Their Own Lives
By Truth_Seeker_Miyako

Chapter 7

Miyako wanted to kick herself, she had totally forgotten to talk to her father about Takenaga. The next two days Kakara was not home, but out patrolling the borders again. Although Kyohei chose to stay behind with the girl, wanting to finally ease his mind with the inquiring of a certain question.

Thankfully, Miyako had no more run ins with Takenaga. She had already packed what little she needed for the visit. The girl had passed the time in dreadful boredom. She was only a bit befuddled by Kyohei’s odd behavior.  He seemed to be avoiding her to the best of his ability, and as to why, not even he had any real understanding. It seemed every time the boy approached Miyako to ask the question he had been burning to voice, he couldn’t think to do anything but run.

Perhaps he feared the answer he would receive. But why fear if he did not hold and affections towards the girl other than that of friendship? For the last two days he had last much sleep because of all of these thoughts and doubts. How did he feel about the young girl with eyes like embers? Kyohei would have to answer this question truthfully before asking his own.

The two still spared with each other some, but not nearly as much as previously. The cool autumn weather kept Miyako restless, more so the wind than anything else. Everywhere she went seemed to cage her in, or at least try to. She often sat in the garden with Nana, telling the plump nursemaid of her restlessness.

“The wind, it signals great changes are ahead. That is why your restless, your mother was the same way.” replied Nana. At the mention of her mother Miyako’s ears perked up.

“What do you mean?” she asked.

“Your mother was very..in tune with the spirits of nature. As well as with others emotions.” explained Nana. “She grew restless just as you are when the wind blew like it has. She often roamed the forest at the edge of the village. Although I never understood what she did out there...”

The forest? Did her mother find the same peace that Miyako did in that ocean of trees and green? Perhaps the forest would cure her ails and give her some sort of answers. “Thank you Nana.” Miyako said abruptly before slipping on her shoes and running out the door. The nursemaid smiled as she watched the girls retreating form.

Miyako’s hair had fallen out of it’s usual bun from her steady running. In fact the girl was still running through the trees, her brown hair flying out behind her. There was something, something waiting for her in this forest. She was sure of it. She stopped when she came to a large rock. Miyako vaguely remembered coming here to the moss covered stone with her mother, only once though, when she was much younger. There was a nickname for the large stone. The Spirit Shrine. This name derived from the legend that the spirit of a sage was sealed inside the rock and that other spirit resided near it to mourn the imprisonment of the sage. Without thinking, Miyako sat Indian style on the rock’s cool surface, moving her palms over the surface. ‘So what happens now?’ was miyako’s only thought. If some odd force had guided her here then why? What purpose was to it? Miyako took in a deep breath and closed her eyes. The wind started to blow, Miyako slightly shivered. Still nothing happened. The young girl tried to relax. The wind kept blowing, insisting. The voice..maybe that was it, maybe she needed to listen to the wind. Miyako tried her best to tune everything out but the sound of the wind rushing through the leaves of the coloring trees. A faint voice finally came;

“Fanning the flames of war...those are not who they seem. Trust in those you call enemies. Great change awaits. Be calm child, let your spirit quiet. You will need to save strength.” That was all that was said. Miyako opened her eyes and blinked, the voice had been so vivid. The girl wondered who’s voice it was. The wind had settled, and Miyako suddenly felt drowsy. She let out a yawn and layed upon the soft autumn grass surrounding the Spirit Shrine. Soon sleep had overtaken her.

A few hours later the girl awoke to find a woman sitting upon the rock, staring down at her gently. “Who are you?” Miyako asked, her voice barley a whisper.

“The sage.” was the woman’s simple reply. The wind blew again, sending the thin blue dress that garbed the woman into a fluttering frenzy.

“Were you the one who spoke to me?” Miyako was sitting on her legs now, watching the woman intently. The sage nodded, her blue-grey eyes solemn. “But what did you mean...by fanning the flames of war.” Surprisingly the sage’s red hair turned a sky blue as she thought of how to answer.

“The world...is..very unstable. Peace is coming to an end. I cannot reveal anymore to you. You must find your own answers to my word’s. Certain things prevent me from telling anymore. Forgive me child.” the sage said, she was clearly worried.

“I see..can you at least explain what your doing here and why you told me of all people those words?” she asked.

The sage said nothing for a while, soon her hair had turned green as the forest around her. ‘It must change with her thoughts and how she’s feeling.’ Miyako thought.

“I felt I needed to warn you. The spirits of the forest led you here. They feel it far more than I. Great change. I felt I must tell someone, but there has been no one in a long while who could communicate so vividly with the spirits. That’s when I remembered Tamaka had a daughter, and so I thought her daughter might have the gift as well.” At this Miyako’s eyes widened.
“You..knew my mother?” she asked.

“Yes she used to come here to talk to me since she was but a child. I remember that when you were born all she could do was talk about her new baby girl.” the sage said smiling.

“Can you..tell me more about her?” Miyako asked, her hopes high. Just then there was rustling in the leaves.

“Im sorry, I cannot someone is coming. Be careful..the lines between friend and foe are blurry and distorted.” With that the sage faded away.

She had been so close! So close to finding reasons and answers to questions she had so longed to ask. How cruel fate was, holding hope before her nose and then whipping it away in mere seconds! Answers, purpose, freedom, a life of her own...why were these things so unattainable? Miyako’s thoughts were disrupted by the voice of a man coming from the trees. “Is someone there?!?” Yelled the voice. Miyako hid behind a nearby tree, its rough bark scraping her arms as she pressed against it. A soldier clad in white and blue armor emerged from the trees. The colors upon his uniform clearly showed he was one of King Cathel’s men. King Cathel was the ruler of the kingdom in which Miyako’s village resided, although her people claimed no ties or loyalty to the ruler. Unlike previous kings, Cathel let her people be and didn’t try to force them to be loyal. But some still scorned them for supposedly ‘betraying their kingdom’. If soldier believed that then Miyako could be in for trouble. “In the name of King Cathel show yourself.” commanded the soldier. Should she? Miyako didn’t have time to decide, she was ripped from the safety of the tree by another soldier. Just wonderful.

“Why are you hiding?” asked the second soldier who had Miyako by the arm. His eyes were crimson, causing Miyako to slightly jump. He had voiced the question gently, not in any way threatening, but he certainly was serious.

“I-I..was frightened.” she replied. The other soldier who was standing to the side stared at Miyako as if she were an alien.

“Captain Kyoishiro is she one of the..” asked the same soldier.

“Yes I believe so.” replied Captain Kyoishiro. Miyako personally thought the name did not suit the regal captain. He only looked around 17 making Miyako wonder why his voice was so deep. There was something wild in his eyes, something that made miyako wonder about them. ‘One of what?’ she asked herself.

“What should we do with her sir?” asked the soldier again.

“It depends, we were ordered to find out who is responsible for that recent attacks. I say-“ but Kyoishiro was cut off by a woman who had appeared out of the same bushes as the first soldier.

“I say you question her, even though she just appears to be a harmless girl she could well be the one we’re looking for.”

“I am your captain, do not give me orders Jesu.” replied Kyoishiro calmly. The woman known as Jesu glared at the man and then turned to the other soldier.

“Go back to camp, we can handle this, and keep your mouth shut about the girl got it?” ordered Jesu.

“Umm..yes ma’am.” replied the helpless man. ‘Poor guy having to put up with her all the time barking orders.’ miyako sympathized inwardly as she watched his retreating form.

“Jesu you do not give orders I do. Once again you are stepping over the line and disobeying your superiors. I fear I will have to report you if you say anymore. Besides this girl  obviously belongs to the Shadow People, the same people who have been getting attacked. I highly doubt she is responsible.” said the crimson eyed man simply. At this Miyako looked at the two clearly confused. Shadow People? Why were they saying she belonged to the Shadow People when she didn’t even know who they were talking about?

“What are Shadow People?” she cut in. At this Jesu laughed.

“Your people who stay in the shadows, not getting involved in anything if you can help it. Showing loyalty to no one but yourselves. Traitors!” she continued. Now Miyako understood, Shadow people was the name that those from the city and all over the kingdom called her people.

“We are not traitors!” replied Miyako in attempt to defend herself and her people.

“Yes you are! Your people do nothing to help the king yet you live in his kingdom.  Your all nothing but selfish cowards that hide in the shadows who do nothing! That’s why you are call Shadow People.” Jesu said, her words holding venom.

“THAT’S ENOUGH!” barked Kyoishiro, his crimson eyes seemed to be flaming. Miyako tried to get free and run, the man tightened his grip on her arm. “That’s it Jesu! Back to camp! That’s an order!” Jesu glared daggers at the two and left without a word. Kyoishiro watched Jesu until she had disappeared into the trees completely and her footsteps could no longer be heard. He then turned to Miyako, his face unreadable. “Forgive her, she does not know her place. Jesu should not have said such things. Now if I let you go of your arm you must promise to stay still. I only wish to ask you a few questions.” Miyako nodded silently, slightly trusting the mans words, but ready if he should make a move for the sword at his waist. He released her arm, and ran his hand through his midnight black hair while sitting down in the grass. “Sit.” he said calmly. Miyako did so, although rather reluctantly. “What is your name?” he asked.

“Miyako.” she said simply.

“As you may have heard Miyako, I am Kyoishiro. You may call me Kyo. Now I need to ask you some things.”

“Can I ask you something as well? Is it true what that woman said...I mean about why you call us Shadow People?” she asked.

“Yes and no. Everyone has different reasons for calling your people that. Although many do for similar reasons as Jesu.” he answered scowling.

“I see.” Miyako said, looking down at her hands. Why did humanity have to classify one another that way? She saw no point in doing so other than causing needless strife.

“Once again I apologize. Although I am surprised you did not know. Most of the Shadow People I’ve met do.” Kyo said, trying to be sincere, but his eyes ruined the effect. Making him appear to be more so solemn and serious than anything else.

“I have never left the village before.” Miyako explained, realizing how sheltered and naive she truly was.

“I see. Do you know anything of the ones who have been attacking the nearby villager of the shad-I mean your people?” Kyo asked.

“No..although my father has been patrolling the area to find out just that.”

“But I suppose I cannot meet with your father.”

“No outsiders are permitted into the village.” she answered. That always had been a stupid rule in some cases.

“Thank you for your corporation.” and with that the soldier left, disappearing in the same direction as the previous two. Miyako watched him leave, and at realizing how late in the day it was ran home herself. The day's events flooding her mind.