Chapter 1: Memories Don't Always Last

I can't say I wasn't happy with my life. Back then everything was a lot simpler, very simpler. But after so much time, I'm afraid, afraid of losing anyone now.

"Minato!"

"…"

"Hey! Minato!"

"….."

"Ugh, did you fall asleep already? We just began driving…" murmured a small girl through puffed cheeks

Loosely opening his eyes a blue haired boy turned his head groggily to a girl with bright red-brown hair wearing a blinding pink dress. The boy blinked, as he looked at the car's front passenger almost sending a telepathic message without any words.

"Hey! Don't think you can ignore me!" the girl pouted as she crossed her arms.

"Don't bother your brother sweetie, he's just a bit tired from this trip." Spoke a feminine voice from the side driver's seat. A woman with bright orange hair poked her head to the back of the car. She smiled at the two children. Then she turned her head back to head driver of the car and spoke in a memory filled voice "I still remember how they were back then… They haven't changed since."

"It runs in the family." Returned a masculine voice, "I never got along with my siblings either." The man sighed as he combed his dark black hair with his fingers.

"Wait! Mommy! Daddy! When are we going to stop to eat?" the girl questioned as she turned her head away from her brother

"We just started driving Minako," sighed her mother. "And you've just eaten."

"I know! I know! I'm just so bored!" Minako sighed as she put her hands down and yawned a bit with her small legs bouncing from the seat

Minato stirred in the back, looking at the window by his side he tried to adjust his eyes to the lingering darkness. The air stirred with the cars whirring by theirs. His eyes glanced off to the pale moon, the clouds almost avoiding its shine.

It's a Full Moon… This is Moonlight Bridge. He recalled in his head. They were right about this place, not even the bright city lights could ruin it. Though the lights did get brighter. Way, way brighter…

Something's not right.

The brisk wind suddenly ceased. The air was still. Almost suffocating. To be honest he didn't mind it at first. He did always get sick, but it didn't feel right.

"Minato…?" his sister squeaked out meekly, "This, this doesn't feel right…"

She was right. He looked out the window to only see the pale moon drenched in bright yellow as the sky was. Then the car stopped moving. And so did the other cars.

"W-what the!" growled the driver in surprise. The man clocked his foot back to the pedal trying to edge its movement though to no avail. He sighed and looked to his wife and children. "Don't worry your old dad is gonna' have this fixed in no time!" he smiled warmly

His wife slightly smiled back trying to calm down the two children. "It's alright, I'm sure we just ran out of gas, or there's something on the road. You know how modern this city is." She ebbed on.

Minako smiled nervously, though her brother didn't falter. Then his eyes grew wide when it happened.

A bright beam crashed down against the car as it busted into flames, the windows shattering inwards ripping the car from inside out. Minako only had a second's glance before everything went dark.

The floor was cold but the heat near raged on. The young girl was caught by car's wreckage, her voice almost non-existent to the hell around. "M-mom… Dad? Minato?"

"Hold up! I'll try to pull you out!" yelled Minato, who with all his force tried to pry the smashed door open. From his side he noticed yelling, still clear as day.

"Hurry! Get the kids out!" Yelled the children's father, "Hurry! There isn't much time!"

"But... I can't just leave you… I…I can call for help!" teared up the woman besides the car, her knees shaking feverishly against one another.

"Then do this for me… Please…." He looked at the area where beam originated from, now covered in smoke. "T-T-there isn't much left…"

She nodded as she whipped away the smoke stained tears.

The smell of smoke was as over whelming as the smell of blood. Minato wasn't even sure if it was his own at this point. He was just scared, so very scared.

Still trying to pry open the door Minato felt an arm wrap around him. He turned to see his Mother who with all her strength kicked the door in front of them down.

"Mommy? Minato?" the girl cried weakly, as her mother hurriedly reached down to grab her as well. The woman turned to the car, her tears staining her bloody clothes and face. She began to run away carrying both children. But the embrace didn't last long.

They both remained still, Minato didn't say a word, his sister was staring straight at the creature's eyes. Its dark pitiless eyes. The creature or more along the lines of a demon inched ever so slowly almost as if it was enjoying the fear within the children. Besides both children was their Mother, her blood was all over them…

He felt the color disappear from his face. The demon threw her body away back towards the car almost to mock the hopeless escape. Its face suddenly ebbed with a smile.

The boy tried to inch his way towards his sister trying not to breathe or even blink but the beast already had them in its sight. It charged in an in-human type of speed, its limbs shook and trembled as it stood before them. Then, it simply fell.

Something more humanoid stood now, in shock the boy just started at it. He turned to his sister who became unconscious after seeing the beast. Though like the fallen beast, fear also disappeared from him. He felt like he could trust the humanoid shadow. Minato collapsed back as the humanoid walked closer, "Please, please help me protect them… for me."