Divine Worlds

By: S.R. Shinohara

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Chapter X

Loved One’s Pain

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What do you do when you get another child out of the blue…?

“MAMA!” The child’s wails shook the earth itself, confirming she was definitely his daughter. No one but him could cause earthquakes and for her to do so meant she was of his blood. “Where did mama go…?”

Taking her into his arms, Kosuke made soothing sounds, moving her up and down slightly. She was so small and tiny, and so shockingly skinny. “I don’t know…I don’t know who she was, Saori-chan. That’s your name, right?”

Large eyes still wet with tears, she nodded, sniffling cutely. “Uhn…Mama said she named me after my papa’s mama…”

Sakori. Saori. Kosuke smiled, sitting down as he tucked her bangs which hung long and loose behind her ear, the rest still tied in a bun behind her. Such lovely hair, so light. If it grew darker it would be a rich royal violet just like his. “Un…I’m your papa, Saori-chan. Sakori is MY mama, the Queen of the Gods.”

What can a father do to help a child who suffers because of him…?

“What?!”

Souhi nodded direly, caressing his sister’s hair as she lay unconscious in the bed he was sitting next to. “I don’t know what happened that made her so shaken, father, but her blood alone has strong magic in it that would make even a Necromancer shudder. It’s overloading her system and probably the reason why she transforms to her child self whenever she gets very upset.”

“Because she has divine blood…my blood…?”

Souhi seemed less then thrilled as he nodded. “Your magic and blood are strong as is, being born of Lord Kakure, a well known patron God of the Dark Arts. Since she’s no doubt of a divine mother as well, it’s too much magic for one body to hold. Her emotions are the key to how her powers release themselves. If she’s happy she’ll have the same effect Faeries have during their dances, spreading their dust and soothing those around them, but upset…”

What do I do to ease her suffering…?

“Daddy…” Her eyes, wide in horror as she clutched her head, stared at the remnants of the burned home, tears welling in her eyes as Souhi’s scorn filled voice echoed in her head. “Daddy, what…have I done…? Daddy!”

Kosuke nearly fell as the ground shook, holding her tightly as he cradled her like he’d done when she first came to him. “I’m right here. Daddy won’t go anywhere…It’s not your fault, Saori…” His hands clutched into fists, anger filling his eyes. “I shouldn’t have left you alone with Aiko. I knew she hated you but I thought…” Shaking his head he muttered, “I never thought she’d try to…”

“Shiko…why did Shiko get control, Kosuke-papa?” She hadn’t calmed much, but enough so that the ground didn’t shake anymore. “She’s never…taken control…and I could see her…” She broke down again, burying her head in his chest. “She…she was…and Souhi-ani…”

“The magic in your blood, Saori…it responded to your fear and let her have control of your body…to protect you…”

“But she tried to~! And Souhi-ani…!” In a cloud of lavender smoke she was wailing, her form now that of a child. “Why, papa?! Why do I have this CURSE?!”

Someone…tell me…How is it possible to save a child from herself…?

Kosuke sighed as he let the godforsaken wine his son Kohaku loved so much rush down his throat, sweet and sour at the same time but washing the tension in his body away. Slowly. Ryu, who was sitting near him in the other chair of his lounge by the fireplace, looked utterly shocked that he could put away so much and so fast. He couldn’t blame him. It was shocking how much he could drink if he wanted. Kohaku’s mother had blessed him, too, so he wouldn’t even have to worry about a Faerie headache. One less thing to worry about then. “Another, Ryu…”

“Are you sure this is healthy?” he muttered, reluctantly pouring him more.

“Perfectly fine for me,” he chuckled, “Kohaku-kun’s mother blessed me so I won’t get the effects of Faerie wine. She knew I loved it but hated the effects and did it as a favor for me.”

That would explain it then. For awhile there he’d figured Kosuke had just gone insane. “I see…”

“You must have many questions,” Kosuke smiled crookedly, “I can practically hear them all already.”

Ryu shook his head. He wouldn’t ask. Yet. If he did, Kosuke would crack up. He was unstable even without the Faerie wine as is. He’d ask the little stuff though. The stuff the man could handle. “Do you know where she’s gone?”

“Shiko?” Kosuke smiled so fondly it made Ryu wonder if he was feeling the wine effects after all. Shiko wasn’t a person to smile about, was she? “Of course…To one of my father’s halls in Kakure: Kageshiro.”

Ryu twitched. He’d heard of Kageshiro. The obsidian hall that sparkled in the Kingdom of Kakure’s eerie glow that never faded and home to the strongest of the Nayami – Kakure’s underlings. Shiko was the Goddess of Darkness if he remembered right; figures she’d go there. “Do you worry about her? About whether the Nayami would…”

“Oh no,” he laughed lightly, swirling the wine around in his glass slightly, “Shiko is too loved by the Nayami. They listen to her more often then my own father and even defend her unquestionably if they feel she has been insulted in any way. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if they pay Tengoku a visit soon!”

The ice eyed youth decided to ponder that disturbing thought later. “A Queen of the Nayami, sort of.”

Kosuke’s smile was kind and gentle. “You catch on fast, Ryu-kun. Cheers to you.” He raised his glass in salute before draining it in one grand motion, tossing the glass into the fireplace where it crashed to pieces once it was done. “Their leader Takeru also happens to be a highly dedicated person to her. To the Nayami, Shiko is supreme. She is the maiden of Darkness; their protecting goddess.” Dusting his hands off he mused, “I better not drink anymore or my daughter will get upset with me. She’s never liked it if I drank too much.”

What could he say? It was disturbing seeing the God of the Forests like this, and as a Karyuudo native and knowing the fact this was the god who’d actually protected them, Ryu felt responsible for at least putting him back on stable ground. But as a father himself, he had no idea how he was feeling. He’d never actually bonded with Ichiro, though he cared for him unconditionally, whereas Kosuke obviously had bonded with his daughter. In fact, now that he thought about it, it seemed she was the only person in his life.

And right now she was being weird on him.

“Ne, Ryu-kun, would you like to hear a story?” Perhaps the wine really had gotten to him, but Kosuke felt oddly talkative. It was amazing how comfortable he was feeling. He actually wanted to tell someone his story.

“What type of story?”

“About my children,” he chuckled, “I don’t think you learned much about my children, right? My books have much about me, my ex-wife, and my son Souhi, my daughter Kiryo too I think, but nothing about Saori or her other siblings. They’re mentioned often, but mortals don’t know anything about them other then their names.” Pursing his lips he noted absently with a scratch to the back of his head, “Though, technically, Shiko is my daughter too and she’s just as popular as Souhi. Notorious too.”

That was the understatement of the century. Notorious didn’t begin to describe how mortals viewed Shiko the “Black Goddess”. “Sure…I’d like to hear about them.”

Kosuke smiled lethargically, sitting back and staring at the fire as he spoke. He told him of Kohaku and how he’d left because the gods of Tengoku made him uneasy; Kiryo the rainbow goddess and how she was always on the go; Souhi and how he was always the most impartial of people and the most common “judge” for disputes because of his ability to look at things from both sides; various other children Ryu hadn’t even read about were mentioned too and how they all, for one reason or another, left him to go live on their own or among their mother’s people. But most of all he talked of Shiko & Saori, but in a way that made Ryu arch an eyebrow. From the way he recounted stories of those two, it made it sound like they were two separate entities. From what I can tell, Shiko is the real Saori. Saori is merely the cover-up personality of her because Shiko is so…

Involuntarily, he shuddered as he remembered how chilling she’d been to be around. No wonder she had another form.

Audibly, Ryu voiced his thoughts.

It made Kosuke laugh lightly, honestly amused abut something. “If only that were the case. It isn’t that simple, Ryu-kun. I speak like they are different people because they are different people. They share a heart and body but Shiko has a mind of her own that is unaffected by Saori’s. She is another entity, yet always a part of Saori because, in essence, Saori created her.”

Sweat-drops ran down Kosuke’s head as question marks floated around Ryu like a thick cloud. He’d expected that. No one really understood. Hell, sometimes even he didn’t understand it.

“What do you mean?”

“Unfortunately, you’ll have to ask Saori about it. But Shiko, knowing her, won’t let you since that girl loves keeping it a secret. Unless Ruko can convince her to fight Shiko down, she won’t return to the surface,” he explained with sad eyes, “I’d go myself to talk with her but I only make things worse since Shiko resents me.”

“Why?”

If it were possible, Kosuke looked both amused and pained by the question. “That, Ryu-kun, you can ask Shiko herself.”

~*~ : * : ~*~

Sitting across from her at the black marble table in the surprisingly beautiful and ethereal gardens in a part of Kakure she hadn’t known existed, Ruko stared at Shiko who merely drank her tea with closed eyes, legs crossed and long loose hair billowing in the gentle breeze. Very much like Saori would when they’d have tea together, but notably less pleasant. She could feel that the girl was very agitated with her presence. Not Saori at all…but its still her. She’s still the same girl you’ve gone on trips to the other kingdoms with, yet not. “Shiko, I believe this is the first time I’ve actually spoken with you.”

Her eyes never opened. In fact, if she didn’t mutter something of a confirmation Ruko would’ve sworn she hadn’t even heard her. “Quite right.”

Ruko took a long drink. Even the voice remained relatively the same, but less lively and more threatening. The strength it had was still there though. “I should’ve done so a long time ago.”

“Why the sudden change? You have always been like any other and avoided us when I’m in the forefront, Ruko.” Shiko’s tone was sharp, eyes finally opening to cast a cold glare her way that the Faerie queen patiently ignored. Sort of. She still had a chill run down her back.

“Because I care what happens to Saori and you.”

“Don’t you mean just her?”

“No.” Her amethyst eyes held Shiko’s cold gaze firmly as she said, “I mean both of you.”

Shiko actually smirked at that. “Why? Because I am her? The Faerie Queen would realize that I suppose.”

“I know that,” she smiled sadly, “But that’s not why.”

“Why then? As you’ve said,” she sneered, “You’ve never met me personally.”

Ruko remained silent, carefully forming her words. “Your right. It was wrong of me, but you’re an intimidating goddess, Shiko. Can you blame me?”

The cold eyed goddess scoffed derisively, pouring herself some more tea. “I guess not.”

So very Saori-like…even like this you need the tea to relax. “You seem more level-headed then my best friend.”

It was a rare thing to perk Shiko’s interest but Ruko’s comment managed to do just that. A large accomplishment that the Faerie Queen patted herself on the back for mentally. “Saori might’ve said something like, ‘How can you be intimidated by me?!’ or something to that affect.” As an after thought she mused, “She can hear me, right?”

“Every word.”

Closing her eyes and finishing her own cup she mumbled, “Saori knows its true.”

Shiko felt something shift. She was right of course. She could feel Saori brooding within the depths of her mind, conscious of all the things that were going on.

“She’s more likely to take things the wrong way too,” Ruko mused lightly, brushing her black strands behind her, “Takes things far too personally sometimes. Thinks things over way too much too. It gets to the point she talks herself out of things she wanted to do in the first place. She’s so indecisive at times my head spins. Or she’ll rationalize something down so much she’ll make it seem silly.”

Somewhere in her mind, Saori fell over with angry veins throbbing and stiff twitching.

“That’s all nice and well,” Shiko twitched, her pride growing in sync with her irritation, “But you haven’t answered my question.”

“Oh, right.” Ruko inwardly smiled as she saw it. That spark of light blue which entered her eyes. Saori was pissed. She was starting to come out of whatever depression Shiko had talked her into. As I thought…it’s a mental game you have to play. Who better to play then a Faerie? Now what I have to do is shake her long enough for Saori to come out so she can yell & rant at me, and be herself again. “It’s because Saori cares what happens to you.”

There it was. That small window that shook Shiko enough for Saori to start coming out, the hair changing to its rich violet before it disappeared though, Shiko standing abruptly and slamming her hands down on the table, angry. “Leave. Now. I see what you’re doing and I won’t let her out.”

“What I said was the truth, Shiko,” Ruko murmured, standing and sprouting her wings, “I care because Saori does. She cares about what will happen to you if you keep provoking the gods and I do to. Your special to her, and if something happened she’d be hurt despite how much you mentally torture her.”

“LEAVE!”

With an annoyed growl, Shiko was glad when the annoying Faerie disappeared into Kakure’s sky, sitting back down and holding her head in her hands. That damn woman is dangerous. Nothing less from the Faerie Queen though. I was careless.

“You were.”

Ah, damn. Now she was awake too. Shiko’s eyes narrowed. “What do you want?”

“Give me control back, Shiko.”

“So I can rot in the depths of your mind? Forget it.”

“Kosuke-papa’s probably worried sick.”

Shiko snorted quietly, pouring herself a drink and adding a few leaves that would make it extra strong this time. “Why should I give a damn? That bastard is the reason we’re like this.”

“HE IS NOT!” Saori was fuming mad and for a long while she struggled for control, though Shiko still had a strong hold on it. “And you screwed up my moment with Hiiro you jackass! He was finally starting to get it!”

“You mean finally starting to realize the way into your pants, child. What makes you think you aren’t merely a challenge to him? A challenge, once conquered, that he will be bored with? His record with women should make you see that even without me pointing it out.” Shiko smiled in satisfaction when she stayed silent, the warm liquid running down her throat and leaving a sour aftertaste. Just like she liked it.

“…I trust him…” It was small and barely heard, but Shiko heard it because she felt their heart twitch. “I trust Hiiro despite myself. I want to know what it is he wants from me. So I swear it, Shiko, I WILL get control back!”

Tch. Wonderful. The Faerie Queen had succeeded with half of her well calculated plan. She’d have to be on guard, her face dropping back to its usual cold and impassive expression. “Whatever…”

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Sakori stared dot-eyed at the holes spread randomly around Great Hall, jumping as the ground shook and another deafening roar filled the air and made everyone quake in fear. Only one person could do that besides Joutei and he was there. Some ‘trip’ he’d said, but Sakori knew the real reason. It didn’t matter though. He could do as he pleased.

“Queen Sakori,” Tetsuo mumbled. He was standing outside Hiiro’s door, sweating profusely as they both cringed at the new loud bang that shook the corridor much heavier then before. “He’s been like this since we woke up. That Shiko knows how to do a good sleeping spell…”

Necromancer knowledge…That girl always did know much more then anyone ever knew. The thought made her smile despite herself, though she really should be upset with her. It was hard, though, considering she sympathized with her. “You may go for a little bit, Tetsuo. I will speak with my son.”

His fuzzy ears sprang up for a moment as he blinked, searching her face to perhaps see if she’d gone nuts, before he nodded understandingly. “I will go to the study then, Great Queen.”

She waited until he was long gone before her silvery green eyes turned fully towards Hiiro’s door, opening it silently. The destruction and outright damage was hard to miss, the whole room in shambles, but she remained concentrated on him, the dark red haired god sitting on his bed, worn out, with his head in his hands. If she didn’t know better, she might think he was crying. “Hiiro”

“Yes, Mother?” He didn’t bother moving or looking up, knowing she was alone. She was always alone. And when she was alone she hated being called ‘Queen this’ or ‘Great that’.

He couldn’t look at her now though. Not right now. Not when her hair, a beautiful pastel violet, reminded him so much of his beloved.

“How can you say that?” she sniffled, the young child looking at a strand of her light lavender hair that the children were making fun of. “My hair is not weird…”

“Yeah it is! And so is its owner!” one laughed, pointing at her, and the rest joined in, Saori looking down with a clenching fist so her eyes were shadowed. Why did they have to laugh? They always taunted her. Why was she such a laughing stock with them? It hurt.

Her attention changed only when she heard a powerful punch connect with the wall, stone bits dropping down to the floor as she opened her eyes and looked WAY up to see Hiiro glowering down scarily at the children who’d picked on her.

Needless to say, they were out of their screaming like little girls before he could even say ‘boo’.

“Are you alright?” He looked down at her, smiling gently as he patted her head affectionately. “You must be Kosuke-ani’s little girl. I’m Hiiro.”

“Daddy told me about you.” Pointing up at him, she blinked and said abruptly, if not maybe a little accusingly, “You’re the one who sleeps with everyone!”

Hiiro fell over twitching with a crash. Count on Kosuke to tell her that. And did she have to say it so loud?!

“He also said you’re the most tolerable of King Joutei’s kids,” she mumbled. Figures. THAT she would say low and go shouting to the world he slept around. And it honestly wasn’t his fault either! They always sent him to sleep with someone so he didn’t snore and keep everyone on Tengoku awake. And he was good looking, it was fact, so how was he supposed to turn them down when they tried making it more then just sleeping at its most innocent? The last time he did that she’d cried rape and he’d been exiled for some time. And it hadn’t been fun. Damn vindictive women.

“I guess,” he grinned, sitting down and crossing his legs. Exactly how small was she? Even when sitting he was a good 2 or 3 heads taller then her. Or was he just that tall? “Kosuke-ani said I might find you here. Going to see Souhi?”

Her smile that lit up her face as she nodded was nearly as blinding as Dayu’s palace. “Souhi-ani said I could visit him whenever I wanted and daddy’s out doing stuff.”

“What about Lady Aiko?”

Her face scrunched. Well, it didn’t take much to see what she thought of her. “She scares me…always mad at me when I didn’t even do anything.”

Hiiro sweat-dropped as he patted her head again comfortingly. Aiko scared a lot of people, but her beauty and voice that was like silk running over the skin usually made up for it. With the men, anyway. “That’s just her, but I think you better wait a little. Souhi’s pretty busy at the moment.”

“Oh…ok. Can I stay with you then for awhile, Lord Hiiro?”

Hiiro couldn’t help chuckling. She was cute. “If you promise to call me Hiiro and stop thinking about what those kids said. Your hair is beautiful, just like Great Mother Sakori’s hair. Nearly the same shade too, but hers is paler and lighter.”

Her light blue eyes lit up. “You mean it? Just like Queen Sakori’s?”

He nodded while he picked her up in his arms easily. She was so light! What was she, made of feathers? “Un. Just as beautiful. Your eyes too.”

Now how was he supposed to know she was a sucker for flattery? And how was he, who’d just met her, also supposed to know when she was no longer upset she’d change to a form which resembled a mortal teen, 16 or so, and make them tumble into a VERY suspicious position. The fact that Souhi, having heard her voice somehow and come running to see her, turned the corner at that exact moment only to choke and have his eyes start glinting with murder at what he saw was not helping things either.

Saori's quick kiss to his cheek nailed the final nail in his proverbial coffin as Kenta restrained Souhi with some force, stars in eyes as he tried to go at him with some sort of needle. “Thank you, Hiiro, you made me feel lots better.” With a wicked little smile that bordered on impish, she waved, going over to Souhi and hoping to appease him, leaving Hiiro to stare at her, a hand to his cheek.

Troublesome girl. But what a personality!

“You’re thinking of her,” Sakori laughed. It was so easy to tell what was on Hiiro’s mind. He was open and hid nothing, his eyes glazing with that look he only got when he pondered all his memories with her grand-daughter. “Have you tried to go see her yet?”

Hiiro slumped down on his bed with a shake of his head. He was worn out. Taking out his anger to such a degree always did that to him. “No…I wouldn’t know what to do or say. Shiko is in control and I have no idea what to do around that damn woman.”

“Shouldn’t you just be yourself?” she smiled ruefully, “Shiko is essentially Saori, Hiiro.”

His face blanked, clueless. “What do you mean?”

“Don’t you know?” Sakori looked mildly surprised. “Shiko…she was created FROM Saori, Hiiro.”

Silence.

“…You really didn’t know that?”

“WHAT!?”

The loud shriek made Great Hall shake, Sakori clinging to the bed post as she sweat-dropped. Her son really WAS blind to things where she was concerned, wasn’t he. Oh, Hiiro, you’ve been blinded by your own passions and that is your very domain. She’d have to talk with him about this later.

Much later. After he calmed down.

And stopped trying to burn the place.

Tetsuo conveniently decided to come back then, perhaps because of the ground shaking. “Lord Hiiro! Your flames!”

SPLASH!

“Gah! TETSUO!”

Much, much later…

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