Prologue:

I remember a darkness, being surrounded by a pulsating warmth.

My mind felt fuzzy and underdeveloped.

Awareness slowly encompassed me causing what must have been my arm to flail. Another grasping onto me tightly and squeezing, I responded in kind. I felt safe and secure, I never wanted to leave, but when the fuzzy feeling faded I became terrified when the hand was torn away from me.

I wanted to scream, but it was difficult. I suddenly found myself following the other and was overwhelmed by bright lights and the sound of loud crying and panic.

I took my first breath and my wails joined my twin's.

The blurry giants seemed to calm, and I was placed in the arms of who must have been my new mother.

I noticed another baby in her other arm who must have been my older twin.

He seemed to calm down when I grasped his hand and promptly fell asleep clutching just as tightly.

I heard hushed talking, it sounds all jumbled up.

I barely make out '…Shika…maru…shika…aoi…', the voice rumbled from the form below me.

A large face of what must have been our father peered down at us closer– observing.

I felt a finger prod my chubby cheek and instinctively grabbed it with my unoccupied hand, not letting go.

I feel my eyelids start to droop, as I let out a small yawn and welcomed a new type of darkness.