-1A/N: Hey, everyone! I was bored, so I decided to write a bit about Mitsuko and what happened before she came to be who she is today.

&&&

:She Was Never in Danger:

The young girl wrapped her hand around a larger one, the color draining from her face as she peered out across the water.

At the age of three and a half, Kimiko Mitsuko was deathly afraid of the unknown, murky depths, and she wasn't too keen on falling in. She clung to her father like a leech, not daring to let go as the two of them crossed the river on a small row boat.

The rower chuckled gently, shaking his head at her antics. He continued to row, though, but he reached out to her with his calm, gentle voice.

"Are ye afraid of the water, there, wee lass?"

The young girl looked up, her eyes having been riveted upon the opposite shore, where they were headed. Wordlessly, she nodded, the sapphire in her eyes changing color at a rapid pace. The man blinked, surprised at first to see a flash of gold, but relaxed as she turned her blue eyes back to him.

"You've been on the water a long time, ne, ojiisan?" she squeaked timidly, not noticing her father's sharp gaze watching her with a quiet thoughtfulness.

The boat owner nodded slowly. "Aye, lass. That I have. Me and the waves go way back. ye shouldn't be so scared of em', little girl. The water's as kind as can be, lest ye anger em'. But something as sweet as you is bound to make friends with the water, eh?"

Mitsuko listened with wide, silent eyes. "Really? You mean, I could be friends with the water?" she questioned, giving a tilt of her head in the direction of the murky depths.

"Aye, lass. Ye can."

A voice in the back of Mitsuko's mind whispered gently, giving the girl a quiet nudge of confidence. She paid it little heed, barely registering when the presence spoke.

I will not let you drown. Worry not, my child.

Mitsuko's tiny hands un-fisted from her father's pants and she leaned towards the edge of the boat. Sako watched apprehensively, but accepted that his daughter needed to face her own fears on her own.

"It pretty," Mitsuko murmured in awe, reaching out a hand to touch the water as it lapped at the side of the boat.

She failed to notice, however, that her hold on the wood was slipping, and her body was already halfway over the side.

"Mitsuko!"

"Lass!"

My little one...

Mitsuko barely heard the last voice, but she knew it was there. In the next instant, she had plunged into the frigid water, the cold waves pulling her under in a matter of seconds.

The swirling depths pulled her down and twisted her body in unnatural ways. She wanted to scream, but was far too afraid to move. It was quiet down here, though a bit rough. Her blue eyes blinked open, and she could see the bottom of the river clearly as it pushed and pulled her along.

She bounced against the sand, not even noticing that she had not needed to surface for air. A warm glow enveloped her body, and faintly, she could make out the sounds of shouting above the surface.

Mitsuko placed her hands around her knees, hugging them close to her small body. Her eyes drifted closed, and she fell into a deep slumber, not bothering to try to make it back to the surface.

The light that had slowly been enveloping her body, suddenly glowed brighter, and the young girl opened her eyes.

W-who are you?

Before her, stood a large creature. It was dog-like in looks, it's large ears three times the normal size of any canine she had ever seen. They curled with tiny tufts of hair at the end, falling into gentle spirals that touched the creature's broad shoulders.

It's fur was ivory, complimented by the three blue stripes above and below each eye. The creature's optics, more cat-like than anything, slanted upwards in it's head, almond shaped gold peering back at her in a mixture of affection and amusement.

Ten long white tails, each tipped with a blue aura of something familiar, twirled and twisted silently behind her, seemingly to never rest as they flowed back and forth with ease. As Mistuko watched them, she was vaguely reminded of water. Another glance at the tips of the tails, and she could faintly make out the sign of the waves from the oceans, the tumultuous depths of the river, and the shallow, gentle lapping of the creek beds.

The creature shifted her weight t the side, still watching Mitsuko with an unwavering expression.

Who am I, child? I am surprised you do not know. My name is Tsubaki, my little one. And I am a part of you.

P-part of me?

Yes, the creature responded, eyes narrowing in silent laughter. You were too young and frail to know. When you were born, your heart, lungs, and mind were far too weak to sustain you for very long. Your father, being the wise man he is, begged for help from the Gods. It just so happened that I took pity upon him, and granted him a favor.

Mitsuko listened in silence, and though her three year old mind was still developing, she could grasp exactly what this demon told her. So, you are a god?

The demon-dog smiled, revealing elongated fangs that were tipped with an odd blue color. Heavens, no, child. I am not a God. I am a demon. But the good kind, she hurriedly explained, seeing the look of utter horror on the face of her vessel.

The good kind...So, you helped me and otousan? How come I never talked to you before?

Tsubaki considered this, not truly knowing herself. I believe it may be because you never really had need to. But the whispers of encouragement and safe-tidings, the feel of love and protection I send you way, you do not miss. You simply do not acknowledge them.

Mitsuko nodded, taking this as the truth and a good explanation. She let out a jaw-cracking yawn then, but covered her mouth with a blush.

I am sorry. I do not mean to be rude. But...I wanna go back to otousan now...Can you take me to him?

Tsubaki nodded, wrapping her tails lightly about the little child. Of course, my dear. Close your eyes, and imagine the boat...And remember, I will still be here. Whenever you need me, just call.

Mitsuko was gently lifted from the water, and as she emerged, her father and the boa owner were surprised to see her floating near the surface. Sako had a look of pure terror on his face, while the boat-owner reached out to gently pluck her from the water's grasp.

He smiled gently when her eyes opened, a brilliant color of gold, and blinked at him sleepily, before they bled back into a bright blue. "Hello, little Tsubaki." He gave her father a knowing wink as he gently handed her to him. "Don't worry," he whispered. "Your safe now."

In the back of Mitsuko's mind, a soft whisper echoed back.

She was never in danger...

&&&

A/N: Well, what do you think? I plan to add more, just to give you insight about Mitsuko as a child.