The Sakura Witch

~Tenshukaku~

One day, at the Grand Narukami Shrine, Yae Miko was approached by some guards instructing her to come to Tenshukaku. Yae seemed a little troubled at first, but agreed. As they walked, Yae considered some reasons why she was needed at Tenshukaku: did she do something to offend the shogun? No, Ei would probably reason with her. Did they have a possession case? No, there are plenty of undercover Shrine maidens in Inazuma city.

As they approached Tenshukaku, Yae Miko noticed a bunch of guards collapsed with their spears snapped in half.

"Yeah, these guys got beaten up bad. And they were the really strong ones." A guard noted.

The other guard knocked on Tenshukaku's doors, and, to Yae's surprise, Ei answered the door.

"Almighty Shogun, we brought the woman you requested." The first guard said.

"Yes, thank you. You may leave." Ei said.

Ei beckoned Yae Miko into the building. She closed the door behind them, and they both sat down at a tea table.

"What did you need me for, Ei?" Yae asked while sipping some green tea.

"There's been attacks at Tenshukaku. I didn't know who at first, until I saw some bloody Sakura petals outside my door." Ei explained. Yae noticed her hand was shaking, and saw the bags under her eyes.

"Ah, I think I know who you're talking about...was it one of my former shrine maidens? Ah, who was it...oh, was it Hina?" Yae asked.

"Hina? A lot of the citizens here refer to her as the 'Sakura Witch'." Ei questioned.

"Sakura Witch...oh, Hina, you poor soul..." Yae muttered.

"What?" Ei was confused at this point.

"Hina was a shrine maiden a long time ago. She was a very diligent worker. She was quiet, polite, and always helped people when they had issues with the sacred sakura. One night, I guess she must have gotten a blessing from the Sacred Sakura, because the next day she had the ability to manipulate the sakura petals to her advantage. However, she got very aggressive and I fired her. She must be looking for revenge, but I don't know why she is attacking your soldiers. If anything, I'd expect her to be attacking the shrine." Yae explained.

"Hina...I think I remember having a dream while I was in the Plane of Euthymia about a girl who destroyed the entire city out of a fit of rage, and all I could do was stand there and watch everybody and everything get destroyed." Ei recalled.

Yae's eyes widened, and she began pacing around the room, something she never really had done before.

"Yae, it's okay, we can stop it..." Ei said.

"If Hina has that much power, the entire nation of Inazuma is done for...I can just picture it now...roofs ripped off, families dead, with their bodies hanging out of the ripped open doors...the survivors in absolute terror as she rips her way across the nation...oh god..." Yae started panicking and sat down. "This is all my fault..."

"It's not your fault...if she hadn't been blessed with those powers, she wouldn't have been fired..." Ei reassured her.

"You're right...you're right...I'm panicking, and panicking will only make things worse..." Yae said.

"So, let's plan on how we're going to stop her." Ei put her hand on Yae's shoulder.

"Maybe we should get the Traveler and Paimon for this..." Yae said, looking up.

"We can't, they're in Fontaine right now. We're going to have to get other people, though. Maybe Sara...Kokomi..." Raiden listed some people off who could help.

"Let's maybe talk about this tomorrow at Uyuu Restaurant. I'm not one to usually ask the shogun to a restaurant, but maybe food should help calm the nerves...right?" Yae said.

"Um, sure...yeah...hehe." Ei giggled awkwardly.

Yae then stood up and left Tenshukaku. She walked past some guards getting treatment for their injuries. They looked up at her.

"So how'd it go?" A guard randomly asked.

"Let's just say...we have a big issue on our hands..." Yae said.