Mingmei
Chapter one: Fire
Shadowkeyu
Chen Ming was abruptly awoken from her peaceful sleep by a single warning cry that sliced the night's silent peace. It became hushed for a moment and then the screams began. She could not focus on the moment; unable to think beyond the disbelief. It couldn't be. They told us Kuto would never reach our town. The girl could not understand why they were being attacked. Her mind rejected the idea. That is, until the red glow of fire outside her window flickered against the wall, fighting the shadows for dominance. It was real, the town was burning. Not until she smelled smoke in the air could she convince her body to move from the mindless comfort of her bed. The distant sounds of battle grew louder as the town's resistance force, made only of courageous farmers, lost ground and their lives to the well trained enemy. What should I do? Mother, I have to find mother. Where is father, is he dead. No, he can't die. But mother, I have to find mother.
Startled by the shadow that appeared behind the screen of her door, Ming jumped back against the wall trying with all her might to fall through it. Slowly it opened revealing her pale faced mother. With a wail of relief, the girl flung herself into the comforting embrace of her mother's arms. But something was different. Yes, it was a familiar physical embrace, but the previous sense of security was gone. The arms were trembling. Why? Mother can save me. Nothing will happen to us now. Ming peered up into her mothers face. Those beautiful eyes, usually the window to her soul were closed, blank. "Mother, we have to leave. Please, take us away from here. We can go to the woods. Father is there. He's waiting for us to come to him. Please mother, come on." Feebly she tried to pull her mother toward the door.
Chen Chow finally turned her gaze to her daughter, looking into the jade eyes that had come from her husband. They were so innocent; showing a child's never ending belief in the power of her parents. Have we protected her from the harshness of the world only to allow it to thrust down in one deadly swoop? We should not have shielded her so. She knows less about the world than most seven year olds. I should end it now. Before they get hold of her and she is made a slave. I should end her life now, when she is still so innocent. But Chow could not carry out the deed. She heard her daughter telling her about the woods and once more hope flared. She could not take her child's life. The knife she had held securely in her right hand dropped with a dull thump to the dirt floor. Emotions finally came to her eyes as she brought the girl tightly against her breast. She could not help it and she began to cry. "I'm so sorry. I can't protect you. I should be able to keep you safe, but I can't. They're coming for us even now. Oh Suzaku, how I wish I could come with you."
"Mama, what are you saying? We can go to the woods, go to papa."
"No, I can't. I can't fit out your window and they are at the front of the house. Listen closely to me Ming. I want you to go out of that window as quick as you can. I want you to hide in the woods. Do not come back and do not wait for me. I want you to run into the woods and stay there."
"Why won't you come? I can hide you, I have a secret place; they won't find us there."
"Yes they will. This is the only way." Chow reached into her hair pulling down the hair clip she had always worn. It was the only valuable piece of jewelry she owned. A gift from her would- be husband to win her heart when he had nothing else to offer. As she took down her hair, Chow's eyes fell to the blade on the floor. She took it up and thrust it into the trousers of her only child. It was the first time the Ming had ever possessed one with the intention of using it as a weapon. Chow took the hair clip, bringing it forward and placing it into a small hand that was losing the last of its baby fat. Her baby, the one she would leave behind. "Take this. Now go. Silently." With a last embrace, Chow sent her daughter into the fighting night with only a prayer to Suzaku, begging him to watch over her.
The sun was high in the sky, blazing down on the land, softened only by the light breeze flowing sweetly across the land. The day should have swept away the horrors of the night. But it could not. The earth groaned in pain from the blood scorched onto its back. All that was left of the village were smoking piles of burnt wood and blackened stone. The last remands of a once lively town. The animals shied away from the stench of the burned flesh, the unholy land that was created in only a night. Within this ruble stood a small figure, the lone survivor of Kuto's attack. Her clothing was stained and ripped, her once luscious long hair, tangled and dirty, hung limply around her white face. Silent tears streamed continuously down cheeks from hollow eyes; eyes that would no longer see the world from a protected shield. The innocence so valued by her parents was gone, the same as them.
Fear flared up once more in her mind as the sound of thundering hooves grew louder and nearer. The self preservation which had kept her alive through the terror filled night was unable to defeat the physical drain on her body. She could not move, no matter how her mind screamed. The riders came into view, swiftly making their way from the trees and moving to encircle the village. There was no flash of Kuto's blue armor, only the reassuring crimson that marked Konan's strength. The soldiers began to search, looking for any sigh of life. Hope that any had survived was waning, until the still form of the girl appeared out of the smoke. They went to her, lifting her slowly from the wreckage, unsure if she was hurt. As Ming was cared for the search continued, however no others were found.
It was time for them to leave, unsatisfied and full of despair. As the only survivor, Ming was now the ward of the Lord Shing. A wise soldier knew that it would be easier to explain before they left so that the child would have time to adjust to her elevated position. It was an honor, regardless of the price paid to receive it. "The Lord Shing is entrusted with responsibility of this district and has instructed me to come and bring those who lived home to his holding. We must leave now, we shall not return, do you understand?" Ming simply nodded and was lifted onto a horse, securely held by a man's armor covered arm. As they rode, she took one last look at the burnt remains of her village. A sight she would not see for seven years.