World 1: Home, The Traveler's Decision
"Any desire, anything you want, I can grant it. That is, if you're willing to pay the price."
Hana could hear Yuko's words replaying over and over in her mind, constantly repeating like a broken record. She sat at the empty kitchen table, staring at the completed homework before her with little interest. She had thought a lot about the peculiar shop while she had been in the shower, but still it made little sense to her.
In the living room, the black cat, Yoru, sniffed the playful white puppy curiously. Satisfied that it was of no threat, the cat licked its nose and moved on. The dog gave a happy bark and followed after the cat. The door to the bathroom downstairs had been left open with a box of newspapers for the dog to do its business in.
"This doesn't make sense…Everything feels like a dream." She muttered as she flipped through the book. A towel rested on her wet hair, the long red strands hung flat against her back. In the back of the book, there were pages and pages of blank spaces, as if the book wasn't finished. "What's this…? Blank pages…? What kind of book is this; it's not even finished." She shut the book and rested her head on it with a sigh. "What am I going to do…? I want to leave…But am I willing to follow this unknown woman's words? Different worlds; am I willing to accept that?" Hana scooped up the book and made her way upstairs. Behind her, the cat followed at her heels with the unnamed puppy scampering three steps behind.
Hana threw the book on her unmade bed, surveying her slightly unkempt room. Could she really just leave it all? Why couldn't she? There wasn't much holding her back. No family. No responsibilities. No friends. So why did she stay? She asked herself over and over again, but kept drawing blanks. Picking up her clothes off the floor, she watched the animals wander around her room. If she did end up leaving, would she take them with her or find someone to watch them.
"I haven't even named you yet, have I?" she said to the dog. "Let's see…a name…' Hana gazed at the dog for a long time, the gears of her brain slowly turning. "How 'bout Tristan?" The dog perked its ears up at her before going back to playing. "Tristan it is then…" Hana made her way to the sliding door that led out onto the balcony that overlooked the street. Warm air greeted her as she stepped out, her bare feet touching the deck softly.
Hana inhaled the breeze as it blew past her, closing her eyes in thought. When she opened them again, she was staring up at the band of stars stretched across the canvas of space. The warm light from her room flooded out, bathing her in soft yellow glow and casting long shadows. What a nice night…Too bad the day was ruined by my grandmother and her good-for-nothing lackey.
"Hey, Hana, you sure are up late." A familiar voice to her left made her head turn. Standing out on the deck of the house next door, was Zack Klein. He gave her a crooked smile as he flipped his wild black hair off his face. It was usually wild and untamable, always looking like he had just rolled out of bed.
"Doesn't the same go for you, Zack?" she shot back in English and he cocked his head to the side.
"I guess I am. I was waiting for you to get home." He replied, his topaz eyes flashing in the balcony light. His charmingly good looks and charismatic personality had placed him in the top rankings in the school's popular kids group. Hana was towards the middle with the large population of normal, under the radar people. While he had lists full of friends, she had only a handful. Yet despite this, they had somehow managed to become friends, whether Hana was willing to admit it or not. He was the closest thing she had to a true friend.
"Won't your sister get mad at you?" Zack lived with his older sister, April, in the house. Their parents were always away due to their involvement with the Marines. The only time that she had really seen them was at Christmas a few years and when they were stationed back home. Like Hana's family, the Klein's had moved from America to Japan. Their first language was English and since they were the only two kids at their school from America, it was nice to speak their native language every so often.
"No, she's working overtime tonight at the college." Zack said and leaned back against the railing a bit. He let his words drawl out in that Southern accent that was thick on his voice. While he was from Tennessee, she was from California. Both places attracted them a lot of attention at school.
"I see, well aren't you being the responsible one and going to bed on time." Hana sighed as Tristan raced out onto the deck at the sound of a new voice.
"Like you're one to talk."
"Shut up…" she muttered and he laughed. Tristan barked for attention and Zack's eyes shifted over to her.
"What was that? A dog?" He tried to look over to her side of the balcony to find the source of the noise.
"Yup, it's a dog." Hana told him and picked Tristan up for Zack to see. "His name's Tristan,"
"Aw, when'd you get him?" Zack leaned over as far as he could so that he could pet the dog. Tristan wagged his tail and licked the new hand. Hana knew that Zack had a soft spot for dogs.
"Today; I found him on the side of the road in a box." Hana stroked the dog's back rhythmically. Tristan was ecstatic to be getting to much attention as his tail was wagging a mile a minute.
"Poor little guy." Zack soothed in a silky tone and Tristan eyed him endearingly. "So are you gonna keep him?"
"Yeah, it's too late to leave him along now."
"And he gets along with your cat?" She nodded. "Well that's good; you're cat doesn't seem to like me very much."
"Maybe he doesn't like your hair very much. It always looks like something attached itself to your head." Hana offered.
"Now that's cruel, Hana. My hair's not that bad." He muttered gingerly and combed his hair with his fingers, trying to tame it with little success.
"I guess you just don't have a way with cats." Hana stared at him as he focused on his hair. She suddenly wanted to tell him about her grandmother, the butler, the wish shop, and the decision she was going to make. Zack had been the only one to really stick by her after her family had been killed. He had been at the funeral and had stuck by her side when most had just deemed her "mentally depressed". But something held her back and she couldn't go through with it. He'll be lonely is I leave…but perhaps it'll be better if I do. I don't want to drag him down with my problems.
"Hey, are you ok?" his voice broke through her thoughts. She had been staring intently at his face in thought without realizing it. "You've been staring at me for an awfully long time. You haven't fallen for me, have you?" A devilish grin spread across his face.
"You wish." She said flatly and his face fell a bit. "No I have not, I was just thinking."
"About…?"
"Stuff."
"Ok, but seriously, have you been ok? It's almost the anniversary." Zack's tone softened and his face turned to concern. "Is there anything you need to talk about? I'm always available. I'm sure sis would love it if you had dinner with us again…"
"Thanks for the offer, Zack, but I'm fine." Hana said putting up a smile. She began to doubt whether she was ok or not. Some days it was hard to tell; she missed them terribly and that would never change.
"You sure?"
"Positive." They stood there in silence for several long minutes. "Well, I guess I should be getting to bed soon; can't be falling asleep in class. I don't want to end up like you with marks on my forehead from having chalk thrown at me."
"Hey! It's not my fault! That teacher has some serious issues!" Zack protested adamantly.
"Well if you didn't keep falling asleep in his class I'm sure the issues would be resolved. Goodnight." She told him and opened the sliding door.
"'Night, Hana." He watched her leave until he was left alone.
Hana lay on her bed in the dark, staring up at the ceiling. Tristan and Yoru were curled up at the foot of the bed, breathing softly. What am I gonna do? Do I accept…or just forget about it? I just…don't want to keep living the way I am now…I need something interesting to happen. If my wish is granted, then this is my chance…She closed her eyes. Then next time she opened them, it would be morning
The days leading up to Friday moved quickly, almost as if someone had pressed fast-forward. Often she found herself on the roof during lunch, flipping through the book Yuko had given to her. When Friday came around, she had made up her mind that afternoon. She sat in her room after school, stuffing clothes and other various things into a large duffle bag. Since she didn't know what she'd really need, she just packed everything she thought she'd need. On the very top was her beloved camera. She stared into its lens, trying to recall all the photos she had taken with it.
"I guess you and I will be going on a journey together, huh?" she said softly. Tristan bounded over to her, begging for affection. Around his furry neck was a red collar with his name etched on a bone shaped ID tag. Hana stroked his head until Yoru got jealous and pushed him aside roughly. "I wish I could take you two with me, but it wouldn't be safe and I don't want to lose either of you." It might not be fair to just leave them in Zack's care. Especially Tristan, I just got him at the beginning of the week…and now…to suddenly leave…I know Zack will take good care of them. Am I making the wrong decision though? To just suddenly leave with just a letter? On the nightstand was her letter to Zack explaining what she was doing and thanking him for all he'd done. Nestled in the envelope was the key to her house so that he could take care of Tristan and Yoru. She knew he wouldn't mind, he seemed rather found of Tristan and the dog adored him.
"I guess I'd better be going. I'll be seeing you later." She told the animals as she headed for the door, scooping up the book as it lay on the table. Tristan whined loudly behind her, almost as if he knew that she was leaving. "Now don't look at me like that, you'll make me feel even worse about leaving than I already do." Hana patted his head one last time. "Don't worry, Zack will take good care of you. I promise I'll be back soon." Without looking back again, she walked out of the house, shutting the door behind her, locking it. She pulled out her hat and placed it on her head and tied her black Converse tighter.
As she passed by Zack's house, she put the letter in the mail box, sticking out so that he would notice it. His sister was still in her classes and he had soccer practice so he wouldn't be home until later. Tristan and Yoru had enough food and water to last them a few days, but Tristan would need to go for a walk and Yoru would need his litter box cleaned. She hoped that she was making the right decision in choosing Zack. She'd find a way to repay him once she got back.
Without casting a backwards glance, she continued down the street in the direction of Yuko's shop. Her heart felt heavy and wounded. "Is this what a traveler feels? Does it really hurt this much to get up and leave everything? I guess it doesn't hurt that bad because I know that I'll come back someday. Even if we're apart, we're still connected by the same sky, not matter where we go." But then again, if I'm going to different worlds, will the sky look the same? The night sky will be…the stars will be the same…
The bloated sun began to sink, casting long shadows and painting the sky with fire. Cars passed by her, not noticing the girl who would be embarking on a life-changing journey. Soon, the tall office buildings that she had seen that day she had stumbled upon the shop appeared and Hana knew she was close. Hana walked along the black fence until she stood at the entrance, staring at the shop that lay before her.
Hana gazed at the sky now streaked orange. The wind began to kick up, playing with her copper hair. A sudden thought occurred to her. She could turn back now and just go on with her normal life. But that thought scared her even more that the road leading to an unknown future. Taking a deep breath, she stepped off the sidewalk and into the shop's yard. She was leaving everything behind, no going back now.
"The customer is back! The customer is back!" the two girls, Maru and Moru came bounding out of the house towards her.
"Alright then, bring her around to the back." Hana could hear Yuko's voice from inside.
"Alright, mistress!" they sang and, grabbing Hana's arms, dragged her along to the back of the shop. "This way! This way!"
Hana allowed herself to be pulled along. I will look forward no matter what happens now; this is the life I'm choosing. She thought, closing her eyes momentarily to calm her anxious heart. When she opened her eyes again, she saw Yuko dressed in a black dress, Watanuki by her side. He was dressed in a high school uniform. She stopped and stared, realizing that is was her school's uniform.
How ironic that he'd go to my school…and he's in my same grade. I've never seen him around though…but that doesn't really matter now, does it? I won't be going to school for a long time. Hana straightened herself and faced Yuko, waiting.
"Have you made your decision?" the woman asked.
"Yes I have," Hana replied confidently. "I want you to grant my wish."
