Found But Not Lost

Disclaimer: I don't claim ownership of Higurashi…

"Au, au, au" cried a high pitched voice. "Rika…We failed again. Are we really destined to repeat this never ending cycle of tragedy?" Rika finally spoke in a serious tone. "Don't worry Hanyuu…There's always the next Hinamizawa. I'm confident we have the power to break through this cycle of tragedy…one day"

"Are you ready Hanyuu?" Rika asked her godly friend. Hanyuu hesitated for a moment. "Yes Rika…lets go"

Rena was now standing in front of a mirror in her room. The day of Watanagashi had arrived and she was sporting a brand new kimono for the occasion. Rena had decided to go with the cute kimono in hopes that it would help with her goal more so then her white dress would. She had been practicing cute expressions in the mirror for the last hour or so. She was determined to make Keiichi hers no matter what. She knew deep down that this year's Watanagashi would be one she would never forget.

The kimono she was wearing was bright pink with beautiful and intricate designs. Everything was arranged, they would all meet up at the festival grounds an hour before the official festival started. If she could just get a moment alone with Keiichi then she knew she would be able to tell him her feelings. After she was all prepared for the festival she made her way to the festival grounds.

There she met Mion, Rika, and Satako, who all happened to be wearing kimonos just as Rena was. Rika was wearing her shrine maiden outfit and Mion had a green kimono that matched her emerald eyes while Satako wore a purple kimono that matched Rika's hair. The shrine maiden suddenly greeted. "Hello Rena, nanodesu."

"Hey Rena-chan" announced Mion. "What's with the kimono get up?" Mion smirked. "You weren't planning on announcing your undying love to Kei-chan were you?" Rena went instantly bright scarlet and stuttered. "N-n-n-n-n-no, I j-j-j-just t-thought since t-this is K-keiichi-kun's first time at Watanagashi…"

"Hey guys." Called a familiar voice. The voice belonged to Keiichi Maebara. "Am I late?" Keiichi said somewhat out of breath. "I'm sorry my Mom wanted me to help Dad out by moving some of his paintings. The work itself wasn't that hard, but what kept me was how Dad kept going on and on how glad we were doing some male bonding."

The others all laughed until Mion suggested that they start heading to the festival. Walking along side Keiichi, Rena felt quite at ease and happy. As they walked Rika said she had a cousin that she wanted them to meet. The others were all shocked that Rika had a cousin she never once mentioned before. Soon Rika comeback walking alongside a girl with long dark pink hair, which also had to horns sticking out of them. She wore a shrine maiden outfit similar to Rika's.

She stood there silently for several moments, clearly shy in front of the group. "This is my cousin everybody, her name is Hanyuu Furude" announced Rika to everyone. Keiichi walked up and greeted Hanyuu. "Hi Hanyuu-chan, my name's Keiichi Maebara." He reached out to shake her hand.

Hanyuu just stood there silently. "Au, au" She cried looking toward Rika for support. Rika looked away from her. Hanyuu was a bit shocked by the gesture, but eventually she greeted the group.

"Hi K-keiichi, my name's Hanyuu Furude." She said finally taking his hand and shaking it. All the others looked glad and likewise greeted her and asked her questions. They immediately became silent when Rika made a proposition. "I move that Hanyuu become a member of The Club." Hanyuu looked a bit shocked at the suggestion and began to whine more "Au's".

All the members raised their hands in agreement. "Well guess it's official now Hanyuu-chan. Welcome to The Club!!" congratulated Mion. "But be forewarned Hanyuu-chan, if you don't try your all in this club then I can't guarantee that you'll survive for too long."

"Au….." Hanyuu cried tearfully. As she looked upon the members they seemed to have gotten more menacing looks at the mention of competition. "Well seeing as how we got some time till Rika-chan's dance we should spent it like TRUE Club members." Everyone else seemed to grow more and more anxious as they readied themselves for what was to come.

Rena of course, had a different objective in mind. If she could come out the winner she could possibly get a couple moments alone with Keiichi. Rena's eyes began to burn with a fiery passion. "Chance!!"

The game that was eventually chosen as the deciding game was the shooting gallery. Hanyuu missed all of her targets due to the fact of her basic fear of the gun. Rika and Satako came out with the next to lowest scores, leaving Keiichi, Rena, and Mion tied for the lead. Keiichi went up first, he calmed himself as he focused upon the targets, and he readied his aim and fired. He was successful in hitting two of his targets. But missed the last target. He ended up in third.

Mion was up next and likewise readied herself for the game. As she took aim and fired she landed successful hits on all three targets. Mion however only slightly hit the last target. Rena noticed the flaw in Mion's hit immediately. If she could just hit all three targets directly enough then Keiichi would be all hers. "Mi-chan, I won't give up without a fight!"

Rena slowly walked up to the shooting gallery, the fiery passion within her growing ever more furious. She grabbed the gun and with the accuracy, speed, and precision that she used during her treasure hunts took aim and fired. All the targets were hit spot on.

Rena saw her successful hits and exclaimed victoriously. "I did it!!" Rena then was allowed to choose the punishment game for the losers. "Hmm…I want to take Keiichi-kun down by the riverbed." The others looked a bit surprised. "Umm...sure Rena I'll go with you. Inside Rena was dancing around excitedly. As she and Keiichi made their way down to the riverbed, she considered how exactly she would tell him her feelings. She rehearsed lines before coming to herself in the mirror, but now that she was here she seemed to forget what she had thought to stay.

"So this is where everyone drifts the cotton after Rika-chan's dance?" Keiichi asked as he looked along the river. "Why exactly did you want to come down here Rena?"

Rena was silent for a moment until she finally spoke. "To get away from everyone." Keiichi looked surprised at this but had little time to think as he was soon embraced by Rena. "Keiichi-kun…I love you."

Keiichi was shocked speechless by what he had just heard. Rena refused to let him go but felt as though her stomach was tightening. She felt an uneasiness overcome her. "Keiichi-kun do you love me too?"

Keiichi finally spoke hugging her back at the same time. "Yes I do Rena. I've always loved you. It's always been you...Rena" Rena could feel tears of joy welling up in her eyes. She looked up at Keiichi and planted a kiss on his lips. Keiichi quickly returned the kiss and held Rena tighter.

Unknown to the new couple, a young child was watching the scene from a nearby bush. "ohohoho" Satako laughed quietly. "What have we here?" Satako asked herself deviously.

Finally Rena and Keiichi separated from their kiss and noticed that the villagers were gathering for the dance. Keiichi grabbed Rena by the hand and lead her to the stage for Rika's dance. There they stood hand in hand watching Rika's dance.