Chapter - 3 at last

Times went on as usual. I worked until I was dead tired and I grew worried at times when not only I but maser Tatosai and Kohaku began to see about as much of Sota as I did and sometimes even less than that. As if he was trying to become a forgotten hermit.

The seasons changed quickly and summer flew by after late spring had died off and now the hues of fall had begun to paint the countryside. Buyo seemed to sense my joy of the season. He would race to capture the drifting colors that floated like graceful dancers. It was in this time of season that I always had the most vivid and lovable memories of my family when we were all together and I could never feel sad when this time of year came round.

Today was one of those days as I laid cuddled at the window seat enjoying one of my rare days were I could be as lazy as I wished or even possibly as spoiled as I wished. Though today I had decided to stop worrying about Sota and read a book from the book shop. The one called "hidden chivalry" (totally made up) is my absolute favorite and was having a terrific day just savoring the wonderful read.

It was at my favorite part as the mysterious man was about to come out of his hiding spot to help the young lost girl. I was about to turn the page when I began hearing shouts of my name coming louder and closer pulling my attention away from my book. As I was getting up to investigate the door slammed open revealing a breathless Sota trying to catch his breathe.
He was covered all over in oil. On his face, work apron, and I was worried that his hands would be a permanent stain of the oil color. I had to hold a little snicker as I gazed at his frazzled hair that was most likely like that due to the way he was sleeping. It made it look as if he was licked by one of the cows in the field or possibly Buyo since he was prone to do that every once in a while.
"Sota what is going on?" I asked him. It was a bit of a yell since I was a little angry that I wasn't able to finish my book on one of my days off.
He held up his index finger as he bent over with his other hand on his knee. "I...I...it's...home."
"What's home Sota your starting to scare me." I said worriedly.
He took me by the wrist and without locking the door he bolted out tugging me along after him even though I protested the entire way. I didn't understand and was starting to worry until we stopped and the cellar doors leading down into his workshop.
It took me a few seconds to comprehend what he was trying to tell me but by the time I had caught my breathe I had a single clue. "Sota...you didn't." I said with breathless excitement.
He merely nodded and led me into his chaotic workshop that reeked of oil, candles, metal, and something burnt along with other odd smells. It was dimly lit by the small candles that had melted and accumulated over the floor and by the small windows.
I looked over to the side after stepping down into the room and saw a contraption that almost touched the ceiling and would have some difficulty being removed from the workshop. Belts, nozzles and axes were everywhere over the machine in an organized manner where it was obvious what went in at what came out as the end product. "Sota is this the reason there was so much wood?" I asked knowingly.
He was still in a hurry to get to the end of the room but looked back and gave out an aggravated sigh.
"No sis, that was an earlier project but this one is way better." He motioned for me to follow him to a quickly cleared table with a sheet covering a chest sized object. He turned with great enthusiasm and took a deep relaxing breath. "Ready?" He asked. I nodded and had to catch my breath at the beautiful chest. The wood was smooth to the touch as I placed my fingers on the surface that was painted pure white and the trim of the chest was encased with what I assumed to gold. Though that was unlikely.
"Is that gold?" I asked.
"Yeah I had been saving it from the time someone cancelled their order from master Tatosai. Do you like the ivy designs coming out of it?" I nodded to him as I took in the intricate design of flowers and ivy that was barely thicker than that of a string of yarn.
"Is that gold moving?" I asked as I began to think that the ivy seemed to grow and fall and sprout new flowers. Though I thought it was all in my head.
"Yeah it's demon gold. It's sort of alive in a way. We found this out the hard way but when I thought of this invention I realized I couldn't do it without it."
"Ok so what's in the chest?" He smiled coyly and turned it around. He slipped off half of the chests back to reveal a number if buttons and a few gears before turning back to me.
"Do you remember that little melody mom would sing sometimes?" He said sweetly. Obviously this was something for me since it had something to do with mom.
"Yes I remember."
"Do you remember the notes?" I nodded at him with a skeptical face as I crossed my arms. "Tell me each one." He stood poised and ready at the buttons as I listed off each note then when I was finished he twisted a few knobs, slapped a button and replaced the back. He turned and with a proud face said. "I give you the Higurashi box." When he raised the lid I wanted to squeal like all the other girls in the village when I saw the inside. A round mirror lay in the center of the lid with ribbons criss crossing all around it, that would hold papers, drawings and other things but the best part was that it was the color of a green velvet. I was beginning to think more and more that perhaps I had inspired this strange invention.
Then slowly I began to hear the sound of a familiar melody as if it were being played on tiny piano keys. I wanted to cry so much from the thought of those moments in time I had once beloved and thought that I would never hear sounds of that time again. Then before I thought it could become any better the golden lining along the back of the chest, where the lid and the body met, began to slide to the center and mold into two figures who began to twirl slowly and gracefully to the music. It looked exactly like our mother and father and this time I didn't bother to stop the tears from flowing. They were far too sweet to hold back. The song continued on and by the time it was finished our arms were around each other's sides as we stared at the fading figures. I was sad when the song ended because those beautiful imitators slid back into nonexistence as if our parents were revived and then again departed with death.

I turned to Sota. "Now if they don't give you that prize they are going to damn well sorry when I get my hands on them." I chuckled. He did too. His face was a little worried since I was crying a little more but he smiled and brought me in for a hug. Sota was the exact same height and before too long he would be taller than me and it only made me wish I could dig my heels into the ground to stop time as if I could wait for our parents to catch up. Sensing my feelings he hugged me tighter and I welcomed it whole heartedly. Finally after a bit of effort I gathered myself together and pulled out of our little embrace. "Ok so when do you have to leave for the fair?" I asked hurriedly.

"Well...the fair begins in about a month and it'll take me half that time to get there." He said while scratching his head. I inwardly rolled my eyes begging for help from some force above.

"And knowing your sense of direction you'll need to get started early." I giggled at him.

"Hey! That's not funny." He huffed at me but it only inferred my giggles.

"Your right but you better start packing and prepping Buyo for the journey."

"Buyo. I can't take Buyo, you need him around here I can borrow a horse and wagon from Tatosai he'd be more than happy to."

"Yes he will but we shouldn't just go taking advantage of his kindness. Now scoot and get to packing your stuff while I go talk to Tatosai and invite him and Kohaku over for dinner tonight."

"If that's the case sis then I better go talk to Tatosai to give you enough time to cook."

"Oh you." I swatted at him playfully as he jogged his way out of the basement on his way to spread the news of his accomplishment. I continued to gaze at the stairs of his empty presence and could only feel pride that I had such a brother. "Good luck." I whispered to no one.
I gazed towards the open chest and softly petted the velvet and gold ivy while humming the sweet song. "Thank you." I whispered toward it. I then became surprised as I heard soft tinkling of notes and noticed the accumulation of gold toward the center where I noticed it forming a figure of a girl riding a horse that looked much like me and Buyo. As shocked as I was I couldn't help but smile at the sweet moment and softly petted the chest that I had now discovered to be enchanted. "Oh, you beautiful chest." I said to it. "If they don't love you at the fair I will with all the love of everyone there."

The tune changed and so did the figures to where I now looked as if I were a princess dancing with a faceless prince. I giggled. "Making a prediction are we." As if to answer it, the tune heightened into a merry melody that slowly died down. I sighed softly as I watched the chest shut itself, giving the performance a fitting end. My hand laid upon the enchanted chest and pondered on the mysterious figure and I quickly erased it from my mind thinking it had no true relevance to me since no prince could ever wish for my hand. I wiped the drying tear trails and huffed to rid myself of any further swirling emotion in my hear t but carried with me happiness and peace as I walked out the door.

I looked back just as I was about to exit the cellar staring at the chest and walked out into the bright light of the day. Somehow the day had become more beautiful as I watched Buyo graze and the wind brush through the trees and though my heart was filled with this immense and wonderful peace I could not help but release a few tears as I felt as if I was being embraced by my parents once more. Once again I wiped away the tears and dusted myself off. "Just another day in paradise." I said with a giggle.