Archive of Our Own

Tengu don't have any connection with ghosts. But Sara Kujou does.

Sara Kujou saw dead people even before she was given that name. They usually wandered around her forest forgetting how to get out. They called her "Little Tengu" and asked for help.

"That's a gift" - told her mother when she asked why no one can see them besides her.

"That's a curse" - snapped other tengu, but then showed her how to put the ghosts to rest anyway.

Little Tengu learnt prayers and rites of Old Forest. Some ghosts were happy to go away, some scarred. Some was so angry that they tried to hurt her. But they couldn't hurt her. Forest and tengu magic always protected her.

Well she thought so.

The Kujou Estate was full of ghosts. Most of them wore the same clothes and the same faces as alive dwellers of Estate. Like even death couldn't break bond in this family.

Little Tengu tried to send them away but they just ignored her prayers or even tried to punish her for praying anyone but All Mighty Shogun.

The worst thing that she could feel their touch. Something that never happened in the forest.

She was scared but couldn't explain anyone why. The language spoken by tengu was much older than human's.

Old man came every day in attempt to teach her. It didn't work.

He was too scary, too angry, too impatient for this job.

Little Tengu, wanting to escape back to the forest, did not make it easier.

But days became weeks and her determination started to crumble.

And then this man brought a ghost with him.

A woman in black clothes with coldish grey eyes and and a sword on her hip. She stood still behind man's back until he gave up with a lesson again.

After the door was closed she spoke.

"I am Kujou Kaima, ex-head of Kujou clan.told her ghost in the same dialect that Tengu grew up with. Now as an adopted daughter of my clan, you under my protection, Sara Kujou.

For a second she was to shoked to answer.

"That not my name" hesitantly said Little Tengu. She was both happy and scared to finaly understand people words.

"Now, it is.parried ghost. Acept it now and I will help you or keep your stubbornish resist and I will go away.

Maybe a few days ago she would snap at ghost and hide behind her wings. Maybe she would stay strong.

But Sara was so lonely.

Sara learnt how to speak, how to act and how to pray as Kujou daughter.

The last one was the most important for her. Kaima showed her prayers and rites of Raiden Shogun and it worked.

Half-mad ghosts who tried to hurt her disappeared after she finished her new pray. And if she prayed enough she could stop feel ghost touches like before.

"That's power of Raiden Shogun. told Kaima. Be grateful to her.

And Sara was. God saved her life, give her a purpose and protected her from ghosts.

How could she not?

She didn't hesitate when decided to spend her life fighting for Shogun will.

"If you going to become Shogun soldier you will murder peoplesaid Kaima dryly

"I don't want to leave ghosts." she didn't want to know what ghosts created by her could do.

"Than learn how to kill fast. Painlessly." told her Kaima.

After that Sara started to choose bow over katana or polearm.

She learnt to kill mercifully.

(She also learnt to not tell about her gift. She already stood out as half-tengu. Seeing ghost would be to much.)

Sara was twelve when she saw first God's Grave.

Sara was twelve when Father Takayuki finally took her to visit Grand Narukami Shrine.

She was twelve when her legs almost betrayed her in front of Sacred Sakura.

The most powerful Spirit she have ever met.

For a second she was afraid that her God is dead and trapped there.

But then she immediately denied this heretic idea. She never again let herself think about it.

( She never learnt whose grave it is.)

There was white-haired Kitsune behind Guuji Yae back. She always gave Sara soft smiles and rolled her eyes whenever Yae Miko started to act like....Yae Miko.

" You know, she not always were like this " told ghost tenderly brushing pink hair " I remember that time when she was shy and awkward. Just like you. "

Sara never fully believed her. She couldn't imagine Yae Miko being anyone else but herself.

( She also never agreed to be described as shy or awkward. Her etiquette and understanding of social interaction was amazing.)

But it seemed that Kitsune didn't actually care if Sara believed her or not. She just wanted to tell someone about Yae Miko.

She looked at Yae with quiet fondness and Sara always felt something strange in her chest.

Her brothers never looked at her like that.

Her mother passed away when she was sixteen.

It was three weeks after Sara was accepted in Tenryou Commision and six month before she would see her God.

She was practicing with her bow. No one else were on training areas. It was too late for other people to do here anything. Too dark for human's eyes, but not for Sara's.

So she stayed alone in dusk letting arrows fly one by one when she heard the sound she almost forgot.

Rustle of giant wings.

She turned around and saw.

Her mother ghost stood in front of her with a tender smile on her lips.

"My child" told tengu going ahead.

Sara was faster. She rushed toward her, almost falling down.

She stopped right in front of her mother too afraid to touch her.

Her mother didn't have such fears and touched her check.

It felt cold. It felt almost real. Sara leant to her palm trying not to cry.

"My little bird"continued she " You grew up so much. So strong. I am so proud."

She now was higher than her mother noticed Sara.

It hurt.

"How" Sara couldn't find words "How did this happend?"

Her mother smiled sadly.

" It doesn't matter. I just glad that you alive. I missed you so much."

Sara finally cracked letting herself to cry.

" I am sorry. I missed you too. I sorry I couldn't return. I am sorry I- I have a debt. I can't pay it in forest. I hardly could pay it ever. I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry."

Both mother hands cuped her face forcing Sara to look into her eyes.

"Hush, my little girl. It's fine. I know it wasn't your choice. I know you would have return to me if you could. I know that, my little bird. "

"Sara" wishepered she "My name is Sara"

" Sara" repeated her mother slowly " What a beautiful name. Almost like sky. It suits you"

Hearing her name in this voice was almost painful.

" Sara " finally spoke her mother slowly " Can you say a Forest prayer for me? "

Sara felt fear rising in her chest.

" No please " begged she as she never did before "please don't go. Please, I will do everything you ask."

She saw answer in her mother eyes, but kept asking.

" Sara, my last wish, my deepest desire was to see you again. For a second. For a moment. I thought you were dead for years. And now I finally met you again. And now you alive. It is more than I could ever asked. More than I ever hoped. I couldn't go away happier. There is no unfinished buisness left. Please pray for me. I want to hear it from you one more time. "

And Sara prayed. Still crying, still shaking she closed her eyes and wishepered words her mouth almost forgot.

When she opened her eyes ghost was gone.

Sara stayed at the ground until sunrise too weak and too pathetic to move.

There were no ghosts around Raiden Shogun. None of them dared to come so close to God.

As expected.

She was nineteen when she met another dead God.

Father told her that she will have to pay a visit to the Clan of "Heathens" as daughter of Kujou family and as not yet a general but already one of promising officer of Tenryou Commision.

Sara wanted to finish this as fast as possible and was ready to go to the Watatsumi Island at any moment.

But then she remembered. Who they worshiped.

And there is a thing. A dead God was still a God. Sacred Sakura was a perfect example. But it was quite a passive ghost. Ghost who was kind to the Raiden Shogun followers. And Sara guessed that the Great Serpent didn't share that point of view.

So she went to Yae Miko and asked about prayers to Orobashi. Kitsune tried to mock her about finding a new God to worship, but Sara didn't even listened to her.

Simple ghosts could harm her too much.

But the Revenant of God? If he kept a tenth part of his strength Sara was dead.

So she listened to every sharp insult from Yae Miko until she had no choice but to hand out the books Sara needed.

Prayers of the Ocean were different from Forest's and Thunder's but nothing to difficult.

After five day of studying she was ready to visit God's Grave. Well one of them. Honesty Inazuma had too many dead gods.

When Sara came to the place of meeting, she kneed in front of water, closed her eyes and started to pray.

She weren't sure how long she stayed at this position before she finaly heard.

"Miss Kujou?"

" Raiden's Dog "

Sara opened her eyes and saw a enormous white body covering the landscape. She made a deep inhale and turned around still staying on her knees.

The serpent's body surrounded her and the priestess in giant rings.

" Priestess Kokomi Sangonomiya." told Sara nodding her head. "That's a honor to meet you."

"This feeling is mutual, miss Kujou" politely answered Sangonomiya slowly approaching Sara. "But I have to ask, did you read a Pray to the Ocean right now?"

" Did you begged me for mercy little bird? "

"You not wrong, I can only hope I didn't mess any words." quietly answered Sara trying not to look into Orobashi eyes.

(They were pink as Sangonomiya hair. As sakura petals.

As sea foam colored with blood.)

"Oh no" softly told Priestess "it was a great pray. It is just a little surprising to hear it from memeber of family which is so devoted to the Raiden Shogun."

" I remember taste of tengu blood. Will yours be as delicious? "

"I may workship her, but that doesn't mean I don't have respect to other religions of Inazuma." Sangonomiya was so close that she had to put her head back to look at her face. "After all, I am still just a mortal daring to go at the other God land."

Sangonomiya stood in front of Sara and her God froze behind her back.

Priestess eyes was blue without any glimpse of red. But for some reason Sara felt like she met Orobashi gaze.

"What an outstanding humility, Sara Kujou." slowly spoke woman letting a smile to appear at her face. " It seems we will get along just fine."

Serpent was quiet.

Priestess extended her hand to tengu. And Sara took it letting Priestess to help her with standing up.

Sara still could feel gaze of bloodish eyes but for some reason, now still holding palm of Priestess she was sure.

At this moment she was safe.

(When civil war started Sara thought she got a death sentence.

But when the battle came on Watatsumi there were no sign of Orobashi.

Nothing but pink ring around blue irises of Kokomi's eyes.)

Even after she became one of the best soldiers of Shogun Army there still were ghosts on battlefield. Not all of her man could boast of her accuracy.

So she took a habit to come back after battle and everything other finished and pray.

She read all prayers she know until space in front of her was empty. Until most of ghosts rest in peace.

At first, soldiers thought that her behavior was strange. But then slowly some of them joined her. They awkwardly kneed by her side and prayed.

When it first happened Sara almost cried in front of them.

It felt like... she finally belonging.

There was almost no ghosts in Kamisato Estate.

" We live as we want and go away without regrets " told her one of few " Well, almost without them "

Sara found it calming. She promised herself that she would do everything she can until she die and then go away easily.

After all ghosts can't do anything. There is no reason to stay any longer.

When Vision Hunt Decree started Inazuma became overrun with ghosts.

Even Sara's prays couldn't send all of them away.

"For a person who called "the most loyal servant of Raiden Shogun" you spend a little bit to much time observing other deities." derisively told her Guuji Yae once.

It happend when Sara again came to her not on schedule. General just learnt about a few ancient ghosts who worshiped Thunderbird when they were alive. They weren't actually harmful but there was something extremely sad about souls unable to find peace for centuries.

No prayers she know worked on them and ghosts lost both their mind and voice and couldn't teach her their rites.

So she swallowed her pride and came to Yae Miko.

She told something about new cult and interest to history of Inazuma.

She wasn't sure if Yae Miko believed in her lies or not, but kitsune let Sara in her private library. However, she didn't hand out the books to Sara.

"They one of a kind, General. With all due respect, I would prefer to make sure they will stay at good condition."

So Sara was forced to stay in Grand Narukami Shrine to observe books in search of the necessary information.

She thought that Yae Miko would send some of her servants to sit with her. But Guuji stayed here on her own. Sara felt awkward under those purple eyes. But she started to read books and slowly stopped noticing other presence in room. And probably Guuji Yae found it boring. So she started her usual entertainment. How-fast-I-can-give-Sara-Kujou-headache.

Sara just made a deep inhale and answered calmly, still staring into book.

"That's a simple respect toward different Inazuma's cultures. I may disagree with their choice of God but still respect them."

"Their God is dead."

"As all of us will be one day." Sara answered with a shrug.

Yae Miko finched as if Sara hit her.

"That's," started she with a weird, not her usual cunning, smile, "Even more strange to hear from follower of Eternity God."

"I may not be the genius but I am not a fool, Guuji Yae" softly said Sara, "I am the General of "Tenryou Commision" fighting on the front lines. I am the most obvious target in any battle. It would be a miracle if I reach my thirties. Most likely Raiden Shogun will accomplish infinity long after my death."

It was quite difficult to forget about her own mortality while being surrounded by ghosts.

"And yet you fight for her?" Yae's voice was strange and Sara felt anxious. Something was wrong.

But she still answered.

"And yet I fight for her and Inazuma. I may not, but our country will see Shogun dream. I can only be proud if my death will make this-"

" Sara! "

Sara went silent. And than finally looked at Yae Miko.

Behind her back was a familiar ghost.

Face of White Kitsune was paler than ever before and her hand rest on Yae shoulder even if she couldn't feel a touch.

Like she was trying to comfort her.

Like Yae need comforting.

"Oh" Sara finally understood. Yae Miko was hurt.

She never could actually read Guuji. Yae Miko always was in perfect control and always showed only those emotions she wanted to show. Sara was so used to sly smiles and mocking phrases, she just forgot that Guuji Yae can feel other emotions too.

Yae Miko noticed a pause and coldly said.

"What's wrong, General? Why are you not finishing your speech?" Now when she understood, she couldn't help but notice. Clenching jaw, flattened ears. Poison in words.

Sara was so blind. But maybe she could redeem herself.

She got up from her seat making her way to another woman.

"What are you doing ,Gene-"

She pulled Yae Miko into her arms.

The woman freezed and Sara closed her eyes expecting electricity or claws ripping in her back. Which she deserved anyway.

"I am sorry" told she quietly, trying to keep hands as light as possible not daring to actually hug Guuji "I hurt you. It never was my intention. Henceforth, I will do everything to avoid this happening again."

She still kept her eyes shut waiting for Guuji reaction. And finally she heard weak laugh and woman's hands fell on Sara's back. Much bolder and tighter than her own.

"You such a weird creature, General." warmly said Yae in her shoulder and then continued, "Please, don't mention your willingness to die ever again."

"If that what you want" started Sara, when Yae Miko moved her hand from back to the shoulder and forced tengu to bow lower.

"Yes, Sara." wishpered Guuji right in her ear, "that what I want."

Sara didn't answer. In that moment she was glad that you can't see face of other person when you hugging.

Her own was blushing.

After a few moments Sara looked up at the ghost.

White Kitsune looked better than before. There even was a smile on her lips. Not a soft one, but rather sad.

" She need a friend" she was quiet almost like she was scared that Yae would hear them.

"Maybe" thought Sara "But she doesn't need me"

There weren't really many people who dared to officially challenge her for their Vision. Especially in front of the throne.

So when it finally happened Sara felt respect toward this man.

After all, you have to be truly brave to choose death from Shogun's hand.

Lightning have never been known as merciful.

So they fight, and she won, and the warrior died. Not exactly from her hand but close enough to be counted as her murder.

He didn't have relatives, and his friend ran away saving his live, so Sara had to deal with corpse.

She could ask someone else to deal with it but everyone already knew.

Sara Kujou had a weird relationship with dead.

So she found a good spot and dug a deep grave. She had nor coffin nor headstone for him but that's fine. In wartime theese things were always a luxury. She used piece of his sword as monument.

(In Sara's last will there is special line where she asks to be buried in her old forest. Without coffin, without gravestone without any mark. Her Vision should be given to the Tenryou Commision, but her mask should be burned to ashes.)

She kneed in front of grave preparing to start a pray, but heard loud cheerful voice.

"Don't bother! I won't go away!"

Honestly, it was surprising that he was quite all this time. Maybe he thought about his death and his afterlife. Some people were tend to do it.

"Are you seeking for revenge?" she asked him turning her head to the ghost. He could try to attack her now. Some ghosts did it before. Some of them even left scratches.

But warrior in red shaked his head.

"Nah, it was a fair win. No offense, Kujou. But I do have an unfinished deal."

Sara felt respect toward this man once again. Not everyone could forgive their murder so easily. She tried to think about unfinished things and remembered a red-and-white kimono and eyes full of sorrow.

"I guess" she spoke calmly trying not to give away any emotion "you should go to the East. Crux anchored there. And your friend most likely will go to them."

She learned this because of ghosts and she never used information which she found that way. That was unfair, and she could never explain how she found this out without looking strange.

There was no other reasons.

Ghost stoped for a second and than laughed gleefully.

"So there is a rebellious strike in our General!" Sara winced but didn't answer. "Don't worry Kujou your secret safe with me. I am as silent as grave!"

Sara chucked and closed her eyes starting a pray once again.

"Goodbye, General"

When she opened them she was alone.