Chiro
I sat up in bed. I could still see it. I rubbed my eyes trying to get rid of the monster. "Chiro," I heard it whisper. "Chiro, I love you." Tears stung my eyes. "Papa" I whispered into the darkness. I don't know why I did, but I did. There was a knock at my door. "Come in," I said and the door cracked open. It was Hatsu. He was still in his nightshirt and boxers. "Are you all right, Chiro? I thought I heard a scream." I sighed and looked out the window. It was snowing. Hatsu came in and sat on the foot of my bed. He looked out the window too. "I doubt we'll have school today." He said. "There's already several inches on the ground out there." he said. "I had a nightmare." I said at last. He looked at me and waited. "I have the same nightmare every time it snows. I don't know why. I just do." Hatsu looked out the window again as he asked "What was it about?" I had never told anyone. Never. "A monster. I see a monster. There's a voice crying out to 'kill it'. I think it means me." "Doesn't it ever kill you?" "No. It lets me live." "Even thought a voice was telling it to kill you?" "Yes. I know it sounds ridiculous, but... I think it might be my father." I couldn't say anything else. I closed my eyes wishing the tears to go away. I heard Hatsu moving around on the bed. He pulled my head to his chest and held me there. He stroked my hair as he held me. I couldn't hold it in any more. I hid my face in shirt and put my arms around him, afraid to let go. His chin was resting on my head. The tears rolled out of my eyes. I clung to his shirt, sobbing. I felt a drop of water hit my head as I heard Hatsu whisper "Oh, Chiro" He buried his face in my hair. We stayed like that weeping in each other's arms. I loved him. In that moment, I knew I loved him.
Hatsu
Memories flooded my mind. I could see her now. Twirling in the sunlight. Dancing to the music boxes. Kyo lifted her high in the air. And she laughed. "Hatsu!" she called, "Come dance with me!" She held her hands out to me wanting me to take them. Then I saw Akito telling me that she had been killed because she was a monster. A monster beyond imagination. I loved her. I knew I loved her. And now I had found her again. Here she was crying in my arms. And yes, I loved her still. I knew it was her. I saw her roots coming in. I knew she was my Chiro. She was with me again. She couldn't remember me, but I knew it was her. I saw the bottle of hair dye remover. Yes, her hair was softly turning orange. This was my life long friend, my love. This was Chiro. And all she could remember was her father's monstrous form. Her father being told to kill her. And so I wept for her. I wept for joy for having her here in my arms, and for the pain that I knew was in her heart.
Yuki
They were quiet. Too quiet. Something had happened. Hatsu hardly said anything that morning before I left for the dojo. Chiro was just as quiet. Tohru didn't seem to notice. Rin and Haru did though. They asked me if I knew something. All I could do was shake my head. It had snowed for the first time that day. It's put us all back in time it seems. To that day where they were taken away. Maybe Hatsu remembers it. That would explain his silence. But not Chiro's. There was something between them. Was it possible that they can remember each other? Was that too much to hope for?
