Chapter Text
There are days when Shu questioned his own decision of getting out of bed. Usually, it happens when he's having a particular bad day with his magic and training or simply when everything is going wrong on many different levels. This time, is a new situation.
He discreetly stares at the young girl who is sitting on the mat infront of the fire while being completely covered with a soft blanket as she drank a calming simple tea. She was small, obviously, but still a bit taller than kids her age. Medium black hair with red headlights and beautiful golden eyes with a peak of pink and pale skin. She must be at least about 9 or 10 years old.
Shu was in the kitchen, preparing a small tray with a sweet blueberry pie, some cut fruits and warm milk. Luckily, a few days ago he had motivation enough to grab some fruits and ingredients for his house and even baked a pie at that, or else he wouldn't have much to give the girl that seemed like she hadn't eaten for days.
But the witch didn't find the girl randomly.
—
He entered the bar that was a bit more far away from the small village.
The man was hungry, thirsty and tired after the long travel for some ingredients for his magic. In that place, he didn't need to hide what his occupation was, so he sat aside his hat and staff as he sat down on the stool. His house was still a bit far and he was starving and didn't have enough energy to even teleport.
Telling the worker what he wanted to eat and drink, he let out a long sigh allowing himself to relax a bit at the mostly empty bar. It was almost night, so it wouldn't take long for the place to fill. The only people in there was him, the workers and a group of men sat on the far end of the small place. He didn't even pay any mind to the other costumers and just sat down.
Leaning on his hand, he closed his eyes trying to regain a bit of energy while he waited for the food and drink. He tried relaxing, but the group of men began talking loudly and ugly laughing incredibly hard. It was disturbing.
But he was too tired to mind much about them, even when he heard a whimper. Thinking it was maybe one of the female workers.
' Bad decision. He's probably going to get kicked out soon. '
“ Hey! Do you want a beating?! "
“ No, please! ” The witch opened his eyes.
“ Then shut up! ”
Yamino slowly raised his head and looked behind where the group sat. On the ground, mostly hid by the bulky men, was a little girl, concernally thin and frighten. Even if her clothes were tattered, one could still see that she was not related to any of them. That was not a female worker.
It was only when he made eye contact with the girl that he felt his whole body and world stop.
“ Hey! You seem really smiley today! What happened ” he asked while looking at his friend.
The other looked at him with the biggest smile on his face, speaking with a rich voice.
“ My mom just told me I'm going to have a little sister! ” his golden eyes shone, brighter than any light.
She had those exact eyes.
Before he could think much, he rised from his seat while grabbing his staff and approached the little girl, ignorant of anyone around them. She was frightened noticing the new and strange presence, but for some reason, as soon he knelt infront of her and she met his eyes, she immediately felt at ease.
' He reminds me of brother.. '
At that thought she wanted to crawl towards him and hug him tightly, beg him to go back home, but she refrained. It didn't make it any better that the man spoke in a soft voice, so calming it reminded her of her brother again.
” I will bring you back home. ” So he knew? He knew she didn't belong with these older men?
“ Oi magic freak. What the fuck do you think you're doing? Get lost! ” one of them took notice of the man, but Shu only shifted his eyes to stare him dead in the face. The bigger man had to fight off a shiver at the neutral stare thrown at him.
“ This child isn't yours. ” he said plainly.
“ It's my sister's, now fuck off. ” the man stood up together with three others, they would tower Shu even if he himself stood up, but he didn't need to be physically strong or taller than them.
He had magic.
Switching his eyes to the girl, he winked one eye and tapped the bottom of his staff once on the ground. A wave of magic was sent below their feet, and all the men began feeling small but multiple hands grab their feet and legs while viciously climbing up. There were screams and just complete chaos. The girl was frightened at the sight, and seemed to be one scare away from crying. Shu extended his arms to grab her, but was surprised when she immediately hugged his neck tightly and hid. With not much time to think, he stood on his feet and bolted out of the bar while levitating his hat towards him as he was out.
He didn't even took a bite or a sip of what he ordered but the adrenaline he felt as soon he had the girl in his arms was enough to get them both to his house.
—
She completely trusted him.
He now noticed while looking back at the situation from less than an hour ago. He didn't regret getting the girl...the problem was far more complicated than the rescue fiasco.
Also remembering he still hasn't eaten, he cut a big chunk of pie for himself or he'll pass out before he can stop it. He didn't want to leave the little girl completely alone and helpless.
With the tray ready, he heads towards the living room where the girl is. She had already finished her tea and was just staring at the fire. At least she looked more calm than back there.
He made his footsteps clear so he wouldn't scare her, and she soon looked at him as he sat besides her, still keeping distance and place the tray between them. He took his plate of pie and softly smiled at her before speaking softly.
“ I made some pie yesterday, it's blueberry flavored. I also cut some fresh fruits for you and there's milk and water if you want. You can take your time to eat, I won't force you even if you're too skinny. ” he says every word slowly so she could understand.
The girl still didn't speak, but she nodded her head as she reached for the cut fruits, eating one, two and then almost all of them at once. Shu had to slowly pat her back and tell her to go slowly or she'd choke. But could he blame her for being hungry? Her arms and legs looked so thin. There's no way he'd return her home looking like that.
“ Remember that I told you I'd take you home? ” he asked. The girl nodded so he continued. “ I will do that, but first you need to eat more so you can have energy to travel, okay? The capital is quite far from here and you'll need to be healthy and strong. ” he explained.
She stopped chewing on the piece of pie she took for a few seconds, but slowly nodded her head again, understanding. What a smart little child. But maybe she trusts me too much, just because I don't look as scary as those man.
That made him sigh, unaware of the real reason why the girl wanted to stay with him from the beginning.
It didn't take long for her to finish eating and drinking both the milk and water, he himself finished just a bit before her. That would sustain them both until he finishes preparing dinner, the thing is what would the girl do as he cooks.
“ Hey, what's your name? You can tell me just your last name so I can take you back to the right family. ” he didn't expect an answer.
“ Voxanne Akuma.. ” her voice was weak, but he heard her loud and clear. He was right.
“ Well Voxanne, my name is Shu. Yamino Shu! I'll be making dinner, do you want to stay here? ” he stood up as he looked at the child. She immediately grasped his clothes and he took it as a no. Lifting her up, he walked towards the kitchen to prepare something for both of them.
—
After dinner, he let Voxanne sleep soundly in his room. He wouldn't be able to sleep even if he wanted to. Walking towards his library, where he kept all of his equipment, he searched for a map.
Voxanne Akuma. Daughter of the Marquis Akuma and younger sister to the young master of the family. She looked exactly like her older brother.
Vox...an old friend, such bittersweet memories of when they were young and naive. And not just with him. They were five. Completely different from each other and on different positions in life, but a strong and pure friendship tied them together. Until it didn't anymore.
Shaking his head at the unpleasant memories, he soon found the map. It was thrown somewhere hidden, since he never thought of traveling far from the village he lived, he only needed the map of the forest and that was enough. The map showed the whole country. As expected, it was a long travel from where he is to the capital. How long as she been missing?
That was a question for another hour, now he needed to find a route where he'd reach the capital as fast as possible.
Even if he wanted to regret his decision of getting out of bed today, he can never blame the child for it. He couldn't blame anyone but fate, that was now obligating him to go back to his origins where he lost everything that mattered.
Anyway, finding the shortest route was one of the things he needed to check. Another thing is to to guarantee that Voxanne ate all her meals and that she gains all the protein she needs for it. He'll also needs to conserve his own magic for teleportation. He can't teleport directly to the capital, that would be asking to be put on a coma as soon he reached the place. He'll be teleporting from place to place until he's close enough. Another thing is the house. He never leaves his home unattended for too long, so he'll have to ask Millie to keep an eye on it while he's gone.
“ I can already imagine what she's going to say. ” but even so, she's the only person Shu trusts in his life at the moment. “ It's still to soon to talk to her and pack anything. I'll just help Voxanne and conserve my own energy until then. For now, figuring the fastest route and gathering some material is the best to do. ”
—
“ Soooo, you're telling me you went 'Strong Heroic Witch' in a bar and rescued that adorable little girl from some kidnappers and now you're returning her home? ” the man nods. “ Well that's hot. A good story indeed. ”
“ Can I count on you? ”
“ Can you count on me? What, do you think your house is going to grow legs and run away? ” she immediately laughed at the face Shu gave her. “ I'm joking, yeah you can count on me. I'll take care of your pretty house for you. ”
“ Thanks Millie, I own you a lot ” he smiles at the older woman.
“ Oh you do, and I'll be waiting for my payment soon enough ”
“ As soon as I'm back I'll pay you. Although I'm not sure how long it might take.. ”
“ Why? Does she live in another country? ” the blonde woman stares at the young girl that's playing with her cat.
“ From the capital...and you know that witches are haunted and killed there, so I need to be careful while approaching and leaving. This might take maybe a few days or a week at best.. ” the man explains, playing with the small skull that decorated his staff. Millie knew him enough to tell that he was trying to distract himself.
“ Oh Shu.. that's not the only problem is it? ” she softly grasped his hand rubbing circles in the back of his hand to soothe him.
Millie has known Shu since he was a young kid. From what she knows, him and his sister had fled from the capital alone while being hunted down by royal guards. She had helped them in settling down on their own, and after Shu's older sister died, she took care of him as if he was her own younger brother. She taught him everything he knows today and helped him grow into the very man he is now. She's not aware of the details of his childhood, but she's aware of the bitter feelings he has to the place he was born.
Shu only smiled at her before replying. “ No. You already know my feelings towards the capital, it doesn't help that Voxanne is also the younger sibling of an old acquaintance... ” he didn't say more so Millie didn't ask and only nodded.
“ I understand. Well, if that's the case I wish you luck and safety. Do you have everything you need, just in case? ”
“ I do. I plan on leaving tomorrow morning. She already knows that's why she's so excited. ” he smiles softly at the sight of the little girl giggling with the cat. “ It's been two weeks since I got her, I can tell she's been very patient so she can go back home. ”
” I bet she has. I'll give you guys some delicious pastries I made so you can eat on the way. ” she got up, turning to go towards the kitchen.
“ Millie. ”
“ Hm? ” she stops and looks above her shoulder.
“ Thank you again...for everything you've done for me.. ”
“ You're my little brother Shuey, of course I would do anything! ” she smiles before disappearing into the kitchen.
—
It was early in the morning when Shu and Voxanne stood outside his house. The sun was probably only a few minutes from rising, but neither of them wanted to wait any longer. Both of them where wearing a black cloak to secure their identity. With his bag full of food and some emergency materials, holding Voxanne in one arm and the staff on the other, he looks at the girl that was still a bit sleepy.
“ Ready to go home? ” he asks.
The smaller one nodded, and hugged his neck tightly. Slowly lifting his staff, purple fire envolved them all around before they disappear in thin air.
The first stop would be a small city a bit far from their location. They would be going through two cities before reaching the capital, but he would need intervals, just in case he has to fight for his or their life.
The journey as started, but he God did he wish he knew she wasn't the only one.