Chapter 4

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She had the choice to sulk in the disaster or find beauty even from the ashes.

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*3rd POV*

Haru ran.

She ran as fast as she could, ignoring the burning sensation in her legs and the ragged breaths she took that were telling her that her body was reaching its limit.

She stumbled, tripping over her own feet as fatigue caught up with her, her lungs already screaming in protest.

She fell flat on the ground, tears cascading down her cheeks, tumbling toward the ground as she wept, not bothering to get up. She laid there, her cries eventually turning into strangled sobs as she took in everything.

Her father was dead.

The only home she'd known was gone, reduced to rubble.

She looked up, staring at the sky, still crying as she mulled over everything that had happened that day. She looked around at the trees that encircled her, the birds flying overhead, anything that would distract her from the sadness she felt. She eventually cried herself to sleep, completely unaware of the pair of yellow eyes that were observing her from a nearby tree branch located above her head.

*Timeskip*

Haru awoke with a gasp, her eyes squinting to try to adjust to the dark that surrounded her.

She tried to stand up, only to feel a jolt of pain run through her body. She nearly collapsed when a pair of hands steadied her, helping her regain her balance.

"Careful," A cheery voice said, causing her eyes to look up, her onyx orbs connecting with warm yellow ones. "You sprained your ankle pretty badly from your fall."

Haru took in the person's appearance, her eyes warily trailing over her figure. The girl looked around twelve, and had long, rich brown hair that cascaded down her back, her eyes a startling yellow, somewhat covered by her brown locks. But what stood out the most were the little white wing-like figures that protruded from her head, just above her ears. And from what Haru knew, it looked like she was fairly wealthy, noting the light yellow silk cloak that covered most of her figure, save for her feet, which had on new-looking sandals that seemed durable and fairly new. The older female also had jewelry, consisting of a rather large shining orange gem that connected to a golden chain, hung loosely on her neck.

She was looked interesting, to say the least.

She snapped out of her thoughts as the brunette offered her some water, Haru reluctantly taking it as she eyed it uneasily.

A light laugh sounded, and Haru looked up to see the older girl giving her a smile, a campfire a few feet away flickering as it illuminated her face.

"If you're wondering if I poisoned it, then no, I did not." Haru gave her a skeptical glance at her as she continued, "If I wanted to kill you, I would've already."

Haru mulled over it for a few seconds, then hesitantly lifting the cup to her mouth, drinking the water as she eyed the female in front of her.

Her yellow eyes widened as she started talking. "Ah! I didn't give you my name yet. Sorry about that." She gave a soft smile that Haru appreciated, putting down the cup once she was done.

"My name is Kin."

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[Edited]