1 The broken path she walks

Chiharu wiped tears from her face. She had driven to the temple of Futsunushi, hoping that a change of scenery would give her the strength she needs.

When she arrived at the entrance, she bowed, looking up at the many stairs before her. A cold breeze brushed along her neck and back, causing her to shiver slightly. The night sky was painted with a gentle pale blue-violet light due to the wisteria forest where the shrine was. The light resting in the wisteria's petals reflected the full moon's brilliance and lit a path that made the stone stairs feel otherworldly.

Chiharu groaned a bit at the journey before her. Not being in the best physical condition was proving to be a hindrance. She needed a new direction in her life. So, if anyone could help her change, she hoped that the god of martial arts would. Pressing the offering in her arms against her chest, she started to make her way up the stairs. A shadow seemed to loom not far behind her, moving just of sight whenever she looked around. As she reached the top, a weary sigh escaped her lips. Her worn down sneakers were fraying at the ankle. In her pocket, her phone vibrated loudly. A worried look filled with grief and anger flashed on her face. She looked at the phone for a moment before placing it on silent and tossing it back in her purse.

Silence engulfed her once again, aside from the crickets and cicadas that made the slightly cool yet humid air hum. Chiharu took light, quick steps to the basin of water and grabbed the ladle after placing her offering in her purse. Pouring water onto both of her hands and rubbing them together to rid them of impurity. She brought the ladle slightly above her head and poured a small amount of water into her mouth. Swishing the water and spitting it onto the ground, Chiharu placed the ladle back in its place. Grabbing the offering from her purse, she noticed her phone was glowing again with another call.

She closed her purse and turned to the shrine only to jump at the sight of a man. He was wearing an orange and red Hakama. It was bright, with an image of an embroidered black dragon stretching across the back and sleeves. There was no one here a moment ago... Chiharu thought to herself in surprise, her heart rate elevated ever so slightly. He was different... far above average looking, but the way he looked at her in his passing glance sent goosebumps up her arms and neck. The shadow loomed nearby, tucked away behind a tree blending in with the shadows caused by the moonlight. Making itself scarce around whoever that man was.

The man smiled at her before walking past the altar and into the shrine itself. Once again, she was utterly alone. A soft sigh escaped her lips as the feeling of loneliness crept up on her again. She walked up to the altar, placing her offering in the box allocated for it. The shadow decided now was a good time and moved quietly from where it was hiding place. Creeping up behind her. The yokai's eight legs made small quiet tapping sounds as it came closer. Chiharu bowed deeply before clapping twice... her head down in prayer. Her dark brown hair covered most of her sight aside from what was directly in front of her. The creature moved closer, her arms reaching forward to grab Chiharu. "Please, please help me. I can't continue like this. Please show me a path or a sign. A guide...something... anything.... please...."

Tears fell from Chiharu's face when she suddenly attempted to look in the direction of a womanly laugh that was right behind her. She turned around quickly but fell, trying to avoid the hands that swung at her shoulders, attempting to grab her. Scraping at the ground around her, she panicked, scrambling with her feet to get up. Chiharu couldn't process what she was looking at, there was a woman, but she had spider legs!? The Yokai woman pinned her by the pant leg using one of her legs. The woman's mouth opened wide, ready to inject her with venom. As the Yokai went in for the lunge, Chiharu's scream echoed throughout the shrine.