Burn it all down

Blanc was always bullied at the orphanage. The other kids feared what they didn’t understand. She enjoyed the smaller things in life. The way insects would build great nests or how birds always knew the way home. She put up with the beating, the abuse, the hair pulling. She accepted it as her life. She was nice to everyone. As nice as one could be. No matter how terrible they were to her. No matter how many times they kicked her down and pulled her ears. She did her best…that’s all she ever wanted to do. She wanted to be a guardian and protect people. She wanted to love them. She wanted to be good to them. Even if they hated her. But as that butterfly marked appeared on her shoulder something else overcame her. Perhaps it was the lack of nutrition or simply the years of being pushed around getting to her. But she snapped. She didn’t want to be the nice sweet bunny anymore. She didn’t want any of that anymore. All she wanted was revenge. But how? How does one get revenge over those she wanted to love? 

By leaving their humanity behind.

“What the hell is this??” The boy screamed. The group of children ran in a panic as smoke filled the locked room. Kabuki were pulled and slammed against the door in a vain attempt to try and escape. The kemori stood still on the other side, pulling a mask over her nose. A lit match dangled in her fingertips. She could save them. She could help them. But where was their mercy when they beat her for being different? Where was their kindness? Ashuri like those…didn’t deserve this life. She dropped the match, kicking the lit stick into the room. The three screamed, steps running to the other side of the room. Blanc stood for a moment before leaving the house.

Tik

Tik

Boom

The house behind her burst into flames as her traps went off. Blanc stood back as she watched the house burn. She…Her eyes closed. Did she mean it? Distantly the screams of those trapped inside reached her ears. Their bodies would be burnt beyond recognition. Her mind related it to a barbeque. Heh. If she had some sauce maybe it would be! Her stomach growled at the thought. Stupid body. Her eyes lowered to her bloodied hands. She was so hungry. So…so hungry. Her eyes slowly closed as she fell to the ground. The flames licking the sky…it was pretty..comforting. Her thoughts slowed as she fell to sleep, finally content with what she had done.

“…Hello?”

A hand on her hair awoke her from her slumber. Blanc slowly stirred. When did she get here? She sat up slightly, burnt wood surrounding her. Burnt wood and cleaned white bones. She swallowed rubbing her eyes as she came to. It smelt of smoke. And lemons. The hand moved away from her. Her baby blue eyes slowly moved to meet the others. A tall snow leopard shiri was crouched beside her. He was well dressed…or at least a nice jacket and crop top made him look clean. Her eyes fell on the kabuki resting in his hands, A kabuki that had dried blood resting on it’s blade. He tilted his head, a finger rubbing a stain on her cheek. 

“What happened to you?”

To me?

Blanc looked at the bones scattered around her. To me… She smiled and laughed. What…what did..happen? Her memory felt so blank. She remembered the fire. The screams. But what happened after that? Her hands tightened on her kabuki holding it close to her as if it would protect her from whatever happened. “I don’t know…I can’t…I can’t remember.” She whispered taking shaky short breathes. The male shiri slowly stood, offering her a hand which she gladly took. He licked his finger, rubbing off bloodstains from her cheek. Blanc closed her eyes relaxing slightly as she followed the shiri’s gaze. 

“What’s your name, dear? Where are your parents?”

“Blanc…just Blanc..my parents didn’t want me…so I never had a family name,” Blanc admitted putting her trust in this stranger. 

“Is that so? I’m Akashi and I’ll be your family now.” He said smoothly offering his hand to her. But why? What had she done to earn his affection? Tears fell from her eyes as a strained voice struggled to process what she was told. 

Brother?  She had a brother?

Memories struggled to come back. But all she could see was the smiling shiri before her. She wanted…she wanted to be happy. She…Blanc cried into the other’s arms. Akashi…Akashi…a name she would never forget. She would never lose him. The idea of a family was burned into her mind. Being happy. Having someone to look up to. She wanted that. She wanted him. 

So he would be hers.

Forever.