Chapter 7, Part II
She had everything planned out. She would visit a shrine; seek out advice and instruction, then leave. It was that simple. Everything was easy, because life wasn’t all that complicated to begin with, and she wasn’t about to make it as such. But when and how did her perfectly scheduled day end up with an extra person wedged in between?
“Yocchan, where are we going?”
“I should be asking the questions here.”
“Fine. Don’t answer me.”
“I wasn’t intending to. Why are you following me again?”
“I don’t know. To spend quality time with you?”
“We don’t spend enough at work?!”
”But that’s different! We don’t have a camera crew following us today.”
Rika took the chance and launched forward, clinging to the other’s arm happily. Hitomi only rolled her eyes at the older woman.
“I don’t get girls and their need to cling like koalas…”
“You should know how much you fail at being feminine, character-wise.” Rika chided her friend. Shrugging, the taller didn’t really care.
The atmosphere was damp, and so very humid after the rainy days that have yet to end. They took a route uphill where a rather obscure shrine lies. It’s been awhile for them to be visiting shrines though. Rika went to one on New Year’s, and she still remembered that little wish she made. Hitomi though, it was the first time in a long while that she had stepped foot onto sacred grounds.
“Is that a shrine?” Rika asked as she squinted to take a look into the distance, noticing the familiar torii gates.
“Finally!”
“Why are we going to a shrine? I don’t want to get married yet!”
Hitomi knocked her knuckle against Rika’s pretty head and moved on.
“You’re thinking too much! No one’s getting married.”
When they had arrived at the main entrance, their surrounding area seemed to be on guard suddenly. Shrine keepers who had been peacefully sweeping the floors began looking at the visitors with some unpleasant intent. Some gave them wary glares. Within seconds, it was as though the girls’ had just triggered their alarm system just by passing the gate.
Hitomi’s first reaction was to push Rika behind her protectively once a group of priests started to move in to surround them. She gave the people who decided to see her as a threat an equally intimidating glare.
“What’s happening?”
“I don’t know, but I doubt they’ll take the ‘I come in peace’ line today.”
The two women whispered discreetly to each other. Rika gave everyone shifty glances, and Hitomi only stayed alert. She was impressed with the reactions instead, knowing that her choice was right. But that’s no reason to let her guard down.
“You have no business here, miss.” One of the higher authority spoke.
“Oh, but I do.” Hitomi rebutted. “I want to see the high priest.”
“He will not entertain the unorthodox.”
“Unortho-what!? Yocchan, we’re not evil!”
“Stay out of this, Rika. She’s right, we’re nothing of that sort. The priest should know.”
“I repeat, he will not entertain-“
“Hold it!” A voice boomed from behind the crowd. “We can’t be rude to our guests.”
“But, they’re… she’s-“
“Enough. I’ll take it from here. Back to your duties, please.” The newly arrived man instructed strictly and the younger priests obeyed without saying anymore and moved away, dispersing from the area.
“I’m sorry, we tend to be a little on the edge when… <i>suspicious people</i> make a visit.”
Hitomi nodded, showing that she took no offense to the misunderstanding and that she knew what the other was implying. The shorter woman behind her however, observed the wise looking man carefully. He was old, judging from the amount of white hair on his face and head. Any more and it might be harder to find his facial organs. He was short too, but probably not as short as Yaguchi Mari (Rika inwardly apologized to the woman). He wore a robe, with a nice color, one that stood out from every other priest at the shrine. This must be the head priest Hitomi was requesting to meet. At least, on first impression it seems that way. Rika stayed quiet, a little afraid, and a little curious.
“Please follow me to the guest room.”
They followed the old man into the main building of the site and down corridors, around many corners, and through a series of doors. Finally they arrived in a traditional room, furnished with a low wooden table, and a cushion at each side. Apart from decorative paintings and scrolls, the room was very simple. The two idols were left on their own while he went away to do something personal. ‘It’ll only take a minute’, he said.
“Can you tell me what’s going on here, Yocchan? It’s…freaking me out.”
“Don’t worry, uhm… they are just nervous about visitors, that’s all.” Hitomi shifted in her seat, uncomfortable with lying.
“That’s strange, but okay… What are we doing here anyway?” The other asked again, not about to be satisfied.
“We’re here to… Well, I’m here to get something.” It’s not a completely lie, but still a lie nonetheless.
“Something?” Rika ask, extremely curious about what Hitomi would want to retrieve from a shrine, of all places.
“You know… some family heirloom sorta thing.” One more, and that’s it. She didn’t like lying to her good friend, especially when the act is getting comfortable with her.
“What-“ Rika was interrupted by footsteps. The old priest came back just in time. Hitomi quickly shot up.
“I’m here for what I think you <i>have</i>, can we talk?”
“Of course, if you would excuse us.” The old man smiled a kind grandfatherly smile at Rika and led Hitomi into another room.
“Stupid Yocchan! She doesn’t tell me anything anymore.” Rika groaned when the two was out of earshot and all but threw a fit on the floor. She knew that Hitomi was lying. She poured a cup of tea that was prepared for them and finished it in one mouth full to calm her nerves.
Outside, Hitomi followed the priest for a full 10 minutes and arrived in a separate building. It was a modest little hut, one that was apparently used for meditation. They stepped in and the smell of incensed burned into the idol’s eyes. She coughed a little and sat down with her legs crossed at the table.
“How may I be of service, my kindred spirit?” The priest spoke, apparently well used to the incense.
“It’s been awhile since someone called me that.” Hitomi returned a reminiscent smile. “But first, the shrine’s security simply amazes me.”
“Yes well, we’ve had some problems lately. Souls are being messed with by someone much like you.”
“Oh? That’s a surprise, but I hope you solve that soon.” Hitomi answered, not surprised by the existence of someone similar to her. <i>’I hope that has nothing to do with ‘the bastard that is ruining my month’…’</i>
“So, what can I help you with today?” The priest asked once more.
“I have some… items here.” Hitomi pulled out some charms and whatnot she received few nights ago. “And I have no idea how to use it.”
At first surprised at how she managed to get hold of them, the old priest gradually started to smile a wise smile. He picked up the object, starting with the charms and took a good look at the inscription on it.
“Lucky charms, basically it’s like a repellant. It’ll keep spirits from coming near you, but I can’t guarantee for the stronger ones.”
“Hmm… Is there anyway to completely prevent being possessed?”
“I’m afraid not. It all comes down to your willpower after all.”
Hitomi frowned; she had hoped that it would be easier than this.
“What about the pendant?” She took the artifact and almost shoved it to the old man’s face.
“It’s a seal, that’s for sure. As for instructions…”
While the two spoke, Rika on the other hand drank a little too much tea and was desperate for the washroom. Taking things into her own hands, she wandered the shrine grounds anxiously and found herself by a hut. At first she figured that it was some portable washroom of some sort, but as she got closer, she heard familiar voices.
“It’ll be tricky to lure him into the a trap like that.”
“But that’s the only way. The most traditional, and useful method that onmyojis uses. You were also asking about how the seal reacts to the paranormal?”
“Yeah, I’ve been told that it works that way too.”
“It does, and is extremely useful. Most of our priests have a seal like that too.”
”You make it sound like a fashion accessory.”
“It could be used that way.” The old man joked, his eyes closing to a slit. “But it’s mainly so that we can be alerted of any spirits in the area at all times.”
“Haha, but I’m you know…. Not exactly a mortal as a whole. So why doesn’t this one react to me?”
Outside, Rika heard it all and was confused, surprised, maybe even a little upset. What was Hitomi talking about, ‘not being mortal’? She unintentionally rephrased it, but it meant the same to her anyway. Just what had the girl she cared so much for been hiding? She felt a little betrayed… but more than that, Rika really needed to use the washroom. She’s heard enough. Deliberately not wanting to know more than she should be aware of, Rika tore herself away from the area and wandered off again to find some directions. Back in the room…
“The ones we used detect lesser spirits of any kind, whether they are good or bad.”
“I don’t get it.”
“You have the shell of the mortal, but there’s this aura to you that says other wise. You bear the soul of a two thousand year old spirit, probably older, and that alone triggered the seal. An aura is like, a label to your soul. So basically because your aura says that your soul is ‘immortal’, you automatically fall into the paranormal group.”
“Sounds corny AND confusing.” Hitomi rubbed the back of her head. “But that doesn’t answer why THIS seal doesn’t work.”
“It only detects stronger spirits, or those at a God’s level.”
“Well, that’s <i>flattering</i>.” She replied sarcastically, at the same time wondering where the hell Yuko managed to get hold of this stuff. “Does that include vengeful spirit of accomplished sorcerers?”
“I don’t doubt that.”
“What about, a divine being’s incarnate?”
“Probably, why don’t you try it and see for yourself?” He suggested with a raised eyebrow and a wise smile.
“That might be a better choice.”
“One more thing, how would I know if it is reacting?”
“Keep it with you at all times, you’ll find out soon enough.” He answered with a smile, leaving Hitomi to her own thoughts.
“So I assume that you’ve gotten what you came for?” The old man spoke again and stood up with some difficulty. Hitomi did the same after him.
“Yes, thank you very much. It’s not much, but it helps.”
“My pleasure. I’m sure your lady friend is growing impatient, so let me see you out.”
“Nah, Rika-chan is a patient person.” Hitomi remarked, actually unsure herself. “You know, I’m surprised that you helped me without any questions.” She asked while they walked out of the room.
“Let’s say I’m not doing this completely for free. The less I ask, the less trouble I’ll have too.”
“I never knew priests could be so calculative and mercenary.”
“You don’t know a lot of things.”
“Perhaps I don’t. I’ll find my way out from here, thanks again.”
“No problem. Do say hello to Nakazawa-san for me if you don’t mind.”
“Nakazawa?” Hitomi’s eyes widened as she stared at the priest who simply nodded, took a bow and walked off. A whole new set of questions began to surface, but the futsal captain wasn’t sure if she wanted to know the answers this time.
Turning around, Hitomi found Rika lying on the table with her face buried in her arms. Hitomi knelt down beside her friend and shook her on the shoulder a few times.
“Rika-chan?”
There wasn’t a response.
“Rika~ Time to go.”
The older woman shrugged and turned her head around, then going back to her beauty sleep again. Hitomi smirked and went near the other’s ear.
“I never knew you slept like a pig!”
Did she hear it? Did someone just compare her to a pig? Now completely awake due to the insult, Rika shot up and swung a hand towards the athletic woman who managed to catch the fist in time.
“Who are you calling a pig?!”
“Who are YOU trying to hit?”
“The rude person who called me a pig.”
”…No rude person here. Come on, we’re leaving.”
Hitomi smiled. It worked, Rika was awake, and that’s all there is to it. She didn’t need to explain herself further. Helping the still drowsy girl up, Hitomi led them both out of the room and towards the exit.
“Yocchan!” Rika whined as they walked.
“Yeah?”
“You took so long! What were you doing with that old man?”
”Just talking. I didn’t know it was that long; enough to have you fall asleep. Sorry…”
“The chanting down the hall didn’t help…”
“That’s what you get for tagging along unannounced.”
“Hmph! No thanks for trying to be a good friend and giving you some company.”
Rika slowed down and watched Hitomi walk on from behind. The other only shook her head and kept going, amused at her friend’s pettiness. Rika hadn’t forgotten about what she had overheard, it wasn’t easy to dismiss something so unusual.
The back view of the younger woman made her wonder, what has she been hiding all these years? She didn’t like to know that she had been kept in the dark about something for so long. But still, it just struck her that this one Yoshizawa Hitomi wasn’t anyone to her, so by right, she wasn’t in the position to probe, and Hitomi had the right to keep secrets. She wasn’t like Mai or Ayaka; Rika wasn’t really Hitomi’s best friend… just friends, or less – just colleagues. That’s right, Hitomi wouldn’t tell her anything about <i>that</i> willingly.
Rubbing her arms, and feeling awful, Rika followed Hitomi’s shadow and they soon left the shrine. She had two things in her mind right now– To ask, or not to ask. Or maybe... she’ll just save this for another day instead.
A/N : Sorry ,I lost my momentum for awhile :/
If this chapter is confusing, I'm really really sorry. I spent a week on it and yeah.. kinda got lost halfway and stuff. >_>
Topic: Dream's Last Chapter // 11 (Read 25613 times)