A/N: ' Maeror ' means ' Mourning ' in Latin. And thank you so much to KitSa, who was so kind and encouraging.. here's the first chapter for you!! ^_^
~ "I can see the lights in the distance
Trembling in the dark cloak of night
Candles and lanterns are dancing, dancing
A waltz on All Souls Night..." ~
- Loreena Mckennitt, All Souls Night
Chapter One: Gentle Flames
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Candles flickered softly within the dusky temple. Her hand trembled, but Minako continued to light each black wick.
It was the first night of maeror, when the mourning came to the temple to pray. It was also the night when spirits of the dead lingered underground, to hear the prayers for their happiness and peace. Then the spirits soared caespi, the surface of Venus, with wings of fire.
The living must stay buried underground, where the air was breathable. But spirits could dwell on caespi, under a red Venusian sky.
Minako held her candle to the last black wick, which burst into an orange glow. She had been in the temple for the past few hours.
Still, she couldn't think of a prayer to offer her sister.
She felt guilty.
Maybe the reason she couldn't think of one was because she didn't want her sister to soar to the surface. She wanted her to remain beneath the ground, with her.
Placing her candle back into it's holder, she stepped back from the wall of flickering drops that surrounded the maeror altar.
Hung in the center of the altar was a circular mirror, made of a deep ruby brass. It's face was perfectly smooth and clear. Minako kept her head bowed. The mirror allowed the living to see the spirits that remained in the temple.
A shiver ran up her spine.
She was afraid.
Her hands twisted and gripped one another as she stared at the floor. She had been brought before this mirror once before, when her mother had died.
She remembered she had been a little girl, who didn't understand why her mother couldn't be with her anymore.
She'd reached up and held onto Artemis' hand as tightly as she could while she watched her elder sister light the endless candles that encircled the altar.
She had been suddenly afraid.
Her sister had stood tall and elegant, her long hair streaming behind her like a golden waterfall, her head bent in silent prayer.
Aisu's shoulders remained steady, as she gazed into the glass. When it had been Minako's turn, she'd refused to let go of Artemis' hand.
Aisu had knelt beside her and brushed the wet strands of hair from her cheek. Minako remembered the feeling of utter and complete love in her sister's touch.
It chased the fears away.
Reluctantly, she'd let go of Artemis and rushed into her sister's open arms.
She lay her damp cheek on Aisu's shoulder, as the older girl rose with Minako in her arms. They'd looked into the mirror together. Minako hadn't seen any spirits, and she hadn't seen her mother.
Only her own reflection, in the arms of her sister.
The memory faded as Minako rose her gaze to look into the smooth glass. Half of her heart expected to see Aisu beside her.
But it wasn't Aisu.
Artemis' slender face gazed at her from within the glass, his eyes shadowed with fatigue. His silver hair hung loose over his shoulders. Tiny golden beads were woven into the pale tresses.
They were silent now, though they made a soft chiming noise when ever he moved. The sound was so familiar.
Minako had played with those beads as a child, picking each one out and gazing at it with awe. She remembered he'd abided her curious hands with the utmost patience.
Her chest felt like it was being gripped by a cold hand.
She loved Artemis.
She loved the way he knew now that she needed him, even though they were still furious with each other.
Not like her father.
Her father never needed her. He would grieve to himself, if he could grieve at all. Artemis had always been the shield that blocked the harshness of life. But he couldn't protect her from death.
Still, he stood behind her offering silent support.
It hurt now to think of what she'd said to him earlier. His quiet eyes held more of her childhood happiness than anyone else. He was the only one who understood how deeply she loved, and hurt.
She could feel his warmth wash over her back, giving her comfort. She wasn't alone. Her eyes drifted shut, and a prayer formed within her mind without effort.
Aisu,
For your beauty
For your soul
I wish you wings as strong as your will
Eyes with which to see our beloved mother
And ears so you may hear how much you are loved each day, for the rest of my life ...
When she opened her eyes, she saw a reflection. It wasn't how she'd imagined a spirit to look. As a child she'd always expected a winged bird, snowy white and floating through the air.
It was Artemis, and herself.
A/N: Currently I'm working on Chapter three!! I've written Kunzite's entrance (Er...it's kinda odd, but I hope you'll enjoy it! ^^;;) As always, if anyone wishes to leave comments or critiques please do!