Hoshiyo left her sisters behind to tend to the recovering Kami, slipping quietly into the empty hallways of their home. The silence was almost eerie as she passed a few bedrooms, her footsteps barely making a sound on the polished wooden floors. She reached Takeko's door and gently knocked on the wood of the sliding panel.
"Hey, it's Hoshiyo," she whispered. "Are you up for a mission?"
Before she could finish, the door slid open with a force that almost startled her. Takeko burst out of her room, arms wide and a beaming smile lighting up her face. She threw her arms around Hoshiyo, pulling her into a tight embrace.
"Hoshiyo! We were so worried about you!" Takeko exclaimed, her voice choked with emotion. Tears shimmered in her eyes, but her smile never wavered, her pearly white teeth flashing as she hugged her sister.
Hoshiyo returned the embrace briefly, her voice low as she replied, "I'm fine now. But there's work to be done. It's time for another mission."
Takeko snapped to attention, saluting with a grin. "Good to hear. I'm ready for whatever you need. Just say the word, and I'm on it."
"Let's bring Rei with us, too," Hoshiyo suggested, her tone turning serious. "We'll need her skills if anything goes wrong."
The two sisters moved together through the hallway, going to the infirmary. When they entered, they found Rei sitting on one of the pristine beds, her attention absorbed in a medical book.
Rei looked up at the sound of footsteps, her expression shifting from concentration to surprise when she saw who it was. She frowned slightly and said, "Hoshiyo, are you ready to come back for monitoring? We still need to check your vitals and run some bloodwork."
"I came to ask you to join us on a mission," Hoshiyo said, her tone firm. "We must deal with a sorcerer selling charcoal to the fishing village."
Rei raised an eyebrow, questioning, "Why would we target a charcoal seller?"
Hoshiyo's expression darkened as she explained, "He cursed the Kami, intending to spread a plague across the land that would turn us into vicious monsters. If he'd succeeded, we would all be dead by now."
Rei took a deep breath, her reluctance clear. She was torn between staying with her sisters, who still needed her in the infirmary, and supporting Hoshiyo on this dangerous mission. After contemplating, she spoke carefully, "I'll go, but understand this: our responsibilities in the infirmary are crucial. Your drive to chase down these villains shouldn't overshadow the needs of the others here. You have eight other siblings who can help. You don't have to carry this burden alone, Hoshiyo. Remember, you can ask us for help too."
Hoshiyo turned and headed back into the hallway, her voice clipped as she called over her shoulder, "Fine. Now hurry—we have a village to protect."
Takeko and Rei exchanged glances before following her, staying close behind as they moved through the corridors. There was a lingering sense of unease as if they didn't fully trust her after the last incident. Hoshiyo's tendency to shoulder the heaviest burdens weighed on them all, but Rei understood better than anyone the pressure her sister felt to protect them.
The sun began its descent, casting long shadows across the dense forest as Hoshiyo, Rei, and Takeko made their way along the narrow path leading to the village. The air was crisp, filled with the scent of wood and the distant sound of a flowing stream. The three sisters walked silently for a time, each lost in their thoughts about the mission ahead.
Rei, who had been watching Hoshiyo closely, was the first to break the silence. "Do you remember the day Omoikane attacked us?" she asked, her voice cutting through the quiet like a knife. "Motoko told us the Omoikane led you to the fishing village as if subconsciously attempting to inform you where to locate the man who committed the crime."
Hoshiyo nodded, her eyes fixed on the path ahead. "I've thought about that too," she admitted. "It's almost as if he was leading us directly to the source of his torment, the sorcerer who twisted him into something he was never meant to be."
Takeko, trailing slightly behind, caught up to walk beside them. "It's strange," she said, her tone thoughtful. "Why would a Kami, even under a curse, guide us like that? It's as if he knew we would be the ones to stop this."
Hoshiyo sighed, the weight of the conversation settling on her shoulders. "Maybe he did. Or maybe he was just desperate, trying to find someone—anyone—who could end his suffering. It doesn't matter now. What matters is that we're here, and we're going to finish what we started."
Rei glanced at Hoshiyo, her brow furrowing with concern. "Hoshiyo, you've always taken on so much, more than anyone should. Why do you feel like you have to carry everything by yourself?"
Hoshiyo slowed, her gaze falling to the ground as she considered the question. "Because I'm the leader," she said softly. "I'm the one who's supposed to protect all of you, make the decisions, and bear the consequences. If something goes wrong, it's on me. That's how it's always been."
Takeko shook her head, her expression softening. "But you're not alone, Hoshiyo. We're all in this together. You don't have to carry the burden by yourself."
Hoshiyo paused, turning to face her sisters. "I know you're right," she said, her voice tinged with emotion. "But it's hard to let go of that responsibility. I've always felt like I had to be strong for all of you, to show you that no matter what happens, we'll get through it."
Rei stepped forward, placing a hand on Hoshiyo's shoulder. "You've always been strong, but strength doesn't mean doing everything alone. We're here for you just as much as you're here for us. Lean on us when you need to. We're sisters—we're supposed to support each other."
Hoshiyo's eyes softened as she looked at Rei and Takeko, their faces filled with understanding and compassion. "Thank you," she whispered. "I'll try to remember that."
The conversation lingered as they continued their journey, the bond between the sisters feeling more vital than ever. They walked in companionable silence for a while longer, the forest around them gradually giving way to signs of civilization—a worn dirt road, the occasional glimpse of a distant house, and the smell of salt on the wind.
By the time they reached the fishing village, the first light of dawn was beginning to break over the horizon. The town was quiet, with only a few early risers going about their morning routines. Hoshiyo, Rei, and Takeko exchanged determined glances as they prepared to face whatever awaited them.
"We're here," Hoshiyo said, her voice firm. "Let's find this sorcerer and end this."
The three sisters strode into the village, their faces set with a warrior's resolve, unyielding and fearless. As they walked, villagers paused from their daily tasks, casting curious glances and murmuring. Hoshiyo's mind raced—was it something she had done? The memory of her monstrous transformation, nearly killing the wolf that had once been their ally, flashed before her eyes. But no, that couldn't be it. Then, the realization struck her: they had lost their ability to transform back into wolves. That's why the whispers followed them.
Suddenly, the villagers surged forward, surrounding the sisters with arms full of offerings. A young woman approached first, cradling a box of delicate chinaware. She lifted the lid, revealing the intricately painted dishes. "Thank you for saving us from the Boar's wrath," she said, her voice filled with awe. "We thought the monster would destroy us, but you stopped it. Please accept these gifts."
More villagers pressed in, eager to show their gratitude with baskets of herbs, rice, and other goods. Hoshiyo stood in the center of it all, overwhelmed. The thanks, though genuine, left her uneasy. Her heart tightened with anger as the villagers called the Kami a "monster." After everything the creature had suffered, it wasn't the monster but a victim. But she understood their fear; they hadn't known the truth behind the Kami's rage. To them, the beast had been a terror. Hoshiyo swallowed her frustration and accepted the gifts with a slight nod, though her mind lingered on the injustice of it all.
The air was thick with the scent of sea salt and freshly caught fish, but now, mixed with it, was the sweet aroma of freshly cut herbs and the earthy smell of rice poured into sacks.
"Please, take these," one elderly woman said, her hands trembling as she offered them bundles of medicinal herbs wrapped in cloth. "You've saved us; this is the least we can do."
Another villager, a burly fisherman with calloused hands, handed them a large sack of rice. "This is from all of us," he said, his voice rough but sincere. "For everything you've done."
Hoshiyo accepted the gifts with a bow, her eyes scanning the crowd before addressing them. She refused to accept the gifts without clearing the air. "The Kami, Omoikane, was not himself. He was viciously attacked by a sorcerer who forced him into a rage. The sorcerer is the same man who delivers charcoal to your village."
The villagers exchanged uneasy glances. An older man with a weathered face and a long white beard stepped forward. "We know him," he said gravely. "He comes around tomorrow at midday, always with a fresh batch of charcoal. We never suspected he was capable of such evil."
"Do you know where he comes from or where he stays?" Takeko asked, her voice edged with concern.
The older man nodded. "He lives alone in the mountains to the north. Few venture there, but he's been delivering charcoal here for years. We never imagined he'd be the source of such darkness."
Rei looked to Hoshiyo, who was already deep in thought, her mind likely racing with plans and strategies.
"We'll stay in the village until tomorrow," Hoshiyo decided. "But we must be ready. If he comes, we must confront him and end this once and for all."
The villagers were relieved, and one of the women gestured toward a nearby inn. "You're more than welcome to stay here for the night. Please explore the village, rest, and gather your strength. We'll do whatever we can to help."
"Thank you, that's very kind," Hoshiyo replied, bowing her head in appreciation.
An elderly woman dressed in a light grey Yukata gestured for the sisters to follow her to the village's old inn. The three sisters, arms full of generous gifts from the villagers, trailed behind her. When they arrived, they slipped off their straw sandals at the entrance and approached the front desk, where a young woman sat on a stool with a disinterested expression.
The young woman, busy counting coins under the desk, glanced up as they approached. "You brought those Ronin with you who saved us yesterday. What are you up to, old lady?" she asked, her tone flat and unimpressed.
The elderly woman frowned, her voice firm but polite. "Mind your manners, young one. These guests are here on a mission to hunt down a dangerous man. We should do everything we can to make their stay as comfortable as possible."
With a sigh, the younger woman muttered, "Sure, fine. We've got a room upstairs. Use it as long as you need."
"Thank you," Hoshiyo replied, slightly tense in the air from the younger woman's brusque attitude, but she appreciated the offer nonetheless.
"Follow me," the elderly woman said with a warm smile, leading them up a narrow staircase that twisted like a labyrinth. The hallways were lined with sliding doors at every turn, and it felt almost like stepping into an endless maze.
After guiding them down the hall, the older woman slid open the door to a spacious room with a balcony. She shuffled to a nearby closet, retrieving three futons for the sisters and placing them on the floor. She then fetched soft pillows and laid them out, ensuring their comfort.
The sisters settled on plush cushions around a low Japanese kotatsu table draped with a beautifully crafted quilt. The tatami flooring beneath them added a sense of calm to the space. With a final bow, the elderly woman excused herself, leaving them to enjoy the room's peace.
Hoshiyo and her sisters waved gratefully as the door slid shut behind her, the quiet of the room offering rest after their long journey.