Markus waited at the bus stop, realizing he would be catching the last bus. The taste of Akane’s lips was still fresh on his tongue. He sighed softly, wondering if he had made the right choice by leaving. He took a deep breath and held it a moment, letting the scent of Akane’s apartment linger in his mind, then let it out slowly. Opening his eyes, he gazed straight into the face of Takeda-san, and involuntarily jumped back.
“Gaah! Takeda-san! Warn a man before you do something like that! Geez. Almost gave me a heart attack,” he said, holding a hand over his pounding heart.
“My apologies, Markus. I have a rare bit of time where I am not working. What the Hell have you done?” he asked, his brows furrowed.
“I’m sorry? What do you mean?” Markus asked.
Takeda-san sighed. “Chaos.”
Realization hit Markus. Of course he’d be wondering what happened with Chaos. “Okay. I think I get it. I’ve managed to broker a deal with Chaos. They leave me and my friends alone, and in return, I advertise for them in my office. If there are any prospectives, I will also interview them,” he replied.
Takeda-san looked irritated. “How in all the Universe did you manage to do that?”
Markus shrugged. “Death apparently had had enough. You were the last straw, and he contacted the CEO after Chaos tried to force me to work for them. They went after Akane.” His eyes narrowed at the memory.
“I’m so sorry, Markus. I had no idea. Please, forgive my rudeness.” Takeda-san bowed.
“There is nothing to forgive. You didn’t have all the information, and I couldn’t expect you to just know. Is there a reason you’re asking? Has something happened?” Markus asked, his head cocked to the side.
“I’d say something happened, alright. Chaos is considering letting me go. Apparently you pleased them. In my centuries of working for them, I’ve never seen that happen.” Takeda-san shook his head in wonder.
“Centuries? How long have you worked for Chaos?” Markus asked.
Takeda-san laughed ruefully. “Too long. They aren’t bad, just unpredictable for the most part. My first act for them was nearly seven hundred years ago. I simply had to convince someone to do something they were already thinking about doing. It wasn’t terribly hard,” he said, his eyes distant as he relived the memory.
“Tell me about it?” Markus asked.
“Hmm? You wish to know what I did that set me down the path that eventually had me looking like a specter? Heh. Sure. I shall tell you. Ah. Here is your bus. Find a seat near the back, and keep quiet, yeah? We Japanese have a distaste for unnecessary chatter, even if you’re alone,” Takeda-san said with a smile.
Markus boarded the bus, gazing at the empty seats. He took a seat near the back and nodded for Takeda-san to continue.
“Let’s see. If I recall correctly….”
****************************
Jintao trudged down the dusty path, hoping his new employer was correct that Ashikaga Takauji would be taking the same road to Kyoto, and would be alone.
Employer. That was an odd title for a kami. Susanoo-no-Mikoto had appeared to him after Emma-O had hired him to be a Taima-no-Kami. To meet two gods in one year? Such a thing had never happened before.
Emma-O had promised him an exorbitant sum of two hundred fifty mon per week to work for him. That Susanoo-no-Mikoto had promised the same for similar work hours? Incredible. Jintao had finally become wealthy. While he had been cautioned to not display his wealth frivolously, Jintao knew he would be as wealthy as the local daimyo in a few short years.
He had even been given a magical purse that weighed nothing, yet always had the amount of mon he needed whenever he made a purchase. Emma-O had cautioned him that it would only contain as much as he was owed, and would never give him more than he had made. Such a wondrous gift! And nobody would ever be able to steal it, or take from it, without his express permission.
Yes. Life for Jintao had certainly changed for the better. Even more so after he met Susanoo-no-Mikoto.
Ahead of him, he spied a lone rider coming towards him. Maybe it was him. As he walked towards the rider, he raised an arm to try and flag him down.
The rider slowed to a stop and gazed imperiously at Jintao. “Well?” he asked, his voice gruff and raspy.
Jintao offered him his water gourd, which the rider gratefully took. He drank a long pull, and returned it. “Thank you. My own gourd developed a leak some time ago. Why have you stopped me? I have important business to tend to in Kyoto,” he said, his voice somewhat smoother.
Jintao cleared his throat. “Takauji-sama, there is a greater business awaiting you at Mount Senjō. Go-Daigo requires your aid.”
“Go-Daigo? How are you aware of his location? That is secret. Who are you, stranger?” Takauji reached for his katana.
Jintao held up his hands. “I am but a humble messenger of the gods, Takauji-sama. You will find great renown and honor in assisting the Minamoto clan. Possibly even your own shogunate. Those are the words I have been instructed to deliver.”
“Who instructed you?” Takauji asked, leaning forward slightly.
“Susanoo-no-Mikoto himself,” Jintao replied.
“I thank you for your message. It is true that I’ve grown tired of the Kamakura shogunate. There is a wrongness that I cannot describe about them. Perhaps it is time to speak to Go-Daigo. I must go, traveler. Farewell,” Takauji said, and spurred his horse back the way he came.
This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.
Jintao continued his long walk to Kyoto, his first task done.
***********************
“And that is how I came to work for the entity known as Chaos. While you may not know this, that decision set into motion several events that have shaped Japan into the country she currently is. She isn’t a perfect place, but I am proud to have helped shape her. I have done some…other things, as well that I am less proud of, but I am determined to put that behind me,” Takeda-san explained.
Markus nodded thoughtfully and checked their surroundings. He was near his hotel, so he made ready to get off the bus. Once he had paid the fare and the two of them continued walking, he turned to Takeda-san.
“So what will you do if they release you from their service? Surely Death will let you go as well, should you ask,” he said.
Takeda-san looked off into the distance. “I am not sure, Markus. I would like to say that you are correct. However, I do not know the shinigami’s mind. I would imagine that he is rather cross with me. The idea of eternal rest is rather enticing, if I’m honest. I doubt he or the CEO would allow me to retire anytime soon. I simply do not know. I think I should take my leave now. I so rarely get time off. I hope your stay in Japan is pleasant,” he said and turned to walk away.
“Wait.” Takeda-san turned around, a questioning look on his face. “Do you have a way to get in contact with me, should you need to do so? I would imagine you have very little in the way of friends,” Markus said, a soft smile on his face.
“I do not. Nor do I have any friends left. I have been alone for the better part of six hundred years. Why?” Takeda-san asked.
“Well, if you’d like to ever take some downtime, you’re always welcome at my place. I’m staying at a local hotel, and here” -Markus pulled out a scrap of paper from his pocket and wrote his address on it- “is my home address. I understand loneliness, Takeda-san. It is a burden that I wouldn’t wish on anyone.”
Takeda-san looked at the piece of paper with a bemused expression, then reached for it. His hand passed right through it.
“As you can see, Markus, I cannot interact with the world very well. Maybe if I am released from the employ of Chaos, and Death gives me an extended vacation to heal, I might be able to visit. The gesture is very appreciated, however. It is most thoughtful of you. I may come see you before you leave Japan. Take care,” he said, then walked through a nearby wall.
Markus sighed and continued on his way to his hotel, mulling over Takeda’s fate. While he didn’t think it could happen to him, he was going to make sure he stayed vigilant. Once he got to his hotel, he walked in, took his boots off, and checked his phone. It took him an hour to get here, and he was still experiencing the fluttery high from his night with Akane.
Speaking of, there were several messages from her. This was most unusual, as she had only ever messaged him when there was a great need or it was necessary.
He opened the messages and was immediately glad that he hadn’t noticed the notifications while he was on the bus.
Waiting for her just became much more difficult. And he decided to show her just how difficult it had become.
****************
The next couple of days were filled with travel into Kyoto proper and conversations with Akane, Atsuki and Hanako. Genkai and Yamato were apparently too wrapped up in each other to be very social. That was just fine with Markus. He was simply happy for the young man.
Markus explored Kyoto with the wide eyes of a tourist. He visited the imperial palace in Kyoto, Nijo castle, and several botanical gardens, just soaking in as much of the culture and history of the place as he could. After all, he didn’t know when he’d be able to return, and it would be a shame for him to not take in the sights this fine city had to show him.
He met up with Atsuki and the pair had lunch at old man Komamura’s ramen-ya on Monday.
“Oi! Komamura-ji! Two bowls of tonkatsu with extra chashu! Firm, please. Thanks!” Atsuki called out once they entered the shop.
As before, Komamura grunted a reply, and set about making the meal. Once he set the ramen down in front of the pair, he leaned on the counter.
“So. Barton-san. Did you get that job?” he asked, an eyebrow raised.
Markus dipped his head in acknowledgement. “I did, yes. Thank you for remembering me and asking. As I said, I will be helping the Kimura brothers until I die.” He smiled softly at the man.
“Good. Someone has to look out for this punk after I die. Thank you, Barton-san,” Komamura said, bowing his head.
“Komamura-san…” Atsuki said softly.
“Bah! Shut up, punk! Be glad I haven’t fed you to the wolves, yet!” Komamura said, pointing a spatula at Atsuki.
Markus snorted a laugh, and sat back, watching and listening to the pair snipe and yell at each other for the next few minutes.
***
“Go on! Get out of my shop, ya punk!” Komamura shouted.
“Fine! Here’s the money for the ramen! Let’s go, Markus. Tch.” Atsuki said, slapping some bills on the counter as he walked out of the shop.
Markus nodded and stood. Looking over at Komamura, he said softly, “I’ll watch him closely, sir. No need to worry.”
Komamura looked up with a small smile and watery eyes. “Thanks, kid. Now scram. I got other customers.”
Markus nodded and walked out to Atsuki’s car to find Atsuki pacing.
“Fuckin’ old man. Why’s he gotta be such a dick?”
“Let’s get in the car. I’ll explain.” Markus opened the door with a grin.
“Hmm? Yeah. Okay.” Atsuki got in the car and started it up, heading back to Markus’ hotel.
“Komamura-san thinks of you as his son, I’d say. He’s an ass to you so he can maintain the image of a grumpy old shopkeeper, and keep other punk kids from doing the same thing you did. He’s a good man,” Markus said.
Atsuki sighed. He’d known for years that Komamura was getting older and wouldn’t be able to hold out against any of the local gangs should they come by. He looked over at Markus. “I know. I guess I’ve known the whole time. It’s just been our routine for so long, that I’d kind of gotten used to it, and want it to be something a little different.”
Markus nodded. He understood that all too well. His own father had been absent for much of his life, and the few interactions they’d had were a little awkward. Pleasant, but still awkward.
The rest of the trip was mostly quiet. The two of them talked about their friends and work, with the last couple of minutes being spent in silence.
“Here we are! Back home safely. I have a fare waiting for pickup a mile away, so I must leave. Call me, bro!” Atsuki said as he sped off into town.
Markus smiled and walked into his room, and shucked his boots. It was just after noon, and nobody would be available to talk or hang out for a couple more hours at least, so he laid down for a short nap.