The Journey of Two Sisters: Book 4 of the Kinstone series

I woke up early, having only gone to bed a few hours after returning from the shrine. I tossed and turned in my bed, until I finally got up and got dressed.

I let out a sigh, thinking about how so much has happened this year. My travels, letting go of my old life, in more ways than one, so much heart ache also has been piled onto me. Sometimes I really do wish this was all just a dream. The sad truth is that it isn’t.

I quietly hop down to the first floor, feeling my tails skimming the tops of the stairs. I didn’t hear the soft padding for paws I normally would. I guess Fenris either is still sleeping or I simply was able to slip past the wolf’s sensitive ears.

The house feels quiet and still. The entry hall and kitchen are slightly dark, with the light coming in from the sliding doors in the living room, giving a slight silvery glow.

A smile stretches across my face. While at the Manor my favorite time of the day was dusk. I used to love how the sun’s dying light tended cast a bright burning orange. In contrast here in Japan, my favorite time is just before sunrise.

I step over the front stoop and pull on my boots, lacing them up tightly. I quietly slide open the door, immediately feeling a rush of cold wind against my face and into my ears. I smile, not really being bothered by it and head outside, closing the door behind me.

My eyes scan the sky as I round the house. For the moment it’s still clear, but over the horizon I can start to see the beginnings of a storm. My trek leads me to the side of the house that faces the ocean, possibly my favorite part of being here.

I gaze outwards, listening the distant crashing of waves against the shore. While the sky is slowly changing darker, at the moment it’s not obstructive enough to disrupt my purpose for being out this early.

My ears flick back to sound of footsteps crunching into snow. I smile brightly, “Hey Marron.”

Arms soon wrap around me, pulling me back, “Happy New Year, sweetie.”

I giggle softly, “Happy New Year.”

“What time did you go to bed?” she asks, rocking us from side to side.

“Around 2:00.”

She lets out a sigh, “You really shouldn’t have been up that late.”

I giggle, “Too excited for this moment.”

She smiles, holding me more tightly as she rests her head on top of mine. “This will be the first time we’ve shared the first sunrise of the new year together.”

A broad grin rises on my face. We did share new years before, having done it right after the convention. But we never actually got up to watch the sun rise the next morning. I giggle to myself. I’m in Japan doing this. God I’m such a geek.

The sky turns lighter as the sun begins to crest over the horizon, casting a brilliant white against the contrasting distant darkness. The glow gives off a nearly fantastical view over the ocean. I smile, wrapping my tails around us, loving this quiet moment with my sister.

“Have you made your wish for the coming year?” she asks.

I cling to her arms more. “I’ve made many, with one of them already being fulfilled right now.”

She chuckles softly, kissing the top of my head. “Silly girl.”

I giggle, looking up her. “Have you made any?”

Marron lets out a soft sigh, “I’ve made a couple. Chief among them is for your happiness and freedom from all of this.”

“Thank you,” smiling up at her. “But you being here with me is part of it.”

She squeezes me even tighter, “Thank you, Baby Ahri.”

I lean into her, closing my eyes. Another wish I have is for my mother to be alive. I miss her every day since I had to flee from the Estate. I want the both of them to reconcile. So if she is, I pray they’re able to find peace. I know I have.

My grip remains strong on my sister’s arms. A new year is coming and I already know people have been talking about my future plans. To be honest…so have I.

The wind again picks up, blasting us with a cold snap against our faces. I slowly open my eyes, seeing that the sky is now growing even darker as the clouds really start to move in on us.

“We should probably head in before the storm hits us,” says Marron.

I nod, unfurling my tails from around her.

The both of us then turn and head back inside the house. I gaze up at the second floor, watching as lights start to appear in the windows. I smile, knowing that we’re going to have to start making breakfast for everyone.