Utsushiyo Monogatari: Crimson Shadow

Chapter Two: Flowers

The increasing  wind carelessly scattered  the pink and white plum blossoms across the front garden perched at the edge of the cliff. Breathtaking views of the mountains and valleys swept across the intricately decorated outpost. His ebony ponytail weaved the escaping petals and fragrance  into its rich thickness. An increasing humidity heightened the smell of damp soil through the thick moisture, heralding a coming rain. An ominous bolt of lightning suddenly flashed across the darkening skies illuminating the tiny blocks of villages and their neatly patterned fields. Makoto could make out the grain and rice farms from his vantage point. Soon it would be the harvest offering. 

"Makoto dear, we need to get rid of the little pest. This land isn't big enough for her kind...," a sweet female voice spoke from behind him as her footsteps could be heard lightly with the ruffling of her clothes across the polished wooden floors. A sweet yet strangely sickening fragrance begun to assaulting  the room.

"My dearest sister, she remembers nothing," Makoto closed his eyes wearily.

A feigned laugh rang out. "Sometimes, brother, I wonder...if you have gone soft or stupid by mingling with those villagers. What respect? We had ruled them with fear...and it is effective then as it will be effective now."

"I have instructed Ai to send her here...whether she likes it or not,"Makoto's gaze turned to a tiny light in the midst of the others. Harvest offerings included a young maiden from the villages to serve the shrine. 

"Oh goody..."

"Oiwa, you shall not harm her in any way. This year, you have to wait," his resolute and impatient sounding admonishment unsettled her enough to stop her clapping. An order had never been snapped at her so brusquely to her until now. Her name was used instead of his usual address. Unflinching was his now imposing presence. 

Oiwa gave a feeble laugh, poorly masking her annoyance at the inconvenience deliberately. Her resentment knew no bounds. His power outranked hers by several levels. The little pest was now under his protection. At least, it was his first time selecting the maiden. In fact to her memory, it was the first time that a maiden was not picked by the villages. When Makoto wants something, he gets it. She had heard of his reputation but failed to grasp it until now. Her brother often gave way to her but her instincts rang out loudly not to push her luck now. Oiwa retreated in a sulk into the shadows of the corridor, leaving Makoto to silently contemplate.

Little did Oiwa know, there was a far bigger problem. Makoto had already anticipated its effects and  strategically moved to counter it long before the others did. 

—————

Hana watched enviously as the shrine maiden, finely dressed as Makoto, formally presented Ai with brightly decorated boxes. The maiden was chosen for year's harvest festival. Sighing longingly as her hand touched the soft silk in the open box, she could only dream of such honour. Issei was the youngest to be chosen by the Deities. An unusual request which was the gossip of the village. Disappointed faces of eligible young maidens and some weeping could be heard throughout the village. Everyone knew that Makoto had paid Ai a visit a few full moons away. 

"Issei, look at your gifts. The deities favours you. Last girl didn't get some many finery," Hana whispered excitedly to a gloomy Issei as she pulled out the traditional silk wear in a poor attempt to cheer her up.

The shrine maiden had also noticed the shrunken figure of Issei. "Really it isn't that bad...Makoto treats us kindly." 

"You went willingly, I did not..."

"Enough, Issei! The old deities brought you to us," Ai scolded her and turned to the shrine maiden, "she is still very young."

"Yes. She is the youngest. However there is a benefit. Next year, I will be the age of marriage and like my sisters, will have married better than those who do not serve the shrine."