Anju

Chapter One

In the wise old kingdom of Seiren, there lived hybrids bred to be the pets and slaves of the human race. These hybrids were half human, half animal. No one knew where they came from. Though that does not matter ,since not even humans knew where they were from. 

These hybrids were given the name "Anju". In the ancient language of the kingdom, long gone out of use, "anju" meant "impure mutt" or "dirty half-breed". This name was given to them, of course, to make them feel ashamed of themselves and thus making it easier for the humans to control and manipulate them as they so pleased. Thus the Anju came to be second citizens, their livelihood dependent on the humans who decided their fate.

The kingdom of Seiren had existed for hundreds of years under the rule of Saji family. The noble men of this family had poured their blood and sweat to make sure that the kingdom stood tall and prospered under their rule. The faithful denizens loved and worshiped their kings because of this. Their unwavering faith in their leader allowed the kings of Seirun to have complete control of the country and they were able to gain vast amounts of wealth, which they nimbly shared with their citizens.

Recently, however, the kings had become much too greedy. The last generations of the Saji family had become poisioned with greed and evil. They wanted nothing more than all the power and wealth in the world. So they began to give less and less to their denizens and started working them harder, pushing the countries borders further and further out by conquest.

The confused citizens allowed this because they had gotten too used to loving and trusting their kings, so they thought there was no reason to question their king's recent decisions.

"When has the king lead us wrong?"

"We have always propersed thanks to the king!"

"The king is simply leading us into modern times! He is doing this for our benefit."

"We will never suffer thanks to the Saji family. Their kindness and generosity has saved us countles times!"

They all made excuses for the king's greedy actions. They would not allow any badmouthing of their beloved king; they were far too branwashed to think poorly of him. 

 But this could not last, of course. A few generations passed and the people began to mistrust the kings. Words of rebellion were whispered and passed along with the wind. People had begun to have trouble making a nice living. Many were strugglign to feed their children while the Saji family gave their heirs clothing made of gold and coveted jewels. 

As new kings came and went the mistrust and hatred towards the Saji family swelled to the point of bursting. Riots occured along the streets outside of the marble palace. Workers refused to work for the Saji's. The only one's who continued to work were the Anju. They were slaves; they were used to living conditions that the humans had only just begun to experience. As hybrids, they felt no reason to pity themselves because of the poor lives they were born into. 

In fact, some might say that the Anju had it better. Not only were they accustomed to the living situation, but many of the Anju's actually lived better than the humans. Since the Anju were few among the humans, usually only the rich could afford to keep them. They rich actually loved their Anju, dressing them in nice clothing and feeding them three times a day. As long as the Anju did their work properly, they never had to suffer.

It was only the untalented and unwanted Anju that were forced to live among the poor that suffered.

Those unfortunate Anju were hated. The citizens did not take well to what was unknown, and to them, the Anju were "unknown". So those Anju were constantly mistreated and taken advantaged of. Many did not live to grow old. Those who had the misfortune to be born into poverty usually died before the age of ten. What sad lives they lived! But the humans paid no heed to the Anju; they were too wrapped in their own recent misfortune and problems to worry about the Anju.

As the hatred rose against the Saji family, one heir apparent decided he had to do something. He was no less greedy than his predecessors, but he was much more afraid of an insurgence. It was perhaps by pure coincidence that he noticed the suffering of the Anju. So he came up with a plan that would maybe benefit him and the Anju. He knew that at this rate he would not be able to become king and gain more wealth. Something had to be done. And that something involved the Anju.

Before his coronation was to take place, he approached a rare type of Anju: a snake. The woman was in her twenties, just barely younger than him, and quite a beauty. She had a rare power that allowed her to summon snakes; she created a lovely display with them, which is how she earned her living. He became enchanted by her looks and talent and quickly bought her. To him, there were many uses she could serve. 

First, he took her on as his mistress. The snake Anju knew no better, and was quickly won over by the King's kind gestures to her. The king found much pleasure in tricking the Anju; it made his tiny heart swell with laughter. A few months of loving her gave him what he wished; her unconditional love and devotion. His evil heart was bursting with satisfaction.

Finally, he would be able to obtain what he most desired.

His plan would be carried out perfectly. 

There would be no mistakes. There would be only success. And most importantly, he would earn the love of his people, the love that previous generations had lost. The Saji family would once again be coveted by the denizens, and all at the small cost of manipulating a little Anju girl.

And he did.