Chapter 9
hearts of ghosts stalking
things forgotten, discovered
leaving oaths behind
The heavy pink orb of Sakura had finally set, taking our ancestors and gods with her for thirteen days of rest. The sky glimmered darkly overhead, though Yuki was making a short visit to lend her auspicious blessings to the day of Harai – purification rituals and celebrations to bless our ancestors as they traveled back to the skyworld. The moon shone like her namesake in the sky, a ball of snow round and pure; not that I’d ever seen such chilly marvels here.
I’d made tracks right after the detective’s call. The land was my real home, the truest balm to my spirit. Or, it always had been. I’d made camp early and spent the evening by the fire engraving sticks with poems and prayers. A prayer for my mot
