Hi, here's the next chapter, enjoy!

Yuki the Rat: Thanks again very much for your kind comments.  A number of my stories have low readership, so I especially appreciate readers like yourself, who encourage me to continue.

Disclaimer: Fruits Basket and its characters are the property of their respective owners.  This piece is not for profitable purposes.

Chapter 5: Tohoku

My long travels progress, as I spend seemingly countless days passing through small villages, thriving towns, and along the perimeters of palaces similar to that of the Lord to whom I had been indentured.  I minimize my interactions with the people, choosing to eat, sleep, and live in forests, pastures, and other sources of solitude.  In the instances when I need to enter towns to refresh my supplies, I will intermittently receive questioning stares, but the faces of most people are expressionless or tired, forlorn because of the labors of life and, for many, the painfully evident lack of free will.  Once in a long while, this dreary landscape is punctuated by glimpses of happiness, in the forms of harvest celebrations or seasonal festivals.  Against my better judgment and without understanding why, I will watch these from afar, remaining mounted on my horse in the case of incident.  Although I curse myself for such weakness, I cannot help but be drawn to the camaraderie and infectious joy.  Eventually, and requiring me to collect my will power in this vein, I am able to withdraw myself and return once more to the shelter of seclusion.

At long last, I reach Tohoku, in the northeastern portion of Honshu.  I dismount as I stare in shock at the topography, even more mountainous than the rumors had projected.  Is it possible that the Kami and the animal spirits are contained within this unwelcoming and intimidating place?  Attempting to regain my confidence, I straighten and remount my horse and continue in the direction of the mountains.  I reach a small village at the base of a range and see men milling about in a busy crossroads and women sweeping in front of their homes while there are babies strapped to their backs and children running around them.  I search and find the commercial district and purchase more provisions and have my horse's hoofs reshoed. 

Deciding it would be wise to obtain locally produced maps of the mountains, I ask and learn about a book trader.  I enter a shop with bound texts and old, dusty, scrolls and see a man reading a book near a window.  My entrance does not attract his attention, so I clear my throat.  His eyes momentarily shift so that he is looking at me before returning to his text.  He finishes a page and turns it before standing and placing the book carefully on the chair where he had been seated. 

His hands entwined together behind his back and his frame slightly stooped forward, he looks to me and says, "Is there something I can help you with?"

"I am looking for accurate maps of this area, particularly of the mountains."

His tone curious, he says, "You plan to go to the mountains?"

Annoyed by his unnecessary question, I answer simply, "Yes."

"If you are seeking land upon which to farm, I am afraid you have come to the wrong place.  Growing is challenging, and the best land is occupied by those whose ancestors claimed it long before."

His comment is met by my silence.

He shrugs and moves to another section of the store as he continues, "Of course, has it ever been that the young listen to the wisdom of the aged?"

He returns soon afterwards with a few scrolls, which he offers to me.  I take them from and he returns his hands to behind his back. 

"These were done by different surveyors, though they are all known for providing good maps."

I nod my head in answer as I scan each.

I hold out two towards him and say, "I'll take the other one I'm holding."

He takes hold of the two and places them on a table near him.  When I finish my purchase, I hastily exit, sensing him watching me through the window.

Many days pass as I trek through the mountains.  Fortunately, my good sense has allowed me to choose a capable horse that does not tire easily and makes quick work of the many rocky ascents and descents.  I see that the old man spoke the truth, as there are few inhabitants in the mountains, and even more scarce possibility of harvest.  I find myself more and more discouraged, especially as I realize that summer has not so recently arrived.  The mountains of Tohoku are not the only ones and my funds will not last forever – and there is the unfortunate possibility of my discovery.  Troubled, I decide that greater guidance is necessary.  I consider entering one of the mountainside towns, but, wanting to minimize the number of people with whom I interact, I decide to return to the man to the bookstore, and set out with this purpose.

When I return to the town, I make my way to the store and enter.  The man's expression is a mixture of surprise and satisfaction as he notices me.  He places the book, cover up, on the table and, in doing so, a loose paper flutters and partially covers the front cover of the book and remains there.

He moves closer to me, his hands once again behind his back and says in a haughty tone, "Young man, I see you have returned, having seen for yourself."

Ignoring his comment, I look amongst his wares of books.  By chance, I glance at the book that he is reading and am surprised when I see "The Kami of the Juunishi" on the section of the cover which is visible.  I quickly pick up the book, causing the paper to fall, revealing the entire title, "The Kami of the Juunishi and other Tales of Mt. Koya."