Chapter two: Unwanted Visage

It was cold, always so very cold.

Warmth had not been a sensation experienced by the broken mind that now found itself lost and alone within the snow.

How long had he been sitting there? He couldn't begin to answer, time was something he could no longer grasp as his body shook violently to keep warm. Moving would have been pointless. There was nothing to find, no-where to go. His mind was like a blank canvas that had been splattered with small droplets of paint.

Streets, snow, night and day. He knew all of those words and what they were. With every new image those gold eyes took in things had begun to click back into place. The long thing at the end of his vision was a lamppost. It was made of metal and used to provide light in the darkness. It all felt so automatic somehow, like knowing these things was a second nature.

So why couldn't he remember anything of himself?

Names were useless if he couldn't even remember his own.

The pain that had been growing in his chest grew as he heard…laughter?

A man and a woman passed, only coming into view for a moment between the two walls that made up his frozen haven. She was in a long coat that white fur around the rims, clutching at the mans arm and smiling. He looked just as happy.

In those few seconds the numbness that had been plaguing his mind seemed to spike with a new sensation. It carried from his chest to his head until he was forced to buckle over.

He ached, the feeling of loss, and the need for company. Loneliness had been something he would have gladly not remembered. But maybe if he reached out for help…?

He moved from his spot that was clearly marked out by the lack of snow, walking out towards the open streets weakly. It hurt to move, but the couple weren't that far away.

His limb reached towards their backs, lips parted in an attempt to call out.

They both turned…

The woman screamed.

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"I'm not lying! Something stole the bread! I went back and everything!"

Solar couldn't believe her mother cared more about food then her own daughters safety. She had explained that something had nearly attacked her, was she supposed to keep hold of the bread while she was running for her life? She was back in one piece and that should have been all that mattered. But no, her mother had yelled at her, forcing her to grit her teeth as Lun pulled faces behind her back to taunt her.

"It was your responsibility Sol. I trusted you with that munny."

Her responsibility? Who had sent her out in a storm in the first place?" I can't believe you! Dammit screw this I'm going upstairs."

Storming up the stairs Solar slammed the door shut and collapsed on her bed, not caring if she was still damp from the rain."…Stupid family. I wish they'd all just disappear."

She shook slightly, the memory of those haunting yellow eyes in the darkness wasn't going to leave her mind any time soon. Bringing her legs up to her chest Sol hugged herself tightly. She would have to apologize to Lea when she got the chance, and warn him to not go anywhere near the water facility.

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It rained for another day and a half before the sun finally reappeared behind the over cast. Light had never seemed so welcomed over the gardens as people finally stepped out of their houses.

The town was seeing a lot of hardships lately, the dramatic weather aside. But everyone carried on as normal, shops were open, adults went to work fixing what the rain had damaged; and most of all everyone ignored the looming questions no-one wanted to ask.

Save for some.

The fountain Court was one of the worse places it by the storm. Completely flooded to the point where the monolith fountains acted like two small islands in a pond.

" I heard monsters are living in the castle. They took it over and that's why no-ones gone in."

"That's stupid. If monsters were in the castle then why haven't they attacked the town yet?"

"There biding their time."

"Come off it Yuffie."

The four friends sat on top of the fountain, legs dangling off the edge while they eat ice-cream. Squall, Yuffie, Tifa and Cloud were spending their spring break doing what children did best. Nothing.

"Well I did hear someone got attacked…but I don't know. It kinda seems silly when you think about it." Tifa brushed back her long dark hair as she spoke, the younger girl sitting next to her pulled a face." Well No-one else can tell us why the castles off limits! So you can't say its not true!"

"It's not true because it's stupid." Cloud added as he plucked the ice-cream stick from his mouth and tossed it into the water.

"You guys suck! Come on Squall back me up! You believe me right?"

The boy at the end of the line just smiled, a light laugh escaping his throat." Well, why don't we find out for ourselves?"

At this all the children glanced to the right, more looking reluctant then happy about such a suggestion. Tifa was the first to answer, getting to her feet and grinning from ear to ear." Yeh! Now that it's not raining we might be able to climb up the walls!"

"What? N-no way I don't wanna go up there!" Yuffie, so annoyed and defensive before was now looking rather panicked; but just Squall smiled.

"What? You don't want to prove your story right?"

"Someone say something about going exploring?" The children glanced down towards the walk way to find Aerith, the oldest of the group by one year after Cloud. Her hair was tied back in its usual long plat with a pink ribbon that matched her pink and white long sleeved dress.

"Your late!" Squall yelled as he made his way slowly over the plank of wood they had used as a bridge.

"Sorry. Mom made me stay home to finish homework. So we're going to the castle today?"

"No we're not! Come on we'll get in trouble!" Yuffie was the last to cross as she moodily stomped over the crickety wood, uncaring if it broke. In fact if it did she'd have a reason to go home and forget going with the others!

Cloud looked rather unpleased about the idea too, but no-one wanted to back down, unless they wanted to be labelled a scaredy cat. Aerith looked over the group and shook her head with a light giggling." Get in trouble? Sounds fun! I bet we can get in if we really try. But…we shouldn't go if Yuffie doesn't. That's not really fair…maybe we should do something we all wanna do?" She muttered much to the little girls angry glare.

"Hey! I can go if I want too-!"

"Then it's settled!" Tifa added as she swung her arm around Aerith's neck." Let's go right now!"

"Alright! Time to find out the Radiant castle mystery!" Squall punched the air triumphantly.

Yuffie opened her mouth, but the damage was already done. Everyone made their way out of the courtyard, leaving the girl to follow in frustration.

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He had stared long and hard at his own reflection, unable to believe the thing that stared back from the darkened window was him.

It couldn't have been! The image…the shape…

wrong

He had not revealed himself again since the encounter. The horrified looks in those strangers eyes had been enough to prove he was not welcome among people, or anything else for that matter. A dog had crossed his alleyway and shown such hostility...

Without even trying to fight back he had fled from the animal, trying to find some kind of shelter as he wondered with nothing but the humming street lamps for company.

Somehow the stars shinning in the night sky seemed to calm his tormented feelings for a moment. Lost within the tranquil beauty that always came when the evening was at its zenith. The yellow glow from the many windows around him were so warm and inviting.

When he looked in he saw people sitting around fireplaces, mothers, fathers, sisters brothers. Why was he barred from such happiness? Why did he hide his head when unsuspecting eyes turned in the direction of the window.

So many of them. So many yet he could turn to known.

It couldn't be blamed. Seeing his own reflection had only brought him the knowledge that he was indeed deformed, and maybe deserved to be hated for it.

Was it shame he felt? Was it self disgust? How could he feel that way when he knew nothing of himself? No name, or a single memory that connected him to his surroundings.

Fingers…

No.

Claws pressed against the window glass, causing it to crack and strain. Anger swelling up within his chest. Why was he angry? He didn't know…

He was angry because he didn't know!

Glass shattered. There was more screaming. Why couldn't they all just stop screaming?

He wanted the noise to just stop, climbing though the broken window and descending towards the source. Their eyes, he hated the way they looked at him!

Someone tried to hit him, a man. A man with a weapon. He was wielding a fire poker.

Pain, Pain again against his head. He didn't want pain. He didn't want people to cause him pain ever again!

Reaching out he caught the weapon and bended the iron body with such casual ease. The attackers expression was that of shock and complete terror. He was afraid. He should be afraid.

A claw reached out at lightening speed and slashed with a purple hue, cutting open fabric as something warm brushed against his cold skin. The man fell back with a yell. He was the one in pain now. He deserved it! Deserved it for causing him so much agony!

"P-please! The words were spoken in broken tunes. Looming over his victim he slowly cocked his head from side to side as he watched his attacker begin to beg. The man wasn't so brave anymore, he was afraid. He was a coward!

No…

Not a coward…

There were children behind him.

"P-p-please! Don't hurt them! D-don't hurt them!" The two children were crying against their fathers back. Water leaking from the eyes, those were tears.

Anger quickly turned into guilt and self disgust. Backing away like a scolded beast he stared down at his claws, finally noticing the tips were stained with warm crimson blood. Realization cruelly crept into his broken mind, acknowledged with a pathetic whimper of despair.

He was a monster.

Unable to bare being in the same room as the man he had so callously stuck in front of his son and daughter. Unable to see their eyes he leaped back into the cold winter night. He couldn't be seen, he couldn't be around people. He needed somewhere to hide somewhere a creature like him couldn't hurt anyone else. Somewhere dark, somewhere alone…