I got dressed in my usual silk mini-kimono-like tunic that I tie a red belt knot to the front, and my Twin Moon Silver Blades on my side and tie my very long silky hair to the back in a pony tail with the long bangs hanging freely on the sides and front of my face.
I walk to the door. I took a deep breath and open it to face the new, yet same challenges.
The Little Ones. I call them by that name. The first day, that special day, the moment they approach me despite my unhappy demeanor, I know that I will and evermore see them as my brothers and sisters. It was on the Winter Month Of The Twilight Moon, the first month of the year in this world. It was very cold, so cold that my body was light blue. My hair was covered in flakes of ice and dancing in the howling winds. My bare feet tread in the snow, burning and ache as I enter the village at dusk. I know not where I go, why I go, nor have the desire to ponder on it. I was just simply lost of what to do with my life. I was tired, so tired, that I could pass out. I was breathless and numb in emotions. To this very day, I don't understand why. Why did I try to hurt them? Why was I numb but filled with hate? I don't know. I can't remember.
I sense a happy presence nearby and followed it. As I got close, laughter filled my ears and struck a pained emotion in my body.
"Come on, Fuyumi! Stop hiding and take it like a champ!"
'Noooo, it hurts when you throw snow balls at meeee!"
"Yea, you throw yours to hard."
"Taro, can you help me make this snow hut? It keeps falling."
I was very wroth. So pained, so betrayed, so alone, just.....I thought that the world abandoned me and left me alone. The happiness, joy, friendship and love, it is all there, right in front of me....all there, they have it, I don't. I have nothing but a set of clothes and swords to defend myself. But there is something that I lack....I don't get why I don't have it. I...just can't seem to...know what it is.
"Curse them....all of them..."
I approach the group as I draw my sword.
"Aaaaaaaaa!!!!"
"Dark Fabllllle!"
Again. That damn word!
I rose my sword, ready to cut that existence asunder.
"Lower your weapon. Now."
....?
Since my skin is numb, I can't feel that blade against my neck.
Tch.
I obeyed.
"Drop it. The other one also."
I did I was told.
The young man bind me and take me to the ward. I....was ready to accept my fate. I was ready to die. But, that night, it was different.
"Maaaan, you really got balls to pull your sword in a place like this. Are you stupid?"
"Shh!"
"Taro!"
"What?! I'm bored!"
"S-stop provoking him..."
"Eh? I'm not provoking any one!"
"You're loud Taro...."
....those brats again....
"I'm scared to give it to him..."
"Why did you volunteer then Fuyumi?"
"Because I was not scared....and also I feel left out..."
"G-give me the bowl!"
"Aa!"
"You don't have to snatch it!"
"Here! Take it!"
Something was shoved in front of me. It smelled very....sweet. What...is this? I cock my head in confusion.
*Growl*
"Hehe."
"He's hungry."
I feel around for it. I touched the warm bowl and lifted it up. I sniffed. It smelled.... familiar. Where did I ate this?
"Hey, aren't you going to eat?! It's cold out here!"
"Be patient Taro."
"You're the one who want to do it...."
"We only came because we thought you are going to die.'
"Sh-shut up!"
I tilt the bowl and drank. My eyes widen. It's ..... Sour Plum Soup!
"There, he drank. Let's get out of here! I'm freezing my butt off!"
'Hehehehe, you're smiling, Ow!"
"Be quiet, Orenji!"
The childrens voices trail off as they walk farther away, leaving me a bowl of soup and their obnoxious comedy routine. I don't know why, but I began to sob. It's strange, it is a familiar feeling, like something like this happened before but I can't remember. It saddens me. I drink the soup in a slow manner. Savoring the taste.
The next day, the Village Chief and the Elders decide on a verdict. The majority of the Villagers want to end me, saying I am too dangerous, based on the fact that I passed the barrier, and remained unharmed. The Chief decide to exorcize me. For the first time in my life, of my thirty endless years of being afflicted by discrimination, prejudice and torture, I was afraid and full of despair. The first , at that moment, I wished for something. I want to experience that warm feeling again. A tear ran down my cheek and I trembled.
"No... don't..."
"Heeeeeeyyyyy! That is our leader you're messing with Old Man!!"
"Stop Taro!"
"What are you doing."
"We going to do garden work again..."
I hear footsteps running toward me and being grabbed by my clothes.
"Those Troublemakers!"
"Honestly..."
"Stupid grandson! Get out of here before I tan your hide!"
"No, I want him! You can't make me! As a matter of fact, I like him more than you!"
My face turned so hot, I thought I have a fever.
L-l-like?
Taro pulled me forcefully out the door.
"Grrrrrrrrr!!!! Somebody stop hiiiimmmm!!!"
Taro and me ran. I don't know where we are going, but this....this never happened to me before. This.... can't be a dream can it?
We ran up a hill, climbing the steps. We came to a stop. I hear a creek of a door and he pulled me inside. He closes it. He leads me to a warm source in the center, which I'm assuming is a fire.
"Sit down."
I sat down slowly, hoping I won't burn myself. He then turned me facing him and began to undo my belt.
"H-hey, what are-"
"You're blue all over. I have a hot tub of water over here. Go soak yourself."
He remove my garments and lead me to the tub. I step in.
"Ow!"
I retracted my leg.
It-it hurts! Did - did I just hear my skin crack?
"See? You're literally a walking ice man."
He then urged me harshly to get in the tub. I forced myself in, my skin cracking all over.
"Aaaaarg, ow ow!"
He then places a hot towel on my forehead.
"You'll be sitting there for thirty minutes. I'll cook dinner."
There was silence for a moment.
"Do not sneak out. I'll pound you into to a pulp if you do."
The door opens and closes.
Silence...no, more like... tranquility. It's....a very good feeling. A feeling I might have experienced but, have not after a very long time. I wonder what happened. Thinking hard on it, my eye lids start to get heavy. My body relaxes, releasing tension. The coldness dissipate, leaving only warmth and blissfulness. So, this is what soaking in a hot spring feels like?
*sighs*
Sleep overcame me.
When I woke up, I was laying in a futon.... I sniffed myself. My clothes, they changed. I sat up, feeling more rejuvenated than before. I stretched. Footsteps walk up to me and set something down. I sniffed. Is that....smoked salmon and miso soup?
"I know what you are, and I don't care. For now on, I will look after you and you will look after me and my friends."
I "look" at him in confusion. Then I relaxed and nodded in agreement. I feel for the chopsticks and was about to eat when I feel something alive pressed on my forehead. I feel breathing on my face.
"You are part of the family now.... Utsukushii ... Kuroyoru."
After he said those words, he got up and left, closing the door behind him. Silence over came the room. Then, the chopsticks fell from my hand. I trembled uncontrollably and cried. A name. That is what I was missing. A name....a name.
....
....
"Utsukushiiiiii!!!"
"Kuroyoruuuu!!!"
I snap back to reality. I hear splashing and laughter.
"Utsukushii, come on!"
"You'll get a heatstroke."
*Shakes head*
"Come ooonnnn!"
"It's fun."
I'm completely ignoring you guys.
I then felt that presence of his approaching me. He bop me on the head.
"Come in and play you old fool!"
Why you!
I got up and picked him up.
"Hey, what are you doing! Put me down! I'm fifteen years old! I'm not a kid!"
Heh, that is the same thing I want to ask you at that time. Treating me like that, who do you take me for? Stupid kid.
I toss him.
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaa!"
*SPLASH*
"Yaaaaayyy!"
"Kuroyoru is finally joining!"
"Now we will start the Splash Party!!!!"
Honestly....without him though, along with the rest of them too, I probably end up being in a place worst than death...or more worst, become a demon.
".... thank you....."