Haruko and Shoko had chatted about things for quite some time, mostly about school and their life, sharing stories and discussing likes and dislikes… until Shoko noticed the time and exclaimed that she needed to get changed for work now, if she was to have enough time to pose for sketching.

Suddenly nervous again, Haurko reached down beside her chair and clutched her satchel containing her pad and pencils. Shoko, noticing that, smiled reassuringly.

“Hey Usagi-chan, if you don’t want to…?”

Haruko shook her head.

“No, no… it’s not that I don’t want to, it’s just that I’ve never drawn a live subject before, not when they’re actually posing for me. Usually I draw from life unobserved, or take a photo with my cellphone and draw from that.. I..I’m not used to being seen drawing you know.”

Shoko nodded, enlightenment dawning on her face.

“Oh! I get it! You’re used to being the observer, not the observed! Being seen is scary for you.”

“Yeah… it’s a rabbit thing.”

Shoko shook her head.

“Nuh-uh… that can be scary for everyone! I got the most terrible stage fright, well, we all did, at the Tokyo dome. Even Suz-Metal gets it, still! Every time before the start of show. You’re not alone in it. I’m kind of nervous about being drawn right now.”

Haruko blinked, mentally digesting that. It isn’t just me? She thought. But she doesn’t look scared?

“Uh… you didn’t look it then, and you don’t look scared now?”

Shoko shrugged.

“When it started, I was too busy. Suz says the same thing, once everything gets rolling, she forgets to be scared and enjoys herself! I’m nervous now, but I know it’ll be alright because it’s you.”

Haruko stared down at her hands for moment, thinking. Then she nodded.

“Ok then, lets get started! Uhm.. where..?”

“The back room is where we get changed, we can work there since it’s out of the way. Besides… this time of day, it gets the sunlight. I don’t know much about art, but I know good light is important. Right?”

“Right! Sounds good… lets go!”

The back room, was more of a staff room than anything. It was small, and made smaller by the row of what looked like school lockers along one wall. The only furniture was an old wooden table, a couple of chairs and a small counter-top with cupboards underneath and with a kettle and tea making equipment on it.

However, the entire back wall above the small sink was one large window that offered up a view of the back yard and it’s pots of herbs and flowers. Beyond that, over the low fence, was the view over the rooftops and out to the ocean, lit by the spring sunshine like diamonds carelessly strewn across rumpled turquoise blue silk.

Haruko stopped on the threshold, drinking in the sight as the light streamed though the faintly dusty air of the little room, limned with dust motes sparkling as if to answer the bejewelled waves beyond. She drew in a deep breath, and exhaled slowly.

Shoko, oblivious to Haruko behind her, opened one of the lockers, tugging on the door that was taller than she was, and took out a hanging uniform of black and white. She stopped for second, and looked back over her shoulder at Haruko.

“Hey Usagi-chan… you want to take some pictures of me changing as well? For later reference, you know.”

Haruko blushed all the way up to her ear tips again… but then grinned, and nodded.

“Ok, if you’re game, then so am I!”

Shoko blinked at the unexpected reply, then slowly, impishly, smiled. Haruko seeing that frowned at her.

“It’s not strip tease though… you pose how I say, ok? This is for art not thrills!”

Shoko’s eyes widened fractionally at the the firmness of Haruko’s voice, then bobbed a curtsy.

“Yes mistress, of course. I am your obedient servant.”

Haruko busied herself unpacking and arranging her art supplies as Shoko got undressed. Then, as Shoko put on her uniform, she asked her to hold still at points while she took pictures on her phone. As Shoko stood, one foot up on the chair as she rolled up her stocking, Haruko asked her to stop while she sketched… only to frown and sigh.

“What is it Usagi-chan?”

“I don’t know… I feel like there’s something missing. I mean, it’s all good, but nothing really stands out exceptionally. I just can’t find the right composition for it….”

There was knock on the door and as Shoko quickly smoothed her ankle-length skirt down, she called out enter.

Kokoro stuck her head around the door.

“Etsu told me you’d started, is there anything you need?”

Shoko shook her head and started to say no, only for Haruko to suddenly stand up, her gaze fixed on Kokoro.

“Kokoro-sama, come here please! Let me see you properly!”

bemused, and startled the pale-skinned, white haired ogre stepped inside, shutting the door behind her.

“What is it Isobe-san? What’s wro…”

“Shh! Hold still please.”

Haruko walked around Kokoro looking at her from every angle, then nodded once, firmly.

“Can you spare me ten..no.. fifteen minutes please? You’re exactly what’s needed!”

Kokoro blinked, bewildered, and then slowly nodded, amused as much as surprised by Haruko’s passionate intensity all of a sudden.

“The next batch of pastries will ready to take out of the oven in twelve minutes, will that be long enough?”

Haruko nodded.

“If we work quickly yes! Shoko resume the pose you were in before, Kokoro this way please, I’ll show you how I want you.”

Kokoro allowed herself to be guided over to near the window, and stand with her back to Shoko, Haruko ordered her to stand, holding a tea pot, as if she was pouring tea into the cup on the counter-top.

Haruko snapped a photo for reference, and then resumed sketching, adding Kokoro to the background, seen over Shoko’s shoulder as she stood still, in the middle of affixing the garter suspender to her stocking top.

For long minutes the only sound was the faint hissing noise of pencil against paper, as Haruko worked to sketch in outlines.

Eventually Kokoro quietly reminded Haruko of the time. Haruko nodded once, then laid down her pencil. Taking that as a permission to move Kokoro started to hurry out of the room, only to be arrested as she glanced at the rough sketch.

Stepping closer she looked over Haruko’s shoulder and breathed out in a faint sigh.

“My word! You really do have talent for this! That’s sublime! I can’t wait to see the finished work.. oh, my pastries! I must go!”

Kokoro hurried off, out of the room before Shoko had even finished straightening up from her pose. Rubbing her back Shoko walked over and stared at the drawing.

“ Kokoro’s right, that’s amazing! You’re brilliant!”

Haruko ducked her head, blushing.

“No, I just had a really good subject, um, subjects, to work with.”

If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

Shoko shook her head.

“Nuh-uh.. you’re the one that arranged us, it’s mostly you. I know it’s not finished, but she’s right, it’s beautiful… it’s such a warm image and it captures the family feeling I get working here!”

Haruko nodded.

“That’s what I wanted it to do, the kitsune and the ogre, but as family. You said earlier that’s how it felt. Didn’t you?”

Shoko nodded, as Haruko stood up and started to put her art supplies away. Impulsively Shoko leaned towards her, intending to kiss Haruko on the cheek, but at the last moment, she turned to look at Shoko, who found herself kissing Haruko firmly on the lips.

Haruko made a faint sound of surprise, then as Shoko started to back away in embarrassment, she flung her arms around Shoko and kissed her in return, her lips parting.

Partly out of shock, and partly out of rising excitement Shoko backed up a step, and bumped against the table edge, sitting down abruptly. As their lips parted, Haruko looked into Shoko’s eyes… and Shoko felt a tingling wave of something rush over her.

For a moment they shared gazes, Haruko’s eyes asking a question, and Shoko’s answering, before Haruko leaned down and kissed Shoko…

How long they stayed like that Shoko had no idea, only that she found herself filled with emotions and sensations she couldn’t put names to. She was vibrantly, achingly alive and aware that Haruko had stepped forward, standing between Shoko’s knees as she sat on the edge of the table, pressing against her as they kissed…

But the moment shattered like spun glass as the door opened and Etsu spoke.

“Hey Shoko my shift ended ages ago! Oh!! Oops! Sorry, sorry…! Um.. carry on, I’ll go away!”

The door banged as Etsu fled, giggling… Haruko sighed, leaning her forehead against Shoko’s.

“I’m sorry…”

“Don’t be! We both forgot where we are…”

Haruko nodded minutely, then sighed, her breath hot against Shoko’s own heated skin.

“Yeah… that too… are you ok?”

“More than! Why?”

“Well, I didn’t ask?”

Shoko shook her head.

“You didn’t need to. I know we said to go slow but… wow, you get so passionate when you’re drawing! And assertive too! I… I think I like that. I mean, really like that!”

Haruko laughed, a slightly wild and nervous sound to it.

“Y..yeah… I didn’t know I could do that. Being so bossy. But… I think I like it too. If you do, that is.”

Shoko nodded.

“It’s like dancing, sometimes you follow, and sometimes you lead...and I think I like it when you lead. We should do it some more.”

Haruko swallowed, and then nodded.

“Yes… but.. later! Not here and now. Apart from anything else, I’ve got this to finish and right now, my hands are shaking!”

Shoko took hold of Haruko’s hands, pressing them between hers.

“I’ll get you some chamomile tea, and you can sit here and work, is that ok?”

Haruko nodded as Shoko stood up, albeit rather wobbly, and bustled out of the room. Sitting down at the table, Haruko sighed, resting her head between her hands.

What have I done?! She mused..No, rather, what have I become!

With no answers forthcoming, she took a deep, steadying breath, and pulled over her sketch book, repositioning herself at the table to take advantage of the light, she started to fill in the sketch with details.

By the time Haruko leaned back in her chair, stretching to try and get the kinks out of her back, the half drunk cup of tea had long since gone cold. Not entirely in the here and now, she wondered who’d turned on the lights and when had it gone dark outside?

She jerked to her feet in alarm, realising how much time had passed! She was hours late returning home, her parents would be frantic!

Alerted by the sounds of frenzied packing, Shoko looked in and smiled at Haruko.

“Stop.. there’s no need to panic. Kokoro-sama called your parents and told them you’d gotten caught up in drawing. She reassured them you were safe in our staff room and we’d look after you until you surfaced again.”

Haruko blinked, staring at Shoko trying to process what she’d said.

“They.. they agreed to that?”

Shoko grinned.

“Welllll… Kokoro-sama can be assertive too. Although it's more like being flattened by an avalanche of marshmallows. However, Kokoro-sama said they sounded more apologetic, but amused. Apparently this isn’t the first time you’ve lost yourself in your work, they said. You’re supposed to be home by eight, and it’s only just gone seven now, so you don’t need to rush. Would you like something to eat? It’s the end of my shift so we can eat together if you like?”

Haruko slowly sat back down, and nodded, as her stomach rumbled slightly.

“I would like that please...oh dear! I was going to sketch Etsu too…”

Shoko shrugged.

“Another day. I’ll fetch you some food. Is there anything in particular you’d like mistress?”

“Um… I’m sure it’s all good... something light but sustaining I think. I feel as hollow as a drum, but I’m sure mother will have a big meal ready for me when I get home. She cooks when she’s worried you see…”

Shoko nodded, smiling.

“I understand, I will see what Kokora-sama has prepared, if you’ll wait one moment mistress.”

“Um.. Shoko, you don’t need to call me mistress. I mean, I’m not really a customer am I?”

“Welll… no. Kokora-sama said it’s on the house. She said she really wants some of your art to put up on her walls, but she said in keeping with French Cafe tradition, instead of paying for your art, you can eat free whenever you like.”

Haruko blinked, and then grinned.

“Like the French painters used to do, right? Although, I think maybe I’m getting the better half of that bargain. Her cooking is really very good!”

Haruko laughingly shook her head.

“I’m sure Korkora-sama would argue she’s got the better part of the deal...she’s very taken with your work. She said something about Monet meets Miyazaki ...whatever that means.”

Haruko felt herself blush slightly, and looking down murmured.

“She’s too kind with her praise. I wouldn’t have said I was that good!”

Haruko felt Shoko’s hands on her shoulders, and the warmth of her against her as she hugged her.

“I’d say you were!” Shoko stoutly replied. “In fact, I’d say you were better than any I’ve seen, looking at it that now it’s finished!”

Haruko looked down at the drawing in front of her, and sighed slight.

“It’s not finished though.. not entirely. I’ll ink over the pencil sketch when I get home and then scan and print a black and white copy. I can fill in the copy with water colours and it won’t matter then if I mess up. That way increases the depth of contrast and the vibrancy of the colours because I don’t have to worry about the ink running so I can apply multiple layers. But yes, it’s a good first draft.”

Haruko squeaked as Shoko tightened her hug.

“You’re a genius Haruko, don’t let anyone ever tell you different! I can’t wait to see it finished! You’ll have to make a copy for Kokora-sama as well, and get it framed nicely!”

“I suppose...yes. I..I’m not used to people praising me like this Shoko. It’s kind of embarrassing. But then, I don’t usually show people stuff I’ve made.”

“Well you should! It’s really, really good...and I’ve seen a lot! Anyway, I’ll go and get you something to eat, Omurice sound good?”

“Yes please!”

“As you wish mistress. Please rest here, you’ve worked hard today and deserve to take a break!”

--------

The inside of the Onijinja, or demon shrine, wasn’t what Akio had expected. If someone had asked what she’d expected, she didn’t precisely know what she would’ve said, but she knew that this wasn’t it. For a start, it was bigger, much bigger, inside than the moss-covered, decaying exterior. It was lit by a countless number of paper lanterns, strung up in ropes high up in the ceiling. The multitude of many hued lanterns giving it an almost festive air. Almost every surface, apart from the black granite floor, was covered in bright colours, mostly shades of red, and what wasn’t painted was gilded.

It decidedly wasn’t what anyone would expect from a demon haunted temple, with a door to Yomi or the World of Darkness at the far end.

Akio, Chiyo and Dot started that the towering blackened bronze door, with the mummified remains of the demon clinging to it. The demon itself would have been at least twelve feet tall when alive, and was scarcely much smaller dead, even though it was nothing more than dusty leathery skin stretched taught over old bones. It hung on the door, both of it’s left arms jammed though a set of hoops that, had the door been the sort found on a castle, would’ve taken a whole tree trunk of a beam to fasten it shut.

Silently Akio walked up to the vast door, and stared at it and the grisly lock. After a moment she felt uneasy, and heard something that sounded like distant whispering. Then, the mummified demon opened one eye, just a tiny slit, revealing an eye like a pool of crimson blood and stared back … Wiping her sweaty palms against her thighs Akio backed away, not wanting to turn her back on it, as the demon closed it’s eye.

“Well… that is exactly what Elle said it was…”

Dot nodded slowly.

“Yeahhh… that looks disturbingly like Death’s Door. Um, can we go now?”

Akio jerked her head in a spasmodic nod, and they all hurried out of the shrine, meeting Eleanor outside, with a dazed looking Kage behind her.

Eleanor signed.

{Satisfied?}

Akio nodded.

“It’s as you described. The demon can’t get free without being the first to die… although, why all the festive lanterns?”

Eleanor shrugged.

{Because it would be far too gloomy in there otherwise. The previous Guardian did the painting though. He was an artist.}

“Oh.. I didn’t think he’d have hobbies…”

{Nothing ever happens here. Boredom is a big problem. This is the most excitement I’ve had since I died. So having a hobby is the only way to stay sane here.}

“Riiiight… I can see that would be a problem. You can’t leave, the whole purpose of being here is to make sure nothing happens. Know Ellie, how about we arrange something with the local yokai? That way you at least get a regular supply of manga. Maybe see if we can set you up with a Tv and dvd player so you can watch stuff??”

Ellie smiled, pale lips curving upwards in her ghostly white face.

{I would really appreciate that! If I’m forced to be a NEET shut-in, I should at least like to be able to enjoy the good bits! I don’t suppose you could figure out how to get an internet connection here? I miss gaming and it would be good to chat to you all again.}

Akio shared a glance with Dot, who shrugged.

“I think we’d have to ask our mentor, Paul Holmes, if that’s possible. He created magitech, so he’d have a better idea… but, maybe?”