This is the sequel fan-fiction to Hotarubi No Mori E (Into the Forest of Fireflies). If you have not watched the animated movie, please go watch it. It is very good.

~Chapter 1: Returning to Kyushu~

The warm air brushed against my face causing an unconscious sigh to escape my lungs. It's another Summer. The Summer of my first year in University. For most of my life, this was my favorite season. I had so many things I loved about it. The butterflies that flew gracefully through the air, the cool water that refreshed me, the green lush grass that felt wonderful under my feet, the festivals that excited everyone… but most of all… him…..

His face entered into my mind causing my heart to tighten. His white hair blowing in the night wind as I raced towards his glowing body.

I love you. His voice is still clear in my mind. I can still feel the warmth that was in my arms before he disappeared. My Gin… The only person I ever loved.. Not a spirit and not a human.. but the most precious person to me.

When I graduate, I'm going to get a job here.. so that way I can be with you in the autumn, winter, and spring… always.. forever.

That was my plan.. I wanted to move to Kyushu, buy a house near the forest… Have a life with the one I love, but nowadays it's so hard for me to even think about going there… To be honest, I haven't been there since that summer.. years ago.

Gin….

I walked into my parent's house, my mind in a blur as I fought with the memories of what used to be. I had told myself that I will look forward to the future, that I would be able to smile and be happy again… But I feel incomplete.. alone without him.

"Is he okay?" Mother's concerned voice caught my dazed attention. I followed the sound and entered into the kitchen where she stood holding her phone tightly to her face. Her face was shades paler than her usual color, her hand shaking ever so slightly.

"Yes… Yes… We will be on our way… Yes.. Yes.. Thank for informing me." Mother hung up the phone and let out a deep shaky breath.

"What is it?"

"Your uncle has become very ill. He is in the hospital…. Go and pack your things. We are going to Kyushu." My heart sunk whenever Mother told me the news, even more so when she said we are going back there.

"I-I.."

"Don't try to get out of this one, Hotaru. I don't know what happened a few summers back, but this is not the time to abandon your uncle…. You're Uncle's Inn is already having enough trouble as it is. He needs our help." I stopped what I was going to say and nodded my head. It's true. Losing Gin was years ago… and Uncle needs us now more than ever.

"… I'll go pack my things." My chest hurt as I walked into my room and began to pack my belongings. I reached underneath my bed to grab my travel bag. As I did, I could feel the edges of a box directly beside it. My breath caught in my throat as I pulled out the dark black box. A layer of dust covered the top, showing the amount of time it has been in solitude. Opening it ever so slowly, I could see the outline of the mask.. Gin's mask. It still looked exactly how it looked for all of those years. My hand founds its way to caressing the smooth surface of its cheek. Picking it up, I placed it against my lips. The same spot that he had kissed that summer. I now sat kissing that same place years later… Wishing that it could be him.

"I love you.. Gin." My voice softly whispered, my forehead against the forehead of the mask. I could feel the burning of the tears that were slowly making their way out of my eyes and down my face. "I'm going back… I'm going back to Kyushu… Back near the forest of the mountain god… I'm going back.."

The tears would not stop rolling down my face as I clutched his mask to my heart.

I miss you so much…!

…

"Next stop Kumamoto. Next stop Kumamoto." The announcer's voice filled the bullet train as I stared out the window. My bag laid in my lap as I softly clutched it for some amount of strength. Even without the announcements, I would know where we are. This place that used to excite me so much.. That used to be the highlight of my years. The train grinded to a halt as a few people began exiting it.

"Hotaru.. Hotaru, this is our exit." Mother told me as I stood from my seat and exited the train. It wasn't long before we were at the inn. The sun was setting in the sky as birds continued to sing their melodies. I stared off unconsciously in the direction of the forest.

"We will visit your uncle tomorrow. For now, let's get some rest." Mother told me to which I merely nodded. I walked back into my old room and dropped my bags to the floor. The moment I was alone, all of my pent up sadness overflowed from me. I dropped to my knees and allowed myself to cry as the memories haunted me. Those sweet precious memories…. Haunt me.

"Gin…" I allowed myself to whisper his name as another round of sobs rocked my body. "I can never… forget you."

That night I cried myself to sleep.

…

"Yira… Hotaru.." Uncle's raspy voice said as he sat up in his hospital bed. He was much skinnier than in the past, deeper wrinkles set in his face showing his growing age.

"Brother, we received news that you were in the hospital.. We came here to help with the Inn until you get better…" Mother's sincere voice said as she sat next to him and placed her hand on his. Uncle looked at her in surprise before turning his attention to me. His face seeming to know of the pain that I am feeling. It was a fleeting look though. One that I barely was able to catch, before it was replaced with a smile on his face.

"Hotaru… It's been years since I have seen you. You have grown into such a beautiful young woman." I managed to smile at this. Even after these years, Uncle still hasn't changed.

"It's good to see you again, Uncle. I hope that you get to feeling better soon."

"Ah, this is nothing too serious. I will be released in no time. In the meantime, I actually hired a helper to look after the upkeep of the Inn.."

"A helper? I didn't see him yesterday when we stayed the night." Mother said causing Uncle to sigh.

"I tell him that he can stay at the Inn, but he is insistent on not staying there too long. He's a very nice man. I'm sure that you will see him this afternoon." Uncle responded before a round of coughs forced him to quit speaking.

"Okay, that's enough talking out of you.. You should rest." Mother's concerned tone ordered causing Uncle to silently obey. "Hotaru, return to the Inn. See if that boy is there already. I would like for him to know that we are staying."

I nodded in response while turning to exit the room.

If I stay busy, I will not think about it…

As a neared the doorway, I could hear my Uncle softly call my name. I turned around in response to see him smiling.

"I'm glad that you are back… Summer hasn't been the same without you." His words, although meant to be kind and encouraging, stabbed my heart like a knife. Summer has never been the same; it will never be the same without him.

"Thank you, Uncle." I said as I tried my best to smile genuinely. I exited the room, my heart tight as I pondered over what I was going to do first…

Just stay busy…

It wasn't long before I was back at the Inn. The birds sung their usual melodies, the fountain water bubbled in a beautiful harmony with nature. However, that was the only thing that I could hear.

"Hello? Is anyone here?" I called out in an attempt to find this mysterious worker. Unsurprisingly, no response came to me. I sighed slightly while walking around the house and entering into the different rooms… I was all alone.

"Maybe he was just delusional…" I mumbled unconsciously before grabbing a washcloth and preparing to clean the floors. "Okay, Hotaru… Time to get busy!"

With that motivation, I began a deep cleaning on the old Inn. The time seemed to fly by, yet drag on… I managed to clean everything up right before sunset. Mother still hadn't returned home, and I sat alone on the outside port, eating cool watermelon. My eyes kept wandering over towards the forest… My body feeling like I was being pulled towards it… Memories of my times with the spirits, with Gin, at the Spirit Festival… I loved all of them… As if in a trance, my feet began moving in the direction of the forest. The sweet familiarity soothing me as I walked along the path that time had failed to change. I breathed in the deep air and felt the peacefulness of nature around me. How I loved this feeling.. I knew where I was heading… To the entrance of that forbidden forest… To the place I always met with Gin… Yet, somehow, I couldn't stop myself. My feet, my body… they all yearned to go there. I closed my eyes, temporarily stopping myself as I prepared to turn the corner and see that familiar place. Taking a deep breath, I remembered his face.. the way he sat there waiting patiently, the way he told me to 'come' and would start walking ahead of me. I stared down at the ground as I entered into the opening. My head still down, my heart aching… He's not going to be here.

"I'm back…. Gin. It's been a few years… But… I'm finally an adult now." I closed my eyes, unable to look up.

"Um." A soft baritone voice said causing my eyes to open. "Do I… Know you?"

That voice.

My eyes panned up to the stair clearing, my heart beating violently in my chest.

Am I dreaming? White hair… Grey Eyes…. That's…

"Gin…"

….

For those of you who have watched the movie Hotarubi No Mori e… Well, you know the ending. I personally did not like the ending and did not want it to end like that… Therefore, I am starting a sequel fan-fiction! YAY! This one will be much happier… hopefully.. I hope that you guys will tag along and that you will enjoy this new fanfic! Also, please bear with me as this is the first time I'm writing a fully first person viewpoint fan-fic.

For those following: In Another Life, Beneath the Mask, Journey of a Lost Prince- I am still working on each of those chapters… Some, I am having a writer's block and trying to figure out fully where I want to go with the story… Others, I'm just trying to find the time to write out. I will try to get In Another Life and Beneath the Mask uploaded sometime this weekend or next week!

Please be patient with me. I am currently taking 16 credit hours in college/university, including Dance Team, Choir, and part-time job… Plus, homework and housekeeping for me and my Fiance's house. My schedule is very hectic during the week, but I am trying my best to update as soon as possible.

For everyone who has reviewed my stories, Thank you so much! You have no idea how encouraging that is for me. Even if I do not respond, please know that I have read all of your reviews and they bring me great happiness!