Standing by the walls of a massive enclosed compound were two guards of the Doshin, watching over the large crimson gate.
They passed the time with idle chatter until one of them caught a glimpse of three women approaching.
He turned his head, and so did his companion.
One of the three had striking orange hair, while the other two shared the same shade of black. The older of the two wore hers in loose curls that framed her face. Whether deliberate or not, the contrast between them was eye-catching. The last of the three was the most inconspicuous, almost invisible in the way she carried herself.
As they approached the gate, the two guards immediately straightened, abandoning the sluggish posture they had held moments before.
The woman with the curly black hair stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Greetings. My name is Kanami Shio, and I seek entry to the shrine along with my two cousins."
"Are you looking to admit anyone?" one of the guards asked.
"Actually, it's the both of them who wish to be admitted to the shrine," she replied. "I'm here as their representative, being the oldest in the family."
"Then you are welcome," he replied before pulling the gate open.
"Please, follow me."
He stepped inside, and they followed close behind.
The moment they entered, Takae and Yuriko couldn't help but stare in amazement.
The compound was enormous, easily the size of three large mansions. Several intricately constructed buildings stood throughout the grounds, each appearing to serve a different purpose.
Women dressed in white and red robes moved about carrying water pots, folded clothes, and various supplies as they went about their duties.
The guard led them toward the especially large temple at the very center of the compound.
Waiting at the entrance were two women standing atop a short staircase of polished hardwood painted a deep crimson.
The guard bowed respectfully before saying,
"The three behind me include those seeking admission under the High Priestess, along with their family representative. If you could take over from here."
"We will," one of them replied. "Thank you for your service."
"Of course," the guard said before turning to leave.
Once he was gone, one of the maidens said, "Follow us. We'll take you to the Shrine Priestess."
The two maidens led the way while the three of them followed a short distance behind.
"Why did that guard turn back?" Yuriko asked Kanami. "Is he not allowed in here or something?"
"No men are allowed inside the shrine except under specific circumstances, like the guards," she replied. "Even they aren't allowed to enter the temples. They only serve to protect the maidens from any threats."
"Then are there any exceptions who can enter?" Yuriko asked.
"I think there is one," she replied after a moment of thought. "The Shrine Priestess' personal guard. I hear he even has a place to stay within the shrine compound."
"Please lower your voices in the main temple," one of the maidens said. "We are approaching the Shrine Priestess' chambers."
They fell silent after hearing that.
The silence didn't last long, though.
After taking another turn, they arrived before a room with a wooden sliding door.
They were instructed to take a seat on the wooden floor outside while one of the maidens stepped inside.
They could make out her shadow moving across the room, but before she reached the door she stopped.
"Who seeks audience with the Shrine Priestess of the Ember Shrine of Toa?" she asked from behind the door.
"Kanami Shio on behalf of the Shio family," Kanami replied. "I seek admission for my two maternal cousins."
The door slid open.
Before them sat the woman Yuriko and Takae had seen on their first day in town, dressed in the same white and crimson robes, though these were adorned with intricate embroidery and decorated with elegant jewels and hairpins.
She carried herself with a quiet nobility, her calm, reassuring expression only adding to the impression. Beside her, to her right, sat the maiden who had guided them there.
"Greetings," she said, her voice composed. "My name is Sayo Kiyohara, and I am the Head Maiden and spiritual leader of the shrine. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
"The pleasure is ours, Lady Kiyohara," Kanami replied with her hands clasped together.
"To have members of the famous artisan family here is quite the surprise," she said. "If I'm not mistaken, your family once declined to have one of their daughters join the shrine."
"It was my younger sister who was meant to join, but she declined after our father's death," Kanami replied. "She stayed behind to help the two of us keep our father's workshop afloat."
"Yes, I am aware, and I'm sorry for your loss," she said. "If I'm correct, I heard that you married shortly afterwards. Is that correct?"
"Yes, you are correct," Kanami replied, her expression growing downcast. "But my marriage ended three months ago."
"She was married?" Takae thought. "Ayako didn't say anything about that... though I assumed as much, given..."
"Your marriage ended?" the priestess asked. "May I ask what happened?"
"I'm sorry, but it's not something I'm comfortable talking about," Kanami replied.
"I apologize for prying, then," she said before turning to Yuriko and Takae. "Now, back to the reason for your visit."
"Oh yes," Kanami said, quickly composing herself.
"Introduce yourselves," she said, turning to the two of them.
"My name is Takae Yamada," Takae said in a low tone.
"And I'm Yuriko Yamada."
"You two seem to be about the same age. Are you twins?" the priestess asked.
"Something of the sort, yes," Yuriko replied. "Why do you ask?"
"It's just that you look so different it's hard to believe you're sisters at all," she said.
"Of course we are," Yuriko shot back defensively. "What brought that on?"
"It's that orange hair of yours," she replied. "I've never seen anything like it before."
"It's quite bizarre," she added as she stared at her. "Almost... inhuman."
Yuriko couldn't explain why, but that stare felt like it was prying her open.
Almost as if she were trying to make her confess to something she shouldn't even know.