Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kan Kai

Puzzle Pieces

I am Broken,

Are you the one that can help me?

I am Broken,

Are you the one that can save me?

I am Broken,

Are you the one that will make me smile?

I am Broken,

Are you the one that will make me whole?

Piece 1: Sorrow

Part A

I lost all feeling within my fingers. My mind was in an inescapable haze. My palms perspired and my head felt as if it would burst with every moment that passed. Hot tears flowed down my cheeks. My heart was crumbling.

Mother stood there, looking at me. She did not smile at me; she did not even so much as bat an eye at me. Her eyes traveled along the sword I held in my hands. It would be by this blade…this damned blade…that her blood would be spilt.

My hands trembled. The sword's hideous golden blade flashed before me. It pained me to gaze upon that unholy light…that horrible light. It only made me weep harder and louder.

How did it come to this? Why did it have to be this way? Why did Fate mock me?

I closed my eyes.

I swung the sword down.

A sickening crack shattered my eardrums. I opened my eyes. I had missed her. The horn on her head was cracked. She did not even flinch at my attack. She did not blink at me. I lifted the sword again, but it was growing too heavy for me to hold. I could not…I would not…! Not to my own kin…!

"Go on," Mother spoke.

Her voice was so tender…so full of love and warmth. Why was she speaking to me this way after what I had just done…? Why did she have to do this to me?

"You must strike me down…"

"Mother…!" I bit my lip. "I can't…! I just can't…!"

"It is a child's duty to be at their parent's death."

"But, Mother!" I lowered my sword. I wiped my tears on my shrine robes. "I have never heard of an instance in which a child must murder her own parent!"

Mother cracked a small wry grin. She touched the cracked horn on her head.

"Don't cry my child. I am not a human. This horn says that I am a demon. And it is a demon's duty to shoulder all the evil of this world. Henceforth, it is my duty to accept the chaos and turmoil that exists in this world and purify again the minds and souls of the people with my own death."

I bit down on my lip.

"Why must Mother take the blame for everything? The sins of the people are their own sins. These sins are not Mother's!"

She touched my hand. She stroked my empty palm with her fingertips.

Her smile grew. She pulled my hand to her. She kissed it.

"Listen, my child. People live their lives in sin. And they can only live by blaming their faults against others. And none of them wants to be the only one taking the blame for everything, so they shove their sins against each other. That whole thing is the demon itself. Those...are the real demons that cause turmoil in this world. And I…will accept all the blame. If all the blame is shifted onto me, people will feel relieved and they will finally be freed from this demonic nature of doubting everyone."

She wrapped her arms around me. I felt her breath against my ear. She was whispering.

"Come, my child. Bring all the sins, the hate, the curses, and the evil onto me. And strike a fatal blow into my body with that sword, purify the village, let my intestines flow down the river, and dump my body into the marsh."

"Mother…!" I gripped her back. "Please…!"

"This can only be carried out by someone who is not of human blood. This cannot be done by anyone else. If a normal human does this, this will not free the people from doubt and suspicion of this chaotic nature."

"I don't understand, Mother…I don't!" I yelled into her neck. My voice was muffled. "Yes, it is true that Mother has a horn on her head which cannot be hidden…but why must Mother be treated like a monster and a demon just because of a horn?"

I grinded my teeth and growled. "It is them who are the monsters for treating Mother like this! Horn or no horn…you are my mother!"

Mother was crying. She kissed my cheek and held my face in her hands. She looked…glad…

"My lovely child…" she said, "you are the only one who says that. No matter what they call me with such insults like…or…you are the only one who accepts me as a human…"

"Mother…please…please don't make me do this…!"

"You must…my daughter…strike me down…"

Mother released me. I squeezed the sword in my hand. I turned my back to her and walked away from her. I wanted to run away…I wanted to make this dreadful nightmare pass…but this was reality. I could not cheat Death and I could not cheat Fate. Fate wanted my Mother. But why not I?

I looked at the sword. What stopped me from driving this accursed thing inside of me? Why could I not be the sacrifice? If I offered myself…would Mother live? Would all be resolved if I forfeited my own life so Mother could stay?

"A parent should never bury their children."

Even now, Mother sensed my thoughts. I would have laughed at this…but I was slowly learning to lose all sense of feeling. My mind could not think. My spirit could not soar. My tears could not flow. My heart could not love. I was but a shell, a hollowed being with no memory of love or warmth. This sword…it robbed me of my life…my humanity.

"Come…strike me down…"

I turned to face her.

She spread her arms open as if to embrace me again. She was smiling at me, despite the tears.

I breathed hard…something was stuck in my throat. It was growing increasingly difficult to breathe. I could not stop the pain from coming any longer.

I raised the sword and brought it past my waist. I charged forward.

This one thrust would end it all. This one attack would forgive all of the sins of mankind. This one attack would damn me…it would damn me…

When I was in reach…I thrust the blade forward.

"MOTHER!"

I shot open my eyes. The dark world that surrounded me was gone. That vast empty plane was gone. The blue skies and the emerald fields returned. The sounds of the river flowing and the sound of the cicadas' singing filled my ears. I was back in the deepest pit of Hell.

I was sitting against a tree in a jade meadow, with the sun blanketing me. I wiped my forehead with my robe's sleeve and wiped my eyes with my fingers. I was dreaming again. That nightmare never left me…it never stopped haunting me. Even during the day it assaulted me. Would it ever cease?

I stood up from my grassy bed. I dusted off my robe and readjusted my sash. My hand combed my long hair, relieving myself of the blades of grass in my hair. A long and hard breath sprung from my mouth. It was just another day in torment.

It had been a whole decade since that time. During those years, I became a woman. I took over my family's shrine when I became old enough and I cared for it as if it were my child. It was one of the last few things I had left of my mother. The shrine, my father…and that thing…were all that was left of her.

I became the most prominent member in the village. I practically became its leader. It was because of what I did that I was so revered. It was because of my sin that granted me exaltation. It was because of that plague…humankind…that I became a God-like figure.

Blood was spilt so that they may live in harmony, so that all would be forgiven. She may have forgiven them, but that did not take away the nightmare. It was a scar that would never heal. Humankind was a sin, a blight upon the world. I would never forget what they had done to my family and me. I would never forgive them.

I passed through the village on my homeward trek. The farmers ceased their work in the fields when they spotted me. They removed their straw hats and bowed to me in homage. I paid them no mind. I merely kept my eyes forward.

I encountered a large crowd when I arrived in the center of the village. The conversations and gossips fell silent. Everyone bent their knees to me and cleared a path for me. I did not wave, I did not blink, and I did not nod my head to any one of them.

There was a little girl standing with her parents as I passed by. The father bowed as the woman followed, but the child did not acknowledge my presence. She was very small and naïve, so I did not expect her to show me such excessive gestures of respect. She could only stare at me as I continued my walk. She seemed captivated by me.

When my back was facing them, I heard the man speaking to his wife. He believed I was out of earshot, but he spoke loud enough for me to eavesdrop.

"She's so divine…" he said. The poor fool was losing his heart to me. "I pray that our little girl becomes just as beautiful as she."

"Quiet! The priestess will hear you!" the wife slapped his shoulder. "She must be on an important errand! Did you catch the look in her eyes?"

"Is that why she looks so serious?"

If they only knew…

"Mother…" the little girl spoke up. "Who is that lady?"

I stopped in my tracks.

"That's Furude Ouka…she's the priestess of that pretty shrine I showed you before, remember?" The mother giggled at her child. "She saved Onigafuchi from that horrible demon."

"…I see…"

I squeezed my fists. I walked faster now. If I stayed a moment longer, the soil would be stained with their blood.

I ascended the stairs to my home. I had never been so glad to be in the comfort of my abode. I could always escape to this place. Here…and the holy tool shed were my favorite places in the village. There no one would ever bother me. There no one would see me weep.

There was a man standing at the door to the Furude Shrine. His white robes glimmered and his smiling face brought more light into the world. The gorgeous summer sky up above could not compete with the simper of that man. He waved to me lightly. He seemed overjoyed to watch me approach him. An odd person.

That man was my father, Furude Riku, the most honorable man in all of Onigafuchi. He was Mother's second half. They were two halves that made one…me…but all that was left was a broken child.

"Ouka," he said lovingly despite his excitement. He embraced me. "I am so relieved to see you outside once more! You have been inside that shed for far too long. You made me worry!"

"I apologize, Father…" I hid my eyes from him. "I did not mean to concern you."

"Speak no more of that. You are out in the world again, and you are with me now."

"…Father."

"Come. We have much to discuss today!"

I released him. I still did not look up at him. "Father, I have many duties that must be accomplished before day's end. If I do not begin now, I fear I may not be able to complete my-"

"Never mind that. I have not seen you in so long." He held my hand. He kissed the top of it and held it against his face. Let me have but a few moments of your time!"

I could not deny him of this. We rarely saw each other because of my duties, and because of my wish for privacy. I had not spoken to him in such a long time. If this would make him happy, then it would satisfy me.

I nodded slowly.

"…As you wish."

Father sat me in front of the door to the shrine. He went inside for a brief moment. He came back with two cups of tea. He had been brewing tea in there? Had he been expecting me? It did not surprise me much, Father knew me all too well. He knew I would back to the shrine sometime during the day to handle my chores. He knew that he would be able to trap me if he waited for me there. He was an odd man, but he was too clever for his own good.

"So…how are you doing today, Ouka?" Father asked, handing a cup to me.

I accepted it and looked away from him. "Fine."

"Did you take a stroll through the village? Was it enjoyable?"

"It was fine."

"How were the fields and the flowers? Were they all blossoming nicely?"

"They were fine."

Father mumbled to himself. His leg was bobbing up and down. "…How were the villagers? Did you see anybody in particular today?"

"No."

"Ah…um…"

"Father? What is the point of this?"

"Ah…I just…I'm just trying to make conversation." Father chuckled nervously. "I…hmm…I had hoped to see you this morning here, but you had already left. I am very happy to see you outside, as I said before! It is not healthy for a girl to stay inside and work like you have! You need fresh air once in a while."

I sipped my tea. "I am a woman now, Father. I am not a girl. Do not insult me."

"I meant no offense!" Father touched my shoulder. "You will still be my little girl, Ouka. You understand that."

"Even when I'm an old woman and after I've finally buried you into the ground?" I smirked.

"Haha…that is certainly morbid, but long after I'm gone and when you have grandchildren, you will still be my little girl."

"Forgive me. I just don't understand how a decrepit and ornery old shrew can be anybody's 'little girl.'"

"Ouka," my father laughed wryly at me. "You must stop talking that way. It's unlike a proper lady."

"I am a little girl, remember?"

Father sighed at me. He stroked his forehead.

"Ouka…I honestly do not enjoy that dark sense of humor you've developed. Where did you acquire such mannerisms?"

"…Years of practice."

Father placed his tea down beside him. The sun was directly overhead now. The cicadas' chirping was making me anxious.

"I think I know what this is about." He folded his hands and looked at me. I turned my head. "It's about your mother…isn't it?"

I laid the cup on my lap. I studied the ripples. I counted every one.

"Ouka. Please speak to me."

"…What more is there to speak of? You already know how I feel."

"…Ouka…I…I heard you weeping last night…"

My eye shifted to him, but then turned back to my cup.

"It was worse than any other time I heard you crying…" He laid his hand on my leg. "Ouka…please talk to me…"

"…Everything has already been said."

"You need closure, Ouka. I cannot bear to watch you suffer like this anymore." He squeezed my leg. "I've heard you weep…I've seen how disheveled you are with each day that passes…I've seen you decay during these last ten years.

"…It's like you're dying, Ouka. It is as if you are purposely allowing yourself to suffer this torment. You barely eat, you barely sleep, and you have never honestly smiled since…ah…"

I put my cup down on the floor. I placed my hands neatly over my lap.

"My daughter…my lovely little Ouka…tell me what I can do for you…"

I closed my fists.

"I'd do anything for you. You know that. Tell me your heart's desire, whatever it is, and I'll do it gladly…"

I finally gazed into his eyes. He was taken aback by my sudden look. I had been hiding my face from him all this time. It was like he had forgotten my face.

"Liar."

"…What? Why do you call me a liar?"

"You are a liar." I chuckled.

"How am I a liar? I just told you I'd do anything for you!"

"You'd do anything? Just for me?"

My lips curled. I smiled wickedly at him.

"Then burn this village."

"…What did you-?" My father removed his hand from me.

"I want this whole village to erupt in chaotic flame. I want every person, man, woman, and child, burned until there is not even ashes left. I want Onigafuchi to die."

"…Stop it."

"Have I spoken wrongly, Father? I know you've felt this way too!"

"Ouka!"

"They made me do it! They made me kill Mother!" I stood up and screamed at him. "It's because of them that I-!"

"Ouka! Stop this!" Father seized my shoulders and violently shook me. "I will not have you speak of your village like that!"

"Why are you angry with me?" I snickered under my breath. "You wanted to talk about my feelings, right? Well, here they are! I want this place cast into the fires of Hell! Hahaha…if this village was set ablaze, everyone would believe Oyashiro-sama was the cause of it. They'd believe that he destroyed the village because they sinned against him. That tale I invented has proved so useful! Everyone is afraid that if they commit even the tiniest sin, Oyashiro-sama will curse them…that I will ask him to curse them. They would believe that Oyashiro-sama cast this place into Hell…

"That is why the people treat me like a god. They show me such loyalty and respect because of who I am…what I've done…and because of the lie that I invented. Haha. You wouldn't burn this village, would you, Father? You wouldn't grant me that pleasure, would you? You say you love this village, but I know you hate it as much as I do!"

"They are the ones who killed Mother…they made her believe that her sacrifice would end everything. That's why that blade was placed into my hands. But Mother's sacrifice would not be enough. Humans are too inclined to sin, no matter how virtuous they appear to be. I had to do something so Mother's death wouldn't be in vain. That's why I crafted that tale of Oyashiro-sama to protect all that she stood for! It has worked so well that those blind idiots are building a statue for that tool shed of ours!"

"I said enough!" Father slapped me across my face. My cheek stung and it throbbed. "Listen to you! Have you lost your mind?"

I held my cheek with both of my hands. I backed away in fear of him.

"Your mother would never approve of this. She would be ashamed of you! She loved this village and she loved those people, no matter how evil they were! I hate them with all of my heart, believe me…but I know your mother."

His voice was losing its ferocity.

"She knew that this had to be done. Your mother…she was special…she was unlike any…being…I've ever met. That's why I fell in love with her."

Father held me close to him.

"She gave her life so that thousands may live. That was the greatest love anyone could ever give. That's why I loved her…it's why I still love her. Hain…Haini…ah…after all these years, I still can't say it. My beloved…my Hanyuu…was pure. She shared her love with her clan and with humans. That's why she wanted all of us to coexist…but…

"I understand your feelings…but how would she be honored if you destroyed everything she sacrificed herself for? Her death would be meaningless…"

I clutched onto his back.

"Ouka…you have your mother's spirit, beauty, and heart…and I know you do not mean the things you say. You're still grieving…we both are. Your mother would want us to be happy together in the peace that she created. She's watching over us…keeping us safe. She never left us. She never will."

"…Father…" I whispered, trying to contain myself.

"Ouka. Please…you need to forgive them. I am trying my hardest to forgive them as well. It's the right thing to do. Please…I beg you…forgive them…they knew not what they did. Please…do it for your mother…"

"Father…" I dropped my hands to my side. "…My forgiveness would be empty. I have nothing to give to those murderers."

I broke away from his embrace. I walked to the road near the back of the shrine.

"Ouka! Where are you going?"

"I want to be alone." I looked over my shoulder at him. "I am sorry, Father…but I can't forgive those animals. I can't forgive myself…not after what I did."

"So…you are just going to torture yourself by being in the presence of the very thing you despise? That is where you are going, am I right? You are going to the tools shed…where the Onigari-no-Ryuo is kept?"

I did not answer him.

"My daughter. Why do you harbor this grudge to yourself? Why must you hurt yourself?"

"…That is where Mother is. Her essence…her blood…it has stained that blade. That sword is an extension of my very body. Father…do not come after me."

I departed from him.

My clogs kicked up the dirt from the road as I made my way up the small hill. My fists were still closed. They had been that way since I left my father. I was furious with him. I was more furious than I ever had been with the old fool.

He deeply loved Mother. He loved her with every fiber of his being. The Furude priest before him did not cooperate with Mother's wish to have her clan coexist with humans. He forbade it. But my father still married her regardless. And then she gave birth to me.

I was special. I was the very first child to have a gift. My mother's blood flowed through my veins, as well as my father's. I was a being that was human…and demon. I was a monster. I was a monster just like Mother. They could have insulted me, they could have ridiculed me, and dehumanized me like my mother, but they didn't. I was treated differently. It made me sick.

I wanted to die along with her, since I had the demon blood too. Instead, I was doomed to live in this world without her. It was cruel joke placed on me. God was laughing at me.

The tools shed door was opened when I got there. The room was dark; I couldn't see a thing inside. I did catch a flicker of the gold statue within. It was an unfinished statue of a large man. It was the statue of Oyashiro-sama.

After I began that silly tale of Oyashiro-sama and his curses, to make sure that I kept control over Onigafuchi, the villagers insisted that a statue be made in his honor. I agreed, but I made one request. I wanted to put that awful thing inside of it. I did not want to look at it ever again, but I could not bring myself to stop visiting it. Maybe I enjoyed the torture I put myself through.

I allowed the sculptors entry into the shed. They could work for how long they pleased; it made no difference to me. The workers must have left for now as no one was there. I had the shed to myself until they returned. I would not be too long. I could only take so much of that place before I became irritated with him. That one man could never give me a moment's peace.

I closed my eyes. I sighed deeply. My hands slipped into the sleeves of my robes as I crossed my arms. I then looked up to the roof of the shed.

"Are you still up there?" I called out.

There was no response.

"There is no one around. You can come out now."

There was still nothing.

A tree branch snapped behind me. It came from a bush in the nearby forest.

I shook my head. "Do not even consider it."

A young man sprung up from the bush. He was frowning at me, like a child who had been denied of his fun. He shrugged his shoulders in great disappointment at me. The boy's dark hair had twigs and leaves stuck in it and his dark eyes drooped when he watched me. I was so used to his pranks that I knew whenever he was peering at me. It was an acute sense I had developed from this man.

"How'd you know it was me?" he said playfully, though he was hurt by my discovery of him.

"Spare me, you idiot." I kept my back turned. "I heard the twig snap under your gargantuan foot."

"Haha…hey," he moved away from the bushes as he came closer to me. He moved to my front. "I made one mistake; you don't have to be so irritable!"

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Have you forgotten that you are to remain in the shadows while guarding this shed? I cannot have you revealing yourself to a thief or vandal because of 'one mistake,' as you so call it. You are useless to me."

The boy hung his head in sorrow. "You don't have to be so harsh…"

"If you fail me again, I shall simply find another." I briskly walked past him.

"You don't mean that!" He matched my pace. "I know all your secrets, Furude-sama. If you remove me from your employment, I could tell everyone all your deepest and darkest mysteries!"

"Hmph." I curled my lip again. "Intriguing. Well, I suppose I will just have to kill you."

He jumped up and backed away.

"Yes…I think I will disembowel you and toss your rotting carcass to the vultures. I believe that is an adequate reward."

"Furude-sama…that's very disgusting…" The boy laughed though he was fearful of me. "You wouldn't do that…would you…?"

"Would you like to test me?" I fully faced him. I took my hands from my sleeves and prepared myself.

"N-No! Of course not!"

"Good." I closed in on the doorway to the shed. "Come along then, Katsuhiro, earn your keep."

Part B

I shut the door behind us. I lit the candles one by one until I could clearly see my surroundings. The blades of the sickles, scythes, knives, and cages were littered about the room. Anyone would be frightened of this unusual décor, but I did not mind it. I needed someplace to put all that equipment, so why not here? It was empty and it was as good of a place as any to store my tools.

I called this shed the Saiguden, my Ritual Tools Temple. I kept all my tools in this place, away from the public eye. These were treasures of my family; I suppose you would call them keepsakes. To ensure their safety, and to ensure a place of privacy for myself, I invented a lie.

"This is quite the hideout, Furude-sama," Katsuhiro tugged at the collar of his patched clothes. "It amazes me how you're able to keep a place like this all to yourself…all because of your story."

"Oyashiro-sama," I muttered as I lit the final candle. "It is with that name I am able to control Onigafuchi."

"Those tales of yours are false, I know, but they still frighten me."

"I had to invent something to keep the villagers in line, and what better way to do that than utter the name of an angry god? Just by saying the name "Oyashiro-sama," every knee bends to me, his priestess. It is because of the doctrines I created that this place is kept safe from any invader. That nonsense of only a Furude entering this temple has worked wonders for me."

Katushiro snickered. "It's amazing that it's worked for so long!"

"The villagers will do anything I say and believe whatever I tell them. They are like mindless sheep."

"Furude-sama, I've been thinking." Katsuhiro folded his arms and tilted his head at me. "If those stories about curses and whatnot keep people from questioning you or entering this shed, then why do you need me?"

"Hmm?" I eyed him closely.

"Why do you need me to protect that sword?"

That blasted thing…

"There are bound to be those who do not believe in me, or in the stories I've been weaving. Warnings of curses and superstition can only coerce a human so much. My concern isn't just for humans, but demons as well. The population of Onigafuchi now bears the demon blood, and with that, everyone has darkness in their hearts. Even if the darkness is small and lying dormant, the demonic power inside them may awaken and pose problems for myself." I grew closer to him. "You guard this sword because…it's precious to me. I want nothing to happen to it. If a demon or another malicious entity were to rise up, this sword would be my last defense."

Katushiro squinted at me. Was he examining my sudden shift in tone?

"I need someone to protect this Onigari-no-Ryuo. I need someone who I can trust…who I can believe in. You are that man, Keima Katsuhiro."

"…But why me?"

I laughed.

"Our fathers were good friends, remember? They had been ever since you and I were children. Remember when we played in the fields when they discussed amongst themselves? We had been together since we were but toddlers. You've always been at my side when I needed you the most…even on that day. I thank you for all that you've done for me, Katsuhiro." I touched his shoulder. "That's why I wanted your help because I know I can trust you. You're a very good friend to me."

He eyed my hand, and then smirked at me. "And you're still a slave driver."

"Haha…you idiot."

I faced the nearly completed statue of my created deity. I looked in front of it, where an altar sat. The sword lay on its pedestal in its lacquered sheath. A piece of the golden hilt was shining. It burned my eyes. I wanted to look away, but my eyes would not cooperate with me. That damned thing was precious to me, that much was true…it was my precious reminder of matricide. I never wanted to forget what I done and what I had failed to do for my mother.

Even though I hated it, it was still a necessary tool to keep order in my village. I didn't trust any of the villagers. I often dreamed about a villager rising up against me, threatening my family and my bloodline, and how I used the sword to stop it. I never wanted to hold that thing again. I just wished…no…I prayed…that I would never have to touch it again. I prayed that Mother's sacrifice, and my own efforts, would be not be undone.

"Ouka?" Katsuhiro's finger grazed my hand.

I jerked my hand away from him. I started to shout. "How many times do I have to tell you to stop touching me? I despise that!"

"I'm sorry!" He bowed. "You weren't answering me, so I got worried!"

"Oh…v-very well then…" I took a deep breath and recomposed myself. "What did you say before?"

"I was asking you how I'm going to keep guarding that sword and this shed without a weapon. I think I could use one. Can't I stand guard with one of these tools you have here?"

I only grinned at him. "You already have a weapon, a weapon greater than any piece of metal. You can manipulate demons."

"…I still don't understand that. Ten years later and I still don't understand all that stuff you said."

I shook my head. "You really are the biggest fool I've ever met! And to think I thought there was some hope for you…"

He frowned at me.

"Very well, I'll tell you once more." I folded my hands over my lap. "My mother came from a tribe, a tribe of demons that came to Onigafuchi. Demons copulated with humans and produced the demon and human blood. That was how I was born…and that was how you were born. Your father was like my mother, and your mother loved him dearly, rest their souls."

Katsuhiro turned his head. I should have avoided that subject altogether. I knew better than to mention his deceased parents.

"You and I are the product of the coexistence of human and demon. Since my mother had strange powers, they were carried on through me. I bestowed some of that power unto you with that blessing when we made that pact together.

"I blessed you so that you could defend this shed and that…that sword from humans…and demons alike if need be. My mother's power will be all that we need to protect the sword. We made that pact so that we could keep Onigafuchi safe from any more sin and death."

"And we've been keeping this secret of ours for ten years." Katsuhiro grunted.

"But in order to accomplish our goal, no one must ever touch that sword. You must keep vigilance over this whole area to ensure that no one but me handles that sword. No one must know that you serve me as well."

"Element of surprise in case of an emergency?"

"In manner of speaking." I leered at him. "You've done well staying in the shadows like we agreed, but you are still sloppy. I need you remain in darkness."

"Why the secrecy? I understand we have a strategy to surprise any invader, but-"

"If anybody knew I gave you, a commoner, the power to control demons, they would fear you." I gripped his wrist hard. "The people might start fighting each other again…they may decide to war against each other like what happened ten years ago! They may kill each other again because you have that gift. Everyone would want that same blessing from me! They would want it so that they could slay their neighbors! I am not going to have any more sin in this village! I will not let anyone sin again!"

Katsuhiro took my hand from his wrist. He backed a few inches away from me. He spoke nonchalantly. "So I just stay in the shadows and don't let anybody know I can do all these wondrous things…I got it."

"This is not in jest!"

"Alright, alright! Calm down, Ouka! I know what I'm doing! I'll stay quiet and nobody will ever know! Nobody will quarrel with each other again!"

I was satisfied with his fear of me, and I was satisfied that he was finally coming around.

I took a deep breath and straightened my posture. "Mother sacrificed everything so that there would be no more evil. I have to protect that sacrifice by any means necessary. I have to protect that sword, the testament to her dying wish, and I need you to help me do it. We are the Onigafuchi Guardians now."

He scratched at his head. "Yes…yes, I told you that I would help you. I swore to you I'd do whatever you wanted! I'm not going back on that promise!"

"…Good."

I faced the statue again. My gaze always found some way to fall back upon that altar…where the blade was.

"…I suppose you want to be alone now."

"No," I said softly. "You may remain here with me. You are my bodyguard too."

"That I am." The boy stood right beside me. He looked at me, the ground, and then back to me. "Ouka?"

"What is it?"

"…If there's anything more I could do for you…anything…name it and it will be done."

I watched him out of the corner of my eye. His fingers were trembling. His lip was twitching as well. What was ailing him?

"…I'll keep that under consideration."

Katsuhiro was the biggest fool I had ever met, but he was loyal. He followed my every order without question. He did anything that I wanted. He would go to the ends of the earth for me. He would lay down his own life for me. If I lost another person, however…I knew not of what I would do.

Keima Katsuhiro was the son of my father's best friend. As they often discussed village matters and their home life and so on, Katsuhiro and I would play every day together. Mother only knew him a little. They hadn't truly spent enough time with each other to become better acquainted. It was better that way. I needed a strong pillar to lean on when my soul first started to grow heavy.

He was with me on that day I slew her. He watched me as I did it. He watched me mourn over her body. His hands grabbed my shoulders and he pulled me away from her when those people took her away from me. He held me tight and he never let go of me. He was my dearest friend...he was my shield from the world and my sweetest comfort.

I returned the favor when his parents passed away. His father died of an illness and his mother soon after. He hurt almost like I did, but he found a way to pick himself back up. I admired him for that, to be able to have such strength. I stayed with him nonetheless, as his comfort and as his friend.

Katsuhiro and I had grown closer, but we were merely business associates now. I was formal with him, because of my title and because of the pact we made, but I sometimes caught myself acting as the same girl he once knew. It was hard for me…it was hard for me to be that girl again…to see myself as that girl. It was hard to crack an honest smile like I used to.

After a final check of the shed, I left Katsuhiro to his duties. I descended the hill leading back to the shrine. I wanted to apologize to my father. I did not mean to be so cruel to him. He knew that Mother and the village were touchy subjects for me…even so…I should not have yelled at him the way I did. I should not have been so malignant towards him. It made my heart ache. Father was the only family remaining. I didn't want to lose him either.

When I came to the shrine, I scanned the area for my father. He wasn't gardening and he wasn't inside of the shrine. Where was he? Did he go into town again to acquire more gardening equipment? Honestly, that man and his flowers. He never planted flowers before! Why did he suddenly gain this interest? His absence saddened me. I had the pleasure of bearing yet another sorrow in my heart.

I was standing at the door to the shrine when a woman was calling to me.

"Furude-sama! So lovely to see you out and about!"

Sonozaki Mao waved to me, smiling without a care in the world. She was a delightful lady, but she was revered, and feared, for her temper. She was a few years younger than my father and she had a distinct youthful glow in her jade eyes. Her emerald hair shimmered under the sun and flowed along her back. She tiptoed as she advanced towards me. She was never this dainty.

Mao was the head of the Sonozaki Family, one of the two honored families next to my own. She was a very influential figure in Onigafuchi's politics and lifestyle, along with Kimiyoshi Shino of the Kimiyoshi Family. Both practically ran the village along with me. It made me laugh. Three women held the fate of the world in their hands, and men had to deal with it.

"Good day to you, Sonozaki-sama," I replied with a bow.

"Oh, please! Why is a Furude priestess bowing to me, a lowly commoner? Ahaha!"

"You're the master of the Sonozaki Family; of course I would show such respect to you."

"…My…you're very serious, aren't you, child?" Mao giggled at me. "Oh well, I appreciate the gesture! So, where is your father, Ouka-chan?"

"I'm not sure. He was here a while ago. I suppose he ventured into town for something."

Mao beamed. "Good! I wanted to have a little talk with you!"

"A-A talk?" I was struck with confusion.

"You know how fathers can be. They can be very defensive over their daughters and they don't listen to reason!" Mao laughed again. When she finished, her smile grew and she folded her hands over her heart. "My…just look at you. Ten years and you've become such a lovely woman. You've developed quite a bit, haven't you?"

I blushed. "W-What…?"

"I bet you drive the men wild when you go into the village! I bet you can sense all of their impure thoughts! You should see the hunger in their eyes! It's quite something to see!"

"E-Excuse me…?"

"How big have you gotten, Ouka-chan? An inch or two?" Mao extended her hands toward my chest.

"Wh-What are you…?"

"I know quite a few techniques for natural enhancement. Would you like know what they are…? I bet I could make you bigger than you are now!"

I covered my chest with my arms. "S-Stop…!"

"C'mon! Let Uncle Mao at'em!"

I stumbled over my feet as I tried to evade her. "P-Please, Sonozaki-sama! T-T-That is no w-way to speak to a p-priestess of Oyashiro-sama!"

"You're right, I'm sorry! Hehe! I was only kidding!" Mao snorted. She continued to giggle and point at my misery.

"So…why are you harassing me like this? What do you want from me?"

"I wanted to have a woman-to-woman talk about your future, Ouka-chan."

"My future? What does that have to with my breasts?"

Mao sat against the wall of the shrine. She beckoned me to join her; I reluctantly followed her command. I kept a close watch over her. Mao was incredibly unpredictable and she did not care what anybody thought of her. I was afraid she might attempt another attack.

"You're a beautiful young woman now, Ouka-chan," she said with an honest and warmhearted grin. "You're an adult. It's time you start thinking about your future. Your father has been thinking about this too. We've been conversing about it for at least a year now with Shino-chan. Your dad is still against the idea as of now, but we could easily bring him around! Hehe!"

"What future are we talking about? Isn't it my duty to remain as Oyashiro-sama's shrine maiden?"

"Yes, you will still be just that; however, it is time you thought about your true calling!" She snickered at me. "And that's marriage."

Marriage…? How-what…?

"That's your greatest responsibility."

I didn't open my mouth at all.

"Don't you want to get married someday? Don't you want a husband to support you and adore you?"

I twirled a lock of my hair around my finger. I studied the clogs on my feet as I blushed again.

"Ouka-chan, don't you want to know what love feels like?"

"…Why do I need to get married?" I glanced at her. "I'm happy the way I am now. I quite like being by myself."

Mao narrowed her eyes at me. "You're happy?"

I slowly nodded.

"How can you be happy? You're locked away in this musty old shrine and in that creepy shed all day long. You're wasting your beauty and your life!"

"Sonozaki-sama…"

"I got an idea! Why don't we talk with your father, hmm? We might have to twist his arm, but we can have him find some handsome suitors for you! I'm sure many men would jump at the opportunity to be with such an enchanting lady as yourself! But we have to be sure they are of a high social status of course. We don't want you marrying a deadbeat hick!"

"Sonozaki-sama…please…"

"I'll help you too! As I am the master of the Sonozaki Family, I have the ability to do almost anything I wish. I'm sure I could find you a man just like that."

I didn't speak. I only folded my hands and stared into my lap.

"I'll have to teach you some other techniques as well." Mao's eyes shined as she pumped her fist. "We Onigafuchi women have a special blood in our veins that gives us so much potential! It makes us wild beasts in the bedroom! Hehehe!"

I hid my face in my sleeves. "Please don't ever say that again…"

"What? Love making is an important part of marriage! You need to have a firm understanding of it if you want to be happy. Look at me: I run everything in my family while my husband is my personal advisor. He is a good man and he is of great help to me…but he has other uses that are very beneficial to me…! I can't tell you how happy we are!"

"Mao, for goodness sake, shut up!"

Someone had just finished ascending the stairs. The woman's dark kimono flowed in the soft breeze. She was around the same age as Mao, maybe a little older. Her eyes were filled with contempt. Her fists were clenched. She was ready to fight if she had to. Whenever I saw that woman perturbed, I feared for my life.

"Mao, stop corrupting Furude-sama!" the woman shouted.

"Huh?" Mao folded her arms behind her head. "Why are you here, Shino?"

Kimiyoshi Shino stuck her finger out at her.

"I came just in time to save Furude-sama from your venomous words. I could hear you speaking about that trash from the very bottom of those stairs! You need to watch that mouth of yours! It's unbefitting of an Onigafuchi leader!"

"Oh, come off it." Mao wrapped her arm around me. "Ouka-chan and I are good friends, aren't we?"

I remained silent.

"We can talk about anything."

"Forgive me," Shino folded her arms as she spoke with sharpness in her tone, "but I do not see how sex is a proper conversation to be having on holy ground."

"It's a natural and lovely thing! It's a profession of true and honest love."

"It is also a sign of lust. I'm sure you of all people would understand that."

Mao scratched her nose while flashing her canines. "So I enjoy the activity, so what?"

"Ugh…you're despicable." Shino sat beside me. She held my shoulder. "Are you alright, Ouka-sama? I hope this evil woman hasn't tainted you."

Mao shrugged and leaned against the wall of the shrine again.

"…I'm quite fine," I laughed lightly, "it's my fault for dropping my guard around Sonozaki-sama. I should have realized that this subject was bound to come up around her. Ahaha…"

"It's always sex with her. It's disgusting."

"Oh, and you're such a paragon of virtue." Mao leered at her. "Ahaha…I know a few things about you, Shino-chan. You're not as prim and proper as you think."

"Shut your mouth."

"Why, just the other day I was passing by your house with my guards when I heard the most peculiar shriek. It was coming from your bedroom! Now just what were you doing in-"

"T-T-That's enough!" Shino laughed to herself and looked off into the horizon. "H-H-How did you even get onto this subject anyway?"

"Ouka-chan wants to get married!"

I violently waved my hands in front of my face. "N-N-No, I don't!"

"That again," Shino let out another sigh. "Mao, have I not told you to stop annoying her about that? Ouka-sama is not ready for that life yet!"

"What's there to be ready for? She's an adult now! I mean, she's just gonna work in the shrine, like usual, but she'll have a man in the house. What's wrong with that?"

"You're such a child! You have no idea what married life entails." Shino stuck out her chest and spoke proudly. "I work hard for this village and I work to keep my marriage a happy one. It's not just about love; it's about work and support. Both sides have to cooperate with one another. My husband and I share everything together and we've never had an issue with each other. We're perfect together. We're even going to have a child soon! I can feel it!"

"Kids sound like such a pain," Mao huffed. "My husband wants kids but I don't. What am I supposed to do with them? What if I have two kids instead of one? What's gonna happen to the second one? You know how we can only have one baby in my family."

"See, children are another part of marriage. Ouka-sama's not ready for that kind of life yet."

I spoke up now. "I'd rather not speak about this anymore. I really do not want to fantasize about a husband, children, or any of that. My life is in the shrine and in the village. I serve the…the people here. They need me and I need to focus on them and Oyashiro-sama. I cannot focus on such things like marriage.

"I don't think that life is for me. I'm happy with my life as of now. I need only to care about the shrine and the village. I can't have any more responsibilities. I'm sorry, but I cannot see myself as a wife let alone a mother."

"But have you ever really thought about it before?" Mao asked.

"No. I have no interest in it."

"You had to have considered children at some point. You had to! Don't you want to carry on the Furude legacy?"

I hung my head. No matter where I went or what I did, she always came back into my mind.

"Mao, stop it." Shino held my shoulders. "You're upsetting her."

Mao was about to speak, but Shino gave her a cold look. The Sonozaki seemed to get the hint. She kicked at the stone floor and hid her hands in her kimono's sleeves.

"…I'm really sorry, Ouka-chan. I didn't mean to hurt you…"

"…It's fine. I…I'm alright…"

It was quiet for a while. Mao scratched at her head and looked all around the property. She kicked her legs here and there. She also twiddled her fingers together. Shino massaged my shoulders. Her hands were so warm and soft. They were relieving me of the stress…of the nightmare.

Mao suddenly stood from her seat. "Well…I-I have some important business to take care of, so I'll be on my way now. My guards are probably still waiting for me at the base of the stairs, wondering where I am. Um…I'll-I'll see you later then, Ouka-chan."

I gave a faint nod to her.

Mao turned to Shino, but then she whipped around and made for the stairs. Shino watched her until she was out of sight.

"…Why do you hate Mao, Kimiyoshi-sama?" I asked.

"…I don't hate her. She's just very infuriating. She's so insensitive." Shino moved to my front. She knelt down in front of me. "Are you okay, Ouka? Did Mao offend you?"

"…I am fine." I eyed her. I smiled lightly. "I need to get over that memory. It's killing me day by day. It's in the past now…there was nothing more I could have done…right?"

"…You fulfilled her wish. It's what she wanted…and she's happy this way…no matter how much it doesn't make sense."

"…Shino-sama…why did it have to happen? Why did it have to be Mother?"

She stroked the top of my head. "I am not sure. Only Fate knows the answer."

I cussed at that word.

"Ouka…I loved your mother…and I still do. She was a very good friend to me and she was a wonderful mother to you. She loved you more than her own life…you know that. She loved everyone and everything. She still does though. She's around us right now, as your father must have already told you, only she's sad."

"She's sad?"

"She's sad because you're sad. She wouldn't want you to dwell on this…to be in such depression. She would want you to be happy that you're alive and that the village is peaceful again. She wouldn't want you to mourn her."

I shook my head. "…That's something I cannot do. I never truly forgotten about it…I never will. I sound absolutely pathetic…I must be a nuisance constantly thinking, mentioning, and talking about it, but I can't stop. For that, I apologize. I didn't mean to constantly pester you or anyone else."

Shino smiled. "Don't apologize. I completely understand. But Ouka…if you ever wanted to share something else with me, if you ever need someone to comfort you, I'm here. Your father, myself, and even Mao, hold your best interests at heart. We'll be there for you."

I stood up. Shino followed after me. I held her hands in mine. "Shino…I thank you from the bottom of my heart. My mother loved you too. You were the only other person who treated her like a human…you weren't afraid of those things on her head."

"She was a human. In my heart and mind she always is." Shino patted my arm.

"…Thank you…Kimiyoshi-sama…" I bowed to her.

Shino held me in an embrace. I hugged her. She kissed the top of my head and stroked my back.

When she released me, she was beginning her walk towards the stairs.

"I must take my leave. I too have some urgent business that requires my attendance. If you need me, Ouka, send for me. I'll come as quick as I can."

I replied with a smile. I waved farewell to her.

When Shino had departed, I crept inside of the shrine. A few candles were lit. I doused them. I preferred the darkness. No one could see me and I couldn't see anyone. The darkness was my blanket and my aegis. It kept me safe from the world…from that horrible village.

I wanted to stay here for a while. I grew weary from these discussions and meetings with my father, Keima Katsuhiro, Mao, and Shino. I wanted to rest, at least for a little while.

I closed my eyes. I wrapped my arms around my stomach. I nestled into the corner of the shrine. A warm presence encircled me. Its warm cheek rubbed against the top of my head. The hair fell around my temples. The scent was familiar. The cloth of the robes covered my chest as arms curled around my neck. It felt…wonderful.

"…What will my future be like?" I whispered to myself. "What will my future be like…without you…?"