The Trials Of Time (ch5)

EALRY RELEASE FOR ALL MY PATRONS!!

I assume the warnings turned a lot of people away, but I'm thankful to the people who are willing to give it a chance. I poured a lot of effort into this story both in writing and editing.

Disclaimer: I do not own Shoujo Kageki Revue Starlight.

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							Chapter 5. Stage Of Shadows

Maya wakes groggily the next morning, her mind still feeling as though it's stuffed with too many thoughts and images she'd rather not consider. But the second she remembers where she is and who she is with, she pushes herself up onto her elbows in an instant to peer down at her partner.

Claudine is still deeply asleep, which would have made Maya feel better if not for how flushed her face is. When Maya reaches out to touch her forehead, she finds Claudine's skin still feverish.

Biting her lip, Maya checks the clock. She has about half an hour until she'll have to start getting ready for class, but she already knows for a fact she won't be letting Claudine come today.

On one hand, she wants to let her sleep as much as possible. But on the other, she hasn't seen Claudine open her eyes in far too long, and she's starting to become worried.

She lets a few more minutes tick by, and spends them by petting through Claudine's wavy hair, rubbing her shoulders lightly, and peppering tiny kisses across her hairline. She lowers herself down again and slowly nestles her face against Claudine's neck to listen to her pulse, which she finds to be rather quick. Maya gives her a little squeeze around her waist.

"Oh, Saijou-san…"

She'd done everything for her friends - so that all of them wouldn't be so weak and sick and exhausted for the upcoming play. In Claudine's mind, she would have rather been the only one to suffer and sit the performance out if it could mean the rest of them would be able to continue.

But Maya would rather all of them had taken on a bit of the burden to lessen the weight on everyone, rather than let just one person try to shoulder it all on their own.

With a sigh, Maya finally eases herself back and gives Claudine's shoulder a gentle shake.

"Saijou-san?"

She hates to have to wake her, but Maya wants to check on her before she heads off for class.

Claudine moans in the back of her throat, and Maya might've thought the sounds she's making were cute if they didn't sound so meek. Her eyes flutter a little bit, and it's as though she can't even keep them open all the way. She flinches at some unseen pain and inhales a sharp breath.

"It's all right," Maya soothes her. "Take your time." She strokes her hand up and down Claudine's side gently, tucking locks of her hair behind her ear. She has to admit she's relieved Claudine has even found the strength to rouse herself at all.

After a moment of trying to adjust to the world around her, Claudine finally looks up to her. Maya's heart hurts to see only pain and enervation in her gaze, and when she speaks, her voice is cracked and hoarse.

"Tendo Maya…"

"The one and only," Maya says sweetly. "Perhaps this is a silly question of me to ask, but how are you feeling?"

Claudine heaves a sigh, and even that seems to pain her.

"Not that great…"

Maya nods sadly.

"I expected as much. I'm sorry to say you won't be coming to classes today, Saijou-san. You must stay here and rest."

And she can see the protest forming in Claudine's eyes, but it never gets to her lips. She just sighs again and accepts her fate.

"I suppose…"

She tapers off for a moment, and Maya can see her eyes glaze over, no doubt as memories of last night come rushing back to her. Maya keeps her hand on Claudine's shoulder to help ground her in the present reality so she doesn't get sucked back into the more hurtful thoughts.

After a moment, Claudine swallows thickly and looks back up to her.

"So… last night-"

"All of that is over and done with," Maya says kindly. "You won't have to go back to that stage to fight any longer. None of us will. Not when the Korosu are so dangerous like this."

She recalls now that Claudine hadn't been conscious when Elle had disclosed her theory about the Korosu being able to possess and influence the girls' actions, so Maya briefly explains that to her now.

"They took control of you," she says. "They forced you to keep going there to fight them… in hopes that you might exhaust yourself to the point where- ...you would no longer be able to stand onstage… ever again…"

Her heart clenches even just to embellish it like that.

Claudine listens quietly and seems to understand her meaning perfectly. She lowers her gaze to the blankets.

"I… I had no idea…"

Maya hears her voice begin to waver, so she gingerly pulls Claudine into her arms, wrapping her in a soft embrace. Claudine's fingers are still so weak and numbed she can barely make purchase in return.

"And here I was… trying to avoid causing trouble for all of you… and yet that's all I ended up accomplishing anyway."

"Nonsense," Maya murmurs against her hair. "You spared us so many nights of worry and stress, and took it all upon yourself instead, without asking for anything. Even if the Korosu possessed you to keep fighting to such a degree, it all began with your intent to protect the rest of us." Maya gives her a gentle squeeze. "We cannot ever possibly thank you enough, Claudine. But we do not ever wish to see such a terrifying sight again…"

In spite of how much pain Maya knows she must be in, she feels Claudine do her best to hug her in return.

"I'm sorry… I was being selfish again… Like you said, even if the Korosu did take hold of me, it was still my own intent that put me in such a state where they would be able to control me…"

"Please do not blame yourself." Maya runs her hands up and down her back, cradling her head. "I've no doubt that your selfless actions were able to provide us all with some much-needed rest and peace of mind in the upcoming days of our performance. Had we all been made to fight every night, perhaps none of us would have been in any condition to act this Friday."

"You say that… as if you think I'll be sitting out," Claudine grunts. "I have no intentions of missing this performance."

"I am sure you don't," Maya soothes. "But your health comes first and foremost. I seem to recall you telling me the same thing several times in the past, so you'd do well to heed your own advice this time."

She hears something muttered in French that she can't quite decipher, then gives Claudine another little squeeze.

"Let us see how you fair after a day of rest from classes, shall we? At the very least, we must wait until your fever has gone down." Maya eases back from her to meet her eyes again. "Do not worry. I shall stay here with you today and-"

"Wrong," Claudine says curtly. "You're going to class. We can't have both of us missing practices just three days before the play. And especially not you, Miss Top Student."

Maya frowns.

"But-"

"I won't hear it," Claudine growls. "You and everyone else have to keep training properly. I'll stay here and rest so I can join you tomorrow. Doesn't that sound best?"

Maya hesitates.

"But, considering your condition, I would feel much better if-"

"And I would feel much better-" Claudine cuts her off. "To know that all of you were still working hard in my absence so that you can catch me up tomorrow when I'm back." She gives Maya a stern stare, one even Maya falters from. She feels Claudine place her hand over hers softly. "All I'm going to do today is sleep, Maya. I don't need anyone to babysit me. I'll be fine."

Maya slowly turns her hand over beneath hers and laces their fingers together.

"You must know by now… that I am a bit suspicious of you when you tell me that you're fine…"

Claudine sighs.

"I suppose so. But I'm telling the honest truth. I'm not going anywhere. I'm not sure I could even if I wanted to…"

Maya's brow furrows.

"You're in that much pain…?"

Claudine turns her face into her pillow.

"Honestly? It feels like I got hit by a train…"

"Then I absolutely cannot leave your side today, Saijou-san."

"Mechante va, did you even listen to a word I've said?" Claudine lifts her face up again and glares at her. "Fine. Maybe help me to breakfast and back, but then you're going to class, Tendo Maya! If both of us miss school so close to the performance, everyone will start to worry!"

Maya bites her lip again. Claudine makes a good point, and if she really is just going to stay in bed all day, perhaps Maya can live with visiting her at lunch and just coming right back to her at the end of the day. She exhales slowly, and finally relents.

"Very well. But you must message me if you need anything, Claudine. I will not agree to the terms unless you concede to this."

"Fine," Claudine says. "I'll text you if I need anything."

"Thank you."

"Idiot… I should be saying that…"

With all of this figured out now, Maya finally sits herself up. Claudine tries to do the same, but her arms are shaking so much she collapses right back onto her pillow. So Maya gently loops her arms beneath Claudine's, bracing her weight as she slowly lifts her up.

She helps her out of bed, and essentially has to let Claudine lean all of her weight onto her as they head for the door. She can hear Claudine whimpering with just about every step, and feel her shaking all over. Maya pauses them before long.

"Perhaps you should stay in bed," she murmurs. "I can bring your breakfast to you."

"Oh?" Claudine grunts. "And will you use the bathroom for me as well? I've got to at least move around a little bit, or else I'll become one of Mahiru's potatoes."

Maya can't argue with her on that notion. So she gradually helps Claudine out the door and into the hallway.

A few of their other classmates spot them and worriedly ask what's wrong. All Maya tells them is that Claudine has a bad fever and that she won't be in classes today.

It really is a struggle for her just to walk, though. Maya knows Claudine's pride won't allow her to ask her to stop or slow down, so Maya takes it upon herself to pause every few steps to let her adjust. Taking just a couples of steps leaves her partner breathless and shaking, and Maya can feel a strong heat pulsing off of her.

By the time they near the lounge, Maya can hear their friends' voices. She pauses with Claudine in the doorway and lets her catch her breath.

Everyone is still in their sleep clothes at the moment, with Nana and Junna in the kitchen area, and the other five on their usual couches, with Futaba and Mahiru respectively brushing Kaoruko's and Hikari's hair. Maya calls out a soft greeting.

"Good morning, everyone."

They all pause in their conversations and tasks to look back, and gasp when they realize Maya isn't alone.

"Maya-chan! Kuro-chan, too!"

"Saijou-san! Are you okay?"

"Kuro-chaaaan!"

Karen pops up from her spot on the couch and opens her arms, very clearly intending to run to Claudine and hug her. But both Hikari and Mahiru grab each of her sleeves to stop her.

"Bakaren, wait-"

"Kuro-chan's hurt!"

By now, Nana leaves the food to her roommate and hurries over to help Maya support Claudine. Futaba and Kaoruko make room for them on the couch, and gradually they help her sit down.

Claudine hates how pathetic she feels from getting so worn out just from walking here. But every inch of her stings terribly, and the fever only amplifies it all.

Nana and Maya stay on either side of her to help. Nana puts a hand to Claudine's forehead and withdraws with a shriek.

"K-Kuro-chan! You're burning up! You can't go to school like this!"

"I'm not," Claudine sighs. "Tendo Maya already gave me that lecture, so don't worry."

"That's good to hear," Kaoruko says, peeking over Nana's shoulder. "You look awful."

"Geez, Kaoruko, could you be a little more sensitive maybe?" Futaba chops her atop the head.

"Maybe we should bring you to the nurse," Junna suggests, walking over to place a tray of fruits onto the coffee table for everyone. "Just to have someone look after you today."

"What's the point of that?" Claudine sighs. "She'll just tell me to sleep and that's what I'm going to do anyway. Besides, how would I explain this pain to her? I can't exactly tell her Korosu did it, now can I?"

Mahiru twiddles her fingers from across the table.

"B-But… Wouldn't it be best to have someone stay with you? Just to be safe?"

"I think so, too," Nana says. "Your fever seems really bad. I'm worried, Kuro-chan…"

"As am I," Maya agrees.

Claudine flashes her a glare that chides her, since they'd already discussed this in private. She heaves another sigh.

"I appreciate your concern, everyone. But trust me, I'll feel much better to know you're all taking care of things for the play while I'm out. We all worked so hard for this. I don't want it to get ruined because of me."

"Ruined?!" Karen yelps. "If anything, you saved the play, Kuro-chan! You did all of that on your own so that the rest of us could still perform! And now you might not get to perform!"

"Karen-chan, lower your voice," Mahiru frets.

"Ah! S-Sorry…"

"I agree though," Hikari says. "It's thanks to Saijou-san that the rest of us can keep going to class now and prepare for Friday."

Maya doesn't miss the bashful little sound Claudine makes as a blush comes across her cheeks, though it's hard to discern from the fever. She could clearly handle it earlier hearing it from just Maya, but to be hearing it from the rest of them now is really doing her in.

Maya gives her a few pats on the back. Claudine pouts a little bit at her before sweeping her gaze around to all the rest of them.

"Everyone, you'd better work hard in my absence…"

"Yes!"

"We will!"

"Of course!"

"Just get better, Kuro-chan!" Nana smiles. "Don't worry about anything else! Leave it to us!"

So the nine of them gather around to begin taking plates for their fruits, toast, and muffins. Maya is glad to see Claudine trying to eat something, but her stomach must still be in pain, because it takes her a long time to just get through a single apple, even after Nana has sliced it up for her in bunny pieces.

No one mentions the Korosu or that stage anymore, and instead they only talk about their upcoming performance to get themselves hyped up.

When they've finished eating, everyone heads off to the restrooms to freshen up or change in their rooms. Maya takes Claudine back to her bedroom first and helps her to her personal bathroom there. Claudine stiffly cleans herself up as best she can, using a wash cloth to wipe the sweat from her face, neck, and stomach. She brushes her teeth, but even just the repetitive up-and-down movements make her arm sore within seconds. Moving any and every way to any and every extent hurts something, but at the very least she can tell she's getting used to the pain.

As she waits, Maya heads back to the lounge to grab three cold bottles of water from the fridge and bring them back to place on Claudine's night stand. She waits for her on the other side of the bathroom door, and as soon as Claudine is finished, she helps her back to bed. Maya lays her down and just pulls the blankets up to her stomach so she won't get too hot, then retrieves a clean wash rag to dampen and lie across her forehead. Claudine heaves a long sigh and pouts up at the pink canopy above her bed.

"You haven't even gotten dressed yet," she mumbles. "You're going to be late."

"That's fine."

"No, it isn't."

Maya reaches out to adjust the cloth on her partner's forehead when it becomes askew.

"Are you certain you'll be all right, Saijou-san?"

"Like I said, I'm just going to sleep. So yes, I'll be fine."

"And please don't forget-"

"Yes, I know. My phone is right there, so I'll text you if I need anything."

Maya nods. "And if you must, you can always call or email the dormitory nurse."

Claudine huffs. "Don't you think I know that?"

"Of course." Maya twirls her fingers around a lock of Claudine's hair before letting it fall onto her shoulder. "I shall be back to visit you at lunchtime. I'll bring you something to help build your strength back up."

"Yes, you've told me," Claudine sighs. "Now go! You're going to be late, Tendo Maya!"

Maya can't help but smile, though she is still plenty worried about her.

"All right. Then I shall see you in a few hours, Saijou-san. Please get some rest."

"I will as soon as you leave." She grumbles the words, but her eyes are tiredly playful.

With a dip of her head, Maya finally takes her leave, turning off the lights before closing the door behind herself. She heads back to her own room to get changed and ready for the day, then finally heads off to school.

Once there, she explains to her teachers that Claudine had caught a sudden fever due to sleeping with her bedroom window open last night, and does her best to sound confident that she'll be back by tomorrow. It causes a bit of worry to know one of their lead actresses has fallen ill, but they have an understudy ready just in case.

As promised, as soon as lunchtime arrives, Maya heads back to the dorms, though not without first being given a dozen little candies and sweets to deliver to Claudine from the rest of their friends. Maya makes the walk by herself, munching on her own baumkuchen as she goes.

When she does finally make it back to Claudine's room, she finds her still in a deep sleep. Maya enters quietly and puts everything down on the night stand as she sits on the edge of Claudine's bed.

Claudine is curled up on her side, the wash rag having slipped off onto her pillow. Maya picks it up and feels all the heat it had absorbed from her skin. She brings it to the bathroom to clean it off and wet it again with cool water, then returns to Claudine. Gently, she dabs the cloth over her forehead and across her cheek, then down her neck and to her collar.

Maya considers just leaving Claudine her food and returning to school without waking her. But just before she can decide to get up, she hears a little moan from her - it almost sounds distressed. Maya pauses, resting her hand on Claudine's shoulder.

"Saijou-san…?" She gives her a little shake as a thorn of concern pricks her chest. Claudine moans again and mumbles something Maya doesn't comprehend. She gives her another nudge. "Saijou-san…?"

To her relief, Claudine opens her eyes a moment layer and blinks herself awake.

"A dream…?"

The smile Maya had been ready to show her fades away into a frown in a split second.

"Saijou-san? Are you all right? Did you have a nightmare?"

Slowly, Claudine turns over to lie on her back and look up at her hazily.

"Maya…"

Maya finally smiles.

"Yes. It's lunchtime. I came to see you, as promised. I've brought you some food."

With a grunt of effort, Claudine tries to push herself up, and Maya quickly leans in to help her. She props up the pillows and leans her back carefully, once again picking up the cloth to clean the sweat from her face.

"Do you feel any better?" she wonders. "You fever seems to have gone down just a little, I'd say."

"I think so, too," Claudine agrees.

"That's good." Maya lays her hand over Claudine's and gingerly turns it over. She presses two fingers over Claudine's wrist to take her pulse for a moment. "Still a bit fast," she reports. "But better than this morning. So long as you continue to rest, hopefully you really can return to classes tomorrow."

Claudine nods, but doesn't say anything. She takes a bottle of water from her nightstand and drinks half of it in one go. Maya picks up the container of food she'd brought along, as well as some napkins and places them into Claudine's lap for her.

"Saijou-san, what was your dream about?" she asks gently. "Was it something unpleasant? I will gladly listen, if you'd like to discuss it."

Claudine picks up her chop sticks and takes a bite from one of her dumplings, shaking her head.

"Not exactly," she swallows. "I… was back there."

Maya stiffens.

"Back… at that stage…?"

Claudine nods.

"I think it was just a dream. I don't think I was really brought there. But from what I could see, there are no more Korosu. They're gone, at least for now."

Maya lets out her breath in a sigh of relief.

"Thank goodness. That's good to hear. Let us hope that is actually the case."

She picks up her own food and begins to eat with her, presenting the little snacks from all of their friends one by one as well. Claudine still seems very tired, but when she smiles it makes Maya's heart dance.

They eat together, and Maya helps her to the bathroom again, though she can already feel for herself that Claudine's sense of equilibrium is gradually returning to her. It's clear her muscles are still aching though, so Maya helps all she can.

She stays with her for the remainder of the lunch block, then takes her leave and heads back to school, where she reports the positive news of Claudine's improvements to their friends.

Maya works hard in all her afternoon lectures and dance lessons as they start doing some final rehearsals for the play, working with Claudine's understudy for now. When classes end, Maya and the others stay a little longer before heading back to the dorms, where Nana suggests they all bake some cookies to share with Claudine.

It's an eventful afternoon, and when Maya finally goes to fetch Claudine and bring her to the others, everyone cheers and surprises her with the cookies they made together. Claudine actually gets a little teary-eyed, which makes everyone squeal and come take turns sitting next to her to give her hugs.

Finally, they're able to enjoy their calm, peaceful evenings together once again.

They fill Claudine in on the work she'd missed today, complete their homework for the night, have dinner together, go to the showers, and finally get ready for bed.

Claudine is glad to shower and change into a fresh nightgown, and she doesn't stumble or stagger this time. Even so, Maya keeps an arm around her as she leads her back to her room for the night. She checks Claudine's temperature and her pulse one more time, satisfied that she's mostly better already as she sits beside her on the bed.

"You should be back in classes tomorrow, if you're feeling up to it," Maya diagnoses.

Claudine throws her head back in a dramatic sigh of relief.

"Dieu merci! I feel I'll go crazy if I have to go another day without dancing or singing even a little bit."

"You did a wonderful job just staying here and recovering today," Maya praises her. "Now you can come back to us in time for the play." She checks the time, then slowly gets up from the bed. "I should let you get plenty more rest tonight, and I shall come collect you in the morning if you're feeling up to it, all right?"

"Oui," Claudine nods, looking a bit bashfully sideways. "Merci, Tendo Maya. No doubt I wouldn't have recovered quite as quickly if you hadn't come to look after me like you did."

"It was my pleasure," Maya says with a bow. She offers out her hand, and Claudine places hers into it. Maya brings it to her lips and kisses the backs of her knuckles. "Sleep well, Saijou-san. And as you know, I am only a few doors or a text message away, should you need me."

"Yes, yes," Claudine says, pulling her hand back. "Go on, then. Bonne nuit."

"Goodnight, Saijou Claudine."

With one last smile at her partner, Maya takes her leave and closes the door behind her. She retreats to her own room and ensures her phone volume is up in case Claudine should text her.

Maya turns off the light and lies down, finally feeling at ease in the hope that her partner will be back on her feet by tomorrow, and that all of them will get to perform their play together as intended.

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The next morning, Maya wakes early and hurries to Claudine's room to find her already sitting up in bed all on her own, stretching out her arms.

And though Claudine's first reaction is to scold her for coming in unannounced, she opens her arms nonetheless, and Maya wraps her up in a warm hug. Her fever is gone now, and though she's still moving a bit stiffly, she can get up and move by herself.

Relieved beyond words, Maya leaves her for the morning to get changed and ready before joining her on their walk to the lounge. When everyone else sees that Claudine is on her own two feet, they take turns welcoming her back, while Karen, Nana, Futaba, and even Mahiru give her hugs.

And so all nine of them head to school together today with a new kind of energy bubbling around the group.

Claudine works hard to make up for all she missed yesterday, and even though she's still a little sore, no one could really tell as much by how flawlessly she moves during dance lessons. Only Maya can really notice the slight difference in her balance, due to being her partner.

But she isn't assaulted by any dizzy spells, nor does she flinch or gasp in pain when she moves anymore.

Seeing her recovered now puts Maya on her best game as well, and overall everyone has a very successful day.

And before they know it, Friday has arrived, and by the afternoon everyone is excitedly preparing for the performance. The audience fills up, and all nine of Class A's lead actresses are able to play their intended roles.

All in all, it goes even better than any of them had hoped for.

Everyone shines onstage, their voices carry out beautifully, their radiance beneath the spotlights amplified by their colorful outfits. They all gives their best performance possible, and the play is a major success.

The applause at the end extends for several long minutes as the girls take their collective bow.

When the audience begins to file out, all of their instructors give the girls the highest praises.

Maya turns to Claudine with open arms for a congratulatory hug, and though she huffs and rolls her eyes, Claudine accepts. And then suddenly all nine of them are squeezing together in a giant group hug, laughing all the while.

When all is said and done, they return to the dorms to shower, change, and celebrate, falling asleep together in various spots in the lounge.

Maya is the last one to fall asleep this time. She lies herself down on her side facing Claudine, having to move close to her in order for them both to be able to fit on the couch, along with Futaba and Kaoruko on the other end.

Maya uses the lack of space as an excuse to pull Claudine into her chest and hold her close. She smiles as she finally closes her eyes, that bubbly, happy, accomplished atmosphere surrounding her and making her chest feel so, so warm...

It's only after she closes her eyes and settles in when she hears the distant sounds of hissing in the back of her head.

And by then it's too late to open her eyes again.

Instead, she is drawn quickly and quietly onto a stage of shadows...

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A/N: You didn't think we were finished yet, did you? This concludes Part 1, but Part 2 will be starting next week! Stay tuned...