Old Promises, New Mysteries: Book 2 of The Kinstone series

One day while the children were at school, I came down to the village in order to purchase some fish and rice. My ears were on a constant swivel, listening for anything. I was slowly becoming a nervous wreck with every step I took.

I looked around and saw the usual morning people, Chinjaro-san, Keiko-san (Yui and Miu’s mother), a few of the village elders, and several more of the adults. I stayed quiet as I passed on my way to the docks, my first stop.

I caught the occasional glance which only made me that much more paranoid. So I quickened my pace, giving each of them a soft bow with my head as I walked passed them. I heard soft whispers coming from everyone. Some were so soft that I couldn’t make out what they were saying.

As time went on, so did my paranoia increase, making me even more nervous. I could feel the weight of dozens of eyes bearing down on me, crushing me. I felt like a spring that was slowly being wound tightly enough that it would snap at the slightest touch.

When the sound of door slid shut, my body leapt into the air and I instantly ducked into an alleyway. My body shook violently as I covered my ears with my hands.

My tails surrounded me, covering my body in a furry cocoon. I was afraid, afraid that everyone would want to complain and yell at me for not being in school like the rest of the kids.

As strong of person in fighting or with being with my friends, this still was another country and whose people held a very different set of values than my own. This was also a far more traditionally based region, vastly different than say Tokyo.

While the village had all but adopted me into it, I am still an outsider. I felt even more alone and isolated in that moment than I did during my first winter festival. I huddled tightly into a ball, hiding and scared.

A soft hand reached in between my tails and gently caressed my face. My body shuddered at the touch. “Aria-chan, are you all right dear child?”

I knew the voice coming from outside of my tails, it was gentle and reassuring, like a grandmother’s. I lifted a tail to see an elderly nekomata kneeling beside me. Her brown eyes glinted softly as her gaze felt warm like the sun.

Tears started to form in my eyes, “Hashibaba?”

She smiled gently, caressing my face, “Aria-chan, why are you crying? Everyone is wondering why you ran into the alley.”

I sniffed, trying to fight back to urge to break down and cry. “I…I was worried that the adults were starting to hate the fact that I’m not in school with the others and were beginning to hate me for it.”

The old nekomata pulled me into her chest, stroking my hair, “Oh sweet Aria-chan, do not fear my child. No one here bears such resentment towards you. You are here for a reason and going to school isn’t one of them. They have known this long before you arrived here.”

I looked to her, “Really?”

She nodded, “Of course my dear.” I buried my face into her kimono, tears dripping onto it. Hashibaba’s hand continued to stroke my hair.

I slowly began to feel better. She then placed a kiss onto my forehead, “Why don’t we leave this dingy place?”

I nodded, “Yes ma’am.” She smiled, helping me back to my feet and we slowly exited out of the alley.

When I emerged, all of the adults were gathered around the entrance, each having a concerned look on their face. “Aria-chan, are you okay?” asked Chinjaro-san. I nodded, looking warily at them.

Hashibaba held me close to her, hand still stroking my hair. “She was worried that you all were resentful for her staying behind while the older children were away.”

The crowd bore a look of shock and dismay as they turned to each other. I felt a hand resting on my shoulder. “No one feels that way Aria-chan,” spoke the blacksmith, smiling softly to me.

I looked to him, seeing the sincerity in his eyes. I wiped my eyes and took a deep breath, bowing to everyone, “Please forgive me for me causing a scene.”

He smiled, “Raise your head Aria-chan, there is nothing to forgive.”

I looked up to him, forming a faint smile. The crowd also smiled, all telling me the same. My smile grew feeling tension fade away. My heart finally began to feel at ease.

Chinjaro then looked to the crowd, “I believe that is enough excitement for now, let’s all go back to whatever we were doing.” The adults all nodded and slowly dispersed, with some waving to me.

The blacksmith turned to me, “Come by the shop, I could use an extra hand since my son is gone.”

I smiled to him, “I will.” He smiled in return, looking to the nekomata holding me, giving her a soft bow with head and then scuttled off.

I felt myself being squeezed even tighter, looking up to see the elderly nekomata smiling to me. “Feeling better Aria-chan?”

I nodded, “I am Hashibaba. Thank you.”

Her smile grew wider as she pulled me into a tight embrace, “You are welcome my dear. A grandmother always looks after her grandchildren.” My face blushed deeply, feeling the exact same way I do whenever I’m with Miriam.

I really have been adopted by the village, much like the Coven. She then kissed my forehead once more, “Now, go about your day.”

I smiled, “I will, thank you Hashibaba.”

The nekomata smiled, letting me go. I took a few steps back, waving to her and scooted on myself, completing my errands and returning home.