Tragic Bokor Romance



Even wonder what Heaven is like? I never believed the western worlds view with the after life. I recently found out that there was such a place, but it’s not the puffy white clouds and cherubs as the western world thinks.

It is know as absolution, basically your perfect world. Residents live their little lives in bliss and forget about their past life. The only cost is that you must work a job, and then they are not very tough. Too bad this place I am at looks nothing like bliss.

My name is Hitomi Kimiko, or Kimiko, or Kimi. During the feudal age of Japan I was the daughter of a priestess, and when I was murdered by samurai, I was sent to this place with a slip of paper that says:

By the authority and powers invested by: The Vizier of Absolution Daylight, King of Limbo Ekim, and King Drake of Hell, we all give Hitomi Kimiko passage to absolution or Limbo. Absolution calls for a Grim Reaper; Limbo has opened its door to you. Please choose your new existence. Currently you are located in front of Ekim Cathedral. Ask for Ekim and He will instruct you one what needs to be done.
Signed; Daylight, Ekim, Drake

Okay, stuck in a place I don’t know, In front of a mammoth monastery, and dressed in bloody robes. I guess I’m going to have to find this Ekim person.

First of all I guess since this is a new life, it calls for a new persona.

At best I stand six feet and two inches tall. I am a big girl, in height that is. I only weigh about …You don’t need to know. I came here dressed in a Kimono, a teal and pink one, but thanks to some samurai hit men it’s some what shredded and bloody around the chest area. Using hidden magic from my home country I transformed into my sixteenth summer self, short but still beautiful by human standards.

I was looking at a massive building, with tall spires, a central dome with a tower that extends above the clouds, and with hundreds of annexes. A beautiful piece of architecture, although it lacks a woman’s touch, it’s too gloomy to be a holy place.

I followed the cobblestone path to the front doors, mammoth planks of white wood with strange runes, sigils, and glyphs on them. The handles where made of polished steel, but the doors looked to heavy to open. So I stood in front of them wondering how to get in, if this is the place I am to meet this Ekim character.

This place is spooky. I see a city, but no people to speak of, not even a bird was chirping. I was so creeped out I failed to notices someone behind me. I whirled around and stood defensively and studied the stranger

It was a man. He wasn’t the tallest guy but he was taller than me in this situation. His hair was different, it was white and wispy; the ends looked black. His hair puffed around his head like a cloud with a black outline. Now when you think pale, try white faced with deep black bags under his eyes, two black dots on his cheeks and his lips where black and a line running down his chin.

Makeup?! Why would a man where makeup?

Other wise his skin was somewhat tanned. A shiny chain hung around his neck and a large pedant hung from another chain attached to the neck chain. The pedant looks like a upside down lock, with the key hole turned right side up, and three prongs extended out of the corners and one down the middle. He wore robes of a priestess, but they had metal plates on the arms and the lapel was lined with fur. A sutra lay on his shoulders.

He was strikingly handsome, but I sense he was a sad soul. His hands were bandaged and a little bloody. But I have always been a sucker or the morbidly gorgeous. I was speechless when our eyes locked.

His grey eyes filled with such sadness. I almost wept for him.

“Are you lost little girl?” He said and bent down slightly to examine me. His words didn’t just register to my ears, but to my soul, my soul heard his words and responded.

“You’re gorgeous and I’m lost please help me…” I covered my mouth and turned around. He drew in a breath and said “Your soul is going to do that, soul talk. My name is Ouki Tetuso, and I’ll see what we can do.” He put his hand on my back and gently pushed me to the door.

He pushed it open and all I did was gape. “It’s not actually that heavy, the doors are just big.”

I nodded my head and kept walking forward. We entered the monastery, and instead of chanting, low vibration music was playing. This music was other worldly and was a little catchy.

In all my travels on earth never have I seen such and large hall. It was at least nine hundred hands high and was the width two market squares. Cushioned benches were on either side of me, all in perfect alignment. A purple rug went down the middle, and I kicked off my sandals quickly. All of this leads to a podium with the same symbols as Ouki’s pendant. The walls looked sharp and angry; the lower walls were paint in ghostly scenes. The room’s light looked sky blue and all the silver and polished steel in the room shined back.

Vertigo set in. Ouki kept me from falling.

“This place does that too, new souls have it rough for a while till one of the clergy workers gets to them.” He patted my shoulder and led me to the front of the hall.

There was not a soul in the hall, but I heard speak even though it was distant.
Beyond the podium was a board with paper tacked to it, and two signs point to the left and right. I was curious to what those signs pointed to. But no sooner had I looked Ouki told me to sit.

I obeyed and sat on my knees in front of him. I bowed once and said “I am Hitomi Kimiko, an apprentice priestess to Hitomi Morihu head Priestes of the Danju Temple.”

He looked down and me and gave me a face of confusion. “Okay… I am Second rank of Office, Bogi, Sorrow Exorcist Ouki Tetuso; Head Exorcist to Ekim the Ghost warden and King of Limbo, also heir to the throne of Limbo. If you want to get technical in our titles, babe.” he said and shrugged.

His father is the man I need to see, maybe he can lead me to him. I bowed again and requested “I am searching for the King of Limbo, Ekim. Can you tell him I have need of his audience?”

I looked up at him shaking his head. “ Relax…..er….,”

He was struggling with my name. “Kimiko will do.”

“Okay Relax Kimiko, I’ll get my Papa.” He walked off and yelled down one of the Corridors. “Papa, there some cute thing here to see you, sounds serious she’s talking to me in honorifics.”

Was it rude to address one by their rank? I might like this place, titles get so long sometimes.

A moment went by when a man of smaller stature than Ouki came from one of the halls. A large man who looked like a samurai followed, and behind that man was a long faced boy about the same age as Ouki. The boy looked European, from the country of thin blades.

The Samurai man jogged my memories. I clutched my chest and felt for the wounds and found no stab or slash cuts. While examining my body I heard “What is it sonny, is it this girl who is feeling herself up?” Said a thick foreign accent.

I looked up and saw Ouki, but an older version. He had slicked back grey hair and a half of a fox spirit mask. This man wore black robes with purple pants and black close toed foot wear. A large chain, like his son, hung from his neck but shined like silver rather than steel. His ears were pierced in many places, and under the visible eye a curved line with dots made it appears as if his face were a mask as well. He approached me and stood next to his son and looked into my eyes.

Yet again grey against brown, but his was filled with wisdom and pain.

I bowed quickly “I am Hitomi Kimiko, an apprentice priestess to Hitomi Morihu head Priest of the Danju Temple.”

“Formalities always are annoying.” He said and lifted his pendant slightly. “ I am the First rank of Office, Spook, Ghost warden Ekim, King of Limbo ,God of Ghosts and Judge over human souls, and Head Priest of Limbo.” He lowered his pendant. “What may I be of service to you little lost soul?”

I held out the slip of paper and gave it to Ekim. He read it and smiled broadly.

“So you’re the little one Daylight is fuming over. The sunnier world would really like to have you working for them. Be it as it may, it is your choice to stay and live here or go to Absolution now.” He said very serious.

I couldn’t answer this moment; I had just got here and met an attractive boy. This is going so fast. I had one question though.

“May I ask a question?”

“Shoot Kimiko” Ouki said nudging his father and snickering.

“Are there any people here in Limbo, besides you guys?”

Ekim laughed heartily as did the rest of them. “Why yes, they are just inside their homes eating lunch, its midday here.” He said and motioned for me to stand up. I did and stood still and looked down.

The European boy whistled and said “Hey Ouki, check out them le… clothes yeah, check ‘em out. All bloody and tasseled. Looks like Sirhc took his sword to ‘em.” The Samurai man just turned away and grumped. Ekim laughed and calmed his friend down. I shot the boy a death glare.

Ouki looked back at the boy. “Yeah smooth Dorj; you can’t be scoping this poor scared girl out can you? I mean, she’s been here for at least ten minutes.”

Such a nice guy to stand up for me. So this crude little wimp is named Dorj, why am I not surprised.

“You want her, eh Ouki?”

Ouki slumped his head down and turned to me and waved “It’s not like that at all Kimiko, I would never… I had better shut up before I say something I will regret.”

Maybe not, but he is embarrassed and that is cute.

The samurai point at us three and whispered something to Ekim. Ekim nodded his head and turned to us. “Ouki, Dorjy boy treat this little lady to a tour of the cathedral.” With that Ekim and his samurai friend walked down and out of the main entrance.

Ouki looked at Dorj then at me. “Oh by the way, this is my friend Dorj. Dorj this is Kimiko.” he said and sat on a bench. Dorj waved and I rolled my eyes. “I guess sicne every one is wiping their rank outta their pants I might as well. I am Dorj Lenoir, fifth rank of office, Ghoul, Innocent Assassin, personal espionage expert to the king of Limbo, ambassador of Ekim to the King Drake of Redemption. In Hell I am know as Killing Blue. Impressed yet?”

For awhile there was silence till I walked to the board at the back.

I felt their eyes on my body, disturbing but good to know even spiritual guy can appreciate me. I heard whispers in a wavy language, but you can easily translate “curvisi” to “curves’.

The board was filled with notices but one stuck out. It said:

Head Exorcist Ouki is looking for a Weapons master to aid him in his cause. Please sigh below if interested.

A feather pen hung from the papers tack. I though to myself if in life I was the temples master of the long kama, it might be beneficial to live here rather than in the heaven world.

Below the sign up sheet it read

This is a contest of strength and skill, it is a single elimination tournament and the winner is the Weapon master Weapons will be provided; eldritch magic is outlawed and will be negated.

Eldritch magic what’s that? I’ll ask Ouki what that is.

I walked back to him and bowed standing and asked him what it was.

“It is magic that exists outside the earthy plane. Ghosts like you know it when you get here. You just don’t know how to use it. Besides you have to buy a license to use it on the streets.” Ouki said fumbling with his pendant.

“What other kinds of magic are there?” I was intrigued, besides talisman magic and earth magic I never knew any other existed. Plus the magic I know of only are in a few selected humans.

“Well there’s Voodoo, Necromancy, Eldritch, and transmutation. Just to name the ones I am familiar with.” he counted on his fingers as he remembered. “Don’t forget shadow, vile, curses, dark, enchantment. Just to name the ones I use.” Dorj said crossing his arms.

Dorj uses Dark arts, as does Ouki. I wonder if it is safe here, maybe this entire place is wicked.

“Okay thank you.” I said and walked back to the Broad. Talisman magic isn’t outlawed so I can use that to my advantage.

“Why the question Kimiko, looking at my flier, considering signing up?” he joked I looked at him and smiled sweetly.
“Yes I plan on winning.”

The boys busted out laughing, Ouki laughed so hard he fell off the bench. Dorj slapped his knee and said “Whoa doggy that’s funny, I like that in a girl, funny funny.”

“I’m serious, now show me around.” It took them a while to collect themselves; while I was waiting I signed it.

The place is bigger than I thought the upper levels where dark and mysterious and the lower chambers aren’t your standard dungeon. It was beautiful down there. Gardens and fountain littered the lowest level and the only frightening thing I saw was the boys throwing flowers at one another.

The tour of the entire place took four hours and we all were tired, Ouki was starting to nod off on one of the benches. Ekim was at his podium scribbling something down and his friend was reading over his shoulder

“Okay boy’s you can head home. Ouki I’ll see you at dinner...Oh sorry Kimiko you’ll need a place to stay won’t you. Seeing that you’re in my sons little tournament… Ouki she can sleep in your room, Maranda can sleep in her room.”

I hot blush shot a cross my face, Ekim trusted that he and I sleep in the same room, alone. Wait who is this Maranda person? Why do I care? Oh well, do what the locals do.

Ouki said his farewell to Dorj and the boy hopped on a strange contraption made of metal and sounded like nothing I had heard before. It had two wheels and a clear glass shield on the front.

“Ouki…Ouki-sama,” I said hesitantly, it was obvious he and his father hated honorifics. I felt he deserved it though.

“Yes Kimiko what is it.” He said and turned to look at me.

A gentle wind blew at that moment and the sun was setting. The sky was orange and blue, the clouds scattered and content to watch their friend off to sleep. Ouki was outlined in a golden glow and he looked so untouchable. Like a great spirit from legends. Such a beautiful face he had but such a sad one. Sigh, being dead is turning out to be less and less frightening by the moment.

“Ohm…is it truly alright that I sleep in your quarters?” I asked. I had never been in the presence of a man, save for my father, at night.

He smiled and put his hand around my shoulder and began walking. He just kept smiling and looking at me. When I returned the look he quickly turned away.

Was he flirting with me?

After a while of walking in silence, we came upon a fence, we took a right and before me lay houses as far as the eye can see. Each one like the other, save for one colored like the church.

I bet you that’s Ekim and Ouki’s home. We walked to that house and he turned to me and said “ To answer your question, It is alright with papa, since I have only one bed in my room and you sleeping on the floor just won’t do, you and I will be sharing a bed. He grinned wide and walked in and yelled “Ma I’m home, we have a visitor.”

In the same bed…He and I…Like its nothing…what’s a girl to do.

I shook me head nervously and followed him.

The house was spacious with stairs going up and going down into a den. He walked around and kept calling to which I suppose is his mother. The house was lit well and the wood was an orange brown color and the floor was covered by rugs. I heard a musical voice say, “ Yes Dear I’m here. I’ll be down in a second.”

A woman came down the stairs. She was beautiful, but what did you expect, she had cute son and handsome Husband, I wouldn’t expect less. She had billowing black hair, high check bones, pouting lips and green eyes. Her neck was long and she was very tall.

I would like to address that all the men of significance are short, and have so conflicts with smiling when they are scheming. And all the women, including me are tall and have flowing hair. I wonder…

She was almost inhumanly thin and her dress hugged all her curves. Her dress was a pale purple with a large black cloth floating around her shoulders.

Another thing, these people like purple.

“Why, hello young lady. I am Ouki’s mother, and I am pleased to meet you.” She had the eyes of a snake. Her voice was almost a hiss and I could have sworn her tongue was forked. She approached me and snaked her hand on the small of my back and got really close to my face.

“Are you my son’s new lover? I would love to know your secret.”

What does she mean by ‘secret’ and ‘lover’ is this woman crazy?

“My dear Ouki is a hard man to please, can you compete? Can you young soul?”

Again with the suggestive words, what is the woman made of!?

I heard the door open.” Seperti that’s quite enough.”

My savior is a short God. Ekim came in with large pieces bread.

The snake woman slithered to her husband and planted a kiss on his lips; they remained like that for minutes. While that was happening Ouki whispered in my ear “They will be at it for a little bit, come sit down at the dinner table.” I shook my head and said “uh huh’ but continued to stare at the god and snake.

Something has just occurred to me, I’m speaking to them in Japanese but they understand me. They must be speaking in Japanese or I just acquired the tongue of a sage.

The table was large, and we sat on short benches with backs on them, and I was used to kneeling at meals. I sat next to Ouki, and he was removing his robe. My heart jumped, I had thought that’s all he wore. No, like a priest he wore layers. He had a purple stiff materialed short robe on under that. He leaned back and tossed it at large cushion.

“Ah that’s better.” he said and stretched out, sticking is tongue out as he yawned. I followed his example and removed the first of my layers, I wear just two, I kimono then a simple long shirt that goes to my knees under it. In my opinion it’s cute, and in this place I don’t know the customs so I’m playing by ear.

Ouki smirked and chuckled. “You know I’m flattered you’re coping me, but here in Limbo the men undress to their night clothes at dinner. The women normally don’t, but your formal dress was tattered and ruined and staid with blood anyway.”

“Oh….Okay, well it’s quite cooler in here now that I’m just in a long shirt.” I said in relief and crossed my legs under the table and leaned back and relaxed. I heard a purr from Ouki’s direction and saw his head down in his arms looking at me sleepily.

I smiled meekly and tried to relax. I couldn’t, for he just kept staring at me like I was a dream. Maybe he feels for me, but we have only known each other for half a day. I am attracted to him and all, but it’s like courtship at fly’s age. I’m going to need a long bath to sort this all out, and by the looks of it I will get that bath…lets hope in private.

“Owel Right kids, its ghoul-osh tanight,” Ouki laughed a little, Ekim must have made a joke. I force giggled, the ghouls I had heard of robbed graves and ate the dead and living. Ekim brought out a pot wiled with vegetables and meat.

It was soup, something that’ isn’t strange.

I ate this ghoul-osh , it was surprisingly delicious I had four helpings, they served it with bread as well .

As the meal went by Ekim and Ouki undressed. Ekim took off the black robe, then a half robe like Ouki’s, and then a thin white long sleeved shirt. After all of that the little god wore a thin black shirt. He must get overly warm under all that. He did this all with a piece of bread in his mouth.

Ouki took off the short robe, then a thin white long sleeved shirt, and then a stiff cloth short sleeved shirt. He just wore a white shirt under it all. It was tight on him and I almost choked when I looked at him stretch again, such a physique even for a short guy like him.

Such elaborate clothes to simple peasant clothes, humbling it is to see men eat in work clothes.

Ouki’s mother ate a small portion of food and studied her husband and son like she was going to torture them. Seperti scanned me too and I could tell she made mental notes about my body, creepy woman, can’t believe she is Ouki’s mother.

The dinner was silent, Ekim and Ouki ate the most, and they would be no left over for the next day. Not a bread crumb left to waste. Those two ate like giants.

Ekim stood up and patted his belly. “Thanke Seperti, wonderful dinner. Kimiko I hope you enjoyed our meal as well. I am going to turn in for the night, you should too Ouki. Tomorrow you both will be working hard, I will be on the roof tanning for the entire day and Sirhc will watch over you both.” He said and yawned. Ekim nodded to his wife and blew her a kiss and walked down the stairs.

“Ouki darling, clear the table for me, And don’t stay up too late. You should relax and not work too hard tonight my son, sweet dreams, and miss… you sleep well.” His mother slithered to her chambers down stairs.

Ouki garbed his layers and set them on a hook near the door. I nibbled on a piece of bread as he busied himself. He kept blowing the hair out of his face, and he was getting angry, it was cute. “I should just cut my damn hair.” He said raking it back.

“Oh no don’t, it’s very…appealing.” I said gnawing on my bread. Only the kitchen area lamp and dinning table lamp were lit. The house seems very empty, devoid of an actual home; more of a prison. A feeling of dread was sinking in, not because of my statement before hand, because of the emptiness of the house.

He laughed a little” I guess you are right; it’s just a hassle when clean. I refuse to slick it back like my old man, but I guess change is good sometimes.” He cooed to himself and sat across from me.

His words yet again scribbled on my soul and it spoke. “What do you think of me, am I beautiful? ” I clasped my hands around my mouth and stared at him.

He look into my eyes and I felt him read my soul, it was a cosmic moment.

Ouki sat back in the chair and propped his head on a knuckle .” I think you’re a scared and confused little girl. Who happens to be at my house eating my dinner and sharing a bed with me, so your nervousness is normal. You are pleasing to the eyes, Long hair, long legs,

He empathized the word long.

“You’re filled out nicely, proportions of a goddess, very stunning actually. A plus is that you are, I’m guessing Japanese, and it adds that exotic touch to your skin and eyes. Any man would jump at the chance to have you as a lover.” He said thoughtfully, tracing my face in the air.

I blushed and nodded my head and nibbled on the bread.

I was speechless, he had complemented me and was tracing my outline in the air, I wonder what thoughts were floating in his head about me. From his face they seemed to be fantasies of a lover’s nature, but then again he might be half asleep. It was now a real cosmic moment for me.

The moment was ruined by the door flying open and a young woman with short frizzy hair coming in wearing a thick black jacket and short dress. She was laughing and obviously drunk. A tall striking man came in the door and looked at us. He smiled and winked at me.

Was this Maranda, his sister or was she another person like me.

“Ouki…this is…Chad…ah ah ahnd he’s spending the night…Is that cool with you? Sure it is, come on Chady …to Ouki’s room.” She slurred and tugged on the guys arm.

Chad looked at Ouki in horror and pointed “That guy at the table with the cloud hair is the Sorrow Exorcist?!” He asked afraid. The girl nodded her head and slumped into him “Don’t worry baby, he’s cool, He won’t turn you or what ever it is he does to ghouls.” She giggled and kissed his neck.

Ouki smiled wickedly and waved. Chad waved back and moved in the house hesitantly. Ouki pointed at the girl and said to me “That is our maid Maranda, she hangs around a lot and normally sleeps in my room because she is afraid of the dark.” He sounded annoyed.

“Aye Maranda, me and Kimiko will be in my room you can use yours.”

Ouki stood up and tore a piece of my robe off and put his hands on my shoulders, I tensed up big time and looked up so fast I almost fainted.

Maranda looked at me angrily and said “How come your taking in that little tramp and not me, and you’ve know me for four hundred years now!’

Wow Four hundred years and she didn’t look over twenty, neither did Ouki for that matter.

“I’m not taking her in; she has to room with me because she is Papa’s guest. Now Chad here, how’s it going man, can stay all he wants just not in my room.” Ouki rubbed my shoulders a little and it was nice, he was working something. He was scheming, smiling mind you.

I moaned and said “ Ouki-sama…Ouki-sama I’m tired lets go to bed.” I leaned back and hugged him and perked my lips and blew air out and stared at Maranda eyes half-lidded.
I felt him tense up and he played along with me. “Soon baby-cakes, soon, hey, Chad do you believe in Voodoo?” He asked and let go of me, I however didn’t let go of him.

“Na man, just some hocus pocus from earth.” Chad said laughing. It was nice that Ouki could get along with him…in theory. “Humph, well your wrong my main man,” Ouki hissed and drew a circle on the table. “It’s a more personal magic, requires knowledge of the target, a possession of the targets,”

That’s what the stripe of robe was for, voodoo magic?

“And the most important component in voodoo is an emotion towards the target. Hey man got a cig on ya.” Ouki said and stopped drawing the circle. Chad threw him a white paper tube packed with dried leaves, was a ‘cig’ a disposable dose of Opium?

“Thanks, and since I have all three components, tell me which is your dominate hand?”

Chad looked at Ouki oddly and said “My left why?”

I knew what he planned to do, but to what was the purpose.

Ouki threw the ‘cig’ on the circle he had made and reached in a pocket and produced a nail. Chad figured it out then, he approached Ouki threateningly. Ouki smirked and poked the cig, and Chad grabbed his left hand and yelped.

Will this all wake up Ouki’s parents?

Ouki laughed amused and put the nail above the cig and said “ Now listen buddy, your going to be cool, you hear me, cool, and your going to take Maranda to your house, I had to resorto this because your packing heat under that jacket.”

Heat, what did the guy have a fire going under his jacket?

“So you drop your piece on the table and leave with Maranda, and I won’t spike this nail through your hand, yah dig?” cold, those words were cold. Chad nodded and dropped a black metallic weapon on the table and stepped back to the door and stared down Ouki. He pulled the girl out of the house and Ouki went and shut the door and yelled “Have fun Chad, make sure she gets home early…like at hour fifteen.”

He came back and picked up the weapon and said “This little contraption is a gun.” He explained what it was and I was impressed with it, he also told me that the cig was a nickname for a cigarette and had tobacco in it. He tossed the cigarette in a bin and took out the guns ammunition. He also tossed the gun in the bin and kept the ammunition. He cleaned the table off.

Ouki plopped on a large cushion and groaned. I stood up went to him and knelt beside him and examined him for head to toe; I catch myself doing this a lot.

His eyes were closed and he was stretched out, muscle pulled taunt and a thin sheet of sweat glistened on his skin. His bandaged wrapped fingers and fore arms were maroon with dried blood; it was arousing to see that…I’m not weird.

His makeup didn’t run either, so he still retained that gloomy look even when almost asleep. This is too much for one girl at a time.

I want to jump on him and kiss him, or that was what my soul was hinting at. Why is this happening, I never acted like this around the young male priests. I whimpered and bit my lower lip and inched and hand to touch his skin. I kept scanning him, how perfect he seemed. But I guess he is a demi-god and his father is handsome and his mother is drop dead gorgeous, I should expect perfection for this family.

“Like what you see?” he cooed and shifted and got more comfortable. An amused smile crept across his face. My soul took over for a moment “I might…little god.” I hissed and run my finger tips across his chest. He shivered and whistled “How about this, I’ll let you go on an impulse right now if you tell me your story.”

I was going to anyway, but he is letting me take advantage of him. The moment I thought that, my soul screamed so loud that a jumped and obeyed it.

The voice I heard yelled “Jump on the morbid model and suck his soul out, force him to make a woman out of you!” so I listened, hop/straddled him and locked our lips and pinned him down with my hips.

He returned the kiss, just more docile than I wanted. So I forced my tongue into his mouth, he responded to me with his tongue. I moaned and pulled back and just sat on his lap and looked down at him, satisfied. My soul was patting me on the back and congratulating me.

Wow, I just got my first kiss from a god.

I sat on his lap for what seemed forever when he patted my arm and said “You can get off, impulse done.” he waited for me. I shook my head and stepped off him. I studied him once again. Same body position and his makeup yet again didn’t smug.

I seriously need to ask him what he uses.

He sat up and adjusted his crotch and smirked “Well I think it time for bed, its getting late.”

My thoughts flew in a million directions. Would that happen again, was he just playing with me, does my soul have that much force, I need a bath. Bath, that will set me straight.

“I need to bathe first.” I said turning away. I shuddered to think of the consequences of my words. I heard the cushion rustle and Ouki stood next to me.

A hand caressed my shoulder and he cooed in my ear. “Up stairs to the right is my bath quarters, feel free.” I nodded and noted he had left my side.

He was walking up the stairs and he stopped at the top and pointed to the right and snapped his fingers and then pointed to the left “My room, knock first.”

A door slammed and I was alone, in the house of two gods, in a place of spirits and shadows, alone and in basically my sleeping garment. I am supposed to take a bath in a boys wash quarters, then go and sleep in his bed.

The simple life, being dead is more complicated.

I went to the wash quarters and opened the door. I jumped back the room was so cold.
I could see my own breath.

It was a large room with a long wash tub, another build in tub looked like it could seat five people. Burnt out candles were stacked on a rack on the furthest wall, the entire room was mirrored on one side. A sliding door I discovered had the towels and bathing robes in it, at normal temperature of course. It was a nice room, a winter paradise theme.

I heard the flutter of wings and a sky blue girl with wings about as tall as my forearms is tall fluttered in front of me. White short hair, white bird wings and no clothes except for a white sheet around her waist, and even that was short. This thing had large breasts, and white sandals. I gaped at this little thing, this little tengu person witnesses Ouki bathing everyday! I don’t know if I should be embarrassed or angry at Ouki.

“Hi there, you aren’t master Tetuso! Who are you? I’m Coroso the master’s personal hygiene advisor. Nice to meet you, how may I help you, would you like to take a bath in master Tetuso’s tub?” the little creature said quickly and smiled.

“Yeah I guess I would like a bath.” I took a step on the smooth floor, my feet were getting numb.

“Oh good, please undress as I draw your bath.” Coroso said and fluttered off and began filling the large tub. I closed the door behind me and removed the long shirt, I wear nothing under it. I immediately felt the cold and rushed to the closet and got a bath robe.

It was white and resembled Ouki’s, a silver chain was used for the belt and it was hooded. I flipped the hood up and felt the soft fabric against my body and sighed contently and twirled around, I wasn’t cold anymore. my hair draped out of the hood and I looked at myself in the mirror. I wasn’t disappointed at all with the way I look. I looked like Ouki a little with the white robe and all.

I giggled and walked to the half filled tub and studied the little creatures named Coroso She seemed more than happy to help me out. I bet she gave the same treatment to Ouki, I bet it drives him crazy. I would hate to always have a little half-naked tengu fluttering around watching me and assisting me in every instance.

The steam from the bath looked inviting.” Can I get in now?” the little creature looked up and me and smiled sweetly. “Of coarse please.” I disrobed and slid into the water.

I can’t use words to describe how it felt to get into that water. Like heaven in water, warm and relaxing. I sighed and splashed my face. “This is heavenly.”

“Really, is it that good? I didn’t even add any of the master’s oils and herbs to the bath yet.” I looked at Coroso and asked “What do you mean?”

She looked down and kicked some of the frost on the rim into the water and squeaked “Master Tetuso takes his baths with ginseng and milk weed oils. He also takes crushed ginseng into the mix. He smells very nice afterwards, he sometimes takes a bath for days and keeps me company so I know much about him.” She said and smirked. She flew off and brought back a tray three times her size filled with oils and balms, as well as bandages.

“Go ahead and choose what you would like in your bath, master will understand.” I looked at her taken back. What did she mean Ouki wouldn’t mind. I smelt the contents of each bottle, I choose the oils entitled: Lilac, Rain, winters night and purple haze. Coroso poured an amount in the bath, and stirred the water with a paddle.

I soaked in that soup for an hour, I was getting sleepy so I sat up and looked around for a scrubber, but none in sight. “Coroso where is the scrubber?”

“I do that Miss; I’ll scrub you down, please stand up and pull on that cord.” I chain fell from the ceiling and had Ekim’s Symbol dangling on the end. I pulled it and water fell on top of my head.

My hair found its way in front of my face. I moved it to the side. Coroso floated to my view holding a bristled pad and nodded. This is some what embarrassing but if Ouki does this every day it must not be that bad.

She went to work on my back first and it was surprisingly soothing, for she hummed as she did it. “So Coroso what are you exactly?”

She stopped humming and flutters in front of my face “I’m an ice sprite, I was a gift to master Tetuso for his thousands birthday.” He looked away and shuddered.” I was a present form the devil lord Othello, I am glad I am not a courtesan anymore. I keep this place clean for master Tetuso, and he likes the cold anyway. Till that ugly Maranda moved in, I used to sleep in his room on a hammock he made for me.” she huffed and shrugged her shoulders. “ I spent most of my time in here finding the secret to my masters…lets call it “ways of seducing women” “ she twirled around and went back to work on my back and went to the legs.

“What do you mean?” I said and held my hair up for her as she scrubbed my neck. “ I mean the feeling you first got when he first said words to you, why do you think I only wear a shawl around my waist. Its been around nine hundred and seventy six years since I first came into his service, and for the last two hundered years I have been topless, a kind of experiment.”

I giggled “Some experiment, exposing yourself to a god like that. That could endanger yourself, at your size.”

The second I said that I heard water splash and Coroso peeked her head around my shoulder and pressed herself against my back. “I can change size as I wish, and I have tried to entice the young Master many times and he just laughs and tells me “ Your going to get it one day Coro, and its not going to be expected”. I have no clue what he means but I sound like an advance on me. He is very playful at times, and he does love to play…quite a bit, but only when he is either drunk or half-asleep.” She added and went back to her little form and washed my face.

“So what are your feelings on master Tetuso?” She asked. I rocked back and forth and crossed my arms. “I am attracted to him, and from first time his words echoed off my soul. So far I have hugged him and kissed him passionately, he let me both times.” She washed my breasts and went to the stomach. Her talking to me take the mind off what is being washed, clever little sprite.

“Master Tetuso sounds like he is fond of you, to let those things occur on the same day.” She chimed. “Is that what you mean by seducing women? I mean if all he has to do is say hello and invite you to his house, then it’s some kind of magic.” I said plainly.

“Its Voodoo, the young master is a “Houngan” of the Vodun religion, a priest in other words. It’s not actually dark magic, Vodun is a spiritual thing. It only enhances his abilities. The Voodoo you see is the dark side of it, cast by the Bokor’s. Curses and what have you. It requires blood and tabooed knowledge. I’m quite sure it’s his voodoo magic that allows him to seduce and not think about it.” she said assured.

“Voodoo huh, can any one do it, could I learn it?” I laughed at my own question, it was silly to think I could learn an ancient magic.

“Yes, and I can teach some to you awhile you soak some more.” Coroso flew to my eye level and smiled sweetly. “All done, please pull the chord and sit down.”

While I soaked she taught me a little bit of the voodoo magic. From what I understand, it acts on the will of the caster, so they have to be absolutely sure they want to do it. Any hesitance will trigger forgetful affect on to either the caster of the one being charmed or cursed.

I learned a simple seduction spell Ouki had taught Coroso for some reason, she was unwilling to tell me. I need a piece of hair, some of the subjects blood, and they need to be asleep. Sounds like a sneaky way to win the heart of a crush.

Oh well it might come in handy later in life.

Hitomi Kimiko, an apprentice priestess to Hitomi Morihu head Priest of the Danju Temple, and practitioner of the ancient magic know as Voodoo. I like that title, sound exotic.

I finished my bath and wrapped up in the robe again and air dried. I was in that room for about two hours taking a bath. Afterwards I didn’t talk to Coroso. I nodded to her and she left out a window. I was again alone, and I had noticed she had set out a set of clothes for me while I was in the bath.

She had set out Ouki’s clothes…annoying and at the same time cute.

A grey shirt and long dull black pants with chains on them, bandages where set on the side. I wrapped up my hips and chest and put the shirt and pants on, it was a little roomy for me. I shivered; I forgot how cold the room was. I went to the closet and put away that robe. I took out a towel and draped it over my head. I walked out of the bathing room and shut the door behind me.

I was scared, Ouki had turned off all the lights, and I only saw a red hazy light from a crack in front of me. I dried my hair and cautiously walked to the light.

Like a moth to the flame, I was entranced. It could be walking topt eh gates of hell. But hell doesn’t smell that sweet.

I peeked inside the room and heard Ouki’s voice. “All clean now are we luv?” He imitated his father’s accent “C’mon on in.”

I opened the door, and peeked my head inside. He was sitting cross legged on top of a raise futon, a long pipe in his mouth; smoke rising lazily towards an open window, his shirt was off and he was wrapped up in bandages with odd symbols on them. He was bent over a thick tome. The light came for a lamp with orange glass.

I quickly remembered and pulled out and knocked on the door.

I heard him laugh. “ Who is it?” he asked innocently.

“Kimiko…Its Kimiko Ouki-sama, and I’m clean for bed.” I said and bit down on bit the towel a little. “C’mon in Kimiko.”

I entered his room, orange glow and the smell of incenses and smoke. To my right was a shelved wall filled with books. The floor was carpeted, a small cushion in the corner and a staff with the symbol on the end, lay in the farthest corner.

In front of me was a large window, it was raining outside. To my left was his bed, it had a plant creeping on hooks above his head, and shelves lined with odd things. A desk was in touching distance, littered with paper and a single candle. The walls colored a dull orange from the lamp, I think they were white. It was a humble abode for a god, inviting though.

“Sexy clothes, where’d you get them baby.” He cooed and took out the pipe and puffed out rings that were sucked out that small window vent.

“Your little sprite girl set them out for me.” I said and blushed and continued to dry my hair. “Huh, did she now.”

I walked in and sat on the cushion on the corner and used my finger to comb my hair. He puffed on his pipe and stared at me time to time, he was reading. So far I have spent a lot of time here and it seems like night will go on forever. I folded the towel and got comfortable in the cushion. “What are you smoking Ouki-sama?” He looked at me and removed it and puffed out two rings.

“Ginseng, not normally smoked but it is said to have medicinal uses and I have killer head-aches all the time, and this helps.” Ouki closed the book and set it on the window ledge; the title of the book was “ Practical Bokor; Voodoo you can do.”

I giggled at the title of the book then remembered what he was capable of, scary. He stood up and smoothed out the bedding, about twenty pillows and one thick black quilt.

He looked and me with uncaring eyes. His mood had changed, maybe it was that ginseng he was smoking maybe it had side affects! In any case he took out the pipe and snuffed it out and set it on a hook. He sat on the edge of the bed and patted it, signaling for me to join him.

I stood up and sat next to him. “It’s late, sun will be up in seven hours and we have a big day ahead of us.” His voice was thoughtful and it sounded like he was trying to say something. Was he try to ask me to be his lover like his mother suggested, were the situations tonight leading up to that, I can’t wait.

” So I was wondering,” The moment of truth, I closed my eyes and pursed my lips and waited for him to confess his feeling through his lips.

“…Do you sleep walk?”

I almost smacked him.

“No I don’t” I huffed and turned my head away and crossed my legs as well as my arms. “What is it now, not clean enough?” he said and placed his hands on my shoulders and moved slightly behind me. I tensed up and lessened my arms.” Is it something I said? I am deeply sorry and I will do anything to gain your favor again my little ghost.” His breath on the nape of my neck sent shudders up my spine, so did the tone of his voice.

I looked back at him, his hair was covering his eyes and from that view he looked sad. Ouki put his chin on collar and tilted his head to mine. I did the same and sighed, and then my soul did its thing.


It made me barrel roll and straddle him and pin his wrists down with my hands and when I looked down at him, the face was priceless.

A scared animal was about right, a scared, cute, half naked, and pinned animal to be exact.

My soul was still in control and I licked my lips and stared at him hungrily and smiled wickedly.” Ouki-sama, you know what I want, give it to me!” I hissed and lowered myself onto him. He made a sound close to a squeak and a gasp and if he could have moved he would have…coward.

“Oh what’s the matter Ouki-sama afraid I’ll do this” I kissed him softly. We stayed like that till I had forgot about his hands and he caressed my sides and pushed me into a sitting position.

He smirked “Is that what you wanted, another kiss from me. That’s not that big of a thing for me at all. I’m still wearing the face paint so you kissed a man whose cruelty knows no bonds.” He said half smug half scarred.

Ouki moved me back, so I was more on his thighs than in his lap. He stretched back to get a better look of me. “Your soul is very strong to make you do that, it ought to be fun tomorrow.” He breathed and hugged me. I returned the hug and put my head on his.

Ah such a nice thing, love is really calming. In this place, Limbo land of Ghosts and monster, I found Love.

He pulled some stunt and laughed at me, because he had gotten away

…I spoke too soon.

“Have to remove the face paint, then you can see the real me, no tricks this time. You won’t pull any voodoo on me again.” he joked. I honestly thought I used his own magic against him; I could only giggle and climb under the quilt. Now I will know what he is like with the makeup off.

Ouki came back with a clean face. His skin was a light tan, like he had been out in the sun. His eyes were the same color. He looked like a person rather than a god now, I liked it.

‘All settled are we now are we Kimiko?” he said and closed his door and drew something on it. It was a brilliant red and glowered menacingly. All I could see was that strange symbol, but I heard his foot steps.

Ouki crawled on the bed over me and settled in next to the windows ledge. I heard him stack pillows…between us. He must not trust me enough to barricade himself with pillows. I heard him sigh and shuffled around and get comfortable.

Alas, I would clear my head with another bath, but risking another conversation with that little Coroso was too much.

The rain pattered against the window and its calming smell drifted in the room. It couldn’t have been two minutes and he was out. I lay awake and every second it get more and more tense, should I cuddle up next to him, he did say I was sexy right? Then again I should keep to myself, oh the choices.

I guess I can use the cold to my advantage, and Coroso said it easy to get to him when he’s half-asleep. Why I am even considering this, my soul isn’t yelling at me this is my own free will. Maybe it’s his magic, maybe it’s him, or it could be me.

I lay in the dark wondering what to do, in the night of Limbo. I bed with a voodoo using god, but we are not lovers. A wave of sadness came over me and I felt tears well up, why cry for something so trivial as a boy you met in front of a church. The darkness didn’t help me, I wept…for reasons my mind couldn’t register by my body and soul knew what I wept for.

Does he have feelings for me or is he playing the part of a gentleman? Are his kisses false, his touches chivalrous? So far we have kissed twice and gotten extremely close, and I even have wore some of his things. Is this Limboian hospitality, or is it something else. So many question, and besides Ekim, I see no one to answer my questions. Are my tears for nothing important, but they must be they are for a boy whom is only a hair away.

Amidst my weeping and the pounding of the rain I heard Ouki sigh and puff out a breath. I pounced on the Opportunity

“Ouki-sama…you awake there?” I asked and at up and brought my knee’s up and hugged them. I moved the pillow blocking his face and he croaked “Hmm, wha is it?” I scooted myself towards him a little. “It’s chilly in here, do you have anymore bedding?” He sat up as well and grabbed the pillows separating us and tossed them off the bed and crawled on top of me…

“Yeah I do, lemme get it.”

He was all the bedding I needed, but this was a good thing. I wiggled to his spot.

A minute passed and I had almost fallen asleep in his place when he tickled my foot and said “Up, that’s my spot, stealing my warmth eh.” He sounded awake. I pulled my feet up and said coyly “No, it’s my spot now you moved.”

A soft low chuckle came from the darkness. “I have an extra blanket… now move…or I’ll move you little ghost.” His voice was down right creepy. I protested with a half hearted kick.

“Suit yourself.” I didn’t feel him get on the bed, but I an icy cold hand grab my side and one cup my mouth.

Smart move on his part, because I shrieked/giggled and arched my back in shock. not a soul heard…please pardon the pun.

Ouki is quick let me tell you, he slid under me and back into his spot. I however had my head over on his chest and his hand was loosely draped on my hip. I could hear his heart, its corny sounding but it was reassuring. I cuddled up to him and hummed in satisfaction.

I got what I wanted, for once today.

He used his free hand and pulled covers over us and stacked the pillows to his liking. I kissed my forehead and said “Sleep now.” I kissed his chest and said “You too”

I slept like a log, and dreamt of my new life on Limbo. I am staying here with Ouki, Ekim, that Dorj character, and that samurai guy. I was going to restart my life, like the rain that washes away the muck of life, I was rained on by death.

Morbid and creepy huh, oh well it’s my views against yours, and I win.

I woke up hugging a pillow and drooling on another. For that fact I was covered in them. I panicked and felt for Ouki..

No body, no Ouki, only pillows. I surfaced and looked around. It was very cold in his room. I sank back into the mound of bedding. I wrapped the around and had some of it drape above my head. I sat up and scanned his room. Since it was now lit well, I saw more.

The knick knacks became bones of strange creatures, little disfigured human dolls with large masks over them, and oddest of all the many chains that dangled from the celing. Some acted like wind chimes, some sported wicked hooks and blades, other had Ekim’s symbol every other ling, and one had an actually lock and key hole with the prong sticking out of coarse. Pipes, and plants filled in the empty spots.

I was worried to the whereabouts of my Ouki. Yes my Ouki…you can’t have him, if you want him you’ll have to fight me for him…back off.

Someone knocked on the door. “ Uhm, who is it.” who ever it was opened the door a crack and said “ it’s Me Kimi girl, come to wake you up. Breakfast is served and I’m going to the Monastery now so I’m leaving you with Ouki and Seperti. Me son is in the wash room right now and Seperti is sleeping.”

Whew it was Ekim and he didn’t peek in. I was a mess anyway.

“Ohokay thank you for the lodging.” He came in and gave me a warm smile.” A pleasure, Ouki says you cling in your sleep.” Ekim winked and walked away. He was all dressed up by the way.

Looks like Papa approves.

I stood up, still wrapped in that quilt and walked out and across the hall, the house seemed lie it too was waking up. Birds chirping and colors started to form. Some of the lower windows had a view of a tree with deep purple leaves, and a couple normal green ones.

It was nice, and to think I might live here one day…in Limbo, I don’t know what you were thinking, it wasn’t like that at all.

anyway…

I knocked on the door and it slid open, I blushed and Coroso flutter in front of me. “Why hello Miss, are you going to take a bath with Master Tetuso? are you going to?” she said slyly. She came out of a steamy haze slightly colored purple.

“Enough! Coroso, bring me my pipe and a robe.” Ouki’s voice sliced through the seam that surrounded him, it was a strict harsh voice. “Yes master Tetuso.” Coroso fluttered off into the steam.

The room was clearing and he was sitting in the large tub, back facing the door. His hair was down and silver colored from the water. On his back was a haunting black tattoo. It was an elaborate pattern of swirls that looked connected like links of a chain, Ekim’s symbol in the middle and I could see the tope of a three clove key. His biceps had glyphs tattooed and the back of his hands had what looked to be eyes on them.

My heart belongs to a tattooed god.

Coroso brought a robe and towel to him and he skillfully slipped into he towel and stood up and turned to look at me. He looked just like his face, face his face is a little broader and his lips are fuller.

His face was one of complete lack of emotion and one eye covered by wet hair. Was this the same guy who cuddled with me? Maybe it’s a bad time. Walked towards and table that had what looked like balms, slaves, oils and bandages. He didn’t have any bandages on and I could see the cuts on his back and chest. The fresh ones were bleeding.

Ouki must be in terrible pain, I almost wept for him again.

Ouki grabbed a brush and wiped a thick white powder on his face, he must be apply that wondrous makeup. He dipped his fingers in a bowl and drew the black under his eyes. He touched his cheeks and drew the line from the bottom of his lip down his chin. He turned to me and beckoned for my audience.

I dropped the quilt and hurried to him. “Ouki what is it? Are you Okay, can I ease the pain. Should I bandage your wounds?” I asked him and touched his arm.

That was no ink tattoo; it was a burn scar that was inked. How horrible, and all for his father.

He looked down and picked up and brass tube and flicked the end, and black wax like material slid out. He looked at my eyes and drew that waxy material on my lips and smile. “Ouki what are you doing.” he placed his hand behind my head and pulled me in for a long kiss. And when he pulled away his lips were black and his face was very gloomy. l

Ouki pointed to a mirror, I looked, and there was no trace of that stuff ever being on my lips. He signaled for me to go away, and I did. Ouki wasn’t like himself.

Coroso was by the door and I walked over to her and whispered. “I’m worried, what’s wrong.” “His attitude in the morning is emotionless; his exorcisms do this to him. You must be deep in his heart to make him show affection in the morning.” She whispered back and we both watched him wrap his tattoos in bandages that were soaked in balm, slaves, and oils.

He finished and donned a bath robe. He walked back to his table and lifted a cream white toothed instrument and combed his hair. “Made of Human bone, a five year old girl nonetheless.” he said eyes closed, focus on combing his hair.

“He wants us to leave, bone is a voodoo element.” Coroso said and edged out of the room with me and slid it shut. She turned to me and smiled meekly and turned to human size.


“Yeah he doesn’t like it when people watch him comb his hair, or get dressed. Anyway, so what happened last night?” She said and nudged me and smiled slyly. I blushed and acted cool and calm. “I’m not telling, what happened doesn’t leave that room.” I held up my hands and shrugged. The Sprite grabbed me and dragged me to his room and asked the same question.

I told here what had happened and she danced around the room. “I’m so happy for you, and master Tetuso. Soon I will wash and clean and take care of your children as you two rule Limbo and the Lord Ekim will tell them stories and take naps with them, and Mistress Tetuso will…well I’ll stop here from eating them.” She squealed and hugged herself.

Whoa if she wasn’t a dreamer. Marriage and children are to far away to think of; then again things happen here that they normally wouldn’t.

“Coro, explain why you don’t call Ekim by his name, or Ouki, and his mother by their normal calling? And why is Ouki: Master Tetuso and Ekim a Lord?” she looked at me and sat crossed legged on Ouki’s bed.

“It is rude to call them by their calling name if they do not want you to. To answer your question, master Tetuso takes his mothers last name, Tetuso. Lord Ekim is a god and is known by only that name, he has no last name. I guess for intensive purposes he is Ekim Tetuso.”

“I get it now, thank you.” I sat next to her. Just then Ouki came in clothed in his first layer and his hair combed back like his fathers.” A ghost of a smile…another pun, appeared on his face and he asked me. “Would you like a new outfit for today?”

“Uhm...I guess, but your clothes are just fine.” I said thinking, “Nonsense, you in a men’s clothes, it would be unbecoming of you to wear such horrid attire.” He said plainly. “Well you wear it.” I said trying to reason with him.

He approached me and cupped my chin and bent down to look me in the eyes.” I am a horrid person.”

His voice tore my will apart and I was afraid” I am the most horrid person ever to live since Satan abdicated his throne in hell. I comb my hair with the bone of a little girl. I tare mothers away from their children and slaughter them in the name of my cause. To exterminate all the ghostly and ghoulish scum that walk in my path is the cause. Can you love a man who paints his face with the blood of his victims; my first face paint was the blood of a woman who struck me with a sword in the name of her cause.” He moved closer to me and stared into my eyes.

The sadness in his eyes was vengeful.” Can you kiss a man whose lips are soaked in blood and gore? Can you. Huh…can you my Kimiko. Can you love the blood bathed ghost prince? You say horrid like it’s a bad thing, that word describes my line of work, horrid exorcisms of perfectly nice people with dogma so old.” He stood up and glared at me. ”Horrid is super sexy huh?”

He spat to the side and turned away and said in a snap. “Come with me, both of you.”

I was so terrified of him, when Coroso said he was emotionless, she was wrong.

Coroso’s mouth was dropped down and she was hiding in the bedding. “We should do as he says.”

Together we walked out and followed him down the stairs to his parent’s room. When we behind him he opened the door.

Ekim’s room had a snake theme to it, the bed was canopied, and the wood had snakes carved into it. A desk of dark wood, many plants, and candle stands accented the snake feel. The room was lit in a very somber amber color, it was calming. There where no windows, so corners of the room were black, like the jungle.

His mother was still sleeping, and I saw a forked tongue flick out and one eye shot open and she hissed.” what is it my dear Ouki, did you have a nightmare? How Can mama help you?”

He went to a wall and grabbed two knobs and threw them to the side. That entire wall was a closet, filled with clothes. “Mother, Kimiko needs a dress for today, and she will be taking something with the ghost locket motif on it.” Ouki said sternly and looked back at her.

So Ekim’s Symbol is called a “Ghost Locket”

He walked to the edge of the bed and hissed a language I didn’t understand, but I’m pretty sure it was snake. His mother hissed back at him and made gestures with her hands. He retorted and made some gestures and nodded and blew his mother a kiss twirled around on a heel and said. “She won’t bother you, she won’t even talk. Coroso help Kimiko find something beautiful, but then again she is beautiful no matter what. I’m going to dress and I will meet you in the living room.” He walked out and closed the door.

His mother slithered to the edge of the bed, but didn’t go past the end of the bed. She just gave me a creepy look and winked.

Coroso smiled and tore into the closet and tossed some clothes out.

Purple, aqua marine, silver, grey, white, black, pink, and sky blue that was the color spread.

I choose a shirt with eh ghost locket on my chest, the key hole was out so some cleavage showed. Kinky clothes in the closet of the god’s wife. I put a magenta jacket with a white arm band with a green clover on it; riddled with pockets and had eplapeleps. I put on black pants that stopped at the mid-calf. I attached a white shall around my hips and tied my hair up. Coroso found something to keep the hair up, a clover comb thing; clovers seem to be a good thing for me. Tall white socks and a pair of boot like shoes with an elevated heel.

It was a task to walk in them but I managed to gain my balance. I looked in a mirror and fell in love with myself. It was a nice outfit. Coroso liked it and ushered me up the stairs and out of the pythons den.

Ouki had a piece of bread in his mouth, he was dressed like yesterday. The only different was his belt had another symbol. A gold chain with a gold symbol that looked like a lightning bolt with a vertical line through it dangled and shined in the morning light.. He also had a long, barbed linked chain attached to a kama. Could that be a Kusari-gama, a kama with a length of chain on it.

He looked me up and down and smiled a real smile. “You look wonderful, grab some breakfast and let’s get to the monastery. Coroso you are dismissed for today.”

Ouki sat at the table, and his chains clanked. I went to the kitchen and grabbed a piece of toasted bread and sat across from him.

I ate quietly and when I finished he stood up and walked to the door and said “ let hurry, I don’t want to be late.”

We walked out and that Chad fellow and Maranda came up the walk. Ouki smirked and winked. He was going to get warmed up.

“Yo Chady boy how’s every little thing.” Chad stopped walking and took one step back. “Um fine, just fine…I brought her home, and she is fine.”

Ouki struck a pose like her was a mad sorcerer and smiled big. “Hold still, hey quick!” he then chanted in a high pitched voice.

“Oh shit!” Chad dropped Maranda and ran.

“Boohoo running from my magic, that’s bad juju.” He said and relaxed and stood up straight.” thought that would scare him.” Ouki chuckled and held his hand out for me. I took it and we walked to the monastery Together.

I took the time to look around. The morning was so lively. I saw children out playing in the green grass, and parents watching. The sidewalk had life on it, and the fences seem more like scenery than a barrier.

I know Ouki was looking at me from the corner of his eyes, was he transitioning back to his more affectionate state of mind or was he watching me. By the way he was nudging me with his elbow and smiling every time I looked at him, he was.

He separated at the main doors and he turned to me and in all seriousness said “ We do not know each other.” He kisse