Forever Love 4/?

[Sissi]

Forever Love
By : Sissi
Chapter IV



Splash. Splash. Splash.

Her small wooden sandals hit the water puddles, sending dark drops of the liquid everywhere. She paid them no heed, all that mattered was the fact that she was being locked away with a man she did not even knew. Could there be any worse fate?

The rain had started a few minutes ago, its strong force cleaning the earth, along with Megumi’s pale face and once beautifully broided kimono. Huge dark circles where the raindrops had previously hit were already growing larger, wetting her and probably sending chills down her spine. The cold wind blew against her wet clothes, making her shiver uncontrollaby. She tried to cross her arms, to protect herself from the harsh weather all in vain. The best thing to do would be to change her clothes, but it was impossible at the moment.

She was running away.

She could still remember the shock she felt when she eavesdropped mama-san and Enishi talking. They had barely pronounced her fate when she let the basin she was carrying fall on the floor and flee away. Of course, her reaction was not that quick; it had taken her some seconds to everything to settle inside her mind. Once it did, she felt a strange numbness infiltrate her body, taking control of her. Her legs had moved without her permission, all she cared for was the fact that she had been eventually locked, just like a small bird inside a cage. A golden cage, it was true, but still a cage.

She would never be free.

Then, why was she running ? Did she have the slightest hope of
escaping from this destiny that she had not planned for herself?

No, she knew it was futile. Then why? Because she wanted to stay away and cry. Cry her heart out, let the entire Japan know of her grief and misery, let them all pity her so that maybe she could die in front of their eyes, because she could not survive much longer. A caged bird never sings beautiful songs, only melancholic ones. It would be the same for her. She would not be the same Megumi ever again. She would only be a porcelain doll, souless.

Heartless.

Because Aoshi has already taken her heart.

Stopping for some minutes, Megumi leaned against a wall, her breath hard and quick. Placing a pale hand on her chest, she closed her eyes and tried to calm down. It would not be good for her health, especially being caught in such a strong storm. If she did not look after herself, she might get sick and get some disease the gaijins had brought to Japan.

She lifted her face and watched the grey sky with sad eyes. Opening her hands, she caught some raindrops with her palms and closing them, she could feel the silky texture of the rain. It flowed inside her palm, the cool liquid traveling through the wrinkles her hands formed once they were closed.

Her tears were just like this, only saltier and mingled with the rain.

She looked at the sky once again and laughed. What was it a gaijin had once told her? That the rain was actually God’s tears, crying for His children? Well, she mused, then He must be probably crying for her for she had never seen such a storm till that day when her life turned upside down, literally.

Ah...this gaijin who taught her about his God... He had been so sweet, looking at her with sad eyes once he had learned about her job. The old priest had pitied her then. Would he feel the same if he saw her now?

Probably. The old man had a huge heart with unlimitless kindness. Just like her father. Just like Aoshi.

Aoshi...

She gave a sad smile to the thin air that surrouded her. He could not be very warm in front of strangers, but once one learned about his true nature, one would discover the kind and loving man that he truly was. Under his cool fa?ade stands a caring man. That was how he had captured her heart. Ever since she had met him in Aizu, when his father had been sick.

So many years ago...

It sounded like a past life, she thought bitterly. Oh, how she
would love to go back and relive the happy moments she had shared with Aoshi, with her family, with her friends...but she could not. It was all buried in the past, in her memories and there was no way to go back in the time. Men have not accomplished this yet. Maybe in the future, they could build some strange and marvelous machine which could travel through time. Only then would she be able to be happy again.

For now, she ought to see her options, which in true, weren’t many. She could either try escaping or staying with Enishi. She frowned. No, anything was better than relinquish her freedom. She would escape, even if she died trying it.

Looking around, the eery silence caught her attention. Very strange...

Where was everyone?

Not even the sound of wind could be heard. The Mother Nature was also silent, as if telling her that something bad would happen. But what?

Something was wrapped around her face, a wet cloth drenched with some sweet smelling liquid.

She could feel her muscles stiff with the unexpected attack but she was no fool. Her body immediately moved, starting to kick and punch at her attackers. The two men – the person holding her was way too strong to be a woman and the rough growl emmited from the other attacker indicated her that they were indeed male – took no heed of her small attacks, not strong enough nor precise to harm them. It only angered her.

The sweet scent infiltrating her body system was slowly taking effect. She could feel the same numbness from before attacking her nerves, making her drop her arms for it ached to let them upright and moving. Before she could lose conscience, she tried once more to escape.

She bit her attacker’s arm. Hard.

Hearing a yell, she threw away the arms around her and ran.
Who was she kidding? The road was too muddy and slippery, and because of her narrow kimono which trapped her legs, she could not run too much. Why was she running? She could never escape. Yet, she had to try.
She gasped when new arms encircled her waist and prevented her from flying away. How dare he?

Before she could say anything, she felt a sickening stinging sensation on her right cheek. He had slapped her.

She opened her eyes and glared. The man only seemed to enjoy the situation.

“So, this bitch has got some nerve, eh?”

“You bastard!” she cried out. The man only chuckled and held
her tighter.

Once again, the wet cloth was placed on her nose. She shook her head, but the hand holding the cloth was very strong and did not leave her face. Within minutes, she fell unconscious.

Darkness...it was so inviting that she could not help but let it claim her soul. As she closed her heavy eyelids, she noticed the small pink flowers blossoming on the floor near her.
Beautiful.


* * * * * * * * *


“Man, look what you did! You slapped her! Boss will be very mad at us!”

“Shut up and let’s go. He won’t notice this.”

“Yeah, right,” the other snorted, though inside, he was trembling with fear. Yukishiro-sama was not a man to be played with. Looking at his companion, Shinji gave a side glance to him. The other man, bulkier and more stupid if he may say so, had put Megumi’s body on his shoulder, carrying her like a sack of rice.

The pretty woman with whom they had fought – not that hard, true, but still, she had done well considering her gender and limitations – lay unconscious, a small trail of blood running down from her red lips. Somehow, Yusuke had hurt her cheek so that it had started to bleed from inside. He grimaced; they would surely be punished by the morning.

All he knew about this woman was that she was witty and had to be watched for. That was indeed true; the way she had almost escaped from them proved this. Yet...he felt strange about this entire ordeal. He shrugged. It was not his problem. If his boss wanted this woman, whether for his bed or for wife, he cared not, only that he was receiving money for this small ‘job’.

Yet...this woman made him feel something.

Guilt?

Perhaps.

Her hazel eyes had been so...sad.

He turned his head and watched her for some minutes. She was indeed beautiful, no wonder Yukishiro-sama wanted her. Such a pale skin and red lips, such silky and dark hair...

No, she was unreachable for him. He could only desire and dream, but never have. It did not mean he was nor feeling his body reacting to her proximity; actually, he could feel his body heat higher.
Ah...maybe just touch her skin...just a little...

“What’re ya doing?” Yusuke asked. Shinji retrieved his outstreched hand.

Impossible. For now.

“Nothing. Let’s walk faster.”

“Sure. Man, I’m hungry!” as if to show this, he slapped his belly and grinned.

“Let’s leave her as soon as possible. She smells trouble.” Shinji replied, barely restraining his voice, afraid it would betray him.

“Yup, let’s go.”

Shinji stole a last glance in her direction. Her long hair had long lost the pins holding it upright, making it fall on his companion’s back like a small dark waterfall.

What was it the Portuguese priests had told him once? Ah yes...Angels, magnificent creatures with holy beauty and endless love, along with huge white wings on their backs. One would know when one found them when one saw them.

Well, it seems that he has found one, only her wings has been ripped away from her.

The chilly wind blew by, taking with its transparent hand an unreal white feather that had fallen on the dirty ground.

Strange...

There had been no bird in the place.


TBC...

A/N: No mysticism here, I just thought it was cute the way this chapter ended. BTW, thanks Stella for your kind words. I feel thrilled to know such an awesome writer is reading my fic. Thanks, girl!

Sissi