Komatane Hotaru's alarm went off at 7:15, as it did every morning.
Unlike every morning, Hotaru was awake to meet it, and turn it off
before it buzzed for more than a few seconds.  She had woken from the
odd dream with Hermit at least a half-hour before, and had taken the
time to do some thinking.

Natsu's powers.  Even with all of the improbability of the Arcana's
powers, even considering the fact that she herself could create flames
out of nothing, the notion of her best friend as a descendant of
people from another world just seemed... weird.  Well, bearing in mind
that Natsu was part American, maybe part alien was not so far off.  An
image of the blonde with green skin and antennae popped into her mind,
but ended up less amusing than it would have been a month ago.

Then, the other revelation of the night...  Magician-sensei was really
Hermit.  And he had superpowers that he refused to use.  It seemed to
her that with all that power, it would be better to just magic
everything right again... no more evil Maki, no more killings.  Natsu
would be safe.  Ishido would be.

A feeling that had been needling in the back of her mind began to
blossom.  It had only been a day, but... she was worried about Ishido.
Hotaru thought she might see him last night; instead he was nowhere to
be found.  Of course, she had pretty much retreated to her room after
the trial.  It was foolish to worry about it; Ishido could more than
take care of himself.  Maybe he just went home.  The idea of Joker
with parents... odd.  But either way, he was probably fine.  No more
worrying.  She should get ready for school.  Or just go back to sleep.

Hotaru dragged herself out of bed, the feeling of unease multiplying
as she moved.  She quickly dressed and moved downstairs for breakfast.
"Hi, Mom."  She would probably be surprised that for once Hotaru was
not in a rush.

Mrs. Komatane looked up at her daughter with concern.  "Hotaru... look
at this."  She handed over the morning paper.  Splashed across the
local page was the headline "POLICE CHASE ENDS ALL WASHED UP".  The
black-and-white picture below was fuzzy, but the boy standing on the
edge of the bridge was unmistakable.

"Ishido..."

+ + +

Arcana
Started by Scott Schimmel

Chapter Thirty-Two: Evil and Flowers
Written by Erin Ellis

+ + +

Natsu Forrester hesitated before opening her eyes, just as she had
every morning for the past week.  Maybe this time... this time they
would open to see the familiar eggshell stucco of her room.  Or even
the plain white drywall of Hotaru's.  She finally looked up to see
cold, hard cement.  Lovely.  Nothing quite so homey as waking to the
walls of a holding cell.

The blonde gave a great sighing yawn, releasing the last vestiges of
sleep from her mind.  That dream... my dream? Hotaru's dream? did it
really matter?  It was another person saying her parents weren't real.
If her parents had returned to the land of the elves or wherever, then
who were the people who slept in her parents' bed?  Who... what was -
she-?

Blood was beginning to seep from where her nails bit into her palms.
Why was all of this happening to them?  To her?  If there had been no
Arcana, there would be no way that she'd be in jail.  No time for
'elves' or 'dimensions' or what other such nonsense.  Just...
normalcy.  She laughed half-heartedly.  That wasn't a word she'd heard
in a while.  Ordinary people, without magical powers, or strange
dreams, or murder raps.  She couldn't believe that she'd--  She gazed
wistfully at the small, barred window above her.  Never thought she'd
wish for the days when the most assault she'd receive would be other
students calling her a freak for the way she dressed.  Now...

"Oi, Natsu-chan."

-Chan?

Thoughts previously chugging along slowed and switched tracks as she
glanced up to meet the annoyingly familiar voice.  Propped against the
bars of the cell and wearing an inimitably self-important grin was
Koishikawa Tetsuya.  "Long time no see," he commented.

"Maybe not all -that- long, Tet-chan."  She stood, crossing her arms
and moving to him.

His mouth quirked wryly.  "Good to see you've still a sense of humor.
How's it going?"

"I'm in jail.  What do you want?"  Her tone had become darker than
she'd intended.  Natsu shook her head, affecting a carefree tone.
"What're you up to so early?  I thought visiting hours weren't until
at least ten."

"They aren't.  I convinced the lovely lady guard outside to make an
exception."  He smiled in that winning way that made her want to hit
him.  Abruptly, his voice turned quiet.  "I wanted to talk to you."

"Really.  That's new.  You didn't even make it to the trial
yesterday."  He looked slightly hurt at the words, and she softened
some.  "All right, shoot.  I'd offer you a seat, but..."  The blonde
shrugged, leaning against the bars.

He didn't reply, instead facing somewhat away from her, forehead and
forearms resting against the bars like a table.  "Natsu.  I don't know
if this is really the right time to tell you this.  I mean, it's
sortof like-- I mean, I was going to tell you earlier, but then, all
this stuff happened, and-- it's just--"

Exasperated, she grabbed him by the collar.  "Spit it out!"

"Will tried to kill us."

She recoiled as if slapped.  "What?"  What the hell was going on?

"Last week.  When Miyuki was...  Me and Hanako were going to the Tower
Reversed, when we got caught by Will and Victory.  He wanted to fight.
He's... -they're- one of us."

This was ridiculous.  "Uncle Will is Arcana.  Good-natured, salaryman,
lecherous, jeep-obsessed Uncle Will."  She paused, trying and
rejecting the idea.  Natsu shook her head in disbelief.  "I thought
you could say a lot of things, Koishikawa, but I certainly didn't
expect this."

"If you don't believe me, believe Hanako or Keisuke.  That jeep-thing
is Chariot.  Will helps it out, somehow.  They're the bad guys,
Natsu."  Tetsuya grabbed her wrist, preventing her from turning away.
His eyes were serious and dark.  "I... I'm not saying this to hurt
you.  I just thought you should know."  He stopped, as if he'd run out
of things to say.

Natsu stumbled through the chaos of thoughts her mind had become.
"So... you're saying that my uncle is working against me, to get to
you, or to Hotaru or something?  That's why he's trying to get me out
of jail?  That's why he's always been there for me and my parents when
we need him?  Where the hell do you get off presuming about my
family?"

"I don't presume anything.  I don't know Will's motives.  I mean, I'm
not saying he's evil.  I'm not even saying you have to pick a side or
something.  But... we're obviously against each other, and you're in
the middle.  Will is your family, and you're one of us, so--"

"No.  That's where you're wrong."  She struggled to break the Knight's
grip.  "I will -never- be one of you.  Always only thinking about your
stupid cards, and how to take over the world, and pointless
politics... what about the people caught in the middle?  What about
us?  What about the -normal- people?"  She dropped to the ground,
Tetsuya finally loosing her wrist.

He followed, kneeling opposite her.  "Natsu... I wouldn't say you were
normal."

Through the tears flowing unbidden from her eyes, she noticed that she
was emitting a faint glow.  She cursed under her breath.  "I guess I'm
not... I'm just a freak like all of you.  Worse.  At least you don't
murder people."  The blonde stared at the floor, clenching her fists
at her knees.  Stupid glowing powers.  Worthless whenever she needed
them, present whenever she didn't want them to be.  If only...

Hands lightly covered hers.  What was the playboy doing now?  There
couldn't possibly be anything more he could say to hurt her.  She
looked up at him, trying to send all the pain she felt without making
eye contact.  This was easily done, as he avoided her gaze.

"Don't think that..."  His voice was thick with emotion.  "You're not
a freak.  You're strong, intelligent, courageous, with a good heart.
You're -not- 'normal'... you're incredible."

What... what was he trying to do?  Her lips worked at finding a
suitable riposte, while she tried to find the will to wrench away from
where he had clasped her hands.  "Tetsuya," she whispered, confused as
to why she suddenly felt so weak.  Natsu was vaguely aware of glowing
brighter as he drew closer.  "Don't," she mouthed, unable to put any
force behind her words.  "I'm dangerous."

"Natsu..."

Oh God, he was going to--

"Miss Forrester."

In an instant, Natsu was standing, a single fluid motion wiping her
eyes and smoothing her hair.  "Mr. Smith-Date.  You're early."  She
was sure her attorney hadn't planned to meet with her until noon.
Luckily, the only glow she still held was a faint one over her cheeks.

Rustom Cutterson Smith-Date raised an eyebrow at the situation, but
gave it no more acknowledgement.  "Call me Rusty.  We've got a lot to
talk about before proceedings continue.  If you could come with me?"
At a nod, two guards came to escort Natsu to the courthouse.  She
followed, allowing them to pull her from the difficult situation.
Still, Natsu couldn't help but look back to where the Knight of Cups
stood, ignored in the corner.

Giving her a searching look, his eyes begged some response from her.
Seemingly finding nothing, his expression went back to the usual
smiling mask.  "Good luck," Tetsuya called.

She knew she should say something.  She just had nothing to say.

+ + +

"See the news article in today's paper?"  Sergeant Sagara grinned,
tossing the morning paper in the direction of Nakamura's desk.  It
landed face up, after skidding into several other piles of paper and
knocking them to the floor.  His partner gave the beginnings of a
frown at the new mess, but made no significant response.  Sagara
continued, undaunted.  "Proof that the 'Case of a Thousand Loose Ends'
is now wrapped up.  You should get this article framed.  Maybe now you
can get rid of those tarot cards."

"Maybe," Nakamura murmured, idly shuffling through the deck.  He began
randomly pulling cards, letting them flutter to the ground to join the
pile of papers.  Eight of Wands.  World.  Five of Swords.  Knight of
Wands.  Five of Cups.  The High Priestess.  The Fool.  Death.
Nakamura shuddered involuntarily, as he always did when the card
turned up.  Then he paused, fingering the next card.  It seemed to
pull at him, almost begging to be seen.

Sagara knocked the rest of the deck out of his hand.  "What are you
doing?"  His only reply was a dazed look from his partner.  "You're
freaking me out with those things, Nakamura.  Usono's gone, may he
rest in peace.  And let this crazy tarot crap rest too."

"They never found his body," he muttered, rubbing his temples.

Sagara's eyes narrowed.  "It hasn't even been twenty-four hours.  He's
probably downstream somewhere.  You'd do best to forget all of that
stuff."

"Easier said than done, with the continuation of the Forrester girl's
trial.  I'm certain that Usono plays a role in all of that, somehow."

"Nakamura!  Let it go.  It's no longer our problem.  What I need your
help on is this other case."  Sagara quickly moved the conversation to
safer matters.  Sagara really had no idea of Maki's plans for the boy,
if his dive into the river was planned, or even if he was still alive.
His 'niece' had instructed him to pull attention from Usono, so for
his wife's sake, he did what he could.  Still, he'd forgotten how
single-minded Nakamura could be.  Especially about this case, for some
reason.

And the blank look on his face as he'd let the cards drop to the
floor... it was all very wrong, and worried Sagara.  It was like he
was drugged, or in a trance.  Later, when Nakamura wasn't looking, he
grabbed all of the cards and stuffed them in a pocket.  He wouldn't
have his friend get sucked into this too.

+ + +

Chris Forrester wandered the streets of Tokyo.  He rarely woke this
early when he didn't have classes, but with circumstances as they
were, it was hard to sleep, and he had no desire to stick around the
house.  He was worried about Natsu for sure, but didn't know what he
could do.  The judges would have to deem her innocent.  Chris couldn't
even imagine his cousin doing something so brutal.

He heard the whoosh of an automatic door.  Looking up, Chris found his
feet had taken him to the arcade.  Well, he had a couple hundred yen
in his pocket... it would kill a few hours.  He entered, and walked to
the Mystery Club Tournament Deluxe machine.  After playing a couple
games and getting no farther than the third round, he gave up,
deciding to waste his money elsewhere.  As he turned, he noticed the
old man watching from a neighboring machine.

"Something's putting you off your game," he noted.

The blond considered, then decided on a guarded answer.  "My cousin is
in some trouble...  I'm worried about her."

"I see."  Silver brows furrowed as the man stood a moment, gazing at
him.  Finally, he seemed to come to a decision.  "I understand why you
might have trouble concentrating.  However, there seem to be some good
people on your cousin's side.  Hang in there; I'm certain everything
will work out in the end."  He gave a kindly smile and pat on the
shoulder, then left the arcade.

Chris scratched the back of his head, puzzled, then moved his arm to
his shoulder.  It felt slightly warm where the man had touched him.
That was odd.  He didn't remember telling the old man anything about
the trial.  Still, for some reason, he felt a little more at ease.

+ + +

"Hierophant."

Oda opened his eyes, realizing that what he was seeing was not truly
reality.  Everything had a slight glow, like looking through prismatic
glass.  He turned his head, looking for the woman he knew would be
here.  Half a beat later, his field of vision followed, leisurely
rotating to center on an attractive woman in a kimono.  "World," he
thought, rather than said.  "I don't believe you've made an
appointment."

She smiled, a sun rising from behind her.  "You were busy, and a new
development has arisen.  It was more efficient to bring you to me."

So this was what she lived inside her blindfold.  Oda spent a moment
marveling at the shimmery drug-trippiness of it all.  It certainly had
been years since he'd experienced anything similar.  "Fair enough.
What have you to report?"

"We've a new entrant to the game, you might say."  She gestured, and
the scene came into focus.

"Not..."

"No, Judgement is still far off.  But someone unexpected, who happens
to be positioned in alignment with your goals."  Her expression became
more self-satisfied.  "The High Priestess has joined the spread."

"Unbidden?"  World only smiled serenely.  Oda raised an eyebrow.  "How
uncharacteristic.  And I assume she plots against the Magician.
Hanged Man thinks it is too soon, that there is too much attention
around the girl to act."

"Hanged Man is a fool."  World sniffed, tossing a hand through her
hair.  "There are other ways to anger the Warlock."

Oda frowned.  "I was informed that the Warlock had been discarded."

"Has he?" she waved off.  "Forgive my memory.  I didn't mean to
misrepresent."

"To get to the point," Hierophant said, eyes narrow slits.  He did not
approve of the turn World's sentiments seemed to be taking.  "I -do-
need to get back to the party meeting."

"Worry not, Chairman.  No time will have passed once you return.  As
for business, I believe we are finished.  The Magician problem will be
dealt with, ahead of schedule.  End of report."

"Dismiss--"  Before he could finish, she was gone, and he was back in
the middle of the party meeting.  Hierophant withheld a scowl.  -He-
was the leader of their little band, and if World was trying to
undermine his authority...  His alliance could work just as well with
one person less.

+ + +

"What were you doing back there?"

Natsu turned at the question, not wanting to face Rusty for her
answer.  Besides, it really wasn't any of his business, and she told
him so.

"Actually, until this trial is over, everything you've ever done is my
business."  The man's usually ruggedly attractive face sported a
scowl.  "I don't necessarily care about what you do with that boy.  I
meant what was up with your testimony yesterday?"

The girl sighed, embittered.  "Look.  I answered the questions they
asked me.  I'm sorry if I don't have a lot of practice being a
criminal on the stand."

Rusty gave her a hard look.  "Let me ask you a question.  Answer this
completely honestly.  Did you kill that girl?"

"I told you: I don't remember.  I woke up and I was covered in her
blood.  What else do you want from me?"

"I want the truth."  He grabbed her arm, turning her towards him.
"Look here, Paradox.  I'm sick of your crap.  I don't lose cases.  I'm
here as a favor, and I won't have your bullshitting bring me down."

Paradox?  Natsu's eyes were wide as saucers.  Who had told...

"Surprised I know about you and your Arcana friends?"  His expression
would have been a smirk, were he not so angry.  "I know a lot of
things.  But what I need to know is what really happened that night
with you and Natsumi.  Or else you're going to jail for a very long
time."

+ + +

No one had noticed his absence the whole day.  No one at all.

Pure luck?  That was possible.  But for some reason, Joker would have
felt better if he knew Maki was tearing apart the place looking for
him.  Ishido quite liked knowing what she was up to.  Instead, he had
been alone since exiting the dream of the Firefly and her friend.
Granted, the Kurayami residence was a large place, but it seemed like
hours since he'd noticed anyone at all, much less anyone searching for
him.

Forgoing any attempt at stealth, Joker walked up to a large picture
window, peering at the raging storm outside.  The rain was oddly
quiet, despite crashing against the windows like that.  "Something
isn't right here," the boy announced, listening to the hollow,
familiar echo of his voice around the room.  A field.  He'd been a
fool to just walk into it.  Or maybe just The Fool, in which case he
wouldn't worry about it.  Now, to find his new playmate.

"Olly olly oxen free!" he shouted mirthfully.  "I know you're there; I
know there's a field.  Let's just cut to the part where we try to kill
each other, ne?"  The Fool wandered trippingly growing circles around
the room, fingering the silver knife that through a great stroke of
luck hadn't been removed from his pocket.  "Maki-chan!  Atsuko-kun!
No?  Is it maybe little Hanako?  You should know by now that I don't
like to kill children, though I'm not above a little heavy torture."

He paused, having reached the other side of the room without incident.
Then, a cool breeze and a whispering sigh behind him... through him...
Joker's blade flew straight and true through the place the sigh came
from.  "Get the jump on m--"

The boy was answered with a sharp elbow strike at the base of his
neck.  He crumpled to the ground, somehow finding the strength to turn
and look up.

"You're slow," the voice/sigh said.  It belonged to a massive being,
larger even than the Knight of Wands.  Wrapped in a formless black
cloak, it was completely androgynous.  He could see no face, but
nevertheless got the impression it was staid and impassive.  "Your
usefulness to the Spread has come to an end, Fool."  It advanced,
positioning a booted foot firmly on the wound on his leg.

"The Fool has more uses than you could possibly understand."  Any
further banter was cut off by the searing pain lancing through his
leg.  The being had stepped on it so hard, he was surprised it wasn't
split into two.  The blood stains on his uniform were going to take
forever to remove.  How inconvenient.  "Looks like our fearless hero
is in trouble," he gasped.  "Does Death visit me already?"

"Death?"  An amused countenance.  "No.  Not for you.  Later, delivered
as a present for the Magician, perhaps."

Ishido's eyes widened.  Firefly.  "You're the High Priestess."

The stomp this time was to the solar plexus, bruising some ribs along
the way.  From his position beneath the figure, Ishido could see a
faint bemused grin on the being's pale face.  It crouched beside him,
tenderly caressing Ishido's cheek.  "I don't think I like the
Magician, but I do like her toys.  Why don't you come be my playmate?
I'm sure there's lots of things we could talk about."

Then it was in his mind.

Then all was black.

+ + +

"Ready?"

Not yet.  He was still talking in the schoolyard.  Foolish child.
Laughing and carrying on so, he looked nothing less than a giant
sapphire-eyed golem.  Why did he have so many friends?  It was messing
up the schedule.

"Quite impatient today."  A chuckle.

Please.  This was more important than most of the actions performed to
date.  Laughter was inappropriate.

"Okay, okay.  Don't let me ever get on your bad side."

That -would- be unfortunate--  Ah, -finally-.  He was leaving.
Walking.  He doesn't notice the tail.  Soon... very soon...

"Now."

Follow down the side street.  Relatively empty.  Go.

A squeal of tires.  A clipped shout.  A satisfying crunch.

Sirens will soon come.  Hopefully too late.

Escape.  Finished.  Success.

Will smiled, pulling into the Forresters' driveway.  "Good job, girl."

Victory purred.  Revenge was sweet.

+ + +

tbc.

+ + +

Cards:

Eight of Wands - putting plans into action
Five of Swords - Self-interest, discord, open dishonor
Five of Cups - loss, defeat
Death - being in the path of sweeping change
others - people

Notes:

Hmm... forgot about Hanako and Maki... ^____^;

World and Hierophant aren't cards that necessarily go together, so I
thought it might be interesting to have some conflict between the two.
High Priestess is a card signifying passivity, among other things, so
that's why Oda questions his entrance.

High Priestess (Priest?) directly opposes Magician in the deck, so...
Plus, since Magician is an overtly masculine card, I thought it would
be interesting for HP to be against her gender as well.

Questions?  Comments?  ee970@hotmail.com.

Thanks to NinjaDebugger and Glenn for prereading.

Now.  Let me collapse.

eme 6.6.01