Chapter Three
The gentle breeze danced around the cherry tree, caressing the delicate pink blossom that hung on the branches. Small bells could be heard as they blew in the calm wind, sounding both low and high notes of welcome. The great Torii gates left a shadow upon the ground, stretching back behind it as the sun smiled down on the earth. Above the trees were the morning birds, soaring high amongst the clouds. The flowers were in full bloom as she ran through the gardens, her Geta clicking along the ground. The bright blue ribbons that were tied in her long, black hair fluttered in the wind, billowing out behind her. The ornate kimono she wore was adorned with elaborate beading and stitching, the image of a blossoming cherry tree, much like the tree in the gardens, pictured on the fabric. Her dark, brown eyes were bright and flecked with tinges of olive green. In her hands she held a small mahogany box, engraved with intricate patterns along the lid. She grasped it as if her life depended on keeping hold of the thing, clasping it close to her chest as she ran. As she reached the far side of the garden she stopped abruptly in front of a large stone statue that towered over her, covering her in its silhouette. The large Shishi statue stared down upon the little girl, baring it's teeth. She heard them for the first time, their heavy boots hammering into the ground as they followed her. Her heart was racing, the heavy beating pounding in her ears. Kneeling down in front of the Shishi, she opened a large panel located on the pedestal that the Shishi sat upon. She placed the box into the little compartment before replacing the panel carefully. Standing up and dusting herself off, the little girl walked calmly towards a small stream that ran through the edge of the garden. She looked down into the crystal water and smiled at her reflection. Lifting her arms up as if praising the sky, she felt the sun kiss her skin softly. Then it happened. Every bird that was sat roosting in the trees fled so fast that their wings could be heard beating the air. The sudden noise had driven any animal, that happened to be nearby, away. The stream now ran scarlet instead of clear, its once tranquil waters now stained with death. The Shishi statue looked over the scene with the same snarling face, the pedestal it stood on holding a secret that had just claimed its latest victim.
"Gwen, I can't believe you're dragging me up here at half eleven at night!" PC Andy Davidson exclaimed. Gwen rolled her eyes half-heartedly as she ducked to avoid a low branch.
"Come on Andy, where's your sense of adventure?" she teased. Andy held in a groan as he felt his foot sink into the thick forest floor.
"It's back at home, in bed, watching re-runs of Heartbeat, why where's yours?" he retorted sarcastically.
Gwen chuckled.
She relented from looking down at her feet, instead letting her imagination tell her that what she was stepping in was just mud that crunched sometimes…and squeaked. Pulling back tree branches that gripped for her, Gwen grit her teeth and battled on through the dank forest. Her torch just about lit the path before her, making sure she didn't amble blindly into any random ravine that might pop up ahead.
Andy was grumbling away to himself when he collided with Gwen's back, the woman having stopped abruptly.
"Gwen! What the fu---"
"We're here!" Gwen said, cutting him off before he had time to turn the air blue.
Andy looked past Gwen's head and saw a large, ancient looking house that was surrounded by large black iron fencing. Gwen walked up to the thin bars and began fiddling with the lock and chains that kept the gates locked, the rust rubbing off on her fingers. Andy hadn't moved from the gap in the trees.
"Well it isn't exactly in mint condition but I can see the appeal, it's homely." He said sarcastically. With one swift kick, the lock split in two and fell into Gwen's hands. She turned around and smiled devilishly at Andy, who folded his arms over his chest and smirked.
"Technically I should be arresting you for criminal damage and breaking and entering, not helping you." He told her. She just stuck her tongue out at him and pushed the gate open, slipping inside and leaving it open for him to follow. Andy sighed and trudged after her.
"Never could resist that pretty face." He muttered under his breath.
Sorry it's taken so long kiddies but that cursed writers block has been knawing away at my brain and it's a b*tch to beat :)
Well this will probably be the last update for a while since I've got tons of exams upcoming so will be revising like crazy! So enjoy it and review please ^^ x