Sky's Eyes

Part One: Searching the Skies for You
Chapter One

"Blank Pages"

It has been almost two years and I still can't forget the ways of my past life. Many times I've traveled from place to place, slaying and killing anything that was in my path and opposed whoever I worked for or myself. But now, I am a stupid wandering fool. I keep telling myself that what happened then wasn't my fault, that what I did was only according to orders, but... it still doesn't hide the fact that what I had done was wrong, and my life was not entirely the greatest or had the smartest of choices in front of me. I suppose I should be grateful in some shape or form for what I was taught over the many years, but all the time, the training and learning of these things took away my freedom from everything else. I was not allowed to socialize with others not learning what I was learning-actually, I wasn't even allowed to talk to those who were!-and I was left with loneliness and the terror that plagued me as a child. Sorrow, pain, blood, and piercing agony plagued my heart so early in life that I was never really acquainted with the happier things of life until so late into life when I met my end and my past life died and I was born anew. So late... so late... The life of being an assassin, a hunter, took away the pleasure of things, and even with my new life, I still cannot forget what happened then. I wanted-and still do-to be away from the bloodshed, the hurt, the burden, the pain of the knife in my heart, the ruthless killing, and the dead bodies. Everything! I left friends behind, my slain enemies beneath me, and acquaintances forgotten just to start all over again. I did NOT want to go back, ever. I lost so many too fast... I don't ever want that again. I lost my very best friend to a beast... I just don't want to see that again.
Thus, I am now on a road, spared of many travelers like and unlike myself. The dirt under my shoes was soft from the previous day's raining. The grass on either side of me was blooming with flowers in its green sea of blades. The sky was bright blue and almost seemed like a young child with its friends, the clouds.
I passed a few more people on the dirt road before seeing the sight of a town nearby. Once reaching it, I met with crowded streets as a bazaar was being held that day. It was the perfect place for travelers and myself as I was in need of a few things and a good night's rest. (But also, it was a perfect day for thieves and crooks, as many innocent people would get robbed if they weren't careful enough. I, too, would be robbed, as I looked younger than my actual age and almost helpless and defenseless if not for my walking staff.) So, I wandered the streets, looking at the collection of merchandise laid out on display on the booths and stores.
I stopped by one of the booths that sold certain jewelry as one of the bracelets caught my attention. I approached the booth, noticing the owner was not paying attention to her store, fingering the bracelet with interest. For some reason, as it drew me toward it, it looked oddly familiar. I don't know why, but it looked like something a friend showed me.
When the owner spoke, I nearly jumped as I was almost in a trance staring at it. "Hello, are you going to buy that, sir?"
I looked up from examining the bracelet, noting that the woman's voice was coated with sweetness-probably fake and only for kindness toward the costumers so that they buy her stuff. I smiled at this woman and nodded. "I was wondering if you made this bracelet."
The woman looked at the bracelet in my hand as I lifted it from its display hook to show her which one I was indicating. She shook her head. "In fact, sir, I didn't. Someone else did."
I nodded again. "Could I have the name of who made this bracelet?"
The woman declined. "I'm sorry, but I do not even know who made it, sir. Would you still like to buy it?"
Another nod. "Surely. How much is it?"
The woman took out a small paper bag and placed the bracelet inside it, folding down the opening at the top. "Only five Silcs, sir." she said as I pulled out my wallet.
I exchanged five silver coins that were stamped with a flower on one of the sides with the packaged bracelet, stuffing the small bag in my pocket. I left the woman's store and continued to observe the other stores. After a while, I pulled out the bracelet again, this time placing it around my wrist and absently fingering the gems adorning it. My walking staff was strapped onto my back, as I didn't want to mess with it while I was playing- yes, playing-with the bracelet. Only just a bit later I would need it as I turned into a vacant but shadowed alley to get away from the crowd. I stopped toward the edge where light was brightest, looking down at the gems between my fingers. I turned back toward the light, holding my wrist just a little above eye level, letting the gems shine and reflect the light. I looked behind me to the shadowed ground, seeing three circles on the ground. In these circles were fuzzy pictures: two being birds, and the middle one being what seemed like a heart with the sun shining behind it. I half smiled at these pictures, finding a kind of peace in them. Somehow, I knew this secret to finding the pictures, somehow, I knew who made this bracelet even though the name didn't come to mind, and somehow, I knew that this bracelet was made for me and was on display just for me to pick up and buy.
But as I was musing and staring down at these pictures with a small smile on my face, I didn't realize the group of street kids gathering around me. Only when one of them grabbed my wrist did I register their presence. I turned around to find a boy larger than me holding onto my wrist tightly, the bracelet under his hand cutting at my skin under the pressure. I creased my eyebrows and tried to wrench my arm away from him but his grip was strong. At this moment, I would've pulled out my staff and hit it, or otherwise used my fist, but I didn't want to cause trouble for myself or even the boy and his gang who was surrounding me.
I narrowed my eyes. "Let me go."
The boy (Well, I shouldn't call him a "boy" as he looked a year older or as old as me.) shook his head, a smirk on his face. "No."
I tugged my arm again. "Why not?"
"Because you've got money, kid. We want it," was a different male voice, this time from behind me.
I turned around slightly to see one of the gang members who were twice my size this time. I looked from one male to another, eventually keeping my eyes on the guy who had hold of my wrist. "You're not getting it. You don't deserve my money if you can't ask for it correctly."
The one who held my wrist laughed, his grip not loosening the tiniest bit. "Ask for it? Ahaha! Please! Why should we ask for your money when we can just take it while you're not looking?"
"Like right now," came another voice, this one higher than the other two (the member was probably younger than the other two), reaching toward my pants' pockets for my wallet.
I turned around sharply just before the swift hand reached inside, swiping my hand out to keep the itchy hands away from me. But as I turned around, another pair of hands from the other side reached out toward me. Again, I turned, but this time, I backed into the guy who still had hold of me. When I was just in front of him, he raised my hand higher than it was supposed to, almost lifting me off the ground. Right then, I thought that I'd be beaten up or robbed and left with serious bruises as I refused to fight back, or something just as bad, but the guy just kept me like that for a long moment, my having to stand on the near tips of my toes. Then, I felt someone reach behind my back, this hand not of the guy's who lifted me, un-strapping something. The light weight of that something was taken from me and I realized it was my staff.
Great, I thought. Now I was going to be beaten with my own weapon (A walking staff can actually be a weapon if used right.), or otherwise it would be broken in half.
But amazingly, they didn't do either. All they did was have one of the members hold it out of my reach. I assume they thought I might use it soon so they took it away from me, but I wouldn't start a fight if I could help it. And I could-if only I found out how. Yes, right about now would be the good time to call me stupid, but wandering anew does do things to you; my wandering made me slower in thinking of solutions.
I stared at the gang member who held my staff for a minute, then looked over my shoulder at the guy who STILL had hold of me. He only smirked at me, squeezing my wrist harder. I turned my head away quickly, not wanting to cry out in pain (like an idiot, as I may add) as I was certain the bracelet was drawing blood from me, or hit the guy in defense as I was a stupid pacifist at the moment. The small chain was biting into my skin, breaking it, blood flowing down my arm finally.
I bit the bottom of my lip, but soon enough, the tight grip on my wrist was gone and I was dropped on the floor. Confused, I looked up quickly, ignoring the throbbing in and around my wrist, turning around to see someone headlock the guy who had hold of me. I picked myself off the ground and snatched back my staff from the one who held it as he and the others in the shadows stared at the two at the corner of the alley. I strapped my staff back onto my back and approached the two, noticing that the one who held the guy in a headlock was a street kid as well. I went right past them, breaking into a run in case they'd come after me. After a block or two, I slowed down and that's when I realized that I was in the town square, a flowing fountain before me. I sighed and sat on the edge, smiling down at my wrist as it bled, several red drops of thick liquid hitting the concrete below. I removed the bracelet as the blood covered it. I wiped it off and put it away in the secure closure of my pocket, and got up, paying no attention to my bleeding wrist. I retreated from the fountain, but was stopped after several steps as someone grabbed hold of the same bleeding wrist again.
I turned around quickly, wrenching my hand away. (I was glad I could as the wound went all the way around my wrist even though I paid little attention to it.) I saw that this person was the same one who put the guy in headlock. I furrowed my eyebrows, wondering if he too wanted my money. (One would think I was in a school where the bullies stole from others, wouldn't they?) But apparently, he didn't.
He held out a long piece of cloth and said, "Here." I guess he was indicating to my wrist.
I reached for the cloth cautious but quickly, but as my hand neared his, he grabbed it and pulled me forward.
"Hey!"
"Hey yourself," came his response. He stared down at my wrist, my palm facing upwards, and then started to wrap it.
Okay, about now I was confused beyond anything. I bet anyone else would be too. Maybe, is this guy just a biiiitttt too friendly, or maybe he's freakishly kind? Or maybe he's luring me into some weird trap and there's something on this cloth that'll go into my bloodstream and knock me out or kill me and then he could take whatever he wants from me? But then again, the last choice seems dramatic, yet possible.
But apparently, only one of those questions was true. This guy was just freakishly kind. When he was done with my wrist, he immediately let go of my arm, letting it drop to my side.
I scratched the back of my neck with my other hand. "Uh... thanks. Why'd you help me, though?"
He shrugged. "I don't like them, that's all. It wasn't for you or anything."
I should've expected that. Of course he didn't really think that, but still, you'd think I'd expect something evasive as that. You'd think being a Dove, a special rank in my organization, would've sharpened my skills. It did, but I suppose that innocent side, the part of me that never got so take part of my life, has finally woken and brought me down a notch and made me a stupid near-pacifist. Okay, so maybe that could be used as an excuse, but it's possible. Being the Dove of Death was not easy. Everyone looked up to you and you were to be nothing less than perfect. In fact, even being "perfect" wasn't enough; you had to be up to 200% perfect performance, exceed your expectations and others' expectations. Being "perfect" was just not good enough, basically. To be a Dove, to be who I was, (and I can't emphasize this enough) you had to be the very very best and nothing less than that. The only rank that was above the very best, the Dove rank, was the Phoenix rank. But the only way you could do that was if you experienced a certain number of battles and was a certain age. I wasn't there yet-age anyway.
But now, hearing that this guy was actually being nice to me in his own way, I missed it until much later. I had shrugged and turned around to leave him, but he caught my arm again, stopping me.
"If you wander off again, you'll get attacked again. This time, they probably won't just make your wrist bleed but actually break a few bones and give you bruises."
At the tone of his voice, it was then I realized he actually was concerned (to some degree). (Ooh. he caaarreess!) "And why do you care?"
He let go of me, shaking his head. "I don't care about you, I'm just warning you because that gang and mine are rivals. Now they think you're with us so they aren't going to show mercy. Again, I'm only warning you."
I shrugged. "And I get a hint that you're suggesting that you go with me or I with you."
He waved his hand dismissingly. "If that's what you're getting, then maybe we should."
I closed my mouth, looking off to the side with a bored expression on my face. For the girls, they would probably react with, "Oh good God! Just say you like me or something already!" And with the boys it would be a slug to the face or a shrug and have the fool follow you but not you to him. I went with the boy decision and left. As thought, he followed me, but kept a foot's distance between us (Good). He watched me (I could tell) from behind as I went around and bought things while trying to ignore him at the same time. At the last booth before everything I needed was bought, he was next to me instead of behind me as I bargained on the price of one of the items. When a good price was named, I bought what I needed and left, the guy behind me again.
(I don't know about anyone else, but his following me is rather annoying. If you had someone following you, watching you, listening to you, and all that, keeping at your heels like a damn stray dog-no offense to any animal or dog lover-wouldn't you want to just turn around and slug him or otherwise ditch him or throw him IN one? I would at least. His constant staring was getting on my nerves and I'm pretty sure he knew about it, but didn't stop anyway. I'm telling anyone who'd listen: GET HIM AWAY FROM ME BEFORE I HIT HIM REALLY REALLY HARD!!!)
When we reached the inn of the town, I stopped right outside, dropping my things right beside me. I was about to fish out my wallet again when the guy picked up my bag of things. "Put that away."
I turned to him. "What?"
He shook his head. "Just put that away and follow me. You don't need to pay to stay at a damn inn. Just follow me and you can sleep there."
I was fairly obliged and put it away, following him as he started to walk. "You said 'sleep there.' Where's 'there'?"
"You'll see."
Oh great... I thought. Maybe he really WILL hurt me and rob me-like I'd let him. Besides, why rob me when I obviously only have enough money for a night's stay at a 'damn' inn? Well, I followed him and he led me from alley to alley, obviously trying to confuse me in the walk so that I wouldn't find the place again. Well, good. I didn't plan on staying in this town for more than a day anyway.
When he finally stopped, I had long ago already given up on trying to figure out the streets and where we were going. I looked in front of me past this guy to see a small house of old fashion. Hn, what a run-down house. There was no way in hell was that a family house since he was a street kid, so I guessed it was the gang's 'hide-out' or whatever they called it.
He showed me through the front that led to a kind of living room. He still had hold of my things, I realized by now, and still didn't put them down or give them to me as he turned on one of the lights, waking everyone up by the sudden surge of light. Groans, curses, and moans filled the room as those there woke up.
"Wake up!"
One of them, the first to wake up, threw a pillow toward us as he heard the order. "Leaves us alone, Blake. I wanna sleep."
Blake, the guy who held my bag, threw the pillow back at his fellow gang member. "Yeah? Well, so do I but you need to wake up. Give me your undivided attention for just a minute and then you can go back to snoring."

Blake banged on the wall of living room, causing all the others to wake up. I would say it was rude of him because I'd hit him myself if he did that to me, but then again, it wasn't my business. When they were all up, they directed their attention toward Blake and me. The first thing I heard was soft questions about me and why I was here. I was thinking the same thing: Why WAS I here?
Blake snapped his fingers, silencing the gang. "Hey! He's staying for the night, alright?" Then turning to me, he added, "You're leaving tomorrow, right?"
I nodded. "Probably by noon, if not first thing tomorrow."
He nodded in return and went back to his gang. "He'll only be here for the night so whoever isn't using a room, give it up. Now." Again, the snap of his fingers put the members to work and one of them got up and ran to the other side of the room and out into the hall to a room hidden behind the wall.
Blake turned back to me and threw me my bag (Finally). "What's your name?"
I didn't expect this question so I stayed silent, blinking. I looked past him to see the others staring at me too. I stared at Blake again and shrugged. "Why?"
"Why not?"
"It's not like you'll need my name. I'm leaving tomorrow anyway."
"But you're not gone yet. So what's your name?"

"You already know mine just by hearing it from one of them, so why not have yours?"
Again, I stayed silent. For some reason, this situation reminded me of a part of my past that's so fuzzy. I don't know why I couldn't reach into my mind, into my memory that would tell me about it, but-
My thoughts were shattered as Blake spoke again, drawing my attention again.
"Hey. Don't zone out here. Just tell me your name. It's not hard."
I narrowed my eyes. "I know it isn't, but until I find a real good reason to tell you my name, then I have no need to."
Blake shrugged and gave up as his gang member came back just then, reporting a vacant room was ready for me. Blake led me to my room and watched me look around the small place and undo the ribbon in my hair that pulled it back. (My hair is long enough to be pulled into a short ponytail, but no longer. I was able to cut it short, but since I haven't in a while, I just kept it that length, no longer, no less.) When I turned to him to see he was staring at me funny, I furrowed my brows, hand still on the stupid ribbon. When he did stop staring at me though, all he said was something about he'd come here (something or other.) when I woke up and was ready to go the next day, before leaving my room. When the door closed, I moved again and finished getting into the small one-person bed.
In there, I pulled out a book with blank pages on it. A book. Yes, anyone can laugh at me for carrying a stupid journal, but since I'm used to being by myself, I don't get to talk about things to anyone. And besides, I was once told getting thoughts down on paper or telling them to someone helps the person grow (which way, I don't remember). I don't really talk to anyone and I'm a stupid pacifist (I dare anyone to try and count how many times I've called myself a pacifist when I'm done with this book.) so I need to get it out somehow. Thus, a book is required. I just hope I don't lose it or anyone finds it.
Well, that night, I had a dream of my past; a time so rare back then that I didn't even knew I remembered such an event. I don't recall how the dream started, but that it just did.
* There was the smell of newly blossomed flowers, the song of birds in the air and the breath of the planet on your face. There was also the flow of water in a small stream just by the garden that ran along one side of the wall that surrounded the capitol. I sat on a cold rock just beside the stream, pieces of food in my hand and birds around me. A low humming escaped my lips as two birds landed on my shoulders and a third landed in my palm, nipping at my fingers before diving into the seeds in my hand. It took several seeds with it as it flew off my hand and landed on a branch of a nearby tree. The birds were quiet after a while, taking seeds from my hand and scattering them wherever they pleased as they ate and went back for more. I was still humming softly so that I would not scare off the birds as they ate. Several times the Counsel would pass by, stealing glances at me as they went by and watched me. Never did they bother me and I was glad for that; it was one of those times when I wanted time to myself to think or muse. Now, sitting with the birds was all I needed. But soon, that peace was interrupted as someone came forth, scaring the birds away and scattering even more seeds on the grass and in the water. I didn't look up to see who approached me but stared after the birds as they beat their wings in strange rhythm. The one who interrupted my peace cleared their throat. I looked toward them finally, positive my face showed no emotion toward them or that around me. Before me was a teen with light brown hair and golden eyes. He had a slim build but was fit for his age, as he was older than me. The teen smiled at me and bowed formally, showing his respects to a Dove as myself. This teen was a Falcon, the highest rank in the Organization. 1st class was what the Falcons were. Doves, on the other hand, were just special warriors, but had higher skill than the 1st class hunters nonetheless. I nodded in response to this teen's show of respect, granting the teen passage to talk freely and as he wishes, as it was highly rude for a lower rank to out-talk (so to say) a superior. "Sora?" I blinked, my face still blank. "Yes?" came my quiet answer. The Falcon inclined his head slightly and pulled out a scroll of paper from his jacket pocket. "This is for you." I silently took the paper and swiftly untied the ribbon around it. I read the paper in silence, narrowing my eyes after a while. When I finished skimming it, I rolled it up and placed it into my own pocket, turning back to the Falcon who had not yet left. "Thank you for giving this to me. What's your name?" The Falcon bowed again. "Kallai. But if I may ask, what was the letter about?" I patted the scroll in my pocket and shook my head, hopping off the rock, landing next to him. "Follow me and I'll tell you." As we walked, I explained what the letter was about. It seemed that I was to go on a small mission and take out a problem in nearby town. I was allowed to have an assistant (or "shadow" as it is sometimes called) if I wanted, and I chose this kind and curious Falcon. (He was rather kind and interesting to me.) I explained this all to him seeing as he was to accompany me on the journey. I was positive that this boy was glad to convoy me even though I needed no such thing.
* When I awoke, a smile played on my face. I remembered that day now: it was the day I first met Kallai, one of the very few who were able to get through to the real me, the "me" that never got to see and enjoy life. I was glad he came on that petty journey with me, or else I would still be slaughtering people. Of course I never liked bloodshed when I was causing it, but back then I was trained to have no emotions, therefore it didn't bother me much or at all even.
I stared up at the ceiling of my temporary room, the sheets up to my chin. The book was put down on the nightstand next to the bed as I lay still, my thoughts a thousand miles away. I was so far away that I didn't even notice Blake's entrance as I just stared up at the ceiling, my emotions already hidden behind my blank mask.
Only when he was right by my side did I finally register his appearance and sat up, quickly tying up my hair again before swinging out of bed. "Sorry."
He just shook his head. "You looked like a zombie jus' staring at the ceiling for so long. What, lost in your thoughts or something?"
I smiled as I tugged on one of my footwear. "You don't know how close you are to the truth," I muttered.
He waited for me to finish getting ready, and when I was, he led me out again, this time straight to the edge of the town. There, he shook my hand.
"Hey, you're alright for just a free-loader, man."
I smirked. "Is that a compliment?"
He nodded. "Yeah. You ain't a bad wandering freak, so yeah, you can take that as a compliment. I haven't traveled myself, and I'm pretty sure it's grand, but heck."
I shook my head, catching the hint in his voice. "I know what you're thinking, but no. I'm not going to take you with me. I don't need anymore luggage, okay?"
He waved a hand in front of his face, almost making it look like he was only swatting a fly instead of brushing away the comment. "Nah, it's cool. Didn't want to travel with a freak anyway; rather do it alone. But hell, good luck on the road, okay?"
I nodded and started down the road, stopping after a few feet to look over my shoulder and wave at street teen. "See ya."
And with that, I left, hoping to get on my way as soon as possible with my early advantage.