The Secret of the Destiny
Chapter Two: Miaka: A Thief?!
Miaka is getting uncomfortable now; the cart is passing through a crooked path. At one time she almost shouted for she felt as if the cart would turn upside-down.
"You have to make it, Miaka, this is your decision, therefore prove it right," Miaka told herself just to strengthen her spirit.
The cart finally stopped moving. Suddenly, Miaka felt being lifted. After that, she was cruelly thrown to the hard floor. She could hear heavy footsteps coming closer. Finally, she was lifted once more.
"I'll weigh these first to make sure you have given us the right amount," a voice of a woman said.
Miaka felt as if she was on a metal thing. She was still in the bag though, but the coldness of the metal can still be felt.
"Hey, this is heavier than the others," the same voice yelled.
A bit of light entered the darkness within the bag containing Miaka. Lastly, Miaka was there, staring at a woman in her mid-forties.
"What the?!" the woman exclaimed.
At the instant Miaka jumped down and run toward the door.
"Get that thief!" the woman commanded.
Men with large muscles appeared and started to chase Miaka. Miaka ran as fast as she could until she reached the door. Unfortunately, as she was stepping outside, a huge tall man came into view and grabbed Miaka by the waist.
"Got her," he said with his low, frightening voice.
"Put me down, put me down!" Miaka demanded.
"A thief like you doesn't deserve to be freed," the grouchy old woman said.
"I am not a thief!" Miaka shouted.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Yuuki went to this village wherein she could get supplies with a very low price. As she was walking toward the pier to catch the next ship to the island where their small peaceful community is, she spotted some people crowding over a stall.
"I can't believe what kind of parents that little girl thief has!" exclaimed one woman.
Mrs. Yuuki went closer and dodged through the crowd until she reached the window of the small stall. There she saw a tall man carrying a small girl with two buns tied side by side on her head, and the girl was now crying. To her surprise, she realized it was her Miaka; her daughter who was given to the emperor to serve as their payment for the debt even by working for eternity they can never pay.
"I want my mommy," Miaka cried.
"Oh, your little mommy is not around my darling. No one will save you, you horrible creature!" the woman yelled.
"M-Miaka? Is that you?" Mrs. Yuuki asked as she entered the stall.
"Mommy!" Miaka cried aloud.
"I can't believe it! My daughter, you have finally come home!" tears of joy can be seen on Mrs. Yuuki's eyes.
The crowd outside became thicker. People looked puzzled, amazed, and some annoyed. Mrs. Yuuki didn't mind them. She snatched Miaka from the ferocious tall man who was carrying her and hugged Miaka.
"So, you are the mother of that thief, huh?" the old woman asked teasingly.
"My daughter is not a thief!" Mrs. Yuuki shouted at her.
"Well prove it!" the other woman shouted.
"Now, Shao Mi, stop quarreling with her," a gentle voice said.
The women whirled around and saw a middle-aged man, quite older than the woman in her mid-forties, smiling at them. He entered the stall.
"Miss," the man referred to Mrs. Yuuki, "I'm sorry for the animosity of my wife, Shao Mi," he apologized.
"Ying Xi, why do you have to apologize? That girl almost stole our goods!" Shao Mi disapproved.
"I never thought of stealing anything!" Miaka cried.
"Look at the innocent child's eyes. Does she look like she'll do such a horrid thing?" Ying Xi said as he gently stroke Miaka's cheek.
"Enough! Fine! Do whatever you want! This is your stall anyway," Shao Mi yelled and stomped her feet as she went away.
"I'm sorry for Shao Mi's attitude," Ying Xi explained. He smiled at Miaka and crow's-feet appeared at the side of his eyes.
"Thank you," Miaka smiled as she kissed Ying Xi on his cheek.
"Thank you for your kindness," Mrs. Yuuki said.
"No problem, it's our fault anyway," Ying Xi replied.
The crowd outside had already thinned. People started to go back to their homes and do their stuff. Miaka and her real mother, who was Mrs. Yuuki, went out of the stall and started walking to the pier.
"Where's our home, Mama?" Miaka asked.
"It's in a nearby island. You'll surely like it there," her mother answered.
"Do I have an older brother or sister?"
"Yes, you have a brother. His name is Keisuke. I'm sure you'll like him. After all, whether you like it or not, he'll always be your brother. By the way, how did you manage to get here?"
"I escaped. I hid myself in a small bag on a cart a servant was to bring to this village. Fortunately, he didn't notice me. But, I was accused a thief then."
"But why did you escape? Aren't you having a good time in the emperor's palace?"
"They're kind. They took care of me but they want me to be married to my brother, Hotohori who's known here as Saihitei Seishuku. He's kind, gentle, and I love him. But, that love isn't enough for me to marry him."
"Who knows? What if someday you realize you love him, what will you do?"
"Mom, I'm still young. I don't have to think of that stuff yet."
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Miaka was walking under the bright moonlight, heading for their small house faraway. She still can't believe what she had done nine years ago. While thinking of the past, she suddenly remembered Hotohori.
"My brother, are you also staring at the stars and the bright moonlight now like what we have always done when we were little?" she thought.
Meanwhile, the emperor of Konan, Saihitei Seishuku or Hotohori, is gazing at the bright moonlight and the stars outside his window.
"Miaka, are you also gazing at the stars like I do now?" he thought sadly.
"How I wish you were here beside me," Miaka and Hotohori thought at the same time.
A young man came running to Miaka's direction and snatched her basket of vegetables, fruits and the other food she bought at the marketplace.
"Hey, give it back!" Miaka yelled.
Suddenly, several men appeared who proved to be the boy's accomplices. Two men held Miaka by her shoulders so that she can't move while the other searched through Miaka's clothes for money.
"Get off me!" Miaka demanded.
"Get off her, you idiots," a man's voice said.
A man's silhouette appeared just before the boy carrying Miaka's basket could get away and snatched the basket from him.
"Hey pal, that's mine!" the boy shouted at him.
The stranger just ignored him and went out from the shadows.
"Tha-That's Tamahome! The strongest man in town!" one of the men holding Miaka shouted in fear. He let go of Miaka as well as the other one did and started to run away.
"Thanks," Miaka thanked the stranger as he gave the basket to her. "That was so kind of you; to think I don't even know you," she added.
"My name's Sou Kishuku, commonly known as Tamahome," the man said.
Yeah, there's Chapter two…well, hope you'll review!!! Anyways, when Miaka was six years old, Hotohori was nine. However nine years have passed and Miaka's already 15 which makes Hotohori 18. (Tamahome's 17 okay?) Do you have any suggestions? Please tell me… Please R/R!!!