Tatlo - Read The Lines

Hiroko sat in her room, meditating. Replaying everything her grandfather said to her, over and over. “Just let go of it. Stop feeling, stop caring. Why can’t I let go of any of it? Why can’t I reach Nirvana?” Hiroko asked herself, over and over. She opened her eyes, finding herself in a void. “It’s been a while Hiroko.” Bodhisattva said. He sat on a rock in the middle of a pond surrounded by a field of wheat. Hiroko stood up, and walked over to him. “So did I do it? Did I let go of everything, and reach Nirvana?” Hiroko asked. “No, but you are in Nirvana. You asked, and I offer my home for you to figure out.” Bodhisattva said. Hiroko walked through the wheat reaching the pond, sitting down on the edge, and started meditating.

Riku met with Sato on top of a building. “A nice spot, don’t you think?” Sato asked. She leaned against a rail looking at the ocean, she had two Katana on her belt, hers and the one she took from Umitama. Riku walked to her, and leaned against the rail. “What do you want?” Riku asked. “I have been ordered to kill you. Just to let you know.” Sato said. “Are you going to uphold the order?” Riku asked. “I have to.” Sato said. “No you don’t. We are not their monsters.” Riku said. “I already am a monster. It doesn’t matter for me. I have already passed the point of no return.” Sato said. “No you haven't.” Riku said. “Yes I have!” Sato said, she sighed, and laid her head against the rail. “Sato, join me, we can take Noboru down, we can save the Mardom Rooh from him.” Riku said. “There is no saving, not anymore.” Sato said, turning to Riku, and unsheathing her Katana. “Sato, I wish I won that bet.” Riku said.

The Beasts noticed Yusuke, and stood up, jumping off the building. The reporters tried to capture the jump but the Beast was fast. The Beast landed in front of Yusuke. “Great, in front of a live audience. Raijin’s Might.” Yusuke said, annoyed, instantly covering himself in lightning. The Beast threw a punch at Yusuke who dodged, using the lightning to get behind the Beast, and jump away. “Wrath.” Yusuke said, before several lightning bolts struck the Beast. The Beast didn’t get affected, and jumped at Yusuke, who created a blade of lightning. Yusuke appeared in front of the Beast, and swung the blade through its chest. Repelling it back. Yusuke and the Beast landed on the ground. “I don’t know what you want, or even if you are lucid, but I will give you a minute. Leave me alone, and I won't turn you to ash.” Yusuke said.

Hiroko’s mother watched the news, seeing Yusuke fighting against the beast. She ran to Hiroko’s room. “Uh, Hiroko darling, your friend is sort of fighting a monster. I don’t know if that is important or not.” Her mother said. Hiroko heard it, but didn’t respond. In Nirvana she continued to meditate. “I wonder how he is doing?” Bodhisattva said. “Shut up both of you, I’m focusing.” Hiroko said. “On what? You sure do seem worried about him.” Bodhisattva said. “I’m not.” Hiroko said. Bodhisattva stood up, and walked through the pond, walking circles, annoying Hiroko. “Why torture yourself like this?” Bodhisattva asked. “Because I choose to.” Hiroko said. “You have nothing to prove, to anyone.” Bodhisattva said. “Yes I do. I need to be better than him. I need to reach Nirvana before he does.” Hiroko said. “Yet you make the same mistakes as he did. Not all of them, but your sense of superiority. Your active downplaying of others beliefs-.” Bodhisattva started. “So does everyone else, the only difference is I’m being punished for it.” Hiroko said. “You are the only one punishing yourself.” Bodhisattva said. “Just shut up and let me focus!” Hiroko yelled. “I didn’t say anything.” Hiroko’s mom said.

The Beast lunged at Yusuke, throwing several attacks. Yusuke dodged with ease. “Raijin’s Strike.” Yusuke said, covering his arm in lightning, and punching the Beast, hard enough to hear bones crack. The Beast grabbed Yusuke’s hand, its claws digging into Yusuke. With its other hand the Beast slapped Yusuke onto the ground. “Your minute is over. Lightning Majutsu : Rage.” Yusuke said. Rain started falling from the sky, and so did several lightning bolts, striking the Beasts several times over. The Beast lunged at Yusuke, and hit him harder, slamming Yusuke into the ground. Yusuke got up, and got kicked into the air. The Beast appeared above Yusuke, and hit Yusuke back into the ground. “And it got stronger. Great.” Yusuke said.

Hiroko’s mother continued to watch the TV, as it broadcasted Yusuke’s fight. “Hiroko, he’s starting to lose!” her mother yelled. Hiroko sighed. “This isn’t working. I’m taking your stone.” Hiroko said, standing up, getting the stone in the middle of the pond, and meditating more. “It’s not my stone. I don’t own anything. Just my mind.” Bodhisattva said. Hiroko continued on, as she kept hearing the voices in her head. Her grandfather’s disapproval. “Leave me alone. Stop screwing with me, so I can reach Nirvana. I’m better than you. I have to prove it.” Hiroko said. “Stop focusing on him. He was a cruel man, who did a lot of cruel things. He knew he could never reach Nirvana, so he didn’t try. He was a hypocrite, just like you. So stop caring about him. Stop using him to push yourself forward. The boy, Yusuke, the boy you have feelings for. And your friend Yuna, practically sisters. Use them.” Bodhisattva said. Hiroko stopped meditating, and sighed. “Why can't I let go of it?” Hiroko asked. “You are refusing to. Stop standing still and looking to the past. Let go of your anger, and run forward to your future.” Bodhisattva said.

Yusuke got onto his feet, covered himself in lightning, and slammed himself into the Beast. The Beast grabbed Yusuke’s face, and slammed him into the ground. Picking up its claws, ready to stab Yusuke, but Yusuke, electrocuted the Beast, escaping the Beast. The Beast didn’t stay stunned for long, slashing at Yusuke knocking him onto his back. Yusuke rolled over onto his stomach. The Beast slammed down on Yusuke. Yusuke turned to lightning, and appeared above the Beast, kicking it to no avail. The Beast backhanded Yusuke, throwing him onto the ground. Yusuke rolled over, and tossed himself onto his feet, landing in front of the reporters. Yusuke fell onto his knees, grabbing his stomach. “Ok, there is a small chance I might not win this.” Yusuke said.

Before Yusuke and the Beast could start their next bout the Mabui shifted colors to white, and crowded down the street, as someone walked closer to the Beast. Yusuke looked to see Hiroko, surrounded by pure Mabui. “Why do you have Pure Majutsu?” Yusuke asked. “I can’t let go of it, or anything. I’ll never reach Nirvana, but I don’t care anymore. It’s not my dream. My pain molded me, but now it’s time I stop letting it. So Yusuke, if you'd accept after all this is over, I’d like to go on a date.” Hiroko said, standing between Yusuke and the Beast. Hiroko’s red eye returned, and the white Mabui opened a third eye. Hiroko just smiled at the Beast, not a smile of mischief, or anger, but a genuine happy smile.