Crows of Kyoto: Part 3

Misha opened his eyes.  They were red and puffy from crying.  His mother was sitting on the bed next to him.

“Caw!” said Misha.

He started.  That’s not what he meant to say.  He cleared his throat and attempted to talk again.

“CAW! CAW! CAW!” he shouted.  

“What’s was wrong with me?” he thought.  His mother stared at him unaffected.  He held his hands over his mouth.  He could feel something coming up from his stomach.  Was he getting sick?  Misha closed his mouth tight, but it was no use.  A fountain of black feathers poured out of Misha’s mouth.  He tried to cover his mouth with his hands to stop the flow, but he couldn’t.  The Feathers just kept coming.  They spilled out over the bedspread and onto the floor.

“What’s wrong Misha?” asked his mother in Russian, “What’s wrong with Misha?” She put her face in her hands and started to cry.  

Misha shook his head, he wanted to answer but he kept vomiting feathers. Then just as suddenly as the feathers started, they stopped.  Misha coughed out the last feather that was lodged in his throat and said in a raspy voice, “Mama, don’t cry I’m fine.” Misha’s mother looked up but when she did Misha saw that her face had turned into a face of a crow.  Misha screamed and woke up in a cold sweat.

Misha looked around it was already dark.  How long had he been asleep?  Dominique was asleep, sitting on a chair with her head and arms on Misha’s bed.  Misha couldn’t see her face, and he was afraid of what he would see.  He lay still for a few minutes and finally got up the courage to tap his mother on the shoulder.  He touched her shoulder and she woke immediately with a start.  She smiled at him.  A warm loving smile only a mother can give.  Misha’s fears were relieved as she gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

“We were so worried about you Misha.  You passed out when you came into Grandfather’s room,  It must have been so hard on you to come here for another funeral.”

“Mama, who was that pale lady with the long black hair?”

“Who are you talking about darling?”

“She grabbed me from behind right before I passed out.”

“No one grabbed you sweetie you just fell.  We were all so worried!  Now go to sleep Misha you need your rest, tomorrow is Grandfather’s funeral.”

Misha lay back and closed his eyes, but sleep wouldn’t come to him.  So many things were running through his head.  Why were the crows coming after his soul?  Was he going to die soon?  He wished he could ask his mother but she would just say it was his imagination, or a dream he had.  Finally sleep fell upon him although he didn’t know it.  He just remembered waking up alone in his room to the sound of a knock on his door.  Misha answered and a servant came in with breakfast and a black suit for him to wear.  Misha finished getting ready quickly and was headed out to the main entrance to meet his family there, when he heard a blood curdling scream.  It came from the front gate!  Everyone ran to see what was going on.  Misha ran into Makoto on the way out.  Their rooms were right across the hall from each other.

“What’s going on?” asked Misha.

“I don’t know but it seems bad,” replied Makoto.

Makoto reached out her hand and grabbed Misha’s.  “So we don’t get separated,” she said.  Guests and servants were all converging in one point, and more and more screams came from the front gates.  The hallway was crowded and congested.  It was hard for the two of them to get anywhere.

“Come on,” said Makoto, “ I know a shortcut.

Makoto turned left and raced down a clear hallway with Misha close behind.  They exited the house though a side door and ran along the wooden path to the door to the front yard.  The two of them could already hear the noise growing into a wild confusion.  Makoto took a deep breath and opened the door.  They could see the main gates from where they stood.  There were people gathered in a semicircle around them crying a wailing, because strung up on the gates was their grandmother.  Her mouth hung open as if stuck in an eternal scream.  She was covered in blood and scratch marks, but worst of all it looked like her eyes had been pecked out by birds.  The children looked on in horror as more and more people discovered the body.  Everyone was so shocked they didn’t know what to do so they just stood there.  Finally, Makoto’s father came out of the house followed by Momo and Dominique.  Makoto’s dad cut their grandmother down from the gates, and Momo yelled out, “Someone call the police.”  Dominique took off her shawl and placed it over Grandmother’s face to cover the gore.  She crossed herself and said a prayer.  Makoto couldn’t watch anymore and ran for the back garden.  Misha followed after her.  When they got there they saw Nana and Yuuki were already there feeding the koi fish.  Makoto barely took notice of them as she collapsed in tears on the grass.  Misha sat next to her too shocked to cry.

“I’m sorry, It’s all my fault,” said Misha.

“What how is it your fault?” asked Makoto wiping the tears from her eyes.

“The crows, that pale woman with the long black hair, they killed Grandmother!  They took her soul, and I couldn’t stop them!”

“What are you talking about!? Have you gone Mad?” asked Nana.  She and Yuuki abandoned the fish and came closer to find out what was going on.  

“Why are you saying Grandmother is Dead?” asked Yuuki.

“Because she is dead!” yelled Makoto, “why do you think everyone is crying?”

“God Makoto,” snapped Nana, “You don’t have to be so mean, he was just asking a question.”

“You’re one to talk Nana, you torture him all day long!” retorted Makoto.

“Well you are an ugly…”

“Stop it,” interrupted Misha, “this in no time to argue.  We have to find a way to stop that woman from killing someone else!”

“What woman,” asked Makoto.

“When Grandfather died I saw a crow sitting on him.  I screamed and tried to run toward it to scare it off, but I was stopped by a pale woman, who was tall and thin with long black hair that fell like drapes on either side of her face,” said Misha.

“That sounds like my English tutor, Yamada Sensei,” said Makoto, “I have a picture of her on my phone.”

Misha helped Makoto up and the children raced to Makoto’s room.  She scrolled through her pictures and brought a picture of Yamada Sensei on her phone.  Yamada was in the background gathering papers as Makoto smiled in the foreground.  Misha looked at the picture with alarm.

“That’s the woman I saw!” he exclaimed.

“Yeah right,” scoffed Nana, “you two are just trying to trick us, well I’m not going to fall for it.  Everyone knows you just passed out when you saw Grandfather.  No one grabbed you like you said.  Come on Yuuki, we should go back in the garden where Papa told us to wait.”  With that Nana grabbed Yuuki by the arm and left.

“Makoto, it’s true!  You have to believe me!” begged Misha, “why would I make up stories at a time like this?  I’m afraid Makoto and I don’t know what to do to.  I need you to believe me.”

Makoto looked into his eyes and she could tell he wasn’t lying.  “I don’t know if what you say is real but, something about what happened with Yamada Sensei yesterday morning creeped me out.  She wanted to see my mother, then disappeared before she got to the door? But even if it is Yamada Sensei, how do we stop her and is she really going to kill someone else?”

“I don’t think she’s done.  When she held me I saw an anger in her eyes, furry, she was like a monster.”

“If she does wants to kill someone else how do we stop her?  Maybe we should tell our parents.”

“They’ll never believe us without proof.”

“The letter she sent with my mother!  Maybe there’s something there!”

By this time the house was not only filled with mortified friends and family the police had also arrived and were questioning everyone about the events of the previous night.  The front gates had been sealed off as a crime scene and no one was allowed in or out of the house.  The children snuck past the adults, which was surprisingly easy and entered the room where Grandfather’s gifts and cards were stored until they could be put out for the viewing.  The room was thick with the sweet smell of lilies and roses.  Bouquets filled every inch of the room and there were so many that some had to be stacked on top of each other.  Makoto and Misha looked at the pile in dismay.

“How will we ever find the card in all this?” asked Makoto.

“We have to try at least it’s the only clue we’ve got!  Do you remember what it looks like?” replied Misha.

“I never saw it, but I know what Sensei’s handwriting looks like.”

“It will probably be somewhere near the flowers we brought.”

The two of them searched through the bouquets until they found the one they brought.  It was covered in white lilies, roses and chrysanthemums.  There were a number of cards under it.  They all looked pretty much the same, so Misha collected the stack and they looked for Yamada’s handwriting.  After going through them all they still hadn’t found the right card.  Makoto decided to look at more cards, and soon she and Misha had collected all off the cards they could find into a large pile.  Makoto looked through them carefully.  The stack began to dwindle and they still hadn’t found anything yet, but then Makoto picked up a card wedged between the wall and a table, and it was addressed “to the Sato and Hayashi Families.”  Makoto recognized the writing right away.  

“I found it!” she said.

“Let’s see what’s inside.”

Makoto pulled out a note and a black feather.  She handed the feather to Misha, who took it reluctantly, and read the note aloud.

“The full moon is rising on the house of Sato and Hayashi,

They will come for your souls as I kill your sons and daughters,

They will take them away when they receive their orders.

Coming in through the windows will be their way,

All will be done in two nights and one day

Mark my words as they are said,

For what hope have the living against the dead?”

Crows of Kyoto: Part 2

CAW! CAW! CAW!

The next morning Makoto woke up to the cawing of crows outside her window.  She threw a pillow at Misha to wake him up.  He sprung to attention, then realized what happened.

“What was that for?” he asked.

“You never told me you could speak Japanese!” demanded Makoto.

“You never asked.  You just assumed that I couldn’t and that you could say whatever you want about me behind my back!”

Makoto felt embarrassed she didn’t mean for Misha to hear what she said last night.  Thinking about it now she realized it must be hard for him to come to a foreign country and the only person close to his own age said she hated him.

“I’m sorry Misha,” she said, “I didn’t mean what I said.”

“Don’t worry about it.  Can I ask you something strange?  Did you hear anything last night like something outsid…”

“Kids! It’s time to get up! Hurry we want to leave as soon as we can!” yelled Momo.

The children raced downstairs.  There was already breakfast waiting for them.  Dominique was sipping on some coffee while Momo brought out the last of the food.  There was a giant spread of food on the table, orange slices, hot rice, fish, toast, and other delicious foods.

“Wow,” said Misha, “There’s a lot of food here!  I’m just used to eating cold cereal and milk.  Mom how come you don’t make this for me every morning?”

“Why don’t you make it for me?” asked Dominique in a dry tone, “I’m the one that pays for everything.”

Makoto giggled.  They all sat down and enjoyed breakfast together.

Ding Dong!

Some one at the gate had rung the doorbell.

“I wonder who it could be?” said Momo, “Makoto, go and check please.”

Makoto ran over to the intercom to see the the video feed of who was at the front gate.  Makoto saw two long drapes of hair attached to a slender body.  It was her English tutor.  Makoto was startled to see her so early in the morning.  She held down the talk button.

“Hello, Yamada Sensei” She said

“Hello, Makoto.  Is your Mother home?  I wanted to offer my condolences.” said Yamada she turned her head and smiled into the camera.  It was a forced smile and it sent a shiver down Makoto’s spine.

“Yes, um, one moment please.”

Makoto ran over to her mother and said, “It’s Yamada Sensei.  She came to offer condolences.”

“That’s strange, I didn’t tell her Grandfather was sick,” said Momo.

“Mr. Sato must have said something,” said Dominique casually.

“Of course, you’re right,” said Momo as she left to answer the door.  She put her shoes on and slid opened the front door.  The sky was grey with clouds threatening to burst at any moment.  She shrugged off an eerie feeling in her gut as she crossed the front yard to open the gate.  Momo pulled open the gate door and Yamada was no where to be seen.  Momo called out to her, but she didn’t answer.  She stepped out into the street and looked around, but the street was empty.  Suddenly Momo noticed she was stepping on something.  It was an envelope with “to the Sato and Hayashi Families” written on it.  Momo assumed it was a card or something of the like.  She had wished that Yamada had given it to her in person, but she was still grateful for the thought.  Momo took the card into the house and decided to open it at Grandfather’s house along with all the other gifts and cards they would get from friends and family members.

The car ride to their grandparent’s house was about an hour’s drive up the mountain but it didn’t seem that long to Misha and Makoto who spent the entire time talking and playing with each other.  Their mothers were also getting along.  They reminisced about their college days and talked about current events in a way only old friends can.  They would also carefully tip toe around the subject of Misha’s father.  For them the loss was still fresh.  Misha on the other hand could hardly remember his father at all.  The only things he knew about him were the stories his mother would tell, and the few memories he had of his father doing dishes, playing in a sandbox with him, and lying in a hospital bed.  Misha remembered more about the funeral than he did the man.

Someone from the main house meet them at the gate and told them to park their car in front.  They did as instructed and a servant took their luggage to their rooms as they went to visit Grandfather.  Makoto and Misha were silent as they were lead down the hall to where their dying grandfather was kept.  The hall was dark and narrow and lined with sliding paper doors.  Rooms that most likely had not been lived in for years.  At the end of the hall was a bright light.  Makoto could hear the beeping of machines and as they got closer the smell of hospital wafted into the hall.   It was the distinct combination of death and disinfectant intermixed.  Grandmother was already in the room waiting for them when they arrived.  They knew other relatives would be arriving shortly and they would have to attend to the matters of the funeral, but for now they came and sat quietly next to Grandmother.

“He is asleep now but he may wake up soon,” said Grandmother, “hopefully you will be able to say your goodbyes then, but he gets weaker by the hour.”

The family stayed in the room watching and waiting.  Occasionally some more relatives would arrived and quietly wait as well.  After a while children began to get restless.  The parents all agreed that they should be taken out to the garden to play until Grandfather awoke.  A servant led Makoto, Misha, and their second cousins Yuuki and Nana out into the garden.  Makoto was glad to be outside away from that horribly quiet room, but she could still feel an aura of death surrounding her.  The servant gave them each a stick of dango and told them she would be back if there were any developments.  Makoto, Misha, and Yuuki ate their snack right away.  The chiefs at the main house were some of the best in Japan, and the dango was made to  sweet perfection.  Nana watched as the other children ate their treats with a knowing smile.  When the other children finished they looked around for more, but there was none to be found, except in Nana’s hand.  All three of them looked at her.  This is what she had been waiting for.  She planned to eat hers slowly in front of the others while they begged her for another taste.

“It isn't fair Nana has more!” complained Yuuki.

“It’s perfectly fair,” she explained, “we all got the same amount, except I didn’t eat mine all at once like an animal.”

Makoto got very angry, she knew that Nana had just saved her dango so she could make the others suffer.  She wasn’t going to give Nana the satisfaction of knowing that she also wanted them, so she pretended to ignore her.  Yuuki on the other hand proceeded to beg her for some.  Nana dangled the treat over her little brother’s head and pretended like she would give him a bite, but then ate it herself.  Makoto could barely hold back her anger.  Nana always loved to play these sort of tricks on them, and Makoto didn’t appreciate it.  It would have been one thing if she was just a slow eater but that wasn’t the case.  Nana had a mean streak in her that it seemed no one could see except for her.  Then she thought that maybe Misha could see it too.  This was the first time they had ever met and he must have seen what she did to her little brother.  Perhaps in Misha she would find a fellow commiserator.  Makoto looked over and saw that Misha wasn’t even paying attention to the whole scene, instead he was staring off into space.

“Misha,” whispered Makoto.

Misha startled and answered, “what?”

“Shhhh! Did you see what just happened? Did you see what Nana did?  Isn’t she the worst?”

“No, sorry I was looking at something else.”

Makoto thought that that was strange since it looked like Misha was just staring off into space.  She looked where he was looking and didn’t see anything.

“What were you looking at Misha?” she asked

“The crows,” he answered.

Makoto looked and didn’t see any crows.

“They are here to take Grandfather’s soul,” said Misha in a monotone voice, “They told me.”

“Misha, I don’t see any cro…”

“Children!” Shouted the servant, “come quickly, your grandfather is awake!”

The servant hurried the children in but by the time they got back to the room it was too late.  Everyone inside was weeping and comforting each other.  Makoto noticed that her father arrived when they were outside.  He was holding up her mother so she wouldn't collapse from grief.  She rushed in to join them in their tears.  Misha also entered the room but slowly he hadn't yet spotted his mother yet.  Misha looked to the bed where his grandfather lay dead, and he saw a large crow about the size of a small dog sitting on top of him.  The crow turned it’s head and looked at Misha and said, “I want your soul!”  Misha screamed and ran toward the crow, but he only took two steps before someone grabbed him from behind and covered his mouth.  Misha wheeled around and saw a tall thin woman with sunken in eyes, pale skin, and straight black hair that fell on each side of her head like drapes.  Misha screamed as loud as he could and tried to pull away, but the woman held him tight with her long bony fingers firmly wrapped around his arm.  

She put her finger up to her lips and said,

“Shhh!”

Crows of Kyoto: Part 1

“Caw! Caw!” cried a young girl in a light blue dress and long black hair as she ran through an old stone street.  The murder Crows she was running toward flew in every direction and landed on the telephone wires and rooftops nearby.

“Stop that Makoto we don’t have time for you to run off in every direction!  We have to get to the airport.” scolded her mother as she grabbed the young girl by the hand.

Makoto reluctantly followed her mother and the crows flew back down from the rooftops and returned to picking at garbage.

“Have you been practicing your English Makoto?” asked her mother as she quickened her pace.

“Yes, but why do I have to?”

“Because your cousin doesn't speak Japanese.”

“Why doesn't he learn?”

“That’s enough Makoto!  Just study this on the way to the airport.”

Her mother handed her a book with “English Phrases” written on the cover and Makoto reluctantly read it over and over.  Makoto was actually quite talented at learning new languages.  She was only nine but she could already speak Japanese, Korean, a little French, and of course English.  Makoto hated to speak English most of all but her parents insisted she learn and hired an English tutor.  Makoto didn't  get along with her tutor at all.  She was a tall slender old woman with a stern face and straight black hair that fell like curtains on either side of her face.  She never smiled or complimented Makoto, even though she was doing very well in the lessons.  She wished she could chase her away like the crows in the alley, but her mother would be angry for sure.

Makoto sat quietly on the train next to her mother.  Why did they have to pick up her Aunt and cousin.  Makoto had meet her them once before a long time ago.  It was summertime, she knew that, but she couldn't remember very much about what happened she did know she spent a lot of time with her cousin and all the adults were very sad.  She spent the days exploring the garden and feeding the koi fish with her cousin.  He didn't say a word the whole time he was there.  At the time Makoto thought he was rude, but thinking back on it now she realized he didn't speak the language.

Makoto watched the trees and houses zip past the window.  She got bored and l looked over to her mother for some conversation.  Her mother was reading a book with a picture of a shirtless samurai on it and had her do not disturb face on.  Makoto closed her mouth and stared out the window again.  Memories of the summer at her grandparent’s house came flooding back.  She remembered her mother introducing her to her cousin.

“Makoto, this is your cousin Misha.  He is from America, so please be nice and show him around.”

Makoto nodded and said, “Hello Misha it is nice to meet you.”  Makoto bowed low in a very respectful way like her mother taught her to do, but Misha just stood silent.  Finally Misha’s mother whispered in his ear and he realized he to was supposed to bow, so he did but way too low.  It was more like he was touching his toes then bowing.  The adults laughed a little and then left Misha and Makoto to play.  

Both Misha and his mother were tall and had Russian names despite being from America.  Makoto also heard her cousin and his mother talking in Russian from time to time.  Makoto wondered why he could speak in Russian and English and not in Japanese.  She didn't take so kindly to Misha at all, whom she felt was forced upon her and knew nothing of his proud Japanese heritage.  Makoto resented having to watch her younger cousin all summer long.  The more she thought about it the more annoyed she was at having to go out of her way to pick up her cousin.

Makoto looked at her mom again she had a burning question and didn't know if she should ask, but as usual Makoto’s curiosity got the best of her.

“Mama, why are Auntie and cousin Misha visiting?”

At first her mother looked perturbed, but her face soon melted into one of concern.  “Makoto, I didn't know how to tell you this when it happened, but I got a call yesterday morning and your grandfather’s condition has taken a turn for the worse.  I called your Auntie right away and they flew out on the first plane they could.  The doctors say Grandpa may only have a few more days left.”  Makoto’s mother put her hand on Makoto’s shoulder and tears rolled down Makoto’s cheeks and splashed onto the English book in her hands.  Makoto closed the book so it wouldn't get wet.

Misha and his mother were waiting in the lobby of the airport for their relatives.  He wore a black suit and his mother wore a black dress with a black feathered hat. His mother nervously played with her wedding band as they waited.  She still wore it even though Misha’s father had passed away four years ago.  That was the reason for their last visit to Japan and now they were here again to attend another funeral.

When his father died Misha’s mother had his father cremated and then they flew him to Japan to lay him to rest at his family’s grave.  His urn was silver and had an engraving of a crow on it. Misha’s mother told him the crow would carry his soul to the land of the dead.  Misha held the urn at the grave site while his family was opening up the crypt.  In a nearby tree Misha saw a crow watching them.  He held up the urn so the crow could take his father’s soul, but the crow didn't move.  It just watched from the tree with it’s small black eyes.  Misha’s mother took the urn from him and placed it in the family tomb.

Soon Makoto and her mother arrived at the airport and meet their relatives.  They were to spend their first night at Makoto’s house and then travel to their grandparent’s house the next day.  Makoto’s mother greeted them and helped them load their luggage into a taxi.  Makoto didn't see the point in coming all the way out here just so they could take a taxi back.  “Why couldn't they have taken the taxi on their own?” Makoto thought, “Most taxi drivers speak English and her Auntie spoke perfect Japanese.”  Makoto’s mother didn't seem to have the same sentiments as she did though.  In fact she acted quite warmly to Misha’s mother.  They even hugged and began talking in English.

“Dominique, how was your flight?  You must be tired,” said Makoto’s mother.

“A little, I’m surprised Misha still has his eyes opened, and please call me Niki like in university” Misha’s mother said with a smile.

“Alright but you are not allowed to call me Moe chan.”

“But it was such a good nickname for you Momo.”

The two of them laughed and hugged again.  The laughter soon turned to tears and the hug became a mutual support system that kept the two women from falling to their knees.

“It’s been a long time but I miss him everyday Momo.”

“I know Niki I do too.”

The taxi pulled up Makoto’s driveway and the taxi driver helped them to unload their belongings.  Makoto’s father was on a business trip and he would meet them when it came time for the funeral.  Momo apologized that there wouldn't be any help with the bags, but Dominique said they would manage just fine.  Momo lead Dominique to the spare room.  Then she led Misha to Makoto's room.  Makoto opened her mouth to object, but her mother gave her a stare as if to say, “You had better not!” and she shut it.

The four of them had dinner and all of the conversation was in English.  At first Makoto felt a little lost, but her extra studying paid off and soon she was joining in on the conversation.  Misha on the other hand remained silent.  This annoyed Makoto, because the whole reason they were speaking in English was for his benefit.  Soon their mothers decided it was time for them to go to bed.  This was the moment Makoto had been dreading all evening.  The two of them got ready for bed and  Momo unrolled a bed and placed it on the floor next to Makoto’s bed.  They said good night and then turned out the lights.

“I hate you,” said Makoto under her breath in Japanese.

Misha closed his eyes and silently wept as sleep overcame him.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Misha woke up in a haze.  He checked the clock it was three a.m.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

There it was again.  Misha rubbed his eyes.  They were heavy with sleep.

TAP. TAP. TAP.

It was louder now.  Misha could tell it was coming from the small balcony outside Makoto’s room.  The long vertical blinds were drawn over the glass sliding door, so Misha couldn't see out.  He stood up and looked toward the door to the balcony.

TAP! TAP! TAP! TAP! TAP! TAP! TAP! TAP! TAP! TAP! TAP! TAP!

The noise was defining and thundered in his brain.  He looked over and Makoto was still sleeping.  

“How can she not hear this!?!” Misha thought.

He took a step toward the door.  The tapping was so loud Misha could hear nothing else.  He put his hands over his ears but it still didn't help.  He walked closer to the door.  He had to know what was outside.  What was making that noise.

TAP! TAP! TAP! TAP! TAP! TAP! TAP! TAP! TAP! TAP! TAP! TAP!

He was at the door now and his hand reached out for the blinds when through the noise he thought he heard his name.

“Misha” TAP! TAP! TAP! TAP! “Misha!”

Was it coming from outside he couldn't tell.

“MISHA!”

No!  It wasn't outside! It was right behind him! Misha turned around frantically.  Everything was suddenly silent.

“MISHA! why are you up? Go back to sleep!” said Makoto in Japanese.

“Sorry I will, just a minute,” he replied also in Japanese.  He reached out and drew back the blinds to reveal an empty balcony.  Misha crawled back into bed and slept through the rest of the night.

End Part 1