𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑀𝑎𝑟𝑘 𝑂𝑓 𝐴 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑟 ★ 𝐽𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑜 𝑋 𝑅𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑒𝑟 𝑋 𝐾𝑎𝑘𝑦𝑜𝑖𝑛

★𝚝𝚠𝚎𝚕𝚟𝚎★

You raised the cup to your lips, allowing the oddly warm liquid to flow into your throat. You placed the cup down and leaned back in the chair, folding your arms behind your head.

"Was I born with a stand?" You asked, rolling your head to the side to look at Caesar, who was making bubbles with his hamon.

"I couldn't tell you." He hummed, turning to look at you. He blew a bubble at you and you reached up and popped it. "You would have to watch your memories over again to know."

"I figured as much," You sighed, looking up at the blank ceiling. Your raised your hand up and made different shapes with your fingers.

"Have you considered your decision yet?" He asked.

"Not at all." You said, leaning forward again and placing your cheek in your hand. "I feel like its too early to even think about it."

"Fair enough." Caesar said, blowing another bubble at you. A smile crossed over your face as you popped it again.

"You're something else." You hummed.

"I just don't like to see you so down. You remind me of my younger sister." Caesar said, standing up and walking towards you. He ruffled your hair, making you grab his wrist while laughing.

"You're making me not want to leave," You said with a grin while looking up at him. A soft smile spread out over his face.

"Enjoying my company huh?" He asked, plopping in the seat across from you.

"Maybe I am," You mumbled, rubbing your cheek. "You're really nice and all."
Caesar frowned and leaned forward to flick your forehead. "Hey! What was that for?!"

"Stop letting me be bias to your decision." He leaned back in his seat and propped his head on his hand. "You shouldn't decide to stay or go because I'm nice to you."

"But you're the one who I'm relying on right now." You said, puffing your cheeks out. "Not even my own flesh and blood wanted to come help me."

"Y/n, you shouldn't feel down about that." He said with caring eyes. "Just because your mother and father didn't come, doesn't mean you can't rely on them as well."

"Well how the hell am I supposed to rely on them if they aren't even here!?" You shouted, releasing the anger you had pent up. "Its unfair that not even my mom was here to greet me in death! I would have settled for my dad! Sure, I barely saw him, but it still would have been nice to know that they still thought of me! Its just unfair Caesar!" You froze as he held you to his chest. You didn't even realize you were crying.

"I know. And I'm sorry that they aren't here for you, cara. I truly am. But there isn't anything I can do to change that. The only thing I can do is stay here with you. Just because they weren't here for you, doesn't mean I won't be." He said in a soft voice. You gripped the back of his jacket tightly and burying your face into his chest to hide your tear stained cheeks. He placed his hand on your h/c hair and held your comfortingly. "I'll be the one to guide you, Y/n. You won't be alone."

"Thank you, Caesar," You whispered.

..

"Will I ever see them again?" You asked in a quiet voice. You were sitting in front of the screen, the image paused to be a picture of you and your parents, all smiling at the beach.

"...I don't know." Caesar said after a moment.

You memorized the image. The wide grin on your fathers face. He was american, and had the brightest e/c eyes. He had black hair and was built. You were on his shoulders, your own
e/c eyes shimmering in the sunlight. They weren't the exact same color as your Father's but a more dimmer shade. Your mother was beside both of you, her brown eyes glinting with happiness. Her long h/c hair matched your short hair perfectly, and was done in a intricate braid. Your mother was Japanese, and was hands down the most beautiful woman you had ever seen. She had pale skin and a slim figure, but if that small body didn't fool everyone. Your mother was extremely strong, and could take down a man twice her size easily. You had always admired your mother because of that. She often told you that you didn't need to be rescued like the princesses in the movies you watched when you were younger.

"You don't need a man to save you," She has always said. "I didn't need your father to save me in all the trouble I got into."

You broke your gaze away from the screen and stared down at your hands. Your palms were scattered with scars and you wondered where they came from. You don't remember seeing any scars on your body at all. You formed your hands into fists and watched as your tears dropped from your cheeks onto your hands.

"Get up from there. You don't belong on the ground with the dirt. Be strong,
Chīsana kuma."

You gasped and shot to your feet, spinning around while your wide e/c eyes frantically searched the room. Your h/c hair whipped behind you as you spun again. Where was she? That voice...it belonged to your mother. There was no doubt about it. It was her voice. No one else had ever called you Chīsana kuma except her.

It was only your imagination. Your mother wasn't here. You turned to face the screen, locking your eyes with hers on the screen.

"I'll be my own hero, Okaasan."