Disclaimer: I do not own RK.
Dome of Heaven -Hideki-
"Talking normally"
¨Talking in a mind¨
*Thinking*
Chapter 4. The bath to clean the mind
For my dreams I hold my life
For wishes I behold my night
The truth at the end of time
Losing faith makes a crime
Nightwish - Sleeping sun
From album Oceanborn
The landscape was extremely beautiful. There were ice and snow covered mountains in the distance. Lush, green grass and colourful flowers grew on the surface. Trees taller than any Misao had ever were a majestic sight. There were houses build in the trees and on the ground. In the distance Misao could see a palace and it was huge. The sunlight reflected from it in all the colours of a rainbow. She saw people flying around in the air, working on the ground.
All had black wings that seemed to absorb the warmth and the light of the sun. Some were dressed like Kei and Senritsu, but most had lighter clothes. It was after noticing this that Misao understood just how warm it was here. She was close to sweating being wrapped into thick clothing. She actually saw sweat on Senritsu's face.
Both Kei and Senritsu had stayed quiet during the journey, or if they had talked to each other, they had hidden it from Misao. Now she saw people looking at them with strange looks as she also noticed that they were approaching the palace.
Now that they were closer she could see more details of it. It was partly Japanese and partly something else. It had tall windows and doors that seemed to be made for giants. It wasn't until even closer that she saw people flying inside and outside that she understood the reason for the gigantic size.
¨Senritsu!¨ Misao started as the voice slapped her head like a whip. She also felt Senritsu stiffen and then still.
She looked around and saw an older woman flying towards them. She had some grey in her head and wrinkles on her face. Her lips were a thin line and her eyes even harder than Aoshi's. She was wearing green trousers and shirt. She was older, but her body was thin and strong. Misao could see this. Her wings flapped behind her almost lazily and still she was holding herself with dignity.
¨Chieko.¨ Misao heard Senritsu answer. The other woman snorted.
¨What is the meaning of this? You bring a normal human here. That has never been done expect when you wish to marry that person. And this is a woman.¨ The older woman stared at Misao with cold eyes that in some other situation would have scared her, but now she was angry.
"What's wrong with that? Being a human and a woman?" Misao said angrily. To her surprise the older woman's eyes went wide.
¨You can hear me?¨ Chieko asked.
Now it was Misao's turn to snort. "Yes. So what?" She asked.
Chieko turned to look at Senritsu and raised her eyebrow. Misao could hear quiet voices in the back of her mind and knew that Chieko was speaking with Senritsu. That angered her even more. "Would you stop that? I can hear you hum inside my head and it bothers me."
The humming sound ended and Chieko only nodded to Senritsu before she flew inside the palace.
"What was that all about?" Misao asked and turned to Senritsu. She didn't answer immediately, but then Misao heard her voice, muffled by her scarf. Misao had pulled hers down already some time ago after they had entered this place. "We are not allowed to bring humans here. The fear that they would once again attack us is too great. But some of us find husband from the surface. Bringing them here with marriage as an intention is allowed. Kei is one of those. He was not born with his wings and so he is sometimes hesitant when it comes to flying."
Senritsu flew forward again. "Chieko was angry since a broke that rule, but after she understood that you can hear her, she understood. Somewhat. She went to inform Kaori, our leader, of you." They were closing in on the castle when Misao noticed that Kei had disappeared. When she asked Senritsu about it, she said he left to clean up their house. They had been gone a while.
Misao noticed that all those flying by them stared at her with confused expressions. Another thing that she noted, was that the amount of men was very low. Most she saw were woman and of all children she saw, none was a boy. She frowned at this, but then came into a conclusion that the men were elsewhere, working or something.
They flew inside and Misao saw that the hallway was big enough to make her feel like a fly or something else really small. She stared at the flowers decorating the place, making it seem more natural. Then she noticed how everything had been shaped to be natural. No matter how unnatural everything seemed to her, she could practically see and feel the love of nature in everything she saw.
Senritsu flew in a certain way and Misao could tell that she was familiar with the place. She flew around corners, open hallways and rooms. Some were occupied, some were not. All those Misao saw, looked at her with either confusion or surprise.
She had to say that they looked Japanese to her eyes. There were some features that differed around the eyes and mouth. Fuller lips, bigger eyes. Things such as that. Misao looked around fascinated, this place was beautiful. There were huge paintings hanging up on the wall. Pictures of nature, flowers, animals and lakes. Misao found herself smiling.
Senritsu landed before a huge door, which was closed. She released Misao and took of her heavy coat. A young woman came to them and Senritsu handed her their coats. Misao smiled to the woman and she blinked.
"Come Misao. I'll take you to meet Kaori, the Queen of the Sky." Senritsu said and smiled brightly. She took a hold of Misao's hand and pulled hr towards the doors.
"Queen of the Sky?" Misao said and Senritsu nodded. "She is our leader." She knocked the door and slowly they began to open. The rose carved to the wood split in half as a passage opened for them. Senritsu pulled Misao inside and the doors closed behind them.
Misao looked around with awe. The ceiling was high up and the sunlight came through it to lighten the room. The walls were filled with paintings of people, women who all resembled each other. In the other end of the room was a huge chair. Its backrest reached the ceiling and was carved to look like a lily. Beside it were seats for seven people. The floor was covered with a wall-to-wall carpet. Along the walls were vases filled with different flowers. Torches were not needed at the moment but they still burned fixed to the walls.
On the high seat sat a woman dressed in a natural green dress with white linings. Her hair was pitch-black and it was tightened into a thick braid. Her wings were different from the others. Half of her feathers were black and the other half was white. She was looking at their direction as well as the other people in the room.
All seats beside her were filled and Misao recognized Chieko as one of those seated. There were also other people standing in the room and all of them were watching her and Senritsu.
¨Please leave us. I wish to talk with our visitor and Senritsu in private.¨
Misao immediately knew that it was the leader who had spoken. Her voice was calm, composed and her feelings hidden. Her voice also had a strength of a leader.
The women in the room nodded and all left without a sound. The ones seated beside Kaori didn't move an inch. Again Misao noted the lack of men.
After the room was emptied, Senritsu walked closer pulling Misao with her. Once close to Kaori, she bowed and Misao immediately mimicked her actions.
Kaori stood up and walked directly to Misao. She stopped only a meter away from her and looked directly into her eyes. She was good 20 centimetres taller than Misao. Her eyes were deepest of blue Misao had ever seen.
¨Misao was your name, correct?¨ A voice asked and Misao nodded. "Yes."
¨Can you speak to me like I now do to you?¨ Kaori continued and Misao bit her lip. "I have never tried."
The woman smiled gently. ¨Do so now. Tell me how you found out you could hear us.¨
Misao breathed in deeply and out slowly. She was hesitant for she feared failing and yet she wanted to fail. ¨I-- started hearing things at the Aoiya after Senritsu-san and Kei-san arrived.¨ She thought in her head thinking of wanting to speak to Kaori.
She smiled and nodded. "I see you can." She said normally and Misao felt.. relieved in a way.
"This must be hard for you, I can sense it. You can relax, there is nothing to fear here." Kaori said and turned to Senritsu. "I already hear from Chieko what you think."
Senritsu nodded.
"You think that this girl is Yuuki?" Kaori said with a smile.
She stepped closer yet and studied Misao closer up. "There is resemblance to my late sister, but Yuuki would be a woman already. This is merely a child."
Misao fumed. She had not left her life to come here and then just stand silent as others insulted her. She was a little uncomfortable with the situation, but not enough to keep silent. "I am not a child! I am already 17 years old!"
The woman looked surprised. "17? But you don't look much past 14, hardly 15." At that she suddenly went silent and looked at Senritsu.
¨Of course. I heard that her wings has been cut off, correct? Then considering that she has not Bathed, her body has remained so young is no miracle? I honestly thought that Bathing was just a custom, I never thought that if not done, you would be left a child.¨ Kaori said with her thoughts and looked at Senritsu. Misao could also hear small humming sounds in the back of her head and she knew that the people in the back were discussing this situation as well.
¨I agree. So much was lost when your sister died, but maybe all that can be regained trough her. I truly believe in my words.¨ Senritsu said with certainty.
Kaori looked at her and then at Misao. She seemed to consider something before sighing. "There is only one way to find out. She has to take the Bath." She said finally and Senritsu nodded. Misao could also see Chieko nodding.
"What do you mean by bathing?" She asked and all eyes turned to her.
Kaori smiled. "Senritsu will take you and fill you in on the way." She said and returned to her seat. Senritsu bowed once more and then turned to leave. After a moment of hesitation Misao followed. They left the room and entered the hallway. This time Senritsu didn't fly.
"Umm, what was she talking about?" Misao asked, a little bit scared and a whole lot confused. Senritsu smiled gently.
"Everyone born here with wings take the Bath at the age of 14 and half. We enter a sleeping world and live in it for a week. When we raise from the Water, we are fully grown. Our wings, our body and our mind mature with years within that week. We never thought that without it growing up is impossible. Bath has always been taken, as simple as that."
Senritsu guided Misao trough seemingly endless hallways, rooms and stairs until they reached small door with nothing decorating it. Senritsu opened the door and stepped inside with Misao. The room was very small with only two door, one behind them and one before. There was a chair and a hook in the room, nothing more.
"You undress here and leave your past behind you." Senritsu said and nodded at Misao to undress. Hesitantly Misao started taking her clothes of. Senritsu raised an eyebrow at the amount of kunais Misao place on the chair, but stayed silent.
Finally undressed Misao shivered a little. Senritsu smiled, said few instructions and opened the other door.
The room Misao entered was round and small. The ceiling was made of class and the sunlight pierced the darkness leaving Misao to wonder at it as she walked deeper in. What caught her attention almost immediately was water.
The water was deepest black Misao had ever seen. It was in a round pool and filled it completely. The pool was very simple, it had only stairs, which were before Misao, and white lining surrounding it. Around the pool stood seven statues of beautiful women with long wings. Their eyes were closed, a tender and encouraging smile lingered on everyone's lips. They all extended their hands towards the place where Misao stood.
Misao glanced over her shoulder at Senritsu who only smiled and nodded.
Taking a deep breath Misao stepped forward and took her first step into the water.
It was not cold, nor was it warm. Very soft and surprisingly inviting it was almost like walking into air. The surface stayed still.
Misao walked all of the stairs quietly and slowly down until her feet met the bottom. The water was until her breasts. Like she had been told, she turned to the stairs and looked to see Senritsu, but she had left closing the door behind her. Little bit of panic rose from Misao and for a moment she thought of running out of the pool, but then she looked at the statues and noticed that all of them had opened their eyes and now their hand were over her, like they would protect her. *They'll watch over me.* Comforted by the thought Misao gathered her courage and sat like she had been told to do after she had finished undressing. The water changed around her and moved her body until she was on her back.
The water surrounded every inch of her naked body except for her face. It seemed to even go trough her skin and fill her from inside. Strange music started flowing into her head and she relaxed completely. She closed her eyes and fell soon asleep. Then also her face disappeared under the water.
Seeing dreams of all times past in her life, in her mothers life, and her mothers life, all of her ancestors lives, she slept a week.
Seven persons plus the Queen stood around the pool. One before every statue and Queen before the stairs. Misao's body slowly rose in the water until her face was on the surface. Very slowly her blue eyes opened and she started to rise. The water clung to her skin, hair and wings turning everything black.
Misao walked to the stairs and slowly rose from the water. And just as slowly the black water flowed down her skin, back to its main body. The water left Misao naked again but this time many things were different. She had grown to her age, no longer was her body fourteen year olds, it had grown to its real high and shape making Misao taller than Megumi, making her womanly curves much more full. Her eyes held now seriousness that hadn't been there earlier, her black hair swirled on the floor.
But those didn't make all eight woman in the room bow to her, those things didn't cause Kaori's wings to start dropping feathers until they were all gone.
What caused these things were the long white-feathered wings that now grew from Misao's back.
The true Queen of the Sky had returned.
Hiko Yuuki had reborn.
End of chapter 4.
Continued in chapter 5.
Tiian
Dome of Heaven -Hideki-
"Talking normally"
¨Talking in a mind¨
*Thinking*
Chapter 4. The bath to clean the mind
For my dreams I hold my life
For wishes I behold my night
The truth at the end of time
Losing faith makes a crime
Nightwish - Sleeping sun
From album Oceanborn
The landscape was extremely beautiful. There were ice and snow covered mountains in the distance. Lush, green grass and colourful flowers grew on the surface. Trees taller than any Misao had ever were a majestic sight. There were houses build in the trees and on the ground. In the distance Misao could see a palace and it was huge. The sunlight reflected from it in all the colours of a rainbow. She saw people flying around in the air, working on the ground.
All had black wings that seemed to absorb the warmth and the light of the sun. Some were dressed like Kei and Senritsu, but most had lighter clothes. It was after noticing this that Misao understood just how warm it was here. She was close to sweating being wrapped into thick clothing. She actually saw sweat on Senritsu's face.
Both Kei and Senritsu had stayed quiet during the journey, or if they had talked to each other, they had hidden it from Misao. Now she saw people looking at them with strange looks as she also noticed that they were approaching the palace.
Now that they were closer she could see more details of it. It was partly Japanese and partly something else. It had tall windows and doors that seemed to be made for giants. It wasn't until even closer that she saw people flying inside and outside that she understood the reason for the gigantic size.
¨Senritsu!¨ Misao started as the voice slapped her head like a whip. She also felt Senritsu stiffen and then still.
She looked around and saw an older woman flying towards them. She had some grey in her head and wrinkles on her face. Her lips were a thin line and her eyes even harder than Aoshi's. She was wearing green trousers and shirt. She was older, but her body was thin and strong. Misao could see this. Her wings flapped behind her almost lazily and still she was holding herself with dignity.
¨Chieko.¨ Misao heard Senritsu answer. The other woman snorted.
¨What is the meaning of this? You bring a normal human here. That has never been done expect when you wish to marry that person. And this is a woman.¨ The older woman stared at Misao with cold eyes that in some other situation would have scared her, but now she was angry.
"What's wrong with that? Being a human and a woman?" Misao said angrily. To her surprise the older woman's eyes went wide.
¨You can hear me?¨ Chieko asked.
Now it was Misao's turn to snort. "Yes. So what?" She asked.
Chieko turned to look at Senritsu and raised her eyebrow. Misao could hear quiet voices in the back of her mind and knew that Chieko was speaking with Senritsu. That angered her even more. "Would you stop that? I can hear you hum inside my head and it bothers me."
The humming sound ended and Chieko only nodded to Senritsu before she flew inside the palace.
"What was that all about?" Misao asked and turned to Senritsu. She didn't answer immediately, but then Misao heard her voice, muffled by her scarf. Misao had pulled hers down already some time ago after they had entered this place. "We are not allowed to bring humans here. The fear that they would once again attack us is too great. But some of us find husband from the surface. Bringing them here with marriage as an intention is allowed. Kei is one of those. He was not born with his wings and so he is sometimes hesitant when it comes to flying."
Senritsu flew forward again. "Chieko was angry since a broke that rule, but after she understood that you can hear her, she understood. Somewhat. She went to inform Kaori, our leader, of you." They were closing in on the castle when Misao noticed that Kei had disappeared. When she asked Senritsu about it, she said he left to clean up their house. They had been gone a while.
Misao noticed that all those flying by them stared at her with confused expressions. Another thing that she noted, was that the amount of men was very low. Most she saw were woman and of all children she saw, none was a boy. She frowned at this, but then came into a conclusion that the men were elsewhere, working or something.
They flew inside and Misao saw that the hallway was big enough to make her feel like a fly or something else really small. She stared at the flowers decorating the place, making it seem more natural. Then she noticed how everything had been shaped to be natural. No matter how unnatural everything seemed to her, she could practically see and feel the love of nature in everything she saw.
Senritsu flew in a certain way and Misao could tell that she was familiar with the place. She flew around corners, open hallways and rooms. Some were occupied, some were not. All those Misao saw, looked at her with either confusion or surprise.
She had to say that they looked Japanese to her eyes. There were some features that differed around the eyes and mouth. Fuller lips, bigger eyes. Things such as that. Misao looked around fascinated, this place was beautiful. There were huge paintings hanging up on the wall. Pictures of nature, flowers, animals and lakes. Misao found herself smiling.
Senritsu landed before a huge door, which was closed. She released Misao and took of her heavy coat. A young woman came to them and Senritsu handed her their coats. Misao smiled to the woman and she blinked.
"Come Misao. I'll take you to meet Kaori, the Queen of the Sky." Senritsu said and smiled brightly. She took a hold of Misao's hand and pulled hr towards the doors.
"Queen of the Sky?" Misao said and Senritsu nodded. "She is our leader." She knocked the door and slowly they began to open. The rose carved to the wood split in half as a passage opened for them. Senritsu pulled Misao inside and the doors closed behind them.
Misao looked around with awe. The ceiling was high up and the sunlight came through it to lighten the room. The walls were filled with paintings of people, women who all resembled each other. In the other end of the room was a huge chair. Its backrest reached the ceiling and was carved to look like a lily. Beside it were seats for seven people. The floor was covered with a wall-to-wall carpet. Along the walls were vases filled with different flowers. Torches were not needed at the moment but they still burned fixed to the walls.
On the high seat sat a woman dressed in a natural green dress with white linings. Her hair was pitch-black and it was tightened into a thick braid. Her wings were different from the others. Half of her feathers were black and the other half was white. She was looking at their direction as well as the other people in the room.
All seats beside her were filled and Misao recognized Chieko as one of those seated. There were also other people standing in the room and all of them were watching her and Senritsu.
¨Please leave us. I wish to talk with our visitor and Senritsu in private.¨
Misao immediately knew that it was the leader who had spoken. Her voice was calm, composed and her feelings hidden. Her voice also had a strength of a leader.
The women in the room nodded and all left without a sound. The ones seated beside Kaori didn't move an inch. Again Misao noted the lack of men.
After the room was emptied, Senritsu walked closer pulling Misao with her. Once close to Kaori, she bowed and Misao immediately mimicked her actions.
Kaori stood up and walked directly to Misao. She stopped only a meter away from her and looked directly into her eyes. She was good 20 centimetres taller than Misao. Her eyes were deepest of blue Misao had ever seen.
¨Misao was your name, correct?¨ A voice asked and Misao nodded. "Yes."
¨Can you speak to me like I now do to you?¨ Kaori continued and Misao bit her lip. "I have never tried."
The woman smiled gently. ¨Do so now. Tell me how you found out you could hear us.¨
Misao breathed in deeply and out slowly. She was hesitant for she feared failing and yet she wanted to fail. ¨I-- started hearing things at the Aoiya after Senritsu-san and Kei-san arrived.¨ She thought in her head thinking of wanting to speak to Kaori.
She smiled and nodded. "I see you can." She said normally and Misao felt.. relieved in a way.
"This must be hard for you, I can sense it. You can relax, there is nothing to fear here." Kaori said and turned to Senritsu. "I already hear from Chieko what you think."
Senritsu nodded.
"You think that this girl is Yuuki?" Kaori said with a smile.
She stepped closer yet and studied Misao closer up. "There is resemblance to my late sister, but Yuuki would be a woman already. This is merely a child."
Misao fumed. She had not left her life to come here and then just stand silent as others insulted her. She was a little uncomfortable with the situation, but not enough to keep silent. "I am not a child! I am already 17 years old!"
The woman looked surprised. "17? But you don't look much past 14, hardly 15." At that she suddenly went silent and looked at Senritsu.
¨Of course. I heard that her wings has been cut off, correct? Then considering that she has not Bathed, her body has remained so young is no miracle? I honestly thought that Bathing was just a custom, I never thought that if not done, you would be left a child.¨ Kaori said with her thoughts and looked at Senritsu. Misao could also hear small humming sounds in the back of her head and she knew that the people in the back were discussing this situation as well.
¨I agree. So much was lost when your sister died, but maybe all that can be regained trough her. I truly believe in my words.¨ Senritsu said with certainty.
Kaori looked at her and then at Misao. She seemed to consider something before sighing. "There is only one way to find out. She has to take the Bath." She said finally and Senritsu nodded. Misao could also see Chieko nodding.
"What do you mean by bathing?" She asked and all eyes turned to her.
Kaori smiled. "Senritsu will take you and fill you in on the way." She said and returned to her seat. Senritsu bowed once more and then turned to leave. After a moment of hesitation Misao followed. They left the room and entered the hallway. This time Senritsu didn't fly.
"Umm, what was she talking about?" Misao asked, a little bit scared and a whole lot confused. Senritsu smiled gently.
"Everyone born here with wings take the Bath at the age of 14 and half. We enter a sleeping world and live in it for a week. When we raise from the Water, we are fully grown. Our wings, our body and our mind mature with years within that week. We never thought that without it growing up is impossible. Bath has always been taken, as simple as that."
Senritsu guided Misao trough seemingly endless hallways, rooms and stairs until they reached small door with nothing decorating it. Senritsu opened the door and stepped inside with Misao. The room was very small with only two door, one behind them and one before. There was a chair and a hook in the room, nothing more.
"You undress here and leave your past behind you." Senritsu said and nodded at Misao to undress. Hesitantly Misao started taking her clothes of. Senritsu raised an eyebrow at the amount of kunais Misao place on the chair, but stayed silent.
Finally undressed Misao shivered a little. Senritsu smiled, said few instructions and opened the other door.
The room Misao entered was round and small. The ceiling was made of class and the sunlight pierced the darkness leaving Misao to wonder at it as she walked deeper in. What caught her attention almost immediately was water.
The water was deepest black Misao had ever seen. It was in a round pool and filled it completely. The pool was very simple, it had only stairs, which were before Misao, and white lining surrounding it. Around the pool stood seven statues of beautiful women with long wings. Their eyes were closed, a tender and encouraging smile lingered on everyone's lips. They all extended their hands towards the place where Misao stood.
Misao glanced over her shoulder at Senritsu who only smiled and nodded.
Taking a deep breath Misao stepped forward and took her first step into the water.
It was not cold, nor was it warm. Very soft and surprisingly inviting it was almost like walking into air. The surface stayed still.
Misao walked all of the stairs quietly and slowly down until her feet met the bottom. The water was until her breasts. Like she had been told, she turned to the stairs and looked to see Senritsu, but she had left closing the door behind her. Little bit of panic rose from Misao and for a moment she thought of running out of the pool, but then she looked at the statues and noticed that all of them had opened their eyes and now their hand were over her, like they would protect her. *They'll watch over me.* Comforted by the thought Misao gathered her courage and sat like she had been told to do after she had finished undressing. The water changed around her and moved her body until she was on her back.
The water surrounded every inch of her naked body except for her face. It seemed to even go trough her skin and fill her from inside. Strange music started flowing into her head and she relaxed completely. She closed her eyes and fell soon asleep. Then also her face disappeared under the water.
Seeing dreams of all times past in her life, in her mothers life, and her mothers life, all of her ancestors lives, she slept a week.
Seven persons plus the Queen stood around the pool. One before every statue and Queen before the stairs. Misao's body slowly rose in the water until her face was on the surface. Very slowly her blue eyes opened and she started to rise. The water clung to her skin, hair and wings turning everything black.
Misao walked to the stairs and slowly rose from the water. And just as slowly the black water flowed down her skin, back to its main body. The water left Misao naked again but this time many things were different. She had grown to her age, no longer was her body fourteen year olds, it had grown to its real high and shape making Misao taller than Megumi, making her womanly curves much more full. Her eyes held now seriousness that hadn't been there earlier, her black hair swirled on the floor.
But those didn't make all eight woman in the room bow to her, those things didn't cause Kaori's wings to start dropping feathers until they were all gone.
What caused these things were the long white-feathered wings that now grew from Misao's back.
The true Queen of the Sky had returned.
Hiko Yuuki had reborn.
End of chapter 4.
Continued in chapter 5.
Tiian
