Hey everyone! Here is the long-awaited chapter you've all been waiting for! . . . -crickets chirp- Oh, c'mon! You know you've been waiting for this. Well, whatev -.- Oh, and tell me if I made Issun seem to OOC toward the end there, that part was a bit tricky. Don't forget to R&R!
Chapter 11: Revelation
I couldn't believe it. Sweet, quirky yet loveable Kiyoko was gone. Even though I didn't know her long, it was still very sad to see that such a nice girl has died, and so young. She had brought joy into many people's lives, including my own. But, doing as she once did, I looked to the bright side of this. At least she passed peacefully in her sleep—she did not suffer any.
Still, it was too much for me. I was whimpering softly, grief and sorrow building up inside of me until I just couldn't contain it anymore. I did the only thing I knew how to do at a time like this.
I howled. I poured all my emotion into that howl, filling it with sadness and pain. It rang out in the silent morning like a death toll.
Sakuya emerged from her tree, looking at me with wide, curious, cherry-blossom pink eyes. "Why, Amaterasu, whatever is the ma—my goodness!" She gasped, noticing the situation. "How . . . How did this . . .?" She trailed off, unable to find words.
I simply shook my head. I, too, was at a loss for words. Soon, some of the villagers came up. My howl had acted as a beacon for them, summoning them here. One of the first to respond to the call was none other than Issun. He came running up, knowing that something was wrong. He stopped short when he saw Kiyoko.
"I-It can't be! S-She—She isn't . . . isn't. . ." He couldn't finish the sentence.
Again, I shook my head, still trying to find words. Issun was silent for a moment. Then he snapped. He turned to Sakuya, an inexplicable rage in his eyes.
"You! It's your fault!" he shouted, his voice blade-sharp. "Why didn't you protect her? Isn't that your job? To protect people?"
Sakuya flinched. She hadn't expected such an outburst.
I walked up to him. I wasn't going to let him bully her like this. "Issun," I started cautiously, able to speak again, "calm down. There is no reason for you to—" He threw me such a fierce glare that I flinched myself.
"And you! You're a freakin' goddess! Couldn't you have done anything for her?"
"I-I'm sorry, but I can't—" Another glare from Issun silenced me.
"I don't want to hear it!"
A low whine sounded in my throat. Never before had he turned on me, not like that. He continued his tirade; Waka was the next victim.
"And you, the half-baked prophet." Issun then uttered some words I would rather not repeat. "You can see the future, or so you say! Why didn't ya see this comin', huh?"
Waka had no answer. It was likely he had no words, as he was just as upset as the rest of us were. This is getting out of hand, I thought. Someone needs to stop this.
I stepped up to the role once I found that I could speak again. I said to Issun, "Stop it! Don't you see you're just making everyone more upset? And . . . you keep blaming everyone else. Don't you think that this may be partially your fault?"
That did it. He fell silent, the fight in him now gone. He left without so much as saying another word. I started to follow him; Waka stopped me.
"Leave him be, ma chérie. I think he needs some time alone."
I sighed. Waka was right—Issun must have been hurting more than anyone else. This was a hard time for us all . . .
o~*~o
Nushi
I did hear the howl that had sounded in the village, but I chose to ignore it. I knew it had to do with the white wolf lurking in the village, and I didn't care to have anything to do with it. Something about that wolf unsettled me—the way it moved purposefully through the village, how it's blazing amber eyes seemed way too focused and intelligent for any average wolf.
But it wasn't long before I heard word around the village that Kiyoko had died. At first, I denied it, finding it impossible to believe. Then I started noticing some things that made it seem somewhat true.
First of all, Mom and Dad were pretty depressed about something. In fact, the entire village seemed to be bummed out. Also, I hadn't seen my little sis for some time now, not since she returned to the village a while back. I began to doubt myself, and started to think it may be true.
Eventually, I let my curiosity get the best of me—I had to know for sure if it was true or not—and I walked up to the Guardian Tree from which the howl first originated. I saw Kiyoko, who appeared to be asleep. That's when I realized that she wasn't sleeping. She was dead.
I ran up to her, still trying to deny it. I kneeled before her lifeless body. I gently brushed the hair out of her face, like I used to sometimes when she was younger. That simple gesture brought back a wave of memories of my little sister, back when we were little, when times were simpler. That's when the reality of it all hit me hard. Kiyoko, my little sister, was gone. And she wasn't coming back.
I was then glad that nobody was around, so no one would see me cry for my sister, now lost forever . . .
o~*~o
Issun
I paced around the small room, trying to take in all that's happened. I had went over to Nushi's place—formerly Susano's house, but he moved in with Kushi. I hid in the underground room there—I didn't want anyone to see me like this. And . . . I just needed some time to myself to think things through. There were a million questions in my head without answers, but there was one that I kept asking myself the most above all others: Why?
Why did Kiki die so suddenly? It just didn't seem right to me. Something, somewhere must have went wrong. But what?
Don't you think that this may be your fault?
Ammy's words echoed in my head, and then everything became clear. It was me. It's my fault that Kiki's dead.
Frustrated with myself, I puched the wall. "Dammit! How could I be so stupid?" I said to no one. I kept on punching the wall, taking all my anger out on it.
When I couldn't punch anymore, completely out of steam, I slumped to the floor, defeated. No longer angry, overwhelming sadness now took over. My thoughts turned to Kiki, as they often did.
I knew her since the day she was born. And now, after fifteen years with her . . . it seemed like nowhere near enough time now. I recalled that moment, that time when she'd been shrunk down to my size, that instant when our eyes met—really met—for the first time. I don't know, but it was like something inside me shifted, and I realized I had feelings for her.
I knew she'd changed me somehow. For example, somewhere along the way, purple became my favorite color. But it wasn't just that, it was something more. I found myself staring at her longer than I should, and I started noticing things, like how her laugh was music to my ears, and how her smile always brightened my day. But now . . . now she's dead. Never again would I ever hear that musical laugh, see that beautiful smile, or see those sparkling violet eyes.
The tears I'd been trying to hold back now broke free from me. Why? There was that question again. Why does it hurt so much? I asked myself. That was the one question I did have the answer for.
Because I loved her.
Yes. I loved her, and I never even got the chance to tell her. "Kiki . . ." I sobbed. All I wanted was to see her just one more time . . .
Don't cry, Issun.
I looked up. What was that?
I don't like seeing you cry.
It was a voice. But who did it belong to? I glaced around the room, trying to find the source. "Wh-Who's there?"
A giggle. It's me, you silly!
Wait a sec. I'd know that laugh anywhere. I turned around to see . . . Kiki? Impossibly enough, there she was, standing—make that floating—right in front of me. I knew there was no way that this was real, so I started racking my brain for other possibilities. A dream? Nah; I wasn't asleep, I was sure. Am I going crazy? Am I seeing things now? Possibly.
Yoohoo, Earth to Issun!
"Huh?"
I know for a fact that you're not the spacey type. Now tell me, what's wrong?
"What's wrong? Well, you're . . . I mean, that . . . I just—"
Spit it out, Issun!
"Um, a-are you . . . real?"
Another giggle. Well, of course! I'm standing here, aren't I?
"B-But you're supposed to be—"
Dead? Not exactly.
"What do you mean by that?"
That's what I need your help for. She glanced nervously over her shoulder, as if being followed by someone . . . or something. I don't have much time, so listen carefully.
I nodded. "I'm listening."
You have to find me, Issun.
"What's that supposed to mean? You're right here!"
Not really, no. You'll figure it out soon enough. Another glance over the shoulder. I have to go.
"Wait! Kiki, where're you going? Where should I look?"
Look within . . . the . . . shadows . . . After that, she just disappeared. I wasn't sure what just happened, but I had the feeling that I was in for another adventure . . .
o~*~o
Waka
I rested on one of the branches of the sacred tree Konohana—a place that used to be a favorite of Kiyoko's. I sighed. She never deserved a fate such as death, not when she was so young. She was a kind soul, and she never did any wrong—she was, in fact, destined for great things, this I could tell. But then something like this happens . . . and I couldn't even see it coming. As a prophet, I have the ability to see into the future, but what happened to Kiyoko I never predicted.
I thought about what Issun said to me. He had asked me why I could not predict Kiyoko's passing. I did not answer because I had no answer. I, myself, could not tell why because I did not know. And—I hate to admit this—but I fear Issun may be right. Perhaps it was my fault that Kiyoko died. Had I been able to forsee it, I might have been able to prevent it. But I did not.
Kiyoko . . . please forgive me . . .
I watched the setting sun, hoping my silent prayer would reach her, wherever she may be . . . But wait a minute—something did not feel quite right.
I had the strangest feeling that not everything may not be as it seems. Kiyoko was dead . . . or was she . . . ?
My eyes scanned the horizon as I searched the future and past, seeking answers. I did this for countless hours, meticulously searching through time for any clues. After all that, I came up with nothing—but then I decided to look back to one particular night . . .
o~*~o
Kiyoko sleeps soundly under the stars by the Guardian Tree. The tree sprite, Sakuya, determines that Kiyoko would be fine on her own as there is no immediate threat, so she goes to rest inside her tree.
As soon as she doe, the shadows start to behave strangely. The shadows of the tree branches dances on the ground in the pale moonlight, while the branches themselves do not move.
Then the shadows converge into one and take the form of a dragon. The shadow dragon approaches Kiyoko, crimson eyes burning bright in the darkness. It bares its midnight-black fangs, its lips seeming to form a twisted grin. And then it . . .
o~*~o
Yes! That was it! I found the answers I was looking for. Now to tell everyone before it was too late . . .
o~*~o
Amaterasu
Everything was set for Kiyoko's funeral. The pyre's been built, and everyone was present. With a heavy heart, I looked on as the ceremony began. stepped forward to read the eulogy. He cleared his throat, and with a rasping, yet soft voice, started to speak:
"Kiyoko was a wonderful young woman with an extraordinary passion for life. She was strong in mind, but gentle in heart. She would always accomplish what she set out to do and never gave up, while at the same time treating others kindly, no matter whom they may be.
"It is sad that she passed on when she had so much to look forward to. But she made the most of what little time she had here with us, living life to the fullest. A resilient girl, she was, taking whatever came her way with a smile.
"She was also a positive, upbeat young girl, and always looked to the bright side, seeing the silver lining of any situation. We should follow her example, and make the best of our own lives. Yes, she is now gone, but she will forever remain in our memories . . . and our hearts. May she rest in peace."
When he finished the speech, there was not a dry eye present. Most all of the villagers had some sort of connection with Kiyoko. Her death was a terrible loss for us all.
With the ceremony drawing to a close, prepared to light the funeral pyre. But just when he was about to do so . . .
Waka came charging in, and he looked quite agitated or excited about something. "Attendez-vous, tout le monde!" he cried in French. "Wait, everyone!" All eyes turned to him. "There's something I have to tell you. A revelation, of sorts."
"Well, what is it?" I demanded. I wasn't in the mood to be patient.
"Kiyoko . . . is not dead!"