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 Posted: Wed May 08, 2013 8:54 am
Lumine laughed at Rubuke's comment, thinking back to the incident in Michiko's washtub. "You have no idea..."
She began to idly pet Ochiba's head and ears, thoroughly enjoying their softness. That was certainly something she didn't want to ever forget. "What should we do? Easy! Hanari can take Rubuke to her father and--" Lumine's train of thought grinded to a halt. She had almost forgotten; that was her father, too.. She paused to look at Hanari, looking for any sort of sign from her. "...I-I mean, that is if she doesn't mind. Hanari... um... isn't on good terms with the Tengu village, so...!"
"Anyway--!" Lumine tried to alter the subject a little, petting a bit roughly at Ochiba's head out of anxiety. "We should definitely be doing something! Um, ..." She looked around... and couldn't help but laugh. "Look how beat up we all are... we've really been through hell, haven't we?" Her petting turned gentle again as she looked down to Ochiba, smiling. "...I don't think there's anything that has to be done. We should rest for now... so you call can get well again. After all, you need to learn to take care of yourselves! I won't be able to bail you out anymore..."
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Posted: Wed May 15, 2013 4:40 pm
"I don't mind taking you there, Rubuke," Hanari smiled at Lumine, a bit cold to the idea, but otherwise unaffected. All she had to was take her to the tengu's door and that'd be it, right? "I will just leave you outside though, that'd be as far as I'd go," The shinigami nodded.
"Ah, thank you very much!..." The tengu hesitated and looked to Lumine,"I don't want to leave you alone though,....if anything because Maemi wouldn't like that."
"Michiko will be here with her, I will stay too... I will just give you my glasses, Rubuke.' Ochiba smiled at the tengu as well, taking her glasses and holding them up for the Kenkaku child to take.
Rubuke seemed to understand that the glasses meant something to the rabbit, and she carefully took them in her hand, tucking them inside her armor. "I will keep them safe,' The three youkai looked to at Lumine as the celestial spoke.
"Till death do us apart, Lumine, we will all be here for you."
"Of course," Ochiba grabbed the celestials arms and looked up at her with a smile and a twitch of her ears.
"No doubt," Rubuke too nodded with her arms crossed.
Rubuke and Hanari would leave for a few hours. Ochiba, walking around with unfocused eyes, spent that time latched onto Lumine, grabbing onto a hem of her shirt for guidance. The old rabbit told her stories about her master and his daughter, avoiding the sad memories and speaking of the good times of her youth.
When the shinigami and the tengu returned, Rubuke had both the naginata and nodachi on her back, forming a cross on her back neatly avoiding her wings. Hanari, on her side, had a little branch of sakura blooms, playing with the flowers idly. The tengu would give ochiba her glasses, Completely repaired and ready for use.
Michiko would wake up the next day. She'd have a small limp for a while, but she would get better over the days just as Rubuke's wing began to respond as well. Ochiba, Hanari staid at the lonewolf's house, keeping the celestial company.
As for Lumine....
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Posted: Fri May 17, 2013 6:10 pm
While the former sisters journeyed to the village, Lumine did her best to stay well at home, keeping her usual upbeat attitude, despite what she knew was coming.
She knew her doom, but not the hour.
However, if one were to watch, they could tell she was getting slower, and more easily tired, even if she tried so hard to hide it. But despite her exhaustion, she kept Ochiba close beside until her glasses were returned. That was another thing crossed off her list.
The days passed, and Lumine watched her friends get better, slowly, just as she was slowly degrading. She could feel the weight of her own body more and more. Having her loved ones close by helped, but knowing she'd leave them soon left her very... tired. So, so tired. She tried to fight it, but sometimes it felt easier to just give in, and give up...
Those were the times she stayed closer to Hanari's side. Not because of what she was, but because she gave Lumine the strength to resist, and the strength to keep taking that next step, even if it might have been her last. Often times, she would whisper a "thank you" to Hanari under her breath, clinging to her as if the world might end if they parted.
Today, Lumine could feel herself leaning on Hanari a bit more. She felt tired, and felt as if she wanted to sleep...
Lumine clutched at Hanari's arm, taking her hand into hers, and rested her head on the Shinigami's shoulder as they watched the sun set from outside Michiko's home. "Thanks... for everything, Hanari."
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Posted: Fri May 17, 2013 6:28 pm
"I didn't do anything Lumine..." the shinigami would respond, looking at the sun just as the celestial was. She had a bad feeling about today. LIke it was karma's day... but what sort of karma would take such an innocent girl from the earth? It had been a long time, and soon, Hanari would have to fullfil her duty as a shinigami. She knew that.
"It's been a long time uh? Ruby hasn't left yet, she really has taken a liking to you; and ochiba seems fuzzier than usual,"Hanari said idly, trying to avoid what really troubled her."Michiko will have friends in them for as long as she needs..."
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Posted: Sat May 18, 2013 5:30 pm
Lumine laughed softly, leaning more on Hanari's shoulder. "Ochiba has always been fuzzy... it's what she's best at!"
The breeze blew gently, and the sun continued to fall slowly, gracefully, in the red sky.
"I hope... they all stay friends for a long, long time. They need each other, just as much as I needed them..." She squeezed Hanari's arm, weakly, needing. She didn't want to let go.
"Hey... remember your promise? ...Maemi's birthday will be tomorrow... I want to bring her flowers, like I always do... You'll still take me there, right? ...Hanari?" Lumine looked up to see Hanari's face. She looked distant. Lumine squeezed her hand tighter, as tightly as she could. "Are you... okay, Hanari...?"
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Posted: Tue May 21, 2013 5:33 pm
"Yes they will need each other to get through tough times," Hanari muttered looking into the burning ball sink behind some unknown horizon, thinking of Rubuke and Samuro, even of her father. Would they ever see what she did in Lumine? Rubuke probably had now. So much troubled her mind, both as Maemi and as Hanari.
"Of course, I remember, I will take you there tomorrow," Hanari smiled at Lumine. "... Yes I am fine," she tried to smile the best she could."I am just thinking about some old times..."
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Posted: Thu May 23, 2013 12:29 am
"Old times, huh?" Lumine mused, still clinging to Hanari's arm. "Stupid Shinigami... you aren't old enough to think about 'old times'..." She was only joking... at least, she thought she was.
"You'll keep an eye on them for me... right? I know someday they'll have to leave too, but... I hope it isn't for a long, long time." Lumine turned, and took Hanari's other hand as well, looking the taller girl in the eyes, even if it was somewhat difficult for her to stand on her own feet. "What I wanted most out of life... was to protect the people that I loved. I know you understand that... better than anyone else could. So I want you to look out for them when I... when I go to sleep, okay?"
Lumine smiled, and rubbed her thumbs across Hanari's fingers gently, and squeezed them lightly. Funny, she couldn't tell how cold she was anymore... "Hanari... I'm happy. I've done everything I wanted to do... I know Michiko and Ochiba are safe, Rubuke's future is secure, and... and I got to see you again. That's all I wanted to do, and so... I'm happy."
She squeezed the Shinigami's hands tighter. "...Hanari, I think... it's almost time. I am at peace, and... I've become so tired." Lumine laughed sadly, releasing her grip and turning to hide tears that began to well in her eyes. "They were right... they were so right. I don't wanna say goodbye again, but I know I have to. I don't want them to know, but I can't leave without saying goodbye; that's why I came back! ..." She sobbed silently for a moment, hiding her face in the crook of her arm, and drying tears on the sleeve of her shirt. "...That's... why I came back... Maybe it was selfish to put them through this twice... I know it was selfish, but... H-Hanari, they'll understand, right? ...I wish... None of us were in this situation... This wouldn't have happened if you--! ...O-Or if I had..."
Lumine hid her face in her hands, her back still to her companion. "I don't know what I'm saying... I'm sorry..."
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Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2013 8:37 pm
"Well... my body may not be old enough, but my soul is, just like yours," Hanari smiled.
The shinigami looked curiously as Lumine took her hand, a small shock filling her eyes as the ex-celestial spoke,"O-of course I will look over them, Lumine. I promise I will, till their day comes to join you, I swear it upon my scythe and life." A silence over came death as she llistened to Lumine realize so much in the end.
Akira and Tebiki had explained that to her. Of how and why people seemed to see everythig clearly when their ends were at hand. It saddened her really, that the realization of what the world was came at the eyes of a dying man. What a sad way to leave.
"If you are at peace, they will understand, I am sure," Hanari's finger grasped at the air for a second as Lumine turned away from her, "There is nothing to apoligize, you did what you thought was best-!" The red-pink eyed girl came and wrapped her arms around Lumine from behind.
"The end of one road is the beginning of another."
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Posted: Fri Jun 21, 2013 8:25 am
"But... where can my road lead me?" Lumine melted into Hanari's embrace, though partially because it was easier than standing on her own two feet. She brought her hands up to grasp the Shinigami's. "My story is on its last pages, Hanari..."
"I wish we could just stand here forever... and watch the sun fade for eternity... Even if it meant I could never see the moon and stars, or never again watch light break the darkness..." Even in her weakened state, Lumine could feel her heart beat quickly. Being in her arms always did that...
"I've always only done what I thought was best, even if... sometimes it was because I wanted recognition for it." She raised a hand to wipe away her tears, then took one of Hanari's hands and held it to her cheek, holding onto her dearly as she tilted her head into the palm of Hanari's hand. "I wanted to believe that my life meant something to more than myself, and I want to believe I achieved that, even if it might not be true... So my heart will keep on believing in that, no matter what my head or anyone else says."
Lumine turned towards the Shinigami, still pressed against her hand, still holding it dear, yet smiling, softly and genuinely. "I will... tell them tonight, that we're going on one last journey tomorrow. I... I really do hope they'll understand..."
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Posted: Mon Jun 24, 2013 1:11 pm
"The road for every soul is eternal, there is no need to be scared of it ending," Hanari allowed Lumine to take her palm and put it again her cheek, " We all have a bigger mission go fullfill. That's what Noroshi-sama says, and that's what I believe as well."
"You did. Look at how Rubuke, Ochiba and Michiko all get along; You've affected everyone around here for the best, and they will never forget you," Hanari smiled back at Lumine,"I have a feeling Rubuke and Michiko will return to the village and re-enter the elites. Even if Michiko says she will only write a book for the archives, I have a feeling she will take up Master Seijin's place. And Ochiba? Come on, that little thing will live so long; she will tell your story to everyone!"
The shinigami nodded to Lumine taking her hand with her other palm,"Alright, we will leave in the morning."
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Posted: Fri Jun 28, 2013 7:16 am
"I hope that all becomes true... About Rubuke, Michiko and Ochiba. The Tengu especially have such a bright future ahead of them! ...I guess... I can find solace in that, too..."
It was true. The idea that one day Michiko might return to take her mother's place warmed her heart, as did the thought that Rubuke's future was secure. And she knew that Ochiba would live an even longer life; hell, she's outrun the Shinigami this long!
It was strange, talking to the Shinigami about things Lumine once shared with Maemi, hearing Hanari speak of Master Kazuko. It was so... odd. Lumine had wished for so long to be able to share once again those fond memories. It warmed Lumine's heart, but the knowledge of how she forced it to be somewhat troubled her.
"Okay. Thank you, Hanari, for giving me strength... Um..." She looked sideways at Michiko's home, "Let me go inside and talk to them. This... shouldn't take long."
Lumine released Hanari's hand, parting from the Shinigami. She turned and headed for Michiko's home, for the door. Prying it open, she poked her head in, scanning about for one of the three youkai. "Hey, Michiko? Anyone..?"
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Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2013 11:15 pm
"I will be waiting for you here Lumine," Hanari nodded as Lumine released her hand and walked away towards the home of the wolf. She vanished in a poof of pinkish-red sakura blooms when Lumine had entered the house...
---
Michiko came from her room, closin the door behind her before curiously tilting her head . She smiled, coming closer to Lumine,"Hi, I think Rubuke is outside-... Ochiba is napping in my room right now; do you need anything?"
The house was quiet aside from the smell of the vegetable soup on the stove. It was a rather large pot now, with enough food in it to feed all the new visitors that happened about her house; Lumine, Rubuke, Hanari, Ochiba, and the occasional rabbit that stuck with the rabbi youkai. Michiko turned from Lumine for a second to stir the pot,"If Hanari is hungry again, you can tell her dinner will be ready in a bit."
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Posted: Mon Jul 08, 2013 8:35 am
"Ah, thanks, I'll let her know..." Lumine smiled, standing somewhat awkwardly as she watched Michiko tend to dinner's making. It reminded her of Seijin.
The words... they escaped her. There was nothing Lumine could think of to say. Instead, the once-Celestial approached Michiko from behind, and wrapped her arms around her wolven sister's shoulders, holding Seijin's daughter in a soft, loving embrace.
"Hey, Michiko..." Lumine spoke softly, carefully, "Tomorrow, Hanari and I... are gonna go on one more adventure. I'll be skipping out on dinner, okay? ... There's something important that I need to show Hanari." She squeezed tighter, her voice breaking slightly. "Don't worry about me, okay? I'll be back... before you know it...!" Lumine held onto Michiko, letting warm tears soak into the wolf's silver hair. "I'll be careful this time, ...n-no more climbing or... or dangerous stuff... We'll stick to the roads, I-- ...... I promise--"
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Posted: Mon Jul 08, 2013 1:04 pm
Michiko's ears perked as Lumine latched onto her shoulders. It wasn't out of surprise at the gesture but out of knowing what this all meant. The wolf stopped doing what she was doing and put her hands on Lumine's arm, trying to keep her composure. "I understand, Lumine, " Michiko pryed the blue haired girl's arms apart so she could turn around and give her a proper hug.
"You... have fun tomorrow , okay?" Michiko hugged her tightly trying to hold her own tears back," Good, you better stay on the roads, you wouldn't want to get lost-... we-... we both know how useless Hanari can be-!" Her tail was limp and her voice a bit shaky, but she smiled at Lumine as she pulled back, " ... Are you going to talk to Ochiba or will you head out right away...? "
"We will miss you alot Lumine, " Michiko smiled sadly put her hands on the celestial's cheeks, before using a hand to fix her hair,"I think I speak for all us when I say that we love you."
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Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2013 10:13 am
"If I didn't say goodbye to everyone, then my coming back would have been for nothing at all..." Lumine said, smiling back. She wiped some tears from her cheeks then put a hand over Michiko's. "I'll say goodbye to Ochiba, and Rubuke, too-- ...A-ah..."
Michiko's comment turned Lumine's cheeks red in blush. "I love you all, too... Don't ever doubt that! If I hadn't, then I wouldn't have gone through all this trouble for you guys!" She put a hand into a fist, shaking it lightly, before letting her hand fall. "...I'm gonna... miss you all, too... A-At least, I hope I will... I don't know what's gonna happen to me, or if 'me' will even--..."
Lumine paused, then moved to wrap her arms around Michiko's neck once more, hugging tightly. "What am I saying?! Of course I'll miss you all! No matter what they do to me, I'll... I'll never forget any of you, I promise! I promise! I-- ...I don't want to forget..!"
It was possible for a soul to remember; she had seen that firsthand. But what about a criminal? That's what she was, right? What if she was made to forget everything, or worse, destroyed outright, or even overwritten?
Maemi, Seijin, Michiko, Ochiba, Rubuke, Hanari... She didn't want to forget them. Lumine didn't want to forget them. But what if Lumine ceased to exist..?
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