I know that this is not the best story and isn't a perfect follower of the theme, but I guess it's all right. And it's also been something that's been swimming inside my head. Comments and critiques are loved!
~Lupin Drake, Head Diplomat
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Possession… what is it exactly? We all know how some creatures are able to physically and mentally take control of a "weaker" creature for a period of time, but is that the only kind pf possession? What if you were willingly possessed? What if your possession took a step further? What if instead of being merely possessed, you were joined with your possessor?
My name is Rune Drake, the mother of Lupin Drake, your half-kitsune head diplomat. I come from a land where the kitsune are despised and hated, and should one be seen, it is considered as an act of war and disastrous results occur. My acts are by far the worst in this mindset.
And I will tell you my side of my daughter's story – a story that reveals why she is part kitsune, how I came to be "possessed", and what all of this means. But please, do not let my daughter hear this story. I fear that it will burden her for what truths it contains. So please, friends and comrades of my daughter, please watch over her, as I cannot, and keep in mind, she is no different than you.
~~~
My dear daughter's habits and qualities first come from me. I was a typical child though; I did not possess the courage to ask all of the questions that she did, nor was I able to do all that she is and will be capable of. I sought answers quietly through what few books my family owned, while she sought them through word of mouth and dared to seek books outside of her reach. She explored while I looked outside a window dreaming of what I wished I could do, and she has lived a much fuller life because of it.
And I am so proud of her. But worried as well.
It was only seven months after I was married that I went to do the laundry alone. I was newly wed, and sill a little confused and unfamiliar to it. The marriage between my husband and I was arranged through one of our village matchmakers of course, as it was traditional in our parts. I needed to sort out my thoughts, and our rivers are always peaceful… How could I resist even a short-lived sanctuary?
But it is the fastest rivers that look the calmest.
I fell off the cliff and into the water that was only a few inches below it. How long I was washed down, I did not know. Or how I even survived, though I would not have survived the night, is not known to me either. All I know is that one of our so-called enemies, the kitsune, saved me. But if such a creature that we condemn as such vile and inhuman entities capable of nothing but destruction and wrath saved me, could I or anyone else be justified of calling them such?
Maybe it is we humans who are the vile creatures of this world.
"Open your eyes," was the first set of words I heard after I fell into the river. I tried to sit up; by I was gently pushed back down to the ground. "Be still for a moment… and listen to me. You are dying, and I wanted to know if you wanted to be saved or not."
"What?" I asked, my voice raspy. I suddenly felt very tired and weak.
"Stay with me." I looked up and saw a kitsune. Oddly, I did not scream or try to get away. I was taught that kitsune were evil creatures who would kill us humans, not save us, if they had the chance. Her eyes were a soft gold color, and her hair a muted red-orange. "My name is Azami… please, do you wish to be saved? Even if my rescuing you could have some consequences you might not like?"
I blinked, and tried to make sense of what she was saying. "Please… save me," I whispered.
The kitsune smiled. "All right then," she replied, taking my hand. Suddenly, she began chanting, and I felt a steady and rising power come through her hand and into my mind.
~~~
"Wake up," I heard her say. Sitting up, I found myself still drenched, but not harmed in any way. I felt better than before, actually. Naturally, I looked around to see if I could find the kitsune who saved my life, but it looked like she had disappeared. "I am inside of you," her voice said, as if answering my question.
"Who are you?" I asked. I was panicking at this point. "Why are you inside me? What do you mean by that, and what is going on or has happened?"
"My, my…" the voice replied. "So many questions, and just enough bravery to speak of them. My name is Azami as I have said, and I am a kitsune. I am inside you due to what I had to do to save your life. Our souls are now joined, and we could be considered as one. You still have your own mind and control over this body, but you might take on some of my physical appearances…"
"But why would you save me?" I asked aloud. "And…"
"There is no need to speak out loud my dear," she said soothingly. "You can speak inside you mind… it will be much easier for the both of us and your people will not think you mad."
"All right," I thought to her. It felt odd to speak to her in such a way, and I felt strange as well. I assumed that anyone would feel odd if another entity was inside you, merged with your soul as well.
"I assume you want to know why I merged souls with you rather than just heal you or let you die?"
"Yes," I answered.
She gave a small chuckle as I stood up and wrung out my hair. While she and I spoke, I could find my way back to my home.
"I had a vision, and this vision showed me what was to become of one of your children."
"What?" at this, I had to yell out loud. "A vision… showed you the future, and because of this, you decided to join our souls together, forfeit your freedom and the life you knew… because of what would happen? What if something in the future changed? What if I am unable to have children? It would have been all a waste, and you'd be committing yourself to misery for as long as – "
"My dear, please calm yourself." Azami said. "It is all right. I am not giving up too much, and I am actually receiving some gifts in return. Like your world, it is not perfect. I was to be wedded to a kitsune chief whom I did not love, and who would suppress my voice and not allow me to use my gifts. Through you, I am free of such contracts, and I can live in my own way as well."
"But it's – "
"Not fair?" she finished for me. "I think it is. I am free, I will find happiness through being able to be in another world, and you are a good person. And take pride that your daughter, even though she will be biologically mine when she comes, will have a wonderful destiny."
"But… what did your vision say about what her destiny was? I have heard of such things, and most destinies do not allow the person to be long-lived or happy!" I exclaimed.
"My visions are not the clearest, but something said that she would find love and have it taken away. And in result, she will join a legion, and help fight against one of the greatest hidden evils of this world."
"That does not sound that fantastic to me…" I responded. "You made it seem like she was going to single handedly save the world from an evil warlord bent on destroying it…"
"But isn't hate an evil war lord bent on destroying the world?" Azami questioned. "Her love will be taken away from her due to poison. She will join the legion in hopes she will meet an elf that would give her the cure for the poison. In finding such an elf and receiving help from them, she will actually be making the first step in defeating one of the greatest hates of this world. Many peoples have hated elves for so long, and elves have hated them likewise."
"She will be a catalyst."
"Exactly." Then the kitsune gave a sigh. "But… she will suffer greatly. There will be much pain through her various battles… against enemies, friends, family, and especially against herself for what she is."
Suddenly, I stumbled over a rock, and fell to the ground. Looking up, I noticed that I was only a short ways away from the village gates, and ironically, very close to my unwashed laundry. No one else was about, so they must have assumed that I was off somewhere for whatever reason I had, and were not worried about me. Azami had become quiet now, and I sensed that she knew much more than she was letting on. I could only suspect that she was not telling me everything for my sake…
As I loaded my laundry, I prayed that my daughter, the one who would have kitsune blood, would not suffer as much as Azami had foreseen. But who was I to ask such a thing? Prayers are never answered anyways… I was "possessed" by a kitsune, and was not be able to keep it a secret forever, especially after Lupin was born. But I can say that some things have turned out all right.
My dear daughter is on her way to fulfilling her destiny.
Reply
