Hello guys! I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank those of you who left a review for this story since my last update. It means so much to me and it's what motivates me to keep writing. Thank you all so much. Also, there's a possibility that the next few chapters will take a little longer as I have major exams in this month and the next. These exams determine whether or not I'll get into university so please forgive me but they'll be more important than updating this. I'll try my hardest to update this though. Enjoy!

- Léa


Whispers On The Wind
Chapter Four: Nightmares

I remember that night so well. What happened is probably burnt a permanent hole in my heart forever.

When that young boy fell, and I saw Gin instinctively reach out to steady him, I felt no concern.

This is a spirit festival after all. I thought subconsciously. No need to worry. Other spirits can touch him without harming him.

Then my worst nightmare came true. Gin's skin had begun to glow an eerie green, starting at his fingertips and quickly spreading up his arms. The clearing lit up as the green light spread like wildfire up his body.

My stomach dropped and my heart felt like it had become lead. I felt heavy, paralysed with fear at the realisation that the boy he's just touched was human.

I didn't know what to do. There was so much I wanted to say to Gin, and in the mere seconds I had to think what to say I couldn't remember any of it. This was the end. I just stood staring at Gin, tears gathering in my eyes, frozen in place.

The glow had reached his neck now, his skin now looking as if covered in coloured diamonds. In that moment he looked more beautiful than ever.

This is it. I thought. One touch and he'll shatter.

"Hotaru, come. I can finally hug you."

I broke out of the trance-like state I was in and met his gaze. He was smiling, his face bright under the light of the spiritual green covering his body. In that split second I gave up on trying to remember everything I'd ever wanted to tell him. In that moment there was only one thing I wanted in the entire world. I leapt into his arms, the tears beginning to fall uncontrollably as I threw myself into our first – and final – embrace. I felt the skin of his cheek on mine and the warmth of his breath on my neck. I felt everything I'd ever felt for Gin overwhelm me and fill me up.

And then it was over.

Gin was gone.

The glittering green crystals flew in different directions away from me on the breeze, leaving me alone. I fell to the floor, gripping his kimono to my chest as the sobs shook my body.


My eyes flickered open as I awoke from the nightmare. For the five years since that night I'd been having it nearly every night, and yet as I roughly rubbed at my eyes with the sheet that had twisted around me as I'd slept. I felt the same as I did when it first happened. Broken. Empty. Alone.

I sat up in bed, still holding Gin's white shirt close to my chest as I inhaled his scent that lay under the musk of age.

I felt no rush to get up. I had nothing to get up for. I sat for a few more minutes, comforting myself from the nightmare with the scent that made me feel safe.

"Hotaru."

And then I heard it. My name being called again. The spirits again.

"Hotaru."

I stood up from the bed and carefully folded the shirt, placing it on the mattress. I attempted to smooth my sleep-rumpled clothes as I walked to the door of the shack.

I pulled it open with a creak and blinked as my eyes struggled to adjust to the early morning light. Stepping out the open door my gaze fell on the shock of red partially hidden by a nearby tree.

The umbrella spirit.

"Hotaru." It called again.

"Yes, it's me." I answered.

There was a pause. The noises of the forest seemed to become louder as the birdsong and insect calls filled my ears. Despite this noise the forest still felt calm and peaceful. The umbrella spirit faded and reappeared by the tree next to the first.

"Hello." The spirit said.

"Hello." I returned.

"The forest missed you." It said, a kind tone to its voice.

"And I missed the forest. I just…needed time." I whispered, my voice breaking at my words.

Another pause. The umbrella spirit faded again, and moved a few trees to the right.

"I understand." Said the spirit.

I simply nodded, not knowing what to say. The breeze tickled at my hair that made me feel a little comforted.

"He loved you, you know," The spirit said. "I don't understand what 'love' is, but he never said hat he 'loved' anyone else. You were very important to him."

I smiled, looking down at the grass. "I loved him, too."

The umbrella spirit moved once again, this time appearing slightly closer to where I was standing.

"…If you could have one wish, what would it be?" The spirit asked, quieter than it usually was.

I didn't have to think about it. There was only thing I wanted in the entire world.

"To hear Gin's voice again." I said, tears gathering but remaining unfallen.

That was all I wanted. I knew simply hearing his voice could help me begin to heal. His words would be my strength, and though I wouldn't be able to return to a normal life with a job and a house and whatever else constituted as a 'normal' life, I knew that hearing his voice would help me move on.

The thing was, however, I didn't want to move on.

"Gin would want you to be happy." The spirit said.

"I can't. I've tried, but I…I just can't. Not without him." I whispered, a lump in my throat making it difficult to speak.

"Hotaru." The spirit said again. "There may be a way…"

My head shot up to stare at the umbrella spirit intensely.

"What? What do you mean?" I near-shouted, my heart pounding in my chest.

"There may be a way…to see him."


To Be Continued

Wahh! Sorry it's so short! I'll update as soon as I can. Thank you! - Léa