2018 365 Day Writing Challenge

January 2nd: Unrequited Love

Prompt #2: How do you feel when someone doesn't love you back?

A cool autumn breeze drifted through the park, blowing frail flame-coloured leaves off trees.

Sam laughed at his friend's joke, tawny hair blowing around his face like a feathery halo. He, just like the others in the park, didn't notice the young woman who sat on the bench, watching the School Captain with his friends.

Kaito pulled the sleeve of her black jacket further down her forearm, shivering even though he was not cold. The staff, split in two and strapped to her belt smelt of ash and blood. She hadn't had time to clean it since the last battle – she knew the demons were still hunting her partner.

Feeling her wings itching, Kaito took a breath and faded into the shadow world. Her wings flew to her, pale blue and powerful.

As soon as the shadows faded from her vision, Kaito's heart dropped to her feet.

Five demons stood around Sam's foggy figure, the largest reaching for his shoulder.

"Oi!" Kaito yelled, and the five turned. She pulled the two pieces of the staff out of her belt and jammed them together. Light flared where the two pieces met as they fused. Kaito held the staff behind her in a defensive stance, readying herself.

With a growl worse than a guard dog's, the demons moved towards her. She took a breath, relaxing when she saw that only the large leader carried his ceremonial sword at his hip. The first four demons were ripped apart in a blast of storm-worthy wind, but their commander still ran towards her, unfazed.

Her staff met his sword, and the two went stumbling across the shadowy park. The demon put up a good fight – he was far from the easiest she had fought, but in the end she rammed her staff into his head, stepping back as he dissipated. With a sigh, Kaito leaned against a tree and returned to the human world. Pulling her staff apart and returning the two pieces to her belt, she looked up at a sudden noise.

Sam looked down at her, "I'm sorry, but I could swear I've seen you before." He mumbled, confused.

Kaito's heart jumped out of her chest. Kaito, she told herself, You are a warrior, who may have foolishly fallen in love, but a warrior nonetheless, and you will not stutter in front of a boy, no matter how amazing he may be.

So she looked up at him, trying to hide the pounding in her heart and the heat in her cheeks, "Maybe," She replied.