Chiyoko: The 1 000 Generations Child

Chapter 2: All Rise

Chiyoko entered a huge stone room.

A long wooden table caught her eye. Behind it sat two male, two female and one non-binary yokai.

They were clad in white fading to light yellow and mud tinted kimonos and each used exactly one fifth of the table.

On the wall behind them hung two perfectly aligned oker scrolls depicting the Origin of the Yokai and the Tale of their Values to emphasize the importance of these legends in their everyday judgment.

These were the Elders and they stood for harmony and justice, for giving everyone what they deserved.

Chiyoko slightly bowed. She was told to take place on the iron circular latch in the middle of the room.

Once she took place, golden rays captured her.

"Be careful not to touch them," the man at the far right said, "those bars will obliterate you if you plan on escaping.

Depending on the outcome of the proceedings, you will either be teleported back to Earth or fall into Oblivion, so choose your answers carefully."

Chiyoko waved her hand. "Yeah, yeah, I know the drill, so get on with it and beam me up, Scotty."

The man stood up and slammed his hands on the table. "You!"

The non-binary yokai in the middle closed their eyes. "Calm down, Sohei-san, it is our task as the Elders to not let our emotions and prejudices avail when ruling. So sit down and breathe."

Sohei sat down as Chiyoko giggled evilly. 1 - 0 for me.

The non-binary yokai continued: "As a form of formility, I shall now introduce the Elders to you, Kizuna Chiyoko-dono.

From your left to right we have:

- Tadashi Kazumi
- Senju Reina
- yours truly called Hikaru Makoto
- Kubo Ritsuko
- and Bushida Sohei."

Makoto continued: "The reason for this hearing is your conduct starting from the last day you were here up until now.

Ritsuko-san, will you be so kind to read the charges out loud?"

Ritsuko nodded. Her child-like features were hidden behind fake glasses and a played stern look as she arranged her notes.

She took a sip of water, stroked a lock of onyx hair behind her ear, adjusted her glasses, stood up and read.

"The charges against Kizuna Chiyoko are:

1. Impersonating as a deity
2. Using said impersonation to mislead the monks of the Shinto Temple
3. Starting the Cult of the Holy Chicken with the above mentioned monks
4. Teaching said monks the Way of the Chicken

All maliciously causing a monetary, admiration and followers decrease for the kami of the Temple which resulted in a diplomatic scandal and a complaint filed against Kizuna Chiyoko by the Kami community.

On top of that several smaller complaints have been made by the Human community for disrupting toilet visits, scaring some prominent people resulting in the damage of important paintings and hospital expenses.

After a preliminary investigation it was, however, revealed that a yokai can't be hold responsible for the actions of a human being.

The Elders thus decided that you hold no guilt in the matter, leaving only the Kami case to still be resolved."

Makoto nodded at Ritsuko. A fulfilling smile crossed Ritsuko's lips as she sat back down.

Makoto took the word: "Kizuna Chiyoko-dono, do you understand the charges as been presented to you by Ritsuko-san?"

Chiyoko held her finger against her nose and said: "So you're only charging me with the Chicken-affair?"

"We do."

"It's the least evil I did and you acquitted me for everything else, so can I go now?"

Sohei slammed his hands on the table. "You!"

Makoto signed him to calm down.

Sohei huffed. He sat back down crossing his arms and legs. "Hmpf."

Makoto took a deep breath. "You can go once we established you can, Kizuna Chiyoko-dono.

Please remain within the circle as we will now discuss whether or not you are guilty."

"Easy: I'm not. Cutie pie over there said so herself.

How was it you phrased it? A yokai can't be hold responsible for the actions of a human being?

The monks are human beings, right? And it's their actions that caused the kami damage, right? So I can't be held responsible.

Case closed."