Chapter 6 Written by: Siona

Well well, it seems like the girls actually talked Dai into a dance! It’s later that day and the girls are getting ready. Let us join them, shall we? Note: The clothes Taihen and Judaiko wear are not my creation; they are Cecilia’s and Sol’s. There will also be many links for your benefit. Thank you.

“Taihen, pass me that necklace. The one with the pearls.” Taihen handed Judaiko the four strand pearl choker as she talked. “Wow, I can’t believe we’re actually having a...a banquet I guess with gods!” Atarashii giggled. “We’ve been here for almost a month, and you’re still acting like we haven’t even been here a day! Though I have to admit, the idea of dancing with Kibito is exciting!” The threesome was getting ready for the ball that night, inside on of Nishi’s guest rooms. It would be held outside Minami’s palace, as Minami had requested. Judaiko, having the best fashion sense, had helped the Taihen and Atarashii pick out their clothes. Atarashii was wearing a strapless purple dress with a shawl of the same color and a black belt with a gold buckle. She wore black, knee high boots because she hated wearing shoes of any kind. On her right hand, she wore an amethyst ring set in gold. On her left hand, she wore another ring with a diamond set in it. . She carried a lavender satin handbag. Finally, she had gold hoop earrings Kibito could put his hand through. *You owe me for writing this all, Sol! -_-* *heheh ^_^;* Judaiko, as usual, was wearing some odd clothes. Her earrings were gold with three tassels of pearls. Her necklace was a choker like Atarashii’s but a four strand with a pearl on each string. On her right wrist, she had a single strand white pearl bracelet and on her left, She had the same bracelet, but with a black pearl instead of white. Her shoes were T-strap silver leather sandals accented with pearls and crystals. As for rings, she had a sterling silver one with moonstone on it for her right hand. Her left hand had a plain silver pinkie ring. The scarf round her neck was baby blue cashmere. The belt was rhinestone with Austrian crystals set in silver. She wore opera length, blue, satin gloves. Her dress was long, all the way to the floor with no back and her bag was white with a gold chain. *Go here for a better picture!*Taihen wore a necklace with a pendant shaped like a dragon. Her dress was black, with a knee-length skirt and laced flounce. The top was low necked and transparent, the arms were made of a transparent textile of purple. Her shoes were black roman style sandals. She had died her hair black and had glitter and star jewelry in it. Atarashii sighed romantically. “Think of it, gals! Tonight, we’re expressing our feelings to our lovers for all the gods to see!” Judaiko readjusted her earrings. “Yeah, it’s a little scary, neh?” Nishi walked in. She had worn a red glittery dress, knee length, and high-heeled shoes of the same color. “Come on girls, we’ll be late!” All three said, “Coming!” and followed Nishi outside. Japanese paper lanterns glowed eerily, strung up in the trees. A small CD player, contributed by Rou, sat on a table next to several kinds of sweet snacks. There, all the men waited. Atarashii stopped in her tracks. Minami... He wore a tuxedo, but it was purple and lavender instead of black and white. He was so... handsome. “Atarashii, would you like to dance?” The teen blinked and nodded. “I would love to, Minami!” She held his hand in hers and the other on his shoulder as he put his hand around her waist, slowly turning in circles to the slow music. Atarashii sighed, caught up in the light and the warmth of Minami’s touch. “Minami...” she murmured. Suddenly, it began to rain. The lanterns went out and the CD player sizzled. The gods and girls groaned in disappointment. Minami yelled, “Inside, everyone!” All the guests ran inside the doors, partially wet. Atarashii felt near tears. “Great, the dance is ruined!” She hid her face in her hands. “It’s okay.” Atarashii felt a hand on her shoulder and looked up into Minami’s kind face. “We can hold the dance in the garden, if you like.” Atarashii was stunned. “But, but I thought no one was supposed to go in there!” “We can bend the rules, just this once. Besides, Dai Kaioshin said it was alright!” Atarashii smiled. “Okay! Let’s dance!” Minami showed the gods and the girls inside and closed the door. The gods murmured and Rou gripped at Higashi for leaving his only CD player outside in the rain. “Iiiichiiii...” Atarashii jerked around. That voice again! The voice of a woman... Ignoring the sounds of the people around her, she walked over to the well, a sense of foreboding growing with every step. She got there and noticed a small book sitting on the steps. Atarashii picked up the book and looked at the cover. It showed a dark-haired woman sitting on the steps of the very well she was at, looking eastward. The book was bound by a small white sticker on the right side. She jumped when she noticed the woman turn her head, and then decided it was her eyes deceiving her. Suddenly, the voice boomed out in her mind. “Ichi! Come to me!” Rou noticed that Atarashii stood stock-still by the well. He walked over and nudged her gently. “Hey cutie, how bout dancing with me?” He cackled, and then gasped at the sight of the book she held. “Oki’s book! Atarashii, let go of that book!” However, Atarashii’s eyes had changed to that as they had been the first time at the well. She began to open the book, tearing the sticker. The elder kai desperately tried to hold Atarashii back, but he was old and frail, unable to stop her. He fell to the ground in defeat. The other Kaioshins, Taihen, and Judaiko walked over to see what Rou was yelling about. Atarashii turned around slowly and the gods gasped at the book in her grasp. Atarashii ripped the seal and opened the book. Suddenly, a tearing wind came from the book, tearing up flowers and small bushes. The Kaioshins and the girls cried out in fear but Atarashii stood as still as stone. Minami fought against the wind, struggling to reach the zombie-like Atarashii. Grabbing her shoulders and shaking her, he yelled, “Atarashii! Close that book! Wake up Atarashii!” He shook the book from Atarashii’s hands. Atarashii’s eyes returned to normal and she gasped. Suddenly, gallons of water flooded from the well, filling the entire room. Higashi tried to open the door, but was too late as the salt-water rose to the roof, immersing them in the water.

Atarashii woke up sluggishly then gasped in horror. She was underwater! But wait, she could breathe. How? “Minami! Judaiko, Taihen! Where is everyone?” She called out, but got no answers. She then noticed she was holding Ichi’s staff and wearing the outfit too. “This is getting weird.” She said. A light appeared far above her, giving Atarashii hope of finding her friends. She swam up for hours, hoping her friends were okay. When she finally surfaced, she gasped. This was not Minami’s garden! The whole room had broken glass walls. There seemed to be no floor, only a lake of water. Occasional pillars rose from the water, shadowing Atarashii. Pulling herself up on the shortest rock, Atarashii scanned the area. No person in sight, just water and stone. “Where am I?” She yelled. “You created this world with your magic.” Atarashii jumped and jerked around. A ravishing woman with blue hair and white skin hung in the air. Her hair was long and flowing, like a waterfall. Her clothes were skimpy, consisting of small black boots, a black vest and black gloves. On the vest was a blue ribbon with a green heart in the center. Who was she?

Who is she, indeed! Sorry for the short chap! I’ll do better in the day, it was 11:11 when I finished this, I think. O_o Anyway, go to Chap. 7 and see what doom has fallen upon Atarashii and company! Now! I order thee! ~Siona
Go to Chapter 7!