Of War And Magic
I'm so so sorry about not updating. My computer has been put out of work and I had to get my friend's friend to fix it. Problem was, he was in New York for the past week so I finally have my laptop fixed. By the way, some graphic language at the end. ~BlueNovaBunny
BNB: Gee, nobody guessed whom I'm going to set Toya with…
Ken: That's because nobody cares, duh.
Phoenix: You care because then BNB might set Toya up with Yuki—
Ken: Don't even say that! Yuki's mine!
BNB: Someone has lost reality here
Phoenix: Who is cuter? Aisho, Sesshomaru, Yueh, or Kaiba
BNB: Oooh, Sesshybuns!
Ken: Yueh! Yueh! *drools*
Phoenix: Forget I even asked '-.-
BNB: Cardcaptor Sakura is owned by the big meanies Clamp, who won't give this show to me! :'(
Chapter 3: Thank You, Ekiyuu
Sakura stretched as the morning dawn set out to greet her. Usually Mimi had to sprinkle water on her or yell in her ear to wake her up, but today was different. Somehow she knew this day was going to be interesting.
Sakura tied the handkerchief around her chestnut hair. At first when Lady Akira cut her, she was horrified, but then, it was easier to do her chores without long hair getting in her way.
"Mimi, I'm leaving now!" Mimi head peeked from the corner.
"What? You're already awake?" Sakura pouted, but flashed her a glowing smile as she walked out the door. Mimi shook her head and walked out into the woods.
She stared down at the leaves settling in the water. Her brow furrowed as she gazed at the leaves making ripples in the water. It was summer, how could leaves be falling already. She watched as a leaf, the shade of Sakura's eyes, dipped and spun on the pond's surface.
Mimi closed her eyes and whispered a chant she learned from her mother. What Sakura didn't know was that she could do a little magic; a thing most uncommon among peasants. Her gnarled hands tightened on the staff as she focused the vision in her head.
"Change is in the wind my darling girl and soon you'll know the truth."
Lady Akira smirked as saw her little servant appear. The timid girl bowed to her before standing still to wait for orders. At least the twit knew how to act around nobles.
"You may set my bath and then scrub the floor. Also, come here." Sakura gave Lady Akira a questionable look, but stepped forward. Akira's hand snapped forward and left a red imprint on her left cheek.
"That is leaving a speck of dirt on my slippers. This," Akira twisted Sakura's ear, "is a reminding to never to it again. Now go and get out of my sight!" Sakura bowed and barely kept her tears from falling. She ran out of the room
Takashi dropped her bucket of water as she saw Sakura face. "Oh dear!" She hugged the little maid as Sakura sobbed on her shoulder.
"W-why does s-she have to b-be so mean!"
"That's the way it is, Honey. The rich will always be cruel to those who they think are lesser. Worse, if they feel the person is greater and threatening. Now you go wash your face in cold water and I'll help you with her Ladyship's bath." Sakura gave a weak nod. Takashi gave a pitying smile and helped her up.
Sakura blew the bangs from her eyes. She had just finished scrubbing the whole two floors of the gigantic house. She glanced outside and noticed it was well past lunch. Odd. Akira usually summoned Sakura to serve her lunch. Takashi appeared with troubled eyes.
"Lady Akira wants you in her office." Weird. Akira never used her office unless for business affairs. "Sakura, Lord Matsumoto is with her." Sakura face paled.
Lord Matsumoto was creepy. Something about his aura seemed dark and twisted. His harsh golden eyes reminded her of a starving wolf that would eat up the world. It didn't help either that Akira and Matsumoto had the same eye color and personality.
Sakura's skirt rustled as she entered the room. Matsumoto was sitting on the chair that looked closely like a throne. This dark room always scared her and with him there, it made it even worse.
Koiji raked Sakura's figure up and down. His caught the red mark on her left cheek that was turning a beautiful purple bruise. He glared at Akira. "Just couldn't help yourself, eh Akira?" He walked up to Sakura and caressed her bruised cheek. "When you work at my house, I promise you your face won't be damaged." Just your body.
Sakura wanted to believe his words, but something in his tone of voice lied. She licked her lips. "Lord Matsumoto, what of my grandmother. I just can't simply leave her." And I don't want to live with you!
Koiji's eyes hardened. "I expect you in the carriage by late afternoon…or else." He dismissed her.
Sakura tore out of the room. She knew Matsumoto wanted something from her, but she didn't know what it was. She had a feeling it would be painful though, and he would enjoy taking it from her. She needed to see Mimi.
Mimi hear soft footsteps crunch up to her hut. She instantly knew it was Sakura coming towards the hut. What was the child doing home so early? She dropped her things as she saw Sakura's tear-streaked face.
"Sakura, what's wrong?" Tears burst from her eyes for the second time.
"Lady Akira gave me to Lord Matsumoto this morning. He said I better be waiting in his carriage by late afternoon. Akira can't just do that, right? She just can't give me away like some…some slave!" Her jade green eyes began to water up again.
Mimi hugged Sakura. "I'm so sorry that bitch ever saw you!" Sakura's eyes widened in shock; Mimi never cursed. "Sakura, I have to tell you a story that you might not like, but might set your spirit free."
"Eighteen years ago, I was visiting my sister in Edo. You do remember Juri, the one that died last year? Well anyway, I was staying there and I heard a child's cry outside. I ran out and saw a baby crying on the footsteps. The baby was you." Sakura gasped.
"I noticed you were wrapped in a simple cloth, but there was a necklace." Mimi walked into the hut and dug at the dry earth. She placed something shiny in Sakura's palm. It had a ruby beak with white wings on each side of the beak. Sakura blinked as she swore it glowed pink.
"I felt great power in it, but could never tap into it. I knew then that you were a special child, and I felt so lonely. I never had children of my own even my dear husband, may the gods rest his soul, and I tried."
"Lady Akira saw you when you were six and wondered why you weren't working in her household. That's when you started working at her house. I begged her to keep you out, but she said all workers who live on her land or related to her workers have to work."
"That's the beauty of it. You and I aren't related. You have no ties to keep you here. That's why I always insisted you call me Mimi when you were so little. You have the power to walk away from this place, this life of slave work." Mimi glanced at the sky. It was late afternoon already.
"You must travel to Edo and hurry. Find the mystery to your past and the necklace." Mimi's hand dug into Sakura's skin as she pushed her to the forest. "Stay of the roads when you hear strangers coming." Mimi glanced back as she heard horse hooves pound the ground. "Hurry!"
"Thank you, Ekiyuu!" Sakura ran into the forest and stopped. How could she leave Mimi to face Mastumoto's wrath! She turned around and hid as she saw Matsumoto on his horse. Mimi feigned ignorance as Matsumoto questioned her.
"I have no idea where my granddaughter is. Sakura usually doesn't return from Lady Akira's place until late afternoon."
Koiji sneered at the old hag in front of him. He knew the witch was lying and knew he would enjoy getting it out of her. "Do you know what I intend to do to your innocent granddaughter? I'll have her on back in my bed begging for me to stop. And when she's crying her eyes out, I'll ram into her harder until she bleeds." Mimi's eyes didn't even flicker.
"That is highly inappropriate milord." Koiji's face flushed as he saw red.
"Do you want know what more inappropriate? This!" His sword lunged into Mimi's gut. The old lady didn't scream, but the look in her eyes haunted Koiji. He withdrew his sword and ran the blade over the old crone's eyes.
Sakura shed silent tears for her dear Mimi and ran off into the night, wishing she had given Mimi a proper goodbye. The bitterness, that all nobles were twisted and evil, rung fresh in her head.
Ekiyuu (n) good friend; useful friend
BNB: Wow, Matsumoto creeps me out and he's my character! I feel very afraid now.
Ken: Great, you have feelings now. And I though you were a cold, heartless bi—
BNB: That's it! Phoenix, get him!
Ken: OMG! She's touching me there! Stop! No, no!!!!
BNB: Next chapter, Shisei Sword Maker.
Phoenix: *sleeping with a smile on her face*
BNB: *prods Phoenix*
Phoenix: ReVIeW!!!