[Rose 12: Aki's Memories]
(Note: This chapter is mostly narrative/ Aki's side)
I was born in the Feudal Era. Like most in that time it was difficult, yet it was not due to demons. Humans caused my pain and it was humans I came to fear.
I was five years old and all I had known was slavery and cruelty. Place after place. Chains after chains. I no longer even remembered my birth name. The only thing I could remember is being called Small Lady.
At one point, myself and others had been taken by mountain bandits. While praying for a savvier, a band of demons attacked. They killed all the men and freed the woman. One of the men took me away to a dean filled with bones of other children.
"So you have been breaking my rules." Calls a deep voice from the caves entrance.
"Y-Yoko!" the large bug begins to panic.
Before the thing can give his reasoning, the silver haired fox slashes him to little bits with a thorn whip. Terrified I could do nothing as he picked me up like a sack of potatoes then tossed me on to a bed of furs.
Scared out of my mind I didn't expect what came next. He freed me from my chains and gave me food. When I showed my fear of being left at a human village he agreed to let me stay. After hearing about my powers, the reason the older woman left me behind.
Him and the crow Kuronue named me Chibi. The name bothered me yet I couldn't help but like it a bit since it is the only one I could remember having.
Time passed and I truly felt like I belonged with them. That is until I became sick. Not caring or thinking about his safety Yoko rushed me to a nearby village.
"D-don't leave me." I huffed barely able to keep my eyes open.
"You'll only slow us down." Yoko said coldly as doctor Soma took me in.
Although he said those harsh things he came to visit me often. He never came in eye sight, but I could since him in the tree lines. He stayed until spring and then left.
No more than two months had passed with Dr. Soma and his teenage daughter, Yui, when the villagers turned on us. Ships had begun to sink off shore and they were blaming half sea demon Yui. At the same time a beautiful Shrine Maiden, Miyu, came through town proving them wrong.
When they refused to apologize nor take back what they had said, we left with Lady Miyu for her home "Spirit Bay." Seeing the island from the distance it looked like a small forest of pink being held up by a spy glass shaped mountain. The village itself was just as shocking, with demon and human alike living together with half demon children running around happily.
Lady Miyu had seen my powers while helping us and offered to take me on as a student. As she asked about my name I told her about the fox that named me Chibi, clearly showing my dislike of the name.
"Chibi huh? That won't suit a Shrine Maiden." Lady Miyu ponders. "I know, Sakura. From now on you are Sakura. My first student and adopted daughter." She smiles at me tenderly and I nearly melt into a puddle right there.
That island was my true beginning. I quickly took to my studies and soon was called Flower Maiden for it. While there I also began to get over my fear of humans.
As years passed I realized Yoko took me in on a whim. Yet I couldn't help but wonder about him. My curiosity was often satisfied by stories of travelers about the Den Gang. I know he was a criminal but all I could remember was of the fox that took me in.
After five years of living with Lady Miyu I truly felt at home. One day we were coming back from gathering herbs when we found a badly injured silver sox under a cherry blossom tree. I couldn't believe it, Yoko beaten and bleeding half to death.
"L-lady Miyu. He took take of me… I… I know who he is but… please…" I tried pleading to the best of my ability.
The truth is in five years I had never asked for anything. Yet here I was asking for what could be impossible. She agreed as long as I was the one that took care of him. I think she mostly said that knowing I wanted to repay him.
He stayed with us for six months. Mostly to heal but there was also the fact that Lady Miyu needed to trust him before he left. During that time I tried to never tell him my new name in order to keep him at Spirit Bay. I found that odd. With everyone else I was never selfish yet with him I was spoiled and wanted him to myself. I didn't know why.
Before leaving he promised to return before the first snow. He didn't return until spring. So like a child I wanted to pout. But I couldn't when he brought me that necklace.
"This is a promise. If I ever don't return by spring then I will grant any wish you have. Alright Chibi?" Yoko grinned as he placed the necklace around my neck.
Seeing those calcutive eyes and knowing grin I finally realized. I was in love with him. I let him know to. The day he and his men left I shouted my heart out from the top of my lounges. He never answered nor reacted when he returned. Every year I did it again and again hoping he would one day answer me.
On my nineteenth year everything changed. When Yoko was there he seemed off. Always glancing at me like he had something to say but never says. Along with that he kept silencing Kuronue. I guess I was never meant to know why.
As the day they were leaving approached Demon Hunters came to the island. They attacked and trapped many in cages. Kuronue, who got away by a feather, helped me free as many people as possible. Many escaped to boats as Kuronue looked for a way to get a nearly trained Yoko off the island.
I tried to hide him down at the sea caves but the Demon Hunter's found us before we even got close. When they aimed for him I pushed him out of the way.
As I laid their dying I barely recognized the cold eyed and oozing energy demon killing the hunters. Yet minutes later his eyes are so sad and hurt as he holds me begging for me to live.
'I wish… I wish we lived in a world where we could be together.' As my last thoughts flutter away a warm light turns my darkening world white.
All I know next was being in a familiar yet new world. Beginning my journey at age five once again.