Ten Years Later
I stood stiffly as the only person who had raised me with an affection hand was laid to rest. She had become my world and I could barely stand in my depression. After all these years we had come back to the town where we had first met. She wanted to be buried next to her grandfather, although, she expressed in her will that she would keep the name that we had assumed all those years ago. It read Kyoko Honda, beloved mother and friend, she will be missed. It was simple and it was true. I was the only one who went to her funeral, but the priest. I was crying softly at how much this beloved woman had sacrificed for me. She worked two jobs and isolated herself from the world for my safety. We had been safe all of these years, but we never foreseen a car accident. It was a freak occurrence and we never found the black car that hit her. It disappeared and my Okāsan dies on the way to the hospital. I was alone again like all those years ago. I had no money, but at least I was old enough to support myself at 15.
I put flowers down on her grave and stood up shakily and walked away. The priest asked if was alright, but I would never be alright again. I loved her dearly. She had been the one constant through my young life and she was gone. I eventually found my way back to the park where she had found me. I went to the same tree and sat down and wept for everything I had lost. I didn't know what to do anymore. I gave up wondering when the orb would decide that it was time to go back to my birth place. It was almost surreal when I thought that I was a lost Queen to a destroyed empire so vast that it defied description. I knew that the Orb could keep me here for dozens or even hundreds of years. I would never age or die like my poor Okāsan. When I was a child I didn't even think about death until Papa died that night. Death hardly if never occurred where I was from and here it was an everyday occurrence. I was an immortal cast adrift in a sea of nothingness with the death of Okāsan. I shook myself out of my melancholy and scolded myself for being a child. I was perfectly capable of taking care of myself, although I don't know how I would defend myself against the loneliness of an eternity.
I made myself think logically about my situation. I had no money so the logical thing would be to get a job. I needed enough money to get out of this town before old nightmares caught up with me. I wondered what became of the boy that was so cruel and yet so caring and tender. I loved him still even after all these years, and I wonder if he still thought of me. I had forgiven him long ago for his transgressions. I understood his pain, but I wept for the cruelty of his existance. To know you would die even when you were very young is a harsh fate. I smiled faintly when I remembered when I was a child when I made him promise to marry me when we got older. If I still lived with the Sohma's we would just now be getting married. I shivered a little in fear and a little bit desire of what I thought we would be doing. I didn't understand as a child that when you got married you did more then just be friends, their was a physical intimacy as well. I blushed at my thoughts and dismissed them. There was more important things to think about then what-ifs. I walked the streets looking for signs that said 'now hiring'. I ignored the constant stares from people as I walked. I was used to the constant comments about my unusual appearance. This is what happens when the elven immortal line of the Leander's created offspring. It couldn't be helped. We drew the eyes with are inner glow and strange eyes. I was an arresting sight I knew. My ruby-red hair was tied in a French braid that went halfway down my back. I was wearing my black morning dress and it made my skin stand out. It was the last thing I wanted was to stand out in this city of all places. I stopped when I saw a tall building advertising help wanted. I smiled thinking I was finally getting some luck. I entered the building and I gasped in shock when I ran into someone. He started apologizing and I couldn't help but admire how cute he was! He had dark blond hair and as he looked up at me his honey colored eyes widen in shock. I had seen those eyes before. As children we had run around the garden playing hide-and-seek. I quaked in fear at what this meant about keeping a low profile in this city while I was here, but I couldn't resist a smile as he stood there looking at me numbly in shock. "I can't believe it!" Momiji cried, "Anorien-chan it's you after all these years. We were all devastated when you left, especially Yuki-kun. How are you? I can't believe how beautiful you are! It's hard to believe we are talking after all of these years!"
I laughed in joy at how obviously he hadn't changed. He was as bouncy as he was as a child if not more. "I'm so happy to see you Momiji-kun. I don't think you have change much except grow a few feet. How are you doing? I'm so sorry after all these years of not being able to say goodbye to you two. I wanted too to so badly, but we had to leave quickly without anyone knowing."
"It's quite alright!" cried Momiji, "I know why you left; it was because of Akito-san. I don't blame you. He has steadily gotten crueler as the years pass. Most of the jyuunishi don't go near him anymore, for fear of his uncontrollable temper. By the way how is Kyoko-san?"
My eyes started watering at the mention of her name. "She died in a freak car accident. This is why I am back in this town. She wanted to be buried next to her grandfather and I came back with her. This is why I am here. I am looking for a job because I have no money. I just want enough to get me far away from this town again."
Momiji took me in his arms at the end of my speech. I started sobbing at the pent up emotion and for a few moments I indulged myself and allowed another person to comfort me. The only person who usually did it wasn't here anymore and I was crying for the loss of that person. Eventually, I stopped crying and Momiji quickly jumped into his happy care-free attitude which I was extremely grateful for. He smiled suddenly in excitement as it looked like he had come up with an idea, good or bad I couldn't tell.
"I can get you a job easy!" Momiji said in excitement, "This is my father's building and I run around in it all the time. They are looking for new maids and they would be happy to hire you. By the way where are you planning on staying at? If you have no money then you can't get a hotel."
"I don't know." I said sadly, "I was going to get to that hurdle after I got a job."
He looked at me a little put-out, but then his eyes light up with a look I didn't like. "I know where you can stay." He said mischievously, "You can stay with Shigure-san. He has plenty of space and you can meet Yuki-kun again. He was never the same after you left. He never laughs and just works in his garden. I know you can make him happy again like you did when we are children, and you don't have to worry about Akito-san finding out. Shigure-san didn't know you in the beginning and you can just change your name until you leave. It's perfect! Then we can play!"
It was a good plan, and I especially liked the idea of meeting Yuki again. He was such a sweet boy and I hated that I had to leave him at the mercy of Akito, but there was nothing I could do about it. I was depressed at what little he revealed about Yuki meant that he had, had not an easy time of it after I left. The only thing I was concerned about was what would happen if Akito found out I was staying with this Shigure. I couldn't imagine what he would do to me and the people who couldn't defend themselves against his anger. It was a lot to risk, but I really had no choice. I had no where to stay and no food. I couldn't live in the park for weeks at a time so I hesitantly agreed to Momiji's plan.
Momiji got my job new job all in order and I was actually in a strange way looking forward to it. It would be exit for my frustration at my current situation. I would be to busy to dwell on the past and for that I was immensely grateful. Momiji and I walked towards Shigure's house. It was quite a distance from where my new job was at, but I wouldn't let that deter me from my few moments of happiness talking with Momiji like old times. We walked hand in hand and were laughing. I was almost sorry when we reached the end of our destination; I didn't want to loose the cheerfulness Momiji always seemed to radiate no matter the circumstances.
The house was quite large, but nothing in size compared to the main home of the Sohma's. It looked like a pleasant place and I hoped I would like the short time I would stay here. I knew it wouldn't be that bad if Yuki lived here. I knew he probably came here to live in the little peace that he could get away from the God of the Jyuunishi. I shivered at the thought of him, but quickly dismissed my thoughts as I saw Momiji running quickly ahead of me yelling at the top of his lungs. I winced a little. That boy sure did have a loud voice. "Come on Anorien! Oh I forgot! What should I call you now?"
I thought about for a minute and decided I would use the first name I was given in my other world. No one ever called me back then because it was so formal, but I didn't think it would matter too much here. I smiled at Momiji and I hesitantly told him to call me Eluned. His eyes widened a little and he started laughing in joy for some reason that was beyond me. "You have such pretty names Eluned! I have never heard of either of your names they are so foreign sounding."
I contemplated his words and wondered if I should have picked a more normal name to blend in, but it was a little too late as I saw a very attractive man walking towards us. I assumed this must be Shigure. I began to wonder why all of the Sohma's male or female that I had encountered were so blindingly attractive. Shigure was no exception with above average height, dark hair and brown eyes. Those eyes were at the moment staring at me in bemused shock. I smiled at him and he returned it with a full blown grin. "Who is this beautiful flower that you have brought to me Momiji? Is she to be my bride? I can't wait to get an old fashioned Japanese meal! I will cherish you always little flower!" He said smiling goofily over my hand at which I just stood there blushing cherry red and mortified to the bottom of my toes. I wasn't embarrassed for long when I saw Momiji whack Shigure over the head. "You pervert!" Momiji said laughing, "I brought her here because she needs a place to stay and you happen to have an open room."
I started laughing in amusement as I saw the crestfallen look he was giving me and the glare he was shooting Momiji. "If I may be sold bold my little flower as to inquire what is your name?"
I blushed at his outlandish speech, "You can call me Eluned Honda. You must be Shigure-san. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"I assure you," he purred, "the pleasure is all mine. Never before have I seen a beauty to match yours. You are a goddess among woman little flower. You have claimed my heart and I beg of you to end my suffering and marry me. You won't regret it; I promise you." He then winked and smiled at me lasciviously and in the process got another slap in the head.
He rubbed his head in pain and shot Momiji a wounded expression. "I'm truly horrified Momiji-kun. What ever could I have done to deserve to be wounded so grievously? I am just expressing my true emotions to the woman I love. What harm is there in that?"
"You're a pervert!" Momiji said smiling, "Now can Eluned-chan stay here, please Shigure-san?"
"Why of course she can!" he exclaimed, "I demand she move in this very instant. By the way, little flower; do you know how to cook?"
He was looking at me so hopefully with an adorable puppy dog face I couldn't resist even if I wanted to. He could give Momiji a run for his money on the convincing scale.
"Yes!" I said nervously, "I'm not the best cook, but I would make supper for Okāsan when she would come home from work."
"It's settled!" His eyes watering with delight, "You'll move in immediately little flower and dazzle are taste buds with your sumptuous feast."
"I-I thank you." I said in deep gratitude, "I hope I won't be too much of a burden. I won't stay long. I just need enough money to start out on my own."
"You are much too young little flower to be living on your own. The world is not safe. You can stay here as long as you like. Anyways, its only Yuki-kun and myself right now, but Kyo-kun will be back in a couple of days from his journey in the mountains. When he gets back those two fight like cats and mice, excuse the pun, allow me my little flower to escort you to your room."
I couldn't even get a word in as I was escorted into the beautiful house I was to live in for an indeterminate amount of time. It was quite spacious and peaceful in the house. I think I would enjoy living here immensely. It gave me that same feeling I had in Okāsan's apartment, safe and protected, and my eyes watered at the thought. I believed I would never have that feeling again and I relished in it as I was shown into the moderately sized room with a bed and desk in it. It was devoid of any decoration and I could have cared less at the sight. It was more then I ever dreamed of and I started crying a little.
"Eluned-chan are you alright?" Momiji asked worriedly.
"I-it's just that this more then I could ever hope for. I will never be able to repay you both for you kindness. A few short hours ago I had no one and nothing; and now I have more then I know what to do with."
"Don't you worry about a thing." Shigure cooed. "I am more then happy to let you live here. Besides you'll make up for it more then you know little flower with a traditional Japanese meal."
I smiled in gratitude at his words and they left me to get settled in. I had very few things with me. There was my most precious possession other then the one that was dormant within me: the picture of my Okāsan who was smiling happily with her finger pointed in a "V". My eyes watered when I thought of when we took the picture. We had gone out to celebrate my 10th birthday and had a wonderful time. I felt normal and loved and that feeling was gone now, all I had were the memories. I sobbed into my pillow and fell asleep in exhaustion.