The torrent of rain showers upon the graves and the gloomy onlookers in the cemetery. Yukariko hangs onto Yuuko, trying to keep from falling apart as she cries for her fallen parent. Teiichi repositions himself next to Yuuko and gives their mother a silent prayer, frowning upon seeing the endless pain in her eyes. He reaches for her hand, but once again his hand passes through her being. As Yukariko's wails die down into silence, the clamor within the crowds becomes more apparent.

"It's the curse!"

Teiichi snaps his head up and hunts for the source of the outburst, eyes narrowed in anger.

"It's a shame that poor woman had to die."

"What was her husband doing this whole time?"

He surveys the area, but the collection of umbrellas conceals the culprits' identities.

"Do you people not have any respect?"

His question does nothing to slow down their heinous words, and as he glances towards the two grieving girls standing on their own, he feels anger surface within him.

"Whatever... she got what she deserved!"

"They're all going to sit back and do nothing!"

"They deserve to die, not us!"

Tears gather in Yukariko's eyes once more, but Yuuko removes her from the scene before they fall. Walking along the pavement-path, the two silently make their way towards the cemetery entrance. Hordes of individuals stare at the two as they walk, their fangs showing and heads shaking in disapproval, but keeping her sister's head down, Yuuko navigates their way through the hateful glances. Arriving at the entrance, the siblings exit the area and move towards the street.

"Are you okay, Yukariko?"

Only the sound of wet concrete comes after her question. The barrage of dialogue ransacks her mind, forcing tears to well up in the girl's eyes. She tightens the grip around her umbrella until her knuckles turn white.

"Don't listen to them. They don't know what they're talking about. No one deserves any of this, and we certainly aren't cursed."

Her words fail to drive away the tears within her eyes. Taking a different approach, she digs into her pocket and wraps her hand around a pointy object that she then proceeds to pull out. Wearing her warm smile, she grasps her sister's hand and places the object securely in her possession.

"I want you to have this."

"A comb? Why are you giving me this?"

"It was mother's comb. When we were little I asked her for it so much that she finally gave it to me. Now I want you to have it. I know you'll take good care of it."

Juggling the comb around, Yukariko glances over the fine flower-like pattern, eyes twinkling in mysticism. Completing her examination, she lifts her gaze and comes across her sister's reassuring smile once more.

"How… can you still be so calm?"

Yuuko's expression remains ever-friendly, never faltering.

"What do you mean? I just lost my mother as well."

"That's not what I mean! You heard all of them! You're heard them saying how we are cursed, and that our mother deserved to get sick!"

For a moment, Yukariko's words eats away her facade, but it regenerates itself within seconds. Walking past the hysterical girl, Yuuko stops and looks back at the cemetery.

"Don't let yourself get caught up in their nonsense. Now, let's go home."

Yuuko initiates the move toward their home when Yukariko's voice freezes her in place.

"You're wrong! I talked to father and he told me everything! There is truth to this story!"

She places herself in front of her sister to bloke her path home, gazing sadistically into her eyes.

"He told me how it's been our family's duty to quell the god's anger. He told me all about the Akahito ritual, and the meaning behind it."

Yuuko's hand suddenly begins to tremble from the ominous atmosphere that now envelops the two. Yukariko pushes even closer to her sister, their faces now inches apart. The look in her eyes becomes more menacing then before, and Yuuko struggles to hold back her cringe.

"Yukariko…"

"He told me that there was only one way to stop the god from cursing people, and that was to offer one's most precious thing to Akahito."

"What do you mean most precious?"

"Why... a human life, of course."

For a moment, Yuuko's body suddenly trembles uncontrollably. In a moment she manages to compose herself, however, hastily distancing herself from her sister.

"This is crazy. No one believes in gods nowadays."

Yukariko grabs her arm and places herself against her once more.

"Everyone believes. I'm sure of it. I'm thinking Father does too, to some extent. Perhaps he doesn't want to think about associating with a god like this. He is said to be vicious, and he wants to defile, ravage, and destroy the person worthy enough to be the sacrifice. He wants to take out his frustration on that person because of our disobedience."

The trembling in Yuuko's hands appears again. She takes a takes a step back. However, her sister follows her.

"Yukariko..."

"You know that shrine that is at the bottom of the school? That's actually the shrine that was dedicated to the god."

"You're kidding."

"I'm not. Did you ever wonder why a random shrine would just happen to be there? Father knew all about it, but he kept it to himself. Even though he had all of this information, he didn't do anything because he was afraid to take responsibility for what needed to be done," she says, placing her finger on Yuuko's chest and digging in into her so hard that it almost hurt. "It's not too late, Sister. Let's show everyone... let's show them that we aren't afra-"

"Shut your mouth!"

Before she realizes, her hand flies through the air with god-like speed and strikes her sibling's face. Her umbrella hits the ground with a clink and rolls away on the pavement. The threatening aura dissipates as Yukariko stands still, holding her hand over her now reddish cheek and blinking back the water from her eyes. Yuuko stares upon the pink shading of her hand and then back towards her victim.

"What did I just do?"

Rubbing her face, the young woman does nothing to shield herself from the onslaught of the rain. She fixates upon her sister's face to find that her smile is nowhere to be found. Tears stain the teenager's cheeks before her umbrella falls to the ground, and in a moment Yuuko quickly wraps her arms around Yukariko, pulling her into her shivering embrace.

"…"

The rain beats upon the sisters as Yuuko's cries flow through Yukariko's ears as soft and melodic as the ocean waves. The intensity of her shaking increases with each passing moment.

"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry...!"

Yukariko remains quiet while resting her head upon her sister's chest. Her desperate pleas for forgiveness makes her clench her fist, and her hand creeps upon Yuuko's back and lightly taps her wet clothes.

"I was out of control, Sister. I'm sorry."

Yuuko bears down on her even more, almost as if trying to absorb her into herself.

"I'm so sorry I hit you!"

"It's alright. I promise."

Yukariko snakes her way out of her sister's grasp and picks up her umbrella from the ground. Wiping the tears from her red eyes, Yuuko follows suit. Hesitantly reaching over, she takes the younger girl's hand, and a smile reaffirms the teenager of her sister's true feelings. As if this were a sign, the strength of the downpour suddenly lightens. With their hands together, the duo make their way home, leaning on each other's shoulders. Suddenly, however, two men appear almost out of no where, standing before them. Examining both men, Teiichi focuses more on the male with the blonde hair and glasses.

"Is that really you great grandfather?"

"Yuuko… Yukariko. I'm sorry to hear about your mother."

"Thank you, Uncle Kazuki," they both say in unison.

The other man sizes the two up and steps forward.

"You two are soaked. You shouldn't stay out here too long; you may catch a cold."

Yuuko gazes up at the man's face but finds nothing familiar about him.

"Are you new here? I don't think I know you."

"I'm so sorry. I should have introduced myself. My name is Suguchi Niiya. Your uncle and I are acquaintances, and I'm here visiting him for a bit."

The last of the falling water halts as the group stands in silence.

"I'm Yuuko Kanoe, and this is my sister Yukariko. It's nice to meet you."

"It's nice to meet you girls too. I'm sorry to hear about your mother's passing."

Yuuko bows to the male respectfully.

"Thank you for your concern. Yukariko and I should be going now, Uncle. It was nice meeting you, Mr. Niiya."

"Likewise."

Teiichi follows alongside the sisters as they move farther from their uncle's position. Glaring up at Yuuko's face, his mind suddenly replaces the neutral expression on her face with that of her death photo. A squeezing sensation occurs on his heart, slowing his walk for a moment. He stops and rubs his chest until the sensation dissipates. Increasing his pace, he catches back up to the siblings, this time walking beside Yuuko and never once peering up at her face.

"I wish there was something I could do for you."

"You're doing enough," a faint voice comes from behind.

He quickly turns around to locate the source, but finds only grass, cement, and open space. Turning back towards Yuuko, he moves back beside her and stares at the ground, a thousand thoughts running through his mind.

"Are you watching this as well, Yuuko?"

Standing alongside Yuuko, Teiichi gazes off at the dissipating rainclouds from the comfort of her steps. The sun's rays bleed through the holes in the obstructions and greatly livens the scenery. Glancing over to her, he spots her worrisome gaze, and forgetting the reality of this world, tries to take her hand to comfort not only her but himself. Just as before, however, his hand travels through her, sending a wave of frustration through his being.

"What are you thinking about, Yuuko?"

Upon him finishing his question, she answers instantly.

"It's pointless to keep having these gatherings. If only they would put their efforts into finding a cure to this disease instead of talking about that silly curse."

The door slides open and Suguchi exits the building. Stretching his arms, he bathes in the warmth of the sun. Out of the corner of his eye, he notices Yuuko's presence and gives the young woman a friendly wave and a smile.

"It's nice to see the sun again, isn't it?"

"Yes it is. It's been raining so much lately."

"Shouldn't you be inside with your family?"

"It's better if I don't. I caused father problems before, so I'll just wait out here."

He moves beside Teiichi and stares out at the various building in the distance, his expression thoughtful.

"I heard a lot of talk about a curse when your Kazuki and I went to the cemetery. I see that the people here are really superstitious, aren't they?"

"They are just afraid. They don't know how to stop the disease, so they are just clinging to whatever they can."

"Oh? How about yourself? Do you think that this village is cursed?"

She caresses her arm in an attempt to ward off the unsettling feeling around her, bringing back warmth to her rain-soaked bones.

"No. I don't believe in curses. That way of thinking should have been discarded long ago."

He releases a chuckle while clapping his hand at her, admiration dancing in his eyes.

"You're quite the level-headed girl."

"Someone has to be. I hate that it's only my father and me, though."

"It's only human nature to fear what one doesn't understand."

"There is nothing to be gained from acting like a bloodthirsty mob. I pray that my uncles don't make it worse. However, that may only be wishful thinking."

"Why do you say that? Kazuki doesn't seem to believe too much about this curse either."

"That's a family matter."

"Understood. "

He gives her a playful smile and makes his way off to the ground.

"I'm heading back to Kazuki's, now. Perhaps we can have another talk some other time?"

Instead of answering him, Yuuko asks another question.

"If you don't mind me asking… how do you and my uncle know each other?"

"I helped him out when his daughter gave birth," he replies before walking off towards the center of town.

"So you're a doctor?"

"Something like that," he says, and then he vanishes in the distance.

"A doctor? I wonder why he'd want to keep stories like that secret."

Yukariko sits in the back of the meeting room while the other male members reside at the round table. The atmosphere in the room reeks of desperation and anger as the men grow restless in their silence, fear charging their every move.

I don't like the feeling in here.

Suddenly, one of the men stands up and slams his hand upon the table.

"It's been almost a month since this epidemic started! Why have we not done anything about this yet?"

"How many more people have to die before you people do your duty?" another man follows up.

Yukariko's body shutters from the intensity as the atmosphere around them gets more hostile. She notices her uncle Kyo take a stand.

"Brother… things are only getting worse. Have you figured out what the cause of this is?"

Her father bows and shakes his head in his admission of failure.

"I have not."

The voices roar to astronomical levels, nearly threatening to tear down the walls where they stand.

"What do you mean you haven't figured it out yet?!"

"Everyone knows it's because of the curse!"

Kou rises calmly and motions for the crowd to simmer down, the lack of fear on his face impressive.

"Have you put any thought into what you're doing? You've been so caught up in those books that your wife is dead, our population is crippled, and the people have lost faith in us! What more do you want to happen?"

He sits quietly and contemplates the question.

"I will figure out an answer before we use anyone as a sacrifice."

"How long do you think we have until we all end up dead?!"

He remains quiet and lets the commotion take over the room, nearly swallowing it whole. Kou remains standing to scan the area. Yukariko's skin suddenly tingles as she feels a pair of eyes staring at her, but even as her vision creeps around the room, she finds nothing suspicious.

Father… just do what they say.

The roaring noise in the room dies down after Kou raises his hand to silence them.

"On my brother's behalf, I think we should adjourn this meeting. Let's reconvene in three days."

The participants chatter amongst themselves again before everyone gets up and does as he asks. On their way out, each person gives her father a distasteful glance before exiting. Bringing up the rear, she takes a seat next to him and looks up with sympathetic eyes.

"Are you okay, Father?"

"Yes. I just need to try to harder to figure this out."

She places a hand on her parent's shoulder before giving him a hug, resting her head against his chest.

"Then do your best."

Heading towards the exit, she stops before walking through.

Are you sure you're making the right choice?

Entering into the hallway, she makes her way towards the door but notices that Kou and Kyo are learning against the wall. Almost instantly, their eyes move upon her, and they wave her over. With each step her weight seems to increase, and as she walks down the hall Kou addresses her with an inviting tone.

"Can we have a word with you, Yukariko?"

She finally stands before the two men with her body stiff as a board, caution ringing like a bell in her mind.

"What… is it?"

"What did you think of that gathering?"

She hesitates before answering her uncle's question as honestly as she can.

"I don't think much got resolved. It almost felt as though it was a complete waste of time."

Kou and Kyo glance at each other, exchanging a quick head-nod.

"Why do you say that?" asks Kyo.

"The curse was the main topic of discussion."

Kou removes himself from the wall and stands before her. His semi-muscular build and height make her want to scurry away, but she takes a deep breath and holds her stance.

"Do you believe that your father is doing the right thing? Do you think that this is not the cause of us failing to do our duties?"

The image of her mother emerges into her mind, as well as all of the corpses at the school, and she shivers despite herself.

"I believe that Father does not have the will to do what it is you're asking of him. I am beginning to doubt if he's making the right decision."

Kou rubs his hand over his jaw before squatting down to give her the height advantage.

"Did he explain the ritual to you?"

"Yes."

Her heart suddenly jumps as he kneels before her and places his head upon the floor.

"As a member of the Kanoe family, and daughter of my beloved brother, would you please handle this matter in his stead?"

At this point, her heart beats as if it's going to burst from her chest at any moment, splattering the room with her blood.

"What... what are you saying?"

"Due to my brother's pride, he may never choose to go this path, and because of that we are suffering. We are desperately in need of an Akahito more than ever, and only a select few can fulfill this role."

"Why… why can't any of you do it?"

"Due to our brother being the village head, we aren't able to be Akahito."

She glances over at her uncle, who is now kneeling at her feet as well. The seed within her mind attempts to push its way further, but she mentally stunts its growth.

"I have to abide by my father's wishes," she replies, shaking her head so hard her neck starts to ache.

Kou and Kyo release sighs of disappointment before lifting their heads. Picking themselves up, they brush off their knees.

"It's okay if you don't want to," Kou says before heading towards the front door. "I just wonder how many other mothers are going to parish due to our inability to act."

His final statement tears through Yukariko's body, inviting a wave of sadness into her. Her chest begins to hurt at the memories of burying her mother, but she fights back tears and reaches out to the escaping men.

"I'll do it. I don't want anyone else to die needlessly."

Kou and Kyo turn towards their niece and give her a respectful bow.

"Now that we have an Akahito, we need you to determine who will be the chosen one."

The chosen one.

As the words roll through her mind, an image of Yuuko comes to mind, though she doesn't understand why. Quickly kicking the thought out of her head, she places her hand on her face, shielding herself from another invasive image. After minutes of deliberation, she shakes her head, producing frowns upon their faces. Kou offers the girl a fake smile and gives her a hug that she knows isn't real.

"That's okay. Take your time and make sure you select the most appropriate person."

The two stop for a moment to glare at one another. Nodding their heads once more, Kou turns to his niece and addresses her.

"Can you come with us outside?"

"Oh… okay," she says, walking quickly to catch up with them.

Pushing through the front door, they each step out onto the porch, and shielding their eyes from the sunlight, they bask in the new warmth for a moment. Out of the corner of their eyes, the sight of Yuuko staring off into another direction cracks a smile upon their faces.

"This curse is dangerous. We need to do something to get rid of it."

"Yukariko, what do you propose we do?"

Confusion washes over her from her uncles' sudden interrogation. She tries to pull herself together to answer.

"I wonder how many people it has to claim before anyone in our family does anything to stop it."

Yuuko suddenly swoops in and places herself between Yukariko and the men, protecting her.

"Would you mind not filling my sister's head with talk of curses and superstition?"

The men look at each other and then back at her, eyes narrowed in clear dislike.

"She's old enough to think whatever she wants, Yuuko, and you are just throwing around your own opinions."

The girl takes Yukariko's hand and hides her behind her back, making her own body a shield.

"They may be my opinions, but they are better than using talk of curses to scare people into siding with you."

"Yuuko should let Yukariko do things her own way," Kyo says.

"If she wants to do what she wants, that's fine. However, I will keep her away from bad influences such as you!"

The Kou chuckles and reaches his hand out to her, but quickly she slaps it away. His eyes twitch before straightening himself out and glaring.

"You're pretty stubborn when you want to be, aren't you? My own daughter won't even talk back to me like that."

His vision moves past Yuuko and looks at her sister dead in her eyes. The seed in Yukariko's mind sprouts even more as his eyes sends signals to hers.

"If you're done, could you two please leave?"

The brother's throw up their hands in defeat and walk away slowly. After disappearing from sight, Yukariko suddenly blushes bright pink as Yuuko holds her hand tightly.

"I'm sorry you had to see that."

Yuuko releases her hand, causing the blood to leave her face.

"No... no... You shouldn't apologize, Sister. You were just being the person you are."

Yukariko glares at her sister as she looks out at the scenery.

You're just being the person you always are.

Wiping the ominous glare from her face, Yukariko stands next to her sibling and gazes off at the distance with her, both their eyes sparkling in the light.

"Perhaps we should ask father to come out here with us, Yukariko. I'm sure he could use the fresh air."

"Why not?"

Heading to the inside of the building, the sister's make their way to their father. Teiichi stays behind for a moment, staring off in the distance before following the girls.

"What was that all about? What's going on with those three?"

Teiichi places himself on Yuuko's wall as she lies within the confines of futon. Her back faces him, preventing him from making out what's going on with her expression.

"I can't believe I hit her," she says to herself, staring at her hand. "What kind of a sister am I?"

She turns over and gazes in Teiichi's direction. He quickly freezes at her sudden change, but in a moment calms himself down. She suddenly takes hold of her hand and places it under the sheets.

"You shouldn't be so hard on yourself, Yuuko."

She heaves a sigh before closing her eyes, and Teiichi knows she can't hear him when she speaks next.

"It's only getting worse now, and I feel like I'm losing her to this madness. I have to do better. I can't let her be influenced by these people, especially those tw-"

The door to her room suddenly flies open, causing her to shoot upright in her bed. Teiichi shifts his focus towards the door to find the Yukariko standing in the doorway, outlined by the light rushing in behind her. The sight of her in her nightgown and clutching a pillow brings a smile to his face, making him chuckle.

"I guess they're about to have another one of their moments."

"Can I... sleep with you tonight, Sister?"

"You know you startled me right? Try to knock next time."

"I'm sorry about that. I just get uneasy when I get left alone these days."

Yuuko moves aside and makes a place for her in her futon.

"You're such a helpless child," she says with a playful smile. "Come on over."

Yukariko's face lights up before shutting the door and diving into her sister's warm resting spot. Situating herself under the covers, she nestles up to her big sister and releases a small, childish laugh.

"I swear these two are something else." Teiichi says, chuckling as well. "The chairwoman really does seem a lot happier now."

After a few moments of resting, Yukariko sits up from her spot. She pokes at her sister's arm, bringing her attention to her.

"Thanks for doing what you did earlier."

"Do you mean with Uncle Kou and Kyo?"

She nods. Yuuko places her hand upon her head and messes up her hair.

"It was nothing."

"It meant a lot. I was so overwhelmed by the sudden talk about the curse that I couldn't speak, but you were there like always."

"I'm your big sister. It's my job to look after you. Just remember, there'll be times when you'll have to be strong enough to handle yourself."

Yukariko's eyes lower, as if trying to escape from the girl. Yuuko's finger touches her nose, however, turning the girl's cheeks bright red.

"Why do you do these embarrassing things?"

A melodious laugh leaves Yuuko's mouth, causing the young woman to pout.

"It's because I love you, that's why. I like seeing those faces of yours."

A fierce smile plasters itself across Teiichi's face as his heart threatens to leak out of his body.

"Are girls really like this or is it just these two?"

Moments roll by before Yukariko's voice speaks out again.

"Sister... Do you hate Uncle Kou and Kyou?"

"They are our family, so I can't hate them. However, I do believe that their actions are clouded sometimes."

"I don't understand."

Yuuko doesn't answer her, just sighs and pulls her down to her chest.

"It's just a female's intuition. Don't worry too much about it."

Yukariko lies against her sister's chest, unable to move. Moments pass and Yuuko's grip loosens as she drifts off, gazing up at her sister's slumbering face and smiling a loving smile.

"I love you with all my heart sister," she whispers.

She suddenly falls silent, prompting Teiichi to make his way towards them. Their fingers intertwine with each other so perfectly it's as if they're part of a painting.

"Are your memories drawing to an end, Yuuko?" he asks, grabbing onto his chest. "I don't think I need to see the rest of your memories. I think I've seen enough."

A tear within the corner of her eye catches his attention before he runs his finger over her skin. Unable to feel her, he takes a seat near her head. Near-silent whispers escape her mouth, however, peaking his curiosity. He leans in closer to understand her speech.

"You... promised... me."

A pain suddenly shoots through his chest and he quickly massages it away. Fixating upon his sleeping beauty, he runs his finger along the area of her eye. He fails to remove the moisture from her skin, but takes a seat next to her once again, this time with determination buzzing through his body.

"You're right, Yuuko. I did promise."

TO BE CONTINUED...

Next Chapter: Tears of the Goddess III