In the darkness, Mokkun's crimson eyes glinted with sharp light as he gazed upon Masahiro's sleeping form. The boy had fallen into an exhausted slumber hours ago, his bruised pale face stripped of the tempered edge of determination that he held in battle, looking as every bit his young age.

Mokkun.... why did you choose to take the form of a mononoke?  (Trans-note: The word he uses for "mononoke" here can also mean "monster".)

Masahiro had posed this question to him shortly after their first meeting. Before the rampaging demon, Guren had taken his true form amidst a furious flames. But he had chosen to return to his beast form, a small diminutive creature with silky white fur, small scrabbling claws and long trailing ears . A flower like pattern adorned his forehead, red in white fur like blossoms upon fresh snow. His eyes were as crimson and sharp as the spines that adorned his neck, burning with an inner flame, as though he had taken within himself a ray of the setting sun.

No matter what happened... the child could always see him, even if he lost sight of himself.

He took this form so that the innocence of the child cold remain untouched.......so that he could avoid accidentally injuring the child with his large claws and searing flames..... so that the child would like him.

And so he had suppressed his aura, dampened his powers, and locked away his boundless fury.... all for the child.

Yet no matter how he tried to scour away the roughened edges, his eyes remained a b.l.o.o.d.y, murderous red, drops of cooling blood, settling into pristine snow. Red... the color of his sins.... for he was Touda, the bloodstained s.h.i.+nshou, and cursed to forever see the world through eyes of blood, the lasting mark of the tragedies he inflicted.

That was the truth, the reality that he understood. Yet the child had giggled and told him that his eyes reminded him of the twilight, and had laughed at his bewildered surprise, asking him how he had manage to capture a piece of the sky.

(Trans-note: There a note from a previous translator here... it says "awwww.. kids are so innocent...".)

Masahiro had told him that the ruddy hues of the twilight carried the love and compa.s.sion of the sun who lingered longingly at the edge of the horizon each day reluctant to leave her children to the cold darkness of the night.

Over time Touda had come to internalize Masahiro's thoughts, living in the illusion that though marked eternally, his sins had been forgiven.

Please be my eyes 

His sins weighed heavy on his heart, a bleeding festering wound that lent agony to every thought and action. The s.h.i.+nshou were supposed to be pure. He shouldn't be among humans, soiled as he was. 

But.......... if you wish, I will remain by your side......if it would bring you even a wisp of happiness. Even if I were ever to commit another sin, you would be the light that illuminates my darkness. This is my belief...... and my plea......

_________________________________________________

Torch in hand, Narachika slowly made his way to the village. Though the monster had been dispatched by Touda, there was no telling that the villagers would be released from it's lingering spell. He feared that the monster had shattered the hearts of those he afflicted.

How would he explain this to Mizu and Musoru? There was nothing but tragedy ahead, the inconsolable grief of broken families and pained suffering, of that he was certain.

For once, Narachika felt disgusted by his own powerlessness. No matter what the victories, the successful exorcisms, demons slain without a hitch, it was always the tragedy of the victims that touched him the most. Despite his best efforts, things always seemd to complicate themselves rather fast. With a sigh he walked on, slowly making his way to the ramshackle house at the edge of the village where the children lived. The small falling down structure appeared in the distance, creeping ever closer with every step until the firelight shown through the gaps in the walls. Narachika paused at the threshold, his reluctance interrupted by sounds of joyous conversation.

Eh?

The children wasted no time in spotting the torchlight of the visitor and peeked out the door at the visitor, their faces lighting up in recognition.

"Ah! Mister! it's you! "

"Where is the other mister? " (Masahiro)

Bewildered, Narachika could only nod numbly, as slender woman appeared behind the children in the doorway.

"What is it?"

"Mommy! Mommy!, This mister is from the capital! He's reeeeeeaally famous there! "

"Mother, this man and his companion were the ones that vanquished the monster so that you could return to us."

The children milled around their mother with excitement, both vying to be the first to introduce the visitor.

"Ah, I see..I owe you my deepest grat.i.tude."  The mother nodded.

"Oh, no...no.. it's nothing." Narachika looked away. He politely declined the family's offer of dinner and excused himself to visit the other afflicted families in the village. He made his way to each and every dwelling, surprisingly it seems that all of the afflicted villagers have made a full recovery, as though nothing had ever happened at all.

Word had traveled fast, and everyone seemed to know that Narachika was an Onmyouji from the capital. At every door, he was greeted with grat.i.tude, admiration, offerings of food and drink, as well as humble gifts that he politely declined. Last but not least, he made his way to the home of Hoshu Yudai, the young girl that had opened the shrine so many horrifying months ago. Yudai still lay on the bed, still frail from her ordeal, but greeted Narachika with a smile as he entered.

After so many months as a lifeless doll, her smile seemed to light up the entire room.

"It's supposed to be a secret, but I wanted you to know that the G.o.ddess visited me." Yudai whispered into Narachika's ear as he leaned in close, careful to keep her parents from overhearing.

"The G.o.ddess told me to not tell anyone, but you saved me, so I guess it's okay."

Yudai told Narachika that the G.o.ddess had appeared before her as she regained consciousness, and had touched her face.

"She said she will heal me..... she has forgiven me." Yudai gave him a calm smile.

His task complete, Narachika made his way back to the Yutari manor, relived but troubled.

"What on earth happened?"

____________________________________________

At the manor, the s.h.i.+nshou had gathered on the roof of the main house, eager to pa.s.s the time while awaiting further instructions. Despite the relaxed atmosphere, none had the nerve to enter the house. It wasn't quite appropriate to walk in on Touda's time with Masahiro. It was best to tread carefully around the ever volatile Touda.

"You know, I dont think there's anything to fear from Touda right now." Taiin piped up unexpectedly after a long silence.

Genbu looked at her in surprise as his expression turned thoughtful. After a moment, he nodded in agreement.

"I feel the same."

"There's something different about him... I think....I wonder why....."

Kouchin looked over at Taiin and Genbu, her lips curving into a gentle smile after a moment's hesitation. Her face and body were covered with bruises and lacerations. It would take quite a while for them to heal.

But she considered herself lucky.... to have escaped with mere bruises and wounds from Touda's flames was fortune in and of itself.

Rikugou sat nearby, looking off into the distance, silent and stoic as always. Kouchin scanned him for injuries, though he looked no worse for wear. Kouchin's gaze settled with interest on the red hooked-shaped jade necklace at his throat, and she squinted to get a better look in the darkness.  

Odd.... she didn't remember him having that when he fought with the Youkai earlier that day.

"I guess he had that tucked under his s.h.i.+rt all this time...." Kouchin muttered to herself.

Rikugou seemed to detect that he was being watched, fidgeting uncomfortable as he looked over, but said nothing.

Nothing happened for a while as Kouchin and Rikugou stared off into the distance. Taiin and Genbu chattered, animatedly exchanging their opinions on the events of the day before Taiin came to a sudden silence.

"Taiin ?"

Genbu looked puzzled as she deftly placed a finger on her lips, gesturing for his silence as she tilted her head to listen to something that only she seemed to hear. (Trans-note: Taiin can send and receive messages from Byako by listening to and sending gales.)

A moment pa.s.sed as she listened. Then she nodded and turned to Rikugou.

"Rikugou, Seimei has a message."

Rikugou merely nodded, prompting her to continue without looking up.

"He wants you to relay a message to the Michiha District. The specific message will be delivered to you via Genbu's water mirror."

Wordlessly Rikugou stood and gestured to Genbu, leaving the others to find a secluded spot in which the message could be relayed.

Kouchin and Taiin remained on the roof, looking after the two figures retreating into the darkness before sitting down again. It seems like this has been the first night that the star have been visible in a long time. Kouchin stared at the stars for a while, taking in the sight of the sky strewn with hundreds of points of light before turning to Taiin.

"Do you wish to know why Touda has lost his intimidating aura?"

Taiin's eyes grew wide as she turned to Kouchin. She nodded vigorously.

"Well...It's just a theory...."

"Theories are fine too... "

Kouchin nodded slightly, and paused to squint off into the distance, as if recalling some distant memory.

She paused a little to gather her thoughts before beginning.

"Of course, It must be mentioned that the things Ive heard are not completely accurate. "

________________________________________________

Masahiro laughed as he tottered unsteadily to Seimei's side, catching his wrinkled hand for support. Seimei looked down at the boy before patting his head.

"Now Masahiro.... Listen carefully.... I am Grampa...."

The boy giggled as he grasped Seimei's hand.

"Can you say Grandpa? "

"........ "

"Come on...say it... Graaaaannnnnd paaaaa...."

"........"

"Are you serious?! Kids dont talk this early."

Touda, the usual silent presence at Seimei's side piped up some slight irritation. Kouchin watched at his side, invisible but present. The fierce aura of the s.h.i.+nshou were difficult to suppress, and were at their strongest when the s.h.i.+nshou were visible. Kouchin was careful and always made sure to dampen her aura around children. She didn't want to say anything to Touda who simply appeared whenever he he felt like it, regardless of circ.u.mstance. Seimei hasnt repremanded him, so maybe it wasn't a big deal.

Kouchin watched as Seimei turned to Touda. "Guren,....Education is best offered as early as possible.... and look at him... he's very eager to learn new things. " He looked down at Masahiro, who burbled a string of nonsensical sounds.

"That's right, just like that.... Grrraaaaannnd.... Paaaaaa....."

"........eugh......uraaa..........."

"Good! Good!.... Grandpa...... Graaannnd.... Paaaa..............."

"......... Graaaaaa ............. aaaaaa ....? "

"............ Graaaaaannnn........Paaaaaa..... " the child tried again.

Seimei looked up with a surprised smile. "Ha ha... Masahiro is such an intelligent child. My goodness, he's learning to talk earlier than Narachika. He's got a promising future ahead of him." Seimei laughed to himself as he continued to mutter words of praise.

Behind him Touda stared silently at the scene before muttering under his breath.

"Idiot..." (Trans-note: He's referring to Seimei, not Masahiro.)

"Touda, did you say something?"

"Nope... nothing at all."

Touda looked away in annoyance as Seimei glared at him.

Seimei bent down to Masahiro, cupping a hand over the young boy's ear.

"Now listen closely Masahiro...... that over there, is Guren...... Guuuuuuu  Reeeeennn."

"Hey! HEY!... Didnt I say this already? How cou-."

"Will you shut up? Guren!..... Gu-ren... that is Guren..Masahiro... Guuuuuuu reeeeeen."

Masahiro looked between the two with confusion before toddling unsteadily over to Touda.

Someone should help him, he might fall. Kouchin thought with worry as he watched.

"......Uah......ah......." the child chattered as he made his way to Touda.

"Oh... alright......" Touda sounded irritated as he extended a taloned hand to the child, steadying him as he walked. The child gripped his hand and looked up at him with wide eyes.

"Ren!" The child said with a smile.

"I told you he was smart." Seimei laughed triumphantly.

Kouchin had never see quite that that flavor of stupified surprise on Touda's face. He stood rooted to the spot in a stunned silence. Kouchin noted to herself with amus.e.m.e.nt that even the ferocious Touda can look look pretty dumb at times. Touda's expression turned to one of conflict as he looked down at the child.

"What do you want?"

He hesitated for a moment before reaching down with a smile and scooping the child into his arms.

The child giggled happily in his arms and reached up to grasp the gold ring around his forehead. Touda reached to loosen his grasp but the child would have none of it, holding on with a surprising strength and determination.

Touda's hand stilled in surprised as his lips twitched into an amused smile.

__________________________

Taiin was speechless as she listened to Kouchin's words, her jaw, slack in surprise. 

Kouchin gave an amused smile, she had expected such a reaction. 

"Perhaps similar incidents exist in the distant past, but that was certainly the first time Ive witnessed such a carefree smile from him. " 

The child, barely able to form his first words had spoken his name. Not his original name, "Touda", but the name given to him by his master Abe no Seimei, "Guren."  

Thus, to Masahiro, Touda, had been Guren from the very beginning. 

Kouchin looked to the distant landscape as she continued. "Abe no Seimei had always said, that a name was the shortest spell. That name, carried Seimei's hope for Touda. It was Masahiro that enacted on that wish. That's how I see it."

And so .... little by little,.... Touda changed. It was surprising really, how different he had been. 

Taiin turned to Kouchin and looked as though she would say something, but thought better of it and stayed silent. She wrapped her arms around her knees and dropped into a thoughtful silence. 

"...... I......Ive always been horrified of Touda........" 

Taiin bit out her words haltingly, and then hesitantly gazed at Kouchin as she continued.

".... Seimei..... he.... he never gave us and special names........ I.... I know it;s better that way....but.....what's it like to be given a name by Seimei?"

Kouchin's gaze wavered at her words. A flicker of emotion darted before her eyes... there, and gone again, like fleeting thought. 

"Well......... I suppose would be like donning a veil of the finest silk. Silent, barely visible, drifting at the edge of consciousness. A constant warmth, a solid armor, yet always gentle and compa.s.sionate."

Even though it was a very abstract description, Taiin seemed to understand. She nodded, her eyes wide. Presently, she moved back to hugging her knees. 

"....Im terrified of Touda....but whenever, Seimei or Masahiro calls out for "Guren", ... the name.....it seems to alleviate my fear.... however little...."

Her face still buried in her knees, she trailed off, her words carried away by the wind. 

Kouchin closed her eyes and slowly reach forward, until her hand came to rest in the soft strands of Taiin's hair. 

Long long ago, a cold frigid heart was bestowed with a new name. To the soul imprisoned in eternal sorrow and despair, its sound was a ray of sunlight into the darkness of winter, a patch of warmth that broke through the snow, and allowed hope to sprout like the promise of spring. 

------- Book Nine End------------------