*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

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[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. ]

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[child-kanji.livejournal.com]

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

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[rain-kanji.livejournal.com]

You're not. And it's good that you know that. It saves me the trouble of having the emphasize it.

[ hugs her a little tighter. ]

Hang in there.

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[child-kanji.livejournal.com]

[coughing again]

C-can they come visit some time? I think I could handle that...

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[rain-kanji.livejournal.com]

Maybe when you're doing just a little better.

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[child-kanji.livejournal.com]

But I'm--

[more coughing]

... Okay...

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[rain-kanji.livejournal.com]

You want to lay down for a while? I'll lay down with you, if you'd like.

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[child-kanji.livejournal.com]

Okay...