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Minato and the Hungry Ghost
by Naching T. Kassa

“She’s dead,” the old man said, tears spilling down his ash-covered face. “My daughter…my Himari is dead!”

Himari’s mother burst into tears as the old man pulled her into his arms. Her sisters wailed. Behind the old man, near the open door, Himari’s brother remained mute in sorrow. I alone rose to my feet. I alone made for the door.

“Where are you going, Minato?” Himari’s mother cried. “You were to marry our daughter. Will you not stay and grieve with us?”

“I am sorry,” I said softly. “I cannot grieve Himari.”

The old woman’s eyes widened. “Why?”

“Because Himari is not dead,” I replied. Only the echo of my words remained as I hurried out the door.

The sun was sinking behind the bare, scorched trees as I hurried along. They stood by the road like sentinels, reaching toward the sky. The fire had marred their bark, and they appeared to grin at me with sharpened teeth. I paid little heed to them, and even less to the shadow that followed me.

The road led me up a hill. Though the smoke had gone, the earth still carried the heat of the fire. I kept to the road, avoiding the spots which glowed in the gathering darkness. I could hear the source of the shadow now, soft footsteps whispered like dry and fallen leaves. I knew if I turned, I would see nothing, and so I continued on my way.

On the other side of the hill, I found a graveyard, untouched by the unquenchable blaze. When I entered, I found a sea of stones, each one cool beneath my touch. Not even the fire had ventured here.

The shadow continued its pursuit. It was close now, so close I could feel the stirring of the air around it. I could not allow it to go further and so I turned, my Kitana drawn.

“She lives?” the shadow asked. I could see only the glow of its eyes in the darkness near the entrance. The stench of the grave nearly overwhelmed me. “The fire took all that I had. If she lives, if she has survived the fire, I must taste her flesh.”

“Himari is dead,” I said.

“You said she lived.”

“Would I tell a hungry ghost the truth? I saw you enter behind the old man. You would have eaten them all and it would not have sated you. How did you know the old man was not her true father? How did you know she was the daughter of a holy man?”

The hungry ghost stepped forward. In the half-light, I saw the face of Himari’s brother. He smiled at me and tapped his temple.

“This vessel told me. When I ate him, I gained his memories. I will learn the truth of what you say when I eat you.”

He lunged toward me and I held up my arm, ready for his attack. He sank his teeth into it and as the blood flowed, he drew back as though scalded.

“You lied!” the ghost cried. “Himari lives!”

“And I would die for her,” I replied. “Take me in her stead.”

The hungry ghost fell back, clasping a hand to his lips. “But how can this be? This vessel…he thinks you want only her dowry. He is sure of it. But you…you love her?”

“I will always love her.”

The hungry ghost fell to his knees. Tears streamed from his eyes. “What is happening to me? I have always been hungry. For centuries, I have stalked the earth, feeding always feeding. Yet…your blood…I have tasted it…and I’m not hungry anymore. I thought only her flesh could sate me.”

He seemed surprised by the peace. I watched him slip from the world, and like the fire, he became embers on the wind.

When he had gone, I hurried deeper into the graveyard. Near the stone of the holy man, I found Himari resting. Her face and kimono were covered in soot, but her skin remained unblemished by the fire. When she woke, she threw her arms about me.

“Minato! Oh Minato! The blaze forced me into the graveyard. It robbed me of my voice, and I couldn’t answer when Father called my name. I think he feared me dead. How did you find me?”

“I knew you were not dead. So, I came looking.”

She stared at me, her beautiful eyes wide. “How did you know?”

“We share the same heart. And yours is still beating.”

I helped her to her feet.

“Will it always be so, Minato?” she asked. She didn’t look up.

I waited until she did, until she could see the truth in my eyes.

“It will always be so, Himari. Always.”

Fiction © Copyright Naching T. Kassa
Image © Copyright Rie Sheridan Rose

 

More from Naching T. Kassa:

Sherlock Holmes and The Arcana of Madness: A Horror Mystery

Discover the untold mysteries of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson in Sherlock Holmes and the Arcana of Madness, a trilogy that unveils three captivating cases intertwined with the mystical allure of tarot cards, designed by the renowned, yet infamous artist, Richard Dadd.

A collection of manuscripts, meticulously penned by John H. Watson M.D., is unearthed in 2019 amidst the restoration of Broadmoor Hospital, found inexplicably in the grave of Richard Dadd. The manuscripts’ concealed journey and their remaining unpublished raise a myriad of questions, enveloping them in a veil of mystery.

Available on Amazon!