A LONESOME TREE IN THE NIGHT SKY

                                    

                                          
  The gleaming moon hung high in the midnight sky. Kintoru glanced at the moon under the Sakura tree. The pink leaves fluttered in grace as the tree swayed in peace. She let out a soft chuckle. Her eyes were shining red and the moon was reflected in her eyes. "Another night, another victim. All shall stand, all shall fall," she mumbled. 
  The tree, though retained its beauty, wore a shade of black. The rusty chain looped around the tree with a paper adhered to it. She had been waiting for a very long time. She yearned for vengeance, reluctant to accept the fact that she had been defeated. Enzukai, Netamo and Yuma, they were all sealed somewhere else, far from her. Unable to accept her fate sealed under the graceful tree, her fiery spirit to control the world continues to burn brightly. 
  A gust of wind rustled the graceful leaves. Another night had fallen and Kintoru was once again staring at the moon and the blanket of stars that stretched to infinity. She shut her eyes and let out a chuckle.
  A split second later, sounds of footsteps interrupted her thoughts. They gradually got closer and louder and soon, they stopped. There stood a girl in a white dress and a pink hat. In her hands was a doll, gripped tightly to her chest. She ran to the tree and sat with her arms buried in her head, wallowing in sorrow. "Why, Mom... Why would you do this to me.?" The girl muttered, her words muffled.
  No doubt, her sorrowful words were music to Kintoru's ears. Her desire to manipulate and control had been fulfilled. "Little girl... What's wrong?" She voiced out. The words seemed to stick in her throat as she stood rooted to the ground. She turned her head left and right, up and down as beads of perspiration dotted her forehead.
  She tightened her grip on the doll and chewed on her lower lip nervously. "Who... who's there...?"  She mumbled uncomfortably. Suddenly, a howling wind heightened her nervousness and she shook fearfully.
  "Little girl, long ago, I was sealed by my opponent in battle. I have been stuck here for as many decades as I can remember. I have been so lonely ever since, stuck here helplessly, hoping to have someone accompany me. It is rather a miracle for your sudden appearance," Kintoru said to the little girl. Still anxious, the girl furrowed her brows in concern. She backed off from the tree and opened her mouth. "Oh... Is that so? I... I can be your friend then...," she stuttered. 
  Kintoru smiled. "What's your name, little girl?" She asked with a gentle yet creepy voice. "H... Hiachi," replied the little girl. Kintoru glanced at the doll and pointed at it. "And... who may that be?" She asked. After hearing the question, Hiachi's face brightened up and she started to babble about the doll. "Oh, this is my best friend, Shaku! We would go on adventures together all the time, we are inseparable," she gleefully exclaimed.
  Kintoru smiled at her and chuckled softly. "I see, then let us all be good friends from here on out,"  she said. Easing up, Hiachi accepted Kintoru's offer and stayed with her in the forest.
  "My mother has an impulsive side of her, probably from her mental disorder. She always throws tantrums and would shatter my heart in pieces. She bought this doll for me because she knew she was not good enough to protect and accompany me."
   Every nightfall, Hiachi and Kintoru would watch as the silvery beams of moonlight dance to the rhythm of the fluttering leaves of the Sakura tree. Even on the most forlorn days where the sky would be leaden or when the harsh winter wind blows out of the midnight sky and roars out of the frigid north and thrashes the brooking forest, they would still be there together.
  Soon, Hiachi had nicknamed Kintoru as Sama and has been calling her that ever since. One day as they were gazing at the moonlit night again, Sama suddenly spoke up. "Hiachi, I have a favour for you, an important one." Hiachi was curious but decided to accept it anyway. "Go ahead, Sama." Kintoru then held a bright and white butterfly. 
  "My dear Hiachi, we have spent so much time together. I do not feel lonely anymore and I am very grateful to have known you. Let me extend my gratitude to you by giving you eternal joy, but you must take the seal off of me, then we can continue adventuring together, anywhere and anytime, forever retaining our happiness..."
  Hearing Sama's sudden request sent Hiachi's mind in a whirl. She stared blankly at her. "Eternal... joy?" She questioned herself. Sama nodded and held the butterfly closer to Hiachi. "Take off the paper on the tree. I shall grant you the eternal joy you deserve," she chuckled. Hiachi started trembling relentlessly. Her heart began to throb and pulsate irregularly. Were all the days we spent together to finally come across this day? Why? Hiachi took a few steps back. Sama smiled.
  Hiachi walked towards the tree and slowly took off the paper seal. One motion, one throb. Little by little, the paper was completely off. There was nothing else that could be heard other than Sama's uncontrollable laughter. Her giggles echoed throughout the forest and soon, it filled Hiachi's ears.
  Motionless, Hiachi soon collapsed on the ground. "Oh my oh my, Hiachi. You're such a weakling, you know? Your family is full of insanity and nothing more. Your mother is abnormal with a mental disorder and you are well aware of the scars she gave you. Still, your only desire is to see your mother again, is it not?"  The now feeble and enervated Hiachi could only let out a wail. "Y...yes... I... I missed... my mother..."
  With all the power in her body, that was the last thing she said. Grinning from ear to ear, Sama began to boom vigorously. "Your wish is my command. My dear Hiachi, I will fulfil my promise and let you have the eternal joy you deserve. You shall suffer from the calamity you ought to see and soon, you will spend your eternity with your whole family as my marionettes!"
  Hiachi's flesh oozed blood, the pain in her entire body was eating her from the inside. The pain searing in her, she let out a low growl and strained herself to stand up. Her agony penetrated to her bones and she yelled harshly. Darkness was like a shroud, her vision blurred and the world faded. Her body turned into a butterfly, fluttering away...
  Possessing the power of control and imitation, Sama took the appearance of Hiachi but with her foul and corrupted spirit, she wore a black hat instead of a pink one. She cachinnated devilishly and stared at Hiachi. "What a dunderhead." She smirked. Embracing the dead and motionless body, light emits from the ground and sparks a spotlight at the tree. The night sky continues to gleam, casting a glow on the tree. Sama was once again gazing at the moon...
  The next night, footsteps filled the empty forest and echoed about. A woman appeared in front of the Sakura tree. "Hiachi, where are you! Are you somewhere around here? Please come out!" The woman cried. "Oh? Who may this be?"  Sama stared at the new and unfamiliar figure. "W...who's there?!" The woman stuttered. "I am Sama, now state your name and I might be able to help you find who you're looking for..." Sama smirked at the woman. A little unconvinced, the woman shrieked but decided to answer her anyway. "Futao...," she replied. Sama looked up and down at her. "Who is it that you're looking for?"  Futao looked down and stayed silent. The forest, calm and noiseless, filled her ears.