Friends Til The End

- 13 years earlier -

"Kamashi!"

Running down the winding stairs was a young girl, only seven years old. Long black ebony hair flew behind her, almost reaching the pristine floor. Small leathery wings fluttered upon her back, her turqouise eyes moving this way and that, taking in her unique surroundings. She wore nothing but a small rag of a dress, her bare feet pattering against the uneven floor. She was beautiful and young, no thought of the darkness that laid before her in her thoughts. And that's how she liked it.

Behind her, a small boy, only two years older than she, ran after her, his nine small tails trailing behind. His fox ears twitched at slight sounds, and his purple eyes watched for movement in the dark places of the castle. He wore a hood, hiding his pale skin and bony body, and he moved in silence, a slight change of shadow at the corner of one's eye, and that's how he liked it.

These two children ran back and forth in the castle at night, the only time when they were able to freely be together; to truly be friends, and maybe even a little more.

One night, as the girl snuck out her bed in the servant's quarters, she heard voices going through the hall. As she hid behind an open door, her mother, a queen with ram horns pressed against her skull, and large leathery wings that dragged on the floor, passed by, talking to the king, a man with fox ears and countless tails, whom was not the father of little Kamashi. Kamashi pressed her ear against the door, trying to act like Kuro, the boy that was her friend. What she heard made her want to cry.

"That little beast has to leave. She's causing my son to leave his studies. She is an illiterate wench, and I don't think that the next king in line should be canoodling with a... A whore's daughter!" Their footsteps ceased, and Kamashi's heart beat against her ears. A quick and sudden slap rang out through the empty halls. There was silence, until a loud roar echoed, the walls shaking and dust falling. Suddenly, her mother fell before the door, dust settling upon her, and her large gown in tatters. When she looked up, her red eyes met with her daughter's turqouise ones, and they widened in fright.

Her mother stood up, trembling from the force of the fall. She stood in front of the door, Kamashi's heart racing as she wanted to reach out to her. A shadow fell upon the queen, as the king approached, his claws out, and his smile sharp and fanged. He stopped in front of her, lifting a hand to graze one claw against her cheek. Though her face did not show it, her hands were clenched into fists, trembling. A red mark was on the king's face, where the queen must of hit him. As he stepped closer, she closed the door, so that her daughter would not see what was to happen. But, oh, did Kamashi hear it. The scream filled the air, and even after Kamashi pressed her small hands against her ears, it still rang in her head. It lasted for only a second, but it felt like it went on for eternity.

Kamashi backed away from the door, tripping over herself to leave. She wouldn't forget that scream. Or what had happened. She would never forget. Never. As she started to leave, she felt herself press against something, a hand going on her mouth and another one pulling her close. She clenched her fists, ready to fight, until she saw the tail that had twirled itself around her leg. Turning around, she saw Kuro, his eyes to the floor, full of guilt. He had heard everything that she did, and he had even stayed in the same room.

Kamashi stood there and looked to him, as he sniffled and wiped his eyes. He was too soft, she contemplated. It was her mother that was hurt, yet he cried for her. When he looked up and saw her watching him. He stood up straight.

"Sorry. I didn't mean t-" She didn't let him finish his sentence. She walked up to him and hugged him, which she had always wanted to do, but was always too scared that he might break. She smiled up to his puzzled face. "It's fine. It means you care. You're not like your dad, you know." She held him tighter, and he just stood there, thoughtful. When she looked back up to him, she was surprised with a small kiss on her head. "Thank you."