Chapter two is up I'm not as busy now, since school had been out. So this gives me something to do. : )
Chapter II
The Garden Firestorm
Moments passed after Wataru had awoken from his loss of consciousness. He sat up, only to be startled by some sort of spark. He stumbled back, as it began to fly away. "What… the-" he found himself surrounded by many fireflies. They and the moon were apparently the only things keeping the life within the mysterious area alive.
His eyes wandered back and forth, just about meeting with Chikage's. She smiled. "It's good to see… You have arrived." Wataru stood, and brushed himself off. The younger sister walked slowly toward him, making sure there were no faults in her plan so far. Also to be sure he wasn't hurt (As if that's a second priority.) His dark brown eyes had met up with her astonishing amethyst eyes once again; suddenly taking notice to the fact that there was something missing. She tilted her head. "Is something wrong?"
"Oh… Nothing…" He searched his pockets, reaching one hand in at a time. "Where is it…?" Chikage remained tranquil, and waited patiently. As a matter of fact, Wataru wasn't exactly searching for something. But instead with all this 'pocket-searching' wasting time, he had to gather his thoughts. Those eyes… They look soulless… There's… Something… He spread out his thoughts on an imaginary map so he could think straight. But before he could think of anything, a warm hand touched his cheek. He jumped at the sudden gesture, allowing it to continue.
"You think… I'm desolate?" she questioned the delirious boy. He shook his head. "Well… If there's anything perplexing you… I have something which might help." She began to walk off, motioning him to follow. He nodded, and did as he was told.
They had reached, several minutes later, a lush green boulevard. Wataru's eyes wandered the entire location. "This is… I mean… It's…"
"Breathtaking, isn't it?" the younger one smiled, finishing off his sentence. He returned the smile, although he remained a little nervous about this 'helpful-something' she spoke of. She doesn't ACTUALLY know what it is I'm thinking about… Does she? He gulped at that last thought. "Nah… It's all just me…"
"What is 'just you', Brother darling?" she asked curiously. In fact, she knew exactly what he was thinking about. But decided 'it would ruin the fun' to blow that last statement off. He grinned nervously.
"Nothing!"
"Nothing? Nothing at all?"
"Of course not! Just thinking aloud… That's all…"
"So there is something bothering you?
"That's not what I meant, eith-"
"Then what did you mean?" She smiled. He gave up. There was no way to win this war… Especially since he knew he stood no chance against his erratic sister.
"…Never mind…" He finished, walking before her. She watched him for a while, staying where she was.
"… And you think you know where you're going now?" She questioned in a 'no-duh' sort of way. He paused. Then backtracked his way to her.
"You might as well put me on a leash… Who knows what I'll do next…" he regarded sarcastically, as if to make a joke. But she shook her head.
"I don't have any to spare anyways…" She began to walk off, her hair whipping softly against his cheek. A large sweat-drop formed against his head. And he followed behind her.
Minutes went by, and soon turned to hours. Wataru was befuddled, and tired. "Don't tell me after all this time… You don't even know where you're going." He mused, hoping to prove her wrong.
"What? You think that I would make this garden a simple warren? I don't think so…" She retorted, keeping her pace. He stopped, and began to mock her.
"At least I don't act like I know everything…"
"Who said I acted as if I knew everything?"
"… Stop replying to me." He became aggravated. "What kind of lame trick is this, anyways?" He asked her, a sudden change of mood catching her attention.
"Don't get so quarrelsome. You'll find out soon why I brought you here…" She continued on, somewhat hurt by his rude remarks. He sighed.
"I'm sorry… This is just a little irritating, y'know?" he goofed. She ignored that last part. I guess she's taking this seriously… He thought to himself.
They had finally arrived to the designated location, after what seemed like years of walking. About 2/3 of the trip was spent with no talking whatsoever. The dead silence was uncomforting, especially since Wataru could not tell if Chikage was still upset with him. He caught up with her just before they reached a flat silver platform. He put his hands on her shoulders. "Are you okay? I'm sorry for being a jerk earlier. I was just…"
"Determined to find out what it is I plan to unveil to you. Is that right?" she asked, her voice still composed. He slowly nodded, as he just began to realize that things would reach the turn point from here. She smiled. "I'm glad… Now, I can show you…" She removed her black jacket; fragile black swallowtail butterflies perched along her white dress. At an instant, they flew into the darkness, in which seemed to be a fixed pattern. A glowing blue light arose from the silver pillar, as it split into 4 parts. Chikage walked slowly into the center of the four parted columns. She raised her right hand before a soft white light. In the light, a white dove with a feathered crest appeared. It had mystic blue eyes, and angel white feathers. With her left hand, she revealed over a darkened light a dove similar to the other, only black with blood red eyes. She held them both out, each perched on either shoulder. The white one took flight over to Wataru's hand.
He stared at the bird for several seconds, then back to Chikage. "What is… this for?" he asked. He was still as confused as ever, but paused so she could speak.
"The bird of the white sun… Shiiro. It will help you along your quest to discover our past together…" she held the black bird in her hand, stroking its head feathers. "As long as we have these two birds… We will be closer than ever, Brother darling… And I hope… You feel the same." She smiled, as the scenery began to fall apart. "I'll be waiting for you… On the other side…"
He held his hand, to try and grab hers. "Wait! What do you-…!"
Silence… And then more darkness. All he could remember now was her final words. "On the other side…"
He fell into a deep sleep, very soon waking up in his room. On the other side… What does it mean? He rubbed the back of his head, staring down at the sheet covers. "Just… as dream?" Only a moment after he woke, a tapping rapped outside his window. His eyes glanced over, hoping it wasn't that freaky red-eyed dove again. But instead, it was the white dove from his 'dream'. "Hey…" He stood, and walked toward the window, opening it. The small bird perched onto his finger, holding a note tied to it's back. Wataru opened the envelope, and inside was a rose petal with a note.
Brother Darling,
I regret dragging you into this… situation. However I hope that all can be forgiven. I assure you the end result will make this worth your time. Or at least, I hope so. I love you.
Regards,
Chikage
He smiled, and put the note in the small book. It was now back to normal, all the pages returned; no surprise 'petal' attacks. No portals, spirits, demons, snakes… All was fine. "I just wonder… What it is that she wants to let me know… Without physically telling me…" He wondered, the small white bird sleeping in the palm of his hand. His train of thought was disrupted by the voice of his younger sister, Karen.
"Big brother! It's time for dinner!"
His eyes shot open, as he darted for the door. "I'm coming!" The white bird woke as well, perching onto his shoulder. However Wataru was unaware that Chikage watched from outside his window on the clock tower. She smiled. "Only time can tell… And you will soon learn why it is… We are all together…"
End of chapter II
It's shorter than I planned, sorry. I'll work on lengthening it too.: ) R & R please
