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Dreams of an Absolution	By : DeusExProcella Category: +M through R > PowerPuff Girls Views: 9670 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I don't own the Powerpuff Girls or any related characters. All characters exclusive to this story do belong to me. I make no money from these writings.

Chapter List
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"When all that's left to do
Is reflect on what's been done
This is where sadness breathes
The sadness of everyone"
Dam at Otter Creek (Live "Throwing Copper")

Dreams of an Absolution
Chapter 31
There were tears and smiles abound, as we stood outside security in the Townsville International Airport. I glanced over my shoulder at Baku, who looked bored with the whole ordeal. I smiled sheepishly and threw a quick wave in his direction. He rolled his eyes, but smiled.
"Now are you sure you packed everything?"
"Yes, Professor, I'm sure,"
He'd asked me six times already, but I can't blame him. Not only was this the first time I'd be traveling outside of work-related reasons. It was also...
"You don't have to go, Blossom. You can just stay home and relax. I'll make sure no one bothers you!"
It was the first time we were going to be apart. Well, the first time we were going to be apart since the incident. And this time, it was a mutually understood situation. My breath caught in my throat. I turned to my over-protective sister. The look on her face was so hopeful; she was begging me to stay.
"Buttercup...no, I have to get away from here. It's only going to be for a week, okay? Then I'll be back. And hey! When I come back, my suspension should be over, right?"
"That is correct, upon your return, you are free to resume aiding your sisters in crime-fighting,"
"I just...don't like you going away..."
There it was. I think, somewhere deep down I knew that was the reason. But actually hearing her say it and seeing the tears forming in the corners of her eyes hit me harder than I expected. I choked down the lump in my throat and wiped my eyes as subtly as I could manage.
"...Buttercup, I'm going to come home. I promise,"
"You mean that, Blossom?"
I turned to face my other sister. Unlike the two of us, there were no tears in her eyes. I knew I'd underestimated her in the past. But, now...the look on her face was so familiar. It was the same she'd worn after meeting Baku. The same she'd worn that night, when I came in from the storm. That concerned little stare that...somehow made me feel at ease. I felt at ease, because I know she believed me.
"Yes, Bubbles...I promise, I'll be home before you know it,"
"Okay, I hope you have fun!"
"Yeah..."
"Hm?"
Buttercup suddenly grabbed me in a tight hug. I noticed a tear leaking down her cheek and felt the same sting in my own eyes. I quickly wrapped my arms around her and held her as tight as I could. I think it was finally setting it. We were going to be apart for an entire week. And I...I...
"I'll miss you, Red,"
"...I'll miss you too,"
XxXxX
The plane jerked slightly, stirring Blossom from her daydream. She rubbed her tired eyes and yawned loudly, quickly covering her mouth when she heard her companion start laughing. She turned and glared at Baku, who only snickered and turned to look out the window again. Still sleepy, Blossom blinked and glared at him, she wondered just why she'd given him the window seat. If she remembered right, she'd asked for it.
"Enjoy your, what was that, the third nap you've taken?" Baku teased, grinning again. Blossom rubbed her eyes and looked around in a daze. Well, they were definitely still on the plane.
She yawned and stretched, "How long have we been flying?"
Baku glanced toward the ceiling and shrugged, "Probably four hours? You keep coming in and out. That tired, huh?" Blossom nodded. They still had ten hours left on the flight?
"I guess so, there's just nothing else to do. What are you doing? To pass the time, I mean," Blossom asked. Baku leaned closer, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. She purred happily when he kissed the top of her head.
"Mostly watching you," he whispered. Blossom blushed and giggled nervously.
"Isn't that a bit creepy?" she pointed out.
Baku shrugged and kissed her again, "Well, maybe, but it's what I normally do. Watching you sleep, creepy or not, is one of Aku's dearest pass times,"
Blossom turned several shades of red before being able to look Baku in the eye. Just as she turned her head up, he caught her lips in a rough kiss. After a tense moment, Blossom broke the kiss, breathless, and blushing still.
"Really? You...watch me sleep?"
"I do...there is not much else to do with my time," he explained. Blossom laughed and shook her head, causing her hair to fall over her face, to hide her further embarrassment.
"I can't decide if I'm flattered or not...it can't be that exciting..." she muttered.
Baku laughed, "Actually you're adorable when you're asleep!" That didn't help her embarrassment, but it did cause her heart to flutter.
"Really?"
"Yeah..." he sighed and smiled, leaning forward with his chin in his hands, "Your hair falling everywhere, your soft little snores..." Blossom was getting giddy, the grin on her face almost painful, "The way you drool," And that ruined the mood.
"What?!" she exclaimed. Baku sat up. He raised an eyebrow in confusion.
"You didn't know? You drool sometimes when you're sleeping. But usually only when you're really, really tired," he explained. Blossom stared at him with her eyes wide open. Her heart, which felt like flying before, had plummeted into her stomach.
"Oh my gosh...I'm so sorry," she moaned.
Baku laughed, "No need! It's cute, that's all," he touched her shoulder and Blossom nearly jumped. Baku sighed and threw off his seat belt, it had just been sitting on his lap, and gave Blossom a tight hug. He kissed her head again and whispered, "You shouldn't be ashamed,"
She sighed, "It's just embarrassing..."
"It's cute, it's one of the things I...one of those little things I love most about you, child. Seeing you without your carefully constructed walls, devoid of any masks," She faced him and returned his embrace, staring up into his eyes. His eyebrows were on fire and his fangs seemed longer.
"I truly admire and cherish the real you, Blossom. Perhaps that is why I enjoy seeing you sleep; I can see the real girl you are, the girl I treasure most," he said, softly caressing her face, brushing her hair back. Blossom sniffled and smiled, burying herself in his arms.
"You need to put your eyes out," she whispered. Baku chuckled and his eyebrow flames fizzled out, and his fangs returned to normal. Blossom started to say something else, but it was cut off by a yawn, "Sorry, I guess I really am tired,"
"It's alright, you're on vacation! How about, you sleep the rest of the flight and I'll wake you up before we land?" Baku offered.
"I would but...I kind of want to stay like this," She responded with a grin. She gasped when his hand slid across her lap. She relaxed when he undid her seat belt. Without needing further instruction, she slid into his lap and snuggled into his arms.
"How's that?" he asked. Blossom sighed and closed her eyes.
"Better," she whispered before drifting back into a deep sleep. Baku sighed happily and watched her, ignoring the skyline flying by outside his window.
"Oh, sir, excuse me, but," The flight attendant fell suddenly silent when Baku looked up, his eyes on fire, horns sprouting from his head and a few razor sharp tentacles rose from his back. She turned pale as a sheet and laughed sheepishly, "N-Nevermind, I'm sure it won't be a problem," Baku smiled as she left and returned to his normal form.
"Sweet dreams, Blossom...you'll need them," he said with a nervous laugh. Baku finally turned to look out the window. The skyline stretched as his field of vision grew. He peered through space and saw it, on the other side of the sky: the gates to the underworld. He looked back to his sleeping little goddess. She deserved to rest before facing what lay beyond that gate.
XxXxX
"So...you're saying we aren't actually staying anywhere near the city?" Blossom asked, looking around in confusion while she and Baku ventured further and further into the countryside. She didn't think it possible, but after hours of walking, she could only just barely make out civilization in the distance.
"Yes, we should open a demon gate in the middle of the most crowded city in the modern world. I'm sure no one will notice," Baku replied sharply. Blossom glared at him, and lowered her gaze to her feet. Baku chuckled and stroked his chin, turning suddenly, "I have a home near here, where no mortal would dare go near. That is the best place to open the gate,"
After a few minutes of silence, Blossom spoke up, "You could have just said that from the beginning," she muttered. Baku scratched his head, taking another random turn.
"Perhaps, I could have," The two fell silent. They had managed to find themselves lost in a lush forest. Blossom watched in awe as birds and critters flew and scampered to and fro. The air was crisp and cool, and the sun cast beautiful shadows on the forest floor to light their path. Baku didn't seem to notice, but Blossom couldn't help smiling and enjoying the forest's beauty.
"This place is amazing, Baku,"
Baku snorted, "It's a fitting distraction. Most people won't dare go too deep into the forest,"
Blossom tilted her head in confusion, "But why? It seems so peaceful," She looked up as the two came upon an oddly positioned pair of trees, so tall they stretched into the sky. Blossom imagined they could be seen from the air. As they passed through the trees, she noticed that the air was quickly becoming cooler, almost uncomfortably so.
"We're no longer in Japan, proper, Blossom," Baku explained, "Those trees mark the gateway between the mainland and a similar, but hidden place.
Blossom looked down at her bracelet, "Won't Dexter realize I've gone missing?" Baku shook his head. His horns had grown longer, his tentacles stretched from his back and his eyes caught on fire. He was in Baku's true monster form.
"No, this place is...we'll say strange in how it behaves. We're still in Japan, just not what your people consider Japan. This part is, let's say hidden," he explained. Blossom nodded. And just like that, the forest broke into a clearing and Blossom found herself breathless.
"Oh my gosh," The lush forest came to an abrupt end. They now stood in a barren empty wasteland. The air, also, seemed to grow hotter with every step they took. At the center of the dead zone, a small house made of jagged, black stone stood. The door opened and Ikra stepped out, waving cheerfully.
"Welcome home, my little Baku! And Blossom! Sweetie, it's so good to see you!" she called. Baku rolled his eyes, while Blossom began to blush uncontrollably. It was just an extension of Aku, but she felt herself growing excited to see Ikra again.
"Ikra!" She cried, jumping into the monster woman's arms. Ikra hugged her tight and kissed her cheek.
"My little Blossom, it's been so long!" she cooed. Baku rolled his eyes and pushed passed the two.
"Mom, knock it off, you saw her a few weeks ago," He complained. Ikra sat Blossom down and the door shut behind the two as they entered the home. Inside, it was massive, beyond what Blossom had been expecting. It stretched skyward forever, with trails of frozen fire burning from the floor to the infinite ceiling.
"You've changed the Pit of Hate," she commented, sitting down on a soft, black couch. Blossom sighed, sinking into the cushions. Baku sat down beside her, while Ikra giggled and took a seat on her other side.
"I'm so glad you enjoyed my redecorating! I felt you deserved something special for your little vacation," she said. Baku rolled his eyes.
"Mom, we just had a long trip, maybe we could get some food, or something?" he asked. Ikra glared at him.
"I haven't seen Blossom in weeks, you could make something, you little brat," Blossom watched the argument take place between the two. The smile on her face grew to a grin, which gave way to giggles until she fell back, holding her belly and laughing. Ikra and Baku finally noticed and stopped arguing to stare at her.
"What is it?" they asked in unison, and in Aku's true voice.
"Why are you doing this? You're the same person!" she choked out between laughs. Ikra slid to her feet and marched to the kitchen, her chin in the air.
"What's the fun in splitting our self, if we aren't going to act the part?" she asked.
Baku nodded, "Yeah, seriously, you get to have your fun, we get to have ours. Besides, it just means there's that many more people fawning over you," he and Ikra both laughed when Blossom blushed.
"And we both know how you do so love the attention, eh, Blossom?" Ikra teased. Blossom rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.
"Well, I guess so...it's just funny, is all," She shook her head, "You are such a weirdo," she muttered. Blossom screamed when Baku dove on her, digging his fingers into her sides. She fell over in peels of laughter while Ikra just chuckled and retreated to the kitchen.
"Surely you've learned by now, Blossom? You cannot hope to defeat Aku, child," she called back with a laugh. The response was another squeal from Blossom, followed by a frantic chant of "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"
XxXxX
As the evening quieted down, the three sat around the living room, watching the news through one of the many frozen flames on the wall. Baku sat on one end of the couch, while Ikra sat at the other end, lovingly caressing Blossom's hair. The Powerpuff girl sat in front of the couch, staring down at her wrist, her eyes narrowed.
"You haven't said a word in an hour, Blossom...are you alright, Sweetie?" Ikra asked, finally breaking the silence. Blossom sighed and looked back at the two, waving her arm.
"You told me that the Underworld isn't something I can take lightly. That I'll find demons like you. Well, maybe not as powerful, but monsters more powerful than anything in this world. How am I supposed to find and free your servant if I'm being held back by this thing? And...won't my beacon vanish? Dexter will know something is up. I just don't know how to get around this stupid thing!" she grew increasingly frustrated with each word. By the end, Blossom was pacing the room, her power fluctuating wildly, causing the bracelet to crackle and spark.
Baku caught Blossom's hand and pulled her to a stop, "You're right, there are a lot of scary things down there. But, I've been thinking about it,"
Ikra cut him off, "We've been thinking about it,"
"Alright, alright, we've been thinking about it, and we have a solution. If...it's okay with you," he asked. Blossom nodded, grabbing his hand in both hers.
"Anything! We need the servant's help, right? If we're going to make this work?" Baku and Ikra traded a glance, then nodded.
"Yes, his help will be necessary for our...ahem, plans," Ikra said with a grin. Blossom nodded and turned to Baku. She nearly screamed when she saw not Baku, but herself standing in front of her, holding her hand. Baku was standing behind this new Blossom, holding out his hands.
"Ta-da!" he proclaimed. Blossom stared into her clone's eyes. It was a perfect replica of her but...how was this going to work?
"Will this really work? I don't think I can take the bracelet off but," She trailed off. The new Blossom's arm turned solid black and melted, wrapping around her wrist. Blossom nearly screamed, but only managed a strangled gasp as she felt the bracelet's grip release on her. Other Blossom pulled her hand back and solidified it, now wearing the Restrictor Cuff.
"Like this!" she explained, "While you slept, I was studying your energy radiation, chemical make-up, and all the other details the bracelet tracks. Now, woah!" the Other Blossom's explanation fell short as the Restrictor Cuff secured and activated, suppressing her power. She stumbled to the side, fell to her knees and would have fallen face-first into the ground, had Blossom not caught her.
"Careful! The first time you wear it is pretty...intense," she said, holding her other self close.
"I'm going to throw up, I'm going to throw up...everything feels awful and oh my gosh, how do you live like this?!" Other Blossom cried, doing her best to bite back both tears and sickness. Baku and Ikra helped the two to the couch. Other Blossom laid her head on Blossom's lap and took long, deep breaths.
"You'll get used to it in a few minutes but, Aku, you should have warned me! It's not...fun, wearing that thing," Blossom cooed, petting her other self's hair. She blushed and giggled in spite of herself. In this new...strange situation, she could suddenly appreciate why everyone seemed to enjoy her hair. It really was lovely!
"I'll be okay...you need to have your full power to free the servant. I'm barred from entering the Underworld, and from what I've been able to gather, he's guarded by something nasty," Other Blossom pointed out.
Blossom turned to Ikra and Baku, "How do we open the gate?" the two aspects of Aku traded a glance.
"Do you want to go so soon?" Ikra asked. Blossom nodded.
"Are you sure? You're on vacation," Baku pleaded. Blossom nodded once more.
"You're right, I am. But the sooner I go, the sooner I can come back and the four of us can enjoy ourselves," Blossom brushed her other self's hair away from her face. It was so odd seeing her own eyes look back at her.
"And...I need this. What I need to feel better, to feel truly alive again, is to finally let go," The three aspects of Aku shuddered, seeing the distant, longing glimmer in Blossom's gaze.
"Alright, I'll open the gate," Ikra took a deep breath and screamed, releasing a pulsating black shockwave that collided with the far wall. The frozen flames shattered one by one, revealing a tall, grisly gray door stained with blood and charred by fire. The lock on the door lit up in deep red light and a hideous click was heard. Streams of light pierced the edges of the door as it began to swing open. A horrifying sound, like a poorly tuned violin, echoed through the house. The door stood open, revealing a haunting, twisted swirl of fire, leading into an infinite abyss of black.
Blossom, for the first time in a long time, was stunned. Her heart was racing in her chest, as fear shot like ice through her veins. Whatever she had expected, she hadn't been prepared to actually see the gate.
"Is it...always there?" she asked stupidly. Ikra shook her head.
"No, the cry summons the door from the nearest surface," she replied. Blossom nodded and carefully moved her other self. She rose from the couch and walked to the edge of the gate.
"Blossom, wait!" Blossom turned, and was met by her other self. Other Blossom threw her arms around her neck and pressed her lips tight against hers. The kiss seemed to go on forever to the haunting sound of the demon gate. Finally, Other Blossom pulled away, blushing, "Good luck..." she whispered.
Blossom touched her lips and smiled, blushing. The fear chased from her veins and her heart now racing with excitement, Blossom nodded and walked through the demon's gate, into the Underworld.
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Dreams of an Absolution