Digimon Fan Fiction ❯ Persona: The Chosen Child of Purity ❯ Return to Innocence ( Chapter 3 )

Author's Note: First off, I would like to thank everyone that reviewed my last story, Persona: The Gemini Subconscious. I really appreciate the wonderful reviews. I know my writing style stinks. I apologize. I just like to have character to slow down awhile and have their thoughts spill. The overall story now involves Digimon, plus a bad Sailor Moon crossover, some Matrix, and a bit of Star Wars. As usual: Really goofy dialogue, poor vocabulary, poor spelling, poor grammar, poor verb tense, and all that. Reviews are welcomed. This is a work in progress that requires A LOT of work.

Important Note: There is a short reference to the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, which were the famous Japanese-American Soldiers that answered the call of duty during World War II. This reference is based on my friend's relative who is a true-life veteran of that war. I felt very honored to have known someone such as him. With his blessings and my friend's permission, I have included a bit of his real life experience in my story. The character in this story has been fictionalized of course for creative and personal reasons. THIS IS IN NO MEANS OF ANY DISRESPECT TO ANY OF THESE WONDERFUL BRAVE HEROES AND TO ALL THAT SERVE THEIR COUNTRY. Thank you for your understanding.

I researched some of the information from this article I found on the web: http://www.thehistorynet.com/WorldWarII/articles/07965_text.htm

Anoth er Note: If there is anything in this story that resembles anyone else's work, I apologize. I am trying to continue on as I strive for originality. I know there are a lot of stories involving Mimi's hate/love relationship with the color pink. All I can do is to do my best to be original as possible. As usual, my work pales in comparison to the other great work done by much better authors. Special thanks again to my friend who also helped me correctly name all the gear Mimi will be carrying in this fic. My friend insisted that I put all of the authentic gear in. I am starting to worry about my friend now…

Warning: This is my first SONGFIC! Arrrggghh! I am not good at it at all. I am placing the song in this fic because it sort of matches the character's inner thoughts. In this fic, the song is actually played and the character is actually listening to and singing with it. Yes, you read that right. It gets really weird! I am using a lesser-known song and, well I am really a big fan of this music group. The song is entitled Return to Innocence performed by Enigma written by Curly M.C. It is from the CD The Cross of Changes.

This story takes place in Season 01; HOURS before the DigiDestined arrive in the Digital World. The first day trip to summer camp. No plot, no action, just a lot, I do mean a LOT, of dialogue. It is just a continuation from Mimi's POV.

Disclaimer: I do not own Digimon, Sailor Moon, Matrix, Star Wars, or Enigma, or their songs. Don't sue. If you want my money: Promise us Season 03; find a way to continue the Moon series; make a Neo sequel ASAP; get Episode II out ASAP; and release another album PRONTO!

Persona: Return to Innocence

by Mimi, Myself, & Iz.

I look into the mirror
See myself, I'm over me
I need space for my desires
Have to dive into my fantasies

I know as soon as I'll arrive
Everything is possible
Cause no one has to hide
Beyond the invisible

Close your eyes
Just feel and realize
It is real and not a dream
I'm in you and you're in me

It is time
To break the chains of life
If you follow you will see
What's beyond reality

Excerpts from the song Beyond The Invisible
By Michael Cretu & David David Fairstein

Le Roi Est Mort, Vive le Roi
Enigma

~~~

The reflection I see now…

There are times I question myself.
Having a family that cares deeply for me.
Gifts they give.
Asking nothing in return.
Only my love.
I have all these possessions.
But what do I truly possess?
What I might have been.
If it were different…
Not saying that I am self-centered.
Not Selfish.
Nor am I ungrateful.
If it were different…
What would I be?
Would I be the same?
Would I be different?
Would I be nothing?

Would I have been given the chance?
A need for self-actualization.
A desire to grow.
To be allowed to grow.
To be loved and not be alone.
To be safe.
To be a survivor.

To the family I will never know.

One day, I must stand and face the unknown.
Make a decision on my own.
Believe in myself.
Follow my own path.
Find my true destiny.
Without my family.
Without these material possessions.
No masks to hide behind.
Only myself.

Afraid to show weakness.
Too proud to show strength.
Friendship… isolation.
Knowledge… ignorance.
Joy… sadness.
Heart… cruelty.
Sincerity… lies.
Love… hate.
Purity… poisoned.
Hope… despair.
Finding the light out of darkness.
So many things…
What will I find?
Would I like what I see?
The harsh reality?
My true self.

Excerpts from a forgotten song…
by Mimi Tachikawa

~~~

August 1999

The Tachikawa Residence…

"Goodbye, my Princess. See you back in about a month." We released ourselves from our embrace. My Father placed one final kiss on my forehead. He then goes to my baby brother who was in my Mother's arms and gave him a quick kiss on his forehead. "Take care, my little Iron Man." I was not sure if my baby brother understood any of this, as usual he was just laughing, smiling, making those cute baby sounds. My Father then gave my Mother a kiss on the lips and said to her, "See to it that our daughter gets there safe and sound, honey."

"Of course, dear," my Mother replied and gave him a kiss in return.

"Goodbye, honey! Goodbye, Tetsuo! Goodbye, Mimi! Have fun!" He then proceeded to the garage. "Mimi! Remember to write home, e-mail, call, and so forth."

"I will, Father," I said as he opened the car door of his black 1998 Volkswagen Passat GLS.

"SAYONARA!" my Mother and I said to my Father as we waved goodbye.

"Sayonara!" he replied waving. He finally got into his car. He started the ignition and drove the car out of the garage and into the driveway. He continued waving to us from inside the car, as he continued onto the street and drove away…

"Come on, dear. Let's get your stuff ready," my Mother finally said to me.

"Okay, Mother. I already packed most of my luggage last night. I just want to make sure I have everything, plus my purse."

"Very good, honey."

We both turned towards the house. I felt something cold land on my nose. It felt cold as ice or… snow? I looked at the sky to check the weather. It was a clear and sunny morning sky. 'Strange.'

"Is something wrong, honey?"

"No, nothing, Mother," I replied as I followed her and my brother into the house.

~~~

15 minutes later…

After taking a quick bath, I quickly dressed in my favorite dark pink dress, designed by my Mother. It was a very durable dress that was suitable for outdoor activities in hot or cool climates. It was incredibly rugged, yet still yielded a high level of comfort. My Mother came from a family that has strong ties in the military as well as fashion. She wanted me to have a dress that was as tough as if it was an actual government-issue uniform, but at least showed off some of my "girlish beauty," as she puts it.

The durable material was made from ProDura cloth similar to that used in military battle dress uniforms. Originally khaki in color, the material was dyed dark pink. It was 65% polyester and 35% combed cotton blend. The skirt as well as the storm cape had a ripstop weave and were practically tear resistant. A large dark brown leather belt with a stainless steel buckle that hugs the waistline finishes the ensemble. I got to admit my Mother has done a magnificent job. This dress for some odd reason goes well with my new pink sun hat. 'That is my Mother for you…'

I decided to double-check my pink Samsonite suitcase to see if all my belongings I wanted to bring to summer camp were accounted for. I placed the pink suitcase on my bed and opened the combination lock. I opened the case and quickly glanced at each item. "Okay. All of my clothes are folded and packed… with an extra blanket, bath towels, toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, dental floss, bath soap, shampoo, conditioner, hair brush, hair pins, q-tips…"

I continued checking the final contents of my luggage until I was satisfied I had brought everything. "Right! All done!" I said as I shut the pink luggage case closed and tumbled the combination lock. I brought the suitcase outside my bedroom door so I can take it downstairs later. 'Oh, this thing is a little heavy, but I can manage… no… problem… yes… no… no… no problem.' I finally got my suitcase out of my bedroom door.

"Now one more thing… My special purse." I took out my beloved large khaki purse from my closet. It was a gift from my Great Grandfather who lives in the United Sates. He resides in the State of Hawaii. The Big Island of Hawaii to be precise. He was from my Mother's side. He is ninety-two years young and still going strong!

My Great Grandfather was a war veteran that fought in World War II. He was part of the Japanese-American Soldiers that served during World War II known famously as the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. I believed his country will be awarding him the Congressional Medal of Honor next year, their country's most prestigious and honorable award.

The Japanese-American citizens, or Nisei, of that time still faced racial prejudice in the United States, I was told. Still above all, high-ranking officers regarded the Nisei Soldiers as the best assault troops in the Army. The 100th Infantry Battalion of the 442nd fought bravely, but suffered many wounds and casualties in major campaigns. They were nicknamed "the Purple Heart Battalion." During that time of 1946, their President, Harry S. Truman, addressed the 100th Infantry Battalion… "You fought not only the enemy, but you fought prejudice-and you have won." (From the article: http://www.thehistorynet.com/WorldWarII/articles/07965_text.htm)

I was very moved by the life of my Great Grandfather in America. I still despised any type of fighting now after experiencing what I was capable of in my early preadolescence years. But I knew importantly that it was the call of duty to serve one's country. My Mother told me that my Grandfather, her Father, always loved his American Father. Despite my Grandfather and Great Grandfather being torn apart by warring nations, they always loved each other deeply and has so ever since. They were after all family.

Right now, my Great Grandfather owned and operated a humble government surplus store with all these neat military gear. On his visit here two years ago in July, he gave me some gifts including this special purse. He said it was a special range gear bag once a standard military issue used in the German military. He told me the German name for it, but I could not pronounce it right. The German language was even more confusing than English! I just called it my purse.

The purse was designed with efficient amount of cubic space. It was made out of 1,000-denier khaki colored water-repelling nylon with quilted ripstop lining. When worn, it hung very comfortably around my shoulder and waist. My Great Grandfather soon realized that I had a fondness for anything pink and he said he should have dyed my purse pink. I said it was not necessary. I loved it the way it was. It was a really great gift. I took it with me many times when traveling. In fact, this khaki color matched with everything I wore.

"Now to pack my purse!"

I brought out my army issue footlocker from the closet. The footlocker was another gift from my Great Grandfather which he occasionally ships new things to me every so often. I unlocked the combination lock and opened the locker. I then took out various items I would definitely need at camp and laid them out one by one…

SAS combat survival tin… trioxane cooking fuel… magnesium firestarter… lifeboat survival matches… one MRE entrée… mess kit… a little first aid kit… flashlight… snaplight sticks… sunscreen… insect repellent… a candle… Ray-Ban Predator II sunglasses with case… some towels… soap… hand sanitizer… facial issue… a roll of white bathroom tissue, just in case…

'Hmmm… What else might I need? Oh, yes! It is here somewhere…' I looked further within the footlocker and found the item I was looking for. "Ah ha! My Swiss Army Knife!" ' It was a very handy tool to have on any trip. It was another gift from my Great Grandfather, which I loved referring to it as 'the knife with all the things.'

I continued looking through the footlocker and came across my Casio T3 Triple Sensor watch. This watch was a gift from my Mother. She knew her survival stuff too. It was a multi-functional timepiece that had a digital compass; altimeter; barometer; thermometer; auto light feature; and DUH a timekeeper with auto-calendar, alarms, and stopwatch. It had a leather band and a watch face that activates the light when pressed. I decided to wear it on my right wrist.

I checked the footlocker again for anything else I might need. I came across an old antique GI field compass with tritium illumination. It was rather old in design but functioned perfectly. Compared to my high-tech watch, this compass pales in comparison. My Casio makes this compass look like an old watch with all the numbers melted off. Well, I might need it any ways. I placed it in my purse. I closed the footlocker and locked it. I placed it back in my closet.

One more thing… I put my little makeup kit in my purse. I hated makeup. It was not that I really needed to put on makeup. My Mother told me to at least dabble in it a bit. Maybe when I am older I would have such interest in it, but not now. I am still young. Still, my friends are crazy about using make up. They said it enhances any girl's beauty. 'I am sorry, but I do not really see it.'

I was all set. I closed my purse and placed it beside my pink suitcase. I then went to the dresser to take out my pair of light brown GI gloves with GORE-TEX fabric, a gift from my Father. They were very comfortable being both waterproof and breathable with insulated lining. My only gripe about these gloves was that the color does not really go well with anything I wear. Well, that should not matter. They said we needed gloves so… gloves are gloves.

Next, I put on a pair of cushion sole socks that were dyed pink. They were extremely comfortable and pretty stylish! I may have tender feet, but these socks help a lot. My pair of white-accented steel-toe Matterhorn Ranger Boots were downstairs waiting by the door. My mother already aired them out. Despite the tough military issue footwear, I hope I still do not have to do TOO much hiking. I really get annoyed from excessive walking without any direction.

Last but not least, my pink hat. It was about two years ago that I gave up wearing these large sun hats. Especially when the old ones no longer fit me anymore. I thought it made me look like those American rodeo clowns. I usually rather wear my dark raspberry beret when I wore my dark pink dress. But I guess this hat still matches me in nice sort of way. I put the hat on. I look at myself in the mirror again with the pink hat on…

Pink, pink, pink, pink, pink...

I still have a love/hate relationship with that color. I looked at the pink walls of my bedroom. They were painted pink as a little gift from my parents on my ninth birthday. Well, I guess I can still live with pink. It calms me down when I am in a bad mood. Especially last night, it calmed me down from my paranoia!

Pink, pink, pink, pink, pink...

In school, I became synonymous with the color pink. I used to care about the latest fashions and sorts, but now I do not care. I just dress the way I want to now. This was my style that no one else would have. Somehow my friends misinterpreted this and did something that I would always regret ever happened.

About a year ago at school, there was one new girl that came to her first day at school dressed totally in pink. What I found out later was that her hair was pink too. When I was not around, my friends picked on her and said that only I could dress totally in pink. I really felt bad when I heard about it later. I finally found the girl. She was really depressed. I apologized to her about my rude friends. I told my friends to apologize to her as well. My friends did so. I felt that my friends were not being sincere with their apology, but at least they did apologize.

The girl's name was Usagi... Chiba-Tsukino, Usagi. She was just nine years old. My friends even made fun of her pink hairstyle. Something what I could describe was that it looked like a pair of odangos, rabbit ears, and a flamingo. In my honest opinion, her hairstyle looked really cute on her. I was wondering how her parents allowed her to dye her hair to look pink, being that young too. When I asked her about that, she just looked at me innocently and said that it was always pink. Not to appear rude, I just took one quick side-glance at her hair. It was strange. The pink seemed to go right to the scalp… to the roots! Genetics?

Well, that was not really important. Everything turned out for the better. She accepted our apologies. We quickly became great friends. I also accepted her to be with our group of friends, despite sensing my other friends' silent protests. Soon after a month, Usagi had to transfer to another school in Tokyo. I bided her farewell. I sensed that she would become someone of great importance someday. My friends just said good riddance. 'Why do I put up with them anymore?'

Pink, pink, pink, pink, pink...

I wonder what I would look like if I just dyed my hair pink. Pink like Usagi's. I have seen some fashion models color their hair too. It has been a trend now in Japan pop culture. Maybe I should also cut my hair a little shorter as well. How would I look? Should I do it?

Pink...

Pink...

Pink...

Pink...

Pink...

"NAAAAHHHHHHHH!" That would be totally ridiculous! No logic in doing so! No way! This is MY hair given to ME by MY Mother and Father! Why would I ruin it with the color pink? The Fashion Police would arrest me! The local government would have me deported to another country!

I sighed. Still… It would be funny if I did dye my hair pink. I smirked as I thought of another fashion inspiration. Maybe I could put little flashy star clips in my hair as well. Now THAT would be funny!

'Aside from the color pink, I often wondered how I would be if I went Gothic…'

~~~

5 minutes…

I was at my bedroom desk. I opened one of the drawers and looked at its contents. I knew I should leave it but… Just one last look at my pink Pineapple NAVI laptop, which my friends nicknamed it 'the Strawberry.' I took it out and opened it. The desktop came alive. I entered my login name and password. Instantly it notified me that I had e-mail. I sighed, 'Great, I already finished replying to my friends' e-mails and deleted all the junk mail! Not to mention getting the shhhh…shi… POOP scared out of me from last night!'

It better not be from my friends. They should already know what was happening today within just a few hours. If it was from my other associates regarding that ridiculous cheerleading camp, forget it! I really hate it when they want me to join in being a cheerleader! No way in a million years!

I clicked on the mailbox icon. All I had was one e-mail. I checked the address. It was flashing! I read it and noticed it was from Gennai@file.com, the same person! 'Oh no, not again!' Curiosity got the better of me and I opened the mail… It was blank. 'Figures.'

I was about to delete it when I noticed the scroll bar in the window of the supposedly blank e-mail. 'Wait, there is something more to it. Was the scroll bar there the first time I received e-mail from this person? I did not check.' Seeing the scroll bar meant that there might be more text further down. I then moved the mouse pointer on the scroll bar and proceeded to scroll further. I expected to find nothing, but then I was surprised to see a message there. It read:

Palms read…

…follow the pineapple

I blinked… I read the message again… and again… I sat back… "You have got to be kidding me," I muttered to myself. It has to be a joke. 'With all the junk e-mails I get swamped with, this comes up!' I was contemplating whether I should send an e-mail reply to who ever sent it. I know my Father said not to trust strange e-mail… Forget it. I just saved it in my Personal directory.

'Follow the pineapple… Ha! My laptop is working fine, thank you. Follow the Strawberry is more like it!'

I shut the power off on my pink laptop and placed it back in the desk drawer. No way am I taking that along. It was too big to fit in my already filled purse any ways. Well, my Father did want me to e-mail home once in awhile. All I had left was my Sony PalmNAVe computer.

The PalmNAVe was a gift I got this last Christmas. Unlike the large Strawberry, this little machine was almost less than half the size and fits in my palm. It performed just as well as the laptop, maybe even better. It mainly functioned as my organizer. The coolest thing about this little device was that it was still in its original black metallic casing. No pink!

My PalmNAVe was truly top-of-the-line and state-of-the-art. It had a high-resolution color display; compact but very functional folding keyboard; full compatibility with all of my Sony NAVtop PC functions; Internet capabilities; GPS capabilities; sixty-four megabytes Sync DRAM; MP3 player; power cell with recharger; several expansion ports; interface unit; and a pen input device.

I activated the PalmNAVe and checked my personal documents. Among the files, I kept a copy of my biological family's photograph. It was a scanned from the original inside my pendant. I thought I could use the PhotoEditor to at least enhance the damaged portions to have a better picture. It proved impossible. For some strange reason, the picture could not be enhanced or even altered. The picture was probably too small to begin with to get an enhanced resolution. All I could do was do a fuzzy pixel blow up. It was good enough.

Okay, the camp counselors said no compact disk players, radios, cassette players, NeoGeo Pockets, or Gameboys on the campgrounds. They said nothing about actual laptop computers and sorts. Those rules were much too out of date, lucky for me. I have an MP3 player on my PalmNAVe! I can download new music and listen to them whenever I wanted to. I checked the existing playlist and saw that I had 64 songs listed…

1. Orinoco Flow by Enya
2. Delirium by Karma
3. Recitativo: O Freunde, nicht diese Töne! by Beethoven
4…

…

44. Crisis by Kodomo
45. Walking After You by Foo Fighters
46. Return to Innocence by Enigma
47. Silk…

I stopped and looked at song 46. 'Return to Innocence.' It was a song by the international music group Enigma. It was a song I really loved long ago. I still love it now. Now that I knew the English language, I love it even more. I am not fluent yet, but I can still translate the English sentences into Japanese. Once I am fluent in English, I plan to learn German, French, and Spanish languages. Maybe I might want to learn Hawaiian. Who knows? It might come in handy when I can finally visit my Great Grandfather.

I know like with all of the United States, English is the dominant language spoken in the State of Hawaii. It was just that we could see all of the wonderful sites of the Hawaiian Islands and understand some of the ancient native culture and history as well. Maybe I can learn to surf… REAL SURFING!

I pressed the play button and the MP3 player played the selected song 46…

The music begins with a strange yet melodic chant-like verse that was done by a male vocalist. When I asked my music teacher about this chant-like verse two years ago, he said it was called an Ami chant which originated from an Ami and Japanese only speaking Taiwanese county of Taitung. It traces back to cultural traditions that are still celebrated today through annual harvest festivals.

From what my music teacher has said, there were no lyrics for the Ami chant. The actual title of the Ami chant sung in Return to Innocence was called Song of Joy.

As the Ami chant of Song of Joy fades out as an echo, a soft female voice speaks the following as a poem…

That's not the beginning of the end
That's the return to yourself
The return to innocence.
Love… Devotion
Feeling… Emotion

Then the music finally picks up with a nice soothing melody and a nice light beat. A male vocalist sings the following. Amazingly I found myself singing with it…

Love… Devotion…
Feeling… Emotion…

Don't be afraid to be weak
Don't be too proud to be strong
Just look into your heart my friend
That will be the return to yourself
The return to innocence

The part with the Ami chant begins again. I felt very drawn to it. I did not know if I was singing it right. I meant no disrespect to the language or culture, but I wanted to join in the singing. I sang with my heart…

Then the song continues…

If you want, then start to laugh
If you must, then start to cry
Be yourself don't hide
Just believe in destiny

Don't care what people say
Just follow your own way
Don't give up and use the chance
To return to innocence

The Ami chant begins again…

Then a female voice spoke the following like a poem…

That's not the beginning of the end
That's the return to yourself
The return to innocence

The song continues with a very hauntingly but still soothing keyboard solo…

The Ami chant begins again…

The song then ends with the female voice…

Don't care what people say
Follow just your own way
Follow just your own way
Don't give up, don't give up
To return, to return to innocence.
If you want then laugh
If you must then cry
Be yourself don't hide
Just believe in destiny…

I closed the MP3 player and placed the PalmNAVe down on the desk. Just then I heard a clapping noise coming from my behind me. Startled, I looked and saw my Mother at the doorway applauding.

"That was beautiful, Mimi!" she said.

"Um, thank you Mother," I blushed.

"You always did have a voice. That was a nice sounding song too, Mimi. What was it called?" she asked as she stopped clapping. She then walked in and stood beside me by my bedroom desk.

"It is an old song called Return to Innocence," I replied.

"It was really beautiful, Mimi. I think I understand some of the lyrics… English right?" she said.

"Yes, Mother."

"Why did you pick that particular song, Mimi?"

"Excuse me, Mother?"

"You sang that song with your heart. I know so. Why did you pick that song, dear?"

I finally realized why she was asking me this question. 'Huh, why did I pick it? I did not know for sure. Was it because of how I felt about myself? How I felt how others would see me? Or how I want them to see me? I still do not know…'

"Well?"

"Um, I wanted to test if the MP3 player still worked?" I lied. I knew it was more than that.

My Mother gave me a look that she knew I was not being honest. "I see." She shook her head and said, "You don't have to say anything about it, Mimi." She walked close to me and gave me a kiss on the cheek. She then whispered to me, "Remember to always look into your heart… Be true to yourself."

"Thank you, Mother. I will always remember," I replied softly with a smile.

My mother kissed my again. She walked out of my bedroom and waited in the hallway.

I closed the PalmNAVe to shut it off. I walked out of my bedroom door to where my suitcase and purse lay. I placed the PalmNAVe in my purse. I took one look back at my pink bedroom. One month. I was going to miss this room. I would miss my beloved Sony NAVtop PC in the adjoining room. However, I might not miss the pink painted walls though.

"Ready to go, dear?" my Mother asked.

Before answering, I had one final thing I needed to check. I made a quick feel for my pendant around my neck. It was hidden behind the collar of my dress. I turned to face my Mother with a smile and said, "Yes, I am ready, Mother."

He expression changes all of a sudden… "Okay, which car?" she asks excitedly.

Oh no! I hate it when she gives me a choice on the three remaining family cars. She always thought I still liked her car. "Um… the one that does not look like…" I could not even finish. As I was about to grab my suitcase and purse, my mother effortlessly grabs and lifts both of them with her left hand.

"THE TACHIKAWA MOBILE IT IS!" my Mother yelled with her right hand in the air and her index finger pointed to the sky.

I sweat dropped, as I stood there stunned. I could have sworn I saw our old flag representation of the rising sun behind her for a brief second. Also a Noh chant, a few plucks from a koto, and then a single loud taiko drum hit was briefly heard. I must be losing it…

To be continued...