The tale of Mayumi

Chapter 12: The Forest's Grip

The moment we entered the forest, an uneasy silence settled over us, one that neither of us dared to break. The air felt thicker here, heavier with memories I couldn't escape. Hikaru and I both knew what the other was thinking, though we never spoke it aloud. Kakashi, however, was completely unaware of the tension, his confusion evident in the way his eyes darted between the two of us.

The sun began to dip below the horizon, painting the sky with muted oranges and purples. As the light dimmed, we made camp, starting a small bonfire to keep the night chill at bay. The crackling of the fire filled the space between us, but it didn't ease the weight on my chest. It was like the forest itself was pressing in on us, its shadows thick with unspoken fears.

Hikaru's voice broke the silence, soft but laced with concern. "Are you okay?"

I took a deep breath, forcing a smile. "I am now. I just hope I'll be okay once we get out of this place."

His hand found mine, and he squeezed it gently. "I got you, okay? You'll be fine."

His words were a comfort, and his smile eased some of the tension in my chest. He pulled me into a hug, and for a moment, everything felt safe again. But as I looked up, my eyes met Kakashi's, and I noticed him quickly averting his gaze, as if trying to pretend he hadn't seen our moment of closeness.

I could tell he was puzzled, trying to understand the strange dynamic between Hikaru and me. To anyone else, our bond might seem odd—siblings in every sense but blood—but to us, it made perfect sense. The world didn't need to understand.

Hikaru left to catch some fish for dinner, and I decided to occupy myself with something to keep my mind off the haunting memories that plagued me. I focused on my powers, moving small objects around just to keep busy.

Then, my curiosity got the better of me. Kakashi, as usual, was perched on a nearby tree, nose buried in his book. I'd seen him read that book every time he had the chance, and the more I saw it, the more intrigued I became. What could possibly be so interesting in a book that he carried around everywhere?

Without thinking, I used my powers to snatch it out of his hands, pulling it toward me. Kakashi's eyes shot up, and in an instant, he was on the ground, sprinting toward me.

But I wasn't about to let him take it back so easily. I held up my hand, freezing him in place, his body locked with invisible force.

"Mayumi! Stop it!" Kakashi's voice was sharp, irritated.

I giggled mischievously. "Come on, I'll just have a quick look. What's the problem?"

"Don't open it!" he shouted, his calm demeanor slipping for the first time since I'd known him.

A grin spread across my face. "Wow, it's the first time you've lost your cool. Now I really have to know." I flicked open the book, my fingers scanning the pages.

His face flushed in embarrassment. "Stop it!" he growled, struggling against the invisible force holding him in place.

I couldn't help myself. I burst into laughter. "You're a pervert."

Kakashi's face turned even redder as he finally managed to break free of my hold, snatching the book away. "Shut up," he muttered, his voice laced with irritation as he hugged the book to his chest, his cheeks still pink.

I raised an eyebrow, still grinning. "Oh, come on. So what? I'm not judging." I tried to maintain a serious face, but I couldn't stop smiling like an idiot.

He glared at me. "It's not funny," he said, his voice returning to its usual calm tone as he sat by the bonfire.

I held up my hands in mock surrender. "I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. But how was I supposed to know what the book was about?" I tried to explain, my smile fading.

Kakashi let out a long sigh. "You're like a five-year-old," he muttered, clearly exasperated.

I looked down, feeling a little guilty. "Sorry," I mumbled, "I was just trying to distract myself."

He studied me for a moment, noticing the change in my mood. "From what?" His voice softened as he noticed the unease creeping into my expression.

I shrugged, not meeting his eyes. "My own thoughts."

Before he could say anything else, Hikaru returned, carrying the fish he had caught. Kakashi wisely chose to stay quiet, and the conversation shifted back to mundane matters. Hikaru took charge of preparing dinner, insisting on doing it himself despite my protests. Usually, I would have been the one to try and get everyone to talk, to lighten the mood, but not tonight. My mind was elsewhere, haunted by the memories of this forest, and I couldn't shake the growing feeling of dread gnawing at me. I just wanted to get out of here.

As I lay down on the ground, staring up at the stars, I tried to push my thoughts away, willing sleep to come and bring the morning faster. I couldn't stand the tension any longer. I needed this night to end.

⸻

Hikaru's POV

When I turned to Mayumi, cooked fish in hand, I saw that she had already fallen asleep. She looked so peaceful, her features softened in sleep, but there was still a hint of tension around her brows. She'd been acting off all day, and I couldn't help but worry.

Kakashi, noticing my gaze, spoke quietly. "Is she okay? She's been acting strange today."

I exhaled heavily, sitting next to her and covering her with a blanket. "This place has an impact on her."

Kakashi tilted his head, clearly confused. "What kind of impact?"

I hesitated, my hand gently brushing Mayumi's hair back from her face. "I met her here three years ago. She didn't remember anything—her past, who she was, anything. She still doesn't. We've been together ever since. At first, she had nightmares every single night. They were... bad. Real bad. But they started to fade. The last time she had one was three months ago. But being back here... it's like it all comes rushing back. And I think she's scared it'll start all over again."

Kakashi looked thoughtful. "So you're saying the nightmares could come back?"

I nodded, my throat tightening. "Yeah. I'm worried too."

Kakashi considered this, his gaze shifting between us. "Then we can sleep in shifts. I'll stay up if you want, and we'll keep an eye on her in case something happens."

I shook my head. "It's not that simple. When she's having a nightmare, sometimes she can't control her powers. She's terrified that she might hurt us in the process."

Kakashi's brow furrowed. "Has she hurt anyone?"

I paused. "Mostly herself," I admitted. "But she heals fast. The last time, she broke a window, and I ended up with several cuts. She was so worried about it that she refused to sleep when I was at home." My voice dropped slightly. "She's been doing better these past few months—more confident, more in control. But if the nightmares come back, I don't want her to lose faith in herself."

Kakashi studied me carefully, his usual calm face softening a little. "I understand," he said quietly. "We'll be here for her."

I nodded, feeling a slight sense of relief. At least we weren't alone in this. But deep down, I knew Mayumi still had a long road ahead of her, and I wasn't sure if this forest would let us escape without more scars.