Sakura Jinja
I was a little girl when I befriended the flames and still to this day, the memory brings a smile to my lips. Though I was young when the beautiful lady with a body of orange flame appeared to me in the Fire Room at the Sakura Jinja, I knew something special would happen to me that day and it surely had.
I soon paused, waiting for my pounding heart that danced within my tiny ribcage to find its own level.
She was so pretty. The liquid fire forming her body was the most amazing sight. I cannot describe it in mere words and do it justice. Think of her as a statue made of starlight.
As I struggled to catch my breath, I focused on her golden eyes; the fiery-blue hair that fell to her knees and the indigo flame tiara she wore. She reminded me of a princess.
She spoke then, “Rei, I am Agni, known by your world as a Goddess of fire. I am much more than that. I am here to guide you child.”
“Guide me?” I stammered, barely able to stand. Such was my fright, embarrassed that my knees might start knocking at any moment as I bit my lip.
“Yes, and please concentrate on your breathing. Think of the scent of sakura. Inhale and think of the bloom in your mind. You child, are that sakura and I am she whom will help you grow.”
I admired her faery-like countenance. She held a pulsing firestone scepter. She bowed and smiled at me.
I looked at her in stunned silence as her glowing pink lips parted and words of power met my ears.
I took a step forward. I was a little frightened and who wouldn’t be, visited by a Kami as I was. I was only nine years old. I prostrated myself before her. She asked me to come to her, and I did.
Her fire was cool, loving and she was like mother, so safe and secure. I didn’t feel any heat that burnt me, nor were my robes scorched.
“Child, as your guardian I will teach you what you need to know so you will become a great warrior mage and priestess. You are Senshi and as my charge, I will aid you and train you. Look at me. Yes, you have the fire of Mars blazing in your heart. Remember…”
I could see in the pools of her eyes the spires of crystal, the red granite terraces on the world known as Mars, the massive dome covering the city nestled within the lap of a deep gorge, so vast it dwarfed any topographical feature on Earth.
I saw people, faces, so many faces and I knew them, but from where and when eluded me. I saw myself as a fully-grown woman, a queen of great beauty and power. I observed my children. There was conflict and peace - the darkness came, after that light would reassert itself once more. It was so much to take in all at once.
I opened my eyes and stared at the pretty lady. I then saw them, my crows: Phobos and Deimos, as human girls. They had flown into the Fire Room squawking excitedly at the sight of the Kami and then they stood as beautiful twins who were, in actuality my soul sisters. Winged girls, shape shifters: who would have thought? As for their hair, it was far longer than my own. I was so jealous.
“Will you not trip over your hair if it is past your knees?” I said, blushing as the two raven girls giggled as if in a pantomime.
“No silly, it falls only behind our knees and if you watch carefully, we can fashion it into a braid with a mere thought, Rei.”
“Wow, is that magic?” I gasped.
“But of course, one day you’ll be able to do it too. After all, you are our mistress, our princess.”
“Enough girls. Rei is a little overwhelmed and needs time to process all this. I want you both to help Rei with her training,” the fire lady said, she then went on, “Now Phobos, Deimos, assume your crow forms and fly to Rei,” the Kami commanded, “Rei, hold out your hands thus,” she instructed.
I did as she asked and the crows as expected stood upon my outstretched palms looking at me, almost smug as they bowed their heads.
“Wow!” I gasped, and my crows winked at me.
