Burning Fires

By: The Chronicle Keeper

Part One in the:

Immortal Trilogy

Usual Disclaimers apply

Chapter One-Grim Reaper

Someone to laugh with, perhaps to shed some tears

A person who's been with you all through the years.

Someone to shelter you from days that are cold

A shoulder to lean on, a warm hand to hold.

An arm to catch you if you slip and fall

An ear for your problems whenever you call.

Someone to share your giggles and your screams

A person to tell all your secrets and your dreams.

Someone to hug you when you're happy or sad

To just be there in good times or bad.

A person with whom you don't have to pretend

These are the jobs of a very best friend.

My name is Raven. I moved from California to Japan after my parents died. I moved here with my sister, Apolla.

We live in a forest. I took all the money out of the bank, our parent's bank. We didn't buy a house because we needed all the money for food and clothing.

Apolla was my only family now. People wanted to adopt us, but I was firm. I said no. I used some of the money to move to Japan. At least people wouldn't want to try to adopt us there. We moved to Tokyo.

I never thought I would make friends. I never thought my friends would treat me like family. I never thought I would care for someone other than Apolla. But I do-I care for my friends.

My story starts in the forest, where I lived. I was off buying groceries. I wanted to buy some new clothes for me and Apolla as well.

I was walking on the sidewalk when two guys bumped into me. One had carrot-orange hair. The other with black hair, wearing what looked like a school uniform.

I frowned. 'Was this guy skipping school? What should I care? I have Apolla and me to take care of.' But my mouth said, "Sorry, my mistake." I stooped down to gather up my clothes and food.

One of the stooped down to help me. It was Carrot Hair. "My name is Kuwabara. What's yours?" He had asked.

I was discouraged. No one helped me before. I didn't expect it now. "Raven," I had mumbled. No one was this kind to me before.

The one with the school uniform stood there. Then said seeing I wasn't any harm, "I'm Yusuke Urameshi. Top punk in Sarayashiki Jr. High." He smirked, obviously proud of being a punk. I sighed inwardly. A coward. That is what he was. Possibly misunderstood. Most likely insecure.

I finished stuffing clothes and food back into the bag. Then, swinging it over my shoulder, I headed back home. I managed to hear them talking about something. It was about Yusuke bringing a new girl. The girl would be part of the team of 'Spirit Detectives.' I had no clue what that was. I frowned, trying to figure out what it was.

I walked down to the path into the forest. I dropped my stuff into a nearby tree. Deciding to go swimming in the lake, I slipped on my black bathing suit. I wondered where Apolla was.

I saw her sitting by the stream. Her black hair swam around her as a soft breeze whispered through the trees. She reminded me of Mom. Her soft cream skin, the glossy black hair and full red lips. I sighed feeling happier than I had in a long time. Mom was only a memory now. I had forgotten al luxuries.

"Hey," I said softly to Apolla. I smiled. Apolla-Soft-spoke, compassionate, always reasonable.

"Hi, Raven," Replied Apolla.

"Want to go swimming?" I asked.

"No," She replied.

I shrugged, and then jumped into the lake. I heard a rustling sound. Like a snake traveling through grass quickly.

I let the current carry me for awhile. Then decided to do laps. I lost count, around 5 or so, when I heard a harsh breathing.

Silence.

"....Raven?" A voice sounded incredulous.

I jerked up in surprise, nearly drowning myself. I sputtered, spitting lake water out of my mouth. I looked around.

"Yusuke? What the heck are you doing-?" I started, before a ...childish voice said,

"Ah, Raven. So you've meant Yusuke already. Well, that simplifies matters quite a bit. Raven, you are joining Yusuke as a Spirit Detective. Why? You are the last of your kind. The last of the Dragon Demons." A...teenager with a pacifier in his mouth appeared, stepping out from behind an oak.

My eye twitched. "Er...why do you have a pacifier in you mouth?" I asked.

It was his turn to twitch his eye. "Never mind that. My name is Koenma, to let you know. You need training to hone your powers. Understand?" He asked.

I wasn't listening much. But I nodded. I looked around for Apolla.

"Where is Apolla?" I asked out loud. Then game myself a mental slap. Yusuke shouldn't know about Apolla.

"Who?" Asked Yusuke.

"My...sister. She shouldn't have left," I frowned.

Birds flew from trees into the air.

"Danger lurks nearby," I had muttered. Running, I headed for the direction of the tree where the birds had burst from.

Running faster and faster, a whole new sense filled me. A sense to fly, to be free of everything.

"Apolla! Aaaaaaappppppoooollllllllaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!! APOLLA!" I had shouted. I was worried, Apolla never left without telling me where she was going.

I arrived at a small field. I knew this place. Sometimes I would bring Apolla here to play. It was small, quaint. Flowers bloomed. Rabbits and squirrels were abundant here. But, now...grass was burnt. Curls of smoke still remained, curling around like a snake. Small corpses of animals littered the field. A small crater lay in the middle.

I rushed forward, already knowing what lay in the crater.

In lay Apolla. Her pale face stricken, streaked with blood. A hole through her chest. No bullet.

Curious.

I lay next to the crater, weeping slightly. My only family was gone. Snatched away from me like a lion snatching meat.

I looked up to see a note on Apolla's forehead. I lifted it slightly. A crackling noise told me it was dried with blood.

"'Dear Raven,

This is but the first death in your life. Many more will come. Ultimately, you will be mine.

Grim Reaper'"

I sighed after demon it. I must be a demon. While else would someone kill Apolla? We didn't do anything wrong.

A hand on my shoulder. I turned to see who it was. Yusuke. Behind him was Koenma, his eyes full of sympathy. I stood up, and then proceeded to walk back to the lake where I was first formally introduced to Yusuke.

I continued to the tree where I hid my stuff. Pulling the bag down, I slumped onto the ground. Unsure of what to do.

Yusuke walked up to me.

"I'm sorry, Raven. You can stay at my place if you want." Yusuke offered. I was unaccustomed to kindness after my parent's death.

So, I nodded weakly.

Then I blacked out.

-Well, what do you think? I thought it went pretty well. Tell me what you think. I want to know. Thanks. Review please. I'd appreciate it. Flames allowed, so long you have a reason for it.-