I literally just wrote this today. I'm really getting into this story, lol.
Zephyr's Voice – I'm so glad you like it! I wasn't sure how well I did in capturing it, but everyone says it's going good so far, so I must be doing something right!
B. 123 – Hello again! I'm so happy you like the romance!
Fighter1106 – *Flails arms* I'm so happy! I tried to make it as detailed as I could!
I really really really appreciate all your reviews! Really you have NO idea! Like I said, new to romance and all, and this is my first actual story for me. I usually do them in third person and in small drabble chapters with some past tense action (Bells and Butterflies is a good example). I do want this one to be longer and more detailed. Also I'm very random at posting chapters! I went to write a page of this today and ended up just-well, you know-writing away! Haha. But herrre it is!
I smiled at Akito, my fingers gently strumming across the instrument I used to play the song. I kept my voice soft and low. I honestly had no idea whether or not I had a nice voice. No one commented, but, no one cringed either. I suppose that was a good sign.
'Sleep, priestess, lie in peace,'
'Sleep, priestess, lie in peace,'
'If you cry, the boat you ride, the last trip to the other side.'
He pulled a journal out and wrote something down. I assumed the lyrics. His interest in this certain song was intense, to say the least. I couldn't blame him. That song always seemed to strike people and leave a great impression, whether good or bad. Even though the song had a harsh meaning I'd catch him glimpsing at me. He would smile and lift the camera up on occasion; the flash that once blinded me became a common thing.
'Once you get there, sacred marks you'll bear,'
'They shall be peeled off, should you fail to lie still.'
I saw him cringe a bit at the last line. I didn't blame him. I had told him nothing of what the priestess went through, but he did catch a glimpse of another pacifier staking a paper doll to the wall. He had paled, but not before hearing her murmuring about tattoos. I imagine he'd figure it out soon. Once you were in this place, it was like something heavy began pressing against you. A terrible secret that if spilled from your lips, could be the reason you'd be killed. My mother wasn't against killing people. I knew she did terrible things but I chose to be ignorant to them. The people outside this place knew of went on in here but knew to remain quiet, lest they suffer the wrath of my mother, the soon-to-be head of the Kuze house. Travelers, as far as I knew, saw nothing of this. I continued singing, lost once more in my thoughts as I sang it to Akito.
Sleep, priestess, lie in peace
Sleep, priestess, lie in peace
If the priestess wakes from her dream
Perform the rite of stakes, her limbs pinned tight
Lest the doors open wide and suffering unleashed on all.
Again he cringed. He probably thought I didn't notice, but I did. I learned to be very observant in here. What else was I to do in my time here?
Go to the other side
Go to the other side
Cast the boat, take a ride, cross the rift to the other side
Further and further to the other side,
It must sail bearing your tattoos and our offering of tears.
I stopped and smiled. He finished writing the lyrics down and returned a smile of his own. "It sounds harsh." He murmured, reading over the lyrics I had sung. "Yet so peaceful. Is that the intent…?" I nodded.
"Yes. The priestess must be calm and relaxed. Withdrawn from the world. This lullaby pulls her into a deep sleep." He nodded again. "I'm curious," He spoke lightly, a curious gleam in his eyes. "Those tattoos…May I ask about them?" I smiled at this. He was so sweet to ask before questioning such things. I moved closer so our knees almost skimmed each other, placing my hands gently in my lap. "I will explain if you wish. However, if you leave here, you mustn't speak of it." I held unwavering gaze towards him, which he thankfully, seemed to understand. This was a serious matter. "I promise I won't speak of it." I breathed deeply and nodded, fixing my kimono to prepare the story.
I traded my black kimono for a red one. It wasn't my favorite, that is, until he said it suited my complexion very well. Now I suddenly loved it. I dared wear a small red jeweled pin in my hair to match my outfit. I was pleased to find he liked it.
I took another breath and began. "The priestess is chosen by the head of the Kuze house. My mother, she is in training to become the next head. She is to become the head once the current priestess has accomplished her purpose. So she is already beginning to search for the next chosen one." I paused, finding him staring at me intently and blushed. I continued the story, trying to ignore that heated stare. "The priestess, when the snow falls, undergoes a tattooing. We call this the piercing of the soul. The priestess undergoes a ritual. Many people come to visit from the nearby village, and for days, they approach her and ask her to take their pain. It's a very serious task. It's done by-"I paused a moment, thinking of the blinded engravers who had needles decorating their arms. "-certain individuals." I decided to save the engravers for another story. Akito raised an eyebrow curiously and I quickly shook my head. "I shall explain the engravers later. You must understand, this is a very complex ritual, and there are many people who play different roles." He understood immediately, and I knew that expression he wore so well that I paused. "You have a question?" He gave me and incredulous look and I simply smiled. "I've seen you make that face enough to know when you are curious, Akito. Please don't be afraid to ask." He offered me a smile in return, looking adorably shy. I blushed at that thought and inwardly scolded myself. "Does it take a while for just one person to have their pain….tattooed onto the priestess?" I shook my head. "It usually lasts no longer than a day. You see, there is always, at the very least, two engravers tattooing the pain into the priestess's body. Not only are their senses very open, but they are also quick in what they do. They have a special gift inside them, a gift that allows them to see what others normally cannot. That is why they are chosen engravers."
He seemed satisfied with this answer, and though he was still curious, he beckoned for me to continue. "The ink used is not a typical ink. It has to be made correctly, which is also the engravers jobs. Blood, from both living and dead, are taken into separate areas. They are mixed with regular ink that allows it to be pierced into the skin of the priestess. Then the two are mixed together and 'the ink of soul' is created." His eyes were wide at this. I could tell he was having trouble digesting this information and quickly stood, indicating he should follow. He quickly stood to his feet and for once, he was quiet. "As I said, it's a very complex ritual. That is only a small portion of it." I felt a little bold and skimmed my hand against his, the slightest touch sending an electric tingle through me. "Let's continue this conversation later," I offered, trying to distract him from the thoughts. It worked, for her smiled and followed after me. I led him down the hall and decided to show him around some more.
I felt something warm against my hand and looked down curiously, surprised to see him holding mine. It felt so warm being held in his, and even as we stepped out into the colder halls of the mansion, I didn't feel it. All I could feel was his warm skin brushing mine. We paused at an intersection decorated with lights, and up above near the entrance you could see the rafters above. "If you go this way, it leads to an entire new section of the house. There are gravestones outside, and if you keep going straight, there's a hallway that the shrine carpenters' reside in. They are the ones who help build this shrine." This intrigued him.
I expected such reaction; I was becoming so adjusted to his personality. The way he made faces when he was curious, that expression he wore when his eyes met mine, the way he'd fidget when he sat for too long. I began knowing him better than I knew myself, and frowned at the aspect of him leaving. I didn't want him to leave. I pressed closer to him, as if showing our affection would stop the snows from melting. From the spring that would approach soon after. I loved warm weather so much, but now that Akito was here, I found myself loving winter more. It was winter that brought him here. It was winter that favored me with his presence. It was winter that smiled down at us, letting delicate little crystals flutter across our connected hands.
He gladly accepted me into his embrace, petting my hair with a gentle hand. My heart bloomed at this. I felt it swell in my chest and increase in tempo, filling me with an emotion that made me want to fly. We pulled away from each other, and I was surprised to see a shade of red in his face. I giggled at this. For once I wasn't the only one standing here with a reddened face. "Why Akito, your face is red." I pointed out with a shy smile, and he met my gaze, looking just as shy. "I can't help it. When such a lovely creature is tempting me in her own house, it's very hard not to blush." He smirked and I reddened further, stepping back and grinning. I loved our wordplay, and though we stood apart I kept his hand in mine, leading him to the other side of the house. A few people had passed us in the halls, but thankfully most were with the priestess for the piercing of the soul. "Let's distract temptations then shall we?"
I opened the door and the snowy air met us, the chilled morning air fresh and crisp when I inhaled. It reminded me of the kiss Akito and I had shared. That sweet kiss. I wanted to kiss him again, for him to hold me, and to feel our bodies against each other. The thoughts filling my mind were so unladylike and uncommon for me. Trying to distract my wandering thoughts I indicated the standing graves along the wall. "This is where shrine carpenters are buried." I bowed, as did he, towards the many stones. I wondered whether or not I should tell him of the fate they were doomed to. It was considered an honor, but to me it was terrifying. Having to be buried alive within this house…
I already didn't like the aspect of staying here the rest of my life. I wanted to see the outside world, to see how different it was, and other customs besides ours. This one was so stifling, so suffocating; I feared losing myself completely in here. I stopped suddenly and faced Akito, who looked surprised at the sudden move. "Akito," I whispered, suddenly wondering. "Tell me about the world." He blinked for a moment, tilting his head. "The world?" I frowned, realizing how vague that was. "I mean…I've never left here. I've never been outside of this mansion so I don't know what life is like outside of here." He seemed surprised, but at the same time not, and smiled. "I…" His face scrunched up as he searched. "…I honestly don't know where to begin." I giggled at this and took his hand again. "What's something you love? Or a place you've been that was amazing?" His eyes lit up at this and he smiled. "The ocean."
I blinked, tasting the word on my tongue as I spoke it. "The…ocean?" I have never heard of such a word and briefly wondered its meaning. "Yes, the ocean. It's a great river of water. It's so big you can't see anything in the distance besides the sky and water itself."
"Ocean…" I mumbled, my eyes lighting up. I suddenly wanted to see it. Akito's eyes seemed to brighten every time he described it. "You can see the sun setting from the right spot. The water moves on its own, and crashes into sand."
"Sand?" I murmured in awe. He nodded. "It's very grainy. And rough. It can be hot as well if you're barefoot. But when you stand in the water, it runs over your feet and you can feel the sand sinking beneath you, and it's so cool and soft." I could imagine it now and longed to go see this magical place he described. I wanted to see it so very much. "There are also these hard items you can sometimes find. A lot of people call them shells." He smiled. "They come in different shapes, sizes and colors. They're very beautiful."
I realized how close we were, unconsciously leaning closer to each other so that our foreheads almost touched. I know I should have moved, stepped back and apologize, but I couldn't. And from the way Akito had been acting, I knew he didn't mind. "It would be nice to see a beach." I breathed, afraid to speak loud and ruin this amazing moment. He chuckled. "That's only one amazing thing in the world." I brightened at this. "Tell me more," I pleaded softly. I wanted to hear more, to know more. I wish I could see such wondrous places but I was here. "Have you ever been to a festival?" He asked and I frowned. Unlike an ocean I've heard of them, but never have I been. "Yes. I've never been to one though." He grinned and leaned closer. "Maybe we could sneak away and visit one," My lips pulled down and I pulled away, glaring at the dirt beneath my feet. "My mother would never allow it. I'm meant to stay here and never leave." He took my chin in his hand and pulled my face back to him, his expression softening. "But you're not happy here."
It was more of a statement then a question. I sighed, knowing he was right, but knowing leaving was never an option for me. "I don't know anything outside this place. All I know is this life and my family. What would I do if I did leave?" He smiled again at this. "I'd take you to see the ocean. A festival. I'd take you everywhere you wanted to see." I blushed at this, his hand still holding my face and gently leaned down. Again our lips met, and I smiled into his. If what lay outside this place felt this amazing, I surely wanted to go. This kiss lasted longer and was more intense. My lips parted so I could taste him properly. I never thought something like this could feel so wonderful. He made my heart beat so fast I could hear it in my ears. It was a feeling like being underwater for too long. Everything is so blurry and stifled out, dulling everything, then suddenly you rise from the water and everything is clear and bright. I wanted this forever. I'd be happy with just him for the rest of my life.
We pulled away and needless to say, we were trying to catch our breath. I shyly looked down, knowing my mother could never hear the words that came from my mouth next. "It would be nice to leave. I'd like to see the world…with you." I gazed up to see his expression, and he appeared pleased with my words. "I don't think leaving would be so bad." He spoke soft and low, tilting his head. I placed my hand on his chest, over his heart and smiled sadly. "I think I'm starting to like you more than I should." He didn't respond, but simply took my hand and offered a sympathetic expression. He didn't need to say anything. I knew. He was starting to feel the same way about me, and caressed my hand with his. I suddenly didn't want to continue the original intent for this meeting. I did, in a way, but then I didn't. It was already hard to think of him leaving my side. I wanted him here forever, but men were not welcomed when no snow touched the ground.
When we go through with this, it's going to hurt in a way I'm unfamiliar with. I didn't want that. Vaguely, I wondered if it would be so bad for me to leave with him. Feeling uneasy I beckoned for him to follow and led him passed the gravestones and into the door. There were only two shrine carpenters. They bowed to us but we were otherwise ignored. Akito pondered this, but I knew why. They didn't want to become attached. Once their duty was filled, the head of them would bury them alive in the wall. I cringed at that fate and led Akito away quickly. "I usually don't come this way. I'm actually not allowed, but I sneak over from time to time." I laughed lightly and led him out the small door. "So long as I don't interrupt anything, my mother usually doesn't say anything." I led him along stairs, pointing rooms out here and there. His interest peeked again and he examined the odd walkway.
As usual he was interested in the most random things. I smiled and followed him in his search. He'd occasionally point out something I'd never seen. A marking, a small symbol, or something minor that often went unnoticed. I found myself interested as well. With how observant I could be, it was strange how I didn't notice the little things, and how he could make me see them. My mood seemed improved as well. I bit my lip to hold back a smile, trying to remember the last time I had this much fun with someone. Our hands would accidentally touch occasionally, and then suddenly we were doing it on purpose. A brush of our arms here, a small bump there, or a hidden caress somewhere in between. We found excuses for us to constantly remain touching. Whenever we did, I kept thinking that leaving wouldn't be so bad. Soon, it became all I thought about.
Bam, another chapter!