I wake up with my face slightly wet with the salty tears of my sorrow. I've lived my life until now, and now that I know, it shouldn't change anything, but what's changed? "Whatever, I don't care anymore..." I whispered to myself silently, knowing no one will here, but yet they all know. I grit my teeth in frustration.
A knock on my door. "Ayano, Jugo has a mission for you." Ren said. "He wants you to get ready and meet him and Kazuma in the meeting room. ''Alright." I said not making eye contact. "Ayano... Are you okay...?" Ren asked quietly. Oh right, I'm supposed to be brave. I put on my best convincing smile as I stood up. "Yeah! I'm perfect. Don't be so worried!" I said trying to sound cheerful. Though I guess he can't help but be worried after what happened to Ayami. I have him a reassuring pat on the head. Ren smiled. "I'm going to get ready now." I said as I walked into the bathroom connected to my bedroom. "Alright. I'll go tell Jugo that you're up." Ren said as he scurried out of the room.
As I got in the bathroom, I closed the door and slid of my cloths. I put the shower on hot and stepped in. After last night, a shower felt like the best thing ever. The warm, silky water, flowing down my skin like a nice blanket. It felt good.
I decided to try something I never had before. Singing. I know a few songs, so I guess I could try. I sang a note. I thought my voice would be awful, but to my surprise, it rang like a bell. I decided to sing a song I know. "Once upon a time, a place unknown, lived a boy, forgot and left all alone. No one knew what he could do, or of this fairytale. Probably since before the day I was born, call it fate, but I was drown with scorn. No one tried to be on my side so I turned the other cheek. I can't help my feeling sad, though I guess it ain't too bad. Calling from the setting sun, took my hand and flew away..." And on I sang until the hot water ran low.
When I got out, I put on a new choice of clothing, since it was summer-time, I didn't need to wear my school uniform. I put on a plain orange tank top and a pair of blue jean shorts. I looked in the mirror. I looked at my long, pink hair. It was too happy. Too unlike me. So, I decided to change it. I kept a few things of hair dye around in case I got sick of my hair, and it actually came in handy.
I rummaged through the droor until I found my hair dye. I'm going to dye my hair black. I no longer enjoy the happy shade of pink that my hair was.
I mixed the ingredients together. I had to make extra because my hair is so long. As I smudged that black through my hair, it began to darken. I did this for a few minutes until it was pure black. I let it dry, and then I put it in a ponytail.
I walked into the meeting hall. Jugo looked at me strangely. I sighed. "Yeah, so what, I dyed my hair black, and to tell the truth, I like it a lot better than before. "Very well, I won't disagree with your decision." He said. Kazuma gave me the same strange look. "Got a problem?" I asked with a slight amount of evil in my words. "Uh, no, not at all Ayano. Chill." He said. I laughed. For once he actually backed of my case.
I sat down next to Kazuma. "Alright, Jugo lay it on us, what do we have to do." Kazuma said. "Actually, it's what Ayano has to do." He said. I looked surprised at this. "Kazuma, your mission is to go check on some yoma messing around with the power in a nearby town. Ayano. Your mission is to go to the village of Mizuriyosha and go collect information about your brother, Enkai, who is supposedly still alive. While you gather info, there is a teacher there who will teach you how to use water magic and other fighting styles. His name is Raiu. Now, leave." He said. As I walked out of the room, I looked at Kazuma. "I get a mission without you? That's usual." I say to him. "Yeah, I know. What do you think the old man's planning?" Kazuma said. "I don't really give a crap as long as it's not world domination or something." I said. Kazuma ha to go on another path than I did, so we said our goodbyes and left on our mission.
It was beginning to get cold out and the sun was setting. I was half way to the village, so no point in making camp. I decided to hurry and start running in case the village has some sort of curfew. At this rate, I'll make it there in almost 20 minutes. And I was right about the curfew part.
As I reached the village, I saw the entrance being closed by what looked like two guards. "WAIT!" I yelled at them right before it closed. "Lucky girl, you made perfect timing, but I hope you can find somewhere to stay in a matter of 5 minutes, because you'll get in trouble, we have a 9:30 curfew here." One of the guards said as he let me go through. I looked him in the eye. "I think I can do that." I said unconfidently. "Wait... That face... You don't happen to be princess Ayano, do you?" The guard asked. "I've heard nothing about princess, but I'm Ayano Kannagi, yes." I said. "Then follow me," the second guard began. "Raiu has a spot for you in his house, he is waiting." The guard said as he began to walk.
There must be a strict curfew, because this place could be mistaken for a ghost town. We walked until we reached the only place with people. "I'll lead you here; this is where he'll meet you. It was a bar of some sort. I looked around to see they served food. I'm starving, so I guess I buy some dumplings with the rest of my money. I sat down at the front.
"What would you like, ma'am?" Asked the waiter. "A small platter of dumplings." I said. He brought them over. I practically choked myself eating them so fast. "Check please." I said. "You don't have to pay, that man over there did for you." The waiter said, pointing. As I glanced over, the man made a gesture for me to come over. I have a strong feeling that he's Raiu. I also have the feeling that he's a pervert. Then again, he's a guy, what should I expect. He had dark indigo hair, as well as piercing blue eyes. He was quite handsome actually.
"Hi. Um, are you Raiu?" I asked as I stood before him. "Yes. Now sit down, Ayano." His voice was very deep, but wasn't high either. As well, it had a very sarcastic tone hidden behind most his words just like Kazuma. And he didn't look old either like I expected, he looked like he was in his mid-thirties. "Now, correct me if Im wrong, but Jugo did inform you about your past, right?" asked Raiu. He was acting as though he was dearly trying to be serious though he'd rather break out in laughter. I was written all over his face. Then I remember. He was a dear friend of my family. He was almost like another father to me, and the look on his face told me he was waiting for me to realize that. I sat down and hugged him. He smiled. "Now that's the Ayano I remember!" He remarked as he gleefully hugged me back. After the little "Whoopydoo reunion'' was over, we got serious, even though we preferred not to in every way shape or form. "You realize that Im not going to go easy on you in training, right?" he asked. I nodded. "Okay, good," he began with a sudden grim look. "But first, I must tell you about someone. Akudo Mizuriyosha. Or as you may know him, Bernhardt. He is your fa-." Even though he didn't finish his sentence, I knew what he was going to say. Im the daughter of the bad guy. And as if on cue, Bernhardt walked in through the door.