Mirai
"Hey, I'm sorry I'm late," Kurei said softly as he entered the room.
Kurenai turned around, a stick of Pocky poking out from her mouth. "It's okay," she said, smiling happily up at Kurei. "Want some?" She held the box up to Kurei.
Kurei took a stick and sat down beside Kurenai. "What ARE you looking at? Being voyeuristic again?"
Kurenai waved a hand dramatically. "Well now, how could anyone be voyeuristic in this RAIN?" Outside the window, the rain fell in torrents, beating mercilessly against the roses in their garden. "Poor poor roses," Kurenai sighed.
They sat in front of the window together; watching the rain fall, watching the lightning flash, watching the trees swaying in the wind. The room was silent, except for the occasionally crash of thunder, and the crunching of Pocky sticks.
The rain soon weakened, and the raindrops fell lightly. "I like rain," said Kurenai decidedly, finishing up her box of chocolate Pocky. Kurei cocked his head at her and she smiled back. "I like the rainbow at the end of rain, actually," she corrected herself. She turned back to the window and gasped. "Oh no, look, Kurei!"
Straggling along outside of the mansion gates, was an old man soaked to the skin, struggling with a huge bag.
Without saying anything else, Kurenai grabbed Kurei's hand, and dashed towards the door. "Last one to help that man is a rotten egg!"
They raced down the staircase, Kurenai giggling as she ran, Kurei with a wide grin on his face. She reached the door first, and sped out into the scattered raindrops. Kurei had to stop at the door, mesmerised by the sight of Kurenai.
Her hair blew gently in the wind, as the raindrops fell softly onto her hair and about her. Fallen rosepetals were strewn over the ground. Her laughter rang out, a joyous sound. And as she turned to face him, a rainbow formed behind her. My celestial beauty, thought Kurei reverently.
"Kurei?" she asked, watching him a little doubtfully.
He snapped out of his reverie. "Rainbow." he pointed, saying a little lamely.
"Come on, we have to help that man first before he runs away!"
He was still there, fortunately for Kurenai, and helping him with his huge bag, they led him into the mansion and back up to Kurenai's room.
Blankets were bundled onto him, together with a cup of hot coffee. "You shouldn't have been out in such weather, Mister." Kurenai said reproachfully, handing him a towel. "You might have gotten ill!"
"Nothing to prevent me from getting ill now," the old man said sourly, but he soon lightened up. "Well now. Thank you both very very much. Would you be so kind as to tell me your names?"
Kurenai smiled at him. "I'm Kurenai, and that silent piece of flesh there is Kurei." She grinned cheekily at Kurei who only mock-frowned at her.
The old man nodded his head sagely. "Ah. I appreciate the good food," he raised the cup, "and the company," he nodded his head towards Kurenai, "so in order to repay you, would you like me to read your fortune?" He watched them expectantly.
Kurenai cheered. "Okay, let's do it!"
She dragged Kurei's palm over to the old man, who looked closely at it. He then read Kurenai's palm. Kurenai was chattering away happily to the man, but Kurei could see something that Kurenai hadn't. He had seen the look of dismay and worry that had crossed the man's face momentarily when he had picked up Kurenai's hand.
"Well now," the man began. He looked up at Kurei. "You, sir, will have everything you want in life. Except for one thing, which only she," he indicated Kurenai, "can give you."
"And you, young miss, will be with him forever." He beamed at Kurenai, who was thrilled. Kurei didn't say anything. He could see that the smile didn't exactly reach the man's eyes. As he opened his mouth to ask the man to elaborate, one of Mori's servants knocked on the door and entered.
"Excuse me, Kurei-sama, but Mori-sama wishes to see you."
Kurei got up. "I'll be right back," he told Kurenai. "Take care of him." He nodded to the old man and strode out of the room.
The old man turned to Kurenai, but she was staring worriedly out of the door after Kurei. "I have to follow him," she said suddenly. "I know something's going to happen." She got up, deaf to the old man's words not to leave. "I'm sorry, mister, but I'll have to go. You can go anywhere you want in the house, except for the left wing. If you have to leave before I come back, you can just tell anyone of my servants to help you open the gate. I'll come back as soon as I can." With that, she dashed out of the room, leaving the old man behind, staring after her.
Outside, the rain began to fall again. The old man sighed, tears falling from his world-weary eyes. What rainbow could possibly come out of this rain?
The End.
Author's note:
Did I say I wouldn't have the time? Well, looks like I lied. :P Hope minna liked this one!