The Instincts Within

There were not always dragons in the valley. The sun illuminated this, and other titles of books as the warm sunbeam slowly extended its rays. The warmth and brightness of the light woke Yuki Beru from her nap. She set the book on her lap back in it’s space on the shelf. Stretching, she thanked the sun, like every cat person before her for thousands of generations. Prostrated, palms up, she silently prayed and showed reverence for the beam of light. Her white ears glowed pink as the sun’s rays shifted. With the sun firmly hidden behind the blossoms of the cherry tree, only a faint, pink, glow remained to light the room. Yuki lifted her head and sighed. The ringing of the gong signified the end of day. Yet another day she spent hidden. Another ringing. This time, a bell softly chimes. A summoning. Yuki stood up, straightening out the wrinkles created from a nap in the sun.

“Enter.” She composed herself in the moments it took for the servant to come through and close the door. Yuki smiled warmly at the girl. She was young and inexperienced in her job. The way she fidgeted with her robes and moved her spotted ears showed that much.

“Here you are, princess,” she said, her voice trembling. Yuki continued to smile at her, taking the clothes out of the young girl’s hands.

“I see. My father has sent the ceremonial robes for dance.” Yuki’s smile faded slightly when she saw the bells attached to the robe. “Bells and all,” she said coldly. The robes were made of a light, flowing fabric that shimmered and shined at the hemlines. Attached were tiny silver bells that held a soft and mellow chime. She Held the robes up to the light. The young servant girl watched, twisting and fidgeting nervously, waiting for her next orders to be given.

“What’s your name, girl,” Yuki asked in a soothing voice?

“Nuno No-Musume, princess.” It was easy to tell that the girl was new. She was young, fidgety, and scared to look Yuki in the eyes, peering only at the floor when speaking.

“I didn’t ask for your position in this house,” said Yuki slightly agitated. Calming her voice, she added, “I asked for your name.”

“My name was changed as is the custom, princess.”

“You are more than your position. Daughter of the cloth, what is your name? Your name is more than just a title given. It is a precious gift from your mother. What does she call you?” After a brief silence that felt like the passing of eternity, the young servant girl finally spoke.

“Yogosu, princess.”

“And I am Yuki Beru.” She said smiling, taking the young girl’s hands into hers, as she placed the robes on the arm of a chair. “Now we are just two girls with a gift none can take. Now,” she said, lifting the girl’s face so her eyes met hers, “please send in Jelen.”

“Who?”

“Madrona Simpatica.” Yuki sighed. Despite her efforts, the young girl still didn’t understand.

“Yes, princess.” With a deep bow, the young girl backed out of the room. Yuki held up the robes to the light. Every color caught the sun’s rays as it shifted once more; glistening in the setting sun. The robes were designed to mimic the brightness of a rainbow after a summer storm. To Yuki, they merely represented a sentence of servitude. A knock on the door slightly startled Yuki. “Enter.” In walked Jelen, commonly known as Madrona Simpatica.

Jelen was a red deer from the far north. Unlike what the name of her species suggests, her skin was a soft, velvet white with light brown freckles on her face and arms. When Yuki saw her, she gasped. Jelen’s once beautiful rack of antlers, that she would polish and adorne with amber and pearls, was gone. Jelen wore a simple white cap tied behind her head. The cap could not hide the blood that soaked through and stained it red. She smiled a tired and weary smile at Yuki, hiding the embarrassment the state of herself created.

“I apologise for the state of myself, princess Yuki. I am approaching the age of transitions. Usually, a member of my tribe would help maintain my antlers. Being the only one of my kind, it seemed fitting to part with them due to the hassle.” Jelen continued to smile. Yuki allowed the tears she held back to flow.

“Am I not a part of your tribe? Could I have not continued to care for you as I did when I was young and curious about them?” Yuki cried, yet Jelen continued to smile. Tears continued to cascade down her face. Yuki muffled the soft cries that escaped her mouth.

“Now, dry those eyes. You have to look your best for the All Father. He will expect nothing but the best from you. It was my choice to part with my antlers.” Yuki dried her tears and nodded. “That’s better, princess. Now, let’s get you ready for your performance.”

Jellen droned on about this thing or that but Yuki never heard the words spoken. She only got dressed, focusing on the hum of silence that beckoned outside. The only sound she made was a quiet, hissing, wince as her robes were tightened at her waist.

“If you would practice the binding techniques the pain would be minimal.”

“Yes Madrona,” Yuki said under her breath as she rolled her eyes, sniffing up her complaints. Madrona Simpatica eyed her up and down, surveying her work.

“Perfection incarnate; go, The All Father is waiting for you.” Jellen guided Yuki gently towards the door. Yuki gave her one last look of sympathetic grief as she looked where Jellen’s antlers would be. She was once again met with a kind smile as Jellen shooed her out the door.

Yuki lingered a few moments and listened to the muffled cries on the other side of the door. Her heart sank deeper and deeper as she held back the tears she was all too willing to shed. A candle boy walked passed lighting the way as the sun was setting. Yuki raised her head, resolved to find out the reason Jellen’s antlers were taken from her. After her dance, she would ask The All Father herself.

Yuki arrived at the hall with everyone awaiting her performance.

“The All Father requests you start without hesitation.” Said the door man.

“Very well, thank you Nigel.”

The doors opened with a slight creak. Hushed voices quieted down to silence. The only sound being, the faint ringing of the bells sewn onto Yuki’s garment as she walked. The hall, open to the courtyard, was empty except for the tables that lined three sides. Every table held an important figure. There sat dignitaries and emissaries, as well as religious figures and palace royalty on the left and right sides of the hall. Yuki’s seat, the left hand of The All Father, sat empty. The man seated to the right of the all father was someone she did not recognize. He held in his hands Jellen’s antlers; eying them like a prize he won in a fair fight. Remembering where she was, Yuki signaled the musicians to play. She turned to face the courtyard. Her dance would not be for this stranger as the All Father was intending.

She began to dance light, fluid, motions as the notes echoed in the hall. The embroidery gave off a glinting glow as the fabric shifted in the fading light of the setting sun, catching on every light in the dim, candlelit room. Yuki herself made no noise as she moved, save the sound of the bells. She was a cloud in the sky, moving with the notes as they carried on the breeze. The cascading rainbow of color glinting off her robes entranced and captivated every eye. For the length of the dance, she was a devout temple maiden. All her energy, all her being, all her self, was in praise to the day as it gave it’s life.

The music slowly faded into nothing. Silence once again filled the hall. The all father was not blind to her small act of disobedience. The look on his face said it all. The All father; king by right of arms, tiger of the southern sea. He stood tall, striped by orange and black. He bore scars in such a way, that stripe and scar intertwined in perfect harmony. Yuki looked him in the eyes, prepared for his wrath.

Before the all father had a chance to speak, the guest of honor, seated at his right hand, motioned for him to stop. With but a simple wave of his hand, the all father stopped. Yuki shifted her gaze to him. His eyes were closed as if he were thinking of the words to speak. He stood up, walking towards her never truly looking at her.

He was taller than the all father, almost a giant in comparison. His skin was the color of coals and his hair that same shade of ebony. He reminded Yuki of a dog though from one glance, she knew he was something more primal; a wolf. Every step he took was silent, which set Yuki on edge, yet at the same time, felt familiar to her. He turned his eyes towards her. She nearly got lost in the intensity of their blue flames.

Blinking slightly, Yuki stepped back. Her hesitation made the guest stop in his tracks. They were but three steps away from each other. Neither one backed down from their position. The guest folded his arms and smirked. Yuki wrinkled her nose in disgust.

“Is the matter settled then, Grimm?” the all father bellowed, chuckling to himself almost pleased.

“It is. I accept your offer.”