Persona - Mask of Origins

Zain nodded, "The second I can, I'm outta that damn orphanage." His eyes widened and he bit his tongue. No one at school knew he was an orphan.

 

"You're an orphan? What happened to your parents?" Yuki asked curiously.

 

Zain looked away from her and played with his earing, "They died when I was little. I think...it was a fire?" Orphan hissed comfortingly.

 

"That's terrible." Yuki said, not feeling hungry anymore.

"So you've been in the orphanage ever since?"

 

He nodded, "Yeah, in the words of the girls from the park when I was little, I'm an unfortunate. Though what's unfortunate about me, I'll never understand. I'm perfectly...okay, semi content with my life now. Once I leave the orphanage, I'll have my own path to follow. He smiled and tugged on the black feather in his ear, "This is the only thing I have left of my parents."

 

"Why don't you stay here? You could be the brother I never had." Yuki said as she put the dirty dishes in the sink.

 

Zain watched her a few minutes before speaking, "Well, I legally don't have to stay there anymore. That is, if you wouldn't mind living with a boy."

 

"I don't mind. There's an unused guest room upstairs. It needs some cleaning though, cause it hasn't been used in a good while though."

 

Zain hugged Yuki tightly and kissed her cheek, "Thank you Yuki, I don't know what I can do to show you how grateful I am." Pulling back, his purple eyes were bright with excitment, "You name it and if it's in my ability, I'll do it."

 

Yuki smiled.

"Just keep that delicious food coming. You don't mind if I call you my brother, do you?"

 

Zain shook his head and grinned, "Not at all. I'd be honored if you called me your brother." He stepped back, drew her hand to his lips and gently kissed her knuckles. "Your wish is my command, Yuki."

 

"People will stop harassing you at school now. A lot of the students see me as a little weird." Yuki said, looking a little embarrassed.

 

"I doubt it will happen so quickly. Women are just drawn to me. Not a clue why though. Must be the purple hair." He let go of her hand and headed toward the door, "I'll be right back, alright?" Pulling on his shoes he gave her another charming smile, "What my guitar will ya?"

 

"Alright, I'll put it in your room." Yuki said as she grabbed her bag from the floor. She picked the guitar up and carried it to the guest room.

 

Zain ran to the orphanage and climbed throug his window. Liz sat on his bed, "Out late again, Zain?" He frowned, "Yeah, but you won't have to worry about me and Lady Shiv again, Liz. I've found me a new home. One where she lets me cook and it'll be warm in the winters and cool in the summer. I'm not afraid of Yuki." Liz hugged him, "I'm glad to hear that. This Yuki is from your school isn't she?" "Yeah, she's great." he threw his belongings into a bag. He frowned at the small load, "I never had much stuff to begin with, did I Liz." She shook her head, "Be a good boy. Remember your manners with her and...please come back to visit. If not for the young'uns, for little old me?" Zain hugged her, "I will, Liz, don't worry none." On his way back, the same group of boys cornered him. He didn't have his lance this time. "This won't end well."

 

Yuki was concerned about Zain and went out to look for him. She kept her scythe on her, just in case.

 

Zain tossed his bag onto the ground and caught the first punch thrown at him, "What, you think just cause I'm unarmed I can't defend myself?! Pathetic!" He twisted his arm and threw him to the ground. Unclipping his earing he tucked it into his pocket and kicked another boys legs out from underneath him. As he was gloating for a second the third boy, who he'd never seen before hit him hard in the face and kicked him in the stomach, sending him to the ground. Zain lay there crumpled and in pain, "You better not have broken my face!" he snarled from the ground, gasping for air.

 

Yuki caught sight of the fight and saw Zain on the ground. She ran in and kicked the boy against the wall and drew her scythe, putting the blade close to his throat.

"Leave my brother alone. If I catch you hassling him again, I won't hesitate to behead you." She said with a deadly serious look in her eyes.

 

The other two backed away and ran off. The third stood frozen still, "Aight, we'll leave 'em alone. Jesus, just don't kill me."

Zain hauled himself up and picked his bag up as he slid away from Yuki's sythe and ran off. "Y'know, you didn't have to do that. They've been gang beating on me since I started coming to our school."

 

Yumi sighed as she put away her scythe.

"I couldn't help it. It just pisses me off when I see people getting ganged up on like that."