Author's Note: Hello guys! It's been soooo long since I updated this story. Sorry for the wait, I'm a busy girl. LOL. xD I'm practicing my piano and guitar skills while I find time to write(yes, that's ) School will start soon, so I'm gonna leave a new chapter. No flaming please, enjoy guys! ^_^
Chapter 6: Megumi's Memories
*At the Hospital*
"How are you feeling, father?" Megumi asked as she sat beside her father's hospital bed. Alkan was in the hospital for a week now. His wounds are quite deep and his right leg is dislocated. Megumi always come by to nurse her father after school. Alkan gave his daughter a smile. "I'm getting better, Megumi. Thanks to you" he said and patted her head. "I'll always come until you get better" she said cheerfully.
She was peeling an apple when the door suddenly opened. "Good to see you're getting better, Mr. Hosenkou" a familiar voice spoke. She rushed to see who it is, and just who she expected it to be. "Ren!" she said. She scratch his head sheepishly, "Ah, well. I was worried where you're going today. So, I followed you and see you're here visiting your father" he said. Megumi smiled "You want some apples? They are fresh" Alkan can't help but to smile: to smile and see his daughter in love. "Sure. I'd love to" Ren replied as he sat on the chair beside the bed. Megumi continued to peel some apples from a distance.
Alkan eyed the young fire artist who's sitting beside him. He noticed he has gentle features but a strong will, as to what he had observed in their battle at the hot springs. Alkan began to speak in a much gentle voice, "I see that my daughter is happy at your clan. Thanks for that". Ren nodded, "It's my pleasure, sir". He smirked, "Don't be too formal. Just call me, Alkan". "Okay, s-si… I mean, Alkan" Ren said and take a bite of his apple.
"Ren, tell me how you met Megumi" Alkan said with his eyes closed. "I met her at the beach. She was sitting all by herself and then I talked to her" he said while looking at Megumi who's busy peeling the apples and other fruits. Alkan's eyes opened gently and he took a deep breath. "She still loves the beach" he said as a whisper but enough for Ren to hear. Ren wondered, "What does he mean, 'still loves the beach'?" Alkan looked at him then said "When her mother was still alive, she takes Megumi to that beach almost every day. They played there together, read stories and taught some constellations to her. Like what typical mother and daughter would do. That beach is the only vital memory she has of her mother" he fight back his tears. Ren remained quiet to hear Alkan's story.
Megumi walked back to them and placed a plate of assorted fruits at Alkan's side table. She smiled at her father then sat beside Ren. The three of them talked many things while eating.
"I'll see you tomorrow, father" Megumi said and kissed his forehead. Alkan smiled and nodded, "Be careful on your way home". "Yes we will" Ren said with a smile. They walked home and took a stop at the beach, where he met Megumi and where her mother's memory is alive with her. He looked at her and noticed she has a sad smile. "Would you like to go down?" Ren asked. "Let's go!" Megumi grabbed his hand and they went down.
They sat on the sand and watched the setting sun. Megumi huddled to Ren. "Are you cold?" he asked. "No. Let's stay like this for a while, okay?" she said with her eyes closed. "Sure" he replied. Ren put his arms around her shoulders, just to make sure she's not feeling cold. Just by looking at her, he can tell how much she loves her mother and how she treasures her memory with her. "I know this beach is important to you" Ren said. Megumi looked at her. "Father told you, right?" she asked with a smile. Ren nodded.
She took a deep breath and sat properly beside him. She looked around the beach. "Look at that tree, it's still sturdy right on that spot" she said and pointed it. "What's with that tree?" he asked. "I remember one time, my mother played hide and seek with me. She hid behind that tree. And one Easter day, she put a ribbon around it and at its root was a basket of Easter eggs" Megumi told with a smile. Ren smiled, "I know your mother was a very kind person, she loves you so much". She looked at him, "Yes, she was, my mother… Michiko Inoue". "I'm curious, what is your mother like?" he asked. "Hm… She's beautiful, enough for a crowd to turn their heads when she walks in. Her eyes are deep green. She has the same color of hair as I have. She loves to have her hair in a short cut, above her shoulders. Her perfume smells of lilac. She loves to play the piano, a talent I inherited from her. She sings lullaby to me every night… I love mother, that's for sure. I treasure her, here" she said and put her hands to her chest, to her heart. Ren gently smiled. He entwined his hands with hers.
They started to walk home. There's a big crowd over a five star suite entrance. Megumi noticed it. "Ren, I wonder what's up with that crowd over there…" she said. "Don't bother to look. You'll be crushed with a sea of people like that!" he said and sweat dropped. "Yes, you're right" she said and they continued to walk. Ren saw an elegant looking limousine, a woman of her late 30's came out of it. She's beautiful. Her hair is caramel-colored and reached above her shoulders. His eyes widen. He remembered Megumi's mother's description. "It can't be her. She's dead" Ren thought hardly. Megumi turned to face him, "What's wrong? It's like you've seen a ghost". He looked at Megumi and pulled a smile, "Nothing. Everything's fine. Let's go home" then he held her hands. "I know it's impossible it would be Mrs. Michiko. I probably should not tell Megumi, she might get too excited and shocked" Ren thought and took a deep sigh. They finally reach the Kannagi mansion and took rest to their rooms.
Author's Note: Do you guys wonder who's that woman? :O 'Cause I'm wondering too. LOL. Anyways, kindly leave some reviews! Thank you guys!