The Tale of Rinji by Janet Coleman Sides

Author:Janet Coleman Sides [Sides, Janet Coleman]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction
Publisher: Plotfish Press
Published: 2012-01-22T05:00:00+00:00

* * *

Okinyoko passed through the gate and walked slowly along the path toward the shrine. She wondered a little about the miko behind her, who had frozen as though she expected Okinyoko to box her ears. It was curious.

But the dragon had real problems to ponder. She had flown far and wide for several nights, her great eyes roving the darkened landscape, seeking Yukari and her companions. It should have been simple. She ought to have caught up to them within a single night. But she had not found any trace of them.

Not knowing what to do next, Okinyoko had stopped for the day (she could travel then if she chose to do so, but she knew that those she sought, traveling by land, would not). She had come to this shrine on an impulse much like the one that had sent Yukari to the shrine of Ebisu. She would ask for guidance. She would ask for a sign.

She did not realize that she had already had it.

Because she did not realize it, she went ahead with her request, first rinsing her hands and mouth with water from one of the dippers and then going in to clap her hands and pray.

Then she realized she had forgotten something. The offering!

She looked down at herself - all she had, in her sleeve, was the painting in the bamboo tube, the only thing she had brought out of the teahouse. It was the painting Yu-chan had made and given to her, the beautiful painting with the wind-scorched little maple. Her treasure.

It was the only thing she had to offer. She offered it to the shrine's kami, and not without the pain of its loss.

Once she had finished, she emerged into midday sunshine. Shielding her eyes with her fan, she looked about, but saw no sign of the doll-like little miko in her red and white clothes.

Okinyoko frowned. Where had she gone? For that matter, where was the priest who should be here? This was not some little driftwood shack of a shrine, this was a properly appointed sacred place which should be properly attended. She wanted to stay here for the day, to rest and to bathe in the springs, but she wanted it to be offered to her as it ought to be, not to be forced to take it herself in rudeness.

Now that she thought about it, though the little miko had certainly bowed deeply enough, she had made no reply to the dragon's courteous greeting. What could she mean by such an omission?

Okinyoko went to look for her - or the priest - or anyone. She was annoyed now, but as the minutes went by without success she became more and more irritated. The grounds were simply enormous! Was she going to have to change shape and fly over here, too, looking for someone who should be available to speak to her in the first place?

It was too much to be borne. She turned on her heel and stomped back to the gate, to stand in front of the lion-dog with the open mouth.

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