Craft

Part 7

The temple had never been attacked by the horde that the demon girl spoke of. We had stayed down in the cellar for two days waiting for them to pass by, but they never came. She had lied to us. She killed all of the servant that went with her and Hina; over half of those employed by my father. While we waited for the horde, my father had the men left with us move their bodies. It was gruesome. The dust and dirt from the stone floor mixed with the blood and pieces of flesh. Some of the monk's children had been down here. Their mangled bodies were the worst of the lot. She had been merciless. 

Conbo had told my father that, because he served a powerful demon lord, he was unable to help us. He was told that in the event of something happening like this he was to let us deal with it ourselves. The demon lord had told my father, via Conbo, that if he followed the terms of the proposal protection would be given.

Ifan had been with the children. They had been crying in a corner of the garden after seeing the demon kill Hina. They were frightened and it was understandable. As young as they are they didn't need to witness such a sight. It was the look in their eyes that made up my mind. For them, and the monks, and the servants left here I would become his concubine or whatever he needed of me to be. They were what was important. 

Standing in the courtyard near the rocks covered in Hina's blood is where I had made the decision. It was the only place I could seem to think straight. Everyone in the compound was working to find out what the damages were. The bustle and shouting was sending my head for a loop.

I needed the quiet and this was it. They refused to come over this way. Some of the monks had even taken longer trips to the pantry area, which had been burned but was salvageable, to avoid it. It was obvious it made them uncomfortable. My father had even been reluctant to have someone clean the blood from the stones. The cold hearted bastard had actually tried to speak to me about it.

With a huff I lifted my head from my knees and spotted Conbo walking by. He was carrying a large bag of some sort of food, and seemed unfazed by it. It was always interesting to watch him. From the evenings in this exact courtyard with Fukoku to now. He moved so fluidly it was an experience in itself.

"Conbo, may I speak with you?" I called and lifted myself from the wooden stump I sat on. He paused a moment and turned halfway to me. I took that as an opportunity to approach him.

"I heard about what you had come here to discuss with my father." Conbo turned to me. His face remained unchanged as he hummed in response.

"On his behalf, I accept the offer. I'll do whatever it is you want me to as long as they are safe and they can stay here." I concluded. Conbo starred for a moment a look of passing thoughts seemed to swim in his eyes.

"I will speak to Lord Sesshomaru. You and I will be leaving in the morning." He announced and turned to finish his duties.

"Do not forget to say your goodbyes."

And that was all. He went back to helping them with the store and I sat back down on the stump. A sense of sadness claimed my heart as I watched them walk around this area. No one but myself and Taki had even shed a tear for the loss of Hina. It was like they thought she was cursed. Like they were afraid.

I cried there to myself until the sun had began to rise and Taki had forced me to go back into the Shrine. My room had, somehow, escaped the flames. The walls were blackened with smoke but my things were fine. I sighed as the smell of burnt wood assaulted my nose. Normally it would have been calming despite the fire, but with the loses we've suffered, it was a bitter reminder.

Taki came in with a satchel, per my request, later that afternoon. I needed to collect my things. Conbo had come after helping the monks to tell me our depatcher was in an hour or so. A sinking feeling rung my chest as the time came closer.

I had never left the compound and the thought of leaving, no matter how much I hated it here, was daunting. Nonetheless, I gathered my favorite garments and trinkets into the bag and readied myself. I decided to only bring three of my favorite books as well as my crystals and the small mirror I use for divination. All that was left was to say goodbye.

Taki had hardly left my side since I came into the shrine and the company was welcomed. She hadn't asked about why I was collecting my things in such a manner, but it wasn't hard to guess anyway. She helped me dress then I excused her so she might rest; only after giving her a tight hug and a farewell. And I was left holding the small box my mother had left to me.

The box was simple. There was a black gem on the front clasp. It her families designated stone. For the most part, that was all. The heirloom itself was to be worn on the wedding day of the youngest daughter. I hadn't thought about it before, but it seems that day will be much sooner than I thought.

The door to my room slid open with little hesitation and my father stomped, ungracefully into the room. I could hardly contain my angered huff as I turned to face him. I seldom got visits from him, but when he came to me it was never good. The look on his face didn't calm the feeling of dread towards the conversation ahead either.

"Father." The calling was curt and neutral, but it seemed to set him off.

"I should have sold you and those cursed eyes when I had the chance. You ungrateful wench!" He shouted. His hand raised and curled into a fist. It crashed down onto my face, the force knocked me to the ground.

A small grunt left my chest as I tried to pull myself away from him. He stepped on the fabric of my clothing to stop me and grabbed my hair by the ends. With a strong tug he yanked me off the ground and threw my body into my dresser. The wood creaked and the bang shook the wall behind it. I tried to lift myself up again, but again he yanked my hair up again.

"Who do you think you are? To even glance in Conbo's direction, let alone telling him you would leave here with him!"  He yelled. His spit hit my face; which I am sure is red and swollen from his attacks.

"Father, please. I just don't want the others-" He cut me off with a violent shove to the ground. 

"I could care less about those filthy pests. They're almost as troublesome as you are!" I was finally allowed the chance to lift myself. My head pounded as I lifted a hand to rub my scalp.

"You'll leave when I say you can. You and the demons be damned." He said and left the room slamming the door so hard the force cracked the thin bamboo frame down the middle. 

I sighed in aggravation. It was troublesome when he got like that. He was a spoiled brat. He was going to try to keep me here because it wasn't his idea. It wasn't as though I would listen to him. I had already agreed to leave with Conbo, and I planned to do just that. Father be damned.