The moment she arrived at her room, Setsura collapsed on the bed and closed her eyes.
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Tokyo 2019
The first thing she noticed was the smell of smoke. The black scent was mixed with the obnoxious rings of a never-ending bell. And was it just her, or was it really hot? It was almost as if- right at that moment, something hot exploded near her face. Setsura jerked awake in pain and screamed when she saw it was flames. Where did Shinji go? The two of them entered the clock tower together, but then -- then what? Setsura struggled to remain sane as the pain dulled her sentence. Setsura however didn't have time to think of this as coughs passed her lips.
'Did she inhale too much smoke?' After coughing for a few minutes, Setsura calmed down and observed her situation. Needless to say, it was very, very grave.
The entire hall were covered with a storm of glowing red, orange and yellow flames. The objects and items in the tower were all slowly being burned. She was laying down in the middle of a large cage. What a great situation this is, the door to the cage was of course locked.
"So... this is how it ends, eh?" Setsura chuckled, weakly. At least Shinji got out safely, if Shinji isn't here with her then he must be outside
Her entire body was covered in sweat, but she still tried to crawl over to the edge of the cage. She used her right hand to cover the burned flesh of her left, thinking it would help ease the pain. She somehow managed to get over and extended her hand out towards a small gap in the cage. It was not large enough for her to get through, but she could clearly see the outside.
Setsura coughs increased. The higher she was, the more the air was poisoned with smoke. She quickly felt the oxygen in the air depleting.
Already feeling the oxygen around her depleting, she pulled her right hand back, despite her weak strength she managed to smash the windows.
Glass shards exploded, her fist burning alive with agony. Thankfully though, the smoke was starting to flow out the newly created opening, allowing her a few more minutes to live. She leaned against the cage and tugged at her uniform. It was so damn hot.
"I just had to be on the second floor, didn't I?" she muttered to herself, as the sweat on her face face poured down rapidly. The fire was getting closer to her, she could even reach out to it with her own fingertips. She relaxed against the wall and closed her eyes. Might as well go out in a comfortable position.
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Present Day
Setsura bolted up in bed when she hears the sound of people rushing about. She rubbed her sleepy eyes, and stood up. She was about to make her way over to the door, when somebody pulled her into their arms. "Akito?"
"It's time for us to swiftly make our exit. If I don't keep you safe, someone might get mad at me. This way please," Akito turned to the window.
"Wait a minute, Akito!"
"Don't speak. They will hear you," with those words said Akito carried her and they jumped down from the window.
"Wait?!!"
Setsura didn't get a chance to say anymore, since Akito increased his speed. If he was just running and carrying her so be it. But he wasn't running, on the streets, but on the wall. The streets were full of people. It'd be hard to run fast there, but no one could imagine someone running on the wall. And she was just a normal person. Sure ever since she was younger, she saw these supernatural like things.
Akito ran on walls. He didn't stop even when he met a set of stairs, or a group of people. He just ran around it, rushing all the way to the front of the door. Setsura sweat fell, she didn't know what to think of this situation at all. Then again, this man has been doing the unpredictable since they first met.
The first thing Setsura discovers about the Meiji era other than the different language and clothes is how crowded it is. Setsura already assumed, that there would be more people around than she was used to, but she never expected anything like this, a sea of bobbing heads, eyes and limbs and voices everywhere he looks. People carrying around weapons like normal, old vechiles like rickshaws - and old train lines. It was truly a different sight for her. But at the same time it reminded her of modern day TOKYO, it was busy just like this. Clustered and crowded. Yet it's different here, perhaps it is the atmosphere about the place?
On her third day here, she came across a river in the forest. It's much larger and darker than the faded illustrations from the books she read. Setsura remembered how she felt when she saw that river and huge cherry blossom trees, the place surrounded by flowers. Her chest tightened at the thought. She had to resist reaching out for a pen, a brush, anything. Setsura knew she couldn't bring anything back, and it would be stupid to leave a trace of her behind.
Akito must have figured something out too, otherwise he wouldn't give her plain clothes. Clothes that conceal her. Though Setsura always felt that there was no need for that.
"Where exactly are we going?" Setsura asked, once she was sure they were further away.
Akito smiled, "I just want to bring you to meet my friend."
Setsura looked at him dumbfounded, is this really the time for this? "If those people find out we are gone, won't we get in trouble?"
"That is true, you should do your best to keep quiet then." At that comment, a deep sigh escaped her lips. Of course he would say something like that. Setsura already figured out how careless he was. Then again, she supposes she ought to be used to it by now.
Still, his friend huh? "You actually have some?"
Akito looked hurt at her comment, "Now, now what kind of person do you think I am?"
"That kind of person. Say, why is everybody rushing about?"
"Because another murder happened."
Her eyes widened, "We should go back."
"It's fine, there are police there for a reason."
"Then what is that strange light?" Setsura thought it was just her imagination. But when she was observing the scenery, she saw in a clock tower not too far from them was a bright light.
Akito raised his eyebrows, "Light?"
"Eh?" Setsura looked over at the flock of birds again. Yes, there was a strange light around the birds. The birds flew around in circles, some crashing into each other. The light seemed to be preventing it from leaving. "Isn't the light there?" Setsura pointed.
"I don't see anything."
Setsura studied his expression, he didn't seem to be lying. Then, "How come......" Setsura trailed off she saw it. Was it just her imagination?
For a split second, Setsura doubted what she saw but the reality of what she saw remained there. She didn't think she had gone insane. Then what was happening here must be real. Setsura looked over - sure enough it was still there.
*UNEDITED*