Two Little Hearts

"What's up with her?" Yukika heard whispers surrounding her. She turned and saw her classmates glancing over at Sakura. It was gym class for the class of 6-A, and the twelve-year-olds were clumped together in the gymnasium. All except for Sakura, who was standing at one corner of the gym. She was wearing her gym jacket over her clothes. It was raining outside, and the air was cold.

Cold. Yukika felt it all around her. It was in the stares, in the air, in their hearts. Stuffing her hands into her pockets, Yukika focused on the cold. She could hear Bheur's voice whispering in their wind. She imagined swirling the cold into a tornado and knocking away all the whispering classmates. She could do it if she wanted to if she let Bheur control her. But she knew she couldn't. She couldn't let herself lose control.

Sakura was staring at her feet. Their classmates took the opportunity to keep staring at her. Their stares were full of judgement. Yukika gritted her teeth, seeing malicious spirits whispering in their ears. She wanted to make them disappear with a flick of her hand, but she hadn't mastered that yet. She heard another whisper pass her ears between squeaks of gym shoes.

"Don't you know? She never takes part in gym. I bet she thinks she's so special."

Yukika clenched her fists. It was always that way. She didn't know what the big deal was, but any difference was a reason to gossip and pick on other students. That was how children were, pushing away anything alien to them out of fear. Unfortunately, Haruka told her that some children would never grow out of this. She finally spoke up.

"Shut up about Sakura. It's none of your business."

Some of her classmates looked over and glared at her for interrupting them. They knew better than to pick a fight, however. Yukika would never back down. Some of them had to learn the hard way.

The teacher finally entered to teach the class. They started to warm up. Sakura had slid to the ground. She started to play with her shoelaces. The class jogged a few laps. Then the true exercise started a game of basketball. The two teams were divided, and Yukika's team cheered at getting her. Yukika played effortlessly, dodging the players trying to steal the ball from her. She was too fast for the other players, stealing the ball each time in a blink of an eye. She kept her cool trying to shoot the ball in the hoop, ignoring the waving arms all around her. She had to keep cool. 'It's just a game, it's just a game,' she reminded herself.

The game ended with her team winning. Yukika got lots of pats on the back by her teammates. She smiled at some of them and stayed blank-faced at others. She walked towards Sakura. She was smiling at Yukika, holding out her water bottle and a face towel. Her face lit up every time she smiled. It filled her with happiness to see that smile. Yukika smiled back at her.

"You did really good, Yukika," said Sakura. "You can be a professional one day."

Yukika laughed at the notion. "Sure, and get paid millions of Decacents. Then I'll buy a giant house in City Three and we can live there forever."

In the middle of her joke, she realised how much she wished for that. It sounded wonderful, to live such a special yet normal life with Sakura. The world was full of cold cruelty, that sometimes the only thing she knew was that cold. But Sakura managed to open her life to a warmth she never knew before. One day, they would be able to live life happily without being judged for being marked by spirits. She vowed to herself to seek that life. To forever live with Sakura's warmth. Sakura's eyes shone. Without having to voice their thoughts, they knew they were thinking of the same thing.

"You really think we'll be friends that long?" Sakura asked. Her small hands gripped her gym jacket. Yukika took Sakura's hands in hers. They were so warm. So soft. The bell rang for them to go home.

"We'll be friends forever," Yukika reassured her. Sakura smiled. They walked back to class together, hand in hand. Yukika was aware of the stares they got, but she didn't care. Nothing else mattered if Sakura was happy.

Their happiness didn't last long. Back in class, there were crumpled up papers in Sakura's desk. All the contents of her schoolbag were strewn out around the class. Sakura sighed. Her bottom lip quivered a little. A spirit of despair hung around her neck, whispering in her ear. She shook off any desire to cry, and it disappeared. Yukika helped her gather her things and put them back in her bag. As she zipped up her bag, it was snatched away.

"Oh, looks like Sakura wants her things," the girl teased. Her name was Merry and she was a red-haired girl with an angelic face but a devilish smile on her face. Merry was a well known two-faced girl, sweet and helpful to anyone who could help her in return and spiteful towards anyone she thought was below her. Her friends laughed. Yukika could see two pride spirits resting on her shoulders. They were feeding off her energy. Yukika gave her a warning glance.

"Give it back."

Merry pouted at her. She waved the bag high above her head. "Are you going to fight all her battles, Yukika? Sakura can't stand up for herself?"

Sakura blinked away her tears. She lunged forward to grab her bag, but Merry dodged. Sakura clenched her fists.

"Leave me alone! And give my bag back!"

"Which one is it?" Merry taunted. Her friends laughed and dragged her away from Merry every time she came close to getting her bag. Yukika breathed in and out. Anger built up in her chest. White hot and burning. It felt unfamiliar to her, yet it felt so right as well. She tried to calm herself down. 'We can solve this,' she tried to remind herself.

She looked back at Merry. She was running circles around Sakura, and Sakura jogged to keep up. Her fury was building up. Yukika tried to run to grab the bag from Merry, but her friends restrained her. Merry's braids swung as she ran from Sakura.

"Look at her, she can't even run to get her bag," Merry laughed. She finally stopped at the corner of the classroom. She dangled the bag out of the window. Yukika watched in horror. She dropped it down below. "Whoops."

Sakura's tears were flowing down her face. She ran out of the classroom to rescue her bag. Merry's friends looked at each other and ran away before either of them could report them to the teachers. Merry tried to run as well, but Yukika had enough. She lunged to tackle her to the ground.

"Ow, what's wrong with you?" Merry yelled as her head hit the ground. Yukika didn't care any more. Her hands gripped Merry's arms. Her cold skin made Merry shiver. "Get off me, you cold freak!"

"What's wrong with you? What's your problem with us?" Yukika yelled back. It was unbearable, day after day of the torturous sneers and gossiping. So many times, they found their homework ripped up or soaking in the toilets. So many times, Sakura went home crying.

"You're spirit freaks, that's what," Merry taunted. "We all know Sakura has a spirit mark. I've seen it, it's disgusting."

Anger rushed through her. Cold flowed through her arms. Merry writhed around under her. She tried to disguise it with a sneer, but Yukika saw a grimace forming in her face. She didn't care. Merry deserved it. Her arms were locked. Ice shot out of her hands.

"Leave. Us. Alone."

What came out wasn't her voice, but the deep voice of Bheur. Frost quickly formed at Merry's arms. She yelped in pain and surprise. Her arms were quickly encased in ice. A fear spirit landed on Merry's face. It smiled at her, sharp teeth glinting as thunder flashed. Yukika was in a state of shock. She pulled her hands away. Merry pushed her off. Yukika landed with a thud on the floor. Merry ran away from the class, screaming.

Yukika sat there for a while. Did she just do that? She stared at her hands. Frost coated her fingertips. She shuddered. What would have happened if she didn't let go? She didn't want to think of it. She got up, threw away any trash in Sakura's desk and went downstairs to go home. Sakura's bike was gone. She hoped that Sakura was safe pedalling home. She got on her bike and cycled straight to the Fukumura house.

When she arrived, the sun was gone. She sat on the step leading to the door. Yukika took off her shoes and peeled off her socks. She placed her feet onto the smooth tiles. She thought about the day, about her anger. Frost curled around her skin. She stared in awe as her feet were frozen through. The frost spread through the tiles. She didn't feel any frostbite or will to recoil from the ice. Instead, it was welcoming. It felt like where she belonged.

"What are you doing, Yukika?"

She looked up. Ken was looking at her, briefcase in hand. He had just returned from work. He looked exhausted, and his clothes were messy around his lanky frame. Yukika looked down at her frozen feet, and back up at him sheepishly. His eyes went wide at noticing her feet. He pulled her up. He had always looked after her.

"Be careful, don't hurt yourself," he said. She shook her head. She was careful. He could decipher what she wanted to say before she said it. He sighed, "That's what all kids say. 'I'm careful, I'm careful!', but before you know it, you've got a kid with no feet in the hospital."

He had a twinkle in his eye as he said it. Yukika couldn't resist smiling. They walked together into the house. They could see two people in the dining room. Ken gestured at her to stop and hush. Sakura was lying on her side with her head on Haruka's lap. Her eyes were red with crying.

"Why are people so mean, Mama?" Sakura asked. Haruka ran her fingers through her hair. Her rosewater perfume soothed Sakura. She sighed sadly.

"Not everyone can understand when you're different, Sakura. People are afraid of anything different. You can't make everyone like you, and you mustn't try to," she paused to kiss Sakura on her forehead.

She went on, "I will always love your differences. That's what makes you, you. When I think of your spirit mark, I'm reminded that you're alive, that I have you. I'll always be grateful for it. Don't forget that."

Sakura sniffled. "Thank you... and, I'm sorry, Mama."

Haruka caressed her head. "What for, my dear?"

"You already go through so much stress. I'm sorry that I keep crying to you," said Sakura. Haruka shook her head. She held Sakura close and hugged her tightly. Yukika could see a love spirit sitting in the dining room with them, a smile on its face.

"I'm always here for you, Sakura. I wouldn't dare call myself a mother if I can't comfort my daughter. If tears run down your face, I'll wipe them away. If a smile is on your lips, I'll keep it that way. I will never rest until you're happy. I promise you that."

Sakura smiled amidst her tears. "You made a rhyme," she croaked. Haruka laughed. She hugged Sakura tighter. She stopped sobbing. She closed her eyes and smiled genuinely.

"I love you, Mama."

"I love you too, Sakura."

Yukika smiled. A seed of sadness planted in her heart knowing that her mother would never do the same. Ken hugged her as if hearing her thoughts. Haruka caught sight of the two eavesdroppers and held out her arm.

"I love you, two nosy people, as well," Haruka said. Sakura lifted her head and laughed at seeing them. Ken and Yukika joined the hug. Being together with the Fukumuras felt warm. It was the only warmth that she ever knew.