Chee-fu's Story

Those majestic purple irises are what entranced me ever since I can remember... [[Reminiscing]]

Her forehead pressing up against my neck is one of the sweetest things I've experienced in life. Her name is [[Haya]], and if it wasn't for our strong bond I would probably see our world in a different [[light]]. [[One normal day]]

Although Haya was just a bit smaller than me, she could still overpower me every time we would play fight. Her sharp claws feel like a needle when she jabs my sides. But [[she]] also kneads my back, and it feels so good!

I still remember the bells ringing, even though we were playing a little far away from our homes. We weren't sure if we were supposed to run home, or stay hidden in the bushes of the field. [[Going Home]] [[Stay Hidden]]

Eventually, we headed home, and heard people whisper to each other about the assassination of the elders. I grew scared, but Haya held my hand. We didn't say a word and walked quickly, but quietly to my house. My parents quickly came to the door when we knocked, and told us to be calm. “I need you to promise not to put yourself in any danger or suspicion”, my father said. I didn't know what to say or what to do. All I could do was huddle with Haya and my mother. I couldn't imagine at the time the great amount of tension between people after the head council was assassinated. Our district leader spat out that a magic user was behind it all. Other town's folk were convinced that it was Foxes who were guilty. Foxes were calling for an investigation of the Felines, since they believed a conspiracy was in the works. Haya’s parents came to our house, and expressed concern over my friendship with Swift. Haya’s mother with an uneasy voice said, “it’s probably better for now that you two don’t play together… until things settle down..." [[Tearing up]]

Haya is virtually the perfect predator at night. Although I could smell her, and hear her coming, it would definitely be too late to spot her if she were to pounce me! The only parts of her body what aren't black are her small tummy, and her eyes. She conceils her stomach all the time, and that's the way it should be since she considers it her vulnerable spot. What I find amusing about Haya is that she wears black clothes all the time... as if she wasn't difficult to see already!! She likes to wear a headpiece to conceal her ears, too. She also wears an [[amulet]] around her neck...

Growing up in [[Aiga]] we were taught from very early on that the most important thing in life was to care for the well-being of others as much as your own. Our city was built on the mindset of helping our neighbors strive and live good lives.

Aiga has existed for a century now, and it is said Aiga is unlike any other city in the world. The reason the city is much more isolated than the rest other cities is because of its progressive policies. People never thought [[Felines]], [[Foxes]], and [[Humans]] would work together to create a new nation without fear of the other.

The first Felines of Aiga were interested in joining the Humans and Foxes for better security. Although Felines were very much predatory, they came to the conclusion that their race would not last if they were so solitary, and risked their lives every day just to [[survive]].

My parents came from a tribe near the western peninsula of this land. The tribe was only a dozen or so in numbers, and my parents decided it would be a better idea to immigrate to Aiga, and ensure a safe place for me to live. The tribe leader was against intermingling with other races, and wanted to keep it that way. He felt that our //Kazo// was too precious to mix with others, and felt that our way of life was enough for us to be happy. [[Shinku]]

The few major cities of the land are run by Humans, for humans. These cities have existed for hundreds of years, and apart from Aiga, all have a royal family ruling the people. My parents have never critisized these kings. I also don't think badly of them, yet I hope one day they will understand what it means to have different //[[Zoku]]// in their kingdom.

The Felines of the realm were nomads. They didn't have a home to turn to in case they were in danger, and could not turn to the Foxes or Humans for support. Felines are very distrusful as it is very instinctual for them to survive without the help of others. Although Felines were better equipped to defend themselves than Humans and Foxes, they were outnumbered compared to the vast groups of beasts who roamed the [[plains outside of Aiga]].

If it wasn't desert tarantulas, zooming falcons, or other bigger creatures, the areas outside of Aiga wouldn't be so scary. The Foxes and Felines aren't into so much danger since they're more used to combat action, but they still avoid these wild beasts. Both Felines and Foxes realized strength in numbers would help them survive easier, so this starts a truce between them and humans to create Aiga. The reason behind the location of Aiga is because it is in the middle of a few important places on Horizon. The mountains are near the city, with mines containing valuable ores and minerals. The sea is near, so there are resources for fishing. There are also oases around Aiga, making it a good place to settle. Basically, the city of Aiga is a convenient location for the resources. [[survive]]

My parents have also talked about the Shinku tribe, which is supposed to be the largest Fox tribe. The Foxes of this tribe typically have a crimson coat of fur, and even red eyes. I think I'd be scared to stare into any Shinku Fox's eyes! [[Reminiscing]]

I don't know if it's common among other Fox tribes, but my parents taught me the word //Zoku// as meaning clan. I think that what was intriguing about Aiga for my parents at first was the cooperation between the different //Zoku//. [[Reminiscing]]

We Foxes have a very acute memory from a very early age. I still remember meeting Haya, although I was only about a year old. I had an amulet from even before I remember. My father told me the tribe's elder had given him the amulet when he was young, and he gave it to me when he thought I was old enough to wear it. When I was walking with my parents around town one day I was playing with the amulet, and in my stupidity dropped it into a well. I was pretty hopeless as I had been attached to it by then, but then I saw something jump down into the well. It startled me and I fell on my tail. About 5 seconds later, the black shadow came up from the well at lightning speed. I was literally scared to death... She sort of just stood there and looked at me for a bit. My parents didn't say anything, either. Haya said her first [[word]] to me after about 20 seconds...

"Um... ", Haya said. Then she held out her paw with my amulet. I didn't know what to do, so I just looked up at my parents. "Why don't you say thank you, son?" my mother said while smiling at me. Taking a big gulp, I reached out to grab my amulet while looking at Haya's paw, trembling... Then I caught a glimpse of her [[eyes]] ...

Haya's eyes entranced me... I couldn't move or say anything. She then quickly put the amulet back around my neck. "I have to go now...", Haya told my parents. She then disappeared. My father bopped my head. "Son... you should've at least said thanks..." I let out a small "Ow". "Sho-ji, I think your son is... just surprised by that Feline girl..." mother said, with her eyes looking up to the sky. "Yeah... I was just surprised dad..." I said in a laughing manner. Eventually... I met Haya once again, and we started to play together, and become friends. [[One normal day]]

Haya’s purple eyes were tearing up, and I couldn’t do anything about it except put my head against hers. The culprits were free from any angst, and we were stuck dealing with the consequences, although we never hurt anyone. [[Time passed]]

For the next few years we couldn’t play with each other out in the open for fear of being harshly scrutinized by the townsfolk. I was both angry, and incredibly confused by the constant hostility of the people I knew in town. The human butcher was always friendly and inviting, but then it seemed like he was pushing people out of his store after they made their bought their meat. This unfriendliness divided the people of Aiga. A city which was built by the people, and for the people. A concept that became shattered by unknown users of //maho//. My father says only a few people in the world can use //maho//, and from those people, only a handful are in Aiga. The fact that they were so mysterious is probably the cause of such fear… fear to even speak of //maho//. [[We were at my house one day]]

One day while my parents were away, I was taking the day off from working on the crops outside of the city. I had Haya come over so we could spend the day together. “Hey! Can I see what your dad’s study looks like?”, Haya said, almost jokingly. “You know my parents are kind of secretive Haya…”, I answered. [[Take Haya to my dad's study]] [[I don't think that's a good idea]]

“But, since it’s you, I don’t think they’ll mind if I show you around a bit”. We quickly, or should I say swiftly went into my father’s study. I guess we felt so confined we needed to do some exploring. I sniffed around, and was bothered by the fact that I couldn’t actually smell anything interesting. There was a mess on the desk, which I also found odd. I thought my father liked having everything in place. “Let’s see if we can find a good book to skim over…”, I said to Haya. [[Books]]

"Maybe next time, when my parents are home... let's go outside instead!" I confidently said to Haya. "You wanna go to that creek near our meeting place?" "Sure... where we were scared by the loud city bells right??.." Haya answered, almost bleakly. "Haha... well you don't have to come if you don't wanna. I'm gonna go over there and just skip some rocks on the water for a bit. I'll see you later ok." I scratched Haya's ear before heading to the creek. [[Skipping Rocks]]

We looked for anything interesting to fill our minds. There were books on the [[agriculture]], the religion of [[Aironi]], the history of the humans, felines, and foxes throughout the land of [[Horizon]], the political structure of Aiga, and general information on the only other city close to ours, [[Nebula]].

Humans have long since been masters at working the soil, cross-breeding different plants, and feeding a lot of people. In other Human governed cities they thrive on the amount of produce they make. The threat of Felines or Foxes attacking their farmlands is very improbable since the number of Humans would be difficult to counter. [[Books]]

“Isn’t it funny how the folks who diss Aironi are sometimes the ones who are more hostile?? Haha!”, said Haya. “Or how people seemed to have completely changed their attitudes towards each other following the death of the council…”, I answered solemnly. Haya pulled my furry tail gently. “Don’t be so dramatic… we’re still able to see each other regularly. At least it didn’t start a civil war in the city”, reassured Haya. [[Books]]

I learned about the great lengths the people of Nebula went through to keep the peace and order in their nation. Nebula has been ruled by humans for hundreds of years. It’s royal family is said to have been supported by //maho// users by the creation of fountains of youth. The liquid from these gave the royal family unnaturally long lives. At the time there were apparently more //maho// users, and they were more open to sharing their abilities. When the royal family decided to step up on their authoritative position, their ties with //maho// users came to a public end. The //maho// used to sustain the fountains left along with the //maho// users who knew how to create them. “I don’t understand how the people of Nebula can still live there when the King rules them like if everyone belonged to him..”, I expressed bewildered. “The people obviously don’t have a choice of where to live their lives, Chee-fu”, Haya told me. “Think about it, people were born in the middle of oppression by the powerful, and they probably think of it as being normal. If there was something they could do, they probably would…” [[Books]] [[Put book back]]

Horizon was the mass of land we lived on. Foxes were said to have come from islands off the peninsula, while Felines came from a different continent. Humans have existed on Horizon for as long as anyone can recall. [[Books]]

I thought about what Haya told me for a while, and she sat on the floor in silence. I feared that what happened in Nebula would happen here, but I didn’t want her to be worried. I stood up, went to the bookcase and placed the book on Nebula back. Noticing an indent on the wall, I felt around this space out of suspicion. Haya was looking at me intently, like if I had just discovered a marvelous pot of gold. I finally managed to lift a small rod-like lever. We heard crumbling, and small shakes beneath our feet. A part of the floor on the corner of the room wasn’t there anymore. We saw stairs leading down. I was excited, but hesitant about heading into the darkness. “Let’s just leave this place, Chee-fu… I don’t think your parents will let me back into your house if they find out I was here..”, Haya said, with her eyes downcast. [[Let's forget about this place then...]] [[No, I need to see what's down there]]

"Let’s forget about this… I would rather just deal with my parents finding out we opened this than dealing with any horrors down there!" I told Haya. I quickly took her out of my father’s study, and shut the door… and made sure the door was closed afterwards... almost obsessively... We waited on our kitchen table anxiously for my parents to arrive... and it felt like an eternity... Until we heard footsteps at the door, then we stood up and Swift stood by me. My parents opened the door, while talking to each other, but I was too anxious to pay attention to what they were saying, and I immediately tried to grab their attention. "Father... I went into your..." "I don't want to know what you did, son.. I'll find out sooner or later", he interrupted. I felt horrible for dragging my best friend into this scary situation. Haya ran back to her house. I thought my parents would give me a stern talking to soon, but that moment didn't come. I grew sort of suspicious of my parents. I thought about what else they might be hiding. I was bewildered by these thoughts. My chest burned from keeping these negative feelings inside. [[Going to the creek]]

I looked at Haya’s eyes and said, “if we just leave this, it will probably make my parents worry even more. I think we should just check out what’s down there. I’ve already grown suspicious of what this could mean, Haya”. I cautiously walked to the door and made sure no one else was around. I closed the door and grabbed the lantern from the study. I held Haya’s hand going down the stairs. The stairs weren’t made from the same rocky material as the rest of our house. They also spiraled further down. I walked slowly, while Haya guided me, as she had better eyesight down there. We reached the floor of the chamber, and I felt my throat congest so much I felt like wheezing. [[Downstairs]]

“I knew we shouldn’t have come down…”, Haya contemplated out loud. She gripped my hand so tight it almost cracked my fingers. I stood in awe at the sight of dozens of charms, curious wooden trinkets, clay statues resembling creatures, and grimoires made from shining feathers. I was about to lift a grimoire that read “//**From Here To There... In An Instant**//” when a hand is placed on my shoulder. I gasped and saw my father, almost staring into my soul. I couldn’t look away. “Son… what are you doing here?? I told you never to find yourself in a situation where you might get into trouble…”, father said in a cold tone. “Why didn’t you stop him from coming down here Haya??” [[Defend Haya]] [[Stay Quiet]]

"Don't yell at her dad!! You know it's not her fault! I kinda forced her to follow me down here..." I confessed to my father. I felt smaller when I said that to my father, but I felt Haya smiling at me. Father sighed. "Chee-fu, you know you shouldn't put yourself or Haya in any danger. You should both forget about whatever it is you saw. Please kids". We both nodded without saying anything. "You know how dangerous it is right now with the stigma surrounding us, and mysterious forces...”, mother said. I felt horrible for dragging my best friend into this scary situation. My parents, and I took Haya to her house. Her parents didn’t seem too worried that we had all been there at the same time, so I grew suspicious of my parents. I thought about the ways in which my parents might influence their minds. What if they had done that to me at some point? I was bewildered by these thoughts. What if my parents were found out sooner or later? My chest burned from keeping these negative feelings inside. [[A few days later]]

“I tried sir… please don’t pull us apart!! We already feel so fearful being together outside our homes!”, cried Haya. “Okay now, we understand”, said mother. “The only thing we’re going to do is never speak about this. You know how dangerous it is right now with the stigma surrounding us”. I felt horrible for dragging my best friend into this scary situation. My parents, and I took Haya to her house. Her parents didn’t seem too worried that we had all been there at the same time, so I grew suspicious of my parents. I thought about the ways in which my parents might influence their minds. What if they had done that to me at some point? I was bewildered by these thoughts. What if my parents were found out sooner or later? My chest burned from keeping these negative feelings inside. [[A few days later]]

A few days passed… I didn’t try to contact Haya. Since I found out my parents were //maho// users, I felt like I was part of the problem surrounding Aiga. I felt like a burden on Haya. I left my house one day to find somewhere to think peacefully about my situation. I didn’t tell my parents where I was going, and I didn’t seek out Haya... I found myself at a creek near the place where I heard the bells ring with Haya when we were little cubs. I threw rocks down at the fish for what seemed like hours. I looked up at the sky, but didn’t see any stars that night. The sky was clear, and emanated an almost violet hue. [[Mystery Zoku]]

My fur felt like it was spiking up, all the way from head to tail. I couldn't see anymore fish swimming so I was about to go back home, when I saw a strange shadow in the water. Indeed, it was a person coming from the water. I fell back and hit my head on a rock, which almost caused me to pass out. The ominous looking being was veiled, and didn’t speak to me, or even look at me. I couldn't see their eyes, and I don’t think I wanted to. It looked human, but I was even unsure of that. The strangest thing was that they came out of the water totally dry. At that moment, I heard someone coming. Haya and my parents were running to me. I stood up and ran to them, and then I felt it… a paralyzing shock impacted my back. I fell face down on the dirt, and my mother immediately came to my side and placed her hands on me. My father ran in between us and the dark magic user. “I know you’ve been looking for the rest of our order... but you will not harm my son anymore...”, my father said in a grim voice. [[Father fights]]

Another electric burst came from the unknown being, but it was deflected from us and went upward, giving the impression of a lightning bolt. My father started chanting, in an unknown tongue, and the ground beneath was shining. I thought I was dreaming, or perhaps already dead. “My love, please take care of the children… if you don’t escape now they will have all of us in their grasp!!”, my father screamed. I felt my heart drop a thousand miles when I heard him. Then, I couldn’t see anything, or in fact hear anything. The next time I opened my eyes, I felt like I had just woken up after days. I was in a bed in what appeared to be a cottage. Haya was right next to me, and held my hand. [[Awakening 2]]

“Hey… don’t get up yet. You should stay there and rest…” she said quietly, but affectionately. “Your mother's outside… I’ll call her for you”. A few minutes later, my mom came inside the cottage and placed her hand on my face. I felt a deep unnatural warmth coming from her hands. “You’ll be alright son… I’ll do whatever I can to protect you and Haya”, she said reassuringly. “Your father didn’t want to take any chances that you or Swift would be captured by the other magic users. All he could do was teleport us to another place far from Aiga”. “But mother… what’s going to happen to father!??”, I asked mom, suffering greatly by my dad's decision. “There’s nothing we can do right now son… even I don’t know what has happened to your father for now… the only thing we can do is wait for a sign that he is okay…” mother answered, barely keeping the tears from seeping from her eyes. [[The Present]]

I immediately thought about looking for my father, but I didn’t even know where we were. Haya was looking at me with her majestic eyes, hoping to find a hint of courage within me to strengthen her own. This all happened a year ago. Now that we are at what seems like the edge of the world, I feel so far away from my old life that it almost feels like I’m on a different planet. But I guess the world is that big. I hang on to the hope that my father escaped Aiga, and that he finds us or we find him. For now, we can only keep moving and find a town where we might call home for now. The mysterious has definitely changed our lives, but I will not let it consume us.

We waited in the bushes for a while, until I heard a cluster of footsteps coming from behind us. It was too late for us to run away, and a group of Foxes were walking toward us... They did not look friendly. The Fox ahead of the group approached us. "Hey!! What are you two doing together!?!" he yelled at us. "Don't you know it's dangerous to be with other races?? Especially when they go around killing members of the government??" [[Answer back like the courageous Fox that I am!!]] [[Stand my ground... on the ground...]]

"How do you now know so much about that?" I asked sneeringly. I thought about what my parents had taught me. Different races coming together in this city to defy mentalities that manipulate other city's inhabitants. "I don't have to know, naive little Fox! A peaceful city never lasts, especially when run by peaceful means! This day has made it all too clear", he answered confidently. "You would be wise to steer clear of others from now on brave little Fox!" he warned me, then walked away with his gang. One of the others in his mob looked at us, with eyes as crazy as a desert tarantula's. I was shocked and said, "Let's go home now Haya. I got a bad feeling about that one..." So we left as fast as our legs could go. [[Going Home]]

I couldn't answer back... I wanted to ask who did it, and for what reason, but I was taken aback. I was still squatting, and then I looked down at the floor. Suddenly, Haya stood up and stomped her foot. "You shouldn't tell us who we can play with! Everyone is free to be with whoever they want to be with!" Now the angry Fox was taken aback, as he probably didn't expect such a small, and seemingly harmless black ball of fur to answer back like that. I stood up and grabbed Haya's hand. Her eyes were glowing, while she stared //down// the mob of Foxes. I felt stronger just by looking at her. Suddenly, one of the Foxes in the back threw a rock at us, yelling, "it's one of those Felines that did it!! They've been scheaming their plan for a while now!!". I really wanted to run up to that guy and bite his ankle! [[Run to the Fox and bite his ankle]] [[Hold back my emotions...]]

I got a good bite into his hairy leg, and it felt good! "Damn you little Fox!! Get off of me!" he screamed. I felt his hand clobbering my head, but I didn't care. I wanted him to feel pain for accusing my friend for the death of government officials. At that moment, I saw a shadow zip towards us... it was Haya who pounced on the angry Fox's face and scratched his face. "AAAAAHHH YOU LITTLE..." he screamed while covering his face with his hands. I let go of his ankle, and made a run for it with Haya, hoping to find someone to help us. I didn't want to run home... I didn't want my parents to find out what we had done! We finally saw a group of guards while passing the town square... [[Guards]]

“But since we don’t know what happened, we’ll let you all off with a warning. Now go home children. Today is not a day you should be outside playing.” We started to walk away from all the adults...then we walked faster, and faster. The angry mob was still behind us, but thankfully we reached my house in time. Mom and Dad quickly opened the door when I knocked, and we hurried inside. My parents told us to be calm. “I need you to promise not to put yourself in any danger or suspicion”, my father said. I didn't know what to say or what to do. All I could do was huddle with Haya and my mother. I couldn't imagine at the time the great amount of tension between people after the head council was assassinated. Our district leader spat out that a //maho// user was behind it all. Other town's folk were convinced that it was Foxes who were guilty. Foxes were calling for an investigation of the Felines, since they believed a conspiracy was in the works. Haya’s parents came to our house, and expressed concern over my friendship with Haya. Haya’s mother with an uneasy voice said, “it’s probably better for now that you two don’t play together… until things settle down..." [[Tearing up]]

The guards see us and begin to walk hastily toward us. The angry mob catches up soon. The Officer asks what the problem is. "s'cuse me guards, but those two assaulted us! Look at my friend's leg and face!" The officer inspected the injuries then said, "was this attack insinuated by any chance? It's hard to believe these kids would randomly assault someone without reason." [[Speak up damn it!!!]] [[Let the grown ups hash this out on their own]]

“Officer, we were outside on the plains when this group of Foxes condemned my friend for the assassinations!!” I said gravely. “This sounds like a problem to me Foxes. There hasn't been anyone brought to court for the crimes committed today! We'll consider this a warning if you just walk away!!” said the Officer. “I don't think so Felines! We know your kind would prefer to keep us all under your ‘protection’ to later subdue us!!” said the Fox leader. At this point I thought about just running home to our houses should both groups get into a brawl. [[I want to see how this turns out]] [[Let's run for it Haya!!]]

“But since we don’t know what happened, we’ll let you all off with a warning. No go to your home children. Today is not a day you should be outside playing.” We started to walk away from all the adults...then we walked faster, and faster. The angry mob was still behind us, but thankfully we reached my house in time. Mom and Dad quickly opened the door when I knocked, and we hurried inside. My parents told us to be calm. “I need you to promise not to put yourself in any danger or suspicion”, my father said. I didn't know what to say or what to do. All I could do was huddle with Haya and my mother. I couldn't imagine at the time the great amount of tension between everyone after the head council was assassinated. Our district leader spat out that a //maho// user was behind it all. Other town's folk were convinced that it was Foxes who were guilty. Foxes were calling for an investigation of the Felines, since they believed a conspiracy was in the works. Haya’s parents came to our house, and expressed concern over my friendship with Swift. Haya’s mother with an uneasy voice said, “it’s probably better for now that you two don’t play together… until things settle down..." [[Tearing up]]

“You're under arrest Foxes, for false accusations against other races!!” The Felines had beating clubs with them but it was difficult to subdue the angry Foxes while trying to tie them with ropes. “You're not gettin away, Feline!!”, said the injured Fox. He grabbed Haya’s tail and picked her up. I was close to getting another bite on his leg, but the Fox kicked my face… hard. I blacked out for a few seconds… then I saw glimpses of Haya being chocked on the ground… I was certain we were about to be killed by the angry Foxes, then I saw an image I was familiar with… I saw my father pound the Fox’ face!! “Hang on Son!!” said my father. I had never seen him so alert. “There's a riot going on!!” He then chanted something I couldn't understand. Haya was glowing a gold color. I could hardly understand what was going on. Everyone around us was staring at the spectacle before them. A new mob of Felines proceeded to take a hold of my father. “This one uses //maho//!! He must be behind what happened!!” shouted one of the Felines. My father, unable to free himself from the stranglehold yelled, “Run son!! Take Haya to your mother!!” I couldn't move… I couldn't respond to anything. Haya instead swiped me across the face, and pulled me out of the town square. We ran so fast all I saw was a blur. [[Back home]]

We heard a few screams of anguish when we ran towards my home. All three races of Aiga were fighting, or arguing with each other, but luckily, we were small enough to avoid any confrontations. Finally, we arrived at my house. Mom and Dad opened the door as soon as I knocked. My parents told us to be calm. “I need you to promise not to put yourself in any danger or suspicion”, my father said. I didn't know what to say or what to do. All I could do was huddle with Haya and my mother. I couldn't imagine at the time the great amount of tension between people after the head council was assassinated. Our district leader spat out that a magic user was behind it all. Other town's folk were convinced that it was Foxes who were guilty. Foxes were calling for an investigation of the Felines, since they believed a conspiracy was in the works. Haya’s parents came to our house, and expressed concern over my friendship with Haya. Haya’s mother with an uneasy voice said, “it’s probably better for now that you two don’t play together… until things settle down..." [[Tearing up]]

As soon as we got to my house, my mother made sure Haya was okay when I explained what happened. “Honey… something has happened to this city that will change it forever and the people who live here…” she said to me. She then turned around, and sat on the floor, and took an odd stance. “Please come home dear…” she said to herself… or so it seemed. [[Present Time]]

It's been a few years since that incident, and my father was branded as a dangerous threat to the way of life of Aiga... then later hanged. We live with the constant reminder of what //maho// has done to this city… what it has done to my family. And I blame myself for my father's demise! The whole city seems to blame magic for the assassinations, whether they are right or not. My mother won't speak about maho or about my father for fear of getting us accused of being a threat. I feel powerless... and even more so because I can't know the truth.

A few days passed… I didn’t try to contact Haya for fear of putting more pressure on her. I left my house one day to find somewhere to think peacefully about my situation. I didn’t tell my parents where I was going, and I didn’t seek out Haya... I found myself at a creek near the place where I heard the bells ring with Haya when we were little cubs. I threw rocks down at the fish for what seemed like hours. I looked up at the sky, but didn’t see any stars that night. The sky was clear, and emanated an almost violet hue. [[Mystery Zoku]]

I threw rocks down at the fish for what seemed like hours. I looked up at the sky, but didn’t see any stars that night. The sky was clear, and emanated an almost violet hue. [[Mystery Zoku]]

↶

↷

Those majestic purple irises are what entranced me ever since I can remember...

Reminiscing