And up right now is the latest edited chapter for Yume no Shiro. And boy, I sure didn't notice the first time I wrote it that I missed out on including some stuff cause I was too excited to post right away. Anyway, onwards to editing the next chappie until I find myself starting a new chappie!
Happy Reading!
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CHAPTER 3
The festivities lasted well past midnight, and by the time the tower bell announced one in the morning, Kagome was safely ensconced in the parlor with the Ou-sama. They sat opposite each other, a cheery fire illuminating their faces in the dark. Ou-sama's lined face was filled with wisdom and curiosity, yet, in the dark planes on his face hides the stress, pain, and loneliness.
Kagome felt uncomfortable under the scrutiny, but a part of her couldn't quite understand the aching in her heart. She studied the man before her as best she could while keeping her eyes downcast as a show of respect.
The Ou-sama was looking at her intensely. The eyes studied her profile from the tips of her hair to her brocade-clad feet. It was unnerving and yet Kagome felt that it was necessary since she was but a stranger lost in time.
At length, Ou-sama spoke. "You look so much like her that I could not readily believe that you are not my daughter coming home to me after such a long absence. But then, that would mean my wife had somehow perished in hiding and sent you to me." Ou-sama grew thoughtful.
"If I may, I do not wish to disappoint your highness but I'm not your daughter that you wished home. I am merrily a girl who found herself in such a place in the blink of an eye. It could be a ripped in space, a time warp, but I assure you, I did not come from your world. In fact, I hardly believe this is my own time. But please permit me to know your daughter that I might be able to portray her to the best of my abilities for your people, and especially you, Your Majesty." Kagome's heart felt pain in behalf of a father who truly longed for his daughter.
"Very well, my child. I myself do not wish my people the sadness that I must bear as long as possible." The Ou-sama settled his elbows on his knees and leaned forward. "From what I can see based on your manners, you are similar. She was very kind and loving, cheerful but serious, and she has the same regard for others around her. At a young age, she had learned the use of bow and arrows, besting even my best archers. But she has a gift. It came from her mother's side of the family. Her purity, its very essence seeps to her arrows and render them other-worldly, purifying any dark creature it touches." His eyes took a far away look, as if seeing his daughter coming towards him with an engaging smile. "She was the kingdom's angel. But her life was under constant threat. Though her mother had not inherited the clan's ability, Kagome was by far the strongest."
"Is your daughter named Kagome as well?" Kagome said against the lump that formed in her throat. Here she was, a girl without a father, and before her is a father without his daughter.
"Yes, she is. My wife had chosen that name for her. How I missed them." Ou-sama seemed to lose what little air that lifted his sail at the mention of his wife.
"What happened to them?" Kagome probed gently.
"They had to go away for their own protection. Young as my beloved daughter was, I had to see her go into hiding as the dark creatures started to amass and propose a war against my wife's clan. They had somehow found out that my wife and her family had been able to produce a jewel of purity encompassing four of the most pure of human elements. It became apparent that the heir of this jewel would be my daughter. At the height of the war, I entrusted my wife, my daughter, and my newborn son to my father-in-law and they disappeared before the first wave of the attack struck. Since then, I haven't seen them, and could only hope that they're safe, away from all that had transpired.
It has been prophesied that the hime will be back in time to rid this kingdom of the darkness that threatens its light. So when a young woman who bore a resemblance to my daughter, should she had grown up peacefully wherever they hid, came to the kingdom a few months pass, everyone thought it was indeed the hime coming back to drive the dark creatures away from the borders. Sadly, I later found out it was the deceased healer of the village that had fallen in love with one of my grandfather's soldiers. I remembered the healer vaguely when she was presented to me. She certainly have an uncanny likeness to what my daughter could possibly look all grown up, but nonetheless, she did not possess the warmth of spirit my daughter had.
Kikyo came to this kingdom at the point when morale is low. My people had seemed to have woken up from the deep slumber they had fallen into at the disappearance of the sunshine my daughter resembled at her sudden arrival. I couldn't bear to destroy the illusion that had empowered my people and brought back the laughter and hope in their lives, that I took it upon myself to secure the aid of this creature that is neither alive nor dead. Thus, to all intent, Kikyo was presented as my daughter." Ou-sama paused and placed a hand over his mouth. It was clear to Kagome that this was an Ou-sama who deeply care for his entire subsidiary.
"I think Your Majesty should turn in for the night. We could continue this discussion some other time when Your Majesty is feeling better." Kagome placed a comforting hand on Ou-sama's arm and stood up. She came forward and kneeled before him. "I understand how painful it is for you to recall those sad moments. But please, don't push yourself on my account. There would be time for this later." Kagome looked up into Ou-sama's brown orbs and saw again the loneliness reflected there, the pain that haunts its depth.
"Thank you my child." Ou-sama said after awhile and helped her to her feet. "Indeed, there would be other times to end this story, and more, to hear yours."
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Kagome woke up to the sound of birds chirping and wondered dazedly why her alarm didn't go off. She rolled to her side and snuggled deeper into the soft, sakura-scented sheets, not wanting to leave the comfort of the warm satin sheets.
After a few short seconds, her eyes popped open as yesterday came rushing back to her. Kagome groaned and recall the words she spoken to Ou-sama the night before. With a sinking feeling, she realized just how true those words rang.