Silver Dreams
Chapter 2 :: "As Children We Played"
Authors: Chikko-chan, Nightmoon
A/N: Remember, this is an Alternate Reality fic, so some things have changed from what you knew previously in Sailor Moon.
Originally we just did the first chapter as a 'one time thing' for fun, but from the reviews we decided going on with the story couldn't hurt. ^_^ More to come guys! Thanks for your input!
- - - - -
[ 7AM, Saturday, Spring ]
"Rei... Rei!" An elderly woman's voice rang through the grounds of the Hikawa Jinja Shrine. Her gray hair was pulled up into a tight bun on the top of her head, secured by two red sticks and a few small combs. She wore a red floral kimono and sandles that added only half and inch to her four-foot height. Though her eyes were usually squinted, they were a pale gray with a hint of violet. This woman was the caretaker and owner of the Shrine, grounds and Dojo of Hikawa Jinja. Going only by the name 'Grandma Hino'.
She ran around the grounds, calling for someone around the Sakura trees, through the temple house and other huts, until she finally stopped abruptly to find a sleeping boy in his room. "Rei, there you are!" The woman shouted, then walking into the room. The small boy, only seven years of age, slept peacefully. His raven hair was short and tossled on his head. The elderly woman brought an arm to his shoulder and shook him.
The boys violet eyes shot open and he turned to look at the old woman. "Obaasan!" he whined, wiping the sleep from his eyes. "Nani?"
"Rei-chan, we have company coming. You must finish your chores and help me to greet them when they come," Grandma Hino replied. "Have a shower as well, they're bringing someone your age. A little girl a year younger than you. Hurry now!" She then skiddadled out of the room.
Rei blinked his tired eyes and yawned, processing what Grandma Hino was telling him. He watched her leave and threw the covers off of him, starting to climb out of bed when it hit him and he fell off.
"Nani? A GIRL!?"
- - - - - - - - -
[ 2 Hours Later ]
Grandma Hino stood facing and an elderly group of five monks. She bowed to them, they bowed in return. "Ohayo," Grandma said. "Welcome to the Hikawa Jinja Shrine."
The eldest of the monks standing at the centre of the row bowed slightly once again. "Thank you for allowing my group to come and stay with you, Hino-san." The man paused and looked down the line to one of the younger monks. "Aislinn-chan. Come out and introduce yourself"
A young girl the age of 6 stood timidly behind one of the other monks, clutching tightly to his robes. She wore a pale yellow kimono and her long, dark violet hair extended down her back. Briefly tightening her grip on the monk's robes, she stepped out from behind him, letting one hand fall back to her side. The little girl bowed slowly to Grandma Hino and then latched herself onto the monk's leg once again. She blinked her large pale grey eyes once or twice and watched the stranger before her.
Grandma Hino smiled, the laugh lines around her eyes showing gracefully as she bowed to the girl. "Ohayo Aislinn-chan," Grandma said, then bringing her arm behind her to grab Rei from out behind her, dragging him in front of her. He had been hiding from them, and with Grandma's height, it was easy for a young boy to do. "This is my grandson Rei. He lives with me here at the temple. He's only a year older than you," Grandma explained, then pinching Rei's arm and pushing him towards the monks.
Rei let out a silent yelp from the pink and the push, as he steadied himself to stand. Rubbing his arm where the pinch was, he bowed to the monks and Aislinn. "Oha-," he squeeked. He cleared his throat. "Ohayo," came out broader, but still in the low childs voice. "Welcome to our Temple."
His deep violet eyes looked over the monks, then to Aislinn. He smiled at her, blushing slightly as his hand went to the back of his neck and he rubbed it nervously. "Oh-ha-hayo." He gave Aislinn a greeting of her own.
Aislinn watched curiously through slightly blurred vision as the boy was presented. There was a beautiful red glow around him. The little girl smiled, loosening her previously frightened grip on the monk beside her.
"Ohayo" She replied, nodding her head and letting out a quiet giggle. She didn't think she'd every seen someone glow in that manner before. It was so bright and vibrant.
Grandma smiled. "Rei-chan, will you take Aislinn-chan to the guest room that we fixed up for her?" she asked.
"Hai!" Rei looked to Grandma and nodded. He then held his hand out to Aislinn. "Do you want to play?" He asked her.
Aislinn giggled again, taking Rei's hand. "Hai. What do you want to play?" She questioned with a grin.
- - - - - -
[ A Year Later, In a Hidden Spring Past the Temple Grounds ]
"Rei, Be Careful!" Aislinn nervously called up into the tree as she watched the blurred red figure shuffling along the branches. A slight breeze blew through the area rustling the leaves of the tree and lightly tossing the girl's dark violet hair.
"I am being careful!" Rei shouted back down as he tied the end of a rope around a Sakura branch. He knotted it up twice and made sure it was secure. "Okay," he said, just as he was shuffling down the branch.
"I'm coming dow... woah." He lost grip of the branch and fell off, gripping onto the rope he swung and let go, his arms and legs wavering in the air as gravity took over and...
*SPLOOSH!*
He landed in the deep center of a small pond. Surfacing a moment later, Rei gasped for air and quickly swam towards Aislinn on dry land. He lifted himself out and lay down to rest. "What a ride!" He laughed.
"Was it really?" Aislinn chuckled taking a step or two back so she wouldn't get wet herself. "As long as you enjoyed your little dip and didn't break anything I'd say we're alright" She continued straightening out her denim shorts.
"Oh yeah, it's great fun," Rei replied, pushing himself off the ground to stand. He looked to Aislinn who had stepped back and grinned. "Come on, give me a hug!" He teased, holding his arms out for a hug. Knowing Aislinn wouldn't let him hug her, he grabbed her hand and yanked her towards the pond, lifted her up and then threw her into the water.
"No.. No! Rei!" Aislinn said seeing him come closer with arms outstretched. She suddenly felt his hand grip onto hers and was pulled towards the water. Letting out a surprised shriek as her body hit the water with a loud splash.
Rei laughed uncontrollably when Aislinn hit the water. A moment later water sprayed the surrounding area as the young girl surfaced. "REI!" She gave him a cold glare, swimming up to the edge of the water, grabbing both of his hands and starting to pull.
Rei had held out his hands to help her out of the water, but felt a strong tug from the tiny girl that made him slip on the grass and fall head-first into the water beside her. Instead of surfacing, Rei attacked her from under water, tickling her sides and pulling her under.
"Oh no.." Aislinn had realised her mistake as Rei struck from underwater, grabbing her sides and tickling her, pulling her under. She let out a laugh before being pulled under water where she attempted to put Rei in a headlock, fixing her small arm around his neck and playfully pulling them both back up to the surface. She thought she had him.
"Okay okay! I give up! Uncle, uncle!" Rei laughed, though Aislinn's grip wasn't strong, he thought he'd give it to her. He was getting tired any ways.
"That's more like it" Aislinn giggled releasing her hold on Rei and standing up tall. She started wading toward the edge of the pool of water when her vision started to blur and fade again. She bumped into the stone, "Ouch" The girl mumbled reaching to rub her knee.
She couldn't see very clearly if at all at the moment. Her sight tended to do that on her occasionally and she just had to stop for a second and attempt to finish what she was doing.
"Yume-chan," Rei said, calling her by her nickname he and Grandma had made for her. He waded over to her and looked at her with worry. "Are you okay?" He asked, placing a calm hand on her shoulder.
Aislinn had to admit that it frightened her when her vision blurred so badly. It was starting to do it with more frequency though and she had to figure out how exactly to act whenever it happened.
"It's all dark again Rei-kun." She answered quietly, feeling a little more at ease with him by her side.
"I think we should go get Obaasan," Rei suggest. He pulled himself out of the water first, then helped Aislinn out. "Hold my hand, it'll be okay," he said, holding onto Aislinn's hand tightly.
"H-hai" Aislinn gripped onto Rei's hand, letting him pull her out, more water spilling out over the grass.
- - - - -
[ A Few Hours Later, Hospital ]
Rei said on a chair with Grandma Hino sitting beside him, waiting just outside the Doctor's office while they waited for a word about Aislinn's condition.
Inside the doctor's office the young girl sat quietly atop the long medical table, swinging her legs over the edge as she tried to keep herself occupied. The doctor and one of the nurses stood at the other side of the room, speaking quietly amongst themselves.
Aislinn felt alone and scared at the moment. Everything had gone black except for the faint glow of two figures infront of her.
A sudden shuffling up ahead alerted her that the two were moving. She looked up quickly waiting for something. She heard the click of the door and then the doctor speaking. He wanted to talk to Grandma.
Grandma rose from her chair and looked at the Doctor. The Doctor looked down at Rei. "Rei, you can see her now. Would you wait in my office with her while I talk with your Obaasan?" He asked him.
Rei jumped off his chair and ran into the office without replying to the Doctor. He wanted to make sure Aislinn was okay. The Doctor closed the door and started to talk to Grandma.
"Hino-san," the Doctor started.
"Call me Grandma," Grandma interrupted. "It's her sight, isn't it?"
The Doctor nodded. "She's lost it completely. It'll take her a while to get used to it. We have some programs and some people that can-"
Grandma held out her hand to him for him to stop. Pausing as she raised her eyes up to him. "It's quite all right. I know what to do. I can take care of it," she said.
- - - -
"Yume-chan!" Rei shouted, climbing onto the doctor's table Aislinn sat upon and wrapping his arms around her for a hug. "Are you okay?"
Aislinn's eyes had filled with tears when Rei had wrapped his arms around her. She hugged him back, leaning into him, crying quietly. "I'm scared" The girl whispered almost under her breath.
Rei's own eyes started to fill with tears, but he tried to stay strong as he let Aislinn cry. He held onto her. "It'll be okay. Obaasan will take care of it. We'll be able to go back to the temple. You can try the rope. I'll push you on the swing. And tonight, I'll sing you that song you love so much." His voice was wavering to a light sob, as he let some of the tears flow down his cheek. "Nothing will change Yume-chan. Nothing."
Aislinn gripped onto the material that made up Rei's shirt. "You mean it?" She breathed through her tears, leaning in closer to him for comfort. He could always help her feel better, no matter how scared or sad, just having him with her gave her strength. She looked to that same red glow she'd seen on their first meeting, helping to ease her troubles.
"Of course I mean it," Rei said, softly pushing Aislinn away from him as he looked into her crying eyes. He brushed those tears away and smiled, though he knew in his gut she couldn't see it anymore. "What are best friends for?"
- - - -
[ A Year Later, Hikawa Jinja Shrine, Late at Night ]
A thunderstorm broke out and thunder crashed in the night, rumbling its low moans throughout the temple grounds. Lightning crashed down and flashed its light through the windows of the temple home.
Grandma Hino was fast asleep, snoring away in her room. Rei was sleeping soundly as always, his body sprawled on the matress of the bed in a sleeping position only he was comfortable in, his blanket and one leg hung over the side.
But in another room beside Rei's, Aislinn wasn't as sound asleep. Another crack of lightning shot through the sky causing the young girl to jump. She didn't like this. She was alone in there. There was a storm outside.
Quickly she slid her legs over the side of her bed and stumbled towards the door. She slid it open and felt her way along the wall until she came to the door of the next room.
"Rei-kun" Aislinn hissed quietly, not wanting to wake Obaasan, only Rei. Opening the door to his room she stepped inside. "Rei-kun" She continued again with a more urgent tone.
Rei moaned tiredly and blinked open his deep violet eyes. Moving his head to look towards the door. Though he couldn't see anything through the darkness, he heard a crack of lightning and knew it was Aislinn. "Yume-chan?" He yawned, reaching over to his nightdesk to flip on the lamp.
When the room was illuminated, it was indeed Aislinn standing there. He slid his legs over the side and sat on his bed. "Is it the storm again?" He asked contently.
Aislinn fidgeted with the material of her nightgown, nodding her head. "Hai" She answered quietly.
"Come on, you can sleep with me tonight until it's over," Rei said softly. He patted the mattress so Aislinn would hear it. He knew Aislinn could find her way over without hesitation, she'd come into his room everytime there was a storm and she knew it well.
There was another loud crash and Aislinn hurried over to Rei's bed, she had opened her eyes a moment so she could spot that red glow. She reached the bed and crawled over the mattress past Rei to the other side.
Rei watched as Aislinn came over on his bed and lay down, shivering from fright. He reached over to turn off the light and lay down beside her. He placed a hand on her arm and rubbed it to calm her. "Do you want me to sing you the lullaby?"
Aislinn nodded her head, curling up and watching the red glow beside her, "Yeah."
Rei closed his eyes, letting the words enter his mind as he hummed a little tune and began to sing part of a lullaby. "Good bye to the bewildered yesterday. My feelings are springing up. I can bring them up many times, let a flower blossom. Memories are sweet hiding places. Live to see another day. One day a blessing will come, Stretch out your hands..."
Aislinn closed her eyes focussing on Rei's singing as she quietly hummed along with the first few lines. Her humming got quieter as Rei continued and her breathing became lighter. After a few short moments the young girl had fallen asleep, curled up by her best friend's side.
- - - - - -
[ Early Morning ]
The storm ended shorty after the two fell asleep. Morning had come quickly as Grandma Hino opened the door to Rei's room to find the two sleeping peacefully together. She sighed sadly as she walked over to them and shook them awake. "Rei-chan, Aislinn-chan, wake up please."
Rei was first to wake up, his violet eyes opening to look up at Grandma. He yawned and rubbed the sleep from his eyes, taking one arm out from around Aislinn. "Obaasan, what is it?" He mummbled, still half asleep.
Aislinn let out a low groan, rolling onto her other side and then stretching out her arms and legs. Her eyes fluttered open and the rest of her senses awoke as she saw the violet coloured figure that was Obaasan above them. Her brow furrowed with a curious expression as to why exactly Obaasan was there.
Grandma looked to Aislinn. "Aislinn-chan, it's time for you to go. The Monks are here to take you back..." Grandma said, her tone of voice hiding the tears she had to split the two.
Rei's eyes widened, the shock of Grandma's words hitting him. Aislinn was going to leave. "No, she can't go!" He shouted, tears welling up in his eyes. "She can't leave!" He cried.
"What...?" Aislinn didn't understand. Why was she going back?.. Why did she need to go back? She looked to the two of them with a confused expression as she felt the area around her eyes tighten. She did not notice the welling tears, nor did she notice those that had escaped and travelled down her childish features. Rei cried out his statements as Aislinn had brought herself to a sitting position.
"Do I really have to go back?" She asked quietly, almost disbelieving of what Obaasan had said.
Grandma nodded. "They feel it's time for you to go back to Nodoka Kawagiri. The monks are already here to take you. Your things are packed and ready to go." Grandma tried her best to explain, holding back her own cries to keep Aislinn with them. "Come now Aislinn, they're waiting."
The elder monk was standing in the doorway. Rei looked over to him, tears falling down his face. "Please don't take her. She's happy here! Can't you see that?!" Rei shouted out to him.
Aislinn had let her hand trail along the mattress where it had found Rei's while the little girl tried to sort through what was going on.
"I am sorry. But Aislinn need's to go to a place where she can be properly taken care of. She needs guidance and the monks of my order can provide her with all she needs." His face was calm and solemn as he spoke.
The girl recalled his voice and sat quietly listening, more tears streaming down her cheeks. She didn't want to go, to leave Rei and Obaasan.
Feeling Aislinn's hand upon his own, he moved his fingers to grip around hers tightly. "But... you can't take her. We can take care of her. Can't we Obaasan?"
Grandma let a tear roll down her cheek as she looked to Rei. "Aislinn will be trained in a different manner then what I can do. She must go back. I've done what I can." She explained.
Rei turned his crying eyes to Aislinn. "Yume-chan, you don't want to leave, right? You don't want to go? Just tell them you want to stay. Tell them what you want," he said, wrapping his arms around Aislinn to hug her. He quivered slighty from the thought of losing her. "I want you to stay..."
"No.. No I don't want to go.." The girl answered quietly, just so he could hear. She didn't sob or cough, but managed to keep her crying down to a soft sniffle and as many tears as would come. "Rei-kun... I don't want to leave."
Grandma looked to the monk and shrugged. But the monk gave her the sign to grab Rei, so that he could take Aislinn away. Grandma shook her head, sighned, then grabbed Rei around the waist.
Rei felt Grandma's grip around him and only held Aislinn tighter. "Tell him Aislinn. Tell him you don't want to go!" He cried. Grandma pulled him away from Aislinn with all her might, placing the young boy under her arm to keep him steady.
"No! Obaasan! Please, No!" Rei cried even louder, kicking and trying to wriggle out of his Grandma's grasp. It was no use.
The tall monk moved in shortly after Grandma, scooping up the weeping girl and holding her in his strong grip.
"Rei..." Aislinn quietly cried. A sob escaping her throat as she wrapped her small fingers in the material of the monk's robes.
"Rei-kun!" She called it out louder this time as the Old Monk turned to leave the room.
"Thank you for watching over her Hino-san" The man stated before stepping through the doorway.
Grandma Hino nodded, not being able to say anything in reply as the Monk left with Aislinn. The pain inside her for parting the two was too great.
Rei quit with his struggling, but instead stretched out his arm hoping to grab Aislinn, but she was already gone. "YUME-CHAAAAAN!"
- - - - - - - - - -
To be Continued...
Chapter 3 :: "NegaVerse Fire Spy"
- - - - - - - - - -
Chapter 2 :: "As Children We Played"
Authors: Chikko-chan, Nightmoon
A/N: Remember, this is an Alternate Reality fic, so some things have changed from what you knew previously in Sailor Moon.
Originally we just did the first chapter as a 'one time thing' for fun, but from the reviews we decided going on with the story couldn't hurt. ^_^ More to come guys! Thanks for your input!
- - - - -
[ 7AM, Saturday, Spring ]
"Rei... Rei!" An elderly woman's voice rang through the grounds of the Hikawa Jinja Shrine. Her gray hair was pulled up into a tight bun on the top of her head, secured by two red sticks and a few small combs. She wore a red floral kimono and sandles that added only half and inch to her four-foot height. Though her eyes were usually squinted, they were a pale gray with a hint of violet. This woman was the caretaker and owner of the Shrine, grounds and Dojo of Hikawa Jinja. Going only by the name 'Grandma Hino'.
She ran around the grounds, calling for someone around the Sakura trees, through the temple house and other huts, until she finally stopped abruptly to find a sleeping boy in his room. "Rei, there you are!" The woman shouted, then walking into the room. The small boy, only seven years of age, slept peacefully. His raven hair was short and tossled on his head. The elderly woman brought an arm to his shoulder and shook him.
The boys violet eyes shot open and he turned to look at the old woman. "Obaasan!" he whined, wiping the sleep from his eyes. "Nani?"
"Rei-chan, we have company coming. You must finish your chores and help me to greet them when they come," Grandma Hino replied. "Have a shower as well, they're bringing someone your age. A little girl a year younger than you. Hurry now!" She then skiddadled out of the room.
Rei blinked his tired eyes and yawned, processing what Grandma Hino was telling him. He watched her leave and threw the covers off of him, starting to climb out of bed when it hit him and he fell off.
"Nani? A GIRL!?"
- - - - - - - - -
[ 2 Hours Later ]
Grandma Hino stood facing and an elderly group of five monks. She bowed to them, they bowed in return. "Ohayo," Grandma said. "Welcome to the Hikawa Jinja Shrine."
The eldest of the monks standing at the centre of the row bowed slightly once again. "Thank you for allowing my group to come and stay with you, Hino-san." The man paused and looked down the line to one of the younger monks. "Aislinn-chan. Come out and introduce yourself"
A young girl the age of 6 stood timidly behind one of the other monks, clutching tightly to his robes. She wore a pale yellow kimono and her long, dark violet hair extended down her back. Briefly tightening her grip on the monk's robes, she stepped out from behind him, letting one hand fall back to her side. The little girl bowed slowly to Grandma Hino and then latched herself onto the monk's leg once again. She blinked her large pale grey eyes once or twice and watched the stranger before her.
Grandma Hino smiled, the laugh lines around her eyes showing gracefully as she bowed to the girl. "Ohayo Aislinn-chan," Grandma said, then bringing her arm behind her to grab Rei from out behind her, dragging him in front of her. He had been hiding from them, and with Grandma's height, it was easy for a young boy to do. "This is my grandson Rei. He lives with me here at the temple. He's only a year older than you," Grandma explained, then pinching Rei's arm and pushing him towards the monks.
Rei let out a silent yelp from the pink and the push, as he steadied himself to stand. Rubbing his arm where the pinch was, he bowed to the monks and Aislinn. "Oha-," he squeeked. He cleared his throat. "Ohayo," came out broader, but still in the low childs voice. "Welcome to our Temple."
His deep violet eyes looked over the monks, then to Aislinn. He smiled at her, blushing slightly as his hand went to the back of his neck and he rubbed it nervously. "Oh-ha-hayo." He gave Aislinn a greeting of her own.
Aislinn watched curiously through slightly blurred vision as the boy was presented. There was a beautiful red glow around him. The little girl smiled, loosening her previously frightened grip on the monk beside her.
"Ohayo" She replied, nodding her head and letting out a quiet giggle. She didn't think she'd every seen someone glow in that manner before. It was so bright and vibrant.
Grandma smiled. "Rei-chan, will you take Aislinn-chan to the guest room that we fixed up for her?" she asked.
"Hai!" Rei looked to Grandma and nodded. He then held his hand out to Aislinn. "Do you want to play?" He asked her.
Aislinn giggled again, taking Rei's hand. "Hai. What do you want to play?" She questioned with a grin.
- - - - - -
[ A Year Later, In a Hidden Spring Past the Temple Grounds ]
"Rei, Be Careful!" Aislinn nervously called up into the tree as she watched the blurred red figure shuffling along the branches. A slight breeze blew through the area rustling the leaves of the tree and lightly tossing the girl's dark violet hair.
"I am being careful!" Rei shouted back down as he tied the end of a rope around a Sakura branch. He knotted it up twice and made sure it was secure. "Okay," he said, just as he was shuffling down the branch.
"I'm coming dow... woah." He lost grip of the branch and fell off, gripping onto the rope he swung and let go, his arms and legs wavering in the air as gravity took over and...
*SPLOOSH!*
He landed in the deep center of a small pond. Surfacing a moment later, Rei gasped for air and quickly swam towards Aislinn on dry land. He lifted himself out and lay down to rest. "What a ride!" He laughed.
"Was it really?" Aislinn chuckled taking a step or two back so she wouldn't get wet herself. "As long as you enjoyed your little dip and didn't break anything I'd say we're alright" She continued straightening out her denim shorts.
"Oh yeah, it's great fun," Rei replied, pushing himself off the ground to stand. He looked to Aislinn who had stepped back and grinned. "Come on, give me a hug!" He teased, holding his arms out for a hug. Knowing Aislinn wouldn't let him hug her, he grabbed her hand and yanked her towards the pond, lifted her up and then threw her into the water.
"No.. No! Rei!" Aislinn said seeing him come closer with arms outstretched. She suddenly felt his hand grip onto hers and was pulled towards the water. Letting out a surprised shriek as her body hit the water with a loud splash.
Rei laughed uncontrollably when Aislinn hit the water. A moment later water sprayed the surrounding area as the young girl surfaced. "REI!" She gave him a cold glare, swimming up to the edge of the water, grabbing both of his hands and starting to pull.
Rei had held out his hands to help her out of the water, but felt a strong tug from the tiny girl that made him slip on the grass and fall head-first into the water beside her. Instead of surfacing, Rei attacked her from under water, tickling her sides and pulling her under.
"Oh no.." Aislinn had realised her mistake as Rei struck from underwater, grabbing her sides and tickling her, pulling her under. She let out a laugh before being pulled under water where she attempted to put Rei in a headlock, fixing her small arm around his neck and playfully pulling them both back up to the surface. She thought she had him.
"Okay okay! I give up! Uncle, uncle!" Rei laughed, though Aislinn's grip wasn't strong, he thought he'd give it to her. He was getting tired any ways.
"That's more like it" Aislinn giggled releasing her hold on Rei and standing up tall. She started wading toward the edge of the pool of water when her vision started to blur and fade again. She bumped into the stone, "Ouch" The girl mumbled reaching to rub her knee.
She couldn't see very clearly if at all at the moment. Her sight tended to do that on her occasionally and she just had to stop for a second and attempt to finish what she was doing.
"Yume-chan," Rei said, calling her by her nickname he and Grandma had made for her. He waded over to her and looked at her with worry. "Are you okay?" He asked, placing a calm hand on her shoulder.
Aislinn had to admit that it frightened her when her vision blurred so badly. It was starting to do it with more frequency though and she had to figure out how exactly to act whenever it happened.
"It's all dark again Rei-kun." She answered quietly, feeling a little more at ease with him by her side.
"I think we should go get Obaasan," Rei suggest. He pulled himself out of the water first, then helped Aislinn out. "Hold my hand, it'll be okay," he said, holding onto Aislinn's hand tightly.
"H-hai" Aislinn gripped onto Rei's hand, letting him pull her out, more water spilling out over the grass.
- - - - -
[ A Few Hours Later, Hospital ]
Rei said on a chair with Grandma Hino sitting beside him, waiting just outside the Doctor's office while they waited for a word about Aislinn's condition.
Inside the doctor's office the young girl sat quietly atop the long medical table, swinging her legs over the edge as she tried to keep herself occupied. The doctor and one of the nurses stood at the other side of the room, speaking quietly amongst themselves.
Aislinn felt alone and scared at the moment. Everything had gone black except for the faint glow of two figures infront of her.
A sudden shuffling up ahead alerted her that the two were moving. She looked up quickly waiting for something. She heard the click of the door and then the doctor speaking. He wanted to talk to Grandma.
Grandma rose from her chair and looked at the Doctor. The Doctor looked down at Rei. "Rei, you can see her now. Would you wait in my office with her while I talk with your Obaasan?" He asked him.
Rei jumped off his chair and ran into the office without replying to the Doctor. He wanted to make sure Aislinn was okay. The Doctor closed the door and started to talk to Grandma.
"Hino-san," the Doctor started.
"Call me Grandma," Grandma interrupted. "It's her sight, isn't it?"
The Doctor nodded. "She's lost it completely. It'll take her a while to get used to it. We have some programs and some people that can-"
Grandma held out her hand to him for him to stop. Pausing as she raised her eyes up to him. "It's quite all right. I know what to do. I can take care of it," she said.
- - - -
"Yume-chan!" Rei shouted, climbing onto the doctor's table Aislinn sat upon and wrapping his arms around her for a hug. "Are you okay?"
Aislinn's eyes had filled with tears when Rei had wrapped his arms around her. She hugged him back, leaning into him, crying quietly. "I'm scared" The girl whispered almost under her breath.
Rei's own eyes started to fill with tears, but he tried to stay strong as he let Aislinn cry. He held onto her. "It'll be okay. Obaasan will take care of it. We'll be able to go back to the temple. You can try the rope. I'll push you on the swing. And tonight, I'll sing you that song you love so much." His voice was wavering to a light sob, as he let some of the tears flow down his cheek. "Nothing will change Yume-chan. Nothing."
Aislinn gripped onto the material that made up Rei's shirt. "You mean it?" She breathed through her tears, leaning in closer to him for comfort. He could always help her feel better, no matter how scared or sad, just having him with her gave her strength. She looked to that same red glow she'd seen on their first meeting, helping to ease her troubles.
"Of course I mean it," Rei said, softly pushing Aislinn away from him as he looked into her crying eyes. He brushed those tears away and smiled, though he knew in his gut she couldn't see it anymore. "What are best friends for?"
- - - -
[ A Year Later, Hikawa Jinja Shrine, Late at Night ]
A thunderstorm broke out and thunder crashed in the night, rumbling its low moans throughout the temple grounds. Lightning crashed down and flashed its light through the windows of the temple home.
Grandma Hino was fast asleep, snoring away in her room. Rei was sleeping soundly as always, his body sprawled on the matress of the bed in a sleeping position only he was comfortable in, his blanket and one leg hung over the side.
But in another room beside Rei's, Aislinn wasn't as sound asleep. Another crack of lightning shot through the sky causing the young girl to jump. She didn't like this. She was alone in there. There was a storm outside.
Quickly she slid her legs over the side of her bed and stumbled towards the door. She slid it open and felt her way along the wall until she came to the door of the next room.
"Rei-kun" Aislinn hissed quietly, not wanting to wake Obaasan, only Rei. Opening the door to his room she stepped inside. "Rei-kun" She continued again with a more urgent tone.
Rei moaned tiredly and blinked open his deep violet eyes. Moving his head to look towards the door. Though he couldn't see anything through the darkness, he heard a crack of lightning and knew it was Aislinn. "Yume-chan?" He yawned, reaching over to his nightdesk to flip on the lamp.
When the room was illuminated, it was indeed Aislinn standing there. He slid his legs over the side and sat on his bed. "Is it the storm again?" He asked contently.
Aislinn fidgeted with the material of her nightgown, nodding her head. "Hai" She answered quietly.
"Come on, you can sleep with me tonight until it's over," Rei said softly. He patted the mattress so Aislinn would hear it. He knew Aislinn could find her way over without hesitation, she'd come into his room everytime there was a storm and she knew it well.
There was another loud crash and Aislinn hurried over to Rei's bed, she had opened her eyes a moment so she could spot that red glow. She reached the bed and crawled over the mattress past Rei to the other side.
Rei watched as Aislinn came over on his bed and lay down, shivering from fright. He reached over to turn off the light and lay down beside her. He placed a hand on her arm and rubbed it to calm her. "Do you want me to sing you the lullaby?"
Aislinn nodded her head, curling up and watching the red glow beside her, "Yeah."
Rei closed his eyes, letting the words enter his mind as he hummed a little tune and began to sing part of a lullaby. "Good bye to the bewildered yesterday. My feelings are springing up. I can bring them up many times, let a flower blossom. Memories are sweet hiding places. Live to see another day. One day a blessing will come, Stretch out your hands..."
Aislinn closed her eyes focussing on Rei's singing as she quietly hummed along with the first few lines. Her humming got quieter as Rei continued and her breathing became lighter. After a few short moments the young girl had fallen asleep, curled up by her best friend's side.
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[ Early Morning ]
The storm ended shorty after the two fell asleep. Morning had come quickly as Grandma Hino opened the door to Rei's room to find the two sleeping peacefully together. She sighed sadly as she walked over to them and shook them awake. "Rei-chan, Aislinn-chan, wake up please."
Rei was first to wake up, his violet eyes opening to look up at Grandma. He yawned and rubbed the sleep from his eyes, taking one arm out from around Aislinn. "Obaasan, what is it?" He mummbled, still half asleep.
Aislinn let out a low groan, rolling onto her other side and then stretching out her arms and legs. Her eyes fluttered open and the rest of her senses awoke as she saw the violet coloured figure that was Obaasan above them. Her brow furrowed with a curious expression as to why exactly Obaasan was there.
Grandma looked to Aislinn. "Aislinn-chan, it's time for you to go. The Monks are here to take you back..." Grandma said, her tone of voice hiding the tears she had to split the two.
Rei's eyes widened, the shock of Grandma's words hitting him. Aislinn was going to leave. "No, she can't go!" He shouted, tears welling up in his eyes. "She can't leave!" He cried.
"What...?" Aislinn didn't understand. Why was she going back?.. Why did she need to go back? She looked to the two of them with a confused expression as she felt the area around her eyes tighten. She did not notice the welling tears, nor did she notice those that had escaped and travelled down her childish features. Rei cried out his statements as Aislinn had brought herself to a sitting position.
"Do I really have to go back?" She asked quietly, almost disbelieving of what Obaasan had said.
Grandma nodded. "They feel it's time for you to go back to Nodoka Kawagiri. The monks are already here to take you. Your things are packed and ready to go." Grandma tried her best to explain, holding back her own cries to keep Aislinn with them. "Come now Aislinn, they're waiting."
The elder monk was standing in the doorway. Rei looked over to him, tears falling down his face. "Please don't take her. She's happy here! Can't you see that?!" Rei shouted out to him.
Aislinn had let her hand trail along the mattress where it had found Rei's while the little girl tried to sort through what was going on.
"I am sorry. But Aislinn need's to go to a place where she can be properly taken care of. She needs guidance and the monks of my order can provide her with all she needs." His face was calm and solemn as he spoke.
The girl recalled his voice and sat quietly listening, more tears streaming down her cheeks. She didn't want to go, to leave Rei and Obaasan.
Feeling Aislinn's hand upon his own, he moved his fingers to grip around hers tightly. "But... you can't take her. We can take care of her. Can't we Obaasan?"
Grandma let a tear roll down her cheek as she looked to Rei. "Aislinn will be trained in a different manner then what I can do. She must go back. I've done what I can." She explained.
Rei turned his crying eyes to Aislinn. "Yume-chan, you don't want to leave, right? You don't want to go? Just tell them you want to stay. Tell them what you want," he said, wrapping his arms around Aislinn to hug her. He quivered slighty from the thought of losing her. "I want you to stay..."
"No.. No I don't want to go.." The girl answered quietly, just so he could hear. She didn't sob or cough, but managed to keep her crying down to a soft sniffle and as many tears as would come. "Rei-kun... I don't want to leave."
Grandma looked to the monk and shrugged. But the monk gave her the sign to grab Rei, so that he could take Aislinn away. Grandma shook her head, sighned, then grabbed Rei around the waist.
Rei felt Grandma's grip around him and only held Aislinn tighter. "Tell him Aislinn. Tell him you don't want to go!" He cried. Grandma pulled him away from Aislinn with all her might, placing the young boy under her arm to keep him steady.
"No! Obaasan! Please, No!" Rei cried even louder, kicking and trying to wriggle out of his Grandma's grasp. It was no use.
The tall monk moved in shortly after Grandma, scooping up the weeping girl and holding her in his strong grip.
"Rei..." Aislinn quietly cried. A sob escaping her throat as she wrapped her small fingers in the material of the monk's robes.
"Rei-kun!" She called it out louder this time as the Old Monk turned to leave the room.
"Thank you for watching over her Hino-san" The man stated before stepping through the doorway.
Grandma Hino nodded, not being able to say anything in reply as the Monk left with Aislinn. The pain inside her for parting the two was too great.
Rei quit with his struggling, but instead stretched out his arm hoping to grab Aislinn, but she was already gone. "YUME-CHAAAAAN!"
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To be Continued...
Chapter 3 :: "NegaVerse Fire Spy"
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