The Girl and the Mirror

The Girl and the Mirror

Once there was this girl who lived alone with her mother. They lived above an antique shop that her mother owned. There were many wonderful things that could be found in the store. Antique roll top desks, chairs that looked uncomfortable but were so soft and comfy, there was so many different coffee tables, end tables, dinning tables. There were also shelves full of really different things like flower pots, cookie containers, small figurines so delicate that it seemed if you touched them they would cling to your fingers.

There was also some other strange things, like an antler coat rack, a hippo sitting on its back legs looking up with its mouth wide open. This very cute thing was an umbrella stand, the umbrellas and peoples walking sticks would go into the mouth, and they would stay there. There was a giraffe that was really cool too! It stood almost four feet high, and attached to the wall. The antlers on the giraffe came out from the wall and were used to hang keys from by the door.

Then there were the mirrors of all different shapes and sizes, and different designs. There was a big round one that had zebra stripes around the edge. There was another with cheetah spots, and another with tiger stripes. This girl, Kagome, she used to go with her mother to the different auctions and open houses to see different things that people owned.

So this day, Kagome was out with her mother, as usual. They had their breakfast early, and left to go to the big estate sale.

Kagome was really excited about going to this sale. There was supposed to be a lot of different and odd things here. Apparently, the woman who used to live there collected strange and unusual things.

The house where the auction/sale was taking place was really big! It was two floors, and it had the front veranda plus two other full balconies on the top floor. The front door was a double door, and both were open wide, inviting people in.

“Hello!” greeted an older woman at the door. “Welcome to my estate sale. If you find something you like, just come find me and we can dicker about the price. Now,” she said, sweeping her arms out to welcome them to wander, “away you ladies go.”

Kagome and her mother grinned at the older woman. “Thank-you.” said Kagome’s mother as she walked in and started looking around.

“Excuse me,” Kagome said to the woman. “If you don’t mind my asking, why are you having this estate sale?”

“Oh! That’s easy,” she replied. “I have to make room for some new things I have coming in. So I have sent out some invitations to certain antique stores that I fancy, and let them come in and make me an offer on my things. If I like the person, and if the offer is right, we make a deal.

“Now don’t get me wrong, little one. I know the value of my valuables, so no one is going to get the best of me if I don’t want them too.” She cackled mischievously. “Now why don’t you wander, then come let me know if there is anything you like, hmm?” She said. “Anything.” she emphasized with a twinkle in her eyes.

“Alright, and thank you for the invitation to come here to your home” Kagome said politely.

The woman just smiled, nodded and waved Kagome off.

Kagome toured the house and saw many fascinating things; couches, chairs, tables. It was almost as if it was a larger version of her mom’s store.

The thing that caught Kagome’s attention was a large oval mirror. It seemed almost out of place among all the other strange and weird things. The frame was a simple wood, polished, but not gleaming. It had some strange markings around the border, almost like someone tried to write words, but missed some letters.

“Different isn’t it?” The old woman said.

Kagome jumped. She had never heard her approach. “Yes. It almost doesn’t fit with the rest of the house. Almost plain in comparison” Kagome said musingly. “Not to insult your decorating! It certainly is ... eclectic.” she said hurriedly.

The woman chuckled. “Yes. It is the plainest piece I own. But it has been passed down in my family for years. Now since I don’t have any children or grandchildren of my own, I would like to give this mirror to you, dear.” She said as she took it off the wall and handed it to Kagome.

“Oh! But I can’t take such a precious family heirloom! I’m sure there is some niece or nephew you could give it to instead.” Kagome protested, trying to hand it back.

“Nonsense; the treasure is mine to do with as I like. And I like you, and you obviously appreciate it, where what family I do have thinks I’m crazy, and are into all that art nouveau stuff." She said making a face.

“Can’t I at least give you something for it than?” Kagome asked. “I have ...”

“No. I will not take any money for this. Your appreciation of my ‘eclectic-ness’, shall we say, is more than enough. This is my gift to you for that. Please take it with no guilt or remorse.” The older woman said kindly.

Kagome looked at the mirror in her hands. “I don’t know what to say,” she said softly.

The woman smiled. “Say ‘Thank you’.” she said kindly.

“Thank you.” Kagome parroted.

“You are most welcome my dear. Now we had best get you back with your mother. She may be worried about you, and she may have found some things she likes as well.” The woman said as she turned to the doorway.

Kagome watched her go for a few moments before she moved to follow. ‘What a nice old woman.’ she thought.

Kagome’s mother was indeed waiting in the foyer for her. “I found a few things that I wish to buy. What have you got there Kagome?” she asked.

“Oh! This nice woman gave the mirror to me when I was admiring it on the wall. She wouldn’t take any kind of payment or anything for it, even though I did try.” Kagome said.

Kagome’s mom turned to the older woman. “Are you certain you wish to give it to her? We could pay for it.”

The older woman was shaking her head. “It was a deal between me and her. We worked out the details. I have only one request,” she said turning to Kagome. “That you come visit me here, and help me move around some of this stuff sometimes. I like your company. If it is alright with you, of course.” she finished, turning to Kagome’s mother.

“Kagome is 16 years old. If she wishes to come see you, she can.” Kagome’s mom said.

The old woman turned to Kagome, a questioning look in her eyes.

Kagome smiled big. “Yes! I would love to come and visit you here in your wonderful house!” She agreed enthusiastically.

The old woman smiled. “There, done deal. Now,” she said turning back to Kagome’s mother. “You mentioned something you wished to purchase? Will you show them to me, and we can dicker about the price, shall we?” she said leading her away.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Later that evening, Kagome hung the mirror in her room. She was looking at the peculiar markings on the edge. They looked familiar to her! She had seen markings like those on a book. She quickly went to her bookshelf. She had books on just about everything. But the book she grabbed was green. It was called ‘The Craft’ by Dorothy Morrison. She quickly flipped through the book to find what she wanted. There! On page 66, the markings for the Theban alphabet!

She quickly got a piece of paper and wrote down what the inscription said. She started at the circle on the top of the mirror and slowly worked her way around the mirror looking at all 181 symbols.

This is the message she came up with; ‘Contained in this mirror is a mystical creature. He will grant one wish. Be certain of your wish as he will grant no other. To call him out, say in front of the mirror: I call to you Sesshomaru of the Fey, come grant this wish I have today.’

Kagome sat back on her bed as she re-read what she wrote. “A mystical creature, a wish, Sesshomaru of the Fey? What is this mirror I now have?” she mused.

Kagome looked at the mirror again. ‘It seemed like any normal mirror, except for the words/symbols written around it. I wonder ... ‘she thought as she got up and stood in front of the mirror. She cleared her throat, than said clearly but quietly, mindful of her mom in the next room:

“I call to you Sesshomaru of the Fey. Come grant this wish I have today.”

At first nothing happened, but Kagome stood there waiting. Then the mirror started to get cloudy, almost like it was in the bathroom with a steamy shower going, except you couldn’t see your reflection. Then a handsome face appeared, he had pointed ears and silver colored hair, but all in all it looked like a human face!

The face blinked his golden eyes a few times; then he yawned! And he said in a very melodic voice, “What is your wish, and if it is within my power, I can grant it.”

Kagome’s mouth was hanging open. She had just called a creature from a mirror, and now it would grant her a wish! But, she shut her mouth with a snap, first she has some questions.

“Sesshomaru?” she asked.

The face blinked, not acknowledging that she said its name. Well, she’ll try again a little louder.

“Sesshomaru.” she said. Still no response and she was starting to get irritated that he wouldn’t answer her back. So she got a little closer to the mirror, and started to tell him off.

“Why don’t you answer when I called your name, huh? Don’t you know that it is rude to ignore someone when they are talking to you! All I wanted to do was ask you to some questions, but oh no! You just had to go and ignore me like some rude ... thing!” she finished in a huff.

The face in the mirror was looking at her, stunned. No one in all the years he had been trapped in this mirror has ever tried to talk to him! “I’m sorry.” he apologized. “I have only been summoned to grant wishes before; I haven’t been able to converse with anyone for centuries. I am very sorry if I have angered you by not responding. I was just waiting for your wish so I could return to ...” he trailed off.

Kagome looked at him puzzled. ‘He wasn’t allowed to talk to others before? How lonely.’ she thought. She sighed, “I’m sorry too for yelling at you. I didn’t know ... well ... I wasn’t even sure that you would show yourself.” she confessed.
“What were your questions.” he asked. “If it is to know the extent of my magick, I can tell you that I don’t bring people or creatures back from the dead. I don’t make people fall in love with others. In lust maybe, love not likely. I can’t grant eternal life or youth. And lastly, there will be only one wish, no wishing for more. So, what is your wish?” he asked.

Kagome shrugged. “I have no wish. I called you to see if it was possible. But now that you are here, maybe you could tell me how you came to be in the mirror?”

“Is that your wish?” he asked bored.

“No! I said I have no wish right now. I just want to get to know you!” Kagome huffed.

“Oh. I was walking through the woods near my kingdom, when an evil sorcerer trapped me here. I have been stuck here ever since. He wished for absolute power and made me watch as he destroyed home after home, village after village, just because he could. He kept taunting me saying that I will never get out of here; I will be a servant to his family forever. Then just after he showed me to his son and told him how to use it, his absolute power destroyed him. He tried to call to the elements themselves to do his bidding. They came to him, but not to aid, to destroy. I felt so guilty the whole time this was going on since I had given him his power, and he used it maliciously. So it went on for centuries, I always being called on for the one wish than forgotten until the next person showed. Eventually, I pulled back from the surface of the mirror so I would not have to watch the destruction of the world. Now I am here.” he finished tonelessly.

“Don’t you miss your family? Is there no way at all to free you?” Kagome asked sadly.

“Of course I miss my family. I was the eldest child. I was to rule my kingdom after my father stepped down. But now, I don’t know what has happened there. My father was to retire in 500 years when I was trapped. That was in 1507. How I wish I could be free to be with my family again.” he sighed sadly.

“That is so sad.” she said. “But is there no way for you to be freed from the mirror?” she questioned again.

Sesshomaru sighed. “There is one way. But I won’t speak of it. Please tell me your wish so I can return to my oblivion.”

“No!” Kagome said firmly. “I told you, I have no wish. But I would still like to know how to free you. You don’t deserve to be stuck in there for all time. You seem like such a caring person! You miss your family; have done no wrong doing, willingly. You were tricked, trapped, and you don’t deserve to be here anymore.” She said crying. “Tell me how to free you!” she demanded.

Sesshomaru looked at her wonderingly. ‘Could she truly be the one?’ he wondered. “I was told by the original sorcerer who trapped me here, once when he was intoxicated, that the only way to be freed was to have a maiden who wished for my freedom to wish for it, than I would be free, and the mirror would once more be a mirror.” he said matter of fact, no emotion showing.

Kagome gasped. “Is that it? Why hasn’t anyone wished you free before now?”

“All anyone who called me out before wanted was something for themselves.” he said.

“How mean!” she said. Then she looked at him wonderingly. “Do you think it will work?”

“I truly don’t know.” he confessed.

Kagome squared her shoulders, raised her chin and wiped her tears away with her hands. Than she grasped the mirror and said, “I will free you. Here is my wish, Sesshomaru of the Fey, I wish for your freedom, for you to be free from this mirror, and turn it once more into a plain mirror.” she said firmly.

The mirror began to glow in Kagome’s hands. She stepped back, not realizing she still had a hold of the mirror, and she pulled Sesshomaru right out of the mirror.

They fell into a heap of arms and legs onto her floor. The mirror stopped glowing, and the writing around the frame faded until it was no longer there.

Kagome looked over at Sesshomaru, who was sitting up looking at his hands and body. He turned his wondrous golden eyes on her. “I’m free.” he whispered, wonderingly. Then he smiled big. “I’m truly free.” he stood up, as did Kagome. She got a good look at him. He was tall, about 5'9", he still had his pointed ears, but he was now wearing a soft white shirt as well as soft white pants. He had a yellow sash with blue edging around his waist, and a pair of dark tan shoes on. His hair was still silver, but it looked almost white in the glare of the bedroom light.

Kagome noticed, after checking him out, that he was also looking at her. She blushed, and looked at the floor. “I’m glad you are finally free, Sesshomaru.” she said softly. “What are you going to do now?”

He was quiet for a moment, before he stepped closer to her and lifted her chin so she was looking him in the eyes. “I will return home. See my family; let them know what has become of me. But first, with your permission I would like to give you a kiss in thanks. May I have your permission?” he said quietly.

All Kagome could do was nod. Sesshomaru slowly lowered his face to hers, keeping his eyes on hers the whole time. He gently touched his lips to hers. She felt a jolt go straight through her at the contact. His eyes widened fractionally to show that he felt it too.

He pulled back before either could take it further. He sighed, and licked his lips. “Thank you.” he murmured. “What is your name little one?” he asked.

Kagome blinked a few times. “K ... Kagome.” she stuttered.

“Well Kagome,” he said stepping back from her. “Thank you for freeing me from the mirror. I have to go now, but I will come back. Don’t forget me.” he whispered, as he leaned over and gently kissed her again. Then he disappeared.

Kagome looked around her room for where he could have gone, but her door never moved. She looked over at the mirror and seen her reflection. She lifted a hand to gently touch her mouth. “Did I dream it all?” she asked out loud. She looked closer at the mirror. Slowly, a new pattern was emerging from around the frame. It was vines and roses; at the top was a crescent moon, cusp down with the vines and roses trailing away from it. Than at the bottom, new markings similar to the first ones emerged.

She quickly grabbed her book and paper and deciphered what the new symbols said. This is what she got:

‘Never forget me, for I will never forget you. Sesshomaru’

Kagome sighed. “I will never forget.” she said quietly out loud.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

5 years later .....

Kagome was just coming home from visiting the older lady, Kaede, who gave her Sesshomaru’s mirror. That is how she thought of the mirror, as his. She sighed.

After Sesshomaru had left, about a week later she had gone to Kaede, and told her of what had happened. The old lady had smiled. She told Kagome that she figured that the mirror was special, but didn’t know why. She was very happy that Kagome had freed him.

After that first visit, Kagome had then gone home and told her mother what had happened, not including the kissing part. At first her mom was stunned, and then she said that she was proud of how Kagome had helped him and that when ever he may return to bring him to her and she could meet him.

But that was 5 years ago. Kagome had completed her high school, and now helped her mother in the shop, and visited Kaede once a week. And all through this she never forgot about Sesshomaru.

Kagome sighed again as she walked into her room. His mirror was still hanging in the same place, but she had long since removed other things from that wall. She walked over to the mirror and gently touched the inscription. “I have never forgotten you, Sesshomaru.” she said quietly, closing her eyes and tracing the indents of his name with her fingers.

“I’m glad, because I haven’t forgotten you either, Kagome.”

Kagome gasped and spun around. There, in almost the exact same spot where he left her, he was now standing.

“S ... Sesshomaru?” she said, reaching out to see if he was real and not a figment of her imagination.

He smiled and grasped her reaching hand, pulling her into his embrace. “Yes my love. I have returned.” He said before gently kissing her.

Kagome sighed and melted against him. “I’ve missed you Sesshomaru. I love you.” she whispered.

His arms tightened around her. “I love you too. Will you marry me, and come live in my kingdom with me?” he asked.

Kagome lifted her head from his shoulder. “Are you sure?” she asked, even though her heart was singing in joy at his question. “I’m human, which means I will age and die long before you. Will you still want me when I am old and grey and you are still young and vital?” she asked uncertainly.

He kissed her nose. “My love, we have magick which will extend your life to one as long as mine. I will never be without you again.” he reassured her.

Kagome sighed. “We have to talk to my mom first. I can’t just leave her without an explanation.” she said.

Sesshomaru looked at her. “I would expect nothing less. I will ask for her permission to marry you.” he said determined. “Where is she?”

So they both went and spoke with her mother, who gave her permission. Then they went to Kaede, and thanked her for giving Kagome the mirror. Finally, they went to his kingdom, where Kagome was welcomed for returning their prince/king to them.

They took the mirror, and it hangs in a special place of honor in their rooms. And so the story has been passed down through the generations, a tale of a prince trapped in the mirror, and the kind wonderful woman whose love helped release him from his prison.

~Fin~

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Here it is. Not my best, but it is better than what I had at first. *scratches back of head sheepish*

I owe a gigantic Thank-you to my wonderful beta Inu~Lover for her patience and helping hands through all my stories.

I am working on the next chapter of Room Service.

Until we meet again.