The old stone gate stood tall and proud in the highest step of the stone path, flashing a beam of misty moonlight through the opening, lighting the deep green forest.
Val noticed stone crafted statues of fox on each side of the shrine's entrance. Sure old ages but they sparkled in the light of moon almost looking real. The crafted eyes of creature gave a sharp piercing look as they are observing you to your soul.
"They consider as the messenger of god. Or.. you can say guardian of this forest" Haru's voice broke Val's deep stare on the statues.
"Oh?" she said leaving it giving another stern look for the last time.
"What are these?" She pointed towards a straw rope hanged on the gate with white zigzag paper strips.
"Hm.. like symbolizing a boundary. Between human world and sacred shrine. See, they are around those trees too" Haru showed around huge trees with same ropes hanged around their trunks.
"Wow I'm getting a real mythical feeling right now" Val murmured lagging behind Haru to the shrine behind the gates.
Val watched her girlfriend paying respect to the wooden shrine. She knew this is the moment Haru was looking forward to, yet she couldn't help but feeling a little unease making her nerves all in alert putting her guard up. She can say she didn't enjoy from the moment she laid her eyes on shrine gate. She wanted to go back home as soon as possible.
"Babe?"
Haru's gentle voice shook off Val from her thoughts.
"You okay?" Her twinkling hazel eyes peered smoothly into Deep blue eyes. She looked concerned.
Val smiled. She felt her blood warming to the affection radiated from her girlfriend's gaze.
"Of course love"
Haru slipped her slender fingers through Val's, holding her hand. "Then shall we go?"
Val chased Haru's eyes turning herself towards the forest. Her jaw dropped as her vision blinded by the bright red mixed orange scenario fell ahead of her.
"B- Beautiful.." She murmured enchanted by the view. Haru laughed walking pulling her by hand.
It was a ceremony. a festival. a carnival.
Various shades of red lanterns ignited the street which was bordered by small stalls of numerous selling products. The crowd strolled around wearing colourful yukata dresses and most of them covering their faces by crafted masks of devil faces or animals. The whole atmosphere was filled with ambrosial fragrance and joyful laughter and cheering.
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