"abc"- in a flashback; when someone's speaking English
I just found out that there was a movie called Spirited Away, and that REALLY surprised me. The plot is different from this one of course, but it was amazing to see something with the same title. I even found out that there was a fanfic author with the name Vidka... God, that is SO coincidental, don't you think? And kinda freaky since it was just a name on the top of my head.
*Flashback*
A Porsche was parked in the driveway and a woman with a round baby bump stepped out. Seeing her husband on the summer porch, she excitedly walked toward him to deliver the wonderful news.
"Honey! We're going to have twins!" Julie happily explained. She just got back from and got the ultrasound scans. On them were a picture of two unborn babies. "We're going to have two boys!" she also said. She was too happy for words.
Kuu laughed as he saw her gush at her stomach, asking his boys whether or not they want something to eat and if they were hungry. "That's great! We're going to be parents of two already!"
"Yes!" she smiled as she reached out for a sandwich that was on the table. Kuu was already eating lunch and had twenty on his plate. It wouldn't hurt to take one... or two from him.
She sat in a chair next to him and nibbled her sandwich. It was with Swiss cheese and salami—her favourite! Eating the triangled sandwich, she looked up at her husband. "What should we name them?"
"I'm not sure... I checked all of the names in that book I bought last week, but I couldn't find one that was interesting. I want a name that isn't so common, and a name that would fit the name Hizuri." She leaned her head on Kuu's shoulder. "A name that describes him... Hey! What about a Japanese name?"
"Why Japanese?"
"Well, you're Japanese, and your name can put characters together to form names."
"So? Every single name has a meaning. Like your name for example." He ran his fingers through her hair. She giggled as he kissed her cheek. "It's Latin for youthful, beautiful, soft-haired, all that is what you are."
"Oh, stop." She lightly slapped his shoulder. She would be lying if she said she didn't like her husband's compliments, but if he did anymore, she would be blushing till her face lit on fire. And no kidding, he has done that many times.
"What should we name them...?" Julie mumbled to herself. "A name is really important. I want it to be perfect where our child would be proud to have that name." She reached for her water bottle across the table. She drank a couple before pondering. "I know one should be Japanese... and the other Russian?"
"Ah... is it because I'm half Japanese and you're half Russian?"
"Yep!" she grinned wildly. "The oldest gets the Russian name, while the youngest get the Japanese."
"Hey... why can't it be the other way around?" He munched on another sandwich, and drank his tea. He took a quick sip before she answered.
"Huh. Funny, I didn't think this was going to be a contest." She finished hers and headed for the stairs. "I'm going to take a nap, and don't try to wake me up!"
Of course he wouldn't. He already knew that waking her up meant seeing a cranky Julie.
"So you chose the name Kuon? What does that mean in Japanese?" she asked, as she was polishing the dishes dry. When she was certain they were all dry, she handed them to Kuu, who was in charge of putting the dishes in the cupboard this time.
"It means ancient or faraway. I hope our son grows old and becomes as famous as us; and he would never be faraway apart."
She chuckled. "Hey, no fair! I didn't think of a name yet and you did?" she tapped her chin. "What to name him... What to name him..."Her response was a small kick in her stomach. "Haha. A short name, you say?" She looked through the tinted windows and saw a sliver of light break the clouds. In its path was a flock of birds. "Uriil."
"Hmm? Did you say something, dear?"
She nodded her head, showing that glowing smile that he fell in love with. "Uriil means "god is my light" in Russian. Our oldest will be the first to come out into the light and he will have god to thank him for his arrival." She made her way to her chair and slumped back down. Her palm rested her head. "But maybe Uriel would be better; it still had the same meaning."
"A beautiful name from a beautiful woman." He placed the last dish away and came over to kiss her forehead. Her smile brightened even more as she laid a tiny peck on his cheek.
"Let's let our children see how wonderful we are then." She gave one last longing look at her tummy."I can't wait until they're born." she whispered.
The shinigami zipped his jacket and stared at his reflection. In front of him, he was a mess. He didn't know what to believe anymore. How was he going to tell Vidka?
"I no longer deserve her anymore," he mumbled, touching the cold glass. He slid them, and gave out invisible tears on his cheeks. "I'm not the one."
He walked away, opening the door, and slowly made his way down the stairs. When he saw Vidka in her desk as always, he noticed her smile.
I'm... going to make that smile disappear soon if I tell her.
Vidka, not wasting a moment when she saw him, stood up to walk to him.
"Crésho!" Vidka wrapped her arms around his. "I got to eat a crème brûlée in France yesterday! In France! Can you believe it! You should try some when you get there." She continued to talk until she saw his eyes wander. "Crésho?"
Crésho gulped loudly, unable to look at her. Feeling her arms tighten, he soon couldn't take it anymore. "I don't think we should be together anymore."
Vidka stood still. The place went quiet enough to hear a pin drop. Of course, instead of a pin, her tears were heard. A single tear dripped in front of him, falling down soundly and sparkling off as it bounced."Why?" He panicked a little when more tears broke through her usual happy self. "Why do you say that?"
He was going to go with his original plans, telling her the truth, but he bit his lip. The truth would be more hurtful. "I... love someone else. I'm... sorry."
There was more silence, until she asked, "Who do you love now?"
"Hmm?" Crésho saw her crying some more. She was now trembling. Was this a mistake? Should he have said like that? Was it too late to say the truth?
"Whatever." She turned her heels, went back to her seat, and started typing. "I... I hope you and her be happy together!" Vidka forced a smile; softly more tears fell.
"Vidka, I-!"
"Just forget it!" she wiped her tears, though more were shed. "Is that all?"
"I-!" It's... too late. "Yes, it is."
He bowed down, a perfect ninety degree angle, and strode off. When he turned to a corner, he heard her sniffles turn into wails.
I'm sorry.
"Idiot... why didn't you just tell her what you saw?" God plucked some grapes from the vine, dropping them into a crystal bowl on the tree stump table. "How many times do I have to tell you to ignore that stupid power of yours?"
"It's not stupid!" argued Crésho. "It was because of that "stupid power" that I met Vidka!"
"Right... and the ability to tell who matches who is such a great power..."
Well... not when you put it that way... "I... the arrow I usually see on Vidka's head was pointing somewhere else; same with mine. If I told her I was basing our break up with that, then she would... then she would definitely hate me more than what she is feeling right now."
"Again, it's still stupid." He waved to his servant to place the grapes in his mouth.
Crésho furrowed his eyebrows miserably and slumped his shoulders down. "I'm never wrong. I can tell who matches who. And Vidka's arrow pointed to an... unborn baby."
"PFFT!" The older man splattered the chewed grape bits at his servant. "I'm sorry. Now..." He turned his attention to Crésho and shouted, "ARE YOU MAD? You gave her up because of what you saw? Argh, if I wasn't so soft hearted, I would have thrown you out of the sky for your punishment!"
"But it's what I saw. Her arrow was pointing at him." He looked straight on, showing he meant his words. "Maybe he is the one for her."
"Are you saying she should belong to a human? Are you mad in the head?" God hit his head. He tightened his jaws and his fists. "Out of everyone who has come to me, this is the most delusional! What do you expect me to do about it?"
"So you knew I needed your help?"
"Of course I did. No one comes up here for no reason. Unless they want to exercise by using that never ending staircase. It must be something that you even made it without huffing."
"You're not always here! I was told you were and- oh, never mind. Is it possible to bring a baby here in Heaven and turn it into a shinigami?"
That put God in a dilemma. "Bring... a baby here- Are you planning to kill it?"
"Just take it through the Gateway of Heaven. I'll do it quick and-"
"And you want my permission?.!" his voice boomed the room. "For such a ridiculous request?"
"Yes, I-"
"Out! Out I say!"
He obeyed and went to the door.
He didn't say no, so I guess I can.
"NO! GET AWAY FROM ME!" the woman screamed as her eyes flashed toward the shinigami in front of her. All of the doctors were looking at her, ridiculing her. Why couldn't they see the person above her?
Julie screamed more loudly as Crésho dug deeper into her stomach. His eyes focused closely on the baby's soul and wondered why it was taking so long. Was it because the woman was struggling? Then, he noticed it.
There were two inside.
Twins? Ah, no wonder I can't get the soul perfectly.
"Lady," he looked up and grinned, "sorry, but I'm going to take one of your children."
After he said that, when Uriel was delivered, he was already a limp baby, not crying or struggling like a normal healthy baby should. Two minutes later, Kuon was born.
When Julie was able to hold her baby, she let out a few tears. She regretted by the fact she couldn't save Uriel from... from... whatever that was!
"I don't want another baby to go away. Please Kuon, don't ever leave me," she whispered her wish, and kissed his forehead.
"YOU IDIOT!" God slapped the foolish man hard till he fell down to the floor. "Didn't I say for you not to kill the baby?"
"I didn't kill it. I just took its soul," he touched his cheek, uncaring for the stinging pain, and looked down at the baby. "Can you let Vidka take care of him?"
"Y-you! You dare make me take orders from you?" he was about to conjure another argument until he saw Crésho's eyes.
"Please! I beg of you!" he bent down, letting the baby's head touch his knees. It giggled as it chewed on his flowing hair. "I only want Vidka to be happy!"
His lord became silent until... "On one condition."
"Y-yes?"
"Vidka assumes that the reason why you broke up is because you fell in love with someone else."
Crésho's eyes widened. "What? But-"
"If I recall, that's what you told me. Your arrow is pointing at someone else right? Take yourself and let you go to that person. If that's what you want."
He slowly nodded, and handed the baby to him.
God naturally held it, ignoring the baby's squirms, and smiled at it. When Crésho left, he was only left with thoughts.
"Child, I'll name you Tsuki, for the darkness seemed to catch you. You'll find light one day, probably with Vidka, and I'll let you reunite with your brother some day." He glanced up. "Some day."
"GAH! Mom, I can't breathe! I- garggh chok!" Kuon doubled over and tears flowed out of his eyes. When his father stopped his mother from choking him any further, he was already spitting out the food into the garbage can under their sink. At a later time, he went to the toilet to spill the contents of his stomach. Really, his mother was always forceful for the family to get together.
"Why is Mom like this?" he asked at night when Kuu came to tuck him in. He was handed a warm cup of milk with honey, and he drank it all. He wiped some off his lips and sighed at his father. "I can't help it if I don't like her cooking."
His father laughed at this. "But she worked hard to make it for you."
"And she forces herself to eat it, along with forcing me. She doesn't have to force you," He stared at Kuu's stomach, laughing when his father winced when he poked it, "since you can eat around a 50 meal course! You're amazing!"
"Aw... I wouldn't call it amazing..." he rubbed his head shyly. "Someday you might eat like me one day!"
"I doubt I would. I don't want to be a glutton and eat to the point a black hole is replaced for my stomach."
"Oh, Kuon. There is no black hole in my stomach."
"Are you sure?"
"... I'm positive."
"Are you sure?" Kuon repeated.
Instead of answering, Kuu just laughed again. "Kuon, I'm pretty sure that if I had a black hole for a stomach, you would have one too. If I wasn't human, then you're not human." He ruffled his son's hair playfully. "Although you don't look like you're human. You're the most wonderful boy in the world; never boasts about you're talents; you're modest; you can do three back flips in SUCH a young age; you're amazing at memorizing my scripts, even though some you had to look them up; your beauty is equal to my Julie, and no one can beat her but you; and-"
"I get it already!" A hand managed to muffle his father, though it usually couldn't sometimes. Other times, his father would even notice a hand was on him and he would list forever, till he suddenly forgot he was on Earth, not Boasting Island.
Kuon laid down and pulled the sheets closer to him. "Boast all you want, I still don't get why Mom keeps wanting us to be together so much. I understand that we should, but isn't she always overprotective? I mean, it seems weird."
A small ruffle was formed into a fur ball on his head. "HEY! DAD!"
"Just be grateful your mother cares for you,"Kuu sighed as he got off the bed and he turned the knob slowly. The door was about to open, until he added, "You could have been stuck with a mother that didn't care if you lived or not."
When he closed the door, Kuon was still shocked. His father usually was this happy-go-lucky guy. Why did he suddenly become depressed?
Behind the door, Kuu had his back toward his son's door.
"My own parents only cared about me. They didn't care about my sister at all. It went to the point where... she didn't find life meaningful," He covered his eyes, silently crying. "Kuon, be grateful that Julie isn't like your grandparents. Be grateful that you weren't driven to the point where you wanted to die. Die like my sister Vera."
A teenaged girl appeared in his mind. Her hair was fiery and long and her eyes... The colour was so dark that it looked as if they were black as they blended well with her pupils. Her eyes were once brown, but they soon darkened every day as Kuu stole her attention. Her parents never liked her. They never even acknowledged her.
Her hair that was just tied up in a ponytail was released as the wind blew at it, making it prance around the air. She looked at him and tried to smile, but she shook it off. She was currently over the side of a cliff. Kuu saw this, and ran to stop her, but it was too late.
"Kuu, g-good bye."
And that was the last he saw her. When Kuu got down to the bottom of the cliff, he saw a sharp stalagmite piercing through her back. Blood was splattered everywhere, and her eyes were as dark as ever.
There wasn't even a funeral for her, and his parents barely changed at all. They weren't even affected by her death.
Angry at his parents, he soon left home to become an actor, one of the few dreams he still held on when his parents refused them. His dreams weren't crushed. They were the ones that Vera cheered on for him when his parents only loved him for the fact that he was smart and talented. That's all they cared about. Someone that they could boast to other parents as if they didn't see him as a person.
Vera was different. His sister... now that she was gone, he couldn't just fail her and make his parents force him to go into the world of law. No, that wasn't what he wanted. He didn't want to hold a attaché case and become a lawyer. That wouldn't be him.
"Kuu!"
Kuu looked up and saw a small illusion of his sister in front of him. While he was in front of his son's door, he suddenly saw a memory of his childhood.
"Kuu, I don't like the name Vera."
"Why don't you?" Kuu patted her head. He was in the middle of treating her wounds that she received from their parents. She didn't get a high mark again, and her P.E. mark was getting lower by 17%. That was a fail to their parents, and she was brutally slapped just to be disciplined. Like that would help her up her marks.
"Dad and Mom named it, but they don't like me. You're better than me, and they only care about you."
"Vera, I-"
"Please, a name is important, but they don't call me by name. They call me a failure or a disgrace."
"But... what do you want to do about it? Vera, I can help you with school. I've told you that I don't mind helping you and..."
She shook her head. "Call me Vidka from now on. It's not a name from any country that I know of, and it's unique. It doesn't exist, just like what I should be. I bet it would be better to everyone if I was dead."
You idiot, thought Kuu as he saw the memory vanish before his eyes. You were only 16 when you committed suicide. Don't you think that me, the older brother, would miss you?
"Vera... no, Vidka, I wish I could see you again."
*End of Flashback*
I finally finished my English presentation! But I still have my French presentation to go. I hope, and I really do hope this, that the Job Action in Canada won't interfere with my marks for the year... I really need the credits to pass high school!
And from the beginning, I wanted Vidka to be once Kuu's sister. I don't think anyone remembers, but in one of the chapters I wrote, Vidka says, "At least you have family," to Tsuki (not directly though)
Sorry with just flashbacks! Gomenasai if I disappointed everyone again! (BOWS HEAD IN SHAME!)