A flame within their hearts

Prologue

Samantha always had been a normal girl, mostly in her dreams though. Being the daughter of Hades is hard enough not counting she had been living with her mother, stepfather, and stepbrother. Her stepfather was always a jerk to her with his poker games in the living room and other stuff. She would have left sooner if it wasn't for her mother and stepbrother. Her mother- Rachel Kingsmon- always loved her as well as her stepbrother- Nico di Angelo.

Samantha and her family had moved from the U.S. to Japan in hopes of throwing of Samantha and Nico's scents from the monsters. She had been living there until that fateful day. Exactly one week ago, Samantha had been at her mother's funeral. Rachel had died in a car accident the Wednesday before.

She had left her home leaving her stepfather and stepbrother to live by themselves. At the moment Samantha was living in a tent in the middle of the woods.


Samantha POV

"Ah…look at that beautiful sky!" I say looking toward the sky knowing today going to be a great day. I then decide to go for a walk around for a while to get some exercise.

While walking around I come upon a Japanese style house. I then decide to take a closer look. "Huh...I never knew there was a house here or even thought anyone lived here," I say taking a look inside. "Looks peaceful…wow must be nice,"

That's when I notice little figurines drying in the sun. "Oh…the twelve animals of the Chinese Zodiac," that's when I notice a man in front of me.

"My word, do my eyes deceive me or do I see a strange young girl standing on my porch," He says. He's wearing a robe while reading a newspaper looking straight at me.

That's when I get nervous, "Oh! I'm sorry, I'm so sorry! I was just looking; I didn't mean to barge in without permission!" I stutter.

"Oh, it's alright, I just set them out to dry. Well I find it hard to believe these silly little things could attract your interest," He says.

"No, I really like them. I don't think they're silly at all," I say.

"Heh heh…yes well I'm particularly fond of them myself," He says.

"Oh…but aren't you forgetting about the cat?" I question.

"Ah…I take it your referring to the old folktale with the Chinese Zodiac," He questions.

"My mother used to tell my stepbrother and I when we were little," I say dreamily.

- Flashback -

'A long, long time ago; God decided to invite all the animals to a banquet. He sent out word for all of them to come to his house the following evening. "And don't be late," He said. When the mischievous rat heard the news; he decided to play a trick on his neighbor, the cat. He told the cat the party was the day after tomorrow. The very next day, the animals lined up for the celebration. And the rat led the way riding all the way there on the ox's back. Everybody had a wonderful time. Except for the foolish cat, who missed the whole thing,'

Then my brother started sobbing, so my mother was curious, 'Hey, why are you crying, Nico?' My mother said gently to him.

'Because, that poor cat,' Nico said trying to hold back his tears, 'He must be so lonely!' He said getting out of bed.

'I know! I won't be the dog anymore! I'll be a cat too!' He said a grin plastered on his face.

- Flashback End -

"Funny," The man says, "I wonder what he'll say when he hears he has a fan," He says deep in thought.

"He?" I question.

"So, what year were you born in?" The man asks.

"The year of the rat," I say.

"Funny, I knew there was something I liked about you," He says his head inching closer to mine, "Well, besides your pretty face…" He says. That's when I begin to notice an arm holding a coral green backpack closing in on the mans head.

That's when I look up. The boy is around my age with a head full of silver hair. He has striking violet eyes and a fake kind smile. "Please excuse my cousin, Miss Kingsmon," He says, his voice showing no emotion. "He's a bit of a flirt, but he's harmless. In general it's best to just ignore him," That's when I remembered who the boy is.

"Yuki Sohma!" I say surprised but not in a fan girl way. 'Oh my, I don't believe it,' I think mockingly. 'The prince of my high school, Yuki Sohma, is standing right here before my very eyes…ugh,"

"Ugh…what do you have in that bag? A dictionary?" The man says.

"No, I have two of them," Yuki says.


"So…" The man says. "You're one of Yuki's classmates from school," He says. "Let's start again; I'm Shigure, his older and much less violent cousin," He says; now letting me know his name.

"Hello, it's very nice to meet you," I say taking a bow, accustomed to Japan.

"And what brings you to our home this morning, Miss Kingsmon?" Yuki asks, politely.

"I, uh, live nearby," I say stuttering.

"You do, where at?" Yuki asks, obviously interested.

"Right," I say looking down, though I could feel them staring.

"Okay, I think I'll be going now, it was nice to meet you," I say turning around.

"Wait, Miss Kingsmon; since you're here, why don't we walk together?" Yuki asks me.

"Um…alright," I say grabbing my stuff.