3 A peculiar child

After Akeno's birth, the lives of Shuri and Baraqiel had drastically changed. As with all changes, some aspects were good. Others, not so good. The first thing to happen was Shuri's total shunning by the Himejima clan. Though some were against this, the majority viewed her as a traitor for having a child with a Fallen. A few were waiting to see if Akeno actually turned out to be half human before writing her off too, but the anti-Fallen sentiment was there. If she was pure human, they would attempt to take baby Akeno by force.

Knowing this, Baraqiel moved Shuri and Akeno away from the Himejima clan and took up residence in a shrine, where Shuri started work as a Shrine Priestess as she did in the Himejima clan. Their main income came from Baraqiel's work within Grigori but Shuri had managed to save up quite a bit purifying evil spirits.

As for Akeno, she proved to be a strange but rather intelligent child. She never cried or fussed as normal babies did but she did possess the curiousity of a baby her age. For a while, Shuri and Baraqiel worried, since they had no idea if this behavior was normal of a baby with mixed blood. Understanding had come quickly to her when they taught her anything. First was walking. She had been able to walk at seven months old, which was unheard of in an infant. Though that was the least surprising thing she picked up that quickly. At two years old, she could talk semi-fluently, at three she started to read and write. Though it was at five when something unexpected occurred.

-September 1st, 1995-

Baraqiel returned home after concluding his business in Grigori. Coming into his house he found Shuri cooking in the kitchen. She smiled once she found his large arms wrap around her waist.

"Welcome home, Dear" Shuri said with a smile before they shared a kiss.

"How was it? Azazel keeping you busy?" Shuri asked, hearing her husband grunt in vexation before he replied.

"Hnnh.. Yes. He's dealing with a kid he just took in. He's only told Penemue, Shemhazai and myself this but apparently he's thinking of collecting Sacred Gear users. More specifically, Longinus wielders" Baraqiel finished with a sigh.

"Ara.. What ever for? Do you think another war is coming?" Shuri asked in concern.

"I honestly don't know. He's pushing for peace. I think he wants to study a Longinus extensively. He's probably thinking about making a special group rather than soldiers for a war" Baraqiel mused before he shook his head.

"Well that's enough about work. How is Akeno doing? Has she made any preschool friends yet?" Hopeful, Baraqiel asked.

"Ehh... well.." Shuri's smile strained.

"No matter what I try to do, it seems she really doesn't get along with the other kids. Though.. perhaps 'get along' doesn't accurately describe it.." Shuri placed her finger on her chin in thought.

"It's more like.. she's more mature than kids her age. Or.. most kids in general. Actually.. now that I think about it.. She may be more mature than some teenagers.." Shuri elaborated with a helpless smile.

"I had a feeling that was the case. A few weeks ago I saw her interact with our neighbor's boy. Lad started picking his nose and eating it. The sheer disgust on her little face made me spit up the water I was drinking." Baraqiel grinned as Shuri held her mouth and chuckled.

"Speaking of.. Where is she now?" Baraqiel asked.

"Oh she's in the living room watching some of the movies we bought for the VHS. As it turns out.. she hates magical girl anime. The neighborhood Mothers recommended it but in the middle of the show she started scowling. I think she's watching that new American animated series 'Spider-Man'?" Shuri replied.

"American? She understands English?" Baraqiel raised his brow.

"Hmm.. Surely not, right? I think she's captivated by the fighting." Shuri replied with a hum before peeking her head out into the living room.

"...Get back here Shocker! ....SHOCKEEEEEEEEEEEEEER! You can't escape MEEEEE! I'll chase you to the ends of the EAAAAARTH!" Is what they heard from their television, prompting Baraqiel to poke his head out in confusion.

Only to hear their daughter, for the first time, break out into hysterical laughter.

"Pfffhahahahaha... Hahaha!! Ahahahahaha!!" They both smiled as they saw Akeno lean against the table for support, currently laughing harder than they'd ever seen her laugh before.

Though afterwards, Baraqiel became confused and sat next to his daughter with a smile.

"Hey, Akeno dear? Do you know what they're saying?" He casually asked as he saw his daughter's eyes switch from focusing on the screen to himself.

"Mm? Oh, yeah. I know what they're saying, Papa" She innocently answered before turning her attention back to the show.

Baraqiel furrowed his brows and shared a look with Shuri before gently patting his daughter's head.

"Where did you learn English from? I don't think your school teaches that yet, do they?" Baraqiel asked, hiding his concern.

"Hmm..? No. I just.. know it?" Akeno replied, confused at the question.

"Akeno dear.. do you have strange dreams?" Baraqiel asked, his stony face starting to sweat.

"Oh..! Yeah.. They don't make any sense though" Akeno mumbled as she shifted uncomfortably.

Shuri let out a silent gasp as soon as Akeno said it. Akeno, looking uncomfortable, began to think about her dreams quietly. Though they weren't hard to remember, like any regular dreams were. In fact, the images from them were practically ingrained in her mind. Baraqiel got up and pulled Shuri into the hallway so Akeno wouldn't hear them. He sighed and ran his finger and thumb down the bridge of his nose in frustration. They both know what this most likely was.

"Akeno has a Sacred Gear.." Baraqiel whispered.

Shuri held her mouth and felt hot tears build up in her eyes before shaking her head with a helpless sigh.

"She can still live a normal life, can't she..?" Shuri asked but already knew the answer.

"Even if she wasn't a Sacred Gear wielder, that wouldn't be very likely. We're not without some backing though." Baraqiel took his wife's hand gently.

"Grigori.. Is it truly safe for her there? With all your suspicions about Kokabiel.. I just don't know." Shuri sighed before thinking of their otber problem.

"Then there's the Himejima clan.. If they wanted to take her away before.. Now? If they find out, they'll either kidnap or try to kill her." Baraqiel's face twitched in anger as Shuri whispered.

"We won't ever let that happen.. A normal human life may be beyond her but if I bring her into Grigori, then maybe.." Baraqiel trailed off as Shuri shook her head.

"Even I know they won't accept her as one of them unless she was fully Fallen. She'll be in just as much danger there." Shuri replied in frustration.

Baraqiel nodded solemnly until he heard a noise behind them. Both parents looked down the hall and saw their daughter looking at them in confusion. Though they both noticed something peculiar about their daughter. That being the soft green hue that flashed in her normally violet eyes.

"Mama.. Papa? Are you worried?" Akeno asked, seeing her parents' wry smiles.

"I.." Baraqiel struggled internally about what to say.

Though Shuri scooped her daughter up in her arms and ran her hand down her black hair lovingly before shaking her head and replying, "We are, yes. But we'll figure this out. It's our job as parents to worry, Akeno. Leave it to us, okay? Mama and Papa will protect you"

Akeno's face froze as she took in her mother's words. To a normal child, it made sense. Trust in your parents, they know what's best for you. Shuri's words should have made any other child feel safe. But all they did for Akeno was made her remember. Remember something 'she' had not experienced before. Though undeniably, she felt as if she had. In one of her dreams, she remembered. His Father, dying before his birth due to the manipulations of someone else. His Mother, scorning and despising his Father to him all throughout his life. It wasn't until much later did he learn the sacrifice his Father made. How the regrets nearly drowned him. He would have made a wonderful Father. But he was forever lost. But now, Akeno looked at her parents and felt a tightness in her chest and a constricting feeling in her throat.

~I don't want them to..~ Akeno thought as a subtle energy spread from within her body.

Both Baraqiel and Shuri froze as they witnessed Akeno change. A feeling of static electricity being felt as two black feathered wings tore through the back of Akeno's shirt and enveloped Shuri in an embrace. Akeno smiled as she rested her chin on her Mother's shoulder.

"You shouldn't worry either.. Mama and Papa" Akeno muttered as an overwhelming feeling of drowsiness overcame her.

The tiny bit of energy used to awaken her Fallen heritage was a little too much for her and thus she fell asleep quickly after her awakening. Baraqiel, still shocked walked over to Shuri and Akeno and gently touched her black wings. He felt a minor shock from them and smiled.

"I think we can breathe a little easier now.." He gruffly stated.

"Thankfully.. I think her Sacred Gear helped us. Her wings are beautiful.." Shuri muttered, taken back by how lustrous and pristine her wings looked.

Baraqiel nodded proudly while softly patting his sleeping daughter's head.

"I'll go back and talk to Azazel about all this. Seeing as how Akeno is, he'll eagerly accept her. She's a full Fallen too so perhaps it won't be too hard to convince them to take you in as well" Baraqiel hoped.

-A week later-

Akeno felt a bit puzzled. She left for somewhere with her Father. Somewhere her Mother wasn't welcome, apparently. This rubbed her the wrong way. She couldn't see why anyone wouldn't like her Mother, but when she asked her Father about it, he gave two reasons she could kind of understand. Some people of different races just didn't quite get along being the first. The second being that her Mother was incredibly beautiful and some Fallen were perverts. Namely, Azazel. Though her Father stressed that he wouldn't try to do anything bad once Akeno showed a scowl on her face. So as she rode on her Father's back, she thought of what he told her.

~Races... That feels right. Maybe it was one of those 'dreams'? People are afraid and look down on others who are different..~ Akeno mused as a light green glow emanated from her eyes.

~And the pervert thing.. Ah maybe it's not so bad? Mama's married~ Akeno let loose a small sigh before hearing her Father grunt to get her attention.

"We're here, sweetie. Now remember to keep your wings out while we're there okay? And if anyone bothers you just-" "Beat them up? Got it" Akeno interjected with a small, serene smile on her face.

"....I was going to say come to me. I don't think you're strong enough to beat anyone here yet" Baraqiel chuckled after his brief shock.

"Eeh...? If you say so.." Akeno pouted and muttered out a response.

Baraqiel sighed and landed in front of a rather modern looking facility. It's white exterior clashed heavily against the look of the Underworld, which Grigori was mainly based in. It looked far more like a research center with guards stationed in and outside it.

Baraqiel took the lead, earning himself many respectful looks from many of the Fallen. His head held high, he glanced back at his Daughter, expecting to see the awe in her eyes at how he was treated. Only to see that she had wandered off immediately.

"Oh.. fuck.. Akeno!?" Baraqiel broke out into a cold sweat and started to look around the grey and white halls of Grigori's HQ in a panic.

Meanwhile, Akeno had indeed wandered off. The Fallen looked at her strangely but carried on with a shrug, figuring she was visiting from another base. Akeno peeked into interesting-looking rooms, aiming to find something of interest. Though all she ever found was a lunchroom and a barracks of some kind. Pouting, she turned another corner and bumped into a girl about her height with bright blonde hair and sharp blue eyes. She was accompanied by three others who glared down at her in annoyance.

"Hey! Watch where you're going, Midget" The Blonde Fallen yelled.

"What? We're the same height, Idiot.." Akeno replied back, annoyed at the girl's attitude.

"Pfft! She is the same height, Mittelt. Now you have a comrade in the flat chest department" The Blue haired Fallen teased her companion with a smirk.

Her other comrades didn't seem to really care though. The Black haired Fallen sneering at Akeno while the Trenchcoat-wearing Fallen sighed.

"What the fuck!? You think THIS twerp is on my level? I have way more adult charm than her" The blonde Fallen declared, despite her comrade's mockery.

~..I AM FIVE~ Akeno's irritation grew as she internally marked them as clowns and tried to leave.

Only for the Blonde to get in her way.

"Where do you think you're going, New Girl? You might not have heard, but-" The Blonde seemed to drone on and on to Akeno.

But the message was received. They wouldn't leave her alone in peace. She looked up at the three other Fallen, who either supported the Blonde or simply didn't care. Akeno sighed, as if she had been through this exact scenario, before surprising them all when she raised her leg and kicked the Blonde in the chest, promptly knocking her into the nearest wall with an audible '𝗧𝗛𝗨𝗗'.

[AUTHOR'S NOTE: Sorry bout the time. Work may start to get slow again so my upload speed may increase. Do you guys prefer 5k word chaps or a medium sized 2-2.5k word chaps? Lemme know in this paragraph along with any questions you have. Thanks!]