Taiyo shuffled through his dresser, looking for something to wear. He sighed in disgust, and
picked up a plain white shirt. As he unfolded it, he glanced at the mirror nailed above his dresser,
looking at himself.
Taiyo had never really noticed or bothered to care what he really looked like. But every once in a
while, he surprised himself. He stared at the image in the small mirror before him. Dark strawberryblonde hair, bright blue-grey eyes that severely contrasted against his slightly tan skin and strangely
colored hair, a slender fox-like face, and a thin, muscular body. And then he saw his ears. What would
usually be in place of human ears, he saw black and white, the two colors he adored and despised
deeply. Covered with fur of similar color, they were like a dog’s ears, but more of a combination of the
three animals, fox, dog, and cat, whose blood he shared, with reluctance.
Taiyo stopped looking at the reflection long enough to put on the shirt. When he pulled it over
his head, he saw his collar hanging on a hook beside his mirror. Taiyo growled in hatred. The only thing
he truly hated was his collar, with its black shiny leather and silver clasps. He never really cared about
his ears that much, but that stupid thing… He would burn it if he could.
He reached out, reluctantly grabbing the horrid thing and slipping it around his neck. As he
clasped it, a tightness was felt in his throat, and Taiyo felt his ears disappear with a whisk sound.
Mom said I would get used to it…. Taiyo thought to himself. Boy, was she wrong.
As he quickly pulled on his pants, he heard his mother’s voice calling to him.
“TAIYO!” her voice reverberated across the hall. Taiyo could hear her coming up the stairs.
Taiyo opened the door. “What is it?” he asked curiously. His mother never was usually in this much of a
hurry in the mornings.
Unless… He studied her face, checking her feelings. Her aura was full of static, she was full of
anxiety.
Then, Taiyo realized what was going on before she said it.
“You’re starting school today, honey.” She said, her tone definite. Her water- colored eyes didn’t
falter, and her heartbeat didn’t change. She wasn’t lying.
Taiyo let out an exasperated sigh as he sat on the bed, his hand grasping his head, as if to hold
on to his final thoughts before one, singular thought crept in.
I’ve never been to school before.
A clear, sharp voice rung in her mind, calling her name. But she didn’t wake up, for reasons she
didn’t know, her eyes refused to open. She felt strong arms lift her from her bed.
“Haru….” She whispered, almost silently. Fingers gently touched her cheek, and she felt a
burning sensation that instantly ripped her mind apart, forcing her to wake. As she opened her eyes, she
saw a familiar face, one that brought her a little comfort. Long, jet black hair, and silver eyes stared at
her worriedly, which shocked her a little.
“Akiko….”
“Haru, I’m fine. I just had a weird dream.” Akiko started, “And you didn’t have to use that…” She
said, placing a hand on her cheek.
“I’m sorry, Akiko, but I had to wake you up. It’s time for school, and we’re late.” An angry fire
brightened his eyes, extinguishing his once worried look. He quickly got up, placing Akiko on her bed,
before he walked out.
Akiko sighed. It wasn’t unlike her brother to get angry at her; she was very unreasonable most
of the time. And he was only trying to protect her. But she sensed he was angry about something else…
“Oh well… No use thinking about it.” She said to herself. She quickly brushed her teeth and ran a
comb through her short, white hair. As she weaved it into small braids, she suddenly felt an intense
thought, with no basis, rush through her head.
She makes me so mad sometimes… She never tells me what is hurting her so much…
Akiko lowered her eyes, knowing the owner of these thoughts. Her pangs of regret followed the rush of
false anger in her mind. She glanced at the picture on her bedside, one of a bright red-haired boy with a
happy, toothy grin, and a profoundly-shaped scar on his left cheek. Akiko smiled. She picked up the
picture.
“Riku.” She laughed, trying to gather her happiness. “I think I’ll go for a little wing today. How
about you?” Akiko fingered the picture in her hands, imagining the response.
Akiko, you fly too much. Eventually, the wind’ll get to your head.
But… I guess you can go. Just come back to me in one piece, okay, Chiyo?
“Alright, I promise.” She giggled, and slipped the picture in her jacket pocket. Quickly picking up her
helmet, she quietly made her way to her window, slowly opening it so that no noise came through.
Strapping on her helmet, Akiko gently climbed out the window, and jumped.