Disclaimer: I do not own any of the anime characters depicted here, nor do I own Tolkein's works.
Dedication: Thanks to Kato Shingetsu, whose comedy version of Lord of the Rings inspired me. Check her out. And thanks to Jackie-kun for her proof reading.
The mirror lay on a raised stone dais, made not of glass and metal like the mirrors of today, but of water lying in a shallow stone basin, intricately carved with flowing runes and elegant script, unreadable to most in the world. In the darkness of the chamber, the water appeared to be black, as still as a witch's shroud, even in the breezes that stirred the room. The air stirred again as a woman entered. This time, the water moved with it, producing small, rippling currents that caused the moonlight to dabble off of the seemingly dark liquid. The woman reached the bottom of the stairs and continued over towards the dais, her steps perfectly measured, yet weighed down by some unseen burden. Though her face still retained the smooth beauty of youth, her eyes betrayed the wisdom that only comes of great age and loss. As she approached the mirror, the stirring waters began to reveal streaks of light and color that quickly joined into a solid image. The woman peered into her mirror, and saw that it reflected what images dominated her mind. Seeking to find an answer, she spoke.
"The world has changed," she sighed to herself. "I feel it in the water. I feel it in the earth. I smell it in the air. Much that once was is now lost, for none now live who remember it." As she spoke, the mirror began to roll and boil, forming into the images she spoke of.
"It began with the discovery of the ancient Shikon no Tama; the sacred Jewel of the Four Souls. The priests and monks wished to purify the Jewel, hoping to make it a force for good. The humans wanted the Jewel in order to increase the prestige of their kingdoms and protect their borders. And the great Demon Lords sought the power of the Shikon to make themselves all the more mighty. For they above all else, desire power. But they were all deceived… for the jewel went to none of them. In the land of Spira, in the shadows of Mount Hakurei, the Dark Lord Sin had, in secret, procured the Jewel, and tainted it beyond all hopes of purification, and into the Jewel, he poured his cruelty, his malice, and his will to punish all living creatures. The Jewels power was released."
"One by one, the free lands of the world fell to the power of the Jewel, but there were some who fought back. A Last Alliance of men and demons, aided by the mightiest magicians of the age, marched against Spira's armies, and on the slopes of Mt. Hakurei, they fought for the freedom of the world."
The mirror's image depicted two massive armies clashing on a barren landscape; dozens of archers drew shafts back on their strings, releasing them into charging ranks of fiends, Sinspawn, and other monsters. Enemies flew through the air as demons delivered powerful blows from their fists, feet, and blades. Priests and mikos hurled balls of energy at their adversaries, as monks banished opponents with their sutras. Two dog demons in particular wreaked havoc with their swords, forged from their own fangs. Just when it seemed that the army of demons was routed, their leader approached.
"Victory was within reach… but the power of the Jewel could not be undone."
A massive man, covered all over in plate armor, with the Jewel dangling by a steel chain from his neck, descended from the mountain without a weapon, simply raising his hand and sending scores of soldiers flying, swatted aside by an unseen force. Hundreds died attempting to fell the warlord. Finally, the elder dog demon charged Sin, his huge fang blade raised for a strike. With a wave of his hand, Sin sent the demon king flying. He hit a rock wall and did not rise when he landed at its foot. The younger demon ran to his side, kneeling over his broken body.
"It was in this moment, when all hope had faded, that Inu-Taisho; son of the king took up his father's sword."
When the demon Inu-Taisho lunged for the massive sword that his father fought with, Sin stomped down on it forcefully, shattering it and leaving the demon holding nothing more than the handle and some blade. When Sin reached down to grab Inu-Taisho, he struck out, lunging with the remnant of the blade striking Sin across the chest, slicing the Jewel off of his body. As the Jewel hit the ground, light began to collect around Sins body, causing him to outshine even the volcano itself. Then, in a brilliant flash of white light that blew the remaining warriors to the ground, Sin blew apart, leaving nothing but a few scraps of armor and a battered helmet on the ground.
"Sin, the enemy of the free peoples of the world, was defeated. The Jewel passed to Inu-Taisho, who had this one chance to destroy evil forever. But the hearts of demons are easily corrupted, and the Shikon no Tama endured."
"It betrayed Inu-Taisho to his death. And some things that should not have been forgotten were lost. History became legend, legend became myth, and for two-and-a-half thousand years, the Jewel passed out of all knowledge. Until, when the time came, it ensnared a new bearer. It came to the creature Goukan, who took it deep into the Gaga mountains, and their, it consumed him."
"The Jewel brought to Goukan, unnaturally long life; for five hundred years it poisoned his mind, and in the darkness of Goukan's cave, it waited."
"Darkness crept back into the forests of the world, travelers whispered of a nameless fear, and the Shikon no Tama perceived. Its time had finally come. It abandoned Goukan. But then something happened that thee Jewel did not intend; it was picked up by the most unlikely person imaginable; a young man. Kinomoto Touya of Tomoeda."
As the narrative drew to a close, the mirror faded back to its former stillness. As darkness crept into the room, blotting everything in the eyes view away, the priestess' parting words echoed on: "For the time would soon come, when the young would shape the fortunes of all…"
Tomoeda: 8 years later
Kinomoto Sakura awoke as suddenly as she had fallen asleep. Casting quick looks to her left and right she remembered where she was; she had been sitting under a tree, reading one of Touya's books, and was lulled to sleep by the September sun. She had been having a very strange dream; she remembered huge armies clashing, and a beautiful woman speaking over the whole thing. She sat, wondering what brought that on. Her thoughts were interrupted by the clattering of hooves on the dirt trail near where she lay. A smile came to her face, knowing exactly who it was.
Sakura came up to the road with perfect timing; the horse drawn cart was just reaching the raised hill she stood upon. The cart's sole occupant was covered from the head down by a hooded cloak, ending right above the ankles, clad in high topped boots. Sakura's arms crossed over her chest as she called out to the traveler.
"You're late!"
The cart stopped. The hooded traveler's hood stayed up, but the voice that came from underneath it was most decidedly feminine.
"A summoner is never late, Kinomoto Sakura," Her hands pulled the hood back, revealing the pretty face of a young woman, wearing her brown hair down, ending just below the shoulder, framing her soft features delicately. But what truly held Sakura's attention were the stranger's eyes. One was a clear, shining blue, while the other was a piercing green.
"Nor is she early," she continued, "She arrives precisely when she intends to!" The two females regarded one another, faces locked into what they imagined to be fierce grimaces, but there was nothing they could do. In moments they both dissolved into helpless laughter, interrupted only by Sakura jumping into the cart, hugging the summoner tightly.
"It's wonderful to see you, Yuna!" Sakura exclaimed.
"Thank you, Sakura, I'm glad to see you," replied Yuna as she urged the horse on. The animal continued, unaware of the additional weight, trotting into town as the two talked.
"So what news of the outside world, Yuna? Tell me absolutely everything!" pleaded Sakura.
"Everything? Small town girl like you wants to know everything? Most unusual," Yuna teased playfully. She was going to continue joking when she saw Sakura's face go into her famous pout. She decided it would be kinder to indulge her.
"Well, what is there to say? Life goes on, much as it has for the past age, full of its own comings and goings, scarcely aware of Tomoeda's existence. And I am very thankful for that." Yuna smiled, "This place is perfectly untouched."
The two rode into town, chatting about all conceivable things going on in the world, from weather in Tomoeda and the surrounding grasslands to migrations of neko-yokai in the lands to the far south. The cart was easily the largest thing seen on the rode in a long time, and attracted the awed looks of people going about their business, carrying crops, leading livestock, and lugging their wares to be sold at market. Although none of that was happening now, Yuna had come to town! The summoner always managed to stir up a great deal of excitement when she came to town; a face as pretty as hers always sent the young men into a tizzy, and her gentle disposition was loved by both the young ones and the elders, plus her fireworks were the stuff of local legend. Several fled from the village square, spreading the knowledge that the summoner Yuna had returned to Tomoeda.
The cart left the town behind, following the road out into the areas where people lived, small lanes branching off of the main one, and small houses placed on the side. They soon approached the communal fields in which shepherds and herders let their stock graze. At present, however, the field was a sight of the bustle of construction; men and women of numerous ages running about, setting tables, building pavilions, and at the junction between the road and the field, a large sign, bearing the message "Happy Birthday Kinomoto Touya" was being erected by a team of twenty.
Yuna noticed the sign, and her smile grew even brighter. "Oh, a long expected party?" Yuna asked. "So, how is your brother? I hear it is going to be a party of-, uhm, special significance?"
Sakura smiled, "You know Touya, he has the entire place in an uproar. Half the town's been invited. But I don't know… he's up to something. What do you think Yuna?"
She got no answer except an indulgent smile from her friend. Attempts at cajoling failed to get the truth out of her, and when the pouty-face didn't work, she gave up.
"Fine then, keep your secrets." Sakura pouted. "You know before you came around we Kinomotos were very well thought of."
"Really?" asked Yuna
"Oh yes," replied Sakura, "Never had any adventures or did anything unexpected."
"If you're referring to the incident with Charizard, I was barely involved." Yuna retorted, "All I did was give your brother a little nudge out the door."
"Well whatever you did, you have been officially labeled 'a disturber of the peace.'"
Yuna looked away, appearing slightly abashed. The cart continued, eventually reaching its destination at the end of the road, near a large and impressive building. This was Kin-End, home of the Kinomotos for over six generations. At one point, over two score people had lived there, but now the sole inhabitants of the grand home were Touya, almost 24, and his little sister Sakura who had just turned 16.
"Well, this is where I get off." Said Sakura "Oh and Yuna, I'm glad your back."
"So am I, Sakura!" Yuna called after the retreating girl. "So am I."
Yuna descended from the cart and motioned to the horse to remain where he stood. She ascended the path through the garden. It was so lovely that she had to stop and admire the flowers for a moment; whoever planted and tended them was obviously skilled and devoted. Her attention was drawn to a particularly large rosebush, covered in red blossoms dancing in the wind. She noticed the outline of a body hiding behind the bush. Closer examination revealed it to be a young man, about Sakura's age, face covered in dirt that happened to match well with his amber eyes and messy brown hair. He appeared to be staring in the direction Sakura walked off in. Yuna smiled, she'd seen that look on a boys face before; he obviously was harboring an attraction for the young woman. She left the boy to his gazing.
Three quick raps from the end of her staff on the door was enough to announce her presence at Touya's doorway. She hadn't waited long before an irritable voice came from within, this was the voice of Kinomoto Touya, and he was in no mood to be bothered.
"NO THANK YOU! I WON'T HAVE ANYMORE WELL WISHERS, POSTAL WORKERS, OR DISTANT RELATIONS."
Yuna smiled again, she wasn't fooled. "And what about very old friends?" She yelled back. There was a sudden click of locks being opened, and in seconds the large door was flung open. Touya stood in the doorway, dressed simply in a tunic and trousers that were comfortably loose, and sporting his usual messy hair.
"Yuna? Yuna is that you?" He exclaimed joyfully as he ran forward to grab his friend in a hug.
"Hello Touya," said Yuna as she accepted the hug, "Step back, let me get a look at you. 24 years old… you don't look a day over 19."
Touya smiled, "Good genes I guess. What am I doing standing out here? Come on, come in!"
The inside of the house was a cozy homestead, decorated simply in shades of green, bordered and streaked with panels and planks of cherry. Various mementos from numerous far off lands adorned the walls; antique swords above the fireplace, maps of foreign plains, and numerous paintings of far of forests and enchanting mountains.
"Would you like something to drink, tea, water, anything?" Touya asked.
"Tea would be lovely, thank you," answered Yuna, smiling yet again at the sight of Touya bustling around playing host. Yuna was used to it though; all the young men, and a few of the older ones, fell in droves around her. Not that she tried to cause such infatuation; that was just the effect she had on males. That thought reminded her of the boy hiding outside in the garden. She wondered if he was still there, and made a note to herself to ask Touya about the boy. They sat at a table cluttered with maps, notebooks, and scraps of parchment. The two began to chat when a sharp tap came from the door, and an irritated voice called for Touya, who promptly freaked.
"I'm not at home!" he hissed to her. "Kami-sama I've got to get away from these damned relatives! Always hanging on my every word, never giving me a moment's peace! I want to see mountains again Yuna, mountains! And then I just want a quiet place to settle down and finish my book!" Touya sighed dejectedly.
Yuna looked at her friend with genuine concern, "So you intend to go through with your plan? You know that Sakura suspects something."
Touya snorted, "Of course she does. She's a Kinomoto, not some fluff headed little school girl running around yammering about clothes and boys and other such rubbish."
That reminded Yuna, "Oh by the way, I saw a young man hiding in the rose bush earlier. Know who he is?"
Touya pulled a wry face, he knew exactly who that was, "Oh him, his name is Li Syaoran. He's the gardener's son. Since Li senior has been getting older, Syaoran has been tending the garden, and he has quite an infatuation with my sister. I've had to chase him away several times, but he's good at gardening, and Sakura thinks he's funny, so I can't do much."
"That's good; I wouldn't want Sakura to get hurt, she's very special." She paused, "You know she would probably go with you."
Touya sighed, "I know, but that's not right for her. I think in her heart, Sakura is still in love with Tomoeda." He sighed again, "Me on the other hand… look at me Yuna. I'm supposed to be in the prime of my life, but I feel old. I shouldn't but I do." Touya's hand drifted to his pocket. "I'm 24, and yet I feel 240. I feel, thin, stretched, like an elastic band stretched to its breaking point."
Yuna watched Touya closely; he was grasping at something in his pocket, possibly his old jewel. And he did look haggard. Something in this did not sit well in her, and her father always taught her to follow her instincts. Yuna buried her uneasiness for now and concentrated on her friend. "You're just stressed, it will al be over soon." She reassured him, placing her hand over his.
"I hope you are right," replied the man who was young in the mind and body, but seemingly not at heart.