Asuka: Island of Shadows

chapter 9

   Chapter 8

I stared in fascination at the two younger boys as they sang and ran and jumped and danced and cartwheeled and just plain moved, all at the same time.

Keiji had made quick work of setting up a celebration for my safe return, and although we didn’t have abundant stores of food, Mai and the other women had produced a fine stew that left everyone satisfied.

Then he had told everyone that they could do any talent they wanted to share, and we could have a talent show of sorts.

Of course, it was probably just because he wanted to distract me from thinking about Hikairi and where she was.

It was mostly working, and I laughed as Benjirou and Joji sang the words to one of the fastest songs I had ever heard while doing the craziest movements at the same time.

I had never seen anything like it, and I was thoroughly entertained.

They finished and bowed at the exact same time, while Joji was balanced on Benjirou’s shoulders, and Joji did a perfect flip off of him, still bowing.

Next Mai came up and began to sing in a soft lovely voice. It was a common lullaby that most Mothers sang.

“Darling child listen softly

to the sound of this song,

Your Mother’s voice, your Father’s laughter

Often joining along.

Darling child please remember

This sweet and simple melody

Sweetest angel please remember

What this song did mean for me.

Precious child sing it to me

when I am gone and all alone

for my comfort by my bedside

sing until the sun is gone.

Darling child please remember

this sweet and simple melody

sweetest angel please remember

what this song did mean for me.

My sweet angel call this sweetly

so my comfort will be fine

and I’ll remember you always

when you are forever mine.”

I sighed as I listened to the words. It was a really old song that my Mother had always loved singing to me and Akemi before she and my Father disappeared.

Akemi leaned against my shoulder, and as I looked at her, I realized that she had fallen to sleep.

I smiled at her, happy that she was comfortable. She had probably been thinking of when our Mother sang us that song too.

I looked up as the next performer got up. It was Akiyo. He had brought his bow and arrows, and placed a target far across the room.

It was a small target, only about a foot around the entire thing. The center of it was a tiny black dot.

I had no idea how he would hit it, but if anyone could, it would be him.

He readied himself for trying to hit the target, preparing the bow and arrow as well as he possibly could.

Finally he took a deep breath and and drew the arrow back, aiming carefully, then letting it fly.

He closed his eyes as soon as the arrow left, as though praying to some unseen being that his arrow would hit the target.