The Threshold of Darkness and Light
Chapter 17
"Y-y-yu...ee......." Kina's voice wavered as she pulled him up on her lap. "YUE!!! A-are you ok!?!? How could he do that!?!? How could he shoot my husband? My love...Yue!! JOHN!!!!! John...this is the last time!!!" Her eyes were opened wide, showing that they wouldn't accept what was happening.
"Y...yeah...I'm ok...I guess..." Yue's quiet voice replied. She was instantly applying pressure on the area of the bullet hole, attempting to stop the bleeding. Yue winced in pain. Blood soaked through his white outfit. "It hit me in the shoulder, better than some other deadly areas." He pulled himself off of her lap and leaned on her to help him up. "It's just...bleeding a lot... Ahh...go after him!!"
"B-But..." Kina finally let the tears flow down her cheeks. "You're h- hurt....come on Yue!! Be...sensible...I just can't leave you behind!!"
"Go Kina! Save our daughter, I'll be behind you..." Yue began to limp forward with the help of Nuriko. "Hotohori, you go with her. Don't let him make that wish Kina!!"
"B-but...Yue...." She pleaded with him, fighting hard not to keep crying.
"Go Kina. Save our daughter!!" He replied firmly, his face showing that he would not take no as an answer.
She silently nodded, letting two hot teardrops fall. "I won't lose, I promise. I won't let you down Yue so you hang on, you hear me!! I love you!! I'll make you proud of me!" Kina jumped forward, kissing Yue tenderly. "Nuriko, I trust you to take care of him, no matter how stubborn he is!!"
Nuriko nodded, smirking slightly even though he knew the situation was desperate. If the bleeding didn't stop he was sure Yue was in for it.
"I already am proud of you." Yue whispered as Kina disappeared into the bushes but she didn't hear him.
As Hotohori ran after Kina, he stopped when he heard Nuriko calling out his name. "What is it Nuri?" He turned to face the purple haired bishonen.
"Hori...I love you! So you be safe!" Nuriko exclaimed, a grin on his face.
The chestnut haired bishonen nodded, a small smile on his lips and then he also disappeared into the bushes.
Kina ran, tears flying freely from her eyes. "You can't die on me Yue or else...or else I'll hurt you in the afterlife and kill you again!! GOT THAT!!" The corners of her mouth slowly turned upward, forming a tiny smile as she thought to herself. "I wonder when I came to love him this much...I will always believe in him...and in John....in all mankind. People are strong! They can face any difficulty and never lose hope. That heart full of hope will overcome any problem!!"
"Kina....Nuriko....Yue....all of you....I care for you all so much." Hotohori smiled as he kept in pace with Kina's fast sprint. Behind them Nuriko tightened a strip of cloth around Yue's shoulder.
"Ready?" Nuriko questioned Yue. Yue nodded in response. With a quick motion Nuriko lifted Yue onto his shoulder. "Sure you want to follow and not go to the hospital?"
"I'm sure, plus she might need me. That's more important than my state of health. Sorry if I'm too heavy!" Yue chuckled but in reality his body was trembling and growing pale as more blood seeped out of his body. He was trying to hide the pain, the ripping aching in his arm that seemed to touch every single nerve in his body. Nuriko carefully walked in the direction Kina and Hotohori had just went.
"Too...much...running....today!!" Kina collapsed as she reached the cave entrance. "I know people say fate controls your destiny but...for once I want to change fate! I want to change my destiny and the destiny of my family! And that includes you John!! But what will I do? What if it doesn't work?"
Suddenly, a voice softly whispered to her. "We always want to know what will happen if we do one thing rather than another. Not knowing is the mystery of destiny. If you are still for a moment, no doubt you will hear your heart tell you what you must do. It would say something like this: Have faith Kina. Go up there and do your best, get your daughter back and save John. And then, when it's over, love like you've never loved in your life. Destiny is not so complicated." Her head snapped around, trying to find the source of the voice.
"Ready Kina?" Hotohori turned to face her.
"Is anyone ever really ready for anything?" Kina chuckled one last time then her face grew serious, taking on a pale color. "I'm ready. For Shui and Yue."
"For everybody." Hotohori nodded. "Let's go." They both took one quick look at their serene surroundings, the lilac colored lilies that hung around the cave, the birds chirping high up in the trees, the gentle breeze, the dewdrops still on the grass and the fresh smell of a nearby stream. Then they turned to face the cave. All around it was a gloomy black haze and it had the smell of rusty metal with a mix of stale water. An entrance appeared where the inscriptions had once been on the two large doors and it was opened, leading into the cave.
"To save Shui..." Kina carefully stepped forward, through the opened doors. She took in a deep breath then exhaled slowly. "Come on. We can do it!"
Hotohori kept pace with Kina, the two walking briskly side by side. A few bats blinked above them, staring at them with red eyes. Shivers were sent up and down her spine as goose bumps rose on her skin.
"JOHN!!" Kina began to run forward as she saw a light coming from a small corridor. "This is one last chance to feel all right..." And with that last thought she burst into the lighted room and froze in shock. All around her the walls were decorated elaborately with a tiny layer of golden. Carved into the gold were swirls, spins, shapes and drawings of animals. It had an Inca like appearance much like the front doors had. A few items were scattered about the room such as old plates, clothing, some gold coins and some weapons. In the center of the room was a coffin shaped box made out of silver and around it carved into the floor was a strange pattern. It went in circles around the box and between each layer of circle were triangles. On top of the coffin was the carving of on Egyptian-like eye staring upwards. In four different corners four torches were lit up, blazing up with brilliant red flames. It filled the room with a bright light and the flames glittered off the gold, giving the room a sparkling yellow appearance. In the center of the room, by the coffin, John stood up fiddling with Kina's necklace and Shui lay unconscious on top of the coffin.
"WHAT DID YOU DO TO HER!?!" Kina ran forward towards John but was yanked back by Hotohori.
"What are you doing?!" Hotohori hissed at her but he was too late, John had already heard Kina's loud voice.
John spun around, angrily glaring in the direction of Kina. "How did you find me!?" He spat the words at her, venom in his voice. "You're too late!! All I have to do is place this Key and Heart from your necklace into the coffin and my wish will be granted!! Shui understands that if she doesn't grant my wish her mother will never love or even like her again. She agreed to wish that. Don't worry, she is merely unconscious. I would never hurt my innocent niece!"
"That's crap! Look at what you've already done! If you make her grant your wish, no, any wish, she'll die!!" Kina cried.
"She'll be ok!" John rolled his eyes. He turned back to the coffin. On both sides of the silver coffin two places were made for the Heart and Key charm to fit into perfectly. The key had unlocked the door also.
"What are you even going to wish for!? DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT YOU'RE DOING JOHN!! STOP THIS INSANITY!" Kina pulled free of Hotohori's grasp, running towards John.
"Stay right there. Don't move." John placed the Heart charm into the coffin.
"S-stop it John...don't put the key in!! STOP IT PLEASE!! I'm begging you!!" Kina collapsed on her knees, large salty tears dripping down her cheeks.
"So now you beg me? Begging for the life of your child....and yet when we were children...you never begged for me. You never begged the other kids to stop beating me up or to stop mocking me...and stop with the name-calling. It was all mom and dad's fault that they did everything to me! And you are just like them!!" John sneered.
"You never truly believe in anything John! You never question what's possible, you're always afraid and unable to open your eyes! That's the reason why you'll always feel hurt, hateful or sorrowful inside!!" Kina tilted her head, staring at him with a broken expression.
"Don't pretend you feel what I feel." John gave her an icy stare.
"But I do know how you feel! I felt the same pain, the same hurt, and the same regret as you!! I just had somebody there for me and I am so....so sorry that I wasn't there for you! I wasn't a sister or even a civil human being, I was a stupid, lost, ignorant girl and inside I'm still a bit like that girl from so long ago! Everyday I feel the pain from losing you and I want you back in my life John! I want us to be there for each other! And I know you're still that lost boy, my brother, so let me help you find your way home!! Please, we can get over this and find peace!!" Kina sobbed as she crawled towards John, unable to pick herself up.
"It's too late Kina! It's too late for saying I'm sorry! You had your chance many times in the past! Just let me have the one wish I desire most...let me have the chance to make things ok...let me make the world a better place...LET ME HAVE JUST ONE WISH! LET ME GAIN ONE THING! I've never had anything before...so let me have JUST ONE!! Is it too much to ask sister!?!? I have never asked anything of you except this!!!" John replied.
"The life of my daughter is something I could never give up, no matter what!! John...you are wrong, you've had many things but you just never allowed yourself to see them! You had mom and dad and you have me!! Isn't that enough for you? Mom and dad still love you up in heaven, they always have and always will! Don't you see that? I'm sorry I couldn't be there for you then so let me be there for you now! Please, don't do this!!" The tears now stained Kina's shirt as she stared up at John. In her eyes all that shone was a strong light begging for her brother to just come back to her. "I KNOW YOU'RE STILL IN THERE JOHN! This isn't you! You aren't a killer John! YOU'RE MY BROTHER!!! Please...let my brother come home to me...please!!"
"I don't know who you're talking about." John turned his back to her, unable to face her any longer. "You're fate has been decided."
"Fate can't be decided by anyone but yourself!" Kina pulled herself up, using the edge of the coffin as support. "I love you John!! COME HOME!!" She held out her arms to him. A rustling noise could be heard from the back of the room. The two turned their heads to see Nuriko walk in and stand next to Hotohori, in his arms he held a ghastly white Yue. Nuriko carefully set Yue on his feet, supporting him up completely. His shirt was soaked through and through with sickening crimson red blood.
Yue wearily rose his head so both his and John's eyes met. "You wanted to know why I married Kina? John....I finally have an answer that is suitable for you...." Yue coughed, wheezing in quickly for another breath. "I married her because she made my heart race, my breath quicken, my mind fill with nothing but glee, my heart feels lighter as if it was flying through the air, everything feels like it will be ok, I am happy every time I see her smile, nothing matters but making her happy and that makes me happy too! I found my Eden inside her...I found my Utopia..." His body swayed in the air for a moment before he collapsed into the floor, landing with a horrid thud.
"YUE!!!!!!!!!!" Kina's shrill scream bounced off the walls, tears now pouring down her face.
Chapter 17
"Y-y-yu...ee......." Kina's voice wavered as she pulled him up on her lap. "YUE!!! A-are you ok!?!? How could he do that!?!? How could he shoot my husband? My love...Yue!! JOHN!!!!! John...this is the last time!!!" Her eyes were opened wide, showing that they wouldn't accept what was happening.
"Y...yeah...I'm ok...I guess..." Yue's quiet voice replied. She was instantly applying pressure on the area of the bullet hole, attempting to stop the bleeding. Yue winced in pain. Blood soaked through his white outfit. "It hit me in the shoulder, better than some other deadly areas." He pulled himself off of her lap and leaned on her to help him up. "It's just...bleeding a lot... Ahh...go after him!!"
"B-But..." Kina finally let the tears flow down her cheeks. "You're h- hurt....come on Yue!! Be...sensible...I just can't leave you behind!!"
"Go Kina! Save our daughter, I'll be behind you..." Yue began to limp forward with the help of Nuriko. "Hotohori, you go with her. Don't let him make that wish Kina!!"
"B-but...Yue...." She pleaded with him, fighting hard not to keep crying.
"Go Kina. Save our daughter!!" He replied firmly, his face showing that he would not take no as an answer.
She silently nodded, letting two hot teardrops fall. "I won't lose, I promise. I won't let you down Yue so you hang on, you hear me!! I love you!! I'll make you proud of me!" Kina jumped forward, kissing Yue tenderly. "Nuriko, I trust you to take care of him, no matter how stubborn he is!!"
Nuriko nodded, smirking slightly even though he knew the situation was desperate. If the bleeding didn't stop he was sure Yue was in for it.
"I already am proud of you." Yue whispered as Kina disappeared into the bushes but she didn't hear him.
As Hotohori ran after Kina, he stopped when he heard Nuriko calling out his name. "What is it Nuri?" He turned to face the purple haired bishonen.
"Hori...I love you! So you be safe!" Nuriko exclaimed, a grin on his face.
The chestnut haired bishonen nodded, a small smile on his lips and then he also disappeared into the bushes.
Kina ran, tears flying freely from her eyes. "You can't die on me Yue or else...or else I'll hurt you in the afterlife and kill you again!! GOT THAT!!" The corners of her mouth slowly turned upward, forming a tiny smile as she thought to herself. "I wonder when I came to love him this much...I will always believe in him...and in John....in all mankind. People are strong! They can face any difficulty and never lose hope. That heart full of hope will overcome any problem!!"
"Kina....Nuriko....Yue....all of you....I care for you all so much." Hotohori smiled as he kept in pace with Kina's fast sprint. Behind them Nuriko tightened a strip of cloth around Yue's shoulder.
"Ready?" Nuriko questioned Yue. Yue nodded in response. With a quick motion Nuriko lifted Yue onto his shoulder. "Sure you want to follow and not go to the hospital?"
"I'm sure, plus she might need me. That's more important than my state of health. Sorry if I'm too heavy!" Yue chuckled but in reality his body was trembling and growing pale as more blood seeped out of his body. He was trying to hide the pain, the ripping aching in his arm that seemed to touch every single nerve in his body. Nuriko carefully walked in the direction Kina and Hotohori had just went.
"Too...much...running....today!!" Kina collapsed as she reached the cave entrance. "I know people say fate controls your destiny but...for once I want to change fate! I want to change my destiny and the destiny of my family! And that includes you John!! But what will I do? What if it doesn't work?"
Suddenly, a voice softly whispered to her. "We always want to know what will happen if we do one thing rather than another. Not knowing is the mystery of destiny. If you are still for a moment, no doubt you will hear your heart tell you what you must do. It would say something like this: Have faith Kina. Go up there and do your best, get your daughter back and save John. And then, when it's over, love like you've never loved in your life. Destiny is not so complicated." Her head snapped around, trying to find the source of the voice.
"Ready Kina?" Hotohori turned to face her.
"Is anyone ever really ready for anything?" Kina chuckled one last time then her face grew serious, taking on a pale color. "I'm ready. For Shui and Yue."
"For everybody." Hotohori nodded. "Let's go." They both took one quick look at their serene surroundings, the lilac colored lilies that hung around the cave, the birds chirping high up in the trees, the gentle breeze, the dewdrops still on the grass and the fresh smell of a nearby stream. Then they turned to face the cave. All around it was a gloomy black haze and it had the smell of rusty metal with a mix of stale water. An entrance appeared where the inscriptions had once been on the two large doors and it was opened, leading into the cave.
"To save Shui..." Kina carefully stepped forward, through the opened doors. She took in a deep breath then exhaled slowly. "Come on. We can do it!"
Hotohori kept pace with Kina, the two walking briskly side by side. A few bats blinked above them, staring at them with red eyes. Shivers were sent up and down her spine as goose bumps rose on her skin.
"JOHN!!" Kina began to run forward as she saw a light coming from a small corridor. "This is one last chance to feel all right..." And with that last thought she burst into the lighted room and froze in shock. All around her the walls were decorated elaborately with a tiny layer of golden. Carved into the gold were swirls, spins, shapes and drawings of animals. It had an Inca like appearance much like the front doors had. A few items were scattered about the room such as old plates, clothing, some gold coins and some weapons. In the center of the room was a coffin shaped box made out of silver and around it carved into the floor was a strange pattern. It went in circles around the box and between each layer of circle were triangles. On top of the coffin was the carving of on Egyptian-like eye staring upwards. In four different corners four torches were lit up, blazing up with brilliant red flames. It filled the room with a bright light and the flames glittered off the gold, giving the room a sparkling yellow appearance. In the center of the room, by the coffin, John stood up fiddling with Kina's necklace and Shui lay unconscious on top of the coffin.
"WHAT DID YOU DO TO HER!?!" Kina ran forward towards John but was yanked back by Hotohori.
"What are you doing?!" Hotohori hissed at her but he was too late, John had already heard Kina's loud voice.
John spun around, angrily glaring in the direction of Kina. "How did you find me!?" He spat the words at her, venom in his voice. "You're too late!! All I have to do is place this Key and Heart from your necklace into the coffin and my wish will be granted!! Shui understands that if she doesn't grant my wish her mother will never love or even like her again. She agreed to wish that. Don't worry, she is merely unconscious. I would never hurt my innocent niece!"
"That's crap! Look at what you've already done! If you make her grant your wish, no, any wish, she'll die!!" Kina cried.
"She'll be ok!" John rolled his eyes. He turned back to the coffin. On both sides of the silver coffin two places were made for the Heart and Key charm to fit into perfectly. The key had unlocked the door also.
"What are you even going to wish for!? DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT YOU'RE DOING JOHN!! STOP THIS INSANITY!" Kina pulled free of Hotohori's grasp, running towards John.
"Stay right there. Don't move." John placed the Heart charm into the coffin.
"S-stop it John...don't put the key in!! STOP IT PLEASE!! I'm begging you!!" Kina collapsed on her knees, large salty tears dripping down her cheeks.
"So now you beg me? Begging for the life of your child....and yet when we were children...you never begged for me. You never begged the other kids to stop beating me up or to stop mocking me...and stop with the name-calling. It was all mom and dad's fault that they did everything to me! And you are just like them!!" John sneered.
"You never truly believe in anything John! You never question what's possible, you're always afraid and unable to open your eyes! That's the reason why you'll always feel hurt, hateful or sorrowful inside!!" Kina tilted her head, staring at him with a broken expression.
"Don't pretend you feel what I feel." John gave her an icy stare.
"But I do know how you feel! I felt the same pain, the same hurt, and the same regret as you!! I just had somebody there for me and I am so....so sorry that I wasn't there for you! I wasn't a sister or even a civil human being, I was a stupid, lost, ignorant girl and inside I'm still a bit like that girl from so long ago! Everyday I feel the pain from losing you and I want you back in my life John! I want us to be there for each other! And I know you're still that lost boy, my brother, so let me help you find your way home!! Please, we can get over this and find peace!!" Kina sobbed as she crawled towards John, unable to pick herself up.
"It's too late Kina! It's too late for saying I'm sorry! You had your chance many times in the past! Just let me have the one wish I desire most...let me have the chance to make things ok...let me make the world a better place...LET ME HAVE JUST ONE WISH! LET ME GAIN ONE THING! I've never had anything before...so let me have JUST ONE!! Is it too much to ask sister!?!? I have never asked anything of you except this!!!" John replied.
"The life of my daughter is something I could never give up, no matter what!! John...you are wrong, you've had many things but you just never allowed yourself to see them! You had mom and dad and you have me!! Isn't that enough for you? Mom and dad still love you up in heaven, they always have and always will! Don't you see that? I'm sorry I couldn't be there for you then so let me be there for you now! Please, don't do this!!" The tears now stained Kina's shirt as she stared up at John. In her eyes all that shone was a strong light begging for her brother to just come back to her. "I KNOW YOU'RE STILL IN THERE JOHN! This isn't you! You aren't a killer John! YOU'RE MY BROTHER!!! Please...let my brother come home to me...please!!"
"I don't know who you're talking about." John turned his back to her, unable to face her any longer. "You're fate has been decided."
"Fate can't be decided by anyone but yourself!" Kina pulled herself up, using the edge of the coffin as support. "I love you John!! COME HOME!!" She held out her arms to him. A rustling noise could be heard from the back of the room. The two turned their heads to see Nuriko walk in and stand next to Hotohori, in his arms he held a ghastly white Yue. Nuriko carefully set Yue on his feet, supporting him up completely. His shirt was soaked through and through with sickening crimson red blood.
Yue wearily rose his head so both his and John's eyes met. "You wanted to know why I married Kina? John....I finally have an answer that is suitable for you...." Yue coughed, wheezing in quickly for another breath. "I married her because she made my heart race, my breath quicken, my mind fill with nothing but glee, my heart feels lighter as if it was flying through the air, everything feels like it will be ok, I am happy every time I see her smile, nothing matters but making her happy and that makes me happy too! I found my Eden inside her...I found my Utopia..." His body swayed in the air for a moment before he collapsed into the floor, landing with a horrid thud.
"YUE!!!!!!!!!!" Kina's shrill scream bounced off the walls, tears now pouring down her face.
