moonlitnights: old/stories/kstail.txt comparison

comparison old/stories/kstail.txt @ 2:fc00894c1d4a moonlitnights

[svn r3] moved all the bad stuff to 'old'

author	rlm
date	Fri, 19 Feb 2010 20:53:12 -0500
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+Author’s notes: Hello minna-san! ^-^ This is the first story I’ve
+written since I’ve moved. I’ve been having a hard time handling
+things, so this has helped me to focus some of that energy. I wrote
+most of this on three separate nights. It’s my second Saint Tail
+story and hopefully it won’t be my last. ^-^ I would love to hear any
+comments, so if you feel up to e-mailing, I would appreciate it. ^-^
+This is an alternate end for Saint Tail, so I know it doesn’t fit
+exactly with the end of the series. Oh, and Meimi originally had
+glasses in the manga. Megumi Tachikawa said that she was farsighted
+and only used them for school but she stopped drawing Meimi in them
+because she didn’t have her in class much. I thought this was cute,
+so I wanted to add it. ^-^ Anyway, thank you so much for reading! ^-^
+Can’t Say Goodbye to Yesterday
+by Amazoness Duo
+amazonessduo@hotmail.com
+	‘The church is really beautiful,’ Meimi thought to herself as the
+large structure came into view. A small smile crossed her lips as she
+hugged her sweater to herself. ‘I’ve been here hundreds of times, but
+I never really noticed just how beautiful it really is. But Seira
+always noticed. She spent even more time here than I did.’ With the
+changing direction in her line of thought, the brunette’s smile
+faded. Sighing, she paused in front of the large, ornate doors. Her
+heart plummeted as her mind drifted back to a conversation she had
+had with Seira earlier.
+	Meimi was now fifteen. Though not the best of students, with
+Seira’s help, she had passed rather well through her high school
+entrance exams. Finally having such a huge weight lifted from her
+shoulders, Meimi had been exhilarated at the newfound freedom. But
+her excitement was short-lived. When she had asked Seira about what
+the Catholic high school was like that they would be going to, Seira
+had told her she would find out for her. Then she had struck Meimi a
+blow that she was still reeling from. Seira wouldn’t be joining her
+at the high school. She was going to Rome with one of the older
+Sisters, presumably to prepare for entering the convent in a few
+years. Something that Meimi had thought was years away was now
+painfully close.
+	There wasn’t a time that Meimi could remember not having her gentle
+best friend near. Seira was always there to help her through things,
+always there to listen to her heart. The Sister-in-training made a
+wonderful listener and she had granted Meimi a wonderful confidante.
+Seira had been willing to do anything for her, from pretending to be
+Meimi to protect her identity to running around dressed like a snow
+girl. She had always been infinitely loyal to Meimi, always ready to
+help her. But now Meimi was facing the thought of losing Seira and it
+drove splinters through her heart. ‘Why God? Why are you taking her
+away from me? I know you need her. But so do I...’ Meimi prayed
+silently. The thought of losing her best friend sent shivers through
+her. It felt like a large piece of her life was about to fade away,
+something more important than a limb. She could already feel that
+something was missing even though Seira wouldn’t be leaving for at
+least another month. But that month hung over Meimi like a death
+shroud. Despite Seira’s warm smile when she had come to greet her at
+lunch, Meimi had only barely suppressed tears before running away
+from her friend. How was she supposed to pretend that nothing was
+wrong when Seira would be leaving so soon? How could she live through
+the month when Seira would be gone by its end?
+	So here she was. The brunette thief had called Seira shortly after
+getting home. She needed to speak with Seira as quickly as possible.
+She didn’t know how, but she had to find some way to convince Seira
+to stay. There had to be something she could do. Maybe God wanted
+Seira for whatever His plans may be. But if that was the case, the
+Saint Tail would have to steal her away. She hoped He would
+understand. He would have to. He had placed Seira in her life, after
+all. He had to know how important she was to Meimi.
+	Steeling her resolve, Meimi entered the church. Her fists clenched
+in determination, the brunette girl glanced about for the one
+troubling her thoughts. Seira had insisted they meet on the church,
+something that seemed only fitting after how often they had met
+there. Trailing her fingers over the edges of the pews, Meimi made
+her way towards the altar. “Forgive me, Lord, for I am without
+deceit,” Meimi whispered to herself.
+	“I hope you aren’t planning on going out as Saint Tail tonight. I’m
+afraid there’s nothing to steal.” Seira’s words brought Meimi’s
+attention to her immediately. The young Sister-in-training smiled
+sweetly, dressed in her all white habit. Standing up from the front
+Pew, she rested her hands together in front of her. She had been
+praying for hours, having come to the church as soon as school had
+ended. One of the nuns had to come get her when Meimi had called for
+her. She felt her heart swell to see the mysterious thief once more.
+Despite her best efforts, Meimi was never far from her mind.
+	Spotting Seira near the front, Meimi offered a small smile of her
+own. “Everyone always comes to you to pray when they need Saint
+Tail’s help. But this time, I think Saint Tail is the one who needs
+help.” Her smile faltered as Seira slowly eliminated the distance
+between them. Her vision blurred as tears once again threatened to
+ruin her composure. She averted her gaze quickly, hoping that her
+friend wouldn’t notice.
+	“You’re always welcome in the Lord’s home, Meimi-chan. You know
+that. Everyone can come pray here. Even Saint Tail.” Seira felt an
+icy chill overtake her as she saw just how close to tears the
+brunette thief was. She took Meimi’s hand and led the semi-startled
+girl over to the pew near the front that she had been using. Sitting
+down, she motioned for Meimi to join her. It hurt her to see Meimi in
+such pain. Which is why she had put off telling her for so long. In
+retrospect, she had to wonder if that had been a wise decision. Maybe
+if Meimi had known longer, it wouldn’t hurt so much now. But that was
+all in the past. All she could do for now was try to help as well as
+she could. “What’s wrong, Meimi-chan?” she asked worriedly. She knew
+the problem well enough. It had been troubling her for quite some
+time. If only she knew how to solve in better.
+	Meimi took a deep breath, staring straight ahead. Why was this so
+difficult? Because Seira had never been leaving before. This had
+never been a problem for her. But now she felt off balance, unsure.
+“Seira-chan... Are you sure this is what you want to do? Go into the
+convent, I mean. Is that really what you want to do with your life?”
+	“Of course, I do, Meimi-chan. I can’t think of a better path in
+this life than one that serves the Lord. And how better to repay the
+nuns here? They raised me, a poor orphan girl left on their doorstep.
+No one forced them to. No one made them. I want to repay them for
+that. For all of the happiness in my life. I owe so much to them. I
+believe it’s my path in life,” Seira explained, watching the
+brunette. This was something that she had decided long ago, but never
+before had she had to explain it to her best friend. Meimi had simply
+accepted it before now. But now, Meimi appeared to be having her
+doubts. Of course, Seira had other reasons as well, but ones that
+were a little more difficult to go into.
+	“But...” Meimi began, her voice breaking. She took another breath
+before continuing. “But what about falling in love? What about
+finding your special someone, of spending your life forever with him?
+I can’t imagine God denying you that.” She knew she was grasping at
+straws now, but she had to try. She couldn’t imagine Seira alone
+forever, never falling in love. Why would God wish such a lonely life
+for his diligent servant? It didn’t make any sense. Seira deserved to
+have that. And Meimi wanted her to stay, so they could find it
+together.
+	Seira paused for a moment, studying the teary eyed thief. After a
+long silence, she answered, looking to the altar. “I’ve already
+fallen in love, Meimi-chan. I fell in love a long time ago. God
+didn’t deny me that. And I’ll forever thank Him for allowing me to
+fall in love with such a wonderful person. That’s one of the many
+reasons why I want to repay him by becoming a Sister.”
+	Watching Seira quietly, Meimi was astounded by how radiant she
+looked. Whether it was because she was speaking of God or the one she
+loved, Meimi couldn’t tell for sure. Whatever the case, Seira was
+practically glowing. It wasn’t fair. Seira deserved to be happy. To
+be loved. To be nearby. Meimi had always thought it would be fine
+when Seira one day became a Sister, thinking she would simply become
+one nearby. In her mind, it didn’t feel like anything would change.
+But now, it felt too horrible to think of Seira all alone and far
+away. The thought that Seira was in love only made that worse.
+“You’re in love? Seira-chan, you never told me. You’ve always been
+there to listen to me, but I guess I wasn't very good at listening
+when you needed me. I’m sorry.” Meimi hung her head guiltily. She was
+usually so much better at handling things, even if she could have a
+fiery temper, but at the moment she was completely lost. How often
+had Seira been there for her? How often had Seira saved her in one
+sense or another? Without magic and without athletics, Seira had
+always been there to save Meimi when everything was out of control.
+She would always think of something to help her, even when her secret
+identity was at stake. Seira had been her guardian angel. No one knew
+her better than the Sister-in-training. Seira didn’t know the newest
+trends or the hottest bands, but she knew everything about Meimi
+herself. Yet Meimi had failed her. She had had no idea of Seira’s own
+love. A hand on her shoulder brought her back to the present. She
+slowly looked up into Seira’s understanding blue-gray eyes.
+	“Meimi-chan, please don’t blame yourself. I never told you because
+I didn’t want you to know. It wouldn’t change things right now even
+if you did. I couldn’t get with this person no matter how much I
+would want to. I’ve already decided what I’m going to do with my
+life.”
+	“You didn’t want me to know? But why not? I’m your best friend. I
+just thought there wasn’t anyone you liked.” Meimi’s mind started
+sifting through everything, hoping for some clue to unravel Seira’s
+love’s mystery identity. Part of her was hoping it would be the key
+to keeping Seira from leaving. If she could only find out and somehow
+fix things, then maybe Seira would change her mind. Determination
+began to well up inside of her, burning throughout her body. Saint
+Tail had helped countless people before. Now she would save the most
+selfless and loving person she could think of. Somehow.
+Unfortunately, whenever Saint Tail was off to solve things, Seira was
+there to provide her with the information she needed to know. This
+time she had no such luck. It left her wondering how she could manage
+without her best friend. Would Seira leaving mean the end of Saint
+Tail as well? She quickly shook off the thought. She couldn’t quit
+being Saint Tail anymore than she could quit being Meimi. They were
+like two different people, but they were both parts of her. ‘I can’t
+do this without you,’ Meimi thought desperately. ‘But I have to try.’
+Thinking quickly, her mind latched onto the first possibility. “Is it
+Sawatari-kun? He does seem to like you. And he is pretty cool,” Meimi
+conceded, watching Seira for any reaction. To her surprise, the young
+Sister began to laugh. Meimi sweatdropped. “And you always laugh when
+he hits on you.”
+	Giggling, Seira nodded, covering her mouth primly. “That’s because
+it’s funny. I think it’s silly that he would go to the trouble.
+Everyone knows I’m going to become a nun. Besides, I love someone
+else. So I couldn’t fall for his ‘charms’ even if I wasn’t going to.”
+Another giggle escaped the dark haired girl’s lips as she watched the
+quizzical look that Meimi gave her. She had always been amused that
+Sawatari would shower any attention on her. It was something that
+other girls didn’t understand. They would all kill for his attention.
+That he would choose her out of everyone couldn’t help but make her
+laugh. She wouldn’t be getting with anyone anyway. There was only one
+person that she would want at all and it certainly wasn’t him.
+	Meimi could only stare for a long moment, unsure of how to
+continue. Well, it obviously wasn’t Sawatari. But who did that leave?
+Seira was kind and sweet to everyone. But even then, there weren’t
+any boys that stood out. Plenty came to her to pray and to confess
+things, but none really knew her all that well. And Seira didn’t seem
+to mind. There weren’t any boys that came to mind. Unless... Meimi’s
+eyes went wide as a thought struck her. “It isn’t a boy, is it, Seira-
+chan?” Her heart began to pound quicker in her chest as she waited
+anxiously. Just how much had she missed about her best friend? How
+much had she let go unnoticed? What if it was a girl? Who?
+	A look of surprise crossed Seira’s features for a moment. She
+hadn’t quite expected Meimi to ask anything like that. The dark
+haired girl had been inclined to leave it off with there simply being
+someone she was in love with. But though Meimi could be... moody, she
+certainly wasn’t naïve. Slowly, she found herself nodding. She
+couldn’t bring herself to lie about it, especially to Meimi. “Hai,
+it’s a girl,” Seira said quietly, almost reluctantly. She couldn’t
+bring herself to meet Meimi’s questing gaze. Her cheeks darkened
+slightly in embarrassment and frustration. What was she supposed to
+say if Meimi asked her? What could she do? She didn’t have to tell
+her who it was. She could refuse to answer. But after all they had
+been through together, could she really do that to Meimi? Didn’t
+Meimi deserve to know? She would be leaving soon enough anyway. It
+wouldn’t be able to cause much harm.
+	“Is that why you’re leaving? Is that why you want to be a nun?”
+Meimi asked quickly, staring intently at the white clad girl next to
+her. Things slowly began to make more sense to the mysterious thief.
+That was why Seira was never interested in any of the boys, why she
+was never interested in dating. Seira had been raised by the Sisters,
+so of course she didn’t think she could be with a girl. That was why
+she was intent on becoming a nun, remaining celibate.
+	Seira shook her head, clasping her gloved hands in front of her.
+Only her face was visible in the long white dress. “No, that’s not
+it.” She paused to consider for a moment. “That’s not all of it, at
+least. Like I said before, I want to for the Lord. I want to pay back
+the Sisters who raised me. And yes, because I’m in love with another
+girl. I can’t be with her. And I won’t love anyone else. Anyone
+besides Him. So I’ll be His willing servant.” Falling in love with
+Meimi had only fortified Seira’s decision to become a Sister. She had
+tasted love in all of its bittersweet glory. She had that and always
+would. But it only helped her to realize where her path in life lay.
+She couldn’t be with Meimi. She understood that. So there was nothing
+to keep her from a life devoted to God.
+	Meimi’s head spun, her only real argument, that of Seira falling in
+love, having faltered. Her spirits dwindled as she thought of life
+without her guardian angel, of a life apart from her best friend. No.
+There had to be something she could do. This couldn’t be it. She was
+Saint Tail. She could fix this. She always gave people their happy
+ending. Why couldn’t she have hers? “But maybe she could likes you
+to. Or maybe she would if she only knew. Seira-chan, it can’t be a
+sin for you to fall in love.”
+	“And I don’t think it is. The Lord allowed me to fall in love with
+a girl that fills my heart with joy. And I’m ever grateful for that.
+But she’s out of my reach. Like a star in the sky, I can watch her
+and love her, but I can’t have her no matter how my heart wishes
+otherwise.” Seira smiled a little sadly at the brunette, suddenly
+feeling very lonely in the large and empty church. Meimi was right
+next to her, but it might as well have been thousands of miles away.
+Like the face of God, some things were simply out of one’s reach. She
+fought back the urge to cry herself. Swallowing back a lump in her
+throat, she managed to hold the smile for a bit longer. Meimi was so
+beautiful, so wonderful. If only love wasn’t such a double edged
+sword. Her heart sang for the brunette, relishing in her company and
+in the adoring thoughts she had of Meimi. But her heart also ached
+terribly from the burden of that love. But she would suffer through
+it as best she could. “Besides, you’re already in love with Asuka
+Jr,” she finished.
+	“I am NOT in love with...” Meimi trailed off, Seira’s words ringing
+in her ears. Her mouth opened and closed in a futile attempt to
+continue. “Me?” she got out weakly, shock overtaking her. It felt
+like an eternity before Seira replied with a small nod. Meimi
+suddenly felt as if she were being tossed around on an unfriendly
+sea, dipping below the treacherous waves that tried to drown her. How
+could she be the one that Seira loved? How could she be the girl that
+lay in Seira’s beautiful heart? But in many ways, it made sense.
+Seira had always been willing to do anything for her, had always been
+the there for her throughout it all. She had been the one to convince
+Meimi to be Kaitou Saint Tail in the first place. She was the one who
+was always seemed to matter the most to Seira, the one who Seira
+always prayed for. Meimi clung to this newfound revelation as a life
+raft, trying to stay afloat in her own sea of turmoil. “I’m not in
+love with Asuka Jr.,” she stated again, more quietly this time. “I
+hate him.” This was safer territory. She knew how to handle this.
+They had spoken about it before. It was much easier for her to handle
+than the uncharted territory of Seira’s feelings for her.
+	Seira contemplated Meimi’s words for a moment, a small smile on her
+lips. “Sometimes I think that you and Saint Tail are two completely
+different people. You hate Asuka Jr., but she loves him. Or maybe she
+just loves the chase,” the Sister-in-training said thoughtfully. She
+had said it. At last. She had finally told Meimi how she felt about
+her, albeit in an indirect fashion. But at least she had. She had
+almost decided against it when she had realized how soon she would be
+leaving. But this was for the best. She wouldn’t have a chance to
+ruin things. And at least Meimi would know before she left. Meimi
+would understand how important she was to Seira.
+	“I don’t...” Meimi struggled for words, unsure of what to say. Her
+mind swirled about in one direction and another. “He’s such an idiot.
+When I’m Meimi, we argue a lot and he really gets on my nerves. But
+when I’m Saint Tail, I can’t wait for him to catch me. I keep
+wondering when it will be. It’s like this fascinating game. I love
+how he pays so much attention to Saint Tail. She’s his singleminded
+obsession. I like how that feels when I’m her,” Meimi conceded at
+last. It wasn’t something she thought about often. It was more of a
+feeling than anything else. But it was so different when she was
+Meimi and when she was Saint Tail. How could she have such
+conflicting emotions?
+	Nodding thoughtfully, Seira watched her friend. “That’s what I
+thought. It does sound like you’re two different people. She thinks
+one way and you think another. But I noticed that a long time ago.
+She gives you a chance to be something different, to be something
+special. She lets you get the spotlight. You’re more confident as
+her, as well. And everyone else seemed to notice her, especially
+Asuka Jr. But what no one else saw, what you didn’t see, was that
+Meimi-chan is special. That she’s more amazing than a thousand Saint
+Tails. Everyone loves a good mystery. But what happens when the
+mystery is gone, when the riddle’s been solved? What more does it
+hold? That’s why I always simply thought of Saint Tail as you. As
+Meimi in a cute magician’s outfit. But everyone else, even you, think
+of her as something completely different, as a mysterious puzzle.”
+Seira smiled softly, tilting her head to the side as she studied
+Meimi. Her heart felt warm and fuzzy, her love surrounding herself
+like a blanket. “I always thought you were perfect the way you are
+Meimi. You don’t need to be mysterious. You don’t need to be
+something more than you are. It was always enough for you to be you.
+At least, I thought so. I always thought it was strange how Asuka Jr.
+could chase Saint Tail so passionately and yet be so cold to you.
+You’re more amazing than Saint Tail could ever hope to be, Meimi-
+chan.” It was nice to be able to tell Meimi these things, to be able
+to say them out loud for once. It relaxed a burden on her soul. Yes,
+she would be gone soon. But at least she would have no regrets. “I’ve
+loved you for the longest time.”
+	Meimi blushed deeply as her own blue eyes met Seira’s. She was left
+at a loss for what to say. She had to admit that it felt nice to know
+that someone thought that way about her as Meimi, but Seira? It was
+so bizarre. She wanted to say something, to make sense of the moment,
+but coherent thought eluded her. No reply seemed adequate enough to
+express her feelings. Words couldn’t begin to explain the swirl of
+emotions that frenzied throughout her soul. The beautiful Sister-in-
+training before her would soon be gone, leaving a void in her life
+that she couldn’t replace. How was she supposed to go on without
+Seira? How could she push forward without the dark haired girl’s ever-
+present companionship and support? It would be like being lost in the
+desert without any food or water. It would be like finding no shelter
+in the midst of a storm. She would be lost without Seira’s inner
+light to guide herself by. When the game was all over and done with,
+what would become of Asuka Jr. and herself? He loved Saint Tail,
+after all. And she loved the chase. What then? Could she even be
+Saint Tail without Sister Seira to help her see things through? Would
+it even be worth it? When all was said and done, it was Seira that
+she needed, that Meimi needed. The game was wonderful, while it
+lasted. But one day there would be no time for games. And she would
+have to grow up. This wasn’t about Saint Tail, Meimi suddenly
+realized. This was about herself. It didn’t matter what Saint Tail
+thought or how she felt about whom. This was about Meimi and where
+her own heart lay. But where exactly was that?
+	Seira stood up slowly, smoothing down her long white skirt. She
+offered a weak smile to her friend. She still didn’t know what to
+think about Meimi’s reaction. She tried to tell herself that it
+didn’t matter, that she would be leaving soon anyway. But she wanted
+Meimi to have good memories of her. She wanted Meimi to remember her
+fondly, not with concern. “I have to get to sleep, Meimi-chan. You
+probably should, too. Otherwise your parents might wonder why you’re
+so sleepy tomorrow morning.” Her back was to Meimi now, her hands
+once again clasped in front of her. ‘Please, Lord, please don’t let
+me cry. Not now. Please let me last until she’s gone. Just until
+then. Please...’ she prayed quietly. The dark haired girl had trouble
+focussing, feeling the anguish in her heart cascading throughout her.
+She didn’t want to leave Meimi, even if it was necessary. Her heart
+couldn’t handle the strain.
+	Seira was a good girl. She never lied, cheated, or stole from
+anyone. Sometimes she would bend things, but only if she believed
+they were for the best, for God. She didn’t get into trouble and
+helped whoever she could. Yet this Sister-in-training had fallen in
+love with a thief. Love was cruel, the sweetest torture that God
+could ever have conjured up. And it was one that left Seira weak and
+confused.
+	Hands slowly turned Seira around from where she stood. The dark
+haired girl was too weak to stop it and too lost in thought to have
+seen it coming. Her clasped hands were soon taken by Meimi’s. She
+looked at Meimi silently for a long moment. Meimi slowly brushed her
+tears away with her fingertips. The two simply stood in an odd moment
+of tranquility. And then, the mysterious thief stole a kiss. It took
+Seira by surprise, her heart both unsure and enraptured at the same
+time. She could feel Meimi’s deliciously soft lips against her own,
+leaving her breathless with a soft and intoxicating kiss. Seira could
+only watch for a moment in silence. She wanted to thank Meimi, to ask
+her why, to kiss her again, to do anything at all. But all she could
+do was cry. Meimi held onto her as Seira collapsed to her knees. The
+mysterious thief held her close as she cried. Seira could only lay
+against Meimi, her heart torn apart, sobbing.
+	‘The church is really beautiful,’ Meimi thought to herself as she
+entered the silent building. Sunlight spilled through stained glass,
+painting the ground near the altar in a torrent of colors. Kneeling
+in the midst of this shining rainbow was a girl clad simply in white.
+A smile crossed the mysterious thief’s lips as she crept ever closer,
+being very careful not to make a noise. ‘It is beautiful, but not as
+beautiful as Seira.’ To Meimi’s delight, Seira remained deep in
+prayer as she approached. Being the daughter of a magician and a
+thief, the auburn haired girl could appreciate the element of
+surprise in things. Especially when it was offered so easily to her.
+And what made a better surprise than surprising the one you love?
+	“Hello, Meimi-chan,” Seira called out, not bothering to open her
+eyes.
+	Meimi stopped short, just a foot behind the kneeling Sister-in-
+training. Unfortunately, she hadn’t remembered one of the most
+important credos of any magician, things are not always as they seem.
+“Seira... How did you know it was me?”
+	Performing the Sign of the Cross, the young nun rose, a smile on
+her lips. “I always know when it’s you,” she stated simply. Truth be
+told, she had been waiting for her friend’s arrival. She had known it
+would only be a matter of time before Meimi came to see her. But as
+always, Meimi’s presence sent her heart aflutter. It was so strange
+for Seira when she would see Meimi at the church, her refuge, her
+asylum. The church offered Seira the chance to commune with God, to
+feel at peace with the world and it’s inhabitants. It was her most
+treasured place. She could spend hours there, deep in prayer or
+simply lost in thought. It was such a lovely place and it still held
+the awe that had lured Seira to it as a very young child. It gave her
+such a calm, safe feeling when she was there. Meimi, on the other
+hand, gave Seira a very different feeling. Seira had been the auburn
+haired girl’s best friend for quite some time, and in all that time
+she had always found herself amazed by the athletic young magician.
+There was something about Meimi that spun her around and left her
+breathless. It was something she had struggled to understand while
+their friendship grew. But even before she had requested Meimi to
+grant people God’s protection as Saint Tail, she had known that she
+was in love with the other girl. Watching the beautiful auburn haired
+girl work her magic spun silk strands around Seira’s heart, holding
+it captive. Having Meimi in her refuge, standing so nearby in this
+have on God, it always left her feeling nearly overwhelmed. The best
+of Heaven and of Earth.
+	Meimi sighed as she absentmindedly played with the cross hanging
+from Seira’s neck. “I guess so. But doesn’t it defeat the purpose of
+me being a ‘mysterious thief’?” That was one thing that always caught
+Meimi off guard, the fact that Seira always seemed to see right
+through her. She couldn’t pull anything over on the dark haired girl.
+For a girl that didn’t know anything about the latest hit songs or
+fashions (unless she needed to find out about them), there wasn’t a
+thing about Meimi that she didn’t know. Meimi’s eyes slowly trailed
+up from the cross to Seira’s slate gray eyes. The auburn haired girl
+smiled as the Sister-in-training watched her.
+	“I must know all of your tricks, then, Meimi-chan.” Giggling, Seira
+wrapped her arms around the slightly taller girl’s neck. She couldn’t
+remember the last time she had felt so lighthearted, so free. ‘And He
+will lift me up on eagle’s wings…’ Her nose rested against Meimi’s as
+she looked into beautiful blue eyes. There was more magic in those
+shining eyes than there were in all of the magic Meimi performed as
+Saint Tail. After all, that was just smoke and mirrors. But the
+beautiful sparkle in her eyes was a gift from God, a true miracle.
+And one that Seira couldn’t help but love dearly. “You should wear
+your glasses more often. You look so cute in them,” Seira suggested
+after a moment.
+	Blushing faintly, Meimi closed her eyes. “You really do know all my
+secrets. But I hate wearing those things. I don’t even wear those in
+class anymore. They looked so stupid.” While Meimi wasn’t exactly
+vain, she did know that many of her classmates thought she was
+pretty. She hadn’t been very happy about needing to get glasses when
+she had found out she was farsighted because she felt it made her
+look boring. She didn’t like having the glasses in her way. So she
+hadn’t worn them very often since getting them. Seira was one of the
+few people who even knew she had them.
+	“I still think you looked very pretty in them,” Seira insisted,
+trying to envision how Meimi would look in her glasses at the moment.
+The last time she had seen the auburn haired girl wear them had been
+over a year before. “Besides, you think very highly of your father
+and he wears glasses,” she pointed out. A smile crossed her lips when
+she saw Meimi waver. She knew that it would make Meimi rethink it. He
+was why the other girl had gotten into magic in the first place,
+after all.
+	“I hadn’t thought about that,” Meimi admitted, relenting. “Maybe
+I’ll wear them sometime soon, if you think I should.” Seeing Seira
+nod in agreement, Meimi smiled. If Seira thought she looked cute in
+her glasses, she suddenly didn’t have a very good reason not to wear
+them anymore. It was nice knowing that the perceptive Sister-in-
+training found her pretty. What Seira thought was much more important
+than what anyone else thought. So when she heard such things from the
+dark haired girl, it always stayed with her. Perhaps it was because
+she knew that Seira wouldn’t lie to her, that when Seira said these
+things she meant it wholeheartedly. Or maybe it was as simple as
+those sorts of things sounding so much better coming from the person
+who loved you. Whatever the case, Meimi took it to heart. “If you
+know all of my tricks and secrets, then you should be my assistant,
+Seira. Every good magician has an assistant.”
+	Giggling, Seira shook her head. “I’m really not sure if I’d make a
+very good assistant. They’re only there to distract the audience.
+You’re too good a magician to need anything like that. I don’t think
+I’m dazzling enough to make a decent assistant.” Though the proposal
+certainly had its appeal, Seira couldn’t imagine being on stage while
+Meimi performed her magic. Especially in whatever skimpy outfit being
+a magician’s assistant usually meant having to wear. She was much
+more of a behind the scenes player in such things. Just as she had
+always been throughout Saint Tail’s career. She would provide the
+information and whatever help she could. Meimi was much better suited
+to the spotlight.
+	“Oh, that’s not true. You’d make a gorgeous assistant. You’d just
+need a flashier outfit, like my Saint Tail one. Something cute and
+lacy. Then we could go on stage together.” Though Meimi was only half-
+serious, she could feel her heart beating rapidly in her chest. If
+only Seira would agree, then everything would work out. It would be
+the perfect way of keeping the dark haired girl from leaving to
+become a nun. They could be a team, just as they were now. They could
+stay together, forever. Meimi tried to force the thought away, but it
+was like trying to push a freight train. Seira would be leaving very
+soon. There was a chance that she may never see the young Sister-in-
+training again. Even if they did meet again, Seira would be a full
+fledged nun by then. Their relationship would have to come to an end,
+their friendship all that remained. Meimi didn’t know if she could
+take that. It wasn’t just life without Seira anymore. It was life
+without the love that she now found herself needing more than the air
+she breathed.
+	“And usurp you while you wear that cute tuxedo on stage? I could
+never do that, Meimi-chan.” Seira smiled brightly, happy to have
+Meimi so near. She could feel Meimi’s hands slip around her waist,
+anxiously pulling her closer. Seira relaxed against the slightly
+taller girl, her worries far behind her. Because above all else,
+Seira had faith that things would turn out for the best. She had
+faith in God above. She would follow his will wherever it led her.
+And she had faith in a girl named Meimi Haneoka. She knew that
+somehow everything would work out. Her heart fluttered delicately,
+like a cherry blossom in a gentle breeze. This was perfect. Her
+fingers interlocked behind Meimi’s neck, covered by the other girl’s
+beautiful auburn hair. She was very thankful for her blessings,
+indeed.
+	Meimi, being the overemotional girl she was, felt her own heart
+pounding in her chest. She wanted to hold onto the moment, steal it
+away and hide it forever in a locket. The pretty young Sister-in-
+training in her arms was held close to her beating heart, sending
+tremors through her soul. Seira was so sweet, so gentle. Sometimes
+Meimi wondered why it had taken her so long to start dating Seira. At
+other times she was completely surprised to find herself so enamored
+with this loving spirit. At times like that, she was unsure of how
+she had ended up in such a strange predicament, but incredibly
+grateful she had ended up there nonetheless. Right now she found
+herself simply caught up in the beat of Seira’s heart against her
+own. So calm, so reassuring. All the while, Meimi’s own heart played
+a staccato beat inside of her. In many ways, it was just like the two
+girls. Very little could bother Seira while Meimi found herself
+reacting heavily to everything that she stumbled across. Meimi
+watched as the dark haired girl closed her eyes, content to listen to
+the musical harmony of their joined hearts. But that just made the
+young magician’s heart beat that much faster, a hand going up to
+trail along Seira’s soft cheek. She smiled when she saw Seira’s eyes
+flutter open, dark lashes batting as gray eyes looked back into her
+own. ‘Kiss her,’ she heard echoing through her thoughts. Without
+another thought, she obeyed, kissing her pretty best friend. It was
+what she wanted, after all. What she had wanted to do when she was
+first sneaking up behind Seira. Just a simple kiss. Her lips pressed
+lightly against Seira’s, startling the young almost-nun at first.
+Meimi kissed the other girl harder, pouring out the flurry of
+emotions struggling through her heart as their lips met. As Meimi
+often did when they kissed, she marveled at how soft Seira’s lips
+felt against her own, at how warm the kiss felt, at how delicious it
+tasted, at how Seira seemed to melt into her. It all swept her up
+like a tornado, whipping around her fiercely as she and Seira waited
+in the eye of the storm.
+	Thoughts were only dimly functional in Seira’s mind. They fought
+through her head with the same strength of whispers. There was a
+bright light, shimmering and all encompassing that held Seira’s soul
+up high. And there were warm, persistent lips that were rarely away
+from her own for more than a fraction of a second. She shifted
+against Meimi, unsure of her own strength to stand. She felt like
+light was pouring through her whole body, her lips drawn again and
+again to Meimi’s as if they were magnetized. She could feel soft hair
+under her fingers as Meimi’s own fingers cupped her cheek. She felt
+deliciously lightheaded, as if nothing mattered in the world. ‘Thank
+you, Lord, for letting me meet her,’ she silently prayed as she felt
+Meimi kiss her again. Her lips parted for the mysterious thief when
+they met again, an acute thrill rippling through Seira’s normally
+placid world like a stone skipping over a pond. If there was one
+guilty pleasure that Seira had to admit to, it was that Meimi was an
+excellent kisser. It was Meimi’s kisses that kept Seira up at night,
+dreaming about one more soul stirring kiss.
+	When the two finally pulled apart, the Sister-in-training placed a
+finger on Meimi’s nose, holding her at bay. “Meimi-chan... We
+probably shouldn’t be doing that in here.”
+	“Do you really think He’d mind?” Meimi asked, her arms
+outstretched. The problems with dating a girl who was raised by nuns,
+she conceded. But she wouldn’t trade those problems for anything.
+	Seira smiled at Meimi’s question, shaking her head. Taking the
+auburn haired girl’s hand, she led her outside to the garden. “It’s
+not Him that I’m worried about. It’s Sister Abbess who would most
+likely have a problem with it. I’d rather spare her the sight of your
+world famous kisses.”
+	Meimi stuck her tongue out, sitting alongside Seira on one of the
+garden’s benches. “They can’t be world famous if you’re the only one
+who knows about them.”
+	With a giggle, Seira nodded. “Good, then let’s keep it that way.
+I’d rather be the only one to know about them. I’m sure Sister Abbess
+would be much happier that way, too.”
+	Meimi couldn’t help but smile at her dark haired friend’s sweet
+presence. She couldn’t put her finger on anything specific. She just
+felt so... in love. It was like a fireworks display in her heart, a
+blinding display of pyrotechnics. “I love you, you know, Seira.”
+	Smiling, Seira nodded, kissing Meimi’s cheek. “I know. I love you,
+too.” She watched the blue eyed girl for a long moment, simply gazing
+at her lovely features. She couldn’t think of anything prettier in
+the garden. After a moment, Meimi yawned, a hand going to her mouth.
+“You didn’t sleep much last night?” Seira asked. Seeing Meimi nod,
+the dark haired girl took Meimi’s head and rested it in her lap,
+stroking her long, auburn hair back.
+	Meimi stifled another yawn and a protest. She was about to say that
+it wasn’t too bad, but Seira’s lap felt so nice. And she had to admit
+that it was better than sitting up. Seira’s gentle hands felt so nice
+through her long hair, drifting through it ever so softly. Everything
+began to grow blurry after a long, sweet moment. Meimi fought to keep
+her eyes from closing, trying to focus on a tree across from them. “I
+was working on a new magic trick. I thought it might come in handy if
+Saint Tail needs to go help again sometime soon.”
+	Seira kept up her gentle brushing of Meimi’s hair, looking down at
+her sleepy best friend. A smile lit up her face. The athletic girl
+was so cute when she was tired. Maybe she put the other girl through
+too many late nights as Saint Tail, but Meimi never complained about
+it. “You were working on a new magic trick? That’s great. You can try
+it out tonight.” She watched the other girl, waiting for a reaction.
+Meimi seemed more intent on holding in another sigh for the time
+being.
+	“Yeah? That should be...” Meimi trailed off, her mind finally
+catching up. She sat up quickly, her long hair drifting in the wind
+for a moment. Suddenly wide awake, Meimi turned to the Sister-in-
+training. “Wait... Oh, no.” She shook her head. “I have tickets
+tonight. We’re going to the Jun concert, remember? I bought those
+tickets weeks ago. We have a date tonight. I don’t have time for
+Saint Tail.”
+	Sweatdropping, Seira placed both of her hands in her lap. “I know.
+But this girl really needs God’s protection. And Saint Tail is the
+only one who can give it to her. I really wanted to go on our date
+tonight, too, Meimi-chan. But I think it’s more important that you
+help her.” Seira gave Meimi her best hopeful look, squeezing her
+hands together tighter. The other girl tried not to meet her eyes,
+but Seira kept up, her slate gray eyes following Meimi’s.
+	“But I had to wait in line for two hours for those tickets,” Meimi
+whined, slumping back on the bench with her arms crossed. Staring up
+at the treetops, she harumphed. “It was supposed to be a big night,
+too. I was really looking forward to this.” She had gone on plenty of
+dates with Seira in the time they had been together, but that didn’t
+mean that she wanted to sacrifice her upcoming one for Saint Tail.
+She could see a dove carrying off the tickets in her mind’s eye.
+Seira’s hand rested on her own, trying to calm her. She sighed.
+	“I was looking forward to it, too. But I think this is more
+important. Besides, I don’t think your two hours of waiting have to
+go to waste. I know two people who would love to have those tickets.”
+Seira smiled brightly, catching Meimi’s eye again. Taking Meimi’s
+hand with both of her own, she held it to her heart. She had no idea
+who Jun was other than she was some idol that Meimi liked to listen
+to. So it didn’t bother her that she couldn’t see the girl sing. She
+was disappointed that she couldn’t go out with Meimi that night, but
+she believed that Saint Tail was needed.
+	“But that’s not fair! Why can’t we go on our date? Isn’t it time
+for Saint Tail to have a break? I just want to be with you tonight,”
+Meimi said at last, turning to meet Seira’s gaze. She squeezed
+Seira’s hands, her own disappointment evident even in the face of
+Seira’s optimistic smile. It had sounded like such a magical night.
+Tickets for Jun’s new concert and Seira would be coming with her. It
+would have been such a perfect date, being there together with Jun’s
+love songs drawing them together. And it was one of their last
+chances to be together. Meimi was all too aware that she was running
+out of time with Seira. But even packing in as much time as she could
+with the Sister-in-training, it never felt enough. There was always
+that nagging feeling that it would all be coming to an end all too
+soon.
+	“She’s very sick right now. She can’t go out much and she may be
+with God very soon. I met her at the hospital when I went with one of
+the other Sisters. She has a love letter at home, one that she wrote
+a long time ago but never delivered. A beautiful pink letter with a
+long ribbon on it. Her mother has it, along with the rest of her
+things. She wants to give it to the person she likes, but she can’t
+even get home to find it,” Seira explained, still holding onto
+Meimi’s hand. “I told her she would surely have God’s protection.”
+	“Oh... I.. I didn’t know.” Meimi could only stare, her heart
+dropping. That poor girl. The thought of her dying without even being
+able to tell her love of her heart’s true feelings was horrible. What
+if she hadn’t known of Seira’s feelings before she left for Rome?
+That would have been unbearable. The pretty thief nodded solemnly,
+her mind made up. “I’ll do it. Saint Tail will find the letter.” Her
+heart melted when she saw the grateful smile that Seira flashed her,
+along with a sweet kiss on the cheek.
+	“You have my gratitude as well as the Lord’s. And I’m sure Ryoko
+and Kyoko will be very happy as well when they get the tickets.”
+Seira couldn’t help but smile happily at her defeated friend. A date
+would have been lovely, but somehow it seemed more fitting to spend
+one of their last nights together helping others through Saint Tail.
+	“All right. But you have to wait for me at the church. I’m coming
+right back after I’m done,” Meimi said stubbornly.
+	“But you need your sleep, Meimi-chan,” Seira argued. She could
+still see the sleepiness in Meimi’s blue eyes, but the auburn haired
+girl fought it off. She didn’t know if she should feel bad or happy
+that she was the reason that Meimi was always sneaking off late at
+night. She decided that it was probably a good thing, even if it did
+leave poor Meimi sleep deprived.
+	“I don’t care. I need to see you more than I need to sleep. We can
+talk in the garden or just sit in the church or whatever. I just want
+to be with you tonight.” Meimi looked over at Seira determinedly. She
+saw Seira nod in assent, and felt her heart relax. It wasn’t the big
+date she had been planning, but at least it was something.
+	“I’d love that, Meimi-chan,” Seira replied, resting her head on
+Meimi’s shoulder. Her gray eyes fluttered closed, her mind
+concentrating on the girl next to her. If any of the nun’s saw them,
+they probably wouldn’t think anything. But even that didn’t really
+seem to matter. It was just enough that she was there with Meimi.
+	‘Now where could it be?’ Moving with the lithe ease of a trained
+gymnast, Saint Tail made almost no sound as she slipped through an
+upper window of a seemingly empty house. But appearances can be
+deceiving. The woman of the house could be home or Asuka Jr. could be
+waiting for her. Lurking in the shadows, the mysterious thief crept
+silently forward. Her prize lay somewhere in the house, a pretty,
+pink love letter. Meimi grinned to herself. She got to play Cupid for
+once instead of just a thief.
+	Turning a doorknob ever so slowly, Meimi ducked into a small room.
+‘Just where Seira told me it would be,’ Meimi thought happily. The
+room was small, but very cute. Stuffed animals lay on the bed atop a
+large well used quilt. A small white desk took up the other corner of
+the room, books and notes all over it. Meimi smiled to herself as she
+looked about the room. Chisato, the girl that lived there must be
+very sweet. She had to quell the thought when she remembered the girl
+was in the hospital. The difference between the well lived in room
+and the stuffy atmosphere of the hospital was tremendous. “Hopefully
+she can come back home soon. And when she does, maybe she’ll have a
+boyfriend waiting for her.” Smiling again, Meimi set her sights on
+the desk.
+	Flipping through notebooks, Kaitou Saint Tail tried to uncover the
+elusive love letter. She felt bad for snooping through the girl’s
+private possessions, but she had no other way of finding the letter.
+Besides, she was a thief after all, so this was her line of work. She
+smiled at the small drawings in the notebooks, cute little pictures
+of little animals and classmates with little captions around them.
+‘Poor Asami-chan doesn’t like tests,’ one read next to some Math
+notes above a picture of a girl looking frantic. ‘Almost lunchtime!’
+another read with a girl staring anxiously at the clock. Saint Tail
+continued to flip through the notebook, amused by the little
+drawings. Her smile faded slowly as she found more and more of them
+as the girl become bedridden. ‘Mama makes the best soup!’ was the
+caption of one that showed her in bed with a big bowl. ‘I miss Asami-
+chan...’ another read, showing her stuck in bed and gazing out the
+window. The paper around the drawing was wrinkled as if teardrops had
+fallen on it.
+	Shaking her head, Meimi put the notebook back down. She had to find
+the love letter. That was her goal. Everything else could wait. She
+had promised Seira that she would do this. A sigh escaped her as she
+saw the clock. She was missing Jun’s first song. And she would
+probably hear how wonderful it was the next day from Ryoko and Kyoko.
+	Turning her attention back to the task at hand, Meimi sifted
+through several more folders and notebooks but to no avail. Her hands
+traveled down the desk, searching through every drawer she came
+across. Still nothing. The desk had been her obvious answer, but she
+couldn’t find the love letter on it at all. Turning to check the
+nightstand near the bed, Meimi stumbled over a wastebasket. Covering
+her mouth, she cursed silently, hoping she hadn’t made too much
+noise. Sighing after a moment of silence, Meimi pushed her pony tail
+back. ‘Maybe I should wear my glasses more often after all. All this
+running around in the dark can’t be good for my eyesight.’ Kneeling
+down, the mysterious thief began to pick up the wastebasket. It had
+been nearly overflowing with tissues. Well, the girl had been sick.
+But they were all dark, stained. It took Meimi a moment to notice
+that they were all bloody. Her heart rolled in her chest as she set
+the basket aside. She couldn’t get distracted by these things. She
+had to find the letter.
+	“Where is it?” Meimi asked in frustration. As if in answer, the
+closet door opened. The auburn haired girl froze as a boy’s figure
+stepped out.
+	“Looking for this?” Asuka Jr. asked, holding up the rectangular
+envelope in his hand. He grinned to himself as he watched Saint Tail
+motionless in the shadows. “I don’t know why you’re here to steal
+some girl’s love letter, Saint Tail, but I’m not going to let you get
+away with it. Tonight, you’re mine.” He watched her for a moment, but
+she made no move to escape. He grinned in anticipation as he hurried
+forward to claim his own prize. He reached out, grabbing hold of
+Saint Tail’s arm with all the strength he could muster. “You’re not
+going anywhere!” He hauled her closer, his heart pounding as his face
+inched closer to her own. He was about to see who she was. He would
+finally know who Saint Tail was. His heart felt like it would burst.
+His head finally reached hers, his eyes straining in the darkness. To
+his surprise, Saint Tail had no face. “Wha?!” The face was completely
+blank, absolutely no features at all. She bobbed back and forth like
+a balloon as he pulled back. Something behind him took the letter
+right out of his hand in his state of surprise. “Huh? No!”
+	“Thank you! There’s someone who needs this love letter much more
+than you. I hope you don’t mind. I have Cupid’s arrow to deliver.”
+Leaping out of the way, Saint Tail waved to the young detective
+before disappearing out the window. Landing on her feet, she
+immediately broke into a run, sticking to the shadows. ‘Wow... It’s
+like his spell’s been broken. I was always so eager to see if he’d
+find out or not that I would freeze when he was about to find out.
+But now that I’m dating Seira, it’s like it doesn’t matter. I’ll have
+to thank her later.’ Smiling to herself, the mysterious thief made
+her way to the hospital.
+	Sneaking past the front desk, Saint Tail tried to determine where
+Chisato’s room was. It was past visiting hours, but she thought that
+a quick visit couldn’t hurt. Besides, she thought it would cheer the
+sick girl up to know that her love letter had been retrieved and was
+about to reach the hands of the one she loved. Maybe that would give
+her the strength to get better. Meimi smiled at the thought. Before
+she could go another step, she heard someone rush up to the desk. Her
+ears perked up at the frantic tone of voice.
+	“I need to know where a girl named Chisato Hikari’s room is! I need
+to stop Saint Tail!”
+	Meimi’s eyes went wide. It sounded like Asuka Jr. had ran all the
+way to the hospital. He obviously didn’t feel like giving up easily
+tonight. This would have to be a very short visit, then. Taking her
+best guess, Saint Tail dashed down the mostly empty hallway, ducking
+past a handful of nurses. A shout behind her told her that she had
+been spotted by the persistent detective’s son. Whirling around,
+Meimi brought her top hat about, doves flying out towards the
+detective to distract him. ‘I have to tell her that her letter will
+be delivered directly. That should perk her up. Even if Asuka Jr.’s
+here, I can still do that. I’ll just make it quick.’ The birds did
+their job distracting the young detective, giving Meimi the chance to
+slip into Chisato’s hospital room.
+	Walking to the small bed, Meimi held up the pink love letter to
+show to its owner. “Chisato-chan...” she whispered, stopping beside
+the bed. “I have your love letter. Don’t worry. It will be in your
+love’s hands before the nights over,” she whispered reassuringly. The
+girl was deathly pale, her long hair disappearing behind her. Meimi
+leaned closer, trying to get Chisato’s attention. “Chisato-chan...”
+she whispered, a little louder this time. Still no response. But
+there was a strange beeping in the room and a ruckus coming from the
+hallway. “Chisato-chan?” The girl just lay there, silent and
+unmoving. Meimi took a step back as the door burst open, doctors
+rushing to the girl’s side. Her heart hung like a weight in her chest
+as she watched them gather around the girl’s prone form. She shook
+her head, her ponytail moving from side to side. “No..” she
+whispered, realization hitting her. She felt like the floor had just
+given way underneath her. Her legs didn’t respond to her mental
+commands, collapsing underneath her. She could only watch as doctors
+began to slow their hurried performance. It all felt so surreal, men
+gathered around an unmoving child, intent upon one who is doing
+nothing at all.
+	An unsteady hand helped Saint Tail back to her feet. Asuka Jr.
+could only stare as the doctors continued swarming around the
+unmoving girl. “What happened?” Asuka Jr. heard. The voice startled
+him. It took him a moment before her remembered it was his own. It
+sounded so distant, as if it had traveled to him through a body of
+water. He had been so intent on catching Saint Tail, but now that
+hardly seemed to matter. Was that the girl that Saint Tail was trying
+to help in the bed, surrounded by an army of masked doctors? What a
+frightening sight, all of these faceless people surrounding someone,
+poking and prodding relentlessly. “What’s.. What’s going on?” Asuka
+tried again, getting no more strength behind his voice.
+	For what felt like an eternity, both thief and detective stood and
+watched, unable to do a thing. Their eternal struggle forgotten, they
+stood together against the wall, too forlorn to offer anything but a
+shoulder to lean on. During all this time, the letter remained in
+Saint Tail’s hand, feeling like it held the weight of the world
+within it, almost too heavy for her weak fingers. Slowly, a doctor
+approached the two, pulling down her mask. “I’m sorry. She’s dead. We
+did all we could, but it was too late. Her body just gave out. Were
+you friends with the deceased?”
+	‘With the deceased’ played again and again through Meimi’s
+thoughts. This was a girl with hopes and dreams, fears and loves.
+Meimi had only known her from the writings she had seen, the drawings
+this girl had drawn with a hand that no longer moved. That she had
+seen with eyes that could no longer see. No, Meimi had not been
+friends with her, had not even known of her until earlier that day.
+But this had been another girl, a beautiful, sweet girl. And now she
+was dead. Meimi felt her heart seize in her chest. “I.. I just wanted
+to help her..” she barely got out, the world around her blurring as
+tears burned at her eyes. She couldn’t even see as the body was
+wheeled out of the room. ‘I miss Asami-chan,’ Meimi heard in her
+head, the image of the lonely girl looking out a window returning to
+her. She closed her eyes tightly. “I.. I have to go..” She pulled
+away, clutching the letter like a lifeline. She had to hurry. She
+didn’t know why, only that she couldn’t waste a second. Perhaps it
+was a way of escaping the tragedy of the moment. Perhaps it was a way
+for her to busy herself with something else. Whatever the case, she
+quickly turned to leave.
+	“Good luck,” Asuka Jr. called after her, his hands in his pockets.
+He didn’t feel like following. He couldn’t bring himself to. Not
+tonight.
+	With trembling hands, Saint Tail slid open the window to another
+bedroom a short time later. Slipping into the room, she held the love
+letter to her chest. “Are you Asami-chan?” she heard herself asking
+into the darkness, pointed towards the bed. “I have something for
+you.” Her mind refused to deviate from her task. She was here to
+deliver the letter. Deliver the letter. Deliver the letter. Deliver
+the letter. Deliver the letter. Deliver the letter. Deliver the
+letter. Deliver the letter. Deliver the letter. Deliver the letter.
+Deliver the letter. Deliver the letter. Deliver the letter. Deliver
+the letter. Deliver the letter. Deliver the letter. Deliver the
+letter. Deliver the letter. Deliver the
+	The figure on the bed stirred, shifting sleepily before finally
+sitting up. In the darkness, the half blanket shrouded figure looked
+far too much like ancient depictions of death to Meimi. Shuddering
+violently, the mysterious thief tried not to think at all. She
+focused solely on her mission. This was what she had been meant to
+do. She had to give the letter to this girl. “I’m Saint Tail. I have
+a letter that belongs to you.” Her fingers shook as she held out the
+letter. It slipped from her fingers, pinwheeling in the air before
+flopping on the floor. Meimi reached for it, taking two tries to
+finally clasp it in her gloved hand again.
+	The sleepy figure shook her head, trying to get her bearings.
+“Saint Tail?” she asked curiously before yawning. Reaching forward,
+she slowly took the pink love letter. Her mind was still half asleep.
+“What’s this?” It took her a moment to see through the blurry haze of
+sleep. She turned the letter over in her hand. A small drawing of a
+lovestruck girl on the back brought a smile to her lips. “Chisato-
+chan.” Her mind was still tired to make anything of the connection to
+her friend.
+	“It’s for you. From her. Chisato-chan. She.. She wanted you to have
+it..” Meimi got out weakly. “I.. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” She could
+feel her eyes tearing up again. She had to leave. And soon.
+	Asami shook her head, anxiety gripping her soul. Tearing open the
+letter, she skimmed through the cutely decorated stationary. It was
+obviously Chisato’s lovely handwriting, with her shy, delicate way of
+speaking. She smiled as she read through it. Chisato must have sent
+it sense she was stuck in the hospital. They hadn’t been able to talk
+much because the hospital didn’t let visitors see her often. How
+sweet of her. Halfway through, she finally understood. Her reading
+quickened, her eyes tearing over the paper. “She.. loves me?” She
+glanced up to the mysterious thief. To her surprise, Saint Tail
+shrank back into the shadows, shaking her head continuously. “Chisato-
+chan’s in love with me?” she asked again. She was overcome by shock.
+Chisato had been her best friend for years now. She had always been
+so sweet. It took her off guard that Chisato could be in love with
+her. The other girl had always been so shy around her, blushing when
+she would ask questions about love or relationships. She still didn’t
+know how she felt about it. Flattered? Embarrassed? It was such a
+beautiful, glowing letter. She held it close to her chest. She felt..
+happy. She smiled. Maybe.. Maybe she felt the same way.
+	“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry,” Meimi repeated, nearly at the window.
+She could barely think, suddenly overcome by what had happened
+earlier. She no longer had her mission to keep her from thinking
+about it. It consumed her soul, dark tendrils holding her, sending
+icy chills throughout her body. Her heart felt frozen.
+	“Sorry..? For what? What’s going on?” Asami slid off of her bed,
+suddenly panicking. Was Saint Tail crying? Moonlight sparkled off of
+her tears, little shooting stars slipping down her chin and falling
+to the earth below. “What is it? What happened?” Asami demanded.
+Saint Tail’s mouth opened and Asami’s world shattered as if it was
+made of brittle glass.
+	“It’s not fair! It isn’t fair at all!” Meimi sobbed, her head on
+Seira’s lap sometime later. She had left Asami alone, leaving when
+she had been unable to comfort her. The last she had seen of the
+other girl had been her crying and broken in her room. Meimi had
+hurried straight to Seira, the night taking it’s toll on the
+mysterious thief. And there she found herself, crying into Seira’s
+blue nightgown.
+	Seira gently stroked Meimi’s hair, unsure of what to say to soothe
+the distraught thief. She could feel the warm tears against her legs,
+seeping through the fabric of her nightgown. A chill went through her
+as the night wind blew across the two girls, but somehow she doubted
+it was the cause of her sudden chill. She swallowed painfully,
+closing her eyes. “I should have explained. Sister Emari and I were
+visiting the terminally ill patients. They knew she was going to die
+soon. I just didn’t think it would be tonight. I’m so sorry, Meimi-
+chan.”
+	“But why, Seira? Why?” Meimi asked, wiping her eyes on Seira’s
+nightgown. “Why did He take her? She was a sweet girl, I could tell.
+And.. and she was in love. Asami.. I think she loved her back. But
+now she’ll never know. Now she’ll never be able to see.” Meimi shook
+her head in frustration, tears sliding down her cheeks.
+	“I don’t think she would have told Asami-chan otherwise, Meimi-
+chan. She was very shy. She didn’t know how to tell her friend. She
+wrote that love letter before she got sick. She wasn’t going to give
+it to her. But when she got sick, she thought it was her only
+chance," Seira explained, her fingers brushing away some of Meimi’s
+tears.
+	“Then I failed her. I didn’t get it to Asami-chan in time. If I
+had, maybe they could have talked. Maybe they could have had some
+time together.” Meimi shook her head, tears clinging to her
+eyelashes. She felt so weak inside, so torn apart. Saint Tail always
+brought people God’s protection. How could she have failed? It always
+helped people, but this time she felt no joy in accomplishing her
+task.
+	Seira gently held Meimi’s head in her lap, her gray eyes looking
+deep into Meimi. “Meimi-chan, death is not failure. Death doesn’t
+mean that you lost. Life is more than winning and losing. She may
+have died, but that doesn’t mean her love died with her. It was only
+sealed away in an envelope. You delivered it for her. She was too shy
+to tell her True Love how she felt. You couldn’t have prevented her
+death. It was God’s will that she return to Him now. But you did give
+her love a last message. She’s free from her pain now. But you have
+freed her from a regret that may have stayed with her soul. She has
+finally been able to tell the girl she loves how she felt. I’m sure
+she’s smiling up above, watching over Asami-chan. And now Asami-chan
+knows. What she does with that knowledge is up to her. But if it
+weren’t for you, she would never have known that Chisato-chan was in
+love with her.”
+	Meimi sniffled, trying to meet Seira’s gaze. “But it’s still not
+fair. I tried so hard, but I feel like it didn’t mean anything.”
+	“For Chisato-chan, it meant everything. She can rest peacefully now
+thanks to you, Meimi-chan.” Seira bent over, kissing Meimi’s
+forehead. “You did your best. That’s all anyone could ever ask of
+you.”
+	“I know..” Meimi replied weakly, resting an arm across her face. “I
+know.”
+	Seira sighed sadly, still stroking Meimi’s long hair. “Sometimes
+it’s very hard to understand His plan, Meimi-chan. Sometimes it’s
+easy to lose our way. But we have to have faith, even when we wonder
+‘why’. Sometimes ‘because’ is the only answer we can find. Life is
+full of beauty and sadness. Even in the simplest, plainest things are
+immeasurable beauty. And there can also be immeasurable pain. We have
+to console each other while we’re on this earth. We have to help each
+other. Even then, pain will still find us. But with pain and with
+anguish, there is always hope. We have to nurture it like a tiny
+flower, letting it bloom in all of us. Hope, love, dreams, these are
+all parts of the same thing. There the gifts that He has given us. As
+long as we have hope, despair can never ruin us. Never completely.”
+Seira placed another kiss on Meimi’s head. “I love you, Meimi-chan. I
+realize now that I would have made a huge mistake if I hadn’t told
+you.”
+	“I love you, Seira..” Meimi got out quietly, her voice choking up.
+She closed her eyes, tears silently falling onto Seira’s lap.
+	Meimi sighed as she slumped onto her bed, exhausted. A groan
+escaped her after a quick glance at the clock. Why did Saint Tail
+always have to work at night? It was too bad that being a mysterious
+thief wasn’t a valid excuse for staying up so late at night. And
+neither was spending the wee morning hours with a pretty Sister-in-
+training. Somehow she doubted the nuns at her school would accept
+either excuse. Yet she already knew that sleep would elude her. Her
+mind was still too focused on Seira, on the past few hours. On what
+little time they had left. That thought alone would keep sleep at bay
+for quite some time. The whole thing with Chisato had her even more
+concerned with losing Seira. Shifting uneasily in bed, the auburn
+haired girl found herself staring at the clock as minutes silently
+ticked away. Hopelessness surrounded her heart, thick and heavy. Each
+minute that ticked by signaled another moment that she could not
+reclaim, another instant with Seira that was forever, inexorably
+gone.
+	Rolling onto her back, Meimi stared up at her roof, trying
+unsuccessfully to push away such troublesome thoughts. But she had
+never been good at such things. This would keep eating at her until
+it went away on its own or until she could resolve the situation. And
+there was nothing she could do about it. In less than a week, Seira
+would be gone. When next they met, the dark haired girl would be a
+full-fledged Sister. They would still be friends, of that Meimi was
+certain. They would forever be friends. But what of their courtship,
+which Meimi was starting to feel was going to be cut off all too
+briefly? That was something they would have to abandon once Seira
+became a nun. Seira would then be a woman of God, destined to a life
+of celibacy, married to the Church. Such childish things as their
+relationship would be nothing but memories.
+	And where did that put Meimi? Would she eventually find some boy
+and get married? That didn’t sound right, to move on when Seira
+became a nun. But what else was she supposed to do? What did their
+relationship mean, anyway? ‘It means I love her,’ Meimi mentally
+answered, her hands behind her head. ‘And I would still love her,
+even if she does go off and becomes Sister Seira.’ But could she
+really spend forever alone, as Seira was about to? That thought was
+too lonely to bear, chilling Meimi’s heart. So how, then, could Seira
+live with the thought? It would have to be a terribly lonely life, a
+life without the love Seira had held for so long. She could see Seira
+kneeling in prayer forever. Why would God want to deny one of his
+kindest, gentlest subjects the chance at love? It baffled Meimi.
+	But then... Perhaps He didn’t. Meimi sat up suddenly, pacing the
+floor of her room, almost stumbling over her pet hedgehog, Ruby.
+Throughout the past few years, Saint Tail had been the one to grant
+God’s protection. All at the behest of Seira. She had always gone to
+help whoever Seira had asked her to. Who better to receive God’s
+protection from the mysterious thief Saint Tail than the girl who had
+brought it all about so selflessly to begin with? Who was more
+deserving than Seira? Yes, it made perfect sense. But how?
+	Pausing for only a moment to pick up Ruby, Meimi resumed her
+pacing. What could Saint Tail do to prevent Seira from leaving? What
+was within her power to fix things for the young Sister-in-training?
+This was always Seira’s line of work. She was the one who came up
+with how to fix things for people. But this time Meimi was on her
+own. She thought frantically, not noticing the light starting to
+spill through her window. There had to be something, somehow. It
+wasn’t as if she could just steal Seira. Or could she? Lifting up
+Ruby, she smiled brightly at the cute hedgehog. “I can’t let Seira
+go. I won’t let her. I need her here, Ruby, with me. And I’ll make
+sure she’s happy. I’ll grant her God’s protection. This will be Saint
+Tail’s finest performance!”
+	“Please guide me. Please help me find my path.” Dim light bathed
+the young nun as the sun struggled up into the sky. Dawn had only
+broken a short time before, but the dark haired girl had been there
+for much longer. She was alone in the large, empty church, hands
+clasped in prayer. Her simple white outfit shimmered in a myriad of
+colors as the sun played across the beautiful stained glass. Had
+anyone seen her, they might well have mistaken the girl for an angel
+sent from Heaven. To the Sisters who had raised her, she was a little
+angel, something that had brought joy and wonder to their lives. A
+little gift from God that had landed on their doorstep by a mother
+who could not take care of her. They had pulled together to raise
+this little orphan into the beautiful young lady she was today. Seira
+felt she owed it to these loving women who had brought her up for as
+long as she could remember. She wanted to dedicate her life to the
+God that she loved so dearly. This had been her destined path, her
+future for as long as she could remember. But now...
+	Sighing, Seira’s head lowered. She was having trouble thinking. The
+church had always been such a tranquil place for her. But now her
+heart was being torn in two. She had been in love with Meimi for
+years, but had never thought she could actually be with Meimi. That
+was one of the reasons she had wanted to join the convent. It would
+be easier that way. If she could not be with the one she loved, then
+she would devote herself to the Lord. Now she had a taste of the love
+in her heart and it left her unsure of herself. She knew that her
+faith would not waver. She would always be devoted in her heart. But
+her path now seemed so uncertain. Her whole life had been leading up
+to her eventually becoming a nun. Seira didn’t know any other way.
+Everyone had expected her to become a nun. The Sisters at the school,
+the students, even Meimi and herself.
+	But with Meimi in her life, she was suddenly left with a
+surprisingly different option. Her heart belonged to Meimi, of that
+she was certain. She could go and be with her, stay with her
+mysterious thief. She could give in to the yearnings of her heart.
+She could have one but not the other. Her dream since she had been a
+child, the life she had prepared for could be hers. Or she could have
+the girl of her dreams. Which would it be? Seira felt as if she were
+being tugged in all directions. Her heart felt empty, afraid.
+	So she prayed. And prayed. Because if there was one thing this
+could not affect, it was her faith in God above. Her delicate hands
+still held together, she continued her prayer for guidance. “Please
+help me to understand. I will follow your will wherever it leads me.”
+She swallowed pack the pain of tears left unshed. “I love her so
+much. Thank you for placing her in my life. For giving us the time
+together that you have. I will always cherish that gift you have
+given me. But now I find myself at a crossroads and I don’t know
+which path to take. I want to dedicate myself to you, to live my life
+for you. But I can’t do that if I’m with Meimi. But I don’t want to
+leave Meimi, either. I’m lost, my Lord. Please help me to find my
+way,” she whispered, her eyes closed tightly.
+	“Seira-chan, what are you doing up so early?” a voice asked from
+the back of the church.
+	Seira crossed herself before turning to see who the voice belonged
+to.  There was nothing she could do for now but wait and hope that
+her prayer would be answered. “Good morning, Sister Emari. I was just
+praying.” The dark haired girl smiled softly at the older woman as
+the Sister joined her in front of the altar. She hadn’t slept at all
+the night before, leaving her fuzzy and unfocused. Her mind was still
+jumbled, her heart heavy. But she would have to have faith that
+things would work out. Wherever God led her, she would follow.
+	The older woman yawned tiredly as she reached the Sister in
+training, a hand covering her mouth. “And I thought I was an early
+riser. You must have a lot on your mind if you came to pray so
+early.” Pulling down her glasses, Sister Emari rubbed some of the
+sleep from her eyes. She smiled gently at the younger girl after
+replacing her glasses. Her smile faded as she saw the wet sheen over
+Seira’s gray eyes. “Is something troubling you, dear?”
+	Picking up her bible, Seira averted her eyes, hugging the book
+tightly to her chest. The only sound in the large expanse of the
+church was Seira’s cross lightly sliding across the bible as she
+shifted. “I’m going away in less than a week,” the dark haired girl
+said at last, turning to look at the older woman.
+	“Is that what you’re concerned about, Seira-chan? Dear, you
+shouldn’t worry about that. I know that you’ll make such a lovely
+nun. You’re kind and sweet and gentle. We’ll all miss you terribly,
+but when you return, you’ll be Sister Seira.” Sister Emari put a hand
+on Seira’s shoulder, smiling at the younger girl reassuringly. It
+didn’t seem to help Seira’s disposition any. The older Sister pushed
+her glasses back up. “That’s not it? What is it, Seira-chan?” The
+younger girl was practically a daughter to her and to the rest of the
+nuns at the school. It worried her to see Seira so troubled by
+something. Usually the younger girl was so bright and full of life.
+Now she seemed consumed by doubt. Could it be the upcoming trip to
+Rome itself? Seira had been so eager when they had first told her of
+it several months before. What could be bothering her about it now?
+For a moment, Sister Emari could see the small child that had been
+left at the church doorstep, the one that she had watched grow over
+the years. Like any mother, she couldn’t stand to see the younger
+girl in pain. None of the Sisters at the school could. Seira was
+their pride and joy.
+	Seira hesitated for a moment, hugging her bible. What was she
+supposed to say? She always believed in doing what was right, what
+the Lord wanted, but she knew that sometimes you could bend things if
+it would help. Like having her best friend steal items to bring them
+back to those that needed them. Like lying about Ruby being a stuffed
+animal so Asuka Jr. wouldn’t catch on that Meimi was Saint Tail. But
+could she lie about this? About being in love with another girl?
+Whenever Seira would bend things, it was only to help others, never
+herself. Sighing inwardly, she could feel herself trembling as she
+lowered her gaze. “I don’t want to leave Meimi-chan,” she whispered.
+	“Is that what this is all about? I’m sure you can come back and
+visit soon enough after you get settled. We’ll all want to see you
+again soon anyway. And I’m sure that the two of you could write each
+other.” Smiling warmly, Sister Emari tried to work out the soonest
+that Seira could return. She would miss the dark haired girl
+considerably, as she knew everyone else would. Maybe they could try
+to collect some money and fly her back for a visit sooner than they
+had originally planned. Anything to see their smiling little girl
+again. If only she would smile. Sister Emari frowned. Seira was
+usually so happy, always smiling or giggling. It was horrible to see
+the pretty younger girl robbed of her beautiful smile. Just as it
+would be sad when Seira left. The Sister-in-training really
+brightened the lives of the nuns.
+	“I love her,” Seira said, looking down. She had never told any of
+the Sisters before of her feelings for Meimi. With the churches views
+on homosexuality, she had been too afraid to say anything. And it had
+been pointless to worry about it before. She would be joining the
+convent, away from the girl she loved. She wouldn’t be acting on her
+feelings, so it wasn’t a problem. It didn’t make her love Meimi any
+less, but it just hadn’t been important because there was no way she
+could be with the other girl. But now that was different. She was
+afraid of how the older women might react, afraid that she would let
+down these wonderful women who had raised her.
+	“Oh...” Sister Emari cleared her throat, pushing up her glasses.
+The older Sister began to look around the large room, her eyes
+wandering. That had been... unexpected. Still, had she really
+expected Seira to grow up and never fall in love? Such a thing was
+preposterous. Of course their little Seira had fallen in love. But
+with Meimi? “You love Meimi?” Sister Emari repeated. Seeing Seira nod
+slowly, Emari sighed. She had heard correctly after all. “But she’s
+so... moody.”
+	Seira giggled softly despite herself. “I’ve noticed. But it’s
+something I’ve always loved. She’s very emotional.” Releasing a sigh,
+she closed her eyes. Her heart was still entangled hopelessly in a
+web she couldn’t begin to untangle. But her mind understood the
+church doctrine well enough. If she was to remain celibate, then it
+didn’t matter if she had feelings for another woman. “I know where I
+belong, Sister Emari. I love her, but that just makes it even more
+important that I join the convent. I will be God’s servant.” She
+waited for the older woman’s agreement but when none came, her eyes
+fluttered open. Sister Emari had her arms crossed, her attention cast
+forward as if she were deep in thought. “Sister?”
+	“Her name was Kasumi.”
+	Blinking in confusion, Seira shook her head. “Whose name was Kasumi?”
+	The older Sister smiled, her glasses glinting in the growing light.
+“Nothing. It was a long time ago. Seira, I’m not sure if your place
+is in the convent. You’ve always been God’s servant. You’ve always
+helped His people as best you could. And you aren’t a Sister yet.
+Even then, you’ve done wonderful things for people. I meant what I
+said earlier. You are kind and gentle and loving. But you don’t need
+to be a priest or a nun to follow the Lord’s path for you.”
+	“I don’t think I understand, Sister Emari. Doesn’t all of this make
+it even clearer that I should become a nun? Doesn’t all of this make
+my path clear?” Seira asked, gray eyes meeting the Emari’s brown
+eyes. She had made her decision, but now it seemed that Sister Emari
+was telling her otherwise. Confusion rolled over her, tossing the
+young Sister-in-training about.
+	“I can’t tell you what your path is, Seira-chan. Sometimes we have
+a hard time seeing it, but if we listen closely enough, we can
+understand in the end what we were put here for. You have done a
+wonderful job helping people even without being a nun. I don’t think
+being one would change you one bit. I do, on the other hand, think
+that the Lord would want you to be happy. He would want you to have
+joy in your life. And most of all, He would want to see your precious
+smile, just as He’s let us all see it as you grew up here.” Emari
+reached out and held the dark haired girl’s cheek. “You’re like a
+daughter to me, Seira-chan. To all of us. He would want you to be
+happy. We want you to be happy. We always thought you would grow up
+to become a nun because of how you are. But we don't expect it of
+you. Perhaps your path lies elsewhere. You’re one of the Lord’s most
+faithful servants. I can’t see Him wanting you to be lonely.”
+	“I... Sister Emari...” Seira got out weakly, taken aback. She
+blinked weary, tear streaked eyes. Her tangled heart struggled
+against the confining webs, Sister Emari’s words coursing through her
+soul. Crying softly, she felt arms pull her closer, gentle hands
+stroking her back. Was Sister Emari right? Could she be with Meimi?
+But still, she felt the convent’s calling, could feel her life’s
+dream waiting for her. Her mind collapsed into confusion. Resting
+weakly against the older woman, Seira cried herself to sleep.
+	“Saint Tail!!” Darting forward, Asuka Jr. snagged at thin air.
+Blinking confusedly, the boy barely had time to notice his
+surrounding before he tumbled to the floor. Grumbling, he sat up,
+throwing his blankets to the side. Just another dream. Sighing, the
+green haired boy walked barefoot across his tidy room. Some would
+call him obsessed with the mysterious thief, but he didn’t care what
+anyone else thought. Only one thing mattered to the young detective,
+and that was unmasking Saint Tail. One day he would. One day soon. He
+would catch her. He would be the one. Saint Tail had promised him
+that he would be the only one to catch her. She was his first thought
+upon waking and his last thought upon drifting off to sleep. She was,
+for all intents and purposes, his one driving goal in life.
+	Stepping up to his window, Asuka Jr. drew the blinds. The dark
+haired boy winded as light poured into his room. Yawning, he turned
+away and began to get dressed. He hadn’t gotten much sleep the night
+before, having followed Saint Tail all the way to a hospital. He had
+almost caught her when doctors had run past, nearly knocking him
+over. They had run to the same room Saint Tail had been heading
+towards.
+	Asuka Jr. closed his eyes tightly, trying to force out the thoughts
+that followed. But even as he tried to relegate them to the shadows
+of his mind, searchlights brought them out into the open. The girl
+had died. The girl that Saint Tail had been helping had been dead by
+the time the doctor’s reached her. Her body had finally given out,
+one of the doctors had told him. He and Saint Tail had been side by
+side as they heard the news. He could have caught her then and there.
+But he couldn’t. His heart hadn’t been in it. He saw them cart away
+the body of a pale girl and he suddenly hadn’t felt strong enough to
+stand, let alone to haul in Saint Tail. It was then that he learned
+that Saint Tail had been about to deliver a love letter from the now
+dead girl. It had been her final wish. So Asuka Jr. had let her go.
+How could he let the girl’s final wish go unfulfilled? At least this
+way, she wouldn’t regret never telling her love on the other side.
+They would know. But that thought sent a cold chill through him. How
+would he handle a letter confessing someone’s love for him only to
+discover they had already died? It was a painful situation, he knew.
+He was relieved that Saint Tail had been the one to give the letter
+and not himself. He didn’t know if he could do that.
+	Trying to shake off the haunting feeling the thoughts gave him,
+Asuka Jr. turned to pick up his backpack. Something on the window
+caught his eye. Squinting, her walked closer to the plane of glass.
+“Traeh s’arieS retsiS rof emoc lliw I ,thginoT,” he managed to sound
+out. “What the hell?” Had Saint Tail suddenly started writing in
+code? Or was this some strange type of riddle? He shook his head,
+trying to decode the bizarre message. It finally hit him the third
+time through. She’d written it on his window from the outside. It was
+backwards. “Tonight, I will come for Sister Seira’s heart. Saint
+Tail.” He read it over again. What could she mean? He shook his head.
+It didn’t matter. He would find out tonight. Tonight, for sure! He
+would catch Saint Tail!
+	The church was completely empty except for a lone girl. Seira sat
+quietly in a confessional, her heart struggling to understand where
+her place was, where she belonged. She couldn’t tell how long she had
+been there or even when she had first arrived. This was her usual
+spot, inside the church, waiting for those in need. But now she found
+herself in need. She could usually determine what needed to be done
+to help people, to fix their problems. But she found herself unable
+to come up with a solution to her own predicament. Her heart teetered
+back and forth on the edge, unsure of which choice to make. On one
+hand, she loved Meimi dearly. On the other, her life was one that was
+committed to God. It left her in a precarious predicament.
+	A sound in the other side of the confessional dragged Seira out of
+her thoughts. She smiled softly as she looked over at the screen.
+This was something she could handle. It was so much easier helping
+others figure out what to do than trying to decide what to do on her
+own. She would be leaving in a few days, but maybe she could get
+Saint Tail to help a few last people before she left. Or she could at
+least help ease someone’s mind with whatever troubles they had. “Can
+I help you?”
+	“I have a confession to make,” the voice said from the other side.
+It sounded strange, unfamiliar. “I’m in love with another girl. She’s
+all I think about anymore. She’s just perfect. She’s so sweet and
+caring. She would do anything for me. Even though I do some stupid
+things sometimes, she always helps me out of it. I can always come to
+her with my problems and she always listens to me, no matter what
+they are. She can get a little jealous sometimes and she can get me
+to do things without my even knowing she tricked me into it, but it
+all just makes me love her even more. She knows me better than anyone
+else could ever hope to.”
+	Seira felt her heart pounding in her chest. Holding her hands in
+her lap, she tried to come up with a reply. “Are you worried that
+it’s a girl? It sounds like you’re very much in love. I don’t think
+the Lord would ever fault you for such a thing.”
+	“I’m not worried about that. But I think she is. I think she’s been
+worried about that for some time.”
+	“So she’s afraid that it’s wrong for her to be in love with another
+girl.” Seira sighed, bowing her head. “I know how that feels. But God
+loves all of his children. He isn’t an exclusive being, there only
+for some and not others. I don’t see how being in love can be a sin.
+He’s so loving. He wouldn’t be angry with you for being in love, no
+matter who you’re in love with.”
+	“Really? I wish you could tell her that. I’m so scared that I’m
+going to lose her because of this. And I can’t lose her. I need her.
+More than anything. She makes my life complete. I’d be lost without
+her. She’s always been my guiding light. She’s the one that steers me
+in the right direction.”
+	Standing up, Seira reached for the door. Something about this was
+just too strange. It sounded too familiar. The door opened and she
+stumbled into Saint Tail. The Sister-in-training’s arms flailed as
+she fell against the mysterious thief. Both girls tumbled to the
+floor in a heap. “Meimi-chan?” Seira looked up directly into auburn
+hair. She closed her eyes as it tickled her nose.
+	“You weren’t supposed to come out yet,” Meimi explained, getting to
+her knees. She smiled at the dark haired girl. “It’s ventriloquism.
+I’ve been practicing. I knew it would come in handy one of these
+days.”
+	“So you were waiting right outside? What in Heaven for?” Seira
+asked, blinking. She slowly gathered up her skirt underneath her,
+still kneeling herself.
+	“For this.” Meimi cupped Seira’s chin, kissing her softly. The
+young nun froze as she kissed her warmly, gloved fingers stroking
+under her chin. Meimi held the kiss, drawing it out before finally
+pulling away. Seira was pleasantly dizzy when she was done. Meimi
+smiled and trailed up to Seira’s lips with her fingertip. “I love
+you, Seira. I need you.”
+	Seira shook her head, slowly getting to her feet. “Meimi-chan.. You
+really shouldn’t do that in here.” She turned her back to the auburn
+haired girl, trying to quell her warring feelings. She held her hands
+to her chest, breathing slowly.
+	“Why? You said yourself that He wouldn’t fault you for it,” Meimi
+argued. Still Seira looked uncertain. Meimi took her hands, looking
+the dark haired girl in the eye. “Please come with me. Just for now.
+I have to show you something. Ruby has something she wants to show
+you.” Her blue eyes pleaded with Seira until the young nun finally
+relented. She hurried outside, leading Seira into the darkening
+night. Stars already twinkled outside like lanterns in a long and
+dark sea. “Ruby!” Meimi called. The cute little hedgehog ran out from
+behind some bushes, leaping up into Meimi’s waiting hands. “I would
+have done this on my own, but Ruby wanted to come along,” Meimi
+explained.
+	“Ruby’s always welcome to come along,” Seira said with a smile,
+petting the hedgehog in Saint Tail’s hands. Something glimmered in
+the moonlight, hanging from Ruby’s ribbon. Seira looked at it
+curiously, reaching out. She gently pulled it away from the ribbon,
+holding it up in the dim light. A small gold ring glimmered in her
+hand. Seira opened her mouth but nothing came out. She suddenly felt
+much dizzier than she had after the kiss. She was about to sit down,
+but Meimi took her hands, piercing blue eyes captivating her. She
+could only look back, ring still in hand.
+	“It’s my mother’s engagement ring. She was actually really for this
+plan when I asked her if I could have it.” Meimi swallowed, licking
+her dry lips. She felt so anxious. She had never before thought of
+doing this, had never thought of how difficult it would be. But the
+thought of losing Seira spurred her on. This was what she wanted, to
+be with Seira forever. Standing there in her Saint Tail tuxedo, it
+seemed all too fitting. “Seira, will you marry me?”
+	Seira stared back in stunned silence. A marriage proposal? Meimi
+was proposing to her? Her cheeks darkened as the thought made its way
+to her heart. “I.. Meimi-chan..” she got out, blushing. “But we
+can’t.” She tried to think, but her mind was paralyzed, trapped on
+the ring and Meimi’s blue orbs.
+	“I know we can’t legally get married, but I want to marry you,
+Seira. I thought long and hard about this. This is what I want. I
+hope it’s what you want, too. I promise I’ll take care of you. I
+promise I’ll love you forever. I know we’ll have God’s protection on
+this. Just please say yes,” Meimi pleaded, her fingers entwining with
+Seira’s. Her heart hung above infinity as she awaited Seira’s reply,
+her eyes questing into Seira’s for an answer.
+	“Saint Tail! You won’t get away this time!” Asuka Jr. yelled as he
+ran towards the two girls.
+	Meimi smiled at Seira before taking a step back and turning to
+Asuka Jr. “Sometimes, a magician will reveal her tricks to the
+audience so they can see the illusion for what it is. I’ve played
+this game long enough. Thank you for playing it with me, Asuka Jr. I
+had fun. But I can’t play it anymore.” Reaching up, Meimi pulled out
+her ribbon, her long ponytail spilling behind her. She shook her
+head, her hair fluttering around her.
+	“Haneoka-san?!” Asuka Jr. stared in amazement. “You.. You’re Saint
+Tail? But how?” For all of this time, there had been hints of Meimi
+in Saint Tail, but he had never been certain. There had always been
+that mystery. But now, the mystery of Saint Tail was laid out right
+in front of him. He could only watch, unsure of what to do. She was
+unmasked. What more could he do?
+	Meimi turned back to Seira, and with a graceful step was right
+against her. Wrapping an arm around Seira’s waist, she held the young
+Sister-in-training tightly. Pulling up her top hat, she counted down.
+“One! Two! Three!” With an impressive burst, a group of colorful
+balloons lifted above them. Meimi grabbed the line as the lifted into
+the air, pulling Seira into the sky with her.
+	Asuka Jr. watched the two girls float into the air for a long
+moment, watching until they were far out of sight. Collapsing
+backwards, he could only sit there, Saint Tail’s unmasking burned
+into his mind. It was over. The chase had finally ended. He had what
+he wanted. He knew who Saint Tail was. So why did he feel so empty?
+The mystery was gone, the one thing that had kept him on edge, eager
+to find it’s resolution. It really was like finding out how a magic
+trick worked. When you saw it again, the magic was gone. It was
+simply a gesture. Saint Tail was simply Haneoka. There was no magic
+behind it, no mystery anymore. He sighed. He didn’t bother looking
+when someone sat down next to him.
+	“Well.. You know now.” Lina looked up into the heavens, following
+Asuka Jr.'s gaze. “Is it everything you had hoped for?” she asked,
+looking over to him.
+	“The magic’s gone. She showed me how the magic works. It’s just..
+gone.” Asuka Jr. shook his head, still in shock. “I don’t know where
+to go from here. I don’t know what to do. Saint Tail was everything.
+I finally caught her. I know who she is. Now what? The game’s over.”
+	Lina nodded thoughtfully. She offered a small smile, catching Asuka
+Jr.’s eye. Resting a hand on his, she shrugged. “Real magic doesn’t
+work that way. Real magic doesn’t disappear when you find out what
+causes it.”
+	Asuka Jr. sighed, looking down at Lina’s hand. “I guess you’re
+right. But what do I do now?” He looked up again, seeing Lina bathed
+in moonlight. He didn’t know why, but for the first time, he realized
+how pretty she was.
+	“Keep looking. Saint Tail wasn’t the magic you were looking for. So
+keep looking until you find that magic. Until you find the real
+magic. Magic that won’t disappear when you understand it.” Lina
+smiled, taking his hand in her own.
+	Asuka Jr. nodded, smiling faintly himself. “I’ll keep looking.”
+	Up above, a young Sister-in-training and a mysterious thief floated
+through the air. Seira had been taken by surprise at first, too
+shocked to keep herself from being whisked away by Saint Tail. She
+had had the presence of mind to hold onto the engagement ring,
+luckily. The two hung above, suspended up in a beautiful star
+speckled heaven. Seira sighed, resting against Meimi as she held onto
+her. The two floated quietly for what felt like a beautiful taste of
+eternity. Seira could feel Meimi’s heart beating against her own, a
+thunderous beat against her own. Meimi was usually so much more
+confident as Saint Tail, but it seemed that even that confidence
+couldn’t shield her as she waited anxiously. “I’ll marry you, Meimi-
+chan,” Seira said at last, pulling back enough to look into Meimi’s
+gorgeous blue eyes. She smiled at the look of relief that washed over
+the auburn haired girl’s face. “It’s what I want, too.”
+	Meimi smiled brightly holding Seira even tighter. The future
+suddenly wasn’t weighing upon her shoulders. Instead it made her feel
+lighter than air, drawing her above her worries. The future was no
+longer something to dread, but something to await with each passing
+breath. “Seira..” Meimi felt her heart float joyously like the
+balloons she was holding. “I love you, Seira,” Meimi whispered.
+	Seira’s decision was finally made. She felt free, given the eagle’s
+wings she had sought for so long. Life was the most precious dream.
+She silently thanked the God that she had dedicated her life to for
+this beautiful moment, for letting her future lay with Meimi. That
+future lay before them, unwritten but full of glorious promise and
+wonder. And they would write their future hand in hand. “I love you,
+too, Meimi-chan,” Seira replied, her gray eyes sparkling. Leaning
+forward, she kissed the mysterious thief, her very own not-so-
+mysterious thief with all the love in her heart. With her hands
+behind Meimi’s waist, she slipped on the engagement ring, a thrill
+passing through her as the symbol of their union clasped her finger.
+And so they floated through the skies above, the silhouette of a
+thief and a nun kissing in the light of the moon.

Mercurial > moonlitnights

comparison old/stories/kstail.txt @ 2:fc00894c1d4a moonlitnights