118The Knights Diary
Disclaimer: I do not own Mirai Nikki or any of the characters associated with it.
"talking"
thoughts
Rewind
Implementing their first act as gods of time and space, the clock was re-winded starting everything over before the game even had a chance to start. For this act in it's purpose was to save the lives they had failed along the course of the hellish game.
However if life couldn't be anymore predictable, things generally had a way of going off the rails.
Due to their inexperience of their divinity, something much different occurred.
Of course their plan did succeed as their souls regressed to that of their younger counterparts. But what they failed to account for was the synchronization between the eight individuals who made up the god of time and space.
For the irregular causality in the equation was that amongst them Reisuke the fifth diary user was only five years old. Due to the unspecified nature of their attempted venture due to a lack of proper mental synchronization, everyone began their lives again . . . . At the wrong time.
~ Middle East ~
"This had better not be a terrible joke" Minene muttered as she couldn't believe her eyes. Scanning her body, she jokingly thought someone turned her into a midget. But at finding a mirror, it was definitely no joke as she touched her face assuring that she was a child. Quickly looking for a calendar of some sort, she learned the date confirming that her physical age was that of a five year old. "What the hell happened? How did I even get here?"
With her first thought, she wanted to get back to her present time. But it proved impossible. She only had a piece of Deus power. However that was the problem as she only had a piece. So without the others working collectively, she could not time travel meaning the only way she could make it back to the present was the long way there.
As she was ready to curse her luck, "Minene!" a voice called "it's supper time. Come and eat!"
Initially shocked, she slowly turned around as the bombardier couldn't believe what she saw as never in her life did she think she would ever see them again.
"What's wrong?" asked Minene's mother, "it's like you've seen a ghost".
"Come on" said Minene's father, "the meals getting cold. Let's eat!"
Minene continued to stare as her lips parted while a tear escaped her eye. Though she never said it out loud, she'd always did wonder if things went a different way. Smiling somewhat, she now had a chance to find out. With her accumulated knowledge, experience, and newly found abilities as a demi-god she had the power to keep them safe. "I have time" she thought smiling to her parents. It didn't matter if this was a freak accident or not. She had a chance to start over and she was going to make it count.
~ Sakurami city (the tower) ~
"You seem rather eager" said Kamado as she trailed after one of her children. "But it's rather kind of you to organize a day trip like this for everyone".
"Yeah" agreed Marco as he looked back and forth. "But can you excuse me for a moment. I need to look around".
Kamado chuckled. "It's almost like you're a different person. Can't believe that in just a few years you became so grown-up and mature".
"Heh heh, right" as he soon departed to look around the tower. He didn't know what had happened, but by a bizarre accident that was beyond measure he had found himself at the orphanage at the mere age of five. However the first thing on his mind was finding Ai again after getting his bearings on the situation. But the problem was that she never talked about her former home after her parents betrayal. So he had no idea where Ai used to live. Even if he did he was still just a kid after all to which it would have proven near impossible to convince Kamado why he had to go or even how things came to be.
What ate at him was needing to wait these long years to meet her again to which he hoped she like him still retained their memories. But what bothered him even more was that everything was hinging on tracing fate to this very moment. He was not an intelligent man, but his love for Ai had to be enough for them to meet again as he prayed to the very bottom of his heart and soul that he would be able to meet her here as this was his only chance.
Running throughout the tower, Marco searched desperately for her hoping she would be here as he raced from floor to floor.
As hours easily fell off the clock, his desperation grew. He didn't know what to do as he searched each floor several times. Finally reaching the top floor again, he was sweating intensely as he was out of breath. Taking a quick break, he settled next to the edge as he gripped the railing. As his gaze looked onward into the setting sun, his eyes narrowed as he felt a bit of self-loathing now. "Why have I been so self-fish . . . ."
Thinking about it, it had been several years now. Precious time Ai had to be with her parents and try to mend whatever there reason was to abandon her. Of course his lover would choose to fix the worse day of her life. Just allowing that thought to settle in, he sighed.
"What did I expect . . . ." Marco smiled wearily. Though he was sad, it didn't matter. So long as Ai was safe and happy then that's all that mattered to him. All that should matter to him . . . . Turning around to leave, there she was. "Ai . . . ." he said breathlessly as he warily approached. Just like those many years ago, she was there alone where her parents had left her. Anxiety then began to creep onto him as he didn't know how to approach her. He wasn't sure if she was the Ai he knew or . . . . The one that was having the worse day of her life.
Walking up to her, Marco was ready to speak until Ai started first. "I don't blame them . . . ."
". . . ."
"After all this time . . . . I finally understood why they did it" as Ai gave a small smile. "Thinking back all these years all I could say was that they were horrible parents for leaving their child behind like that. But being old enough . . . . I understand why they had to do it".
"Ai . . . . Did you . . . . "
"I did. I . . . . Honestly wished we could have stayed together. But I had to make a choice" as she closed her eyes as tears begun to seep from them. "For what it was worth . . . . I was happy for the time I was able to spend with them".
Feeling himself close to tears, Marco understood the great sacrifice Ai had made exchanging her parents for the orphanage just to be with him again and everyone else there. "I'm sorry Ai" he choked out as he sat down with her.
"It's alright" as she shook her head. "I was actually worried too that I wouldn't meet you here".
"I'd never forget" as Marco then hugged her. "I'd never forget this moment where we first met".
Ai chuckled a bit. "I guess I might actually have to change my mind".
"Hmm?"
Ai then hugged him back as he gave him a light kiss on the cheek. "This might actually be the best day of my life".
They both then smiled happily as they were together again and able to relive their youth. With the advantage of experience and knowledge of the future everything was going to be fine. Though for Marco once he get's to high school, there were three guys he was going to beat the crap out of for those three years till he graduated. Though he didn't have to worry about Ai as they were both demi-gods, it was an old grudge he needed to satiate.
~ Sakurami city (police office) ~
"Well done detective Kurusu" said the police chief. "If you keep closing cases up like this you might even take my job".
Other officers giving their congratulations passed by patting Keigo on the shoulder for a well done job.
Giving a modest chuckle, Keigo looked back to his computer going for the next case he was going to solve as he then turned to his cell phone 's diary function.
It seemed their diaries were still working somehow which was one of those mysteries that probably won't ever be solved though he reckoned it was somehow soul bounded to them. However it made his job a heck of a lot easier crunching down days of investigation just to mere minutes as it made catching criminals quite easy. For what investigations he wasn't a part of, he spent his time on cold cases putting past crimes to rest. Having the edge on future events, he sent his subordinate Nishijima to coincidentally be at potential crime scenes averting possible victims and catching perpetrators.
He was aware he had special abilities, but throughout his life and career he had only used them to ensure his son would be born healthy and only when his life or the life of his fellow officers were in danger.
But at the moment he started his career as a cop, he tracked down the other diary users to find they all had the same experience starting their lives over.
Marco and Ai still lived their lives the same. Possibly even better from once it was.
Yomotsu still being crazy as he was didn't even notice any real change.
Tsubaki and Hinata were in their infancy and Reisuke was still yet to be born.
But of all the diary users, Minene seemed to have changed the most. Reacting to a murder investigation, he quickly discovered it was Minene's doing. However the person she killed was no saint himself as he was a wanted felon by the United States. In the greatest sense of irony, it seemed the ninth was playing his side now as she was in fact a free lance operative of the C.I.A.
When he finally caught up to her, she reasoned she was already good at all this spy stuff. So why not get paid for it?
Though strangely, Nishijima almost immediately began flirting with Minene. From the last he heard, they were officially dating.
But for the last three diary users, they would wait patiently for them.
~ Sakurami city ~ (present time)
Walking along the main road, Tsubaki smiled as she felt the warmth of the radiant sun as the cool breeze blew by her. It was the start of spring season as a new semester of school had begun.
"What a nice day" as she stared off pleasantly to the blue sky above. Once she reached the age of five all her memories had returned as did her part of Deus power. Once that happened, she dreaded having to be back at the Omekata shrine again.
However Ai and Orin were already present as they had joined sometime ago helping manage the organization in the background as they watched over her till she had fully come back.
But with her parents alive, she was overjoyed to be with them again.
Though she didn't want any part of their religious activities, perhaps this time around she might be able to bring it up to the ideal of what her parents sought for.
Along with the clairvoyance diary, she was also the holder of the paradox diary to which the others had no qualms in letting her keep.
So weaving fate, she gave good fortune to those who needed it and punished those who were deserving it. Although she didn't like her parents bragging about her powers, she used them to heal and aid those who were in need of them.
During the course of the organizations existence, Funatsu eventually became a part of it. However concerning the old man, Tsubaki had something really special planned for him. Though he hadn't committed any crimes, he was still the same arrogant narcissist from the last life time who had plans of taking over the cult. So punishing him accordingly, she weaved his fate to ensure that not only would he end up in prison but die of old age there. It may have seemed cruel of her to judge him before the crime, but for what he did to her in the last life none of the diary users questioned it.
After a few years she had officially retired as the head priestess in order to pursue a normal life as a normal girl. Her parents of course did not object as they desired the same thing. Plus after Tsubaki's hard work in raising the Omekata organizations reputation from a religious order to a business/charity organization, it was in good hands with it's many connections both financially and politically putting it in a position to do a lot of good.
Smiling warmly, Tsubaki then came upon a poster of herself announcing a big idol event coming up. "I still get embarrassed when I look at them".
She didn't have much of an interest in getting back into the idol business. However it was one of the few things she still had to remember Aru. So in memory of him she pursued this career as at this moment she was looking at a big role in a new hit T.V. series.
As she was about to muse further, she was disrupted as someone patted her on the back. "A big star like you shouldn't be walking around alone like this especially with all the paparazzi around. We should walk together more often".
Eying the pink haired girl, Tsubaki smiled. "We always walk to school together. But I must say that you already do a great job in being my bodyguard".
"That's because I'm really tough" cheered Yuno as she flexed her bicep.
Nodding, the two girls gave a warm laugh.
As Tsubaki looked to Yuno, she only had a simple thought. In the end, everyone deserved to be saved. Even her regardless of the all misery she had dispensed on so many people. Knowing of her past, though responsible for her choices it wasn't entirely her fault she became the way she did. So as an act of good will or perhaps to some extent caution or even pity they decided to change this.
So taking one of Aru's plans and reworking it a bit, they were going to fix Yuno's life by making her parents think about what they have done and in a sense make them honest people.
In one dramatic act, several parts were played as Minene would be the psycho, Marco and Ai the concerned citizens/consultants, and Keigo the final act to straighten everything out while everyone else did damage control. The performance was simple as ninth would attack the house forcing the Gasai's into a panic mode, seventh would appear 'guiding' them to safety while talking about the ideals of bonds and family, then the showdown as Minene would appear to finish them off. Just as she was about to accomplish it Keigo would swoop in to fix everything. With careful entries from the paradox diary, everything occurred exactly to plan as Yuno's parents got their priorities straight as Yuno herself got her parents back.
Although it started off as a simple observation to ensure Yuno and her parents didn't stray off the right path, they ended up becoming friends with their respective age groups. Just being herself Yuno wasn't such a bad companion though clingy and a bit obsessive.
"So are you free after school for karaoke?" she smiled. "Or are you busy again this time too?"
"Sorry" as Tsubaki raised her hand, "but I'm kind of busy today as there is something I had to do" giving a weary smile.
"That's OK I guess" as Yuno frowned a bit before returning back to her cheerful demeanor. "There is something I wanted to see too as well".
Blinking, the sixth gave a sly smile. "Would this happen to do with a certain boy perhaps? A boy in your class?"
Yuno gaped as she blushed. "I keep forgetting you can see the future" as she gave a nervous laugh. "But I've been so nervous around him. Every time I try to talk to him I get all flustered and I run away".
Tsubaki warmly smiled to this. "I have a feeling . . . . That if you just talk to him things would work out between you two".
"Are you saying this as a friend or the idol of destiny?"
". . . . Both. Just be honest with him and I'm certain Yukiteru will return your affection".
Smiling widely, Yuno hugged her tightly as she gave a bit of a jump. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" she said excitedly. "I can't wait to see him and tell him how I feel!"
Seeing her cheer as such, Tsubaki couldn't help but smile though ambivalent in it's nature.
Noticing, Yuno gave her a concerned look. "Is there something wrong?"
Catching herself, she looked away. She wouldn't lie that she was a bit jealous, but not of Yuno and Yuki. Rather their feelings for each other as it reminded her all the more of Aru . . . . "I'm sorry, it's nothing really".
"You sure?" Yuno asked titling her head slightly all the more worried.
"Yeah" Tsubaki chuckled. "Come on, we better get going or we'll be late for school!"
~ Sakurami city ~
With classes concluded and the days activities finished, Tsubaki left the school to quietly wander around the city.
It was during this time that she took to contemplating the world articulating her thoughts about whatever sprang to mind.
Knowing the date, this was the day the survival game was supposed to start.
"But not this time around" Tsubaki thought out loud. Deus was no longer around to start the game which left them in charge of well . . . . Everything. It was only after Reisuke had turned five that they all were able to visit the cathedral of causality where everything was waiting for them to do as they wish. They also had found Muru-Muru tying up her own loose end by capturing her other and attempting to boot her back to her own universe.
However evil Yuno didn't bother to fix her world before jumping to theirs as all that was left was nothingness. Henceforth if they sent her back all that would be waiting for the demon servant was a massive black hole which was pretty much condemning her to hell.
Although she had her part to play for the crimes she had committed, she was given amnesty as she was only following orders and would now follow who the new god was. Plus the fact since there were eight of them, Muru-Muru would need the help tending to all of them.
However they were working her like a slave, and speaking of which . . . .
"Here's your mango flavored milk" said Muru-Muru as she appeared out of thin air.
Looking to the demon servant, there was a huge '2' stamped on her forehead indicating she was the other Muru-Muru. Though she was given amnesty, she still had to fulfill a lot of probation work till she was 'forgiven'. As Tsubaki looked to her beverage, "I asked for a strawberry one. I would also like you to bring me my parasol. I'm feeling kind of faint from all this sunlight".
Muru's face sagged in dread. "Please" she begged, "give me a break. I still need to knock down a drug cartel for ninth, investigate a gang for fourth, look after tenth's dogs, work out the seventh's taxes, play with the fifth, and don't even get me started on what the twelfth wants me to do! Above all that I still need to do maintenance work at the cathedral as I'm being forced to do it all alone!"
Tsubaki gave a playful chuckle as she patted her on the head. "It's quite alright as I'm just giving you a hard time. Here" as she handed her the drink. "I think you might need this more then I do".
Eyes turning to teary saucers, Muru took the drink as she gulped it down. "Thank you! You're the only one who treats me so nicely".
"It's quite alright" Tsubaki then smiled as she utilized her power to materialize a parasol as she deployed it over herself. "Well be off then" as Muru nodded happily before disappearing.
Continuing her walk, it soon drifted towards the late afternoon as Tsubaki found herself at a small playground. Spotting the swings, she took a seat as she rocked herself back and forth.
Reflecting on the world, everything was alright now. Everybody was safe and sound, and humanity in itself was secured. Although not entirely intended, Deus not only gave them a responsibility but an incredible gift to that of the entire human race.
Though divine in their current existence, they were still vulnerable to the concept of mortality. However as time would pass, the responsibility of keeping time would pass on to their children and so forth for the generations to come. In a strange sense, Minene's greatest wish was coming true. No god, just humans. From now on till the end of everything, humanity held the keys to their future to whatever they desired to do with their lives.
In the literal sense, humans were but prisoners of time with Deus as their warden. Without really knowing it, mankind had attained a priceless freedom. But with these new arrangements, work needed to be done to ensure a sense of stability, order, and balance as eventually this power would disseminate within the population. So not to cause any kind of inner conflict a new system needed to be created to manage the law of cause and effect.
However it was something they'd figure out amongst themselves eventually as they still had time.
"But . . . . Why does it feel so shallow . . . ." Tsubaki then thought glumly. Stopping in her tracks she should have been happy. Though she questioned it, she already knew the answer.
Frankly none of this would have been possible without . . . . Him.
"Aru Akise . . . ." She softly spoke. "He was the real hero . . . . The one who made this world possible . . . ." She could only guess what the world would've been like if he wasn't there for them. Everybody would've probably met a tragic end one way or another. Hell, she would've most likely been continuously raped or probably killed without ever avenging her parents.
Although the world was saved and many wrongs were made right, it felt so empty without the boy detective there to celebrate it with them as it was really his victory. But there was no point in trying to dwell on it as Aru would probably scold her for doing so.
Seeing the sun setting as it was turning evening as the street lights began to turn on Tsubaki gave a weak smile as she closed her eyes for a moment. "Well I better back then. It is starting to get late".
As she was ready to depart she felt a coat being draped over her shoulders as a pair of warm hands laid upon them.
In that instant, Tsubaki was ready to turn around and K.O. whoever was behind her. She was in no mode to be dealing with stalkers let alone paparazzi. However in that microsecond of decision making she stopped at what was said to her.
"You better head back home soon. I hear it's going to be chilly tonight".
But to her it wasn't what was said that halted her action. Rather it was the voice itself. "Impossible" was the first thing that echoed in her mind as her eyes twitched a bit. She dared not look back as she remained unresponsive with her head tilted down.
"Hmm? Oh I'm sorry if I'm coming off creepy or rude perhaps" as he then gently started to push her on the swing. "My parents and I just recently moved here. So I'm taking the time to get accustomed to the new surroundings. It seems pretty interesting here. But I haven't made any friends yet. I apologize if this may seem a bit forward but would you . . . ."
However Tsubaki didn't care to wait for him to finish his sentence. Standing quickly she turned around teary eyed to be met with a sight she hasn't seen for years. There he was, exactly as she remembered him. Aru Akise with his dress shirt, slacks, tie, silver hair, crimson eyes, and that charming smile which could make any girl's heart flutter.
Slightly taken back, the silver haired youth gave a worried look. "I'm sorry if I upset you in some way . . . .".
But before he could finish Tsubaki did the first thing that came to mind as she yanked down his tie capturing his lips in a kiss. She could tell Aru was startled as she felt his hesitation. But before long he settled as they both slowly backed off. "Aru" Tsubaki smiled warmly as she still couldn't believe he was standing right there in front of her. "You're . . . . You're here. You're really here" as she touched her hand against his cheek.
Aru gave her a very confused look scrunching his brow. "Hmm? Have we met somewhere before? Hold on, I don't recall giving you my name yet". But soon his expression switched to epiphany, "hold on you're Tsubaki Kasugano aren't you? I've seen your posters and commercials. Hmm, I guess you really do deserve your name as the idol of destiny" he chuckled. "I guess you probably already knew my name and was waiting right here for me" as he shot off one of his dashing smiles.
Tsubaki just blinked as she then gave a giggle. "Charming as ever" as she reached out tugging his shirt, "same Aru . . . . Always embarrassing women".
"Hmm?"
"Nothing . . . ." Tsubaki didn't know how this was possible. Some twist of fate, different choices made in life, or even destiny. Somehow . . . . He had found his way back to her and nothing could describe the joy she felt at being reunited with him. Though he was a different Aru, she didn't mind starting over again with him. He was a pure living human being which meant she now had the chance to live a full life with him.
"So if you can really see the future, what's going to happen next?"
". . . . I predict we're going to have a short walk as we'll then exchange contact information. By tomorrow, you're going to take me out on a nice lunch date".
Aru nodded, "sounds quite possible. Is that all you see?"
Tsubaki then took his hand as they started to walk. "That . . . . You're going to have to see for yourself".
To be continued . . . .
Author's notes: After re-reading all the characters backgrounds the majority of them share the commonality of either non-existing parents or bad parenting overall. Don't know the back story of third, eighth, eleventh, or twelfth. But knowing the trend of this story it would probably be the same.
As for Aru coming back, different choices creates different outcomes in life. So due to the changes by the other diary users creating a ripple effect, Aru's parents actually conceived a child without Deus snapping his fingers popping him into existence. I had an alternate idea, but considering how morbid it was I'd rather not go with it.
If there are any questions or concerns I'll be happy to answer them.
But on another note, does anyone want a lemon chapter? Just curious as it's more of a 'ehh why not' kind of thing.
So thank you for taking the time in reading this fic and I further extend my gratitude if you can review it as well.