Chapter 13: Redemption
"What have you done?" I cried. With Kiyoko's soul split in half, who knows what will happen?
"I . . . I-I don't . . ." Issun stuttered, most likely as shocked as I was.
We could only watch as the glowing orb that was Kiyoko's soul, now in two pieces, drifted towards the heavens above. That's it, I thought. It's over. We've lost her for good now. What happened next, nobody could have predicted.
Kiyoko's soul halted its ascent, suspended in midair. Then, the two halves shot off in opposite directions. With no time to think, we chased after one of the soul-pieces, leaving the other one to find later.
Our hunt led us quite far; by this time, we had traveled halfway across Nippon on foot. It was then I realized the destination of the soul-piece. It was headed directly towards Kamiki Village.
o~*~o
After the longest run of my life, we finally reached the village. I'm serious, I have never run that far before, not in one go. I was panting, my stamina drained, though still keeping an eye on the soul-piece. It seemed to be heading for the Guardian Tree, where Kiyoko was.
After resting briefly, we continued our pursuit, leading us—just as I thought—to the sacred tree. Once there, we witnessed a miracle.
We got there just in time to see the soul-piece returning to its rightful place within Kiyoko. And she came back to life.
She still maintained the appearance of sleep, but I could clearly hear the signs of life—the soft whisper of breath on her lips, and the faint, rhythmic sound of her heart beating.
I then tried to wake her up, nudging her gently with my paw. She didn't move. I nudged her again, harder this time. Still she wouldn't wake. I tried barking loudly in her ear. Nothing. I turned to face the others, who were looking at me expectantly.
"It's . . . strange," I said, confused. "I know for certain that she's alive, but she won't wake up."
"That is strange," Waka agreed. "Very strange, indeed. Hmm . . ." He paused for a moment. "It might be the fact that her soul is no longer whole, and that she needs both halves to fully recover."
"You're so smart," I remarked, if not a bit admiringly.
Issun scoffed. "I coulda told ya that, furball!"
Waka smirked. "No, you could not. You would not have figured it out, because frankly, you are not too smart."
"Why you—!" Issun was now glowing red, a sure sign that he was angry. "You callin' me stupid, pretty boy?"
"Oui."
"Grr! Stop with the French stuff already!"
"Pourquois? C'est t'enerve?"
"ARGH! I bet I could beat you in a fight!"
"I accept your challenge. Now, what time and where?"
"Right here, right now!"
"Fine with me."
"Enough already!" I snapped, barking to emphasize my point. "We need to focus on what's important here. We should track down the other half of Kiyoko's soul."
"Hold on, Ammy," Issun said. "Don't be so hasty. There's no big rush or anything. And it has been a while since we've been in the village. Why not stay a little?"
Between the lines, I read his true intentions. "You want to stay here with Kiyoko in case she wakes up, don't you?"
He sighed. "You can read me like an open book. But can't we stay for just a little while? I mean, the other soul whatever isn't going anywhere, at least I don't think so . . . All I want is a few days, okay?"
". . . Okay. But only for a few days. We don't want to waste too much time."
"Thanks."
I decided to give him three days, though I was almost positive that nothing would happen—it was likely that Kiyoko was in a comatose state and would not wake up. But lately, it seems that all my predictions have been very, very wrong . . .
o~*~o
Kiyoko
. . . Where am I. . .? Is this a dream? No, it feels too real. Am I. . . dead? Maybe. These were the kind of thoughts that were going through my head. I didn't even know what had happened or how it turned out, only that I was now in two places at once. On one side, I was trapped in a world of darkness, shackled by invisible chains. The other, I was back in my own body, but I still couldn't move. It was like I couldn't do anything, that I was bound by those chains on both sides. But I could hear, and I listened to what went on around me.
Many people came and went. I could tell who was who by the sound of their voices. Snowflake came by a lot, as well as that pretty tree sprite, Sakuya. Even Waka dropped by every once in a while. Many people visited me and said many things, but I never did hear the one voice I truly longed to hear—Issun's. I did keep sensing his presence, though, and I tried to make mine known to no avail. I was paralyzed—I couldn't even open my eyes.
To make matters worse, I had to keep my guard up at all times, as the shadows often threatened to swallow me whole. Fear, once a stranger to me, now dominated my entire existence. There was also another emotion, one I couldn't identify. It was a feeling of nothingness, and of emptiness . . . and I felt so alone . . . so scared . . .
Someone . . . anyone . . . please . . . help me . . .
"Wake up!" A voice broke through my shroud of despair, through the darkness.
But who is it?
"C'mon, wake up, Kiki!" It was Issun! Oh, just hearing his voice made me feel better. If only he knew I was here . . . I tried desperately to do something, anything to make myself known. I am here, I wanted to say to him. I just can't move . . . but I can hear you. Please, hear me!
"Please . . . why won't you wake up . . .?"
Then I heard the sound of crying. Man, that's the one thing I hate most—having to hear him cry. . . for me. I then found a new resolve. With all my heart, I willed myself to move. All I managed to do was open my eyes less than a fraction of an inch—a difference I doubted anybody would notice.
Issun . . .
I imagined seeing his face again, and how happy he'd be to see me again. That's what I really looked forward to—making him happy again. Again, I tried to move. With newfound motivation, I found new strength. I broke free from the invisible bonds . . .
. . . and I opened my eyes.
Next, I tried saying something. After a little effort, I did so. "Hey, Issun," I said, smiling.
"K-Kiki?" He looked up, green eyes widening.
"Yeah, it's me. I'm back."
"I . . . I c-can't believe it. You . . . you're really . . ." He broke down again, this time in tears of joy.
I reached up, brushing away his tears. "Hey, there's no reason to cry. You know I don't like seeing you cry."
He then took a deep breath and composed himself. "Yeah, I know. And you're right. Heh, when did I become such a crybaby?"
"Oh, you're not a crybaby. You've been through a lot lately . . . mostly because of me. You have plenty of reason to be an emotional wreck."
"Speaking of which . . . what happened with you? I mean, what was it like for you, wherever you were?"
I'd almost forgotten about the horrible, dark prison I just escaped from. Now he's mentioned it, and the terrifying memory came back to me all at once. It was then my turn to break down in tears, overwhelmed by fear.
"Whoa, what's wrong?"
"I . . . I was so scared!"
Then all of a sudden, I found myself in Issun's arms. I looked up at him through watery eyes. "Don't worry," he said. "You got me now." He smiled, reassuring me. And, feeling safe and warm in his embrace, all my fear faded away, as if it never even existed. It was just me and him, together again, and nothing else in the world mattered . . .
Right when I was about to fall asleep, Issun said, "Kiki?"
"Hmm? What is it?"
"I . . . Uh . . . Do you think you can stand?" I suspected that he intended to say something else, but I was too tired to care.
"Mm . . . I'll try. Help me up?"
"Of course." He lifted me up to my feet. "There. Now try walking, stretch your legs a little."
My legs were stiff and numb from who knows how long of sitting, but I still managed a few steps. That is, before I tripped and fell . . . right back into Issun's arms.
"Oh! I-I'm sorry!" I said, flustered. How embarrassing! "Y-You know, I'm just such a klutz, and—"
"Come here, you." Suddenly, my feet were off the ground, and he spun me around. I squealed out of both surprise and delight. He looked me straight in the eyes and said, "Kiki . . . there's something I've been meaning to tell you."
My heart started to pound, and my mind began to race. What? What is he going to say? Oh, I can't stand the suspense!
"I . . . I love you, Kiki."
I gasped. He loved me. And of course, I had to share my feelings for him.
"I love you, too, Issun."
He pulled me in closer . . . and he kissed me. My first kiss.
It was absolutely amazing. I'll never forget the wonderful feeling that came over me, and how I wanted it to last forever. And the only way I could possibly describe it . . . fireworks. It was like fireworks going off, and I never wanted it to end.
By the time he pulled away, my head was spinning. I felt so light, so weightless, I swear I could almost fly. Is this what love feels like? I wondered. If so, it's the best thing ever!
o~*~o
Later on that night, no longer in the mood to sleep, I wandered up to the sacred deck. Underneath Konohana's perpetual shower of cherry blossoms and the moon's pale moonbeams, I danced. I danced for the pure joy of dancing. I danced to no music, only to the beat of the nature that surrounded me. I even let my hair down, which I usually never do, I was having so much fun.
I recalled when good ol' Mr. Orange first taught me about dancing, and how it can touch the spirits of others, even holy ones. I loved it from the very start, and I was a natural. I quickly surpassed Mr. Orange in terms of skill and grace. I've been dancing ever since.
Then Issun came up to the sacred deck. "I knew I'd find you somewhere," he said. "What've you been up to?"
"Dancing. Wanna try?"
"No, thanks. I'm . . . not into that kinda stuff."
"Aw, c'mon! It'll be fun!"
"I don't even know how to—"
"I'll teach you."
"I don't know . . ."
"Please? Pretty please?" I then gave him the look, the sad look that works every time.
"Well . . . I . . . uh . . . Oh, alright. I'll dance with you. Just please, stop with the look!"
"Yay! Okay, first, you go like this . . ." I passed on my knowledge of dance to him. And to my surprise, he actually caught on pretty fast. Soon, we were spinning in circles all around the sacred deck, dancing like a couple of pros. "See? It's fun, isn't it?" I said to him.
"Yeah, I guess it is."
"You know, I've always danced alone . . . but with you, it's so much more fun. Thank you so much, Issun."
"Do I get a reward?" I rolled my eyes. Typical Issun.
"Well, you can have this." I leaned in closer to kiss him.
"Oh, I'd like that very much." We kissed again, and again I felt the fireworks. And there it was again, that lightheaded feeling, the feeling that I could fly.
After the kiss ended, I laid my head on his chest. I closed my eyes and listened to the sounds of nature around me.
"Tired?" Issun asked, noticing that my eyes were closed.
When he said that, I suddenly realized that I was tired. "Mm-hm," I muttered, nodding my head.
"I think we should go back, then."
"Yeah. Carry me?"
"But of course."
On the way back, I fell asleep in his arms, the sound of his heartbeat my lullaby . . .
o~*~o
Here I am again, lost in the world of darkness. I'm alone, but not for long. A man emerges from the shadows. He has raven-black hair and enigmatic red eyes, reminding me of Kagetatsu, the Shadow Dragon.
His gaze burns me down to my very core, much like Kagetatsu's gaze once did. I can't help but wonder if there's some sort of connection between the two . . .
The man draws closer and strokes my hair in a somewhat affectionate manner. I jerk away—his touch burned as hot as his eyes. "My dear. . ." he says, his voice creepy yet somehow alluring. "You didn't really think you could escape me, did you?"
"Who . . . Who are you?" I ask in a small voice.
"Why, do you not remember me? I suppose not. I am the one holding you captive. Call me . . . the Shadow Lord.
"But why? Why have you captured me?"
He laughs a sinister laugh. "Because you, my dear, will be the first of many sacrifices. You don't know it, but you possess great power . . . and I want it. Once I have consumed your soul, I will have enough power to shroud all in darkness. I will create a new world, one without light."
"I . . . I won't let that happen! And neither will my friends! Besides, I've already escaped your grasp; you don't have control over me anymore!"
"I do admit that your willpower is strong." Again, he laughs sinisterly. "But you simply cannot escape from the shadows. Shadows are everywhere you look; it's futile to try and hide from them. I may have lost my power over you temporarily, but that is only because I underestimated you. On the night of the lunar eclipse, my powers will be at their strongest, and you won't be able to fight me off like you did this time."
The man disappears, and the scene changes into the night sky. I can see that the moon is nearly gone—the aforementioned eclipse is close at hand. But how close?
Suddenly, the moon sinks below the horizon to be replaced by the sun, and then the sun set and the moon came back at an incredibly fast rate. I assume that one cycle of this represents one day. The cycle repeated three times—three days. The moon came up again, this time totally gone—the lunar eclipse, the new moon. So that's all I have left. Just three days . . .
o~*~o
I woke up the next morning in my usual spot under the sacred tree. Three days . . . and one of those was already gone. That meant I only had two days left to spend in Kamiki . . . and with Issun.
I rose to my feet, only to fall back down again. My legs had given out in a moment of temporary weakness. This was curious, but I decide to leave things be. I tried again, and this time I was successful. But my legs . . . they felt like jelly, and it was hard to walk.
Struggling now with each step, I made my way up to the sacred deck. Once there, I collapsed, exhausted from the effort. I was losing strength with each passing moment, and I knew it would soon get to the point where I wouldn't be able to move, just like before . . .
I knew it was his doing. As he got stronger, I got weaker. There was nothing I could do, except wait. Wait for him to come get me . . .