This Masquerade - 1

     Gilded gold characters shimmered in the heat of the afternoon sun; the letters stood out against the solid black wood of the sign they were carved into.  Past the gate, a handful of weathered pine trees crowded around the side of a long wood building. Their flower-laden branches stretched out over the cracked clay tiles of the roof, creating a web of light and shadow that danced across paper screens and into the musty rooms of the shrine. At the moment, doors and windows were thrown open to the warm spring wind.  Worn grass tatami mats were laid upon the newly swept grey stones of the yard to allow the smell of mildew to be baked out by the sun.

     "Twilight Star Shrine?" Mikata shaded his eyes with one hand as he peered up at the faded red torii gate. 

    Sighing, Mikata leaned back against the immense trunk of a willow tree when he realized that Amefuri would not answer him. The day had turned out to be surprisingly warm and he was quite thankful for the small waterfall and pool behind the shrine.  He never would have thought that there would be room for something like that on Amefuri's mountain but, as she had helpfully pointed out, the river they passed on the way up to the shrine had to come from somewhere. 

    "Ame?" 

    "...I thought it was appropriate." Amefuri finally answered. 

    Mikata turned to watch her ignore him in favour of focusing on the mouldy remains of a mat in her hands. A small thread of irritation snaked into his mind while he grouched over the lack of attention being given to him. Did he not just return from the dead to spend some time with her? It wasn't like he could leave his responsibilities behind whenever he was feeling tired. He would love to have the luxury of spending an afternoon fixing mats. But, Mikata quickly reminded himself that since his vacations were rare, he should enjoy what time he had to spend with Amefuri. 

    Her hands expertly wove a grass rope around a bundle of reeds, pulling apart the frayed ends of the mat and weaving new material into place. Despite the repetitiveness of this work, Amefuri seemed perfectly content to spend the rest of her afternoon making new mats. Mikata was pleasantly surprised that the years have not dulled Amefuri's love of weaving. He would have guessed that the many years would have worn away the desire to do such mundane things, especially after all of the battles that they had experienced. But he guessed that Amefuri would always be Amefuri; she adored being contrary and doing exactly what she was expected not to do. 

    Mikata stared at his sister; she had changed so much over the years. The eyes that once focused on him with love and hope were destroyed. Any emotion that showed in those eyes were only empty reflections of the world around her. Everything about Amefuri seemed diminished in the sunlight; she became a beautiful lady but what she sacrificed to gain that status was not worth it. Her posture remained rigid and her senses alert for danger, even in the company of family. 

    "Why do you ask?" Amefuri said.

    "Oh, I just thought," Mikata quickly pulled free of his musings. "Didn't this place have a different name, historically?"

    She stared at him for a second before turning away. "It did.

    "The people that used to live here thought that the valley and mountains created a gateway to the demon world. The four peaks on the edges of the valley were believed to have been created by demons to permanently create a bridge between their world and this one. For a long time, many people believed it. The villagers in the valley could do nothing to drive the monsters away for a long period of time.

    "Then one day, the people saw a bright light fall from the sky. When they investigated the place it landed, they found the remains of some demons... and the fallen star."

    Mikata watched Amefuri's face carefully. "Is that why a shrine was built here?"

    Amefuri looked sharply at him, a familiar frown settling over her features once more. She began to retort angrily when she noticed how Mikata was discreetly judging her reactions. It seemed as if he felt it was necessary to examine her like one of those men that he had to track down. Her. His only family. Did he really think that she wouldn't notice his attempts to read her actions? He may be good at that, but she was always better at reading people then him. Mikata was always too open about how he felt. His emotions always showed too close to the surface for him to lie with any kind of believability.  

    "Partially," Amefuri brushed some stray grass from the red hakama skirt.  

    "Do you still have visitors?" Mikata asked.

    His eyes focused on her face while his lips pressed into a familiar expression of worry. When they were young, he had promised that they would never be separated, and that he would always protect her from danger. He would always walk her through the woods behind their house to the school he enrolled her in. If someone tried to bully her, Mikata was always there to scare them away. He was always ready to charge into battle to keep her safe, with no thought to his own safety. But he managed to keep himself from hurting anybody too badly, especially after he realized how frightened she was of him when he was angry. 

    "No. They all died." Amefuri said quickly, "Many years ago."

    "Then... why are you still here," Mikata hesitated. "It's too dangerous for you to keep living by yourself."

    A small smile crept onto Amefuri's face. "If I move, then who will protect this gateway? It's already been threatened."

    "There are countless other warriors in this city than can handle this job," Mikata pleaded. "You don't have to be the one that has to..." He trailed off when Amefuri shook her head. 

    "Oniichan, I was ordered to protect this place. I will be punished if I leave." Amefuri calmly set the mat aside and turned to face him. "Besides, I'm the only one that knows about the power that remains in these temples. I owe those people to guard this site." 

    "Ame, the people that exiled you to this world have been dead for years, and the people you want to protect are already gone. There's no reason for you to stay." Mikata pleaded quietly, "Please, come home."

    She shook her head stubbornly. "It's not that easy." 

    "Then something about this world must have intrigued you."    

    Amefuri rose to her feet, announced that she needed to finish some chores and retreated before he could hazard a reply. Mikata sighed and watched her long violet hair disappear into the shrine before leaving the shade of the willow tree. He could feel the warmth of the worn grey stones through his sandals as he slowly made it way across the yard. The faded mats lay in tidy rows of five, a little distance from the pine trees on the east side of the house. Despite the claims that the shrine was abandoned, Amefuri had kept the  tree-lined yard free of leaves and dirt and, while looking quite weathered, the roofs were free of leaks. 

    Mikata paused at the raised deck that surrounding the perimeter of the building. A slight breeze had just begun to work its way past the temple, on its way to the city. The air smelled cool and crisp; the scent of the trees and flowers lining the pool at the base of the small waterfall. The flowers must just be blooming since their perfume was still faint and indistinct. In a few weeks time, the garden and the temple grounds would be covered with small flowers of white, pink and yellow. The faded colours of the temple would be replaced with a fresh coat of paint while the door and windows would be flung open to allow the fresh breeze inside. 

    Normally, this would be the time that young couples and families would make their way to the shrines. Some would wish for happiness and prosperity in the coming year while others would pray for the person they like to notice them. It was a time of renewal and change.  

    But this temple seemed to be suspended in time, untouched by the changes to the world around it. The people that once came here looking for happy futures have been dead for many years. Even the voices of their ghosts have faded into memory, until only Amefuri remained. 

    "Where is she?" Mikata brushed dark purple hair out of his eyes. 

    He slipped off the sandals and strode into the house, only pausing a moment to study the designs carved into the heavy oak doors. His feet made no sound on the scarred wooden floor as he walked past sparsely furnished rooms on his way to the study at the back of the house. He knew that Amefuri would be hiding in the study, since walls could be moved to have an unobstructed view of the gardens and waterfall. She always loved the sound of running water. 

    He smiled when he slid open the door and saw Amefuri sitting on the deck, watching birds in the garden with a serene smile upon her face.  Mikata crossed the room and sat beside her when she met his eyes for a second, before turning back to the gardens. They sat together in comfortable silence while they remembered how they used to explore the woods near their home when they were young. Amefuri had hated going into the woods alone, but Mikata had always been there to show her safely through.  

    "You used to promise me that you would always look for me, if I got lost." Amefuri said quietly.

    "Aah. I did," Mikata answered. "I knew how much you were afraid of the woods."

    "It wasn't the woods I was afraid of," Amefuri said. "It was being left alone."

    Mikata turned as Amefuri smiled at him sadly. A dull ache began to form inside Mikata's chest as he looked at her. The peaceful look was gone from her face. Amefuri bit her lower lip and blinked rapidly as she stared at the pond. Maybe she would have said more, but a slight hitch in her throat stopped her before any words could escape. Faint heat rose in her cheeks and she quickly abandoned speech in hopes that Mikata would not notice her lapse in control. 

    "Ame, I'm so sorry..."

    "I've gotten over it," Amefuri interrupted. "I know that there was nothing that you could do. If you tried to look for me, we both could have been killed."

    "That doesn't excuse my actions, Ame. I broke a promise."

    "It looks as if the turmoil we faced in the past isn't behind us yet." Amefuri turned to meet Mikata's anguished face with a mask of indifference. "A new danger has appeared in Japan."

    Mikata faltered, looking troubled. "...The ones looking for 'pure hearts'? I don't think that they--"

    "No, not them." Amefuri smiled coldly. "The Princess and her court are more than enough to handle them. Try again."

    "Then who?"  A soft male voice spoke behind them. 

    Amefuri spun around and looked up at Kouhei as he folded his dark trench coat over his arm. The warm weather was definitely having an effect on Kouhei; he abandoned his usual suit in favour of a crimson red shirt and black trousers. His long dark silver hair was pulled back in a loose ponytail while a pair of designer sunglasses hid Kouhei's pale grey eyes from view.  

    Kouhei rest his sunglasses on the top of his head to meet Amefuri's curious gaze with a warm smile. The boards creaked beneath his weight as he took a seat on the deck to Amefuri's right. Assured that Kouhei wasn't going to do anything, Amefuri turned her attention back to the gardens and her conversation with Mikata. Kouhei listened to them speak for a few minutes before glancing over Amefuri's head to meet Mikata's look of curiosity. 

    "Now,  Ame-san,"  Kouhei grinned at Mikata's frown and draped an arm around Amefuri's shoulders. "You couldn't possibly be thinking that we have something to do with new threat to Tokyo. After all, we only just got here!" 

    "Kouhei," Mikata interrupted with strained smile. "I don't think she wants to hear about what we've been doing."

    "Mikkun!" Amefuri gently punched Mikata's shoulder, "Stop interrupting!"

    Mikata gaped at her with wide eyes and pressed a hand to chest in mock horror while proclaiming his dismay for no longer being Amefuri's favourite. Kouhei immediately seized the opportunity to scoop Amefuri into arms and announce that he was her champion and now, Mikata would have to duel him to win back her favour. Amefuri couldn't help but laugh as the two exchanged mock-glares and battle challenges over her head.

    "You can't possibly be her champion," Kouhei posed dramatically. "The champion must be someone she loves, and brothers don't count!"

    "Ah, but if you want to be with her, you must get past me first!" Mikata brandished a stray branch. "For I am the most feared of individuals, over-protective elder brother!"

    "Perhaps, but she still likes me more, SO THERE!" Kouhei stuck his tongue out at Mikata and jabbed at him with a stick. "I shall rescue the fair shrine-maiden from your evil clutches!"

    "Evil? Hardly!" Mikata knocked Kouhei's stick aside and countered. "I'm only misunderstood! You, good sir, are the villain!"

    Kouhei leapt out of range of the stick and aimed for Mikata's side. "Nay, I am an anti-hero! I may not be the kindest of people, but I am still a hero! And the fair maiden's champion!" 

    "A champion that forgets to save his maiden," Mikata blocked with one hand, and pulled Amefuri to his side with the other. "Is not a champion worthy of her affection!"

    "But this maiden is no longer yours! See how she runs to my side!" Kouhei struck Mikata with the stick while he was distracted by Amefuri's escape.

    "Ah!" Mikata clutched at his side in mock-agony and moaned in a most convincing impression of someone dying of a fatal wound. "You have tainted her with your evil ways! I shall never forgive you!" 

    "Haha!" Kouhei wrapped an arm around Amefuri's waist and struck a victorious pose. "I have freed my fair lady, defeated that villain and, most importantly, won the argument!"  

    "My hero!" Amefuri giggled.

    Startled, the two looked over at Amefuri's smiling face. A deep red blush crept up their necks when they suddenly remembered that they had an audience. It had been a long time since the two had felt comfortable enough in someone's presence that they could forget maintaining their reputations. Mikata scrambled to right himself into a more dignified position from the sprawl he collapsed into during his "death". A sheepish laugh escaped from Mikata as he tried to convince Amefuri that he was in his right mind.

    'I can't remember the last time I've seen either of them so happy,' Kouhei watched with a wistful look upon his face as Mikata teased Amefuri.  

    "Oh, I've been so rude!" Amefuri suddenly rose to her feet and bowed deeply. "I should have offered you some tea!"

    "It's okay, Ame." Mikata laughed at her formality. "Please don't go to any trouble on our behalf."

    "But.. Onii-chan!" Amefuri pouted, "It wouldn't be proper!"

    "Ame-chan..." Mikata began, but was interrupted by Kouhei. 

    "If it will make you happy, Ame-san, you can go get us some tea?" Kouhei gave Mikata a look. "We shouldn't stop her from doing what she likes, right?" 

    Mikata's lips twitched downwards in the beginnings of a frown before he glanced at Amefuri and quickly agreed with Kouhei. Pleased with the response, Amefuri bobbed her head in another half-bow before running off to prepare some tea in the kitchen. They watched her disappear into the temple and out of sight before speaking. 

    "What are you trying to do?" Mikata said.

    "You know that we can't forget that Amefuri isn't part of our team anymore. She's a Sailor Senshi." Kouhei hesitated, "She can't be trusted."

    "That's not what you told me, when you suggested that I tell her who I was." Mikata rubbed his forehead. 

    "Sir...Mikata," Kouhei sighed. "That was different. I was just..."

    "I know what you're thinking, and you're wrong." Mikata said. "I'm not going to leave Amefuri behind again. Yes, I made a mistake by leaving her in the care of the Priestess Order on Ryuza. Yes, I shouldn't have ran off to join the Ryuzan military in hopes of defeating the Dark Kingdom and whatever evils -real or imagined- that were threatening our home.

    "The truth of the matter is, I made a mistake, and I will regret it for the rest of my life. If I knew that this would be what happened to my dear little sister, I never would have accepted that mission and I certainly wouldn't have left her alone. But, I knew that you would be taking care of her for me so I didn't stop to think about what she wanted. Are you implying that I made a mistake in trusting you?" 

    "Sir...I'm..."

    "You're what?" Mikata frowned.

    Kouhei looked away from Mikata's furious gaze. Kouhei swore internally at his complete lack of tact with that situation. He knew that his past with Amefuri was a touchy subject with Mikata, but some twisted part of him wanted to bring his pain to the surface. If there was a way that it could have been avoided, Kouhei knew that he would have tried to. But a small bitter voice inside of him argued that this was the only way. After all, allowing them to enjoy this peace would only cause them more pain when the time came for them to battle. 

    'Yes,' Kouhei agreed, 'It's for the best that they don't enjoy this peace. If they forget that they're enemies, then what kind of pain will they endure when they have to battle each other?'
 

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