Give Me Back My Brother
Disclaimer: I'm not even gonna say it. I think you all know by now. :P
Author's Note: I'm switching back to third-person view, hope that is ok.
Chapter Four: Searching
Chitose fidgeted nervously. She did not like the thought of going out into the village all by herself. Her eyes were not very good, and even with one of her brothers, she had never gone very far before asking to go back. But she had to find where Mutsuki had gone.
After dinner, the little girl snuck outside. She had decided that was the best time, as it was not too dark then, and very few people would be around. It was relieving, but also a bit eerie to stand alone on the deserted pathway. For a moment, she considered running back inside where it was safe and warm, but the thought of poor Mutsuki all alone somewhere made her start walking.
As children, her brothers had often talked about how they would go to the river on the edge of the village, the one by the cemetery. She knew that place held a very special meaning for the two of them-they had spent nearly every day there. Maybe Mutsuki had gone there?
The youngest Tachibana knew the way there. She had never gone herself, but had heard it often in her brothers' stories. Go up the hill near the Osaka house…follow the path without the Shinto gate…cross the wooden bridge…On the other side, that was where the boys had made their "promise". She did not know what they had promised, but it did not matter right now.
Chitose did not encounter anybody on her way to the infamous Osaka house, but that did not stop her from ducking behind something the instant she heard even the slightest noise. By the time she reached the top of the long, winding hill, her legs were tired, and she was completely out of breath. The sun had already started to sink behind the clouds. If she did not start heading back now, she would never make it home before it got dark.
But I'm so close…I-I can't turn back now…
Trembling from the sudden chill in the air, she walked past a stone arrangement that made her think of a monsters claw. By the light of a few lit torches, she saw the old Shinto gate and took the other path. There was the bridge!
Almost there…I just have to cross the bridge…
The bridge that crossed to the other side of the river was small, made of thin pieces of wood that were worn with age. A thin rope acted as a railing and was also what kept the bridge up. It made the structure sway as she stepped onto it. Whimpering, she grasped the cord railing with both hands, forcing herself to take a few more steps forward.
A fierce wind picked up, rocking the small, rickety bridge. Black hair whipping wildly against her deathly pale face, little Chitose felt like a helpless rag doll who would be swept away if she dared let go for even a moment. Her wide brown eyes were fixed on the thrashing dark waters that awaited her below the bridge should she happen to let go. All she wanted to do was get off this thing. Using all the strength in her little body to go against the wind that tried to puch her back, she forced herself to take a few more steps, clutching the rope so hard that it hurt.
"We promised…" The wind howled as though it were speaking to the frightened child. Was it her imagination, or did she really hear the anguished words? As the wind seemed to become stronger and stronger, a hurricane of screams and cries and pleas swallowed her up, like a bunch of people had surrounded her and were all speaking at once.
"You said we would always be together!"
"For the sake of the village…"
"Why did you break your promise!"
"We have to do this…"
"I didn't want to die…"
"Kill me…"
"Together…"
"Please…"
"…forever…"
"I'll forgive you."
"Don't kill me!"
Chitose screamed, tears streaming down her porcelain cheeks. Her body refused to move anymore. She shook out of cold and fear, unable to feel anything but the aching of her limbs. It was only one big step to reach the other side of the bridge, and then she would be okay…
Gathering all the courage she could muster, the terrified child released the rope and lunged forward. She slammed hard into the cold, rough ground, but felt no pain. Scrambling to her feet she hurried and ducked behind a row of tall ugly stones all scrunched together, some on top of the other.
Her heart racing, Chitose gasped to regain her breath. She was still shaking uncontrollably, and her new kimono was dirty. But she was too panicked to care right then.
When the wind finally died down, the girl calmed down considerably, breathing a huge sigh of relief. She looked around now. This was just beyond the far half of the cemetery, she guessed judging by the stones. There was something small with Japanese kanji scrawled on it hidden amongst the trees, it looked similar to the handmade grave she had made after the death of her cat when she was little. The writing still looked pretty fresh, she thought, as she leaned in for a closer look.
Everything went still, completely silent. Even her heart seemed to stop beating, as she gave a sharp intake of breath. And then she was on her feet, running, as fast as she could. Across the bridge without hesitation, stumbling as she scrambled down the hill. Through the village, for once not caring if anybody saw her.
It had been a gravestone…
…for Mutsuki Tachibana.