Chapter 37

As Inari led Kaede and Yurika to one of the backrooms of the shrine, Yurika took the opportunity to ask about the disappeared Hound.

“I’m surprised he disappeared so quickly, especially given that he claimed to want to protect us… but I can’t say I’m not a little relieved. Something about that guy makes me antsy.”

“I’m sorry that you feel that way, Yurika.”

The Hound spoke before Kaede had a chance to explain and Yurika jumped slightly, hearing his unseen voice in her ears.

“It’s that sort of thing right there!” Yurika whispered loudly as Kaede put a finger up to her lips emphatically. The island girl muttered an apology but Inari didn’t seem to react.

“He said he was going to hide in my shadow, so he can keep a close watch for us. Said it was best if only the two of us knew about him being nearby, especially if someone is trying to hinder us.” Kaede’s hand was over her mouth as she whispered to Yurika. “Actually…” She quickly glanced down at her shadow, as if realizing something. “...how are you able to even hide there?”

“My shroud is a divine relic from Kagura-sama’s treasury. It can interact with shadows and darkness in many useful ways, such as grabbing onto them for better mobility. I used it earlier on the slope to stop you from falling.”

Kaede nodded slightly, yet she was made even more curious about the shroud. She thought better of asking for further elaboration though.

“I have to say, it is kind of unsettling hearing a voice from nowhere. Freaky even.” Yurika whispered.

“I’m kind of getting used to it.” Kaede replied, simply. It was her third encounter with such a phenomenon after all.

“I don’t ever want to get used to hearing a freaky, disembodied voice…” Yurika muttered as they reached the shinkan.

Once inside, Inari directed the two girls to sit on a pair of zabuton before kneeling to sit on her own. She gave a simple bow, before resting her hands on her lap, introducing herself once again.

“As I said before, I am Saishu Inari, the leader of this shrine. Isshin’s letter arrived last night and gave me a brief overview of why you two are here, but if you could go into more detail, I would be pleased to assist you further!” Now that Kaede had gotten a good look at the priestess, she noticed that Inari was a stunningly gorgeous young woman.

The priestess was a few inches taller than Yurika (who had a few inches of height on Kaede) and it showed even while kneeling, no doubt in part to her impeccable posture. She had an aura of grace and maturity about her that reminded the oiran of having an audience with the eldest princess back home. Her hair was a beautiful silver color, tied in a long ponytail, with hime-cut bangs that framed her porcelain cheeks flawlessly. The color of her hair reminded Kaede of how the moon was described in books and she found it oddly fitting for the head priestess of a shrine dedicated to the folktales. Her sharp eyes were a vibrant amber color, much like honey and there was an intensity to them that drew you in.

Under that gaze, Kaede felt self-conscious about her own posture, as if the priestesses’ observant gaze would instantly notice even the slightest slouch. Even Yurika was sitting more upright than usual and that brought an amused smile to Kaede’s lips.

The young oiran bowed deeply towards Inari and she could feel Yurika do the same, before she sat back up and explained as much about their visit as she deemed necessary. Yurika sat silently by, allowing Kaede to showcase her oratory skills to the saishu.

The scrutiny of Inari’s eyes reminded Kaede of her own mother’s eyes the few times she had observed her lessons with Sumire. Perhaps the memories of those rare occasions had crossed her mind, as the young oiran chose to omit everything related to her visions with Kagura, not wanting to appear unsound to the priestess.

Inari listened intently, though her expression was somehow even more enigmatic than The Hound’s mask. It was a stark contrast from Isshin’s reaction the day before, but Kaede gathered it wasn’t the most outlandish story the head priest of the busiest shrine had heard in his long life. Perhaps the young priestess didn’t want to appear too eager to believe in an old legend, for fear that someone might mistake youthful enthusiasm for frivolity.

That was definitely not something you wanted from your spiritual leader.

“What a curious story.” Inari said, her gaze turning to Yurika. “As someone who has lived on Tsuiraku their whole life, what do you make of all this, Lady Yurika?”

Yurika sat up stiffly, surprised that her input was being requested before merely shrugging. “I can believe it, easily enough. The three shrines and how big the festival is show how important this tale is to the island.”

Inari’s face had a smile but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “That’s precisely what I was thinking. I’m glad to see the young people of the island still revere the ancient story.”

“Young people…? Just how old are y–?”

“Do you know who the banished are, Lady Kaede?” Inari’s question cut off Yurika’s as her focus shifted back to the oiran.

“It would be the princess’ guardian and maybe the thieves?” Kaede asked, unsure.

Inari nodded simply. “The Shrine of the Banished is dedicated to those punished in the tale. All people are redeemable, villains and even beasts.” There was a certain inflection to how the priestess said beasts that made Kaede’s spine shiver, but she ignored that as the priestess continued. “We represent the lost souls and those souls that are moving beyond this world. We believe that no being is inherently evil, be it the thief or the guardian who failed their duty. And lest we forget about those poor souls who didn’t even make it into the stories, the ones who aren’t even worth mentioning in the tragedy of the moon princess’ tale.”

Inari had bowed her head and clasped her hands together as if she was saying a prayer to those souls. Kaede and Yurika glanced at each other, wondering if they should do the same before Inari smiled at them both.

“Alas, we can merely pray for those nameless souls and for any soul that meets their end on Tsuiraku. We do not get to choose whose story is told and whose tale is forgotten. Even the beasts…” The way she emphasized that word again sent shivers throughout both girls’ bodies. “...must be prayed for.”

“Your devotion is quite admirable.” Kaede said, before bowing towards the priestess once more. “I must ask, do you have any such mirrors on the shrine grounds and if you do, might I implore you to let me see it?”

Inari smiled the same emotionless smile as she bowed slightly to Kaede and the oiran braced herself for disappointment. She felt Yurika deflate beside her, both girls feeling that this might be a foolish endeavor.

“There is one such mirror, Lady Kaede.”

Both Kaede and Yurika looked at each other with muted excitement, before both bowing deeply to the saishu.

“I also have no qualms about showing it to you, but it is not easily accessible.” The two girls tilted their heads, the look of disappointment clear on their faces. “It is a sacred artifact, after all. We do not keep it on display, choosing to keep it stored safely. I can have it brought out for you two to examine, but it will not be today.”

“That is completely understandable, Saishu Inari.” Kaede sat back up and bowed her head in understanding while Yurika sighed impatiently.

“I can understand your frustrations and I do wish I could have shown you it today, but you have to understand my skepticism. Even the most devout follower of our shrine would have their doubts that the folktale was real!” She gave a slight bow before continuing.

“That said, I would like some sort of proof that these bells, you spoke of, exist. It’s not that I doubt you, Lady Kaede, but anyone can make up a story to try and snatch a divine relic, right?”

“I thought you said that no one is inherently evil!” Yurika chimed in, loudly.

Inari’s amber eyes narrowed, giving a glimmer of irritation for an instant before she answered the island girl. “That is true, but that doesn’t mean that we aren’t cautious, especially to outsiders, such as a young maiden from Yuilen. We believe in the goodness of the soul, but people are capable of dreadful things, especially with the wrong influence.”

Yurika grumbled incoherently, trying not to start an argument with a priestess. Kaede made a deep bow, as if showing her understanding.

“I take no offense to your prudence, Saishu. It is a strange and sudden request from someone who has never set foot into this shrine prior to today.” Kaede put on her brightest smile, as she straightened herself, her green eyes meeting Inari’s amber ones. She placed her right palm across her chest, showing her sincerity to ease the priestess’ concerns. “What do you require that will allow me to see the mirror on another occasion?”

“I would like to see these Celestial Bells for myself.”

Kaede and Yurika exchanged glances, with Yurika’s gaze seeming to suggest that the oiran not oblige but Kaede ignored her friend’s suggestion, removing the bundle from her back and carefully laying it on the tatami in front of her. She opened the cloth to reveal the two gold and silver bells that remained, shimmering brightly as always.

Inari’s eyes widened, but Kaede noted that it wasn’t in awe. There was almost a sort of hungry gleam in the priestess’ amber eyes and that sent a larger shiver up the oiran’s spine than how the saishu had said ‘beast’.

Yurika seemed to have a similar response, but if Inari noticed the girls’ reactions, she didn’t give it away, her eyes focused on the bells.

The priestess broke her gaze from the bells, almost reluctantly, before facing Kaede once more. “They have such divine craftsmanship. I almost feel like they’re calling to me, trying to draw me in.” Inari brought her arm up, her long white sleeves obscuring the smile that had crossed her lips.

“I am confused, however, in Isshin’s missive, he said that there were three bells?”

Yurika and Kaede’s eyes met briefly, the oiran panicking slightly. She had let The Hound, still hidden in her shadow but who had remained quiet this whole time, hold onto the bronze bell only moments before. How could she have forgotten that detail!?

“There are three bells, saishu.” Yurika decided to wing it, covering for Kaede’s panic. “We left one with Master Isshin so he could further investigate it and see if he could find what we’re supposed to do once we match the mirrors with their bells. Just finding them isn’t enough, they must be paired, you know?” Yurika lied as naturally as she breathed, the trio having already solved that puzzle earlier.

Inari gazed at the island girl, almost as if she didn’t believe her before nodding. “That makes some sense. If anyone would figure out how they work, it would be Master Isshin.”

Yurika exhaled a sigh of relief as Kaede went to put the bells back.

“Hopefully, he can come up with some clues. I’ll have the mirror brought up and you two can come back tomorrow, if you’d like. Now, it’s getting late, so you two should probably head back to the village.” Inari said, standing up and heading to open the door.

Kaede and Yurika rose to their feet and quickly bowed, muttering their thanks before shuffling off down the hall.

Inari leaned against the doorframe, her fingers fiddling with something unseen on her neck, as she watched the young girls retreat.

“That which remains unfinished shall be done…” Inari’s cryptic words hung in the air as she disappeared into the depths of the shinkan.