Melancholy of Flowers

Chapter Thirteen

The Truth


“It’s time to end this,” Kurushimi said while pacing around the room.

“I agree completely,” Natsumi said. “I’ve had it with Hana and her stupid friends.”

“You sound like a child,” Kurushimi laughed. “No wonder Cye is having trouble keeping his mind to you.”

Natsumi glared at Kurushimi. “In any case, I’m ready for the next level. I’m willing to give you my soul in exchange for Hana’s death.”

“That’s amusing to hear. You really do hate this girl, don’t you?”

“You have no idea.”

“I’ll grant your wish. Bring Cye here and we’ll get started.”

Natsumi bowed and exited the warehouse.

* * * * *


“Natsumi is showing her true colors,” Rowen said.

The group gathered around in Ryo’s apartment. Even with food on the table, no one seemed to be hungry. The situation was getting serious and they knew that the time has come to confront the evil that was behind their suffering from the very beginning.

“I’m going to rip her apart,” Hana sneered.

“Now let’s not get too excited here,” Ryo said. “Natsumi is under some kind of control. She’s probably brainwashed and thinks that we are the enemies. We can’t hurt her.”

Hana glowered at Ryo with eyes of hate.

“We need to get Cye back,” Sage said.

“I know that,” Ryo said. “We also have to make sure that no harm comes to Natsumi.”

“Why are you sticking up for her?!” Hana demanded. “Are you saying that you are willing to stick up for someone who as caused us so much pain these past few weeks?!”

“I-I didn’t say that,” Ryo said, his face turning red.

“I see..... I get it now,” Hana said softly and got up from her seat. “You like her don’t you?”

“What?”

“I can see it on your face. I’m sorry Ryo, but for someone to go that far, I’m not backing down.”

“This is crazy,” Kento said. “Look what’s happening here. This is exactly what the enemy wants to happen.”

“Kento’s right you know. The enemy wants us to fight to weaken our bond,” Rowen said.

“I know the location of where Natsumi goes everyday,” Kohaku said.

“You do?” Sage asked.

Kohaku nodded. “It’s one of the warehouses not too far from here.”

“She goes there?” Rowen asked.

“Apparently that’s where the evil behind all this is lying dormant, or something.”

“That’s great! We got a lead!” Kento said.

“Natsumi is probably leading us there,” Ryo said.

“Then go to her and save her,” Hana spat. “I’m going there and making sure she never even looks at Cye again.”

“Hana, you need to calm down,” Ryo said firmly.

“Don’t tell me what to do.”

“Will you guys stop fighting!” Kento shouted. “I can’t take it anymore!”

“I’m going to my room,” Hana said and walked out of the living room.

“I’m sorry guys,” Ryo said.

“I can see what Hana means,” Kohaku said. “Despite the fact that you said that you loved Hana, you also have strong feelings toward Natsumi as well.”

“What are you talking about?” Kento asked.

“It’s a girl thing.”

“Is she right Ryo? Do you actually like Natsumi?” Rowen asked.

“I- I don’t know really,” Ryo said.

“That’s bullshit,” Kento said.

“It’s okay to have these feelings Ryo, but you must not let that get in your way,” Sage said.

Ryo nodded and got up from his seat. “I think it’s time that we all get some sleep.”

“I agree,” Rowen said.

Everyone said their goodbyes and left Ryo’s apartment in peace. Ryo cleaned the table and slowly walked back to his bedroom, where Hana was lying on the floor with blankets wrapped around her.


* * * * *


Later that night, Hana snuck out of the apartment and headed toward the warehouses.

“I’m sorry Ryo, but I must do this on my own,” Hana thought to herself.

The air was chilly and the moon was full. The stars in the sky watched as Hana made her way through the broken gate which surrounded the old buildings. Hana checked each warehouse for any signs of life or even a light.

“This is hopeless,” Hana moaned. “There’s nothing here.”

“Oh I wouldn’t say that,” a cold voice said.

Hana looked to her left and say Natsumi standing by the doorway of warehouse 5.

“How did I miss that one?” Hana said to herself.

“You really are a foolish one aren’t you?” Natsumi said.

“Hold your tongue you tramp!” Hana barked.

Natsumi chuckled then grinned. “I’m glad you came alone.”

“And why is that?”

“Those boys would just get in the way. I want you to die alone in a painful way that will make me burst with joy.”

“You are a twisted person.”

“I know and I really don’t mind it. Let’s not talk outside, it’s cold and I want to see your angry face in the light.” Hana glared at Natsumi as she made her way into the brightly lite warehouse. The door closed once she was inside.

“Now isn’t this better?” Nastumi said.

“Where’s Cye?” Hana demanded.

“Oh he’s fine.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“He’ll be here in a moment. He needs to prepare.”

“Prepare? What do you mean by that?”

“You are about to find out.”

Kurushimi walked out into the open space where Natsumi and Hana were standing.

“Welcome Hana,” Kurushimi said.

“Who are you?” Hana said.

“I’m Kurushimi.”

“So you are the one behind all this?”

“Why yes I am, thank you for noticing.”

“Why are you after me?”

“Why? I’ll tell you why. Do you remember when you were controlled?”

“Yes...”

“That spirit that was controlling you was apart of me. Thanks to you and your pathetic friends, I only have half a life left. Not to mention that you stole some of my power!”

“Your power?”

“Yes. That power that you now possess belongs to me!”

“You are the reason why I suffered?!”

“Exactly. You killed my father and because of that, I made sure your life was a living hell.”

“Well you succeeded.”

“No, I don’t think so. Not yet at least. Now the time has come to end your miserable life once and for all. I summon you now Cye to destroy Hana!”

“Cye?”

A dark figure walked out from the tiny room. Cye’s eyes were no longer full of life, but looked as if he was in a trance. His eyes were empty and cold. He wore his torrent armor and had a gold band around his head. His yori was within his grasp as he walked toward Hana.

“Cye? What did you do to him?!” Hana said, her voice cracking.

“He’s now under my complete control!” Kurushimi said. “Now Cye... DESTROY HER!”

Cye grunted and charged at full speed toward Hana.

“Cye stop!” Hana cried and dodged his attack.

“He can’t hear you,” Natsumi laughed. She was standing next Kurushimi who had a smug look on her face.

Cye swung his yori at Hana, cutting the sleeves of her shirt.

“He’s too fast,” Hana thought to herself as she banged against the wall. “I can’t dodge him forever.” “Please Cye!” Tears started to flow from her eyes as Cye picked her up and threw her against the opposite wall. Hana landed on the ground, gasping for air, her body shaking uncontrollably.

“This is too interesting,” Natsumi smiled. “Seeing Hana getting beaten up by someone who she loves. Now she’ll understand what it’s like to be betrayed.”

“W-what did you say?” Hana sputtered.

“Hana! Are you in there?!” Ryo called from outside the door.

“Damn it! They found us!” Natsumi sneered.

“Let them in so they can see Hana get tortured,” Kurushimi said.

“What?” Natsumi asked.

“Just do it.”

“Natsumi took the controller and opened the door. Ryo and the rest of the boys bursted in, panting as if they had ran the one mile run.

“Hana? Cye?” Ryo asked.

Kurushimi raised her hand which made the boys fly against the wall. Locks appeared around their wrists as they dangled from above.

“Now you won’t interfere,” Kurushimi said.

“What did you do to Cye?” Kento said, struggling against the locks.

“He’s under my control and what you are about to see is Cye destroying Hana.”

“What? No!” Ryo shouted.

Hana slowly got to her feet and slowly walked toward Cye. “Please Cye..... don’t do this.....”

Cye growled and shoved his armored elbow into her side. Hana fell to the ground, moaning in agony.

“Hana!” Ryo shouted.

Natsumi laughed while Kurushimi sat in her chair.

“N-Natsumi... you said that..... you were betrayed.......” Hana said, coughing up blood.

“Why do you ask?” Natsumi sneered.

“W-What happened?”

“Why does that matter to you?”

“B-because.... I was..... also betrayed....”

“Lies! You have no idea what it’s like to lose someone you love!”

“Not true...”

Natsumi walked up to Hana and stepped on her back. Hana screamed in pain as Natsumi applied pressure to her foot. “You are such a fake! I HATE YOU!”

“STOP NATSUMI!” Sage ordered.

“Shut up!” Natsumi looked down at Hana and smiled. “If you really must know, then I’ll tell you.”

“W-what?” Hana choked.

“I was little back then and had a mother who loved me very much. My father was always on business trips and didn’t pay much attention to me. I later found out that he wanted a son instead of a daughter and thought I was useless. My mother died of cancer and left me alone with him. He never acknowledged me and always left me alone. I had no one to turn to and I was always left to fend for myself. That is, until I met Cye. It was the first day of classes at school and I was shy and didn’t know anyone. I had dropped my books in the hallway and no one stopped to help me. Cye was the only one who was wiling to stop what he was doing and help me. He smiled kindly at me and asked me what my name was. At that moment I knew he was the one who would rescue me. I was so happy when I saw him and dreamed that I could be with him. But that day when I found out that he had a girlfriend, my world came to an end. My heart stopped beating and I was an empty shell. I had given up hope, but luckily Kurushimi came to me and told me that there was a way that I could have Cye all to myself. So I followed her and she helped me a lot.”

“Are you serious?” Hana asked as she struggled to get to her feet. “You say how sad your life is and all that shit. You have no idea what it’s like to lose everything. The family that I lived with got killed because of evil not to mention I was disowned by every relative I know. I had no where to go and so I had to live by myself. I too felt lonely and yearned for attention. Luckily I found someone who can give me all those things. That is until you came along and took the one thing that was precious to me. I know how you feel Natsumi and you are not alone in that category. You will find someone who will love you and will take care of you.”

“Shut up.... I don’t want to hear your voice!” Natsumi screamed and punched Hana in the face. “Kurushimi was willing to help me and I am grateful for that.”

“S-she’s using you,” Hana said.

“Don’t talk about her like that!” Natsumi kicked Hana in the same side, making Hana scream even more.

“I can’t take this!” Ryo shouted. “Natsumi! Get a hold of yourself! You are not alone!”

“But I am alone!”

“You have friends Natsumi!”

“More lies! Cye, kill Hana then kill the Ronins!”

“As you wish,” Cye said in a dull tone. He raised his yori and pointed it at Hana. “Super Wave Smasher!”

“Cye stop!” Ryo yelled.

Hana dodged half of the attack, injuring her left side. She fell to the ground hard with blood dripping down her arm.

“Hana are you alright?!” Rowen asked.

“Y-yeah. Just a scrape on the arm,” Hana smiled weakily. Hana got up slowly and looked at Cye and then to Natsumi. “There is only one way to end this.”

“What are you going to do?” Ryo asked.

“I’m not going to kill her Ryo, but I can’t stand having Cye act this way!” Hana charged at Natsumi and before Natsumi could react, Hana punched her in the stomach. Natsumi coughed then fell to the ground unconscious.

Cye dropped his yori on the ground and looked around. “What’s going on?” he asked.

“Are you back to normal Cye?” Sage asked.

“What are you guys doing locked on the wall?”

“That bitch locked us up!” Kento sneered.

“You have to help Hana Cye,” Ryo said.

Cye looked to his right and saw Hana sitting on the ground, clenching her arm tightly. “D-did I do that?”

“It’s okay Cye,” Hana said. “It doesn’t hurt much... just stings a little.”

“I’m sorry Hana,” Cye said, tears rolling down his cheeks.

“H-how can this be?” Kurushimi asked. “He was under our control.”

Hana chuckled to herself. “Cye was under Natsumi’s control, wasn’t he? Once Natsumi was knocked out, Cye was able to come to his senses.”

“It doesn’t really matter. I never needed that brat to begin with. She was just a puppet in my plan to draw you in. Of course I succeeded because you are here right now, ready to die.”

“You are not to lay a finger on her,” Cye glared.

“Oh don’t worry my young man. I won’t touch her in order to hurt her. I have what I need right here with me.”

With a flash of a movement, Kurushimi took Cye by the neck and held him against the wall. Her nails dug into his flesh on his neck, drawing blood. Cye screamed in pain and struggled to get free from her tight grasp.

“Leave him alone!” Hana demanded.

“Or what? Huh? You are hurt and can barely stand,” Kurushimi said slyly.

“Just because I can’t stand, doesn’t me I can’t attack!” Purple aura surrounded Hana and the ground began to shake.

“What?”

“Like I said, I have come a long way in my powers.” Chunks of concrete broke from the ground and charged at Kurushimi.

“Foolish girl!” A barrier surround Kurushimi and the chunks of concrete was smashed to dust. “You got those powers from me remember. I know them well.”

“She needs our help,” Rowen said.

“But we can’t get free,” Kento said.

“And now, prepare to say goodbye to your little water boy,” Kurushimi grinned.


A/N: Okay, I had to end this chapter because it was getting long and I didn’t want to end everything in this chapter. So that’s why the ending sucked so bad.