“Have you been to maivals?” I asked Daiyu, who merely shook her head.
“No, I had little time for such things, nor were there su the halls of the Incorruptible Jade…” she paused, sidering. “No, perhaps there was.” As she looked around at the bustliivities, a long-engu mask repli one side of her head, she sidered it. “The Sect halls had those who could not Cultivate, servants, family members who had no talents, farmers and craftsmen and their families. I have e to realise, one ot survive purely though pursuing the peak of Cultivation. Experieng life strengthens one’s will.” Her small hand was clutched in mine. “No, they likely did hold such events, seeking joy in the lonely mountains of Shaanxi. Such word never reached my ears, or those of us who held ourselves proud and aloof in the halls of our Sect.”
At seeing the faintly mencholic look on her face, I pulled her close. “It’s fine.” I assured her. “That just means you have more to experienow.” I promised her. “Look around. Did you imagine you’d be at a Tengu festival?”
“It is more unbelievable that I would be here with my Dao panion.” Her expression ged to a small smile. “I thank you for your efforts to e. We should enjoy ourselves. After all, I do not have long before I must hand you over to the girl.” Her smile wide my slight disfort.
Yeah, it was Haru-san’s idea. And not a bad one… Sihere was nothing we could do until the festival was over, and I was here with four of my women, Haru-san suggested I spend some time with each of them. At the sharp gleams in their eyes at that, I realised refusing would be a foolish choice, so after a heated game of rock-paper-scissors, the order was decided, and Daiyu was first. I was still a little wary of the whole situation, but with Prince Shōtoku assurihat Tarōbō and his Tengu wouldn’t be so base as to profaheir ceremonies with treachery, I relented and decided to enjoy myself, though I did warhers to stay together and keep alert.
“In that case, is there anything you’d like to see? You might as well take advantage of this to experience what festivals are like, because ba the Material, you’ll be going to them with me for many years to e.” I said galntly, and her face reddened slightly, and her hand in miightes grip.
“I am happy just seeihings. I was too closed away, in my own world. Now, I have already achieved more than I ever believed possible.” She said. “So tell me, is this what those you have been to are like?”
Looking around at the streets of mount Atago, I frowned. Is it? There are definitely simirities… The paper ntern glowing in a multitude of clouds ing the streets, the stalls, the revellers wearing masks… though the Tengu masks here are worhe faot at the side of their heads, and they seem to wear them all the time… “Sure, there’s a lot that is the same.” I admitted. “Which is strange. Or is it? I suppose our traditions had to e from somewhere. But the stalls aren’t the same.” Here there were ival staples like teriyaki, noodles or takoyaki, the food was all variations on roast pork, with a variety of styles and sauces, and the drinks were all sake, though some sweet low-alazake was also sold.
“Hungry?” I asked, and Daiyu nodded, so I went to a stall selling skewers. The Tengu behind it was wearing a yukata, modified so the wings could fit out the back. “Uh… what money do you take?” I asked, and the Tengu shrugged.
“We have no use for such trivial things. Tonight we celebrate the divine fme and call upon fortune before our champions are chose, be merry, visitors.” He pressed the fragrant skewers, still piping hot into my free hand, and I grinned as I passed oo Daiyu. Champions, huh?
“I see. Thank you for yracious hospitality. When our alliance is cluded and you visit my Territory, you simply must check out the café on top of reat Tree. You sample our delicacies. Mmm, this is quite good.” I said, taking a bite. Beside me, Daiyu was eating quietly and daintily, through from the set of her face I could tell she was enjoying it. Up above fireworks were exploding stantly, though the noise of them was much reduced pared to the Material, and the blooms of light in numerous brilliant colours far brighter.
“Normally the fireworks are at the end.” I said to Daiyu, remembering when Eri had fessed to me. “It’s the climax, and seen as rather romantic. Ask Eri if you want to know more about that.”
“Oh, I see. I shall do that.” Daiyu licked her fingers, before flushing a little, embarrassed. “I could use something to drink, the meat was rideed.”
Spoiler
[colpse]With wooden mugs in hand after visiting aall, I pointed out the other difference. “A lot of the Tengu seem to be carrying torches, and there are open bonfires burning everywhere. We wouldn’t do that ba Japan, it’s a fire risk. Sihey are veing their fme though, I guess I see why they would…” I caught sight of the red-robed figure of Summer moving through the crowd, and decided to follow him. Though of course, we ’t fet to have fun… Squeezing Daiyu’s hand I grinned. Now this I didn’t see happening this m…
********
“A fire-leaping challenge, huh?” Natsumi said, nodding. As sed pce, she was now my date, and I was telling her about Daiyu’s exploits. “It seems rather unfair, as Tengu fly.”
“True, but it’s a great shame to rely on anything other tharength of their legs, apparently. Though their wings be used to catch the updraft, not that there would be much from the bonfires.”
“I see.” Natsumi nodded, she too wearing a Tengu mask, rakishly pushed to one side of her head. On seeing my look, she giggled. “I would never get to be so carefree at a festival in Tokyo. As a daughter of nobility, even as one of the Three-Hundred, I must never let myself be seen having immodest fun. But here…”
“Here nobody but us see. But screw it, if you want to have fun in Tokyo, do so. I don’t think it makes you any less elegant and quite frankly, I don’t care. I’m happier when you are enjoying yourself.” I said, and her grip on my hand tightened.
“I’m fortuhat you uand me so well.” She smiled. “I always wao go to a festival with Motoko. Now… I’m just sorry the others ’t be here too. Anyway, tell me more…” she said, and I tihe story, pointing over towards a rge series of fires, around which dozens of raucous Tengu were gathered, wings fpping and arms gestig wildly. Even as we watched, a Tengu jumped the fms, nding awkwardly, g out as his wings started to smoulder. A watg Tengu dumped a pail of water over him, dousing the embers, and the crowd hooted, cheered and stamped their feet.
“On seeing the Tengu, obviously Daiyu wao try. She’s surprisingly petitive. But first, the red-robed Tengu, I still don’t have his name, I’ll just call him Summer, decided to leap. He was impressive, I’ll give him that. Unlike a lot of the others, who got a little burned like the one we just saw, he was over in one great bound.”
“He is one of their leaders, you’d expect that.” Natsumi said, captivated by the tale. “So Daiyu…?”
“The surrounding Tengu were raucous.” I grabbed an of sake from a passing Tengu, and was going to get a sed for Natsumi, but with a pretty smile and blushing face she stopped me, so we shared the mug, taking turns sipping from it. “Some of them mocked her for being small and wingless, and said she would never make the jump. Others worried she would burn her pretty face.”
“That fired her up more, I imagine?” Natsumi said, and as I went to sip, she did too, and our foreheads bumped together gently, and as we looked at each other, she started giggling untrolbly. As I pulled back she leaned in and kissed me, the taste of sake on our lips and tongue.
“This is fun.” Natsumi breathed, lig her lips when we were done. “So, she made the jump, right?”
“Of course. This is Daiyu we are talking about.” I said proudly. “She leapt right up into the sky. For a moment it looked as if she would crash down into the fmes, but she spun in the air and cleared it elegantly, nding like a professional gymnast. The Tengu went wild, hooting and cheering, and even Summer had to appud. We stayed and watched a few others make the jump, enjoying the spectacle…”
“Did you kiss?” Natsumi asked, and I nodded.
“It seemed a good moment.” I looked up at the fiery flowers blooming up above. “Fireworks set the mood. But… having them tinuous does make them a bit less special.”
“Eae is a prayer to the fme.” I turo see the massive Tengu Arangbō behind us. I frowned, not liking the way he was dismissive of Haanōbō before, but quickly smoothed my expression. “The fme of mount Atago was entrusted to Great Tarōbō by the kami, long ago. And rotected it from all. It is the source of prosperity for us, as well as our sacred charge.” His head tilted upwards, light from the fireworks refleg off his crimson mask. “But now… troubles, oer another.” He looked at us, and the set of his wings was angry. “First, the Gods, the greatest kami, they have started toug the world again, no matter how weakly…” he gred at the distant Prince Shōtoku, who was enjoying some sake with Yasaka-san. “… then the fme…” he turo the great golde the tre of the temple. “… and the poor, damned spirits. Now visitors, and the disgrace of Wio think I call that useless failure kin.”
“If the kami gave you the task of proteg the fme, why do you dislike the kami of Kyoto so?” Natsumi asked what I had been thinking.
“It is our charge, and we do it faithfully. But in the end, they see the fme and mount Atago as theirs. We, and Great Tarōbō, are merely caretakers. Such arrogance. What have they done for us? Their meddling now will bring ruin to us all. This creature you spoke of, it is likely here because of the hubris of the eight million, and the great gods. No, the fme is ours. We will safeguard it, even from the kami themselves!”
“I see.” I said non-itally. No wohey were affronted when I wao share their fme. But I still want access to fme element, and this one seems potent… “So, prayers, huh? Is the fme leaping the same?”
“Indeed.” Arangbō agreed. “I saw that girl leap the fmes without fear. I was impressed. But you did not try yourself.” He observed.
“No, I didn’t.” I agreed. “I’ve heard tell of challenges from Tarōbō.” I smiled. “That is me. So I’d rather not show my hand too early.”
Arangbō paused, before letting out a hearty ugh. “You? Do not be sant, just because you defeated Haanōbō. These trials, challenges, are prayers to the fme, and will weed out the unworthy. Only the most powerful of Tengu will be chosen. You visitors from below the mountain have no ce of triumph over us. We Dires are sure to be the victors.”
“I see.” Natsumi giggled. “So Haanōbō was the weakest of the Four Heavenly Kings, and a disgrace.”
As Arangbō tilted his head fused, I asked Natsumi where she had learned such a saying. “It was from Shiro. She says that groups of four always end up fitting the same pattern. I don’t quite uand it, but it does sound simir.”
Spoiler
[colpse]“That Shiro. Take what she says with a pinch of salt.” I ughed. “But… is Haanōbō really so much weaker than you three?” I asked seriously. “She had some skill, her icy water wasn’t that bad. Besides, as you’ll see during the challenges, losing to me is no shame.”
That seemed to shock the Tengu, and after a moment, he let out a gale of bitter ughter. “Your arrogance is refreshing. I look forward to humbling you. No, Haanōbō of the North is not weak. Hence why we are so disappointed. Failure due tance is the worst kind of failure.”
“I don’t like that. We all make mistakes, we all lose sometimes. If we learn from it, it doesn’t stay a failure. Anyway, I’m on a date right now, so we’ll take our leave.” With that we left Arangbō behind, strolling through the festival.
“What do you think the challenges are?” Natsumi asked, curious. “If it is bat, Motoko, Daiyu and I would all wish to take part.”
“Maybe, some sort of mobat seems likely. But for now…” I smiled at her. “Want to grab some more sake?”
“I’d like that.” Natsumi nodded. “But only one mug. We share again.” The rosy blush of her cheeks shone as bright as the fmes all around us…
********
“Our festivals at Shirohebizumi don’t hold up to this…” Kana said, waving the burning torch she had been given.
“So?” I said, raising an eyebrow. “For someone who cimed you never cared about your shrine, you go about paring it to every other one we visit.”
“A gentleman wouldn’t point that out.” Kana pouted cutely, before winking. “But maybe I’m just doing it so you’ll e? I’m a sly girl like that.”
“If so, I don’t mind.” I agreed. “You are very rexing to be with, so a little fttery is no problem.”
“Damn…” she puffed out her cheeks. “I know I’m cute, I spent years purposely making myself that way. But I’m more than just that, you know…” Around us, Tengu were dang and waving their torches, as overhead more fireworks exploded. “… after all, I accepted K?itigarbha’s Favour.”
“You did.” I agreed. “But I don’t see why you ’t be fun and cute, as well as driven and ambitious. Besides, we’re dating, so… a festival date is just cssio?”
“Yeah, and I suppose doing it at Shirohebizumi would be b as hell.” She agreed. “So, si’s a date…” she smiled adorably. “… why not treat me to some food and feed me? Although nothing probably es close to the joy you had giving me a piggyback up those stairs. I know you were feeling up my ass. And I know it’s a good one. I exercise and watch my diet so I always look killer in jeans.”
“Guilty as charged.” I said, and she blushed, which amused me, the gap between her fht, flirty outside and her rather inexperienced inner self charming. “But if your boyfriend ’t grope you a little, who ?”
“Oh you!” she pounded me gently with her fist, so as not to hurt her hand. She them offered me the free hand, which I took. “I saw you holding hands with Daiyu and Natsumi. Now you have to feed me, my hands are both full.” She gestured with the torch happily. “As froping me… I’m not an easy girl. A few more dates first, Akio.”
Spoiler
[colpse]“So this’ll be oe closer to some fun then…” I teased, making her blush anew. “Excuse me…” I said to a nearby Tengu by a fire pit, on which a huge wild boar was roasting. “ I have a pte of that? By the way, where do all these pigs e from? Do you raise them?” The smell is amazing. It would certainly be a shame if they just fred to ether ih, but it’s likely simir to how a few parts remain on some creatures I’ve killed…
“By all means.” The Tengu woman said, her face masked. “Here.” she wielded a massive knife, slig ks of steami from the fnks, before drizzling it with a brightly coloured sauce. “The boars are sacred to mount Atago, and many dwell on the north-western slopes and in the forests below. This one…” she patted the cow-sized boar as it turned on the spit. “… is merely a runt.”
“A runt?” Kana ughed. “I’d hate to see a full-sized o might be the size of a truck!” she looked at me then. “Now, feed me!” she opened her mouth cutely, fluttering her eyeshes.
“Say ahh then.” I said, my excellent Precision allowio juggle the pte and a long fork with a single hand, pr some steamio Kana. This is rather embarrassing, and I see Yasaka-sahere rolling his eyes at me. But, I find I don’t really care. If I’m going to be a boyfriend, I’ll be the best damn boyfriend ever, unashamed of all public dispys of affe. Besides, Kana is cute, no question.
She must have been thinking the same thing, as her face twitched, flushing, but she tio wait, and as I pushed some meat inside she started chewing. After swallowing she opened her mouth again. “More. It’s really good.”
As I tio feed Kana as we strolled through the crowd, I noticed something odd. The majority of the Tengu were taking part in the revelry, eating and drinking to excess, but none of the Dires such as Arangbō or the red-robed Summer was indulging, Summer merely holding a small cup of water to replenish his fluids after more fire-leaping. On seeing that, I tio observe, and a small number of the Tengu were ag the same.
“What’s up?” Kana asked, seeing that I was distracted. “Are you bored with me already, or are you thinking of what we’ll do after a few dates?” she teased me.
“That is on my mind.” I ughed. “But fortunately I think of more thahing at ono, I just…” I expined my observations, and Kana shrugged.
“That’s easily solved. Hey… you there!” she waved her fming torch, attrag a passing Tengu, ohat was rather drunk and staggering as it walked. “A question. Is there some reason that the … Four Dires, wasn’t it… yeah, the Dires and some others aren’t celebrating?”
The Tengu turned, swaying unsteadily. “Oh, the visitors. No, they are celebrating! Each fme a prayer.” It hiccupped noisily. “But it is foolish to eat and drink before the challenges. You know, if I was stronger, I would put myself forwards. I am a fair shot with the bow, and…” as the druengu started to talk at Kana, she used her experience dealing with pushy men to dismiss him.
“Okay, thanks for your help. Got to go, my boyfriend’s waiting. Bye!” and with that we left the blinking Tengu behind us, fused.
“There. Easy.” Kana grinned. “I get not drinking, but eating? I doubt I’ll have much to do with any challenges.” She looked at me then. “So, since you probably should any more…” she opened her mouth again. “feeding time. I know you loved it. Ahh!”
Laughing, I raised the fork, spearing more meat. As Kana ped on the meat, lig her lips seductively, I sidered my options. ing and drinking, huh? Kind of hard as I still have oe to go, but… it shouldn’t matter too much. I mean, I purge the alcohol with Ether Healing, so… Looking at the flirty Kana, I decided simply to enjoy myself, and deal with any problems from that ter…
********
“That’s a very pretty cloak. Where did you get it?” I asked Motoko, and she poio one of the stalls, where a Tengu was weaving cloth on an old-fashioned loom.
“There. It is quite the pretty fabric, it reminds me of a kimono.” She said, holding a bundle of cloth in her arms. “I have one for Natsumi too, since she enjoys weaving and dyeing.”
Spoiler
[colpse]“You’re a good friend to her.” I said, smiling warmly. “But that cloth looks awkward, let me carry it.”
“Of course. A gentleman should.” She agreed. “Normally, I hate suwritten rules. I am hardly a weak flower, uo bear weight heavier than chopsticks. But I know you mean it as a true courtesy, not a refle on me as a person, as a warrior. I love that.” Her face flushed as she said the words. “I am still not overly used to talking of love. If I do not say it often enough, do not think I am g in care. I am simply… not used to expeg a marriage of love, rather than venience.”
“I get it.” I stroked her hair as I tucked the heavy bundle of cloth under one arm. “I struggled at first toed marriage isn’t ever something I thought would be a part of my life.”
“But you do nret it?” Motoko said, staring up at the fireworks. Some Tengu were flyiwees, dodging the explosions of brilliant light to the whooping cheers and appuse of the drunken and rowdy masked Tengu below.
“No. I don’t. However it started, it’s how it fihat ts, and to be ho, if I saw another man making a pass at you, Natsumi or Hinata now, I’d probably murder him. I’m selfish, but… I guess I have to be. People rely on me. Hell, the world relies on me. Sure, I dare say that some other Chosen are worthy and making an effort to prepare us for the dahat are ing, but…”
“… but relying on others is foolish, when you use your own strength to protect what you cherish.” Motoko agreed with me. “Which is why Natsumi and I are training every day. We cherish our Arts, but… we also cherish you, and the others. Never fet that.” She touched my cheek gently, tilting my head, lips pursed, and I kissed her. Our tongues entwined, and when we were done, our lips ected by a momentary bridge of hot saliva, she was breathing heavily. “… I am just happy what I want to do ao do are now the same. So, if you are ever dissatisfied with me, do tell me, and I will do my best to…”
I silenced her with another kiss. She’s still insecure. I get it. She’s so elegant oside, being raised a daughter of Tsumura house, but unlike Hinata or Natsumi, she doesn’t have fideh men, or in herself. “You don’t o ge for me. Just be your best self, and I’ll love that.” I promised. “So, what would you like to do?”
“There.” She poi a group of Tengu firing arrows at a boar-shaped target. Orahing was that the arrows were doused in boiling oil first, so that it was like a volley of fiery meteorites streaking through the brilliantly lit night. “I would try my skill against these Tengu.”
“Festivals should have games.” I agreed. “Though it’s usually goldfish scooping, or cutting shapes out of sugared dy. Excuse me…” I said, and after some discussion with the Tengu, Motoko had borrowed a bow, holding the fming arrow gingerly.
“Just as Belera said, everything affects the shot…” Motoko muttered. “But a fme acts as a living thing, stantly shifting. The ge i, weight, all must be banced…” she squinted, pulling back the heavy string of the bow. It was bulkier thasumura-style bows she normally used, and some of the Tengu had s if a fairly frail-looking girl could draw it, but I had no doubts.
“And… there.” She loosed the arrow, and it streaked through the night, joining other arrows, striking the target, though Motoko clicked her tongue, irritated.
“You hit.” I said, and she shrugged.
“I did. But not well. The fme moving ged the trajectory uably, and I was uo ter it. Again.” She took another arrow, and for a while I was engrossed in watg her shoot. By the fifth arrow she was striking the target well, and her smile was radiant. Handing back the bow to a Tengu, she bowed politely, before turning bae. Seeing her sweaty brow, I mopped it, and she leaned her head on my shoulder.
“I uand now. It is as Natsumi and I realised earlier. Archery is more than the bow, the arrow and the warrior. Archery is the whole world and everything in it.”
“My sister would agree with you. She loves the bow.”
“Yes. Your sister is easy to get along with. Natsumi and I are well pleased. Hinata too.” I raised an eyebrow at that, and she tinued. “We of the nobility know that siblings of our husbands often be spiteful and unweling. It is a stant worry to us. one of many, that fortunately we no longer have to face.” She said, relieved. “I genuinely like your sister. Shared passions hardly hurt.”
“Yeah, if she was here, she’d be using her own fming bow, making a se.” I agreed. “Hang on a minute…” something caught my eye. “Is that Haanōbō?” From a distance I could see a figure in bck robes, white wings still in a sorry state. Long violet hair was trailing down behind it, and the head was ducked low, arms in front of the face.
“I think so. I tell by the way it moves.” Motoko agreed. “It seems it is heading for the temple.”
“Other Tengu are as well.” I noted, catg sight bō heading that way, flying through the sky. “The fireworks seem to be diminishing in number.”
“I see. Then it seems our date is ing to an end.” Motoko inferred. “A shame. Now Belera will not get her turn.”
Belera? “She wasn’t getting a turn.” I insisted, and Motoko smiled warmly.
“I am sure she will be devastated. As we were training, trying to catch her as she effortlessly evaded our clumsy attempts, she talked rather fondly of you.”
“Why? We’ve barely spent any time together outside of some meetings and a little bit of time I spent training with the Way-Wardens.”
“You uimate your oeal, to a warrior. And Belera is not oo seek a weak man. She is of nobility too, of a Fae kind, so has aed unions. But as, you said your days ed marriages are over. So…”
“So…?” I asked as I took her hand, and we followed the crowd towards the temple square, uhe glow a of the brilliantly bziainted fme.
“So it is up to her to make her charms known in an ordinary manner.” Motoko’s smile deepened, her dark brown eyes knowing, before her expression ged to a teasing one seldom seen on her face. “I am afraid Natsumi and I have been telling her your preferences. Do not bme us if she is more charming than you remember.”
You girls… Shaking my head I squeezed her hand, and put that aside for the moment, spying Tarōbō, now standing at the head of the temple, staff in hand…
********
“It seems I missed my ce.” Bell giggled as Motoko and I approached, hand in hand. Everyone else was already here, and I shrugged as she said just what Motoko had. Is this because she’s talked to my girls?
“Sorry, but four dates in oival are more than enough.” I brushed her off. “Besides, you’re not my girlfriend, Bell.”
“I could be.” She winked. “I’ve been told that you actually have a thing for elves. I’m an elf. It’s a good match!”
Huh? I looked around, and Natsumi smiled guiltily. “Shiro said you liked elves, and especially elves in…”
“Oh, please don’t say anymore!” Curse you Shiro! A man’s taste in ero-doujin is sacred! Besides, to be ho, that was more Yasu-san’s thing. I do admit, elven women in anime were always geous though… and their haughty pride breaking, accepting they like someohey used to see as inferior… well, I don’t get that vibe from Bell or Soliteare at all. They’re too… normal, I guess?
“I didn’t really uand, but Eri told me not to look into it. But Belera was happy to know that you do like elves so she has a ce…”
“ging the subject…” I coughed. “… looks like matters are at a head. And it was Haanōbō, I see.” The Four Dires were now beside Tarōbō, and it was c its face still with its hands and long hair.
“You have it hard.” Haru-san said, patting me on the shoulder, which was unusual for her. “I had more fun watg you than the festival itself. I knew my idea was a good one.”
“Enough.” Yasaka-san pined. “I didn’t have fun. Now, looks like the chief Tengu is about to speak.” Indeed, as we chatted, the majority of the Tengu had filled the square, and Tarōbō smmed down his staff, and beside him, Arangbō yelled out for silence. Ohe crowd quietehe st explosions of fireworks overhead dying down, Tarōbō spoke.
“Tengu of mount Atago, guardians of the sacred fme…” his eyes fell on us, and I could only imagine what expression he was making behind his mask. “… and our uninvited guests. The time has e. We have sent our prayers, our devotion to the fme, hoping it might quell the spreading abyss. But as, such hope is foolish. Prayers are best answered by ourselves! We were giveask of guarding the mountain, the fme. But we do it not because this is our task, but because it is ours! We will not let the fme perish, nor abandon our mountain home! No, we will destroy the abyss and its rifts, purge the poor, damned spirits, aore the sacred fme to its brilliant, untainted glory!”
As the Tengu around us cheered and waved their wings and fming torches frantically, Tarōbō shouted his words. “If we must pray, best let our very as be prayers! So I call on the brave, the strong, the lucky, the proud, those willing to risk all for our home and our duty that we do now through desire, ordered by none and serving none.” He was looking at Prince Shōtoku then. “Prove your desire, your fortune, your skill, strength aermination. Challenge yourself and all others, and take your p defeating that which threatens all we hold dear!”
The crowd agaied into frenzied cheers, and the fme iemple behind us wavered, almost as if it heard and uood… Challenge myself and others huh? Do I want to give it a try? I met Tarōbō’s golden eyes, and he ined his head, as if dario step forward. I guess it depends on just what the challenges are…
ShipTeaser

