Chapter 1 : Lonely Miko
Outside the village of Unshū layed a darken forest and deep within the forest layed an old abandoned temple. The full moon shined with its radiance as the gentle breeze made the cherry blossoms fall like rain. A lone figure walked along the path as she headed into the deep forest towards the temple. He skin is a pale white as it shines in the lunar light. Her hair is done up in a bun as glows a fiery read. She wears a deep silk kimono that hugs her body tightly. After walking for a while she finally comes to the temple as she walks up the rigidly steps. As she begins to push open the wooden doors the wind begins to pick up and howl a most fiecesome scream. She smiled as she stepped through the age old temple, "Restless, aren't we?"
The temple was covered in dust and cobwebs as bugs made their way across the floor. It smelled of death and decay as she made her way through the temple. "Home Sweet Home!" She slowly made her way to the altar at the end of the temple. On the altar sat for white candles and a golden statue. It was in the shape of the sphere. On each side was etched a different symbol, and with the middle was the engraving of a dragon with ruby eyes. The woman slowly put her hand up as she let her fingers trail the statue. "Soon, my beloved. Soon." She whispered.
The wooden doors blew open as a rush of wind filled the temple. "What took you so long, Magieru?" she said as began to light another match. A figure stepped out of the shadows. He stood 5"7 and wore a dark green robe. He had long black hair and light tan complexion with deep red eyes. Magieru went over as he kneeled behind the lady.
"I'm Sorry. My Lady."
"Hmph," she said as she continues to light the match and the lighted the first candle. The red flame began to flicker as the flame changed from a deep orange to a deep emerald flame and the temple was transformed into its former glory covered in gold, jewels, and emerald silk. The statue glowed with its golden radiance while its ruby eyes shined brightly. The woman pulled a small dagger from her hair as she let her long red hair flow.
"Magieru, have you made the preparations?" She asked as she let her fingers trail the blade.
"Yes, my lady. Zakieda is watching the shrine as we speak.
"Perfect, we cannot afford any more mistakes. Not when are so close." "I want you to find the Kokoro and bring it to me!" She demanded.
"Yes, My Lady." Magieru said as he stood up to leave.
Oh, and Magieru?"
Magieru turned as he looked back his lady.
She turned around as she looked with fierce green, "I want no wittiness. Do you understand?" She said with a stern voice as she gave look that would leave any normal man gasping for air. Magieru nodded. "Now leave me. I must make preparations for the Kokoro."
Magieru bowed once more as he transformed in to a wolf and headed out into the night.
The woman turned back to the statue as she gazed at with longing and desire. "Soon my beloved you shall return." She as she took the dagger and cut herself. "Let the rebirth ritual begin,"
Outside the village near the Sakura Miya River sits the Kagami Shrine. The Moon shines high above the trees as it reflects the water surrounded by cherry blossoms. The inhabitants of the shrine were all fast asleep and as the moon was gazing at the river, silver eyes kept a close eye on the Kagami Shrine.
Out of the forest Magieru appeared as he transformed back from his wolf form as he went to the young man sitting on top of the hill.
"Zakieda?!"
"What did the mistress say, Magieru?" Zakieda said unmoving.
"She wants the Kokoro and no witnesses."
"Hmph," said Zakieda as he stood up. He stood about 5'11 with a pale complexion. He wore a black Kimono with a red dragon engraved on the back. He had long black hair that hung over the right side of his face covering his right eye while the rest was tied in ponytail. His left was bright silver as he focused he gaze on the Kagami shrine. "Then let's go decorate this eyesore my favorite color." He said as both men descended on the shrine.
'Smash!' 'Boom!' those sounds awoke from my slumber. 'Smash!' again the sound echoed as I sat up startled and scared. Out-san, Oka-san, I said as I slowly got off my mattress and made my way to the altar room. The sounds got louder as if someone was searching for something. I peeked out from the hallway as I saw a man in green search while the other in black stood over Oka-san and Otu-san.
"Where is the Tsuki no Kokoro?!" Zakieda yelled at the priest as he shoved the woman to the floor. "Tell us where it is?"
"Never, the Tsuki no Kokoro is not meant for your foul hands, Demon!" said the priest he wore bright white robes with a silver trim that matched his silver hair.
"Oh really," Zakieda said as he smirked and grabbed the elder woman from the floor as he unsheathed a dagger from his robe and pressed it tightly against her neck. "I wonder if you'll change your story if I spill this woman's blood all over the shrine! After all, I simply do love the color of red especially when it's the blood of worthless humans!" he said as he sadistically licked his lips and pressed the dagger tighter to her neck as a small drop of blood trickles down her neck.
"OKA-SAN!" I said a little too loudly as I quickly ducked behind the Buddha statue.
"What was that?" as Zakieda quickly scanned the room. "Magieru check the rooms."
The man wearing green stopped what he was doing as he made his way closer to me. My heart started to beat faster as I heard his footsteps get closer. I hugged my knees closer to chest and prayed to the gods to not let him see me. I could still Oka-san struggling as Out-san pleaded with them to let her go. When I could no longer hear his footsteps, I peeked from my hiding place to check my parents. Only to see a deep pair of red eyes staring in mine. I quickly as I ducked down as I began to sweat and my heart began to beat louder. I knew he saw me. I just knew it. If he hadn't seen me he surely the thump of my heartbeat from the way it was beating out of my chest.
"Nothing here, Zakieda" Magieru said.
"Keep searching then, I'll deal with these fools." "So priest are you willing to us now where to find the Tsuki no Kokoro?"
"No, you mustn't the Kokoro is too powerful for any demon to control. Please, Let go of my wife!" Tonagi pleaded.
I'm so sorry to hear that priest! Too Bad!" Zakieda smiled as he slit her throat. She made a gurgling gasp sound before he dropped her to the ground in a pool of her own blood.
"TONAMI!" Tonagi yelled as he went to go to his wife's side only to shoved back into the wall.
"Ah, Ah, Ah, Now how about the Tsuki no Kokoro?" Zakieda said with a smile.
"Never!" said Tonagi as he spit in the demon's face.
"Stupid old man!" Zakieda said as he plunged the bloody dagger in the priest's heart as the blood spattered. "Ah a refreshing shower." he said as he dropped him to floor.
"Blood makes a beautiful shade of red. Does it not Magieru." Zakieda said as he licked his lips from side to side.
"Zakieda, it's not here, I don't sense any unusual auras around here anymore either."
"Hmph," Zakieda said as he removed his dagger from the corpse. "Let's get out here." said Zakieda as he headed out the temple with Magieru following closely behind.
When I heard the doors shut close, I made my way over to my parents. Their bodies were on the floor bloody and unmoving. The tears welled up in my eyes as I sobbed. I was alone.
Zakieda stopped abruptly as he turned around as Magieru kept walking towards the forest.
"Aren't we forgetting something?" Zakieda said as looked back at the shrine.
"Like what?!"
"I rather leave no traces." Zakieda said with smile.
"Do what you want; I'm going to report to my lady." Magieru said as he transformed once again into a wolf and took off into the forest.
"So pussy whipped, Zakieda said with a chuckle. 'Now how to make this eyesore even more of a masterpiece.' He thought to himself as a smile came to his face. He moved the hair from his face to expose right eye. It burned with a deep red as he focused on the shrine. The shrine began to spark as it was set ablaze. "Everything looks so much better when it's red! " Zakieda said as turned and headed into the forest after Magieru.
Otu-san, Oka-san. I was never gonna them again I continue to sob over them until I noticed the smoke. When I dried my eyes and look I saw the flames and they were getting closer. I went over to Otu-san and Oka-san as I struggled to pull but it was no use. They were too heavy. The smoke began to thicker as the flames drew closer. I looked at them one last time as I turned and ran. I ran through the shrine but it seem like every way I took was blocked by flames and smoke. I made a run for the back way towards the river only to trip and hit my head. As I layed there my chest began to grow tight as the smoke began to surround me. The last thing I remember before losing consciousness was a warm white light.