Chapter Text
There was just something so comforting about the rain, the way it bounced off plants, buildings and the floor. The gentle plop of droplets filling puddles was like nature's own music. Time seemed to stand still when the rain came; people and animals would seek shelter, allowing the world to be at peace. Rain activated your senses when it tapped on your skin; it soothed the welts and wounds on your body. It even provided cover for you when you escaped your home.
The temple you were sitting in as you watched the rain belonged to Lord Ackerman, a Kitsune God who was worshipped in your town and a large part of the land. Lord Ackerman was one of the biggest Gods people worshipped. It seemed that the town you lived in had the strongest connection with him. Something in the town drew him there.
Most days, you’d be at the temple, you went so often that someone started creating a little cosy area for you. It began with a few cushions and blankets, and soon evolved into a cosy little room. Someone at the temple was looking out for you, caring for you like no one has ever done before. The place was your sanctuary, a haven away from the horrors of your home.
A couple struggled to have a kid, so they adopted you when you were two. Most people didn’t want you because you were born with a birthmark that looked like red flowers and vines all over your back, neck and upper arms. They cared for you for a few months, but soon found out they were expecting their miracle baby.
Aya was their pride and joy; she was everything to them and so strong. She had silvery eyes, pale skin, and jet-black hair with two little beauty marks, one under her eye and another to the side of her bottom lip, making her look so delicate in her beauty. She was given everything she ever wanted. At first, you got on well; it was a cute relationship, but as she became more aware and turned.
The first day she turned on you, you later found out was because her parents told her how they loved her more than you. So, Aya wanted to show off. Aya wanted something you had, but you wouldn’t let her have it because it was yours, so she screamed a cry and fell on the floor as if you’d hurt her. Mother came racing in and didn’t listen to you. Aya was her precious baby; she’d never lie. That was the first time Aya did that, and it was the first time your mother slapped you. It was only he beginning.
Time and time again, Aya would lie and get you punished. Punishment was either scrubbing the floor with a brush on your hands and knees for hours on end, getting slapped, kneeling on rice or being locked up in a room with no bed and food. You tried keeping your head down, but Aya enjoyed your torture and soon your parents did. When it got too bad, you ran away to the temple, which became your safe place.
You tried to find a motherly figure and thought you had found one in the local bakery. On one of your birthdays, you ran over to the bakery with some coins and bought a tiny cupcake because your parents never celebrated, and Aya stole all your things. The elderly lady seemed sweet, and after a while, she would gift you cakes, which you would take to the temple to eat. However, one day, she said it was time to pay up. She made you work your fingers to the bone; if you didn’t, she was going to tell your parents. When you paid her back, you never returned.
That was when you met Kuchel. One day, when you were sleeping in the temple, you were woken by someone putting a blanket over you. You were terrified at first; you didn’t trust anyone, but she was so gentle and kind. Kuchel was there for you for years. She showed you kindness like no one else, but you only ever met her at the temple. Her beauty was like the moon. She’d tell you stories, help you with school work and give you advice. When you asked the temple owner about Kuchel, he said he never knew anyone by that name and joked that you could see Gods and spirits.
Kuchel would gush about her cute son often, and how you’d get on with him perfectly. She asked if she could introduce you to him, and warned you he was shy. You agreed, you wanted friends because Aya stole all of yours. She was right, he was incredibly shy. Levi was so cute with you; he’d let you talk a lot, and he’d listen. He’d give you advice, support you, play with you and become a close friend. With him, life got a bit better. Troubles at home calmed down for a while until you and Aya were both in high school.
You’d made some friends at school, and they knew about your life, but not like how Levi knew. You kept Levi a secret from your family because he was the one person you didn’t want to lose to Aya. One of your close friends at school was a boy, Shoji, who was tall, handsome, with long tussled black hair and a beauty spot under his eye. Shoji was the school heartthrob, and yet he was drawn to the quiet, moody girl covered in scars and the red flowers who hid behind her hair. He liked how you were honest with him; you didn’t kiss his ass and even tried pushing him away.
Shoji followed you everywhere, and no matter how hard you tried, he never left you alone. You’d warned him about your sister, about how everyone who ever showed you any kindness was doomed. You told him you were cursed, but he told you he would break that curse. You told him it was only a matter of time before he fell in love with your younger sister because Aya always got everything. Shoji told you his heart belonged to someone else, so your sister couldn't take him. A part of you believed him.
As soon as you move to the third year of high school, Aya started in first. She was instantly popular and acted all sweet and innocent. She settled in, was well behaved on the outside, but under all her sweet smiles, she was spreading her feelers and getting as much information as possible on you. It was only a matter of time before she discovered the most popular guy in third year was glued to your hip.
Shoji sang your name as you walked out of school. “Wanna walk home together?”
You stared at the grey clouds and smelt the dampness in the air. “Rain.”
“Rain?” He looked up. “Oh, yeah, it’ll rain.” He wiggled his umbrella. “I have my umbrella.”
You hummed and looked ahead. “I should go to the temple.”
“Temple? You’re going there again?”
You slowly looked at Shoji with your tired eyes. “You’re still here?”
Shoji leaned down and grinned, making a few girls squeal in delight. “I asked you a few questions.”
“Oh.” You softly spoke and paused a moment as Shoji waited for an answer. You released a long sigh. “Your face.”
“What about it? Do you like it?”
You looked away. “It’s annoying.” You walked down the steps. “Bye.”
Shoji watched you walk off as he felt a spark inside him. You were a lot of fun. He jumped off the steps and sprinted after you as he called your name. “I’ll walk you home. I live near you, so it makes sense.”
“I’m not going home.” You glanced up as it began raining; it felt so cool on your skin.
He hummed in thought and put up his umbrella over the two of you. “Is that because you’re worried you’ll get hurt?”
You nodded weakly. “Yes.”
“Why would they? You haven’t done anything.”
“Aya knows about you.” You came to a stop and looked over at him. “She’ll want you.”
“I don’t want her. I’ve seen her in school staring at me. She’s not my type.” He placed his hand on his chest. “How can she possibly steal a heart that belongs to someone else?”
You stared at him for a bit. “You’ll be surprised.”
“I’m stronger than you think.”
You sighed at his cocky smile. “We need to stop being friends for your own good.”
He chuckled. “I’m so happy!”
You frowned. “Why?”
“You said we’re friends.”
You avoided his gaze. “We are. I only have two.”
He moved closer. “Who is the other?”
You shook your head. “I won’t say. I can’t lose the two I have.” You backed up from Shoji. “I’m leaving. You should walk away from me.” You turned away from him and felt your upper arm being gripped. Your body spun around as you bumped chests with Shoji. Your eyes widened as he protected and concealed you both with his umbrella while holding you. “Shoji?”
“You seemed like you needed a hug.”
It was hard to remember the last time you were hugged; being hugged by your parents never happened. Kuchel would hold you sometimes like a mother should; it always made you cry. As Shoji held you, you clung to the front of his shirt and quietly sobbed. Shoji’s heart broke for you as your tears soaked his shirt.
He softly said your name. “You deserve a life of luxury, love, care and all blessed things.”
You pushed him back, but his hold was strong. “I don’t think that’s possible.”
He caressed your cheek and wiped your tears away, showing off his perfect pale hands with perfectly painted black nails. “It’ll happen.”
“Shoji?” Aya called.
Both of you stopped your little moment, and a look came over Shoji’s eyes that you’d never seen before; he looked enraged. The look vanished as soon as it appeared. He released you and turned to your sister while you looked away. When you tried to walk away, Shoji grabbed your arm and kept you with him.
Shoji put on a fake smile. “Yes?”
Aya shuffled closer as she clutched her umbrella. “Um, can we talk?”
“Sure.”
You tugged your arm a little, but Shoji gripped tighter. “Shoji, please. I want to go.”
He pulled you against him. “The rain is bad. Let me protect you.”
Aya walked closer and looked up at Shoji. She put on her sweet and innocent look at him through her lashes. Her black hair was long with a long fringe to add to her shy cuteness. “Shoji?”
He looked back at her. “Yes?”
She whined a little. “I’m in love with you, please be my boyfriend.”
“No.”
Her eyes widened. “No?” It was a word she’d never heard before. “Why?”
“I’ve never spent time with you, and when I see you around school, you’re surrounded by men.” He leaned closer and whispered. “I don’t like nasty girls like you who spread lies. One day, you’ll bite your own tongue off from the lies you spread.”
Fake tears filled her eyes. “My sister told you lies about me?”
Shoji felt you shaking; he needed to say something, otherwise you’d get punished. “No, she barely speaks to me. I’m always chasing her around the school. I heard this from people at school.”
Aya rubbed her tears. “It’s not true. Girls are just jealous of me. They bully me.”
He pulled out his hankie and handed it over. “Tell a teacher then.” He looked down at you. “I’ll walk you home now.” He turned to you and walked with you towards your home. “Are you cold? You got rained on a bit.”
Aya ran over and walked next to Shoji. “She’s fine. She’s always out in the rain. It’s so weird.”
Shoji kept a firm grip on your upper arm. “You like the rain?”
You kept your head down. “A little.”
“I like it too.”
Aya gasped. “I-I like it also.”
Shoji glanced over at her. “Why?”
“Sorry?”
“Why do you like it?”
She gulped. “It’s pretty.”
He hummed and looked back at you. “Why do you like it?”
You shrugged a little. “It’s like time stands still and the world goes quiet. The water gives life to nature. It’s like nature's music when droplets hit things. It’s musical and soothing.” You reached out and let the water hit your fingers. “It feels gentle on your skin and reminds you that you’re alive and you’ll keep growing like the world around you.” You pulled back. “Or something.”
“That was beautiful.”
You saw the house ahead. “Bye.”
Shoji grabbed your hand. “Wait. Can we talk?”
You looked at Aya to see that she was furious; she was gnawing at her bottom lip as she stared right at you. You looked back at Shoji and shook your head. “No. No. I have to go.” You noticed Aya going towards the house. “Please!” Your voice cracked as you begged him.
He let you go. “I’m sorry.”
You bowed to him. “Thank you.” You raced inside the house and tried to make it to your room, but your mother screamed your name. “Mother.”
She snarled. “Get here, now.”
You walked over to her with Aya smirking wickedly behind her, fake tears running down her cheeks. “Mother.”
“Kneel!”
You knelt before her. “Yes, mother.”
She slapped you hard across the face. “You wicked, wicked child! How dare you spread rumours about our precious Aya!”
“I didn’t.”
She hit you again. “Stop lying!”
Your father rounded the corner and sighed. “What has she done now? I swear, if we could give back adopted kids, we would have given you back a long time ago.”
“She spread lies about poor Aya, so now Aya is being bullied at school.”
Your father grabbed a fistful of your hair. “You little witch!”
You winced in pain. “I didn’t. It wasn’t me.”
He shoved you down. “Bow and ask for forgiveness.”
“But.”
“Now!” His voice boomed.
You shook on the floor. “Aya, please forgive me.”
Aya folded her arms and hummed. “I’ll forgive you if and only if you give me Shoji.”
Your mother frowned. “Shoji? Who is that?”
“She’s her friend, and I want him.”
“Give Shoji to her!”
You shook in fear. “He doesn’t belong to me, I can’t give her something that’s not mine.”
“Mummy!” She whined.
Your father shoved you hard. “Selfish girl!”
You sobbed against the floor. “I’m sorry, please, I’m sorry. Mother, father, please.”
Mother sighed. “Darling Aya, what do you want to do?”
Aya stared at the part of your red flower birthmark on your neck. “I hate those ugly flowers on her skin. I want to burn them.”
“We can use boiling water.”
You screamed as your father manhandled you to the kitchen. “No! Please, no, no, no!” You thrashed when he pressed your arm on the counter. “Please, don’t! I’m sorry! I’m sorry!”
Aya took the kettle with hot water in and went to pour, but she argued with her father a little because he didn’t want to get burned. The talking went on long enough that the water wasn’t boiling. She tilted the kettle and poured it on your arm, making you scream in agony, but as soon as the water hit your arm, Aya cried out and dropped it from pain in her hand.
As soon as you were released, you hugged your arm, rushed to the sink and ran cold water over your skin. You looked over at Aya to see her show her hand, blood was dripping from it, as a small red flower had grown from her palm. At first, they were panicked for her, but then they declared she must be special; she must have powers.
Father looked over at you, grabbed your upper arm and dragged you past your mother and Aya. “Aya is so very special; she has powers now. She’s a blessing. You are a plague on her life.” He pulled out the key from his pocket, unlocked your punishment room and threw you inside. “You’ll stay in here until you gift our blessed daughter Shoji.”
You sat up on the cold wooden floor. “Father, I’m sorry. Please, it’s cold and damp.” You sniffed. “My arm hurts.”
There was a flash of sadness in his eyes before the rage took over. “Think about your sins.”
You sobbed as he slammed the door and left you in the small and empty cold room, only a window showing the outside to comfort you. You looked down at your arm to see that it was raw. “Ow.” You looked over at the window when someone knocked on it. You shuffled closer as it was shoved open. “Levi?”
He peeked in and smiled. “Hey.” He noticed the state you were in. “Come here. Let me take you away from here.”
You hurried to the window and let him wrap his arms around you, pick you up and carry you up the hill path to the temple. All you could do was cling to him and cry, cry until you were exhausted and passed out in his arms. Your dreams were full of red flowers consuming you and things around you; you were screaming in pain, and it was taking over the land, hurting people; it scared you.
You woke up with a jolt and saw red spider lilies around you. “What…”
Levi tapped one. “Beautiful.”
Kuchel knelt with a box in her hands. “Spider lilies are very lovely flowers.” She opened the box and pulled out medicine. “You have a lovely ability.”
You looked at your hands. “Why now?”
“Could be your age, you’re getting close to being 18.” She massaged cream into your burn. “I think you were defending yourself from being hurt. What happened?”
“Aya poured boiling water on my arm.”
Kuchel sobbed a little. “Oh, you poor baby.”
Levi snarled a little. “Why?”
You watched Kuchel wrap up your arm. “Because she wants to have my friend Shoji as hers. He’s a boy in my year who follows me around, and Aya wants him as her boyfriend. I can’t give people away, I don’t have that power. I don’t know why Shoji follows me so much.” You started crying. “I just want it to stop. She lied and said I spread rumours. I have no one at school, no friends there, I made sure, and I don’t talk to anyone.” You cried harder. “I just want to be loved.” You put your head in your hands. “Am I that hard to love?”
Kuchel reached for you. “Oh, no baby, you’re not.” She smiled when Levi got to you before her.
Levi hugged you tightly against him. “You are incredibly lovable.” He massaged his fingers in your hair. “You’re incredible.”
Kuchel wiped your tears. “Do you want a motherly hug?”
You nodded and climbed into her arms. “Thank you.”
Levi released a long sigh. “Something needs to be done about that girl and family.”
Kuchel smiled at her son. “In time. For now, we have a precious girl to take care of. Do you want something to eat?”
You nodded. “Yes. I’m so hungry.”
“I’ll get you something.” She kissed your cheek and released you. “I’ll be right back. Levi, look after her.”
Levi reached over and took your hand. “You deserve better.”
You looked at Levi with tired eyes. “I’m not sure if I do.”
He kissed your fingers, making your heart flutter. “You do. If you’re ever scared or in trouble, come here to the temple. I’m here.”
You gave Levi a rare smile. “Thank you. You’re the only friend I have. I don’t ever want to lose you.”
“You won’t. You won’t ever lose me.”
Kuchel returned with a tray covered in food. “I brought lots of food!” She sat down and grinned. “Let’s eat.” She watched you for a bit and put more food on your plate. “Eat more, sweetheart.”
You shoved plenty of food in your mouth. “This is so good.” You sniffed. “Why am I crying?”
Kuchel wiped your tears with the sleeve of her dress. “It’s healing food. Eat it all, okay?”
You ate everything along with extras and felt exhausted. “I’m tired.”
“Sleep in the room here, okay? We’ll watch over you.”
You held Levi’s hand. “Stay with me.”
Levi gulped a little. “S-Sure, I’ll sleep next to you.”
Kuchel winked at Levi. “I’ll get a spare blanket and pillow. I’ll be right back.”
You shifted and moved to your little room. “Sorry, Levi, you know, for making you stay with me. You don’t have to. I was being too demanding.”
He shook his head. “No, no, you should demand more. I’ll give you anything you want.” His words came from a place of deep love. Over the years, as Levi grew up with you, he’d fallen madly in love with you. His love was deeper and purer than any human love because he was a kitsune, son of the current kitsune God, Kuchel, who was worshipped far and wide. He moved closer as his feelings bubbled up. He softly said your name as he caressed your cheek. “You name it and I’ll make it yours.”
“Sorry to disturb you both.” Kuchel chimed. “I have your things, Levi.”
Levi blushed a little. “Thanks.” His cheeks and ears got redder when his mother whispered in his ear. He nodded at whatever she said. “Yes.” He looked over at you and smiled sweetly.
Kuchel hummed a laugh. “Well, I’ll rest over in this area. If you have a nightmare and need me, call my name. Levi, stay at her side.”
“I will.” He tucked you in before setting up his bedding next to you. “Sleep.”
You rolled onto your side and smiled at Levi. “Will you be here when I wake up?”
“Yes.” He held your hand and lay so that he faced you. “I’ll be here. Stay here with us for a few days. Please?”
You nodded as you slowly fell asleep. “Yes.”
Levi watched you for a while and knew when you were both adults, he was going to spirit you away from here and marry you. He was going to give you the dream life in the spirit world in his temple. He was going to become the strongest kitsune God he could be. He started kissing your hand before closing his eyes and resting as he thought of a life with you.
Shoji sat with you on a wall as he looked at your healing burn. “I can’t believe it.”
“This is what happens.” You pulled your sleeve down. “I can’t be around you.”
“I’ll talk to them.”
You shook your head. “N-no, don’t.”
He smiled at you. “They're trying to control people’s lives. I won’t allow it.”
You sprinted after him. “Shoji, don’t!” You panted as you ran after him. “Shoji!” From years of torture from your family, you were weak and chasing a young man was hard. “Shoji!”
He stopped when he saw you collapse. He called your name and raced back over. “Forgive me.” With a gentle touch, he scooped you up into his arms. “I’ll carry you.”
You gripped his shirt as he carried you. “Shoji?”
“Mm?”
You clenched up. “Why do you do so much for me? Why do you try so hard? I push you away so much.”
He smiled softly. “It’s simple, I do it all because I like you.”
“There are so many other girls.”
“They’re not you. You’re different and special to me.”
You gazed up at Shoji before sighing. “You’re so stubborn.”
He bounced you in his arms. “I am.” He looked down at you. There was a shimmer in his eyes that seemed inhuman but mesmerising. “Do you trust me?”
“I barely know you.”
He chuckled. “I know so much about you. I can’t wait for us to get to know each other more.” He looked up at your home as your father came racing out, your mother behind him and a sobbing Aya. Your parents ranted at you but stopped themselves when they saw Shoji. “May I have a word with you?”
Your father smiled. “Is it about Aya?”
Shoji nodded. “Correct.” He whispered against your ear. “Trust me.” He walked towards them. “May I come in and set this one down somewhere safe? She had a fall.”
He moved out of the way, but you caught a glare. “Of course.”
Shoji sat you down on the stairs. “Wait here, okay?” He turned to your family. “Shall we chat in your kitchen? It’ll be private that way.”
Your mother gasped in delight. “Yes! I’ll get you something to drink and eat.” She shot daggers at you. “What do you say about sweet, handsome and strong Shoji helping your sorry self, huh?”
You bowed deeply. “Thank you, and I’m sorry for being a burden.”
Shoji ruffled your hair. “I wanted to. Wait for me.”
You watched their feet move out of view, followed by the kitchen door sliding closed. You lifted your head as tiredness washed over you. All you could think about was Levi and how you wanted him to show up and take you away, but he didn’t. So, you sat on the stairs pulling at your skirt as the clock ticked by. A lot of time had passed, and the sun began to set before the door to the kitchen slid open.
Your weary eyes locked onto your scared-looking father, who was trying to keep it together. “Father?”
Father flinched at your voice before stammering your name. “Y-You’re going to live with Shoji n-now.”
“What?” Confusion rushed you like a tidal wave. “I don’t understand.”
Mother rushed past you to your room. “I’ll get her things!”
“What’s going on?”
Father looked at Shoji as he walked over with a gentle smile. “Sh-Shoji made it clear h-how he feels. H-he wants to care for you. You don’t like it here, so it’s best if you live with him. Go on, go!”
“You’re kicking me out?”
Your mother rushed down with two suitcases with your belongings; you always knew you didn’t have much. “Here are your things.”
“I don’t…”
Shoji gripped your suitcases. “Come with me. You’ll be safe at my home, and no one will ever torture you again.”
You shuffled after him before looking back and seeing Aya sitting at the table, her eyes wide in fear as tears ran down her cheeks; you’d never seen her that pale before. You tried looking at your parents, but they just held each other and wouldn’t look at you. When you got outside, you saw a fancy car waiting, and a driver stood next to the back door. You knew Shoji’s family was rich, but not this rich.
Shoji gave orders to the driver before turning to you. “Ready?”
You stared at his outstretched hand. “I…”
“It’s okay.”
You sighed. “Do you live near the temple I love?”
He nodded and grabbed your hand. “Yes, so you can keep going.”
“Okay.” You climbed into the car. Awkwardness washed over you as you sat in such a big seat next to Shoji. “Why?”
“Because you deserve happiness.” He turned in his seat and held your hand. “You’re safe at my home. You’ll have your own room, the best clothes, toys and tech. My parents will give you plenty of food, and my father is a doctor, so he’ll treat all your wounds from years of abuse.” He saw tears forming in your eyes. “It’s okay.”
You sniffed. “You’re too kind. Thank you, thank you so much.”
He wiped your tears away. “I just want you to smile, that’s all. Now, get some rest. When you wake up, you’ll be in your new home.”
You leaned your head against the car door, your eyes slowly closing and a sense of calm drifting over you. There was a chance for you, some sense of hope, that things really could get better for you. When you awoke later on, things were cosy in the home. The bed you had was large and comfy, and the room was as big as a simple apartment. Everything you could have dreamed of was provided to you. You never had to worry about a thing. It was rather overwhelming being given so much, from a large top-of-the-line laptop to comfortable and fashionable clothes.
Shoji’s parents were a little odd; they smiled softly and always seemed to be in a good mood. They never fought with Shoji; they were actually the opposite and praised him a lot. The pair left you and Shoji alone a lot, and whenever you sought them out, they were overly sweet and gave you everything you wanted and more. The whole family spoiled you, which was an odd experience.
Due to you being alone a lot with Shoji, the two of you got closer. Shoji kept talking about his love, but you were not sure. Something deep down inside you was telling you that something wasn’t right about Shoji, so you listened and never gave him your whole heart. It would have been impossible to love him because all you could think about was Levi.
Levi was your world; he meant everything to you, and you wished you lived with him. You felt guilty that you’d run off with Shoji and experienced things with him. If you had a choice in it all, you wanted Levi to be your first in everything and your last. The desire and need to be with Levi was consuming you that sometimes it felt like you couldn’t breathe. With your emotions building up so much when you became a young adult, your flower markings began to look bolder on your skin.
When high school was over, you didn’t want to move on to university; you wanted to work at the temple so you could be close to Levi and Kuchel. It was also because you seemed to have a strong connection to the supernatural. Shoji wanted you to go with him to get out of the town, but you chose not to go. He fought you over it, expecting you to give it back to him, but instead, you didn’t retaliate because you were used to people hurting you if you did.
“Why can’t you come with me? You hate this town, you hate the people here because they hurt you. Just leave with me.” Shoji pleaded; he was so desperate to keep you with him.
You had had enough of him shouting at you; you wanted to go for clear air. You were an adult now; you didn’t need to be treated like a child. “I don’t hate the people here. They’ve hurt me, but I still care.”
“How can you care about terrible people?” He blocked your path as you tried to leave. He firmly said your name. “They hurt you.”
“Humans do that. They hurt others. I believe in forgiveness.”
He held your upper arms. “I need my girl with me. Long distance is hard.”
You stared at him for a moment. “Then…we’ll break up. You can meet uni girls.”
“You want to break up? Why?”
You shrugged him off. “My home is here. I have a job at the temple, and I love the temple. I don’t want to leave that place.”
“After all these years, you want to part?”
You walked out of your bedroom door and paused. “I can move out and move into the temple if that would be better.” You went to look back, but stopped yourself. “I don’t want to come in between you and a great future. You deserve everything, Shoji. You’re an incredible person.”
Part of you thought he’d run after you, but he didn’t. There was a sensation that washed over you, like he was giving you a dark glare. You knew Shoji cared about you deeply, but you knew you’d never fully comprehend the depth of his affection. You just wanted to get out of there and go to the only person who ever understood you and cared.
The walk up to the temple was always therapeutic to you; it was so freeing going up the winding path through the forest. It felt like home. When you finished high school, the God of the temple had changed to the descendant, and it appeared they had a lot more power than the one before. The blessings and deals people were making with the god were impressive. Working at the temple was wonderful; it was the only shimmer of hope and joy in your life. Plus, you get to spend more time with Levi.
As you walked up the mountain, you saw Levi waiting for you. You waved to him as your heart fluttered. “Levi.”
He softly said your name. “You made it.”
“I always make it to see you.”
He wrapped his arms around you, sending a healing warmth between the two of you. “It’s good to see you. Tch, damn brat should come more.”
“I should.” You reluctantly pulled back. “I feel at home here.”
“Good. I feel at home when you’re here.” He lightly touched under your left eye. “Something is troubling you.”
“I…” You sighed and walked with Levi up to the temple while explaining what went on with Shoji. You came to a stop at the main temple and sat down. “I don’t know what to do or say when it comes to him.”
Levi shuffled closer and fought his jealousy. “Do you regret giving him your firsts?”
You nibbled your lip a little. “I don’t regret my actions. It was an experience.”
He felt that response sting a little. “Okay.”
“I never loved him.”
Levi perked up. “No?”
You shook your head and leaned against Levi. “Something was slightly off with him.” You closed your eyes for a moment. “He’s leaving soon. I’m thinking of moving in here.”
“Please do.” He placed his hand on your thigh. “I want you here.”
“I should have moved here a long time ago.”
He had to agree with that statement, but he and his mother never offered you a place here when they should have; they had an opportunity to offer an olive branch. “I should have suggested it sooner.”
“It’s okay. I’m here now.” You nuzzled your head on his shoulder. “I don’t ever want to leave you.” You reached over to Levi’s hand on your thigh and held his hand. “It’s strange.”
He kissed your hand. “What is?”
“The way I feel with you is so different to Shoji.” You closed your eyes. “I’m tired.”
Levi kissed the top of your head. “Let’s get you to your room.” He picked you up and then carried you to your room. “Nice and cosy for you.”
You inhaled deeply and opened your eyes. “You’ll stay with me, right?”
He lay next to you with a gentle smile. “Yeah, of course.” Levi slept next to you as he held your hand. The two of you would do this every time you come over.
After sleeping for a while, he was awoken by hushed sobs. He frowned as they got quieter and distant. He sat up to see you were missing from the bed, but left behind were red flowers mixed with red spider lilies. He followed the trail of flowers outside and into the night that basked in the moonlight. He kept following as the sobs got louder, which led him to the open area of the temple buildings. In the middle was a pool of flowers, and you in the centre, clinging to yourself and crying.
Levi softly called your name. “It’s okay.” He reached for you. “It’s okay.”
You looked up at him with flowers blooming from your skin markings. “Don’t come close. I’m a monster.”
He walked through the flowers. “I’m coming.”
“Don’t, it’ll hurt you like it did Aya.”
He smiled as he got closer. “I won’t get hurt. They’re connected to your feelings.” He knelt in front of you. “And I’m sure you care about me.”
You shook a little. “Oh, Levi.” You threw yourself into his arms. “What’s happening?”
Levi massaged his fingers in your hair as he rubbed your back. “Did you have a nightmare?”
“I did, but I’ve had them before. This never happened before.”
He kissed the side of your head and closed his eyes. He sent his energy into you and found that someone had placed a curse on you to lose control of your power. He carefully broke the curse, causing you to gasp and relax as the flowers faded on your skin. “It’s okay. I’m here for you, always.”
You calmed your sobs and looked at your hands. “I feel cursed.”
“Does it hurt when you use your power?”
“No.”
He cradled you in his arms. “That’s good.” He traced some of the patterns on your skin. “You’re connected to your emotions. For so long, you’ve held them back, but now you’re letting them go a little. Maybe this ability isn’t your enemy.”
You sighed as your eyes closed. “I just want to be happy and loved.”
Levi’s mind started racing with ideas. “You’ll get it. I promise.”