Chapter Text
Soon...
As usual, the sound of someone descending the stairs woke Freak, soon Ms. Dursley would open the door and let him out to make breakfast for the family. After which he is allowed to have a few leftovers to keep the hunger gnawing at his stomach at bay. Followed by a quick cold shower, no longer than 5 Minutes. Freak learned the hard way that following the rules and doing his tasks properly is in his best interest. No matter how many tasks, how harsh the rules are, punishment would always be a lot worse.
The clicking of the lock draws his attention. But unlike usual it's followed by a piercing scream.
"Freak! What is this?! What did you do?!"
The young boy startles, pressing his body to the cupboard wall.
The racket woke the other members of the household a short time later Mr Dursley rushed down the stairs to his wife.
"Pet dear what's … FREAK! Stop your freakishness, or else!" confused and unsure the five-year-old looked to the floor not daring to enrage the adults further by speaking or looking him in the eyes.
His aunt's hand grabbed him and dragged him to the bathroom, where he was placed in front of the mirror. Instead of the usual black hair and green eyes, he saw pearl-coloured hair and violet-golden eyes.
The sound of an electrical razor snapped him out of his daze. Ms. Dursley was shaving his head clean ranting about him tainting her good honest family with his strangeness. Her nails were digging into his skin, leaving scratch marks whenever she would pule or turn him.
Mr. Dursley ended up punishing him harshly leaving the little boy curled up in his cupboard. A day without food, while not unusual still left him weak, coupled with the numerous tasks and the beating he could hardly muster the energy to move before oblivion claimed him. Now unconscious he was unable to hear the adults' hushed whispers.
The next morning Boy was surprised to find that all of his injuries healed overnight. While examining himself in the limited light seeping through the cracks of his door, he noticed hair brushing his ear. Gingerly raising his hand to his head he found his usual bird's nest. Since his hair was not long enough to see its colour he plucked one hoping that yesterday was just a bad dream. Freaks' hopes were dashed once the light hit the hair, gleaming a silvery white.
This time the first pair of footsteps that he heard was Mr Dursleys. The cupboard door was torn open, upon seeing the child Vernon turned red.
"Get dressed! You have 5 Minutes!" rushing to comply the boy begins to move.
He is stopped when he is about to start his tasks.
"You are coming with me!"
Abruptly the young man awakes, whipping cold sweat from his brow
'It's been a long time…'
If the others could see me now. The Man-Who-Conquered frightened by a simple dream.' A small laugh escaped his lips both at his reaction and at the ridiculous title that has once again been given to him.
'Today's the day, huh Byakko? We'll finally go home, half a year after the war. To be honest I'm glad we are leaving. I don't think I could stand another day of reporters hounding me or politicians trying to win me over.'
He feels the tiger mentally wrapping herself around him.
Harry sobers 'Is it wrong to leave? We helped resolve most issues and attended all trials to make sure nothing is swept under the rug and to prevent cases like Sirius, but still… It feels like running away. Very un-Gryffindor.' Another dry sarcastic laugh.
"I can't do this any longer. Can't walk through Hogwarts without remembering the deceased. Can't look at Mione, Ron and the others without seeing the things the war has done to them. Can't keep up the facade, pretend that everything is alright. Can't rest." With every sentence, he comes closer to tears.
'Soon…' Black hair and green eyes fade revealing silver, violet and orange.
'Who knew that the Dursleys were doing me a favor when they left me in Japan during Vernon's business trip. Admittedly the orphanage was much worse than them. I got you to thank for getting us out of there.' The Tiger puffs her chest out.
'Without you I would have never met Mum. I hope she's doing well. Who am I kidding, nobody would dare mess with her.'
Back then the Auspicious Beast helped the boy. After entering the orphanage, he was given a name since he could not remember his own, the Dursleys never used it. Preferring Boy or Freak. He chooses Atsushi Nakajima, or Nakajima Atsushi if you follow the local naming conventions. His new looks and later his ability caused him to be shunned by his peers and the staff alike.
Following a particularly bad day he heard a voice in his head, it was quiet almost silent, more of a feeling than an actual sentence. It guided him past the patrolling Matrons, and out of the orphanage's property. For hours the then seven-Year-old walked. Until he reached an abandoned shrine by the ocean. Once he passed through all gates the air seemed to shift, charged with a foreign yet familiar energy.
The once desolate landscape changed, small lanterns lit the previously dark path.
Even so, the light was not enough, Atsushi tumbled into the ocean after a misstep.
Panicking the boy tried to stay afloat. Before any harm could befall him two strong arms wrapped around him.
"Your safe now." A female voice hushed him gently. The Woman cradled him in her arms. Once safely on shore, Atsushi opened his eyes, which he had closed during his struggle. Golden eyes and silver-white hair. That's the first thing he saw followed by the strange attire and last but most certainly not least the golden tail and horns. Dragon-like in its appearance the tales swished through the shallow, pushing water away with ease almost absentminded creating waves that nearly knocked him off his feet.
"Did you get lost, kid? This is an old entrance, only the Yokai and Kami still use it. Most entrances to the magical side can be found near a district's ward office. That way you don't have to take a boat or fly."
At the child's confusion, she stopped. Taking another look at him she narrows her eyes.
"You're far too thin to be healthy… and bruised all over." She sighs, cursing under her breath.
"You did not have the most pleasant of lives, did you? Come on I'll take you somewhere you can get help." The stunned boy finds himself hoisted into her arms once more. In one fluid movement, the duo slides gracefully into the water.
"I'm Suzuka Gozen, Lady of Mt.Suzuka."
If you are homeless like I once was... you can stay with me.
(I just hope Ubume can tell me how to raise a child. At least Ootakemaru would make a good brother… I think.)