Hypnos

Beware the Black Light

Nariko Kotohito was a fairly average nine year old girl, except for the fact her uncle was the emperor of Japan. Beyond that, she really was not very different from anyone else in Japan, but everyone didn't treat her that way. Everyone her age was too busy respecting her to actually want to befriend Nariko. And we're not even mentioning how older people react. Overall, Nariko was a miserable girl with no one to talk to.

Right now, the 13th of March, Nariko was attempting to write a haiku, but it just wasn't working out at all. To be honest, she was just writing facts.

                                                                        The snow falls late in spring

                                                                         My uncle is  fat

                                                                         I hate my life

She felt like she was about to cry from boredom. She knew she would have to throw away the paper before anyone saw she insulted her uncle. Otherwise, they might make her commit suicide. That was the nice way. The way that saved her honor. If they weren't feeling nice, then they would execute her. Her people were not tolerant to anyone who spoke unkindly of their emperor.

Her mother was walking in at the moment.

"Nariko, what are you doing?"

"Nothing, mother. Trying to write poetry. "

"You were not pleased with it?"

"No, not at all. Mother? Is there anything I can do before I die of boredom?"

"You may take a walk in the gardens. Your uncle just arranged for a new garden. It is very lovely."

"I know that, I've already walked through it three times. I know the gardens like the back of my own hand! Why is there nothing for me to do? Surely you could find a playmate for me!"

"Nariko! You are above all those children you see from the windows. Protect your honor, daughter!"

"What worth is honor if you are alone for the rest of your life?" Nariko mumbled.

"What worth? Child, think about it, your honor is the only thing that lasts eternally. If you should lose your honor, then you can never regain what you have so carelessly thrown away! You remember what happened when your cousin threw away his honor?"

"How can I forget? That's your favorite story to tell us. But Ki..."

"Do not speak his name! He has disgraced himself far too much to use his name ever again!"

"Fine, but the point is that he was happy until his untimely death. What if I should die tomorrow? I would die being a miserable little girl with no friends."

"That is because there is no one as high as you are! Besides, you forget the afterlife ahead of you. You shall be blessed there. Your cousin shall not."

"Okay, just leave me at peace. I wish to be alone."

And for once, her mother did leave her alone. She took a deep breath before deciding she might as well go look around for something to do besides walk around the gardens. She walked for what seemed like hours before there was another human being in sight. Just an ordinary servant girl too scared to look her in the face. Customary. Aini sighed as she moved onward. Then utter chaos was going on throughout the house.