*Aha, next chapter! Sorry if it's short . . . .*

"An' tis girlie here iz ma' mom!" Alexander stated happily, pointing at the only woman in the photograph of his family. "Tis iz me, tis iz ma' dad, an' tis iz meh lil' bro!"

Hikari felt her eyebrow twitch at the boy's bad language. She found it quite annoying she could write better than he could speak. 'Honestly.' she thought, sighing. 'It's like they're all kindergarteners! I haven't heard one child speak with proper language today – excluding Yumi and Ash.'

Biting on the end of her pencil, Hikari watched as the teacher gave Alexander a pat on the head and sent him to his desk. "Now class, who wants to share their family photo next?" The teacher asked, pushing her glasses up. She looked around the room, watching as only one hand shot up.

Hikari's.

Her orange-green eyes narrowed slightly as she noticed the girl's hand, but she said nothing about it. "Anyone?" She questioned, ignoring her. "Anyone at all?"

Hikari waved her arm furiously back and fourth, but her teacher continued to ignore her. "Well, if no one wants to share, then I guess we're done here." the female teacher shrugged, pushing a strand of pink hair behind her ear.

Blowing out a breath of frustration, Hikari lowered her arm. Why did everyone have to treat her this way?! They acted as if she were worth dirt, just because . . . because she was different!

'Only mom and dad understand.' She thought glumly.

"Ms. Shiru, why didn't you let Hikari share?" a girl asked, causing Hikari to perk up slightly. Taking a quick look around the room, her gaze landed upon Yumi – a girl only a year older than her with short, scruffy brown hair and two different colored eyes.

Ms. Shiru sighed, pushing her the same strand of hair behind her hair again. "You know why, Yumi."

"Everyone knows why that bat can't participate in class like all the other children!" Ash snorted. "It's because she's –"

"That is Enough, Mr. Drake." Ms. Shiru snapped. "I will not have such teasing in my classroom. Do you hear?"

As Ash mumbled a "Yes Ma'am", Hikari rolled her eyes. 'The boy never learns, does he? A bat's blind, not –'

Her thought was interrupted by the sound of the school bell ringing.

Instantly, children began packing their school bags and checking the board for any missed homework assignments.

Gathering her things, Hikari looked up to see Ash and his two friends making their way over to her. 'oh crap . . .'

Doing her best to ignore the three five-year-old boys, She quickly walked past them and out the door.

She seriously did not feel like getting bullied today . . . Too bad fate wasn't with her luck.

***** One the bus *****

Sinking down into the leather bus seat, Hikari watched as Ash and his friend Jude, also know as Nacho, walked onto the bus. Sadly, they were also one of the few students who lived out in the country side of town.

Choosing a seat just two away from Hikari, Ash turned around and smiled at her. Next to climb on the bus was Yumi – She chose the seat right in front of her.

About seven more students climbed on, and they were off. A few of the younger kids sang "The wheels on the bus go round and round" and most of the older kids just put in some ear-buds and began listening to their i-pods.

'God, help me now.' Hikari prayed silently. 'Please . . .'

"Hey, Hikari, are you alright?" Yumi asked, prodding her in the arm. Looking up into the girl's concerned, bi-colored eyes, She chewed on her bottom lip thoughtfully. Was she okay? She didn't know. Why? Was it because of Ash and 'Nacho'? More than likely . . . but that was her problem. She really didn't know.

How to word it . . .

Yumi sighed, shaking her head. "Never-mind, You look like you don't wanna talk– ah, sorry."

Shaking her head, Hikari sighed. Shrugging, Yumi turned back around after adding, "Sorry about Ms. Shiru. You know how she is."

'How almost everyone is . . .' Hikari corrected both silently and sadly. "Hey bat!" Ash called out. "Mind telling us why you even raised your hand?"

Looking over the seat in front of her slowly, she swallowed. "Wait, man!" Nacho gasped. "She can't – remember?"

"Guys, leave her alone!" Yumi demanded. Sinking back down into the seat again, Hikari fought back a few tears.

It wasn't her fault she couldn't talk!

Yet . . . she was still teased for it. The teachers did it too – not intentionally, of course. "Hey, bat!" Nacho called. "How ya doin? Are ya up for a little idle chit-chat?"

"Dude, I don't think she has the guts to voice how she's feeling!" Ash elbowed him, and they both died laughing. She really didn't see how – it didn't even make sense. But, it still hurt.

Why? She had no clue. Stick and stones could break her bones, but words could never harm her. Physically, of course. Mentally? She'd already jumped off of a bridge in her own mind. Does that answer the question?

Of course, she'd never actually do that, because she loved her family too much. But if there was no one to keep her in check, then who knows.

Hikari blinked. 'What the heck? I'm only five . . . and my thoughts are cornered on suicide?'

Shaking her head, she frowned. No. Not gonna happen. NO.

Taking a deep breath to steady herself, she sat back up. The bus screeched to a halt to let someone off, and Yumi got up and plopped down beside her. "Guess what!"

Mentally shrugging, Hikari tilted her head curiously. "My big sister's coming home! I am sooooooooo excited!" Yumi grinned. "And she's bringing bird-brain on down with her!"

Bird-brain? Well that was kind of a harsh nick-name. "It's been forever since I've seen her!" The girl sighed happily. "You know how you were raising your hand in class? Well, that mean you have some kind of photo. Can I see it?"

Hesitantly, Hikari handed it over to the girl – with some digging through her pocket. Yumi took it carfully, taking a moment to study it. "You know, you look exactly like you mom . . . almost. You've got your dad's eyes."

She glanced from the picture to her. "She's very pretty. And your dad looks really nice."

Handing the picture back, Yumi smiled. "You look like a nice bunch."

The bus stopped again, and Yumi got up. "Bye! I'll see you tomorrow!"

Hikari nodded, watching the girl bounce outside. She watched as the girl stopped, grinned widely, and launched herself a a taller, semi-version of her self. A glimmer caught her eye, and her gaze was drawn over to a shadowed figured.

Their sword faltered somewhat, as if they were wondering if they should sheath it. She couldn't see the person's face, but she could see them smiling. That much, she did know. And then the figure was gone, For the bus had begun to move again.

~~~ Skip!

Watching red, yellow, and orange leaves drift down the path in front of her, Hikari breathe in a breath of fresh, autumn air. It had that indescribable . . . autumn scent. You know it, but you just can't describe it. Each season has its own.

Skipping the rest of the way down the path, Hikari smiled for what seemed the first time all day.

She was home.

No more bullies, no more teasing, no more names. Just home. Mother, father, and the trees. Oh, and her!

Walking into the house happily, her eyes were instantly drawn over to her Mother. The woman was busy trying to place a book on the top shelf of a bookcase.

"Welcome home honey. How was school today?" Her mother hummed, just barely able to set it in the right spot. She then turned towards her, smiling. Her mother's cross sparkled both silver and crimson in the light, and she pushed her silver-rimmed glasses up. "Not too harsh I hope."

"Is that Hikari?" She heard her dad call out from the kitchen. Her mother knelt and rubbed Hikari's nose against hers as she replied. "Yup!"

What book was that?

She signed. Her mother planted a kiss on her forehead before straightening up and glancing back at the book. "It was your great, great grandfather's. He was what some would call a half demon. He did nothing wrong, but others judged him by where his bloodline led. I think he was part of the Fox clan, but I'm not sure. It's only a couple of pictures of him and some close friends."

She rubbed the back of her head. "He died last week, and that was left for me in his will. I still don't know why. It's not like we were very close or anything."

Selena nodded, not really understanding. Her mother pushed up her glasses again.

"Go on and get some cereal, if you want." Her father stated. He walked from the kitchen and over to her mother, wrapping his arms around her waist. "Kay'era and I are going to have a talk with you." He tapped 'Kay'era' on the nose. "We have some news. Good news."

His hand slid down her mother's arm and over her stomach. Kay'era placed her hand on top his. "Very good news. And I'm sure your sister would agree too."

Nodding, Hikari bounced into the kitchen. What could the news be? They said it was good . . . maybe thy were getting a dog?

No, a puppy! They were getting a puppy! Yay! She could finally roll in the dirt with an animal that's not trying to eat ger!

Then again . . .

Nah, no puppy. Too messy. Pushing a chair up against the counter, she climbed on top and opened the cabinet. She pulled out a cereal bowl from the top shelf happily. Well, they did say her sister would agree, so – wait.

She didn't have –

A scream cut her off, causing her to drop the bowl. It shattered, and she stared at it for a second. Jumping off of the chair, she heard two loud bangs and a thud came shortly after. Another scream.

Running out of the kitchen, she stopped short in her tracks. A pool of crimson slowly began to grow at her feet as a pen lazily rolled towards her, through it. She picked it up slowly, raising her head up even slower. He father laid bleeding on the ground, dying, if not dead.

His head rolled back, and he shuddered, going completely still.

Daddy?

She had to stuff the pen in her jacket pocket to sign that. Her eyes shifted towards the left, and she quickly noted a large man holding a knife to her mother's neck, an arm wrapped around her waist. Her glasses were missing. "Let go of me!" Her mother's eyes flashed from brown to red and back. He mother looked mildly surprised. "You're wearing a charm."

"Never come unprepared to a party, Hon." The man grinned. "My boss has known of your magic for a long time. She wants you. If she doesn't get you, then you can guess what that means. You're husband certainly does."

Her eyes flickered over to Selena, and they shined with fear. But it wasn't for herself. "No. Never. I don't care what you do to me, but I won't help you – not after what happened to my husband."

The man shrugged. "It's your funeral."

Hikari barely had time to squeak before the knife dug into her mother's throat and sliced it. The man let her mother fall, and he turned to look at her, hesitantly. "I don't kill children . . ."

Shrugging, he left. "Boss ain't gonna be happy."

She ran to her mother's side, whose life was quickly rushing away with each drop of blood spilled. Her almost lifeless eyes flickered from the ceiling and to Hikari. With some effort, she reached up and unclasped the necklace around her neck – holding it out. Hikari slowly took it, her lower lip trembling. Her mother's hand fall limply onto her stomach, and she weakly smiled as she choked out, "Do not cry, for it does no good, daughter of mine. I'm really sorry to leave you like this."

She twitched once, and the life seemed to drain from her – smile in place. And, despite what her mother had said, she still cried. For her father. For her mother. For the fact that she knew no one else in this world wanted anything to do with her. She cried her little heart out until she could no more . . . and then she left.

Sorry this ones so short guys! And, I'm sorry it took all summer, but I'm here! This is Selena's Past. How she came to be, and whatnot. Sad, right? Quick few facts.

I am TOTALLY against bullying

This should never happen to anyone

If you are bullied tell an adult or someone who will lsiten, like a teacher or cop.

Anyway, I love you all! (I changed my name from Angel981)

~~~Vampire Angel