The Kami's Gift To The Island Part 1

Hoshiyo and her eight sisters hustled back to the ceremony. The crowd of Yokai and humans gathered behind a single row of the most potent masters on the island. Among these masters were Kuzunoha's children, dressed in white robes and red hakama, just like Ceres and Motoko. The nine sisters stood side by side in front of the masters, waiting for their instructions.

Abe and Hotaru, the twins, reached beneath their robes and brought out suzu bells adorned with colorful streamers. They handed the bells to Ceres and Motoko. Hoshiyo, standing at the far left, turned her head to catch their conversation, but the nervous flutter in her stomach kept her from focusing. Her gaze drifted past Rei, who stood beside her, and she noticed Kuzunoha watching her children from a distance, her eyes full of longing.

Hoshiyo turned to Kuzunoha and softly urged, "What are you so afraid of? Go to them before it's too late."

Tears rose in Kuzunoha's eyes as she whispered, "How can I? I abandoned them when they were just children. I don't deserve their forgiveness."

"Maybe they will, or maybe they won't," Hoshiyo replied gently.

Rei nudged her sister and whispered, "Hey, don't say that."

"Let me finish," Hoshiyo insisted. She continued, "You are their mother, and no matter what happens, you'll always be there for them—even if they aren't always there for you. One day, they'll come to understand that, and they'll show you the appreciation you deserve."

"What makes you so sure they will?" Kuzunoha questioned, her voice laced with doubt.

Hoshiyo met her gaze steadily. "My mother and I never had a normal childhood. She grew up without her mother, and I barely had any time with mine. Your children should be grateful to have you here now. This is your chance to be with them and make up for everything lost in the past. Don't waste time punishing yourself for a mistake you made long ago."

Kuzunoha's expression softened as she whispered, "You really are something special, Hoshiyo."

"What do you mean?" Hoshiyo asked, tilting her head.

"I believe someday you'll change the world for the better, but it might cost you everything you've worked so hard to gain," Kuzunoha replied, her voice tinged with both admiration and concern.

Hoshiyo shrugged and smiled. "If that's the case, then so be it. Now, go spend time with your children."

Kuzunoha nodded, grateful for Hoshiyo's words. She approached her children, still chatting with Ceres and Motoko, but her voice faltered as she tried to speak. The twins were laughing, enjoying the moment, and she feared interrupting their happiness. Yet, she knew Hoshiyo was right—she had to face this, no matter how difficult.

Abe noticed her out of the corner of his eye and turned to face her with his sister. "Hey, do you need something?" he asked politely.

Kuzunoha hesitated, then asked, "Do you know who I am?"

Abe scratched his head, puzzled. "We travel all over the islands, so we don't remember every face we meet. Do you recognize her, Hotaru?"

Hotaru shook her head apologetically. "I'm sorry, I don't. Could you remind us?"

Kuzunoha took a deep breath, her voice trembling. "There's no easy way to say this, so I'll be direct. Abe Hashimoto, Hotaru Hashimoto, I am your mother."

Abe's face hardened in disbelief. "That's impossible. Our mother is a Yokai who abandoned us decades ago."

Hotaru tugged at her brother's robes, her eyes pleading. "Stop, Abe. Let her talk. I want to hear what she has to say."

Kuzunoha's voice trembled as she shared her story with her children for the first time, her heart heavy with regret. She admitted her mistake, explaining how she had searched for them for years, hoping to reunite. Tears streamed down her face as she poured out her heart, the pain of her past decisions evident in every word.

Abe's face flushed with anger. He clenched his fists and yelled, "Do you really expect us to forgive you? Dad and I didn't care that you were a Yokai, but you left without letting us say goodbye or asking what we wanted."

Hotaru gently placed her hands on Abe's face, silencing him. "She was terrified after everything that happened. You should at least try to understand that. She had been hunted for years, and in her human form, she finally felt safe. We can't blame her. She's here now, and that's what matters."

Abe took a deep breath, calming himself. "I'm sorry for what I said, but I still need time. You just showed up out of nowhere, and I have the right to be angry."

Kuzunoha bowed deeply. "I understand. Thank you for hearing me out. It was difficult coming over here to talk to you—Hoshiyo had to give me a pep talk."

Hotaru looked curious. "Did you teach her medicine?"

Kuzunoha shook her head. "No, Hoshiyo's mother taught her everything she knows. I taught Rei because of her strong will to help others. Her talent lies in human medicine, but she was also willing to learn Yokai medicine."

Hotaru clapped her hands, her eyes sparkling. "Well, I like Hoshiyo. She's adorable with that long blue hair. I wonder if Tsukuyomi will choose her tonight."

Abe tried to pull his sister away, reminding her, "Yeah, but they can't choose any of them until we finish our ritual, remember?"

"Oh, right! I'm so sorry for the delay, everyone," Hotaru called out before hurrying to her mother's side. She leaned in and whispered, "I'm glad you told me tonight, Mom. Now I can show you how far I've come. Dad passed away a long time ago, so you're all we have now. Thank you for coming back, but I have to go."

Kuzunoha nodded silently, her smile filled with emotion. She was too overwhelmed to speak, so she waved goodbye, watching her daughter prepare for the final dance before the ceremonial transformation.

The twins positioned themselves in a square formation, lifting their suzu bells high. With each graceful flick of their wrists, the bells chimed softly. Their dance was slow and deliberate, each movement fluid as they raised their limbs and twisted their bodies in perfect harmony. The final cherry blossoms of the season drifted down, adding to the ethereal beauty of the moment. When the music faded, the twins aligned themselves for the ceremony.

After all the anticipation, it was time for the main event. The Kami, who had been observing from the tall front porch of the house, rose from their resting positions. They stood tall, gazing over the island's inhabitants, who had gathered to witness this momentous occasion.

To signal the start, the Kami let out a mighty howl at the full moon, a sound that echoed across the festival grounds. The crowd fell silent, all eyes drawn to the Kami. Hoshiyo's ears rang from the intensity, and she felt the weight of countless eyes on her as she stood center stage. Her nausea intensified as the ceremony began.

Amaterasu stepped forward, her presence commanding as she began to speak. "Welcome, Yokai and humans alike. Tonight, we gather to celebrate the unity we've achieved and to honor the bravery of these nine warriors who saved our island from destruction. For centuries, our home has faced countless attacks from humans determined to eradicate the Kami and Yokai who dwell here. Many among us have harbored deep anger and fought fiercely to protect themselves. Our challenge has always been to defend our kind while safeguarding our own lives. As this became increasingly difficult, the Kami of the Stars conceived a plan: to bring forth nine female warriors, each with unique abilities, to bridge the divide between our worlds. And now, I am filled with gratitude as I see that this endeavor has succeeded, thanks to the strength of their friendships and the guidance of their Sensei."

Hoshiyo's eyes narrowed as she whispered, "Did she just call us an experiment?"

Rei gently touched her lips, urging her sister to stay quiet and avoid saying something she might regret. The nine sisters stood in a straight line, waiting anxiously to hear what fate awaited them.

Amaterasu continued, her voice strong and unwavering. "For their unwavering dedication and heroic efforts, we have decided to bestow upon them a grand reward. Each Kami will choose a successor from among them, and those chosen will be granted the power of the Kami to continue protecting our world from the threats that lie beyond."

The Kami of Stars approached them first and said, "My beautiful daughters, tonight marks our final reunion in these forms. The other Kami and I have pushed these bodies to their limits and must now take on new shapes. Though we may vanish from your sight, we will always watch over you and the generations to come. Never forget your roots, no matter where your journey leads you in this fragile world. Are you ready to fight for our home and save the world?"

The daughters of the Kami nodded gracefully, accepting the immense responsibility entrusted to them to safeguard the island. Hoshiyo shed a single tear, struggling to contain her emotions. The knowledge that she would never see her mother again shattered her heart, but she clenched her teeth and kept her head bowed.

The Kami of Stars gently nudged Hoshiyo's face with her muzzle, rubbing her soft fur against her daughter's cheek. She whispered, "Don't be afraid, my sweet Hoshiyo. I will always be with you."

Then, the most ancient of the nine Kami stepped forward. Despite his age, no one could tell that Kuninotokotachi, the brilliant Arctic wolf, was older than four billion years. His fur, shaped like icicles hanging from a cold cavern, reflected his power to command the ice age, a force that could freeze the entire planet once more if needed. Hoshiyo stepped back, fearful as the formidable beast moved closer to her sisters.

Kuninotokotachi met Utaku's gaze and said, "I have watched you fight with the fury of a raging snowstorm. I wish to lend you my strength."

Utaku bowed deeply to the mighty beast, grateful for his trust. She approached him and gently touched his forehead. In an instant, their forms glowed in perfect harmony, merging as if he were passing his very essence into her. Moments later, Utaku transformed into a magnificent white wolf adorned with blue icicle markings that shimmered across her body like constellations. She had become the goddess of snow, while Kuninotokotachi dissolved into dust, vanishing into the air.

Hoshiyo's jaw dropped as she exclaimed, "Wait, are you turning us into Kami now?"

"No," Amaterasu replied calmly. "We are simply bestowing upon you the ability to shapeshift between human and wolf forms, a gift that will make survival easier. The other Kami and I will move on to new forms, continuing to watch over you as we always have."

Hoshiyo, gaining confidence, said, "You observed us battling the Shogunate forces to see if we were worthy, and that's why we're here now."

"Correct," Amaterasu confirmed. "Having witnessed your true strength, we are now entrusting you with the powers of the Kami."

"I understand," Hoshiyo whispered, processing the weight of their new roles.

As the moment settled, the next eldest of the Kami revealed herself, standing tall and ancient, even older than Amaterasu. This was Amenominakanushi, her presence glowing with dark purple and a gentle hue of dark blue, like the very essence of the Milky Way. It felt as if one was gazing into the depths of space itself.

Amenominakanushi approached Rokuko, saying, "You possess a will of fire that I haven't seen in anyone for many decades. Allow me to lend you my strength."

Rokuko bowed with a serene smile, gently placing her hand atop the wolf's head as it began to glow. In that moment, Rokuko transformed into a radiant reflection of the Kami who had granted her strength. Her fur shimmered with the intricate blue patterns of a galaxy, stretching across her forehead and body. The other sisters watched in awe, relieved and grateful that their transformations were graceful and powerful rather than grotesque.

With childlike excitement, Seiko leaped joyfully and exclaimed, "That is so cool! I want to go next! Do Yoko after me so we can play together."

Rei sighed and teased, "How is it that we're all the same age, but some of us act like kids?"

Hoshiyo, laughing in her white robes, responded, "What are you talking about? We were just playing a children's game, catching fish a few hours ago."

Rei crossed her arms, nudged Hoshiyo playfully, and, with a chuckle, said, "Oh, shut up."