{LeviHan} Beyond

Chapter 1: Beginning Tails

Hanji's POV

Just standing on the cool sand, gazing over the rushing waters of the ocean was peaceful enough. Every day for 7 years, I've waited for his appearance again. Why must I wait...? Should I give up- no, I shall not. I always had hope. That's why I stayed here every night for 7 years. No matter what the cost.

"Mommy?" I looked down to my side- Raven. "Mommy," she calls out again, tugging on my skirt, "can we go home now...?"

"Of course, sweetie." I smiled, carefully picking her up. "Let's go home." Before I turned my back on the glistening ocean, I took one last look. Perhaps I was pushing time back. I didn't want to leave just yet. But my daughter was important as well. "Let's get you cleaned up before bed, okay?"

Raven nodded her head, rubbing her tired eyes. "Yes, Mommy."

*   *   *

I quietly began to tuck her beneath the covers of ocean-blue. Just as I was going to kiss her goodnight, she squirmed out of my grasp, looking out to the full moon outside. Her eyes... like her father's... cloudy with something.

"Raven, what's wrong?" I asked, sitting on her bed. "You can tell me, you know."

She turns back to me, looking with familiar sorrowful eyes. "Mommy, why do we go out to the ocean every night? I... I don't understand why... there's no reason, right, Mommy?"

"I have a reason..."

"Is it related to Daddy?"

When she finally mentioned him, I smiled softly. "Yes, it is. I wait every single night for him to return to us. He said he'll be back within 7 years before you were born, Raven. So I never want to lose him ever again."

Raven quickly shuffled in her blankets, sighing softly. "Mommy, my... classmates... they tease."

"Tease?" That was a first I've heard from her. "Teasing about what? Raven, my dear..."

I could see her eyes tearing up- was it really that bad in school? When morning comes, I'll drop her off to her classroom myself and talk to the teacher. "Because I have no daddy... I'm not like the others... not... normal. Everyone has 2 parents... why do I only have one parent?"

"You aren't normal," I began, kissing her soft cheeks. "Raven, just because you're not normal doesn't make you an outcast. You're special." I chuckled, tucking her loose, stray hair behind her pale ears. "Would you like me to tell you a story?"

"Another one of those heroes?" She quickly sits up with her silver eyes widening. "I would want to hear another one of those stories, Mommy!"

Kissing her forehead, I had to turn down that enthusiasm. "No, not one of those heroes stories. This story... is a love story. A love story between a normal, young woman and a special young man. But first, I need you to keep this story to yourself. After all... this is just a story, my young Raven."