It was a rainy day in feudal Japan. The coldness of the wind and splashing of the mud made shivers run up and down her spine as she walked along the grime path; the only thing she could hear was the rain, the wind and the clinking of chains that she and every human and demon slave had tied to their ankles and wrist. Her sad jade eyes looked ahead to see the back of the slave in front of her. Water now streaming off her skin and soaking her cheaply made ,wheat color kimono that she and every human and demon slave had on. Her shimmering raven hair now looking like a rag as the rain pounded against it. Her soaked hair was sticking to her face, covering the mark she had on her forehead. She only knew that this star on her forehead was something she had since she was born.
"Keep this line moving, you worthless scum" her master malicious voice called out from the back as he wore an umbrella like hat that protected him from getting wet.
She said nothing as the rest groaned. She was one of the many who were quiet and never complained about anything. In fact, no one knew her name, but everyone seemed to notice her. They called her 'calmed one'. However, they did know that she was a full demon. The beaded necklace she wore around her neck prevented her from using her powers and it lessened her demonic senses. She had worn the necklace since she was captured and she was captured at an early age like many of demons that were slaves. No one knew anything about her, only that when she chose to sing; it was the most beautiful song ever.
Finally, in the distance, was where they would be stopping for the night. This is thevillage where she would be sold to another master. It was a small town in the West. It was close the Lord's castle.
Soon they came to a stop outside its gates. "And what brings you here, Sir?"
"I have brought slaves for anyone to buy."
"Ahh, then come in." soon the gates were opened and the made their way to an inn. She looked up and read its name, 'Demon's Door.' She was then pulled with the rest of the demons, which were all connected by the chains.
"Here she is, Sir."
Her new master walked over to her. His vile breath was on her face. It took all she had not back away from his intense stare. His brown eyes looked up and down her body.
"She seems to be pretty enough, but what about her voice."
"She has an excellent singing voice and her name is Shizko."
"Fine. I will take her," he said, handing the demon his pouch of gold.
Her chains were taken off and she was handed over to her new master. He smiled and led her to the stage. He sat her on the stool and then looked serious.
"When people show up you will sing, or you shall have no food.."
She only nodded. Her eyes scanned the new place that would be her new home until this master was tired of her. How many places had she seen over her lifetime? Only she would be able to tell you. Her clothes were still soaked as demons came flooding in to see the new singer.
She was introduced as 'Shizko', which meant child of calmness' for that is what she was.
She stood up and looked over the crowd. Once she opened her mouth and began to sing, the bar became silent
Here's a lullaby to close your eyes good-bye
It was always you that I despised
I don't feel enough for you to cry oh well
Here's a lullaby to close your eyes good-bye
Her voice sounded like the angels were crying. Melting every heart in the room.
Her song was very sad, but still beautiful more than beautiful. Her new master smiled, as he knew he had a good deal. And then someone spoke up.
"She would be a gorgeous present for the Lord when he returns."
"No, I do not plan on giving her away." Said her master
" if we don't get him a welcoming gift he will be upset. You know how that goes"
"Yes, but I do not wish to give up such a treasure."
"I can understand that, but you must take into consideration that if she is given up to him, then our lives might be spared."
Her owner's eyes looked to her. 'She would make a good present for the Lord. And if she sang for him then maybe he would spare the village.'
She finished her song and then paused to take a small break. She sat down and let her feet hang off the stage. She took a sip of her glass of water; a small girl came up to her and smiled. "You have a pretty voice."
The slave girl smiled at the child and nodded. This young girl was full of smiles. Her black hair was in her face as she looked up at Shizko. She used her small hands to brush it back. This young child did not seem afraid of anything. The slave girl could only look in wonder as to what a human child was doing in a bar full of demons.
"This girl must be the child under the protection of lord of the west"Shizko thought as she looked down at the child who was still smiling up at her.
"Rin, you are wanted." A green toad demon called as he ran and tripped just before coming up to the girl.
"I will see you later, pretty lady." said the girl known as Rin .
She nodded, 'I hope to see you again, little one .' she thought as she stood and moved to the center of the stage. She closed her eyes and sang another sad song. It seemed that everything about this woman was sad. But how could she sing happy songs when her life was nothing,but sadness.
Rin was watching from in the crowd even though the toad demon was calling for her again. She was almost mesmerized by her voice. That was when Rin decided to come every day and watch her sing.
Now, the Lord of the West was becoming impatient with the little girl. Just as he was about to walk in that bar, Rin came out with a smile.
He only looked at her and then began to walk away. Rin followed with the toad demon trailing in the back. As she followed, she began to hum the song she had just heard. The Lord was bowed to many times as he made his way to his castle. Which very few had seen the inside.
But back to our slave girl, who had finished her last song.
The bar was closing and everyone was leaving. She could not get her mind away from the little girl who had spoken to her earlier. So much happiness lay in that child's eyes. It made Shizko want to see her again and watch her actions.
"Hey there...its time to go to bed." her master said, walking over to her and grabbing her wrist roughly.
This made the girl jolt out of her thoughts as she was pulled to a small room off the side of the bar. There was no bed, but a patch of hay. A small basin of water was under a small window that looked out to the castle. This was the best place she had lived since she became a slave.
"This is where you shall live for the time being." He said.
'For the time being? Am I being sold so soon?' she thought as she tilted her head.
"You might have the honor of living with the Lord."
She blinked, confused as to what her master was talking about. She knew nothing of why it would be an honor. 'I will ended up being sold again…doesn't matter if I live with the lord or not"
"Stop thinking and pay attention. If you still sing as well as you have tonight then at the meeting in three days, your fate will decided."
She nodded and hoped for the best. Living in a huge castle shouldn't be to bad right, but for some reason it didn't matter to her.
"Get some sleep. I shall be back in the morning."
The door was soon closed and locked from the outside to ensure that she would not leave. Her eyes looked out the window. After 15 minutes of staring out in the darkness, she decided to go to sleep. She would have a busy day tomorrow.