The Kurama mountain
What is it? Soumei turned northeast, staring at the horizon. Something was there. Something appeared. He could sense it, but he didn't understand the feeling. For a few days now, it was pulling him towards it and warning him to stay away at the same time. The signals he was picking up were contradictory and he had no clue what it could be. He'd never felt anything like that in his almost millenia long life. And apparently, no one else from his clan had noticed.
He spread his wings and caressed his beautiful black feathers; he knew and felt every single one of them. It soothed him, allowed him to think more clearly. A part of him itched to go and chase whatever it was right away, but he couldn't possibly leave the mountain before the monthly tournament and if it was a trick, he didn't want to fall for it.
He was walking back and forth on a narrow mountain ledge, playing with his feathers. Think. You must have read about it already… What could make my feathers so uneasy? An ancient enemy? Or was someone of importance born?
With a huff he turned right and walked into the tunnels holed in the mountain he called his home.
"Where are you going?" A presence behind his back stopped him midstep. "You shouldn't leave your guard post."
"Come on, Zenki, I volunteered your guards to avoid my brother." He grinned. "As if anyone would attack us. Many don't believe we even exist."
"You never know, Soumei-sama. You never know."
He narrowed his eyes. "Do you sense it too?"
"Sense what?" He tilted his head in wonder.
"The tingling in your feathers."
"Tingling?"
"Never mind. Take my post. I need to go to the hidden library."
Zenki frowned in thought. Soumei was his closest friend on this mountain, but if he didn't want to tell him, he must've had a reason. "Sojobo-sama and Ichijou-sama are there. I saw the door on my way here."
He nodded. "Even better. I should speak with them."
Zenki sighed and shooed him away, taking his post.
Soumei chuckled: "I will tell you later, my friend." Saying that, he dived into the mountain maze of chambers, caves and passages. He hid his youki and let his feet silently lead him through the dark tunnels towards the hidden library brimming with scrolls and old, long forgotten texts, chants and spells, some of which even they could not understand.
He heard voices, but he couldn't make out the words, the room was protected by a special seal preventing eavesdroppers and any unwanted intruders.
"...the curse that plagues-" he heard his father say as he pushed the creaking door open.
The huge, bearded daitengu raised his head from the scroll. "Soumei. An unusual sight in these parts of the mountain." He smiled. "What is it?"
"Please, finish what you were discussing. I can wait."
"It's nothing important, little brother. I was just asking father about Zenki's curse. And if it could be broken." Ichijou was fast to explain.
His eyes narrowed suspiciously. "We already know it can't."
"There are numerous old scrolls in here we," he motioned his hand, embracing them two, "cannot read, but our father can. Spells and knowledge written in tongues we do not understand. Maybe there is a way. After all, everything is possible, if you know what you are doing and are strong enough."
"I think you are getting ahead of yourself, brother. Maybe you could put all this energy into your swordsmanship. Or are you going to kiss the ground again tomorrow?"
Ichijou snorted. "We all excel in different things."
"Mhm." He smirked.
Their father took a deep breath. "You can feel it too, can you not?" He turned to Soumei.
"What exactly are we talking about?" He refocused on the old daitengu.
"You seeked us out, because your feathers as well have gotten uneasy. The time has come." He inhaled deeply. "Things are changing, our future and our past are unravelling."
"What are you talking about?"
Ichijou snorted. "If we knew, we wouldn't be studying the ancient scrolls in this stuffy ancient library, would we?"
The daitengu cleared his throat. "You are the one who wanted to read those ancient scrolls, Ichijou."
"So it is not about Zenki's curse." He was lying to me… again. Soumei stepped closer to the table, but the scrolls were written in symbols, he couldn't read and he believed Ichijou couldn't either. "What curse were you debating then?"
"Everything has its time, my sons." The daitengu clasped his hands behind his back. With a swift movement of his chin, all the scrolls flew back to ist place and Soumei could not remember the location of any. "Let us unveil what is awaiting us all. One step at a time."
"What do you mean by that? We need to take action!" Ichijou protested.
"And what action would that be?" He raised an eyebrow. "We do not yet know what is causing our feathers to tremble with this strange mixture of fear and relief."
"I believe you do have an idea what is causing this unease!"
"An idea. Perhaps. But everything has its time, my impatient son. We cannot act blindfolded with stuffed ears and noses." He patted Ichijou's shoulder and firmly led him out of the room. "And right now, it is time for your sword training."
'If you want, I will leave this library open to you.' Soumei heard his father's voice echo in his mind. He blinked in surprise. Was his guard down? Or did he wish to let his father in?
'I am not sure I will come here.' He replied truthfully, following after them. 'As you already noticed, I am not exactly a scholar type.'
'Precisely. You see things differently than your brother. Sometimes, what is invisible to the eyes of one can be comprehended by the heart of another.' The door behind them slammed shut and disappeared from sight. 'Many spells, and curses especially, work based on emotion, not rationale.'
'What curse were you debating?'
'Return to the roots, return to the source… When the time is right, you will know. Little feathers need time to grow.'
Soumei frowned and rubbed the back of his neck. That rhymed… It sounded almost like a spell. Hmmm… The old crow loved those riddles and would tell him no more.
Demon slayers' village, few days later
The demon slayers' village stood in a meadow surrounded by high stockade and six watchtowers. Three watchtowers were facing dense forest rising into a rocky cliff in the southwest. The other three were facing remaining directions made up of fields and a steep hill they had to climb to get there.
A wooden bell above the main gate rang, announcing their arrival.
They walked past four guards, who greeted them with relieved smiles, curiously watching the unknown young woman.
Kirara in her horse-size state happily hopped towards a young woman dressed in red hakama with white kimono, who came to greet them upon their return.
"Welcome back." She patted the cat as they touched foreheads. They remained like that for a moment, then Miko stepped back, turning to Hotaru. "Welcome to our village." She smiled at her, eyeing her up and down. "What is your name, fellow priestess?"
"Hotaru. But I wouldn't claim to be a priestess." She tilted her head in wonder, something about the woman was off. Her calmness was too stiff, while her fingers were playing with hems of her sleeves.
"Oh." Her eyebrow went up. "Kirara told me about your memories. I'm sorry. Let me see what we can do about it." She approached her and bowed. "I'm Saki, the village's Miko and a healer."
"Okay, I see you two can get along." The chief took a step back, followed by his men. "I leave her in your care, Saki-san. Show her around, explain everything. Sango, join them." He was leaning the other way and Hotaru would swear he wanted to run.
Sango's eyes filled with dread, but before she could open her mouth, Saki's eyes shone with excitement and a wild grin broke on her face. "Of course! Yes! Thank you! She can stay in my hut too! You too, Sango dear! I've been planning to pass on my healing knowledge to you for a while." She clapped her hands happily. "You have to see Midoriko-sama's cave first! Let's go!" She grabbed Hotaru's and Sango's hands and dragged them through the entire village to the southernmost gate.
"Ah, she can't keep her composure for more than two minutes." One of the men behind them commented and they all laughed.
"Huh?" Hotaru looked over her shoulder, but Saki yanked her forward, rolling her eyes. "Don't be bothered by my brother, Kou; in case he didn't tell you his name!" She said loudly, ensuring he heard her.
When they were passing the biggest house in the village, Saki stopped and Hotaru barely avoided colliding with Saki's back. She pointed to the big house to their right. "This is the chief's and his family's house. It also serves as a war room and it accepts guests."
"Yes." Sango nodded. "And I have to go greet mom." She weaselled out of Saki's grip and ran towards the house. "I will meet you in Midoriko's cave?" She flashed Hotaru a pitiful smile and disappeared into the house.
"You'd better." Saki grinned and continued dragging Hotaru all over the village, which held around 40 huts, the chief's house was in the middle, a forge and swordsmith's hut was on the northwestern side. And Saki's hut was on the southwest, next to the training grounds and gate. The young woman rambled about everything, introducing everyone they met. She allowed Hotaru to place her coffin-shaped case into their hut and by the time they reached the gate, Hotaru was introduced to everybody and her head was spinning with all the information she was trying to hold in.
Saki dragged her through the meadow, onto a thin forest trail that led them towards the rocky cliff.
"Here! Midoriko's shrine." She pointed at the deep dark hole that formed an entrance to the cave with a proud smile.
"This is the shrine?" Hotaru was eyeing the cave in the rock sceptically. There were no signs of worshipping or care.
"Well, it is more of a cave, but I like to call it a shrine. It was hollowed out over three hundred years ago. It was where the sacred Shikon jewel came into existence and where we dispose of demon bodies. Come on in!"
"Wait!" Hotaru raised her hands up.
"Oh, I'm doing it again, aren't I? You've had enough of me!" She rubbed the back of her head sheepishly. "Sorry, as the priestess, I'm the only unmarried virgin with no kids in the village. It's boring to always talk about baby stuff, demons and such. And I don't even have a sister!"
"No... Uhm… I didn't mean that. A virgin?" She shook her head. "Whatever, but… Shikon jewel of the four souls?"
Her head snapped up, her curiosity piqued. "No memories, but you know about the jewel?"
"Uhm… Sort of…"
"Hmmm… Okay, you definitely have to come in. And tell me what you know." She grabbed Hotaru's hand and pulled her through the barrier and into the cave.
"Sango-chan, Kohaku-kun, Kou-san! Hi!" She waved them when she found them sparring on the training grounds. The huge, scarred and slightly grizzled man was obviously teaching the two. "Sango-chan, I haven't seen you since I arrived. I thought you'd join us at some point."
Kou laughed, partly shielding Sango. "Well, you can't blame her. Saki can be unbearably annoying as you should know by now. Did she finally set you free?"
"For a few hours. She was called to the neighbouring village, and I am not good enough to join her yet." Hotaru shrugged, she didn't mind all the attention, training and information Saki was dumping on her. It kept her far from self-pity and despair. She was grateful for it, but she also wanted to know the rest of the villagers better. Especially Sango, who had a stronger bond with Kirara than Saki despite not being a priestess. "I know I am a stranger, but… can I watch you for a bit?"
He shrugged, he didn't mind. If it was up to him, she could join them, but he would wait until she asked that herself. "Hm… What's up kid?" He bumped into Sango, who was sheepishly looking at her feet.
"Uhm… I think I should go make some tea for Hotaru-san. I'll watch too." She mumbled.
"Aaah, guilty conscience for letting her to my sister's whims?" He chuckled. "Sure, become the friend who saves her sanity. She will need that." He rubbed his chin in thought and stared at the young woman for a moment.
It took three weeks of getting used to the village's regimen until Saki asked Hotaru to accompany her to a neighbouring village. Kirara and Sango joined them as a fighting force. As the winter was fast approaching, hibernating demons were hoarding food, attacking and abducting travellers more often. Because of the demon slayer's village, there weren't many demons in the area, but Sango didn't want to take chances; Saki could take care of herself, but Hotaru was not a fighter and no one knew how she would react in a case of battle. And she came to like the strange young woman.
"Do I really look that weird?" Hotaru kicked off her shoes as they walked into Saki's modest little hut. "Everyone in that village was staring at me. I get that I'm an outsider, so I expected scrutiny, but it's getting on my nerves."
Sango rested her weapons in a corner and chuckled. "I wondered how long until you lost your temper."
"Was I that obvious?"
"Nah, you controlled your temper well, but you were suspiciously quiet." Saki patted her shoulder. "You have to give them more time. Your eyes are very rare around these lands. And they even change colour depending on the light. But once they get to know you, they will absolutely love you!"
"If they don't build her a funeral pyre first." Sango teased and started a fire.
"Thanks for the support." She mumbled. "But how much more time? How can I ever leave, if everyone I meet is going to be scared of me because of my eyes?!"
Sango blinked in surprise. "Leave?"
"Why leave? You are one of us now!" Saki threw her hands up, then followed by a sigh, she passed a jar with tea leaves to Sango. "There is so much we have to try and so much I and Kirara want to teach you. I heard you also asked Kou to join his sparring lessons."
"Yes. I'm grateful for that, but…" Hotaru frowned. "I want to remember. I have to. What if there is a family waiting for me? Looking for me? And it's been three weeks now!"
"What if there isn't?" She countered. "What if your memory loss is not a curse, but just a coping mechanism?"
"Like with a tragedy for example?" Sango asked thoughtfully.
"Exactly. We live in warring, demon filled times." Saki shrugged. "You can't remember, but you have knowledge and powers I feel, but haven't seen you use. Yet."
"Because I can't." She sat behind a small table, looking at the mortar and herbs, her shoulders slumped. She felt those powers too, she also feared them for no rational reason.
Kirara curled behind her back, supporting her. She smiled, scratching the cat behind her ears. "I wonder what she sees in me."
"A strong young priestess to be." Saki sat opposite her with an encouraging smile. "I will teach you all I know. You can't leave during the winter anyway."
"And we will teach you to fight." Sango placed three tea cups on the table as she joined them. "Kou is a really good teacher."
She frowned at the liquid, squeezing the cup. "Will it really help?"
"Of course! You will know how to take care of yourself, fight and heal others. People don't care about eye colour, if you save their lives."
She sighed. "I doubt that."
"Hmph. No need to be negative." Saki's nose wrinkled. "There is also a spell to make others perceive you in a certain way you want them to. I can teach you, once you figure out how to draw your power. They will see you as 'normal', dark eyes, dark hair…"
"Isn't it manipulation?"
Saki shrugged. "If it saves your life and makes you forgettable, why not use it?"
######
BANG! BANG! BANG!
"DEMONS ARE ATTACKING!"
Hotaru jerked up on the bed, fully awake, completely aware of her surroundings. The guard on the tower closest to their hut was waking up the whole village with their alarm bell. Armours and weapons were rattling. Men were shouting orders.
"CRASH!"
"They broke the gate! Hotaru, you need to get out!" Saki was hastily putting on her armour. Like everyone else, she was a fighter. She needed to protect her guest, her house.
"..." Listening to the sounds of the battle outside, snapped something inside of her.
Hotaru got up from her bed in trance. Dressed in her sleeping yukata, barefoot, she grabbed Saki's katana from the holder and without saying a word, she went outside into the chilly moonless night.
"Hey! What are you doing?!" Saki ran after her, half-dressed.
Sword drawn, posture firm, confidence radiating from her, Hotaru plunged into the midst of the battle with her mind blank. She was swirling, cutting and smashing the demons in a deadly dance. Her movements were efficient, precise, and fast. No energy was wasted.
Please, don't let this be my last battle, Midoriko-sama. Please protect us. Saki prayed and with naginata in hand, she followed after her friend.
Hotaru fought side by side with the demon slayers. No one had time to question it. As the last demon fell dead, she switched from fighting demons to saving their injured comrades. There was no time to stop and think. She couldn't afford that. Not now. Hotaru was moving on autopilot, barking orders, mending wounds.
With the rising sun, they could see the full extent of damage. Quarter of the stockade was destroyed, half of Saki's house was missing. Ground was soaked with the blood of demons, as well as demon slayers. And yet, only one man died that night.
With the morning sun warming up her body, Hotaru sat on her heels and stared at her bloodied hands. She was trembling...
"Hotaru!" Saki grabbed her shoulder and forced her to look up from her bloodied hands.
"What-" She blinked and looked around her. Saki, chief and his best fighters were standing around her. It took her a few minutes to process the scene of the battlefield. "What happened? Tell me I didn't do this." She mumbled.
"What? No! You fought the demons, saved those men." She pointed at six men neatly put in rows on what was left of her porch, bandaged and sleeping.
"You did order us around harshly." The chief rubbed his chin. "But I must admit, two men would die without it. You saved them. Strange as your methods were, you saved my men. For that, I am grateful."
Saki nodded and crouched down to Hotaru's kneeling form. "You were amazing! But… you don't remember?" Her voice softened.
Hotaru squeezed her temples as the dull pain settled in. A few images flashed in her mind. "Vaguely. I don't think I could recall it all."
"Then it is good you asked to practise with us." Kou proposed, resting his double edged axe on his shoulder. "Your mind might not remember you fighting, but your body certainly does." His eyes were fixed on her heavily scarred left thigh, shown by her dishevelled, blood-covered thin yukata. "And a great fighter you must be."
She covered up the horrific scars and frowned at him.
Saki smacked his back. "Stop staring." She murmured.
He blushed and averted his gaze. "Sorry. I didn't mean to be rude."
Hotaru sighed and forced a smile. "Maybe you are right, Kou-san. I will join you tomorrow."