Time can be a fickle thing, especially if you are the guardian or senshi of it. Knowledge weighed heavily as one is forced to remember new memories along with the old. The fact that time is also shapeless, and boundless left many memories to be desired. Weary sighs, followed by lonely thoughts could swallow a person whole, ever permanent for those who guard the doors.
Setsuna knew this, the information hadn't changed, but her ascension had. At one time, she too had been a youthful teen, now a ageless soul of mythic proportions. The desire to find Serenity was born out of two reasons. One, the fact she was extremely loyal to the young princess who showed her kindness and happiness. Not to mention it was the second duty placed upon her as a senshi. The first of course was to guard this infernal door. Which brought her back to the reasons of wanting to find Serenity, for the second reason was a bit more personal. In the one-thousandth year of the Neo-Queen Serenity's reign she would be replaced as the guardian of the door of time. She will still have her powers as the senshi of Pluto, but no longer access to the Time Gates. Though it had it's benefits, it would be safe to say that Pluto would not miss guarding this post.
As her thoughts ran through this information, it touched on the most important factor. The fact that the key to all this was somewhere out in the infinite possibilities of times and dimensions. Desperately she prayed for the strength from breaking the three cardinal rules of time. Once again her mantle covered her shoulders, and she became the detached guardian the thoughts of a personal life drowned out by new memories. Her last thought as Setsuna Meiou being that she wished the new memories would show some clue to the princess's whereabouts now.
Serenity sighed, watching the new village head practice a katana move. It had been a hundred years since Midoriko had passed, and demons still sought the prize from that battle. The priestesses of the village that guarded the shikon no tama had given birth to a second beautiful girl. As always Serenity as Kirara went to check on the babies of the new era to allow the shikon no tama to align with the new priestesses. Midoriko's soul had become distrustful after one dark priestess had gotten a hold of it and used it's powers for evil strengthening the youkai spirit in it. However, after watching Midoriko die, and losing Rei to a twist of faith, Serenity was hesitant to approach any more priestesses. Preferring instead to stay in the demon exterminators village and train them, speaking of which she better catch that youth who was swing his katana dangerously. Rising to her paws, she trotted over and nudge the youth in his side. He nodded and adjusted his stance, smiling at the guardian neko youkai.
The true story of Midoriko and Kirara had been passed down the village head line for a hundred years, however details tend to be forgotten. He, the village head's son stopped and rubbed Kirara's ear in comfort feeling she needed it. Though immortality was a wishful dream in the warring states era, no one truly believed in it, some youkai's just had expanded life cycles. So, when he looked at Kirara, he wondered how much of a descendant she was from the original one.
"Kirara?" One of the demon exterminators called, and the neko youkai turned to them. "It's time to go anoint the priestess Kikyo, and welcome the new Kaede." They explained. Kirara nodded to them, and hopped into the air, she had discovered the ability to fly in her seventy-fifth year here. It sure cut travel time, and as she flew she thought over the priestess that was to be anointed.
Kikyo was a charming, innocent five year old girl, with rave locks that hung freely about her mid-back. She had warm brown eyes with an amassed amount of love and protection for a five year old. Through tradition whenever a young girl, who followed to be a priestess turned five they would be anointed with the soul of Midoriko the strongest priestess ever known. Also, per tradition they would bound their locks, either completely back or in some other form. This was a soul lock which proved their priestess station and their powers. As Kirara touched down in Musashi's Domain, she was swept into another thought.
Musashi's Domain inherited it's name from the pure priestess who sacrificed her life to bring the dark priestess down. She finally died in the village of her birth returning the Shikon No Tama. In respect they christened the village Musashi's Domain. Serenity spared a second of mourning for the fallen priestess before setting off for her duties.
Several hours and many incense sticks later, Kirara was begging for fresh air. As per tradition again, they lit incense to bless, protect, and cleanse the future priestess. As she stood outside breathing in the fresh air her eyes fell on another five year old raven haired priestess. This child was called Tsubaki, and Kirara nuzzled the young girl hello. She had seen this child anointed last month and every time she visited, Tsubaki was always on her own. The young girl showed much promise like Kikyo, and she smiled softly that the Shikon No Tama would be safe under their guard. A swish of the hut door had Kirara turning to the congregation leaving. Finally the new priestess in training stepped out with her new hair, and immediately Serenity missed the old one that reminded her of Rei.
Kikyo turned to Kirara and smiled proudly her two front teeth still growing in. Serenity gushed walking strongly to the young girl and kneeled down. Kikyo's hair was now in a long ponytail, tied off with a white sash dipped in herbs. Kirara sneezed lightly making the two long bands of bangs in loops on the side of her face danced. Kirara urged her on as the congregation led her to the alter of purity, then she turned to Tsubaki. Walking back over she nuzzled her goodbye and went to visit the newborn Kaede. With her job done, Serenity as Kirara left Musashi's Domain not to visit it for another fifty years.
Ah-hah some familiar faces showing up, next is the familiar story of Kikyo/Inu and Sango inheritance of little Kirara. See ya soon. Much Care and Please Review, WCB.
