About this fanfiction:
The fiction is timed right after the second season of Rozen Maiden, including information from Overture and possibly ideas from the manga and drama cds. I presume you have at least seen the two seasons and most likely overture if you've found this fic.
Disclaimer: I do not own Rozen Maiden nor the characters in it, they belong to Peach-Pit. However I do claim the new plot and possible new characters that come with it as my own. This applies throughout the fic.
I'm aiming for "slow narrating"-type, which most of the books usually have. This also means that I hope to write somewhat long chapters except maybe some minichapters marked with the previous chapter's number and a half or something similar. If I ever decide to make them, they are most likely small "filler" chapters. I think the main chapters will take looooooong to write because I'm quite the slow writer. The German title etc. I used to keep the Rozen Maiden's own style at naming episodes and titles. There's a section after each of the chapters for author's notes, thanks etc. I'll start off slowly and build up from there so bear with me.
I'm writing this fanfiction mostly for myself, to get out some ideas that are going around in my head and need to be put somewhere otherwise I'll go insane. More insane I mean. I hope you enjoy reading it as much(preferably more) as I did writing it.
Die Erwachende Rose Distel
Awakening Rose Thistle
Chapter 1
Der Tag Danach
The Day After
It was a windy day. A gust of wind rattled the bushes in the Sakurada family's yard. Clouds were hanging low and it seemed that it could rain at any given moment. It was only one day after the great battle that took place in the Rose garden, where Barasuishou was finally defeated and destroyed in her desperate father's loving embrace. The weather was indeed very fitting for the day's mood.
"Could you pour me another cup of tea?" asked Shinku in her usual composed tone.
Jun poured her a new cup but didn't say anything. Suiseiseki was silently staring at her half empty cup. Everyone felt relieved that they were still alive and kicking, poor Jun, but at the same time sad for they had failed to bring back Souseiseki's and Hina Ichigo's Roza mysticas. Having caught a glimpse of her father for the first time after so many many years, Shinku seemed to feel a hint of happiness inside but was concealing it well. The words he uttered to her made her feel at ease.
"There is another way…" She thought out loud so quietly that no one but Shinku herself could hear the words.
Jun's head was filled with thoughts about recent events. Enju, crumbling Barasuishou, Rozen, the lost mysticas. It was all quite mind-boggling and along with the feeling of sympathy towards the "evil doll" it made him silent. After pouring the tea he took his seat next to Suiseiseki and after a short awkward moment he asked,
"Suiseiseki, would you like some cookies with your tea?"
"No, I'm fine -desu…" she replied quickly, not even bothering to look at Jun.
She had been feeling miserable ever since she lost Souseiseki but she had hoped to regain her twin sister's mystica. Events did not go well for her and she was defeated by Barasuishou while trying to protect Kanaria. Where was Souseiseki's mystica? Shinku had said that she lost Hina Ichigo's mystica after the battle, so did Suigintou still have it? Did Suigintou lose the mystica like Shinku? Thinking wasn't her forte and all these matters made her lose her appetite and end up just circling the teacup's sides with her index finger.
"You know, Nori is soon coming back from the lacrosse practice and she'll make us some dinner, so try to cheer up Suiseiseki?" Jun tried to console her and strike up some conversation to switch the mood, even though he wasn't really in the mood for talking himself.
Suiseiseki looked up at Jun and tried to smile but the half-heartedness was too obvious.
"Kunkun will start soon. I will not forgive you, Suiseiseki, if you watch his program with that face. Honestly now," Shinku snapped from the other side of the table. As she came down from her chair and proceeded to the living room, she continued,
"By the way, I asked Holie to deliver a dinner invitation to Kanaria. We need to discuss what we'll do from now on."
"A-ah, okay sure, I guess that's fine," Jun said hesitantly.
He still remembered the one time Kanaria had poisoned the food before she befriended everyone. In the end Jun was the only one who had suffered the consequences in the form of a stomach ache. The nasty kind. Shinku went and sat on the couch, Jun hastily following her in to the living room. Suiseiseki finally came when the opening credits had already gone past and was sighing heavily. She sat next to Jun and turned her eyes to the TV. Jun patted her head and smiled, before turning back to watch Kunkun's first part of the season finale.
- - -
"So why did you invite me over -kashira?" Kanaria asked and slipped a slice of sweetened omelet, tamagoyaki, in her mouth.
Everyone was sitting at the dinner table and eating the dinner Nori had made after coming home. The meal was composed of mainly vegetables and pasta plus some extra tamagoyaki for the guest. Shinku had cleared a small area in front of her so she could be seen well as she was going to speak up to the others. Having a body the size of a small doll was inconvenient sometimes.
"Now that Barasuishou is gone and we know that she wasn't a real Rozen Maiden, along with the information I heard from our father…I think it's time for us to think about our future," Shinku explained.
"O-ho-ho-hoo! So that's why you needed me, Kanaria, the most brilliant doll of the Rozen maidens -kashira!" Kanaria chirped.
"Planning is my specialty and I-" She tried to continue but was interrupted by Shinku.
"This is a matter that involves us all, so it was natural for me to call you to this meeting."
"Eugh," Kanaria grunted in reply. Jun was hardly paying any attention to anywhere else except his dinner and Shinku poked him in the ribs with her cane.
"This involves you too. Such an uncaring servant is an embarrassment for a lady like me."
"I'm listening! Stop poking me already! I just want to eat this before it gets cold…" He tried to defend himself.
"Now that I have everyone's attention, let's get to the point. Everyone already knows that we were defeated by Barasuishou…" As Shinku was starting her speech, Suiseiseki suddenly jumped on her feet standing on top of her chair.
"I was only defeated because this minibrain didn't run away in time -desu!" Suiseiseki yelled and glared at Kanaria.
"What!? I came back to help you -kashira! You were about to be crushed by Barabara -kashira!" Kanaria yelped back.
"Bah! I was just about to launch my secret att-"
"Krhm!" Shinku grunted. "Now, will you two be completely quiet for the next five minutes?" She said with a heavy tone which could break ice.
After a few frightened stares from Suiseiseki and Kanaria, she decided to continue.
"A-hem! Like I said, we were defeated by Barasuishou. Jun told me that after Barasuishou got all of the Roza mysticas she crumbled and disappeared in a flash of light along with Enju."
Jun nodded in agreement.
"She wasn't a real Rozen Maiden after all. This means that there should still be one left…" Shinku quickly took a glance at everyone.
"I'm not really interested in that -desu. I just want Souseiseki back! M-m-maybe even that puny Ichigo as well…but that's only because I'm bored and there's nothing to do -desu…" Suiseiseki blushed a bit.
"Honestly, you just can't stay quiet for a minute or two, can you?" Shinku frowned at Suiseiseki who lowered her head while keeping a slight pink tone on her cheeks.
"Well, since we don't really have any clues on the seventh doll, I think we can talk about the matter of missing Roza mysticas. When I woke up, I noticed that Hina Ichigo's Roza mystica was gone. Jun, tell them."
Shinku poked Jun lightly with her cane.
"Hmm…well, when Enju and Barasuishou disappeared, all the Roza mysticas shot out after the light calmed down and disappeared before I could follow any of them closely…" Jun lowered his head. After a split second he raised his chin for he remembered something.
"Wait, I saw them for a brief moment when Rozen came to collect Shinku!"
"…And?" Shinku pleaded for him to continue.
"There was this bright light…then I heard him speak…about how there are other ways to become an Alice…and when I came to, he was gone and I found you from a room nearby, alone."
"Father said that all the dolls defeated by Barasuishou will return back to normal, but where did the mysticas go?" Shinku pondered. The others had been quiet for a while now, listening intensely. Kanaria decided to open up her mouth since Shinku seemed to ask for a second opinion.
"Maybe he stashed them somewhere -kashira?" Kanaria wondered.
"I think that's possible but I don't understand why Father didn't give them back to the previous winners?" Shinku tilted her head.
"Why are you so sure Suigintou didn't get Souseiseki's Roza mystica -desu?" Suiseiseki suddenly asked Shinku with a stern voice.
"Hmm…I guess you're right, I presumed that since I didn't get Hina Ichigo's Roza mystica back, she wouldn't get Souseiseki's Roza mystica back," Shinku replied.
"And how are we going to find out for sure?" Jun looked at Shinku.
"We'll ask her," Shinku said sternly.
"Haah? ASK HER?" Jun was dumbfounded.
"To be more precise, you'll ask her," Shinku added.
"WHAT?! Why me?!" Jun burst and turned slightly blue.
"It's not that easy to send her an invitation, you know. When her Roza mystica was inside me, I saw her in a hospital…with her medium, I think she was called Megu. I think it would be good for her if you went to see her. She seemed…like someone who had lost her will to live. Plus, I think you still might need some more…social experience as well," She said while poking Jun again with her cane.
"Bah! Alright, I'll go and visit her. Where did you say she was again? In a hospital, but where?" Jun finally had given up.
"Hmm…I wonder. The memories are mostly gone now that I don't have Suigintou's mystica anymore, only a few flashes remain," She replied slowly.
"How are we going to find this Megu then?" Jun waved his hands, clearly overreacting in frustration.
"Oo ho ho hoo!" Kanaria suddenly chortled. Everyone turned to look at the seemingly amused doll.
"I, Kanaria, the most intelligent of the Rozen maiden dolls, have that figured that out precisely and accurately -kashira! Finding out Suigintou's base was as easy as a walk in the park!" she chirped.
"So, where is it then?" Jun said, looking like he wished that Kanaria had kept her mouth shut. Kanaria whipped out a local map from her small round handbag she had taken with her. She spread the map on the table while others were moving the dishes aside.
"It's right at the opposite of an old church -kashira! Now let me show you…"
- - -
A dark blue baseball cap rolled down the sidewalk, apparently the wind had robbed someone of his headwear. The cap rolled a few feet and hit a nearby lamppost, flapping a bit from its side, waiting for the next gust of wind to set it free again. Jun kneeled down and quickly swiped the cap while it was still on the ground.
"There you are!" Jun gasped for air and groaned.
"Bah, why is it only me who's going all the way there…and I even have to buy some flowers to go with?" he whined.
He could hear Shinku's voice in his head, reminding him that it's polite to take some flowers to the lady you're going to visit. Why should he take flowers to her? He barely knew her. On top of that, flowers aren't that cheap and Jun didn't have much to spare. Sure, he used to order a lot of useless junk from websites but he always returned them before it was too late.
"And what am I going to say once I'm there? 'Hey, is Suigintou here? I need to ask her if she still has Souseiseki's Roza mystica'?! That's ridiculous!" Jun sighed as he shook his head and continued his walk towards a nearby florist.
He happened to walk past "Enju Doll", the den of evil which had caused Jun many frowns, yet taught him a lot. A lot of fuss seemed to go around the shop today. However the people around the shop were no customers since they were carrying large boxes and crates into two separate trucks. This caught Jun's curiosity and he went closer to get an eyeful of things. Almost everything you could see from the display window was now gone. Two of the men were having a short break, smoking heavily near the entrance of the shop. Jun's curiosity overcame him as he strolled closer. He just had to find out what was going on.
"So, whatcha gonna do with the crap in the backroom?" a large and burly man in bluish overalls questioned the smaller yet still quite a sturdy man.
"Dunno, I hurd that theys sold them dolls, not dem unfinished uns," the smaller man replied with a funny accent.
"So we gonna dump that crap in the auction as well?"
"Yus, I think dats the best way to go," he replied and scratched his head.
At this point Jun got close enough for them to notice him. The larger man glanced at Jun like a bulldog at its watertray. Jun got startled a bit but quickly collected himself and opened his mouth,
"Umm…what's happening in here?"
Larger of the two decided to answer him,
"We're movin' these weird dolls from here. For some reason this place is supposed to be empty by tomorrow and these dolls were sold in one huuuuuge clump."
"Everything?!" Jun was amazed.
"Well…not everything…the stuff in the back will be taken into an auction which is held later this month."
"Ah, I see…well, I'll leave you to it then."
Jun turned away and made his way through the trucks and back to the sidewalk. Who could've sold the dolls? Enju himself? Maybe, but it might've also been Laplace's demon as Shirosaki. But now was not the time to think about that. He set his course towards the florist again. As he was walking down the street a sudden strong gust of wind threw his cap off his head again and set it rolling down the road. Jun stared blankly at the cap which was rolling further and further away. With a small insane grin and a few not-so-wisely chosen words he ran after it, disappearing quickly from the sights of the hardworking men.
- - -
Un petit floeur eh? Why does every florist have to have a French name anyway? Jun thought by himself as he entered the shop. As he walked forward he could just feel the warm air push him back. The fragrance of dozens of flowers filled the air. Several rows of shelves with different flowers opened up to his right and left. The counter was just a few meters ahead from where he stood, right at the door. Seems like he was the only one there at the moment since the lady behind the counter, a lady at her 20's stood up from her seat and greeted him,
"Welcome! Is there anything I can do for you?"
Taken aback a bit, Jun stammered,
"U-um, I need some flowers…"
"My yes, that's why people usually come in here!" she said excitedly as Jun blushed a bit.
"I'm going to visit someone…she's a patient in a nearby hospital…"
"Ah, I see, well the most common choice is red roses"
"Red roses eh?" Jun fell into his thoughts.
Didn't Shinku say something about avoiding red roses?
"Don't forget to buy her flowers Jun. But I would avoid giving her red roses…I don't think that certain someone enjoys seeing them…" Jun recollected Shinku's words. He wasn't really sure why but he didn't really care. He just wanted this to be over with. Jun shook his head.
"Is there anything else?"
"Well…let's see…" The florist held his hand at her chin, thinking deeply.
After a short moment she quickly made her way to a pink-reddish flower which seemed to have several blossoms tucked in together. She nimbly picked a few and then hurried deeper between the shelves, out of Jun's sight. Before Jun managed to even take a good look around himself, she appeared again. This time she was holding a bunch of small white droopy looking flowers.
"There we go! These are Carnations," she pointed at the red flowers,
"And these are Snowdrops" this time petting the small white flowers.
"They both have a meaning of good health among other things so I think these would suit well!" she cheerfully explained.
Jun nodded in agreement.
"I'll make it cheap for you! 1200…no, let's make it 1000 yen for cheering up a sickly girl!" She winked at Jun who blushed again. He really wasn't good with this kind of people. Quickly paying for his purchase, he made his way to the door. He briefly looked back and found her waving at him happily. Giving her an odd smile he stepped outside of the shop and headed for the hospital.
- - -
A large spoon slowly circled around a plate filled with something one might barely call "porridge". The slender hand holding the spoon let it drop, shaft sharply hitting the edge of the plate making a small clink. The girl to whom the thin hand belonged let out a sigh. Her brown eyes shifted from the gray glue to a bright red apple. Poking it slightly she watched it wobble a bit. This apple she'd save for later. Something so pretty would be a suitable offering to the angel she so adored. The bread…she thought she could take a small bite out of it and down it with the small cup of water that was brought with the other dishes. The wind swayed her long black hair and she turned to look at the window. Today it was only slightly open because of the wind. She refused to completely shut it so the nurse had left it open, just a little bit.
The room didn't offer anything interesting to look at, just light purplish walls, movable curtains to protect her privacy when it was needed, few cabinets over her head and a table with a flower vase and some withered flowers. This is why she usually stared outside of the window, sitting or lying down on her bed. Today, however the flowers were especially interesting. She'd poke them and look at the petals fall down to the floor or to the table.
"I wonder when I will finally fall to the floor…" she wondered out loud.
She turned back to watch the window and wait for someone special. She was worried for she hadn't seen her yesterday or today. Had something happened? Usually she could see her at least once a day, more often lately. But now, nothing. Maybe if she sung a bit? She likes her singing and usually comes to listen. As she began to clear her throat a bit, she heard someone shouting something down below.
"Someone stop that damn cap!" that someone shouted.
It seemed to be a young boy chasing after his baseball cap while clumsily carrying a flower bouquet. She giggled a bit when the boy finally caught his cap while falling down and rolling a few times. He seems funny, one of those overly serious types who get caught up in things and when they mess up they start to pout cutely. Ah, now he got up and quickly ran inside the hospital with dark red cheeks. Oh well, I guess I'll try singing to my dark little angel. She sat back to her bed clearing her throat again. She begun with a small hum and slowly you could start hearing words to fill that lonely melody.
- - -
Suiseiseki hurried down the stairs. She had heard loud banging noises from downstairs when she was tending to her sleeping twin sister. Suiseiseki reached the end of the stairs and silently peeked behind the corner to the dining room, where the large table was, to satisfy her curiosity. As her head popped behind the corner, it was met with a cloud of flour. Blinded by this she jumped backwards and rubbed her eyes furiously.
"Wha-wha-what is this -desu?!" she yelled as she stepped into the dining room.
Much to her surprise it was Shinku, baking cookies again? Now she was holding the rolling pin high up in the air and with a small shriek she slammed the pin onto the dough, sending another large cloud of flour flying. After the first shock had passed, Suiseiseki had to look away. Covering her mouth as her cheeks bulged, she tried her hardest not to burst into laughter. Shinku glared at Suiseiseki over her shoulder.
"One word and I shall have you as my new dough," she said menacingly to Suiseiseki who withdrew a step backwards. She quickly recovered though and suddenly she realized something. With a slightly amused and evil grin she pointed at Shinku and chirped,
"Ahahahaa! Now I know why you told Jun to go there alone -desu! You even told Nori to go shopping for some rare teas so it would take a while -desu!"
This caused Shinku to stagger as she tried to cut between Suiseiseki's words.
"Wh-what are you talking about?"
With a big grin Suiseiseki gave her a reply,
"You wanted to bake cookies again but didn't want Jun to see how you fail miserably -desu!"
This caused Shinku to blush as crimson as her dress was. Clenching the side of her dress she tried to recollect herself. But Suiseiseki continued her attack.
"But you can't even use a rolling pin right -desu! How sad is that desu!?"
Shinku looked defeated. At this point Suiseiseki was highly amused and decided to play the "nice doll".
"Maaaaybe if you ask politely, I might be able to teach you a bit of what I know -desu," she smirked at Shinku.
Shinku turned to Suiseiseki and looked sternly at her, still blushing from before. She slowly opened her mouth only to close it quickly. Suiseiseki was getting annoyed but decided to wait for her to break. Shinku swallowed slowly, opened her mouth and with a quiet whisper she let out the words.
"P-please teach me."
At this point Suiseiseki was already ready to burst out victoriously but decided not to tease her anymore.
"Ahahaa! I guess I'll have to show some of Meister Suiseiseki's incredible skills and just maaaaybe something might rub off to you -desu!" she almost shouted this out of sheer happiness. As Shinku was still blushing, Suiseiseki tightened up her apron and joined Shinku on top of a chair to reach the table.
"Now shall we begin Meister Suiseiseki's cookie baking lesson -desu?!"
Shinku nodded, still keeping the slight blush on her cheeks.
- - -
"Let's see…it should be in this corridor…"
Jun slowly walked and eyed all the doors coded with a letter and a number. As the numbers grew larger, a faint sound became clearer.
"Hmm, what's this?" Jun pondered. "I think someone's singing…that's quite beautiful…such a sad yet pretty voice…"
He stopped at the door labeled C17. Hearing the song quite clearly now, it was obvious that the singer must've been behind this very door. Pressing his ear on the cold wooden door he listened to the words.
"…bad memories far away
The quiet night continues…"He had closed his eyes just to hear her better but didn't notice that he was pressing the handle with his left hand.
"AH?!" he yelped in surprise.
He came crashing down as the door suddenly opened. The girl startled as the door suddenly swung open and the kid she saw rolling on the street just rolled into her room. Dumbfounded, Jun sat on the floor with the bouquet on his right arm and glasses slightly tilted.
"Who are you?" Megu asked tensely.
"Umm... ehh... hello?" Jun replied with an awkward face.
"Who are you and what are you doing here?" Megu repeated with a stern frown.
Jun fixed his glasses and stood up. With a determined look he took a few steps closer to Megu and pushed the flowers in front of her. With a surprised face she asked one more time:
"Eh, what's this? Who are you again?"
"Umm, I'm Sakurada Jun. I came to meet you. I brought some flowers," he nervously answered with simple sentences that seemed to take forever to say.
"I see," Megu replied as she eyed this weird young boy. Avoiding her gaze, Jun ran his eyes around the room and noticed the withering flowers in the vase on the table. After a small hesitation he moved towards the table.
"Y-you don't mind if I change the flowers?" he hesitated.
Megu looked at the flowers for quite a while, she kind of liked the dying flowers. Then again, the new flowers looked pretty as well.
"It's okay. Please do."
Jun took the vase and brought it over the trashcan. He grabbed the old flowers which he might've recognized as primroses, had he been a florist, and dropped them into the can. There seemed to be some water left, so he just put the new ones in there, avoiding yet another walk with more possible stumbles. He noticed that Megu had been following his every movement closely, like a mouse watching a cat circle around its prey. He mustered his courage and tried to break the ice a bit.
"Umm… I liked your singing, it was really pretty."
He still showed his back, pretending to be perking up the flowers. Megu sighed a bit and turned her head to look out of the window.
"I guess so…"
Jun turned to look at the window as well. One could see an old church right from the window. It was abandoned and some of the colorful mosaic windows were broken and the paintjob was partially gone. It looked like it was going to be demolished soon but it held a certain mysterious feel to it. It was hard to put into words, but Jun felt a bit sad at the state of the church, yet somehow it made him feel at ease. Maybe that's why she was also looking at it constantly? Jun decided to inquire her about this rundown church.
"A church, eh…? Is there something in there or why do you keep watching it?"
"I…met someone there…" Megu responded.
"Oh…I see…"
Jun walked to the window to take a closer look. The trees were swinging as the wind blew hard on them. It was getting dark and the streets were filled with people hurrying back to their homes. The church didn't seem to be any different from this angle and the person Megu had met made him think. Could she mean her? Nah, she could've meant anyone. Then again, I can't lose anything if I ask her about this person, can I? Jun faced Megu.
"This person… can you tell me about… her?" Jun decided to address the person as her, possibly leading Megu on.
"Ah, she… she's my angel of death!" she exclaimed happily.
Bingo! And to make things even more certain, he noticed a familiar black feather peeking under her bed.
"I see… so you really are Suigintou's medium?" Jun said, looking firmly at Megu who looked genuinely surprised.
"Y-you know her name? WHO are you?" Megu looked alarmed, which was quite abnormal for her, being calm as a saint usually.
"Well…let's say that we've been placed at the same position," Jun tried to smile. This seemed to calm her down a bit.
"Then… you've also found your angel of death?"
Jun snorted loudly at this.
"Krhm, more like an angel of pride with a bad case of arrogance."
Megu tilted her head, not knowing for sure what he meant with that.
"She goes by the name Shinku," Jun continued. Megu looked slightly surprised again.
"Shinku? She mentioned Shinku quite a few times… she hates her…" Megu sounded somewhat sad.
"Yeah…I guess that kind of makes us enemies… seeing that we're the mediums of those two," Jun put up a forced smile.
"I guess so… but you brought me flowers… and it's between those two, isn't it?"
Jun nodded. He felt happy that they didn't need to act like enemies because of what happened between those two dolls. Turning his head away from Megu, he stammered,
"Umm… is she around here? There's something I need to ask her."
This gave Megu a deep frown. With sad eyes she replied,
"She hasn't been here for two days, I don't know what could've happened to her…"
"I think she should be okay, no need to worry. Maybe she's just sulking somewhere, I think she needs some time for herself. At least after all that happened," Jun tried to keep a consoling voice.
Well, she did die once, but she was fixed too. Jun figured that Suigintou would be somewhat embarrassed about dying again, in Shinku's lap none the less. The two didn't notice a certain someone floating closer.
"Someone's with Megu…and talking about me?" Suigintou said quietly to herself.
She flexed her wings and floated close to the window's corner and peeked in. She saw something she didn't like at all. It was that cursed medium again.
"What is that fool doing here?!" she hissed while clenching her fist. Biting her lip she decided to listen to what they were talking about.
"She's okay? I'm so glad," Megu smiled happily.
"Maybe she would finally fulfill my only wish…"
"Which is…?" Jun inquired.
With a gentle smile she replied poetically,
"For her to finally use all of my energy…for her to let me sleep eternally."
Jun stood shocked, with eyes as wide as plates and jaw almost literally at the floor.
"Why on earth do you want that?!" he gasped.
She looked at him like it was too obvious.
"I'm a glass with many breaches and cracks. If someone would pour wine in me, it would spill to the table…I'm broken…I'm junk," as she explained, she closed her eyes and continued to smile serenely.
Jun was dumbfounded. She wanted to die this badly?! Even during his own depression spikes he never really thought about death.
Suigintou frowned. She's still saying that. She lightly clasped her dress with her right hand in frustration. Even after saying a hundred times that she wouldn't use Megu's power because she didn't need it. At least that's what she always says, even though she had been bested before. But look at Shinku's medium. Such a stupid face he's making right now…
"But dying means the end of everything! It's stupid to wish death that badly! It's just so ridiculous and… sad!" Jun yelled like there was no tomorrow.
The last word made Megu frown deeply. Still keeping her composed and calm voice she replied,
"You haven't been through what I have… most of your life, caged in white rooms, trapped in beds from which one shouldn't stand up. I hate that… and I don't need your pity, it never helped me…"
"It's not like I don't know what it means to live a life of hell…" Jun countered gloomily.
"Every day was the same. I ordered random items from the net, wasted my days doing nothing. I was trapped inside my own home," he looked at her.
"I may not have been sick from my body, but my mind and my heart was a wreck."
Megu tilted her head. This young lively boy has been through a crisis? It was rather hard to believe, since he didn't look like he'd have had any troubles in his life so far.
"…Please, do tell me more?" she inquired.
"I don't really like to go into details, but let's say that there was some… ehh… trouble in school and up until recently I have been a hikikomori," Jun explained.
Megu smiled a bit while crossing her hands on her lap,
"But you're healthy now. There's no chance like that for me, that's why I wish to die. To end everyone's worrying and pitying," she mused.
Jun was clearly irritated by now. What is it with this girl? Death this, death that. Also, what's so wrong in pitying? This was unbearable.
"Why on earth do you hate pity so much?" he demanded.
"I don't like it. People always making a lot of hassle for a broken body. It's like they want to help me to make them feel better about themselves."
"Megu…" someone whispered behind the windows without being heard by anyone.
"Pity…I think you're misunderstanding pity… pity is a feeling of wanting to help someone who is in need, it's not an emotion to make someone feel better about themselves. That's just arrogance or something the like. Pity makes you want to help someone stand on their own feet, to make someone better or equal to you in something," Jun scratched his head a bit in search of words.
Behind the window, Suigintou was fuming in anger. Grinding her teeth and clenching her fists she was almost about to crash through the windows to get inside and run this midget through with her sword. She ran her nails on the wall leaving deep scrapes on it. How dare he?! He does not know anything about pity or having been pitied and lowered to mere scrap. How dare he lecture Megu about pity?!
Jun continued, "You see, pity is supporting someone. Maybe it might start as pity, feeling sorry for someone but as the time passes, it can turn into…well… full support. It's silly to think that someone pitying you doesn't really deep down in themselves want you to get better. I mean…it's a wish that you could get better, some leave it at that, some help you themselves."
Jun took a breather and looked at Megu for reactions. She looked quietly and firmly at Jun. She said calmly,
"Is that all you have to say? If so, please leave now."
"I see…" Jun poked his glasses and started to walk towards the door.
A few steps before the door he stopped.
"Just one more thing. Once your…angel comes back, tell her that fighting isn't the only way to become Alice."
Megu's expression did not change after hearing this. If Suigintou didn't fight, she wouldn't need to use her power and… Megu shuddered. That wasn't good at all.
Jun opened the door and took one more glimpse at the long haired girl, sighed deeply and stepped outside.
"I guess the visit is over then," he said to himself and left.
Megu was irritated. Rolling the end of her hair in her right hand she decided to lay down, but couldn't. she was too agitated to just lay down and relax. She didn't even want to sing anymore. Aah, how frustrating!
Suigintou's expression was blank. She didn't know what she should feel right now. Those piercing words from Jun, "Pity is support"? And what was last thing he said? "Fighting isn't the only way to become Alice"?
"Then…what are we supposed to do?" Suigintou said to herself.
Suigintou pushed the window open and slowly floated inside the room. Hands by her sides, escorted by a few falling feathers she sat on the window sill facing inside. Megu looked very happy to see her.
"Ah! Welcome back Angel!" she greeted Suigintou and waved her hand a bit.
"I haven't seen you here for two days! What happened?"
"It's really none of your business," Suigintou gloomily replied.
"You went with the others? To finish up the Alice game?" Megu hit the head of the nail.
"You didn't use enough of my power…" she frowned at Suigintou.
"I said I do not NEED your power!" Suigintou snapped back, but was secretly a bit happy that Megu had already recovered.
"Then…did you win? Are you Alice now?" she asked out with curiosity in her voice instead of intention to retort.
Suigintou was silent and looked down at the floor. She didn't want to admit that she had been defeated yet she couldn't lie to Megu. On top of that, the words Jun had said were fresh in her mind. Megu seemed to notice that something was wrong but decided not to dig any further.
"Oh well, I'm glad that you're back. I don't know what I would've done without my angel," Megu gave the biggest smile Suigintou had ever seen her make.
Suigintou looked at her still keeping her head down. Megu took a fork with a slice of the apple she had peeled and pointed it at Suigintou. She smiled at her again and asked,
"Want some apple?"
- - -
Black smoke was slowly oozing out from the oven which had suddenly turned into a cremator much to Shinku's dismay. Suiseiseki was watching the television when she smelled something weird. She hopped off from the couch and as she approached the kitchen, she realized what it was. After a few steps she was already running towards the kitchen.
"Turn it off, turn it off -desuuu!" Suiseiseki shrieked.
"I told you to put the oven at 175C(350F), not 275C(525F) -desu!"
Shinku looked at the oven in shock as her precious cookies were turning into coal. Suiseiseki pushed Shinku aside who fell on her butt still having eyes full of disbelief. Suiseiseki grabbed the handle and pulled the shutter open, releasing a black cloud of smoke right on her face. Her eyes teared up and she started to cough uncontrollably.
"My…cookies…Kunkun…" Shinku said in shock.
She had seen how her new happy looking Kunkun-cookies had started to twist and turn as if they were experiencing pain like no other. Meantime Suiseiseki was trying to clear her eyes and was running around, trying her hardest to get out from the cloud which was indeed hell-bent on following her.
"Shinku! Do cough something -desu! I can't cough see anything -desu!" Suiseiseki shouted at the top of her lungs, making her cough even more as she breathed in the black smoke.
Shinku finally managed to get up and going. She turned to Suiseiseki who was still running around screaming.
"Suiseiseki, calm down now," Shinku commanded in vain.
Suiseiseki couldn't hear, speak or see anything.
"Suiseiseki! Honestly, what a noisy child she is!" Shinku commented and walked towards Suiseiseki.
"Shi- cough! Where cough -desu?" she tried to talk but failed miserably.
As Shinku came closer, Suiseiseki started to hear a word or two between all the coughing and ran towards the voice.
"Now, I ask you not to-" Shinku was cut short by Suiseiseki who was now running towards Shinku with high velocity.
Before Shinku could act she was engulfed by the black cloud that surrounded Suiseiseki. Now Shinku was also coughing, yet she would've been lucky if it was just that. Suiseiseki bumped into Shinku within the black cloud sending Shinku flying back towards the dining room table's leg. Hitting her back hard on the table leg, Shinku winced and let out a suffocated yelp. Suiseiseki found Shinku with her hands and grabbed her tightly.
"Sh- cough I cough sorry -desu" she tried to apologize.
Over their heads was a large bowl of discarded dough. Something no one would ever want in their stomachs or anywhere else. Yes, Shinku's first try at cookie dough. She had made way too much and according to Suiseiseki, it smelled funny. That bowl full of hate towards dough-kind was now swirling above them, ready to rain back the hate and bitterness right on top of them. The second the cloud disappeared, Shinku and Suiseiseki found themselves watching up in sheer terror.
A split second later, if you really listened closely, you could hear two screams of pure horror deep down in your heart, making you shiver in pity.
- - -
"I'm home!" Jun informed as he stepped inside, closing the door behind him.
Sniffing the air, he smelled something weird.
"What's this? Something's burning? Nori! Are you here? Shinku? Suiseiseki?"
He didn't receive a reply. A bad feeling crawled up his spine as he headed in the direction of the putrid smell. When he arrived, he noticed that the oven was on and the shutter open releasing hot air to the kitchen. Right in front of the oven was a pile of something gray and it seemed to be as hard as rock. The smell seemed to be emanating from both, the oven and the pile of gray cement.
"What's this? It smells disgusting! Why would anyone plant a pile of cement in front of our oven?" he wondered out loud.
"Wh-what?! My cookie dough, a disgusting pile of cement?! He must be joking!" shocked Shinku mumbled to Suiseiseki who was stuck right in front of her under the pile of hardened cookie dough.
"This isn't exactly luxurious skin lotion you know -desu!" Suiseiseki retorted.
The sound the dolls made was way too silent for Jun to hear even though he was just beside the pile. He was too concentrated on the streams of black smoke pouring out from the oven.
"Oh why did I have to listen to your foolish ideas Suiseiseki?" Shinku whined.
"It's your fault -desu! You're the one who made this miserable pile of land filling! If this was normal dough, it would've stiffened in the heat and we would've been able to crack it off easily -desu! But nooo, you made this Shinkustein's monster, why didn't you add bolts while you were at it -desu?!" Suiseiseki raged.
"How dare you insult a dough made by a lady! You should be thankful for getting this privilege!" Shinku violently snapped.
"Eeeeh?! You must be out of your mind -desu!"
Jun took out the coal crispies and turned off the oven. Setting the cookie sheet aside he turned to the gray pile. Inspecting it carefully he noticed that it seemed to be moving back and forth a bit. He decided to kick it lightly, receiving a small whimper as a reply.
"Well this is odd."
He kicked it much harder this time, tipping it on its side. He could now see two pairs of legs and some green and red hemlines sticking out from a 17cm (7 inch) diameter hole. Jun snickered. This was too good to be true. He couldn't resist the chance to make fun of the cursed dolls he often found himself being troubled with. He was barely able to pick it up crouching and puffing heavily. He slowly walked outside and placed it on the lawn upwards. He admiring the gray pile for a while in self-satisfaction. It didn't resemble anything other than a pile of cement but it was impossible for him to not say the next line:
"Perfect garden gnomes!"
"WHAT?!" "WHAT -desu?!"
Now the two voices were clearly audible and furious. The ring on Jun's finger started to glow red and green and as hot as molten lava. Letting out a few painful sounds Jun held his finger with his other hand trying and failing to ease the pain. Jun looked at the pile quickly and noticed several cracks appearing on the surface. It seemed wise for him to run while he still had legs attached to his torso. Running back inside, he hoped to be able to hide but alas, it was not to be so.
Bursting in a flash of green and red light Suiseiseki and Shinku broke through their solid prison.
"Ga-Garden gnomes?! His insolence has gone too far!" Shinku shrieked, emanating a blood red glow.
"You're right, Shinku! I will make him eat your cookies -desu!" Suiseiseki added from inside a poison green aura.
The two hurried inside with enough lust for blood to wither the grass and plants as they passed them. Truly Jun was going to learn the true meaning for "Hell hath no fury like a doll scorned." And so, yet another loud cry of agony could be heard echoing in the wind only to disappear under the noises of the nearby traffic.
Later Nori came home and after she gave the dolls and Jun an earful for messing up the front yard and the kitchen, the Sakurada household settled down for the night. At least most of the inhabitants of this house were able to sleep without wincing horribly in pain and agony all the time. The darkness creeped to the neighborhood and even the wind calmed down before the encircling blackness. And so night fell on the first day after the great battle at the Rose garden.
Author's notes:
Whew! That took me a while to write! On and off for about 2 months, wondering whether I should really write it or not. I'm actually quite glad I did, the feeling of actually writing something yourself is quite exhilarating. I wanted to start this thing slow and steady, trying to keep it somewhat stern but keeping the comedy in it as well.
As for the Celsius/Fahrenheit thing… Japan uses a metric system, so I intend to keep it in metric but including parentheses for inches and Fahrenheit for easier understanding. First I was only going to write what they say in metric but I think that would be awkward, having them change all the time between "said" and "described" text. Also I decided not to include any Japanese words other than names which are pretty much hard to translate or are straightly used names such as doll's names and tamagoyaki for example. Of course I wouldn't remove desus, kashiras etc. it's just not right.
The comedy scenes were probably the hardest to write. It's not easy to write comedy with the slow describing style, but I think I got a few good lines in. That is, at least I myself laughed at some, I hope I'm not the only one laughing at my own jokes as usual . Also Jun's speech was something I had to think about…I had to try to keep his words wise yet a bit childish…oh well, I guess it turned out ok.
I decided to add this section and "random interesting points" in the end of each chapter, just for the heck of it, I kind of like to rant away aimlessly sometimes so bear with me.
Random "interesting" points:
The title for this chapter was pretty easy to come up with since it's exactly what it is. The first day after the battle. And no, chapter 2's name won't be "and the day after the day after the battle". As for the title for the whole fic was a pain. Other than having "awake" in one form or another, I was pretty much out of ideas. The "awake" part came from the fact that 2nd season had "dream" in it. For the latter part, I'll let you figure that out, not that you'll actually try to find out anyway Oo. That reminds me, if there's anyone who's fluent in german and english both and willing to help me a bit, please contact me for some minor translation help.
At first I wasn't sure what to call the mansion in which they fought against each other but in the end I settled with "Rose garden" which was the name of episode 11 in träumend.
While deciding Megu's room number, I decided to use C17. Sounds pretty random? Well, C was for "see" and in Italian culture, the number 17 is considered unlucky. When viewed as the Roman numeral, XVII, it is then changed anagramatically to VIXI, which in the Latin language it translates to "I have lived", the perfect tense implying "My life is over." (originally I remembered that VIXI meant death, thus C17 -- "see death" but "see, my life is over" fits as well). I could've gone with C4, in which the 4 is most of the asia's unlucky number for 4 reading as "shi" which is the same for death…but I liked 17 more since it's my lucky number.
Primroses have a meaning of sadness and youth among other things. Also with the snowdrops, Kirakishou's german name could be "beautifull snowdrop cristall" (direct translation from german name), which edgie pointed out since I had forgotten it.
As for the modified quote "Hell hath no fury like a doll scorned" it actually comes from a play called the "The Mourning Bride" (1697) by William Congreve. The complete quote is "Heaven has no rage like love to hatred turned / Nor hell a fury like a woman scorned."
Thanks to:
Edgewalker for beta reading and support
Aondehafka for proofreading and suggestions