Warning: This story is rated M for violence, language, adult situations, and semi-explicit sex (way later chapters).
Wanderlust - I
"Well, that's the last box," I hummed in content. Looking around my new room, I glanced at the small desk in the corner littered with papers and books. That needed to be organized. The twin bed that sat just below the open window was not made either. Standing up, I walked over and leaned against the windowsill, looking out at the city. The glow of the rising sun, street lights, and buildings reminded me of home in America.
Former home, the thought shot through my head.
I frowned.
America wasn't home anymore. With the car accident that led to the death of my mother I was officially all alone.
Quickly I shook my head. No. There was no room for a pity party anymore. That was all in the past. This was my new home and I had my best friend with me and we were going to make a new life for me in Japan.
"Even if I don't speak a lick of Japanese," I laughed. A rumble shook my stomach slightly, reminding me that I had not eaten in several hours. Grabbing a sweater from the closet, I pulled it over my head and left my room, heading down the hallway to the kitchen. Entering the room I saw Kerri sitting at the counter, looking at her laptop and eating what looked like toast.
"Morning," I greeted her. Walking over to the counter I grabbed a piece of bread. Plopping it into the toaster, I pressed down on the button and waited.
"Ohayou Juno," she replied, looking up from her screen. For some unknown reason her brown eyes held a devious glint to them. I raised an eyebrow, preparing myself for whatever scheme she was cooking up. A minute later the toaster popped my breakfast up. Grabbing it, I took a bite and sat down next to her. Not even a moment later she shoved a piece of paper into my face.
"We should take a tour!" Kerri announced brightly, waving a brochure in front of me. The colorful paper had an elegant font to its title that read, "Sacred Shrines of Japan."
"Really," I asked skeptically, not very excited for the random adventure. I liked temples as much the next gal, but I was hoping to check out the malls and nightlife first off.
"Yeah!" Kerri started. "I mean I have lived here most of my life and haven't had a chance to check out these temples and shrines. It seems like a fun thing to do. You know, welcome you into my culture."
I laughed.
"Kerri, I don't think I'll ever be welcomed," I looked over the brochure, reading about the several shrines that were actually quite close to the city. "I mean the last few days I've been around town the word gaijin has been thrown my way at least a dozen times."
"Oh don't worry about that," Kerri interrupted, patting me on the back lightly. "Those people don't matter! You are so fun you will make friends in no time."
"That's what you say now, but I have a feeling when I start school it's not going be a walk in the park."
I handed her back the paper.
"Well maybe try and be ambitious."
My eye twitched.
"Kind of hard when you can't understand anything anyone is saying!" I threw back playfully. "I need to brew up a potion. That will help."
"I said I'd help you," Kerri whined, poking my side with her finger.
"I need to learn quicker than the three words a week thing we've been doing."
"We'll get you a tutor then-"
"On top of going to school?" I rolled my eyes. I looked at the brochure and sighed. We were getting off topic. Of all the amazing places my brunette friend knew of, all the pockets of true Japan, she wanted to show me around like a tourist. I weighed it in my head. In all fairness this was a part of Japan and its history and spirituality. It wasn't a bad thing to learn about, even if I was going to be stuck with a whole bunch of middle age sightseers. Sighing, I looked over and smiled at her.
"Well I have to start somewhere."
I watched her face grow happier, a big smile spreading her glossed lips. I chuckled quietly at her reaction and gave her a thumbs up, "let's do it!"
"Please come this way!" The middle aged woman waved her arm to the group, trying to guide them up the last few flights of steps towards the shrine. Many of the sightseers were overweight and were grumbling to their neighbors about the several stairs they just had to climb. Trailing a flight behind the crowd was me and Kerri.
"Finally! There it is," Kerri exclaimed, hopping up the last few steps before staring at the large shrine. I walked up behind her and stared as well. It really was a sight. A large Japanese shrine sat in the middle of several trees and shrubbery. Most of the tour group was in front of it, taking pictures, laughing and ringing the single bell strung up with red ribbon at the ceiling of the shrine. The Japanese guide smiled and talked about the history of the sacred shrine.
"Let's go check it out!" Kerri grabbed my hand abruptly and walked forwards.
Looking around, I studied the architecture and colors. Reds and golds made the holy place look like something out of an ethereal book. I really didn't caring much of the hype so I let go of Kerri's hand and walked away from everyone, towards the back of the shrine; the sound of voices faded behind me. Something strange caught my eye as I made it to the back of the structure. There, hanging from the roof's edge was another suzu bell. But this bell was different from the larger golden one the group had humorously been jingling. This bell was silver and its ribbon was white in contrast to the red. Stepping forward out of curiosity, my fingers touched the white silk. It was soft.
"Do all shrines have these," I wondered out loud before grabbing hold of the fabric. Tugging softly, the small bell gave a sweet ding, echoing sharply into the woods. After the ring died down a low ring responded from the woods, like a gong. Strange…I looked out into the forest. I waited a few moments before turning back to the silver bell. Wanting to test the bell again I reached out to grab it but stopped hearing another ring of a gong.
"I wonder what that is," I asked out loud and walked towards the sound. It was a dumb idea and I knew it. Leaving the group. Walking alone in a forest unfamiliar. But the low buzz of the rings were almost entrancing. At least there was a path, so if I did go too far I could always turn around go back the way I came.
Another ring.
Something white flashed around the forest floor.
I stopped and scanned between the trees till I spotted a white cat perched on a stump that had been overgrown with moss and purple flowers. It sat quietly, swishing its tail slowly as it stared at me.
I left the path.
Clicking my tongue a few times, I walked forward and bent down to look at the feline. The cat purred and tilted its head, still looking at me. Giggling, I cocked my head to the side and stared back.
"Well aren't you a strange thing," I cooed, reaching forward to the pet it. The cat allowed me to and closed its eyes, relishing in the gently rub. "I wonder if you're lost…"
"No, not lost," the cat corrected.
Blinking a few times, I pulled away and quickly looked around.
"No need to look so puzzled. I was the one who spoke," The cat chimed.
There was a moment of silence before I jumped back and screamed.
"What the hell, you talk?! Animals can't talk!"
The cat gave an annoyed expression and hopped down from his place on the stump, "Well I can."
A/N: First chapter down! I know its a bit slow, but it will pick up. Next chapter we meet our favorite orange haired psychic!