 | .:rai the seraphim:.
Chapter One: Suicide
I slowly opened my eyes to an unfamiliar sight. It was a simple room with nothing but a bed, a small chair and a window looking out over the village, but it wasn't what I woke up to every morning.
There was a boy who looked to be about my age sitting in the chair next to the bed I was in. Apparently he hadn't seen me for he was looking out the window.
"Wh-who are you?" I asked, surprised at the weakness in my voice. Quickly he looked down at me and a broad smile painted itself on his face.
"I thought you'd never wake up!" He said sounding a little worried. I tried to sit up but he told me not to, so I lay back down.
"My name is Leon. You...well....to put it simply...you tried to kill yourself. I found you at the end of an alleyway. Before you killed yourself, you fainted. I brought you here to my home, until you woke up." he explained. I nodded in painful remembrance. "Well, for that I thank you..." I said. Without warning I sat up, pulled him closer, and kissed him on the cheek. His face flushed and he said," it was nothing..."
Later that evening, after I'd gotten more rest, he brought me some food.
After I'd eaten my fill, he sat down. "May I...ask you some questions?" he asked. “All right, shoot." I said.
"Ok, first off, an easy question, what is your name?"
"Shiro"
"Where did you come from?"
"I...don't know..."
"Why were you trying to kill yourself?"
"That....I can't tell you..."
"All I got outta that was your name... hmmm... how old are you?" He asked.
"Eleven."
"So am I" he said as he stood up. "But I have to go..." He walked to the door. "W-wait! Please wait!" I said. Leon turned around and said, “I’m sorry. I wish I could stay, but my father's dead so I have to earn our gold. I'll be back later though." he smiled. “I promise."
Later after Leon had left, I felt so stupid. I mean, I'm sitting here feeling sorry for myself while he's off earning gold for his mom...and whoever else is in his family. So I tried to sit up but I was stiff because I'd been laying there for God knows how long. I should ask that later...
I stood slowly and made my way to the door. As I walked by Leon's mother walked by. Flustered that I was out of bed, she came over to help me stand and said," Oh no, no, no! you need to rest!!"
"No. once I work through the stiffness I'll be fine." I smiled then continued," I wouldn't want to just sit around as my payment for your hospitality."
"No you don't have to-"
"I won't take no for an answer."
"All right... you can help me in the kitchen. I'm making a small feast of celebration."
After I'd gotten used to walking we set to work in the small, simple kitchen. We made a lot of vegetables and a chicken that Leon's mother said that they'd raised.
I began to set the table with fairly large clay plates when Leon's mom came over.
"I'm so very sorry. I just realized we've not been properly introduced. I forgot my manners. “She said. “It’s alright. I'm Shiro. Shiro Yamanaka." “you cam call me Yuri." She said smiling. I like her. She's very kind.
As we began to set the steaming food on the table the door opened. A boy with brown hair and blue eyes-looked to be about my age- came inside. It was-yup you guessed it- Leon.
After a short intake of breath, he said,”Sh-Shiro? What are you doing out of bed?” Yuri and I smiled at one another. “She got out of bed. I tried to put her back in again but she wouldn’t allow it.” She explained.
We sat down and began to eat. The food was delicious and the conversation was great. At one point we’d talk about the empire and at another we’d talk about how Leon came to see me in the alley way.
That’s when I remembered I was going to ask how long I’d stayed. “Oh, I’ve been meaning to ask, how long have I been staying here?” I asked. The two of them exchanged sorrowful glances.
“I think Leon should explain. He was there after all…” said Yuri.
I looked over at him. He seemed deep in thought. He prodded at his chicken absent mindedly. “Well you ought to know…when I brought you here you were in a state where normally you would have died. But while you were in the alley way, when you fainted, there were strange markings.”
“M-markings? What do you mean?”
“Well… on your arms and forehead…there were…Angelic markings. They began to glow….I carried you in my arms here. On the way they faded. For those five days you were in a coma-like state. You murmured in your sleep. Things like: ‘N-no! Mommy! Daddy! I didn’t mean to!’ or ‘I have to jump!’” he said.
“You still haven’t answered my original question.”
“I was getting to that. You were here in that coma-like state for 5 days.”
I swear I almost fell out of my chair. “FIVE DAYS!!!” I gaped.
“My theory is that those markings abolished your sickness.” Yuri jumped in.
I no longer felt hungry. In fact I felt sick. They were right. I was worried that they’d seen my wings. That first thing….yeah that was a dream. Only…..it wasn’t. That was about a year ago. I was chased out of my village by my parents and the villagers. I ran, only to be haunted by memories of my rejection.
I needed to get out of there. Fast. “Ummm…could you please excuse me for a moment…?” I stood up and left the room. Outside there was a stump near by, so I went and sat on it.
All those memories of being chased out of town mad me want to cry. So I did. Normally I’m a tough person. I don’t cry a lot. But you would too if your parents loathed you with heart, mind, and soul.
I sniffled and felt the warm, soft touch of a hand on my shoulder. Leon stood behind me, kind and thoughtful. I looked up at him and wiped the tears off my cheeks.
“I don’t know your story, or why those marks were on you, or why you were going to kill yourself… but I do know this: when stuck in the past, think of the road ahead.” He said in a soft voice.
I stood up and hugged him. I think this took him by surprise. I could’ve kissed him, but that would’ve been uncool.
I thought I saw Leon’s mother in the window, but when I looked over she wasn’t there.
Leon looked embarrassed, for when I looked up at him he looked away. I think he’d been staring at me. I let go and said, “I’m sorry… I just…” He sort of half smiled and said,” It’s quite alright. I just didn’t know you were going to do that.”
We went back inside and sat at the table. “Ummm…. Look I can’t stay…” I said. “Why not?” he argued. “I have some things to attend to...”
I stood up to leave the room when Yuri came in. She was holding a beautiful evening gown. It was a striking midnight blue color with a swirling silver pattern- that looked like waves of water- embroidered on it.
“I want you to have this.” She said, handing me the dress. I handed it back. “No…I couldn’t…” I began, “I’ve already taken too much.” She handed it back. “Have it. I never wear it. I used to wear it back when my husband was here, but now that he’s gone…” She trailed off.
“Thank you… I must go now.” I said. “N-no!” he cleared his throat. “I mean….please stay.” Leon gave me a sincere look. He really did want me to stay. “I-I can’t…” I said unwillingly. I wanted to stay, but I had to go. They can’t get involved.
“Then at least stay one more night…” he said sadly. I sighed, “Alright…”
We had a small conversation then went to bed.
The next morning I awoke early out of necessity and clothed myself in the garment I had gotten last night. On top of that I put my cloak.
Before I left I saw a lump of cloth on the floor. It was Leon. Ever since he brought me here he’d been sleeping on the floor?!?!?! That was kind of sweet of him…
It wasn’t that early out, so people were out and shopping. I was trying to find someone I could trust. Someone who could give me answers when I asked questions.
I asked around to see if anyone knew where the stall I was looking for was. They all pointed to one stall. There was a sign over the counter that read: Star Sapphire- which I had no Idea what that meant, but it sounded cool so I went in.
As the townsfolk had said, it was an oracle.
it took me FOREVER to type but there it is...br />
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