The Kingdom of Kyo-Hime
Breathe No More
Disclaimer: Mai-Hime is not mine. ::CRYS::
The night's sky was completely lit up by the stars in the sky, the gentle midsummer's breeze wafted into a small village from the fields far past the edges of the village's border and into the window belonging to a particular girl who had yet to succumb to sleep.
Feeling the light breeze she continued to look off into the distance, seeing the strongest warriors in the town wave their banners and make way towards the imperial city made her feel exceedingly energetic forsaking her mid-day nap to continue to practice with her shabby wooden sword. Taking part in her own imaginary grand tournament to become a knight like the men she saw leave her village did.
She turned from the window and reached out taking her sword in hand, she had made it months ago when she had first her of the tournament. Swinging it swiftly in the air she smiled, the boys of this village were no match for her. The only person who even gave her a decent competition was her red-headed best friend, but that was only because she chose to fight dirty.
Hearing a light rap at her door surprised her, she quickly set down her sword, jumped into bed and called out to the door, "You can come in!"
The door opened, and in stepped a woman who bore a striking resemblance to the young girl in bed, slipping past the open door was also a very familiar face, the mix of wolf and dog that perfectly blended into the family pet.
"DURAN!" The girl exclaimed happily as the dog leapt onto the bed next to her.
"Now Natsuki, I thought I told you to go to bed." The women said softly as she sat at the head of the bed.
"Momma I've been in bed, I just haven't been able to sleep. I'm too excited!"
The older woman stroked the blanket and smiled, "Natsuki, these blankets aren't nearly warm enough for you to have been here this whole time," cupping the young girls face she kissed her nose gently she continued, "And your nose is ice cold."
The young girls face drew a deep shade of red as she had been caught pulling Duran closer she spoke, "I'm sorry Momma, I'll try to get some sleep … but could you sing me the lullaby?"
"I suppose … I could but you have to promise to go to sleep, we have a big day tomorrow."
The girl nodded her head, "Of course! You have the most beautiful voice and I love to hear you sing … it makes me fall asleep right away!"
"Alright …" she smiled and tucked the girl and opening her mouth to begin she was cut off by the small child rising slightly from her bed.
"Momma … I'm sorry I lied to you … about being in bed. I guess I won't make a very good knight. They are honest … and I lied."
The woman's face turned pale and she bore through a smile holding back small tears, "My dear Natsuki, it was only a little lie, you needn't worry. You just try your hardest to be honest and you'll be the best knight ever."
The girl beamed and lay back into her bed awaiting the song.
She kissed the small girl and began to hum an eerie melody that swept onto the girl dancing across her ears. The way she sang the song only left the last few lines completely understandable to Natsuki, had she realized the actual words perhaps it wouldn't have evoked the same happiness.
"' Who are those little girls in pain just trapped in castle of dark side of moon
Twelve of them shining bright in vain like flowers that blossom just once in years
They're dancing in the shadow like whispers of love just dreaming of a place where they're free as dove
They've never been allowed to love in this cursed cage
It's only the fairy tale they believe"'
The young girls breathing slowed and she lay limp in the bed, sleep finally taking her. She rose from the young girl's side and gently blew out the candle light. Looking down at the young girl she felt tears fall from her cheek onto the floor below.
"My Natsuki, I'm sorry … I'm so sorry. I had to do this … to keep you safe. Don't you worry … my little deception make our lives so much better … tomorrow … yes tomorrow."
Bringing her hands to her face to find the tears she had cried she lingered a moment longer. Taking in the image of her child sleeping so calmly protected by her Duran, her child before wiping away the tears she exited them bedroom creaking the door shut behind her.
Her dreams were filled with darkness and hate, things she had never experienced in her short lifetime. People crashed to the ground burning in flames reaching out in desperation, her people, and her friends.
Her reality.
Her bed shook harshly waking her from her sleep; something had woken her from her carefree dreams. She heard a loud explosion and saw out of the corner of her eyes a red glow coming from her window.
She leapt to her feet and hurried to the window followed quickly by Duran.
Her world was over, the stars in the sky that had twinkled so brightly hours before were now blocked out by the smoke and red flare of fire and destruction.
Men.
Evil men, were here destroying her home … clad in dark twisted armor holding menacing weapons that they used to strike down everyone who stood in their way.
Wide-eyed and scared she slumped to the floor beyond the sill of the window. She was cold. Not even the warmth of the tears streaming down her face could wake her senses. Duran nudged her softly with his muzzle noticing her sudden grief.
The door flung open as her Mother appeared, "NATSUKI!"
Running to the side of her lifeless daughter she swiftly cradling her trying to wake her from her current state, "We have to go … we must hurry before they reach us."
Another loud crash could be heard from outside, nearer now and the harsh and crude shouts of those evil men were audible. Duran ran to the side of Natsuki whimpering and pawing waking her from her shock.
"Momma …" she spoke softly turning to her face to meet her Mother's, "I'm scared."
"I know … but we have to leave."
Carrying the girl she ran though the door and down the stairway into the main room of their small wooden house. Duran close on their heels pulled ahead and stopped unexpectedly and began to growl at the front door to their home.
Her Mother's eyes widen in horror as she could hear the muffled sounds of voices outside. Without thinking she set the small child down and said firmly, "Natsuki … remember beneath the stairway … the secret hidden room. I want you to hide there … and take Duran … keep him quite."
"But Momma …" Natsuki replied reluctantly.
"You must! Hurry NOW!" She said lifting the threadbare tapestry that hung on the wall pushing the door back he pushed the girl into the crawl space below, "Do not come out until I say it is safe."
The mix of fear of shock left her motionless as her mother closed the door behind her. Hiding the evidence of the hidden room she turned just in time to see her own front door splintering open from the force applied behind it. Silently she stood waiting for the door to give.
Hearing the loud crashes Natsuki quickly pulled herself up the interior of the house to the middle of the house somewhere between the first and second floor. Waving off the cobwebs she peered through the cracks below seeing the door come crashing down and the evil men entering below.
Unbeknownst to her they were the Kimi Shi, the death lords. These men were large and ordained in cold metal armor stained black from smoke and red from blood. They were large and brooding in comparison to her mother who stood definite to their advances.
The men parted as a very lavishly dressed man stepped forward; his armor was pure black and unsoiled from the dirt and bloodshed that stained the other men's armor.
"Well, well, what do we have here? It seems that one of these villagers has lost their way." He said pulling the sword from his side and holding it to her neck.
Tears falling from her face her Mother spoke softly, "Why are you doing this?" Smirking he tilted his head and chuckled at a silent joke, his crimson eyes sparked with detest.
"You seem to be forgetting, we are the enemy, and we are not to be trusted. Did you really think you should be an exception? Did you really think you would gain from all this?"
She remained silent, closing her eyes letting the tears fall without care.
Another explosion came from the side of her home, amplified in the hollow core of the structure. Wincing at the pain she returned her eyes to the figures below, seeing their lips move but unable to her what they were saying. It continued from sometime before she saw the swift blade of the sword flick and tear through her throat.
She closed her eyes tightly, seeing the blood, seeing it pour from her Mother was unreal. It couldn't be real.
Finally she heard a gurgled gasp come from below and her eyes flew open and landed upon her Mother's dying form. Drenched in blood trying to reach forward towards the crimson eyed man, mouthing something with her mouth, her voice unable to work. With a twisted and evil laugh he kicked her hard in the gut.
Seeing her eyes roll back Natsuki let out an audile sob that echoed throughout the house. Quickly catching her fault she clamped her hands over her mouth. They had heard, turning in all directions towards the sound of the noise they searched for its source.
'NO! NO! NO!' She screamed in her head, as she saw a canine figure lung into view and tear through one of those crimson eyes that had stared at her mother with such contempt.
With swing of his sword he caught the animal in its side and flung it to the wall, where it fell in a crumpled unmoving heap. Clasping his eye he turned stormed out the door and shouted, "Burn it!"
"Duran …. Duran …" Natsuki cried out as her sobs became unbearable. Smoke was filling the house choking her. She was beginning to feel warm for the first time tonight. Crawling into a ball she cried out softly, "Momma …." as she completely lost consciousness.
Feeling herself falling deeper and deeper into her despair she cried out for someone anyone to find her to save her, but why? To return home … to return to what? There was nothing left for her there. At the tender age of eight she knew that all was lost, how could she care for herself, and survive. How could she … all the precious things she had ever had were gone.
Flashing was the blade, that dark cruel blade stained with blood, with sin.
The blackness consumed her. She didn't care what happened to herself anymore. She was already dead, from the moment the wretched blade tore through her Mother's throat, she ceased to live.
Her senses came into focus and felt a cold stinging, a wet cold stinging. It was the rain, it was comforting. Laying there for hours it seemed she felt a presence shift to her side and whimper out in pain. Her eyes winched at the dim light of her surroundings, that slight fraction of light seemed to blind her, causing her to shut the at once.
Regaining her strength she opened her eyes slowly and saw she was outside in the fields just beyond the edge of the village. To her right was Duran shaking in pain, blood crept across the ground below. The rain almost trying to dilute it, but never mixing.
She jolted upright, suddenly causing her to become dazed. Shaking off this feeling she moved to Duran's side.
"DURAN!" she cried, clutching the animal as softly to avoid causing more pain.
Seeing the pain in his eyes she tried to force back the tears that over took her weakened frame she turned quickly trying to shake the tears and saw the trail of blood lead straight back to the village, "I have to be strong … I can't let you die too. You saved me … I have to save you too."
Trying to lift the animal she realized she was too weak, she instead rested Duran to the ground and stood to her feet and spoke softly through the tears, "Duran, I'll be back for you … I'm going to find someone, something to save you."
With those words she ran off towards the village that still lay entranced in fire. Scanning her surroundings for any sign of those evil men she heard a girl cry out. Surprised she jolted towards the noise and saw a dilapidated wagon slowly making its way along the only road that left the town.
Running closer she hid behind the wreckage of what was once the blacksmith's shop she peered over to see it was packed full of women and children. She quickly inspected the faces again and saw her red-headed friend, Nao, crying out in hopelessness.
Her faced burned with tears again, and she looked around for anything. Only to find nothing but rubble, splintered boards, and broken swords. She looked back to the road and saw that the wagon had moved far beyond her reaches, far into the distance.
She stood slowly and forced her legs to move, one step at a time, and backtracked to where Duran lay, only to find the animal no longer whimpered, and no longer moved.
"I am dead."