*********************************

Twist In The Tale 6: 
Amefurashi: rain demon. 

*********************************

	It has been a few days since I started the job. Good thing Nabiki has
all the right connections. In any case, being a bus driver isn't so
hard, I get to go to many places and so long as I have a map with me, I
am never lost. My main problem is continually telling the paying guests
that I have no idea about the place and I am a translator rather than an
actual guide. Of course, having better English skills than the guide I'm
assigned to makes this a daily occurrence. 
	I got to see the imperial palace, the Natural museum, The history
museum and the hot spas. Of course, I had allot of fun going to these
places, but I had a strange encounter with something not of our normal
world when I went to someplace I should have gone a long time ago. 

*********************************

(Nerima station)
	It was a windy morning, the strong winds creating dust devils on the
street as ominous clouds covered the starry sky. A single person walked
these windy streets, his beige jacket taking the brunt of the wind as
his right hand held a plain black cap on his head. He passed the shops
around him, oblivious to 
their existence. Only a few of them were even open this early in the
morning. He finally came before a single shop, posters of different
places covered the brightly lit window. Looking up, he saw his
destination before him, the Nerima branch of Tokyo Travels. With no
further ado, he entered the establishment.
	Five minutes later, he came out of the establishment, armed with a
folder and a set of keys. A second person followed him, a pretty lady in
her mid twenties dressed in a crisp blue uniform and cap. A pair of
comfortable black shoes covered her feet while a pair of pale blue
teardrops hung from her ear. A 
long blue coat hung over her left arm while an umbrella was held in her
other hand. 
	As they moved towards the parking lot besides the shop, she attempted
to strike up a conversation with her silent companion. 
	"You know where we're going today?"
	"Juuban."
	"And why?"
	"The customers bought a trip to see the historical sights. Things like
the Temples of the seven deities and other places." He said as they came
to a blue bus, the words Tokyo Travels embossed on the side.
	"No, I mean why you're coming along." She said as he opened the
driver's side of the bus.	"Because I'm the only one dumb enough to wake
up at 5'O clock in the morning." He grumpily retorted, as he flicked the
switch for the passenger doors.
	"That too, but it's also part of your job training." She said as the
doors slid open with a low hiss. 
	"I've told you already Atasha-sempai. This is just a part time job for
me." He shouted over the revving engine.
	"Regardless of your protests, you are pretty much qualified for this
job. You have a good command of two other languages, you interact well
with the people around you, and you never get lost. If you only knew
more about the places you go to, then you could be working as a tour
guide rather than a bus 
driver."
	". . . Whatever. Where is the group starting from again?"
	"The Marriat in Tokyo Central at 7:30am." 
	"Yes, A-ta-sha, Sa-ku-ra, sem-pai." He droned out, easing the large
vehicle out of the parking lot, and in the direction of Tokyo center.

*******************

(The Marriat) 
	The sky has brightened considerably in the last few hours. The sun
however, is covered by cloudy sky. The humidity weighs down, dampening
the spirits of the people unlucky enough to be caught in the rain. It's
a scenario that has been seen from time immortal, but with a difference. 
	No wind or thunder stirs these clouds, no lightning flashes within the
gloom. It 's unnaturally still for a region where lightning is common
with every storm. Meteorologists call it a hanging system. A storm
system that the prevailing winds seems to loop around, leaving it
unmoved although supplying it with abundant moisture for a light,
continuous rain. 
	A large group of people lounge in a hotel lobby just relaxing and
chatting in the spacious room. Two people in particular are conducting a
heated discussion in Japanese to the amusement of the guests around
them, some of whom are, French, British, Dutch, Italian, and of course,
American. 
	"Otosan, I told you that any outing with me in it is doomed to be
rained out."
	"But I thought we could at least try.  Mayami-chan" 
	"We should go home." 
	"No, let's at least see if they actually cancel the outing. That way,
it's not a total waste of time. huh, Mayami-chan?"
	"But. "
	"Hey everybody! The bus is here!"  Someone called out from the doorway.
Sure enough, a blue bus with the words Tokyo Travels embossed on the
sides stopped before the hotel. 
	"See! We'll enjoy ourselves, rain or no rain."

	(E) [Exactly on time too. What'd you say old girl? You owe me a pretty
penny for betting against these blokes.] A British businessman declared,
getting into this trench coat. 
	(E) [A'h guess I owe you lunch then. Can't win them all ya know. ] An
American Entrepreneur replied as she pulled a collapsible umbrella from
her handbag. She looked up and through the glass doors for a moment
before putting it back in. [Looks like ah don't need this for a while.]
she said, getting up from the couch and going to the doorway.
	Outside, a person was standing in the rain, an umbrella held out,
ferrying people trough the short distance between the front porch of the
hotel and the open door of the bus. A black baseball cap covered his
deep black hair while a beige Jacket covered his upper body.  Blue jeans
completed the ensemble as black 
sneakers covered his feet. His face however was what caught the woman's
attention. A smooth young face with lightly chiseled features, it was
strong and sure, yet reflecting a mature kindness that many women find
so adorable. With a nod of his head, he acknowledged the woman and
offered her the shelter of his 
umbrella. He walked her towards the bus as someone was making her return
trip from the bus.
	The Brit noticed the other person as he looked at the back of his
acquaintance. A lady in her mid twenties, no ring adorned her finger
while a light hint of makeup accented the fine features of her face.
There was grace and power in her stride while her bearing suggested a
familiarity to responsibility and respect. She was attired in the
uniform of the Tokyo Travels agency with a deep blue coat over it to
ward off the rain. [Maybe going out in the rain wouldn't be so bad after
all.] he said, exiting the hotel. 

**********************

(A while later.)
	The bus slows to a stop in front of a flight of temple stairs before
the doors open with a hiss of escaping air.  People exit the bus with
umbrellas and raincoats at the ready. Passengers file out of the vehicle
as the driver shuts off the engine and patiently waits. 
	"That was pretty good for this weather boy." the tour guide teased as
the group exited the vehicle. 
	"It was ok. But the roads were strange."
	"Ah huh, how so?"
	"The water main bursting at the intersection a little while back, the
flooded street when we made the last stop, and all that water that
flooded that parking lot while the rest of the spots were untouched."
	"Come on, It's just a coincidence. You got us through all these
adventures right? ." 
	"Err. yah. Maybe I'm just a little paranoid but this is the first time
it's rained on the job."
	"Whatever. Come on, the customers are waiting." 
	"*sigh* What's the name of this place again?"
	"Hikawa Shrine, dedicated to the Eternal flame." she said as she
followed the last passenger out of the vehicle. 
	"A fire in this weather? Right." He said a little dubiously.

*******************

(Within the shrine)
	A single person sat before a well kept bonfire. Her long raven hair
cascades down her back in a fall of black silk. Her course robes
proclaim her as one of the keepers of the shrine. A single log cracks in
the flames sending up a shower of golden sparks.  Her posture changes as
she peers within the dancing 
flames searching for answers in the bright fire's glow.  The flames
flicker for a second downwards before billowing upwards in a spectacular
burst of fire. Then, it quieted down as her deep black eyes saw secretes
in the fire's very heart.
	"Demonic energy approaches, a powerful force that could change events
by its presence. Who can comprehend the very nature of this thing? I
must prepare." With that, she stood, a girl within the teen years of
high school. Rich red lips and deep black eyes adorned her almond shaped
face. A willow stick was held 
in her right hand, while in her other hand, she clutched something more
important. A single pen with a weird sigil attached to the cap.
	"I'll never allow Oni magic within the temple. If you come, then
prepare to be banished back to the lower pits of hell!" The door slid
open with a bang, causing the girl to leap to her feet in surprise. 
	"Rei! Come on already! The tourists have arrived!" the small bald man
shouted into the room before walking off.
	"Stop startling me like that grandpa!" Rei shouted after him as she
stuck the wand back in her belt. "Man, I'll never understand him, having
foreigners come to the temple. Next, he'll dress me up to entertain
them."

************

	All was not sunny with this trip. (no pun intended.) The main problem
that I could see was a young girl who seemed depressed at the continual
rain. Then again, having only her father alongside her was not the best
way to have fun. What was interesting was that they were the only
Japanese in the group. 
All the others were mainly American, French, British and Bulgarian in
order of proportion. So it's understandable that they feel a little left
out. Perhaps if I introduce myself.
	"Hello you two." I said as I came alongside the two of them. "Enjoying
yourselves?" 
	"Oh. Yes, yes. We're enjoying ourselves allot. Right Mayami-chan.?"
	"Um.."
	"Do my eyes belittle me or is the lady a trifle shy?" I said bowing
down to her, a giggle escaped from her mouth as she caught sight of my
playful face. 
	"Ah, it is good to see the gloom rise from thy lithe face. The world
rejoices for it is a good day indeed when the ladies of the world can
find simple pleasure on even the dreariest of days." I carried on,
dragging the act for all it's worth. Heck, even her dad was chuckling
along with her. 
	"Ah, young fellow. Are you not afraid of the wrath of a parent when she
sees his daughter accosted by a stranger in the night?" 
	"I am not, for it is not night and I do not presume to accost so fair a
lady on so dreary a day. Instead, I seek friendship to be fostered in
the quiet days of youth and to see this young lady's smile lift the
clouds of her father's heart." 
	"Ah, a cheeky fellow with a golden tongue then. Very well, then prove
your intentions of friendship and take her for a date. For golden words
do not match the solidity of deed." at this, I did a double take.  I was
just getting into the banter before he had to get serious on me. 
	"Ahh."
	"What's the matter dear son, cat got your tongue? Or has the mighty
youth fallen into the art of spinning tall stalks of grain only to show
houses of chaff?" 
	"Ah. Ok then. If it's thy intention, I shall take her out on the morrow
should she design to go."
	"Are you sure about this?" 
	"You have my word that I'll be there if she wishes to go."
	"Well Mayumi?" he said turning back to his daughter for the first time.
	"Dad. Shouldn't you..." I suddenly leapt forwards, catching them and
carried them off the path. The umbrellas that we left behind were caught
a flurry of white as I leapt through the trees and back onto the path a
little above the white stuff. My Jacket and hat protected from direct
contact with the rain and from changing although the father and daughter
were a little wet. 
	Up the staircase stood a Shinto Priestess, staring in amazement while
the others in my group were clapping their hands at the spectacle.
Looking back, I noticed something that I did not realize earlier. A
storm of paper with arcane Kanji covering one side was settling onto the
ground behind me. 
	"What in the world did you do that for?" I shouted up to her. Mildly
irritated at having to show off my powers. After all, what the hell did
we do? I went down the steps and blatantly trampled the soggy pieces of
pager as I retrieved the umbrellas. My face set in annoyance, I handed
the two of them their umbrellas and raced up the stairs to confront the
priestess. 

	I saw them avoid the barrage of charms with surprising ease. He just
grabbed them and leapt into the trees before the charms were even
halfway there. When he leapt out, his eyebrows were narrowed in
irritation when he saw the charms. He has to be the source of the
demonic energy! His speed is as fast as or even faster than mine in
Sensei form. He only paused to shout his irritation at me before leaping
down the stairs and retrieved the umbrellas. On his way up, he stopped
only long enough to pass the umbrellas to the man and girl before taking
the stairs. . 6 at a time. 
	"Oni, I am Rei of the holy fire. With the fire of Mars, I shall destroy
you! " I shouted, nearly striking a pose before the tourists. 
	"Look girl, I'm not a Oni." He said as the tour guide translated to the
group what was happening. "Do I look like I have horns to you?" he
asked, sticking his hands besides his head in a parody of horns.
	"Silence demon. Your feeble disguise will not fool me. I will send you
back to the pits of hell!" I cried pulling more paper charms from within
my sleeves. 
	He slapped his hand to his forehead in exasperation. "Whatever" With no
further ado, he jogged towards me with a trace of irritation in his
eyes. 
	'What is this demon? To have no fear of a priestess, he must be
powerful indeed!' "Fire soul!" I shouted, throwing a barrage of charms
at him. 
	He dodged through the flurry of paper without even touching any of
them! As I drew back in shock, he snorted in disgust and jogged past me,
not stopping until he reached the covered porch where my Grandpa sat
watching what was happening. There, he removed his shoes and dumped his
umbrella onto the floor before turning back to me. "What's the point of
throwing those pieces of paper anyway?" He questioned me as anger rose
within me.
	"It's a warding charm you idiot!" I screamed at him, barely holding
back my tears He would be even harder to take out than a yoma with that
speed! The worst thing was, I couldn't turn into Mars with so many
people watching me. 
	"It is?" he asked as a round of laughter chorused through the assembled
foreigners. "Then pass me one and we'll clear this up right now. " He
said sticking his hand out before him. 
	What could I do? I slapped a charm in his hand and watched as amazement
as he stuck it onto his forehead before looking back at me in boredom.
"Now what?" he asked, a little pissed off and obviously proving me
wrong. 
	I just stood there in shock as the rain plastered my wet hair to my
face. Then someone tapped me on my shoulder. "*Ahem.* I think I should
clear up this mess. An Amefurashi has cursed my daughter. Sorry about
that." 

**************

(Later.)
	"It was a strange tale of the father making a deal with a little girl
when he was young. Bargaining friendship for her help in raining out his
school marathon. Pretty pathetic if you ask me. In any case, his family
moved a few days after that and he forgot to give the demon a forwarding
address. The Amefursahi or rain monster thought she was being left
behind, so she vowed vengeance. Now, the curse has been passed to his
daughter, so everywhere she goes, water related hazards meet her
'friends' at every turn. I guess that's where I come in. Having promised
to become a friend to the girl, I abide by my promises. Just last 10
days as her friend and she'll be all right." He finished as the rain
beat a quick rhythm n the roof. 
	"I guess there was no passing up the chance for you to get involved
with the supernatural right?" 
Nabiki asked me as I finished my tale. 
	"Hey, It's just to help out a friend."
	"Right, and the fact that she's supposedly the prettiest girl in her
school has nothing to do with that?"
	"Huh?" Guo asked as Nabiki pulled out a thick folder from her bag.
	"Kongi Mayami. Age: 16 height, 4'8'' weight. . . Ahh. history: she is
know by her schoolmates as the rain woman. Ever since her first day in
this school, we have had rain every day. Wherever she walks, she trails
water even if she's perfectly dry. She has a puzzling phobia of Rain
charms while people stay 
away from her because of her recluse personality. There is also the
rumor that anyone who becomes her friend becomes plagued with the curse
of the rain demon and that's why she has none" Nabiki closed the folder
before looking up into my face. 
	"Nabiki Tendo, your contacts are wide and diverse. If I did not know
better, I would think you have been keeping tabs on me."
	"Come now Guo, You are an investment, and I _never_ make bad
investments." she smugly replied. 

*****************

	A person sits in a cafe, obviously waiting for something as she watches
the rain fall outside the window. Her midnight blue hair falling over
her black eyes as she studies the cup of coffee in her delicate hands. A
pale summer dress covers her body in a deep ocean blue while a matching
umbrella stands besides 
her chair. the door opens with a ring causing her to look up with hope
in her eyes. 
	A single family of four, young parents and their kids walk in as they
close their umbrellas. She looks back down at her dark beverage as
disappointment tugged at her smooth face. Suddenly, she noticed
something with the corer of her eye. A person coming out of the bathroom
with a small bag slung on his shoulder. The unmistakable hat and jacket
marking the person called Guo. 
	"Konichiwa Mayami-san" I called as I walked over to her and bowed
	"Konichiwa Komei-san" she said bowing to me. 
	"So, tell me more about this curse Mayami-san." I said, as I sat down.
	She looked up from her cup of coffee with her big black eyes. "This all
started about 25 years ago when my dad was still in primary school.
Unlike now, he was a sickly boy who wasn't into physical activity in any
form."
	"In other words, he was the wimp." I chuckled. 
	"It's not nice to say bad thing about others even if it's true."
	"Gomen. Please continue."
	"Ok, well..."

**
	
	Trees shade the rural path while the sounds of life fill the air.
Crickets chirp in the bushes while a small brook merrily gurgles along
the dirt path. A skinny boy plods along this path on this spring day,
his face drawn and sad. Perhaps sensing his presence, the sounds of life
goes silent at his approach, only to resume after he passes. 
	"Tomorrow's the school marathon. *Sigh.* I just wish it would be rained
out."
	"If you like, if you would be my friend." called a small voice from
behind, stopping him in his tracks. 
	"Huh?" he said as he turned. Standing there on the path was a strange
little girl. Her light brown eyes shining with delight while the slight
wind tossed her black hair around her face. She was dressed in a little
red kimono and held a large leaf over her head. What was strange
however, was that rain fell on the leaf from the sunny sky.
	"Who are you?" 
	"I'm Amefurash, will you be my friend?"

**

	"Mocha please." I said to the waitress before turning my attention back
to Mayami before me. "So in other words, he said he'd be her friend if
she was to rain out the Marathon?"
	"Uh huh. But two days after that, they moved because Grandpa got a job
in another town."
	"Oh.."

**

	The Little girl ran towards the truck with tears in her eyes. "YOU
PROMISED TO BE MY FRIEND!" she called as the truck pulled out of the
driveway "COME BACK!" she called, running as fast as her short legs
could carry her. The vehicle pulled onto the dirt road and started
accelerating towards the main road. "Come Back! Come Back! Come back!"
she cried as the truck outdistanced the little demon. "Arug!" she
shouted in surprise as she tripped. She looked back towards the
retreating truck with tears in her eyes. "I'll have my revenge you'll
see! I'll Have My Revenge!"

**

	"So the Amefurashi has cursed me for the sins of my father. All the
friends I make never stay with me for long. They always leave because I
bring them bad luck. In fact, you should go too before my bad luck
starts affecting you."
	"No way. Like a friend of mine says. A promise once given, is something
that should never be broken. In any case, I have few friends myself and
would be glad to be yours." I smile as her face lights up with joy.
	"Sir, your.  AH!" the waitress cried as a child bumped into her from
behind. Moving like lightning, I placed my hand below the tray and
pushed it upwards, and out of her way and onto the table behind me as
she regained her balance.  
	"I'm so sorry Sir. I really didn't mean.." she trailed off as she
noticed the tray of coffee safe on the next table. 
	"It's no problem." I said as I placed the coffee before me. Handing her
back the tray I just smiled at her. "Accidents will always happen don't
worry about ."
	"Ahh! *splash*" the little boy bumped into her again, causing her to
fall onto the table and knock the hot coffee into my lap. 
	". . it.." I trailed off, clenching my teeth against the searing pain.
Score one for the Amefurashi. 

	[Sherry my dear, isn't it that interesting bus driver from yesterday?]
a patron asked the woman besides him. 
	[Why yes. And ain't that the cursed girl with him?] she drawled,
sipping her Iced tea. [It's just, too bad the priestess couldn't do
noth'n for the poor girl.]
	[Can't say that young lady didn't try. she waved that stick of hers for
half an hour at least. Hey isn't that the priestess in that booth over
there?]  he said, noticing a cloaked figure in a corner of the shop.
	[Why, ah believe it is! Should we join her and introduce ourselves or
let her spy on the two young un's?] 
	[Well, she is a priestess, I'm sure she knows what she's doing.]

*******************