Lucy's POV
We flew over Fiore in search of our next victims, when a small town caught our attention. It was called Cosmos. It was a town dedicated to Celestial Mages.
"Guys! Can we visit there please?" I asked excitedly, pulling the best puppy dog eyes.
"Okay…" they all sighed as I squealed and clapped my hands together.
Adrian's POV
"Guys! Can we visit there please?" Luciana's voice interrupted my daydreaming, and I glanced over to see her pointing at a small town. When I glanced back up at her, I sweat dropped. She was pulling the best puppy dog eyes ever. Not that any of us could ever say no to our Master and Celestial mage. Which, now that I think about it, was why we're all here. We wanted to stay with her.
So we gave in, as usual. She tucked her wings in and dove towards the earth. I sighed heavily and followed her.
"For such a terrifying person, she does act like a little kid sometimes…" Kenshin muttered next to me. I laughed, because it was true. When Luciana was angry, her magic energy would spin out of control, practically flattening us like cartoon characters. When she was in a good mood, however, she had this huge smile that could light up even the darkest of hearts.
It worked on me.
Flashback
Adrian's POV
I stood in the alley, minding my own business. Some people walked past the opening to the main street, not bearing the dark lane a second glance. Couples passed by smiling and laughing. Completely carefree. I tried to think back to the last time I smiled. I couldn't remember.
I was so deep in thought that I didn't notice the man walking up to me.
"Give me all your shit, punk." The man pulled out a gun, and attempted to cast body restriction on me. What a weak mage. He couldn't even affect me. He pushed the gun against my temple insistently. "Hand it over!"
Before he could react, I had encased my hand on ice, and punched straight through his torso. He coughed up blood and fell to the floor. It took a couple of seconds before I realised what I had done. I closed my eyes against the sight.
When I opened them again, a girl around my age was kneeling next to him. She had beautiful blond hair. She checked his pulse, and bandaged his torso while I watched numbly.
Suddenly, she stood up and gripped my hand. "He's going to be just fine." She smiled at me, and for the first time in years, I felt my lips following suit. A woman screamed from the alley entrance, and the girl looked over my shoulder to frown disapprovingly.
"Help! Somebody help!" the lady screamed as she ran off. The mysterious blond girl sized me up mentally, looking at me. I stood there, wondering what she was thinking, when I had the sensation of being pulled somewhere.
"And now, we run!" the girl exclaimed happily as she practically pulled my arm out of its socket. I had no choice but to follow her.
And I have been, ever since.
Flashback end
Rosemarie's POV
I couldn't help but laugh as Luciana dove excitedly to the earth, like it wasn't rising to meet her fast enough. Knowing her, it probably wasn't.
I watched her swoop around, doing all kinds of aerobatic tricks, and I found my mind wandering.
Flashback
Rosemarie's POV
I walked glumly through the practically deserted lane. I hated small towns, especially ones where the population was in double digits, thanks to the recent arrival of a baby. I kicked a rock.
"Heya!" a bright voice startled me, and I spun around to see a girl, maybe a year older than me, smiling broadly at me.
"H-hi." I said hesitantly. I was never good with meeting new people.
"Watcha doing?" the girl asked, smiling in the same manner.
"I'm not sure." I found myself answering honestly, to my surprise. It had been a while since I had done that.
"Well, why don't you join us?" she asked, motioning toward a brooding boy with black hair who looked like he was about to protest, before he rolled his eyes and smiled softly, in a 'resigned to his fate' way. I laughed out loud for the first time in months, before throwing my arms around the girl in a hug.
"I'll take that as a yes!" the girl returned my gesture instantly, squeezing me to the point where I couldn't breathe. "I'm Lucy, and this sour puss is Adrian." She jerked her thumb over her shoulder, to the boy, who was staring at her in irritation.
"How many times do I have to tell you, I am NOT A SOUR PUSS!" he yelled the last bit, and the girl just grinned, completely unfazed.
"Sure, sure, stingy bee…" she trailed off, eyes bright with humour. Adrian threw his hands up in a 'I give up' motion.
"I'm Rosemarie." I said softly. The girl slung her arm over my shoulders and we resumed walking.
"So, Rose, then." She announced loudly, before suddenly stopping and spinning me to face her. I froze, thinking I had done something wrong, but her face suddenly broke out in a grin.
"Yep, just had to make sure the name suited you!" we continued walking, and I found myself mesmerised by the way she saw the world.
I still am.
Flashback end
Kenshin's POV
I sighed in exasperation, watching my best friend once again indulge in childish antics.
But, then, that is one of the things I love most about my 'big sister'.
Flashback
Kenshin's POV
I continually punched the tree, until it fell over. I nursed my bruised fist, but beamed proudly. It took less hits to knock a tree over this time.
"That looks like fun! Can we join?" I spun around, ready to attack the perpetrators, when I stopped in my tracks.
Before me stood a blond girl, giving me the brightest smile I had ever seen on a person. Almost involuntarily I felt my spirits lift just by being in her presence. "Sure." I shrugged, barely sparing her two companions a second glance.
"Great!" she squealed excitedly, bouncing from foot to foot.
"Just be careful, you might hurt yourself…" I was cut off by the instant change she undertook. Magic energy practically poured visibly out of her, and I struggled to stand under the pressure of it. A quick glance showed her friends in the same state as I am.
She quickly pulled back her fist, and with about as much effort as I used to tie my shoelace, punched the tree. It was cut completely off, flying backwards and knocking tree after tree over in its mile lone path of destruction. She pulled her fist back, and turned to smile at me brightly.
I stood up, the pressure of her magical energy finally gone. I sighed in relief. This was one dangerous girl. "So… how did I do?" she asked brightly.
"Good…" I said, slightly shaken by the transformation this girl underwent, yet again.
"Cool! I'll go get that tree…" and with that, she took off, leaving a trail of dust behind her. Her friends made chase instantly, and I found myself joining them. I struggled to keep up with the inhuman girl.
And have continued to do so, ever since.
Flashback end
Kuro's POV
I sweat dropped at Luciana's antics, and a quick glance to my right showed my twin brother doing the same. We both shrugged at each other, and I knew we were both remembering that day.
Flashback
Kuro's POV
I slumped next to my twin brother. It had been weeks since we had seen other people, let alone had a proper meal. And we were beginning to feel it.
Weak and hungry, we could hardly expect to last much longer. And yet, a small part of me continued to grip on to the hope that someone would pass through here. But I knew it was impossible. Aside from my brother and I, no one was stupid enough to come here.
"Need a hand?" my head shot up in shock, and I saw a girl with golden hair standing over us, her hands outstretched.
The sun haloed her head perfectly, the colour matching her hair and eyes. A small part of me assumed I had died, and she was an angel.
I hesitantly placed my hand with hers and she gently helped us to her feet. She scooped me up in her arms easily, and held me as though I were a princess. She asked one of her three friends to do the same for my brother.
I soon found myself being swept off my feet by her kindness, and beauty.
And I still haven't found my footing. And I knew my brother felt the same.
Flashback end
Yuki's POV
I just shook my head at Luciana. It's been two years, and she hasn't change. I looked over to Caroline, and she was mirroring my expression of good-natured exasperation.
Flashback
I stood on the rocky cliff, practicing my earth magic, when I realised I had been too rough. I felt the ground beneath my feet give way, and I began to fall towards the rocks, so far below me.
A hand grabbed my wrist, and I automatically gripped the wrist of the other person. I looked above me, and a girl with golden hair was being haloed by the night sky. She smiled at me, her golden eyes twinkling, as she hauled me back up to where she was.
"That was a close one!" he melodic voice said brightly, as she flashed me a cheerful smile, like she hadn't just saved a random stranger from falling to his death. Before I knew it, the side of me that was so obsessed with training, and power, was swept away by her, and her five friends.
I haven't seen him since.
Flashback end
Caroline's POV
I shook my head in good-natured exasperation at Luciana's behaviour. She never changed, but I think that was a good thing. For two long years now, she has been the only constant in my life.
Flashback
Caroline's POV
I was only sixteen. My parents had died a short time ago, and I was given no choice but to live on the streets.
Some men had me pinned against the wall, and were attempting to undo their pants and stop me from running away at the same time. One leaned particularly close, obviously intending to kiss me, but I leaned my head away from the sour smell of alcohol on his breath. He was getting closer… closer…
Suddenly, he was ripped away. At first I thought one of the men had had a change of heart, but when I looked, I saw an avenging angel with blond hair, standing over the unconscious forms of all the men. I stared at her in shock, tears welling in my eyes.
"Are you okay?" she asked, cradling my cheek in her hand. I began to sob uncontrollably, and she pulled me into her arms without hesitation. I clung to her.
And I haven't let go.
Flashback end
Melody's POV
I laughed happily as I watched Luciana. She has always been such a wonderful person, despite her anger issues. I remember being on her bad side once, when I first met her.
Flashback
I slowly snuck up to the bag so carelessly left on the ground, not paying a glance at the people who sat by it. As my hand snaked inside it, someone threw me into a tree.
I looked up into shock and pain to see a blond demon glaring at me fiercely. "What the hell do you think you're doing?!" she snarled, preparing for another attack.
"Trying to find some food…" I trailed off. It probably sounded like some crappy excuse to her anyway. When I looked up again, I was surprised to see her eyes softening as she took in my appearance.
I was very thin, in a huge shirt that reached my mid-thighs. My hair hung down my body in greasy clumps, and I forgot what a bath felt like.
"Come here." She said softly, but commanding. I did, and sat beside her. "Stay with us, will you?" she asked as she handed me her sandwich. I smiled happily and nodded.
I haven't left her since.
Flashback end
Ren's POV
I know I should be used to it after two years, but she was just so strange sometimes. I can still remember when I first met her. She seemed like some kind of angel, from another universe.
Flashback
I stood against the building, completely bored. I had already fought all the gangs in town and now had nothing to do. Considering I had beaten them all, there was no point in looking for a rematch. That was their job.
"Hey! Ren!" I glanced over at the huge mob of people in front of me. They filled the street. Oh, shit.
Before me stood every gang in town. They had banded together to take me down, knowing as well as I do that I don't stand a chance against this many people. Even so, I got into my battle stance, and began to take them out.
After I had taken about twenty down, I knew I was going to lose. I had barely dented their numbers, whereas I on the other hand, was exhausted. As one of the members ran at me, I closed my eyes, preparing for the impact.
"Luciana KICK!" a girl screamed as a blur of gold and black swept past me and sent the man who had been about to attack me across the street and through a wall. Eight more people ran to join her, and she stood next to me, fighting off everyone who tried to attack yours truly with ease. I stared in awe of her strength.
And I haven't torn my eyes away.
Flashback end
Victoria's POV
I grinned as she dived towards the ground at top speed. "Luciana! Be careful!" I called out, unable to stop myself from being a little protective. She reminded me so much of my late sister, and has from the first time we met.
Flashback
Victoria's POV
I was homeless, broke, hungry, dirty and alone. I was long done crying for my late younger sister. I can still remember the night she was killed. I was too weak to save her.
When I looked up I saw a flash of golden hair and couldn't help but run towards it with all the strength in my body. "Gemma..." I cut myself off when the girl turned around and I saw instantly she was not my sister. "I'm sorry, I thought you were someone else…" I mumbled, embarrassed.
"That's okay! I'm Luciana!" the girl held out her hand for me to shake and smiled a huge smile. It was so much like Gemma's that I couldn't help but smile back.
"Victoria." I replied as I shook her hand. Nine other people walked over to us, and glanced at me suspiciously. The girl, Luciana, introduced all of us, before turning back to me.
"You seem nice!" she announced brightly, causing her friends to face-palm behind her back. "Why don't you come with us?" she asked. I stared at her in shock. Was she serious?
"That would be wonderful!" I stammered, happier than I had ever been since Gemma.
Flashback end
Konran's POV
As I watched Luciana twirl about the air I felt the familiar urge to join her. This made me think of when I first met her.
Flashback
Konran's POV
It was the yearly party my town throws annually to celebrate itself. I rolled my eyes. It was the same every year. Bad music, homemade food, and dancing. Always dancing.
This year, however, someone caught my eye. A girl with golden hair was dancing like there was no tomorrow, and doing it well. I watched her for a long time.
I looked away for a minute, to get a drink and when I looked back up, she was gone. My heart fell, disappointed.
"Hi!" a bright and cheery feminine voice practically yelled over the music. I turned and found myself face to face with the golden girl from earlier. She was slightly out of breath. "I'm Luciana, what's your name?" she asked, extending her hand politely.
"Konran." I answered, shaking her offered hand. At least someone in this town full of hicks had some manners.
"That doesn't sound like a girl's name." Luciana said bluntly, and I couldn't help but laugh.
"It means chaos." I gasped when I had finished laughing.
"Cool!" she exclaimed, bouncing up and down. "Hey, Chaos!" this got my attention. She was the first person to ever call me that.
"What?" I asked, once again enchanted by the gleam in this golden girl's eyes.
"Dance with me." Without waiting for an answer, she grabbed my hands and led me onto the dance floor. After a while, we were joined by her ten friends.
"So you're travelling." I stated, though it was more of a question.
"Yeah. We're pretty much just going wherever, you know?" she said smiling at the as we spun each other. It was the most fun I had ever had.
"That must be great. Getting to go wherever you want… I wish I could do that." I said as we resumed the 'tango' pose we had been in for the last song, probably looking for all we're worth like a couple of weirdoes.
"Why don't you come with me?" she asked. I stopped and stared at her, before breaking into a full blown grin, which she matched tooth for tooth.
"Seriously?" she nodded. "Yes!" I squealed, throwing my arms around her.
We danced until dawn, and for the first time in my life, I felt like a huge weight had been removed from my shoulders.
I still feel that way.
Flashback end
General POV
The 12 figures landed in a field a small distance away from the town so as not to frighten the townspeople. They may have fearsome reputations, but they were good people.
Taking a deep breath, the eleven followed their leader, who had already begun skipping in the direction of Cosmos happily. They laughed to themselves, each reminiscing in their own special memory of their shared special person.