Shiraishi performed a harae for the shrine grounds as soon as she got back, and Akiko confirmed that it had cleared the kegare. Kazumi, claiming that her clothes were not quite dry, had insisted on waiting, and attended the harae in her yukata. Akiko noticed that the girl was watching her, and trying to copy her actions. Once the ceremony was over, Kazumi ran back inside to get changed, before setting off, in the dark, to go home.

“The Itos wanted another purification,â€ Shiraishi explained. “They said that they felt better afterwards, but…â€

“Oh, I’m sure it was fine,â€ Akiko assured the priest. “The harae always seems to work.â€

“Did Kazumi cause any problems?â€

“Not so far as I could see.â€

The relief was clear on Shiraishi’s face.

“Thank goodness. I really wasn’t sure that I’d made the right decision. But her clothes really were still wet, so…â€

“No, I think it was safe. I’m not sure I’d trust her with anything that had to be done, but she really seems to like the shrine. I don’t think she’d do anything to harm it.â€

Shiraishi smiled and nodded.

“That was my impression, as well. Oh, how was your date?â€

“Until the kegare appeared, it was fine. Talking of kegare, do you have any idea why it was getting back into the shrine grounds?â€

“Well, maybe because the protesters came back?â€

“Could be.â€ Akiko wasn’t entirely convinced. “They do have a lot of pollution, but the guards keep them out.â€

“The guards, then? They wouldn’t say where they were last night.â€

Akiko shook her head.

“No. They have almost no kegare.â€

“Really?â€ Shiraishi sounded a little surprised.

“Really. Whatever the problems with them, they aren’t due to kegare.â€

“Oh.â€ Shiraishi fell silent, as did Akiko. She suspected that the priest was thinking along the same lines as she was: Tamao was just not strong enough to keep the kegare out completely. Whether he had got weaker, or the kegare had got stronger, the balance was shifting.

“I think I need to talk to the other miko,â€ Akiko said, at last.

“The other…? Oh, yes. Yes, she might know something.â€

It was only when she left the house, late at night, that Akiko became aware of the problem posed by the guards. They were keeping an eye on the shrine grounds, as well as the entrance, which meant that they would see her going to the tree. For any number of reasons, Akiko didn’t want them to follow her, so she pretended to simply be checking the grounds herself until the guard, nodding to her, went back down the steps. Seizing her chance, she hurried into the woods.

Yoshiko was already waiting at the tree.

“Sorry I’m late,â€ Akiko apologised as she arrived. “I had to…â€ She cut herself off. “Sorry. No explanations.â€ Yoshiko smiled and nodded.

“Well,â€ she said, “we’d better get straight on with the practice.â€

“Ah, actually, can I ask you something first?â€

“Certainly.â€

“It’s about kegare and Tamao.â€ Yoshiko nodded for her to continue. “Someone deliberately polluted the shrine last night, and so we had to clean and purify it yesterday. But a few hours after we purified it, there was already kegare within the shrine precincts. Is that normal?â€

Yoshiko shook her head, her expression worried.

“The shrine grounds shouldn’t be polluted at all, at least not unless someone does something. The normal ceremonies and the power of the kami should be enough to keep pollution out.â€

“That’s what I thought,â€ Akiko said, frowning. “So, what does it mean?â€

“Well, either the kegare outside is very strong, or Tamao is very weak, I suppose. Or both.â€

“The kegare outside is definitely very strong. I don’t think Tamao is that weak, but maybe he isn’t strong enough.â€

“What does Tamao say?â€

Akiko pulled a face, and then quickly forced herself to look neutral. It was too late, though. Yoshiko was already shaking her head, her expression half stern, half amused.

“You need to show more respect for your kami, Akiko. And listen to him if he chooses to speak to you.â€

“I know, I know.â€ Akiko paused, searching for the right words. “It’s just… He doesn’t tell us enough. Or anything specific. Or anything <em>useful.</em>â€ She sighed, and shook her head in frustration. “I thought that things would be much easier if I could talk to him, but it’s not really worked out that way.â€

“How much do you try to talk to him?â€

“Well…â€ Akiko came to a stop. <em>Not very much,</em> she had to admit.

“Frightened?â€

“No!â€ Akiko responded immediately, but Yoshiko didn’t take her eyes off Akiko’s face, and there was something eerie about her look. Akiko blamed it on the eyebrows, but also remembered that Yoshiko saw Tamao as well. “OK, yes. I’m frightened of what might happen if I talk to Tamao. I talked to the Aramitama, and…â€ She shuddered at the memories, and couldn’t go on.

“The Aramitama? Directly?â€ Yoshiko sounded surprised. “I’m not surprised you’re scared.â€

“Have you…?â€ Akiko suddenly realised that Yoshiko might not want to remember either, but she really wanted to know.

The other miko nodded, her face set.

“It’s dangerous, outside the Aramatsuri. The Aramitama is not as controlled or as considerate as the Nigimitama. But then, you know that.â€

Akiko nodded.

“Try to talk to the Nigimitama. Even the Aramitama almost never actually injures the miko.â€

“<em>Almost</em> never?â€

“Maybe never. There are stories, but the miko could have just slipped while dancing.â€

“Not serious injuries, then.â€

“Not really. But you are avoiding the main issue.â€

Akiko blushed as she realised that Yoshiko was quite right.

“So, how should I talk to him?â€

“Perform a ceremony to call him. If he wants to talk, he will, and if kegare is getting into the shrine precincts, I’m sure he will want to.â€

“A ceremony…â€

“It’s quite a standard one. Just like calling him into a himorogi at any other time.â€

“But calling him into me?â€

“Well…â€ Yoshiko looked down briefly, as if slightly embarrassed, but then looked Akiko back in the eyes.

“That is part of a miko’s job, after all.â€