CHAPTER 6: THE SIGN OF LOVE

a/n: ok, please read this part. This is the premier chapter of this story. The most important twists and turns in the story will be found in this chapter. Actually, you'll also find out in this chapter why "Windstruck" is the title of this story and the story where this story is based (gulo?).

"We're going where?" Fuuko asked Tokiya for the thousandth time.

Tokiya grunted. "Shut up. I'll show you." He took her to a hill and they chased each other first, playing and rolling on the grass.

They stopped when they saw that the giant wind vane and anemometer planted on the hill started to move slowly, then it creaked as it moved faster.

"This is what I want you to see, Fuuko," Tokiya told her seriously. "If I'm gone, I'll be here. I want to be the wind. Free from anything, and after all, you're my goddess."

Fuuko took the thing as a joke. "Funny, Tokiya."

Tokiya held her hand and said, "Seriously, Fuuko. Please just remember what I've said."

Fuuko looked at his eyes, serene like the sky. He was indeed serious. But what would make him say that thing now?

She sat down and took a small book from her pocket. She started to read it. However, she noticed that Tokiya was quiet. He ripped a page and made a paper airplane. She made it fly towards Tokiya's head. "You shouldn't be like a harmless wind, Tokiya," she explained under her book as the man turned to look at her.

He smiled at her as he took the paper airplane and set it once again on flight, totally disappearing.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Tokiya, do you want me to tell you a story?" Fuuko asked him excitedly.

Tokiya grunted. "Don't tell me that you'll tell a fairy tale." He continued to ignite the fireplace.

Fuuko folded her arms. "It's not a fairy tale, Tokiya. It's a belief. My mother used to tell this story to me."

"Fine, I'll listen. But if this is nonsense, I would rather hit my head with a rock."

"Show me your pinky finger," Fuuko requested.

"What?"

"Just do it!" Fuuko ordered.

Tokiya reluctantly showed his pinky finger, thinking that Fuuko would bite it off.

Fuuko showed her pinky finger and wrapped it around his. "There," she said, satisfied.

(a/n: ang cheap! Parang ngayon lang nakita yan! BTW, please try to imagine this scene, substituting the princess as Fuuko, and the fortunate prince, Tokiya.)

Once there was the most beautiful princess and she had to find her husband before she reaches the age of twenty-five, or else the count will grab her throne.

There were five princes to whom she will choose from (gr?). To choose among the five, the princess decided to choose by her own way. Whoever guesses the right finger hidden behind her gown will be her husband.

The first prince showed his index finger. The princess shook her head silently and proceeded to the second prince. The second prince was shaking uncontrollably when he showed his ring finger. The princess frowned and he fainted. The third prince showed his thumb with a wink on his eye. The princess showed him her thumb then punched him in the head. The fourth man was the worst of all; he showed his middle finger in a rude way while smiling in a different way. The princess raised an eyebrow and she knocked him dead.

Of course, the last prince was very bright. He knew that the princess didn't accept the first four princes' answers. He revealed the only last finger he chose, the pinky finger. The princess smiled and showed her hidden left finger and they held each other's fingers.

However, after that happy day, the prince was ordered to go to a faraway land to fight off the invaders. The princess urged him not to go but he merely threw her to the floor, leaving her crying.

After ten years, the prince didn't return. The princess' father told her to choose a new husband. She chose a test. Whoever does their sign of love correctly will be the one she'll marry. Nobody got it right but one day, a filthy man entered the castle. The guards blocked him but the princess told everybody that they should give chances to everyone. This man got the sign right and as he removed his cape, the princess embraced him. He was the long lost prince.

That night, the princess saw the prince go outside the balcony and disappeared. She was confused. The next morning, the soldiers from the war brought the prince's body to the princess and she wept as she saw it. An old man said that it has been 49 days after his death. The dead will permanently leave the earth after 49 days.

At the funeral, the princess asked everybody to leave her alone with the corpse. They entered the room once again the princess holding a bottle of poison, bearing the sign of love, side by side with the prince.

"What do you think of the story? My grandmother used to tell that to me," Fuuko said excitedly.

"It's corny. But acceptable," Tokiya said flatly.

"Then hit your head in a rock!" Fuuko suggested sarcastically. "You don't know what to say to things you have to say, no?"

Tokiya frowned. "Whatever you mean, Fuuko."

The old woman who owned the house they rented interrupted. "I think you should sleep now so that you can leave early tomorrow," she smiled.

Tokiya nodded kindly before the old woman closed the door. "She's right, Fuuko. We have our jobs so we have to return soon."

"Why soon?"

"Don't ask because my job will pile up without me," he explained.

Fuuko placed herself under her blanket and refused to talk. Seeing that Tokiya was still staring by the fire, she sat up and asked him. "Why aren't you sleeping yet?"

"I want to guard you," he said seriously.

Hearing this, Fuuko placed her head on Tokiya's shoulder and said, closing her eyes, "Then guard me if you want."

Tokiya smiled as he later realized that Fuuko was asleep. He held her for a moment and placed her gently on her bed before sleeping at her side.