The Open Road Read online

Sura pointed to the outer circles, one by one.

  “Oni, the demons – they come from the Realm of Evil. We also have the Realm of Hungry Ghosts, where the evil spirits congregate. The Realm of Shadows, the Realm of Slaughter… There’s a few more, like the Realm of Dreams, Realm of Restful Dead and the Celestial Heavens. But eh! We don’t get many visitors from those.”

  Chiri nodded, following carefully along. “Ahh. Because the barriers between us and those worlds are stronger?”

  “Nope – they just don’t suck as much as the others!”

  The rat looked thoughtfully at the central circle.

  “So what of the home grown monsters, Sura san? They must all be fought to the death?”

  “Sometimes. A ghost is OK, though! Like we already saw, a ghost is here for a reason. Find out the reason and help the ghost, and you have solved its problem. Then you can help it to move on. That is what being an exorcist, a reibai, means. One who reaches out.” The fox straightened, feeling full of herself. “You need to be really empathic if you’re going to do this job right!”

  Chiri gave a most understanding bow.

  “It is a very complex calling. We are fortunate that you are so accomplished.”

  “That’s what I keep saying!” The fox waved her hands. “I’m an artist! A diva! A kind of living national treasure…”

  Tonbo arrived, interrupting Sura’s flow by depositing lunch into her lap.

  “Lunch is ready, oh Living National Treasure.” He placed chopsticks into Sura’s hand. “Try not to choke on your ego as you eat.”

  Sura saw that Kuno’s wry eye was upon her. Feeling quite miffed, she sulkily began to eat.

  “I’m under appreciated by you people.”

  Tonbo settled down beside her, placing a pot of soup in easy reach.

  “We appreciate you. Now eat.”

  Sura’s sulk vanished after the first mouthful. Chiri’s cooking was a delight: rice scattered with sesame seeds and spice, pickled fish and chestnut soup – superb camp fare. The team lounged back and ate a leisurely lunch, relishing every mouthful.

  More tea was made, and Sura dug into a packet of rice biscuits, scattering crumbs far and wide. She leaned back against the tree and gazed contentedly along the stream, relishing the dance and dapple of sunlight in the leaves.

  An elegant white shape strode up out of the water. The crane stalked along the banks, walked past the camp fire, and stood glaring at Sura in absolute annoyance.

  “Kindly get off my clothing.”

  Sura actually blushed. She leapt off the folded robes and picked them up, trying to dust them free of crumbs.

  “Oh – sorry.” The fox tried to beat out the worst of the grass stains. “Here we go!”

  Sura held open the robes and enclosed them about the crane. There was a shimmer, and the crane swiftly swelled up into human form, sliding her long graceful arms into the sleeves.

  She was even taller than Sura – a great slender stick of a woman with long black and white hair, and a look of disdainful intelligence upon her face.

  Sura had her nose over the edge of the robes, peering in interest at the crane’s body. The crane spirit glowered and slammed her robes shut, tying them irritably in place.

  “A fox spirit. That’s just what we need…” The crane brushed at the fox hairs that clung to her clothing. “Really – there is an inn just up the road! Why are you people scaring the fish down here when you could be upstream, getting drunk or scratching fleas?”

  Sura flung the crane her obi. “Hey, I said I was sorry about the clothing!” The fox muttered as she tossed the woman her sandals. “Beanpole.”

  The crane glowered at the fox. “Tick incubator.”

  Kuno came to the rescue. Polished, handsome and utterly correct, he moved forward and gave a military bow.

  “I am Deputy Asodo Kuno. Please forgive us for our intrusion, Crane san. My associate was not aware that she was doing harm.” Tonbo kept Sura under control as Kuno indicated the camp fire with an elegant motion of his hand. “Perhaps we can offer you some of our poor fare, by way of apology?”

  The crane spirit stroked at her long nose. She allowed herself to be mollified.

  “Well – perhaps some tea then, samurai. I thank you. I have travelled far today.”

  The crane was led to a seat near the fire. She very pointedly provided her own cup, bowl and chopsticks, keeping them well away from Sura.

  Chiri elegantly poured the woman a cup of tea, and Tonbo found more rice and pickles. The crane spirit nodded a bow to each, and straightened up her robes.

  “Thank you, my dears. You are refreshingly polite visitors.” The woman shook her head. “Really - the tourists they get through here sometimes!”

  Tonbo raised one hairy brow.

  “Tourists?”

  “Oh yes. The lake upstream is quite the summer getaway. They all come crowding up there in the warmer months. The season’s already started. Even Lord Ishigi is there.” The crane sipped her tea, and thoughtfully eyed Tonbo’s heavy armour and tetsubo. “You do not look like tourists….”

  Tonbo gave a nod.

  “Spirit Hunters.”

  “Spirit Hunters?” The crane gave a sniff of disapproval. “Well then, there’s no reason for you to be idling about down here. I am told they have a ghost problem up at the resort village of Mirror Lake. I’m sure your talents would best be called for there.” The crane turned to point off and over the ford. “It’s along this road, past the inn, and take the first fork to the right.”

  Kuno bowed.

  “Aaah! Thank you, Crane san. We shall indeed investigate.” The samurai rose to his feet. “We shall now leave you to your peace.”

  The crane gave a nod of acknowledgement, and began to eat her meal. The Spirit Hunters washed their bowls and took up their packs and weapons. With the crane spirit coolly ignoring them, they began to make their way off across the ford.

  As Sura walked past the bird muttered underneath her breath.

  “Red headed mange merchant.”

  Sura accidentally banged the crane with the butt of her spear.

  “Manky feather duster!”

  The fox walked off after her friends. She crossed over the stepping stones and ran to catch up with the others. The earth elemental, Daitanishi, was floating along in the air behind Chiri. The fox ambled along beside him, nodding to the rock with a smile.

  “Hey Daitanishi! You had a nice break?” The fox admired the colours in the newly washed and polished rock. “Wow. The striations are really looking good today!”

  The rock seemed to somehow puff with pride. He hovered at Sura’s shoulders as the group walked on, up along the dirt road and on, on towards the soaring mountains.

  The road rose up through hills – past boulders and open fields of rock, and then on through a forest of tall pines. Here and there, the Spirit Hunters encountered fellow travellers: traders and holiday makers – even a lofty Buddhist abbot carried in a palanquin. They were all heading towards Mirror Lake, with its famous restful views. Sura chatted with the traders as they walked – finally managing to swap a bottle of her least favourite sakē for a sheaf of brand new yellow paper. She came happily back and walked along beside Kuno for a while. She buffed his armour with her tail and told an off-coloured joke or three, while Kuno marched on in decorous tolerance.

  A little roadside inn sat at some crossroads, nestling beside a merry little waterfall. Here, travellers took tea and meals before making the last hour of travel up towards the lake. Messengers and traders from the crosswise road were pausing to water their horses. A little fat maid ran about, bringing forth rice balls and snacks on a stick to sell to passers-by. Straw sandals, little towels and straw hats hung for sale beside the road. The porch was filled with the sounds of meals and merriment.

  Three immaculately tasselled war horses were tethered to a hitching rail. Sitting in the prize location on the inn’s porch, perfectly positioned near the waterfall, three armoured samurai were
drinking tea. All three warriors wore beautiful armour and equipment. One immense man had a huge six foot long ‘field sword’ at his back. The second had an immaculate bow and a sheaf of arrows. The third samurai had long, lustrous straight hair, and kept a naginata within arm’s reach. She turned, and spied the Spirit Hunters walking up into the inn.

  Sano Moko, eldest daughter of the lord of the Sano clan, arose. Kuno was wonderfully pleased to see her. He strode forward and bowed to her, warrior to warrior.

  “Sano Moko san. A great pleasure to see you once again.”

  “Asodo Kuno, it is pleasant to encounter you.” The woman indicated her armoured companions as they stood and bowed. “These are my companions Sano Fujiwa, and Midaki Yukio. Fujiwa san, Yukio san – may I introduce Asodo Kuno, a skilled swordsman. And this is the great monster slayer Tsunetomo Tonbo.”

  Sano flicked a glance towards Sura, and spoke to Kuno

  “You are still with your furry companions?”

  Sura came forward with an evilly pleasant smile. She opened up her arms in joyous welcome.

  “Kuno likes to always travel with class.” The fox bowed to Moko’s companions. “Kitsune Sura and Nezumi Chiri! Spirit Hunters, adventurers and paragons of fun, at your service.”

  The fox happily motioned for everyone to sit down. Kuno and Moko walked aside to admire the waterfall, while Sura took a seat between Fujiwa and Yukio. The fox signalled merrily for a waitress.

  “Plum wine here! Oh – and rice cakes. I have a sweet tooth!” Sura called over to Sano Moko. “Moko san! You’re putting on weight! It suits you.”

  Moko glowered. She turned her back upon Sura and sat to share a quiet pot of tea with Kuno. She kept her steely gaze upon the water, furrowing her brows in thought.

  Kuno savoured the scent of the tea, then drank. He joined Sano Moko in contemplating the rushing, sparkling waters.

  “So, Moko san, you are travelling? This is far from the Sano fief.”

  “We are wandering.” Sano Moko remained forever stern. “My father the clan lord has given us permission to take the Warrior’s Path, and to travel in hope of increasing our experience and skills.”

  Kuno gave a stern nod of approval. “He is a generous lord.”

  Behind them, the maid came bustling back and forth. Cakes and wine had been delivered to the table. Sura ate and drank with zest. Mouth full and cup brimming, she called out to Sano Moko.

  “Moko san! How long have you been bumming about?”

  Moko slid a disdainful glance towards the fox. “You mean travelling the Warriors Path?” The samurai folded up her arms. “Since last we met. We are now seeking challenges worthy of our skills.”

  Sura finished downing her wine. The maid brought over a large jug of sweet sakē. Sura gratefully took charge of it, and slung it over her back as she gathered up her equipment.

  “Well, I can’t blame you for starting small. Just don’t over-stretch yourself trying to emulate real professionals!” Sura tied her sandals and called to Tonbo and Chiri. “Right! Come on, guys! We’d better hurry if we’re going to make that Mirror Lake place by evening.”

  Sano glowered at the fox. “Please – do not let me restrain you.”

  Sura bid the other two samurai a cheerful farewell. She stamped her sandalled feet, then happily wandered back to the open road with her spear slung carelessly across her shoulders. Chiri and Tonbo joined her – with Chiri stopping to purchase a new towel from the maid.

  Kuno patiently arose. He bowed to Sano Moko and her companions. The handsome samurai discovered that Sura had purchased new sandals for him. He settled the new footwear on his feet, then followed the others out onto the road.

  The fox was waiting for him. She strolled along beside him, waving a hand back towards the inn.

  “Why is everybody on my case today? Am I not lovable enough?”

  Behind her, Tonbo merely gave a grunt.

  The team headed north, mounting up a long mountain road.

  Sano lost sight of the four Spirit Hunters, and returned to her companions. They sat for a while, consulting maps and making plans, feeling certain that they were instruments of a great destiny.

  After a few moments, a maid came discretely to the table. She bowed, and presented Sano Moko with a bill.

  “Here is your bill, honoured samurai. Your good friend the fox said that you would cover her tab. She has consumed a plate of cakes, one flask bottle of plum wine, and has taken a bottle of our very best sweet sakē.”

  Sano Moko read through the bill. Seething with annoyance, she fetched coins to pay the bill, handed them to the maid, and wished a variety of dire fates upon Kitsune Sura.

  For another two hours, the Spirit Hunters followed a winding, twisting upland road. The warm spring air was filled with the scent of bark and pine, almost tingling against the skin. The forest all about them thinned as the soil became stretched and sparse. Finally the road took them out through a great, broad pass between two peaks. They found themselves walking gently downhill again, on into a beautiful plateaux.

  A ring of mountain peaks surrounded a striking silver lake. Out in the lake, a red torii gate glimmered upon a tiny isle. Cherry trees and plum trees grew in gorgeous groves all about the shores. The blossoms were only just sparkling into flower. The golden light of afternoon slanted down across the peaks. Blue shadows spread across the lake shore, and the lake sparkled a glorious pink and gold.

  A beautiful little village sat beside the shore. Lamps had been lit, spreading a cheery light into wide, well swept streets. There were eating houses and a truly magnificent inn, prosperous houses and little stores. The sounds of music drifted from the inn, and a scent of sizzling fish and meat brought a sharp tang to the air.

  The dusty road was soft beneath the weary traveller’s feet. As the Spirit Hunters walked on into the village, peasants bowed and waved in welcome. There were carefree tourists and travellers in the streets, drinking at little sakē booths. A wandering samisen player entertained passers-by. Sura flitted over and made inquiries at a sakē booth, and the owner came out of his little shop and pointed her off along a little side road. The fox thanked the man, then eagerly waved to the others to join her. She pointed the way off along the side road, where a walled compound glittered bright with lanterns.

  “Lord Ishigi’s in residence at one of his retainers’ mansions. We can pay our respects – and see what’s going on with this ghost problem they have in town. With any luck, we can get a high paid commission!” The fox rubbed her hands together in anticipation. “Come on!”

  Chiri hastened to catch up with the fox. “But is it too late to call and visit? What if they are having their evening meal?”

  “Well that’s always the best time to visit!” Sura dashed off behind a cherry tree. “Wait! Wait a second!”

  Sura dug about in her pack for her formal clothes. She ducked behind the tree and pulled off her outer robe, swiftly tying on her best bright coloured suikan robe, patterned with little fox paws. She shimmered and changed into her half-and-half form as she found her tall formal cap.

  “Chiri! Get your rat-thing going! Makes us look more mystical”

  Sura settled the cap upon her beautifully furred head. She had changed form into something part way between human and animal – covered with fur, and sporting a fine long muzzle with clever whiskers. She tugged her robes in place, then dusted off her black-furred hands.

  Beside her, Chiri also changed form. To her elegant pink tail, she now added a delicate, white-furred rat face. Her long white hair gleamed in the slanting sunlight. Sura fussed about setting Chiri to rights – having to fight with Bifuuko, who had definite ideas about the set of Chiri’s hair. With everything in train, Sura tossed her backpack to Tonbo, then led the way towards the mansion gates.

  The Ishigi mansion had sturdy, plastered wooden walls well-guarded by armed retainers. A pair of fully armoured samurai stood guard at the main gate, commanding a small force of archers. But their mood was merry: the gat
es stood open, and both men and maidens moved about the courtyard enjoying the coming twilight.

  Three superbly tasselled war horses stood in a row at one side of the courtyard. Sura stopped and stared at the horses in shock. Chiri followed her gaze and gave a puzzled frown.

  “Isn’t that Sano san’s horse?”

  Tonbo turned and gave a grunt.

  “Good horses.”

  Sura’s tail stood stiff in outrage. The fox goggled.

  “They took another road! That crane sent us the long way around!” Sura banged the hilt of her spear against the ground. “If I ever see that damned feather duster again, I’m going to rip her plumes out one by one!”

  Kuno held up a hand and tried to be the voice of reason.

  “Sura san, do please be calm. Since they are on horseback, of course they travelled here more swiftly than we.”

  Chiri tilted her head to one side

  “Then why did they not pass us on the road, Kuno san?”

  Sura gave a curse. “It’s that ‘Warrior Path’ thing! They’re trying to beat us to the ghost!” The fox smoothed her fur and flicked out her long sleeves, simply tossing aside her anger. “It doesn’t matter. We’re the Spirit Hunters!”

  Sura marched confidently forward towards the samurai at Lord Ishigi’s gate. The gate commander – handsomely armoured and sporting an immense moustache – caught sight of Sura and came forward to greet her.

  The fox merrily planted her spear and gave a bow.

  “Ho there! Samurai san! We are the famous Spirit Hunters. Accept no substitutes!” Sura gave a great wave of her fluffy tail. “We would like an audience with Lord Ishigi at his first convenience.”

  The other samurai and retainers guarding the gate all immediately bustled forward. The moustachioed officer gave a joyous bow and smiled in delight.

  “Ah! Excellent – excellent! Is it about the ghosts?”

  The man’s greeting was oddly merry. Sura felt a sudden twinge of caution.

  “Um – yes.”

  The samurai eagerly made way.

  “Welcome Spirit Hunters! Welcome! I am sure the Lord will see you immediately. Your timing is excellent.” The man ushered the way forward to the mansion house. “This way please!”