Vanilla Smoke (Blue Exorcist)

Chapter 20

~~~~~~~~ Father Fujimoto and Shuku~~ Two years later

Shukura sat quietly in her temple, candles surrounding her, but none were lit in the morning light. In the center of the marble and elegantly tiled pavilion shrine, Shukura sat in the center, in front of a great statue of the temple, of the Moon dragon on the cushion for her to sit on. Her area was sectioned off by a lace curtain sheer enough that one could see her form inside. The roof of the pavilion high above was adorned with complex glass windows, of moon phases and the dragon, up in the night sky. The sunlight through the glass cast colors on the tiled floor of the pavilion, adding a majestic feel t the place.

Steps lead to the shrine from the village below, the pavilion was surrounded by a thick, lush pine forest. People came every now and again, prayed, then left, leaving an offering once and awhile. The offerings of people to the great dragon surrounded Shukura's area, and the statue. The area was slightly elevated and the offerings lied below it.

Shukura's hair was long enough to almost reach her lower back, her bangs were pulled into her face, covering the right half of her face, hiding her eye and the scar, and to partially protect it from the harsh light of the sun. She wore her dress, this one exposing her shoulders and collarbone. The dress had long sleeves, The fabric was soft and flowed with her movements. It was a long gown done in purple, silver, and navy. A small head dress of cloth and gems rested on her head, the cloth from it hiding her face. Makeup had been applied to hide any visible scars.

Shukura was 13 now, but her heart had been isolated. She trained, did her orders, recited her prophecies, and sat in her shrine. She had no friends, nor did she need any, she had decided on a goal, but she would have to be patient for her to reach it. And how bittersweet it would be.

A man walked up to the shrine. His hair was grey and a pair of circular glasses rested on his nose, tinted yellow. He wore solid black, his outfit was formal, but not a suit and tie. Behind him was a 13 year old boy, he was stiff and dressed similarly to the older man. He seemed nervous as they walked up the steps to the pavilion. When they walked inside, the boy gasped in amazement at the shrine. The older man had a similar reaction, but less childish.

"Wow, this place is really something, so big and fancy." The older man stated, and the boy nodded in agreement. The two spotted Shukura sitting in the center of the temple, and the older man gave a polite bow.

"Hello there Lady Priestess. I am Shiro Fujimoto, and this is my son, Yukio Okumura. Nice to meet you." The man greeted, the young boy quickly bowed as well. Shukura rose from her seat and walked out of her area so she was visible.

"I am Shukura Ryuunome, but I assume you know that. It is pleasant to meet you as well, Father Fujimoto. Lord Kazuko is in headquarters, he is waiting for you." Shukura did a slight bow and walked over to a specific tile on the floor, and tapped on it with her bare foot. The floor opened up and a staircase lead below.

"Yukio, I want you to stay here, I'm sure you could chat with Lady Shukura, she seems nice enough. I'll be back." Fujimoto waved then walked into the stair case and the door sealed itself. Shukura walked back into her seat, and looked at the boy for a second. He was nervous, and shifted his balance from one foot to the other.

Shukura pulled on a string and the curtains were pulled to the side, and she flipped the cloth out of her face. "Would you like some tea?" She asked, and the boy seemed to almost jump.

"Um, sure." He answered, definitely nervous. Shukura reached behind her and grabbed the kettle of tea the maids had brought her earlier, and poured the boy and herself a cup.