Under A Japanese Moon

Chapter 18

The next morning, during breakfast, Dawn saw the beginnings of a gargantuan storm building on the horizon, the tenebrous clouds rolling and gathering quickly. The sound of distant thunder soon escaped from the approaching weather front, rolling quickly and then exploding in a bomb-like blast.

          She pulled her cloak closer around her but it was too late to fully shield herself. Another sonorous crack erupted overhead and a light rain began to fall, coating her hair with mist.

          It wouldn't be long before they were all soaked.

          Kenji landed in front of them, wings tucked in tight. "Come on, this way. I spotted a sliver of a temple roof peaking out from within those trees. I think that it's one of Inari Okami's because there are several fox statues lining the path leading to the door."

           Ayame shivers and holds onto Dawn's arm as they ran for the building. "W...What if it's occupied? Something could be waiting for us in there. It is really dark inside. Just look at the windows."

            Dawn glanced at the squares cut out on the sides of the temple as she ran beside the tanuki. They were, indeed, very dark.

            She tried to ignore the heavy feeling that built inside of her at the sight. It was as if something was inside of her, wrapping itself around her lungs and slowly choking off her air supply.

            Tsukuyomi slid the door open just as another peal of thunder sounded, the noise so loud it seemed to make the atmosphere shudder. Then, just as he dipped inside the doorway, the sky opened up and thick sheets of rain fell as if from weeping gods.

           He looked up at the sky, finally realizing that the storm was not one that was operating under nature's law.

           No, this was one of his brother Susanoo's storms.

           The storm god had to have been working on this particular force of nature for months. The amount of his personal energy that had been imbued within every facet was extremely great.

            What could his brother want? Was this a message meant for him to decode? He did not know the answer for sure, but he had a feeling it was related to the events surrounding the Sword.

            After all, it was Susanoo who had found the Sword of Kusanagi in the tail of the dragon he slain. Was he after the legendary blade like the rest of the beings that trailed them or was this a wordless offer of his assistance?

~~~~~

Dawn watched as Tsukuyomi glared up at the sky then she sighed as she slid her pack off her shoulder and shook off the water droplets. "Would the goddess be offended if I cooked a meal for us?"

            The moon god smirked and streached out ageanst a well that was ringed in raw white rice. "As long as you be sure to leave her an offering made up of each and every rice dish you make within her temple.

            "If you do not, she will sic her precious foxes on you and they will rip off your limbs, devouring you while you are still alive."

             Dawn made a face. "Ew, gross. Dont talk like that when we're about to eat."

             Ayame grew pale with fear, her tail bristling. "Please d...don't let them eat me! I don't taste good!"

            Kenji angled one of his night-black wings to curve around the tanuki in a protective gesture. "Don't worry. I'll protect you from them."

            Dawn sighed as another crack of thunder echoed off the walls of the building. It seemed as if they would be stuck in the temple for the night as the rain did not seem to be letting up anytime soon.

            After dinner was cooked, Dawn made sure that she gave the goddess the first large scoop of rice. In return she asked for protection while they slept and thanked Inari for the use of her temple as a safe haven.

            When it came time to sleep, Tsukuyomi insisted that he take the first watch which resulted in Kenji bickering with him. The silver-haired god won the argument, though, and soon he was the only one awake in the whole temple.

            At least that was what he thought as the storm continued to rage outside the temple walls. It was only when the fire dimmed and the shadows morphed into the shapes of ethereal foxes did he realize that he had been joined by another who had also remained awake.

~~~~~

Tsukuyomi's eyes widened as the twin fox statues next to the high alter in the back began to glow a beautiful violet. His skin broke out into prickly gooseflesh as both of the identical creatures shook off the shavings of gold that collected on their fur.

          The glow, then, morphed in a beautiful young woman with twin fox tails and tuffed vulpine ears. Her new appendages bore the exact same color pattern: black with snow-white tips.

          The kimono that wrapped around her body was also black and decorated with small foxes in all colors composed of wisps of smoke. The fine make of the garment suited her.

          "Good evening, Tsukuyomi. How are you fareing old friend", Her eyes soften, their molten gold cores observing his face, "after you were sent away from Takamagahara?"

          He smiled and nodded his head, slightly, in greeting then bowed lower out of respect. "I've been fareing rather well in light of the recent and rather unexpected events. I've also made a few new friends as I am sure you are aware of sence you are here."

            The goddess smiled, her tails waving softly. "You mean the human girl with whom you are in love with and on whom rests everything?

            "Or is it that tengu with whom you have a very yummy secret feud with now? He is very interesting, especially when he glares at you with such angry malace in his firey red eyes."

            Tsukuyomi sighed, his face now a mask of boredom and reluctant patience. "Will you get to the part where you tell me why you are here? I would really like to catch some sleep before my companions and I continue our quest."

            One of Inari Okami's ears flicked with slight annoyance but she, by some miracle, did not smite him where he stood. She only straightened her kimono and glided over to sit on the gilted, jeweled throne that was also adorned with images of her beloved foxes.

            Her bare feet stood out to him as a testament to how she was capable to be as wild as wild as her familiars.

            "Then I shall make this meeting quick and to the point," She intoned in an imperial voice, "I am here to warn you that it has been foretold that Dawn will soon use the Sword of Kusanagi to its fullest potential in an upcoming battle."

            Tsukuyomi felt the blood drain from his face. "No....NO! She cannot do this! She will DIE if she follows through with it! Surely you must be wrong, that it's all wrong!" He was grateful for the storm as it drowned out his shouts with its raging thunder and driving rain.

            Inari did not bat an eyelash at his outburst and simply repeated "It has been foretold" before vanishing with the next peal of thunder.

            The god was now dead-set on staying awake all the rest of the night. So he stared at the wall until his body betrayed him and his eyes began to close.

            He tried to forget, to loose himself within dreams of the past. But the words that he so wanted to have erased from his mind seemed dead set on haunting him for the rest of that stormy night.