Sorry I didn't explain it in the prologue, but as this story doesn't follow the story line there are some differences and similarities. In this story, the shinsengumi are still a police force of sorts, and aren't feared. You'll see as you read along. It'll explain itself.
DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything. Just the storyline and the OC.
Chapter 1
Where.
IMAGES OF FIRE and of soft white feathers doused in life blood filled my vision, different from the darkness that I have been swimming in for so long.
Why.
Humans. Many of them mercilessly slaying beings with wings crying in victory at their freshly made kills.
What.
Blue eyes filled my vision, full of love, caring and promises of what could have been.
Yuki? Shiro!?
I drifted in and out of consciousness. I didn't know what day or season it was. I didn't feel cold, or warm. I just felt… empty. Nothingness. And that scared me more than the carnage I could see in my mind.
Where am I? Why am I here? What happened?
For what felt like days, but was probably mere hours, my mind drifted when finally, I couldn't breathe.
I felt cold wet, and numb.
Water. I was underwater.
Gathering my strength, I surged upwards to the glittering rays of light, shimmering just above the surface of the water. I took in a gulp of air before taking in my surroundings and faced the sun. Closing my eyes and allowing it to warm my cold face and for the numbness to fade. I felt disorientated and dizzy. Where was I?
I paddled towards the edge of the river and climbed out. The light white dress robes, clinging to my body.
It wasn't cold. In fact, it was quite warm. It seemed to be summer. I collapsed at the base of a nearby tree and tried to gather my thoughts. My clothes almost immediately dried. It was made of the finest spider silk that the angels could find.
When everything came crashing back, I let out a startled cry. Exhausted and hungry, I felt like passing out.
No.
I extracted my wings into my body, as to not draw unwanted attention. This… This was their gift. My brothers had made a sacrifice, to keep me alive and I shall honour that. If they had not already come to find me, then that meant… they were gone.
I allowed myself a moment of weakness as I started to cry, and let all of those bottled emotions come rushing out.
A while later I wiped away the last of my tears.
Enough.
I was unsure as to what to do or where to go. But my brothers had given me a life to live. And so, live it I shall. Although…I wasn't sure about what I wanted to do.
Adjusting my robes, and pulling my long waist length hair into a bun, and securing it with my comb, I followed the flow of the river until I came across, a town or a village. I entered it and carefully analysed everything. There were stalls with many people showing off their wares. I saw a lady picking up a comb, and handing a few small circular objects to the respective merchant. Glancing around, a few others did the same. I approached one of these merchants who seemed to be selling supplies for travel. He was quite young, and seemed to be around my age. He stared at me.
"You're not from around here, are you miss." It wasn't a question, and was more like a statement. However, I still nodded to confirm what he had just said.
"Um, where am I?" I asked in a polite tone of voice.
"Ah? My apologies. Why, this is Kyoto! Welcome, to my store. Here you can find many fine wares for travel."
I looked around.
"I do not have anything to trade with you though." I replied realising those small coins were used to trade with the merchants. His eyes flashed.
"You mean coins? Are you alone here? If you are willing to… uh work.. I guess I could make an exception..." I started to feel uncomfortable with the way he stared at me. Males from my family had often stared at me like that, and Shiro had always been there to shield me from those penetrating eyes. But, not this time. Not anymore. Instead, I turned my body away from him.
"The clothes I am wearing now." I said suddenly. He cocked his head sideways, asking me to elaborate.
"I'll trade these clothes for some of yours. Before you judge them come and have a feel of the material. It is of the best quality there is." He approached me, as I held out my arm so he could feel the sleeves. As he touched them, his eyes widened.
"This.. Why, it is so soft and.. as light as air. As if it is not there at all."
Nodding I added, "Give it strong tug and you will find that it is also very strong material."
He did just that. "It is as strong as steel. Very well. You may pick anything here in exchange for those clothes."
"And for some coins." I quickly added.
He thought for a moment before nodding again.
"Very well. These clothes will fetch quite the high price amongst the higher ranking ladies anyway."
After I picked out some clothes that were meant to be worn by men, I handed over my robes, feeling sad at having to part with them. However, I could always search for some more spider silk, and that prospect made me brighten up.
In return, the young merchant handed me a few coins. I thanked him and left. The day was still bright, and my stomach growled, making me remember how hungry I was. I tied my hair into a ponytail, and hid my comb inside one of the robes pockets. It was the last thing I had, that came from Shiro. On my wrist, was the last thing I had from Yuki. A small bracelet that was adorned with a golden bell. The sound it made was pure and sweet. I Kept walking, my mind elsewhere.
'Like your singing. Although, it cannot compare to your beauty or the true sound of your voice.' I rolled my eyes. 'Yuki!' Shiro scolded. 'Do not try to woo Mai when you should be alert for danger. There is time for that later.' Yuki grinned and said 'Do not be jealous brother, we all have to share her after all'. Shiro glared. I laughed slightly, and they both turned to me with gentle stares.
A pang of sadness swept through me. I snapped out of my trance when a sweet scent reached me. Persimmons!?
I rushed over to the stall. The person there smiled at me. I bought a few and sat down near a small group of children.
I bit into the first persimmon and closed my eyes, enjoying the taste of my favourite food. When I looked around from where I was seated, I noticed that the faces of all the women looked afraid. When some made eye contact with me, they would avert their gazes. I devoured my persimmon slowly, when something caught my attention.
A woman, ripened with age was telling a story. It was not only children who were gathered I realised, as I saw some men and women off on the sides.
"You could always tell an angel by the grace of their movements, and the sound of their voices. Some say that if you listen closely during the night of the new moon, you can hear their mourning voices, singing out to call home those that have been lost."
The children chattered in excited whispers amongst themselves. The adults still listened, entranced in the wise woman's story.
"The angels harnessed the powers and elements of the land. This included fire, ice, wind, earth and lightning. There were many different kinds of powers. The rarer ones included that of pure, raw power, that would only destroy, and the power of touch, that could heal any injury. Although, I hear the tears of an angel can bring loved ones back from the brink of death, and their blood, is an elixir to any poison and terminal illnesses. Even so, they were a race that valued honour, and peace."
I snorted a little. Our tears could heal but could not bring back a person from death. That was impossible. One someone is gone, that's it. I thought a little bitterly. Our blood however, was an elixir to poisons. How much did this human woman know about my kind? My snort drew the attention of some of the adults. A man with brown hair and eyes, that reminded me of my green forest home, looked at me. Beside him was a man with indigo hair, which was tied off to one side. I couldn't see his face since he was still watching the wise woman. They both had swords strapped to their sides. It reminded me of how Shiro would carry his blades.
The woman finished her story telling, as some gathered people thanked her and gave her coins. As the crowd dispersed, I approached the woman.
"Do you..." I hesitated "Do you think that there are still angels among us?" She looked at me and I was surprised to notice that she was blind.
"You aren't from around here are you?" Before I could answer she continued.
"That, my child, is something that only the angels would know, don't you think?" She gave me a knowing smile, and I handed her two coins, after thanking her. After a while I could tell that the atmosphere of this town seemed… off. I wasn't sure what it was, but it seemed as though everyone was very wary.
Only a while after I finished my exploration the rest of the village that I noticed that I was being followed by the two men from earlier.
It was late afternoon and the sun was setting, I needed a place to stay though I wasn't sure where. I considered my options.
I could leave this town and fly around and search for a cave, or I could find some shelter in the nearby forests. I decided on the latter, since I didn't want to be spotted with my wings out.
As I neared the edge of this town, I stiffened, the man with the green eyes blocked my way out. I turned, deciding to take another path, when the man with Indigo hair appeared from around a corner. I was trapped.
Anxiety washed over me. Did they know what kind of creature I was? Would they kill me for being one?
The one with green eyes spoke first.
"You, boy. You're not from here."I scoffed a little. Was it really that obvious!? I considered my white hair and blue eyes. Maybe it was... But that guy over there has indigo hair.
What do you know of the disappearances of the women in this town?"
Huh?
End. If there are any mistakes please do tell me.