Ello!!! Look another story! (As if i need more...lol) Well this story is going to be done differently then my other ones. How so you ask? Because it will be in first person!!! How fun right?! And this girl is just soo cool! At least...i think so. But i am the authoress i tend to be biast to my characters lol. Well just so you know! This is a TasukixOC. Hopefully going to be a lot better then Another Purpose (which hopefully will be updated soon...no promises)
Disclaimer: First off I dont own FY. Although i wish i did. That would be pretty cool.
And! This story I have worked hard on. Critisism welcomed but flames shall be ignored. Thank you. (little bow.) Reviews in generally though are VERY VERY VERY much appreciated. n-n
-Chapter One-
Wind blew harshly and flapped against the tent folds whispering of dark secrets in a shrilly voice. A young boy the age ten clung to a blanket in the room next door. His father's soothing words could be heard as he tried to coax his mother in her painful hours of labor. It seemed that for hours it continued with no stop. But to an unfortunate ending…it did. The house fell silent and the cry of a baby filled the air. But no one welcomed it graciously into their arms happily. For….a new life had also brought death.
I stood on the tip of the ledge more daring then most to look down at the crevasse beneath me. Sparkling stars twinkled above me. Damn stars. They talked of fate and…a legend. A legend that had took everything from me. A refreshing breeze blew past in the cool night air and it tussled lightly with my black waist length hair. Some crossed into my face and it contrasted well with the silver eyes that shined beneath piercing through the cold and being surrounded by darkness. But being the guardian of shadow…I tend to reside there finding it as my only place of comfort. Not finding what I sought out on the ledge I turned back and went to a small little stream to get myself some dinner and turn in for the night…
//Flashback//
I was leaning over the edge of the icy water that was crystal clear and watching it rush past me. I peered in looking for the same metallic like color as my silver eyes that would show a fish. The wind blew and teased my waist length black hair. I annoyingly pushed my bangs behind my ears and then quickly rolled up the sleeves of my long brown over coat.
"Kuragari what are you doing?" asked my brother's voice.
I didn't look back at him yet my eyes still stuck to the silver sleek figure beneath the waters surface. "You'll see!" I laughed back at him.
I could hear his boots crunching the white fluff of snow on the ground as he began to walk over towards me. Probably already worried. My brother was so overprotective. "Kuragari…what are you doing?" He asked suspiciously.
Although his answer came as my hands shot into the freezing water and then I scooped out the fish that had previously held my attention. "LOOK!!! LOOK!!! I did it! Look Kei I did it!!" I said excitedly jumping around so much I nearly tripped.
Kei stood there shocked mouth hanging open before he started laughing. "Wow…you did." He said as he took the fish from me. "When did you start watching me fish?" He asked his own silver eyes still holding mirth and they showed of how proud he was for me.
"Since I wanted to try it." I said with an impish grin.
"Well you did great." He said with a smile as he then went a little ways off to prepare the fish for our meal. After hastily washing my hands in the water I skipped merrily behind him. I watched him carefully hoping that I could pick up some of the skill he used as he prepared our meal. I marveled at how good he was but I figured it was because he was twenty. He had already had so much practice. Soon the sweet aroma of cooking fish filled the air. I smiled brightly the whole time pleased that I had helped in some way.
That night we ate my fish around the small fire he had made. It was the first time I asked the question that I had always desired an answer to. "Kei?"
"Mhm…" Kei replied mumbling as he swallowed a bite from his meal.
"Where are our Mother and Father? Earlier today in the marketplace I saw many kids and they were with their parents." I asked innocently unaware of the unhappy memories that would now be dug up because of my ignorant question.
Kei's silver eyes looked away at some particular place on the ground his choppy black hair falling handsomely into his face. "Well…" He said trailing off. "Mother is dead." He said simply. He knew it was better to be straight forward with me then to beat around the bush.
"She's dead?" I asked tilting my head. Surprisingly I was handling this information very well. There was a pain in my heart…knowing I would never have a mother…but I loved my brother very much. But then again it was also hard to feel sympathy for a person that to you never existed. It was like trying to feel sorry for the air. You knew it was there buy you didn't see it and it was just a mutual bond the two of you shared.
"Yes. She's dead." Kei replied looking back at me.
"What about our father?" I asked. To me this was all new information and I desired to know more about the people that had actually brought me into this world.
"He's back in the village." Kei said looking down at his fish and taking a bite from it to avert his eyes from meeting mine.
"In that one…?" I asked shocked that I would have missed someone so important.
He chuckled at this, "No not that one…one far away from here." He said smiling softly.
"Why is he so far away?" I asked taking another bite of my meal as well.
He smiled at me and put down his meal to move and be in front of me. He then gently took my hand in his own and rolled up the long sleeved shirt I wore. He showed me the little tattoo character on my arm. "See this Kuragari?" He asked a soft smile on his lips.
"Mhm!" I said smiling. "You said you named me after it and that it says my name!" I grinned. I was proud of the small little kanji upon my forearm.
"That's right." He chuckled. "And well…father was afraid…because see this Kanji is actually up there." He said as he looked up at the night sky.
Star gazing had always been when of Kei's favorite things to do. He used to tell me how the stars were beautiful and would always watch over me. I was too ignorant to ever believe otherwise. "Right there." He said pointing to one of the tiny out of millions of little stars that twinkled above us.
"Wow! My name's in the stars?!" I said excitedly. "Is yours there too?" I asked straining my eyes to see where his might be. As if it would jump out at me or I would know.
Kei laughed again, "No. See…you're very special Kuragari." He said as he looked up at me. "You're one of the Suzaku chosen."
"One of the seishi? From that legend?" I asked my eyes lighting up. Kei had told me of our own priestess once. Her name had been Takiko and it was thanks to her that we had a safe and happy place to live here under the protection of Genbu. "But how come I belong to Suzaku…I don't come from Konan…" I said pouting thinking of the giant red phoenix in all its glory surrounded in the magnificent flames of fire. That wasn't where I belonged…was it?
"I don't know why Suzaku had you born here…and not it Konan under his domain. But the gods have their plans." He said smiling at me reassuringly. "And one day. When Konan is in trouble a girl from another world will come here and you will go and help protect her along with the seishi." He said smiling softly.
"Because I'm a seishi too?" I asked hopefully.
"No you are not a seishi Kuragari. No-no you…are a guardian." He said the title as if it held the utmost honor.
"What's the guardian?" I asked blinking and tilting my head in question.
"Remember Rei?" He asked quizzically a small smirk on his face. He knew I would know her. She had been my favorite tale to hear of when I was still very young.
"Of course!" I smiled gleefully. "She was of like the rays of the sun. And she cast her light upon the world. She was kind and generous and protected the Genbu Celestial Warriors and the priestess! And she had the power over light because the light shines over everyone and everything making her the protectress!" I said referring to the other legendary hero.
"That is what you are." He said smiling at my excitement.
At this new piece of the puzzle I stopped and titled my head confused. "But Kei…I don't control light."
"No you don't. Because that was Rei. You, Kuragari. You control the shadows." He said in almost a small whisper showing that obviously deep power resided in the words he was telling me.
"But people don't like shadows…" I frowned. "And shadows don't protect everyone…." I said a little upset.
"Oh but they do Kuragari. The light and shadows could not exist with out each other. And the shadows help hide and conceal you from evil doers. They're everywhere. Everyone and everything has a shadow." He said smirking. "Because they're just so special."
"Wow…" I said smiling. How easy it was to cheer me when I was little. "So I get to be a guardian for Suzaku?!" I asked excitedly now at my new title and wanting to wear it proudly especially since my brother was so proud of me for it.
"Mhm." He nodded and smiled at me then went back to continue his meal. That night we gazed up at the stars and he showed me of how mine was with the other Suzaku warriors. And he told me of how I would become friends with them and the priestess whoever she may be…and that I was a very important person. I looked up at who my new friends would one day be…. 'Nuriko, Chichiri, Mitsukake, Chiriko, Tamahome, Hotohori, and Tasuki…' I thought a small smile on my lips as I treasured each little star and held it close to my heart. Every night I looked up at the little stars and could tell whether or not they were okay. If I saw distress I said a silent little prayer for Suzaku to cheer them in my absence and that I would hopefully find them soon…
//End Flashback//
I awoke to see starburst of green leaves canopying over my head. My head was resting on one of the strong roots of the tree that I had slept next to the night before. I woke myself up and went about to eating some breakfast and bathing in a hot spring not so far away. It was lonely I realized and it seemed that today would require another day in the marketplace. It was on days when I missed my brother the most that I sought out companionship.
I figured I would be sure to go through the marketplace at the next town and to also restock on some of my previsions for my trip to Konan. A new shirt couldn't hurt either.
I had been heading to Konan…for the priestess? No…I wanted nothing to do with the priestess. My spite for her ranked high; placing second…the first being the army of Genbu…who had slain my brother…all because of the damn mark upon my arm. But that had been seven long…tiring years ago. That was when I was still the age of ten and had only recently learned of how to use my powers that I had been blessed with. But now…I was seventeen.
No I was in Konan only because it was here that I knew I would not be attacked and no blood would be shed in my name. It is only here that I am safe because this is of his domain, the fiery phoenix Suzaku. Being the god of the south and to who I still honor and respect to this very day. Although I had sworn secretly to myself away from my brother to never follow upon the destined path of being the guardian. For I was made of shadow…rejected and I would only bring them harm. And it was only within the shadows that I found comfort and safety…not upon the light that everyone seems to adore. But suddenly I felt a great pain. A splitting pain and I fell to my knees in the forest in which I still walked to grab a hold at my face where the pain emitted and to where I felt my knee ignite in fire.
Something awful had happened. I knew this to the very bottom of my heart and it was nearly ripped out at the thought of having something happen to one of those I cared about even though to me they didn't exist.
'Chichiri….calm down.' I whispered in my head. It was odd that this was happening. For it had happened before in a much greater escalating of pain that was back a few years ago when I was still little and learned of my new title. Something tragic must have happened to him…for it still caused him great pain. And I knew that it did for I could feel it. It must be another 'perk' to being a guardian.
'It will be alright…' I said soothingly my eyes rested closed as a tear traced down my face. I felt like a hypocrite. Telling him that it was alright…I knew that it wasn't.
Chichiri miles away had a grieving day, it being the anniversary of his fiancé and friends death. Let alone his whole village. He crumpled down upon the edge of a ruined home where once stood a magnificent village he used to call home. To his horror a melodic voice reached out to him. Speaking softly and in such a sweet voice he nearly thought it was divine. He always heard this voice…when he was upset. For it constantly spoke to him through out his life. But now he had training from Tai Yi Jun and he was tired of feeling insane and he sensed the strong chi force and he held to it for dear life. Almost in fear as if it would slip away again from him.
'All is alright…' I said again in my head. Why I did this…I didn't know. I figured that maybe it reached out to them. I guess I had been right because suddenly a voice came ringing back in my own head.
'Who are you?!' A man's voice said startled. My eyes shot open shocked. No one had ever spoken back before.
"Oh Suzaku!" I whispered horrified bringing my hands to cover my mouth.
The voice came back desperate as if I was leaving and he couldn't follow, "No please!!!" yelled the man. "Who are you?!" he yelled.
'K-Kuragari…' I said back to him in our telepathic conversation but then I felt it growing stronger. Were they coming?! I immediately snapped the connection. When I had learned to connect a conversation or to break it I never knew but I was afraid that they were approaching and rapidly. I looked to a tree and the magnificent shadow that it cast and let my silver eyes softly close. In another tongue I spoke softly almost in a song a small incoherent verse and was suddenly whisked away into darkness, my shadows saving me once more concealing me from the eyes of whoever my pursuer may be.
As soon as the girl had answered Chichiri threw up his hat and began to teleport to where she was. There was something…important about this girl. This woman…he had to find out. But to his dismay when he had arrived the girl named Kuragari he had sought was no longer there. And he went to follow realizing the connection was now elsewhere but she cut it off. 'Who could have a power such as this?!' Chichiri thought in shock. He was the only person that Tai Yi Jun had trained…so why was it that this girl had disappeared like that. Let alone was able to start a telepathic conversation to him and be the one to break it off? This troubled him and so he went through his hat again. To try and find a woman he knew would have answers…Tai Yi Jun.
Chichiri appeared on a beautiful mountain and was in the palace of the creator herself. "Back again so soon Chichiri?" Tai Yi Jun asked as she floated out to greet her apprentice.
"I want to know of the girl you trained no da." Chichiri said believing it to be the only plausible explanation while he removed his mask out of respect.
"Girl…? You mean Nyan-Nyan?" Tai Yi Jun asked raising an eyebrow in confusion.
"No…this girl's name was Kuragari no da." Chichiri said raising his eyebrow at why Tai Yi Jun became suddenly very serious.
"You're….seen Kuragari….?" She whispered in a very quiet tone.
"Why are we whispering no da?" Chichiri asked back in a whisper.
"You're right. We should not talk of such matters here…in the open." Tai Yi Jun said as she floated leading the way into her palace. Chichiri jumped slightly, for as soon as he entered, the door slammed shut and locked all the way up. All the windows became automatically bared and shut. A small haze resided as what he knew to be a barrier around the house.
"Tai Yi Jun….why go to the extreme…?" Chichiri asked in confusion to the precausion.
"Because no one should hear of…Kuragari…" Tai Yi Jun said as she turned around to face him. "When and where exactly did you see her?" She asked earnestly.
"I didn't see her Tai Yi Jun…but if I may ask…why are you so worried…no da? Is she evil?!" He asked alarmed. 'How could someone…like that possibly be evil…?' He silently asked himself praying that he was wrong.
"No! Heavens no!" Tai Yi Jun said shaking her head. "She is not evil. She is a guardian Chichiri. A very…valuable guardian." Tai Yi Jun said slowly to make sure Chichiri completely comprehended the subject.
"A guardian no da?" Chichiri asked recalling only a few mythical stories here and there.
"A divine goddess….Mistress of Shadow to be precise." Tai Yi Jun said as if speaking of maybe one of her sons. "Chichiri…surely you know of Rei and Tsuchi?" Tai Yi Jun asked raising an eyebrow.
A little light bulb seemed to go off in Chichiri's head at the names. "Of course no da!! Rei…was of the rays of Sun….Goddess of Light…and Guardian of Genbu no da. Then there is Tsuchi…of the earth…God of Earth and its Creations…also known as Guardian of Byakko no da."
Tai Yi Jun nodded, "Yes…Kuragari…is another of these Guardians…Goddess of Shadow and Dark…she is of shadow…Guardian of Suzaku." Tai Yi Jun said a small smirk rising to her lips as she realized her young disciple now also was very intrigued being a Suzaku seishi himself.
"But…why was she contacting me through telepathy no da…?" Chichiri asked.
"She knows how to do that?!" Tai Yi Jun said getting flustered and sounded anxious to know what Chichiri meant.
Chichiri stepped back a little, "Tai Yi Jun no da…how do you not know this?" He asked.
Tai Yi Jun frowned and backed up away from her young disciple. "Guardians are very powerful Chichiri. So powerful that they're sought after…Suzaku had worried over Kuragari so much that he actually had her born in Genbu. Although this backfired. For the mother died in birth even though she would have welcomed the daughter graciously. But since the mother was dead the father unreasonably blamed the child and cursed her for the mark she bore."
"Then…?!" Chichiri asked shocked but Tai Yi Jun continued.
"Her brother Kei…stole her away. And raised her lovingly. Making up for both parents. Until Kuragari was ten that is…then they were ambushed by the army of Hokkan. They killed her brother. And she unknowingly whisked herself away in shadow…" Tai Yi Jun said sadly.
"Then…what no da?" Chichiri asked.
"I lost all tabs of her." Tai Yi Jun said shaking her head.
"How did you do that no da?!" Chichiri asked.
Tai Yi Jun smiled slightly, "Well Chichiri…I told you they were powerful…and because of the need to protect them they were given a trait one…that makes it impossible to trace or pick up on their chi. Even when using their power. You can see how this could become very dangerous." Tai Yi Jun explained. "If another Guardian…were to attack her she would not know how to handle herself."
"That's why she could establish and break the connection no da…?" Chichiri asked.
"Precisely." Tai Yi Jun replied simply. "But since she has gotten away from you…then there is no way for me to find her again."
"Tai Yi Jun…" Chichiri asked.
But the Goddess of Creation interrupted, "Why are there guardians…?" Chichiri nodded his head in agreement to the question. "Because Chichiri…someone needs to watch over the entire group of eight. But the Guardian…serves for when the Gods can not interfere. They are the role models. Kuragari…represents…all the country of Konan…and Suzaku himself." Tai Yi Jun said smiling. "Chichiri…I need you to look for her."
"But what will I do about the Suzaku no miko no da?" Chichiri asked.
"She is not here yet…but will be very soon. Should you not find Kuragari…she will come to you. Do not fret. It will not be all that difficult…she seeks to be accepted. She will turn to you…her only living family. It's just a matter of when she realizes this fact to be true. But look for her…until you go to the priestess…" Tai Yi Jun requested.
"But one more question Tai Yi Jun!" Chichiri asked quickly before getting ready to depart. Tai Yi Jun turned back in his direction waiting for the hinted question. "What Guardian would come after Kuragari…?" He asked.
Tai Yi Jun only whispered one word, one word that pierced Chichiri's heart with fear. So much so that he left immediately to look for Kuragari…his guardian.
"Tsuyu…"
So so so?! What did you think?! Interesting? What do you think of Kuragari? Yeah i know her name is wierd. They're gonna just call her Kura. But Kuragari means darkness. So...it kind of goes with it...lol.
Little info.
Rei-Ray
Tsuchi-Earth
Kuragari-Darkness
Tsuyu-Water
Thought you might want to know that lol. Well PLEASE REVIEW!!!! THANK YOU FOR READING!!!
-miracle
