I walked through the streets of my home town in Tanbarun on my way to visit my friend, Niala. We did everything together. Today was the best day to spend together because it was my birthday! I was so excited to be five.
My mom said that after today, I could pick out my first practice sword. I always wanted a sword of my own. When I grew up I was going to be the best swordswoman there was!
My blue-black hair is in a tight ponytail that my mother did for me. I was wearing my favorite red shirt and black pants. Mom didn't like that I dressed like a boy but after I continuously tore the dresses she put me in, she finally gave up.
I arrived at Niala's house and knocked on the door. The door opened and my lavender eyes locked with her violet ones. Her blonde hair was the same length as mine, falling just past her shoulders.
"Hi Niala! Ready to come over and have some cake? Mom made it special!"
"You bet, Katsumi! Your mom makes the best cake!"
Niala quickly told her mother that she was coming over and we raced all the way back to my house. I won, of course. I was always the fastest runner, even out of the boys. We barged into the house and quickly sat down at the table.
Mom came in with the cake and set it on the table. I reached out to grab some but mom quickly smacked my hand.
"Did you wash up?"
"No…" I answered sheepishly.
"Well then."
Niala and I went outside and washed our hands and face in the wash bowl. After we were done we charged back into the kitchen and sat at the table.
Mom had placed a candle in the center of the cake and lit it. "Make a wish, Katsumi."
I closed my eyes and wished with all my might that today would be the best day ever! I opened my eyes and blew out the candle.
"What did you wish for?" Niala asked.
"I can't tell you, silly. If I do then it might not come true."
Mom cut the cake and handed us each a piece on a plate. I watched my mom as she set the cake down in front of me. I wanted to be as beautiful as she is when I grow up. She told me before that since I had the same eyes she did, she had now doubt I would be beautiful. She also said that she was jealous because my hair was the same colour as my dad's.
Dad came into the kitchen while Niala and I finished our pieces of cake. "Happy Birthday, Kat!"
"Daddy!" I got down from the table and ran into his arms. He hugged me tightly. I always loved hugs, especially from my dad. He held me at arm's length and looked into my eyes.
"Are you ready for your present?"
"Yes!"
He reached behind him and pulled out a… SWORD!? It was only a practice sword, but still!
"WOW!"
"It's made from the finest wood that could be used for a practice sword, so you make sure to take good care of it."
"I will! I promise I will!"
Dad smiled at me. "Good. Now go find a safe spot to put it in your room, then pack your overnight bag for your sleep over at Niala's tonight."
I darted up the stairs and set the sword proudly against the wall by my bed. I couldn't help but stare at it. It was the best gift I could ever get! I remembered I was supposed to be packing, so I quickly grabbed my bag and shoved the clothes I would need, as well as a my brush, into it.
I flew back down the stairs skipping every other step.
"I'm ready!"
"Katsumi! I've told you several times not to fly down the stairs like that!"
"Sorry, mom."
"Come on, Katsumi! Let's go play princesses at my house!" Niala urged.
"How about you be the princess and I'll be your bodyguard. Someone has to guard you from dragons!"
"Okay!"
We darted out of the house and quickly made our way to Niala's house. Once we were there, Niala dressed up in her prettiest dress and spun around.
"What do you think Katsumi? Mom made it for me."
"I don't know why you like dresses so much, they just get in the way."
"I need to look my best for Prince Raj! I'm going to marry him!"
I smacked my forehead. "Stupid me. I completely forgot." I gave Niala a bow. "How can I serve you, Your Highness?"
"You can start by cleaning up this room! It's a mess!"
I gave Niala a displeased look. "Guards don't do that kind of thing."
"They do if the princess orders them to do it!"
"Fine…" I quickly cleaned up the room.
Niala did stuff like this all the time. I hated it, but I felt like it was partly my own fault. I was always wanting to be the guard. Besides, Niala was my best friend.
Finally, I finished cleaning the room.
"There! All done!"
"All done…"
"Your Highness."
"Much better."
I frowned, but then looked towards her bed and pictured a dragon in my mind. I leapt in front of my friend.
"OH NO! A fire breathing dragon has broken into the palace! Stay behind me, princess. I will slay him!" I drew my pretend sword and fought the pretend dragon.
Our game carried on all the way till bedtime. Niala's mother came into the bedroom and gave us each a cup of tea. As I reached to take my tea, the cup cracked.
"I'm sorry, Niala's mom. I don't know how that happened."
"It's okay, my dear. I'll get you another cup."
"You know what that means, right?" Niala asked me once her mother had left the room.
"No… what does it mean?"
"My aunt told me it means that something really bad has happened or will happen."
"Really?" Panic was starting to rise up inside me. I didn't like what Niala had just told me.
"Yeah… I feel bad for you."
"What do you think will happen?"
"I don't know… but it's going to be bad."
"Niala!" Her mother scolded. "It's just a superstition. Don't scare Katsumi like that!"
"But mom! Auntie said a cup broke right before Gran died!"
"Your aunt also believes everything she hears. We need to be smarter than that. Do you understand?"
"Yes, mom."
"Good." Niala's mom turned to me. "Don't worry, Katsumi, I'm sure everything is fine."
I gave her a smile but my stomach started to feel like I just ate rocks. I drank my tea hoping it would help but it didn't. Niala and I climbed into her bed and I tried to fall asleep. I tossed and turned for what felt like forever. Niala had passed out a long time ago but I couldn't shake the feeling in my gut.
I couldn't take it anymore. I had to go home and talk to mom. She always knew what to say to help me. I got dressed, put my boots on and headed out the door.
As I walked home, I noticed a lot of people were running. Panic overtook me and I ran too. When I came in sight of my house, I saw it was being devoured by fire. I searched frantically for my parents.
"Please! You have to let me go in and get my wife!" I heard my dad shouting.
"DAD!" I called at the top of my lungs, but he didn't respond.
I tried to make my way to him but no one moved for me. I forced my way through the crowd anyway I could. Just as I broke through, I saw my dad dart into the fire.
"DADDY!" Tears burst forth from my eyes and I tried to run after him. A strong arm stopped me. "DAD!" I collapsed as the pain in my chest only grew to the point that I thought I was going to die. My whole body shook and the tears just wouldn't stop. "Mom… Dad…" They couldn't be gone… They just couldn't be…
I woke up at Niala's house. Had the whole thing been a nightmare? I looked at my clothes. I was in my pjs. Maybe it was a bad dream. Just then, Niala's mom walked in.
"Katsumi… how did you sleep?"
"I-I don't know… I think I had a dream that my parents…"
Niala's mom shook her head. "I'm sorry, Katsumi, it wasn't a dream…"
My gut and heart hurt at the same time. "No… NOOO!" The tears burst forth again. "Mom… Dad… they can't be…"
"They're dead, Katsumi."
"But… Dad just gave me my first practice sword… Mom just made me a cake…"
"Sometimes the people we care about most are pulled from us without warning."
I didn't know what to say. All I knew was that it felt like someone had stabbed me in the heart with a sword.
"I really hate to do this, Katsumi, but you can't stay here. We just can't afford to keep you here. You'll have to go."
"B-But my house… where do I go?"
"I don't know, but you can't stay here." Niala's mom was quiet for a minute. "Once you are dressed and eat some breakfast you'll have to go." She got up and walked out.
My body froze. I didn't want to go. I had no place to go. What was I going to do now? Tears soaked the blanket. The people who would know exactly how to help, were my parents… but they were gone. I was on my own.