Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni SAI

When They Cry Again

Disclaimer

I do not own Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni (Kai) or anything like that. My characters are obviously mine, though. That's Mikan, Nanaha, Nina, Kain, Sanyu, Ryouno, Mishi Takano, and Ayu..

Notes

Not much to say

Couple vote:

RikaxKeiichi- 1

RikaxAkasaka- out ruled! Sorry, I'm keeping Akasaka with his wife this time

KeiichixHanyuu- 1

KeiichixMion- 1

Please keep voting! It doesn't really matter, since all I need is for Rika and Keiichi to be married to someone.

Also, if anyone wants, I'm thinking of posting this bios of the characters at the end of chapters now. So if you're curious about anyone, let me know. I'll try to include 3 hints in the bios to help with solving the mystery!

. A R C . T H R E E .

The Bleeding Promise Chapter

C h a p t e r 0 1 1 : The White Box

Brushing her black hair was not supposed to be a team effort. It was a Saturday and Mikan was having her hair brushed by Nanaha. The two girls were home alone that morning; Nina had a six AM to noon shift, since she was struggling to collect the cash to buy her 'children' yukata. With Watanagashi only a week away, there could not possibly be a better time to start. However, it meant Nina was spending more time working than she was sleeping, so the two younger girls had taken it upon themselves to 'babysit' their crazy caretaker. That meant cooking, cleaning and groceries were their job while Nina brought in the cash.

"Hmmm... It's so nice out. We should go somewhere." Mikan mumbled, a finger pressed thoughtfully to her lip, "Duncha think, Nanaha?"

The blonde nodded, giggling and pulling some of Mikan's long black hair to the side, trying to put it in long pigtails, "Agreed. But where to?"

Mikan made another thoughtful sound, then shrugged and closed her eyes. "I don't know... umm... How about... The old dumpster? Nina always complains about how our apartment echoes. We can get a new treasure!"

Smiling, Nanaha swayed from one side to the other and nodded. "Oooh! Yes yes! Mikan, you now just what Nanaha likes to do, don't you?"

Laughing, the blonde hugged Mikan from behind, pulling her close. The two girls were together for a moment longer, laughing and smiling, before Nanaha loosened her group and blushed.

"Sorry, Mikan... I just can't help it sometimes!"

Mikan giggled and shook her head. "Oh no, it's fine, Nanaha. I know how you feel..."

Maybe it was because both girls were orphans, and often found themselves alone while Nina struggled to support their tiny family, but Mikan and Nanaha were extremely close. It had only been a little over a year since Nina's parents had died, but even before than, the shrine maiden's family had been the ones to take care of the young orphans. But with her parents dead, Nina became the head of both her old family and the little family of the familyless. Meanwhile, Nanaha's parents had not been permitted into Hinamizawa and abandoned their 'demon daughter' when they learned of the ogre blood in her veins. Mikan's family of four had been reduced to a family of three when her parents were killed by the curse only two years ago and her older brother vanished.

But that was the past.

This was the present, Mikan reminded herself, and a happy future was waiting for her beyond the horizon.

Everything would be okay!

Minutes later, the two girls stood in front of the dumpster. It was like a mountain of trash and treasure, piled up and up until Mikan could swear it had to reach heaven. It just had to. Staring at it, she almost wanted for her parents to come walking down the rusty 'staircase'.

Her brother too.

"UWAAH! SO AWESOME! Mikan, LOOK!" Exclaimed Nanaha, her fists balled and eyes like glittering stars. She was back to her usual swaying, giggling excitedly. Mikan turned to look at her, a faint smile crossing her lips, then let her frown return when Nanaha took off, climbing over old cars and cabinets to get a good look around.

"There's a new mound, Mikan! Two!" Nanaha called, yanking Mikan out of any memories of her family she might have managed to dig out, "Come on!"

The little girl smiled and nodded, running forward after Nanaha. She passed a number of treasures, most of which looked easy to prepare. There was a nice dresser with a floral pattern on it, a mirror still in tack, a little bed and even a little bedside table. And for 'junk', they all looked pretty fancy...

"Wow... Who would throw these out?" Asked Mikan, walking over to a shelf with a fox design running down the side, "It looks brand new."

"Don't know." Nanaha admitted, "I wonder if Nina would like it..."

The two girls 'hmmm'ed thoughtfully, then looked at each other and grinned.

"Let's talk to Kain!" Nanaha chirped, "We'll need his strength to move it anyway!"

Mikan laughed lightly and nodded, not feeling like bringing up the fact she was quite confident she could move it herself.

"Sure. But where would we find him?" She asked, tilting her head.

"He'll probably want to walk Nina home with Ayu. So let's camp out at the Cafe." Nanaha suggested happily, winking, "Besides, the baseball team is here. We could get a free snack!"

Mikan turned red and her mouth fell open. "N-Nanaha! What are you suggesting?!" She asked. Her friend just giggled and pet Mikan's head.

"You know what I'm talking about! Two cute girls... How can they not treat us?"

"Th-That's mean! We don't now them!!!"

"Then we'll guilt-trip Kain." Nanaha decided, turning and skipping off, "Come on, Mikan"

Nanaha had climbed out of the dumpster and was waving to Mikan. The black haired girl looked up and smiled faintly, walking after her. But something caught Mikan's eye, inspiring her to stop. There was a box stuck under a table, in between broken bicycles and folding chairs. It was painted white with pink and red hearts all over it...

She just couldn't ignore it.

"One second, Nanaha!" Mikan called, running over to the box. She got on her knees, careful since she was standing on nothing but randomly piled trash, and reached under to pull out the box. Once she had it, Mikan opened it. Inside was a necklace, book and teddy bear keychain, all resting on a mound of folded clothes.

"Hurry up, Mikan! We'll miss our chance to mooch!" Nanaha called, getting a bit impatient. Deciding not to hold her friend up anymore, she just took out the necklace and keychain and slipped the box back under. She'd deal with the book and clothes later. As she ran to catch up with Nanaha, Mikan put on the silvery necklace and attached the keychain to her right pigtail. Once she'd caught up with Nanaha, the two girls raced off to the cafe. Mikan never had a chance to realize just how much the little white box would impact her life.

They were good times

They were bad times

And now, they are hidden times

I don't want to open again.

Open the lid and release the demons.

The demons of my past.