I still remember the first time that I met her. The funny thing is, she didn't make much of an impression. She was rather plain looking, actually, with her long braids hanging limply, and her clothing rather nondescript. That was probably why I didn't give her a second thought - she was wearing clothing from our world. Most likely in order to blend in and not draw attention to herself.
What did grab my attention was the man she came in with. He was possibly the best looking man I'd ever seen in my life, with long dark hair and gorgeous blue eyes. However, I could tell from the way he watched her that I would have absolutely no chance. My sister, Lina, elbowed me in the side, gesturing towards him, but I just shrugged. Just another passer-by that we'd never see again.
The girl came up to the counter, looking rather apprehensive to the point of fear. Her companion stayed a few feet inside the door, tense and nervous-looking, but trying to act casual. He kept a close eye on her, never letting his gaze drift too far away from her.
"Excuse me, miss," Her voice was soft, and it fit her well. I looked at her expectantly, and she gave a nervous smile. I probably should've been nicer to her, but heck, if she had that guy falling for her, what did she need from a stranger? Plus, it was late and this was the only inn in town. I didn't have to worry about losing business. "Um, we're looking for a room for the night."
I glanced at my sister, whose eyes were widened in surprise. I had to admit it shocked me a bit as well, this young girl asking for a room alone with her male companion, with no chaperones. Still, business was business. I cleared my throat. "…For two?"
The girl shook her head. "Oh, no, there's another person with us. She's just tying up the horses."
"Ah…" Lina turned to fetch the key, which I took, then stepped out from behind the counter. "Come with me, then."
The girl glanced at the man, who smiled softly before speaking. "I'll wait for Kokie." She nodded, and then followed me up the stairs.
Feeling a little regretful for being so harsh to her without due reasoning, I decided to make small talk. "So, what brings you to town?" Pointless innkeeper talk couldn't hurt.
"Oh, we're looking for someone."
"Anyone in particular? Maybe I could help you, it's a pretty small town."
"Umm," she looked at me thoughtfully for a second, then shook her head. "I think we'll be fine. Thank you, though."
I opened the door and held it open for her. "Suit yourself. Did you want breakfast in the morning?"
"Yes, that would be wonderful." This girl was so polite it was scary. I didn't think anyone was like that anymore.
"All right… I'll tell Lina to have it ready for you. She's a great cook." I was lucky to have my sister, actually - the only cooking I did was burning water.
"Please don't go to any trouble."
With my eyebrows raised, I looked at her. "Really, it's no trouble. That's what we're here for. And besides," I turned to leave the room, "You're actually our only customers tonight."
"Really? We saw so many people when we were traveling."
I shrugged. "Apparently there are some rumours going around about this town. Something about spirits and monsters and various things."
"…Monsters?" At that moment, the girl's male companion came up the stairs, followed by a rather frightening-looking person. This woman was tall and thin, with pale skin, long, sleek black hair and red eyes. Just a glance from her was enough to send shivers down my spine. I almost laughed, though. The three of them made such an odd group - what in the world could have brought them together like this?
"Yep, monsters. I've yet to see any. Last week, though, one of the children of the storekeeper was killed by a wolf or something when playing in the woods nearby."
"Tatara…" The girl looked to the man, her expression filled with worry. I cringed - maybe that was a bit much to tell them. But Tatara only looked concerned, whereas the other woman - Kokie, they'd called her - glared at nothing in particular.
"Anyway!" I headed down the stairs again. "Have a good night!"
Lina was standing at the bottom of the stairs, her expression curious. "Interesting group, aren't they?"
I laughed. "You read my mind. The girl said they're looking for someone."
"Who do you think they are, Doulin?"
"I don't know. Does it matter? As long as they pay in the morning." Still, something about them bothered me. They didn't seem like just average travelers.
***
In the morning, Lina fixed their breakfast while I slept late. When I emerged from my room, they were out front, loading everything onto the horses. I stepped out onto the porch, watching them. I didn't realize I was staring until the girl turned and saw me, then walked over to join me.
"I'm sorry," she smiled, that kind look in her eyes, "But maybe we could use your help."
"M-my help?" For some reason, she caught me completely off-guard.
"Yes, to help us find who we're looking for."
"Oh. Oh, yes." I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, trying to not reveal how oddly flustered I felt. "Certainly."
"I should have been more honest with you, for that I apologize. My name is Oosugi Suzuno. I'm Byakko no Miko."
Now I just stared at her, my eyes wide in shock. This girl, this plain-looking girl, was the Byakko no Miko? The legendary girl from another world, here to save Sairou-koku from its enemies? My heart caught in my chest. I hadn't even known that Sairou was in trouble, much less that Byakko no Miko had appeared. And here she was, at my inn?
Suzuno, in return, looked a little surprised at my shock, and laughed nervously. "Those are two of my seishi," she gestured back to her companions, "Kokie and Tatara."
"Byakko no Miko," I repeated the words dumbly. I'm sure she must have thought I was a complete idiot. Tatara and Kokie - of course! Those were two of the names from the legend. Why hadn't I recognized them?
Suzuno nodded. "The person we're looking for is another seishi. I'm afraid that's all I can tell you, though. We don't know what they look like or anything. All we know is that the person's in this town."
Before I could respond, a loud, shrill scream echoed from somewhere nearby. Down the street a bit, the mayor's wife stood, holding a bloodied child in her arms, screaming frantically. Tatara and Kokie ran over to her, with Suzuno and I following a bit behind.
"A, a th-thing! It killed him! I found him, in the woods, and the thing was on top of him, biting him!" The woman was hysterical, and despite Tatara's soft words, she wouldn't calm down. Kokie took one look at the child before confirming that he was dead.
Suzuno turned away, a hand to her mouth. I stared at the child - there was so much blood. I felt sick to my stomach, and my knees were weak. Tatara touched my arm gently, and I looked up at him. "What did you say last night, about the monsters?"
I glanced towards the forest. "They supposedly live in a cave, in the forest." The next words I had to wonder whether I would regret or not. "I'll show you."
The woods were confusing, to say the least. Only one path went through them, a simple walking path that didn't actually lead anywhere. It twisted and curved, however, with several offshoots that didn't go anywhere. I led the seishi and Miko - despite Tatara's concern, she didn't want to be left behind - to the cave. The forest was eerily silent. Not even a bird sang, and the twigs beneath our feet were the only sound. If there were indeed any monsters in that cave, they were very quiet monsters.
Kokie didn't hesitate, immediately heading into the cave. Tatara squeezed Suzuno's hand, and she smiled supportively, then he followed behind the other woman. I didn't know what to do. I stood silently next to Suzuno, who remained silent. After a few moments, I felt I had to say something, anything. "I'm sure they'll be fine. It's just a myth, after all—"
All of a sudden, Kokie screamed, but was drowned out by the incredibly loud growling and snarling of some sort of creature. I thought I heard Tatara shout something, but I couldn't make it out. Suzuno ran forward to the mouth of the cave, even though I called to her to stay back. I followed her anyway, reluctantly, afraid of what we'd find.
In the cave, Kokie sat slumped against a wall, blood soaking her clothes. At closer look, I could see that her stomach was torn open, and I gasped in surprise and disgust. In the middle of the cave, a gigantic creature stood, growling and thrashing it's paws around. It looked like a bear, but much more grotesque. Whatever it was, it couldn't move - vines were wrapped around its neck and body, strangling it. The other ends of the vines were in Tatara's hands, who fortunately appeared uninjured. The white seishi symbol glowed on the back of his hand.
After what seemed like an eternity, the monster sank down, choking on its growls. It fell to the ground with a heavy thump, silent and unmoving. Slowly, Tatara stepped forward, making sure that the beast was indeed dead, then retracted his vines. Suzuno ran over to Kokie, who was silent, but alive - barely.
"Kokie, Kokie, hold on!" Suzuno showed no offence at the amount of blood, concern the only emotion in her eyes. "We'll get you some help, don't worry, you'll be okay!"
Tatara stood behind Suzuno, unsure of what to do. He turned to me. "Where's the doctor? We have to get him."
I shouldn't have waited, but I did. I just watched them for a moment. When Suzuno looked up at me, her cheeks were wet with tears. Byakko no Miko. I repeated the words to myself again. This was it. I felt an odd sense of resignation as I looked at her, this girl from another world. She was my destiny, the one I was born for.
I walked over to them quickly, kneeling down on the other side of Kokie. The pale woman looked up at me, her eyes questioning, even through her pain. Suzuno stood up, Tatara taking her hand gently. He looked worried, but Byakko no Miko only smiled down at me, an encouraging smile. She trusted me.
Kokie winced in pain, and I turned my attentions back to her. Placing my hands above her wound, I closed my eyes. "Onmikartera whamasu Kokie." The familiar rush of energy ran through my body, and I felt the symbol on my breast glowing. After a moment, I opened my eyes to see that Kokie's wound had disappeared completely, her clothes repaired as well. I stood up slowly.
Kokie stared at me. "You're—"
"Byakko no Seishi, Subaru." I looked up at Suzuno and smiled slightly. "I would be the one you were looking for."
What did grab my attention was the man she came in with. He was possibly the best looking man I'd ever seen in my life, with long dark hair and gorgeous blue eyes. However, I could tell from the way he watched her that I would have absolutely no chance. My sister, Lina, elbowed me in the side, gesturing towards him, but I just shrugged. Just another passer-by that we'd never see again.
The girl came up to the counter, looking rather apprehensive to the point of fear. Her companion stayed a few feet inside the door, tense and nervous-looking, but trying to act casual. He kept a close eye on her, never letting his gaze drift too far away from her.
"Excuse me, miss," Her voice was soft, and it fit her well. I looked at her expectantly, and she gave a nervous smile. I probably should've been nicer to her, but heck, if she had that guy falling for her, what did she need from a stranger? Plus, it was late and this was the only inn in town. I didn't have to worry about losing business. "Um, we're looking for a room for the night."
I glanced at my sister, whose eyes were widened in surprise. I had to admit it shocked me a bit as well, this young girl asking for a room alone with her male companion, with no chaperones. Still, business was business. I cleared my throat. "…For two?"
The girl shook her head. "Oh, no, there's another person with us. She's just tying up the horses."
"Ah…" Lina turned to fetch the key, which I took, then stepped out from behind the counter. "Come with me, then."
The girl glanced at the man, who smiled softly before speaking. "I'll wait for Kokie." She nodded, and then followed me up the stairs.
Feeling a little regretful for being so harsh to her without due reasoning, I decided to make small talk. "So, what brings you to town?" Pointless innkeeper talk couldn't hurt.
"Oh, we're looking for someone."
"Anyone in particular? Maybe I could help you, it's a pretty small town."
"Umm," she looked at me thoughtfully for a second, then shook her head. "I think we'll be fine. Thank you, though."
I opened the door and held it open for her. "Suit yourself. Did you want breakfast in the morning?"
"Yes, that would be wonderful." This girl was so polite it was scary. I didn't think anyone was like that anymore.
"All right… I'll tell Lina to have it ready for you. She's a great cook." I was lucky to have my sister, actually - the only cooking I did was burning water.
"Please don't go to any trouble."
With my eyebrows raised, I looked at her. "Really, it's no trouble. That's what we're here for. And besides," I turned to leave the room, "You're actually our only customers tonight."
"Really? We saw so many people when we were traveling."
I shrugged. "Apparently there are some rumours going around about this town. Something about spirits and monsters and various things."
"…Monsters?" At that moment, the girl's male companion came up the stairs, followed by a rather frightening-looking person. This woman was tall and thin, with pale skin, long, sleek black hair and red eyes. Just a glance from her was enough to send shivers down my spine. I almost laughed, though. The three of them made such an odd group - what in the world could have brought them together like this?
"Yep, monsters. I've yet to see any. Last week, though, one of the children of the storekeeper was killed by a wolf or something when playing in the woods nearby."
"Tatara…" The girl looked to the man, her expression filled with worry. I cringed - maybe that was a bit much to tell them. But Tatara only looked concerned, whereas the other woman - Kokie, they'd called her - glared at nothing in particular.
"Anyway!" I headed down the stairs again. "Have a good night!"
Lina was standing at the bottom of the stairs, her expression curious. "Interesting group, aren't they?"
I laughed. "You read my mind. The girl said they're looking for someone."
"Who do you think they are, Doulin?"
"I don't know. Does it matter? As long as they pay in the morning." Still, something about them bothered me. They didn't seem like just average travelers.
***
In the morning, Lina fixed their breakfast while I slept late. When I emerged from my room, they were out front, loading everything onto the horses. I stepped out onto the porch, watching them. I didn't realize I was staring until the girl turned and saw me, then walked over to join me.
"I'm sorry," she smiled, that kind look in her eyes, "But maybe we could use your help."
"M-my help?" For some reason, she caught me completely off-guard.
"Yes, to help us find who we're looking for."
"Oh. Oh, yes." I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, trying to not reveal how oddly flustered I felt. "Certainly."
"I should have been more honest with you, for that I apologize. My name is Oosugi Suzuno. I'm Byakko no Miko."
Now I just stared at her, my eyes wide in shock. This girl, this plain-looking girl, was the Byakko no Miko? The legendary girl from another world, here to save Sairou-koku from its enemies? My heart caught in my chest. I hadn't even known that Sairou was in trouble, much less that Byakko no Miko had appeared. And here she was, at my inn?
Suzuno, in return, looked a little surprised at my shock, and laughed nervously. "Those are two of my seishi," she gestured back to her companions, "Kokie and Tatara."
"Byakko no Miko," I repeated the words dumbly. I'm sure she must have thought I was a complete idiot. Tatara and Kokie - of course! Those were two of the names from the legend. Why hadn't I recognized them?
Suzuno nodded. "The person we're looking for is another seishi. I'm afraid that's all I can tell you, though. We don't know what they look like or anything. All we know is that the person's in this town."
Before I could respond, a loud, shrill scream echoed from somewhere nearby. Down the street a bit, the mayor's wife stood, holding a bloodied child in her arms, screaming frantically. Tatara and Kokie ran over to her, with Suzuno and I following a bit behind.
"A, a th-thing! It killed him! I found him, in the woods, and the thing was on top of him, biting him!" The woman was hysterical, and despite Tatara's soft words, she wouldn't calm down. Kokie took one look at the child before confirming that he was dead.
Suzuno turned away, a hand to her mouth. I stared at the child - there was so much blood. I felt sick to my stomach, and my knees were weak. Tatara touched my arm gently, and I looked up at him. "What did you say last night, about the monsters?"
I glanced towards the forest. "They supposedly live in a cave, in the forest." The next words I had to wonder whether I would regret or not. "I'll show you."
The woods were confusing, to say the least. Only one path went through them, a simple walking path that didn't actually lead anywhere. It twisted and curved, however, with several offshoots that didn't go anywhere. I led the seishi and Miko - despite Tatara's concern, she didn't want to be left behind - to the cave. The forest was eerily silent. Not even a bird sang, and the twigs beneath our feet were the only sound. If there were indeed any monsters in that cave, they were very quiet monsters.
Kokie didn't hesitate, immediately heading into the cave. Tatara squeezed Suzuno's hand, and she smiled supportively, then he followed behind the other woman. I didn't know what to do. I stood silently next to Suzuno, who remained silent. After a few moments, I felt I had to say something, anything. "I'm sure they'll be fine. It's just a myth, after all—"
All of a sudden, Kokie screamed, but was drowned out by the incredibly loud growling and snarling of some sort of creature. I thought I heard Tatara shout something, but I couldn't make it out. Suzuno ran forward to the mouth of the cave, even though I called to her to stay back. I followed her anyway, reluctantly, afraid of what we'd find.
In the cave, Kokie sat slumped against a wall, blood soaking her clothes. At closer look, I could see that her stomach was torn open, and I gasped in surprise and disgust. In the middle of the cave, a gigantic creature stood, growling and thrashing it's paws around. It looked like a bear, but much more grotesque. Whatever it was, it couldn't move - vines were wrapped around its neck and body, strangling it. The other ends of the vines were in Tatara's hands, who fortunately appeared uninjured. The white seishi symbol glowed on the back of his hand.
After what seemed like an eternity, the monster sank down, choking on its growls. It fell to the ground with a heavy thump, silent and unmoving. Slowly, Tatara stepped forward, making sure that the beast was indeed dead, then retracted his vines. Suzuno ran over to Kokie, who was silent, but alive - barely.
"Kokie, Kokie, hold on!" Suzuno showed no offence at the amount of blood, concern the only emotion in her eyes. "We'll get you some help, don't worry, you'll be okay!"
Tatara stood behind Suzuno, unsure of what to do. He turned to me. "Where's the doctor? We have to get him."
I shouldn't have waited, but I did. I just watched them for a moment. When Suzuno looked up at me, her cheeks were wet with tears. Byakko no Miko. I repeated the words to myself again. This was it. I felt an odd sense of resignation as I looked at her, this girl from another world. She was my destiny, the one I was born for.
I walked over to them quickly, kneeling down on the other side of Kokie. The pale woman looked up at me, her eyes questioning, even through her pain. Suzuno stood up, Tatara taking her hand gently. He looked worried, but Byakko no Miko only smiled down at me, an encouraging smile. She trusted me.
Kokie winced in pain, and I turned my attentions back to her. Placing my hands above her wound, I closed my eyes. "Onmikartera whamasu Kokie." The familiar rush of energy ran through my body, and I felt the symbol on my breast glowing. After a moment, I opened my eyes to see that Kokie's wound had disappeared completely, her clothes repaired as well. I stood up slowly.
Kokie stared at me. "You're—"
"Byakko no Seishi, Subaru." I looked up at Suzuno and smiled slightly. "I would be the one you were looking for."