Remember Me?

Chapter 1

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Azure: Hey my fellow Hotarubi no Mori e fans! According to fanfiction terms, this would be chapter 2, but the last chapter was the introduction, so this is really chapter 1. Hope you enjoy never the less!

Gin: ...That didn't really make sense.

Azure: Whatever. I'm pretty sure the readers will understand. Just please do the honors

Gin: *sigh* Azure does not own Hotarubi no Mori e. But you people should know that.

Azure: If I did own Hotarubi no Mori e, I would make sure that Gin didn't disappear. He and Hotaru are a perfect couple! *squeal*

Gin: Uh...thanks I guess... *secretly very happy*

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(Hotaru's POV)

I peered up at the wooden ceiling, which was darkened from the lack of light. It felt cold and clammy in my room, and I didn't like it. It made me feel alone. But what did it matter? Gin is already gone, and surely the other spirits of the forest wouldn't welcome me. They lost one of their best friends because of me.

I shifted uncomfortably because of the thought, and now turned my gaze to the door which concealed me from the outside, the forest, and the moonlight that attempted to shine through it.

Sleep was hopeless at this point, as I sat up in bed and carefully rubbed my eyes from the lack of sleep. Sleep. Such a beautiful thing, as others say. Not in my case. Whenever I closed my eyes, I drifted off into an unknown realm, a peaceful fantasy, where I would still meet up with Gin, and hang out like we used too. Walking through the woods, while sharing a snack. Then we'd arrive at the lake, where we would discuss about what has happened recently in our lives under the hot summer sun. It all seemed so real, like I could reach out and grab a hold of it. Only then do I catch nothing but air. He was gone, and I just had to accept it. But I would be lying if I said it was easy. Obviously it's not. What other reason did my parents send me here? In their minds, probably to see my grandfather and get some fresh air, away from all the stress and school back home.

Unable to drift back into unconsciousness, I stood up quietly and tiptoed across the squeaky floor, careful not to wake anyone up. As softly as I could, I slide the door open, finally allowing the moon's dancing silver rays to enter my room, which illuminated it a ghastly whitish-gray. I continued out of my room and carefully slid the door closed once more, shutting the caressing light out.

Then, I turned back toward the forest, and experienced something I haven't witnessed in many months. The dark and still sky was filled with twinkling stars, which consumed the sky from any point of view. Right above the leafy foliage of the sacred trees was the moon, which looked like a giant star. The moon and the stars together reminded me of a beehive ad the ranks; The stars were the worker bees, spread out to work for the colony; And the moon was like the queen bee, keeping an eye on the workers while shining brilliantly as a great leader. The stars were lighting up the sky as best the could, while the moon was providing the most, while inflicting those staring up at it with feelings of peace, serenity, and warmth. The cuticles of the leaves were reflecting the silver glow, making the forest look like it was glowing.

I gave a small, but wistful smile upon seeing the sight. Surely, if Gin were here now, he would adore it with me. Speaking of which, I better say goodbye now. That's the only reason why I came here this summer. To say goodbye. During that night, his disappearance was so unexpected, what else could I do but cry and hug him? After his soul scattered I was in shock. I couldn't say goodbye. Not yet. I believed, maybe he was still out there, somewhere. But during the rest of the summer, I realized that those were only foolish dreams. He was gone, and would never come back.

With bare feet trailing across the surprisingly cold and sharp grass, I stalked through the field until I arrived at the gate where Gin and I first met. Hot and unwanted tears found there way to the corners of my eyes, as I gently wiped them away. No, I was not going to cry no. I have to be strong for Gin. And that was just what I did. Feeling a new sense of motivation, I stepped into the forest of the Mountain God.

The minute I stepped in, I felt a different aura than I was expecting. It wasn't a sense of foreboding or hatred, like I thought. Instead, it was welcoming and I also felt a sense of...relief?

I furrowed my brows in puzzlement. Why did it feel relieved when I entered? If anything, the spirits should dislike me.

"Oh, but Hotaru, why would we dislike you?" Questioned a mystical but rough voice. It seemed to have come from nowhere, and I gasped and shuddered at the thought. Slowly turning in the opposite direction I was facing, I became face to face with the familiar fox spirit. Clutching my heart, I gave a sigh of alleviation.

"You scared me!" I replied as I gave a weak smile, which quickly turned upside down. The fox spirit looked guilty, and bowed his head shamefully. "I apologize, but there's a more important matter to be concerned with right now." At hearing these words, my troubled expression turned to one of surprise and curiosity. "Well," He started. "it has to do with-" "Has to do with what Mr. Fox spirit? And who are you talking too?" My blood chilled at hearing these words. I knew who that voice belonged to all too well. I had spent countless of summers playing with him, and admiring him to the point where I had fallen in love. Fixating my gaze to the right of me, sat the familiar figure with silver hair and golden eyes.

It was Gin.

My mouth was partially opened in shock, even though it was quite rude. At first upon seeing him, I was confused on why he didn't have his painted mask, like he usually did. After a few minutes of pondering about this, I remembered that I had the mask with me back at my grandparent's house.

Gin hopped down from the boulder he was siting on, and walked up to me. "Who are you? You don't look familiar." Those words brought me to tears. He...he doesn't r-remember me? Closing my eyes, I bowed my head and silently waited for the tears to start flowing. Sure enough, they did, as I felt wet streaks slide down my cheeks and into the forest floor below. He doesn't...remember me... Repeating this sentence in my head, it saddened me even more. Through my blurred vision, I saw Gin's feet shift in the grass. "Uh...did I...saw something to upset you?" He asked me guiltily. Instead of answering him, I turned and ran away from the scene, causing me to go deeper into the forest.

"Hotaru! Wait!" The fox spirit yelled, but I was to far away and deplored to return or answer him back. All I wanted to do was run. Find a place where I could peacefully grieve to myself.

He doesn't remember...He doesn't remember...

After a few minutes of running, I stumbled on a tree root and face planted into the soft dirt. Instead of regaining my position, I wept loudly into the earth.

Why Gin?...Why...

.:.:.:.:End:.:.:.:.

Azure: Sorry it took so long to complete! I've been having so much homework -_- Thankfully, I think I'm getting a bit less, so I might be able to update more!

Gin: Why don't I remember Ho-

Azure: HUSH YO MOUTH! Don't give any spoilers!

Hotaru: ...Admin, you're mean! Making Gin forget me!

Azure: *facepalm* Anyway, please R & R!