Love for Eternity
an excerpt

A small Aara was humming to herself as she skipped through the forest. It isn’t often that she and her family go out on a family outing. Her life has always been perfect and she can’t imagine it any other way. Usually when the five of them leave the dens, they don’t travel too far. This year it’s Aara and Alytia’s birthday so they traveled far from home to give the twins some sightseeing and experience away from home.

Aara, her older brother Kurama, her younger twin Alytia, her mother Karin, and her father Kato make up the perfect family anyone could ever want. Little did they know that after the twin’s birthday, everything is going to change. Aara had waited until her parents and siblings were asleep before slipping away. Exploring on her own is something she is known for and it can get her into trouble.

Hearing something ahead of her, Aara stopped humming and walked carefully. Peaking out behind a bush, Aara saw a young man with wings on his back crouched down in front of a patch of herbs. She started walking towards him and stepped on a twig, making it break. Everything that happened after that happened instantly. The man drew and threw his weapon as he turned around. His eyes widened when he saw who his weapon was aimed for. Aara whimpered and crouched down low into a ball as he pulled his weapon back. He walked over to where she was shaking. Afraid to upset her anymore but touching her, he spoke softly.

“Do not be scared, I won’t hurt you. You startled me and I reacted on instinct.”
“…I’m not hurt? But, you threw something at me.” She said quietly, looking up at him
“My scythe.” He pulled it out again and held it in front of her “See? It has a string that I hold on to when I throw it. That way I won’t lose it.” He said
“Ohh…”
“What are you doing here? I didn’t know there were foxes out here.” He commented
“Ah, well, I’m visiting here with my family.” She told him
“Why aren’t you with them now?” He asked
“I like exploring on my own.” She said

The man threw his head back and laughed “You sound like me. Say, what is your name?”
“Aara. What’s yours and what are you?” She said
“Kuronue, I’m a bat demon.” He replied
“So you can fly?” Aara asked
“Yes.”
“That’s so cool!” She exclaimed
“Do you think you could help me out Aara?” Kuronue asked her
“With what?”
“I’m collecting herbs for our clan’s healer since she’s run low. I only know what she needs, not what they look like.” He admitted, but knew she should know what he needed
“Sure, I can help with that. Brother knows a lot more than I do.”
“You still know more than me.” He said, earning a laugh

She laughed as they walked over to where he had left his pack. A little while later, they were finished. Aara was indeed smart when it came to her knowledge of herbs and plants. She even pointed out a few things around them that he shouldn’t eat because they would kill him.

“I know I can’t eat them, but can I touch them?” He asked, not wanting to be wrong
“Oh yes, those you can. There are a few you can’t but they’re rare and hard to find.”

Before he could reply, they heard someone calling. Aara’s ears turned towards the sound and then twitched. He looked at her and guessed it was someone calling her.

“It’s my brother; he hates it when I go off on my own. I think he’s found my trail so he’ll be here soon. Would you like to meet him? He’s really nice when he’s not mad.” She said
Kuronue laughed “Sure.”

They didn’t wait long until Kurama ran into their view. Seeing Aara, he glared at her.

“Aara! You know better then to run off on your own.” Kurama scolded
“I wanted to explore on my own…” She said
“We aren’t at home Aara. Even Mom and Dad don’t know what’s out here.”
“I’m fine Brother. See?” She twirled around in a circle so he could see “Besides, Kuronue would have protected me.”

The mention of someone else’s name drew Kurama’s attention to Kuronue. They stared at each other for a few minutes until Kurama’s tail flicked a little bit. Aara relaxed so Kuronue knew that was a good sign.

“You are a bat demon, are you not?” He asked
“I am.” Kuronue replied
“So we are neighbors ,in a way. It’s nice to meet you. I’m Kurama” He said
“What do you mean brother?” Aara asked
“The Bat Clan’s land is near our own Aara.”
“Really? So I could visit Kuronue after we go home?” She asked excitedly
“That’s up to Mom and Dad, Aara.” Kurama told her

No one said anything else because at that moment, a woman’s scream filled the forest. Aara’s face changed visually and Kurama’s jaw tightened. After a moment, Aara started running in the sound of the scream. Before she could blink, Kuronue had picked her up.

“Lemme go! Momma! Momma needs me!” She cried, struggling to get free
“Then let me get you there quicker.” He said

He picked up his pack and pushed off the ground, his wings unfolding. Soon he was flying gracefully through the air. Kurama watched them for a moment before following on ground. Older and stronger than Aara, he would have had to carry her so they could get back to their mother quickly.

It only took a few minutes before Kuronue and Aara found Karin and Kato. They looked up when Kuronue landed on the ground. He put her down before either of her parents could say anything. Aara ran into her mother’s arms who started sobbing. Kurama ran to where they were a few minutes later. Everyone was silent for a moment, just watching Aara and Karin. Finally, Kurama found his voice.

“Father, what happened?” Kurama asked
“…” Kato was silent
“Dad?”
“First, who are you?” Kato asked, turning towards Kuronue
“My name is Kuronue and I am from the Bat Clan.” Kuronue said, bowing
“You carried my daughter, why?”
“She ran into me while I was collecting herbs.” Kuronue motioned towards his pack “She helped me find what I needed. Kurama found us and not too long after, we heard a scream. Aara wanted to get here fast and I offered to carry her through the air.”
“His story is true Dad.” Kurama confirmed
“Thank you, for watching out for Aara. It helps that she is safe. Sadly I cannot say the same for her sister.” Kato said
“Alytia…?” Kurama began to ask

Kato walked over to a tree and hidden from Aara’s view behind the tree is her sister. Kurama took one look at his sister before paling and dropping to his knees. Even Kuronue looked sick. Alytia’s face was half covered in blood and her dress was soaked in blood. Whoever had killed her made her suffer while doing so. They ripped out her throat and damaged her face.

“Oh god…” Kuronue muttered
“Dad, what…?” Kurama tried to ask but lost his voice
“We don’t know. Karin found her like this. I don’t dare to touch her because there is no telling what happened.” Kato said
“What about Aara? We can’t just leave without her twin sister and expect her to not ask questions.”

Kurama’s question was answered when Aara ran over to them, having gotten out of her mother’s arms. She almost asked why they were standing around, but saw her sister first. Her face turned white and she screamed as she fainted. Kurama caught Aara and tears started falling down his cheeks. Not only for the sister he lost, but the one he holds in his arms. Aara and Alytia were twins so their bond is very strong. Both Aara and Karin will suffer greatly at the loss, Karin because she bonded to her children through giving birth to them and Aara because there is almost no stronger bond than that of twin sisters.