The Knights Himura

#9: Dodging the Rain

Tsukiko dragged Fumiko through the town. She didn't speak a word, only pulling her along. Fumi felt like her arm was going to come off. Tsuki squeezed Fumi's hand so tight their fingers turned white.

Everything seemed to be moving quickly and slowly at the same time. The journey felt short, but they both felt each and every drop that landed on them. They noticed every little off thing on the way home.

The afternoon had become dusk. The sky above them was a murky grey black. The rain was pounding down on them with such force that it almost hurt. The flowing water picked up all of the oil and litter off of the streets, carrying it down the empty streets.

The wind chilled the two girls to the bone, pushing against them. Their clothes were almost completely soaked. The world around them would flash white, and a loud rumbling rolled around them.

They approached the old Himura household, falling down onto the front step. It wasn't a graceful motion, as she practically collapsed onto the cold concrete. Tsuki hid her face in her arms, not able to look her friend in the eye.

Fumiko had stopped crying, but Tsukiko was still visibly startled and scared. She tried her best to choke back tears, but it didn't work.

She felt nothing but shame. Fumi stood over her, watching closely as she curled up and let herself cry.

"Are you okay, Tsuki?" Fumiko stepped closer.

"I..." Tsuki tried to speak, but failed, returning to her sobs.

"Hey, calm down." Fumi spoke softly.

"I'm sorry."

"It's alright, Tsuki."

"It's not alright!" Tsuki raised her voice, still hiding her face. "I almost killed him."

"You didn't kill him, Tsuki. That's all that matters." Fumi sat down next to Tsukiko.

"I... It was like my brain turned off. I just got so angry, and--"

"He'll be okay! Seriously!"

"It's not okay!" Tsukiko shouted. "I hurt you. I made you cry. I made you scared."

"I'm not hurt. It's just a bruise. Bruises heal. C'mon, don't cry." Fumi insisted.

"I don't know what to do."

Fumi sighed. "I don't know what to do either."

Tsuki coughed. "I didn't mean it..."

"I know you didn't." Fumiko stood up, pulling Tsukiko up with her. "Let's go inside."

Fumi pulled Tsukiko inside, into the warmth. She shut the door behind them. It was as if the two of them had been transported into another world. Fumi led Tsukiko over to one of the chairs in the kitchen.

"I'm sorry." Tsuki said out of habit.

"Stop apologizing so much, alright? You're making this worse." Fumi shook her head.

"I feel like a fuck up right now..."

"You're not a fuck up. You made one mistake, Tsuki. Just one."

Tsuki made her hand into a fist. "A really big mistake."

"It's still just one. I stopped you. Just don't make me have to stop you again." Fumi sat down in a chair and put her hand on Tsukiko's leg.

"I'm supposed to be better than this." Tsuki looked away.

"Why?"

"Cuz I have to protect you." Tsuki blushed.