"Two days ago, an experiment lab in Shinjuku was destroyed during the battle between two upper first class demons. You and a girl about your age are the only survivor. Can you remember anything from that night? A name? A description? Anything at all that could help us?" Elizabeth's voice was low, but her eyes held an intensity that belied her calmness.
"I-i don't think so," Kakashi replied, his voice strained. "I can't seem to remember much."
"Try!!" Elizabeth insisted, leaning closer, her voice filled with urgency. "We need something, anything. Every detail counts."
"You're too close," Mira protested again, but Elizabeth remained focused on Kakashi.
"You weren't alone, you know?. There were other children. They're all dead. Don't you want justice for them?" Her words hung heavy in the air, a stark contrast to the otherwise peaceful atmosphere of the room.
Kakashi was starting to feel pressured, tiny bits of his memory began flowing back to him. His heart began to hammer against his ribs, wanting to burst out, his body shook violently, his skin slick with sweat.
"Ahhhh!! Ahhhh!!!" Kakashi cried out, his hands flying to his head as a wave of nausea and terror swept over him.
"Stop! You're making his condition worse!" Mira screamed, her voice shrill with alarm. She held on to Kakashi's arm, trying to calm him down, all to no avail.
"There were over eighty children found dead," Elizabeth shouted, her voice tight with frustration. "He's the only one who can tell us what happened! Who were they? Who were those demons?"
"Please, stop. I can't take it anymore," Kakashi pleaded, his voice barely audible, his body wracked with sobs. But Elizabeth, consumed by her mission, remained relentless.
"I think that will be enough for today, Elizabeth," A new voice, calm and authoritative, cut through the tension. "Don't you think he's had enough?"
Elizabeth flinched at the sound of the voice, turning to see a woman standing in the doorway. She was tall and elegant, her long black hair a stark contrast to her dark, intense purple eyes.
"M...Miss Tokoyami!" Elizabeth stood abruptly, bowing her head. "I was...only asking questions."
Miss Natski Tokoyami, Mira's mother, stepped into the room, her presence radiating an aura of quiet strength. She surveyed the scene, her gaze lingering on Kakashi's distress before turning back to Elizabeth.
"I can see that," Miss Tokoyami said, her voice gentle but firm. "And I think that will be enough for today, don't you think?"
"I-i'm so sorry, Miss Tokoyami," Elizabeth stammered, bowing repeatedly. "I apologize. I lost my composure. Perhaps I should leave and return tomorrow?"
"That sounds like a very good idea," Miss Tokoyami replied with a smile. Elizabeth, defeated, left the room.
Miss Tokoyami approached Kakashi, who was still trembling, Mira doing her best to comfort him.
"Poor child," Miss Tokoyami murmured, her voice soft with compassion. "Don't worry. You can rest now." She assured as she touched Kakashi's forehead, his body immediately weakened as he fell on the bed and drifted off to sleep.
.
.
.
Kakashi found himself standing on the misty bank of a river, the air thick with fog that swirled and danced around him, making it impossible to see anything clearly. A lone figure stood at the other side of the river, their back to him, silhouetted against the fog. Intrigued, he stared toward the water, the river appearing shallow enough to wade through. As the figure turned, however, Kakashi's breath hitched in his throat. He recognized the figure.
"Mom?" he called out, his voice a strained whisper, his feet already moving toward the water's edge. "I'm coming; wait for me."
"Don't come here!" Her voice cut through the air, sharp with disgust. "Stay back; don't come any closer." The words were covered with a chilling coldness that sent a shiver down his spine.
"Mom, what's wrong?! It's your son! It's Kakashi!" His voice rose in desperation, the fog seeming to thicken, growing the uneasiness he felt in his heart.
"You are not my son!!" Her voice boomed, the words echoing across the water, striking him with the force of a physical blow. Kakashi froze, his body rigid with shock. He hadn't heard his mother raise her voice like this before. "No son of mine would live and forget about his sister. Where is your sister, Kakashi? Where is Tokah?"
Kakashi was utterly confused, it was the first time he had ever seen, or heard, this side of his mother. She was usually so sweet, so caring.
"I don't know where she is! I tried to save you and I lef..." Kakashi paused. "I told her to go without me, I was going to—"
"Stop giving me excuses and find your sister. You are not my son until you find your sister." Her voice was cold, unforgiving.
His chest tightened, his breathing growing shallow and ragged, He gripped his shirt as he tried to control his breathing but the fog made it harder. His eyes stung with unshed tears.
"I promise, I WILL FIND TOKAH and I'll avenge your death," he vowed, his voice choked with emotion.
"Big brother, are you looking for… me? I hope I'm not in trouble," a small, hesitant voice called out.
Kakashi spun around, relief flooding him as he recognized the familiar, though slightly altered, sound of his little sister's voice.
"Tokah! You had me worried sick. Where have you been?" His voice was thick with relief. "Don't do that to your big brother."
The little girl, who looked no older than eight, stood before him. She wore a tattered, dirty white gown, her long, usually pristine white hair now matted and tangled, obscuring much of her face. Dirt smudged her cheeks, and a thin layer of grime coated her small frame.
She didn't answer, her gaze fixed on the ground.
"Were you out playing in the dirt again? Remember what Mom said? You're a girl, so act like one," Kakashi chided gently, trying to get close to her. "What are you doing here?. Come on, mom is waiting for us."
"I was waiting for you to come back, just like you promised," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Kakashi's eyes widened in shock. Before he could respond, she turned and fled, running in the opposite direction from where their mother stood.
Kakashi reacted instantly, a desperate plea forming on his lips. He ran after her desperately. He had to bring her back to his mother; otherwise, his mother would never accept him.
"Tokah! Please come back! You're going the wrong way!" he yelled, his voice filled with urgency, but she didn't stop, maintaining a steady distance as she ran.
"TOKAH!!!" Kakashi roared, the sound echoing in the vast emptiness. Then, he woke with a gasp, his heart pounding in his chest.
He was breathing heavily and his body covered with sweat.
_Thank goodness, it was just a dream. But, it felt so real. Is Mom trying to push me to find my sister?_
DO YOU KNOW?
Luckily, Natski never got to find out that Mira woke Kakashi up.