Kingdom Hearts 3: Chapter 3 Changing Winds. pt 1

Chapter 3 Changing Winds!~

(Asuka)

Pyreflies danced all around the lake of Killika. Their shimmering bodies always held me in a breathless trance. I wore a semi tight low cut purple short halter top that showed off my stomach. A frilly white trim decorated the edges of the top. The ankle length purple skirt had a string of sparkling sequins with a chain of sea shells tied around my waist. It seemed to sparkle when the light from the silver moon touched it. The skirt flowed nicely like a flower in bloom and it was easy to move around in. The ends of my white silk half sleeves also greeted the moon's dazzling light. This outfit served as my Prayer dress. My mother and I stirred awake when the first rays of sunlight hit the ocean every morning to pray inside Besaid's temple. Much to her disliking I would wear my prayer dress when I was out and about. A long purple silk veil with white Hibiscus petals rested on my head.

A glowing white moon greeted the Summoner from behind fluffy clouds happy to see her.

The people of Killika would be coming soon to witness my first Sending practice or what my mother calls it a Beckoning practice.

Killika had suffered tremendously when Sin first appeared and then a second time.

Today I would dance for them and help honor the anniversary of those who had died many years ago.

I outstretched my hand to the milky white moon and whispered. "I'm sorry."

Colorful ghostly bodies flew freely in the air while a few children laughed and pointed.

Fishermen hauled their nets into the boat, rejoicing at the many fish they caught for the day.

These people were constantly surrounded by new technology produced by both Spirans and Albhed.

Most of the people here were content with living the way people did when they first settled on this island.

They said it brought them closer to tradition, and to their ancestors.

The cool breeze of the night calmed my nerves a little bit.

"My lady, your Summoner robes are finally done. Follow me."

One of my temple handmaidens, Maiko kowtowed again.

"My Lady?" She raised an eyebrow when I didn't budge from my perched spot.

"Tell me Maiko. Why does everyone look up to me?"

`Why ask such a stupid question? Seriously.` Maiko refrained herself from rolling her eyes.

No matter how much of an idiot her Lady became she couldn't afford to be openly disrespectful.

It would cause bad luck on her journey.

"All of Spira believes in you, because you are your mother's daughter. The daughter of a brilliant Summoner who saved us all twice from Sin."

She too gazed at the beautiful pyreflies floating everywhere.

"I knew you would say that." I sighed.

What did I expect? It was always the same answer.

"Oh? Would you rather hear a lie than the truth?"

"No." I shook my head and met her golden eyes.

The longer one looked into Maiko's eyes the more sure they saw flames dancing within those alluring orbs.

All the pent up anger suddenly engulfed me in their flames.

"I want to hear a new answer!" I stamped my foot like an immature child.

`Something new?` For a moment I saw Maiko give me a funny look.

"I'm afraid my Lady-"

"It's Asuka!" I snapped fed up with unnecessary formalities.

`Is it really so hard to say my name?` I gritted my teeth.

Seconds ticked by as the tension grew thicker between us.

"My Lady." Maiko smirked watching me puff up my cheeks in annoyance.

She held up a dainty hand before I could lash out.

"I can't undo a truth nor is it my duty to do so. People will stick to their thoughts and can't be persuaded so easily. All of Spira is rooting for you, because they see a brave, strong, loving, and noble leader. These traits were surprisingly passed onto you from your mother. Not a rebellious princess who shirks her responsibilities like a stupid nitwit. Why question your place in this world?"

Maiko had such a way with words most of the time, that it irritated me.

She smiled when I was evidently speechless.

"I guess so. . . . Wait! Did you just insult me?"

I finally said feeling another soft breeze.

"Come let's go."

The twenty seven year old beauty led the way to Killika temple.

Maiko's white skin glowed luminously underneath the diamond starry sky.

Her purple hair almost reached her knees and hung loosely in soft waves.

The beauty mark below her left eye gave her a very charming look.

A diamond headdress went well with her side swept bangs that were parted on the right side.

Unlike the other handmaidens she wore a white kimono with a pink cherry blossom design.

Maiko bowed, after finding the right chamber, before closing the door, I sighed casting the silky veil to the floor.

"Oh you are going to look so beautiful!" I rolled my eyes at Miwa's gushy excitement.

"Yes a dazzling sacrifice." I said dryly letting them slip on a black low cut halter top.

"Don't think like that you are saving the world!" Miwa's hazel brown eyes were filled with excitement.

"I'm sorry." I quickly apologized, Miwa was two years younger than me and I nearly kicked myself for hurting her feelings.

"It's okay you are nervous. Everyone is going to be watching you."

"That doesn't help me." I sweat dropped and almost giggled at how silly she was.

Miwa looked like a cute china doll in her black kimono with orange fall leaves decorating it.

She had a matching orange obi tied at the front.

Her mid length honey blonde hair had a red rose.

"Is this supposed to show the small of my back?"

Katsue chuckled, "You have such a cute back. It would be a shame if men didn't have the pleasure of gazing upon it."

"Katsue!" Miwa and I blushed at her perverted suggestion.

The vixen laughed, oh it was so much fun to mess with Lady Yuna's daughter.

"-And those developed, enticing breasts of yours." She added with a giggle.

Katsue seemed to know all about romance and men's deepest desires.

For a fifty year old woman, she aged beautifully.

Her curly long brown hair was kept in a loose bun pinned with yellow butterflies.

Today she wore a light yellow kimono with a light brown obi.

Simple and elegant.

"My Summoner robe. I-It's like my mother's." I whispered laying eyes on it.

"It should be since she's the one who came up with the overall look. Of course keeping a few modifications in mind."

Katsue smiled then handed me a white cotton sleeveless blouse complete with a T-shaped neckline.

Next the white half sleeves which were tied with blue thread.

They were surprisingly a little heavier than my Prayer dress's and tinged purple at the ends.

'Why is my Prayer dress and the majority of my outfits low cut? . . . The perverted fox must be behind this!`

I shot Katsue a brief glare in return she had a sweet and innocent look.

I was sure mother was against this too.

"What's wrong, is it not low cut enough?"

Katsue's dark rosy lips were lined in a pout.

That teasing sultry voice tickled my ears like an irritating mosquito.

I wanted to squash it.

"Kyaaaa!" I thew the nearest object which was my brush.

Katsue dodged my throw and grabbed my hand.

"Stop it. You are a young a woman and should be proud to allow men to see your developed goods!"

"Stop talking about them!" I swore my face was redder than a tomato.

"I am jealous." Miwa hid her blush by looking at the floor.

"Not you too." I sighed almost slapping a hand on my forehead.

"What's this talk about Lady Asuka's breasts?"

Maiko asked entering the room with a big grin on her face.

"You should see Lady Hanami's."

I turned my head and glowered in pure rage!

"Don't drag her into this!" I yelled.

As they laughed I vowed to get my revenge.

They were all going down!

Maiko cleared her throat and helped Katsue tie a lavender obi into a butterfly knot.

I exhaled captured breaths I hated the obi part.

I don't care if I sound crazy, an obi can suck the life out of you!

I blinked at the shiny yellow flower petals which flew across the lavender fabric.

`So pretty.`

A single fully bloomed cherry blossom had been pinned on the right side.

"We're almost done." Katsue said helping me into a bellowing skirt.

It was a pretty light blue and my eyes widened at the cool wave design.

I sat on a comfy bed and gazed at this treasure.

"Wow." I began tracing the cherry blossoms which floated down the ends of the skirt.

I slipped on my short black boots that I had on earlier when miss sour face entered the room.

"Good. She's almost ready."

An old woman slipped through the door quietly.

`Great, why did it have to be her?' I thought not happy seeing the strict old woman again.

Lady Amaterasu was a high priestess long before my mother was born.

She ruled the temples with an iron fist. No one was brave enough to stand up to her.

She claimed to have been there when my grandfather Lord Braska vanquished Sin.

The Lady was deeply devoted to Yevon and looked scornfully at those who dare go against it.

Amaterasu had gotten dressed in her crimson red robes which had a black butterfly theme.

Most of her ankle length silver hair had been brushed down.

A silver butterfly pendant with dangling rubies held the the rest into a butterfly top knot.

Lady Amaterasu glared pointedly at Katsue then zeroed in on poor Miwa.

Miwa squeaked and hid behind Katsue.

"Heh, I see my presence still strikes fear into even the lowliest of servants."

Maiko rolled her eyes in the corner of the room.

A few wet coughs escaped her lips.

Her ruby butterfly drop earrings dangled as she endured another fit of coughs.

"Circle for me." Lady Amaterasu wheezed keeping my eyes locked with hers.

I obeyed like a proper Summoner's daughter.

She never passed the chance to lecture me on "what a proper Summoner should say and do.''

"Good." She nodded when I stopped. "Splendid. . . ."

The old woman pursed her lips together like she tasted something foul.

"What an ugly face." Without warning she roughly grabbed my chin.

A long sharp red painted nail dug into my chin.

I was sure she could hear my heart race within my chest.

Her piercing brown eye'd glare sent icy shivers down my spine.

Maiko held Katsue firmly back in the corner of my eye.

"And that hair. . ." I froze when her claws gently traced a few strands.

Like a viper, she tightened a fistful of my hair and gave it a painful yank.

"A Summoner should never have indecent hair!"

I cried out when I landed on the bed.

"Don't just stand there?"

Her malicious voice made Miwa shiver out of her hiding place behind Katsue.

She froze when Lady Amaterasu clamped a hand over her shoulder.

"Do her makeup!"

The poor girl bolted to my side and was already applying blush with shaky hands.

Katsue looked at the two innocent girls with concern.

None of them deserved such horrible treatment.

My scalp throbbed, but I smiled for Miwa's sake.

"It's alright. I promise we'll get back at her." I whispered.

Miwa gave me a grateful half smile.

She finished up by painting over my cherry blossom pink shimmery lips with a less desirable darker shade.

"That darker shade doesn't suit you."

Katsue hugged me from behind then patted my head.

Katsue-san always had a motherly presence.

"What are you doing?" Lady Amaterasu's voice shattered the touching moment.

"Katsue held up my purple shell like brush, "Brushing her hair."

She carefully brushed the soft mid length silky strands.

Katsue stood and faced Lady Amaterasu.

"The hair yanking punishment was uncalled for-"

She shrugged and chuckled, "I guess acting like a spoiled brat makes up for the jealousy you have over our Lady Asuka-"

Miwa and I looked at Katsue astonished at her bold move.

She chuckled, "It's no secret you miss looking young and beautiful."

A loud smack echoed through the stillness of the room.

Katsue's cheek bruised purple much to Lady Amaterasu's happiness.

The younger of the women gave the other a smug look.

Lady Amaterasu's glare bore into Katsue's "You don't know anything about me."

The Lady hissed in Katsue's ear. "Get out." She ordered.

Disrespectfully, Katsue didn't bow to her Ladyship.

"The party was dying down anyway." Katsue marched to the door.

"I'll see you out there my dear." She winked at me and left.

"Hmph, I'll see to it that she doesn't get paid for a whole month!"

With her power over the temples Lady Amaterasu could do just that.

"That will teach her." The old woman grumbled.

"It is time for the ceremony." She said beckoning me to follow.

She paused at the door to pat my arm. "You are the hope of our people."

It was the same sentence that was uttered to me in every temple.

Once we entered the hall, I saw a familiar figure leaning against the temple's entrance.

I ran up to the woman and hugged her.

"Akari!"

The very beautiful woman returned it affectionately.

She wiped away the dark pink paint and smiled seeing those shimmering sakura blossom lips again.

"What are you doing here?" I gazed up at her overjoyed to see her again.

"I got bored on my travels and became curious about this dance of yours. . . . By the way I ran into your mother."

Akari stepped aside allowing Yuna to enter.

She embraced me whispering, "I'm very happy for you."

Lady Yuna wore her Summoner's robe back when she defeated Sin twice.

I smiled into her loving touch and smelled her Hibiscus flower perfume.

A long white veil and purple silk covered her skirt and sparkled from the lit torches.

The silky veil looked lovely over her waist length brown hair.

"You look gorgeous." Yuna held her daughter's face close.

My left cerulean blue eye and my right green eye stared into hers.

I had inherited my mother's heterochromia, but had the color of my father's hair.

Yuna longed to see her husband again and knew his heartless mother kept them apart on purpose.

She was certain that the vile woman was the cause of their heartache.

Asuka was all that was left of him.

"I have a gift for you." Lady Yuna smiled breaking the hug.

She touched my neck making a sterling silver Hibiscus flower pendant appear.

"I wore that necklace during my Gullwing days. Now it's yours."

She beamed at the astonished look on my face.

My dad caught rare items for Grandma's sake in another world called Midgar.

I hoped Akari's friends looked out for him.

My mother and I would see him sometimes, but then he had to leave again to catch items that would benefit Spira.

Dad mainly caught Macana crystals which became helpful to Spira.

Why did grandma have to keep us apart?

My hatred for the woman had made me somewhat cold in her presence.

I masked my sorrow through a fake smile.

`Keep smiling.`

They took care of Hanami and I, a few times and later when Akari had to go somewhere important.

He used to write to us all the time, but then his letters stopped coming last year.

I masked my sorrow and guilt through a fake smile.

`Keep smiling.`

This is supposed to be a happy ceremony and I didn't want to disappoint anyone.

"Thank you." I examined the necklace pretending to marvel at its beauty.

I noticed gemstones had been added to it to make the necklace different and prettier.

There was a small blue topaz gemstone in the center of the silver Hibiscus and two other gemstones of the same color at the ends of the silver beads.

The glittering blue orbs reminded me again of the ocean and matched my drop earrings which was an earlier gift from my mother.

My mother smiled down at me and rested her hands on my shoulders happy that I loved my gift so much.

"I'm eager to see you dance already." Akari steered me out of the temple quickly.

Her blue eyes cast a lazy glance in Lady Yuna's direction.

Lady Yuna kowtowed to her. `I can never thank you enough Akari.`

"Ah! Lady Yuna it is an-"

Amaterasu gasped seeing Yuna's magical staff against her throat.

"Akari told me everything." Her voice had gotten low and threatening.

"If you ever lay a finger on my daughter again. . . I'll feed you to Ifrit!"

"Y-Yes Lady Yuna. I-I don't know what demons possessed me to do such awful things."

A menacing glare halted Lady Amaterasu's babbling.

The wind rustled Yuna's skirts as the mighty Summoner exited the temple.

--

I walked barefoot across the wooden pier.

The moon was still high in the sky as pyreflies danced around me.

I saw my mother stand next to Akari and my handmaidens.

Miwa shyly waved at me and I waved back.

Kimahri smiled and gave me a nod.

Miwa cleared her throat she raised her head high and started singing the ancient Hymn of the Fayth.

It was the song to honor all Summoners on their journeys.

Her lovely sweet voice rang through the air.

I E YU I

NO BO ME NO

A quiet hush had settled everyone who had come to see my dance.

The words Miwa had said earlier came flying back to me.

`Crap! What if I mess up?`

I gulped and tried swallowing my fear.

I had to give these people a good performance or else they will doubt my status as much as I hated it.

`Focus and everything will be fine.` I silently told myself carefully stepping into the cold water.

I sighed focusing on the task of keeping my body above the water.

It looked easier than it actually was and required a lot of magic.

REN MI RI

YO JU NO GO

The dazzling pyreflies floated about some phased through my feet and arms as I walked to the center.

`I think. . . I-I can feel them.` I thought almost hearing the voices of the dead.

Their souls became my dance partners as I glided across the water.

I still didn't see the difference between Sending and Beckoning.

My mother had different views than Lady Amaterasu.

She believed in the Beckoning: Summoners could talk to the deceased with no worries of not hearing them in the Farplane. It was like a moving sphere coming to life before their eyes. My mother taught me in the ways of the Beckoning and I liked her views more than Lady Amaterasu's who believed in the old Yevon. Summoners can live with the teachings of Yevon and don't have to do a dance of death and there was no sacrifice.

Lady Amaterasu argued that our precious Beckoning along with our worship of the new Yevon would crumble once Sin came again.

Why change tradition when it was already full proof?

According to her at least.

Both methods seemed the same to me.

The haunting melody floated in the air, reaching out to all who lived on the island.

I shielded my eyes from a sudden bright light.

`My staff.` I thought with a smile.

It looked more like three flower petals carved out of solid gold.

I held the purple staff feeling its immense power at my fingertips.

I E YU I

NO BO ME NO

Lady Amaterasu requested the song to take on a more traditional feel.

She shook the rattle in time to the rhythm.

`No matter how many times you dance, it will never change your fate!`

Her critical eyes watched Lady Asuka swing her staff beginning her first dance of death.

REN MI RI

YO JU NO GO

The smell of the ocean filled my senses as my lithe body twirled into another spin.

A few village men played the drums adding their part to the mystical song.

Pyreflies continued their dance zipping through the air or water.

HASA TE KA NAE

KU TA MAE

My petite feet almost stumbled feeling the wind pick up all of a sudden.

The dead's whispers reached my ears as they joined Miwa in a quiet duet.

Yuna's eyes widened and Amaterasu gripped her musical instruments tightly.

The color from Amaterasu's face drained, "This is. . . impossible."

She whispered and quickly fished out her good luck charm which was a wooden straw doll.

All around them a billion pyreflies gathered among the crowd.

HASA TE KA NAE

KU TA MAE

The pyreflies came together, their shimmering bodies glowing brighter as they took on a spirit form.

"Mommy!" A little boy ran to his dead mother and hugged her.

Other villagers rejoiced at the sight of their dearly departed.

Akari watched as more pyreflies materialized into human spirits to be with their families and friends.

`He's not with them.`

She should have known both of them weren't even from this world.

Miwa continued to sing and didn't take her curious eyes off the manifested spirits.

I E YU I

NO BO ME NO

Maiko played her pretty wooden flute and she had hand carved it herself.

When the pyreflies phased through me I swore it felt like I looked at their memories and the life they once had.

It was a sweet connection between Summoner and the spirits.

REN MI RI

YO JU NO GO

"She can't summon the new Aeons and not even yours. . . . So how can she call upon the spirits of the Farplane and allow them to mingle with the living?"

Amaterasu demanded crossing her arms over her chest protectively. Lady Yuna shook her head, "I am as lost as you are. . . . Something is still bothering me, and it may be linked to this."

"What is it?" Lady Amaterasu asked impatiently.

"Two years ago she and Hanami transferred to different schools in new worlds."

Yuna's voice got stuck in her throat and it took sometime for her to continue. "Asuka left me strange messages from her phone and I knew something was wrong. She had little contact with everyone. I-I soon stopped trying to comfort her from the monsters she saw. . . . I shouldn't have."

Was she still being tormented?

Is there a way for a me to save her?

Lady Yuna wished she could take back all the poisonous words she said to her precious daughter.

Her marriage had become strained as Yakumo was seen less and less at home.

`Asuka. . . I don't know how to tell you how truly sorry I am.` With sorrow filled eyes Yuna watched her daughter dance.

"Hmph you just admitted you aren't a perfect mother after all." Lady Amaterasu snorted, "Still that doesn't explain this peculiar turn of events."

"I think I know why." Akari said watching the breathtaking display.

The wind decided to play with her long dark brown hair which reached passed her waist line.

Both High Priestesses looked at her in surprised gazes.

"Asuka is able to combine the Beckoning and the Sending together as one. Not only did the pyreflies become attracted to he dance, but they also shifted into the Beckoning. Spirits can visit their beloved ones and withstand a longer period of visiting. This way a Summoner can't send them back as quickly as before."

Lady Yuna nodded, "As strange as this is, she is right. It certainly has never been done before."

Amaterasu had never stopped playing her instrument, but was intrigued. "And how do you think Lady Asuka is doing this?"

"Mere magic isn't strong enough to fuel and control completely different methods of Sending alone."

Akari said the sentence as though it was truth.

"She is using a new power. One that attracts the dead in dangerous levels."

`Obviously. Lady Asuka was cursed by someone two years ago.`

The Protector growled low, `Why didn't you say anything?`

I E YU I

NO BO ME NO

Pyreflies gathered into a pile forming a new spirit beside Lady Yuna.

She smiled recognizing him, "Father."

Lord Braska embraced his daughter then looked around.

"Where is Rikku and her family?" His ghostly voice was barely above a whisper.

He kowtowed to them on this Holy night.

"They couldn't make it. Takaya got sea sick and they had to go back."

Yuna respectfully kowtowed along with Lady Amaterasu.

`They wouldn't have been able to get invitations.`

Amaterasu grinned evilly before lifting her head.

Their kind should have never existed.

"Ah. That's a shame. Perhaps next time."

Lord Braska was disappointed, he wanted to see his grand nieces and nephew for the first time.

"How are you and Yakumo doing?" He asked giving her the fatherly knowing look.

"Not well." Yuna sighed then leaned into her father's touch as he caressed her face.

"I'm sure you will work things out." He smiled for her and Yuna smiled for him.

"Who is she?"

The beautiful surreal woman approached the former High Summoner and bowed.

"I'm Akari."

Akari swore they met somewhere before, but dismissed it.

Lord Braska took notice of the sword strapped to her waist and a few daggers strapped to her upper thigh.

Akari was dressed in an elegant attire: A dark blue half off the shoulder yukata with a high-low dark blue skirt.

The long skirt in the back was ankle length and the front skirt was lined at her mid thigh.

Crisp white bandages covered her breasts making her look like a female rogue Samurai.

The tails of her pink sash stretched to her knees.

A sparkling fully bloomed light blue cherry blossom was pinned on the left side.

She had black knee high stockings and her usual pointed, armored silver boots.

"She's been with my family for years. My husband and I hired her to be our family's bodyguard."

Yuna responded happily. Akari had become a dear friend to everyone.


REN MI RI

YO JU NO GO

"That is my granddaughter?" Lord Braska asked mesmerized by her enchanting display.

Yuna held her father's hand, "Yes." She chirped happily.

My concentration was starting to waver as the pyreflies whirled around me and blurred my vision.

I squeezed my eyes shut and focused once again.

`I can't mess up the grand finale. I've come too far to fail!`

With a great twirl I felt my magical power course through my body.

`Yes!` I beamed at my success!

HASA TE KA NAE

KU TA MAE

Maiko stopped playing her flute and joined Miwa in singing.

Their beautiful voices were carried by the chill of the wind.

I had magically commanded the water to raise me in the air.

My feet danced in the fountain.

The water laughed and tickled them.

As I spun around again I saw the sun awake from its slumber in the blushing pink sky.

Its golden rays made my staff sparkle and the warmth felt comforting.

HASA TE KA NAE

KU TA MAE

My eyes squinted at the bright sunlight, but it didn't stop my smile while I danced.

The air played with my long skirts as I finished the dance.

Applauds and joyful cries erupted all around me.

I soon met the eyes of the man who had to be my grandfather.

Lord Braska smiled at his granddaughter deeply moved by the feelings in her dance.

Before I could run up to him he and the rest of the dead dissolved into pyreflies.

Almost all of the pyreflies drifted in the wind returning to the Farplane.