Icicle Cave

The bunny stopped at an opening at a cave. Naoko took a peek inside. The rainbow bouncing around nearly blinded him.

“Gah!” he said, stepping back.

“Magnificent, aren’t they?” the rabbit asked. “I could just get lost in them for hours.”

“I guess,” Naoko said. “Why so bright?”

“It’s the light trapped from the sun,” the bunny said.

“Huh?” the mouse boy asked.

“Let me show you,” she said. The bunny hopped down the tunnel. Naoko tilted his head as followed behind. He didn’t mind it feeling so cold inside. They could feel a soft warmth pushing down upon their heads. The rainbow lights against the white and clear background didn’t look so intense as it did outside of the cave. Gentle, echoing waves floated through his eyes. The rabbit smiled and closed her eyes.

“Mmm,” she said. “Can you hear them singing?”

“Singing?” the mouse boy asked.

“Take a listen,” the rabbit said. Naoko tilted his head for a listen. Faint tone seemed to tickle his ears. The low hums played with his heart. Each drop splashed a gentle color around them. Their notes danced around to their own happy beat. Naoko reached out his hand. He shivered when a drop hit his hand.

“Such a beauty,” the rabbit said. “Did you know that each one is made with love of the people in the tower?”

“No, I didn’t” the mouse boy said. “How do they do that?” His cute little guide turned to him with a smile on her face.

“Those inside the Tower just wish for their beloved to be united with them,” she said. “They say a little prayer over a candle and small whispers from their heart come out and form over the flame. Then, the maids of the Tower come and collect those whispers and throw them down into their well. They drop down here and form in this cave.” Naoko nodded as he listened.

“I see,” he said. “Will I hear Midori’s players?”

“Is that your beloved?” the little bunny asked. The mouse boy slowly nodded his head.

“Well, then you might be able to hear her along this path,” his guide said. “You just have to know how to train your ears onto her voice.”

“Train my ears?” Naoko asked.

“That’s right,” the bunny said. “Go on, try it.” The mouse boy’s eyes shifted left and right before focusing again.

“Okay,” he said. Naoko took a listen around him.

“Just remember your Midori’s voice and block out the others,” the guide said.

“Block out the other voices and remember Midori-chan’s voice,” the mouse boy repeated. “Right.” Everything about Midori came back in his head. Her face, her smile, her carefree personality, her hot body, and her sweet voice.

He froze a familiar hum filled his ears.

“I can hear her!” Naoko said. The bunny turned her head.

“Tell me the direction,” she said. The mouse boy pointed up ahead.

“Up there,” he said. “Turn right and keep going. I can hear her calling. I have to go to her now!”

“Whoa, easy there,” his fuzzy little guide said. “I understand your eagerness, but you don’t know how to get there without getting lost. Here, pick me up.”

“Okay…” Naoko said, sounding rather confused. He knelt down and picked up the little rabbit. She nuzzled up against his shirt.

“Now,” the guide said. “Run towards the direction you hear Midori’s voice. Keep me close and I will keep you on the path.”

“Yes,” the mouse boy said. He crouched down into position and took off running. The bunny laughed the whole way.

“Whee!” she shouted. Naoko only focused on Midori’s voice. Hang on, he thought. I am almost there! That mind set pushed him to run faster. By the end of his path, Naoko came to a set of golden doors. The bunny hopped out from his arms.

“Welcome to the Tower’s lobby,” she said. She reached out and pressed her paw to the glass surface. Naoko had to shield his eyes and the doors opened.