Hey there, I'm still alive! In a hurry, but alive.

For the ones still reading this story, I can't thank you guys enough! My writers block is finally starting to fade. I still don't have much free time, but things should get better in about two weeks or so. Hopefully I'll be able to update more from there on.

Please forgive any mistakes. I just finished this chapter and was too anxious to check it over and over (like I usually do).

Now, on with the story! ^^

The Other

Prompt: TV (suggested by LBanime)

Age: around 4-5 years old

Little Kouichi held his breath as he took yet another step, his white sock helping him in being silent. Dark eyes wide, he stared unblinking at his target. His mommy was home (a big surprise, it was usually granny), and she was sitting on the couch, staring at the TV like it was the biggest, most wonderful toy in the world.

Why?

Taking another step, Kouichi tried to understand again. His head hurt for so much thinking but he didn't want to be left out. So, the boy pondered, even if he wasn't sure what 'ponder' means.

Mommy was home.

Mommy was watching TV.

Mommy wasn't watching with him.

But why? It wasn't like Kouichi didn't like to watch TV. He did, very much! He liked the cartoons, and the games, and the films made with doe*. And lions! Kouichi loves lions! Those were the best! And mommy liked those too! She was always smiling and laughing when they watched together.

Another step. Kouichi internally cheered. He was getting closer, closer than last time. He had tried before but mommy would always send him back. Last time she looked so angry little Kouichi almost gave up, but now he was happy he did not. Maybe he could make it this time? Sure it was late, and he should be sleeping, but he wanted to know what was keeping his mommy there.

Music echoed in the room and little Kouichi recoiled, scared he would be caught. But then he recognized it. It was the song for that show, the boring one with the man that always talks. Mommy always watched it.

And indeed, as the man started talking, Kouichi saw his mommy move, sitting on the edge of the couch, getting even closer to the TV. Curious and exited, little Kouichi took another step, and another and another. One of the boards groaned and he quickly ducked behind the couch. Heart beating fast, he waited for mommy to see him and send him back to bed but mommy never came. Nothing did. He cheered.

On the TV, the man keeps on talking.

Holding his breath, Kouichi got on his fours. He reunited all the courage he had and circled the sofa. Then he took a deep breath and, in the bravest act of his young life, lifted his head and stared at the TV.

But there was nothing there. No cartoon, no lions. There wasn't even a dinosaur like the movie he saw last time. The TV was just showing a street, like the big ones near the park. There was a police car with the lights on and Kouichi stared at it.

The man from the show keeps on talking, and Kouichi saw him on the sidewalk close to the police car. It was very strange, that man usually sat on a white table when he talks. Why he was on the street this time? And why were all of that people there too? Was the policeman on the police car giving candy?

But then why he couldn't see any child? No one gives candy to adults! Everyone knows that!

The car's door opened and a policeman walked off. Little Kouichi stared harder, looking for candy just in case there was some (although adults receiving candy seemed really wrong) but all he saw was another policeman coming out from the back seat and he was holding someone. Someone small, wearing a police jacket far too big.

A child?

He looks sad. – Kouichi stared at the child. He could tell it was a boy, even with the long, black hair all messed up.

"Thank God!" – the exclamation made Kouichi squeak and hide back in the couch. Unfortunately, it was of little use.

"Kouichi! You should be in bed!" – getting up, Tomoko went for her son. In a flash she had the struggling child on her arms and was marching to the child's room.

"But mommy! I wanna see the boy!" – little Kouichi complained. He tried to see the TV once more from his place on his mommy's shoulders but it was no use. Even when he squinted it was no use. He could not tell the boy from the adults anymore.

Tomoko closed her eyes for a moment, ignoring her son's pleas. She could not have that conversation now. It was too early! She wasn't prepared!

And yet a voice keeps whispering she would never be.

"Mommy? Why was the boy sad?" – Kouichi asked in a whisper, tired from all the struggle and from being up for so long. It was way past his bed time.

"…Because he was lost." – finally they reached the bedroom and Tomoko laid her precious son on the bed, tucking him in with all the love on her heart.

Little Kouichi blinked. Something on that answer didn't seem right. That and mommy had that strange look again.

"Mommy, are you sad?"

"No, Kou-chan. I'm happy. Very happy. "

Kouichi could only stare as his mommy scratched her eyes. Maybe she was sleepy too? Kouichi's eyes were always itching when he felt sleepy.

"Come to sleep, mommy. We can share the bed."

Tomoko smiled.

"I'm come in a moment, okay Kou-chan?"

"Kay." – Kouichi mumbled before his eyes finally closed, the tired child falling in a blissful sleep.

Tomoko's smile faltered and once again she had to dry her tearful eyes. Bending down, she gave her son a soft kiss before getting up and quickly leaving the room. Somehow she still managed to catch the last end of the news.

…the Minamoto family had a happy ending, with father and son reunited once more.

"Oh, Kouji. My little Kouji. Thank God."

*Kouichi is talking about stop-motion films, which are usually made with doe or something similar. Some examples are Chicken Run and Corpse Bride.