Mnemosyne

Lunar Lilly Muse

Chapter 1: Mother

"For the last time, honey, there's no such thing as monsters." Meilin Young lovingly ruffled her youngest child's, Alliyah, hair.

"It's not the monsters I'm worried about." Her teenage son, Chase, remarked from his bed across the room. "Just tell the little bratto keep the screaming to a minimum." Alliyah whimpered and looked to her mother for support. Meilin stroked her cheek.

"Ssh, ssh. It's okay Jia." 'Jia' was Meilin's nickname for her daughter. It meant beautiful in Chinese. A name that would have truly fit her daughter, with her silky, shiny raven black hair and jade green eyes.

Meilin had wanted to name her little girl Jia, but her husband, Jun-Li, had blatantly refused. He named the girl Alliyah, after his mother, the former mistress of the Zodiac Talisman. He had always hoped one of his children would take over the responsibilty one day. It was unfourtunate that he would never get to see it happen. Jun-Li had died, along with many other men, protecting their village from barbarians. Being a single parent had proved quite difficult, but if anyone could manage it, it was Meilin.

Meilin glared at Chase. "Chase Young, Alliyah's just a little girl!" She scolded. "She's bound to frighten easily. Don't you remember how you were when you were her age?" Chase merely snorted and turned on his side with his back to his family. Meilin sometimes wondered what had happened to her young son to make him act so inhumane. Granted, he was seventeen, almost ready to leave the house, so he probably wouldn't see eye-to-eye with a seven year old girl. But still...

Meilin got up from the edge of the bed. Sleep was sounding pretty good about now. "Good night, my darlings."

"No! Please don't go Mommy!" Alliyah wailed. She stuck out her arms and snatched onto the front of her mother's shirt. It had been almost a year since her father had died, but Alliyah was still terrified of leaving her mother's side. It made bedtime quite difficult.

Her mother carefully pried off Alliyah's hands and laid them back on the bed. "Alliyah, it is time for bed!" She said, her paitence wearing thin. Alliyah started to whimper, and then burst into tears. Suddenly, Chase walked over to Alliyah's bed. He sat on the edge and pulled Alliyah into his lap.

"If this is the only way to get some sleep..." He grumbled. He leaned over and began to sing, more like whisper, an old lullaby her remembered his father had sung to him many years ago.

"Winter, spring, summer and fall. Winter, spring, summer and fall. Four season, four loves. Four seasons, four loves." He remembered that the song went on for much longer, but the extra verses were far beyond his memory now.

Fourtunateley, it was all Alliyah needed. She had stopped crying the moment Chase had started to sing. Chase gave her a quick squeeze. "There, better?" Alliyah nodded. He picked her off of his lap and tucked her back under the covers.

Meilin smiled. "That was very sweet of you." She whispered to Chase. Chase rolled his eyes.

"Please, I only did that so I could get some sleep." But Meilin knew that was a lie. Chase had an overpowering, unwavering love for his sister. He hated to see or hear her cry.

"Good night." She whispered once more before blowing out the candle.

I deleted BTGE because I didn't like the direction it was going in. I just decided to do a story of her memories, like the other authors. Oh, and see if you can guess thespecial meaning behind the title!I know that was short, but it was the best I could do right now. I hope you all keep reading!

Much Luv,

Zoey

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Xiaolin Showdown. Or the lullaby. That came from Avatar.