3 Welcome Home

Sunlight poured through the treeline as the ground beneath glistened from morning dew. It was now another morning for their ecosystem and movement from the ground beneath and the sky above roused about. Spirits had returned to their original comatose state until another night befell them. Local birds made themselves known to others through their chirps peacefully until one, in particular, stumbled upon a certain white fox. His ivory covered fur enticing the small blue critter as it hobbled closer for inspection before quickly deeming it nest material.

His small beak opened with anticipation before he pecked down and ripped some fur from one of six tails. His nest would most certainly attract a mate if not for the sudden tight grip of two tails strangling him. Suji had been awakened in anger at the sensation of his glorious coat being tarnished by a small bird. He brought the critter over to his face and bared his teeth in exasperation before immediately wincing as the sun shone over them. If had been another morning for Suji, he would have roasted the daring creature and went back to sleep. It sounded all too tempting until memories of the night prior dawned on him.

Suji observed his area from the treeline as morning welcomed all the inhabitants, all for except the one Suji craved to see. His attention fell upon the brunt out campfire where he had last seen Hiro near before calling out. "Hiro?" His voice came out in slight distress as he hurled the critter aside and hoisted himself upward. It had never occurred to him the night prior that she would wait till daybreak to make her escape. It left Suji feeling as if he who was born to become the master of tricks had been for the first time outwitted. His lips felt uncomfortably dry at the notion whilst ascending to the ground beneath in silence.

Hiro left no trace behind her aside from a small satchel, which carried useless goods throwing off her scent. It left Suji feeling enraged as he desperately considered burning all in the vicinity into a blackened crisp. He might have even proceeded to do so if not for the soft sound of brittle leaves crunching under someone's weight. Their hesitant approach left Suji enough time to reel around until their eyes collided with intensity.

Hiro paused briefly under the intense gaze shot in her direction before snorting mischievously. It felt as though almost decades had passed that she had the pleasure of witnessing Suji in such an unbefitting state. His scarlet irises displayed foreign emotions while his fur remained scuffed from sleeping within the trees the night prior. "Good Morning Suji! I didn't think over the years you could become an even grumpier little fox in the morning."

Her voice was soothing to the core for Suji as he felt his fears become over washed with warmth. Her innocence was beaming with youth as she stood before him with her slender body wrapped tight within woolen clothing. Suji felt anything but innocent in that moment however, as her growth in certain aspect left him feeling heat forming in multiple areas until he no longer could contain himself. His scarlet eyes glazed elsewhere. "Good morning Hiro…" He paused in thought before continuing. "Where have you been? Did I not address the matter that you are to stay within my sights last night?"

Hiro mumbled incoherently with distaste in her tone at the repressive nature of Suji before inhaling. "How could anyone forget your lectures? You should have more faith in me not to run off from the servant Inari! Let alone lie. It even sounds pointless to try and run away from such a keen spirit." Hiro smiled indignantly before chuckling as Suji frowned at the realization of her words. "I tease, I tease; what I meant to tell you is that not too far off is there a river. It seemed to be the more sensible idea of looking somewhat presentable after last night!"

Her cunning comment caught Suji off guard in the heat of the moment. He hadn't anticipated her to worm her way out her situation with such ease. Hiro from when she was much younger couldn't even begin to retort against his trickery or authority. Suji furrowed his brows as he sat on his hindquarters near the dampened campfire without much of a word. Hiro took this as an opportunity to mosey on over beside her deity and plop down without consideration.

Her rummaged satchel was the first thing she reaches out for as the items inside lured her tastebuds towards. Hiro reached into the satchel and rummaged around for a moment before pulling out some bagged herbal grains. It was an assortment of the herbs she stumbled across while overseas with her Uncle training and successfully developed. Hiro dared to even say she formed her own recipes in the foreign land that she knew her family at home would enjoy. "Suji, could you look at me for a second?"

He gandered over into her direction without thought until he pauses in disbelief of something being shoved in his mouth. Hiro had successfully managed to sneak in a piece of her grain bar into Suji's mouth before smiling in anticipation. Her smoky irises remaining intently locked with his until he felt obligated to begin chowing down on the substance. His once sullen expression lightened up as the foreign taste slid down his throat and soothed his fears. It was edible! For the first time since he had known Hiro, she finally made something remotely edible! He savored the taste with unforgettable appreciation.

Seeing as her companion thoroughly savored her food for the first time, Hiro felt unfamiliar happiness swelling up inside of her. Her expression softened substantially as she watched Suji clean himself of any mess that had befallen his fur until she chuckled. 'I wonder if I should learn more recipes for him?' Hiro pulled her knees close against her chest as the thought made her slightly embarrassed since she knew Suji didn't need to eat or indulge in her silliness. Still. The idea sounded nice to her.

Hiro felt her damp hair cascading down her bare shoulders before she used her index finger to gently tuck it behind her ear. "We should most likely begin our trip back to the shrine Suji. I'm sure my dear father is worried where his most dutiful deity is after all."

Her tone was laced with hesitation whilst Suji could only grit his teeth at the mention of her old man. His task out of all their four deities was the least needed normally but with Spring around the corner, his duties grew larger. From bearing prosper to farmers, to answering prayers for good fortune that Spring. "His most dutiful deity my butt. He has become far too shrewd for his age these days with me. I have enough on my plate that is growing by the second seeing as your arrival means more to come on my task. Such blasphemy!"

Suji intentionally feigned his innocence in his protest until he felt Hiro cuff him! Hiro could have of course ignored his unreasonable complaints if not for him hinting that her arrival was a catastrophe for his own benefit. "You rascal! Has being upon our beloved lands for nearly 600 years not taught you responsibility?" Hiro clutched her chest as she shied away from the deity. "You must take responsibility for manhandling a maiden such as myself and bringing me home to confront my father!"

Hiro batted her eyelashes as Suji uncomfortably straightened out his tails before hoisting himself off the ground beside her. "You speak without filtration as much as you did as a child, Hiro. You should be careful who you say such things to. Hurry now." Suji felt frustrated as he paced off while leaving Hiro to chuckle such as a child ignoring her father's light-hearted warnings.

Hiro gave out one final call to Suji before he could run off clean himself of the prior night. "Don't wander off too far from me Suji! Otherwise, I might take flight away with the birds such as this morning!" Laughter flooded the forest as beady eyes peered at the owner of the sound with intense interest. It had been far too long since anything interest had happened.

Children scrambled in groups along the steep hill leading to their local shrine energetically, their guardians in toe not too far behind. It would have been another average morning for the villagers of Sutou if not from their attention being more directed towards Hiro. Her unusual golden hair adorning down her slender frame as she peered around in astonishment. Their land once ridden with corruption was now prospering and bearing great efforts of fruit as they even threatened to spill into the stairway. It was a sight to behold was all Hiro could think as she mumbled under her breath to Suji. "Much as changed since when I was younger. It's very appealing and I can see why our shrine has been prosperous over the last years! Did you do all this by yourself Suji?"

Her question in which meant no ill-meaning made Suji scowl in disbelief. Suji might have been unenthusiastic about his task regarding their shrine but. He was indeed still the servant of Inari who brought forth good fortune and prosperity! Suji nodded his head with immense pride filling his being before speaking. 'We as servants take much valuable gratification in our surroundings as we do ourselves. It would look shameful if a servant of Inari were to allow their area to rot around them.'

Hiro inwardly chuckled as Suji had grown quite the sense of achievement over the years without her. Hiro could only vaguely remember Suji being the reserved fox of their shrine with almost no sense of achievement. "You really are splendid Suji!" Her praise caught his attention as he felt embarrassed when hearing her acknowledge him. Suji wanted more than anything to reciprocate their heartfelt meanings but was unsure how. Hiro was the only one who could leave him feeling perplexed.

Hiro re framed from uttering anything until their destination appeared before them. Gravel littered the ground whilst golden figures welcome those from the village with dignity fit for deities. Hiro cupped her mouth in astonishment for the now four deities representing their shrine. There stood the lioness, fearless and humble for war, the raven, clever and condemning for crime, the rabbit, raising peace and innocence upon the land, while the fox, wise and prosperous for farming.

Hiro felt her soul warm up even more than the blinding sun as she peered at Suji's statue. It was pleasant to see him after all that time have his own represented statue welcoming villagers. Their gravel path aligned with deities led into three main areas, one being their Tibetan Shrine, another an area for children, and the last was for her household. Hiro had the intention of paying her respects to their Tibetan Shrine then off to see her father when she felt someone tap her shoulder.

Hiro turned moderately in the direction of the person until their eyes met. Their expression softened upon seeing Hiro and smiles from the lot behind the older housewife became apparent. Her voice was delicate and yet brimming with joy as she finally spoke up. "You wouldn't perhaps be the young miss of Kentaro?" Hiro felt an uneasy emotion boiling in her stomach as the realization that her father could never keep quiet dawned on her. Their village would have most likely heard his wails from even their mountain!

Hiro swallowed some bile as she offered them a feeble smile. She wondered if they had thought she was a mere ungrateful child for attempting to abandon her rightful duties as Miko only to show up days later. It was thoughts such as these that made Hiro feel cornered as she spoke up. "It appears I stick out more than I thought. Pleasure to meet you." Hiro was curt with her response whilst her joints instinctively resulted in her deeply bowing to her elders. Suji on the other hand with being nothing more than a spirit decided to abandon ship and pace off to the Tanaka household.

Bewilderment overtook Hiro as she bit along the inside of her mouth until the taste of iron was all she could stomach. Suji had up and left without so much of a warning when Hiro needed his presence now more than ever. If not for the weary mumbles casted around, Hiro could have sworn she saw the physical embodiment of silence. It was becoming far too overwhelming for Hiro until she furrowed her brow at the sound of hearty laughter from the older woman in front. "Dear we are far too familiar with you for you to be bowing to such a group of housewives! You were but a child when we saw you and now you have grown into such a fine young woman! We couldn't be happier about your arrival period!"

Relaxation replaced the once tense atmosphere as Hiro felt her cheeks burn up in embarrassment. Stories of her unladylike youth were mumbled through the group as they all shared fond memories regarding Hiro. She felt flustered to say the least as here she was, prepared for the worst, only to be faced nothing but acceptance, despite the rumors around the village. Her emotional baggage felt lightened as she chuckled along with them wholeheartedly for the first time. "I do apologize for my initial rude behavior."

Hiro reached out her palms and held onto the elderly's fragile hands as she smiled brilliantly. Hiro leaned forward and lightly kissed each of her cheeks before tilting her head and batting eyelashes. "It means hello from one of the places my uncle and I visited overseas in America." Her ears felt red as the elder lady chuckled and the rest murmured at how swoon they were by Hiro.

Hiro would have loved to continue reminiscing about her childhood with the villagers if not for the sound of the doors to the Tanaka household flying open. What Hiro heard next was both dreadfully familiar and unexpected. Kentaro teared up upon seeing Hiro face him from the distance and without much thought, sprinted over to her in hysteric fits. His age did not hold him back as he collided with Hiro and embraced her until her feet were merely dangling from his height.

His nose bubbled with snot as he tried pressing his face against hers only to be denied immediately by his sole daughter. "Hiro!" Kentaro whimpered as he felt his daughter place her palm against his cheek, pushing him away steadily with an expression of disgust. "Do you hate your father so much you won't even give me any hugs? No. The bigger issue is you went to Suji first before me and only left me with a heartbreaking letter!" Hiro knitted her brows as her eyes caught sight of the sly fox in the entrance of the Tanaka household looking smug before striding off. Hiro would most likely have to teach him a lesson later!

Hiro pursed her lips together before raising her hand to stroke her fathers head affectionately. "My beloved father, you know I show no favoritism to anyone! Suji merely accommodated me home then promptly abandoned me. I promise." Her expression lightened as she looked into her father's eyes to show him she still loved him before she continued. "Now could you please put me down? I'm not a child anymore and you're making a fool of yourself again with these ladies." Kentaro for the first time offered the women a glance before back to Hiro for a moment.

Kentaro gritted his teeth in defeat before lowering his daughter back to the ground and straightened his formal Geki attire. His stare softened after his outfit was back in place and finally smiled. "Good morning ladies, I assume my daughter been kind to you as well?" His tone was gentle and yet deep as he greeted them respectfully. It seemed as if something switched in Kentaro when dealing with work matters than casual matters as he seemed more diligent at the moment. He chatted idly with the ladies before sending them off soon with the excuse of family matters which Hiro did not look forward to. "Your letter Hiro. It worried me. What's the matter?"

Kentaro for most would be defined as an open book as his emotions were worn on his sleeve like a badge. It was something she herself had inherited so when her father stared at her with nothing but warmth and concern. Hiro felt like something inside her shifted. Her hand rose up to rub at her shoulder nervously whilst her eyes gandered around the shrine. Humans and spirits alike waltzed through their land with tasks on their mind while there she was nearly cowering at her memories overseas. "Did it ever scare you becoming the protector of this land, village, or these spirits that have their faith in you so blindly?"

Hiro knitted her brows at how much she reminded herself of Suji before sighing. Suji brought her home with faith in her even after seeing what putting faith blindly in others could lead to. Hiro couldn't let him down or the villagers at this point. Her eyes glazed back to her father as he stared at her with an almost foreign expression. Was it pity? No, her father had never once pitied anyone for his own beliefs. There was no way he would start now. "It would be nothing but lies if I told you that I am still unsure if I am making the right choices."

Kentaro solemnly nodded in response to Hiro. He knew best what his daughter might have been feeling those last years in America. It was a family tradition to burden them alone though and come to your own conclusion. Kentaro respected that and remained silent to hear out his daughter. "It never occurred to me though that throughout this land will still be traces left by you to help me through it though. You left me support and with that, I think I might be okay."

Kentaro went stiff when feeling his daughter press herself against him for comfort. It brought back memories of his youth as he went along with his own father's antics rather than coming to his own conclusions. It puzzled him, to say the least, that his own blood after knowing his past would feel afraid of his next response. Kentaro never wanted Hiro to feel pressured into following his footsteps and showed his assurance by raising his hand to comb through her hair. "You worry like your mother and shine like me, Hiro. Becoming the head Miko of this shrine will be full of hardships and errors but, it comes with greatness too. I'm sure your uncle just forgot to include the joys alongside the tragedies."

His words of guidance processed for but a split second in Hiro before she was pulled along with her father. Kentaro danced with Hiro under patches of sunlight until her delicate smile was all that he could see as she understood what he wanted. Her tattered brown shirt moved fluently with her torso whilst her white skirt twirled with an enticement to nearby villagers. "Did I not tell you I am not a little girl anymore, father?" Hiro paused as she feigned exasperation before smiling again. "Father, you have always been an odd one but I think you might have become more concerning over the years and far too emotional."

Kentaro narrowed his eyes upon hearing his daughter belittle him without any speck of remorse. Kentaro could certainly tell Hiro took more of her mother's genetics than she did of his. He decided to come up with his own funny retort until he and Hiro nearly jumped out their skin the sound of another woman's voice. "Good morning Master Kentaro, energetic and publicly shameless as the usual? Oh! Good morning as well miss Hiro." Her voice was nonchalant and resonating whilst her black hair cascaded down her voluptuous body with ease.

Tobacco seeped unnaturally against the gravel as brilliant golden orbs peered down upon Hiro and her father. Her posture was the definition of dignity as she brushed her black and orange tail around the gravel until her feet connected to the earth. Hiro immediately recognized their tiger Deity, Nari. "Nari! Good morning to you too, I take it you have been in good health despite dealing with my father and the three other children?" Her tone was higher in pitch as she loosened herself from her father and sprinted without hesitation to the deity before her until they collided.

Nari could only bellow out laughter as she wrapped an arm around Hiro and inhaled from her pipe once. Her scornful expression softened as her ears rose from her black tresses and perked high with affection towards her little cub, Hiro. "Good health? Of course dear, I am the highest and eldest deity residing in our area. Mental health though, that is a different topic with those uncouth men." Nari purred with contempt as she made visual contact with Kentaro as she blew thickened smoke into his direction with a wicked smile. "You would not mind me accommodating the young miss to my shrine for some time would you Kentaro? Oh, correct, I am the one in charge to make that decision seeing as you have tasks to attend to this morning!"

Her taunting laughter shook even Hiro as Nari scolded her father with such an intensity that it left him sullen. There was no room for him to even attempt to weasel himself out and decided to accept defeat once more. Nari was pleasant content with his obedience and opened her mouth to allow thickened smoke to envelop the duo until they vanished. Once their peaceful departure was assured, Kentaro snapped his fingers until a scroll materialized before him. Kentaro might have lost his daughter to the keen deity but not his happiness. He could finally begin compiling the needs to welcome his now home daughter. "Her first kagura dance ceremony must be for all to see."

Behind the Tanaka house in which was shrouded in foliage, was the Tiger shrine dedicated to Nari. Spirits maintaining her land littered about as Hiro and Nari strode in within the dark and foreboding building. It made Hiro feel uneasy about her presence as her eyes could not even perceive her own palm in front of her face. Nari, of course, seemed unfazed by the dangerous darkness as she was the deity of war and protection but upon seeing Hiro. Nari submerged the room in warm candles before pacing to her throne and sitting down. "Your father is quite the handful with watching over while attending my own task through the land. I would think Lu; the rabbit was more mature than Suji, Riku, or Kentaro."

Nari was dangerously bewitching as she laid upon her throne with her legs crossed. It was as if Nari were the crowned queen looking over her disciples until she smiled upon Hiro with familiar care. "How have you been though yourself dear? I would hope you are still in good health with the consideration that an old cretin was your mentor for what now; eight years?" Her smile felt contagious to Hiro as she knew Nari was never fond of her uncle or the matter that lead to her living overseas. It was amusing to see her bicker or badger her uncle with no real malice in her tone.

Hiro made her way over to the center of the room and sat before Nari. "I have been well theses last couple of years. I have only been feeling fatigued from both the trip home and the thought through torture uncle sent me into. It was in the good name though so I can become an astonishing Miko." Nari remained silent as she closed her eyes and nodded distastefully. "I am happy to be home though. It makes the transition much easier with it still being as lively as I left the shrine."

Nari opened her eyes until she could peer down at Hiro with an exasperated expression. "You are indeed correct. Although I would like to add that it may become even livelier at the shrine now that you have returned home. I'm sure seeing as Kentaro is your father, the stubborn and proud man he is, would most certainly turn our task into burdens." Nari bit into the bottom of her lip until small dribbles of blood trailed onto her waiting tongue. Her task would most certainly indeed increase with her having been Kentaro's main official deity. "I wonder how you are from the same litter as him."

Hiro had knitted her brows at the second mention of their duties increasing with her arrival before she finally asked. "What do you mean your work task would increase more with my arrival? I don't see how this could make much of a difference Nari?" Her question earned an almost confused purr from Nari before the concept that Hiro had no idea what was to come dawned on her.

Hiro felt uncomfortable at the sudden expression of pity forming on Nari. It didn't suit her. "Dear child, your coming is a blessing for all of us and even the village. It was worth a festival longer than a day within human beliefs. If I recall your father had a small commencement ceremony of four extensive days. Your father used to be quite a quiet child too. Shame times changed."

Hiro bit down onto her tongue at the mention of her father being waved around like a flag for four continuous days. Did he really intend to do the same with her when his own experience was so unpleasant sounding? He surely would have talked about it with her before making such rash decisions on his own after there talk. Hiro decided to gather more information from Nari for safety reasons. "Okay so for four days or what not… How do people expect us to act, or what do we as holy servants do?"

Malicious feelings shrouded the room as Nari thoughtfully smoked on her pipe before exhaling the elements away from Hiro. "I wonder." Nari beamed happily with laughter as she used her red sleeves to cover her mouth and nose while poor Hiro lowered her head and sighed. She could already seen her own demise rounding in around the corner from the next month. "If you are unsure, I am sure Lu would be happy to help you go over the formalities regarding it all and even Suji!"