Jiraiya's Second Chance

Journey to Pure Lands

Aikiko found herself walking in a very dark place then the sky started to brighten as if the dawn has arrived.  She saw a bridge before her and two people standing at the entrance.

They both looked familiar. 

"Aikiko" She heard them call out.

Her heart leaped as her steps started to go faster until she was running!

Kaasan! Tousan! She cried out as she crumbled in the embrace of the two people she missed so much.

"How you have grown child?" The woman said, touching her face.  "And you look so beautiful just like your mother."  The man said looking at her lovingly.

"I missed you both so much! I'm so glad to see you again!" And then Aikiko paused.. "I guess, this means, this means...I'm dead too."  And she paused a little bit as if in a thought.

"Everything alright my child?" her mother asked.

"Yes, everything will be alright, everything is alright." she said convincing herself. 

Two more people appeared on the bridge.  She didn't recognize them but the man looked very familiar.

The man was very tall with white spikey long hair, beside him was a little woman with a big cheerful smile.  He looks like Jiraiya... She thought.

However, this man looked serious, formal, a little cold, but the woman beside him smiled warmly and said, "It's so nice to finally meet our son's wife."

"What?" Aikiko gasped.  She was looking at Jiriaya's parents?

"Why are you both here? Why are you meeting me here?" Aikiko asked confused.

The woman spoke to her. "We would like to ask you a favour, child."

"A favour?" Aikiko asked puzzled.

"Yes, we want to ask you to reconsider and not join us in the land of the dead yet.  Jiraiya, our son needs you." She said.

"Jiraiya sama? No, you are mistaken, he doesn't need me, I'm more of a burden to him to be completely honest.." Aikiko felt embarrassed, if her parents only knew how she just proposed to a man...

"But he does." Said the serious looking version of Jiraiya. "Can't  you hear him calling out for you?"

And when he said that, Aikiko suddenly heard a soft but distinct voice calling for her.  The voice sounded so far away, but it sounded like someone in misery, like someone calling out in pain.  The voice sounded familiar but she never heard this voice called out her name like this before.

The voice is now getting louder and louder, and the pain on that voice becomes more evident.

"Aikiko please Aikiko!!"

"Aikiko please Aikiko!!"

Aikiko turned around as if to run to that direction.. "Jiraiya sama is in trouble! I must help him!"

"Yes, we felt his pain that's why we are here.. to ask you if you can give him a second chance." Said the little woman by the bridge.

Aikiko looked at her parents and then to the direction of the voice calling her... the call has become more persistent, more in pain, like someone being tortured and also at the end of their lives.

"Daughter, if you feel you also would like to have a second chance in life then go back" said her father gently. "I and your mother, will just be here waiting for you until the day you are ready to come."

Her mother approached her and hugged her gently.  "Yes, we wish nothing more for you than a better life, a better one that what we had.  A life with love, without fear, with more joy than sadness."