[Satori Effect] Beneath the Tree, Beneath the Stars

Later that day, Osamu, Amatsuki, and Lucrezia joined everyone downstairs for supper. The afternoon sun poured into the kitchen from the opened windows, drowning the room in golden-orange light as a breeze tugged through the thin, white curtains. Kagutsuchi, Tsukiakari, and Shinju made a batch of miso soup for Osamu and fried chicken sandwiches for everyone else.

Seeing the obvious, lopsided treatment, Osamu nearly wept as he stared into his soup. "How come everyone else gets sandwiches?"

Tsukiakari poked her finger into Osamu cheek. "Because someone just had to go around getting stabbed through the gut. We fixed your wound, but Shinju said you should stick to liquids for the next two weeks at least."

"Two weeks?!" Osamu pouted. "I am never leaping in front of spears again!"

"Thank you for letting me know I'm only worth a sandwich to you, Osamu." Lucrezia mumbled.

(That day, Kagu gave us the rundown for our injuries. The patch of seared skin on my stomach will probably remain with me for the rest of my life. Kagu was able to heal my organs, but the injury will probably take a few years off of my life.)

(Even if I wanted to, getting into any more adventures with this injury would certainly guarantee my death. So, it's going to be a little while before I can afford to get involved in any more crazy scenarios. Lucrezia sustained a lot of damage to her entire body, specifically her torso and arm from the collapsed building. Thankfully, she can keep her arm, but putting her body through any kind of physically taxing activity, like fighting, is out of the question for a little while as well. After everything we've been through, I'm kind of okay with that.)

As they ate, Osamu received a call on his cellphone. "Hello?"

The screaming, ear piercing voice of Yoko rang out. "You are one stupid little shit! I can't believe you got into this much trouble without telling us!"

Shinju could barely contain her laughter. "She sounds pissed, dude."

"Okay, okay! Calm down! Everything actually worked out a lot better than expected. I'm okay, Shinju's okay, Lucrezia's okay, Kagu is here, and Amatsuki is okay too. We're all at the old house in Kyoto." Osamu said.

Yoko sighed and calmed herself down. "Thank goodness. We realized you and Gekko were gone and we freaked out. Kagutsuchi told us about the fight in the neighborhood and Izanami sent in the shinigami to help. I'm glad you're okay, but you can never do this shit again! We could've lost you!"

"I'm sorry, Yoko. Really though, we're all okay now. We'll be home soon. Oh, and we're bringing a guest. I'll explain everything once we get there, okay?" Osamu said.

"Okay, okay. I can't believe the heart attack you nearly gave me..." Yoko said. "Let me know when you're on your way home."

"Okay. Love you, Yoko."

"Love you too, Osamu."

Osamu sighed in relief as he hung up the phone. "Looks like everything is going to work out after all."

"Take some time to rest a bit. We'll leave here in a few hours." Kagutsuchi said.

"Sounds good to me. I think I'll take a nap. You coming, Osamu?" Shinju asked.

"No, I think I'll stay up"

Lucrezia scoffed. "I'm fucking not. I'm going to sleep. I worked hard to pull all of this together."

Kagutsuchi yawned as she took off her apron. "I'm pretty tired too."

"You worked hard and you saved our lives. Thanks, Kagu." Osamu said.

"No problem, Osa. Well then, I'll be upstairs."

"I think I'll catch some Z's as well." Tsukiakari interjected. "Patching everyone up was not easy. See you in a few hours, Osa."

"Sure thing, Gekko."

It was just Amatsuki and Osamu now, the sun shining on their faces and glaring off of the granite counter-top.

"How are you feeling?" Osamu asked.

"A little overwhelmed, but also very glad. It's exciting, being able to start again." Amatsuki answered.

"Good. Kind of funny how I ended up saving his sister too..."

"You don't harbor ill feeling for my brother?"

Osamu smiled. "Your brother was a hero. I can only wish to have his bravery someday."

"If only you and I had met sooner. I could've really used someone like you during my years on the streets."

"Better late than never, right? Let's make your new life count. We'll do it together."

Amatsuki's snow-white hair and gentle gaze were glorified by the sunlight and decorated with a smile. "Okay! I'm looking forward to it, Osamu."

At sunset, Kagutsuchi called on the Shoku Twins and had them teleport everyone back to Hokkaido. Kagutsuchi, Osamu, Shinju, Lucrezia, and Amatsuki all walked down the dirt road leading to the house, Shinju helping Amatsuki walk. Yoko, Gekko, and Izanami all waited outside, cheering when they saw them come over the hill. Yoko ran and threw her arms around Osamu as if the two hadn't seen each other in decades. Her face was wet with tears of joy and elation. Everyone came home safely.

"Never again. Don't ever do something that dangerous ever again." Yoko scorned.

"I know. That was the final time." Osamu laughed.

"Gosh, we could hardly sleep because we were so worried! The shinigami helped you, right?" Izanami asked.

"Sorry, Izanami! They really did help us out." Osamu assured. "Thanks for helping hold the fort down while I was gone."

The girls turned their eyes towards Amatsuki, who hung her head and averted her gaze.

"I know she hasn't given us the best impression, but she has a chance to start her life over." Lucrezia explained. "It's partly because of her that we were saved. The crime organization she belonged to probably thinks she's dead, so she can use that to her advantage and start over. This woman has a heart, and she has humanity like us. Please welcome her and treat her fairly."

"Hmm...well, I suppose we can let bygones be bygones if it can really help you that much." Yoko suggested. "If I weren't pregnant, I'd probably beat the hell out of you for almost killing my husband and his friends. However, I'm feeling merciful today because Osamu is alive and healthy. If you need a place to rest your head...stay with us. Taking in the lonely and giving them a family is what we do. It's what we've always done.

Amatsuki bowed. "I cannot thank you enough. I promise, I'll carry my own weight and help out as much as possible once I'm healed."

"Hold on, red light! Stop!" Osamu shouted. "Yoko, did you just say you're pregnant?"

"Surprise!" Izanami sang. "Actually, I'm pregnant too! We wanted to tell you, but you had already disappeared!"

"Yep!" Yoko confirmed. "We're officially going to be parents!"

"Whoa! Congratulations!" Lucrezia cheered.

Kagutsuchi practically threw herself at Izanami as she sang for joy, and Shinju gave Osamu a celebratory slap on the shoulder.

(Holy crap...this is the best news I've ever gotten! We're really going to be parents!)

"Whew! We've got to celebrate!" Tsukiakari cheered.

Amatsuki looked at the horizon, where night and day were perfectly divided as the sun fell out of sight. "What a perfect place to be reborn and start anew."

Everyone was brought inside. Kagutsuchi took a shower with Amatsuki, helping her clean her body and hair. Tsukiakari, Yoko, Lucrezia, and Shinju all went outside, presumably to celebrate the pregnancies. After a long and difficult journey, Osamu plopped himself down on the couch and sank into the cushion, the stress leaving his body all at once.

"What a year, man..."

Izanami suddenly stepped inside and tapped Osamu on the shoulder. "My apologies for doing this right when you're getting comfortable, dear."

Izanami wore a flowing, white dress and a crown of white flowers in her raven hair. It was odd to see her so dolled up, and now that he thought about it, Osamu didn't actually hear Yoko and the other celebrating outside anymore. Something was going on.

"Come with me, Osamu." Izanami said, extending her hand.

"Uhh...sure. Mind if I ask what's up?"

"Just come with me."

Osamu took Izanami's hand, and the two left the house. Yoko and Tsukiakari were also dressed in white gowns, waiting for them outside.

"What's going on?" Osamu questioned.

Tsukiakari took Osamu's other hand, and Yoko led the way down the dirt road in silence. The stars in the sky were out in full force tonight, accompanying the full moon that shined in the raven sky like a glorious jewel.

"We have a little while to go. Just enjoy the walk, Osamu." Izanami said.

Amatsuki and Kagutsuchi spotted them walking from the bathroom window as they soaked in the tub.

"Hey, Kagutsuchi." Amatsuki began. "How long have you known Osamu?"

"Just a few months now. Why?"

"I was just wondering about him. Is he always this gentle and caring?"

"Yep, that sounds just like him! He's been that way since I've known him. My mom has known him longer, and even she says he's always been a kind soul."

"I see. It's no wonder those girls gravitate around him. He goes to such lengths to save people...Do you think...he can really help me? Will I really be okay if I try to start over here? What if I turn my back on him and the others? What will he do if I fall astray?"

"Knowing Osamu, he'd probably risk his life to find you again. He won't let you throw away your second chance at life. He and Lucrezia certainly worked hard for mine. Osamu is like glue that holds everyone together, accomplishing great things even when there's not quite enough time. Once he's got his mind fixed on you, he won't let you go. His will is strong, and his heart is reliable. I have no doubt in my mind that once you see that about him, you won't even want to do any wrong by him. In fact, I think you may just strive to be like him."

The girls took Osamu through a dirt path that cut through the nearby bamboo grove. Multicolored Christmas lights were wrapped around the bamboo trees, lighting the path for them. When they emerged from the grove, they ended up in the middle of a meadow of red spider lilies, with a single red maple tree towering above them.

Lucrezia, Shinju, the Shoku Twins, Aika, and even Rei were all there to congratulate him and his family on their conception. Seeing all of his friends and wives there made him realize that Yoko and Izanami pulled together this surprise while he was fighting the battle of his life in Kyoto.

"You guys..." Osamu gasped.

"We all prepared the bamboo grove and the tree according to Yoko's specifications!" Rei said, giving Osamu a thumbs-up.

"The Super Special Yoko-Osamu-Izanami-Gekko Conception Party will now begin!" Aika sang.

"Congratulations, Big-Brother Osamu." Akatsuki said, with her usual stone-faced expression,

"Congrats! We hope you like it!" Omagatoki cheered.

(They did all of this for us?)

"Of course, I love it! How long did it take you guys to do this? Shinju, you even helped out?"

"Don't worry about the details, Osa. Right now, the most important thing is this very moment." Shinju said.

"Osamu, lay beneath the tree with us and close your eyes." Yoko instructed, smiling.

"Hey you...what did you cook up?" Osamu chuckled.

Yoko smiled, but didn't say a word. Osamu, his wives, and their friends all laid on the grass together in a ring with their eyes closed. They all held hands and kept a tight grip on each other as the breeze brushed through the tree's red maple leaves. The moonlight dazzled upon them, cloaking their bodies in a ghostly veil of pale, blue light.

"Osamu Ashikaga, Izanami-no-Mikoto, Tsukiakari Senkumo, and Yoko Akiyama, today, your closest friends and have prepared this night for you, and only for you." Aika announced. "Tonight, beneath the rainbow of lights above our heads, the stars thousands of light years away, and the all-knowing moon, we will witness you as you make your vows."

"Tsukiakari, want to go first?" Rei asked.

"Oh gosh, sure, I suppose.”

Osamu smiled, expecting Tsukiakari to fumble around for vows.

"Osamu...you're one stupid person. I don't recall a single moment of the last five years of your life where you haven't almost gotten yourself killed."

"Yeah, that's a fair thing to say." Osamu snickered.

Tsukiakari closed her eyes and smiled "However, you're a very important person to me, and no matter how much you get on my nerves, I still love you. Maybe it's because you get on my nerves that I love you so much. So, I'm going to make a few promises to you. The first is something I think we all share. I will never stop loving you and caring about you, even if you push me away with all of your might. I vow to be a great mother soon, when we too have children. I'll also keep on making delicious meals for us all!"

"Thank goodness, your cooking is amazing." Yoko chimed.

"She learned from the best, after all." Izanami sang.

"Most of all, I vow to protect our family with everything I've got." Tsukiakari continued. "The next time someone tries to harm you, I'm not showing them any mercy."

"Sounds fair to me, Gekko. Thank you." Osamu said.

"No problem, dummy."

"Izanami, you next." Rei announced.

"Right. Osamu Ashikaga, the love of my life, I've loved you since I met you. I love you now, and I'll love you when you've parted from this life. It's a given that I'll always be with you, you don't ever have to worry about that. In nine months or so, you can also count on me to be a great mother. I'm really excited for that to happen.

“Osamu, whenever you're having a hard time, you can lean on me. You can grab hold of me, and you can even take it out on me. I'll love you all the same, and I'll be there to pick up the pieces when you fall apart. It's not just our house that's a home, but the space between my arms, and the air between my fingers too. All of it is your home. You can always find comfort within me. I promise you that, my love."

"Man am I glad to have you around, Izanami." Osamu said.

"Glad to be around, Osa." Izanami replied.

"Last but certainly not least, Yoko Akiyama." Rei said.

"Osamu, I vow to slit the throat of any woman outside of our group of familiars who dares to flirt with you." Yoko declared.

"Uh, that would be murder..." Osamu shivered.

"I vow to split their faces with an axe if they do so much as blow kisses towards you."

"That's definitely murder!"

"I also promise to turn myself in and tell the police I forced you to go along with it if the police ever find their bodies, but I also promise to hide the bodies well."

"Please don't do any of that." Osamu sighed.

"Osamu, you already know how much I love you. I'm glad to be here, and I'm glad to be your wife. I genuinely mean it when I say this is the happiest I've ever been. From this moment, until we're both buried together, I will always love you. I'll never forget how we met when we were young, how both of us were outcasts that found solace in each other. I'll never forget our high school days, even if you dirtied yourself with the presence of other women."

"Why must you be so hateful to other women all the time?!" Osamu recoiled.

"The night we reunited after your four years away, and the past four years since then have been magical. It's a period ingrained in my heart now. Whenever you're tired, stressed, or angry, you can confide is me. Whenever you need a gentle and warm body, you can come to me. Whenever you need a strong woman to keep the order of the home in your absence, you can put your faith in me. Right now, I'm holding the hand of everything I've ever wanted. It's always been you, Osamu. Soon, our family will grow, and we'll have a lot more people to love. I'll love them all with every fiber of my being. I promise you that, Osamu."

"All of you are amazing, you know that?" Osamu said, choked up.

"Really?!" Izanami chimed with a beaming tone.

"Yeah, no kidding. I'm the best woman in the world by a long stretch." Yoko said.

"Yoko!" Aika laughed.

"What? In your heart, you know it to be true. I bet I'm a fan favorite as well." Yoko said.

"What?! Clearly, I'm the best!" Tsukiakari protested.

"Girls, please! You're all unique in your own ways. It's why I love all of you." Osamu declared.

"In any case, if all is said and done, then your vows have been concluded. Congratulations, everyone. May you stay together as long as life permits you to." Aika sang.

"The seal has been set. None of us will ever drift apart." Shinju said.

That night, everyone's bonds were strengthened to the point of being unbreakable. Lovers and friends came together and shared a sacred moment of affection, one they'd always remember. They all fell asleep under the tree, protected by the moon and awakened by the rising sun and birdsong.

(That's right. It looks like my adventures are over. But at the same time, I'm about to embark on the biggest and most important adventure of all.)

The girls all rose up, stretching out and yawning as the morning breeze cooled their faces.

"Ah man! Good morning, everyone! I don't even remember falling asleep." Aika groaned.

"That's what happens when you spend time with people you care about." Lucrezia said.

"Yep! I definitely know the feeling!" Izanami cheered.

Yoko extended her hand to Osamu, helping him up off of the grass. "Let's go home, dear."

Osamu smiled and nodded. "Yeah."

Osamu took her hand, and they all walked down from the tree and homeward through the bamboo grove as the sun rose up over the hills to the east. Whatever the future held, they'd all walk into it together, hand in hand, and heart to heart.

(My final journey is through life itself, alongside the people dear to me.)