The Red Hope
Chapter Two: In a Village
So . . . .
Here's the second part that I promised from last time! Teehee!
I'm like seriously amazed at all the positive stuff I've been getting about this story. That really makes me happy!
I hope you guys like this part too!
Disclaimer: I don't own Magi.
"Courage, sacrifice, determination, commitment, toughness, heart, talent, guts. That's what little girls are made of." –Bethany Hamilton
A girl with a single flower knelt before a newly made grave, a large stone carved with several names, on top of a small green hill.
Mikoto.
Mino.
Chiyoko.
Chika.
Kyou
Zuei
Zhin
Sho.
Evelyn.
So many names.
And they were all gone.
The girl delicately laid her trembling hand on the stone, the other carefully clutching the flower so that it wouldn't get crushed in her grasp.
She could feel the sadness bubbling up again. She wanted to cry, but she couldn't.
She had already cried her tears out long ago.
Why? Why did they have to leave so soon?
Was this some sick way of punishing her? If so, then it was working. The guilt was constantly churning in her stomach as she continued to think of the people who were written in stone. The girl looked up at the sky. Even the scenery was all wrong; shouldn't there have been a rainy sky with dark clouds, as if to share her pain? She blinked, and instead she saw a gorgeous blue sky, white puffy clouds, and a cheerful yellow sun.
It just wasn't fair.
'Then again,' the girl mused to herself. 'This world is never fair. To anyone.'
She lightly traced the names under her fingertips. She closed her eyes, imagining their faces, remembering them.
"Goodbyes are too sad." She said aloud. Her finger lingered on the first name. "You guys are my family. I made that mistake, and because of that, you suffered. For that, I'm sorry."
The grass around her swished as the wind blew by.
"This world may be unfair," Her finger moved over each of the names, until she got to the last name. "But that's why I'm here." Her rosy eyes became filled with determination. "I'm going to change that, so that it won't happen to anyone. So thank you," She laid the flower down before the grave. "For reminding me that tragedies are still here. For giving me the courage to move forward and never forget."
The girl's eyes turned stormy. "For giving me hope that this world can be changed."
The wind stirred the grass again.
"I know that it won't be easy," The girl stood up, fists clenched. "But this is what I want. If I can help other people . . . If I can stop something like this from happening all over the world . . . If that was my destiny, then I'll do it! So that's why . . ." The hard glint in the girl's eyes softened. "You guys don't need to worry about me anymore."
Silence.
"I'm older now—I was just a bit shaken up with the accident here but," She took a deep breath. "I'll get stronger. Not by myself, but with my friends too. I won't let this happen again. I promise."
Never again.
"That's why everyone," She reached out and touched the stone again. "I'm going to leave now . . . Please wish me luck." Her hand left the stone, and she turned away, slowly walking away a few steps.
She paused, before turning back to the grave one last time. She gave a sad smile and whispered, "Ittekimasu."
She turned away, and this time, she didn't look back.
Walking down the hill, she saw another figure. They were leaning against a boulder, their eyes closed, feigning relaxation.
The girl didn't hesitate to approach, only stopping when she reached him.
There was a long and comfortable silence.
"Are you done?" They asked.
The girl nodded. " . . . Did you wait here for me?"
"Yeah."
" . . . You didn't have to wait for me you know."
"I know." They was all that they said. "I wanted to. Didn't I promise?"
I will never leave you alone. Never.
The girl understood.
" . . . Heh. Right. Thanks."
Back at the grave, a white poppy's petals were disturbed by the breeze. One detached itself from the flower, and the breeze carried it up to the sky.
The market was lively today as well.
All around, people were bustling; whether they were haggling over prices of expensive items, talking with their friends, or even mischievous children darted between the legs of the people around them. Voices of people rose over the other, adding to the lively mood in the air, as sellers shouted to promote their goods.
"The sweetest fruits you can buy!"
"Hand-picked bags of jasmine rice, straight from the fields!"
"Jewelry forged from the capital itself! Intricate gold and silvers!"
This was all that Atsuko could see and hear, as she simply gaped at the sight around her.
"This is so cool, Auntie!" The woman chuckled at Atsuko's amazement. "How come I don't come here more often?"
The woman had to suppress a wince. She gripped Atsuko's hand a little more tightly, and the woman could not be more grateful when Atsuko only looked back at her once in concern.
The woman squeezed the girl's hand softly. I'm sorry.
Another squeeze was sent back. It's alright. Don't worry about it.
The messages sent to each other could not be even clearer.
And the woman could feel an instant stab of guilt.
'I could not have been more grateful that Atsuko-chan is a very understanding girl.' She thought. 'But sometimes, she is too smart for her own good.'
Trying to act bright, the woman attempted to smile. "Well Atsuko-chan, we have a long list of shopping ahead of us. Why don't we get started?"
"Yeah!" The girl at her side recognized her attempt at changing the mood, and she quickly cheered, tugging on her aunt's arm impatiently. "Let's go already!"
'Really.' She sighed inwardly to herself.
"Atsuko-chan," The woman raised an eyebrow at the girl's enthusiasm. "Do you even know what we need to buy today?"
" . . ."
"Atsuko-chan?"
" . . . No."
'I knew it.' "Then you should let me lead the way," the woman suggested. "That way, you won't get lost."
The girl pouted. "I won't get lost!"
"Of course not Atsuko-chan." The woman deadpanned, remembering all the other times the young girl wandered off on her own. She ended up in the strangest situation when she finally found her; a bucket with soap in her hair, holding a kitten.
Yes, exactly like that. She's not exaggerating.
"What's that supposed to mean!"
"Nothing, nothing." The woman placated her as she attempted to hold in her amusement.
"I won't get lost!" Atsuko insisted.
"I wouldn't be so sure of that, Atsuko-chan," Her aunt kneeled down to look at the girl with a mock serious face. "You're so short and tiny; I could take just two steps and wonder where you are."
"I'm not that short!" Came the indignant and offended cry.
"You come up to about my knee." An amused smile found its way onto her face.
"I'm four years old! Four!" Atsuko waved her arms around in a silly attempt to argue.
"I know." She was starting to have a hard time holding in her laughter.
"And I'll be five next week too!"
"Yes, I know Atsuko-chan." Chuckles started to escape. It won't be long now . . .
"You just wait!" The girl pointed her small and rather pudgy finger at her aunt in determination. "By the time I'm five, I'll be all grown up! I'll be super tall—tall enough to reach for the stuff in the cabinet without a chair! I'll even be taller than you and every grown up here! Just you wait!"
That was it. The woman burst into laughter. She clutched her sides, trying (and failing) not to fall on her back.
The girl stopped her rant, and seemed to realize that she was waving her arms around and foolishly shouting at her aunt at the entrance to the market. A light pink flush of embarrassment coated her cheeks, and she puffed them out in irritation. " . . . You're mean Auntie. You tease me too much."
The woman's laughter was the only response that Atsuko got before she stood up, grabbed Atsuko's hand, and the both of them walked into the frenzy fray of people.
The woman hummed as she glanced with a pensive look on her face at the fruits and vegetables being displayed and sold at the stand in front of her. She leaned down, and picked up a bright yellow pear, inspecting it. "Hmm . . ."
Tug.
Maybe she could buy a few . . .
Tug.
They seemed fresh enough . . .
Tug.
She could use them to boil into a soup for her and Atsuko-chan to enjoy.
Tug. Tug.
If she spent her money right, she could get at least a dozen.
Tug. Tug.
Then again, those tomatoes over there also looked very promising . . . And Atsuko-chan loves tomatoes
Tug. Tug.
It would also save her the time to pick them from the garden . . .
Tug. Tug. Tug.
Ah, but the tomatoes in the garden are fresher.
Tug. Tug. Tug.
Hmm . . . What to do . . .
Tug. Tug. Tug.
Pears . . . Or tomatoes . . .
Pinch.
Yelping at the sudden flare of pain, the woman nearly dropped the pear still in her grasp in shock. Putting on a strict face, she turned to the girl standing next to her, who simply blinked her eyes innocently.
"Atsuko-chan." The girl tilter her head at her aunt's stern glare, rosy red meeting stern brown.
"Yes?" She blinked her eyes again.
"Why did you do that?" Her frown deepened as the girl shrugged.
"You wouldn't respond. You were in one of your 'thinking thoughts mood' again. So I pinched you."
" . . ." The woman pinched the bridge of her nose at the girl's nonchalant reply. She took a deep breath. "Atsuko-chan, you know that you shouldn't do that when I'm busy. Or thinking. How many times have I told you that?"
"Once. And you were staring at fruit." The girl didn't hesitate to point that out.
" . . . Alright, fine. What's your question, Atsuko-chan?"
"Could I get something too?" The woman paused, narrowing her eyes at the girl.
"Atsuko-chan . . ."
"Please?" The girl pleaded. "I promise that it's not too expensive. Pretty please, Auntie?"
The woman pursed her lips.
"Atsuko-chan, could you wait until I buy everything first?" She asked after a moment.
Atsuko nodded eagerly, relief reflecting from her rosy eyes. "By the way," She added. "You should get them both. They both taste sweet."
The woman could only blink dumbfounded as she watched the girl walk off to the other side of the stand, inspecting the vegetables with a scrutiny gaze.
In the end, she decided to follow her niece's advice, buying the pears and the tomatoes, as well as a few other fruits and vegetables. Really, deciding which ones were better, comparing prices, and haggling over them were all such a troublesome situation.
She made sure that they were all put safely into the basket in her arms (not after the nightmare she just went through), and she turned to the girl by her side. "Well Atsuko-chan," The woman smiled. "Now we need to get some bread. Would you like to lead the way?"
"You bet Auntie!" The girl grinned and took off.
Her aunt only sighed as she walked behind her, careful not to lose her in her sights.
Atsuko stared at the sight of bread and pastries in front of her. She took a deep breath of the air, her nose twitching as it picked up the scent of flour, and sighed happily.
"It always smells so good here~!" Atsuko stretched her arms. Her aunt stepped in behind her, the bell that was attached to the door ringing as it closed shut.
"Well, well, well," A voice called. "If it isn't Atsuko-chan."
The girl perked up from hearing her name. She turned around and grinned. "Mino-san!"
The old man chuckled, coming from the back, wiping his hands on his slightly flour covered apron.
"Hello, Mino-san." The girl's aunt smiled.
"Ah, Evelyn," He nodded to her, his own pleasant smile on his face. "I haven't seen you in a while either. How have you and Atsuko-chan been?"
"We've been just fine, thank you for asking," She answered politely. "We're just here shopping today."
"Ah. Well, in that case," Mino stepped to the counter full of bread. "What can I get for you two today?"
Evelyn turned to her niece, smiling as she gestured to the counter. "Go ahead Atsuko-chan. What would you like?"
The girl hummed in thought, tapping her chin. Then she grinned. "Two loaves of the yummy sweet bread please Mino-san!"
The old man grabbed a paper bag, opening it. "Coming right up!" He went over and opened the counter, carefully grabbing the requested bag and putting it in. He turned to the woman. "Is that all for today?"
Evelyn looked at Atsuko from the corner of her eyes. The girl had walked off to the other side of the counter, face pressed against the glass curiously.
Well, it was almost her birthday after all . . .
"I'll take four of those cream rolls, as well as a dozen of those cookies please Mino-san." Evelyn requested. The baker nodded at her, turning to get another bag to fill with the rest of the items. Atsuko turned towards her aunt, a surprised look in her rosy red eyes as she gaped at her.
"Why so much, Auntie?" Her aunt chuckled, and patted the girl's head, ruffling her black hair slightly.
"It's almost your birthday, isn't it?" The girl blinked at the warm look that her aunt gave her. "We need to celebrate, right Atsuko-chan?"
The girl stood there, shocked for a moment. Then she grinned. "Right!"
"All set!" The old man put the bags on top of the counter. The woman pulled out her purse, preparing to pull out the appropriate amount of money for the food, when the baker held up his hand and shook his head.
"It's almost Atsuko-chan's birthday, right Evelyn?" At the woman's confused nod, he chuckled and lowered his hand. "Then take it, free of charge."
Evelyn's eyes widened. She began to frantically shake her hands. "Oh no, Mino-san! You don't need to do that! I'll pay for it!"
Mino snorted. "Nah, don't bother. I have plenty of other customers other than you two."
"But still, something like this is—" Evelyn protested. The man raised his hand again. The woman fell silent.
"Don't worry about it," The old man said flippantly. "Consider it my birthday present for Atsuko-chan."
The girl in question had wide eyes. "Really Mino-san?"
"Really," The old man smiled and winked at her. "You have a happy birthday, alright Atsuko-chan?"
Atsuko's heart soared. She smiled back at him. "Mm! I will!"
"Mino-san . . ." The woman was speechless. "I don't know how to thank you."
"Well," The old man's eyes twinkled. "You could start by taking the bread."
Evelyn sighed, but did as he asked. She gave him a small smile as she tucked the bread into the basket. "I will repay you for your kindness, some way or another Mino-san."
The old man simply waved it away and chuckled. "You don't need to, Evelyn. Just have fun with your niece today. I heard that there's a good sale at the fish stalls. Better hurry."
"Right then," The woman nodded at him. "We'll be off then. Thank you again for the bread."
"Bye Mino-san!" Atsuko called out, waving her hand at the elder as the two of them turned to the door. "Thanks for the bread!"
The old man just smiled and waved back before the door swung shut, the bell innocently ringing.
"Fresh fish, from the seas of Sindria!" A lady hollered, beckoning towards the bustling shoppers while gesturing to the fish in her stalls. She then noticed two people approaching her stall hastily.
"Chiyoko-san!" Evelyn waved at the woman as she and Atsuko got closer to the stand.
"Evelyn! Atsuko-chan!" The woman at the fish stalls grinned. "I haven't seen the two of you for a while! Come over here!" When the two arrived, she leaned over and grinned at Atsuko. "And hello to you Atsuko-chan!"
"Hi, Chiyoko-san!" The girl chirped, waving.
"It looks like you've grown again," Chiyoko chuckled to herself. "With the rate you're growing, by the time you're a big girl, I'll be an old and lonely woman."
The girl beamed and turned to her aunt. "See? Even Chiyoko-san knows that I'm gonna be a big girl."
Evelyn giggled and patted her niece's head again. She turned to Chiyoko. "So Chiyoko-san, I heard that there was a sale on fish today?"
"You heard right!" The woman rubbed her hands in mock glee. "Straight from Sindria! Met a captain from Sindria at one of the ports. Had no idea what to do with them. So I offered to buy them from him. Worth every cent I spent." She gestured to the customers inspecting the fish. "Every body's coming and going for some fish. This is my second to last stock."
"I'm glad that business is going well for you then," Evelyn smiled. "To help you with that, could I get half a pound of fish?"
"You bet!" Chiyoko grinned. She gestured to the fish. "Go ahead and choose. When you're done, I'll weigh them up for you." The other woman nodded, and grabbed a bag.
"Atsuko-chan," The girl perked up. "Don't go anywhere, alright?"
The girl pouted. "You know I won't!"
"Don't start with me young lady." She responded dryly, before heading to the opposite end of the stall to grab some fish.
The girl sulked, and looked down at her feet, kicking the ground slightly. Chiyoko watched her a bit, before smiling.
"Ne, Atsuko-chan," The girl looked up at her. "Isn't it going to be your birthday soon?"
The girl's eyes immediately brightened. "Mmhm!"
"Well then," The woman looked around as if she was watching for eavesdroppers, before beckoning the girl. Atsuko leaned up to see the woman rummaging one of her bags, and getting something. The woman turned back to the girl, a mischievous smile on her face.
"Atsuko-chan, close your eyes and hold out your hand." The girl did as she was told, and she felt something metallic and smooth being dropped into her palm.
"Go ahead and open your eyes Atsuko-chan." She did so, and her rosy eyes widened.
Coins.
Chiyoko-san dropped copper coins into her hand.
Her still wide eyes flitted to her unsuspecting aunt, and then back to the grinning woman in front of her.
"Chiyoko-san . . . What's this for?" She couldn't help but ask.
"Well isn't it obvious," The woman tilted her head. "It's for your birthday."
"But . . ." The girl paused at the finger the woman held up.
"Ah, ah, ah!" She wagged her finger in front of the girl's face and pressed it in front of her lips, winking. "No telling!"
Atsuko was dumbfounded. She slowly, quietly pocketed the money given to her. "Thanks Chiyoko-san."
"Don't mention it kid." Chiyoko smiled. "Just don't tell your aunt. She would kill me for that."
And she didn't.
"Alright then," Evelyn rummaged through her basket. "Bread, check. Fruits, check. Veggies, check. Fish, check. Meat, check. I think that's everything." Satisfied, the woman opened her pouch to check the remaining amount of money. She nodded to herself. There was still a little bit left. Which means . . .
"Atsuko-chan," She turned back to the girl next to her. "If you still want, we can go and see that thing you wanted earlier."
The girl paused. Her rosy eyes had an emotion that she couldn't identify, before she smiled and took her hand. "You know what, Auntie? Can we get it next time?"
"Huh?" Her aunt was confused. "Well—sure but . . . didn't you-?"
"It's fine," Her niece interrupted. "I don't need it right now."
The woman hesitated. "If you say so . . ."
"Auntie?" She looked down at her. " . . . Can we go home now?"
Evelyn's eyes softened. "Of course Atsuko-chan."
And then the two of them turned, walking hand-in-hand, one of them holding a basket full of food, the other holding a bag of extra bread, and a pocket full of coins.
There! It's done!
I hope that the length of this chapter was a bit more satisfactory for people! To be honest, I wanted to get this chapter done by Friday, so I rushed a bit. I checked the chapter for any mistakes, but if there are any, please excuse my rushed sense of writing and proofreading.
And I hope that you guys are happy with this part! I described a little bit more about Atsuko and her aunt (who you guys now know); I tried to write how close they were with each other, how comical they can be, and how close the two of them are with some of the villagers.
(1) Ittekimasu- When a person says that, it means "I'll be going for now, but I'll come back because it's my home."
Anybody see anything wrong with the chapter, or do they have any questions, or suggestions? If so, go ahead and PM me! I'm always open to ideas. Reviews are always appreciated. Thanks to everyone who reviewed and favored/followed this story! I'm still honestly surprised by all the positive stuff I'm getting from people. Thanks!
Thanks for reading guys!
~kani-leek-lover