Title: Little Snow-Girl
Author: Momoko (
Sarga/
Sarga)
Word Count: 433 words
Genre: Introspection/Angst
Rating: PG
Summary: Kikyo reminsces about the times when she and Kaede were young and when little snow-girls and little snow-boys frolicked in the winter sun.
Little Snow-Girl
By Momoko
I used to love the winter.
In those cold, crisp days we would be seek refuge around the fire until my sister, in her innocence and youth, would beg to make snow-people. Then I would smile, bank the fire and bundle us both in thick, warm clothing before we trudged out to build families of snow-people at the door..
After countless mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers were placed in greeting and our hands were almost too numb to feel, only then would we return to the warmth of our home. Those fires would be so warm after being out in the snow, and the tea would almost taste sweeter with it's soothing aroma after the winter non-smell of the outdoors...
Yes. I used to love winter.
Later, in my last winter as a woman, I spent the chilly days outside with the half-demon who refused to come indoors. Ostensibly, I was making my rounds throughout the village, but even on the busiest of days, it took only a few meagre hours. He didn't think I noticed, but whenever I would take a little longer than usual, he would make his own additions to Kaede's snow-families at the door. I would come home and there would be lopsided, oblong snow-boys planted right next to my own creations, - how he knew which were mine, I don't know - little snow-boys to keep my little snow-girls warm.
These days, the snow-families are missing. Kaede is too old for such frivolous play and I am too unwelcome in what used to be my home. Perhaps one day the fox-demon child will try his hand, but somehow I think it will not be the same.
Instead of warm fires, I spend much of my time outdoors. I have no need of warm clothing so I do not don any. With this body of earth and bone I have no fear of chill. With this body that is not a body, I have no worry of impending sickness.
With this body that will never bear fruit and has no warm breath, I have no-one to make a snow-boy to keep my lonely little snow-girl warm.