(no subject)
Title: Not-So-Childish Fears Part III - The Cure
Author: Raya
Theme: Makoto (Optional: Witch)
Genre: Drama / General
Version: Manga (pre-series)
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: ~2,305
Disclaimer: Makoto belongs to Takeuchi Naoko. I have merely cut out these photographs, stuck them on popsicle sticks, and used them as puppets in my old fashioned home theater.
Canon, spelling, grammar, and punctuation corrections are appreciated. So is constructive criticism and general comments. Please let me know if you see something that you like or that should be corrected. Thanks! - Raya
Not-So-Childish Fears Part III - The Cure
Continued from Part II - Leafy Tunnel
It took several days to convince Makoto to step outside the cottage that they had rented. Her parents pushed her frequently until she finally agreed to venture into the clearing and look at the flowers. She still would not go near the tree line and she constantly gave the forest fearful looks, but at least she could enjoy the bright flowers and the tiny butterflies that flitted in the warm afternoon sunshine.
On the fourth day of their stay, Mai discovered a large, brightly colored ball that a previous visitor had left behind. With a grin, she playfully bopped her daughter on the head with it and then enticed her outside for a game of catch while Yuichi took an afternoon nap. Makoto followed eagerly.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
As the ball flew into the trees for the eighth time in five minutes, Mai gave her daughter an exasperated look. “Makoto...”
“Let's play dolls,” the four year old replied quickly. It was not her fault that the ball kept flying away, but she knew that her mother would never believe that long green fingers of light were coming out of the trees and snatching it each time that she tossed it. She would just claim that it was Makoto's overactive imagination again, or worse, that she was fibbing.
“If you wanted to stop, all you had to do was say so,” her mother scolded as she shook her head and gestured for the little girl to come towards her. Makoto obeyed reluctantly. Her mother was outside the general green glow of the trees, but she was still uncomfortably close to the branches in the child's opinion.
Mai took a deep breath and laid her hands gently but firmly on Makoto's shoulders. “This time, you are going to get it,” she said. When her daughter looked up at her fearfully, she gave her a stern nod and turned her gently around to face the forest. “You threw it in there, you go get it.”
Makoto shook her head. “I didn't do it!” she protested innocently.
“Not on purpose, maybe, but you did,” her mother replied as she gave the girl a gentle push. “Sometimes you don't know your own strength. You know the rules, though. If you borrow something, you have to return it. I'll be right here,” she added reassuringly. “See? I won't let go of your shoulders. You will be all right.” Makoto continued to protest her innocence and fear, but Mai would not change her mind.
Slowly, trembling, Makoto stepped into the shade of the trees. Only her mother's steady pushing could get her to walk any further. She whimpered and panted softly as she tried to squirm around her mother's solid legs and flee back to the dubious safety of the cottage. Mai was too quick for her, however, and she was forced to go into the trees. Tears began to trace their way down her little face as soon as she was surrounded by their green light.
“See? There it is,” Mai said quietly as she gave her daughter's shoulders a gentle squeeze. “Not too far in. You just grab it and we can go inside.” She waited patiently, but when Makoto made no move to step forward she gave the child another gentle push. “Mama's still here,” she murmured reassuringly. “I won't let go. The trees won't hurt you. I promise.”
“An odd thing for a mother to promise.” Mai looked quickly to the right where the thin, creaky voice had come from. Seeing nothing, she frowned and moved Makoto forward another small step. “Particularly when the child obviously knows differently.”
Mai looked to the right again, and frowned. “Excuse us,” she said sharply as she searched for the speaker. “This is difficult enough for Makoto. You do not need to add to her fear.” Her eyes finally spotted a wizened old woman dressed in a brown kimono leaning against a nearby oak tree.
“Fear is a wise reaction when dealing with great power,” the crone replied with a smile. “Though, respect would be better for such a one.”
Makoto drew her attention away from the threatening trees long enough to glance at the stranger her mother was talking to. When she saw the rich green aura of power around the woman, however, her fear increased and she cowered back into her mother's legs. The woman's emerald light was so bright that it hid the green glow of the trees closest to her.
“I am sure,” Mai replied as she bobbed her head politely. She had felt the increased stiffness in Makoto's body, a sure sign that her daughter was nearing her limits. She did not have time to deal with the crazy old woman. “If you will excuse us... Come on, little angel.” Her voice gentled as she returned her attention to her child. “The ball is right there. Just three steps away. You can do it...” She tried to move Makoto forward once more.
The crone snorted and locked her gaze on Makoto's. The four year old stared into her brown eyes, certain that something terrible was about to happen. “You can feel it, can't you, Child,” the crone said creakily. “The spirit of the trees... The heart of the forest... The power of nature...”
“Excuse you,” Mai said threateningly as she abruptly released her daughter and began to walk towards the crone. She knew that Makoto would probably take the opportunity to bolt back to the cottage. In fact, Mai hoped that she would. There was something strange about this woman, and Mai would feel better if Makoto were far away from her. “I asked you once. Stop adding to her fear. Leave my daughter alone.”
The crone's gaze switched to her, and Mai suddenly found herself paralyzed after only two steps. Her eyes widened in shock as her legs and feet refused to obey her mental orders to keep going forward.
“Mama!” Makoto sobbed. She could clearly see the bright green power that held her mother in place. It looked like large, emerald green tree roots binding her mother's feet to the ground and twining around her legs. It was a nightmare come to life. The trees were attacking her mother.
Mai jerked her head around at the sound of her daughter's voice. “Makoto... Makoto, run!” she ordered. “Go to Papa!” She did not understand what was happening or why she suddenly could not move, but she knew that she needed to get her child away from the crazy old woman.
“And will you?” the crone asked the sobbing child curiously. “Will you run away?” She held her hand out enticingly. “Or will you stay?” Makoto's gaze skittered around as she tried to watch everything at once: the threatening trees, the scary old woman, her frightened mother. “Fear? Or respect?”
“Makoto! Do as I say,” Mai called frantically. “Go to Papa!”
The crone glanced at Mai and then made a small gesture. Makoto cried out in fear as the green light leapt up her mother's body and began to pulse around her chest. She took a trembling step forward, and then stopped as the world began to go dark around the edges.
“What say you, Child?” The old woman's voice seemed to come from far away. All Makoto could see now was her mother trapped by the glowing green roots and surrounded by darkness. One tendril had wrapped itself around her mother's face, covering her nose and mouth. “Run? Or stay?” Her mother's eyes were so frightened. Makoto's vision narrowed even more until all she could see were those scared blue eyes. And then, something snapped inside of her.
“Let her go.”
Mai stared at Makoto, gasping for breath as surprise warred with her fear. That had not sounded like a frightened child. In fact, her daughter was frowning now, a stubborn frown that she recognized as the precursor to a display of Makoto's formidable temper.
“So?” the crone asked with a small smile as she made another gesture. “And will you make me?” The translucent green bindings twirled around Mai a few more times, covering everything but her eyes.
“Let her go,” Makoto repeated more loudly as she clenched her small fists at her side. Around her, the trees began to stir and shake their branches. The four year old ignored them, her blank yet fierce eyes fastened on her mother's frightened ones.
The crone did not reply. The bindings that surrounded Mai grew thicker and began to double back to retrace their path back to the ground. Makoto growled wordlessly as a crack of thunder sounded in the clear summer sky and then threw herself at her trapped mother. She grabbed one of the root shaped bindings and began to pull.
Immediately, the green glow began to run up her hands, twisting around her arms as it tried to catch her, too. Makoto's eyes flashed, and the glow blew away from her shredding into small pieces that faded into nothingness. Slowly, the binding that she had grabbed began to pull away from her mother. Several more of the tendrils dove towards her seeking to entwine and entrap. They each met the same fate as the first. “Let... her... go...” the child ground out as she pulled with all of her strength.
Suddenly, the bindings were gone. Makoto flew backwards as the resistance vanished, and Mai collapsed to the leaf covered ground with one hand to her throat as she gasped for breath. Makoto tumbled into a nearby tree and then fell forward onto her knees. She shook her head, and then looked around for the next attack.
All around her, the tree branches rustled and shook. There was a feeling of tension in the air, a sense of expectation. Then, jagged beams of green light flew at Makoto from the surrounding trees. The four year old flinched away and raised her arm defensively over her head as she cried out in fear.
“Ma... Makoto...” Mai gasped as she pushed herself to her feet once more. She could not see what her daughter was afraid of, but she knew instinctively that it was more than Makoto's long-standing phobia that made her cry out that way. She turned back towards the old woman, certain that the crone was to blame. Mai did not know what she could do against what was obviously magic, but she was determined to protect her daughter. The mysterious stranger was nowhere in sight, however.
The green lightening pierced through Makoto's weak defenses and filled her with a bright green glow. She trembled, waiting for the pain to start. Instead of pain, however, she felt something like a tickle. A feeling of vibrant, tingling warmth began to fill her. Confused, she slowly lowered her arm.
She watched as more green light flew at her from the trees. When it pierced her skin, it tickled much the same way the first attack had. Slowly, curiosity replaced the fear and confusion and she lifted her hand to catch one of the bolts of light. She giggled when it tickled her palm. Then, as suddenly as the attack had begun, it was over.
Mai's eyes widened when she heard the soft giggle from behind her. Still looking for the crone, she turned to check on her daughter. Her eyes widened even more as she watched Makoto smile and reach for the trees around her. Her daughter had never, ever reached for a tree before.
Makoto's smile slowly faded into a frown as she realized that the trees were done throwing lightening at her. She glared at them unhappily for a moment, wanting to feel that delightful tickle once more, but not knowing how to make them continue their game again. Finally, pouting, she lowered her hand back to her side.
Mai glanced around once more for the old crone, and then hurried to her daughter's side. “Come on, Makoto. Let's get the ball and go back, hmm?”
“Do we have to?” Makoto whined unexpectedly. “I wanna play here some more.” Mai froze and looked at her daughter in shock. “Please, Mama? Please? Please?”
Frightened at the abrupt change in her child, Mai shook her head vehemently. “No.” She quickly picked up the ball and turned to grab Makoto's hand. “Come on. I thought you wanted to play with your dolls?” she added trying to sound enticing rather than scared.
“I want to play here now...”
Quickly, Mai pulled Makoto out of the trees. “No. No playing in the woods without an adult,” she said stiffly. She would never have believed that she would one day say something like that to her daughter. “And Mama has to go start supper now,” she added as Makoto began to pout once more.
“Supper?” Makoto's expression lit up with eagerness. “Can I help? Please?”
“Sure,” Mai replied with a tight smile. She relaxed slightly as they walked across the clearing, and let Makoto slip free of her hand. Tomorrow, she decided, she would report the old woman to the main office and see what advice they had about protection from her magic.
“Race you!” the four year old cried as she ran for the cottage door.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Nireka stirred slowly, wincing and grimacing as mysterious knots and bruises made their presence known. She sat up carefully, leaning on a nearby oak tree for support, and tried to remember what had happened. She had come into the forest for meditation. After building a tiny altar, she had settled down near this oak, and...
The oak spirit. It had asked to borrow her body for a few minutes. That's right. She had considered its request and since she had sensed no malice in it she had agreed. Now as she rubbed her sore head, she wondered if that had been such a good idea.
Author: Raya
Theme: Makoto (Optional: Witch)
Genre: Drama / General
Version: Manga (pre-series)
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: ~2,305
Disclaimer: Makoto belongs to Takeuchi Naoko. I have merely cut out these photographs, stuck them on popsicle sticks, and used them as puppets in my old fashioned home theater.
Canon, spelling, grammar, and punctuation corrections are appreciated. So is constructive criticism and general comments. Please let me know if you see something that you like or that should be corrected. Thanks! - Raya
Not-So-Childish Fears Part III - The Cure
Continued from Part II - Leafy Tunnel
It took several days to convince Makoto to step outside the cottage that they had rented. Her parents pushed her frequently until she finally agreed to venture into the clearing and look at the flowers. She still would not go near the tree line and she constantly gave the forest fearful looks, but at least she could enjoy the bright flowers and the tiny butterflies that flitted in the warm afternoon sunshine.
On the fourth day of their stay, Mai discovered a large, brightly colored ball that a previous visitor had left behind. With a grin, she playfully bopped her daughter on the head with it and then enticed her outside for a game of catch while Yuichi took an afternoon nap. Makoto followed eagerly.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
As the ball flew into the trees for the eighth time in five minutes, Mai gave her daughter an exasperated look. “Makoto...”
“Let's play dolls,” the four year old replied quickly. It was not her fault that the ball kept flying away, but she knew that her mother would never believe that long green fingers of light were coming out of the trees and snatching it each time that she tossed it. She would just claim that it was Makoto's overactive imagination again, or worse, that she was fibbing.
“If you wanted to stop, all you had to do was say so,” her mother scolded as she shook her head and gestured for the little girl to come towards her. Makoto obeyed reluctantly. Her mother was outside the general green glow of the trees, but she was still uncomfortably close to the branches in the child's opinion.
Mai took a deep breath and laid her hands gently but firmly on Makoto's shoulders. “This time, you are going to get it,” she said. When her daughter looked up at her fearfully, she gave her a stern nod and turned her gently around to face the forest. “You threw it in there, you go get it.”
Makoto shook her head. “I didn't do it!” she protested innocently.
“Not on purpose, maybe, but you did,” her mother replied as she gave the girl a gentle push. “Sometimes you don't know your own strength. You know the rules, though. If you borrow something, you have to return it. I'll be right here,” she added reassuringly. “See? I won't let go of your shoulders. You will be all right.” Makoto continued to protest her innocence and fear, but Mai would not change her mind.
Slowly, trembling, Makoto stepped into the shade of the trees. Only her mother's steady pushing could get her to walk any further. She whimpered and panted softly as she tried to squirm around her mother's solid legs and flee back to the dubious safety of the cottage. Mai was too quick for her, however, and she was forced to go into the trees. Tears began to trace their way down her little face as soon as she was surrounded by their green light.
“See? There it is,” Mai said quietly as she gave her daughter's shoulders a gentle squeeze. “Not too far in. You just grab it and we can go inside.” She waited patiently, but when Makoto made no move to step forward she gave the child another gentle push. “Mama's still here,” she murmured reassuringly. “I won't let go. The trees won't hurt you. I promise.”
“An odd thing for a mother to promise.” Mai looked quickly to the right where the thin, creaky voice had come from. Seeing nothing, she frowned and moved Makoto forward another small step. “Particularly when the child obviously knows differently.”
Mai looked to the right again, and frowned. “Excuse us,” she said sharply as she searched for the speaker. “This is difficult enough for Makoto. You do not need to add to her fear.” Her eyes finally spotted a wizened old woman dressed in a brown kimono leaning against a nearby oak tree.
“Fear is a wise reaction when dealing with great power,” the crone replied with a smile. “Though, respect would be better for such a one.”
Makoto drew her attention away from the threatening trees long enough to glance at the stranger her mother was talking to. When she saw the rich green aura of power around the woman, however, her fear increased and she cowered back into her mother's legs. The woman's emerald light was so bright that it hid the green glow of the trees closest to her.
“I am sure,” Mai replied as she bobbed her head politely. She had felt the increased stiffness in Makoto's body, a sure sign that her daughter was nearing her limits. She did not have time to deal with the crazy old woman. “If you will excuse us... Come on, little angel.” Her voice gentled as she returned her attention to her child. “The ball is right there. Just three steps away. You can do it...” She tried to move Makoto forward once more.
The crone snorted and locked her gaze on Makoto's. The four year old stared into her brown eyes, certain that something terrible was about to happen. “You can feel it, can't you, Child,” the crone said creakily. “The spirit of the trees... The heart of the forest... The power of nature...”
“Excuse you,” Mai said threateningly as she abruptly released her daughter and began to walk towards the crone. She knew that Makoto would probably take the opportunity to bolt back to the cottage. In fact, Mai hoped that she would. There was something strange about this woman, and Mai would feel better if Makoto were far away from her. “I asked you once. Stop adding to her fear. Leave my daughter alone.”
The crone's gaze switched to her, and Mai suddenly found herself paralyzed after only two steps. Her eyes widened in shock as her legs and feet refused to obey her mental orders to keep going forward.
“Mama!” Makoto sobbed. She could clearly see the bright green power that held her mother in place. It looked like large, emerald green tree roots binding her mother's feet to the ground and twining around her legs. It was a nightmare come to life. The trees were attacking her mother.
Mai jerked her head around at the sound of her daughter's voice. “Makoto... Makoto, run!” she ordered. “Go to Papa!” She did not understand what was happening or why she suddenly could not move, but she knew that she needed to get her child away from the crazy old woman.
“And will you?” the crone asked the sobbing child curiously. “Will you run away?” She held her hand out enticingly. “Or will you stay?” Makoto's gaze skittered around as she tried to watch everything at once: the threatening trees, the scary old woman, her frightened mother. “Fear? Or respect?”
“Makoto! Do as I say,” Mai called frantically. “Go to Papa!”
The crone glanced at Mai and then made a small gesture. Makoto cried out in fear as the green light leapt up her mother's body and began to pulse around her chest. She took a trembling step forward, and then stopped as the world began to go dark around the edges.
“What say you, Child?” The old woman's voice seemed to come from far away. All Makoto could see now was her mother trapped by the glowing green roots and surrounded by darkness. One tendril had wrapped itself around her mother's face, covering her nose and mouth. “Run? Or stay?” Her mother's eyes were so frightened. Makoto's vision narrowed even more until all she could see were those scared blue eyes. And then, something snapped inside of her.
“Let her go.”
Mai stared at Makoto, gasping for breath as surprise warred with her fear. That had not sounded like a frightened child. In fact, her daughter was frowning now, a stubborn frown that she recognized as the precursor to a display of Makoto's formidable temper.
“So?” the crone asked with a small smile as she made another gesture. “And will you make me?” The translucent green bindings twirled around Mai a few more times, covering everything but her eyes.
“Let her go,” Makoto repeated more loudly as she clenched her small fists at her side. Around her, the trees began to stir and shake their branches. The four year old ignored them, her blank yet fierce eyes fastened on her mother's frightened ones.
The crone did not reply. The bindings that surrounded Mai grew thicker and began to double back to retrace their path back to the ground. Makoto growled wordlessly as a crack of thunder sounded in the clear summer sky and then threw herself at her trapped mother. She grabbed one of the root shaped bindings and began to pull.
Immediately, the green glow began to run up her hands, twisting around her arms as it tried to catch her, too. Makoto's eyes flashed, and the glow blew away from her shredding into small pieces that faded into nothingness. Slowly, the binding that she had grabbed began to pull away from her mother. Several more of the tendrils dove towards her seeking to entwine and entrap. They each met the same fate as the first. “Let... her... go...” the child ground out as she pulled with all of her strength.
Suddenly, the bindings were gone. Makoto flew backwards as the resistance vanished, and Mai collapsed to the leaf covered ground with one hand to her throat as she gasped for breath. Makoto tumbled into a nearby tree and then fell forward onto her knees. She shook her head, and then looked around for the next attack.
All around her, the tree branches rustled and shook. There was a feeling of tension in the air, a sense of expectation. Then, jagged beams of green light flew at Makoto from the surrounding trees. The four year old flinched away and raised her arm defensively over her head as she cried out in fear.
“Ma... Makoto...” Mai gasped as she pushed herself to her feet once more. She could not see what her daughter was afraid of, but she knew instinctively that it was more than Makoto's long-standing phobia that made her cry out that way. She turned back towards the old woman, certain that the crone was to blame. Mai did not know what she could do against what was obviously magic, but she was determined to protect her daughter. The mysterious stranger was nowhere in sight, however.
The green lightening pierced through Makoto's weak defenses and filled her with a bright green glow. She trembled, waiting for the pain to start. Instead of pain, however, she felt something like a tickle. A feeling of vibrant, tingling warmth began to fill her. Confused, she slowly lowered her arm.
She watched as more green light flew at her from the trees. When it pierced her skin, it tickled much the same way the first attack had. Slowly, curiosity replaced the fear and confusion and she lifted her hand to catch one of the bolts of light. She giggled when it tickled her palm. Then, as suddenly as the attack had begun, it was over.
Mai's eyes widened when she heard the soft giggle from behind her. Still looking for the crone, she turned to check on her daughter. Her eyes widened even more as she watched Makoto smile and reach for the trees around her. Her daughter had never, ever reached for a tree before.
Makoto's smile slowly faded into a frown as she realized that the trees were done throwing lightening at her. She glared at them unhappily for a moment, wanting to feel that delightful tickle once more, but not knowing how to make them continue their game again. Finally, pouting, she lowered her hand back to her side.
Mai glanced around once more for the old crone, and then hurried to her daughter's side. “Come on, Makoto. Let's get the ball and go back, hmm?”
“Do we have to?” Makoto whined unexpectedly. “I wanna play here some more.” Mai froze and looked at her daughter in shock. “Please, Mama? Please? Please?”
Frightened at the abrupt change in her child, Mai shook her head vehemently. “No.” She quickly picked up the ball and turned to grab Makoto's hand. “Come on. I thought you wanted to play with your dolls?” she added trying to sound enticing rather than scared.
“I want to play here now...”
Quickly, Mai pulled Makoto out of the trees. “No. No playing in the woods without an adult,” she said stiffly. She would never have believed that she would one day say something like that to her daughter. “And Mama has to go start supper now,” she added as Makoto began to pout once more.
“Supper?” Makoto's expression lit up with eagerness. “Can I help? Please?”
“Sure,” Mai replied with a tight smile. She relaxed slightly as they walked across the clearing, and let Makoto slip free of her hand. Tomorrow, she decided, she would report the old woman to the main office and see what advice they had about protection from her magic.
“Race you!” the four year old cried as she ran for the cottage door.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Nireka stirred slowly, wincing and grimacing as mysterious knots and bruises made their presence known. She sat up carefully, leaning on a nearby oak tree for support, and tried to remember what had happened. She had come into the forest for meditation. After building a tiny altar, she had settled down near this oak, and...
The oak spirit. It had asked to borrow her body for a few minutes. That's right. She had considered its request and since she had sensed no malice in it she had agreed. Now as she rubbed her sore head, she wondered if that had been such a good idea.