The Seven Cycles of Reincarnation
Chapter Three – Toymaker
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In his third life, he was a toymaker.
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Kazunari thought a lot about what Kou and Gou had asked him. Did he really want to know when Shintaro would cease to be? Was there any point in answering the question? He was, after all, developing the ability to sense lifespans already. Kazunari just didn't know what to say or do as there was a reason the inevitable was referred to as such.
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He sighed and looked about his domain. Things had changed again. The path turned into a road, houses had been erected but a new aesthetic was beginning to bud in the neighbourhood. Kazunari didn't like it. He glanced at people and no one seemed to return to the gaze. The population of people with the sight appeared to be diminishing. He noticed a new aesthetic in clothing as well. He wondered where the change had come from.
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There was another thing that Kazunari noticed and it concerned him, but only vaguely. He knew his Shin-chan was special so he was certain that he would avoid this unprecedented and unholy trend. The trend was the loss of the sight. People seemed to be becoming slowly blind to the on-goings on the supernatural around them.
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Kazunari inspected his beloved peach tree. He was proud of it. It was strong and healthy. Although, he couldn't remember the last time he had watered it. He supposed that it ought to do that soon.
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'Hey, look, Mummy!' a shrill voice called out. It caught Kazunari's ears. He knew that voice. Well, he thinks he knows that voice. Kazunari turned around, eyes wide and a tad confused. Through a crowd of people dressed in a mix of Japanese and abroad clothes, he saw a small child.
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The boy pointed at Kazunari. A rude action and his mother scolded him for that but she supposed it was better for him to point out an unusual looking peach tree than an unusual looking old man. 'Come along Shintaro. We're not done running errands just yet.' she ended up saying. She tugged at his hand and she stumbled along at her side.
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The boy had bright green hair and he stuck out like a sore thumb in a wash of adults with either black or brown hair. Kazunari was certain that was Shintaro. He didn't like this development.
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Kazunari wasn't short how much time had passed between then and now. it felt like it had been a few days and it probably actually had been as when the green-haired boy returned to his line of vision, he was still young and small. The street was empty and it may have been just before midday. 'Hello mister!' the boy said.
'Hello.' Kazunari said, suspicious of the child.
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Yes, the child looked like Shin-chan but Kazunari didn't want to leap to conclusions. This wasn't normally how they met. Normally, when they met Shintaro was taller than him and was passing through town, not looking for a reason to stay. He was normally, initially, antagonistic towards Kazunari. This didn't fit the pattern.
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The child stared innocently at Kazunari. Kazunari realised that the boy was mostly staring at his ears. 'I'm a yokai.' Kazunari said. 'You can call me Kazunari.'
'Okay!' the boy chirruped. 'But Mama told me that they don't exist but clearly she's wrong because you have dog ears.'
'I'm a tanuki. Not a common dog.' Kazunari said, a tad snappily.
'Sorry.' the boy said.
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Kazunari's Shintaro would never say "Sorry" so he was becoming wary. This child couldn't possibly be Shintaro's latest reincarnation, despite the characteristic glasses and green hair.
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'I'm Midorima Shintaro. It's good to meet you.' the boy introduced himself with docile tenure. His words crashed over Kazunari with violent vigour. Kazunari had no clue as to what happening or what would happen. It must have showed on his face as Shintaro waves his fingers in front of Kazunari's face and asked: 'Are you okay, sir?' he asked.
'Don't call me that, far too formal.' Kazunari sputtered. 'Kazunari. Kazunari is fine.'
'Okay, Kazunari. Are you okay?' Shintaro asked.
'Completely... fine.' Kazunari lied.
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Kazunari chatted with this child for a bit longer. It didn't feel right.
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'You're a strange one, Kazunari-san.' Shintaro mentioned. 'I wish I could have met you earlier. It would have been fun to play here a bit longer but I'm only here on holidays. I'm visiting my Aunt and Uncle and their family. I go home tomorrow.'
'Well I'll always be here, kiddo if you ever want to play. You better go home or else someone will get worried. It's getting dark.'
'It is.' Shintaro agreed.
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Kazunari plucked a peach from his tree and tossed it to Shintaro. 'Have a good day; I hope to see you again sometime.' Kazunari said.
'Same.' Shintaro chirped. He smiled brightly and Kazunari wondered who this bright child was because he certainly wasn't the standoffish and sullen Shintaro Kazunari had loved in previous lives. Shintaro accepted the peach then left. Kazunari watched as Shintaro disappeared into the human dwellings and roads.
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Kazunari wasn't sure how much time had passed but he soon felt it. He felt the psychic presence of a green-haired boy. Kazunari knew if he waited, Shintaro would come back to him. And he was right.
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Shintaro did find him and when he did, he was wearing all black. He was wearing foreigner clothes. He was taller than Kazunari remembered. 'Hello, Kazunari-san.' Shintaro said. His voice was deeper. He looked upset. His fists were clenched and his breathing hitched with every deep breath he tried to take. 'You okay?' Kazunari asked, redundant. He thought he already had an answer. He plucked a peach from his tree and handed it to Shintaro. 'Eat; I'm sure you'll feel better.' Shintaro took the peach but he let it slip from his fingers. It squelched against the ground. 'I'm back. This time permanently.' Shintaro said.
'How much time has passed since we last saw each other?' Kazunari asked, blunter than he liked.
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Kazunari couldn't gauge how old Shintaro was now. He wasn't a child but he wasn't an adult. 'Seven years.' Shintaro mumbled. He sat down against the peach tree and Kazunari joined him. Shintaro let Kazunari put an arm over him. 'I don't even know why i'm here. You're a tanuki demon. I met you once... It just feels right?'
'I might be able to help more if you tell me what the matter is.' Kazunari said; he tried to keep his voice as soothing as possible.
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Tears seeped from Shintaro's green eyes. 'My parents... were killed by some kind of monster.'
'Oh.' Kazunari said. He froze. 'I can tell you why but I don't think I should.'
'Everyone's calling me an adult now. I can handle it.' Shintaro said, stubborn but his tears were more so.
'It was after you. You produce a lot of psychic energy and many monsters will try to eat you because of it. That monster was probably a sadist of sorts and probably thinks that you'd be tastier scared.' Kazunari said.
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Shintaro faced Kazunari. He blinked back tears. 'Are you going to try and eat me?' Shintaro asked.
'No. I'll do the opposite. I'll protect you because you are my ward.' Kazunari replied.
'Why? That sounds like an elaborate scheme just so you can eat me.' Shintaro reasoned.
'I owe my life to you.' Kazunari said. 'We have met before; in previous lives.'
'I don't believe you.' Shintaro retorted.
'That's fine.' Kazunari replied.
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Shintaro didn't leave Kazunari. They spent the night like that, cuddled up to each other and under the peach tree. Neither understood why; it just felt like the right thing to do. Kazunari thinks it's because deep down, Shintaro can sense that they have spent time together during past lives. Shintaro thinks it's because he's not ready to be a part of his Aunt and Uncle's family.
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After that day, Shintaro was never the bright and chirpy child Kazunari had met.
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It took some time but eventually, Shintaro did heal. It took a few human years and Kazunari was there to sit through every midnight mourning and anniversary. But still, Shintaro's personality dulled. He became withdrawn and Kazunari thought that was alright. He just didn't like that the catalyst for his change was so horrible.
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Kazunari drifted outside Shintaro's house. He had moved out from his Aunt and Uncle's care. He was courting a woman now as well; Kazunari hadn't met her yet but he was fairly certain that she would turn out to be Kiku's reincarnation so that was alright. Kiku had been a perfect woman for Shintaro.
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'Look at this.' Shintaro said and he called Kazunari into his house. Kazunari preferred to laze around his garden; uncomfortable by the confined spaces. It was a contradictory thing about him since he liked to hibernate in the now abandoned temple. Shintaro showed Kazunari a frog, which was less than the size of his palm. It was wooden and painted green. It had a bizarre hook in its back.
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'Western innovation is amazing.' Shintaro said. He turned the hook and the frog began to move. Kazunari's eyes lit up.
'Wow.' Kazunari said, impressed.
'I'm getting better at toy-making. I'm thinking I'll start selling what I make. I'd prefer that over helping the farmers.' Shintaro said.
'For vanity reasons?' Kazunari said. Shintaro had retained his obnoxious habit of taping his fingers for beauty reasons. Shintaro flustered but eventually admitted that Kazunari was right.
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Shintaro put away his frog and began working on a new project. Kazunari proceeded to fall asleep on his backyard veranda. The following day, Shintaro was heartbroken and Kazunari was worried he had slept for months.
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'I can't find it.' Shintaro said and he shook Kazunari.
'What can't you find?' Kazunari asked, confused and tired.
'The wind-up frog.' Shintaro replied.
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Kazunari's ears twitched and he slid his eyes to his periphery. He saw the wind-up frog and it seemed that it was alive. 'Yeah, no, I don't think we'll never see it again.' Kazunari said.
'Poor Kerosuke. I bet the neighbour's cat took it and broke it.' Shintaro growled.
'Yeah, no, I don't think that happened but I think it will.' Kazunari said.
'Stop being so cryptic.' Shintaro said.
'It's my old age. I'm getting confused.' Kazunari said and he stretched out. 'Can I go back to sleep now?'
'Lazy raccoon dog.' Shintaro muttered and he left Kazunari alone.
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The wind-up frog leaped towards Kazunari. 'Thanks bud for not selling me out.' Kerosuke said.
'Enjoy your newfound sentience. That's what I'm doing. Better thank Shin-chan first though.' Kazunari said.
'Who are you to him anyway?' Kerosuke asked.
'He is my ward, nothing more.' Kazunari retorted. The wind-up frog laughed. He then bounded away.
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Kazunari continued to flit between Shintaro's house and his peach tree. Kazunari wasn't sure how long this had been routine for but it felt like a few years. One day, when Kazunari was resting in the branches of his peach tree, Shintaro visited him.
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'Sango, there's someone I want you to meet.' Shintaro said and Kazunari's ears pricked up. He wrestled with the tree so he could get a better view. He hid amongst peach blossoms. He stared at the humans below: Shintaro and an unknown woman. She was shapely, wore foreign clothes and had pale coloured hair; blonde. She had a pretty but irritated face.
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'There's no one here, Shin-tan.' she retorted.
'He's got to be here soon.' Shintaro said. Kazunari felt disgusted. He was barely allowed to call Shintaro "Shin-chan" and yet this woman was able to call him by "tan"? What kind of double standard was that? He knew Shintaro for far longer than her but Kazunari tried to calm himself. This woman, Sango, was probably quite nice. She might be sceptical but she was probably a good human being. Kazunari scolded himself for leaping to conclusions based on jealousy.
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Kazunari dropped down from the branches of his peach tree. Shintaro smiled. 'Here he is.' he announced. Sango glared at him.
'Who are you talking about? There is no one there.' Sango said.
'You can't see him?' Shintaro asked, he sounded dejected. Kazunari huffed.
'There is no one there.' Sango repeated herself hotly.
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Shintaro gaped. He closed his mouth and composed himself. This was not going how he would have liked. He thought plenty of people could see Kazunari. Perhaps he was wrong. No wonder people talked about him, whispered about him as though he were mad. 'Don't worry, give me two seconds.' Kazunari said.
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Kazunari transformed into a tiny raccoon dog. 'Oh my! Where did that creature come from!' Sango shouted. Shintaro bent down and picked Kazunari up.
'I didn't even know you could do that.' Shintaro whispered. Kazunari acted tamely in his ward's arms. 'This is Kazunari. My best friend.' Shintaro said, he felt awkward and his cheeks were a bit red. Kazunari saw that and thought this was Shintaro at his most exposed and vulnerable. This was part of the real Shintaro beneath his sullen exterior. It was a rare day to see that and Sango did not seem to be appreciative of that.
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She turned her powdered nose up at Kazunari. 'Put that down, you'll get fur all over your clothes and I have a sensitivity to animal fur, remember?'
'I know, I know. It's just I didn't think Kazunari would count.' Shintaro said.
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Sango glared at Shintaro as though he were from another world. 'What are you talking about?'
'Kazunari is a tanuki demon.' Shintaro said.
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Sango huffed and she crossed her arms. 'I've had enough of this. They were right about you, Shin-tan.'
'What do you mean?' Shintaro asked and Kazunari made a low whine. He squirmed out of Shintaro's arms and disappeared behind the tree, as in reverted to his true form. Kazunari didn't want to be in the middle of a lovers' quarrel and especially since he seemed to be a catalyst for it.
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Shintaro repeated himself since Sango shook her head and was hoping to avoid this conversation. 'People say you're mad. All your money's gone to your head and made you mad. I thought your eccentricities were a cute quirk. I thought you were a mad after my own heart; so meticulous about appearance but I was wrong and they were right. I can't handle it anymore. Your too high maintenance and look who that's coming from.' Sango said.
'I guess that means they were right about you. I'm not completely mad. Even I heard the whispers. And do you know what they said about you?' Shintaro asked.
'Yes.' Sango seethed.
'A gold digger.' they both said at different times.
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Sango left soon after; probably to prey on someone else. Kazunari came out of hiding. He put his arm over Shintaro. 'She's nothing like Kiku, trust me.' Kazunari said.
'I don't think I want anything more to do with women.' Shintaro replied.
'Yeah, I can relate. I've never had much to do with women. I'm always busy taking care of you. No one wants a single father.' Kazunari said.
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Shintaro wasn't lying when he said he didn't want anything to do with women as he went onto live unwed, permanently. He was fine with the companionship provided by Kazunari. He slowly withdrew from the world around him. He still sold toys though. He made fine little creatures that leapt and jumped because of the wind-up keys in their back.
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'Do you regret not marrying anyone?' Kazunari asked. He still looked as young as they day Shintaro had met him. Shintaro was different story. His hair was grey. His hands were frail. He was damn near blind. 'No.' Shintaro replied, as though defiant.
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It was incredibly lonely, Shintaro's funeral in his third life. Kazunari was the only attendant there and the priests didn't even recognise him; not even as a brief and sudden zephyr or as a raccoon dog spying for some food to steal. But people did miss the toys Shintaro had made. That offered Kazunari some consolidation but not much. After the funeral, Kazunari returned to his peach tree. He dearly hoped that Shintaro would return to him soon. Kerosuke visited him and mourned the loss of his creator. He also called Shintaro a fool. There was a life beyond the peach tree. Kazunari refused to believe that.
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MerryFortune :)
[I'm sorry if this felt rushed.]