Where Rose Petals Fall

Chapter 3

A/N: I wrote this like two days ago and have not had time to update. College finals are beating my ass. The a/n at the end is the one I wrote when I wrote this.

Makoto could not breathe. Well, he was sure Felix was feeling the same way as he galloped into the woods at full speed. Makoto was absolutely relieved he read books on tracking, or he would have a problem finding where his grandmother was. To think he almost didn't read it because it would be something in Gale's interests is funny now. Any knowledge is good to know. He saw wheels from the wagon go to the right in the fork in the road, and so he followed. Makoto stopped by the abandoned cart with his grandmother's things still inside, but no grandmama. He continued down the path; Felix still galloped at full speed. Makoto did not take time to assess the castle that towered over him; the only thing on his mind was his grandmother.

"Hello?" Makoto called as he opened the door. "I'm looking for my grandmother."

"Look at this beauty."

"Sousuke!"

Turning around to the noise Makoto saw nothing besides a candelabra that was lit and a clock sitting on the windowsill. He grabbed the candelabra for light, and shook off the feeling of being watched. "Grandmother?" Makoto called again. He walked up the stairs, heard someone coughing, and followed the noise. "Grandmother!" Makoto exclaimed. She was sitting in a cell, and looked like she was freezing.

"Makoto!" she coughed. "Leave, you must leave," she tried to push away his hands, but he gripped on them harder, putting down the candelabra on the floor.

"I just got here grandmother," Makoto did not know if he wanted to laugh or cry in relief. "Here, I'll see if I can find a way to get you out."

"No! Makoto, you must go now. There is something wrong with this castle, and if he finds you-"

"Who, grandmother? The man who locked you up?" Makoto almost scoffed. "You're being ridiculous. I will talk to him personally, and he will let you go."

His grandmother shook her head frantically. "No, Makoto you don't understand-"

Makoto heard a loud thud, and the floor he was on shook ever slow slightly. "Who's there?" Makoto demanded. He picked the candelabra once more, and held it like a weapon.

"I should be asking the same about you, considering you trespassed into my castle," the shadow growled.

"What is my grandmother doing in this cell?" Makoto demanded.

"She trespassed and stole from me."

"My grandmother is not a thief!" Makoto turned to look at his grandmother.

"I tried to pick a flower, and now I receive total damnation," he could tell his grandmother was trying not to lose her anger.

"A flower? Are you kidding me?" Makoto almost laughed as he turned back to the shadow. "Fine. I'll take her place," Makoto said.

"No, Makoto. I will not let you do this," his grandmother protested.

"You'll take her place, and you'll stay here forever?"

"Yes. I will," Makoto said stubbornly. He turned to his grandmother. "I love you, and I am me because of you. I will not lose you." Makoto turned back to the shadow, and realized he had not seen his captor. "Come into the light." When the shadow refused, Makoto walked up to it with the candelabra in his hand and gasped at the thing he saw. He would be staying with a beast. A beast that had black fur, long tusks, and paws. The only thing that was remotely human about it was the blue eyes which stared back at him.