A
New Light
Chapter
29
Tides
Night
7:48 Pm
Coast Line
It was night time at the beach coastline.
The tides set a steady beat as the waters crashed into near by rock bluffs. Sending foams of crystallized water into the cool night air.
The stars twinkled above everyone's heads and shined down unto all of them but the moon seemed to shine the most under two specific people.
Shinobu and Keitaro were walking down the beach shoreline. Both of them heading back to the Hinata beach shack for Shinobu to go back to her work. Both of them still wearing their formal dresses and still…
Hand and hand.
Keitaro let out a big sigh.
"Its such a beautiful night isn't it Shinobu-chan."
"Yea. I always loved the nights here in the beach. Or in any beach. Always made me feel...calm."
"Unlike the hectic nights back at the Hinata-sou!"
"Yea like that one time where Tama-chan bit Asuna in the-"
"-Rear and she ran through out the Hinata-sou yelling and screaming, then-"
"-Bumping into Suu and both of them stumbled down the staircase and stopping completely dizzy and !"
"-Unconscious and we all had to clean up the mess!"
"Hehehahah!"
"Hehehahah!"
Both of them giggled as they reflected back at that particular night. But soon their innocent giggles increased to a roaring laugh as the both of them realized that they finished each others sentence. During the whole conversation.
Keitaro looked at Shinobu's face as she laughed.
And he just had to smile.
She was happy. She had pure happiness etched on her face and Keitaro just loved it.
Shinobu stopped laughing and noticed Keitaro staring at her. Very lovingly and brotherly. Smiling.
Shinobu instantly blushed.
Keitaro chuckled.
"Haha, Your like a little sister I've never had Shinobu-chan!"
Shinobu winced mentally at the word sister: "Just…only like a sister…"
Her hands unconsciously loosened from Keitaro's grip.
"But Shinobu-chan. You know…I like that. You remind me a lot of my little sister that I hadn't seen in a while….and….I'm glad I have someone like you with me. Someone who is like a sister to me during these rough days. Someone who would stand by me and hear what I have to say and ease some of the stress and I….really like that."
Shinobu's eyes widen. Her hands gripped tighter unto Keitaro's hand. And her whole outlook on Keitaro and her feelings changed.
"Th-thanks Sempai…I-I appreciate that!" She stuttered.
Keitaro only smiled.
"Please, you don't have to call me Sempai anymore…"
Shinobu stared up at Keitaro while they continued to walk. Silent. Still holding each other's hands gently.
But the beach shack came into view. All lit up and some customer were still there. Naru and the others could still be seen shuffling busily from one place to another. Their shadows closely following them.
With still a slight blush let go of his soft hands.
She took a step forward, and with a steady foot she swiveled to face Keitaro. Her back to the beach shack.
Her blue Kimono shined under the moon's mystical light. Her blue hair wavering from the slight blue breeze coming in from the ocean besides them.
"Thanks for hanging out with me….Keitaro Onii-chan!"
With an extreme blush she stuck a playful tongue out and with a twist she started to skip towards the Shack.
Leaving a smiling Keitaro standing on the sand littered beach.
Keitaro just watched Shinobu skip towards the shack. The light from inside the little cabin piercing through his eyes.
But he could see that Shinobu was the happiest she has ever been.
Every skip she took, made a mark in the sand. Her kimono was helplessly dangled around her body as she continued to skip away from Keitaro.
Sempai…From the beginning I had a crush on you. I could see it in you. The things I fell in for. From your determination to your subtle handsomeness…I would always blush near you…
Shinobu turned her neck to gaze at the still standing Keitaro behind her.
But I knew it wouldn't be able to work out. You were older then me by a significant amount and you also had someone you loved Naru. Now I don't know if you still have those feelings towards her or to any of us. But the fact sill remains most of these girls like you…and one more girl fighting for your love is to much of a hassle for you and I would not win anyways…
Shinobu waved a final good night good bye at Keitaro. He only responded with a smile.
But even though I knew I wouldn't win, I kept hope. Because I wanted to be with you other then merely friends. And I thought being girlfriend and boyfriend would solve that. And anything remotely near that would make me happy.
Shinobu faced forward once again.
For example like today at the festival I was extremely happy being near you..being able to hold you hand …But now I can clearly see…It doesn't have to be like that…The things you said…Like being there for you …hearing you out…being someone special...someone more then a friend…but less then a lover…like a sister…this…will make me even more happy then before…
With that Shinobu disappeared into the bright lights inside the beach shack.
And like that Keitaro was now alone. But he didn't feel like it.
He felt…nice…
With a heavy sigh he faced the rushing ocean. The tide coming in closer. The air much cooler then before.
I thought that went pretty well…he thought.
This was Keitaro's plan all along. He was suppose to do something that would make her let go of her feelings towards him... a fib...a lie…yet trying not to hurt her at the same time
He felt bad about lying though. He didn't want to lie to her.
But when the sister ordeal blurted out of his mouth at that little moment.
…the weird thing was…
He found himself not lying…
All of that somehow felt true to him.
So genuinely true.
And it seems she went along that little reasoning of his.
And he felt relieved.
It seems I have another 'sister'…right…Kanako-chan…
He looked out into the deep dark ocean. And there in the horizon was the ghostly shape of Okinawa island. Shrouded by a veil of darkness and distance.
But what hovered above it scared Keitaro a bit.
The stormy cloud that was there this afternoon returned. But well hidden in the depths of the night sky….and seemingly more vengeful.
Night
7:35 Pm
Otohime Residence
Mrs. Otohime stood in front of her living room window. Her hair freshly wet as she just took a nice warm bath.
She was looking out from behind the cold pane of glass to the calm night sky. Cloudless.
Stars littered the vast ocean of black. Untouched and in plain site.
Every time she would look up there she would stare at awe.
No matter how many times she looks at the sky she cant help but be amazed at its beauty. Much different then her times in the big cites. The fast paced night life back in the cities completely wiped out the celestial beacons from plain view.
Much different…
She looked at the table besides the window.
There laid on the surface of the table, standing firmly erect, was a picture of herself and her husband. Both of them holding hands to a very young, and adorably cute Mutsumi. All three of them strolling down a sidewalk in Tokyo.
Mrs. Otohime sighed.
There were many reason why she decided to move to this island. First of all, it was peaceful here. It was perfect atmosphere to raise a young, fragile daughter all by oneself. She had the ocean to calm her down. The scenery to amaze both of them. A nice community with friends and children. And a worry free life under the beating sun and the cool ocean breezes.
That's what she wanted.
That's what she got
But the death of her husband was also one of the other main reasons. She just couldn't take the city life any more. The fast paced work life.
The smell of smoke everywhere.
And especially the risks….
She looked back out the foggy window.
To see a storm a brewing up in the sky. Blocking out the twinkling stars.
Mr. Otohime was sitting comfortably on the living room sofa. With his wife sitting besides him as her head rested on his shoulders. His only daughter also was also with them. Sitting on his lap as he hugged Mutsumi warmly and letting her rest her body on his chest. All three of them sat on their sofa as they continued to watch television in their small little apartment.
Mr. Otohime looked down unto his child and soon found her sound asleep.
He gazed over to his wife to find out she too was looking at Mutsumi.
Both soon locked eyes. And they soon smiled at each other.
A connection.
With grace and elegance, both of them leaned forward and kissed each other gently.
Their soft lips making contact with each other and bringing warmth to the other's. But Mutsumi giggled in her sleep interrupting the two adults in their love moment.
Both looked down at the girl again and they too laughed. That is until…
-BANG-Clank-
The front door completely unhinged from its joints a fell down like a brick down to the floor.
Both of them stopped laughing and looked at the entrance to their apartment. Surprised and scared.
Soon two guys with identical attire came into view. Black jackets, black pants, black ski mask concealing their faces. And the most noticeable of them all.
Black pistols in each of their hands.
Mr. Otohime instantly handed a tired Mutsumi to his wife.
"What's the meaning of this!" He roared. But instead of getting a verbal response he got a physical one.
-Whack-
He went sprawling back into the sofa he was sitting in as one of the robbers quickly backhanded him with his pistol.
"Honey!" Mrs. Otohime wailed. To scared to only hug the sleeping child and not move an inch.
Mr. Otohime rubbed his sore chin and was about to stand up again but something was lightly jabbed unto his head.
His eyes fearfully took sight of what it was.
The nozzle of a gun.
"Now, now don't be to hasty mister. We are here to just here to take some valuables."
Mr. Otohime gritted his teeth. "Fine go take anything you want."
The robber grinned. "That's a good man.."
Soon the robber backed off from his head but was still pointing the gun at the helpless family. While the other robber started to haul the television outside.
Mr. and Mrs. Otohime slowly sat besides each other and only watch as their valuables were being taken one by one. Hugging a still asleep Mutsumi.
"You done yet?"
"Yea, There wasn't a lot of expensive stuff here but we should at least get a profit off of all these stuff."
"That's not good enough!"
The robber reached out a menacing hand and grabbed Mrs. Otohime's hand. Lifting her up from the sofa suddenly.
She winced in pain and let go of Mutsumi, leaving her with her husband.
"This wedding ring would do just nicely!"
Roughly he started to force the wedding ring out from her frail hand.
Mr. Otohime just stared dumbly at the scene but soon anger rose from his heart. Seeing his loved one getting hurt got him furious and courage filled his brain.
Quickly he placed Mutsumi on the sofa and soon tackled the robber into the ground.
The robber released his hold on the women and soon was on the ground. Getting a beating from Mr. Otohime's furious wrath.
As he was pinning the robber unto the ground he gave the robber a mouth full of punches and jabs into the face before his fists started to get hurt.
Mrs. Otohime only stared at shock at what her husband was doing.
But the next sound she heard made her heart freeze into place.
-BANG-
Everything froze for Mrs. Otohime at that exact moment.
The punches.
The grunts.
The struggles.
The breaths.
Everything froze.
The crook had a gun pointing upwards from his fallen, beaten form.
And obsidian smog of smoke rising from the nozzle of the gun…
And all that was left was her husband. Her love. Bleeding from the stomach, on top of the robber. His hand still in mid air from a punch.
For a moment she could swear she saw her husband gaze at her. And say silently "I'm sorry.."
Before dropping helplessly unto the crook he was beating up.
She was speechless….for a second…
"Ryu!"
Mrs. Otohime shivered back into her senses. Averted her gaze from window, and looked back inside her living room. The fireplace ever so hot and searing.
She could remember that day like the back of her hand. After her husband got shot by the crooks, they high tailed it out of there. But soon were caught a couple of hours later. But the damage had already been done.
My husband….no….Mutsumi's father and my husband…were killed.
With a depressing sigh she shuffled over to the near rocking chair.
She sat down, laid a warm blanket over her lap, closed her eyes and slowly started to drift into sleep.
The fire from the fireplace suddenly crackled.
But unbeknownst to her shadows crept from the slightly open front door. Making their presence a secret for now.
One of them crept upstairs. A bag slung over his shoulder.
And the other. Snuck up to the sleeping women. Arms spread out. Ready to strike.
"You look so cute with those new clothes!"
"I do not look cute!" Hitari blurted out as the he and Mutsumi were headed back home. Hitari was dressed in a white long sleeve shirt while a short blue punk t-shirt was placed over that to match his eyes and hair. For pants he had on a tan cargo pants that went down and covered his new blue and white Nike shoes.
Mutsumi giggled. "Yesh you do!"
Hitari rolled his eyes. "Fine fine. But I just couldn't believe this small island had a mall."
"Hey islands aren't always primitive you know! Girls here need to shop to!"
"I could see that." He blushed.
"Ara? You embarrassed because all those girls back in the mall had a liking for youuuuu." She teased.
Hitari's blush got even more red. "N-No!"
" Ara! Don't lie! They were practically on you!" Mutsumi winked. "But I can't blame them!"
Hitari's face was beet red by now and he averted his gaze due to embarrassment. This change of view got him to notice the woods surrounding them.
"This place…is quite calm…. Mutsumi-okaa-san."
"Hehe, There is no need to say okaa-san, Hitari. But yes, the jungle is quite calm most of the time. I memorized these woods because I lived here so long."
Hitari only nodded and looked around as the two walked. It was almost pitch dark as the two strolled back home. Making the surrounding woods even more scarier to Hitari then it already was.
Something shook a leaf bush near by.
"Eeepp!" Hitari squealed as he closed his eyes and practically hugged Mutsumi's arm.
"Ara Ara! It's just a squirrel Hitari-chan!"
Hitari slowly opened his eyes to see a small cute brown and white striped squirrel run up the closest tree.
"Hehe so it is…"
"Hehehehe."
"So Mutsumi okaa-eer, I mean Mutsumi-san. Were you born here?"
"No, me and mother used to live in a big city."
"What was the city's name."
"Ara..I forget.?"
Hitari face faulted.
"Um..okie continue then."
Mutsumi giggled. "Well after Father died, Mother decided to come here. One of her best friends lived here and she said that we could stay in this vacant house."
Hitari looked forward. Nodding his head.
Mutsumi looked up at the sky and saw the dark clouds hover in the night sky.
Quickly she grabbed Hitari's hand and dragged her with him.
"Come on Hitari. Its going to rain soon!"
"Okie.."
Night
7:57 pm
Otohime Residence.
The front doors opened to reveal Hitari and Mutsumi enter the surprisingly dark room.
"Mother?" Mutsumi shouted and she flipped the lights on.
Mutsumi's eyes widen in surprise and so did Hitari.
There in the corner of the room laid a tied up Mrs. Otohime. Her mouth gagged up and also unconscious.
Mutsumi instantly ran towards her mother and kneeled by her tied down form.
"Mother! Wake up! Wh-whats going on!"
There was no response.
Hitari also knelt down. With two finger he checked for a pulse.
"She is still alive, don't worry. Just out cold."
"Mother!"
"She won't be waking up for a while.."
Hitari and Mutsumi instantly turned around to find out who's voice it was. And there right in the middle of the living room were a pair of bandits. Both dressed in all black. Even their faces were painted black for a camouflage effect.
"She seemed to have fainted when she noticed us inside the house."
Mutsumi courageously stood up.
"Wh-what are you doing here! And what have you done with mother!"
The tallest bandit took a step forward.
"Isn't it obvious. We are here to rob you. You two are the richest people in this dump you call an island."
"And as for your mother." The other bandit spoke up. " We just tied her up that's all. We didn't do anything drastic…yet.."
Hitari narrowed his eyes.
"And now that you all saw us…I'm afraid you have to perish…every single one of you…"
The tallest bandit pulled out a pistol our of his right pocket and aimed it at Mutsumi.
Hitari gasped.
Mutsumi's eyes widen, her legs collapsed from underneath her, and she fainted right there on the spot.
Hitari quickly caught her and laid her on the floor besides Mrs. Otohime.
Both Bandits laughed menacingly.
"Hehe she fainted just like her mother. What a cute coincidence. To bad it won't happen ever again. Lets start the killing!"
Hitari just about had enough. With newfound courage he stood up and directly charged the tall bandit. Taking him by complete surprise.
He was about to tackle him to the ground when..
-Whoosh-WHAM-
The other bandits foot came smashing into his face. Head on.
His big Boot to his small face.
Hitari went flying to the far wall of the living room.
Knocking over tables and lamps on his way.
Both bandits chuckled horridly as they watched his rag doll form lay cold on the hard wood floor.
"Foolish Boy. Now where was I! Ah the killing…"
The bandits turned back towards the two fainted women.
The tallest bandit aimed his pistol down at Mutsumi.
"Sayonara.."
-SPLASH-
"AAHH!"
Before he could even pull the trigger of his gun. Water splashed hard on his hand. Making him let go of the gun and grab his hand in extreme pain.
His hand began to sting like crazy, like lava was dropped onto his hand.
Melting away form the outside in as smoke arose from the wet spots on his hand.
The gun sprawled hard on the floor, and skidded to a stop near the front entrance.
"Whats wrong Ed!"
"Aaah! Why is it hot! It like freakin boiling my skin alive! Aahhh!"
Both bandits looked back at the boy behind them.
And their jaws practically fell unto the floor.
There the ten year old boy stood. Hitari had an aura of dark blue colors surrounded his petite body. His eyes completely blue and his hair standing, floating on its own.
With a new deep voice that practically chilled the two bandits spine and brain with fear.
He roared…
"You said there would be a killing…I'll give you a killing…"
-End of Chapter 29-
A.N) Lost my proofreader for a couple of weeks…maybe even more..so it aint proofread TT
Also the borders were changed bcuase document manager wouldn't allow me to make the previous borders of -
it would end up with only one of them...meh..
