The Anime Castle

Vol. 14

On the way home my phone started ringing and I was surprised to see that it was Takumi. "Hello?" I asnwered. "Hey where are are you? Couldnt you have told me you guys were leaving?" He asked, surprisingly calm for how worried he was. I laughed and anwered,"Aww but you looked so cute sleeping!" I could almost feel him rolling his eyes on the other end. Then with that he hung up. "Who was it?" Asked my mom. "Sleeping beauty" I laughed. My mom smiled. We got home and Takumi sat waiting on the couch on the porch. I frowned when I saw a small bird perched on his finger. He tilted his head at it with a poker face. The bird made a sound then rubbed its head on Takumi's nose gently. Takumi closed his eyes and smiled. Then he watched it as it flew away.

I stepped unto the porch and Takumi turned to me. "Hey. Did you get me anything?" He asked. Guilt washed over me. I winced. Takumi sighed and shrugged.We went inside and I out everything on the table. After evryone ws situated I asked my mom,"Hey mom can I go to the forest to hike?" The answere wasnt as easy as it had always been. "Miku. I dont know about this going to the forest thing anymore...Im worried and quite honestly I just dont want you to go" She told me looking at me straight in the eyes. I frowned. "Mom nothing has happened to me in that forest. I dont think you should be worried about anything." But still my mom shook her head.

Takumi chimed in, "Mom if it helps I'll go with her." My mom was getting annoyed now, "Miku and Takumi. I have said no and no it will be! Do you think its safe for you to go anywhere in the condition youre in?" She exclaimed, gesturing to my bandages. "But Im better I swear." I assured her. Then right there I started taking off the bandages on my arms. "Miku dont. I-" but it was too late. I looked down at my arm to find it as scarred and as cut as it had ever been.

"I told you. You're in no condition to go." My mom finished. My jaw hung down and my eyebrows furrowed. "Why havnt they healed?" I muttered. Takumi stared at my arm as well, with no expression in on his face. "Miku put your bandages back on..." My mom trailed off. I slowly wrapped the bandages back around my arm. Afterwards I turned and slowly climbed the stairs to my room.

Takumi followed. Once we were both in my room I spoke, "I wonder why theyre not healing...They should be just scabs by now." Takumi sat on my desk chair looking down. I glared at him. "Takumi, do you know anything about this?" I asked. He shook his head as simply as ever. "Takumi Rin! Tell me what you know." I exclaimed angrily. He sighed, unaffected but was still inclined to tell me. "Your scars...your scars may never disappear..." He finally said. The new hit me like a stone.

"W-what?" I stumbled. "Mikaru, those cuts arent just regular scars..they are some kind of curse." He told me. But that didnt make sence. "Takumi what the hell does that mean?" I asked. "Okay. Every generation there is a witch to a queen. Youre the queen but Akasuki is the witch. When Italy rejected Akasuki, the witch took her in. Those scars that she caused you..they are a curse. They may never go away."I wrinkled my nose at his explenation. "Takumi that makes no sence." I denied every word he had said. "No it really isnt. Italy..It pained her too much to tell you herself. She told Sid and Sid told me."

I put my head in my hands. Then after a minute of silence I decided, "Im going to the Anime Castle. Takumi, cover for me. Okay?" He hesitated to say okay. "Mikaru this is a bad idea. What will this accomplish?" He asked. "Absolutey nothing" I fired back. "Fine Miku" He sighed and leaned his head back and slumped his shoulders. "What a drag. Youre gonna owe me" I rolled my eyes. Little brothers.

I got up and made sure I had my key with me. I turned to the balcony and slowly climbed over. Then to the roof. I slid and then landed on my feet, on the porch. "Yes!" I mumbled. I looked up to see Takumi wave out of peace sighn. Then with that I turned to the forest.

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I made it to the first step then quickly climbed to the top. My key glowed and floated up. I took it off and unlocked the door. The usual bright flash the BAM. I landed on my feet and unto the regal carpet. Sid was the first to see me. "Hey!" He exclaimed with a smile. But I was angry with him. I had to remind myself of that. He walked up and the first thing I said was,

"Shut up." He looked surprised, "What?" "I said shut up. Takumi told me your little secret. Or should I say MY secret. Sid why did you keep that from me?!" I yelled. Sid's eyes widened. His mouth opened to speak but then closed again. I shook my head and adressed Ike who was walking up.

"Ike did you know anything about this?" He looked puzzled, "About what?" I hesitated and so I looked down. A sound like jingling of bells sounded next to me. Italy. "Miakaru, dont be so mad at your friends. Its my fault. They shouldnt be the only ones youre mad at" She told me.

"Dont worry. Im mad at you, too" I fired, scornfully. Italy winced then hung her head. I inhaled calmly. Now I felt bad. "Okay all three of you listen up. Especially you Ike. You dont know yet. These scars....on my body..they may never go away. Theres a curse..." Ike tensed. "Ike.." I asked. "Okay I might have know about that-" "IKE!!!" I yelled. He blushed.

"Okay then now you all know. Italy, any ideas" I asked. She shook her head, "It cant be lifted..unless...." She trailed off as if hating the idea. "Unless. Unless what Italy?" I pressed. "Unless you give Akasuki the crown and she decides to lift it..." she finally gave in and told me. I crossed my arms, okay then. "Alright then case closed. Ill deal with the scars.." I announced.

"What? Why?" asked Italy. I shrugged, "I rather have a million more scars then give her the crown." "Mikaru, you deserve better than this!" Italy fought. "Ha! Italy I dont deserve anything." I laughed with attitude. "Yeah well its only a matter of time before the doctors will check on you and notice that something's wrong. Mikaru you cant continue like this.." Reasoned Ike. I wanted to object but I knew anything that came out of my mouth would be intercepted by Ike who always had a response in that mouth of his.

"I cant let her rule you all! She'll be horrible" I argued. "Okay then we dont have to give her the crown. We'll force her to heal you" Answered Ike. "And how are we going to do that?" Sid asked. I thought and so did everyone else. Then I suggested, "Black mail?" ike rolled his eyes, "Sure Mikaru but one plan isnt always one word." I laughed without emotion. "Maybe we could kill her." all eyes turned to who had said that. Lidiya. 

"Uh..Lidiya, its not that easy" I told her, now scared of her. "Sure it is! Just take a knife and then-" "I DONT want to know" Interrupted Sid with a facepalm. Lidiya rolled her eyes, "Okay then. Mikaru, how do you get your power as a queen?" she asked seriously. She had a plan. "Well from my necklace ofcourse." I answered, not seeing her point just yet. "Wrong. At least half of your power comes from the last queen. Italy. If I were to kill Italy half of your power would be drained." As she finished her sentence Italy moved a few steps closer to Sid and away from Lidiya. 

"Okay so what you're saying is that we have to kill Akasuki's witch. But the problem is that only half of her power will be drained." I reasoned. "Wrong again. If the witch is killed all of the holder's power is gone. One disadvantage of being the bad guy." I nodded at her explanation. "Awesome. Down with the bloody red head." Ike smiled. "Okay a few more problems" started Sid, "The witch has black hair" Ike rolled his eyes ,"and how are we supposed to catch and kill this witch" he finished. Again we thought. 

We looked to Lidiya who just said, "i dont know. Sorry" We sighed. Then I snapped back into some kind of reality, "Wait guys. We're willing to emerge into some kind of full blown fight just so I dont have scratches on me? Come on isnt it a little.....unnecessary?" they all looked at eachother and then all said, "No" I wanted to cry because I had such awesome friends... I smiled at them not knowing what to say. Luckily I didnt have to say anything because Ike said something before me. 

"Youre my princess and a prince does what ever it takes to save her. Let me prove myself. I think the worst thing that could happen, is failing you. Failing to win your affection." It was the sweetest thing I had ever heard. I wish I couldve enjoyed it a liitle longer, but then I passed out.