Eight Scars of Gold

A/N: It's so very wierd writing in first person. But, I think I am getting better at it. -shrugs, here's # 2 for you! ^^

It was the night of the eclipse, Lunar of course. Only when it was time for the lunar eclipse did my family allow me outside during the day. I was expected to stay outside and to keep inside of the main garden-not that I could leave- until they came to get me the next morning. At first it bothered me quite a bit. But, I guess I got over it fairly quickly when I realised that being outside was a wonderful thing. The garden was lush with it's hundreds upon hundreds of flowers and the many fountains that graced the center of various paths. Being only a small toddler, the place was more like a jungle to me. But, that made it so much better. The whole of the place was around ten acres and the entireity of it was surrounded by a massive stone wall. It was a rather curious wall, one that with it's intricate designs, dazzled me to no end. They told me often that to go outside of the wall would be a terrible thing, something that could lead to my death. I am not sure as to what this death thing is, but quite honestly, it doesn't sound pleasent at all. So, I found myself wandering through the gardens, content with my little world. My favorite place has to be the large hedge maze that is in the center. The large bushes are so tall that I can barely see the tops of them. Aiya likes to play "Seek and go Hide" with me in the maze. I've gotten quite good at it I think.
With a soft sigh I rose from my seat in my dark room, hearing the footsteps of one of Them. The door slid open a few moments later and I bowed at the waist as I was shown. When I righted myself I was startled to see that That Man was the one to enter the room. Of course I refused to show the slightest trace of reaction. He was taller then Sensei, and his hair was a black that honestly, I admired, even though I feel odd around him. I was told by Sensei that He had very unique eyes for our race, brilliant blue.

"Konnichiwa, Father." I said softly, addressing him as I had been instructed. He said nothing in return, but merely stared at me with those cold eyes of his. I do not fear anything. Well...except for him.

"Lunari, you are to go outside now." He stated in his accusing voice. For some odd reason I do not like it when he calls me that. Of course I did not say that. I nodded mutely and kept my eyes on the floor, not wanting to see his sharp eyes any longer. I heard him shift his weight and begin stridding off and as I knew was expected, I began to follow. My curious eyes were difficult to keep on the floor, but the thought of disappointing That Man loomed over me. I want him to like me, to treat me as the others. I focused on the bottom of his dark blue hakama in order to distract myself. They were odd pants, and I found that I dislike that color greatly. As we continued through the house I felt the fine hair on the back of my neck stand on end. They were staring at me again. Everytime I was led outside, they would gather to watch me. Am I so strange looking? Out of habit I bit my lower lip and kept my face expressionless. I nearly ran into That Man's legs when he stopped suddenly, my eyes snapping up to look at him questionabley as I backed up slightly.
" What is it, Jiro?" Father asked softly.
" Let me see my beautiful Lunari." Replied a voice I hadn't heard before. With a grunt That man stepped aside so that I could see the other man who had spoken. He was large and rather round looking with his bulging girth and large face. His hair was slicked back and tied and his dark eyes looked me over like I was so sort of food or something. Self conciously I looked down at the floor and toyed with the sleeve of my haori.
" Look at me, boy." The man demanded. Hesitantly I lifted my eyes to look at the man again. A wide grin split his face and though he discusted me, I refused to appear afraid.
" Good...Fearless. As he should be. Such a pretty little child, as expected. Come over here Lunari so that I can get a better look at you." The man commanded, and without protest I stepped closer to him until I stood only a few feet away. " Wonderful. He has the golden eyes...perfect. And you are sure that he is both?"
" Yes. The doctor made absolutely sure when it was born." Father answered.
" Hmm, I would like to make sure myself when he is a bit older, just to confirm that it works well enough." The other man, whom I assume was named Jiro stated. The look he gave me next sent chills through me and I unconciously stepped back. I could feel my short hair practically stand on end and my eyes narrowed uncontrollabley. This man is bad. He will harm me. I cannot allow that. When he reached out to touch me, I reacted before I could stop myself. Moving faster then I had ever moved before, I jerked away, hissing and curling back my upper lip to bare my pointed teeth. For some odd reason this seemed to please him even more. I felt an odd sensation wash over me and something seemed to click. Then I saw it. A glow of some sort that seemed to surround me. It danced wildly around me and I lowered myself into a crouch so that my claws could dig into the hard wood of the floor. An odd vibration came from my throat and sounded verbally. Anger. Rage. Fear. It all spiralled through my confused mind.

" Just look at him! Excelent! Absolutely wonderful! He is so wild, so evil." Jiro beamed. " Everyone praise our Lunari child!" I was startled when I heard them begin to clap and I looked at their leering faces frantically. Why were they clapping? What do they want? Why are they doing this to me!? Then I saw her. My savior.
" Stop this! You are scaring him!" Ikikara-Sensei yelled, and the room went silent other then the odd noise that forced itself from my throat. " He is just a child, you monster!"

I watched as a group of them moved aside to let her through and the moment that I saw her white kimono, I rushed to her. One of my arms went around her leg, while the other held tightly to the hem of the dress. The noise stopped and I pressed closer to her. She would protect me from them. From that horrible Jiro. Sensei bent over and opened her arms to me.
" Come on, little Brother. I won't let them harm you." She murmured and I reached up to her. Ikikara-Sensei lifted me up into her arms, her hand stroking my hair slowly. I hid my face in her shoulder to block out the people. Make them go away.
" Stay away from my brother, Uncle. He is not just a toy for your amusement. And Father, you disappoint me." She stated to them as she shielded my trembling form from the others. " How could you let him treat your son this way?"
" That THING, is no son of mine..." Came the soft reply of That man's voice. Sensei let out a noise that sounded similar to the one that I had made and I felt her start walking away.
" You stupid girl!" Came the enraged yell of Jiro and without knowing it, I whipped around quickly. My hand shot out and I felt my claws sink into something soft and warm. Jiro yelped in surprise and pain. My head was hurting so badly now. I made that noise again as I glared at his terrified face.
" You...will not hurt...Ikikara-sensei." I heard myself hiss. He nodded dumbly in response and I released his arm. My reddened eyes turned to look at my claws, noting that they were now coated in blood. How beautiful. So that hideous person did have some beauty. An almost gleeful smile curved my lips and my eyes returned to the wide eyed Jiro, who now was clutching his bleeding hand. Slowly I raised my hand to my lips and without breaking eye contact, I cleaned my claws of his blood. The coppery taste was wonderful to me, so warm.
" I cannot allow something as ugly as you to touch someone as beautiful as her..." I purred lowly. " If you ever try it again..."
I licked my blood stained lips to make my point. After a moment I blinked and my vision cleared. Confused, I looked up at Ikikara-Sensei. She meerly smiled at me.
" I am going to take my Brother outside. You all should know what the eclipse does to him." She stated calmly. I hid my face in her shoulder again as she strode away from them. I didn't want to see them anymore. She sat me on my feet once we reached the door that opened up into the garden.
" Thankyou, little Brother..." She murmured softly. I smiled up at her and took her hand. That had been the most I have ever spoken at once. Already I felt exausted and I was looking forward to a nap in the garden. What was that odd feeling that had come over me? Why did I do that?
" Ikikara-Sensei?" I questioned after a moment. " What...what happened?"
" You protected me and yourself from someone who was going to cause us harm." She replied. " You are quite impressive when you growl like that."
" I growled?" I asked, tilting my head to the side.
" Oh yes. You even frightened me a bit." She chuckled warmly. " You are such a good little boy."
My smile grew at that. I didn't like that I scared her though.
" But, I don't want to scare you, Sensei." I said after a moment. She knelt before me and I felt her cup my cheek in her large hand.
" My Sweet Einjeru...call me Sister." She murmured before pressing her lips to my forehead. The oddest sensation worked it's way through me and I did something that I have never done before. I laughed. Sister stood again and slid open the door to the garden.
" Now, go and play." She said, leading me outside. I nodded in response and bowed at the waist.
" Yes, Nee-Chan." I replied before turning walking through the metal gates that were the only way into and out of the garden. The gates swung shut behind me and I heard the familiar click of the lock. It would be dark soon. I began walking toward the maze. A nap sounded much nicer then playing right now. It didn't take me very long to make it to the center, afterall, I spent most of my time out here. With a yawn I curled up against the side of the hedge and allowed my eyes to slide shut into the blissful darkness of sleep.

A soft noise snapped me out of my dreams. It was getting darker and already I could feel the cold setting in. There was that noise again. Then I felt something fall on top of me. A startled cry forced it's way from me and I moved to jump to my feet only to be stopped by what looked like a spider's web. A net. I'd read of them before. Must get away! I fought against it frantically as I felt myself being lifted from the ground. Them! What were they doing? Why? There were four of them. They held me in that net so that I could not escape. Eventually I stopped struggling. It wasn't going to help me. Then I felt them throw me. I landed uncerimoniously on the hard ground. It hurt, but I can not allow them the satisfation of my weakness. Then I felt it. My chest began to burn as it always did on these nights. I let out a soft whimper before my world went black.
I think I dreamed. In my dream I was in a large circular enclosure and They were all sitting high above the walls. I wanted to get to them, to taste their blood. Must cut them. Must make them bleed beautiful blood. But the walls stopped me from getting to them. I roared angrily and clawed at the wall desperately. I needed pain! Then I heard the sounds of something struggling. A person I think. I turned to look up as They held a struggling girl near the pit that I was in. She was familiar. But who was she? It doesn't matter. Excitement rushed through me and I waited silently. As expected, they threw the girl inside. Attack! Attack! Blood! Pain! I wanted to hear her screams, to taste her as she cried out. The moment she hit the ground I moved. Closer I circled, growling lowly. She was mine. Mine. The child looked so scared. Didn't she know that I was going to give her wonderful pain? She ran. Yes! Play! Chase! Faster. She fell and in an instant I was on her, clawing, biting, and drinking in her beautiful blood. They all let out cheers throughout the whole thing.
With a groan I opened my eyes. Where was I? I looked around slowly and then I felt like my stomach had been turned inside out. The pit from my dream. I looked down at my hands hesitantly and a cry ripped itself from my throat. Blood. Everywhere. My clothes were laying in torn rags here and there. What was going on? WHy couldn't I remember? Tears force themselves from my burning eyes and I held the sides of my head in confusion. What have I done? I looked to my right slowly and my eyes fell on the mangled body of that girl. Or, at least I think it was that girl. The body was so torn that I couldn't tell very well. But something deep inside told me that it was. So this was death. I flinched when I felt a pair of warm arms go around me.
" Shh, don't look, little Brother."
Sister. I hid myself in her arms and wept.
" I'm s-sorry! Your white kimono...It has blood on it now." I hiccuped. She lifted me up from the ground and held me tightly.
" It's ok." She murmured. No, it wasn't ok!
" But your kimono is ruined." I replied. " I'm so sorry, Nee-chan!"
" Shh...I forgive you..." She whispered as she carried me back toward the house. I couldn't stop apologizing about the kimono. But, I think she knew that I wasn't sorry about ruining it.
Later that night when they let me outside again, I went to the fountain that was the farthest from the house. Silently I sat beside it. I wanted to cry, but I had no more tears.
" A-Aiya, where are you?" I called softly. A few moments later she was there, her high pitched squeals filling my ears as she landed on my shoulder.
" I need the shiny, Aiya..."

A/N: Again, we loves reviews!!! -pleads-