Greetings to all of you out there who have stumbled upon my story! I hope it is much to your liking, because I would hate for you to be disappointed. I'll try my hardest to keep you all interested, because really, as a writer, that's my job, isn't it?

This story is called 'Remembering the Summer's Promise'. There's nothing special about it. I just couldn't come up with a better title at the moment, and I still can't. To give you all a general idea, this is a story told from the perspective of my original character, Akira. At first she seems quiet and withdrawn, but as the story progresses, you'll see what a spaz she is. And, you'll learn a dark secret of hers as well. Basically, this is an AkiraxHiei story, but I'm sure you'll dig it.

Enjoy.

He did it. He did it. And my tears were nothing more than a reminder of that. There's was nothing I could've done about it. I simply was too weak.

I continued my silent walk down the dark trail in the forest, ignoring the persistent rain as it continued to clash fiercely against my cold flesh. My head was bowed in the manner of a lost soul praying to the crying heavens above for sanctuary. Praying for a chance to escape this miserable hell-hole I was dragged into. This place, which was formally known as 'life', never seemed to want to let me go. It never ceased to riddle my bleeding heart with more wounds.

Its icy fingers of depression and pain always lingered close by, never hesitating to throttle me back to the main reason why I was out here to begin with. Why a lonely little girl was walking around in the pouring rain aimlessly.

I had run away from home. I had a good reason to. My father still lingered there, and I had no intention of returning to him. Why should I return to the man who raped me? Even a hapless fool would know better. It disgusted me completely to know that he, the creator of my being, would be so willing to destroy me. I never suspected him capable of such things. I knew he was crazy, but still…. What father would do such a thing to his own daughter!

I stopped when I could know longer see the empty streets of town behind me, hidden from my view by rain and shadow. Yes, this was far enough. For now. The rain washed over me, falling in icy torrents. But I didn't care. I had stopped caring a long time ago. I closed my eyes and stood there, my body shivering slightly with the cold. If there was only a way I could get clean! I felt so dirty because of him! I felt so…. tainted…

I felt as though an important part of me had been stripped away, leaving me bare and exposed for the whole world to gaze upon. I wanted so badly to retrieve what I had lost, hoping that if I were quick enough, I could catch it before it slipped away between my fingers and disappeared forever. But it was gone, and sadly, I knew I could never get it back. The puzzle was now incomplete.

Thunder boomed overhead and lightning followed in quick procession to Nature's wild dance. And the rain just kept coming down. I opened my eyes and blinked away the water falling into my eyes. I sighed half-heartedly and gripped my arms, feeling utterly hopeless and vulnerable. I lifted my head and walked on. I couldn't stop. Not right now. Not right here. If I did, there was still a strong risk my father would find me here, if he even bothered to look. And that was a risk I was not willing to take.

The one good thing about the rain was I could now shed tears and no lone would be able to look upon me like I was some weak thing. I could now cry and release all the pains and frustrations I had suppressed since birth. The long-awaited tears slid down my cheeks, accompanied by the soothing rain, and in a vague sense…I was free. I wasn't free of pain or free of life. No, those things would shadow my every footstep until the day that I perished from the face of the Earth. But I was free of my father. I was free of his constant rage and drunken moments. I would never have to see him ever again.

This thought sparked a sudden light within the confines of my heart, illuminating the restless darkness that had imprisoned my soul for 18 god-damn years. It spread its light and warmth throughout my whole being, and every fiber of every cell seemed to stir and reawaken with new hope. In a way I felt like The Legendary Phoenix. I was rising up from my own ashes to be reborn and start anew. I was returning to take control of the soul I was blessed with and live my life the way I intended to. I wasn't going to have anyone tell me what to do ever again. I WAS FREE!

A hollowed smile graced my lips, the first smile I had worn in over five years; the smile I had lost along with my mother. And the most unusual thing was…it felt…good…being able to smile again. It felt like I was going outside and seeing the bright sun for the first time in my entire life. I felt new and refreshed, and a great surge of excitement coursed through my body and whispered new meanings to my forlorn heart. 'God's tears work wonders on a tainted body.' I thought softly, that sad, hallowed smile not leaving my face for even a second. I wasn't going to lose it like I had once before.

I walked on into the heart of the forest, well aware of the many dangers that lurked within its darkened depths. But I didn't care…I didn't care. I was so free and happy at that moment, let Death try and claim me now! I was Light! I was Love! I was untouchable by any human hands, never again to allow myself to be tainted once more with their lies and ill intentions. I was free, and I was going to keep it that way…

Suddenly, I stopped in the middle of a clearing and raised my head to face the most unusual sight I had ever seen in my entire life. There, standing so still in the clearing like a living statue, was a boy. His short black hair swept back against the nape of his neck and his back was turned to me. The water ran off his neck and shoulders as his wet shirt hung lifelessly away from him, almost as though it were afraid to come in contact with his skin. He looked so calm standing there, almost as if he were enjoying the feel of the icy rain caressing his exposed flesh. I was so absorbed at watching him, I barely noticed the silver katana hanging loosely at his side, the rain washing down the blade's edge in small crystal rivers. The cool, metallic surface glinted back at me dangerously, speaking softly to me about how deadly its master was.

I gasped as I realized he must be a warrior of some kind, and more than likely killed people as a past time. Why else would he carry a sword so openly then? He sure as hell wasn't using it for decoration! But my gasp came to a terrible price as the little fighter picked up his head with a sudden jerk and spun around to face me, the sword gripped tightly in his fist. I looked up to stare him in the face, and I took in the most attention-seeking feature there was about him…his eyes.

Well, this is the end of the first chapter. I have no idea how good it was, but I hope it was worth your while!