Chapter 15: The Calm before the Storm Part I

The battle became fierce as every seconds pass yet the two figures didn't falter. Black Rock Shooter leaps from building to building, trying her best to avoid the incoming attacks.

In this nonstop conflict, every minute counts. One wrong move and it will be all over. In Rock's case, if she misstep then her entire being will be devour by the black sphere of abyss.

The enemy that Rock is fighting was blurred in her eyes, she didn't know if this was just her own eyes fault or due to the enemy intervention. At least she could clearly see the black spheres of various sizes attacking her. And whatever these sphere hits, it will devour everything leaving nothing behind.

More of those black spheres charge at Rock yet she skillfully dodges them all and at the same time ran towards her attacker. Blue light shone around her left arm and the rock cannon materialize. She hastily aim and shot twice before shifting her path to avoid another incoming attack. Unfortunately the two bullets were engulfed by the sphere before it could hit the enemy.

Despite the failure, Rock didn't falter. Instead she change tactic. This time she ran into a nearby castle; a black castle with hundred of sphere jutting out from the roof. The enemy didn't seem to care, as it slowly makes its way inside.

The enemy finally entered and somehow Rock's vision of her slowly changes. From a complete blur to a distinct figure, a feminine body wearing white clothes. They stood still in this silent castle, staring down to one another. At this moment of silence, Rock reflect in what she was doing and why. But somehow, she couldn't remember why she was here and fighting this enemy of hers. Only the feeling of shame and disappointment lingers within. Seeing the person in front of her, she suddenly had the urge to want to put her out of her misery.

Why was that?

The structure of the castle was particularly unstable. The decoration was nonexistent and half of the walls are covered in webs of cracks. Though this environment wasn't suitable for fighting, it was the only place that Rock could find suitable for her plan.

Round two start and the two other selves began their dance of destruction. Bullets and black spheres shot through the air followed by the sound of buildings crumbling. Bits of debris fell down from the resting place, yet the two occupants didn't seem to care. Their aim was simply to annihilate their opponent so nothing else matters. This was Rock's opponent mindset, hence her continuous spamming of black spheres.

Rock took note at the state of the surrounding. It was done, and now for the next stage of her plan.

Without pausing, Rock take a huge leapt up towards the ceiling. If she was a normal human then this feat will be impossible to perform. Rock somersault, her feet safely touch the ceiling. But she didn't stop there, instead she ran towards the direction of her opponent. Despite her view was upside down Rock still manage to make her aim perfect, leaving her opponent without a choice but to defend herself.

The white-cloth woman growled in frustration at the hail of bullets raining down on her. Defending isn't her style of fighting, instead she rather be in an offensive position. That's why she and Rock was always the perfect pair. She would be the attacker while Rock will defend her. That's why she was feeling more frustrated at their unexpected predicament. She didn't expect Rock to disagree with the way she thinks. She always sees Rock as someone who would follow orders. But now things were different. Their long time partnership disintegrated just like that and now they are fighting with the intention of killing one another.

Just as Rock expected, her opponent envelop herself within the black sphere. She knew her opponent style of fighting since they've been together for such a long time. Even though her defense is perfect there is also a flaw, the inability to see the other side. She could use that to her advantage.

Busying her opponent with her rock canon, she pulled out her black katana from behind. Rock ran randomly on top of her opponent while her rock bullets incessantly discharge out. At the same time, she slices the ceiling so that the existing cracks expand.

When she was done her momentum was about to ran out. Rock pushed herself down from the ceiling, letting gravity pull her back to the ground.

Noticing the pause, her opponent let her barrier down. Another powerful push from her legs made Rock charge towards her opponent at high speed, leaving no time to react. She cleanly cut her opponent's right leg, and then aims her rock cannon at the top before blasting it.

The entire castle shook which cause her adversary to fall down due to her imbalance. She could stare up in horror as the ceiling crash down on her, followed by the entirety of the castle.

After the shaking stops, everything went quiet. There was the sound of coughing followed by something falling on the ground.

Rock spat out black blood while holding her right shoulder. She knew she couldn't completely escape the collapsing building. But somehow she managed to flee without any major damage. She slowly stands and looked over the destruction. Guilt slowly took over her followed by a sense of sadness. She won the battle but to her, she lost a comrade.

-0-

There was a large sound thud in Mato's room. Her mother looked up from her seat wondering if her daughter was alright. Mato was acting strange yesterday and it got her worried. She was contemplating whether to go upstairs and see what's wrong or just leave it be for now. In truth she wanted Mato to come talk to her. Ever since Yomi's disappearance act, she couldn't help but notice Mato being distant. It's like her daughter could disappear at a moment's notice and that scare her.

With a sighed, she walked to the kitchen and prepares breakfast.

-0-

Mato soothe the pain on her head, grimacing once in awhile whenever she accidently touches the sour part.

"Ugh, what was that all about?"

She tried to remember her dreams and strangely, all she remembers was the crumbling castle.

She took a glance at her clock which read 7 A.M. It was still early for a Saturday and if she was her usual self, she would prefer to go back to sleep.

Unfortunately she's not.

Though sitting aimlessly in her room won't do her any good. Mato force her tired body out of her comfort zone and downstairs into the kitchen where the familiar smell of her mother's breakfast greeted her.

"Good morning Mato. You're up so early, are you going out today?"

Her mother asked.

"…yeah. There's someplace I need to go. I probably be back before dinner."

Mato slowly ate her portion of breakfast, not noticing the sad smile of her mother. Trying to break the awkward silence, she changed the topic into something that Mato rather avoid.

"I haven't seen Yomi-chan around lately. Is she alright?"

A choke followed by the sound of coughing. Mato hurriedly drink her lemon juice to empty her throat.

"S-She's doing well. She just needed t-time to catch up with things."

Mato hastily said, her nervous expression told her mother that there was definitely something going on between those two. And judging by the look of anxiety, she didn't want to talk about it.

"Listen Mato, I know you have your own problems that you wanted to deal by yourself and I respect that. But I just want to let you know that whenever you need someone to talk to, I'll always be there."

"Mom…"

Her mother smile but there was another emotion hidden behind her eyes. It made Mato feel guilty and ashamed.

She force a smile saying that she'll be alright before excusing herself. Her heart chanted a thousand apologies for hiding things from her mother. As she made her way back to her room, Mato can't help remember Yomi's confession.

Mato stare shock, her mouth parted though no words came out. She can't help but feel mesmerize by Yomi's green eyes.

Yomi's hands trembled, her head went panic at her own sudden confession. She thought Mato would reject her since she didn't respond. It hurts, it hurts just thinking about it.

"You don't have to tell me your answer right away Mato. I'll wait for your reply…"

Mato didn't get a chance to say anything since Yomi immediately ran away. Her throbbing heart was still strong even after she went back to her home.

-0-

It was Saturday hence no school or club activities. Tomorrow will be the day the war starts and yet Mato still haven't decides what she wanted to do. She was about to call Yomi but the confession was still fresh in her mind, so she ended up throwing that idea away.

She looked out of her window, the sky seems clear with no signs of rain. It's probably a good day for a walk outside.

After quick preparation, Mato left to start her day out of the hot sun. Her mother was still worried but she quickly reassured her that everything would be alright, though it doesn't ease the guilt eating inside her heart.

Despite the brewing storm, she took her time and tried to enjoy the scenery. It's been awhile since she walk down the streets alone, usually Yomi or Yuu were always there beside her.

Mato's pace became sluggish at the thought of her friends. This pass few days were like a rollercoaster ride for her; from being Black Rock Shooter to the appearance of another other self, Yuu's involvement, an unknown enemy and more importantly, Yomi's confession.

Everything was so jumbled up that it hurts her head just thinking about it.

"…I should think back to when it all began."

There's was a park nearby and fortunately only few people were there. She sat at an empty bench and lean back. Her eyes look up at the sky, feeling grateful for the gentle breeze.

She sat there for awhile, her mind feeling relax than usual.

"This feels good, I wonder if Yomi would like to be here too."

A pause followed by a gasped.

Mato jolted upright, her heart beats wildly in her chest.

Somehow or another, her mind always went back to Yomi. She tried to think of something else but the end result always went back to her best friend.

She shook her head, thinking that it won't be good to just stay here. Mato stood from her seat, her destination was unknown but it's better than just sitting here.

-0-

The whole afternoon was spent walking around town and doing window shopping. She found herself thinking of Yomi few more times but most of them were about how fun it would be if they were here together.

With the sun blazing down at her, Mato slump down on the stairs going up the shrine. She was supposed to think of a way to solve the problem instead she spent most of her time thinking about Yomi.

Her stomach suddenly made a loud rumbling sound, making her realized she almost miss lunch.

Mato didn't feel like going back home just yet, so she ended up eating at a fast food restaurant. It was the usual family restaurant that she and Yomi always went. But today it was different, Yomi wasn't with her and Mato wanted to eat out from the bustling restaurant to find a quite place to savor her late lunch. She ended up back at the park where the crowds steadily grow thinner and she was glad that her previous bench was unoccupied.

As she slowly ate her beef burger, a group of kids wearing basketball jersey walk pass her.

"Phew, that was a good workout. Wanna continue later?"

"Naah, I'm done for today. Let's just practice after school tomorrow."

Seeing them holding a basketball, Mato thought that maybe she could use the basketball court to vent down her stress. She needed a release from the tension she was currently in and seems like playing basketball was the only to do so.

After finishing up her burger and drink, she ran back home to fetch her own ball. She was glad that she didn't see her mother, Mato didn't want to face her mother's concern as it made her feel guilty.

By the time she was at the court, it was already four. There were still few kids playing around the area, but that didn't matter. Mato was alone right now, no one to watch her play yet it helps her to focus more. All her trouble thoughts slowly slip away, making her body move smoothly without any difficulty.

She didn't know how long she played because by the time she was done, the sun was already half way down leaving orange streak of light. She bought a can of coke from the nearby vending machine sat beside it. She was too exhausted to go back to the court.

"Mato, is that you?"

A familiar voice hovers above her. It took a moment to adjust her sight but when it did, Mato found herself face-to-face with her friend, Yuu.

…

…

…

TBC