The story is set in ancient Japan. Japanese honorifics are used.

Dreaming of a Nightmare

Music was heard as she quietly continued to dip her paintbrush into the watery paint. The handle of the paintbrush looked quite used; the older paint that was applied onto it was already peeling off. She bent over to one side and grabbed a piece of tree bark instead. Then, she raised her arm and continued to dip the piece of bark, making sure that each stroke was perfect in its each and own little way.

The music that was heard seemed to be coming from the painter’s companion. Another female raised her instrument, blowing into the mouthpiece to play each note clearly, making a soft twinkling sound.

Both females were sitting - the painter, on a tree stump, and the musician, a bit away from the painter, was on a small pillow that she had brought with. The lush green forests around them only made the scene quite spectacular.

The first female was dressed in a kimono, a gleaming crimson red decorated with small hand-painted butterflies – each flying freely. Her hair, a color red, matched the kimono in which she was wearing, was unbounded and let loose.

The second female was also dressed in a kimono, but a cool, calm bluish gray. The kimono was decorated with small flowers – tulips. Her hair was a dark brown that could be described as black. Her hair, unlike the other, was bound up into a long ponytail, hair reaching to almost her waist as she played each clear note.

“Yukita-chan.”

The second female called “Yukita” jerked out of her trance-like stage in which she had been in. “What is it, Kyoko-chan?” she asked with a curious gaze.

Kyoko stopped painting. In fact, she just sent down her piece of bark that she had been using, and stared at her painting.

There was an awkward silence upon them before Yukita spoke. “You know, if you’re not going to say anything, then keep painting. Sensei says we need practice you know…,” she said with an annoyed glance at her friend.

Kyoko sighed before lifting her paintbrush this time. She changed her mind and set it down again, and rested her hands in her lap. She looked up just to see that Yukita, too, had set her flute down.

“I feel like something’s happening…” Kyoko finally said with an exhausted tone. She stared around at the surroundings again.

Yukita got up from her sitting position and walked over to Kyoko and her painting. She ignored the comment and glanced at it. The lush green forests were piled everywhere. Only a small, long bridge showed its existence by its coloring. A pale brown color that could easily been mistaken as a fallen tree.

“Nice painting,” Yukita complimented as a smile graced her features, “And where are you getting the reference?” She tilted her head slightly, as if only teasing.

Kyoko grinned sheepishly. “Remember the story of zodiac race?” When Yukita nodded, Kyoko continued, “Well, it’s partly from the mountains just over there—“ she pointed just ahead of a path, “but I’ve always imagine that the zodiac cross this bridge to win…and then the bridge just suddenly snaps and falls when the cat is crossing it. So that the cat never arrives…losing...”

Yukino was taken back. “Wow… I never thought of it that way…,” she said thoughtfully, as she fingered her chin with a new idea in her head. She suddenly looked up at the darkening sky. Her once grinning face was replaced by a serious expression.

“We should get back.”

As if Kyoko had sensed that something was wrong, she nodded her head frantically and both kimono-clad females quickly packed their study materials.

The sound of rustling leaves and bushes pushed out of the way heard as both the females had just about finished packing. Both Yukino and Kyoko stood up suddenly, eyes on where the “creature” would be.

A boy about 7 or 8 appeared out from the bushes, panting slightly as if he had been running for a while looking something or someone…

Yukita and Kyoko rushed to see if he was alright, leaving their bags behind. Yukita got there first. “Are you alright?” she asked, concerned. When the boy nodded feebly, and she and Kyoko each gave a sigh of relief.

“Well… You aren’t lost are you?” Kyoko asked this time.

The boy shook his head and replied, “No. I came to look for…” he paused, reaching into his yukata sleeve to get a slip of parchment out and looked at it for a while before answering, “’Yukita-san and Kyoko-san’.”

Yukita and Kyoko looked surprised before Yukita spoke. “T-That’s us,” she stuttered out.

The boy nodded again and grabbed each of their hands. Soon, they were running across the bridge and towards a familiar path.

Kyoko hadn’t realized which “familiar path” it was until they had reach their destination. She gasped. Her mouth quivered. She fell to her knees.

Her home was on fire.

--

“GET THE WATER!”

Screams were shouted towards one another as the fire continued to spread. They had just contained it but now it was starting to spread again. Kyoko collapsed as Yukita started to walk over to her.

“Kyoko!” she shouted.

Kyoko felt as if everything had just turned on her. Like Kami hated her. As if…

…everything slowed down…

“No, no!” she said to herself, denying everything that was happening. She clutched her hands to her head, saying the mantra repeatedly to herself.

Yukita started to get frightened. “Kyoko! Calm down!” She ran and kneeled next to her friend. “KYOKO!” She shook her shoulders. “Get out of it!!”

“No.”

Frustrated, she gave up and started to walk away. She stopped in the middle and said, “Do you want to save your home or not?” After that, she continued to walk away and ran to get some water.

Kyoko didn’t want it to happen. Everything happened so fast! Yet…it seemed liked an eternity. She closed her eyes and darkness overtook her consciousness…

--

Hazel eyes opened slowly as she finally realized what had happen. The fire…

Tears slid down her cheeks and furthermore, but only stopped when a hand was waving in her face. She realized that it was her friend, Yukita.

Yukita smiled. “Hey there…” she said slowly, as if they were in a dream-like state. Kyoko got up and looked around. She was in her room. The curtains were the same, the sheets were the same…everything was the same again.

“Come on! Sensei says you’re late!” Yukita continued as she offered her hand. Kyoko looked confused for a moment before accepting it and getting up. She grinned.

“Alright, already. I’m coming…”

Author's Note: Make up your own ending. XD I just did this little mini story for a contest. So please review! Make this author happy and review if you please. By the way, this one is completed.