A Beautiful Secret (OHSHC)

Breaking Open

{Yu's P.O.V}

I let out a huge sigh as I sit on a bench watching the school students practice for the upcoming event. This was my brother's and I most favorite part of the school year. Seeing kids going above and over their limits was really inspiring and fascinating. We ended up talking about what sport or event we would participate in.

My brother and I never been really the athletic type. We were just normal, at first I thought we only had each other but Dani came along. She was constantly getting into trouble but she was always there now that I realize it.

During the happy times, the sad ones, and even *that* time too. It maybe true, I'm nothing more then an empty shell. After my brother died, I lost all hop–no, I lost myself. And when I found out my parents weren't dead, I could feel a inch of happiness but once they told me they're in a coma. Everything faded to darkness.

I never had any friends other than Dani and my brother. They constantly told me I should put myself out there because they won't always be around. Who knew that day would've come so soon. This mask, my board, they may seem like a way too lock myself away from society and that may be right but they hold an even greater meaning.

[Flashback]

"Ew, what kind of fashion-taste is that?! I kind of want to burn the damn thing." Dani threw the mask into my brother's face.

"Danielle, you should be careful what you do–because the goddess of this mask may come and punish you~" My brother joked, Dani puffed out her cheeks in anger.

"How many damn times do I have to fuckin' tell ya to not call me 'Danielle'. Man, that name just makes me want to slit my throat right here and now." Dani argues as she continues to throw random things at him.

"I don't see why the mask is so disgusting to you Dani. Could it be, you're afraid of the supernatural?" I question her, she stops her actions.

"L-Like hell I am! Those supernatural pricks can go and suck my dick!" Dani yelled as she stormed off.

"Looks like you got it right. Who knew Dani the troublemaker would be scared of such a common fear." My brother sighs, "Well everyone has their own weaknesses."

"You shouldn't talk Onii-Chan, you're afraid of the darkness. You probably even still believe that monsters are under your bed~" I poke him while laughing to myself.

"Hey! That's a real fear to be afraid of! Don't go judging me! Thinking about it, I'm your older brother and I don't even know what you're afraid of." He crosses his arms as I see a faint blush.

"Being Alone. Well not just being alone, being left alone with nobody but yourself to keep your mind from breaking and killing yourself."

"Wow, that's pretty messed up and freakin' scary. I'm gonna have nightmares tonight!" He pretends to be scared, I hit him in the gut.

"I went out of the way to tell you that in confidence you stupid moron. You should be grateful!" I yell at him as I puff out my cheeks in anger turning my back to him. Suddenly darkness spreads and I can see anything except light coming from two holes.

"Consider this a present from me. You'll never be alone as long as you have it! They say Ninjas from a long time ago wore these fox masks to show their bravery to the Fox Goddess and everytime they killed someone their sacrifice would go right to her! And I've heard that her shrine is full of souls of the murdered!"

Smack

"Don't believe him, Yu. He's just being an idiot as always. Man, grow up already and get a girlfriend." Dani comes back, I assumed she's forgotten about the whole matter earlier or maybe she hit him on the head because she was afraid.

"Welcome back, Ms Scaredy Pants." He says as he rubs his head in pain. Dani glares at him and he immediately apologizes.

"Well anywho, ignoring this idiot. As I was taking a walk–"

"You mean running away because–"

Smack

"Again?! Do you have no mercy woman?!"

"Idiots should learn to keep their mouths completely shut when someone is talking." Dani hit him harder then the first time, I guess she really is afraid of the supernatural and admitting her weakness. "Now that the idiot has been talk a second lesson, I found this board. It drew my attention since I know how you like to draw and stuff so I got it for you. And one more thing, what's with the damn fox mask?!"

"Onii-Chan got it for me!" I smile as she lets out a huge sigh.

[End Of Flashback]

I miss those times...the happy ones. Am I really not going to be happy again? "Even though he gave me this mask, I still can't help but feel all alone." I say to myself.

"Because you won't let anyone in you idiot." Dani says, I wonder how long she's been there, "I know what you're thinking, wondering how long I've been here. Look, during *that* time, I didn't want to tell but that idiot–I mean your brother told me to protect you. And that's what I'm doing. You know deep inside that this isn't what he would want. He constantly told you make friends and meet other people. As well as I. Maybe it's about time to follow his advice. Yu, you're not the only one hurting. Even though he was an idiot, those happy times were the best memories I've ever had in my entire life, for me you guys were the reason for my existence. But seeing you as you are now would disappoint him, don't you think?"

I know that all too well, "Dani, I'm scared. At the funeral everyone blamed me. What if it's really my fault that he's gone and my parents are in a coma? What if I make friends and that happens to them?" I feel tears coming out of my eyes as I clench my chest. It's painful facing the pain head own, admitting your weaknesses.

"We would've wanted you to overcome all the barriers that stand in your way because we believed you were strong. And you damn well it ain't your fault. It's an unfortunate accident. At times like these wouldn't it help talking to someone, who's actually alive maybe?" Dani tells me as she touches my shoulder.

"...you're right once again. I keep forgetting that your dead...no I don't forget, I can't accept it. But you really are. And the only reason you're still wandering this town is because I'm keeping you here because I haven't faced my fears or overcome them. Haru, my cousin, saved me but I ran away once she was announced to go into surgery. It's probably because I was scared to death that she might end up like my parents or brother. But I'll never know until I go back. And Honey, he welcomed me with open arms unlike the other members. I haven't been able to express my gratitude to him because I don't know how." I say softly as I begin to cry.

"So in other words, you're going back."

"I am, I'm going back to Uncle and Haru, and Honey. Even though I can't forgive the other members so easily, mother told me 'we learn to forgive but not forget'. I'm ready, I guess, I'll take everyone's advice and face my fears head on. Even though it might be scary, I'll do it. Otherwise, I can never feel human again."

"Yu, you've grown so much." Dani starts fading away, I reach out for her but I pull my hand back because I need to start doing stuff on my own instead of depending on her, "Just so you know, you made my world so full of light." She smiles, "I really don't regret meeting you at all. You're my friend, I was never able to say it due to how my personality was but hear me out. Keep fighting and we'll be watching over you. We'll also be waiting. Thank you, I love you, Yu."

She disappears into thin air, she would've told me right now it's okay to let it all out, I fall to my knees and start crying never ending tears. My heart hurt like it was going to explode. The worst pain, is accepting it all.