It was an ordinary day in the midst of November. It was not a holiday, nor would it be too significant to remain within the depths of our memories. It was just another day people go through and will be forever left behind in history, unknowing of the tragedy that had befallen a once strifeless village.
For the people of Redlake, that day was anything but ordinary. The once peaceful village had been plagued with horror and dissonance. The houses had basked itself in the sea of fire, the streets had been flooded with people in turmoil, consumed in fear and anxiety. The scenery was horrifying but at the same time it was beautiful, as if the town was harmoniously coexisting with the fire and the sunset.
In the middle of the forest not so far from Redlake, untouched by the raging fire, a raven-haired boy, not older than 7 years, was taking refuge under a tree. His legs are curled up as if trying to conceal his delicate body from any harm that might occur. Both his trembling hands are covering his ears, desperately trying to separate himself from the screams and cries of the people from the Redlake village. Nobody would have ever thought that this young boy was the one who had brought upon the tragedy that transpired in the village.
I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry… The boy unstoppingly chanted under his breathe, his crimson eyes stare into nowhere as if it has lost itself from the real world.
"Aw, what a shame." Said a person who appeared behind the tree. The raven-haired boy shifted his listless eyes to the source of the voice. "The once haven of the sweetest mandarin has turned to ashes, what an irony, this village had reached its tragic end with the same color as the fruit that had brought this town into its glory." The person continued. "A lake set into fire, what a very fitting name."
The boy peered at the speaker; the person was a girl in her teens, probably ten years older than him, with long wavy brunette locks that reaches up to her waist. The boy find her attire quite bizarre, she was wearing a black short sleeved dress that reached just above her knees, she is dressed as if she was mourning but what caught his attention the most was her eyes, it was blank, as if what she was staring was not there at all, he thought it was creepy. She emotionlessly gazed upon the silhouette of the burning village then turned her hazel orbs to the trembling boy.
"Your name?" The girl asked. The boy flinched and anxiously shifted further from her, he remained silent. The girl smiled at him and lowered herself to his level, "Don't be scared, I'm not going to blame you, it's not your fault. What happened today is an accident." She assured.
"N… Natsume… Hyuuga Natsume." The boy mumbled. "Hmmmm, so this time your name is Natsume huh?" The girl said as she stood up and dusted her skirt. Natsume looked at the brunette, he felt anxious with her but then again he feels like they had met before. However he was puzzled, this time?
"Okay Natsume let's go." The girl grabbed his hand and Natsume did not resist, he had the feeling that he should come with her, not like he has anywhere else to go anyway. The two walked at the opposite side of the village neither of them uttered a word.
After a couple of minutes walking they reached the road and there was a black car waiting for them. A man, wearing a silver mask, which stretches just above his cheekbone, came out of the car. Like the girl, he was also dressed in black. He was wearing a black trench coat and black pants but the most noticeable about him was the amount of accessories he was wearing all over his arms, fingers and ears.
The girl let go of Natsume's hand and turned to the man. "Take care of him, Persona, this boy is special." The man opened the door signaling the boy to get in. Natsume grabbed the hand of the brunette not wanting to be separated. The girl smiled at him and lowered herself and patted his head. "Don't worry, our fates are intertwined, we will meet again even if you strongly detest it."
Natsume stared at her Hazel eyes, it was different from before, it was not lifeless and empty but more tired and despairing. He let go of her hand and obediently went into the car. The masked man closed the door and turned to the girl "I'll see you soon." He said. She smiled at him before turning towards the village.
Natsume watched as the girl who saved his life slowly walks away then he impulsively rolled down the window "Wait!" The girl looked back at his outburst. "What's your name?" the boy said.
"Hmmm, let's see." She said as she gazed towards the orange light from the burning village. "Mikan. The fruit with the same color that turned your village into ashes." She turned towards Natsume and met his crimson orbs. "Don't forget me Natsume, remember my name and remember what happened to this village."