A small child whimpered in the dark as she was beaten by her mistress. "Pathetic. If you wish to live, you must overcome me. And that will never happen. You are far too weak. Slow. Dumb. Stupid little bitch. You are good for nothing." a leery sneer could be heard from the old kuro miko. "This world is full of lies. Too many believe good things will happen to them for no reason at all. Tell me child, you wish to be rescued, hrm?" The girl cried, begging for her to stop.
"No one is rescuing you. No one cares. If you ever want anyone to stick around, you will have to force them to stay by other means. You are worthless."
Kageru sullenly walked the streets of the pleasure district, running the errand she had been sent out on. She had long given up the idea of running away, or being free. There was no where for her to run, so why bother? Instead, she focused on becoming stronger, and dreaming of the day she could overtake her mistress. While she did not wish to be a kuro miko, life had handed her a hard choice to make: kill, or be killed. However, there were a few things that kept her going other than her vow of revenge. For one, she was allowed to make one trip outside each day. Walking the streets, at least she could watch the townfolk interacting and talking with each other. The only downside was no one would talk with her- they treated her like the plague. Happy couples, small children, riverside whores, it didn't matter. She was trash to them. But at least she got to walk among them for a short while and breathe in some fresh air.
'It's not like any of this was my choice. I was taken in as an infant by my mistress. I can't help what I've been forced to become.' As a young child her parents were slaughtered, and she was taken in to be trained as a Kuro Miko: Dark Priestess. She did have a dream though- just one. She hoped that no matter what, one day she would be able to find her soul mate. Someone to understand her at last after a life where no one seemed to care. There had to be someone who would, right? She blushed, thinking about how she wanted to have a large family- many children and having the wonderful home she never had the blessing to know. 'I don't want anyone to suffer as I did and still do. I couldn't wish it on anyone else.'
She was now eighteen, and in prime marrying age. However, there had been no offers for her hand. Her face was plain and simple, her hair a dark mahogany that would tied in a simple braid which came to an end just below her shoulder blades. Her eyes were a flat brown that still held a small sparkle. She didn't think herself as very pretty, but she did her best to stay clean and keep everything in its place.
She smiles, seeing a brothel come into view. Her only friend in this world resided there. Rather forcibly, too. Her name was Kiyoha, as an Oiran she was the highest-ranking courtesan in her house. "Kageru-chan!" her bell-like voice rang out cheerily. A bright smile spread across the miko's face as she darted into the house. "Kiyoha-chan!" The two girls hugged each other.
"Kiyoha-chan, you're in a good mood today!" the miko pulled back, looking up and down at her friend. Kiyoha's hair was piled high and richly dressed with ornaments, her body clad in layer upon layer of rich silks. Her thick obi belt was knotted in the front with grand style, and her small, bare toes peeked out from the hem of her kimono even though it was the dead of winter. Her black hair framed her eyes- rich brown jewels set into a visage of pale ivory skin. Kiyoha, as a courtesan, was never allowed to be graced by the light of the sun. In a way, both of the girls were prisoners of a life forced upon them.
"Hrm....yes, indeed I am." her eyes sparkled with life as she ushered the kuro miko quietly into a small room, speaking with a hushed voice. "I met someone last night." Kageru giggled and squealed, Kiyoha looking around nervously "Shhh.... no one knows yet. He's a very powerful demon. I was sent to his house...to entertain. It was very strange- I've never been allowed to leave to entertain before! He's the most wealthy lord in this region. His name is Sesshoumaru." she said with a girly sigh, "Oh gods is he handsome. What I would do to be freed by him. I loved him the minute I saw him...rumor is he just split with his wife..."
Kageru laughed. "A demon? Love at first sight? How ridiculous. Lust, Kiyoha. Lust." she smiled. "He sounds wonderful, my friend- but don't get your hopes up, ok? I don't want you to be hurt." Kiyoha nodded, "I know...it's silly to think of him rescuing me...but I just have a feeling."
Kageru frowned. "What feeling?" A bad chord struck through her, striking her to the core. Something did not feel right.
Kiyoha looked off dreamily. "I know he will change my life forever. I just know it."
Kageru delivered potions to the brothels each day. Potions varied between preventing pregnancy, aborting, and also cleansing of malicious diseases. She was also called out for killing men who refused to pay their debts, or those that harmed the working girls. It wasn't a pretty job, but someone had to do it. After her brief visit to her friend's brothel, she made her way back home, a feeling of dread sinking back to the pit of her stomach. The torture would resume the minute she crossed the threshold. She knew pain, whippings, beatings, and torture all too well each day, her screams echoing through the small hut, yet a barrier keeping her cries for help from outside ears. She looked back at the street once more sadly, watching those who were free with a look of longing.
'One day, I will be free. And one day...I hope can I love someone that loves me too. I don't want to die alone here. Is there anyone? Anyone for someone like me?'
"Ah, you've returned. I've got a surprise for you today." the older miko sneered. "Do you know what today is?" she signaled for the miko to kneel before her.
Kageru knelt down, looking down at he mistress's foot as she was taught to do. "No, mistress." A blow to her face could be felt, knocking her back and causing her to topple over onto the floor.
"Stupid whore. What idiot wouldn't know their own fucking birthday? Well, I've decided. I'm fucking sick of seeing your ugly face around here. I've been more than generous to allow you space to sleep, shit, and breathe. I've even fed you a bowl of rice each day. That's more than anyone on this earth will ever do for one as useless as you." The old witch peered down at the girl, narrowing her eyes. "I'm giving you a gift."
Kageru's eyes burned. This was it. Her chance to prove herself. What she had been trained to do all these years. In order to become a named kuro miko, the servant must overtake and slay their mistress. She was old enough, and skilled enough.
"Today, I shall give you freedom. You shall be free in the afterlife. Now, DIE!" Kageru stayed in a knelt position until the older miko's staff was just about to hit the crown of her skull. She then lurched forward, somersaulting behind the miko to grab a staff of her own and jumping onto her feet. Her eyes flashed with fury at her mistress.
"I have a gift for you, as well mistress. I'm not going to be your fucking punching bag any longer. If I go down today, you're with me you shriveled up little witch." Gone was the girl with a dream, and present came forth a perfectly trained killer, emotionally cold from suffering years of abuse. The two miko circled each other, eying each other.
"Ah, you intend to fight? Even better. But be warned, even if you beat me, which you won't- you will suffer for all eternity with the demon I house burning through the soul you have. You will belong to Hell itself"
Kageru gripped her staff, her eyes blackening with anger. Eying the miko that tortured her for almost two decades, she took in a breath. It didn't matter what price she had to pay. The miko had to die. "After all you've put me through, if this means I've been avenged... I'm cool with that." A sneer appeared on her face.
"Tonight, mistress, I will send you to Hell myself."