Haunted

By Guardian795

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The last chapter has never been recorded down, besides what was in italics. Those, if no one noticed, came from notebooks found in the game. Several other parts were pure imagination, so I'm sorry if you didn't like them, but no one knew what officially happened. It's just my rendition. Alright, we all know what's coming now: another set of twins. And, one of our favorites – Itsuki and Mutsuki Tachibana.

Remember: Oldest twin means born SECOND! Don't be confused.

Again, same warning: some yuri (love), and other things, which is why I warned you all in the first chapter about it being Mature, but brought down to PG-13. This chapter, especially, will have some yuri (we all know why). I hope you all enjoy, though this will be a sad chapter.

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Chapter 3: The Altar Twins

"Itsuki! Itsuki!" The young girl ran down the dusty path, looking a little frightened. "Mutsuki! Itsuki! Please come out!!" she called. Chitose Tachibana, a young girl of 6, ran down to the Osaka house at the far end of the village, looking for her older brothers of 16. Without them, she was scared. She was terrified of people, and her eyesight kept getting poorer throughout her young years. She was so afraid that the shadows of people she saw would hurt her, and her brothers were her only salvation. Hurrying around the corner of the Osaka house, she knocked into a teenage girl. Sae Kurosawa, the same age as Itsuki and Mutsuki, stepped out of the old house. "Oh, Chitose! I am so sorry!" She bent down and helped the young girl up. "Did I hurt you?"

"No, Miss Sae. Have you seen my brothers?" little Chitose asked quietly, a small smile on her face. She liked Sae, the daughter of the Ceremony Master, Ryokan Kurosawa. Sae often visited the Tachibana family and the brothers, especially Itsuki.

"No, but I have," a voice called from the doorway, as another teenaged girl stepped out. Yae Kurosawa, Sae's older sister looked down at the little Tachibana girl. She too, often visited the Tachibana house with Sae. Sae was afraid to go anywhere without Yae. She would become very uncomfortable, would hardly speak, and would be very pale until Yae came back. Yae, on the other hand, was more outgoing, and never feared if her sister left the room. She would often spend time with Mutsuki, as Sae would speak with Itsuki. Mostly, however, the four would speak all together about their duties as Altar Twins and Shrine Maidens.

"I saw Itsuki and Mutsuki heading for the graveyard. We were about to join them, to pay our respects to the other Shrine Maidens," Yae said.

Chitose glanced around, and then up at the two girls. "May I come with you, Miss Sae and Miss Yae?"

Sae giggled softly, and Yae glanced at her sister. "Of course, Chitose. And please, formalities are not needed. You're almost our little sister," Yae said kindly, turning and heading up the path to the cemetery, Sae at her side. Chitose quickly followed, staying close to the girls, but not too close that they may harm her. Chitose trusted Sae, but not Yae, for some reason. Yae and Itsuki had been speaking in private when Mutsuki and Sae were asleep. They would speak of keys, the big tree in the village, and the Kureha Shrine. Though Chitose could hear better than she could see, she was not able to catch everything in their conversation.

Yae led the two girls up to the top of the hill before the village, looking around. The Shinto Gate nearby was the way into the village, but not the way out. Tough briars and bushes were beyond, and the path was blocked. Yae paused as she looked at the gate. Sae, on the other hand, walked the little ways to the ceremonial stones in the middle and knelt down in the dust. Her head bowed, she reflected on these stones, and their purpose. Yae looked down at her younger sister, coming to her side and helping her up. "Don't do that, Sae. You'll get your kimono dirty," Yae said slowly, dusting off her sister. Sae looked down. "I'm sorry…I was just thinking about the Maidens…"

"Don't ever be sorry, Sae," her sister said, hushing her. "Now, come on. We're not the only ones going to see Itsuki and Mutsuki." Yae took her sister's hand and walked with her to the old bridge. Chitose looked up at the stones, shivering with fright. Every time she looked at those stones, even though it was hard to see them, she felt the emotions of the Maidens long past. Noticing Yae and Sae had gone halfway across the bridge already, Chitose ran their way. "Wait!!" she cried, running down the steep path. She stumbled once, but picked herself up and ran across the bridge.

Mutsuki Tachibana knelt silently near a grave stone, his face hidden by his raven black hair. Itsuki, the older of the two, stood behind his brother, his hands on his shoulders, his ice blue eyes gazing intently at the boy kneeling.. Mutsuki looked up at the stone. "Mother, Itsuki and I…it's our turn…" He paused then, glancing up at his twin. Itsuki's eyes reflected his brother's, and he nodded. Mutsuki turned back to the stone. "I know you're very proud of us, and soon, I'll be a butterfly, and visit you." Itsuki's hands clenched tightly but gently on his brother's shoulders, as his emotions threatened to spill over. It was too soon. Mutsuki put his hand on his reflection's, and stood. "We miss you, Mother."

Itsuki turned his head to the sound of footsteps, and came face-to-face with Sae. She nodded her head solemnly to him. "Itsuki…" she whispered, and then hugged him. Itsuki took her hands from his neck. "I will not have grieving, Sae," he said softly, taking her hand in his. Yae approached Mutsuki and nodded, then glanced at his twin. "Itsuki, Chitose is here." Itsuki's eyes widened – he had told Chitose specifically to stay home today. Chitose came out from behind Sae's skirt, looking sheepish and shameful. Upon seeing his little sister so ashamed for coming, he scooped her up into his arms. "Chitose, you little scamp! Father said that you were to stay inside until the Ceremony Master came to visit."

"Papa said I could go out and play, but I wanted to be with you and Mutsuki," she whispered into his chest, holding onto him tightly. Itsuki glanced at his brother, who nodded. "Chitose," Mutsuki breathed. "Sae and I want to pick some lilies for the villagers. Would you help us?" Chitose gratefully nodded, hopping down from Itsuki. "What about Yae?" she asked.

"Yae and I have not paid our own respects to the Maidens, Chitose. We'll join you three in a few minutes," Itsuki replied. Chitose nodded, happily clasping Mutsuki's hand and walking with him and Sae to the bridge. Yae glanced at Itsuki. "Paying respects?" she asked.

"What else was I to say? Besides, paying respects to those who come before us is the right thing to do, though the ritual is wrong." Yae nodded, Itsuki was right. Akane, Azami, and countless others before them never had a choice in the matter. And soon, Itsuki and Mutsuki would go as well. Itsuki took her hand and led her into the cemetery. "I've been reading several scraps from the libraries, and I found maps of where the keys are," he said, looking back at her. "The three keys are hidden in the Osaka, Kiryu, and Tachibana houses."

"The Kiryu house?!" Yae cried. "Itsuki, it is forbidden to all but the Twin Shrine Maidens and Altar Twins!"

"Which is why I will get the key when I am there with Mutsuki tonight and tomorrow," Itsuki said. At this, Yae paled. For several weeks now, she and Itsuki had been trying to find a way for he and Mutsuki to avoid the ritual. However, this news made her heart sink. Itsuki was not trying to relieve Mutsuki and himself of the ritual. "Itsuki…you and Mutsuki must leave!"

"No, Yae. I have spoken to Mutsuki, and he does not wish to leave. If we leave, you and Sae will receive our fates. Mutsuki…he wants to be a butterfly."

Yae sighed quietly. "I cannot force you, but what about Sae?" Itsuki paused then. The younger sister of Yae meant a lot to him – more than anyone else would ever know, save Yae and Mutsuki. "She won't leave without you, Itsuki…" Yae whispered.

"The ritual…must be performed, Yae…" Itsuki whispered. "Mutsuki…he and I know this…I'm sorry…There is no other way…"

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Late that night, the Ceremony Master came to the Tachibana House. Ryokan Kurosawa, heavily laden with age, stepped into the room. Mutsuki swiftly grabbed Itsuki's hand – they were terrified of the man. Having a certain air about him, Ryokan could silence a room with a look. This could have been because he was the Ceremony Master and the Master of the Village. Or, it could have been because Ryokan himself was a Remaining. He too, had a twin. For the twin boys, it was because they knew of the horrible deaths he had caused himself – the Crimson Sacrifice and the Forbidden Ritual. Itsuki would constantly say that his hands were covered in the blood of innocents, but no one would listen to him.

Ryokan gazed at the boys, then at Mutsuki. Flinching, Mutsuki stepped back a pace. Ryokan frowned at this, and continued to stare. Itsuki found Ryokan's gaze to be unsettling. He was looking at Mutsuki like he was a cow to be bought and slaughtered for dinner. Ryokan nodded, picked himself up and turned to the Tachibana Father. "The boys need to be cleansed and purified. The Ceremony must begin as soon as possible." Their Father nodded, and Ryokan took the boys upstairs and out the upper door to the Sky Bridge.

The Tachibana House was connected to the old Kiryu House by two bridges. The Earth Bridge and the Sky, or Heaven, Bridge. The Sky Bridge was a walkway that connected the two houses, and the Earth Bridge was an underground passage. Author's Note: Remember when Yoshitatsu said that Akane took the doll pieces to the passage? He meant that she took the parts to open the Earth Bridge so he could escape and throw the doll into the X. Don't ask me why he didn't take the Sky Bridge – it's probably because the Earth Bridge was closer to his workshop. These two houses had been connected for a long time. Once the Shrine Maidens (or Altar Twins) would go to the Kiryu House to stay, those in the Tachibana House would move out for a few days, so the twins could be purified and cleansed. The two twins could pass between the two houses, but could not leave, and could not see or be seen by anyone outside.

Ryokan led the boys into the main area of the Kiryu House – Akane and Azami's room. "This is where you two shall stay until it is time for the ritual, which is in two days from this hour. You are not permitted to leave either house, nor are you permitted to see or speak with anyone of the outside. Understood?" The boys nodded silently. "We shall then lead you to the X for the ritual," Ryokan said, no emotion or sympathy at all in his voice. He then turned around and left the boys, closing the door behind him. Mutsuki sat down on one of the tatami rugs and sighed softly. "Itsuki…it's almost time…" he whispered sorrowfully. Itsuki laid his hands on his brother's shoulders. "No, don't say that, Mutsuki. We will find a way…we will…"

Mutsuki only shook his head. Itsuki sighed in pain and desperation. The sad look in Mutsuki's face hurt him more than anything in the world. He turned away, trying to think. "Itsuki, please, don't look away from me…" Itsuki turned back to his brother. "Itsuki…I want you to promise me…that no matter what happens you will help Yae and Sae escape…"

Itsuki stared at his brother. He really had given up hope. His brother wanted Itsuki to kill him. "But…you'll die…you…"

"I may die, but my soul will always be with you. No one can kill me, because I'm you. I will come back as a crimson butterfly to be with you always." Itsuki frowned at this. He knew that the X would never, ever be silenced. People would continue to sacrifice twins, still have the older kill the younger, and still continue to save themselves by killing others. The X would continue to destroy people right and left. There was no escape – and Itsuki knew this for a fact. For his brother to say he'd be a butterfly, it only meant that his brother wanted to stay in this damned, forsaken place. It meant that he wanted to contribute to the sacrifice, to wedge these people further into Hell, though they didn't realize it.

"Itsuki?" Mutsuki called. Itsuki shook the thoughts from his head and gazed at his brother. "Yes?"

"I'm scared…"

Itsuki's eyes grew soft as he gazed at his brother, who shook. Itsuki looked around carefully. "I'm going to go look for some blankets…" he muttered, turning to walk out of the room. "No!" he heard behind him, before a hand desperately grabbed the sleeve of his kimono. He looked back at Mutsuki, who clung tightly to Itsuki, as though for dear life. "Mutsuki…?"

"Don't leave me, Itsuki…Don't leave me alone…" Tears slid down the boy's cheeks, partially hidden by his raven black hair. Itsuki kneeled beside his brother and rested a tentative hand on his cheek. "I'm always here, Mutsuki."

Mutsuki sniffled lightly and rubbed his cheek against his brother's hand. "Soon…we'll never see each other again…I'll never see Chitose again…I'll never see Yae again, or Sae."

Itsuki wrapped his arms around his sad brother, comforting him in his time of need. Mutsuki buried his face in Itsuki's kimono, crying pitifully. Itsuki rested his hand on his brother's back, fighting back his own tears. Mutsuki clawed at his brother's kimono as he lifted his head. "I'll never see you again…" he moaned.

Itsuki's eyes lit with anger. "Don't say that! Never say that, Mutsuki!" he cried in dismay. Mutsuki trembled at his voice, the tears coming down faster. Itsuki paused at the wretched form of his brother, huddled and sobbing. "Mutsuki…I'm so sorry…" he gasped, angry at himself, his words, the truth, the village. It was all so frustrating. He hugged his brother again. "Please, don't cry, I'm sorry for yelling."

Mutsuki had quieted down by now, and quickly wrapped his arms around his brother's waist. Itsuki gasped in surprise, then blushed as his reflection, his other half, rubbed his head into the kimono. He raised his head after a moment and rested it on his brother's shoulder. "Don't worry about being sorry…" he whispered. He pressed his face into his brother's neck, blushing lightly in embarrassment. "I was complaining too much…"

Itsuki sighed softly, looking at his brother. "We'll be together, in spirit, no matter what happens." He held onto Mutsuki as he lay down on his side, onto the soft floor. Mutsuki curled up against his brother, hugging him tightly. Itsuki returned the hug, kissing his brother on the forehead. "No matter what…" he whispered, before he closed his eyes. Mutsuki sighed softly. "Forever, Itsuki," he replied, and they both drifted off to sleep as the sun began to rise.