Scattering Leaves [Narrative; FINISHED]

[Moriteruze Kaori]

She was there again. In her dreams. Kaori stood there, looking up at the Moon, as the cherry blossoms gathered in the moonlight and formed themselves into a single being--a neko-jin, one who had markings on her fur that glowed blue in the moonlight...



Kaori was there, on the balcony whose entrance led to her own private chambers, looking at the figure patiently.

As all those things that come when a person is patient, the spirit before her opened its mouth, and Kaori prepared her ears for whatever information she would receive from the spirit.

The woman opened her mouth and a faint whisper fell upon Kaori's ears:

"...things are...wrong..."

Kaori was going to wait, to see what else the manifestation of the wind would tell her, and she sat on the floor of her balcony, crossing her legs so that she was sitting indian style and she began to regulate her breathing, putting herself into a trance. She had to strengthen her connection with the spirit so that she could hear the whole spirit.

However, all that she got was the same phrase over and over and she knew that there would be nothing else---

Willing herself to awaken, she began to prepare.

[Moriteruze Kaori]

Awakening, she found herself in her room, as she expected, her hair long and on her shoulder, the doors to her balcony open. The sight was beautiful--the sun was just on the horizon, leaving a line of fire over the visible Earth. Kaori invited herself to enjoy the sight for a moment, as she did every morning, but when that moment was gone she began to move quickly.

As she selected a kimono from her wooden closet she began to ponder the dream. She knew what it meant undoubtedly; there was something wrong with the world--it was the only time that the small spirits spoke of such things without detail, for they were not aware who were supposed to be told these things or not. However, not knowing who to tell never changed the fact that they were scare and that they felt the need for someone to do something.

Taking her selected kimono and placing it on her bed, she moved to the nearest mirror, where she quickly, efficiently and stylishly pinned her hair in place; she had been doing it for so many years that it was no longer a time-consuming process.

Still moving quickly, she exited her room in her nightrobes, traveling to the wash room where she scrubbed herself clean, knowing that there would be hand servants there to assist her with the rest of her clothing.

Kaori was no longer used to such luxuries, but because of the service she offered to the city she would not blame them for attempting to appease her. She took their gifts gratefully, seeking to enjoy them for what they were in case a time arrived when she would not have them.

Such a time had come.

[Moriteruze Kaori]

She sighed as she left her house, hearing steps echo behind her. He wasn't trying to echo his steps, and she didn't bother to say anything to try and stop him from following her. She knew that it was a moot point and against his nature, and she would not make him go back on his promise of fealty.



"Good morning, Matthew. I didn't know you were a morning person." she said as she left her quaint wooden home.

Hardly no one was awake in the town; a few active children in the slums, as per usual, but they had never listened to Kaori and never would. The increasing number of those in the slums of Aledo was something that Kaori had been in the process of correcting, but after her dream she knew it was not meant to be for her. After all, how could one save a town if the things in the world were being threatened of extinction.

"I am not," Matthew replied, interrupting her thoughts. "I am a 'wake along with your charge' type of person."

Kaori smiled. It was a just comment.

"Something is different about today," Matthew said. "Where is your destination?"

"The Mayor."

"So something is different about today."

"I am leaving."

Matthew's silence was enough to tell Kaori that he was surprised at her decision.

"Yes," she said, as though he had said something. "There are things...that are happening. When the world stirs, Matthew, those of power are drawn to the source, whether it is to contribute to the cause or stop it. I cannot yet know which side I am, for I have not seen the source. But as all beings do, Matthew...they must return to it."

She saw Matthew nod, but she was not sure whether or not he understood her.

[Moriteruze Kaori]

Kaori approached the Mayor's manor with ease; the guards knew her, and it did not take too long for her confirm her identification.

She stepped into the large home, venturing upstairs to the Office that she had seen when she had first been employed to watch over the city and help organize it.

Kaori knocked on his door, announcing her name before she entered.

There were shelves in one corner and a window in the other, with various writing utensils and such strewn on the floor in between. The Mayor was an ookami-jin, and he was writing something out in his majestic handwriting.



"Mayor Aurum..." she said quietly.

He looked at her and smiled. "Ah, Kaori, how are you doing?"

Kaori bowed, and she said sadly, "I have had a premonition, and I regret...that I must leave the city."

Aurum's quill fell from his hands, and he turned to her abruptly, but before he could say anything, Kaori began again, "There are forces out there, and they are stirring in a way that is not pleasant to those like us who have to reap the results of such a stirring. I must see what it going on and do what I can to help end it. I do not fancy a non-existent future."

Aurum looked dismayed. "But, I--"

"I am assured that the remaining forces in the city will do what they can. I and Matthew are the only ones leaving. I am not taking any additional forces with me, and thus you can breathe easy. I will be traveling for quite sometime. However, I will send you periodic correspondence. I will be reporting to you my actions and whereabouts..."

The Mayor still looked dismayed.

"The Lady said that she would like to leave for the fate of us all," he said. "I think it is best if you allow her to do this task, after she has served the city for so long. This is a small city, and she knows that it will function without her."

Kaori was sure that it was more of Matthew's sword that made Mayor Aurum nod than his words, but all the same she was given permission to take her leave. The necessary papers were drawn up and his signature given. Kaori had hoped to have a more joyful departing, but she would have to take what she could get.

"That went well," Matthew said after all of the quiet goodbyes had been taken care of.

Kaori couldn't get the image out of her head of the Mayor looking so upset, as though he had known something that she didn't. However, when she had taken her job in Aledo, she had sworn to not read his mind, and she would not do it simply because she was leaving.

"I suppose..." Kaori replied.

Turning to the sun, now very high in the sky, and she allowed Matthew to lead the way as they began to walk down the path that would take them out of the city.