Disclaimer: Nope. Don't own it.

Warnings: n/a (Unless you don't know who Kazusa is.)

A/N: I… really don't know. I need to stop allowing my works to write themselves; because they turn into things like this. At the same time, though, I suppose it could be much worse. It makes some interesting pieces of work.

Locked in a Cage
17
(Forsaken)

Kazusa had been a part of her brother's whole life, since as long as they could remember. Yet since she wasn't a true human – the fact she was caught in bird's form the majority of the time – limited her interaction with the outside world. She remembered when she had once asked her father about it.

Kazuto had understood: although he had been busy with his research, the professor had been happy to allow her to sit on his lap, as he explained her situation (he had never been a man to sugar-coat when it came to the important facts).

As a child, most of what had been said was left forgotten, but Kazusa had understood enough to know that it wasn't normal. It should have upset her, especially after watching so many children her age running around free – unencumbered with what she and her brother possessed.

It had never really occurred to her, though. She had Q-chan and she also had big brother Kazune to keep her company. There was also Himeka – who didn't really know about Kazusa as a person until long after – who treated her so kindly.

She watched them as they grew, fought to protect Himeka; saving her and then forced to save their own future. And each time, she was left to watch and remember.

Each and every one of them – she loved them, unconditionally.

They seemed to feel the same way too, as far as Kazusa knew, although she would never truly be like them. Michiru, especially, seemed to do what he could to spend some time with her, when the others didn't – he also had a strange tendency of dragging Jin along as well.

So Kazusa could only watch as they left her behind (over and over again). And she had no idea on who she was supposed to pray to, so that they would return safely.