Chapter Thirteen: Strange People

A/N: I meant to have this out last week, but totally spaced it. Anyways, flashback chappie because I'm hitting a bit of a writer's block. Anyways! Hope you all enjoy! Happy readings!

Tian was around three when she first saw them. The ones that her village scorned, considered a curse, and the ones everyone tried to stay away from.

It was a sunny, hot day in the middle of summer. Normally her parents kept a fairly close eye on the kid, never letting her out of eyesight, but that day, they were very busy. So much so, it was hard to keep up with what the customers wanted, and giving attention to their ever rambunctious child.

"Tian, dear, go play outside." Her mother told her, smiling down at the child that was pulling on her dress.

''OK!" Tian called out, wobbling her way to the door, maneuvering around a customer that had just come in.

"And don't wander too far!" Her mother called out, tucking a piece of dark hair behind her ear, and continued with her work.

Tian didn't answer her mother, but instead crouched on the ground as she watched some ants go into a hill, carrying various things from small pebbles to pieces of leaves. She watched them intently, sucking her lips into her mouth. She then sat up, dusting off her light brown dress. She looked around her, trying to decide what to do.

Since her father was away doing some work, it was mostly up to her mother to keep up with the house, their child, and the business. So, her mother couldn't always keep accurate track of everything. So, needless to say, it went unnoticed when a small, purple and black colored butterfly caught the attention of the little girl.

Smiling widely to herself, she reached up to touch the small, but beautiful being, but it fluttered away into another plant. Tian huffed, crossing her arms over her chest with a slight pout on her face. When she saw it re-emerge, she grinned, dropping her hands by side, and chased after it, giggling slightly to herself.

"Come back! Wanna play!" She shouted,reaching up for the creature.

She ran until she hit a fence. She looked up, pursing her lips with her arms crossed as the small creature fly into a bush filled with flowers. Huffing, she crossed her arms over her chest, but her emerald eyes watched the butterfly with curiosity.

"Hey!" Tian gasped, tensing up as she heard an angry voice call out. Whether it was to her, or not, she wasn't sure." Damn brat!" Tian hid behind a bush, trying to calm her racing heart.

She peered out from the leaves of the bushes, as they rattled slightly with the movement of someone running too closely, but in a second she saw a flash of a green, scaly looking leg. She reached out to touch it, but in the same second she saw it, it had disappeared.

Crawling out just slightly, she peered out, looking around. In the moment she looked ahead she saw a boy, older than herself, with green hair, and in ragged clothing that was getting ready to leap into the sky. Tian's eyes were wide, feeling amazed at how high the boy had already jumped. She had never seen anyone jump that high before. She felt… Amazed.

Almost a second later, a much older male came, dragging the boy down. From his scornful, and reprimanding tone, she recognized it as the voice that originally spoke out. She tensed up, getting ready to crawl back, and get away before she was noticed, but there was something that kept compelling her to watch.

The young child watched as they grappled for a moment before the older man had eventually gotten the upper hand, and was forcibly dragging the kid back. Tian bit her lips, slinking further into the bush. She felt that she was completely hidden, feeling proud of herself for her hiding skills, but when she looked again, the young boy was staring at her. She stared back, feeling slightly embarrassed, even blushing a bit out of embarrassment. The kid scowled, looking away as the older man continued to lecture the boy.

Tian watched them until they disappeared into a house. She watched the house for a few more moments before crawling out of her hiding place, and running back home.

"Don't ever do that again! I was worried sick about you!" Her mother exclaimed when Tian came home, pulling the child into a tight hug." Where did you go?!" She questioned, pulling back, and looking at Tian, who just smiled at her.

"I see strange people." She said, smiling. Her mother looked confused for a moment before her eyes widened. Still, she tried to fake innocence.

"Did you? I want you to stay by me, alright? Don't make me worry like that again!"

"K!'' Tian announced loudly with a smile, embracing her mother.

Tian made sure to stick by her mother the rest of the week until her father returned home. Her mother was naturally curious as to why her daughter was sticking so closely to her,but smiled nonetheless. When her father returned home, Tian was excited. He had been gone for three months, and she really missed him.

"How was the trip?" Her mother asked as a greeting to the man, after giving a quick peck on the lips. He looked at her, and then at Tian, who was grinning widely with her arms held up. Her father chuckled slightly, bending down, and picking up the child, who giggled as she held onto him tightly. He hugged her tightly, and then looked at his wife.

"It was the same as always. Those people are such a pain to deal with. I'm just happy to be home with my family." He answered, adjusting Tian in his arms so that he could embrace his wife. Her mother smiled as she leaned her head onto his shoulders. Tian mirrored the action with a smile.

For the next two weeks, Tian stayed close to home. With her father home, there was no chance of her getting out of sight like she had on the day she came into contact with those strange people. Although she was very curious about them.

Her fourth birthday came and then passed without much celebration other than her favorite meal was made for dinner. The family stayed up an hour extra together.

"Is there anything you want to happen this year?" Her father asked playfully, making Tian giggle slightly." If you wish for something on your birthday it's bound to come true." Her father said when Tian didn't say anything. Tian pursed her lips, and then made the one wish she wanted at the moment.

I wanna know more about those people I saw.