A/N: Two chapter updates in two days! WOO. I'm actually going to try and post another update or two in the next few days! I know this chapter and the one before it are more exposition and if you're anything like me, that can get kind of boring pretty quick. SO HAVE NO FEAR, PLOT IS NEAR. :)
Like always, thanks for reading, I hope you enjoy getting to know my character and if you have any questions or comments don't hesitate to ask/review!
I blinked my eyes against the harsh light. I had the distinct feeling that I had been sleeping a long time, although I felt no more rested than I had before my episode.
"Ah, there she is," Obasan had a smile on her face as she breezed through the room. She threw open the curtains which garnered a shriek from me. "Oh come now Tsukiko-chan, you've been asleep all day. It's two o'clock, way past time to rise and shine. Please get ready quickly! Me and Ojiisan, are almost ready for lunch. He wants to speak with you about a few things, actually, we both would like a word with you."
Obasan left the room, closing the screen behind her. I glanced around the room. I was in my flannel pajamas on my futon. I sighed heavily and gazed out the window. I've been asleep for over fifteen hours? Where has the time gone? Throwing off my covers, I folded my futon up neatly, and changed into my robes. No point in showering when I was just going to spend my Saturday cleaning the temple.
"Ah, Tsukiko-chan!" Hachiko-dono smiled warmly as I walked into the kitchen. Obasan was busy placing out the remainder of our meal.
"Good morning, Hachiko-dono, I hope you are well," I said bowing politely to her.
"As well as ever," her smile grew wider.
"Forgive me, Hachiko-dono, but Setsuka and I would like a world alone with our young miko" Ojiisan said blowing on his tea. Hachiko-dono dipped her head in acknowledgement of my Grandpa's request and with a gentle sway of her kimono, she was gone. They made Hachi-dono leave, this must be more serious than I thought.
"How are you feeling Tsukiko?" Ojiisan's eyes appraised me slowly.
"Right as rain," I affirmed.
"Well, your Obasan and I would like to talk with you about what you saw last night," His gaze was intense.
"I don't," I wet my lips. My throat suddenly felt very, very dry. I could feel my breath catch. My Aunt flashed me her signature, "don't-talk-back-to-your-elders-we-raised-you-better-than-that" look. My hand instantly reached for my locket. I had developed a nasty habit of fiddling with it when I was uncomfortable, a habit my Ojiisan did not approve of in the slightest. He cleared his throat, bidding me to continue.
"Aijou, give her time," Obasan fixed him with a deadly glare, "Go ahead Miko-chan."
I ran my hand over the textured exterior of my locket, choosing my words carefully. "Well, I had just called upon the last word of power, when these images just started flashing over my eyes. I couldn't control them, they just kept coming. The same images over and over and over again," I kept my gaze on the floor. I licked my lips, "A bed, a person screaming, and a pair of eyes," I placed my hands on my head as the images threatened to once again overwhelm me. I did not tell them that the figure in the vision was me.
"Miko-chan," My Grandpa placed his hand on my shoulder, "It sounds as though you were either having a premonition or you were under attack from a spirit . Did you recognize any of the images?"
I shook my head, "No, I recognized no one Ojiisan." I was surprised at how quick the lie was to leave my lips. I had been having premonitions since I was ten years old, but never this violent. It was with great urgency that the images flashed in front of my eyes, not the usual lazy day pace with which I was accustomed. Usually my premonitions predicted things very near in the future. A pot of water about to be knocked off the stove, the occasional test question, that sort of thing. Ojiisan said my spiritual powers were not large enough for anything more advanced than that.
"Well," Ojiisan frowned into his mug of tea, "we can only assume based on your prior history that it wasn't a premonition. Especially considering the violent manner with which these images presented themselves. We must perform a cleansing soon." Ojiisan said staring into his mug. He seemed to become lost within its murky waters.
"Did you have your locket on yesterday Tsukiko?" Obasan placed the last bowl down on the table. The spread she had laid out before us was beautiful, and yet no one ate a bite.
"No Obasan, I forgot to put it back on after practice."
"Hmm," Ojiisan broke apart his chopsticks, helping himself to a bit of tamagoyaki.
"What did we tell you about that locket?" Obasan sighed. I stifled a groan, as I broke apart my own chopsticks. Mostly a lot of useless nonsense, I thought. That's what I wanted to say, but I was too tired to be beaten with Ojiisan's trademark fan again, so instead I tried to muster my most apologetic grin, "That I should never take it off?"
"Hai, and do you remember why?" My Grandpa stuffed another bite of egg into his mouth.
"Because it's a precious family heirloom?" I deadpanned.
My Grandpa's forest green eyes narrowed dangerously, while my Obasan just frowned. I tried to hide my shame behind a gulp of flaming lava hot tea; a bad move on my choice.
"Tsukiko-chan, this pendant has been passed down from generation to generation for over a century now. It's a powerful artifact that is sacred to our family," Obasan said setting down her bowl of rice. "This locket is just not some piece of jewelry and your mother did not just give it to you so you would have something to remember her by, she gave you this locket to protect you. If you take care of it, it will take care of you. Don't you remember those vengeful spirits that used to plague you?"
I shook my head yes, how could I forget something like that?
"That locket," Obasan jabbed a slender finger in my direction, "is the reason they've been unable to harm you. You must take it with you wherever you go!" Obasan sipped her tea slowly.
"Why do you think we've insisted you train so vigorously?" Ojiisan quipped. "It's to protect you. You must learn how to ward off these visions and spirits."
I sipped my miso slowly, considering this new information. I suppose that wasn't too far off from the mark. Spiritual awareness did run in the family. My mother had premonitions as well, although hers were much more accurate and intricate than mine were.
"Alright I hear you, I'll keep it with me." My relatives seemed to find my answer satisfactory enough as they carried on with their meal and never brought the incident up again.
"Tsukiko, I want you to take the day off. I know you must be returning to University early tomorrow so why don't you get some rest," Ojiisan ruffled my hair before leaving the table. I tried not to stare at him as though he had just sprouted a second head, but I think I might have failed. Obasan hid a laugh behind a mouthful of rice.
"Honestly, my father isn't a total workaholic Tsuki" Obasan said chuckling. Yeah, sure he isn't…
Obasan and I finished lunch up quickly. I hadn't had a free Saturday off in a very long while, and since I had missed most of it I was determined not to waste anymore. I dashed up to my room, grabbed my ballet gear and a book and was preparing to dash out the door when I ran (literally) head first into Grandpa.
"Ojiisan, forgive me," I bowed.
"Hmm, you have to pay more attention to where you're going child," His gruff tone had returned.
"You're right, I was just in a hurry, I have a lot of things I wanted to do today."
Ojiisan frowned, "Well, take it easy today, you do need some rest and here take this," he handed a small parcel to me. "Setsuka prepared it for you. If you must spend all day locked in that studio, then you have to stay nourished." I took the bento box from my Grandpa, kissing his cheek in thanks. He may not be entirely thrilled about my career in ballet, but he was still supportive of it. Or at least, he was trying to be.
I ran (this time with shoes on) through the city, not stopping until I reached the steps of my old studio. It may not be new and shiny like the studio at my university, but it was comfortable and familiar. Much like the shrine, it was a home for me.
"Tsukiko-chan! I didn't think you would be stopping in today. Are you going to help teach the lesson?"
"Midori-sensei! It's good to see you!" I bowed to my old teacher, "Yes, my Ojiisan actually gave me a saturday off! So if it's okay with you, I would love to help out at the studio!"
"Okay, just take it easy today!" Midori-sensei squeezed my shoulder encouragingly before breezing past me into the studio.
Besides reading and dancing, teaching dance was one of my favorite pastimes. It was not only a great way to reinforce my skills, but I took great pleasure in helping my sensei. After everything she had done for me growing up, this was the least I could do. Unfortunately, between my studies and my training at the temple, I didn't get to do it very often. Perhaps one or two times a month, but I try to visit my old sensei at least once a week. Since I practically grew up on the dance floor, she was as much a maternal figure to me as my Obasan or my actual mother.
"Good afternoon class!" Midori-sensei greeted the gaggle of young adolescents before her. I had come just in time to help with the intermediate dance class, a particular favorite of mine. "I have some great news! Tsukiko-chan is going to be helping us today, so please everyone pay attention and work hard!" Midori's closing announcement was met with much excitement and a parade of acknowledgements. They're sure as lively as ever, I thought flashing Midori-sensei a smile. Managing all of this energy was sure to be a challenge.
And it was. I ended up staying for several hours until the studio was closed. I bid my sensei goodnight, and told her I would most likely be seeing her next week. Unlike the last few times, I did not sprint the two miles back to the shrine. I walked (fully clothed) in a lazy pace, just taking in the crisp March air. It had rained while we were in the studio. The smell of wet pavement wafted around me. I looked at the small watch on my wrist. Seven thirty...Well, I've probably missed dinner by now. I looked down at the small bento box tucked in my bag. I had completely forgotten about food, something that was strange for me. I attributed it to last night's bad experience. I was still feeling slightly off, something that did not go unnoticed in my dancing.
Hearing my stomach gurgle, I decided to salvage the last vestiges of the dusk hour and eat my lunch-uhm, dinner. I plopped down on a small bench at the entrance of the park a few blocks from the shrine. I was two bites into my rice ball when a chill crept up my back. I glanced over my shoulder. A gust of wind tossed a strand of my red hair in front of my face. I could have sworn I saw a darkened figure ghosting across my periphery. I tugged on the pendant around my neck. I was becoming very nervous, very quickly. I tucked the stray strand behind my ear. I could feel my eyes straining as they tried to observe the darkened forest behind me. I saw nothing, but I could not shake the chill that was still taking root in my spine. Fear began to pool in the pit of my stomach as I remembered my vision from yesterday.
Yup, it's time to go! I tossed my rice ball on the ground, gathered my bento and bag and sprinted the rest of the way to the temple, never so much as glancing over my shoulder. I knew whatever was in the park, was still there. Watching me. Waiting.
The next morning, my Ojiisan roused me early. I may have escaped cleaning the temple yesterday, but not today. For the first four hours of my Sunday morning, I swept, scrubbed, and mopped the temple grounds. Our spring cleaning was interrupted by my Obasan who announced that lunch was nearing. After sitting down to a quiet lunch, I packed my bag, and set off for the train station.
Although it was only a short walk to the train station I kept a brisk pace. The same chill that spread through my body last night, was threatening to do the same now. It felt as though a ghostly finger was traveling down my spine. I quickened my pace as the station came into view from around the corner. I punched my ticket, boarded the train, and sat down. The first thing I did was check the view from my window for any dark figures. I'm losing it, I thought massaging my temples. I didn't see anything abnormal but I still felt eyes on me. I fingered the pendant around my neck. Interestingly enough it was hot to the touch. Usually the gold pendant was cool, but now it had a mysterious heat. I ran my fingers across the face of the locket remembering my Obasan's words.
She had said it was to protect me from vengeful spirits. Could it be possible that that was the reason I felt some uncomfortably last night and today? Was I encountering a troubled soul? I suppose it was possible. But how can I cleanse the spirit if I can't see it? I frowned down at the necklace. I suppose I could just take it off. Maybe that would restore my sight. I glanced down at the locket again.
By modern jewelry standards, it was gaudy, but still beautiful. The pendant was circular in shape and approximately two inches in diameter. The face of the pendant was slightly domed, instead of the usual flat of other lockets. Small clusters of diamonds were scattered throughout the front. I didn't need to open the pendant to see what was inside. There was a small hole in the domed lid of the pendant, that allowed a view into the inside inscription. A single kanji, the word for star, was inscribed on the inside of the pendant.
I often admired my mother as she wore this pendant. It was very beautiful, especially to a small child. I used to love the way the diamonds reflected in the light, just like the stars. When I was young, my mother would tuck me into bed and tell me the story. If I closed my eyes and focused hard I could hear her voice.
"Long ago," was always how her tale began, "A mortal princess fell in love, but the princess did not just love any mortal man. She had fallen in love with the God of Souls and even though he was very much in love with her as well, she was not allowed to be with him because she was human. Only deities could travel between the worlds. In order to fix this, he plucked a star down from the heavens and sent it to her. This star would take her anywhere her love was, no matter what realm, and return her safely whenever she wished to leave."
I opened my eyes, rubbing my fingers along the locket's face. I could almost smell the lotus flower lotion she wore on her hands. I gazed down at my pendant smiling fondly with the memories. The piece of "star" that the God plucked from the heavens was rumored to have been contained in the inside of the very locket around my neck. Mom must have told me that story at least a thousand times while I was growing up and I still never tired of it.
The first day after I heard the story, I remember waking up early and dressing in my finest kimono (well the finest kimono a four year old could have) and declaring that I was the new ruler of the lands! That's where the nickname "Hime-sama" began. Apparently, I could be quite the diva. I miss them, I thought thumping my hand against the train windowsill. Well at any rate, I'm far too old for stories such as those.
I closed my eyes, sighing against the pane of glass. In my head I recounted the vast amounts of homework assignments and rehearsal times I had to attend. It was shaping up to be a busy week indeed, but I had no doubt that I could handle it. I've had much worse weeks. The only portion which worried me was oddly enough my favorite portion: dance rehearsal. I still needed to choreograph most of my senior showcase. I sighed once more, my eyes searching out those of the people nearest me.
I was still struggling to make sense of my premonition. So far I had come up empty. Nobody I knew possessed a pair of slate gray eyes. I had also never seen a bed similar to the one in my premonition either. I suppressed the urge to shudder at the memory. It wasn't a very welcoming bed. I shut my eyes as I tried to conjure the image. It was a queen sized, wrought iron bed. No pillows, sheets, or blankets covered the dingy surface of the bed. The only adornments were the large patches of brown that tarnished the surface. Blood, the word came to my mind, they were patches of dried blood. I had definitely never seen a bed like that. I hope I never have to either...This time I was not able to suppress my shudder.
