(Chi)
I'll admit that when the Emperor assigned his daughter to me a piece of my mind believed that escorting her around would be an easy task.
Two days at my post and I realized just how cunning the royal princess was. I soon understood how she gave her guards what she called "the slip" all the time. Although we had a meaningful conversation during the welcoming of spring festival, if I so much as turned in the opposite direction she would slink off and the rest of my day would be spent searching for her.
Today she was not quick enough. I had looked beyond her on
purpose, and I waited until the soft soles of her slippers made a gliding sound across the floor. With my hands behind my back I squared my jaw.
"Hime." My tone remained polite although she was greatly testing my patience. She jumped in surprise and I suppressed a chuckle at the sight of her still standing on her toes. She wore the scowl of a toddler being scolded. I took two large steps towards her.
A few of the guards posted near me were holding their breath, waiting for her to retort and threaten them as I had heard them whisper about late at night. They truly feared her.
"Chi-san," she greeted sourly.
"Am I so foul to you that you must try to escape me every day?"
Her fingers wound together in a knot.
I took a step closer to her and she leaned an inch back.
"Because I thought we'd gotten along fine just a few days ago."
Her nervousness was obvious, and it bought me some strange sense of pleasure. She took another unsure step back.
"We are…we do!"
Stifling a laugh was harder than expected before my eyes scanned the area around us and I leaned as close to her as I had ever been. If I were caught, I would be beheaded, but making her nervous was something I was coming to live for.
"So why do you run? Why do you not just take me with you? It is my job after all," I bowed for good measure, peeking up at her blushing face. "Ojo."
She said nothing else as she blinked rapidly and shimmied away as she apologized beneath her breath.
I shook my head and smiled. "Silly Kitsune."
(Misaki)
I left early one dull morning while the palace was still heavy with sleep. A dense fog resided around the palace as I walked barefoot through the long pale hallways, running my fingers across the designs etched into the walls. I thought hard on my dream. I had trouble sleeping in the past week. It seemed to be consuming my thoughts and I was too fear stricken to remain unconscious long. Standing at the edge of a Tatami mat was not to be taken lightly and was considered a terribly bad omen; the epitome of bad luck personified.
Chi guarded my rooms well into the early morning. It was only when I had heard him depart to relieve himself, that I quickly dipped out of my rooms. I desperately needed to pray, to ask for guidance and peace of mind. And so, that is why I was now walking quickly and silently to the palace's private temple, absent my friend. I turned corner after corner until I was met with the large Shoji door that took me to the main prayer rooms. Paper lanterns hung high in the ceilings as dozens of candles and incense lit up the room, a statue of the goddess resting in gold in front of me. I got to my knees and clasped my hands together. I closed my eyes and recited my prayers to the goddess.
Light air brushed my face and it caused me to open my eyes. The bright light almost blinded me as I did not expect it. I stood at the foot of a long red moon bridge. Cherry Trees sat in fresh bloom grouped on either side of me. The water beneath the bridge was calm and rippled quietly downstream into what seemed to be the sun. I walked to the center of the bridge, looking out upon the water.
"Beautiful, yes?"
I startled as I turned to the sound of a honey laced voice. My shock was palpable as I stared at the goddess Amaterasu. Her long black hair hung straight down her back as her eyes, decorated in violet shimmering powder and black coal liner smiled at me. Her eyes were almost a bright yellow orange and her skin glowed a pale light. She was truly beyond beauty.
The jewel comb in her hair hang over her left eyes and her golden pink robes shimmered in the light. She held a fan in her right hand, one decorated with swans and small streams, with cranes sailing high above.
"It is nice to finally lay eyes upon you my child." When she spoke, the entire world stopped. She tucked a strand of loose hair behind my ear. Her smile was honest but small.
"But I am sad to say that we do not have much time. You must understand the truth."
Cold as winter air rushed in, the light of the sun disappearing swifter than my eyes could process. The goddess's eyes grew wide and full of shock.
"No! It cannot be! Get down child!"
And just as quickly, hands filmed in smoke grabbed hard to my arms, legs, waist, and wrapped around my face as I was yanked away into immense darkness. My screams were not given a chance as the air was knocked clean out of me.