Chained
By Aikaida
Entry Date: 8 October 2006

They bond her, with heavy chains to her wrists, with what little slack that allowed her to reach the other side of the small prison. Her long silver hair fell into her face, and she twitched her cat ears gently. Everywhere her body hurt; old and new blood clung to her tunic she wore. Her dazzling red eyes shifted to what gave the room light: a small barred window sitting five feet off the ground. She took out a small brush, half full ink bottle, and a piece of rice paper. It was what she managed to sneak into the small room.

Then she started to write onto the rice paper, her calligraphy forming on the paper:

'How long has it been, I wonder since I could smile? These chains holding me against the wall also carry the weight of my regrets. I cannot see why they do this to me. What have I done wrong? Is it because of what I am? I see her suffering and it breaks my heart knowing I could do so little. I wish someone could save her'� Why couldn't I save her? Was I not strong enough? Why did she deserve to die? The gods curse me, the goddesses scorn me. Why? I was faithful to the Temple'� Must my tears fall as a testament of the innocent blood that was spilt'� that of witch I can never atone for'�? Answers will never come for me. No one can me save now.'�

She could see the moon in the small window. Tears did not come, for she felt as empty as a soulless corpse walking the earth. She also took out a crude dagger, and with what little strength she had left, she quickly slid the blade across her wrists and rested her back against the wall, watching the blood trickle onto the tatami mats. After a while, her eyes faded into a crimson color that was glassy and she said, 'I am coming, Marumi-hime'�'�

In the morning, there was a sacking of the palace. The general found the girl, and tears quickly filled his eyes. 'Look here, men'� I found her. She died of a broken heart'� Take her into what's left of the garden and raise a mound for her. Give her prayers so that she may be delivered from Hell and allowed a place in the heavens along with Marumi-hime'�'�

And his men did so. Just as the run rose over the hills, a mound was raised in her honor as the warriors offered their prayers. The general looked up at the sky and said,'� Rest in peace, Kiro-san.'�

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