A young dark haired girl walked down a darkened muddy path her short hair bouncing along as she hummed quietly. A soft rain pattered down beside her while the large grey umbrella she held created a dry patch where she stepped. For all the grey skies and black clad citizens that passed her by, the young girl was actually quiet happy. Today she had been excused from training. She didn't quite grasp the reason why, just that it was a sad day.

All ways sensitive to the emotions of others around her the young girl stopped walking and stood silently turning her head to the side. She had heard some thing, there it was again. What was that, could it have been a sniffle?

Yes, she decided it was another person who was crying. Not an unusual circumstance for this day it seemed, yet the girl was compelled to turn the corner and walk down the alley that the sob had come from. In the shadows a small person stiffened and jumped up. Quickly the shadow-person rubbed an arm over it's eyes and took a step forward.

The sheltered girl offered the person, who turned out to be a blonde boy about her age, her umbrella. He seemed to be about to take it when he realized she was quickly getting wet. He shoved it back over her head and balled his small hands into fists.

"Why are you crying?" the girl asked thinking that the boy might know the reason others were crying as well.

"Because it's my birthday."

"Happy Birthday."

Smiling the girl offered the boy her umbrella again, and again he refused it. Frowning she huddled under it.

"Don't you want to be dry?"

"I don't deserve it."

"Why not?" She moved closer to him cutting off the flow of rain that already soaked him. Her dark hair tickled his cheek and he thought before answering.

"I don't deserve to be dry because it's all my fault." He looked at her deep blue eyes locked on her own silvery ones and tears spilled over her cheeks.

"I'm sorry but could you explain it to me. Why it's all your fault? I have a long walk to get home and I'll be happy to listen to you." She smiled again and the two began to walk.

As soon as they re-entered the main path older citizens glared down at the two and they were forced to walk in the mud on the side of the path. Apologizing the boy steered the girl to another alley way. His bright orange outfit seemed incredibly out of place among the sea of black they had been in but the girl was pleased at the warmth it brought on this dull day.

"I was born today, that's why every one's crying." He began, "I don't know why exactly but it's my fault and no one listens when I say I'm sorry. You believe me though right? You know I didn't mean to do any thing bad." He turned almost pleading with her.

"I believe you." she murmured softly but with conviction.

He smiled and gave her a thumbs up. His mood swing seemed to stay for when they reached her house and she told him to keep the umbrella to get home he refused claiming to have some thing else to do.

"I'll see you around!" He called waving good bye, she waved back and hurried inside to become warm again.

Later in the day shouts of anger could be heard as a small orange blur ran through the village waving a bright white flag that read,

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"

Even though only one person had ever said that to him in his life.

Aww. That was sad...I wonder if it should be put down as angst?

-Fumei