Chapter 1 - It All Begins

-PLOT-A treasured sculpture is highly under guard at the Azumano Museum. What strange events will take place if this powerful artifact gets into the wrong hands?



“Goddess of Time”

CHAPTER ONE: It All Begins

The clock was ticking slowly.
What is this feeling?

The night was dragging on...
Since he's been gone I feel...empty.

The moonlight illuminates the room.
Yet I also feel freedom...freedom from a horrible curse. Free to live...

“Then why can't I sleep?”
Fourteen-year-old Satoshi Hiwatari, who's real last name was Hikari, sat up in his bed. He had tried for hours to slumber, but too many thoughts were running through his mind.
He moved a few strands of his blue hair away to look at the clock.
“Five in the morning?” he sighed.
I guess if I can't keep my eyes shut, I'll get up anyway.

He slowly pulled off the covers, and after getting out of bed went to find a t-shirt to put on. He usually slept topless with a pair of pajama pants, but it was a little more cold that night than usual.
“I wonder if it's going to snow tonight.”
Satoshi walked down the stairs, past the living room, through the hallway, and to the kitchen.
For it being the Holidays, the Hiwatari residence didn't have any festive decorations.
He grabbed a glass and poured himself some milk.
He wondered, Maybe it's because...I'm worried he'll come back...

The recent memory of Krad still made him uneasy at times.
I'm probably just overreacting. It's Christmas Eve...I should be in a good mood.

He remembered what Risa had asked him the day before...
“Hiwatari? Are you okay?”

Satoshi had just found out his father, though not his real dad, had died during the 'incident.'

“He was a jerk to me anyways...Why should I care?”

All he felt at that moment was anger.

“He was your father,” Risa reminded him, “That's why.”

“But not my real one...and the way he treated me was just...” he stopped short.

“I'm sure that deep down he truly cared for you,” she tried to tell him.

“He left me...” Satoshi's hand formed into a fist, “I'm all alone now.”

“But...you have us,” Risa tried to explain, “You have your friends still.”

He turned to face her and formed a faint smile, “I guess.”

“So...would you like to hang out with us tomorrow?”

Satoshi gave her a weird glance, “Tomorrow?”

“Why not? It's Christmas Eve!”

“But I...I just-”

“Do you have other plans? A special tradition you do every year, hmmmm?”

“Not really. I've...never really enjoyed the holidays.”

“Well, maybe we can change your mind, Hiwatari,” she grinned.

Satoshi sighed in defeat, “Alright. I guess I can come.”

“Great! It's such a wonderful idea, since all of us have been through a lot today. It'll be a nice stress reliever.”

She stopped him just as he was about to leave.

“What?” he asked.

“I'm just reminding you to bring some presents for the gift exchange. Don't forget Daisuke and Riku, too.”

“But-”

“No buts. It's tradition,” she giggled.

He really hated her nagging, but hesitantly nodded, “Sure.”

“I haven't even done that yet.”
He sipped the last of his milk and thought about what he would buy for all of them. He wasn't used to this “giving” tradition, and was having a hard time deciding.
Why did I even say I was coming? Why did I give in...to Risa?

He decided to try and sleep on it, so he headed back upstairs.
Fat chance I'll get a good night's rest, he thought, but at least I can sleep in tomorrow.

xXxXxXxXxXx
Daisuke walked along the street, searching for Riku's present.
It has to be just right...

Soon, something caught his eye as he glanced in a store window.
“That's perfect!”
He went inside and payed for the item, very pleased with his purchase.
She's gonna love this! I can't wait to see the look on her face when-

“Niwa!”
Ms. Riku!

“Hey!” Risa waved to him, too.
He quickly hid the bag behind his back before they came by him.
“Whatcha up to?” Riku pondered.
Daisuke lied, “Nothing.”
“Hmmmm...I don't think so,” Riku smirked, “You're hiding something.”
“Hiding? Oh no, of course not! Why would I do that?”
Risa noticed the paper bag he was holding, “Then what's that?”
I'm busted, Daisuke thought to himself, What do I say?

“Well, I uh...I-”
Riku looked him straight in the eye, “It's for tonight, isn't it?”
“Huh?”
“It's a gift for me, right?”
Daisuke blushed, “Well...maybe...”
Riku grinned from ear to ear, “Okay, then. I won't look. Besides, me and Risa are still shopping, too.”
“Yeah,” Risa agreed, “But I'm having a hard time finding something for Hiwatari.”
“Hiwatari?” Daisuke was confused, “He's coming, too?”
“Yup. I invited him...but I don't know him that well. What kind of gift would he want?”
After a long hour of looking around, the three finally found all their friends' gifts.
“Phew!” Risa wanted to faint, “I'm bushed. Let's go home.”
“We'll see you in a few hours, Niwa!” Riku waved goodbye.
“See ya!” Daisuke shouted cheerfully.
xXxXxXxXxXx
Satoshi woke up, sunlight from the window blinding his view.
“I wonder what time it is.”
His eyes almost popped out of his sockets when he looked at the clock this time.
The party is in two hours! And I still need to buy all their gifts!

He got ready in a flash and took off for downtown.
I just hope I have enough time...

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