Yay! Chapter 3 up! Sorry for the lateness, as they had my room painted. ;;
Andrew/Aki/cyphre – Thanks for the review, twin! XD
Steven (or white mage) – Glad you like it! Fuzzy feeling? Ooooooh! 3
Kerrianne – Yes, I actually got a few things up my sleeve…
Savannah (or FallenAkaichou) – Thanks for liking the story!
Now, on with the show!
Three: Grasping For Air
Itsuki rolled over to see the sunlight streaming through his bedroom window. He sat up in bed and blinked.
Where am I…?Then he remembered all of what Mio told him the other day. He sat still, trying to get used to the unfamiliar modern surroundings in what was now his home. He still wasn't used to the sight of what Mio called ballpens and all those other new things. He finally stood up, and headed for the bathroom. Mio had taught him how to work the shower yesterday, and his first attempt caused him to drench Mio, himself and everything else. But after a few tries, he actually got it right. Stripping off his pajamas, he stepped into the shower and let the water wash away all the dust and grime. As he stood there, memories of his past came flooding back. How he used to play with Mutsuki, Sae and Yae. How he used to take care of Chitose. And how he used to be content being with all of them.
But they're all gone now…"Itsuki-kun, are you all right?" Mio called from outside. "You've spent more than half an hour there!"
Itsuki snapped back to reality.
"Ah, gomen nasai", he apologized as he hurried on with his shampoo and soaping.
When he finally finished, Mio was waiting outside for him. She smiled. He smiled back. Rather thinly, but Mio didn't seem to mind or notice.
"Time for breakfast", she said.
Itsuki nodded his assent as he followed Mio down the stairs. In the kitchen, Mio's mother, Shizu Amakura, was sitting at the kitchen table. She smiled at Itsuki, and he returned it, although rather thinly again.
"What would you like for breakfast, Itsuki-kun?" Shizu asked him.
"Anything will do, ma'am", Itsuki replied politely. "I'm not very choosy".
He didn't want to be a burden to the Amakura family, especially since they had willingly taken him in and treated him well. He didn't want to look sad to them, but deep in his heart, he still was. Nothing could heal the fact that the woman he loved before was the cause of the village's death. A chill ran up his spine.
She killed Chitose. She killed her. Sae killed my little sister…He was gripping the edge of the table so hard that his palms were starting to ache. He released his grip, trying to relax. He smiled as Shizu set a plate of breakfast in front of him.
"Domo arigato", he said softly as he began to eat.
He was rather distracted by his brooding again. He wasn't the type to easily let go of something. Especially what he had learned from Mio yesterday, since it caused the natural order of his life to go in a totally new direction. His purple orbs were staring blankly into space as he thought more.
"Itsuki-kun?"
Mio's voice broke the silence. Itsuki snapped out of his reverie and he glanced up at her.
"Hai, Mio-chan?"
"Would you consider going to school?" Mio asked him. "You're only fifteen".
"School?" Itsuki looked puzzled. "What is that?"
"It's a place where you learn things you need to know when you're already working", Shizu explained.
"Ah, I used to study at home", Itsuki recalled. "Father said education is a must".
"I'll be willing to pay for you", Shizu said. "I only have Mio's schooling to pay for…since Mayu got lost in the forest".
Shizu looked down. Itsuki shot Mio a questioning look. Her brown eyes bore into his, begging him not to tell. He nodded and placed his hand over his heart, smiling as a sign of his promise.
"I'm sorry, okasan", Mio apologized. "I couldn't find her anymore. Itsuki helped me look for her, but we failed".
Failed…Itsuki hated the sound of that word, even though it pertained to nearly everything in his life. He turned his attention back to Mio, feeling sorry for his newfound friend.
She has to weave a web of lies concerning everything that happened in the village, her sister and myself. I understand since her mother will not believe her if she told the truth…
He carried his plate to the sink and began to wash it.
"What do you want to do, Itsuki?" Mio asked him. "Maybe I can show you around as I run errands".
"Sure, I'd like that", Itsuki smiled gently. "Just let me finish this".
"No, Itsuki-kun", Shizu stood up. "Let me do that".
"Onegai, Shizu-san", Itsuki smiled. "I don't want to trouble you. At least give me a fair share of the chores so I can be of some help to both you and Mio-chan".
"You're such a sweet young man", Shizu complimented. "Your family must have raised you well".
Itsuki smiled and said nothing.
Later…
"You do this everyday, Mio?" Itsuki asked as Mio placed some fruit into her basket.
"Mayu and I used to take turns before", Mio said. "But I guess I have to do it myself now…"
Itsuki immediately wished he did not ask the question, as Mio's eyes saddened. She looked up at him, and smiled.
"No worries, Itsuki. At least I have you for company, so it won't be so lonely".
That seemed to satisfy the young man a bit. He looked around the grocery, awed at the variety of food on display. Things had really gotten more modern since his time. He was seeing the world through new eyes, and it felt rather pleasant.
"Do you like being here, Itsuki?"
Mio's question caught him by surprise. He smiled, after considering his answer.
"It will be a learning experience, you can bet. I'll answer that question when I have sufficient knowledge on what I should do, all right?"
"Sure", Mio smiled back. "I'm glad you're here, Itsuki".
I'm no Mayu, but at least she enjoys my company. It's the least I can do for the girl who saved me…
Note: Sorry for the late update! They had my room painted, so I did not have much of a choice. But I'll go back to my regular updating. Thanks for all the lovely reviews, they help me. Feel free to suggest, as I'm open.
CelestialGeisha
