Heya, here is the next chapter. Hope ya like it. It's kinda sad, but it will get better. I don't own anything, okay? Only the story plot. Thanks.
Growing Up
Fire Gemron
Chapter 2
Kuronue
The boy sat alone on a ledge made of soft sandstone. There was a black bruise under one of his bright violet eyes. It contrasted sharply with his pale skin. His black hair fell loosely about his shoulders. His small, leathery black wings were folded tightly against his back. His whole body ached.
The other children his age liked to beat him up. All because he was little; he was the runt; he was smaller, skinnier, and his wings were slightly deformed. And because of this, he was picked on. One of these days, he would be killed. He just could not fight them. If he tried, he would be hurt worse.
So he sat there, alone, letting the wind brush at his hair. As long as he was out there, he was safe.
This was the way things were, he reminded himself. The other children would beat him up, hit him, taunt him, and do anything else to hurt him as long as he was alive and in the clan. His parents couldn't help him. It was the laws of his people that only the strongest could survive. The boy could see that it hurt his mother when he was beat, but she could do nothing for him.
This was his life.
It would not be long until one of the children found him. The young demon pushed his hair away from his face. His eyes stayed glued to the sunset before him.
He couldn't stay there and he knew it. He wasn't strong enough to survive the beatings. But he couldn't live on his own, either. Those were his options, though. Neither one looked too great to him.
The boy's eyes narrowed as he heard footsteps from the caves behind him. He needn't worry; it was too late for any of the other children to venture outside. The other children didn't like to come out, even in the daytime. That's why he liked it out there.
He frowned as he thought of all the things the others did to him. They laughed at him and said that he was nameless. They said that he wasn't strong enough to have a name, that he didn't deserve a name.
But he did have a name. He would never tell them. It was his secret. Only his parents knew his name, but they wouldn't tell either. It was the other children who didn't deserve to know. He smiled to himself. He had his secret, and no one could take it from him. It helped him to get through everything.
He was Kuronue.
The sun had finally fallen beyond the horizon. Stars were starting to appear. Kuronue smiled a little to himself. It was beautiful out there. He knew he should go inside before anyone got worried.
Like they would, he thought bitterly.
He was young. Most children his age were innocent and curious. Kuronue was too suspicious. He didn't want to be hurt anymore than he had to. He'd had no childhood, and he never would. He'd known too much pain.
Kuronue stood, still musing over his position in the clan. He must have been happy and innocent once, he supposed. But that must have been long ago.
Kuronue walked inside the caves that wound around the inside of the mountain. His dark eyes easily adjusted to the dimmer light. The caves were illuminated by some strange glowing moss that grew on the walls. The little demon followed the hall to the main cavern. Smaller tunnels led off in all directions, leading to the individual homes of the clan members. Kuronue followed the familiar path that led to his home. He hoped that he would not run into any of the other children.
Kuronue stopped outside his families cave. He could not stay here; he knew that if he did, he would die. But as he looked at the cave of his parents, he knew he could not leave them.
The boy sighed and went into his parents cave.
For the next few days, life was normal. Kuronue endured his beatings in silence. His parents watched on, pained to see the boy in such shape. It was three days after his respite on the ledge that it happened.
Kuronue hid in the passage outside his home. The other children had blocked the way out. They would find him soon. Blood trickled from his lip, staining his pale skin. He was more tired than usual.
"He won't last much longer, not with the way they treat him," it was Kuronue's mother. The little demon leaned closer, listening.
"I know, but we cannot help him," Kuronue's father said.
"There must be!" His mother cried desperately. "I don't want to lose him."
Kuronue heard his mother begin to cry and his father trying to comfort her.
"I don't want to lose him either, but we can't do anything to help him," his father said.
Kuronue looked down at the rough stone floor of the cavern. He felt bad, like it was his fault that his parents were upset. Turning, the boy ran away. He didn't care if the others beat him. He just couldn't stand to hear his mother crying.
Surprisingly, Kuronue make it outside without any problems. He stood on sandstone ledge and looked out into the forest below. Oh, what he wouldn't give to be able to fly away from this place. But his wings were too small; he would never be able to fly like the others of his clan. Not even if he did live to be an adult.
So the boy just stood there, breathing hard. His eyes stung with tears. It was his fault, he thought bitterly. If only he was stronger, then his parents wouldn't have to worry. Kuronue frowned and glared at the trees. Why had this happened to him? What had he done to deserve this?
Nothing.
He had done nothing to deserve this torment, but he had done nothing to stop it, either.
Kuronue jumped as he felt a hand on his shoulder. He hadn't heard anyone come out. The boy turned to see his mother behind him. She looked unbearably sad.
His mother touched the bruise under his eye. He flinched out of reflex.
"Kuro, I'm so sorry," his mother whispered. She hugged him tightly, stroking his dark hair.
Kuronue said nothing. He hated to see his mother like that.
"We're leaving, Kuro."
Kuronue looked up at his mother with startled violet eyes. She smiled gently at him.
"But…why?" the boy gasped.
"You're my son, Kuronue, and I won't let them hurt you anymore."
"But…but the clan?" His parents would leave the clan for him?! To try to protect him in any way, especially leaving, would mean banishment.
"The clan doesn't meant anything to us, not if it means losing you," his father said, appearing behind his mother.
Kuronue couldn't believe it. His parents were taking him away. All this time, he thought that nobody cared about him. But now he would not have to worry. His parents would protect him. He could get away from the beatings and the taunts. He would be all right.
Kuronue's mother stood and picked him up. "We'll be alright, Kuro," she said, ruffling his hair.
Kuronue held tight to his mother as his parents flew away from the caverns. He smiled to himself. Things would finally be okay, he thought as he drifted to sleep.
Kuronue's mother looked down at her son as she flew. She smiled. "You're a lot stronger than any of us thought, Kuro. No matter what, you must never give up," she whispered softly.
Kuronue just muttered a little in his sleep.
Hope you liked it. I'll try to post the next chapter soon. Please review. Thanks all.
-Fire Gemron-
