Tales of Kijo - Book One: "It All Began"

1: Enter Kijo

In all stories of length or short memories, fiction and reality, there lies one particular tale of a young woman, a woman named Kijo. Due to years of battles and the loss of their parents, Kijo's siblings often trained themselves within the place called Mist Islands. It was a temporary home but their caretaker Baba, an old woman more grumpy than the rest, announced they would be leaving back to the North Land Mountains.

"We get to go back home?" The third oldest sister Kaki asked. A bit shocked and nervous at the thought.

Baba nodded her head, "Aye. The Mist Islands are not to be made home full of royalty you know? This is a sacred home of tribeswomen sworn for protecting the North Lands." She yawned and held the tilt of her cane.

"One hundred and fifteen moons is a long time, Baba. How do we know it's even the same?" The second eldest sister Ai popped in another question.

Baba didn't expect their homeland to be the same but safe enough to call home again. "The people expect the children of their Queen to go back home. You and your brother are near the age of adulthood, you can't stay here forever."

Kaki walked over to Ai's side, "What, they expect Ai and Oukoji to take over?". Ai suddenly flicked her finger at Kaki's right ear for bringing up the subject.

"We don't know what the people want personally. But someone will eventually need to take your mother and fathers place." Baba sighed and scanned the area. The three of them had sat in the backyard garden of the old woman's home. A small wooden home with a backyard and fenced in garden. "Where is your brother?" She asked the two siblings.

"I'm not certain?" Ai replied as she looked to her sister Kaki.

Kaki crossed her arms and yawned, "Probably looking for Kijo. She wasn't in her bed this morning." That was not considered good news to Baba.

"That child... will age us all," Baba sighed and raised herself to a stand with her cane. Ai and Kaki stood up as well since they were also aware their younger sister was too adventurous. They best all head out to find them both before trouble brews.

Somewhere in the trading district of the village, the eldest brother Oukoji has been searching all types of hiding spots. Looking for his youngest sister proved to be quite a task for she had the skill to quietly move on her feet. He believes she behaved wildly after attaining such skill from one of the tribeswomen.

Oukoji peeked inside a barrel until he heard a quick swift of a giggle travel behind himself and unto the nearest roof top. His eyes weren't fast enough to catch a glimpse, "C'mon now Kijo!" He yelled after her. "We are suppose to be meeting with Baba and the rest by now..." he sighed in frustration.

"I don't wanna go back, Baba's is boring!" His younger sister yelled as she popped her head out in view from the rooftop.

Oukoji shakes his head in disagreement, "I am no caretaker, why couldn't Ai or Kaki come after you?" He asked himself out loud.

"Kaki and Ai are are no fun either. Plus we scream and pull each other's hair in arguments," Kijo explains as she sits herself up on the roof then hangs both legs over the edge.

"That's because you're difficult to deal with." Oukoji stared up at Kijo, tilting his head while wondering what really bothered his younger sister.

"Nah, I am fun to hang out with! Besides, me and you get along just fine." Kijo laughed to herself as she gave a cheeky expression to her brother. Oukoji couldn't help but smile back; Kijo was the youngest sibling of them all and full of life during the hardship growing up.

"Hey! Get off my roof or your going to cause damage young lady!" The home owner yelled as she returned from somewhere.

Oukoji jumped in surprise while Kijo freaked and leaned a bit too far on the edge of the roof, causing her to lose her balance. From one budge, she caused a part of the roof to break off along with her fall. The home owner began to freak out once she noticed her barrels were cracked and leaking.

"My recipe!" The home owner cried.

As for Kijo, she was laying in the rubble full of pain and even soaked from the liquids. Her brother shook his head again and held out his hand to her, "you've done it now girl."

"Oh, when Baba hears about this! Can't wait for you brats to finally head home!" The owner yelled as she stormed off towards Baba's house.

If Oukoji heard the old woman right, he could of sworn the lady said they were going home. Kijo grabbed hold of his hand as she lifted herself from the rubble, "Head home?" She was also confused by this statement.

Oukoji let go of his sister's hand and started to make his way back to Baba's home, "Maybe that's why she wanted to meet with all of us." His sister seemed curious to find out why "home" would suddenly be mentioned. As she was about to follow behind Oukoji, Baba's screaming voice came from nowhere.

"I knew you were up to no good again!" Baba screamed as the sight of her little body was seen wobbling in fast motion towards Kijo's direction.

"Ah I'll meet you guys back home okay?" Kijo quickly muttered as she took a sharp turn around to begin running away from Baba.

Oukoji shook his head with a sigh as his two other sisters joined him. "That Baba won't let her off so easy," Ai spoke as she crossed her arms and Kaki laughed over the scenery. The three older siblings watched Baba chase Kijo in amusement for nearly an hour. It was a perfect family moment.