Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Like Sakura Petals Falling... ❯ Rippling ( Chapter 2 )

Blanket Disclaimer: InuYasha belongs to Rumiko Takahashi, YuYu Hakusho belongs to Yoshihiro Togashi. Perverse bastardizations of both can be blamed on me.

"... Blow by blow her mind Cut in sheets Layers deep now unravelling..." ---'Carbon' by Tori Amos

Chapter Two (Rippling)

"The new exhibit will run at the Tokyo National Museum from the thirteenth of this month until the twenty-sixth of June. Kicking off it's seven city public museum tour here in Tokyo, before reaching to its final destination at the Heian-jingu Shrine in Kyoto. The exhibit will be open to the general public for viewing during regular museum hours. Please contact the Tokyo National Museum for more information.

"In other news, another shrine was the scene for a vicious homicide today in the Ueno district, marking the third alleged shrine to be attacked. Police officials say..." The anchorwoman on the morning news program read on from her teleprompter with a false cheerfulness that held all the appeal of fingernails on a chalk board. Hatanaka Shuuichi glared bloody death at the simpering woman punching out her words with an insincere staccato on the small television in his family's kitchen through shaggy brown tresses. It would be long until his step-mother, Shiori-san, would start her musing inspections of the stylishly styleless mop of chestnut hair and teasing him about trying to look like "her Shuuichi."

Not that Shuuichi minded the teasing and comparisons. But at this early of an hour, and with and exam in mathematics hovering over his head like a proverbial Sword of Damocles, nothing seemed amusing to the embittered teen.

Stupid useless course. Shuuichi thought grimly, staring down darkly at his fried egg. Honestly, Shuuichi just didn't see the point of higher mathematics. It's not like he had any interest in any of the careers that would require their usage. So, it was entirely a waste.

Especially those damnable imaginary numerals. They were imaginary, for the gods' sakes! As in, not real! Made up! Fiction!

Why should you have to worry about solving problems and equations for numbers and integers that did not exist?

Not only that, but who's to guarantee that the alleged imaginary numerals couldn't be imagined into another number altogether? You couldn't trust professors--- the were out to flunk you. Shuuichi was convinced.

When he had tried to vent his scholastic angst to his step-brother, Minamino had merely stifled a laugh and gave some ambivalent answer; neither confirming nor denying his suspicions of academic foul play.

"It's all a conspiracy." Shuuichi muttered peevishly to his toast, before savagely biting into the crispy square of bread.

"What's a conspiracy?"

Shuuichi nearly jumped out of his skin in startlement from the sudden intrusion of a rich, slightly amused baritone voice invading his morning brood. Whirling around, Shuuichi narrowed his eyes at his elder step-brother's faint smile.

Gods damn it all! Minamino feeling playful? I'm doomed. Shuuichi silently sulked.

"Nothing," Shuuichi voiced petulantly, turning back to his half-eaten breakfast.

"He has a test today." Shiori interceded with a sly look over Shuuichi's head to her son.

Shuuichi tensed at his step-mother's remark. Here it comes. He thought with a sense of foreboding knotting itself in the pit of his stomach.

"Oh? The dreaded math exam?" Minamino asked in seeming innocence as he joined Shuuichi at the breakfast table. Somehow, Shuuichi doubted that countenance's authenticity as his step-brother took a thoughtful sip of tea.

"Yes, if I recall correctly." Shiori confirmed, setting a plate in front of Minamino. "I believe during his final period." She added, sitting down herself.

"Final period," Minamino mused. "Is that so?"

"Yeah," Shuuichi balefully sighed out his admission in a martyred air.

"Well then, I suppose we both are suffering from the same unfortunate luck." Minamino stated aloofly, casting a sideways glance at Shuuichi through fiery bangs. "It so happens that I have one as well today."

Shuuichi blinked in surprise at his onii-san's admittance. "Really?" He asked dumbly.

Minamino merely nodded in response, a slight smile playing at his lips.

"Then I should wish you both good luck." Shiori infused.

It was no secret as to just how pleased Shiori was to have her brilliant son finally attending University. Though she'd been proud and supportive of his decision to go to work for her husband directly after graduation from high school; she had always secretly hoped her son would continue in pursuing his education. For as prestigious as being the Vice President of a highly competitive computer company by seventeen may be, her baby boy was meant for more. Add to that, her prized son was back home, albeit temporarily, Shiori was positively aglow.

And Shuuichi had to admit that he was glad, too, for his step-brother's extended visit home. Shuuichi had always looked up to Minamino since he had been a young child, and his step-brother had never once let him down. Casting his step-brother a guarded glance, he screwed his courage, and plunged into his rehearsed request.

"Shuuichi-kun?" He directed to his onii-san somewhat hesitantly. "I was wondering if we could go see the new exhibit at the Tokyo National Museum?" He asked quickly. "The one with the miko statue? My history teacher is offering extra credit to those who visit it." Shuuichi rambled on. Gods, he must be the lamest geek there ever was.

"I'm free Sunday, if that's a good day for you." Minamino offered after a moment.

"Sunday is great!" Shuuichi enthused, only to have all cheer drain from his face with one brief glance at a nearby clock. "I gotta go!" He exclaimed in mild alarm at the time. Great! Now I'm going to be late! He mentally bemoaned himself, as he raced about gathering his things and jolting out the door for school.

~*~

Kitajima Maya wiped down the final display case with her dusting cloth before stepping away to eye her handiwork speculatively.

Tonight's the night. She thought with a sense of accomplishment. Nodding satisfactorily to herself, she folded up the soiled rag before depositing it into the maid's car she had wheeled out from the janitor's closet. In a few short hours, the exhibit of the mysterious miko statue would be open to the public, a silent debutante shining forth over a gala of patrons.

It was even speculated that the Dr. Murata Kenji would even make an appearance for the momentous occasion. Maya smiled broadly at the thought of meeting such a distinguished member of the scientific community. She longed to discuss with him her theories of the lost cities of Japan, which lay hidden upon the ocean floor. A subject which she had done her master thesis on, and was curious as to whether this miko could be from a similar lost city.

Maya swept her eyes over the main hall of the exhibit once more, scouring for anything out of place in the deserted wing. Walking past each display, she analyzed each scroll, weapon, and other miscellaneous artifact set out with a critical eye. Occasionally opening a case and repositioning the odd piece until it was situated to her satisfaction. Once everything in the various display cases were to her liking, she turned her attention to the statue itself.

It stood on a pedestal in the center of the foyer, greeting all those who entered the exhibit with her radiant and benevolent countenance.

Truly a marvel, the statue never seemed to dull. It almost seemed as if it soaked up every source of illumination and infused the gathered light with its very being. The pink-diamond beauty almost reminded Maya of some ancient myth of faerie tale.

"Almost like Galatea?" She questioned herself in a hushed whisper, remember the Greek myth. "But if that is the case, who was your Pygmalion?" Maya inquired the statue, tapping an inquisitive finger to her chin in distracted thought.

She was about to turn away, when a glimmer caught her attention. Frowning, Maya inspected the figure closely, searching for whatever it was that had caught her attention.

There! Maya thought as she honed in on a trail of moisture trailing down the rendered miko's cheek.

Biting her lip in trepidation, Maya gingerly stretch out her slender form, straining to reach the blemish coursing down the sculpture's cheek. Blinking she pulled her hand back examining her moist fingertips before glancing sharply at the statue's face.

"A tear?" She wondered aloud. "No, it must be some weird trick of the condensation." She reasoned to herself, finally turning away from the statue to gather her things and leave.

«Buyo! Buuuu-yo!»

Maya's head jerked up,eyes narrowing as the unfamiliar voice echoed throughout the empty wing. Eyes already scanning the vast expanse for any hiding spots as she tossed out a tentative "hello?"

«Onee-chan! Behind you!»

Maya spun at the new voice, soft black hair whipping around her face and momentarily blinding her.

"Who's there?" She demanded to the unseen intruders.

«The Jewel! I must have it!»

"Show yourselves! This isn't funny!" Maya shouted out against the newest voice, her breath growing ragged and temper flaring. "Yamata, is that you?"

«Where am I? Please. Tell me.»

Maya jumped at the seemingly close proximity of the final voice. It sounded so forlorn as the whispered plea brushed against her ear. Maya could almost have sworn she had felt the breath of the speaker sifting through the hairs near her cheek.

Turning slowly once more, Maya turned and found herself facing the statue. Only now, superimposed over the glowing pink of the sculpture were the features of the actual miko that must have served as the piece's subject.

Gasping in shock, Maya took an involuntary step back at the infinite sadness marring the miko's eyes and otherwise serene expression. Even as she tried to distance herself from the figure, the ghostly woman seemed to reach out toward Maya in a pleading gesture.

"No!" Maya cried out, throwing up her arms defensively against the wavering figure.

But the act proved futile as Maya's vision was inundated with scenes and scenarios, passing too rapidly for her to comprehend their meanings. Silver hair, fearful miasma, golden eyes, a shokujou, a fox's tail, a burn scar the shape of a spider, wolves, dogs, and countless of other seemingly random images flashed through Maya's mind. Complimented with disembodied voices whispering and shouting in a raising din only to be crested by a single, blood-curdling scream.

Only, then, did Maya's world mercifully go black.

~*~

Maya let out a small groan as she slowly regained consciousness. Her head was throbbing in waves of near nauseating pain.

I'm in hell. She silently lamented as she tried to take in her surroundings without opening her eyes. She knew she was laying on what she guessed to be either a couch, or a very scratchy futon. And she smelled--- coffee?

Confused, Maya decided to attempt opening her eyes. She got them about half open before squeezing them shut again and letting out another pained groan. She threw an arm over her eyes to further protect them from the evil, evil flourescent lighting of the museum's employee break-room.

Bad idea, Kitajima. She scolded herself as another particularly vicious wave of pain washed over her mercilessly. Very bad. But at least she had the answer to her first question. Now, how did I get here? Maya thought dryly, mentally trying to piece together the events that led to her laying on the couch in the break-room. A wave of dizziness was her only reward for her half-hearted attempt at situational clarity.

The gods must by laughing. Maya though dourly of her woeful state.

"Kitajima?" Called a familiar voice, winning a very unladylike grunt from the young woman in question.

Yamata? Is he the one who brought me here? She wondered silently. Oh, that is just perfect!

"Kitajima," the voice spoke again, laced with concern. "Are you alright?"

"How'd I get here?" Maya asked instead, pointedly ignoring her co-worker's question. Did she look okay?

"I found you passed out in the floor of the new exhibit." Yamata explained quickly. "I heard screams, and went to check on you."

"Oh," Maya murmured. That was rather kind of him. She thought, then frowned. I wonder what the catch is.

"Are you alright?" Yamata asked again. "I think you may have a concussion. I should probably take you to a doctor." He openly fretted.

Frowning at her co-worker's concern, Maya slowly blinked open her eyes experimentally. This time she was met with success.

Prognosis: you'll live. Well met, Kitajima. She thought grimly to herself. Now that that was accomplished, she decided to let her renowned ambition take the proverbial reigns, and moved to sit up.

Oh, thought too soon. She mentally braced herself upon sitting up and was rewarede by yet more dizziness, nausea, and pain. Maya held her breath and blinked until her vision cleared and steadied, as well as tamping down the need to regurgitate back up her lunch all over her poor unsuspecting co-worker. They could both happily live without that particular humiliation.

Letting out a slow, controlled breath, Maya met Yamata's gaze. The concern and worry clearly written all over the young man's angular face was nearly palpable, shocking Maya with its raw intensity.

He really was worried. She thought somewhat awed by the fact.

Yamata was always so indomitable, nothing ever seemed to phase the studious youth. Combine that with his love for pranks, and you had someone that, in Maya's opinion, was intolerable to work with. An opinion she had thought to be mutually shared. Now a part of her was starting to question that belief.

"Kitajima?" Yamata prompted, leaning forward trying to catch her attention.

"I'm fine." She replied brusquely with a start. She kept dazing off, damn it, she hated doing that.

"Yeah, you look it." Yamata drawled out sarcastically, leaning back in his chair and readjusted his glasses with a practiced ease.

"I'm fine." Maya insisted stubbornly. To further prove her point, she attempted to stand, only to promptly collapse back onto the couch.

"You really need a doctor, don't you?" Yamata accused, though there was no harshness, nor gloating in his tone, merely worry.

"Maybe," Maya conceded quietly as she was hit with another wave of dizziness. "Whoa." She muttered softly as she braced herself against the near overwhelming vertigo.

"You do." Yamata insisted in a tone that brooked no argument.

Maya glared weakly at him. "You, Yamata Hiiro, are a world-class jerk!" She accused half-heartedly.

Tamata simply shrugged off her insult. "Yeah, well, this so called 'World-Class Jerk' has your best interest in mind." He stated flatly.

Maya looked away from her co-worker in stubborn protest. Not to mention, finding herself at a loss for what to say in rebuttal to a remark like that.

"Then let's go." She finally committed herself into his dubious care. "Might as well get it over with."

"Are you sure you're ready to walk?" Yamata asked in mild incredulity.

"No, but I want this over and done with." Maya answered with a pained sigh.

"Okay," Yamata relented. "But if you need to stop and rest, just say so." He demanded gently even as he offered her his hand once he'd risen from the plastic chair he'd been seated in.

"Fine." Maya agreed, accepting the proffered hand, allowing him to help her to her feet.

Their progress through the museum and toward the employee's parking lot was slow and Maya found herself having to rely heavily on Yamata to keep her upright.

As they passed the closed off wing containing the new exhibit, Maya felt her gaze drawn to the statue standing so innocently just inside the entrance. Suddenly, everything came rushing back in brilliant flashes, yet weaker in intensity than the original blitz krieg on her battered psyche. Never the less, the sudden onslaught of the voices and imagery caused her to loose her bearing momentarily, and sag against Yamata.

"Shit!" He cursed under his breath, quickly catching and supporting the disoriented woman in his care. "Don't pass out, Kitajima!" He hissed in demand.

"Sorry," Maya managed weakly, floundering in her co-worker's arms as she struggled to get her feet back under her.

"What the hell are you apologizing for?" Yamata snapped back, helping her to right herself. "Just keep it together until we get to my car. Then you can play Miss Catatonia so long as you remain conscious. Deal?" He ultimatumed sharply.

"Deal," Maya agreed softly, wavering as her vision suddenly swam again. "Just get me the hell out of her." She nearly whimpered out in response.

"Okay. So, let's try this walking thing again, shall we?" Yamata replied his tone softening with his poor attempt at a joke.

Maya simply nodded, pouring all her focus into each step of their agonizingly slow progress. She all but let out a small sigh of relief when she finally found herself in the passenger's seat in Yamata's sedan on the way to a nearby clinic.

~*~

Maya sat quietly on a bench on the grounds of the neighborhood Shinto shrine near her apartment complex. Ever since she had been a little girl, she would come to this shrine to puzzle out her problems. It had become a safe haven to her over the years, as well as a favorite haunt. So it seemed only natural for her to find herself retracing the all too familiar steps and paths of her youth all the while in deep contemplation.

It had taken some convincing to get rid of Yamata; especially after the doctor had told them she shouldn't be left alone. She did, in fact, have a concussion, and therefore wasn't allowed to sleep for more than an hour at a time for the next twenty-four hours.

Stupid doctors. She inwardly sulked. Though that was not the true source of her brooding on these quiet and holy grounds.

No, the real reason would be the visions. They had been steadily coming to her in flashes and waves. The only sense that Maya could make of them, was that they centered around the miko. How and why they were coming to her; however, eluded her understanding.

The peacefulness of the environment was suddenly shattered by the sounds of tortured and terrified screams. Raising her head in the direction of the frightful sounds, Maya slowly stood. A strange calmness suddenly washed over her, as she slowly began walking toward the sounds of impending carnage. Maya almost felt as though she were somehow detached from the situation. As though she was watching herself on a movie screen.

Shaking her head of such silly notions, Maya emerged upon the main shrine to find a rat-like monster feeding off of one of the shrine's priests.

Oh gods, she inwardly shuttered. Her brown eyes widening at the visceral sight.

«It will be alright. Just hold out your hand.»

Maya's eyes widened further in fear as the crystalline voice rang clearly in her ears. At the same moment the oni raised its bloody muzzle to regard her with red beady eyes. With a speed too quick for Maya to follow, the rat-like monstrosity leaped from its prey toward her with a bone-chilling shriek.

A scream tore from Maya's throat as she instinctually threw up her arms in self-defense; bracing herself for her gruesome end.

«Good.»

The sudden praise that rang in her ears from the earlier, was matched with a sudden warm-tingling sensation radiating in her hands and down her arms. The next thing Maya's mind registered was the smell of burning fur and flesh, as well as the shrill screams of pain.

Screams of pain that did not belong to her.

Hesitantly, Maya slowly opened her eyes, briefly wondering when she had closed them in the first place. She found herself staring in astonishment to see her own hands and arms glowing with a blue aura that was filled with purity. On the ground, remained little more than a scorch mark at her feet; the only trace left of the fearsome oni that had attacked her.

"What... happened?" Maya managed to whisper before swooning from a sudden, all-consuming wave of sheer exhaustion.