We’re Like Falling Petals

Warm rays of sunlight bathed their skin as the sun rose over the ocean. Flower petals from the Land of Sun drifted to sea, landing on them until the boat resembled a festive display. Hoshiyo removed a layer of her Yukata and gently placed it over her mother. Nearby, Rei continuously checked her mother's pulse to ensure she was still alive in her wolf form.

With her hair waving in the wind alongside the flowers, Hoshiyo quietly asked, "How is she?"

"She's stronger than I expected," Rei replied.

"I'm relieved she's okay for now, but we've left the other Kami behind," Hoshiyo said.

Rei nodded in agreement. "Amaterasu gave us strict orders, and we followed without question. She'd appreciate that more than forcing them onto a small fishing boat."

"I understand," Hoshiyo replied softly, "but I can't shake the feeling that we may have made the wrong choice by not bringing them all with us. Once we reach land, I'll need to send some of you back to the Land of Swords to bring them here."

Motoko chimed in, "We've made friends in the ocean. Let us return and assist the other Kami in coming to the Land of Stars. Right, Ceres?"

Ceres nodded firmly. "I'll accompany Motoko to ensure she gets the help she needs. Rokoku, would you like to join us?"

Rokoku nodded silently, her gaze fixed on the ocean as if lost in a daydream. Hoshiyo couldn't quite decipher her silence, but she knew the allure of nature's beauty. To her, the sea was a canvas of colors, much like the sky during dusk and dawn. The falling petals brought a smile to her lips as she remarked, "Each flower, with its unique colors and shapes, seems to symbolize our journey as humans. But in the end, flowers are just flowers because they eventually fall."

Rei nodded in agreement. "Life follows its course, whether we embrace it or not."

Hoshiyo sighed softly. "Yes, I suppose you're right."

Takeko reached up to catch a petal from a pink cherry blossom tree. She smiled and said, "Look, everyone. The Sakura trees have bloomed."

Rei glanced at the sky, noticing the petals floating in the wind. She frowned and said, "That's impossible. We left the island at the beginning of winter."

Yoko shook her head. "No, we didn't."

"What are you saying?" Rei asked.

"The forest mist trapped us for months," Yoko replied.

Everyone in the boat gasped, suddenly reminded of the strange occurrence. The forest mist had accelerated time, and what felt like moments had turned into months. It was now the middle of spring. The realization of so much time lost filled Hoshiyo with fear. Though their physical forms remained relatively unchanged, the sisters' internal organs had aged noticeably.

Rei pointed to the distant land and said, "We must hurry before we lose our mother again."

Takeko nodded and adjusted the sails with skill, consulting her journal as she did so. Soon, the boat moved swiftly away from the deep ocean waters and closer to land. Hoshiyo turned and spotted Utaku staring at the ocean, seemingly captivated by the sky's reflection on the water's surface. Her eyes sparkled a beautiful pale blue with each wave. Hoshiyo could only wonder what thoughts were running through her mind, knowing Utaku rarely spoke, much like Rokuko, who sat quietly beside her.

"Hey, Utaku," Hoshiyo said. "I know we don't talk much, but I was wondering if you met anyone special during your solo journey in the village of the Land of Stars."

Utaku looked at her, searching for the right words. Finally, she said, "I don't want to discuss it."

Everyone fell silent, avoiding the awkward moment. But Hoshiyo, determined, asked, "Why don't you speak more often?"

"I don't have much to say. Staying quiet keeps me safe, and I know if I stick with you, I'll always be protected," Utaku replied.

Hoshiyo's eyes enlarged. "I had no idea you felt that way about me."

Rei added, "You've led us through many obstacles, no matter how challenging. You've taken care of us and guided everyone in the right direction."

Takeko nodded and said, "You're a great leader."

Hoshiyo gently stood up on the swaying boat. She stroked the bright red sail and said, "I'm not a leader. Our mother created me as her identical clone to fulfill her otherworldly duties. The same goes for all of you."

Her words brought silence to everyone on board. The mixed feelings her revelation stirred left them unsure of how to respond. Hoshiyo sat back down in the awkward quiet, watching Takeko steer them to shore. She broke the silence, asking, "When did you learn to sail?"

Takeko pulled out her notebook, revealing a boat diagram and sailing instructions. "I've been reading every chance I got," she said. "I found notes about fishing and sailing in here. It looks like our grandfather wrote them before he passed away."

"I should spend some time reading my book, too, and find out what else I can learn about this world," Hoshiyo said. "I'm sorry if I made you all uncomfortable. It's hard for me to hold in my emotions."

Takeko smiled and replied, "You shouldn't worry about that. We've all had a stressful week."

Hoshiyo nodded at her sister and watched as the mountains drew closer. Soon, the village came into view, and the pier was bustling with boats of different shapes and colors. The vibrant flags and sails brought a smile to her face. She whispered, "I had no idea so many people from across Japan had come here."

Rei frowned and covered the black wolf. She said, "We can't let anyone see her. They will ask too many questions."

"What are we going to do then?" Hoshiyo asked.

Takeko pointed to land and said, "We may have no choice but to carry her to the swamp and get help from the Yokai again."

"Do you think Fumi could still be there?" Hoshiyo asked.

"We have to try," Takeko replied. She prepared the fishing boat for arrival, untying the ropes and packing away the sails.

Watching her, Hoshiyo got an idea as they began to dock at the pier. She asked, "One of you get off the boat and find a fishing crate. Rei and I can put her inside and carry her that way."

Rei smirked. "Not a bad idea."

As Takeko stabilized the boat and docked in the village of the Land of Stars, Seiko held Yoko's hand and said, "We'll go get a crate."

Together, they leaped out and ran up the wooden dock to find an empty crate. Meanwhile, Hoshiyo helped lift the barely alive black wolf. Some fishermen wearing wide straw hats took notice but kept their distance.

"Hey," Utaku whispered. "Everyone is staring at us."

Rei chuckled and said, "I'd stare too if nine women emerged from the sea in a small fishing boat with something suspiciously large hidden under their Yukatas."

With Yoko's help, Seiko carried a large wooden crate labeled with Japanese characters and fish artwork. They walked down the pier as the others waited patiently. The fishermen stared, jaws dropping.

One fisherman whispered, "Who are those women? How can they lift a crate on their own?"

Hoshiyo ignored the whispers and side comments. Her mother's safety was her only priority. The others helped her place their mother inside the fish crate, almost like preparing for a funeral.

Flower petals fell quickly like rain, and the wind picked up. Seiko hurried to place the lid over the crate and said, "That should keep her warm. The rain might come soon, so we should hurry."

Hoshiyo sighed, "It's one problem after another."

Rei nodded, "All we can do is push forward. Come on, we have a long walk ahead of us."

The nine sisters surrounded the crate as if carrying a coffin, leaving a funeral home. They solemnly carried their mother through the forest, the weight of the situation pressing down on them. Hoshiyo had never felt so uncomfortable. Petals landed on her clothes, cloaking her in a beautiful floral pattern, adding a bittersweet touch to the moment.

The walk through the forest was long and arduous. Many passersby avoided the sisters on their path to the swamp, and few questioned their strange procession. Sweat dripped from her forehead as Takeko whimpered, "How much longer?"

"Hang in there; we're almost there," Hoshiyo grunted through the pain.

In the distance, the little frog wife, Fumi, smiled and waved, wearing a new floral Yukata as if she had expected their return. She approached cautiously to avoid getting hurt by the crate.

Fumi bowed and said, "Welcome back, everyone. I thought I'd never see you again."

Hoshiyo returned the bow. "I'm sorry it took so long. We spent the winter in the Land of Swords."

Fumi nodded, "That island is quiet in the winter and known for its swordsmen. Did you find your mother there?"

Hoshiyo rubbed the crate with the palm of her hand. "Yes, we found her. She's not dead, but she's badly hurt. We had to hide her from humans to protect her."

Fumi gasped and placed her hand on the crate. "She must be the Kami of the Stars. According to our legends, she was destined to be a great leader to us all. We must help her. Hurry to the swamp. She won't reach the cliff above the stars, but our Yokai can heal her enough to survive the trip."

Hoshiyo nodded and, with renewed urgency, assisted her sisters in carrying the crate to the swamp. Led by Fumi, they quickened their pace. To Hoshiyo's surprise, many small forest Yokai, such as pipe foxes and mice, followed them, eager to see the Kami of Stars for the first time in over sixty years. She had no idea her mother was so revered among the Yokai community.

As daylight faded, Fumi turned and urged, "Hurry, our healer is just ahead."

Quick on her human feet, Fumi led them to a torii gate guarding a cavern adorned with tall red lanterns.

"What is this place, Fumi?" Hoshiyo asked.

As they walked silently through the echoing chamber, Fumi softly replied, "A powerful Yokai healer resides here, but she does not heal humans."

"Where did she come from?" Hoshiyo asked.

"From miles away on the mainland, in Osaka, Japan. She comes here occasionally to assist us when we need her support," Fumi explained.

Rei frowned and asked, "Was she here when we repaired the swamp?"

"No, she was in Osaka, resting in her shrine," Fumi said with a smile. "She and I became good friends after you left."

The dark, narrow paths led to an opening in the cavern where an old, abandoned shrine lay silent. A furry white creature was curled up in front of it on a golden pillow, surrounded by dimly lit candles and food offerings. Quietly, the girls laid the crate on the cave's rubble and gently removed their mother, placing her directly in front of the Yokai, hoping she would notice them.

Fumi gently rubbed the Yokai's fur and whispered, "Kuzunoha, I apologize for disturbing you at this hour, but we need your help. We wouldn't have woken you if it weren't important."

Kuzunoha's long white fox ears perked up, and her fluffy tail extended. Slowly, she stood on all fours and turned to see the Kami of Stars, near death, at her feet.

Her eyes widened as she took in the scene before her. "Do my eyes deceive me? The nine warriors born from the Kami of Stars," she murmured.

Hoshiyo nodded and said, "Yes. She fought Orochi to protect our islands. You may be the only one who can save her."

Rei kneeled before Kuzunoha, adding, "She's not the only one. The other Kami fought and won against Orochi, and now they stand at death's door."

Hoshiyo whimpered, "Please."

Kuzunoha lowered her head, sighing. She hesitated, but after silent contemplation, she lifted her head and nodded. The sisters clasped their hands and cheered for joy, feeling relief. Maybe the Kami would survive after all.