AN: Alrighty then. To quell any potential confusions, this chapter is just flashbacks. Yes. It might continue to the next chapter, if I have some astounding new idea or something odd like that… Or if it just fits. I dunno.
Anyways, I'm hoping to get more reviews before I continue.
Many, many thanks to those who have stuck along reading, despite my many lapses of abandonment and such, and to your wonderfully uplifting reviews. I love coming on here and reading them x3
…Yes, I do have a life. A seriously flawed one, but it works for me. xD
Anyways, have fun reading!
…And please review.
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"Mom! Mommy, where are you?!"
The young girl's heart broken sobs pierced the bursting air of the crowded street, her wails heightening as she was lost amidst the endless river of people. His gaze followed that of many others, although his manner was perplexed instead of the critical gaze and mutterings of the adults swarming the sidewalk.
He didn't understand.
"Come, Kyo."
His attention was yanked away from the lost little girl as a cold hand gripped his own firmly, long fingers completely encompassing his comparatively tiny hand. The one leading him didn't look back to ensure the wellbeing of his charge- no, the tall, eloquently suited man simply strode along, dragged Kyo behind him, whose short legs hastily quickened to keep from stumbling.
Still, the girl's cries filled his mind, continuously pleading for her mother, as if her life depended on finding her. Kyo, who barely even knew his mother, could not understand such a motive. Why did she want someone who barely recognized her? How could her mother be a source of comfort, when Kyo's was simply another stranger passing by? Weren't all mothers the same?
Eventually, his captor apparently grew tired of the continued jerking on his arm as Kyo strove to glimpse the child once more, the man stopping beside one of the buildings and shoving Kyo to the wall. The boy gave him a furious glare, though made no sign of open complaint, even as those cold fingers wrapped around his arm at the elbow and resumed the seemingly endless journey down the road.
For a passing moment, he found himself wishing for such a person to call out so desperately to, just like the little girl.
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Kyo drifted aimlessly down the dark corridors of his home, gritting his teeth against imminent tears as his entire body throbbed in dull, painful aches. His training had been complete for the day- he would be ignored until they called to him once more, either for reprimanding or more torturous training- there really wasn't much difference. Occasionally, he would pause to peek in through the small viewing-holes in the doors that lined the walls. He would see a few children, like him, but made no move to speak with them. It felt unnatural to break out of the solitude he had already conformed to, even though he couldn't deny the idea of company greatly appealed to him.
But… What would he do, if he spoke to one of them? What would he say? There was nothing he could share that would make any conversation worthwhile- not training, his repeated lack of sleep, his injuries… Perhaps they had injuries too- it was hard to tell when the only contact was spotting each other from afar or fleeting glances in passing.
Were they all just like him?
In his pondering, he had moved to lean against the wall, only now realizing jut how tired he was. It was actually rather tempting to fall asleep right where he sat…
"What are you doing?"
That voice- the mere sound of it snapped the small boy back into focus, face shifting through surprised, angry, and anxious emotions in rapid, mixed succession. Tentatively, he tilted his head up, crimson eyes rising to meet with the dark ones of the Master's son, Akito.
Only a few years older then himself, Akito was the only child Kyo really knew- though such an acquaintance did him little good. Kyo recalled first seeing him at one of his training sessions, a small figure in the back of the room- watching with an aloof air quite unsuitable for any child.
And at that first sighting, Kyo had despised him.
Said person stood before him, head cocked slightly as he leaned forwards with partially bent knees to better glimpse Kyo's face, a cool smirk stretching across smooth pale skin.
"You look sad. Are you thinking about your mother?"
Kyo stared at him, confusion rising at the odd inquiry. Why would he bother to think about her, when he could go to see her in a matter of seconds? She was only a few doors down- but Kyo felt no inclination to visit. Neither of them would benefit in any manner by such an action.
Akito's grin stretched further, eyes narrowing.
"Your REAL mother, Kyo, not Miss Tsukiko."
"What?" Kyo was dumbfounded, quite lost as to what Akito was trying to get across. She was his real mother. He had no others to be seen as fake or real…
And yet, why did such a comment strike him so?
"You don't know, do you?" Akito glanced away as he fished around in his clothing, apparently searching for something among the folds of his jacket. It was only a few seconds later until his pale hand slipped out of a pocket, paper clenched in his fist.
"Your real mother gave you to us… Just for this."
He released the paper, the many leaves catching on the air and drifting to the floor. Kyo watched, wide-eyed, as they alighted upon the cold floor, prodding one of them with a hesitant poke to better identify it.
Money…
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"No!"
Kyo snapped straight, blankets slipping off of his torso as he jerked upwards. Wincing at the sharp pain in one of his recent wounds, he shoved what sheets remained off of his body and slid out of the bed, closing his eyes as he calmed his erratic heartbeat with a few deep breaths. The memories of that day, of Akito's revelation along with his 'mother's' own conformation, still managed to plague his mind, even if it had been years ago...
Calming himself, if only the slightest bit, Kyo turned to the clock beside his cot. The luminous green digits read 3:27.
"Damn." The teenager sighed, hand shuffling through his fiery hair as he moved towards his closet, deciding to dress for the day since he wouldn't be getting any more sleep. Perhaps he would get in a quick walk outside while he had the chance- considering how unpredictable his job was. His work… It was really quite amazing how simply he could label it, much like the people he walked past everyday in the streets; lives normal, comfortable… Jobs that didn't include making a living off of killing.
And yet, it was hard for him to picture a life out of this cold, lifeless society- such a chance of him even imagining such a thing dwindled away with each life, each terror-stricken face…
Immersed in his somber thoughts, he realized that he was standing outside his quarters, dressed. Biting back another weighted sigh, Kyo scanned his door, the grey shape depressingly plain, save for the etching of a slender cat beneath the small hole. It was his place in this organization- the Master apparently found it prudent that each of his 'workers' have their own symbol.
"What are you doing up so early?"
Kyo whirled around, turning to look down the hallway at the source of the hail. Kureno's tall figure was hard to discern within the shadows, but his calm voice was unmistakable.
"I could say the same for you. Shouldn't you be with Akito?" Tone bordering on a low growl, Kyo shot a cool glare the adult's way. Kureno averted his eyes for a passing moment, expression clouded. Kyo really didn't give a care that the man was one of Akito's favorites- no; there was just something about him that didn't sit well with him. He had no theory behind it, but the mere feeling was enough for him to act solely upon.
"Don't wander too far." Kureno brushed past him, his words a sign of farewell as he continued down the hallway, eventually rounding a corner out of sight.
Kyo went the opposite way, hands in pockets as he headed towards the spacious building's exit. Upon arriving at the two doors, he found a figure leaning against one of the frames- the clothes suggesting they were one of the lesser workers. Without a word, the person moved towards Kyo and handed him a single slip of paper, then slunk away.
"I should've gotten up earlier." Kyo muttered bitterly, unfolding the paper to reveal his next assignment.
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AN: Yeah… The next chapter will be more flashbacks. They might end in it, or not.
We'll see x3