{"id":809,"date":"2014-12-13T02:03:54","date_gmt":"2014-12-12T17:03:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jisukcho.com\/karasu\/?p=809"},"modified":"2017-01-14T02:54:05","modified_gmt":"2017-01-13T17:54:05","slug":"b2part12","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jisukcho.com\/karasu\/b2part12\/","title":{"rendered":"Book II \u5341\u30cb Part 12 (Well)"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n\"chap12\"<\/a>
\nIllustration by K. Ryan<\/a><\/p>\n

The bottom of the well was black. Fetid water sloshed at Shichi\u2019s chest, soaking his clothes as he clung to the wall. His breathing echoed off of the stone walls, harsh gasps laced with panic. Each inhale brought the smell \u2014 the water-logged, decomposing flesh \u2014 the sickly-sweet blood and fat. His body lurched forward and he grasped his mouth, forcing down the urge to vomit.<\/p>\n

In the dark, his arm brushed the swollen body. He jerked back, bumping against the wall as his panting quickened. His eyes began to water.<\/p>\n

\u201cChiyo!\u201d he shouted, nearly choking midway. The word bounced off of the wooden lid, filling the well with his own voice. Shichi sucked in another breath though his teeth, ignoring the raw pain in his throat.<\/p>\n

\u201cGin,\u201d he added, wondering if anyone was near the well. The moryo would surely keep Izumi from leaving the house. The shrine was far, further than the house. He doubted they were even awake at this point. It was no use.<\/p>\n

No one could hear him.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Shichi could have sworn he could hear his own heartbeat \u2014 it seemed to fill the well, pounding like a fist on a door. Each breath was shorter than the last. No matter how hard he gasped, he couldn\u2019t get enough air. His chest began to lurch in desperation, burning for oxygen as he choked on the rotting air. Shaking, his hands slipped from the wall, momentarily sinking him deeper into the murky water. He scrambled for purchase, digging his flat nails into a crack between the slabs.<\/p>\n

As he gagged on his next breath, he could feel himself losing clarity. Each sensation started to blur \u2014 the cold, reeking water, the sound of his own gasps \u2014 it was all fading. One thought lingered through the dizziness \u2014 if he lost consciousness, he was certain to drown.<\/p>\n

Shichi shook the thought from his head. He couldn\u2019t. He had to warn the villagers. If they continued drinking the contaminated water, they would surely die. He had come to the town to help them and there was only one way to do so now. He couldn\u2019t let himself die \u2014 not like this.<\/p>\n

\u201cBreathe,\u201d he reminded himself, closing his eyes. His next breath came in slowly, filling his chest as he counted the seconds. After a moment, he exhaled.<\/p>\n

Minutes passed, feeling like hours as he gradually regained control of his body. His heart was still thumping, but no longer threatened to burst from his chest. Now he could think.<\/p>\n

He had told Chiyo and Gin he would check on them in the morning. It would be hours before they noticed his absence. Even then, would anything compel them to look in the well? Chiyo\u2019s sense of smell would be useless \u2014 the entire village reeked of sickness.<\/p>\n

He wondered what a more capable person would do \u2014 how Sagiri or Aki would handle being trapped. That answer, however, was simple.<\/p>\n

They would climb out.<\/p>\n

Shichi couldn\u2019t see his own hands, but was still quite aware of his impractical human fingernails. Short and weak, they could barely hold to a crack in the wall. Even so, he had no choice \u2014 he had to try.<\/p>\n

With one hand, he searched the wall in the dark. A film of mold had covered much of the surface, clinging to his skin as he felt between the slabs. After a moment, his fingertips found a sliver of space between two stones. He curled his fingers, steadying himself before making a hesitant pull. His body was mere inches out of the water before his nails slipped, dumping him backwards with a slosh.<\/p>\n

Shichi closed his eyes, swallowing his next breath before making another attempt. His nails raked the wall as he slipped once more, leaving long scratches on the grimy surface. Once more, he became lost in his own gasps for air.<\/p>\n

This was impossible.<\/p>\n

His forehead bumped the wall. He was useless in this body \u2014 even more so than before. As a tengu, he\u2019d at least had claws. He recalled with a fleeting moment of fondness all the trees and walls he had scaled, sitting on rooftops to watch the star-filled skies.<\/p>\n

She gave you the power.<\/em><\/p>\n

The memory of Chiyo\u2019s words struck him, forcing his eyes open in the dark.<\/p>\n

Why don\u2019t you turn back yourself?<\/em><\/p>\n

Turn back \u2014 he could turn back. Chiyo had said he could do it himself. Unfortunately, each of his past attempts had ended in failure. He lifted his head from the wall, craning his neck towards the lid of the well. It was still too dark to see it, but he knew it was there \u2014 there, above his head, waiting for him.<\/p>\n

He let out a slow breath, emptying his lungs. He ignored his pulse, the stench \u2014 the half-submerged corpse with skin stretched over bloated limbs. He could no longer focus on the well. It was not fear that would give him the strength he needed, but desire. Everything he desired was past the lid \u2014 to help the villagers, to tell them the truth, to ensure the safety of his companions.<\/p>\n

To see his loved ones again.<\/p>\n

Worries snuck in between his thoughts, flashing images of death and decay, of each townsperson giving in to sickness before\u2014<\/p>\n

Shichi shook his head, redirecting himself. The old ribbon was snug on his wrist, the frayed fabric reminding him of everything he had survived. He imagined a proper burial \u2014 clean water and life in the streets. All he had to do was leave the well. It was simple.<\/p>\n

Leave the well.<\/p>\n

His head curled forward, changing. Shichi barely noticed the difference in his skin \u2014 the darkening tone, the spread of long, black feathers. Blood rushed through shifting limbs and he sucked in another breath, not through a human nose, but through a smooth, hard beak.<\/p>\n

As his hands lost their shape, his body plunged back into the water. His eyes snapped open. He reached through the dark, but could no longer grip the wall. In a panic, he attempted treading to keep his head above the murky surface. No \u2014 not treading.<\/p>\n

Flapping.<\/p>\n

He had turned back into a bird.<\/p>\n

Water splashed with agitated flaps as he struggled to grasp the wall with his feet. He finally found his grip, barely able to keep his beak above the water. His tiny chest rose and fell with panicked breaths as he cursed himself for failing so spectacularly.<\/p>\n

The first time he had taken the form of a raven, he had shown a clear lack of flying ability. Now, with his wings soaked with rotting well water, he doubted his chances had improved. Even if he could fly, he wouldn\u2019t be able to budge the lid of the well.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is not better,\u201d he said, glaring at the blackness before him.<\/p>\n

Once he came to terms with his loss of hands, he was hit with a realization \u2014 he had transformed on his own. There had been no spider-yokai to curse him, nor a well-meaning but ultimately erroneous magic drink to alter his body. With nothing but his own willpower and an entire village at stake, he had shifted to a completely different form. This was promising \u2014 wrong, but promising.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay,\u201d he said to himself, closing his eyes again. \u201cTry again.\u201d<\/p>\n

After a steadying breath, he returned his attention to his goal. He thought of Izumi and the villagers, of Chiyo, Gin, and the egg that was depending on him. His mind centered on the clear night sky. He remembered Aki and the sword he had promised to care for.<\/p>\n

Once more, Shichi\u2019s form began to change.<\/p>\n

In the house, Izumi was growing anxious. Her eyes drew from the dim hearth to the door, wondering what was taking the doctor so long. After a moment of deliberation, she stood to make her way to the entrance. Just as she reached the threshold, the door scraped open to reveal a hunched figure.<\/p>\n

\u201cFather,\u201d she said, clutching her sleeves.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere are you going?\u201d he asked, making no effort to step aside.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe said he would be back in a moment,\u201d she explained. \u201cI just wanted to\u2014\u201c<\/p>\n

\u201cThe doctor left,\u201d the man said, shaking his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cL-left? What do you\u2014\u201c<\/p>\n

\u201cHe left,\u201d he repeated. \u201cLike the others. He said there was no hope for this town.\u201d<\/p>\n

The girl fell silent. Her head lowered, allowing her eyes to drop to the floor.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you really expect anything else?\u201d he asked, reaching forward to cup her face. His palm held firmly, coarse against the skin of her cheek. Izumi said nothing, only giving a faint shake of her head.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t look so sad,\u201d he continued, hooking an arm around her shoulder and leading her back to the hearth. \u201cI brought more water. Why don\u2019t you have some tea?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t,\u201d came a voice from the doorway.<\/p>\n

Recognizing the doctor\u2019s voice, Izumi whirled towards the sound. Her smile, however, dropped as she realized just what was standing in their doorway. It was no human before them, but a monster \u2014 one with black, wet feathers and eyes that glowed in the light of the hearth. He was gripping the frame, his shoulders heaving with each labored breath. Grime and foul-smelling liquid dripped from his claws, leaving spots along the floor.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe water \u2014 you mustn\u2019t drink it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cT-tengu!\u201d cried a patient from the floor. Every eye in the room had locked on the yokai on the threshold.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh,\u201d Shichi said, averting his eyes. \u201cRight.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGet out!\u201d Izumi said, fumbling towards the hearth. Her hands found an iron poker, gripping the base as she wielded it like a sword. \u201cI\u2019m warning you!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTengu?\u201d her father repeated, staring at the intruder with wide eyes. It had been a human he\u2019d pushed down the well \u2014 a human, he was certain of it. It had been a mere monk, one without claws \u2014 one with strange yellow eyes.<\/p>\n

The man\u2019s expression shifted to a glare.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou heard her,\u201d he said, unsheathing a small knife from inside his jacket. \u201cGet out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIzumi, it\u2019s me \u2014 it\u2019s the doctor,\u201d Shichi said, taking another step into the house. The girl stiffened, tightening her hold on the poker.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome any closer and I\u2019ll kill you,\u201d her father said, brandishing the knife. The blade glinted against Shichi\u2019s throat, its edge trembling in the man\u2019s hold.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo you won\u2019t,\u201d the tengu said, keeping his eyes forward as he walked on. The man stammered, clutching the knife with both hands as he was brushed aside. Izumi felt a sudden chill as the yokai approached, yet she somehow maintained her posture.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve got to listen to me,\u201d Shichi said, stopping in front of her. He soon realized he was looming and hurriedly dropped to a kneel.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease,\u201d he continued, his eyes cast upwards intently. For a long while, Izumi returned his stare. This yokai \u2014 this tengu, he was nothing like the doctor she\u2019d met before. There was no sign of fair skin, nor was there any of the man\u2019s short, dark hair. Yet, even so, he spoke with the same soft voice \u2014 looked at her with the same eyes. It had only been earlier that day when he\u2019d tugged down his hat to hide their color, hoping she hadn\u2019t noticed.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, she had.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re him,\u201d she murmured, lowering the poker. \u201cYou\u2019re the doctor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d he replied, letting out the breath he\u2019d been holding.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy are you\u2014\u201c she started, then shook her head. \u201cAh, what\u2026 what did you say? About the water?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou mustn\u2019t drink it \u2014 it\u2019s tainted,\u201d Shichi explained. \u201cThere\u2019s something terrible in the well.\u201d<\/p>\n

The tengu paused, then glanced back to the white-haired man past the hearth. The low flames flickered between them, highlighting the fear in the man\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd he put it there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d the moryo cried, his glower flashing red. \u201cDon\u2019t listen to him. He\u2019s a monster \u2014 a yokai!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI am,\u201d Shichi said, his head lowering. \u201cAnd so are you.\u201d<\/p>\n

The knife clattered to the straw floor. The man\u2019s teeth were bared, grit beneath strings of hair. The strands darkened, snaking low \u2014 past his shoulders, past his knees as his body curled forward. Izumi was frozen in place, her breath trapped in her chest as she watched her father transform into a stoop-backed creature. Air hissed between the moryo\u2019s teeth, sucking through curled, darkened lips.<\/p>\n

A lacquered bowl toppled from a table as the moryo tore through the room. He escaped through the open door, his feet leaving scratches on the wooden boards. The last wisp of black hair disappeared into the night and the house fell into a stiff silence.<\/p>\n

Izumi stepped forward.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet him go,\u201d Shichi said, stopping her with a hand.<\/p>\n

The girl stood in her place, her eyes locked on the darkness past the door. Her lips hung parted, silent. For a moment, no one spoke.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe well,\u201d she finally said, her hair casting a shadow over her brow. \u201cWhat\u2019s in the well?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA body,\u201d Shichi replied, his eyes softening as the realization took hold of her. Izumi\u2019s hands lifted, trembling as she covered her mouth.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s\u2026\u201d she said, her voice barely audible. \u201cIt\u2019s father, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Her head snapped to face him, imploring, begging him to prove her wrong.<\/p>\n

\u201cIsn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Shichi didn\u2019t look away, holding her gaze as he gave a single nod. With that, her spine lost all strength, allowing her to crumple forward onto her knees. The last hint of color left her face, leaving only a sickly white tinge to her skin. She gave a dry sob, her shoulders shaking with the effort.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d Shichi said, lowering himself. He instinctively reached for her before his eyes caught the grime still glistening on his palm. His hand drew back, tucked at his side as he watched her shiver.<\/p>\n

\u201cIzumi,\u201d he said, then took in a breath. \u201cIs there anything I can do?\u201d<\/p>\n

She didn\u2019t reply at first. Her back rose and fell as she attempted to catch her breath. Ratty sleeves scrubbed over her face, wiping her swollen eyelids dry.<\/p>\n

\u201cI need a moment,\u201d she murmured, glancing upstairs. \u201cI\u2026 I have to tell mother.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shichi nodded, then stood. He wished there was some way to help her \u2014 a way to ease her loss. He knew, however, that only time could do such a thing.<\/p>\n

He scanned the room one last time, then turned to leave.<\/p>\n

Once outside, Shichi broke into a run. He dashed past the cypress tree, not daring to look towards the well as he left the village. Thick bamboo leaves raked his limbs as he pushed through the stalks. After what felt like ages, he could hear it, just past the slope \u2014 he could hear running water.<\/p>\n

Shichi nearly tripped over himself as the creek came into view. He collapsed into the current, ignoring the bite of cold as he scoured the filth from his body. The smell, the rot \u2014 it had taken every ounce of willpower to ignore it, to focus on the moryo, on the townspeople \u2014 to Izumi. Now that they were safe, he could no longer calm his senses. His stomach lurched. Clutching himself, he hunched forward, coughing forth the nauseated gasps and pants that had been desperate to escape his chest.<\/p>\n

The moon had grown brighter in the last hour, highlighting the stream with its glow. For a long while, Shichi let the water run over his limbs, rinsing the bile from his feathers. He held up both hands, checking for any signs of filth. It was then he noticed he was shaking. He looked away, plunging his palms back into the water. The smell was still there \u2014 the body, the scum, the decay. He wondered if it was real or his imagination \u2014 if he\u2019d ever be able to forget the scent.<\/p>\n

Shichi exhaled, trying to keep his head up but ultimately failing. It was only a gritty voice that could tear his attention away.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, you don\u2019t like the smell?\u201d<\/p>\n

Slowly, Shichi looked up. It was the moryo, squatting at the water\u2019s edge with red, gleaming eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou ruined everything,\u201d the yokai continued, his tone low and raspy. \u201cIt\u2019s been so long \u2014 so long since I\u2019ve eaten.\u201d<\/p>\n

The water continued flowing past Shichi\u2019s waist, stark and icy against the tengu\u2019s skin.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou wanted too much,\u201d Shichi replied, unmoving.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you care? They\u2019re human. They kill us \u2014 we kill them. That is our way.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t kill,\u201d Shichi said, shaking his head.<\/p>\n

The yokai hissed in response, baring a row of pointed teeth.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou let death come,\u201d he continued. \u201cYou wait for it, then sate your hunger. That is your way.\u201d<\/p>\n

For a while, the moryo said nothing.\u00a0 He watched the monk, unblinking, his short fingers gripping the soil below. Soon, his sneer faded, his lips softening to a mere frown.<\/p>\n

\u201cI tire of waiting,\u201d he said, finally closing his eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cEveryone does,\u201d Shichi replied, shaking his head. \u201cBut that is life.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLife<\/i>,\u201d he spat, unable to stand the mere taste of the word. The moryo shifted, unfolding his squat legs to turn away.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou won\u2019t go back, will you?\u201d the tengu asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps,\u201d he said, scraping back a shroud of black strands. Shichi\u2019s chest tightened, his heart squeezing anxiously.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor the next funeral,\u201d the moryo finished, giving Shichi a brash, pointed grin. With that, he was gone, leaving the monk alone in the rippling creek.<\/p>\n

It was a slow walk back to the village. He left a trail of wet footprints through the bamboo forest, each step heavy with exhaustion. As he pushed aside the curtain to the shrine, he felt a tinge of envy at the sight of his companions. Both were sound asleep. Chiyo lay curled as a fox, the egg tucked dutifully at her side. Gin had sprawled onto his back in a position Shichi hadn\u2019t thought possible. The thought crossed his mind \u2014 to leave them be, but a scuff of his foot roused Chiyo into consciousness.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, it\u2019s you,\u201d she muttered, cracking open an eye. Just as she turned to go back to sleep, she snapped upright in realization.<\/p>\n

\u201cShichi!\u201d she said, her ears perked straight. \u201cYou did it! You\u2019re back to normal!\u201d<\/p>\n

He gave a weary nod, wishing he had the energy to as proud of himself. Gin rolled over in his sleep, attempting to ignore them both.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat was it? Did you find another potion?\u201d Chiyo asked, shifting to her human form so she might get a better look at him. She circled the monk, seemingly impressed that he wasn\u2019t missing any limbs.<\/p>\n

\u201cOr did you have a sudden rush of inspiration?\u201d she said, grinning.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was trapped at the bottom of a well with a corpse.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0The two looked at one another for a moment before Chiyo opened her mouth. She paused, reconsidered her question, then tried again.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2014\u201c<\/p>\n

\u201cThe water was tainted,\u201d Shichi interrupted, not wanting to relive the moment.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s why they were sick?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d he said, weakly slumping to the floor. Every inch of his body ached. As he rubbed his face, his eyes caught the bowl he had brought in earlier.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, the food I gave you\u2014\u201c<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry,\u201d Chiyo said with a shrug. \u201cWe didn\u2019t eat it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a first for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Before the kitsune could reply, a shuffle outside the entrance drew their attention. The curtain swept to the side, revealing a familiar village girl.<\/p>\n

\u201cIzumi,\u201d Shichi said, gathering the strength to stand.<\/p>\n

Her gaze moved across the room, shifting from Shichi to Chiyo, then down to the cat with two tails. As her eyes returned to the monk, he swallowed.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo,\u201d she said. \u201cYou\u2019re a tengu.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shichi nodded, noticing she had calmed considerably. Her eyes, however, were still swollen.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you all right?\u201d he asked, though he already knew the answer.<\/p>\n

\u201cI will be, in time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shichi could hardly imagine what must be going through her mind \u2014 to find that her loved one was gone, that he had been replaced with an impostor, that the water they had been drinking\u2014<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s strange,\u201d Izumi murmured. \u201cWe were cursed by a yokai.\u201d<\/p>\n

She took a moment to consider him.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd saved by one,\u201d she finished, giving him a faint smile.<\/p>\n

Shichi could think of nothing to say, only standing abashedly in place.<\/p>\n

\u201cWill you stay until we\u2019ve recovered?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course,\u201d Shichi said before Chiyo could protest. It was his first invitation to a human village and, in spite of the circumstances, he felt an odd trace of pleasure.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, doctor.\u201d<\/p>\n

She bowed deeply and he returned the gesture, looking up just in time to watch her leave. He gazed at the empty doorway, momentarily forgetting the moryo and the well.<\/p>\n

\u201cDoes this mean we\u2019re stuck here all week?\u201d Chiyo groaned, dragging her fingers down her face.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Chiyo,\u201d Shichi answered, wishing he could still smile. \u201cIt does.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Illustration by K. Ryan The bottom of the well was black. Fetid water sloshed at Shichi\u2019s chest, soaking his clothes as he clung to the wall. His breathing echoed off of the stone walls, harsh gasps laced with panic. Each…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-809","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-book-two"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jisukcho.com\/karasu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/809","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jisukcho.com\/karasu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jisukcho.com\/karasu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jisukcho.com\/karasu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jisukcho.com\/karasu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=809"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/jisukcho.com\/karasu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/809\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1136,"href":"https:\/\/jisukcho.com\/karasu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/809\/revisions\/1136"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jisukcho.com\/karasu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=809"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jisukcho.com\/karasu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=809"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jisukcho.com\/karasu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=809"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}