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『Kodoku no Saibou』(1×1 w/ Jikkah)

DarkMudkip

DarkMudkip

Cluster
Joined
Jun 3, 2013
Location
Under a rock
In a city not far from the Imperial City, there had been murmurings of an onmyoji being summoned to aid in the odd happenings that had started to occur. It wasn't uncommon for an onmyoji to be seen coming and going, helping those who needed spiritual quidance and protection from demons and spirits. But this onmyoji was different. This one wasn't human - or so it was assumed.

Down the dirt path, two people - no, three - made their way through the city. The woman in the middle was a touch shorter than her escorts - a man and a woman - and she was dressed in the clothes of a shrine priestess with simple ribbons and pins keeping her hair from her face. Her eyes were sharp and haunting as she kept her gaze forward. The citizens all whispered to themselves, recognizing her right away.
"That's her, isn't it? The bakeneko child?"
"What is she doing here?"
"Did someone call for her?"
The three ignored the voices as they stopped in front of the gate to a large estate and the man knocked firmly to announce themselves before hiding behind his fan.
"Sheesh...some welcome, huh...?" He muttered under his breath, "Humans are so bratty..."
 
Amaya stood beside Akihime with an umbrella over her head to shield herself from the sun. Pale skin, white hair, and icy blue eyes; looking over the few people watching them as they stood in wait at the door. She wore a simple white and red shrine maiden outfit, her hair tied behind her in a single low bow. “This isn’t unusual- humans fear anything they don’t know, just ignore it.” She said calmly.
 
Sasuke seemed to be the only one of the three not dressed as humbly - while Akihime and Amaya both looked like they came from the shrine, Sasuke was dressed as extravagantly as a noble. The only odd thing about him was the red maple leaf perched in his equally red hair.
"Boy, I'd love to..." He mumbled into his fan, gold eyes watching the gate as it pulled open. A small servant looked to the three and became nervous.
"You're the onmyoji? Akihime-dono, yes?" He asked. Akihime smiled, though it seemed disingenuous.
"Hai. I came to aid in your master's burden. A spirit has grown out of control?" She asked. The servant hummed, as if wondering how much to say, before moving to let them in.
"Sorin-sama should be on the veranda. I'll take you to him."
"Arigatou." Akihime bowed her head and followed him in.
 
Amaya followed Akihime almost silently, glancing around the garden as they walked. Once they reached the veranda, Amaya spied a rather large brown dog at an old man’s feet. When they drew closer it was easier to see that the large dog had a thick iron collar around its neck, head resting on the floor as deep brown eyes watched them approach.
 
Sasuke stopped immediately, keeping his distance as Akihime and Amaya approached.
"What's wrong with your assistant?" Morishige, Sorin's guard, asked sourly. Akihime glanced back at Sasuke, noticing his pupils turn to slits in an eye blink before changing back, his gaze on the dog.
"My servant is rather uncomfortable around canines. An incident traumatized him as a boy." Akihime replied, "Now, about the spirit you summoned me about?"
 
Amaya glanced back at Sasuke briefly, making a soft face before turning back to look forward again.
“Thank you for coming.” The old man spoke up, a cane in hand to keep him steady as he moved. “Already two children have gone missing- two brothers from the Watanabe family. The family themselves are also experiencing strange happenings in and around their house at night. We fear it’s the work of demons.” He said as he stroked his long beard, the dog at his feet lifting its head a bit to sniff at the air.
 
"Demons?" Akihime echoed, eyes on the dog for a moment before looking up again, "A far cry from bothersome spirits. And where can I find the Watanabe family?"
 
"Their home isn't far from here, I'll have Morishige take you there. I would direct you myself, but as you can see, my legs aren't what they used to be." Sorin said, motioning with his cane.
 
Akihime bowed humbly, "I'll return with good news." She said before she stood. Morishige bowed to Sorin and took Akihime and her retinue out of the estate and down the road to the Watanabe household.
"Good luck." He said. Akihime gave a faint smile.
"Arigatou." She replied, and when he left, her smile fell, "Amaya, see if you can't learn anything from the house spiders. They're bound to hear a thing or two."
 
Amaya nodded closing her eyes and focusing. For several moments she stood perfectly still, making no noise before opening her eyes with a soft frown. “No demons, but Yokai have been here several nights in a row for the last week. I’ve confirmed both children have suddenly vanished from the house, and with how the parents are acting, I doubt it’s them.”
 
She nodded and moved toward the door of the estate, knocking gently. The door slid open and a maid peeked up at her.
"Yes? Can I help you?"
"Are your masters available? I'm an onmyoji, I wish to speak to them about their missing children."
 
“Kiyo, who’s there?” A tired man’s voice called from behind her, a middle aged man who looked like he hadn’t slept in nights not far behind the maid.
 
"Ah! Sohta-sama!" Kiyo moved quickly, "It's an onmyoji, sir, asking about Kidomaru-sama and Kirito-sama.."
"Ohayou gozaimasu," Akihime bowed, "Would you mind if I came in?"
 
His eyes grew sad, but he nodded. “Please come in- I’ll try anything at this point..” He said softly. “The police have already looked over every inch of our house, and they haven’t found anything searching the streets either.”
 
Akihime stepped inside and looked around, "Your sons simply vanished?" She asked. Sasuke sniffed the air gently from behind his fan, eyes hard as he looked over Sohta and Kiyo.
 
“Yes, one night Kidomaru didn’t return home from playing with the neighbor boys, but they all swear he left before sunset for home.” He avoided looking at Akihime as described how his sons went missing, an odd sad sort of shame on his face. “Kirito went missing two nights later, we suspect he had been sneaking out after dinner to search for his brother, but then he too disappeared.” His head drooped a bit as he continued. “Then the strange occurrences around the house, doors opening and closing on their own, candles being blown out when no one is near them- even our shoes vanished. My wife is in hysterics, the doctor gave her a medicine to calm down, but I fear things will only get worse. Please,” He bowed his head. “Bring my sons home!”
 
Akihime looked indifferent, "I can't promise that they'll be alive," she said gently, "but I will return them, Sohta-dono. Would we be able to borrow a room until nightfall?"
 
The father didn’t look encouraged with that news, but had little other options. “I can prepare a guest room for all three of you.” He said, looking to the maid. “Please prepare something for them to eat and drink, I’ll take them to the waiting room.” Sohta said, turning to lead the three into the house. “Are these other two with you Onmyoji as well?” He asked Akihime over his shoulder.
 
Kiyo scampered off as soon as he finished the order, Akihime following Sohta inside.
"No, these two are my assistants. They aid me in my rituals." She answered, "How long have Kidomaru and Kirito been missing...?"
 
He gave a nod before answering her question. “Kidomaru disappeared seven days ago, and Kirito five. I’ve searched every night since Kidomaru vanished, but I haven’t seen either one of my boys.” He said, opening the door to the waiting room for them.
 
Akihime passed Amaya a glance, silently confirming her order to ask the house spiders, "I am very sorry that they've been taken from you, Sohta-dono...I swear I'll bring them home to you.."
 
“Forgive me. Normally I would entertain my guests, but I worry for my wife’s health. I will provide dinner as well as a place to sleep.” He said, bowing his head. “Kiyo should be by soon. Please excuse me.” He said before leaving to go tend to his wife.
“He seems to be telling the truth about everything so far.” Amaya reported after the man had left. “The spiders have corroborated his story.”
 
Akihime nodded before looking to Sasuke, "See what you can discover, as well."
"Of course." Sasuke nodded, sitting on the floor pillow, "Sake first, though~"
"Sasuke.." Akihime frowned.
 
Amaya scowled at Sasuke, clicking her tongue at the man in a disapproving manner. “You can drink when you’ve finished your work, there’s still plenty to be done.”
 
"I work best after a cup~" He replied, looking up when Kiyo came in with bed mats and blankets and things.
"Anything else?" She asked shyly.
"Sake, please." Sasuke said from behind his fan. Kiyo looked to Akihime and the onmyoji nodded. Kiyo bowed and left quickly.
 
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