Chapter 41 - Chapter 40

We said our goodbyes for now. There was nothing else to do other than to go ahead to our locations. It looks like Tsukuyomi's was a temple shrine as well but it was smaller than Ebisu's. There were few maintaining the shrine. There was one shrines maiden for the shrine shop and two priest sweeping the yard. The three of them bowed to me as we came. I bought from the store a candle and a few incense sticks and stood there not knowing what to do. "So how does this go?" I asked. "Just do your usual thing like how you visit a shrine then pray to contact your God." Gram told me.

"But how do you contact a God? Normally the god goes to me." I asked out of confusion.

"Beats me. It just happens naturally for us." Gram replies, "You can do whatever either way. It just goes back to you."

If it's as usual then I might as well do what I usually do at a shrine. I walk up the stairs to throw a few coins in the offertory box. Two silvers looked a good amount. There I rang the bell and clapped my hands twice, ending with a prayer. All I prayed for was safety and a chance to meet Tsukuyomi. But nothing happened. "Something wrong?" Rebecca asked. "Think I'm missing a step." I replied.

"We got all day, newbie. All gods do it differently so you have a chance to figure it out." Gram told me.

I started to walk around the shrine a little to think of something. But then again the only thing that came to mind was when one of the Shinto priest lit a candle at a stand and meditated on the floor, sitting on his shins and knees. It was worth a shot. That was how I Tsukuyomi for the first time. I got a blanket from a bag and made it as a makeshift picnic blanket. There I sat on my knees and lit the candle and incense. With a finishing touches I wrapped my eyes with a bandanna and put my weapons at the side. "I get the candles and incense but why disarm and blindfold yourself?" Rebecca asked. "That's how I met that Tsukuyomi. All I did was make myself comfortable...it's all I got." I replied.

I sat there quietly and started to focus. Truth to be told, I didn't know what the hell I was doing. Just sitting there felt like hours. But it was after kneeling there quietly someone tugged down my bandanna. I opened my eyes and in front of me was Toshizo Hijikata. "What are you doing?" He asked. I looked around and everything was white again. All the color in the room was gone. However the only things with some hues of color were only me and Hijikata. He looked serious, almost intimidating. Was this how people saw me when I was training The Militia? "Trying to get a hold of Tsukuyomi…"I blatantly answered. He rubs the space between his eyebrows and comes to rationalize. "The current incarnation of Sakamoto didn't teach you how to communicate with gods, didn't he?" He asked disappointed. All I could do was nod my head. I really had a drill-sergeant like mentality at the time, didn't I? How scary was I exactly?

The man then sighs and sits in front of me. He gives me a serious look then eventually relaxes. "Fine...I'll help you." He said. I looked at him rather confused. "Really?" I asked. "I met Bishamonten a couple of times when Sakamoto kept on seeing Ebisu. Who else taught me how to use a katana better?" He volunteered. Bishamonten? The god of war? I did remember an old man giving me tips on how to swing a sword but couldn't point it out. Putting the two together I started connecting the dots. "Wait…that old man was Bishamonten?!" I exclaimed. "Of course he was. How the heck would he train with yellow skin in public?" Toshizo pointed out.

He wasn't wrong. Gods do change into different forms in mythology to make mortals comfortable talking to them. If only I would say the same for Zeus and Yahweh. "Now close your eyes and try to focus." He says, "Try to concentrate the reason why you wanna meet the God. When you are sure then it will come naturally." I did as instructed. I closed my eyes and sat the without response. A calm mind is all I need at the moment. But it was hard to think with Toshizo in front of me. "So… how is it that I lose consciousness when I recall Kenshin, the Ninja, and the first while nothing feels wrong when I recall you?" I asked.

Hijikata at first didn't get the question. But after with a little thought he managed to get an answer. "It's because you managed to fit both Chiron's and my requirements." He replied. "What requirements?" I asked.

"Recalling of past lives means you have to recall the previous personas. Each of them had their own mindset, therefore even if you have one soul those entities exist within you." He explains, "In order for you to obtain them you still need to fit their expectations."

"If I'm supposed to fit their requirements then how is it that I obtain some of their memories? I asked.

"By encountering similar experiences of their past lives, they share their experiences with you. It was the same with me and Chiron."

"You remember Chiron?!" I reacted.

"I managed to remember him after fitting his requirement, 'be a good teacher for the next generation and care for your students'." He answered.

"If I managed to fulfill that then what's your's?"

"Strive to be better, tough, and loyal then learn how to use a sword."

"That's rather simple…"

"Easy for you to say. What are the chances were people born at your generation being able to wield a sword?"

He is kinda right. I only managed to pick up kenjutsu at Seatle out of interest and only became a sword master when at high school when I was living with my uncle at Japan. Rarely can you find a kenjutsu school back when I was a kid. It was only when it was alright to be a geek when all the kenjutsu dojos started to pop out. But oddly enough...most just went to our dojo because my uncle was Japanese. That and the random sparring we do without any armor on a daily basis. As for teaching it came mostly from me being an instructor. Oddly enough I figured it might have been good to make a study for my thesis coming up at my second year of masters.

My earliest specs of past lives to recall was Hijikata's swordsmanship so it made sense that I would be able to recall Chiron after since I only began being a co-instructor at my third year of high-school and later on a bit on once I began college. But it wouldn't explain that I was even able to recall the Ninja either. Maybe I was able to recall spells from The First once my magic abilities came after coming to Laputa. I did have the Ninja's memories pop out randomly but less was said. It was hard to say for now so I might as well figure it out later. All I need to do is fit to their 'requirements'.

"Anyhow just try to focus for now." Hijikata says, "Looks like that oaf(Kenshin) is up to something. So look into my memories and try to recall how I did it." The man then taps me at my forehead and disappears. I was still stuck at the white zone and time hadn't changed. Maybe this is the First's way to give me second. All I could do was meditate and deeply recall Hijikata's memories. In a few moments later I can recall my past self focusing on Bishamonten's name so I did the same thing, only with Tsukuyomi.

After that I remembered to focus on the name and try to forget the world around me. Forget the white background and setting, just focus on her. I soon felt like I was pulled back from my hoodie and fell backwards. My body felt it was falling, until I landed on something hard. It didn't hurt at all, it just felt that I was pushed to the ground. It was only when I was smelling the aroma of freshly cut grass and flowers was where I found myself in a forest. With the clear white sky I can really tell that I wasn't at Earth. At my vision was yellow skinned man staring at me below. It was him, Bishamonten.

He then lifts me up with one arm. "Um...hi???" I greeted awkwardly. The God did not looked pleased. "So what is a mortal doing in the heavenly realms without any supervision?" He questioned. "I'm here to see Tsukuyomi. I'm allied under her." I replied. He looked at me attentively then drops me at the floor. "So you are one of her disciples? Strange. Rarely there is a person taken under by that moon goddess." He said. "I'm surprised as any Terran." I replied.

The God had an ominous look at his face. He looked like a middle-aged man if it weren't for his bright yellow skin. He looked like my old neighbor that was cranky half the time. It was kinda surprise that he couldn't recognize me at all. But then again I'm not Hijikata at this age. I'm Rin Kamiyama. He then stops and turns to me. "Beyond the bamboo grove there is a waterfall." He says, "You'll find the goddess there, it's her favorite spot."

The god then turns away and gets back to his business. I expected for something else to happen like a flash of light or something but there was none. All he did was walk back to the place where he sat just awhile ago and meditated, only for another person to appear in front of him. I guess he was waiting for his disciple as well. By the time I entered into the thicket Bishamonten was training the man with a staff. It looked as if the God had other things to worry about. But I couldn't help but being watched. My brain jolted again. I saw him watching over me on the side on the building. However the only problem was that you can tell it wasn't from a far past. I could tell because he was sitting on top of an air-conditioning unit.

A few meters later I soon realized I walked into a bamboo forest. It was thick as the eye can see. I tried to use my magus eye but my sight was off. All I could see was a blinding white light all over. The next best solution was to use a shikigami. But words rang into my head, a reminder. All I could recall was my friends telling me to not use magic. But that was when Toshizo appeared next to me. "What are you waiting for? Use it." He told me. "But I need to recover." I replied.

The man then looked at me displeased. He then flicks my nose. "Idiot. This place is pure energy. You won't be affected if you use magic here." he says, "You did see it yourself, didn't you?"

"Wait...what?" I asked confused.

He then flicks me at the nose again. "The heavenly realms are one of the locations where magic originated. Your Magus eyes revealed magic at its original form. There is no need to worry, the realm's energy will compensate for the rest." He told me.

"Alright then! Quit flicking my nose!" I shouted.

I then took out a paper charm and summoned a bird shikigami. However once the spell was cast, the paper charm's light grew brighter. What appeared was a bird spirit that was as large as a horse. "What are you waiting for? The next world war? Get on it!" Toshizo insisted. I then crawl on top of the familiar and managed to get some footing. "It works the same thing as your shikigami. Just use your mind to control it. You won't be needing me from here." He told me. With my mind I made it made the bird's wings flutter. As I was about to go I turned around. But just like that the man disappeared. "Honestly it's whenever I need you, you disappear! You might as well say 'I'm Batman' while you're at it!" I sarcastically ranted out loud.

I then took a deep breath and tried to take control of the bird. It started out as flapping then a movement of the feet. "Okay Rin…you were able to take on a anti-magic saurian, solo. Flying with a giant bird shikigami should be easy." I pumped myself up. All I was doing now was breathing exercises just to get myself ready. With a raise of the wings, I got myself ready and held on to the body. I let the wings down at full strength and soar in the air. But flapping to strong made me go too fast that I was barely able to hold on. By the time I reached the sky, inertia took over and I fell off the bird shikigami. Soon I was falling to my death and flailing my arms in panic. But soon I gained control and made the shikigami descend under me. I managed to land under the spirit, barely about to be impaled by a few bamboo tree. A second late and I could have been a living demon kebab. My healing factor maybe good but I don't wanna make it go that far.

After a good position, I decided to take it slow and hover at a good speed above the grove. Once I was comfortable I managed to fly a bit faster and higher. After a few meters in the air I soon see a small stream and followed it. It lead me to a waterfall and there was the moon goddess, sitting on a rock near the falls. The shadow of the shikigami caught her eye. I slowly descend at the stream. There the goddess waits at the river and she goes towards me. The shikigami then hovers slowly and gently lands. I then dispel the charm and used my telekinesis to put it back at my holster. "How are you here?" She asked, surprised. "Bishamonten told me." I replied.

"Not that. You being here in the heavenly realm! How are you able to do that?!"

"Back when I was Hijikata Toshizo he used to see Bishamonten. I'm guessing he had connection with the war god before."

The goddess then turned away and started to walk in a repeated pace. It looks like she was stuck in thought. She then pulled me away. "You shouldn't be here." The goddess told me. Tsukuyomi then drags me under the waterfall and into a cave. She then takes a seat on a nearby rock and scratches her head. "This is a first. What brings you here?" She asked. To but honest I didn't know what to answer. I haven't really given that thought. "I don't really know. I just figured I would just do it for kicks." I bashfully replied. Tsukuyomi then sighs, confused. She then crosses her legs and goes into conversation. "Well...since you're here we might as well talk. What have you been up to?" She asked. There was really much going on in the cave so I sat in front of her. "Well I'm two more levels till I reach my second rank after a lot of hunting request. Other than that, I've gained knowledge from my life as Hijikata with herbal medicine. It doesn't do much but it's enough to get rid of the minor stuff." I answered.

"I'm surprised you're taking it so well. How is your magic?" Tsukuyomi asked.

"Not so well. I'm only good with two utility spells at Western magic but my eastern magic is getting better. However the only problem is that chi related spells are taking a toll on my body." I replied displeased.

"I see… onmyoudou magic does have its flaws. It's mostly support magic however it's offensive magic is powerful but it's rather takes a toll on the user. The spell uses a lot of the person's life force." She assumes, "I wanted to compensate on that when turning you into a Tasogare. Looks like the healing factor of that rare variant demonfolk worked."

"What are the Tasogare anyway?" I asked.

"They're a species of demonfolk that are able to live in both the physical and underworld. They are capable of demonic feats much like their biological relatives but are used to keep tabs on whatever goes on down there." The goddess answered.

"So that's how you guys know how hell works. I was wondering how you guys knew about hell. Why the spies?" I asked intrigued.

"Not as spies, rather to drag damned souls back to the underworld and to watch over the living." Tsukuyomi corrected me.

"So I was a warden of hell and guardian? Then why did you bother to tweak with the biology of the Tasogare to 'make' me?" I asked.

"It was just a good idea at the time. But with a bit of help I managed to get it right. You may possess a lot of power but it's going to be hard to measure it." Tsukuyomi presumed.

"So I have the powers of a Tasogare without the limit? Then is it possible to regain my strength if I was able to visit the underworld?" I asked.

"I don't agree to it. Besides, you would need the permission of Emma and various other gods of the underworld. The gods barely know of your identity so it's best for you not to head there." Tsukuyomi disagreed.

It was only there she just went closer me. Later on she caught on what I said. "What do you mean by 'regaining strength'?" She asked me. I looked away with grief in my mind. "Even if I'm able to execute onmyoudou magic well...it looks like being able to use chi without it affecting my body is a problem. I've been dragged to a mandatory rest period. Heck I could barely move my body the first time I used a lot of spells." I regrettably replied. She then went to a facepalm position and sighed. "I guess those spells are too high ranked for you…" Tsukuyomi says as she grasps the truth, "It's expected since the Terrans were given back the ability to use magic just now. That and the process I did was just a prototype."

"So what should I do?" I asked.

"I'll send a messenger to give you a book for basic onmyoudou theory and spells. You're barely qualified to relearn your previous spells." She explains to me, "Try to study and practice these books everyday. They'll act as a way to exercise affinity to eastern magic. The more you use them, the more your body will able to apply reinforcement and replenishment whenever you use chi."

"But what happens if I need to use the spells from my past life?" I asked.

"Then I suggest you figure out a way to replenish your chi. But you don't recall? Those were your spells to begin with." She suggested.

"Such as?"

"Bloody dreams… odd times where shift in between demon and human, weak breathing, and you'll be more prone to faint."

"But what happens if they are visions of past lives?"

"Just take it whenever you can."

It did make sense. But the fact that these were my own spells did kinda confusing. I was starting to lose track on what she was talking about. Maybe it was best to go along with the ride.

I am more tired now. Even if I feel revitalized in eating decent meals…maybe it might be a good time to try it. I agreed to the terms for me to be lost again. There were so many questions filling into my head. But before I can ask anything the goddess stood up and patted herself clean. "This place gets damp later on. I suggest we go elsewhere." She said. The goddess then lends out her hand and helps me up. However instead of going out through the waterfall we went further in the cave. But at a surprise at the end of the hall was a wooden door. It was out of place and unexpected. Tsukuyomi then opens the door and the light from the other side blinds my eyes. As I pass through the door I soon see a Shinto shrine. But looking behind me it was a large Japanese feudal era palace. It was far too large to compare. The top was already touching the clouds and the area of the location was far beyond the eye can see. "So where we going?" I asked. "I can't send you off without a meal." She says, "We'll be heading at the garden."

We entered the palace and I was greeted to a variety of architecture from various periods of Japan. No matter where I went around the castle I felt as if I was back at the Edo Period. It was really different compared to the many locations I've been to. Heck, the last time I've been in a castle like this was when I was at high school at a trip to Kyoto. After a few turns I was brought to a grand garden. It was filled with various plants and orchids. But to my surprise… it was empty.

"Where are the rest of the gods?" I questioned.

"Ever since Ventus came from Aria, those guys fight almost over everything. It's been hard to keep track to these guys." Tsukuyomi said.

"So what are the rest of the gods doing then?" I asked m

But the goddess didn't answer. She then brushed it aside and put a different conversation. "Why don't we get a meal first before any more questions. It's about time you get a proper meal." Tsukuyomi suggested to me.

"I'll be fine. I just ate this morning." I assured.

"I don't know...Your poor feeding habits of bad food isn't going to get you closer to getting a good mind to cast better magic. You maybe able to save for a spell book but if you don't know how to indulge yourself, then you won't be able to crave for more." She advised.

My face turned red and I was lost for words. I started to stutter as I was speechless. "You were watching me?!" I exclaimed. "But of course, I am your goddess. Besides, don't you want to get stronger?" She whispered at my ear. She did have a point. It's been a long time since I've had a good meal. Most of the stuff I ate were cheap meals from the inn. I do eat good meals but those just came out of the many other animals I hunt. Maybe for once it may have been nice to eat something I have to jam an arrow or slice with a sword for a good bite. In the end I gave in and fell in line for a decent meal minus the hunt.

"They're abilities given by the blessing of a god. It's much like your Tasogare form. As proof of contract to a god, the individual's deity gives power to ensure their allegiance. " Tsukuyomi further explained.

"So all gods give these skills?" I asked.

"A God is to give power when necessary." She answered.

"So does that mean I'm still expecting yours too?" I asked with a playful gesture.

"I already gave a piece, it will just come in time where discover the rest of it." Tsukuyomi told me.

"And what would that be?" I asked her.

"Your power is like the moon. Much like the new moon your power is invisible to others. Once you get that, you'll be able to get that easily. However with the terms of Laputa, I had to turn you into a tasogare."

"Hope you don't regret it then 'cause I don't know what I'm doing."

"In time you'll know. You aren't just some idiot with bloody hands."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You'll figure it out. All things will come to play. Hence the reason why Lilith has so much faith in you."

"What do you mean by Lilith? What does she have to do with this?"

"Even if you say Laputa is your new home you still wanna head back don't you?"

"Yeah but does she have to do with this?"

"Didn't your senior tell you awhile ago? The key to get out of this continent is through the tower and with that you need to know what Lilith wants. "

"But why the tower of all things?"

"It was the first thing to appear out of this continent, surely there are many secrets to find. After all, with your skill set, there was a reason why you had been my follower for years."

"Huh?! I've been with you before Laputa."

Tsukuyomi's face turns blank as she soon realized something. Her face was expressionless. She didn't know what to feel other than to be surprised. "Wait...so you're trying to say that you haven't recalled all of your memories?" She asked me. "Well...it's hard to get a grip of my past life memories?" I asked.

"But what of your memories?"

"Is this a problem?"