Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Akasaka Moon ❯ Owl ( Chapter 39 )

Owl

February 18th, 1982.

I had lived in the village outside of Kobe for five years now. The people didn't ask any questions when I first came there. They welcomed me with open arms. I found that quite strange.

These people are nice, I thought. Too nice. That could prove to be there Achilles' Heel later on. Still, it was quiet; and that was all I needed.

I had just gotten up in the morning when there was a knock on the door. I looked up, confused.

Huh? Who the hell is that? I walked over to the door and slid it open. An old Shinto priest stood on the porch. He had on robes and everything. I recognized him right away.

“Harada-sama,” I breathed. “What are you doing here?”

“I came to see you,” my former boss said, calmly. I gave him a confused look, blinking at him.

“Why?” Harada didn't answer at first.

“May I come in?” he asked. I looked stoic. Something told me that question had only one answer to it. I dropped my shoulders and sighed.

“Fine,” I said. “Come in!” Harada-sama smiled at me modestly.

“Thank you, Iwao-san,” he said. The old priest went inside. I felt uncomfortable as he slid the door shut behind us.

Harada-sama sat at the dining table with steaming tea in front of him. I sat across him and hunched my shoulders.

“What do you want, Harada-sama?” The old priest didn't flinch.

“Come back home, Iwao,” he pleaded.

“No! I can't go back!” We both knew why. Harada-sama looked on sympathetically.

“Iwao-san,” he said. “You can't keep blaming yourself for their deaths. It wasn't your fault!” I shook my head.

“I could have saved them!” I said. “I had the power to do it.” Harada-sama looked at me oddly.

“What do you mean?” I became nervous. Should I confess my talent to my former mentor and break my own personal promise that I made years ago in my youth? I loosened my fists. Might as well… I lowered my head close to Harada.

“Have you ever wondered why all of our sick and dying got better so quickly?” I whispered.

“The spirits healed them,” he reasoned. I shook my head.

“No,” I insisted. “I healed them.” Harada-sama didn't believe me at first.

“What are you talking about?” he demanded. I felt my stomach drop. I knew this would happen. I would have to show him. I swallowed the lump in my throat.

“You remember when you got that burn on your hand eight years ago?” I asked quietly.

“Yes,” my former mentor answered. I hesitated and froze.

“Show me your hand,” I whispered. Harada-sama did so slowly. His hand was right in front of me. I took in a deep breath, held out my own hand and shut my eyes. I chanted under my breath. Instantly, I felt the burn scar disappearing. I opened my eyes to see his face. Harada looked surprised, staring. I nodded.

“Yes,” I confirmed. “I am a healer. Midori and Michiko's illnesses rejected my powers. As a result, they died and I couldn't save them. My hope for redemption is to save another… someday…” Harada-sama watched on, touched.

“So what will you do now?” he asked. I clenched my fists.

“I plan to help others until I die,” I said. “I don't know how I'll do it, but I have to try. Then and only then will I be able to redeem myself for their deaths.” Harada-sama gave me a warm smile.

“I wish you luck for it,” he said. I bowed.

“I thank you.” I had no idea how soon I would be able to fulfill my promise. Also, it would be the first time in years that I would encounter the Eda-Kimoto clan since Juriko's death.