After Eri, Kana and my sis left, heading for a tourist area of Kyoto so they could find a café or somewhere simir to eat, Shaeu and I hopped in a waiting taxi, to take us to Kegon-ji, where we would meet Chiyo-san and the ral shrines of Kyoto. It’s certainly been a busy day, and it’s not over yet. I ’t imagine how much more inte’s going to be tomorrow, at the actual first day of cve. I also had a text from Kikuchi-san, saying that the head of his fa, Saionji-san, early wished to meet me. Unfortunately, I didn’t have time today, being fully booked for the remainder. Maybe just before cve, after I’ve fi Kiyomizu-dera and the light element there…

  Firing back a reply, I sidered the three girls. If it was before, I would have been ed about them all alone in an unfamiliar city, but it would take a didate to cause trouble for Eri and my sis now, and Eri was still very wary of other people, especially men, so there was o worry. Besides, I promised to let them do their own thing, and take their own risks, so long as it was sensible. I t them in cotton wool, or treat them like trophies, to only be taken out when I want to admire them. It was hard though, as by nature I was a worrier…

  “Thinking about Eri and the others?” Shaeu asked, leaning against me, tent. She was a little sad to have not been able to see the Boundary version of Kiyomizu-dera, but on hearing of my heroid horessured Yamato-san, she had ughed, happy. “They will be quite-quite fine on their own, you know that.”

  “Yes, I was just thinking that.” I admitted. “But… it’s an odd grouping. I was uhe impression that Eri didn’t really like Kana, although…”

  “Although…” Shaeu echoed, a small smile on her face, looking annoyingly smug.

  “… look, I like to think I’m not as dense as I used to be. She did think I was ied in Kana, right and… well, I think Kana is quite the flirty girl, so I was trying to not get the wrong idea, but…”

  “I do not-not think you have read Kana right.” Shaeu sighed. “I do believe at our first meeting and subsequently, she did-did iry and ftter you eously, using her beauty to great-great effect, but that was because she wanted something from you. Ordinarily, I do believe she is not-not fond of males pressuring her and trying to … pick her up, I believe they say here.”

  I nodded. “Yeah, I’ve heard her and her friends talk about being hit on by uys and stupid idiots her own age, and they sounded pretty pissed off with it. But… she’s been very clear that she wants a monogamous retionship, one where the man pampers her. And I ’t say I bme her. I thought I was getting that with Eri.”

  “Do yret it? Regret me?” Shaeu asked, and I shook my head, huggiightly.

  “Of course not. How could I?” I kissed her gently, a fleeting brush of our lips. “I love you too. It was… it was troubling. And … well maybe this was the best solution for everyone. But I still feel I got the better end of the deal.”

  “Well, of course you did-did.” Shaeu snorted. “You have me, and you have Eri. But that does not-not mean we were denied our fair due. Akio, you love and cherish us, and more-more importantly, you accept everything and help us towards our dreams. You allowed Eri the choice to ehe Boundary by herself, though you did-did everything to make her as safe as possible. You accepted my foolish family and my dream, supp me to achieve it with my own-own hands. It would be meaningless if it was just given to me. So have no doubts that I and Eri are happy. Do you… do yret Hinata, or Motoko, or Natsumi?”

  Regret? No… though I dret I ushed into it so easily. I’m not strong to sudden pressure, especially from girls who seem like Eri or my sis, though I am w on it. “No, no matter how it started, I’ve grown to care for them deeply, love them. I do like to see girls trying their hardest at their dreams…”

  “Hyath then? Or this Shiro?” Shaeu persisted.

  “You know I don’t. Hyath… she’s givehing to us, and… she seemed so sad, and now she’s so happy. What man could regret that? As for Shiro… I only regret she got so hurt. Every time I think about her arm, or her scars, it makes me so angry…”

  Shaeu patted my head reassuringly. “Since she lives, there is surely hope, is there not-not? I will aid you, and Selensha assist. Betweehree-three of us… we shall succeed. So, you do not-nret us all?”

  “No, I guess not. And I promised Eri I wouldn’t let guilt poison me, so I’m trying but… it’s still hard not to feel bad, guilty.”

  “I uand.” Shaeu nodded. “But at least yiving it quite-quite some thought. Now… Kana. Would yret her?”

  “Look, I said I’m not having any mirls. I’m stretched thin as it is, and even if I’m a bastard, I want to make sure you all have your fair share. As it is, Hinata, Motoko and Natsumi are being a bit short-ged. Once cve is over, I’ll have to make it up to them.”

  “But… you like Kana, do you not-not?” she persisted. “And you know Kana likes you, much as you try to deny it to yourself.”

  “It seems so. Though yes, I would like to deny it. Most of the things I’ve dohat might have made her like me, like saving her from the yakuza, were my fault anyway really. I feel like I’m trig her, somehow… and I don’t like it.”

  “Foolish Akio. You do not-not uand the heart of a female. Yes, I am quite-quite sure that moment had a rge impa her heart, but if that-that was enough, then these police you have would have many-many females, no? You are pleasing to look-look upon, since you have started taking care of yourself, you show her kindness and pay attention to what she does and says, she trusts you to look-look out for her and her is… many-many females would have their heads turned by such. It is the accumution of many little things that grow love. It was the same for me-me. Though a rge event turn seedlings of affe into a mighty tree…” she grinned. “…so, if Kana asks early for your love, would you refuse her?”

  Would I? A good question… With that thought in mind I fell silent, and was deep in thought until our destination, Shaeu wordlessly leaning on me, breathing softly…

  *********

  The loud sound of crickets and cicadas chirping echoed throughout the evening air of Kegon-ji. The bamboo forests and mossy beds around the shrine were extremely attractive, and the statues and other sculptures gave the pce a rather refined air. Though that air is somewhat overshadowed by the feel of a Territory surrounding us. Si affects the Material as well, someone in the shrine must be a didate…

  The priest that had met us, shaven-headed and dressed in Buddhist robes, poio one magnifit statue, the Kofuku Jizo, or wish granter of happiness. “This humble one has had the pleasure of… no, I shall let master Bankei and master Hakue expin.” The monk demurred, a slight smile on his face.

  Sihe temple was shut to the public right now, it was rather quiet, only us and the adherents of the ral shrines present, so Shaeu was able to be as inquisitive as she wished. “It grant-grant wishes? Powerful ihough I do not-not believe we o wish for anything, as together we succeed by our own strength, we not-not?”

  I agreed with a smile. Approag the main building I could see a number of Buddhist monks, priests and shrine maidens waiting for us, along with Chiyo-san, who was sitting down on a chair that had been pced in the gardens. On seeing us, her expressihtened.

  “Well, you have certainly kept these old bones waiting. Bankei and the others are waiting within.” She said, standing with a sigh. “Be mindful of how you speak to him. Bankei is a fiving man, but he does not care for liars, so speak the truth.” She eyed me, before letting out a loud snort. “Not that you should struggle with that. You are the garrulous sort, for sure.”

  “Yeah, sorry, Uchida Yamato-san talked us into helping him out in the Boundary.” I apologised. “And it took a while.”

  “Oho, well, we will o hear about that.” She chuckled dryly. “Now, e.”

  We followed her into the building, marvelling at the fact that the crickets were ioo, hopping about the pce. It was lueither of us had much issue with is, as some more squeamish visitors would have been rather put off. We were taken inte hall at the back, where around a hundred more monks, priests and shrine maidens had gathered. At the front of the hall was a long table, and behind it sat fures. Chiyo-san gave me o smile, before joining the four, being the fifth sitting there. Ohe tremost of them, was an old man, perhaps in his seventies hties, yet he still looked vigorous and full of life, his bald head and e robes making him appear dignified. Beside him was a man of middle age, also with bald head and dark e vestments.

  I feel a sense of power about him, even as he is resting there. Another didate, most likely. I kept my Eye in check, unwilling to be rude and appraise them, but even so, he had a detly imposing aura, the equal of Yamato-san. Then there was a woman there, a bit older than me, perhaps, with long braided hair in a muted brown tone, and her clothing was not that of a shrine maiden, ordinary casual clothing, a denim skirt and cy top. Lastly, a younger man, perhaps twenty or so, was there, but… Okay, he’s not human. I don’t even need my Eye to tell that.

  On seeing aze, the man nodded, and I had to re-evaluate his age. No, he looks older now. No, younger again… it’s… hard to pce.

  “Wele, huests.” The tre man, the oldest, boomed. Bankei-san, I presume. “Oshiro Moonstone Akio, the one who has brought together a number of shrines, and his panion, the spiritual being, Shaeu Tu Shae Dannan.”

  At his words Shaeu nodded grandly, accepting his greeting, and I did likewise, my own. A shrine maiden pulled us out some chairs, a down fag the table, the ring of other shrine and temple adherents behind us in a semi-circle, watg silently. Damn, this feels like a job interview. I hate those. It’s one of the reasons I stayed freence.

  “I am Bankei. No need for honorifics with me, I am merely a humble servant of the Buddha.” He grinned, and he reminded me of Fujiwara-san and Ichijou-san. Are all these powerful old men cast from a mould or something? “This here is my nephew Hakue, who has been chosen by the noble kami of this nd.”

  At that the non-human grinned, putting his feet up oable rudely, where I could see he was wearing a pair of well-worn sandals, at odds with the rest of his attire.

  “You know Chiyo. You have my sympathies.” Bankei ughed, bringing an annoyed sigh from her, and theroduced the woman. “This is Kyoko. She is like you and Hakue, one blessed by the gods. Which shows they have a sense of humour, at least.”

  “Rude much?” Kyoko-san sighed. “Just because I lost my faith, doesn’t mean… ugh, why talk about this? We are here for him, right?” she gred at me. Which isn’t my thing. I’m not oo enjoy women being angry with me…

  “Peace.” Hakue-san said calmly. “We are indeed. Uncle, do tinue.”

  Bankei-san agreed. “Yes. We, the gathering of the shrines and temples in Japan who have true lineage and uand the will of the kami, yet are not bound into troublesome fas, have called you here, at the behest of Chiyo here. She has been rather taken with your as, and believes… well, I’ll let the old eak.”

  “Enough of the old. You have five years on me, you damn fool.” She flushed, irritated. “Yes, I’ve been watg you, ever sihat boy Hiroto-san asked me to check you out. And to be ho, though you have your fws…” her gaze flickered to Shaeu, who grinned and shrugged. “… most notably your ck of faithfulness and womanising ways…”

  “That is not-nht. Akio is absolutely faithful to the females he accepts.” Shaeu snickered, interrupting her.

  “You would say that. I know enough about you to know you seem to push him towards every pretty girl you see. I have had to keep a close eye on my granddaughters… but you keep your word, and are generous with bes. And more importantly… you seem to be ied in the greater good.”

  It's embarrassing to have su elderly raise me. “Well, after all, those I love live in this world. Don’t get me wrong, I’m no saint. I don’t like seeing people suffer, but… my family and friends e first. Ohey are safe, then I don’t mind helping others.”

  “An ho man indeed.” Bankei-san ughed. “I tend to distrust those who trumpet their righteousness. Uhey are a Buddha, of course.”

  At that, there was mhter, from the non-human in the sandals. “Indeed, wise Bahere is an old saying, those who speak fair words of themselves often hide the foul. I am curious. A question for you both, if I may? What would you wish for?”

  Shaeu answered first. “That is quite-quite simple. I merely wish for the current happiness I feel to endure. Before I might-might have wished to return home, to be accepted, loved, by the Seelie Court. But now I realise there is nothing we ot-not get with our own hands, should we support and love each other.”

  That echoes what she said iaxi. It’s… well, I like the ses. “As for me…” I grinned. “I want to know what the light, the dark and the twilight means.”

  That surprised everyone, and the sandal-wearer cocked his head, puzzled. “I don’t follow.”

  “No, you wouldn’t.” I agreed. “I think Shaeu is right. If we o do something to ehe happiness of those we love, we’ll just do it. No matter the hardships, we have to succeed. Actually, to be ho, it doesn’t matter what those are, I don’t believe in prophecy or destiny. If I holy had to say a wish… there’s a girl who sacrificed for me, and she was horribly hurt because of it. I’d like her to recover. But… we have time, and I have hope. And allies. Together we are strong and achieve much.”

  “I see. A worthy wish, for ahough to be ho, I think there’s some self-ihere too?”

  “I’m not a saint, I told you.” I said to the non-human, who even without my Eye I was fairly sure I had identified from the hints and the statue outside. “Of course I want Shiro to be beautiful again for me. But it’s more for her. Now, shall we get ba topic? I doubt very much yoing to grant my wish, are you, Kofuku Jizo-sama?”

  “I told you, other than with money or women, he’s no fool.” Chiyo-san cackled.

  “So, what gave me away?” the kami grinned.

  “Well, I already know kami and other spiritual beings ma here ierial world, and this pce is a Territory, I feel it.” Beside me Shaeu nodded her agreement as I tinued. “And then… you made to show off the sandals. They match the statue. And talk of wishes… e on, don’t make it too easy.”

  “Yes, he is Kofuku Jizo-sama.” Hakue-san agreed, looking proud. “This humble one did find him within the Shrine, and he expio me how he could be brought forth. The time of faith has returned.”

  Kyoko-san muttered a pint at that. “Yes, and how did I get lumbered with this mess? I had given up Buddhism and faith, all I wanted was to live a normal life, away from my shri isn’t fair…”

  “Fair?” Shaeu snorted. “Life is not-not fair, nor did anyone cim it would be. Be grateful you have a stake in the new world.”

  “Hey, I don’t recall asking for your opinion…” she began, angry, but I stepped in.

  “Sorry. Shaeu be quite opinionated. And… well, she knows what it is to be in the shoes of the powerless, her fate not her own. And she’s cwed her way back up out of that hole. So she uands. It’s better to have a choice than not.”

  “I see.” Bankei looked at us seargly. “Better to have a choice than not. This humble ohinks those words are wise. So, tell me, Oshiro-san, what choice would you make, were you at the head of the faithful? Do you wish to cim power, dominate? Or advise those in power, while proteg your own is? Or sit aside, and see what happens, hoping to pick up the pieces?”

  So that’s the question. And relevant to the three fas, I believe. “That’s simple. Preserve the best of faith, throw out the worst. Just like with nobility, business, politics. Seriously, this is no time fames. The end of the world could be upon us at any time. I don’t know if you have any knowledge for us, Kofuku Jizo-sama, but I was told it is ing by a Valkyrie. And I’ll be damned if I’m unprepared ahose I care about suffer. Hell, even those I don’t care about deserve a ce to prosper.”

  “As, I have not met one of the great Gods for a long time.” the kami said. “I was slumbering, the spiritual energy of this ply enough to sustain me in my rest. Though retly, the shell around this world, the Boundary that separates the lowest of the Astral from the rest, has begun to crack, the lower Astral leaking in. Kyoto is one such pce. Yet I know this. As we bee ever more bathed iral Tides, creatures long banished from this world will return, and… you are not ready.”

  There was silen the room, but nobody looked shocked by this. No doubt they’ve been discussing this. “In that case, what we have to do is clear.” I decred. “We strengthen ourselves as much as we , and our Territories too. But that won’t be enough. The faith alone. Nobility alone. Gover alone. didates alone. If we all do our own things, only w about our own is, then we’ll fall. But if we all work together, not only we have a ce of surviving what’s to e, we also take the opportunity to make the world better for everyone. Out with the toxic baggage of the past, but bring ihat will create a bright future.”

  “You said simir to Takakura-sama and the nobility, didn’t you?” Chiyo-san cackled. Turning to Bankei-san and Hakue-san, she expined about my training school, and how it was run. After that, Bankei-san looked at me, thinking, stroking his .

  “So, you have nobility, the on people, the military, the shrines and temples… all w and training together? Iing. This humble one does wohough… do you see yourself in charge?”

  “When I make deals, I like to make sure both sides be. For example…” I expined about the rather losing deal I made with Yamato-san earlier. “… but if infighting and stupidity are going to e and everyone else, I’ll put a stop to it. I don’t have to lead, but if I ’t see a better alternative, or those that do are making a mess of things, I’ve decided I’ll step up.” I looked at Shaeu then. “After all, I have those I o protect, and I’d rather regret doing than not doing.”

  “I see. It is much as you said, Chiyo.” Bankei-san agreed. “Nephew, Kyoko, what do you think?”

  “I don’t see why you are asking me.” Kyoko-san sighed. “There’s no bag out for me. But I’d like to follow someone who knows what they are doing. He seems strong. Her too.”

  “Yes. This humble one would like to exge information.” Hakue-san agreed. “Kyoto is dangerous, but it sounds like you assisted Uchida-san well. I would appreciate your expertise. You too, I presume, Jizo-sama?”

  The kami agreed. “Well, with those terrors stalking the city by night, and the many hostile creatures who make Kyoto their own ir, I am hardly eager to ve of Kegon-ji. I don’t wish to end up destroyed like that poor fool…” he shuddered.

  “Yes, a shrine lost its kami, and colpsed, the chosen of the gods within dead by her own foolishness. A great and bitter shame.” Bankei-san mourned. “We wish to avoid that at all costs. This humble one mourns the other deaths as well. cve… it has e at st, though long deyed by infighting and jockeying for position. So now I ask… what do you aim for? Make it pin.”

  “Right. Chiyo-san should know already, but I believe that we o work together. For now, I agree with the goverhat we o keep matters secret, but we should start preparing for the iable day soo is revealed to the world. The first thing we o do is pool our knowledge and prepare a united front. To that end, we pn to set up a Ministry…” as I narrated our pns, the eyes of the ral shrines were upon me. Chiyo-san was smiling, which I hoped was a good sign, but even so, I exerted all my Majesty and Charm, hoping it would make them listen…

  ********

  “That was exhausting.” I said, watg the autumnal trees on the riverbanks pass us by as we took the boat through the night air back towards our ryokan. “Still, I don’t think I did too bad a job.”

  “Indeed.” Shaeu nodded, her amber eyes watg the py of the moonlight oer. “An agreement to join with the Ministry and have some-some input in f the new rules, as well as stand in your er in cve. Their numbers are few-few, but two more who have the blessings of the Gods shall be your allies.” She snuggled close, autumnal chill creeping in, though with our stats it was no problem for us to endure, even lightly dressed as we were. “And another who walk the mortal world as well. This Kofuku Jizo.”

  “Yes. It went much better than with Kudou-san or Uchida-san, though we still have tonight to earn full support from Kudou-san.” I remembered the Diviner and her worries. “Still, so long as we have the Susanoo shrines in our er, we make this work.”

  “Yes, so long as we do.” Shaeu decred, frowning. “I just hope they do not-not try anything foolish.”

  “You think they would?” I was surprised by that. “We’ve been good to them, and are allowing them leeway to keep up with their prior itments. There’s no be in stabbing me in the back. Only demerits.”

  “True…” Shaeu agreed. “But then, the Seelie Court is the same. The Aggressors, the Isotionists. They make little seo me, as ofteake as that hurt their own-own is. Do not-not deny the possibility of foolishness.”

  I see. Yeah, not everyone is rational. And people a their own is. Hell, I do the same… “Yeah, politics is hard. But I’m waist-deep in that now. The minute I got involved with Shirohebizumi shrihat started, and now the bill is ing due. But… I’ve also learned I o look after my own is.”

  “Yes, such as multiple marriages.” Shaeu grinned saucily. “You are indeed-indeed weak to females.”

  “Not just that.” I ughed. “Suitable ws g our powers, and more. If cve goes well and the fas agree, we ie the faith into the Ministry, and gain access to a wealth of potential knowledge and abilities… bridging the gap between the political world, Imperial Family, faith and nobility… a nean, that is both spiritually strong, and in a good pce to endure whatever might e…”

  “A noble goal indeed.” Shaeu agreed happily. “And the Seelie Court shall surely be the same-same, and a close ally to your nd. After all… this is the nd of my mother, is it not-not?”

  Pulling her close, I agreed. “Yes, and who knows… maybe you’ll see her soon.”

  “I would like that, though the thought does-does scare me.” She admitted, as the boat pulled int the dock, our ryokan visible, paper nterns shining prettily all around us.

  “Well, we are both scared. But we’ll power though.”

  “Yes.” She agreed. “We will, for we both must…”