Notes:
1) Takes place in the beginning of X.
2) Spoilers for TB and X (maybe, haven't decided yet) ^^
3) / Text in slashes are thoughts /
4) // Text in double slashes are quotes from TB manga, possibly X //
5) I know the tenses are a bit screwy because I'm writing it in past tense, but some stuff, like that first paragraph, has to be written in present tense because things like that don't change depending on time. O.O am I making sense? Probably not. Oh well.
Leaves by the Candle Light
Chapter I
By Hachi Mitsu
April 23, 2002
Hiddencache.com
Sometimes, in order to successfully understand the nature of a person, you need to put the reluctant subject in, shall we say, a situation that will strip away all pretense and reflect onto him a person that may very well, in the end, be a total stranger. But it's essential, because a person may live and die, but that doesn't necessarily mean they've become human.
He was one of those people. If two people had been given his name and asked to follow him and observe his actions until his death, they might very well come back with very different reactions. So different, in fact, that it may lead one to wonder if it was the same person at all.
Although it was already mid-spring, bitter wind still fought under the blazing sun, like an invisible battle of the will.
Well, maybe not so invisible after all.
Sakurazuka Seishirou raised a careless hand as the wind blew another on slaughter of pink and white dancing petals across his path. Just because he came from a line of assassins, with questionable sanity and unquestionable taste, who spent their brief lives feeding a tree (and later becoming fertilizer to the said tree) doesn't mean that spring in Ueno park still can't get a bit... cloying for him.
Spring in Ueno Park also brought back a flurry of wistful memories that seemed to cling to the soft silk sakura petals like the dew that clings to grass on a summer morning... until the sun rips them away of course, leaving nothing but a bit of wishful thoughts for those who seek respite from the dry heat. But summer's another story. This story starts in spring.
Memories.
Memories can be sweet, as one drift by the windows to the past. Seishirou's long black coat moved softly with the wind as the gentle assault of the sun stopped short on the dark surface of his sunglasses.
// I just knew the sakura would be great! The pink color touches a girl's heart. //
Memories. The visions of the past that clings to the air like tiny bells; whispering softly to each other.
// This tree is in full bloom... how incredible. All the others are only half blooming. //
How often has he visited and revisited this particular memory with quiet amusement? A memory that, had it been buried in another's mind, should have been long forgotten beneath the blood, hatred, vengeance and... time.
// Sakura trees are beautiful, but also fearful; that sakura tree which is in full bloom. //
The Sakurazukamori paused in his unhurried strides by a particular tree. Why this memory? Why now? Through the haze of pink and white, he could almost see a dark haired man standing behind a much shorter teenager.
// Do you know why the sakura petals are pink? //
Through the haze of pink and white, he could almost see a dark haired teenager standing before a little boy.
The black uniform of the teenager whose face never left the shadows contrasted the white shikifuku of the little boy who gathered the sunlight around him like moths to a lantern.
// You should know, Subaru-kun. It's because there are corpses buried under this sakura tree. //
Which memory was which? In the end, did it really matter? The two memories blurred away into two figures. And the two figures blurred away into two sakura petals that seemed to chase after each other in the soft breeze. One colored of the purest white, one almost pure red, as if dipped in blood. One forever in the light, one always chasing from the shadows.
The vision blurred again before he could see which petal landed first, which petal touched the cold ground in final resignation as the other fluttered after it in mourning. But then again, he already knew.
He's known for nine years.
// Some become arrogant, yet others cower in fear. That teacher I killed was arrogant. But you are kinder than any to others, yet stricter than any to yourself, almost like a sacrifice. It's dead. The weakest one dies first. //
Subaru-kun, are you still chasing after me even as I watch over you?
// Therefore today... I'll let you go. //
---
End of Chapter I
This chapter is dedicated to MorningStar who dragged me out of my retirement from writing fanfics by making me realize just how stupid my reason for stopping in the first place was. Also, there will be a plot, rest assured ^_^;; it just hasn't been instigated at the moment, when it has been, I'll probably be using stuff from the group rpg blog Self Destruction... unless Maduin-imoutochan has already decided to use them... ^^;; I'm blabbing now aren't I? Yeah... I'll go away now ^_^
Quotes take from Tokyo Babylon Volumes [ Annex Secret ], [ TYO Destiny ] and [ End ], although a few of those quotes appear in several volumes. ^_^
Neways, feedback is much appreciated and would make me write faster =D