Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha and I don't suppose I'll ever have that motive to steel it so I trust that no one will try and sue me….hopefully.
-
Morning was always something that I hated…I never seem able to wake up and when I do it's as though I can't speak without sounding like a brat. This morning was no different unless I counted my father coming into my tent and roughly waking me up...at dawn!
Turns out that I had overslept on a very important day; the anniversary of the massacre that took so many of our peoples lives, including Awendela…my mother. My father never has been able to overcome her death. But instead of morning her death our family and others celebrates hers and every other diseased loved one on this one day.
"Aria, you foolish girl, when will you learn that you need to act as a lady would. And on a day such as this you are needed for more important things than your silly dreaming?" Dasan, my father, scolded.
"Papa," I sigh, "I did nothing wrong. I hardly think that the spectators will miss me while they are all asleep." I point out as I slip behind my changing screen.
"Though I understand what you are trying to say, little one, you must be more responsible. Today is the day I'll need you the most, daughter." He said sounding as if he was old, too old. My anger at being awaken so early instantly disappeared at the sound.
"I'm sorry, Papa." I say as I finish dressing and make my way back around the screen. "I know this is an important event and I'll do my best today…promise." I add seeing his skeptical look.
He pauses in thought for a minute, taking in my ceremonial apparel. "You look lovely my Aria. I trust you sing just as beautifully." At this he turns and opens the flap to my tent again, "Come, you should eat something before everyone wakes up and steals all you time."
I stand there for a moment after he leaves, watching the flap flutter back into place. 'Here we go' I say to myself as I breathe in and step out of the tent.
-
Every year the festival is always the same.
Our caravan makes its way to a village near the western boarders and sets up camp. We let the villagers know they're invited to enjoy the shops and acts all day. The only difference in it is that every year a different child in one of the families does the opening performance.
This year it was my turn. I had delighted the crowd by sing of love, memories, and above all life, though, at the time, I couldn't have cared less about what I was singing or who heard.
After the opening ceremonies were finally finished I stepped from the stage and into the crowd where I was kept for the rest of the day as an entertainer, performing magic to children and singing whenever asked.
Night finally falling over us the villagers removed themselves from the shops and head home, making way for us gypsies to continue our celebration in private. The majority of youkai my age went toward the bonfire to join in more ways than one. Something that had never appealed to me was that informal and loose act of sex. I always saw the other females were tramps for giving that to a male who wasn't their mate, so I avoided it and instead made my way back to my tent to get a cloak. It was going to be a long night if I was ever to reach the meadow.
'And I hardly wanted to be seen…or cold.' I think as I wrap the soft material around my body.
With that done I slipped away unnoticed by everyone but one.
-
"Aria?"
'That annoying boy…' I thought, growling in frustration. Ignoring him I kept running, 'trying to get a moment alone is impossible'.
"Aria! If you don't stop now I'll alert the whole camp!" He yells in a not so convincing voice…even so I sighed, finally slowing to a stop; I waited for my brother to catch up. When he reaches me, gasping for the lost breath, I send a strong glare in his direction awaiting his childish lecture.
"Aria, just where were you going? You know that it's too dangerous for us to be this far away from the others when we're so close to the boarders." He whispers angrily, as if someone was listening.
"Toka, we don't need to be so afraid of a youkai that probably doesn't even roam these lands anymore." I shot back, daring him to make another comment in such a soft voice.
"Still, Aria if something should happen and another youkai should find you he could track your trail back to us. If that should happen then we wouldn't stand a chance." He points out still talking in a whisper, though now it seems more tired than angry.
Sighing again, I rolled my eyes, knowing he had a point, even if I'd never let him know, I turn my head to survey the clearing we had stopped in. It was early autumn, and although it was night, the harvest moon hanging in the star dusted sky made the warm leaves seem even more beautiful. No matter how many times I've seen the unique season I always seem to find it the most enchanting, the fact that I am in this bloody land made it no different. Puffing my long black bangs out of my eyes, I turn from my brother and begin slowly walking along the path I had been originally going.
"You never answered my question Ari'…where are you going?"
I smile softly, knowing that my younger brother is only worried.
"The meadow…don't worry about me Toka, I'll be fine." I say quietly, looking back to reassure him. He sighs and accepts my explanation, knowing I'm heading to burial sight of our mother.
"Just…be careful. I don't want to loose you to that field as well." I nod my head, agreeing with what he said; I didn't want to become part of the plants I love just yet.
With our conversation behind me and the words still ringing in my mind, I break into my earlier pace.
-
Fireflies littered the grassy field as a small child ran trying to capture their soft lights in her tiny hands. Behind her, a modest fire being surrounded by two youkai one who was muttering angrly under his breath about something or other, possibly the little human. He had a grotesquely shaped body and bug eyes that were now glaring at the girl. The small creature personified the word toad.
The other, however, sat calmly watching the girl with a hidden amusement in his cold amber eyes. Dressed in what looked like a fine armor and clothes to fit the most noble of lords it was as though he could greet someone and just as swiftly kill them at the slightest wrong movement. And though beautiful his presence seemed to scream a warning in my heart.
'An inu-youkai?' I question silently. I recognized his scent but couldn't seem to place it with anything. ThenI realized why it was so familiar.
I had noticed the smell of a campfire while approaching my destination and, not knowing what I'd find, had carefully placed myself down wind, so as not to be so easily detected by an enemy. And glad that I had thought to do so now that I smell that the youkai was the same one who had snuffed the loving light of my mother.
"Murderer…" I breathe aloud before I could catch myself.
'I sure hope his hearing isn't so good…' I pray in vain, noticing him jerking his gaze in my direction. Turning in fear I make a mad dash away from the meadow knowing that I wouldn't survive long should I stay. Not knowing if I had stayed it would have been an easier death.
Dasan: Ruler
Awendela: Morning
Toka (la): Fox
Aria: Soft solo