SailorStar9: This is Chapter 2 of this fic. (Sighs) Guys and girls, is it too hard for you to leave a review, instead of just putting this fic up on your favorited list and story alerts?

Disclaimers: I own nothing, except for the plot bunny.

Chapter 2: The Summer Festival

"A festive." Ami skidded to a stop as she rounded the corner and spotted the notice board after her trip to the grocer's. "Today is the last day. I wonder if Kai and Miwa are free today. I guess I'll take a little detour just to make sure. He's not here after all…" she sighed, stopping in front of the Kai household.

"Ami." Kai called. "Up here." He waved from his room window.

"Were you shopping?" the brunette inquired, seeing the grocery bags in her hands.

"I was," Ami replied. "But I'm done now."

"If you don't mind, you can take a short break." Kai offered.

"Is that all right?" Ami wondered.

"Yeah," Kai nodded. "Mom made some sweets too. Wait just a bit. I'll be right down."

"Here." Kai presented the green tea before his guest, along with a plate of home-made wagashi.

"Well, summer's nearly over." Ami took a sip. "And have you finished your summer vacation homework yet? Why am I not surprised?" she sighed as Kai chuckled nervously. "I'm sure you'll be seeing hell on the last day of summer."

"Don't remind me." Kai whined, slumping on the table. "By the way, did you know about the festive going on?"

"Yes." Ami nodded. "I was planning on inviting you and Miwa to go later."

"Do you know where it is?" Kai asked. "I'll ask Miwa on your behalf."

"Tsukihime Shrine." Ami replied.

"It's this late already?" Ami took a look at the chiming clock. "I have to go home."

"Are you in charge of something today?" Kai peered at her almost full carrier bag. "I'll take you home. Your carrier bag looks quite full, and I think you might have a hard time."

"That looks good on you." Mrs Kai gushed, having accompanied the two children to the Shrine entrance. Miwa was absent as he and his family were still on vacation.

"My mother made it for me last year." Ami blushed, now dressed in her handmade kimono.

"Let's go." Kai muttered, pulling Ami into the temple. "You want that red one?" he asked, Ami having failed once again to fish out the water balloon. "Sir." He handed the vendor a coin. "Here." He smiled, handing Ami the water balloon.

Mrs Kai chuckled as Ami threw herself into her son's arms, giving him a tight hug. "What should we do next?" she inquired.

"The ring toss." Ami stammered, both pre-teens jumping apart.

"It's crowded…" Ami gaped, a huge crowd had already gathered at the ring toss stand. "Looks like it'll be awhile."

"Looks that way." Kai agreed.

"Shall we go look at the other places?" Mrs Kai suggested.

Mrs Kai just smiled as she left the two pre-teens under the sacred redwood tree in the back of the Shrine.

"Fireflies?" Ami blinked, as a few glowing dots zipped past them and hovered in the branches of the tree.

"It's beautiful." Kai murmured, entranced as the entire tree lit up with a hundred of the brilliant points of light.

"Yeah…" Ami breathed.

The moment was interrupted when Mrs Kai returned with three snow cones in hand and the dots scattered, startled. "Shall we be going now?" she smiled, handing the sweets to the two children.

"Right." Kai nodded as Ami cast another glance over her shoulder before leaving. The tree was dark and silent now. The only lights were from the multitude of stars above. They continued to shine down as the pair left the area, casting their faint light on the leaves.

And the tree waited.

SailorStar9: Now that's done, read and review.