Who are the Real Monsters? by: Elsbeth Ken Umeki will learn that not all monsters come out at night.

Chapter 5

“Seems like someone had a very good time.” A disappointed sounding voice broke through my heavy slumber.

“What?” Opening my eyes, I expected to be lying on my bed but the view of leaves and branches almost caused me to fall out of my precarious position. “Why am I in a tree?”

“I was about to ask you the same question, luv.” Katie stood at the foot of the large tree that dominated the center of the enclosure. “Careful there ducky, lest you fall on your head.”

At least I was clothed, well in my boxers. Dropping to the ground without breaking my legs it seemed that I had somehow managed to hurt my right hand. It felt really strange. “Did anyone else see me?”

“None of your cousins mentioned it so I think you’re in luck.” Katie leaned towards me and gave me a good sniff. “You don’t reek of alcohol. Let me see that hand.” She then lunged towards me.

Stepping out of her way seemed prudent, she was really mad. Visions of the whole Schnapps episode must be flashing through her mind. ”Honest Katie, I didn’t have a single drink. I remember dropping Sile off at her house and making my way into my room.” Unfortunately, it was all a little fuzzy after that point. “It’s nothing I think I just slept on it. That’s it, maybe I was sleepwalking.” I said hopefully.

Katie looked at me for a good long minute then nodded. “Perhaps, go get washed up dearie and I’ll make you some breakfast.”

Retreating in good order back to my room, I thought lady luck was with me but apparently not as I immediately ran into Rebecca. She didn’t seem pleased with me either. It was going to be a very long day if I kept making the female members of my family angry. Before my cousin could say anything, I said. “Don’t forget were going to practice today; I’ll meet you in front of the shrine after breakfast.”

Standing in front of my bathroom mirror startled me for a moment without knowing why. Memories after coming home from Sile’s house still eluded me but I did remember the kiss and the dress. Over all it was a rather odd morning, which didn’t get better as Katie continued to be upset with me throughout breakfast.

Seems I was batting a thousand when Rebecca met me in front of the Shrine. Ren had told her over her own breakfast that I had been on a date with Sile. I must have apologized a dozen times before she was mollified enough to concentrate on practice. Well that and a promise I would take her out to the movies on Sunday.

“Is Sile a good dancer?” Rebecca continued to pry me for details about my date.

Good didn’t cover it but I wasn’t going to tell my cousin that. “She’s very graceful.” It seemed safe enough. “You’re not all that bad yourself, you just need more practice.”

“Really? “

“Yes really. I have no idea why your grandmother insists that I do the dance. You’re a shrine maiden; I’m obviously not really qualified.”

“I thought you looked very pretty dressed as a Miko.” She said shyly.

Great, someone has photos of that, too. “You do know that’s not something a guy really wants to hear.”

Rebecca giggled then frowned. “The dance, it’s still very complicated.”

“Well your grandmother did pick an Izumo-ryu- Kagura for the festival but think of it this way, you’re just telling a story. The sun goddess hides in a cave which plunges the world into cold and darkness.” I stomped off into my pretend cave making a fist at the sky as I turned away. ”The goddess of party goers, which who also, happens to be the goddess of the dawn” Running up I made a happy face then I did a little wild sexy party dance. “convinces the rest of the gods to party outside the sun goddess’ cave to hopefully make enough noise so she’ll come out.” Standing outside my pretend cave doing the Cupid Shuffle I’m suddenly the sun goddess again. Acting surprised, I join in the fun and we start doing the Jerk.

Soon she was laughing. I hoped that calmed her down enough so she could concentrate. Getting into place, I went through the Izumo-ryu- Kagura gradually pointing out to her what helped me remember each of the complicated movements. After running through the dance a few times, I motioned that it was her turn.

Rebecca seemed to have no confidence in her skills at all. Stopping and starting at every small mistake, she soon became frustrated. Before she broke down in tears, I reached over gently touching her hand and moved it in the correct way. Soon I stood behind my cousin helping her with each dance step. With gentle touches and small words of encouragement, Rebecca soon was able to move through the entire dance perfectly. Before I could praise her, she was dancing again. I moved without understanding and this time we were in perfect sync her body suggestively pressing into mine. We didn’t stop, I didn’t know how. A familiar drunkenness crept into my brain when my senses sharpened. When Rebecca gasped, I quickly moved forward catching her with one hand as she collapsed.

“What did you do to her, Ken?” My Aunt stood at the top of the stairs. Another female relative was angry with me.

Whipping my head around to show I had enough, fire burned through my stomach. Blood drained from Aunt Rika’s face when I started to yell in Japanese. “What did you just say, Ken?”

Startled I was now just as confused. What did I just say? “Rebecca fainted.” Gently holding my cousin in my arms, I slowly set her to the ground. “We were just dancing.”

My Aunt shouted down the stairs and three of my other cousins joined us. “Please step away from her, Ken; we’ll take care of it.”

“Aunt Rika, I didn’t do anything.”

“Please, Ken.”

Moving away, they picked Rebecca up and carried her downstairs back towards the enclosure. Without another world she turned away leaving me all alone in front of the Shrine.

Katie found me sometime later as I sat at the top of the stairs.

“How is she?”

“She’s fine Ken, she just fainted.”

“I didn’t do anything.”

Katie took a seat next to me. “I know.”

I leaned my head on her shoulder. I felt like I was eight again. “Can I go home now?”

The rest of the weekend I spent mostly by myself. When I tried to see Rebecca, I was told she was sleeping. With Sunday’s plans obviously cancelled, Aunt Rika said I was to continue to practice by myself. Next weekend’s dance was still my responsibility.

“So you went on a date with Sile Martin.” Ren of all people interrupted me while I was sitting at my desk brooding late Sunday night. “Man, she is one hot smoking babe.”

“Well you told Rebecca.”

“Sorry, I was just teasing her. You know she has a crush on you.”

“Yeah, I sort of finally figured that one out on my own. I like her and all but...”

“She’s your cousin.” Ren nodded in understanding. “Oh don’t worry about her fainting. She’s anemic or something and skipped breakfast so she could dance with you.”

“Crap thanks, now I feel ten times worse.”

“Do me a favor, Ken.”

“Sure, as long as it doesn’t involve me dressing up like a girl.”

“But you’re a ‘pretty’ girl, I saw the photos.” He laughed.

“Asshole.” I had to smile.

“I am at that. Man, be careful with Sile, OK. She’s...well just be careful with her.”

I turned all away around from my desk and could actually see concern on his face. “OK, Ren, sure no problem.” What was the deal, Sile was the Town Historian. I mean she was an above average kisser but dangerous?

Rebecca was her bright smiling self the next morning. As we stood together at the bus stop, she apologized for fainting telling me of her anemia. She also convinced Aunt Rika to let her continue dancing. We would now be supervised so another set of eyes could be kept on her but she was ready to start practicing again. I also still owed her a movie.

My cousin was actually more energetic than usual; sleeping all weekend probably had something to do with it. It did nothing to help my headache that I started the day with. It felt like someone was stabbing me between the eyes. The first half of the school day was a total blur I wasn’t able to concentrate until Chemistry class.

“You OK?”

“Hey, Miki. Yea I’ve had a headache most of the day.” I looked up and smiled painfully. “You seem pretty chipper for a Monday.”

He laughed. “I had a pretty good weekend, I met a girl.”

“Good for you man, someone I know?”

Agwe dropped her books on her desk. Did she have to be so loud? “So did I hear Miki had a date?”

“Seems he met a girl.”

Agwe stared at me for a few seconds. It was a little uncomfortable before she turned to Miki. “So what’s her name? Do I know her?”

He looked embarrassed. “She told me but I can’t remember.”

We all looked at one another then laughed. Agwe chided him. “That’s rule number one Miki, remembering her name. Girls like that. Did you at least get her number?” He then told us a little of the meeting. We all thought he was a little crazy to allow some strange girl in his car at two o’clock in the morning.

“So what’s with the whole cosplay thing?” I asked.

“She didn’t explain it to me, but I thought it was pretty cute. What’s not to love about catgirls? Come on man. Those ears are pretty sexy if you ask me.”

“I didn’t know you were an artist Miki?” Agwe apparently didn’t seem to like the direction in which the discussion was heading. ” I would love to see your work.”

He reached over and pulled out a sketchbook from his backpack. “This is the first time I brought my work to school. I never thought I was any good.”

Agwe took the book and began to flip through the pages. “These are…very good Miki.” Looking at the book over her shoulder, I nodded.

“I guess hearing from someone who really liked my work gave me some much needed confidence. I thought they were going to flip when they found me asleep in my car. Afterwards, I told my parents about going to an art college after graduation.” Before we could hear more, Mal came into the room and walked straight up to me.

“So how was your date with Sile Martin?”

“Oh hi, Mal, that’s right I ran into your dad at Reno’s.” I didn’t bother to press him for an explanation on his father’s strange behavior. “Had a good time.”

Agwe looked shocked then she gave this mischievous little grin. “So tell us more, ‘had a good time’ is not going to be good enough, my friend.”

“Who’s Sile Martin?” Miki asked.

“Town historian.” I answered. Filling in a few more details of the date, Miki eyes opened wide when I mentioned ‘The Necropolis’.”

“I wanted to take Melissa there but she didn’t want to go. She didn’t think her parents would approve.”

“The owner is…different; I’ll admit but the club itself was pretty cool.” Turning to Agwe I said. “My Uncle said your mom is good friend with Nina.”

“You met her?” Agwe made a face. “I wouldn’t call them friends but she does know her.”

Mal especially seemed interested in asking me some more questions. Mrs. Berg coming into the classroom saved me from having to talk about the rest of my date. Not that there was much else I was going to tell them. Waking up in a tree in my underwear was definitely a no.

Another run in with Eric was bound to happen. Monday seemed as good enough day as any. So I wasn’t too surprised when I spied him coming towards me. “Umeki you’re dead meat.” Eric announced over the quiet of the library. Miki who had been helping me find some books for an upcoming project raised an eyebrow.

“My friend Eric.”

He nodded as we watched him cross from the other side of the library. “Is he really going cause trouble inside school?” Miki took a couple of steps back. I should’ve really have been more concerned but something inside me thought the whole thing was laughable. “I’ll go get a teacher.”

I nodded to Miki but didn’t keep my eyes off Eric.

“You got me suspended.”

“You did it to yourself idiot, so now what; you’re going to get expelled?” Laughing I shifted my right foot back and bent my knees. My head felt fuzzy why I was bantering with this guy?

Eric came to a halt then took a startled step back. “Man you’re…nuts.” Something scared him, what it was I had no clue. Then he was off moving away and out the other exit. Miki came running up with one of the teachers moments later. Explaining that nothing happened took more time than the incident itself.

The rest of the week was pretty prosaic and I was looking forward to my date with Sile. Uncle Masanori became our dancing chaperone. Something passed between Aunt Riki and me over the weekend. She seemed to be staying away or at least it seemed that way. Katie on the other hand appeared to have forgiven me for waking up in a tree.

“You’re favoring your left hand.” Katie caught up to me as I was walking out the door.

“A guess feels like I slept on it last night. At least I didn’t wake up in a tree this morning.” Grinning I allowed her to look at it. She frowned and looked at me for an uncomfortable minute. “If it begins to bother you again you need to go to the doctor.”

Smiling, I kissed her on the cheek. “I won’t be out late but Sile needs help. She is going to be slammed with foot traffic this weekend. If I don’t get out of here now Uncle Masanori is going to make me clean the Shrine again.”

The rest of the town was preparing for the Founders Festival. The enclosure had been scrubbed from top the bottom and all sorts of decorations were being placed inside and outside the walls.

Sile wrapped herself around me as she met me at the door. Kissing made us both a little woozy; it was very nice. “Hi.” She said, her eyes sparkling.

“Hi yourself, I come bearing steaks.” Still in my arms, I kicked the door closed behind me and brought her into the hallway. Jumping out of my arms, Sile looked up with this odd half smile on her lips.

“You seem different. I can’t put my finger on it though.”

“Same old me.”

“Well I’m glad you’re here; I have a half a dozen boxes to go through and I need help with setting up one of the exhibits.” Seemed like a lot of work for one person but she did say that on Friday she was going to have more help. “I’m guessing you’re going to be busy Friday?”

“I have to go through a rehearsal in costume.” Shifting the last box in my hand, we made a space for several new exhibits. “Plus I’m sure my Uncle will have dozens of other things for me to do.” Sile found it all amusing although she did think that I was a pretty good choice. She had seen me dance at ‘The Necropolis’.

“Well hopefully, this is my last time dancing the Kagura. Rebecca can do it from now on.” While brushing my hands off I finally admitted. “You know it’s not really all that bad, I do like dancing.”

“I knew there was a reason why I liked you.” Sile sauntered up to me and smiled. “And to let you know I do expect to have a private showing.”

We even got around to cooking the steaks.

Eric Sullivan kicked his Kawasaki KLR 650 into high gear. He was late picking up his girlfriend. His mother had come home all messed up as usual, so it had been up to him to put his kid sister for bed. He was so ready to get out of this town and it didn’t matter which direction. The only thing that stopped him was his sister but Social Services were almost at the point in taking her away. “It’s probably for the best.”

Pulling up at the end of his girlfriend block, he looked at his watch. Seems she was late as well.

“Sorry babe, Jessica’s parents caught her climbing out the window.” A voice from the shadows made Eric turn around.

“Who the hell are you?”

“Not a very nice way to talk to your date tonight…I’m Kimiye.” A small Japanese girl slunk out of the darkness. Wearing tight red leathers, her raven black hair was put up in such a way to make it seems as if she wore ears. Running her hand over the side of the bike, the young girl smiled. “Not a bad ride, your no Bo-so-zoku Eric, but you’ll do.”

The Bo-so-zoku if he remembered correctly had been pretty big biker gangs in Japan back in the day. “Sure baby, hop on.” Did he tell her his name? How did she know his girlfriend? “Do I know you?”

Leaning over she easily straddled the bike and wrapped her arms around his waist. “Does it matter? Come on let’s go to the school; I have something exciting to show you.”

When she started to rub her hands over his chest, any other questions seemed not so important. Starting his bike, the pair headed off into the darkness.

Authors Notes: A special thanks to djkauf for a little elvish editing. If you like the story please leave a Kudos, if you have the time I would love to hear from you. Thanks to all for reading! - Elsbeth

 © Copyright - Elsbeth2011/2012