The Obake of Daiwa

2 : Monkey forest (1)

"Saya, my child, how was the sake brewery?" A gentle voice hummed.

"It was full of fun smells and all tha adults were stirrin' tis big bucket. They wouldn't let me try at firs but then I did anyway and I proved I was jus' as strong as em!" A scratchy but familiar voice answered.

My voice. It was me, a younger me. She was smiling brightly, showing off her wobbly newly grown fangs and her red slit eyes as an older woman brushed through her wavy wine colored hair. It felt like I was in her place, but also like I was watching her from the outside. And the woman. She felt fuzzy and distant, but warm. So warm. It was a feeling I hadn't felt in so many years.

"I see, that's good," She continued, "I'm glad you'll be in good hands even without me."

A laugh, "I'm gonna get big and strong! So ya don' hafta worry!"

"I sure hope you do," She giggled, "My sweet child, I'm sorry."

~~~

When I woke up, my face was slightly wet. I quickly wiped my face clean, gritting my teeth slightly. I'd had a bad dream. Where was I? Right... Itona had lead me to some giant castle or something after I agreed to her offer. It had been a bit sketchy, but she'd made good on her promise of food and shelter, so I guessed it was fine. It had been a while since I'd eaten so well. If anything went wrong, I knew I could bust out anyways. It looked to be early as the birds weren't chirping yet.

I stood up, walking over to the door and sliding it open. The bright morning sun flooded in and I flinched slightly. Even under all my hair, it was blinding. The porch opened up into a garden that smelled of freshly fallen dew. I guess it'd rained while I was sleeping. I stepped into the garden barefoot, enjoying the rough wild grass that had spread over the stone pathway. It must've been a while since the garden had been tended to.

I then came up against a tall stone wall with arched roofs. It was about twice my height and had a few stone grooves where it had been cracked. Nothing that would be that useful to climb over it though. It would be hard to scale for any normal person. It just so happened that I wasn't normal though. I stretched, it was good to get in some exercise in the morning. I didn't know if I really wanted to stay here or not either.

I stepped back a few paces, taking a running start towards the wall. I then vaulted up, feet connecting squarely with the stone and propelling myself. One quick step in front of the other, and then I was high enough to grab the edge of the wall. I gripped the side of the roof, pulling the rest of myself up. I then balanced on the very tip, looking over the walls. 

I could see the sunrise more clearly from here. The beams of light peaking over the mountain range and shining over the stretch of rickety huts and rice paddies. I was surprisingly high up. It wasn't exactly a cliff but it was high enough that I'd probably break a few bones if I fell. I guess I wasn't climbing down. I yawned, stretching a bit. Well, this wasn't so bad. I could stay a little bit to watch the sunrise.

As I was perched on the wall, I thought slightly about Itona's offer. What kind of work did she even mean? Probably something that needed brute force, considering she was scouting me out and all. She had made good on the promise of food and shelter, though the alcohol was a bit disappointing. I sighed, at least the workers at the sake brewery were nice. I then flinched and craned my neck back to see Itona looking to me. Her silky white hair was put up in a messy bun and she looked like she only just woke up with her clothes a bit wrinkled. She still walked without making a sound though, I'd only noticed her through the feeling that someone was watching me.

"Saya?" There was slight surprise in her voice, "What are you doing up there?"

"Watching the sunrise," I said, shrugging.