CHAPTER XIV

Okay…So we're now here. Winter Town. The place where I can find a way to go back to my own world. But then… Now that I've decided to stay. I don't want to continue to go to the queen anymore. I don't want to go back. I don't want to leave Youhi.

"Nya! It's so cold!" Inochi shivered beside me. "Shi! Let's hurry! I don't want to stay in this cold much longer!" She took her sister's hand and together they ran ahead of us.

I was about to run after them when Youhi's grip on my hand tightened.

"Asahi…" I really don't want to get separated with you, but then," he sighed and took something from his pocket. "It's from my mother. Our master gave it to her. Actually, it's her collar when she was still a cat. It's her most precious thing."

It seems like a small bracelet with little cat heads dangling on it. When he clasped it on my wrist, I held it and looked at it closely. It seems…familiar to me. Something about it is nagging me. What does this mean?

"I want to return it to you."

"Eh?" But. "But I'm… I don't---"

"Asahi," he said seriously. "You tried to forget the things that hurt you the most. But it's a pity, because you also forget the happiness that comes with it. Pain and joy are connected with each other. If you try to erase the painful memories, then the memories that brings you joy were also erased with it. Please, Asahi. Try to remember all those things. Try to accept them."

I don't know what to say. It's true I've tried not to think about my past but… how come he knew about it? How come. I shook my head slowly and smiled at him.

"Thank you, Youhi." I'll really treasure it. And… I'll try to remember my past."

He was about to say something when the twins suddenly called us. We followed them as they led us farther deep into the town. Ahead of us, I can see the silhouette of the castle.

'The queen is there,' I thought. 'Maybe I can make a wish to let me live in this world. Maybe…'

Geez! My steps faltered. But then… Youhi has made up his mind. He really seemed to be determined to take me back to my world. I tried to talk to him about it last night. But he wouldn't hear of it. Why? It seems he knows something that he doesn't want to tell me about!

Also…the pain… it seems to be gone now. I don't feel a trace of it anymore. Maybe… Maybe…

"We're here." Shi's voice broke through my train of thoughts. I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts, and stared ahead of us.

"Eh?" We're right at the front of the castle. How come… I looked at the twins. Their expressions are very solemn. The door opened and they lead us into a large room with a fire cracking merrily in the middle of the room. They really seem to know the place. Could it be that they also know the queen? Then… what they said to us before… What are their true intentions?

Silence stretched between us until Inochi spoke.

"Well! Try to make yourselves at home!" she forced a smile at us. I tried to smile back at her and turned to look at Youhi. He seems to be thinking something, his expression gravely serious.

Shi sighed and took our hands. "I'm sorry we kept so much from you, Asahi, Youhi. But then, it's still too early for you to know everything. Would you… like to sit while we talk?"

I've got a bad feeling about this. So the twins really know the queen. Are they going to tell us right now as to why they led us to the palace?

Youhi gripped my hand tightly and glanced hard at the twins. He must also feel that something's not right in this situation.

Inochi shifted at his look and turned towards her sister. "Shi…"

Shi looked at her and nodded. Then she turned towards us.

"It's time."

At her words, pain suddenly exploded within me. This pain, it's twice, no, ten times painful than before. I gasped, trying to catch my breath. It hurts… It hurts so much. I want to die!

"Asahi!" Youhi turned towards me and gripped me at my shoulder. "Shi! What have you done to her!"

"Asahi!" Inochi cried as she ran and knelt in front of me. "Shi! Please don't---"

"We've got no choice, Inochi," Shi said seriously. "This is my job."

"But we still haven't discussed about I with them! Please Shi!"

"Discuss?" her twin asked unemotionally. "Haven't you heard her thoughts lately? She have made her decision to stay. We can't---"

"Please let us hear what you two really are planning!" Youhi told her exasperatedly. "I'll do everything! Just please don't let her suffer like that! Don't let her die!"

Shi turned towards Youhi, noting his seriousness and sighed. Slowly, the pain diminished a little. I am now able to breathe evenly. She then glanced at her sister kneeling beside me and Inochi nodded.

"Youhi, do you really know what that blue stone in your chain is?"

""No." Youhi sighed. My mother gave it to me."

"Actually," she continued as she showed us a pendant that she's wearing around her neck. It's a green stone similar to Youhi's. The only thing is, it is just a half-shaped head of a cat.

"Shi has the other half, since we're twins." Shi showed us a yellow stone that she's also wearing.

"These are called Souls Stones. Each one of us cat-humans in this world has it. It contains our souls, and our powers. Its color corresponds with our eyes."

She held the blue stone in her hand and looked at Youhi. "Your eyes are red and this stone you're wearing is blue. This isn't your Soul Stone.

"But then, one just cannot lend one's stone to the other. Well, except for one. The queen's.

"Your mother took that stone from the queen years ago, Youhi," Shi stated. "And the moment that she took it away, the queen lost all her powers and slowly fell into a deep slumber. And the world became unbalanced.

"The truth is Youhi, you have already died while you were in this world. But through the stone's power, it brought you back to life and you we're able to gain a temporary body and soul to live in this world."

"A temporary body?" I asked her. What does she mean?

"If Youhi will return the stone to the queen, he will die."

"If Youhi won't return the stone?" No! I don't want Youhi to die!

"Then the queen won't regain her powers and she will continue on sleeping. The world will become more unbalanced and slowly will be destroyed. And… Asahi won't be able to return to her world. And then, her stay in here will lead her to her demise," Shi said calmly.

I heard Youhi swear under his breath. He seemed to be thinking deeply.

"Youhi. I don't want you to die," I touched his cheek. "It's alright. I've already decided to die here. I don't want to leave you alone anymore."

"Asahi," he sighed and looked at me intently. "I don't want you to suffer. I too, have made my decision. I'll return the stone."

and another long chapter,.,teehee,.,.really,.,.it's almost the end,.,____n