Rakka eda ni kaerazu
~ Fallen blossoms do not return to branches ~
-- a Japanese proverb
Chapter Six: Recollections
Summer, Present
Kanagawa, Japan
Fujima residence
Kogure carried Michiko onto the couch, while Fujima went into the kitchen for some water and a sponge. Both were worried for their friend.
Michiko just lay there, unmoving save for her regular breathing. Which, in itself, was partly comforting. It was good to know that she was still alive.
Winter, Fourteen years ago
Tokyo, Japan
Kawasaki residence
"Why can't we go ice-skating?" little Michiko asked, her puppy-dog eyes gazing at her father. Who, unfortunately, was not one of those who succumbed to her cute expressions.
"Maybe next time. I took you to the rink yesterday, remember? And look what happened this morning? You found an ugly bruise on you knee. I'll take you when that heals," Kawasaki Taro said. With that, Michiko's father left the house, carrying a small overnight bag.
Her mother stood in the doorway of the kitchen. Her expression was grim. But it changed when Michiko turned around. She found her mother smiling down at her, as usual. All was right in Michiko's world, except a little bruise that had kept her from ice skating.
Winter, Thirteen years ago
Somewhere over the Pacific Ocean
Onboard Flight 17 en route to Sydney
A loud crash and a flaming ball of fire were the last things the passengers of the ill-fated Flight 17 from Tokyo to Sydnety would see. In the next instant, most would be dead, and the rest would be killed by the pressure that the atmosphere around them exerted as the plane's body broke open by the force of the blast.
Another act of terrorism.
Two hundred lives lost.
And, among them, the life of Kawasaki Taro. Loving father to Kawasaki Michiko.
Summer, Present
Kanagawa, Japan
Fujima residence
Michiko's eyes opened. And slowly, her surroundings came into focus. The first thing she saw was the glint of light reflected off Kogure's glasses. And Fujima, who was sponging her cheek. Then she remembered. She was in Fujima's house.
Wordlessly, pushing away the hands that tried to support her lest she fall, Michiko walked in a daze to the front door. Where the photograph was hung. She looked up, and closely, at the photograph, to the bemusement of both onlookers.
"Fujima-kun," she said suddenly, "is this your family?"
He looked at the photograph she was pointing to, and nodded emphatically. "Why? Is anything wrong?"
"No, you look so different, that's all," she laughed it off.
Fujima grinned as well. "Comes with growing up. The looks, I mean."
This earned him a cutting glare from Michiko, who promptly retaliated, "What looks?"
Kogure smiled. But his mind was focused on one thing. She had not answered Fujima's question. Her actions and words were on two different levels. What was wrong?














Author's Notes:
I just realised that this story is where my longest paragraphs and sentences are found. Why? I have no idea.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed reading the sixth chapter! (Yay, it's six chapters already and I'm still going strong! Hopefully I won't get stuck with a writer's block halfway through - but with so many stories I'm handling now, it's unlikely!)

And yes, I know this chapter is pretty short! I'll update soon, as a compromise! *grin*




Replies:
Joy: Nope, no concussion; thanks for your concern. LOL!

renei: She didn't get sicker - would I have the heart to make her sicker?

tensaispira: Let me guess what you're going to say today: next chapter? I heartily agree! ^__^

Konomi: Hello! Haven't seen you around before! Hajimemashite! Sorry, couldn't email you with the update, so I hope you're reading this! If you love Kogure/OC check out my completed 'Time Heals All Wounds'.

iron kitty: it had better be getting interesting, ne? Since it's up to the sixth chapter now! *grin*

nanami27: I think this story centers on Fujima, Kogure and Michiko for the time being, at least.

cookies: oops... is this another cliffhanger?
DiaBLo: this world is going to fall off its axis soon... ^__^

sLL: Hi! I haven't "met" you yet. Thanks for reading, and I hope you've enjoyed this chapter!







once again, thank you for reading! review, onegai? ^__^


till next time...
~rurouni