Seven Saviours

Seven Saviours (Chapter Three)

Chapter Three: Miyuki Maiya

So far, I was the oldest of them. A young boy, probably around ten or eleven years of age, was next to get on the jet. He looked amused, which isn't how I expected anyone who knew that we were being taken to America to look. Especially someone so young. He sat down in the seat infront of me, and pulled out a sketch pad, some pencils and his iPod. He looked so relaxed! I thought back to when I got the letter, and I definatly wasn't this calm...

I was in my room, kneeling infront of my mirror. The servants were helping me into my kimono, and powdering my face when I heard a familiar voice coming from down the hall.

"Yes, this letter is for Miss Miyuki Maiya from an academy in the United States. She must see it immediatly."

"Thank you, Toya." Came my Fathers voice "But I will take it and give it to her later. She is busy preparing for the tea ceremony."

"Yes. Thank you sir. Tell her I wish her luck in the ceremony." He said "I will hopefully be able to come." Toya added

"Very well then. Good day to you, Toya. And thank you." Then it was silent. I stood up, much to the servants dissaproval.

"Please Miss..." One of them began to say

"One moment please." I replied

"Mother?" I called "Mother!!!!" I heard footsteps. The door slid open.

"Yes dear?" she started "Oh my! Your not ready yet and the ceremony starts soon!" She quickly spun me around and started fixing my long, dark hair into a tidy style that would suit the occasion.

"Mother, what was the letter about?" I asked her as she brushed a few strands of hair. She gave me a sly look in the mirror.

"Eavesdropping, were we?" she said. I blushed slightly. My Mother laughed.

"It's not polite, but because the letter was for you, I suppose it's alright." she said. "Just this once though." she added. I nodded.

"The letter was inviting you to attend an academy in the United States of America!" she said excitedly "Isn't that exciting?!"

I was dumb struck. I thought of all my friends, my family and my dear country, Japan. I began to sway slightly, and my Mother and servants caught me and helped me to sit down. They gave me a glass of water, and told me to breathe deeply.

"Darling, whatever is the matter? I thought you would be quite pleased. The academy is for exceptional children, after all." I finally regained my posture and voice.

"But Mother, I don't want to go! What about all my dear friends here? And my family, not to mention my important role as a Priestess of the People! Who will do their ceremony's? And take care of their needs? And help heal the sick?" I was starting to get frantic.

"You can go to the academy, and come back when important festivals are taking place. You will still be the Priestess of the People, cherry blossom, but your sister Aya will step in and help when you are not here." My sister?! Was she crazy? My sister had no grace whatsoever! She was a daredevil who hung out with a rowdy group of girls and boys. Give her my responsibilities? Never!

"Absoloutly not! Aya cannot handle the responsibilities. I will not go." I said sternly.

"Ahh, but you will." Came a masculin voice from behind me. I spun around.

"Father! Oh surely you won't make me go?" I pleaded

"I'm afraid we must do what is best for you, Miyuki. You will go, without any further discussion. Priestess' do what they are told, and you are no different." With that he walked out of my room.

"I'm sorry, my little cherry blossom. This is how it is going to be." My Mother followed my Father out of the room, and left me to my sorrow.

After the ceremony, I had returned home and was told to pack up my bags. I was crying uncontrollably, and my younger sisters were trying unsucessfully to cheer me up.

"Please, just leave." I told them finally. That night would be my last night in Japan for a long time.

I was the first one on the jet, so I had a good choice of wherre I wanted to sit and sleep. When we picked up another young boy in South Africa, he chose the seat furthest from me. Fine with me, I told myself. Waiz was only nine years old, so we had an eight year difference. How do you become friends with someone who was younger than my smallest sister?

This other boy, however, seemed much different. Almost like he was drawing me to him. I tapped him on the shoulder. He spun around to face me.

"Hello." I said "My name is Miyuki Maiya. Who are you?" I was so glad I had taken english in Japan. It was paying off already!

"My name is Durante Valentina. I'm eleven years old and I'm from Pisa, Italy." He said proudly

"Where are you from, China?" I was surprised. Couldn't he see I was a Priestess from Japan?

"No, I am from Tokyo, Japan and I am a Priestess of the People." I said. Durante smiled.

"I don't know what a 'Priestess' is," he started "But it sounds very interessante!" I smiled at him. I guessed that 'interessante', meant interesting.

Our next stop was Trinidad & Tobago, according to the map I had been given. This was already going alot better then I had expected. I couldn't wait to meet the next child!