[A/N: I don't own any of the Mari Mite and Witch Hunter Robin characters. Salvatore is from The Watcher.

I simply stood there at the opposite platform behind her so she wouldn't see me that easily. I watched her from a distance as she showed her determination to stay. I couldn't bring myself any closer to her- I was afraid……I was……

Chapter One: Reminisce

The early morning daylight penetrated through the thin white curtains of my room.

I remained lying down on my bed. I rested my right hand on my face as I shielded my eyes from the sunlight that reflected from the diligently polished tile floor. I stared at the equally well-maintained ceiling. As soon as I snapped out of my sleepy trance, I sat up and thought of what just happened………

……that dream again………

It was mid-spring. It had just been four months since I left Japan. The atmosphere here at Tuscany was very different from Nagasaki, and even more from Tokyo.

The sweltering temperature here in Italy isn't as bad as the summers I spent back at my home country. It felt odd at first but I got used to no longer seeing cherry blossoms, especially at this time of the year where they have already fully bloomed after the long cold winter.

I stretched a bit to shake off my sleepiness. I gave out a small yawn. I reached for my comb and brushed my hair. I then tied my brunette waist length hair with a scarlet ribbon.

I changed from my sleeping garments to a white sweatshirt and gray slacks. Even with the sweltering heat experienced here, it was still pretty cold during the morning.

-

I left my room and went for an early morning stroll.

Birch trees lined both side of the path I walked upon. I tried to suppress my thoughts of her, but failed miserably. There, I found myself in front of the chapel. I wasn't really planning to go there yet, but since I was already there I thought that it was just proper to offer my prayers now……

I entered the chapel through the secondary entrance on the side. The interior of the church was simple and crudely lighted but compensated by the early morning light. A tall gate separates the visitor's area from the inner sanctum. Pews were present at both sides of the gate.

I knelt at the first row in front of the altar. I made the sign of the cross, and then I recited my daily morning prayer.

'Lord and God of the most high, you have been by our side ever since. We give you thanks for you have given us the strength and courage to face our daily trials and tests that have been set for a purpose.

Lend us your strength and give us that same courage you have already given to us that we may do our obligations in your name and for the name of all that is good.

Point us to your direction and lead us to the salvation that is being in your kingdom.

Lord and Everlasting God, we may not fully succeed in every thing we do but we shall not be dismayed for these events have been planed and will be reminders for us in the future.

We thank now for everything you have done for us. We know that you are always there beside us and will never abandon your people………'

I looked up at vivid stained glass that glowed majestically as the sunlight pierced through. I closed my eyes in order to meditate. Silence enveloped the site as I reflected upon what has happened four months ago. Only the sound of the chirping birds and the rustling trees could be heard from the outside.

--

I opened my eyes, "What are you doing?" I asked, with eyes still cloudy with sleep.

"Oh nothing... You can sleep a little longer, I'll wake you up when it stops raining." she said

"Okay." There I saw that she had braided strands of our hair together. I wondered if we had the same feelings

-

'…when it stops raining?' I thought


'If that was the case, Lord, please don't make it stop raining.'

--

All this reminiscing begun right after I arrived here in Italy……

I stood up and then walked to the window and looked outside. There, I gazed upon the thick forest of various kinds of deciduous trees.

Forest……the word remained and echoed in my mind. I didn't know why it lingered in my thoughts, but it must have some significance. Maybe it was telling me something or maybe not. Maybe I was just thinking too much. I couldn't tell.

……those pale blue eyes that kept staring at me……

……that sandy blonde hair that she once braided with my hair……

……her face so foreign, so beautiful……

……her kiss…………

How could I ever forget them? Even if I tried……I couldn't…… They would remain like being a part of me…… whether I liked it or not……like a second shadow……

'Shiori……' I could have sworn that she was calling my name. I thought I saw someone wearing a Lillian uniform at the corner of my eye. I turned at the direction of where the figure stood.

There was nothing there. I knew that it was just an apparition made from this depressive state I am in now, and even though I never expected anything else, sadness filled me up once more.

I turned back at the open window. From there, I saw a small bird that nested on top of a high an oak tree branch that caught my attention, the poor thing looked isolated from the others……just like……just like……

"Shiori……?" I turned around "I knew you would be here…" There, a young woman one year younger than me stood.

"Gokigenyou Robin……" I placed my hand over my lips, I completely forgot that I was no longer studying in Lillian.

"I'm sorry, I meant……Good morning Robin…" I was so embarrassed

"There's no need for apologies……Good morning to you too, Shiori." She said then smiled

She was Robin Sena. She was like me, another helping hand here at the chapel during her break. She has been serving here ever since she was little.

Her blond hair was fixed in a unique kind of braid. She wore a black dress that barely exposed any skin. I would only get the chance to see her hair down once she leaves the bathroom.

If it weren't for her deep green eyes, she would look just like…...no… I will not recite her name…

But that's not the only thing that would show traces of her. Once I look at the mirror, with my hair down, I don't see myself……I see her staring back at me with those pale blue eyes. She was everywhere, not looking at me angrily but sorrowfully like she wanted me to go back to Japan, to Lillian, to her…

That is why I wear my hair now tied back in a pony tail. Robin once suggested tying it in a braid. There was no way I would ever do it, especially after what happened back then when I was still at Lillian.

The greenhouse… Yet again, I will never forget the time I spent on that day in that flowery sanctuary that summer evening.

"Is there something wrong?" she tilted her head slightly in perplexity.

I nodded "No, but thank you for worrying." I gave off a simple smile, I didn't notice that I had been staring at her for quite a while. I sighed inwardly.

"I was on my way to prepare breakfast for everybody today, I came here to ask what you may have wanted."

-

"You really didn't need to help me……" Robin said as she brought out some glasses from the high cupboard

I was setting the plates on the table, "No, I must help…" because I need a distraction… I can't bear the pain if I keep reminiscing about it over and over again, but it still I picture her in everything I do.

Through a recommendation, I was sent to continue my studies here in Italy with the guidance and support of an old trusted friend of the nun-in-charge of Lillian, Sister Uemura Saori - Father Giuliano Collegi.

Father Giuliano was a highly accomplished respected known priest in Italy. I could remember back at Lillian that he was once called as a guest speaker at one of the recollections I attended.

My uncle and I questioned Sister Saori opinion about transferring me far away. I agreed with my uncle, it was way too far, too extreme, besides, we couldn't afford it. But Sister Saori explained that Lillian will be responsible for my tuition there. We all finally agreed that it was both for 'her' sake and for mine.

-

After breakfast, I went outside to the garden on my way to the chapel. There I find Salvatore Varriale III working in the flower bed, pulling out weeds. The flowers he tended to … White Roses …… Gigantea …

I walk slowly toward him, my feet tap lightly on the stone path. He heard me coming and looks up, he smiles, raises a gloved hand to wave.

He was a doctor, though he still didn't have his license yet. Behind Salvatore's glasses were his hazel brown eyes, his hair had a similar color.

He and Robin were very close, along with another young man who occasionally visited here, student I believe. Though none of them were related by blood, I could tell they had a strong bond.

I envy Robin for that.

"Morning Ms. Kubo," He greets me, smiling. "Have you gotten used to the climate here?"

I nod, smiling back. "I have, the weather around here's quite drastic compared to Japan."

Salvatore, or 'Sal' as he was called for short, chuckles, "I know what you mean, one day it's sunny, ten minutes later you'd think the second great flood has come."

He looks up into the sky, "Well, I don't think that'll hap'n today though."

I nod absently as I too looked up the sky. It was clear, not a cloud in the sky, a slightly purple hue accented the azure celestial blanket. It was exactly like when I was at the airport, the day I was to leave Japan.

-

It was already early in the afternoon. Robin and I were cleaning the altar.

I wiped and dusted off the statue of crucified Jesus that was positioned on the wall. On the other hand, Robin was cleaning the inside of the tabernacle. I squeezed the excess water out of the wet rag. As I was about to climb up the step ladder again, the church's side door creaked opened. We both looked towards the direction of the door.

"Father Giuliano…" Robin and I said in chorus. The very mature and experienced priest smiled as he approached us.

"Shiori…I have to discuss something with you…" I glanced over to Robin

"Is it okay with you?" I asked

She nodded "I'm fine…you should go on now…"

I followed the elderly priest outside.

There, he invited the woman who stood underneath a birch tree. She had bright blonde hair that only reached up to her lower neck hanging loosely. She wore glasses in front of her hazel colored eyes. She wore a blue blouse underneath the thin leather jacket and black slacks beneath. She had a briefcase in hand.

We continued to follow him to his office. There we all sat down.

"Let me introduce myself, I am Juliana Marcello, the representative of the school you will be enrolling this year, The ICC Lanciano International Boarding School." She brings out some papers from her briefcase. "Ah, Shiori Kubo I presume?"

"Yes." I nodded.

"I see, so you are the transfer student from Japan, I am correct?" she asked I nod again. "You were transferred because of an 'affair' that happened this past year…do you mind explaining?"

"I rather not talk about it, please……" I pleaded as a stared down at the wooden floor.

"I see, I understand." She pushes up her blond hair back behind her ear. "So do you have any ailments that we must note of?"

"None that I know of…"

The interview continued for a while.

-

"Okay then, it's settled." She placed the papers back neatly in her briefcase. "I will send someone to pick you up at mid-August."

"Thank you very much…" I said and bowed

"Shall I accompany you?" Father Giuliano asked as we all stood up.

"Yes please……" Ms. Juliana said

-

Night had already fallen, I lied down on my bed and stared at the ceiling once more. The silence within the room made me feel lonely again……

The sound of cricket's miiming outside was probably the only thing that broke the stillness of the scene.

I sighed inwardly. 'School again…?' I thought. As most people would, I initially didn't like the thought of going to school again. But, I had to finish high school before I could join the seminary. It's as if I have a choice…do I? If I didn't pursue my dream, she probably wouldn't forgive me… especially after leaving her like that…

"So I'm going to Lanciano…?"

Next chapter: She looks like 'her' but she isn't 'her'……but I feel I'm with 'her' when she's around. Summers don't last that long.

Okay…that was a slow start…

Anyway, I would appreciate it if anyone sees any errors (grammatically or story wise). This is my first Marimite fic so please go easy on me……

I'm not really a Shiori fan but I'm a real big Sei fan, I guess that's what pushed me into making this……

Some background info about the story: I was just reading the novel version of 'White Petals' (probably for the 18th time by then…). Then a thought crossed my mind: 'What ever happened to Shiori? Where'd she go?'

Then I watched the OVA 5 in you tube Ciao Sorella, the part at Borghes park really inspired me really, which made me decide on the venue of the story and strengthen the cross over between Witch Hunter Robin.

Anywayz……I look forward to you're reviews……

To my Onee-sama: What cha' think?