[KH/FF] Treachery of Fate: Blood and Betrayal

Chapter 18

The ocean breeze washed through your pony tailed hair as you finished the last of your food. The smoothie cooled your heated body from the sun’s hot rays. As you leaned back on your palm drinking, you smiled at how relaxed you were despite the hectic morning. After this, there’d be a kudan evaluation session- which you weren’t applicable in- so you decided on asking Cloud about hitting the town for a bit.

You got up to head back to the main beach when you heard a muffled scream. You set your trash down and carefully climbed over a few jagged rocks, closer to the cliff’s base. There was another scream, which had gotten louder from where you were. Taking a few more jumps, you saw that a small boy was hanging onto a ledge. Beneath him was nothing but shallow waters covering more rocks. There was a small patch of sand under the cliff leading to an alcove; if you timed right, you’d be able to save him and land- or fall to your death and his.

‘Che, no way I’m dying,’ you thought to yourself as you took a few steps back to run. After a deep breath, you dashed towards the cliff and jumped at the edge of a rock, grabbing onto a ledge near the boy. You couldn’t see his face- only the orange- brown hair hair he had. You swung your body towards his, resting your legs onto a longer stretch, and stood with your back against it. Taking in the drop, you gulped and exhaled slowly, looking to the side to find something you can drop lower on. When you did you almost slipped and fell- but found yourself a foot or so diagonally lower than the small child.

With your heart racing a thousand beats per second, you reached your hand out to him,” Hey, hey! Take my hand!”

He sniffled and rapidly shook his head,” N-No! Aniki said he’ll be back! He promised!”

‘Aniki? What the…’ You sighed,” Trust me; I’ll take you to your aniki, just let go before you fall.”

“O- okay,” he reached his hand out, and you took it.

“Let go of the ledge.”

He did as you struggled to support all of his weight with only one hand. You became unbalanced, and began to fall quickly towards the bottom. While in the air, you pulled the small child into your arms, in order to cover him from the crushing blow, when something caught you in a ‘WHOOSH’ and you felt a pair of arms around you. Keeping your eyes closed, you felt yourself being set onto the ground gently; and when opening them, you set the boy down as well, finding yourself on the sand in front of the alcove.

“Thank you for-“you stopped mid- sentence, noticing that the two of you were alone again. Beside your feet was a lone black feather. You picked it up and shoved it into your pocket before turning back to the kid,” So, you said your aniki would be back?”

He nodded shyly,” My older brother; we were playing and he told me not to walk too far, but I did, and, and, and I tripped and fell off the cliff and now I can’t find him. But, but he said that I should wait if I ever got lost because he’ll always find me” His lower lip began to quiver, as if about to cry.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” you knelt down and patted his back,” It’s okay, I’ll get you back to him,” you cooed.

“Promise?” he whimpered.

You nodded with a smile,” Promise. What’s your name?”

He grinned and wiped his tear stricken eyes,” Hirokiyoshi Hinomoto!! Who are you?”

“H-Hinomoto?” you were taken aback.

Hirokiyoshi looked at you with curiosity,” Yeah, it’s my last name.”

“How old are you exactly?” you asked taking his hand and walking over to a pile of rocks that led to the shore.

“I just turned 8,” he smiled.