Chapter 3: I Won't Accept It

Eyes opened to a slit, glaring at the ground. A threat was evident in the features of the woman leaning against an ancient tree, her red lined white robe flowing on the breeze that lifted her bangs. The woman dusted off her red under clothes before pulling her Tengu mask over her face. She reached up to pull the pretty gold ornaments out of the braid bun her hair was in, allowing the long white strands to fall free.

In the blink of an eye she was in the air, flying to a perch, and glaring at the person down below her. The kimono clad man wandered forward with confidence, heading for the rolling fog before him. With a hiss she jumped down behind him, drawing a hidden knife before she grabbed him. He wasn't surprised at all as he reached back to pull her mask from her face.

"You're back."

"I couldn't help it." He looked back at her. "I had to know."

"Know what-" she lurched back when he suddenly pressed something to the hand that held him The woman glared at his fingers, which he glanced at in mild curiosity.

"So that's why you won't go on the paths. Such a simple thing like salt can hurt even you?"

"Why would I answered that?!" she put her knife away to look at her hand. It was red, burnt, but healing. Kiku wiped his hand off, then stepped toward her.

"Because I can help you."

"No you can't."

"Hai, I can." he took another step. "Because I am someone with the power to."

"Oh really?"

"Hai."

"And just who would you be?"

"Nihon."

"No… you can't be." her disbelief was clear. Kiku shrugged, confusing her further. She inched closer to him, examining him closely. The man allowed her to look him over, returning the favor as she did.

"If you really are Japan, the you should know that I am a danger. Why return?"

"I refuse to accept never returning to the forest I once played in."

"Ah, I see…" she bowed deeply. "My apologies. Had I known who you were, I would not have acted so carelessly."

"It is alright." he returned her bow. "I should have told you when I realized what you were."

"Japan-sama, would you like to see why I tried to turn you and your friends away?"

"Only if it would be alright with you. If you were so desperate to protect it, it must be important."

"Follow me."