Tittle: Arabian Knight
Chapter: 5 De ja vú
Rating: Pg-13-ish
Author: Lady Hiko
Email (can I emphasize this enough?): ladyhiko@yahoo.com
URL: http://www.geocities.com/ladyhiko (under construction)
http://www.geocities.com/sailorpluto23/MoonLightRoses
* Runs quickly out of the room, hiding in some concealed spot, waiting for readers to kill her*
Sowie?
(Panicky voice) Let's recap what happened last time, shall we?
````
Silence, it was so loud and stirring, encompassing him. He just knelt there, completely frozen in shock as the physicians pushed him aside. The world began to flow in slow motion as the physicians pronounced him dead. His mother began to shriek, "Marcus! Marcus!" as she ran to him, her face paling as she collapsed on his body, cruel sobs racking her. But he didn't hear it though. The physicians desperately tried to peal the distraught Sultana from the body as she shrieked louder scratching at them to let her go. But he didn't hear it. That light, that flame that burned so brilliantly in his eyes was snuffed out, just died at that very moment. The second his head hit his father's chest it was all over for him. Numbly he got up, passing the now covered body that used to be his father, stepping past the shrieking form that was his mother, only one goal left in his dead mind.
A darkness, the thing that kept him numb, was whispering in his ear, blocking all thought.
Why go on?...What's there left for you to live for?...
Why not end it all?
was his last thought as he walked straight ahead, nimbly stepping through the billowing curtains, the candle already blown out, stepping up onto the balcony, reaching for the rails...
~~~~~
High above the world stood another being, surveying the scene with saddening eyes. So many things had gone wrong. This wasn't supposed to happen, none of this was supposed to happen! Or at least that is what she thought to herself, brushing a thick strand of green hair from her eyes.
"You know you can't change destiny," she heard from behind her.
Turning around she saw another being; one of few distinctions, the only thing predominant was her mass of silver hair and golden embodiment. A god-like haze all ways kept her face from distinction. Knowing her to be powerful, though not really knowing her name, the green haired goddess gave a small bow.
"Do you mean that this is supposed to be his destiny, to jump off a balcony?" the green goddess replied.
"Of course not, but I know what you're thinking. You cannot go to Earth to stop him. As if we need another goddess for them to worship."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Remember the Moon Goddess Selene incident?"
"Yes."
"That was me."
"Oh," replied the green haired goddess in light of the new situation. So this was Selene, no wonder she felt her power.
"Listen, Setsuna, I know you want to help, so if you wish to do so, get to the mother and leave the son alone. Or better yet, contact that new advisor I sent down there, Artemis. He is a firm believer."
With that Setsuna disappeared in a lavender mist.
Selene thought as she disappeared into golden mist.
~~~~ Asleep within a distant chamber, Artemis ~~~~
I was asleep, having my usual dream of a glowing place high above my dwelling. I did not know where I was, but I could see a distant blue orb below me. So much like the moon that hung in the distant sky above us, but an ethereal blue. Perhaps it was Earth, but I will never know.
Usually within this dream I would come upon a woman, one with fine silver hair and a golden mark on her forehead, of which I will also never know, for the glow is too bright. But this evening was different. No longer did I feel the overwhelming contentment that I normally feel. No, there was something different. The air smelled of war, burning flesh. Cinders flew all around me in their wicked dance as if to mock me of failure. But what failure could I have committed? What could I have done? The palace in which I lounged was gone, lying on the ground in rubble. Swiftly I was knocked into the ground, embedded into the mud with a profound slup. I could see myself covered in mud with a man in armor behind me, raising his sword, ready to strike. But something was different about me. There was a mark, golden like the woman, burning in my forehead, and then...
Then I turned to the likeness of a feline, a tiny white cat, as I was struck in the shoulder. I could see myself, er, the cat, plead with the man for my life, begging him not to strike again. But he didn't listen as he raised his sword once again, preparing to strike. But he didn't. The world seemed to stand still as a woman in a lavender outfit approached me, her garnet eyes piercing into me as her outfit turned from strange to stranger into a white bodice and black fringe of some sort. She carried with her a staff of some sort, green hair whipping about it as she approached me.
"Artemis...do you know what happened here?" I could hear her ask, her voice resonating deeply in my ears. I've heard her from somewhere before, like I could have sworn I've heard Luna's before, but from where?
"No," I whispered. It was familiar, but unknown. I had no idea.
"Come."
"What? Where? And in this cat body?!" I protested.
"Fine." Giving a brisk wave of her hand she returned me my body as I followed her through the battlefield and out into the unknown.
````
Now I'm guessing most of you have probably heard of the French term, De ja vu, right? It means something to the likeness of having already gone through something before. I was going through a major turnabout of it.
I was in a place, someplace within the palace I have always dreamed about. There were humming contraptions all around me, shiny things, glistening like the sun. Like a surface of a mirror, they portrayed my face, showing the burning crescent moon upon my face. But if I looked deeper, I could see images, images of destruction hidden within a noisy haze.
"Come," I heard her beckon, starting to truly wonder what was going on as I stepped up to a particularly luminescent thing.
"I want you to look in here, you should recognize someone."
And so I looked and shock greeted my eyes.
"The prince! Only...he's older?"
"Yes, that is your prince, but there is something else you must see."
I peered in once again, but something was different. Behind him I could see another being. A somewhat small girl who also bared the mark just like mine. She was crying, fear evident in her eyes. The prince had a sword raised in his hand, protecting her in some odd armor. A woman with blood-red hair and lips, with green eyes like the beast of envy and corpse like skin stood before them. She was grinning, her smile full of malice.
Suddenly, like a flash of lightening, she was gone, and a great cataclysm struck the place where he stood. But instead of plummeting to the ground, he was sent soaring, flying high into the air with the small woman-child following suit. Another bolt struck and two lifeless limp bodies were left drifting silently towards the ground.
I turned to the woman; my eyes alight in curious fury. "What happened?!" I yelled at her wanting to know who those women were, where I was, and of course, what had befallen my prince.
"I cannot tell you much, but I will tell you this. The woman with the crescent mark was of great royalty in this life and the last. What you just saw was a previous life of which I am not entirely at liberty to disclose. All I know is that history is repeating itself at this very moment, though not as drastically. Your prince is there again, at a balcony, about to die. So unless you snap out of this dream right now, your kingdom will lose its final heir."
"What?"
"Go!" She yelled as she gave me a shove. I could feel myself plummet back to Earth, I don't know how I knew, but I knew. And as I fell, I could see the glowing white orb shrink smaller and smaller in the sky until I landed back into my body and awoke. As I awoke, I realized that perhaps, just maybe, I was on the moon.
Before I could dwell on this matter any further I got a little reminder in the form of whispers within my head.
No, I am not insane, but I could hear, "Your prince is there again, at a balcony, about to die."
So I swiftly ran out of the room, heading towards the sultana's frenzied cries.
```Meanwhile, Serenity```
Sigh, another day, another dance. Sure, I do realize that we steal at these things, but mama dances so well people should pay to see her. So okay, she's really not my mother, but Angela may as well be considering she raised me with Anton-papa and the others, especially the overly protective Damion and goofy Jarod.
Giggling to myself, I thought,
But still...I wish I didn't have to steal from these people...
The music started up once more, Anton banging on the drums and Damion shaking the tambourine as Rei and Makoto throw themselves into the fray, joining in the dance outside the fire while Mama dances within it. Jarod is out here with the others, and me swiping money to pay for our food and for the oil it takes to make the flames. Today is going to be a good day, there are lots of people here to see her, and those three years have really changed her.
``` Just outside the city, Aerin Kageno, of the Kageno Hi clan```
There went another one, so images of this girl it just makes me want to be sick. Three years and the rulers of Illiad still have not found her...but the reward, why with the reward money I could buy myself an army, much bigger than this clan that I now have.
Serenity, you will be mine.
``` Back in the marketplace, an hour after the dance, Serenity ```
I'm so excited! Mama is gonna get me a new outfit, just like hers! Not the fire dancing one, of course, but it is so cool! And we're even going to the same stand she got hers! I'm gonna get me a pretty red one with pink see through sleeves...I'll look just like a belly dancer! I smiled at that thought. A dancer just like Mom...
We arrived at the shop rather quickly, the shopkeeper being a woman. She had blue eyes and red hair, the same shade of red that I wanted my outfit in. She seemed like the ideal mom, very pretty and very nice...but her daughter...her daughter...well there was something odd about her. Sure, she had her mom's blood red hair, but those eyes, those logistic green eyes, something was off. I could almost believe that I had seen her from somewhere before, but I couldn't place it.
"Hello Mamoto," Angie-mama greeted the tall red haired woman.
"Hello Angela," Mamoto began, and then noticing me she smiled and continued as she squatted down to see me face to face, " and this must be the little Serenity you must have been talking about."
She then did a noogie, or at least that is what I believe they call it, and continued, " I was wondering when you were gonna bring her in...So what'll it be today?"
Smiling down at me like a mother even though she was only nineteen, she replied, " I thought we'd get her something new, something other than a dress. Besides, this one is getting too raggedy anyways."
I looked down at my cream colored - well, used to be cream colored - dress, with it's various tears and patches with disdain. I really need a new look and apparently the strange little girl must have thought so too, considering she was staring at me oddly. What is it with her?! Sure, she looks to be about nine years old, but that doesn't mean she's above me... that much, I guess.
Mamoto must have realized the strange looks exchanged between us, for she blanched a moment and then exclaimed, " Oh! I didn't introduce you two! Serenity, - ooh that is such a cute name - this is my daughter, Beryl. Strange name, yes, but that is the only thing that seemed to suit her."
Beryl just glared at me even more oddly. What did I do?! Did I screw her over in a past life or something?!
"Beryl, aren't you going to say hello?" Mamoto chided.
"H-lo Serenity," Beryl mumbled.
"Good," Mamoto yammered in approval. "Okay Serenity, what would you like today?"
"Something pink and red and pretty...Something like Angie-mama's outfit!"
"Okay, we'll find you something pretty," she cooed as she lead me in back, Beryl's gaze boring holes in the back of my head as I left.
``` Another hour later... ```
What I wanted and what I got were two entirely different things, well, maybe not entirely, but I didn't get an outfit like Mama's. I got a charcoal black version of what I initially wanted, though its sleeves were a sheik navy blue and you could see my arms through them. It was still a tiny bit big on me, but Mamoto said that I would grow into it in time. I would have got a red one, but the only other one she had was made for an, oddly enough, particularly large woman. So there was no way that I was to fit in that. Oh well, at least I can still wear this one.
Immediately after, Angie-mama and I decided to get some food for the 'clan' I guess you could call them. This caused me to smile. 'More shopping!'
```Aerin Kageno, about the same time```
Well waddya know, ask and you shall receive. Unless I am mistaken, and with that hairstyle I'd it be pretty hard to do so, I do believe that I have found our rabbit. There she stood, she may have looked a lot different being 7 years old, but she was there still the same. She stood in a small black outfit that may have been a little too different for her age and had her hair still done up in those twin little round balls. Target acquired.
I put down the apple I was about to buy and began to follow them, and my clan seeming to notice began to follow, trying to look inconspicuous. But that seemed to not be working as several shop holders began to hide, even the ever so proud Mamoto.
Getting closer and closer to the center of the Town Square where I knew that a fire dancer had taken refuge in, I approached Serenity and the woman she was with.
"Quite a cute kid you've got there, is she yours?" I asked, trying to look as innocent as possible.
"Yes," she replied uncertainly as she started to usher the child away, towards the stage. Then I realized it; I was talking to Lady Hiko the fire dancer herself. I thought to myself as I shamelessly looked her over.
"You know," I began, knowing very well that gypsies always need money. "I could really use a child like that, you know, to work around the house. I'll give you 20 shillings for her."
"What?! No!" she yelled at me, thoroughly disturbed at the idea of that.
"Oh come on," I berated. "I'll tell you what, I raise it to 40 shillings. My son could use a suitable wife when he gets older, and she looks like a real looker."
"No!" she bellowed, practically picking up the child as she rushed even faster towards the stage.
Grabbing her by the hair on the back of her head, I dragged her down one of the more deserted streets and slammed her head against the wall, her groceries tumbling to the ground.
"Look lady, I don't think you're getting what I'm saying. I want that child, and I want her now!" I bellowed at her, my short fused temper having been lit.
" I know what you're after her for and I'm not gonna let that happen! You want her so you can sell her back to the sultan's family to be a male order bride, and that is almost the sole reason I took her in! She will not be forced into such slavery as I was! So you can just take your money and shove it up your ass!" She bellowed back at me.
"As much as I'd like to take your offer, I no longer need to pay you," I replied coolly, having realized that my men had arrived to block the ally way. I then leaned on my forearm as I let it cross her throat, making what must have been some uncomfortable pressure for her, and jerked my thumb back towards my men as they grabbed little Serenity, just to prove my point. I can still distinctly recall the frightened whimpers she let out as my men ripped her from the ground. Such a delightful sound.
```Meanwhile Anton ```
I was actually delighted as I watched my two girls coming up, obviously bringing home preparations for dinner with them. Today will be the day, I thought to myself as I went over my plans for this evening, feeling the heated metal of the ring I had bought for her, for Angela. I had known Angela for so long, so so long, and not too long ago I realized the feelings I actually had for her, feelings I never thought I could posses. But the way she cooed and cuddled with little Serenity, the way her hair glistened in the firelight, her courage, her strength, all of those appealed to me. A rising star that I had been so blind to never have seen or at least noticed shooting across my ever-widening sky.
I had initially bought her so that she wouldn't have to be the wife of some man, some stranger. You see, when she was thirteen, she had been brought over as an exotic gift for some rich nobleman, a play thing to be discarded as soon as he had one chance with her. To lose ones virginity at such a tender age and to such a despicable purpose was just...just...well; words cannot portray my hatred towards the cause. My family had been a poor one, in somewhat a condition as it is now. Back then my pop was alive and well, and my mum in a sickly condition. We had been doing similar circus tricks as now, my mum actually being the fire dancer, always inhaling the smoke, feeling the seer of the flames, but putting on a brave face to feed my family.
Well, on our way into Illiad, the city of which Alexandria and Marcus rule, I got wind of such a thing, or should I say such a person. While my mum was buying some pig's meat for dinner - a delicacy we had not had in a while - I saw her...so young, so beautiful, her ebony hair glinting in the moonlight. Like a belated siren she called to me, maybe not physically, but still she called to me. I will never admit this to Angela, of course. It worried me to see such sadness on such a beautiful face and then I saw the reason why. She was bound in coarse silver shackles in the skimpiest outfit I had ever seen, and right in the middle of the street! I do not believe she has ever worn something so skimpy, even when fire dancing!
I turned towards my mother and began to tap her on the shoulder. Receiving no attention, I began to fiercely tap it again and again until she turned to me and raggedly sighed, "What?"
Pointing towards Angela, I asked, " What's going on over there?"
Tilting her head in Angela's direction, she replied, "Oh, poor girl. Looks like she's going to be sold as a concubine."
"What?!" I yelled in surprise, not quite understanding how such an angel could be tainted so easily.
"She's going to be sold as a 'harem' girl. Why do you ask?"
Warning bells shot off in my head as I began to unjustly panic, I guess.
"Uh mom...You know I'd never, ever would ask you for anything unless it was absolutely, positively important...right?" I began, my voice wavering on the last word.
"Riiight..." Mom replied, warning bells apparently firing off in her head at my use of the word mom.
"Well, I was wondering if I could borrow some money..."
"How much?" she asked, very skeptically.
"About however much it would cost to buy that girl."
"What?! You've got to be kidding me! Do you know how much your father and I are broke? We can barely feed you as it is, as well as the others!"
"But...but she could help you! You - why, you could teach her to fire dance. Let her dance in the flames and not you! Just think about it, no smoke, no heat...why you could just relax in the cart while she did the work for us!"
"Why? What has you so worked up anyways?"
"Because...because I don't want her to become a shaborushi!"
She looked at me skeptically.
"Please." I asked, defeat almost making its way to my eyes.
Sighing, my mom put back the pig's meat and bought some goat's meat instead - gangly stuff, but edible none the less. She then mumbled, "She better be worth it," under her breath as we approached the man as he was preparing to sell her.
It took every last coin in her pouch, and some from the cart, but she was able to purchase Angela, my beloved Angela...well at least not beloved until as of late. I still remember how she put up a fight at first, still frightened from what all had happened to her, and how she at first refused the flame. My mum was eventually able to teach her the tricks of the trade, and it was a good thing too. Not too soon after she died and by my fourteenth year pop had died, leaving me to run the show.
Sudden movements ahead of me brought me out of my revere. There was a man; a rather tall one with brown hair and green eyes was circling all too uncomfortably close to my Angela. I saw her begin to sweat and try to walk away from him uneasily as he began to ask her questions. Still asking more, Angela began to try to run away, but was halted as he grabbed onto her hair, dragging her onto one of the less crowded streets, Serenity in hot pursuit.
My blood began to boil as I began to chase after them, but the sight of the many men so suddenly crowding into my entrance to the street made me pause.
I need help, yes, that is what I need.
I headed back to the caravan, signaling to Damion, Jarod, and the others. They too seemed to have been watching what had been happening and hastily jumped down to join me; their blood already set a boil.
By the time we got there, the men already had Serenity in their arms, his arm at my beloved's throat, her face beginning to turn colors.
"Take your damn hands off her!" I yelled, thoroughly scared for her life.
The man slowly turned his head towards me; his face down turned in an expression of mere annoyance.
As well as anyone could see, I did not like this, so to annoy me further, he turned his head back towards her and began to lick her up and down the side of her purpling face while he let his free hand roam up and down her body, circling around her chest.
This did it; my blood was set aflame as my self-control was taken over by my feelings of a mad man. I just completely lost control as I charged at him, many others following in suit.
``` Serenity ```
I could hear him, yes, I could hear him! Anton-papa was here; I could hear his voice! He'll fix everything! I squirmed in the man's arms to turn my head to see Anton.
What I saw scared me, never had I seen him so angry. Large veins popped out of his forehead and neck, his face almost as purple as Angie-mama's. He was with the others as he charged at the group of men that held mom and me captive. They came bearing daggers, Anton carrying a particularly jagged one, as they broke through the line, randomly slashing at men as they came. The man who held Angela captive dropped her now unconscious form to the ground as he turned to see a badly bloodied and beaten Anton, his eyes enraged and looking as though thirsting for blood, the blood of the man who dared to defile my surrogate mommy. Past him I could see the others, Damion and Jarod fighting men while back to back with daggers...Makoto tossing men aside like rag dolls and Rei hitting and kicking those that came too close. All were trying to get close to me, trying to save me from the man who held onto me.
Suddenly my attention was brought back to that man as I felt cold steel greet my neck. I knew what was gonna happen. I knew that if anyone got too close, he was going to slit my throat, and I believed it too, for I felt it brush up against my skin as one of my friends got closer. Tears began to pour out of my eyes as my mind screamed, ' I DON'T WANT TO DIE!!!!'
Suddenly seeing a flash of red, I began to scream, thinking he had actually slit me, but after a few moments I realized that it was not red of blood, but red of hair. I looked up and realized I was safe, so to speak, in the arms of Mamoto as she began to carry me off to one of the others, her daughter glaring at me from around the corner. Kami I loved Mamoto at that moment as she handed me into the arms of Mika. I turned my head back to look upon my savior, but instead let out a loud shriek in chorus to another one. One of the men had managed to stab her in the back, killing her right in front of my eyes. It was then that I realized there were other shrieks as I looked around. First one, then another of my 'Klan' began to drop to the ground, bloodied and dead as Mika began to run away from the scene with me tossed over her back in a fireman's lift.
```Meanwhile Angela ```
Oxygen is a good thing, I thought to myself as the black blotches began to clear from my eyes as I took in rapid gulps of air. I could hear shrieks, bloodied shrieks all around me as I felt small wet things splatter against me. My vision focused as I saw my long time companion Mamoto was dead at my feet her still open eyes seemingly staring at me. I shrieked; I screamed for all I was worth at the sight.
I then saw Anton's worried gaze as he turned to run to me, being cut down by a man with brown hair and green eyes right at my feet. I couldn't take it, first Mamoto and now Anton. I shrieked over and over until I had breath no more and passed out.
```About 15 minutes later, Aerin ```
I had won; it was all over. Serenity was in my possession as well as the added bonus of 'Lady Hiko'. The brown haired woman warrior and the black haired one were bound and chained as well as the brown and blond haired 'protectors' with heavy slashes into their sides. I guess they couldn't take it after their 'leader' died; the rest of their 'Klan' killed by my men. Oh yes, this had been a very good day, a very good day indeed as I packed my new servants into my caravan, the unconscious Hiko by my side.
Yes, this had been a good day.
Chapter: 5 De ja vú
Rating: Pg-13-ish
Author: Lady Hiko
Email (can I emphasize this enough?): ladyhiko@yahoo.com
URL: http://www.geocities.com/ladyhiko (under construction)
http://www.geocities.com/sailorpluto23/MoonLightRoses
* Runs quickly out of the room, hiding in some concealed spot, waiting for readers to kill her*
Sowie?
(Panicky voice) Let's recap what happened last time, shall we?
````
Silence, it was so loud and stirring, encompassing him. He just knelt there, completely frozen in shock as the physicians pushed him aside. The world began to flow in slow motion as the physicians pronounced him dead. His mother began to shriek, "Marcus! Marcus!" as she ran to him, her face paling as she collapsed on his body, cruel sobs racking her. But he didn't hear it though. The physicians desperately tried to peal the distraught Sultana from the body as she shrieked louder scratching at them to let her go. But he didn't hear it. That light, that flame that burned so brilliantly in his eyes was snuffed out, just died at that very moment. The second his head hit his father's chest it was all over for him. Numbly he got up, passing the now covered body that used to be his father, stepping past the shrieking form that was his mother, only one goal left in his dead mind.
A darkness, the thing that kept him numb, was whispering in his ear, blocking all thought.
Why go on?...What's there left for you to live for?...
Why not end it all?
was his last thought as he walked straight ahead, nimbly stepping through the billowing curtains, the candle already blown out, stepping up onto the balcony, reaching for the rails...
~~~~~
High above the world stood another being, surveying the scene with saddening eyes. So many things had gone wrong. This wasn't supposed to happen, none of this was supposed to happen! Or at least that is what she thought to herself, brushing a thick strand of green hair from her eyes.
"You know you can't change destiny," she heard from behind her.
Turning around she saw another being; one of few distinctions, the only thing predominant was her mass of silver hair and golden embodiment. A god-like haze all ways kept her face from distinction. Knowing her to be powerful, though not really knowing her name, the green haired goddess gave a small bow.
"Do you mean that this is supposed to be his destiny, to jump off a balcony?" the green goddess replied.
"Of course not, but I know what you're thinking. You cannot go to Earth to stop him. As if we need another goddess for them to worship."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Remember the Moon Goddess Selene incident?"
"Yes."
"That was me."
"Oh," replied the green haired goddess in light of the new situation. So this was Selene, no wonder she felt her power.
"Listen, Setsuna, I know you want to help, so if you wish to do so, get to the mother and leave the son alone. Or better yet, contact that new advisor I sent down there, Artemis. He is a firm believer."
With that Setsuna disappeared in a lavender mist.
Selene thought as she disappeared into golden mist.
~~~~ Asleep within a distant chamber, Artemis ~~~~
I was asleep, having my usual dream of a glowing place high above my dwelling. I did not know where I was, but I could see a distant blue orb below me. So much like the moon that hung in the distant sky above us, but an ethereal blue. Perhaps it was Earth, but I will never know.
Usually within this dream I would come upon a woman, one with fine silver hair and a golden mark on her forehead, of which I will also never know, for the glow is too bright. But this evening was different. No longer did I feel the overwhelming contentment that I normally feel. No, there was something different. The air smelled of war, burning flesh. Cinders flew all around me in their wicked dance as if to mock me of failure. But what failure could I have committed? What could I have done? The palace in which I lounged was gone, lying on the ground in rubble. Swiftly I was knocked into the ground, embedded into the mud with a profound slup. I could see myself covered in mud with a man in armor behind me, raising his sword, ready to strike. But something was different about me. There was a mark, golden like the woman, burning in my forehead, and then...
Then I turned to the likeness of a feline, a tiny white cat, as I was struck in the shoulder. I could see myself, er, the cat, plead with the man for my life, begging him not to strike again. But he didn't listen as he raised his sword once again, preparing to strike. But he didn't. The world seemed to stand still as a woman in a lavender outfit approached me, her garnet eyes piercing into me as her outfit turned from strange to stranger into a white bodice and black fringe of some sort. She carried with her a staff of some sort, green hair whipping about it as she approached me.
"Artemis...do you know what happened here?" I could hear her ask, her voice resonating deeply in my ears. I've heard her from somewhere before, like I could have sworn I've heard Luna's before, but from where?
"No," I whispered. It was familiar, but unknown. I had no idea.
"Come."
"What? Where? And in this cat body?!" I protested.
"Fine." Giving a brisk wave of her hand she returned me my body as I followed her through the battlefield and out into the unknown.
````
Now I'm guessing most of you have probably heard of the French term, De ja vu, right? It means something to the likeness of having already gone through something before. I was going through a major turnabout of it.
I was in a place, someplace within the palace I have always dreamed about. There were humming contraptions all around me, shiny things, glistening like the sun. Like a surface of a mirror, they portrayed my face, showing the burning crescent moon upon my face. But if I looked deeper, I could see images, images of destruction hidden within a noisy haze.
"Come," I heard her beckon, starting to truly wonder what was going on as I stepped up to a particularly luminescent thing.
"I want you to look in here, you should recognize someone."
And so I looked and shock greeted my eyes.
"The prince! Only...he's older?"
"Yes, that is your prince, but there is something else you must see."
I peered in once again, but something was different. Behind him I could see another being. A somewhat small girl who also bared the mark just like mine. She was crying, fear evident in her eyes. The prince had a sword raised in his hand, protecting her in some odd armor. A woman with blood-red hair and lips, with green eyes like the beast of envy and corpse like skin stood before them. She was grinning, her smile full of malice.
Suddenly, like a flash of lightening, she was gone, and a great cataclysm struck the place where he stood. But instead of plummeting to the ground, he was sent soaring, flying high into the air with the small woman-child following suit. Another bolt struck and two lifeless limp bodies were left drifting silently towards the ground.
I turned to the woman; my eyes alight in curious fury. "What happened?!" I yelled at her wanting to know who those women were, where I was, and of course, what had befallen my prince.
"I cannot tell you much, but I will tell you this. The woman with the crescent mark was of great royalty in this life and the last. What you just saw was a previous life of which I am not entirely at liberty to disclose. All I know is that history is repeating itself at this very moment, though not as drastically. Your prince is there again, at a balcony, about to die. So unless you snap out of this dream right now, your kingdom will lose its final heir."
"What?"
"Go!" She yelled as she gave me a shove. I could feel myself plummet back to Earth, I don't know how I knew, but I knew. And as I fell, I could see the glowing white orb shrink smaller and smaller in the sky until I landed back into my body and awoke. As I awoke, I realized that perhaps, just maybe, I was on the moon.
Before I could dwell on this matter any further I got a little reminder in the form of whispers within my head.
No, I am not insane, but I could hear, "Your prince is there again, at a balcony, about to die."
So I swiftly ran out of the room, heading towards the sultana's frenzied cries.
```Meanwhile, Serenity```
Sigh, another day, another dance. Sure, I do realize that we steal at these things, but mama dances so well people should pay to see her. So okay, she's really not my mother, but Angela may as well be considering she raised me with Anton-papa and the others, especially the overly protective Damion and goofy Jarod.
Giggling to myself, I thought,
But still...I wish I didn't have to steal from these people...
The music started up once more, Anton banging on the drums and Damion shaking the tambourine as Rei and Makoto throw themselves into the fray, joining in the dance outside the fire while Mama dances within it. Jarod is out here with the others, and me swiping money to pay for our food and for the oil it takes to make the flames. Today is going to be a good day, there are lots of people here to see her, and those three years have really changed her.
``` Just outside the city, Aerin Kageno, of the Kageno Hi clan```
There went another one, so images of this girl it just makes me want to be sick. Three years and the rulers of Illiad still have not found her...but the reward, why with the reward money I could buy myself an army, much bigger than this clan that I now have.
Serenity, you will be mine.
``` Back in the marketplace, an hour after the dance, Serenity ```
I'm so excited! Mama is gonna get me a new outfit, just like hers! Not the fire dancing one, of course, but it is so cool! And we're even going to the same stand she got hers! I'm gonna get me a pretty red one with pink see through sleeves...I'll look just like a belly dancer! I smiled at that thought. A dancer just like Mom...
We arrived at the shop rather quickly, the shopkeeper being a woman. She had blue eyes and red hair, the same shade of red that I wanted my outfit in. She seemed like the ideal mom, very pretty and very nice...but her daughter...her daughter...well there was something odd about her. Sure, she had her mom's blood red hair, but those eyes, those logistic green eyes, something was off. I could almost believe that I had seen her from somewhere before, but I couldn't place it.
"Hello Mamoto," Angie-mama greeted the tall red haired woman.
"Hello Angela," Mamoto began, and then noticing me she smiled and continued as she squatted down to see me face to face, " and this must be the little Serenity you must have been talking about."
She then did a noogie, or at least that is what I believe they call it, and continued, " I was wondering when you were gonna bring her in...So what'll it be today?"
Smiling down at me like a mother even though she was only nineteen, she replied, " I thought we'd get her something new, something other than a dress. Besides, this one is getting too raggedy anyways."
I looked down at my cream colored - well, used to be cream colored - dress, with it's various tears and patches with disdain. I really need a new look and apparently the strange little girl must have thought so too, considering she was staring at me oddly. What is it with her?! Sure, she looks to be about nine years old, but that doesn't mean she's above me... that much, I guess.
Mamoto must have realized the strange looks exchanged between us, for she blanched a moment and then exclaimed, " Oh! I didn't introduce you two! Serenity, - ooh that is such a cute name - this is my daughter, Beryl. Strange name, yes, but that is the only thing that seemed to suit her."
Beryl just glared at me even more oddly. What did I do?! Did I screw her over in a past life or something?!
"Beryl, aren't you going to say hello?" Mamoto chided.
"H-lo Serenity," Beryl mumbled.
"Good," Mamoto yammered in approval. "Okay Serenity, what would you like today?"
"Something pink and red and pretty...Something like Angie-mama's outfit!"
"Okay, we'll find you something pretty," she cooed as she lead me in back, Beryl's gaze boring holes in the back of my head as I left.
``` Another hour later... ```
What I wanted and what I got were two entirely different things, well, maybe not entirely, but I didn't get an outfit like Mama's. I got a charcoal black version of what I initially wanted, though its sleeves were a sheik navy blue and you could see my arms through them. It was still a tiny bit big on me, but Mamoto said that I would grow into it in time. I would have got a red one, but the only other one she had was made for an, oddly enough, particularly large woman. So there was no way that I was to fit in that. Oh well, at least I can still wear this one.
Immediately after, Angie-mama and I decided to get some food for the 'clan' I guess you could call them. This caused me to smile. 'More shopping!'
```Aerin Kageno, about the same time```
Well waddya know, ask and you shall receive. Unless I am mistaken, and with that hairstyle I'd it be pretty hard to do so, I do believe that I have found our rabbit. There she stood, she may have looked a lot different being 7 years old, but she was there still the same. She stood in a small black outfit that may have been a little too different for her age and had her hair still done up in those twin little round balls. Target acquired.
I put down the apple I was about to buy and began to follow them, and my clan seeming to notice began to follow, trying to look inconspicuous. But that seemed to not be working as several shop holders began to hide, even the ever so proud Mamoto.
Getting closer and closer to the center of the Town Square where I knew that a fire dancer had taken refuge in, I approached Serenity and the woman she was with.
"Quite a cute kid you've got there, is she yours?" I asked, trying to look as innocent as possible.
"Yes," she replied uncertainly as she started to usher the child away, towards the stage. Then I realized it; I was talking to Lady Hiko the fire dancer herself. I thought to myself as I shamelessly looked her over.
"You know," I began, knowing very well that gypsies always need money. "I could really use a child like that, you know, to work around the house. I'll give you 20 shillings for her."
"What?! No!" she yelled at me, thoroughly disturbed at the idea of that.
"Oh come on," I berated. "I'll tell you what, I raise it to 40 shillings. My son could use a suitable wife when he gets older, and she looks like a real looker."
"No!" she bellowed, practically picking up the child as she rushed even faster towards the stage.
Grabbing her by the hair on the back of her head, I dragged her down one of the more deserted streets and slammed her head against the wall, her groceries tumbling to the ground.
"Look lady, I don't think you're getting what I'm saying. I want that child, and I want her now!" I bellowed at her, my short fused temper having been lit.
" I know what you're after her for and I'm not gonna let that happen! You want her so you can sell her back to the sultan's family to be a male order bride, and that is almost the sole reason I took her in! She will not be forced into such slavery as I was! So you can just take your money and shove it up your ass!" She bellowed back at me.
"As much as I'd like to take your offer, I no longer need to pay you," I replied coolly, having realized that my men had arrived to block the ally way. I then leaned on my forearm as I let it cross her throat, making what must have been some uncomfortable pressure for her, and jerked my thumb back towards my men as they grabbed little Serenity, just to prove my point. I can still distinctly recall the frightened whimpers she let out as my men ripped her from the ground. Such a delightful sound.
```Meanwhile Anton ```
I was actually delighted as I watched my two girls coming up, obviously bringing home preparations for dinner with them. Today will be the day, I thought to myself as I went over my plans for this evening, feeling the heated metal of the ring I had bought for her, for Angela. I had known Angela for so long, so so long, and not too long ago I realized the feelings I actually had for her, feelings I never thought I could posses. But the way she cooed and cuddled with little Serenity, the way her hair glistened in the firelight, her courage, her strength, all of those appealed to me. A rising star that I had been so blind to never have seen or at least noticed shooting across my ever-widening sky.
I had initially bought her so that she wouldn't have to be the wife of some man, some stranger. You see, when she was thirteen, she had been brought over as an exotic gift for some rich nobleman, a play thing to be discarded as soon as he had one chance with her. To lose ones virginity at such a tender age and to such a despicable purpose was just...just...well; words cannot portray my hatred towards the cause. My family had been a poor one, in somewhat a condition as it is now. Back then my pop was alive and well, and my mum in a sickly condition. We had been doing similar circus tricks as now, my mum actually being the fire dancer, always inhaling the smoke, feeling the seer of the flames, but putting on a brave face to feed my family.
Well, on our way into Illiad, the city of which Alexandria and Marcus rule, I got wind of such a thing, or should I say such a person. While my mum was buying some pig's meat for dinner - a delicacy we had not had in a while - I saw her...so young, so beautiful, her ebony hair glinting in the moonlight. Like a belated siren she called to me, maybe not physically, but still she called to me. I will never admit this to Angela, of course. It worried me to see such sadness on such a beautiful face and then I saw the reason why. She was bound in coarse silver shackles in the skimpiest outfit I had ever seen, and right in the middle of the street! I do not believe she has ever worn something so skimpy, even when fire dancing!
I turned towards my mother and began to tap her on the shoulder. Receiving no attention, I began to fiercely tap it again and again until she turned to me and raggedly sighed, "What?"
Pointing towards Angela, I asked, " What's going on over there?"
Tilting her head in Angela's direction, she replied, "Oh, poor girl. Looks like she's going to be sold as a concubine."
"What?!" I yelled in surprise, not quite understanding how such an angel could be tainted so easily.
"She's going to be sold as a 'harem' girl. Why do you ask?"
Warning bells shot off in my head as I began to unjustly panic, I guess.
"Uh mom...You know I'd never, ever would ask you for anything unless it was absolutely, positively important...right?" I began, my voice wavering on the last word.
"Riiight..." Mom replied, warning bells apparently firing off in her head at my use of the word mom.
"Well, I was wondering if I could borrow some money..."
"How much?" she asked, very skeptically.
"About however much it would cost to buy that girl."
"What?! You've got to be kidding me! Do you know how much your father and I are broke? We can barely feed you as it is, as well as the others!"
"But...but she could help you! You - why, you could teach her to fire dance. Let her dance in the flames and not you! Just think about it, no smoke, no heat...why you could just relax in the cart while she did the work for us!"
"Why? What has you so worked up anyways?"
"Because...because I don't want her to become a shaborushi!"
She looked at me skeptically.
"Please." I asked, defeat almost making its way to my eyes.
Sighing, my mom put back the pig's meat and bought some goat's meat instead - gangly stuff, but edible none the less. She then mumbled, "She better be worth it," under her breath as we approached the man as he was preparing to sell her.
It took every last coin in her pouch, and some from the cart, but she was able to purchase Angela, my beloved Angela...well at least not beloved until as of late. I still remember how she put up a fight at first, still frightened from what all had happened to her, and how she at first refused the flame. My mum was eventually able to teach her the tricks of the trade, and it was a good thing too. Not too soon after she died and by my fourteenth year pop had died, leaving me to run the show.
Sudden movements ahead of me brought me out of my revere. There was a man; a rather tall one with brown hair and green eyes was circling all too uncomfortably close to my Angela. I saw her begin to sweat and try to walk away from him uneasily as he began to ask her questions. Still asking more, Angela began to try to run away, but was halted as he grabbed onto her hair, dragging her onto one of the less crowded streets, Serenity in hot pursuit.
My blood began to boil as I began to chase after them, but the sight of the many men so suddenly crowding into my entrance to the street made me pause.
I need help, yes, that is what I need.
I headed back to the caravan, signaling to Damion, Jarod, and the others. They too seemed to have been watching what had been happening and hastily jumped down to join me; their blood already set a boil.
By the time we got there, the men already had Serenity in their arms, his arm at my beloved's throat, her face beginning to turn colors.
"Take your damn hands off her!" I yelled, thoroughly scared for her life.
The man slowly turned his head towards me; his face down turned in an expression of mere annoyance.
As well as anyone could see, I did not like this, so to annoy me further, he turned his head back towards her and began to lick her up and down the side of her purpling face while he let his free hand roam up and down her body, circling around her chest.
This did it; my blood was set aflame as my self-control was taken over by my feelings of a mad man. I just completely lost control as I charged at him, many others following in suit.
``` Serenity ```
I could hear him, yes, I could hear him! Anton-papa was here; I could hear his voice! He'll fix everything! I squirmed in the man's arms to turn my head to see Anton.
What I saw scared me, never had I seen him so angry. Large veins popped out of his forehead and neck, his face almost as purple as Angie-mama's. He was with the others as he charged at the group of men that held mom and me captive. They came bearing daggers, Anton carrying a particularly jagged one, as they broke through the line, randomly slashing at men as they came. The man who held Angela captive dropped her now unconscious form to the ground as he turned to see a badly bloodied and beaten Anton, his eyes enraged and looking as though thirsting for blood, the blood of the man who dared to defile my surrogate mommy. Past him I could see the others, Damion and Jarod fighting men while back to back with daggers...Makoto tossing men aside like rag dolls and Rei hitting and kicking those that came too close. All were trying to get close to me, trying to save me from the man who held onto me.
Suddenly my attention was brought back to that man as I felt cold steel greet my neck. I knew what was gonna happen. I knew that if anyone got too close, he was going to slit my throat, and I believed it too, for I felt it brush up against my skin as one of my friends got closer. Tears began to pour out of my eyes as my mind screamed, ' I DON'T WANT TO DIE!!!!'
Suddenly seeing a flash of red, I began to scream, thinking he had actually slit me, but after a few moments I realized that it was not red of blood, but red of hair. I looked up and realized I was safe, so to speak, in the arms of Mamoto as she began to carry me off to one of the others, her daughter glaring at me from around the corner. Kami I loved Mamoto at that moment as she handed me into the arms of Mika. I turned my head back to look upon my savior, but instead let out a loud shriek in chorus to another one. One of the men had managed to stab her in the back, killing her right in front of my eyes. It was then that I realized there were other shrieks as I looked around. First one, then another of my 'Klan' began to drop to the ground, bloodied and dead as Mika began to run away from the scene with me tossed over her back in a fireman's lift.
```Meanwhile Angela ```
Oxygen is a good thing, I thought to myself as the black blotches began to clear from my eyes as I took in rapid gulps of air. I could hear shrieks, bloodied shrieks all around me as I felt small wet things splatter against me. My vision focused as I saw my long time companion Mamoto was dead at my feet her still open eyes seemingly staring at me. I shrieked; I screamed for all I was worth at the sight.
I then saw Anton's worried gaze as he turned to run to me, being cut down by a man with brown hair and green eyes right at my feet. I couldn't take it, first Mamoto and now Anton. I shrieked over and over until I had breath no more and passed out.
```About 15 minutes later, Aerin ```
I had won; it was all over. Serenity was in my possession as well as the added bonus of 'Lady Hiko'. The brown haired woman warrior and the black haired one were bound and chained as well as the brown and blond haired 'protectors' with heavy slashes into their sides. I guess they couldn't take it after their 'leader' died; the rest of their 'Klan' killed by my men. Oh yes, this had been a very good day, a very good day indeed as I packed my new servants into my caravan, the unconscious Hiko by my side.
Yes, this had been a good day.