I never thought that I would find myself standing outside of the front gates of the Chisaki estate so soon.
The large wrought iron gates stood imposingly before us, the black metal glistening from the light rain that had begun to fall. The dark gray clouds seemed to hang directly above the massive mansions, which was easily the size of some educational facilities. The entire mansions were painted in black and white and was so tall that it cast shadows everywhere. From our position standing in front of the gate, which was by no means short, almost 10 feet tall, we could still see the slanting and sloping roof of the house. Windows were visible, and shadows could be seen moving through them, almost frantically. Very interestingly, at the very peak of the iron gate, the metal twisted and bent to resemble a heart.
The rain was still falling slowly.
Everywhere I looked, all around us we were surrounded by the territory of the Chisaki family, our territory. This massive mansion was located on an artificially created Island just outside of Japan. It was large, and the mansion encompassed most of that area. However, that didn't mean it was the only notable thing that lay on the island. There was a large dock, which housed massive yachts and boats. Even more impressively, there was a massive mini airport, with two massive hangars and a landing strip on the left side of the Island. However, without a doubt, the thing that drew the most attention was the massive mansions, painted in black and white.
A soft breeze blew through the air, cooling my skin, and causing my long hair to flow.
At that moment, with the wind blowing in my hair, while I looked up at the iron gates, I could see a memory. One of when Me and Raiden were just kids. On the other side of the gate, I could almost see the visage of us as little kids.
* * * * * *
Me and Raiden had been playing around in the front yard for hours. All of the maid's attempts to get us to go inside had failed horribly. Nothing in the world could possibly convince us to head back inside. Raiden and I sat directly in front of the gate, looking out at the outside world. The sun was beating down on us, and it couldn't have been brighter outside. The grass was beautiful, and the long blades flowed softly in the cool breeze which always traveled through at this time. Even farther out, we could see the glimmering ocean, shining brightly under the powerful light of the sun. In the very back, we could see the Island of Japan.
It was a beautiful science.
So engrossed in the beauty of what I was looking at, I didn't even notice Raiden standing up next to me, until he moved to stand right in front of the gate, gripping the metal with his hands. I was little at the time, around 5. So, I still followed everything my cool and strong big brother did. When I grabbed the gate, it was so hot that I instantly pulled my hand away and shouted in pain.
"Ahh!" Immediately, the head of every single maid and servant standing watch outside snapped in my direction. A few of them moved to check on me, but I shouted, "I'm fine." As tears threatened to spill from my eyes.
When I turned back around to face Raiden, he was giggling, holding one hand over his mouth. I turned my lips downward in a pouting expression, more than just a bit embarrassed. "What the hell are you laughing at?" I noticed that he was still holding unto the blazing hot metal of the gate. Raiden followed my gaze to his hand, before turning back to answer a question I hadn't even asked yet.
"Maybe when you get as strong as me, you can do the same." He smiled down on me, his smile brighter than the sun.
That was what I always wanted to be. I always looked up to Raiden, always wanted to be able to do what he did. He was strong, and cool, and most of all, he was free.
He turned his head back to face the view of the water, beginning to speak. "Mom and Dad always say that the world behind this gate is a terrible place, one where we'll be hated no matter how much we do, but, looking at it now, this beauty, how could it possibly be a bad place. How could it possibly be evil? Don't you want to know, to explore the outside world, even a little bit?" When he turned back to me, his eyes were filled with so much hope, so much light and wanting, that I couldn't bring myself to do anything but nod in agreement. He finally let go of the gate, showing no sides of being in pain or anything of the sort.
"One day, I want to be able to go out there, to experience the world. I want to do lots of things. Drink coffee at a coffee shop, play sports, meet other kids." He turned to face me, reaching out his pinky. "And most importantly, I want to help you experience the world, Kami." He smiled again, and if felt like I was staring directly at the sun. "Pinky promise?"
Without Hesitation I took his hand. "P-pinky promise."
* * * * * *
I was snapped out of the flash back by the sound of the intercom turning on. A voice spoke through the speaker which was attached to the gate. "You may come in." A voice that a recognized immediately. My eyes widened as I shouted out, "Mina!" From the intercom, came a happy laugh.
"Hurry up and get in her Kami, I've been waiting to see how much this little girl has grown!" Mina was one of my favorite servants who worked at the Chisaki estate. I loved all of the servants of the Chisaki estate, but Mina especially. Not only was she extremely pretty, with snow white hair and gray eyes, but I loved her voice. I loved how when I was younger, she would always tell me stories about the outside world, which I would immediately share with Raiden. I loved the way she would style my hair with mom. I loved her.
The sound of the gates swinging open filled my ears as the gates swung backwards to let us in. It took every ounce of strength in me to not immediately come rushing up through the gate. I couldn't wait to see Mina. Mom. Dad. All the servants who made my life what it was. And then my willpower broke. I was just about to break out into a run when suddenly Mina's voice came over the intercom.
"Kami! It is not like a young lady of the Chisaki ton lose control of their emotions like that!" I immediately stopped running and slowed my pace to a walk. She had seen through my intention.
"Sorry." I muttered, putting my head down in shame.
"It is also very unlike a lady of the Chisaki home to bow their head. Look up." As Mina said those words, I hoped she realized how much the truly meant. How much I had been wanting to her those words, needing to hear those words. Suijin had said them before, but I just couldn't understand them. However, coming from someone as important to me as Mina, they gained a whole new weight.
I held my head up high, building up my determination as I walked through the gate. When I looked behind me, I noticed that Raiden had frozen, and he was staring at the ground. For a moment, I thought back to our arguments. I didn't want to let them keep a rift between us for so long. It hurt. And I knew it hurt Raiden just as much. Even remembering his words about remain loyal to his mission. Done in an attempt to make me hate him. But I couldn't let them keep this air of, sadness around the both of us. Not when returning to a place of such good memories. So, I gave him my very best and brightest smile, trying to recreate the ones he had given me so long ago, which always improved me mood.
"You heard Mina. Keep your head up, son of the Chisaki family." And I turned around before I could see the expression on his face. I did catch the brief glimpse of hope in his eyes at those words, and that was all I needed to see.
As we slowly walked through the yard, I took it as an opportunity to take everything in. To let the nostalgia of everything sink in. The green grass of the yard were we always sprawled out after playing around with magic, much to the servant's dismay. The water fountain, which I had nearly drowned in on multiple occasions trying to freeze the water. The limestone steps of the pathway which winded up towards the front porch, which I had ran up and down multiple times. It all made me feel good. The same breeze from our childhood blew again, bringing in another wave of nostalgia.
I hadn't even made it halfway up the porch when the massive double front doors of house opened, and I was nearly tackled in a hug by a maid with white hair, and an angelic woman with long black hair and blue eyes. I hugged them tightly, and then, all of my will power fell to the wayside.
"Mom.... Mina." I was inches away from tears as I held them tightly, missing the strong reassurance their arms brought.
From behind Mina and my mom, I heard the familiar deep voice of my father.
"Welcome back, my sweetheart."