Mmm I cut 5-6 ongoing stories to 2, so I feel safe enough to add on another story.

This is another Multi x Haru fic where the reviewers get some say in what will happen next the story. I'll ask questions at the end of most chapters and give options. These options determine what will happen next in the story. The first two chapters won't have questions as they are set up for the story. Rules and more information can be found in the forums [link can be found in my profile page]. I really suggest that you read them.

This is set up be to be similar to a dating simulation game [since I love them so much].

Disclaimer: Standard disclaimer is applied

Prologue 1: Haru is Captured!

Humming a little tune to herself, Haru was simply walking down a relatively empty and not well travelled street.

Haru had some trouble sleeping recently so she decided to go and stroll around the area after school, hoping that it would help her relax enough to take a well-deserved nap later.

"Now this is a problem. I just can't get it. Hmm… what to do…"

Haru tilted her head, hearing the distraught voice of an elderly man.

'What is an elderly man doing out here at this time of the day?' Haru wondered to herself.

Hunched at the very side of the road, in front of a stone wall, a man was struggling with something. This part of the town is where some really old things from the past could be found. If one were to walk past the stone wall, an old and now forgotten shrine used to stand proudly there.

It was just a sad sight now in comparison to how it looked before. With little rumors that vengeful spirits now haunted the area because of the shrine losing its power from a long time of neglect, people don't often walk near this area from the fear.

Haru figured that if she kept to the road and didn't approach the 'haunted' shrine, she'd be just fine.

She approached the old man to see what he was struggling with. It appeared as though he was trying to rip off some vegetation off of something, but with his age, it was proving to be quite difficult. "Would you like Haru to help you?" She asked.

The old man was initially surprised by her question, having not realized that she knelt down right next to him.

"You… are talking to me, young miss?" He asked in surprise.

"Hai! Haru was asking if you would like some help, it looked like you were having difficulties" Haru offered her assistance once more with a big smile.

The man was wearing an old styled Hakama with earthy colors. His hair was completely white and his hair was tied up with a topknot. Haru couldn't help but wonder how old this man was.

It was hard to look into his eyes because they were almost squinted completely shut. His face was also covered completely with wrinkles.

His white beard was very long, reaching the middle of his chest.

He must have been a very elderly man. Haru had heard that some of the elders in Japan could live well past 100 years of age, some could make it to 110 or so, but this man looked very old.

She wouldn't be surprised if he just fell over soon and died in front of her- but of course she wouldn't want that. She wouldn't know what to do in that kind of a situation. Simply put, he was very old.

The man eventually got over his surprise and thought about whether or not he should take up her offer or not. Once he gave into the idea that it was impossible for him to do this alone, he accepted her offer.

The two of them worked on pulling off the small vines and weeds that found themselves home at the particular spot the man was interested in.

"You know, I was surprised you approached me. I have been at this for a long time but no one has ever stopped to help." The old man chuckled bitterly to himself.

Frowning to herself, Haru couldn't help but feel disappointed in the people who have passed him by. Isn't it normal to want to help others? The duty of the young was to offer help to those who were old and needed help.

It was just one of the many things that she was taught as a young girl, to help anyone who needed help to the best of your abilities.

"Well, it's all okay now because Haru is here to help you-desu." Haru smiled, pulling out the very last weed. Before them both was a very small shrine and a little statue of what appeared to be a man.

Over the years, the elements must have done a lot of damage to the statue because it was pretty hard to make out the details, but even so Haru could tell that the statue was supposed to be of some male God.

Looking at the debris that was around the statue, Haru could tell that this statue was once enshrined in a tiny shrine which had broken down long since.

"Thank you so much for helping me, I believe you said your name was Haru?"

Haru nodded her head and remained quiet to allow him to continue.

"I have been weak and sick for a very long time. I feel my life may be coming to an end, but I didn't want to pass on before I could see this place once more. I used to enjoy this little shrine very much." The old man said, gently patting the top of the statue.

It appeared as though this shrine meant a lot to the old man, but he hadn't been able to visit in a long time due to his health. It was only when he felt his life was nearing its end that he gave a big effort into visiting the shrine again to see that it was in a horrible state.

He must have been very old if he knew about this shrine which was overrun with vegetation.

Once on a test of courage activity, Haru has visited the forgotten shrine beyond the stone walls with a few of her friends in the gymnastics club. The club seniors and coaches were hidden behind trees trying to scare everyone. Being easily frightened, Haru was constantly screaming the whole way.

As soon as they reached the shrine which marked the end of the test of courage, Haru couldn't believe the pitiful sight before her. It was said that this was a grand shrine which had many visitors who would come to pay their respects to the God.

No one could really remember which God was enshrined there in the past. Some people thought it was the God of war, or fertility. Some insisted that it was actually a harvest God, or even a God of fortune. There was no consensus as no records of the time the Shrine was still standing strong existed anymore.

The old documents which spoke of the shrine had been lost in a great fire many years ago.

To think that such a grand and beautiful shrine was reduced to such a pitiful sight. Instead of fear that her friends felt, Haru felt a sense of sadness.

She could feel the same thing when looking at this small shrine.

"Ah, forgive my manners. It's a pleasure to meet you, young Haru. My name is old man Gekka." The man held out his hand for Haru to shake and she took it without hesitation.

Haru shook her head to show him that she didn't mind at all.

"Gekka-san, would you happen to know which God or Goddess was enshrined in the shrine over there?" She asked.

The old man stroked his beard, deep in thought.

"Let me see here… let me think…" The man stroked his beard for a long time, his mouth opening and closing slowly, "Aha! You wish to know about Hiruko-sama?" He asked.

Haru's interest peaked immediately when the man mentioned a name. Is that the name of the God that was enshrined there?

Hiruko-sama? She's never heard of that name before.

"Could you please tell me who Hiruko-sama was?" She asked.

The old man nodded his head and stroke his beard some more, trying to collect his thoughts to see just how much he remembered of the old, long forgotten God.

"Hiruko-sama… you see, was the God of the morning sun who guarded the health of little children. This area has many rivers as you know. A very long time ago, the river was the source of many illnesses. Even in my time, it wasn't clear as to why this was. It was thought to be the poor hygiene of the people back then throwing out waste anywhere they pleased. Rivers also attract things bacteria and bugs." The old man started to tell his story.

Haru was listening to the story with great interest. She always loved to learn new things and now she was finally uncovering the truth of the forgotten shrine!

Just how old was this man to know of this story even though her own grandmother and other older folks in the city had no clear idea of who was enshrined in the shrine?

None of the elders have mentioned a God like Hiruko-sama.

"Seeing as people weren't expected to live a long time in the distant past, it was common practice to have as many children as you could. To help with the fields and to ensure the family lineage. Of course children have a younger immune system than adults. Children were always dying from disease. This area was caught under many rainfalls. Homes would get moldy, children would get sick from working the fields in the cold with their parents. The people of the town erected the shrine to Hiruko-sama praying that the children would live long and prosperous lives."

Hiruko-sama was an impressive God.

To think that this kind of a town had that kind of a history. She wasn't sure just how distant in Japan's history this was but that wasn't the important part.

"As hygiene practices became better, there was less of a need for Hiruko-sama to be around so decade after decade, less and less people came to pray to Hiruko-sama. My ancestors have lived in this town for many, many decades. Perhaps even centuries. I do not quite know the specifics. My family had tried its best to keep honoring Hiruko-sama as long as we could as thanks. Of course, this is only so much one family could do. The shrine broke down to ruin like you see it now." He explained the history of the 'haunted shrine.'

Haru couldn't help but wonder what the deal with the smaller shrine which wasn't connected to the bigger shrine was. Was it a new shrine which was made to honor Hiruko-sama? It was a pity if another of his shrines fell to ruin.

"May I ask what this small shrine is Gekka-san?" She asked.

The man patted the top of the statue once more with a sad expression. "This here, was a shrine that was erected for another God a while after Hiruko-sama's shrine was erected. The story tells of the God helping bind lovers to one another by fate. A red silken cord would be bound to the feet of lovers they say. I cannot recall the name of his name right now, I apologize."

This morning was a treasure trove of interesting information! Haru was delighted to have learned all of this.

It was a bit sad that he couldn't remember the name of the God, but it couldn't be helped. When one reached the age he was at, it would be hard to expect anyone to remember every small detail. It was enough that he remembered what the God did.

Being in a good mood, Haru decided that she should at least honor this little God that she was just now introduced to.

"While Haru doesn't know your name. Thank you so much for helping many people in the past." Haru placed a small piece of candy that she was going to give to Lambo later down in front of the statue. "Haru apologizes that she only has candy to offer right now. She'll hope to offer something else in the future." Haru promised the small statue.

The old man smiled at Haru's gentle nature and he placed a small offering down in front of the statue as well.

"I'm sure if the God is still inhabiting this statue, he would be very happy." The old man said with tears in his eyes. It must have been nice to see someone else visit a shrine full of his memories.

Reaching into his sleeve, he pulled out a small red box decorated with an intricate design painted gold. He handed the box to Haru and she looked it over. It appeared as though it may have been some kind of old jewelry box of some sort? Maybe a music box?

She wasn't too rough with the box because she didn't want to accidentally break the item which wasn't hers. "That box is a special treasure for my family. I forget the name of it, but it apparently can only be open under special conditions. It must be opened in the middle of the year, month, and day." He said.

Haru was shocked by how complex the conditions were for this box. It could only be opened once a year and only at a certain time? How complicated. She wondered what could have possibly been inside of the box to require such a troublesome condition.

Knowing that she must have been interested in the contents of the box, he decided to answer her: "You see, what is inside of the box is not important, but the ability to open it. Passed down from generation to generation, the story has been passed down that the box will only open for someone it accepts as its owner. If it is opened, the box is said to grant the owner luck in both life and in romance."

Another crazy condition for this box!

Haru couldn't help but think this box was more troublesome than it was worth!

Still, it had a sense of romance to it. Wanting to do its best to offer its owner great happiness and wait until the next owner comes around to offer its aid to that person as well.

"After it accepts a new owner and is opened for the first time, afterwards the owner can open it at any time he or she pleases, but none other than the owner can open it. If previous owners are still alive, they can open the box as well, of course.

SO MUCH FOR THE CRAZY SPECIAL CONDITIONS!

As long as you could open it once, it would always open up for you. Previous ones it accepts can open it too? That could mean an unlimited amount of people could open it!

This box must have enjoyed making people go through all of this trouble first before just being lazy later on. What a crazy box this was. Haru looked down at this box in curiosity.

"You may have this box." The old man said.

Haru quickly looked back at the old man and shook her head quickly. He said it was the family treasure, right? She couldn't accept such a thing! She tried to pass it back to the old man but he shook his head and lightly pushed her hands back towards herself.

"Miss Haru, you are a wonderful girl with a beautiful heart. I have no family left and I'm sure that this box would love to be in your care instead of staying with this old man who has only a few days left to live at most."

Haru couldn't be convinced with these words. This was all too sudden and she couldn't just say, 'okay I'll just take your family treasure from you,' now could she? Of course she couldn't! She didn't know what to do or say to the old man who refused to take the box back from her.

She felt bad that he no longer had any family left, or that the box would be without an owner once Gekka died, but she didn't feel right with just taking the box.

Seeing her unease, Gekka tried to come up with a condition. "I can't just leave the box without a new owner when I die. How about this? Those conditions I mentioned earlier? Tomorrow at 12, if you cannot open the box, I will take it back. The least I could do is to give it to be museum or something so it can be admired for its beauty."

While Haru was unsure of taking the box, but she was sure she wouldn't be able to open the box. She has been trying to pry the box open for a while now but it wasn't budging at all. There was no way it would open for her tomorrow, so she would be able to give the box back to the old man tomorrow.

The two made a promise to meet each other again at 1 in the afternoon if she couldn't open the box tomorrow.

Haru said goodbye to the old man and she started to walk herself back home.

She spent the rest of the day trying to get the box to open. She asked her mother to try opening it, and her father had tried as well but to no avail.

Tools could probably do the trick or dropping it from a high place, but Haru wouldn't allow such a thing to happen. If she broke the box, she'd feel so horrible for ruining someone's precious treasure.

She told her parents that she was asked by a friend to try opening the box and that is why she came into possession of this box. She fibbed when she told her parents that she'd go and visit her friends tomorrow to see if they could figure a way to open the box for her as well.

Putting all of her energy into trying to pry open the box with various means, Haru was exhausted when night came.

Nothing worked! She tried to use soap to maybe loosen the box, but it didn't work.

Using brute strength didn't help either. Nothing was working and she was sure that she wouldn't be able to open it tomorrow.

She went to sleep at her regular time that night and had a nice dream.

The next morning, she woke up and went about her mornings like always. It was the weekend so she didn't have to worry herself over getting ready for school.

She made herself some breakfast and then she went and cleaned herself up to prepare for the rest of the day.

Having finished all that, Haru spent the rest of her time trying to open up the box and to make plans with Kyoko about a sleepover that they planned on having soon. She kept a close eye on the clock, waiting for the clock to strike 12 to see whether or not the box would open for her.

As soon as the clock struck 12, she used all of her strength to open up the box, but it just wasn't budging!

"Haru knew it. This box wasn't going to open." She huffed.

As soon as the words 'open' escaped her mouth, the box made a clicking sound and sprang open.

Staring at the box with awe, Haru couldn't believe that it just opened like that. Was it voice activated? No, that doesn't make any sense. It was a family heirloom for generations! There is no way that voice activated gadgets existed back then!

… Magic?

Haru shook her head quickly and she picked up the box, inspecting it all over. She closed the box and found that she was able to open it up immediately afterwards.

The box chose her as its new owner?

Impossible…

Looking into the box, Haru noticed something small hidden underneath a piece of soft cloth.

Once she touched the cloth, whatever was underneath the cloth glowed brightly, filling the entire room with a blinding light. Taken by surprise, Haru was blinded by the light and she tried to look away form the bright light a bit too late. Her eyes stung with how bright the light was.

Hearing a loud thud sound, Haru opened her eyes to see that the bright light was gone and that her body was on the ground.

…

HER BODY WAS ON THE GROUND!?

Looking over herself, she noticed that she was… a spirit?

Did she die?

"HAHI! Haru's body is on the ground! Mayday-desu! Someone help!" Haru was attempting to swim herself back to her body but she wasn't able to move.

Suddenly one of the windows opened and someone slipped inside of the house. The person was wearing a hooded robe so she couldn't tell the identity of this stranger. Haru hid behind a piece of furniture to watch what the person was going to do next.

The person slowly scanned around the room to see Haru collapsed onto the ground. She lay on the ground motionlessly with her eyes still open.

The arm of this stranger moved towards Haru's face to close her eyelids. After having done this, the stranger scanned the room once more to see the box nearby and picked it up.

Making sure the contents of the box was still there, the figure took the object out of the box to reveal a pretty purple, ovular, flat gem of some sort.

'So that gem is what made me like this? Is Haru dead?' She thought to herself, watching helplessly as this hooded figure was doing as he pleased.

"I was right to think you were compatible with this box, Haru." The hooded figure spoke, chuckling a little bit.

Haru had only met the man once, but she could recognize his voice. That was Gekka-san, wasn't it?

What was he doing here?

He gripped the gem in his hand and this time the gem glowed a bluish color. Waving his hand over Haru's body, a blue light travelled from the gem to Haru's leg and it wrapped around her leg like a coil. It wasn't until the light faded away that Haru realized that her leg appeared to be tied by a red silken cord.

"Hm… it doesn't seem to be elongating. She hasn't found out who her fated one is yet." Gekkan looked pretty stumped by this, watching as the red color of the code changed slowly like a gradient from red to blue.

Finally Haru finally put the pieces together, that God that Gekkan talked about was himself. He was the God who tied red silken cords to people's feet, but why would he do this to Haru?

She approached her body in her spirit form and attempted to touch the cord but it went right through her hand.

"Aha, I was wondering where you were, Haru. I see that the cord failed to stay red. A pity really, in you go." He said opening up his hand to show the gem in his palm. The gem glowed a reddish color this time around and Haru felt herself being pulled in.

As she was getting pulled closer and closer to the gem, she could feel her consciousness leaving her.

"W…Why? Why are you doing this?" She asked.

"A God which loses followers grows weaker and closer to death. You'd be surprised with what Gods are willing to do when facing their demise." Gekka answered her. "Now please, stop resisting and just get inside of the Gem."

No matter how much she panicked or tried to run away from the gem which was pulling her in, she was losing all her strength and ended up getting sucked into the gem, losing her consciousness.

The moment right before her whole spirit was sucked into the gem, she was thinking:

'Mother… and father… Haru is sorry.'

They were going to come home to see that Haru was on the floor, probably dead.

Gekka looked at the gem to see that a light green color was swirling around inside of it. Fishing even deeper into the box, he pulled something else out. It looked like some kind of a pendant with a hole big enough to fit the gem inside of.

He carefully placed the gem inside of the pendant and gingerly placed it back into the box.

"It was a pleasure, Haru." Gekkan laughed to himself as he exited through the window he came in from and the window closed and locked itself when he left.

It was only a matter of time before Haru's parents came home to see their only daughter laying on the floor.

I'm hoping to have prologue 2 out pretty soon. We shall see how much I get done. The last few days before classes start up again is going to be a hectic one for me.

Until next time!

-Neospice12