Unselfish Wish

Chapter 3- Big Changes

Unnan, Shimane, Japan



Tachibana Fumiko age 15

"Fumi-chan, come here please." Her father called from the living room.

"Yes, Papa? What is it?" She came in, still a little chubby but with an odd attractiveness.

"Sit down, my dear. We must have a talk." He patted the couch next to him. She sat.

"Oh? Is something wrong?" Her eyes were wide with concern.

"Well, no, but we will be changing some things. For work, I will be transferring to Tokyo. We will all move there together in two months. You will change schools, fortunately just in time to start high school." He snuck a look at her face, as she was silent. She was smiling, but tears were welling.

"Oh, Papa, that's wonderful. Um, may I go for a walk so I may process the change?" She stood abruptly.

"Yes, of course." He watched her leave with concern. "Perhaps I was too blunt?" He said to himself. Even if she had continually struggled to fit in here, it was the only home she had known.

Dazed, she went out the front door. "Tokyo? Now? I guess there's really no reason for me to stay, I mean, Kiyo is still my only friend, after all. Maybe he lives near Tokyo? But, then, I don't really know anything about him other than his nickname. We only meet at the shrine so.... I.... don't want to go if it means I can't see him again.... I...." Tears flowed freely as she ran to the shrine, much as she did the first time.

When she arrived at the shrine, she fell to her knees, sobbing, forgetting to pay her respects which up til now had never happened even once. Tsukiyomi, awaiting her usual visit, sat up in the darkness of the shrine. What could be amiss? School was unpleasant, but nothing new... As her constant companion, he knew he'd never seen her like this. She was glowing with divinity as tears poured from her eyes.

"Oh, God! Please, please, please..... I am so sorry, I must move in two months! I... I...am worried about who will take care of the shrine when I leave, and....... and......." She stopped for a moment, then sat back on her heels before standing. Wiping her tears away, she proceeded to pay her respects like normal. "Forgive my rudeness. Since I'm leaving, please help people here find happiness. I will create a shrine for me to pray to at my new home, so at least I may still be connected to you. I can't deny some sadness that I will never see my dear friend Kiyo again, but that can't be helped. I never bothered to find out more about him, always thinking I would see him like usual. That was foolish of me, wasn't it? Now I don't know how to find.... him..." The tears started again.

Tsukiyomi sat paralyzed... Fumiko was leaving? Wait, were these tears for him? Why was he the cause of such pain, when he loved her so much? She stood there crying for a moment, then wiped the tears away again.

"I'm sorry, God. I know I'm being selfish. Please forgive me." She bowed and turned away. "I will be back with my drawing tools so I can recreate this shrine at my new home."

No don't go! He wanted to shout. Why can't it stay the same? Tears streamed down his face. What good is being a god if I can't be with her...... He bowed his head in thought. He simply couldn't be without her.

"Wait.....yes, that is what I will do. And I need to try to talk to Amaterasu as well. I can't go on this way." He stood with resolution, glad to have a plan (but what plan?!). Then he made his way to her palace, unsure of his reception but willing to try, if meant he could be with his beautiful, beloved Fumiko.

The Last Time

Fumiko and her family packed and prepared, leaving only the necessities in the house. Every day, she went to the shrine, drawing every detail with care. The shrine felt different- it had never felt empty before, as it did for a good two weeks. She continued her prayers as usual, sure that somehow they would reach him. After those two weeks, the shrine seemed to be back to normal.

"Ah, God, you have returned!" She said after paying her respects. Tsukiyomi startled- she felt his presence that much? Well, at least he got the answers he needed from his sister, though she made him wait a week before even speaking to him. "I am almost done with the drawing, but I still worry about this place after I leave. I hope you'll be well."

She is such a caring person, he thought. She deserves to be as beautiful on the outside as she is on the inside. That's it...my gift for her selflessness will be something so insignificant, but maybe she can make friends easier. "My beloved, I bestow upon you looks that reflect your inner beauty- the change will be slow but complete by the time you leave." He whispered gently, wishing he could touch her.

She returned home like usual, did things like normal. And just as he had given her, she slimmed down and her complexion improved gradually so as to seem natural. Her classmates warmed up to her, though she didn't realize it was due to her appearance, thinking it was because she was moving and they were merely being kind. Her parents praised her appearance, but she'd never really been focused on that anyway. And really, she wasn't a big shopper so having to buy new clothes was a pain, even if her mother Aiko seemed to be in heaven, buying pretty clothes for her even prettier daughter.

Her inner divinity was enhanced as well, giving her an allure that was extremely appealing. To be honest, her Papa was having a hard time seeing his little girl look so beautiful- it was trouble, he was sure of it. With Tsukiyomi here, they had never had to worry about gods or demons with darker intentions, but that could very well change in Tokyo. He wondered if he would have to bring himself to contact his own father, Ryuujin, for protection. He wasn't especially keen on the idea, but he knew how if needed. Aiko could contact her father Fuujin as well, however Ryuujin was more family oriented in general.

"Papa, do you think I should cut my hair?" She said, holding up her waist-length, gorgeous auburn hair, a natural oddity.

"Never, absolutely not!" He shouted. "Er, I'm sorry, I just, um, your hair is my favorite feature." And I'm pretty sure Tsukiyomi would absolutely throw a fit, too, he thought. What is he going to do about Fumiko moving? Hmm. Fumio had discussed the matter with his wife, who was aware of their respective divinity. She was 100% on Tsukyiomi's side, hoping for love to blossom. When he asked her how she felt about giving her daughter to god, with a good possibility of not returning, she said simply, "At least she'd be with a god, not some good for nothing human." Completely ruined my argument, damn woman. Well, that's why I love her, he thought.

The final day had come, and as they drove away, Fumiko looked back a little sadly. It had been her home since birth, and though never welcomed by her peers, she still had nothing but affection for the beautiful town where she had grown up. She promised herself she would visit as an adult.

"Oh, Papa, can we please stop by the shrine? I'd like to leave a final offering."

"Sure, of course. Perhaps you should just become a shrine maiden." He grumbled, a little jealous of the love and devotion she bore for the place, and of course, the god himself.

"Silly, of course not. I have other things I'd like to do." This was said with her usual beautiful smile as she kissed his cheek.

They pulled up to the path, and Fumiko climbed out.

"No crying, even if it's the last time. It'll be okay." She firmly walked the path, paying her final respects. Tsukiyomi sat in the dark corner, brooding. Honestly, though he craved seeing her, this was last thing he wanted. His emotions felt so raw and bleak.

"This is my last visit, God. I'm sorry I never learned your name..."

"Tsukiyomi..." He whispered. It appeared in her mind as if by magic.

"Tsukiyomi? You mean Tsukiyomi-no-Mikoto? The god of night and the moon?" She smiled. "I don't know how you told me, but it suits you. I'm sure you're quite beautiful. I will build my replica as soon as I can, alright?" She began to turn away after setting down the green tea mochi.

"You must hurry....hurry and build it....quickly!" He whispered urgently, thinking that there was nothing so beautiful as her.

"Hurry....I will, don't worry. I won't forget about you." She left, looking over her shoulder every few steps.

"Hurry, Fumiko. I can't come to you without it...." He desperately ran his hand through his hair. If he were human he’d want to get drunk and drown his sorrow.

"Well, now, isn't this quite the picture." He sat up suddenly, a shimmery voice coming from over his shoulder.

"Amaterasu!" She smiled, gold hair and gold eyes glimmering. "What are you doing here, Oneesan?"

"Something wrong with visiting my Otouto?" He blushed, looking away from her direct gaze.

"Err, no, but.."

"If you must pick a human, I suppose I should be happy that she's at least half god. Remember what I told you. It's not my business if you fail. And really, if this doesn't work out, it's about time you were betrothed to a goddess. Work hard, little brother." She sighed, indicating that the situation was not ideal.

"Thank you for the pep talk, sister." His voice was edged in sarcasm.

"Anytime, ex-hubby." Smiling, she disappeared in a glittering cascade of light.

"Well, whatever her purpose, it's gotten rid of my negativity. Time to get to work with my own preparations."