Just A Kid

Chapter 13

"Is this the girl?"

"Yeah. Her little friend gave me some trouble, but the thing was taken care of."

"Good, good. You are dismissed."

After a couple of minutes, a hand placed itself on the unconscious girl's head, and began to glow with a soft blue light. A small light shone on the girl's forehead and disappeared into her skin. A malicious smirk pulled at an unknown face as it finished the jutsu to erase the girl's memories. Soon, this girl would be under the figure's control as it would continually fill her mind with thoughts and images of normal humans as being the monsters. Monsters that had to be destroyed. The girl would have no choice but to eradicate the humans, even though she was a demon. It would take her twice the amount of time to eradicate the filthy humans, but no matter. It would be done in the end.

The army of demons was coming along splendidly. The figure smiled with glee at the thought of taking over the world. No one would be able to stop it. A loud and masculine laugh echoed out of the figure as it brushed a few strands away from a handsome face. Strong arms wrapped around a midsection as a man continued laughing with glee. Yes, his plan was going splendidly. After the monstrous humans were destroyed, him and his queen would rule the world. Another cackle left his lips as he gazed down at the sleeping girl. Soon, she would wake up and his plan would continue. He had plans for this one child, and he couldn't wait to start playing with her mind.

Ah, such a fragile time for her. He found that children at this age were easy to control with only a couple words here and there, as well as the help of a good jutsu from time to time. He bent down to brush a few strands away from her face. This one was supposed to be under the care of the fearsome Copy Ninja. A snort forced its way from him as he stood back up, dusting his pants. So much for the dangerous Copy Ninja. That man couldn't even look after one child.

Sighing, the man walked away into the shadow of the trees, an evil chuckle coming from him. He couldn't wait for the child to wake up.

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Birds chirping sounded from around the slumbering nine year old, and she groaned quietly. Her entire body hurt and she rolled to her side, bringing her knees into her chest.

Where was she? Why were birds around her?

She slowly opened her eyes and groaned again, pain throbbing from the back of her head. She pushed herself onto her hands and knees, wincing when her head protested the movement. Araile sat back on the ground, putting a hand to her head. It was all she could do to not cry out in pain.

Why did her head hurt so much? What happened?

Looking around, Araile noticed she was in a clearing. Trees surrounded the confused girl, and a small pond sparkled in the sun a couple of feet in front of her.

"Water!" she exclaimed as she scrambled to her feet and ran towards the pond, the pain in her head forgotten.

She knelt beside the pool, and cupped the water in her small hands before lifting the water to her mouth. It slid down her parched throat, and a shiver raced through her as the water's coldness seeped into her throat. She gazed at the clear pond, spotting some fish here and there. Her reflection wavered, and looked back at the thirsty girl.

Her body froze as footsteps appeared behind her. Araile growled and whipped around to confront the intruder, but tripped over a root and fell over. She yelped as she landed on her behind. Araile clamped her eyes shut and threw her arms over her head, waiting for a fatal strike. She was going to die in this strange place.

"Peace, child. We mean you no harm," a female voice said gently from above the trembling child.

"We are only here to help you," a male voice then added in.

Araile peaked through her arms to see a tall, young woman with pale skin and long green hair dressed in a blue kimono. Her big orange eyes looked at her with sympathy. Araile blinked as she looked beside the woman. A young man stood beside the woman in a green and white kimono. He was the same height as her with pale skin and long, light blue hair with violet eyes. His eyes too seemed to look at Araile with sympathy.

"W-who are you? Where am I? I can't remember anything..." Araile whimpered, shaking in fear as she tried desperately to wrack her brain to remember what happened.

Tears stung her eyes as her mind came up blank. It was as if the years up to now were erased. The only thing she could remember was her name and how old she was.

"Oh you poor child. You must be scared to death!" the man said as he knelt in front of the child.

"My name is Seishin," the man introduced as he brushed Araile's bangs out of her eyes.

"This is my sister, Kazoku," Seishin said, gesturing to the woman.

"What is your name, child?" Kazoku asked in a soft voice.

"Araile," Araile answered, looking down shyly.

"Araile, what a pretty name!" Kazoku exclaimed.

The nine year old looked up and gave Kazoku a small smile as Seishin offered the child his hand. She slowly took it, and he slowly helped Araile up as her knees wobbled.

"Where am I?" Araile asked and she held Seishin's hand.

"You are in the Land of Iron, where we are safe," Kazoku said.

"Land of Iron?" Araile echoed, looking at Kazoku with wide eyes, and the woman nodded.

Araile looked around, taking in the sights of the landscape.

"Come now, you must be hungry," Seishin said as he started to walk, her hand still in his.

"Where are we going?" Araile asked quietly.

Seishin laughed and looked down at the child while walking. His hand was warm, and completely enveloped Araile's small hand. Even though she was nine, she felt like a toddler with her hand in his.

"Don't worry about it. You will see soon enough," he calmly said, as the three continued to walk away from the clearing.