There are many times in my life when I would sit there and ask why. Why me? Why not them? What could I have done to stop them? Why am I the one forced to expose myself for other's selfish desires?
As I lay here, suspended in between times, you can say I have some time on my hands. I am forever locked in a battle of strength, time, and purity. No one is strong enough to come to my aid…yet, I feel as if one day I will be able to be released from this cold, stone prison.
However, contrary to what my original statement was, I am hurrying through this narrative as if I am pressed for time.
"Lady Midoriko! My Lady Midoriko!"
Throngs of people surged past me, many of them clutching to their trembling bodies precious treasures and young children. One, a heavily pregnant woman about my own age, fell at my feet, positively petrified. Her equally young husband, a local village man I had spoken to many times before, hurriedly grabbed her by her shoulders and heaved her to her feet, careful not to put too much strain on her.
I gripped my unsheathed katana tighter, my eyes narrowing. The large, snake-like demon slithered closer, it's large, blood-shot eyes followed several young children until it found it's choice, a skinny little boy of about four. Panic overtook me as I sprinted into action, blade raised and a single thought running through my mind: Do not let this child die.
"No!" I heard on of the older girls scream as the demon advanced quickly. She turned her head, tears running down her face.
Grunting, I closed my eyes and felt a warm, sticky something splash onto my hands. A strangled yell, a child's cry of surprise, and the demon-snake fell, my blade sticking out of his blackened heart.
I quickly dropped to my knees and hugged the boy close to me, trying to avoid piecing him with my armor. "Don't worry, child, you'll be alright. It's okay now." I soothed gently, rubbing my blood-stained hands along his spiny little back.
His sister, a girl I later recognized as Hana, rushed over to us, her arms open. I gently pushed the still-trembling boy into her relieved embrace and pivoted to survey the scene in front of me. Blood and the occasional body of livestock lay scattered and splashed all over the place. People lay on the ground, moaning and crying out.
A thunder of footsteps approached me from the behind. I looked up to see a group of the village headmen standing in front of me, their heads bowed in respect. I nodded back to them, a couple of strands of hair falling into my face.
"My lady…" one of them addressed me formally. He was the leader of the group, a large man by the name of Samui.
"Samui-sama." I inclined. My tone was civil, almost unfeeling. Samui wasn't a man who believed in the power of women; not most men were. He believed only a male Priest could protect this village adeptly; a female Priestess could only botch things.
"We the council have decided that we should remove the women and children from the village for their own protection." He stated in his low, harsh voice. Many of the men behind him shifted uncomfortably; they obviously hadn't had a say in the matter. I glared at Samui, hating his arrogant attitude more than ever.
"I disagree, Samui-sama." I declared loudly, my voice ringing in my ears. "The villagers are safer within these walls than they are out there in the open." I gestured at the clearings outside of the bamboo walls.
Samui flared up, sick of my defiance. "With all do respect, Midoriko-sama, I disagree with you." He pointed at the burning huts. "When those homes collapse, the people will be trapped here. Your precious sword will not save them then." He glanced disgustedly at my blood-soaked katana.
I shook my head, more hair falling into my face. "I will not permit you to lead these poor, innocent people into danger!"
"My lady…please…help me." A feeble voice called out. I quickly left the group of some-what relieved men and a very upset Samui to go assist an elderly woman heave a smoldering leg off of her leg. As I carried her to the shrine, I saw the look Samui give me; a look so laced with hatred I couldn't help but feel a fleeting sense of fear. The older woman looked over at him.
"That man is filled with evil, my Lady." She said sagely, nodding her head.
"Oba-san, please, try to relax." I said quietly, but her words echoed in my mind. What could this man do to harm me?
I knelt before the small shrine erected in the back of the hut I used every day. The pungent smell of incense and sakura blossoms filled my nostrils and surrounded me, lulling me into a feeling of security. My breathing slowed; my worries disappeared; my responsibilities temporarily melted away. I was free at least.
"My lady?" a hesitant voice called from the doorway. I sighed and rose to my feet, giving a final bow to the miniature holy statues.
"Yes?" I moved to catch a glimpse at my visitors. "How can I assist you?"
A young girl, about three, wearing a faded blue child's kimono and her hair in shredded ribbons stood nervously in my doorway, her dark eyes following my every move. I had removed my armor and scrubbed my hands clean of blood, cleansing my impure haori.
"You don't have to be afraid of me, child." I said, laughing slightly. The little girl looked doubtful, but she smiled after I extended my hand to her, inviting her in. She bowed; I laughed and bent down, looking her in the eye. "What do you want, little one?"
"Well…my mama asked me to bring this to you." She reached behind her and dragged an obviously heavy basket into my home. Curiously, I peaked under the dirty cloth to see a cream and black kitten curled up in a basket, her leg clumsily bandaged with the same type of ribbon sweeping the girl's hair off her face.
"Where did you find her?" I asked, reaching in the basket and stroking her delicate head. The poor creature, malnourished and caked with mud, whimpered slightly, a pitiful mew touching my heart.
The little girl shrugged her shoulders and started to suck her thumb. "Chichi found her at the edge of the shinsei na mori when he and the men went to dispose of the youkai's bones."
I quickly gathered the tiny kitten in my arms and brought her over to the wooden bucket of water I had heating next to the fire. I reached in and began to gently wash her with a worn rag. That was when I noticed her second tail and the black marking on her forehead. Could she be a…?
The poor creature opened its large red eyes and mewed pitifully, writhing in my now-soaked arms. "Nemuri, nemuri." I crooned to her, stroking her delicate head.
"Wow! She's so pretty!" The little girl squealed, admiring her glossy cream coat.
I nodded, smiling to myself. "Do you want her, Ame-chan?"
Ame shook her head vigorously, her chocolaty locks bouncing around. "Mama doesn't allow me to have pets." She whined. I smile apologetically.
"Since your mama doesn't allow them…I think I should take care of her. But you know what?" I added on an impulse. "You can come and visit her as often as possible."
Her eyes widened; happiness shining beneath the layer of dirt on her weather-beaten cheeks. "Arrigato Midoriko-sama!" She said in a rush as she bowed, low. I laughed and waved my hand at her.
"Don't worry. You can visit…" I paused, examining the kitten in the crook of my arm. "Kirara any time you want."
It was only after poor Ame-chan scampered away to help her mother when I bent to examine the cat I had named Kirara. "There, there." I crooned to her as I bathed her in warm water. "Everything's going to be alright."
Suddenly, Kirara hissed at me and bounded out of the bucket and fled the hut. "Whoa!" I called, scrambling after her. I tried to keep my eye on her, but despite her demon characteristics, she easily blended in amongst the other village pets. "Kirara!"
She was heading towards the woods. Why was she making a break for it? I was trying to help her! She was injured for one; she was also running quite the fever. If she didn't get any help, she'd run the risk of getting seriously injured, or even worse, killed. "Oh, Kami, no." I whispered to myself as I sprinted into the foreboding forest, following her.
"Kirara…" I called, slowing down in front of a large cedar tree. My cry echoed throughout the forest, sending a chill down my spine. "Kirara…"
I heard the sound of large, hurried footsteps coming my way. But, no matter which way I looked, I couldn't see anything. It was just too dark.
I sensed the attack before it came, yet I was still powerless to prevent it.
"Miko." A demon hissed, its long fangs now attached to my upper forearm. "It's been a long time."
"Centipede." I gasped, pain blurring my vision. How could I have been stupid enough to get attacked? "What…do you want?"
"Why, you're power of course." She said smoothly, rapping her long, revolting body around my own. "The power of the Priestess."
I winced. Blood was running down my forearm and soaking my haori sleeve, turning it a bright red. "I…will not…let…you...get to…the village…" I grunted. I wildly punched behind me, somehow connecting with the centipede's jaw. It wasn't much, but I did startle her just enough to be able to slip between the folds of her body and jump out of the way.
"You…" she breathed, panting slightly. "You're a clever one, you are." She was advancing on me. I slowly backed up against a tree, an unwise move. Now I was stuck, no where to go.
A blur of cream-and-black rushed past my line of vision. What the…? Kirara? No, it couldn't be. Kirara's a tiny little thing, demon she may be. That thing must be four feet tall!
A wretched growl came from the creature that so resembled my demon friend as it came closer to the centipede. Centipede just narrowed her already narrow eyes at it as it approached, tongue sticking out. "And what are you? Do you dare challenge me? The girl is mine!"
With that she lunged at the demon cat, fangs bared. The demon growled back and slashed at her with her mighty claws, wounding Centipede's shoulder, badly. Centipede cursed her, took one final glance at me, and slithered away, her hand on her now-bloody shoulder.
I watched the demon cat as she approached me, her large eyes fixed upon mine. A soft growl vibrated in her throat as she came right up close to me. "Thank you." I murmured, reaching out to stroke her forehead.
This was Kirara all right. This was my friend.
Japanese Dictionary:
Katana – a Japanese sword. Long and sharp on one edge, most commonly known as Samurai Swords.
-Sama – Honorific. Means "Lord."
Oba-san – Grandmother (honorific).
Sakura blossoms – cherry blossoms
Kimono – traditional garb of Japanese women
Haori – white top commonly worn by working men and religious figures
Chichi – Father (informal)
Shinsei na mori – sacred forest
Youkai – demon
Nemuri – calm, calm
Arrigato – thank you
Kami – God
Miko – priestess
-Chan – someone younger than you or your equal. Can also apply to people you are close (emotionally) to.
Well, I know this is a far-cry from my usual humour-that-you-get-second-time-around, but I promise that some more will be coming up.
For Otakon2006, I am going as the priestess Midoriko. So, what better way to get in character than write through her point-of-view?
Hope this works out for you guys. Can't wait to see you in Volume Two!
'Lexy-chan
