Natsukusa ni Kimi wo Omou
[Thinking of you in the summer grass]
Title inspired by Aimer's song in her 11th album Chouchou Musubi. Listen to it before, during, or after reading the story.
FBNFH belongs to its rightful owners.
Note: Mentions of mythical creatures, historical sites, legends, and people are all fiction.
Braided cords is a collection of one shots containing the FBNFH characters. Please comment if I should continue them as multi-chapter stories.
Located in the northernmost part of Sapporo is Mount Taiyo, a 4,777 meter tall land form surrounded by rivers and forests.
It is believed that mythical creatures live there. One of them is the guardian deity protecting the mountain named Amaterasu, meaning sun goddess.
Every summer, they commence a feast for her. The festivity is always filled with colorful lights, boisterous music, light dances, spectacular performances and a fireworks show to top it off.
Hundreds of years passed and this tradition has been passed to generations. They do this to celebrate her birthday…
…and in fear that she'll take one of the little girls in the village.
Myths warn the people about the mountain yokai. It is believed that every year, the sun goddess leaves the mountain to select her new vessel. This belief has been proven after a little girl with blue hair was found lifeless in the river.
The drowned little girl was buried in the mountain and they prayed for her soul. The people believed that she became Amaterasu's reincarnation.
They even had built a small shrine for her at the foot of the mountain, as a tribute.
"Amaterasu-sama, please clear any path that leads to danger…" said the mountaineers as they put their hands together in prayer. They rang the small bell three times and put their hands together again.
The bells echoed and it's enough pull her out of slumber. Rein stretched her arms and yawned. Her long blue hair flowed in huge waves as she lifted herself up.
"May this guide you…" she mumbled softly and summoned a few light orbs to create trails in the path.
"They are so early today…" the yokai commented, watching the mountaineers hike the mountain.
It was a fine morning. Soon, the mountain is filled with Kamaitachi's light breeze, Karasu-tengu's chirps, and the sun's prickling rays.
Another batch of guests paid their respect on her shrine.
Rein heard different prayers. Some are half meant, some are too ambitious, some insulted her, and some are too heartbreaking.
"Amaterasu-sama, please give me a charm that will help me pass the exam."
"Yokai-sama, I ask for your protection. I want to go home safe."
"Mountain yokai, I hope this guy accepts my feelings!"
"Hey, yokai, you're just a joke, right?"
Rein cringed. She just stood there, listening to their intentions and purposes in visiting the mountain. A yokai couldn't fulfill any of those requests. All she can do is to lead their way and protect them to the best of her abilities.
Autumn
Winter
Spring
At last…summer made it's much anticipated appearance.
It the season she loves the most. She loves the glistening waters, the cry of cicadas, and the fresh breeze. Summer is the best season to climb the mountain.
It is the time when most people are relaxing from work, students are on vacation, and foreigners are traveling to Japan. They travel to Sapporo to visit the mountain and join the festivity.
But, above all, their purpose in going to Sapporo is to see Amaterasu. It is believed that the sun goddess would appear to some people in this time of the year.
One afternoon, as Rein was busy monitoring the villagers, a woman, who looks like in her mid-thirties, approached her shrine. Her wispy, shoulder-length hair is plastered on her cheeks, and her face and neck are covered with sweat.
Rein removed all the gravels on the woman's path and called the breeze to lessen the heat.
"Rein?" the woman began, wiping the sweat rolling off her chin.
Rein was surprised the woman called her by her name.
"I know you couldn't do anything to help me… I don't why I even went here. But the mountain has always been important to me… it's filled with blissful memories and it has been a part of my life…" she spoke with a smile.
Rein just looked at her then at the little boy, whom she estimates is three years old, clutching the hem of her shirt.
"I'm running out of time. I'm dying and I want to see the mountain for the last time…" she wept and held the tiny palm of her son. "My little boy…" she glanced over her son before continuing. "His name is Shade…" as if on cue, the little boy smiled. She giggled softly and lifted him in her arms.
"I know you liked summer…but there will come a time when you can't withstand heat. You're always protecting the mountain after all." She hugged the child. "Just like how the trees give you shade to protect you from heat…this boy will also give you the shade that you need."
Rein dropped her gaze on the little boy and their eyes met. She felt her heart do a flip when he stared back like he can see her clearly. The mountain yokai suddenly felt anxious as she looked in those innocent yet calculating, dark blue eyes.
"He has the same birthday as you. I think that makes him special," she adds. Rein felt nervous under the child's stern gaze.
"Please protect him, as you protect all the villagers. He's staying here in Sapporo with his father and little sister…" the woman wiped her tears. "Now I can die peacefully…" she exhaled deeply. Her face glowed and it seemed like the heavy feeling she bottled up has been lifted.
"I know you couldn't hear me but I promise to help you with all I could," Rein assured.
"I pray to see you again…" the woman bowed and rang the small bell three times then placed her hands together in prayer.
Rein didn't notice the boy's eyes fixed on her.
"Let's go Shade. Papa and milky are waiting…" the woman grabbed her child's palm and began walking.
Rein didn't notice the tears streaking on her cheeks. She waved a hand in goodbye and watched them saunter off the mountain.
She felt nervous again when the boy returned a wave. She felt a cold sweat roll on her skin.
"H-he can see me?" She placed a palm on her restless heart.
The little boy had a strange wistful expression as he looked straightly at her.
Rein had never showed much care to humans before, particularly to a little child. The mountain yokai grew protective of the child.
She always watched over him from afar, helped him sleep when he had nightmares, endured his tantrums, and listened to his rants.
Shade proved her theories wrong. She thought he could see her because he was a child. But when he started talking to her like she's human, she knew the child is different.
She even tried scaring him by saying that she eats children. But he didn't care and still had normal conversations and outings with her. He visits her every day, forced her to wake up early, asked her to make breakfast and play with him till the sun goes down.
Two years had passed and nothing changed. Shade could still see and hear her.
His visits to the mountain had been frequent which caused some adults to be suspicious.
"The old woman said I'm not allowed to go here…" four-year old Shade cried.
"Shh, if you can't go here, I'll go to you, okay?"
Shade wiped his tears. His eyes were a-flicker with resolve. "Rein, I'll show them that I'll become an adult and I'll get you out of here, okay? Just watch me, okay?"
Rein smiled. "Okay. I'm always watching you."
"Hurry up!" Shade yelled, pouting.
Rein gasped for air, forcing her knees to catch up to him. The sun goddess never thought that hiking the 4,777 meter mountain would be this difficult.
"Don't yell at me!" Rein protested. Shade is already a few meters ahead.
Even at present, she's still clueless as to how and why he could see, feel, and hear her. But as she grew closer to him, she gave up on looking for answers.
Shade is turning five years old and she marks it as the time to give up.
The little boy folded his arms like he's superior. He sighed, eyebrows pulled to a frown. "Hey, are you really a yokai?" he innocently asked.
Rein tripped. "What?!" she hissed. The trees and shrubs shook in sense of her wrath. But the little boy just stood there, eyeing her suspiciously.
"Yokai are amazing monsters, right? I've seen them in the movies," he answered blatantly.
"M-monsters?!" She coughed, feeling her blood boil.
"Well, nevermind." he shrugged and continued trekking the path where she placed some light orbs. "Rein! Hurry or we'll miss the sunset!" he commanded and ran ahead.
Rein sighed and pressed a palm on her forehead. "Yes, yes…" She mumbled and followed the child like she always did.
"Young ones have so much energy within them." She sighed as she flopped on the summer grass.
Shade occupied the space beside her and they watched the sunset quietly.
Rein turned to look at him and moved her face closer to his. A faint blush seared through his cheeks.
"Ne… how come you can see me?" She asked out of nothing. She just figured she needs to hear an answer from the child himself.
Her eyes were as clear as the sea and they looked so intently at him. Shade averted his gaze and grumbled, "Why? Am I not supposed to see you?"
Rein withdrew her face and giggled. "No." She patted down her skirt and fixed her obi.
"Shade, I'll show you something." She winked at him.
Shade watched her walk towards the deeper part of the river until the water reached her waist. Rein lifted her arms and soon, the place was filled with golden orbs.
Shade was left speechless as golden rays surrounded him, like she brought the sun closer. Soon, the other yokai appeared. He was slightly stunned at the sight of the other yokai.
"…they're scary…" he commented. Rein laughed at this.
"It's my present for you, Shade. I called my friends to celebrate your birthday."
"You have weird friends. Well birds of the same feather-"
"Don't say it, young man!" Rein intervened, covering his mouth with her palm.
Shade made new friends with the other yokai. He played until he fell asleep. He used Rein's lap as pillow and the sun goddess hummed some soft tunes as he slept.
The sun went down and soon, darkness swallowed the mountain.
"Shade, it is evening already. You should go home…" Rein mumbled as she ran her fingers in his dark blue hair. Shade stirred and looked up at her with half-lidded eyes.
"Ne, Rein…" he started and sat straight.
"Hmm?" she leaned closer.
"My father said we're going to Tokyo. Tomorrow is our departure," the little boy glumly informed.
"Eh?" Was all she could say. Rein pressed a palm on her heart, trying to put it at ease.
"He said I'm going to attend school soon." he added, sadness dripping in his tone.
Rein forced a smile. "I see. Congratulations, Shade!" she exclaimed.
Shade gave her a frantic look. "Do you think school is scary?" he asked.
Rein looked up and pondered. "Hmm, I don't know. I never left the mountain after all." She sheepishly grinned.
Shade exhaled deeply and pouted. "I'm scared of school." he grumbled. Rein rubbed circles on his back and pulled him closer.
"Don't be scared." She looked at him to check his face. The mountain yokai suddenly remembered the prayers of all those students who climbed the mountain. "Ah, I remember some students praying to pass their exams. They looked so serious… and desperate. I think you should watch out for those things…" she notified.
Shade's eyes lit up. "Are exams enemies?!" he shrieked.
"Maybe. The students looked like they're going to die after all." Rein had an equal disturbed expression as she spoke.
They laughed and a comfortable silence filled the atmosphere. Rein stretched her arms and inhaled the calm breeze.
"It's getting dark, Shade. You should go home." she urged, stretching her hand which Shade happily took.
The journey towards the foot of the hill had been filled with small, sprightly conversations between the yokai and the little child.
"See you again, Rein!" he exclaimed, waving his hands.
"I'm always watching you." she returned a warm smile and watched him saunter off.
"Rein!" he paused for a second.
"Yes?" she replied.
"When I come back here in Sapporo, I'll take you with me, okay?" he promised, determined eyes bored on her surprised ones.
"Eh?" Rein was too stunned to utter a reply. She felt something warm in her heart.
"Thank you, Shade." Her voice returned a second later. Shade pulled on a satisfied smile and waved a hand before walking away.
He didn't notice the tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Amaterasu, you have always been taking care of that child…" some yokai appeared behind her.
"Why? Is there something wrong with me taking care of people?" she drawled, returning to her small shrine.
"No…it's just that you're too close with the child…" the other yokai opposed.
Rein sighed. "I promised his mother."
"We think it's more than that."
"I respect what you think…but please let me rest for now." Rein muttered under her breath, ignoring the whispers and murmurs of the other yokai trailing her.
She went back to the river and immersed her right arm in the river.
"It's all for Shade..." she whispered, tears leaked out of her eyes as purplish curse marks covered her right arm.
I hope I can stay alive until next summer...I'll think of you in the summer grass, Shade.