Chapter 8 On Target

Wei stood in front of the Higurashi shrine, trying to make sense of what he knew. Another ripple in time had occurred and radiated out from this location, but the entire area was heavily permeated with magic, distorting his senses.

So close and yet so far...

Pinpointing the rip in time would be nearly impossible without some sort of clue, which meant that Wei was going to have to deal with the shrine's keepers. Torturing the information out of them was not an option, he had no wish to needlessly complicate a situation whose exact nature was delicate and needed a subtle approach. Especially considering that he couldn't be sure what the full consequences of such an act would be. Turning his head from side to side to observe his full surroundings, he saw that no one was near. Concealing himself behind a wall, Wei cleared his mind and concentrated.

Around the Dockers on Wei's feet, blood began to seep out to form a small pond with him at its center. A sudden gust of wind washed over Wei, causing his black spiked hair to sway like a tide of darkness.

Out of the liquid gore a head emerged slowly followed by a set of broad shoulders. The blood made soft sucking sounds as a muscular chest flanked by strong arms rose out of its shallow depths. A few moments later, the legs and feet came into view.

Two Weis stared at each other for a moment. One naked and covered in blood, the other clothed and clean. The clothed Wei brought around his backpack and opened it to pull out another set of clothes as the pool of blood beneath his heels receded back into him. The naked Wei closed his eyes momentarily, willing the blood he was soaked in to be absorbed into his body. In the next moment of an eerie reality, his skin silently swallowed the blood.

No words were exchanged between the two Weis, as one handed the other a set of clothes. No words were needed between the two Weis, as both were the same entity and both knew how to proceed. After having clothed himself appropriately, the second Wei stepped out from behind the wall and started up the steps trying to act in the most non-threatening and respectful manner that he could. In his powered down version, he hoped that his true desires and intentions would be easier to conceal. The reactions of the café customers and employees were difficult not to notice.

I don't need the shrine keeper intimidated and reticent; that would be less than helpful.

Bypassing the house where the shrine caretakers undoubtedly lived, Wei headed straight for the adjacent and totally unimpressive gift shop. Stopping in front of the entrance, Wei examined the various protective scrolls placed on the door. They were obviously meant to ward off evil but they were pitifully inadequate to the task. The power they radiated was just barely noticeable. Repressing a smirk of contempt, Wei opened the door and stepped foot inside. The first thing he noticed was the smell. It was the musty smell of long dead animals and scrolls. Underneath and warring with that odor was the smell of cheap collectibles and other nicknacks. Do these people honestly turn a profit from this poor excuse for a tourist trap?

Wei had only a moment to ponder that before an old man appeared from a room behind the counter. "Good day and welcome to the Sunset shrine. Is there anything I can help you with?"

Wei miraculously maintained his composure and smiled in what he hoped was a friendly manner. "Ah yes, I would like to know as much as possible about this shrine and also perhaps get a tour of it."

The old man, Wei assumed he was the senior member of the Higurashi clan, smiled joyously as though such a thing were unprecedented and could deliver him into ecstasy. Reaching underneath the counter, the elder Higurashi pulled out a book and began a sales spiel. "This book, which is very reasonably priced, contains detailed information on all the legends associated with this shrine and comes with numerous illustrations..."

Wei listened for a few more moments before his impatience began to surface. Reaching into one of his pockets, he pulled out a wad of cash that had been meant for something worthwhile but right now Wei just wanted to end the damned sales pitch. "Yes, you make a compelling case. I'll take that book and the other one on legendary youkai. How soon could I expect to get a tour?"

The elderly man seemed somewhat annoyed that he hadn't gotten to finish his presentation but the purchase of the books more than compensated for it. As he rang it up on the cash register and completed the transaction, he answered. "I'm afraid my granddaughter, who usually helps run the shrine, is not here right now to take over the counter. Let me fetch my grandson to watch the shop and then I'll give you a tour."

Wei picked up the books and opened the first one to the table of contents, perusing it to see if anything immediately jumped out to him at his as being noteworthy while the old man sought his grandson.