A bitter wind swept through the empty streets penetrating the threadbare blanket wrapped around my thin shoulders. It was just a little after midnight. All the shops had long since closed, the last bedtime candle blown out hours ago. Occasionally, a stray cat would slink among the shadows of the alley, or an owl would call out in the distance, but otherwise, I was alone. And though I was not a stranger to cold, I was shivering nonetheless. Again.

Kanashii toki mo aru
[There are times I'm sad]

I curled up into a ball, trying to preserve what little heat was left. The blanket did little to retain any warmth but its mere presence was a comfort in itself. It was, after all, the only thing of yours I had left. I remember those lovely nights... was it really all that long ago? When you and I would lie in each other's arms and the universe would be ours, even if it was only for a few moments?

Dakishimetai toki mo aru
[Times I want to hold you]

I remember your beautiful face... the way your golden hair would flop over your sculpted features; the brash smile that made you look both rakish and handsome the few times you graced me with it; but most of all, your azure eyes that pierced the soul. You were perhaps the only person who understood me, the only one who came close to showing me what love was.

Muri suru toki mo aru
[Times I'm unreasonable]

When I first met you, all I saw was a rival. Until you came, I had been the pet of the entire group. I was young, talented, and easily the most beautiful dancer they had to offer. Then you breezed in with your sunny smile and wind-kissed hair. You charmed them and I was cast aside; to become the raven glowering in the corner while you bathed them in your glowing light.

Ochikomu toki mo aru
[Times I feel down]

Resentment was probably the least of what I felt for you at that time. After you took over, I felt restless... unwanted... unneeded. I used to wander up and down the catwalks above the stage between shows, hoping that one misstep would take me into oblivion. It was a foolish thing to do but I didn't care. There was no real reason to think I belonged in this world anyway.

Wasuretai toki mo aru
[Times I want to forget]

My childhood, if you want to call it that, was a bitter one. I remember dancing on the streets for a few paltry coins, which disappeared into a nearby tavern my master frequented. My world consisted of hungry days and terrifying nights, never knowing if one day my master would either die or leave me to fend for myself, forever wondering if such an event would be a blessing in disguise.

Sawagitai toki mo aru
[Times I want to cry out]

Before that, I had no memories at all, not of my family, my parents, or my home. Many nights I spent staring at the stars and wondering about them, hunger knowing at my ribs, while waiting for my master to return with whatever scraps he scavenged from the tavern. And after a while, I just stopped caring. What did it matter anyway? They had abandoned me. Why should I care?

Itsu no ma ni ka dare ka wo
[Before I knew it, there was a time]

All those years are now blurred and have been buried within the deepest recesses of my mind. I don't care to dwell on what happened to me during the darkest of nights, when no one was there to heed my screams. I never associated with anyone, never made a friend. I feared that once they had discovered my shame, they would only abandon me again.

Kizutsuketeru toki mo aru
[That someone wounded me]

Then the time came when I was seized from the filthy hovel I had grown to call home, and thrust into that world of music and silks and dancing that brought us together. I didn't know what had happened, and still don't to this day. Perhaps my master had finally grown tired of me and had sold me, I was fourteen and already too old for his tastes after all. And in the beginning, it was like a dream come true.

Itsu made mo kono mama ja nai sa
[It won't be like this forever]

I was given a trailer to share with another boy, a closet full of beautiful silk robes, and a chest full of paints, feathers, and other notions used to decorate one's self. My new masters were kind, fed me well, and in return, I only had to dance and draw townspeople to see our shows. With my flowing black hair, and almost angelic features, I soon had villages swooning at my feet, begging for me to perform.

Shiranai uchi yami wa hareru
[The unknown darkness inside will clear away]

The feeling was new at first and I didn't understand what was happening to me. I was no longer shivering myself to sleep every night, hiding my face in the blankets so that even the stars could not shine upon my shame. I awoke each day feeling more alive than I had ever felt in my entire life. I thought I had finally found a place where I belonged.

On The Wind

Then, in the midst of my newfound happiness, you came. My former tent-mate left the troupe for another and you were assigned to me. You were my opposite, both in looks and temperament. You were light; I was shadow. You floated on silvered wings while I struggled through the murky blackness that was my past. Onstage, we were fire and ice, and together, we captivated the audience, seizing their very souls. We were the best.

Oretachi wa kaze ni hakobarete yuku
[The wind will take us away from here]

One moonless night, I woke shivering, from some nightmare brought about when I spotted my former master in the crowd. My body was chilled, yet sweat poured down my face, blurring my wide, fearful eyes. I tried to stop it, but the memories were like a wave washing over me, its icy power clutching my heart until I was unable to breathe. I cried out, lost in the horrors that seared through my mind like lightning, burning down the walls I had so carefully and painstakingly fashioned against them all these years.

Sora wo miagete ireba
[If I look up at the sky]

Gradually, I became aware of a pair of arms wrapped around me and a soothing voice murmuring in my ear. I tore away in panic. No one had held me like that... had touched me like that since... since... I couldn't bear to think about it. Then to my further shame, I broke down on the floor and cried. A lifetime of pain, anger, fear, and frustration came pouring out, staining my clothes, my sheets, and... your robe as you knelt next to me and held me as my world came crashing down.

Ano kaze ga fuite yuku
[That wind will blow]

I avoided you for days after that, certain that you would somehow use this against me. After all, hadn't I been betrayed by everyone I had ever known? Why should you, a stranger, and my rival at that, be any different? But somehow... you were. You were patient. You bided your time. And the next time the memories threatened to wash me away, you grasped my hand and pulled me from the swirling waters. You held me... protected me... and I sought comfort in your embrace.

Kodomo no koro ni yuuki kureta
[Let me have the courage of when I was a child]

When you told me of your past, I was amazed at how similar our paths had been. In you, I had found someone who understood, not only what I had gone through, but also how it had affected me. And when you cried, I was there for you.

But happiness is such a fleeting thing and even the brightest star will eventually fall. After a few weeks of bliss, our camp was raided. First came the fire arrows, which drove us out of our tents. Then came the warriors on horseback. Some of us fought, some fled, most of both groups ending up on the unforgiving ground staining the thirsty soil with their blood.

Onaji hoshi ga ima mo sora ni
[The same stars still shine now in the sky]

As I watched in horror as chaos surrounded us, you were on your feet urging me to flee. I couldn't move- couldn't speak... couldn't breathe. I was surrounded by fire, and not even your desperate pleas were enough to shake me from my daze. My vision shifted and wisps of shadows tugged at the corners of my eyes. Glimpses of people... three in fact- a man, a woman, and a young girl, not much older than myself. They were running from a house... burning... and screaming. The woman, upon catching sight of me, screamed at me to run... but it was too late. Something large and heavy swooped at my back and everything went black.

On The Wind

And now it was happening again- the screams, the raiders, but most of all, the flames. That ever-present fire that hovered at the fringes of my life, waiting to destroy everything I had ever held dear.

Rage boiled in my veins and I cried out to the heavens, my voice reverberating through the entire valley floor. My fists clenched and a blue light surrounded me, bathing me in its icy warmth. My eyes blazing, I turned to the first raider and focused all my power into his undefended mind. He shrieked in pain and fell to the ground in a quivering heap.

Immediately, the light faded, leaving me staring at the dying man in shock. What had I done?

A few moments passed and you screamed my name, finally shaking me out of my self-induced stupor. Your tear-streaked face, marred and disheveled by the falling ash, hovered over mine and I let you pull me to my feet.

Oretachi wa kaze ni hakobarete yuku
[The wind will take us away from here]

Hand-in-hand we started running. Our robes gathered at our waists, we left the madness behind and sought refuge in the trees. Suddenly, your eyes lit up in fear as something behind us caught your eye. Before I could even turn, you hurled your body into mine, knocking me aside. I fell to the ground sharply, the impact knocking the breath from my lungs.

Shinjiru mono ga areba
[If I believe in it]

When my vision finally cleared, I saw you, lying in a crumpled heap on the ground, the arrow that would have taken my life buried deep in your shoulder. With a cry, I hurried to your side, tears already forming in my eyes. I laid you flat on the ground, hoping against hope that I could still save you but your injury was too great. There was nothing I could do. Sobbing, I pulled you into my lap gently and buried my face in your matted hair.

"Chuin,"

The harsh whisper made me look up. You were barely breathing, blood flowing freely from your wound. Not wanting to cause you further pain, I held my breath and waited for you to continue.

"That... light," you continued, "that symbol... you bear the mark of a Seiryuu Seishi..."

Your words puzzled me but I didn't want to interrupt.

"Promise me... that you'll live on and be the best one of them all... for both of us..."

I still had no idea what you were talking about but I had to reassure you. Tears flowing down my face, I nodded. "I promise, koi. For you, I will not fail them."

Then you smiled. A beautiful, angelic smile that almost stopped my heart.

"Wo ai ni, Chuin, zutto..."

Ano kaze ga fuite yuku
[That wind will blow]

Hastily, I blinked back tears as your light faded away with your memory. Months have passed since that raid and still the wounds are as fresh as if it were yesterday. I had traveled through several towns, inquiring about the possible whereabouts of these "seishi" and was directed to the palace.

So now, here I am, in the capital city of Kotou, and still I don't know what to do. Surely I can't just walk up to the gates of the palace, declare myself a seishi, and expect them to open their doors to me. I shivered again and tried to pull the blanket around me.

Then I heard them- footstep, out in the streets. Who would be out wandering this late at night? A shadow fell upon my resting place. I looked up from the shadows and saw... him.

I gasped. In the faint lamplight, he almost looked like you. His blonde hair falling about his shoulders, his blue eyes piercing into mine. He studied me a moment and held out his hand.

"Tomo."