“No! Not like that, like this!” Shiraishi sounded quite frustrated as she took the small stand, the sanpo, from Akiko and held it up. “Look, your fingers go here and here, and you hold it at eye level. Now try it again.” They were kneeling formally in the reception room in the shrine house, and Akiko’s legs were already starting to go numb. And all they had done was pick up the sanpo. There wasn’t even anything on it. Stifling a groan, Akiko picked it up again, trying to get her hands into the same position as Shiraishi’s, and raised it to eye-level. The priest peered under the tray, and then nodded.

“Right, finally. Now, put it down.” Akiko put the sanpo on the table.

“Nooo! Oh, for goodness’ sake.” Shiraishi really did sound exasperated. “What did I tell you? First put it down near the front, then take your hands off, line the fingers up, put them on the sides of the base, and move it to the centre. Don’t just put it straight down. Watch again.” The priest picked the stand up, and then put it down, adjusting her grip to push it closer to the centre. Akiko really couldn’t see the point.

“I’m sorry, but why not put it straight down?”

“Because that’s not the way it’s done. You have to do it in two stages, like I showed you.” Akiko’s legs were starting to ache, and she shifted in place.

“Revd Shiraishi, how long do I have to sit in seiza?”

“It’s only been ten minutes! No ceremony is over that quickly; you need to be able to do at least half an hour.”

“Half an…” Akiko cut herself off as she realised how incredulous she sounded. “Can’t I at least build up to it?”

Shiraishi opened her mouth, then shut it again, nodding.

“Yes, I suppose you should. Now, watch me, and copy how I stand up.”

It looked easy; she shifted her legs so that she could get one under her, and then stood up smoothly. However, when Akiko tried to copy her, her legs refused to co-operate, and she had to grab on to the table to keep from falling over. Even then, she could only stand up very slowly. Shiraishi grimaced.

“Once you are standing, we’ll practice bowing.”

“I think I can bow.”

“Well then, bow as if you’re paying your respects to the kami.”

Akiko did, but when she straightened up Shiraishi was shaking her head.

“Not deep enough. You have to bow all the way down to ninety degrees.”

Akiko finally lost her patience.

“I thought you were going to train me to be a miko! That seems to be what Tamao wants! Why are you spending all this time on pointless movements?”

“These “pointless movements” are the main part of being a miko. Well, apart from cleaning the shrine grounds, and you seem to have that part down already.”

“What about, I don’t know, the norito? Something like the Lotus sutra?”

“Miko don’t do noritos. That’s just the priests. You have to learn the ritual movements, and the dances.”

“Dances?”

“Yes.” Shiraishi rolled her eyes. “You really have got all your knowledge of miko from manga, haven’t you? There are no magic charms, no battles with spirits, no transforming into white birds, no secret schools of martial arts. And you don’t have to be a virgin and you do get to wear knickers.”

Akiko was about to retort that battles with spirits had been a fairly central part of Tamao’s message when the doorbell rang.

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Akiko could see that it wasn’t Akira almost immediately, but, judging from the way the priest suddenly stiffened and stopped, Shiraishi realised that it was Mr Wakabayashi first. Akiko was about to excuse herself, when Shiraishi sighed and said,

“Come on. We might as well get it over with.”

Akiko followed her to the hall, where they both put masks on before sliding the glass door open. Mr Wakabayashi was almost wearing his mask, and his bow, while perfectly proper, struck Akiko as rather perfunctory.

“Revd Shiraishi, I’ve come to see whether you have reconsidered my offer.”

“I will not sell you the shrine grounds. How many times must I tell you that my decision is final?”

Akiko stood behind the priest, looking at Mr Wakabayashi and the shrine grounds beyond. Today, she could see nothing out of the ordinary; just a businessman, in a dark suit, and a sunlit lawn beyond. There was no sign of kegare, but she was sure it must still be there.

“Your shrine has suffered a number of heavy blows recently,” Mr Wakabayashi went on, “and you must be concerned about whether you can continue.”

“We are doing just fine, thank you.” Shiraishi’s tension was obvious in her voice.

“After the suicide of one of your last supporters, it would be very difficult for the shrine to endure another blow.”

“What are you suggesting?” Now the priest’s anger was clear.

“Just that you might want to take the chance to sell before anything happens to reduce the value of the property.”

“Are you threatening us, Wakabayashi?” His expression was unreadable behind the white mask, but he shook his head.

“Not at all. Merely encouraging you to seize the moment.”

“Well then. I don’t want you to set foot on shrine property ever again. It is private property, and I do control it. So get out. Now.” The last word was almost shouted. Mr Wakabayashi just shook his head.

“I suppose this is only to be expected when a woman is left in charge. Well, I can’t take any responsibility for what might happen.” He sketched a bow and left, before Shiraishi could get a response out. She slammed the door shut and pulled her mask off, turning to Akiko.

“The gall of the man! I can run this shrine just as well as any of my ancestors could.”

“Do you think he really was threatening us?” Akiko was slightly worried.

“Not really. He just wants to buy the land.”

“But, you know, I think he did threaten Mr Takenaka and deprive him of business. And I suspect he had something to do with my being fired.”

“What?” Shiraishi sounded surprised, so Akiko filled in the details of what she and Akira had learned, and about the events at her office immediately before she lost her job. As she spoke, rain began drumming on the roof, getting steadily louder.

When she finished, Shiraishi looked thoughtful.

“Well, maybe he has been trying to drive the ujiko away. But I really can’t see him doing any more than that. I mean, what can he do? Have us killed? Blow the shrine up?” Akiko shook her head slowly.

“Well, I suppose not…”

“You suppose? Oh, come on. This isn’t some gangster film.” Akiko nodded, but she couldn’t help remembering the kegare swirling around Mr Wakabayashi. What could he do?

Outside, the downpour continued.

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The doorbell interrupted miko training again later in the day, much to Akiko’s relief. She was sure she’d snap if she had to practise walking across the room one more time. This time, looking through the frosted glass of the door, she thought it was Akira, and went with Shiraishi without being asked.

She was right; he bowed to them, and then took his mask off.

“Revd Shiraishi, Ms Tanahata. Can I speak to both of you? It’s about my father.” The priest gestured for him to come in, and led the way to the reception room. She left Akiko with him while she went to get tea, and Akira quickly turned to her.

“What have you told her already?” Akiko blushed, suddenly wondering what was supposed to be secret.

“Well, about my visions, of course, and about the pressure from Mr Wakabayashi on his business. Shouldn’t I have?” Akira shook his head.

“No, it’s fine. I just wanted to know how much background I had to fill in.”

“So, what is it?”

“I’d rather wait until the priest is here as well.” He paused, taking a deep breath. “I’d rather not have to do this twice.” Akiko nodded, thinking she understood, and they sat in silence until Shiraishi returned.

“Well, Akira, what can we help you with?”

“The offices of Tateyama Construction were struck by lightning last night. No-one was there, so there were no casualties, but it was a while before the fire brigade were called; their office is some way from any houses. The building was, apparently, completely destroyed.” He paused, taking another deep breath. “Tateyama Construction is another company that used to deal with my father.”

Akiko was shocked, and looked at Shiraishi to gauge the priest’s reaction. She seemed equally surprised, and worried, and sipped nervously at her tea.

“Do you…” The priest’s voice was very tentative, and she didn’t manage to finish the sentence.

“I think it might be my father’s curse, yes. I suppose I can understand why he’s doing this, but he was never violent. What changed?”

“He died.” Akiko regretted the words the moment they passed her lips; far too blunt. Akira swayed backwards almost as if struck, and looked down, blinking rapidly. “Oh, I’m sorry…” She started to apologise, but Akira held a hand up, shaking his head. Swallowing and wiping his eyes, he looked up.

“No, no. You’re right. He died, and that seems to make a big difference.” He took a deep breath, which shuddered in his throat, and blinked a few more times. “I’ve been thinking about how to pacify him.” He looked down again, looking at both of them. “I’ve decided to drop out of university and take over the business. I have the necessary training, and Mr Nakayama’s agreed to advise me. He says that my father always wanted me to…” Akira broke off, and covered his eyes with his hands for a moment.

“The life insurance payment will cover all the debts, with a couple of months of salaries left over.” He tried to smile, but it was thin. “Father increased the policy when I was born. I guess he really didn’t want to leave us in trouble.” Drawing a deep breath again, he took a sip of tea. Akiko stayed quiet, giving him time.

“I want to go and talk to the people who used to work with us; offer them the chance to hire us again. Akiko, would you act as my secretary? Just for a day or two?”

Akiko couldn’t bring herself to refuse.

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After a weekend of practising walking, kneeling, bowing, and carrying things, Akiko was very glad to see Akira on Monday morning and more than happy to go with him to visit former clients of his father’s business. As he drove them to the first office, Akira quickly explained what he wanted Akiko to do: stand in the background and look secretarial, essentially. Akiko guessed that he didn’t want to just turn up alone, but that he also didn’t want one of the long-standing employees with him, in case the old contacts preferred to talk to the people they knew. It was fine with her; anything to get away from miko practice for a while.

The streets were quiet, with only a handful of people visible, and all of them wearing masks.

“The fever is getting worse, isn’t it.”

“Yes,” Akira replied. “Although it doesn’t seem to be spreading outside this area.” He parked the car outside an office, pulling his mask on before getting out. “It’s strange. Almost everyone seems to be going down with it around here, but even in south Kawasaki, or just across the river, no-one is catching it at all.” His voice was slightly muffled by the mask, but his eyes were fixed on Akiko. She caught the hint; it didn’t sound natural. She really hoped that Akira’s father wasn’t responsible for the disease as well as the lightning strikes.

She followed Akira to the office entrance, and waited while he buzzed the intercom. There was quite a delay before anyone answered.

“Yes?”

“I’d like to talk to Mr Kondo.”

“I’m sorry, he’s off with the fever.”

“Oh, well, is there anyone I can talk to? This is Akira Takenaka.”

“No, I’m afraid there’s no-one here to talk to you. I hope they’ll be better by next week.”

“I see. Thank you anyway.” Akira pulled a face, just visible around the mask, as he turned away. “I hadn’t allowed for this. It’s going to be hard if there’s no-one to talk to us.” Akiko nodded, and followed him back to the car.

The next office was more successful. At first, they didn’t want to talk, but when Akira gave his name, the boss, Mr Takei, agreed to come down. He opened the door, but, wearing his mask, kept his distance.

“Mr Takenaka. I was very sorry to hear about your father. My condolences.” Akira bowed in acknowledgement.

“Thank you. It was a terrible shock. However, I intend to keep his business running, and I hope that you will continue to think of us in the future.” He bowed, holding out his business card, and there was an odd pause before Mr Takei took it, bowing in return.

“Ah, yes.”

“I was wondering whether you might have any jobs for us at the moment?”

“Ah…”

“I know that you are involved in several projects.”

“Yes, but it’s a bit difficult.”

“I hope that there were no problems with the quality of our work.”

“No, no.” The denial was quick, and sounded sincere to Akiko. “Your company always did good work, on time. I have no complaints.”

“We are still available for work.” Mr Takei looked around quickly, and then stepped forward, speaking quietly.

“Look, don’t say I said this. It was made clear to me that I only have these jobs as long as I don’t hire your company. It might be different now your father’s dead, but I’ve not heard anything. I’m really sorry, but I’ve got to think of my employees.”

Akira just bowed.

“Thank you for your time,” he said as he straightened up, turning quickly away. Akiko thought she caught a glimpse of tears in his eyes.

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Back in the car, Akira drove around the corner, then parked and hit the steering wheel, hard.

“Wakabayashi! It has to be him.” Akiko just nodded; that had been her conclusion as well. “But why?”

“He’s trying to buy the shrine’s land, and your father was a loyal ujiko, so maybe he was trying to prise him away.” Akira turned to look at her, his eyes wide over the mask.

“That… No, wait, that makes no sense. The shrine is up a hill; it’s not a great place for building. If Wakabayashi is threatening people over this, he’s breaking the law. He wouldn’t do that over that piece of land. It’s not that good.” He shook his head. “Maybe something personal? Maybe he was threatening the shrine to get at my father?”

“He was back after…” Akiko couldn’t bring herself to say it out loud. Akira said nothing for a long time, and then looked up and started the car.

“Well, there’s nothing to do but keep looking.”

The next office looked like a bomb had hit it. They both got out of the car, staring at the wreckage in disbelief. A security guard noticed them, and came over.

“Can I help you?”

“Er, probably not. I was hoping to talk to Mr Tamura. We used to do business with him.”

“Ah. No, I can’t help with that. The gas tanks went up a couple of nights ago. The only people in the office had just popped out to the convenience store, so in a way it’s really lucky. He said to say that he’s planning to reopen, within a month, but can’t take any inquiries until then.” Akira nodded, still staring at the devastation.

“Thank you. I’ll get in touch with him later, then.”

Back in the car, he paused for long moments before turning the ignition. Akiko looked at him, trying desperately to read the visible parts of his face.

“Do you think…?” He nodded once, sharply.

“Mr Tamura was a gas engineer. His own tanks wouldn’t go up by accident.”

“No-one was hurt, though,” Akiko hastened to reassure him.

“No. Well, other than by having their livelihoods devastated.” He took a deep breath. “Next place.”

They could hear the sirens from some distance away, and came round the corner to see fire engines still clustered round the burnt-out shell of a building, which still smouldered slightly. Akira stopped the car, and Akiko tried to glance at him without being obvious about it. All she could see was that he was gripping the steering wheel very tightly. She couldn’t imagine how he was feeling, and certainly couldn’t think of anything to say, so she just sat there.

Akira suddenly looked around, and then started manoeuvring the car to get it back out; the road ahead was blocked.

“There’s no point visiting here. I’m taking you back to the shrine.”

“There are still other people to visit.” Akiko didn’t want him to give up, at least not at this point, but he was adamant.

“You might get caught up in it, being with me. I can’t risk that.”

I’m already caught up in it, Akiko thought, but she said nothing.

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Akira walked Akiko up the steps and back to the shrine house, but left her at the entrance. He had been very quiet all the way there, and said only the briefest of farewells as she went inside.

“Revd Shiraishi! I’m back!” she called out, hoping that the priest was around. Shiraishi emerged from the office almost immediately.

“Welcome back… What’s wrong?” Akiko realised that her worry, her fear, was showing on her face.

“Revd Shiraishi, what do you know about angry ghosts and curses?”

“Legends, mainly. They’re called tatarigami. Why? Oh…” Shiraishi’s face fell, as she realised what Akiko meant. Akiko nodded.

“Are they associated with lightning strikes?” Shiraishi nodded. “Accidents? Fires?” Shiraishi nodded again. “Diseases?” Another nod.

“Akiko, what are you suggesting?” Akiko took a deep breath. Saying it aloud would make it more real, and she wasn’t sure she was ready for that. But if she didn’t say anything, they couldn’t do anything, and it would just get worse.

“I think Mr Takenaka has become an angry ghost, and is cursing the area. I think he’s particularly targeting the businesses that stopped hiring his company. We went round them today, and found two more devastated; a gas explosion and a fire. That’s four, Revd Shiraishi. Four in a week or so. That’s not normal.”

“That… No… They…” Shiraishi was at a loss for words.

“What do we do?”

“I don’t know.”

“You’re the priest!”

“They’re legends, Ms Tanahata. They’ve always just been legends. I didn’t expect them to come true. I never prepared for them to come true. Akiko, legends aren’t a threat. Legends don’t kill my friends.”

“Neither will my father.”

Akiko and Shiraishi both spun to face the door, where Akira stood.

“I… I thought you’d gone home,” Akiko stammered out.

“Not quite.” He stopped, but his whole attitude suggested he was going to speak again; Akiko waited quietly. “My father was not, is not, a violent man. He wouldn’t kill anyone. The fever is not fatal.” That was true; Akiko had heard no reports of deaths yet. “None of the accidents have killed anyone.” Akiko remembered the Sugiyamas being carried out of their house, but as far as she knew, that was also true. “He is angry, not psychotic. I think that, if I can get the business going again, he will rest peacefully.” Akira’s voice was starting to crack, and Akiko suddenly felt tears rising in her eyes. How can Akira possibly cope with this?

“The business and his family; those were the most important things to my father.” Akira was crying openly as he spoke now, struggling to get the words out coherently. “If those are saved, he will rest peacefully. I’m sure of it. I’m sure of it.”

Akiko, trying to blink back the tears, just bit her lip and nodded, looking at Shiraishi, who also nodded.

“Go home, Akira,” the priest said. “You’ve done all you can for today. I’m sure your mother wants to see you.” Akira took a shuddering breath, and nodded.

“I’m sorry. I will go home now. Akiko, could you accompany me again tomorrow?”

“Of course, Akira.”

When he had gone, and they were sure, Akiko turned back to Shiraishi.

“Do you think he’s right?” The priest shrugged, but Akiko could tell she wasn’t convinced.

It was only after she had gone to bed that Akiko realised that Akira had called her by her given name.

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Akiko was awake in the middle of the night, for no reason she could discern. She lay in the futon for a while, staring at the ceiling, slowly realising that she could see it very clearly, in a soft silver light. It didn’t quite look like moonlight, and she immediately started to wonder, calmly, whether she was actually awake. She glanced around the room, but it looked perfectly ordinary; not that that proved anything.

She got up, pulling on a yukata and belting it at her waist. The night air was surprisingly warm when she opened the windows and stepped out onto the veranda, the pool liquid silver in the moonlight. She glanced back into her room; maybe it was just reflected moonlight. Maybe. Stepping down into the sandals, she walked across the bridge and purified herself before leaving the garden and stepping into the shrine grounds. Everything was peaceful, the stones of the iwakura dark shadows in the moonlight, while the shrine seemed almost to glow. Akiko looked around, but she still couldn’t see anything that proved she was dreaming, or awake, for that matter.

She walked towards the shrine building, intending to pay her respects to Tamao. If he wants something, that will give him a chance to say so, she thought. As she reached the steps, she looked round, and saw a figure standing outside the torii. It looked human, but it was surrounded by swirling clouds, moving as if caught in a hurricane, glowing red, green, and purple, flashing with silver and gold lightning.

Probably dreaming, then, she concluded, walking cautiously towards the torii. Probably.

As she got closer, she could make out more details of the figure; the fact that it was Mr Takenaka didn’t surprise her, and even came as a relief. At least it was a known issue, not something else to deal with. He was standing outside the torii as the clouds whipped round his body, but his clothes seemed untouched by the wind, hanging still around him. He was facing out, looking over Kawasaki. Akiko could not see the town through the trees, but maybe Mr Takenaka could. She walked up to the torii, but not through it. If he was an angry ghost, a tatarigami, Akiko wanted to be inside the shrine, under Tamao’s protection.

“Mr Takenaka?”

He turned round, and Akiko gasped as her heart started pounding. His face was twisted, his eyes burning with green fire in red skin. He grinned when he saw her, and she was sure that his teeth were sharper, longer, than they should be. He reached out for her, but snatched his hand back as it reached the torii, scowling. Akiko was very glad she had decided to stay inside.

“Akiko Tanahata.” His voice was deeper than before, rumbling with the cadences of thunder, making ground vibrate under her feet. She swallowed, hard, wondering what it meant that he recognised her. “They have tasted my wrath. They have had the warnings. You have had the warning; you burned with it, didn’t you?”

Akiko realised he was talking about the fever, and nodded, her mouth dry. She desperately wanted to run away, but she also needed to know what he wanted, what he planned to do. He can’t cross the boundary, she reminded herself, and put one hand on the torii, gripping it for support.

“Well then, why haven’t you acted? Why have none of them acted? Why do they not repent of ignoring me, of neglecting me? Don’t they know that it is dangerous to neglect the kami? We have ways of getting what we want!”

You certainly do, thought Akiko, then guiltily glanced back over her shoulder, wondering whether Tamao could read her mind. Takenaka grinned, apparently noticing her glance.

“Yes, is he really so different from me? But he has a shrine, festivals, ujiko. I was a loyal ujiko. I took my turns helping run the shrine. I made my offerings. And in return I was abandoned, left unsupported.” He spun round, stretching his hands out over the city. “Well, now they will know what it is like. They will feel my anger, my revenge. No-one can stop me now.” It wasn’t a boast, or a challenge. Just a calm statement of fact.

Her heart pounding even faster, her stomach churning, Akiko licked her lips to wet them and forced the question out.

“What… what do you want?”

He turned back to her, looking at her curiously from his burning eyes.

“Want? I want justice. I want vengeance.” He raised a hand, the clouds gathering round it, shining weirdly and spitting lightning. “I can have revenge now.” He paused, smiling, and Akiko shuddered.

“So, enough warnings. Nobody is taking it seriously. Nobody is afraid.” Well, that’s not true, Akiko thought, as her fingers tried to dig into the stone of the torii. Somehow, however, saying that didn’t seem like a good idea.

“Earth next. I will bury them. They dug the foundations, so I will bury them in earth. His home will vanish into the ground.”

Who? Say the name! Akiko begged silently.

“The hill will consume it, as if it was never there.” Takenaka raised a hand, and then froze, looking beyond Akiko. She looked over her shoulder, and saw Tamao looming there, his eyes fixed on Takenaka’s spirit. The gems of his skin shone brightly, and Akiko looked back to see the clouds around Takenaka pulsing in response, swirling faster and faster, as if all the movement had drained into them. Because Takenaka was standing absolutely still, transfixed by the snake.

For a moment, Akiko wondered whether Tamao was going to defeat Takenaka, but, although his tail flicked, the snake made no larger move. Carefully, quietly, Akiko backed away, towards the shrine house. Tamao had bought them time, she decided. Time to warn the victims, if Akira Takenaka knew who they were. Time to work out what to do about Hideo Takenaka.

She turned and ran into the house, banging on the door of Shiraishi’s room until the priest got up.

They had been talking for several minutes when Akiko suddenly realised that there had been no moment of awakening.

Not a dream, then.

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