Masaeyu Mori's Story

Most, but not all.

Sitting on one of the outdoor tables that was set up right outside a stall, a white-haired man with an eye patch sat. He was dressed in nice, but inexpensive robes, and sat to his left was a large leather pack. He had looked up just in time to spot the large catman, who was so obviously-

"...not from around here, right?" he called out, giving him a bright, friendly smile. "Have time to sit with a stranger and talk? Perhaps have some grilled fish. This is the best stall for spicy trout!" He gestured to the other side of the table. "Don't worry, this isn't me trying to advertise my own wares. I'll treat."

Meke glanced overhead at the early morning sun beginning its ascent into the sky before rubbing lighly at his furry jaw.

"I must see to some errands," he told the white-haired man. "But I can spare a talk if you would sell me some of that fish."

He gestured to the barrels of trout.

Getting up, the man reached over to the barrels, drawing one close to him. "How much you looking for?" he asked, retrieving some string and hooks. "Also, if you don't mind a few questions, where you from? Whatcha lookin' for here in Yosai? We don't get many strangers like yourself." He rolled up his sleeves, looking up at the large cat man expectantly.

"Two," Meke replied. He riffled around in his clothes until he produced the rumpled money. He smoothed it out as best as he could before handing it across to the white-haired man. "And it is not Yosai that I seek. I am traveling to Mount Senji, and the Yuànsén Monastery."

"I am here only for another day. Takeuchi Kyo has spoken of your kappa problem. I am looking for workers to begin building a couple of fences along the steeper banks of the lake to make your roads safer again."

The man looked up at Meke, hooking the fish onto a rope. "Looking for some workers, huh?" He eyed all the fish that had been caught that morning. "Hmm..." Then, at all the obvious business he was receiving for the catch.

"And you think you'll find those workers in Mount Senji and at the Monastery?" he asked. "There's a lot of hard working men here, y'know. Your luck would probably be better, especially with fishing getting so difficult. People are looking for work." He held the fish out to the man.

"I'm looking for work. And I have a brother!"

"Yuànsén you say?" From nearby in the market, a young man clad in blue glanced towards where Meke and Masaeyu were speaking. "I don't mean to eavesdrop, but I couldn't help but overhear."

Ryosuke offered Meke a bow of greeting with a smile, "The name's Matsui Ryosuke, student of Yuànsén and self-proclaimed swordsmaster. At your service, friend. What do you seek at the monastery, if I may ask?" As he rose, he flashed Masaeyu an amused grin, "Masa, you're being simple in the head again. He means he is searching for volunteers from here, to lend a hand with our problem. You think a traveller would go to the trouble of such a journey just to build a fence?"

Meke chuckled lowly.

"Indeed I am looking for workers here to begin the project," Meke explained. "Spare lumber and able hands. After that I must resume my own journey."

He took the offered fish and slung them over his shoulder.

"The reasons for my journey are personal," he explained to Ryosuke. "But they are not so urgent that I cannot assist with your kappa problem before I move on. I would ask of you to spread word of my intention among the village."

Masaeyu turned his head to catch Ryosuke, quite a familiar face, approaching. He glanced at Meke with an embarrassed chuckle. "Ah! My mistake!" He scratched the back of his head, brushing it off. "Well, in that case, you don't look like a madman at all for going about it that way!"

He let conversation pass between Ryosuke and Meke before speaking up once more. He wasn't sure if a fence in itself would fix the problem. They still needed to fish. They still needed to eat. But...it would bide them some time and hold back much danger so they would figure it out.

"We can do that." said Masaeyu. "Hey, Ryo, what are thoughts on this, ah?"

"A fence? Maybe it'll keep the children who like to play with death near the edge from falling in, and it will make it harder for the kappa to catch travellers unawares." Ryo shrugged his shoulders, "Not a solution, but a help, for sure."

He inclined his head to Meke in acknowledgement. "As you say. Many people come to the monastery for guidance in something close to their hearts. I do not doubt you will find something for you there. And of course, I'll spread the word for you."

Ryo grinned, "If there's one thing I'm good at other than the sword, it's talking."

Meke inclined his head in a nod.

"It is only my intention to provide a measure of safety for travelers on the road at night. It is not a solution, but if it affords some manner of protection until the source of the problem is solved, then it is time well spent."

He rubbed thoughtfully at his furry jaw.

"I must return these fish to Takeuchi Haruto. Volunteers are meeting down at the lake at noon if you would join with us."

"Understood. I'll make it! I'll get anyone I can to volunteer!" said Masaeyu to Meke, giving him a wave. "Enjoy the fish!"

This is good, thought Masaeyu. We get work. And without the danger of the kappa while fishing. It takes the strain off of a lot of the villagers. The children will be protected. So will any women who wander out.

He paused in thought, remembering that there was on little thing he needed to do. "Ryo!" he cried to the swordsman. "I need your help. I can't leave the stall and all the fish by itself. Would you mind finding my brother? He's out near the west side of the lake."

Ryo raised an eyebrow before nodding his head, "Alright, Masa. Is there a message you want me to carry, or ought I just say you're looking for him? And what on earth is he doing out there?" He shook his head with a chuckle, "In any case," Ryo glanced to Meke, "I'll be there at noon. One step at a time, eh?"

"Just tell him to get over here," said Masa. "He's been skirting his duties here at the stall anyway!" He shook his head with disappointment. "What's he doing there? What's he doing anywhere he goes but here? He's flippant and lazy, unlike his obviously diligent, peaceful older brother."

He sat himself back onto the table, finishing his meal. Yes, diligent and hard-working, Masaeyu was, at his empty stall. "And if you get a chance, give Youta a good smack in the back of the head. Not just for my sake, too."

After the events of the previous day, a gathering had been called at the centre of the village. The elder was stood upon a slightly raised platform and was speaking to the crowd.

"For too long now we have waited for the ministry to help us stop the kappa's aggression harming our village's livelihoods," he said, "Lives have been lost and trade has been stifled. Our very way of life is threatened. Now we have lost more lives to an open attack, we have no choice but to look elsewhere. I know that the money that has been volunteered for this did not come easily. In this pack are retirement funds, inheritances and provisions set aside for dreams. But we have no other choice. If we do not act, then the kappa will bring our village to an end."

There was a general murmuring of assent, mixed with a few cheers of approval from the crowd before the elder went on. "Now we need volunteers to take these funds to the capital, to beseech one of the guilds of Tianshi to come to our aid."

The crowd of villagers shifted, before one person stepped forwards. Kyo nodded her head to her father before speaking, "I will go."

A moment later, another stepped forwards. Ryo flashed Kyo a smile before raising his hand up, "Me too. The road isn't always safe, an-"

Kyo interrupted him. "Ryo, you should stay here and protect the village. If the kappa make a direct attack again, then we'll need your sword here. I can handle myself."

"But-"

This time it was the elder that interrupted him. "Kyo is half right, Ryo. Your skill is too valuable in our defence to send you on the trip to the capital. But Kyo, you cannot go alone. We will need other volunteers."

Another young lady in green stepped forth, raising her hand. She had one hand on her sword.

"I shall accompany Kyo," she Jhiya, walking out from the small crowd. Her arm was grabbed by a man, white-haired, with a pack.

"And, ah, ah, me too!" piped Masaeyu, striding past the girl. "And my brother-" He looked over to the younger man who carried the same resemblance. "He will stay and defend, as well."

There was a pause, but no other members of the village stepped forwards. The village elder nodded. "Very well then, you three shall make the trip to the capital. If you have anything that you need, then ask, and it will be provided. You will find some extra money for train tickets in the reward fund."

Kyo smiled and inclined her head, "We shall set off as soon as we are able, Elder." she said, excited at the prospect of being able to ride on a train, something that most of the village had never before experienced. The massive metal vehicles were often talked about by travellers.

After a short number of additional announcements, ranging from cautions about dangerous places to instructions for repairs, the crowd began to disperse. Kyo approached her two travelling-companions to be with a grin, slinging the large satchel containing the reward money under her arm. "There are only a few things that I need from my home before we set off. Have either of you been to the capital before?" she asked.

As soon as everyone dispersed, Zhiya let her eyes inch up to Kyo, slightly uncomfortable. She slid her sword around her sash so that it was behind her, and folded her arms. "I do have someone I need to visit before I leave, as well. And... no. I'll admit I really haven't set foot out of Yosai before."

Masaeyu grinned and pointed to his chest with his thumb, the other hand on his hip. "Looks like I'll be the expert, here, once we do make it. I've been to the capital on several occasions!" He looked behind him for his brother, who had also walked off. "Though I've left each time for reasons. How about you, Kyo? I don't remember you having ever gone out of town before."

The trio from Yosai Village had caught a train from Tsuribazi Township after arriving there in the late afternoon. Kyo had been ecstatic about the novelty of it - she'd never been on one before, nor journeyed to the capital. The steaming and elegant engine sped along the tracks, pulling four carriages along behind it. The carriages were comfortably decorated, with large windows on either side to allow passengers to view the scenery.

It was less than half an hour out of the township that the train passed to the north of the Fields of Silence. Even atop the small hill that the tracks ran along, the cemetery stretched farther than they could see. The gravestones disappeared over a hilltop, continuing on past the horizon.

The sight was both beautiful and solemn. The graveyard was abloom with beautiful flowers and blossoming trees, but the sight of so many graves... it was haunting.

The fields of silence were home to the graves of soldiers from thousands of years of internal and external strife. Between the rows of graves, the occasional figure could be seen walking. The Guardians of Silence were responsible for maintaining the cemetary, and protecting it from any who would defile it. They were masked in white, and never spoke while on duty.

After a long silence, the graves drifting by as the train moved on, Kyo let out a deep breath. "I'd only ever heard about this place. I thought that it was an exaggeration that you couldn't see its end, but ... seeing it for myself. It's almost unbelievable."

Zhiya, seated across from Kyo, gazed out of the window with a pensive expression etched onto her face. Her hands were folded atop her lap, one hand grasping the fingers of the other. "Every one of those graves has a story," she said to Kyo, never taking her eyes from the sight. "It's an overwhelming thought."

Breaking the somber mood between the girls, Masaeyu flopped onto Kyo's shoulder, green in the face. "Y'know what else is an overwhelming thought?" he slurred. "M'stomach on this train."

Zhiya closed her eyes in disgust.

Kyo jabbed Masaeyu in the side, "Masa! Have some respect. There are times in life when you ought not be worrying about your stomach so much." she muttered, shaking her head.

The graves continued to roll past as the train shot onwards. By the time their end came into sight, the start had disappeared behind them.