Vast anthology 1: Tengu's Flight

Chapter 6: Family of Castaways

Chapter 6: Family of Castaways

About ten years ago in a modern home, there were white walls and wooden floorboards, illuminated by warm lights. On the living room's soft and fabric couch sat a younger Kano, in her late 20s, with short hair lopsided. Laid on her lap is a small little girl. The girl's features were round and charming, her lob hair covering her adorable forehead.

Sounds of clashing and screaming faintly echoed from the outside of the home. Kano's face showed an expression of fear and horror. She tried to ignore the sounds and proceeded to slowly caress the girl on her lap.

The girl asked "Mum, are we safe?"

The atmosphere tensed up, Kano sighed deeply as she mentally picked herself up.

"Of course we are, darling," Kano reassured the girl and herself.

Far-flung roars thickened the brooding atmosphere

The girl sat up from Kano's lap, her body language emanating a great unease. She opened her mouth, hesitated but asked anyway "Mum? Can you play the piano for me?"

"N.Now? I could play it for you.... Once we are sure we are safe." Kano tried to conceal her rising anxiety.

The girl whimpered in sadness and nodded her head obediently. She laid back down into her mother's lap, nestling in her embrace.

Slow footsteps repeated from outside, Kano shut her eyes tightly, afraid to know what happens next.

A knock sounded from the door, ribboning her anxiety.

Kano jumped up in a frantic frenzy, and clutched her daughter's hands.

"Mum loves you, ok?" Kano softly said as she closed her eyes, gulping with a sense of defeat.

She kissed her daughter's round fore-head and signalled her to hide underneath the couch. Her daughter widened her eyes in alarm, and climbed under the couch.

The knocking sound itself again. Kano dreadfully approached the door, walking past a black piano, and hanging pictures on the wall. A prancing melody raced in her heart.

She picked up an umbrella from a coat hanger next to the front door. Her heart beating manually, like a marching tune. She held up the umbrella, fully preparing to attack.

As her frenzied heartbeat reached a crescendo, the front door burst open, Kano's frail body knocked aback.

A young teenage one-horned oni in a pure white suit walked through the arches of the entrance, behind him were multiple armed onis dressed in formal attire, their horns in different shapes and sizes. The one-horned oni had bushy black hair combed between his red horn, thick eyebrows, and a chiselled face. His white suit was uncannily clean other than the few blood spots. His right hand bleached snow white, a weird attribute the one-horned oni possesses.

He snapped his finger and pointed into the house, the armed onis swarm into the house, pilfering and looting any valuables they encounter.

Kano laid on the floor, her face riddled with fear and anger, she tried to climb up, but she fell back down, her legs giving up on her.

The one-horned oni stepped over and reached out his white smooth hands, offering to lift her up.

Kano shrieked in disgust: "DON'T TOUCH ME"

The one-horned closed his palms, and calmly muttered

"No worries, I hate touching you feathered freaks as much as you hate touching me"

Kano glared at him, with a tone of helplessness

The one-horned glanced at her petite palms

"You have nimble hands, do you perhaps play the piano?" The oni said with a grim intent while pointing at the black piano behind her.