Forever and a Day: The Unspoken Cross (Interlude)

At a point of time early on in my life, I thought having friends was unnecessary. I believed that I wouldn't need them as long as I had my family. I didn't need friends. I didn't want friends. That was until he showed up. He changed my life.

Now I know what you're thinking. You're all guessing that one day, some cute guy showed up and I fell head over heels for him as soon as I saw his face. And that he confessed his love for me and we lived happily ever after. Pfft. Yeah right. In fact, I couldn't think of anything worse than some stupid mushy-mushy fairytale bullshit like that. And instead of telling you what did happen, you'll just have to wait an see.

That stupid boy who picked me up and threw me in a whirlwind of joy, lies, and regrets.

Welcome to my past.

The pink petals of the cherry blossom trees slowly fell from their branches and swam slowly through the air in rhythm with the soft breeze onto the ground around the famous Sakura Church.

The tall stone statue of the church stood in between the cherry blossom trees, looming tall in the afternoon sun. Inside the building was a large crowd of people standing before a series of steps. At the top was a man named Mr Sakura. He was the owner of the church and minister who preaches to believers.

"... Christ's suffering was a real and meaningful substitutionary atonement for the punishment humans deserve, but Christ was not punished on behalf of the human race. Christ came to overcome death and corruption, and to remake humanity in God's image again."

Keep it up, Father. You're doing great. It's great to see all these people believing in your words.

Were the thoughts of a young girl who stood against the far wall behind the crowd. She looked around the age seven, with her red eyes long red hair reaching the middle of her back and a wide smile on her face. She was wearing an emerald green t-shirt, a white and blue striped knee-length skirt, and black sandals.

Standing next to her was a woman with short brown hair in a blue flowery dress holding a baby with a tuft of auburn hair. The woman turned over to the redhead. "You look particularly happy today, Kyoko."

Kyoko snapped out of her thoughts, and faced her mother. "I do?"

"Yes, has your father said something particularly inspirational today?" Nakane asked her daughter, who sound a distraction for her newfound embarrassment by smoothing her hair down her back.

"Y-you could say that." Kyoko stammered, and her mother smiled warmly. "That makes sense, he is gaining more confidence and followers, and with that comes his sense of achievement, along with the money, and he's saving the well being of this family as well. He loves us as much as he loves this world." She laid her eyes on her daughter. "Isn't that right?"

Kyoko chuckled, holding a hand behind her head sheepishly. "Yeah... Of course."

Silence fell on the family watching from behind, only Minister Sakura's booming voice was heard as whispers fell across the church.

To break the silence, the sound of a cheerful baby laughing in her mothers arms came suddenly. Kyoko and Nakane struggled to shush her as many looks fell their way. "Momo, Momo shush.." Kyoko begged to her baby sister, she heard someone whisper 'sinner' from the crowd, which made Kyoko frown.

Just as Nakane finished quieting her young child and all gaze was returned to the preacher, Kyoko spotted someone. He had bright green eyes and rough brown hair, the small boy was staring at her until he noticed Kyoko spot him, and turned back.

Kyoko lowered her hands from her sister. "Mama?"

Nakane stroked Momo's head. "What is it?"

"Are children usually allowed to listen to Papa's preaches?"

"You're a child aren't you?"

"No, that's not what I meant."

"?" Nakane glanced at the redhead. "Then I'm not sure, your father never told me." She paused. "Did you see a child in the crowd?"

"Yep." Kyoko answered. "A boy, he looked around my age."

"I should ask your father about that..." Nakane pondered, before turning back to Kyoko. "Would you think it's wrong to allow children other than you at his preaches?"

"If I listen to them and I'm fine, then he should be fine as well. Besides..." Kyoko smiled. "Papa's preaches are good for our souls, they will grant us protection from the gods that bring us sin."

"Kyoko... You have such intellectual speech for such a young age." Her mother giggled slightly.

Kyoko blushed in embarrassment. "I'm not an adult Mama."

Nakane laughed.

Kyoko walked through the streets, passing a cherry blossom tree. As the pink petals fell over her, one of them fell onto Kyoko's waiting hand, and she smiled.

She was proud of her father, she never realised how much of an inspiration he was to other people, until her mother brought her to her father's first preaching.

Kyoko leaned on the trunk of the cherry blossom tree, her head resting against a low branch. She closed her eyes.

Even at the age of seven, Kyoko had memorised many sermons that her father taught her, because she wanted to become just like him in the future. She looked up to her Dad as a person who gave hope, and saved other peoples lives, and give the people something to fight for.

"Geez.." Kyoko muttered to herself. "What's with me today?"

I look up to Papa. She thought. But I'm not old enough to preach things in the bible. That's Papa's job.

"Hello?"

Caught off guard, Kyoko spun around to catch a glance at the person who spoke.

Standing before her was the boy she had seen, a shy look covered his eyes. He bowed, and Kyoko lowered her guard. "What is it?"

"I'm waiting for my mother here. Can I stand with you?" The boy said shyly.

"Why are you nervous?" Kyoko asked simply. "It's fine."

The boy stood beside her, and stuffed his hands into the pockets of his three quarter jeans.

And with that, silence fell. Their short greeting had been enough to make Kyoko feel awkward.

Man... If he's feeling awkward, that's gonna make me feel nervous!

Kyoko straightened her jacket and turned the the brown haired boy. Noticing this, he turned.

Kyoko bowed. "What's your name?"

The boy stammered at the sudden greeting, his breathing hitched slightly as he spat out his name. "K-Kuroi Rokan."

"Can I call you Rokan?"

"Um..." Rokan blushed. "Sure." He paused. "Aren't you going to tell me your name?"

"My parents told me never to tell my name to strangers."

Rokan face palmed. "W-why did you greet me then?"

"It was getting awkward, I needed something to start a conversation."

"Ohh..."

Kyoko glanced at Rokan as he turned back to facing away from her. "Hey, I saw you at the church today."

The emerald eyed boy faced her. "You did? I saw you too!"

Kyoko's smile faltered for a second. "Wait... you said you were here alone... Did your parents actually leave you here on your own?"

Rokan nodded. "Anything to see Mr Sakura, he's my idol."

Kyoko grinned. "Of course, he's the best!"

"I saw you with your mother... Why are you walking around here?"

"Cause it's a nice day!"

Rokan winced. "Yeah..." He glanced up at the now cloudy sky, threatening to turn to rain. "Nice day..."

The two stood in silence, watching the bright pink cherry blossom petals fall as the breeze picked them up, tossing them across the air.

"Are you really not going to tell me your name?" Rokan piped up suddenly, making Kyoko jump.

"N-No way!"

"Why not?"

"I'm not allowed!"

"How old are you?"

"Seven."

"So am I!"

Kyoko paused. "What's your point?"

Rokan realised that his previous statement made no sense, and sweat dropped. "What I'm trying to say is, since you're not going to tell me your name, I'll make a nickname up for you!"

Kyoko groaned in annoyance. "Why?"

"Because I can!"

The redhead paused again, thinking. "What happened to your nervousness a minute ago?"

"I'm only nervous around people I don't know."

"But you don't know me."

"I'm about to."

Rolling her eyes, she watched as Rokan searched his landscapes. Kyoko raised an eyebrow. "Whatcha doing?"

His face lightening into a smile, he faced Kyoko again. "I know! Since I met you at the Sakura Church I'll call you cherry blossom!"

Kyoko froze, before cracking into a grin and chuckling. "Geez... That's my last name."

Rokan's eyes widened, looking suprised and shocked. "Ehh?! That means... are you the daughter of Mr Sakura?"

Kyoko cracked up at his reaction. "Yep, the preachers daughter."

Shock fading, Rokan grinned, his bright green eyes shining brightly. "I look up to your father a lot."

"I know. You told me before."

Rokan sheepishly laughed. "I guess.. I did." He paused. "But still, you're lucky to be Mr Sakura's daughter, you must be allowed to go to all of his preaches! Where as I only get to go to a few because my parents don't let me."

"I feel sorry for you. Papa's preaches are awesome, and inspiring."

Rokan grinned. "I know, cherry blossom."

Kyoko paused, before laughing. "D-Don't call me that.."

"What do I call you then?" Rokan said, almost smugly. "You still haven't told me your name."

"Kyoko. Sakura Kyoko."

Rokan paused. "Sakura Kyoko..." He held his hand to his chin in thought. "I like it."

"It wasn't your choice anyway, my parents chose that name."

Suddenly, a voice of an older woman interrupted the conversation. "Rokan! Let's go."

"Coming!" Rokan shouted. "I've gotta go sorry. Can I meet you here again tommorow?"

Kyoko blinked. "I.. Uhh... Sure!"

"Good." He waved and ran off. "See ya cherry blossom!"

The redhead blushed. "Don't call me that!"

Kyoko ran through the green grass, red hair flying wildly along with the wind. The clouded sky was pouring down lightly with rain. The redheads clothes were spotted with wet patches as her sandals stepped quickly and heavily onto the wet and muddy ground, her body threatening to lose balance.

Kyoko finally reached the church and flew open the doors. "Mama! Papa!" She called cheerfully. She ran up the steps, puffing.

"Kyoko." Her father stepped out from the shadows, wearing his usual black robes, donning a gold chain necklace that held a red gem. His face was holding a kind smile.

Kyoko's face lit up. "Papa!" She ran up to him. "You did great today!"

Mr Sakura wrapped his arms around his eldest daughter. "Did you like it?"

"Of course I did Papa!"

Her father smiled. "I'll be performing another sermon tomorrow. You have a choice if you want to come or not."

Kyoko's smile faltered. "Oh I um..."

"What is it?"

"I'm meeting with someone tommorow."

"A friend of yours?"

Kyoko paused, before nodding. "Is it alright?"

"Of course it is Kyoko."

"You don't usually preach two days in a row do you?"

"No, but the family looked particularly excited today.

Kyoko grinned. "Of course! Papa is exciting!"

Mr Sakura released her from his grip and patted her on the back. "That's good. Now get ready for dinner okay,"

"Okay." Kyoko said, and walked off.

Kyoko walked into her room and flopped onto the bed next to her sister's cot. She let out a sigh, and her lips turned into a satisfactory smile.

"Papa is amazing." She said to herself, Kyoko turned her head and met her baby sister's eyes.

"Momo?" Kyoko sat up and scooted over to her sister. "Go back to sleep."

Momo's bright red eyes stared at her elder sister worriedly as Kyoko stroked her head. "Can you not go to sleep?" She could tell that her sister couldn't, and smiled.

"Do you want me to sing to you?"

Momo lowered her head slightly in confirmation, and Kyoko smiled affectionately.

"Golden slumbers kiss your eyes,
Smiles await you when you rise.
Sleep,
Pretty baby,
Do not cry,
And I will sing a lullaby.
Cares you know not,
Therefore sleep,
While over you a watch I'll keep.
Sleep,
Pretty darling,
Do not cry,
And I will sing a lullaby."

Kyoko's soft voice eventually made Momo's eyelids close as the baby drifted off into a deep sleep. Kyoko stopped and patted her sisters head. She lay back on the bed and sighed.

"Man, I can't go to Papa's preach tomorrow." Kyoko stated in annoyance. "And it's all because of that boy..."

I'll call you cherry blossom!

The redhead's eyes widened slightly.

I let everyone die...

Kyoko clasped her mouth as she felt something wet fall down her now pale cheeks. Holding in a gasp, she sat up again, eyes wide as she wiped away the tear. "Why am I crying?" She asked herself, wiping the wet substance onto her black skirt.

"What did I just hear?"

Suddenly there was a knock on the door. Startled, Kyoko turned her head only to see her mother walk into the room. Upon seeing her shocked daughter, Nakane frowned in worry. "Is something wrong Kyoko?"

"Huh? No no!"

Nakane's expression softened, but her red eyes still held traces of concern. "Did you get Momo to go to sleep?"

Kyoko nodded. "I sung to her, she's pretty hard to get to sleep, why is she awake all the time? It's a pain."

"You were like that too Kyoko, when you were her age."

"I was?"

Nakane giggled. "Of course, but you can't remember that."

Kyoko raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

"Babies cannot remember anything, what's Momo was doing then, she doesn't know any of it is happening. When she is older she might have traces of memory from the experiences she had."

"Like I do?"

"Yes."

"But why do I have to sing her to sleep?"

Nakane sat next to her daughter on the bed and stroked her head. "Because you are her big sister, and the oldest, you need to take care of her."

Kyoko glanced at Momo, and a smile graced her lips. "Yeah."

The town was bustling, markets and churches were open. People walked around carelessly, while a small boy ran through the crowds.

The boy made his way to the Sakura Church, where he had met someone... Someone particularly unusual to him. His bright green eyes scanned the area, blowing away a bit of his fringe.

"Where is she?" Rokan said to himself, stuffing his hands in his jean pockets. He made his way over to the cherry blossom tree and leant against it, admiring the pink petals.

After a few minutes, the person he was waiting for did not come, he was about to leave until he heard the sound of footsteps coming towards him.

Turning, he saw Kyoko, she was puffing hard, her face was flushed as she ran towards him. When she finally reached him, Kyoko knelt down onto her knees to catch her breath.

"Hey... Rokan. Sorry I'm late."

Rokan was surprised for a few seconds, before chuckling. "There wasn't a time silly."

The emerald eyed boy grabbed Kyoko's arm and pulled her up, earning a glare from the redhead.

"What?"

"Don't touch me."

Rokan raised an eyebrow. "I was helping you."

"I was gonna help myself." Kyoko retorted, brushing the dirt off her denim shorts and her black top.

"Anyway, we meet again cherry blossom."

"Didn't I say not to call me that? Geez."

Rokan frowned. "What's wrong? You're edgy."

"Eh?" Kyoko stared at him. "I am?"

"Yeah. You 'Kay Kyoko?"

Kyoko noticed that Rokan called her by her real name and glanced at him, only to notice her companion's worried expression. "Well, um... My father was supposed to perform a sermon today, and I didn't get to go 'cause I was meeting up with you."

Rokan's bright green eyes widened before filling with tears in shame. "I'm sorry..."

"What?" Kyoko grabbed his wrists, which startled Rokan and made up look up at her. "Don't be sorry!" Kyoko pleaded. "It's fine!"

Rokan felt his wrists being dropped, and he rubbed his eyes. "I have an idea cherry blossom."

Kyoko frowned at the nickname. "What is it?"

"Do you wanna go to Mr Sakura's sermon?"

"But I'm with you for the day."

"I meant with me. Let's go together."

Kyoko's face lit up with a bright smile, she took Rokan's hand in her own. "Really?"

Rokan's face turned red at the sudden contact. "Y-yeah."

"Alright!" Kyoko jumped up in joy, and pulled him along to the church. "Thanks for this, really!"

Rokan's lips twisted into a relieved smile, his cheeks still tinged with a slight redness.

A/N: Here's a surprise! This chapter is written by me! Turns out my sister said she didn't want to write it cause it would take her too long. While she is writing she gets distracted, and if she wrote this it would probably be out by June...
Anyway I hoped you like this chap! A bit short, but I had a mental blank along the way, and I was completely stuck for a few days, seriously.
And yes, I made up the name for Kyoko's mum (mom as you Americans call it), although I refuse to name her Father, he is too important a character to be named. I was gonna call him Kiritsugu, like in Fate Zero, but I'm like NO!
And this interlude is not over, still a chapter or so to go!