Ibaraki couldn't quite recall what had happened. All she knew was that she and Yukari had been engaged in a heated debate about a new magical theory. Yukari had been adamant about making it complex, while Ibaraki had argued for simplicity.
As they continued their heated argument, Ibaraki noticed something different in Yukari's behavior. For the first time, Yukari seemed to have lost her cool, and Ibaraki couldn't help but wonder what had caused it.
They had been arguing for a while, and Ibaraki had expected it to continue for much longer. However, things suddenly took an unexpected turn that left her head spinning, and she couldn't quite comprehend what had just happened.
Ibaraki's mind was in a fog as she tried to process the events that had just taken place. She couldn't recall the details, only that she and Yukari had been in a heated argument over a new magical theory. But now, as Yukari held her close and wept, Ibaraki couldn't help but feel a sense of confusion and concern. Something had shifted between them, and Ibaraki wasn't sure what it all meant.
---
During their discussion on Black magic and curses, Ibaraki had said something that surprised Yukari, and she wanted to get to the bottom of it. So she restrained Ibaraki to learn the truth.
"You! What are you doing?!" Ibaraki exclaimed, trying to free herself from Yukari's grasp. She noticed that Yukari's eyes were filled with a mixture of sadness and anger, directed toward her.
"Using your lifespan, etching your soul, using your blood. Tell me, Ibaraki, did you want to kill yourself that much?!" Yukari said, her voice laced with anger and concern as she held onto Ibaraki's arm firmly. Her eyes were filled with a mix of sadness and frustration at the thought of her dear friend wanting to harm herself in such a manner.
"So what?!" Ibaraki said in a dismissive tone as if the severity of the situation didn't register with her. "It's just my life, my blood, my soul. Who cares?"
Yukari's expression darkened at Ibaraki's nonchalant response. It was clear that Ibaraki didn't understand the gravity of the situation and the risks involved.
"Who cares? You!" Yukari exclaimed in a dangerous tone, her eyes blazing with anger. "Tell me, Ibaraki, how the hell did you live your past life?" Her voice was filled with frustration and concern for her friend.
Her grip on Ibaraki's arm tightened as she waited for an answer, not willing to let the matter drop until she was sure that Ibaraki was safe and sound. It was clear that Yukari wasn't going to let Ibaraki off the hook easily, and Ibaraki could feel the weight of Yukari's expectations bearing down on her.
"I didn't think anyone knew about that," Ibaraki said quietly, her voice filled with a mix of sadness and resignation.
"Answer me, Ibaraki," Yukari demanded firmly, her eyes locking onto Ibaraki's with an intense gaze. "What kind of life did you live? I can't imagine anyone enduring that much pain." Her voice was tinged with both worry and curiosity, as she awaited Ibaraki's response. It was clear that she wasn't going to let Ibaraki off the hook until she got some answers.
Ibaraki let out a tired sigh, her usually sparkling golden eyes now devoid of any energy. "Does it even matter?" she asked in a monotone voice, showing little interest in the situation at hand.
"I don't understand why you are so curious about my past life. Being experimented on every day, enduring torture, being injected with strange serums, and constantly living in a near-death state... does any of it even hold significance?" Ibaraki spoke in a flat tone as if the traumatic experiences she had undergone were inconsequential.
"I was struggling to appear human, despite knowing that I was different. All I wanted was to maintain a facade, just like the real Ibaraki," she finished, her voice lacking any emotion.
"Ibaraki..." Yukari said softly, her eyes filled with understanding and compassion. "I see now that you are just a person who is trying to live, to act, to feel human. I understand that you have been through a lot, and I can only imagine the pain you must have endured."
Yukari took a deep breath before continuing, her voice firm but gentle. "But don't tell me that you don't care about Shuten, Marisa, and Nyx. They care about you, Ibaraki. They want you to be happy and healthy. Can't you see that?"
Her tone was both gentle and imploring as if she were begging Ibaraki to understand the importance of her friends in her life. It was clear that Yukari was determined to help Ibaraki through her struggles and make her see that she was not alone.
As Ibaraki nonchalantly uttered the words "Should I?", Yukari couldn't help but realize that Ibaraki's emotional facade was nothing more than a mere act put on by her.
"I can't take it anymore," Ibaraki said in a monotone voice. "All the suffering, the experiments, the pain. I just wish I could feel something, anything. I wish I could die." Suddenly, she looked up at Yukari with a blank expression. "Yukari, please kill me. Kill my true self and replace it with the Ibaraki that I wanted to be."
"Ibaraki," Yukari spoke softly, her expression pained as she listened to her friend's words. "I understand that you're going through a lot right now, and it's okay to feel lost and overwhelmed. But don't give up hope. You're more than just a persona, Ibaraki. You're a living being with emotions and thoughts, and you deserve to be happy and feel alive."
Yukari's voice was filled with sympathy and understanding as she reached out to Ibaraki, hoping to offer some comfort. "I wish I could take away your pain, but I can't do that by killing your true self. That's not the answer, Ibaraki. It would help if you learned to accept yourself, flaws and all, and move forward. It won't be easy, but I'll be here for you every step of the way."
Yukari's tone was encouraging and supportive, as she tried to offer some hope to her friend in a difficult situation. She knew that it wouldn't be easy, but she was determined to help Ibaraki find her way out of the darkness.
"Ibaraki," Yukari said gently, her heart aching at the sight of her friend's impassive expression. "I know it may seem like there's no hope right now, but please don't give up on yourself. You're not alone, and I'm here for you."
Yukari's voice was soft and filled with compassion as she reached out to Ibaraki. "I understand that the situation may be more difficult than I initially thought, but that doesn't mean we should stop trying. We'll find a way to help you, Ibaraki. You deserve to be happy and to feel alive, just like anyone else."
Yukari's heart sank as she saw Ibaraki's blank expression and the bone sword in her hand. She knew that her friend was in a dark place and needed help, but she never expected it to come to this.
"Ibaraki, please don't do this," Yukari pleaded, tears streaming down her face. "I don't want to lose you. You're important to me, and I'll do anything to help you."
Despite her efforts, Ibaraki remained emotionless, leaving Yukari feeling helpless and alone. With a heavy heart, Yukari made the difficult decision to seal Ibaraki's true persona, hoping that it would give her some relief from her pain.
"I'm so sorry, Ibaraki," Yukari whispered as she raised her fan and muttered the sealing incantation. She watched as Ibaraki's expression remained unchanged until the very end, feeling a sense of despair and sadness wash over her.
As she looked at Ibaraki's sealed form, Yukari vowed to continue to do everything in her power to help her friend find her way back to the light. She knew it wouldn't be easy, but she refused to give up hope.
---
"Oi! Yukari, why are you crying?! Did I hurt your feelings?!" Ibaraki exclaimed in a panic, her face contorted in a mix of concern and confusion. "I didn't mean to upset you, I swear! I was just... lost in my thoughts."
Ibaraki's voice was gruff and unrefined, but there was a hint of sincerity in her words. "Listen, I may not be good with words, but I want you to know I appreciate you, Yukari. You've been there for me even when I didn't deserve it, and I... I don't want to lose you."
Despite her rough exterior, Ibaraki's emotions were genuine, and she was trying her best to express her gratitude to Yukari. "So please don't cry, okay? It... it makes me feel bad."
Yukari looked at Ibaraki with a mixture of sadness and hope, knowing that there was still a chance to help her friend's true persona. She took a deep breath, trying to compose herself before speaking.
"Thank you, Ibaraki," Yukari said softly, her voice gentle and calm. "It means a lot to me that you appreciate my efforts to help you. And don't worry, I understand that your gruff exterior is just a facade. I know that, deep down, you're a kind and caring person."
Yukari paused momentarily before continuing, a hint of playfulness in her tone. "As for your sudden kindness, I have to admit, it's a bit of a shock. But I appreciate the effort, Ibaraki. Keep it up."
Yukari smiled warmly at her friend, hoping to bring a bit of light into the darkness. She knew that the road ahead would be difficult, but with determination and kindness, anything was possible.
"Don't blurt it out, dummy! I want to keep up my tough facade, so I won't be underestimated," Ibaraki said, her cheeks turning pink with embarrassment. "But seriously, what happened? It feels like there's a hole in my memory."
Ibaraki then playfully bit Yukari's arm, trying to ease the tension in the room. "Come on, Yukari, spill the beans! I'm dying to know what's going on. And don't worry, I won't judge you too harshly," she added with a mischievous grin.
As she spoke, Ibaraki's rough and boisterous personality shone through, even in her moments of vulnerability. Yukari couldn't help but smile at her friend's antics, grateful for the small moment of lightheartedness in an otherwise difficult situation.
Yukari chuckled softly at Ibaraki's playful bite, feeling a sense of relief as the tension dissipated. "Oh, nothing at all, Ibaraki. We were just having a bit of skinship," she teased, her voice light and carefree.
Ibaraki grinned mischievously at Yukari, "Then let's do it again! I want to feel it and remember it," she said playfully, though there was a hint of seriousness in her voice.
"You think only you can play that game?" Ibaraki thought to herself, feeling a sudden urge to push back against Yukari's teasing.
Yukari was taken aback by Ibaraki's sudden enthusiasm, but she couldn't help but laugh along with her friend's playful banter. "I guess there's always next time," she said, her tone light and teasing.
But then Yukari quickly shifted her attention to the task at hand, grabbing the books from the shelves and focusing on their work. She dismissed the urge to eat Ibaraki, knowing that it wouldn't be the most productive use of their time.
"Let's focus on these books first, shall we?" Yukari said with a gentle smile.
Ibaraki nodded in agreement with Yukari's suggestion, her expression serious and focused as she helped with the research. Despite her rough exterior, she was quite intelligent and enjoyed learning new things.
As they worked, Ibaraki felt a strange sensation in her shoulder. It was as if a string that had been attached to her had been suddenly severed. She felt lighter as if a burden had been lifted from her.
But she couldn't bring herself to admit that she enjoyed the company of Yukari. It wasn't in her nature to show weakness or vulnerability, and she certainly wasn't going to start now.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just a heads up though, her true personality has disappeared now, so you'll see some more genuine interactions between her and the gang. In the past, every move she made was calculated to be in her favor, and her emotional and mental manipulation was seriously sickening. But if you fell for her act, damn, isn't she just sly? Oh, and some of her memories might have faded away, but most of them are still there. And get this, her manipulative personality seems to have disappeared too. Crazy, right?
This is a post about Ibaraki Douji from Fate and her lore, and it's quite sad, so I thought I would share it with you guys.
https://scarfdyedshadow.tumblr.com/post/636659308133744640/the-unveiling-of-ibaraki-doujis-character-across
If you're thinking this is wrong of me, then just consider this chapter as a 'what-if' moment. Easy peasy, right?