Warmakers Fic!
Finnally Finished!
Oh gods, I’ve killed us all. Kyoko stared in horror at the grouping of Kappas surrounding Nariko, Reika and herself. There were too many, all armed and snarling as they circled each of them in the water.
Kyoko screamed as they attacked, thrashing as total panic took over. The call of the sword so near made her nauseated, the sounds of her companion’s cries exacerbating her total despair. I didn’t mean to take them with me!
Kyoko spun as a Kappa struck her, reeling as she watched a stream of her own blood bloom in the water. The force of the blow spun her around, her legs limply swirling over her head. A glint flashed in the sand as her glowing purse swept over it. Kyoko started, her mind clearing. She watched as her hand shot down, dragging her body along with it until she touched something solid at the tips of her fingers.
A jolt ran through her body, as if one of her lightening bolts had rebounded off its target and hit her instead. Bright light suffused her and eclipsed the world, erasing the bloody water. Kyoko was suddenly kneeling at a clear pool in the greenest forest glade she had ever been in, staring into a reflection she felt like she hadn’t seen in ages.
“I was wondering when you would come and see us here, Kiki.”
Kyoko’s head snapped up at the achingly familiar nickname, eyes widening as a shape coalesced out of the forest surrounding the pool. “Aah-chan!*”
The dowager of the family stepped forward, bowing her head as she sank down beside Kyoko. “It’s been a while since I’ve heard that name. I missed it, as I have missed you.”
Kyoko leaned against her grandmother, sighing as the warmth of the clearing suffused her. “I’ve missed you too. Things have been different since…” Her head jerked. “Am I dead?”
Aah-chan snorted and then threw her head back in a laugh, shaking her head vigorously. “Kiki, if that were true, you would know. No, you are very much alive, and seem to be in need of reminding who and what you are.”
Kyoko blanched. “I-I… I know what I am. Mother was very clear about that when I left to live outside the family home.”
Aah-chan turned to stare at Kyoko, ice blue eyes piercing. “You know as well as I do that your mother and that old fool O-Yama had no business saying what they did to you. Your banishment was as wrong as what they allowed to happen, and they are too stubborn and hidebound to admit it. Believe me, I made sure to haunt your father’s dreams about it for a good long time. If I had been alive, none of that nonsense would have happened.”
Kyoko stayed silent, her mouth tugging up in a smile as she took in her grandmother’s words. Aah-chan had always been her true defender against the rest of the family, as well as Aunt Sei’s. She would barge in and demand answers when one of them was left out of family gatherings, would openly fight with O-Yama during elder conclaves. She had been one of the most respected members of the family until her death.
Unfortunately, her warmth for her daughter and granddaughter had not lasted for long after her heavenly journey. Kyoko closed her eyes and listened to the familiar rumble of her grandmother’s voice, the passion she was able to express so easily and openly. Apparently, death changed little when a soul was as bright as Aah-chan’s.
“Kiki, I was sent to help you, but I have little time.”
Kyoko forced herself to sit upright again, straightening to attention.
Aah-chan gazed sadly at her. “My child, the way has not been easy for you, and I fear that you will face much hardship before you know peace. This is why I am to grant you our family’s greatest gift.”
Kyoko’s breath caught in her throat as a small breeze picked up in the glade, the light steadily strengthening as Aah-chan bagan to glow.
“Our family has long cherished the gift of life, love and light above all else. The first was a gift from Ameterasu herself, in the early days of our kind and the islands of Nihon. Forever we will be her favored children, basking always in her glow.”
The wind completely covered Kyoko, soothing instead of battering her. She dipped her head and closed her eyes as she felt something deep within her unlock, a strange calm filling her.
“As it was granted to me, I grant it to you, my beloved granddaughter. As the final breath may leave, the first new one you may bring. Death is now your opposite, as you carry Life in your heart.”
The wind died down and Kyoko blinked, struggling to hold in the tearsthat threatened to spill over. “Aah-chan… I don’t know if I can do this. What if I bring even more shame to the family? To you?”
Aah-chan shook her head. “You can never shame me Kiki. YOU will be the one to truly bring honor to our family, to finally give back to the one that gave us our long, comfortable lives. You will serve as others have not. Only you will have the courage to face the future and meet it with a sword in your hand.”
Other figures stepped from the forest, surrounding them. Each wore the mark of the family and a smile as they surrounded Kyoko and Aah-chan. “Your ancestors accept you, as do I. You are now the bearer of all our power.”
Kyoko’s breath caught in her throat as she took in the smiling faces. “I’m still a child-“
Aah-chan gently pushed her to stand. “As we all once were. There is not shame in being a child, not for one so young.”
“But, my friends, they-“
Aah-chan started to propel Kyoko towards the forest. “They will understand. You may be older, but not much more than they when all is said and done. Now, you must go back.”
Kyoko started towards the forest, arms wrapped around herself. “Kiki!”
As she turned, the other ancestors faded away, leaving Aah-chan.
“Kiki, I want you to also learn to forgive. In order to grow, in order to live freely, you must forgive him for what he has done.”
Kyoko felt a chill race down her spine as a snarl parted her lips. “I can never forgive him for what he did to me.”
Aah-chan sighed, eyes pleading. “Please try, little one. It is your anger at him that colors your feelings for that other child, who has done nothing wrong.”
Aah-chan began to fade, waving briefly as Kyoko reeled with shock.
Suddenly, she was standing on the floor of the ocean, a sword in her right hand held high. Ameterasu was standing before her, speaking as she seemed to gaze through Kyoko’s skin, down to her very soul.
Kyoko tumbled, lost as events seemed to fast forward with no control. Her body moved as one possessed while she drank in all that had happened. She only came back to herself on a couch in the hostel they were staying at, a cool cloth on her forehead. She sat slowly up, taking it off with a smile. Nariko and Miya.
She stood wobbily, forcing her way towards the boys’ room. She pushed herself mindlessly towards her goal. If I don’t do this now, I’ll never find the will again.
She pushed the door open and leaned on the frame. Rex was sitting with his eyes closed, either asleep or meditating. His cross twitched, and his eyes opened. “Rex. I-“
Kyoko stared, heart pounding as she felt her entire frame begin to quiver, forcing the words out. He looks so much like Shin… Aah-chan was right, I’ve been punishing Rex for something someone he’s never met did to me a long time ago. He’s not Shin. He’s not even close.
Kyoko forced herself to really look at Rex, to see the human boy that she didn’t really know. Rex had the same easygoing smile as Shin, with the same wide eyes and air of mischieviousness. Yet, there was not the sense of untruth that Shin had had, the familial obligation to betray.
“Rex, I’m sorry!”
Kyoko spun around and ran down the corridor as she burst into tears. She headed for the roof, her soul suddenly lighter than it had been in quite a while. She even smiled as she brushed away tears running up the steps.
I am still a child. Suddenly, that doesn’t seem so bad. Kyoko almost fell into the afternoon sunlight, arms spread wide as she welcomed Ameterasu’s touch.
*Basically what I intend to be a babyish shortening of Obaa-chan, which is basically “Granny” in Japanese. Same as Kiki being short for Kyoko. My guess is that a formal family like the Shonagans require that ‘proper’ honorifics be used even at family gatherings. Thus the nicknames being so important and integral to get Kyoko to open up.
Got it done yesterday, but didn’t get a chance to post it! It’s all done now, and it’s...interesting. Can’t wait to see everyone for the hot springs episode!
Oh gods, I’ve killed us all. Kyoko stared in horror at the grouping of Kappas surrounding Nariko, Reika and herself. There were too many, all armed and snarling as they circled each of them in the water.
Kyoko screamed as they attacked, thrashing as total panic took over. The call of the sword so near made her nauseated, the sounds of her companion’s cries exacerbating her total despair. I didn’t mean to take them with me!
Kyoko spun as a Kappa struck her, reeling as she watched a stream of her own blood bloom in the water. The force of the blow spun her around, her legs limply swirling over her head. A glint flashed in the sand as her glowing purse swept over it. Kyoko started, her mind clearing. She watched as her hand shot down, dragging her body along with it until she touched something solid at the tips of her fingers.
A jolt ran through her body, as if one of her lightening bolts had rebounded off its target and hit her instead. Bright light suffused her and eclipsed the world, erasing the bloody water. Kyoko was suddenly kneeling at a clear pool in the greenest forest glade she had ever been in, staring into a reflection she felt like she hadn’t seen in ages.
“I was wondering when you would come and see us here, Kiki.”
Kyoko’s head snapped up at the achingly familiar nickname, eyes widening as a shape coalesced out of the forest surrounding the pool. “Aah-chan!*”
The dowager of the family stepped forward, bowing her head as she sank down beside Kyoko. “It’s been a while since I’ve heard that name. I missed it, as I have missed you.”
Kyoko leaned against her grandmother, sighing as the warmth of the clearing suffused her. “I’ve missed you too. Things have been different since…” Her head jerked. “Am I dead?”
Aah-chan snorted and then threw her head back in a laugh, shaking her head vigorously. “Kiki, if that were true, you would know. No, you are very much alive, and seem to be in need of reminding who and what you are.”
Kyoko blanched. “I-I… I know what I am. Mother was very clear about that when I left to live outside the family home.”
Aah-chan turned to stare at Kyoko, ice blue eyes piercing. “You know as well as I do that your mother and that old fool O-Yama had no business saying what they did to you. Your banishment was as wrong as what they allowed to happen, and they are too stubborn and hidebound to admit it. Believe me, I made sure to haunt your father’s dreams about it for a good long time. If I had been alive, none of that nonsense would have happened.”
Kyoko stayed silent, her mouth tugging up in a smile as she took in her grandmother’s words. Aah-chan had always been her true defender against the rest of the family, as well as Aunt Sei’s. She would barge in and demand answers when one of them was left out of family gatherings, would openly fight with O-Yama during elder conclaves. She had been one of the most respected members of the family until her death.
Unfortunately, her warmth for her daughter and granddaughter had not lasted for long after her heavenly journey. Kyoko closed her eyes and listened to the familiar rumble of her grandmother’s voice, the passion she was able to express so easily and openly. Apparently, death changed little when a soul was as bright as Aah-chan’s.
“Kiki, I was sent to help you, but I have little time.”
Kyoko forced herself to sit upright again, straightening to attention.
Aah-chan gazed sadly at her. “My child, the way has not been easy for you, and I fear that you will face much hardship before you know peace. This is why I am to grant you our family’s greatest gift.”
Kyoko’s breath caught in her throat as a small breeze picked up in the glade, the light steadily strengthening as Aah-chan bagan to glow.
“Our family has long cherished the gift of life, love and light above all else. The first was a gift from Ameterasu herself, in the early days of our kind and the islands of Nihon. Forever we will be her favored children, basking always in her glow.”
The wind completely covered Kyoko, soothing instead of battering her. She dipped her head and closed her eyes as she felt something deep within her unlock, a strange calm filling her.
“As it was granted to me, I grant it to you, my beloved granddaughter. As the final breath may leave, the first new one you may bring. Death is now your opposite, as you carry Life in your heart.”
The wind died down and Kyoko blinked, struggling to hold in the tearsthat threatened to spill over. “Aah-chan… I don’t know if I can do this. What if I bring even more shame to the family? To you?”
Aah-chan shook her head. “You can never shame me Kiki. YOU will be the one to truly bring honor to our family, to finally give back to the one that gave us our long, comfortable lives. You will serve as others have not. Only you will have the courage to face the future and meet it with a sword in your hand.”
Other figures stepped from the forest, surrounding them. Each wore the mark of the family and a smile as they surrounded Kyoko and Aah-chan. “Your ancestors accept you, as do I. You are now the bearer of all our power.”
Kyoko’s breath caught in her throat as she took in the smiling faces. “I’m still a child-“
Aah-chan gently pushed her to stand. “As we all once were. There is not shame in being a child, not for one so young.”
“But, my friends, they-“
Aah-chan started to propel Kyoko towards the forest. “They will understand. You may be older, but not much more than they when all is said and done. Now, you must go back.”
Kyoko started towards the forest, arms wrapped around herself. “Kiki!”
As she turned, the other ancestors faded away, leaving Aah-chan.
“Kiki, I want you to also learn to forgive. In order to grow, in order to live freely, you must forgive him for what he has done.”
Kyoko felt a chill race down her spine as a snarl parted her lips. “I can never forgive him for what he did to me.”
Aah-chan sighed, eyes pleading. “Please try, little one. It is your anger at him that colors your feelings for that other child, who has done nothing wrong.”
Aah-chan began to fade, waving briefly as Kyoko reeled with shock.
Suddenly, she was standing on the floor of the ocean, a sword in her right hand held high. Ameterasu was standing before her, speaking as she seemed to gaze through Kyoko’s skin, down to her very soul.
Kyoko tumbled, lost as events seemed to fast forward with no control. Her body moved as one possessed while she drank in all that had happened. She only came back to herself on a couch in the hostel they were staying at, a cool cloth on her forehead. She sat slowly up, taking it off with a smile. Nariko and Miya.
She stood wobbily, forcing her way towards the boys’ room. She pushed herself mindlessly towards her goal. If I don’t do this now, I’ll never find the will again.
She pushed the door open and leaned on the frame. Rex was sitting with his eyes closed, either asleep or meditating. His cross twitched, and his eyes opened. “Rex. I-“
Kyoko stared, heart pounding as she felt her entire frame begin to quiver, forcing the words out. He looks so much like Shin… Aah-chan was right, I’ve been punishing Rex for something someone he’s never met did to me a long time ago. He’s not Shin. He’s not even close.
Kyoko forced herself to really look at Rex, to see the human boy that she didn’t really know. Rex had the same easygoing smile as Shin, with the same wide eyes and air of mischieviousness. Yet, there was not the sense of untruth that Shin had had, the familial obligation to betray.
“Rex, I’m sorry!”
Kyoko spun around and ran down the corridor as she burst into tears. She headed for the roof, her soul suddenly lighter than it had been in quite a while. She even smiled as she brushed away tears running up the steps.
I am still a child. Suddenly, that doesn’t seem so bad. Kyoko almost fell into the afternoon sunlight, arms spread wide as she welcomed Ameterasu’s touch.
*Basically what I intend to be a babyish shortening of Obaa-chan, which is basically “Granny” in Japanese. Same as Kiki being short for Kyoko. My guess is that a formal family like the Shonagans require that ‘proper’ honorifics be used even at family gatherings. Thus the nicknames being so important and integral to get Kyoko to open up.
Got it done yesterday, but didn’t get a chance to post it! It’s all done now, and it’s...interesting. Can’t wait to see everyone for the hot springs episode!