Chapter 1-Eight Friendships, Childhood Sorrows
Aino Minako ran gaily through the park, laughing and trying to elude "It," as all her friends were playing tag. Laughing hard and clutching her little six-year-old stomach, she wasn't looking where she was going and crashed into someone. When she gazed up, crystal blue met annoyed silver eyes. An older boy of about ten year, she guessed, was glaring down at her. "Hey, little girl," he said, with all the superiority and full-of-it-aura that only boys can have, "why
don't you watch where you're going?"
Blushing, she looked down at her muddy, sandy shoes and mumbled, "Gomen." After a moment, she looked up once more and asked, "How come you were playing all alone? Do you want to play tag with me and my friends?"
Slouching, slightly embarrassed, the older boy muttered, "No, thanks. I was
playing by myself 'cause I got no friends."
Just then, one of Minako's many friends ran over and said, "Mina-chan, you're
it!"
She grinned at the person she'd bumped into before and said, "Maybe it's 'cause
of your arrogance. Now, come on and play! You can meet my friends!" The
blue-eyed girl, hair caught in a high ponytail, asked him, "What's your name?"
"Kouseinou Seishou."
"I'm Aino Minako. Is your name Seishou?"
"No, gomen nasai. My father was a foreigner, and we only came here a few years
ago. My first name is Kouseinou. Nice to meet you, Aino-san."
She regarded him imperiously for a moment, then proclaimed, "You speak good
Japanese then. And call me Mina-chan. We'll be friends." Minako lightly tagged
the silver-haired boy and ran away, calling back, "You're It, Kousei-kun! Come
on!"
Shaking heavy silver bangs out of wide eyes of the same hue, the boy shrugged
for a moment, forgot his older "authority", and ran after the blonde and her
friends.
~ * ~ * ~
Hino Rei looked up suspiciously when her father called her. She hoped she
wasn't in for another beating, last time she tripped down the stairs and broke a
vase. Wincing, the tiny dark-haired one rubbed her old scars and proceeded
fearfully down the stairs.
Her mother was trying to hold back a furious, drunken husband. "You filthy
little brat, I've had enough of you in this house. Your mother and I have no
more money to keep you, and you're going to your grandfather's temple to stay.
Go pack your things." When the child just stared at her mother, sobbing, for a
minute, her father hit her hard across the face. Silently clutching the
reddish-purple palm print, Rei fled upstairs to get a battered suitcase. She
stuffed her one stuffed animal inside, a grimy stuffed raven, clothes,
toothpaste and toothbrush (her mother had watched ardently over her child,
making sure she brushed every night), brush, and one special item she stuffed
quickly inside among her clothes. A few moments later, the tiny five-year old
stuffed herself into a too-small coat and went downstairs, lugging her suitcase.
Her father snatched it up, light for him but heavy for his small daughter. Rei's
mother kissed her and said goodbye, trying not to look into her daughter's large
purple eyes. She brushed away shiny, dark bangs and fled upstairs in tears.
Shaking her head in wonderment, Rei still said nothing and followed her father
out to the car. During the silent ride, she stared out the window, never saying
a thing. The hand print, now purplish-blue, didn't seem to affect her. How her
father managed to drive in his state, she would never know. Once they reached
the shrine, Mr. Hino hollered, "FATHER-IN-LAW!"
The head priest hurried out to see who called him with such importance, then
glared in disgust at his son-in-law. He had taken his only daughter away and
abused her every day, but there was nothing he could do. "What is it?"
"Your daughter failed to produce me any sons. This is the product of our
miserable marriage, and I can't afford to feed her."
Coolly, the brown man stated, "You mean you drank your pay. Spent it on
yourself, prostitutes, petty extravagances."
"Shut up. Have some respect. She's your's now. Take care of her or throw her to
the wolves, your choice. Knowing you, she'll grow up to be some idiot priestess
with no knowledge of anything but fire rituals."
"The young are supposed to have respect for their elders. Good, at least my
granddaughter isn't beyond saving. I lost my daughter to your appetite. You
never deserved her. Get off my grounds." When a red-faced, furious senator Hino
was thrown unceremoniously off the grounds and drove away, he knelt and turned
to the petite child. "Konnichiwa, Rei-chan."
Seriously, her purple eyes gazed into his. Then, Rei spoke the first words she
had spoken for a month, besides answering to her abusive father. "Konnichiwa,
Ojii-san."
A week later, the middle-aged man introduced his taciturn granddaughter to a
brunette child, instructing, "Rei-chan, please show Kino-san around. Kino-san,
this is my granddaughter, Rei. She's one year younger than you, five. Rei-chan,
Kino-san is here from an...orphanage, and she'll be staying with us for awhile.
However, she is not expected to take part in temple rites, just to train under
the masters here."
Nodding, the dark-haired child bowed to Makoto and welcomed, "Konnichiwa,
Kino-san. My name is Hino Rei. This temple, Hikawa Shrine, is my home. She led
her around the halls, taking note that the older girl's green eyes were drawn to
old swords and other weaponry on the wall-especially a picture of five men with
black belts. "That picture is my grandfather, with four of his friends."
Impressed, Makoto replied, "You can call me Makoto-san, or Mako-chan."
"Likewise," Rei returned quietly. For a moment, the two smiled at each other,
and an ancient magic went to work as they bonded. For the first time, one
raven-haired girl softened another tough girl, used to the streets.
~ * ~ * ~
Kousei Kyosei stared at the blond haired boy opposite him and decided to make
his acquaintance. "Konnichiwa."
Sunnily, the boy peered up through thick bangs and chirped, "Konnichiwa. I'm
Tabiki Kasen, but you can call me Kasen-kun if you like. I've got a brother,
who's younger than me, but he's got a different name 'cause I've got a
stepfather. How old are you?"
Amazed, Kyosei wondered how anyone could be so open with a stranger. "My name
is Kousei Kyosei, I guess you can call me Kyosei-kun. I'm nine. How about you?"
"I'm nine too! Want to sit down?"
Taking the offered seat, navy blue stared into bright blue for a moment.
"Kasen-kun, where's your brother? What does he look like, is he around here?"
Kasen grinned and said, "You're curious, like me. If you ever come over my
house, we'll tear everything apart and my mom will sigh and wonder why I'm not
like my brother. Yosouya's got a long name, I can't pronounce his last name.
Anyway, my stepfather doesn't treat me badly so I don't mind what his name is
anyway. Souya-kun's got blond hair like me, from mom. But he has green eyes,
like my new father. He's very quiet and always reading, but he's only seven. He
talks like us, though."
Thoughtfully, the brown-haired one mentioned, "I haven't got any siblings."
Bright sapphires widening, the blonde offered, "Then you've got to come over
sometime and meet Souya-kun. He's fun to fight with if you can get him angry,
too. But other times he'll just agree to almost anything I want to play. But
right now Yosouya's at the swimming pool, he loves swimming."
"And what do you like to do?"
Laughing, Kasen responded, "I like fighting, as long as it's not
street-fighting! That's dishonorable but fun in video games. Why do you think
I'm here, Kyo-kun?"
He grinned back and said, "I don't know, you wanna have a match?" The
bright-haired one leapt up with interest and agreed immediately.
Meanwhile, his half-brother was indeed at the swimming pool. Plunging through
the deep end and swimming laps, a flash of blue that would have matched true
water, not chlorinated water, caught his eye. Treading water for a minute,
Kouseki Yosouya stared at a petite blue-haired girl, sitting on the edge of the
pool, dipping her wrinkled toes in the isolated shallow-end. Judging by her
appearance, he thought she looked about five. Curious about the book she was
reading, as most five year old children he knew didn't read, he swam and then
walked over. Mizuno Ami looked up, startled, when a few drops of water
splattered on the page. She saw another child, a boy with curly blond hair tied
back into a ponytail with serious green eyes. Right away, Ami decided she liked
his eyes. "Konnichiwa. Gomen nasai if I got your book wet, I was just wondering
what you were reading."
She blushed and said, "Konnichiwa." After a split-second, she showed him the
book, and he was surprised at the thickness and context. He jumped up onto the
rough edge and read with her for a few moments, and both became so engrossed
that they didn't notice each other's company.
After another few page-turns, Yosouya asked, "Excuse me, but what's your name?
I'm Kouseki Yosouya, but everyone and my brother calls me Souya-kun."
Turning a pale shade of crimson again, she replied, "It's nice to meet you,
Yosouya-san. My name is Mizuno Ami. I don't have many friends, but if I did have
them, they would call me Ami-chan."
Regarding her for a moment with the somber emeralds she had admired so, the
blonde asked, "How come you talk like you haven't got friends?"
She looked at the pool and whispered, "'Cause I haven't got any."
Deciding to leave the obviously sensitive matter alone for a moment, he asked,
"Why aren't you swimming? Don't you like water?" He then blushed at his
openness, usually shy around newcomers and all people, in fact.
Wistfully, she shook her short blue tresses for a minute then said, "I love
water. But even though it's wonderful, flowing.....I'm afraid of it."
"Do you know how to swim?" She turned scarlet again and shook her head.
Considering for a moment, Yosouya then proposed, "Maybe that's the missing
piece. If you want, I can teach you."
Looking at him eagerly with shining blue eyes, she asked, "Would you really?
And you wouldn't mind, even though you're older?" When he shook his head, Ami
asked, "How come?"
"Well, for someone who loves water as much as you do, you should be able to
enjoy it. And I think you need a friend." Thoughtfully, he asked, "Ami-san,
would you like to be friends?"
"Yes, Souya-san. I would indeed."
~ * ~ * ~
Seishou Kouseinou wandered through the crowded park, looking for a special
little girl. Frowning, he noticed that Minako was nowhere in sight. One of her
friends, a little girl with two brown pigtails and blue eyes came up to him.
"Excuse me, are you Kouseinou-kun?" When he nodded, inquiringly, she went on.
"Mina-chan's parents took her away to London. They're going to live there now,
her father had a new job. But she wanted to tell you she was sorry that she
wouldn't be able to come here again and for you to make more friends."
"Arigato." With the short dismissal, she left. Kouseinou sat down on a bench,
already occupied by two boys, he tried not to cry. Although he'd only seen Aino
Minako twice, she had brightened his life and made it more fun. Her spirit and
energy had been infectious, and he had played with kids younger than him and
enjoyed. But now she was gone, and the hot sun beating on his neck before now
felt cold. Shivering, he looked at the sandy grass emotionlessly and waited for
when his parents would come take him home. They'd been so proud to hear he'd
made a friend instead of isolating himself, and now she was gone.
Suddenly, a hand reached over and tugged his sleeve. Eagerly, he looked up,
hoping Minako had come back, and that it had been a short, bad daydream.
Instead, a small boy about a year younger than him said cheerily, "Konnichiwa.
I'm Tabiki Kasen. Do you want to play with me and Kyosei-kun? He's my new friend
from a few days ago."
The other boy beside him grinned also and said, "I'm Kousei Kyosei, by the way.
What's your name?"
Vaguely remembering how he had forgotten the Japanese way of pronouncing names,
he quietly replied, "Konnichiwa, nice to meet you two. I'm Seishou Kouseinou."
And then the two animated nine year old boys pulled their new friend off to
play, on the swings, the see-saw, monkey bars, slides, tunnels, and many other
things, all openly discussing their family and lives. He, however, remained
stoic yet friendly. Although he was stony, both Kasen and Kyosei liked him and
"adopted" him, and their group became a threesome.
~ * ~ * ~
"KINO MAKOTO! You come back here with my broom!" shrieked Hino Rei, stamping
her tiny foot, stepping on her long robes, and falling flat on her face.
"Ow...."
Makoto instantly ran back and hefted her up, saying, "Gomen nasai, Rei-chan.
Dajibou?"
Patting her nose gingerly for a moment, she said, "Dajibou. Arigato, Mako-chan.
My broom 'gain. See if you can catch me!"The brunette wondered how the
raven-haired child could bounce back so quickly after her fall and ran after
her.
Grandpa Hino watched with an approving smile, knowing his granddaughter's new
friendship would benefit both. Thinking about the next day, start of a new
school season, he sighed and wondered how he would get them to school. The next
morning, he went into Rei's room and said, "Rei-chan, wake up. You've got
kindergarten today, get dressed in the clothes I left on your chair." Both
girls, good-natured about waking up, had gotten into their clothes and were
downstairs in a flash. He set before them heaping plates and bowls of toast,
cereal, and pancakes. Complimenting the yummy breakfast, the pots and dishes of
jam, sugar, and syrup caught their eyes and rose it even higher in their
child-like esteem. "Calm down and don't choke or rush, you'll get lunch at
kindergarten too." He went and packed their obentos, full of rice, vegetables,
and meat.
When the time came, Rei clung closely to Makoto's larger hand, gazing at the
noisy schoolyard in fear. "Mako-chan, I'm scared."
"It's okay, Rei-chan," her friend replied comfortingly. "I'll be here to take
care of you."
Most unfortunately, the two little girls had been put into separate classes.
Rei got through the morning okay, enjoying the tasks. Makoto was fairly
reasonable and didn't put up a fuss about anything. Her class dismissed first
for lunch, and she took her obento and went outside to wait under a giant oak
tree, setting out her meal on the mossy growth. Her sharp green eyes roved for
the raven-haired child until she found her cornered by the gate.
"Little priestess, is it true everyone at your temple is crazy and under
spells?"
"Why don't you show us your amazing powers?"
"Witch!"
"Everyone says you're cursed."
The brunette was filled with indignance and anger at the animosity towards her
friend, who hadn't done anything to antagonize her fellow peers. Swiftly and
quietly, she beat them easily with the moves her teachers at the temple had
taught her. Wide-eyed, Rei whispered, "Mako-chan, arigato gozaimisu. But you're
going to get in trouble now, you shouldn't have done that."
Already, an annoyed teacher marched towards Makoto, having been informed by the
cowardly little tattletales. "Young lady, you come with me and see the
principal. Your guardian is going to be called, and we'll discuss proper
behavior."
Blinking and not understanding a word the woman was saying, she waved to Rei
and said, "Ja ne, Rei-chan. I'll see you later. Eat lunch and have fun." She was
then promptly dragged off. Disconsolately, Rei plopped down and ate, thinking
how nice Makoto was to look after her. If only she didn't get into fights and
cause trouble for herself.....
~ * ~ * ~
Yosouya smiled proudly as the tiny blue-haired one swam the entire length of
the large pool-twice. Clapping, he grinned encouragingly at her. Ami stopped
about a foot away from him, breathing heavily. Her large sapphire eyes shone,
and she squeaked, "Arigato gozaimisu, Souya-kun! Swimming is so much fun, I
don't understand why it was scary before."
He smiled and shrugged, saying, "Sometimes it's okay to confront fears
directly." His green eyes grew concerned when her joy faded a few moments later,
and she wasn't very cheerful anymore. Ami had always been quiet but had warmed
up to him after a while. His proof? The Souya-kun she had finally called him.
Something was casting a shadow in the corner of her unhappy blue eyes, and he
asked, "Ami-chan, what's wrong?"
Her pretense of smiling and being happy faded, and she dove under water for a
moment. When she resurfaced, glimmering with beads of water, Ami said sadly,
"I'm not going to be here tomorrow."
Not understanding, he said, "That's too bad, but you can always come back
Monday." The pool was closed on Saturdays and Sundays to the public, used for
swim-meets, and tomorrow would be Friday.
Sadly, she insisted, "No, Souya-kun. Okaa-san has been transferred to the
hospital in Juuban, and since she and my father divorced a few years ago, I'm in
her custody. I'm not going to be able to come here anymore, maybe never again."
Feeling panicked and extremely upset, Yosouya bowed his head and wrung out his
soaked blond hair, now a light brown. "Ami-chan......I'm going to miss you" he
said awkwardly.
"Me too," she whispered for a moment.
For a moment, they stood, staring at each other, she a head shorter than him.
Then a petite blue-haired woman called, "Ami-chan! Darling, we've got to go and
catch the train to Juuban."
"Souya-kun, my mother's here now."
"I know," he said dismally. "Ja ne, Ami-chan."
Just as depressed, she pulled on her dress over a wet swimsuit and said
discouragingly, "Arigato again, Souya-kun. Sayonara." She trotted off with a
forlorn, backwards glance at her only friend before reaching the gate, clutching
her mother's hand, and walking off. Meanwhile, Yosouya was left to sit on the
edge of the pool and wait for HIS parents, not in the mood to swim anymore
without his water nymph as a student.
~ * ~ * ~
Paths of Thorns
