Midnight Storm (Uncompleted)

Sakana no Nitsuke

"Never allow someone to be your priority while allowing yourself to be their option."
  ~Mark Twain

~

Sighing, I stared into the mirror and at the odd child that stared back. Our eyes were the same shade of dark platinum grey, and we had that same wild mane of hair that was like soft downy feathers. Yet we weren't the same.

The girl's eyes in the mirror were empty like the dark abyss. Reflecting the same empty feeling I held deep within myself. We were different, weren't we?

Even when we looked the same. After all, one of us is a reflection of the other.

Pulling up my new black mask over my mouth and trying out a small smile, with soft grey ears perked and tail peeking out from behind. I watched as the figure in the mirror mirrored my movements. Exact, perfect, and cheekily. Frowning again, I watched as the child frowned as well, perfect in rhythm, in movement, and timing.

Sometimes I wonder if there is a whole world behind the mirror's surface. Then again, there kind of is. Or else why would ungaikyō exist? Ungaikyō are like gate-ways, but once you pass it is nearly impossible to come back to this reality. They can trap souls and spirits within itself, or reveal what a person truly is.

In fact, there was a mirror that revealed one of Emperor Konoe's favored consort Daji, was a nine-tailed kitsune. She was known as Tomamo no Mae, a famed trickster known for her evil ways and such.

Or so I read in a book. The original story itself could have been different, but that was the version I read. It was interesting, but it also seemed a bit biased, but that's okay.

In fact there are several versions where—

Ano, what even am I doing wasting my time thinking about bed-time stories when I should be getting ready? I need to be going out, because I'm running out of milk and eggs. Then I need to catch dinner and—

Shaking my head, I cast the final Illusion that hid my ears and tail from sight. Looking in the mirror, I stared at the human-child that stared so aggressively at me. Hm, I need to cut my hair again, it's getting to long. It wouldn't stop people from feeling or touching my ears and tail, but it was enough to hide away those extra appendages of mine.

Illusions weren't a type of Genjutsu. No, instead Illusions are cast using spiritual energy instead of chakra. They're very similar but aren't the same, because intent matters and so does energy type. Based on how good a standing you have with those, an Illusion can last longer and work better than a Genjutsu, but it varies. Apparently a calm and clear head and a decent amount of energy is good enough, but it also messes with my chakra.

The pendant I was given when I first started the Academy helped me with that. It calms the raw chakra into something manageable and allows it to mix with the energy. Now I can channel a decent amount of spiritual energy and chakra, instead of only one at a time like before. Only for a short while though, mixing them is ill-advised and could lead to serious repercussions.

In fact, I'm not allowed to take it off until I have complete control over both energies. Although there is no one to enforce that rule, I still follow it. Ever since—

Any longer than four hours and...well, it's not like I haven't tried my limits.

Walking outside, I embraced the morning air as an unwanted memory played in my thoughts. Yet, the one question I couldn't help but ask. Even when I pretended all was fine, so I don't break down was...

Why?

Staring down at my hands, I couldn't help but remember of when they were died red. A deep crimson red that resided deep within, flowering into gorgeous colors only upon death. And I hated it.