Disclaimer: Magic the Gathering is the trademark of Wizards of the Coast. Any characters from the game are theirs. Any others are my creation.
Chapter 3 - Name
Terashi's might was full-fledged that morning. The sun kami was either ecstatic with joy or malevolent with fury. The cherry-blossom bloomed regardless, blossoming under the steady hand of the gardener, a vizier woman with almost half a dozen grandchildren. She had led a full life. Born way before the Kami War erupted, she was able to worship the kami as they were, silent observers to the material realm, occasionally gracing a mortal with its presence, an omen of good fortune.
Coarse fingers plucked out silly fungi, marring the true beauty of the cherry-blossom. Ayami was at work again. The salvager of lands, or the Last Visitor as many referred to it as, like every other kami had waged a mini war against civilization since the initiation of open hostilities between mortal beings and their spiritual counterparts. Before, Ayami appeared only as civilization fled. A reaper, a gravedigger if you must, reading the last rites to an abandoned trove, a hidden chamber, a sunken dwelling as nature offered a renewal, a recourse. Now, actively Ayami propagate and proliferate, breeding nature into every crevice, every fissure touched by human hands. At times, Ayami even forgot who the enemy is, threatening its own with its poison.
Laying back to shade from the sun, the grandmother wiped the sweat of her brow while admiring her work. It would be temporary, but it the sight was worth the trouble. Her old ears failed to detect a rustling in the bushes. Her milky left eye blurred even as a husky fellow approached her, a jagged machete in one hand. Two more would flank her, one a braided ruffian, a twisted axe resting on his shoulders; another a woman, judging merely by her stance and grace in step, metallic claws sprouting from her knuckles.
The women spoke, hair neatly tied into one long pigtail and covered from head to toe in shady garb, a veil allowing only her eyes and bridge of her nose to be seen. "Forgive me for startling you old one, but may I know the way to Hogosha?" Her voice was sweet but steely. Surprisingly, the gardener caught every word, and seemed not the least worried that she hadn't noticed the enquirer earlier. Her wrinkled face turned to face the source of the query, and she gasped at the sight. Her hands groped at the fabric, whilst her head shook in apparent disbelief.
"Young child. Isn't it too hot to be wearing so thickly?" the motherly tone worked in reverse. Pleased was not the proper word to describe how the younger woman felt. Frustrated was close enough. Waving off the unwarranted concern, the question was popped again, albeit with less formality. Even one blinded eye could tell that the trio were no ordinary trekkers. 'Braids' impatiently tapped the steel of his axe with his finger. The larger man found solace in slashing cherry-blossom. This time, the grandma caught the drift, and hastily issued instructions.
A smile sneaked underneath the veil of the younger woman. She offered her gratitude, bowing low to the old lady. Her fingers flexed, the metallic claws glistening under the sun. A bloodthirsty look escaped the precincts of her self control.
"We move."
The stern command broke the tensed moment. Cursing slightly, she grazed the robe sleeves of the old lady as consolation, refusing to be left behind by the two blokes, already upon their way. The gardener clutched her chest with her hands, breathing deeply. Her face was twisted with fear.
More rustling produced a whole slew of men and women, all equipped with battle gear, all as ferocious as the next, all converging to the same direction. The grandmother of six could only stare at disbelief.
"Your name?"
A dazed look responded to the sudden question. Kisame, retaining his stern facade, tipped the cup of tea closer to his lips before drinking deeply. A gasp of satisfaction left Kisame as the cup was returned to the table. His gaze remained on the man before him, cross-legged as he was, but his words were directed to a maiden nearby, both knees tucked neatly underneath herself.
"Kimi-san. Don't you have shrine duties to attend to?" Kisame queried. Again, silence answered. Curious, Kisame sneaked a glance at Kimi, whom had her full attention on the stranger in the room. It was a seething look, one which showed great displeasure. Kimi obviously condemned the stranger's lack of manners. Yet, those were not what stirred in her heart. Curiosity was a closer friend when stumbling upon someone new and unknown, espeically with a mind of such disturbance.
Kisame recalled the barren ground, clearly the mental profile of the stranger. Only warriors would have their mental awareness crafted to reflect their way of life, an epic battle in constant activity, never ending feuds and trials. Ukime was a kami which trapped its victim within their own mind, or more accurately, a perversion of it within the spirit realm. This art wasn't unfamiliar to Kisame, whom had witnessed great jushis cast spells to a similar effect. Kisame believed it was called 'meishin', but that was another tale altogether.
Kimi was a learned apprentice of 'Tabi Reikai' or the arcane arts of breaching to the spirit world. Long thought impossible, selected individuals like Kimi and others tenacious in their kami worship were offered boons when the barrier separating the material and the spiritual started to unravel, weakening as the time proceeded in its irrepressible pace. Kimi obtained the natural affinity to manipulate this very barrier. As long as her spirit could be released, she could, undeterred, enter and leave the spiritual world at will. That was where Kisame came in, to lecture and guide her upon the meditative ways of leaving one's physical presence.
The plunge into the stranger's mind was a first for Kimi. Kisame had partake in several other such exorcisms before this. His lack of surprise apparently worn on his expression, bordering upon amusement, as he studied Kimi's facade.
Without warning, Kisame grabbed a sheathed katana from under the table and tossed it at the stranger in one flawless move. The protected blade flew like an arrow from a bow, fighting air resistance to cruise towards the top of the stranger's left shoulder. The same dazed expression observed the flying blade, and it remained without any change. A right hand shot out, catching the hilt before it shot out of reach, and halted the blade's movement. The sheath alone continued to glide, sliding off the katana with a whine. Slowly, the stranger stretched his arm forward, setting the naked blade upon the table, the forlorn visage a constant certainty.
While Kimi was in awe by the proceedings, Kisame managed only a wry grin. His chest swelled, and a long sigh ensued. "Another warrior lost in the woods." he chuckled, drinking from his refilled tea cup. Just then, a tinkle of small bells prompted Kimi to rise, drawing Kisame's attention to the door. In came Kimi's distraught family. Old Oru, whom looked to be no older than Kisame led the trio, his brow furrowed and his bald head sweaty. Makoto, Oru's wife followed closely like a docile lamb. Her face was etched with unknown worry, and she shared Oru's expression when her eyes strayed upon the stranger's presence. Last in line was Takeshi, Kimi's older brother. He was a strapping young man, a warrior's built wasted upon a farming life. Kisame's request to train Takeshi had been blatantly rejected, and Kisame's stubborn persistence had even earned the subject an oblivious status in discussions.
Oru was clearly not pleased. The stranger hadn't rose, instead choosing to return stares at the latest entrants. Kisame quickly stood to welcome the unwarranted guests, and gestured them to sit. Oru and Makoto hesitated, though Takeshi simply picked a spot and went down on his bum. When all was settled, which took an awfully long time, Kisame queried the purpose of the visit.
"Hail Old Oru! I have not heard from you in weeks. What brings you to..." Kisame formally approached their sudden arrival. His mutterings were abruptly cut, when Oru shot out his question. "Who's this?" he asked, a stern glare attempting to melt the stranger. Kisame opened to speak, before mimicking a guppy breathing underwater. All attention now turned to the stranger, whom seemed ignorant to the newfound popularity. While the impatient frowned, Kimi decided to nullify the tense atmosphere.
"Quell your anger father. He's but a stranger I stumbled upon at the shrine. He needed accommodation, so I brought him to Sensei Kisame." Kimi spoke in a cool tone. The stranger finally reacted, his neck turning slightly towards Kimi. A smile was born as 'dour face' left, and the first word was muttered.
"Kimi-san?" Taken aback, Kimi had to double-check her hearing. Upon confirmation, she replied with enthuse, having initiated conversation of sorts.
"You remember me?" she asked. It was a redundant question, but it received its due reply.
"Of course I do. You saved me. I'm in your debt." the stranger nodded slightly. Just as Kimi seemed to further their private conversation, Oru interjected with a furious tirade at Kisame.
"What is the meaning of this Kisame? News just came to my ears that there was fighting in MY village, in the shrine where MY daughter served. The only one in this village whom knows bushido is you! And I think I can safely assume that the other contributor to the ruckus is that man over there!" Oru pointed an accusing finger at the stranger.
Makoto also joined in, though she directed her gripes to her daughter. "Kimi-chan. I know we've been pressuring you about getting married and all, but I must stand firm on this. You shall not be wed to a hooligan with the potential for violence, however attractive he is."
While heated debates rung across the room, with Kisame struggling to contain Oru's accusations and Kimi fighting off Makoto's unnecessary parental advices, Takeshi and the stranger were engaged in a staring match.
"So...you like my sister?" Takeshi awkwardly begun. This time, the stranger flinched. Takeshi grinned.
"I really don't mind anyone marrying my sister, as long as he is capable enough to defend her." The stranger blinked wildly, confusion eating at his mind.
"Ah! But where are my manners. I'm Takeshi Kechihe. It is an honour to meet you." Takeshi bowed respectfully. His actions caused the other 4 pair of eyes to converge to the unlikely interaction. Finally, after all was said and done, the stranger introduced himself.
"I'm Eronu Wamuya." Eronu bowed first to Takeshi personally, and then turned to bow to the others in general. "I'm sorry to have caused much trouble. I truly apologize."
Stunned silence, which was punctuated by blinking and the smug look on Kimi's face, followed.
"I was possessed by Ukime, the Kami of Lost Memories. Kim...I meant your daughter and Kisame-sensei aided me in my recovery. The fighting was unavoidable as Ukime wielded my body to deter Kisame-sensei. Again I apologize for causing such distress. I owe this village much."
This time, Eronu doubled over with his head touching the floor. Even the seething Oru could say nothing more against such humility. Makoto put on her contemplative look, and throwing short glances between Eronu and Kimi, seemed to be judging their compatibility. Takeshi wouldn't be kept silent.
"I apologize as well at the outburst you unfortunately witnessed earlier." Takeshi included a simple glare to his father in intermission. "We are not used to guests around this region. Please, it would be an honour to have yourself and Kisame-sensei for dinner."
Eronu nodded in acceptance to the invitation, offering his gratitude in advance. Kimi was all smiles, having seen a potentially eruptive situation settled with such ease. Worry haunted Makoto once more, Kimi's smile interpreted as a sign of future headaches. Oru's face was a bright puce, this time out of embarrassment. When he meet Eronu's eyes, he apologetically nodded.
"I've dishonoured you Eronu-san. I apologize. It's just that our daughter sometimes forget that she is as important to us as Takeshi is. I, like all fathers, merely feared the worst." It was Kimi's turn to blush. She hung her head down in guilt, finally comprehending the arguments.
Kisame laughed heartily. "All this apologies. It must end somewhere. Let's all forget about this over dinner. Misunderstandings happen, lest we forget." Friendly gazes were shared once more. Oru patted Kisame on the back, and both enjoyed a laugh. "Yes indeed. What better way to seal our memory than by filling our stomachs!" Oru joined in the happy mood.
Makoto rounded up the fanfare. "Then I must make haste. Dinner is but hours away. Please excuse me. Kimi-chan! I shall need all the help I can get." Kimi bade her farewells, and joined her mother back to their adobe, leaving the men to continue their jokes.
Oru leaned towards Eronu. "So Eronu-san. Are you single?"
Kisame could only shake his head in disbelief.