Chapter Three
There standing by a small, grassy hill was the boy. Not just any boy, but the boy. The one that had occupied my thoughts ever since I had seen him in the picture. It was the same boy, I was sure of it. There were only minor differences from the scene in front of my now and the one I had drawn. And only two differences at that which were: he had no wings and the cherry blossom petals lay motionless at his feet instead of circling around him.
'I can change one of those differences to match the picture.' I knew I couldn't give the boy wings but I could help the petals dance, and dance they would. Concentrating on the cherry blossom that were resting on the ground, it was easy to make them start of circle him. Now only the lack of wings told me that this wasn't my picture.
The sound of someone gasp in surprise brought me back to my senses. It was only then that I realized that what I had just done to recreate my picture had probably cost me the chance of ever getting to know this boy. Mentally cursing myself I looked up and expected to see the boy running away or at least look frightened, but what I did see was quite different. Instead of what I had expected, a soft, friendly smile graced the boy's face.
I was so caught off guard all my motor skills and some of my senses shut down and I could do nothing but stare. And stare was all I did. Even as I saw the boy's lips move in the formation of words, no sound made its why to my ears. It wasn't until the living version of my drawing touched my shoulder did I finally snap back to reality. I suppose it was the surprise of being touch by someone, other than a member of Schwartz, in a way not meant to cause me harm.
"Nani?" was all I was able to manage at the moment. The muscle needed to think and the brain power needed to form a thought were both against me.
"Daijobu ka?" Concern had laced itself over his face and though his words. I was upset at myself for causing him to worry but even the simple sentence that had been asked to me was proving to be a challenge.
When I finally understood the question, I was still faced this the dilemma of answering. "Uh...hai, daijobu. Gomen nasai."
He still looked concerned but that was a bit of a smile tugging at the side of his lips. "No need to apologize, I am just glad you're alright. But are you sure you are feeling okay? You look like you have just seen a ghost."
Finally I was thinking normally again. I was still a little bit startled by the resemblance of the boy to the one in the picture but I was at least beginning to calm down. "I'm fine, really. And you are more of an angel than a ghost."
It wasn't till after the word had left my mouth that I had realized what I had just said. "That did not come out the way I meant. Baka." I hit myself on the head repeatedly with the paperback book I had been reading while in class today.
The only response the boy supplied was a soft chuckle. Suddenly as I was ready for the impact of the paper on my forehead, the book was snatched from my grip. "I think that poor book of yours has received enough punishment." I looked up and saw that while he was no longer laughing he was on the verge of doing so. "By the way, my name is Omi Tsukiyono." He held out his hand toward me.
Hesitantly I took the hand in mine. "Um...Nagi Naoe." He smiled warmly at me. I wanted to forget about the question that kept coming forth from the back of my mind, but no matter how many times I tried it would not be put to rest. In the end my mouth decided to end the debut by simply blurting it out. "Doyouhavewings?" Well now, that was definitely blunt and to the point, though by the utterly confused look on his face I would say that he didn't understand what I have just said.
Suddenly he caught me off guard by stating to laugh. "Gomen....nasai," he said between light chuckles. "Alright how about you try that sentence again. Preferable a little slower this time around."
Taking a deep breath I prepared to ask the most ridiculous question I have ever asked for the second time today. "Okay, I know this is going to sound odd but please don't think I am insane."
Mockingly he hold up his right hand. "I swear that no matter what you say I won't think you are any more nuts than you have already shown yourself to be."
A glare was the only response I gave for that statement. Sighing I asked the question again. "You don't have wings, do you?"
This question seemed to surprise him, but quickly the confused face turned to a laughing one. "No, I don't have wing. Not real on anyway." At seeing the confused look he decided to elaborate. "When my mother was alive she would always tell me that I had the power to fly as long as I continued to dream. That my dreams gave me wings and with them I could go anywhere. That has got have been the best lesson she taught me before she died. Why don't you try it?"
I was surprised by the sudden question but when he gave one of his smile I knew I could refuse such an innocent request. Sighing in defeat I quietly nodded, "What do I do?" His smile spread larger.
"It's simple." Walking over to the cherry blossom tree and took a seat; as expected I followed suite and sat beside him. "Relax," he said is a soft and gentle voice. Leaning back against the tree I closed my eyes. Momentarily I stiffen when I felt his hand fold into mine, but quickly after I relaxed again, more this time. "Now think of what would make you the happiness. What you must desire." Allowing my mind to wonder I didn't care where it took me.
Pretty soon I apparently had arrived at my desired location, even though I wasn't sure where it was. I opened my eyes, not my physical eyes, but the ones used in this so called dream, and was amazed at what waited me. All my senses were pulled into this dream. My ears heard the sound of the water crashing against the rock, my face could feel the mist and stray water hit it, but what my eyes saw was the most impressive. The scene before me was that of a beautiful waterfall, much like the one I had seen in pictures of Nikko, except probably more lovely.
Sitting by the water was a woman with long brown hair. Her feet hung relaxed in the water and her face was turned to me. As soon as I saw that face I knew who it was. I didn't matter to me that this women, my mother, was suppose to be dead. Omi had said this was my dream, so I see no reason why she couldn't be alive now. If it weren't for the fact that she looked so peaceful I know my brain would have commanded my feet to run over to her a quickly as possible. Even so I really wanted to go to her, hug her, make sure she was real.
But that was when I noticed a second reason I couldn't more. Wrapped around my waist was a pair of arms, and pressed lightly against my back was the body of another mine. The warmth radiating from that body was so warm and relaxing that I couldn't stop myself as I leaned back into their welcoming embrace. Before I could register the words I was about to say they had already left my mouth, "Aishiteru Omi."
"I love you too Nagi." I wasn't sure if that was in my dream or in real life as those words were all that I heard before I physical eyes snapped open.
Looking to my right I saw Omi, eyes already open, smiling at me. That combined with the memory of what had happened in the dream was all it took to cause me to blush. We were both were brought out of our thoughts by a couple drops of water hitting us. Looking up toward the sky I noticed that while I had been with Omi, the sun had moved at least an hour or two west in the sky. Dark clouds had also absurd most of the sky, the sun barley visible behind them. By the colour of the clouds however it was clear that while the rain was light at the moment, it would not last long, and that now was a time to seek shelter.
"Guess it is time to head home." I stood up and started to walk down the hill, towards the cemetery exit. When I turned to say a good-bye I noticed that Omi was still sitting on the ground, back rested against the tree, not making any effort to stand. "You're going to get soaked if you stay there. Why don't you go home?" The sad look that crossed his face at this question was enough of an answer. It was also the only answer I would receive as he downcast face turned to hide what was no doubt a tear. Whether he didn't have a home or his home life was life mine I didn't know, nor was I going to try to find out for it was obvious that he didn't wish to talk about.
"Hey," I called out again, "why don't you come with me? You can stay at my house, at least until the rain stops." I have no idea what made me make that suggestion, but there was no way I could take it back now, not after seeing how happy the offer made him. Still what was I suppose to do? If Otousama comes home Omi might get hurt.
I pushed that thought out of my mind and looked at Omi, who was still wear that big, not to mention cute, smile of his. Gathering my courage I walked over to him and took his hand, turning extremely red in the process, and started to walk toward my house.
Holding hands like this didn't seem to bother him. Instead his hand seemed to fit perfectly in mine and the fact that it was raining didn't seem to bother either of us. And thanks to the rain there weren't that many people on the streets, and the ones that were to much in a hurry to get inside to bother criticize us on how two boys should not be holding hands. Frankly I didn't care and it didn't seem like Omi did either.
When we finally got home we were soaked but none the less happy. The idle chit chat that had occupied our time on the walk had provided many laughs. While walking the worry of Otousama being home had vanished but now that the house was coming into view that fear was able to resurface. It was helped eased a little in the fact that no lights were on but that did not guarantee anything.
"Wait here a minute please." He simply nodded and was polite enough not to ask questions. Moreover he seemed to understand my fear, which heightened my suspicion that his living condition at home might, to some degree, be like mine.
After quickly checking the house, thankfully finding no sigh of Otousama being home, I returned to my patiently waiting guest. "Alright, Omi thank for waiting, I-"
The rest of what I was planning to say was cut of as Omi put his finger to my lips, successfully cutting off any thing I was about to say and at the same time making me blush. I swear I have blushed more today than ever before in my life combined, and it is all this Omi's fault. "It's alright, no need to explain."
I silently thanked Omi, because despite the fact that I was prepared to give an explanation I really didn't what to if it was not necessary.
Deciding that the safest, not to mention cleanest, part of the house part of the house was my room I headed in that direction and, as expected, Omi followed. When in the room we both had a seat on the bed. There were no chairs in the room and the bed was considerably more comfortable than the floor. Omi once again surprised me by leaning his head on my shoulder. I was getting more used to his friendly nature and barely even stiffened this time.
Again we started to talk, though this time not as light-heartedly. I guessed that it was because of our new surrounding. It was inevitable that Omi had spotted the blood stains on the carpet, and knew what was going on. I admit I haven't known him for long but he was not stupid.
Still he said nothing and neither did I. We were enjoying each others company to much to want to speak of anything depressing. And that was how it was for a while. Him leaning on my shoulder and after awhile I leant against his head, conversation was about nothing more serious than school politics. And the only other sound besides our talking was that of rain and thunder outside.
We were both close to being asleep when I heard the door slam open. That sound was all that was necessary to bring me back to reality and into panic in less than a second. "Omi, Omi," I whispered hastily.
While I was only on the verge of dreamland Omi had already become an occupant. Still when I called him he woke, first looking in my direction with fear clear in his eyes, then upon realizing who it was the eyes softened. "What's the matter Nagi?" But the eyes that had just soften seconds before immediately shown with fear again when the heavy footprints of Otousama reached his ears as well.
"No time to explain," I kept my voice at a whisper as the footsteps neared. I opened the closet door and it was clear to Omi what I wanted him to do. And, although he seem slightly reluctant, he did as he was requested.
Just as I had closed the door and turned around, the door to my room slammed open. "There you are, bitch!" It was clear that the man was drunk as he walked toward me. He kept stumbling and had his hand on the wall for support. I was not surprised that he was drunk, more that he was home so early. Usually he was out until early in the morning on the anniversary of Okasan's death. Still he was very drunk and easily angered.
Drinking on this day always caused him to hate me. It heighten his already high view that I killed Okasan. He sees me as killing her even though it was that other man. Some other nights I can escape getting beaten, but not tonight, never tonight. Even when he stayed out late he would always return and find me, find me and beat me, find me and....rape me.
Scared I backed as far as possible against the wall. I knew I couldn't escape what was about to happen but I was not eager for it to begin either. All the same it did begin. The advancing man reached toward me and I tried to duck and move, at least to the opposite side of the room. I didn't want to risk him finding Omi.
My escape didn't work as well as planned however. As I ducked under his arm he brought his knee which connected with my chin. This in turn knocked my face up high enough for him to slap me hard across the face. I had expected to simply hit the wall and fall to the ground but I was not so lucky. Instead my left temple came in contact with the corner of an old desk and I could already feel the blood flow down my face.
My head was already feeling light-head, in part by the force of the contact and in part by the whether outside. Neither Omi nor myself had changed out of our wet cloths after coming inside and the cold was now starting to get to me.
But I was not given a chance to coordinate myself, for the next thing I realized I was pressed against the wall with Otousama's hand around my neck. I tried to suck in air but the hand around my next was too firm. Black started to close in from the corners of my vision and panic kicked in. I continued to gasp for air though my attempts were futile.
As my desperation continued and my attempt to breath harder I felt a power inside me rise. Before I could stop myself the power in me exploded outward and Otousama was knock backward. It didn't matter that I hadn't meant to but now Otousama was madder than ever.
Never before had I used my powers against Otousama because he had told me the consequences. I was not to use them near or on him or he promised I would regret ever being born. And coming from him, a man that has made me wish for death for many times before, that threat frightened me.
"What the fuck was that? You know better than to use your powers against me." He stomped back up to me slapping me hard against the face, but not letting me fall as he kept a sturdy grip on the neck of my shirt. "How dare you." Another slap. "You bitch." Slap. "You will regret that." When this slap came the grip on my shirt disappeared and the force of the hit knocked me around and to the floor; where I lay on my stomach, not bothering to make in move to get up.
I could hear his advancing footsteps stop a foot behind me, and then my least favorite sound, that of a zipper, reached my ears. The sound of a zipper being undone meant pain, pain far worse than cuts or bruises. Usually what happened next was him tearing off my pants, but today was worse, today Otousama had a knife. The blade of the knife caught the light and glistened, magnifying my fear.
One would think that the use of a knife would make the process of undressing easier, and it probable would have if Otousama wasn't drunk or if he cared. Problem was he was drunk and he didn't care. With harsh, shaking hands he cut roughly through my shirt, pants, and boxers. I whined in pain, because in the process of cutting the clothes the knife was pushed too deep and cut my skin at the same time. The wound wasn't very deep but at the same time it wasn't shallow. I could feel the blood cascade over my back. The cut stung and I bit my lip in order to prevent myself from screaming.
But I did scream. I screamed in pure agony and he pushed into me. It felt as if he was ripping me in two. With every thrust a new scream was torn from my throat. I screamed until my throat was raw. Even the blood from the fresh wound didn't dim the pain.
When it was all over I was left vulnerable and exposed on the floor. But still he didn't leave, he wasn't satisfied with his work yet. He still had more pain to cause me. Yelling at me words I could no longer understand, he articulated his anger by kicking my stomach and ribs, of few of which I was sure he had successfully broken. The shouts didn't bother me though. My brain was too fogged with the pain and was now more light-headed than ever.
Finally the pain stopped coming and I heard the footsteps of Otousama retreating farther into the house. Most likely he was headed to his room, where he would pass out on the bed. But I didn't care. My body was numb with pain. The carpet beneath me was stain with blood, seeds, and tears. The room was quiet.
I never heard the closet door open but when strong, gentle arms wrapped around I knew instantly they belonged to Omi. There was a warmth radiating off of him and it took the pain away, even if only a little. His soft skin felt cool against the wounds yet the warmth admitting from him kept me from shivering. I was also covered with something extremely soft, almost like feathers, but I didn't know what it was.
Omi had taken me into his arms and was now rocking back and forth. I could tell that he was talking but it was impossible for me to understand what he was saying. Whatever it was he was saying I could tell his voice was shaking, probably caused from the tears he was crying. A few of the tears I felt fall and hit my face, but I couldn't see anything. I was too tired to open my eyes and soon I would fall asleep. A sleep I knew I would not awake from. But I was allowed to receive one more present before I died. As I felt myself slipping away I felt a pair of lips on mine, but I wasn't given time to respond before it all went black.
LF: Yeah yeah I killed Nagi, so sue. Actually don't because I have no money at all. The most you can really do is flame me, but it won't matter to me. I am good at ignoring flames.
Bakura: That's because he gets so many
LF: Wacks him on the head Shut up
Bakura: Hey, I be truthful and I get hurt. Sheesh.