Okay, this is how I've decided to do this. I'll put up the original version of this story and if you guys don't like it, then I'll switch it back with the other one. I've also decided that I'll update this story depending on how many reviews I get, since it's only fair that I pay more attention to my more popular stories.
I also decided to add quotes. I was inspired when I saw some really funny ones after going though a newspaper for the first time in...ever. But those will have to wait till the right chapter.
So here it goes. Please tell me what you think!
"Death is always around the corner, but often our society gives it inordinate help."
-Carter Burwell
"Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first."
-Mark Twain
Chapter 1 Punishment for Living
A pretty woman and her husband gazed lovingly down at their newborn. She was, in their opinion, one of the cutest babies in the world. She had tuffs of auburn hair and stunning blue eyes.
"She has such pretty eyes!" The mother cooed.
"She must have gotten them from your side of the family," the father commented with a small smile. "They look just like your mother's eyes."
"She's definitely going to gather the attention of all the males in the village. We're going have to be careful." The mother smirked at the thought of having to beat the boys away from her daughter.
The little girl laughed, as if sensing her parents' future antics. The smile was contagious and the parents found themselves chuckling with the small child.
Another young head peeked around the corner. "Mama, papa. What are you doing?"
The mother motioned for her (until recently) only child to come over, which the little girl did hurriedly. The father picked up his first born and held her over the small bed, showing her the new child of the house.
"Sweety, this is your new little sister!" The mother smiled and stoked a chubby cheek with a finger.
The father nodded. "As her big sister you're going to have to help us look after her, alright?"
The little girl scrunched up her face. "I don't want a little sister."
"Lucy," the mother said in a reprimanding tone.
"Do you not love Lucy anymore? Is that why you had another child?" The little girl pouted.
"We love both of you equally!" The mother said immediately, shocked that her child had come to such a conclusion.
Before anymore words could be uttered, there was a knock on the door. The father handed his eldest child to the mother and walked over, opening the front entrance.
"Good evening Young Alexander," a gruff voice said.
"Ah…Good evening Mister Montague," the father said a little more hesitantly. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"We're here for your child!" A different voice called out.
"Excuse me?" The father asked as little more sternly.
"We have nominated your child!" Another voice chimed.
"She shall be the one to save this village!" Yet another voice called out.
"You have no right to nominate my daughter for that position," The father growled. "We will not hand her over. She is no savior."
"Please understand," Montague started again. "Our village is suffering, but if an angel accepts your daughter, then she will be given immense power! Then she'll be able to restore our poor village or even better!"
"Everyone has died from your foolish sacrifice!" The father snapped. "I will not allow you or anyone else to kill my baby girl for your ridiculous superstitions!"
There was a sigh. "I'm sorry Alexander, but you don't have a choice in this matter."
The father was forced aside and held back by several men of the village.
The mother screamed and grabbed her oldest child's hand, with her other arm safely wrapped around her baby, and made a run for it.
But she didn't get far. The villagers had surrounded their house.
The mother was dragged kicking and screaming, but she wouldn't release her hold on the baby, who oddly enough wasn't crying.
They were dragged out behind the house when there was a sudden flash of light and five winged angels appeared.
"Is this the one?" The female with short black hair, dark brown eyes, and a kind roundish face asked.
"Yes, yes!" Montague called out. "This is the child we were going to give to you!"
All the angels scowled.
"Pathetic," A sandy blond haired and green eyed male muttered.
The male one with chestnut brown hair and light blue eyes sighed. "Then we shall take her."
"Then she is compatible?" Montague asked with excitement and hope in his eyes.
"This child's body and soul will be the next container," A female angel with long purplish hair and eyes said blankly.
The mother cried out in anguish at those words. "No! Please! This is my baby! Not my child! Please!"
The mother and father were finally able to come together again. Both were weeping as they watched the events unfold, huddling protectively over their second child, the first one safely situated in her father's arms.
The brunette male flew down in front of the distressed couple with a sad smile. "I apologize, but may I…"
The mother shook her head furiously and tried to pull back, but the villagers stopped her retreat.
"I mean your child no harm," the man said softly. "She will live a long life, I can assure you that."
The black haired female angel landed beside the other. "If you do not let go of your child, then she shall be persecuted and mistreated by this village for the rest of her life."
"Then we'll move to another town!" The father nearly shouted.
"It is regrettable," a girl with blond hair and golden eyes said sadly. "But what's done it done."
"We'll take good care of her," the brunette added.
"Perhaps she can even visit you from time to time," the black haired angel offered, but her eyes were sad.
"What is her name?" The brunette asked kindly.
"Haruka," the mother sniffled. "Her name is Haruka."
All five angels smiled.
"That is a good name," the blond haired female angel said softly.
Suddenly, several villagers pushed the mother forward.
The brunette angel stepped forward and caught the woman before she fell. She looked up in surprise. The man smiled gently. "Please allow us to protect Haruka in your stead."
More tears tumbled down the mothers face, but she saw that there was no hope in fighting. This realization struck her to the core and she cried out in sorrow even louder. "Please. Please take good care of her." She kissed her child's forehead.
The father stepped forward and kissed his child as well. "Mama and Papa love you so much Haruka. You are always and forever part of our family."
The little girl finally opened her eyes. And after a quick look around, she cracked a wide smile. Little baby Haruka reached up and placed a hand on her mother and father's face, almost like she was telling them that it was alright.
Finally, with a heavy heart, the mother slowly handed the brunette angel her youngest child.
Once again, the five angels took to the air.
"Our village is saved!" The villagers started to cheer.
"No," the chestnut haired angel said quietly, yet his voice gained all of their attention. "You village is doomed."
Terror filled the hearts of the towns' people. Why wouldn't their village be saved? Wasn't the sacrifice meant to do just that?
"For sacrificing a child, rather than one of yourselves, and feeling no guilt toward the family you are stealing the child from," the black haired girl angel said coldly, "your village shall henceforth bear no protection and disappear."
Telepathically the angels told the mother and father to move to another town, and that they would not be harmed for their neighbors' deeds.
Then with another flash of light, the angels and the baby girl disappeared.
A young woman stared blankly at the older woman sitting across from her. "Are you sure?"
The older woman nodded. "You know your duty. Now take care of this before that man releases the tri-ne-sette."
"Weren't you people supposed to stop this before it even got to this point?" The younger woman asked.
"It seems our interference wasn't able to reach the desired point," the older female replied calmly, almost as if she didn't care.
The younger woman clicked her tongue in annoyance, but took the folder before she walked out of the office.
This was her duty.
As the key to unleashing the tri-ne-sett, she must protect the people of this world.
No matter how bitter she felt that she would always be alone, she must protect. That was her purpose in life, the job that fate had given her.
Even if she didn't want to live anymore.
Even if she detested the ignorant people of the world.
Even if she didn't want to have so much power.
Even when she had to watch someone she truly cared about die of old age, while she was left behind, frozen in time.
Haruka would continue living. It wasn't a choice. It was her duty. Because who else would willingly live an eternity protecting an ungrateful world.
It was her job.
It was her responsibility.
It was her curse.
Her punishment for living.