Chapter One: Sunday
It was dark. I couldn't see my hand in front of me as I tried to
feel my way around. Where could I be?
Then I noticed a strange smell. Like something had died in here.
The floor seemed to be covered in something sticky, but what exactly, I
couldn't tell. Suddenly there was flickering flame and the most abominable
odor I had ever experienced.
I looked down and saw a slowly browning puddle of crimsom covering
my feet. I remember what this reminded me of. Anatomy class. Except it
smelled a bit different, not at all like dead dogs... There was a steady
drip to my right. I turned to see what it was.
Bad idea. It was a corpse. A human corpse. It looked like some
wild animal had ravaged it on the operating table. What was it's left leg
was acting like an eerie leaky faucet, slowly trickling blood onto the
floor. The stench came from burning fat stripped from the body.
By now I couldn't help but feel sick. I felt a burning sensation in
my gut as I was about to puke.
"Hikaru-chan! Wake up!"
Hikaru Shidou tossed and turned in bed as her brother Kakeru tried
to shake her awake. As her eyes began to open, Kakeru felt a little bit
relieved.
Hikaru sat up with a start, breathing heavily. Eyes so wide open
that it seemed they would never shut. And then a splitting headache hit her
in mid-breath.
"Are you all right?"
She turned to her brother, saying, "I'll be fine. I just had a bad
dream, Kakeru-niisama."
"I was really worried when Fuu-chan and Umi-chan came in last night
with you dead drunk."
Just then, her insides erupted, spewing forth a wave of what she had
last night. Kakeru picked up the waiting basin and caught chunks of
hamburger patty, french fries and dissolved chocolate cake.
As he wiped her mouth, Hikaru apologized, "I'm sorry for causing so
much trouble for you."
"Never mind that. Just promise me you won't do something like this
again." He got a cup of black coffee and offered it to his sister.
As she sipped her freshly brewed cup, Hikaru asked, "I guess I
should explain myself, huh?"
"Fuu-chan and Umi-chan were so worried about you, they slept in the
spare bedroom. They should be up and about by now."
"Hikaru-san?"
"Ah, Fuu-chan. You really didn't have to sleep over."
"We were just concerned about you, Hikaru-san. Are you feeling
better now?"
"Yeah," she nodded, "Kakeru-niisama's been taking care of me."
"Just take care of yourself next time, okay?"
"Hai, oniisama." Turning to Fuu she said, "I'm sorry for spoiling
your first drink."
"It's okay. Umi-san was the only one who really wanted to go
drinking anyway..."
"I'm the one who should be sorry."
They turned to see Umi step into the room and sit next to Hikaru.
"You wouldn't have drunk so much if I didn't goad you into it."
This was not exactly how Fuu Hououji had envisioned the morning of
her twentieth birthday. She had expected a special breakfast lovingly
prepared by her mother and Kuu. Perhaps a little bit of congratulatory
singing. Not standing in one of her best friends' room, watching her have
a hangover.
As if expecting further reprimanding, Hikaru added, "I'm so sorry
for spoiling your birthday, Fuu-chan."
"Please don't be. It wasn't really your fault, after all."
Hikaru felt better at hearing Fuu's reassuring words, in that firm
yet soothing tone of voice she possessed.
"Please come to dinner at my house tonight, Hikaru-san. It wouldn't
be a celebration without you," Fuu smiled as she gently patted Hikaru's hair
into place.
Hikaru wondered how she had ever gotten used to Satoru leaving. It
seemed like only yesterday that he announced his marriage to Manami. She
was touched when she held her niece in her arms. If only he didn't have to
move to Osaka for his job. Still, hearing his voice was the next best thing.
"I know you're old enough to drink, but do please take care of
yourself, Hikaru-chan."
"Hai, Satoru-niisama."
"Oh, and the little lady would like to talk to you as well."
"Ohayou, Yukari-chan. Don't worry about me, Aunt Hikaru is fine."
Yukari was still learning to speak, but Hikaru felt as if she understood
every word she said.
"You really understand every little thing she says, don't you? I'm
her father, and half the time I can't make out a word she says."
"I guess it just comes naturally to me, understanding children, that
is."
"Are you sure you're not a child youself?" joked Satoru.
"Oniisama, that's not funny. I'm twenty years old already."
"Well, we'll be coming over for Christmas, so lay off the beer and
sake till then, okay?"
"Oniisama!"
The Hououji residence was situated in a relatively well to do suburb
of Tokyo. There had been talk of commercializing the area, and it was
roundly rejected in favor of preserving the wide open spaces for the
enjoyment of the residents. Fuu particularly liked to watch the sun set as
she stood on a hill just a few blocks away from her house. It was even more
spectacular in winter, as the setting sun bathed the white landscape in a
warm coat of color. Despite the cold, this was one of Fuu's favorite
pastimes.
"Fuu-san, shouldn't you be waiting for your guests at the house?"
As she stood up, Fuu remarked, "I never tire of seeing the sunset.
It's just so beautiful. Don't you think so, Kuu-oneesama?"
Her sister smiled as she chided Fuu, "It's lovely, but we'd best be
headed home, Fuu-san."
Fuu nodded as she followed her sister back home. "Kuu-oneesama?"
"Yes?"
"Did you ever wonder what it would be like, if one of us was gone?"
Kuu Hououji stopped in her tracks, not sure that she had heard
right. "Are you feeling all right, Fuu-san?" she asked.
Fuu wasn't quite sure of herself just then. "Gomen nasai. I seem
to be having some strange thoughts lately."
"Ah, you must be getting hungry. You'll think a lot better on a full
stomach," Kuu assured her.
Back home, the Hououji sisters helped their mother prepare dinner.
Yuu Hououji was the type of cook who insisted that she could handle
everything, but gladly accepted any assistance offered her.
As she worked, diligently slicing raw tuna and vegetables, Fuu
hummed an old enka tune her mother often sang. Kuu had often remarked how
good her singing was, but Fuu always replied it was something for her
enjoyment and not to entertain anyone else.
Yuu had a knack for extracting the full flavor from even ordinary
ingredients. Kuu seemed to have it as well, which she ably displayed
whenever Toshihiro came over for dinner. She insisted on handling all the
culinary responsibilities on such occassions.
At a little past seven, Aya Mizuno was the first to arrive. She had
known Fuu since junior high and was privy to most everything save anything
concerning Cephiro. She always wondered how Fuu had gotten along so well
with Hikaru and Umi, when they had only met for a few minutes on the field
trip to Tokyo Tower.
"OK, just remember not to touch the sake."
"Umi-chan, I can take of myself." Hikaru Shidou was still a bit
sensitive about her tolerance, but she couldn't help it. People expected
her to drink, but quickly changed their minds when they saw what too much
does to her.
Table conversation ranged from college, family life to dating,
though Aya and Kuu were the only ones talking about that.
"Oh Kouji is so wonderful. We're going skiing next week, and he
said he had the most darling little gift for me," Aya sighed with joy.
"Toshihiro-san said something about a special Christmas present, but
I can't imagine what it could be."
The head of the table was vacant. Fuu understood that her father
had an important project to work on that evening. She knew he would get
home before her birthday was over. Hikaru hadn't seen _her_ father in over
a decade. Fuu wondered if she ever felt lonely, but Hikaru shook her head.
Her brothers were always there for her, as their mother had to work to
support them. Satoru would still help by sending a check every month. His
mother insisted that he needed it for his own family, but Satoru replied
that he made more than enough money for himself, Manami and Yukari.
Dinner got cold but still no sign of Mr. Hououji. Just as she was
about to turn in, Fuu heard the door open and was greeted with the welcome
sight of her father. "Tadaima, Fuu-san."
"Okaeri nasai, otousama." Fuu was glad she put off going to bed.
She so wanted to be there when he came home.
"Anata, you're a bit late," Yuu noted with concern.
"Gomen nasai, I had to pick up something for Fuu-san."
He presented a lovely ornamental sword to his daughter. The fine
lacquered ebony scabbard was clear as the night sky, and the gilded hilt was
shining brightly as the sun at midmorning, with an emerald-hued gem in the
center.
Fuu was speechless. "It took a while to find this. I know you may
think it's too much--" her father began.
"But it is, otousama."
"Allow me to spoil you, just this once. You've never asked us for
anything and given us so much to be proud of. Please accept it."
By this time Fuu had an inkling that of what her father had been
working so hard for. It was something she had always wanted, but never
thought of asking for. "Arigatou gozaimasu," she said with a bow.
Her father smiled at her acknowledgement. Katsuhiko Hououji had
worked hard to ensure his family's happiness and it helped to be reassured
of it from time to time.
Johann Chua -- HP: http://www.geocities.com/fuuma_1999/
CLAMP Fan Fiction: http://members.xoom.com/fuuma_monou/clampfix5.0/
"Many strange things are done in the name of love. People drink poison,
hurl themselves off tall buildings, get expensive implants and commit
murder, among other acts. These may strike the casual observer as insane,
but to the person in love, they make perfect sense." --Jessica Zafra