"Wait!" I cry. But the dragon has already vanished into the lake, creating a spray of water like a fountain.
Minutes later, I walked out of the park. The guard eyes me strangely, but I ignore him.
Nakamura Yuri... I have never heard of the name before. Maybe I could ask Kumiko when I got home.
Home... somehow that word caused my stomach to weight like a thousand rocks.
They'll be wondering at my weird attitude just now... probably think I'm crazy... She surprised herself by giggling at that. So much had happen that day, that she still felt that it was all so unbelievable. Some might call it shock.
She sighed and looked up at the starry sky. It was cloudless tonight, and provided her with a beautiful view of the stars. It might have been her imagination, but she Thought she could see the shape of a dragon in the sky.
Haku... where are you now?
A drop of water fell onto the ground, creating a 'pop' sound as it echoed throughout the cave.
Stalactites hung from every inch of the ceiling, looking like frozen ice stakes. Down on the ground a passage led to a gigantic lake, an isolate island in the middle. Green was the water of the lake from the growth of algae.
A white dragon bursts into the sky, creating a small fountain of water. It glided into the cave, and proceeded to pave around it, as he always did.
(It's been 3 years already.)
3 years since he last saw Chihiro at the Land of Spirits; 3 years since he had left it and came to here. He was free now; but freedom was meaningless if he had nothing to forward to.
Something flickered in his mind. He stopped pacing and waited.
(She's calling...)
Suddenly the white dragon shots out of the cave, making a few circles before diving into the dark lake again.
Nakamura Yuri sat with her legs crossed, eyes closed. A dozen of lighted tea lights made a circle around her, shadows dancing on the walls.
A gust of wind blew, even with the window shut. Yuri felt a familiar presence in the room; the flames flickered and swayed for a moment, before returning to its tall posture.
(Kohaku, is that you?) She asked telepathically.
No voice answered her, but she felt the word "yes" formed in her mind.
(It's been a while, hasn't it? I'm sorry I couldn't do this more; I had exams. But now that it's over, I could spend more time with you.)
A slight purr sounded in her mind. Yuri smiled softly.
(Do you want to dance then? I've bought a new CD with some instrumental songs in it. I thought you might like. I'll sing, okay?)
Distinctly she felt another purr and tumor of excitement ran through her. She took it as a 'yes'.
She opened her eyes and reached to click on the portable walkman beside her. She stuffed the earphones in her ear and played the first song.
The title was: Itsumo Nando Demo
"It's always calling out from the deep within the heart
I always want to dream cheerful dreams.
Sadness can never be counted but
I will be able to see you on the other side."
A shiver runs up her spine and her throat suddenly felt as if a lump was stuck there.
