The Mushishi and The Friend of Yokai

Chapter 1: Over Crossing Barriers

    The Mushi-shi wandered across the barely patched paths, trinkets wiggled and squirmed in the wooden box that laid on his back. Ginko let a puff of air out as he adjusted his scarf, looking at the many Mushi that wandered the skies. They were harmless, like jellyfish floating in an ocean. Ginko had grown used to them, solving their problems and was fascinated by them. It felt as if they were an animal, however he knew that was far from the truth. The light creatures floated along with him, curiosity peaked as they laid on his coat. His eye trailed after them, slightly amused at them, however he took an inhale of his cigar and let it fill his lungs. He puffed it out, at first the Mushi squirmed and squeaked before dispersing from him. A small “Hmph,” emitted from the male as he trudged along, the wind blowing against him as he did.

    Ginko had just finished helping a village remove Un, a common Mushi he encountered during the winter, from the ears of a few inhabitants. Ginko sighed as he continued forth, the Mushi around were starting to speckle with new hues and shapes. They swayed, littered with purple, green, and blue hues. His vibrant green eye followed them, he wanted the specimen or more frankly, he wanted to observe them. He lopped off his box, digging in to see if he had any paper. He knew this weather wouldn’t be good for ink, so he’d just have to remember the Mushi. Curiously, the long spindly Mushi he was about to memorize swam over. He quietly cursed as he accidentally let out a puff of smoke, causing the Mushi to squirm. However, instead of squealing and running, it glowed.

    Strange, he thought, every Mushi he knew, other than the more bigger and powerful ones, were always repelled by the scent. Seeing as he had paper, he shrugged on the box and continued looking at the Mushi. It continued to brighten, though Ginko knew it couldn’t do him harm because of his tobacco. Soon though, the light became uncomfortable and he began to walk again. Then, his head started to ache, he put two and two together and knew it was the work of the glowing Mushi. But, before he had the chance to do anything his head throbbed and he buckled to his knees. He furrowed his brow and looked up to the Mushi that caused it, the brightness causing him to squint.

    Mushi were complicated, they had no rules or laws, only boundaries of a childish mind. It must have been the smoke, he thought before keeling over. The pounding in his head strengthened, he could no longer tell of his surroundings. Everything was spinning, and it hurt. He didn’t understand this kind of Mushi, he hadn’t even heard of it. What would happen? He just hoped it wasn’t like the soul eating Mushi, Sanekui. His breathing labored, whatever was happening he couldn’t stop it. He gripped onto his box and with his last strength he threw himself down the mountain to desperately escape. Though, he could never know since as soon as he did, darkness clawed his sight; Bringing him in a most likely permanent slumber.

~~~

    Natsume inhaled sharply, running out of breath as he ran away from some Tengu who misunderstood the situation. He had resolved a problem between two other Tengu and had returned their names; Another (their grandfather) had assumed that he was stealing them. Before the other two could stop the elderly Tengu, he lunged at Natsume, pushing them both off the cliff. After a hard recovery, Natsume had started running and so the Tengu gave chase. “Nyanko-Sensei!” Natsume shouted through labored breaths. “Curse you Natsume Reiko!” The Tengu shouted after Natsume. Though, his name wasn’t Natsume Reiko. That was his grandmother, his name was actually Natsume Takashi.

    Natsume shouted out as something crashed down on him, most likely the elderly Tengu. Something hit him on the head, a tree? It was much more sharp though. Sparse shouts and quiet yells continued from Natsume’s mouth as he fell down the steep slope of the hill. Landing with a final exhale of pained groans, Natsume found himself tangled with something long and thick. Legs?! He yelled out in surprise and scooted backwards, they looked nothing like the Tengu! After backing up, he noticed it wasn’t a Tengu at all. Instead it was another Yokai, or so he thought.