Chapter 13
A few years ago, Ayane's mother passed away. She did not know the cause of her mother's death, but what she did know is that her dad was heavily despondent. He didn't eat, drink, and only slept about 3 out of the 7 days of the week. Ayane and Himura began to worry about their father. Even though their mother had died, they never had any evidence, nor did they have a body proving that she was dead. All they had, was a casket, mourning people, and three broken family members.
Somewhere along the lines of Ayane and Himura's mother, she told them to "Grow up and be strong; mourn for the dead, even if you do not know them." Ayane, taking this to heart, continued to weep for the dead, taking in and considering what they were feeling at that given time, at their final moments of clearance, before debriefing for a permanent slumber. Himura, however, took no pity for the dead, yes, they were people, but she didn't care. Why weep if you know nothing about them, where they came from, or what kind of person they were. All she knew was that crying for the unknown, was canceled out for her.
Ayane was walking about of her home, she felt shorter than usual, she looked down at her hands and feet to see stubby little legs, and beady little hands. She was a child. This couldn't be right. Ayane thought. Then she heard a voice, a voice she could never, ever forget. She turned around and saw her mother standing above her crossing her arms. Ayane fell to the ground in shock and disbelief and started sobbing.
Ayane's mother picked her up and took her to bed. Ayane's mother (whose name was Scarlet) placed her in her bed and caressed her cheek. Ayane looked up at her mother's face, it wasn't a clear image but there was no mistaking it, it was her mother indeed. She started to speak.
"It's alright love, everything will be ok. Mommy's here." She exclaimed in a soft quiet voice. She kissed her daughter upon the forehead, and then spoke more words.
"We will see each other again, okay? No matter how far apart we are. That's a promise my sweet beloved baby girl."
Sora, sitting at the edge of her bed watching her sleep, was getting extremely worried about Ayane. Then suddenly Ayane's breath picked up a heavy pace, this is what Sora was afraid of, Ayane, getting sick. Not before long Sora felt her forehead. Ayane was burning up and Sora was nervous. Sora left the room and fetched a bowl of cold water and a rag. She hurried back into the bedroom where Ayane looked like she was in pain, sweating as if she were in one-hundred-and-twenty-degree weather. Sora placed the dry rag inside of the cold water, ringed it out, and placed it upon Ayane's forehead.
Sora walked out of the bedroom once more and grabbed a thermometer. As she walked back in, Ayane was trying to get out of bed. Sora quickly rushed over to Ayane and laid her back down.
"No no no you have to sta—" A sudden pause was hitting Sora straight in the face when she heard the word: "M-Mama..." Escape Ayane's mouth.
Sora gave a sigh, as if she were hurting for Ayane on the inside. She took the rag from her forehead and placed it back inside of the cold water, ringed it out again, and placed it back on Ayane's forehead.
Sora gave a hurtful sigh. "No… No, I'm not your mother…"
"B-But… Where's mama… Where's my mama…?"
Sora began to feel bad. Eventually she stopped answering. Sora looked down and watched Ayane breath heavily, but after a couple more wet rags, and a few more thermometer checks, her breathing slowed down a bit.
Sora let out an exhale of relief. "Thank goodness.." She said, Although Ayane still looked very sick, she could tell Ayane was getting better, based on her breathing patterns: Inhale for 2 seconds, exhale for 3, and the cycle repeated.
Sora didn't know what to do if things got worse, so she turned to the one person that could help her with everything, Ayane's sister, Himura Hyuga.
Himura unfortunately couldn't be there because of work, or, that's what Sora thought. A moment later she heard a knock on the door and a voice calling through it.
"Sora? "Sora it's me Himura is she okay?!" Sora rushed to the door and opened it looking relieved to have another person help out.
"She's doing better than she was a moment ago.. I was placing a damp cloth over her forehead and checking her temperature every then and again.."
"Here let me take a look. I specialized as a doctor!"
"You have too many jobs Ms. Hyuga.."
"Of course! And please call me Himura.."
"O-Oh alright!.."
"Can you do me a favor though? Can you warm up this soup for her?"
"Sure.." Sora takes the canned soup and walks over to the kitchen area. Where she takes a pot, and fills it with the canned soup, right after opening the can.
Himura walks into Ayane's room and sees Ayane in bed sleeping. She sits down next to her sister and a frown is now filling her face. She couldn't recall the last time seeing her dear sister so sick. She removed the rag and pressed her hand on her forehead.
"I'm sorry Ayane, I wasn't here sooner.. You're the last person I need to go.. You're the only family I have…" Himura places the rag in the cold water next to the both of them, and rings it out, then rests it gently back on her forehead. Feeling Ayane's heavy breaths against her wrists as she was placing the rag on her head, made her feel something she hadn't felt in a long time.
Sora came in with a warm bowl of soup from the stove, Sora tried to hand it to Himura, but she put her hand in the way of the incoming bowl. preventing the bowl from entering her bubble of space. Sora was confused and Himura stands up and walks out with a teasing smile on her face.
"Your roommate, not mine~" she said. Immediately she knew what that meant, Sora was going to have to feed Ayane herself. Himura walked away leaving Sora in the room with Ayane alone, and a fluster-filled face. Damnit.. The thought, but she needed to do this. She ruminated about her encounter at Ayane's mothers grave, and she remembered the promise she made to her and Ayane both. She swallowed. She sat in the chair next to Ayane and set the soup down, next to the bowl of water. She looked Ayane in the face, watched her lips part after each breath she'd take.
Sora gulped again, and grabbed the soup and rested it in her own lap. She grabbed the spoon and placed it inside the bowl of soup, getting a small spoonful, but just right for Ayane.
"Say ahh.."
"Ahh.." Ayane opens her mouth while Sora places the spoon in her mouth, hearing a slight "nom" sound, Ayane swallows the soup, and turns her head to face Sora.
"It… tastes good Sora…"
"Thank you.. I made it for you and your illness.."
"Thank… you…."
"Of course.."
"Sora….."
"Yes…?"
"Do you ever…. Think about me…?"
"Of course I do.. You're all that's on my mind everyday.."
"Really..?" Ayane said.
"Certain.." Sora replied. Sora grabs Ayane's hand and holds it.
"Never be afraid to tell me anything.. Okay..? I'm here for you.. I will never judge you.. I'll always be there for you.."
"Thank you Sora…" Shortly after their conversation, Ayane falls back asleep. Sora watching her once again lets go of her hand. Sora eventually leaves, Seeing Himura sitting on the couch.
Himura proceeds to speak in a teasing voice. "So.. how'd it go, Sora?~"
Sora looked at Himura with tear filled eyes, Himura being caught off guard patted a spot next to her on the couch. Sora sat down and wiped her tears.
"I was this close to confessing.. But.. I want to tell her when she is well rested.. Not sick.." Sora said. Himura looked at her in awe. If Himura were in her shoes, she wouldn't have waited out any longer.
Sora looked at her hand, the one she held Ayane's with and looked at the ceiling, as if she was praying to a god. At that moment, her only thoughts were screaming at her.
'Please God… Let me confess… no more dilemmas… Please…'