Aiko always loved the sight of the Yamazakura during spring. The different shades of soft pink and the soft breeze was somewhat a sight from paradise. It was her favourite time to be in the garden, or so it was up until this moment.

This moment that she had been stuck in.

It always stared the same, with her painting the soft pink hues of the tree and humming a slight tune. The only difference was there was no birds chirping and a deafening silence. She couldn't run even if she knew what was coming. She just had to accept her fake tranquility before it was shattered.

"Aiko, come inside right now," her mother called in rapid Japanese. The urgency had Aiko drop everything and rush to inside. She took off her shoes in the genkan, and went the the main living room.

Aiko gave a deep bow upon the sight of her cousin, Erai, and a quiet greeting. Erai was the head of the family and required the highest amount of respect. They both could pass off as siblings with the same strong features and inky black hair.

He was an asshole, in Aiko's opinion but she didn't want to die so she kept that to herself. Her family business had dark roots and she knew the best way to survive was to keep your head down and mouth shut.

Aiko's mother rushed around to prepare tea for her cousin and two of his men. They both sat down, ready to see what Erai required from her. Aiko of the past was naive to what horror's were about the occur but the present one knew better, but had no control. Once again, it was his fault. It was always Erai's fault.

Aiko was in her mind, watching the scene take place like it was a movie she had seen many times before, but the feelings never faded. She felt everything the same way she did that day.

Erai would start off sweetly, making small talk about the weather and other pitiful topics before his behaviour would change.

"Aiko, you always seemed so innocent and quiet. I was just so surprised to find out it was all an act, you whore."

Aiko was shocked by his words. She had never done anything with anyone so why was he making these accusations. She wouldn't need to even ask before Erai stood up and started shouting.

Her mother came to see what the commotion was about but was easily restrained by his men.

His words were muddled to the shocked Aiko, but the only thing that made sense was that his sister had made demands and he was following them, even if it meant destroying another family member.

What type of family turns on each other?

The type that was full of snakes. 

From the second he grabbed her face, to the glint of his knife, it was then when Aiko realised that family wasn't made from blood but rather ashes used to build bridges.

Aiko couldn't even close her eyes, stuck in this nightmare, when his knife started to slice her face.

A piece of her soul was sliced away that day.

However, something was different in this nightmare and she only noticed it when the scene dissolved.

~*~

The cherry blossom trees were fully bloomed, and the sky an almost perfect shade of blue. There was a slight ominous touch of darkness that made Rafael quickly get to his feet. His head was pounding, as he staggered forward.

Trapped.

He knew a trap when he saw it and it was fucking hard to be on guard when he kept wincing with each movement. His body didn't feel his own. It feel different.

He hated different.

Something was missing.

Rafael marched forward, ready to see what awaited him in the building. He may be out of touch with his body, but his mind was perfectly intact, or so it seemed.

He slide open the door and hoped this trap wouldn't be too difficult to get out of. The first clue that presented itself was a shoe rack, that was filled with shoes. He had travelled the world many times over to know where he was.

For fucks sake.

Japan.

Fuck.

There was always time for a first and Rafael was feeling it. His chest tightened at the unknown. They had got him to another continent and he didn't even know how, unless this was some remote place in America, that somehow grew perfect cherry blossom trees.

The only way to know was to carry on walking until he found someone to interrogate and then torture. Maybe a little blood would make him feel better.

Rafael didn't bother removing his shoes as she quietly snuck into the house. There may be cameras tracking his every move but so far there had been no movement to detain him.

Rafael couldn't sense any movement or sound from other people as he navigated through the house until he came across one room.

Bang!

The sound of someone throwing a tantrum, Rafael thought. He had done the same many times in his youth.

Any other sane person would've gone in the opposite direction to the noise, but he did not. He slide the door open a few unnoticeable centimetres and took a peak inside.

A girl stood kneeling at the centre of the room whilst the man rapidly exclaimed in Japanese at her. There was another older women, who stood in the corner, being held back by two bulky guards.

The girl's long silky hair flowed down her back, and was similar to the older women. She must be her mother. For once Rafael regretted about not bothering to learn Japanese. He would definitely take time to learn it after this trip.

Rafael needed to get closer, but not yet. They all needed to be distracted, just a little more. The ranting man was somewhat in his late 20s and was oblivious to his surroundings. He had captivated everyone in the room.

The element of surprise should always be used wisely and at the correct time to have the full impact. Whilst Rafael hated surprises himself, he loved giving them.

The raging man decided to change his tune suddenly and grabbed the girl's chin. The mother started screaming.

Why the fuck did they have to scream?

This was his chance. He slammed the door open, but no one noticed him.

"Where am I?" He demanded. They ignored him. It was as if he didn't exist. Rafael marched towards them and was ready to ruin the fool in front of him.

Except there was one small problem.

His hand went straight through the man.

Rafael tried multiple times, but nothing. He was an outside looking in on everything.

He was a ghost but ghosts didn't exist.

The girl started to shriek, snapping Rafael out of thought. The man was running a blade down her face without any remorse.

Rafael had been stupid.

So fucking stupid.

He hadn't noticed.

The girl was the very same one who had been in his guest room.

The one who would have answers.

He needed to act fast. If he couldn't physically harm this man, then maybe something else will work. He snatched the closest piece of furniture, which was a small wooden stool and slammed it over his head.

Everything flickered black and he was plunged into darkness.

Nothingness.

Rafael cursed in Greek.

In a second he went from the top of the world into nothingness. It was not a surprise to him. Life was literally a bunch of continuous falls, followed by climbs. Those few seconds at the top were always worth it in the end.

"Who are you?" The girl spoke in perfect English with a slight accent. At least he wasn't alone.

"Where am I?" Rafael asked politely. He couldn't see her, but he was unsure if she could see him. He wasn't taking any chances with the first step back to the top.

"You have never appeared in my nightmares before. Are you my saviour?"

"I probably lean more towards a nightmare. What is your name?" Rafael decided to keep her taking to try and find her in this darkness.

"Aiko. I don't understand. How are you in my mind?" Rafael found himself spinning around. The voice was everywhere. Not a simple place he could pinpoint.

"Your mind? What does that fucking mean?"

"It means just that." The darkness was lifted and the girl stood right in front of him. The tear stains and red rimmed eyes painted a pitiful sight.

He reached out carefully, mentally preparing himself to not be able to touch her.

"My cousin, he made something and gave it to me. I am trapped in my mind, until I am awoken. That is if he wishes to awake me," she continued talking, watching him. Rafael was shocked to find that he could in fact touch her. His finger delicately traced the scar on her cheek. The one he had just witnessed happen, but the one in front of him was a few years old.

"I don't understand. How? Why? Everything. I need to know everything," Rafael replied desperately. He loved knowing everything, but this time he knew nothing. He had to get out. He hated being trapped.

It made no sense, but at the same time, perfect sense.

A person's mind was the most hellish trap one could create.

There was nothing more powerful that the thoughts that plagued the darkest corners of your mind.

Aiko didn't reply. She didn't get the chance too. The dark landscape swirled and started to change. The headache came back full force and Rafael opened his eyes to a familiar place.

His Hell.

~*~
Rafael: zzzzzzz
Aiko: zzzzzzz