A/N: This was from a contest on a Touhou group. The theme was 'Death and Rebirth'. The picture that inspired it can be found here: http:/tinyurl(dot)com/3s3zws6 . The contest required a picture and a story to go with it. However you do not need to know anything about the fandom or the character this centers upon to actually be able to read it. One-shot so no beta. And writing in First is a buttmonkey!
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When was it?
When was it that I got 'here', in 'this place'?
I ask as I opened my eyes. Though I do not think it could be explained how I got here. Though 'this place'. It is both strange and wonderful. I do not think I have ever experienced something like this. 'This place' ... it is not a place any normal person can be. It is not a place where any normal person should be. Am I not normal? Am I not supposed to be here?
Where did I come from?
Was it a good place?
Was it a bad place?
Where am I now?
My thoughts ask as I realized that I have a body. I raised my arm and noticed a long elegant sleeve. As the sleeve slid back I noticed a slender hand.
Is this my hand?
Of course it is. Who else would it belong to? It was at that point that I began to check for the rest of my body. I moved my hand over my face and noticed how warm it was. All I could feel was a slight chill from the air in contrast.
As my hand touched my neck and then my chest, I checked to see if I had legs. As I felt them shift as I willed, I then sat up. That is when I saw small creatures flutter about me. And as I reached out to touch one of them.
Why are these butterflies around me?
I do not know, all I know is that I feel some sort of affinity towards them.
The one I reached out to fluttered away as another landed on my finger as memories began to violate my mind.
What is this pain?
Why does my stomach feel like it had been torn open?
I do not know. I grasped at my stomach but there was no hole. Things flashed into my mind that frightened me. Memories of a life of pain.
Why was my life so painful?
Why does my stomach hurt?
Why am I so afraid?
I do not know!
Stop asking me!
Stop asking me these things!
I cannot remember!
My thoughts then subsided as if a clarity parted my indecision.
The pain was gone, the fear had dissipated with the wind. I was no longer afraid of what I was then, though I cannot remember what then was. Though I can remember the last few moments. Light shapes begin to take place around me, as if they had always been there.
What are these things?
Ghosts.
Why are they gathering around me?
Because I am Death.
Death.
The end of life.
The after-life.
What comes after Life.
What comes after life?
Indeed. The end of Life and then beginning of Death.
Why am I not afraid anymore?
Because it is no longer frightening.
Why do I feel so warm?
Because you are as you should be.
Why do I feel so liberated?
Because you are no longer hindered.
I answered myself as my purpose was becoming more and more clear.
I finally realized where I was. 'This place' is within Death itself. It is beautiful in a way that only Death can be. I felt as if I was floating. I felt as if I was being pulled along to those that reached out to touch me.
Why are they reaching out to me?
I do not know. I said to myself as bone limbs reached out to touch me. I cannot help but feel love and warmth.
Are they dead?
Yes.
Why am I allowing them to do this?
Because it is my role in the circle of creation.
Because I am Lady Death.