Missing Hero

Missing Memories

It was a dark morning here in the spirit world, it was always dark and gloomy. The only light came in through the window next to my bed from the bonbori hanging outside on the streets. (Bonbori is a kind of Japanese paper lamp used in the open)I slowly sat up in my bed and scanned my one-room mansion. (A one-room mansion is a Japanese apartment style in which there is only one small room) My kitchen, living room and bedroom all tied together. The bathroom was the only separate room, and by the way the place looked you would think several people lived here. A few plates and pots lined the kitchen sink. A spirit world calendar with days crossed out stuck to the green fridge. A small wooden table with two chairs resided in the kitchen. My living room wasn't much better. A old green sofa sat on top of a large light brown pattern rug followed by a coffee table, a gift from the previous tenant. Clothes laid randomly all over the place along with a couple shoes. My twin bed crowded the bedroom area along with a coat rack and small working desk. A few cute Japanese trinkets were placed prestigiously around the small living space. I got out of bed yawning and stretching, my bones popped as if I had been asleep for a hundred years. I walked over to my small bathroom and entered. It was only big enough to house a stand up shower, toilet and sink with a hanging mirror over it. I looked at my reflection in the mirror as if I was looking at a complete stranger and that what I thought sometimes. "Who am I? What am I" My short grey hair was a little matted from sleeping. My grey fox ears laid flat on my head as if refusing to wake up. After a quick shower they'll perk right back up. My light diamond blue eyes still seemed to have a shine in them even though I sure as hell didn't feel it anymore. I reach into the shower and turned the shower nob to hot. After a minute steamed started rolling out behind the white shower curtain. I strip off the loss gray shirt I was wearing along with the black panties and stepped inside. The hot water nipped at my pale white skin. I let it wash over my hair untangling it. I keep my ears down to keep water from getting into them. Nothing worse than getting water in your ears when your a fox demon, Trust me I know.  I looked down at the drain watching the water wash lose hair away,  wishing it could do the same for my doubts and uncertainties. I was tired not knowing who or what I really was and all the other demons pretending like I don't exist or acting like I was something far more worse than some simple fox demon. I closed my eyes and tried to remember my child hood. The water danced around on my head, but as I dug deeper into my mind all distractions seemed to fade away. I soon found myself in a beautiful field of chocolate Kosumosu flowers as far as the eye can see. (Kosumosu are chocolate scented flower! Dark red-brown, sometimes almost black, velvety flowers on long, slender, reddish brown stems bloom from early summer to autumn) I spun around in circles trying to look at myself. I probably looked like a dog trying to catch his own tale. I was little again that for sure, because the flowers were almost as tall as me. I wore a cute little yellow dress with white lace trim. I even had cute matching dress shoes on. One of the chocolate flowers caught my eye and seemed to just stand out from all the others. I picked it carefully bringing it up to my nose. It smelt of chocolate with a hint of Vanillin. It felt so soft against my nose and smelled so wonderful I never wanted to put it down. I was still taking in the flower smell when a dark figure across the right of the field caught my eye. I lowered the flower from my face as if that might help bring it into view better. I didn't notice anyone there before. Even though the person was pretty far away with their back to me, I could still make out that it was a older gentleman. I yelled out hoping for a reply "Hello, could you help me please?" But only got silence instead. A slight breeze picked up passing by the mysterious man and danced across the flowers racing towards me. When it finally came whispering by through my hair a strong unmistakable scent that was almost the same as mine was with it. My heart started to race and my eyes began to water. "Could it really be him! Could it really be my dad. I had to know." I tried calling out again "Dad!" but this time nothing escaped my mouth. I kept calling it out until my throat started hurting and my lungs felt like they were about to bust. My vision came and went in between the tears, even after all that still nothing escaped my mouth. If he couldn't hear me then he would see me. I took off across the field of flowers as fast as my little legs could carry me.  Time almost seemed to stand still. I started tripping over all the tall stupid flowers. My dress and hands was covered in dirt with grass stains. As I seemed to get closer it started getting to hard to walk let alone run. As each foot hit the ground it started getting suck into the ground. The once beautiful field of flowers where replaced with a black sticky tar. I kept pushing myself to keep going. The tar started to slowly consume me, I reached out to the figure that I assumed was my father who seemed unfazed by the tar pleading for help. But like my yells from earlier it went unanswered. I stared at his back gasping for air as the tar finished consuming all that was left of me. I snapped back to reality still in the shower shaking and trying to catch my breath. Had I doze off in the shower and  imagine all that. I noticed little bits of tar still clung to my skin. I scrubbed at it in shock and confusion. "It couldn't have been real! It all had to be a dream right, but why was I having to wash away tar if it was?"  I finished washing away what was left of the tar and stepped out of the shower covering myself up with a towel before walking out of the bathroom. Kei greeted me at the door. Kei a magical samurai katana that seemed to take a liking to me apparently ever since I was little. He normally follows me everywhere hopping around on his kojiri. (The kojiri is the end of the saya or the protective fitting at the end of the saya) His saya was black with blue sageo. (The saya is a wooden scabbard for the blade and The sageo is the cord used to tie saya to the belt/obi when worn.) His tsuka was also blue with black menuki. (The tsuka is the hilt or handle and The menuki are ornaments on the tsuka)  I've only ever seen him in the saya. I've never seen the blade before, but I guess he really never had a reason to show off his blade. Even though I'm a fox demon I'm not to keen on fighting. I rather stick to myself and avoid anything that could possibly lead to danger. My appearance suggested it too, with my frail petite body and my child like innocence. I patted Kei on his kashira (The kashira is a butt cap (or pommel) on the end of the tsuka.) before walking towards the bed with Kei in toe. I flopped down on the bed staring down at Kei. He stood up straight in front of me at my feet as if asking with an invisible voice if everything was alright. "I'm ok! Just dozed off in the shower is all." I said with a smile. He stood there for another minute as if contemplating what I said was true before hopping back off towards the corner he normally resides in. I glanced at the alarm clock sitting on my work desk, it read 7:50am. "Shoot, if I don't hurry I'm gonna be late for work!" I quickly jumped up from the bed and hurried over to my closet. I dug through it finding my usual work clothes. I dropped my towel slipping on my blue, red and white kimono that resembled more of a mini skirt at the bottom. Followed by a pair of red panties and white knee high leggings. I placed my matching flower kanzashi  in my hair just below my left ear, before rushing towards the door. I slipped my feet into my geta's and called out towards Kei "I'll be back after work. See ya later!" Before stepping out the door shutting it behind me with a heavy thud. I rushed off down the crowded street towards work. Dodging in and out of the way of other demons. Other stunning shops and stands illuminated light onto the street making it really easy to see. Some soar three stories high above the street, they were all filled with potential customers and genji like myself. (Genji are traditional Japanese female entertainers who act as hostesses) I arrived at the kyabakura and entered the crowded bar.

*Hope you enjoyed reading chapter 1! Tune into Chapter 2: Rescue by Kei to meet some more interesting characters! Continue to enjoy reading and please feel free to leave comments!*