Where the Paths Take Me [COMPLETED]

Chapter 52 ~ The Tale [Part 2] ~

Fifth Arc : The Story of Megumi and Ryouta [Part 2]

Megumi and Ryouta lived a peaceful life after their confessions. Ryouta, worked hard in order to obtain Hideaki's blessing for their feelings. Megumi, lived her life to the fullest by being by Ryouta's side always.

"Years passed. Seeing that the two truly wished to be with each other, Hideaki gave them his blessing for their marriage." Minato showed Kise another drawing. It was a drawing of Megumi and Ryouta in traditional Japanese wedding attires.

Megumi was dressed beautifully by her aunts and cousins. If only her mother was there to witness her that day, she would have cried in joy to see her daughter's wedding day.

Ryouta stood in front of the mirror and pictured his parents and siblings standing next to him, smiling wistfully. He still wondered where the mad woman was. If she is truly dead, then they would have found her body already. But, all those years of searching.. Not only did they not found her, but all her servants including the shaman who helped her was gone. Vanished.. No trace was found.

"It was the day of their wedding. A wonderful summer's day. Or so they thought.."

Flaming arrows were shot by men riding on galloping horses towards the Mirai clan's house. All had their guards down due to the wedding. All were shocked from the sudden interference. The wooden house started to burst into flames. In broad daylight, smoke rose to the sky, turning the blue sky into roaring clouds of pure black. It wasn't only their home. It was the whole village.

Men on foot attacked the village, killing innocent ones who knew nothing, knew no reason for them to be killed so suddenly.

"Ryouta~ Ryouta~" The woman, the same one who slaughtered Ryouta's family called out in a sing song yet wicked voice peered out from the carriage being held up by eight men in full armor. It was followed by a twisted laugh that sent fear run down people's veins.

"For all those years, it seems that the reason why the woman made no signs of attacking was that she kept herself in hiding. Driven by madness that pulled her into darkness, she has sacrificed her own family in order to keep herself young and beautiful. Powered by greed and shattered ego, she trained under the shaman in waiting for the moment to strike. Her name was.. Hayako."

"I loved you! I wanted to be with you! I'm beautiful! I sacrificed everything for you! RYOUTA!!" Hayako growled at the end. Her voice was overshadowed by a heavy scratchy one that didn't seem to be hers at all.

Arrows were fired towards Megumi. Most were reflected by her relatives who managed to pull out their swords in time. But, one went a stray. Ryouta shielded Megumi only to have his arm pierced by the arrow.

Megumi went to his side when he fell to his knees, blood oozing from his wound. He bravely pulled the arrow out, groaning in pain.

Megumi ripped his sleeve off and she wrapped the cloth onto the wound. One of her brothers came to her with two swords in hand. She gave them both to them. Another one of her brothers came.

"Megumi, we need to get you both into the mountain forest!"

"What? No! What about the others?" Megumi argued.

"But-"

Her brother wasn't able to continue when the woman confidently strided towards them, cutting down anyone in her way.

Everyone, all around them were fighting. The Mirai clan is a big family and thus many were able to defend the others.

"Go up into the mountains, now!" Hideaki yelled as he took out the carved whistle that was strapped to a braided string around his neck. He blew on it as the others fought against the enemies.