Winter's Everlasting Embrace by ForgettableFox

Sacrifice

A/N: A tale as old as time for me – this was supposed to be a oneshot and spiraled into a mini-multichapter!

Here we go!

ENJOY!

~oOo~

Long ago, there was a valley that lay between two great mountains that stood to the East and the West. A river, fed by the late spring snowmelts, tranquilly wound its way through the valley, and created a lush ecosystem in its wake. Towering, mossy forests gave way to gently rolling hills. Buzzing meadows were laden with wildflowers and fertile soil. Creatures big and small called the valley its home and lived bright lives.

The valley was a peaceful place, a wonderous place, one that was considered sacred.

Over the years, mankind eventually found their way into the valley and praised the Gods for their good fortune. They cut down trees to build their huts, tilled the soil to plant their crops, and used the river to fill their wells – and they too lived bright, and prosperous, lives. That first spring of their discovery was a magical one filled with relief and joy. They had found a home. Their livestock grew fat, their crops bore more fruit than they knew what to do with – and, for the first time in their lives, their bellies were full and they wanted for nothing.

One by one, the seasons shifted – as seasons are ought to do – and a rainy spring gave way to a warm and mild summer, that was followed by a cool and beautiful autumn. But little did the villagers know that Winter, cold and lonely and woefully unforgiving, slept in the mountains – waiting patiently for his time. He did not take kindly to trespassers, and considered the mountains and the valley as his.

That first winter for the village had been brutal.

Howling winds cut through the valley like a sword, bringing with it heavy snowfall and bone-chilling conditions. The cold was a vicious thing – it invaded the lungs, sucked the breath from its victims like death. Days turned into weeks turned into months, and Winter bit his fangs deeper and deeper into the valley, watching with mild interest as the humans there suffered his wrath.

A third of the village didn’t live to see spring. They succumbed to the quiet cold even as the days grew steadily longer. Eventually, the call to sleep became too much for Winter to resist. He crept back up into his mountain fortress and closed his weary eyes. The humans breathed a sigh of relief and swore that they would learn from the experience they had paid the ultimate price to understand.

That next year, they gathered more firewood, built stronger roofs, and reinforced their huts to stop the bitter chill from besieging them. Food was rationed during times of surplus so there would be enough in times of need. The furs of hunted animals were cleaned and sewn into warmer clothes. The village prepared as best as they were able.

And so, the seasons changed again, and with it, the skulking dread of that coming Winter burrowed its way into the villager’s hearts. As the last of the autumn leaves fell to the forest floor, leaving skeletal trees bare and shaking in the wind, Winter woke with a vengeance. He roared his displeasure from the mountain tops and with it came a blizzard of epic proportions. Icy hail and feet upon feet of snow bombarded the village, causing them to eat away at their stores. Subzero temperatures had them all shivering beneath their furs, huddled close to their weak fires, and each other, for warmth.

Winter snarled at their feeble attempts at survival and – for daring to stand against him – promised for an even worse season next year. Spring didn’t come soon enough before more villages were lost to the beast’s icy maw. No one was safe, the young and the old alike were susceptible to Winter’s ire. Eventually, sleep called to Winter once more. A creature of cold power, he was unable to resist the curse of slumber the warmer months created.

The battle for survival would go on for three more years before the village elders came up with a plan of action…

~oOo~

A beautiful young woman sat beside the river, sewing quietly beneath the late autumn sky. She rested against a bare oak tree – its boughs danced gently in the breeze. At the age of twenty, with piercing cerulean eyes and wavy raven hair, she was considered one of the most fetching women in the village. She was curvaceous in a way many of the other village girls weren’t, and it spoke to a healthy upbringing. She was known for wearing a secretive smile – as if she had all the answers in the world – and for having a kind heart.   

She watched as her younger brother, Souta, stood on the riverbank, rod in hand, and attempted to catch fish for their dinner. After nearly an hour, the basket beside him was still empty, and he wore a deepening scowl on his face. Kagome grinned at his determination and set her project on her lap.  

She watched idly as the leaves dropped into the river and were taken by the current. A sure signal that autumn was ending, and fearful winter was well on its way. Already the morning grasses were covered in frost, the air chilly and foreboding. She gave a heavy sigh, tucking a loose strand of her raven hair behind her ear. Last winter had been terrible. Coupled with the wretched weather, a bout of illness wreaked havoc on the village – leaving the siblings orphaned well before their time. It was not an unusual scenario for those who lived in the valley – where four months of the year were dedicated to unbearable hardship. It made those remaining months seem like a dream in comparison.

It had been a hard winter – a cruel winter – one that blossomed into an even more unpleasant year. Kagome managed her family’s small plot of land as best she could, but the returning yields were less than fruitful. Her and Souta had taken to completing odd jobs around the village; bartering their services for supplies to help them prepare for that inevitable frost. As a result, their shelves were stocked, but not nearly as full as previous seasons had been.

Anxiety, cold and gripping, seized Kagome’s insides as she watched another leaf float down the river.

Souta was all the family that she had left, and she would do anything to protect him. She raised her cerulean eyes to said brother who began to frantically tug on his rod.

“Kagome! I think I caught one!” he called from the river bank, grinning from ear to ear.

“Reel it in slow. You don’t want to lose it!” she called back.

Kagome set her sewing to the side and leaned forward to watch the show. Souta readjusted his grip, and pulled back slowly on his rod. The surface tension of the water broke, and with it – a hefty trout launched its way towards the shore. Her brother whooped and held his prize high. The fish gaped and thrashed, but the boy’s hold was tight.

“I did it!” he cheered, plopping his fish in the basket. “This is going to be great for supper.”

“It sure is. I’m proud of you.” Souta blushed and picked up his gear. Kagome stood, dusted herself off, picked up her abandoned sewing, and made her way to the well-worn trail that led back to the village. Over her shoulder she called, “Last one home has to clean it!” Then took off down the path.

“Hey! That’s not fair! You got a head start!”

Laughter traveled through the woods in her wake.

~oOo~

The next morning, there was a fine layer of snow that covered everything in sight. The sky was an ominous grey, and thick snowflakes fell in a steady torrent. Winter had come early, and Kagome felt woefully unprepared for the prospect. She stood in the hut’s doorway, clutching her furs around her shoulders as she surveyed the powdery substance. Anywhere else outside of the valley, she would have found the change in season beautiful – enchanting even. But here, in the valley between the two great mountains, the white precipitation only inspired one thing…

Dread.

Her breath fogged before her as she watched her neighbors peek out from their own doorways and windows. They shared a knowing look amongst themselves – one that spoke of silent resignation. A chilling howl in the distance drew everyone’s attention to the western slopes. Wolves had been known to prowl the valley during the cold season, preying upon whatever, or whoever, they managed to catch.

Winter was well and truly awake and, as if summoned by the howls, the snow picked up noticeably.

By evening, the village was already bogged down by several feet of snow. After a grueling day of final preparations for the season, the people had taken to their huts to warm their frozen fingers. Kagome was in the process of cooking a small meal over a low burning fire while Souta idly stirred the coals. The knock on the door was entirely unexpected. Kagome passed the spoon to her brother before opening the door.

“Elders, what a pleasant surprise. Please, come in.” Kagome stood aside, schooling her bewildered features, and let the three elders enter.

There was Botan, the village leader. His barrel chest and strong arms spoke of the work he did in the fields and forests amongst his people.  Next came Hiroshi, a slender man who originally discovered the valley, his face was haggard with worry. Finally came Kaede, the village healer and eldest among the community. She sat grimly by the fire, the eye not covered by a patch roamed the small abode. The two men stood uncomfortably in the doorway.

Kagome cleared her throat. “Please, make yourselves comfortable by the fire. We were about to have a meal – it isn’t much, but we would be glad to offer you whatever we can.” She smiled kindly and nodded to her brother to prepare for their guests.

The men shook their heads as they cautiously walked into the hut. They sat beside Kaede, hands folded in their laps.

“Nay child,” said Kaede. “Eat your meal without us. We have come to discuss something important with you.”

Kagome’s brows furrowed. “Important? Is everything alright?” She set the bowl Souta offered her on her lap, stirring the hot contents as she searched the elder’s faces for any sign of their true purpose. The men wouldn’t meet her gaze. A niggling worry made her skin crawl.

The old healer sighed. The sound mingled with that of gusting snow that assaulted the hut. The embers crackled.

“Kaede?” asked Kagome hesitantly. “What’s going on?”

Kaede’s age-ravaged face lifted to meet the young woman’s. Her features softened. “We need your help, child. Winter has come early and it seems that he is hell bent on destroying us. Each year the season has become worse and worse – and we fear that this year may be the end of us all. The snows are here several weeks earlier than anticipated, and our hopes for surviving without meaningful losses are slim.”

The two men shifted where they sat.

“Then how do you expect Kagome to help?” asked Souta seriously. “It’s not like she can change the weather.” He elbowed his sister teasingly. “Unless you’ve been holding out on us, huh sis?”

Kagome gave a nervous chuckle. “Last time I checked, I was as normal as normal can be.” She looked at each of the elder’s. “What is it you would have me do?”

Botan crossed his beefy arms across his chest. “Winter has been stalking the village for some time. We hadn’t noticed until late last year, but he’s been getting closer to the perimeter. Half the reason we had to bring all the livestock into the village square, he’s hunting us – starting with our food source.”

“Hunting us? How does a season hunt?” asked Kagome, setting her uneaten bowl to the side. “You keep calling it a ‘he’.”

“Winter is not just a season, child” said Kaede wearily. “Winter is a demon. He controls his season’s namesake here in the valley. A fearsome creature that has been guarding the valley’s resources jealously.”

The siblings shared a startled look.

“Then why come to me?”

“Because we need a sacrifice,” bit out Hiroshi. Kaede’s scowl was intense as she glared at him. Kagome gasped. “What!? Enough beating around the bush. Let’s tell her the truth and be done with it.” He turned to fully face the siblings, his eyes wide, voice beseeching. “Kagome, it has not gone unnoticed by the village that you and your brother have been struggling after your parents’ death last year.”

Kagome bit her bottom lip and nodded glumly.

“Winter is difficult to survive even with a full year of preparation. And yet, your stores are barely filled, and your woodpile isn’t enough to last the season.” He raised his arms to encompass the scene surrounding him. “So, let’s be honest, the odds of the two of you making it to spring are slim to none.”

A heavy, knowing silence filled the hut. Hiroshi had unearthed that awful truth that Kagome had tried so hard to bury within herself – to hide from Souta. Their odds were extremely low – but Kagome had planned to do everything in her power to make sure her brother saw spring. She had already began rationing her own meals. The young woman could feel the rage coming off her brother in burning waves. His fingers gripped the bowl so tightly, his knuckles were white.

Hiroshi let the truth suffuse the room for a moment longer before he continued. “Kagome, we come to you with a proposition. If you agree to our terms, your brother will be well taken care of. He would be adopted by Botan and his family, and your family’s land would return to him when he comes of age.” His eyes searched her face. “He’d have the best chance at surviving not just this winter – but every winter thereafter! Especially if you succeed at the task.”

“You said…you said a sacrifice? What does that mean?” whispered Kagome.

Kaede let out another heavy sigh. “Child, we would ask that ye offer yourself to Winter on behalf of the village – mind, body, and soul. Consider it an arranged marriage of sorts. Convince him to spare us his wrath by any means necessary. Ye are young, and beautiful, and have no future left other than that of survival. Is that any way for ye to live? For your brother?”

“Get out!”

All eyes turned to a red-faced Souta.

“All of you, get out of our house! How dare you come into our home and ask Kagome to give herself up to a demon to protect you lot! Using me as an ultimatum! Get out!” Angry tears trickled down his face.

Kagome pulled him into a hug, and he clung to her like a life raft in an endless ocean. Her fingers ran through his lanky hair as she soothed him.

The elders stood to leave. As they reached the door, Kagome called out, “Wait!” One by one, they turned. “When – when do you need my answer?”

“Kagome! No!” cried Souta.

Kaede’s voice was quiet. “Soon, child. We are running out of time.”

~oOo~

Two weeks later, Kagome stood in the headman’s hut, being primped and primed for Winter. A heavy wedding kimono had been fashioned for her, lined in thick, tawny furs. The silver outer garment depicted a snowy mountain scene. Her hair was pulled back into an intricate bun and her eyes lined with kohl. She was a sight to behold, and Kaede, who watched the proceedings, couldn’t help but think: What a waste.

Souta sat miserably beside Botan, watching his sister be dressed for – what he considered – her funeral. They had argued for days about her decision to save the village, to save him. But in the end, his angry tears and harsh words fell on deaf ears. Kagome had held him and hummed the soft lullabies their mother had sang when they were small, convinced she was doing the right thing.

“We could just leave,” whispered Souta frantically in the dead of night. “We could leave the valley, make a new home elsewhere – just the two of us!”  

Kagome’s outline shifted to face him. “You know we wouldn’t make it passed the mountains in this weather.” Silence. Then, a murmur that was barely heard above the howling winds, “I promised mama I’d take care of you, no matter what. Consider this me fulfilling my promise to her.”

Thinking back on the conversation made Souta wipe his eyes. It was just so unfair. He felt helpless and suddenly very young.

Kaede shooed Botan’s wife and daughters away as she examined Kagome in earnest. “Here child, a gift.” She held up a decorative comb for Kagome’s perusal. 

The young woman took it with somber eyes, bringing it to the light to examine it further. The comb was inlaid with white, mother of pearl that shimmered in the dim light. Delicate flowers and bells had been intricately crafted into the setting; they jangled prettily as she placed it into her hair.

Kaede gave a firm nod. “It is time.”

Kagome swallowed and nodded in return. As she walked passed Botan, her cerulean eyes gained a fierce determination. She said, “Remember your promise to me Headman. If anything happens to Souta, Winter will be the least of your concerns.”

The big man’s eyes grew wide, but he grunted his understanding. With that, Kagome left the hut. She shielded her eyes from the blinding sunlight that reflected off of the snowdrifts piled around the village. Winding walkways had been dug into the snow, to offer easier access to the villagers as they went about their day. Already, the community stood waiting for her at the village center – faces a mixture of hope and shame.

So they know this is wrong – that there’s a chance it might not work. Good.

Setting her shoulders, Kagome raised her face defiantly, meeting their gazes one by one as she walked. Her thick kimono and boots kept most of the chill at bay. Her breath fogged in the watery, late afternoon sunlight. A small hand slipped into hers, and she squeezed it reassuringly.

“It’s going to be okay, Souta,” she said confidently. “If there is a way to tame Winter, then I’ll do what I have to.”

The two made their way to the rest of the villagers and waited as the village elders took their places.

Hiroshi raised his hands for silence. His smile was tight as he said, “We have gathered here today to wish good luck to Kagome on this auspicious day! She has volunteered to appease Winter in the hopes of our continued survival. May their matrimony be joyful and lasting!”

The villagers gave a half-hearted cheer, eyes cast in all directions but Kagome. Hiroshi patted her on the shoulder and it took all her power not to shrug him off. “Do you have anything you wish to say?”

“I do, actually.” Kagome stepped forward, and waited until she had everyone’s attention. “I will do whatever I can to ensure the village survives. I do not take this responsibility lightly. But, I hope you are all prepared to give up your own daughters if I do fail.” The villagers shared looks of shock and concern. “Remember this day, and this feeling. Remember that you sent one of your own into the wolf’s den in hopes of saving yourselves.”

With that, she swept down the path, Souta in tow. At the edge of the forest she knelt – uncaring of her finery – and pulled her brother into a fierce embrace.

“Kagome, you can still back out. Please don’t do this. Don’t leave me. You’re all I have,” he choked, burying his icy face against her neck.

Kagome kissed his forehead and filled her memory with all the details of this moment. His warmth in her arms, his teary eyes, his apple colored cheeks chafed from the cold. She forced her face into a warm neutrality as she spoke to him.

“It’s going to be alright, little brother, no need to fear. We’re resilient. If anything, Winter should be worried because I’m seeking him out!”

Souta gave a weak laugh and it was enough to ease some of Kagome’s worries. She squeezed him tight once more, then stood.

“I love you, Souta. Stay safe.”

“I love you too, sis. Same goes to you.”

She winked and, mustering all her courage, she entered the frozen, lifeless weald.

Kagome didn’t let her tears fall until she was well out of sight. They transformed into glacial rivers on her cheeks.

~oOo~

A/N: Thanks for reading!

<3FF