Undecided on a title. Anyone has any good ideas, shoot it to me in the reviews. I obviously don't own the rights, or there would have been a book, or six.

Enjoy.

Chapter 1

The noise. That's what was so overwhelming.

It seemed as if one minute, everything had been on mute, and now everything was just so loud!

The heat she could handle, the pressing bodies even.

There wasn't much light and any that did filter through the masses came from flames high above her head.

Bodies bumped into her, went through her on more than one occasion. Now that had been a peculiar feeling; like her innards suddenly froze, and tried to pull themselves along with the formless being, but were stopped by the confines of her skin.

She told herself to breathe. She could handle it all if only her lungs would take in air.
But still, she did not take a breath.

Panicking, she grasped at her chest, ready to pound on her own body.

The tell tale burning had yet to start, and her heart didn't flutter from her panic.

At last, she inhaled heavily, and exhaled loudly, blowing the fringe from her face.

Thinking quickly, she shuffled around and past bodies until she was pressed somewhat uncomfortably against the wall of the nearest building.

From this vantage point, she could take in nearly everything.

She was looking for someone.

She couldn't remember where she had been headed, or from where she had come, or where she even was, but she knew she was waiting for someone.

She couldn't say that people rushed past her on the busy street. She supposed some were 'people'. Others looked like dancing and slinking shadows, still others looked like animals, or some form of animal. The variety of creatures that crowded around was astounding, never had she seen such types of creatures. At least she could not recall having ever seen such beings.

A few of the passing glanced at her, but did not slow their hurried pace.

How long had she waited?

She couldn't tell.

She gripped her shirt, shuffling her feet in nervousness, while trying to look above heads and limbs, for whoever she was waiting for.

They hadn't gotten lost, had they?

What if they were hurt?!

She began to panic again, gripping her arms tightly as if to hold herself together.

She gasped when an overly warm hand landed on her shoulder, stifling the scream that wanted to tear from her throat.

Instead she swallowed it and spun to face whoever it was.

The man was tall, she found herself nearly staring into his stomach.

Craning her head, she tried to find his face.

He wore a black kosodo and gray hakama with a thin black obi tied tightly around his hips. A short black saya was thrust through the thin obi at his hip, red braided silk hung from the hilt of the weapon. It was hard to make out his form from the shadows that surrounded them, although if she looked close enough, it looked as if his skin glowed in the darkness.

He was pale skinned, and as her gaze worked up his neck towards his face, she had to remind herself that staring was rude.

But she still took her time studying his face once she got there. His hair fell around his ears in varying shades of red and orange, clouding her view of his eyes. Despite that, her stomach clenched when she made eye contact. He was staring at her, his molten eyes burning away every bit of oxygen within her body. She felt as if she would spontaneously burst into flames.

His eyes were liquid gold, constantly swirling, burning.

And they were pinned to her.

She did not miss the prominent frown on his face either.

"Are you lost child?"

She blinked at him, not realizing he had spoken. His voice was sharp, and if she was honest, a bit painful to listen to. He had to speak loud to be heard over the noise of the street, perhaps that was what made it so painful to hear.

"Are you lost?" He had leaned in closer this time, but had not spoken any quieter. Her ears rung with his voice. But she gathered her wits and answered him.

"I am waiting for someone." It came out a whisper, hoarse and scratchy as if she had not used her voice in years. He seemed to have no trouble hearing her though.

His hard gaze softened, only slightly, and he took her elbow.

"I will have someone wait here for them. A child should not be out on the street this late. Come, you can rest in my home." His gripped tightened a bit as he spoke, but instead of pulling her along, he stepped closer, his body nearly pressed along hers.

She thought for sure her face would melt from the heat of her blush; that is, if they heat radiating from him didn't do so first.

"What're you-" She rasped. She lost her voice when the world shifted around them. Someone had placed the mute on again, and the world spun by in a blurry mess. If she looked at it, she would surely be sick. Already her stomach was rolling.

His body and her own, they were the only things to stay similar, seemingly unmoving.

She closed her eyes, thinking of keeping her stomach in one place, thinking of how very warm this man was, and most especially who she was waiting for.

Opening her eyes, she realized they were standing in a large hall that was elaborately decorated in gold plated mirrors and statues. The walls and ceiling were cream colored and all the furniture was in a honey colored wood. She stared at her bare feet, the floor a marble looking stone that was polished to a shine.

"Master Kōsen! We did not expect you back so soon!" A slim woman with gray hair came scurrying out of a door way. She made to take the man's boots, but he shooed her away.

That's when the woman noticed her.

The woman's aged face scowled at her.

"Oh Master, another stray." The woman sighed, but seemed resigned.

"She is waiting for someone. Please set her up with a room." This time, when the man spoke, it was much quieter. His voice was melodious now, breathy and light. The woman bowed and spoke quietly to another young girl.

She found him staring her down again. She couldn't keep his gaze. He seemed to burn so brightly from within.

"What is your name?" He continued. She found she had to think about it. What was her name? He did not seem perturbed by this at all.

"Who is it you are looking for?"

This time, her mouth moved without hesitation.

"Kohaku." The man blinked slowly at her, his sharp mouth turned down and his brow wrinkled. His eyes squinted, as if he was staring into the sun.

Just as soon, his face cleared and he nodded once.

"I see. He will not be this way for some time. I shall send a messenger, but it may take a while for him to receive a missive."

She frowned, pulling at her shirt, glaring at the ground.

"I can not remember why I'm waiting. I think we said we would meet, but I can't remember." She sighed, putting a hand to her empty head. He reached a hand out, nearly brushing her cheek, but hesitated, then retreated. Her skin felt scalded just from the nearness. Heat pooled off him in waves.

"Do not bother getting angry with yourself. It will return in time. For now, rest." With a slight bow, he burned out of existence.
She screamed, shielding her face with her hands, and then looked for something to put him out. By the time she had grabbed a cloth from a side table and turned back, all that was left was a pile of ashes with the sword and saya lying underneath it all.

She did not know whether to cry or scream again. Her knees shook, and she realized tears slipped down her scorched cheeks.

She glanced towards the older woman, who merely seemed irritated with the remains. Gently, as if fearing her movement alone would make the ashes blow away, she knelt, reaching for the pile.

"I would not do that girl. You'd come away a few fingers short." She glanced at the woman again. This time the woman gazed upon her with pity.

The woman bent over and took her roughly by the elbow.

"Come now. Master Kōsen ordered a room be made ready for you." The woman, with more strength than she thought possible, yanked her to her feet and led her through a door.

"What about...?" She turned to gaze at the rapidly disappearing pile. They made a sharp turn, and ascended a steep set of stairs.

"Oh, he over extended himself. Always taking in strays, as if he doesn't have enough to worry about." The woman glanced at her, never slowing her pace.

"We'll just have to wait to see about you. Who did you say you sought? Oh never-mind, I'm sure your brains are egg." She didn't know how to take that.

Suddenly they stopped in front of a door, which opened without being touched.

"This will be your room for now. Once Master Kōsen has rested, you will be summoned for assigning. Rest until then, the work will be hard, but it will give you purpose." The woman had rushed her into the room, pointing out a set of neatly folded clothes.

The woman continued to babble on while she changed and picked through a bowl of cool fruit.

"He has taken you off the street, but you need a purpose or you'll just lose your way again." The woman sighed and took her face in her hands.

"Your memories, they will return with time, or they won't. Best to just move on and deal with all of that when it comes." The woman stepped back, turning to leave.

"My name is Tuskete. I manage Master Kōsen's homes. You are not to leave this room. If I find you wandering about, I will lock you in. Rest well." The woman spun out of the door, which closed nearly on her tail end.

All she wanted to do was remember.

Who was she?

What was her name?

Where did she belong?

Certainly not in this fancy room with its dark wood floors and skillfully painted screens.

She did not feel lost, she felt left behind.

There was a yawning gape in her that seemed to stretch for ever.

And what of that man? Master Kōsen. He had burst into flames for gods sake!

Where was she?

Who was she?

She walked to the mirror over the vanity, leaning onto the table.

Her face was the same as it had always been, round and full, her eyes big and brown. Her hair was messily kept up in in a pony tail with a shimmering purple band.

Sighing, and rubbing her head again, she sat on the bed next to her dirty clothes.

The oversized white and green stripped shirt had been just a gift from a distant uncle who knew nothing about her, but it was better than some of the clothes her mother bought for her. It had been comfortable to wear on the long drive...

Long drive? To where?

The memory slipped through her fingers like water.

The harder she tried to remember, the emptier her head became.

Not tired in the least, and frustrated, she jumped up. The tunic and pants she wore were simple and of a thick material. It took the bite out of the frosty air.

Settling near the window, she looked out on the city.

The streets were still all hustle and bustle. The main roads were brightly lit with flames on high poles. The sky above them was inky black and pressed down on top of the heads, as if only kept at bay by the flickering fire.

She must have been down one of those side alleys. They were not as brightly lit, some shrouded in pure darkness.

Most swerved around those alleys as much as possible, yet there were those who willingly strode straight into the darkness, their steps never faltering.

She felt scared for them, a shiver racing down her back.

To think she may have been in one of those alleyways, what kind of creature did business there? Instinctively she knew that she had been in danger if she had wander there longer than she had.

She had to thank Master Kōsen. He had potentially saved her life.

But that raised the question, what was he doing there?

Sleep did not come at all that night. She was restless, her very bones felt electrified with energy as if she had been sleeping for days.

And she kept worrying.

Where was this 'Kohaku'? Where was she?

Could she trust Master Kōsen?

Why could she not remember much of anything?

Had she been in an accident?

She spent hours going around and around until she felt physically sick.

In the early hours of the morning, a knocking preceded the door opening. She could only stare in shock at the tiny creature that came in balancing a tray of food.

"Are you a frog?" She murmured. It was no taller than her knees, and was a bright red color with small black spots.

The frog thing glared at her, but said nothing, noisily dropping the tray onto a low table. He made to leave the room, but stopped in the door way.

"Breakfast. A bath is being prepared, someone will return when it is ready."

And then she was alone again.

The bath room was all shined black stone with a huge tub sunk into the center of the steamy room.

Images flashed before her eyes. Water pouring from a spout in the wall, heady and strong with herbs. Flecks of water splashed into her face and on her toes. She was standing on the edge of a massive tub. The steam made the back of her neck sweat.

The memories faded again, slipping through her fingers once more.

A young.. girl?... helped her undress and ushered her into the waiting water.

The girl's work was brisk and silent. She kept her eyes down and her hands busy. With pursed lips, she then yanked her out of the water and scrubbed her with a dry towel.

She didn't want to be rude, but really, she could wash herself.

Gritting her teeth against the rough treatment, she closed her eyes, trying to find her memories. The emptiness was vast, a massive monster hiding in her head, waiting to devour her.

A pair of fierce eyes stared from the emptiness, saurian and deep green. They stood out like two emerald lamps blazing in the darkness.

She shivered, opening her eyes back to the bath room. Seeing just those eyes staring back at her, it made her nervous.

But it was something.