Yellow-Eyed Demon

She didn't remember how it had all started.

She didn't remember anything before it, no recollection of anything else, no parents, no other family, nothing. It was only her, that faithful day she entered the castle.

When she looked back she couldn't pick out the moment it all began, she only knew that it had always been like that for her.

There wasn't a reason to it, merely disgust, hatred, and anger thrown her way. White eyes holding only scorn for her, staring down at her in contempt, vicious accusations spat her way.

"Why are you even here?"

"You shouldn't exist!"

Repulsive names were given to her.

"You little vile thing."

"Freak!"

"Demon!"

All those names they called her but never once by her given one. Forever she would be etched into the annals of the family as just that… a demon, never did they bother to even ask her what her name was.

But she had one.

The demon had a name and it memorized it to heart from the first time it was given to her. No one had told her, but she had a name, given to her from a piece of paper that she received one day when she entered that small room down in the family quarters.

She didn't know who left it there but it had clearly been given to her.

"I'm sorry, Ana."

Those were the only words left to her by somebody, someone that had bothered to leave them behind for her. A person she didn't know anything about, she only knew that somewhere, someone had actually cared to apologize to her, for something she could only guess about.

What were they sorry for? She wanted to find that somebody, that person that had only left a few words but had done so much for her, giving her a name and identity.

Ana. That's who she was!

When she came back from her classes she would take it from where it was hidden and read the words over and over again, every night and day in that dark cold room of hers, illuminated only by a single candle.

Ana memorized those words to heart, never letting them go, never would she forget them.

She would find that person! That somebody who had given her those words. That person that had given her hope when she had none.

So her life went on, she went to the lessons her family offered, the only thing they were really good for. She learned, she practiced, and afterward, she would return to her little safe space away from everyone's eyes.

She went on and on like that until finally for the first time, they were offered swords, real swords! Not fake pieces of wood.

She sat beside all the other white-haired children her age on the stands, her white tunic blending in around the others.

Before them on the floor, stood an instructor, equally donned in white, his hair and eyes the same color. Everyone in this family had that same boring, shitty color. White-eyes, white hair, and white clothes, perfectly in harmony. It stung to her eyes.

Their teacher explained, the proper usage of swords and techniques. She listened intently, trying to absorb as much information as she could. She would need it if she wanted to survive.

Then finally after what felt like an eternity, they were allowed to come down from the stands, an array of weapons lined up in front of them. Dull but nevertheless swords. They all moved to pick up one.

She moved along the collection of blades, a frown etched upon her face, all of them were glinting beautifully in the light, not knowing which one to choose she decided to pick up a rather big one.

However, she immediately came to regret her decision as the sword weight pulled her down to the floor. Somewhat embarrassed she put it back with some effort, hoping no one had seen her.

She chose a smaller broadsword instead.

Then they were paired into pairs of two, duels following one after the other until finally, it was hers and another boy's turn. She gulped as all eyes were suddenly on her when she was called out.

She felt the judgemental eyes on her once again, the whispers behind her back, and the uttering of the word "demon". She forced herself to calm down, to show no sign of weakness.

"Be strong!" She told herself.

She moved nervously across to her opponent, she felt his eyes following her, she gulped.

"Everything will be fine!" She assured herself. "You have practiced for this!"

Finally, she stopped in front of him, their eyes stared at each other, yellow meeting white. He looked at her like all the others.

In contempt.

But above all else, what she hated the most, was that look they always had. That said that she was beneath them.

That arrogance, she hated it so much.

She gripped the handle of her sword tightly, her knuckles turning white, a wave of anger surging up inside her. Holding her sword at the ready she forced herself to loosen her vice grip on her weapon. She breathed in and out forcing the tidal wave in herself to quell.

She would show him!

The duel began with the gong. Her opponent quickly charged at her crossing the distance between them. She waited, her body not moving an inch from her position sword still at the ready.

When he was inches from her face he lifted his sword in an attack above his head striking it downwards. The second he did, she moved to the side! His strike meant for her head soared past her side, her hand turned into a fist before heading straight for his exposed gut.

With no small feeling of satisfaction, she felt her fist embed itself into his stomach, making him grunt out in pain. When he doubled over she took the handle of her sword, ramming its pommel down upon his head sending him into the ground.

He was out cold.

Silence reigned inside the room, she lifted her gaze from her fallen opponent across to the stands. A small smile blossomed across her face when she looked at the expressions of shock lining their faces.

With a hum, she placed the sword back to the others before sitting down again on the stands, the others shifting away from her.

She revealed in her small victory. She would show them, she would beat every one of them at the one thing they prided themselves most with, their swordsmanship!

Word of her little victory spread quickly, the demon defeating a 'noble' son of the Arie family. What a shock! She almost wanted to laugh at the absurdity of it.

Just because her blood was 'tainted' meant that she wasn't as strong as them? That she couldn't wield a sword as talented as them? She really found it quite amusing.

She would make them regret ever underestimating her! If she had some of their precious Arie-blood in her, she might as well put it to good use. Even if she loathed them, what use would it be to deny what she had? If she beat them at their own game, it would be all the more satisfying to watch.

But if she thought her actions would garner any respect among the family members, she was wrong, very wrong. Not in this family. This family prided themselves on their swordsmanship and their purity. And she? She had just trampled on the first and the other was the whole reason, they even spited her in the first place.

So what would they do when the demon wouldn't learn her place? They would make sure she did, with as much ferocity as she would expect them to. Not the adults of course, no, kicking a child was beneath them. But their children? Her peers? They made sure her life would become a living hell.

Where they had only given her disgusted looks and dirty words at first, they now started to accidentally shove her to the ground when she came across them in the hallway. Then they started to roughly manhandle her during classes, the teachers not stopping them.

And it got worse with every won duel, every little action that showed defiance they rewarded with further punishments until full-blown beatings were becoming the norm for her. She would come more than often into her room, her body arching, bruises littering her face.

But she pushed on nevertheless, never did she once think about stopping to pursue her goals. She vowed she wouldn't stop. She promised she wouldn't show any sign of weakness to them, she would not give them the satisfaction.

But even she had a breaking point.

"Look, it's the demon child!" A passing servant hushed out.

"Don't look! Just ignore her!"Another said quickly shooing her coworker away.

Ana ignored them as she walked on, hands tugged into her white tunic, a wooden sword dangling at her waist. Her white boots resounded in the hallway. She could hear their fading whispers behind her.

Ana gritted her teeth as she turned the corner into the next hallway. What did they even know?! "Just you wait…! I'll show you… I'll show all of you!" Ana's stride became faster as she walked on.

However, she soon stopped when another figure emerged around the corner, a boy not much older than her. White eyes stared down at her with a mischievous glint.

"Yo, freak! How are you today?" He greeted her, his lips tugged up in a smug smirk

Ana stopped short in front of him, yellow eyes staring him down. She sighed out in annoyance. "Whatever it is you want Devon, I don't have time!" Or rather she didn't want to stay around long enough to find out what he wanted.

She attempted to quickly walk past him but when she was about to pass him, Devon stretched out his arm in front of her, stopping her roughly in her tracks.

"Now, now… why the hurry Ana? I just want to talk… a brother to his sister, that's all, so spare me a little bit of your time, will you?!" He smirked down at her.

She really wanted to wipe that stupid grin off his face but she forced herself to remain calm. "I doubt that… She said. "Now please get out of my way!" She shoved his arm roughly to the side, attempting to make a run for it. However, as soon as she had taken off she felt him grabbing her tunic with his hand, forcing her to fall on her butt in front of him.

Devon scowled down at her, anger radiating in his eyes "Listen here eye-freak!" Ana's shoulders tensed up at the insult. "-you should listen when your older brother tells you something!"

Ana glared back at him, hate burning in her eyes. "You're not my brother!" She spat.

Devon smirked once again. "I guess you're right… who would want to be related to the shame of the family? Isn't that right?" He asked someone.

"Exactly right!" Ana heard laughing behind her. Sure enough, when she turned her head there were two other boys, much taller than her.

A silent shiver ran down Ana's spine at the sight of them, her hand shot to the wooden grip of her sword in preparation. Devon noticed this with a satisfied smile. "Get it now, freak? This is revenge for your cheating!"

Got it? She had foreseen the situation right from the beginning, they never let her off after all.

Ana swallowed, the fear bubbling inside her. She grinned up at Devon, the blunt side of her sword had hit him rather nicely. "Cheating? So it's cheating when someone is better than you?" She raised an eyebrow as she stood up. "Or are you angry a little girl beat you?" She jeered at him.

Even if it didn't help her anymore, the angry look on Devon's face was worth it. "You little…! Get her!" He pointed at her.

Ana, had enough time to hit the first one charging at her in the side with the sword before she felt someone grab her ponytail, painfully tugging at it. Her arms were restrained behind her, her blade clattering to the ground. Ana could only watch as Devon drew his fist back.

He hit her square in the jaw, pain exploding across her cheek, as her head was yanked to the side. He looked smugly at her "How do you like that? Does it hurt? Wanna run to your parents now? Oh. That's right… you don't have any!" He crackled, the others joining in.

Ana shook her head, blinking a few times then she stared at Devon with a raised eyebrow. "Is that all you got?"

They stopped laughing, Devon staring grimly at her. "It seems like you still haven't learned your lesson yet, freak!"

He readied another punch, this time hitting hard across her other cheek. Another pang of pain exploded across her face. Despite it, she still glared at the boy in front of her.

"Haha you're stubborn, aren't you?" He sneered. "Alright then… throw her on the ground." He commanded. The boy behind her let her go before shoving her unceremoniously onto the ground.

All Ana could do was wrap her arms protectively around her head as they started to mercilessly surround her and kick her from all sides. The first kick hit her in her gut, making her grunt, but she refused to cry out.

"Don't cry! You can take it, be strong!" She swore to herself. "This is nothing, you have taken worse!" With each hit her resolve started to vain but still she persisted. She wouldn't show weakness! Not in front of these guys.

She didn't know how long they continued but eventually, it stopped. Ana looked carefully up, vision painted with black spots, she found Devon staring down at her with disdain. He spat beside her. "Got it now, freak?! Never cross us again or I'll make sure you'll regret it!"

With a sneer, he walked away leaving Ana alone, bruised, and in pain. She forced herself into a sitting position, grunting in agony. Little by little, she forced herself further up until she stood shakily on her feet, supporting herself on a nearby pillar.

She felt tears prickle at her eyes.

"Don't cry!"

She forced herself to take the first step.

"Don't cry!"

She moved onward, each footstep of the way agonizing, she felt her sides burning, she stopped for a second, breathing ragged.

"Don't cry!"

On and on she marched until finally, she reached her room. She opened it silently, trudging inside. Once the door fell in place behind her all that greeted her was her single empty mattress and the candle beside it. She was alone in the dark, all alone.

She fell to her knees, she leaned down her forehead kissing the cold floor, curling herself up in a ball. She struggled to swallow the heavy lump building up in her throat. She felt tears threatening to leak out once again.

She bit down heavily on her lower lip. "Don't cry!" She canted to herself for the utmost time. But she couldn't take it anymore, she couldn't do it anymore!

"Why?" She asked herself for the dozen time, as tears streamed down her face, blurring her vision. She felt numb, helpless.

"Why?"Why was she all alone? Why was she hated so much? Why did they do this for her? How could they be this cruel? She didn't deserve any of this! None of it! All she was guilty of was being born with somebody else's blood inside her! Nothing else. Why would they do all this just because of that?

She felt utterly hopeless, silently she reached out forward under the mattress tugging out a small piece of paper. She lifted her gaze carefully not to stain it with her tears. Through blurred eyes, she once again read what stood on it.

"I'm sorry Ana." She silently sobbed as tears continued to streak down towards the floor. She held it to her chest, hugging it tightly to herself. Here down in the darkness, remained her only hope.

"Whoever you are, I'll find you!"

After what felt like an eternity she stood up from the ground, eyes puffy and still red. She went to the side of the room, wordlessly opening the door of the drawer build into the wall. Her clothes had been ruffled up and torn during the scuffle.

Yet as she stood there in front of her cabinet, she found herself hesitating, staring at the assortment of white tunics lining her drawer. White… all of them were white. White, the color of the family. It represented everything she hated!

Her hands curled into fists as she felt herself trembling, her breathing became faster. Searing anger spread through her abdomen as she gazed at them. Her arm lashed out grabbing the first piece of clothing harshly out of its confines.

With a scream, she tore it apart, until it lay in pieces on the floor but she wasn't done yet! One by one she split them apart, shredding them with angry cries. She screamed loudly, feeling better with each piece that fell apart.

She must have been very loud because when she was on the last piece of clothing she felt the door to her room open. She had forgotten to close it. She turned around to face the person at the entrance. A servant stood there, looking stunned at her.

She wordlessly split the last piece in half in front of her before facing her fully.

"I need some new clothes," Ana told her. The woman stared at her baffled, not knowing what to say.

"I don't want them in white give me some black ones." Ana continued on.

"I…" She started. "I can't…."

Ana looked at her with pleading eyes. "Please…." Ana said." Just this once." There was still uncertainty in the servant's gaze however she nodded before quickly leaving.

The next day Ana found her request neatly folded on her mattress. She discarded the last white tunic on her person, like the rest.

Hey, you!" Somebody shouted from Ana's left as she rubbed the sweat from her face with her black shirt, it's size a little too big for her. Additionally she wore black shorts and boots, a black sweater lying off to the side in the grass.

Ana stopped to look irritated to the side, discovering the boy who interrupted her training at the edge of the meadow. He had long flowing silver-white hair and to no surprise, white eyes.

He smirked when he got her attention, balancing a wooden sword much bigger than hers on his shoulder. He held it up, pointing it challengingly at her.

"Fight me!" He declared boastfully.

Ana stared at him for a while, judging his tugged up lips before turning back to her practice. "No." She dismissed curtly.

"Huh?" The boy reacted indignantly. "Why not?!"

Ana swung her sword down in a horizontal arc. "I don't want to." She replied simply.

"What kind of reasoning is that!" He accused, pointing at her angrily.

Ana readied herself for another strike. "Maybe it's for you." She struck downwards. "But it's reasoning enough for me."

She turned her eyes to him stopping her exercise again. "Now, can you leave me alone? I'm training." She turned to leave. It would be better to find another spot where that idiot couldn't find her again. She didn't want another fight.

She walked off, leaving the boy behind who shouted after her. She ignored him and his ranting. Suddenly, he was silent. Ana felt the blade aiming for her before it could reach her. She turned around, handle in both hands as she blocked the strike that was meant for her side.

She came face to face with a satisfied grin. "Not bad." He commented.

She glared at him, now seriously aggravated "What're you doing? I said no."

His grin widened. "Did I agree?" He disconnected from her. He readied another strike this time aiming high from above. "You will fight me even if you don't want to!"

Ana let out a "tch", hovering her blade above her to block again. "I don't want to fight!" His bigger crashed heavily into her which made her knees buckle from the force. He was quite strong!

"You blocked that one as well! I was actually trying a little this time! You're as strong as they say." Ana knocked him away, she took a few steps backward, confused.

"What're you saying?" she asked.

He looked excitedly at her "I heard all about the demon's strength and you really seem to live up to your reputation! So let's fight!"

It seemed like she was talking against a brick wall, what was this guy's deal? "I already told you I don't want a fight! Just leave me alone!"

"Come on, don't take the fun out of this! I can tell you're hesitating but I won't stop until I'm satisfied!" He charged at her again.

Ana looked indigently at him. She blocked "Fun? There's nothing funny about this! I don't need all of you bastards always coming after me!" She blocked another hit before she angrily swung at him. He warded her off easily holding her in place.

"Huh? What are you saying, you dunce?!" Narrowed white orbs stared her down.

"I said I don't need another bastard coming here for some twisted sense of self-satisfaction!" She took advantage of his momentary distraction, separating her sword from his, ramming the guard into his shoulder.

He was forced back a few spaces. She huffed angrily keeping her stance in case he decided to attack another time. He stared at her confusion still written all over his face. "No, I really don't get. I'm just here for a fight, what nonsense are you on about?"

Now it was her turn to peer at him with narrowed eyebrows. Ana sighed out, forcing herself to calm down. "You're really just here to fight me? Nothing else?"

"Yes!" He shouted exasperated. "Why else would I be here?!"

Ana regarded him in silence, looking at him intently. He didn't give off any ill intentions. He seemed genuine as hard as it was to believe that.

She readied her blade once more taking a basic stand.

"Fine, I'll fight you… if that's what it takes for you to leave me alone."

The boy grinned, readying himself as well. "Finally! You're on!"

Much, much later Ana found herself with her back on the ground, heaving heavily, the tip of a blade pointed at her face. He huffed equally as exhausted.

"I guess that's my win!" He panted out.

Ana didn't challenge his statement, simply lying on the ground and catching her breath. She didn't have any strength left, she truly had been beaten. She expected him to leave now, gloating to others about his victory over the demon.

But much to her surprise instead she felt him sitting down beside her.

"You are strong! No one has made me this exhausted since Vicente! What do you say, wanna fight again?!" He asked her in excitement.

Ana stared at him with wide eyes in bewilderment, this was the first time she had heard someone actually praise her and he had… acknowledged her skill? Her? The outsider of the family?

"You're being weird again! Why are you staring at me like that?!" The boy asked.

She looked away from him. "It's nothing…." She said as she sat up.

After a few seconds of silence she turned back to face him, her feet shifted nervously on the grass.

"What's your name?" She finally asked him. "You never introduced yourself….". She didn't expect an answer from him but maybe deep down she hoped he would.

He smirked. "I'm Hoaqin! What's yours?"

She hesitated. "Ana…" She uttered. "It's Ana."

That day the yellow-eyed demon for the time didn't feel so alone anymore.

Hope you enjoyed it.

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