Apparently, a huge storm took over the skies. The heavy downpour made it hard to move around in the open. The blinding flashes of the thunderbolts lit up the dark ominous night.
In the midst of that all, a child could be seen on the streets. He must be trying to reach somewhere, and must be in a hurry. Despite the intensity of the storm, he was struggling on his foot, refusing to give in.
His weak little body all weared out of strength, was bashed down on the ground, unmercifully by the monster winds. Yet, he was defiant unwilling to abide, while the overpowered storm kept toying with him.
The child had a little pouch in his hands. He held onto it firmly, must be something of great importance. He kept walking, a few steps forth and then pushed back a few more steps. Depite the setbacks, he was adamant.
Though it was not as if, his only worry was the wretched storms. He came out more oblivious than brave.
The howling winds and the roaring thunders didn't terrify him, for a thought more horrible was nibbling down on his mind. The more he struggled to eliminate it, the thought came forth as much persistent.
At long last, he wrestled his way and was finally able to make his path to the little hut, his home; it's roof struggled at its place as the walls and the canes attached held it firm.
He was now running desperately at the sight of it, regardless of all the pent-up fatigue. But, he slipped. Unmindful of the happening, he tried again. And yet again, he was down on the ground.
Annoyed, he put the little pouch carefully between his jaws as he used his hands to support himself. He did stand up and was right beside the opening to the house. But, something grabbed his attention.
The child glanced at his hands, they felt kind of sticky. He was left stupefied. They were dyed red. His heart began to race. He ran in unable to shake of the fearsome thoughts that crept into his mind.
What he saw in there was far beyond any descriptions. The words horrible and the likes didn't even begin to describe it. An ocean of red covered the premises!
His instincts flared up as he hurriedly tried to run away, but, tripped on something. Whatever it was, the spookiness gave him the a chill down the spine.
At that very instant, the whole world was lit up. As the little child gasped at the sight, a pair of eyes stared at him, attached to a detached a sphere.
"No....!!!!!" Shui's scream rang through the room. He clenched his fist harder as he opened his eyes and sat up in a jolt. Frenzied, he rapidly looked around as if seeking something.
"Ouch...!! I...It's okay now. " Came a meek voice, sounding reassuring yet, terrified. Though Shui didn't have any ear for it.
He couldn't register anything around him. For his mind was stuck amidst a swirl of thoughts. What was all that? And why did he see that? Was it just a nightmare? Or just fragments of a something he knew but forgot? Everything felt so surreal that he couldn't recognise himself.
"A...c...could'ja release ma hand?" The voice this time pulled him out to the scene. It was then that he noticed the presence of another in the room.
Startled by the sudden intrusion, he turned towards his left to notice a young lady sitting by the bed. Pormptly, he released her hand; which he nonconciously held onto until then.
"S...sorry..." Before he could apologize, she hurriedly left the room. Now that he was alone, he once again pondered upon the realistic dream, when a shower of thoughts struck him.
Who was he? Where is this? What is he doing here? His chest hurt now and he felt weary. As his hand reached for the chest, he noticed the bandage covering almost all of his upper body. He was utterly confused when a man barged in.
It was Senji. "Shui! You finally woke up!" His voice brimmed with ecstasy. He hurriedly reached out for a hug, but then backed off. The severity of the wound on Shui was no joke and he new it best.
"There is just so much I want to talk to you about. You see we successfully retrieved Tenjiku and he's now safe with us."
At the mention of Tenjiku, Shui felt light-headed. His head began to hurt. He couldn't think at all. Nor could he hear anything.
"...I was so much worried after that arrow hit you. I couldn't tell what was going on, but, you really saved us a trouble. It woulda been quite the problem if..."
"Sorry, but, could you please leave me alone for a while. I don't feel too well." Shui interrupted the relentless talk of Senji.
"Come out, let him rest." It was the lady from before. Only, she was now standing out the room, by the door. Senji looked upset. Obviously, he wanted to stay with Shui and talk with him more, but, he didn't have the choice.
"Well...Ok... If you say so, but, I'll come back later." Senji's voice was drained of the enthusiasm as he left the room.
It grew quiet and there was no one in the room anymore. It was just Shui, now laying down again. His thoughts clouded, while he was struggling to breathe as well as grasp the current situation.
But he dared not close his eyes, lest the nightmare should resume. His body ached and in all the time he had been conscious, only now was he trying to look around the room. He wanted to trick his mind away from the thoughts.
The room had nothing special or remarkable about it,except of the peculiar scent. Shui didn't notice all this while but, it was really relaxing. Before he knew it, he was immersed in his slumber.
He was dreaming again. Though, this time it was different. He could feel it was just a dream and that he could wake up any moment he wishes to.
What was that place? A garden? It felt so enchanting and rejuvenating!
Who's there? How could the voice be so melodious yet filled with so much sorrow?! What must one go through to be in so much pain?
He walked to where he was being called to, unmindful of the bed of the roses and daisies that covered the fields as he stepped on them.
It was then that a figure could be spotted. Even the splendid and heavenly sight of the flower-beds paled in comparison to their dazzling presence