Work Text:
Happy Birthday
You remember how mom made those snacks for you, how you were together with her looking at starry sky
Happy Birthday
You remember how she left you, how she told you she will come back soon… soon… it should have been soon
Happy Birthday
You remember how you saw your grandfather, how he promised to you that she will come back, only if you will do what he says, take the role he wants for you
Happy Birthday
You remember how uncles and aunties teaching you different skills, different weapons, you even managed to get hurt by some of them, he watches over you, over your training and doesn't say a word
Happy Birthday
You remember having your eyes replaced, it hurt like hell, you couldn't even look into the mirror, but he says it's needs to happen, so your mother can come back, so she will come back
Happy Birthday
You remember how he left you a gift, a white kimono, one that your grandmother was wearing, one he says if you wear, she will come back. This kimono looks weirdly bridal. Was she wearing a bridal kimono all this time? Or it just looks similar, you choose to not pay attention, you are probably wrong anyway
Happy Birthday
You remember how everyone are getting an apprentice, and so they give you one too, they are adopted by this place, and this one is adopted by you, he is your son, boy is quiet and calm and feels like your only friend in this place, only one who you can actually talk to, at least not when he is watching over you
Happy Birthday
You look at your wrinkled arms, you look at face in the mirror that doesn't look like yours, you look at kimono your grandmother was wearing before her death, you look at scars on your body from fighting, you look at boy that is lost in thought as usual, at other kids who don’t even know your name, so they call you or by name of your grandmother, or role you were given, you look at blood at your hands, you look at how your head hurts, how everything hurts, but you will endure it, all of it, because he promised, that your mother will come back
Happy Birthday, Araya, you are 9 years old today