Disclaimer: I don't own Mai HiME... If I did I wouldn't be writing this disclaimer... I also don't own any of the songs where I get most if not all of my titles from.
A/N: This is the only chapter done in the present tense and with a song, the rest is like a normal fic. The opening is just as it would be as an anime opening: all the plot elements fitted together in a way that will probably only reveal itself as you read, but still gives a good feel of what it's about and if you'd like it. Tons of metaphors in here. And it really helps if you hear the song with it lol the lyrics fit perfectly.
Chapter 1: Opening
Futatsu no Kodou to Akai Tsumi (TV Size Version) by ON/OFF
Natsuki is sitting in an alleyway at night, leaning with her back against a rough bright wall and resting her arms on her bent knees. The rain drizzles through her hair, pulling a strand down in front of her eyes that are staring blankly ahead. A lone white feather floats down and lands in her palm, breaking her gaze at the opposite wall. Thunder claps.
Akaku akaku akaku yurete
Shaking in red, in red, in red
She pulls it close to her heart as she stands up.
Yume no yume no hate e
To the edge of the dream's dream
When she opens her palm again it's already turned to ash and falls. Her eyes clench shut and a tear rolls down her cheek.
Mou nando mo akiramete wa oshikorosu tabi
Already, every time when I'm stifled to death after I give up again and again
Natsuki walks through a nightlife city, reaching a large house. She glances up at the sky, lightning flashes again.
Ikiba no nai kanjou ga me o samashiteku
My emotions that have no place to go wake me up
Natsuki seems to choke, grasping her neck and shaking her head while hallucinating a monster being chained by Haruka and Reito, who are angels, in the train station she passes.
Kegare no nai sono hohoemi zankoku na hodo
Your unblemished smile knows it's an existence
Her two parents and Nao are in the dark doorway. They reach out to Natsuki who is between them and the angel Shizuru. She looks at her family hesitantly before turning to the other girl and reaches for her hand.
Tooi sonzai da to wakaru yo
So distant that it's cruel
Their fingers barely touching are pulled apart by a shadowy tendril wrapping Natsuki's limb; causing her skin to turn black and claws to form. She scratches the back of Shizuru's hand when she tries to grab it.
Ienai kizu kokoro mushibamu dake na no ni
Even though the unhealable wound only eats away at my heart
Natsuki and Shizuru are alone in the rain, a soft mist emitting from their mouths as they breathe heavily, passionately gripping into each other's backs.
Yami no (naka ni) ima mo (yadoru) omoi o osaekirenai
Even now I can't completely hold back my thoughts (that dwell) (within) the darkness
A black, flame-like pattern spreads up across Natsuki's skin. Visions of Shizuru's wings flash through her mind. Shizuru's arms wrap her closer as she flails. On a beat Natsuki's eyes open and blood red feathers start swarming around her.
Akaku akaku akaku yurete
Shaking in red, in red, in red
Natsuki running through the dark, towards the edge of a cliff.
Yume no yume no hate e
To the edge of the dream's dream
Her shadow silhouette cries out in pain and her abnormally long canines protrude from her mouth.
Deatte shimatta unmei ga mawaridasu
We met; destiny begins to turn
She falls to her knees at the edge, clutching her head in agony as her weakness causes her to fall off. Just as she slips, Shizuru's hand reaches down to hang on, but Natsuki's already fallen.
Dare mo dare mo shiranai himitsu
A secret that no one, no one knows about
Without hesitation Shizuru dives down after her, holding her close for a few seconds as they fall.
Ochite ochite ochite
I fall, I fall, I fall
Just before they hit the ground, Shizuru opens her wings, bringing them to a gentle hover and landing.
Mou modorenai tsumi o kizande mo kitto
I certainly can't return anymore, even if I let my sins pass
Shizuru looks down at her with a solemn expression and holds tightly though as if for her own protection before looking up regretfully at the sky.