The Daughters of Ayame

by Poppy-Chan

The third and final arc, now completed. All the characters have assembled. The play begins its ending. Ayame and her kin must survive the final purifications of the Godha clan.

16. Identity

ADVANCE \d4***********************************************************************************************

Act VI

Night of a Thousand Falling Stars

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Chapter Sixteen: Identity

ADVANCE \d4***********************************************************************************************

Mission: Reveal the true selfADVANCE \d4

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AI don=t think I understand,@ Rimiko said slowly. The confused girl kept glancing between her twin and mother, vainly trying to see if she was missing something.

AWhat=s going to happen?@

Ayame smiled grimly and took her two daughters by the hand. It was a familiar gesture. Walking along slowly, Ayame began her explanation.

AThere are many things I have withheld from you until now. Please know this; I had to.  There are so many stories I have for you, many I have almost forgotten. I shall begin with what is most important. For a long time now, even since before you were born, I have been able to see. See all that shall come to pass.@

There was a heavy pause, and from the expression on her face, it was clear that Rimiko did not understand what this meant. Sayako, on the other hand, was thinking rapidly.

AYou can see the future? Is that why nothing has ever surprised you? Is that why...why you trusted Cho-Hei, why...why you trusted Kenichi?@ Sayako asked quickly.

AYes, and why I trusted Yasha.@

AYou know about Yasha?!@ Sayako blurted out.

AYes, I know about Yasha.  I foresaw him, Cho-Hei, and Kenichi. Who I did not foresee, though, was Ugaki Nagen.@

ANagen?@ Rimiko asked. AWhat does he have to do with all of this?@

Ayame heaved a sigh. AI am not explaining this correctly. Let me start from the beginning.@

And so Ayame began her tale. It began with her and Rikimaru, fighting together for the betterment of the Godha Clan. She detailed their missions, and how close they soon became. But her true tale began with Mt. Shiba. She explained the Mt. Shiba disease, how Princess Kiku had been infected, and how both she and Rikimaru had to retrieve the cure. Then, in great detail, she told of her own death and rebirth. She told of the wonders and kindness of death...death...their constant spiritual comrade. Then the tale of Rei was told...of the betrayal...of Ayame=s forgiveness. In tears Ayame detailed Rikimaru=s death, and her tale concluded with Shiro, the last player of the game, the one who was forgiven and reborn.

AAnd then one day, as I was walked beneath a groove of cherry trees, I passed by a beautiful pond. And as I gazed upon its surface I had a vision, a vision of two beautiful baby girls. And then I knew, I knew those two girls were my own. And I had a second vision, a vision of the face stealer demon Shiro, being forgiven and reborn to atone for his sins. And I saw that he would have a great many sins to atone for, and his life would be quite difficult. But I was reassured by my two girls, who I knew would aid him when the time came.@

ASo...Shiro, little Shiro...had been a demon, and was born to Kiku to atone for his sins?@ Rimiko asked numbly.

AYes. But remember, his sins were forgiven. This life for him is not a punishment. It is simply a chance for him to make peace.@

ABut what does Nagen have to do with all of this?@ Sayako asked.

AWell, you must remember, this universe runs in precious balance. Because I have the ability to see into the future, so does Nagen. The fates cannot be tilted towards the favor of the Godha clan. There must be balance. Unfortunately, Nagen is not truly an enemy. He is simply acting out his part. If he did not help the rivals of the Godha clan, the Godha clan would become too powerful, and would become corrupt.@

AWho are the rivals of the Godha clan? The Northern Clan?@ Sayako asked.

Ayame tilted her head and gazed to the sky. AThese eyes do not see everything. Our true enemies are a mystery to me. But I do know this; the Northern clan is not the only candidate.@

Ayame suddenly turned and gazed at Sayako. Her eyes pierced through her daughter.

ADid you know that the night you ran into the woods, those many years ago, was nearly your last?@

AWHAT?!" Rimiko cried. AYou foresaw Sayako=s death?!@

ANo, but I foresaw the wolves that were following her. Fortunately, that nice boy came along and escorted her out of the forest.@

Sayako gasped. AYou mean...you know who Yasha is?@

Ayame was silent for a long time.

AI do. But you do not.@

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Tomoyo ran easily through the woods, jumping over logs and navigating her way as though it were second nature. The earth was mossy and springy; very welcoming to her bare feet. Atsutane was just a few paces behind her. She had convinced him to take a run with her, though he had quite refused to take off his shoes. To Tomoyo, running was the ultimate sign of freedom. To be able to share that with her love meant the world to her.

AWait up Tomoyo!@ Atsutane called out.

Something in his tone slowed her steps. She waited patiently as Atsutane caught up with her. There was a serious expression on his face, and as she slowed her breathing and began to look around, she suddenly realized why.

We=re being followed, Atsutane lipped to her.

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AYASHA! YASHA!@ Sayako screamed, running through the gates at a frightening speed. She sprinted up the hill and gazed around. It was completely desolate.

AYASHA! YASHA, PLEASE!@ She cried.

Footfalls sounded behind her and Yasha appeared, looking as though he expected this. Sayako gazed upon him fearfully. There was something evanescent about him. She could not shake the feeling that he was going to disappear at any moment.

AYour mother has spoken to you.@

AYes.@

AShe told you nothing that you did not already know.@

AI already knew?@

AYes. You already knew.@

AHow?@

ARemember, Sayako, your mother had a great burden in her life. She was a key player in keeping the balance. That responsibility has fallen upon you, but so has all her wisdom. You have an innate knowledge within you, Sayako. You draw from experiences that you have never even witnessed. It is the greatest gift you posses.@            

ASo did I see the ghost of my father down in the well, or was it just a memory?@

AThat depends on how much faith you have.@

AWho are you Yasha? What role do you have in this game?@

Silence.

AYasha...@

Silence.

AYasha...what color are your eyes?@                 

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Rimiko rubbed her head. She still had a million questions to ask, but Sayako had run off like a madwoman and her mother had disappeared. So now left by her lonesome, Rimiko took a leisurely walk, which happened to go by Kenichi=s room.

AI don=t think you should come by here.@ called Kenichi as she passed by his balcony. The boy was perched on the railing and gazed down upon her thoughtfully.

AAnd why not?@ Rimiko demanded angrily.

ABecause if you do Hinageshi will skin me.@

Rimiko scratched her head thoughtfully, and then shrugged. AWell that would be your problem.@ She said as she jumped up onto his balcony.

AYou know what a pain you are?@ Rimiko asked mockingly.  AEvery morning I have to wake up early and haul myself here, do the whole acupressure thing, just so you can have a bit more mobility. Honestly, I think you cause less trouble when you=re bedridden.@

Kenichi looked oddly serious. AI know you=re joking, but that has been bothering me. If you don=t want to do it anymore I could ask someone else. Perhaps a healer girl who has more time on their hands??

ANO!@ Rimiko protested, a little too loudly. ANo, no...I mean, they=re actually busier then I am. No. Absolutely not. No.@

ARimiko...@ Kenichi began, looking pained. AIf you are the only one who knows how to use the acupressure scroll...@

Kenichi broke off and suddenly looked away. ANever mind. It is not important.@

Rimiko pondered what he had been about to say. So what if she were the only one who knew how to use the acupressure scroll? She did not mind doing it every morning.

But realization suddenly hit her. Every morning. If Rimiko was the only one who was able to treat his ailment, then she would have to be a part of his life, permanently.

AKenichi...do you not want me to...be the one to do it every day?@

ANO!@ He protested, now being the one too loud. AIt is not that...it is just...if we were to be separated, I can not do it myself...and no one besides you knows how...@

He gave up what he had been trying to say and instead looked at the sky. Rimiko bit her lip. They both knew what the other was thinking, but did not know how to say it. Rimiko was starting to panic, and as the silence stretched she forcibly laughed.

AWell, we could just get hitched. That way you=d always have to stay with me!@

If Rimiko had not been sitting on a balcony she probably would have bashed her head against a wall. She had tried to make a joke of it, but Kenichi had visibly twitched at the hint of marriage. Rimiko blushed furiously and vaulted from her perch.

ARimiko, wait!@

Rimiko paused, but she did not dare turn around and face him. Kenichi had vaulted from the balcony as well (though much less gracefully), and raced up to her. He grabbed a hold of her wrist to keep her there.

ADo you want to get married?@ Kenichi asked desperately.

AI don=t know!@ Rimiko exclaimed. ADo you?@

AI don=t know either. I mean...do you want to get married?@

AWhy don=t you answer first?! You=re the boy, you=re supposed to propose!@

AFine, I=m proposing. Do you want to get married?@

AOh, some great proposal that is Kenichi! Really romantic!@

ADammit Rimiko, if it is not obvious that I love you then I don=t know what is!@

AWhat?! You think you=re the obvious one?  You think you=re the obvious one? Why do you think I hoard the acupressure scroll? Huh? Why do you think I walk past your room twenty times a day?@

AI don=t know. I thought maybe you were walking to the dojo or something.@

AThe dojo is that way! There=s nothing over here except some storage houses and extra kitchens and extra living quarters and do you want to get married or not?@

AYes. Do you?@

AYes.@             

AFine.@

AFine.@

Rimiko and Kenichi blinked.

Rimiko and Kenichi blinked again.

ADid...did we just get engaged through a screaming match?@ Rimiko asked doubtfully.

Kenichi bit his lip. AI believe we did.@

AWow.@ Rimiko said slowly. ASo...we are getting married.@

AYes.@ Kenichi said, now nodding his head slowly. AYes, we are getting married.@

AOh.@ Rimiko said.

It took a minuet for this to settle in, but suddenly Rimiko=s face lit up.

AOh. Oh, oh, OH!@ Rimiko gasped, suddenly laughing hysterically and launching herself into Kenichi=s arms.

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Tomoyo nodded her head fearfully and pulled out her shurikens. Atsutane unsheathed his daggers and the two moved back to back. Tomoyo could only vaguely sense the kis around them. Atsutane said nothing, but it was quickly becoming apparent that they had been surrounded.

AIt is all right,@ he whispered. AJust stay by my side.@

For a brief moment the two clutched hands, and then with a mighty cry, they struck out against their attackers that moved unseen.

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Yasha closed his eyes slowly, but when he opened them again they were a startling indigo.

AYou...you=re...@

A rush of cognition swept over Sayako. Touches, glances, flesh touching flesh. Bonds made that were never supposed to form. Substance becoming real out of necessity, out of her necessity, to stay with him...

AYasha,@ Sayako said mournfully, Ayou are the spirit of death."

Yasha nodded his head slowly.

AYou were never meant to stay. But that night when I met you...that night when I touched you...@

           She opened her eyes slowly and for a moment thought she beheld a vibrant color...And then Sayako did it; she reached out and placed a hand on the boy=s leg, trying to prevent him from leaving...For a moment it felt as if his flesh was not tangible...The boy was staring at her with wide eyes...AYou touched me!@...And she too felt as if she had just done something...binding...by placing a hand upon him...

AThat night, when I touched your leg, I did something. I...@

A...bound me to you.@ Yasha finished. ANo...don=t.@ he said, seeing the tears in her eyes. He gently wrapped his arms around her and whispered gently in her ear.

AThat night, when you ran into the woods, a group of rabid wolves had followed you. They would have killed you had they gotten the chance. But...it had not been your time, Sayako. So in order to protect the balance, I had to come to earth and make you leave the woods so the wolves would not slaughter you. But you did something that night that not even I expected. You touched me, Sayako. You made me an actual, sentient being. But even now I am still the spirit of death, and yet I stand here and hold you. It is a paradox, Sayako.@

But the rest of his words were cut off. Sayako had begun to sob hysterically. The harder she tried to stop the more tears she shed.

AI am so sorry.@ she chocked out. AI am so sorry, to have confined a spiritual being to a human body...oh...oh I am so sorry...@

ASayako stop.@ Yasha ordered gently. ANo tears. I am not sorry that you bound me to you. I will never be sorry that you did.@

ABut how can you forgive me? To be a human, it must be insufferable.@

Yasha firmly grabbed a hold of her chin and titled her face up. As his lips brushed against hers Sayako felt a rushing thrill. The two kissed gently, and there was something so permanent, so lasting, that Sayako shuddered with pleasure. The bond was now set. Yasha fully belonged to her, as she did to him. There was nothing the couple could do but enjoy their fate together.

Yasha pulled back and smiled. AThings are not so bad here.@

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Tomoyo threw her shurikens in desperation, praying to all the heavens that she made it out of this alive. The melee showed no signs of letting up. More and more attackers were bearing down upon them. Tomoyo threw the last of her shurikens and drew her spare dagger. She heard a strangled cry behind her, one that was so dearly familiar. She turned slowly, and all the world seemed to freeze.

Atsutane lay on the ground, his chest ripped open.

AATSUTANE!@