Her name is Akari

On my way home

It was a bright summer's day, the sun coming down after midafternoon. I sat on the cold hard ground in a very dark room, the stillness of the air was chilling even though it was hot outside. I was alone, but I was always alone these days, left to myself and the memories that haunt me.

My memories were always so vivid, like the day I got sick so long ago, and ever since then my heath faltered and moved like a roller-coaster. I was left to myself at the age of 10, and now i'm 14 years old, but the accident that happened so long ago was burned in my mind. Sakiko, the Momoki family doctor, always pacing around after that, muttering about a twin curse, but I was still so young so her exact words eluded me.

I've been in this one room shack for almost 4 years now, both in my human form, or when I get over exhausted, one of my animal forms. Unlike my family I never wanted to leave the Sohma's, and I thought about them often. They were more of my family than my actual family. 

I found myself stumbling out of the shed, wandering down the mountain path. My stomach twisting in knots as hunger filled my body with pain. I managed to walk father than I usually could, the sun beating down on my head, causing a splitting pain in my temples. Determined to find anything that I could eat to make the pain go away. After a mere moments more of walking, i came across a garden filled with fruits and vegetables. Loud growling came from my stomach as I looked about, seeing if anyone was around. After a moment of hesitation I plucked a strawberry from its vine and took small bites; tears swelled in the corner of my eyes as i crouched down to eat more and more.

"Uh, who are you?" said a soft feminine voice from above me. 

I could barely look up, the feeling of powerful waves of guilt crashing over me. This was someone's garden, and I had vandalized it. A girl, whose brown hair shined in the sunlight, looked down at me with worry in her soft brown eyes. I tried to apologized, but I haven't used my voice in years, locked my words away. I could only imagine what this girl must see. An animal, a small body covered in dirt and grime, thin to almost the bone, and my once vibrant red hair now dingy and matted down to the roots.

The girl just looked at me, sympathy in her eyes as she crouched down to my level and placed her hand on my shoulder so gently. "I'm really sorry I startled you, I promise i wont hurt you, please come with me" she spoke softly as she took my hand and guided my away. 

Kindness. Something I havent experienced in so long. I didn't think I deserve it, but I couldnt fight back, I didn't have the strength to. 

"My name is Tohru by the way, and you don't have to feel obligated to tell me yours just yet" She said as she led me to a house that was close by, but this house had an eerie feeling of familiarity to this house. Tohru led me through the house and into the bathroom. Leaving me momentarily to fill the bath with warm water.

"Let's get you cleaned up now" She spoke softly as she took a wash cloth and gently rubbed my face. All the dirt and grime of four years washed away as Tohru gently washed my hair. "You have such pretty red hair" she stated. "And your eyes are so different, one amber eye and one blue eye, i've never seen that before" compliments were never something i was use to hearing. 

I couldn't find the words to say as this girl fretted over me like a child. I was even shorter compared to her, so it was just easy to let her. Hot tears fell down my cheeks, sobs shook me at my shoulders as i bawled, and this woman, Tohru, let me cry and cry with a bright smile that never faltered.

Tohru lend me some of her clean clothes as she helped me to the table in the living room, her clothes were longer on me, but tighter around my figure. Everything in this house felt familiar and warm, comforting as I peered about the room. "Are you feeling better?" Tohru's happy tone snapped me out of my own thoughts.