forever rough draft

I’ve always been treated different, no matter where I’ve gone. I can’t escape the fact. Other people are called different because, everyone’s different from each other, but not me. With me, it’s different. I thought others could see them too, but I guess not.

The forest of shadow loomed up around me. Light cast only glimmers of those restless spirits. Reaching out to touch one I felt an inner chill pass throughout my body. From my toes to the tips of my hair I could feel their sorrow. And then I heard it, a gun shot rang across, and I could feel the bullet pressing into me. It passed through leaving a sharp pain, that stung with and icy grip. Escaping my body and waking me up with a startle.

“Ayaka!,” a familiarly harsh voice called, “Pay attention in class! Stop daydreaming!”

“Yes Miss Hatsu,” I replied.

“Good. Now what were we just talking about?”

“I-I-I don’t know madam,” I stuttered. My cheeks burned as I heard the laughter from my peers.

“We were talking about the experiment about 300 years ago and how it’s affecting us now. Tell us.”

“Two scientists created them, one on our turf and one on the enemies. Now that everyone thinks that the immortals are extinct neither of us can experiment on them to find the old experiment that they used, and do it on more people, making themselves immortal  in the process. Lately a few architects found the site the experiments were preformed, and their formulas. This created a diversion between our cities, in turn becoming a war over the formulas. At the moment the war has slowed, which must mean that someone took the formulas and is hiding them.”

A stony silence fell over the classroom.  My cheeks burned, and my heart felt as if it were about to break through my skin and flee. Miss Hatsu looked concerned, and upset at the same time.

She sighed, and then regained her former composure. Coming up to the desk in which I was at. Then continued, glaring me in the eye.

“You are wrong. Yes they are extinct, but a while back one of them created a vexation between our two fair cities, which in turn started the war. He was killed soon after; Not at all like you just put it. You young lady need to learn better, now sit down!”

Rage growing, I slowly sat. Why couldn’t anyone else see it too? It’s not hard to see at all! Her eyes were so cold when she lectured me… Why? What is going on? Looking up, the cold dark eyes bore into me, so I turned my head out the window. There was something there.

          An essence. It was calling me, like nothing ever had before. Invisible cold fingers reached out to tell me; to warn me, but I . . . no, I didn’t listen.

Finally school ended. Most people stayed and chatted with each other, I raced for my dorms, tears clouding my green eyes.

“So, how’s it going?”

Gazing around I realized I had been surrounded. The usual routine I was hoping to avoid decided to follow me today.

“Leave me alone,” I whispered eyes facing the ground.

“I just asked how you were doing,” he said pretending to be sweet.

“Please, may I just go to my dorm?”

“No you may not.”

I sighed. Daichi looked the same as usual. Tan skin, brown hair, blue eyes, seriously I don’t get why the rest of the girls were in love with him. They seemed to think he was like a Hercules or something. Me, I would never care for someone who decided to gather his friends, and attempt to annoy a girl to death.

“What do you want of me?”

“Nothing. Just tell me who else you like,” Daichi said as he dug his foot into the ground.

“I don’t like him anymore, I thought he was nice and cute, and no one that you would know.”

“There must be somebody. Tell me. And why wouldn’t you like him anymore?”

“He wasn’t what he seemed, now let me pass,” my teeth gritted as I tried to barge my way forward, but it was blocked.

“Come on. You can tell us.”

“Why would you want to know anyway? It’s none of your business.”

“It is my business.”

“Why do you want to know?” I repeated for the question seemed to quiet him, “Please let me pass.”

He was silent.

“Let her go,” another voice echoed across the halls.

The voice belonged to a boy. Tall as Daichi, the boy, was obviously a third year and was soon to graduate. We’re first years here, in other words, not worth a thing in most third year’s eyes. So why was he getting involved in this?

“What do you mean,” Daichi asked innocently.

“Clearly you’re blocking her way, and she just asked you to let her leave,” his voice came out clearly.

“She can leave whenever she wants.”

“Fine then,” he turned toward me, ”Come on. We’re leaving”

Daichi and the others made room as I passed, and slowly headed down the white hall.

Sun filtered through the large glass stained windows, putting pictures on the white walls. Farther up the hall he stood in the large doorway. Golden glows fell upon his copper-blonde hair, which fell around his head in such a way. Warm winds played with the fabric of his un-tucked shirt. Collar gathering around his jaw made his skin darker than the pale it was. Turning towards me, I noticed his eyes for the first time. Gray-blue, they glimpsed a dream, lost from reality.

Lost in the dream, was a cry, and a laugh. Dark was the reality, full of suffering and death. A sorrow like that off a kami crept over my body. I thought I could be trapped like this forever, but then he spoke.

“Well are you coming?”

“Uh… yeah,” my voice trembled out.

The dream was gone, and all that was left in his bright eyes, was an unreadable desire. I jogged towards the doorway. Gleaming stone arched it, in a cathedral look. Armored statues glared at all. Swords raised in a threatening glance. They were all just for show though. Silent and unloving, they just stood inflicting fear into those who believed that they could actually hold a spirit, from times lost to us.

As I grew closer to the boy, he turned, and I was again, staring at his back. We walked together for some time, and then he stopped. Our footsteps echoed, and then were gone.

“This is your dorm’s hall right?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll be going now,” he paused, “Ayaka.”

He knows my name! Oh glorious day! Wait, I still have to thank him.

“Hey um… About earlier,” I started.

His hand rose to silence me, cuffs falling down, in their natural way.

“It was nothing. Farewell.”

Warm as it was, for some reason that last word pained me. Footsteps faded, as I waited. What I waited for was a mystery, but still, I waited.

Eventually, I had to move. The hall was empty, dank, and cold. Empty footsteps filled the corridors. Echoes broke of, laughing at me, and my fears. Hope was lost to me. No one believed me, but I knew this way was haunted, by a kami. He was an angry sort, one of horrible nature. I’d run into once before, but that was when I was new to this school. Normally, he would leave you alone, if you left him. Today was different though. Something was wrong.

Emerald green silk of a cape flashed before my eyes. A thick mass of black hair fell upon his head, enhancing his red eyes. A once first-year’s uniform wrapped around his scrawny beaten spirit of a body. Rips filled the cloth which wrapped around his yellowish skin.

One glance and the floating paused. Glaring down with a cruel and carefree grin he snickered. Eyes ruthlessly bore down into my skull. His snicker turned into a laugh, the laugh became cruel, and heartless.

“What is it today, Kiyoshi?”

          “I’d expect you of all people to know,” anger thundered through is normally calm voice.

          “Truthfully I don’t know what you mean? Please tell me.”

          “He’s here! You know I don’t remember anything, from when I was alive, but there he was today. Alive and standing there. One of those, who,” He looked away.

          “Wait!  Two things. First, how could he be alive?! And who, what?!”

          “Impertinence! You know perfectly well who it is!”

          “No I honestly don’t, and I don’t get what you’re saying.”

          His ghostly face was a reddish now, and he stormed, well more of floated off fast like.

Turning around I opened the door to my bedroom, and low and behold there was a face staring eye to eye at me. I squealed with a bit of fright, and she laughed. Hand on chest and panting, I looked at the blonde delight from centuries past.

She had always been beautiful, and seemed as if even age wouldn’t have taken that away from her, even though she was a kami now. Man I’m so jealous of her! I’m stuck here with this awful nose, and chubby cheeks which do not go well with my high cheek bones! While she, she had that long pretty face, small nose, thin cheeks, and wonderfully big eyes! Complete opposite of me.

Smiling, she turned towards me. I couldn’t help but smile back, and laugh myself.

“So,” she started, “What was it that boring ol’ Kiyoshi wanted?”

“I don’t know, he was really upset though. You’d think someone had shot and killed him again,” I sighed, and then stuck out my tongue and closed my eyes, “That’s to taking it all out on me.”

“Ha! Ha! Ha!” She laughed, “Does, that boy have any shred of respect?”

“Not one! Though,” I said, going into deep thought, “He said someone who was there when he died, was well here, today.”

“Not possible! That boy is too delusional!”

“True, but still, something was off. All today.”

“Oh pish posh! You’re letting  yourself listen to Kiyoshi!”

“No, I’m not!”

“Yes you are,” she teased.

“Never!”

“I bet you like him!”

“What?!”

“Sorry darling, but he died over 100 years for you. Too old!”

“Oh hush,” I said, trying to stop myself from giggling.

We both fell to the ground laughing. Shaking, but laughing. It was a far impossibility. I didn’t like anyone. Never will, for who could ever love a girl like me. Secrets hidden, and known as the girl stuck between fantancy and life itself. I sighed, that was me alright. But still his tall image kept looming into my mind. Those eyes. Those wonderful eyes. No, he wasn’t for me.

After I finished my work I headed to bed, it was almost midnight already, so I said goodnight to Fumiko, and started to get ready.

Pulling off my uniform, I slipped into my nightgown. The fabric was a bit coarse, but it fit me nicely and was comfortable enough. Slipping into the small, bed I huddled up trying to get warm. Quickly the dark of sleep over came me.

Something knocked at my back door. I tensed. Who could be there? The knock sounded again. It was just a light tapping at the back. Go away! Please Leave! I’m a nobody! Just go!

“Hey,” the sweet voice from earlier today flowed in.

No! It-it couldn’t be him! My cheeks flamed. What do you want?
“I know you can hear me, and this is probably weird, but I need to tell you something. Ayaka?”
Say something girl! Come on, he won’t bite! But how can I trust him? And Why is he here, at my back door, talking to me, at midnight? Okay, just listen to what he has to say, but don’t say anything.
The sheets rustled at my movement, and he was quiet for a minute more.
“Be careful.”
What? That’s it… No, there’s got to be more. He knows something that he’s not letting on about. I need to find out what though.
Standing up, I started to pull open the back door. It squeaked, and I flinched. Fumiko, was out at the moment, so I was fine. A wind came out of nowhere and shoved the door open. I fell back.
Beams of sunlight fell through dim room. Gathering myself up, I stepped out into a forest of wondrous things. Stepping into the light, birds from worlds I couldn’t name flew away into the light. Vines hung down around me, and at my feet was a bed of flowers without names.
“Wha…”
Standing up, from beside a tree, he laughed at my schocked expression. The breeze played with his hair as he started to speak. []
“You came,” his smile was kindly and playful, “Just like we knew you would.”
“What? We?”
“Yes, we knew.”
“Who’s we?” I asked, but I already had a feeling I knew.
“The immortals. living ghosts, lost in a world full of change.”
“You-you’re an an…” Even though I knew before he had told, still it shocked me. This proved so much for me. How though, how could he be registered in this school? Wouldn’t they have found him out?
He laughed a regular human laugh.
“Course not! Why would I be helping them if I was. I only came here to,” he paused.
“To what?”
A thoughtful expression climbed over his laughing smile, and he breathed in deeply. Turning away from me, a ridiculous thought came to me. I wanted to make him laugh again. Relieving any troubles and putting that warm smile back on his face.
“Tomorrow,” he calmly continued,” be careful.”
“Okay,” I wanted to say more, tell him it all. My mind disagreed with me, on the other hand, and refused to give me those words to say.
“You should go. It’s almost sunrise, and then they will come here. Oh, and don’t tell Fumiko, about me, and this.”
“Huh,” I was too stunned to speak, but I nodded just the same.
“Good,” he sighed with relief, I was afraid you might, “I mean how could I girl like you keep a good secret,” he said and fell on his back smirking up at me.”
“What?!” I screeched.
“Yeah, if I don’t make you promise, you might tell the whole school,” he said looking at the sunrise.
“Would not!”
“You probably would.”
Inside I wanted to strangle him, and at the same time, I didn’t. Taking all my courage I stomped back into my room, and slammed the door behind me. Oh! He made me so mad!
At first he seemed so nice! Ugh! It’s like he was a different person at dawn than he was at sunset. Maybe. Just maybe that was true. He could be one of the night. Like in those stories I’ve heard, he wasn’t an immortal, so he had to be. Obviously he wasn’t human. Unless, he was like me.
This is all too confusing, I’d best be back to bed.
Ding Dong!
“Ah,” I screamed.
Oh no! It was past 6! Crud! Throwing on my school gown, I quickly brushed through my tangled hair, and grabbed up my school books. Being already late, I knew I was going to be in detention no matter what, but still I ran. Little did I know that that little mistake of being late was designed to happen.
My knees weakened as I reached the door. Exhausted overwhelmed my body.
Fingers clutched notebooks, as I skidded to a stop. Breath fell out without rhythm. My heart beat, and my head spun. My teacher yelled something and then grabbed me by the arm. Something was definitely wrong with me. I had raced down the school, but that wasn’t enough to make me feel like this.
As I opened my eyes, white silk brushed my lashes. Blue eyes, stared far off. A dark shadow, covered her face, increasing the shadows in her eyes. Broken beads rolled across the marble floor. Stopping, and then being brushed again by the white terrain. Sounds of swords clashing echoed across the hall, and then she turned toward me. Two topaz’s bore into me, and then it was gone.
I was crumpled on the floor, dazed. Classmates were surrounding. Horrified expressions, turned into almost joy, in knowing that they had not just witness the death of a peer.
Daichi looked almost relieved, surprisingly. Those whom I’d thought were cruel or unkind, embraced my stony body. I then realized that I was not alone as I had thought, and I was glad.
Ka-boom!
Ripples of the explosion echoed across the school. Blazing clouds full of dust filled the halls, as shrill screams filled the air. The sirens rang deafening those within and without the walls. Students and teachers alike raced outside. I lay stuck on the floor. Finally, the panic rushed through my system, helping me to my feet.
The room was void of life, and so were the halls. Smoke clouded my way, as I attempted to scramble out of the school.
Crossroads of hall came slowly. They seemed to inch towards me, and I gasped. My lungs were filled with a thick black smoke, of fire. Sweat drenched my heated skin. A faint feeling overcame my body, and then I couldn’t breathe. Falling to the floor, I clutched my head in panic. Gasping I tried to stand, and stumbled over to the wall.
Hands gently, but with strength clasped my hands and pulled me towards the smoky figure. The cloth from a tie was placed, acting as a clearer.
“Can you walk,” Ayuma asked.
My mind and words claimed I could, but my body disagreed. Straightening up I lifted my head, and took a few measly steps onward, before I plunged forward. He caught me in midair. Then pulling my around to his side forced me to lean on him for support. Partially dragging me along, he charged for the exit, as another bong went off, this time closer.
It was clouded and hard to see, yet he somehow he knew the way. There loomed the back door. Hand gripped the handle, it was locked. I gasped losing all breath I had just gained. Never before was this backdoor locked, it was always open at any time. From the corner of my eye I could see that Ayuma was not fazed, instead he looked annoyed, and expectant of this. Gently he set me against a wall and then charged the door. It burst open from the force causing him to fall outside.
Grappling to my feet, I rushed out. Cool air brushed against my skin, wiping the perspiration away. Just for a moment I fell to the grass and lay there, for just a minute. My eyes closed as I let the welcome feelings of the outdoors race over me.
A shadow came over the sun. Lifting one eyelid, I squealed, Jumping -backwards. There was Ayuma¬¬¬’s face blotchy with ashes.
“Ah,” he started, “you’re awake. Good now go join your class, I’m ditching.”
“Wait a second,” I started, “Ayuma!”
“What,” he started in an annoyed tone.
“D-did you set off the bombs?”
“Maybe, maybe not. Depends on what you think.”
“Never mind, but thank you, for saving my life.”
“It was nothing, now if you don’t mind,” he said brushing himself off, “I’ll be off.”
He started to head toward the pine woods. Dark shadows loomed up from the trees. Always they had intimidated me, and kept me from running away from this awful school.
“Ayumu, where are you going,” I called after him, standing up, “Are you coming back?!”
He turned back to look at me, the wind blew the ashes mostly off his face and hair. His eyes were calm, like a clouded sky.
“I won’t come back.”
My words were dry, and it felt like I was back in the burning school again. For just some reason, I just could accept him leaving, it wasn’t right. Somehow it just seemed wrong.
“Why,” I choked out.
“They’ll be searching for me,” he lifted his hand and tilted his head and smiled saying, “Take care.”
“G-goodbye,” I stammered.
As he walked off his shirt whipped around in the wind, jacket torn and ashy, hair showed copper strips covered in ash. Then he had vanished in into the woods. All I could do was stand there or a minute.
Come on legs move, mouth call out his name. I needed to say something! He can’t just be gone, we just met! What should I do?! I need to do something!? I-I’ll follow him! Yes!
Gathering up my courage, I took a step forward and started towards the woods. Closer and closer I came to the dark shadows. Haunting feelings and losing hope, I could not fathom what I will find as I take a few more steps.
My heart hammered. Fear started to overcome my body, the nearer I got. Just seconds away from entering, I stopped, my legs froze. Thoughts of certain death, and tragedy ruled my mind. Desire told me to move onward, knowledge made me rethink. Feeling as though time was stopped I tried to decide. Somewhere behind me, I could hear panic, as the building collapsed. Before me sounds of snaps and rustles of branches as unknown creatures moved around.
If I went back, they’d be sure to question me, but if I moved onward, I faced the danger of the unknown. But, Ayuma, he was in there. What would he think? What would he say? There was something he knew about me that I didn’t, and I need to know what.
Thinking of this, I took those few steps into the shadows of wilderness.

Pines loomed above my head, and seemed to overwhelm the sky. Squeals, and screeches from birds echoed, ringing in my ears. Dancing shadows played across the forest floor. Small rays of light cracked through the new leaves. A minute passed without my movement, taking in the surrounding terrain.
Where am I? What’s going… Ayuma! Where’d he go?
Hidden but there, I found a small path. Footprints followed that path, so I decided to take my chances. If he was down this road, I scored, if not, then who will I find?
Maybe, it would lead to shelter, that would be nice, but I doubted in this place. The more I thought the more I wondered, until I could not see the place where I’d started. This unnerved me seeing as far into the forest I was. Denser the tress got, creating more shadows lurking behind every corner. Creatures of every kind, hid behind bushes.
A twig snapped from somewhere ahead of me. Immense fear rushed through my body, and I stood still. Pale and chilled I moved not a muscle. It could either be a creature, or a human. Then from behind came a shrill screech.
Not knowing what it was, I dashed. Loudly leaves crunched, and twig snapped beneath my feet. Bitter wind blew me onward, increasing my fear of what was behind. Never would I have imagined what I would find.
As I dashed onward I could make out voices. Closer I moved towards them, till I could see their shadows against the trees. Slowly I came to a stop behind a thick pine. Among the voices I could pull out Ayuma’s. Immediately I knew I’d come to the right place. One question remained, who were the others and what were they all talking about? I tuned in my ears to their conversation.
“Ah. The bombs, worked I take it,” said one of them.
“Yes, but, we ran into trouble along the way,” said a second.
“Ayuma, was too soft, and didn’t set them off all at once,” said a third.
So he was involved! But why would he do it?
“Oh he didn’t, did he! Why Ayuma?,” said an obvious girls voice.
“Tell us,” demanded the first.
There was a pause, for a minute, and Ayma cleared his throat.
“I didn’t do it, because most of the people there are students, and don’t deserve to die or be seriously injured,” Ayuma started, “We can’t let innocent people die on the account of us living! On the other hand, they may have most of the formula, but we have the other part! “
“Well, well,” the girl said.
“On to the other matter,” the second started, “The girl.”
“What about the girl,” asked the first voice.
“They have her in their hands,” he continued, “She has more knowledge about us, than even she knows; we have to do something about her!”
“She’ll be fine,” said the girl, “As long as she doesn’t know about us, they shouldn’t harm her.”
“We can’t be sure of that! She wouldn’t tell even if she did know,“ Ayuma broke in, “If she dies than what’s the point?! We have to make sure she’s okay!”
Ayuma…
Giggling erupted from the girl.
“Could you all not tell,” she gasped between laughs, “She’s behind that tree.”
Not knowing what to do I stood still. A tall, thickly built man with long black hair came up behind the tree.
“So, Rini wasn’t lying,” he was the one who owned the second voice, deep and booming, “Come on out, we probably won’t hurt you.”
Not much reassured I stepped out, and came forward followed by the big man. My eyes scanned the four, no five, one hadn’t talked at all during their conversation.
The girl was small, 5 ft (one inch below my height) and had short, thick, red hair, her eyes were hazel, and she had on a playful smile that suited her well. Also a younger boy stood by her side, he stood a little taller than her, and was obviously her brother, except his hair was brown.
Next to him, stood a tall boy, who looked to be about Ayuma’s age, his hair was a silver white, tan skin, and had quite a handsome looking face. His eyes were a shining green, which burned with anticipation. Looking hopeless, and a little upset, also blushing, stood Ayuma, Copper gold locks, mixed with ash. His face was smeared with filth and grime. I giggled a bit seeing him look so flustered, it was kind of attractive in a way.
“Welcome,” said the young boy, he owned the first voice I’d heard, “I’m -Akira, and this is my sister Rini.”
“Nice ta meet you,” she said.
“I’m Hiroki,” said the tall man.
“My name is Masato,” said the unspoken, his voice was deep but calming, “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
He took my hand and kissed it, Ayuma, did not look happy.
“The pleasure’s mine,” I stammered.
“And of course you already know Ayuma,” Rini jumped in.
“Good to see you again,” he said running a hand through his hair.
“Well now that that’s over, what’s your name?” Akira asked.
“I-I’m Ayaka.”
“Nice to meet you Ayaka!” Akira was very kind apparently.
“So who are,” I started.
A loud yell sounded across the forest. Masato grabbed my hand, and pulled me through the path of green. All the others had scattered as well. Rini and Akira were a ways off to the left of us, and Ayuma and Hiroki were to the other side.
I kept looking at Ayuma, but he kept looking away. I gazed back at Masato, he was so gentlemanly, and just plain cool. He was so relaxed and calm. Not at all like Ayuma.
We made a sharp left and I lost my train of thought.
Where are we going?
Masato stopped, and looked back. No sound came from over there. The others joined us. Rini was out of breath, and so was I. It was kind of embarrassing in a way.