Living For the Moment

I had no clear memory, I remember wandering aimlessly down the street. I didn't know where I was or what I was doing there...I was lost. Everywhere I went was packed with people, yet, no one seemed to notice I was there. I continued walking and came to a bridge. Upon closer examination I saw that there was a young man looking out to the river, I could not see his face.

I was lonely, and this loneliness is what drove me to him. Seeing this boy reminded me of how venerable I was. I walked up to him and tapped him on the shoulder. He quickly whipped his eyes and turned towards me. I found myself looking into bright , huge, beautiful, blue eyes.Reflecting within them was a lifetime of torment..A sadness equal to my loneliness. His eyes sparked a memory, sent jolts of remembrance through my very being...

"Omi...Is your name Omi...?..."

The boy sprang back, startled. For some reason his suspicious behavior didn't surprise me. In this boy I saw the route to rediscovering my past and quite possibly figuring out where I was and how I got here. Before he could do anything I raised my hands to show I was unarmed, then I joined him looking at the spectacular view out from over the bridge...He looked so sad.

"What is wrong."

His answers surprised me...I didn't expect such a young looking boy to have all those problems. He poured out his heart to me, he even cried a little. I learned that he was a part of an assassin group called Weiss, and his actual name was that of Takatori Mamoru, their leader's sworn enemy was the Takatori family. He told me of how this tormented me, and how he could not bear to tell them his true name.

When he had calmed down he invited me to his home to meet the other three he lived with. They looked up from their work long enough to check me over. I could tell they were curious as to who I was. I had some strange powers; I had only begun to realize that...I was actually reading their thoughts!

As it was still a working day and I wasn't doing anything but standing around the tall red-head stood up and cleared his throat.

"If you are not going to buy anything, please leave."

Shocked, I turned to leave. It was hard to believe that anyone could get that much punch into a few thoughts and words.I would just find a nice policeman to help me figure ou...

Someone caught my arm as I walked out the door of the shop. A chorus of yells broke out and I made out an "AYA..THAT'S NO WAY TO TREAT A LADY!" I silently smiled and turned around.

"Don't pay any attention to Aya-kun." Omi said, "He's a little bit of an anti-social"

Aya blinked, the others laughed.Yojhi took up the conversation.

"So, who are you, why are you here and what's your name?"

"Ummmmm..." Like I said before I had no idea who I was...that included my name. I knew my age but nothing else...it was scary."This is going to seem strange...but...well...I don't know my name or where I came from or even how I got here. I know that I am fifteen years of age, but besides that..." I shrugged my shoulders.

The four members of Weiss looked at each other...One thought entered my mind...'What do we do?' I felt utterly alone. I knew I wouldn't fit in... I tried to hide my loneliness and sorrow. I stood there under the watchful eyes of four strangers, oh yes, I thought...I have made a huge mistake...I'm not of use to them and now I've scared them away by telling them I don't know anything about myself...

One of the four, Ken, spoke up. His voice cut through the fog of loneliness, It had a sweet quality to it...he seemed kind. I listened to his words.

"We're going to have to call you something if we're going to get to know you.."

His words made me feel needed. I hid my happiness...Afraid it would only frighten them off. I nodded. Ken continued.

"Seeing as this is a flower shop we'd better name you after a flower."

"Sakura?" Omi suggested.

The others shook their heads. After naming almost every flower in any book ever written...And having all of them turned down. We had almost given up.

"We're obviously on the wrong track," that was Ken again,"We need something else."

I had become rather bored and had been humming a song. Everyone stared at me and I turned away. Aya looked long and hard at me and said one word: Merodi.

"Merodi,' Youjhi said.'It's nice...I like it Merodi is your name now."

I thanked the guys enthousiasticly.I could feel tears forming in my eyes, embarrassed I looked away.I felt myself breaking down, I just didn't know what to do...Stay here, run far away...Stay here...On and on the debate went. I didn't want to be alone, but I also didn't want to be a burden to anyone...That wouldn't be fair.

A rose appeared in my line of view. A blood red rose..It was beautiful. Following the stem upwards I looked into amethyst eyes. They had a sympathetic look.

"Why don't you stay here tonight? We don't have an extra room for guests but you can have mine. I don't mind sleeping on the couch."

I took the rose he offered me and smiled.I was very grateful. Something tells me he doesn't let people into his room on a regular basis.

An hour later I was curled up on his bed, wrapped up in his blankets.Aya sat on a chair facing the outside, it was his room...he has every right to stare out his window. I closed my eyes and was asleep immediately.

My dreams were very dark.There were shapes in the trees, they were watching me. They knew everything about me...I was afraid. They had me cornered...There was no place left to run...I did the only thing I could think to do...I screamed.

I opened my eyes. My four new friends ran into the room. I had been dreaming..It seemed so real...I woke them up. I apologized...Yojhi and Ken searched the room and checked me over and then went back to bed. Omi looked at me.

"Were you dreaming about your past?" he asked.

Shrugged my shoulders. "I really don't know...I may have been."

"That used to happen to me alot...Just remember that they are only dreams and that they can't hurt you."

Aya sat down on the edge of the large bed. "Omi go back to sleep," he said in a firm voice." You have school tomorrow, I'll stay with her."

Aya already seemed like an older brother. I assumed he must have a younger sibling somewhere. He took my hands in his. We stayed silent for a while, finally he spoke.

" You are safe here, no one will hurt you. I will protect you like I would protect my own family."

After a while I fell asleep with Aya sitting beside me, my head in his lap...Just like a young child. I felt safe and secure with him here beside me, I felt safe in his arms, I knew nothing would get past him. He would keep me from harm, I was no longer afraid...

End of Chapter One