Phantom's Queen (Book Three of the Phantom Series)

Masks

~ONE WEEK LATER~
Harumi's POV-
I stumbled into the apartment belonging to 'Aina Rook'. Somehow, probably with help from Pixal, Skylor and Nya had managed to give me an apartment all to myself. I had gotten a job in the downtown district as the secretary of a emergency medbay. It was true, I worked too many shifts per day, got home too late, and wasn't used to the intensity of this type of work, but I made enough to get bye.

I ran a hand through my mess of neon green hair. I was still unaccustomed to my new appearance, it seemed that every time I looked in the mirror, there was someone else staring back at me.

My apartment was smaller than Nya's. It was only two rooms, the bedroom more like a dignified closet. I hadn't completely moved in, as the boxes strewn across the ground showed. A couple bowls lay in the sink, almost begging me to wash them.

I walked to the deck that outlooked the city. The view that came with the apartment was one of the few things that redeemed it.

From here, I could see a city I'd never known existed. When I was a senator, all I saw was government buildings and offices. My own apartment, even as a penthouse, faced the high elite side of the city.

Now, I saw everything. I could see the silhouettes of the spires of the government district as the sun set. When I looked down, I saw the beginnings of a neon city that only came out at night. A soft wind blew, lifting the light, translucent curtains that graced my window. As the hours went by, I saw the sun dim and the city light up. One by one windows lit up, filling the city with the magic and mystery that came only when night fell across Ninjago. All my life, I had longed for a time like this, when I would be able to watch the city light up, slowly, just letting the magic of it wash over me.

But always, I envisioned Jita beside me.

I turned away from the outside and made my way back into my apartment, shivering, alone.

Jita's POV-
I sat down on the soft but cold couch that Harumi had put facing the grand windows of her office. I looked out on a cold ocean.

I was freezing, alone.

I slowly undid my hair, and the tight gown that clenched my body.

I knew this, that Harumi's life was like this. That she went through this every day.

But she knew pain like that, she was accustomed to it.

She was strong, and I was not.

Even though the penthouse windows stretched floor to ceiling, wall to wall, all I could see was an empty darkness that threatened to engulf me.

I stood up, wrapping a silk robe around my bare shoulders.

Somehow, particularly at night, every place I went in disguise seemed cold. The air was different without Harumi, it was still and freezing. When I was with her the world lit up with the color and warmth of summer.

But as the world was fading in autumn, the warm dreams of summer falling like the crisp leaves.

I brushed a stray hair out of my face. It was hard to keep up this charade, I was not used to making decisions that impacted more than just me. The sole fact that this was part of Harumi's daily routine made me admire her even more.

Harumi has always an inspiration to me. Always, she was the one leading, the one showing me where to go. She was the one who had taken my hand, the one who was fighting for both our rights, the one who had to hide.

I had refused to hide myself. I had shown my Apithian markings with pride, even when they assaulted me and attacked me. I had stood strong, or at least tried too. But it was getting harder.

Harumi was out there, somewhere. I kept telling myself that. I wondered if she was out there, looking for me. I wondered if she felt the same, lonesome cold when we were apart.

A sole tear ran down my cheek. I could feel the patterns on my face lighting upnwhen they came in contact with my tears.
It was hard- trying to wear this mask.

A/n- kinda short. Sorry. Also. Yes I like this one .:)