Sushi, Sake, and Tanuki: Love and Leaving & Untamed Waters

I talk about the section Love and Leaving. I then give a little sneak peek into the next section: Untamed Waters.

Sushi, Sake, and Tanuki: Love and Leaving

The sky was a lovely shade of blue and Yomosa was by my side. The woman that had me change more than my form and love more deeply than I had with Sajoki. Today I was able to walk beside her in my main male human form. While Yomosa accepted me for what I was, I could tell me assuming a human form comforted her.

For many weeks we had been traveling not side by side, but with me in the form of an animal that could be ridden by a human. The form I took differed day by day. Partially to relieve some of my own tensions and partially to amuse Yomosa.

But there was something different and fulfilling about walking side by side with my love. The smells in the air were clearer to me and my hope in the future was a reality.

"How much longer? I'm almost thinking this amuses you, Rig." Yomosa asked with a smile. While she must be more tired than I was, her being a human, she was able to not let her exhaustion show. Her humor was seeming to actually improve through our journey.

"Not much longer." I replied. "Once we reach the harbor things might get rough."

"Your enemies?"

"Or friends of my enemies. Which would be worse."

I put up my hand and Yomosa stopped. Things had gotten very quiet all of a sudden. While nature wasn't always loud, there was always noise. However, when there was danger things could turn silent. Then you'd only have a few seconds to react.

Was a supporter of Hijunaki coming to get me? Had Akumie decided to send something to get me?

Turning to the sound of a slight russel of leaves I saw Jirou. But he didn't look like he once had. Instead there was hunger in his eyes. Not the normal hunger but a deranged kind. My sparring buddy hadn't taken the death of Hijunaki well.

"You can have me, Jirou." I told him. "But let Yomosa leave unharmed. She didn't kill Hijunaki. I did."

A hurt expression took over Jirou's face. He made a show of putting his human, but furry, hand over his heart. "I would never attack you, Rig Katashi, you were a good friend. I didn't understand you the majority of the time, but I still consider you a friend. One of the few that I can call a friend now." He paused. "Even if you did kill our creator I would never think of harming you."

I wanted to let my guard down but didn't. Jirou was part wolf, as his lower half showed, and the hunger in his eyes was a warning that shouldn't be dismissed.

"Then why are you here?" I asked and realized how stupid that must sound. He was hunting, of course.

Jirou pointed a finger to Yomosa. "I would not harm you, Rig, but she is merely a human. I know you must think you've found love but you can find another. You always have in the past." A grin formed on his face as he spoke.

"I won't let you harm her." I said as I moved in front of Yomosa.

The grin on Jirou's face widened. "I know you won't hurt me. It's not in you to harm a friend."

"I killed my maker."

"He wasn't your friend, though."

Yomosa pulled out some wolf meat and stood beside me.

"It's fresh." She said and we both waited to see what my friend would say.

My former sparring buddy ate the fresh wolf meat greedily. He savored each bite with a lick of his lips and then went down for another bite. In another time, when Hijunaki was still alive, Jirou would not resort to eating one of his own kind. Well, a very distant relative at most. But Hijunaki was dead and Jirou seemed lost.

I ate some meat of a recent catch and Yomosa did the same. I could tell she was uneasy, though she tried her hardest to hide that fact. I had fear too. Fear that I would have to kill a friend to protect someone that I loved. A choice between the past and a possible happy future.

I pretended to focus on guarding Yomosa and Jirou from anything that would try and pose a threat to us. But I was really just focused on Jirou. Watching as he enjoyed his food and tensed up when he looked at Yomosa.

He seemed happy of the food given to him, but he saw a much better meal in my lover.

Once I finished my food I put an arm around Yomosa's shoulder. I looked Jirou in the eyes. He just smiled back at me.

"You are a good friend, Rig." Jirou said and held out a hand to me. This despite the fact that we were at least three feet apart. "You gave me food and didn't attack me when you had every right to."

"Don't remind me." I replied and let out a sigh and stood up. "But you are hungry and I trust you. Your stomach is a different matter altogether."

"Do you want me to leave?" Jirou asked and his expression became one of pain as he put has hand down. He had lost everything and was worried about losing me. We would have to part ways, I cared about Yomosa's safety as well as my own, but I didn't have to part on bad terms.

"I don't want you to leave, but I have to." I said and sat down beside my old sparring buddy. "Akumie is seeking revenge on me and I can't stay here. Yomosa has agreed to come with me even though she doesn't have to."

From the moment I had sat down by Jirou, Yomosa was doing her best to ignore us. Though I knew she'd always be watching Jirou. Making sure he didn't attack her.

"She's still angry?" Jirou asked.

"Yeah, turns out goddesses have a very long memory." I replied and tried to smirk. "Yomosa and I are heading out for a harbor that's-"

"A little far away because you can't find one closer?"

"You do remember me."

"Yes, I do." Jirou paused for a second and then continued. "And I am willing to help you."

Over the next few hours Jirou discussed with me, and later Yomosa also joined in the discussion, about another harbor. It was indeed closer and would help the two of us get off the only land I had ever known faster.

As Yomosa and I packed up our things to go, Jirou touched my shoulder and I turned to face him.

"If you are ever able to get back, will you visit me?" He asked.

"I will do my best." I said and grasped his arm.

After that exchange Jirou ran off into the vast forest and my lover and I continued our journey to the new harbor.

After two hours I finally smelled the ocean. The salty air was breathtaking to my nose. I turned to Yomosa and yelled, "Race you to the harbor!"

It was a childish thing of me to do. But once we reached the harbor we'd be so close to getting away from Japan. We'd be away from the land I had been created on. Safety, though, made the heart break worth it.

As I started to run Yomosa ran after me. We shouted at each other. Teasing each other in a way that only couples were capable of.

A roar sounded and I stopped. I saw the danger and stood in front of Yomosa. While she also saw the danger and knew the chances of me defeating it were slim, she allowed me to feel like I was protecting her. That I could protect her.

I heard the humans in the harbor yell as the Eastern Dragon got close to my lover and I.

Its scales were silver and it had purple fur running from the back of its neck to the tip of its tail. On any other occasion I would call it beautiful. But not now.

Its angry eyes showed that it was a predator and all I could hope to be was prey.

The Eastern was getting closer and closer. I felt fear like I had never felt it before. I had been against many different dangers when I was under Hijunaki's control, but I had never been protecting someone I loved. There was a difference between protecting oneself and sensing the little signs of your lover about to go into a panic.

I started to shift into something large. Something that could take down this creature. Before I could even get halfway through the change, the Eastern used its magic to throw me away from Yomosa. My half-formed body could only look at Yomosa in fear as the Eastern held me down with magic.

"You will know fear, obake." It hissed as it landed in front of my lover. "You will know fear when your human toy dies."

I could only watch. I could do nothing else. Not at this moment. Yomosa had flinched when the Eastern had tossed me aside, but she had since regained her composure. The Eastern smiled and let a little hiss of pleasure out. It lashed out with its head. It intended to easily impale my lover on its teeth. But that was not to be.

Yomosa managed to evade the attack by lunging to her right. The Eastern quickly readjusted itself and swiped at the human woman with one of its claws. My woman took a chance and it was only the Eastern's magic that made me stay still.

Yomosa had jumped at the Eastern which surprised it for a brief instant. It flicked its neck and my lover plummeted to the ground. She tried to regain her stability, but before that could happen the Eastern took her in its claws.

"The obake must suffer. My master has given me orders I have to respect." It said sorrowfully and moved Yomosa closer to its mouth in preparation of eating her.

Yomosa started to sing to the dragon and it paused for a moment. My lover was facing death with song instead of screams. She was pleading without fear. In that moment I was truly proud of her. Truly proud to have her be my own.

Then it struck me: if I didn't try to resist the Eastern's magic she would be dead. The first woman I had truly loved would die if I didn't act now.

The thought of Yomosa dying made an unknown power pour through my veins. I didn't know what flowed through me, but I knew that it could help me. I didn't care if it would damn me, I would use it now.

I yelled out as I was able to break free of the Eastern's grip. I shifted into an Eastern and roared. The Eastern turned its head to look at me and snarled. Before it could move an inch, I ran at it. My roars increasing in volume until our jaws clashed with each other.

I could tell that the Eastern hadn't eaten Yomosa and had probably discarded her. We started to fight in earnest as I made sure not to step on Yomosa. When the Eastern pushed me to the ground I looked around for my lover. I did not see her and hoped she had run off into the woods. The fight I was having with the Eastern wasn't one that a human should be involved in.

After what seemed like mere seconds, the Eastern gripped my neck in its jaws. Struggling was difficult as I could easily give the Eastern an opening. One wrong move could mean my death, in other words. But it was a chance I was willing to take.

Suddenly the Eastern let go of my neck and let out a roar. I took the opportunity to push the Eastern on its back, claw at its stomach, and clenched on its neck with my jaws. Blood came out of the Eastern slowly at first and then more quickly.

I smiled as the Eastern came closer and closer to death. It was then that I noticed something on my head and realized that it was Yomosa. She must have jumped onto me after distracting the Eastern.

The dragon turned its head to me and smiled. "Akumie sent me. I have died but there will be more pain for you, obake."

There was one final breath and then silence.

For a few minutes I looked at my kill. I was glad that the Eastern was dead and Yomosa was now safe. Probably not forever, but for now she could have some peace. She climbed off of me and looked at the dead dragon. I wish I knew human expressions better so I could decipher why her muscles were reacting like they were.

I shifted back into my main human male form and then walked over to my love. The Eastern looked very different from this level. It was not merely a foe and could be mistaken for a demigod. Humans were very different in so many ways.

I put an arm around Yomosa and she put her head onto my chest. I let her have a few minutes of looking at the Eastern before I started speaking.

"It won't come for you again." I told her.

"I know it won't." Yomosa said softly. "But there will be others, won't there? Things much worse than this?"

I wanted to tell her that this was as bad as it was going to get. There would be nothing else that would be worse. But Akumie was a goddess and I couldn't lie to the woman beside me.

"Yes." I replied simply.

I kissed the top of Yomosa's head to try and calm her. I was better equipped to fight the forces of Akumie than Yomosa would ever be. But my lover had shown herself to be brave and remarkable on her own. That wouldn't change the fact that she had been thrown into a new lifestyle quickly. A lifestyle that meant fighting and facing your fears so that death wouldn't claim you. It was understandable why Yomosa was nervous now.

"Is the Akumie you mentioned the same one that this creature meant?" Yomosa finally asked.

"Yes." I said and was about to stop there but had to continue. "Its and my Akumie are one and the same. She was angered that I used her for sex and she has never forgiven me since. Only now is she coming after me."

But had it only been for sex or had there been something more? Something that I had ignored because Sajoki's ghost had still haunted me back then?

"Why won't she come after you personally? Is she too frightened of you?" Yomosa asked.

I let out a small chuckle at the thought. A goddess being afraid of an obake would be a sight to see.

"No, there must be another reason. She must be banished from Japan or something else must be keeping her from attacking us directly." I answered.

"So if we leave Japan there's a chance we might have to face Akumie ourselves?" Yomosa timidly asked.

"Yes. Do you still want to follow me?"

"Until the end of time." She answered and we embraced. I enjoyed feeling the warmth and found it a comfort. Even if I were to die in a second I would face death with the knowledge that someone had loved me in life. That someone was willing to die by my side.

We finally ended our embrace and stood in silence looking at each other. I didn't know how I looked to her but I knew how she looked to me. A strong and loyal woman that I had ripped from her intended husband, given to Hijunaki, had killed Hijunaki to keep safe, and now loved me like I didn't deserve.

We nodded and walked side by side down to the harbor. She stayed a foot away from me so I would have room to attack if need be. Any joy that could be found racing each other had been taken away.

Upon arriving at the harbor we were glanced at by uninterested eyes. By the expressions of the people there, they hadn't noticed that I wasn't human and just that two Easterns had attacked each other. They didn't look to be questioning why but just trying to get back to business.

"Are you really going that far?" The captain asked in disbelief. "Do you really expect me to lend you space on my ship to go that far? Do you really think I would risk my ship on such a venture?"

I made sure that I was calm before I answered him. "I can pay you very well."

The captain shook his head. "The point is that my business puts my ship's priority above everything else."

Yomosa turned to me as if my powers extended to controlling minds. I shook my head and tried to think of anything that I could say to this captain.

"I am sorry to waste your time." I replied and bowed.

The captain bowed and we parted ways.

"It doesn't seem anyone is going to let us use their ship." Yomosa said quietly when the captain was out of earshot.

"Yeah, guess I must have lost my charm." I said and smirked. I didn't smirk because I was happy or the situation was amusing. I smirked to try and make her feel better. She finally replied with her own small smile but it quickly faded away. Asking for a ship was a hard venture for two 'common people' that asked for a lot. This task was affecting us both.

"But you'll be able to find one." Yomosa replied confidently.

"Or we'll have to resort to another plan."

"And that would be?"

"You'll see it if I ever have to use it."

I entertained the notion that one captain would agree to my request. That one captain would allow us our very odd desires. Turning to look at Yomosa I saw that she still had confidence in me, but that she wasn't blind to the facts. The facts being that I would most likely have to resort to another plan.

"Just don't kill anyone." She whispered in my ear.

I understood the reference. Don't kill anyone like I had killed her intended husband.

For the next few hours we went asking the rest of the captains for the use of their ship. But they were all turned off when they found out we wanted to leave Japan and it was a journey no ship would likely return from. So the captains rejected us. One by one they said no.

Finally the last captain walked angrily away from us. I stared at the open ocean. A sight I had been used to seeing as a wall, not as something you could go across. I had freed myself from Hijunaki. I had freed myself from Katashi's teachings. But I hadn't yet freed myself from the notion that the whole world wasn't the part I had grown up in.

"It's scary for you, isn't it?" Yomosa asked as she put a hand on my shoulder. I didn't look at her but continued to stare at the ocean.

"Yes, I think it's scary for you too." I replied.

"It is, but I can't let that get to me. If I did, I'd regret it my entire life."

"Because you gave me up?"

"Partially. But also that I let fear get the better of me when I've been fearless for so long."

"I wouldn't blame you if you left me now."

"But I would." She said and squeezed my shoulder.

I finally decided to look at her and I was ashamed at asking her for so much. But also proud that both love and a desire for bravery were having her go along with me.

"Do you want to hear the backup plan?" I asked her. Yomosa's smile was the only thing I needed to continue speaking. "I take on the form of an Eastern Dragon and fly us to our new destination."

"How long will you be able to fly?" She asked.

"Long enough." I said and Yomosa nodded.

We then walked away from the harbor like we were going to spend personal time together. Time when groans and moans would be things best left to only us two. No one looked at us and the captains seemed glad to see us go.

Yomosa and I made our way to where the corpse of the Eastern lay. No one had yet been brave enough to look for it and other animals were only beginning to eat it. A dragon was something to be feared, even by things that couldn't fully comprehend them.

I focused and felt myself changing. It was a normal thing for me. Something I had been born to do. My main human male form shifted to become larger so that the form of an Eastern Dragon could be accommodated. My skin then broke out into scales and my hair stayed on my head but then went all the way down to a few inches beyond the tip of my tail.

After a few more changes I was an Eastern. I went down to allow Yomosa to climb aboard me. She kissed my head and then found a place to sit comfortably. Or at least a place she wouldn't fall off from.

"I love you more than I have loved anyone before." She told me. "And you have changed more than I thought possible. Just wanted to say that in case this is the last conversation we are to ever have."

"You have opened my heart in ways I didn't think possible." I told her and then I was swimming through the air to a fate, as of yet, unknown.
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Links of Sushi, Sake, and Tanuki

Sushi, Sake, and Tanuki: Love and Leaving 5

"Are you really going that far?" The captain asked in disbelief. "Do you really expect me to lend you space on my ship to go that far? Do you really think I would risk my ship on such a venture?"

I made sure that I was calm before I answered him. "I can pay you very well."

The captain shook his head. "The point is that my business puts my ship's priority above everything else."

Yomosa turned to me as if my powers extended to controlling minds. I shook my head and tried to think of anything that I could say to this captain.

"I am sorry to waste your time." I replied and bowed.

The captain bowed and we parted ways.

"It doesn't seem anyone is going to let us use their ship." Yomosa said quietly when the captain was out of earshot.

"Yeah, guess I must have lost my charm." I said and smirked. I didn't smirk because I was happy or the situation was amusing. I smirked to try and make her feel better. She finally replied with her own small smile but it quickly faded away. Asking for a ship was a hard venture for two 'common people' that asked for a lot. This task was affecting us both.

"But you'll be able to find one." Yomosa replied confidently.

"Or we'll have to resort to another plan."

"And that would be?"

"You'll see it if I ever have to use it."

I entertained the notion that one captain would agree to my request. That one captain would allow us our very odd desires. Turning to look at Yomosa I saw that she still had confidence in me, but that she wasn't blind to the facts. The facts being that I would most likely have to resort to another plan.

"Just don't kill anyone." She whispered in my ear.

I understood the reference. Don't kill anyone like I had killed her intended husband.

For the next few hours we went asking the rest of the captains for the use of their ship. But they were all turned off when they found out we wanted to leave Japan and it was a journey no ship would likely return from. So the captains rejected us. One by one they said no.

Finally the last captain walked angrily away from us. I stared at the open ocean. A sight I had been used to seeing as a wall, not as something you could go across. I had freed myself from Hijunaki. I had freed myself from Katashi's teachings. But I hadn't yet freed myself from the notion that the whole world wasn't the part I had grown up in.

"It's scary for you, isn't it?" Yomosa asked as she put a hand on my shoulder. I didn't look at her but continued to stare at the ocean.

"Yes, I think it's scary for you too." I replied.

"It is, but I can't let that get to me. If I did, I'd regret it my entire life."

"Because you gave me up?"

"Partially. But also that I let fear get the better of me when I've been fearless for so long."

"I wouldn't blame you if you left me now."

"But I would." She said and squeezed my shoulder.

I finally decided to look at her and I was ashamed at asking her for so much. But also proud that both love and a desire for bravery were having her go along with me.

"Do you want to hear the backup plan?" I asked her. Yomosa's smile was the only thing I needed to continue speaking. "I take on the form of an Eastern Dragon and fly us to our new destination."

"How long will you be able to fly?" She asked.

"Long enough." I said and Yomosa nodded.

We then walked away from the harbor like we were going to spend personal time together. Time when groans and moans would be things best left to only us two. No one looked at us and the captains seemed glad to see us go.

Yomosa and I made our way to where the corpse of the Eastern lay. No one had yet been brave enough to look for it and other animals were only beginning to eat it. A dragon was something to be feared, even by things that couldn't fully comprehend them.

I focused and felt myself changing. It was a normal thing for me. Something I had been born to. My main human male form shifted to become larger so that the form of an Eastern Dragon could be accommodated. My skin then broke out into scales and my hair stayed on my head but then went all the way down to a few inches beyond the tip of my tail.

After a few more changes I was an Eastern. I went down to allow Yomosa to climb aboard me. She kissed my head and then found a place to sit comfortably. Or at least a place she wouldn't fall off from.

"I love you more than I have loved anyone before." She told me. "And you have changed more than I thought possible. Just wanted to say that in case this is the last conversation we are to ever have."

"You have opened my heart in ways I didn't think possible." I told her and then I was swimming through the air to a fate, as of yet, unknown.
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Sushi, Sake, and Tanuki Links

Sushi, Sake, and Tanuki: Love and Leaving 4

For a few minutes I looked at my kill. I was glad that the Eastern was dead and Yomosa was now safe. Probably not forever, but for now she could have some peace. She climbed off of me and looked at the dead dragon. I wish I knew human expressions better so I could decipher why her muscles were reacting like they were.

I shifted back into my main human male form and then walked over to my love. The Eastern looked very different from this level. It was not merely a foe and could be mistaken for a demigod. Humans were very different in so many ways.

I put an arm around Yomosa and she put her head onto my chest. I let her have a few minutes of looking at the Eastern before I started speaking.

"It won't come for you again." I told her.

"I know it won't." Yomosa said softly. "But there will be others, won't there? Things much worse than this?"

I wanted to tell her that this was as bad as it was going to get. There would be nothing else that would be worse. But Akumie was a goddess and I couldn't lie to the woman beside me.

"Yes." I replied simply.

I kissed the top of Yomosa's head to try and calm her. I was better equipped to fight the forces of Akumie than Yomosa would ever be. But my lover had shown herself to be brave and remarkable on her own. That wouldn't change the fact that she had been thrown into a new lifestyle quickly. A lifestyle that meant fighting and facing your fears so that death wouldn't claim you. It was understandable why Yomosa was nervous now.

"Is the Akumie you mentioned the same one that this creature meant?" Yomosa finally asked.

"Yes." I said and was about to stop there but had to continue. "Its and my Akumie are one and the same. She was angered that I used her for sex and she has never forgiven me since. Only now is she coming after me."

But had it only been for sex or had there been something more? Something that I had ignored because Sajoki's ghost had still haunted me back then?

"Why won't she come after you personally? Is she too frightened of you?" Yomosa asked.

I let out a small chuckle at the thought. A goddess being afraid of an obake would be a sight to see.

"No, there must be another reason. She must be banished from Japan or something else must be keeping her from attacking us directly." I answered.

"So if we leave Japan there's a chance we might have to face Akumie ourselves?" Yomosa timidly asked.

"Yes. Do you still want to follow me?"

"Until the end of time." She answered and we embraced. I enjoyed feeling the warmth and found it a comfort. Even if I were to die in a second I would face death with the knowledge that someone had loved me in life. That someone was willing to die by my side.

We finally ended our embrace and stood in silence looking at each other. I didn't know how I looked to her but I knew how she looked to me. A strong and loyal woman that I had ripped from her intended husband, given to Hijunaki, had killed Hijunaki to keep safe, and now loved me like I didn't deserve.

We nodded and walked side by side down to the harbor. She stayed a foot away from me so I would have room to attack if need be. Any joy that could be found racing each other had been taken away.

Upon arriving at the harbor we were glanced at by uninterested eyes. By the expressions of the people there, they hadn't noticed that I wasn't human and just that two Easterns had attacked each other. They didn't look to be questioning why but just trying to get back to business.
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Sushi, Sake, and Tanuki: Love and Leaving 3

The Eastern was getting closer and closer. I felt fear like I had never felt it before. I had been against many different dangers when I was under Hijunaki's control, but I had never been protecting someone I loved. There was a difference between protecting oneself and sensing the little signs of your lover about to go into a panic.

I started to shift into something large. Something that could take down this creature. Before I could even get halfway through the change, the Eastern used its magic to throw me away from Yomosa. My half-formed body could only look at Yomosa in fear as the Eastern held me down with magic.

"You will know fear, obake." It hissed as it landed in front of my lover. "You will know fear when your human toy dies."

I could only watch. I could do nothing else. Not at this moment. Yomosa had flinched when the Eastern had tossed me aside, but she had since regained her composure. The Eastern smiled and let a little hiss of pleasure out. It lashed out with its head. It intended to easily impale my lover on its teeth. But that was not to be.

Yomosa managed to evade the attack by lunging to her right. The Eastern quickly readjusted itself and swiped at the human woman with one of its claws. My woman took a chance and it was only the Eastern's magic that made me stay still.

Yomosa had jumped at the Eastern which surprised it for a brief instant. It flicked its neck and my lover plummeted to the ground. She tried to regain her stability, but before that could happen the Eastern took her in its claws.

"The obake must suffer. My master has given me orders I have to respect." It said sorrowfully and moved Yomosa closer to its mouth in preparation of eating her.

Yomosa started to sing to the dragon and it paused for a moment. My lover was facing death with song instead of screams. She was pleading without fear. In that moment I was truly proud of her. Truly proud to have her be my own.

Then it struck me: if I didn't try to resist the Eastern's magic she would be dead. The first woman I had truly loved would die if I didn't act now.

The thought of Yomosa dying made an unknown power pour through my veins. I didn't know what flowed through me, but I knew that it could help me. I didn't care if it would damn me, I would use it now.

I yelled out as I was able to break free of the Eastern's grip. I shifted into an Eastern and roared. The Eastern turned its head to look at me and snarled. Before it could move an inch, I ran at it. My roars increasing in volume until our jaws clashed with each other.

I could tell that the Eastern hadn't eaten Yomosa and had probably discarded her. We started to fight in earnest as I made sure not to step on Yomosa. When the Eastern pushed me to the ground I looked around for my lover. I did not see her and hoped she had run off into the woods. The fight I was having with the Eastern wasn't one that a human should be involved in.

After what seemed like mere seconds, the Eastern gripped my neck in its jaws. Struggling was difficult as I could easily give the Eastern an opening. One wrong move could mean my death, in other words. But it was a chance I was willing to take.

Suddenly the Eastern let go of my neck and let out a roar. I took the opportunity to push the Eastern on its back, claw at its stomach, and clenched on its neck with my jaws. Blood came out of the Eastern slowly at first and then more quickly.

I smiled as the Eastern came closer and closer to death. It was then that I noticed something on my head and realized that it was Yomosa. She must have jumped onto me after distracting the Eastern.

The dragon turned its head to me and smiled. "Akumie sent me. I have died but there will be more pain for you, obake."

There was one final breath and then silence.
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Sushi, Sake, and Tanuki Links

Sushi, Sake, and Tanuki: Love and Leaving 2

My former sparring buddy ate the fresh wolf meat greedily. He savored each bite with a lick of his lips and then went down for another bite. In another time, when Hijunaki was still alive, Jirou would not resort to eating one of his own kind. Well, a very distant relative at most. But Hijunaki was dead and Jirou seemed lost.

I ate some meat of a recent catch and Yomosa did the same. I could tell she was uneasy, though she tried her hardest to hide that fact. I had fear too. Fear that I would have to kill a friend to protect someone that I loved. A choice between the past and a possible happy future.

I pretended to focus on guarding Yomosa and Jirou from anything that would try and pose a threat to us. But I was really just focused on Jirou. Watching as he enjoyed his food and tensed up when he looked at Yomosa.

He seemed happy of the food given to him, but he saw a much better meal in my lover.

Once I finished my food I put an arm around Yomosa's shoulder. I looked Jirou in the eyes. He just smiled back at me.

"You are a good friend, Rig." Jirou said and held out a hand to me. This despite the fact that we were at least three feet apart. "You gave me food and didn't attack me when you had every right to."

"Don't remind me." I replied and let out a sigh and stood up. "But you are hungry and I trust you. Your stomach is a different matter altogether."

"Do you want me to leave?" Jirou asked and his expression became one of pain as he put has hand down. He had lost everything and was worried about losing me. We would have to part ways, I cared about Yomosa's safety as well as my own, but I didn't have to part on bad terms.

"I don't want you to leave, but I have to." I said and sat down beside my old sparring buddy. "Akumie is seeking revenge on me and I can't stay here. Yomosa has agreed to come with me even though she doesn't have to."

From the moment I had sat down by Jirou, Yomosa was doing her best to ignore us. Though I knew she'd always be watching Jirou. Making sure he didn't attack her.

"She's still angry?" Jirou asked.

"Yeah, turns out goddesses have a very long memory." I replied and tried to smirk. "Yomosa and I are heading out for a harbor that's-"

"A little far away because you can't find one closer?"

"You do remember me."

"Yes, I do." Jirou paused for and then continued. "And I am willing to help you."

Over the next few hours Jirou discussed with me, and later Yomosa also joined in the discussion, about another harbor. It was indeed closer and would help the two of us get off the only land I had ever known faster.

As Yomosa and I packed up our things to go, Jirou touched my shoulder and I turned to face him.

"If you are ever able to get back, will you visit me?" He asked.

"I will do my best." I said and grasped her arm.

After that exchange Jirou ran off into the vast forest and my lover and I continued our journey to the new harbor.

After two hours I finally smelled the ocean. The salty air was breathtaking to my nose. I turned to Yomosa and yelled, "Race you to the harbor!"

It was a childish thing of me to do. But once we reached the harbor we'd be so close to getting away from Japan. We'd be away from the land I had been created on. Safety, though, made the heart break worth it.

As I started to run Yomosa ran after me. We shouted at each other. Teasing each other in a way that only couples were capable of.

A roar sounded and I stopped. I saw the danger and stood in front of Yomosa. While she also saw the danger and knew the chances of me defeating it were slim, she allowed me to feel like I was protecting her. That I could protect her.

I heard the humans in the harbor yell as the Eastern Dragon got close to my lover and I.

Its scales were silver and it had purple fur running from the back of its neck to the tip of its tail. On any other occasion I would call it beautiful. But not now.

Its angry eyes showed that it was a predator and all I could hope to be was prey.
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Sushi, Sake, and Tanuki: Love and Leaving 1

The sky was a lovely shade of blue and Yomosa was by my side. The woman that had me change more than my form and love more deeply than I had with Sajoki. Today I was able to walk beside her in my main male human form. While Yomosa accepted me for what I was, I could tell me assuming a human form comforted her.

For many weeks we had been traveling not side by side, but with me in the form of an animal that could be ridden by a human. The form I took differed day by day. Partially to relieve some of my own tensions and partially to amuse Yomosa.

But there was something different and fulfilling about walking side by side with my love. The smells in the air were clearer to me and my hope in the future was a reality.

"How much longer? I'm almost thinking this amuses you, Rig." Yomosa asked with a smile. While she must be more tired than I was, her being a human, she was able to not let her exhaustion show. Her humor was seeming to actually improve through our journey.

"Not much longer." I replied. "Once we reach the harbor things might get rough."

"Your enemies?"

"Or friends of my enemies. Which would be worse."

I put up my hand and Yomosa stopped. Things had gotten very quiet all of a sudden. While nature wasn't always loud, there was always noise. However, when there was danger things could turn silent. Then you'd only have a few seconds to react.

Was a supporter of Hijunaki coming to get me? Had Akumie decided to send something to get me?

Turning to the sound of a slight russel of leaves I saw Jirou. But he didn't look like he once had. Instead there was hunger in his eyes. Not the normal hunger but a deranged kind. My sparring buddy hadn't taken the death of Hijunaki well.

"You can have me, Jirou." I told him. "But let Yomosa leave unharmed. She didn't kill Hijunaki. I did."

A hurt expression took over Jirou's face. He made a show of putting his human, but furry, hand over his heart. "I would never attack you, Rig Katashi, you were a good friend. I didn't understand you the majority of the time, but I still consider you a friend. One of the few that I can call a friend now." He paused. "Even if you did kill our creator I would never think of harming you."

I wanted to let my guard down but didn't. Jirou was part wolf, as his lower half showed, and the hunger in his eyes was a warning that shouldn't be dismissed.

"Then why are you here?" I asked and realized how stupid that must sound. He was hunting, of course.

Jirou pointed a finger to Yomosa. "I would not harm you, Rig, but she is merely a human. I know you must think you've found love but you can find another. You always have in the past." A grin formed on his face as he spoke.

"I won't let you harm her." I said as I moved in front of Yomosa.

The grin on Jirou's face widened. "I know you won't hurt me. It's not in you to harm a friend."

"I killed my maker."

"He wasn't your friend, though."

Yomosa pulled out some wolf meat and stood beside me.

"It's fresh." She said and we both waited to see what my friend would say.
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Sushi, Sake, and Tanuki: After the Fall & Love and Leaving

I talk about the most recent section of Sushi, Sake, and Tanuki and the upcoming section.

Sushi, Sake, and Tanuki: After the Fall

It had been a few days since I had killed Hijunaki. Killed my own creator. It could've brought me nightmares if I had thought about it for a little bit. The reason I hadn't thought that much about it was the woman riding me now.


I was in my Shika Deer form and she was on my back. I was tired and couldn't wait until we arrived somewhere I could rest. The problem with this form was that I didn't feel free. I couldn't jump up and fly to save time. No, I could only run.


I huffed and Yomosa, the lovely woman on my back, scratched behind my ear.


"Don't worry, Rig, we'll be there soon." She said in her calming voice. That voice, as well as her scratching behind my ear, calmed me down. Now I remembered the reason for taking her with me. I had feelings for her. Were they feelings of love? I didn't want to go down that path. Not now.


I was Rig Katashi and I had found something worth living for.


After a few hours of hearing Yomosa's voice I saw a farming village. She quickly jumped off and I shifted into my main human form. As soon as I shifted forms I stretched to test out the limbs of my current form.


"Tell me again why I had to shift into a different form before we reached this village." I complained as soon as I finished stretching.


"Because you said you didn't want to arouse suspicion." Yomosa replied.


"And why did I have to change at all?"


She walked over to me and gave me a kiss. "Because you love me."


We shared a smile and I wished I could admit to what she had just said. We then turned back to looking at the village.


"You haven't lived among humans that much, have you?" She asked.


I shook my head. "Not since Sajoki and Tamui."


Yomosa gave me a smile and that gave me the strength to go into the village.


It was frightening going into the village since these people were humans. Yomosa was human but, again, I had feelings for her. I couldn't say the same thing about the others.


"Where are you people from?" One man asked me after we had asked for a room.


"Around." I replied. "I can't say much more than that. We've been on the run and it's better that you not know more than that."


The man smiled, sensing my lie. "As long as you don't bring trouble we don't mind."


"We'll be gone as soon as we can." I replied and could tell that he was happy for the news. This was a small village and so his reaction was normal. I could tell that Yomosa was slightly insulted, though.


After a few minutes he brought Yomosa and I to a small room. "Thank you." I said and bowed.


"Just keep that promise." The man said and bowed down higher than he needed to.


As soon as he left Yomosa kissed me.


"So we're on the run now?" She said and laughed.


"I thought it was a good excuse." I replied and we let ourselves go. Letting our bodies intertwine in which ways they wanted to.

* * *
"Why do you stay with me?" Yomosa asked, rolling over in the bed.


I shifted to a no form and then shifted back into my main human male form. She laughed and I tried to bring a smile to my face. Truth was that I loved her more than I had ever loved Sajoki. But I had never told her that.


"Why does it matter?" I replied. It didn't matter since I would protect her either way. She knew I would so why did I have to say it.


"Because I want to know if I should keep following you around." She said. "Sort of useless to do if you're just going to abandon me."


"I would never abandon you." I said.


"I know. You risked your life for me."


"I just don't see another option." I replied and then looked at the rising sun. "Looks like we should break our fast now."


Our breakfast was simple and I enjoyed it. However, I missed the feeling of blood going down my cheeks. I missed the feeling of just meat, even if it was cooked. The village had animals, of course, but they saved the meat for special occasions. And two travelers stopping by didn't count as a special occasion.


After we ate our breakfast, we went to a field. The sun was shinning down on us and I looked up at it. Suddenly I felt a foot hit my ribs.


"Ow!" I yelled out and grabbed Yomosa's foot so she fell to the ground.


Being graceful she got up quickly. I decided to play fair and stay in my male human form. This didn't help her much as I had lived for millenia. All things being fair, though, she did a good job at fighting me.


Normally the fight would be done in a few seconds, but I let it go on for awhile. Partially because I liked seeing her fight and partially because she was just that good.


Finally I attempted to block her and failed. We both allowed ourselves to fall to the ground with her in my arms.

* * *
Finally there was silence. Well, unless you wanted to count Yomosa's soft breathing. And I didn't count it as it was peaceful. Her breaths were so peaceful that I hardly noticed them.


I held her slumbering form in my arms. Nothing else mattered. Hijunaki was dead and Sajoki was leaving my mind. I had another now to love and cherish. I didn't have to be held by the demons of my past. I knew, without a shadow of a doubt, Yomosa would never leave me. And, really, who could ask for more than that.


I had been holding Yomosa ever since we had finished making love. It wasn't just plain old fucking, it was love. My arms, finally, were growing tired of holding Yomosa. It would've done in song for me to hold her in my arms the entire night, but this wasn't a song.


I carefully let her go and my efforts were rewarded by her staying asleep. The only movements that showed she noticed what I did was to turn over. If only I could've fallen asleep tonight.


Walking outside the room and into one of the streets, I remembered why I couldn't sleep. The street was quiet now since it was so late at night and I was left to myself. I was left to wallow in my thoughts of feeling like I was being followed.


Jirou wouldn't have followed me. I knew that as a fact. We were too good of friends for him to want to stalk and kill me.


Looking up at the stars I felt like they were looking back at me. I was afraid that they were looking at me. Specifically I was afraid Akumie was looking down at me. Why would I be afraid of her? Why would I imagine that she was looking down to kill me?


If you had pissed off a goddess you'd have the same reaction. I had made her think I loved her so that she'd have sex with me. My plan had worked, but at a high cost. She had been pissed off at me.


I shook my head and went back to sleep with Yomosa. The woman I'd protect from a goddess' wrath. When I woke up I kissed Yomosa and then went to work on the farm.

I had been working on the farm for a few hours. I imagined Yomosa lying next to me in bed just to make it through the day. I had no choice but to let myself be affected by the heat like a regular human. And humans couldn't deal with heat like I could normally.


While I thought about taking the day off I realized that I couldn't. While these humans didn't want me here I had to repay them in some form. And if they had decided it was by working on the farm, so be it.


Finally I was given some interesting work when I was told to kill a rooster. This was due to it not acting nicely to a fellow rooster. Plus, it was meat that the village wanted above all else. The rooster looked at me and realized I wasn't human. So it went to attack me.


It was almost like a mortal attacking a goddess. After a few pecks I was able to cut its head off. I didn't allow the blood coming out to go onto me. Though I allowed a smile when I knew it was dead. Looking out of the doorway I saw a fellow worker eye me oddly.


I would like to describe what I meant by that but I couldn't, not if I wanted to. It was just odd. I didn't know if it was that I couldn't read humans that well or if it actually meant something.


When lunch came I was able to eat alone with Yomosa. I looked around to make sure that no one would over hear us.


"What is it, Rig?" She asked.


"There was an odd incident when I killed a rooster today." I replied.


"Oh, come on, you're still alive aren't you?"


"Sometimes enemies strike slowly and take their times. My enemies can live for millenia."


"Come off it. Who would be after you?"


"The goddess Akumie."


"Never heard of her."


"She isn't one of the big ones." I said and we remained silent for a few minutes to make sure we weren't being observed.


"So, what did you do to piss her off?" Yomosa asked when she could.


"Said I loved her just to have sex." I replied and she slapped me. Luckily another slap didn't soon follow that one and I was able to finish my work on the farm.


Going back to our room at evening we were joking around. We opened our door expecting to find our room uninhabited and ready for some play. Whether it would be sexual or not was yet to be seen. We just had to go through the door.


Going through the door revealed it the room to be torn apart. It looked like a demon had torn through it and left in anger at not finding its prey. Had Akumie done it? Or had the villagers done it to get us out quicker?


"Don't worry." Yomosa told me. But I had to worry. For both of our sake's.
* * *
I found myself looking at Yomosa's sleeping form again. She knew I was there and would find my watchfulness comforting. Well, more the former than the latter would make her less likely to suddenly attack me. Her breathing seemed more worried. And why wouldn't it be? Our room had just been torn through and now there was danger.


Though our room wasn't like Hijunaki's Palace, it was still ours. We hadn't been here for as long as I had been at the Palace, Yomosa didn't have the lifespan for one thing, but at least we had been here for a little while. The invasion was most likely just a threat as we were both alive. Yomosa to sleep and myself to watch. But for what reason was the threat meant?


I quickly stood up and prepared myself to fight as I sensed someone, or something, enter our room. Looking at the robed figure didn't do much. For whatever it was, it wanted to be hidden.


"What do you want?" I asked sternly.


"Rig Katashi," The figure said in a sickly voice. Sickly for a human but normal for an Air Elemental. "You must leave."


"We were already thinking of leaving this village. No need to tell us we have to leave here." I replied. Though I knew that it meant something else entirely.


"You must leave this land." It said. "You must cross the ocean, which you have only seen lapping at the beaches, and find somewhere else."


"You mean leave the only land I have ever known?" I walked up close to it, but I still couldn't tell if it even had a face. "What gives you the right?"


"I want to save your life." It said without its sickly voice hindering the anger. "The one who is coming against you can't leave this land."


"And who is this one?"


"Names have power. Invoking this one's name would have devastating consequences."


I thought about what this creature was saying. It wasn't just talking about leaving a village or going into hiding. It was talking about leaving it all behind. I didn't mind leaving some memories behind, but others I couldn't dream of saying goodbye to.


"And what if I stay?" I finally asked.


"Then you are your lover will die." It replied. "It's not an easy choice. But you need to make it."


I took a few steps back and nodded.


"I have done what I can here." It replied and just disappeared.


At that exact moment Yomosa woke up.


"We have to go now." I told her.


"Why?" She asked and stared at me.


"A creature, possibly an elemental, told me that we have to leave this land so we can live." I explained and an expression of despair washed over her face.


"Are you sure?" She asked and I looked away.


"Yes." I said and then what came out next I couldn't have stopped even if I had wanted to. "I love you and I wouldn't lead you into unneeded danger."


This didn't lead to a kiss but merely an embrace that said so much more.

After many minutes we stopped the embrace. I had finally told her. I had finally admitted it to her as I had admitted it to myself before. I loved her. I loved her completely and then suddenly felt bad about telling her a lie. Such a little one but it was there.


"You don't have to leave this land." I told her. "You can stay. It is I who have to leave."


Yomosa looked at me and I was worried that she would get angry. That this moment would be ruined forever.


"I know." She finally said. "I doubt the elemental would be that concerned with me. I'm just a human."


I smiled sadly. "More than a human. Much more. But you have the choice to make. If you want to choose the safer option I will understand."


"I have already chosen." Yomosa said and planted a light kiss on my forehead. "And I am not going back."


After she spoke we started to pack up. We didn't have much but that didn't mean it took us a short amount of time to get finished. All of our belongings were spread across the room. Most of the time was spent finding specific items.


By the end of this challenge we were both worn out. I even thought that Yomosa would leave me by how high tensions got.

Many hours later we finally left the village. We didn't say goodbye or say thanks. Whatever was after me wouldn't care where the extra minutes came from. Yomosa felt bad about leaving without warning but I managed to convince her to just leave with me.


As we got a good distance from the village it turned midnight. I set up a place for her to sleep and then she lay by me. I knew a few things as Yomosa fell asleep by my side. I knew that she was the bravest human I had yet met. I knew that I'd do anything to protect. Finally, I knew that I loved her completely.
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Sushi, Sake, and Tanuki: After the Fall 6

After many minutes we stopped the embrace. I had finally told her. I had finally admitted it to her as I had admitted it to myself before. I loved her. I loved her completely and then suddenly felt bad about telling her a lie. Such a little one but it was there.


"You don't have to leave this land." I told her. "You can stay. It is I who have to leave."


Yomosa looked at me and I was worried that she would get angry. That this moment would be ruined forever.


"I know." She finally said. "I doubt the elemental would be that concerned with me. I'm just a human."


I smiled sadly. "More than a human. Much more. But you have the choice to make. If you want to choose the safer option I will understand."


"I have already chosen." Yomosa said and planted a light kiss on my forehead. "And I am not going back."


After she spoke we started to pack up. We didn't have much but that didn't mean it took us a short amount of time to get finished. All of our belongings were spread across the room. Most of the time was spent finding specific items.


By the end of this challenge we were both worn out. I even thought that Yomosa would leave me by how high tensions got.


Many hours later we finally left the village. We didn't say goodbye or say thanks. Whatever was after me wouldn't care where the extra minutes came from. Yomosa felt bad about leaving without warning but I managed to convince her to just leave with me.


As we got a good distance from the village it turned midnight. I set up a place for her to sleep and then she lay by me. I knew a few things as Yomosa fell asleep by my side. I knew that she was the bravest human I had yet met. I knew that I'd do anything to protect. Finally, I knew that I loved her completely.
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Sushi, Sake, and Tanuki: After the Fall 5

I found myself looking at Yomosa's sleeping form again. She knew I was there and would find my watchfulness comforting. Well, more the former than the latter would make her less likely to suddenly attack me. Her breathing seemed more worried. And why wouldn't it be? Our room had just been torn through and now there was danger.


Though our room wasn't like Hijunaki's Palace, it was still ours. We hadn't been here for as long as I had been at the Palace, Yomosa didn't have the lifespan for one thing, but at least we had been here for a little while. The invasion was most likely just a threat as we were both alive. Yomosa to sleep and myself to watch. But for what reason was the threat meant?


I quickly stood up and prepared myself to fight as I sensed someone, or something, enter our room. Looking at the robed figure didn't do much. For whatever it was, it wanted to be hidden.


"What do you want?" I asked sternly.


"Rig Katashi," The figure said in a sickly voice. Sickly for a human but normal for an Air Elemental. "You must leave."


"We were already thinking of leaving this village. No need to tell us we have to leave here." I replied. Though I knew that it meant something else entirely.


"You must leave this land." It said. "You must cross the ocean, which you have only seen lapping at the beaches, and find somewhere else."


"You mean leave the only land I have ever known?" I walked up close to it, but I still couldn't tell if it even had a face. "What gives you the right?"


"I want to save your life." It said without its sickly voice hindering the anger. "The one who is coming against you can't leave this land."


"And who is this one?"


"Names have power. Invoking this one's name would have devastating consequences."


I thought about what this creature was saying. It wasn't just talking about leaving a village or going into hiding. It was talking about leaving it all behind. I didn't mind leaving some memories behind, but others I couldn't dream of saying goodbye to.


"And what if I stay?" I finally asked.


"Then you are your lover will die." It replied. "It's not an easy choice. But you need to make it."


I took a few steps back and nodded.


"I have done what I can here." It replied and just disappeared.


At that exact moment Yomosa woke up.


"We have to go now." I told her.


"Why?" She asked and stared at me.


"A creature, possibly an elemental, told me that we have to leave this land so we can live." I explained and an expression of despair washed over her face.


"Are you sure?" She asked and I looked away.


"Yes." I said and then what came out next I couldn't have stopped even if I had wanted to. "I love you and I wouldn't lead you into unneeded danger."


This didn't lead to a kiss but merely an embrace that said so much more.
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Sushi, Sake, and Tanuki: After the Fall 4

I had been working on the farm for a few hours. I imagined Yomosa lying next to me in bed just to make it through the day. I had no choice but to let myself be affected by the heat like a regular human. And humans couldn't deal with heat like I could normally.


While I thought about taking the day off I realized that I couldn't. While these humans didn't want me here I had to repay them in some form. And if they had decided it was by working on the farm, so be it.


Finally I was given some interesting work when I was told to kill a rooster. This was due to it not acting nicely to a fellow rooster. Plus, it was meat that the village wanted above all else. The rooster looked at me and realized I wasn't human. So it went to attack me.


It was almost like a mortal attacking a goddess. After a few pecks I was able to cut its head off. I didn't allow the blood coming out to go onto me. Though I allowed a smile when I knew it was dead. Looking out of the doorway I saw a fellow worker eye me oddly.


I would like to describe what I meant by that but I couldn't, not if I wanted to. It was just odd. I didn't know if it was that I couldn't read humans that well or if it actually meant something.


When lunch came I was able to eat alone with Yomosa. I looked around to make sure that no one would over hear us.


"What is it, Rig?" She asked.


"There was an odd incident when I killed a rooster today." I replied.


"Oh, come on, you're still alive aren't you?"


"Sometimes enemies strike slowly and take their times. My enemies can live for millenia."


"Come off it. Who would be after you?"


"The goddess Akumie."


"Never heard of her."


"She isn't one of the big ones." I said and we remained silent for a few minutes to make sure we weren't being observed.


"So, what did you do to piss her off?" Yomosa asked when she could.


"Said I loved her just to have sex." I replied and she slapped me. Luckily another slap didn't soon follow that one and I was able to finish my work on the farm.


Going back to our room at evening we were joking around. We opened our door expecting to find our room uninhabited and ready for some play. Whether it would be sexual or not was yet to be seen. We just had to go through the door.


Going through the door revealed it the room to be torn apart. It looked like a demon had torn through it and left in anger at not finding its prey. Had Akumie done it? Or had the villagers done it to get us out quicker?


"Don't worry." Yomosa told me. But I had to worry. For both of our sake's.
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Sushi, Sake, and Tanuki: After the Fall 3

Finally there was silence. Well, unless you wanted to count Yomosa's soft breathing. And I didn't count it as it was peaceful. Her breaths were so peaceful that I hardly noticed them.


I held her slumbering form in my arms. Nothing else mattered. Hijunaki was dead and Sajoki was leaving my mind. I had another now to love and cherish. I didn't have to be held by the demons of my past. I knew, without a shadow of a doubt, Yomosa would never leave me. And, really, who could ask for more than that.


I had been holding Yomosa ever since we had finished making love. It wasn't just plain old fucking, it was love. My arms, finally, were growing tired of holding Yomosa. It would've done in song for me to hold her in my arms the entire night, but this wasn't a song.


I carefully let her go and my efforts were rewarded by her staying asleep. The only movements that showed she noticed what I did was to turn over. If only I could've fallen asleep tonight.


Walking outside the room and into one of the streets, I remembered why I couldn't sleep. The street was quiet now since it was so late at night and I was left to myself. I was left to wallow in my thoughts of feeling like I was being followed.


Jirou wouldn't have followed me. I knew that as a fact. We were too good of friends for him to want to stalk and kill me.


Looking up at the stars I felt like they were looking back at me. I was afraid that they were looking at me. Specifically I was afraid Akumie was looking down at me. Why would I be afraid of her? Why would I imagine that she was looking down to kill me?


If you had pissed off a goddess you'd have the same reaction. I had made her think I loved her so that she'd have sex with me. My plan had worked, but at a high cost. She had been pissed off at me.


I shook my head and went back to sleep with Yomosa. The woman I'd protect from a goddess' wrath. When I woke up I kissed Yomosa and then went to work on the farm.
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Sushi, Sake, and Tanuki: After the Fall 2

"Why do you stay with me?" Yomosa asked, rolling over in the bed.


I shifted to a no form and then shifted back into my main human male form. She laughed and I tried to bring a smile to my face. Truth was that I loved her more than I had ever loved Sajoki. But I had never told her that.


"Why does it matter?" I replied. It didn't matter since I would protect her either way. She knew I would so why did I have to say it.


"Because I want to know if I should keep following you around." She said. "Sort of useless to do if you're just going to abandon me."


"I would never abandon you." I said.


"I know. You risked your life for me."


"I just don't see another option." I replied and then looked at the rising sun. "Looks like we should break our fast now."


Our breakfast was simple and I enjoyed it. However, I missed the feeling of blood going down my cheeks. I missed the feeling of just meat, even if it was cooked. The village had animals, of course, but they saved the meat for special occasions. And two travelers stopping by didn't count as a special occasion.


After we ate our breakfast, we went to a field. The sun was shinning down on us and I looked up at it. Suddenly I felt a foot hit my ribs.


"Ow!" I yelled out and grabbed Yomosa's foot so she fell to the ground.


Being graceful she got up quickly. I decided to play fair and stay in my male human form. This didn't help her much as I had lived for millenia. All things being fair, though, she did a good job at fighting me.


Normally the fight would be done in a few seconds, but I let it go on for awhile. Partially because I liked seeing her fight and partially because she was just that good.


Finally I attempted to block her and failed. We both allowed ourselves to fall to the ground with her in my arms.
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Sushi, Sake, and Tanuki Blog aka World of Rig

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Sushi, Sake, and Tanuki: After the Fall 1

It had been a few days since I had killed Hijunaki. Killed my own creator. It could've brought me nightmares if I had thought about it for a little bit. The reason I hadn't thought that much about it was the woman riding me now.


I was in my Shika Deer form and she was on my back. I was tired and couldn't wait until we arrived somewhere I could rest. The problem with this form was that I didn't feel free. I couldn't jump up and fly to save time. No, I could only run.


I huffed and Yomosa, the lovely woman on my back, scratched behind my ear.


"Don't worry, Rig, we'll be there soon." She said in her calming voice. That voice, as well as her scratching behind my ear, calmed me down. Now I remembered the reason for taking her with me. I had feelings for her. Were they feelings of love? I didn't want to go down that path. Not now.


I was Rig Katashi and I had found something worth living for.


After a few hours of hearing Yomosa's voice I saw a farming village. She quickly jumped off and I shifted into my main human form. As soon as I shifted forms I stretched to test out the limbs of my current form.


"Tell me again why I had to shift into a different form before we reached this village." I complained as soon as I finished stretching.


"Because you said you didn't want to arouse suspicion." Yomosa replied.


"And why did I have to change at all?"


She walked over to me and gave me a kiss. "Because you love me."


We shared a smile and I wished I could admit to what she had just said. We then turned back to looking at the village.


"You haven't lived among humans that much, have you?" She asked.


I shook my head. "Not since Sajoki and Tamui."


Yomosa gave me a smile and that gave me the strength to go into the village.


It was frightening going into the village since these people were humans. Yomosa was human but, again, I had feelings for her. I couldn't say the same thing about the others.


"Where are you people from?" One man asked me after we had asked for a room.


"Around." I replied. "I can't say much more than that. We've been on the run and it's better that you not know more than that."


The man smiled, sensing my lie. "As long as you don't bring trouble we don't mind."


"We'll be gone as soon as we can." I replied and could tell that he was happy for the news. This was a small village and so his reaction was normal. I could tell that Yomosa was slightly insulted, though.


After a few minutes he brought Yomosa and I to a small room. "Thank you." I said and bowed.


"Just keep that promise." The man said and bowed down higher than he needed to.


As soon as he left Yomosa kissed me.


"So we're on the run now?" She said and laughed.


"I thought it was a good excuse." I replied and we let ourselves go. Letting our bodies intertwine in which ways they wanted to.
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Sushi, Sake, and Tanuki Blog aka Companion to Rig's World

Sushi, Sake, and Tanuki: For Love and After the Fall

I talk about For Love and hint at After the Fall.

Sushi, Sake, and Tanuki: For Love

Location: Japan


The gardens were a lovely place. Some meditated, others fought, and there were a few remaining who made love here. Flowers from other parts of the world were here to give off their scents. There were birds that gave their songs while Yomosa and I walked.


None of the beauty got to us. This was due to the fact of what would happen in the near future.


"Are you sure you want to do this, Rig?" She asked softly. Yomosa, like myself, was frightened of Hijunaki. Even though the chances of him overhearing us being slim, we didn't want to take any chances.


I looked into her eyes and knew my decision was final. "You don't deserve to die." I replied. "You're strong."


"And you want me to die loving you." She said and I couldn't even move my mouth to smirk.


"We shouldn't delay my creator." I said to her. Yomosa nodded slowly.


We then took, what seemed like, the long path to Hijunaki's chambers. Opening the door I saw Hijunaki playing with some tree nymphs. They were from the land called Greece. Hijunaki had known a Greek God. That was how these exotic creatures had come to be here.


Once Yomosa and I entered, Hijunaki's focus was on us. He shivered with rage but was able to calm himself enough to talk. His first question was, "Why is the whore alive?"


"She is strong. And, since you have disowned her, I wish to claim her as my own." I replied. "There is no need to destroy such a strong human. Even better to have her on our side."


"And why do you think that she should be yours?" Hijunaki asked. "She has refused me, your creator, and yet you have the gall to take her? You have one more chance to kill her before you see the full side of my cruelty."


"How cruel are we talking?" I asked, my sarcasm finally getting the better of me.


"If you don't kill her now I will fight you to the death." He replied. "And I have never lost that kind of fight."


I felt fear course through me. Was Yomosa really worth my life? Katashi wouldn't have thought so. And I had been trying to follow his teachings. Turning to look at Yomosa's frightened face I made my decision.


"I agree to it." I said and time seemed to stand still.
*********************************
"Rig Katashi, are you sure about this?" Jirou asked me. "You hardly know this woman. Hell, she's a human."


"I know what she is." I replied to him. I couldn't say it to his face, though. "I know I won't be getting anything out of this."


"Especially when you're dead."


"At least I'll still be able to talk to you."


"That's not how it works."


"So you saying you'll miss me?" I asked with a smirk. Though I still wasn't able to look him in the eyes.


Jirou crossed his arms. "This isn't a laughing matter, Rig." He complained.


"You're not the one going to die, Jirou." I said. "You know that I need to do at least one good deed."


"Not like this. Not now."


I put a hand on Jirou's shoulder. His human mouth was able to show human sadness. Though a human's and a half-breed's emotions were slightly different. "You care for me? Even when I've given you shit in the past before?" I asked.


"Yeah." Jirou said and he walked off before he could show me his tears.


As he walked off I remembered Katashi. He was right that loving someone could cause problems. In my case, it wasn't just a heart break but a breaking of my whole body. Jirou had a point: was someone I just met worth my life. Of course, there was no other option to keep her alive. But why did it have to be me?


Looking at a raven flying by I realized why. Because I was the one who captured her. I was the one who had put her in this situation. I didn't like it, but I had to. I suddenly realized where my human feet had taken me. To my room where Yomosa was lying on my bed.


I just looked at her and she at me. She smiled as did I.


"Thank you, Rig Katashi." Yomosa said and her voice was like sunlight after a storm.


"You don't deserve what has been done to you." I replied and then thought about what I had just said. "What I have done to you."


Yomosa got off the bed and put one of her hands on my human face. "If you fight for me, you will have paid your debt."


I looked into her eyes. "If I die, you'll die."


"Then I guess I know what you'll have to do." She said and smiled. After that there were hours of pure physical euphoria for both of us.
************************************
I would love to describe coming into the stadium which I would fight Hijunaki in. I would describe how he created it especially for the event. But that wasn't what mattered. The first time I was truly awake, after making love to Yomosa, was when I bowed to Hijunaki.


Hijunaki's head went down and I wondered if this was the right thing to do. Hijunaki's head started to come back up and I thought about the meaning of destroying one's creator. Hijunaki's head went all the way back up and I wondered if I really loved Yomosa.


"Yes!" I yelled out and shifted into my first non-form of the battle. My torso was of a raven, I had three dragon heads, my tail was thin and had hooks on it, and my feet were talons of an eagle.


Hijunaki hissed and lunged at me. I was barely able to dodge and my tail hooks tore at his mouth. He bit my tail off and my non-form shifted to a wolf with eagle wings. I flew up and was able to more easily dodge in this form. Every chance I could I would tear into him and fly out of reach.


Once I was able to get to the back of his head, I shifted into a non-form with nothing but claws and hooks. This helped me stay on Hijunaki but didn't allow me to do much else. I noticed him crashing against things to try and throw me off. However, this non-form didn't really feel like a human would.


When things quieted I shifted to a miniature dragon. I roared but was knocked off by Hijunaki. That magnificent bastard! I swam through the air and managed to knock Hijunaki down. His blood was starting to drain out of him. And, for the first time, I saw fear in his eyes. I don't think he ever considered the fact of his own death.


I clawed out one of his eyes and he hissed in pain. Suddenly acid hit my belly. I roared in pain and shifted through multiple forms until the damage wasn't as great. I stopped when I reached a large black dragon with golden eyes.


The pain I felt and the blood from Hijunaki mixed as the fight became real. Over the next few hours our blood mixed as did our cries. Finally I fell down in defeat. I had tried to save Yomosa and no one could say differently. It was just that Hijunaki was stronger.


How could anyone destroy their creator? It couldn't be done. I closed my eyes and shifted into my main human form without opening my eyes.


"I admit defeat!" I yelled and opened my eyes to a shocking scene. Hijunaki was dead and I was now free to be with Yomosa. I turned around to view Hijunaki's other creations staring in fear at me.


Like them, I didn't know what to do.

Things were very odd the next few days. No one had known what to do once I had killed Hijunaki. Hell, I didn't know what to do. The only reason I could stay somewhat stable was Yomosa. I hadn't realized before how much I truly needed her.


The first creations to go were those that could fly. Finally they could explore the world as they saw fit. Those that could fly always seemed to be the most open minded. But they needed to be able to explore to be that kind of being.


The next to go were the carnivores who had eaten the defenseless to begin with. They needed to fill their stomachs with vast amounts of meat. Hijunaki had used them to fight each other.


Once the carnivores had left, more beings came out of the stonework. The saddest moment I had was saying goodbye to Jirou. I knew that he had to go and couldn't stay with me. We both were going separate ways.


And what was I doing now? Packing up what I could. Not a lot, I didn't need that much.


"You going?" Yomosa asked.


"Yeah, I can't stay here." I replied. "It's been my prison for millenia. Bad memories."


"What about me?"


I turned to her and had to wait a little while for her question to sink in.


"What about you?" I replied. "Do you really want to travel with the obake that killed your husband and kidnapped you."


"No." She said softly and I cringed. "I want to travel with the obake that risked his life to save mine."


Now my shape turned into a non-form. But when Yomosa came closer to me I shifted back to my main human form.


"I have changed." I whispered to myself and she nodded. "Well, I guess you can come with me. Until you want to leave me for someone of your own kind."


"What if I don't want to?" She asked and leaned in to kiss me. I answered her with my own lips. The only sound were the rest of the beings leaving.
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Sushi, Sake, and Tanuki Blog aka Companion to Rig's World

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Sushi, Sake, and Tanuki: For Love 4

Things were very odd the next few days. No one had known what to do once I had killed Hijunaki. Hell, I didn't know what to do. The only reason I could stay somewhat stable was Yomosa. I hadn't realized before how much I truly needed her.


The first creations to go were those that could fly. Finally they could explore the world as they saw fit. Those that could fly always seemed to be the most open minded. But they needed to be able to explore to be that kind of being.


The next to go were the carnivores who had eaten the defenseless to begin with. They needed to fill their stomachs with vast amounts of meat. Hijunaki had used them to fight each other.


Once the carnivores had left, more beings came out of the stonework. The saddest moment I had was saying goodbye to Jirou. I knew that he had to go and couldn't stay with me. We both were going separate ways.


And what was I doing now? Packing up what I could. Not a lot, I didn't need that much.


"You going?" Yomosa asked.


"Yeah, I can't stay here." I replied. "It's been my prison for millenia. Bad memories."


"What about me?"


I turned to her and had to wait a little while for her question to sink in.


"What about you?" I replied. "Do you really want to travel with the obake that killed your husband and kidnapped you."


"No." She said softly and I cringed. "I want to travel with the obake that risked his life to save mine."


Now my shape turned into a non-form. But when Yomosa came closer to me I shifted back to my main human form.

"I have changed." I whispered to myself and she nodded. "Well, I guess you can come with me. Until you want to leave me for someone of your own kind."


"What if I don't want to?" She asked and leaned in to kiss me. I answered her with my own lips. The only sound were the rest of the beings leaving.
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Sushi, Sake, and Tanuki Blog aka Companion to Rig's World

Rig Katashi's tumblr

My CafePress Shop

Sushi, Sake, and Tanuki: For Love 3

I would love to describe coming into the stadium which I would fight Hijunaki in. I would describe how he created it especially for the event. But that wasn't what mattered. The first time I was truly awake, after making love to Yomosa, was when I bowed to Hijunaki.


Hijunaki's head went down and I wondered if this was the right thing to do. Hijunaki's head started to come back up and I thought about the meaning of destroying one's creator. Hijunaki's head went all the way back up and I wondered if I really loved Yomosa.


"Yes!" I yelled out and shifted into my first non-form of the battle. My torso was of a raven, I had three dragon heads, my tail was thin and had hooks on it, and my feet were talons of an eagle.


Hijunaki hissed and lunged at me. I was barely able to dodge and my tail hooks tore at his mouth. He bit my tail off and my non-form shifted to a wolf with eagle wings. I flew up and was able to more easily dodge in this form. Every chance I could I would tear into him and fly out of reach.


Once I was able to get to the back of his head, I shifted into a non-form with nothing but claws and hooks. This helped me stay on Hijunaki but didn't allow me to do much else. I noticed him crashing against things to try and throw me off. However, this non-form didn't really feel like a human would.


When things quieted I shifted to a miniature dragon. I roared but was knocked off by Hijunaki. That magnificent bastard! I swam through the air and managed to knock Hijunaki down. His blood was starting to drain out of him. And, for the first time, I saw fear in his eyes. I don't think he ever considered the fact of his own death.


I clawed out one of his eyes and he hissed in pain. Suddenly acid hit my belly. I roared in pain and shifted through multiple forms until the damage wasn't as great. I stopped when I reached a large black dragon with golden eyes.


The pain I felt and the blood from Hijunaki mixed as the fight became real. Over the next few hours our blood mixed as did our cries. Finally I fell down in defeat. I had tried to save Yomosa and no one could say differently. It was just that Hijunaki was stronger.


How could anyone destroy their creator? It couldn't be done. I closed my eyes and shifted into my main human form without opening my eyes.


"I admit defeat!" I yelled and opened my eyes to a shocking scene. Hijunaki was dead and I was now free to be with Yomosa. I turned around to view Hijunaki's other creations staring in fear at me.


Like them, I didn't know what to do.
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Sushi, Sake, and Tanuki Blog aka Companion to Rig's World

Rig Katashi's tumblr

Sushi, Sake, and Tanuki: For Love 2

"Rig Katashi, are you sure about this?" Jirou asked me. "You hardly know this woman. Hell, she's a human."


"I know what she is." I replied to him. I couldn't say it to his face, though. "I know I won't be getting anything out of this."


"Especially when you're dead."


"At least I'll still be able to talk to you."


"That's not how it works."


"So you saying you'll miss me?" I asked with a smirk. Though I still wasn't able to look him in the eyes.


Jirou crossed his arms. "This isn't a laughing matter, Rig." He complained.


"You're not the one going to die, Jirou." I said. "You know that I need to do at least one good deed."


"Not like this. Not now."


I put a hand on Jirou's shoulder. His human mouth was able to show human sadness. Though a human's and a half-breed's emotions were slightly different. "You care for me? Even when I've given you shit in the past before?" I asked.


"Yeah." Jirou said and he walked off before he could show me his tears.


As he walked off I remembered Katashi. He was right that loving someone could cause problems. In my case, it wasn't just a heart break but a breaking of my whole body. Jirou had a point: was someone I just met worth my life. Of course, there was no other option to keep her alive. But why did it have to be me?


Looking at a raven flying by I realized why. Because I was the one who captured her. I was the one who had put her in this situation. I didn't like it, but I had to. I suddenly realized where my human feet had taken me. To my room where Yomosa was lying on my bed.


I just looked at her and she at me. She smiled as did I.


"Thank you, Rig Katashi." Yomosa said and her voice was like sunlight after a storm.


"You don't deserve what has been done to you." I replied and then thought about what I had just said. "What I have done to you."

Yomosa got off the bed and put one of her hands on my human face. "If you fight for me, you will have paid your debt."


I looked into her eyes. "If I die, you'll die."


"Then I guess I know what you'll have to do." She said and smiled. After that there were hours of pure physical euphoria for both of us.
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Sushi, Sake, and Tanuki Blog aka Companion to Rig's World