shook her head and looked away. Kijin's eyes were curious, but he knew he couldn't ask her anything that would require a vocal answer. He stood again. "When you get your voice back, I'd like to hear it.... so you should visit here." He looked back at her with a sweet smile. She wasn't sure what to do about this. She wasn't going to get her voice back. Why was he insisting that she would? He headed back toward the group of shiki and two shinigami, a tiny little girl with blue hair bouncing a ball to him. He caught it and bounced it back to her, patting her head when she spoke to him.

laustic · Joined: 09 Jul 2006 Posts: 660 Location: Florida

Hee, I just love the party that the shiki threw for Hisoka. Who knew that they know how to have a good time Smile

Also, I found the conversation with Kijin pretty interesting. Thanks for posting!

Editor · Joined: 07 Jul 2006 Posts: 330

Oh I've been reading these parts. I liked the first path but loved each one more as it went along.

It brought her to a mindset where she wanted to stop thinking and follow, chasing like a small child in a flower field

That was nice I really caught her wonderment at that. Michiru doesn't seem to have a very long attention span in this story, but her focus on Hisoka and her gentle absorbtion of the things around her make it an almost loveable traite.

Jani_chan · Joined: 23 Aug 2006 Posts: 2685 Location: Enma's bed

((Thank you for all of the wonderful feedback! You've inspired me to try harder! <3))
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Looking around at some point, Hisoka saw that Michiru had fallen asleep, curled up on a rock bench off to the side. He had no idea how she could sleep in this noise. He had to wonder if she was deaf along with mute sometimes, with the odd way she could ignore things even hecouldn't. Of course, she was much more passive than he, and most certainly less interesting to the ever jabbering shiki. He didn't know if he should feel sorry for her or not for being left out. He turned away to dodge out of Suzaku's way, but stopped when he felt something that didn't fit into the party around him. Fear. No. Terror. Coming from Michiru. He looked over again, suddenly realizing that she was shivering slightly. He didn't dare go near her. Her nightmares... were enough to make him hit the ground like a pile of stones, out like a burnt light bulb. He looked for Tsuzuki, who was nowhere in sight for whatever reason. He found the man jabbering drunkenly with Byakko. "Tsuzuki," he said, then jabbed his thumb in Michiru's direction. If she got much worse, then.... he paused. The girl was still sitting up, shaking as she (thinking she was unnoticed) rubbed tears from her eyes. Tsuzuki frowned and made his way to her side. "Michiru?" he said, surprising her, "nightmare?" She nodded. "Will you be okay?" She nodded again, though less sure about this one. "I wish you could tell me what's going on in your head," Tsuzuki said, wrapping an arm around her shoulders, "it would be so much easier to help." She shook her head, pulling away. She didn't want help. It would be better off if he didn't care. Not that she could tell him this. He patted her on the head and walked off again, accepting a drink from Suzaku.

From the group emerged Tenko, chasing her bouncing ball and giggling joyfully. Michiru caught the ball and bounced it back to the blue haired girl. There was a tiny cheer from the likewise Lilliputian. "Will you play with me?" she asked, big blue eyes begging. Michiru gave a smile and nodded, kneeling on the ground to bounce the ball with her. Every once in a while she would accidentally miss the ball or drop it and make such a face that Tenko would nearly die with laughter. Her joy caught the attention of the other shiki and most had to smile at the adorable display. Kijin turned to Tsuzuki.

"Is she always like that with children?" he asked. Tsuzuki shook his head.

"I wouldn't know," he said, "we don't see children very much in meifu."

"This is what she was raised for," Hisoka said, "she was trained to be a mother before she was old enough to think about being one." Kijin seemed surprised.

"A groomsbride?" he said, "how do you know so much about her if she can't talk?" Hisoka frowned and turned away.

"Because I am the one she was supposed to marry," he said.

Michiru looked up after catching the ball, blushing as she realized she was being watched. Soryuu, off to the side, had a fond glint in his eye. After all, the girl, despite being terrified with him, was being so kind to his daughter... almost motherly. He may have had his differences with Tsuzuki's new partner (such as the total and utter destruction of his world and people) but the girl was someone he didn't mind. She had to have been the sanest human he'd ever met.

laustic · Joined: 09 Jul 2006 Posts: 660 Location: Florida

This is getting so good and I don't know, I just like the way Hisoka explained to the others about Michiru.

Editor · Joined: 07 Jul 2006 Posts: 330

Now I've read that last chapter not only is this making more sense, but it's getting hotter, you have a geuine and sincere writing style that isn't difficult to get into, nor does it waste words and I'm liking how good you are at making this interesting. I still feel so sad for Michiru....and Hisoka too....gods how must he feel. Thanks for uploading, looking forward to more.
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Jani_chan · Joined: 23 Aug 2006 Posts: 2685 Location: Enma's bed

Watching Hisoka from behind Tsuzuki, Michiru found herself curious about the process of finding a fitting shiki for a certain trainer. First, there was an odd ceremony-like gathering of what seemed to be Tsuzuki's more used Shiki; Touda, Soryuu and his ever-present children, Byakko, and Suzaku. Then they ran some tests, asking Hisoka for his birthdate and a few other things. He was best suited to a water shiki it seemed. Had Tsuzuki explained the different elements of shiki, or was she putting it together in head as she went along? It didn't really matter to her as she couldn't tell her birthdate. She couldn't tell anything. She wondered if there was a way to get the information without coming out and saying it.

When Hisoka disappeared without warning, she looked up at Tsuzuki in surprise but he was calm.

"You should really give some warning before you do that," he told his shiki. Soryuu gave him a look and he cowered slightly.

Jani_chan · Joined: 23 Aug 2006 Posts: 2685 Location: Enma's bed

Michiru looked away from the shiki, still unable to help the fact that she was terrified of him. To her surprise, she found herself facing Rikugo.

"Hello," he said, "you remember me, right?" She nodded. "Good, it's time for us to start." He motioned to the side, silently telling her to follow. She just stared. Rikugo looked at Tsuzuki. "Did you not tell her of her tests?" he asked. His master frowned.

"I don't like those tests," he said, "they're painful. And I don't see why you can't just use her birth date." Rikugo mirrored his frown.

"Unfortunatly, there are more factors than just the birth date to put into it," he said, "none of us know her well and without her input, it's impossible to tell."

"Still," Tsuzuki said, "isn't there any other way?" Rikugo shook his head. "But she's my friend. I don't want her to be in pain." The astrologer shiki looked at Michiru.

"You want a shiki, right?" he asked. She nodded. "It's either you take your tests, or talk, to get one. If you do neither, you cannot try for your own shiki." She frowned. She really wanted a shiki of her own. She started off in the direction he'd motioned, preparing herself for anything. The hallway was long, but soon she and the shikigami had reached a room filled with odd instruments and charts and things she'd never seen the like of before.

"This is where your tests will be taking place," he said, "just sit over there and we'll start in a few moments." He watched the young girl sit in a seat of metal plated in gold. "I warn you though," his tone turned somber, "Tsuzuki was right when he said that it hurt." Michiru clenched her fists and nodded, ready to do anything to be like Tsuzuki... no.... better than Tsuzuki. Was there any way to catch Hisoka's eye? No... his heart?

Jani_chan · Joined: 23 Aug 2006 Posts: 2685 Location: Enma's bed

When Hisoka returned, he was too displeased to notice that the only human waiting for him was Tsuzuki. The man was much easier to notice anyway what with Michiru always letting herself fade into the background. When Tsuzuki and Rikugo, who was waiting with the empath's partner, saw his new shiki, the ever boisterous Riko, they seemed piteous. He walked briskly away from them and toward... he didn't know where, he just wanted to think. He was too caught up in his thoughts to realize that if he stepped any harder, he'd be stomping like an angry child.

laustic · Joined: 09 Jul 2006 Posts: 660 Location: Florida

Cool, there's a couple of new posts! It's not good that Michiru is thinking of how she can get Hisoka. I just hope she doesn't do anything stupid like hurting Tsuzuki. As always this was great Smile