In this day and age, there are many different things that trouble mankind. The demons may invade them, kill off all of their defenses, and take their prized possessions. Mankind also fears the dragons, which are much larger then them of course, will attack them someday. Mankind therefore has made a strategy. Once anything, or anyone, that is not human enters their towns, they will be killed upon sight. Oh, they don’t have to worry about an army, either. Mankind has them on their side. They have no soul. No feelings. They run about the villages and slay anything uncommon. Anything other then a human. Of course, this means the children may not have pets, and the townsfolk may not help anyone… anything… that is not like them.
Such a trouble when your child, that was born a purebred human, is a bit… different. They slay anything uncommon. Anything. Even if they are told it may be a human, a child that may be a bit different will be destroyed. Tch. Foul human beings. They use those soulless beasts against anything different, even their own children! How cruel. But I suppose it’s normal. We’re used to it, after all. We aren’t humans. They call us demons…
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“Oi, oi, Mangekyou! Wake up, you little freak!”
It’s dark. Is it night? What time is it?
“Come on already, you demon! Get up!”
Ah… I suppose it doesn’t matter, anyway... “Yeah, yeah, I’m gettin up.”
I sat up in my bed and looked around. Yep, it was night. I looked out my window briefly, before looking to see who was calling. There were about 17 people gathered outside, all holding suitcases, and bags. I looked away, thinking nothing of this. It was normal for the town. Every night some of the demons would leave, go into hiding in one of the dragon villages. I looked to see who was calling for me. I still couldn’t see straight. My vision was blurry from having just woken up. But, in any case, I could tell who was there.
“So? What is it, Haru? What business do you have with me, at this time of night?”
Standing there, next to my bed, was my wretched little sister. The little witch had tried to call those awful new guards many times, to try to get me killed! She grinned at me, and pulled a suitcase from behind her back. I stared at it blankly.
“What is it? You want me to go with those demons to a dragon village?”
“It’s not me.” She set the suitcase down next to my bed, and started towards the door. “Mother said she wanted you out was all. And this is the last day the demons are leaving the town. It’s a perfect chance for you to escape.”
I smirked and got out of bed. “Is that so? You were telling her about those guards again, weren’t you? You’ve been trying to get me out for the longest time. And you seem rather proud of yourself tonight, as well.”
“Tch.” She idly picked up a picture of her and I that was lying on my dresser. “Nothing of the sort. It really is mother’s order this time. Unfortunately.” After saying this, she ripped the picture in half, and stuffed part into her pocket. She left the room, dropping the other half of the picture in the hallway. And, I’m sure, as she left, she said ‘Run’ under her breath.
I sighed, and stood up straight. I grabbed the suitcase, and walked over to my dresser. I pulled open the top drawer, and then opened up the suitcase. I started pulling out my clothes, one thing at a time, and laying them in the suitcase. I growled. What was that girl thinking? Did she think I wanted to run away? Get away from my birth town? Hah. I’d rather stay and fight for my citizenship then run away to one of the dragon villages. The dragon villages are full of criminals and outcasts. Of course, the dragons do nothing. They let anyone into their towns and villages, because of the new guards.
But, I couldn’t help thinking, in some strange way that I was happy to leave. My mother loved me so, even though I was a demon, and she wanted me to stay with her. That lying sister of mine had to have convinced her of something. Perhaps she blackmailed her. Heh. Oh well.
I was fully packed, other then a few of my belongings I was bringing in hand. I grabbed a silk pouch that was lying on my desk and filled it with a few things. Paper, pencils, and two boxes packed with food. I also found a smaller pouch, and filled it with the rest of my money. Silk was normally made into clothing, bed sheets, or ribbons in our town, but I had found a traveling salesman when I was young and bought five silk pouches from him. At this point, I was proud of all my pouches. They weren’t thin, and easy to rip, like normal silk clothing or ribbons. It was high quality silk, said to be sold in only one dragon village, called Eienru. Quite a strange name, I’d say, but I found out later on that it came from the two words Eien and Ryuu, which mean Eternity and Dragon.
“Heyyy! Mangekyou! Aren’t you done packing yet? Jeez!”
I sighed, and took another look around the room, to make sure I hadn’t missed anything. But, of course, all that was left in the room was my bed – a mattress on the floor, my desk – a short, detailed table made from wood, and my dresser – another detailed woodwork with carvings of dragons on each side. I turned away, and without much thought, walked straight out of the room.
I walked through the hallway, past my sister’s and parents room, and down the stairs of our house. Then, I walked straight towards the door. But out of nowhere, my sister stopped me. She handed me a small wooden box, and turned to leave. I looked it over carefully, and as I opened my mouth to say thanks, I realized she was gone.
I walked to the front door, opened it up, and looked among the other so called ‘demons’. Most were children. Only one or two adults. This was common. The heartless, soulless guards – even when doing their job – would not look for their pray. Any man, woman, or child demon that was outside of their homes would be killed. If a child or adult hid, they would not search for them. This was the only act of kindness they showed to us.
I turned around, looked again for my sister in the main room, and not seeing her, turned to leave. I shut the door behind me, and didn’t look back at the house. I wouldn’t miss it. No one in the town that was called a demon missed their homes when they left. They were simply moving to a new town. And most of the demons in the town were already used to moving.
We all knew one another. No one had to be introduced. As soon as I was out of the house and with the group, we started walking. All of us were silent. Everyone seemed so serious though. I didn’t know why, they were only going to another new town. That may seem a serious matter to someone else, but here, whenever the demons go to new towns, it’s a huge celebration. They call it a townhopping party. It’s rather entertaining to watch, too. A few of the adult demons that have been around more have learned music, and learned how to dance very well, from townhopping parties. The adults bring alcohol to celebrate, and the children bring some of their best toys to share. They light up torches, and everyone is always talking and having a good time.
…What’s different now? What happened?
I didn’t ask. We continued on in silence. Perfect, unbreaking silence. I looked around. A few of the dragon children were with us. Dragon children had silver, ruby red, emerald green, pure snow white, or sapphire blue hair, and silver, ruby, or emerald eyes. They looked very elegant – dressed always in either white robes or very expensive looking silk. But that, and a few other major differences, was why they were called demons. The other differences… well, they’re the major differences between real, normal human beings. A pair of dragon’s wings on their back, as well as a tail, both the same color as their hair. And also, a pair of horns sticking out from their head.
There were also others. I, myself, was a Fox Child. A pair of fuzzy fox ears sticking out of my head, as well as a fox tail, and blood red eyes… Of course, anyone would call you a demon if you had those features. And there were very few of the fox children left in the world. The guards had eliminated most of them by now.
I tried not to think anything more of the Fox Children. I thought of how wonderful it would be, to be able to be in a town that didn’t want you dead, or treat you as a monster. At that moment, someone called to me. I blinked, and looked behind me. It was a Dragon Child named Tsubasa. When I went to ask him what he wanted, he merely told me that I was wandering off in the wrong direction. I looked a bit embarrassed, but thanked him, and we continued on our way. Our way to our real families… the village of outcasts… Barana.
Such a trouble when your child, that was born a purebred human, is a bit… different. They slay anything uncommon. Anything. Even if they are told it may be a human, a child that may be a bit different will be destroyed. Tch. Foul human beings. They use those soulless beasts against anything different, even their own children! How cruel. But I suppose it’s normal. We’re used to it, after all. We aren’t humans. They call us demons…
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“Oi, oi, Mangekyou! Wake up, you little freak!”
It’s dark. Is it night? What time is it?
“Come on already, you demon! Get up!”
Ah… I suppose it doesn’t matter, anyway... “Yeah, yeah, I’m gettin up.”
I sat up in my bed and looked around. Yep, it was night. I looked out my window briefly, before looking to see who was calling. There were about 17 people gathered outside, all holding suitcases, and bags. I looked away, thinking nothing of this. It was normal for the town. Every night some of the demons would leave, go into hiding in one of the dragon villages. I looked to see who was calling for me. I still couldn’t see straight. My vision was blurry from having just woken up. But, in any case, I could tell who was there.
“So? What is it, Haru? What business do you have with me, at this time of night?”
Standing there, next to my bed, was my wretched little sister. The little witch had tried to call those awful new guards many times, to try to get me killed! She grinned at me, and pulled a suitcase from behind her back. I stared at it blankly.
“What is it? You want me to go with those demons to a dragon village?”
“It’s not me.” She set the suitcase down next to my bed, and started towards the door. “Mother said she wanted you out was all. And this is the last day the demons are leaving the town. It’s a perfect chance for you to escape.”
I smirked and got out of bed. “Is that so? You were telling her about those guards again, weren’t you? You’ve been trying to get me out for the longest time. And you seem rather proud of yourself tonight, as well.”
“Tch.” She idly picked up a picture of her and I that was lying on my dresser. “Nothing of the sort. It really is mother’s order this time. Unfortunately.” After saying this, she ripped the picture in half, and stuffed part into her pocket. She left the room, dropping the other half of the picture in the hallway. And, I’m sure, as she left, she said ‘Run’ under her breath.
I sighed, and stood up straight. I grabbed the suitcase, and walked over to my dresser. I pulled open the top drawer, and then opened up the suitcase. I started pulling out my clothes, one thing at a time, and laying them in the suitcase. I growled. What was that girl thinking? Did she think I wanted to run away? Get away from my birth town? Hah. I’d rather stay and fight for my citizenship then run away to one of the dragon villages. The dragon villages are full of criminals and outcasts. Of course, the dragons do nothing. They let anyone into their towns and villages, because of the new guards.
But, I couldn’t help thinking, in some strange way that I was happy to leave. My mother loved me so, even though I was a demon, and she wanted me to stay with her. That lying sister of mine had to have convinced her of something. Perhaps she blackmailed her. Heh. Oh well.
I was fully packed, other then a few of my belongings I was bringing in hand. I grabbed a silk pouch that was lying on my desk and filled it with a few things. Paper, pencils, and two boxes packed with food. I also found a smaller pouch, and filled it with the rest of my money. Silk was normally made into clothing, bed sheets, or ribbons in our town, but I had found a traveling salesman when I was young and bought five silk pouches from him. At this point, I was proud of all my pouches. They weren’t thin, and easy to rip, like normal silk clothing or ribbons. It was high quality silk, said to be sold in only one dragon village, called Eienru. Quite a strange name, I’d say, but I found out later on that it came from the two words Eien and Ryuu, which mean Eternity and Dragon.
“Heyyy! Mangekyou! Aren’t you done packing yet? Jeez!”
I sighed, and took another look around the room, to make sure I hadn’t missed anything. But, of course, all that was left in the room was my bed – a mattress on the floor, my desk – a short, detailed table made from wood, and my dresser – another detailed woodwork with carvings of dragons on each side. I turned away, and without much thought, walked straight out of the room.
I walked through the hallway, past my sister’s and parents room, and down the stairs of our house. Then, I walked straight towards the door. But out of nowhere, my sister stopped me. She handed me a small wooden box, and turned to leave. I looked it over carefully, and as I opened my mouth to say thanks, I realized she was gone.
I walked to the front door, opened it up, and looked among the other so called ‘demons’. Most were children. Only one or two adults. This was common. The heartless, soulless guards – even when doing their job – would not look for their pray. Any man, woman, or child demon that was outside of their homes would be killed. If a child or adult hid, they would not search for them. This was the only act of kindness they showed to us.
I turned around, looked again for my sister in the main room, and not seeing her, turned to leave. I shut the door behind me, and didn’t look back at the house. I wouldn’t miss it. No one in the town that was called a demon missed their homes when they left. They were simply moving to a new town. And most of the demons in the town were already used to moving.
We all knew one another. No one had to be introduced. As soon as I was out of the house and with the group, we started walking. All of us were silent. Everyone seemed so serious though. I didn’t know why, they were only going to another new town. That may seem a serious matter to someone else, but here, whenever the demons go to new towns, it’s a huge celebration. They call it a townhopping party. It’s rather entertaining to watch, too. A few of the adult demons that have been around more have learned music, and learned how to dance very well, from townhopping parties. The adults bring alcohol to celebrate, and the children bring some of their best toys to share. They light up torches, and everyone is always talking and having a good time.
…What’s different now? What happened?
I didn’t ask. We continued on in silence. Perfect, unbreaking silence. I looked around. A few of the dragon children were with us. Dragon children had silver, ruby red, emerald green, pure snow white, or sapphire blue hair, and silver, ruby, or emerald eyes. They looked very elegant – dressed always in either white robes or very expensive looking silk. But that, and a few other major differences, was why they were called demons. The other differences… well, they’re the major differences between real, normal human beings. A pair of dragon’s wings on their back, as well as a tail, both the same color as their hair. And also, a pair of horns sticking out from their head.
There were also others. I, myself, was a Fox Child. A pair of fuzzy fox ears sticking out of my head, as well as a fox tail, and blood red eyes… Of course, anyone would call you a demon if you had those features. And there were very few of the fox children left in the world. The guards had eliminated most of them by now.
I tried not to think anything more of the Fox Children. I thought of how wonderful it would be, to be able to be in a town that didn’t want you dead, or treat you as a monster. At that moment, someone called to me. I blinked, and looked behind me. It was a Dragon Child named Tsubasa. When I went to ask him what he wanted, he merely told me that I was wandering off in the wrong direction. I looked a bit embarrassed, but thanked him, and we continued on our way. Our way to our real families… the village of outcasts… Barana.
