Chapter 1: The Breeze Whispers Their Arrival
Mito and I were hanging the sheets and other clothes outside the house. It was so windy today for some reason. I felt calm and relaxed. I looked at the direction where the wind was coming from and just day dreamed.
"Aunt Mito! Adelicia!" I heard someone call out. His voice was very familiar, the voice that disappeared from this island a few months ago. Mito and I both turned our heads to where the voice came from and saw the twelve year old boy who left the island for the hunter exams. He was still as energetic as usual as he ran towards us.
"Gon!" I called back and waved at him. Gon embraced us and Mito and I embraced him back very tight. He was almost like a brother to me. Ever since he left, things have been pretty lonely at Whale Island.
"What are you doing there? Come here." I heard Mito say. I looked at where she was looking and saw a very surprising face. The boy seems to be with Gon and they're just the same age. Gon's friend has white hair and blue eyes that were all too familiar to ignore.
"Aunt Mito, Adelicia, that's my friend, Killua!" Gon introduced. There was no mistaking it and I felt a sharp pain in my chest as the boy approached.
"Oh, right. You mentioned him in your letters." Mito replied and greeted Gon's friend. "Hello there."
To my relief, the white haired boy doesn't seem to notice me nor does he recognize me. He just smiled at the both of us.
Mito and I were cooking in the kitchen, preparing lunch. "It's great to have Gon back, right, Adie?" Mito called me out of my realm of thoughts.
"Huh? Oh, yes. It's been pretty lonely here without him." I replied and went silent again.
"Are you all right, Adie?"
I nodded. "Yes, I'm fine."
I knew I was drowning in a sea of questions, questions that I can never answer on my own but I can never go up and ask him because he might recognize me and I don't want to go back. I'm never going back.
Lunch was ready and Mito asked me to call the boys down. I didn't want to but I just couldn't say no to Mito, not after everything she's done for me so I went upstairs to Gon's room. "Hey, Gon? Lunch is ready. Don't forget to bring your friend along."
Gon nodded. "Sure, Adie! Thanks!" He grinned that innocent grin of his and I smiled back sweetly.
"No problem, little brother!" And I went back downstairs, not even taking a glance at Killua. Gon always made me feel welcome, like I'm really part of his family.
We were soon having our lunch and Gon really had a lot to tell. We were all smiling and laughing. To be honest, I felt a little uneasy despite having Gon around. I just feel like Killua knows but he's not admitting it. I don't know and it's driving me mad! The stupid feeling of paranoia sweeps through me and I suddenly felt that I'm no longer hungry. "Excuse me." I stood up from my seat and silently went to my room. I looked out of the window and sighed. A soft breeze went through the window and caressed my face.
"Nice breeze, huh?" I looked behind me and saw Killua leaning on the closed door and looking at me. "You're Adelicia, right?"
I nodded and he smiled at me. "So how long have you been here with Gon, his aunt and his grandmother?"
I knew this question's a trick. He'll compare the length of time I've been here to THAT time but if I stay safe, it might get obvious. I have no choice. "I don't remember." I looked out of the window again and let the breeze caress me. Raven-black locks danced in the gentle breeze. "It's been so long. It's hard to remember how long I've been here." I looked at him and smiled sweetly.
"Oh, well then—" Killua wasn't able to finish his sentence because Gon suddenly came in.
"Killua, the bathroom's this way!" Gon grinned at him then looked at me. "Adelicia nee-chan" He grinned his usual energetic grin at me and I smiled back. "Hello, Gon. Did you and your friend eat well?"
Gon nodded and then asked. "Were you two talking about something?"
I shook my head. "No, not really."
Gon smiled and dragged Killua out of my room. "Come on, Killua!"
"Hey! Stop dragging me!" Killua yelled after him that made me giggle.
It was amusing to see how brotherly those two are to each other. For some reason, it made me feel lonely. Once they were gone, I sighed. "He suspects."
Then I suddenly remembered something. "Oh shoot. I should help Mito with the dishes!" I ran downstairs to the kitchen. "Mito? I'm so sorry. It suddenly slipped my mind to help with the dishes!" I bowed and blushed in embarrassment.
"No, it's fine" Mito smiled at me. I walked up next to her and started rinsing the utensils and dishes that Mito was yet to rinse. "You've been awfully quiet since Gon arrived. Is there something bothering you, Adie? You know you can tell me anything."
It was tempting. Mito's aura has always been so welcoming and motherly, like I can tell her everything, every single thing about me especially my past but I couldn't. I just swallow it all up and most of them would get caught in my throat. It's really annoying. If I tell her why I feel so… upset, depressed and whatever other negative emotions I'm feeling right now, the conversation would only get longer and longer until things take a turn for the worst!
"No, I'm fine. Just a little tired maybe." I lied. I totally lied to Mito and I feel so guilty! I can lie to anyone, even to my own dad, but never to someone like Mito or Gon. If I do lie to them, I feel like I'm being stabbed by guilt.
We finished washing the dishes and I went back to my room to take a little nap. I lied down on the soft bed. The breeze from the window was just right and the next thing I know is that I slowly drifted off to sleep.
Blood. Blood everywhere.
"Aaaaahh!" I heard someone scream and I ran. I ran as fast as my wounded feet would allow, almost tripping a few times because of the heels of my shoes. What's going on?! Why is this happening?! Then what I hated the most during dire times like these happened. "Aaah!" I gasped as my right foot was sprained. Darn it! I tried my best to stand up and limp away but I can hear footsteps. They're getting closer! I quickened my pace but the pain is beginning to get unbearable. All of a sudden, I felt a sharp pain on my back. Everything went black.
I gasped and sat up in shock. I panted as cold sweat ran down my face. I placed a hand on my face and wiped off the sweat. "What the heck… was that?" The door produced a slight creaking sound as it opened and I saw Gon peeping through the small opening.
"Onee-chan? Are you ok?" Gon's face showed so much concern that I felt pretty bad causing him to worry.
"I- I'm fine, Gon. Just a nightmare. That's all." I smiled at him, a lying smile that said 'I'm all right' even though I feel so much pain inside.
Gon smiled and nodded. "All right. Killua and I will be hanging out in the forest for now. See you at dinner!"
I nodded and he left, closing the door. I sighed. "I'm so sorry, Mito and Gon."
I went downstairs and took a slice of loaf bread and ate it. It would be nice to feel the breeze outside. It's been pretty windy today for some reason and it would feel nice to let the breeze caress your entire being so I stood up from my chair and went outside. I closed my eyes as the wind rushed in. I opened my arms, welcoming it. It was an incredible feeling, like the world sings for you, the gods embrace you. How I would have loved to do this all day but there are just so many things to do.
"Onee-chan?" I suddenly opened my eyes and looked at where the voice came from. Just a few meters beside me was Gon and his friend. I let down my arms quickly in embarrassment.
"Um. Yes?"
They were looking at me with weird faces, especially Killua.
"Gon, you already know how much I love the breeze." I reasoned, crossing my arms.
"Yeah, but… it still looks weird when you do it. It's like there's no more tomorrow." Gon grinned and I smiled at him.
"Really." I laughed and ruffled his hair. "I thought you won't be back until dinner?"
"Well, we forgot something!"
"Oh, do you need any help getting it inside?"
Gon shook his head. "It's fine, onee-chan. Let's go Killua!"
Killua nodded and they both ran inside. I shook my head in amusement and walked back inside the house.
That night during dinner, Gon and Killua brought back some really good fish. Mito and I decided to cook it tomorrow for breakfast. Nothing was out of the ordinary. Just the usual dinner, Gon telling different stories of their adventure in the forest and Killua laughing along. But I noticed that I don't feel so tense anymore around Killua. Was it because I just needed some air? Oh, haha. I don't think so. I took a shower after eating dinner and went to sleep. Well, the problem was that I couldn't go to sleep. I was afraid to have that nightmare again. It was dark but the moonlight shone through my window and I watched the curtains dance in the breeze.
At times like these… there's one solution…
"Sleep, close your eyes
And soar up those blue skies
And let your dreams come true-"
The door opened slightly and faintly I recognized a peeking Gon. I sat up and smiled.
"Yes?"
"Ne, onee-chan…" He entered, leaving the door open. He had this look in his eyes which reminded me of myself when I was a kid. "I had a nightmare… and I was going to get a glass of water when I heard you singing…" He looked at the dancing curtains. "Umm… Can you sing me to sleep? Please?"
My smiled broadened and I nodded. "Of course"
I sat up as Gon climbed the bed. He lied down beside me and I put my arm around him and used the other to pull up the blanket and rest it around his waist.
"Sleep, close your eyes
And soar up those blue skies
And let your dreams come true
Sleep my sweet little child
On the soft, green pasture
On the fluffy white clouds
Dream and soar up new heights
Flying over the seas
Feeling the ocean breeze
Rest where the roses bloom
Savor their sweet fragrance
Listen to the bird's song
Sleep my innocent little child
Underneath the warm sun
As the nightingale sung
Shaded by the oak tree
Stay here in my arms
I'll protect you from harm
Leave all your worries behind
Happiness you will find
In this small simple world"
By the time I finished, Gon was already fast asleep and I thought for a brief moment how nice it would be to be a child again, wrapped in my mother's arms where I don't need to worry about arranged marriages and handling guns. And then I felt it. For a brief moment, I thought I felt the strong aura of someone near but it disappeared. I shook my head and looked at Gon's sleeping face.
"I'm so lucky to have you as my little brother" I kissed his forehead gently and went to sleep, my arms still coiled around him protectively.
The following day,
"Gon, can I come with you to Yorknew City?"
