*Sixth Firefly* : *Video*

[child_kanji]

[The video comes on to Zashiki sitting in a plain Asian-style room, in a patterned yukata. It's not very obvious where she's located, but wherever it is, it's really quiet and peaceful. Alra-chan's voice is coming from behind the D-Comm.]

I-is it on... ?

It's on. Are you sure you want to do this, Zashiki?

I'm sure...

Alright...

U-uhm... I don't know... if anyone actually remembers me. I was-- ... when people were getting their souls taken... that was me...

[she bows her head, hiding her eyes with her bangs]

I'm sorry... I'm so sorry for everything I did... I know I was under Akumaro's control, but... I-I don't... I don't want to use that as an excuse. The truth is, I willingly told him about my power. If I had never done that, he wouldn't have exploited it... and no one would have gotten hurt because of me...

I scared my friends... Watanuki-kun... Doumeki-kun... they were all worried about me. Nadeko-chan even tried to save me, b-but...

[she stops long enough to rub at her eyes with the back of her hand, but she still doesn't look up. Her shoulders are shaking noticeably.]

I'm glad everyone is okay... Watanuki-kun helped get everyone's souls back to them. Ame-chan took me away after it was all over, that's why I haven't... said anything until now.

She wasn't okay. I still don't think she is, but she keeps trying to tell me different.

I-I'm better now, Alra-chan... I don't think it's right for me to keep quiet this long. Not after what I did.

And you're still not convinced that none of this was your fault?

[Zashi looks up, teary eyed and clearly upset by this comment]

I shouldn't have told anyone about that power! It's dangerous, and I never ever want to use it again! I-- !

[she stops suddenly, starting to cough harshly.]

Zashiki...

[Alra-chan sighs, and with a mutter of 'I think we're done now...' turns the comm off]

Comments

[shinken-red.livejournal.com]

Greetings. My name is Shiba Takeru, of the Samurai Sentai Shinkenger - those who were given the responsibility of destroying the threat of Akumaro's kind.

Your partner... She's right. Lies and deceit are how Akumaro plays his games. You were merely someone who was caught up in it, just as everyone else was. You certainly were not the first.

[child-kanji.livejournal.com]

[there's a good five minutes before her reply, and when she comes back she looks much more tired and pale. She still bows to him, though.]

Shiba-san... e-even if that's true... I still gave him something he could use...

[shinken-red.livejournal.com]

It never would have happened without his intent to do so. You also couldn't have known.

If you give into the sorrow he created by doing that, you are only giving any like him power. The tears of their victims are the very thing which feed the Gedoushuu.

[child-kanji.livejournal.com]

I... I can't help it...!

[she starts crying again, hiding her face in her hands]

They could have been lost forever if Watanuki-kun hadn't helped...

action;

[rain-kanji.livejournal.com]

[ she heard the coughing and came into the room, kneeling next to her and gently rubbing her back as she waits for her to finish. ]

action;

[child-kanji.livejournal.com]

[keeps coughing for a few more minutes before quieting down. She leans against Ame tiredly, chest rising and falling heavily.]

I thought I was getting better...

action;

[rain-kanji.livejournal.com]

[ wraps her arms around her and holds her close, closing her eyes. ]

You are. It's just going very slowly. That fiend really did a number on you, but I'm also willing to wager that this world might have something to do with your slow recovery.

Just take it easy.

[ pets her hair a little. ]

action;

[child-kanji.livejournal.com]

I... I want to go back... I miss our friends, Ame-chan... but I know I'm not ready yet...

[shinken-blue.livejournal.com]

Zashiki-chan, don't blame yourself. You didn't know what Akumaro was capable of. He's a monster that enjoys suffering. None of this is your fault.

That... That...

Ryuunosuke-sama, watch your language.

He used an innocent... That Gedoushu used an innocent.

I'm none to happy about it either. Especially after seeing the aftermath.

[child-kanji.livejournal.com]

An innocent... ?

Zashiki, don't you think for a second you're anything but!

I'm... I don't know what I am anymore...

[shinken-blue.livejournal.com]

You are an innocent. Akumaro enjoys the pain and tears of the innocent. He enjoys toying with people and their emotions. He also enjoys using people and others of his kind as his own personal puppets.

He knows what he does and he enjoys it. He would since he's been alive for over 200 years.

He's a manipulator. He takes control of those who are unsuspecting and/or are innocent.

Don't think you are anything but an innocent. You are a victim of crimes that he has committed. You didn't know.

video;

[snakeconstrict.livejournal.com]

[ she looks extremely sad. ]

Zashi-chan ... I know you don't believe it, so I won't tell you I don't think it's your fault, even if that's what I really think.

But I do want you to believe me when I tell you that I don't hold anything against you for what happened, and I just want you to feel better, and I hope we can spend some time together and become better friends when you're feeling well.

[ she does manage a smile ~ ]

video;

[child-kanji.livejournal.com]

Mm...

[she manages her own tired smile, but it is almost instantly followed by tears rolling down her cheeks]

I want to come back... I miss my friends... I wish none of this had happened...

[she starts coughing again, hunching over a little]

video;

[snakeconstrict.livejournal.com]

Mn, a lot of us wish that, Zashi-chan. We all miss you and we want to see you again, but right now your health is most important.

[ as she starts to cough again, Nadeko winces. She hates feeling so helpless ... ]

[electric-bot.livejournal.com]

It's alright. You couldn't help being manipulated and I don't hold what happened against you. You don't need to blame yourself for it.

[child-kanji.livejournal.com]

I still shouldn't have told him... if Watanuki-kun hadn't gotten the souls back in time...

[electric-bot.livejournal.com]

You didn't know it would turn out that way. [He sighs.] I know what it's like to play into someone's hands and be used to do things I would never do. It does hurt, but... the best we can do is move on.

[shinkannosenshi]

Miss? Are you okay?

[badluckbabe.livejournal.com]

Try not to stress out, it's not like you can control what people do.

...well some people can't.

[child-kanji.livejournal.com]

[Zashi is still coughing]

I'd say "she's already stressed", but really she's still sick from what he did to her...

[fedorafan.livejournal.com]

Well, it isn't the first time my souls been screwed with so, no hard feelings kid.

[child-kanji.livejournal.com]

I-if you're sure...

[shinken-pink.livejournal.com]

Hello Zashiki-san. I'm Shiraishi Mako... one of Takeru and Ryuunosuke's comrades. I know what Akumaro was capable of, and what he did to you... if there's anything you need, just ask, alright? I'll be here to try and help.

[child-kanji.livejournal.com]

[Zashi is still coughing painfully, so Alra-chan speaks for now]

Give her a moment... she's been like this every since that bastard got a hold of her...

A-Alra-chan... s-stop being so rude...

[shinken-pink.livejournal.com]

... I see... mou... I hate the idea that someone like him made an innocent child suffer...