Newly reedited version, I took some time to review and correct all the previous chapters before releasing new chapter 4. Hopefully the whole story makes more sense now and its better written.
Thanks to the readers and reviewers.
Warning: Just a quick reminder this story is rated M. It will have intimate encounters between two females as well as other sexual content and also other disturbing themes and/or violence. If you dislike such content, please don't read.
Disclaimer: Sunrise owns Mai Hime and Mai Otome characters. All the characters and situations depicted in this story are fictitious. Any similarity with actual persons, living or dead, or to actual events is purely coincidental.
Killing Kiyohime
BOOK ONE. The Awakening.
At year 900, Natalya Fujino was condemned to the bonfire. It was no tougher or cruelest punishment for a human. Except that she was more than that, she was a Hime. Burn to ashes was the punishment for her as a human but the punishment for her as a Hime was waiting before the agony of the flames; a punishment even worse than any dead. For the young woman, it will be like dying twice, first in her soul and after, in her body. Natalya should be deprived of her powerful child, ´Yamata no Orochi´ the eight-headed dragon, the most devastating and almighty creature ever. The Obsidian Lord, artificer of the treachery, lusted for the power of the Fujino's child and for the owner of such power, both of them the woman and the power, far beyond his reach but not immune to his treason. With his actions, the Obsidian Lord´s covetousness planted the seed for the destruction of the world.
The Forbidden Book. Kikukawa Archive.
VI.
Novosibirsk 1399. Two days before Winter Solstice.
It was almost sunrise when Svetlana Fujino and Inna Kuga left each other for some rest after hours of talking in front of the fire, even when at the beginning; none of the two talked much. For them, all those hours were like water slipping between their fingers, refreshing but impossible to hold it longer than seconds. It was a long awaited reencounter for both and it was nice just to feel the other´s physical presence.
Their communication over those long years was kept on the minimum by mutual agreement and even with the breach of time and the hundreds of events that will always exists between them, both knew they were still the same and some things didn´t need to be explained. Reluctant to leave the moment of peace, Svetlana took the initiative, as she always did.
"You have a beautiful family, Inna. Saeko haven´t changed with the years I have to say both of them have your features and your eyes."
"Please forgive Saeko, Sveta. She was too young when we were banished to the north and have quite never accepted our situation there. Saeko always liked the 'glamorous' city since she was a little girl. Natsuki is different."
Svetlana smiled and nodded roguishly, "Natsuki is…"
Inna completed the sentence for her smiling gently, "More like me?"
"Yes, you also asked me just out of the blue why I didn´t have a Child the first time we met."
"However you were not as diplomatic as your Shizuru."
"Well, that´s just because we didn´t give her time. But she will have time to get her retribution, trust me." The smile that accompanied Svetlana´s words had a tinge of sadness and Inna, with oppression on her chest knew they will still have to wait before they could just enjoy their time together. After so many years, they will still have to wait. Currently, there were more important and urgent matters.
"Shion told me about the ´rumors´ the Doctrine has been struggling to keep down and how they are controlling them," Inna said reluctantly getting into the subject she knew Svetlana feared.
Svetlana looked at the flames in front on them with a scarcely visible shudder.
"They have no limits Inna. It is worst now that when your family left to the North and seems there is no way to stop them."
Inna let her to take her distance, to recompose before saying, "Unless the prophecy is true and this time of darkness is coming to an end."
Svetlana stood up and got even closer to the fire. Inna knew the other woman was trying to hide her emotions from showing but she knew her better. Standing up as well, Inna approached the other Svetlana, holding her in a hug from behind as the other woman used to do when they were young.
"I know you curse the prophecy. Your family had paid a high price since hundreds of years because a treason, bearing an unfair punishment and the shame. In was a trap since the beginning for your ancestor, all the Doctrine had always wanted was a power like was no other in the world and since they could not take or steal it, they deprived your family of it. But now it is the time to get it back Svetlana. You can´t give up now it is so close."
"We weren´t not the only ones paying Inna; all people have paid. However, I am afraid the dark times might not be close to finish but to start."
Inna still insisted, thinking that Svetlana was tired of bearing their burden, angry with the Doctrine´s abuses but Svetlana turned to face Inna taking her hands anxiously.
"You don´t understand Inna. The ´rumors'… are true. Something of unbelievably evil is attacking the pilgrims coming to Novosibirsk for the solstice, because only something terribly evil would be capable to do such things. And the evil entity doing such shameful actions has been described as a red dragon with several heads, a Hydra Dragon Inna. It is not an invention from the Doctrine. It is true."
Inna was speechless but the gaze of concern in Svetlana told her it was even more to be concerned with.
"Shizuru is not just having the ´normal' dreams about our lost Child, as all Fujino did. She can see in her dreams how this… being, is attacking the people and the farms in the surroundings under the night. Shizuru sees in her dreams the ´real' attacks Inna."
Inna was stunned. "Are you sure of that?" was the only think she could thing to ask.
Breathing deeply, Svetlana nodded in silence. "I sent Shion to investigate. She doesn´t know about Shizuru´s dreams and I have ordered her not tell Shizuru a word on her investigations. I am the only one who knows both parts. I am sure, Shizuru is somehow, connected with… the Hydra Dragon that is doing this."
After a pause were the two old women remained taken by the hands, Svetlana decided to tell the rest to Inna since now, she finally had someone she can trust completely. She had been keeping the burden for herself during what seemed ages even when it was only few days.
"But that is not the worse Inna."
On other times, Svetlana´s beloved friend would have responded impatiently, demanding, but Inna Kuga had matured enough with age and pain and the longing of those red eyes and now she was standing, just waiting and holding the other woman´s hands closely.
"In her dreams, Shizuru knows its name."
Only another Hime could understand the burden that was. The Child and the Hime were born at the same time, but they only meet until the Hime can consciously call the Child by its true name.
Slowly and carefully, Inna embraced Svetlana and they remained that way by the fire a long, long time.
VII.
The Doctrine of Worship preached for the pureness of thoughts and actions but High Priest Joseph Greer had a slightly different opinion about its application. For him, the true nature of purity only made sense when it could be deeply corrupted.
He was lying, naked, drinking the hot red wine that a young girl poured on his mouth using her own mouth, on top of soft and silky cushions. A second girl feed him in the same way with grapes and her own tender lips, while a third one, gently massaged his body.
Behind Greer, the always vigilant Miyu had every inch of the room under surveillance, she was the only one in the Doctrine allowed to stay during the ´Confession´ sessions that Greer led by himself.
The visitor was not a cleric from the Doctrine and hence, had the despicable honor to attend variations of the same scene, several times.
"The families of these girls are sure they are truly honored, right Priest Greer?" the young man asked with a characteristic mischievous grin looking at the man while alluding the girls.
"Envy, is a serious sin Homura-san. Don´t tell me you would like to take the place of one of these beautiful yet sinful maidens?" Greer looked at Nagi Homura with a vicious veil in his cloudy eyes.
"I never imagined your sense of duty could take you to even trespass that limit, Priest Greer. Punishing a sin committing another one you scorn that much? My master would never forgive me for corrupting you to such vile deed."
Greer snorted at Nagi´s speech, thinking "One day, I will get this little bastard for the balls as he deserved. He will be my whore but first, he will be my retriever."
Smiling, Nagi could read every intention on the Priest face as clear as if he´d tell it.
Standing up from his comfortable position, he waved Nagi to talk away of the young girls.
"Speak," Greed hissed covering his nakedness with his large dark cassock.
"The Fujino had no other option but accept me on their house. Obviously, they don´t trust me but I am positive Shizuru-san has not awakened yet."
Greer took some time to think about Nagi´s report. In two days will be the Winter Solstice, the day when the prophecy should be fulfilled with the return of the Red Dragon. So far, everything was unfolding as the Doctrine wanted, as he wanted. It was time that the Himes were shed of that aura of divinity and purity. The Doctrine was the only one called to depict the most important role on the people´s life, to direct people´s life. The Doctrine shall tell everyone what to think, how and when to think it with him as its ruler, of course. Until now, the Doctrine of Worship was only the ´protector' of the message from the Gods, but the Himes were the gift from the Gods. They had no right to hold such power and do nothing with it. The Himes were the only ones whom could question the Doctrine´s role and authority, some did it in the past and some were already doing it again. Greer was not willing to accept that. All the Himes should disappear and it was ironic that a fallen Hime was the one helping him to achieve that goal; he only had to be patient for two more days.
"But are you equally positive that she will awake?" Greer questioned Nagi.
"According to my master, that is undeniable. I am using the ancient incantation my master provided and even when the magic power of a Child is not present yet, there are other energies moving. The power is… amassing, still in thin layers, wrapping around the house."
Regardless Homura's confidence, Greer was concerned. The past night there were no incidents with the pilgrims. No terrified survivors. No witnesses of the red dragon to torture and burn. The Red Dragon didn´t make his bloody appearance last night, not even with the imminence of the solstice and an almost full moon at the nightly sky. Every night since its first appearance, the Dragon had fallen as an evil shadow, as an unstoppable curse over farms, carriages, animals and families with equal brutality for all. Why the last night was different?
"They need to trust you by the time Fujino wake up Homura-san and there is no much time left."
"My master has a last card for these two days, Priest Greer, and that is the best one. Those women will need all the allies they could get then and I will be there, handy for them to get me."
Nagi made a slight reverence to show his agreement with Greer.
"And when, will I have the chance to meet your master, Homura-san? He must be a very powerful sorcerer to invoke such powers and still keep you safe."
"Oh, that will happen very soon Priest Greer, be sure of that. My master is also eager to meet with you; he wonders who will you handle the upcoming events with the High Priestess…"
Nagi left the sentence floating unfinished with uncertain, ironic voice.
"Reassure your master the Priestess won´t a problem. I have an expert taking good care of her."
Nagi knew Greer´s strategies. The Priestess was as honest and naive as all the other Himes with the remarkable exception of Shizuru Fujino. Priestess Yukariko truly believed every word she said at the temple and was convinced the Doctrine was acting for the good, even their most atrocious acts. For Nagi she was a piece on the game but a piece with power. In spite of it, his master had decided to let Greer to maneuver as he wanted…for now and he had to support that decision.
"Good times are coming for our mutual collaboration Priest Greer. I got some information at the Fujino house that you will find extremely interesting."
Greer frowned, waiting for the information that for his surprise was truly a revelation.
"Yesterday at sunset, Inna Kuga arrived at the Fujino house with her family."
Greer laughed loudly. "A bountiful time we live since we will use Hime power to destroy all Himes once and for all."
And of all Himes, the ones Joseph Greer hated the most were Svetlana Fujino and Inna Kuga. And now, he will have both of them at the reach of his fist and this time, it will be no exile to save Kuga.
VIII.
Natsuki woke up very early that morning. The surroundings were completely different from what she was used back at home and maybe because that, she was awake and alert despite the long trip. The Fujino house had big and thick stone walls, with small windows. In her opinion, it was a fortress in all senses and not really a house.
The city was not the marvelous thing Ryo claimed it was either. For Natsuki, it was ugly, smelly, loud and dirty. Some of the buildings were interesting nonetheless, the Fujino´s house was one of them but some others were…horrible, like that Malleous Dogma. One could feel chills just by passing through. Her grandmother taught her early in her life that every object, thing, animal or being had a soul, an essence that emanated positive or negative energy. That energy was the source for the magical powers for good and evil. That building had a bad soul. Nothing good could come from it.
In the courtyard, the early morning was still gray and cold when Natsuki was already stretching and doing some cuts in the air with her sword. She never left her sword down and always practiced two or three times at day. Natsuki´s sword was a long double edged sword with a silver hilt and inscriptions engraved that had been part of her family for generations. Since Saeko was never the warrior type, her grandmother promised Natsuki the magnificent weapon was for her once she will know how to use a sword properly and had her Child. That would be the sign she was a complete warrior woman ready to inherit the sword and the responsibility to take care of it. The day Natsuki dreamed Duran´s name and they were ready for her calling ceremony was the best day on her life. Once Duran appeared from the deep forest, she knew that was the part of her soul she was missing since she had conscious. After the calling ceremony, her grandmother crowned her day with the sword and Natsuki will never forget her grandmothers words when hand it the treasure.
"You can inherit a great gift, but once you have it, you have to deserve to keep it."
And Natsuki worked hard to keep the gift, to deserve it. That morning, she was lost in those remembrances, attacking and blocking in the air against an imaginary attacker, feeling the sword as a part of her own body with every move. Everything felt natural until when spinning on her axis to block an attack from behind; her sword clashed suddenly not air but metal and her eyes met a blonde mane framing a pair of red eyes.
"What? How this happened? No one was behind me a second ago!" Her mind was screaming and her mouth was slightly opened while she was frozen looking at her sudden companion.
Her sword clashed with the edge of a long naginata, stopping her spinning movement so suddednly and absolutely that her elbow ached. It was like clashing a wall.
"Ara, don´t tell me I got you by surprise?"
The voice was tuneful, the face speaking was serene and perfect in her calm, the red eyes deep and keen as the naginata. The last thing Natsuki was expecting contemplating those eyes was the sudden movement waving her sword aside and the flashing attack coming immediately after. It was only by reflex that she could move and block the fast attacks following one after other.
The blonde woman was taller than Natsuki and despite her graceful appearance, very strong. And she was a stunningly good fighter with the naginata. Natsuki had practiced combat with spears before but this level of combat was new for her. After a couple of minutes that were like hours, she was sweating abundantly, realizing that she was in disadvantage against Shizuru´s skill with the long weapon. However, surrender; ask for time or considerations were not valid options. It would be a shame for her.
Every attack she tried was easily blocked by the naginata and was followed by a fierce response, however Natsuki was already reading the others patterns. After the blocking, the next attack was always a variation on Natsuki´s left side. As a right handed swordswoman, Natsuki though it was logical for the other to consider that as her weaken side. Natsuki let her opponent to keep thinking that while she prepared her counterattack.
Taking advantage of a slashing descending attack from Shizuru´s naginata, Natsuki didn´t blocked this time but eluded it by mere inches with a flexible move and just when she thought she had Shizuru under her sword; she felt the sharp edge of the naginata on her throat and heard, at the same time, the furious growling from Duran.
The two women froze in that instant, green eyes fixed with red ones.
"Duran!" Natsuki called after few seconds with strangled voice. Those seconds Duran kept growling, showing gigantic fangs, inches away of Shizuru´s face, Duran´s fur coat was bristly on his strong spine, in a menacing picture showing how mad he was.
Natsuki stepped back slowly while Shizuru lowered the naginata. Duran stepped back as his master but kept a guttural growling as warning.
"Natsuki, are you ok?"
Duran´s husky voice brought Natsuki back. She was still becoming aware of the other woman strategy. It was a set up from the beginning to make her fail and she failed. Shizuru always knew that attack was coming.
"Natsuki?"
"Yes," Natsuki finally managed to answer, looking at Shizuru standing in front of her, completely calm and confident. "I am fine."
"I am sorry," Shizuru spoke looking alternatively at Duran and Natsuki, "I didn´t mean to surprise the two of you that way."
"Your actions speak differently, Fujino-san. They say that you did want to surprise me." Natsuki said coldly. If it was something she hate, that was failing.
"Shizuru please, call me Shizuru."
Natsuki was still looking at her somberly and that, for some reason, made Shizuru feel sad. She was surprised to find Natsuki awake and training so early, with the soft haze of the morning surrounding her. Natsuki was moving gracefully from the distance, so focused on her training, so vital in her movements that Shizuru felt a strong desire to be part of it, to dance with Natsuki in that imaginary battle.
"I didn´t meant to hurt you either," Shizuru emphasized looking openly at Duran´s icy gaze and then, at the deep green eyes of his master. Shizuru was appreciating now the real essence of the young woman. Dueling with someone was seeing that persons as he or she really was. An Natsuki was quiet, distant, not talkative, serene, and certainly rude in her comments but, open and transparent as a summer morning.
Duran was fur coat was appeased now and walked interposing his body between them to stand closer by Natsuki´s side and face Shizuru to ask with deep voice, "Why did you do that then?"
Shizuru looking at the silver wolf, thought Natsuki must feel very safe and complete having Duran´s protection and company. In the same way, she surprised Natsuki earlier, the Child surprised her appearing from nowhere just in the right time she could hurt his Master and for sure, he would have attacked if her intentions were have been really to hurt Natsuki. That bond between Child and Hime was something she didn´t know. And she didn´t meet someone like Natsuki before either. She wasn´t looking for attention or exhibiting herself, she was prideful in the same way some wild animals were. Like that wild wolf she had as a Child, the young woman was proud and lofty by nature. Natsuki was not trying to be pleasant with her or with anyone; and unlike Shizuru, she wasn´t wearing any mask either. Natsuki's gaze was so wide open and transparent that Shizuru felt vulnerable just by looking at her. She could never open to a stranger that way. Breathing calmly and hiding those emotions, she answered Duran´s question lightheartedly but looking at Natsuki.
"I noticed a weak point in your defense-attack combinations and thought it would be good to show that to you in a way you would remember."
After a visible huff, Natsuki reluctantly had to admit Shizuru was right. She showed her a weakness and weaknesses were mortal in combat. That was the best training session she ever had and it was no way she could forget about it.
"You are a very good fighter….Shizuru-san." Natsuki said huskily looking aside and blushing slightly with the acknowledgment.
Shizuru thought that was the most beautiful vision she ever saw before.
"So, are you sure mother?" Saeko was questioning Inna, still reticent. "This wouldn´t be the first time we have to take the heaviest part of the deal thanks to Svetlana Fujino."
"That is not fair Saeko. I have always taken the decisions affecting our family by my own. Svetlana never tried to influence those decisions."
"But we were the ones leaving!"
The same old grudge after so many years. Inna took a deep breath asking silently for the patience to understand her daughter and make her understand.
"Saeko, I accepted the exile because it was the best to protect us. You were still a child, I was weakened; it was too early then to confront the Doctrine. For them and maybe for many other people, we were punished with exile but in fact, that was the only way to remain safe. We left and lived in peace, you had Natsuki and she grew up free, away of the Doctrine´s influence. Svetlana stayed here with her family. I assure you, she had the worse part of the deal by far, I won't tolerate…"
Inna couldn't continue and Saeko couldn't argue her mother, action she was about to decidedly engage in; because the combined growls from Yurka and Ryo alerted them to watch outside by the window. From the tall window, wrapped by the morning dew, they saw the frozen moment when Shizuru broke Natsuki defense putting the naginata on her throat. Saeko tensed, holding her breath with a soft moan, she was about to scream but an iron hand on her shoulder stopped her.
They saw the two younger women lower the guard and talk for some time. Duran was there with Natsuki and it was nothing to fear but Saeko was still restless despite Inna's efforts to calm her down.
"They were just practicing Saeko, Shizuru is not the enemy."
"She will be once the prophecy is fulfilled." Saeko insisted finally voicing her biggest disagreement with her mother with angry voice.
"You are so, so mistaken dear daughter. That is the though the Doctrine has been promoting against the Fujino family but that is a lie. Because we never accepted that lie and never accepted their hypocrisy is that they hate us that much. Be sure Saeko, they hate us, to the Fujino family AND our family."
Saeko remained in an obstinate silence when a knocking in the door distracted her attention.
"She is finally here," Inna mentioned with obvious relief.
Inna opened the door for their visitor and Saeko was surprised to see a very young and fragile woman, with delicate features and soft gray eyes. She was wearing some old spectacles that made her look like the weirdest kind of owl… a very lean one.
"Saeko, please meet Yukino Kikukawa. She is taking a great risk coming to talk with us today. She is a Hime." Inna did the introduction with a respect and a deference that intrigued her daughter.
Saeko succeeded hiding her surprise also due other reasons. The Kikukawa family left from Novosibirsk, the capital for the Doctrine of Worship, generations ago. They were as old as every Hime family but always distant of everything that matters. Or at least, that was what Saeko thought. The tattle about them used say they didn't care about anything because they were not warriors like the others.
After the proper introductions, Saeko wondered how would be the kid's Child since no apparent animal was accompanying her unlike the other Himes they meet on their way to the Fujino house. The day before was a sunny day despite the cold and during their trip towards the Fujino House the caravan crossed with that young girl with the golden Lion, which was very normal and the redhead siblings. That Hime girl had a small but noticeable black spider on her shoulder while walking on the streets, Saeko who didn't like bugs, thought it was very scary. But this one, had nothing with her and contrary to Natsuki, she knew it was rude to ask something like that. Inna's voice took her out of her guessing.
"Yukino-san is a very special Hime, Saeko" the old woman said smiling, "you don't see any Child accompanying her because her Child is very special too. That's why it's very risky for her to be here. Due her Child's nature, she had to be physically separated so she can visit us. Yukino is coming from very, very far away."
During the next hour Yukino related both Kuga women how she used ancient underground passages beneath the city to reach the Fujino family house unnoticed, the journey from her secluded home and the purpose of her presence there with them.
"I was with Fujino-san before coming to meet you Inna-san. She already knows what I will tell you."
Yukino explained them, how in the last months using hers and her Child's unique abilities, they detected several energies flowing and converging on Novosibirsk. They were ancient energies that she never saw before and very unfortunately, very dark ones.
"I don't have a personal memory for this kind of feeling but Diana does," Yukino explained, "The same evil energy pattern flowed five hundreds year ago when the Fujino family lost their Child."
"Do you mean it is the Red Dragon energy coming together? So, the prophecy is truth!" Saeko stood up fixing alarmed eyes on her mother.
But Yukino was slowing denying with her head.
"Please Saeko! Let Yukino-san to explain."
After Inna's scolding to Saeko, Saeko sat down again and Yukino took the lead again, calmly but making a very importat previous remark.
"Fujino's hydra Child won't be an evil energy, Saeko-san. We, all Himes and our Childs, belong to the light. We were conceived by the Gods for goodness."
According to Yukino's explanation, the energy she and her Child were feeling was not as older as the Hime's and Child's energies and it was unmistakable evil and corrupted. It was only one similar evil print on Diana's memory.
"The Obsidian Lord."
"What? How is that possible? He was destroyed trying to destroy Natalya Fujino and the Fujino family back then." This time was Inna the one who interrupted Yukino's abruptly and realizing, apologized with her heart beating hastily.
"Unfortunately, there is no mistake, Inna-san. That's why I sent an extremely secret message for Svetlana-san and took the risk for coming. The dark energy convening matches that of the Obsidian Lord."
Inna looked at the young Hime and felt a shiver on her spine. It wasn't over. Yukino's sorrowful gaze told her it was more, and it was worse.
"There is more, right Yukino-san?" Inna finally asked steeling herself.
Yukino nodded affirming that Svetlana's had the same suspicious than Saeko-san, thinking the evil energy belonged to the Fujino Child coming back for its promised retribution. The Fujino name was long known for having big and powerful hydra dragons as Childs on the ancient times. The memory of having a dragon Child was drowsy in Svetlana after so many centuries. She as all women in the Fujino family, learned how to live without a Child, with the constant feeling of a deep emptiness in their souls; with a fire burning, aching to be released in their spirits. The Red Dragon energy was truly an overwhelming energy, as it was recorded in Diana's memory with fire, but the most disturbing fact for Yukino was that this strong and radiant energy was not present at all.
"We are not feeling the Red Dragon energy, Inna-san, Saeko-san. Not in this house, not in Novosibirsk and not in any known place of the world."
After a stunned silence, Saeko finally found her voice to ask.
"How is possible you can affirm so categorically something like that, Yukino-san? Is that you can 'feel' any energy, in any part of the world?" Saeko's tone was a bit upset but Yukino's simple answer left her speechless.
"Yes."
Inna thought it was finally time for Saeko to know the extent of Yukino's power uniqueness.
"Saeko during this time of darkness, there are so many things we have forgotten. I told you Yukino-san has a very unique Child. We have seen very diverse Child's during our lives but we have never seen something like hers. Very few Himes have actually seen the Kikukawa´s Child."
"The Gods created the Childs at the same time they created the Himes, and we all have a living being as our lifetime partner; they are our soul mates and give us our magical power. They born when we born and die with us."
"Yukino's Child is different. Her Child is the first one. Born with the first Hime in the Yukino's family and will die with the last one, if that day ever came; her Child is millenary. Yukino's Child is the more ancient and wisest Child in the world. Diana is a tree."
Saeko's eyes opened to the revelation. "But …a tree?"
"Don't say it like that. Trees are living creatures Saeko, as us, as our Childs and any other living creature. This one is special, not only because Diana has been alive during all humankind history but also because Kikukawa's ability is to connect with this tree and through it, connect with any other tree or living vegetation surrounding us."
After a pause to let her daughter time to assimilate and understand the information, Inna prepared her closing remark.
"So, when Yukino-san tells you that she can feel all different energies in the world, it is true because that's Diana's ability. Old trees die and new ones grow reaching the sky, but Diana is always present. She can connect deeply with earth and all earth's creatures' energies. Diana's memory is everlasting and the Kikukawa women can connect and dive in this vast ocean and network of flowing energies and memories."
"But that is terribly!" Saeko said offhand, feeling a sudden compassion for the young woman. "That's such a terrible burden for your family."
And then, realizing a very important issue, she added, "We call our Childs, how do you…?"
Inna sent a reprobate gaze for her daughter but Yukino smiled. "Connect with Diana?"
Saeko nodded while Inna, who already knew the answer for that question, kept her gaze lowered.
"We connect with Diana at birth and we keep connected with her until we die."
"Oh, that's unique too. So, your mother is also connected with her." It was an affirmation but Saeko interrupted her argument when Yukino denied slowly.
"No, Saeko-san. Only one Hime can be attached with Diana. It is the same as with you and your Child." Due her isolation, Yukino talked about her uncommon family situation very few times but Diana had a lot of memories about it. The revelation was never easy.
"All Kikukawa women die giving birth Saeko-san. One dies for the other to live. We all grow alone and we never see our lineage. Physically at least, our energy always remains with Diana. I am the only Kikukawa alive as my mother was and my daughter will be and so on until the time ends."
Looking at the young girl in front of her, Saeko thought that fate was a terribly burden. "How the Gods could be that cruel with these kids?"
As if reading her mind, Yukino closed the subject with one last sentence, "Don't be sad for us Saeko-san. We live very consciously every minute of our lives and we are blessed to know the time of our departing. In fact, you could say that we chose our ending time when we decide to mate and give birth."
Amazingly, it was Yukino the one trying to comfort her.
"Now you understand why Yukino has such importance as a Hime, Saeko. When the Doctrine of Worship started to distort the meaning of the ancient beliefs, a group of Himes decided that the best way to keep Kikukawa's lineage safe was keeping them away. They are the ones who have really kept Hime history safe and the keepers of the real wisdom, not the Doctrine. This is why, is also very dangerous for her to be here. Nothing can happen to Yukino-san, it's our duty to protect her and to take her back home safe."
Hearing Yukino's story, Saeko forgot about the reason Yukino was there. She took the risk to be separated from her Child and be exposed because a real thread was approaching. That was the real thing they had to focus on.
"So, if the energy you and Diana are feeling is from the Obsidian Lord, the prophecy won't happen? The Fujino family is not recovering their Child?" Saeko pointed still affected by all the revelations.
"The real prophecy states that the crime against Natalya Fujino five hundred years ago, detaching her from her Child with the use of dark and evil arts could not last forever. The Himes and their Childs are divine gifts and gifts can't be rejected. The Obsidian Lord deprived Natalya and all Fujino women from their Childs but he also paid the price for using those deviated arts."
"This is the time marked for the Red Dragon to return and it was told, it will come for retribution. However, this retribution was not against humankind as the Doctrine has maliciously spread; regardless that most people betrayed Fujino family on behalf of the Doctrine, the Red Dragon revenge is against the Obsidian Lord and the Doctrine that supported the Obsidian Lord at those times."
Inna took some time to think. That didn't make sense. They were hoping for the time of the arrival as the beginning of a bountiful time, as their chance for really expose the truth about the Doctrine and stop their abuses. But now it seemed an even darker time was coming.
"What really concerned me the most and the main reason I decided to come here to talk personally with you and Svetlana-san is the source from where we felt the Obsidian Lord's energy emanating." Yukino's eyes had such a deep veil of concern when saying those last words that Inna's heart shrank in her chest.
"Where?" She asked with strangled voice.
"Here. Svetlana's house."
Inna stood up and walked to the window. The morning haze dissipated with the sun, the sky was cloudless of a bright and deep blue. It was still an icy winter morning but the house gardens looked shinny greens with several climbing plants, trees and shrubs of diverse kind. Svetlana loved the flowers and during spring time, the garden was wonderful to see exploding with colorful flowers and birds. Now between the dark green foliage for the nearby winter, Shizuru's red kimono was highlighted.
The granddaughter of her beloved Svetlana was walking on the gardens with Natsuki; the training session ended long ago but they stayed. Inna figured out that Shizuru made Natsuki stay and succeeded. Unlike Natsuki who was husky and serious, Shizuru was smiling radiantly as the morning.
IX.
The space was in the most complete and unnatural darkness. Nothing alive could live in such dense absence of light. However something was there, throbbing as the pulse of the earth. In the middle of the space, a presence emanated the most complete fury as complete was the darkness.
He was furious. Year after year, decade after decade, century after century, his only eagerness was to break free to take revenge. His hate dated from centuries ago when he was still a man. He forgot the meaning to be a man long time ago but his hate remained pure, growing and intensifying with the ages, as the darkness surrounding him. He was hate.
And he was wrathful because the dark mirror that showed him his most hated enemy and his most precious mean for his upcoming revenge showed nothing. That night the mirror was blind, that night he couldn´t slip into her dreams. He couldn´t steal her breath of life. He couldn´t commandeer her power. He could not possess her.
He was liquid darkness fulfilling everything when he felt his presence. His servant arrived and was not alone. He brought fresh souls to feed him, to make him stronger for the confrontation to come. Sweet and fresh souls to devour, the more innocent they were, the stronger he gets.
"You will be mine. I will be your darkness and you will be my red death, I will be your owner and you will be my red wave of destruction. You will be mine…Shizuru."
Thanks.
Quick note: When I was researching about the Childs for this story, Yukino's one was kind of troublesome. You all know well, Diana was kind of different that all the others. Then, I was inspired by an ancient tree, two thousand years old that lives in Mexico and it's amazing.