Ch 2

Alone

Kikyo awoke the next morning to a knock on her door. She quietly said, "Come in." And a young woman dressed in the garb of a shrine maiden came in with a bundle and bowl of stew. She looked about sixteen of seventeen winters old, and had a plain face. But she also had a strange blue-white glow around her. The lady sat next to Kikyo, and said, "Good morning little one," she said, giving the girl the bowl. "Here is your breakfast, little Kikyo. Be careful," she said as Kikyo took the book and chop sticks and began to eat, "It's hot."

"How do you know my name," Kikyo asked her after a few gulps of stew.

"I was informed by Tsurauie when I arrived." the young lady answered. "He sent for me yesterday concerning you. My name is Sonoa. I am the head priestess of the shrine."

"But you're no older than my friend Yushwa's big sister." Kikyo said surprised. But the woman lightly laughed. It reminded her of tinkling bells.

"I am young, yes," she said, "But I am still the head priestess." she took the now empty bowl and set it aside. "I will be teaching you how to be my successor. I hope you will not be unhappy here."

"I miss my mama and papa and baby sister," Kikyo said wistfully. "But I know they're coming to visit today."

"Are they?" Sonoa said as she took the bundle in her hands again. "these are for you," she said, handing the bundle to Kikyo. "These are the shrine clothes that all maidens who come here must wear once they are ten winters old."

"But, I am only seven," Kikyo said, giggling.

"Oh," Sonoa said, putting the bundle aside, "Then forgive me for the mistake. I will put them up for later."

"Oh no," Kikyo said, "I would like to wear them. They seem so pretty, though they are…"

"Plain? Like me?" Sonoa said, lightly laughing again. "I do not mind. I have more important things to think about than vanity. Like getting to now you. Would you like to come and walk in the garden with me?" Sonoa asked her, standing up and offering her delicate hand to Kikyo.

"Yes," little Kikyo said, "I would like that." And with tha she took Sonoa's hand. That was the day her training began. For five years Kikyo trained with Sonoa, in medicine, reading, writing, painting, and archery. Sonoa was very skilled with a bow and arrow. But after Kikyo's first lesson, when she had missed the target by ten inches, Sonoa said she was a natural. Kikyo listened to everything Sonoa said about how to use her gifts to help others. But most interesting were their talks about Kikyo's spiritual powers. She was told that she had an excessive amount of spirit energy, and had the power to channel it and use it in different ways. Sonoa taught her these ways. Kikyo learned how to repel evil spirits and you-kai, how to set up wards and spirit shields, and how to infuse her charms and medicines with this power. She even learned how to purify things that had been tainted with darkness. She was especially gifted with that.

But also during these first five years, she was visited by her mother, father, and sister everyday. Kikyo's second greatest joy besides learning from Sonoa was playing with baby Keade. And as the baby girl grew older, Kikyo loved her sister even more. It broke her heart to see her family go when their time was up, but she all she did was think about tomorrow's visit, and that lifted her spirits.

But then, one day after her twelfth winter, her parents never showed up for their visit.

Kikyo waited that whole day, but they never came. The next day, she heard a commotion in the courtyard during meditation with Sonoa. She tried to ignore it, but then one of the young priests came bursting through the door.

"Forgive me, Lady Sonoa," he said, breathlessly, "But you are needed outside."

"I am coming," Sonoa said. "Wait here, Kikyo." Kikyo waited. She sat there for some time, until she heard horse again. She got up, and looked out the window. Sonoa was mounting a horse, her medicine pack on her shoulder. She looked worried.

Kikyo waited all day, but heard nothing. She waited two days. Three. No word from her parents or Sonoa. What could be wrong? Then, three days after her parent's missed visit, she was practicing her archery when a messenger came to her. He stepped up to her, and asked, "Are you Lady Kikyo?"

"Yes I am." she replied.

"I have a message from Lady Sonoa," he said.

"Is she alright?" Kikyo asked earnestly. "Is she here? Does she know what happened to my mother and father and Keade?"

"She is here," the messenger said, "But, I am afraid that your parents are…dead.

Kikyo dropped her bow. She stared at the young man, thinking he was lying. Had to be lying. Her parents were not….could not be…

"There was a fever in the village," he continued slowly. "Your family was…they had it first and worst…Sonoa tried, but she…"

Kikyo wished to hear no more. She ran from the horrid man, up the stairs, and into the shrine. She did not stop running until she reached her bedroom. When she was there, she went to her pallet on the floor, and collapsed. She covered her face with her arms and wept, long and hard. She was never so sad, never so heartbroken…She had never felt so alone before. She was likr that for many hours until she heard someone at her door. They knocked softly, then came in. She knew it was Mistress Sonoa, come to tell her the bad news and comfort her. But she did not want to see her. She wanted to be alone.

"GO AWAY!" she demanded as she sobbed. But then, she felt a gentle touch. She saw a small hand out of the corner of her eye…a child's hand. Then she heard a meek little voice ask, "Sister?"

She raised up, and saw her little sister…Could it be? "Keade…" she said, looking at her sister. Then, she burst into new tears, and hugged her baby sister close. Then Keade started to cry. They both cried for a long time. When their tears began to dry, Kikyo looked over her sister's shoulder. She didn't remember when Mistress Sonoa had come. But the woman came over and hugged both girls.

"How?" Kikyo asked.

"She warded herself from the illness," Sonoa said. "In all my years, I have never heard of two sisters who had such similar powers. And since you are her only kin, she will stay here with us."

"She…She will stay?" Kikyo repeated, her emotions mixed. She had found joy in tremendous grief…Though she had lost her parents, she still had Keade. She was not entirely alone. She had her sister, and Mistress Sonoa, too. She had not known it, but now that she sat there with the tow most important people in her life, she realized she had found two sisters. Her younger, Keade, and her elder, Sonoa, who was also her teacher. No. She hugged them both, and little tears crept down her eyes. She was not entirely alone. Not alone.

AN: Another sad chapie! Sniffle! The next won't be too sad,and I'll try to make it longer. Review!