Kana From Hell: Part Twenty

 

Kana was just a few feet away from them so the two men had to make sure they were well-hidden. The stillness of the night was making Toshihiro drowsy. Except for his and Ren’s footsteps, there was only the sound of crickets. 

Toshihiro yawned. “They are called the Shibaten.” 

Ren looked down at him and frowned. 

“The yokai Kana…mutilated.” 

Ren winced at his words and nodded. “I thought you wanted to walk in silence.” 

“I’m bored.” Toshihiro let out a sigh. He was more than bored. He was tired of waddling like a duck. He wanted his body back. He wanted his kingdom back. Kana’s quest to exact revenge on Hiroto would only further delay him.

He wanted Kana to accompany him to his kingdom where he could perform the ritual to get his body back. But he was conflicted. Kana was kind, strong, and intelligent. Yet she was condemned to hell. 

He didn’t think the blood of yokai could bring anyone out of hell despite what Ren believed, but maybe there was a chance for her as well. 

Toshihiro wanted his kingdom back but he also wanted an heir. Kana killing Hiroto would only push her further down the depths of hell. No, she was doomed. He had to think of himself. 

A clattering noise behind them, made them stop. Further ahead, Kana kept walking, her head bowed as if deep in thought. She hadn’t heard the noise. 

Toshihiro glanced at the bushes lined on the side of the path. He made his way to it even as Ren beckoned him to return. But Toshihiro had to see. It was as if he was compelled to come to it. He parted the blades of grass and felt relief wash over him. 

“What is it?” Ren called to him. 

“Oh, it’s just a…” In the next instant, Toshihiro was pulled forward and he fell to the ground. 

“Can’t you be careful?” Ren said, annoyed. He didn’t want to lose sight of Kana who was entering a village. 

He went over and pulled up Toshihiro. “Are you hurt?” 

Toshihiro looked puzzled. He blinked before nodding. Ren set him down. “Come on. We are losing sight of her.” 

He hurried after her but he kept glancing backwards at the old man who looked dazed. 

The small village was hardly quiet at this time of the night. There was music to be heard, and laughing from the open windows. 

Ren grew concerned. He didn’t think this was a safe place for Kana to be in but he supposed she deliberately chose to come her to search for her depraved father. The one who raised her. He hadn’t expected to learn that the once coy girl was actually a princess. 

Unfortunately, she would never live a life of luxury and respect. 

Ren glanced at Toshihiro was looking at his arms as if seeing them for the first time. Perhaps the old man had bumped his head in the fall. But he would trouble himself with the elder’s welfare later. Right now, he was wary of the looks some of the men were giving Kana. 

If she was smart enough, she would walk right by them…

Instead he watched Kana walk right towards the leering men. He couldn’t hear much from his hiding pot behind barrels of sake. 

Toshihiro wasn’t feeling himself as he walked into the village. His limbs didn’t feel attached to him. His mind was cloudy. Apart from that, he was strangely hungry. And it wasn’t for ordinary food. The stench from the nearby trash was enticing him. 

Before he could stop himself, he headed towards the pile of spoiled food and scraps of clothing. 

Behind him he heard Ren call out to him, but Toshihiro was mesmerized by the pile of fish bones, spoiled rice, and scraps of rotten fruit. 

He held his stomach as it growled at the sight of so much rotten food. And that is when a thought struck him. He was in proximity to Kana, who was attracting yokai from everywhere. He wasn’t feeling himself. The animal in the bushes…it all pointed to one thing. 

He was being possessed. 

Toshihiro turned around, desperate to call to Ren for help. But before he could utter a word, he felt himself being pushed inside of himself. 

Ren was getting annoyed with Toshihiro’s lack of compliance. The old man was inspecting garbage rather than watching his granddaughter. He moved closer stealthily and heard her asking about Hiroto’s whereabouts. 

The men laughed at her, then asked her if she was available. Ren was sickened by their behavior and wanted to storm over with his sword. But he had to be patient. Kana walked away and went towards an Izakaya. 

Ren turned to look at Toshihiro who was simply standing still and staring at him. The old man looked odd but that was the least of his worries at the moment. He went over to the man and asked firmly, “Do you know of a man called Hiroto? He is from a nearby village.” 

“Why is everyone asking us about Hiroto?” The two men were clearly drunk. 

Ren was losing patience. He had his hand on his sword and pulled it out just enough for the two men to notice. They stopped laughing. 

“He’s a criminal and wanted by the emperor to impose punishment for his crimes.” 

The two men looked shocked. “Hiroto? Ah, he was seen going into the yukaku. We didn’t see him leave.” The man winked at his friend. “Perhaps he is still there with a courtesan.” 

Ren made a disgusted sound and put away his sword. He was glad Kana was spared from going to the brothel. He turned to beckon Toshihiro and found him gone. Ren groaned. He couldn’t be looking for Toshihiro when he had just found out where Hiroto was. After getting the directions from the two men, he headed to the yukaku, determined to find Hiroto. 

***

So far Kana did not have the good fortune to find any clue as to Hiroto’s whereabouts. None of the men wanted to talk to her and the women eyed her skeptically because she wasn’t from this town. 

She was directed towards a chaya to rest for some time and get some refreshments. 

After a quick cup of tea, Kana was grateful to be allowed to rest for some time. As much as she wanted to continue her quest, she was getting tired. Her eyes closed, and she found herself drifting away. 

The gentle breeze from the windows, helped to soothe her disturbed thoughts. Somewhere in the distance, she thought she heard a metallic sound but quickly dismissed it. No doubt the women in the chaya were cooking or brewing tea for the travellers. 

In spite of her eyes being closed, she sensed a presence near her. It was getting closer. 

Then she heard a thump on the floor, just next to her. 

Kana’s eyes snapped open. She saw Toshihiro grinning down at her. It was a malicious grin. Blood dripped from his mouth and she was alarmed to see a piece of raw meat wedged in his mouth. 

She sat up and screamed as Toshihiro raised a sword that was bigger and heavier than him. 

“Your time has come, Kana,” he proclaimed and attacked her. 

*** 

At the yukaku, Ren was told that Hiroto was there in one of the rooms but could not be disturbed. 

He waited impatiently, wondering what he should do with him once he saw him. Should he hold him captive, or kill him? He did almost kill Kana after all. And he did kill his wife. Ren reached for his sword and gasped when he found that it was gone. 

Someone had stolen it! 

In the distance, he heard the scream of a woman. It was unmistalably Kana’s. 

He rushed out of the brothel and headed to the chaya from where he could hear the screams. 

When he opened the door, he found four women crouched in a corner, crying as they saw a little man who looked like a cooking pot, swiftly attack a young woman. 

“Toshihiro!” Ren screamed. “What are you doing?” 

“It’s not him, anymore,” Kana, said dodging his sword attacks. She raised her glowing palm. “It’s a yokai!”