Author's Note: ...I just found this, buried in an endless folder of old fanfics. I think I wrote this spur-of-the-moment and I had originally intended for it to be an entire series of chapters, but this first one does the trick for me, and I can't hit any closer to home with Nuriko. *blink* Yes. I am yet another Nuriko fan, but I lay no claim to being the best. Please R/R... I still enjoy reading this myself. ^_^;;

--Autumn Raine--


"Cruelty of Fate"

Ikeiteru Yotte Watashi

It's cold outside. It's raining, and the cherry blossoms are falling all around my window, delicately lining the sill and making no sound. The drops of liquid splatter hard against the glass, and I stare out as tears form in my eyes. My hair falls down from its loosely held plait in the back of my head and tumbles around my shoulders in short, heavy ringlets. I pay no attention, absently brushing at it with one finger as I swallow back a noise of pain. My mouth falls from its usual solemn smile into a crumpled whimper position, my teeth clamping down on my lower lip as I let out a soft sob.            

            My sister's eyes gaze up at me from a puddle of raindrops forming on the windowsill. I see her beautiful smile fade and tears fall down her face. I see her hair falling into her eyes... I see myself. I watch as if Korin was living through me, and the drops of rain slide down the windowpane like tears falling from her eyes. From my eyes.

            The komono she wore when she was killed is lying on my bed, long and exquisite, just like her. I glance into the mirror beside me to look at it, then wipe at my eyes with one fist and make my way towards the center of the room. Slowly, tenderly, I lift the delicate piece of material and drape it against my form. The hem reaches my ankles, and without thinking, I untie the sash that holds it shut and slip off my own clothes. I step into Korin's komono and shiver as the cool silk touches my bare flesh. I tie the obi and push my hair back from my face, gazing into the mirror. A light blush touches my face from crying, and my lips are pursed, as Korin's would be. My hair, falling short compared to hers, has brushed back from my face, barely touching my shoulders.

            I watch my movements, raising my arm to touch one of my own cheeks and mimicking how Korin would move. My eyes soften in a feminine gesture, and I shift my hand to cover my mouth as I release a small giggle, having no trouble lifting my voice to a girlish tone. I bow as low as possible, watching my expression change from one to amusement to a formal one. My tears have stopped falling now, and I whisper quietly, "Ikeiteru yotte watashi, oneechan." ("Live through me, little sister.")