The last pure fluff chapter for this story! Enjoy! Comments/reviews are appreciated.

Chapter 8: Celebration of the Living

Winter nights were always cold, but perhaps it had only felt that way ever since everyone was forced outside to collect money from anyone who had not yet been subdued by the Transmission. Mono was shivering since his room was underground. However, tonight was much colder than normal. A breeze had entered his room.

"Hey, Mono! Psst!"

Stirring, the boy woke up to see Tria on the other side of the opened window. Sitting up from his bed, he looked at her. She was in her nightgown, wearing a large jacket and her usual shawl. She was also gesturing with her hand for him to come closer. The snow around was very light outside and the full moon glowed behind her like a halo. Rubbing his eyes awake, Mono got out of bed.

"What are you doing here, Tria? If the Director catches you-" he got cut off.

"Oh, he won't catch me. I bet he is snoring in his room, dreaming about more money," the girl joked quietly. "Hurry up, Mono! I want to show you something."

"Can't it wait until morning?"

"Nope. It's something I want to share with you!" She smiled as the boy put on his favorite coat over his pajamas.

Deciding that wasn't enough to keep him warm, Tria gave him her shawl after pulling him out of his room. Looking at his window, two thoughts easily came to his mind. Had there always been a crack in the glass? And how did Tria unlock the windows from the outside? A key was required to unlock them.

He didn't really think much about it as he felt her hand holding his, she was leading him into the forest. While it was dark, the moon showered its light on the path. Curious, Mono had asked what it was the girl wanted to show him. Simply laughing, she teased that it was a surprise. They walked for a few minutes until at some point, Tria had requested that Mono close his eyes and not take a peek. Obediently, the boy complied. Walking, walking, walking, until the child felt the girl stopping. So he stopped as well.

"Okay, you can open them now!" he heard her say.

Slowly opening his eyes, Mono was immediately awestruck. It was the lake - the same one Tria had painted on her wall during the fall season! The temperature hadn't dropped significantly for the water to freeze, but the boy bet if he were to reach his hand out, he would be met with a chill on his skin. The pine trees that were surrounding the lake were lightly dusted in white and the moon perfectly hovered above everything.

Turning to face Tria, the boy blurted, "This is beautiful!"

The girl responded with a smile, "I'm glad you like it. I found it a few months ago while sneaking out. After that charity event and going to the city a few days ago, seeing the gloom of it... I decided to take you here. Despite there being some sad looking places, there are a few hidden beauties out in the world as well."

"So, what is this place?"

"I don't know. But I gave it a name. It's our Sanctuary!"

Sanctuary. The word to describe this place sounded right to Mono. Joining Tria, who was looking at the bushes, Mono crouched next to her. She was picking at the berries, teaching the boy about which fruits were safe to eat and which he should avoid. He learned a lot from Tria. It only reinforced his thoughts that the girl was a way better teacher than the one from the Orphanage. After exploring the Sanctuary on his own, taking in the scenery, interacting with the thin blanket of snow, and just admiring the beauty of it all, the boy had finally had enough. Returning to Tria's side, he sat down next to her.

Cough, cough, cough...

Immediately, Mono grew concerned for the older girl. Maybe she was staying outside for too long, so he suggested, "Maybe we should go back..."

"It's just a cough," the girl dismissed.

"But you're ill!" Mono argued.

At that argument, Tria lightly laughed. "I remember we had this discussion once. Don't worry about me, Mono. I stored these a while back just in case."

Pulling something out of a hidden jar, the boy saw a red fruit in her hand. It wasn't an apple - it was a cherry. For a while now, the child had noticed his big sister eating the fruit whenever she could. Actually, she would eat whenever she would cough. Did that mean whenever she coughed, she had to eat the red fruit?

"Tria, you're eating cherries again. I know I'm not the right person to be asking this, but... aren't you bored eating the same food everyday?" he inquired before the girl took a bite.

Smiling, Tria replied, "It is a little boring, but it's not like I eat it everyday. It can prolong life. While death is a necessary part of life, I desire to live longer."

The concept of death wasn't unfamiliar to the children at the Orphanage. Many of them had lost their parents, however, death never affected Mono personally. He'd never witnessed death before. And yet, Tria was known as a sickly girl. For a few months now, her voice had been strained and she couldn't fiercely shout or yell as much as she'd used to. If she tried, her throat would burn and it would feel painful. Even her golden hair started to change, becoming a pale blonde color. It had been worrying Mono for a while, but he never really questioned it. He didn't feel it was his place to ask.

If she were to... the boy shook his head, not wanting to think about it.

As if she understood his train of thoughts, Tria pulled him closer to her, "I know it may seem scary - to lose those you love. Believe me, I know how it feels, but it will happen to everyone eventually. Like how everyone desires, we prefer death to not happen too soon. Even if I can't live a long life, I like to focus on the good memories and enjoy the moments I have now. And I want to share those wonderful moments with you, Mono."

Mono recalled a similar discussion Tria had once had with him - how painful memories would hurt but by embracing them, they would be endearing. Staring at the lake, he waited patiently as Tria ate the red drupe before asking his question.

"Aside from the cherries, is there no way to cure your illness?"

After finishing eating the fruit, Tria turned her gaze to the lake, "There are stories out there, that there is a beautiful pool in the east - much like this one. Its waters can cure any illnesses - from human sickness to magical curses. The last story we read was based on that."

The girl had always planned to find this pool. The traveler who had taken her in had told her about the cherries and the mystical properties of the pool's water. It was still too early to leave, especially now in the cold month of January. She hadn't gotten stuff finished yet. However, ever since her meeting with the Music Maker, she would sneak out and prepare. For now, all she had were a few harvested berries stored away in a tree trunk hidden by bushes. She still needed supplies to make the Sanctuary into a habitable place to stay for a number of days. Once she was ready, she'd escape with Mono. It wouldn't be a full escape, but at least they'd be away from the Orphanage. Once the Music Maker took them away, the pool would be the next place Tria would go, if she could find it, however.

"Any illnesses? So if I have a cold, it can cure me?" Mono asked.

"Ah, no, no! Let me rephrase that. Any illnesses that are unnatural and prolonged - if they're allowed to continue so that they would cause death. Many greedy people desire the water for their own selfish needs. So guarding the pool is a child. They cast a spell to hide the location."

"It's a story, so does it exist?" Mono questioned.

"I don't know, but I believe it. The trees that surround the pool aren't like these ones. They're cherry trees. It is said that no matter what season they are in, the trees are always in full bloom. That's why the fruits can prolong life and ease the illness for some time. A few people have managed to take some of the branches with them. As the cutting moves further from the source of their origin, the ability weakens a bit, unfortunately."

Although, if someone who was eating the cherries were to get closer to the origin, the mystical properties would strengthen again. That was why Tria believed strongly. Even if she didn't know where the pool was, if she could feel the cherry's effects build up and she grew less sick, then she'd know that she would be close. That was what the traveler had told her. It would be like a game of hot and cold.

Since Mono still didn't understand the illness part, the girl continued to explain using herself for an example. Her illness, despite it acting more like normal human sickness, was the work of a monster. Therefore, it was an unnatural ailment. By eating cherries, the process of her disease eating away at her is stopped. The red fruits were like a mediator, stopping a conflict before it would eventually happen again. From what she knew, illnesses such as hers didn't require the sick to eat the fruit everyday. However, she wasn't sure if the same rule applied to anyone who was cursed. She wouldn't know since she'd never met anyone who was cursed. However, it was safe to assume that the cursed would have to eat more frequently because the curse would conflict more with the magic of the cherries.

Understanding the illness part, the pool, and the bit on the trees, the boy inquired about the fruits themselves. "What would happen if I ate the cherries? Are they like the trees themselves? Always in full bloom?"

"To you, someone who doesn't have an unnatural illness or curse, it would taste like any other fruit you have tasted. Nothing would happen. Unfortunately, unlike the trees that would stay in full bloom even if they were far away, the cherries themselves could spoil in time."

In the winter season, it was more fortunate since the cold kept the drupe from spoiling. The cherry's effects were more potent and stronger when taken fresh. She knew from experience. Ever since her stay, she had been storing the red fruits in a tiny fridge in her room. Frozen cherries were second best to freshly picked. Hopefully, there wouldn't be any problems during the spring season when the warmth returned to the land.

After finishing with any other explanation Mono might need, the girl decided it was time for them to head back to the Orphanage. She didn't want to be responsible if her brother caught a cold or anything similar. The boy voiced his complaints, saying that it was her who she should be worrying about more. Smiling, she teased him back. The two of them playfully bantered back and forth as they left the Sanctuary.

~oOo~

Days continued to pass. Eventually, it was the 10th and Tria had been secretly preparing to celebrate Mono's seventh birthday. The girl smiled, thinking of what the little boy's expression would be. She had decorated her room with pretty colorful things. It was a bit unfortunate that she didn't have the proper decorations but she had simply made do with what she had to make her room more lively than it already was. She even had a plan on how it would go. It was a very simple task: keeping Mono away from her room until nighttime. She'd surprise him!

Ever since she'd learned of her little brother's birthday, she had been contemplating if she should do a regular celebration or a surprise. Ultimately, she chose the latter over the former. The Orphanage wasn't known to make a big deal over birthdays, especially with someone like the Director. If he had learned that she was throwing a party, he would probably ruin everything or get the staff to take down her decorations. It would make Mono upset because he would think it was his fault. His fault... Tria's hands stopped, hovering in the air as a sad memory overcame her.

During the early December month, Tria had shared her happiest moments with Mono. Since they no longer had any storybooks to read, the twelve-year-old decided to tell oral tales instead, whether they were about her past or make-believe. As she recounted her wonderful memories, she stopped herself as a thought crossed her mind.

"Mono, when is your birthday?" she asked.

"January 10th..." he answered indifferently.

His unenthusiastic tone caught the girl by surprise. She would have assumed that he would be happy to know about his birthday. However, it wasn't long until she learned the reason why he sounded so gloomy at the mentioning of his anniversary of birth. Thinking of the day he was born made him think about what his mother had said. That woman didn't want him. He was unwanted, abandoned, and betrayed. He felt like he didn't belong. Despite Tria's assurance, the idea that him being a mistake would occasionally creep back up in his mind to remind him. It made it sound like his own birthday was a mistake.

Sighing, Tria shook that memory away from her head. Since then, she had been multitasking between sneaking out to go to the Sanctuary and figuring out how to celebrate Mono's birthday. Although the Orphanage wasn't a great place, she wanted to make some good memories for her little brother before they escaped. A sweet and kind boy such as Mono deserved to smile more and cry over small, inconsequential things. Someone his age shouldn't have to experience the pain of bullying or the rejection of his parents. Not just him, but other children who were like him or had similar issues.

"I don't like seeing her playing alone in that playground..."

The Music Maker's words played in her mind. Tria had been curious about the grownup's daughter. Was she the same? From the way the Music Maker had been constantly checking up on and attempting to build a relationship with his own daughter, Tria liked to hope it was simply parental concern and nothing bad had happened to the girl. She didn't know much about the mother, but she also hoped the woman had taken her daughter for a good reason and not for malicious intent. The more she thought about it, the more Tria had to lightly scold herself. She should have asked for a name.

I'll just have to ask once I see the Music Maker again, she told herself.

For now, she offered a silent prayer for the man and his daughter to be well and happy. After her tiny wish was made, she resumed with the decorating. Normally, surprise birthdays involved the close one distancing from the birthday person. However, Tria didn't plan to do that. Mono hated being alone. Instead, after she was finished with everything, she'd see her little brother and treat today like any other day until tonight for the surprise. The thought of what expression he would have had her smiling again.

~oOo~

Mono had been in his room for a while now, staring at the ceiling as he laid in bed. After chores, Tria had told the boy that she needed to do something and she'd see him at a later time. It had him curious. What could Tria be planning? Whatever it was, he'd ask once he saw her. For now, he had to think of a way to entertain himself. However, that was easier said than done. There wasn't much to do in his room.

Sitting up, the boy got up from bed to pull on the drawer. He had put his possessions there and would sometimes take them out just to look at them. Shaking his drawstring bag, Mono waited until the bracelet he wanted to see landed in his hand. It was the last one. Somehow, whenever he looked at the friendship bracelet with the pearl on it, he felt like he was on the cusp on remembering... something. However, the more he stared, the more the memory didn't arrive. Sighing in frustration, Mono put the bracelet back inside the bag. Closing the drawer, the boy tiredly went back to bed. Staring back at the ceiling boredly, the boy's eyes were slowly starting to close until...

Knock, knock, knock!

His eyes snapped back open as he got up to open the door. Tria was on the other side, dressed for the outside with a bright smile on her face. "It has snowed a lot. Want to play outside?"

"Yeah!" the boy exclaimed as he rushed to put on his coat and shoes.

Quickly, he rushed outside with his surrogate sister. None of the other orphans played in the snow, not liking the cold, so it was only the two of them outdoors. There was plenty of white that blanketed the ground, enough to play with for the rest of the free time! So much to do! Where should they even start? When the preteen asked the boy, he didn't give a response. This was his first time playing and truly interacting with the snow. So he wouldn't know where to begin.

"Then... let's have a snowball fight!" Tria suggested mischievously.

Excited, Mono nodded at the idea as he watched how to build a snowball. Neither were wearing gloves. The Orphanage didn't provide winter clothing. Another reason why the other kids didn't play outside during the colder months. The only protective clothes present were if the orphans bought their own before coming here. Still, it was a pleasant surprise for Mono to interact with the snow. It was fluffy and so soft! It was like holding his woolly blanket or a stuffed animal, only cold! However, when he squished the snow in his hands, it started to compact and harden. His first attempt at a snowball was okay.

Small and lumpy-looking, but it held together well in his hand. He had made a snowball, but who was he fighting? On that note, wasn't fighting bad? He had agreed to this snowball fight because he didn't really know what to do. What was it even? A game? After all, Tria did say they were out to play. But fighting? If it was fighting, Mono hoped it wouldn't be violent.

"Tria?" the boy called out, getting her attention. "How do you have a snowball fight?"

"Easy! First, you make a snowball... second, you-" Tria threw a snowball at Mono. It had hit him in the shoulder, bursting into a powder of white. It didn't hurt, being soft, but it had startled the boy. "Throw it at someone," she finished.

"Okay!" Mono smiled, trying to figure out a way to get a hit on Tria. He brought back his arm and threw his snowball at her, but Tria quickly dodged.

"Ha!" she laughed. "Missed me!"

Now chasing after the older girl, Mono would occasionally gather the snow in his hands to form another snowball. Being older than him, Tria was a bigger target. Since Mono was small, he had an advantage whenever he hid, ducking behind the trees whenever she threw his way. A game that went back and forth, each trying to get a hit on the other. Having lost count of how many snowballs he'd made, he got ready for his aim. He threw at the girl. His aim was there. The problem was that Tria was good at dodging... especially from a far distance.

He laughed, "No fair! You're better at this game than me!"

"Well, you're not so bad at it yourself!" Tria retaliated, nearly hitting the boy in the face.

Trying to change his tactic, Mono feigned pain as he covered his face with his hands. "Ow, ow, ow..." he muttered.

That got Tria frowning, afraid that she had hurt the boy by accident. With her guard let down, she foolishly approached him. Little did she know that he was faking his pain as he collapsed onto his knees. She didn't realize that Mono had covered his face not just to pretend that he had been injured, but to hide his expression should it betray his intentions. She didn't see a couple of snowballs laying close to the boy, ready to be used. She didn't even think that Mono would resort to trickery to win this game.

Only when she had closed the distance between her and him did Mono jump back and pick up a snowball and quickly throw it at her, directly at the chest. Shielding herself from the exploding powder of snow, she laughed. Mono did the same.

"Why, you cheeky little thing!" Tria teased. "Clever. You knew I could dodge from a distance, but once I got too close, there would be no time for me to react."

"Hehe!" the boy giggled in response. "So... did we tie?"

"Looks like we did." The girl looked at the sky. "I would suggest another round, but it's getting dark. We should head back."

"Yeah," Mono replied, a little disappointed that the game was over. "It was still fun though! I want another snowball fight next time!"

Holding his hand, Tria smiled, "Then we'll have more next time!"

Together, the two children returned to the building. The orphans had noticed the two of them entering, their faces red from their game as well as from the cold. Some were looking at them enviously, wishing they had proper clothing to go outside after having seen them play. Others paid no mind, resuming their own games after sparing the two a glance. Of course, the duo didn't care. They'd had fun playing in the snow. And now, they got to enjoy the little warmth the Orphanage provided for them.

~oOo~

After having dinner, Tria waited until Mono had finished. It had been a while since they'd eaten in the cafeteria. It was actually the first time they'd eaten in the room. Luckily, no one was here other than them, so it was fine this way. Once dinner was finished, the girl told the boy to cover his eyes when they got to her room.

Reminded of the question he wanted to ask earlier, he questioned, "What have you been planning?"

"Just wait and see!" was her only reply.

Getting up from the table and throwing away the can into the trash, Tria held Mono's hand and began to lead him out of the cafeteria. He had obediently closed his eyes, but just to make sure he didn't peek by accident, he covered them with his other hand. Hearing the door opening and feeling himself entering her room, the boy still didn't dare peek. Tria closed the door and gently pushed him further. Eventually, she gave him the okay.

Uncovering his eyes, when he opened them, the boy was stunned.

"Surprise!" Tria cheered.

He didn't register her exclamation, however, too focused on the decorations and painted letters that spelled out 'Happy Birthday Mono!' in golden colors. Aside from that and a few other things, everything in Tria's room looked the same. Mono was confused. He hadn't forgotten that today was his seventh birthday. He wasn't upset or in awe or anything. He just didn't understand.

Turning to face the girl, he asked puzzledly, "Why?"

Expecting that type of response, she smiled lovingly as she crouched down, "It's important to celebrate one's birth, Mono. So... I'll say it until you tire of me saying it: You are not a mistake. Therefore, the day you were born isn't a mistake either. Happy birthday, Mono!"

Tears were welling up in the boy's eyes. Sniffling, he wiped them away. Today was his birthday. He shouldn't cry. He should smile. Running up to his sister, Mono wrapped his arms around her. "Thank you." His breath hitched. "I love you, Tria."

"I love you, too." The girl returned the embrace. "Now, chin up. I have a present for you."

Releasing the boy, Tria went over her desk to give him a wrapped-up painting that she had painted earlier in the day. When they had returned from their game outside, she had wrapped it up with what paper she had. She didn't have a proper bow, so she'd just tied everything with lace and made a bow that way.

Receiving his first birthday present, Mono was being extra careful as he resisted the urge to jump up and down. It had just occurred to him that this was his first gift! His first birthday present! What should he do? How should he open it? Half of him wanted to shred the paper to pieces, excitement building up over what Tria had made for him. The other half wanted him to be very careful and be very delicate in the opening. It was his first gift, after all.

Deciding to handle his present with care, the boy slowly pulled the lace away. Slowly, he unwrapped the paper. Tria watched with a smile on her face. She knew Mono wouldn't really care what he got, having no preferences on gifts, but she was still excited over what his reaction would be. Finally, Mono was staring at the painting with wide eyes, mouth agape. It was a painting of the beach! With cream-colored sand, blue oceans, and a beautiful sunset in the background. To him, the waves seemed to come out of the painting and the sunbeams looked so warm and inviting!

Looking at his sister with starry eyes, he beamed, "I love it!"

"I'm glad," the girl ruffled his hair. "Happy birthday!"

After singing happy birthday to the boy and sending him off to his room, Tria returned to hers with a successful smile on her face. She had accomplished her goal in making Mono's first birthday celebration memorable. The girl felt pride blooming in her chest. Everything had almost gone to plan. Almost. Initially, she wanted to give her little brother a bracelet - something that could be carried around. However, she decided to go with the painting instead. It was said that a picture was worth a thousand words. She had painted a beach because not only could the sun be seen - more clearly and brightly compared to this place - but the beach just seemed so... inviting and free!

Tria wasn't quite sure where the Music Maker lived or if his house was near a beach, but they should go there sometimes for vacation... once he picked them up, that was. In the meantime... pulling out a drawer underneath her desk, the girl pulled out a tiny box. Opening it revealed a green bracelet with a silver four-leafed clover charm. Putting on a tag that said 'Happy Birthday Mono!', she closed the box. Next year, she'd give this to Mono.

Everything was almost ready. Once spring rolled in, she'd escape this Orphanage with her little brother!