The Voice of Japan

*4*

Clueless wasn't even the right word for Kiku, he was downright dumbfounded and felt like a total idiot. He let it slip pass him, the opportunity to speak with the woman. Yet the moment their eyes met, it was enough to have him scatter back to his primary office away from everyone and her. He didn't know what to think or what to do and going to people only raised questions. Well, except from Nora.

Glancing at the clock, he realized he had been struggling for reason for the last two hours as the others waited upon him. He couldn't keep himself locked away as things slowly grew worse within the nations around them, he had to face them and make actions. Gathering himself, he finally ventured out his door and made it back to the room they all entered not long ago.

"Are you positive Marie?" he heard Ludwig question her.

"Oh, no doubt about it. With what she said to me, she's Tokyo." Marie replied.

Kiku stood there stunned, his hand resting lightly on the handle as he heard them speak. So, the blossoms really did bring him his Capital.

"How does she fair with them?" Lily asked.

"Not too well I'm afraid."

Kiku rested his ear upon the wooden door, listening intently to what they had to speak of about the woman.

"So, she is afraid of them like us?" Brie questioned.

"Ja. As harsh as this sounds, it seems like she doesn't really desire the later of visions."

He felt a pang of hurt sting his heart as Marie continued, "From what she said, her visions have taken a dark turn and it is making her feel insane."

"Haven't we all been there?" Nora pointed out.

"Yes, yet she is a mix of us. Like you Nora, I believe the women within are showing her certain things, just giving her a brief enjoyment before showing her darker times and pains like the rest of us. She doesn't show the physical half of it yet she feels it."

"How do you mean?" Ivan asked.

"This is where it is interesting. I don't think the women show her these images and pasts, for they are not linked to them in any sort. They are more modern and leaning against the 20th century than pure Japanese history." Marie stated.

"So where do they come from?" Arthur questioned.

"According to her, for a while now she has been finding Japanese cherry blossoms in the waters of Australia and Japan. Every day at the same time, no matter the weather."

Kiku heard Yao sputter as Nora gasped, he himself was wide-eyed yet wondered what the blossoms did.

"Seems like you two know something?" Francis spoke up.

"For a while now, Kiku had been dropping blossoms into the waters, leaving them with just a small prayer." Yao stated.

"And it seems that his prayers have come true." Nora added.

"Yet you said she feels things, what do you mean by that Marie?" Juliet asked.

"At first I was a little confused but the more I thought of what she described it made sense. The extreme heat, the smell of death and burning ash, the fighting between the two men as the two clouds rose into the sky. It was obvious."

He heard Alfred take a sharp breath in, "Don't remind me."

"The atomic bombings?" Amber said aloud, gaining a gentle hum of agreement from Marie.

The bombings, how could she gain them if her spirits left her in good history?

"I think it's the blossoms." Marie replied, "I believe he made what I would believe is a gateway to his very own soul and full past in which when she touches the blossoms, sends her on a time trip from hell."