There is always the point in life where you are asked what do you want to be when you grow up? Like other kids my age I said a doctor. I wanted to help people and make the sick and weary feel well, less sick and weary. Momma said I was a gentle creature and to be careful because the world doesn't care for kindness. It didn't fall on me then that being kind would put me into situations I didn't want to be in. Besides I always had momma and poppa to protect me.
I mean if you had to be cruel and cold to the world what enjoyment would you get from it? How could anyone find happiness in such an odd path of life? It felt like maybe it was an adult thing. That was until we found Takeshi, and I firsthand that cruelty didn't spare even the children of the world. It still brings a sense of pity, remembering how he was.
"Aiko, this is the second time this week. What did that little boy do to make you act like that?" Madame Red asked holding my hand ignoring the glances he got. Madame Red stood at 6'3 and carried a lean muscle tone. He was very male, but an extremely beautiful man in my eyes. He wore a loose cream colored skirt that reached his ankles and thick woolen black top with a long plated scarf. The ground was covered in slush from the constant back in forth of people through the fallen snow. They said on the news it was going to get much colder and snow a lot more. It was why Poppa bundled me up today. "They said you couldn't be my momma. Because you and Poppa are both men." I muttered pulling my scarf down to talk.
When Madame Red sighed I looked up. There was a tired look around his eyes as he stared at me. "Aiko, you don't hit people for saying words. Especially bigger bullies. He could've done more than bloodied your nose." He said lowly picking me up so we were eye level.
"But Momma…" I began touching his cheek with my gloved hand. He simply shook his head, the auburn strands dancing around his face as his violet eyes twinkled.
"You are my kind little Aiko. Don't turn into a monster to save people. Monsters have to do what?" He asked putting his nose to mine which was hidden behind the scarf again. I pulled my scarf down again and grinned widely.
"Monsters have to hide under the bed because no one likes them. And if they come out to get me, you will beat them up." I said cheerily.
"That is right snow bunny. Let's get home, Poppa is making Butajiru." He said earning a squeal from me. Lady Shino made the best Butajiru in the world I was sure of it. And she made it just for us. The thought made me happy.
We continued on our way home discussing anything my little mind could come up with. As we passed a makeshift tent in the alley way leading to home, I expected to see a homeless man or woman. Maybe with a dog. But I was surprised to see a little boy. He looked about my age maybe older. But what caught my eye were his dull gray ones. They looked much too old to be on a child's face. Maybe he was blind. "Momma!" I gasped wiggling out of his arms and onto the floor with a crunch.
"Aiko, leave that boy alone." He warned. Upon hearing boy, he looked up and glared at us.
"We can't leave him here. It's going to storm." I said not noticing the boy's glare. Madame Red hesitated before relenting.
"Hey there little sweetie, what are you doing outside in the cold?" Madame Red said slowly approaching the child. In the meantime I had walked slowly decreasing the distance slightly between the boy and me. He continued to glare eyes going from me to Madame Red then back to me. He slowly rose and smacked his head on the sheet of metal that made the roof of his home. Naturally I was worried as he rubbed his hand on his head with a wince. He slowly crouched back down and I looked at Madame Red again, pleading. He finally sighed and made his way towards the child. I grinned turning back to him slowly before I fell to the ground with weight on top of me.
"Aiko!" Madame Red yelled as a pinch was felt by my neck. I felt the barely touched snow crunched underneath me as I stared up into those stormy grey eyes. He then looked forward at Madame Red and the pressure on my neck grew.
"Stay away from me or I promise I'll-" the boy began voice hoarse.
"You're sick, huh?" I asked gaining his attention, confusion on his face. I reached up and slowly undid my scarf watching as his eyes widened. "Momma says these things keep the sick away." I said sitting up slightly, wrapping it around his neck. His eyes were wide as whatever in his hands dropped into the snow. I twisted my head slightly to see it struggling because of the mass of clothing I wore and saw a broken shard of glass, specks of blood coating it. I followed it to his bloodied hands and gasped. A hand pulled me a little away from the boy and I watched as Madame Red dropped to her knees using the leftover napkins to dab the boys hand. Not once did the boy wince or fight back. His face looked lost and the bright innocent eyes most children are supposed to have were gone. I didn't notice that day, but Madame Red did. Like a beaten dog, is what she said.
