Erika: Thanks to all the wonderful people who reviewed out there! (Bows) I am pleased to announce that this is the improved version of ‘Sakiira’. I’ve redone every chapter and I finally added chapter 5! Joy and happiness! Enjoy and tell me what you think!

Prologue

Dark cold nights like this one were always welcomed here in the forest. It was a perfect night for watching stars, nature, anything….well, almost anything. It was said that in this particular forest, if you committed a crime, an Angel would come out of the shadows to kill you. Most of the villagers thought it to be a myth, and the ones who did believe were ridiculed. They should have believed.

Chapter 1

A shrill scream shattered the silence, followed by a sharp crack of a hand striking flesh. A man, hidden in the shadows, ran towards the sound. If did not take him long to find what he was looking for.

The stout, potbellied man pulled himself out of the woman, still hard. He pulled his trousers back up, and tied them securely around his waist.

“Heh, it’s been a long time since I fucked a bitch like you.” The woman eyes lolled up towards him as the man pulled out a knife.

“Too bad the child won’t know his father.” The man started to plunge the knife towards here when a voice rang out from the trees.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” The man stopped, holding his breath. He looked frantically, but seeing nothing he started to bring the knife towards the woman again.

“Do not think that you aren’t being watched.” The voice said again and this time the man did stop.

“Who are you? What do you want?” It was silent for a moment.

“Who I am is of no importance to you. What I want you to do is throw away your knife and leave.” The man laughed with no humor.

“Who are you to boss me around? Are you some sideshow freak?” The man heard a cold chuckle.

“A freak? Depends on who you ask. A sideshow? Oh no, I’m center stage.” A dark form sprung down from the tree as a silver glint flashed.

A whistling swish invaded the silence and the man’s scream pierced through the cold air like a knife. His severed head fell to the ground, eyes open, tongue lolling.

The form stared at the severed head in sorrow.

Sometimes to protect someone, The figure thought, you have to do the one thing you hate the most. He looked to the woman to see that she had fainted.

The moon peeked from behind the clouds, bathing the forest in its silver luminescence. The light fell on the figure, revealing his true shape and form. He was a man, about eighteen. He was 6’2” with black hair that stopped at his ear lobes. His amber eyes glinted in the light as he started to put the woman’s clothes back on her.

When he was finished, he picked the woman up, cradling her in his arms. He carried her towards the village and dropped her off at the outskirts. The man gave a strange cry, startling little children in their sleep. He made sure that he was hidden, in case someone came to find her. They did. The man felt a deep sorrow; he knew the woman was pregnant with a child; a girl she would name Sakiira.

Thirteen years later…..

Sakiira woke with a start. She sighed and got out of bed, knowing she wouldn’t be able to sleep now. She’d had that nightmare again. She was always running through the forest, trying to get away from someone, when she suddenly ran into a pack of wolves. She tried to run from them but they caught her. As they started to tear her clothes off a dark figure sprang from the trees and killed them. Before she could see the figure she woke.

Sakiira got some water from the pitcher and stared out the window. It was a beautiful cold autumn morning. The sun shone on the clouds, bathing them in warm gold and pink colors. She yawned, breathing in the cold fresh air. Sakiira smiled and tiptoed into the kitchen, so as not to wake her mother.

I feel like I’m forgetting something. She thought as she started the fire. She made breakfast and soon the whole cabin was filled with aromas of sausage, bacon, and bread baking. As Sakiira was cooking the eggs her mother came in. Giving Sakiira a kiss on the cheek she went to the open window and stared out at the world for a second.

“It’s a beautiful morning.” Her mother proclaimed happily with a sly twinkled in her eye.

“That it is.” Sakiira chirped. Her mother laughed, stilling looking outside.

“Do you know what day it is?” She asked, her merry eyes suddenly merrier than before. Sakiira cocked her head to the side and bit her lower lip, trying to remember.

Sakiira couldn’t remember, “No, what is today?”

“Think hard my sparrow.” Sakiira’s brow furrowed as she thought and then her face lit up with happiness, “Today is my birthday!”

“Yes that it is. You know what this means?” Her mother asked.

“A party?” Sakiira asked hopefully.

“Aye and shopping at the market today.” Sakiira gave a gleeful smile. Her mother turned around and gave her a hug, “Now you go get dressed and I’ll finish breakfast.” She said, giving her a light spank. Sakiira pranced to her room.

Finally, I’m thirteen. She thought happily picking out an outfit. She could hardly wait to go to the market.

X

After dressing she came back into the kitchen to be greeted with one of her favorite treats of all time, cinnamon spirals with sugar icing.

“Oh! Thank you mother! Oh thank you thank you!” Her mother gave a hearty laugh.

“Alright, alright Sparrow. Now come on and eat! We have much to do today!”

After eating they set out for the market. Sakiira loved the market, especially the bookstore. They often passed by there on shopping days but it was rare that they stopped there. As they passed it today Sakiira hoped that they’d go in there. Her mother walked past it and Sakiira let out a little sigh of disappointment. Sakiira almost ran into her mother; she’d stopped in front of the bakers.

“Sakiira, I have some business to take care of here. Why don’t you go to the bookstore and get yourself something?” Sakiira’s face lit up.

“Of course mother!” Her mother handed her five skaal, more than enough to buy two books! Sakiira pranced into the book store and The Keeper (Keeper for short, know one knew his real name) gave a laugh.

“You seem happier than usual t’day Sakiira.” Keeper chuckled watching as she looked through the thick tomes.

“Today’s my birthday!” Sakiira explained happily. Keeper’s eyebrow rose in question.

“It ‘tis? Well, jumpin’ angels, happy birthday Sakiira!” Sakiira smiled and looked at the tome in her hands. It was heavy, large, and old but the pages looked new. It was empty.

“Keeper,” Keeper grunted in acknowledgement, as he was putting more books on the shelves, “this book is empty.” Keeper put the books down and came over staring questionably over her shoulder.

“Well so it is. Tell ya what? Since it’s empty and it’s your birthday I’ll give you that for free and give you a discount on another book. How’s that sound?” Sakiira laughed and threw her arms around his neck.

“Thank you Keeper!” She cried happily as she picked up another tome. She handed him two skaal and danced out of the store.

“Goodbye Keeper!” She called.

“See ya later child!” Sakiira walked back to the Baker’s Shop just as her mother was coming out with a heavily filled burlap sack.

“Found what you wanted Sparrow?” Her mother asked affectionately.

“Not only did I find a journal to write in, I got a free book too! Keeper is so nice.” Sakiira sighed happily. Mother ruffled her hair and she giggled.

So the day went on with buying presents and spending time together. When they finally got home Sakiira’s mother asked her to go outside and play.

“I have another gift but I need to finish it. I’ll call you back when I’m ready.” Sakiira ran outside into the forest, her secret haven. Not many people came in here; they said a monster lived in there. Sakiira’s mother and her thought it was nonsense so she was allowed to go in there.

The woods had always felt safe to her, they were comforting. Animals loved her and ate from her hand. Even the wolves came at her call. Her mother said she had a way with all creatures and it was the honest truth.

Sakiira skipped to the creek and sat down beside it, leaning back against an Oak Tree’s trunk. She started to hum, and then sing,

“Kima kulie no,

Saki ki meonekaro.

Sumi koshima ye tudel Yasuroume.

Shirikyo, sukmane ke ye!

Shiromi sumake kyri.

Shinana, kosomacheserkaro

No kede ye li,

Sukamate-”

Something in the branches rustled and Sakiira jumped up, startled. A man was sitting in the branches, gazing down at her.

“I’m sorry if I startled you. You sing beautifully.” Sakiira blushed and the figure gave a chuckle, “What’s your name little one?”

“Sakiira.” She answered quietly.

“That’s a beautiful name.” The man said warmly.

“What’s your name?” Sakiira asked softly with a smile.

“It’s Seth. Don’t tell anyone else though okay? If anyone found out I was here then I would be in trouble.” Seth said.

“Why would you be in trouble?” Before Seth could answer Sakiira’s mother yelled for her. Sakiira turned towards the sound and sighed.

“I’m sorry I-” Sakiira turned around to notice he was gone. Sakiira cocked her head to the side and gave a frustrated sigh.

“Goodbye for now Seth.” She called softly.

X

Seth watched her walk away from the tree and he sighed.

I’m too jumpy; but then again, people have been chasing me for years. Seth sighed and jumped down from the tree, She’s such a pretty girl.

Seth walked away from the Oak Tree back to his house. He walked into a patch of sunlight and he stretched at the warmth on his back. His wings stretched out to their full length but he folded them against his back quickly. The last thing he need was for a human to see him. He would definitely be in trouble.

Erika: Yay! I’m so happy that I finished redoing this chapter! Thank you so much for the reviews everyone! Email me if you have any suggestions on this one!

Sakiira’s Song

As the dawn draws near,

My heart beats wildly.

You will come and see me today my father.

I love you oh so much more than you could ever know!

I want to see you again.

Sing to me the lullabies,

Of the years gone past,

Cradle me until I fall into sweet loving dreams,

Of you and me together.

Laugh with me once again,

I love you forever.

My love for you is like the ocean,

Deep and spreading far and wide.

So hug me until the end of the world draws near,

Cradle me and never sigh,

Oh father I love you so much,

Sing me a lullaby.

This is where Sakiira was cut off so here’s the rest of the song in her language.

Sukamate simoni leshanekero,

Sokoyeda kisa ne,

Mesureada lo dane,

Mai sime le nako.

Ni sime sho shi naru,

Liteda mesocumeyo,

Nikade inte siikari shi koradeo,

Liami sa kosoru,

O lani ni sime kuso,

Meno ka shidaro.