Chapter Text
Mai Shishikusa smirked to herself, thinking of how easy it was to sneak out of the palace, all she had to do was claim to go to the bathroom and then head out the back door by the kitchen. Child's play, practically. Even better was that the place was less attentive due to most of the servants being focused on preparing for her approaching 18th birthday at the end of the week. She continued down the stone path, marred by dirt and fallen leaves, the air was still and a gentle breeze swept through the valley, urging Mai to continue. She finally reached the end of the trail, the clearing led to a small stream just outside of Castle Town. The young Shishikusa froze, a figure stood in the flowing water.
The girl was twirling in the stream, her long, red hair swaying in the breeze almost hypnotically. Mai was entranced by her movements, so graceful, as though she were an angel. She must have noticed Mai's approach since she turned around to face her. Her eyes bore into Mai's - they were a deep red, almost glowing in the sunlight.
"May I help you?" The question was more of an interrogation, demanding to know the meaning of the disturbance.
"Uh, I was just passing by..." Mai mumbled an apology before the girl sighed. She danced to the grassy side of the river, by the town walls, before lowering to the ground. She lifted her head to the sky and beckoned Mai to sit with her. Mai obliged, as she sat beside her, she noticed the girl's hair begin to fade - her scarlet mane softening into a bright silver. It was like fresh blood on a snowy ground - Mai daren't mention it, in case it'd be rude.
"So... Who are you?" Mai asked, the girl peered down at her.
"Akari Oborodzuka. And you?"
"I'm Mai Shishikusa."
"A Shishikusa?" Her frowned deepened but her tone did not change. "I've heard of your family."
"Oh... You have? But... You... You aren't from Castle Town, are you?"
"I am not, I'm from just beyond those woods."
"Ah... Did you come here alone?"
The girl hummed. "Yes, I quite like to be alone. It's not often I am given the opportunity."
"Is that so?" Mai pondered as the girl turned her head to face her, her deep eyes seemed to pierce through Mai's soul. The girl continued.
"Mhm, the walls of my clan are heavily protected. I'm not usually allowed to leave." Mai perked up at the response and quickly interrupted.
"It seems we are similar then!" The girl glanced up at Mai in mild amusement, Mai cleared her throat in slight embarrassment before speaking again. "Ah, I apologise for being so bold... It's just my parents are also rather protective, and they don't let me outside without a guard - which is why I decided to come here, actually."
"I see." She turned to face the stream once more, her bewitching eyes drifted towards the woods that lay opposite. "Perhaps we are similar after all..." She chuckled, her laugh was like sugar sprinkled onto Mai's tongue. Sweet. Addictive. They both shared a smile. "You know... I've never met someone like you before, most people tend to be wary of me." Mai was surprised by that.
"Really? But why?"
"I have powers gifted from my clan's leader... Many are aware of the oddity due to my hair but... Perhaps it's something deeper than that. I can make people do terrible things, Mai, and sometimes I can't control it. I've been called a monster, and I've been beaten because of it."
"You're no monster!" Mai cried, "sure having powers is a little unusual but that's no reason to be treated in such a way."
The girl chuckled. "I like you, Mai Shishikusa."
"I-I like you too..." Mai blushed. There was something so hypnotic about Akari, as though she could tell Mai to drown herself in the stream and she'd do it, she wished she could stay with her forever. Perhaps it was her magic. The two women bathed in the silence, the gentle breeze, soft grass and rushing water. Mai felt a warmth that she had never felt before. Infactuation, perhaps?
Storm clouds gathered overhead, the air became more static. "I must be heading home now, my parents will be worried." She lifted herself from the ground, stretching, Akari remained seated, unmoving. "Goodbye, Akari."
Akari smiled, "I hope to see you again, Mai." And the two parted ways.
Mai began up the trail, the old pathway was encompassed by trees, bushes, weeds and dirt. The landscape was serene, and Mai felt at peace. Until she briefly caught the smell of iron, the smell was mild at first but then became overwhelming - Mai followed the stench to the bushes, yanking them apart before releasing a gasp. "It couldn't be..."
A body lay within the bushes.
The carcass bared the same soft, perfect face of the girl she met by the stream. Akari. Yet her body was in ruins, her midsection had been ripped open, exposing her innards which lay scattered among the dirt. One of her eyes had been gouged out and a few fingers were missing. Blood seeped from every gash and gave off a sickening stench that made Mai want to gag. Her once crimson hair was now a pale silver and her remaining eye was blue, widening and staring directly at Mai.
"Help... Me..."
Mai threw her hands to her face and screamed, she stumbled backwards, away from the bushes and broke into a panicked sprint - dashing across the barren field towards the secret back door. She pulled it open and leapt inside, eager to slam the door to be rid of the smell of rot.
"Oh Mai!" Her mother, who had been standing in the doorway, cried rushing out to meet her daughter in a tight embrace. "Where have you been? We've been ever so worried, you know you mustn't wander without permission... Oh my darling child!" Ryou rambled as she fussed over Mai's whereabouts, quickly ushering her in before she could explain what she saw.
"Mother... I'm... Fine. Nothing bad happened, it's just there was..." Mai's eyes shifted down to the bottom edges of her mother's robes, smeared against the blue fabric seemed to be the crimson shade of... blood? Mai blinked before raising her head again. "Nothing. I... I just thought I saw, uh, a merchant from... some other clan. I figured it would be best to avoid him so I came back here." Ryou released her grip on her daughter's shoulders and sighed.
"Well, I'm glad you aren't hurt." She gently stroked Mai's cheek before briskly turning around and entering the hallway. "I shall send a guard to search for this merchant, there should be no outsiders in Castle Town during this lockdown." She announced before her exit, leaving Mai alone in the kitchen.
The soft ticking of clocks echoed around the quiet room, Mai thought of the girl. She thought of the corpse. She thought of the stench of blood and mangled flesh. She was then alerted of the fact she skipped breakfast this morning in lieu of her grand escape. She smiled, deciding to go and see if there was anything in the store rooms.