Aurthor's notes:
Me and this story have a love-hate relationship. It holds a special place in my heart as my first finished story ever and one of the few that I can say was entirely thought up by me, though I used character models. (Father Joseph was modeled after Father Remington from Chrono Crusade, Edna was origianlly modeled after Etna Boogie from Disgaea, though only as a stand in model in my mind when I play this out anime style.) Aquaria is the name from the first episode of Fullmetal Alchemist I ever saw, which was the Phantom Thief episode. I think the story is decent enough, but chapters 3 and 4 feel very rushed... I didn't want to drag it on forever, so I left a lot of details out and if I get enough people reading it and reviews, I might revisit it and fix this old thing up some. First thing to do would be to revise chapter 3, especially 4. I might also rewrite it to no longer be in first person, since I stopped writing in first person right after I finished this story. Let me know if you want me to rework it, since encouragement gets me everywhere. I probably won't write a second part to this since, with a little work, I might be able to tie up all the loose ends in this one and the ispiration just isn't there. Either way, I hope that you enjoy, or at least, walk away with a few minutes of your time well spent.. Now without further ado, I persent to you, City of Rain.
Why do I search for light?
Why do I long for the warmth of someone long forgotten's embrace?
Why... can't I remember?
I sat up, looking out the window at the rain falling against the window and everything outside. The rain never stopped; always strengthening its spell.
"It kinda cold out."
"Sure," I glanced at the small orange kitten, "And I can assume you've been outside, Reiko?"
"Why would I, Mika Kei? Watching you is my job. You know that you're not an average child."
"You say that, but you never remember what, or even who, you are, Fluff-ball."
"Excuse me? You've forgotten your family, your home, and for a while, your name!" His green eyes were looking out the window, "And yet, you're dead set on finding this boy."
"So? Your point? I believe you told me to hang onto what I have left."
"I hate it when you use my own advice against me, you little half-angel," Reiko walked out the door, heading down stairs, "Get ready for school."
"Half-angel... why am I only half?"
I quickly got dressed, running down the stairs, half way down beginning to walk, reminding myself that I wasn't supposed to run in a church. Since I had nowhere to stay, I stayed at the church, helping out whenever I could. Reiko was in the kitchen, lapping milk out of a small shallow bowl. He looked up at me and meowed. He was always trying to be like a real cat around other people.
"Good morning, Mika."
"Oh. Good morning, Father Joseph."
He was sitting at the table, reading the newspaper, as usual. He had a sapphire blue eye color, a bit darker than my own. He had short blonde hair that was always shining. I honestly wish my hair was like that.
"Remember when you came here? A month ago? Well, I found your bag you lost. There's a picture of your family in there."
"Really? Any names? Addresses?"
"No, just some jewelry, a few books, just some useless, everyday stuff. Don't give up though."
"Well, I'm going to school today. The best place to find someone your age is go to the places where most fifteen year old's go; school and the mall."
"Taking Rei?" At this point, Reiko sat up.
"Um, I'm definitely coming," he announced, "I've been stuck in this dusty old church for too long. So, I'm coming."
"I've known he could talk. We're the only three in this church, so feel free to run. I heard you coming down the stairs," Joseph smiled, watching me leave.
"Reiko, I'm leaving!" I called, pulling my raincoat on, "Goodbye, Father!" I paused at the door, picking up Reiko and putting him in my messenger bag and stepping outside.
The rain outside was always falling, everyday, every night. It was always warm and welcoming. But it had been part of a spell put on the town; a bit of a curse if you ask me. When you walk out into it, it slowly begins erasing your memory. The legend was that there was an angel and a demon that were once friends and the demon kept getting in trouble, so he was condemned to Hell. The angel was really upset and wanted to forget the demon if she couldn't see him, so she tried to use magic to erase her own memory. She failed but continued to cry about losing her best friend. Her tears contained the spell, so she's supposedly always crying on the city of rain, Aquaria. After more research, I found the legend also says that if the demon and angel ever meet again and can stay together, the rain will stop forever.
"Rei?" I looked at the kitten, "Do you think I'm the angel in the legend? And the boy I'm looking for is the demon?"
"Maybe," he meowed as we walked towards the school, "I'm really allowed to go to school?"
"You wanted to come. Ow!" I turned around to face a couple of boys. They always seemed to turn up wherever I went. They liked picking on me for some reason. I never knew why, "May I have it back?"
"Maybe," the one boy was now holding the ribbon that I had used to pull my hair back, "I'm gonna put it in my collection."
"Of my ribbons you've taken? Ya know what, keep it. I don't want it."
"Hey, a kitty," he reached for my bag, but stopped, turned, and left, the other following. I turned around, now holding Reiko in my arms. Another boy was standing behind me, holding an umbrella and a black back pack in his other hand. He had short black hair and light blue eyes.
"Sorry about those guys. They think they own the city. You OK?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. They only took my ribbons."
"I know. They only pick on you because you won't fight back. C'mon, I'll take you to school."
I continued on to school, this time, with some protection from the city's trouble makers. Reiko climbed up on my shoulder.
"Mika, you're blushing and your wing is back," he whispered.
"What do I do? You're my guardian."
"Ditch the boy."
"No!"
Since I'm a 'half-angel', I have an angel wing. But Reiko's magic allows him to use a spell that causes it to disappear. Except for when I'm embarrassed or nervous.
"Then calm down," he jumped back into my bag.
"Oh, by the way, my name's Josh," the boy turned around, holding his hand out to me.
"My name is Mika Kei. But just call me Mika, please," I took his hand and the rain stopped, both my wing appeared, his eyes turned green, and he had two wings that were black and looked like a bat's wings do. We immediately let go, both confused. The rain started again.
"A-anyway, let's get to school," Josh began to run, me following, running as well.
Once in the classroom, the teacher put me at a table with another girl.
"And you are?" she asked when I sat down.
"Mika. Who are you?"
"Edna. Edna the Demon to the boys. They're a bunch of babies when it comes ta gym class."
"Some people are just too full of themselves, ya know, Mika?" Reiko was on my shoulder again.
"Oh, this is Reiko," I took him and set him on the table. Josh sat next to me.
"You're sitting with the Demon-Girl, you know that right?" he looked at her.
"Demon?"
"She's merciless in every game we've ever played in gym."
"You're all sissies," she muttered, petting Reiko.
"What do you think that was earlier?" Josh whispered so Etna wouldn't hear.
"I have no idea. Let's ask Father Joseph later," I watched Rei chase a little bug along the table, "And I'll ask Kye tonight."
Kye was a spirit that talked to me every night. He was always watching what I did. We would sit around all night on weekends and talk. He's the one who told me about the City of Rain and its curse. But he used to tell me the legend as a bedtime story when I was little. He's the one who taught me everything important.
"Well, anyway," Edna interrupted, "Maybe we could all get together when the bell rings and we can leave?"
"I'm not busy," Josh said, taking Reiko and scratching his ears, causing him to purr.
"Reiko and I are just gonna help clean the church, then watch some movies Father Joseph rented. We have room for more people," I smiled, "So we've finally made some friends."
"My first friends here!" Edna announced to the whole class.
"Oh well," Josh sighed, "Every group has a friend that's dysfunctional."
"I wouldn't have it any other way," I whispered to Josh, who smiled himself.