After a long journey, she has finally returned. There she stood before the massive gate, eyes wandering up and down as she examined the numerous animals engraved on the doors that separated her from what lied within. For lengthy minutes she contemplated in silence, carefully considering her next course of action. Should she enter? What would become of her if she did? She could not remember the face of the man who owns the land beyond the gate, nor his name, nor anything else about him other than the fact that he was very important. She also had a feeling that she had some kind of special relationship with this man, but unfortunately most of her memories had been lost. It wasn’t until she had seen a familiar face that she began to remember bits and pieces of her past, as well as the life she lived and whom she held dear.
She lowered her head before glancing back over her shoulder where her dearest familiar stood behind. He had chosen to take up his human form, his amber eyes watching her closely. But he gazed at her softly, with understanding and patience showing clearly on his handsome face. His ears were high with attention, twitching every now and again whenever a sound stirred from within the forest that surrounded them. He held both of his arms tucked within the sleeves of his kimono, tail lightly swaying.
The red-haired maiden gazed upon him thoroughly, until her eyes met his. Their eyes remained on each others for moments longer. And within those moments she was reminded of the day she had met her precious familiar. She knew she had found him in a city of some sort, and there were brief images of another person that had been there with her on that day. But every time she attempted to focus on the other person’s face, they would blur until they completely vanish. That small remembrance was the only one that she had since she had lost all of her memories. And it wasn’t until Kohaku found her that those memories returned.
She wasn't sure how she lost her memories, but she knew it was caused by faes. How she knew, though, was not known to her. But she dearly wished to regain all of her memories that had been lost, which is why Kohaku had brought her to this place. The forest rang a few bells, and even the door seemed familiar. So much so that she already seemed to know how to open it just from pure instinct. When she looked away from the fox and back at the gate, she sought out the clear spot amongst the myriads of engraved animals and pressed her palm to it without moments hesitant.
The gate groaned, creaked and cried as they slowly split apart. A path was revealed to her which led to a temple. Why did she think it was a temple? It looked more like a mansion of some kind.
Mentally shrugging to herself, she walked the path inside with Kohaku next to her. One hand was now placed upon the hilt of his katana which was held on his hip, while his other arm was left to hang at his side. His strokes were calm and certain, his eyes fixed and determined. It was as if he had little double about their business here, and she could feel his certainty through their strong, magical bond.
But she took slow reluctant steps compared to him. She would break her walk with a pause every now and again as she wondered what would happen. She didn't know if their idea would really work, in which case another fragment of her many memories returns. She didn't even know how this man would treat her after not seeing her up until now. Would she be welcomed, or rejected?
Nervously, she gazed around the area in search of something that could bring back memories. Rangers were out and about, most of them practicing with their bows at the target range. There was a brief flash of an image of the same place, though more empty, in her mind before vanishing. A memory perhaps? She knew she had been here before, but she couldn't recall why, nor what happened. But some things were slowly coming back to her. She could feel it.
Soon enough they came to a flight of stairs where another memory came to her. It was her, sitting on the bottom step with Kohaku, as a fox, resting his head on her lap as she gently stroked him. They were having a conversation, but what about? The image was gone before she could remember any more.
"Anything yet?" Asked Kohaku with his silky voice, his eyes turning to her. She lightly shook her head from side to side, "Only fragments. Nothing that explains anything." Kohaku's eyes remained on hers, surprisingly full of intensity. She almost squirmed beneath his gaze as if his eyes were burning her, but then he looked ahead at another gate, but one that stood atop the flight of stairs. He nodded in that direction, "Perhaps you should try going in there."
She looked ahead at the doors, tilting her head with a curious expression.
Another memory flashed, but with far more frightening images of still air, silence until chanting began. The eyes of the birds illuminated with mana, and there was a swift view of a tree, until a voice rang in her ears. "Why? Why did you accept?" It asked, when a man suddenly appeared before her. His face was clear, familiar, yet frightening.
She blinked and realized it was just another vision, only this time she felt almost horror struck, despite the feeling she had that whatever had happened, it wasn't as frightening as she felt. "Are you alright, Master?" Kohaku asked, voicing the worry she felt emanating from him.
"I'm fine," she replied as she raised a hand dismissively before using it to rub her forehead. Shaking her head once again, she looked back over at the target range. She couldn't keep her interest from growing. Did she still have sharp skills with her bow now that her memories were gone? Did memories even matter with that sort of thing?
There was one last glance towards the doors atop the stairs before she took a step in the direction of the target range. Somehow she felt that what lied beyond those doors was sacred, and she needed permission to enter first. So, she would test her skills for now.
The active rangers lowered their drawn bows when they saw her step onto the scene, their brows raised. Some smirked when she slid her bow from her torso over her head, and she drew an arrow and put it against her bow.
The rangers stepped back with amused gazes, while she heard some of them whispering what she assumed were bets beneath their breath. Apparently she hadn't come there and practiced often, otherwise they wouldn't be so interested to see what she could do. She figured, at least.
But she couldn't resist offering them a smirk of her own, subconsciously confident in her own abilities. She took up the archer's position and aimed her arrow, turquoise eyes narrowing as she focused on the unmarked target ahead. She could feel the men's eyes watching her from behind, as well as Kohaku's. Then, after releasing a steady breath, she released the arrow. It sliced through the air with a quiet 'swoosh'.
It made its mark with a thunk, just off from the center of the target. She lowered her bow a little with a frown as the men clapped, some from encouragement with quick "You'll get it next time", while others cheered from winning their bets.
A few of the rangers went off to take a break from their training, while others took up their bows to continue it instead. They seemed to have seen what they wanted to see, and lot interest. That was quick.
She glanced at Kohaku who was watching with a soft smile, sitting a ways behind her on the soft grass. Releasing a heavy breath, determination swelling within her, she took another arrow from her quiver and drew her bow again, preparing for another shot.
And then she released the arrow, hitting the target a little further off from the center. Another arrow was drawn and shot, then another, and another. Until she lost track of time, training with the rangers.
