A Single Flower

-x-

A/N: So taking a shot at fanfiction. Here it is! Just to let you all know this is a story told as if my OC was there from the beginning. I know these stories aren't really popular, but hey, I want to give it a shot. Wish me luck you guys!

-x-

"How could you allow this cursed child to exist?"

"She must not tarnish our clan any longer. Either you die, or she dies."

"She's your daughter."

"Sakura…my daughter…"

"If they find her, they will kill her and they will kill you."

"They will kill you."

"Father!" I shot up from my bed, drenched in sweat, and I was breathing heavily. I turned my head, and to my left to face my window. Light was beginning to pour its way into my room. Morning. "Just a dream…nightmare, maybe." I told myself as I calmed my breath.

I used the sleeve of my night gown to wipe away the small beads that had accumulated from my episode. As I did, I caught a glimpse of my alarm clock, and realized I was going to be late this morning…again.

I ran into the bathroom and quickly brushed my light brown hair that fell just a couple of inches past my shoulder, out of my face. I wiped the sleep out of my maroon colored eyes, and slapped my face a bit to wake myself up.

Once I was done washing up, and had my uniform on, I rushed downstairs to have my daily greetings for father and grandfather.

I made it to the dining room just as the maids were clearing away the dishes. I managed to quickly snag a piece of toast right before they headed back into the kitchens. "Good morning father!" I said cheerfully, as I sat next to him on one end.

At the other end of the dining table, a newspaper was promptly put down, revealing an older, plump man I had the misfortune to call my grandfather. "That daughter of yours…always too damn cheery in the morning." He complained.

My father, a rather plain looking man, looked at me with a 'I don't want any problems this morning' sort of look. I grumbled and managed to spit out, "Sorry grandfather. Good morning," In a quieter and dull tone.

This was my life. The life of twelve year old Sakura Kayano. Daughter of Toru Butajiri. And sadly, granddaughter of Kentaro Butajiri.

I loved my father dearly, and loathed my grandfather. It always pained me that I was stuck with the decent last name of my runaway mother, while my kind father was left with the last name of his own father. Butajiri. A pig's rump. Fit the old man perfectly.

However, my father and I were living with him, so I was supposed to be thankful; at least that's what father always reminded me. Then again, he didn't seem to mind that grandfather was involved with shady dealings of what he called the 'Black Black Club.'

I wasn't even supposed to know the name, but father let it slip out one time. The only thing I knew was that old men like grandfather Butajiri gathered and did dealings of some sort and it always involved money.

"What are you staring at?" My grandfather raised his voice at me and gave me a dirty look.

"Sorry grandfather." I apologized and looked away from him. I would never understand how he and my father were related.

"Sakura, shouldn't you be heading off to school?" My father advised me. I looked at him and nodded.

"I'm off to school!" I announced. I was about to exit the kitchen after saying goodbye to my father, but then I remembered my dreams that had violently awoken me. He was dying.

I shook my head and ran back to him and gave him a hug. "Please, remember to take your medicine." I reminded him.

He chuckled lightly. "This is out of the blue."

I smiled at him. "I'm just being a loving daughter," I teased. "But really, don't forget to take your medicine okay? I'll be leaving now. Don't worry. I love you father." I bid him farewell again and headed out the door.

Just as I was about to exit, I was pulled aside by the head of the maids in the household. She was tall and had red curled hair that framed her face. "Don't run in the house Sakura. It's not very ladylike." She reminded me. Feeling embarrassed, I looked up at her with a meek smile, and her straight lined mouth, slowly curved into a smile as well. "I suppose I didn't stop you for etiquette lessons. Here," She handed me a bento box as her green eyes softened. "You almost forgot your lunch."

I smiled and took the lunch with gratitude. "Thank you Miss Megumi." I politely bowed and practically leaped outside, and into the car, which earned a good chuckle from the driver. After that, it was a smooth ride to Ayanagi Junior Academy.

We drove past the usual scenery of lush green trees that surrounded the mansion I lived in. I looked back to see it was getting smaller and smaller. I turned my attention to the front and noticed the driver seemed occupied with navigating his way out into the main roads.

I held my hand out and focused on my palm for what seemed like a long time. Eventually a white, glowing spark appeared hovering over my palm. I watched in delight as I made it spin, grow and shrink. It looked as if I was holding a tiny sparkler in my hand.

"Miss Sakura," I made the spark disappear as I saw the driver look up in the rear view mirror. "Would you like to be dropped in the front, or from the side today?" He asked me politely.

"Side, please Eido. I have practice today."

"As you wish, Miss Sakura."

I let out a small sigh of relief as he shifted his eyes away from the backseat and onto the road. No one was supposed to know that I could do something as odd as that. It was a secret that I even kept from father. I remembered when I first showed him…

"Father look! Look what I can do!" I was five at the time. I could create that small spark in my palm. It had happened out of nowhere.

"Sakura!" Father had grabbed my wrist. "Listen to me, don't you ever do that. Ever. No one must know you can do that. Are you listening Sakura? Don't do it ever again." I nodded and obeyed out of fear. It was the first and only time I remember father raising his voice at me.

"Miss Sakura, we're here." I looked to see the scenery had stopped moving. I got up and grabbed my belongings and got out of the car. "Thank you Eido." I said as he closed the door for me.

"Sakura! About time you got here!" Two girls my age came up running to me. "Overslept again?"

I laughed with them and nodded. "Good morning to you too, Maki, Arisa." My two friends. My best friends. I had known them since elementary and the three of us did everything together. That included the gymnastic clubs, to which I almost missed out on practice today.

We met almost every morning, and I didn't want to brag, but I was pretty good. Our instructor told me once that I was very agile and fast, even as I was getting older. I wonder if father would be okay if I made this into a dream profession. I rather liked the idea of representing Japan in the Olympics. The three of us walked side by side into the gym and went out with our mornings.

After practice, we all dressed up in our school uniforms. "So, Sakura, think your father will let you join the karate club this year?" Maki asked me as she fixed the collar on her uniform.

I pressed down on my black skirt and thought about her question. Then I shook my head. "Probably not."

"Your old man lets you do anything practically. How come not this?" Arisa asked as she struggled to get her ribbon to stay in place.

She was right. Father usually let me do things of my own free will. However, whenever I asked to join the karate club, each year, he told me it wasn't necessary and I should focus on my studies. I obeyed of course, but I just wished he gave me a better reason.

I shrugged to indicate to them it wasn't too much of a big deal. I hated lying to them though. "I guess violence isn't his thing? You know you guys are free to join without me." I told them as we headed to our homeroom.

"As if! We always do things together." They both reminded me and I laughed.

Life was good. I had a loving father, wonderful friends, and I was part of an elite family.

I'll admit things were a bit routine, but it was peaceful. Today was no different than any other. At least, I thought so.

I sat absentmindedly in homeroom. I was never academically smart. I saw no importance in what we learned. I felt I was meant for something more than what they thought. In my daze, I didn't seem to notice the door opening, interrupting our teacher's lecture.

"Kayano? Sakura Kayano?" My name pulled me back into reality. I looked over to see it was the principal of our school, gesturing me to come outside.

I got up and headed out. I tried to pretend it was nothing, but the stares of my classmates wondering what trouble I had gotten myself into, was unnerving.

We stood outside the classroom. "Did…did I do something wrong?" I asked first, unable to look into his eyes.

When I finally had the guts to, I saw he shook his head gravely. That was reassuring. "Your driver has come to pick you up. It's your father." Those last three words sent me into a state of panic. A million thoughts raced in my head, but all I did was nod as the principal escorted me out of the school and to my car.

The ride was silent. I didn't want to talk to Eido and I'm sure he knew that whatever he said wouldn't put my mind at ease until I got home and saw my father for myself. When we made it back home, I was greeted by Megumi who had a solemn look on her face. "Welcome home young miss. I apologize for calling you out of class today." She greeted me, and walked me to my father's room.

He was lying in bed, and had some sort of IV attached to him. He noticed my presence I assumed as he had turned his head when I had entered without a sound. Megumi exited and closed the door to allow us privacy.

He let out a small chuckle. "I told them not to take you out of class. What are they doing worrying a small girl like you." He smiled but the rest of his face held faint expressions of weakness.

I rushed over immediately to his side. "Father, what happened?" I asked nearly on the verge of tears. I hated seeing him so frail.

He raised his hand and patted me on the head. "Now, now Sakura. I took my medicine just like you said. Don't worry. I was just more lightheaded than usual today, that's all." That meant he had collapsed.

I recalled Megumi apologizing to me for taking me out of class. I didn't think of it as strange then since I was too worried. But now, it was worse. Father had collapsed before, but it was never a reason to call me out of school. It was something far worse this time around. I could feel it.

We heard the door move and I turned to see it was my grandfather. He looked at me with annoyance. "Is this brat disturbing your rest?"

"No father, she's fine." My father defended me.

"Hmph, even so, she should leave and let you sleep." My grandfather argued.

"No," I defied. "I'm not leaving father's side until he gets better." I replied and stared harshly back at my grandfather. I was in no mood to obey and respect the old geezer today.

He jeered at me and flicked the butt of his cigarette towards my direction. "Rest up Toru. You'll need it if that forsaken child is going to be by your side." He left without another word.

"Ignore your grandfather, Sakura. You can stay here, but just for the night." I smiled a little and nodded. Even in pain he tried to be the lecturing father.

Still, even though he had said it was just for the night, one day became a couple as I stopped going to school. Regardless of rest and medication, he seemed to just get worse. I was told doctors couldn't figure out what was wrong.

"Miss Sakura, you must go to school today." Megumi told me after I had finished my breakfast. "Don't protest. I have to follow your grandfather's orders above your fathers. He'll still be there when you get back. I promise." She gave me the look that I could only guess a mother would to a fretting child.

Megumi was stern, but she was caring. She might as well have been the mother I never had in my life. I made her pinky promise before I let Eido drive me to school for the day.

What did it matter though if I went to school? I couldn't focus even more than usual, and Maki and Arisa didn't touch on the subject of my father, which I was grateful for. Others weren't so kind. They were always asking questions and it annoyed me greatly. It was none of their business. I just wanted to go home and be by his side again.

When the last bell rang, I felt a little more relaxed knowing I could finally be at my father's side again. When I arrived, Miss Megumi was there to greet me as usual. "Your father wishes to speak to you, Miss Sakura." And it was her who escorted me once again to his room and left the two of us to talk.

Just hours away from him and seeing him again made me realize he had gotten much thinner over the course of a few days. He had grey hairs visible. When did father get so old?

"Sakura, how was school?" It's like he was trying to make things seem normal. But they weren't.

"It was okay. How are you feeling?" I knew the answer to that.

"Better now that you're here. Come here Sakura." He gestured me over and I sat by his bedside. "I don't know how much longer I have." His voice was barely above a whisper.

I shook my head. "Don't be silly. You'll get better. You always have." I said on the verge of tears. This isn't what I wanted to come home to.

"Perhaps. But if I don't…Sakura there is something you need to know." His face had a look of grave importance. I listened intently and shook my head indicating for him to go on. "Sakura, have you always wondered about your mother?" He asked me.

"W-Why should I? I have you. I don't need someone like her. She left us." She left me. "I have you." I told him again feeling baffled that he would bring her up out of the blue. We never talked about her and I was okay with that. She left him and she left me. I didn't need anyone like that in my life.

"Sakura, there is so little you understand. You're so young, and I wish you could live the way a twelve year old should. But you can't. Because of who you are." He said quietly.

"Who I am?" I was confused. I was Sakura Kayano, his daughter. He shouldn't be wasting his energy like this.

"Sakura, did you know demons exist? Often little children hear the word and they become afraid. Not all of them are ugly. Your mother for example." I was starting to think he was getting worse. Illusions? Hallucinations? I couldn't think of the proper word.

"Does it sound farfetched? Perhaps, but it's the truth. Your mother was a demon, and I am a mere human. But somehow despite all of that, you came about. Sakura, you're not completely human." I told myself he was saying nonsense because he was so ill, but somehow…I still felt hurt by those words.

"Father, you must be tired. You're not making any sense." I wanted to change the subject.

He shook his head slightly. "No Sakura, it's time you know the truth. Do you remember when you were little? You showed me how you could make sparks in your hand. Show me again, won't you?" He asked.

I flinched back a little. How did he know I could still do that? "A father always knows." He said as if he had read my mind. "Please, Sakura."

I bit my lip but held out my hand and made a spark appear. It was bright in the room considering the curtains were closed and no lights were on. It was just the two of us watching the spark move at its own will.

"Perhaps it's my fault for sheltering you like this. You should've known from the beginning. Do you think a human could do that?" He asked me.

"Magicians…do strange things all the time." I felt like I was being accused by my own father. I felt I was up for examination and every little strange thing about me was coming to the surface.

"It's all fake Sakura, but what you can do is real. There's a reason you're at the top of gymnastics. It's most likely in your demon genes." Stop calling me that father.

"I practice a lot…." I lied. I never really practiced, but that didn't mean it wasn't all thanks to natural talent.

He managed a chuckle. "Sakura, it's a lot to take in. I understand. Sakura, I'm telling you because you need to know. You're only half human. You take your mother's half by being part demon. But Sakura, don't be afraid. Don't be afraid. In the end, you are you. And that's what matters." He sounded so accepting as if this was nothing but the truth to him.

I got up and covered my ears. "Stop it! You're lying! You're just saying this because you're sick!"

The door burst open and my grandfather came in. "What's this ruckus?" He spotted me and his face seemed livid. He grabbed me by my wrist and pulled me out. "Ungrateful, little monster. Is that how you react around your dying father?" He dragged me all the way to my room and threw me in.

I sat there on the floor. "I'm a child!" I yelled at him. I yelled it again even though he closed the door on me the second time. "Why would he call me a monster?" I asked to no one. Is it because what father said…

I shook my head at the thought. "No, Sakura. He's sick. And grandfather is always a cruel man." I said to reassure myself.

I didn't leave my room. Not for the rest of the night. I couldn't face my father who currently thought I was some demon. It'd be best to wait for him to return to normal. Normal…

At that thought, I continued to sit in the dark and held out my hand to form the sparks. I shrunk it, I made it grew, and I spun it. "Normal children can't do this…can they?" I went over to my dresser.

Though it was dark, I could see the faint features of myself and as my eyes adjusted, I could see my reflection. I had long brown hair, maroon eyes, and no marks on my face. I didn't look like a demon though…

I decided to talk to my father again now that I was calmer. I headed over to his room and stopped seeing light come out from the door way. I could hear hushed voices.

I crept over to the small opening, and just listened. I could tell it was my grandfather in the room and if I interrupted while he was in there, I'm sure things would get even uglier than they sounded in that moment.

"You told her?" He angrily yelled at my father. How dare he when he was sick?

"She has the right to know. Who will tell her once I'm gone?" My father replied calmly.

"Rights? What rights? She is a demon child. Complete and utter scum. You should've killed her when you had the chance. You think she won't grow up to be a monster? She'll be just like her mother. Robbing innocent men of their lives. That's why you're sick. I bet that disgusting thing you call a daughter is draining you of your energy." I wanted to throw up.

"Sakura is not a monster." My father calmly stated to my grandfather. "She doesn't even look like one. She's just a little girl."

"Hmph, no doubt to your genes being poured into that monstrosity. Aren't you afraid of her at all?"

"Of course I'm afraid."

And with those words, I ran back to my room. My father was afraid of me. For him to say that so easily…I had to be a monster. I looked again in the mirror. I didn't know who I was anymore.

-x-

Weeks passed, and I didn't leave my room. I didn't go to school, and I didn't visit my father. It wasn't until one morning that I heard he had passed away in the night. I was forced to leave the room, and be in attendance for the funeral by my grandfather. He still had a face to keep.

He disgusted me even more than usual. When the funeral was over, we went home. If I could even call it home anymore.

I wanted to make my way up to my room right away, but my grandfather stopped me halfway up the stairs.

"You know you killed him. You must've taken all his life just so you could live longer. I don't care if part of you is human. You're still a monster who should be locked up."

"Why don't you just kill me then?" I retorted. I didn't wait for an answer and headed back to my room.

Once my father passed away, news seemed to circulate through the household that I wasn't exactly 'pure' as they called it. Those who once doted on me, now feared me.

"I'm leaving your food here." Megumi had said to me on the day it was her turn to deliver my meals. She put the tray right at the door step.

"Are you afraid of me too Megumi?" I had asked her while I remained seated to the foot of my bed.

She took a step back as if my voice could do something from our distance. "You've probably tried to kill me too, just like your father." And she left without another word.

I was starting to accept the fact that maybe I really did kill my own father. Even though I know I hadn't. I couldn't have. I had loved that man. The man who said he feared me. I had no reason to kill him.

A couple of days passed after the funeral and I was surprised my grandfather didn't take my suggestion to heart. I was still alive.

-x-

I woke up to the sounds of hushed voices. After a few seconds my eyes focused and I could see people. I could also feel myself being restrained.

I moved my head up and saw at the foot of the bed was my grandfather.

"Finally up eh? Heh, good, I wanted you to be awake for this." He held up sheets of paper with strange writings on them. "A lot of money was invested into creating this. It's supposed to burn weaker demons. You're only half, but it should be strong enough." He laughed darkly as he brought it closer to my skin.

I didn't think it was real, but as soon as it touched my skin, I felt a burning sensation and yelled out in pain. Tears started to brim at my eyes. Not out of pain, but because this stupid paper had just confirmed what I had secretly hoped was wrong about me.

Butajiri kept laughing, but he stopped. "Heh, what a good investment. Hang them up around her room boys. We need to keep her contained. And get Tarukane on the phone. He'll be glad to know his funding helped. I hear he wants to capture a demon for himself." He exited the room. "I'll make sure to leave an opening on the windows so you can witness your funeral."

I looked at him, ignoring the pain still on my right wrist. "My what?"

He gestured to his clothing. "Why do you think I'm wearing mourning clothes? You'll be cooped up in here now. We don't need anyone to be suspicious of why you never show up to school. We managed to make it look like you killed yourself. Out of grief for your father. Ironic isn't it? A pathetic half-breed like you having feelings for the person you killed yourself." He laughed again. "You will no longer exist to anyone who knew you before." He had a maniacal glint in his eyes as he told me this and then left without another word.

After all of the talismans were put up, I noticed that they did leave a small clearing on the window so that I could look out of. I got as close as I could to avoid getting another burn.

My eyes widened at the sight. He was telling the truth. I could see them place a casket into the ground. People were there from my school. From the small crowd, I could see my grandfather feigning sadness which disgusted me.

Not too far from him, I saw Maki and Arisa. My two friends…who were crying…over me. I wonder if they would've still shed tears if they knew what I truly was. They seemed so close…yet so far.

"Maki! Arisa!" I called out to them. "Maki, Arisa! I'm up here! I'm alive!" I yelled and went to bang on the windows before I was reeled back from the pain of touching the talismans. "I'm in here. I'm not dead…I'm here…" I cried out.

My time in my room, that was now my prison, was often spent feeling alone, attempting to get out despite the talismans, or just sitting and creating the spark that once brought me so much entertainment. I passed my days like this for two years.

Two years, and on my fourteenth birthday, my grandfather entered and said he had a surprise for me. With that, I was knocked out.

I don't know how long I was out, but when my eyes opened, I saw that I was no longer in my room. Instead, I was in a large room. I stood up and wondered just where I was. Out of nowhere a screen had come down from the ceiling and in a few seconds, my grandfather could be seen, and heard.

"If you notice, you're not alone in this room." He started and waited for me to look around. I did, but not before shooting a glare at him.

He was right, I wasn't by myself. Stuck in this room with me were familiar faces. "Eido…Megumi?" I said seeing them across the room and on opposite sides of each other.

"So you still remember them?" My grandfather asked. "I've decided to entertain myself a little. Surely you can provide that for me. Tarukane has an apparition that can produce jewels. Tch, wish you were somewhat useful. So put on a good show. Today, we'll see who is more superior. A human, demon, or a little half-breed like you."

"Demon?" I looked around and saw no one else.

"Hehe, you must be an extremely stupid one not to notice that a demon had been carrying you too and from school." My grandfather said. "It's part of the job as well as being a bodyguard, but he gets the job done when needed."

I turned quickly to Eido and saw the human appearance he once had was no longer there. Instead I was faced with a large, blue-skinned demon. "I've wanted to off this one for a long time." His voice remained the same. "She's a disgrace to our kind."

"Hold your horses there, Eido. Here's how it will work. If you kill her, you both live, if she kills at least one of you, then you both die." He addressed to Eido and Megumi.

Eido reconfigured his slender blue arms into a blade of some sort and proceeded to lick it. "I don't plan on dying. If I kill her, can I still kill that little maid over there?" Was Eido always so blood-thirsty? Was that what a demon was like?

I looked over to see Megumi flinch. Butajiri laughed. "I like your style, but no she needs to be kept around…even if she did associate with a disgusting creature like that." The only disgusting creature around was my grandfather.

"Well, looks like you know the drill. Either you die, or you have to kill them. It's up to you." With those last words, Eido started to come at me and Megumi pulled a standard kitchen knife out of her apron. I could understand why. Like me, she was just trying to survive.

I ran around and often I was close to being cut by Eido's bladed arm. Megumi was easy to dodge. I guess it had to deal with her age. That or it's because I was part demon. Though I didn't want to think of it that way. In my head, I told myself I could dodge them because I was the best in my gymnastics class. I could do flips and all sorts of turns and twists. Even if it had been two years since I attended practice.

This cat and mouse game continued for quite some time. That is, until they both learned they had a common goal. I could see the two of them running towards one another with me in between. They were getting closer and closer until…

I had expected to be smashed together by the two and dead, but I was witnessing Eido with his bladed arm right through Megumi's stomach.

"Tch…missed." He said as he flung her body towards me.

I gasped in horror at the thought. It didn't matter that she had pulled a weapon on me. I had known her most of my life and considered her like a mother. And here she was, dying. "M-Megumi? You saved me?" I asked in disbelief and near tears. I already lost my father, was I really going to lose someone else who helped raised me?

"S…Sakura…" She was straining to speak.

"I'm here Miss Megumi." I said grabbing her hand in an effort to comfort her.

"Don't…be…stupid." She managed to utter, and I dropped her hand instantly. Nothing had changed. "I was only trying to push you towards his direction, but…I….slipped. Because of you, I'm dying. You don't belong here. Let him kill you. You're nothing but…a monster in the façade of a young girl. It's…revolting really…to think…I doted on you once…" She was gasping for air at this point. "Just…die…" She closed her eyes and died in my arms.

I bet if she had the choice, she would've died anywhere else but my arms. But I was still sad.

"Don't cry." I looked up to see Eido cleaning the blood off his arm. "You'll join her shortly. If you can, with demon blood flowing in you as well."

"Eido please." I said. "You don't have to do this…it's like you said. I have demon blood flowing in me. Shouldn't that mean anything? You having no compassion for killing a human. It's because you're an apparition right? But surely killing your own kind…must strike a chord?" I tried to reason through my tears.

He laughed at my plea. "Demons aren't like you humans. Forming teams and alliances. We do what is best for us in the end. Even if you weren't half human, I would still kill you if I had to. The fact that you thought we had some sort of bond, just shows how you still retain your human self. It's disgusting having something like you alive. You're a disgrace to our kind!" He yelled as he started to run, preparing for another gash. This time at me.

I realized this was how my life had always been. I was abandoned by my mother, no doubt for my status, and my father feared me. I didn't belong to either human or demon. I was unwanted. Hated by both sides.

I held up my arms in an x-like shape for a shield. I was merely bracing myself as if I was accepting my death. But…I didn't want to die. Not like this. Out of hatred. I didn't want to die.

"Not like this!" I yelled out my fear and wish, and just as Eido had jumped into the air to prepare to kill me, a light seemed to engulf around me.

"What is this?" He shrieked. I couldn't hear what else he said as things started to become blurry…and I suddenly felt tired like I had just jogged many miles. My hand felt heavy. Had he hit me? No, there was no pain. I could see the faint outline of something on the wrist of my right hand before things went black again.

-x-

After I had woken up from the fight, I was in my room again. I remember seeing more talismans. When I woke up Butajiri was notified. He yelled at me for hiding such a display of power and I needed to be locked away forever.

That explained the increase in talismans. But…even though he had placed double the amount…it hurt about the same as the first amount he had put up.

I remember he wouldn't tell me what happened in the fight, but by word of others who walked by my room, I could hear that I summoned some sort of weapon, and the energy created had killed Eido.

That was another thing I noticed in my confinement. My hearing seemed to improve. I suppose I was pretty good at hearing faint sounds before, but I never put too much thought into it.

Taking this information in, I started to think more about my situation. Perhaps…my demon side was starting to develop after it had been suppressed by my father for so many years. It explained why I couldn't join karate club at least. He feared of my strength that would come with it.

But now that I knew, the thoughts in my head turned and started to formulate on how I could escape.

In my solace, I tried to re-summon the weapon I apparently brought forth against Eido. Within a few months…I had succeeded. It was an odd thing. It rested on my hands and was bladed on both sides. It had the capacity to spin as well.

It was interesting but I wasn't sure how to use it. I started to spend time practicing how to use it. If I didn't want to be caught, I simply sat facing the wall so they couldn't see me practicing making sparks and shooting it from my palms.

Then, the day finally came.

I was scared. I was about to throw myself into a world where if my nature was revealed, I had the chance of being hunted by everyone. But…surely it must've been better than here.

I summoned my weapon and I looked at myself in the mirror one last time. My hair had gotten extremely long. It was time for a change. I took my hair and held my weapon to it and cut it off. I looked into the mirror and saw it was short now. Just above my shoulders with wispy ends and a bit uneven. The look somehow fit me though.

I went over to the window where I once had witnessed my funeral. Like I had witnessed my death, today I would experience and see my rebirth. I started to form a large spark and finally shot it at the wall. It blasted a large hole into the wall and talismans were sent flying.

I took a couple of steps back for a running head start, and then jumped out of the hole. The talismans that clung to the side affected me. But it was more of a tingle now. I had landed no problem. The noise would surely catch their attentions soon, so I ran for it.

I ran away from the place I once called home. I didn't know where I was heading, but this was a new start. Sakura Kayano died a long time ago. She didn't exist. I was just Sakura. I was always just Sakura.

-x-

A/N: So this was just a background chapter and YYH characters will be introduced in the next. Hope you guys enjoyed!