Flowers for Your Grave -Chapter Three - 65 years earlier-

"Why...?"

I raised my head from my arms, my sore eyes burning from the sudden ray of dim, winter sunlight. Hakori sat on the other side of the two mounds of rock and snow, her nose running slightly, and cheeks pink from the bitter cold. I tried to answer. I couldn't.

"Why, Oni-sama," she whispered again, eyes wide and filled with tears. "Why did mama kill herself?"

"Hush, Ha-chan," Oyama suddenly said, appearing from the house and walking to us. My lip curled instinctively, and I stood, walking to meet her.

"You knew," I snarled lowly, meeting her steely glare with one of my own. "You knew okaasan was going to do this."

Oyama waved her hand a bit, her eyes flat and uncaring. "So what if I did? What good would it have been to tell you? Not like you could have stopped--"

A silence fell over the clearing as my hand connected with my sister's face, the sound of the slap harsh even in my own ears. Oyama touched the red mark, looking shocked, then enraged. Her teeth bared, she lunged at me, grabbing my wrist and jerking me to the ground.

"How DARE you?" she hissed. "Vile worm! I am GLAD they are gone, for now I can be free of this place, and be free of you!"

I twisted my arm and pulled, forcing her to the ground with me, and pinned her neck to the snow with my elbow. "You are a part of this family!" I replied with a growl. "As such, you will NEVER be free. And if you run away, if you try to leave, I assure you Oyama. You will never, ever be free of me, or my wrath."

My older sister trembled in fury, and scrambled to her feet when I stood and released her throat, her hands tightened into fists. I saw Hakori out of the side of my vision, weeping loudly. With a final glower, she turned and stormed back into the house. My stomach twisted, and sighing, I went to Hakori's side, sinking beside her and hugging her tightly to my chest.

"I'm sorry," I murmured into her ear. "Hakori...I'm so sorry..."

She took a breath, and her crying stopped. I pulled back, worried for a moment that perhaps she'd fainted. But...no...I frowned,seeing the way her eyes had gone dark, staring out into the woods. The light, the shimmer of child-like hope, had vanished, replaced by a void full of darkness. My sister looked up at me, and I felt despair as she smiled listlessly.

"We will continue on," Hakori said shortly, then stood, offering me her hand. I blinked, then took it, and she helped me to my feet. Wordlessly, we walked back to the house, hand in hand.

I thought it was the worst it could be. I was proven wrong.

- - - - - - - - - -

"No, Oyama. You must not go."

I awoke, sitting up from the wall I had leaned against in my room. My back ached from the awkward position, but I was too intent on listening to even notice.

"I have had my hand asked for in marraige," Oyama huffed. "I will go, get married, and then fetch you. The man is a lord, and is very rich. He will support you as well as me."

"And what about Oni-sama? He is our lord, too, with father gone."

"Onigumo is a man, and a trecherous one at that. Who's fault was it that father was killed? He can survive on his own. But you, you are a little girl. You need me, and as your sister, I will help you escape."

Hakori's flat tone dropped. "I do not wish to go, Oyama. And if you are wise, you will not go, either."

But I only heard the door open, and shut. I only heard my feet against the floor as I walked into the main room. I only saw Hakori, watching me with those soulless eyes. My hand reached for my dagger, which I had placed on the eating table earlier. My hand grasped air. Confused, I looked to the table, but my weapon was gone. Hakori spoke, slowly.

"Oyama has run away, Oni-sama."

We looked at one another for several minutes, and finally she turned away from me, but I saw her shaking. My hearted pounded in fear, anger, and hopelessness. I had to go after my elder sister...I couldn't let that girl simply walk out on this family. My mind was numb as I opened the door, nearly blasted to the ground by a cold wind. But I followed the footprints in the snow, wrapping my arms around myself, my tattered shirt and pants not buffering even the mildest chills. Soon, my skin was nearly blue, and my eyes were icing shut, but I saw Oyama in the distance.

She would not escape so easily.

A/N: I did some editing on the timeframe, and edited all chapers to reflect that change. Thank you to Untamed Melody for the reviews! I love you thiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiis much:P Next time gimme an IM addy so I can thank you in person! A note to everyone who read Mirror of Souls, it wasn't a one shot, and I will be updating that tonight, too. -cheers- Loves, everyone!