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Snow Dust Petals
Beneath the Falling Rain
Chapter 3
Many thoughts flooded her restless mind, keeping her awake, forbidding her to sleep. Her eyes were cast upwards, toward the starry sky that was brightened up by the full moon's unique light. With a sigh, she strolled slowly toward the open window. Her palms hit against the wooden frame softly, following a steady rhythm. Her movements ceased when the lake was blocked from her view. She squinted her eyes through the darkness of the night to finally distinguish that the unwanted figure belonged to the ruthless man. She captured her bottom lip between her teeth as her forehead wrinkled into a frown. It didn't take much time for her to open the door and walk up to him from behind. She tried to make her steps soundless. She got down next to him and watched his sleeping face silently. Botan scratched her head in confusion. How could he sleep like this? His eyes were closed and his legs were folded, balancing his sitting position on the grass. She took the time to study his facial features once more. She was mesmerized by each curve and the enchanted moonlight glow that followed the glittering waves, reflecting on his face. She haven't noticed that he had opened his eyes and was now staring back at her...
I knew the peace I sought was no longer going to establish in my soul as soon as a simple movement of my eyelids brought me to awakening. I pivoted my head to the side and my mind instinctively registered the womanly facial curves that were displayed before my eyes. How could I miss such unique amethyst eyes and blue hair? I didn't move nor speak, wondering what she was thinking or doing. The longer I stared, the bigger this weird sensation grew within me. I didn't understand what it was, but it was a feeling of discomfort and uneasiness. I cleared my throat unwillingly, causing her to jerk and moved back as her eyes cast downward.
"I... I..." she stuttered, trying to find a good excuse, but failed to do so.
"Where are your manners, onna? Don't you know it is impolite to stare and disturb a person's rest?" I spoke calmly.
"You are such a weird person mister"
I watched her face that was now colored with a beating red and smirked slightly "How weird?"
Botan gulped at the obvious gentleness in his voice "Well-- who would sleep outside like this? In a SITTING POSITION?" she emphasized the last words and stood up, crossing her arms.
"That is not weird. Every person has their own ways of doing things" I defended myself and turned my head away. "And this is how I rest"
Finding no answers to retort back, she fumed with madness and picked up a little rock on the ground. She smiled devilishly and threw it at his back. Botan quickly ran back to the cabin, laughing like a little girl.
When I looked behind me, she had already disappeared behind the door. I could still hear her giggling though, probably proud of what she had done. I didn't find it funny at all. How dare she? How could she? I rubbed my shoulder gently, where the rock hit me. It didn't hurt but... it was just an instinctive gesture... or... I don't know... My gaze dropped to the lake and a sigh escaped through my lips. Nothing was the same ever since she was here. How different it was from before? That was a question myself couldn't even find an answer to... I twirled my white flute between my fingers and closed my eyes, as a pure rose's scent filled my nostrils. Without further more delay, I brought it up to my lips and let my fingers worked its magic, playing the melody that would soothe my soul...
Botan, who was ready to jump in bed, found herself being drawn to the window. Her ears took in the bewitching notes as her eyes stayed lock on the author of this one of a kind music of the heart. Her eyelids lowered beautifully to enjoy each precious second without any interruptions of her disturbing thoughts...
~
Just as she thought she finally found the comfort and rest she needed in the land of unconscious illusions, she was snatched away by the harsh yet soft reality which was the sunrise accompanied by the gentle morning breeze that carried with it, the fresh scent of wild flowers that made their way uninvited through the open window...
Botan let out an angry sigh and got out of bed forcefully, lazily. She dragged herself to the table, her eyes half-opened, half-closed. She sat on the bench and rested her head on her arm, which was placed on the table. Her eyelids lowered slowly but suddenly shot back open at the sound of the door being opened firmly.
"Get up onna, the sun had rise"
She gave him a glare but did not move from her position "I want to sleep. I couldn't close my eyes all night so be a gentleman and get out"
"Up. Now!"
It was only two words but each of them was pronounced fiercely, enough to send chills up her spine.
"Fine fine fine" she stood up quickly and moved to stand before him.
"What you need to freshen up is at the back of the cabin"
Botan didn't move a muscle and continued to stare at him, challenging him.
I wondered what she was up to this time. Why was she staring at me like this? I imitated her and stared intensely.
She wanted to make him back off but now... she wasn't so sure anymore about who was going to lose. She looked into his mystic eyes, trying to pierce through the mirror to reach his soul but it was impossible... There was something strange about his eyes... something mysterious and perhaps... even dark? Her face started to burn hotly with an unknown reason as each second stretched longer and longer... Botan finally stepped back and stuck out her tongue at him before exiting the cabin, leaving a dumbfounded man behind.
I blinked once... and twice. What was that all about? I frowned and turned to face the entrance to take a glimpse of her back disappearing to the backyard. I sighed and looked back into the cabin, where she spent the night. A sudden warmth filled me and I jerked at the intruding feeling that I never felt before... I clenched my fists nervously... not knowing what to do nor think... Why did strange things keep happening since she came here? Maybe it was a bad idea to keep her here after all... I closed my eyes and lowered my head in distress...
"BOO!!"
Unprepared for the sudden intrusion, I stumbled against the doorframe.
Botan laughed heartily and held onto her stomach. She jumped up and down, celebrating her victory. "How was that mister? hahaha"
I turned to her abruptly and adjusted my posture. Did she think she was still a five years old child? Anger flashed in my eyes and my hands curled up tightly into fists.
She ceased every movement and started to regret what she did as soon as she saw what was reflected in the bottomless pools that were his eyes. She stepped backward every time he tried to inch closer. Fear started to invade her, as she didn't know what this stranger whom she didn't know the name yet, could do to her. She cursed herself for letting her playful nature took over. She put her hands up showing defeat as well as trying to keep a good distance between them...
"L-Look mister, I'm sorry for making you angry... I did-didn't mean to..."
I kept pacing towards her and looked pass her shoulder. I smirked. She was going to get a lesson.
Botan panicked at the visible smirk on his face. He probably had some tricks up his sleeve. "Mister! Say something, you're scaring me! Don't tell me you--AHHHHHHHH!!" her scream echoed throughout the forest as she fell into the lake.
I laughed loudly as she emerged back to the surface, soaking wet "Morning bath onna, it feels good doesn't it?"
She pointed at me "YOU!!! How dare you!!! Ahhhhh, that's not fair!!" she yelled, hitting her palms against the water profusely.
"It is fair. You made me look like a fool and now, I make you look like a drowning chicken" I grinned as I moved closer to the lake and knelt down.
"I do not look like a chicken!! You-you jerk!! I hate you!!" she fumed angrily.
I shrugged and it seemed to irritate her even more as I saw her nose flared with anger.
"Jerk jerk jerk!!" she repeated continuously when his sudden closeness gave her an idea. She remained calm in the water and watched his brows furrowed in confusion. Her lips curved into a devilish smile and without a warning, she began to splash water on him "Drowning chicken eh? Calling me a chicken, now we'll see who will look like a wet polar bear!"
"Stop it onna!!" I stood up and used my arms, trying to block the numerous water droplets splashing on me. I felt a firm tug at the bottom of my pants and the next thing I knew, I found myself underwater.
Botan giggled and clapped her hands, watching him came back up and wiping his face.
"Onna!!" I yelled at her.
"Otoko!!" she laughed and grinned.
She was beginning to get on my nerves. Never had I ever suffer such humiliation! The victorious expression on her face was getting annoying and without second thoughts, I grabbed her wrist, a gesture that took her by surprise and cut any sound that had threatened to be heard. I breathed against her face "If you dare to do such thing again, don't blame me if anything bad happens to you" I whispered fiercely through clenched teeth.
Botan glanced at his fingers that were wrapped around her small wrist and moved her eyes back to his face... just an inch apart from hers. She swallowed hard and nodded slowly. She cast her eyes downward, finding it impossible to look at him any longer.
My whole being began to relax slowly but my heart engaged into an abnormal beating pace. When I finally noticed the little distance that separated us, and my grip on her, I abruptly let go of her and quickly went back on shore. Something happened back there... whatever it was, I knew deep down it was something I shouldn't get acknowledge of...
Her eyes followed him until he disappeared into the cabin and then wandered to her wrist, where he touched her... A touch that left a lingering feeling behind... A touch that she wanted to feel again...
~
Nature never broke its laws as the sun continued to rise, the wolves never forgot to howl and the birds remembered to chirp. However, nothing had been disturbing Nature's sounds during the last couple of days... no humanly voices... only earthly movements...
I've been avoiding her since that day... The day I broke my own rule of touching someone like her... I've been told that it would have an impact on my life... and it did... The only thing I didn't know was in which or what way it actually did... I looked up at the round and full moon above my head. I kept my eyes focus on the incredible light that could brighten up a whole planet... I began to wonder how Nature worked... I knew I was silly and I also knew... this was the first time this question came to my mind... I could feel I was beginning to change, for better or for worse? Personally, it was for worse... I wasn't prepared for any of this... and I couldn't accept it either... not now and maybe not ever...
She watched him from inside... at his usual spot by the lake... but near a fire he made this time... The last days of silence had been very awkward for her but she didn't dare go up to him to ask for an explanation and the obvious fact that he had been avoiding her didn't help either... but tonight, she just had to talk to him, no matter what... She had to return home as soon as possible, this bad feeling kept growing within her each and every day and it frightened her. She took a deep breath and ventured outside, to where he was.
I closed my eyes and heard her light footsteps drawing closer to me. They soon stopped and I could feel her presence right behind me. I did not utter a single word, as I had nothing to say to her...
"Mister..." she found her voice to let the first word out softly, almost faintly.
My hand that was rest on my knee, reacted suddenly at the sound of her voice. I quickly rolled it into a fist and breathed deeply.
She decided to continue, knowing he wasn't going to provide an answer "I want to go home. My mother is waiting for me" she spoke straightly, keeping her sentences as short as possible. She glued her eyes to his rising figure and when she felt him turn around to face her, she kept her eyes at his chest level, not wanting to look at his face. She waited for a reaction from his part but... nothing. It frustrated her. HE angered her. "Say something for Kami-sama's sake!! You're not a stone statue!!" Her chest was rising slowly with each steady breath she took. "Just let me go alright?! You don't even want to talk to me nor see me so what's the use of keeping me here?!" she lashed out, and finally looked up at his cold and expressionless face. "I hate you!! I hate you and your damn cold attitude!!" she pushed him and could immediately feel him retreated a few additional steps, increasing the space that kept them apart.
"Don't you ever touch me again" I muttered through clenched teeth.
Botan noticed that he took the time to pronounce each and every word. She inched closer "Why huh? Are you gay?"
I stared blankly and remained silent.
To witness another explosion of his anger was what she expected, but nothing came out as a result. She took a step back when he parted his lips...
"... What are you talking about onna? ... What does that mean?"
As much as she wanted to remain serious, Botan couldn't help but erupt into a bowl of laughter "Are you kidding me? hahahaha"
"Damn it onna, I asked for an explanation. I didn't wish to hear your stupid laughter" I spoke bitterly.
She frowned and crossed her arms "And why should I tell you?"
"Because you want to go home"
"Yeah right, like you'd let me"
"Don't play with fire onna, you might get burn"
"Gosh! Stop calling me onna!! I have a name!" she threw her arms up desperately in the air.
"Fine fine, what is it?" I sighed impatiently.
"The name is Botan. Remember it"
"Alright. Now tell me"
"Tell you what?"
"Don't you dare play with my nerves onna!" I clenched my fists tightly and took a step forward.
"I just told you my name, why don't you use it?! Arg!" she sighed, but a gleam suddenly entered her brown eyes. "Fine. If you don't want to say my name, then tell me yours" she smirked.
I kept my lips sealed and gulped the lump in my throat.
"So? You want to know or not?" she sighed.
I took a deep breath... "Kurama..."
Botan smiled softly at his name.
I cleared my throat, telling her to answer my earlier question.
"Gay means that you are attracted to the same sex..." she said quickly and watched his expression turn to... madness. Her mind was telling her to run but her legs wouldn't unfortunately budge.
"I can't believe such word came out of your filthy mouth! How dare you say such thing to me?! I am tired of your foolish sayings and annoying presence!" I cried out.
Botan felt her eyes suddenly burn with tears as they slowly streamed down her face. He found her annoying? She was a disturbance to him? "If I am such a bother, just let me leave this place!!" she screamed through her tears.
"I don't want to keep you here any longer either! Go to sleep, you're going to leave tomorrow!"
She covered her mouth with her hand, forbidding her cries to be heard and ran into the cabin, slamming the door behind her. She didn't understand why his words made her react in such a way, but she didn't want to know. He could just go to Hell for all she cared.
How long have I stayed there, watching that little house? I didn't know... I couldn't deny the fact that unlike the first time, her tears had made my heart squeeze painfully... It was something I wished I never felt... just like I wished I had never met her... The truth was that she wasn't annoying... nor disturbing, but I couldn't keep her here, as I knew her presence nearby would change the meaning of my existence...