The Sun and the Curse (KNY x JJK)

2 | Beneath the Wisteria

The wisteria.

 Bountiful purple flowers that one would mistake it for lavender from afar, but who would know that lavender would bloom on the dark branches of trees. Only those who were poorly educated wouldn't know better.

 Though they are beautiful, and even smell quite pleasant, they are unfortunately the bane of the demons' existence. The scent of the wisteria burns their heightened sense of smell, it drives them away to keep themselves from being disoriented and weakened.

 If wisteria were to be made as poison and as weaponry against them, the demons would writhe in agony as the concoction would destroy and melt their insides. A slow, and very painful death that would many any beg for merciful death.

 Not that Yori would know, but it's something the Female Alpha had taken account whenever she passes by and catches sight of the wisterias.

 They bloom during the springs and summer, and by fall the leaves and flowers would wither and fall off. By winter, the wisteria tree would be bare with nothing decorating it, until when temperatures began to rise once more and the flowers would come to bloom once more.

 To come across the wisteria trees are quite a sight. They are usually found near lakes or a lone one would sit upon the grand hills like it is its throne. Or sometimes, if certain villages were fortunate, a wisteria tree would be among them serving as the center of the plaza.

 Lords, shoguns, and even emperors would have wisteria trees in their grand garden. Either to maximize the grandiose beauty, or being aware of the presence of demons and planted the wisteria there to offer protection. And perhaps, to some extension, curses as well.

 Yori doesn't think the wisteria affects the curses, and that is a fact that she would later learn herself.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.───

The swordswoman had come across a paradise of wisteria. The waterfalls flowed from the cliffs as the stream runs along the banks. All around are wisteria as far as the eye can see, from bottom to up on the cliffs. There are some lavenders growing near the banks as well, and with the clash of blues from the waters and the greenery, this would truly make a lovely painting.

 Sadly, Yori isn't a painter. 

 She could have picked up on creating art to immortalize such hidden treasures such as this, but alas she never did. She was unfortunately more focused in slaying demons and recently the curses as well.

 She sits calmly underneath the wisteria tree, overlooking the stream as she cleans her katana from dried stains. She must keep her only blade in pristine condition, cleaning it and sharpening it in top condition. 

A brittle and poorly maintained katana would be an insult to keep around, and to insult the hard work the swordsmiths had put into. Which reminds her, she would have to look for a whetstone very soon if she wants to keep her blade sharp.

 Yori touches the edges, grabbing a stray branch that was beside her and rolls it against it. The slice wasn't as smooth as it was before.

 "Hopefully I can find a whetstone soon..." Yori remarks to herself, before she went ahead to place her katana back into the scabbard. Lying beside her within reach, she then lets herself admire the scenery before her.

 It was calm.

 Serene, a place where no demons would dare to set foot within should they foolishly weaken themselves and be vulnerable to be slain. The sparrows flutter around, chirping distinctly in the air and finding a place to roost for a while.