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Chapter Text

Coughs and hacking reverberated through the temple, shared by two siblings, both aged and weathered by the passing time. Brother and sister who had devoted their life to their faith, reaching the end of their journey.

The younger brother, laying in his deathbed, accepted his fate with grace. Firmly believing in the teachings of his religion. Bravely embracing the inevitable.

As for his sister, despite being equally devout, couldn’t bear witnessing her brother’s departure. Well aware, her own demise was approaching.

The dying man sensed her pain despite his own. He gathered as much energy as he could, and grabbed her hand. Trying his best to comfort his grieving sibling.

“Sister… Please, do not cry. It will be alright. Our suffering will be over soon. We shall break free from the cycle together…” The old man hushed between fits of coughing, never letting go of his sister’s hand, who could only whimper in misery.

“Myouren… I-I can’t… I-I am not ready yet. I don’t… I do not wish to die…” She said truthfully, her heart heavy with both sorrow and fear. Fully aware of how selfish she sounded. Her brother did not judge her, however.

“I-I know Byakuren… I am sorry… But there is nothing we can do to stop it…” Exhaustion overtook his voice, his strengths leaving him. His words barely audible.

“M-Myouren?” Byakuren’s voice quivered as she called out to him.

“I love you, sister…”

“N-No… Please… Don’t go… Don’t leave me...” Byakuren clutched his hand tightly, as if trying to bring him back to her.

“Enlightenment… Awaits us…”

The monk forced out his last whisper. His unbreakable fate shined as the light faded from his eyes and tears welled in Byakuren’s. The monk Myouren Hijiri has died, reaching the end of his story.

Byakuren spent the next three days mourning deeply. In the ensuing three days, she spent counting her coughs worriedly. Every night, she prayed she would wake up to see the dawn.

As the days went on and her condition worsened, anxiety and desperation took over her senses. Her brother’s death still fresh on her mind, knowing the Yama would soon pass judgement on her. Byakuren couldn’t bear it anymore. She refused to spend her last remaining days in solitude and terror. She couldn’t die just yet, by any means necessary.

If Myouren’s faith was unbreakable, so was Byakuren’s will. The monk had recited every mantra, cast every holy ritual, practiced every Buddhist art known to her. Yet, despite her tireless efforts, her attempts had been in vain, only further exhausting her frail body.

Byakuren had never strayed far from the path of Enlightenment. Buddhism was her way of life, guiding through the harshest of time for as long as she could remember. But now, for the first time, she found no answer within its teachings.

If she truly wished to survive, she could no longer rely on her religion anymore. Betraying her principles was the last thing she desired. But in these last few days, dread was what drove her now.

On a dark night, as Byakuren searched for alternative solutions, she stumbled upon a grimoire she and her brother had seized from a magician. As Buddhist monks, they had encountered their fair share of youkai and witnessed their power. According to her faith, such magic was deemed sinful and unholy. However, both her time and options were running short.

Did she have any other choice?

Her heart ached as she opened the book, flipping through the pages with a trembling hand. Torn between wishing to find an answer and hoping to find none.

Byakuren discovered many different spells and practices, none as potent or enticing as what she had been taught. Most would have been corrupted by the promise of power, but Byakuren sought only one.

At long last, when her hopes began to fade and the pages grew scarce, she stumbled upon the passage that would forever change her life.

“Longevity.” The monk read aloud, both uncertainty and awe filling her voice.

Now more than ever, doubts filled the woman’s mind. Betray her faith or perish. These were her options. It contradicted everything she and her brother had devoted themselves for.

But what value had her life once it ended?

Byakuren thought back of her brother. How disappointed he would be if he were still by her side. But when her fragile memories replayed the night he left her, his empty gaze and lifeless body. The coldness of his hand against hers, and the tears she shed while burying his corpse.

Her choice was made.

“May Lord Bishamonten forgive me...” With a heavy heart, Byakuren cast the spell upon herself.

In an instant, she felt the effects coursing through her body. Her bones realigned themselves, her suffering subsided, her sight and mind regained their clarity. Never had she felt better.

For the first time in years, Byakuren could breathe freely. The monk instantly rushed to the nearby river, nearly tripping in her steps, astonished by her newfound agility. Bending down, she wept tears of joy at the sight of her reflection.

In the water, she saw a young woman with wavy brown hair and flawless skin. Her youth brought back to her. The spell had succeeded perfectly. She was healthy once more. She wasn’t in danger anymore.

At the very least, for now.

Mere minutes after conquering her fear of death. The horrid feeling planted back itself in her soul yet again, realizing the implication of using such black magic.

Youkais, much like their magic, would vanish if humans stopped believing in them. If humanity rejected them entirely, Byakuren’s power and she too, would cease to exist.

Byakuren pondered her next course of action, troubled by the sudden realization. Although, she couldn’t deny how good it felt to think with a clear mind once again.

Most of the people she had met and known had perished before her. She could start anew, without raising suspicion. All the while, she needed to ensure the prosperity of the monster who had granted her longevity. She, who was expected to protect humans and exterminate youkais.

But in the grand scheme of things, none of it mattered. Byakuren’s will remained resolute. Never will she fear death again. She will protect her power, no matter the cost.

Chapter Text

“I must apologize for asking again, but are you absolutely certain about this tiger you’ve mentioned?” Byakuren couldn’t help but wonder if she had heard correctly. After all, tigers weren’t native to this country, and she highly doubted the animal would venture so far from home.

“I swear it’s the truth! It acts as the beasts’ leader! We can hear it growl at night!” The terrorized villager said frantically. The fear in his voice and improbability of his words didn’t help ease Byakuren’s suspicions. The village she lived next to had been attacked yesterday, with only a few survivors escaping the beasts living in the mountains.

“Their leader, you say?” While still unsure, the monk made a mental note of this information. “Have you ever managed to see it?”

“Well… No. We don’t know why but it doesn’t hunt anymore. Our ancestors used to see it with its pack back then. We’ve only heard stories of stories.” The man told her, attempting to calm himself down.

“Could you describe this tiger for me?”

“Of course, but it’s a story that’s been passed down through many generations. I am not sure how accurate it really is. Apparently, it took the form of a very tall and ferocious woman with incredible strength, outclassing our mightiest warriors with ease. What’s strange is that unlike the other beasts, it had no ears or tails for some reason.”

“No ears or tails…” Byakuren repeated to herself, the villager having mistakenly thought she wasn’t believing him.

“B-but we know it’s still lurking! The survivors from yesterday’s attack heard the monsters mention it!”

“I see. I thank you for this precious information. I will travel to the mountains and make them safe, I assure you. You won’t have to worry anymore.”

“Thank you… Thank you so much… You are a blessing from the Buddha himself.”

“Please, there is no need. I shall take my leave now, and I will make sure to inform you after the Youkais have been exterminated. Feel free to visit my temple afterwards.” Byakuren offered reassuringly before heading back, not caring much for the praise, but happy she could ease his fears and gain his trust.

“Ah… One last thing before I leave. By any chance, did someone happen to catch the name of this tiger?”

“Its name? I’m not sure why you’d need that but…”

“I assume you must be Shou?” Byakuren was forced to look up to the towering woman. The monk herself was quite taller than average. Especially now, her dark magic not only restoring her past youth but improving her body and strength significantly. Nonetheless, her height paled in comparison to the Youkai girl in front of her.

The youkai girl was also very muscular, evident due to her clothing which only consisted of animal skin. Or at the very least, Byakuren hoped it was made of animals. She had long, blond, and fluffy hair with black stripes, resembling a tiger’s fur. And as the villager said, no ears nor tail could be found on her, the mark of a beast Youkai. Although, he never mentioned this missing arm of hers.

“And you, you’re the monk who just moved in.” The woman said in a low, gravely voice, not even attempting to hide her identity in the face of danger.

All things considered, she was surprisingly calm despite her circumstances. A Buddhist monk had just barged in her den, having easily defeated the beasts guarding it. Either way, Shou stood tall and proud, looking down on her with furious, piercing amber eyes. Reflecting an honest and strong personality, along with the wildness of the animal she was based on.

“That would be me. My name is Byakuren Hijiri.” She presented herself, not that Shou seemed to care much. “I must admit, I was quite intrigued when I was told a tiger ruled these mountains. But now, I believe I understand.” Byakuren said, glancing at Shou’s arm again. Upon further inspection, the limb was not actually lost, but was vanishing into thin air.

“It is as I thought. You are no beast, but rather a Youkai born from the stories and fear of the massive felines residing in our neighboring countries. Such fear subsided now that we humans are aware of tigers' actual form and nature. In other words… You are dying.”

Shou growled in answer, annoyance filling her eyes as she showed teeth. A tiger she technically wasn’t, but she sure acted like one.

”This is getting long, human. You’ve come to exterminate me, haven’t you? None of this matters anymore.” Shou snarled, losing her patience, though Byakuren did not fail to catch the hint of sadness in her voice, a pain she knew all too well.

“Not… Exactly. I just came here to talk.”

Shou looked puzzled at this, breaking her hard facade a little, revealing yet another side to her.

“To talk?” She repeated incredibly, tilting her head slightly as she did so.

Byakuren slowly nodded in answer, “Would you be willing to follow me back to my temple? We could discuss while sharing a cup of tea,” she offered amicably, before getting interrupted by the Youkais she had just incapacitated.

“D-don’t listen to her, Shou! It’s a trick! You can’t trust their kind!” One of Shou’s companions perked up, soon followed by many others. Their pleas and mistrust echoed throughout the cavern. It seemed the villager was right, the Youkais here did look up to her.

“Enough.” Shou ordered calmly, breaking the cacophony with natural leadership, emanating a strong aura of authority and dignity.

“I did not notice you hadn’t killed my friends until now. If you simply wished to exterminate us, you would have done so already. I thank you for sparing them, and I accept your proposal.” Shou said in a low voice, the fury having left her eyes, replaced by exhaustion.

Discord broke down in the den once again. Beasts and monsters alike begged their leader to not leave as they chastised the human monk. Byakuren smiled through it all, simply glad she managed to convince Shou.

“I thank you very much for your understanding. Now, then, shall we?” Byakuren gently inquired, offering a warm smile to Shou.

Somehow, the trip back home proved even more difficult than ascending the mountains. Even though Youkais stopped attacking her due to Shou’s presence, the tiger Youkai was greatly weakened, a lot more than Byakuren had imagined. She could barely walk, breathing heavily with each step.

Shou’s current state explained why she had stopped participating in hunts. Despite her tall and muscular build, Byakuren had no doubt that she was malnourished as well, likely letting her companions eat as she let herself starve.

At some point, Shou even asked for Byakuren’s help to support her, admitting her fragility in front of a human, a Youkai exterminator, nonetheless. This greatly surprised Byakuren, but she was more than happy to assist her.

Over the past few years, Byakruen had met many Youkais after her rebirth and newfound purpose. Yet each encounter left her amazed at their distinct personalities, needs and wishes that went beyond simply terrorizing humans like the monsters they were portrayed as.

Despite their approximate immortality and appetite for flesh. Byakuren realized Youkais weren’t so different from the gods humans worshiped, nor the humans themselves who hunted them. A realization not many could claim to have made, she was certain.

Finally settled down in the temple, Shou could finally catch her breath, relishing in the scorching hot beverage she had downed in one go. Though incredibly tired, she managed to recall the very first thing she noticed as she entered the temple’s grounds.

“Bishamonten. God of warriors and punisher of evildoers.” She declared suddenly, referring to the statue honoring said god.

“Indeed, this temple is dedicated to him. I’ve actually tried many times to summon him here. As expected from one of the Seven Gods of Fortune, unfortunately, he is a very busy man.” Byakuren explained casually while serving Shou another cup of tea, her own having been barely touched.

The tiger Youkai thought back to the statue’s feet, depicting the god trampling on a Yaksha. A symbol of protection for humans, one of death for Shou’s kind.

“I am rather glad he never showed up.”

“As I suspected, Youkais are rather fearful of him.” Byakuren remarked

“Of course, we are. I had first assumed this was the reason as to why you’ve installed yourself here, given how many Youkais live in these mountains.”

“No, not really. I simply am a practitioner of Shingon Buddhism and a devout worshiper of Lord Bishamonten. Although, I am indeed very interested in the many Youkais inhabiting these mountains.” She smiled at the tiger Youkai, who simply glared at her in response.

“You. Are a very strange woman.” Shou told her with painful honesty, which Byakuren couldn’t help but chuckle lightly at.

“Oh? Is that so?” Byakuren answered back playfully, finding Shou’s candidness refreshing.

“A Youkai exterminator that invites one for tea. Yes, I would say you are quite odd. Speaking of which, what do you want from me exactly?”

“I suppose I haven’t explained myself just yet, I apologize for dragging this out. You see, I’ve come here to actually protect the Youkais living here.” Byakuren let out a small smile upon seeing Shou’s puzzled reaction. “Yes, yes, you’ve heard right. A Buddhist human helping Youkais. You weren’t wrong when you called me strange.” She laughed lightly.

“I do not think ‘strange’ is strong enough to qualify you anymore.” Shou said, still very confused by it all, but quite intrigued by Byakuren’s motives. “Why even would you do any of this? Isn’t this blasphemous in your religion? Your own kind would turn against you if someone were to find out.”

Byakuren let out a small breath, remembering how this journey had all begun. “The reason why is because I am just like you.”

“Like… Me? You have lost me again.”

“I, too, know what it feels like to be dying.” Byakuren clarified, a revelation which Shou did not expect whatsoever.

“Of course, I cannot imagine how it would feel for a near-immortal being to experience its end nearing. But no matter who or what you are, I know it’s a dreadful feeling, is it not?”

Shou looked down on her arm, her approaching demise staring right back at her. “It is…” She admitted in a low voice.

Byakuren smiled sadly at her, her eyes reflecting kindness and understanding. “It is to escape this feeling, that I need Youkais to prosper. Their power is the reason I am still alive to this day. To be perfectly honest, I am actually much older than I look.”

As if gears turned inside Shou’s head, she glanced back up at Byakuren, now fully understanding who or what she was dealing with.

“I see… I was mistaken in calling you a human, I suppose.”

“Human, Youkai… Does any of this really matter in the end?”

“Of course it does.” Shou responded with absolute conviction.

Byakuren had to admit, she was curious about Shou’s perspective “How come?” she asked, wanting to understand a Youkai’s viewpoint on all this..

“I don’t want to eat you anymore.”

Having expected anything but such a simple and direct answer, Byakuren burst out laughing unceremoniously, betraying her usual grace. Shou joined her shortly after, despite not attempting to make a joke in the first play, simply following her host’s jovial mood.

“Oh… I do not remember the last time someone made me laugh this hard. I truly am glad to have invited you here, Shou.” Byakuren said after catching her breath.

“I wasn’t trying to be funny.” Shou said, her toothy smile still lingering, before quickly getting back on track. “You haven’t really answered my question, however. Why do you need me specifically?”

“Isn’t it obvious? It is clear as day the beasts and Youkais here look up to you. To protect the Youkais, I need to gain their trust, and I was hoping I could use your help for this. All the while, I need to keep the villagers both safe and unsuspecting, which is why I am pretending to exterminate Youkais as I befriend them. Protecting both Youkai and humans from each other at the same time.”

“Which, in turn, benefits you and your faith. By taking advantage of both sides at the same time through deception and lies?” Shou made it clear that she did not approve of such tactics with her tone of voice.

“Shou, I cannot afford to lose this. Wouldn’t you be willing to do anything in your power to survive?”

Shou was taken a little aback by Byakuren’s point. It was easy to judge the monk, she supposed, but if had the possibility to live on like her, she knew she would take it as well.

“Mmh… You got me there… “ Shou admitted. “Still, this is a very dangerous game you are playing, one mistake could cost you everything.”

“If the alternative means simply giving up and accepting death, I personally believe this is worth the risk.”

“I see… Your conviction is admirable, I must say. But if you are willing to go this far for your goals, there is one thing I do not understand. You seem more than fine with lying to your fellow humans. But you’ve been completely honest with me. You’ve even admitted to my face that you wished to use me. Why is that?”

“I don't wish to deceive anyone. Lying is one of the ten evil deeds, but a necessary one, especially with humans. They are too self-centered and blinded by fear to deepen their understanding. As for you, I want for the two of us to have a healthy, mutually beneficial friendship. Something you cannot build on lies. Besides…”

Byakuren paused as she took Shou’s still corporal hand in her own.

“I wish to help you too, Shou.” The monk said kindly.

Strangely, despite Byakuren revealing how far she was willing to scheme and lie to fulfill her selfish needs. Shou could only sense sincerity in her voice. It touched her deeply, especially after knowing Byakuren had to go through the same painful experience as her.

For years, Shou had simply been waiting for death to claim her, lying tiredly in a darkened cave, letting herself starve while her own people already mourned her. Now, for the first time in ages, hope found its way into Shou’s heart. Futile as it may be, she was grateful nevertheless to this odd human, no matter how sincere she really was.

“I appreciate the sentiment, Byakuren. I truly do.” She smiled sheepishly, a tad embarrassed she was getting so emotional from Byakuren’s concern. Of course, reality wasn’t as kind as her, Shou knew that well.

“However, I do not think there is much you can do for me. In this state, I do not believe I’ll even be able to make it back to my den, nor that I could really help you in turn. With or without me around, Youkais would never dare approach this temple. Not when Bishamonten could show up whenever he pleased.”

As all the pieces formed into place, Byakuren gave her a gentle, yet slightly opportunistic smile.

“My friend, how much do you know about Buddhism?”

“... Huh?” Shou blinked in surprise

“Shou! You’re finally back! We were so worried! And… What are you wearing?” The relieved beasts asked, taken aback by Shou’s new, strange appearance.

Her hair was considerably shorter now, barely reaching her shoulders instead of her back, adorned with a flower-shaped ornament of some sort on top. There was a massive cloth circle on her back, reminiscent of the gods humans worship. Along with an expensive looking red dress with tiger fur around her abdomen. Most noticeably, she was wielding a massive spear in her hand…

…

Her hand?

“Wait a minute… S-Shou? Y-you’re…” The beasts stammered, unable to believe their eyes.

Shou smiled from ear to ear at the beasts’ reactions. Tears of joy welled up in her feline eyes once again, already reddened from all she had cried with her new friend. A friend who had just saved her life.

“I have Lady Hijiri to thank for this. Let it be known, Byakuren Hijiri saved my life!” She announced, her deep but shaky voice filled with gratitude and emotion. “I hope you all understand, I have to make it up to her. I will help her in her quest to unify both humans and Youkais. I hope you will all assist me in turn.”

The loyal beasts cheered, instantly agreeing to assist the monk, happy to help their leader’s savior in any way possible. No matter how crazy any of this sounded, they would follow Shou to the grave if needed.

“I thank you all. I have to inform you however, there will be some changes around here.” Shou continued, her voice getting steadier as she embraced her new role with ease.

“Shou Toramaru I am no longer. From now on, you all shall address me as Lord Bishamonten.”

“Lord Bishamonten. I come with urgent information to deliver.” A small youkai said as she approached the imposing deity.

“Speak.” The god of warfare answered in a booming voice, only half-listening as he was preoccupied with his endless obligations.

“I have received strange reports from my mice in the past few days. It would seem a temple dedicated to you has gained a massive boost of popularity. The primary reason being one of its followers is acting as your avatar.”

Bishamonten halted in his tasks, intrigued by the revelation. “An avatar, you say?”

“Indeed. According to my informers, she excels in her duties. Completely, trusted and accepted by humans despite having been introduced to them only recently, all the while bringing an incredible amount of faith.”

“Speak your mind, Nazrin. You would not be bothering me with good news.”

“My apologies, my Lord.” The tiny woman bowed lightly. “The catch is, this avatar of yours, she is a Youkai.”

“A Youkai? Serving humans?” The god repeated incredulously, starting to grasp who this temple belonged to.

“You’ve heard right, my Lord. Despite what my mice are saying, I personally believe this is rather concerning. I do not think a Youkai is fit to carry your name.”

Nazrin’s words lingered in the air as Bishamonten contemplated his next course of action. While the gray-haired Youkai waited patiently for her master’s decision.

“I have made my decision, and I believe in your better judgment.”

“Thank you, my Lord.”

“We will have to take immediate action if she were to sully my name. However, if she truly does perform her duties with excellence, there is no need to act impulsively. Hence why, I am sending you there to act as both her servant, and observer for me.”

“Of course, my L-... Excuse me?” Nazrin nearly choked on her own spit at his orders.

“We will need constant supervision to make sure she is as prodigious as your mice say. Besides, if she truly is fit to take my name, she will be needing a servant. You will do perfectly. You can bring her the Jeweled Pagoda as well.”

“...”

“Are there any objections, Nazrin?”

“No, my Lord… Of course, not…”

“Very well, thank you for bringing this to my attention. You are dismissed.”

Nazrin let out a long, drawn-out sigh as she soared through the air, approaching the temple she was now duty-bounded to.

“Ugh… Me and my big mouth… From serving a god to serving an oversized cat… How I’ve fallen from grace…”

Chapter Text

“Hijiri, there is a Youkai girl watching us.” Shou’s voice boomed in the night, her sharp eyes alerting her mentor, who seemed rather unfazed by the news.

“Is that so?” The monk replied, looking in the direction Shou was pointing with mild interest, having grown accustomed to the company of Youkai in recent days.

“Why indeed. Hard to miss as well. A friend of yours, perhaps?” Byakuren asked as she observed the approaching figure. The girl’s bestial traits evident due to her massive ears and tail.

“No. Never seen her before.” Shou replied suspiciously, keeping her eyes on the girl, who was taking her sweet time getting closer. Cautiousness or reluctance in her steps, they couldn’t really tell. Once the pair got a clear sight of her, one item in particular caught Byakuren’s attention, causing her eyes to widen in surprise.

“Could this be…?” Byakuren wondered aloud, confusing her blond-haired friend. Before Shou could inquire further, the stranger stood before them, with Hijiri’s gaze fixed on the treasure she held.

Shou, however, was more intrigued by the person holding it. It was evident she was a mouse, a small rodent who had lived long enough to become a Youkai, gaining her this humanoid form, power and near-endless longevity.

Her animal traits were unmistakable, her big ears almost comically large along with a long, furless tail poking out of her back. She had short, gray hair, reminiscent of the vermin’s fur, along with sharp red eyes and a very, very tiny stature. Despite the significant height difference between she and Shou, she felt as if the girl was looking down on her somehow, exuding a defiant and prideful glare.

The assortment of items she carried were most intriguing. A big crystal pendant hung around her neck, and she held what Shou assumed to be a pair of dowsing rods in one hand. In the other, what clearly was the object of Byakuren’s interest, she carried what appeared to be a miniature, round, glowing pagoda.

With a quick motion of her tail, the mouse girl secured the items she was holding before attempting to bow down to Shou. While she had grown accustomed to being considered a deity and receiving daily worship, she wasn't entirely comfortable with this particular gesture yet.

“Greetings, my name is Nazrin. I come forth on behalf of Lord Bishamonten himself. I was summoned to act as both your servant and observer. Not only to make sure you do not sully Lord Bishamonten’s name, but to also assist you as I watch over your duties. My set of skills include the leadership over a colossal army of mice and an astonishing talent for finding treasures and sought-for items.” The mouse announced, full of confidence, despite bowing to the tiger. Shou was a little taken aback, and wasn’t sure how to feel about acquiring a servant.

Her leadership over the mountain’s beasts was something she had built on trust and camaraderie. A natural outcome of Shou’s honest and protective nature. Although her recent holy status, having someone serve her as a servant didn’t sit well with her, especially in this manner.

Of course, Shou understood this was part of the pact she had made with Byakuren. Living a double life and pretending to be something she wasn't was already challenging, but she was willing to go along with it. Not just to escape her fate, but also to repay her debt to her dear savior. If having Nazrin as her servant was also part of her duties, she’ll do her best to fulfil them, just like always.

As for the mouse herself, while she seemed rather difficult to get along with, she hoped they could build a bond similar to the one she had forged with her companions. After all, in the past, she would have never expected to become loyal to a human. Only time would tell what kind of relationship she and Nazrin would form.

With an amicable voice, Shou thanked the mouse, “I see, I thank you for your presence, Nazrin. I will make sure to put your… astonishing abilities to good use. I will not disappoint you or Lord Bishamonten, I assure you.” As Shou finished trying to reassure her, she noticed Nazrin still remained in her bowing position. “You can stand up if you want.”

“As you wish, master.” Nazrin answered, doing as such while maintaining her uninterested tone from before. Shou tried to not let it bother, although if she didn’t really like having a servant, she definitely hated being called ‘master’.

“Oh, you can just call me Shou, at least in private.” The tiger offered with a friendly smile and extended her hand to Nazrin, hoping to bridge the gap between them.

In response, the mouse stared at Shou’s offered hand with a subtle mixture of disdain and annoyance in her expression. Nazrin never did return the handshake, and the smile she did return could only be described as insincere, completely ignoring Shou’s gesture and offer.

“As you may have noticed, master. I did not come empty-handed, master. I present to you the Jeweled Pagoda of Bishamonten, master. As Lord Bishamonten’s representative, this holy item is absolutely crucial for you to hold at all times… Master.” Nazrin made sure to emphasize the word ‘master’ with each repetition. Retrieving it from her tail, as she presented it to the seething tiger.

“… Thank you,” Shou angrily whispered as she accepted the Pagoda. Making an effort to not show the mouse girl who was on top of the food chain.

Sensing the tension, Byakuren stepped in, feeling a bit awkward. Knowing Shou’s temper, she doubted Bishamonten would appreciate learning his helper was torn to shreds on her first day here. With a small cough, she redirected the conversation and introduced herself.

“Nazrin, we are both very grateful for your presence. I also humbly thank you for what you and Lord Bishamoten have brought to us. My name is Byakuren Hijiri, I am the head priestess of this temple.”

“Ah… So we have you to ‘thank’ for putting a Youkai in charge as Lord Bishamonten’s representative then.” Nazrin retorted, blissfully unaware to the low growling coming from the blond woman.

“I-I suppose.” Byakuren answered a little sheepishly, trying not to dwell on the blame in Nazrin’s voice or the intensity of Shou’s gaze. “But, I can assure you, you will not have to worry about Shou. She has been nothing but impeccable. She has already earned the villagers’ trust here, along with many new followers.”

“We’ll see about that.” Nazrin said dismissively, doubting Byakuren’s words, while glaring directly into Shou’s amber eyes.

An uncomfortable silence settled between the three, with Shou and Nazrin locked eyes. As for Byakuren, she wasn’t sure where she should be looking. Eventually, it was Shou who broke the silence with a deep sigh. While annoyed by her new servant, she still had a role to fulfil and didn’t wish to disappoint Byakuren.

“What makes this Pagoda so important anyway?” Shou asked the mouse, trying to remain somewhat professional.

“Quite uninformed, aren’t you, master?” Nazrin replied cheekily, hoping to provoke a reaction. She didn’t fail to notice the tiger’s short temper. All she was waiting for was for her to show her lose her cool and reveal her true form. She might get mauled due to her rotten attitude, but she needed something to report to Bishamonten, and hopefully get out of here as soon as possible.

Instead of lashing out, Shou closed her eyes and took a small breath through her nose. She still wasn’t entirely confident in the Buddhist ways Byakuren had taught her, but meditation proved to be quite effective.

“You are absolutely correct, Nazrin. I am not. Hence, why I am ordering you to inform me. As Bishamonten’s servant. MY servant,” she emphasized, “I expect an answer immediately.” The tiger ordered with a patience and composure befitting a Buddha.

Her voice was soft, but firm and commanding, without a single hint of annoyance or impatience. Shou played her role perfectly with holy grace and dignity, all under the watchful eyes of her mentor and friend.

“...” Nazrin’s defeated silence spoke volumes. The cat knew how to act, she had to admit. And unfortunately for her, it seemed she was going to be stuck here for a while.

“Nazrin? The Pagoda.” Shou reminded her patiently.

Though the rodent wanted nothing more than to leave and never come back, she still had a duty to fulfill. She wasn’t petty enough to directly disobey Shou or to sabotage her, for her primary responsibility was to serve Lord Bishamoten, and she took pride in her work.

“My apologies, master. The Jeweled Pagoda of Bishamonten, is an artifact of the utmost importance. If the spear in your hand represents martial power, the Pagoda represents fortune. Not only does it act as a holy symbol, but it also serves as an extremely powerful weapon in the right hands.” Nazrin clarified, finally dropping the haughty act and actually serving Shou.

“A weapon? How?” The perplexed tiger asked, feeling a bit more at ease with the change in Nazrin’s demeanor. Before her servant could answer, Byakuren chimed in with a suggestion.

“Shou, could fetch for a gem for me please? Any would do.”

“Mh? Sure.” Shou said, raising her hand and pointing it to the ground, focusing her energy.

“W-what are you doing?” Nazrin asked, initially confused but growing concerned as she felt movement in the earth.

“I believe this is a great opportunity to show you why Shou is a perfect candidate to act as the god of fortune.” Byakuren explained, only adding to Nazrin’s incomprehension.

In a matter of seconds, a massive block of jade erupted from the ground, making the mouse jump as it landed perfectly in Shou’s hand. The display of power leaving Nazrin in awe.

“Now, what?” Shou asked Byakuren, still clueless about the purpose of all this.

“Break the stone into a very, very small part. Try to use the Pagoda to reflect the jade’s radiance. Oh, and make sure not to aim it at our new friend here, just point it downwards.” The monk instructed, all while Nazrin watched with wide eyes.

Shou, showcasing her raw strength, effortlessly broke the jadeite using only her thumb and index. She took a small piece of gemstone and carefully aligned it with the Pagoda, making sure to aim at the ground like Byakuren said.

The artifact glowed brightly, illuminating the woods in the dark night. Shou could feel an incredible warmth and power radiating from the Pagoda, almost burning to the touch. In an instant, a small but potent ray of light shot out from the artifact, scorching the ground beneath them. From the blast of fire and light, a path of jade formed on the scorched land.

Byakuren chuckled at the expressions on Shou and Nazrin’s faces, caused by different reasons. Shou was utterly amazed by the power that had just been bestowed to her. As for Nazrin, while the Pagoda’s abilities weren’t new to her, it was Shou’s that impressed her.

“W-wow.” Shou could only let out from the demonstration of holy power, before glancing down at the block of jade in her hands, taking it as far away as possible from the Pagoda. “I- huh… Should probably put this somewhere safe.” She said a little nervously.

“Let me take care of that for you, master.” The mouse said hurriedly, and for the first time since they met, a hint of actual respect showed itself in her voice.

“Oh! Thank you, Nazrin. I appreciate it.” Shou said, having almost forgotten she was supposed to have a servant now, as she handed the block to her. Her thanks were genuine despite their rocky introduction, Shou tended to forgive and forget quite easily.

“Oh, um… Don’t mention it,” Nazrin said a little sheepishly, avoiding eye contact with the tiger. Byakuren couldn’t quite tell if she was intimated by Shou, or if she simply wasn’t used to people expression gratitude towards her.

Regardless, the monk was glad to see the two of them somewhat getting along. The mouse clearly had a personality on her, but she doubted Shou’s honest and pure-hearted nature wouldn’t break through her facade eventually. At the very least, Nazrin’s appearance with the Pagoda indicated that Bishamonten had taken an interest in them.

Day by day, everything was falling into place. She had a wonderful disciple for the god she worshiped, approval from Bishamonten himself, and earned the trust of both Youkai and humans. But there was one daunting task left:

To maintain the masquerade.

Chapter Text

Routine.

Not a word Nazrin had ever wished to employ to describe her current situation at Myouren Temple, yet here she was. She had been stuck out here in the middle of nowhere for a couple of months already. Doing her best to assist her new master, Shou Toramaru, who was still quite new to having an underling. Meaning, she would usually just make her gather trinkets shiny enough to trick humans into converting or do manual chores in the temple where no eyes could see her. An absolute waste of her skills and time, she thought.

Aside from being Shou’s underling, Nazrin was above all her observant, per requested by Lord Bishamonten himself. Tasked to report to him her general progress and dutifulness, needing to make sure she wouldn’t sully his name. Her current tasks made it so it was actually quite rare for her to encounter Shou or even Byakuren during the day.

Being a Youkai in a human-filled temple, one with prominent features nonetheless, it was primordial for her to not be seen. This meant the times when Nazrin would be in actual contact with her master, were at night. As in, the instances in which Shou would act like herself, rather than a divinity’s avatar.

Such as tonight, as Nazrin was busy writing her monthly report to Lord Bishamonten, and couldn’t help but find herself distracted by her current overseer. Lying around lazily, drinking an unknown substance from a suspicious looking gourd. Looking a tad too chipper for someone who spent her entire day working.

“Master.” Nazrin called out. “Perhaps you should focus on your meditation. Instead of lounging around like… this.” She said while waving her brush dismissively in her direction.

“I have my own method of relaxing, thank you very much.” Shou shot back with a nonchalant grin, before taking another sip of her mysterious beverage.

“Meditating is not the same as… Never mind…” Nazrin gave up, letting out a small exasperated sigh.

When it came to her master’s duties, at least in front of worshipers, she could not deny that Shou was simply impeccable. Hard-working, prodigious, devout, these were all adjectives she rightfully used to describe her in her reports. And to suggest otherwise would mean blatantly lying to Lord Bishamonten, something Nazrin wouldn't even dare contemplate.

There was, however, another facet to Shou. One evident during her so-called ‘free time’ and the one she witnessed most. She was sloppy, loud and much too familiar with her helper, and Nazrin did not dare ask what was in that drink. These, she was a lot less inclined to write about.

Of course, objectively, she should. The avatar of one of the four Heavenly Kings definitely should not be behaving this way. Plus, Nazrin was rather keen on returning to her former position as well. As to why she wasn’t reporting this, well…

It wasn’t like Shou’s behavior was really interfering with her duties. This is what Nazrin told herself. No, she wasn’t protecting some random Youkai or lying to her lord, she was simply… Omitting unnecessary details. Details that could have serious consequences on the blissfully unaware tiger.

Nazrin grimaced before shaking off her thoughts and wrapping up her report. Then summoned a small mouse to carry the letter to the deity. Before standing up, bowing and announcing discreetly.

“If I may, I shall now take my leave, master.”

“Already finished writing in your little diary?” Shou chuckled, having noticed the small ritual.

“It is not a diary.” She mumbled with an eye roll.

“Oh? What are you writing about then?” The tiger asked, in a way that surprised the rodent, as genuine curiosity filled her voice rather than suspicion.

“Are you ordering me to tell you, master?” Nazrin asked smugly while raising an eyebrow, well aware of Shou’s stance on their relationship while in private. One, she did not approve of, but still managed to get her out of a number of situations.

Shou sighed at her obstinate nature, “Not everything I ask of you is an order, Nazrin.”

“In that case, I do not wish to tell you.”

There was actually nothing forbidding Nazrin to tell her, but she figured she shouldn’t risk flustering Shou given her current somewhat compromising state. This could wait until later, besides having this small power over her was a little entertaining.

“Can we at least have a normal conversation? We don’t need this power dynamic when it’s just the two of us.” Shou rationalized.

In truth, they didn’t need such an arrangement most of the time. The few times anyone had seen Nazrin refer to Shou as her master, were the times she had to hide her ears and tail. Which was no easy feat, mind you.

“Are you… Ordering me to have a normal conversation?” Nazrin couldn’t help herself, the line between stubbornness and rudeness often blurring for her, not that she cared all that much to see it clearly. Still, there was something in Shou’s disappointed sigh that prompted her to regret her choice of words.

“Fine! Fine. We can talk a little, but I am exhausted and wish to go to sleep soon.” The mouse girl finally complied. Not really sure as to why Shou wished to establish contact so much, or why she flashed her such a toothy smile for accepting her request. After all, she was well aware she could be difficult with other people.

“There we go!” Shou exclaimed happily, prompting Nazrin to sit next to her by patting the floor. A part of her greatly hesitated in asking yet again if she was ordering her to, but ended up following along without being too much of a pest.

“So…” Nazrin let out unsurely, her lack of social skills out in the open. “What did you wish to talk about?”

“I just hoped we could get to know each other a little better. After all, it seems we will be working together for quite some time.”

“Right…” Nazrin let out, uncertain to where to start, while beginning to feel a little bashful.

Shou chuckled a little at the display, prompting Nazrin to blush and ask as defiantly as she could, “W-what’s so funny?”

“Nothing much. It’s just that you talk big all the time, but you’re actually quite shy, huh?” She teased.

“And that is my cue to leave. Good talk, master. I will be seeing you in the morning.” Nazrin got up and walked out, ignoring Shou’s giggling pleas for her to come back. Walking down the mostly empty temple grounds to reach her own assigned room.

“The nerve of that stupid cat… I should have just told Lord Bishamonten she was drunk on the job…” Nazrin muttered to herself with only slight frustration.

“What was that about drinking on the job?” She heard out of nowhere, making her yelp and jump. Turning to the source, all she saw was Byakuren Hijiri’s gentle, but apologetic face.

“H-Hijiri!? Y-you scared me!” Nazrin announced almost indignantly.

“Oh my, I did not mean to startle you so, Nazrin.” The saint chuckled lightly, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. “You have my sincerest apologies.” The way she apologized would have sounded condescending if it came out of anyone else’s mouth but Byakuren’s.

“R-right.” She coughed in her hand awkwardly, getting over her initial scare, and hoping Byakuren would drop the initial subject.

“Now, I believe you mentioned something about a ‘drunk, stupid cat’ was it?”

Of course, she did not. Nazrin clammed up instantly, unsure where to look and unsure what to say.

“I… huh…I do not know what you are talking about.”

Her hesitation, did break Byakuren’s facade a little, letting out a soft laugh. “I am pleased to see you are getting along with Shou enough to cover up for her.”

Nazrin’s brows furrowed at that, not too fond of the implications.

“I will have you know, you are not my superior. I am free to act however I wish with you.” The tiny mouse Youkai declared, standing as tall as she possibly could.

“Of course. There is no need to be concerned, I am well aware of this fact.” Byakuren smiled truthfully, taking Nazrin a little aback.

Seriously, what is it with these people? Why was everyone so patient with her?

“And, I am also aware of Shou’s…” Hijiri hesitated for a moment before continuing. “Habits.”

“You are? Then… Why keep her in the first place?” Nazrin eyed her suspiciously.

She knew full well that Byakuren was playing a double game, and that Shou was the masterpiece. Who had heard of a Youkai friendly human, after all? But she was missing a few key elements and wished to hear it from her own mouth.

“Well, I believe we can both agree that despite this, Shou is doing remarkably well. And not only is she a good friend, she is the perfect candidate for what I have in mind.”

“Which is?” Nazrin asked, the puzzle pieces slowly but surely forming into place.

“Ah, as much as I’d love to discuss further about this, it is getting quite late. But whenever you are free, I am more than happy to share more with you.”

“I… I suppose we could.” She rubbed her neck awkwardly, before finding her bravado again. “But answer me this at least, where does master fall into place in all of this exactly?”

“Simply put, Shou is trusted by both Youkais and humans. To humans, she is a savior who came to exterminate the terrorizing Youkais. As for the Youkais themselves, not only is she their leader and comrade, she is now also their protector from the inside.”

“I see…” The clever mouse pondered. “But why even is she so loyal to you in the first place? A Youkai serving a human sounds completely absurd.”

“That is something I believe you should discuss with her yourself. Shou is very open about her thoughts and feelings, I’m sure she’ll find no issue talking about it with you.”

Nazrin only gave Byakuren an unmotivated side glance in return. Socializing wasn’t exactly her strong suit after all. The head priestess paid no mind to that, as she continued speaking. Even so, Nazrin sensed a shift in her gaze, as if she were looking straight through her.

“Some might say, she could be a bit over sharing even. After all, she does seem to be unaware of the possible consequences revealing such behavior in front of her helper might have. Or should I say, observant?”

Nazrin grimaced at the knowing look Byakuren gave her. She wasn’t asking her to overlook Shou’s performance, was she?

“I’ll have you know, I take my job very seriously. I do not plan on sabotaging master, nor lying for her sake. For Lord Bishamonten's sake, I will remain completely impartial no matter what.”

“I assumed as such. And believe me, I do not plan on making you give her special treatment. However, if I may suggest, I believe you’d gain in trying to get to know Shou a little better. Not only as your supervisor, but as a person as well. I believe it will make your time here much more enjoyable.” With this, Byakuren bowed and took her leave, her patient and warm smile having never left her features.

“I have a suggestion of my own.” Nazrin called out, making Byakuren turn to face her. “I don’t know what your game is exactly, but I don’t see a world in which your little Youkai human charade ends well.”

Byakuren’s smile only grew wider at the bluntness, wondering if all Youkais were as straightforward and honest as her animal companions. How refreshing.

“Dully noted. Either way, I shall face the consequences of my actions.” Byakuren reassured. “I thank you for your concern, and I hope you have a good night’s rest, Nazrin.” She offered kindly before disappearing into her room, leaving Nazrin alone with her thoughts.

“... Crazy people… All of them…”

“Um…” The mouse girl wasn’t exactly sure how to do this, or why even she was trying in the first place..

“Mh? Something the matter?” Shou asked her helper, having noticed her manners had somewhat changed recently. For once, she actually seemed to be making an effort.

“… I was wondering… Um… What’s with the fur?” Nazrin blurted out as she pointed to the yellow and black pattern tied around Shou’s waist. This was a start, right? Besides, she had been genuinely curious about it.

“This?” Shou gripped the fur in her hands. ”I do suppose this does not really fit Bishamonten’s attire.” She started explaining, letting the material fall from her hands. “This is living proof of my victory against the tiger Youkai terrorizing the mountains.”

“Should have figured. More of Hijiri’s deception.” Nazrin muttered disapprovingly.

“Do not speak of her this way.” The tiger warned.

“… My apologies, master.”

The awkward silence that followed reminded Nazrin why she hated this.

“Wearing this was my idea, actually.” Shou admitted.

“Is that so?” Nazrin asked with mild interest.

“Earning the human’s trust was our first priority, of course. And apparently, nothing made them more scared than the flesh eating creature living in the mountains and its tribe. Hijiri came up with a way to make everyone happy. As for me, I just wished to help her in any way I could.”

“So the great, scary tiger was tamed by a human and offered to wear her own skin like a trophy to please other humans?”

Nazrin really couldn’t help her big mouth sometimes, regretting almost instantly the words that left her. Not that it wasn’t close to her actual thoughts, but rather that she needed to remind herself Shou was still her supervisor. Surprisingly, despite her short temper, tipsy state, and Nazrin’s blatant insult. Shou merely shrugged in response.

“Better this than dead.”

Nazrin really had no witty comebacks for this comment. Following her previous talk with Byakuren, she had managed to deduce Shou’s past situation. A tiger inhabiting this country made no sense after all, especially one with no bestial trait. This also explained her loyalty to the monk, and the reason she agreed to do any of this.

As a Youkai, you tended not to think about death until it stared at you right in the face. Between Nazrin’s sheltered life by a god’s side, and mice being nowhere close to becoming forgotten by humanity. She had started to believe death to be beneath her, something reserved for mere mortals.

“Besides, I like to keep it as a reminder of whom I used to be.”

“I would not worry about this if I were you. With the way you act, you definitely are a beast.” Nazrin retorted, though no malice could be found in her voice this time.

Shou smirked at her comment, “Did you forget you are but a vulgar mouse as well, my dear helper? But, I must admit, you do not act like any other beast I’ve ever seen.”

Nazrin smiled in turn, she wasn’t exactly wrong there.

“Hijiri might be right.” Shou continued. “Maybe, there isn’t much difference between us and humans.”

“I don’t know about that…” Nazrin grumbled, having well understood that speaking ill of Byakuren wasn’t permitted, she could at least still disagree with her methods. “I do not exactly believe in her utopia, but I must admit, it would be nice if all humans were like her.”

“I have my doubts about it as well.” Shou admitted, actually piquing Nazrin’s interest.

“Really? I always assumed you’d follow her until the end of the universe.”

“And I would. I owe it to her, even if it gets me killed. For every minute I breathe is thanks to her kindness. She has my eternal loyalty.” Shou declared with utmost sincerity.

“I… I see.” Loyalty, this was something Nazrin could respect.

“Aren’t you the same with Bishamonten?” Shou asked.

“Not… To that extreme. I am simply proud of being able to call myself his helper.”

“I better not disappoint you either, then.” Shou smiled as if she said a joke.

“No, you better not, master. I’ll make sure to report any issue I find with you to Lord Bishamonten.” Nazrin announced, needing her to remember to not take her duties lightly.

“Ah, so it really wasn’t any diary.” She told her with a sly smile.

“I…” Nazrin found she really had no reason to refute it. “No, it wasn’t. And you better not believe I’ll give you any special treatment because your life is on the line.”

“Wouldn’t expect anything else from my helper.” She cheered before taking a sip of her usual gourd.

“... Why are you… I don’t understand you.”

“Mh? What’s wrong?” The confused tiger asked, almost choking on her beverage.

Nazrin just shook her head at her fool of a master.

“Never mind… It’s getting late. I should head to bed.” Nazrin stood up, not realizing how much time had actually passed.

“Oh. Very well, talk to you tomorrow, Nazrin.” She told her, assuming this wouldn’t be just a one time occurrence.

“Right… Rest well, master.”

“What did you mean yesterday?” Shou asked out of nowhere, sensing by Nazrin’s face that she has no clue what she was talking about. “When you said you didn’t understand me?” She specified.

“... Isn’t it obvious?”

Shou simply shook her head in confusion.

“The way you act, in front of humans and in front of me. The person actively observing your every action. It’s like night and day.”

“I don’t understand what the issue is. I’m doing my duties correctly, am I not?”

“I mean… Most of the time, sure, but what about right now? Do you honestly believe this is how Lord Bishamonten would behave?”

“No? But so what? I don’t need to play pretend with you.”

“Wha-... This is what I mean! I’m the person you should play pretend the most with!” The exasperated mouse exclaimed.

“As long as I bring in faith and followers, and that nobody suspects of my Youkai origin, I believe I am able to be myself and rest when I can.”

“But… Aren’t you scared of what I might tell Lord Bishamonten?”

“I trust your integrity, Nazrin. Besides, I do not believe in a camaraderie formed on lies.”

“Oh, is that so? What about Hijiri, then, master? You sure don’t act the same way towards her.” Nazrin replied smugly, enjoying the nervous look on Shou’s face as she mentioned the head priestess.

“Hijiri is… Different. I do not wish to disappoint her in any way.”

“Then, I guess it’s fine to disappoint me?” She asked in jest, keeping to herself that Byakuren already knew about Shou’s little secrets.

“Oh, absolutely!” Shou cheered, causing the other woman to scoff lightly.

“Unbelievable.”

“I’ve been wondering about your powers.” Shou told her one night.

“Yes? What would you like to know?” Nazrin, for once, actually seemed excited to talk with her.

“You did not lie when you mentioned being skilled at finding treasures. I am always impressed by what you manage to find. But how does it work exactly?”

“If I may master, my skills aren’t limited to mere gold. I can locate any sought item as long as I have a clear image of it in my head.” Nazrin said, clearly proud of her abilities. “Food is a much greater treasure than any jewelry for a starving man.”

“You can even find food?”

“Well… That depends.” She explained sheepishly. “I use many methods to locate items, the one with the quickest results being my mice. You must have seen them around the temple, they follow my every order. And when it comes to food, well, you can guess not much is left by the time they come back.”

“I figure you must have learned that the hard way.” Shou chuckled, amused by the amount of enthusiasm Nazrin was showing her.

“In a way, although in the end, I still need to feed my troops so it works out. Besides, this is why I have these!” Nazrin showed her rods proudly. “Obviously, mice cover a much greater range, but you can’t get a more accurate reading than with these!”

“Ah! I did see you use them from time to time. I wonder if I could as well.”

“I would say that you’d be able to, with enough training. But with your own ability to attract treasure, the rods might just point towards you.” Nazrin explained, having experienced the issue first hand.

Shou had to fight her own self to not make a joke about being a treasure. Knowing this might cut short her conversation with Nazrin.

“And if all fails, I still have this!” Nazrin showed her the pendant on her necklace.

“Oh, I didn’t even realize this was another one of your tools. I assumed it was but fashion.”

“Dowsing and fashion, this little gem does it all!” Nazrin replied with a smile, clearly fond of her pendant. “I mostly use it for very far away items, it really isn’t all that accurate, but it’s my last resort, and it’s never failed me!”

“How impressive, I am glad to see I have such a reliable servant.”

“Oh, now you wish to act like my superior, master?” Nazrin replied cockily.

Laughter filled the dimly lit room, the little mouse slowly but surely losing track of time. Almost forgetting, she needed to report to Bishamonten tonight. Of course, nothing stopped her from discussing with Shou in the meantime.

“How… How did it feel like? To… To disappear, I mean.” Nazrin had asked her once, the shy Youkai finally comfortable to converse about something she could barely fathom.

Shou should have expected this, she doubted many Youkais went from the brink of death to recovering like she did. Though, bringing back these old memories remained quite difficult.

“It was awful.” She replied simply. “Just… Hopelessness, at all times.”

Nazrin listened intently, pity or concern on her face, Shou wasn’t sure.

“I could feel myself growing weaker every day. I had to watch my dearest companions mourn me, despite not being gone yet. And perhaps worst of all, I was powerless to stop any of it.”

“That’s… That’s terrible. I can’t imagine what it feels like. Just… Vanishing, out of nowhere.”

“I wouldn’t exactly say out of nowhere.” Shou corrected. “At least, not for me.”

“What do you mean?”

“I always knew what I was. A Youkai born from fear, rather than a beast, an irrational one at that. I was always aware that sooner or later, humans would stop believing in entities like me. From the day I walked the earth, a part of me knew I would disappear one day.” Shou confided, leaving Nazrin in awe.

“Maybe… I’m the one not too different from humans. Most Youkais fear death the day they find themselves face to face with an exterminator. As for me, I know what it feels like to dread it. Something I could only relate to with Hijiri.”

“What about now?”

“Now?” Shou repeated, “Now, I’m free.”

“How… How could you be free? I don’t understand.” Nazrin exclaimed uncomfortably. “Do you realize you could lose everything? At any time? What if a human finds out about you? Or what if you start messing up for whatever reason, and I have to report you. I could even do that to you for no valuable reason! What then?”

“And if I focus on every detail that could end my life, I would be in the same position as before.” Shou explained calmly. “So you needn’t worry, I’ll keep on working hard. Not only to earn my freedom, but to thank the person who gave it back to me. And as for you.” She pointed to her. “I trust you.”

“I… I really don’t get you. Why risk your life trusting me?”

“Because freedom isn’t just not living a life full of dread. It also means enjoying the gift of life.” The blond woman smiled warmly, “And I do enjoy our talks.”

A small shade of red sparkled on the rodent’s face at the admission, who found herself unable to speak or even look at her master.

“Care for a drink?” Shou asked suddenly, raising her gourd towards her face.

“... No, thank you.” She refused politely, still processing everything Shou had told her

“Oh… Right, Buddhism.” Shou laughed sheepishly, despite being Buddhist herself.

“I’m… actually not…”

“Really? Backed up by one of the Seven Lucky Gods himself, and you’re not even religious?”

“I serve the person, not the religion. And what about you? Why convert to Buddhism if you’re going to drink alcohol and eat meat in secret.”

“I… huh… I guess, I didn’t think about that. Oh well, it’s not like I mind. I might not be pious, but is it a fine way of life.”

Nazrin couldn’t help but roll her eyes and smile fondly at the simple remark. Shou Toramaru, even if Nazrin were to leave this temple tonight and never come back, she doubted she’d ever be able to forget her.

“Master… About that drink.”

“Oh?”

“Perhaps… another time.” She promised.

A wide grin found its way to Shou’s face. Nazrin certainly was a handful, never had she met someone so stubborn in her entire life. She certainly still hated the idea of having an underling, no matter how efficient she was. But if Nazrin were to leave her life one day, she was certain her cheap nightly sake would stop tasting as sweet as it did.

Chapter Text

A long time ago, in a faraway village,

Panic, fear and chaos swept across the once peaceful town. Rumors of doom spread around as no living soul dared to face this crisis. Residents disappearing in the night, headless corpses found in the morning, sightings of a terrifying spirit roaming the streets…

The works of a Youkai.

Among all the hopelessness, a lone young woman by the name of Ichirin Kumoi refused to give in to despair. Despite the many warnings from her family and fellow neighbors. Her resolve was absolute, she will be the one to save her home, and solve the incident.

From the testimony of the few survivors of the attacks and the states of the dead, she was able to easily figure out what caused all this. The foreseeing nyuudou, a Youkai with the appearance of a seemingly harmless old monk. However, as soon as someone looks up at the monster, its height grows in tremendous size. Taking advantage of the victim’s surprise to lunge at its throat to then feed on its remains.

The results of Ichirin’s investigation might just prove to be fruitful, as she knew an old trick to make the Youkai go away forever. She would have to face the monster directly, avoid glancing at his head all the while, and yell a specific phrase. If done correctly, the Youkai should be overcome with rage, making it completely disappear. In the midst of it all, Ichirin had the chance to rescue her peers from the nyuudou's grasp, allowing everyone to resume their normal lives. The heroic woman would not dare waste it.

In an attempt to reassure the townspeople, she dauntlessly announced her plan. Her efforts ultimately proved futile, as the terrified villagers, resigned to their fate, only pleaded with her not to intervene.

Despite this, Ichirin would not fret, the dire stakes only serving to fuel her determination. The girl waited for the night to begin her hunt. A group of fellow citizens remained at her side, persistently attempting to persuade her otherwise believing she was throwing her life away, which she shrugged off.

It did not take long for the nyuudou to launch its attack, Ichirin was soon alerted by a terrible scream. Rushing to the scene, she paused and took cover when she caught sight of her target. A travelling priest, feasting itself on the flesh of an unfortunate soul.

Resolved to see this through, she took a deep breath and instructed the group to remain hidden before making her way toward the monster. With nothing but bravery and courage to guide her, Ichirin marched on. Aware that the creature had already noticed her, she kept her head lowered as she pressed on.

As she walked, Ichirin could hear the beast shifting forms, its shadow twisting unnervingly around her. She could sense the imminent threat, knowing that fear would be her undoing if she let it take hold. Despite the odds, nothing could shake her resolve.

Reaching the monster face-to-face, she stopped in her tracks, her head still carefully bowed. Taking a steadying breath, she gathered all her strength and, with a forceful cry, unleashed the repelling spell at the top of her lungs.

"The foreseeing nyuudou was foreseen!”

For a moment, it felt as though time itself had frozen. Ichirin's words echoed through the stillness of the night. The villagers gasped in awe as the nyuudou froze, its monstrous form paralyzed by the shock of its sudden defeat.

A moment passed, then another, until slowly, the creature began to recover from its surprise. But as the shock faded, another feeling soon replaced it. A profound and deep sense of respect and admiration for the young woman who had been brave enough to challenge it.

At that moment, Ichirin had no idea what was happening. The monster remained still, yet it hadn't attacked her. She stood there, powerless, waiting for the creature to make its move. But instead of striking, the Youkai had something entirely different in mind. In a surprising turn, the nyuudou made a personal vow.

He would devote his life to the fearless woman who defeated him.

The villagers were the only to witness to the unsettling ritual. The nyuudou shifted once more, while still maintaining the shape of an old monk, it dissolved into a misty form resembling a cloud. This ethereal form enveloped Ichirin's body, merging with her before fading away entirely.

The only remnants of the nyuudou were the golden rings that now adorned both of Ichirin's hands, and the dark, ominous energy that seemed to pulse from her very core.

As for the poor girl, she was completely and utterly bewildered by what had just occurred. Although the nyuudou had vanished, she could still feel his presence lingering. If she concentrated hard enough, she could almost hear a faint voice, whispering softly to her, offering a promise of safety and protection.

What troubled Ichirin the most, however, was the undeniable shift within her own self. She felt… Stronger, abnormally so. The rational fear she had once carried for the monster, and for Youkai in general, had left her heart completely. But when she turned toward the villagers who had accompanied her, a gut-wrenching scream pierced the air.

Fingers pointed at her, terrorized eyes filled with tears of men and women alike who screeched in horror at the sight of her.

“M-monster! Monster!”

“Stay away from us!”

“Ichirin turned into a Youkai!”

Ichirin stood frozen, unable to comprehend what she was hearing. None of this made any sense.

“W-what are you talking about?” She let out meekly, taking a shaky step towards them.

“STAND BACK!” one of them shrieked, his voice trembling as he recoiled in fear.

Ichirin stood in stunned silence, her heart sinking. She couldn’t believe her eyes. The people she had known her whole life, who had once been her neighbors, her friends, were now treating her like a monster.

“Stop it! I’m not going to hurt you!” Ichirin pleaded, her voice filled with sincerity, but her words did nothing to calm their panic.

As the noise escalated, more villagers emerged from their homes, drawn to the commotion. But upon seeing her, horror quickly overtook them, and they too retreated, backing away in terror at the sight of her.

“Ichirin’s become a monster!”

“I don’t want to die!”

“MONSTER!”

“Stay away from my children!”

“Leave this place at once!”

From every direction, Ichirin was bombarded by angry shouts and fearful cries. Accusatory fingers pointed at her, and insults rained down like arrows. Both children and adults screeched for their lives, shouting for her to leave. Desperate, the villagers threw whatever they could find at her, stones, sticks, anything, in the hope of driving her away.
The standoff between her and the mob seemed to stretch on forever, a tense mix of fear and confusion building with each passing second. The chaos continued until, in a split second, a stone was hurled toward her, aimed straight for her skull. Ichirin didn’t even notice it at first, too lost in the turmoil. She had no time to dodge the projectile, though she never needed to.
Just before the stone could strike, it shattered into pieces, the fragments scattering in all directions. A massive, cloud-like fist had materialized out of nowhere, effortlessly breaking the stone and silencing the delirious crowd. The villagers stood frozen, mouths agape, as the air thickened with an eerie stillness.

It was only when Ichirin looked down at the source of the massive arm that she realized where it had come from, the golden rings the nyuudou had left in her hands. In that instant, something clicked inside her, and the truth crashed down upon her like a tidal wave.
As the reality of it sank in, the villagers’ screams grew louder, their panic escalating further. In a heartbeat, every being turned and fled, scattering in all directions, leaving Ichirin standing alone in the center of the commotion.
Alone, with the very Youkai she had been sent to exterminate. The Youkai she was now bound to.

Ichirin wandered aimlessly, her mind struggling to process the prior events, still unable to properly understand what had just happened to her. Forced into exile, as she could no longer live among her peers, her once familiar life now shattered. All because… All because she was now…

Bile rose in her throat as tears stung in the corner of her eyes.

“Why… Why is this happening…” She whispered to herself, her voice breaking with despair.

Before she could further succumb into hopelessness, a firm yet apologetic voice reached her. Startled, Ichirin jerked her head up, scanning the surroundings, she found herself unable to determine the source of the person calling to her.

“Who’s there?! Show yourself!” She demanded.

“...”

“What?... Unzan?... Who are you? Where even are you?”

“...”

At the sudden realization, Ichirin’s eyes widened with a mix of rage and disbelief. She glanced down at the golden rings still clasped in her hands, the weight of their presence sinking in. Her grip tightened, her hands shaking with fury.

“You… It’s you… IT’S ALL YOUR FAULT!” Ichirin screamed, her voice breaking as tears streamed down her face.

“...!”

The woman who had lost everything yelled into the night. Unable and unwilling to hear the old man’s desperate apologies that echoed in her mind. As if this would bring her old life back, she hurled the two rings away with all her might. But no matter how far they flew, no matter what she’d try, the rings would always find their way back to her. Always returning. Always binding her to him.

“LEAVE ME ALONE!”

“...!”

“I don’t care! You took everything from me! EVERYTHING!”

“...”

“Why… Why…” Her voice faltered, breaking into a whisper.

Time moved on, but Ichirin remained unchanged. Despite the passing years, she could not feel her own body age anymore. Despised by humans, and refusing to accept the change within her, Ichirin lived a life of isolation. Unable to bring herself to forgive her one and only companion.

“...!”

Despite Unzan’s many attempts to make peace or simply converse, Ichirin continued to ignore him. She roamed endlessly, her undying body condemning her to a life she never chose.

“...”

“… Shut up.” She would mutter to him from time to time, the only words that had escaped her lips in years.

“...” He apologizes once more, bound by a vow he could not break. No matter how much Ichirin loathed him, he would stand by her side and protect her, always.

Years passed once more. Reborn as a Youkai, Ichirin became the target of exorcists and exterminators, each determined to end her life. She had always managed to keep away from them and avoid confrontation, living quietly by herself. But despite her efforts, the hunt never ceased.

“Leave me alone! I never even harmed anyone!” Ichirin shouted at the samurai that had managed to corner her, but he pretended not to hear, his gaze cold and unyielding.

Without hesitation, the man readied its weapon, ready to strike her down where she stands.

A part of her wondered if she should just let him end her suffering. She pictured herself, surrendering to her opponent, allowing his blade to pierce her. The mere thought of it made her body tremble with fear.

No matter the pain or the trials, Ichirin still did not want to die. A part of her, the remnants of her past human life, clung to this world. Clung to life.

Either way, the man paid no mind to her inner conflict. In an instant he charged, his blade ready to end her life. And after years of pain and anger, Ichirin felt dread course through her. She closed her eyes, bracing herself to meet her demise.

One, that would never come.

Unzan’s colossal form materialized before her, blocking the sword with ease, before shattering it into pieces. The monster she had set out to destroy, the being she despised for altering her life, had just saved it. Both she and the samurai stood in stunned silence, awestruck by the display of raw power.
But as Unzan readied his fist for the killing blow, Ichirin snapped back to reality.

“Wait! Unzan! Don’t harm him!” She commanded, he obeyed. Unzan, utterly loyal to Ichirin, paused and retreated back to the rings. Sparing the samurai and allowing him to flee from the two monsters.

The trajectory of Ichirin’s life forever changed once more.

A few days passed after incident, the events still lingered in Ichirin’s mind. The distance between her and Unzan, once defined by her deep resentment, now hung in a fragile balance, on the verge of being crossed.

She could feel her hesitation slithering with every passing moment, the pit of loneliness in her heart urging her to reach out. After all, aside from him, she had no one else.

“... Thank you.” She said out of nowhere, a few quiet words, slowly breaking the years of silence and the hatred that had defined their relationship.

“...?”

“For saving me.”

“...”

“Yeah… I know. Guess we’re stuck together, huh?”

“...”

“About that, why even did you decide to stay with me all these years ago?”

“...”

“That’s it, really? Wow, I guess the Youkai I tried to destroy had more respect for me than my own family.” Ichirin chuckled bitterly, the sarcasm heavy in her voice, until a sudden thought struck her.

“Huh… I… I never realized before. Back then, I tried to kill you.”

“...”

“I-I know you were terrorizing the village but…”

“...?”

“I’m just thinking that, if you made the decision to devote your life to a human like me, maybe we could have settled this peacefully.”

“...”

“I’m serious! I really think Youkais and humans don’t have to be enemies.”

“...”

“Just look at me. I’m a Youkai now, and I never ate human flesh, and I really don’t plan on starting.” Ichirin chuckled before another thought popped into her head. “Even you, you haven’t had any for a while either, and you’re still here.”

“...?”

“Well think about it for a second. For Youkais to prosper, humans only need to believe in them-. I mean, us.” Ichirin corrected herself, starting to accept her new life. “We don’t have to rely on fear for that, and we can survive without harming them. We really could live together in peace one day. All it takes is for everyone to be more open-minded.”

As a small, comfortable pause settled between them, Ichirin realized, just how much she had missed speaking to someone. The silence, no longer heavy with anger and uneasiness. Unzan was the one who dared break it, needing to make sure she and Ichirin truly were on the same page.

“...”

“Oh, yeah, don’t worry. I forgive you.”

The years passed yet again, and the unlikely duo remained by each other’s side throughout. The pain and anger Ichirin once felt faded into distant memories. Unwilling to let her life end, she had come to terms with her new one.

The bond they shared now unbreakable. Bound together by fate, Ichirin and Unzan swore to protect each other at all costs. Despite the constant danger that surrounded them, they found comfort in the certainty that they could always depend on one another.

Together, they fended off exorcists, priests and any kind of Youkai hunters the world could throw at them. None, able to defeat the pair. Despite only ever acting in self-defense, and always sparing their opponents, the two earned themselves quite the nefarious reputation. Whispers spread of a blue-haired Youkai girl capable of summoning a nyuudou at will. With said rumors eventually reaching the ears of a certain priestess.

“Stand back!” Ichirin warned, her voice strained and sharp, as she faced to she believed to be a human opponent, out of breath and worn from their bout. Never before had they encountered such a dangerous foe.

“Please, there is no need to-” The woman attempted to make peace, seemingly unable to make the girl understand she was not her enemy.

“You won’t lay a hand on Unzan!” Ichirin shouted, taking a stance as the massive cloud-like figure summoned before her once more.

The monk frowned, realizing she had no other options but to defeat them. With a swift motion, she unfolded her magical scroll and began chanting, casting a spell on herself that would ensure her victory.

Unable to notice the surge in her adversary’s power, or her muscles expanded beneath her clothes, Ichirin threw a desperate punch. In turn, Unzan mirrored the movement, his enormous fist flying towards the monk with unfathomable speed and strength.

In answer, the priestess made no attempt to move out or dodge. Slowly, she raised her hand into the air, preparing herself as she braced for the impending impact

“What is she-” Ichirin began, her words cut short as Unzan was forced to come to a halt.

Using but a single hand, the priest effortlessly blocked the attack. The collision between two immeasurable forces colliding sent a shockwave through the surrounding area.

“No… No way…” Ichirin muttered in disbelief, her eyes wide with shock. After unleashing the attack, she had been certain this encounter would end with her taking a life. Now, standing there utterly defeated, she wondered if this was her punishment for attempting so. Now forced to watch Unzan, being held at her opponent’s mercy. Helpless and unable to break free from her clutches.

Now fully in control of the battle, she twisted her arm with precision, forcing the giant to the ground as it howled in pain.

“Stop it! Please! Don’t hurt him!” Ichirin pleaded, rushing towards the monk, ready to throw her life away if it meant saving Unzan.

To Ichirin’s surprise, she had actually listened to her. She released Unzan’s fist, no longer restrained and finally out of danger.

“Wh-what?” Ichirin blurted out.

“My deepest apologies.” The stranger apologized, her voice calm yet sincere. “It seems I still struggle to control my strength just yet. I didn’t intend to harm him so, only to immobilize him. If you’ll allow me, I’ll make sure to treat his wounds if he has any.”

Having lived the life she had, Ichirin found it hard for her to believe her words. The only humans she dealt with for years had only sought to take her and Unzan’s lives, only to cower in fear once beaten. Yet here this woman comes, stronger than either of them by far, besting them then offering kindness.

None of this made any sense.

“Who are you?” Ichirin asked in a tone laced with suspicion, shielding Unzan with her much smaller frame, with the fight now drained from her body.

The monk smiled gently, fully aware the skirmish had ended, finally allowing them to properly discuss. With a graceful motion, she removed her hat and placed it against her chest in a respectful greeting, revealing her kind eyes as she introduced herself.

“I am Hijiri Byakuren.” She replied simply, giving a respectful bow to the both of them.

Ichirin blinked, momentarily taken aback by the polite yet formidable stranger.

“How about you? May I ask for your names?” She asked in a gentle voice as she straightened from her bow.

“Oh… Huh…” Ichirin murmured, slightly thrown off by the last few seconds that transpired. “Ichirin. Ichirin Kumoi.” She introduced herself in turn, her social cues nowhere near as what they used to be.

“...”

“Right. And this is Unzan.” She introduced her friend, pointing to the nyuudou. At her gesture, Unzan shrank in size before floating quietly beside Ichirin. Still alert just in case, but sensing no further threat from Byakuren.

“It is a pleasure to meet you both.” Byakuren said warmly, extending her hand toward Unzan, who only retreaded back into Ichirin’s rings in response.

“Oh my… I really hope I did not hurt him too bad.” Byakuren said, her voice tinged with genuine concern.

“Nah, it’s not that.” Ichirin replied, her tone softening as she already began to feel a bit more at ease with the monk. “Unzan’s just very shy.”

“Is that so?” Byakuren asked, an amused smile tugging at her lips. “I would never have guessed.” She chuckled.

Ichirin studied the stranger from head to toe, unsure of what to make of her. Between her status and incredible strength, Ichirin definitely should not be feeling this comfortable around her. And yet, she could feel nothing but a deep sense of safety as they spoke together. The stranger’s beauty and long, perfect wavy brown hair certainly had nothing to do with it, Ichirin told herself, trying to ignore the heat rising to her cheeks.

“...”

“S-shut up, Unzan!” A flustered Ichirin called out to her rings.

“Mh? Did he say something?” Byakuren asked tilting her head with a curious expression.

“Ah… Err…” Ichirin let out sheepishly, then cleared her throat, awkwardly trying to recover. “N-no, nothing to worry about.” She reassured before continuing.

“He actually doesn’t really talk to anyone other than me.” Ichirin mentioned, Unzan having revealed that talking to people was scary to him one day. “Well… I suppose neither of us really had anyone to talk to before you showed up.”

“I see… It sounds the both of you have led quite the tempestuous life.” Byakuren remarked, concern and sympathy clear in her voice.

“It wasn’t too bad…” Ichirin replied in a soft voice. “We had each other at least.”

“...”

“I told you I forgave you already!” She told Unzan.

“Forgave?” Byakuren repeated, her curiosity piquing about their history.

“Ah! Huh… I, uh…” Ichirin stammered, caught off guard by the question. “I actually used to be human, like you. Unzan’s the one who turned me like this.” If Ichirin had known how sinful this revelation was considered to be, perhaps she would have thought twice before sharing it to Byakuren.

“Ah, I see.” Byakuren replied with a knowing smile. “I believe that makes two of us, then.” She added, giving Ichirin a sly wink.

“Y-you too? I… I suppose it makes sense given how powerful you are. But, I wasn’t able to tell at all.”

“Indeed, I turned myself into a Magician to escape death.” Hijiri explained kindly, in full belief she could trust Ichirin with this information. “With proper training and control, you’ll find it not this difficult for us to blend in as humans.”

“Really? The people from my village could tell instantly when I changed.” Ichirin recalled sadly, the memories still painful to her. The blame she once placed on Unzan had long shifted to the humans she had once known, now long gone.

“If you are willing. I would love to teach you how.” Byakuren offered suddenly.

“Excuse me?” Ichirin blinked, snapping out of her thoughts.

Byakuren chuckled at her reaction,

“Allow me to introduce myself a little more properly. I am the chief priest of a Youkai-friendly Buddhist temple.”

Ichirin’s eyes widened at that, Youkai-friendly? Who had ever heard of such a thing? As for Byakuren, she continued calmly with her explanation.

“As for myself, I have certain goals I wish to achieve, one of which is a world where Youkais and humans can live alongside each other, peacefully. A world where people like you, me or Unzan no longer have to suffer.”

“W-what are you saying?” Ichirin couldn’t believe her ears.

“I speak the truth.” Byakuren said, her tone sincere. “A certain number of our followers, if not most, actually are Youkai, including the divinity residing within the temple. And I am always looking for potential devotees, mainly people in need like you.”

“Are you…” Ichirin needn’t finish her sentence.

“And it would be an honor if you would agree to join us.” Byakuren announced, wasting no time as she took Ichirin’s hands within hers. “In return, I promise to you both, I will make it my mission to keep you and Unzan safe.”

Ichirin listened intently, her eyes widening with each shocking revelation Byakuren brought to her.

“...!”

“That… That is…” Ichirin stammered, struggling to find the right words.

“However,” Byakuren continued, her tone soft but firm. “I should warn you. If you were to join us, you will have to adhere to the principles of Buddhism. And the life of a monk is not an easy one.” Byakuren squeezed her hands reassuringly. “But, you will never have to run for your life again. You can start anew, alongside all of us. So, what do you say, Ichirin? Unzan? Will you join me?”

After facing so many hardships, after endless battling and running for her life. Ichirin finally had a chance, an opportunity to turn her life around. To be surrounded by people like her, along with her greatest friend. No longer judged, no longer living in constant fear.

It was a promise of freedom.

At that moment, deep within both their hearts. There was but one reasonable answer. Ichirin couldn’t contain herself anymore. With a burst of emotion, she lunged forward and wrapped Byakuren in a tight, heartfelt embrace she had never realized she needed. Tears streamed down her face, a mix of relief and gratitude, as she and her loyal companion finally found a place to belong.

“...!”

“Thank you… Thank you so much…”

Byakuren’s own eyes welled with tears as she returned the embrace, her warmth, and kindness radiating through the gesture.

“Welcome to Myouren Temple… Unzan. Ichirin.” She whispered to the new members of her family.