“So, we all know what we o do?” I asked, looking at our rather rge group, standing in a sheltered spot across from the Kyoto Imperial Pace. It was quite the varied one, with a mixture of spiritual beings, kami, shrine personnel, our families and some Ameri meraries, but we all had the same goal. Making cve a success for both Japan and us. I ’t just be a ckey, a grunt for one of the three fas. No, I o be an equal part least.
“Of course.” Kana’s grandfather Masaji-san was the first to speak. Her could see the ge, the fidehat had e over his daughter, as she finally took the duties of her shrine seriously, and he was delighted and proud of her. “Though our shrine is Susanoo fa… our loyalty is to you, Akio-san. After all, our kami trusts and serves you.” He looked at Shirohebi, who alongside the Jade Beetle was waiting, ready for his debut before the faiths of Japan.
“I’ll be attending the maiing.” His son, Daichi-san said. “So I’ll raise my voi support. My daughter will attend one of the many smaller side meetings and look for those who might be ameo listening to her.”
“Leave it to me. I won’t let you down, Akio.” Kana grinned, before unleashing a glowing orb of light on her palm that flickered and bobbled for a few seds before fading. “I’ll be the talk of the cve. No, we will.”
“That’s not fair, Kana-, big bro Akio.” Keomi-, who was talking to Marika-san, turo me, her big, guileless eyes wide. “You fot to take me! I want to make pretty lights too! And Kana- and Marika- look so pretty now. Their skin is as soft as silk!” she poked Marika-san in the cheek, who flushed.
“It was not very fun.” Marika-san sighed, remembering. “It was scary and painful at times, but… Chiaki-sama and Chiasa-sama are kind. They helped me…”
“I don’t approve of hurting my prearika!” her mother pined. “But even so… I ’t believe it. Gods and spiritual powers. And Marika has them too now. I suppose… I should be grateful.” She said at st, looking at the Pace as groups of shrine maidens, priests and others were going inside, hundreds, thousands gathering for what would likely decide the course of Japan’s religion, and would have a huge impa its politics.
“I want to be helpful to Chairo-sama. And to everyone.” Marika-san insisted, and everyone smiled, as seeing a young girl trying her best with su ear wish was definitely a heart-warming sight.
“I guess we missed out as well, huh Asami-?” Mio-san giggled. “You too, Takagi-, Kikuchi-.” The girls were closer friends now, and eveandoffish Takagi-san and the shy Maiko-san were opening up. “I hope ime, we’ll get our ce! Kana- said it hurt like hell, but for perfect skin, I’d sit in a vat of boiling oil!”
“I’ll be there too, along with my kami.” Shuta-san said. “My daughter will do her part, with the other members of Amaterasu.” At his words, Maiko-san paled, but she nodded, resolute, and as Takagi-san grasped her hand reassuringly, I could see the tension lift from her. “I will offer my voi support at cve as well, but first… Saionji-sama is waiting.”
“I don’t know just what we do.” Uncle Junpei said, and auntie echoed him. “But your parents and I, we’ll do our best.”
“Just being there and showing off what your Chirurgery do is what you wanted, right Aki?” my mom asked, enjoying the feeling of being in hakama, and preening uhe gazes she was getting from passing tourists and other shrine personnel, being a British woman of excellent looks, wearing su outfit. “I’ll tell all the pretty girls they be just like us if they ask you nicely, Aki!”
“I think our son has more than enough girls around him already.” My father shook his head, a little exasperated. “But yes, you t on us, son. At first I thought you were hiding something when you said you were doing work with the shri Chairoakitara. And you were. But to think it’d e to this…”
“And we know our role.” Trey said in English, as his sister stifled a yawn. Beside him, Travis and Manx oo. “Since we don’t speak Japanese, we are just security. At least your family and the others…” he looked at Grulgor and Hyath. “… speak it too. So we’ll just be suitably intimidating.”
“Good. Because we o be on high alert.” I had of course shared the warning of my Fht with everyone. Aliyah and my parents hadn’t really believed it, until Shaeu and Kana supported me, talking about the yakuza attad the betrayal of Shaeu’s maids. Now everyone was tense, but we had made preparations.
“Right. Well, don’t fet, we have other allies. Chiyo-san and her ral shrines, as well as those others we brought in, and Hikawa-Kawagoe. So mih our friends and colleagues, and build our support base. I’ll work on those at the top, but even if they won’t py ball, if we win over enough of the shrine maidens and priests who support them, ressure them that way.”
“He’s grown up, hasn’t he?” Uncle said, and my father nodded, approving.
“So, bro. Will we see you in the break after the first session?” my sis asked, and I shook my head.
“Probably not. I dare say I’ll end up having to meet the Diviner, or Takakura-san, or maybe one of the other fa heads. Maybe more than one. If I do get ce, I’ll text you though.”
“Okay, that sucks but… whatever. What about afterwards though? No way you’ll miss out on that cert by Red and White. All of us girls are going, right?” At that they all akagi-san looking particurly thrilled.
“Sure, your brother will be there to keep an eye on you.” I smiled. “Anyway… so there’s the first session until four pm, then a two hour break, then another session until ten pm. It’s a long day, so everyone, pace yourselves. Haru-san, Eri, Shaeu, you ready?” I turo Shuta-san. “I suppose we had better meet with Saionji-san, we don’t have a lot of time before the first session begins, and we don’t want to be te…”
********
The inside of the Imperial Pace was luxurious indeed. Signs were up outside saying it was closed to the public this weekend, and now it was filled with thousands of visitors from all the true shrines and temples of Japan. As we admired the architecture and interior décor, a young priest led the seven of us to a small room, where three people were waiting for us.
The first was a middle-aged man sitting behind an antique desk. He radiated an aura of authority, as if he was used to being obeyed, and his bck hair was ly trimmed and styled, framing an austere face with a sharp hat gave him the look of a hungry raptor. His dark eyes surveyed us as we entered, his i pin to see. Standing behind him was a somewhat older man, a bit tired-looking, and hunched, with his hair going to grey. Still as our eyes met, I could feel power within him. Within both of them. So, Saionji-san is a didate too. And quite a powerful one. A match for Yamato-san at least…
It was the third figure that drew my eye though. She was sitting down, seemingly half asleep, her dark chocote skin a shade lighter than Trey or Aliyah, but her body-line was tight and , with a det chest, atuated by the deep red sundress she wore, with white detailing around the bust, wrists and hem. Her long brown hair was c her face, dangling down, and as I looked at her, one eye flickered open zily, a brilliant ruby colour, yet her eye held little heat, only a dull exhaustion. She looked past me, to see Shaeu and Haru-san and the Jade Beetle kami, only to jolt upright, nearly falling out of her chair.
“You… you three are all like me!” The woman said, surprised.
I heard Haru-san take a mournful breath, and I couldn’t bme her. After all, she may be an Onryo now, but she’s human at heart still… not some spiritual being.
“Calm yourself, Akai.” The posed man said, who was surely Saionji-san. “If yoing to be annoying, you go back to sleep until the cve.”
“But… that one is strong.” She eyed Shaeu warily. “I smell fire, and light, wind, a powerful water…” she turo Haru-san then. “Light from her too.” She wrinkled her hat one…” she poi the Jade Beetle kami triumphantly. “… is a divinity, though far less potent than I, of course. Stinks of wind.” She thrust out her ample chest proudly. “Fme, light and darkness… ugh, I dislike the dark.” She g Eri, shuddering. “And you…” she turo me, before her chocote skin whitened, quite a feat. A sudden look of fear crossed her face. “No, he’s powerful! I don’t… I don’t think I fight him! Darkness, light, fire, water, air, earth, wood… even hints of space. Ugh… a monster!” She shrank ba her chair, making herself look small, her hair ing around her like wings.
“I said enough, Akai.” Saionji-san sighed, exasperated, as I was unsure of how to respond, slightly offe being called a monster, but also happy as it meant she reised my strength. “I told you we were going to meet some fellows of yours, as well as a promising young man who has been doing the rounds of Kyoto since yesterday.”
She didn’t respond, merely hiding herself in her hair, as if that meant we couldn’t see her, so Saionji-san dismissed her with a snort. “I apologise.” He said, sighing, though I didn’t miss a gleam of i in his eye. “Akai here hasn’t quite mastered the social graces of the human world. Dive her. Anyway, I should introduce myself. I am Saionji Gin, master of the Kinkaku-ji, Chosen by Avalokiteshvara, and leader of Amaterasu fa. This is as I said, Akai. A little chick I picked up. My adjunct here is Yasaka-san. He is also Chosen by a god, though not from these sacred shores.” He looked at Shuta-san and Maiko-san then. “Your son not with you today, Shuta-san?”
“No, he has little taste for these matters.” He sighed. “He’s making the most of his time to sightsee.”
“I see. Then won’t you introduce me? You told me so much about him at our st meeting.” At that, Maiko-san flinched, and that drew Eri’s and Shaeu’s i.
“I beg your pardon.” Shuta-san said in a hurry. “This is my master, Oshiro Moonstone Akio-san. He is a Chosen, his god also not from these nds. His fiancée, Mori Eri.” Eri that, pleased.
“Suzuki Haru-san. Another chosen by the gods. I am unaware of which, though. Shaeu Tu Shae Dannan… uh… Oshiro-san’s fiancée as well. Please do not ask.” He looked a little embarrassed, which tickled Shaeu, causio grin, and strangely enough, Maiko-san looked a little amused as well. “She is as you see, not a human. And stly… my kami, the Jade Beetle of Hisuikomushi.”
“Charmed to meet you.” The beetle said regally, his jade-green priestly vestments and jewellery we had secured for him making the beetle seem impossibly regal.
“Well, now introdus are out of the way…” Saionji-saured to the seats set up, and we all took them, while Yasaka-san started making tea. “… this is quite the gathering. Five Chosen by the Gods, and three spiritual beings walking the earth once more. As well as…” he frow Eri. “… well, you are not ordinary, are you, Mori-san?” he said, certain of her value. “After all, Akai could smell elemental power on you. A triumph of this training school I have heard of, no doubt?”
Eri held in her dislike of talking to other people, knowing she o help me here. “Yes. In fact, I would say I was the test case, the first. So it’s only natural I’m furthest along.” She said, implying others could reach her level. “I demonstrate if you wish?” she eyed a rather heavy-looking statue in the er of the room.
“No, I think that won’t be necessary.” Saionji-san said mildly. “I feel a det level of strength from you. You are strohan some of the Chosen who have e to Kyoto, I’d wager.”
Eri looked proud at that, grinning, and Saionji-san nodded politely to her, before turning to me. “Now, I shall be blunt, Akio-san. I call you that, right? I have no wish to be too formal with someohat I hope will work with me.”
I nodded, not being a particurly formal person myself due to my upbringing, so he tinued. “Shuta-san here has been forthing about your merits. It was quite educational.”
“… dad didn’t say anything he shouldn’t. I promise.” Maiko-san said in barely a whisper, trusting my ears to pick it up. “… but he’s weak to pressure, so… I’m sorry.”
“I see. Well, why don’t we get to the point? I wouldn’t want us to miss the start of the first sessiht?”
“No. After all, Uchida will be ting on your voice, I am sure?” he said slyly, and I returned his insinuation with one of my own.
“Oh? That’s an iing thing to say. Yes, my invite came from Uchida-san, thanks to mediation from Hikawa-san from Hikawa-Kawagoe shrine, but I’m sure you are aware I’ve met with Kudou-san, Bankei-san and also have met Takakura-san previously.”
“Yes, and the Diviner as well, I believe.” Saionji-san agreed, not rising to my bait. “I’ll get to the point then. I don’t knoromises you’ve made with the other fas, but it is clear that Amaterasu is the only true path for the faithful moving forwards. When ours was just a legacy of bloodlines with some small spiritual gifts that went against what sce, the true god of the current would, could expin… well, I uand the reluce of Susanoo and Tsukuyomi, even if I hate the cowardice of it. But now…” he gestured to Akai and Shaeu, Akai fling under her b of long, dark hair. “… fears such as being experimented on, or the shrines and temples being taken over by the men of sd their ungodly tools… would you let that happen to those under your prote, Akio-san?”
Shaeu snorted loudly. “I do not-not think so. Nobody may harm who Akio wishes to protect.”
“Exactly.” Saionji-san approved. “And that is the Amaterasu way of thinking. The shrines and faith are needed. Not merely needed, but should be instrumental in guiding, leading the try. I don’t want to give all my reasons, as you will have to listen to my speech again in cve, but… the kami, the Gods… they are returning. And if they find their worshippers lost to secur sd their shrines and temples nothing but tourist sites and relics of the past… well, I suspect they will be far less than pleased.”
As Yasaka-san handed out tea and snacks, I took a sip, gathering my thoughts. Still, it was Eri that spoke first. “You don’t seem to approve of sce. But… there’s sce behind the spiritual, surely. We just don’t uand it all yet. Everything has a reason. All the training I’ve do follows logid where it doesn’t, it should, if we just uood it better.”
“A bold cim.” Saionji-san looked ied. “So are you saying…”
“I don’t want to bore you with the details right now, as you’ll have to listen to my speech again in cve…” I returned his earlier words. “… but think about it. How many of those chosen by the kami will be here at cve? Ten? Twenty? A few more?” I let that sink in. “pared to how many Japan and the wider world has, it’s merely a tiny portion.”
“But, the faith should guide, after all, we speak for the kami.” Saionji-san disagreed. “Who better than us, who uands the will of the Gods?”
“Do you? Even kami such as the Jade Beetle here don’t really get what the more important Gods, those that gave us these powers, truly want.” As the beetle agreed quietly, I tinued. “But you aren’t wrong. The faith is important. Guidance… yes. The faith should be involved, and have a powerful role. As should the wider Japan.”
“You mean the nobility. I uand you are close to Takakura-sama.” He sighed. “In this modern world, money is power. And they have it all. Surely you don’t mean to let them buy and sell us? Have you no pride in your own…”
“Enough.” Shaeu snapped, and Akai flinched agaiing out a choked squawk. “I think you fet yourself, Gin.” As usual Shaeu spoke without any deference or honorifics. “We are on good terms with some of the nobility, it is quite-quite true.” She smiled, no doubt thinking of the irls. “But we are not-not their pdogs, far from it. They too must uand that they must e together, promise. The rulers of the try too-too, this Prime Minister.” Shaeu smirked. “Besides, the world of the spiritual as you call it, the Astral… it has far more within than merely-merely yods.”
“This is bigger than any one fa.” I said calmly. “I want us all to work together. Yes, we have our own is, and we should look after those, but not at the expense of the whole.”
“I see. That is closer to Kudou and his feters’ philosophy.” He said sourly. “I uand you met with Kudou and the Diviner. I hear that she has taken ill. Disturbed by a dark portent, some say.”
“Yes, I did meet Kudou-san, and the Diviner. And yes, she feels some grim times are ing. I expect we’ll hear more at cve. I would help her if I could. I’ve already provided a little service to their fa. I gave Yamato-san a hand too, and of course I’ve met with Bankei-san and his ral group, at the request of Chiyo-san. I want to hear all sides a a banced viewpoint. I’m not beholden to anybody.” I grinned. “If anything, they owe me now.”
“If I may ask, what services were these?” Saionji-sa forwards, curious.
“Power, of course. I helped them solidate their Territories. Kyoto is pretty dangerous, right? What with the Night Parade and other powerful beings. Though to me, it was simply some det experience.”
“The Night Parade.” Saionji-san shuddered. “They are supposed to roam over the ey of Japa for the st few months they have stalked Kyoto. Did… did you face them?” he asked, incredulous.
“Just some of their offshoots who picked a fight. They won’t be doing it again.” I said. No way I’m going to fight the whole Parade head-on. Just seeing it was enough to tell me that would be total suicide. “As for dealing with them in the long term… well, let me say I have an idea.”
Behind me Shaeu grihough there was some nervousness in it, no doubt as she worried her mother wouldn’t be pleased to see her, wouldn’t accept her, so my hand snaked out and grasped hers. Eri took her other hand.
That gave Saionji-san pause. “I see. That aid… I would have given much for it.”
“Well, it isn’t as though I ’t help you.” I said mildly. “But I don’t work for free.”
“I see. Well…” Saionji-san frowned, finishing his tea, so I did the same, drinking down the remaining liquid in my cup. “… I had feared you were determio support Susanoo. Or pet of the nobility. I see that isn’t the case… well, that alyed my fears a little.” He looked down, cheg the time. “Well, we should be going. cve awaits. Akai, I know you aren’t sleeping. Get up.” He chided his spiritual being.
“Sorry, sorry. I don’t like them. They’re strong!” she said, nervous, peering at us through her hair.
“I am quite offended.” Shaeu sighed. “What does my strength have to do with being likable? I am quite-quite the charming female, and Akio is very kind, should you not-not threaten him or his loved ones.”
“O thing.” Saionji-san said, standing. “I inteo introduce spiritual beings to the faithful at cve, but now I know I am not alone in having such a panion. I would ask that you let me raise Akai here first. Surely a small favour like this is nothing?”
“Fine. Although I want time to speak, so make sure you don’t shout me dow’s my turn, all right?”
As we haggled over some details on hoould proceed at cve, Maiko-sao attend one of the smaller meetings. I told her to be careful, and she nodded, a small smile on her face. We reached the grand hall, where cve was taking pce, and it was already bustling, four blocks of seating arrayed in front of the raised stage that occupied the back of the hall. A throne was the trepiece, and it was actually occupied by a girl around my age, wearing a rich red, white and gold hakama, her hair pulled into a pair of brown braids, her face looking pale and nervous, her eyes darting about behind her red-framed gsses. Is that Princess Mikasa? I’m meeting a real princess. A real human one, anyway…
“I must take my pce. Akai, go with Yasaka-san and don’t fall asleep.” Saionji-san ordered her. “Shuta-san, joihers.” He turo me then. “And where will you sit? With Susanoo?”
“No.” I shook my head. “I think I’ll sit with Chiyo-san in the ral seating for now. I always ge pces ter.” I grinned.
“That is quite a statement. It will annoy Uchida, so I don’t disapprove. I hope when you hear my reasoning, you will see that supp me and my pns is the only viable path for Japan.”
“Right back at you. My pn shouldn’t totally disappoint you, even if you have to promise a bit.”
“Well, I shall listen, in defereo you having saved Shuta-san, one of my own, and your hoy during our meeting. Just don’t let fools drag you to their own pace. Susanoo reeks of defeatism, and that old fox Kudou… well, the splinters you’ll get from sitting on the fence will annoy you.”
With that he headed for the front dais. I could see the veiled form of the Diviner o the Princess, Kudou-sao her. Yamato-san’s father was oher side, and Takakura-san was there too. As Saionji-san took his ow, I went past the Susanoo area, drawing a lot of looks, including a searg one from Hikawa-san, who was in the front row of the chairs. I merely nodded back, winking, and he sighed, getting the message. I’ve talked to each fa, and while before I was begging for this opportunity, now I’m owed it, ear. Things have ged.
The four of us were attrag a fair number of looks. Shaeu wasn’t in shrine maiden attire, but her kimono, while Haru-san was in a suit. I didn’t look like a priest either. Eri was in hakama, which was a fresh look for her, but even so, we looked out of pce. Still, we took seats in the sed row of the ral area, a few people grumbling as they had to move for us, but Chiyo-san, who was sitting directly in front of us, smirked.
“So, sitting with us today, Akio-kun? A good choice. It’s a statement. So, you had a good talk with Gin-kun, the reckless foht? That’s everyohen. What did you think?”
“I think you’ll find out when I get to speak.” I said, earning a raised eyebrow. It was then, as the st of the attendees were taking their seats, over two thousand people filling the hall, that the great doors boomed shut, and the st of the moderators, Bankei-san, took his seat oage.
Pig up a microphone, Bankei-san spoke. “Testing, testing. everyone hear me, especially at the back? It has been a long time sihe st cve. Many of us were not even alive for that.” There was some ughter at his joke, an amused ripple that went around the hall, but there was uneasioo.
“I shall introduce those of us who are key to this. Though I expect you all already know us. This humble one is Bankei, and I shall be chairing this cve. So while I expect there will be heated debate, accusations and the usual infighting, please do not fet why they called me Bahe Hammer. I may be old, but I still smite you young ones if you step out of line.” Mhter, and the mood lightened a little. “Saionji-san, Uchida-san and Kudou-san are well known to you all, keeping everybody in lihey will each have their ce to speak, as will any of you who o, though we only have two days, so try and stick to the point. I do not wish to have to cast any of you out. Everyone should have their ce to hear and be heard.”
I see. Well, it makes sense having a respected and unaffiliated priest like Bankei-san take the reins.
“The Lady Diviner is watg. Do not disgrace yourselves in front of her. As the voice of the kami, we will of course need her wisdom.” He tinued, and she raised a slender hand, though my keen eyes could see it trembling a little. “And as for the representative of the Imperial Family, one of our own, shrine maiden of Amaterasu, of the Grand Shri Ise, proteg the try from all spiritual ills, is Princess Mikasa.”
“I am hoo be here, though I don’t know what wisdom I impart.” She said, despite her nerves, speaking clearly and with elegant di. I dare say she’s used to public speaking as a Princess, even if she’s kept out of the public eye most of her life.
“Lastly, representing the nobility of Japan, is the friend of the faiths, Takakura-san.”
“I am pleased to be here iroubling times. As ever, I shall speak freely and fairly, hoo the needs of the wider Japan. I ask only that you listen with an open mind.”
“So, now this humble one…” he paused, allowing the gravity of the moment to sink in. “… shall open with why we are all gathered here. It is simple. The kami, the Gods… they are returning. The world lost fifteen hundred years ago… the spiritual, both good and bad, the Yokai and other beings… soon the world will have to deal with them once again. To that end… we have to make a choice, as to how we shall respond. A choice that affeot just us, but Japan, no, the very world!”
As Bankei-san spoke, I felt a rising tension within me. Here we go, this is it. I po be here months ago, and I’ve id the groundwork for it. Now all I have to do is vihose here of my pns. And it won’t be easy…
ShipTeaser
