having eyes of emerald hue which was filled at the moment with amusement having well trimmed claws protruding from his hands, dressed in plain kimono of inner white and outer blue color. “Ritsu I just thought of you not too long before you appeared before me, be rest assured for I never leave myself unguarded unlike some” “As a friend I’m just showing my concern for you, now let me come to the main reason why I’m here for words have reached me that your mother wants you to take over from her as the supreme leader, is that true?” Ritsu-no-kami asked as he watched his friend closely for any sign that he may be hiding something from him. “Mother is yet to tell me that, although words also have reached me about it but for now I just want to see it as mere idle talk” As Ritsu-no-kami was about to speak they heard a knock at the door as a voice spoke “Sorry for the disturbance but I have an urgent message for Hikari-sama from Chiho-sama” Wondering what it was Hikari responded “You can come in” On entering in the messenger bowed his head as he reached into the side gathering of his Kimono for the letter issued by Chiho-sama on bring it out he handed it to Hikari who then read the letter, through it all no one made a sound as they watched him who at the moment seemed very annoyed. “Please excuse us for I’ll like to speak with Ritsu alone” said Hikari to the messenger which on hearing this bowed before them as he made his way out of the room. “Ritsu you know that you and I have been friends for a long time it is on this ground that I ask a favor from you, please allow me to take your position as guardian among the humans for a season after which I’ll take over from mother as the next supreme ruler” “So it is really true, that means that was what the letter was about” asked Ritsu-no-kami “You know my mother is never direct when she says things, according to the letter she says that I have to take over before I celebrate my fiftieth season which to my knowledge will be very soon” “You do know that humans are very different from us some are as terrible as us or if not worse, but they have a great capacity to show love which goes beyond their limitation as a lesser being. Take heed never to break the rule that binds us yokai for you must never fall for a human neither lay with one for it is forbidden which is punishable by barring your entry into the yokai world to be condemned to spend your life among the humans as one of them although I doubt your mother would kill you for doing that even if you’re supposedly immortal. Finally avoid humans who possess powers like us for they are called “onmyouji” who go about sealing yokai, I was able to live among them without detection because of my unique ability to suppress my aura making me appear human” “Don’t take me for a fool of course I know the rules and I’m not one to be swayed by such fleeting emotions for there are duties waiting to be fulfilled as the next supreme leader”
Chapter 2
Ritsu-sama agreed to relinquish his position as guardian of the Inari shrine to his friend then he went on to explain the duties expected of a guardian. He remembered his friend’s warning to avoid the night of the Tsuki no mangetsu “night of the lunar moon” for on that day the onmyouji go about hunting kitsune and other yokai. Unknown to them Kayo had overheard what was been said as tears slowly trailed down her cheek, reaching her face and seeing tears on her fingers made her realize how much she loved Hikari with that came regret for she knew it was a hopeless love it was forbidden for a“Kaze no Yuki” of the kurokumo inn to fall in love with their patron for they are tools to bring pleasure to their owners. Slowly making her way away from the room where Hikari was as she dried her eyes with the sleeves of her yukata, Kayo resolved never to reveal the love she had for him most especially to one who was from the