~Lilac Roses~ Chapter 5

~. Chapter 5: Of memories and Ghosts .~

“Mother?” The boy gasped as he beheld Mana in the blue dress.
“No, you have him confused with Dalilah… This is Lieutenant Mana, he will be staying here for the night with General Klaha and Lieutenant Gackt.” Robert gestured to each man as he introduced them.
“He?” The boy walked up to Mana to look more closely at him, “I apologize for my rudeness, it’s just that you look a lot like my mommy.”
“It’s alright, your father said the same thing and I am wearing her clothes. I’m very sorry about that, I couldn’t resist.” Mana said sweetly to the small child. Klaha and Gackt were amazed that he actually talked to a stranger when he hadn’t even spoken to Mr Shinji yet.
“Her clothes were always extravagant and amazing. I must admit that they suit you very well.” Robert said with pride as he saw his son beaming at Mana.
“Thank you, do you have a photo of her nearby?”
“Yes, of course. Kami, why don’t you take the lieutenant to the study over there.” He pointed to a door by the staircase. The boy nodded and grabbed Mana’s hand to lead him there.
Kami took him to his father’s desk where a lot of photos were sitting in dusty frames. Many were of a beautiful young woman smiling and laughing at the camera or holding a baby in her arms. One in particular was a family photo with Robert, Dalilah and Kami smiling with a forest behind them. But Mana noticed a man standing by some trees, hiding from the photographer’s sight. Next to the picture was a sketch of a handsome young man.
“Who is that?” Mana pointed to the old, tainted sketch.
“Daddy would never tell me who that was. He said he was a ghost of the past that my mother loved with all her heart. I think he said that his name was Kozi.”
“Kami, how exactly did your mother die? Was it an illness?” Mana felt bad for asking the question but he really wanted to know.
“She went to the lake, and came back with a book. After that, she got really sick and daddy didn’t let me visit her. But I drew her pictures every day to cheer her up. At one point, she got so ill, daddy made me stay with my auntie and uncle in Nagano. Daddy said that when she died, she didn’t feel any pain.” Kami stayed strong during his explanation but tears started to form in his eyes. Mana kneeled down to hug the boy.
“I know what it feels like to lose someone important, I lost a lot of friends in wars. But you should always stay strong, no matter what.” The boy wiped his eyes and let go of Mana’s warm embrace.
“I’m sorry, lieutenant…” He struggled with the difficult word but it also made him smile.
“Call me Mana.”
“Pleasure to meet you, princess Mana~Sama!” He bowed deeply whilst giggling. Mana smiled, picked up the folds of the dress and bowed as well.
“Likewise, Kami.” He heard his name being called from the dining room and left running out of the room, hunger in his eyes.
Mana looked at the sketch, it looked so life~like.  
“Kozi…”
He left the room as he hurried to the dining room. He failed to see a tall man hiding behind a bookcase, hidden completely from sight. The man grinned wickedly, his sharp fangs glistening in the moonlight, before disappearing into the darkness.