Shirayuki wrote:The Ayakashi storyteller was there, of course, and with a flourish she stepped forward. "Let me share the tale of Seika and his beloved Kimimasa. A tale of love, but also of sorrow." And Shirayuki's voice rang with its usual enthusiasm and confidence.
"A long, long time ago, when the realms where still close, and humans and spirits both lived together, there lived a singer of the most sublime voice. His name was Seika, and his musical lyrics could make trees grow and flowers bloom; and when he played his harp along with his song, even those who lived in the Celestial Heavens would stop and pause to listen, for so moved were they by the perfection of Seika's voice.
And he would find true love with the beautiful Kimimasa, a princess of the northern mountains who had been blessed by the powers of love and beauty. When Seika would play his music, she would dance, and together they captivated the hearts and souls of those who saw them together, for so harmonious were their talents.
So on an appointed auspicious day, Seika and Kimimasa were to be bound, their union sanctified and celebrated. And celebrated they did, and both people and spirits came from afar to join in with the festivities! For seven days the celebrations were to last, with wine, song, and dance... however, on the fourth day, their blissful fate would take a dark turn.
For there was another who desired Kimimasa. The man known as Hachi, who was the greatest hunter in the land, had set his eyes on Kimimasa, and as he saw her dance to Seika's music during the festivities, he could not control himself. And so he decided to lure her away.
"Fair dancer, come this way. I saw in the glade here a flower never seen before; consider it my wedding gift to you!" he said to the beautiful dancer, for he knew she loved the wonders of the world and the flowers in it. Kimimasa, so full of delight and joy, saw no reason to distrust Hachi, and followed him... away from Seika, away from the party, to the outskirts of a glade.
It was here that she realised that it had been a trap, as Hachi attempted to overwhelm her, though he did not expect the dancer to be as fleet of foot as a hare and she eluded his attempts. But she was frightened, and ran heedlessly into the glade to flee the hunter. Her panic grew more and more as Hachi gave chase, and in her distress she did not watch her step - and a viper, startled by her flight, lashed out and bit her ankle. The poison coursed through her, and she collapsed. Her breath began to fade when Hachi found her, and he became overwhelmed with guilt and shame, for had it not been for him, this would not have happened! Carrying the limp Kimimasa in his arms, Hachi hurried back to the party, hoping - praying! - that someone there could help her. Alas, she drew her last breath the moment Seika rushes to her side.
So great was his grief that when he sang his mournful song, the sky rained for days and days. The animals and the spirits of the forest wept too, for Kimimasa had been beloved by them all. Seika's sorrow reached far, into the heights of the Heavens themselves, until one of the heavenly houou could no longer bear it. It flew down from the Heavens to speak with Seika, and it told him that not all hope was lost. "If I could give up my existence for her to end your grief, I would," spoke the bird, "but I cannot, but I know of a way. Not all hope is lost yet!"
The houou told him of a passage that led to the realm of the dead, and warned him of the Lord and Lady that ruled this realm. "The Lord is not a cruel man, and neither is his Lady, but they are dedicated to upholding the laws of the universe - of death, life, and rebirth. But if your feelings are true, you may be able to stir their hearts like they have stirred the very Heavens themselves." Emboldened by these words, Seika buried his grief for now and resolved to rescue his love from death itself.
The journey itself was difficult beyond words, but he would not be deterred, even when he arrived at the entrance that lead to the realm of death. Even when the cold of the underworld seeped into his bones, he carried on and drew strength from the soothing sounds of his harp. Indeed, the sound of the harp kept any dangers that lurked within at bay for the dead were so confused by these overwhelming feelings of sorrow that should have left them when their lifeforce did.
The grey and misty passageway brought Seika to the great hall of the Lord and Lady of the realm, and the Lord spoke to him. "You have upset the peace of this realm. This realm is for the dead, not the living. It is a place of peaceful rest for souls before they move on, and your music has disturbed this peace, leaving my subjects confused and sorrowed." And his Lady asked; "Why have you come here? There must be a good reason."
Seika sat down with his legs crossed and the harp in his lap. "My Lord, my Lady, I come to you in great sorrow. For my beloved Kimimasa was called to this realm when a viper bit her, during a time of great celebration when our life together was supposed to begin. Without her, my life has no meaning, and I beseech you; return her to the realm of the living." And when it seemed like the Lord and Lady hesitated in granting him his request, Seika's fingers moved across the strings of his harp and began to sing. Never before had a more beautiful and sad song been heard. All the dead began to weep. On the living lands above, flowers closed, and no bird sang. First the Lady began to cry, and soon too did the Lord.
"Enough," the Lord said, his voice shaking. "You will have your wish." And the Lady spoke; "but it will not be easy. Return to your world the way you came, singer, and your beloved will follow behind you. However, you must not speak, or make a sound, and you must never, never look back. If you can pass out through the gateway without breaking these rules, then she will be standing before you again, alive and healthy."
Overjoyed was the singer and he readily agreed. For he could do anything for his love. And after paying his respects to the Lord and Lady of the dead, he began the trek back the same way he came, the sound of the lamentation of the dead still lingering in the realm as he walked away. As he began the long walk back in silence, he felt worry... and the cold seemed much stronger now that he did not have his music to keep his spirits up. Was she really following behind him? He couldn't hear anything anymore except for the distant sounds of the winds above at the gateway. He could not feel her presence at all. Not her warmth, not her scent, not her radiant being.
Seika could see the exit, but his mind had become consumed with fear. Had he done all this for naught? He had to know! And so... he turned around.
To his horror, he saw the transparent form of Kimimasa, beautiful even in death. And tears flowed down her cheeks as she saw him. "Why... why?" she cried, and her spirit slipped away... the great force that is death pulled her back to the underworld. And like that she was gone. Seika had lost his beloved because of his fear."