He dreamed of cloudless sun lit skies and the comfort of familiar presences. A warm safe home, arms around him, a lap to sit in and familiar voices.

"Was it cold?"

He shook his head. There was a smile in the old crinkled eyes.

At dusk the sky shed its cerulean gown and slipped on its dark cloak of midnight, peppered with the light of thousands of stars and edged with the the last fading remnants of crimson.  

...................................................

The world of his memories slowly faded and little by little roughed thatched beams of a house crept into view, followed by the blurry faces of three people. Their expressions transformed from worry to relief as Masahiro opened his eyes.

Narachika sighed in relief..... "Looks like you're still not up to speed....."

"Of course not! " Taiin and Genbu immediately countered.

"You have no idea what he's been through..... and you're his brother, shouldn't you care more for him? Not a very good brother are you? "

Narachika seemed unperturbed at these words.

"Masahiro himself had said that the was fully recovered and ready to go, I was merely showing respect for his judgment."

"But shouldn't you at least take the circ.u.mstances into consideration ?!"

"Exactly!!! And you should............."

.......................................................

Masahiro turned his gaze away from the bickering trio. Kouchin and Rikugou both leaned at the far wall, an in the corner he could see the curled form of the white mononoke, sleeping without a care in the world.

He sighed in relief at the sight. At least everyone else was safe. He arranged his covers a bit before turning to rea.s.sure Taiin.

"Im fine now, please don't pick on brother."

"Masahiro....you really are exceptionally kind....I hope you never lose your compa.s.sion and forgiveness..... otherwise you'll become just like grandpa. "

At Narachika's words, Masahiro's thoughts turned to Seimei. There really was no telling if he would turn out like Seimei. Masahiro knew Seimei had a gentle granpa-like side, but since he rarely saw Seimei outside of being summoned to see him, it was rarely expressed.

"The s.h.i.+nshou told me the basics of events that took place, but exactly what happened to you? "

Following his visit to the village elder, Narachika had visited the home of the young lady who had seemingly been robbed of her soul. Her condition was just as described. No matter how Narachika yelled, waved his hand in front of her face, she remained as still and unresponsive as a stone.  

The girl's mother had cried uncontrollably at her daughters affliction. She, like the other villagers had always relied on Chis.h.i.+ki no Soushu for strength in dark times. With him gone, she was at her wits end. Narachika understood that he himself had remained her only hope.

"Please.....Please save my child. I don't care what it takes, you can have anything..... Anything you want."

The families he visited afterward were just like the first, an endless parade of unresponsive victims and desperate survivors. All begging, crying for any kind of hope he could offer. Unable to make any promises, Narachika left with a heavy heart.

He had been on his way to meet Masahiro when a strange s.h.i.+ft in the air alerted him to the unfolding battle.

Approaching shrine hill, he had first come upon the two crying children, huddled together and screaming hysterically as the monsters ran amok. Narachika had been attempting to protect the children when he noticed that far on the hill, Taiin had seemingly lost her usual cool and was desperately calling Masahiro's name. At news of Masahiro's sudden collapse at the shrine, even the normally calm Narachika stuttered in surprise, his mouth forming words that died instantly on his lips. With the s.h.i.+nshou around, the presence of the children would complicate matters, so Narachika took the children home, leaving Masahiro in the care of the s.h.i.+nshou. Then he hurried back to the hill. Draping Masahiro's limp form over his back, he returned to the Yutari Manor. He had briefly considered asking the s.h.i.+nshou to transport Masahiro, but as they are invisible to most people, the sight of an unconscious Masahiro descending on the Yutari Manor will probably cause problems.

Although they had been sent by Fujiwara, Narachika was unfamiliar with the Yutari household. Thus, limiting contact with these strangers was probably wise.

Time had slipped away silently, and the clouds had parted to reveal the last light of the sky as the sun hung lazily at the edge of the horizon. Though they were surrounded by high walls, the Manor bordered on the sea, with the Yutari river not far off on the other side. (Trans-Note: Yeah, the river is named after the household.) The ocean just outside the walls seemed endless. On clear days you can see the sun sink into the sea at twilight. The Yutari family lived very well, their wealth and status transcending generations and generations.

Masahiro was startled out of his thoughts by the sound of water. At sunset, the gentle lapping of the waves seem to belie a certain anxiety, stray sounds that had no place in the gentle lapping of the water against sh.o.r.e. Kouchin, who had seemed to notice as well directed Narachika's attention in the direction.

"It's there....." She pointed out to the bay.

"If nothing done soon.... there will be more sacrifices......"

The villagers had searched the bay everyday. Even today, more of the dead had been pulled from the water, their waterlogged bodies barely recognizable. Those that had been identified had been sent back to their families. Now their cautious hope will be their downfall..... and soon the searchers will be gone as well.....