Masao turned the instant they stepped out of the forest’s shadows. He touched a small box next to the stairs leading up to the new Shrine. A gentle glow sprang from rows of lighted lanterns that marked a path through the trees. With a gesture, Yukiko led the way left from the Shrine. Hidden among the trees, a snow covered pagoda blended into the forest. The lanterns encircling the wooden structure added a warm glow and illuminated a large bronze bell.
“What’s that?” David asked.
“It’s a Buddhist tradition to ring a bell one hundred and eight times before midnight. Though not Shinto, it has become a tradition here. Everyone will have a chance to ring the bell. It’s a way to purify ourselves before the New Year,” Masao said, leading them around the pagoda to a set of stairs. Behind them, David realized the rest of the townspeople had followed and were lining up for their turn to ring the bell. Kou chided him for not paying better attention to his surroundings. They were both relieved to note that the local school bully, Koji, had not shown up.
After Masao, Natsuki, and the rest of the Matsumotos went, David walked up the stairs and grabbed the rope he had seen the others use. The rope pulled a chained log that he swung forward. When the log hit, the bell rang with a loud, solemn peal. David shivered as the vibrations washed through him.
‘It’s like something really is gone. I guess my old life is over, isn’t it,’ David thought as he walked back down the stairs.
‘It is, but in return we both have a new life to live. A powerful one, full of meaning. Together, we are a Jitsugen Samurai, the culmination of hundreds of years of tradition. Traditions are an important way of learning from the past. Let’s go find some toshikoshi rat before midnight strikes.’
‘We’ll go hunting later, I promise,’ he thought in reply. ‘You know, most people would be concerned if another voice answered their every thought. But I’m glad you’re here.’
Within him, the kami growled in pleasure as they walked back out of the forest in search of food. As the last bell tolled at midnight, David felt other possibilities, the other ways his life might have turned out, fade away with the deep, low sound.
Rie found him a bit later staring off into the forest. Noting his still familiar vacant look, she pulled him gently toward the Shrine.
“Talking to Kou again?” she whispered. “Come on, we have to pray to our ancestors for a happy New Year.”
Though he had been talking to Kou, David felt on edge. The Matsumoto forest usually felt like home, but with the snow covering familiar paths, the whole place felt different. David followed Rie after one last look into the forest’s depths. As he neared the Shrine’s steps, his mind drifted back over the many times he had been there. The accident that had left him possessed by a Japanese god, his triumph during their Golden Week games, Rie’s possession by an evil spirit, and his success at bringing her back all flashed before his eyes. Then Takumi appeared beside him and jerked him out of his revere.
“Here take this. It’s good luck,” he said, handing him a small brass coin with a round hole in the center. David recognized the five-yen coin. “Throw it in the box, and then follow along.”
Takumi bowed to the Shrine then took his own coin and threw it into a small box. Reaching up, he shook a thick white rope, which rang two large brass bells. Then he bowed twice, clapped his hands twice, and bowed again. Turning, he moved aside for David who repeated the movements, a bit unsure what to think about it all.
‘You know, I was brought up in a semi-religious family. Is it okay to do this without really knowing what it means?’ David thought, hoping Kou would answer.
‘You know by now that there is something to the Japanese legends and traditions. What harm can it do to ask your ancestors for a good New Year? We must be mindful of those who came become before us. The Matsumotos, kami, and even your ancestors may prove to be powerful allies if only we ask.’
Thoughtful, David looked up from his last bow and caught a glimpse of Ryohei, the Matsumoto Estate’s resident obake floating around one of the trees up the mountain. With a wink to him, David turned away to make room for the next group of people.
“So what happens now?” David asked. “In America we usually make a lot of noise, have fireworks and stuff. It’s strange having an almost somber New Year’s.”
“Some people will probably do fireworks in town,” Natsuki said, smiling. “Most will just go home and spend their time quietly. We are going for a hike.”
“A hike?”
“Yep,” Takumi said. “Though I guess I could let Reimi fly.”
Takumi and Natsuki, partners through her bond with his kami, walked off. David just caught Natsuki say, “You better not go off and leave me with just your clothes,” before they were out of view.
As David began to follow, Yukiko motioned to him and Rie. After ensuring there was no one around to hear, his host-mother bent close.
“Make sure you keep your senses open,” she said, unusually stern. “I’m sure that last week was not a lone event.”
“Don’t worry. Kou’s on it.”
“Come on, let’s go” Rie said, pulling him after Takumi and Natsuki.
An hour later, David sat with the other three young samurai high above the Matsumoto Shrine. The walk up the snowy mountain had been quiet. David had matched Rie’s pace, but he could not help but think on Yukiko’s words.
‘If there is another attack…’ As they reached the top, their silent conversation ended. Instead of Takumi and Natsuki as they expected, there was only a small open area surrounded by pine trees at the top of a cliff. The area was quiet, though they could hear some of the conversations floating up from below. David tensed.
“Relax,” Rie said. “They’re probably just making out over in the woods.”
In response, Natsuki dropped out of a nearby tree, causing David to whirl and summon his Seikaku, the powerful dual-nature sword that he could summon at will.
‘If only Jessica could learn to be that quiet,’ David thought with a wistful sigh. Even dropping from a tree, the girl who was normally so loud at school had been eerily silent. His sister had struck up a fast friendship with Natsuki after her visit. Every other day he had to translate another note between them or send messages over Skype. ‘At least I get to hear what she’s up to again.’
“Reimi’s around here somewhere,” Natsuki said. “And we were not making out.” To emphasize her point, she punched David hard in the arm. Though he could have dodged, he let her connect, and then followed up with a backhand to her forehead. It might had turned into an impromptu sparring match, but then Reimi distracted them with an aerial somersault that nearly ended with her smashed into a tree.
Below the cliff, the warm lights of Nakano Town glowed just past the Estate’s trees and the main road to Himeji. Takumi reappeared and helped them unpack the few supplies they had brought up the mountain. David smiled at the awkward distance he tried to keep from Natsuki.
A bit later, Rie stirred beside him on a log, and David again wondered why they had not become partners. Kou had no answers for him. Whether it was because they had just broken their bond with Natsuki, or for some other reason, he was just as free as he had been for those first few days he could talk to Kou. Their glimpse into just how strong and important the connection between Jitsugen Samurai and partner could be tainted their enjoyment of that freedom. Murmuring something too quiet for him to hear, Rie sat a little closer.
‘Females.’ Kou thought the word almost like a curse. David