Revenant

Kohane-chan

"When the sound of carefree laughter

turns into the rapid beating of a heart…"

- - -

"Autumn leaves are beautiful.

But dead."

- - -

Disclaimer: I don't own CCS or the song I took the lyrics (italicized; except for the quote above) from.


Chapter 2: Chance Meeting

- -

"Why? For some reason you look sad.

Voice, my voice; I hope that it will reach you."

- -

"Hey!"

"Hey!"

Two surprised voices reached my ears, just as a warm, calloused hand gripped the upper arm of my descending form.

Through my fear of hitting my head on hard concrete floor of a small village I've never set foot in all my life before now, all I was aware of was that I didn't want to experience a coma; not now, not ever.

It took me quite a while to realize that I wasn't falling now, and that a hand was gripping onto me to keep me from falling.

- -

"If it's about things that don't go the way you want them to,

there are a lot of them, but…"

- -

I could feel shallow cuts, deep ones and a particularly shallow and long one, running between the middle of the index and middle finger, curving to the bottom left of the palm that was currently holding me in place.

It was all so quick and sudden and very much confusing, I lost awareness only knowing that I had been falling and suddenly, I wasn't, then there was a hand holding onto me.

And just as quite suddenly, I was aware of almost everything near me. But the scene wasn't clear to me. It was only a blur of laughter, talk, movement and colors…a hand, and a soft breath blowing against the crook of my neck.

"It's all right," the stranger told me. My mind quickly judged. He was strange.

People usually ask if it's all right. Not reassure you that it's all right when they're not even sure.

But my mind also decided that I like this stranger anyway. I don't know why, nor am I sure if it has anything to do with the fact that he caught me, nor the fact that he saved me from an incoming stampede of tourists (as myself was at the moment) by pulling my out of the way.

"Um…thanks," I stuttered, somehow failing to get my composure back so easily under his gaze.

"Don't bother. But you're welcome anyway!" He smiled. "You just missed the official tour bus though, so I'll take you on a tour instead! It's not free though, but it's not expensive either. So let's get going, shall we?"

I didn't even answer yet, much less processed what was going on yet here I am; holding into his torso for my life as his dark green motorbike went flying across the countryside towards either the nearest town or death.

Deciding against screaming, in case I puked, I focused all my effort at closing my legs as to trap my skirt to keep it from revealing what's underneath.

I gave out a sound of annoyance as the speed picked up more. It was painstakingly obvious I wasn't exactly enjoying the ride at its speed but apparently, he didn't give a damn.

I had no choice as the vehicle sped on, but to clutch tighter to his waist, not caring if I wrinkled his green polo shirt right now. It was really uncomfortable, as my nails kept brushing against the buttons of his shirt.

- -

"If it's about things that don't go the way you want them to,

there are a lot of them, but…"

- -

It was half an hour later before the ride slowed to a much needed stop. He got down and I placed both my hands on either side of the leather covered seat as my 'tour guide' just watched me in amusement.

"May I help the lady down?" he asked humorously.

"Gee, who would ever deny a hand from such a gallant, handsome, young gentleman as you…?" I muttered dryly. But I couldn't help but try to calm myself down from that shaky ride.

He gave me that cheeky smile of his.

"Oh wow, is this the part where I swoon?"

He, of all the nerve, laughed as he supported me. Very kind, thanks. But he laughed. That wasn't exactly what I needed right now.

- -

"If it's about things that don't go the way you want them to,

there are a lot of them, but…"

- -

"Just swoon fast, okay? And if you could walk now, follow me fast. I've got a stop over to make and it might take a while. We wouldn't want to be held back any longer from sightseeing, right?" The 'greatest gentleman of the century' winked.

"Aren't tour guides usually kind and put the tourists' business before theirs?"

"As if I'd do that! No way," he voiced arrogantly, like a spoiled brat with a tantrum.

"So, are you coming in or not?" He grinned.

As he walked off a little way from his bike, towards an ancient looking wooden store which appeared to be a souvenir shop, I couldn't help but feel somehow drawn to him.

Drawn to the way the autumn wind would gently kiss the feather-like gold brown and gold strands of his hair.

Drawn to the way the autumn breeze picked and flirted with the loose, pale-green cloth of his sleeves as his arms swung almost barely by his sides as with each step.

Drawn to how greatly the autumn surroundings made him look like a misplaced angel as he walked on crunched up gold, brown, and red leaves as an angel would on the silver, white, and blue clouds in the skies.

Drawn to the complete stranger himself.

But not drawn enough to forget his arrogance.

It would've been such a beautiful scene for a story now formulating in her mind. How a misunderstood angel accidentally falls down to earth, and how he captured the hearts of many in his own ways, yet never letting anyone dance too closely…

It could've been wonderful. And the words had already formed itself, weaved itself into sentences, paragraphs, a beautiful project and novel right inside my mind.

But that was then, this was now. He was arrogant. How could he be the prince, the angel, the knight, the thief of so many people's hearts with even his slightest smile when he even left her outside like this!

My eyes grew watery from all the dust and the displays.

Countless carved wood figurines displayed neatly on shelves. Some were colored, some were left plain. But they were all beautiful.

Along the walls were drawn portraits and painted landscapes.

I never cared much for paintings since I could never paint myself so I don't and never will see what's so special about famous paintings and such. But I can't help but to admire these ones.

I looked around the shop to admire the figurines while my tour guide talked to an old man I presumed to be the shopkeeper.

It took me a while to realize that someone was watching me until I turned to him and the shopkeeper, both of whom laughed when they saw that I finally realized that they were watching me browse around the whole time.

I flushed under their gaze, feeling uncomfortable.

"Was there anything you liked there?" the shopkeeper asked me.

"Well…I," I didn't really know what to say. But his encouraging eyes made me a bit more comfortable. I swear it had nothing to do with my 'tour guide' flashing me a thumbs up with that irritating arrogant air of his.

I walked towards a small round table that had small wooden racks, upon which were small carved wood with various shapes, fashioned into key chains.

I picked up a particular rose key chain that was carved with much care and coated professionally with varnish.

The outline was smoothly cut, and the petals were done with great detail.

"Is this for sale? And how much is it if it is?" I smiled cheerfully. It was really cute after all, and I'm sure it was made by a very talented, determined carver! Someone who emits such a friendly personality must have created this key chain.

"Ah, that's one of a kind. I still remember, it was the fourteenth of October when that key chain was brought in by my supplier to give as a gift to my nine year old daughter…"

I listened to him tell me about how his daughter absolutely loved this rose…

I didn't understand though, if she loved it so much, why was her father selling it? And why was the arrogant guy smirking at me as the old man continued his tale…?

"…She died last year, in an accident in which she got lost and her body was found later. It seems she fell and hit her head on a rock," the old man sighed sadly.

I gasped as I walked over to him and placed the rose key chain on his hands.

"You should keep it then. I'm really sorry," I apologized. I felt guilty that I brought back horrible memories to him. If it's not me, it's either someone else who remembers something bad. I really am a jinx.

I was almost crying as I thought about how horrible it was for this old man, when I felt an arm wrap itself on my shoulders and a hand pry open my own to place the rose in it.

"Go on, keep it. I'm sure she would've wanted you to have it," the old man encouraged me.

"But I couldn't. It's your daughter's after all," I protested weakly.

The old man chuckled at my stubbornness and replied, "Well, why don't we just ask the one who carved it to judge who of us keeps it, then?"

"This young lady keeps it then! That's settled! Off we go to do some sightseeing then! Bye then Mister!"

"Whoa-! Wait! You made this? There's no way you made this!" I gasped.

"Get over it. Come on then. You'll get to see some sights before we get to my place. You could sleep there tonight then I'll take you around tomorrow since it's getting late," he smirked as he dragged me back to his bike.

"Be quick then, I'll take you to my place, okay?"

Without waiting for an answer, again, threw his spare helmet to me and waited for me to get on.

I sighed, defeated.

I came here to think of a way to get back on my feet. I came here to avoid being pressured to give up. I don't want to give up so I came here to recollect my will.

Recollecting my mind and will didn't actually include practically expecting that the last moments of my life are spent on this leather seat of a motorbike with a guy who doesn't give a damn for speed limits.

I only thought this would be horrible at first. But looking at it in another way… maybe this could help me somehow.

I had to give this guy a chance since he helped me after all.

I'll give this a try and trust him. He can't all be arrogant and speed-defying. He must have other qualities too, I guess.

"All right…" I whispered my reply to his earlier question.

But I guess, with the roaring wind, he didn't hear me. But I didn't mind.

Instead, I smiled.

- -

"Tomorrow a different wind will blow and

we'll feel it in our hearts with hands wide open.

Through things beat down on us, though they may torture us,

We'll be all right."

- -

"…Watashi-tachi wa daijobu…"

- -


To be continued…