Fan Fiction ❯ Fractures of Memory ❯ Prologue ( Prologue )

Fractures of Memory

By Desi-chan

 

 

Disclaimer: I would like to make it clear that all characters in this work are of my own creation. Any similarity to any other characters/names in existence is merely coincidental. ^_^;

 

 

Prologue

 

A particularly cool spell was currently sweeping the icy country known as Tsumetai in its uncommonly frigid grasp, even when one considered the land's normally cold climate, this unbearable cold was unnatural. Unlike most days, not a soul was on the streets. This freezing wind was biting enough that it could tear its way through even the strongest fur coat; rendering it useless. The people had learned this the hard way on the first day of this icy drought, and now the populace took to cowering inside for its duration.

 

One family wasn't bothered at all by this change in weather patterns. This family, after all, was one of the most antisocial to date ever to reside in the country. The family was indeed an odd one. Three of its members were cat demons, the last of their kind, they simply did not yet know of that just yet. Though they possessed the physical form of humans, they were characterized by their tails, ears, and felinesque paws that replaced human feet. The two children even had dewclaws of a brutal-looking nature, though they were never used aggressively. These children, after all, were taught appropriately by their father how they should and should not act. That was exactly why they stood so politely right at that moment, hands folded before them as they stood beside his chair on either side. Heads cast downward, and fairly large ears lowered, they seemed more like slaves of a sort rather than his own sons. Their father, Taya, would not accept any less. As the three of them were the very last of their breed, there were certain conditions that these boys must meet.

 

Unfortunately, their mother wasn't of their kind. The woman was truly beautiful, cascading brown hair tumbling down her shoulders, perfect pale skin; however, her human heritage gave her much grief in this household. Though she lived with the boys and her husband, she had absolutely no control over what occurred within the confines of the walls. Her name was Ritsu; and she may have been Taya's wife legally, but to him she was a slave. Taya would not hesitate to whip her into shape when needed, or beat her if she did not obey his whims. Before the marriage, it had been wonderful. They had met upon a snowy hillside north of the city in which they lived, Yume. There they had become good friends, and soon-to-be lovers. All of this was destined to become a nightmare for the two kittens.

 

It wasn't long before Taya discovered what the true fate of their species had been, racism having been the cause of their extermination. Upon finding out such dreadful news, he of course blamed Ritsu and her `despicable' race. If what she had endured before was torture, what she endured after that discovery was pure hell.

~~~

 

 

Silence seemed to hang over the hallways of the house like a dense fog; simply waiting to swallow Kori whole. He hated when it was so quiet… it always had a tendency to make him panic and want to call for his brother desperately. Even if such an action was unnecessary, the very thought of being able to do so gave the young feline a sense of security, as slight as it was. Twins rarely needed to contact one another, as there was always an innate bond between the two minds. They had once been one, after all.

 

A small smile of relief passed over the boy's lips as his cerulean eyes calmed, his slim tail flicking uneasily behind him as he approached his parents' room. He had something very important to speak to them about, and it involved his origin. He knew that he and Asuka looked like their daddy, but what about mommy? Why didn't she look like they did? having been retained inside for all of their lives, Kori and Asuka knew nothing of humans. To them, their mother must have had an accident or something to have gotten her tail, ears, and paws taken away. The boy shivered as he reached the oak door that belonged to his parents' room. What a frightening thought that was!

 

Kori blinked softly as he placed a hand tentatively on the door's surface. His ears pricked, the tiny tufts of hair on the ends twitching ever so slightly. It seemed as if his parents were already having a discussion of a sort; but they wouldn't mind him barging in… surely. They never had before. With only a minute bit of hesitation, the neko pushed the door open with a painfully loud creak, which in turn startled the room's inhabitants. Well, it startled the one remaining conscious inhabitant at least. Taya slowly turned his head so that he could observe the new arrival with cold, unwavering golden eyes. Crimson stained his clothing, his face, and even his hair. Kori merely stood there, in far too much of a shocked state to move. At the mere age of six, he saw his mother battered to the ground, bloodied and bruised beyond belief. As he stared, Taya had risen to his feet and had begun making his way over to the child, a hand outstretched.

 

“Kori-kun. Your mother was being naughty… she wouldn't obey me as she should. As the last cat demons, myself, you, and Asuka must take up the slack that our species left in its wake. We mustn't let humans take control over us, Kori!” Taya reached out, gripping the boy's shoulders rather roughly, obviously not himself. The blood had gotten into his mind… he was drunk off of it; and unfortunately, this was to become a common experience in the future. “Are you listening, Kori? Don't let the damned humans beat you down, don't let them treat you like you're a mere insect!”

 

Kori was brought out of his shock when he had been gripped tightly by his father, immediately recoiling from the hands that had bloodied his own nightshirt now. He clutched his small hands to his chest and cried out, shuddering in fright. If daddy could do this to mommy… would he…? The thought made him fall to his knees, arms clutching him as he broke down into pitiful sobs. He couldn't believe this… what was happening? They had all been happy… nothing had gone wrong. Why did daddy do this to mommy? Would mommy be all better soon? He whimpered, cringing as a gentle, yet bloody hand came to rest on his shoulder. “Kori-kun…”

 

That small touch, simple as it was, made Kori cry out; wrenching himself away. His eyes widened in fear as he looked upon the father that he once trusted with everything, the father that was supposed to take care of all of them. Now, however, Kori's young mind was beginning to put two and two together. Had this been the reason that they were forbidden to go outside…? These humans were mean to people like them? He was beginning to question whether his father's words were indeed correct; because as children, Kori and Asuka had been taught that it was imperative to listen to everything their father said to them.

 

An uncertain glance was directed toward the woman that lay on the floor, feet away. She was bleeding profusely… primarily from her mouth and general head region. She wasn't breathing, yet Kori wasn't sure of what that meant. The two overly sheltered kittens knew nothing of death. Unknown to both of them, they had been pawns; manipulated directly by their father so that they would feel nothing when this eventually occurred. Taya had been planning this murder ever since the two had been born. Kori, uncertain of himself and what was happening, clung to the only one close enough to provide him with warmth. His arms wrapped tightly around his father as he whimpered softly in fright and confusion. “Daddy… mom's going to wake up… isn't she? She'll… play with us later, right?”

 

The young boy looked up into the golden eyes of his father, who stared at the lifeless body thoughtfully. Kori had been seeking warmth, but all he saw… was biting cold in those eyes. A chill went down his spine as he tightened his hold, closing his eyes. What was happening… it felt like all of the familiar things were crashing down around him… into a mock representation of what once was.

 

(Author's Note: Wee! The prologue is finally completed! I think I got lazy toward the end… lost my main train of thought…. e.e But Chapter 1 will be better, I promise! Unfortunately, some people may not wish to read further. Some shota-ish themes and twincest/incest arise beginning next chapter. If you don't like, don't read on. You've been warned. ^o^)