A small village is being haunted by something which causes anything it touches to wilt away to never return; with half of their crops dying the village chief goes in search of one man who he knows might be able to help them. It takes him and a small party of farmers a week to travel to the next village and he asks for the Samurai known as Tenjoteki na Kizoku. A young woman points her hand to a large single floor house on the hill and informs them that's where they will find him.
The chief knocks on the door and waits for someone to reply.
A few minutes pass by before the door slides open to revile a young man with pure white skin, hair as black as the night and unusual blue eyes which look at all the men who are standing at his doorstep.
They all perform the Kowtow and ask the young man to help them.
“Why? What's wrong?” he asks in a soft voice that is starved of any emotion.
“I am the village chief of Hinode-mura, we are being plagued by a dark force we cannot see, but we know it's there... for it causes things it touches to wilt, die to never return. Already we have lost crops to it... Please help us.”
Hisashi realises all the other men must be famers which makes him ask, “Tell me, what exactly have you all seen?”
Each man takes it in turns to tell the god their encounter with the unknown thing, and each story is nearly the same, they watched it move crops against the wind or it has been a still day, but the plant still move, then a within moments the plant starts to die and they always appear in a straight path.
This makes Hisashi intrigued to find out what is causing their problem and to see if he can stop it. He packs a bag and travels back with them.
For a whole day nothing happens, but on the second day he witness a patch of grass die right before his eyes, he looks up to see it is a man, around his age, eighteen in mortal years, dressed in Samurai armour, holding a long sward by his side which seems to be dripping blood.
“Hello,” says Hisashi in a soft voice, watching the ghost take a step back. “Yes, I see you.”
This seems to bring a smile to the young man's face, he sheaths his sword and disappears.
The owners at the inn, the god is staying at, notice he is investigating something on the ground that causes a leaf he is holding to die.
Hisashi takes his time to feel the leaf within his hand to see if he can find something to tell him why it is happening, but all he gets is the smell of death; crushing it in his hand as he rises and heads back inside in the hope the ghost will appear again.
The following morning Tenjoteki na Kizoku is awakened early by a farmer, informing him the thing is in his field. Dressed only in his night robe Hisashi runs with the man outside to see the ghost is making its way across the field and the moment he sees him he vanishes.
“Why won't you let me help you?” he asks, looking around.
Then the Samurai appears in front of him and asks, “How can you help me? When I'm not in your world.”
“Then allow me to explain, I am what you mortals call a Soul Drinker and one of my gifts is to help people to cross over to the other realm. That's why I am the only one who can see you, oh and touch you,” says Hisashi, placing his hand upon the young man's shoulder.
The ghost seems to grow angry he threatens the god with his sword and snaps, “You can't help me!”
A gust of wind comes from nowhere and the Samurai is gone.
Tenjoteki na Kizoku emits a soft laugh and asks, “Was that meant to scare me? Ha, I have a few tricks of my own.”
The farmers watch all of the waist hight crops around the god are suddenly flattened to the ground in a perfect circle, then leaves begin to rise and orbit around him, before they go shooting across the field.
This brings the ghost back and he asks, “How did you do that?”
Hisashi laughs and replies, “I’ve already told you. I am classed as god, because I can do things which they cannot. So please tell me why you are doing this?”
The Samurai starts to walk around him as he sheaths his sword and replies, “I just do not know how you could help me.. I was betrayed by my own leader, who caused my death... I was thrown into a shallow gave.”
“Show me?”
The young man gives him a nod and Hisashi follows him into the nearby forest.
When they have walked about half a mile they come to a stop by a small mound which has a small tree growing out of it. Hisashi tells the farmers to carefully dig and it is not long before they come across bones which they allow the god to place each one onto a sheet. As he is placing each side of the sheet over the bones he notices there are no marks on the them to show weather he was stabbed or tortured to death, then that can only mean one thing he might have been poisoned.
The farmers carefully carry the wrapped skeleton to a barn before they go and fetch a coffin so they can give the Samurai a proper send off.
However, Hisashi gets a feeling this won’t be enough to send him into the next realm and asks him, “What was your leaders name?”
“Fujimoto Eiji.”
Tenjoteki na Kizoku folds his arms, he takes a moment to think and says, “Fujimoto?”
Both the farmers emit a soft, huh? Hisashi quickly explains and they inform him they too have not heard of anyone by that name.
When he goes to ask the young man more questions, he is gone, he looks around the barn to see there is no sign of him anywhere.
“What’s the matter?”
“Oh nothing. Let's take him to a nice resting place.”
“Has he told you his name?”
Hisashi shakes his head and the two farmers emit a soft, oh?
“I’m sure he will tell me as he is yet to move on,” he says watching their faces fill with fear, which makes him continue, “Do not worry, I'm not going anywhere until I have done just that.”
The farmers smile and carefully carry the skeleton to its new resting place.
Nearly a week goes by when people who are working in the paddy fields notices the grass around the edge of a pool is starting to die and it runs in a straight line up the hillside.
One of women climbs out and runs for help.
Hisashi is just finishing his lunch when the lady comes bursting into his room informing him it is back. The god gives her a reassuring pat on the arm and runs with her back to the fields.
“Hello again,” he says, watching the young man make his way over to him.
“It would appear I cannot rest.”
“I thought as much. There is more we need to do, isn't there?”
The Samurai nods and replies, “I guess I should tell you my story as that might help.”
Hisashi nods and replies, “It might. Come, let’s take a walk.”
The young man gives him a nod and begins to tell the god his tale in which he was placed in charge of a mission that was nothing but a ruse to get him away from the palace.
“That’s when my life was over. What I want to know, is why did they felt the need to kill me? As far as I know I had done nothing wrong. Or did nothing which went against my fellow officers. I guess this is why I cannot move on...”
Hisashi takes a deep breath and says, “That's why you want to talk to Fujimoto Eiji, to get the answers you seek. I will do all that I can to help you, Mr?”
“Forgive me, it is Hashimoto Daisuke.”
The Soul Drinker smiles and they carry on walking across the field to the graveyard where the young Samurai returns to his grave.
The next morning Hisashi rides to the palace to ask the emperor if he may speak with Fujimoto Eiji, the poor emperor is an old man and his earring is not what it used to be, he cups his right hand around his ear and says, “I'm sorry my lord, what did you say?”
One of the palace officials repeats the god’s question and the emperor replies, “Yes, he’s my general. Why do you need to speak to him?”
The Soul Drinker shakes his head and replies to the palace official, “Tell him I cannot tell him why, I just wish to speak to him.”
The man nods and goes on to inform the emperor who replies, “All right, summon Eiji.”
A few minutes later a middle aged man, with a long beard dressed in a fine kimono, all of his long hair in a bun on top of his enters the room, he performs a deep bow and says in a bold voice, “You summoned me my lord.”
“This god would like to speak to you,” replies the emperor, pointing his hand out in front of him.
The general quickly turns to his right, to see a handsome young man, he performs a deep bow and asks, “How may I help you?”
Hisashi starts to walk around him and asks, “Do you know a man by the name of Hashimoto Daisuke?”
There is a sudden look of fear in Eiji’s eyes, he seems to swallow hard and replies with hesitation, “Yes... Yes, I knew him, he was my commander. Why do you ask?”
The god comes to a stop directly in front of him and asks, “Why? Well let’s see now, did you send him on a mission from which he never returned?”
The general’s eyes open wide and replies, “Yes, he vanished in the middle of the night... Wait, you’ve found him?”
“Kind of,” replies Hisashi, tilting his head slightly to the left.
Eiji frowns and asks in a slightly firm voice, “I don’t understand. Have you found him or not?”
The god places his hands behind his back and replies, “What I mean is, he has been hurting a small village, for over a month now. I found his remains in a nearby forest. He has been murdered... most likely poisoned.”
“I cannot believe it,” says the general. “The poor lad.”
Hisashi may not have any emotions, but he can tell when someone is lying, his eyes narrow and says, “You take me as a fool? You knew what had happened to him. You had him killed, didn't you?"
Eiji’s eyes start to look around the room as he searches for an answer and replies, “No, I never ordered that. Nonetheless, I had a feeling something must have happened to him... But murdered, is just terrible.”
“You do realise I can tell when someone is lying to me. Also I can scan your mind with just a single glance,” says the god, pointing his hand towards the man’s forehead.
This makes the general fall to the floor, he starts to perform the kowtow and says over and over again, “Please forgive me.”
Hisashi crouches down and asks, “What did you do? Why did you have him killed?”
Eiji starts to weep, he looks up at the god and replies, “He was getting too close to the princess, I was afraid they were becoming lovers.”
“What made you think that? Did you see them together, holding hands or kissing?”
The general shakes his head and replies, “No, no nothing like that. It was just the way they were looking at each other... the way lovers do.”
“Wait, you had him killed, over a bit of harmless flirting?”
“You do not understand, there was more behind it than that... It was clear the princess was falling for him.”
“But having him killed was a bit extreme, don’t you think?”
Eiji starts to cry and he babbles, “It was meant to put him to sleep, and we were going to place him on ship bound for the princes’ palace... but...but...”
“He never woke up?”
The general nods and replies, “I conformed he was dead... We waited to be sure, and when he started to smell that conformed it... I swear I never meant to kill him.”
“This is the problem with plants that can render a person to sleep, given them too much and the person never awakes. What you need to do is explain and above all apologise to Daisuke, only then, hopefully he will find peace.”
The General nods in agreement and travels with the god back to the village where he goes on to pay the Samurai a vist.
Eiji drops to his knees and tells the commander everything.
This only makes Daisuke angry, Hisashi watches him walk around the headstone muttering, “Why did he think that?”
“I’ll ask him for you,” says the god, going on to repeat the young man’s question.
The General rises and replies, “Because of the way you were interacting with the Princess and for that matter how she reacted to you.”
“He says, boy did you misread his body language, for he saw the Princess a sister and she saw as a brother. I could never lover another woman, for I am married, I have a son and possibly another child now.”
Eiji's open wide with shock, he takes a step back and mutters, “Wife?”
“Yes, her name is Tuski, full name Yūyake Tuski and my son's name is Kazue.”
The General drops to his knees and mutters, “If only I had known.... Oh what have I done?”
“You have killed an innocent man. Daisuke, it is up to you.”
The Samurai takes another turn around his grave, he looks to the god and replies, “What can I do? It was all a miss understanding. But he must explain to my dear wife what he has done.”
Hisashi nods and says, “I agree. However, where is she?”
“She lives in the next village, just beyond the forest where you found my remains.”
“I know the one. It is getting late we will go tomorrow.”
Eiji rises and says, “Yes, I must tell her how sorry I am, because I am truly sorry.”
“He says apology accepted. However, he cannot rest util he knows his dear wife and son are well taken care of.”
“Do not worry as I will personally see to that.”
The god shakes his head and says, “You do not take into account, Tuski may not want your help, for you are responsible for her husbands death.”
“You’re right.”
Hisashi gives the Samurai a smile and says, “I will watch over them.”
“Thank you, my lord,” replies Daisuke, performing a deep bow, then disappears.
The god leads Eiji over to the inn, they leave their horses with the stable boy, before heading inside where they are treated to a nice meal before they settle down for the night.
However the General has a restless night, he regrets his hasty actions, if only he had listened to his Second-in-command as he was right it was nothing to worry about and all he was doing was jumping to conclusions, then none of this would have happened.
“How could I have been so stupid?” he mutters, shaking his head.
Eiji takes a seat under a large tree and slowly drifts off to sleep.
When one of the grounds keepers finds him there the following morning he quickly goes and informs the god.
Hisashi puts on his half coat and follows the young man into the gardens to discover the General is still alive.
“He’s all right,” he says. “Please bring us some tea.”
The grounds keeper gives him a quick nod and heads over to the kitchens.
Eiji opens his eyes to see the stunning god is crouched by his side who asks, “Trouble sleeping?”
The General nods his head and replies, “I am a murderer. I killed a man for no reason... Now I have got to face his wife.”
“All you can do is tell her the truth.”
Eiji nods and replies, “I will.”
The god helps him to rise, just as a maid comes trotting over carrying a tray of drinks, they both take a cup and head back inside where they go on to get dressed.
The General is unable to eat any breakfast, he just heads back out into the garden where he waits until Hisashi is ready to leave; then they ride to the next village.
The people are shocked to see the famous Tenjoteki na Kizoku who starts to ask for a lady by the name of Hashimoto Yūyake Tuski.
A man approaches the stunning god, he performs a deep bow and replies, “My lord, I will take you to her.”
“Thank you, my son.”
Hisashi and Eiji follow him up a small hill to a house, where the man knocks on the door and few minutes later it opened by a beautiful young lady who is holding a young child.
The god steps forward and says, “My dear are you married to Hashimoto Daisuke?”
“Yes my lord. Have you found him?” she asks with hope, which soon fades when she sees the General. “What's happened to him?”
Eiji goes on to tell her everything, which makes Tuski slap him across the face and shout, “Murderer!”
Hisashi quickly takes the child from her and says, “Calm yourself my dear. Think of your child.”
But the lady is too engaged with anger she repeatedly hits Eiji’s chest and sobs, “Why? Why?”
The General takes hold her wrists and replies, “I was wrong and for that I am so sorry. I should not have jumped to consultations.”
Tuski is lost for words, she pulls her hands free, takes her baby from the god and storms into her home sliding the door closed behind her.
Eiji is about to enter the house when the god stops him, by pointing his left hand to the ground and says in a firm voice, “Stay here.”
“But my lord-”
“No buts. Do ad you are told,” says Hisashi in a father like voice.
The General performs a deep bow and replies, “Yes, my lord.”
The Soul Drinker even moves him to one side before he slides open the door to find the lady is on the floor of the hallway sobbing with her child wondering what was the matter.
Hisashi gently sits Tuski up, he removes a cloth from the left pocket of his half coat which he uses it to gently dry her eyes as he says, “Calm yourself my dear.”
The lady takes a moment to compose herself, she looks into the god’s sunning blue eyes and asks, “Wait, what’s your involvement in my husband’s death?”
Hisashi helps her to rise, he then picks up the child and leads her down the corridor to a sitting room, then he goes on to tell her everything from the moment the villagers came to his home, to finding out it was indeed a man haunting the village and not people mistaking it for something perfectly natural.
Tuski laughs and says, “Us mortals tend to do that, think something is haunted when it’s not.”
“I put it down to allowing your imagination to get carried away.”
The lady nods and asks, “Did you speak to my husband?”
“I did, and he showed me where he had been buried in a shallow grave. I have since had his remains moved to the cemetery in the village and once he told me his name I had a headstone made.”
Tuski places a hand to her chest and says, “Thank you so much.”
“No problem. The reason I came with the General is because he was worried how you and his children were coping without him. I can see from this little one, you’re coping fine,” says Hisashi, gently bouncing the baby on his knee.
“Yes, I’m doing all right. Everyone in this village look out for one another. I knew something had happened to my dear husband, when within a year he had not returned home... But murdered never crossed my mind.”
“Same here. I just thought he had been killed in battle and left behind. You see sometimes they cannot remember how they died and it is my job to put them to rest.”
“Will you be able to help my husband to do just that?”
“I think so, when I tell him-no that might not be enough. Come back with me. Tell him yourself, you and the children are all right.”
Tuski nods and asks, “Is it a long journey?”
Hisashi shakes his head and replies, “Not long, around three hours. Then again we were riding fast through the forest. Yes we did.”
The child is not able to speak properly yet, it just does a series of noises and giggles when the god pulls a face which the mother finds interesting as she did not know he was capable of such things.
“Yes, you’re right, I should come and see him. To allow him to see he has a daughter and his son is also doing well. He is playing with his friends.”
“Yes, he will be so happy to see this little one as I take it you were carrying this one when he left?”
“Yes, I had broken the news to him we were going to be blessed with another baby... Oh my dear Daisuke,” replies Tuski and starts to cry.
Hisashi gives her a hug and says, “Just think he is going to be overjoyed to see he has a daughter, a very sweet one too.”
The lady dries her eyes and replies, “You’re right, he is going over the moon as it is what he wanted. Do not get me wrong, he was happy to have son, but he hoped to have a little girl as he did not want just boys as he came from an all boy family.”
“I see, how many brother’s did he have?”
“Four, he was the third child of five. He had two older brothers and younger. He often said, I was piggy in the middle,” replies Tuski with a laugh.
“Bless him. I myself have never known what it is like to have a brother or sister.”
“Oh I am sorry.”
“No, it’s all right. My parents were the best and I had lots of friends. If I had emotions, I would say I had a very happy childhood.”
“Well that is good to hear. My son does not understand yet why his little sister cannot play with him. I keep saying to him one day she will.”
“Yes, he’s just got to allow her to grow and it will not be long before they are running together across the fields,” says Hisashi as he again gently bounces the child upon his knee.
The mother watches him play with her daughter and asks, “You’ve got children?”
The god nods and replies, “I have a son, he is visiting family in Greece.”
“My goodness that is so far away. His mother was from there?”
“Yes, my wonderful husband Alric, is Greek. The look upon your face, tells me I should say a bit more, he is an Annihilation Deity.”
“Oh that explains it,” replies Tuski as he starts to wave.
Hisashi looks over his shoulder to a young boy is now on the covered walkway, he kicks off his sandals before he comes running over saying, “Mummy, I’m hungry.”
“I’ll do you both some lunch, then we are going to see daddy.”
The boy looks to the god and asks, “You've found?”
Hisashi nods and replies, “I have.”
“Is he here?”
This makes Tuski stroke her son’s head and goes on to tell him what has happened. Kazue starts to cry, his mother holds him close and whispers, “Come let’s get something to eat, then we will go and see him.”
The child nods and together they all walk out of the room down the corridor to the kitchen, where Hisashi goes on to help the mother to prepare a nice meal, of rice, fish and vegetables.
Tuski even invites the General inside for something to eat, he helps himself to some rice and vegetables.
Once they have all had enough to eat and drink, Tuski gets her carriage and horse from the stable and the god offers to take them.
“Thank you,” she replies and climbs in to the back with her children.
Eiji takes hold of the god’s black stallions reins to lead him back to the village, where they go on to stop at the inn and walk over to the cemetery.
The Samurai is happy to see his dear wife and children.
Hisashi goes on to inform Tuski where he is standing and she tells him, “This is your daughter, Yuri.”
“He says, she is lovely and he hopes she grows to be as beautiful as her mother.”
“I hope so too. See your son is growing to be a fine boy.”
“He says he cannot believe how much he has grown, he is looking very well.”
The mother nods and replies, “Yes, he is very well, strong boy. My love I miss you. But be rest assured I am also doing fine, the people in our village have been looking after all of us.”
Hisashi smiles and says, “He said he can clearly see that and he misses you, all of you. Huh? I do not see why not?”
“What is it? What’s he saying to you?” Tuski asks, growing concerned.
“Sorry, he was asking for his remains to be moved home. I can arranged that,” replies the god with a smile spreading across his face.
“Thank you,” says the young lady.
“No problem at all. You’re more than welcome to rest at the inn whilst I sort it all out.”
Tuski nods and she blows her husband a kiss before she walks away back down the hill.
Hisashi goes and talks to the same men you laid the Samurai’s remains to rest. They are shocked that he is wanting to have the coffin brought up and taken to Daisuke’s village.
“But why?” asks one of them men, looking at him all confused.
“Because this is what Daisuke wishes, he wants to go home. He misses his wife and family.”
All the men start to feel for the Samurai and they all agree to carry out his wishes.
The god thanks them, then heads over to the inn to join the family.
It is late afternoon by the time the coffin has been loaded on to a cart, Hisashi helps Tuski to board her carriage along with the children and they all head to Daisuke’s village where his wife goes on to pick a nice spot in the cemetery. She chooses a place where her husband has a good view of their home and the men get to work.
Kazue notices Hisashi seems to be staring at the carriage, he walks over to him and asks, “Is there something wrong?”
The god crouches down and replies, “No, dear boy. I was just listening to your father, he was telling me the village has changed since he was last here.”
“Has it really?”
“He says, it has, for those houses where not there,” replies Hisashi, pointing his hand over to a group of homes on the left side of the village.
“Yes, they went up last year. Mum said our village was growing.”
“It sure is, which is nice to see, and I hope it continues this way.”
“So do I father. Are you going to be all right up here?”
The god nods and replies, “He says, do not worry about me, my dear son. I will be fine watching over you, your mother and sister.”
Kazue smiles and says, “I'm pleased to hear that father.”
People from the village start to enter the cemetery carrying lit lamps and flowers. Once Daisuke coffin has been lied to rest and the hole filled in they all take it in turns to place their bouquet on the grave and give Tuski a hug.
The young lady thanks them all and hopes her dear husband will now find peace.
Hisashi watches the Samurai walk over to his family he strokes his wife's back and tells her, they will see each other again.
“You will in the next realm,” says the god, watching all the mortals look to him.
“Is he leaving?” Tuski asks.
Hisashi watches a portal open and out of it comes an ancient guardian which could be mistaken for a grim reaper, he places his skeleton like hand upon the man's shoulder and starts to lead him away, when the Samurai asks if he could stay to watch over his family?
The ancient guardian nods and allows him to stay for one night to say his goodbyes to his family.
Daisuke is thankful, he performs a deep bow and looks to Hisashi who goes on to inform his wife.
Tuski also performs a deep bow and says, “Thank you so much.”
The god watches the guardian give the Samurai on the shoulder a pat before he heads back into the other realm.
“Hisashi.”
“Yes, my dear?”
“Please stay the night.”
“That is a kind offer, my dear. But surly you would want some time alone?”
“But I won’t know where or what my husband wants.”
“Ah I understand. All right I’ll stay.”
The young lady performs a deep bow, then shows the god to hear home where she goes on to make a late evening meal of rice, mushrooms and carrots.
Hisashi even helps her to put the children to bed and offers to read Kazue a story. But the child does not want his usual one, he would like the god to tell him one of far away lands and heroic men. The god tells him a tale of his lover when he helped the people of a village as they had hit with a terrible snow storm. The child enjoys every moment of it and goes to sleep thinking of snow.
Even Daisuke and his wife enjoyed the story. They all take a seat in the sitting room where they all continue to talk long into the night as they know come the following the guardian will return to collect the Samurai.
Just as the sun appears above the hills the ancient guardian arrives to take Daisuke into the other realm, with god's help he tells his wife how much he lovers her and his children.
Tuski tries to hold back her tears as she tells him, she will never forget him and she will always and forever love him.
The guardian, places his hand upon the Samurai's shoulder and leads him into the other realm.
Hisashi remains with the family for the day before returning home, but he carried on visiting the family once a month until the day his Dark Gifts consumed him rendering him unable to travel from his temple on Nushima Island.
The end.
ns 172.70.127.114da2
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