Chapter 2: The Beginning
Today started like every other day. At the moment, in the early rays of dawn, my sister and I are playing in the fields. The Eastern lands belong to us, the Yin Yang Cat Demons. That's just a fact. If only everything were that easy in life.
My sister, Kira, and I are quite young yet in demon standards, at only around 5 mortal years. We have yet to receive our Marks. Or Marks are what define us, as either Yin or Yang. Kira and and I, are quite different however, being the first twins ever born in our clan. Our parents are the leaders of the clan, so that only adds to the complications.
Soon, the content silence of the fields are interrupted by the sound of my fathers voice. "Kira! It's time for you and your sister to come back."
My ears lower against my head. Father rarely ever acknowledges my presence, unless if I'm in trouble. I'm starting to get used to it by now, but it still saddens me.
Kira casts a glance over at me, offering a sympathetic smile. "It's alright Shira! You know Father..." She says softly.
I simply nod, not wanting her sympathy, but it is nice knowing that I will always have my sister at least. My gaze downcast, i follow after Kira towards the main cave. Yet, as we continue to head home, my gaze cannot help but wonder at the beauty of our lands. The rolling green hill, the path of trees not too far away. It was all so beautiful.
A smile can't help but appear on my face, as i think about our land. If Father would let me, I would sleep outside with the older demons that are too large to sleep inside. Maybe then, I would be able to sleep, having the stars glittering above me.
My thoughts end there, as we finally reach the cave. My good mood from just moments before dissipates again, the smile melting off my face. Gazing into the cave, I cannot seeing anything at first, but soon after, Fathers yellow gaze glows from the caves depths. He steps forward, walking towards us until he is just outside the cave. He was quite handsome, with his jet black hair, sharp features, and golden yellow eyes. Mother soon appears at his side, his total opposite. While Father was all sharp, Mother was soft. She had silvery white hair that went to her mid back, but was always kept up with intricate nots and braids. Her eyes were a stunning green color, and she had a few wrinkles next to her eyes from always smiling. Mother is Yang, while Father is Yin.
My sister and I look exactly like our parents really. The only difference, is the eye color, for we do not yet know what color they will be. Green eyes symbolize Yang. Yellow eyes symbolize Yin. My hair is black, like Fathers, but is as long as Mothers. Kira's hair is the same shade as Mothers, but her hair is slightly shorter then mine.
I gaze at Father questioningly, but his gaze is on Kira, practically ignoring me again. I barely resist the urge to sigh, but my ears do lower against my head a bit.
"Do you know what day it is?" Father asks, his gaze finally drifting away from Kira to drift towards me.
I hold his gaze for just a moment, before looking over at Kira, whom seems to be rather lost. "Our birthday...?" I finally reply, trying to sound like I was sure, but that wasn't easy with Father staring at me.
Fathers eyes narrow a bit at my hesitance, before giving a stiff nod. "Correct Shira. Today is indeed the day you both were born, and now marks the day you receive your Marks."
My eyes widen in surprise, as I look over at Kira whose expression matches my own. We are finally getting our Marks today! I think to myself, before I feel a twinge of fear. It is forbidden for anyone to mention how we receive our Marks, for our decision could be biased because of that. It's all quite confusing, so of course I would feel worried.
My gaze drifts towards Mother, for she had been strangely quite during the entire conversation. Her gaze finds my own, and I tip my head to the side a bit in confusion. Her eyes looked...sad. Mother and I had a much stronger because of the fact that she acknowledges my presence while Father ignores it. By her expression, I can tell she is trying to tell me something, but I just can't figure out what. I give a slight shake of my head, a silent message that i didn't understand, as our gazes break as Father speaks once more.
"You both know that your mother or I cannot say a word about the ceremony," he pauses as we nod in acknowledgement before continuing. "So rest. The ceremony begins at High Moon," he finishes, waving a hand at our nests before turning to walk away. Mother shoots one more look at me, before following.
Kira nudges me with her shoulder, grinning widely, as she turns towards our nest. Unable to help it, I smile back, following after my sister. Our nests are fairly simple. They are simply made from long strands of grass found in the fields, woven into circles. They actually looked a bit like birds nests, but they were comfortable enough. Older demons tended to sleep outside in their demon forms, too large to fit in the cave. The younger ones do as well, but in order to sleep outside, you must have your Mark.
As soon as I reach my nest, I drop forward on my hands and knees, but they were already changed into paws. My face stretches forward, as fur spreads across my entire body. In less then a second, I was in my demon form. We look just like regular cats, but we are much larger, with our fangs protruding past our lower jaw. I look over at Kira, and she had shifted already as well. We are identical in size, the only difference being that her fur is white, and mine black.
I climb into my nest, looking over at Kira with a slight smile. I curl up, resting my head on my paws, watching her do the same. Neither of us say anything at first, until I finally break the silence. "I can't believe we are finally getting our Marks!"
Kira nods in agreement. "I know! I wonder what we will be..?" She replies back, thoughtful.
"I don't know...but we will still be close right? Some mark won't tear up apart!" I say, a small cloud of doubt drifting into my mind before I quickly chase it away.
"Right! We are far too close to be torn apart!" Kira replies with that goofy grin of hers. I laugh softly, wondering just were Kira gets her confidence. Feeling better, I nod, relaxing into my nest again.
Kira smiles at me, and I smile back, unable to resist her contagious confidence. Everything would be fine. Curling into a ball, i tuck my nose under my tail, my black fur barely seen in the caves shadows. After a few moments however, reality sinks in, and my heart starts to beat rapidly inside my chest. Against my better judgement, I lift my head up from my paws, looking over at my parents. Mother won't meet my gaze, and is instead looking at the cave floor. Father however, meets my gaze full one, his yellow eyes cold and full of disappointment.
My ears flatten against my head again, knowing that the entire clan could scent my fear. I look over at Kira for reassurance, but she is already fast asleep. A low whine rises in my throat, but i swallow it down. Forcing my tense muscles to relax, I return to my previous position. Listening to the sounds of the cave, I slowly drift asleep.
