Omake (Part 1) -Encounter with Konohana-sakuya
A/N Part 1
Wonder about the aftermath of Mikan after the curse? And how she received her task? Here it is.
Mikan tightly curled herself until she felt small as an insignificant creature. But her senses kept her painfully aware of her surroundings. The pine bark was painfully digging into her thinkimono but she did not care. Her heart in her throat, Mikan's wide eyes were fixed fearfully at the hems of Koizumi's robes that rustled closer and closer. Fortunately, despite their proximity, Mikan was well-hidden by the sudden appearance of curling mist, and the trees seemed to creak slightly to cast overhanging shadows to cloak the trembling girl.
"There are only six birds here," Mikan heard Koizumi remark acidly. "It seems the little one somehow escaped the curse, that sly little girl."
Mikan heard a sharp thwack, which was soon followed by the agitated beating of wings and a string of loud honks. In her mind she could picture six swans awkwardly waddling with the webbed feet, desiring to fly but bound by some oppressive evil. She shut her eyes. Her heartbeats rang loud in her ears.
"You just had to interfere with my plans, didn't you Shiki?" Koizumi spat out the name bitterly. "Yuka named you well; you take after your name-bearer. Are you content even in this beastly form your sister is out of harm's way? As wild creatures, you have no human conscience. Nor will you ever regain it, there is no remedy!"
"But," she said, "what use is it to talk to dumb beasts? Be gone with you! Aiee!"
Koizumi's wild shriek liberated the swans from their hesitation. Mikan heard the flapping of wings as the six swans rose to take flight.
"And now. Mikan. What shall I do with you, little swallow? Where have you flown off to?"
The footsteps were approaching dangerously near Mikan's tree.
Mikan pressed her palms onto her nose and mouth. Her breathing was too noisy. It must be cut off.
Koizumi laughed in a high-pitched voice that reverberated in the thin air, that echoed throughout the forest, diffusing in all directions.
"The forest shuts my eyes to you, hime, but it has not shut my voice nor your ears. Hear me well, Princess of the Sakura Lands. As soon as the court's useless flurrying dies down as they scout your cursed brothers, I will find you. You may run and run, but your thin legs will tire and give away. You may scurry into an abandoned burrow, but I have dogs at my disposal, sniffing away for your wretched scent. All the trails lead to you, little swallow. When you least expect it, I will appear in front of you. For without your brothers, you are nothing, a powerless little girl-child who knows not the world."
Mikan heard the snap of a twig merely inches away from her left ear. A royal slipper entered her vision.
"First was your father, next were your brothers. And soon, it will be your turn to succumb to your fate."
There was another peal of shrill laughter. The shoe stopped and turned. "Come doctor. It seems it is not yet her time. Let us return; we must remain low for the next few days."
Two sets of footsteps faded away rapidly.
Mikan did not move. She remained in her tightly curled position.
The natural sounds of the forest had returned. The waterfall. The breeze shifting the leaves. The low call of a warbler to its mate. It took her awhile to stop the trembling.
Then her body uncurled itself and her legs unfolded and straightened. Her arms hung limply as her feet rose and fell with rhythm, one after the another, guiding Mikan through an unknown path. Her feet might as well take control of the direction, as by this time Mikan could hardly see with the flood of tears pouring from her eyes.
It started with a few sniffs. They soon progressed into a wail. Big, fat teardrops leaked as she cried and trudged forward. Her brothers were gone. Toya, Yui, Shiki, Ryuji, Junnichi, Haru. Her mind was beleaguered by the terrible emptiness spreading throughout her chest.
Drag, up, forward, down. Toya, Yui, Shiki, Ryuji, Junnichi, Haru.
Drag, up, forward, down. Toya, Yui, Shiki, Ryuji, Junnichi, Haru.
And sometime later, Mikan found herself at a clearing, and across the field was an ancient cherry blossom tree. As the tree became larger in her sight, she vaguely realized this was the sacred Sakura tree worshipped by her countrymen. The shimenawa, special plaited rope, around the wide trunk had neglected zig-zag shide rustling, producing the gentle crackle of paper.
Mikan had no inkling to why her feet guided her to this gnarled old tree. She stood and stared numbly with an occasional sniffle.
Then she came. It was as if she had always been there. Mikan saw the spirit of colourless mist watch her with expressionless eyes. Her rippling hair seemed to have no end, and her heavenly garments flowed down with grace. Mikan's eyes focused on the five petal flower on this spirit's forehead and realized this unearthly spirit was the deity of the Sakura lands, daughter of Mount Fuji and Empress of Sakura. Lady Kono-hana-sakuya.
Come forward, Mikan-hime.
Mikan staggered forward mutely, but her eyes never leaving the spirit.
There is little time. Even this place is too dangerous –it is too near the castle, and you will be sighted. You must walk quickly, enter into the depths and journey to the heart of the forest. Are you listening, child?
Fatigue of the day's events had finally caught up to her. Mikan was on the verge of collapsing. Her legs trembled so violently, and her bruised body ached painfully.
"They –they are gone," Mikan whispered. "She is coming after me, it is my turn, I must –I must tell Priestess Shoshi –"
Stop.
Mikan caught air in a shuddering breadth and wiped her streaming nose with her torn sleeve.
Listen child. Listen to the forest. It is too still, absent of sound.
Indeed, Mikan realized the air was still. The sun's warm rays were hidden, and the warbler's call had disappeared.
This is a farewell.
Mikan felt cold. "A farewell? To whom? I don't understand –"
My father's shrine is no longer a safe haven. No place that she knows of is safe. You must leave immediately to the heart of the forest, where the barrier will shield you from prying eyes. The tree dwellers, the spirits, the living creatures will ensure your survival. There is little time left to choose your path.
"Choose?" spluttered Mikan, almost indignantly. If she had met her deity under normal circumstances, she would have been horrified of her rude behaviour. "What choice is there for me to take? First Koizumi poisons my Father, then she turns all my brothers into wild beasts, and now she intends to kill me, and I must flee!"
Hush child, said the spirit patiently. Choose. Live the rest of your days in terror, fleeing like a hunted prey. Or take upon a task to free your cursed siblings.
Mikan stared at her. There was a little silence, as the spirit passively regarded Mikan with her expressionless eyes.
"Save them?" she whispered. "But –but Koizumi said there is no remedy –"
There is always an undoing; this, Koizumi does not realize.
Mikan staggered forward and tripped, falling to her knees. "How?" she asked. She desperately searched into the spirits' eyes for some answers. A small hope had taken root in her heart.
You will need my help.
Mikan's hope wilted a little. "There is a price." It was a statement, not a question.
There is a price. It is not a frivolous sum, for the equivalent value must be given to preserve the world's balance. But first, search thoroughly the darkest corners of your heart, for your wish cannot be granted without many appropriate sacrifices. The task is not meant for the faint-hearted little girls. You, born as the princess of this land, has never come across hardships or obstacles in your life. Are you willing to roughen those smooth white hands with calluses and numerous scratches? You no longer have your brothers for you to run to in times of trouble. This task, you must face by yourself only.
Mikan's eyes darkened. "I am not weak," she said with an edge.
Kono-hana-sakuya-hime's eyes penetrated her own. Never forget those words, Mikan-hime of the Sakura lands. She waved her sleeved arm once in the air in a strange motion.
Furious gales of wind arose out of nowhere, commanded by the spirit, and enveloped Mikan entirely like a cocoon, blocking her sight. Shocked, she cried out and instinctively tried to shield her head from the tossing winds whirling like a hurricane.
I am now sending you to the Witch of the Dimensions. She knows that you are coming. Tell her everything, and do not forget what you have said to me. Good luck, Mikan-hime.
With that, Mikan felt her rising into the air and was tossed high up into the air. With no air to scream, her eyelids slammed shut as the invisible powerful currents clashed with her in the middle – she rolled a sequence of fast somersaults and was sucked into every direction –the wind dragged her spinning and spinning-
She felt the solid land –the world righted itself. Her fingers felt the hard-packed soil, and the wind had disappeared. Mikan cautiously opened her eyes.
She was no longer in the forest. In fact, she had no bearings. All around was dark, yet she could feel the ground, see herself, and clearly see the impossibly tall woman in front of her.
"Ahh, so here is the little swallow." The woman's ruby pupils were riveted on Mikan. "Konohana-chan notified me of you."
Glossary
Hime = Princess in Japanese.
Little swallow –Koizumi refers to Mikan as little swallow. The English reference for this would be some evil witch cooing to her victim "little birdling" or some endearment of such.
Shimenawa –specially plaited ropes; seen on sacred trees, in front of shrines, etc.
Shide –the white, zig-zag paper strips hanging from sacred trees and used by mikos, shrine maidens, during ceremonies.
*Note -I used Harry's first use of Floo Powder (Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling) and Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles (CLAMP) to write the travel between dimensions.
A/N Part 2:
So I realize many people are wanting, to put it simply, take a huge fan and beat me senseless for not updating for about a year. A thousand apologies won't be enough. I do sincerely apologize to all the readers for the lack of update. If you are interested in hearing my excuse, it's school work. IB diploma (EXTENDED ESSAY AHH!), college applications, and more. If you are not interested in my excuse, well then.
My gratitude to all those who stuck with me throughout and took the time to click that link in the update notification email. I can't promise more updates until December is out, but I give an oath that two more lengthy chapters will be uploaded before the end of 2011.
In the meantime, I will briefly summarize all the characters that have appeared/have been mentioned so far.
Sakura Lands
–royal symbol is the cherry blossom flower
-uses the Japanese language
The Royal Family of Sakura
Azumi Yuka
Deceased; former wife of Izumi and mother of the seven royal children.
Izumi
Current King of the Sakura lands. Very ill.
Koizumi Luna
Current Queen of the Sakura lands. Revealed to be a spy from the Mudan Kingdom and plots to kill the King. Responsible for cursing Mikan's brothers into swans.
Toya
The eldest and heir to the throne.
Yui
The second-eldest. Has an alice, but undefined. (Will be explained later).
Shiki
The third child. Born with spiritual powers, he is to succeed as the next High Priest.
Ryuji
The fourth child. Known as a great warrior.
Junnichi
The fifth child. Has the alice of clairvoyance. Also shares a special connection with Mikan; they are able to share thoughts and feelings without words.
Haru
The sixth child and last boy. Has the alice of animal pheromone.
Sakura Mikan
The protagonist of the story. Has an alice to be revealed later. (Obvious though).
Palace People
Anjo Narumi
The Prime Minister of the Sakura Lands. Has the alice of pheromone.
Misaki
The Royal Pharmacist. Has the alice of plant pheromone.
Umi
The maid of Mikan.
Priestess Shoshi
The High Priestess of the Sakura Lands. She is in charge of the official ceremonies and can call upon the goddess. Has spiritual powers.
Realm of Gods
Konohana-sakuya-hime
The goddess and deity the people of Sakura worship. She is the daughter of the God of Mt. Fuji, the sacred mountain of the Sakura lands. She helps Mikan embark on her mission to save her brothers.
Nigihayami Kohakunushi
A retainer of the goddess with a cold exterior. Is the same character (Kohaku) from Spirited Away.
Mudan Kingdom
–royal symbol is the peony flower
-speaks the language Chinese
Royal Family of Hyuuga
Aoi
Princess of the Hyuuga Royal family. Juunichi and Mikan help her escape back to her homeland. However, the rescue mission goes awry. She is currently missing and presumed to be dead.
Scouts
Heimao
Revealed by Lady Konohana to be Zao. Finds and abducts Mikan. Seems to be searching for Aoi-hime, who he shares a special relationship with. Has the alice of fire.
Harada Misaki
One of Heimao's partner. Has the alice of doppleganger.
Ando Tsubasa
One of Heimao's partner. Has the alice of shadow.
Thank you, and please review. Inundating my inbox will give a visual reminder of the updates :) (and make me happy while I write these forsaken college applications and work out why has not released my SAT scores -_-)