An: This first one actually started off as a dream. I spent some time drawing of what the creatures looked like in that dream, then I came up with the story for it. Enjoy.
The Kirin's Mate
In the Lands of the Rising Sun, there was a creature that was rarely ever seen by humans. In China it was given the name Qu-lin, and in Japan it was better known a Kirin. The Kirin were spiritual creatures of pure nature. If one were ever to spot a Kirin among the trees, they would first assume that it was merely a deer. While it was true that the body of such a creature resembled a stag, there were many differences that separated them from the mortal animal. Unlike the stag, Kirin had manes similar to a thick lion's mane, and as soft and light as a sheep's wool. It stretched from the crown of their heads to the middle of their spines. They also had a tail similar to a lion, long and thin with a tuff of fur at the end. Another feature that separated them from a deer was their fur. While they had short hair throughout their bodies within certain areas such as the front of the head to the torso, and along the spine were scales like a dragon. Their heads were also similar to the Eastern Dragons, with long muzzles, wide snouts, and fangs. While the Kirin had horns, it was one in the center of their heads, and its design varied for each creature. Many times, the ends would branch off and split like an antler, and on a rare occasion there would be a Kirin with two horns.
Finally, what was so special about the Kirin was that they were beings of nature in the most magical form. To a Kirin, all life was valuable and precious, even the smallest insect. The tread of their hooves was so light and graceful one would believe they float in the air, but it was because they did not want to disturb the blades of grass. Even when they do touch the soil, flowers would bloom in their path on even the most barren land. There were even some that dwell near volcanic plains because even the destructive mass of the fire and earth was considered pure forms of nature. It was the greatest omen if one was to spot a Kirin, and even more so if one happened to grace a lord's home with its presence.
One lord in particular, the Lord Masumoto, wanted nothing more than to have a Kirin on his land. Lord Masumoto was considered one of the luckiest lords in the most troubling of times. He always was sure to have the best strategic generals to either defend his land or conquer another. He kept in good relations with the emperor and impressed the other lords with his lavishing property and trinkets. Then he would please any woman he wanted with the finest kimonos and beautiful gardens inside his palace. He truly believed that he could never be denied anything, until one day he was unable to gain the interest of one specific princess.
The lady Akari was the daughter to a neighboring lord, and like most a young and beautiful princess, she wanted for nothing. She was graced with great beauty, as well as a kind heart and mind. One of her favorite pass times was creating stories on paintings for her little brothers. Her lord father had wished for her to marry a lord that will take care of her and make her happy. He never cared much for how such a lord would pay him for his daughter's hand.
So, when Lord Masumoto came forward in desire for the Lady Akari, he did his every effort to please both her and her father. The lovely lady had heard of the kind of man that Lord Masumoto was, and she feared that his luck had blinded him into believing that he could have anything his wanted, and that he bore no real feelings for her. Coincidently, there was another lord named Daisuke that also wished for the lady's attention, but she did not know what to make of him yet.
When both lords had come to her household, they both did their best to please her. Lord Masumoto did the same methods that he performed to many other women, with fine clothes and jewelry, but Lady Akari found no interest in them. Lord Daisuke, otherwise, took some time to speak with her, and asked her to share the stories she had created for her brothers. Akari was happy that she was able to converse with the Lord Daisuke and share their tales.
Lord Masumoto was angered that he could not gain the attention of the lady. His anger almost turned to threat toward her father that he was not being granted what he wished. Her father could only reply that he was leaving the decision to his daughter.
It was this moment that Lord Masumoto addressed the Lady Akari. "My princess, you must know that I have never been denied anything. I could tear apart your father's estate and claim it for my own if I see fit. I would also be able to grant you any wish that you desired. All you must do is ask it."
Lady Akari feared for her family and for her very life at the lord's words and saw fit to outsmart him. "My lord, I would never want to disrespect you, and I know that you will stay true to your word. Therefore, there is something that I wish for you to grant before I accept your hand."
"And what would that be, for my good fortune holds no bounds? Ask away." he replied.
"I wish for a garden, one that goes beyond the creation any man can create. If fortune does indeed smile upon you always, then surely the luck of my lord can welcome the grace of the Kirin themselves into the garden." She made what she was sure was an impossible request.
"Then you shall have a garden that will have a wonderous Kirin among the flowers." With that, Lord Masumoto left the estate to begin his work. It didn't even cross his mind that Lord Daisuke remained with an honest courtship of the lady, and she accepted knowing that not even Matsumoto's fortune could be strong enough to complete such a task.
Upon returning to his palace, Lord Masumoto summoned every gardener under his employment, and stated, "Here now I command all of you, bring forth the finest flora and fauna so that we may attract the beings known as Kirin onto my lands. Fail to do so, and I will deem your lives wasted." he gave warning.
The first gardener stepped forward and spoke. "Oh, greatest lord, I have heard that the kirin enjoy the sweetest flowers blooming together. I shall fetch all of them and plant the finest flower beds ever to grace any palace."
The gardener's words pleased Lord Matsumoto, and he granted the man permission to tend the garden. There he planted many flowers; roses, hydrangeas, lilies, azaleas, camellias, orchids, and countless quoras. Once the work was finished, the garden was revealed to the lord, and he awaited the arrival of the Kirin. Day after day, he waited for the beast to walk among the garden, but such a creature never came. The gardener was sentenced to death for failing the lord's wish, and for sullying his good fortune.
The next day, he called forward the other gardeners and spoke. "Here now I command, bring forth the finest flora and fauna so that I may attract the beings known as Kirin onto my lands. Fail to do so, and I will deem your lives wasted."
The second gardener had looked at the work of the first and admired the number of flowers that graced the soil. However, he felt that he could do more. "My lord, it is my belief that beings such as the Kirin take more value to trees and leaves, since the mere step of their hooves can produce flowers. Therefore, I shall bless your garden with fine trees and saplings that surely the creatures will want to walk among them."
"Then you may proceed." Lord Matsumoto granted.
A great variety of trees was gathered to the palace for the second gardener to plant. He placed a great number of trees that already bore fruit, hoping that the fragrance would attract the wonderous beings. There were plums, peaches, pears and oranges. And any fruit that was not in season yet, he planted blooming cherry blossoms that showered the garden with their petals. The gardener's final touch was some evergreen trees and bamboo stocks along the outside of the garden to give the illusion of the forest. With that he presented his work to the lord, awaiting the arrival of the Kirin. Day after day, Lord Masumoto waited for the arrival of the wonderful creature to walk among the garden, but alas one never came. The gardener was sentenced to death for failing the lord's wish, and for sullying his good fortune.
The next day he calls upon the final gardener and proclaimed. "Here now I command, create the finest garden on my grounds so that I attract the beings known as kirin, and win the hand of the lady Akari. Fail to do so, and I will deem your life wasted."
The final gardener had observed the work of the first and second gardeners. He admired the splendor of the flowers, and the great variety of trees. The gardener thought that it was the finest garden ever created for a lord's house and wandered what was needed to attract the wonderful kirin. Then he thought of an idea and presented it to the lord.
"My lord, I feel that perhaps the final touches that the garden needs are a running stream through the field so the creatures will have a place to drink. Also, perhaps we could attract some birds and small animals so the kirin knows it's safe."
The gardener's words pleased Lord Matsumoto, and he said, "Then you may proceed."
So, the third gardener placed a gentle running stream that channeled through the palace, and also fed a pond on the other side of the garden. He then placed some feeders to attract the birds and let them build their nests. Before long the songs of the birds could be heard throughout the area. The gardener felt that this was the proper final touch to attract the creatures, but in fearing for this life he felt like he should persuade Lord Masumoto to keep him alive.
"My lord, I have finished with the garden, but may I make a suggestion about the kirin?"
"What is it?" Lord Masumoto asked.
"While I feel that this garden would truly please the creature, I find that we should try and hunt for one and bring it here."
"Do you believe it can be done?" the lord wondered.
"Often I would hear stories of them residing in mountains and great forests, so if we were to capture one and bring it to your garden, then it would see the magnificence of the area and want to stay." the gardener explained. His words pleased Lord Masumoto, and he took no time at all to gather his best hunters to set out and look for the beasts.
While the lord was spending all his efforts trying to please the princess Akari, she was indulging the company of Lord Daisuke. They spend several moments together. Lord Daisuke honored the lady with conversation and listened to her poetry she originally wrote for her brothers. Lady Akari found the lord to be very kind and was thrilled that he enjoyed the workings of her mind. He even complemented her on the task she had assigned to Lord Masumoto.
"May I enquire, princess, as to why you would ask such a thing of the fortunate lord?" he asked.
"I foresaw an ill future should I accept his proposal and become his wife. However, if I refused, he threatened the lives of my father and brothers. So, I asked an impossible task to prevent him from obtaining me. I hope you do not think me wicked for such a deception." Akari hid her mouth behind her sleeved hand in embarrassment.
"On the contrary, I find you to be very clever and quick minded to discover such a loophole to the lord's desires. Also, I hope that my presence has not warranted such strategy?" he had great hopes that he would eventually earn the princess's favor, but the decision was still hers.
"Oh no, my lord. If you had asked me, I would have accepted your hand. However, I fear the lord's temper if he were to discover that such a task was not given to you as well."
Lord Daisuke was ecstatic at the lady's words but could also see the dilemma of their situation. "Then perhaps I should accept the same request you have made to Lord Matsumoto and retrieve the wonderous creatures known as kirin for you. At least then he would not be able to object to my success."
She could not help but smile at her lord's idea. "My lord, surely such a thing would be out of anyone's reach. I have the hope that he will admit defeat and move on to another conquest to leave me be."
"Perhaps your right, and when that time comes, I hope that you shall accept me as your husband, and trust that will grant you happiness, my fair lady?" he held out his hand to her.
Lady Akari gladly took it. "Nothing would make my happier than to be with you, my lord."
The lord and lady continued to enjoy their time together. They got several reports of Lord Masumoto attempting to create the greatest garden, but so far had not been able to attract the kirin, and that the gardeners that were unsuccessful were put to death. This had caused great distress to Lady Akari, not only fearing for the people Masumoto felt was failing him, but also for her family if he does not honor her wishes. To help take her mind off these troubling times, Lord Daisuke decided to take her out on a trip. He had a country house he built for when he wanted to go on hunting trips. It was near the cherry blossom orchards, and he knew the lady would love it.
The land really was as wonderous as Lord Daisuke promised. The trees were in full bloom, and inspired Lady Akari to paint a new story. She was able to spot a few deer prancing through the trees, as well as a few rabbits. Then the final and greatest marvel was the mountain tipped with snow, and full of greenery at the base.
As they were both from wealthy families, they were aware of the many tales that were told throughout the ages. One of Akari's favorite tales was the princess of the moon and the bamboo cutter. The impossible tasks that she entrusted to her suitors was what inspired her to ask for a kirin from Masumoto. She only hoped that such a task truly was impossible.
The lady was so lost in her thoughts that she was shocked by Lord Daisuke when he addressed her. "Does this please you, my lady?"
"Oh yes, my lord, this is very lovely. I just want to take it all into memory so I can paint it later tonight." she replied hopefully.
"I am overjoyed that I am able to make you happy. Why don't we head over to the stream and enjoy our tea near the sakura?"
"That sounds like a lovely idea."
They stopped by their location and partook in the comfort of tea and a light meal. Gazing at the blossom trees gave the illusion that there was not a care in the world. Each petal that fell into the princess's hair made Lord Daisuke dream that he was look upon a real celestial being. Lady Akari would look upon him as well and wandered if he was descendant from the gods himself. They were so engrossed with each other, that they almost didn't catch the movement behind the trees. With the falling of the petals the movement was almost too difficult to see, because it shared the same color.
"Did you see that there, my lord?" Lady Akari pointed toward the movement.
"Yes, come let's go see what it is." he assisted her up on her feet, and they both quietly followed the strange object to the stream.
A mouse in a temple of prayer could not have moved quieter than them. Passing through the blossom trees, they expected to see some form of animal taking a drink, and while they were correct, they could never have taken into account the type of animal it was, and they very sight of it froze them in their tracks. At first glance, one could presume that the creature was a deer taking a rest by the water, just laying down in the grass. Then at a second glance, one would notice that this deer was not a brown color, but an iridescent white, with a long tail and mane that matched the color of the blossoms. Then finally was the magnificent golden scales and curved shaped horn upon his head. There was no doubt about it. Resting beside the stream right in front of the lord and lady was a kirin.
"Oh, my gracious." the lady whispered to herself.
"Extraordinary." the lord agreed, then continued to whisper. "Let's observe the creature for a moment, don't move."
The lady obeyed her lord. This truly was a marvel to behold. Every movement of the being was filled with the utmost grace. They both held their breaths whenever the creature had turned its head to take a drink of water, then laid back on the grass possibly to sleep in the sunlight.
"All my life, I never dreamed my eyes would behold something so beautiful." Lady Akari whispered mostly to herself.
"Myself as well, to think that one would be on my very lands." Lord Daisuke replied.
"Perhaps we should leave so we do not disturb the being." she suggested.
"Yes." he guided her through the trees. Then when they felt they were a good distance away from the kirin, he bowed his respects to the direction of the stream and spoke. "Great kirin of the forest, long may you find peace on these lands, and may you consider these woods to be a worthy home."
Lady Akari followed the lord in bowing her respects and wished the kirin an equal amount of peace. No sooner had they started in the direction of the lord's home did they see more movement among the trees. Daisuke guided his lady back out of view of whatever was prowling through the woods. Whatever it was had come from the direction of the mountain, and it was also in the direction that the kirin had been resting.
They worried that it may have been a predator and thought that they should scare the kirin into running away. So, they went back to their hiding spot to see if the kirin was in the same area. It was still resting comfortably. They were so entranced by the being, that they almost forgot why they came back until the kirin's ears twitched, and it turned its head to the direction of the river. They kept quiet for a little bit to see what it was that caught the animals attention and were frozen in place at what it was that came from the mountain and through the trees.
It was another kirin. This one was much darker than the first, with a gray mane, a black coat and scales, and this one had two horns. It caught the attention of the first kirin, and caused it to rise up and meet the second halfway. They started circling each other, smelling one another's manes. The dark kirin stomped one of its hooves and shook its mane in presentation to the other. The light kirin made reciprocation by nuzzling its nose against its mane. The lord and lady could guess that the light one was female and was accepting the male dark one as a mate.
The ritual went on for another moment before both creatures went away together through the trees. The lord and lady could not believe what they had just witnessed. They must have been staring at the spot by the river for a full hour. Then Lord Daisuke finally realized that it was getting late. "We should be heading back, my lady." he said.
"Yes, my lord." she spoke still in wonder.
Neither had spoken throughout the ride back home. Lord Daisuke could not give more than pleasantries goodnight to the lady, then wandered back to his chambers and layer on his bedding with his eyes wide open.
He entered the main room for breakfast, only to find the Lady Akari telling her father and brothers about her adventure with the young lord. Daisuke was more than willing for confirm the lady's story. Her brothers were so excited that they kept asking her if the creatures flew, or breathed fire, or any such sort.
"That truly was quite the tale you two weaved." her father spoke out.
"Yes, father, and I believe our story presents a solution to our dilemma with Lord Masumoto." Akari replied.
"What do you mean, my daughter?" he asked.
Before the lady could reply, there was a messenger that requested the presence of the family. He was a small man, with a very nervous stance about him. It was easy to see that he was a messenger from Lord Masumoto, and he was not looking forward to giving his news.
"My Lord Masumoto wishes for the presence of the Lady Akari, in regard to the promise of her hand to my lord." he began his message.
"And what does that lord wish of my daughter?" the lord father asked.
"He says that he has fulfilled his lady's desire and has come to take her for his wife."
Everyone in the room was horrified at the news, but they felt they had no choice but to grant the lord his wishes to preserve Lady Akari's honor. They granted Lord Masumoto entry to their home, and the fortunate lord presented himself in a full sense of pride. He carried a large, menacing smile on his face that sent shivers down the lady's spine. She feared for her life, the lives of her family, and the life of her dear Daisuke. What would he do if Lord Masumoto would take her away?
"Lord Matsumoto, what is it that brings you to our home?" her father gave his respects to their guest.
"My lords and lady, I have achieved what would have been impossible to anyone else. The heavens have smiled on my life with the greatest of luck and have awarded me with the kirin in my garden, fulfilling my promise. Lady Akari, your garden is beyond any others in the country, and awaits you as my bride."
The lady's heart felt frozen. What she believed to be an impossible request had been completed by this man. "However, did you manage it, my lord?" she couldn't help but ask.
"My workers created the most beautiful garden in existence, the creature couldn't help but be a part of it. And now you will honor your promise and join me to my palace." he demanded.
That was when Lord Daisuke chose to step in. "Lord Masumoto, I'm afraid I must inform you that your luck has succeeded only a day too late."
"What do you mean?" Lord Masumoto all but shouted.
"Just yesterday, I took the Lady Akari out to my land where we witnessed not one, but two kirin socializing in the woods. I think that this has met the requirement to gain the lady's hand." Lord Daisuke explained as he took his place beside Akari.
Lord Masumoto was seething in anger, surely his good fortune would not be failing him now. "And all you have for proof are your words, when I have the living, breathing creature at my very home." he was shouting this time.
"And how can we be certain that you do in fact face the real thing, and not an imitation?" Daisuke countered.
"Well come along, then, and see for yourself. Then you can leave the Lady Akari in my care." Masumoto said with such confidence.
With that, Lord Daisuke and Lady Akari traveled with the party of Lord Masumoto. The lady kept hoping that perhaps the lord's claim was false, or that it was not what he presumed. Still, when they made their way to his castle, Masumoto led the two into the garden. They had to admire the work that was put into the area. Large fruit trees, fountains and creeks, and an infinite number of flowers. Lady Akari admired the birds and small creatures that enjoyed the area as well. As she was looking out among the garden, she finally saw the truth to Lord Masumoto's words.
"Well, my lord and lady, what say you to this?" he asked with a great smile on his face.
Sitting by the water before them was none other than the pale female kirin that they had gazed upon only yesterday. But rather than peaceful, the poor creature looked so melancholy sitting alone and afraid. Not only that, but the poor thing was held down tightly by ropes pegged to the ground. It would lift up its head and look around, possibly looking for its missing mate. Lady Akari worried about the consequences to the lord's actions and wanted to convince him to let the wonderful creature go.
"My lord I really must protest against this. While I am impressed at your accomplishment, this was the creature that Lord Daisuke and I discovered just one day prior. I employ you to release it for fear of its mate's wrath." she begged.
"I will do no such thing! My good fortune shall increase tenfold with such a creature in my possession, and it shall never leave my lands." he proclaimed.
Lord Daisuke and Lady Akari tried to convince him otherwise, but Masumoto would not give in. No sooner had he refused, did the male kirin that came from the mountain brought out his fury for the capture of his mate. First it crumbled down the walls and set the mansion in flames. Then it attacked the lord's armies. Daisuke and Akari managed to escape while bringing the female kirin to safety and lead it back to the woods. After destroying all that was valuable to Masumoto, the dark kirin returned to his mate. The young lord and lady returned to her father's home to spin their tale, and then live out their days in peace.
As for Masumoto, his good fortune had come to a closing, and he threw himself from a cliff for his foolishness of trying to only gain everything in sight. Lord Daisuke and Lady Akari told their children of such a greedy man and taught them the value of treasuring what you earn naturally rather than what you take. They also taught them about the kirin, and how some things are too precious to be held onto by man.
~*~*FIN*~*~