Hello again! How are you people? :D
Thanks once again to all those who reviewed. For those who were expecting Shizuru, I'm sorry but she won't be in here till later in the story. Probably 3 or 4 chapters away. I know its kinda far but I gotta build the story first :3
Natsuki has not met with Shizuru yet. I don't want to give anything away so that is the most I can say at this point.
I had already written this chapter awhile ago but when I read through, it felt like it was so short. So I tried to come up with other things to put in here. XD
In the end when I typed it out, it was no different from the chapters before and the part that I added made it even longer! So this chapter is longer than previous ones, hehe. But not by much actually. The next chapter is even longer. I'm actually contemplating whether to cut it into two parts or not; to even it out... Its not completely done yet, half of the second part is still in the thinking stage but the first part is mostly done.
I was supposed to post this yesterday but I had to put it off to today. I had allotted a time slot for me to type it all out but it took longer than expected. Sorry, I type like a turtle :3
The funeral was quiet one. Only family and close friends attended the affair. These were the exact same people who had attended their wedding and unfortunately, they came for a funeral as well. A funeral for their dear beloved Kaya.
Everyone was already inside when Natsuki chose to enter the building with her daughter. When she opened the door, all eyes turned towards them. She almost collapsed under the intense stares they gave her. She could see their sympathy and sadness. They knew how much she loved Kaya as well as vice versa. You could never find a couple so meant for each other, they thought. Separating them was like cutting a person in half and they didn't dare to imagine how hurt she felt right now. So they stared with consoling eyes, silently telling her that they would be there for her if she needed them.
They walked slowly across the room, their hands held tightly. They gave support to each other as they came closer and closer to the coffin in the front. They stopped a metre away before going to their seats right next to Kaya's parents, the Arikawas.
The funeral service went by too fast in Natsuki's eyes. She couldn't bear to face the end of it where she had to say her last goodbye. She watched the whole thing with teary eyes. To her right, Shizuka was sitting quietly with her head hung low. To her left, the Arikawas were there occupied in silent prayer, their hands clung to each other. When they lifted their heads, they looked at her. Kaya's mother Emiko, the parent sitting closest to her placed a hand on her shoulder in a show of support and comfort. They would get through this together.
The priest came then, with a somber look on his face. The death of a person was not something one would be happy for; at least not to anyone sitting this room at this very moment. With arms stretched forward, he began.
"We are gathered here today to say farewell to a person. A person who was loved by many, especially all those sitting in this very room…," he started.
"…take care of her, God. We won't question why you took her away from us so soon but we hope she's in a better place. Bless her soul as well as her family's and also bless everyone here so that they may be able to move on with their lives even though one of their loved ones has left to join you."
Before they knew it, they were now lowering the coffin into the earthen ground below where it'll dwell with the many others situated inside the graveyard. The close members of the family stood there, huddled up together saying their final goodbye. Natsuki tried hard to reign in her tears but one tear managed to slip out and fall onto the coffin.
"Goodbye Kaya, my love. May you rest peacefully in heaven."
She felt a warm breeze caressing her cheeks and somewhere deep within her, she knew that it was Kaya comforting her.
They covered the coffin with earth, burying it till the naked eye could not see. After one final look towards her grave, everyone left towards Natsuki's house where condolences were exchanged and hugs as well. Each person relayed their heartfelt sympathy as they too felt sad. It was everyone's lost. Kaya was a daughter, wife, mother and friend. She was dear to everyone and anyone who knew her and befriended her as well as loved her. So it was natural that everyone cried when Chie, Natsuki and Kaya's friend since high school, revealed a video depicting Kaya's life.
There were many pictures in the video; all with a smile on Kaya's face. Her smile brought bittersweet smiles on everyone's faces as they watch the heartwarming video. Emiko was the first to tear up at the sight of her baby. From there, everyone else followed.
There were a few that did not as they felt the need to stay strong. These were the ones who offered their shoulders to cry on and kept the crowd from breaking down. It's bad enough that they've lost a loved one; they didn't want anyone else to follow after her.
It came as a surprise when suddenly, Kaya's voice echoed across the room. In the video, Kaya fleeted across the screen. Natsuki recognized the clip. It was the one she took last summer.
She stood in the middle of a garden with a white summer dress on and a Sunday hat sitting on top of her auburn tresses. Her face sported a wide smile and when she opened her mouth to speak, it came out graceful and gentle.
"Why, hello there. Where did you get that camera, Natsuki?"
"I bought it yesterday for our picnic today. I wanted to treasure this moment we are going to spend together," Natsuki's reply came.
"Oh how sweet of you, Natsuki-chan! I have always loved this thoughtful side of you," Kaya spoke as she inched closer to the camera.
She turned the camera so that it faced towards both of them so it captured her kissing the cheek of her lovely wife and not forgetting, the deep blush that followed.
"Ara, I love that blush of yours too. So adorable," she teased happily with a grin.
"Kaya!" Natsuki playfully scolded her. She too, grinning.
"Mama~!" a cry came interrupting their little moment.
Shizuka appeared on screen as she ran towards both her mothers and hugged their legs. She was three at the time, much too short to reach to reach the height of their waist.
"Shizuka!" both of them cried.
Kaya then reached down and carried Shizuka in her arms.
"Shizuka-chan, are you ready for our picnic?" she asked.
"Uh-huh. I can't wait to taste mummy's tasty dishes and also play games with Natsuki-mama," excitedly she exclaimed.
"Ara, what about me? Does Shizuka not want to play with mummy?"
Kaya pouted at her, causing Shizuka to stumble for words. The camera distanced itself capturing every moment.
"No…of course I want to, mummy! I just…don't want to tire you…I know mummy is not as energetic as mama and I…so I thought that mummy would like to rest."
"Ara, my dears are being so sweet today! You are just like your mama so caring and adorable. What have I done to deserve this?"
"You deserve this by loving us so much, my love," Natsuki said as the camera came closer and closer until it was finally put on the ground but still at an angle where it captured the family in an embrace and a mutter of affirmative from Shizuka.
The video ended as Kaya wound her arms around them, smiling with slight tears in her eyes as she told the both of them,
"I love you."
The wind always had a calming effect on her. It was able to lift up her spirits in time of trouble or despair. From where she stood, the smell of the ocean wafted through her nostrils and the crashing waves composed a song. This place was sort of like a place of comfort. It felt like her parents were here, their very presence a strong existence. Every time she was down she felt compelled to ride her motorcycle to this spot where she would then overlook the cliffs and maybe utter a few words. And just feel at peace.
She wasn't sure why she considered that place strong of her parents' presence; maybe it was the fact that this was the place where they plunged to their deaths. They never did find their bodies; the raging waves a testament to how strong the ocean was. Her parents sacrificed life and limb to make sure their family was safe and alive, her life now a result of that. Because of them she was able to live and to love.
"Hey papa, mama. I hope you're doing well up there. Have you seen Kaya? She's up there with you guys too," she started, feeling a bit talkative today.
"You finally get to see her in person!"
She chucked a bit, looking towards the sky. It was beginning to turn orange.
"What do you think? Do you think that I made the right choice in marrying her? Can you feel the love we have for each other?"
Her eyes twinkled as she spread her arms wide. Gentle was her voice even when she spoke loudly; so they could listen clearly every word that was said.
"I'm sure you like her just as I said you would when I came here the day before our wedding."
In her hands were flowers; three vibrant Sunflowers, as bright as the Sun. One was for her dear father, another for her darling mother and the last for her loving, beautiful wife. Three of the most important people in her life who unfortunately had to leave her sooner than she would have liked.
"I hope everyone is happy up there so I won't feel so sad that you guys are gone."
She threw them into the ocean, letting them float to wherever the sea might take them. A smile spread across her face as she looked up at the setting Sun.
"Goodbye. I'll come again sometime."
With that she left on her Ducati, back to where her daughter was.
"Where did you go, mama?" Shizuka asked as she stood at the doorway, watching her mother pull to a stop.
"I went out for some fresh air, Shizuka."
The helmet she adorned was taken off slowly as she turned to look at her daughter.
"Why didn't you take me with you?"
Her chest bubbled with unease at the look she gave her. Those eyes looked sad from where she was.
"Ah gomen, Shi-chan. I needed some time to myself. I didn't mean to make you feel left out. Didn't you have a nice time with grandma and grandpa?"
"It was nice but I want to spend time with mama."
Shizuka pouted at her, making her feel guilty. She patted her head when she got closer and once again apologized.
"Gomen ne. I needed to have a private conversation with some people close with me. How's about I bring you with me next time as a token of an apology?"
"You promise?"
"Cross my heart."
She smiled reassuringly with her had to her chest.
"Good."
Shizuka smiled too and grabbed her hand to pull her into the house.
"Had a nice 'talk' with them?" Emiko's voice sounded as they entered.
"Yeah, I haven't done it in awhile. I can just imagine them apprehending me for neglecting to visit them," she said, joking at the last part.
"I'm sure they would. This coming from a parent like myself," Emiko replied.
"If it were me, I would have given her a good long lecturing for such behaviour," Gensou, Kaya's father joined in.
He laughed at Natsuki's slight apprehensive look at his words.
"You wouldn't."
"On contrary my dear, yes, I would. So don't you dare try to neglect visiting us. This old man and his wife love their daughter and granddaughter very much even if we're not related and would be very upset if they don't get to see them once in awhile."
He gave a faux angry look to Natsuki and she just smiled at him.
"We are related! Ever since I chose to marry Kaya, we have always been family. Don't you forget that. And no, of course we will never forget to always visit you, right Shizuka?"
She looked at her daughter, whom, like her, also smiled.
"Yes, of course!"
She raised her arms as an emphasis. They all laughed heartily and when Emiko suggested they sit down for dinner, they all went into the dining room.
Dinner was simple from whatever ingredients Emiko could find in the kitchen but it was delicious and felt like home. They shared some small talk, most of which was remembering Kaya in good times. Shizuka was delighted to hear about her mother's younger days. None of them showed any feelings of sadness or pain as they enjoyed reminiscing about the past with smiles on their faces. A time where Kaya brought joy into their lives.
Author's note:
Sunflowers signify pure thoughts. It symbolizes adoration and dedication and is symbolic of dedicated love. Well, that's what the website told me. I also used it because I love them :D
Besides, don't you feel happy when you see them? I do. I feel like if she gave them them sunflowers, it was like she was wishing them well. In my opinion, anyway.