Chapter 4

He learned a lot that first "working day". She had a flourishing garden, that was well tended. Behind her hut, she had a small stable and pen where she kept a small herd of 4 sheep, 3 ewes and 1 very happy ram. Next to that she kept a small hen-house that contained six hens and a very protective rooster. Just below a little awning, next to the stable, he discovered that she kept a couple of hives of some very docile honey bees for their wax and honey. Her food storage house contained a variety of goods and beneath that, a small, ice-cooled cellar that contained meats and other foods that she had frozen via magic. He was amazed when he discovered that she had built all of this on her own and wondered exactly why she had purchased him in the first place. She really didn't need his help as far as he could tell.

In that first day, she had informed him that her day started by milking the sheep, collecting the eggs, tending the garden and checking on the bees. She told him that they would soon need to make sure that roofs were repaired and reinforced before the rain in a couple of days. How she knew this for certain, he wasn't quite sure, but there had been many things he wasn't quite sure of anymore. Like how the animals seemed to greet him as he accompanied her around the homestead during that first day.

At first he had thought that he was just hearing the voices that had plagued him when he was younger, but when she replied to them in conversation, he realized that it clearly wasn't the case.

"You may stay here and speak with them, you know. They are all very curious about you." She glanced up at him as she stroked one of the sheep. "I will teach you to milk them tomorrow morning. Before that you should talk with them to let them know you mean them no harm."

He gave her a shocked look. "You mean it wasn't an illusion? I actually heard them?"

She nodded. "Not very many have that gift. The gift to listen and actually hear." She was silent for a moment, pondering something. "If you like, I can teach you more. It won't be easy, but it will be useful."

He nodded meekly. "I would like that very much, Mistress..." He glanced at her. "Why did Spirit call you Dark One, Mistress?"

She pulled him down with her as she sat petting the very pregnant sheep next to her and sighed. "It's the name she gave me when I healed her son a few years ago. It just kind of stuck and now they all call me that."

He nodded in understanding.

She stood and brushed herself off. "Well, I'll leave you to get acquainted. I have a few things to attend to. I'll call you when it's mealtime." She patted him on the shoulder and left him to talk to his unusual companions.

As Kyoko was opening her windows and shutters, letting the air and sun into the hut, Kuon was listening intently to the young ram and the rooster as they instructed him on the laws that Spirit had referred to. Eat what you kill; thank your ancestors for the gifts; replace what you take. He was sure there were others, but he was certain that Mistress would tell him soon. At least that's what Būbo and Stonebeak had told him.

In the hut, Kyoko went about replenishing her poultices, grinding her grain into flour, churning the cream for butter and finishing the linen pants she had started for Kuon to wear when he slept. She turned to the unusually quiet Sho and sighed. She opened his cage, as she did every day. "Sho... If you leave now and never return, I will give you Aki as a mate." She declared and the cat looked up at her in hope. "I will not return you to humans. Your behavior was condemning. I cannot do that without both of you coming to harm at a later date, but I can promise that no human will harm you as you are now."

The pair looked at her with apprehension. "You're doing this because of him, aren't you?" He asked in a petulant tone.

She rolled her eyes. "That is no concern of yours. At least this way, you will have the freedom you've always craved and Yayoi will not be able to punish either of you. It's either this or that. It is entirely your choice, but I tire of your presence. I could choose to sell you in the marketplace and give Aki to the proper authorities for her slights."

"Who will guard against the rodents and other pests?" Aki asked dejectedly.

Kyoko snorted in laughter. "It will be as it's always been. You certainly played no part in that task. There are those that are far more grateful for that task than you Aki, and they do a much more proficient job."

Aki gaped at her in shock.

"Well, What shall it be? What is your decision?" She quietly demanded.

Aki sighed. "I accept, Dark One."

Kyoko glanced at Sho. "Well?"

He sighed in defeat. "I suppose I could give it a shot."

"Very well." She turned to Aki. "Where once was fur, feathers will bloom. On wings of freedom, you will find your plume. Where once you remembered, you will now forget and with clear heart and mind you pair shall beget." She smirked at the spell she had just cast as she watched the pair of birds leave her abode. She giggled. "I suppose I should let Tora know that his position of guardian is fixed."

~xoxo~

Kuon startled as he saw a bright, white light flash from the hut, then watched two beautiful birds fly out the window. He heard a chuckle next to him and looked down at a large, tiger-striped cat.

"I suppose Dark One has granted them a reprieve. Although, I should wonder if she left their memory intact." The cat commented as he groomed his paws.

"You are?" Kuon asked curiously.

The large cat smirked. "I am Aki's replacement. You may call me Tora. That is the name that Dark One has granted me."

Kuon nodded. "What do you mean she granted them a reprieve?"

Tora sighed. "I suppose that the songbird accepted her proposal and Aki as his mate. I would think that the only way he would freely leave is if Aki also accepted and Dark One cleared their memories."

"S-She cleared their memories?" He asked a little worried.

Tora nodded. "That would be the only way they would willingly leave, I suspect. Otherwise that rat with wings would continue to return, as he has always done. She wouldn't have done it against their will. From what I understand, their punishment as humans would have been devastating. Mistress does not believe in such harshness for what comes natural to some. She is too kind." He explained.

Having worked in the mines for the past few years, he had to agree. All he had done to get there was grieve the death of his friend Rick. He still remember the night as if it had happened yesterday. The screams as he was trampled by the horses after Rick pushed him from danger and the accusations from Mistress Tina as she held his broken body in her arms, covered in his blood. The word murderer still echoed in his ears and the pain of the loss was still fresh.

"You should clear your mind of such lies, Light One. They weigh heavily on your spirit." The cat commented as he walked to the storage hut.

Kuon stood there in shock, wondering how the cat had known what he was thinking.

"Kuon! Go wash, it's time to eat." Kyoko called from the window and pulled him from his thoughts.