Misty Memories (D4 EM)

[Kakita]

The roaring of the half-frozen waterfall crashed down on area. A single traveler stood near the shore’s edge… crouched down low on his feet.

He stared into the surface of the unsettled water… His mind wandering as he felt the flow of time pass through him like water upwards against the current.

Hayaku sat outside his mother’s room atop his knees. He could hear his sister’s crying from within the room. The soft sound of patting could be heard through the sobs.

The illness had worsened in recent days… his mother barely had any strength left to even breathe. The caregivers did not know how to improve her condition. They had waited… hoped… prayed… but his mother’s condition only worsened.

The doors slid open and his sister emerged from the room… tears still streaming down her reddened face. His father stood in the doorway and beckoned for him to come.

“Your mother would like to see you son.”

He nodded… but found that his body stood still. His young legs could not bring him to say goodbye… to go to her was to admit defeat…

His father came over and lifted him up gently before escorting him to his mother’s bedside.

His mother’s weakened frame turned to look at her son, “Hayaku… my son.”

Hayaku stepped forward and grasped his mother’s hand, “I am here mother.”

She smiled faintly and turned to look at him deep into his soul, “You are strong my son… Destiny favors you. You become a great man… But I want you to remember; It is the duty… of the strong… to defend.. the weak.”

She struggled to speak these last words to her son. “Always remember… my son… Don’t… ever… forget.”

He held his mother’s hand tightly as tears ran down his cheeks, “I will remember mother. I promise.”

His mother’s head nodded softly and she smiled as she trailed off to sleep…
————

Kakita reached out and touched the surface of the frigid river.

“I still remember mother… I still remember.”