Journey

Ch4

Murasakino sat at a small round table, Retsu on one side and his mother on the other. He'd insisted that she came to his house for dinner since she knew no one. Finally, and very reluctantly, she'd said yes. Murasakino now sat eating quietly and feeling very uncomfortable. Everyone was caught in the awkward silence. What was even worse was that Retsu's father, she'd no idea his name, kept sneaking glances at her and when he knew she noticed he smiled. She shuddered. Diiiiiisgusting!

"So dear, where do you plan to stay?", a voice asked, making her jump.

Retsu's mother, Keea, was looking at her intently.

" Errr, well… Um… I'm not exactly sure yet, so…" she ended biting her lip.

All she really wanted was to leave.

"We do have an extra room if you'd like to stay. You really should stay, with those cuts of yours you really need to, at least a week. Well, now that's settled we'll get your things straight up! It's the second room on the left just up the stairs dear," and with that Keea stood, taking the dishes with her, and pranced into the kitchen.

Great! Now she was going to have to stay for a week, much longer than she'd wanted. Murasakino let out a long sigh. Retsu smiled at her apologetically.

"I'll help you get your stuff, if you'd like," Retsu said as he stood stretching.

His eyes flicked towards his father and she glanced at the man too. He was staring at her intently and almost unblinkingly. He made her skin crawl and she shuddered again. Looking back at Retsu she nodded. They gathered her things together and walked up the stairs.

" Do you need any help up there?" the man called, peering up the stairs.

"No, we're just fine," Retsu, snapped.

His dark eyes glittered dangerously and he scowled angrily. Murasakino rubbed her arm and looked at the ceiling. Now she felt incredibly awkward. Retsu opened the door to the empty room and placed her bag on the floor against the wall. His hair fell into his face as he leaned down. As Murasakino looked at him she realized that both his parents had dark hair and light blue eyes. Yet, he had the exact opposite. His hair was pure white and his eyes were dark gray, almost black. She watched him ,off in a world all her own ,when his voice brought her back.

"Sorry 'bout that," he said, his white hair falling into his face, " Can't trust him. Don't trust him either, you'll regret it. Believe me."

She did, there was just something about that man that scared her.

NIGHT DISTURBANCE

That night she awoke suddenly. Murasakino listened closely, wondering what had woken her. Suddenly there was noise that sounded strangely like person hitting another. Moments later there was a rush of footsteps up the stairs. They stopped in front of her door for a moment then hurried on. What was going on? After a while more footsteps followed the others only these were heavier. There was banging up against the wall as if someone were stumbling around drunk Who ever it was hit her door and she shrunk back. Murasakino heard a hiccup and then the steps walked on. She shook her head and rolled over onto her side facing the wall.

The next night she slept peacefully without waking. As far as she could remember anyway. On the third night she awoke to an angry voice yelling. She sat up and her eyes widened. The voice shouted insults laced with powerful words. There was a bang and she heard some of the china rattle in the cupboards. What in the world was happening? As soon as she thought that the house grew silent. Like the first night footsteps rushed up the stairs followed later by heavier steps and bangs against the wall. More silence. Something was going on and she didn't want to get caught in it.

On her second to last night with Retsu's family she'd gotten away and was able to visit Kiri. Kiri was frantic, as Murasakino knew she would be and found herself in for a long scolding. By a giant leopard.

That night after dinner she was just climbing the first step to go pack her things up when Retsu's father appeared.

" If ya' need sum help jis' come n' get me. I be glad tu help such a gorgeous ting like you," he hiccupped and smiled drunkly.

Murasakino felt that night's meal rising in her throat. She shook her head stiffly and dashed up the small flight of stairs. She rushed to the bathroom and slammed the door shut.

She awoke that night yet again and again she heard the angry voice and bangs. That was it! She was going to find out what was going on. The girl walked lightly down the stairs, counting them on her way down. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, seven stairs. She crept to the corner and peered into the living room. What she saw made her glowing violet eyes widen. Retsu stood facing his father completely unaware of her presence. His father had his back to her and was taunting Retsu with nasty fraises.

When the white haired boy didn't reply the man pushed him backwards. The boy stumbled and the man continued to push him until he hit the wall. The man demanded an answer and in not receiving one began to shake Retsu, slamming him up against the wall. More taunts flew from his filthy mouth. Retsu's eyes were dark, darker than normal, and he gave no response. This angered his obviously drunk father. The dark haired man brought his hand back and hit Retsu in the face. The boy's nose began to bleed but he still showed no emotion. The man kneed him in the stomach, hit him in the face, punched him; beat him until Retsu lay in a heap on the floor.

His father then proceeded to kick him as he sat there. Finally the drunk stopped and yelled at the bloody, bruised boy swaying.

" Get to your room you worthless piece of shit. Don't let me catch you up when I get up there or I'll beat your damn ass again. You hear me boy? You hear me you useless son of a bitch?" he demanded.

Retsu nodded feebly and Murasakino ran up the stairs, reached the guest room, and hurriedly slipped into the bed. She shook with anger, why hadn't anyone done anything about this? Why?! She heard the steps walk past her door and realized that she'd left the door open. Oh, no….

She saw Retsu walk by; his white hair glowed in the moonlight. There'd be about fifteen or so minutes before his father came up the stairs. She got up and followed Retsu. He walked into the bathroom flicking on the light not noticing her. She tapped on the door lightly. There was no answer.

"Retsu! It's me, Murasakino. Can I come in?" she asked in a barely audible whisper.

She received no answer so she tried the door handle. It turned and she opened it cautiously. Retsu spun so that his back faced her but he didn't keep her from getting a glimpse of his bloody bruised face. The dark haired girl closed the door quietly and walked towards the beaten boy.

"You saw it didn't you" he asked in a hoarse whisper.

"Yes," she answered, laying her hand on his shoulder.

He dropped to the floor and put his hands on his face. The girl walked around him and sat in front of him. She took his hands from his face and a gasp choked her. His face was covered in bruises that were turning blue and purple rapidly. He had a cut across his forehead and his nose was bleeding.

Murasakino felt herself begin to shake with anger. This was terribly cruel and completely uncalled for.

Murasakino stood and got cloth from the drawer. She ran icy cold water over it and returned to Retsu. Carefully as she could she began to wipe the blood from his face. He flinched as she pressed on a purple bruise.

"Sorry," she said.

Retsu gave her a small and weak smile. They heard the heavy footfall of his father and Retsu glared at the wall behind her.

" You in der boy?" his father demanded

" No, it's just me!" Murasakino called out hoping he'd move on.

"Surry 'bout dat," the man hiccupped and his footsteps faded away.

She breathed a sigh of relief. That had been close, far to close for her liking.

A short while later Retsu sat with his head tipped back and his eyes closed.

His face now only had dark bruises and the cut across his forehead. Murasakino gazed at him, deep in thought. As if knowing she was looking at him he lowered his head and looked into her eyes.

" You're leaving tomorrow?" he asked.

She nodded.

"I'm coming with you," he said looking at her for her reaction.

She nodded solemnly not blaming him for wanting to leave.

She leaned forward and hugged him. Murasakino had grown to like him in the past few days. Her hug seemed to comfort him and he pulled back.

"I'll see you tomorrow," he told her, rising, and left.

She sat on the floor thinking for a minute, and then she too went back to bed.

A long day awaited her tomorrow.

Retsu's Thoughts

Retsu lay on his back staring at the ceiling. He hurt and was covered in bruises. Luckily he'd been able to conceal the worst from Murasakino. He smiled. When Retsu had first seen her he'd immediately been drawn to her. He didn't know why but it felt like there was some strange internal pull. Maybe it was the fact that she was gorgeous. Her eyes were a shade of violet that he'd never seen and they seemed to glow, especially in the darkness. Her hair sat on her shoulders and was raven black. The day he had first seen Murasakino her hair had shone immensely dark purple. Another thing that he had noticed about her was that she would suddenly disappear in the day. Retsu wanted to know what she was going off to see. Well, he'd find out soon. He was nervous about leaving. Not the fact about his parents or the village but their age. He was only 13 and she was 11(she said she was going to be 12 soon). No, leaving his parents wouldn't bother him in the slightest. His father hated him and Retsu hated him more. His mother knew what his father did but she didn't think she knew she did. He hated her for it too. All Keea wanted was a perfect life. He loathed them both. Retsu yawned and his eyes began to drift shut.

Parting Dream

Murasakino was dreaming. Mist surrounded her and she knew she was some where in the Mist Village.

" Remember sister, you must travel to the village. Let nothing stop you or hold you back," her brothers voice echoed around her," And beware a shadow that will come. Though darkness seems to encircle you a beam of light will save you. Always beware it. Beware the darkness. Fear it Murasakino, for it can end you."

The scene faded and she found herself falling into deep black nothingness. She screamed but not a sound came from her mouth. Then a beam of silver light shone on her and she awoke.

"Beware," she whispered to no one.