Hello, this is for seriously my first story I have ever let anyone else read. I have school six days a week, and I can rarely update, so bare with me. This is one of my favorite stories, and everyone is a bit OOC.
The metallic ringing of weapons clashing against weapons met the sensitive ears of a tall graceful woman. Her long skirts billowed around her, snapping against the heartless wind which tore up the country side. Her soft expression as she watched the small children slowly hardened as she noticed a slight slip-up of one of the small ones.
"Halt." Even though her voice was soft and quiet, the children immediately stood attention, their weapons already in their pouches. Before the severe woman, two identical children stood. Their long black hair was loose and sticking to their forehead, the sweat glistened in the dim light. Bowing, they slowly raised their violet eyes to meet the woman's. "Darren, you allowed your hand to slip bellow the waist line in your defense." One of the twins bowed. "You may continue. Be sure to wash up before dinner, and do not track blood on the floor Darren." She left in a flurry of skirts and wind.
Straightening up, Darren sighed. "You never do anything wrong. You're so perfect Kori. You never do anything wrong." He sneered. "Even at the social events Father introduces you first, and sometimes he doesn't even remember to introduce me! I'm older! I should be introduced first, not you!" Angry tears shone against his eyes.
Across from the pterbed boy, Kori stared indifferently at her brother. "It's not my fault that you don't have my fighting skills. It shouldn't bother you, you're way better at politics than I am. You have patience, I do not. You can empathize with most others around here, I can not. You have friends, I do not, nor can I." Seeing Darren's confused look, Kori explained. "My fighting skills frighten most people, and if they do not, the only reason people hang out with me is for protection or our money. They hang out with you because you're like them. You can go into town without having people leave buildings in fear of you. You have no idea how much I envy you."
As Darren digested this, Kori stepped into an offensive stance. "Let's practice your defense. Remember what Mother said about your hand." The clanging resumed, and Darren's pride was back intact.
After a few more hours, a soft bell chimed in the main tower of the town, signaling the universal dinner. Kori and Darren waded through the bodies rushing around them, their wide brimmed hats bowed against the harsh winds. As Kori fought her flying skirts, Darren waved to other children as they ran past, eagerly making their way towards their dinners. Just outside the intimidating walls of their village, the Village Hidden in the Dark, the twins stripped off their outer coats, allowing them to float gently to the ground. Darren pulled a new set of clothing for each of them out of their pack, handing the skirt and blouse to Kori, and keeping the trousers and dress shirt for himself. Turning away from each other, they swiftly changed.
Kori raised a hand, summoning a small amount of water from the air, she siphoned Darren's dried blood off of her buttermilk skin, then turned and performed the same necessity on her twin. Once clean, the two entered the village, walking and behaving like Heirs, not as children. People waved from their warm, cozy homes as they watched their future heirs walk down the street to their centrally located home. They nodded in recognition, as was required of them.
The Ninja assigned the front gate to the cold mansion that the twins called home, bowed to them before resuming their debate. A flourishing garden, filled with varieties of flowers and fruit trees, greeted them. This was where Kori spent most of her free time. She loved the colors and the peacefulness; it helped her focus and was the only thing that prevented her from losing her cool in the presence of others.
The large French doors opened to reveal their solemn mother. Her short black hair was slightly out of place, revealing that she had just recently finished their evening meal, and had not had time to freshen up. Behind her, the two could see their father talking with another man. As they stepped over the threshold, Father turned to them.
"I have some unfortunate news, children." His deep baritone voice rang in the silent foyer. "This man is from the Village Hidden in the Leaves. He is to take one of you to take up the responsibilities of one of their own, who was slain accidentally by one of our own."
Kori could feel Darren tense next to her. She knew how much he loved it here, and how many friends he had. She loved Darren more than any other person in this village and would not allow him to be torn from the place he loved, even if it meant she would have to leave.
Their father continued. "I will leave the decision up to you two. I know you will make the right decision for this village." He turned back to the stranger. "You will be joining us for dinner, correct?" receiving an affirmative; he led the man to the lounge to await the twin's decision.
The twins bowed to their mother and made their way to their shared bedroom on the top of the mansion. Once they were in private, Kori revealed her plan to Darren. Packing her things, Kori changed into dining clothes as did Darren. Making their way back down to the dinning room, Kori prepared herself for her last meal in the presence of the Dark.