"What a beautiful night~" I sang swinging my legs that were dangling over the edge of the cliff.
My gaze reflected the twinkles of lights scattered across my head. I slowly brushed a lock of my long silver hair behind my ear. Through the tips of my feathers, I could feel the gentle warm breeze brushing against me.
Today was another night.
A night just like any others.
I slowly stretched my hands and held them above my head.
The same night; like any other nights since my awakening half a year ago.
I stared at the moon within my view. I carefully shaped my hands around it so that it looked like I was holding the moon. However, I was unable to find myself enjoying the moon as I was intended. Instead, my eyes were focused upon my forearms. My blood stained arms, proof that I have yet again taken lives of countless youkais and ayakashis.
"…I should wash my hands."
I mumbled softly to myself. My gaze shifted. I stared plainly upon the mountain of bodies lying behind me. "Looks like–" I mumbled softly before stretching my wings to see that the blood had tainted my feathers as well. "– a bath would be more suitable." I then slowly climbed onto my feet as my eyes shifted to the horizon where I saw specks of reddish lights. I could feel it even from here, the numerous youkais that were dwelling within that place…
"That village's…"
A smirk formed across my lips.
The youkai village Shiki*; located in the Shizuoka Prefecture of the Chuubu region on Honshuu Island.
It was a famous village well known for its hot springs.
"Guess tonight might not be a bad night after all."
That was where I was.
"Welcome!"
A Rokurokubi* greeted as I stepped into the entrance of the largest hot spring house in the area. "Good evening." I greeted with a faint smirk as I walked up to the counter where the Rokurokubi stood. "A busy night isn't it, youkai-sama?" She said, trying to start a little friendly conversation. "I suppose." I replied softly before leaning against the counter. "Get me a room for three night's stay. The best room you have." I said as I tossed a wallet – of a drunken youkai I randomly pocket picked off the street – to the Rokurokubi. "Yes, of course!" The Rokurokubi gasped when she saw the amount that was inside. I then watched, slightly amused as her neck began to stretch all the way down the hall.
"Yuzu! Yuzu!"
She called as another Rokurokubi hurried out and greeted me with a bow. "Yuzu, manage here until I return." The Rokurokubi ordered before bowing towards me. "Youkai-sama, please follow me." She said as I began following her down the long hall. "There's a lot of Rokurokubi here." I stated softly, bored. At hearing my words, the Rokurokubi laughed. "Yes. This inn has been managed by our clan since the Edo period." She explained as I glanced back slightly at the Rokurokubi Yuzu who was standing over the counter.
"Is there a room with a private hot spring, okami*?"
"Oh, I'm afraid the room is already taken, youkai-sama."
The Rokurokubi said, twisting her neck around 180 degreed with an apologetic face. "I'll pay double the price." I offered, but at that she frowned even more. "I'm sorry, I cannot do that. The one who booked the room is a commander of a powerful clan. He's an honorable guess here." She informed, stopping before the shojis. She then kneeled down onto the wooden floor and carefully slid the shoji apart to reveal a large, well-cleaned room.
"Though this room doesn't have a private hot spring, this is the second best we have in the house. Would this be of your taste, youkai-sama?"
She asked politely, but in honest truth I didn't care much for the fancy room. I didn't even give the room a glance as I walked over the tatami, heading towards the window. I leaned my shoulder against the wall as I slowly peer out the transparent glass. It was there in the sky, the moon I mean. And with a perfect view as well. "Yes, this will be perfect." I replied softly before hearing the Rokurokubi chuckling softly.
"Something the matter?"
I asked, my glaze slowly turning to her.
"O-Oh no. Please forgive my rudeness. It's just that it's the same."
The Rokurokubi replied as I gave her a strange look. "The other customer did the same as you." She chuckled before giving me a low bow. "Then lunch will be served at midnight. The hot spring is just down the hall to the right. Please enjoy your stay." She then placed a clean set of kimonos and towels onto the table before quietly excusing herself.
"…Hot spring…come to think of it, this will be my second time going to one."
I mumbled to myself as I sat upon the windowsill, my eyes glued to the moon.
"Hot spring?"
I said with a dull gaze as I slowly opened my eyes to Rikuo who sat beside my futon.
"Pass."
"It can at least ease your pain a bit." He added.
"I said I pass." I growled at him before noticing how those crimson eyes softened. He then slowly stretched out his hand and gently glided his fingers across my cracked cheek. Upon his touch, I flinched before quickly pulling myself away.
"Does it hurt?"
Rikuo asked softly, but I gave him no reply. I just rolled to my side, my boned wings and back facing him. "Please look for someone else to accompany you, Rikuo-sa– !" I gasped, shivering as I felt a pair of cool arms slipping under me. Before I knew it, I was pulled into the freezing air, out of the warmth of my blanket.
"Rikuo-sama, what are you doing?"
I protested, but Rikuo simply ignored me as he carried me out of my room. I tried to push him away, but I only succeeded in inflicting more pain upon myself. "Rikuo-sama, put me down this instant." I demanded, but he said nothing as he walked pass the Supreme Commander.
"Old man, I'm going out."
Rikuo said without even a glance towards his grandfather and leaped onto the head of a snake youkai. "Wait, let me–" I wasn't able to finish for that the ayakashi took off into the sky without warning. Unable to steady myself, I gasped as I felt my body slipping off the slippery surface of the snake. But fortunately, Rikuo grabbed me just in time as he pulled me against him, his arms wrapped safely around me, protecting me.
"Rikuo-sama please put me down."
I called through the roaring wind. He just kept the silent treatment. Half way through, I finally decided to give up. I was tired, as usual. Even just by sitting here, I could feel my strength being drained away from me.
I couldn't remember much during the rest of the trip, for that I shortly lost consciousness. But the next moment I woke, I found myself was sitting at the edge of a hot spring, my feet dipped within the hot water. I could still remember my surprise back then that I nearly fell in if Rikuo hadn't caught me.
"It isn't so bad, is it?"
I could still remember the expression he held when he asked me that. A soft, gentle expression matched with a heart warming smile. I slowly stared down at my feet before looking around the surrounding only to realize that Rikuo had booked a room with a private hot spring.
"Forcefully dragging a sick patient here and you dare ask me that?"
I snapped softly at him before turning my glaze to my feet that were dipped within the warm water. I then smiled. It was a very, very faint smile. But it was a smile nonetheless.
"…It's alright…I suppose."
"Come to think of it, that was six years ago, wasn't it…?"
I mumbled softly as I folded my kimono and placed it into the basket. Then wrapping the towel around my body, I stepped out into the summer breeze. I stared at the hot spring, filled with female youkai and ayakashi. I slowly glanced around the crowds, my eyes darting around until I found a little opening near the center of the hot spring. With a flap of my wings, I flew over and slowly dipped myself in.
"My~ That's very convenient."
The otter– I mean the Kawa-uso* who was sitting beside me commented.
"It's not so convenient when you loose them." I replied as the Kawa-uso chuckled upon that.
"You're a Doji aren't you? It's my first time seeing one."
"My kin aren't the social type." I replied with a faint smirk.
"A nice night is it not?" I asked softly before glancing up at the moon hanging over our heads.
"Oh yes~ A delightful night indeed." The Kawa-uso said happily.
"There's a lot of youkais here. Is there an event of some sort?" I asked, slightly curious as to the reason behind the crowd.
"Didn't you know? It's the 15th of August!"
"…So?"
"The Tourou Nagashi*! Tourou Nagashi!"
The Kawa-uso exclaimed. I on the other hand only gave her a dull stare. "Tourou–…Are you trying to send yourself off?" I mumbled but the Kawa-uso only laughed upon that.
"You believe in myths like that?"
"I don't want to hear it from a talking otter" I wanted to say, but held myself back. "Of course it's for the fun of it!" The Kawa-uso exclaimed but my glaze only dulled even more. "I…see…" I mumbled softly, still finding it somewhat strange. It was the first time in my entire life have I heard of youkai and ayakashis celebrating this kind of…human-ish festival.
"If you've never joined before, you should try. The festival will be held at tomorrow's night."
"And what? Write down messages for myself?"
I said plainly, having absolutely no interest in such pity event. "Oh no! Of course you write your wish down!" My wings fluttered slightly, making tiny splashes in the water. I tried to suppress my laughter. I couldn't help it when I heard the words of the Kawa-uso. It was the most ridiculous thing I had ever heard. Writing your wish onto a broken old lantern and sending it off into the water…it was just plain stupid.
That was what I had thought at that time.
"Whatever my wish is, it isn't something that can be realized."
"Don't say that. You should try. I'm sure you will enjoy it."
The Kawa-uso said, causing my wings to quiver even more. My laughter was on the verge of blowing out. I quickly regained my control over my body and very shortly, my trembling calmed.
"So everyone's here for this stup–...stunning festival?"
"Yes. It's my third time coming here with my mate for our anniversary!"
The Kawa-uso said happily as my eyes softened…just slightly.
"Is that so? Congratulation then. Your mate is lucky to have such a…shiny…well-groomed Kawa-uso such as yourself." I mumbled softly, half unsure at what exactly was I suppose to say. But fortunately, it appeared that I had said a good thing for that the Kawa-uso smiled so wide that I was able to see those razor sharp teeth that were hidden within her jaw.
"Oh you're such a kidder!" She giggled.
"How does it feel being loved?" I asked softly before staring down at my own reflection within the spring water.
"Oh come on now don't tell me you've never had anyone chasing you before with your beautiful face." The Kawa-uso laughed as she patted her paw against my shoulder, most likely thinking that I was joking.
"Yes…I suppose there is someone chasing after me, for twelve years now."
I mumbled softly before waving my hand in the water to destroy my reflection. "You must be quite popular! Do you have anyone special in mind?" The Kawa-uso asked excitingly, seeming extremely interested in where this topic is heading. Even her usual lined eye opened to reveal her dark violet pupils
"How do you call someone special?"
I asked, slightly confused and unable to understand the meaning of her words. "Oh you know! Like someone who's always been on your mind." The Kawa-uso said, nudging me gently in the arm with her furred elbow. "…On my mind?" I mumbled softly before immediately catching a glimpse of Rikuo's image passing through my brain.
"That I suppose…I have."
I said with a faint smirk. "Oh! Who would this lucky male be? Is he here with you?" The Kawa-uso asked as I slowly stood up. "Who knows? We haven't met for 5 years now." I replied before slowly climbing onto my feet.
A wish…
"Hey…The lanterns; where can you buy them?"
"Why you can buy them from Chouchinobake's* store at the third district."
The Kawa-uso replied. "So you're going to make a wish?" The Kawa-uso asked, but I only smirked upon that.
I merely wanted to kill time with this stupid festival.
That was what I thought…since I seriously have nothing better to do..
If it was the past me, I would have just bluntly told her off. To tell her that something like a wish was useless. To mock at her stupidity for believing in such useless thing. But, I couldn't bring myself to tell her. I was unable to bring myself to crush her happiness she came solely for tomorrow's night…the night where she would spend time with her special one.
"Yeah…maybe."
I lied through my teeth.
With a wave, I flapped my wings and flew out of the hot spring. Once I dried and dressed myself in the kimono the Rokurokubi provided, I walked out into the crowded street that was free of human soul. There are youkai dancing around the street, performing stuns…and family of ayakashi happily floating around.
It was stupid.
Every single youkai and ayakashi here I found stupid for getting excited. What good would something like a wish do? What would they benefit out of it? And most important of all; who are they expecting to hear their wishes and have it granted?
As I pondered over my questions, I soon found my thought drifting back to Rikuo.
"Five years now…heh?"
I whispered softly to myself as I stare at the red lanterns that lit the street. Five years…he must have grown a lot. "I couldn't even hear his last words…" I whispered softly as I remembered back to that night when we parted. Those last words he said to me that I wasn't able to hear…what exactly did he said? I couldn't figure out no matter how much I thought over it.
"Hahaha! You should have seen the look on his face!"
I heard as I looked up to see an ayakashi coming my way. I smiled upon that. Just when we were about to pass each other, I quickly stretched out my wings – just a bit – so that the two of us would collide. "Gah!" The ayakashi gasped as the two of us fell onto the ground.
"Oh sorry! Are you alright? I should have watched where I was going."
I gasped as I quickly climbed onto my feet and reached my hand down to the ayakashi. "It's alright. Don't sweat it." The ayakashi laughed as he took my hand, allowing me to help him up. "You should be more careful, little lady." The ayakashi said with a kind smile before walking off with his friend again.
"Yes, I'll bare that in mind."
I mumbled; a smirk plastered over my face as I turned and continued down the road. "Sorry, I have nothing against you…" I mumbled softly to myself before looking at the bill I had pulled out of that ayakashi's wallet that split second he fell. "…But I'm a little short in cash." I whispered softly to myself before I glanced around the place.
"Let see…"
I mumbled softly before finding the lantern stall with a Chouchinobake the Kawa-uso told me of.
It was only to kill time.
It wasn't like I believed in any of this nonsense.
"One lantern." I said as I handed the Chouchinobake the money I borrowed. "Pick any you like~!" The Chouchinobake sang as my glaze trailed around the lanterns. They were all the same; all rectangular. I found it strangely ironic though…of how the roundish Chouchinobake was selling lanterns with edges.
"Give me the farthest one to the right."
"Here you go!"
The Chouchinobake said as he handed me my new lantern. "Would you like to write your wish down?" The Chouchinobake asked as he held up a brush to me. I shook my head. "It's fine. There's no need to." I replied softly and walked off with the lantern dangling on my fingertip.
"Wait miss! Your change!"
The Chouchinobake called from behind, but I kept my pace. "It's fine. Keep it." I shouted, not even bothering to glance back at him. As I walked, I held up the lantern to my eye level, my glaze locked uponit.
"Something stupid like this…what's the use of writing anything down?"
For the rest of that night, I did nothing but glared at the lantern.
I tried of throwing it away a couple of times, finding it absolutely ridiculous joining some silly little beliefs. But in the end, I would always pick it back up. I didn't know why I even bothered; it was only a cheap paper lantern.
A useless lantern only good for lighting the room.
Even knowing that, I couldn't help but feel slight attraction towards the lantern.
"A wish…"
I mumbled as I stared at the lantern resting on my table. Behind me, the morning sunlight was beaming into my room. The air outside was quiet, the street abandoned. If I have to guess, I was probably the only one still awake at such hour. Heaving out a sigh, my eyes slowly drifted to the ink and brush lying on the corner of the table.
There was no reason to write something stupid like a wish.
It would never be realized, I knew that.
No matter how hard you wish for it…it would never be realized.
I knew that, yet somewhere within my heart, I found it quite tempting to scribble something upon it. Whenever I stared at the blankness of the paper surface, I feel the urge to contaminate it.
"Should I…"
I slowly reached my hand out, gently grasping the wooden surface of the brush and dipped it into the ink pad. "…write world domination?" I mumbled softly to myself, my eyes glued to the lantern.
I stared at it for minutes…hours.
My hand wouldn't move, just like the time I wasn't able to strangle Rikuo.
"…Was scribbling something always this hard?" I mumbled before thinking back to that Kawa-uso. She seemed to already have a wish in mind.
That smile of hers…that excited expression…
"Guess it's only hard for someone like me."
Yes, I knew.
I reality, I knew that I didn't really believe anyone was stupid writing their wish down.
Perhaps I was just jealous, that they have something to write down. To sent it off with a companion by their side, to find fun in such boring ritual.
Yes…I was jealous, at their ability to have something to wish for.
Perhaps somewhere deep inside, I wanted someone to hear it too…my wish.
"In the end…nothing seems to come to mind."
I whispered as I sat upon the branch of a tree on the very night of the Tourou Nagashi. I stared at the lantern resting in the palm of my hand…still plain white, clean of ink. Catching a glimpse of light from the other side of the foggy lake, I slowly turned. It has begun. Youkai and ayakashi alike are beginning to light the candle of the lantern and sending them into the water. Even from here I could hear it, the happy chattering and melody of songs.
When I noticed how the tiny little lights were slowly drifting towards the dark, lonely side where I dominate, I smiled. I leaped down the branch I was resting upon, landing silently onto the muddy ground from the afternoon shower. I slowly made my way to the bank of the lake and watched as the lanterns floated by me, lighting my surroundings.
I want a girlfriend
To become the leader of the XXX clan
I want to be the most powerful ayakashi
I want to be rich
I could see it clearly...the variety of wishes written upon the hundreds of lanterns. Though some sounded ridiculous, I couldn't find myself to laugh at any of them as I intended.
All of them were wonderful wishes.
"Maybe world domination after all."
I mumbled as I looked down at my lantern I have yet to light. I then slowly pulled out a marker and sat down on a rock by the edge of the lake. I held up my lantern to the moon, smiling as the image of Rikuo resurfaced within my mind. I then pulled the cap off the marker and began writing down my wish. Once I finished, I carefully lit the candle with a match and placed it into the water. With a gentle push, I watched as my lantern began drifting away, joining others of its kind.
"I must be stupid." I whispered to myself, smiling at the thought of the ridiculous thing I just wrote down. Then again...attending a festival like this was a stupid choice from the start.
For the rest of the night, I sat staring upon the specks of light.
It was warm.
Even though the lights were so far away, I felt warm and strangely content. I sat for minutes…hours, unable to keep track of my time and just glazed at the lights scattered in the distance. And whenever there were some near enough, I would read the wishes written upon it.
But then…That was when I heard it; a soft clattering sound within the tender breeze.
It was during the time where the specks of light beginning to fade and the moon shying away into the clouds.
I moved for the first time, slightly startled by the sudden sound that interrupted my peace. I slowly turned my glaze down. Just a couple feet before me, I found a lantern. It was stuck between rocks, its candle burned out. I leaped down my rock and slowly made my way over to it.
When I peered over the opening at the top of the lantern my eyes softened. There was a hole within the bottom of the lantern. Most likely it got torn when it hit the sharp edges of the ground. "Looks like you're abandoned." I whispered softly as I carefully picked the lantern into my arm.
"Wonder what wish got…"
I whispered; my voice trailing off as I turned the lantern around to see what kind of wish was written on it. But the minute I did, I nearly choked as my eyes widened in horror. What was on the other side of the lantern wasn't a wish at all. There was nothing on it aside from a single feather glued to the paper surface.
A white feather; one too large to belong to any bird.
"It can't be…"
I whispered softly as I brushed my fingertip over the surface of the feather to feel its texture. There was no mistake. This feather…it was my feather. "What…does this mean?" When the image of that large, golden eyes flashed back into my mind, I flinched. "No…he's not that much of a passionate guy." I quickly told myself as I relaxed. With a soft sigh to further calm myself, I plucked out my feather; carefully so that I wouldn't further damage the lantern.
"Wonder…what kind of wish was trying to be made with this silly thing."
I chuckled to myself before my gaze shifted. I then pulled a smirk upon my lips and turned around to greet the darkness of the forest behind me. "You guys wouldn't know, would you?" I called out to my uninvited guests.
A sound of a snapping twig was heard, echoing into the night.
"Enough with the sarcasm, Miu-sama." A voice I can't say I've missed, spoke before a figure came walking out of the shadows. It was a tall woman with long raven black hair. Her face covered with a thick layer of make-up like a Geisha. But even with the best make-up, she couldn't hide the ugliness that was underneath. On her back she carried eight, long hairy legs that would be commonly mistaken as her bad taste of fashion.
"It's been seven years now hasn't it? You didn't change at all, Jorougumo*." I sang.
Jorougumo snorted and took a sip at her pipe. "Unfortunately I can't say the same to you." She blew out a breath of smoke.
"It seems you have been well these seven years, Miu-sama. Very well."
"I have?" I said innocently, giving her a sheepish grin.
"Of course." Jorougumo mumbled. My eyes quickly snapped to her hand, noticing how she was tightening her grip on her pipe.
"Why else…"
She hissed; greenish miasma escaping through the gaps of her lips. "Would you have such a human expression?" She bellowed in anger. Finally unable to withstand the pressure, the pipe within Jorougumo's hand snapped in two. That instant, I quickly stretched out my wings. With a powerful flap, I sent a gust of wind towards her and easily repelled her miasma.
"You spent the past seven years having so much fun…while letting Mouyou-sama* suffer as such…unforgivable!" She screamed, her pupils dilated.
"Now, now…You're making me sound like the bad guy." I chuckled.
"But I suppose he should be suffering. After all, if he doesn't resort to such underhanded methods, I can't image anyone in the right mind wanting to marry that hideous, rabbit-eared gravedigger…Well, maybe you but you never had the right mind so you don't count, right~?" I laughed, purposely provoking the hideous make-up maniac before me.
"I don't care if you insult me, but I won't forgive you for insulting Mouyou-sama!" She screamed but I only laughed more at that.
"I've heard that line hundreds of times already, and I'm still alive aren't I?" I taunted.
"If you think luck will forever be by your side, then think again! Get her!"
Jorougumo commanded. I just stood in the same spot as I was, my wings folded neatly upon my back. Rustles of leaves then breached my ears, carried by the gentle breeze. Not a second later, I saw hundreds of different forms of shadows suddenly emerging over my head, blocking what's left of the faint light upon me.
The moon...was no longer there.
Shiki – Four Seasons
Rokurokubi – a person, usually female, whose neck can stretch indefinitely.
Okami – Lady Boss
Kawa-uso – a supernatural river otter.
Tourou Nagashi – The customary practice to mark the end of the Bon Festival. Small paper lanterns containing lighted candles are floated on rivers or the sea light the way for the ancestral spirits as they depart. Usually a message is written on the outside of the paper lantern.
Chouchinobake – a haunted paper lantern
Jorougumo – a spider woman.
Mouyou – a long-eared, corpse-eating spirit.