Chapter 50
(This chapter was made possible thanks to the help of Maximum Vampire)
~Takuma's P.O.V~
I was dreaming but not something I would normally dream of. I was staring at a younger version of myself, probably around eleven years old. My younger self was sitting against a tree in a park, his face sad and wet with tears. In the distance I could hear some cars passing by on a road and see the lights of a large house. It all seemed very familiar and, if I was remembering correctly, this was the night that my father was found murdered and my mother had gone missing. (1) Yet why I was dreaming this I did not know; it only brought back the sadness and the hurt.
Suddenly my younger self's head snapped and turned to the side when he heard someone coming. I also heard it and turned to see a young girl, younger than my dream self, walk into the park. I stared at the girl in confusion since this child looked like a young Ashley. Yet that was impossible since this wasn't even her world. I was also confused since, while this really did happen, I had been alone until my grandfather came to get me.
"Hey, boy, why are you so sad?" the young girl asked in English, who confusingly sounded like Ashley. It had been times like that where I was glad that my parents enrolled me in English classes every since I was three; otherwise I wouldn't understand her. Then again this was only a dream, wasn't it?
I watched the younger me fake a smile and scratch the back of his head as he laughed. I knew what he was doing or, better yet, what I was doing. I would always fake my best smile and laugh when I didn't want to bother people with my own problems.
"It's nothing, I'm okay." My younger self claimed while he laughed nervously. He also spoke in English and I became more interested as the girl sat on her knees next to him.
"Please don't lie to me, boy. I can see that you are sad about something. Please tell me what's wrong. I'm also sad about something and need someone to talk to." the young girl begged, her voice sad as she looked at the ground. I watched myself bring up my knees to wrap my arms around them.
"But why would you want to tell me? We don't know each other." He asked, confusing clearly in the voice. I watched the girl lift her head to give my younger self a smile.
"I feel as if I can trust you." The girl said kindly, placing her small hand on my younger self's knee. He, along with myself, smiled warmly at the girl's kindness.
"Arigato, you are a really kind girl. Alright, we will tell and keep each other's secrets." I watched myself say. The girl agreed as she sat more comfortably on the ground.
Even though this was some kind of dreams I myself got comfortable as my younger self started to explain what had happened. As he did so I closed my eyes and tried to remember if this actually happened. I couldn't but, oddly enough, I felt as if I was supposed to know what was going to happen next. It was strange and it was made even stranger when I felt as though this was more than just a dreamed memory.
"So, what about you? Why are you so sad?" I heard the young me ask, bringing me from my thoughts. Opening my eyes I looked over to see that the young Ashley look alike was frowning.
"A little over two years ago I woke up to something strange. I could hear the family pets arguing over who the favorite was. I tried telling my parents but they thought it was just a overactive imagination. Although I finally proved it wasn't imagination but I wasn't expecting the reaction I got. My parents began to think I've been possessed by a demon. They didn't really treat me like one but I could tell they were scared.
Just three months ago a man found out about my powers. Convinced I was a dirty, evil witch, the man kidnapped me and took me to our town's river. He had tried to kill me but luckily my life was saved. However, the man threatened that he wouldn't give up and I know he will try and hurt me again. Since then people have been giving me weird looks when they see me and some even whisper around me." The girl stopped talking for a moment as she began to cry. I felt bad for her and I could see that my younger self also pitied her.
"I don't know what's wrong with me. Why did all of this have to happen to me? It isn't just talking to animals ether. When I get angry I find myself on fire, but it doesn't burn. I find that I can speed a plants growth by simply touching it. It was also the river water that saved my life, it looked like a angry ocean and attacked the man. I think the man must have told others about my powers and that is why everyone looks at my strangely. My own parents show more fear around me now. Why did this have to happen to me? I don't even know how I got here, all I know is I wanted to be as far away from my home as possible." The girl's body began shaking. She was also sobbing so hard she began to choke and cough on her tears.
I felt bad for the girl, very bad. My father might be dead but at least my parents except me for who I was. I knew my younger self felt the same as, well he was me just seven years younger than I am now. To have everyone hate and fear this girl over one guy spreading rumors was horrible. I watched myself as he leaned away from the tree and hugged the girl in comfort. Even though it wasn't normal to hug a stranger it is what the girl needed at the time.
"Don't be sad, not everyone can hate you. What's your name?" my younger self asked the girl while she looked surprised and maybe even embarrassed. However she didn't try to push him away and I myself was curious to the actual name to the Ashley look alike.
"Ashlen, my name is Ashlen. Please don't ask for my last name, I don't like telling people what it is." the girl answered, pushing away just enough to rub her eyes. As I heard the given name I felt a shock take over me.
'Ashlen? As in Ashley's alter ego Ashlen? How is that even possible?' I thought to myself, very surprised by this information. Was it just part of my weird dream or was it something else?
"It's nice to meet you, Ashlen. My name is Takuma Ichijo. Do you have any idea what you are." I watched my younger self ask. While the girl shook her head I heard someone coming.
"She is a rare breed of witch, Takun. (2) She is born a human but, at a certain age, is cursed with the powers of a Seasore(3)." A voice I knew all too well spoke. The voice was also in Japanese so only I would be able to understand him.
I watched as my younger self gasped and jumped to his feet. Acting quickly he stood in front of Ashlen and turned to face our grandfather. Even now I could see the cold look in his eyes as he glanced down at the young Ashlen. As if she could also feel that dark aura she shivered and looked at my grandfather in fear.
"Ojiisan!" The younger me announced in surprisingly. I watched my grandfather carefully, making sure he didn't hurt the girl. Although, memory or dream, I myself could not do a thing.
"Don't be so alarmed, Takuma. I just came to take you home. There was no trace to who killed your father or where your mother is now." My grandfather said and I could swear I noticed a slight amused look on his face. The young girl behind the young me shivered again as she stood up.
"Um, I think I should go now. Byebye." The girl waved before she ran off into a group of trees. I watched the girl until even the sounds of her running died down and disappeared.
"Such a pity, being burdened with the powers of a Seasore. Even though the power is great it can also lead a very lonely life. It's no doubt that people will be after her for her powers." My grandfather stated with a smirk. Knowing that he wouldn't be able to see me I glared at my grandfather as my younger self looked at him in confusion.
"Ojiisan?" he asked, clearly as confused about Seasores as I was. I don't think I ever heard of a Seasore before but perhaps Kaname has.
"Never mind, Takun. Come now, Kaname-Sama is waiting for us in the car." My grandfather ordered my younger self. Next thing I knew my younger self was following my grandfather to the black limo that await them.
Suddenly I opened my eyes to find myself back in my door. I could hear Senri sleeping in the next room which let me know it was still day. It felt good to be back in my room but it also left the question of what happened. Was it just a dream or somehow part of a memory that I had once forgotten?
"Just what was that?" I asked myself, rubbing my chin in thought. For some reason I felt as though it had been more than just a random dream which mixed with past life events.
"Perhaps I should tell Kaname about this." I mumbled to myself, pushing my way out of bed and stretching my arms. Not bothering to change my clothing I left my room to go see Kaname.
I knew for a fact that the pureblood would still be awake. As far as I knew Kaname was upset about how Yuki allowed Zero to drink from her. I felt really bad for Kaname having to go through that. I knew how much her cared about Yuki, that he cared about her more than anything, or anyone, else. After living him for many years it was easy to figure out he loved her on my own. I just hopped he'd feel better soon.
"Kaname?" I called the name of my friend as I knocked on his door. I could feel his aura inside the room but he would not answer me, causing me to sigh.
"Try to get some sleep, Kaname." I told him as I turned around to leave. I guess I would have to tell him later.
As I began to walk back to my dorm I ran into the Night Class maid. To my embarrassment she was carrying a huge stack of books I ordered with two hooded men on ether side of her.
Once again, thanks to Maximum Vampire for the idea XD. If anyone else has an idea they'd like to share, please do. It would actually be a great help to me ^_^
(1) Oh and no his father is not really dead. I can't remember where but I read somewhere that Takuma's father was chocked to death. However the fanbook says he and Takuma's mother are still alive.
(2) For newbies Asato actually calls his grandson this sometimes in the anime
(3) A Seasore is something I made up years ago. It is basicly a witch with animal and element based power. To keep my character from getting Mary-Sue I have changed things for the story. Originally a Seasore has more powers but in this story a Seasore is something different
