Akiko was halfway up the steps when she heard a voice call her from behind.

“Akiko!â€ She stopped, and looked down, waiting until Satomi came into sight to reply.

“Satomi! What is it?â€

“I was just going to ask you. Why were you running?â€

“I, er…â€ <em>I was scared of the spirits of decay.</em> “I needed to get back to get on with the cleaning.â€ <em>Also true.</em> “What about you?â€

“Oh, I heard about the fire on the news, and the company sent me over this way, so I thought I’d drop by and see how you were.â€ Satomi had come up the steps, and had reached Akiko. Together, they continued to the top.

“Well, as you can see I’m fine. The fire was quite destructive, though.â€ Akiko heard Satomi gasp as they reached the top.

“It’s completely gone.â€ Akiko nodded.

“Utterly destroyed.â€

“That’s dreadful. What are you going to do?â€

“Rebuild it. Well, Revd Shiraishi is going to hire people to rebuild it. I’m just going to help keep the shrine running, I think.â€

“Good luck!â€ That reminded Akiko of what Satomi had said the last time she was here.

“Do you still think I’m lucky?â€ She smiled wryly.

“Oh, yes. You don’t? You weren’t injured in the fire, were you? Think about how much worse it could have been!â€

“Well, yes. I suppose there is that.â€

“Although the fire was bad luck over all, obviously. The shrine wasn’t lucky, but that doesn’t mean you couldn’t be.â€

“Hmm.â€ Akiko had to admit that Satomi had a point. She wasn’t at all sure that the shrine fire would have any direct bad effects on her.

“Anyway, I’d better get back to work. They’ll notice if I stand around here chatting. See you soon!â€

“See you.â€ Akiko waved Satomi off, thinking about luck, and something moved at the edge of her vision. She spun round, but there was nothing to see. Her mood turning grim, she hurried into the house.

“Welcome back. I started eating without you; sorry.â€ Shiraishi was seated at the kitchen table, and already eating lunch. Akiko’s was set out, ready.

“That’s fine. Thanks for preparing it.â€

“No problem.â€ She paused for a moment. “So, what did you see?â€ Akiko grimaced, and toyed with her food for a moment, not hungry.

“Kegare. Everywhere the flood touched, kegare, with spirits of kegare crawling over the walls and buildings. And it was a big flood, even up near the top of the hill.â€

“Well, I suppose kegare goes with damage, so that makes sense.â€

“Does it cause damage? Or does damage cause kegare?â€

“Both, I think. Certainly, damage is a form of impurity.â€ Akiko frowned.

“But I thought the kami didn’t like impurity? That you had to purify the kegare before any ceremony?â€

“Yes, of course. Why?â€

“Ah.â€ For a moment, Akiko didn’t want to say, but she berated herself silently for being an idiot. Shiraishi wasn’t going to accuse her of anything now.

“I… I think the kami caused the flood.â€

“What? Why?â€

“I think he’s angry about something. But why would he cause a flood that just created more kegare?â€