Chapter One : Meet Shiko

I have never considered myself anything special.

Sure, my family has told me so. That is, after all, what family is there for, what they should say and do. It's just that, when I look in the mirror, I just see me.

An average girl, somewhat tall at 5'9" in height. I have long, curly, Auburn red hair. Pale skinned too.

Like I said, nothing overly special.

My family told me that they had named me after an accidental discovery they had made in their youth. My mom and dad were kinda like explorers. Not like expert archaeologists or anything but they did have a passion for Ancient Egyptian culture..

They had said that they were visiting a recently uncovered tomb of an ancient pharaoh. They had explored around for a while examining all the inscriptions when they accidentally uncovered a smaller but much more elaborate room that appeared to be another tomb. It had been attached to the pharaohs but very well hidden. They had decided to explore this room, curiosity having gotten the best of them.

As they explored the nearly uncovered room, they tried to make out the writings on the walls but we're having very little luck in translating the ancient language. So they decided to take as many photos as they could..

My mother had told me that the room itself was one of the most beautiful rooms she had ever seen. That it felt as if it was made with so much care and love that the vibe was still left within it's ancient walls.

She had wandered the room in amazement and awe when she was suddenly drawn over to a large golden box. It had resembled a type of jewelry box and radiated so much energy that it had seemed to glow. She had felt compelled by a mysterious force to reach out to it. As she reached, the glow seemed to subside until she finally touched it. Once her hand had met the box, she heard a click and watched as a drawer slid open to reveal a smaller golden box..

She stared at the box in shock, startled by the unexpected movements. As she recovered from her initial shock she had once again felt drawn to the smaller box.. It was if someone wanted her to take the box.

My father had been on the other side of the room taking pictures and still trying to read the words. He did not have much luck, he said he had only been able to make out one word and it appeared to be a name. The name was Nadeshiko.

I was told, that shortly after my mother had taken the box, they both were expelled from the room by an unidentified force. The same force had used it's energy then to reseal the hidden room as if it had never existed.

That at least was the story of where they got my name. My name is Nadeshiko Nahari. Those who are close to me, call me Shiko and this is my story.

It starts on the day I turned 17. September 4 my birthday. I had received a special gift that year. It was my grandmother who had given it to me. She had woke me early that day.

"Shiko dear, wake up." She whispered as she lightly shook my arm. " Uggh" I mumbled as I rolled to face her direction and peer out of one eye at my alarm from underneath my covers.

" Grandma, it's only 5 am and it's a Saturday. School isn't till Monday and it's my birthday." I looked at her as I grabbed my blankets to roll over again and try to go back to sleep. " Can't I sleep in today. It is my birthday." I remind her groggily.

"I know hunny. I promise not to keep you for long. I wanted to be the first one to give you your gift today and I got excited." She grinned at me.

" Fine." Resigned to my fate, I sat up and rubbed the sleep from my eyes.

" I thought you might say that!" She smirked at her victory as she pulled out a gold wrapped package. " Before I give it to you, however, I would like to share a story with you or at least a small part of the story. " She finished with a wink.

" A story?" I repeated in confusion. I seem to be having some trouble keeping up with my grandma and her very strange mood this morning.

"That is what I said, silly girl. Now no more questions for now." She wiggled her finger in my face in admonishment.

" Ok, ok.," I giggled at her antics. " I will try to contain myself."

"Good. Now how should I start." She took a few moments to gather her thoughts as I sat there and waited patiently. It didn't take long, however, for my own thoughts to begin wandering.

I couldn't help but to wonder why it was so important for her to tell me this story before giving me a birthday gift. What could she possibly want to tell me. I knew it couldn't possibly be the story of my name. I had heard that one many times already.

I had heard it once from my mother before she left. After that my father had struggled to take care of us and moved in with my grandparents. My grandmother had then taken it upon herself to retell me that story often.

"Shiko, hey Shiko. Are you listening?" She waved her hand in front of my face to bring my attention back to her as she readied herself to begin the story.

"Oh I'm sorry Grandma. I guess I had let my mind wander. I think I'm still half asleep."

" Ya so I noticed. You are always a space cadet in the early mornings." She laughed. " Now back to what I was about to say." She began her story then,

" Long ago there was a lonely young princess. She had no siblings and very few people around her she could call friend.

She was a shy girl, you see, and had always had trouble relating to others. She didn't know how to be herself around others because of her station and she feared the judgments of other as well.

She had many responsibilities as a princess, many to her family, and because of this she had spent a lot of her energy trying to do what ever it took to make everyone else happy.. So much time in fact, that she found very little time to do the things she loved most. When she finally would be alone to do as she pleased, she would often try to get the servant girls to play games with her. When that was not possible she would spend her time reading many books.

She longed for a friend who would share her interests and dreamed of finding a love as all consuming as what she had read about in stories.

As time went on she was able to befriend one of her hand maidens but she still felt such an intense loneliness. After all how much of herself could she truly share with someone that most considered below her station. And even if she did share her burdens how much would she really understand. "

I was listening very intently to the story as my grandmother spoke. I didn't even notice her looking at me. I was lost in my imagery of this lonely woman and for a moment it felt as if I could feel exactly what this princess must have felt.

She must have seen the look on my face because as I had opened my eyes to look at her, it seemed as if she had made some finalized decision. The moment confused me but I shrugged it off as my groggy imagination.

" There is more to this story but I am afraid that much of the pieces have been lost to time. The only other bit I know seems to be a prophecy of sorts." She says softly as she looks at me again. " This story was carved on the wall in the tomb of your name. It took many years to decipher these words. The only other words that we have been able to decipher so far, told of a destined one. They say that after 5 thousand years have passed, the destined one will be chosen by fate to reunite the princess with her missing heart and soul. She who comes to posses the gift, will In return, find her own heart and soul."

She spoke theses words with a memorized clarity but for me all I felt was confusion. "I don't understand. What does the story and prophecy have to do with the gift you said you wanted to give to me?" The confusion must have been written on my face because she seemed to decide to grant me some mercy as she spoke again.

" You are only confused because I have not yet given you your gift, silly." She chuckled at my confusion. " You are usually more perceptive than this. I will blame it on the early morning and take pity on you." She continued laughing as she handed me the package that she had placed beside her. " Here you go, you may open it now."

I grabbed it from her with enthusiasm as I tore into the golden paper. I was shocked at the heaviness of the package and as I removed the paper to reveal the gift inside, my eyes grew wide with awe and a sudden understanding.

" Your... This is... I can't...". I couldn't put words to the sudden rush of thoughts. I took a moment to compose myself before attempting to speak again.. " is this the jewelry box my mother had found?" I was finally able to get the question out but was unable to hide the amazement in my voice. This was the first time I had ever laid eyes on the box from the story. I had never seen the treasure that was spoken of so often. It was always " someday" or " when you are older".

"Yes, Shiko. Your parents found this box years ago and your father and I both agreed that you should have it because of your love for the ancient Egyption culture. Unfortunately, we have never been successful in opening it. Still, we want you to have it. Hopefully you will have better luck than we have."

I examine my new treasure, as I run my fingers along the many carvings. It is absolutely stunning and I can't help myself from wondering what could have been so important to store away so tightly in such an elaborate container.

" What do these carvings say on top, Grandma?" I ask as I unconsciously continue to run my fingers over the symbols.

" I'm not sure. Your father and I never were really good at learning to read the symbols, or learning any languages actually. We were hoping that perhaps you would be able to come up with a way to decipher them. We know you have been trying to learn the language. Perhaps you can find someone to help you. Like a teacher or something."

She was right. I had been trying to teach myself but everything I have available at my disposal has all just had basic symbols. The ones on this little chest were way more complex. I hadn't really put much thought in finding a teacher. I had always felt as if it was a silly thing to do, knowing that my family needed me around. So I contented myself with self learning all I could. Having my grandmother make the suggestion renewed my hopes in my dream of becoming an egyptologist. I decided that I would go to the museum this afternoon to see what I could find and mentioned the idea to my grandmother.

" I thought that you might decide that and I think that it's an excellent idea. I shall like to accompany you today if that is alright. Who knows, perhaps it is you who are destined to open this box." She says with a smile. She gets up from my bed and starts for the door. She turns back to me before leaving, " Happy Birthday, Shiko. I hope all your wishes come true for you. Now get some more rest hunny. It is still very early"

" Thanks Grandma. This is the best gift you guys have ever given me. It's more than I could have ever imagined. " I say to her as she walks out of my room and closes the door behind her with a smile.

I set the box carefully on my nightstand next to my alarm clock and lay back down under my covers. I give my new treasure one last look as I drift back off to sleep. " I wonder if there is a key..." is The last thought that rolls threw my mind as I fall into unconsciousness.