The living room kotatsu is like a giant heating blanket that is also a table. I don't get the why and how of this furniture keeping people warm. I need fresh air as I hate being inside warm rooms for too long. Opening the sliding door and feeling the cool breeze on a bright clear moonlight night like this. Even with everything that is happening, I'm certain that we'll make it through. We're the garden, a family of misfits and outcasts... and I'm slowly adding more to it I guess.
I wonder what Satori would be doing right now? I probably hear more of her work load issues when we see eachother during spring.
"Aye hate ta ruin your moment of solace child. But Aye can't stand not tellin anyone else about...well, our little blue hair poverty god." I would say I'm surprise, but you love the night don't you Suwako? She nods...wait you can actually read my mind?
"Yep, It's refreshing ta see someone care about their relationship like ya'll. So, whens the weddin and who'll be there ta carry the rings?" That's a long time for now, there are still things to fix before that. She chuckles as we gaze at the stars. I only now realize she's in a older body and Pyonta her hat wasn't on her head. Her long blonde hair stop past her lower waist.
"Aye know ya stare alot, but quit it. Ya have someone else to give your attention to then lil ol me." Sorry, it's my mind and it's hard to ignore it when everyone here is actually kinda attractive. I apologize if that weirds you out. She shook her head and smiles.
"Nah, atleast with ya, aye don't have ta worry about if ya try ta make a move on me. Aye have no interest in anymore relationships. Aye want Sanae to experience a nice long love as I had. Aye'm not long for this world child. Kanako is not ready to say goodbye yet. However, Aye still want ta see her in a pretty ceremonial gown one day. It ain't gonna be tomorrow or a year from now...but it will happen before Aye'm gone." She's staring at the moon and crying openly. You need a minute alone? She wipes her tears.
"No. But aye need ya to look after Shion. I'd rather the younguns around her keep her safe. She's a delicate flower of a girl. Whatever ails her mind. It's gonna eat her alive one day. So Venus, will ya stop that from happening?"...How many more promises will I make? How many will I break?
"It's a hard task. Yet, Aye can't just rely on Tenshi ta save her friend. Don't forget that they both have no real way to defend themselves. Tenshi has told me that Shion doesn't even have spellcards. So that's why her ability has become a curse. It's protecting her...from herself an' others. Unfortunately, that meant that every bruise and black eye was from her very sister who can practically bypass the curse at any moment. It affects her, just doesn't stop her." I make a heavy sigh as I stood up from my seated position.
Alright, I try to keep them in check and stop things from getting worse. It's the how that'll haunt me til it gets answer. Suwako smiles at me.
"Aye was right along." About?
"You're a respectable man indeed." Wasn't that in the context of me living with m...Yuuka? She shook her head.
"Nope, Aye meant it as a first hand observation. Ya remind me of my first an' last husband. Been with him even until he died. Never went after other women even if that was the norm back then. Ya know how many half gods are from my loins?"...I think this conversation is over and done with. I'm flatter that you think of me like that, and I'd really do want to make Satori as happy as I can deliver. Our lives are quite short in comparison to the universe's age. She searches in her pockets to pull out a...prayer beads bracelet? Sorry, I'm not religious.
"It's for good luck, gods above we all need a little luck in our lives." She sticks it out to me...yeah that is a weird feeling to this thing. I take it from her and put it on my right arm. It feels more...magnetic than just string.
"Is that what that rock was?"...I double check the bracelet and yeah the band is made of magnets and the prayer beads or rather bead is pearl white it doesn't even feel odd to wear. She has a self assured look as she clambers back inside.
"Get some shut eye child."I hate the feeling of heat more so than cold so I'll try.
"...So you ready to go?"...
"We have everything except, where is he?"...
"Check the kotatsu."
*FWUP*
I'm up! I'm up...
Crawling from underneath the damn oversized heater furniture. As expected I get laugh at again. It's warm, but I'm feeling really stuffy from being under it...I don't know how people find that comfortable.
"Hahah..Sorry sleeping beauty, but we gotta go or Yuukarin will get worried sick." I nod as I grab my share of the load, an we gave a quick wave as we've left.
"Now hold on." Suwako stops us before we could even go down the steps. She gives us each a paper doll...Hina.
"In case ya run into her, just give her these and she'll appreciate it. Especially with the poverty god with ya'll. Take care now." She hops back inside quickly. We should get going.
"So what did you two talk about?" Medicine was looking at me. Were you up during that time? I give her a confusing glance as she shakes her head.
"Whatever. Seriously why do you not speak?...I mean you do, but it's rare." Social anxiety, trauma, or not knowing the language.
"Even if we do get an answer it wouldn't change much of anything." Fair point. In rebuttal though, it'll make things easier.
"It's better this way doll. One less person to hear while I'm still down here. No offense Shion, but I miss my home. My real home." You should've thought of that before trying to kill a doll. Then again, Medicine wasn't in the best position either that day...? Shion was staring at me. Why?
"...Your bracelet...You didn't, have that...before." I lift my right arm a little to look at it as the girls gaze upon the black polish rock with the one prayer bead attach, it look fairly mundane, but something about it is...off. It's probably my paranoia again.
"What an odd piece of jewelry. Where it come from?" Good question as I pointed back at the shrine as we continue down the path to the Tengu's turf.
"Let me guess, little god gave you that huh? I didn't know she made fancy stuff like that." Tenshi, you don't even leave heaven unless something interest you enough to be involved or out of boredom. The real question is are we going the right way? Atleast the snow covered path is walkable, but now everything kinda looks the same with how barren this area is.
"I don't quite know where the territory of the Tengu start from walking as they kinda just. You know, appear outta thin air." What are they, ninjas? It kinda makes sense, but aren't we suppose to be going down the mountain? It's an incline...I must be seeing things but that mound over there looks like it's moving, only slightly.
*Pwush*
"Trespassers will be harm past this point!"Woah!? Maybe, they are ninjas.
"Taro it's me. You know the seed seller you almost cut the head of. Remember that?" The youkai named Taro...why does that sound familiar? He look like an average wolf tengu the same white fur and the bushy tail. The one thing that stood out was the murakumo blade he held was the size of him. The other thing was his eyes were blue and admist this sky they stick out. He relaxes his readied hand on the hilt as he silently observes us.
"Momiji saw you coming up the way. Took your sweet time cause the kappas are getting restless as they want to hibernate and be ready for spring." Stoic, boring, and stiff sounding. It's perfect for a guard.
"Yeah we're bringing the agreed upon share for my...boss. Unfortunately the safest way there is through Tengu territory." Taro nodded as he place his weapon blade first into the ground. He look right at me...What now?
"First, can the kid there fight?" This took them by surprise. Tenshi spoke for me.
"No, now can w-!?"
"I'M! I'm asking the child...not you." Jeez, is everyone here this uppity? Shion reach out a little.
"...Is it...possible to let us finish...our trade...before you two hurt eachother?" He study Shion, but the stoic rock barely budge.
"If your willing to leave him with me while you're doing your business with the kappa. I'll consider it." What type of good luck is this? I make heavy sigh as I took a slow step forward...I wonder.
"We can just fly over you know?" A good point except one thing...The crow tengu, and the wolf tengu will be after us. I gave my share of the goods to Tenshi. So much lighter now. As I flex my limbs and stretch he tenses and relaxes for any movement that can be decipher as an attack. I'm outclass, but the sooner this is over the better.
"Shit. Ok we'll pick you up later. Ok Venus?"
"Don't lose brother or mom will have step in."
"...Be...careful." They went past him as we stood on opposing sides of this. Even as Shion accidentally brush his left shoulder he still focus on me.
Soon they were fully gone from my sight and down a hill I couldn't see...great.
"Talk about Deju vu. You look exactly like Vector...I know he doesn't have offspring so you're the other one. Ying and yang." You stop me because I look like him? I'm not really up for fighting anyone. But, that's life here. You gotta take the good with the bad.
"It'll be scarier if you weren't a pup of a youkai. Too bad I won't go easy on you." Ya done?
...!
*FWUSH!*
He just barely miss my head with the massive blade. Sadly, I can't take advantage of this as each attack was seamless and clean and with full intention to maim or kill me. The worst was my footing against this wasn't the best. The best I can do is tired him out.
"You gotta attack pup! All this does is keep the inevitable pain that occurs before I wipe you from this earth!" WHAT THE HELL! DO YOU ACTUALLY WANT TO KILL ME!?...SHIT!
"Ugh!" I trip over my self as he goes for another swing...I really would love some luck right now!
*KRANG*
"Thats...curious." Suwako that's a barrier on my arm. This bracelet is a shield? GET OFFA ME!
"Heh, now this wlll interesting." If I'm to use this right I'll need to use it more for deflection than blocking. I flick out my knives. I still have a massive advantage to him. I'm faster than him, but that's only a part of this fight. I have no surprises to throw out. Except...You can't see my flames in broad daylight.
Jirai Shiranui
Jeez, I felt like I put on 10 pounds from using this much magic. I only really have a few options. I'm not the best fighter, but I can take alot of punishment so I'll just bulldoze him.
"I love simple youkai!" Of course he goes for a thrust knowing that his weapon of choice isn't good for cqc yet he was smiling as he feinted the thrust to...!
*Brshhkrt*
"Nice try pup!"...Only to get trip again by the spine of the blade and unto the ground...Damn! So annoying! Doesn't help when he's-
*Krang*
"Not as dense as you look." This time I deflected it poorly the only thing really equal is the strength to do it. I'm slowly feeling the tiredness through my body...God this has to end.
Fuck it...Fireball!
*FWUUUUSHHHH*
I hurl one at him and he slices it in two...I only now realize his blade didn't just slice it, it absorb the magic...Great.
Despite the distance between us, he stabs the ground and ...yep that's floating rocks.
Well, I can try that again...
Putting away my knives I took up an orthodox stance for boxing. I'm outta ideas really as fighting wasn't my strong suit back home. I focus my energy to my hands. Hopefully this helps as her finally sent the rocks my way.
Try to counter this!
*CRACK!*
Truthfully, the next part I'm surprise I connected a counter punch throughout this madness and yet it sent him spiraling. I hadn't really planned ahead, but I really want this to be over.
Corkscrew Cross!
*WHUOOLSH*
"ARGH!" Right into his open chest as I caught him. His momentum sent him into the rocky mountain wall...are we done finally? Felt a little too easy. Yet, something about it felt...off.
"Ok...You can pass." Taro emerged out of the rubble mostly unharmed minus the blood at the corner of his mouth that he wipes away.
"So it's Venus right? Anyways, nice little workout to start the day. I lost so I guess I owe Momiji a few rounds later...Aw man to lose to a pup." You started it pal ol buddy. I walk past him.
"Yeah, Take care. Atleast we have nothing to fear." Speak for yourself I almost died. I really prefer living. He smirks despite his demeanor.
"See you later pup. My actual name is Tarofuji. People just call me Taro." Fuji? I suppose it makes sense. It wonder if they intentionally called you Fiji in your youth.
I started running down the path while following the shallow footsteps the girls left for me. Yet, everything about that encounter felt...planned.
Taro...Why does that name sound familiar?...Vector.
Not much I can do about it. I stuck my nose far enough into something horrific enough as it is. Bringing it up now is pointless. Whatever truly happen doesn't involve me and everytime I try to get any answers the girls look...hallowed out, sicken. It's a form of bad trauma that haunts them.
"Will...he be alright?"
"I think you should focus on what's ahead cause that misfortune god is up ahead." A woman in a red dress was watching the slow river as small dolls floated into waiting basket. She turns slightly to see three uncommon folk so far from home.
"Hina, willing to take some more misfortune." The misfortune god Hina whether she's a doll or not doesn't matter as she examines the paper dolls in their waiting hands. She stops on Shion's before quickly grabbing it. She tosses it into the air as she began twirling gracefully as a purple mist flow into her. She stops her spin facing them smiling.
"That'll keep me fed for the rest of month. Drop the others in that offering shrine as I tend to these ones." She quickly goes back to the river and collects the rest of the waterlogged dolls.
"What brings you three here?"
"Four, there was four of us. We're just keeping a deal in check and got stuck." Tenshi wasn't afraid of misfortune, but even her luck runs out eventually as the Goddess put her hands on her hips and sees Medicine. She makes a surprise expression as she knelt down to be of equal heights as the doll.
"My, your craftsman must of love you. Hold on I have something for you." She reaches up into her green hair and pulls out a ribbon. The red lace with white embroidery with the symbol of misfortune in green she offers it to Medicine.
"Uhhh. Thank you I think?" She was about to grab it when she was pull into a hug. She recognize that feeling.
"YOU'RE!?"
"Yes,we're the same. Things will get better little one. Stay strong." Hina let's go as she wrap the ribbon around Medicine's left arm. It stayed despite how loose it was.
"Come back when ever you can. I would so love to hear your stories." She pecks a kiss on Medicine's forehead.
"I'll...try. I'll be busy with the garden though." Hina nods as she turns towards Shion.
"To think that there is two of us here. Lady luck must be cherishing her time."
"I...don't know who you are."
"Don't worry about it, one day you'll be set free from your torment and have wonderful memories along the way."Tenshi scoffs.
"Are you fortune teller or something?" Hina shakes her head.
"I see everyone's past misgivings as I absorb misfortune.l can infer so much from so little. Life is so wonderful. So you must enjoy it as long as you can alright child?" Shion nods nervously as she didn't know what to say.
"Speaking of, that handsome boy should be near us correct?" Shion blush as the other two groan.
"Just great, you too huh?"
"Well...he's nice." Tenshi face palms.
"Yeah, he tends to have that affect on people. He's...average in the looks department, but everything else that isn't talking. A solid 7 in my opinion."
"5... I like him as a little brother. Nothing more." Tenshi rates Venus solely on his childish antics.
"...9...and a half?" They look at Shion in bewilderment.
"...I don't...know much...about boys." Tenshi huffs.
"We gotta get going. I'm starting to become like Iku where she's like: "When will you get engage eldest daughter? I saw you with the blonde celestial isn't he cute?" I honestly wish it wasn't about who I hang out with." Medicine turns smug looking at Tenshi.
"Ehhhhh? Something you wanna say Tenshi?" Medicine gets shove lightly.
"Not to you freak of nature."
"Fufufu...Oh my you three are quite...entertaining." Hina was gazing behind them. They turn slightly to see Venus who looked alittle more rough up with dirt and snow on him, other than that he look fine.
"I was correct...he's adorable to look at." Really? I fish out the paper doll to give to Hina. I only now notice she looked...claylike. Is she a doll? She takes it from me and...I swear it's the same close eyes smiles they give that creeps me out a little. It's not malicious as far as I can tell, but it's gotta be an older woman thing. She really ties her hair like that? Just, tied together in front in a braid that looks like a lapel.
"We should get going now." I took my share back from Tenshi and we waved goodbye to the misfortune god. She was focusing on me the entire time.
"If we follow the stream from here we should see it from here." The thing I'm looking at Tenshi is a giant waterfall thats slightly frozen over. Though the thing behind it was massive iron wall. Seriously, are the kappa's just dwarves here or something? How was this made? When even?
"Yeah, the kappas are something else." We were about to get near until a smaller than average kappa came rushing over.
"Ya got the stuff Nitori promise?" What a heavy accent. We showed them our cucumbers and yen and from the oversized blue backpack came out 4 mechanical arms. Kappa engineering is it's own form of magic.
"Thank ya'll kindly. Now then, leave us alone until spring." We watch as the Kappa scurried back inside...such an odd exchange. To think they hibernate though. It actually makes sense though. They're amphibious or akin to other cold blooded creatures.
"Welp, jobs done. Let's hurry back before sundown." Right or we be freezing our butts off.
"Is...it possible,to fly?" The winds picking up actually. So no, we can't fly today.
"Our luck really isn't the best."
"...Sorry...if I'm a burden to you."
"What? Nah girl, we're stuck with you until you're ready to go. I always like hanging with you despite the misfortune."Shion smile a little as we made our way back. The path to get back is more obvious, but it really looks like a shear cliffside until you get up close.
"Thank you."
"For?"
"Trying...to help me...feel better." There's more to it than that. Very much more.
"It's not just making you feel better. You need real help. What if your sister comes around. What are ya gonna do?" Quite the question there Tenshi.
"Nothing." Yeah...wait, WHAT!? We stopped and stare at Shion in concern. She looked at us confused.
"Was...that the wrong answer?" Tenshi forcefully grabs the bruised arm and showed the healing wounds.
"LOOK AT THIS! THIS ISN'T NOTHING! THIS IS A CRY FOR HELP! STOP IGNORING WHATS BEEN DONE TO YOU!" Shion tries to look away, but every shake brought her back to the reality.
"I...CAN'T FIGHT! I DON'T WANT TO!"
"THEN YOU'LL DIE! DO YOU WANT THAT HUH! TO DIE! LIKE HELL I'LL LET THAT HAPPEN!" Tenshi had visible tears as she let go. The frustration she felt was quite obvious.
"I..."
"ENOUGH!" This snaps their attention to the doll.
"We gotta head home already. If Shion isn't ready to talk. We'll wait. Just, don't take too long before it's too late." I'm not a fan of how she said it, but it had to be done. Tenshi push past us in a hurry.
"Let's just get outta here. I'm sure Yuuka is worry sick about you two." All things considered these last two days were fine. As we went past the Tengu line, we didn't see Taro anywhere...How odd.
"Sooo, you must of beaten him?" I gave Medicine a shaky thumbs up cause even I don't think it was fair win.
"Well, when we get back we'll have to stitch your clothes." I shook the loose dirt and snow and check the jacket. Despite how tweedy and thin it looks it's actually quite well put together.
"I don't even know what that jacket is made of, cause it feels soft one moment the next it's rough like fish scales."...What? Sister, to me it just feels like cotton.
"...silk."...How?What part of this is silk?
"Hold on, to me it felt like satin."When did you? Right, during the bakuneko fiasco. It was Tenshi's turn to wash that day.
"So which is it?"...I don't, know. Whatever this jacket is made of it must vary from person to person.
"Well it probably doesn't matter in the long run." It does Tenshi. Like I feel like Rinnosuke scammed himself cause he must of felt the coat was a mundane feel to it. Yet, that is not possible because his ability is design to identify objects, but not their uses.
"Great, magical jacket,magical bracelet, and a magical son of Yuuka. You really hit the jackpot kid." How did she know the bracelet is magical? Just because it came from Suwako?
"Yeah, what exactly does it do?"...That's the easy part as I put my arm out in a guard stance and the blue barrier appear again. It didn't take alot of magic as it seems the bracelet does most of the work.
"That's a high level barrier spell. That bracelet was certainly from Suwako. Looks like your favored by one of gods now."...I suppose. I just think it's neat plus it save me from getting cleave in two. Seriously, the fact I was that close to death and I almost...welcome...it.
"You ok there kiddo? You look kinda out of it?"...
"Venus?"I really haven't...
"...Kuso."
"He speaks? By the gods he speaks!"...Yeah, but I haven't even thought about why I decided to fight. It ups my chances of dying. and yet.
"...I...think he's finally sees."
"Sees what, exactly?"
"The weight of his responsibilities...I mean, look at what he has to deal with...It's not...easy to be so kind."...I thought Shion would say death. Although, she isn't wrong per se. I might have bitten off more than I can chew and so it'll be hard pill to swallow. I guess with how overwhelmed I've been I wasn't really taking care of myself mentally cause I was worried for the people around me. Old habits die hard I guess.
You're honest with yourself?
I blink and shook the memory. I'm more honest than most and I'll probably continue to be that way. No matter what I am now. I refuse to not be clear of my intentions. Yet, I can't even tell them about the why. The best I can frame it is that I'm protecting them from themselves and me. Yet I'm responsible for myself the most. I breathe loudly and pick up my walking speed.
"Hold on there."
"W-Wait up!"
"Venus?"
They watch as he ran ahead. Not much they could do to keep up.
"Great, now we have to run back or we'll freeze out here."
"The only thing keeping us warm was the big lug." The ensuing liquid freeze was gonna start.
"L-l-lets g-g-get going." Shion wasn't the best in the cold. So they collectively started running after him and scream their lungs out to get Venus to come back or with enough noise disturb someone to help them before they become mountain jizou statues.
I stopped running when I finally got to path home and realize the girls weren't behind me. Even with all this snow it melts rapidly upon contact on me.
*Fwush*
There a stationary fireball if they can reach here before the tail end can't hold it. I'll head back a ways to see if they've headed to the shrine or try to follow me...can't take too long. The day will soon be over in a few hours.
The girls just ran past stairway to the mountain shrine. However, unlike Venus's estranged high stamina they had to stop.
"Damn...*cough* kid is much...*cough* too fast."
"...How...does...he...have...that...much?" Shion couldn't finish her sentence as she was in the worse shape as they slowly made their way down they could see an orange ball floating at the distant.
"There you are! Don't you know its impolite to leave girls while they need help?" I shrugged as this gave me clarity on my situation. The girls huddle close to the fireball to warm up.
"I'm telling Yuukarin about this." As long as we're ok she'll probably just let it go Medicine.
"P-p-please...stay close." Aw, now I actually feel bad. Anyways, we should get going. I gesture for us to keep going and they nodded.
"Just...don't do that again." I'll try.
"So that's what happened to ya'll?" It's good to be back home. Mom scolded me a little for my brashness, but obviously I didn't mean to leave them behind.
"I doubt we'll actually get an answer to why you freak out. The best we got was a theory from Shion. Speaking of. When could you read people that well?" Shion took a bite from her curry and rice and swallow.
"I...don't know. I can just feel what others feel since I was little. It was always that way for me." Like some form of telepathy but with emotions? Wait, is that her passive? Her empathy must be through the roof. Though, that means she's felt...dear god. No wonder this is alot harder to get her to talk.
"Well, you might just be most emphatic person here besides our only male." I don't know if that is an upgrade from kid or not. I have a name Tenshi.
"Is that a good thing?" Well, it's more of an accomplishment around here cause every single person here is...not exactly the most helpful to people's plights.
"Sooooo, Venus has been blessed by Suwako." Mom look at me intently. I didn't do anything!
"Is that so?" Would I call this a blessing as I show the bracelet to mom. Not before I lifted Medicine's left arm we're both blessed by a God now. Mom stared in disbelief before sighing.
"Well, as long as you're both ok I'll allow you to wear those. If the blessed items become to much I'll immediately confiscate them from you. Understand?" We nodded. I can only assumed she dealt with mystical items that had drawbacks in the past.
"Well off to bed and have sweet dreams everyone." I'll try, but I don't have to like it.
Author Notes: I honestly forgot to ask, your thoughts so far on my writing cause I think I have pacing problem. Or that scenes go on for too long. I enjoy the nice words but, criticism is appreciated. I'll considered what needs to be done better. Especially fight scenes as I'm not used to writing them.