Kiyohime's POV:
My name is Kiyohime. I've heard the story behind that name, and I can only assume that my name has to do with my mistress's feelings for a certain other Hime.
I might have originally seen it as an insult to be summoned out of love for another, since in the dimension us Childs and Orphans come from, love is seen as a weakness. Which is rather ironic, because if we see love as a weakness in our dimension, then it may be a mistake of ours to regard it as such because we are summoned as a result of our Hime mistress's love for their "precious ones."
I almost felt insulted by that when I realized it. Love? The emotion you would normally be looked down on by other Childs for being so weak? Impossible! How could love be a weapon?! But the proof occurred only three years ago when that Hime Natsuki Kuga showed up. Only then was my mistress Shizuru able to summon me.
Shizuru, my playful, yet sometimes frightening mistress has harbored her feelings for Natsuki from the moment she met the other. I know because I sensed such.
I have to say, the fact that we Childs have a tendency to feel emotions for both our mistresses and for the precious ones that cause our mistresses to be able to summon us is very humorous.
How would Shizuru react for example if she ever found out that my feelings for Natsuki were similar to her own feelings for the little stubborn ice Hime? If I wasn't a giant squid beast with six snake heads, I'd be scared to know.
Although, I suspect I wouldn't have to worry much, since if she were to kill me, she'd kill Natsuki, and I know that that will never happen.
Now, you may notice that I refer to myself as "I" when I have six heads. I'm not really sure, myself. We're all Kiyohime, part of the same conscience.
In any case, aside from Shizuru's feelings for Natsuki, Shizuru acts like a proper young lady but she has a dangerous side to her that any human who is smart wouldn't even think about crossing.
Unfortunately, the fact that Shizuru is a young woman, makes her even more susceptible to becoming distraught. She is in love, and is still young. Some would see that combination as a promising future, but for those that are realistic, would understand that that combination could be dangerous. If Shizuru were to ever become jealous of the people that Natsuki is with, or……if Natsuki ever rejects Shizuru's love…..now that is something that I rather not think about the outcome of.
Natsuki…..even though some see her as a mere loner, Shizuru's heart belongs to that Hime.
Shizuru made it clear to me, from the moment that I was summoned, what my purpose was: I was only to protect Natsuki. There was no place for me in the Hime Carnival with the other Childs. My only reason for existing on this plane of existence was because I was to protect Natsuki Kuga, the Ice Hime. Duran's mistress. That is my one and only purpose.
I was to leave people to die at the claws, wings and tentacles of my brother and sister Orphans, I could let the world end, but never allow anything to happen to Natsuki.
I will not speak against Shizuru's words, but her logic just doesn't make sense. She tells me not to involve myself with the Carnival unless Natsuki's involved somehow, but the Carnival involves the end of the world, and Natsuki's in the world. Shizuru is brilliant, but her logic just doesn't make sense sometimes.
We Childs are allowed to watch our Hime mistresses when we're not summoned. I suppose you could say that our spirits lie in wait.
We can also contact other Childs mentally during this time from far distances. Speaking of which, maybe I should speak to Duran, see if Natsuki's alright. That will make Shizuru happy, even if it is against the rules.
Yes, rules, even us Childs have to follow some rules as well as every other creature that exists you know. And I've already broken one.
The rule that I've broken is the rule that says that all Childs are forbidden from ever telling their Hime Mistresses who else are Himes. I broke that rule and told Shizuru that Natsuki was a Hime.
Of course, when I say I "told" her, I mean that I lead her to where I sensed Natsuki and those other two Himes, Mikoto and Mai were fending off and Orphan, and let Shizuru see that those three were Himes.
Shizuru had suspected Natsuki of being a Hime, since the other girl always comes to the room where Shizuru works, and seems to always have another bruise or injury somewhere.
Anyway, as I said, I was going to speak mentally to Duran, who unlike me, has not revealed to Natsuki that Shizuru is a Hime.
(Duran,) I called out calmly as Shizuru drank her tea and ignored that loud mouthed human Haruka Suzushiro, (Duran, do you hear me?)
(What?!) Was the angry growl in my mind. I had to restrain a laugh. Ah, Duran, tactful as usual.
(Duran, my friend,) I hiss, making all six of my voices sound friendly as opposed to their usual threatening sounds, (It's been awhile since we've spoken, ne?)
(So what?) Duran growled telepathically, (Kiyohime, I don't have the time for this, Natsuki's recovering from her injuries that she got from our Orphan sister the other night. She needs my strength right now.)
(Of course, my friend,) I said, feeling anger at the thought of Natsuki being hurt, (Is she alright?)
(Why?) Duran sneered, (Is that damn Kyoto woman, what's-her-name wondering?)
This time, I couldn't help but laugh a hissing laugh from all six of my spirit snake heads as I said, (Jealous, Duran? You know you'll always be special to Natsuki.)
(Yes, I know, I don't need you to tell me that.) Duran grumbled, (Now I need to help heal Natsuki with my powers. So I need to focus!)
(Yes, yes, as you wish, Duran.) I said, parting my mind from his aggressive one.
(Kyohime.) I heard Shizuru whisper in my mind, (Were you contacting Duran?)
I chuckled. Yes, Shizuru was brilliant, and very good at being able to tap into our telepathy. She just aims thoughts at me, I'm not sure how she figured it out, but she did.
(Yes, Mistress,) I said, (Natsuki was injured but she's alright now, I believe.)
(Good to know.) Shizuru said, but I could sense fear and unease at hearing that Natsuki had been injured. I can easily relate, for as I've said, I share her affection and adoration for the ice Hime.
I of course, also share a certain amount of jealousy towards the two Himes Mikoto and Mai for being near her. I prefer not to think about how low I am when it comes to those human like feelings. Nevertheless, I feel them and sometimes even despise the beings called Mikoto and Mai for having so much time with her. Though I know I wouldn't be feeing these things without Shizuru.
As Shizuru was now distracted from her thoughts since the loud-mouth was directly in front of Shizuru at the moment.
I went on with my own thoughts. I honestly didn't understand why Shizuru didn't just summon me and force Suzushiro to shut up. In the dimension I came from, Kagutsuchi, Duran, Julia, St. Vlas and myself were highly feared for our enormous sizes, so why shouldn't we enforce authority over those that yell at our mistresses.
Yes, Duran and Julia were also quite large in the previous dimension where we come from. The fact that they are much smaller tells me one thing that troubles me, especially in concern to Duran: It means that their mistresses, Nao and Natsuki do not allow their emotions to be freed.
It makes me worry, because if Natsuki doesn't open up then Duran isn't as powerful as he could be, and since that's the case, Natsuki could be in more danger than necessary.
I love Natsuki, as much as Shizuru does, I'll do anything to help protect her.
I know that most Childs have an adoration for their Hime mistresses instead of for the "Precious ones" that their Hime mistresses care about, bur this is an exception.
Though I don't understand how my mistress thinks sometimes, I will protect and guard Natsuki till we all end. Even if I have to kill all the other Himes and Childs that get in Natsuki, Duran, Shizuru and my way to do so.
Author's Note:
See a slight resemblance between how Kiyohime thinks and Shizuru thinks?
Anyway, next chapter will be from Harry's point of view.