Tengoku No Namida
~Chapter 1: Counting Stars~
Even though it was nightfall, the air was still warm as it wrapped itself around Alex. He stood against a stone wall, awaiting for his friend's return. Many past him, some even taking a second glance, but never spoke a word to him. That was, until an old hellhound decided to stop in front of him.
"Well, lookie here!" he chuckled, admiring the male in front of him, a smile on his old face. "You must be Cyanide's assistant! Am I right? Did that sweetheart take you under her wing? Hm... you don't look like a kitsune... you look like a-"
"Mr. Naoki!" Said hellhound spun around slowly, smiling at the approaching female. "How are you doing, sir?"
"Ah, I am fine, thank you, dear!" he replied, bowing at her. "Now, Cyanide, is this your assistant? He has your scent after all!"
"Uh..." She looked up at Alex, studying him for a second. Was that the lie she was going to use?"
"He also smells like a human!"
"He's going to be a new worker at the hot springs!" 'I have failed!' Jennifer looked directly into Mr. Naoki's glowing red eyes, holding her breath. "I'm taking him to get his papers filled out, then Shamrock is going to be showing him the ropes!"
"Oh! What a pleasant surprise!" Mr. Naoki turned towards Alex, his smile everlasting. "What's your name, son? Something deadly, like your eyes?"
"Deadly? What do you mean deadly?" Jennifer asked. The hellhound pointed his cane at Alex, who leaned back so he wasn't hit by said object.
"Look into his eyes! The look of death!" he replied.
"Mr. Naoki, he's harmless," she giggled, gently pushing the old beast back towards the path. "He wouldn't hurt a fly! And really, he has... amnesia, so we're gonna see if he can remember his name later on! How about you just continue to the hot springs, and I'll be there when I'm done to play?"
"Oh, you're playing tonight?! Oh, happy days, happy days!" he cheered, happily waving goodbye to the two and walking with the large line of spirits and animals. The two sighed in relief, before Alex looked at the girl.
"So... I have amnesia, and I'm working in the hot springs?" he asked, a slight smile on his face.
"I couldn't have him knowing you were a human!" she replied, shrugging her shoulders. "It was the best I had! If I use the same lie for Namida, she should give you a name."
"Why couldn't I use my real name?"
"Because Alex is a human name! No one here has a human name! That's why he called me 'Cyanide'!"
"Alright. Make sense, I guess."
"It better, 'cause that was the easiest way for me to explain it. Now, come on. Let's go meet Namida!"
"Who's that?"
"She's a really nice lady, who's going to give you a job."
Jennifer grabbed Alex's hand, dragging him throughout the village, making sure to stay clear of anyone. Along the way, she told him about Mr. Naoki, Shamrock, and Namida. Mr. Naoki was an old hellhound, who fought in many battles for Kamiki Village, where they currently were. He was about seventy-two, but he had a heart of gold. Apparently, while he was away for battle, his wife was killed while giving birth to his son, who also didn't make it. No one really saw his wife, but he always described her as the most beautiful thing in the world.
Shamrock was a clover cat, who seemed to enjoy gold and tricking people, though he was helpful and nice. He was what was at the end of the rainbow, sitting there a pot filled to the brim with golden coins. He made a promise, that whoever wasted their time going to the end of a rainbow, would be granted ten gold coins, and one wish. He was actually the first one Jennifer met when she first found out about Kamiki Village. He was the one who showed her around, and was her first friend.
Now, Namida was a nice old lady. Living at about ninety-three, this old lady was still going strong and looking very well for her age. She was the one who granted the jobs, ran the hot springs and the inn nearby, and provided for anyone who had nothing. She was the queen, to put it simply, but she was kindest queen one could meet. She had gifted Jennifer her flute, a home, and food when they first met. She also gave Shamrock a home of his own, and at least a million golden coins for his liking, as she also supplied food. For Mr. Naoki, she offered beautiful flowers and sweet sake, along with his favorite snacks and the comfiest bedding for his sleep, finding it would be nice to have after having lost his soon-to-be family. The bedding was supposed to be so nice, that all worries and thoughts would be drifted away.
"Aye! We're here!" Jennifer finally spoke, smiling brightly at the castle before them.
"Huh. That was pretty quick," Alex followed the girl inside, admiring the beautifully decorated halls. With a happy knock, large ruby doors slowly opened, revealing a room with gold and emerald walls, a lit fireplace, and beautiful jewelry hanging here and there.
"Come in, my children!" called a sweet voice. Jennifer happily pulled Alex inside, smiling at the elderly woman sitting behind a black and gold desk.
"Hello, Miss Namida! How are you?" Jennifer greeted, making said lady look up, a large smile appearing on her face.
"Ah, Cyanide! Hello, my dear!" she giggled, her beautiful blue eyes looking at the two. She was a beautiful white feline with a design on her, red hair so long and lovely, glowing brightly as little stars fell from it. Her eyes sparkled, just like Jennifer's. Her tail was unnaturally long and fluffy, followed by the same stars falling freely. There was no way she was ninety-three! "And who is this? A new friend?"
"Yes, ma'am," Jennifer glanced at Alex, twiddling her thumbs. "He has amnesia, and doesn't remember much. Not even his own name. Would it be okay if he works at the hot springs? He has no where else to go."
"Of course!" Namida stood up, standing at only four feet tall. She walks over to Alex, gently poking him and tugging at his clothes. "He... seems to be a human... smells like one, too. Cyanide. Don't lie to me. Is he human?"
"...Yes, ma'am," she sighed, putting her head down. "I found him at the steps by the Sea of Light. He didn't know where he was, so I told him I would bring him here to get a job."
"A friend from the past?"
"I'm not sure. He doesn't seem familiar to me, ma'am. But, he has a good vibe radiating from him!"
"Hm... how about it, sweetheart? Do you know this kitsune?"
"No, ma'am," Namida smiled, reaching up to pat his chest. She nodded her head, before patting Jennifer's head.
"Very well, then! Since you lack a name, I shall gift you one!" She stared into Alex's eyes, her fur puffing out slightly. "Hm... Akuma! Akuma shall be your new name!"
"Akuma?" Alex looked down at Jennifer, who shrugged. Namida nodded, skipping back over to her desk, her fur flat once more. She happily sat back down, the smile returning.
"Welcome to Kamiki Village, Akuma! I hope you enjoy it here!" she spoke, and with a flick of her paw, a star slammed into the male, knocking him back. "To stay in Kamiki Village, you must be one of us! If not, you'll slowly grow insane and soon die! So, hear my advice! To keep your new form you must: work hard, be loyal to both Cyanide and myself, never steal, never harm a customer, and to, of course, have fun!"
Alex slowly sat up, groaning in pain. Jennifer helped him up, thanking Namida and leaving. On their way out, Alex took a look in the mirror hanging happily in the hall. Black and red fox ears were now atop his head, as his new eye color was light blue, glowing brightly. He looked back at Jennifer, who was pawing at his newfound tail. It was fluffy and black, tipped a beautiful shade of red.
"Nice!" she giggled, still playing with his tail. "You're a wolf, dude!"
"Why?" he asked, both finally used to his new looks and continuing their way out.
"Well, you're not fully human anymore," she started, a smile growing on her face. "So, you won't go insane! Namida does that. She did it to me when I got here. Said it was for the best. You heard her!"
He sighed, nodding his head. The girl continued to smile, once more grabbing his hand and dragging him on their journey. They walked for about ten minutes, before finally arriving at the hot springs, a light mint green cat standing outside, a red bow-tie attached to his fur. He noticed the two approaching beings, and waved them over.
"Hey, Cyanide! This the guy you found?" he asked, looking over at Alex. Said female nodded.
"Yep! This is Akuma! You're gonna show him around, right?" she asked. Shamrock gave her a thumbs up.
"Of course! I said I would! By the way, my name's Shamrock, friend! Nice to meet you!"
"Nice to meet you, too," The two shook hands, both smiling. Jennifer clapped her hands together, nodding her head.
"Awesome! Now, I gotta go play for Mr. Naoki," she spoke, bringing one of her tails forward and digging her flute out. "I promised him music, and I'm gonna give it to him!"
"Woo! It won't be silent tonight!" cheered Shamrock. The girl nodded, said her goodbyes to her friends, and vanished into the hot springs. Shamrock just smiled at Alex, his green eyes glowing with happiness. "Alrighty then! Let's show you around, then get you a bed! C'mon!"
Shamrock happily bounded away, Alex close behind. He smiled as they ran through the night, making their way around the whole perimeter. Really, despite his parents being missing, Alex was completely fine here. Everyone was nice, and he found out his old friend wasn't dead! But would he ever see his parents and home again?