.Wishes. [open]

[Xena]

Wishes I make, please care on every step you take, for one wrong choice, and I would cease my voice, I chanted in my head. I jumped over a cluster of stones placed in the form of a circle. Would that be a sign that my wishes will be granted? I examined the stone-circle, crouching. I heard a faint voice in my head, What comes first, the phoenix or the flame? "A circle has no beginning..." I whispered as I finished with the answer. Nothing happened. I stood up, clearly disappointed, shaking my head making my crimson hair swish on my back.

Yes, I had not worn my pigtails today. I felt I should change for the day, and see if the world is better off without the real me. Don't get me wrong; I don't change for anybody. It was a simple experiment, see? I wore Takara's friendship bracelet on my right wrist, and no more accessories besides the gloves, which shone white brightly in the morning sun. I wore a white sundress to contemplate the gloves, and a white hat that matches; for the lighter the color, the less the heat.

Alas, I have been wishing for more than I could ever have. A guy who'll forever stay by my side, a non-stressing life full of choices, and a safe sanctuary from those who wishes me harm's way. I repeated the chant in a barely audible voice as I settled under a shade of a tree, mulling over the distant horizon.

"Wishes I make, take care on every step you take, for one wrong choice, and I would cease my voice."

[Mi'ki-chan]

From the day of the accident, until the day she went to see Yuki in the infirmary, Takara had stayed in her room, thinking of her flight with the insane angel. It was her fault that the newly-elected president had needed a trip to the infirmary. All because of her desire to fly.

The purple-haired elementary student walked around, no real destination, wearing the same attire she had worn on the picnic with Yuki. The only difference about her appearance today would be how her hair was tied into two braids that fell past her shoulders, and the purple friendship bracelet on her right wrist.

The size manipulator stopped, as she saw her best friend sitting under a tree, muttering something. She up, sitting next to her.

"Wishes I make, take care on every step you take, for one wrong choice, and I would cease my voice."

Wishes, huh? She only wished that Yuki would recover soon.

"What is it that you wish for?" She asked, a melancholic smile on her face as she turned to look at her friend.

[Xena]

"I wished for..." I let the sentence hang as took a second longer to stare at the distance, sighing inwardly and continued, "...usual stuff, I guess.." I left that hanging too. What should I say to Takara? I think it she'll think I was a 'Drama Queen' like she did back in the Dorm Rooms. Oh, pathetic. I am so pathetic. I look above to the trees shading me from the sun, but some rays of the glowing ball of flame still managed to shine some light on my face.

The green color and deep shade calmed me. Or my eyes at least. I can still feel my body tense. What should I answer? it seems to remind me in a panicking way; why is it so desperate to make me blab, as I do commonly in other situations like this? And, this is the day I am not me, so it makes perfect sense that I be mulling. I looked around, indicating the surroundings and saying at the same time:

"A home..."

I looked at my left gloved-palm, turning it over twice, "...a simple life..." And finally, I held up my right wrist beside Takara's own bracelet, showing the friendship bracelet she gave me, and something that looked like a past long forgotten, only to be opened up once again. "..and someone to care for."

[Mi'ki-chan]

She stared at Xena as she paused her sentence to ponder a little more and turned away as the girl started to reveal what she wished for. Wishing was a person's way of telling their desires. And while most wishes were made just as a spur of the moment thing, such as wishing to win the lottery, there were wishes that really did come from the heart.

"A home..."

"...a simple life..."

"..and someone to care for."

Takara took Xena's hand in hers, closing her eyes and listening to the girl's wishes. It seemed that she wasn't the only one filled with emotions such as this. Her best friend was also wishing for things. For a damn good reason too. Her eyes opened once again, her melancholic smile still presant as she began to speak softly.

"You too, huh?"

Her words were sad-sounding. She paused in thought before continuing.

"I'll listen to your story if you listen to mine after?"

Both girls weren't feeling 100% at the moment, and talking about problems with your closer friends tend to make you feel better, so why not?

[Xena]

"I'll listen to your story if you listen to mine after?"

I smiled the way she did, feeling the same. I thought about this, wondering for a while. Would her wish deliver a hard blow on her than mine will on me when - if - we realize it will never come true? I feel a soft wind as I gaze deeper to the horizon, and inhaled the refreshing breeze gladly. I hope that Takara got the message of 'Sure, why not?' or 'Yeah' when I smiled at her a moment ago.

I left my right hand in hers, wanting to feel her hand with my palm, my uncovered palm, so that I may treasure this feeling all my life as I live, this feeling of concern. So my left hand supported my head, my chin rather, as I feel that something of longing sparked to my eyes. "It all started when my mom died," I began, still gazing at the distance. "Even though I was happy with my aunt, I know I'll never see my mom again in this life..." I was determined to make this clear, this problems of mine to her, which even though quite short caused me a lot of questioning. "...and then, this Alice-" I paused for a moment, saying in my head to continue and that Takara may not hear it, This Alice I am starting to despise.

"It caused me to bring my presence here, in this Academy, where danger lurks in every corner, mysteries lie in every power, and darkness...in every heart...for a moment of reprieve, that is."

I added the last phrase, as so to say, Not everyone; not you. "I even wonder if there is more darkness in mine than I thought," I said absent-mindedly, feeling trapped in a dark room and looking at just one hole that emits light. Hope...the outside...seems so far away.... I snapped back to reality, thinking I have cause her to wait long, and aroused suspicion that this is deeper than how I explain it to be. I feel my left hand jerk a moment, but I noticed how I controlled it to not hit my face, as I did in situations before.

And now I add the last, "A home...even though this Academy is one, I feel there's something missing...not someone to care for...it's something about..." I ponder, feeling the spark again. "Love..and care." I added silently, 'You are the only one who provided me so much guidance.' "So, let's hear yours," I said, turning to her, with a smile that is relieved.

[Mi'ki-chan]

She just didn't seem herself today. Xena, that is. Takara had once again missed her friend more times than counted for, and when she finally did get to catch up, problems had started to rise for both of them. She listened to her friend's uncharacteristic words carefully, taking in all that she said calmly.

As she listened, her own heart ached. Her problem was different to hers, but similar in its own way. It seemed that both of them wanted to be loved and cared for. Takara had loved her parents much, and in turn was loved by them. However, they were out a lot, and she never got to spend that much time with them. She stayed silent for a while before she started.

"I understand your feelings." she paused, wording her sentences carefully. "My parents weren't home a lot when I was growing up. But I was loved a lot when they were home." she sighed a little bit before continuing. "And shortly after I was admitted here, I found out my mother passed away. So I too, will never see her again. Comming to this school, I lost the three people closest to me. My mother died, and my father and brother moved away without telling me an exact location. They don't even write. It's like I lost my home."

"Your words are true. Everyone here has dark feelings deep down. You can see it in everyone's eyes. Even faintly, but everyone does have those feelings." her heart hurt quite a lot at this point, but she held on to the pain as she squeezed her friend's hand lightly. "When you feel you've lost everyone, you become sad. You wish for people to care for and things like that. And there are people that can grant your wish. You're not alone..." The girl trailed off in deep thought. She too wasn't alone.

"Living here, I feel empty and full. It's a confusing feeling now. There are a lot of people i've met, very few i'm that close to, but those few alone make me actually like living here." She smiled, happier now. She didn't know whether or not Xena would pick up the words of gratefulness directed at her. "But I also want someone to care for."

[Xena]

My smile grew wider as I heard her words. Living here, I feel empty and full... It was a beautiful Word Play, as what I have read in my Literature book. I feel empty and full, I repeated in my head. I head the things she said after, of course, but I don't find anything funny to repeat in my head. Everything she said touches me greatly, though; she really is the producer of great guidance. Even though I feel her heavy heart ache at the beginning, she seems lighter and happier in a way. I guess talking helps everything move on in time, and helps us look at the terrifying times at its funny sides, the sad times at its happy ones.

Even though, again, I do not fully understand what she is talking about - is this her story, or is she just relating to me? - I don't try and ask about her story. She's practically happier now, what would happen if my question would break her down again? I felt glad and praised, for she said that 'those few alone make her actually like living here.' I must be there, since I am here, aren't I? It not's like I am seeking for praise, I just...notice it in her voice, you know? Bah..you won't understand..she would.

So I just smile. I didn't say anything until she does, it's how it would be if I wasn't me. It's waiting for a topic, as I'd call it.

[Mi'ki-chan]

She smiled, feeling as if a heavy burden had been lifted from her shoulders. She'd said what she'd felt for a while now. But she needed to tell Xena about the one she believed was her 'someone just for me'.

"Xena, do you remember at the resort complex? I told you about Yuki-chan."

She smiled at his name. He just made her so happy, just as Xena did, but also in a different way. She loved the boy with her whole heart, but she'd caused him to fall into a deep slumber, and knowing that she was the cause of his pain hurted her more than just about anything else.

"He has an angel alice..."

[Xena]

"Yeah, of course I remember him," was my reply. It sounded a little envious for some reason, but maybe it was just a spark. Again. A spark. I am not a firework, am I? So it's an emotional spark. A figure of speech. If you don't know what I am talking about, go read you Literature book. It's ought to be there. Somewhere. I listen to her saying that he has an Angel Alice. I hought for a moment there and said in a manner of amusment and surprise, "He gets to have a halo and wings?"

I stopped before I could talk some more, before I could start commenting. I feel that I may have offended her in some way, laughing about the boy. Was there something special about him that she decided to bring him up for the topic? Wait. Hold on. She said she also wants someone to care for. Does she mean the Student Council president? In that case, I am very happy for her, having found her 'True One' in the Academy with success. I think.

She wouldn't bring this up if they were all happy. In fact, she would be with him right now. But why wasn't she? "Hold on," I said after this, scarcely noticing if she even talked or tried to while I was thinking, "did something happen to him?" I forgot the fact that I may be breaking her down right now, asking the question. Does she blame herself for anything that has happened bad to him, like what I think she felt when I hit my head on the bark of that tree while trying to catch the ball during our first triad gang meeting?

Now..I simply do not know..Let her speak, will ya'?

[Mi'ki-chan]

Good, she did remember. That would save a lot of explaining on her behalf. She sighed a little, thinking of how to summerize all the events that led to the accident not so long ago. She inhaled some fresh air, exhaled, and continued on with her story.

"Well...After I met him in central town, we agreed to meet up again. So we went to have a picnic in the maze gardens. I told him that one day, i'd like to fly with him. But I think his alice turns him a little insane."

She stopped to let the information sink in. Maybe the word 'insane' was taking the truth a little far, but would a sane person take a passenger to a high altitude while looking as if he was possessed? Inhale, Exhale, continue.

"I spotted his semi-transparent wings. I don't think Yuki-chan can control his alice, you see. And suddenly, his pupils shrunk considerably...and he kinda grabbed me and took me up really high. He barely responded, and he just wasn't him anymore..."

She trailed off again, hesitation overwhelming her. She didn't know if she should tell Xena about the whole kiss thing, and that Yuki didn't remember a lot about the incident.

[Xena]

I stared at Takara intently, waiting for her to continue. Flying, huh, I thought. I don't think I would like to fly so high. I continued staring at her, and when she doesn't even try to speak, averted my gaze to the horizon again. So many questions, so little time to find the answers. So I just leave it alone and let her feel comfortable with talking about whatever thing that happened.

[Mi'ki-chan]

"And..." she continued her story, slightly blushing at this point. "I'm pretty sure he was going to drop me, so I tried to get him to snap out of it. So...Ikindakissedhim." She looked at the ground. Xena was the only one she'd told about the kiss, or much detail of the events that took place that day.

"We ended up falling, I didn't suffer a lot of injury, but he must've knocked his head on the tree. So now he's in the infirmary." She sighed. Talking about one's problems really did seem to help. But there wasn't much they could do about him being in the infirmary. "If it wasn't for my selfish wish, he wouldn't have hurt himself. But even after all the pain he's gone through because of me, I still want to be with him."

She looked over at her friend. They weren't so different. Both of them wished for their special person. She had met Yuki, and Xena had an interest, didn't she?

"Xena, you...liked that Hiei guy right?"

[Xena]

"..I tried to get him to snap out of it. So...Ikindakissedhim.."

"...he must've knocked his head on the tree. So now he's in the infirmary..."

"...even after all the pain he's gone through because of me, I still want to be with him."

Ah, love is such an unbearable emotion, I thought as I listened, though I smiled and gave a giggle when she said she kissed him. Well, she said kind of, but hey, it's still a kiss. Right? Right. So now, I recognized the emotion 'love' even more, and succumbed to the idea that I was wrong of love. Love, as I thought before, is a feeling, a mere emotion, at the sight of the one you care about. I didn't once explain to myself that it would be harder to love someone truly, because maybe I just can't accept that this emotion is like being gifted and cursed.

"Xena, you...liked that Hiei guy right?"

I stopped the instinct to say, His name is Hiei Masaaki, not Hiei GUY. "..yeah..." I replied, getting infuriated with my past memories. "But I never saw him again--" Despite the fact that I tried to, I finished in my head. "I want to hold his hand, to feel his hand on mine in an embrace that seems to last for a lifetime," I muttered, hoping that Takara didn't hear me or knew better than having a bad reaction.

[Mi'ki-chan]

In truth, Takara hadn't even heard his name since they first met. She looked at Xena as she said her last sentence. She barely caught the words, but never the less heard her. She'd never seen Xena this serious before. Then again, she herself had rarely ever been this serious.

"Natural reaction. You so like him."

She smiled. She had an idea, except its chance of failure was higher than the chances of a six-sided dice landing on the corner. They could just so search him out. Anyone who knows him could help. And she figured one of the teachers might know a thing or two. Thing is, she had no where to start.

"You wish to be with him. Even though you don't know him well, you still wish it...Then, lets go look for him."

She was serious about this. If Xena couldn't be happy, then she wasn't very happy either. It's said that humans exist to chase happiness. Therefore, she wanted to help her friend find happiness so that she too, could.

[Xena]

"Where would we look?"

I didn't mean to sound eager, I just did. I humbly looked down on my hand, twirling my fingers together. The reason is here, isn't it? I asked myself. Am I in love with him? Am I that desperate? I stood up, letting go of Takara's hand. I skipped a few paces in front of her and rolled down softly on the grass. OK, now I feel the heat. So...hot! I stood up, pulling my hat to cover my face. I turned to Takara's direction and smiled.

"Shall we go? I need exercise, ne?"