It's always night... Always dark....Even if it was light, for me; it was dark....So dark, like all the lights were switched off....No a different type of darkness, a cold one. I want to escape it

I stood over him, the dark night circled us trapping us, I raised my sword pointing it at him. The moon shun over us, the full moon, it reflected itself on my bloodstained sword.

.....But I can't ....They always finds me, and when they do....It hurts so bad. I want to cry, but I can't. They never listened, not once. They hated me I know that much....No they don't hate me, but they loath me. I'm here for single purpose. And if I didn't fulfill it, it'll hurt...So bad.

I didn't hesitate, I couldn't afford it, I stabbed him in the chest, sliding straight through his left chest until it got out, making sure I really did kill him I tore his body in two, cracks of bones, nerves, muscles and who knows what sounded through the fire I lighted some time ago.

….I can rest assured for now. They won't harm me. Not when I managed to do as they told me to... They'll let me be...

The faint hope lingered in my soul, but I knew that it wouldn't happen anytime soon, but it was still a little hope that would always be there.

Loud shrills filled the air. Fear gripped me, clenching my heart in a tight grip. It was a sound I had only heard a few times in my life. I turned 180 degrees around and came face to face with a baby; it couldn't be more than a year old. It had blue eyes and blond hair. I stared coldly down at it, not caring for it a second.

“He! He! He!” Despite the horror events the child laughed at me. It was a happy laugh, a soft one that made my heart ache with something I didn't know was, a warm feeling spread through my body, it made me smile slightly.

Without really releasing it I sheltered my katana, and picked up the small child in the straw cradle that kept it safe, even if just a little.

What if the child can get a home? What if the child can be loved...for both of us...Then at least it'll be safe even for a little while.

I cradled it to my chest and looked down at it with sad eyes and a small smile. It laughed once again, stretching its tiny arms out and touched the still wet blood on my cheek, laughing again. It didn't know the danger it was in or who was holding her.

I couldn't call the child it for the time being, but I didn't have long before they would come find me again to take me back. I undressed the unaware child and found out she wasn't wearing anything under the thin plaid and was indeed a girl.

Just like me...Maybe she can grow up happily, maybe she can become a part of the marine, protecting people from someone like me and those who wishes to hurt others for who knows what reason...

I didn't have much time, the sun was slowly rising and the doom was slowly seeping closer to me, if I were to save her I needed to set her out on the sea and pray for her wellbeing. But I wanted for her to have a name, so I would know maybe in the future I would hear about her.

“Youko… Youko will be your name; Youko, sun and ocean child, a fitting name indeed.” Youko laughed again, I couldn't help it either, and I let out a microscopic smile as we went to the sea where no one would see her. The weather was warm and there were no signs for storms.

I looked for something in my pocket anything, and for my luck I found a piece of paper. I found a charcoal on the ground, still hot in my grip. I clumsily wrote her name. It was ugly and hardly readable, but good enough.

I picked her up again and carried her to our department. “Take care ...I hope someone will one day find you. And I hope it will be soon.” A tear fell from my face and onto her chin; my smile faded away and so did hers. She laid her petty fingers over my chin, gurgling sadly. I walked into the water until it was up to me knee before placing Youko in the water and sending her off.

It drifted away with Youko in it who didn't know what was happening. But once she did it was too late, she was too far from me, and I couldn't reach her. I heard her sad crying. It was crushing my heart to only listen to it, it made my heart ache to go after her and pick her up. It hurt to leave her on the sea to float alone.

“I'm sorry. So sorry for taking away your family's lives, away your village and your parents. I'm sorry that I had to do what I did, I'm sorry that I couldn't see after you so that you might be happy. Please live our happiness for both of us....” As if she truly heard the request she stopped crying; crying for me. The last thing I heard from her was her giggle that made me smile, only a little.

“Live my happiness for me and I will one day take revenge, and free myself from the darkness I call home...”

What will she grow up to be? As long she’s happy, it’s fine. Before they came I had to do something else, another job, I had to destroy any evidence there were a village here once, I had to destroy everything. Something I would not enjoy for sure.

I wonder... what if I never grew up like this....would this village and any other village still be standing? How many have I killed? How many cried? How many screamed? How many begged for mercy? How many children burned to death? How many survived only to die of hunger? How many has been treated as I am? Can I stop it?

My eyes locked with an old church, a white one, on top of a hill, without really releasing it, I took a step, one more, another one, until I was walking up the hill, my eyes never left the building that stood so elegant in the morning sun that had yet to fully raise. If only I didn't have to, if only they wouldn't hurt me...

Then what? You're terrified, of yourself and your family. They feed you yes, but they don't care, now, do they. They- no you're a tool, a mere a weapon that they don't care about.

I looked up at the tall church, the very tall church, the double spin doors stood taller than me and most men. But that wasn't really the thing that was hypnotizing me, it was the words that was in craved over the door, in blood.

“Open thee...and blood shall befall yer...” I read. That was what I though it stood anyway. And I didn't really know the rest, either way was fine as long I could get rid of the building. And I did just that, gathering, fire wood I lit a fire with a pair of matches. I hurried down, doing my best to outrun the fire spreading.

I ran as quickly as I could to the small dock. They would kill me if the fire didn’t kill me if I was late. And I don’t want to die! I don’t deserve to live, but I don’t want to die! I've stayed alive so far a few more years won't hurt... Not at this point anyway. I ran, down the hill into the fire, jumping over fallen houses and dead bodies. I couldn't stop, not now; I could see the water in the distance. I had to reach the water. I had to!

A large wooden pillar fell in front of me. I cried out in shock I couldn't wait, I jumped over it, protecting my face. Then was back to full speed running for the water, never before had I felt such a will to live. Why? Why was it there? Haven't I been tormented enough already? I had to get out, and fast.

I closed my eyes, not the best idea of running, nor the safest, but it was sometimes better to run in blindness then with eyes wide open.

Splash! I forced my feet further, but it was difficult, like someone was restraining me. I opened my eyes, I looked around, water... water! I was in water. I made it. I'm safe for now. From far distant I could see a small ship sail on the sea. It was a small rowboat; only fit for two persons. That's good then, it meant that Aya was coming to get me, which was good.

If only I could escape my prison.....an image went through my head... Nah I can't do that...But I have to escape one time or another.

The boat bushed against the sand, Aya was facing away from me, two oars in each hand. Her raven black hair lay loosely around her back.

“Hurry up Chika, we don't have all day.” She snapped at me.  I clutched my wounded hand and climbed into the boat before she could leave me. I boarded the ship so we were facing each other; her blackish brown eyes stared at my wound for a second before sighing. She rowed in silence, my eyes staring intensely at the ocean and hers at mine.

I looked over the boat and saw what I always saw, every damn time I looked into the mirror or something that had reflection. Long blond hair danced slightly over the reflection, sometimes dipping into it, creating small reactions as it went out again. Blue eyes stared back up at me, a dipped my 'good' arm into the water, watching as the reflection waved a little before forming back to the original shape, only to be destroyed every time we went far enough up for my fingers to go out.

Drip... drip... Drip... I thought to myself as I watched blood slowly dripping down from my left arm. It wasn't so much hurt, but it was still covered in wounds and burns that could get infected if not treated.

“Ne Aya, does killing others make me weak?” She stopped rowing for a second, letting only the breeze drive us a few centimeters in a minute or two. I still didn't look at her.

“....Chika...You're not really human....you know that, right?” I nodded. “You were born as a weapon, used to only fight, nothing more, nothing less. You also know that there is no one that truly loves you,” I nodded again. “But despite that you were tortured, until you almost died; you had feeling. Just like any other human.” I glanced up at her; she stared at me, with eyes made of stone. I didn't know where she was going with all this, but I just listened, knowing better than to interrupt.

“...You grew up in loneliness, with no love or no love to give.” I had a feeling she was avoiding my question. “But you, like everyone else, have a heart. Yes, we all broke you, but your heart was stubborn, I knew so the first day I saw you. You have a will and a thirst to be acknowledged by us. But despite your attempts, we didn't see you. Well everyone, but your grandparents. I don't know much what they told you... but if my guesses are correct; then they are the only reason this village is still standing....”

“...Chika, I do not believe you weak, you are stronger than most people... Because I know that I would never be able to have a will to live, or let those who harmed me live if I were in your shoes.”

...In my shoes...? How can I be strong...? I can't even hinder them killing, destroying a whole village. So how can I be strong?

“How?” I asked. “How can I be strong?  I don't stop them for using me as a tool to destroy lives, or anything else....I don't stop them torture me. Then how can I be strong? I let them use me as a weapon of destruction. I don't get it!”

Aya only chuckled... I felt somehow offended, how could she laugh at something like this? That's really cruel.

“It's not funny!” I hissed at her.

She shook her head, confusing me even more. “I never wanted to offend you....” She told me. That woman was so confusing. “I would be very surprised if you said that you did understand.” Every time I met her, she confused me just more and more. “It's good to see you have some spirit left in you.
...Everyone that has felt safe and secure, that have had someone that loved them more than anything, would never be able to say 'I understand how you feel'”

“Why not?”

Aya smiled sadly at me. “It's obvious, isn't it?” I looked at her like she was an idiot. “-Or for me it's obvious...Someone that has felt love for short has never truly felt pain like you have. A stab at the hand won't do. We are talking about mentally not physical pain; the amount that most have felt won't even fill a teaspoon of what you have felt. Saying 'I understand' means that they know it and understand it, but it's not as easy for someone to say I understand after something like that. Not even the strongest person could say it.”

“I see.....” I didn't really get all of it, but I got a little. “Saying 'I understand to someone that has lost a friend will be wrong? Since I don’t know the pain of losing someone?”

Aya thought for a second, but nodded.

“Ne Aya, why do you treat me so nicely?” I looked her in the eyes, and I was sure I saw a hint of sadness envelope her eyes a second before it disappeared.

“I don't really like the way they treat you, but I can't something about it either. So since I have most experience with both you and torture, it was decided that I was taking that part.” She told me; sadness and bitterness in her tone. “Knowing I didn't want to.” The last part was most likely whispered more to herself then me.

There are so many things I don't know, but I never really cared before so what changed it? What made me change?

“Aya...is it possible to change?” Aya stared at me, trying to catch my eyes, I wouldn't let her, I kept staring at the water, as we floated past. I could hear Aya sigh, and started to row again.

“We're soon at the village, you better take over,” I nodded ignoring her. I kept the grimace from my face. Keeping it neutral as I possibly could. Rowing was difficult but I tried to let down some of my strength, so it could match my left arm. I tried out different tact, so I could find rhythm, once I stabled my arms I managed to put balance in us and we managed to row our way into shore. We had gone in circles until I found come on ground for both arms.

Deep lost in thought I didn't notice when the sound of the boat hitting the ground and sand, rang through my ears. It was pitch black outside as we walked on the beach, I didn't stop to look back, I just kept walking with my head down, ignoring every sound that befall my ears.

I went further and further away from the village. I passed the village with the lake; I went further up, into the rockier parts. Grandpa had a house on a large shelf on the upside; where he had a small farm with a cow and a bull, some hens and a rooster, and a crop. It took two hours to get there; all the while I walked in my sleep. I opened the door to the brown cottage and stepped in, I didn't wear any shoes, apparently it wasn't necessary, and it was a waste of money, my mother had told my grandparents and I a long time ago. They wanted to use their money to buy me shoes, but I wouldn't allow them. They had already done so much for me. I don't know what I can do for them to repay them.

“I'm home...” I whispered out, out of habit.

“Welcome home.” I was surprised when I heard grandpa's strong answer. He’s sixty-seven and holding up quite well. I was impressed. He didn't look that bad either, white/silver hair and one blue and one green aye.

I walked into the living room which was also the kitchen; it wasn't really much there, just a table with four chairs, in case of a guest, oven, a few cabinets, and a cooler. The living room had just a green comfy sofa for five and a coffee table. It was only this room and the bath in the hallway and upstairs. We were almost never here anyway, so it hardly mattered. Mostly we were outside. Since it’s usually hot and work needs to be done.

“You're late,” he told me, grandma was lying against his shoulder; sleeping. She had some colored hair left, oh well grayish blond. Wrinkles decorated her face, but who hadn't in that age? So all in all they didn't look their age at all.

“Yer grandma waited up all night for you to return to her,” He wasn't really mad, I could tell that, but he was still upset because grandma had to fall asleep like that.

“I'm sorry; it took a little longer than expected.” I told him quietly so I wouldn't wake up grandma. “Anyway I'm going to bed, goodnight.” I walked past him, only stopping to kiss his cheek softly.

“We'll be right there, just have to wake yer grandma first.” I nodded and walked up the cold, blue painted, steep stairs. Whenever I walked them I felt like I was falling down. Not something I enjoyed.

Upstairs was a long white hallway that led to two large bedrooms, one on with the wall and one at end of the hall. The closest one to the stairs was my grandparents; the one at the end was my mother's old room. I walked into it and faced a middle large bed beside a window, a small round night table with an almost burned down candle on it.

I turned to the right and saw the familiarly white door resting against the side; I opened it and stepped through. The room was white, a closet stood by the wall, with a candle on top of it, I flicked on the lights in the room so I could see better, and just as I remembered it, everything was there, even the king sized bed. Nothing had changed. I lit the candle, before once again taking of the light. I undressed in almost complete darkness, and went to bed, lying under the thin quilt.

I stared at the candle's small light, so peaceful and lazy.

…....I wish that I could be like that, without a worry in the world. No one to lookout for, no one to look after....

She stood over him, her purple hair washed around her as she stared down at him in only fear, fear of killing....Her body quivered in fear as she raised her sword, and stabbed the brown haired man in the chest, killing him. He fell down; his brown eyes stared lifelessly up at her. The small five year old fell to the ground, her sword dropped to the ground, landing beside her. She looked at her hands, full of blood, and newly open wounds. Her purple eyes shone with tears, she didn't move an inch.

Her head snapped up see a sand blond haired woman scowl down at her like she was disgusted with the child. Her icy blue eyes stared down at her in hatred as she snapped something at the child, said person got up and stumbled across the way, past the angry looking woman, and closer to the village. Her eyes became as hard as stones as she closed into the village.

“Chika!” Someone called out. I didn't want to wake up; I didn't want to wake up to start the living hell all over again.

“Chika....” This time it was a much softer voice this time. “Chika....” It spoke again, but I didn't want...I could feel a warm hand on my bare shoulder and my body tipped slightly to the side as a weight settled at my side. “Chika...” The hand rubbed my shoulder, massaging it.

Grandma....

“Chika....” Grandma spoke again, trying to wake me up. “Common, it's soon noon, you need to get up.” Her soft voice spoke in a light whisper, clear as the day. “I'll mix up yer favorite breakfast.” She pulled my quilt away from me, leaving only emptiness where it had been. “Besides I want to talk to you.” I fluttered my eyes open and looked up at hers blue eyes, so like my mother's, but still they held warmth that words could never describe.

I stared up at her awhile, not moving, waiting for her to move first. She smiled at me, holding my arm in a semi hard grip, stroking it a few times to comfort me. She stood from the madras; I could feel it go up a little before falling down again. She wore a red kimono and a black obi.

I nodded, my hair sprawled all around me, moving along with my head.

“Take a shower and get dressed, I've laid out some cloths in the bathroom for you,” She turned her heels and walked out, talking to me along the way, the softness in her voice never changed....Not once.

I waited for her footsteps to disappear before standing up, I looked into my reflection; it was no different than the other times. Pale skin, dark purple hair and eyes, scars all over, expect my left arm, and the only reason that was; was so I could wield a sword without hindrance.

I was very thin; it wasn't healthy, not healthy at all. But it couldn't be helped, now could it.

....What would have happened if my grandparents never found me? What would have happened if I was never raised by them? I was left alone with… with… with them. Maybe I would've killed them a long time ago in hatred...I don't know.

I didn't get to ponder on that for too long as I sat down in the steaming water, my tense muscles eased a little. I could see the steam in the air around me, it was thick and heavy. Like a hot spring. But that memory didn't last either as I thought about my dream.

Why do I keep remembering it?

And true to my words, I remembered everything... the pain....my thoughts...her glare; oh, her intense glare. Burning holes through my body, making my body tremble as she freezes time around her. As she orders me around, threading me with pain...Oh I still remember her exact words....the one I fear more than the whole world. The one I would jump into hell to escape....

"Resist and I'll make you pay a hundred times more then what this hurts..."

Her words would have effected anyone as long they didn't know what she truly would do....As long they didn't know they didn't need to fear anything....The beautiful lies she told to comfort any child, those who fooled anyone to think her innocent....Innocent as a baby. That's the true power of a devil....Or even more like scarier than the devil...

The water was bloody and dirty from all the dried dirt and blood from my body. I could barely see my own reflection now.

Maybe that's what they see when they look at me. Maybe they see the coldness in my eyes.

I quickly got dressed; grandma had decided to put out a blood red shirt that was above a thin, white sweater, and a black pair of shorts. I frowned at them, she knew I didn’t like showing off my legs. It reminded me of my persona, dark and depressed, I thanked God - if there were one that is- for giving her the idea of putting a white longed sleeved shirt -I guess it can be called- under the red shirt that somehow reminded me very much of blood.

But that didn't really scare me, what truly scared me was my eyes, yes they were the cold same eyes, but there was one difference in them, they had somehow lightened up somehow, I didn't know what it was, but my heart seemed lighter. I felt a pang in my heart of my thoughts, why? Was I sick or something, it didn't make sense.

What's going on? Why is my heart feeling lighter? Like something has been lifted from it.

I walked into the kitchen guided by the smell of toast and beans; it smelled like heaven. It was heaven, or what I would have described as heaven. I sat down with ash wood table. A plate was set out for each of us, all containing the same; toast with homemade strawberry jam and red beans.

I didn't feel anything, nothing. It wasn't something I had expected either. Silently I sat down with grandma and grandpa. They looked silently up at me before going back to their food, eating slowly to save the taste. They knew how much this meant for me, but they didn't utter a word. It was all to save my pride; if I had of a pride that is.

From that point on everything went back to normal. It didn't really matter to me as long my thoughts were occupied. And we had a lot to do in just a single day. Grandpa took me with the long way to the market, well it wasn't really that strange, because he was just too old to hold out on his own now, couldn't drag all the weight with him, hurt his back.

It was a really nice trip; I could watch the nature around us, the green grass and the tress swiping in the hot summer breeze. The blue and yellow birds fly around, playing with each other. I pulled the trolley behind me, supporting my hands on the thick redwood branch that were there to make it easier. I leaned forwards digging my heels into the ground.

The wind rustled my hair, blowing it in front of my face, but not hindering my vision, I didn't mind.

We walked into the small town close to their house, by the lake; it was old, very old, old and old fashioned, but its people weren’t; not at all, they were known as the all-knowing village. Its name was Enwonasu' which fitted the place somehow. Well it went in a circle so it formed a circle and that became Enwonasu. So it name was Form of a circle village.

They stared and whispered, and hide behind others. They laughed, they mocked me, but I held my head high, ignoring all of them. They wouldn’t know their words hurt me. It hurt so badly, my chest hurt, my hand tightened on the wood, and I walked ignoring them all; I ignoring everything.

We reached the center of the small town, in the center was the markets, everything was sold here, no one cared -well most didn't care- about who you were as long you had what needed. And we did, we had food, lots of it too, and different types too. Some were harder to get a hold of than others; like the one that grew on a hill under the sun. But there were not only food, flowers, and objects that I had no idea what were used for.

We stayed here for most of the day, all kinds of people buying from him; most of them didn't take notice of me at all, just a second glans. But of course there is always someone who's just plainly stupid.

The man stared up at me, a twisted snarl like grin spread across his face as his black cruel eyes stared at me. He was bent over a fine hammer that grandpa had built many years ago. I could feel his dark aura seep out from him like thick black oil.

“No! Refuse! I won't take it! As long she-” he hissed out the word as he meant that I wasn’t human. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, grandma’s voice echoing through my head. Take a deep breath, count to ten, release. Take a deep breath, count to ten. . “-Is here,” He insulted me, I knew that. But I didn't care, or I pretended that I didn't care, grandpa pretended not to hear, he choose not to care. But I didn't blame him, what should he say? I had no idea so I just shut up and stayed at my sprawled out position on the trolley. I covered my eyes with my hand and just waited for the horrible nightmare come to an end.

The man walked away laughing, it wasn't funny, it wasn't funny in anyway. It was cruel, cruel of him to do such a thing to my grandfather. He didn't do anything, he never said anything to him; he just wanted enough money to put food on the table by the end of the day. That was all. And he needed help now that he had become so old, too old to do such a thing alone anymore. Both of them were tiered, I could tell, they just didn't tell me, and I didn't know why, but they were excused by the end of the day....No it wasn't only by the end of it, the whole day, they were tiered the whole day. Was it because I was there? I didn't know....I wanted too, but at the same time I didn't.

“Time to go then, Chika,” I could hear grandpa's soft voice arguing me to get up. I sat up at him, I could clearly see the reflection of my eyes in his, the usually coldness had returned, I could spot nothing else, it was as if it had disappeared again. Maybe my heart had given up? I don't know.

I nodded my head once and jumped off, he packed the rest of the groceries and the reminding things left. I slowly pushed my way through the village, the sun was slowly starting its journey down behind the hills; once it was twilight it would go behind our house.

There was almost no one out anymore, there were no children playing in the streets, no adults talking with each other as they ran into each other. By the sun position I could only guess that it was maybe around eight now. It was always summer, and there weren't really noticeable changes in the sun if you didn't know it, or spend hours just watching it from time to time.

The journey home seemed tense, so very tense, and so much longer; usually I could hear grandpa sing something, a lullaby that he was fond of to make the journey shorter.

I looked at the old man, he looked so much older then what he usually looked like, I looked into his eyes, they were glazed over, glazed over in sadness, this was not usual. Something was wrong I knew that, and it somehow scared the living daylight out of me. I didn't speak to him, and he didn't speak to me through the whole journey, I was so glad when I saw the hill that our house was resting on, I never thought I would be this glad to see it. But then again it didn't really make any difference whatever or not I was happy.

….Just no difference....

I walked slowly up to grandma, and she greeted us with a wave of her hand and dinner outside, somehow she knew that we do always return somewhere along this time, I never understood her thinking but I knew that she somehow did.

...And it made me smile. Even if it didn't look like a smile, but it was definitely there, just resembled a snare more than a weak smile or grin for that matter. But she got it, but strange enough she seemed sad too, like something was going to happen, and they didn't want t to tell me...or maybe it was because they couldn't tell me – both seemed just as lightly.

I stopped; he walked past me and sat beside grandma with the table. I sat down; they could both see my face. My eyes knit together in worry of something I did not know what was. But I knew it scared the hell out of me.

I stabbed a meat piece, cutting it off with the knife and lifted it to my mouth I ate it, the whole time they watched me, how unnerving. They were waiting for something I just knew it, but what...?

What's going on? Why are they so sad, all of sudden? Why are they staring at me like I'm a danger? It's scary!

I slowly devoured my plate and they did the same, the uncomfortable silence fell around us; thick as a blanket.

My eyes slipped a little and my body toddled a little forward, almost falling, I straightened my body up, but that didn't help my eyes from being heavy....

...They wouldn't.....!

They would...!

“Damn you!” I whispered out.

“Shush; be quiet! It will awake if you don't!” A female voice spoke. I tried to force myself awake.

“Don't be stupid! They putted enough drugs in there so she wouldn't wake up for at least another two hours!” Someone answered. An arrogant voice answered. I didn't know who they were, and where I was. But I could make a real good guess as to where I was. I lay still as the slide door opened and someone stepped through, I pretended to sleep so they wouldn't notice me. It did partly work, they didn't notice, but they forced my awake. I didn't hiss or made any sounds as someone kicked me hard at my abandon. When I didn't respond to it, he bend over me, I could smell liquid on his breath, but I knew from previously 'quality times alone' that he wasn't drunk, he wasn't even feeling anything to be drunk. Maybe he can't get drunk...I wondered for a moment.

I could feel his fist in my hair as he dragged me up, he stared into his cold bronze eyes, I snarled at him, as my feet dangled a few inches from the ground. I could feel the skin in my head tore slightly under the pressure. I growled at him, baring my teeth at him. He only chuckled at me.

“I see you still have it in you...” He chuckled, his alcohol breath tickled my lips slightly, my mouth turned even more down as I stared in disgust at him and he at me. I had no intention to let him know I would kneel at his feet and let his shoes be dried from mud on my back! I wouldn't accept it, not now nor never.

He let go of me. “Your master has a mission for you,” He cackled a mad laughter as he went; I stared at him with hate in my eyes. I was sure he was a demon of the devil.

I waited for his steps to disappear before I too stepped out of the small room. I walked down the corridor of the old fashion Japanese house. The walls were decorated with dragons, and other things. I didn't stay; I went out and left the grounds.

The streets where noisy with people doing their errands, mostly most ignored me, either too busy playing or shopping.

“Chika!” I heard a childish voice call out from behind; it turned and saw a mess of red hair shooting towards me. Oh yes here she was, seven year old Aria. She looked pretty much like a seven year old child should, the only difference was she was kindhearted genius, and didn't play much.

“Aria,” I replied her cry once she was beside me up to my legs. I looked down at her small form that only reached my abandon; her blue eyes stared up at me, grinning all the way.

“Chika, have you been busy lately?” She was genius, but she had absolutely no idea that I was a weapon as they called me. But then I guess she probably knew, -everyone did- but choose to ignore it.

I hummed and nodded, and she nodded and looked down at the ground sadly. I looked down at her, and I was sure I could see a tear rolling down her chin. I lifted my hand hesitantly and laid it carefully on her head. She looked up at me, tears in her eyes.

Is she was crying for me? Why? She doesn't know me. She has been told not to come close to me. So why would she cry for me? Knowing that I'm a beast...A tool....a living sword...

As sensing my confusing, she smiled up at me.

Why?

My hand slipped from her head and she gripped it in a tight hold, I just let her, not knowing what to do. I don't think she minded because she never let go of me.

“Chika isn't a bad person,” She whispered out, looking up at me, while gripping my hand in an even tighter grip.

How can I not be a bed person? I've killed… I've done so many afoul things to other. How is it possible..? What can she see that I can't? Why is she so kind?

She started to walk, and I followed her hand in mine, holding it firmly. Aria ignored every stare that shun upon us.

I had to admit that girl had courage.

“Aria's walking with her, is she out of her mind!?”

“She probably bewitched Aria....How awful!”
I weakly tried to wrench my hand out of hers, but she wouldn't allow me to. She only tightened her grip on mine. Why did she do this? She knew that people would stare; she knew that people would think badly of us both....So why?

She leaded us to an old forest, Aria let go of my hand and I balled it up to a fist so it wouldn't be so cold where her hand had left mine. Aria walked up to a tall tree and tried to take a grip at the thick branch that towered above her, she tried to jump over and over, her dark blue dress fluttered around her as she jumped. I picked her up around the torso and kept her around my chest. Then I jumped onto the branch she tried to get on with one single movement.

“Up! Up!” She ordered me, trashing in my grip, I didn't let her go. I crouched down and jumped up again, at was a little longer up and further apart from the second one, I did that several times so that we went a zigzag like path always a little up and to the side. Soon we reached the top, were we were safe from most people noticing us and climbing up. I landed on a thick wide branch. I sat down and let her go in front of me, my legs protectively around her.

“It's beautiful, isn't it?” I nodded; Aria leaned on my abandon, snuggled into me. I leaned onto to the trunk that five of me could hold round before we could hold all of it.

“I've always wanted to come up here so I could watch the skies and the village from far up.” She was right, it was beautiful, we were far enough up to see the village like it was no one there, and the sun was slowly raising the background. So I guessed it was around four-five.

“No one ever allowed me to come to high places because it was too dangerous, 'I might fall down' they said. But Chika allows me to come here. I know that Chika will protect me, won't let me fall.”

“Why do you keep repeating my name?..” I asked emotionless.

“Because it’s a pretty name,” I looked down at her in confusion. Did I have a pretty name?

“Scattered flower,” I whispered out.

“Ah,” She agreed. “But also thousand flowers, wisdom flower or intellect flower.” She told me, looking up at me with big round eyes. I didn't point out that it could also be 'good' or 'fine' in there, but I liked flower better.

“Lonely flower,” She whispered out to me.

“Single flower,” I said out into the air. But it fitted me.

From there on we stayed like that, not moving, in the branch far above everyone, sometimes someone came looking for Aria, but we both ignored them, preferring to stay up here.

“Aria!”

“Aria!”

“Where are you, Aria!?”

But of course every good thing has to come to an end. I once again pulled her close to me, holding her around her torso, I stood and jumped straight down, landing soundlessly.

“Go,” I whispered. She looked up at me with sad blue eyes, but took off running into the town. I waited and waited, slowly but slowly the cries died down, and I could rest assure she had gotten home safe and sound. Then it was mine turn to find out what the hell my 'mother' wanted from her 'daughter'.

I walked through the town, even more people were up and going now, staring at me, whispering about me. I ignored them, like I usually. I entered the big port that was almost always open and walked in, the gourds ignored me as they kept watch, or maybe they were sleeping I could never tell because of the heavy armor they were always wearing. Why did they wear it in the first place? Old was it too.

I walked into another building separated from the others; this was my mother's personal quarters. No one was allowed in here as long my mother wasn't with them, but I didn't care about that so I came and went when I was called down here. Kaede had already tried to, quite latterly, beat it into me. But I had shown no signs of stopping so they just let it be.

“Are you ready?” It wasn't meant as a question, it was more of a....Oh I don't know...Something just told for who knows what reason. I could see five people through the thin paper door. I don't think they had noticed me yet, it was in these times I was glad that they had thought me how to not make any sounds at all.

“After all you'll be the ones that will hurt our 'precious sword' the most,” it was definitely my mother talking. “Isn’t that right, Aya, mother father?”

I could feel my eyes widening, and anger swelled everything inside me, it was beyond my knowledge.

Why? Why? I'll kill them!

I didn't have my sword; so I went home, I could feel everyone's gaze on me as I passed no one comment, no one dared to. They had never seen me like this, not once, the trip went fast, and my thoughts far into imaginations of how I would kill them all off. I walked calmly up to my room where my faithful sword was laying by the bed. I picked it up with my left, letting it dangle in my hand as I went back to the trip into town.

“Look there is the monster!” Someone said loudly. It was a family on three; I drew my sword and killed them when they passed by, dead before knowing what happened; terror in their eyes. I didn't shelter my sword; I let the blood drip from my sword, as I went.

I entered the town again, the first person that stood in my way was dead... a second one, third...forth....Fifth...

I stabbed at the man's stomach, he blocked my sword. What a pity, he should have just let me kill him at the first. I didn't let him get a second chance with his almost destroyed katana; I cut him in two pieces. Blood trickled down my chin and both my hands were covered in the thick red liquid.

Two children behind him clout together and whined in fear as I neared them, my eyes directly at theirs, they trembled in fear as I got closer, I walked passed them, letting my bloodstained hand run through the smaller one's hair once before leaving.

From that point on I killed when the villagers went in my way, apparently they all seemed to protect my mother's house. I killed them all, leaving blood and bodies on my way. I walked down the corridor, killing all those who stood in my way.

“Chika...” I could hear my traitorous grandma's soft call out for me.

”Chika!” she called out for the child that was running from the hill with flowers in her arms, protecting them from the wind.

“Chika.” A girl walked up the same old woman, blood dripped from her body, her eyes were downcast as she took her in the arm, not caring about the blood.

“...Chika no matters what happens....don't hate humans, not everyone wants to harm you...”

My eyes grew and hatred costumed me from head to toe. I walked up to her while raising my sword to elbow high length. I cut her into the stomach; it went out to the other side.

“Why? I'm...sorry!” She fell down, I drew my sword out for her with slicking sound, and her eyes were empty, empty for like empty for everything.... She was dead.

“Chika, why - why did you? Why?” I grandpa walked down the corridor and stopped at my grandma's back, my eyes met his, and I stared coldly at him. “WHAT DID YOU DO!?” He shouted at me. His eyes going wide, and spit flew out of his mouth. He cradled her head in his lap, lulling his body to each side, like he was waiting for her to fall asleep.

….A man swung her around, laughing while the child just held her laughter in her eyes, and barley that too.

“We did well, eh?” the man looked down at the child as they walked slowly up the hill.

He sat beside her as she slowly fell back to sleep, not moving once, running his fingers through her hair over and over. Tears leaked from her eyes.

I stabbed him the chest, swirled my sword around so my wrist was twisted then swirled it the other way, a sickly sound interrupted form his chest. I drew it out again and he fell down beside her, her back against his stomach, and her head a little further down then his, like many times they had slept.

“I didn't do anything,” I walked passed them, further into the center of the huge house. I killed all of them, there were no challenges, those who could fight was rusty and there for couldn't keep up.

“Chika!” I turned my heels, a woman with sand blond hair looked at me, she wore a gray yukata and a black obi around her waist. I stared at her cold blue angry eyes.

I had searched the whole place for two people without succeed, and here she was standing the core, the root, to all my pain. Holding a sword out in front she looked at me with anger and hate.

“What have you done to my family and my friends?” She hissed at me angrily.

“I didn't do anything-”

“Cut the crap!-”

“-I just did what I know how to do... I killed those who stood in my way.” Her eyes widened at my words, she got the meaning behind each of them.

She charged head first at me, our swords clashed, and iron sound hitting against each other filled the air around us. It wasn't hard to keep her away and neither was it for her, we were equals, and it all mattered in the end. Whoever was the strongest one would remain standing. We separated for a few seconds before clashing again, the sound growing. She tried to stop me with her fist, she hit me in the stomach, unfortunate for her I was almost immune to pain, my body was trained to adjourn it. But hers wasn't. I swiped at her legs with mine, I hit her in the calf, her legs buckled and she groaned in pain. She jumped away from me and I just stood there slightly out of breath.

“What do you mean. 'I didn't do anything'?”

“I never choose to kill those people. I did it out of fear. If you had never done what you had done to me, then this would never had happened. It's your fault for teaching me how to hate, but now how to forgive or love.” At the end I was hoarse in my throat.

“AH-H!” She screamed out a battle cry, swinging her sword blindly at me, she was so angry she had almost lost it, or wait I take that back, she had lost it. I waited for an opening, not that it wasn't one already, but she was swinging that sword so much around that it was hard to find a time to kill her before it came down again with so much power it would surely kill me. Heck I could only dodge for now!

I raised my sword a little. She bent over panting hard, holding at her side, blood seeping out through her fingers, I didn't know that with raising my sword I had somehow got her at her side. I didn't waist anytime, I used this opportunity to stab her in the chest.

“You're disgusting!” She coughed blood up at me, as she leaned on me. Those words where her last ones. She fell from where I stood and fell to the floor at my feet, my sword had slipped out of her her,. I bent down over her and stared her cold lifeless eyes, without a word I dried my sword at her gray yukata.

“You were the one who did this to me,” I sheeted my sword that I somehow had putted on the usually place over my shoulder. I had really no idea how or when I putted it up there.

...All this for breaking me...Well congratulation, you managed... You did break me...Just when you did I turned my back to you and killed you.....You let me know those three that kept me to this place, that kept me from killing you was going to betray me....You should have never done that....And look now; you're dead...

“CHIKA!” I turned around, and yup just I thought, there the one person who was still alive in this village was Aya. She held a katana in her hands, but she was trembling, I could see that with ease.

“You're human...”

She had meant her words that time I just knew it. But now she was so mad at me. She ran at me, anger in her eyes along with sadness. Sadness of what happened, and what she was doing...Or so I amused.

I side stepped her and hit her in the back, she fell down but got up. This was very bothersome, but she had an important role...

She tried once again to hit me with the sword, but I took hold of it and didn't let go, it pierced my skin, letting blood drip to the ground as I kept my firm hold on it. I ripped it from her and threw it through the hall, it landed somewhere behind us with a clink.

“You need to save the children; you need to get them to safety. Away from here, take them to the marine or something. Tell them I did this; tell them what you did to me. Tell them everything. Don't leave anything out. You got it?” She nodded. I left her to do as I told her.

I walked back to the main building and opened a door and destroyed everything in my path as I went. I searched through the store room that was inside the main building, I found what I was looking for, a large bottle of whiskey and a lighter. I empty the liquid over the liquid store cottages, leaving a trail of whiskey to each of them, and set fire on one of them.

Boom! It went. The explosion sent me flying across the yard. Whit in seconds this place was burning and I had to hurry if I wanted to be alive to see sun rise again. I walked away from the building, all around me was children all from infants to almost adults.

“Chika,” I turned around. Just as I guessed Aria was behind me, watching me calmly. “Don’t wither, lonely flower” She told me. I nodded my head. I wouldn't wither, not now that I was finally free from them.

“Don't wither yourself, Aria.”

I stood on top of a mountain, I watched from far up as the fire spread, I could see Aya get all of the children and adults go onto one of the larger ships. It was huge, enough to fit all the whole country, -not that it was so large- if necessary. And somehow they had warned the villagers around this one, the smaller ones like Enwonasu.

...don't wither... don't wither, not now, not ever.