✂ - for my muse to rescue yours from danger
[ Send a symbol for the following ][ @sennenryuu ][ No Longer Accepting ]
A guardian’s purpose is to keep their constituents safe.
For generations, the komainu of the Hatake have watched over shrines of this land, protecting it from both malevolent humans and spirits alike. Any who would do harm or deface the sacred lands of the shrines they protect are quickly struck down.
They serve no other purpose.
Though young, one given the name Kakashi takes his role seriously. Standing guard at the entrance of the shrine that serves the Kurogane tribe, keen dark eyes watch every passerby, looking for hints of trouble.
Today, the youngest of the current Kurogane offspring is here to pay her respects and help with the upkeep of the shrine. A bright young lady with developing powers in the arcane. So far he’s managed to avoid her gaze, not wanting to interfere with the humans.
But today, he has little choice.
Among a few worshippers walks a rather suspicious being. Unnoticed by the humans around it, there’s no hiding the tips of two bushy tails beneath the hem of its yukata.
Kitsune. Trickers spirits, more often than not. Probably looking to steal from the shrine. Eyes narrowing, Kakashi follows, appearing to be little more than a human boy to the humans. He watches from a distance, not wanting to be seen until he can catch the spirit in the act.
But rather than pilfer from the donation box or trinkets within the shrine, it slinks off to another room…and Kakashi quickly realizes why. Drawing a tanto, he streaks off after it with inhuman speed. Just as the fox raises a crude dagger behind the girl’s back, Kakashi parries in a shower of sparks.
“Murder on sacred grounds…that’s low, even for a yōkai like you,” he grunts. “And to think you’ve brothers and sisters that serve O-Inari-sama…disgraceful.”
Cover blown, the fox pins ears and bares teeth. “Tsukimono-suji are what are disgraceful. Humans with stolen power are a threat! You’ll see…soon she and others like her will enslave you and taint our world with their ways…!”
“So long as she’s tied to this shrine, she’s mine to protect. Get out before my fangs find you. And they’re far larger than yours, fox.”
Clearly outmatched despite the lion dog’s youth, the vulpine gives a hissing snort before streaking from the shrine.
After a pause, Kakashi sheaths his blade, turning to the girl with an unreadable expression. So much for going unseen…but at least his true nature should still be hidden with a careful guise. How to explain a boy with a sword in a shrine, he isn’t sure…but he hopes she doesn’t stick her nose in too far. Humans and spirits have their natural boundaries, after all.
“…even sacred ground isn’t entirely safe. Watch your back,” is all he offers, tone a bit terse. He’s very rarely spoken to humans - doing so makes him feel…ill at ease.
But he also knows the kitsune was wrong.
With that, he heads back to his post. Good thing he kept an eye out - he doesn’t yet have a paired shishi to watch the shine while he keeps to the grounds.
…someday. Until then, he’s on his own.