AN: Yay! I finally finished this chapter! Well, actually I was working on TWO chapters! Thirteen got done, but fourteen was complicated. I want it too look good! You all know how that is, especially if you are a writer yourself! The reason why I was working on TWO chapters was because they both have different "context" and "theme"to it. Oh yeah, I said what I mean and said what I meant! Fourteen is more has different feel to it and I want to write it right! So, please excuse the very short, three paged,chapter thirteen...but, I'll really make up to you next chapter! Enjoy!
Chapter 13
The Promise"
I don't want to think of it as an ending...
...but a new beginning...
The hours of morning's greeting came to an end at the turn of noontime. The morning star sat at its highest peak, watching two young lovers sitting under a tree, which ended its blossom. It only revealed its greenest leaves with the absence of flower blooms. As for the young lovers who sat under that tree, they were enjoying a tranquil pastime of reading and resting on a blanket as blue as the sky.
The young man's head rested on the plaid blue skirt of the dress of his love, as he held a book above his eyes as they made out the wording on each page. The young woman sat at the base of the tree, also with a book in front of her. While her right hand held the book, the left had the fingers gently playing with the silvery-gray locks of the young man's hair.
Only little over half and hour, the young man laid down his book and closed his eyes. A few moments later, the young woman followed the suit and leaned back into the supporting tree base. The humidity of the warm air supported the pair's lull into sleep and kept them tranquilized.
As hours passed, the sky shifted from the clear blue and white clouds to a darker, drearier sky with ashes of grey as the stratus invaded the sky. As the stratus accumulated in dark masses, moisture builds up in its system. Soon, it swelled up with moisture and released it to the earth below, along with flashes of light and deep rumblings.
The indications of the depression from the sky was alarmed by an army of raindrops splashing against the sleeping boy's face.
"Uhn..."He lifted his hand to his face as he tried to escape the tranquil of sleep. When he felt moisture against his fingertips, he looked upto view the changed sky.
"Machi," he called the sleeping girl, who have yet to learn their newfound dilemma, "Wake up!" He gently rocked the girl by her shoulder.
The girl's eyes fluttered open to find a pouring waterfall, falling from the sky. She leaped from her spot by the tree. "Yuki!" She reached for the hand that was reaching out for her.
"That was not expected! I'm sorry for not paying attention," Yuki apologized as the two hurried to the shelter nearby.
"Don't apologize, Yuki. We both were unaware," Machi replied.
The two rushed over to their shelter and Yuki hastily opened the sliding door, which leads into the kitchen, and shut it behind them.
"What a mess." Yuki looked down at the soaked fabric of his light blue, buttoned shirt. "I hate to walk around with water dripping everywhere and yet we could not just stand here and catch a cold." He felt a cooling sensation and the rise of goosebumps on his arms.
"It's alright. The water will evaporate anyways," Machi assured as she started heading in the direction of the staircase.
"Wait, Machi, at least let me grab you a towel first," the boy called out to the retreating girl. "I'll get some from the first floor bathroom. Wait here."
Yuki walked furthered into the kitchen, where the first-floor bath was located (AN: The one he retreated to during Chapter 2-2's party scene). He opened the closed bathroom door and swiftly grabbed two beige towels hanging on the rack and hurried back to his girlfriend.
"Here you go." Yuki wrapped one of the towels around Machi's upper body. She took a hold of both ends of the towel and continued to wrapped herself in its warmth. The boy himself, dried his hair and face, then wrapped the other towel around his neck. The two stared at the dark weather scenery through the glass of the sliding doors in a moment of silence.
"I suppose it's okay to go change," Yuki said. He turned and started to leave, but a glance behind informed him that Machi just stood still. "Hey...aren't you..."
The girl stared at the falling rain and then slid the door open, leaving her towel behind. She ran out in to the drenching darkness. As she ran out, a memory was lingering in her mind:
I know it's not the right season, but today it'll be made.
Because I want the broken thoughts of that time...
...to end.
"Hey! Machi! Where are you going? It's not safe out there!" Yuki called out as he ran after her.
Machi ran until she reached the left side of the house. She hid behind a tall shrub, with her back against the wall of the house. Her heartbeat raced rapidly and her breathing came in short breaths, which were caused by more than just running. Yuki's voice came closer and closer as signals that he was nearing her.
She shot off from her spot and into the meadows. As she looked back, she could see Yuki, running from a few feet behind.
"Heeeeyy!" he called, "What's the...meaning of...this?"
In reaction, she laughed and stopped in the middle of the meadow. She looked up to the sky with her eyes closed and feel the rain falling from the sky to her face. Yuki finally caught up with her and tried to regulate his breathing.
"You...what...are you..."he spoke in between breaths, with his upper body lowered and hands on his knees.
"You don't have to worry about that anymore," Machi said as she walked up to the boy. "That promise...of a time in the snow. It's done."
"Huh?" Yuki looked at the girl with a dumbfounded look. "Snow? But it's summer and it's raining."
"It's the snow of summer and we stomped all over it!" she yelled and stretched her arms out to the sky above. A wild look exhibited on her face.
Yuki's eyes widened at Machi's sudden behavior. "Machi?"
"This is the end. My old self has died. Today, I discovered that I do have a smile. That I could laugh. That I could be happy! Today is the day when we stomp on the perfection of snow together, Yuki!" She laughed and twirled herself in the waterfall of rain.
The boy was amazed at her breakout and smiled. He took both of her hands in his own and spun with her in laughter. They lowered themselves to the soggy ground in dizziness and quiet down in their laughter as they looked into each other eyes.
She didn't forget that promise either...that someday...in the next snowfall...we'll stomp in the snow together.
I wouldn't think it would end up like this.
"I still promise that day will come. The next time when it snows. I promise that it'll come," Yuki said as he gently took the girl's shoulders and pulled her to him. She placed one of her hands on his waist as she leaned in closer.
"Someday...we'll be able hold each other,"she said near his ear, "Just kept going forward and believe that it'll happen... Because I do."
Yuki felt a tug on his heart, which was both painful and joyful. He believed that his self-consciousness had kept him from anyone before and the curse was just an accessory to it. After years and years of the family head and his mother telling him that he was 'special', 'useless' and no one would want him, it was proven to be untrue. Twice. Yet, no one has ever told him that they believe that the curse would end. Even, Tohru has yet to say so to him.
"Hai," he said as he placed his head on her shoulder. Tears left his eyes as he softly cried on her shoulder.
I bet she had been holding that back...also.
I am so sorry, Machi, that I couldn't hold you.
AN: Another fluffy, waffy, chapter! I love fluff and waff! When chapter fourteen comes out, you'll see WHY I don't mix it with this chapter! Hint: It wouldtake the fluff and waff away.Oh, one thing I like to point out about the manga! Has anyone read or seen Chapter 112? OMG. Yuki ACTUALLY asks Machi to a SUMMER'S END! Well, not the same as I wrote it, but still! Basically, he tells her : Let's go someplace...during summer vacation. Kyaaa! I can't wait to see what Tayaka-sensei comes up with for a "Summer's End". (smiles)