*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...

Comments

[shinken_red]

Greetings. My name is Shiba Takeru, of the Samurai Sentai Shinkenger - those who were given the responsibility of destroying the threat of Akumaro's kind.

Your partner... She's right. Lies and deceit are how Akumaro plays his games. You were merely someone who was caught up in it, just as everyone else was. You certainly were not the first.

[child_kanji]

[there's a good five minutes before her reply, and when she comes back she looks much more tired and pale. She still bows to him, though.]

Shiba-san... e-even if that's true... I still gave him something he could use...

[shinken_red]

It never would have happened without his intent to do so. You also couldn't have known.

If you give into the sorrow he created by doing that, you are only giving any like him power. The tears of their victims are the very thing which feed the Gedoushuu.

[child_kanji]

I... I can't help it...!

[she starts crying again, hiding her face in her hands]

They could have been lost forever if Watanuki-kun hadn't helped...

action;

[rain_kanji]

[ she heard the coughing and came into the room, kneeling next to her and gently rubbing her back as she waits for her to finish. ]

action;

[child_kanji]

[keeps coughing for a few more minutes before quieting down. She leans against Ame tiredly, chest rising and falling heavily.]

I thought I was getting better...

action;

[rain_kanji]

[ 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. ]

action;

[child_kanji]

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

[shinken_blue]

Zashiki-chan, don't blame yourself. You didn't know what Akumaro was capable of. He's a monster that enjoys suffering. None of this is your fault.

That... That...

Ryuunosuke-sama, watch your language.

He used an innocent... That Gedoushu used an innocent.

I'm none to happy about it either. Especially after seeing the aftermath.

[child_kanji]

An innocent... ?

Zashiki, don't you think for a second you're anything but!

I'm... I don't know what I am anymore...

[shinken_blue]

You are an innocent. Akumaro enjoys the pain and tears of the innocent. He enjoys toying with people and their emotions. He also enjoys using people and others of his kind as his own personal puppets.

He knows what he does and he enjoys it. He would since he's been alive for over 200 years.

He's a manipulator. He takes control of those who are unsuspecting and/or are innocent.

Don't think you are anything but an innocent. You are a victim of crimes that he has committed. You didn't know.

[child_kanji]

...

Look at how sick he's made you! Months later and you're so weak you can barely walk!

[Zashi doesn't answer, she just keeps her head down, a few tears falling from her eyes]

We've been up here for months hoping it would help her recover from what he did to her. Of course she's an innocent, she's a child spirit! And that bastard nearly killed her with what he did!

Alra-chan...

video;

[snakeconstrict]

[ she looks extremely sad. ]

Zashi-chan ... I know you don't believe it, so I won't tell you I don't think it's your fault, even if that's what I really think.

But I do want you to believe me when I tell you that I don't hold anything against you for what happened, and I just want you to feel better, and I hope we can spend some time together and become better friends when you're feeling well.

[ she does manage a smile ~ ]

video;

[child_kanji]

Mm...

[she manages her own tired smile, but it is almost instantly followed by tears rolling down her cheeks]

I want to come back... I miss my friends... I wish none of this had happened...

[she starts coughing again, hunching over a little]

video;

[snakeconstrict]

Mn, a lot of us wish that, Zashi-chan. We all miss you and we want to see you again, but right now your health is most important.

[ as she starts to cough again, Nadeko winces. She hates feeling so helpless ... ]

video;

[child_kanji]

[her coughing fades]

I don't know if I'll ever be okay... it was so dark, being under his control...

[electric_bot]

It's alright. You couldn't help being manipulated and I don't hold what happened against you. You don't need to blame yourself for it.

[child_kanji]

I still shouldn't have told him... if Watanuki-kun hadn't gotten the souls back in time...

[electric_bot]

You didn't know it would turn out that way. [He sighs.] I know what it's like to play into someone's hands and be used to do things I would never do. It does hurt, but... the best we can do is move on.

[child_kanji]

No... I didn't. But it still doesn't feel right... I don't feel right...

[she starts to say more, but the coughing fit comes back again]