Chapter 1 Goodbye, Yonshi

Onu Omeruno stirred faintly in his bed, stuck between the tangible world and his nightmare, the cries for help in his mind being replaced by frustrated commands from beside his bed.

"Onu! Get up!"

Onu sat up with a jolt, tiredness and irritation illustrated all over his face.

"What's happening, mother?" he asked with all the patience he could muster. If he had been more awake and aware perhaps he could have mustered some more, as he would have noticed the look of sadness on his mother's face.

"Lady Yonshi. She's passed away, Onu"

Onu had always admired Yonshi. She was one of the few Seers in the world who could make future predictions as accurately as she did. Her achievements, even in her twenties, outranked most people he knew, including himself, a fact he was all too aware of. Her life was 101 years of inspiration.

"The funeral is on Sunday."

"I wish we had more of a relationship. You'd think in a town as small as Hiyaku-Machi and her talents I would have made the time to see her more..."

Onu stared at his feet, on top of which sat a pair of polished, jet black shoes in which he could almost see his reflection. He felt a hand make its way through his golden spiked hair and pat his head. He looked up to see his mother's smiling face, her eyes slightly moist and bloodshot.

"No point in regrets now, dear. I guess the best we can hope for is to be just as appreciated and admired as Yonshi was. You have that in you, Onu."

Onu smiled back appreciatively, but he found himself frowning once his mother had looked away.

"What do you suppose her last prophecy was?"

Onu put down his coffee mug, wrapping both hands around it for warmth, his gaze meeting the curious eyes of the girl in front of him.

"What do you mean, Cheena?" he asked.

Cheena raised an eyebrow, as if in disbelief.

"You haven't heard? Yonshi made one last prophecy shortly before she died, but it hasn't been announced yet."

Onu instantly became more attentive, almost forgetting to swallow and risking choking on the last of his coffee.

"You never do pay much attention do you, Onu?" Cheena remarked playfully. Onu's face had changed from surprise to perturbation.

"Th- the last time she made a prediction..."

Onu's words trailed off with a troubled halt. Cheena placed her hand on his comfortingly, and noticed that it was shaking.