Cherish

When he was exactly 4 years and 216 days old, counting the days was important in making them look older and therefore cooler, several very important things happened to a shaggy haired blonde boy.

The first was that he had overheard one of his aunts calling him a pathological liar; a term would take him a few years to fully understand, with a distant family member. Apparently the adults were slowly cottoning onto his tall tales and small fibs; he would never understand why people got so annoying over lies that didn't hurt anybody.

The second occurred by accident when the 4 year old stumbled into a room accidently, at least he would later claim so, and came face to face with the family treasure. Even as an adult he would never forget his intense reaction to the sight of the gilded handle and sparkling gemstones. How his eyes, the same rich emerald as those stones, had been glued to the staff as they had taken in every detail that had been carved into the ornate gold.

More importantly Rei could recall perfectly the way his heart had leapt, keeping its steady beat but becoming levels louder than humanly possible. The thudding echoed in his ears, his chest practically shook from the force of the pounding and every movement he made seemed to orbit around the staff still locked away in its casing. In truth the blonde could only recall such feelings because his body would continue to react in that exact manner every single time he was near something of worldly value – not that he would openly admit to such a demonic flaw as an adult of course.

The third event that day happened only moments after he had entered the room, despite it feeling like an eon to the young boy. Upon hearing a rustle behind him the mischievous blonde swallowed hard as his keen mind whirling into action to pull together another one of his infamous excuses to prevent him from punishment. Quickly whirling on his heel, the bright innocent smile Rei had prepared for his victim slipped immediately into one of sheer surprise.

Slowly the small boy blinked. Face melting to confusion quickly in those following moments. The wall he was now staring at held nothing but a door, there was nothing standing next to it and certainly no ghostly figures leaning through the opening door. He gulped slowly, eyes never moving from the widening crack between the frame and the door, expecting and waiting for his mother to waltz in simply because the fleeting image he had caught in the corner of his eye had led him to believe she was there.

Rei always felt bad that he didn't remember his mother clearly from his own memories. He only knew what she looked like because of the countless pictures his aunt and grandmother had shown him. Her auburn hair rested nicely on her shoulders and while he couldn't recall her image on his own there was a niggling feeling that told him the curls were soft and bounced when pulled or tugged by a small hand that was no doubt his own.

Zoning back in after the light from the hallway started to burn his unblinking eyes Rei noticed there was someone stood in the now open doorway and boy did they look angry. Unhappy relatives were a natural sight for the 4 year old, anyone other than his Grandmother and the younger children in the family who did not yet "know any better" were less than amicable to the young half-demon.

"What are you doing in here?" The sharp, gruff tone of one of his great-uncles snapped across from the other side of the room. His pinched glare switching between that of the staff, locked safely within its case, and the small blonde trouble maker in an accusing manner. He had been dealing with Rei long enough to know not to wait for an answer – despite his young age and the fact being established that he lied about nearly everything the boy had a way of making you believe even the tallest of tales if you gave him the chance to speak.

It didn't take long for the scenery around him to whirl. Only moments had passed but already the older, greying man had Rei by the scruff of his neck and was half pulling and half carrying him out of the sacred room and down the hall way. While the boy was still squirming in the grasp he didn't truly put any fight behind it, being taken back in a firm grasp to his Grandmother's quarters was a natural occurrence that happened nearly daily for all the parties included. Sometimes the charming blonde would try to sweet talk his way out of trouble but he knew better than to try with his eagle eyed handler – the stern older man was one of the few people who actually scared him.

Light Hazel eyes lit up the moment he was dragged through the door, the youth that shone in those eyes gave no hint to the age of the person they belonged to. A bright smile appeared on her aging face as she didn't even attempt to hide her amusement at the sight of her brother dragging her grandson yet again through her front door with a look of contempt on his face. The small, pointed ears that Rei had turned down the moment the large hand had grabbed onto the scruff of his neck instantly perked back up at the sight of his grandmother - knowing he was back in safe and loving hands brought great comfort to the mischievous 4 year old.

"What have you done this time little one?" Her tone, sweet as honey to the delighted child, dripped with mock anger as she looked between the now beaming boy and the un-amused frown of her older brother

"Don't encourage him Guanyin. I found him snooping around the Caduceus." Finally Rei was released, rubbing the back of his neck as he glanced between the two elders from his new found spot on the floor. If he hadn't realized he was in trouble before then the look that washed away his grandmother's smile defiantly gave it away.

"He doesn't know any better" came the usual dismissing reply from his fair haired Grandmother. Normally her tone was carefree and joking but this time there was a serious edge – because they all knew for once Rei really didn't know any better. While the look upon his great-uncles face seemed unchanged by the same old excuses the female gave he still turned on his heel and left the two in peace. Rei's large green eyes watching the door close shut before safely turning to look at his saviour.

"Now, now – don't go giving me those big old puppy eyes." The old woman snapped playfully, eyes failing to uphold the fond sternness she was trying to pull off. The atmosphere melted as soon as a small smile returned to her face, warming up with wrinkled dimples as she held her arms open for the doe-eyed boy. Without hesitation he scrambled from the floor and straight into her soft embrace, the tail that had been slowly falling out of its hiding place on the journey over was now beating against the floor rhythmically as he wagged it out of glee.

The soft chuckle vibrated through the top of his head as she leaned down to kiss the top of his flat blonde hair, soft but papery hands smoothing down where he had been grabbed roughly in their traditional manner. However instead of following their usual routine that followed the comforting cuddling and mock telling off Rei leaned back in the embrace to look at his Hazel eyed Grandmother in burning curiosity. She knew what he was going to ask before he even opened up his silver tongued little mouth.

"What was that staff? Why did he get so mad that I was in there? I didn't touch it, honest!" The young boy proclaimed the way he always did – ending in some tiny section of redeeming truth to edge out of trouble. Only 4 years old and already he knew how to manipulate even the wisest of adults into nothing more than puppets he pulled along with his little finger. His ears twitched in the manner they always did and his sharp toothed grin was in full beam – all signs he was excited and eager to hear the answer.

Her fond, warm smile grew even wider as he settled down into her lap patiently. Taking in every single adorable trait of her grandson, and nearly every single one of those traits were the reasons he was so hated by the rest of their family, the now retired Exorcist couldn't help but gave into his demanding questioning.

"The Caduceus," she begin, the lull in her voice made him relax into her side as he waited for the story that was sure to come. "Is the very source of our power Reiko-" The face the young boy pulled was pricelessly adorable. His brow furrowing and bright eyes glaring slightly at her was always worth the whining that came with calling him a girl's name – she was always eager to playfully wind her young trouble maker up. Her laugh was as warm and youthful as her eyes and while Rei's anger simmered she continued on with her explanation.

"While each member of our family is naturally a great Doctor, after all we have a greater medical source than any of the other libraries collectively, the very root of our reputation stems from the legend of the staff itself."

"Grandma the medical symbol is the Rod of Asclepius though. That staff had two snakes and wings on" Rei cut in, brow still furrowed only this time in uncertain confusion. Her laughter rang out through the room again and his tail dropped down behind him; the half-demon really did dislike people laughing at him when it wasn't what he intended.

It took longer than usual but eventually the old woman calmed herself, eyes still swimming with amusement as she looked down at the slowly deflating child on her lap.
"You really are such a bright boy Rei." She said in a proud voice, her fingers running through and mussing up his blonde hair playfully in a bid to brighten him up once again. "You're right of course, both are legendary in their own right – but this staff is special in its own way."

"How so?"

"Well it was mine as a starting point." She replied smugly, this time the laughter that lit up the room belonged to the boy on her knee. Her playful ego and confidence always encouraged Rei and she knew that it was part of the reason the blonde himself was so out going as a child despite all of his circumstances. "The staff chooses who wields it, it won't let just anyone touch it let alone use its powers. Unfortunately I still haven't found my successor so even though I'm retired if there's someone in great need of my help I'll do my best."

"But Grandma, what about if you're the one who needs help?" Rei's face was twanged with childlike worry and concern and she found it so sweet of him to be concerned for her – even though they both knew it should and would always be the other way around. The look and sincere love that came from her Grandchild's question was enough to almost make Guanyin forget her aging concerns – the least which had been highlighted just by informing Rei of one half of his heritage.

A flash of purple and white soared past her mind's eye accompanied by a smug chuckle as her thoughts lingered on finding her successor for the staff. The fair haired woman hadn't even noticed herself get lost in her troubles and worries until she felt a tiny nose bump against her own – large, doe eyes staring at hers with concern.

"I'm sorry, you really shouldn't worry Grandma. I'll always be around to help you and as I get bigger and stronger I'll protect you too!" He declared, sincerity burning behind the emerald gems he called eyes causing the older woman's lower lip to tremble for only a moment before recovering it into a soft smile.

"I could never worry about myself Rei; with you around I barely have time to worry about anyone else." She smirked only slightly at his disgruntled "hey!"  in reply, watching as both his tail and ears stiffened out in embarrassed annoyance. Chuckling playfully she leant forward to press her lips to his now puffy cheeks, pouting was not a look that suited the boy, and tilted his chin back up to focus on her.

"If ever there comes a day you aren't feeling so brave, all you ever have to do is ask for my help Rei – I can only do so much to defend you little one if you don't tell me about things." While her words were supposed to send waves of comfort through him they only served to hit a chilling nerve. He didn't know whether to mention the odd feelings he had had when he was in the same room as the staff. That even as he was sat in her loving embrace there was a pull within him, urging him to go back and just look at the staff for a little while longer.

The rising sensation shook him from his all too troubling thoughts, and lets fact it no 4 year old should have any troubling thoughts, and a hand at the small of his back steadied the boy from falling backwards and to the ground – not that it would harm him, they'd both noticed like a cat he had a lucky streak for landing on his feet.
"You've had an exciting day Reiko-"

"Grandma" He grumpily looked at her, a stern look in place as he crossed his arms in a huff and swished his tail in disapproval. It would never cease to amuse her.

"Rei. So it's time for bed" Her free hand came up to pat the loose strands back into her bun, eyes lighting up again with silent laughter as his sulking look deepened. Despite his disapproval it didn't take long to get the blonde ready for sleep, fingers gently brushing through his golden locks – avoiding his braid – was usually the fastest way to get the boy to sleep.

"Grandma," He yawned sweetly, curling his fair haired tail around his small body, "Tell me more about your adventures with the staff." He demanded for the first time, as he would for every night that followed that for the next few years. Fuelling the half-demon's silent desire for the golden staff a little more than she should've, and would've, if she had known precisely what would occur because of it.