"I wonder if we'll ever see each other again?"

I remember that I looked at the boy standing next to me, his boyish grin teasing me. "Of course, I'm only walking to the well. Stay here, Kaname, I'll be right back." I had tied my hair up behind my head and then waved. As I took off into the woods, my heart had stopped. I looked behind me again and saw Kaname still standing there, still smiling. Feeling relieved, my heart stopped pounding. For some reason, I felt uneasy as I made my way to the huge well down the path from my village. As I pulled up water from the well, my heart stopped again. What was wrong with me? I tried to calm myself down, but was failing. Something had happened while I was gone. "No, don't be silly Reika…" I had laughed softly to myself, but I knew that this knot in my stomach wouldn't go away if I just stood here with my water.

I made my way back to the village, my eyes searching the path. An unusual fog had risen, hiding everything from me. "Kaname? I called out, searching with my hand out. I needed to have someone by me, I couldn't see! The fog seemed to force its way into my throat as I called out for my love.

Then I saw it.

This is when my memory gets foggy, no pun intended. I remember walking into my ruined village, some houses completely destroyed, and people thrown about. Everyone was…dead. I screamed Kaname's name, but he was no where to be found. He must have been dead, I was sure of it at the time. I ran to my house to see my family, to make sure that they were alright. My heart was pounding so hard at the time. I didn't know whether they were fine as the house was completely was intact. As I opened the door though, I knew what would lie before me.

My father was spread eagled on the ground, his neck slashed. He had whip marks, I believe, on his face. Some of his body was burned.

My mother was completely decapitated, her small frame ravaged with sores.

My siblings…were dust. I don't lie; there was ash in their summer yukata's.

I don't remember how long I stood in my house screaming. Screaming for my family, screaming for myself who just became so lonely. I remember crying for my love, crying for everyone in the village. And then it all went black. I remember a pair of warm hands carrying me out of that godforsaken village and to the end of the path to where another village started.

That is how I ended up here as the mistress of the house had heard of me and somehow wanted me in her family. Nervous and apprehensive, I had accepted her invitation as an adopted family member. I remember that I told her everything that had happened to me and that when I was finished her eyes gave off a startling shine.

That is how I ended up being chosen as a Tattooed Priestess. I somehow was befriended by a young girl named Aname who was a miko in her own right. She was cute. I haven't seen much of her lately, as I have been in seclusion. I prepare every night for my role as the Tattooed Priestess, trying in vain to poke myself with needles. That is why I have written my story into this beautiful blue diary, I want to still be heard even after I can't write or talk anymore.

The mistress disapproved, of course, when I asked her if I could keep a journal. She told me that it would be 'silly' for me to even write anything down. "Reika, who would read this?" She asked me, her slightly worn smile intimidated me as I looked at the older woman. I told her that I needed to tell my story. The mistress sighed and agreed, finally. Now my heart is heavy because I realize that my thoughts will be lost when I am gone.

I'd better stop writing now, as Amane just walked in. Her smile warms me up as she approaches. Of course, I am writing this with her looking over my shoulder. Now I will go to dinner, then to my nightly ritual.

-Reika