“They separated themselves from the town. Turned to worshipping the fae and eventually disappeared into the forest. And what happened?” Her voice went heavy with pain “the moon turned red for three weeks. A warning of things to come. Eventually, the bodies of the Moon Goddess followers were found. Every last one of them disembowel by creatures the fae spawned.”

The tale of the Moon Goddess and her followers was an infamous story told to kids. I remembered my dad and mom both telling me this. It’s a way to keep us in line, away from the deeper part of the forest and away from that side of town. The story was a scare tactic and one that had worked. Even today no one reads the text left behind by the followers or even follows just her teachings.

“I’ve always wondered why.” Ina said back to her cheerful self “why did they do it? But that’s something I’ll never know. As much as I take that to my heart, I still find myself asking why. Did you know Sakura is recommending me to be the scholar of the shrine?”

Ina really liked to jump around subjects “she is?” I asked praying we would reach the main doors soon.

“Yep. When I turn sixteen she wants me to undergo the ritual of enlightenment and begin training me to be a scholar.” She began to sway the lantern even more “My mom isn’t OK with it since I’ll be studying constantly and not have time to do anything else. But Sakura says I absorb too much and retain too much not to be a scholar.”

Scholars are a rare breed of miko. For about a century our town has been without one because no one has been thought right for the position. This miko is trained within everything dealing with the faith. From every God to Goddess, every ritual and rite and even the ones entrusted with family secrets. I can see why Ina would be chosen to be one but-

“Sakura just says I need to learn to be quiet.”

I tried not to laugh because I was just thinking the same thing. This entire conversation she has broken so many rules and regulations. I admired her for being like the Sun Goddess taught a rebel but I also couldn’t imagine her being a scholar. “At least you are honest.” I said quickly “and isn’t that the number one quality of a scholar?”

“You're right!” She exclaimed, “if only the others saw it that way.” Ina sighed and quickly inhaled “but at least I am myself. As random, nonsensical and full of myself as I am. The Goddess wouldn’t have it any other way.” Well, the Sun Goddess wouldn’t have it any other way. Another one might want it a little different.

“But do you want to be a scholar?” I couldn’t help but want to know her feelings on it.

“It doesn’t matter to me.” Once again I was admiring her honesty “truthfully I am just happy being here. Not many people follow the Sun Goddess’s path. They say she is too unrestrictive and too new age. No one wanted someone of her faith alone to be in the shrine. So being chosen by Sakura and your father. Was a blessing for all the people I know and love. People are curious now about her teachings and practices. They want to be involved and our little part of the town is now a gathering spot for so many young people. And this happened because of me. What I was able to speak about during services. Sometimes people just need to understand the unconditional love all the followings give to make the best decision on who to follow. So I am proud I was able to provide her more followers.” Joy rang out with every word she spoke “so I don’t care if I am a scholar or a miko. As long as I can make a difference in this beautiful world. I’m happy. By the way. I’m sorry for earlier.”

“What do you mean?”

“The whole. Pressure point thing.”

“Ah!” I squeezed her hand a little “it’s alright. I know you were just doing your job. Plus, all my aches and pains went away.”

She squeezed back “so you’re not mad?”

“No.” I laughed “but I’ll have to get you back!”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

I released her hand and grabbed her chest “you’ll have to be my new girlfriend.”

She squealed and dropped the lantern onto the floor “Mio-chan!”

“You’re going to get some big ones!” I said rubbing her chest “but I don’t mind you being so small.”

“S-stop!” She must have been bright red by now so I released her “w-what was that for?”

“Well since you are my new girlfriend I thought we should get more familiar with each other.” I grabbed her hand and placed it on my chest “your turn.”

“Mio-chan!”

We both busted out into laughter. I knew Sakura would kill me when she found out I had basically assaulted one of her mikos and made her my friend but I got the feeling Ina needed friends. Unlike the other maidens, she was different. Someone who needed friends in order to live and to be frank the others would never form bonds for it was forbidden. And if Sakura did want her to be a scholar someone needed to be there to hold her hand when she got overloaded and our conversation confirmed I should be that person.

Ina retrieved the lantern and shined it up at the door before us “thanks.” She said softly “for talking to me. Not getting mad at me for voicing my views and letting me have a voice. I was beginning to feel like this place would never be a home.”

“You can always talk to me.” I said “even if no one can know about it. It makes me happy to have someone I can relate too and actually have a conversation with. Even though you’re very sporadic when talking with but I know you have a lot on your mind.” She began to open the door. “And this place will become a home. Soon enough Scholar.”

She smiled at me as the light from the fires flooded in the room “we need more people like you in the faith. Hey, Mio-chan.”

“Yeah?”

“Would you come with me one day?”

“Where?”

She got quiet as the door opened “to my home?”

“Sure!” I said happily “plus I’ve only ever been to that side of the bridge once or twice. You can show me around.”

“Really?” She latched onto my hand “promise?”

“Promise!” I wrapped my pinky around hers.

“My mom will be so happy!” She wrapped me in a hug and whispered “I’ve never had friends before. Well. I don’t think we’re friends because maidens can’t have friends. So we’re soul mates!”

“Soul mates we are.” I had no idea what she was talking about “but I got to get going.” My dad was motioning me to come on “time to be locked in a room for a day.”

Ina slowly released me “be careful in there.”

“What?” I regarded her curiously.

“There are things in that room. They are allowed to freely come in and out as they will.” She dropped something into the pocket of my under robe “if it gets to scary light this. The Sun Goddess will illuminate all darkness.”

“Thank you.” I didn’t know what else to say because that feeling of doom was washing over me again just as quickly as it left.