舞ーYoukai | Chapter 02: Kiyohime Jinja | By Twisted Eternal Wolvetta & Harmonium-Kruger
Empress Fuji was performing a ceremony.
Truthfully, the three youkai didn't understand a thing that was happening. What was stranger, is the Empress was barred from view behind a tall shoji wall. What's even the point if the public couldn't see her? Yet, her subject's attention was solely placed upon her.
Fujino Shizuru knew of this well. Her back faced the shoji as she faced the Kiyohime Jinja—the royal Shinto shrine. Planting her hand to the shrine's door, she wondered what her people would think. What would happen if they knew the truth? Inside of Kiyohime Jinja was essentially a sealed youkai. Kiyohime was incredibly powerful and very much alive. Would she ever be set free? By her own volition or by something far more sinister? She did not know. The monarchy had sealed her long ago. But it was only recently that her people started worshipping the great serpent.
Of course, she, the Empress, had been responsible for this excursion. This was one of many reasons why she had initiated the treaty between humanity and youkai. But, without a cunning twist or delicate touch, her people would panic. If they knew of this treaty now, chaos would rain down upon them.
Atop the jinja's archway hung shimenawa. Upon it were paper talismans—omamori. They were intricately weaved within and around the binding. It further strengthened the ward, if Kiyohime was to ever fight its power. The bound rope acted as both a ward and symbolism of purity. Yet as Shizuru peered up to the thick, rice straw, she couldn't help but worry. Truly this enclosed rope acted as an oxymoron? The sealed youkai wasn't pure, and Kiyohime should be replaced. But with who? Or what? The Empress did not know, sliding a palm down the door. Crimson did a cursory glance before pressing her hand into the door further. No, a replacement wasn't possible… yet.
Natsuki nodded off almost before straightening up again. Rolling the heel of her palm against her temple, she sighed. These humans always took forever with their rituals. She could practically feel Haruka glaring at her. She couldn't care less about this ceremony but didn't want to offend at the very least.
Ears twitching, Natsuki barely refrained herself from glancing towards the Empress. With her acute hearing, she had heard her push the door. What was she doing…?
The long sleeves of the royal's kimono rustled gently. Each motion was taken gracefully, crimson irises then directing to the ringed door handles. Within the mouths of protective guardians, these rings were bound shut. It was a means of sealing the Kiyohime Jinja, and to protect her followers.
Looking over towards a masked guard, Shizuru paused. As if by mind alone, the fully armoured male faced her blindly. Not a word was spoken as he dipped downwards, offering a sheathed blade between both hands.
The Empress accepted it the same way it had been offered, palms gently cradling the sheath. Fingertips danced up the casing as she slid one hand towards the grip. Painted lips restrained back into a fine line as she unshealthed the blade.
The Fuuka Katana was a beautiful blade. Even the black sheath, which was decorated with such fine craft. Lycoris were delicately painted upon the base, trailing downwards in a curve. The higanbana—it was such a sorrowful flower. Passing the sheath to the guard, she then focused upon her next action. Adjusting her hold against the hilt, the Empress tightened her grasp. It was a deadly blade in its own right; but also magically imbued. This sword, alongside the naginata were her choice weapons.
Shizuru held the blade steadily; her attention upon the door handle bindings. Never once did she falter, even as she swept the blade above her head. Never once flinching. The wind was cut, metal singing as a breeze rolled through.
The noise made Nao and Natsuki flinch, whilst Haruka grinned at the display of power.
The Empress allowed the blade to sing once more before flicking her wrist. Steel slashed into the bindings, cutting through with practised ease. Silence greeted this feat as an eerie atmosphere succumbed to the shrine. Then, rising from her levelled stance, Shizuru lowered her blade. As she did so, the bindings unceremoniously slid from the door. A pressured sensation clung her sides as an invisible force weighed past the seal. Kiyohime's strength had rose the moment those talismans had fallen.
The youkai felt something as well: A stinging tension caused the hair on their necks to rise. Haruka kept her gaze steady where it lay, the other two exchanging glances. Whatever this ceremony was, there was something with monumental power within that shrine. Nao didn't like it one bit. What were humans doing with such power?
Slipping past the large doors, the Empress was greeted by old shoji panelling. She paused, gently trailing her fingertips across the paper door. This was the Kiyohime Jinja. Only the royal family was allowed within Kiyohime's domain.
How would Kiyohime react today? She only met with this youkai once a year, and every time it was excruciating difficult. Palm caressing along the paper once more, crimson returned only once. The guards never glanced into the shrine, only staring ahead. She would be alone inside here. Good.
The doors slothfully closed after her, the slam echoing through the shrine. Plunged into silence, the Empress conducted the next phase.
"It's a youkai." Haruka murmured quietly. Her hands clenching into fists atop her muscular thighs.
"A youkai?" Natsuki asked, her gaze wandering to the nekomata. Had Nao sensed it too?
"I can't hear anything now she's closed the doors." Nao whispered. Her ears might be incredibly good, but this was pulling it. "She barely moved."
Again they wondered, how long would this ceremony be keeping them?
The crowd seemed peaceful, at least. There was no fussing, or obnoxious chatting. It seemed to be a normalcy implemented here. For Haruka, it was a nice change. Especially having come from a culture of rash, boisterous and reckless oni.
Minutes strode by slothfully, almost irritatingly so. Focusing her eyes upon the younger youkai, Haruka's gaze narrowed. "Settle down!" She grumbled.
"It's difficult." Natsuki barely parted her lips. Not to mention she was still hungry. Maybe after the ceremony, the Empress would invite them for a feast. Oh, that'd be heaven.
Abruptly, the doors to the shrine were opened. What was happening? Was the ceremony finished?
Shizuru showed herself. As elegant as ever, the Empress halted before the shoji screen. Her hands were clasped at her front, and slowly, crimson drafted towards them.
Natsuki forced her gaze away, remembering the custom to never make eye-contact. The others followed suit: Their posture straightening up once more with the utmost of respect.
What had taken so long? The fact that this Kiyohime was a youkai, perhaps? Haruka's gaze swept towards the Empress then the shrine.
"It is finished. Kiyohime has agreed to imbue her fortune." Shizuru murmured to the guard who had taken the sheath of her katana.
Straightening, he nodded firmly. "Yes, Empress." His armour rattled quietly as he returned the sheath. Once the Empress had deftly sheathed the blade, this was then offered back to him. "Shall I notify the royal guard?"
"Immediately."
Listening in, Nao curiously tried to picture what Kiyohime looked like. Though she doubted they would ever meet. The energy which she had sensed felt monumental. Clearly monstrous. Indeed it was a youkai, nothing could rival this feeling. Not even a God. The Gods were much more mystical, wise and pure. Their presence was everywhere to the point they couldn't sense them.
Youkai, although materialised through faith and fear, were much more primitive. Hence, their essence was raw.
The guards which were positioned by the doors moved, marching past the shoji wall to greet the public. Once straightening their stance, they roared that the ceremony was successful. Cheers scaled the horizon but the Empress never revealed herself. Rather, she retreated to the youkai.
"Come." She murmured down to them as she ventured forward.
Surprisingly, it wasn't a servant guiding them to their accommodation, but the Empress. "These shall be your rooms." She led them down the palace's narrow corridors. The floorboards and walls were entirely built from wood. Well polished and a light brown, this contrasted with the dark beams supporting overhead.
Natsuki followed behind the Empress, but not too closely. She dared not near Shizuru by at least several feet. Looking around however, she almost bumped into her who had stopped suddenly. O-oh. She swallowed nervously.
"Hinagiku will be here shortly." Shizuru stated, her hands clasped before her even now. Glancing behind her, she observed the youkai whose eyes darted away. Hm, she hummed in amusement. It was remarkable how quickly these three had changed.
Avoiding her eyes respectfully, Natsuki pushed the others behind her back so she could keep distance. Should she apologise? She hadn't touched her, but she very nearly had. Nao tried pushing forward, Haruka behind them giving her an incredulous look. "Move." The oni growled softly.
Fortunately for them, or maybe not, the Empress seemed to sense their distress. Stepping forward a few paces, she allowed Natsuki to move forward in kind. "I shall leave you to your own devices." Shizuru spoke, twirling around without warning. She caught the trio's gaze, and she grinned happily.
It was taboo for outsiders and commoners to see her. It was such a silly superstition. But, nevermind, for these cute three reacted more dramatically than she had expected. The three youkai sprang into a flurry of actions. Haruka slapped a hand over Natsuki's face who growled in response who covered Nao's eyes. The redhead meanwhile flailed, her hands somehow covering the oni's. If the Empress had desired a comedy act, she had succeeded in acquiring that.
Much to their horror, Shizuru genuinely laughed. The sound illuminated throughout the corridors, muffled only by her thick sleeves. Stifling it, the Empress departed, leaving the three alone.
"Oh, I like her!" Nao exclaimed after her initial shock. "She's cheeky! She almost gave dog breath a heart attack!"
"Hmp." Natsuki shook her head. "Anyway, who's Hinagiku?"
"That would be I." The servant's voice rang out behind them.
Yet again, the trip jumped out of their skin. Haruka practically screened, bumping into Nao and Natsuki who were sent flying. Stumbling onto the floor, the two glared at the blonde. What's with the Empress, and now this one as well?! Haruka tried saving face, but this seemed impossible with her flushed face.
"I…" Hinagiku blinked slowly, having not expected their outburst. "I take it that Empress Fuji showed cheek?" This woman was dressed in a simplistic kimono. It was light purple and null of patterns.
"Does she always do that?" Natsuki immediately asked, jumping from the floor quickly. This servant wasn't human, she realised. Her scent was like Nao's? Discreetly she glanced at Nao.
"Every single day." The apparent non-human declared, her hands clasped before her. "And yes." She sighed, having noticed the trio's stares. "I am a youkai." Brushing past them, she signalled them to follow. "I am her dirty little secret." She grinned, pointed canines being briefly revealed.
Oh, now what does that entail? Natsuki eyed the servant curiously as her ears perked with interest. "What do you mean by that?"
"That's up to you to decide upon."
Was this servant a relative, friend or…? Haruka eyed the teal-haired youkai. "Wait, did the Empress give us separate rooms or one?"
"Three with one main common room." Hinagiku showed them to this area, sliding the shoji door open.
"I'm guessing she treats you the same?" Haruka asked.
"All the time." She drawlled. There was something incredibly off about this woman.
END.
舞ーYoukai: 2014-2015.
It's been six years since I looked at this story, and honestly? I might adapt this one day. A ruler Fujino/Natsuki story could be quite interesting indeed. I think I'd refrain from the youkai however as this leans towards Touhou too much. I can't quite remember why Harmonium and I wrote this. I suspect we were experimenting with pairing dynamics as we were writing some ShizHaru and NatNao. But, like I said, I might reconsider this if it gets attention. (The eighteen reviews do not count. 舞ーYoukai was replaced by Abandoned Concepts). As for why we abandoned it? Well, I suppose it's because of story priorities. At this time we were busy with Renascence.