"..Clear your mind.."
He extended his right hand in one swift motion.
"..Dispel yourself from impure thoughts.."
His left foot moved smoothly in a circular motion, causing the bells around his feet to echo.
"..For a great spirit lies in wait... "
He had clasped his hands tightly together. The room had exuded the long awaited pressure of a god's arrival. Slowly and gracefully, he had lowered to his knees and bowed. He had remained in that position for what had seemed like an eternity. His feet were becoming stiff but, he had not dared to move.
"Answer me, Endou Hayabusa...will you give yourself to our Goddess?" A cold voice rang out.
Raising his head slightly, he spoke with an unwavering voice." Yes, I shall give my body and spirit to her.." Endou closed his eyes awaiting the soft voices of the priestesses.
"Very well, you shall get the her answer tomorrow. If you fail, you are not allowed to set foot within this sacred space once again. However, if she chooses to obtain you, we shall seek you out when the sun peeks out from behind the trees." The firm voice informed.
He heard small whispers from the other side of the sliding door of the temple. He had not strained his ears to hear, for he knew that the Gods do not take well to the overly curious. Endou closed his eyes and rested his warm forehead on the cold wooden floor in an attempt to calm his racing heart. Suddenly, the voices had halted and soon the heavy silence had spread throughout the room. The strong pressure that had enveloped the room disappeared.
"Yes, this will do. She has dismissed you. May good fortune follow you.." Said the child like voice.
With permission from the sacred priestesses, Endou left the confines of the temple. Walking through what seemed like an endless amount of siding doors, he had reached the balcony of the temple. Taking a glance at the setting sun, he concluded that about five hours have passed since he started the ceremony. How tiresome. He began to walk down the sets of stairs to reach the ground floor. With a bit of difficulty, Endou managed to exit the temple. "How did it go Edo-chan?!" A bubbly voice echoed from behind him. Turning slightly, he spotted a small blonde with his tall dark haired guardian not too far behind.
"I don't know Honey-san. I will have my answer in the morning". Endou sighed out. "Aww", was all Honey said as he pouted impatiently. "What are you guys doing here? It's not often you two come to the shrine, especially during school preparation time." Endou asked with a light smile. At this the small blonde seemed to bubble with excitement as he squeezed his pink bunny. "One of our distant relatives is getting married so, they came here to arrange the time they want to rent out the shrine! We came to see you earlier but, Kon-chan said you were busy with an important ceremony!"
"Ah, I see. Thank you for waiting so long, the Goddess seemed to be in a foul mood.", he replied with a light laugh. "Don't worry Edo-chan! I had Takashi to keep me company." He assured as he smiled in his usual fashion. Endou ruffled Honey's hair and proceeded to to walk towards the steps. The fatigue of conducting a lengthy ceremony seemed to hit him like a wave as he took shaky steps away from his companions. "Edo-chan, you don't look to good. Don't you agree Takashi?" Honey stated. His taller companion grunted in agreement. Endou sent them a reassuring smile before tripping over a stray pebble.
"I will be fine if I get some rest." He laughed as he attempted to steady himself. He felt himself being lifted, looking up with a startled expression as he was hefted over Takashi's shoulder. Endou knew it was futile to struggle against being carried so, he merely replied with a small. "Thank you Taka-san." Takashi merely replied with a "Hn." They began to walk down the dimly lit pathway. Passing what seemed like an endless amount of toris while they walked through the bamboo forest. Honey babbled on about his friends coming to the temple for the festival and something about hosts. Endou gave half hearted "yes'"and "Hmms" as he drifted to off into a deep sleep.
The end of the stone stairs could be seen in the distance. "Do you think he succeeded Takashi?", Honey asked with a serious tone. Takashi stared into the distance, "No." Honey frowned. " I think Edo-chan can do it. He'll be the first in a decade to be acknowledged by the goddess and then he ca-" "Mitsukuni. Its unlikely." Takashi said as he cut off Honey's tangent. "I know.." Honey mumbled sadly. Takashi felt bad for discouraging his cousin but, it was to prepare him for the worst. Honey was downtrodden by the truth that weighed in Takashi's words but, kept a tiny glimmer of hope in chest. The two walked in heavy silence, the dreadful thought weighing over their heads.
When they reached the end of the stairs the head priest had come to collect Endou. "Thank you for bringing him here. His ceremony was exceptionally long, that means the Goddess is wavering from her ideals. He now has a chance but, It must have been very strenuous on his body." The priest commented as he picked up Endou. Honey exchanged a hopeful look with his cousin but, said nothing.
"Your car is waiting for you two at the bottom of the steps at the Main Shrine. Have a good evening, may good fortune follow you.." He informed before taking Endou and heading back to the trainee house.
Endou is a man of patience and diligence, is what one would say if they were asked to describe him at face value. Unfortunately, in this situation he was was the opposite of what is described. He woke up hours before the sun could even rise. Instead of using his time to maintain the chores, he stayed buried beneath his futon like it was a cloak that concealed him from his responsibilities. His mind wandered back to whether he succeeded with acknowledgement from the Goddess. If he has the blood of that woman, everything may turn out fine. After all, she was her favorite.
"I wish I had given birth to a girl, how can an impure child such as you carry out duties for the Divine Goddess? What a shame."
Such thoughts are useless. You will succeed. Dispelling such thoughts from his mind, Endou rolled over and stared at the scenery through his window. The morning was full of fog, and it was deathly quiet. There was no small taps of feet, Chanting prayers, or shuffling of fabrics. It was as if all the living beings that inhabited the forest were waiting in anticipation for the answer. The time was coming soon, he could feel how his heart quickened its pace. There was nothing he could do to stop it and so, he waited.
He laid still in his futon, until he heard it. It can't be. There was a faint jingling of bells. As the sound of bells got closer he heard soft voices filling the silence that had once enveloped the forest. Endou sat up and made his way towards the door of the trainee house. He exited the house with false calm to mask his joy and excitement. The three figures of the priestesses, slowly became visible through the confines of the fog. Their voices became more clear and echoed throughout the forest.
"Return it-"
"-Return to us."
"That soul, that you swore-"
"-Belongs to us-"
"The children, follow us into the deep-"
"-Dark abyss. Come back home, to our shrine-
"-Where we'll offer you-" Endou had sang out in an equally haunting tone. He didn't know where it came from, the song had emerged from the confines of his mind. The priestesses stopped in front of him, the bells at their feet jingling as they did so. The three priestesses stood before him, their bodies concealed in dark red of them stepped forward."Consider it an honor that you have been chosen. It had been unprecedented that you would be given divine status, there will be much preparation. Follow." She had ordered. The other two priestesses behind stepped forward and draped the robe around Endou's body.
Turning, the three priestesses started to walk back into the fog. Endou, had followed them as well. They had begun to sing, he had joined them in the song that he suddenly knew by heart. Their voices in perfect harmony, one who didn't know any better would have figured it was the voice of one. Their walking pace was steady and deliberate, not a single movement was wasted. After much walking, the scenery that surrounded them begun to change. The warm and open feel of the Main Shrine becoming all but, a fading memory as they descended into the calm Bamboo forest. Dark greens of the Bamboo, contrasting with the deep red Toris that overlooked the steps.
Endou's bare feet were starting to ache and he wanted to give his voice a rest. Yet, something inside of him had not allowed him to as he continued the repeating chant with the priestesses. In the distance was the temple he had visited the past day. It seemed more intimidating than it had been the previous day. The dark red building resembled a castle from the Sengoku era, it's black and red giving the building a powerful feel. The fact that this building sat in the middle of Bamboo forest, far from civilization made it feel even more sacred than temples open to the public.
When the priestesses reached the entrance, they turned towards Endou. "Before we enter, there are a few things we would like to warn you about. Entering here will feel strange at first but, once the Goddess bestows you divine energy it will feel fine. We all bathe together within the sacred spring. You being male will not exempt you from that. The one who performs priestess duties varies by week. Now that there are five of us, in two weeks your priestess duty will come. Lastly, there are no male uniforms available."The one with the firm voice spoke.
Endou bowed in thanks. "I'll try my best to adjust to life here. The uniform is fine too, with my appearance it will probably suit me more than it should." The priestess considered it to be true, she was even having doubts that Endou was even male. His dark hair stopped below his waist and his face had an overall feminine look. His voice was soft and pleasant and his frame was smaller than the average boy's. The priestess smiled." It's nice to see that you aren't cocky about the rarity of your selection. It will help you in the long run. Let us go Hayabusa, you have much to learn."
It's been three weeks since Endou was selected to become a divine priest. Honey and Takashi wanted to contact him before school started. Every time they went to the Temple, the head priest would sadly tell them that Endou couldn't come see them. Today was the last time that Honey and Takashi could come see Endou before the school year started. It wasn't everyday that they could travel from Tokyo to Hokkaido in search of their friend. It came as a surprise when a young girl started to yell their names as they reached the top of the Shrine's steps.
"Honey-san! Taka-san!" She yelled as ran towards them, wobbling in her wooden platform sandals. Honey was slightly taken aback, "Takashi, that sounds like Edo-chan!" In which Takashi sent Honey a questioning look. Finally reaching the two, the girl stopped in front of them. She was panting from what seemed to be a long sprint. "I thought you guys wouldn't come back. I'm glad that you guys came back one last time." A familiar voice rang out. Standing up straight, it was revealed that it was indeed Endou addressing the two. In pure surprise, they could only stare at him.
He was wearing a traditional priestess robe with the skirt reaching mid thigh and a large matching red camellia patterned Kimono overcoat that reached his lower bangs were cut, exposing more of his soft feminine features. The question they thought they had long answered came back .'Is Endou a Woman?' His two friends were mortified to say the least. Figuring that they wouldn't respond Endou continued. " I had been learning the ways of the divine priestess and learning to control my power. Which is why I wasn't allowed outside of the temple for sometime. As for my appearance, lets say the Goddess favors me with the image of a young woman. For now, at least."
Honey smiled. "No matter what you look like, Edo-chan is still Edo-chan after all!" Takashi grunted in agreement. At this statement Endou gave a rare genuine smile, for he was secretly worried that they would reject him the way he is now."I'm glad you think that way Honey-san, Taka-san. Also, why have you two been trying to contact me so persistently? Did something happen?" He asked worriedly.
"Takashi and I want to take you to Ouran!" Honey yelled out excitedly. Endou has heard of Ouran high School before. A place where the rich send their children to become a true part of those considered 'elite' in society. In reality, it was just a big playground for rich kids who have too much time on their hands. Why they wanted to bring a divine priestess there was a mystery to him. "Ouran, what good would it do? I'am a third year in high school so there wouldn't be much for me to do there. If I were able to come, how am I to conduct my ceremonies?" Endou calmly questioned.
"I think I can explain." A weathered voice came from behind them. "Kon-chan!, Honey recognized. The three of them turned to be face to face with the head priest. Reflexively, Endou bowed in greeting. The priest in turn began to address the issue at hand, "It would be in your best interest to go to Ouran. You will learn how to appease the Goddess in a setting not as sacred as this one." Endou opened his mouth to argue, but was waved off by the priest.
He continued. "It was my intent to inform you, of your time at Haninozuka Household for the duration of this school year. After all, the Hayabusa line of priestesses has always conducted ceremonies for the Haninozuka's for generations. Its given that you would have to travel to their household now that you are a certified 'priestess'."
It was a lot to take in for Endou. The fact that he has to be a personal priestess for the affairs of the Haninozuka did not sit well with him. It was the Goddess he swore loyalty to, not the Haninozuka family. On top of that, he wasn't even female but, he couldn't question history of something if the head priest is telling him. Unknowingly, Endou had a deep scowl on his face. He doesn't like things to be predetermined without his knowledge. How was he to prepare himself when everything was kept in the dark. "When were you going to inform me of this?" He sneered in a sharper tone than intended.
The head priest sighed, "I know that you have just gotten the hang of your divine duties but, this is something that will help you in the long run. It cannot be negotiated Endou. You are to set out for Tokyo in two days." With that the head priest made his way back to the main shrine, leaving the three boys to their own. Endou gave out a deep sigh before turning back towards the Shrine. "Endou."Takashi's deep voice came from behind him. Turning back slowly, Endou looked at the two with an unreadable expression. "Don't worry." Was all Takashi said.
Endou gave smile that didn't quite reach his eyes." I know Takashi."I know. With that the three parted ways. It was only a matter of time before their lives would change. Endou felt it deep within him, as a premonition of sorts. "Ouran? I have no choice...how troublesome.." He mumbled to himself.
A/N
K.V here, I'd like to thank you for taking the time to read my story.
I finally decided to post this here from quotev. At first I found a little bit intimidating, but now I don't really mind (?)
I wanted to write a story with a male oc as they don't appear often in Ohshc fanfiction.
The spiritual aspects of this story is veeeeeeery (I mean very) loosely based on ancient Japanese legends . I wanted to refrain from using the name of actual Gods/Goddesses as they could be considered to be sacred to some. I hope you don't mind fictional Goddesses or entities.
Comments and feedback are greatly appreciated !
Obligatory copyright- I do not own Ouran High School Host Club. Only my Oc.