To you, from death

He wasn’t sure how long he was out for. His dreams drifted between that of peace and pain. He saw the faces of loved ones and the twisted faces of cruelty incarnate. All came in quick succession, offering nothing but more questions. Once or twice he surface back to the world of reality, yet they were brief and wavering ventures before the realm beyond dragged him back with icy tendrils. Time passed, a moment or an eternity who was to really say. Yet it passed all the same. Eyes fluttering open the noon sun beating through the window. Sweat dripping from his brow of a past broken fever. His hands found their way under him, pushing upwards to regain a more dignified position. Sitting back on his feels he wiped the corner of his mouth with his sleeve. An attempt to remove the dried sick, his mouth full of foul cotton.

Looking around each of the tags he had created were shredded. Their edges burnt and stained with blues and reds. A hand rubbed his face, and slowly he was able to regain his composure and put his feet beneath him. It was slow going from there but in time the room was cleaned, a mop was found from the tea shop below, and the floor returned to its former glory, Or at least close enough. The cleaning was a half way decent distraction, though all through these tasks the blue eyes had avoided looking in a mirror. The visage of himself as an Oni had been frightening. Something he cared not to see again. It was at least a handful of hours later when he braved it. Having been out to gather food and drink for his night in, he rationalized that no one had yelled in panic upon seeing him so he must be all right. Right?

He needn’t of worried however, because looking back out at him was just…..him. Shrugging at the anti-climactic moment Asahi let out a breath he hadn’t known he was holding. He moved to his small kitchen and opened the brown paper wrappings. Inside he pulled out a freshly made bento box, a ceramic jar containing sake, and a small sake bowl for him to drink from. He carefully placed each item, before breaking the chop sticks and having his fill. The sounds of the tea shops secondary revenue stream aka the bar, wafting up as the aroma of food had done shortly before. Patrons enjoying themselves, and Asahi wishing he was down there. Still, he didn’t trust his nerves quite yet. He was known for confidence, his vigor for life, and even if he hated admitting it to show up as something different would tarnish the time he could have. No instead this was fine…..everything was fine.

Dishes done, bottle finished, the warmth of sake running through his blood, he went to the desk that resides next to his bed. Pulling out a piece of parchment paper, a bottle brush with a black tip and a small container of ink he would dip the brush. His strokes forming the kanji across the paper as his poem unfolded. The tenants of samurai were clear. The way of the sword was only one way, and to become better one must become more well rounded. Through that different aspects where agreed upon to maintain such a state. That of poetry, gardening, tea ceremonies and more all fulfilled these requirements. To perform something each day aside from training. To meditate and reflect, build upon oneself and know oneself all the more. He wondered what Yasahiro did to fulfill these duties, he hadn’t asked him in some time.

I stand on an edge
Before me I feel the weight
Crash! I feel no more

A smile formed around his lips. A little dark, and perhaps ominous but the words had flowed easily enough. Writing haikus was not his forte per say but they were fun, and fulfilled the requirements. Maybe it was the artistic expression, or just the lingering kiss of sake but his mind and body had begun to relax. Moving the paper to the side he grabbed a fresh one and once again his brush went to paper. His kind half on the words and half on fleeting things. Though he’d slept to much he was already looking forwards to about her bout in the land of dreams. Everyone handled stress bad hardship differently this much was true. Some clammed up never to speak of feelings, other rushed at problems until a solution had been given. His cousin the later. Asahi however, had never been such a person. Rather he retreated not necessarily inward but to that of places unknown. Be it places of pleasure and livelihood or off to sleep to dream of a better tomorrow where a solution may present itself. This was a boon and a curse at times, though in the current predicament he was more than happy to be able to greet sleep soon.

Winds of snow and ice
Their breath reaching over my skin
Warmth, of deaths embrace

Again he smiled at odds with the darkness that stared back at him from the paper. There was something cathartic about taking the darkness that can reside in a heart and replacing it onto the pure white paper. Perhaps it was simple the expression, but he could feel himself cheering up. A little light than he had been the hours before. Replacing the bottle and brush in the compartment of the desk that acted as reliquary he moved over to the bed. Not bothering to change, rather he curled into the bed pulling the blankets up and over his head. Outside the dying sunlight just barely filtered in. Darkness began to overtake Tanbogakure as dreams began to overtake Asahi. For a time they were simply that, dreams. They resembled nothing but a kaleidoscope of colors, feelings, and fleeting thoughts. If they ever solidified fully Asahi did not know it. Instead he continue to drift peacefully in the sea of unfulfilled dreams.

At least as with so many things, they were……until they simply weren’t. One moment he floated through the miasma of memories, and then the next wooden clogs touched down on burnt grass. Looking down Asahi could see himself, he was dressed and far away from that of his bed. His attire was that of his typical preferences. A flowery pink kimono rested on his body. The inner ware fitted tightly with linen wraps, wooden clogs on his feet, his ninjato at his hip, hair tied back with a matching headband. Once he was confident it was a dream of nakedness his blue eyes moved over the land scape. It was important to have priorities. To his left and right seemed a large field of burnt grass. Burnt in scorching sun or with a kiss of fire he could not be sure. The wood of the clogs crunching as he shifted position. Behind him a lake, dead fish bubbling to the surface. His noes wrinkling at the realization of the smell. In front of him a solitary path leading towards mountains. They reminded him of the temple Yasahiro and himself had visited just some days before. Snow peaked caps, and even in the distance he swore he could hear the ringing of the bell…..this time however he knew it was for a safe return rather than a send off.

With a heavy sigh, Asahi Yagami began to put one foot in front of the other. The steady crunch his only accompanying sound. It was a dream of course. There was no other explanation. When one was in a dream it was best to see it through, not ask questions and move forward. Yes, that seemed perfectly logical. Sure he attempted to fly, to alter his surroundings, but each attempt resulted in nothing more but actions that would seem embarrassing had anyone been around the witness. So, the mountain path became even more so his desired destination. His hand rested on the hilt of the ninjato. It may be a dream, but still the thought of being murdered even in a dream scape was less than desirable.

There were signs, looking back. That this was not going to be a pleasant dream. We’re they subtle? No not really Asahi would think as he stepped over the bones of some long dead man, and then the ones of a very much not long dead woman. Still, it was a dream, so there was nothing to be worried about. Sure the flayed men had been disgusting, but not real. Then there had been those in cages hung above steaming geysers, unsettling of course, but still just a concoction of an over active imagination. Now the distant wailing was unnerving, but still…..it was nothing to worry about. This sense of rationalization continued to deteriorate threatening to break at any minute, though still Asahi walked on. It helped that as he moved forward a rolling mist kept at his back. Obscuring the path he’d come, and for whatever reason he fully believed that turning back had not been an option for some time.

Before long he came upon a tea shop. Again, it seemed out of place, but there it was. This was a dream so not that unusual. Surrounding the tea house was a variety of creatures. It was with a shudder that he realized he recognized many of these faces. The demon faces of the oni at the feast of the dead. The creatures that had lurked in the world of darkness where souls may end up. Beyond the tea house he could see another road……a road that stretched to a forest eclipsed by night. He could feel the gulp, and cursed his imaginative mind. He’d went to sleep to avoid, not to cope, yet here he was. Looking around each of the oni Raised a solitary arm. Gnarled and muscled each pointed to the door of the tea house. Assuming the inside had to be preferable to out here Asahi made his way forward and into the building.

Inside a pleasant surprise, with a side dish of fear awaited his sampling. The building had a single room from what he could tell. Smaller Oni dressed in clothes stood around the outskirts of the room. In the center a huge looking figure sat upon cushions. It’s skin red, it’s face ugly and gnarled. Teeth sticking out at odd angles, wicked horns grew from its scalp with a tangle of white hair framing its face. In front of the creature was a traditionally sized go board, and an empty cushion. One of the Oni approached.

“May I take your weapon sir?” The small blue creature would say reaching out. It was under the eyes of the looming figure he doubted this was a good idea, yet still….it was rude to have weapons in a tea shop, and this was just a dream.

“Sure, thank you my blue friend.” He’d say in a mock cheerful tone. Undoing the tie he’d hand it over before making his way forward, sitting down on the cushion. “So this is one of my more vivid dreams I needn’t tell you.” His voice was crisp and confident. Hiding the fear inside his heart. He hoped it would work.

The creature leaned down, a third eye opening on its forehead. It’s yellow iris sickly in color, it moved in its socket taking him in before the creature leaned back. With a dexterity he wouldn’t have believed the creature would grab a small white stone, placing it on the game board. Signifying the start of the game.

Swallowing Asahi would reach into the basket next to him, a black stone between his fingertips. Looking at the board he would place it. As he did a voice filled his mind. It was soft, that of a woman. It caused him to look around, even though he knew it had somehow come from the creature in front of him. If he had to have given the creature a gender he’d have said man, though maybe that was presumptive. “I see our mark was left on you……last time you were here you ran so quickly now you come back.”

For the second time he felt himself swallow, watching the fingers carefully move a white stone into the board. “Well I was called away you see. I’m pretty busy these days.” He’d give a little shrug.

“Your confidence is admirable, even if it’s as transparent as your moves.” The woman’s voice chided in his mind. Stealing himself he looked up into the creatures face. Meeting it’s eyes he quickly looked down, his mind having difficulty wrapping around what he’d seen. Still he knew that was were the sweet voice was coming from, even if it was hard to believe.

“Well, I do my best you know. Still I wouldn’t count the game in your favor just yet.” There followed several turns where no one spoke. During this time a tray of tea was brought forward and Asahi took it willingly. He held it in his hand for some time without drinking. Move after move kept the game going before he wa able to spring the trap he’d set up from the last words of the Oni. In a moment the game was over, and he had won. “See……not so easy huh. Guess I win.” He’d smile then, even with the present situation. Closing his eyes he’d bring the tea to his lips, sipping it. The warm liquid spreading Through his mouth, and then down his throat.

When he opened his eyes the creatures face was nearly touching his own. In shock he fell back scrambling up from the ground, reaching for a blade that was not there. “No Asahi Yagami…..you have not.” The area around them melted away, they were within the forest at a table. Food stuffs around, and Asahi had drank from that table…..the one he’d thought he had escaped. “Don’t worry though…..you still have much to do, much we can have you do. After all you are one of us.” The voice was just as sweet, and the tinkering laugh filled his ears. At that moment a burning feeling rushed over his body, his skin ablaze. The transformation from the curse seal covered him, and once again he took on his own visage of an Oni. Still the voice laughed.

“You are with us, and we are with you in a singular task Asahi Yagami. You’ve eaten of the table, yet we will let you go. Let you go, to Tanbogakure……let you go to hold back that which even we would not have let out.”

The voice would finish, echos filling his ears. He could feel a strength in his body thag he’d not felt before. His spirit seemed open, it’s energies overflowing. He did not feel the same fear. Yet even so as quickly as he was coming to this realization he was jerked forward and awake.

Sitting straight up in bed his breathing coming in quickly the sound of chirping morning birds filled the air from outside his window. Again he awoke in a sweat, and again it took some time to recover. The mirror at least kindly just showed himself as he knew himself. Standing he’d move over and wash his face in the basin before sitting at his desk. Looking at the haikus from the night before he moved them, to find two scrolls beneath.

The first bore the mark of the Oni, a terrible face looking up at him. Opening here saw his name writ upon the scroll, only for it to just as suddenly burst into flame and crumble away. Revealing the second paper, on it held only a few words.

“Within Okada Castle seek out Suwa Uno, Konoe Hoso”

He knew that was the name of the girls he’d seen. With the names, he could do more. He could….do what exactly he didn’t know. Still, he had a lead he’d worked so hard to find and failed. Still……he couldn’t help but feel like one of the stones on a go board, being placed by a player unseen.

TWC - 2700

2000 wc towards Oni Contract
(This is achieved through the Spiritual Affinity skill)

+700 words towards partial mastery of the Curse mark

+13 chakra

This maxes out stats once again so the remaining 1400 words are towards ap

+28 ap

Approved! Btw it was a great read