Shadow Fan (The Shadow Fan Series #1)

by Martin, Shelley

  Shadow Fan

  Book #1 of The Shadow Fan Series

  Shelley Martin

  Silver Seraphim Press

  Shelley Martin

  ShelleyMartinFiction.com

  Copyright © 2013 Shelley Martin

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.

  This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to any person, living or dead, any place, events or occurrences, is purely coincidental. The characters and story lines are created from the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

  This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This book may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to the purchase-point and purchase your own copy.

  Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  Published by Silver Seraphim Press

  Cover art by Linda Issa

  Edited by BriLee Editing

  Acknowledgments

  Thank you to Heavenly Father, who has made me all thatq I am. Thank you to my husband, whose support led me to where I am. Thank you to my children, who have taught me patience, and share it with me while I disappear into my “writing worlds.” Thank you to my critique partners, you know who you are, and I know where you live. And a big thank you to my beta readers, who are too many to mention, but I am grateful to every one of you!

  Glossary

  Spirit- A being existing without a body. They can be very powerful or weak. The more powerful become guardians over portions of our world and the Border Lands.

  Mushi- Life in its purest form. Because of their nature, their shapes and forms are ambiguous. Some you can see, some you can’t. Some can even take on human form. They are as simple and various as the insects of our world and mostly live in the Border Lands.

  Yokai- Often translated as “demons,” they can be portrayed as good or evil, but are always mischievous. They have a variety of abilities and often have animal-like qualities. The more powerful the Yokai, the more humanoid they appear.

  Border Lands- The land between this world and the next. Mushi and a variety of spirits live here, as well as human souls who have become lost once departing their body.

  Oni- A large troll like creature, with two horns protruding from their head and sharp claws. Their skin can be any color. In tales of old they are often the ultimate bad guys.

  Shrine- A platform within a small building or simple roof, containing an object or statue connected to a being of greater power; usually a spirit or God. These can be found on large sacred grounds or small roadside plots.

  Priest/Priestess- A man or woman devoted to a lifetime of service to a greater being.

  Japan, 1513

  CHAPTER ONE

  Naru wasn’t exactly proud of eavesdropping. As a young Japanese man, honor was an important quality. But the village lord never came to Yoshino’s shrine. Something unusual was going on.

  “So all the girls have just disappeared?” A priest asked.

  Lord Osamu nodded. Although, as the father of two marriageable daughters, he didn’t look very worried. “About seven of them from the neighboring valley. All daughters of nobility.”

  Another shrine priest joined the conversation. “So, that’s why you’re here? To watch over Lady Aya as she visits the shrine?”

  The Lord yawned as if bored. “Yes. Well, it seems I’m not needed. The issue ended weeks ago. I’m sure the girls just ran away. After all, they have no decent men to marry in that valley.”

  The men laughed. Naru rolled his eyes. If they weren’t going to be serious about keeping Aya safe, then he would. He could never let anything happen to the Lady.

  The sound of rustling silk made him duck. He quickly went back to pretending to pull weeds. After the person passed, he peeked back up through the slats of the raised walkway. His breath stilled as the most beautiful girl he’d ever seen appeared in her long, flowing blue kimono. Lady Aya, youngest daughter of the Lord Osamu, smiled as she greeted the priests. Naru wished he could stand beside her and receive one of those heart-stopping smiles. Instead, he was suddenly staring at a weathered old groundskeeper.

  “What are you doing here, son?” The old man was usually kind and patient, but right now he gazed at what was clenched in Naru’s hand.

  Naru sighed and handed over the weeds to prove he wasn’t up to anything. “I was just trying to thank the spirit Yoshino, in my own way. By pulling the weeds. There’s mushroom growing around the back right corner, near the shrine as well.”

  The groundkeeper’s graying, bushy brows rose. “Forgive me. With all feudal Japan at war with itself, one can never be too careful. If you want to go into the shrine, you may do so, son. We will not hold you back.”

  Yes, but I’d look like the impoverished street dweller that I am next to her. He bowed. “Thank you for your kindness, sir.” He backed away and headed for the forest, away from Lady Aya. At least no one would stare at his ragged clothes there.

  He was just within the veil of trees when a young woman stepped into his path. He jumped back with a start to avoid touching her expensive kimono. “Oh, I almost ran into you. Forgive me.” As he bowed he got a close up view of the silk pattern. It wasn’t Aya’s. Rainbow waves broken by ribbons of gold stared back at him. He knew the pattern of this kimono…

  He straightened to see the lovely woman smiling at him.q

  “You like Lady Aya, don’t you?” She said in a hushed voice.

  Eyes wide, Naru gulped. “It’s you.” He stepped back and carefully sank into a fighting stance.

  The girl cocked her head as her delicate hands folded before her. Her eyes held a hint of mischievousness.

  He couldn’t believe she was actually speaking to him. “You’re an Oni, aren’t you?”

  A scowl shadowed her sweet face. “Do I look like a troll to you?”

  Did she? He glanced over her, searching for horns, warts, or yellow eyes. But the woman presented a flawless image. “Uh, no.” He ran through his mind what else could explain this woman’s existence. He lived in the forest and he’d often seen her in the distance. She’d appear like a ghost. Then when he’d follow, she’d vanish.

  “You must be a Yokai then.” He swallowed as her brow rose.

  “Really? You think I’m an earth-bound demon?”

  He nodded mutely. “I’ve heard really powerful Yokai can take the form of a human.”

  The playful glint returned to her eyes. “Yes, but they are mostly born of enchanted animals.” She leaned in close. “Do you see whiskers on my face? Or a tail from my backside?”

  His eyes searched her face, her ears and hands. Then he blushed. How am I supposed to check her backside without seeming rude?

  She smiled knowingly. Putting one foot over the other, she turned slowly. Naru could see she wasn’t hiding any extra nonhuman body parts under her spotless kimono. Once she faced him fully, he relaxed and stood normally. If she is something evil, wouldn’t she have attacked me already?

  She smiled confidently. “Well, have I passed your test?”

  He nodded. “Only, it doesn’t make sense…”

  Her smile faded. “What doesn’t make sense?”

  “Your kimono.” He studied the golden obi wrapped tight around her waist, and the edge of the layers under her sleeves. “There isn’t a speck of dirt on you. How could you be in the forest so often, in that very kimo
no, and not be even a little dirty?”

  “Oh, that.” She checked her clothing, and smiled again. “Well, I can assure you, I’m no Oni or Yokai. But that’s exactly why I came to see you.”

  Naru’s brow drew together.

  “There is a Yokai here. At this shrine.”

  He shifted his weight. “Really?”

  The woman nodded. “It was chased out of the neighboring valley after killing several wealthy, young girls.” The muscles in Naru’s arms bulged as he tensed. “Yokai believe eating the daughters of wealthy men will grant them power.”

  He looked back over to see Aya leaving. He never would have imagined the girls were eaten. His sight didn’t leave her form until she was well down the mountain.

  The woman stood next to him as they watched the procession disappear out of view. “I can help you. I can make her yours.”

  His scowl deepened. “You’re crazy. I’m lower than the poorest peasant. I have no home, my clothes are filthy and too small. I don’t even have any friends. I’m too disgusting for people to notice.” He glared at her penetrating eyes. “Don’t give me false hope. It’s impossible. Go tell the priests if you think there’s a Yokai here.”

  “I can’t.”

  “Why not?”

  Her chin dipped. “Because you are the only one who can see me, Naru.”q

  His eyes narrowed. That explains why no one else has ever seen her. She had to be the ghost of a dead villager. “You seem to know my name, but I don’t know yours.”

  “You know my name,” she said softly.

  He sighed. “Every time I tried to talk to you, you vanished. So no, I don’t know your name.”

  Silence hung in the air so long Naru figured she was done talking. He turned to go.

  “My name is Yoshino.”

  His foot paused mid-air. Surely she couldn’t be that Yoshino. Her parents must have named her that after the Great Spirit of the Mountain.

  Like a little girl she hopped from one stone to another along the forest floor. “Did you know your father used to be a priest of mine?”

  Nope. That statement sealed the fact that she was indeed who he feared she was. He put his hanging foot down. “He was disowned by the temple for falling in love with my mother. No one speaks of his time as a priest.”

  She stopped and stared down the mountain, at the village. “He was one of my favorites. I sent dreams to the High Priest to allow the men to marry. It was a foolish law their ancestors made up, to have a priest live his life as if he were 'married' to me.” She snorted. “As if a human man could keep up with me, let alone a whole temple full.” She sighed. “But your father understood my dreams. He was the only one who accepted them as a true message. When he followed my wishes he was cast out.”

  She turned her body to face Naru. He glanced at her saddened eyes. “I did try to show my displeasure. I allowed violent storms to hit the mountain all winter. And then a drought that summer. But nobody received my warning. Then your parents were killed by those bandits…” She frowned. “I am a spirit of balance, and the loss of your parents threw this mountain out of balance. So I have done my best trying to protect you.”

  Naru’s lips pressed together as he remembered the times he’d chased after her. She often disappeared in a patch of wild berries, or nut trees. Just when he thought he’d starve he always, somehow, ended up with food. And that was her doing. Yoshino, the Great Spirit.

  Shock held him motionless as the realization opened his eyes. He fell to his knees, bowing before her. “Thank you for helping me.”

  She knelt slowly, and peered into his eyes. “Now I need you to help me. And if you do, I will reward you with that young woman.”

  He stood. Could it be true? Was there really a chance he could stand next to Aya? To be allowed to hold her hand, and kiss her soft lips? “What do you need me to do?”

  “I can’t lose Aya. She has a pure and innocent heart. If she is murdered it would only intensify the unbalance of my mountain.” Yoshino’s body began to emulate a soft glow. “There are too many humans with soiled hearts here. Unlike you.

  “With that said, I will explain what you must do.” She gestured toward the temple buildings. “I will need you to start catching the rats in the shrine. Ask the High Priest, he’ll allow it. They’ve been trying to kill the rats without success.” Her brow creased. “But you must not kill my rats. Only cage them, and I’ll lead them away from the village. After they are gone, only one rat will remain. The black one with red eyes. He is the yokai. He’s too smart to be tempted by regular rat bait. We will set a different trap for him. Then I will handle the rest.”

  “How could catching a few rats win me the Lord’s daughter?” Naru shook his head. It was so simple. “Why would you choose to honor me in such a way?”

  She smiled as her body began to fade. “Unlike the other humans on this mountain, your heart is balanced. And you have the gift of sight. Because of this, many years ago I chose you to be my High Priest.”

  CHAPTER TWO

  Aya dreamt of butterflies. She marveled as they swirled around the girl who could have only been a couple years older than her eighteen years. But the ethereal glow gave away her identity immediately. She was the spirit Yoshino.

  As she walked forward the soft grass tickled her feet and her kimono brushed the ground. She realized there was another figure beside Yoshino. She couldn’t see his face, but he, too, emanated a soft light.

  She wanted, no, needed to see that man’s face. There was something about him… His hitatare gleamed solid black with a deep red obi tied around his trim waist. His movements confident, yet soft, as he handled the clouds of butterflies.

  He turned suddenly, and she paused. He began to walk to her, the butterflies still obscuring his face. She leaned one way, then the other, trying to get a glimpse. He stopped just within touching distance. His arms reached out with a single butterfly nestled in his strong hands. Aya held her breath as she accepted the gift. His fingers brushed hers and her nerve endings burned with the desire to grab him and never let go. She blushed and finally, for the first time, the butterflies cleared.

  The man was much younger than she thought. Maybe only as old as Yoshino looked. But he was absolutely beautiful, with a strong jaw and rich, dark eyes. His feathery black hair fell loose to brush the tops of his shoulders. He smiled and Aya almost melted against him.

  “Aya!”

  She woke with a start, groaning as she struggled to grasp the last vestiges of the dream. It was almost as if Yoshino herself were presenting that man to her. She hoped he wasn’t another spirit, because she wanted to be in his arms. She took a moment to pray he was real.

  “Aya? Are you awake yet?”

  She quickly slid out of bed and met her sister on the outside walkway, overlooking the pond. “Good morning, Wakana. What is it?”

  She held two jewel encrusted combs in her hand. “I’m going to see my fiancé this afternoon, and I can’t figure out which comb would go better with this kimono.”

  Aya held each one to her sister’s immaculate hair. “The green one.”

  Wakana held it up to the mirror. “Are you sure?”

  “Yes,” she sighed. “Don’t worry so much. You look beautiful no matter what.”

  Her sister slid the comb in her hair. “Thank you.” She smiled. “You look really tired still. Did you have the same dream again?”

  She sighed happily and leaned against her sister. “He was so handsome!”

  Wakana grinned down at her. “You finally saw what he looked like?”

  Aya nodded. “If that man exists I must find him. He was incredible.”

  “Did he speak?”

  Aya dangled a leg off the deck. “No. But I hope tonight he will.”

  Wakana set her mirror and extra comb beside her. She paused as she stared at a blue glass jar at the end corner of the house. “What’s that?”

  Aya sat up to see where her sister pointed. “How strange, it looks like one of m
y flower vases. How did that get out here?” She wandered down the wooden walkway. As she knelt before the vase she noticed a violet silk square draped over the top. Each corner was tied to a silver weighted ring. But the most curious was the kanji character painted on the top. It was the symbol for her name.

  She carefully lifted the silk up at the rings. The movement beneath it made her gasp as four swallow tail butterflies floated out to their freedom.

  “Oh, how beautiful.” Wakana glided forward. “Did you catch them?”

  Wide eyed, Aya’s eyes darted around the grounds. Her heart sped up. Was he here? Could it be possible?

  Wakana touched her sister’s sleeve. “Aya? Are you all right?”

  She turned back to watch the butterflies disappear into the distance. Excitement, confusion and longing tore through her. “Those were the exact butterflies that have been in my dreams all week.”

  CHAPTER THREE

  The old High Priest held out a handful of coins. “Here you are, Naru, as promised. Twenty-five yen.” The coins fell heavily in his hands. “Who would have thought there were so many rats in our temple?”

  Naru bowed humbly. This was the priest who had banished his father and failed to recognize Yoshino’s warnings. He thought he would hate him, but he couldn’t. He was old, and those things took place a long time ago.

  The priest leaned on his staff topped with a brass circle. The spike in the center shone in the sun. He continued to stare at Naru. “I have been told you help around the shrine, receiving no payment before this. Why is that?”

  Naru noticed Yoshino’s form just behind the priest. “Because Yoshino gives us a fertile harvest, and mild winters every year. She keeps this land balanced, and looks after us weak humans that dwell on her mountain. She shouldn’t have to do everything herself.”

  The priest’s brow rose. “How true that is.”