The Weeping of the Heavens
The sound of rain.
Calm, soothing, tranquil...yet many associate it with sorrow. For is rain not heaven's tears? The lamentation of the world at some tragedy?
Some may find solace and comfort in the rain, for it brings life to crops and the green...but to others, it is the world weeping at their sorrows.
The child in the car had tears of his own. It was just him in the back; the driver's seat was blocked by a tinted window. The tears had left long, red marks, as water would on a rock.
He had cried long and hard for what felt like months, even if days had passed. The sorrow did not pass over him in sleep, for the memories had shown up in his mind over and over.
Why?
Did he not suffer enough?
Why couldn't he be happy?
Why couldn't they stay?
Tall buildings started to show up through the window. The soft humming of cars was heard.
He fiddled with the brimmed hat on his lap. He would've collapsed, shut himself in for good or...he thanked the staff. They did their best, but it wasn't enough. None of it was. The rest was a blur. Tall men in suits and funny clothes came and walked around, they asked him a few questions, but Miss Da Vinci backed them off. He didn't remember after that. He was too busy sobbing into her chest.
He felt the car turning here and there and saw that they had entered a...bamboo forest, he recalled. Just like...
A sob choked up his throat. It wasn't fair. He wanted to stop crying. He wanted the pain to go away...like how she would make it go away.
A minute had passed, and suddenly the car stopped. He looked up and a second later the red-haired woman opened up the door, holding an umbrella. She looked strange...well, not really. She looked fine, but her eyes were strange...kind of like daddy's when they were red.
She was nice. She patted his head.
He climbed out of the car and pulled his suitcase, the hat resting on his head. A stone path was in front of him, flanked by tall bamboos. The woman looked behind him and closed the door. She took his hand and started walking down the path, the umbrella shielding him from some of the tears.
A large mansion soon appeared in front of them. It looked a lot like a few he had been to before; pointed roof, tall wooden walls...but it was beautiful.
As they approached, he felt his heart quicken. All of his fears, his anxieties, were now coming at him full force, previously drowned by the tears. What if it didn't work? What if they didn't want him? What if he had to...
The door was in front of him. The woman raised her hand and knocked. His breath stilled. One. Two. Three. Four.
Click.
A gasp escaped his lips. She was taller, her hair was longer...but she was exactly the same. Wearing a snow-white dress (kimono, he recalled), her face was just like then.
She looks down and their eyes meet. He gulped; it was always hard to tell what she was thinking. She looks back up and meets the gaze of the red-haired woman.
"...I assume there's a story behind this."
"You can say that. Can we come in? The kid's shivering."
Japanese. He knew it. How could he not?
The woman nods and sidesteps. The two enter the house. It was...plain. The walls were white, the beams a simple wood, with only the occasional painting here and there. The two follow the regal woman into a small lounge, where a table surrounded by cushions lay. On the table was a black teapot, with two porcelain cups at its side.
She motions him and the red-hair to sit down. He does so, taking off his hat and placing his suitcase near him. The woman sits down in front of him and begins pouring tea into the cups.
"So, what brings you all the way here?"
"What, can't I say hi to an old student of mine?"
"I don't know if I was ever a student...more like a freeloader."
"Hmm. Married life changed you. You used to be wilder, reckless."
"What can I say? I learned from the best."
She pushes the cups towards them and he calmly sips it, trying not to shake. "Why is there a child with you?"
The read-haired woman let out a sigh and put down her cup. "You know about that little project of the Animusphere's? The one that went dark and suddenly reappeared?"
"I've heard a thing or two."
"The Clock Tower contracted me to assist in the clean-up and investigation of the place and...we found him."
She pats his head.
"...I knew that magi started out young, but isn't he a little...?"
"Well, let's just say that a lot happened there, way more than what we could've expected. And...have you had any strange visions or feelings lately?"
"...perhaps."
The woman sighs. She turns to him and nods. "Show her."
The child reaches into his pocket and pulls out a slip of paper. An ofuda, she called it. A talisman that brought fortune and blessings. He places it on the table. This was it.
"When you return...should we meet again, show this to me, and I will know you."
That's what she said. His only hope of not going back.
The regal woman raises an eyebrow, yet gently takes the talisman. She looks at it for a moment and...
The air shifted. The world seemed to blink.
Her eyes widen by a fraction. She puts down the paper charm and looks at him intently, still possessing that calmness, but this time...could it be?
"...could you step outside for a moment?"
The red-hair nods. "Sure, could use a smoke break. If you need me, I have the paperwork."
She steps outside the room, leaving the child and the woman staring at each other. Silence looms, neither one moving a muscle; one stricken by hope and fear, and the other...
She rises and walks toward him, sitting down again in front of him...and gently cupping his cheek.
His dull green eyes brighten as he slowly raises his hand to place on hers. Could it really be...?
"...Miss Shiki?"
A gentle smile blooms on her face as she rubs his cheek. She slowly maneuvers her hand to the back of his head and gently pusher him to her. He latches onto her dress, his sobs once again filling the room.
"...hello Harry. It's so good to finally meet you." She holds him and rubs her other hand up and down his back. The child responds with even more sniffles.
"...why? Why did Mommy and Daddy go? Why did Jackie go? Why did they all go?"
Because it is the nature of their being, she wanted to say. Their time has long since passed.
But that was a partial lie. The proof of another chance was holding her tightly.
"...I'm so sorry Harry. But it's okay now. I made a promise, and now I'm here for you, Miss Fujino will be here for you and I swear to you, we will never let you go..."
The heavens kept weeping over the house, but within its sorrow...there was also joy.
For as one chapter ended...another began. And this time, the heavens would not weep.
Yeah, a non-canon omake that I just had to get out...can anyone figure out what happened?
Seriously, why isn't there anymore Fujino and Shiki love out there!?
Also, if anyone else wants to write an omake, please do.
Read and Review! My other stories too!