Disclaimer : Read the introduction
Forgiveness
Chapter 2
Tears of Rain
"Under arrest! What for?" Was Motoko's response. As Naru surrendered and walked away with the two. The Inspector turned on the girl who asked the question.
"For Assault in the First Degree...for now" His eyes were clear pools of anger as he closed on the group. "And you four are ordered to remain here until I release you. So consider yourselves detained." He turned walking out of the room as four security guards took posts at the door.
Kanaye stepped into the office that was provided to him. He pulled out the chair and started to go over the statements again. He was writing some notes on a pad as he went. The door opened and another man much thinner walked in with a file box, he sat it down and opened the lid.
"I figured you want this as soon as possile Kay, so I brought it all over once we had it." The thinner man started pulling photos and clear envelopes from the box. Kanaye got up and walked over to see what all he had.
"Tell me a story Ito? What happened there?" Kanaye asked. Ito Yamita, was the best crimial crime scene forensic specialist in Japan. He started to lay out photos and tell the story.
"First we have point of impact, here at the edge of the bathing pool," showing a picture of the bathing area, "We found three teeth here as you can see by the cones. To reaffirm this we found that the blood spray also started here at the same spot." Then he pulled out two more photos, one showing a larger picture of the pool and another the rocks. "The victim...how can I say this...Was hurled from the force of the impact across the pool to these rocks." He drew a line with his finger from the impact point to the landing point. Kanaye's eyes got larger. "And we found this bloody towel in the hamper, and our tox guys found traces of blood in the sink and on some soap, nearby."
"We are still interviewing neighbors at the moment, but you are not going to believe this Kanaye...It seems that this is not an isolated incident."
Kanaye still not being able to fathom the distance he was propelled by a single punch, was taken back by Ito's last remark. "Explain?" The two conversed in the office for about an hour, until Kanaye had heard enough. "Ok ok, I have the Narusegawa woman under arrest already, just from the statements. Head over there and do your thing with her hands and see if we can get anything off of them, I want this one slammed tight."
20742075602756027560275602756027560237560237560237560237560273650275602375627560275602756276
Kanaye didn't have enough to arrest any of the others yet, but he knew from the stories that there would be some additional charges coming very soon. He was waiting on a phone call from the Prosecutor, when he decided to release them from the hospital and send them back to Hinatasou, under surveillance. It would be best to get them at the house rather than the waiting room, too many people there. He picked up the phone and called down to the waiting room and telling one of the guards to move them into a conference room so that he could talk to them.
He walked in to see four very upset girls, to him this didn't matter until he knew the truth. Each one of these girls could be as guilty as the one he arrested earlier.
"You might have questions, I only have a few answers, but mainly you are going to sit there and listen, then do as I say. So listen up and listen carefully." All eyes were on him after he said this. "First since none of you have yet heard about Keitaro Urashima, heres the lowdown. He is in severe critical condition, the chances of his survival are very slim, the docs have told me less than forty eight hours." He paused to the collected gasp and sobs of those in the room. "Furthermore, we are conducting an investigation to the activities of this night, AND into the startling reports coming from the area, about abuse, and assaults. Right now you four along with the other are under investigation, and if you are smart, I would be looking into hiring lawyers. And one last thing...under no circumstances are you to leave the area." As the Inspector stood up he told the guard to find them some transport back to their house.
02701275607560237650376523756023756027560237502756027560237560237502375602375275602750275207
There was not one word spoken between the girls during their trip back to the house, nor as they entered. Each heading towards their rooms for private reflection on the devastating news so bluntly thrown into their faces.
Shinobu walked into her room, and grabbing the stuffed animal that Keitaro had won for her, clutching it tight to her chest she fell into her bed letting the tears come once again, as she sobbed into it saying, "Sempai...Sempai...Sempai"
Mitsune kicked aside a box of old racing forms in rage. She was drowning in her guilt, and she was going to help it, she took a bottle off the shelf with a clear brown liquid. Sitting in the middle of the floor, she tipped it back taking several large glups thinking, 'It's my fault...Keitaro...It's my fault'
Su sat cross legged in her room, thinking what the Inspector had said. She had never experienced a loss like this and the words of accusation about previous abuse, brought her to near breaking. She pulled a cell phone out of her pants and called her sister. The conversation was short but simple, "I need you here, today. Keitaro is dying." She hung up before her sister could answer the comments. She continued to sit there letting the depression and sorrow take her in.
Motoko, had similar thoughts to Su's and she walked down to the phone, and called her sister as well, but the conversation was not as quick.
"Sister?"
"..."
"Keitaro is dying, I need to see you and the council here, as soon as possible, I have a confession to make."
02756402765047560276507205374602573604726057402756034502756072650756027560275027560275602073
It was near seven am in the morning, as three Urashima's sat in silence looking through a window at the body of Keitaro. Several tubes and monitors were hooked up to him, his face covered by a facial wrap. They were startled by cry in the distance that was growing louder and louder, "ONI-SAN...ONI-SAN...ONI-SAN...ONI-SAN" Kanako burst into the room still screaming for her brother, when the two arms of her father surrounded her and held her tight, so that she wouldn't fly through the glass to be with him. She struggled against him, for a few minutes trying to reach out as if she could touch her brother through the glass and somehow make everything better. Finally giving up and crying in her father's arms. Hina-san followed a few moments later, sitting down in one of the chairs, tears streaking her face as she pulled Akina into her. They all watched the form known as Keitaro, praying, wishing and hoping for something.
07560275602756027560275602735602756027650723507250726057465726057260572607562037560237560270
In the back of Hinatasou sat three older women, each wearing the white and red garments of Masters, next to them was Tsuruko all of them listening to Motoko's words.
"I have failed my sword and my oath, I have attacked an innocent, who was unarmed and untrained. I held malice towards him for only being the gender he was. I never listened to reason, nor gave him quarter. I allowed my anger to over ride what I was truly feeling. I become the monster that I thought I was defending others from. I only ask that the council grant my wish."
Inside Hinatasou, a distraught Su was being cuddled in the arms of her sister. Su had bared her soul to her just now, how she felt, what she wanted, what she would change, and even her secret wishes towards Keitaro. All her older sister could do is try and comfort her now. She whispered that she should come home, and rest there with her family.
The front door exploded open, a young, small girl with short black hair stormed in. Emanating around her were black flames, her hands glowed red as if on fire. She saw the small girl sitting on the couch, and instantly knew that she was one of them. "YOU!" Su's older sister stood up to defend the younger, but before she could even fully stand, she was thrown across the room, into a bookshelf. Su only looked up with tears in her eyes.
"YOU ARE ONE OF THOSE THAT KILLED MY ONI-SAN" the words were followed by a slap that struck Su so hard that she was also thrown from the couch. Su's cheek was marked by her fingers, as she just laid there hoping for all the pain to stop. The fury inside Kanako was building as she turned and went towards the back of the house looking for a better target for her anger.
Su lay there, the statement made to her before she was hit, sank in, 'killed my oni-san'. Su knew what that meant, that Keitaro had died. Her heart broke into a million pieces in an instant, she went to her sister, who was beginning to come around. She kissed her and said, "I will be up in my room getting a few things before you go." She stood and walked towards her room.
The Three council members and Tsuruko stood and took defensive positions as the back door was flung open, and the form of righteous furry, held in the small frame of a girl approached. "I WANT THE KENDO GIRL!" Slowly Motoko rose from her kneeling position, leaving her sword behind on the grass. She walked up to the young girl and said "I am Aoyama Motoko, the one you seek."
"YOU KILLED HIM YOU BITCH!" Motoko was struck hard with Kanako's flat palm, she was sent flying backwards and into the ground. She winched as she stood, knowing that the girl had just broken a few of her ribs. Holding her ribs by hugging herself with one arm, she walked back to stand in front of the raging girl. "YOU FIGHT AN UNTRAINED PERSON, BUT YOU WON'T FIGHT ME!" Again Motoko found herself on the ground, this time her vision was impaired, as the left side of her face started to swell. Motoko only stood again in front of her. "WHERE'S YOUR PRECIOUS FAMILY'S HONOR!" As a foot drove into her knee, sending her falling to the ground. Motoko, raised herself up again, the pain in her heart, still unmatched by the physical pain. "YOUR CLAN WILL PERISH BY MY HAND, YOU THE GREAT AND MIGHTY AOYAMAS SEEK YOUR STRENGTH BY HURTING INNOCENTS, NOW YOU WILL KNOW WHAT IS LIKE TO FACE AN EQUAL!" Once again Motoko felt the stinging pain, as she was slapped, as she lay on the ground Kanako spat on her, and dared the others to interfere.
Su was standing by a wall, she pressed her hand to it, and a secret compartment opened. She took out the metal strongbox that was located inside. She sat down in the floor and worked the combination lock, until there was a slight hiss form a pressure release. Opening the lid, there was a twin picture frame inside, folded closed. Her fingers pried it open, as tears ran down her face, on the left was a picture Keitaro with her on his shoulders, to the right another picture that was taken by Motoko a few months ago, of her and Keitaro asleep in his futon. She hugged the pictures to her chest as tears finally stopped pouring from her eyes. She looked into the trees that grew in her room and said in a whispered voice, "I love you Keitaro."
27462837502756023750725607823560725037560275602375602375072350237650723560726502756027560275
Naru's parents and a lawyer had arrived at the police station, and were waiting to see her. The Inspector from the night before was coming out of an office with another man, when they signaled them to follow. Naru was no longer the cute looking Todai want to be. She was dressed in a orange jumpsuit, her hair was matted and dirty, her eyes were puffy from crying the night away, but she sat there in the room handcuffed and shackled to the floor.
"I'm sorry but you two will have to remain here for a few minutes. Once we are done you will be allowed to see your daughter." The three men walked further down the hall and turned a corner heading into the room. Naru jumped when the door opened, and the men stepped inside. The first a well dressed man, approached her and placed a card down in front of her. "My name is Keido Nataski, I'm the lawyer your parents hired. They are outside and you will get to see them in a few short minutes." She only nodded and looked at towards him. The two other men sat down opposite her, she recognized the one called Kanaye, but the other she didn't know.
"Good morning, My name is Hirto Mehana, Special Prosecutor. This is an informal meeting to advise you and your attorney of the charges that are being filed against you." He opened a folder and started to read. "Assault in the first degree, Criminal abuse in the first degree, and Murder in the second degree." Once the last charge was read, Naru started to cry once again, she knew it, Keitaro had died. Her world had ended, in a split second of rage, deep in the back of her mind she could still hear his words clearly 'thought no one was here... Naru no' All she wished for was to see him again, to apologize, but that would never happen now.
23765089276057205740257360475620735602735602765072360572605726037560275602375602756027560272
Tsuruko was helping Motoko up, when a scream pierced the air. One of the council members went towards the house, as the another came to her and said, "We grant you, your request." Motoko looked at her sister as a another tear came down her face, "Tsuruko, will you do me the honor?" She nodded and said "yes" a tear of her own matched Motoko's.
Flashbulbs popped once again at Hinatasou, but not in the hot springs area. As two men carried out the small body sealed inside the dark green bag. Kanaye watched as the men took her downstairs and out the building, he turned and went back into the forested room. He didn't need Ito to explain what happened here it was all too clear, the vine still hung from the tree branch, and the twin picture frame lay broken on the ground. He shook his head, he had a daughter her age, he couldn't even bring himself to think about her like this. She had been found by her older sister a crowned princess of Molmol. He had promised the girl that the media would be frozen and her body shipped to the embassy for transport.
He was leaving the scene, when he saw the one called Mitsune eyeing him coldly. She whispered something under her breath to him. He stopped and looked at her, "Mind saying that louder?" She only turned and was about to walk away when he spoke again, "You know I have read a lot of reports. The interesting thing that I'm finding is that you seemed to have liked to cause trouble for him. I wonder ...just how he stumbled into that situation." His words struck home, she winched and continued to walk away replaying her last conversation with Keitaro in her head, 'Is anyone in there? Nope I was the last...its all yours lover boy' She needed another bottle.
Motoko had taken a couple of painkillers, not dull her senses but to allow her to sit in the position that she was in. The sun was setting in the west, casting long shadows around her. Tsuruko was sitting next to her having a polite conversation.
"Don't worry Moto-chan I will take care of the hostilities between our families, you shouldn't burden yourself with that now." Tsuruko placed a hand on Motoko's shoulder, "I think its time." Is all she said and she stood up standing next to Motoko on her left side. Motoko's hair was tied in two long braids, Motoko picked up the sword that Keitaro had given her and sliced each one off, then placing them in separate engraved boxes. "You will make sure these are delivered?" Motoko asked. "Of course" was the answer.
Motoko took the blade in both hands and pointed the tip towards her, looking out into the sunset she thought, 'I love you Keitaro Urashima, please forgive me' She breathed in and brought the hilt towards her, Tsuruko's blade fell well equal precision. The near by trees were emptied by a rush of birds taking flight, as a tear feel for Tsuruko's face.
02375607450237650726572657260574260573407520750275602756027650275607265027650726502756027502
It had been two days since Keitaro Urashima had died, the rain feel heavily on a hill next to Hinatasou. The small Shinto temple that has sat there for centuries was the home of the Urashima family plot. A small group had gathered to place Keitaro in his finial resting place. Words were spoken about his loyalty, faith, his courage, and his selflessness. The temple's bell rang out for him and prays were given to the ancestor's to guide him home.
As family and friends walked away, Hina-san remained, motioning to a priest, as he walked over to the closet coffin. The priest unsealed the lid and opened it for the elder woman, she walked up and took a couple of items out from her sleeve. The priest lifted his crossed arms, and Hina-san placed a picture of Keitaro with Su on his shoulders and an engraved box, next to his heart, she then kissed his forehead, and whispered in his ear, "Forgive them grandson, they couldn't live without your love. Find them and protect them." She stepped back and allowed the priest to reseal the coffin.
Once inside Hinatasou, Hina-san found Haruka and they went to Kanako. "Come with us, say nothing and do as your told." Kanako was led into another room on the opposite side of the house. When they entered, Kanako's rage flared and she wanted to lash out, but the overly strong hands of Hina and Haruka held her. They approached three kneeling figures, all with their foreheads touching the ground. The three Urashima's walked forward, and knelt in front of them.
The woman in the middle, raised her head slightly, Kanako could tell it was Tsuruko, but she had changed. Her hair was cut very short, and she wore the simple garments of a monk. The woman held out the Hina sword, unsheathed it and extented her arms holding it out, before she laid down, causing her forehead to touch the floor. She removed her hands from it and laid them to her side, never raising. The council woman to her left began to speak.
"Before you is the Urashima blade, known as the Hina blade. It still holds the blood of the one that offend and dishonored your family." The second council woman began to speak then.
"Tsuruko-san, has been cast out of the clan, and will live her life in celibacy as a monk reflecting on the mistakes she made while training the one that offended you. Also since she was the only other true Aoyama, the bloodline ends with her. We expect that the entire clan will be die out in three generations."
"Are these terms accepted by the Urashima clan?" asked the first.
"Yes", answered Hina-san
"Yes", answered Haruka
"Yes" answered Kanako, while the grip on her arms increased to make sure she answered correctly.
9356-293785-934529-78590259027569027560927650726507236507260572057205720756027560275602750275
The rain continued to fall for until night had almost passed. Hina-san had advised that Kanako would take over the inn, as a caretaker and that she would be closing the inn indefinitely. The days that followed were filled with more rain as Shinobu packed and moved in with her mother, and Mitsune took a one room apartment that over looked Hinatasou.
End Chapter 2
