~~Artificial Sky~~

"A sky so bright, it could only be an illusion. A smile so sweet, it could only be fake."

A/N: Well, this is probably just going to be a one shot. I'm having trouble writing my Fruits Basket fic, so I felt a temporary change of uh.. series was in order. This fanfic is in Eagle's POV and it's a flashback of when he was younger. I may make this longer, but only if people are interested in seeing more. Feedback and even criticism (as long as it's intelligent and not just "U S0X0RZ! RITE B3TTER!!!11!!11LOLOL!!11" ) is loved and appreciated ^^

Note: Eagle's seven or eight years old in this fic.

Disclaimer: I don't own Magic Knight Rayearth. CLAMP does. ^^; Don't sue me, I'm just a teenager who earns all her money babysitting.

Rating: PG- uhm...just a little bit of language. I may up the rating if I continue.

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"My daddy is the president now."

Those words flashed through my head as the float carrying my father passed by me, the confetti nearly blinding my eyes.

He was brought up to be such a wonderful person, someone to be honored and worshiped. It was fake...it was very fake, but it seemed right to me at that age.

I clung close to my mother, who pressed me gently against her stomach.

"Look at your daddy up there, Eagle." Her hand stroked through my thin hair, her voice filled with pride. "Do you want to me strong like him someday?"

Yes...

Yes, I do...

"Okaasan," I tilted my head," Are we going to live here now?"

It was my first time in a dome like this, the one were my family had lived earlier was dirty and cramped. There was no attempt to hide the clouded sky, unlike this dome in which the sky appeared to be blue. It must have been a hologram.

But the loose assortment of pixels were special to me.

And there were birds...

That excited me the most. It was my first time witnessing a creature other than a human...they were so rare in Autozam. There aren't any left down. They all died.

"I suppose so, Eagle." She smiled pleasantly at me, squeezing my hand. "But this isn't fun and games. Your father is a special man now."

I nodded, feigning comprehension. I always wanted to act smart; it's what my parents wanted. When I was born, they were told I was a genius, that my mental energy far exceeded those of my peers. My father was delighted and tried to mold me into the perfect little boy.

No...molded wasn't the right word...

I couldn't be anything but perfect in his eyes. There was nothing I was allowed to fail at. I had no excuse. I was always to be polite and speak with respect as if he was not my father, but someone almost inhuman. He also wanted me to fight, just like him.

"If you're so damn smart, why can't you even hit me?!"

"Forgive me, Otousan."

"Your mind energy is through the roof! Why the hell can't you pilot the ship?! Are you panting? You shouldn't be tired yet!"

"Forgive me, Otousan. I would like to fight."

It was true...

I wanted to be as strong as he told me I was, because if I wasn't, then I simply aren't good enough.

So, I'll train myself. I'll train myself until I can't breathe anymore.

Until it all slips away.

My arm involuntarily tightened on my mother's gown.

"Eagle? What is it?"

Hide it.

She doesn't know.

Just smile.

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Short, I know, but what did you think? If you took the time to read this, please take 15 seconds to leave a review. Each one makes me jump with joy ^^;;

Thank you for reading this!