The Night Parade of One Hundred Demons (4)

"So how are you doing these days, Ito san?" Young master Kobayashi was the first one to break the ice. His droopy eyes held an enchanting aura, while his fond smile was like the silver moonlight. 

"Far busier than before, young master." Asahi kept his words short while his companion, Kobayashi, slightly looked away. 

"I would prefer not to be called a young master." He muttered under his breath, which Asahi quickly noticed, yet he decided not to comment. 

"Busier huh? Being the head of the family must be difficult, especially while still being a student." 

Kobayashi Tsukasa commented while keeping his words limited. There were far more things he wished to touch upon, but it wasn't the right time and place. 

"Indeed, it is. Though it was my choice, and I shall have to make up for it," were the final words of Asahi, and their conversation died down. Both men had their eyes on the zen garden, which was filled with tranquility and aesthetics. 

The sound of their shoes could be heard as they enjoyed the serene pond, bamboo, and the tranquility of the place. Both of them seemed to be as different as the sun and the moon; while Asahi had the fierceness of the sun, Tsukasa had the gentleness and the gratifying chill of the moon. 

"Do you know the story of the zodiacs, Ito San?" Once again, Kobayashi Tsukasa led the conversation. His hands were folded while his tone remained mellow. 

"I partially do." 

"How about I tell you about it?" Kobayashi insisted, while Asahi gave a nod. For a feared young master, Kobayashi seemed to have a good temperament. 

Once upon a time, the Jade Emperor held a race. In the race, 13 animals were invited, and when the race started, all the animals strategized. As the rat and the cat rode on the ox, the rat threw the cat into the river, which disqualified the cat. As the remaining of them got their position, the river swallowed the cat. 

It is often said that the cat was thrown into the river of death. The river's bottom was the prison, and there, the cat was caught for the next ten thousand years. 

"Eh," Asahi could feel a vague tinge on his hands. Was it because his familiar was a cat as well? He was not sure, but when he revealed the part about cats, Asahi could feel his eyes roll and not want to listen to it. 

"Despite the accusations, I have always wished to be a part of the cat zodiac," Kobayashi stated.

"Um," Asahi decided to not speak after all; the prince's words were iridescent. They were fancy and sounded smart, and yet, as the perspective changed, his words each meant something else. Of course, loving the unofficial cat zodiac was thrilling.

"Lend my words to Kuro~" The young master whispered in the ears of Asahi while leaning towards him. The sudden chills around Asahi's body were no joke. How did he know about that cat?!

"Let's be here in the evening." 

Asahi gave a nod and was led to a guest room. 

~

"The night parade will start in two weeks!" stated a man who wore a proper tie and gray suit. It was the night of the waning crescent moon, and a crowd of men had gathered to prepare for the departure of the young master. The man announced the main house, and by then, all three members, Hayashi, Ito, and Kobayashi, had their luggage sent to their cars. 

The North Star mansion was bustling as, for the very first time, the heir of the house had chosen to do some outside work. The housekeepers were running back and forth; Hayashi had his strict demeanor, while Asahi was partially strict while a part of him continued to spin in the lore of the Yokai. 

'How did he know about Kuro?' The thought ran through his mind, but since he was unable to reach his familiar telepathy for the time being, the anticipation and assumptions were taking over his mind. 

"Father, these things aren't much of a necessity," Kobayashi said to his father. While the elder Kobayashi had a stern "no" on his face. The man had made sure to send many things for the two-week journey; after all, it was not an easier kind. 

"It absolutely is necessary. Be sure to protect your companions. I shall hope the same with all three of you. Have good teamwork."

Mr. Kobayashi gave his blessings, and they were seated in the car, ready to head to Okinawa. They sat inside the black long car, and so the mission had started.

~

"Em, where are we?" Asahi spoke in a cracked voice. The sky outside was still dark, and they were inside the black long car. As he gazed out the window, the whole place was as lively as the casinos. 

"Um… It's 1 am," Hayashi spoke back. 

"I know, but something is following us." 

"Perhaps ghost," Hayashi repulsed, which made Asahi suddenly choke on his saliva. Not wanting to cough again and again to wake up everyone, Asahi got out of the car. Though the sky was not the best, it was still bright enough to not be outshined by the stars that night. 

"Let's get out. I can smell something coming towards us," Young Master Kobayashi Tuskasa remarked. There was a coldness in his presence, and as Hayashi and Kobayashi got out, they could not find Ito Asahi when he was supposed to be in the vicinity.

"OI! ITO ASAHI! WHERE ARE YOU?!" Hayashi spoke aloud, and his voice reverberated through the dense woods while only the rustle of the leaves and the breeze of the wind answered his words. 

Tsukasa had a grim face. His slopped-down eyes stared intensely at the tree with the most vitality, even when it was almost about to be autumn. Hayashi continued to call out for Asahi. 

'Tsk, this brat. Why is he causing so much trouble?'

Hayashi was short of breath as he ran from side to side, looking around for the lost boy. Just as he turned towards Tsukasa, he could see a strange spider about to land on the young master's head.

"Young Mas-" Hayashi swiftly grabbed his katana, and with a precise and sharp aim, he cut the spider in half while Tsukasa remained nonchalant.