KHfan22: Siddhartha and Kamala belongs to Hermann Hesse. Yuuko, Maru, Moro and all plot connected to xxxHolic belongs to CLAMP.


Siddhartha was living a good life. His brand new house stood on the streets with a garden nearby and servants coming in and out. He could hear everything, all rumors and events that would happen at that moment or in the future.

One rumor struck his curiosity hard. He was out searching for a place to gamble when he heard a woman in tears (of joy or sorrow, he could not tell) and listened closely.

"She was like a fox! She is the definition of a witch! She lured me into her grasp, asking what I desired. I felt like a rabbit after carrots or a mouse after cheese. I told her my wish and she granted it! Do not ask me how, for I do not know! My son, my dear son, who was sick, is well!" She gave a laugh and the people around her cheered.

One man pressed her for where this witch lived and she did explain, "You know who Kamala is? The witch lives a few houses down near the edge of the town boarded by a brown fence."

Siddhartha did not see this rumor to be of any importance to him so he moved on. He met a different rumor in his gambles.

"Bah!" said a rough and muscular man, "The witch is a lie! There is no such thing as a woman who grants wishes. I have sought this woman but I saw a brown fence and it only surrounds tall, uncut grass. There is nothing of any importance there."

Siddhartha was definitely curious. The next day Siddhartha decided to investigate. There it was! Standing tall was the brown fence with two golden crescent moons at the opening.

Siddhartha wondered if he would see the mysterious house or simply uncut grass. He peeked inside to find an odd looking house. Siddhartha approached the house and felt shivered creep up his spine. When he passed through the opening he felt the air change around him. It did not feel tainted, but pure. He felt as if he left many things behind him. He heard the laughter of children and two small girls ran into him. "Excuse me!" He said.

The girls stared at him with awe. "A man!" They cheered and began to jump with excitement. "A man as arrived! A customer for mistress!" They ran around him then approached the door. They opened the rice paper doors and bowed. "Enter." They said.

Siddhartha entered the mysterious house and the girls led him to a door.

"Yuuko-san," The girls said in unison. "He has arrived." And slowly the opened the door.

Siddhartha was surprised to see a woman lying on a couch with a loose dress that looked awfully revealing to an innocent man. Siddhartha was no innocent man, however. He had spent countless nights with Kamala. "Good evening, I have heard many rumors of your existence." He said.

The woman sipped clear liquid from a small white cup. "Is it evening? Did you really hear about me?" She asked.

Siddhartha nodded. "Yes, I was curious so I decided to investigate your house." He said.

The woman looked up at him with half-lidded eyes. She stared at him long and hard and finally a smirk appeared on her lips. "How is your father, dear? Is he still a Brahmin?" She asked.

"Excuse me?" Siddhartha asked.

She chuckled. "Of course you wouldn't know, but enough about your father. Tell me, what is your wish?" She asked.

Siddhartha frowned. "I'm afraid I do not understand." He said.

She spread her arms as if mentioning to the whole building. "This shop exists to grant wishes, I'm sure you have heard in the rumors." She said. "You tell me your wish and if it is under such conditions that I am able to grant it and you are able to pay for it, it will come true." She said.

Siddhartha simply smiled. "I will be able to pay for it." He said.

She rested her head on the back of her hand. "Really now?" She asked with a smirk that rivaled his.

"Yes, tell me, witch, how much does a wish cost?" He asked reaching for his heavy pouch of money.

She gave a dark chuckle. "Your father offered such a thing to me long ago. I do not take money for I have no need for it. Your price will be much, much heavier…" She said.

Siddhartha frowned at her response. A woman who denies the offer of money? He has learned that money can offer many things. "Very well then, I shall give you my wish. How does that sound?" He asked.

"Proceed." She said. She poured herself another cup of clear liquid, and Siddhartha assumed it to be some strange kind of wine. She drank as he spoke, "I have riches, witch, but for some reason my heart is not content. It is not satisfied. I do not wish to learn from teachers, but you seem to be a very wise woman." At this she gave a wide smile.

"Tell me how can my heart be content and I shall pay you whatever you call." He said.

She stroked her chin analyzing this new wish she has come across. "A heavy price it will be, but you can pay it. Do you wish to know?" She asked.

Siddhartha thought carefully. "No I do not wish to know my price. If it is within my limits, I am satisfied to not know it." He said. It will be a gamble.

Her eyes danced with laughter. "Very well. Your wish will be granted and I have already received payment." She said.

Siddhartha blinked. Was that it? Nothing to be exchanged? No words of wisdom? What did he receive, what did she take? "When will I see that my heart is content?" He asked.

The witch sighed laying down, her limbs stretched out, and the shoulders of her strange dress drooped. "The rest is up to you. Maru, Moro, please see him out." She waved as if to shoo him away. She was obviously done with him.

The door slid open and the two young girls guided him out with blessings of farewell.

Siddhartha was still confused but went on his way. The next day Siddhartha did not feel any different and sought out the witch who granted wishes. He came to the lot that she resided in, only to find a completely different shop standing in its place. He asked the owner of the shop what happened to the strange looking shop only to find that there was no such thing.

No wooden fence, no strange shop, no happy girls, and no witch. Was his encounter with the witch real? Perhaps this is one of the many secrets the world had to offer to him. As Siddhartha walked away he did not realized that as he moved on with his life, he no longer thought deeply about life, waited patiently for the day to pass and his hunger constantly came.


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