𝑫𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝑭𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒔

Chapter XXIV

Meimoto's dream...

'Oh,this place...'

Meimoto looked around the familiar river in front of her,carrying a wooden basin as she knelt on the stoney ground.

Clad in a worn and tattered kimono,her hair tied in a lose ponytail,eyes dark and dull with dirt caking her skin.She looked down on her expression on the clear water,the bright sunny sky reflected on the flowing river.

Currently at 13 years old,Meimoto often ran errands for her Mother,whose already neglected her a year ago after her Father's death.Her Mother,who was once a gentle and kind woman,had turn cruel and abusive.Meimoto did not care,however,as she knew she was to blame for her Father's demise.So,instead of running away from her Mother,she chose to stay.Because her Mother...is the only thing she has left in her family.

"Tadaima."she entered their small home,the once small house that radiated warmth now resembled an abandoned and cold house.

"You're back,brat?"her Mother sat on the tatami floor without a care,drinking a jar of alcohol as she glared at the young pre-teen standing by the door,carrying a basin of river water.

"Hurry up and make lunch,I'm starving."

"Hai."Meimoto nodded,avoiding calling the woman 'Mother'.After her Father's death and her Mother's depression,Meimoto knew better than to call her 'Mother' as the woman had beaten her black and blue,claiming she had no murderer of a daughter.And thus,Meimoto opted to avoid calling the woman 'Mother' ever again,afraid that she might get beaten once more.

Meimoto got to work,tying her sleeves back as she prepared lunch,cooking everything from scratch.

Though,she did stop for a brief moment,her dull eyes looking out of the slightly ajar window in front of her as she gazed at the falling petals of the cherry blossom tree outside.

'I wonder if Renguko-san has gone to the market again.'

~•~

Ajian's dream...

"Onii-chan!"

Banzo,Ajian's 5-year-old little brother ran towards his older brother,giggling as he clutched unto the 15-year-old's pants.

"Banzo!"Ajian smiled,looking down on the little boy as he held unto a fabric hanging on a bamboo stick,drying the laundry he had just finished washing under the sun.

His Mother smiled at the sight of her two boys playing and laughing,her heart warming as a fond smile stretched her lips.Ever since her husband died,Ajian made sure to keep the house bright and happy.Despite lacking in strength,Ajian took over his Father's woodcarving business and often sold them to their neighbors.He helps with the house chores,and is often the one carrying heavy loads for his Mother.

She wonders how she got lucky with such a kind and considerate son,Ajian and Banzo were her pride and life.

"Onii-chan,carry me!"Banzo giggled,reaching his arms out to his older brother,Ajian bending down to pick the little boy up in his arms."Yosh,here we go!"

"Yay!Hahahaha!"joyous laughter,full of innocence and wonder.

If only this moment could last forever.

~•~

As everyone drifted to sleep and into dreamland,unaware of their surroundings.