Fan Fiction ❯ The Twins of Tasogare ❯ Chapter 2

Looking around this small village, Mana realized how much better she had it in Tasogare. The streets were lined with waste and all-around people were crying and hiding. It was almost like another world. Mana's eyes softened when she saw a small child dancing on a corner with a hat at her feet. Mana hopped off Ember and walked over to the child, placing a few gold coins into the hat. The girl's eyes lit up as she scooped up the hat and ran off. Mana smiled. She liked helping people. Then she heard cheering so she looked around to where it was coming from. She found a small crowd that had gathered around a small fight. Mana tried to break it up, which only resulted in her getting punched in the face. Ember saw this and tried to make her way to the front of the crowd, but she was too late. In seconds, the man that had punched Mana had burst into flames.

"She's a witch!" someone called from the crowd. Mana quickly ran as fast as she could. In an alleyway, she found a cloaked man, he pulled her into the alley further.

"Who are you and why do they seek you?" he asked. Mana stared at him defiantly.

"Why should I tell you my name?" she responded, glaring. He grabbed her wrists and pinned her to the wall.

"Tell me your name and I may be able to help you." Mana looked out of the alley as she heard the people coming closer.

"Fine. My name is Mayonaka Bara. I don't know why they're after me, but take off your hood and go along with it," she ordered. He gave her a confused look but did as he was told. "Now you must not resist and you must play along. If you don't, I'll be caught and so will you." Mana then pressed her lips on the man's and wrapped her arms around his neck. He was shocked at first, but then started to enjoy it. The crowd passed and she broke apart. Both of them were gasping for breath.

"What was that for?" he asked, still trying to regain himself. Mana smirked and looked up at him.

"Well, with my luck, they did not recognize you and could not see me. Now, what's your name?" Mana's eyes danced with a strange expression. The young man was just about to answer when Ember walked into the alleyway. "Ember, what are you doing here?" Mana asked, stroking her hair. Ember neighed and glared at the young man. He gulped. "Don't worry, Ember, he's okay. He helped me."

"Er, yeah...Hi, my name is Jake...and you're a horse..." he said. Mana giggled at this.

"I'm a guardian and lady Mayonaka, here, is a witch, it seems. You got your wish, now you can never go home or your uncle will have you killed. As for you, Jake, you also have magic. Perhaps that is why you were hiding in the alley. You will help us until we can find a way to get back without her getting into trouble," Ember explained. Jake looked a bit taken aback. He ran his hands through his tousled blond hair and averted his blue-eyed gaze to the ground.

"I guess I could...but my house is small and I only have enough room for one other person. I'm sorry..." He shuffled his feet nervously.

Mana giggled while Ember said, "I won't be there. I will escort Lady Mayonaka to your home and then I have to return to the castle to warn the duke and her sister. There is no doubt that if Mayonaka has magic then her twin sister will too. Now, hop on and Mayonaka, put on your cloak." Mana did as she was told and then hopped on. Jake just stood there for a bit before Mana pulled him on the horse.

"So, what kind of magic do you seem to have?" he asked.

"Fire...where are we going?"

"To the forest. I live in a hut there. You'll see. It's marvelous." Jake wrapped his arms around Mana's waist as they sped off out of Akatsuki. Her life was changing so rapidly, it was hard to keep up. Mana was in for quite an adventure.