#halfway saniwa

{Chapter 3: Welcome to the World}

<Japanese> “English” ‘thoughts’ The next week was a big day, it would be the first time she could step outside of the sterile room.  Dressed in with a simple attire, Kaiita waited with baited breath outside a door which attached to a partition chamber separating her from the outside world. She could see people on the other side of the room, some resembled doctors or something she’d  assume to be so- and the other- was dressed unlike anything she’d been prepared for. 

< Ready Kaiita-san?>

The text dialogue translated the Japanese for her spoken over the intercom, and swallowing any doubt she gave a curt nod in reply. There was a sound of hissing air passing back and forth through a vent as the first pair of doors opened, slid apart for her, and only then did it finally click they were oddly ornate- resembling a technological version of shoji partition doors. Kaiita steps inside the inner chamber and they slide closed behind her with a finality that made her neck break into goosebumps. “I’m detecting an increase in your heartrate Kaiita-sama, please relax, everything will be just fine.” Spoke the four legged companion in her arms. Ever since the Konnosuke arrived, he hadn’t left her side; they patiently acted as a companion and part time stuffed animal with complimentary warmer pads inside their body to curl up next to during the night. Now they accepted role of confidant, held secure against the girls front like a cat but giving off a sense they were anything but a simple PET. “ I-…right, you’re right.”

Another hissing sound reached her ears and she could sense the air moving around her. Instantly she could tell the difference- there was an aroma other than just… nothing reaching her nose. Over time in a perfectly sterile room smells like that which came off her food, and the soaps she was provided for cleansing, were much more pronounced.  But unlike those, this hit her like a wave- and she knew EXACTLY what it was. “..sakura?” she uttered the word and a picture of what they were came to mind- but why would she smell something like that? “Ah yes- it is spring after all! We are on the 2nd floor and this wing is close to the open balcony of the building. Come come-! Let’s go see them Kaiita-sama! I’m sure they will lift your spirits.”

The second doors cracked open and more air flooded in, gliding over her skin, informing her that outside it was much warmer. Standing before her as she exited, were 2 people who she could confirm now were doctors due to their name tags, someone who looked like a secretary or manager- basically they wore a suit and beside them was-

“Hajimemashite- Kaiita-san, watashi wa Keiko desu, mata aete ureshii.” < It’s a pleasure to meet you Kaiita-san, I’m Keiko, I’m happy to see you again.> The translation of what Keiko spoke appeared on a clear tablet plate she was holding and spoke it verbally as well in her own voice. “Amazing…” she breathed, watching as it translated even her reaction back to the woman … making the miko laugh.

Yes, a miko, at least she appeared to be.

Kaiita could recognize the crimson hakama, the clean white haori, and even the patterned outer coat or robe that was tied from shoulder to shoulder in a red cord. “I mean- it’s good to see you face to face Keiko-san, “ she continued, unable to stop herself from analyzing the woman’s attire. This didn’t go unnoticed and Keiko smiled almost knowingly. <Unless your companion has already explained, I am not just a miko, as you will come to understand, I am a saniwa as well. There will be much more to explain but first, tell me- how do you feel?> While she hadn’t had much time to get to know this woman very well, up close Kaiita could get a sense now that this woman was somehow…’ bigger’ than she really looked. Somehow her presence didn’t match the petite figure and demure face. It was like something other than her body heat was pressing up against Kaiita and it make her fidget in place- unable to do anything about it. “I feel good.” She replied, “ It’s nice and warm out here. It smells good too, Konnosuke said there are sakura outside?” <Ah! Yes, I suppose you can smell them couldn’t you, come with me and I’ll show you to the balcony.  However, I must ask you to prepare yourself, while I’m sure you’ve never seen Japan before… this is more than just simple city. > Ah- yes, this was the distant future right? She almost forgot- what? Were their flying ships or space stations in the sky? Kaiita wondered this and more as she followed behind Keiko who walked with a soft sound of a bell in her step. The doctors meanwhile were following, along with that person in a suit. They were talking amongst themselves as they passed little batons and tapped various menus and devices on their own tablet screens. Out of the corner of her eye Kaiita could think she saw an MRI scan of herself, with various other similar charts that overlapped different parts of her body. What stuck out also was an odd fluctuating image of her body that almost reminded her of one of those new age color spectrum maps of the human aura. 

The hall didn’t go for very long, and she noticed a few other rooms of similar fashion to her own but all were empty it seemed. They took a right and the hall became a windowed view, and that’s when Kaiitas breath did catch her throat. 

Keiko touched a section of the window and suddenly it parted- after forming edges seemingly out of nowhere! They too slid aside from one another like a shoji door and Kaiita followed her outside onto the balcony.  There was the city below them, and from this edge she could see their building was done up in a style resembling a castle- but it was far more complex with  several other towering sections with the same ornate tiered roofs. Below a rather modern city sprawled out before her, and it wouldn’t have been so impressive than any other metropolis in the 21th century had it not been for the small details. Many sky trains rode back and forth on tracks that seemed to hover in the air. Cars looked more or less the same if more a bit more stylized, and then she could see projected signs from the second floor on the street across from their building. They changed and animated on their own! Thankfully it wasn’t too overdone- like some sci-fi vegas- but the city gave off a far more automated look than anything she could think of. 

This was okay, it wasn’t too startling for her at all, but it DID hammer in the idea she wasn’t in her own era any longer. Thankfully the future didn’t look too alien that Kaiita couldn’t handle it- for now. Coming closer to the edge of the balcony she could see a heavy tree line of blooming sakura illuminated by floating lanterns. They were attached to nothing, they just hung in mid air with no strings and probably no flame inside. Yet they glowed and flickered with a light unlike any bulb she’d seen. The breeze blew a waft of their flowers perfume up to her and she visibly sighed.

< What do you think?> Keiko was looking at her, and Kaiita thought it over a moment before answering.

“…its…different, but not too much. I think if I saw space ships I might have freaked out. “ < Oh they exist, just…  they are out in space- like satellites would be. And they are certainly not for commercial use.> “Oh…” all the girl could do was blink at the senior saniwa, who proceeded to giggle in amusement. At least someone was finding this funny. Still Keiko was sympathetic, and she reached out to pat Kaiita’s shoulder- albeit..hesitantly, seeing if she was relaxed enough. Kaiita didn’t resist and in that moment of non-verbal consent Keiko smiled more warmly at her. < I understand you’re being very brave right now. There may come a time soon when you may feel overwhelmed, and I would advise you to not bottle that up. Be open as much as you can, it will make your adjustments easier if you can face those emotions directly. For now, you needn’t be too concerned about acclimatizing to an alien world- not where you are going.> This was... comforting but odd, what did Keiko mean by that last part? She conveyed her curiosity with a raised brow at the tiny creature still held in her arms.

“What Keiko-san means is you will be leaving this building and being sent somewhere else. Somewhere… a ‘bit more your pace.’ The arrangements are being made, as it appears the doctors have approved you are ready for transfer.” Konnosuke’s response drew the girl’s attention back to the doctors who indeed seemed to look approving of her and were singing off something with a stylus and mailing it digitally before handing it to the person in a suit. “Where am I being taken now?” she asked Keiko who had followed her line of sight. Before the woman replied she spoke something to the two doctors who would nod and then bow to her before leaving them alone on the balcony. The person in the suit followed as well, but not before looking back once more at Kaiita as they door closed behind them. Keiko turned to her and nods, < Kaiita-san, after the head bureau signs off on your bill of health, you will be assigned a Citadel.>

“A citadel?” Was she hearing this right? “Like-… as in- a citadel, citadel? A big- place? Like castle or-“ Maybe the translation wasn’t working, surely they meant maybe a little apartment or a place to stay. As if reading her mind the Konnosuke nods to confirm there was no mistake. “A citadel is assigned to every participating member of the E.S.C. It acts as their home base and place of residence. The size is expected as well in your line of work, as you will come to understand.”

“So… I’m going to move into a town?”

“Not exactly, it’s rather a large property of land with various specific buildings which come standard to every saniwa’s needs. Each citadel is very special, and will be under your complete control.” The fox continued, tail beginning to swish with excitement, “After all, as Master of the house, it will become your home.” <Konnosuke can explain more, but first, how about we get you something to eat? Outside maybe? There is a nice shop across the street.>  Keiko suggested pointing to something with an animated sign that had a kettle pouring something into a cup. A Café? Despite all the heaviness and gravitas of what was just dumped on her, distracting herself with a familiar concept was a welcome idea. All Kaiita could do was nod, and allow Keiko to lead her away and down stairs.

Halfway Saniwa (Ch.4)

{Chapter 4: Speak Your Mind}

 <Japanese>

“English”

‘thoughts’

For the following 2 weeks Kaiita was brought into contact with the outside world; the new and digitally tangible one as well as beginning her introduction courses. Firstly, her studies of the Japanese language took the forefront along with her basic introduction to the Saniwa and the Grid of Transient Time Channels.  This was the system in which most of her power over her mission would be intimately integrated. It was late evening and Kaiita was sitting on the floor in a new room in a different wing of the E.S.C. HQ with a clear stylus brush hovering over a large plate on a low table.  She was practicing her hiragana and katanana, when Konnosuke came padding into the room. It was one of the rare times he ever left her side- but it was important due to the fact he was clarifying something that had arrived for her. “ Here it is!” he announced with no shortage of pride in his voice, which made Kaiita look up from her work. “Hm?” “Your ID and citizenship papers.” ‘Citizenship papers?’ this irked her eye brow with a bit of concern.  “But- I’m Canadian, right?” she agreed to joining their army- no one said anything about giving up her citizenship. Konnosuke shook his head and pushed the envelope he’d brought in closer to her.  “Of course you are, but since around a few years before the war began, everyone became a dual citizen of the planet or United Countries Sovereign.  It was a sign of the world’s unification under a common cause of restoration and collaboration. It is considered a sign of progress of this era, one of our finest achievements!“  Kaiita could only imagine what impact this had on immigration, but she had enough politics to worry about.  For now she took a look at her card which slid out smoothly into her open palm along with a small folder of documentation papers. Everything seemed to be in order; it signified her as Canadian in origin and alliance, and – sure enough- a dual citizen of the UCS. It showed her sex, height, weight, skin and natural hair color-… biological age? This was actually marked down as Early 20’s but then in brackets – unspecified. ‘Perhaps they couldn’t gauge exactly how long I was frozen for?’ There was that odd shudder again. Every time she encountered something that nailed it into her that she had lost everything, it left an unsettling weight in her stomach. It scared her. In some strange way perhaps Kaiita was still in denial. She was still refusing to admit what happened- even when staring at her own picture on the glassy surface of her ID card. “Ah! You’re rather good at this.” Konnosuke commented, having crossed behind the girl and now stood with his front paws sitting on top the table. He- it- they, where looking over her hand writing. “You think so? It can use some improvement, I think my hand shakes too much and makes some of the loops too small.” She replied placing the documents down beside the sheet of scribbled words. 

“ – Now you are officially in the roster of Saniwa , if you searched up your name, your basic stats will appear on a simple web browser search.” “W- what wait?! That’s public knowledge?!” she was joining the army- Not wanting to become an internet presence! “Hardly, “ Konnosuke said, holding out his paw in a gesture for her to calm down, “ It’s not what you think. Saniwa are privy to a lot more information than the common public. Your name will pop up in a basic search, but not your photograph, just a few simple details, that’s what’s available to the public, but as for specifics- if YOU- yourself looked up your name you would get a much more in-depth profile result. While other saniwa may have something in the middle- depending on what you wish to share. “ ‘I suppose that make sense’ she thought, “ If I wanted to search up allies or team mates I’d get a rough overview of a saniwa in question right?” “Exactly!” the fox confirmed.

“Now how about we do a few practice phrases- introduce yourself Kaiita-sama?” the fox situated himself across from her and Kaiita swerved around to face him with her text book on her lap. For the next 2 hours they went over basic phrases of introduction, some key situation things and words she could really use in emergencies before breaking for dinner. Japanese was a dense language, and she was having trouble remembering similar looking symbols. Kaiita only hoped with usage in real life the meanings would stick eventually. For now she could relax and eat her dinner- which was found down stairs in a cafeteria. 

What Kaiita eventually came to understand was the science and research wing- where she was originally kept, this was the main center. People came and went from all branches of the government in regards to the war on the world history. She saw people dressed in various military garb and regalia- and most of all- saniwa. It was easier to pick them out in fact- what she had initially felt with Keiko was a saniwas aura. A natural barrier or space in which their presence fills a space around them. Konnosuke explained that a saniwa  was a shorter word for sayaniwa which was originally what a purified site was called. Specifically it referred to a place where a deity was worshiped and its divine will was received- eventually this translated over to people who fulfilled a similar function, receiving the name of the location itself as a literal title. So like a shaman or a priest- but something a bit more intrinsically connected to ‘space’ itself. This space seemed to follow saniwa wherever they went. It was a core attribute of their powers. Kaiita wandered into the mess hall where a plethora of people milled about their business, grabbing a snack, taking a break or just passing through on their own business. What was so interesting, was the clash of old and new right before her eyes. People clearly dressed for battle, would don combinations of modern and ancient clothing! It was rather an interesting sight to see. It proved to her quickly that a saniwa could be literally- anyone! Men or women, adults and even children! CHILDREN! What sort of branch of an army hired children?!

 Kaiita gawked in the middle of eating her food at a girl standing no taller than maybe 4 feet ! She short brown hair brushed over one eye in the company of a man who… had pink hair? They also wore a very ornate and flashy golden kimono. In fact all those she could tell where saniwa were rare ever alone. They have an attendant of some sort at any given time usually. Kaiita couldn’t figure out who they were exactly, for now she had a lot to memorize simply in terms of how people got around now a day. From learning basic transit, language and customs, it was a lot to take in and get straight. At the very least people were not to unforgiving to someone who just didn’t get it right away- even more so- she wasn’t the only foreigner there. Not by a long shot.

As she bit into a piece of tuna she could see a blonde across the mess hall with the ugliest jacket she’d ever seen! He followed by a much more refined individual wearing a rather artistic attire and what she could tell was purple hair. Purple hair- so many colors. At least she guessed that about the future correctly- she imagined once upon a time a future where people could look however they wished- including normally impossible shades of hair. Another thing she did notice about every single saniwa’s attendant was each carried some kind of weapon on their person. Usually this weapon was some sort of Japanese blade. In fact- she could tell the difference between the types- because Konnosuke made her memorize them. The fox told her this was also very important to her line of work- which would become clear once the first initial hurdles of her training where done. 

‘One of the most important parts-‘they had said.

She must have mouthed that perhaps whilst eating for suddenly- “Hm? Did you say something Kaiita-sama?” the fox who had been eating some stuffed inari sushi- something she was surprised an synthetic organism was able to- was not looking at her. “Oh!” she put her chop sticks down a moment, sipping her tea to clear her throat. “I was actually wondering- about what you said regarding the study of swords.” She gestured to yet another saniwa who stood up across from another table, a small girl in a very flowery military attire following them with a ‘tantou’ on their hip made to follow. “Oh? You’re curious about them huh? Well worry not- your introduction to the toudan danshi is tomorrow.” They declared with an excited swish of their tail.  The fox pointed with a paw, “ –every saniwa as you can observe has a person following them yes? Those armored people are called toudan danshi. They are very important, to us, and to you. You’ll see, I am quite looking forward to this myself- I am curious who will be called to your side first!” “ -called? you mean, someone is going to volunteer? One of them?” she straightened up, watching them more closely- and for a moment she could have sworn she’d seen the SAME person pass by a second time. The one with the purple hair- but the saniwa they followed was different! Did they switch charges here too? “ Tommorow, Kaiita-sama, now that you have clearance to leave since your ID has arrived-… we shall be leaving this place. But not before you learn who and what toudan danshi are.” That made her stand up in shock- “ I’m leaving?!” So soon?! Or was it? Maybe she was just becoming used to this place… when did the time creep up? 

“Calm down- calm down- sit sit-  everything will be fine.” Konnosuke said once again doing their best to settle her down. And how could it not work- with those adorable paws waving at her? The girl resumed her seat and waited for her partner to explain. “ I understand you perhaps are nervous, but you need to go somewhere more… home-like. As much as I’m sure you have adjusted to this place, it is both part of your training, your job, but also as another positive contribution to your health. You need to go somewhere more domestic now. Your home, your citadel awaits. It waits for you to open the door to it and take shape. It’s going to be quite the sight- I know you’ll be happy there.”

Konnosuke sounded so sure- “I’m not so sure.” Kaiita blurted out. Realizing how rude it must have sounded- she apologized.  “ I mean- “ words died in her throat. How could she feel at home in such an alien place? As much as it was nice, wonderful even-..this wasn’t home. How could it ever be? It shamed her to think this way, but she was homesick. An irrational part of her felt guilty of some kind of betrayal, to simply replace her –home- with another. It was perfectly juvenile! As she mentally admonished herself the fox padded closer until they were nearly nose to nose- and Kaiita straightened up in surprise.

“….?” What did they want? Eventually the creatures face softened into an unmistakable smile.

{Chapter 2: The Brass Tax}

<Japanese> “English” ‘thoughts’

“Kaiita? Please take the object form the box.”

The room she was in, was a sterile laboratory space furnished to house a patient. Such a room was used to treat her for the last 3 days, ever since her body’s discovery in the wilds of the Canadian boreal forest. This room had been used periodically for special cases like hers, for special recruitments. She was not the first, and she would not be the last either. They spoke at length through the wall, as the doctors and scientists slowly introduced a series of germs, various viruses and their counterpart vaccines.  Little by little they were updating her body, acclimatizing it for all the years she missed so she could safely leave that room. Most of it made sense, but there were some tests she didn’t understand right away. Through a sterilized two way entrance box, they put various objects inside and asked her all sorts of questions. Over time she began to learn just what this organization was, and it was a helpful distraction from the horrible realization of this current reality, her reality.

Through brief history lessons, laid down as simply matter-of-fact, Kaiita, the last remaining of her band, had been informed she missed years of time, so many that she should have been more than an old woman by now if things hadn’t turned out this way. In that time the world had become a very different place.  It was still physically as big as before, but socially it had become smaller- it had become united. What sort of thing could possibly unite humanity so tightly? War. A war unlike any other. 

In reaction of such losses at its start, she had been retrieved from her long sleep, and in light of her rescue- Kaiita had been drafted into the fight. 

“What do you feel when holding that item there Kaiita?” Keiko asked through the translating glass returning the girls mind back to the present.  Kaiita held what appeared to be a folded charm sewn from ornate fabric. She felt its weight in her palm… she felt it was oddly lighter than it looked, and warmer than it should be. “ Is there.. a trick or something to this?” she asked after explaining how it seemed to her. Keiko insisted there was no trick here, and so long as Kaiita was honest- there were no wrong answers.

After putting the item back into the tray and watching it slid back out again through the box hatch, she heard something else come in once the tray was taken out. It padded it’s way through the exchange chamber, was misted by air that disinfected it, and crawled out on her side. It’s appearance was so shocking she rose to her feet in shock. There standing on the porcline floor was a fox. But clearly not just any fox, not a red, or white, or brown, or even remotely feral and wild looking ting- but a technicolor creature resembling the ornate masks she’d seen at festivals, grinning up at her just as mischievously as the masks it resembled would.

< Konichiwa Kaiita-san, Watshi wa Konnosuke, ah-> the creature cut off as Keiko’s voice cut in, “ Konnosuke, please switch your language feed first. Kaiita does not speak Japanese. “ The fox bristled a little – as if embarrassed then did the cutest little bow on it’s four paws she’d ever seen.

“Hai- Wakarimashita-“there was an audible click, and the blue mark in the center fo the fox’s face lit up a brief moment, before it resumed talking directly to the girl before it. “Good afternoon Kaiita-san, my name is Konnosuke, I shall be your kudagitsune in the days to come, hopefully. Though I can tell by the readings you are giving off to my sensors that you are a viable candidate for a saniwa.” There was that name again, and out of the corner of her eye she could see Keiko’s shadow move away from the window- perhaps to let them get acquainted?

“Sa-saniwa?” she repeated, eyes returning to the floor to continue gawking at the creature which gave off- somehow- both an organic aura and a synthetic one. There something mechanical about it, but it moved far too lively and smoothly to be a toy or a simple machine. 

“Correct,” it repeated back, “in lieu of your appointed candidacy of becoming a saniwa, I shall be your both your assigned navigator, and attendant during your introduction. If things turn out well, you and I will be working together from here on out. I’m looking forward to working with you!” 

Call her self-centered but she had to know-Kaita licked her suddenly dry lips and asked the biggest question weighing on her mind. “So it’s true then? I’m going to be …doing whatever it is you people want me to do? Because I honestly have nowhere, or no one to go back to? Right?” She insinuated the implication- was she truly being drafted? Did she really have a choice in this?

“Oh there IS ‘something’ to return to, the land you were extracted from is still the designated territory of your people… and as its sole survivor it is plausible to assume it will be under your ownership eventually, but there will be people put in place to run any political and official paperwork regarding it’s keeping till such time you can assume proper position to delegate its future. For the past 80 years at least it was set apart as a national park and monument, losing its status as a reservation to be lived in by other people. Therefore negotiations are being set in motion to return it’s protecting to you- but this will take time. In the meantime, the reason you were discovered is because of your power. You produced a massive register on the radar sweeping those lands, and based on its nature and potency the E.S.C. were notified and were put in charge of investigating. Upon your discovery they have assumed responsibility for your care until you can be released. “

“-and can I?”

“ – Can you what?” the fox asked, quirking it’s head to one side as if to listen to her better with its tilted ear.

“Be released? Can I really go home? Or will you people keep me here?” Without her realizing it, Kaiita was fidgiting with her hands.

“As it currently stands, if you do wish to leave the custody of the E.S.C. you will have to accept the proper terms and conditions of your extraction, which includes the fees that cover your acclimatization process and regeneration procedures. This can be paid off in various ways, such as contributing to the Human Reclamation Research Project which has taken a particular interest in you since details of your historical ancestry became common knowledge in the scientific circles. A great deal of geneticists will be wanting to contact you. But we cannot be sure if whatever financial exchanges they offer will cover your treatments. The E.S.C. has used all of its power to not only resuscitate you, but also provide the lawyers and delegates working on your behalf to cease the asset you are due.”

So in a nutshell, she owed them a LOT of money.

Considering the state of inflammation in her era, Kaiita could only wilt at the thought of what that price tag on her “revival” looked like. It was like a kind of financial enslavement. The Mother of all student loans. She was out of touch, out of her depth, she had no way to navigate how this world worked now, politically, financially, and economically. If she walked out that door Kaiita would be on her own, and with no idea of where to start paying back these people for bringing her back to life. The weight of that realization made her feel sick- and she slid to the floor holding a hand to her mouth.

“Ah! Kaiita-san! Are you alright? Do you need me to notify the nurse?” the creature had closed the distance between them, and pawed at her arm. It was smooth and furry- so maybe it was more animal than machine? She should have flinched or lashed out at it, but for whatever reason it was comforting.

“..I…it’s just… “ It was so much to take in. So many invisable eyes on her, so many people moving back and forth around her, tying so many strings, faster than she could keep up- and yet she felt simultaneously alone.  Lowering her hand she raised her head to look at the fox sitting beside her on the floor. “ Konnosuke- you say?” “ Yes! I am your kudagitsune, every saniwa has at least one.” It said rather proudly. “so- I’m a saniwa? Like right now?” If so, how did that happen?! “Not yet, but you can be…” there was a noticeable excitement in its tone of voice. “If I become a saniwa, if I join in this… war- are you implying that I can pay back my debts?”

“ Yes, not only will you pay them back, but the E.S.C. will provide training and rehabilitation for you to integrate properly back into modern society. “ Yaya more fees- but at this rate she needed those. Maybe they were taking advantage of her but she felt in no position right now to complain. Or maybe she did- whatever, right now there was a numbness form the shock settling over her nerves. “But how much is my service even worth?” “… Considering you are joining an army that is trying to protect all of history, and thus ensuring our future? Priceless.”