Purified Crossroads

Konbanwa!-(Good evening) In the wake of what occurred to myself formerly, before Lyrica left with her greetings, she informed me of something...

She said, ''Your job? Isn't it to help others like myself, right? I would like to inform you that a bit after all of us spilt, I sensed the others heading in the northwest direction. (Bows) Please, treat them kindly when you meet them... Please.''

Yumi replied, ''Uh... (Nods) Okay! . .I'll try my best, if it's possible.''

Later, after saying our farewells, I began heading towards the direction she mentioned, eager of what awaited me...

Unfortunately, I can open a gateway once I've been somewhere before, but clearly, I've never been in England, so I had to fly everywhere... How awful...

Lyrica seemed to be faultless in her words, because I could faintly sense the energy of her friends, nearing closer to a city called Newcastle upon Tyne.

At a firm moment, I was hit with the feeling of sensing two nearby energies. I felt very unsure, and I couldn't make up my mind. In the end, I turned to the nearer-by presence coming from the east direction...

Yumi said to herself, ''Dagnabbit! (Groans) . . . .This better be worth it.''

Heading that way, I came upon a river in this city with peculiar bridges I had never seen before...

Yumi thought to herself, ''The design of this culture I find myself in is pretty unique and eye-catching..... Wowwww..... Erm!''

While, I was getting distracted by the sights, I was laying my eyes on a loopy scene, what was more, the skies started to turn red, and I saw these oriental looking lanterns in the river...

Everything around me felt familiar for some strange reason... Then...

Yumi asked, ''What is all of this? What the hay, is happening? . .Uh? Who is that down there?''

I flew down, next to this structure apparently named The Tyne Bridge to get a better look. I saw a girl with a scythe on a wooden boat who appeared to be waiting for somebody.

Scythe girl asked, ''Halt. Hrm... Who are you? Please, tell me.'' Yumi replied nervously, ''Hmm... Um, I am Yumi Yoru, I am here to find other Yokai who are roaming around this state. Uh?''

Scythe girl replied as she lowered her weapon, ''Okay... I apologize for my actions... Miss Yumi?, I am Kiko, a Shinigami, and I am the guide of the Sanzu River.

It is my assessment that I am most likely the one you are here for, if I am correct?'' Yumi reacted, ''Eh! . .I guess...you would be right.''

Kiko said, ''I feel I should warn you, my daily job is to guide lost souls to where they belong... I was sad to realize that there were lost ones here as well... At a beautiful bridge like this...

You don't need to worry, I will return to my home when the time is right, when my duty is finished here... Please, leave me to my job, won't you?'' Lost spirit asked, ''Are you here.....to save me?''

Kiko nodded and said, ''You are right.'' Yumi said with unsureness, ''U-uh... Forgive me, I will leave and let you be... (Smiles) I wish you good fortune, Kiko.''

Kiko said to her, ''Thank you. Fare thee well, miss Yumi.''

Not knowing how to feel about her, I left her to her duties and trusted in her words. After getting lost in the pretty sights of this city, I tried to find a hotel to relax for a day...

I started to think...

Yumi thought, ''Wow... I never expected to find one who felt so trusting like she was... Listening to her, i-it was so soothing... Well, I suppose she is the..... guide of the river of Styx... Hmm...''

Later, I managed to find a hotel to stay at. After I checked in, I was so exhausted that I fell asleep only moments after laying on the comfy sheets...

That night, I had a dream about my father, Daigo Yoru. Like I said before, he isn't my real father... He is a Shinto Priest in charge of a small shrine in Osaka, in Japan.....

Past Daigo said, ''Yumi... How are you faring today? Did you sleep well?'' Child Yumi replied, ''I did. I dreamt about being the most mighty yokai in the world, with no one who could top me!''

Past Daigo said with a chuckle, ''How... v-very interesting for a child as yourself. (Smiles warmly) Keep smiling for our sake, young one.''

Another memory...

Child Yumi shouted while crying, ''Ow! Oww!! (Cries) I was trying to fly again and I messed up!!'' Past Daigo said, ''(Gasps) Are you alright? Ohh!! Let's get you some treatment for that!''

Another memory...

Yumi asked in concern, ''A-are you actually going to die soon? There's no way to stop it?!'' Bedridden Daigo said, ''I'm sorry, my dear, but I fear my body isn't going to last much longer...

(Cough!, cough! Wheezing) God has decided that my time is almost upon us... Don't be afraid, Yumi... If I am going to pass away, it is because it was fated to transpire long ago...''

Yumi said with tears, ''Please! Please, don't leave me alone!! You must get better! (Sniff) You must!''

End of the recollections...

Yumi said in her sleep, ''Don't go! Don't leave us... Please, stay!''

Some time later, when I woke up from my past memories, I just stared at the celling thinking of my foster father and being raised at a shrine for what felt like forever...

Years ago, I was founded as a child in a forest in Osaka, and when he found me, he decided to raise me so that I could learn to control my abilities...

For he feared that if he gave me up for adoption, someone else couldn't handle what I truly am...

It came to me that I may have dreamt of that, because I met that Shinigami last night... Hmm.....

See you later!