A/N- Mmm… wow, I make the best tuna ever! It's just so-
Ash: Hey idiot, the people are here.
*Turns around and sees you* Oh! Heh, hi guys! *Blushes*
Javier: *Studies ShaMaiMai* Nope. Your blushing has nothing on Ash's.
Ash: Shut up! *Blushes brightly*
Javier: See? Ash's is way cuter. *Smirks and dodges as a blushing Ash jumps at him* She just can't keep herself off me ^_^ Oh, and Maiven doesn't own OHSHC or FB.
Ash: I am so gonna kill you!
All righty then. You guys better move on to the story now, cause if this goes on too long the two love birds will end up having one of those mushy 'moments'. Enjoy the story!
Walking behind the guards was beginning to become harder and harder for Ash, and it had nothing to do with being drugged up. The sedating medicine had worn off during the long process of 'transformation' the two teenagers had just gone through. Her stiff legs and queasy stomach was the result of hearing just one name, and knowing that she was now walking towards that same person.
It had been a long time since she had been in the Sohma estate, explaining why she had not been able to recognize it fully until being told where they were. The last time Ash had been inside this place was the same day she had last spoke with Akito. Her mind swirled as memories of that day came rushing back to her, memories she had tried to push away for years.
A little Ash, only four years old at the time, quivered uncontrollably as she stared up with wide eyes at the Head of their family. Akito had summoned her as soon as the woman (who for some reason disguised herself as a man) had learned Ash was back 'home'. It had taken the little girl weeks to find her way back to the estate after getting separated from her parents out in some woods miles from here.
"Ah, sweet little Ash." The woman said quietly, caressing the little girls cheek in a gentle way that might have made you double think all of the cruel rumors you had heard about this person. She knelt down to look Ash in the eye, swiping away the child's extremely messy black hair. "What is it you came here for?"
"I-um… I found my way h-home." Ash replied, confused by the question, and not used to such gentle treatment. Maybe, maybe her life had just been a test up until now! Perhaps all the harsh words and cruel actions had just been to see if she was acceptable. Maybe now, after impossibly finding her way back home, they would accept her into the family! A small, hesitant smile crept until her face at that thought, barely even visible. Akito had keen eyes though, and saw the little twitch of the girl's lips for what it was. Quickly slapping the almost-smile away, the woman's eyes hardened and her mouth formed a snarl.
"No! You did not find your way home! This is not your home! You have NO home!" Akito screamed at the child, who now stood holding her slapped cheek in shock. It shouldn't have surprised her, but she had let Akito trick her… again. Tears began to form in Ash's little blue eyes, making the already piercing color become even more unnatural looking.
"B-but, mommy and daddy lost me. W-we got se-separated… so I found m-my way back." She replied quietly, not really believing her own words, as she let the tears begin to fall down her reddened cheeks.
"Don't you get it, you little twit? Your parents left you there to die! They didn't want you! Nobody wants you! You're a freak!" The woman screamed, going into hysterics as she picked the girl up by her messy black hair and threw her into a wall. "Get out! Get out! Never come back! You're unworthy of life! No one wants you! Everyone left you to die…!"
Akito's rampage had gone on for who knows how long, but Ash had started running then. She ran out to the main gate, as two big men snarled at her and chased her away. The little girl ran faster than them, though, sprinting down the road as if her life depended on it. Then again, it might have. Eventually she tripped on a vine, having found her way into a large forest area, and her small body skidding across the ground. She lay there, her skin covered in bleeding scratches, and began to wail.
Ash whimpered quietly at the harsh memory, hunching her shoulders over as if she wanted to somehow shrink and disappear. That's when she felt a hand land gently on her shoulder. It was too large to be a woman's hand, and it was warm… comforting. She glanced over to see whose body was connected to the kind gesture, and was not surprised in the least when she saw it was Javier. It reminded her of what had happened only moments after four year old Ash had tripped and begun to weep… she remembered now how a little blond boy had suddenly appeared, pulled her up to her knees, and held her.
The black haired girl looked at Javier sadly, wishing desperately she could forgive him of that stupid sin he had not commit. He was a good person, he deserved to go out and have a better life, to forget about her, but she just couldn't bring herself to trust another person. Not after everything people had done to her.
She opened her mouth to whisper a simple 'I'm sorry,' but was interrupted by a voice that made her entire body begin to shake.
"Ah, sweet little Ash. Oh, and our fierce little Javier. Both of you together, how sweet."
A/N- Tada! I know, kind of serious... don't worry, it gets lighter soon! I'm gonna try to update more often, too :D
Ash: Yeah, I'm sure they're all jumping for joy. -_-
Meaner! Anyway, ignore the grump, and please review! I'm begging you!
Ash: How dignified.
Ugh. Where's Javier? You're only this mean to me when he's not here.
Ash: *Crosses arms* How should I know? He just suddenly disappeared. Not that I care. Why should I-
Javier: *Suddenly behind Ash and whispered in her ear* Aw, I missed you too.
Ash: *Blushes like Rudolph's nose* Stop doing that!
... What can I say? My mind is a mad house.