Four Hundred And Twenty

Four Hundred And Twenty

“Where... am I?” she said slowly. As she shifted her hair parted, revealing she was wearing simple, plain and unadorned shrine maiden hakama, the red and white contrasting with the black of her hair, and matching her red eyes and pale white skin. That’s lucky. It wasn’t just our Neko who was going to get blinded if she was naked too... “I remember... dying. My duty done, and... sleeping, dreamlessly in a dark, warm place. No, not dreamlessly...”

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It seemed that being reborn was a shocking process, as both Kinneka and Tsukiko-san seemed stunned and lethargic, but as her eyes regained their focus and her voice its strength, she continued. “...I do remember some dreams. Seeing what I think you saw. And a Yōkai, a cat...” she glanced at the still frozen Kinneka, his tail lashing instinctively, his eyes still spinning. “She spoke to me, I think. It is all so hard to remember, fragments that fade as the dawn sun breaks. But...” her pale skin reddened. “...I do remember enough.”

The downside of Kin Restoration in full force. I’m sorry Tsukiko-san, I didn’t know! Apologising in my mind, I glossed over that. “That doesn’t matter. What does is, welcome back Tsukiko-san.” I said warmly, and for a moment she again looked puzzled, before she smiled, like a flower in bloom, an expression that looked at odds with her usually serious, taciturn face.

“So, the Definite can be halted. I see I was right to hope, but wrong to accept it. But...” her eyes narrowed. “Where are we? I see Tengu. This must be the spiritual realm of the kami.”

The Tengu were equally as stunned, seeing two beings effectively being born from me in a surge of aether and the Sacred Flame, and as they flapped their wings, expressing shock, I spoke gently and calmly, not wanting to unduly stress Tsukiko-san after her rebirth.

“You’re actually not far from home. This is mount Atago.”

“Atago? I see, the sacred mountain on the borders of Kyoto. Then I wonder...” her words were cut off by Kinneka finally regaining his senses, and he surged into a combat stance, claws out, tail waving rapidly, hissing, his golden mane bristling.

“You bastards, I’ll never forgive you for killing my sister, and... me?” His thoughts and memories started to catch up with his current situation. Even so, he moved on instinct, leaping to attack the closest person to him, which happened to be Natsumi. She tensed, grabbing for her sword, but before there was any trouble, I was there, seizing him by the scruff of the neck and slamming him down into the shattered ground. He yelped, shifting his form to try and escape my grasp, shrinking in an instant, but my arm shot out, grabbing his head in a vice-like grip, fingers squirming into his skull, applying pressure, and he yowled in pain.

“I know your tricks, you can’t shrink your head away, or change it too much. So calm down, I’d hate you to die again so soon after your practically miraculous rebirth.” I said, a touch maliciously. I don’t have any good feelings towards these two cats at all. But Ginneka has a vital use, so if we can leash her, I’ll let her make it up to us through service... “I’m not the man I was when we fought before. You’re not my match. Even Nurarihyon acknowledges me. I remember you were going to throw my skull at his feet.”

“I... remember?” he shuddered, looking rather small and helpless, being the size of a young boy as he tried to escape my painful control. “Then that bitch... no, that hurts, stop squeezing...” he cried, and Kana laughed meanly at the comical sight.

“Then don’t call Shaeula a bitch. I won’t stand for it.” I warned. “Besides...” My grin was triumphant, as I explained his current situation. “... since she’s a Number of the Hyakki Yagyō, you should show her more respect.”

That surprised him. For a moment he froze, before realising he could tell he was no longer Ninetieth. “So, her Kamaitachi blood tells. Ninetieth. Her mother must be so proud... ouch, stop it!” the cat cried, as I shook him savagely.

“I warned you. Be nice. And not Ninetieth. Seventy-First.”

At that the Bakeneko gaped, stunned. On seeing that, I did feel a slight tinge of sympathy for him, but it was quickly swallowed by memories of him tearing apart the weaselkin maid for sport. She was a traitor and an enemy, but that didn’t make their cruelty and attempts to hurt Shaeula any more acceptable.

“Things have changed. So I’m going to let you down now, but if you make any suspicious moves...” I raised my hand, a last flicker of Foehn, my stock nearly exhausted, glimmering above my palm. “...it could be the shortest-lived resurrection ever.”

I released the cat, and he resumed his full size. It was then his green eyes opened wide. “My sister, Ginneka... you killed her. But... I’m here. Is she...”

At least he does worry for his sister. I suppose he’s not irredeemable, or the Sacred Flame would have left nothing after burning away the bad, just ashes of the spirit. “She’s back too. And we’ve come to an arrangement. As compensation for her crimes, she’ll be serving us for a while.”

“I see.” His tail drooped, ears flat against his skull. “I... this is very strange. A fierce battle, my sister dying, then I was slain, by the weaklings it should have been easy to deal with. Then I knew nothing, until I burned with agony, my mind feeling as if it would explode. And then... here I am.”

“Yes, here you are.” I agreed. “Now I promised your sister I would bring you back as part of the deal, but I never said I wouldn’t kill you again afterwards if you cause trouble. So sit down, be quiet, and you’ll naturally learn something.” I flared my League and Majesty, and he leapt down, tail erect, feeling the distance between our powers now. “And will you please put on some clothes? There are ladies present.”

As the Bakeneko was suddenly wrapped in an ordinary robe, I turned back to Tsukiko-san. “Sorry about the interruption. Shall we continue?”RêAd lateSt chapters at novelhall.com Only

She still seemed a little overwhelmed by her sudden revival, but managed a polite nod. “Yes. I think I have grasped the main point. I remember when you asked me to marry you...” At that Kana rolled her eyes. “...it was so that your ability could save me in the worst scenario. Instead I...” she flushed, perhaps remembering, touching her lips with her graceful fingers.

“Yes, receiving your Divine Favour, and understanding your intentions, they were enough for me to see you as Kin in my heart.” I said calmly. “So I was able to protect your spirit. In the end, even as you were dying, you came back to reassure me, to give me a hint on how to defeat the vile toad. Do you remember?”

Her flush deepened, fingers on her lips. “Yes, it is coming back to me. I was so... flippant. Quite unlike me. Perhaps laying down the burden I had carried all those years, being untethered to a body of flesh, affected me, made me giddy. And I...” She was now scarlet, and she looked down, a little ashamed.

“So, setting that aside, what do you think of the one with light and dark in his hands, twilight on his back? Still looking for him?” I asked, and she shook her head.

“No, because you are what we have, and that will have to do.” Her words came from the heart, and she gave me a slight, shy smile. “Even if he exists, he was not there to save the Hungry Ghost, nor the Princess of Humans. You were. And... my life as well.”

We were all silent at that, her words impactful, and it was Haru who broke the silence, giving me a sly wink. “Not exactly, you’re still dead, Matsumuro-san... that’s a mouthful, we’re both ghosts, can I call you Tsukiko?”

“I suppose it does not matter anymore who calls me by my name. The prophecy regarding my name and face is fulfilled, the Diviner is dead and I am Tsukiko now.” she agreed, and I had to correct her.

“No, you’re still the Diviner, as well as Tsukiko-san. You don’t have to throw everything away. You still have a great love for your role, for Tsukuyomi, I can tell. If you want to continue, by all means do so. But you can’t just throw yourself away for it, surpass your wants and desires. That sacrifice isn’t worth it.”

“Is he always so terribly pushy?” she asked, and Natsumi giggled softly.

“He is, he really is! He hates sacrifices, he thinks everyone should be able to do what makes them happy, especially sad, lonely girls. And you were very lonely, weren’t you?”

“There were some joys. My friendship with Yasuhide, for one. And Yukiko... is she well?” she asked, hesitantly.

“Yes, and she’ll be eager to see you again.” I promised. “So, there’s no rush, but if you decide to take up a Throne, there’s a need to worry about your future. The role at the Ministry is still open, and...” as I talked earnestly, trying to give her hope for a brighter future, I found myself looking at her carefully. There was a lot that reminded me of Shiro, and not just her similarly beautiful appearance. No, it was the fragility. While Shiro’s was more helplessness at her weak body and lost family, Tsukiko-san’s was loneliness, yearning. But both came from the same place. And can be cured the same way, if she’s willing. With good times and happiness. The world may be heading towards disaster, but while on the way, we have to have hope...

“I don’t understand why there are so many powerful warriors here...” Kinneka was saying, keeping a low profile. His green eyes surveyed everyone, wary. “And my head hurts. I feel... strange. Not like me at all.”

“The flames take away, and also give.” Haru explained. The Tengu were listening closely, trying to glean as much information as they could from our casual conversations, perhaps to present to Tarōbō. “You had many dark deeds staining your spirit. You are cruel, wanton and spiteful, yet that is your nature. It is a part of who you are, not a conscious choice. If you had been a truly evil being, the flames would have purified you to nothing.” She raised one eyebrow. “As it is, you have been left rather empty. But your nature is your nature. If you do not take another path, your instincts will take over and you will perpetrate the same deeds anew. Just like a cat, you enjoy the hunt and tormenting prey.”

“I don’t recommend it.” I said coldly. “I’ve paid my debt to your sister, so if you go down the wrong path again... I’ll have to put you down, and don’t expect another miracle with Kin Bonding.”

As my League and Majesty oppressed him, Kinneka resisted the urge to prostrate himself on the floor, sweating. “I get it, I do! I’ll... I want to see Ginneka. And... her, the Princess. Seventy-First. It doesn’t seem possible.”

“It would have been higher, but they didn’t count it when I killed the Kijo Matriarch, they said it wasn’t Shaeula’s deeds and... what?” The cat had frozen, green eyes staring at me unblinkingly.

“You killed... the Matriarch? That hoary old bitch?” he stammered, stunned. “Impossible!”

“No, not impossible, you’re just behind the times.” I laughed. “We met Urakaze, Shaeula’s mother, and she was accepted by the Parade, and as I said, I met Nurarihyon and his wife, Bintara, the fortune-telling Kudan and more, and we came to an alliance. We’re even trading booze with the Oni, Red and Blue are insatiable.”

With every word, Kinneka was visibly distressed, before he managed to let out a growl and complain that the giant should have paid him more. Smiling, I continued to overawe him. It might help keep his sister in line if he’s docile. “Funny you should say that, but Duke Formor is now firmly behind Shaeula’s quest to defeat the Unseelie. So I doubt you’d have much joy asking for a pay rise...”

“It seems they live an interesting life, Haanōbō.” Arangbō declared, watching his trapped brother like a raptor watching prey. “Perhaps we have been isolated on our mountain for too long, and the world has begun to pass us by. Though that may change...”

“Surely you do not believe he can defeat our father?” Haanōbō said, surprised, and he shrugged, wings lifting.

“Whether he can or not, I feel it matters little. Our father is pragmatic. We care naught for outsiders, but the world is changing. And I believe they are good allies to have. Alone... the times will pass us by, and we may eventually find ourselves alone and surrounded by enemies.”

“Yes, it is a situation we of the Seelie are all too familiar with. We lost and lost and lost some more, but finally we have had a reversal, brought about by princess Shaeula and this man here.” Bell agreed, as we finally reached the exit to the warped space. “It is not the time to stand on foolish pride.”

“It seems not.” Arangbō agreed, with one last look at his brother, who started pleading earnestly.

“Please, Arangbō! I was wrong, I know it! Let me out, I shall go far away, never bother anyone again! Just... I do not wish to face father, to disappoint him...”

“You should have thought of that before killing your brother and plotting to kill your other siblings.” I said coldly. “Actions have consequences. Now... it’s time.” Eyeing the exit back to mount Atago, I shared a glance with everyone, including Tsukiko-san, who smiled back at me warmly, the expression suiting her beauty well. Deliver back the traitor, conclude my business with Tarōbō, and hopefully find out about the true nature of the Sacred Flame. It’s been a long day, but... it's almost over.