Before she was conscious, she was born.

Her first moment of consciousness and she was laying down in an abyss of white. No memories, no instincts, no one around to help her. She did not know she was alone. To her everything within view was the only thing that existed. Scattered throughout the abyss were strange materials crumbling away to pixels. Patches of grass littered the ground along with puddles of water. Here there was no color. Every strange thing she saw was different shades of gray. How could she complain though, she had no concept of color. Each experience was as new to her as freshly fallen snow, pure from outer influence.

Slowly her mind stirred with an awakened curiosity to explore, all she needed to do was walk. Easier said than done. For without a guardian, she had no one to catch her when she fell. Each time she wobbled onto her feet, took a few trembling steps, and fell down to the hard ground, she was overcome with something new. The discovery of pain made her scream so loudly. It was the first instance of pain she had ever known and she was terrified thinking it'd last forever. Little did she know how this circulation of hope and despair from trying to walk made her truly feel. All at once she felt petrified with fear and yet also excited by the sensation of pain brought from failure. Two polar opposite emotions that should not exist. It made her head feel like it was splitting in two.

Raising her hands to her head and rubbing it, she eased the pain. She refused to stay crawling on the ground, and so prepared herself to walk without falling. Confidently, she pressed her feet on the ground and stood. The view from standing was much better. Moving one foot after another she began to walk. Any time she felt she was close to falling, she maneuvered her arms around for balance. She was so excited by her achievement that it led her to run. The wind felt so refreshing on her face, she couldn't help but produce a new sound. Not one of fear, but one of joy. She was laughing.

She ran through the wide expanse of the abyss, not caring to stop for any strange landmark. During her run she ran past pixelating cottages, palm trees, flowers, dirt paths, and other strange pieces of things. All of them were still painted variant shades of gray, making them easy to ignore.

She could have run forever, her body never tiring, gasping for air, or sweating. Yet something did eventually make her stop. It was only for a split second in the corner of her eye, but she saw something bright. When she walked over to investigate she found a pool of water. Reflected on it was a human figure unlike anything she had seen. The reflection, unlike anything else, was colored. It had long pink curly hair, pale skin, and two different colored eyes. She leaned in closer to see the eyes, the right pale pink and the left frigid blue. Was this another person? No, it was merely her reflection. She learned this once she reached out her hand and accidentally made the salty water ripple. In a blink of an eye, her image was too distorted to see. Watching the image of herself disappear, she began to feel something new. The despair of loneliness and the hope for companionship despite no visible sign of it.

She trembled and closed her eyes tight wishing for others. When she opened them again she saw exactly what she wanted, the figures of people. There were so many from a small boy in a hoodie with pointy hair to a girl with hair curled into horns. Excitedly she ran towards her newfound company until she stopped just short of a girl in an army vest and gloves. These people, unlike her, were gray like everything else. Each one was as still as a statue with bits of pixels around them. She tried to get the girl to move by holding her hand, but the moment she touched her hand it collapsed into pixels. Each one she tried to touch fell apart and slipped away like sand, she hated it. Once all thirty five of them had been broken apart by her touch, she was all alone again.

The winds that had embraced her now felt so cold and unbearable. Not knowing the word or feeling, she craved warmth. This concept she had recently discovered became something she wanted more than anything else in her barren world. With no other choice, she ran to find more people. People that moved and were colorful like her.

She ran forever, never growing exhausted, yet found nothing. There were just more broken pieces of things she didn't know of. No matter how far she ran that was all there was. Eventually she stopped running and realized she was completely alone. The closest thing to color and company was her sensitive reflection in the puddles, so she resigned to sit in front of one and stare.

Before the puddle she sat, staring intently at her reflection. Although she was tempted to touch her reflection for the small chance of feeling something warm, she knew it would only destroy her reflection and leave her alone. So she continued to watch. An immeasurable amount of time began to pass before she noticed growing changes in her reflection. The right side of her reflection's hair began to recoil and shorten into small curls why the left side grew longer and wilder. Both sides of her reflection's face contracted and morphed into slightly different faces. One wouldn't have noticed it if they had stared at the reflection as long as she had.

Watching her reflection she was both scared and comforted. More than the other figures, these two sides felt familiar. She wanted so badly to embrace them despite knowing in the back of her mind they could hurt her far worse than any fall. It was then she uttered her first words.

"Who… are you?" She asked

The morphed reflection spoke in two heavily distorted voices of women. She could only make out a few letters.

"****K* *a**** **n** *******a" They both said.

"Kana…," she repeated.

Hearing their voices she felt so safe and yet so disturbed. Just as she felt her body was falling apart she felt it come back together. She reached her hand out to the strange reflection only for it to reverent back to her original reflection. Everything about her was the same except her two colored eyes that had both turned purple. She was alone again, with the only thing in her grasp being a few words.

"Kana," she said.

She tried repeating the gifted word over and over to calm herself down, but it was no use. Balling her fist and hugging her knees, she averted her eyes from the puddle. Her own reflection was too sad to bare. A small and cold sensation ran down her cheeks. She wiped it away to find her sleeves wet, but it kept flowing out of her eyes. With no choice, she continued to shed this cold liquid from her eyes and let it wet her sleeves. It was the only thing she felt she could do in this lonely barren world.

It could have been a hundred years since she began crying by herself, but she would never know. Time had no meaning here. Nothing had meaning here. Not even her. No matter how much she wished for it, any form of companionship dissolved before her eyes. It was too much for her to bare. This feeling of hopelessness that once excited her slightly became nothing but a crushing weight. Now she didn't wish for companionship, she just wanted to fade away like everything else.

"Excuse me?" A voice asked.

Weakly, she lifted her wet face up to the source of sound. Standing before her, looking down was a tall man colorful and breathing. He had spiky brown hair, olive green eyes that matched his tie, a white shirt, but most importantly the feeling of warmth radiating from him. Instantly she leapt forward and latched onto him. Surprisingly, he didn't disappear from her touch, he was firm and warm.

"Who are you?" He asked.

She looked up at him and pondered. When she asked that question to her reflection they had said 'Kana', so perhaps that was the answer.

"Kana," she said.

"Kana," he repeated." Where did you come from?"

"I don't know," she said, lowering her head in shame.

"It's alright, we'll figure it out later," he reassured," but could you come with me?"

"Okay," she said.

That was how she found her name and her papa. Kana, the peculiar soul born in a barren world, followed behind the man, excited to leave her loneliness behind. As her mind flooded with hope, she slowly forgot her lonely beginning, unaware she had been in this world before.

Soon after they met, her papa gave her room to sleep in. It was small and empty aside from a few pieces of furniture and a bed but very warm with red, pink, and white colors. When Kana entered her new room, she immediately jumped into her big fluffy canopy bed. On it was a plush white rabbit toy with a pink bow and skirt. Next to that was a weird little purple machine.

"What do you think of your room?" Her papa asked as he walked in the door.

"I love it, papa," Kana smiled as she rolled around her bed, "but what's this gamegirl advance thing?"

"It's a machine that lets you play video games," her papa explained. "Here I'll show you."

Her papa took a seat on the bed and she handed him the game device. With a single press of a button he turned the game on and caught her attention. She tried to look over his shoulder, until her papa picked her up and placed her on his lap. On the screen were some pixelated shapes she couldn't make out. Her papa explained he was controlling a spaceship to fight aliens, but she had no idea what either of those things were. Fortunately her papa had all the patience in the world and explained everything to her.

"Why don't you try?" Her papa offered the device to her.

"Really?" Kana asked with widened eyes.

"Yep," her papa said. "You can do it"

With that, Kana took the device and started to play. She powered through the first few levels until she reached the level her papa last on. Although she had never played a game before, it felt a little natural. Like her reflexes were built in. Despite this she only beat her papa's score by a thousand points.

"Good job Kana!" Her papa patted her head.

"Thank you, papa," Kana smiled proudly.

"It sure is getting late," her papa said as he looked at the nearby clock. "Why don't you get some sleep."

"But I'm not sleepy," Kana said.

"Tell you what, I'll tell you a bedtime story, but after the story you have to go to sleep," Hajime said. "Deal?"

"Deal!" Kana nodded.

While her papa thought up a story, Kana burrowed into bed. She clung to her stuffed toy and waited expectantly.

"Once upon a time there was a little girl named little red riding hood," her papa began the story.

Her papa proceeded to tell a story about a little girl traveling through the woods to deliver food to her sick grandmother, all while a hungry wolf stalked her. Instantly Kana had questions.

"Papa, what's a grandma?" Kana asked.

"Oh well she's the mom of your dad or mom," her papa explained. "So my mom would be your grandma."

"Oh!" Kana said. "Will I get to meet her?"

"Uh sure… one day," Hajime said.

After answering her other questions, her papa continued the story. Kana still had a few questions here and there but she was still very invested. Soon they reached the climax in which little riding hood was tricked and swallowed whole by the wolf disguised as her grandma. Fortunately for the girl, a wandering huntsman killed the wolf and freed her and her grandma.

"And they lived happily ever after," her papa papa concluded, "What did you think?"

"It was fun, but why didn't the girl die in the end?" Kana asked.

"Because she was an innocent little girl," her papa said.

"But she disobeyed her parents' rule" Kana said, "It would have been better if the wolf just ate her and it ended there."

"Fairytales don't really work like that," Hajime said.

"That's boring," Kana said, "but thank you for the story, papa."

"You're welcome," her papa said before giving her a kiss on the forehead, "good night Kana."

"Good night, papa," Kana yawned before falling asleep.

...

The days that followed, she would treasure forever. All of them were spent with her papa. Her papa was an extraordinarily kind and strong man. Together they would play, draw, tell stories, and all sorts of other things to make her happy. Of course her happiness wasn't dependent on what they did together, it was based on just being with her papa. Being around him, she felt so safe and warm, hence why she'd often throw a fit whenever he had to leave the program.

Yes, a program, because, unlike her papa, she was born an AI. Yet for the longest time she believed somehow her papa was biologically related to her. It wouldn't make any sense to an adult, but to a naive child like her anything was possible.

It wasn't just Kana and her papa. Along with her papa, Kana had many aunts and uncles, 14 to be precise. Unlike her papa, many of them had very peculiar personalities and talents, no one was the same. However despite their wildly differing personalities, they all got along, supporting and loving each other as one big happy family. Just like her papa they loved and played with her all the time. Like she was their little niece and somehow she believed she was biologically. Although she still preferred to be with her papa all the time, when he had to leave her with some of her aunts and uncles in order to work it was fine. But sometimes as she played with her aunts and uncles, she noticed something. It was usually for just a few seconds, but sometimes they looked at her a certain way. Like all the light and joy evaporated from their faces and they were just left frozen. Most times she'd let it pass on its own, but other times she was curious.

"Aunt Sonia, what's wrong?" Kana asked.

"Oh!" Sonia blinked before smiling. "It's nothing. I was about to sneeze and didn't."

The more she noticed those instances the more she tried to monitor herself so she wouldn't make them look at her like that. Fortunately even if she did the same things that provoked her aunts and uncles, like laughing the wrong way or being interested in blood and death, her papa never ever looked at her like they did. Sometimes he'd look at her with a melancholic smile probably because she reminded him of her deceased mother. Most of the time though he had a warm and proud smile. That smile was the most precious thing in the world to her. But then one day something about his expression changed not to melancholy but maybe worry.

"What's wrong papa?" Kana asked.

"Oh I'm just a bit busy planning something for us," her papa said.

"What is it?" Kana asked.

"It's um… a trip," her papa said.

"Oh like a vacation?" Kana asked.

"Yeah, we're going to leave the program and island for a while," her papa said.

"Am I going to get to be in the outside world with you?!" Kana excitedly asked.

"No, I'm sorry, but I need you to stay in a different program," her papa said. "It'll be just like this room but I can carry it with me."

"Aw…," Kana sighed, "then it's not really a vacation."

"It still is," her papa reassured her. "Here, why don't I put you there now, then I can walk you around the island."

"Okay," Kana sighed.

The portable program didn't feel that different from her home program aside from one of her bedroom walls being replaced with a window to the outside world. Of course since it was a small portable device, the outside world looked much bigger and her much smaller. She didn't want to say she hated it, afterall it was her papa's invention, but it failed to connect her to the outside world where her papa lived. She wished she could just be there with him. Feel the salty sea and island breeze. Maybe if she was a human like everyone else and not an AI bound to programs forever.

Regardless of her feelings, Kana forced a smile and cheerful attitude as her papa carried the device around the island and showed her aunts and uncles. But the wish to be human continued to grow in her mind. How she wished to have bones, organs, and blood just like her papa. The wish stayed in the back of her mind even as she drifted off to sleep inside the portable program that night. Her papa was kind enough to keep the portable device on his nightstand so she could see him sleeping in his bed. If she were human she would be right next to him hearing his real human heartbeat.

...

The next morning, Kana felt heavy. She noticed when she yawned and stretched her arms, her papa was holding her. Then she opened her eyes and realized she was in his bed not her own. Perhaps he modified her room, but no this place felt so different.

"Papa?" Kana asked and nudged him awake.

"Kana…?" Hajime mumbled as he tried to shake his drowsiness. "Kana?!"

As soon as he saw her, he jumped up fully awake and eyes wide.

"How… what…?" He was at a lost for words.

"Am I… a human now?" Kana asked.

"I… I guess so…," her papa still struggled to speak. "But how?"

"I don't know," Kana said, "but if I'm a human now, is that bad?"

"No, no, not at all," her papa said as he hugged her. "I'm just a little surprised."

"Oh okay," Kana hugged him back.

Then Kana felt a strange feeling in her belly and it made a noise.

"You must be hungry," Hajime chuckled and patted her head. "Let's get breakfast."

Kana smiled. Although she was so scared this change would make him not love her anymore, she was completely wrong. No matter what he always loved her and this just proved it more.

...

After a quiet breakfast in her papa's cottage, they inevitably had to go outside and explain Kana's transformation to the others. As expected they were horrified but tried to conceal it just like before.

"Wait, an AI just can't become flesh and blood," Kazuichi said. "I mean if you transferred her AI into an android that would make sense but…"

Sonia elbowed him in the rib.

"Uh sorry," Kazuichi apologized.

"This is going to complicate our escape," Akane said.

"Escape?" Kana asked, causing everyone to freeze, some of them turning and glaring at Akane.

"No whoops there I go using the wrong words again," Akane tried to play it off. "You know I'm not good with the words and what they all mean."

"What Akane meant to say was this will complicate the vacation," Nekomaru said.

"Okay?" Kana said, but she didn't really buy it.

Sure her aunt Akane wasn't very literate, but she wasn't that stupid to mix up to completly different words. Not helping were those suspicious glares they gave her and just the overall uneasiness she could feel in the air.

"Papa, what's really going on," Kana turned and asked him, causing her aunts and uncles to hold their breath. "What are we escaping from."

Her papa gave a long sigh then motioned the others to leave the room before he knelt down to her and placed both his hands on her shoulders.

"Kana, we're leaving this island, but we're never coming back," her papa said.

"Why?" Kana started to shake a little.

"Unfortunately, there's a lot of people who want to hurt us, hurt you, but we will never let that happen," her papa said. "That's why we're going to run away together so they'll never find us."

"But… why would… why would anyone want to hurt you?" Kana started to tear up.

Her papa sighed clearly at a loss for words.

"It's because-," her papa spoke only for Peko to burst through the door.

"Hajime! They're coming!" Peko shouted.

"What?! Now?!" Her papa stood up.

"Yes!" Peko said with an uncharacteristically fearful face. "You have to take Kana and go now!"

"What's going on?" Kana asked as her papa scooped her up into his arms. "Who is here?"

Her papa couldn't answer as he was too focused on running out of the room and to the docks. Along the way Kana saw her aunts and uncles scrambling around frantically in preparation for this attack. She wanted to know why this was, but clearly the focus was on her and her papa's escape. Once they made it to the small boat, her papa placed her down in a seat.

"Stay here, I'm going to steer the boat," her papa said.

"But what about the others?" Kana asked. "Aren't we escaping together?"

"Don't worry they'll be right behind us," her papa squeezed her hand. "I promise."

She wanted to believe him, she really did, but the shakiness in his voice was unmistakable. Just as she predicted, today would be the last day she'd see her aunts and uncles for a very long time.

A few hours passed as she waited in her seat. The only thing she could do was twiddle her thumbs and kick her legs as she adjusted to her new body. It was a lot more sensitive and heavier than her previous one, but if it meant she was now just like her papa she was happy with the change. It wouldn't be the first time her wish magically came true.

Eventually the boat docked and her papa returned to get her. He thanked her for being patient and held her hand as they walked out. It looked like this was a city, but it looked completely empty with no lights or sounds. Covering everything was some kind of white substance like snowflakes. She wanted to touch it but her papa pulled her back.

"Kana, we have to be careful," her papa told her. "Stay close to me and don't touch anything."

"Okay," Kana nodded. "Where are we?"

"Japan," her papa smiled. "Though it usually doesn't look like this."

"What does it usually look like?" Kana asked as she and her papa began to walk.

"Well usually it's louder with the cars driving around," her papa explained. "Of course there's more people too. Way more."

"Why is this city so different then?" Kana asked.

"It could probably be they had to evacuate," her papa said. "Probably because of all this white stuff."

"Oh," Kana said. "Is it snow?"

"Maybe but it never snows in summer," her papa explained.

While Kana continued asking questions and her papa answered them, they walked deeper and deeper into the city. As they expected it was empty, except for something they would soon find along their path. Halfway through walking through the back alleys, they saw something standing on the main road. It was a large bear-like creature made of shadows and with crimson eyes. Fortunately the beast didn't see them as they quietly slipped past it. Once they were far enough away Kana knew she had to ask.

"What was that papa?" Kana asked.

"No doubt something dangerous," Hajime said. "No matter what we should keep out of that monsters' way."

"Okay," Kana nodded.

For a few days they travelled on foot, seeing but avoiding many monsters. The first day Kana couldn't walk that far without her legs hurting. It was such a strange new sensation, but rather than being curious about it she found it an inconvenience. Her papa was kind enough to carry her on his back for a while, but when she noticed he was starting to pant and sweat she decided to try to walk on her own again. He decided to let them rest for the night once they found an abandoned department store. There her papa found himself a snow jacket for himself and a snug navy blue dress for her. Additionally he brought her a big green scarf to wear as well. Her stomach growled, but they had nothing to eat. This led to her feeling cramps in her stomach, but instead of complaining she kept it to herself. Not helping was the consistently frigid air that loomed in every place they went even inside. It was so cold the little hairs on her skin stood right up. Fortunately her papa was there to hug her while they tried to fall asleep in a nest of clothes. As much as she loved to be in the real world and feel her papa's true body, Kana wished the inconvenient sensations her body felt would go away.

The next morning Kana and her papa continued on their journey to find somewhere safe. She walked for about an hour when she finally noticed she didn't feel exhausted at all and despite missing breakfast she didn't feel the slightest bit hungry. Yet again her wishes came true in her sleep. It wasn't until her papa got tired that they stopped to rest.

"Good job walking so far today Kana," her papa smiled as she leaned on him. "Aunt Akane and uncle Nekomaru would be so proud of your endurance."

"It wasn't hard at all, cause I didn't feel exhausted," Kana said. "It's just like I wished last night."

"That's fortunate," her papa said.

Suddenly she felt a small prick in the back of her head and winced.

"What's wrong?" Hajime asked.

"Nothing," Kana said. "Just a little headache."

"Okay," Hajime hugged her. "Just let it pass and then we'll get going, no rush."

"Okay," Kana nodded.

She could've sworn she heard an extremely faint voice in her head as it ached

Days passed as the two travelled further and further away from where they docked. Every place they went was empty of human life, covered by the white flakes, and full of shadowy monsters. It was so different from the world she imagined exploring with her papa. To make matters worse her headache would come back every now and then. Each time they happened she heard the voice more. Whatever distorted language it spoke she couldn't understand, she could only ignore it in hope it'd go away. Then they reached Tokyo. There her papa found an abandoned store for her to rest in while he looked for food.

As soon as he left the voice came back. However now it was so loud she could recognize it was two separate voices speaking in her head. They sounded so serious and demanding like they wanted her to do something, but she had no idea what. How she wished her papa was there to comfort her.

"Ah," Kana whined.

Thankfully that's when her papa returned.

"Kana! I'm here!" Her papa said wrapping his arms around her.

"Pa..pa," Kana smiled faintly through the pain. "I was so worried."

"I will never leave you," her papa smiled.

"Thanks papa. I tried to stay quiet so the monsters wouldn't hear me," Kana said.

"That's good," her papa said.

"Did you find something to eat?" Kana asked

"Yes," her papa said.

"Good…" Kana weakly smiled until she heard something. "What was that?"

Her papa looked around the shelves and his eyes widened. She could only guess he saw a monster close by.

"Stay here," her papa said. "I'll take care of them."

Kana weakly nodded before her papa patted her on the head and gave her a confident smile. Then he ran out to face them with his metal pipe.

"I won't let you hurt my daughter!" She heard him shout, slamming the steel pipe on the broken concrete. "You hear me!"

Her head continued to ache and ring with the mysterious voices as she listened to her papa fight the monsters. Then one poked its head around the shelf and stared at her with its crimson eyes. It was a bear monster just like the first monster she had seen. All she could do was scream as the monster moved closer.

"Kana!" Her papa shouted.

By the time he came close enough to the monster, it had already stood on its hind legs and raised its claws. Swiftly, he leapt inbetween the monster and her. The claws swung down and tore through his chest, sending his blood everywhere. As he bled and shook, he managed to hold himself just long enough to stab the monster in the throat. Both him and the monster fell into a pool of blood.

The bear monster faded into nothingness, but her papa looked to be in complete agony. Terrified, she ran to his side and embraced him.

"Papa!" Kana cried. "You can't die! Papa get up!"

"Ka… na," her papa tried to say as he weekly lifted his hand towards her face.

"Please, you can't leave me!" Kana took his hand and placed it onto her cheek. "Papa."

Slowly his pulse began to weaken as more blood spilled out from his wounds. His kind green eyes faded in color along with his skin making her scream. He was going to die. He was going to leave her all alone in a desolate world full of monsters and humans that wanted to hurt her family. She couldn't allow it, she would not allow it. So she closed her eyes and wished for her papa to live. She wished so hard all her senses were focused on it.

"Please let my papa live!" Kana whispered as she squeezed his hand, tears streaming down her face.

One of the voices in her head spoke up. Soon after she lost consciousness.

...

When next she woke up, she felt a soft warm hand delicately rubbing her head. She heard a calm voice humming a sweet tune. Then when she opened her eyes she saw the owner of the hand and voice looking down at her. She was a woman with long auburn hair in a ponytail and dressed in a white coat. Her eyes were a dark emerald.

"W… who are?" Kana fearfully asked.

"My name is Chisa Yukizome," the woman smiled sweetly. "It's okay, you're safe now."

"Where am I?" Kana asked then remembered who was missing and jolted up from the bed she was laying in. "Where's papa?!"

"It's okay, it's okay," Chisa held her arm and put a calm hand on her cheek. "He's safe too. He's in the hospital right now but he's going to live."

"Please take me to my papa!" Kana asked as tears started to form in her eyes. "I want my papa!"

"I know, but the hospital is very far away and he asked me to keep you safe from the monsters," Chisa said.

"Why?" Kana cried. "Why would he abandon me?"

"No, no, dear, he didn't abandon you," Chisa said. "He's simply letting another family member take care of you temporarily while he focuses on recovering."

"Another family member?" Kana asked.

"Yes. You see the reason he asked me to look after you is because I was like a mother to him while he was in highschool. In fact I was like a mother to all your aunts and uncles because they were my students," Chisa explained. "Therefore I promised to love and take care of you as my granddaughter."

"Wait, you're my grandmother?" Kana asked.

"Yes, I know I'm quite young for it," Chisa laughed.

"How come I didn't get to meet you before?" Kana asked. "Why didn't papa tell me about you?"

"Unfortunately, I was very busy with my work and we couldn't risk the bad people from finding him," Chisa explained.

"Papa mentioned them…," Kana said, "but who are they?"

"Just a horrible group of people called the cult of Eve and Lilith," Chisa explained. "But both you and your papa will be safe from them as long as the future foundation is watching over you two."

"Future foundation?" Kana asked.

"Yes, I along with your grandfather and great uncle work for them in order to protect the world," Chisa smiled. "We're the good guys."

"Oh," Kana nodded.

"Speaking of, I know you just woke up, but would you like to meet your grandfather and great uncle?" Chisa asked.

"Okay…," Kana said.

With Chisa's help, Kana got out of bed. It was then she realized she was in a small barren room with no windows. Oddly enough the door to the room was made of thick steel for some reason. Beyond the door was a room twice as big as the previous one complete with a kitchen, dining table, and a small living room space with a couch, low table, and bookcase. There were a few more steel doors including one really enforced one, but no windows. Sitting at the dining table were two men, one lean with silver hair and sapphire eyes while the other was much more muscular with dark hair and magnolia eyes. When Kana entered the room both men seemed to glare at her.

"Kana, meet your grandfather Kyousuke Munakata and your great uncle Juzo Sakakura," Chisa motioned to them.

"Hi," Kana shyly waved her hand but that didn't really change their expressions.

"Nice to meet ya, kid," Juzo said with not much enthusiasm, meanwhile Munakata growled under his breathe.

"They're both a bit too serious for their own good, but they're very nice once they know you more," Chisa explained. "Why they were the ones that saved you and your papa."

"Really?" Kana asked.

"Yeah," Juzo said.

"Thank you!" Kana raised her voice. "Thank you for saving my papa!"

That seemed to surprise Juzo but not Munakata.

"Well you're welcome kid," Juzo said.

"Kana you must be starving, why don't you and I make dinner together," Chisa said.

"I'm not hungry, but okay," Kana said.

"Wonderful," Chisa clapped her hands and turned to Munakata and Juzo. "Now why don't you two set the table, tonight we'll have omelette rice."

"That's for kids-," Juzo complained till Chisa glared at him, making him hold his tongue. "Omelette rice sounds good."

"Good, now Kana, follow me into the kitchen," Chisa said.

In the small kitchen area, the two washed their hands. After their hands were dry, Chisa prepared the rice in a cooker. While the rice cooked, Chisa took out some eggs and showed Kana how to crack them into a bowl. It was so strange to her, making food this way compared to in the program where it just manifested like magic. However despite the time and work it required, she did love making food in the real world. She wished she could have made food this way with her papa. The image of his warm smile flashed in her mind, causing her to drop her spatula. Instantly her eyes became cloudy with tears as she felt a heavy weight pressing down on her.

"What's wrong sweetie?" Chisa asked.

"Pa..pa…," Kana sniffed, her lips quivering.

"It's alright," Chisa stroked her head. "Like I said, he's perfectly safe in the hospital."

"Okay," Kana nodded.

"Now let's get back to making dinner, we're almost done," Chisa said. "All we need to do is put the rice in the omelets."

Kana nodded and followed Chisa's instructions. She tried her best to force a smile as they continued to cook, but the weight was still pushing down on her. Not helping was the ketchup they added that looked like blood. Eventually the dinner was complete and each plate was full.

"Here, why don't you decorate yours and Juzo's omelette," Chisa said before using the ketchup to make a heart on her omelette, "see like this."

"Oh, okay," Kana said and took the ketchup bottle.

She always loved to draw, but when she was sad there was one animal she loved to draw most of all to comfort her. Once she finished, Chisa came over to see.

"Aww how cute, you made two little foxes," Chisa said.

"Yep," Kana faintly smiled.

"I'm sure Juzo will love it," Chisa smiled and patted Kana's head.

At the dinner table, Munakata and Juzo were still sitting. Munakata was reading a thick book and Juzo just sat with his chin resting in his hand.

"I hope you boys are hungry, cause Kana and I put a lot of work into tonight's dinner," Chisa smiled proudly as she placed the omletes before Munakata and Juzo.

"It looks delicious," Munakata said despite not smiling.

Once everyone sat down, Kana figured they would pray so she put her hands together.

"Thank you for the meal," everyone said.

"Well aren't you so polite," Chisa said to Kana.

"Well… that's what papa and I do before eating," Kana said.

"That's good," Chisa said, "now eat up."

Kana nodded and took a spoonful of omelette rice. It had been a long time since she had a warm meal like this. The taste flooded her senses, but of course something was missing. As she ate, she looked at the others to see how they enjoyed it. Chisa was smiling, Juzo seemed to enjoy it too, but Munakata seemed hesitant. With a sigh, Kana turned back to her own plate and kept eating. Every bite was delicious, but still missing that very important ingredient. She remembered all the times she ate with her papa and how delicious each meal with him was. Even when they were on the move with barely anything to eat, the scraps of food they did find to eat were still so much more filling than the pile of freshly made food before her. She remembered the times her papa would tenderly wipe away some pieces of food from the corners of her mouth. He was so strong and warm, yet that monster made him so weak and cold. In an instant, all of her sadness flooded out. She dropped her fork and cried, unable to swallow the food in her mouth.

"Oh sweetie…," Chisa rushed to her side to hug her. "What's wrong?"

"Papa! I want my papa!" Kana cried so loudly. "Please let me see papa!"

"I wish I could, but he's miles and miles away recovering in the hospital," Chisa said.

"I want my papa!" Kana continued to whine. "I want my papa now!"

"Shh," Chisa hugged her tighter before picking her up. "I know, it's so scary to not be able to see him, but that doesn't mean he's not still with you."

Carefully, Chisa cradled Kana in her arms and walked over to the couch. From the corner of her eyes full of tears, Kana saw Juzo bite his lip while Munakata's expression seemed even colder. Once they sat on the couch, Chisa rocked Kana back and forth a bit.

"You should never be apart from your papa, but he wanted to make absolutely certain you would be safe here with us, your grandparents," Chisa nuzzled her head.

"I don't care if I'm safe!" Kana whined. "I just want to be with papa!"

"I know, I know, but it was his decision and you would never disobey your papa would you?" Chisa asked.

"No…," Kana admitted.

"Then have faith in him," Chisa said. "He will recover and one day you'll go back to him, but before them we, your grandparents, will keep you safe and take care of you."

"Okay," Kana sighed, the weight beginning to subside a bit.

"Here, let's wipe away those tears," Chisa said, taking out a handkerchief and wiping her tears. "Blow out your nose too."

Kana did as she was told.

"There's that pretty little face of my grandaughter," Chisa laughed, "now I know you must be tired from crying, but try to finish your dinner and then you can go to bed."

"Alone?" Kana shivered.

"No, we'll sleep together," Chisa smiled.

"Chisa!" Munakata raised his voice.

"Hush," Chisa snapped at him. "Our granddaughter needs us and if you have a problem you can sleep in the empty bed."

"Fine," Munakata groaned.

"Alright sweetie, time to finish your dinner," Chisa turned back to Kana. "Will you do that for me?"

"Yes," Kana nodded.

Just as Chisa wanted, Kana returned to the table and forced herself to finish her dinner, even if it was missing that special ingredient. After she finished, Chisa took her to the bathroom to get ready for bed. Together they both changed into pajamas, Chisa's long black sleeved with red hearts while Kana's was a little white nightgown. Once changed, they walked into the master bedroom. There stood a king sized bed with silk red sheets, but yet again there were no windows.

"I don't know about you, but I'm exhausted," Chisa yawned as she turned out the lights.

"Me too," Kana yawned as the two of them got into bed.

In bed, Chisa wrapped her arms around Kana. They felt so warm and soft, that they easily soothed her to sleep.

"Goodnight my sweet little granddaughter," Chisa said as she delicately kissed Kana's head.

"Goodnight grandma," Kana mumbled.

"Just call me nana," Chisa giggled.

"PAPA!" Kana screamed at the top of her voice.

The image from her dream was so vivid in her mind, the monster, the blood, and that horrible cold that consumed her papa. It scared her so much her whole body was shaking furiously and she felt a wet coldness underneath her. Within the darkness of the room a pair of familiar arms wrapped around her.

"There there, it's alright," Chisa's soft voice said.

"No I saw it, papa was dead!" Kana cried. "The monster… KILLED HIM!"

"Shh shh calm down," Chisa pulled her closer. "It was just a nightmare, like I said he's alive and well I promise."

"I want my papa!" Kana continued to cry.

As she cried she heard a groan. The lights turned on revealing Munakata was also there. Compared to Chisa, his face was a lot colder which didn't help calm her down.

"Please," Kana cried, grabbing Chisa's shoulders. "I want my papa!"

"She already told you," Munakata growled. "You can't see him now."

"Then when?!" Kana cried. "When can I see my papa again?!"

"When all the monsters are gone," Chisa said. "Then it'll be safe for you to see your papa again."

"Promise…?" Kana sniffed to which Chisa embraced her.

"We promise," Chisa kissed her head.

Despite the coldness under her, Kana felt so warm in her nana's arms. Yet even this warmth paled in comparison to her papa's.

"Now why don't I help you change into some fresh pajamas," Chisa said. "Munakata, will you strip the sheets for me please?"

"Fine," Munakata sighed.

Once Kana changed, Chisa put fresh sheets on the bed. Kana climbed into bed expecting Chisa to follow, but she didn't. Instead she went off to clean and dry the sheets, leaving her alone with Munakata who laid down on his side of the bed. Fearfully, Kana crawled close to him in search of warmth. She only got a few inches close before he turned his head and glared at her.

"I'm sorry," Kana squeaked then returned to her spot.

There she curled up into a tight ball for warmth and wished she wouldn't have the same awful dream. Fortunately that wish would come true.

The next day after breakfast, Kana looked around the house for something to do. Chisa was knitting, Munakata reading his thick book, and Juzo just sat on the couch. Curious Kana tugged on Chisa's sleeve to get her attention.

"Nana?" Kana asked.

"Yes sweetie?" Chisa turned to her and smiled.

"Um do you have any paper and pencils I can draw with, please?" Kana asked.

"Sure, let me see if we have any around," Chisa said.

While Chisa looked in the master bedroom, Kana waited patiently on the couch beside Juzo. He didn't look like he was in the talking mood so she didn't say a word. Fortunately Chisa came back with paper and pencil in hand.

"Here you go sweetie," Chisa smiled as she placed them down on the coffee table. "What are you going to draw?"

"My family," Kana softly smiled as she picked up the pencil and began to draw.

"I'll leave you to it then," Chisa kissed her head. "Let me know when you're done."

"Okay," Kana nodded.

Drawing was one of her favorite activities, so when she had an image in her head she knew just how to draw it. The only image she had in her head for the longest time was her family so she didn't have to think at all about the designs and composition. Although she would have loved to use some colored pencils, she was grateful for what Chisa gave her and worked with it. Within 30 minutes her family portrait was done. Eager to show it off, Kana picked up the portrait and rushed over to Chisa.

"Look nana!" Kana smiled. "I finished it."

Chisa put down her knitting with a smile and delicately took the drawing. Munakata didn't seem to care or even notice.

"Oh Kana, this is so lovely, you did an excellent job," Chisa said. "Why did you draw them as animals though?"

"I like animals," Kana said. "Plus each animal fits them."

"How so?" Chisa asked.

"Uncle Nekomaru and Akane are lions because they're very strong and protect their pride, especially each other," Kana explained, "Uncle Fuyuhiko and aunt Peko are tigers for kind of the same reason."

"And Kazuichi is an alligator because of his teeth?" Chisa asked.

"Actually he's a crocodile," Kana said.

"Oh, my mistake," Chisa said.

"Anyway, Uncle Togami is an elephant cause he's just as big, regal, and smart," Kana continued to explain. " Meanwhile Aunt Ibuki is a bat cause she makes a lot of noise and can hear really well. Uncle Teruteru is a boar cause he's a bit porky but he also has a really good nose for food. Aunt Hiyoko is a peacock cause she wears this long flashy dress."

"Isn't it just the male peacock that has big tail feathers?" Chisa asked.

"Yeah, but those tail feathers look like the fans she uses in her dance," Kana said, "It's kinda boring but Aunt Mahiru likes it, she's a hyena by the way since they're both tough and boss the boys around."

"Who are those two serpents supposed to be?" Chisa asked.

"Aunt Mikan and Uncle Nagito," Kana said.

"That's a bit mean," Chisa said.

"Well I guess Aunt Mikan is more like a hedgehog, but her hair looks like snakes," Kana said.

"What about Nagito?" Chisa asked

"He's crafty like a snake," Kana said

"But isn't he still family?" Chisa asked.

"Yeah. I mean snakes can be cute, especially black mambas," Kana said. "Which reminds me of uncle Gundham the wolf since they both act tough but they're really nice when they let you into their pack. Finally, Aunt Sonia is a swan cause she's very graceful but also fierce."

"Aww they really all fit their animals. You're so good at this." Chisa smiled. "But what about your father? What animal is he?"

"He's the most powerful animal of all!" Kana proclaimed. "He's a human!"

"But what if he wasn't, then what would he be?" Chisa asked.

"Um… then I guess he'd be…," Kana thought it over. "A phoenix!"

"I can see that," Chisa laughed. "What animals would we be?"

"Well… I'm still trying to figure that out," Kana said.

"Take your time then," Chisa said. "Do you want me to hang this on the fridge?"

"No!" Kana raised her voice without thinking. "I mean… I want to hold onto it."

"I understand," Chisa said, handing the drawing back to her. "Though that reminds me of something fun we could do."

"What?" Kana tilted her head.

"Let me get some more paper," Chisa said. "I'll be right back."

When Chisa returned with more paper in hand, she took one piece and began to fold it. Before Kana knew it, Chisa turned the piece of paper into an animal, a big cat to be precise.

"How did you do that?" Kana asked, wide eyed.

"It's called origami," Chisa explained. "If you know the instructions you can fold paper into anything you want."

"Wow," Kana said. "Can you make a fox?!"

"Hmm I'm afraid I don't know how to do that one," Chisa said. "Kyousuke you know much more origami folds than I do, do you know how to fold a fox?"

"We shouldn't be wasting paper," Munakata said without looking up from his book.

"I'm sorry Kana, but he is right," Chisa said. "We have to preserve our paper until we get more and I don't know that many folds."

"Oh… okay," Kana sighed. "I understand."

"Here, we can at least use five sheets," Chisa said. "You can draw on these."

"It's okay," Kana sighed. "Grandpa, what's that book you're always reading."

"Oh, it's called the Bible," Chisa explained. "It's just a book chock full of stories and lessons."

"Really, that sounds cool," Kana said. "Can I read it too?"

"Why don't we wait till your grandpa is done reading it," Chisa said. "It's not exactly easy for kids to read."

"She can read it," Munakata said as he put the book down.

"Are you sure?" Chisa asked. "It's not really child friendly."

"Then you read it to her," Munakata said. "It will do her good."

"Okay," Chisa said. "Where do you want to read?"

"Right here is good," Kana smiled, excited for the stories she was about to hear.

"Well then, let's start at the very beginning," Chisa said.

Chisa began to read the story of a character named God. Right away Kana was hooked, even though there were lots of words she didn't understand. The idea of someone creating everything reminded her of her papa who built an entire program and all its properties for her. She never asked or heard where humans came from, but this book explained it very interestingly. Chisa continued to read the story of the first two humans on earth and although Kana had many questions, she was so enraptured by the story to want to interrupt it. It just struck the perfect balance of sweet and tragic that she always loved in the stories her papa told her. The humans once happy and content were rightfully punished for betraying the word of their loving father. Then came their first two sons, Cain and Abel. Cain and Abel especially caught her attention since she never had a sibling. Sure enough their story also ended in tragedy due to their disobedience against their parents.

Before she knew it, it was already lunch time. So Chisa put down the book to prepare lunch. Kana eagerly offered to help, all the while she contemplated the stories she just heard.

Time passed, though exactly how many days or weeks she couldn't exactly remember. During that long passage of time all of them stayed in this small home, which she learned was a shelter hidden deep in a mountain which explained the absence of windows. She missed the moon and sun, but more than anything she missed her papa, thinking of him constantly throughout the day. Fortunately she didn't have any more nightmares about him after the first night. Although she missed him terribly, Chisa was a fairly good substitute. Everyday Chisa would watch and play with her. They did everything together from cleaning, cooking, playing, and reading more of the Bible. Even Juzo sometimes joined in, but Munakata never did. Despite being stuck in the same place for so long, Munakata ignored her at best and at worst he had that same look in his eyes as her aunts and uncles when she did something wrong. Then one night at dinner he spoke directly to her.

"Kana," Munakata said.

"Yes, grandpa?" Kana replied.

"Are you still afraid of the monsters outside?" Munakata asked.

"Yes," Kana shivered remembering the bear monster.

"Would you want to destroy them?" Munakata asked.

"I would… if I could," Kana lowered her head.

"But you can," Chisa said. "I remember your papa told me all about your powers."

"Oh…," Kana said. "I guess, but they can't stop the monsters."

"We believe they can," Chisa put a hand on hers. "We believe you can help a lot of people by using your power to stop the monsters from growing and destroying the world."

"Really?" Kana asked.

"Think, if all the monsters are gone, the world will be safe enough for you to see your papa again," Chisa said.

That was all she needed to hear.

"What do you want me to do?!" Kana asked. "How can I help?!"

"Easy, Kyousuke, i'll let you explain," Chisa said.

"In a few days you, Juzo, and I will head out to a spot infested by the monsters," Munakata said. "There you will figure out how to destroy them."

"What about nana, isn't she coming?" Kana asked.

"Oh I'm much too weak to go out on a mission like this," Chisa said. "Plus some one has to have dinner ready for when you return."

"Okay…," Kana sighed.

"Hey, don't worry," Juzo spoke up. "We… we won't let anything bad happen to you."

"Promise?" Kana asked.

"Yeah," Juzo nodded.

"Wonderful," Chisa clapped her hands together. "Your papa will be so proud."

Hearing that, Kana couldn't help but smile even though the fear of seeing those monsters again itched in the back of her mind.

A few days later, it was time for the mission. Chisa made sure to dress her in warm clothes and pack everyone food for the journey. With a departing hug and kiss on the forehead, Chisa said goodbye. She saw Juzo open the main steel door and offered to let her go out in front of him. Outside was a long empty steel tunnel that they had to walk through until they reached another steel door even bigger than the last. Together Juzo and Munakata opened it. Cold wind flooded in blowing off her hoodie and blinding her with light. Once she adjusted, she rushed outside the door to see what laid beyond them. It looked like they were in the middle of a mountain forest with many lush green plants and trees. The sounds and scent of nature was everywhere. However she couldn't enjoy it for long as Juzo soon put a hand on her shoulder.

"Come on, we gotta get going," Juzo said.

"Oh, okay," Kana nodded. "Uh… can I hold your hand?"

"Sure," Juzo smiled just a little bit.

Taking his hand, Kana felt how strong and warm it was. Still not as good as her papa's, but more than sufficient to keep her calm.

"Let's go," Munakata ordered. "We need to reach the landing spot in an hour."

"Don't worry, we'll make it," Juzo said, "and if the kid needs it I'll carry her."

"I can walk," Kana protested. "I've walked way more with papa before."

"Okay, I'm just saying if you need it," Juzo said.

"I won't, but thank you uncle," Kana smiled.

Once they reached the landing spot, they boarded a helicopter. During the flight, Kana admired the view of nature below them until she noticed the white stuff appear over the horizon. Instinctively, she tightened her grip on Juzo's arm.

"It's okay," Juzo patted her head.

Kana nodded, but the sight of shadow monsters running around below in the city made her start to shake a little. She saw all kinds of monsters from wolves to leopards and of course bears. The bears especially, she hated. How she could get rid of them all she had no idea. Then for the first time in forever, the voices very faintly whispered to her, this time she thought she could understand them.

"Alright, we're here," Juzo said. "Come on kid."

"Okay," Kana snapped out of it and followed him out of the helicopter.

The place they landed was very peculiar. Full of weird gateways, buildings, and tons of fox statues. Scattered throughout the place were lots of people in camouflage and helmets carrying large guns. Upon one looking in her direction, Kana hid behind Juzo.

"Who are those people, uncle?" Kana asked.

"They're on our side," Juzo said. "See Kyousuke is gonna talk to their leader to figure out what we'll do."

"Oh, okay," Kana nodded. "Um, uncle, what is this place?"

"It's a temple," Juzo said.

"What's that?" Kana asked.

"Ugh well it's where people go to pray to the gods," Juzo explained.

"I thought there was only one god," Kana said.

"No, there's a lot of them," Juzo said. "So many people can't really agree on which ones are real and which ones aren't."

"Are those foxes gods?" Kana asked.

"No, they're just guardians to the gods," Juzo explained.

"Why does a god need a guardian?" Kana asked. "Aren't they all powerful?"

"Well even they need friends and somebody to watch their back," Juzo said.

"Oh," Kana said. "That would be cool to have foxes as guardians."

"Sure," Juzo chuckled.

Then Munakata approach and almost all the warmth of their conversation seemed to evaporate.

"Kana, follow me," Munakata said.

"Okay grandpa," Kana obeyed.

"Juzo, stay behind," Munakata said.

"Alright," Juzo said. "Go get em kid."

"I will uncle," Kana smiled.

Munakata led her to the top of the temple stairs. There she could see the whole city covered in white and overrun with monsters.

"You want those monsters to be gone right?" Munakata asked.

"Yes," Kana nodded. "But I don't know how."

"This will help," Munakata handed her a bandage. "If you blind yourself with it, that will focus your power."

"Okay," Kana said. "Could you help me tie it please?"

"Fine," Munakata sighed.

Once the blindfold was tied on real tight, she heard the two voices again.

"Please," Kana said aloud. "I want to get rid of the monsters."

'Sing,' both voices echoed in her head simultaneously.

Then just like that the words and melody came to her. Although these words were unlike any she had heard from a human, they felt familiar and easily rolled off her tongue. Instantly she began to sing all the while thinking of nothing but her papa and destroying the monsters that tormented the two of them. Her song was a loud operatic wish for their violent ends. Although she could not see it, she could hear their dying distorted cries soon after the sounds of booming thunder. This thunder pounded in tune with her melody and echoed on the wind. As she sang her long ballad she felt the ground beneath her drift away leaving her floating. As her melody continued she heard less and less monster shrieks till none were left. Then her song softened along with the thunder till she stopped all together. Feeling her feet back on the ground, Kana removed her blindfold. She looked out at the city to see it wiped clean of every last monster.

"I did it!" Kana smiled and turned over to her uncle and grandpa. "I did it uncle…?"

Despite her clear excitement and joy from destroying the monsters, Juzo and Munakata didn't rush over to congratulate her. They just stood there with all the others, stiff as statues. Both of them with that same look in their eyes that was far from any positive emotion.

"Did… I do it wrong?" Kana asked, hesitating to approach them.

"You…," Juzo spoke up before walking over and patting her head, "you did good kid."

"I'm glad," Kana yawned.

Suddenly her body felt overcome with fatigue she had not felt in a very long time. Her light body was now becoming so heavy from her feet to her eyes. Before she could fall over onto the stone pavement, she felt Juzo catch her in his arms.

"Kana?!" Juzo asked.

"I'm okay," Kana yawned with her eyes shut. "I'm just… really sleepy."

"Take a rest then," Juzo said. "I promised I'd carry you didn't I?"

"Thank you, uncle," Kana smiled before losing consciousness.