Mike and Aki

Chapter Five

Aki stared in wonder as she followed the long dirt path, watching the blossoms on the trees fall and paint the emerald green grass pink and white. Everything was so real, every petal was so detailed, everything had a smell, a feel, a sound. Aki knew it was a dream, deep down somewhere in her brain, but she shoved the thought aside. This wasn't just any dream, this was a good dream, a great dream, and Aki intended on enjoying it.

Everything felt untouched, the dirt path hadn't a single foot print on it, the trees looked healthy and wise, there wasn't a single human being in sight. But there were other living things, small pink and white birds hopped from tree to tree, whitsling a sound that sounded more like a tune than a bird's cry. Tiny brown rabbits with green tipped ears hopped across the path, sniffing the air. Aki had even seen a bright red fox patter across the outskirts of the path.

Everything was so magical, so musical, so beautiful. It didn't even feel like it was Aki's subconsious anymore. It felt like it's own world. The way the bright blue sky shone through the leaves, and yes, it was the sky that was shining, as if it has its own aura. Aki didn't think anything could be this beautiful, ever.

Soon she heard running water, she didn't know exactly where it was coming from, but it sounded close. When she finally saw the clear blue stream, her heart stared to race. There sat, right infront of the stream with a make-shift fishing pole, was the creature from her nightmare. She covered her mouth and began to back away when- "Sit." said the creature in a deep, commanding voice. But the voce wasn't bitter either, it was gentle.

Aki walked slowly towards the towering monster, even in a dream she was trembling. She sat right next to it, so close she could feel the body heat that emitted from the beast. Aki wanted to say something, but she was too afraid and it felt as if her voice had been sucked into her lungs along with her heart.

"I can feel your aura, child. I assure you there is no need to be afraid." the creature spoke. It's voice was gentle, but Aki's back still stiffened as soon as it talked. It sighed, which was strange since it had no face, and pulled up the thread attached to the fishing pole. All along the thread were clear blue diamonds, the same color of the stream. "I am Michael, but you may call me Mike if you like." the creature said. It pulled off the diamonds and planted them into the ground, out sprouted a light green-blue vine that grew a dark blue berry that resembled a rasberry.

"I'm Aki." Aki said. The creature handed her a berry, she looked at it. You could almost see the juice through the skin of the berry it was so translucent. She bit the tip where the stem used to be and drank the juice. It was sour and cold, but refreshing. Mike just popped the berry into the hole that was his face. "So, why are you here? In my dream?" Aki asked.

"The real question is, why are you here?" Mike replied.