[Fanfic] Full Circle: Chapter 3
Title: Full Circle
Author: Miss Shad
Fandom: xxxHolic
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Mild AU
Summary: The story of Kimihiro Watanuki and Shizuka Doumeki. One yearns to know where he belongs, the other yearns to feel needed. Through the ties of their fates--and a little help from a certain Dimensional Witch--they may find both.
CHAPTER 3:
FAMILY
A brilliantly colored butterfly flew through the fair skies high above the park, relentlessly pursued by a pair of mischievous young hands that tried in vain to snatch it.
"Kimihiro!" called Hinanjo from the park bench.
Kimihiro sprang up and made another grab at the butterfly, and this time he was evidently successful. A smug, satisfied grin crossed his face as he looked at his tightly clasped hands.
"Kimihiro! What are you doing?" Hinanjo called again.
Startled, Kimihiro whirled around. "Umm…n-nothing, Mama," he stammered.
"You're always up to something, Kimihiro," said Hinanjo. "Now, what were you doing with that butterfly?"
"Well, I was trying to catch it…and I did! Look!" He opened his hands, but to his surprise the butterfly flew right out.
"Hey! Come back here!" He began chasing after it once again. In his haste, he tripped over his shoelaces and fell flat on the grass. He raised his head and looked upwards at the butterfly which had now flown quite far. "Please! I just wanna keep you! Your wings are so pretty!"
The butterfly was now almost completely out of sight, and with a heavy sigh, Kimihiro decided he had to give up. He got back on his feet and sadly walked back to Hinanjo.
"It got away, Mama," he said. "I couldn't catch it."
"Well…maybe it belongs to someone else," said Hinanjo kindly.
Kimihiro looked behind him and towards the sky. The butterfly was gone, but he was still intensely curious. If his mother was right (and more often than not, he thought she was), just who could that butterfly belong to?
"Well, we'd better get going now," said Hinanjo, getting up off the bench. "We don't want to miss our train."
"Aww, can't we stay just a little longer?" asked Kimihiro.
"I'm afraid not," said Hinanjo. "But if you'll be a good boy and hurry along now, I'll buy you a treat at the station."
Kimihiro perked up. "Really?" Hinanjo nodded.
That was enough for him. He excitedly followed his mother out of the park and down the streets to the train station. When they got there, Hinanjo kept her word; she bought him a small tin of fruit drops, which he popped into his mouth with gusto as they sat and waited for the train together.
By the time the train pulled into the station, Kimihiro had eaten the last of them. He turned the tin upside down and shook it, peering into the hole in the top, trying to make absolutely sure that there weren't any more left.
"Kimihiro, come on," Hinanjo urged gently. Kimihiro got up and threw the tin away, then climbed aboard the train alongside his mother.
Young Kimihiro's days had passed by as smoothly and swiftly as the train he was riding. The world held innumerable discoveries, and like the scenery outside the train's windows, he experienced them in a flurry of enthusiasm and awe. And through it all, his parents kept the promise symbolized in his name, for they were always close by and there when he needed them, whether it be in times of trouble or simply times of inquiry, for Kimihiro wondered about a great many things.
Soon Kimihiro and Hinanjo reached their destination: the station down the street from a large shopping mall. The two of them departed the station and walked together. They hadn't gone far when Hinanjo noticed that Kimihiro was no longer at her side. She looked behind her and saw him standing stock-still with his eyes on something across the street.
"Kimihiro?" she said, approaching him.
Kimihiro edged close to her and grabbed her hand, his gaze still fixed. "M-M-Mama," he whimpered, pointing, "make that thing over there go away…it's scaring me…"
"What thing?"
"That…that big blob over there with the scary eyes…can't you see it?"
Hinanjo sighed. She knew exactly what was going on: Kimihiro was seeing a spirit, just as Mamoru had done in the past. It was nothing new either; Kimihiro had complained of such things ever since he began to talk, and every time he did, her heart would ache because she knew that with her repelling abilities gone, she could not help him.
"Well," she said softly, hugging him, "I can't make it go away, but I'll make sure it doesn't hurt you."
Kimihiro peered up at her. "Promise?"
"Promise." She kissed his forehead.
Kimihiro felt safer now. He held her hand and the two of them continued walking.
A few moments later, they entered the mall and made their way to the escalator, which would take them to the vicinity of the food court. As they stepped off, Kimihiro sniffed the air and grew excited; a delicious aroma told him his father was near.
On the far left corner of the food court was Miyuki Café, where, as usual, Mamoru was hard at work making sweet desserts and pastries of all sorts. Tugging at Hinanjo's arm, Kimihiro ran towards the counter.
"Slow down, Kimihiro!" Hinanjo urged.
They arrived just as Mamoru finished making a crepe for the woman in front of them. When she left, Mamoru cheerfully greeted his wife and son.
"Hi Dad!" Kimihiro exclaimed. "How's it going?"
"Just fine, Kimi," said Mamoru. "Did you have fun at the park?"
"Yep!"
"He was trying to catch a butterfly," said Hinanjo.
Kimihiro frowned. "Yeah, and it got away…"
"Oh," said Mamoru with an understanding nod.
"Mama said it might have belonged to someone else though…do you know who that could be?"
Mamoru thought for a moment, then smiled playfully. "Someone special, I bet."
Kimihiro then noticed a display case on the counter filled with several freshly baked cookies. He got closer to it, pressing his nose against the glass and staring eagerly.
"Those look good, don't they?" said Mamoru. "You want to try one?"
Kimihiro looked up happily. "I sure do! How did you know?"
"I know my Kimi." Mamoru got a pair of tongs, opened the case, and took out one of the cookies.
"Kimihiro!" said Hinanjo. "You just had an entire tin of fruit drops! This is going to spoil your dinner!"
"Oh, come on now, Hinanjo," said Mamoru with a laugh. He handed the cookie to Kimihiro. Hinanjo just sighed and shook her head.
"Speaking of dinner," said Mamoru to Hinanjo, "I think I'll make teriyaki tonight; does that sound good to you?"
"Fine by me," said Hinanjo.
Kimihiro, nibbling the last of the cookie, perked up at the mention of his father's cooking. "Hey Dad! Can I help you make it?"
"Hmm…I don't know," said Mamoru. "I promise I'll let you help me someday though."
"But what if today is 'someday?'" Kimihiro persisted.
Mamoru laughed heartily. "Aren't you the eager one! Well, I guess we'll just have to see." He then took out his gold pocket watch and looked at the time. "Well, I'll be finished here in about half an hour, so I should be getting home not too long after you do."
"All right," said Hinanjo. "I suppose we'll be heading home now…don't want to miss the bus." She gently took Kimihiro by the hand. "See you at home, Mamoru." she said with a smile.
"Bye Dad!" said Kimihiro happily. He and his mother had only walked a few steps when suddenly he paused and looked back towards the counter.
"Hey! Can I have one more cookie?"
Hinanjo took him by the hand. "Kimihiro, come on!"
_____________________________________________________________
Outside the window a thick gathering of clouds shrouded the moonlight, making the murky evening skies even darker. Lying flat on his back in the bed, Kimihiro stared anxiously at the ceiling, breathing slowly and rhythmically. The faint glow from his night light cast many shadows on his wall, some quite large and looming.
A deep, guttural sound of heavy breathing emanated from one corner of the room, along with a horrendous stench of decay. Kimihiro flinched and pulled the blankets up closer, his heartbeat quickening.
The sound came again, slightly louder. Kimihiro closed his eyes tightly, shivering. "Please…" he whispered plaintively. "Please not again…"
The sound grew louder, and the scent stronger. Kimihiro pulled the covers completely up over his head, hoping to shield himself.
The sound once again grew louder, as though the source of it was approaching his bed. Kimihiro felt trapped now, and was on the verge of crying. "Please…please…go away!"
Then suddenly something ripped the covers away from him with an awful hiss. Kimihiro looked up to see a pitch-black shadowy mass with dozens of sharp teeth standing over him. With a panicked yelp he tried to crawl away, but the creature wrapped itself around him like a python squeezing its prey to death.
"Let me go!" screamed Kimihiro, kicking and thrashing around. "Let me go! PLEASE! Stop it!"
The creature hissed at him and squeezed harder.
"Help! Mama! It's hurting me! MAMA!"
Awakened by her son's cries, Hinanjo rushed into the room and turned on the light.
As soon as the light came on the creature evaporated, taking its revolting scent with it. With the pressure no longer clenching his small body, Kimihiro immediately relaxed his muscles and took several deep breaths. Still in shock, he feebly raised his head to see his mother nearby. Relief surged through him like a cooling shower.
"What happened?" asked Hinanjo, kneeling beside him.
Kimihiro looked down. His heart was still pounding and he could think of nothing but how grateful he was to be alive. "One of those things tried to get me again," he said quietly. Remembering the terror of the moment brought tears to his eyes. "Why…why can't they just leave me alone?" He began to sob, and Hinanjo put her arms around him.
"Shh…shh…it's all right now…" said Hinanjo, patting Kimihiro's back. "It's all right…"
"I'm too scared to sleep now, Mama," said Kimihiro. "What if it comes back?"
"Then you can sleep with Dad and I."
"You don't mind?"
"Not at all." She let go of him and stood up.
"Can you carry me?" asked Kimihiro plaintively.
"Aren't you getting kind of big for that?"
"Pleeeaaaase?"
Hinanjo smiled. "All right. Just this once." She lifted him into her arms and carried him to her bedroom, where Mamoru sat up in the bed waiting for her.
"It happened again, didn't it?" said Mamoru.
Hinanjo nodded. She tucked Kimihiro in, then got in bed beside him. Kimihiro snuggled close to her and laid his head on her chest. With drowsiness replacing his anxiety, he was soon lulled back to sleep by the sounds of her heartbeat and breathing.
Mamoru dejectedly looked down at his sleeping son. Unsavory spirits had crossed paths with him in the past as well, and it was terrible. Every time Kimihiro had to go through such an experience, his heart filled with burning pity.
"I'm sorry, Kimi," he whispered, gently stroking Kimihiro's hair. He then reached towards the lamp on the bedside table, turned it off, then lay back down.
Author: Miss Shad
Fandom: xxxHolic
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Mild AU
Summary: The story of Kimihiro Watanuki and Shizuka Doumeki. One yearns to know where he belongs, the other yearns to feel needed. Through the ties of their fates--and a little help from a certain Dimensional Witch--they may find both.
CHAPTER 3:
FAMILY
A brilliantly colored butterfly flew through the fair skies high above the park, relentlessly pursued by a pair of mischievous young hands that tried in vain to snatch it.
"Kimihiro!" called Hinanjo from the park bench.
Kimihiro sprang up and made another grab at the butterfly, and this time he was evidently successful. A smug, satisfied grin crossed his face as he looked at his tightly clasped hands.
"Kimihiro! What are you doing?" Hinanjo called again.
Startled, Kimihiro whirled around. "Umm…n-nothing, Mama," he stammered.
"You're always up to something, Kimihiro," said Hinanjo. "Now, what were you doing with that butterfly?"
"Well, I was trying to catch it…and I did! Look!" He opened his hands, but to his surprise the butterfly flew right out.
"Hey! Come back here!" He began chasing after it once again. In his haste, he tripped over his shoelaces and fell flat on the grass. He raised his head and looked upwards at the butterfly which had now flown quite far. "Please! I just wanna keep you! Your wings are so pretty!"
The butterfly was now almost completely out of sight, and with a heavy sigh, Kimihiro decided he had to give up. He got back on his feet and sadly walked back to Hinanjo.
"It got away, Mama," he said. "I couldn't catch it."
"Well…maybe it belongs to someone else," said Hinanjo kindly.
Kimihiro looked behind him and towards the sky. The butterfly was gone, but he was still intensely curious. If his mother was right (and more often than not, he thought she was), just who could that butterfly belong to?
"Well, we'd better get going now," said Hinanjo, getting up off the bench. "We don't want to miss our train."
"Aww, can't we stay just a little longer?" asked Kimihiro.
"I'm afraid not," said Hinanjo. "But if you'll be a good boy and hurry along now, I'll buy you a treat at the station."
Kimihiro perked up. "Really?" Hinanjo nodded.
That was enough for him. He excitedly followed his mother out of the park and down the streets to the train station. When they got there, Hinanjo kept her word; she bought him a small tin of fruit drops, which he popped into his mouth with gusto as they sat and waited for the train together.
By the time the train pulled into the station, Kimihiro had eaten the last of them. He turned the tin upside down and shook it, peering into the hole in the top, trying to make absolutely sure that there weren't any more left.
"Kimihiro, come on," Hinanjo urged gently. Kimihiro got up and threw the tin away, then climbed aboard the train alongside his mother.
Young Kimihiro's days had passed by as smoothly and swiftly as the train he was riding. The world held innumerable discoveries, and like the scenery outside the train's windows, he experienced them in a flurry of enthusiasm and awe. And through it all, his parents kept the promise symbolized in his name, for they were always close by and there when he needed them, whether it be in times of trouble or simply times of inquiry, for Kimihiro wondered about a great many things.
Soon Kimihiro and Hinanjo reached their destination: the station down the street from a large shopping mall. The two of them departed the station and walked together. They hadn't gone far when Hinanjo noticed that Kimihiro was no longer at her side. She looked behind her and saw him standing stock-still with his eyes on something across the street.
"Kimihiro?" she said, approaching him.
Kimihiro edged close to her and grabbed her hand, his gaze still fixed. "M-M-Mama," he whimpered, pointing, "make that thing over there go away…it's scaring me…"
"What thing?"
"That…that big blob over there with the scary eyes…can't you see it?"
Hinanjo sighed. She knew exactly what was going on: Kimihiro was seeing a spirit, just as Mamoru had done in the past. It was nothing new either; Kimihiro had complained of such things ever since he began to talk, and every time he did, her heart would ache because she knew that with her repelling abilities gone, she could not help him.
"Well," she said softly, hugging him, "I can't make it go away, but I'll make sure it doesn't hurt you."
Kimihiro peered up at her. "Promise?"
"Promise." She kissed his forehead.
Kimihiro felt safer now. He held her hand and the two of them continued walking.
A few moments later, they entered the mall and made their way to the escalator, which would take them to the vicinity of the food court. As they stepped off, Kimihiro sniffed the air and grew excited; a delicious aroma told him his father was near.
On the far left corner of the food court was Miyuki Café, where, as usual, Mamoru was hard at work making sweet desserts and pastries of all sorts. Tugging at Hinanjo's arm, Kimihiro ran towards the counter.
"Slow down, Kimihiro!" Hinanjo urged.
They arrived just as Mamoru finished making a crepe for the woman in front of them. When she left, Mamoru cheerfully greeted his wife and son.
"Hi Dad!" Kimihiro exclaimed. "How's it going?"
"Just fine, Kimi," said Mamoru. "Did you have fun at the park?"
"Yep!"
"He was trying to catch a butterfly," said Hinanjo.
Kimihiro frowned. "Yeah, and it got away…"
"Oh," said Mamoru with an understanding nod.
"Mama said it might have belonged to someone else though…do you know who that could be?"
Mamoru thought for a moment, then smiled playfully. "Someone special, I bet."
Kimihiro then noticed a display case on the counter filled with several freshly baked cookies. He got closer to it, pressing his nose against the glass and staring eagerly.
"Those look good, don't they?" said Mamoru. "You want to try one?"
Kimihiro looked up happily. "I sure do! How did you know?"
"I know my Kimi." Mamoru got a pair of tongs, opened the case, and took out one of the cookies.
"Kimihiro!" said Hinanjo. "You just had an entire tin of fruit drops! This is going to spoil your dinner!"
"Oh, come on now, Hinanjo," said Mamoru with a laugh. He handed the cookie to Kimihiro. Hinanjo just sighed and shook her head.
"Speaking of dinner," said Mamoru to Hinanjo, "I think I'll make teriyaki tonight; does that sound good to you?"
"Fine by me," said Hinanjo.
Kimihiro, nibbling the last of the cookie, perked up at the mention of his father's cooking. "Hey Dad! Can I help you make it?"
"Hmm…I don't know," said Mamoru. "I promise I'll let you help me someday though."
"But what if today is 'someday?'" Kimihiro persisted.
Mamoru laughed heartily. "Aren't you the eager one! Well, I guess we'll just have to see." He then took out his gold pocket watch and looked at the time. "Well, I'll be finished here in about half an hour, so I should be getting home not too long after you do."
"All right," said Hinanjo. "I suppose we'll be heading home now…don't want to miss the bus." She gently took Kimihiro by the hand. "See you at home, Mamoru." she said with a smile.
"Bye Dad!" said Kimihiro happily. He and his mother had only walked a few steps when suddenly he paused and looked back towards the counter.
"Hey! Can I have one more cookie?"
Hinanjo took him by the hand. "Kimihiro, come on!"
_____________________________________________________________
Outside the window a thick gathering of clouds shrouded the moonlight, making the murky evening skies even darker. Lying flat on his back in the bed, Kimihiro stared anxiously at the ceiling, breathing slowly and rhythmically. The faint glow from his night light cast many shadows on his wall, some quite large and looming.
A deep, guttural sound of heavy breathing emanated from one corner of the room, along with a horrendous stench of decay. Kimihiro flinched and pulled the blankets up closer, his heartbeat quickening.
The sound came again, slightly louder. Kimihiro closed his eyes tightly, shivering. "Please…" he whispered plaintively. "Please not again…"
The sound grew louder, and the scent stronger. Kimihiro pulled the covers completely up over his head, hoping to shield himself.
The sound once again grew louder, as though the source of it was approaching his bed. Kimihiro felt trapped now, and was on the verge of crying. "Please…please…go away!"
Then suddenly something ripped the covers away from him with an awful hiss. Kimihiro looked up to see a pitch-black shadowy mass with dozens of sharp teeth standing over him. With a panicked yelp he tried to crawl away, but the creature wrapped itself around him like a python squeezing its prey to death.
"Let me go!" screamed Kimihiro, kicking and thrashing around. "Let me go! PLEASE! Stop it!"
The creature hissed at him and squeezed harder.
"Help! Mama! It's hurting me! MAMA!"
Awakened by her son's cries, Hinanjo rushed into the room and turned on the light.
As soon as the light came on the creature evaporated, taking its revolting scent with it. With the pressure no longer clenching his small body, Kimihiro immediately relaxed his muscles and took several deep breaths. Still in shock, he feebly raised his head to see his mother nearby. Relief surged through him like a cooling shower.
"What happened?" asked Hinanjo, kneeling beside him.
Kimihiro looked down. His heart was still pounding and he could think of nothing but how grateful he was to be alive. "One of those things tried to get me again," he said quietly. Remembering the terror of the moment brought tears to his eyes. "Why…why can't they just leave me alone?" He began to sob, and Hinanjo put her arms around him.
"Shh…shh…it's all right now…" said Hinanjo, patting Kimihiro's back. "It's all right…"
"I'm too scared to sleep now, Mama," said Kimihiro. "What if it comes back?"
"Then you can sleep with Dad and I."
"You don't mind?"
"Not at all." She let go of him and stood up.
"Can you carry me?" asked Kimihiro plaintively.
"Aren't you getting kind of big for that?"
"Pleeeaaaase?"
Hinanjo smiled. "All right. Just this once." She lifted him into her arms and carried him to her bedroom, where Mamoru sat up in the bed waiting for her.
"It happened again, didn't it?" said Mamoru.
Hinanjo nodded. She tucked Kimihiro in, then got in bed beside him. Kimihiro snuggled close to her and laid his head on her chest. With drowsiness replacing his anxiety, he was soon lulled back to sleep by the sounds of her heartbeat and breathing.
Mamoru dejectedly looked down at his sleeping son. Unsavory spirits had crossed paths with him in the past as well, and it was terrible. Every time Kimihiro had to go through such an experience, his heart filled with burning pity.
"I'm sorry, Kimi," he whispered, gently stroking Kimihiro's hair. He then reached towards the lamp on the bedside table, turned it off, then lay back down.