Itsutsu - Days

 The group walked through the forest of Torii Gates. “So when you said train the bunch, you were talking about them right? Yuna I get, but don’t think you have much you can teach Ramon.” Hiroko said. “He doesn’t know how to fight, he uses speed, and strength to his advantage but that is all. Yuna needs help with actually learning spells. Her intuition is great, but she needs more than that. You, I get the feeling even if it is dangerous as long as Yuna will fight you will.” Yusuke said. “Well of course.” Hiroko said. “Then you need to learn to fight as well.” Yusuke said. “So you’ll teach me?” Hiroko asked. “You’ll never be able to move like Ramon, but I can help to make you as useful as he is.” Yusuke said. “How?” Hiroko asked. “That Kendo queen will have to be something for later.” Yusuke said. Yusuke stopped at a Torii Gate. “This will take us back to Okinawa.” Yusuke said. “Do all of these Torii lead to different places?” Yuna asked. “Yeah, all throughout Japan.” Yusuke said. “That’s insane.” Hiroko said. “These are the gates connecting to Japan, what gates connect to Pilipinas?” Ramon asked. “I don’t know, I don’t go to Pilipinas.” Yusuke said. “Great.” Ramon said, walking through the torii. “Just walking through. Ok, everyone go.” Yusuke said. “Is this safe?” Hiroko asked. “I don’t care, I just wanna go home.” Yuna said walking through. Yusuke looked at Hiroko. “It’s safe. Besides, this is the only way you get to see your mom again.” Yusuke said. “She must be so worried.” Hiroko said. Yusuke held out his hand to Hiroko. “I’m not grabbing your hand.” Hiroko said. “Do you find me that repulsive?” Yusuke asked. “Yes.” Hiroko said. Yusuke sighed, before taking a step forward. “And yet for some reason I consider you a friend. I mean you did help save my life.” Hiroko said, looking at the ground. Yusuke looked back at her, and smiled. Hiroko took a step forward, and pushed Yusuke into the Torii. Hiroko took a step forward, and walked into the Torii.

The group found themselves on a mountain. “This is the wrong place to be.” Yusuke said. “Where are we?” Yuna asked. “Mount Yonaha.” Yusuke said. Okinawa only has two portals, and I keep forgetting them.” Yusuke said. Hiroko turned around, hoping to back through the Torii, but there wasn’t one. “So you stranded us.” Hiroko said. “Why do you even have something to take you here?” Ramon asked. “Yokai Nests, they live in the forests. I say to be careful of the Oni, but the ones in this mountain are exceptionally nice. And one couple makes a nice meal.” Yusuke said. “I thought Yoki was all evil?” Hiroko asked. “Not all of them. I mean Elves and Dwarves are seen the same as humans in pop culture, and there isn't any difference between them to say on Oni. They are genetically different, but all three are of Human descent, and could be considered Yokai.” Yusuke said. “I’m confused.” Hiroko said. “Let’s get out of this forest.” Ramon said. “Let’s get to Omigi, then we can get a train ride back to Okinawa. I’ll pay.” Yusuke said, leading the way. “Great idea.” Yuna said. Ramon followed after. “I’m still confused.” Hiroko said, catching up with them.

The group spent the entire day walking through the mountain. Tired, and hungry, but the press on. The sky turned dark, and Fireflies came out to greet the group. They managed to reach Omigi, and Yusuke bought them tickets, as well as food and drinks from a vending machine. The group boarded, and the train left, taking the group to Okinawa. “So if Dwarves, Elves, and Oni are all three descended from humans, then what exactly are Akuma?” Hiroko asked. “Akuma and Tenshi. They are the closest to Humans. To be more technical. They aren't Demi-Humans, like the other races. They are Holy People, however they represent differences, especially with their attitudes towards the Kami. Holy People are humans who don’t mutate from Kami, usually. But things do tend to be different, and some Holy People become the embodiment of Kami. This causes a unique mutation. If they care for the Kami, and treat it with grass then they become Tenshi, and if they use the Kami as energy, a battery, they become Akuma.” Yusuke said. “I figure them to be like vampires or something.” Hiroko said. “Ghouls are to blame for them. Ghoul are the ancestor to Banshees, Vampires, and Werewolves.” Yusuke said. “And what about Aswang?” Yuna asked. “I don’t know much about global Yokai. I live in Japan, so I only trouble myself with Japanese Yokai. Outside of anime, that is.” Yusuke said.

The train stopped at Okinawa, and the group got off. “I’m going home.” Ramon said. “Have at it.” Hiroko said. “Can I crash at your place?” Yuna asked, looking at Hiroko. “Yeah, hopefully mom made dinner as well.” Hiroko said. “I wouldn’t mind dinner.” Yusuke said. “Wanna come?” Hiroko asked. “Sure.” Yusuke said. “Hey Ramon, we are heading to Hiroko’s for dinner, why not join us?” Yuna asked, yelling at him. He was already 10 meters away. He turned around and looked at Yuna, and sighed.

Hiroko took the three to her house. “Come on in.” Hiroko said, entering the house. The other three followed after. They took off their shoes, and left their shoes in the Getobako. Hiroko walked into the kitchen, seeing her mother. The kitchen was covered in baked goods. “Hiroko.” her mother said, before hugging her. “Sorry, I can’t explain where I have been.” Hiroko said. “As long as you are home.” her mother said. Yuna walked into the kitchen, and joined the hug. “It’s so good to see you Ms. Shaku.” Yuna said. “Oh, my girls I was so worried?” Hiroko’s mother said, hugging Yuna, and kissing Yuna and Hiroko’s heads. Yusuke and Ramon walked into the kitchen. “Hi, Ms. Shaku. It’s always a pleasure to see you. “Fujiwara, what brings you, and whoever that is here?” Hiroko’s mother asked, letting go of her hug on the girls. “Dinner.” Hiroko responded. “Dinner? Fine, I’ll make dinner for you and your friends, even though you’ve been gone for a week.” Hiroko’s mother said. “I will explain everything, I swear.” Hiroko said, tearing up. “You better.” her mother said, re hugging Hiroko. “After dinner hopefully.” Hiroko said, returning the second hug. Ramon watched, and in his mind flickered memories. His own pain. He saw his mother, and father, their smiles, and graves.